Maimonides speaks to the need to be both an individual and part of the community in order to become whole. Striving to become whole is the struggle of the smallest atom but also of the universe, let alone the individual. The importance of time for the individual is stressed by Maimonides.  This dictum is a driving force of the author and of the work of The Common Vein.

There are three elements that frame the approach of The Common Vein;  the units; links and bonds; yearning to become “whole”. Units  – First Concept A unit is a building block

Examples are all around us and in us.  The letter is the unit  to the book, the single brush stroke the unit to the painting, the musical note to the symphony, the cell to the body,  and the hydrogen atom is the essential unit to the universe.Connections, Links, Bonds – The Second Step The interdependence of structures in the universe is the glue that makes it all happen.  At the atomic level the positive force of the protons, and the negative force of the electrons keep them together as a unit.

This primitive bond is the essence of all else that follows.  The electrical  bonds between atoms allow the formation of molecules.  The bonds between molecules allow the formation of macromolecules.   As biology emerges,  intercellular adhesion proteins hold the cells together and extracellular matrix and collagen form the scaffolding on which structures are connected and supported. Blood vessels nerves, lymphatic and ducts connect the cells and organs and allows them to connect and communicate with each other. On Wholeness and Unity –  The Third step Despite the apparent wholeness of a unit – there is a “yearning” to combine with other units to become more whole.  The positive and negative force combine at the beginning of creation to become the hydrogen atom. Despite the achievement of this bond the hydrogen atom also combines with other hydrogen atoms to form other elements.  The bonding of male and female, the sperm and the egg is a beautiful example in mammalian biology.

Once bonded, despite the achievement of a new unit, there is a driving force to evolve into something more whole.  This is accomplished by cell division.  Division after division eventually results in a living organsim that becomes a human baby after 9 months.  The baby is the new unit, but as it grows and matures it becomes an individual who yearns for wholeness and accomplishes this by bonding with another person and creating a family – the new and larger unit providing a sense of wholeness.  The family is not complete without the community, and the community needs the country and the country needs other countries and the earth needs the solar system, and the solar system needs the universe. Drawing Parallells in the World Around Us The letters are the building blocks of the word.  The word is to the sentence as the sentence is to the paragragraph.  Chapters are the building blocks of a book.  The book is the essential unit of the library.

In art, the first step is the single stroke of the brush

As brush strokes are added in specific color and form and linked in unique organization, an artpiece evolves into something bigger and more powerful than the individual parts

To the atom the units are the protons, electrons, and neutrons.

To the molecule the atoms are the building blocks.

In biology the cell is the building block to the tissues and organs, while the organs are the building blocks of the body.

The cells of the liver are organized like spokes of a wheel around the central draining vein.  They are connected to each other in factory line fashion and surrounded by the rivulets of the blood stream that enable connection to the rest of the body.  This organizational pattern of liver tissue is called a liver lobule.

Unifying Units toward Unity There is a remarkable similarity between the structure of the atom, and the structure of the solar system.  A central body is surrounded by orbiting structures with forces that keep the structures connected.  The marvel of similarity, leads one to ponder about a recurring organizational pattern, and how that pattern is applied to biology which lies in between the atom and the universe.

The hydrogen atom is the most primitive atom.  It is the building block of all atoms and hence all molecules…it is the most abundant atom on earth and the universe.  There is a remarkable similarity between the hydrogen atom and the earth as demonstrated in the image below.

If one considers the atom as a unit and the solar system as a unit then the technique of combining units to build bigger units more powerful than the individual parts allows us to understand in some measure the unifying units to units concept or 1+1= 1This idea and equation is central to the whole of The Common Vein.  It is the simplest way to explain miraculous events in biology and also helps to expplain God. The Big Picture in a Collage The following image starts with the proton and atom in the left upper corner and advances through things in betweeen until the solar system.  It describes in graphic and conceptual terms how units combine to form somethinual parts.g bigger and more powerful than the individ

Starting From the Beginning Forces The most basic forces (as found in the simplest atom) include the positive and negative forces.

