Where Medicine Went Wrong

Where Medicine Went Wrong PDF Author: Bruce J. West
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9812568832
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 352

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Book Description
Where Medicine Went Wrong explores how the idea of an average value has been misapplied to medical phenomena, distorted understanding and lead to flawed medical decisions. Through new insights into the science of complexity, traditional physiology is replaced with fractal physiology, in which variability is more indicative of health than is an average. The capricious nature of physiological systems is made conceptually manageable by smoothing over fluctuations and thinking in terms of averages. But these variations in such aspects as heart rate, breathing and walking are much more susceptible to the early influence of disease than are averages.It may be useful to quote from the late Stephen Jay Gould's book Full House on the errant nature of averages: ?? our culture encodes a strong bias either to neglect or ignore variation. We tend to focus instead on measures of central tendency, and as a result we make some terrible mistakes, often with considerable practical import.? Dr West has quantified this observation and make it useful for the diagnosis of disease.

Where Medicine Went Wrong

Where Medicine Went Wrong PDF Author: Bruce J. West
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9812568832
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 352

Get Book Here

Book Description
Where Medicine Went Wrong explores how the idea of an average value has been misapplied to medical phenomena, distorted understanding and lead to flawed medical decisions. Through new insights into the science of complexity, traditional physiology is replaced with fractal physiology, in which variability is more indicative of health than is an average. The capricious nature of physiological systems is made conceptually manageable by smoothing over fluctuations and thinking in terms of averages. But these variations in such aspects as heart rate, breathing and walking are much more susceptible to the early influence of disease than are averages.It may be useful to quote from the late Stephen Jay Gould's book Full House on the errant nature of averages: ?? our culture encodes a strong bias either to neglect or ignore variation. We tend to focus instead on measures of central tendency, and as a result we make some terrible mistakes, often with considerable practical import.? Dr West has quantified this observation and make it useful for the diagnosis of disease.

Where Medicine Went Wrong: Rediscovering The Path To Complexity

Where Medicine Went Wrong: Rediscovering The Path To Complexity PDF Author: Bruce J West
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9814338214
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 352

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Book Description
Where Medicine Went Wrong explores how the idea of an average value has been misapplied to medical phenomena, distorted understanding and lead to flawed medical decisions. Through new insights into the science of complexity, traditional physiology is replaced with fractal physiology, in which variability is more indicative of health than is an average. The capricious nature of physiological systems is made conceptually manageable by smoothing over fluctuations and thinking in terms of averages. But these variations in such aspects as heart rate, breathing and walking are much more susceptible to the early influence of disease than are averages.It may be useful to quote from the late Stephen Jay Gould's book Full House on the errant nature of averages: “… our culture encodes a strong bias either to neglect or ignore variation. We tend to focus instead on measures of central tendency, and as a result we make some terrible mistakes, often with considerable practical import.” Dr West has quantified this observation and make it useful for the diagnosis of disease.

Quantitative Models for Microscopic to Macroscopic Biological Macromolecules and Tissues

Quantitative Models for Microscopic to Macroscopic Biological Macromolecules and Tissues PDF Author: Luis Olivares-Quiroz
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319739751
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 234

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Book Description
This book presents cutting-edge research on the use of physical and mathematical formalisms to model and quantitatively analyze biological phenomena ranging from microscopic to macroscopic systems. The systems discussed in this compilation cover protein folding pathways, gene regulation in prostate cancer, quorum sensing in bacteria to mathematical and physical descriptions to analyze anomalous diffusion in patchy environments and the physical mechanisms that drive active motion in large sets of particles, both fundamental descriptions that can be applied to different phenomena in biology. All chapters are written by well-known experts on their respective research fields with a vast amount of scientific discussion and references in order the interested reader can pursue a further reading. Given these features, we consider Quantitative Models for Microscopic to Macroscopic Biological Macromolecules and Tissues as an excellent and up-to-date resource and reference for advanced undergraduate students, graduate students and junior researchers interested in the latest developments at the intersection of physics, mathematics, molecular biology, and computational sciences. Such research field, without hesitation, is one of the most interesting, challenging and active of this century and the next.

