Tranquil Oceans

This book, the proceedings of the Falk Syposium No. 139 on "Gallstones: Pathogenesis and Treatment", held in Freiburg, Germany, on January 15-16, 2004, reflects the tremendous advances in the field of biliary diseases both at the genetic and cellular as well as the clinical levels. In industrialized countries, gallstones are a frequent clinical entity with a prevalence of 10-15%. In clinical practice one can differentiate between cholesterol stones, black pigment stones and brown pigment stones. 80-90% of gallbladder stones are cholesterol stones, 10--20% are black pigment stones. The prevalence of cholesterol stones increases with age and in Europe in the 70+ age group reaches about 20% in males and about 30% in females. Gallstones and gallstone diseases, therefore, are a frequent and important clinical problem. The book addresses the basic aspects of gallstone pathogenesis as well as the non-surgical and surgical treatment of gallstone diseases. Of particular interest are the epidemiology and genetics of gallstone formation, with definition of risk factors, in particular of genetic predispositions. Other major aspects are the hepatocellular and bilary transport mechanisms that predispose to the formation of gallstones. Apart from cholesterol and lipid transport and absorption, gallbladder function plays a central role in gallstone formation. Another clinically very relevant topic is the treatment of gallstone diseases by drugs, endoscopic and other non-surgical interventions, and surgery, as well as the long-term outcome of therapeutic interventions. The volume concludes with a state-of-the-art chapter on "Gallstone Research in the Post-Genomic Era". Gallstones: Pathogenesis and Treatment is an excellent update on the pathogenesis of gallstones as well as on the treatment of gallstone diseases, written by an international faculty of outstanding clinicans and scientists. The book will, therefore, be of great interest to hepatologists and gastroenterologists in academic institutions as well as in clinical practice.

An engrossing and revelatory first look at the search for alien life—on Earth and beyond For the past twenty years, Peter Ward has been at the forefront of popular science writing, with books such as the influential and controversial Rare Earth. In Life as We Do Not Know It, Ward, with his signature blend of eloquence, humor, and learned insight, vividly details the latest scientific findings, cutting-edge research, and intrepid new theories on the subject of alien life and the possible extraterrestrial origins of life on Earth. In lucid, entertaining, and bold prose, Peter Ward once again challenges our notions of life on earth (and beyond).

Narrative of chief adventures and discoveries of arctic explorers during nineteenth century.

Oceans of Wisdom is a collection of stories about wisdom, the oceans wisdom, pleasures of the ocean, life at the beach, ocean facts and creatures, and some of my personal stories about life. Most chapters open with a quote filled with ideas. I have set up this book in small chapters as thoughts to take with you to the beach or to keep on your bedside table, to think about throughout your life. I share the stories so you can be inspired and also to strengthen you, wherever you may be on your journey through-out your life. Maybe this book will nudge you in the direction of something new or just help you to make some sense of the journey you are about to take. I believe that the time you spend, whether reading or being in nature, at the beach, getting a massage, or meditating, is the time for your soul. I hope when you read this book that it speaks to you in a special way, the way the ocean has in my life. I seek to capture the essence of the mind and to share the oceans of wisdom with you.

DIVDIVA collection of nine madcap stories following the wayfaring translator and amateur sleuth Cassandra Reilly around the globe in search of her next great mystery/divDIV Lesbian translator and part-time detective Cassandra Reilly has two thrilling investigations under her belt: the case of a missing person in Barcelona and that of a dead spa-owner in Transylvania. In this humorous and engrossing collection, Cassandra is hard at work in some of the world’s most picturesque locales, including Maui, the English moors, and the Icelandic coast./divDIV Among the vast assortment of misdeeds she’s called upon to investigate—most of which take place within the literary world—Cassandra finds ample opportunity to exercise her trademark wit and eye for irony. From “Murder at the International Feminist Book Fair,” in which the exploits of a mudslinging women’s magazine lead to a death on the floor of the convention, to “An Expatriate Death,” about a local Mexican writer who appropriates Cassandra’s identity for a character in his novel—and then promptly kills off the character—The Death of a Much-Travelled Woman is another showcase of the intrepid translator’s zest not only for globetrotting, but for wandering smack into the middle of the most unusual crimes./divDIV The Death of a Much-Travelled Woman is the third book in the Cassandra Reilly Mystery series, which begins with Gaudí Afternoon and Trouble in Transylvania, and concludes with The Case of the Orphaned Bassoonists./div/div