Wiley encyclopedia of biomedical engineering /

In over 350 current, signed, refereed articles, WEBE provides very detailed technical coverage of topics as diverse as "Assistive Robotics," "Hypoxia," "Nanophase Materials," and "Ultrasonic Imaging." Alphabetically arranged articles are 8-14 pages long and provide references to works cited, but no cross-references. Graphical support material includes numerous photomicrographs, diagrams, charts, and equations. Users will discover a URL for color graphics in some image captions; it is available only to online subscribers, but the print version does not make this clear. The index (sixth volume) assists in locating material, but would be more usable with either the volume numbers or a volume-by-volume page listing. With 550-plus contributors from academic, government, and industry backgrounds, the articles are most appropriate for advanced students/specialists. For libraries supporting biomedical engineering research, this work will complement the Encyclopedia of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, ed. by G. E. Wnek and G. L. Bowlin (CH, Dec'04, 42-1940).In response to this constantly changing field, Wiley intends to update the online version of WEBE. Users will find that searching online makes locating specific content more convenient and intuitive. The home page offers basic searching within the publication or across all Wiley Interscience content, and links for browsing by title or 22 subjects within the encyclopedia. The title list gives options for HTML and PDF formats. Articles listed under a subject offer only the HTML link. The advanced search function supports Boolean logic, truncation, proximity and phrase searching, and nesting. One can search within article or section title, article text, author, keywords, tables, and figures. Results show any article's sections that meet search criteria. Upon entering the abstract or section text or HTML article, users may access a menu with links to the PDF version and the other sections of the article in HTML; subject categories; and links to all other articles within the broader subject.Users may resize the frames (some links are cut off when the top frame size is decreased). The text area wraps properly when viewed with a large text size. The HTML sections have thumbnail color graphics, with the option to open the images full size in another window. PDF files are full-page black-and-white views of the printed article. Article bibliographies have some links to title/abstract or full-text sources. The database includes an acronym finder. One can set up a profile to save titles, articles, and searches. The ease of navigation and the planned updates will make the online version a better value than the print one. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Libraries supporting biomedical engineering programs; upper-level undergraduates and above. C. M. Dalzell Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute