Product Description
Complexity is emerging as a post-Newtonian paradigm for approaching a large body of phenomena of concern at the crossroads of physical, engineering, environmental, life and human sciences from a unifying point of view. This book outlines the foundations of modern complexity research as it arose from the cross-fertilization of ideas and tools from nonlinear science, statistical physics and numerical simulation. It is shown how these developments lead to an understanding, both qualitative and quantitative, of the complex systems encountered in nature and in everyday experience and, conversely, how natural complexity acts as a source of inspiration for progress at the fundamental level. ... Read more

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This book describes the evolution of several socio-biological systems using mathematical kinetic theory. Specifically, it deals with modeling and simulations of biological systems—comprised of large populations of interacting cells—whose dynamics follow the rules of mechanics as well as rules governed by their own ability to organize movement and biological functions. The authors propose a new biological model for the analysis of competition between cells of an aggressive host and cells of a corresponding immune system.

Because the microscopic description of a biological system is far more complex than that of a physical system of inert matter, a higher level of analysis is needed to deal with such complexity. Mathematical models using kinetic theory may represent a way to deal with such complexity, allowing for an understanding of phenomena of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics not described by the traditional macroscopic approach. The proposed models are related to the generalized Boltzmann equation and describe the population dynamics of several interacting elements (kinetic population models).

The particular models proposed by the authors are based on a framework related to a system of integro-differential equations, defining the evolution of the distribution function over the microscopic state of each element in a given system. Macroscopic information on the behavior of the system is obtained from suitable moments of the distribution function over the microscopic states of the elements involved. The book follows a classical research approach applied to modeling real systems, linking the observation of biological phenomena, collection of experimental data, modeling, and computational simulations to validate the proposed models. Qualitative analysis techniques are used to identify the prediction ability of specific models.

The book will be a valuable resource for applied mathematicians as well as researchers in the field of biological sciences. It may be used for advanced graduate courses and seminars in biological systems modeling with applications to collective social behavior, immunology, and epidemiology.

Product Description
The universe is a massive system of systems -- for example, ecological systems, social systems, commodity and stock markets. These systems are complex, constantly adapting to their environment, and many are essential to the very existence of human beings. To fully understand these systems, complex adaptive systems research uses systemic inquiry to build multi-level and multidisciplinary representations of reality to study these systems.

Applications of Complex Adaptive Systems provides a global view of the most up-to-date research on the strategies, applications, practice, and implications of complex adaptive systems, to better understand the various critical systems that surround human life. Researchers working in the field of complex adaptive systems and related fields such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, multi-agent systems, and data mining, as well as professionals in related applications such as defense, bioinformatics, and sociology will find this book an indispensable, state-of-the-art reference. ... Read more

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This utterly comprehensive work is thought to be the first to integrate the literature on the physics of the failure of complex systems such as hospitals, banks and transport networks. It has chapters on particular aspects of maintenance written by internationally-renowned researchers and practitioners. This book will interest maintenance engineers and managers in industry as well as researchers and graduate students in maintenance, industrial engineering and applied mathematics.

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Dyke examines the controversial topics of sociobiology and evolution from scientific and philosophical perspectives. At issue are the basic underpinnings of biology: explanation, determination, teleology, reductionism, and hierarchy.The author proposes that progress in sociobiology and evolution is hindered by an outmoded philosophical view of science that does not adequately take into account recent advances in our understanding of basic biological processes.His goal is to shift the focus from a philosophical understanding based on observation from outside biology to a dynamic, philosophically aware science. ... Read more

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Providing coverage of the theoretical and empirical foundation of the principles of human performance, this text offers a theoretical approach, teaching students how to think about a broad range of human factor problems. It provides an understanding of the variables that influence human performance and the ways in which human factors experts draw upon this knowledge. ... Read more

