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This richly illustrated book explores the fascinating and ubiquitous occurrence of spirals and vortices in human culture and in nature. Spiral forms have been used as elements in the arts for thousands of years, whereas their role in nature and science - from DNA and sea shells to galaxies - is still a topic of investigation in numerous fields. Following an introduction to the cultural history of spiral forms, the book presents contributions from leading experts, who describe the origins, mechanisms and dynamics of spirals and vortices in their special fields. As a whole the book provides a valuable source of information, while also taking the reader on an aesthetic and scientific journey through the world of spiral forms.

Spirals and Vortices: In Culture, Nature, and Science

Part 1 Introduction (S. Müller and/or N.N.).- Cultural History.- The Arts.- Appearance in Nature.- Part 2. Mathematical Basis (A. Polezhaev, Moscow).- Part 3. Laboratory experiments.- Liesegang Structures (S. Dietrich, TU Berlin).- Chemical oscillations and spiral waves (M. Hauser, Uni Magdeburg).- Heterogeneous catalysis (H. Rotermund, Canada).- Stability issues and external control (O. Steinbock, University of Florida).-Part 4. Applications to Biology, Physiology, and Medicine.- Patterns in the slime mould (C. Weijer, University of Dundee, Scotland).- Calcium waves in biological cells (M. Falcke, Max-Delbrück-Centrum, Berlin).- Dynamics of the heart (A. Panfilov, University of Gent, Belgium).- Waves during epileptic seizures (G. Baier, University College London, U.K.).- Patterns in eyes and on tongues (N. Manz, Wooster-College, Wooster, Ohio, U.S.A.).- Part 5 Theoretical Considerations.- Kinematic approach