Environmental science, engineering and technology Books

Book SynopsisThere are many books that seek to explain Lean and Agile software that offer theory, techniques, and examples. Michael Levine's first book, A Tale of Two Systems, is one of the best, synthesizing Lean manufacturing and product development with agile software concepts in an engaging business novel. However, there has been precious little practical guidance for those seeking to change existing organizations to become Lean and Agile, until now. Mr. Levine has followed the successful approach of A Tale of Two Systems, telling two simultaneous intertwined and contrasting stories, to bring organizational transformation to life. Mary O'Connell and James Wes Wesleyan, recently engaged to be married, share a commitment to Lean and Agile Software. They have recently become leaders in two very different companies one, stuck in a slow-moving, unresponsive, process-driven quagmire of a software culture; the other, struggling through the chaos of a sales-driven, processTrade ReviewThe story-telling approach, with a summary of the lessons and insights at the end of each chapter, is an engaging way to learn…. My hat is off to Mr. Levine for writing a book that both entertains and teaches. Not an easy task, but masterfully done in this case. —John G. Schmidt, Vice President for Enterprise Initiatives, Informatica & author of Lean IntegrationFinally! A book about Lean and Agile software development for the executives who want to make the transition - from someone who has been there … deals with a broad array of leadership problems, from discovering chief engineers, to dealing with demanding sales managers to pulling back from outsourcing. — Mary Poppendieck, Author of Lean Software Development, Implementing Lean Software Development, and Leading Lean Software DevelopmentTable of ContentsSetting the Stage for Change: February. Wes’s Challenge at MCCA: February. Mary’s Challenge at FinServia: February. Setting Initial Approaches for Both Companies: February. Understanding the Landscape: March. Getting to Know the MCCA Team and Culture: March. Reorienting FinServia’s Relationship with GRI: March. Solving the Chief Engineer Puzzle at MCCA: March. Beginning the Transformations: April–May. Six Weeks to Change the FinServia Organization: April. Six Weeks to Start the MCCA Transformation: May. Transformations Take Hold: May–September. Making Delivery Commitments at FinServiea: May. MCCA Engages with Its Sales Force and Customers at DocWorld: Late July. Sprint 1 Demo at FinServia—Dealing with Disappointment: July. Jack’s Gambit at MCCA. Looking Back and Looking Ahead: December. Sustaining Lean and Agile: December. Summary and Conclusions. Transforming to Become Lean and Agile. Index.

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Book SynopsisProviding the most comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of this exciting biomedical field, Handbook of Photomedicine gathers together a large team of international experts to give you a complete account of the application of light in healthcare and medical science. The book progresses logically from the history and fundamentals of photomedicine to diverse therapeutic applications of light, known collectively as phototherapies. It facilitates your understanding of human diseases caused by light, the rationale for photoprotection, and major applications of phototherapy in clinical practice.The handbook begins with a series of historical vignettes of pioneers from the last two centuries. It also presents the fundamentals of physics and biology as applied to photomedicine. It next examines conditions and diseases caused by light, including skin cancer, dermatoses, and immunosuppression. The remainder of the book focuses on the most important clTable of ContentsHistory and Fundamentals. Diseases Caused by Light. Ultraviolet Phototherapy. Photodynamic Therapy. Low-Level Light Therapy. Surgical Laser Therapy. Other Phototherapy and Future Outlook.