  The Hydrogen Atom and the Earth The hydrogen atom precesses on two axes like a spinning top.  As a result of the electrical forces and its motion it also acts as if it is a magnet. The earth also precesses on two axes and has a magnetic field running through its center that enables the compass to align and provide a spatial directional.The similarity makes one ponder.     Hydrogen Atom and the Earth – An Uncanny Resemblance 13451c06.800 Davidoff

The Atom and the Solar System The atom has a central nuclear core consisting of protons and neutrons and is surrounded by electrons circulating in orbitals. The solar system has a central core called the sun and is surrounded by planets orbiting around it. The similarity makes one ponder!     The Atom and the Solar System Artistic licence has been taken to present a series of atoms in the background of repetitive images of the part of the solar system.  The structure of the atom with its central  nucleus dominates the scene and is shown with orbiting shells containing the electrons ( Davidoff)45828b12.800

The Atom, Biology and the Universe We have observed the similarities between the hydrogen atom and the earth and the atom and the solar system. We understand at the time of the big bang that the simplest atom – the hydrogen atom – was in abundance. We know that about 60% of  the body is made from the hydrogen atom. From our ancient bible it is understood that man was made from the earth and that Adam is the legendary first human on earth.  The name Adam is the derived from the hebrew word “adamah” which means earth. So the puzzle of how the hydrogen atom in its simplicity and then in its multiplicity gets transposed into the miracle of biology.

Where does biology fit in between the atom and the solar system and universe? The atom is the building block of all structure and is seen at the bottom of the image and the solar system as part of the universe lies as a black mystery above.  Between the two stands my daughter Danielle on the beaches of Newport Rhode island pondering at the age of 9 years where she and the rest of biology fits in the grand scheme of events. (Davidoff art) 45826b04.800

The Start of Biology Raw Material The most basic raw materials of organic biology include the carbon hydrogen and oxygen atoms. In a variety of combinations they form proteins fats and carbohydrates.     In the Beginning – Time 0 – The Raw Materials The greens of the earth, the blues of water and our heavens, and the light of the sun shine through. 13275b01i01e01.800 Davidoff oneness

Attractive Forces       Couple Forces of Passion Two opposite forces are needed to bring the life about. 82835p.800 Davidoff art

