Why do giraffes have long necks? It can't really be for reaching tasty leaves since their main food is ground level bushes, tidy though that explanation would be. And how does relativity theory cope with the fact that the observable universe defies prediction by being far too small and anything but homogeneous? By inventing a vastly larger, but invisible, universe. And what exactly should we make of the scientists who claim to be witnessing thought itself, when the changes of blood flow in the brain that they observe are a thousand times slower than the neuronal activity it is supposed to reveal? A little scepticism is in order. Yet if philosophers of science, from Thomas Kuhn to Paul Feyerabend, have argued that science is a more haphazard process, driven by political fashion and short-term economic self-interest, today almost everyone seems to assume it is a vast jigsaw of interlocking facts pieced slowly but steadily together by expert practitioners. In this witty but profound 21st-century update on the issues, Martin Cohen offers vital clues for understanding not only the way knowledge develops, but also into the dangers of accepting too readily or too uncritically the claims of experts of all kinds - even philosophical ones! The claims are invariably presented as objective fact, yet are rooted in human subjectivity.

In the food industry, scientists are exploring the potential of nanotechnology to enhance the flavor and other sensory characteristics of foods, introduce antibacterial nanostructures into food packaging and encapsulate and deliver nutrients directly into targeted tissues, among other applications. However, as with any new technology, along with the benefits, there is the potential for unanticipated adverse effects. There is still a great deal to learn about any health outcomes related to introducing nanosized materials into foods and food packaging materials. Developing nanotechnology into a safe, effective tool for use in food science and technology will require addressing these and other questions. Assuring consumer confidence will be equally important to the success of this new emerging technology. The Institute of Medicine held a one-day workshop, summarized in this volume, to further explore the use of nanotechnology in food. Specifically, the workshop was organized around three primary topic areas: (1) the application of nanotechnology to food products; (2) the safety and efficacy of nanomaterials in food products; and (3) educating and informing consumers about the applications of nanotechnology to food products.

Abstract: This hearing addresses the Safety of Pesticides in Food Act of 1991. This bill addresses the persistent problem of pesticide residues in foods, as pesticides are the major chemical hazard in the food supply.

This clearly structured and beautifully illustrated atlas, which includes numerous high-quality pre-, intra-, and postoperative pictures, documents the techniques employed in order to deal with the problems typically encountered following a previous failed rhinoplasty. Each chapter also contains a description of the authors’ standard procedure for treating the problem in question and describes the precautions to be taken in order to avoid similar failures. The techniques covered include extracorporeal and total septal reconstruction, reconstruction of the over resected tip, the sliding technique for reduction of the over projected tip, the use of alloplastic fascia or alternatively free diced cartilage for camouflaging or volume augmentation, and saddle nose correction. Mastering Advanced Rhinoplasty will be of value to both novice and experienced practitioners seeking to achieve the best results for patients who frequently present with challenging problems.

Mineral Nutrition of Fruit Trees summarizes the state of knowledge about the mineral nutrition of fruit trees, including peach and apple trees. The discussions are organized around six themes: fruit tree mineral nutrition and crop quality; uptake and transport; effect of soil management and fertilizer applications on nutrient uptake; direct application of nutrients to foliage and fruits; prediction of nutrient requirements; and synthesis. This text consists of 69 chapters and begins with a section dealing with the effects of nutrition on fruit quality. The second section explores the mechanisms of nutrient entry to, and movement within, fruit trees and the means of influencing the nutrition of both the whole tree and the crop by fertilizers and management practices, including irrigation and the use of herbicides. The third section describes methods for predicting the needs of the tree for establishment, growth, and fruit quality. The effects of interactions between nutrition and environment on the mineral composition of fruits are considered, along with an integrated approach to orchard nutrition and bitter pit control, the influence of boron deficiency on fruit quality, and calcium accumulation in apple fruit. This book will be of interest to scientists working in fields such as biochemistry, food technology, agriculture, horticulture, and physiology.