Robert West

Polymer chemistry and technology form one of the major areas of molecular and materials science. This field impinges on nearly every aspect of modern life, from electronics technology, to medicine, to the wide range of fibers, films, elastomers, and structural materials on which everyone depends. Although most of these polymers are organic materials, attention is being focused increasingly toward polymers that contain inorganic elements as well as organic components. The goal of Inorganic Polymers is to provide a broad overview of inorganic polymers in a way that will be useful to both the uninitiated and those already working in this field. There are numerous reasons for being interested in inorganic polymers. One is the simple need to know how structure affects the properties of a polymer, particularly outside the well-plowed area of organic materials. Another is the bridge that inorganic polymers provide between polymer science and ceramics. More and more chemistry is being used in the preparation of ceramics of carefully controlled structure, and inorganic polymers are increasingly important precursor materials in such approaches. This new edition begins with a brief introductory chapter. That is followed with a discussion of the characteristics and characterization of polymers, with examples taken from the field. Other chapters in the book detail the synthesis, reaction chemistry, molecular structure, and uses of polyphosphazenes, polysiloxanes, and polysilanes. The coverage in the second edition has been updated and expanded significantly to cover advances and interesting trends since the first edition appeared. Three new chapters have been added, focusing on ferrocene-based polymers, other phosphorous-containing polymers, and boron-containing polymers; inorganic-organic hybrid composites; and preceramic inorganic polymers.

In loving memory of Robert West, our Brother, and Mentor, whose dedication and guidance inspired this project, we proudly release this book to the world. May his legacy continue to inspire others as we celebrate the creativity and talent of the students at Holly Drive Leadership Academy.

A Window on My Life, from Birmingham to Brazil and back, is the story of post-war baby boomer, Robert West, born in Birmingham, moving to Dagenham, Benfleet, Poland, Hungary, India and Brazil before retiring to Brentwood. Along the way having two daughters, a second marriage with three additional children, who together have produced twenty grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Robert (Bob) enjoyed a much loved but poor childhood, overcoming an even poorer education, to become an international manager. After the former Soviet Bloc countries opened up, shortly after the Berlin wall fell, he moved to Poland to form one of the largest energy companies in the country at the time. Later in Hungary as managing director, he oversaw one of the first and largest IPOs on a country’s fledgling stock exchange. Later he moved to India and finally to Brazil where he was president of two of the largest energy companies there. He retired at 51 to spend more time with his growing family, and concentrate on helping his children set up and run their own businesses. He lives in Brentwood with his wife Pauline and Otis, their once black though rapidly greying Labradoodle.

When you look at your phone, do you see nothing but an endless stream of bad news?This book will help you understand just what doomscrolling is and how it can ruin your health, damage your relationships, and leave you depressed and alone.It can happen to anyone. This book was written to help all those who have gotten lost in the bad news that comes out everyday. It will help you understand why you can't seem to stop, and it will show you the evolutionary reasons behind your obsessive behavior. I'll also provide you with effective steps to take to break the doomscrolling habit. In this book, you'll discover valuable insights into the following topics: What doomscrolling isWhat are the evolutionary and biological reasons behind the habitHow doomscrolling damages your mental and physical healthHow it wrecks your social lifeHow to break the habit and replace it with healthy alternatives;How to rebuild your health and your friendships.It can seem impossible to stop the doomscrolling habit, but it's not. You can do it and get your life back.This book will show you proven techniques for breaking this kind of bad habit. What's more, it will help you recover your health and your lost friendships. You can rediscover the beautiful, positive things in your life and in the world around you. You can make positive changes that will help you escape the trap you're living in right now. You can kick the habit and find the sunshine and the beautiful things in life that are still out there.If you're ready to kick the doomscrolling habit and find what's really good and important in life, this is the book for you. There's no time like the present to get started taking your life back from the dark world of doomscrolling

The word ‘addiction’ these days is used to refer to a chronic condition where there is an unhealthily powerful motivation to engage in a particular behaviour. This can be driven by many different factors – physiological, psychological, environmental and social. If we say that it is all about X, we miss V, W, Y and Z. So, some people think addicts are using drugs to escape from unhappy lives, feelings of anxiety and so on; many are. Some people think drugs become addictive because they alter the brain chemistry to create powerful urges; that is often true. Others think that drug taking is about seeking after pleasure; often it is. Some take the view that addiction is a choice – addicts weigh up the pros and cons of doing what they do and decide the former outweigh the latter. Yet others believe that addicts suffer from poor impulse control; that is often true… And so it goes on. When you look at the evidence, you see that all these positions capture important aspects of the problem – but they are not complete explanations. Neuroscience can help us delve more deeply into some of these explanations, while the behavioural and social sciences are better at exploring others. We need a model that puts all this together in a way that can help us decide what to do in different cases. Should we prescribe a drug, give the person some ‘tender loving care’, put them in prison or what? Theory of Addiction provides this synthesis. The first edition was well received: ‘Throughout the book the reader is exposed to a vast number of useful observations...The theoretical aims are timely, refreshing, ambitious and above all challenging. It opens up a new way of looking at addiction and has the potential to move the field of addiction a considerable leap forward. Thus we wholeheartedly would like to recommend the book for students as well as scholars. Read and learn!’ Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs ‘The book provides a comprehensive review of existing theories - over 30 in all - and this synthesis of theories constitutes an important contribution in and of itself... West is to be commended for his synthesis of addiction theories that span neurobiology, psychology and social science and for his insights into what remains unexplained.’ Addiction This new edition of Theory of Addiction builds on the first, including additional theories in the field, a more developed specification of PRIME theory and analysis of the expanding evidence base. With this important new information, Theory of Addiction will continue to be essential reading for all those working in addiction, from student to experienced practitioner – as urged above, Read and learn!