 Close to a New Beginning 13275b01i01e12u08 Davidoff oneness

Power of Multiplication  – An Introduction to Units to Unity Parts Making up the Whole Although the whole is bigger and more powerful than the individual parts, the strength of the whole depends on the uniqueness, strength, and power of the individual parts that make it up.     Cell Division to Form the Blastocyst a Precursor of the Embryo 13275b01i01e01b01.800 time heaven earth sea nature void TCV embryology Oneness units to unity blastocyst Davidoff oneness       Cell to The Lobule to the Segments to the Organ The series of images starts with the cells of the liver (a) that unite and organize to form sheets of cells (b), that in turn organize to form lobules of the liver (c) which in turn for subsegments (d), which form lobes (e), and eventually the liver itself (f). 13456cl.8s liver parts normal lobules cells cords lobules segments units to unity Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD copyright 2009       Organs Coming Together The organs coming together merely make a body.  It is a mind and soul that make the person. 46580b02.800 body dance brain nerve muscle Davidoff art      Body Mind and Soul Together 87162pb03s.8 dance beauty coordination form and function perfection anatomy physiology Davidoff art Davidoff photography Copyright 2008  With Permission of the dancer   Power of the Group in Dance      Individuals in the Group 87052pb01.8k.8s dance movement black white units to unity individual uniqueness group Davidoff art Davidoff photography copyright 2009 all rights reserved   Power of the Group in Song       Individuals in the Group in SongThe sculpture consists of vertical stones that represent the bodies of members of the group which in this case are reminiscent of a choir. The bodies are toppped with different colored glass and semiprecious stones that give individuality and uniqueness to each member of the group. The group is led by a master who wears a garment of white crystal that faces the audience, but his front side is made of the same material as the members of his group. The group is organized in a semi circle and size is graded from small in front to large in the back. This is done to provide a sense of oneness to the whole that is made of unique individuals. The units to unity concept could just as well have been the organelles of th cell, the notes of a music piece, the letters of the word or the brush strokes a painting coming together in exquisite harmony. units to unity choir cell power of the group importance of individual Davidoff art sculpture stone marble mineral glass Davidoff art copyright 2009 all rights reserved 90769pb01.8s 90768pbb.8s   Power of the Group in Biology       School of Travally Fish 83104.801 school of Travally fish units to unity Applied Biology concepts The Common VEin Davidoff MD Davidoff photography Aquarium Atlantis Bahamas   Power of the Parts in Biology      The Parts that Make the Flower 91713pi.8s flowers Newton center Massachusetts Spring poppy orange black impressionist Davidoff photography Davidoff art all rights reserved copyright 2009   Power of the Units We Build on Our Farms     Rocks in the Wall, and Farmlands in the Mountains – Units to Unity in Peruvian Mountains 0178.800 Peru farm wall units to unity mountains vertical agriculture food the common vein applied biology Davidoff photography Davidoff MD   Power of the Units We Build in Our Cities Parts to form the Whole in Architecture       Rooms to the Hotel 83249.800 Bahamas apartment complex similar but not the same uniqueness of each unit TCV units to unity The Common Vein Applied Biology Davidoff photography Davidoff MD     Connections Bonds Links and Ties  Making it All Happen – The Second Concept The way units get put together is the key to their ability to form units bigger and more powerful than the individual parts.  The following images reveal the way units get linked to each other.   c Molecular Bonding 70983.800 molecules atoms bonds links connections relations collage Davidoff art       Bonds in the Cell 71798b13b03.800 cell endoplasmic reticulum mitochondria fat droplet absorbtion by microvilli processing cisterna interdigitaion of cells pinocytic vesicle intercellular space function absorbtion Davidoff art Davidoff MD       Sutures of the Skull Linking the Bones for Strength 46304b01 bone skull suture shape CTscan Davidoff art       Joints Linking the Bones of the Hand for Functionality45747 hand phalanx phalanges radius ulna wrist carpals carpal bones scaphoid lunate triquetrum pisiform hamate hook of hamate capitate tapezoid trapezium metacarpals metacarpal bone sesamoid normal anatomy plain film Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD 45742 45743 45744 45745 45746 45747       The Umbilicus – Linking The Fetus with the Mother49703b17c01.801 body in 12 moods umbilicus abdomen a day in the life a year in the life Davidoff art       Friendship in Peru06054pb01.8s Peru people Indian man hat men handshake links and connections hands Davidoff photography copyright 2009 impressionist all rights reserved       Paternal BondingCAPE0244b02i.8s Cape Cod Masachusetts father and son happiness impressionist Davidoff photography Davidoff art all rights reserved copyright 2009       Spiritual Bonding 02768pi.8s man men black kippah Jerusalem Western wall faith belief impressionist Davidoff art Davidoff photography copyright 2009 all rights reserved   Connections and Links in the City       