The definitive examination of oak forest evolutionary ecology. Seed dispersal is a critical stage in the life cycle of most flowering plants. The process can have far-reaching effects on a species' biology, especially numerous aspects of its ecology and evolution. This is particularly the case for the oaks, in which the dispersal of the acorn is tied to numerous tree characteristics, as well as the behavior and ecology of the animals that feed on and move these seeds to their final destination. Forest structure, composition, and genetics often follow directly from the dispersal process—while also influencing it in turn. In Oak Seed Dispersal, Michael A. Steele draws on three decades of field research across the globe (e.g., the United States, Mexico, Central America, Europe, and China) to describe the interactions between oaks and their seed consumers. Rodents, birds, and insects, he writes, collectively influence the survival, movement, and germination of acorns, as well as the establishment of seedlings, often indicating a coevolutionary bond between oaks and their seed consumers. This bond can only be understood by unraveling the complex interactions that occur in the context of factors such as partial seed consumption due to acorn chemistry, scatterhoarding, predation of the seed consumers by other organisms, and the limiting effects of masting on insect, rodent, and jay damage. Offering new insights on how animal-mediated dispersal drives ecological and evolutionary processes in forest ecosystems, Oak Seed Dispersal also includes an overview of threatened oak forests across the globe and explains how a lack of acorn dispersal contributes to many important conservation challenges. Highly illustrated, the book includes photographs of key dispersal organisms and tactics, as well as a foreword by Stephen B. Vander Wall, a leading authority on food hoarding and animal-mediated seed dispersal, and beautiful artwork by Tad C. Theimer, also an accomplished ecologist.
The world’s first independent black republic, Haiti was forged in the fire of history’s only successful slave revolution. Yet more than two hundred years later, the full promise of that revolution – a free country and a free people – remains unfulfilled. Home for more than a decade to one of the world’s largest UN peacekeeping forces, Haiti's tumultuous political culture – buffeted by coups and armed political partisans – combined with economic inequality and environmental degradation to create immense difficulties even before the devastating 2010 earthquake killed tens of thousands of people. This grim tale, however, is not the whole story. In this moving and detailed history, Michael Deibert, who has spent two decades reporting on Haiti, chronicles the heroic struggles of Haitians to build their longed-for country in the face of overwhelming odds. Based on hundreds of interviews with Haitian political leaders, international diplomats, peasant advocates and gang leaders, as well as ordinary Haitians, Deibert’s book provides a vivid, complex and challenging analysis of Haiti’s recent history.
This is the most thorough treatment ever undertaken on the Sciuridae and promises to be the definitive book on squirrels for decades to come. Squirrels of the World, written by scientists with more than 100 years of collective experience studying these popular mammals, is the first comprehensive examination of all 285 species of squirrels worldwide. The authors reveal virtually every detail of the family Sciuridae, which includes ground squirrels, tree squirrels, flying squirrels, prairie dogs, and chipmunks. Each species—from the familiar gray squirrel of American backyards to the exotic and endangered woolly flying squirrel of Pakistan—is described in a detailed account that includes distinguishing characteristics, ecology, natural history, conservation status, and current threats to its existence. Squirrels of the World includes • stunning color photographs that document rare and unusual squirrels as well as common varieties • evolution, morphology, ecology, and conservation status • colorful range maps marking species distribution • images of the skull of each genus of squirrel • extensive references
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has been regarded as a role model for the implementation of cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), and is being closely watched by health care policy makers across the globe. This book examines Britain’s highly acclaimed approach to CEA and its international potential. It dissects the robustness of the agency’s technology appraisal processes as NICE evaluates innovative methods for diagnosis and intervention. Coverage provides a step-by-step explanation of the NICE appraisal process and examines its successes and limitations.
Chinese empires were established by force of arms, but sustained by religious rites and intellectual theory. The four centuries from 206 BC to AD 220 witnessed major changes in the state cults and the concepts of monarchy, while various techniques of divination were used to forecast the future or to solve immediate problems. Michael Loewe examines these changes and the links between religion and statecraft. While both mythology and the traditions nurtured by the learned affected the concept and practice of monarchy throughout the period, the political and social weaknesses of the last century of Han rule bring into question the success that was achieved by the imperial ideal. Nevertheless, that ideal and its institutions were of prime importance for the understanding of Han times and for the influence they exercised on China's later dynasties.
The area that would soon be known as Concord had barely been settled in May 1771 when nine of its young men courageously orchestrated what many regard as the first colonial attack against the British crown. Their "gunpowder plot" blazed a trail for future legendary locals, from the industrial and philanthropic dynasties of the Cannons and Coltranes to African American vanguards Warren C. Coleman and Mable Parker McLean. With unparalleled passion and, often, Southern sass, Concordians stand up for their beliefs, from Confederate officer Rufus Barringer to crusading newspaperman James P. Cook to bulldozer-defying preservationist Mary Snead Boger. Hometown hero Quincy Collins credits his upbringing for anchoring his sanity while a prisoner of war, and the city's splendor has attracted celebrities like enigmatic screen siren Elizabeth Threatt and The Sound of Music star Daniel Truhitte to settle here. Whether we know them as "Bear," "Mr. Democrat," "Mayor Mac," or "Humpy," they are the favorite sons and daughters of Concord and their stories--from the inspirational to the comical--are collected in this keepsake volume.
The world's leading source of evidence-based guidance on caring for patients at the end of life. Featuirng the content of the world's most widely read medical journal, plus completely new, never-before-published content. Perfect for medical students, trainees, and clinicians alike. Market / Audience Medical students: 18000/yr US, 250,000 global NP and PA students: 25,000/yr US, 50,000+ global IM and FP residents: 30,000 US, 60,000 global IM and FP clinicians: 140,000 US, 300,000+ global Palliative medicine: 3000 US Oncology: 20,000 US, 60,000 global Social workers About the Book In the tradition of the User's Guides to the Medical Literature, and The Rational Clinical Examination, JAMA/Care at the Close of Life is based on a widely successful series of articles appearing over the course of the last ten years in JAMA, the world's most widely read medical journal. The series is directed by Stephen McPhee, a leading authoriity of end of life care, and the chief editor of our market leading Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment text. The articles in the series cover fundamental topics and challenges in caring for patients who have been given a terminal diagnosis. Featuring a strong focus on evidence-based medicine, and organized by clinical cases, the articles are widely read by faculty, medical students, and clinicians who, frankly, have not been given a solid educational experience on this very important medical issue. The book will be physically modeled after The Rational Clinical Examination, in a full color format that highlights the clinical cases. It will be well suited for use as an required or recommended textbook for medical, PA, and NO students, and as a clinical reference text for trainees and practicing physicians and nurses. Key Selling Features Based on highy regarded content from the world's most widely read medical journal All content is completely updated, and extensive new, never-before-published content has been added Case-based, and evidence-based, so its a perfect fit for the way medical students and residents like to learn Focuses on practical, real-world issues for primary care physicians, and avoids esoteric issues of interest only to specialists in palliative care Full color format, modeled after the highly regarded Rational Clinical Examination Includes multimedia materials available on line: Power Point slides for teaching, and video interviews with patients in end-of-life care, so that faculty and students get supplemental resources for learning the art and science of care at the end of life Evidence-based guidance from the world's leading medical journal, on a critical topic that has been neglected in medical education and training until recently. Author Profile JAMA is the world's most widely read medical journal, and has a reputation for excellence in evidence-based medicine. Stephen McPhee has high visbility on account of his editorship of CMDT, and for his driving role in enhancing end of life care in medical education and training programs. He is: Professor of Medicine, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco CA
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