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  Insects - A Very Short Introduction

  Simon Leather

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  To date, more than a million insect species have been described, with probably at least another 5-8 million species waiting in the wings for a name. Insects are a fascinatingly diverse and beautiful spectrum of animals. They range in size from the tiny parasitic wasp, measuring a mere 139µm, to the aptly named Titan beetle, which can reach lengths of up to 17cm. They can be found on all continents of the world, from the Sahara Desert to the frozen wastes of Antarctica. While no insects live beneath the waves, the intrepid sea skaters skim the surface of some of the world's oceans. 
   
   
   
  This Very Short Introduction explores the extraordinary world of insects. It analyses insect evolution, taxonomy, and development, and describes their behavior, their life styles, and the interactions they have with other insects and other animals. As Simon Leather shows, insects are the bedrock on which human civilization rests; without them we would almost certainly not exist. Although they can be seen as pests of our crops plants, they are also invaluable for pollinating our flowering plants and are an invaluable link in all land ecosystems. As they face challenges from climate change and pesticides it has never been more important to understand these oft-dismissed creatures.

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  Manifesto for the Revitalisation...

  Miguel Rebelo

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  The housing crisis in Portugal serves to illustrate a problem that has implications beyond the borders of the country, shedding light on challenges that are faced by major European and global cities. The rise in housing prices, driven by real estate speculation, the growth of tourism and the influx of foreign investment, has made it increasingly challenging for many in the population, especially the middle and lower classes, to access home ownership or renting. 
  The digitalisation of work has opened the possibility for highly qualified professionals to consider where they would like to live, regardless of the physical location of their job. Cities like Lisbon and Porto have become increasingly attractive destinations, offering a good quality of life combined with a range of professional opportunities. Nevertheless, this phenomenon has placed additional strain on the real estate market, leading to rising prices and the displacement of residents to the outskirts. 
  The housing policies that have been adopted thus far have not been as effective as might have been hoped, and in some cases may even have had the opposite effect. It seems that measures such as strict rent control, poorly targeted subsidies and the massive construction of new housing without proper urban and infrastructural planning have not solved the problem, and in some cases may have made it worse. Perhaps it would be beneficial to reconsider these approaches, acknowledging their shortcomings and adapting them to reflect the current situation. 
  It may be worth considering rehabilitating vacant buildings as a viable and sustainable solution. By restoring existing buildings, we can explore ways to increase the supply of affordable housing, revitalise run-down urban areas and preserve historical and cultural heritage to promote more inclusive and sustainable cities.

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  A Mountain to Climb - The...

  Hakan Bulgurlu

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  On the 23rd of May 2019, Hakan Bulgurlu became one of the fortunate few to have reached the summit of Mount Everest. To stand on top of the world’s highest mountain is a humbling experience, to bear witness to nature at its most awe-inspiring and powerful is even more humbling. Bulgurlu’s quest to climb Everest came with a purpose: making the environment the centre of his ambition to highlight the catastrophic effect climate change is having on our planet, to lead by example and to seek out practical solutions. He wanted to use the expedition as a wake-up call to what we are doing to the natural world.  
  In his powerful new book, Bulgurlu tells the fascinating story of this adventure of a lifetime, harrowing and exhilarating in equal measure. He delves into the roots of the environmental crisis we find ourselves in, speaking to climate activists and campaigners, biologists, scientists, filmmakers, academics, economists, entrepreneurs, global leaders and innovators. They help shed light on the issues that we face and the solutions that will help secure a better future for generations to come. In this gripping account of his journey, Bulgurlu describes the challenges he faced in reaching the summit, and the challenges we all face in protecting the planet and the future of humanity.

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  40 Days & 40 Hikes - Loving the...

  Nicola Ross

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  Travel the Bruce Trail in day hikes with Loops & Lattes author Nicola Ross 
  		 
  Best known for her detailed Loops & Lattes hiking guides, Nicola Ross has inspired tens of thousands of people to lace up their boots and explore Ontario’s trails. In 40 Days & 40 Hikes, this adventurer, author, and environmentalist sets herself a new challenge: to hike the Bruce Trail from Niagara to Tobermory in her own creative way. In 40 cleverly crafted day-loops, Ross covers over 900 kilometers mostly following Canada’s longest marked trail, taking you with her on an insightful journey to the Niagara Escarpment’s remarkable sights.
  		 