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Book SynopsisWhy is it that some improvement efforts succeed while others fail despite robust change management programs and the often do-or-die pressure to improve? Quite simply, there are three elements that separate those that succeed from those that fail. They are the 3MsMeasure, Manage to Measure, and Make-it-Easy.Complete with forms, templates, and case studies from the aviation and manufacturing industries, Utilizing the 3Ms of Process Improvement supplies step-by-step guidance on how to use the 3Ms to achieve performance excellence that lasts. Suitable for a wide audienceincluding suppliers, manufacturers, and those who work in service organizations, schools, healthcare, and governmentit is as much about the science of process improvement as it is about how to lead process improvement utilizing the 3Ms.Illustrating applications of the 3Ms across a range of industries, the book weaves stories throughout about role models who have succeeded, as Trade ReviewIn this book, Rick Morrow provides a clear, structured, and disciplined approach to improving processes and systems in any industry or organization in need of improvement. He gives readers great insight into how all the tools of improvement can indeed be used in an integrated approach to improve service or product reliability, quality, safety, utilization, and efficiency. He wraps this around straightforward steps and the management systems required to sustain improvements. A must read for all looking to improve an organization and delivery system.—Charles Hagood, Founder & Past President of The Access Group, International Industrial and Business Services ConsultingAs an international expert in quality and safety, Utilizing the 3Ms of Process Improvement is my go-to-guide for practical applications in process improvement. This is a must read for all professionals looking to create sustainable processes and improve outcomes.—David Jaimovich, MD, President of Quality Resources InternationalIn this book, Rick Morrow provides a clear, structured, and disciplined approach to improving processes and systems in any industry or organization in need of improvement. He gives readers great insight into how all the tools of improvement can indeed be used in an integrated approach to improve service or product reliability, quality, safety, utilization, and efficiency. He wraps this around straightforward steps and the management systems required to sustain improvements. A must read for all looking to improve an organization and delivery system.—Charles Hagood, Founder & Past President of The Access Group, International Industrial and Business Services ConsultingAs an international expert in quality and safety, Utilizing the 3Ms of Process Improvement is my go-to-guide for practical applications in process improvement. This is a must read for all professionals looking to create sustainable processes and improve outcomes.—David Jaimovich, MD, President of Quality Resources InternationalTable of ContentsOverview of Process Improvement and the 3Ms. Change Leadership. Resistance to Change and Process Improvement. Process Improvement Methodologies. Roadmap for Process Improvement. Chartering the Process Improvement Work. Stakeholder Analysis. Finding the Root Causes, Improving, and Controlling. Utilizing the 3Ms: Measure, Manage to the Measure, and Make It Easier. What to Measure. Measure Risk to Achieve High Reliability. Measurement as a System. How to Share and Communicate Measurements. 3Ms: Manage to the Measure. 3Ms: Make It Easier. High Reliability. Summary.

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Book SynopsisThe Encyclopedia of Biomedical Polymers & Polymeric Biomaterials presents state-of-the-art research and development on the application of novel polymers in a vital area. This groundbreaking work includes the insight of a large number of contributors from around the world who offer a broad-based perspective on a multitude of topics. Authoritative, dynamic, and comprehensive, this multi-volume reference covers the broad subject area of polymer applications in the medical field, providing readers with an enriching experience and targeted knowledge in this evolving arena. The materials presented convey important overviews to help stimulate further advancements in all areas of biomaterials and biomedical polymers. Additionally, they address and identify new breakthroughs and emerging technologies.Designed for novices to experienced researchers, the encyclopedia caters to engineers and scientists (polymer and materials scientists, biomedical engineers, b

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Book SynopsisTechnical plasmas have a wide range of industrial applications. The Encyclopedia of Plasma Technology covers all aspects of plasma technology from the fundamentals to a range of applications across a large number of industries and disciplines. Topics covered include nanotechnology, solar cell technology, biomedical and clinical applications, electronic materials, sustainability, and clean technologies. The book bridges materials science, industrial chemistry, physics, and engineering, making it a must have for researchers in industry and academia, as well as those working on application-oriented plasma technologies.Also Available OnlineThis Taylor & Francis encyclopedia is also available through online subscription, offering a variety of extra benefits for researchers, students, and librarians, including: Citation tracking and alerts Active reference linking Saved searches and marked lists