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• Explores a new approach to studying language as a complex adaptive system, illustrating its commonalities across many areas of language research
• Brings together a team of leading researchers in linguistics, psychology, and complex systems to discuss the groundbreaking significance of this perspective for their work
• Illustrates its application across a variety of subfields, including languages usage, language evolution, language structure, and first and second language acquisition

"What a breath of fresh air! As interesting a collection of papers as you are likely to find on the evolution, learning, and use of language from the point of view of both cognitive underpinnings and communicative functions."  Michael Tomasello, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology ... Read more

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This unique resource delivers complete, easy-to-understand coverage of the management of complex technical projects through systems engineering. Written for a wide spectrum of readers, from novices to experienced practitioners, the book holds the solution to delivering projects on time and within budget, avoiding the failures and inefficiencies of past efforts.

It provides you with a framework that encapsulates all areas of systems engineering, clearly showing you where the multitude of systems engineering activities fit within the overall effort. You get a top-down approach that introduces you to the philosophical aspects of this discipline, and offers you a cohesive understanding of a plethora of important terms, standards and practices that have been developed independently. Moreover, the authors present key systems engineering issues in a manner that promotes individual thinking and unique approaches to the varied projects you encounter in the field. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Systems Engineering - A Good Introduction
Good introductory book on Systems Engineering, covering most important subjects (Introduction to Sys. Eng., Conceptual, Preliminary and Detailed Design and Development, and a nice chapter on Engineering Management).

In some figures it presents a process for engineering a system, along with explanation and examples. I enjoyed A LOT this approach.

Presents information on standards (MIL-STD-499B, IEEE-1220, EIA-632) and a brief overview of SEI's Capability Maturity Model for Systems Engineering (CMM-SE).

What I liked is that it is "straight to the point" and an easy to read book.

Downside: it has no exercises at the end of each chapter.

I recommend it for both students and practitioners.

Hope this helps!

Outstanding text on systems engineering
This is the text used by the University of New South Wales to teach Systems Engineering. It is a practical text and a very useful reference book. For anyone involved with systems engineering, project management of technical projects, or government procurement activity of technical goods or services - this is a must read. ... Read more

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This book, written by leading experts in the field, is intended for thoughtful leaders, advisors, and academics who want to better understand cutting edge thinking and the latest research on leadership in the complex, highly interconnected organization of today.Unlike most books on the subject, it does not purport to provide simple answers to difficult questions. Rather, it seeks to provide new insights and tools that have only recently become apparent through advances in complexity science-like, for example, the intricate dynamics of emergent leadership as simulated through agent-based modeling (ABM). Complex Systems Leadership Theory is a powerful beginning to what promises to be a deeper, more thoughtful investigation of how and why organizations succeed and what leaders can do to make a difference. ... Read more

Product Description
A major rewrite of Dettmer's classic Goldratt's Theory of Constraints, this new edition presents a whole new approach to building and applying logic trees. The logical thinking process referred to in the title is nothing less than a broadly applicable, systems-level approach to policy analysis.Dettmer has streamlined the process of constructing the logic trees while simultaneously ensuring that the results are more logically sound and closer representations of reality than ever before. He explains an easier, more logically sound way to integrate Current Reality Trees with Evaporating Clouds. His new version of the thinking process "retires" the Transition Tree in favor of the marriage of a more detailed Prerequisite Tree and critical chain project management.This book contains new examples of logic trees from a variety of real-world applications. Most of the diagrams and illustrations are new and improved. Explanations and procedures for constructing the logic trees are considerably simplified.Completely new to this edition is a unique graphical software application - Transformation Logic Trees, designed primarily to create thinking process logic trees and only secondarily for other flowcharting uses. Provided on the accompanying CD-ROM is a full-function, unrestricted copy of version 1.0 for new and experienced users of the thinking process alike to use in building their logic trees. Appendix J in the book provides more information on how to install and use the software. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Best Book Ever on TOC Thinking Processes
I can honestly say that this is the best book I have ever read on the TOC Thinking Processes.Dettmer's re-introduction of the IO Map was a stroke of genius and will help everyone better understand how to construct logic trees.