Links to the City Johannesburg 57692 city electricity air energy essential community need Johannesburg South Africa fence capsule tcv the common vein Davidoff photography       Roads and Bridges of Boston 61855 interesting accessory Boston Zakim bridge government centre nucleus Courtesy of Ashley Davidoff MD Davidoff photography       Phone Lines Electric Lines Cable  – Connections Making it All Come Together 83925 elctricity node ganglion nerve control telephone cable box connections communication control systems nerves Davidoff photography       Bridges 62639.800 bridge water intact white arch shape connection reflection TCV the common vein Davidoff photography   A Third Concept – Some of the Designs of Biology – Trees in Nature and Biology – Enabling Efficient Transport In biology, the bonding of structures is not only to have them support each other structurally, but also to combine forces to function.  In the world of botany, the roots of the trees that absorb water and nutrients have to be connected to the leaves that are the factories of energy production.  The branching pattern of the tree typifies the concept of bonding and connecting, but also enabling transport of metabolites to places where they are needed.     Main Trunk and First Divisions The roots and the leaves have to be connected, and transport of food and water has to be able to be delivered.  The rootlets below the ground absorb water and nutrients at the cellular level and as they gather in units to unity format, they emerge as the trunk above ground.  The branching pattern above ground reverses the units to unity to accomodate the above ground environment and repeated branching enables the connection of the cells of the rootlets with the cells of the leaves. 22152aa08s.1k trees in the body Chicago Lake Michigan variations Davidoff art Philips RSNA 2008 Copyright 2008   The tree like branching pattern is seen in the body as well.  The airways of the lungs takes the oxygen at the trunk of the airway – the trachea and through branching brings the oxygen at a cellular level to the alveoli.  The cells of the capillaries connect with the cells of the lungs and then the capillaries advance on a units to unity arborising pattern to enable transport of the  oxygen to the heart.     Main Trunk and First Divisions in the Lung This is a photo taken near Lake Michigan at the end of the Fall in Chicago showing the illuminated base of the naked trees. The dichotomous branching is reminiscent of the tracheal branching into the two mainstem bronchi. Turn them upside down and the similarity is remarkable. Chicago trees branching pattern Lake Michigan Christmas lights asymmetric branching pattern trees in the body Davidoff photography Copyright 2008  22153c07s.8      Trees in Nature  Division oafter Division – All Connected03105pb01 tree of life tree of knowledge Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD Davidoff photography       Branching in the Airways and Lungs  – CTscan CT reconstructed tracheobronchial tree in a patient with normal airways Courtesy Douglas and Ashley Davidoff MD. 32620       Combining Biology and Nature to Form an Artistic Rendering 32620c01.1.2ks lung tracheobronchial tree airways normal anatomy trees in the body Davidoff art copyright 2008 chronicle high resolution       Another Tree in the Body The Portal Circulation of the Liver – Artistic Rendering of a CT scan The tree has a root system below and a branching system above. The nature of the tree and biology is to be gifted a brief period to enable us to borrow from the earth, and  to evolve the raw products toward the heavens. (Davidoff art)45828b12.800   Bringing the Concepts Together in a Medical Educational Endeavour – The Common Vein Applying Units to Unity, Branching Patterns, Linking, Organizing and Art to Medicine How to start with a word like “heart” and end up with an encyclopedia of knowledge using an arborised knowledge base, founded in basic principles. There are 5 basic recurring principles in the field of medicine; structure function, disease, diagnosis, and medicine.     Tenets of Biology and MedicineRoots Main Stem and First Branches 10354 ( Davidoff art)   When van Gogh started a new painting he started with a single brush stroke – and when Shakespeare or Beethoven started with their endeavors they started with a single unit of their discipline.  Take the word heart as the first of your exploration into encyclopedic knowledge and take only the next step – a sentence that describes that word defining the essence of its structure, function, diseases, diagnostic and treatment characteristics. As you become satisfied that you have explored the word at its essence then move on to a paragraph, and then to a chapter and then to the book.     Start with a Word,  Advance to the Sentence, and then to the Paragraph. If you are interested it can grow to an Encyclopedia Inverted Cone Growth 10357b06 ( Davidoff )       Apply the Principles of Structure Function Disease Diagnosis and Treatment to each Organ System as The Cone is Advanced Inverted Cone  Building Units 10357b12d02e02 Davidoff       Advancing From Simplicity to Complexity Each Limb of the tree Will Have Smaller Branches Universal Descriptors of Biological Structure11427 b02 Davidoff       Adding Each of the Organs Using Units to Unity to Build The Common Vein 10355b structure function disease diagnosis treatment drawing Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD ikon TCV