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Book SynopsisWith a substantial amount of new material, the Handbook of Linear Algebra, Second Edition provides comprehensive coverage of linear algebra concepts, applications, and computational software packages in an easy-to-use format. It guides you from the very elementary aspects of the subject to the frontiers of current research. Along with revisions and updates throughout, the second edition of this bestseller includes 20 new chapters.New to the Second Edition Separate chapters on Schur complements, additional types of canonical forms, tensors, matrix polynomials, matrix equations, special types of matrices, generalized inverses, matrices over finite fields, invariant subspaces, representations of quivers, and spectral sets New chapters on combinatorial matrix theory topics, such as tournaments, the minimum rank problem, and spectral graph theory, as well as numerical linear algebra topics, including algorithms for structuredTrade Review"The second edition is substantially expanded … A huge amount of thought has gone into the book. … Leslie Hogben has done an outstanding job to produce a book of this size in a uniform style with such a high standard of editing and typesetting. … this is certainly a book to ask your library to order and maybe even to purchase yourself."—Nick Higham (University of Manchester) on his blog http://nickhigham.wordpress.com, March 2014 Praise for the First Edition:"… a valuable compendium of information on virtually all aspects of linear algebra and its applications. …This is a Herculean labor of love on the editor’s part, a successful effort that should be appreciated and applauded by anyone working and/or teaching in this important area of mathematics. … Every library that supports mathematics and science departments should have this encyclopedic work on its shelves."—Henry Ricardo, MAA Reviews, June 2007 "Without doubts, it will be of great help for everybody who needs linear algebra in his profession, or for instructors or students looking for concepts, results, or examples." —H. Mitsch, Monatshefte fur Math, 2007 "This handbook covers all the major topics of linear algebra at both graduate and undergraduate level, as well as their applications and related software packages. The handbook will be without a doubt a valuable resource for anyone using linear algebra, i.e. basically for any mathematician."—EMS Newsletter Table of ContentsLinear Algebra. Combinatorial Matrix Theory and Graphs. Numerical Methods. Linear Algebra in Other Disciplines. Computational Software. Index.

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Book SynopsisA Complete Toolbox of Theories and TechniquesThe second edition of a bestseller, Handbook of Virtual Environments: Design, Implementation, and Applications presents systematic and extensive coverage of the primary areas of research and development within VE technology. It brings together a comprehensive set of contributed articles that address the principles required to define system requirements and design, build, evaluate, implement, and manage the effective use of VE applications. The contributors provide critical insights and principles associated with their given areas of expertise to provide extensive scope and detail on VE technology and its applications.What's New in the Second Edition: Updated glossary of terms to promote common language throughout the community New chapters on olfactory perception, avatar control, motion sickness, and display design, as well as a whole host of new application areas Trade Review"A key attraction of this text is the diversity of chapter offerings that span a range of successful research and applications in academia, industry, defense, medicine, and education. A second aspect that is very important is the discussion and interplay of the science of learning and applications of virtual environments as well as the underpinning of theory and research in each chapter. I find this interplay to be very important regardless as a means of informing both science and practice along the way."—Dr Winston "Wink" Bennett, Jr., US Air Force Research Laboratory, Warfighter Readiness Research Division "A key attraction of this text is the diversity of chapter offerings that span a range of successful research and applications in academia, industry, defense, medicine, and education. A second aspect that is very important is the discussion and interplay of the science of learning and applications of virtual environments as well as the underpinning of theory and research in each chapter. I find this interplay to be very important regardless as a means of informing both science and practice along the way."—Dr Winston "Wink" Bennett, Jr., US Air Force Research Laboratory, Warfighter Readiness Research Division "… provides a comprehensive view of each of the elements impacting the design, implementation, and total cost of virtual environments. The list of authors features an all-star cast of simulation practioners rarely assembled for such purposes. The book is well organized and describes each of the antecedents of good design in a pragmatic way making it easy for novices or experts to easily find selected topics gain knowledge from reading."—Robert Sottilare, Ph.D., Simulationist & Adaptive Tutoring Scientist "… a comprehensive guide to the latest technology and ideas in the resurgent field of VE. The editors have brought together a distinguished list of expert contributors and covered a broad swath to provide a definitive guide of the current state-of-the-art for students and experts alike."—Scott S. Grigsby, Ph.D., Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp Table of ContentsIntroduction. System Requirements. Design Approaches and Implementation Strategies. Health and Safety Issues. Evaluation. Selected Applications of Virtual Environments.

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Book SynopsisThis book details the latest research on magnetic resonance (MRI) tagging technology related to heart mechanics. The book compare and contrast different tagging techniques, explain different imaging sequences and post processing algorithms, and associate the tagging techniques with different applications. It presents MRI techniques in chronological order, describing how the drawbacks of a certain technique led to the invention of the next one.