Bob Sproull

Very good
This book is a very good guide on how to use the ToC thinking processes.The author gives a very in-depth view of how the thinking processes are to used. The examples used in the book are generic enough for anyone to understand. I love the way the CLR and Current Reality Trees are explained. However, I do not get that same satisfied feeling with some of the other chapters , especially the Evaporating Cloud.
In summary, this is a must-have book for those interested in the Thinking Processes.

Makes yoour thinking better
If you read and apply this book, it will make your thinking and discussingmuch better. This book is like good textbook about one thing: good thinking. And it works. Recommended.

Great systematization
While deepening my knowledge on the Theory of Constraint, I was looking for something that could give me a complete and systematic approach to the Thinking Process.
I must say that this book is really fulfilling my needs.

Use this book to solve your difficult problem
If you are serious about solving your difficult problem, there is no better starting point than Dettmer's book. That said, the process is not easy. You will identify the undesirable effects and construct diagrams to help you discover the root causes. You will identify the limiting factors that prevent you from achieving your goals. You will identify the intermediate objectives which help you reach your goals. And you will learn more acronyms than you thought you could ever remember. Perhaps you will even become a better thinker. Use this book to understand Goldratt'sThinking Process, and to solve your difficult problem. ... Read more

Product Description

“The Maintenance Management Framework” describes and reviews the concept, process and framework of modern maintenance management of complex systems; concentrating specifically on modern modelling tools (deterministic and empirical) for maintenance planning and scheduling. It will be bought by engineers and professionals involved in maintenance management, maintenance engineering, operations management, quality, etc. as well as graduate students and researchers in this field.

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Product Description

How can our societies be stabilized in a crisis? Why can we enjoy and understand Shakespeare? Why are fruitflies uniform? How do omnivorous eating habits aid our survival? What makes the Mona Lisa’s smile beautiful? How do women keep our social structures intact? – Could there possibly be a single answer to all these questions? This book shows that the statement: "weak links stabilize complex systems" provides the key to understanding each of these intriguing puzzles, and many others too. The author (recipient of several distinguished science communication prizes) uses weak (low affinity, low probability) interactions as a thread to introduce a vast variety of networks from proteins to economics and ecosystems. Many people, from Nobel Laureates to high-school students have helped to make the book understandable to all interested readers. This unique book and the ideas it develops will have a significant impact on many, seemingly diverse, fields of study.

Customer Reviews (4)

Great summary
Brilliant book -- he summarizes research from many fields by using the perspective of weak links. The annotated bibliography might be worth the price of the book alone! Every few pages I put the book down and reflect on how it ties things together. If I only had 5 systems books this would be one.

Weak Links
I've just finished reading "Weak Links: Stabilizers of Complex Systems from Proteins to Social Networks" by Peter Csermely , who is a Professor of Biochemistry at the Semmelweis University of Budapest. The central theme is weak links are the determinants of system stability and diversity. Csermely defines a link "as 'weak', when its addition or removal does not change the mean value of a target measure at a statistically discernible way" (p. 83).

The book is an interesting read if only because its topic matter ranges from network complexity in physical systems, to biological systems, and finally social and cultural systems. Personally I think there are a few longbows drawn, but in fairness Csermely does clearly indicate where he is engaging in speculation. One fascinating discussion was the discourse on pink noise. Pink noise is also known as coloured noise, flicker noise, crackling noise and Barkhausen noise. Seemingly pink noise is present in systems as diverse as solar flares, traffic flows and group decision making, and has a stabilising or relaxing effect. Quoting several scientific sources he postulates that pink noise helps neural synchronisation, which is partly responsible for memory formation. To put it another way if you want to memorise something have Mozart playing in the background rather than bagpipes, because Mozart's music has pink noise properties!

