Other books that might interest you

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  Cougar Bay Nature Preserve -...

  Theresa Shaffer

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  Fighting for Ecological HeritageIn 1992, a Hawaiian developer proposed a subdivision on Cougar Bay's northern shore, just two miles south of Coeur d'Alene. Dedicated, tenacious locals took on the seemingly impossible goal of stopping the "Cougar Beach" development. Unlikely allies--environmental activists and a cantankerous landowner--banded together. Private and public groups stepped up. In 1997, The Nature Conservancy purchased major shoreline areas and created a nature preserve. The sanctuary remained unaltered until more private land was gifted to the Bureau of Land Management and Kootenai County. After thirteen years of heroic perseverance, the Cougar Bay Nature Preserve became a reality. Idaho Wildlife Viewing Guide calls it one of the state's best wildlife viewing sites. Theresa Shaffer chronicles the battle to preserve this oasis for locals, visitors and wildlife alike.

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  African Artificial Intelligence...

  Mark Nasila

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  Artificial intelligence (AI) is upending life, work, and play as we know it, and it's only just getting started. The rise of AI is a milestone on par with the discovery of fire, the invention of the wheel, and the creation of the internet. In short, AI is going to change everything. For some, that's an exciting prospect. For others, it's terrifying. However you feel about AI, there's no escaping it, whether you're in a global metropolis or a farmer in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
  Dr Mark Nasila has been watching AI's ascent for over a decade, studying its effects on everything from agriculture and aviation to healthcare, education, entertainment, crime prevention, energy management, policy creation, finance, and anything in between, and applying them to his role at one of South Africa's most successful financial institutions, First National Bank, a division of FirstRand Group.
  African Artificial Intelligence is a comprehensive and fascinating journey, tracing the rise of AI and its evolution into the emerging technology underpinning all others – from connected devices and smart chatbots to the metaverse. Mark combines unexpected use cases and tales of cutting-edge innovation with a unique and potent argument: harnessing AI to solve Africa's problems requires embracing it from an African perspective.
  African nations can't afford to simply import AI solutions from afar. Instead, Mark contends, they need to rework, remix, and refine AI so it's able to meet uniquely African challenges in uniquely African ways, and to take advantage of the once-in-a-generation opportunity AI represents for every industry, sector, and person, everywhere.

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  Sustainability - A Very Short...

  Saleem H. Ali

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  The growing concern about global environmental change and human impacts on the planet has led to the emergence of a broad field of study on the 'sustainability' of human societies. The term's common usage can be traced back to the advent of the Earth Summit in 1992 when 'sustainable development' was broadly embraced by the international community as an ostensibly win-win proposition for economic development, social inclusion, and ecological conservation. Yet both the natural science underpinnings and the social implications of a quest for sustainability have been diffuse. There is a need for a coherent synthesis which draws out key themes from both natural and social analysis of the concept.This Very Short Introduction begins by introducing the concept of sustainability and how it has developed. The central chapters consider four key concepts crucial to sustainability: a) material and energy flows in consumption and production; b) technological interventions for a sustainable society; c) tipping points, and resilience in natural and social systems; and d) renewability and circularity in the economy. In the concluding chapter, Saleem H. Ali explores political means of managing anthropogenic change for a more sustainable society.

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  Egyptian Science and Technology...

  Omar Khalil

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  Ancient Egypt, renowned for its monumental architecture and sophisticated culture, was also a hub of intellectual and scientific advancements. At the heart of Egyptian knowledge was a unique blend of practical experience, religious beliefs, and cultural traditions. Understanding the foundations of their knowledge requires examining the interplay between mythology, early scientific thought, and the ways this knowledge was transmitted through generations. 
  The role of religion and mythology in ancient Egypt cannot be overstated. Egyptian cosmology deeply influenced how people understood the world around them. Deities associated with creation, the afterlife, and natural phenomena shaped the Egyptians' perception of science and technology. For example, the god Thoth was believed to be the deity of wisdom, writing, and mathematics, and his influence permeated educational practices. Priests and scribes, who were often part of temple schools, acted as custodians of this sacred knowledge. Their training combined religious teachings with practical subjects like astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. 
  Early scientific thought in ancient Egypt was pragmatic rather than theoretical. Egyptians were skilled observers, and much of their knowledge arose from practical problem-solving. Whether it was calculating the Nile's flooding patterns or designing complex irrigation systems, their science emerged from the need to manage everyday challenges. For instance, their understanding of geometry developed out of the necessity to remeasure fields after the annual inundation of the Nile. Similarly, medical practices were rooted in practical observations of ailments and their treatments, blending empirical knowledge with spiritual beliefs.

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  Particle Physics - A Very Short...

  Frank Close

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  Following the discovery of the Higgs boson, Frank Close has produced this major revision to his classic and compelling introduction to the fundamental particles that make up the universe. Frank Close takes us on a journey into the atom to examine known particles such as quarks, electrons, and the ghostly neutrino, and explains the key role and significance of the Higgs boson. Along the way he provides fascinating insights into how discoveries in particle physics have actually been made, and discusses how our picture of the world has been radically revised in the light of these developments. He concludes by looking ahead to new ideas about the mystery of antimatter and massive neutrinos, and to what the next fifty years of research might reveal about the nature of the Higgs field which molds the fundamental particles and forces.

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  Night's Embrace - Gentle...

  Greg Cetus

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  Immerse yourself in the tranquil depths of a quiet night with this immersive binaural recording. A soft, continuous chorus of night crickets fills the air, weaving through the gentle murmur of a trickling stream. The ambiance is subtly shaped by the natural ebb and flow of a variable breeze, rustling leaves and enhancing the sense of open, moonlit space. Every sound is captured with clarity and spatial depth, creating a lifelike auditory experience that calms the mind and invites deep relaxation. Designed to replicate the serene stillness of a summer evening in nature, this soundscape offers an ideal escape from daily stress—perfect for meditation, restful sleep, or grounding moments of mindfulness. Let the soothing embrace of night envelop you in its peaceful, rhythmic lullaby.

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