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Book SynopsisAuthored by two longtime researchers in tobacco science, The Chemical Components of Tobacco and Tobacco Smoke, Second Edition chronicles the progress made from late 2008 through 2011 by scientists in the field of tobacco science. The book examines the isolation and characterization of each component. It explores developments in pertinent analytical technology and results of experimental studies on biological activity, toxicity, and tumorigenicity, including the inhibition of adverse biological activity of one specific tobacco smoke component by another tobacco smoke component. Adding to the progress reported in the First Edition, the comprehensive Second Edition provides nearly 7,000 references on almost 9,600 components. The authors discuss the controversies over the extrapolation of the biological effect of a specific component administered individually by one route versus its biological effect when the cTrade ReviewPraise for the First Edition… the real value of the book will turn out in its daily use and it has all chances to become the standard reference book (perhaps 'The Bible') of all tobacco scientists.—Dr. Gerhard Scherer, Editor of Beitrage zur Tabakforschung International, Bonn, GermanyI highly recommend this book as an indispensable reference source for tobacco and smoke chemists as well as other scientists involved in the study of tobacco and its products. The compilation of proper chemical names, common names, Chemical Abstract Service numbers (CAS No.), and structures alone are worth the purchase price.—Charles R. Green, Ph.D., Retired Senior Principal Scientist, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Winston-Salem, North CarolinaMany congratulations on this monumental piece of work. —Dr. Chuan Liu, Senior Scientist, Applied Research, Group Research & Development, British American Tobacco, Southampton, United Kingdom As a statistician I would like to forecast: There will not be any other comprehensive work in the next 30-50 years about this topic – Rodgman – Perfetti will be the definitive book.—Prof. Dr. Wolf-Dieter Heller, Karlsruhe, Germanyas a reference text on a laboratory shelf it will prove essential and take its place alongside the other CRC publications.—M. Cooke, Chromatographia 2010, 71Table of ContentsHydrocarbons. Alcohols and Phytosterols. Aldehydes and Ketones. Carboxylic Acids. Esters. Lactones. Anhydrides. Carbohydrates and Their Derivatives. Phenols and Quinones. Ethers. Nitriles. Acyclic Amines. Amides. Imides. N-Nitrosamines. Nitroalkanes, Nitroarenes, and Nitrophenols. Nitrogen Heterocyclic Components. Miscellaneous Components. Fixed and Variable Gases. Metallic and Nonmetallic Elements, Isotopes, Ions, and Salts. Pesticides and Growth Regulators. Genes, Nucleotides, and Enzymes. Hoffmann Analytes. Tobacco and/or Tobacco Smoke Components Used as Tobacco Ingredients. Pyrolysis. Carcinogens, Tumorigens, and Mutagens vs. Anticarcinogens, Inhibitors, and Antimutagens. Free Radicals. Summary. Bibliography. Alphabetical Component Index. Sequence of CAS Registry Numbers.