Csermeley's discussion on immunological networks is also interesting. He says an immune system has to solve four problems:

the self/ non-self recognition problem;
the signal to noise problem;
the context problem; and
the response problem.

Now this is interesting because the later three points define the knowledge retrieval problem of a knowledge management system. Apparently weak links are the immune system's mechanism to solve these problems.

A software package typically consists of several hierarchical and modular components, which are bound by strong links. Taking a lesson from the immune system perhaps we need to build software with lots of weak links, and ensure our people and process dimensions also have many weak links? Perhaps these weak links will allow the percolation of knowledge through the human, process, and technology systems. Perhaps our real problem with knowledge management is we try to over-engineer everything and in so doing build strong links rather than weak links. I'm beginning to think weak links matter.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in networks.

Regards, Graham

Primer on real-life networks with a theme
If you ever needed another good reason to value your grandmother even more, you'll find the answer in "Weak links".

Structurally, his book starts with an exposition on network theory and
terminology, then the application and discussion of these concepts to
real-life complex systems on many scales and applied to many domains (physical, natural, technological, social). His main point is, as the reviewer noted above, that 'weak' links (weak: additional/removal does not statistically affect the average of some metric) stabilize systems.

The book has thorough footnotes, one can delve as deep as one would like
into the professional papers. In addition, Csermely is an honest scholar - he shows his hands when there is mere speculation (you have to see the book's unique pictograms to appreciate the effects)

After pouring through several alternatives, I have adopted this book as a
textbook for my Science of Networks class (I'm CS fac at an elite US liberal arts school), and I recommend it to anyone without hesitation for a readable, and learned exposition.

I only have two or three caveats from a specialist's point of view: The
phenomenological discovery of power laws in complex systems is not unusual
and may not be evidence of any SF properties. Scale-free is an abused
term, and I wish the controversy about it were explained a bit more. Also, from a modelling point of view, I wish Doyle and Carlson's work on HOT systems were discussed in more depth.

But these are minor points, relatively speaking. This is a gem of a book:
erudite, humane, funny, accessible and thoroughly fascinating. On every
page, there are delights that lead down new intellectual paths.

Csermely did a great service to pedagogy and to this budding science with
this magisterial survey. Outstanding in its ease of access for intelligent
undergraduates and commendable for intellectual honesty - I wish more
books (textbooks and otherwise) were written this way.

Weak Links Stabilize Complex Systems
It is an intriguing concept.

Weak links, invisible in many networks, are critical to its stability.In this book, Peter Csermely shows that all networks, from the universe to molecules are governed by the same principles.Regardless of the system -- atoms, cells, companies, web pages or countries -- surprisingly, the weak links stabilize each.

Csermely, a professor at Semmelweis University in Budapest, a former Fogarty Fellow at Harvard University, is a molecular chaperones specialist.In 2003, he became fascinated by the concept of affinity -- a network's stabilizing components of must have weak links to the other components.These weak links act as hubs.Attack the hubs; disrupt the network.

Csermely demonstrates the concept hold true in field after field.The professor begins his study with a discussion of the Granovetter study of a job search and then proceeds to describe network dynamics.By chapter four, the reader is ready to be introduced to the concept of weak links as universal stabilizers.Then, the professor conducts a network tour ranging from macromolecules to the planet earth.Finally he ends with a discussion of weak links, stability landscapes and game theory.

Surprisingly, his book is understandable, even to non-academics.It is loaded with gems that can be applied to the reader's networks and relationships.

This is not a book I would have ever picked up on my own.Thankfully, Professor Csermely sent me an advanced copy.It is a unique book that takes a thorough look at an intriguing concept. ... Read more

Product Description

Model integration – the process by which different modelling efforts can be brought together to simulate the target system – is a core technology in the field of Systems Biology. In the work presented here model integration was addressed directly taking cancer systems as an example. An in-depth literature review was carried out to survey the model forms and types currently being utilised. This was used to formalise the main challenges that model integration poses, namely that of paradigm (the formalism on which a model is based), focus (the real-world system the model represents) and scale.