The New Evolution Diet

The New Evolution Diet PDF Author: Arthur De Vany
Publisher: Rodale Books
ISBN: 1609616359
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 226

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Book Description
Believe it or not, our DNA is almost exactly the same as that of our ancestors. While scientific advances in agriculture, medicine, and technology have protected man, to some degree, from dangers such as starvation, illness, and exposure, the fact remains that our cave-dwelling cousins were considerably healthier than we are. Our paleolithic ancestors did not suffer from heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity. In fact, a good deal of what we view as normal aging is a modern condition that is more akin to disease than any natural state of growing older. Our predecessors were incomparably better nourished than we are, and were incredibly physically fit. And certainly none of them ever craved a doughnut, let alone tasted one. In fact, the human preference for sweet tastes and fatty textures was developed in an environment where such treats were rare, and signaled dense, useful energy. This once-helpful adaptation is the downfall of many a dieter today. It's what makes it hard to resist fats and sweets, especially when they are all around us. We are not living as we were built to live. Our genes were forged in an environment where activity was mandatory—you were active or you starved or were eaten. This created strong selective pressure for genes encoding a smart, physically adept individual capable of very high activity levels. Humans are among the most active of species, and we carry energetically expensive brains to boot. Our energy expenditures rank high among all animals. At least they once did. The New Evolution Diet by Arthur De Vany, PhD is a roadmap back to the better health our ancestors once enjoyed. By eliminating modern foods, including carbohydrates, dairy, and all processed foods from our diets, we can undo much of the damage caused by our modern food environment. The plan is based on three simple principles: 1. Enjoy the pleasure of food and do not count or restrict calories. Eat three satisfying meals a day filled with non-starchy vegetables, fruits, and high-quality, lean proteins 2. Do not starve yourself, but do go hungry episodically, for brief periods, to promote a low fasting blood insulin level and increase metabolic fat-burning. 3. Exercise less, not more, but with more playfulness and intensity. The goal is to create a strong body with a high resting metabolism and a large physiologic capacity to move through life easily—not to burn calories.

Perspectives on Organisms

Perspectives on Organisms PDF Author: Giuseppe Longo
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642359388
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 293

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Book Description
This authored monograph introduces a genuinely theoretical approach to biology. Starting point is the investigation of empirical biological scaling including their variability, which is found in the literature, e.g. allometric relationships, fractals, etc. The book then analyzes two different aspects of biological time: first, a supplementary temporal dimension to accommodate proper biological rhythms; secondly, the concepts of protension and retention as a means of local organization of time in living organisms. Moreover, the book investigates the role of symmetry in biology, in view of its ubiquitous importance in physics. In relation with the notion of extended critical transitions, the book proposes that organisms and their evolution can be characterized by continued symmetry changes, which accounts for the irreducibility of their historicity and variability. The authors also introduce the concept of anti-entropy as a measure for the potential of variability, being equally understood as alterations in symmetry. By this, the book provides a mathematical account of Gould's analysis of phenotypic complexity with respect to biological evolution. The target audience primarily comprises researchers interested in new theoretical approaches to biology, from physical, biological or philosophical backgrounds, but the book may also be beneficial for graduate students who want to enter this field.

Encyclopedia of Movement Disorders

Encyclopedia of Movement Disorders PDF Author:
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 012374105X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 1633

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Book Description
The Encyclopedia of Movement Disorders is a comprehensive reference work on movement disorders, encompassing a wide variety of topics in neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry and pharmacology. This compilation will feature more than 300 focused entries, including sections on different disease states, pathophysiology, epidemiology, genetics, clinical presentation, diagnostic tools, as well as discussions on relevant basic science topics. This Encyclopedia is an essential addition to any collection, written to be accessible for both the clinical and non-clinical reader. Academic clinicians, translational researchers and basic scientists are brought together to connect experimental findings made in the laboratory to the clinical features, pathophysiology and treatment of movement disorders. The Encyclopedia targets a broad readership, ranging from students to general physicians, basic scientists and Movement Disorder specialists. Published both in print and via Elsevier’s online platform of Science Direct, this Encyclopedia will have the enhanced option of integrating traditional print with online multimedia. Connects experimental findings made in the laboratory to the clinical features, pathophysiology, and treatment of movement disorders Encompasses a wide variety of topics in neurology neurosurgery, psychiatry, and pharmacology Written for a broad readership ranging from students to general physicians, basic scientists, and movement disorder specialists

Getting Whole, Getting Well

Getting Whole, Getting Well PDF Author: Iris R. Bell
Publisher: Morgan James Publishing
ISBN: 1614483981
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 148

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Book Description
“A highly practical guide you can count on for results. I regard Dr. Bell as a true pioneer in natural health” (Andrew Weil, MD, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Healthy Aging). Until now, trial and error has been the way most of us experiment with alternative healing techniques like vitamins, herbal supplements, and acupuncture. You can find encyclopedic information on different therapies—but the challenge is creating a personalized, holistic plan that works. Getting Whole, Getting Well shows you how to choose and use the treatments that are right for you. No guesswork. No wandering in the wilderness. If you’ve been disappointed in your results or confused about the multitude of options available, learn how to: Adopt the total healing mindset necessary for optimal results Choose the alternative therapies that work best for you and your health issues Avoid the number-one mistake most people make when using alternative therapies If you’ve suffered with any chronic condition, including asthma, arthritis, cancer, chronic fatigue, diabetes, fibromyalgia, heart disease, irritable bowel, migraine headache, or multiple sclerosis, this book can help you explore the wide range of treatment options in the world of alternative health.