In this Christian Encounter Series biography, author Robert West explores the life of Saint Francis, a man who lived entirely devoted to God.Francis of Assisi has inspired the church for centuries. Francis took the gospel literally, following all that Jesus said and did without limit, and his devotion led to a life filled with miracles and wonders.Born to a wealthy cloth merchant in Assisi, Italy, Francis didn’t seem destined for the life of prayer and poverty that he chose. Bankrolled by his father, and with natural good looks and personality, Francis indulged in worldly pleasure. He had a ready wit, sang merrily, and delighted in fine clothes and showy display. Serious illness brought the young Francis to see the emptiness of his frolicking ways and led him to a life of prayer and unbridled devotion to Scripture. He gave over all his possessions to the poor and embraced a life of simplicity and poverty, transforming him from a self-centered youth to a man living for God and a model of complete obedience.Christian Encounters, a series of biographies from Thomas Nelson Publishers, highlights important lives from all ages and areas of the Church. Some are familiar faces. Others are unexpected guests. But all, through their relationships, struggles, prayers, and desires, uniquely illuminate our shared experience.

Know Your Star-FightersBeamer: California transplant to a weird Midwestern town. Feels like he’s living on another planet. Scilla: the gangly tomboy next door. Ghoulie: the class nerd. Add one spaceship-shaped tree house capable of taking them most anywhere in the universe. Hop in and blast off for fantastic outer space adventures in Star-Fighters of Murphy Street—the quirky, funny, fast-paced new trilogy by Robert West.Newly arrived from California, thirteen-year-old Beamer MacIntyre feels like an alien in this bizarre Midwestern town. Strangest of all is the spaceship-shaped tree house in his yard. Surprises await Beamer and his two new friends, Ghoulie and Scilla, when they climb inside and blast off to a universe full of adventure—including a surefire way to make the school bully stop harassing Ghoulie (provided it doesn’t backfire!).

Know Your Star-FightersBeamer: California transplant to a weird Midwestern town. Feels like he’s living on another planet. Scilla: the gangly tomboy next door. Ghoulie: the class nerd. Add one spaceship-shaped tree house capable of taking them most anywhere in the universe. Hop in and blast off for fantastic outer space adventures in Star-Fighters of Murphy Street—the quirky, funny, fast-paced new trilogy by Robert West.In Episode Three, The Star-Fighters, under attack from pink goblins and Molgotha, a drooling giant octopod, must save a girl locked in a "pink palace." In a wacky adventure which takes them to a pink planet, through subterranean civilizations and into a modern day Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory, the Star-Fighters discover a dark secret and find beauty in the most unlikely beasts.

Know Your Star-FightersBeamer: California transplant to a weird Midwestern town. Feels like he’s living on another planet. Scilla: the gangly tomboy next door. Ghoulie: the class nerd. Add one spaceship-shaped tree house capable of taking them most anywhere in the universe. Hop in and blast off for fantastic outer space adventures in Star-Fighters of Murphy Street—the quirky, funny, fast-paced new trilogy by Robert West.Taking a shortcut home from school, the Star-Fighters are chased by a horrible one-eyed creature into a cavern that houses an entire miniature world. Everything is animated—cars, trucks, moon, clouds, stars—but no one is at the controls. Who would make such a thing and then abandon it?The Star-Fighters’ search leads them on a wild adventure to a palatial mansion within a wintry jungle that hides a terrible secret—a secret that defines the limits of trusting God.

Manual of Smoking Cessation provides the crucial knowledge required if you are involved in helping smokers to stop. The manual provides facts, figures, suggested interventions and sources of further information to assist in providing evidence-based treatment for smokers wishing to stop. This manual covers the core content areas and key learning outcomes described in the Standard for Training in Smoking Cessation (Health Development Agency, 2003). Manual of Smoking Cessation is structured in two concise parts: Part 1 provides essential information on smoking demographics, along with the risks of smoking and the benefits of stopping; Part 2 offers a range of practical advice to implement with clients. The Smoking Cessation Manual is an essential text for all those involved in the provision of smoking cessation services, including smoking cessation counsellors, nurses, pharmacists, doctors, health promotion officers, dental professionals, and other members of the health care team. The book is an invaluable resource for those learning about smoking cessation, and a succinct aide-memoire to those already practicing in the field. The authors represent the 'who's who' in the field of smoking cessation and are affiliated to University College London and Cancer Research UK (Andy McEwen and Robert West), St Bartholomew's & Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry (Peter Hajek), and the University of Auckland (Hayden McRobbie).