A two-tier model integration strategy, including a knowledge-driven approach to address model semantics, was developed to tackle these challenges. In the first step a novel description of models at the level of behaviour, rather than the precise mathematical or computational basis of the model, is developed by distilling a set of abstract classes and properties. These can accurately describe model behaviour and hence describe focus in a way that can be integrated with behavioural descriptions of other models. In the second step this behaviour is decomposed into an agent-based system by translating the models into local interaction rules.

The book provides a detailed and highly integrated presentation of the method, encompassing both its novel theoretical and practical aspects, which will enable the reader to practically apply it to their model integration needs in academic research and professional settings. The text is self-supporting. It also includes an in-depth current bibliography to relevant research papers and literature. The review of the current state of the art in tumour modelling provides added value.

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Both as services and as sciences, social work and psychology rest on a multi-dimensional theory base that is rich and varied. Here, Christopher Hudson offers a forward thinking, integrative, and authoritative look at the theoretical underpinnings of the human services that will provide readers with a fresh perspective on their professional life and practice.

This is a necessary book for practitioners as well as for other advanced students of human behavior who seeks a greater understanding of the evolution and foundation of their craft. ... Read more

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After thoroughly introducing the concept, the book moves on to a more detailed, technical explanation of CEP, featuring the Rapid event pattern language, reactive event pattern rules, event pattern constraints, and event processing agents. Offers practical advice on building CEP-based solutions that solve real world IS/IT problems. Softcover. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

OK... nothing special, no real insight
A decent book to add to the shelf and an informational read, but really nothing more.

The book provides no real insight and as another reviewer points out reads more like an advertisement.It's useful to read to get an overall view, but much better books exist on the subject and it seems to be catered primarily to the non-technical.The book uses a lot of buzz words, wraps the topics in "wouldn't it be nice" scenarios, etc. but provides no real meat or content.

All-in-all, decent to read, but provides no insight for business and/or technical decision making.

Still a great book on event processing!
This book is by far the best book on event processing.Sure some of the examples may be contextually old but the concepts still very much apply today.I actually like the dot-com examples because we have all been there and done that so it's easier to see how it could have been done better using events.If you're trying to get your arms around event processing then this book will help a-lot.I highly recommend it.

Rather disappointing
I have been very keen to read this book and to learn about CEP and event-driven architectures. However, I found the book rather disappointing. The introduction to CEP for global enterprises is weird, after so many years after the dotcom-bubble burst. The examples in the first parts of the book (electronic media stores) are not convincing, because they do not really need CEP or EDA. Sloppy explanations and definitions are embarrassing; several definitions are self-referring (e.g., significance and event pattern) or inconsistent (e.g., event pattern on page 114 and 116).

Good book in some ways but also very odd
This book is quite odd in that if flicks between what sounds like a dotcom consulting company pre-2000 and then to a univeristy academic and then back again quite regularly. I'm sure the academic content of the theory is flawless but it's like the author is pretending to work in in industry when in fact he's never seen outside a university. This is perhaps unfair as there's a limited amount of the ESP/CEP literature out there but don't be fooled into believing this book will be of practical use to you if you're a developer in industry being pressured into one ESP/CEP system or another, though it should cerainly be food for thought if you'd like to consider more deeply past some of the commerical implementations of ESP/CEP. If you're a software architect with no deliverables this is probably right up your street.

Surprisingly boring to read
I tried to read this book.I have it on my book shelf and I can see it right now, but I really couldn't get past the introduction.For a supposedly technical book, the first chapter reads like a 1995 introduction to the 'information superhighway' and about how wonderful it will be.This sentence on page 9:
"Another example is automated trading Web sites, or "eMarketplaces" as they are called."

Then followed by the word "global eCommerce Web".It just reads like a bad commercial from IBM or BEA telling you how to 'accelerate your eCommerce to web speed'.