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Book SynopsisWith major implications for applied physics, engineering, and the natural and social sciences, the rapidly growing area of environmental fluid dynamics focuses on the interactions of human activities, environment, and fluid motion. A landmark for the field, the two-volume Handbook of Environmental Fluid Dynamics presents the basic principles, fundamental flow processes, modeling techniques, and measurement methods used in the study of environmental motions. It also offers critical discussions of environmental sustainability related to engineering. The handbook features 81 chapters written by 135 renowned researchers from around the world. Covering environmental, policy, biological, and chemical aspects, it tackles important cross-disciplinary topics such as sustainability, ecology, pollution, micrometeorology, and limnology. Volume Two: Systems, Pollution, Modeling, and Measurements explores the interactions between engineered structures and aTrade ReviewPraise for the Two-Volume Set "I strongly recommend the two-volume Handbook of Environmental Fluid Dynamics to all scientists and engineers involved in or just intrigued by the interplay of fluid dynamics with the environment. Guided by the skillful editorship of Joe Fernando, and dedicated to the memory of Owen M. Phillips, a marvelous teacher and one of the top geophysical fluid dynamicists of the past century, every topic of importance in environmental fluid dynamics is superbly addressed by an outstanding selection of authors; I predict the books will be an important resource for years to come."—Professor James J. Riley, University of Washington"This handbook is probably the most prestigious and broadest survey in environmental fluid dynamics that has come to light so far. It brings together state-of-the-art knowledge of leading experts in topics ranging from climate change and risk assessment to more fundamental subjects such as turbulence and dispersion within two volumes and 81 chapters. It promises to become one of the most important references in this field."—Professor Jan-Bert Flór, Laboratoire des Ecoulements Géophysiques et Industriels, CNRS"Dr. Fernando has assembled an impressive team of contributors from a wide range of fields. The book is as close to a comprehensive view of the field as possible in one handbook."—Professor John S. Gulliver, University of Minnesota"This grand two-volume set provides an excellent exposé of the vast interdisciplinary field of environmental fluid dynamics including its societal importance. The work spans time and space scales ranging from small-scale stratified turbulence to large-scale climate and introduces the reader to the many observational, theoretical, and numerical techniques used to study outdoor flows—a great resource."—Dr. Peter Sullivan, National Center for Atmospheric Research"I will definitely recommend this handbook to students and stakeholders concerned by environmental problems."—Professor Philippe Fraunié, Université du Sud Toulon-VarPraise for the Two-Volume Set"I strongly recommend the two-volume Handbook of Environmental Fluid Dynamics to all scientists and engineers involved in or just intrigued by the interplay of fluid dynamics with the environment. Guided by the skillful editorship of Joe Fernando, and dedicated to the memory of Owen M. Phillips, a marvelous teacher and one of the top geophysical fluid dynamicists of the past century, every topic of importance in environmental fluid dynamics is superbly addressed by an outstanding selection of authors; I predict the books will be an important resource for years to come."—Professor James J. Riley, University of Washington"This handbook is probably the most prestigious and broadest survey in environmental fluid dynamics that has come to light so far. It brings together state-of-the-art knowledge of leading experts in topics ranging from climate change and risk assessment to more fundamental subjects such as turbulence and dispersion within two volumes and 81 chapters. It promises to become one of the most important references in this field."—Professor Jan-Bert Flór, Laboratoire des Ecoulements Géophysiques et Industriels, CNRS"Dr. Fernando has assembled an impressive team of contributors from a wide range of fields. The book is as close to a comprehensive view of the field as possible in one handbook."—Professor John S. Gulliver, University of Minnesota"This grand two-volume set provides an excellent exposé of the vast interdisciplinary field of environmental fluid dynamics including its societal importance. The work spans time and space scales ranging from small-scale stratified turbulence to large-scale climate and introduces the reader to the many observational, theoretical, and numerical techniques used to study outdoor flows—a great resource."—Dr. Peter Sullivan, National Center for Atmospheric Research"I will definitely recommend this handbook to students and stakeholders concerned by environmental problems."—Professor Philippe Fraunié, Université du Sud Toulon-VarTable of ContentsPart I Engineered Systems and Anthropogenic Influence: Water Distribution Systems. Groundwater–Surface Water Discharges. Fluid Mechanics of Agricultural Systems. Desalination and the Environment. Bubble Plumes. Scour around Hydraulic Structures. Flow through Urban Canopies. Flow through Buildings. Bluff Body Aerodynamics and Aeroelasticity. Wake–Structure Interactions. Urban Heat Islands. Part II Environmental Pollution: Atmospheric Dispersion. Flow and Dispersion in Street Canyons. Air Flow through Tunnels. Sound Outdoors and Noise Pollution. Riverine Transport, Mixing, and Dispersion. Ocean Outfalls. Modeling Oil Spills to Mitigate Coastal Pollution. Miscible and Immiscible Pollutants in Subsurface Systems. Part III Numerical Modeling of Environmental Flows: Turbulent Flow Modeling. Direct and Large Eddy Simulation of Environmental Flows. Multiscale Nesting and High Performance Computing. Multiscale Representations. Dispersion Modeling. Modeling the Urban Boundary and Canopy Layers. Air Pollution Modeling and Its Applications. Mathematical Models to Improve Performance of Surface Irrigation Systems. Cyberinfrastructure and Community Environmental Modeling. Uncertainty in Environmental NWP Modeling. Part IV Laboratory Modeling of Environmental Flows: Physical Modeling of Hydraulics and Sediment Transport. Laboratory Modeling. General Laboratory Techniques. Hot-Wire Anemometry in Turbulence Research. Optical Methods and Unconventional Experimental Setups in Turbulence Research. Part V Environmental Measurements: Hydrophysical Measurements in Natural Waters. Flow Measurements in the Atmosphere. Atmospheric Flux Measurements. Clear-Air Radar Profiling of Wind and Turbulence in the Lower Atmosphere. Index.

