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An appealing mix of brief reflections on everything from litmus paper to the hippopotamus--from the acclaimed author of Mayonnaise and the Origin of Life. Here are over 40 light, graceful essays in which one of our wisest experimental biologists comments on issues of science, technology, society, philosophy, and the arts. ... Read more

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This book at the intersection of natural sciences, economics, and water engineering aims to reduce the gaps between economic theory, natural sciences, and engineering practice. Based on an extended thermodynamic approach, the authors explain which economic assumptions are acceptable for constructing a dynamic model that is consistent with the natural sciences. In particular, the special role of water in the production and reproduction activities will be considered as an integral component. Water is generated in a separate water treatment process and is used to transport the unavoidable by-products of production and reproduction activities to a wastewater sector. In this respect, not only environmental protection aspects, but also the interrelation between the water requirements and the use of non-renewable resources for producing desired consumption goods will be highlighted.

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Entropy tells the story of Noah Silver, a young high school student with his ears to the beat poets and his mind to the sky.Completely distraught with reality and the insipid drones surrounding him in his school, he forms his own Kerouac-inspired gang of misfits through his best friend Tristan, a quirky guitar player known for his famous tea, endless jazz, and notorious recording studio.His friends, including Jack and Lily, the mischievious siblings, and Adrian, a living French fashion column, turn into a tight-knit family. But through a sea of cigarettes, salvia, and ephemeral love, life as he knows it begins to descend into the natural state of the world - chaos.
Noahs classic consciousness and almost uncomfortable frankness keeps him in tune with teenagers across the globe.His story is entirely relatable and yet perfectly unique.The impending collapse of the multi-verse is flawlessly shown in the eyes of a 17-year-old living in the sub-suburbs. ... Read more

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This book begins with primary concepts of atomic and molecular structure and of how atoms, molecules and bulk matter store and exchange energy. In the next stage, the macroscopic properties of energy and entropy, and the constitutive properties of heat capacities are examined. From these the concept of thermodynamic efficiency is developed. Then the notions of thermodynamic potentials and availability are introduced. With this set of chapters, the analysis of efficient energy use is presented. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Great Extra Reading on Thermodynamics
Although this book is purposefully written for the undergraduate students whose majors are not science and engineering, it is a little bit more advanced for non-technical students to comfortably read and understand and get a full appreciation of the subject matter. As a professional researcher, I know that several concepts and ideas in thermodynamics are quite difficult to understand, even for technical students.

For a true beginner, I would suggest 'Engines, Energy, and Entropy: A Thermodynamics Primer' by John B. Fenn which is more fundamental, easier, and fun to read. In addition, a vintage like 'The Concept of Energy Simply Explained' by Morton Mott-Smith is also a joy to read.

However, the comprehensiveness of Professor Berry's work, which covers classical mechanics, statistical physics, and quantum mechanics (at the very fundamental level), makes this volume a great extra reading for those taking thermodynamics course. This volume is also helpful for those who teach themselves thermodynamics and have mastered its fundamental concepts and ideas qualitatively. I would recommend this book to the readers who want to get more breadth and depth in thermodynamics before approaching a more advanced level.

Doy Sundarasaradula
August 7, 2009

For Everyman?
Professor Berry, an distinguished research scientist and highly esteemed instructor at the University of Chicago has used the material of this book in courses for undergraduates in the humanities and social sciences. I believe that this indicates him to be an exceptionally charismatic instructor because this is a moderately rigorous text, doing an excellent job of introducing the subject to science majors. However,from my 33 years of teaching bright chemistry and humanities majors, I believe that it would be disastrous for anyone not devoted to science -- or enrolled in a course where he or she MUST conquer the material --to be able to complete three chapters. Much more is required of the reader before he or she reaches the 170 page mark and begins to see glimmers of entropy and thermodynamics. An excellent book, but not for everyman. ... Read more

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This collection of papers by leading researchers in their respective fields contains contributions showing the use of the maximum entropy method in many of the fields in which it finds application. In the physical, mathematical and biological sciences it is often necessary to make inferences based on insufficient data. The problem of choosing one among the many possible conclusions or models which are compatible with the data may be resolved in a variety of ways. A particularly appealing method is to choose the solution which maximizes entropy in the sense that the conclusion or model honours the observed data but implies no further assumptions not warranted by the data. The maximum entropy principle has been growing in importance and acceptance in many fields, perhaps most notably statistical physics, astronomy, geophysics, signal processing, image analysis and physical chemistry. The papers included in this volume touch on most of the current areas of research activity and application, and will be of interest to research workers in all fields in which the maximum entropy method may be applied. ... Read more