In theory the book should be good, but this kind of treatment really offends my technical sensibilities. ... Read more

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Breadth of scope is unique

Author is a widely-known and successful textbook author

Unlike many recent textbooks on chaotic systems that have superficial treatment, this book provides explanations of the deep underlying mathematical ideas

No technical proofs, but an introduction to the whole field that is based on the specific analysis of carefully selected examples

Includes a section on cellular automata

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Product Description
Energy in Nature and Society is a systematic and exhaustive analysis of all the major energy sources, storages, flows, and conversions that have shaped the evolution of the biosphere and civilization. Vaclav Smil uses fundamental unifying metrics (most notably for power density and energy intensity) to provide an integrated framework for analyzing all segments of energetics (the study of energy flows and their transformations). The book explores not only planetary energetics (such as solar radiation and geomorphic processes) and bioenergetics (photosynthesis, for example) but also human energetics (such as metabolism and thermoregulation), tracing them from hunter-gatherer and agricultural societies through modern-day industrial civilization. Included are chapters on heterotrophic conversions, traditional agriculture, preindustrial complexification, fossil fuels, fossil-fueled civilization, the energetics of food, and the implications of energetics for the environment. The book concludes with an examination of general patterns, trends, and socioeconomic considerations of energy use today, looking at correlations between energy and value, energy and the economy, energy and quality of life, and energy futures.

Throughout the book, Smil chooses to emphasize the complexities and peculiarities of the real world, and the counterintuitive outcomes of many of its processes, over abstract models. Energy in Nature and Society provides a unique, comprehensive, single-volume analysis and reference source on all important energy matters, from natural to industrial energy flows, from fuels to food, from the Earth's formation to possible energy futures, and can serve as a text for courses in energy studies, global ecology, earth systems science, biology, and chemistry. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent service and the product
I am very happy with your very effecient and quick service which will be highly recommendable to all the customer incase if you are ready to choose it. Service offered by your company is beyond expectation and there will be no regret incase if you go for it. So, don't hesitate at all!!!!I am rating it as five star.

Essential Encyclopedia
I bought the book "blind", since MIT Press have not enabled "Look Inside".If you are in two minds about the book, here is the Table of Contents to help you make up your mind:

1. The Universal Link: Energetics, Energy, and Power
1.1 Evolution of Energetics: From Aristotle to Einstein
1.2 Approaches to Understanding: Concepts, Variables, Units

2. Planetary Energetics: Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere
2.1 Sun: The Star and Its Radiation
2.2 Energy Balance of the Earth: Radiation Fluxes
2.3 Hydrophere and Atmosphere: thermal and Mass Fluxes
2.4 Water and Air in Motion: Kinetic Fluxes
2.5 Geoenergetics: Heat, Plate Tectonics, Volcanoes, Earthquakes

3. Photosynthesis: Bioenergetics of Primary Production
3.1 Photosynthetic Pathways
3.2 Global Primary Productivity
3.3 Productivities of Ecosystems and Plants
3.4 Phytomass Stores
3.5 Autotrophic Scaling

4. Heterotrophic Conversions: Consumer Bioenergetics
4.1 Metabolic Capacities
4.2 Ectotherms and Endotherms
4.3 Locomotion
4.4 Biomasses and Productivities
4.5 Heterotrophs in Ecosystems

5. Human Energetics: People as Simple Heterotrophs
5.1 Energy Sources and Basal Metabolism
5.2 Requirements and Uncertainties
5.3 Thermoregulation
5.4 Limits of Human Performance
5.5 Gathering, Hunting, and Fishing

6. Traditional Food Production: Humans as Solar Farmers
6.1 Extensive Practices
6.2 Permanent Cropping
6.3 Muscles, Implements, Machines
6.4 Cropping Intensification
6.5 Traditional Agricultures

