"Gemstones of the World" is an essential resource for every hobbyist, jeweler, or jewelry maker. More than 1,500 full-color photos showcase each precious and semiprecious stone in its rough, natural, polished, and cut renditions.

Introduces readers to the enlightening world of the modern light microscope There have been rapid advances in science and technology over the last decade, and the light microscope, together with the information that it gives about the image, has changed too. Yet the fundamental principles of setting up and using a microscope rests upon unchanging physical principles that have been understood for years. This informative, practical, full-colour guide fills the gap between specialised edited texts on detailed research topics, and introductory books, which concentrate on an optical approach to the light microscope. It also provides comprehensive coverage of confocal microscopy, which has revolutionised light microscopy over the last few decades. Written to help the reader understand, set up, and use the often very expensive and complex modern research light microscope properly, Understanding Light Microscopy keeps mathematical formulae to a minimum—containing and explaining them within boxes in the text. Chapters provide in-depth coverage of basic microscope optics and design; ergonomics; illumination; diffraction and image formation; reflected-light, polarised-light, and fluorescence microscopy; deconvolution; TIRF microscopy; FRAP & FRET; super-resolution techniques; biological and materials specimen preparation; and more. Gives a didactic introduction to the light microscope Encourages readers to use advanced fluorescence and confocal microscopes within a research institute or core microscopy facility Features full-colour illustrations and workable practical protocols Understanding Light Microscopy is intended for any scientist who wishes to understand and use a modern light microscope. It is also ideal as supporting material for a formal taught course, or for individual students to learn the key aspects of light microscopy through their own study.

The Chemistry of Lignin provides a critical review of the literature published from 1949 to 1958. This book provides information pertinent to the fundamental aspects of lignin chemistry. Organized into 27 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the derivatives that are prepared for the characterization of the mother substance. This text then examines the various kinds of lignin and biosynthetic lignin-like products, which have been characterized by their behavior toward oxidation with nitrobenzene and alkali. Other chapters consider the morphological distribution of lignin in the wood fiber and the place of origin of lignin precursors and of the lignification process. This book discusses as well the formation or biosynthesis of lignin in plants and reviews the structure, isolation, and biosynthesis of lignin. The final chapter deals with producing lignin by the action of enzymes. This book is a valuable resource for lignin chemists, scientists, research workers, and botanists.

This complete guide explains what painters and paint contractors need to know to thrive in the paint contracting business. It's loaded with how-to information you'll use every day when preparing surfaces for coating, applying paints, bidding jobs and running your paint contracting company: Doing Professional Quality Work: Selecting the right tools, preparing all types of surfaces. Tips for repainting kitchens, bathrooms, cabinets, eaves and porches, handling new construction, getting good results from your airless spray rig, and much more Paint Problems and Their Cure: Why coatings fail, testing for blisters, chalking, poor adhesion and condensation, removing all types of stains, what to do about voids, skips, holidays, pulls, wrinkles, color changes, gloss spots, streaks, yellowing, peeling, alligatoring, powdering, chipping, checking, cracking, fish eyes, graining, roller stipple, water stains and fire damage.Using the Right Paint and Color: Avoiding paint oxidation, chalking, and fading, creating special effects, using stains, varnishes, lacquer, shellac, plastics, preservatives and primers, avoiding customer complaints about color match, tried and true color schemes for every job, cutting costs by mixing your own colors, making touch-ups blend in perfectly.Setting Up Your Business: Selecting your area and specialty, where to get start-up cash and how much you need, protecting yourself with insurance, controlling expenses, staying legal, getting top value for your advertising dollar, typical budgets for paint contractors, keeping your paperwork straight, tracking job expenses.Finding Your Gravy Train: Over 30 profitable specialty painting businesses you shouldconsider, how to sell the job, estimating areas, material quantities and labor costs for walls, overhangs, gables, molding, trim doors and windows.