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Book SynopsisWhere end-users once queued up to ask the IT department for permission to buy a new computer or a new version of software, they are now bypassing IT altogether and buying it on their own. From laptops and smartphones to iPads and virtually unlimited software apps, end-users have tasted their freedom and love it. IT will simply never be the same.Bring Your Own Devices (BYOD) Survival Guide explains the psycho-techno phenomenon also known as bring your own technology (BYOT). Providing the guidance necessary for living in this new world, it describes the new end-users (Millennials) and their demands, as well as the strategic and tactical ramifications of these demands.Examining the business aspects of BYODselection, purchasing, and corporate culturethe book covers the broad range of technical considerations including selection, connectivity, training, support, and security. It also includes an extensive set of best practices.The book is geared for the smaTable of ContentsConsumerization of IT. New generation of workers. Good idea or bad. The technology aspects of BYOT: virtualization, connecting to the network, etc. Business aspects of BYOT: selection, purchasing, corporate culture. Training. Support. Security. Best practices in deploying BYOT. Resources. Appendices.

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Book SynopsisA great deal of progress has been made in the development of materials, their application to structures, and their adaptation to a variety of systems and integrated across a wide range of industrial applications. This encyclopedia serves the rapidly expanding demand for information on technological developments. In addition to providing information for manufacturers and assemblers of materials, components, systems. and structures, it is for use by managers responsible for technology development, research projects, R&D programs, business development and strategic planning in the various industries that are considering using these technologies.Trade Review"... an excellent collection of well-defined and common materials science and engineering terms."—George Totten, G.E. Totten & Associates, LLC, Seattle, Washington, USA"... scrupulously researched, vetted, and organized. ... a convenient, easy-to-access, desktop, initial reference on classical, traditional, new, or emerging materials, parts, processes, or finishes."—Robert W. Messler, Jr., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, USA"... anyone who is in need of a glossary of the matters contained with the book will deem it a ‘must-have’ publication. ... people who need to know the precise meaning of an item covered in the text will find it an invaluable source of information. ... The name of the author is all I need to see to know with certainty that the content will be accurate, succinct, and relevant."—Philip Roberts, Delphi Brazing Consultants, Congleton, UK"... a compact but in-depth reference that will be useful to practitioners, researchers, and students in many engineering disciplines. Entries range from short paragraphs to several pages in length."—John B. Napp, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA"This encyclopedia and handbook explains information with high quality on materials, processes, systems, parts, finishes and coatings used in the automotive, aeronautic, computer, electronic, chemical and biomedical industries, etc. This handbook describes with accuracy and relevance great number of metallic, polymeric, ceramics, composites and other materials types, namely, nanomaterials."—International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation, 2016Table of ContentsPreface A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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Book SynopsisThis textbook is designed for an introductory course at undergraduate and graduate levels for bioengineering students. It provides a systematic way of examining bioengineering problems in a multidisciplinary computational approach. The book introduces basic concepts of multidiscipline-based computational modeling methods, provides detailed step-by-step techniques to build a model with consideration of underlying multiphysics, and discusses many important aspects of a modeling approach including results interpretation, validation, and assessment.Table of ContentsI Readying the Integrative Mindset 1 From Compartmentalized Disciplines to TransdisciplineII Cracking Open the Blackbox of Computational Modeling2 Engineering Problems and Partial Differential Equations3 Where Do Differential Equations Come From?4 Approximate Solutions to Differential Equations5 Discretization of Physical Domains6 Solving Differential Equations Computationally7 Scalar Field Problems in Higher Dimensions8 Vector Field Problems in Higher Dimensions9 Axisymmetric Scalar and Vector Field Problems10 Isoparametric Elements11 Gauss Quadrature and Numerical Integration12 Dealing with Generalized PDEs13 Errors in FEM ResultsIII Developing Hands-On Modeling Skills 32714 A Quick Tour of the COMSOL Modeling Environment15 A Glimpse of the ABAQUS and ANSYS User Interfaces16 Dealing with Problems of Biomedical and Regulatory InterestIV Useful KnowledgeA Mechanics of MaterialsB Useful Mathematic KnowledgeIndex