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We define a new notion of entropy for operators on Fock spaces and positive multi-Toeplitz kernels on free semigroups. This is studied in connection with factorization theorems for (e.g., multi-Toeplitz, multi-analytic, etc.) operators on Fock spaces. These results lead to entropy inequalities and entropy formulas for positive multi-Toeplitz kernels on free semigroups (resp. multi-analytic operators) and consequences concerning the extreme points of the unit ball of the noncommutative analytic Toeplitz algebra $F_n^\infty$.We obtain several geometric characterizations of the central intertwining lifting, a maximal principle, and a permanence principle for the noncommutative commutant lifting theorem. Under certain natural conditions, we find explicit forms for the maximal entropy solution of this multivariable commutant lifting theorem.All these results are used to solve maximal entropy interpolation problems in several variables. We obtain explicit forms for the maximal entropy solution (as well as its entropy) of the Sarason, Carathéodory-Schur, and Nevanlinna-Pick type interpolation problems for the noncommutative (resp. commutative) analytic Toeplitz algebra $F_n^\infty$ (resp. $W_n^\infty$) and their tensor products with $B({\mathcal H}, {\mathcal K})$. In particular, we provide explicit forms for the maximal entropy solutions of several interpolation problems on the unit ball of $\mathbb{C}^n$. ... Read more

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This book is a collection of introductory, interdisciplinary articles and lectures covering the fundamentals of the maximum entropy approach, a powerful new technique that provides a much needed extension of the established principles of rational inference in the sciences.Maximum entropy allows the interpretation of incomplete and "noisy" data, providing a description of the underlying physical systems.It has found application in both practical and theoretical studies ranging from image enhancement to nuclear physics, and from statistical mechanics to economics.The work explores these applications with specific problems of data analysis taken from the physical sciences.It will interest all physical scientists who deal with data and its interpretation, including statisticians and statistical physicists. ... Read more

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If you feel you do not understand entropy or the Second Law of Thermodynamics as well as you would like to, this is a book you may want to read. The book begins at the beginning in 1824 and comes forward to 1997. You can begin from your level and read as far as you want.

The main body of the book is structured in Socratic style, involving a lively discussion between Mack Reale, "a protagonist of the macroscopic view," and Mike Statwiz, "a protagonist of the statistical view." The discussion is moderated by Bea A. Wiseladi. After these three fictional characters resolve many of the complexities of thermodynamics, Prof. Kline takes the podium and presents a detailed summary of the state of the art of thermodynamics.

The book contains several important new results that many experts and students of thermodynamics will find useful:

1. an improved definition of irreversibility, (most current texts do not define it.);

2. recognition that adequate understanding of irreversibility must include consideration of both the microscopic (statistical) and the macroscopic (continuum) views of energy and matter;

3. information is not and cannot be made equal to entropy; why we will not observe a Maxwell demon or other types of "molecular demons;"

4. why entropy increases. The book concludes with a tour through six types of statements of the 2nd Law in order to provide the many views that are used and that are necessary to a full view of the implications of the 2nd Law. ... Read more

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Students, academics and researchers will find this book an invaluable contribution to the understanding of thermodynamics. In this new treatment of the subject, the authors focus on the principles of thermodynamic variables and the practical simulation of thermodynamic systems, and endeavor to show how simple thermodynamics really is. It offers a unique view of modern complex systems engineering and its ramifications.

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This monograph is concerned with the design of feedback controllers for linear multivariable systems, which are robust to system uncertainty. System uncertainty can be realistically represented by including perturbations with bounded H?-norm, and this is the approach taken here. For a given H?-norm bound, there is a family of robustly stabilizing controllers, and the central question in this book is which of these controllers to choose. One choice to take is that which minimizes the enthropy of the resulting closed loop transfer function, and the derivation and properties of this solution occupies most of this monograph. Explicit formulae are obtained for the minimum enthropy solution, which is a precisely defined compromise between the Linear Quadratic Gaussian optimal solution and the H?-optimal solution. The book will be appropriate for graduate classes requiring only a first course in state-space methods, and some elementary knowledge of H? control and Linear Quadratic Gaussian control. ... Read more

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An examination of some of the philosophical and physical aspects of the nature of information. Chapters discuss such areas as entropy, quantum physics and evolution. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

