The European Union seems incapable of undertaking economic reforms and defining its place in the world. Public apathy towards the EU is also increasing, as citizens feel isolated from the institutions in Brussels and see no way to influence European level decisions. Taking a diagnosis and cure approach to the EU’s difficulties, Simon Hix tackles these problems with distinct clarity and open-mindedness. What the EU needs, Hix contends, is more open political competition. This would promote policy innovation, foster coalitions across the institutions, provide incentives for the media to cover developments in Brussels, and enable citizens to identify who governs in the EU and to take sides in policy debates. The EU is ready for this new challenge. The institutional reforms since the 1980s have transformed the EU into a more competitive polity, and political battles and coalitions are developing inside and between the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission. This emerging politics should be more central to the Brussels policy process, with clearer coalitions and identifiable winners and losers, at least in the short term. The risks are low because the EU has multiple checks-and-balances. Yet, the potential benefits are high, as more open politics could enable the EU to overcome policy gridlock, rebuild public support, and reduce the democratic deficit. This indispensable book will be of great interest to students of the European politics, scholars, policy makers and anyone concerned with the future of the European Union.
10 Good Questions about Life and Death makes us think again about some of the most important issues we ever have to face. Addresses the fundamental questions that many of us ask about life and death. Written in an engaging and straightforward style, ideal for those with no formal background in philosophy. Focuses on commonly pondered issues, such as: Is life sacred? Is it bad to die? Is there life after death? Does life have meaning? And which life is best? Encourages readers to think about and respond to the human condition. Features case studies, thought-experiments, and references to literature, film, music, religion and myth.
The Practical Guide to The Genetic Family History Robin L. Bennett Compiling the most recent genetic developments in medical specialties, The Practical Guide to the Genetic Family History is a valuable resource which outlines the proper methods for taking and recording a patient's family medical history, allowing primary care physicians to be more efficient in diagnosing conditions with potential genetic components. With genetic screening forms, an overview of directed questions, pedigree nomenclature, and outlining common approaches used, genetic counselor Robin L. Bennett provides readers with the basic foundation in human genetics necessary to recognize inherited disorders and familial disease susceptibility in patients. As the only guide which is geared for the physician in this field, The Practical Guide to the Genetic Family History includes remarks by renowned medical geneticist Arno Motulsky, as well as information on structuring an accurate pedigree and its components, including: * Using a pedigree to identify individuals with an increased susceptibility to cancer * Family history, adoption, and their challenges * The connection between the pedigree and assisted reproductive technologies * Making referrals for genetic services * Neurological and neuromuscular conditions * Tables covering hearing loss, mental retardation, dementia, and seizures * Five case studies of genetics in practice An essential reference for genetics clinics, medical geneticists, and counselors, The Practical Guide to the Genetic Family History is also an invaluable aid for both primary care and specialist physicians who need an up-to-date reference that emphasizes both the science and art of modern clinical genetics.
Handbook of Applied Dog Behaviour and Training, Volume two: Etiology and Assessment of Behaviour Problems is the definitive reference for dog trainers, behaviourists, breeders and veterinarians. Coupled with Volume one, this text provides theoretical and practical framework for understanding the development and treatment of dog behaviour problems. Topics covered include Fear, anxiety and phobias, Separation-related problems, Hyperactivity, and Dominance, territorial, and fear-related aggression. The focus is to present and evaluate the relevant applied and scientific literature, and to highlight what remains to be learned, while the author introduces alternative ways for analysing and understanding the etiology of dog behaviour problems.
Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists, Sixth Edition is a fully updated revision of this popular, classic text offering a thorough understanding of the normal behavior of domestic animals. Provides a complete understanding of the normal behavior of domestic animals Covers dogs, cats, horses, pigs, sheep, cattle, and goats Describes all key aspects of animal behavior, with images to support the concepts Revised and updated to cover the latest thinking, with enhanced coverage of behavioral genetics, animal cognition, and learning Includes access to a companion website with review questions and answers and the figures from the book in PowerPoint
Restraint and Handling of Wild and Domestic Animals, Third Edition offers an introduction to the basic principles of animal restraint and an overview of techniques for vertebrate wild and domestic animals. Fully updated throughout, the third edition also includes new chapters on understanding behavior, training for restraint and handling, and animal welfare and restraint. Now in full color, the third edition of this classic reference is an invaluable tool to recognizing potential danger in restraint and reducing stress in the animal.
If you’re a veterinarian in practice and you’re interested in increasing your ability to deliver dental treatment to your patients, you will find the information in Small Animal Dental Equipment, Materials, and Techniques: A Primer invaluable. The author has gone back to basics to fill in the gap between limited and advanced veterinary dental services. This book will show you how to establish an efficient dental operatory and perform many of the day-to-day techniques required to raise your level of dental services. The goal of this book is to educate veterinarians and veterinary technicians on the philosophy and means of integrating dental health practices into the everyday life of their patients. The author also explains how to choose dental equipment and materials as well as how to perform basic and intermediate dental procedures based on examination finding. Coverage includes the materials, equipment, and techniques that veterinarians have found most valuable in the practice of veterinary dentistry.
A straightforward presentation of the broad concepts underlying radiological physics and radiation dosimetry for the graduate-level student. Covers photon and neutron attenuation, radiation and charged particle equilibrium, interactions of photons and charged particles with matter, radiotherapy dosimetry, as well as photographic, calorimetric, chemical, and thermoluminescence dosimetry. Includes many new derivations, such as Kramers X-ray spectrum, as well as topics that have not been thoroughly analyzed in other texts, such as broad-beam attenuation and geometrics, and the reciprocity theorem. Subjects are layed out in a logical sequence, making the topics easier for students to follow. Supplemented with numerous diagrams and tables.
Nothing is more perplexing to the clinician new to device therapy than having to deal with cardiac electrocardiograms from a device patient. Pacemakers and other implantable cardiac rhythm management devices leave their “imprint” on ECGs and can significantly change what clinicians see – or expect to see. Evaluating paced ECGs can be challenging, yet nowhere is it taught in any sort of comprehensive manner. Designed specifically for clinicians new to device therapy, The Nuts and Bolts of Interpreting Paced ECGs and EGMs offers practical, reliable and objective information on paced cardiac electrograms. Written in a lively, intelligent and easy to navigate style, emphasizing real-life clinical practice and practical tips, this book includes illustrated paced ECGs by skilled artists to help minimize “fuzzy” lines and emphasize key points. Each chapter concludes with a checklist of key points from each subject (“Nuts and Bolts”).
An essential guide for evaluating outcomes and improving practice in the neonatal intensive care unit – an aspect of neonatal intensive care that is not covered in standard texts. Written by a neonatologist with experience in outcomes research, the book engages Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) workers with vitally important questions about their work: What is a good NICU? Could you achieve better results? How completely can you characterize the results of your NICU?