The book covers the field of solar system astrophysics beginning with basic tools of spherical astronomy and coordinate frames and celestial mechanics. Historical introductions precede the development and discussion in most chapters.

After a basic treatment of the two- and restricted three-body system motions, perturbations are discussed, and then the Earth’s gravitational potential field and its effects on satellite orbits. Next follow chapters on the Earth-Moon system and the interior planets. Surfaces are treated as well as the interiors and atmospheres, developing appropriate mathematical tools and the basic geophysics, mineralogy, crystallography, and meteorology required for comprehension. Chapters 5 and 6 involve pedagogically clear, illustrated discussions of the numerical integration of the Adams-Williamson equation and the equations of state in planetary interiors. The discussion of rocks and minerals includes crystallography, essential for understanding the state of matter in planetary interiors and moon rocks. The atmospheres chapters includes detailed discussions of circulation, applicable also to the subsequent discussion of the gas giants. A comparative planetary approach is given to discussions of the atmospheric and ionospheric chemistry, magnetospheres, and crustal properties. The giant planets are discussed together, and the thermal excess of three of them highlighted. This is followed by chapters on moons and rIngs, mainly in the context of dynamical stability, comets and meteors, meteorites and asteroids, and concludes with an extensive discussion of extrasolar planets. The material has been updated in the last few months to take advantage of the newer discoveries of the Mars Rover and the Saturn Cassini missions.

Much of our knowledge of stem cells has been inferred from studies of remarkable few species. The ability to manipulate stem cells in "model" organisms such as the mouse and a few other vertebrate species has driven our understanding of basic biology of stem cells. The power and efficiency of studying model organisms, however, comes at a cost since a few species, obviously, do not reflect nature´s true diversity. Unfortunately, although all multicellular organisms seem to rely on stem cells, and although this seems to be a question of key importance for understanding the evolution of animal life, little is known about stem cells in early-branching taxa.

The book "Stem Cells: From Hydra to Man" illustrates that here is more than human and mouse stem cells to learn from. Reflecting an enormous growth in the knowledge of stem cells in various organisms, the book presents the conceptual language and the nature of questions, as well as a summary of the advances in our understanding of stem cells from a comparative point of view that has resulted from the development of new technology and the development of novel model organisms over the past few decades. As such this book is largely a horizon analysis of a frontier rather than a retrospective. It presents an integrative approach to animal stem cells and covers the major contributions, tools and trends in a newly emerging field: comparative stem cell biology.

'Arwrology' is derived from the old Welsh and means an all-out hand-to-hand fighter: it was developed by Gordon Perrigard, a Canadian medical doctor who blends advanced ju-jitsu with human anatomy insights. Chapters show how to defeat an armed person, overcome brute strength, and fall without injury. Learn all the basics of hand-to-hand combat in a fine survey that includes black and white step-by-step photos.

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