a new dimension
This could quite possibly be the most ground breaking work of physics of the 20th century.Time will tell on its lasting impact, but in the very least it is an EXCELLENT example of someone working outside the box but sticking to the most logical conclusions when 'not hindered by the box'.
The idea of dimensions has been one that has puzzled me since I was a young child.It seemed so simple when I first heard about it, until I began to think about it.3 dimensions; we live in three dimensions.And the fourth dimension, it is time.And what is a dimension anyway?I began to come to the conclusion that dimensions were something that rules over everything.It is a spatial and temporal co-ordinate orginization system.But where the first 3 spatial dimensions SEEM so simple, the temporal dimension SEEMS to make no sense.There is something more to the dimension problem than we had any idea of.And idea of many current physicists (scientific philosophers) that there are many (even thousands) of other dimensions in the universe that explain the mathematical anomallies that they are coming across is ludicris.The next step in human evolution is apparent, and it is in explaining the temporal dimension and in finding the next dimension on top of that.
Another concept which has bothered me since early childhood is the idea of intelligence.Do we really know what intelligence is?And what is its relationship with order?
Arie is able to take this two concepts to their logical interlocking.He applies Entropy to the problem, to me the most puzzling phenomenon outside of paradox and the placebo effect.And he does so in a straightforward, easy to read manner.Read this book, and read How Real Is Real? by Paul Watzlawick and tell me your universe hasn't been changed. ... Read more

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The present volume studies the application of concepts from non-equilibrium thermodynamics to a variety of research topics. Emphasis is on the Maximum Entropy Production (MEP) principle and applications to Geosphere-Biosphere couplings. Written by leading researchers from a wide range of backgrounds, the book presents a first coherent account of an emerging field at the interface of thermodynamics, geophysics and life sciences. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

WORSE THAN POOR
The authors Kleidon and Lorenz of this book would have had to have known for some time now that the centerpiece of the volume Dewar's supposed derivation (the "MAXENT derivation of MEP) as Grinstein and Linkser have shown is invalid due to mathematical errors or worse. Worse because there is no warning or notice to the reader that this, which is touted in grandiose terms by Dewar and throughout the book (e.g., by Linewever, Chapter 6) as "ground-breaking work is false and misleading. Until these, and other serious errors as well as the gross historical omissions in the book's historical narrative are fixed it should be taken off the market.People are entitled to expect more from a well-know scientific publisher and usually do. As it is it serves to promote a lot of false information.

The volume, to begin with, seems to be little more than a self-promoting work for its core participants in any case.Between them the Editors have their names on nearly a third of the Chapters and one wonders if there was any real peer review at all. Apparently no one of the group actually read Dewar's mathematical derivations on which the book hangs its hat with sufficient care or had the technical ability to see the errors. Same for other elementary mistakes, and the blatant historical omissions by which Dewar and the core group seem to want people to believe that the idea of the law or principle of maximum entropy production (MEP), that explains the relation between physics and biology or the emergence of biological order and evolution of the biosphere, originated with them.

There is even confusion between them as towhat is meant by MEP. In the first Chapter Editors Kleidon and Lorenz giving an overview of the book and theory say: "The tendency of systems which are in a steady state, held away from equilibrium by an external input of energy to produce entropy at a maximum possible rate is what we mean by "Maximum Entropy Production" (MEP).But Lineweaver, in his chapter makes no reference to a steady state saying: "The Maximum Entropy Production (MEP) Principle suggests that structures that destroy gradients will arrange themselves such that the maximum amount of entropy is produced (under the given circumstances)". The most glaring technical error (other than Dewar's derivation) is the mistaken view presented by Kleidon and Lorenz of the supposed opposition between Prigogine's theorem of minimum entropy production or "MinEP" which applies in the linear range near equilbriumn and MaxEP or MEP which applies to "steady states...far from equilibrium". This is a very serious error since it means on their view MEP is not a universal principle which completely undermines Dewar's claims in his chapter that "the MAXENT (Dewar's information theoretical) derivation of MEP explains the selection of highly ordered states from disordered ones." Of course his whole derivation is invalid but even if it were valid as anon-universal principle it can't do what he says it does. It can't explain why near equilibrium systems are selected that minimize the rate and away from equilibrium they maximize it. Of course the construal on their part is entirely wrong.

The biq question (above) which they cannot answer (not only because Dewar's derivation is invalid but because Kleidon, Lorenz and Dewar all are making the same mistake regarding minEP) was answered more than two decades ago by Rod Swenson who by 1989 had developed the"Principle of Maximum Entropy Production" (MEP, where the name originated) into a law, the "The Law of Maximum Entropy Production" (MEP, LMEP) which states:"a system will select the path or assemblage of paths out of available paths that minimizes the potential or maximizes the entropy at the fastest rate given the constraints" (see Swenson refs below and also Mahulikar & Harwig Physica Scripta). Unlike the failed view presented in this volume, the actual law as given by Swenson is universal, and there is no conflict between it and Prigogine's theorem; both are true. In addition unlike the invalid "derivation" of Dewar from information theory Swenson's proof is entirely physical, thermodynamical, anddemonstrable (reproducible) in Popper's falsifiable sense for true theory testing. Prigogine's theorem, as Kleidon, Lorenz and the others here don't seem to understand says that as a near equilibrium system in the linear range moves towards equilibrium and the `forces" (potentials/gradients) are dissipated the entropy production goes steadily down (being linearly dependent on the forces as we'd expect) with the limiting case being zero entropy production at equilibrium or the steady state as close to it as it can get if one or more of the forces or potentials are fixed. What it does not tell us and does not ask is which paths out of available paths the system will take to get there.And this is the remarkable insight Swenson and colleagues made more than two decades ago and then demonstrated with simple repeatable physical experiments (e.g., see Swenson and Turvey) in the mode of Joule and others in their demonstration of say the first law. By setting up a system with multiple alternative pathways where paths can be easily made available or eliminated for the system to "choose" from they showed that in each and every case the system will select the paths or assembly of paths that brings the system to equilibrium at the fastest possible rate (the LMEP above). Then, coupling this universal principle to Schroedinger's point that ordered states must produce entropy at a faster rate than disordered ones to satisfy the balance equation of the second law, the problem of why order is opportunistically produced from disorder was solved.