Strong Anticipation: Compensating Delay And Distance

Strong Anticipation: Compensating Delay And Distance PDF Author: Susie Vrobel
Publisher: World Scientific
ISBN: 9811282005
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 251

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Book Description
This book is concerned with the notion of strong anticipation. Clearly defined necessary and sufficient conditions are laid out.The focus lies on strong anticipation as delay and distance compensation (as in temporal recalibration and synchronization of coupled systems). Of particular interest are delays which correspond to a boundary shift between a systemic whole and its context. Such boundary shifts result from assignment conditions which determine what belongs to the systemic whole and what belongs to its context. Delay and distance compensation is described, along with long-range correlations, against the background of a theory of time capable of describing anticipative systems. My Theory of Fractal Time describes anticipatory systems in terms of two temporal dimensions: succession and simultaneity, which are defined and measured in Δtdepth, Δtlength and Δtdensity. These extensions form an extended present and allow a quantified comparison of obserpants' (observer-participants') temporal interfaces. Compensated delays are revealed as phenomenal blind spots, which result in a new kind of relativity: What may be compensated for obserpant A is delayed for obserpant B.Compensated delays are ubiquitous and can be found in both cognitive and physical processes. Examples are temporal recalibration to restore degraded visuomotor adaptation, coupling environment and brain, biosemiotics and homeostatic processes, dynamical diseases, embedded and situated robots, control loops with inserted or removed delays, cellular automata, analog and digital notions of trust, transitional objects and potential spaces, our perception of time and judgement of duration. It is proposed that compensated delays emerge as natural laws.

Variability in Human Performance

Variability in Human Performance PDF Author: Thomas J. Smith
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1466579714
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 398

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Book Description
Understanding the conditions under which variability in performance may arise, and the processes related to its emergence, gives us insight into the development of techniques for improving the quality of performance. Variability in Human Performance details the scientific and the practical implications of human performance variability by providing a broad perspective on how and why such variability occurs across a number of disciplinary domains. The text takes an approach that rests upon the idea of context, or design, specificity in performance, namely that variability in performance is closely referenced to design factors in the environment in which performance is occurring. An exploration of the link between variability and related processes, the book introduces a comprehensive framework for understanding human performance variability, presented in terms of how human control of behavior is closely tied to design factors in the performance environment. The authors introduce empirical evidence, as well as practical examples and application areas, in support of this framework. The book begins with coverage of neurobiological and biomechanical basis of movement variability, then examines rich and extensive empirical evidence available for context specificity in cognitive performance and learning, as a basis for cognitive performance variability. The book then reviews the evidence for context specificity in: Student learning Displaced feedback conditions Human error behavior Affective performance Social and team performance The authors also explore work performance as influenced by complex sociotechnical systems and as a basis for performance variability, applying control systems concepts to an interpretation of the nature and basis of performance variability in all of these domains. They conclude by taking an evolutionary perspective on the origins and behavioral significance of human performance variability. The book then provides strategies on how individuals, groups, and organizations can significantly reduce variability in human performance that often leads to systems failures.

Simplifying Complexity: Life is Uncertain, Unfair and Unequal

Simplifying Complexity: Life is Uncertain, Unfair and Unequal PDF Author: Bruce J. West
Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers
ISBN: 1681082179
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 299

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Book Description
In life, we often face unavoidable complexities in terms of our ability to understand or influence outcomes. Some questions which arise due to these complexities are: Why can’t the future be made certain? Why do the some people or events always end up at the center of controversy? Why do only a select few get ahead of their peers? Each question pertains to three central elements of complexities and these elements are: uncertainty, inequality and unfairness. Simplifying Complexity explains the scientific study of complex cognitive networks, as well as the methods scientists use to parse difficult problems into manageable pieces. Readers are introduced to scientific methodology and thought processes, followed by a discourse on perspectives on the three elements of complexity through concepts such as normal and non-normal statistics, scaling and complexity management. Simplifying Complexity combines basic cognitive science and scientific philosophy for both advanced students (in the fields of sociology, cognitive science, complex networks and change management) and for general readers looking for a more scientific guide to understanding and managing the nature of change in a complex world.