  As Ross walks, she reveals stories of the trail’s flora and fauna, geology and history. The Bruce Trail becomes the central character as she ponders her role in protecting the fragile corner of the planet that, she contends, is entwined in her DNA. Despite long days on the trail, encounters with bears, ticks, and a deadly derecho, her passion for her beloved Niagara Escarpment mounts as she explores Ontario’s “ribbon of wilderness.”
  		 
  Perfect for hikers, non-hikers, and anyone who loves an adventure, 40 Days & 40 Hikes is both a captivating travelogue and a useful companion for those who Ross will undoubtedly inspire to follow in her footsteps.

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  Alien Earths - The New Science...

  Dr. Lisa Kaltenegger

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  This program features an introduction and epilogue read by the author. "In the grand tradition of Carl Sagan and Neil deGrasse Tyson, we now have a new tour guide to the cosmos."―Charles Cockell, Professor of Astrobiology, University of Edinburgh"Absorbing, informative, and entertaining."―Kirkus (Starred Review)“[Dr. Lisa] Kaltenegger's accessible scholarship and [Cassandra] Campbell's grounded performance encourage listeners to gaze skyward and wonder.”—AudioFileRiveting and timely, a look at the research that is transforming our understanding of the cosmos in the quest to discover whether we are alone.For thousands of years, humans have wondered whether we're alone in the cosmos. Now, for the first time, we have the technology to investigate. But once you look for life elsewhere, you realize it is not so simple. How do you find it over cosmic distances? What actually is life? As founding director of Cornell University's Carl Sagan Institute, astrophysicist Lisa Kaltenegger has built a team of tenacious scientists from many disciplines to create a specialized toolkit to find life on faraway worlds. In Alien Earths, she demonstrates how we can use our homeworld as a Rosetta Stone, creatively analyzing Earth's history and its astonishing biosphere to inform this search. With infectious enthusiasm, she takes us on an eye-opening journey to the most unusual exoplanets that have shaken our worldview - planets covered in oceans of lava, lonely wanderers lost in space, and others with more than one sun in their sky! And the best contenders for Alien Earths. We also see the imagined worlds of science fiction and how close they come to reality. With the James Webb Space Telescope and Dr. Kaltenegger’s pioneering work, she shows that we live in an incredible new epoch of exploration. As our witty and knowledgeable tour guide, Dr. Kaltenegger shows how we discover not merely new continents, like the explorers of old, but whole new worlds circling other stars and how we could spot life there. Worlds from where aliens may even be gazing back at us. What if we're not alone?A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

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  Clinical Pharmacokinetics - The...

  Ava Westwood

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  Pharmacokinetics is a fundamental aspect of clinical medicine, shaping the way drugs are administered, absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body. It provides a scientific basis for determining appropriate drug dosing, optimizing therapeutic efficacy, and minimizing adverse effects. Understanding pharmacokinetics allows healthcare professionals to make informed decisions tailored to individual patients, ensuring safe and effective drug therapy. 
  One of the most significant applications of pharmacokinetics in clinical practice is dose optimization. Drug concentration within the body must remain within a therapeutic window—high enough to produce the desired effect but not so high that it causes toxicity. By considering factors such as bioavailability, volume of distribution, and clearance, clinicians can determine the appropriate dosing regimen. This is particularly critical for drugs with a narrow therapeutic index, such as warfarin, lithium, and certain chemotherapeutic agents, where even small variations in plasma levels can lead to significant clinical consequences. 
  Pharmacokinetics also plays a crucial role in adjusting drug therapy for specific patient populations. Factors such as age, organ function, and genetic variability can influence how a drug is processed. In neonates and elderly patients, metabolic and renal clearance mechanisms are often reduced, requiring dose modifications to prevent accumulation and toxicity. Similarly, patients with renal or hepatic impairment need adjusted dosing regimens to account for altered drug metabolism and elimination. Advances in pharmacogenomics further refine this approach, allowing for individualized treatment based on genetic variations affecting drug-metabolizing enzymes.

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