And with respect to biospheric evolution as a whole and the "Gaia debate" where Lineweaver opines "a central issue...is whether the biosphere without other biospshere's to compete with, can evolve....However, if...maximum entropy production (is)..used to describe evolution" then the problem is solved."Well, yes, but solved a couple of decadesa ago and articulated in numerous journal articles (refs below) with one entire paper dedicated explicitly to it (Swenson's 1991 paper, "End-Directed Physics and Evolutionary Ordering: Obviating the Problem of the Population of One" ) where at the end in conclusion it says; "The Law of Maximum Entropy Production provides the selection principle that accounts for...evolutionary ordering and obviates the problem of the population of one."

Bottom line, this book is an utter disaster and should be pulled by the publisher and libraries until it minimally contains a very explicit warning or can be re-edited to eliminate the deep technical errors, especially Dewar's derivation, as well as other errors like the editors' elementary misunderstanding of Prigogine's minEP and corrects the remarkable lack of legitimate attributions to the people who have really pioneered and developed this work. Of course that would make it an entirely different book.

Sample Refs.: Grinstein, G. & R. Linsker (2007)J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 40 9717-9720; Mahulikar, S.P, & Harwig, H. (2004), Conceptual investigation...Physica Scripta, Vol. 70, 212-221;Swenson, R. (1991). End-directed physics...problem of the population of one. In The Cybernetics of Complex Systems, F. Geyer (ed.), 41-60; Swenson, R. (1991). Order, evolution, and natural law...In Cybernetics and Applied Systems, C. Negoita (ed.), 125-148;Swenson, R. and Turvey, M.T. (1991). Thermodynamic reasons.. .Ecological Psychology, 3(4), 317-348; Swenson, R. (1997). Autocatakinetics, evolution, and the law of maximum entropy production, Advances in Human Ecology, 6, 1-46; Swenson, R. (1998). Thermodynamics, evolution... In The Handbook of Comparative Psychology, G. Greenberg and M. Haraway (eds.);Swenson, R. (1999). Epistemic ordering and the development of space-time...Semiotica, Vol. 127 - 1-4 , pp. 181-222; Swenson, R. (2000). Spontaneous Order...Development of Space-Time. Ann. New York Acad. Scien., v. 901, pp. 311-319, 2000.

if you want to understand how Gaia works.
I saw this book reviewed in Nature magazine. It had a rave review there, so I bought a copy. I wasn't dissapointed, this is a reprint of all the seminal papers on the subject of MEP (Maximum Entropy Production). It is a modern version of Schroedinger's famous book - "What is Life".

My only wish is that the book could be a little MORE mathematically complete. ... Read more

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Entropy optimization has become a powerful tool for data analysis and problem solving that has an infinite array of real-world applications. This senior-level textbook provides a unified conceptual framework for the study of probabilistic systems with its elucidation of three key concepts: Shannon's Information Theory, Jayne's Maximum Entropy Principle, and Kullback's Minimum Cross-Entropy Principle. A wide array of real-world problems and applications are included that will establish the usefulness of these methods for any discipline looking at probabilistic systems and information (such as engineering, statistics, economics, and operations research). This textbook, complete with exercises, will leave students with the ability to apply these principles to new problems.

The first true textbook that provides an interdisciplinary approach to entropy optimization principles with numerous applications and exercises
Applies principles to a diverse assortment of applications in statistics, thermodynamics, pattern recognition, spectral analysis, queuing theory, and parameter estimation problems
Will be of use to all engineering students looking at probabilistic systems, as well as to students of statistics, operations research and economics ... Read more

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Identifies the relationship between entropy and information optics as the impetus for the research and development of high-speed, high-data-rate, and high-capacity communications systems. ... Read more

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An introduction two to main areas of one-dimensional dynamics: combinatorial dynamics, which is based on the Sarkovskii theorem, and the use of a study of topological entropy to measure the degree of entropy in a system. For graduate students and researchers. ... Read more