7. Preindustrial Complexification: Prime Movers and Fuels in Traditional Societies
7.1 Animal Power: Human and Animal Muscles
7.2 Water and Wind: Wheels and Mills
7.3 Phytomass Fuels and Metallurgy: Wood, Charcoal, Crop Residues
7.4 Construction: Methods and Structures
7.5 Transportation: Roads and Ships

8. Fossil Fuels: Heat, Light, and Prime Movers
8.1 Coals: The Earliest Modern Fuels
8.2 Hydrocarbons: Crude Oils and Natural Gases
8.3 From Extraction to Combustion: Modern Fossil Fuel Industries
8.4 Mechanical Prime Movers: Engines and Turbines
8.5 Fossil-Fueled Electricity: Generation and Transmission

9. Fossil-Fueled Civilization: Patterns and Trends
9.1 Fuels and Fossil-Fueled Electricity: Energy Production and Trade
9.2 Nonfossil Contributions: Biomass and Primary Electricity
9.3 Global Consumption Patterns: Growth and Inequality
9.4 Qualitative Changes: Transitions and Efficiencies
9.5 Energy Conservation: Gains and Rebounds

10. Energy Costs: Valuations and Changes
10.1 Energy Cost of Energy: Net Gains
10.2 Basic Materials: from Concrete to Fertilizers
10.3 Structures and Products: From Buildings to Computers
10.4 Crops and Animal Foods: Subsidized Diets
10.5 Modern Food System: Gains, Costs, Efficiencies

11. Environmental Consequences: Metabolism of Fossil-Fueled Civilization
11.1 Power Densities: Energy and Land
11.2 Energy Conversions and Heat Rejection
11.3 Energy and Water
11.4 Energy and the Atmosphere
11.5 Interference in Grand Biospheric Cycles

12 Energetic Correlates: Complexities of High-Energy Civilization
12.1 Energy and the Economy
12.2 Energy and Value
12.3 Energy and the Quality of Life
12.4 Energy and War
12.5 Energy and the Future

13. Grand Patterns: Energetic and Other Essentials
13.1 Energy in the Biosphere
13.2 Energy and Civilization
13.3 The Challenges Ahead

Appendix: Tables of...
SI Units, multiple prefixes (kilo, giga, etc), common energy conversions, energy content of fuels, energy content of foodstuffs, energy flows:31 orders of magnitude, power of continuous phenomena,, power of ephemeral phenomena, efficiencies of common energy conversions, typical energy cost of common materials, global harvests, energy subsidies, and population densities, 1900-2000, table of natural, personal, and energy related risks, population and primary energy 1500-2005, Global Reserves, Resources, and Fluxes of Energies.

Selected Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Symbols

Name Index

Subject Index


Now, my review. How much energy does the Earth receive from the Sun every day?Why are humans able to live in environments ranging from very cold to very hot - a wider range than any other mammal? Could we run our civilization on biofuels, wind power, solar, or geothermal energy? Does extracting uranium from seawater to generate electricity cost more energy than it supplies? How much improvement can we expect in crop yields from genetic engineering? How efficient are compact fluorescent lamps versus incandescent bulbs or the new white LEDs? What was special about James Watt's steam engine?

Professor Smil has made a thorough and wide-ranging survey of the knowledge we have accumulated about energy flows on the grand scale. Inside the book you can find the answers to some of these questions. But, more importantly, in this book you can find enough about the processes involved to be able to assess other people's answers. The book gives you the building blocks to create your own knowledge.

On the negative side, tne book is marred by hundreds of small typos, and grammatical and formatting errors, for example "photovaltaic", "the France", "01.6".Sometimes the mistakes change the sense of what is being said: 1.6MJ per molecule is a whole different kind of energy to 1.6 MJ per mole - 6.02x10²³ molecules. Some diagrams have incorrect units - for example, in fig 3.11 a and b, the horizontal scales are log of body mass, and the vertical scales are log of growth rate and body length respectively. Once or twice, the text and diagrams appear to conflict.These are relatively minor irritations, though.

The book could be improved by including sub-headings or marginal notes when there is a change of topic within a section. For example, section 4.3, Locomotion, compares swimming, flying, and running, and then discusses some details of each in turn. So it has four sub-sections.However, there is no marker in the text to indicate the change of sub-topic. The whole section is just an undifferentiated mass of text, equations, and diagrams.

Never mind. I am satisfied with the book as it is, and I am sure I will be referring to it many times in the coming years.

Cogent analysis by a keen mind
A scholarly work relatively free of advocacy, except for advocating sticking to the facts.You will find more pages meticulously diagnosing the history of the energetics of agriculture, transportation and steel making than you will pages forecasting what future energy trends will be, or should be. The author reviews the history of some of these forecast attempts.Here is a sample from page 358:"Reasons for the large number of wrong forecasts can be found in the herdlike behavior of forecasters smitten by prevailing moods"."The U.S. Atomic Energy commission's 1974 forecast had 260 GW installed in the United States by 1985, and 1.2 TW in 2000. The actual 2000 number was 81.5 GW, and there were no clear prospects for fusion.""The same adjectives used to extol nuclear generation - inexhaustible, cheap, nonpolluting - reappeared in glowing descriptions of renewable energetics published during the 1970s as the advocates of small-scale, decentralized energy production promised a new, morally superior millennium devoid of nuclear and fossil fuel sins." And on page 362: "...by the year 2000...new renewables contributed just 3.2 EJ, only one-tenth of Lovins's forecast."

The author wants to avoid falling intoLovins's and the AEC's trap.Nevertheless,scientifically sound constraints on future activity are offered without hesitation, for example: the potential for hydroelectric development, the limits of photosynthesis and geothermal fluxes.But on page 384, the author perhaps becomes polemical: "The ultimate makeup of a new global energy system that may dominate in the second half of the twenty-first century will not resemble currently fashionable scenarios."Notice the choice of words: "will not" rather than "may not".Later on page 382: "I strongly believe that the key to managing future global energy needs is to break with the current expectation of unrestrained energy use in affluent societies." Whose expectation?I live in an affluent society and my energy use is not unrestrained and I don't expect it to be.I presume the sentence applies to other guys, who need tobe broken.

Well, let's not nitpick over that sentence.There is no scientific principle more productive than the principle of conservation of energy (my advocacy).There is no analysis of "how stuff works" with greater predictive power than that provided by a monitoring of the energy conversions.This book is a masterpiece by a honest scientist with enormous skill in organizing knowledge of energy.

See MIT Press for a detailed preview inside the book.
... Read more

Product Description

Although usually well-funded, systems development projects are often late to market and over budget. Worse still, many are obsolete before they can be deployed or the program is cancelled before delivery. Clearly, it is time for a new approach. With coverage ranging from the complex characteristics and behaviors of enterprises to the challenges they pose for engineering and technology, Enterprise Systems Engineering: Advances in the Theory and Practice examines the impacts of enterprise processes and leading-edge technologies on the evolution of an enterprise.

As much about history as it is about systems engineering, this book provides a snapshot of the early thinking in enterprise systems engineering—a snapshot taken before the memory of its perspective is corrupted by time. It discusses emerging methods essential to successful systems engineering. The editors define and examine key building blocks of the evolving field of enterprise systems engineering. They address the issues of the changing nature of systems engineering, lay out a recommended direction for the future, and provide a unified basis for moving toward a mature discipline with the expanded scope.

During the last decade, something has changed in the way people work together. Seldom do isolated groups work on local problems to build stove-pipe solutions and systems seldom are developed in a social, political, economic, or technical vacuum. Yet concerted attempts to better implement systems engineering seemed not to improve the situation. Standing on the threshold of a new era in systems engineering, the editors point an arrow in the direction of systems engineering evolution, a direction that is equal parts social change and technological change.