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Book SynopsisOne of the biggest challenges faced in medical research had been to create accurate and relevant models of human disease. A number of good animal models have been developed to understand the pathophysiology. However, not all of them reflect the human disorder, a classic case being Usher's syndrome where the mutant mice do not have the same visual and auditory defects that patients face. There are others which have been even more difficult to model due to the multi-factorial nature of the condition and due to lack of discovery of a single causative gene such as age-related macular degeneration or Alzheimer's syndrome. Thus a more relevant and accurate system will allow us to make better predictions on relevant therapeutic approaches.The discovery of human pluripotent stem cells in 1998 followed by the technological advances to reprogram somatic cells to pluripotent-stem cell-like cells in 2006 has completely revolutionized the way we can now think about modelling human developTable of Contents Human induced pluripotent stem cells: derivation Human induced pluripotent stem cells: banking, and characterization Genetic and Epigenetic considerations in iPSC technology CRISPR-based genome engineering in human stem cells Stem cells for Parkinson’s disease Huntington’s Disease and Stem Cells Applications of Pluripotent Stem Cells in the Therapy and Modeling of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases The Role of iPSCs in Disease Modeling: Gaucher Disease and Related Disorders Role of induced pluripotent stem cells in urological disease modeling and repair Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells – a Research Tool and a Potential Therapy for RPE-associated Blinding Eye Diseases Modeling Neuro-Retinal Development and Disease in Stem Cells

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Book SynopsisGreen Power: Perspectives on Sustainable Electricity Generation provides a systematic overview of the current state of green power and renewable electrical energy production in the world. Presenting eight in-depth case studies of green power production and dissemination, it illustrates the experiences and best practices of various countries on this topic of critical importance.The book's case studies provide readers with policy, business, and societal perspectives. They examine the differences in each country's natural endowments, cultural make-up, technological development, public-policy concerns, and institutional incentive structures relative to the advancement of green and sustainable energy. Considers China's energy profile and what is being done to reduce the country's reliance on coal Describes the cultural foundations and institutional environment that gave birth to Germany's energy revolution Supplies an overview of the reTable of ContentsIntroduction to Green Power: Perspectives on Electrical Energy Generation, Transmission, and Distribution. Overview of Renewable and Non-renewable Electric Power Sources. China's Efforts to Increase Renewable Electrical Energy Production. Germany's Energy Revolution.Spain's Quest for Energy Independence. Renewable Energy in French Polynesia: From Unpredictable to Energy Independence? An Overview of the Biopower Industry with Focus on Brazil. Power Generation in Space for Terrestrial Applications. Strategic Considerations for Electric Vehicle Adoption.

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Book SynopsisShifting from external to internal set-up steps and optimizing your set-up procedure is only the first step in achieving world-class performance. What's most important is what comes next, cutting down internal set-up times and achieving changeovers that last only a few minutes.Quick Changeover Concepts Applied: Dramatically Reduce Set-Up Time and Increase Production Flexibility with SMED provides a comprehensive overview of changeovers from a strategic, tactical, and operational perspective. It outlines specific strategies that can help readers shorten internal set-up steps through the physical analysis of machine elements. The method presented is the result of a synthesis of Shigeo Shingo's classic single-minute exchange of die (SMED) methodology with modern engineering techniques. Providing readers with the understanding required to significantly reduce internal set-up times, the book explains why efficient changeovers are critical to producTable of ContentsProduction Systems in Dynamic Markets. Set-Up in Production. Systems Thinking. Product Portfolio and Process. Elements of the Set-Up. Analysis of a Set-Up. Function, Process Force, and Interface Analysis. Mechanical Fastening. Positioning, Setting, and Adjustment. Organization. Communication. Financial Aspects. Implementation Examples.

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Book SynopsisStochastic Modeling for Medical Image Analysis provides a brief introduction to medical imaging, stochastic modeling, and model-guided image analysis.Today, image-guided computer-assisted diagnostics (CAD) faces two basic challenging problems. The first is the computationally feasible and accurate modeling of images from different modalities to obtain clinically useful information. The second is the accurate and fast inferring of meaningful and clinically valid CAD decisions and/or predictions on the basis of model-guided image analysis.To help address this, this book details original stochastic appearance and shape models with computationally feasible and efficient learning techniques for improving the performance of object detection, segmentation, alignment, and analysis in a number of important CAD applications.The book demonstrates accurate descriptions of visual appearances and shapes of the goal objects and their background to help solve aTable of ContentsMedical Imaging Modalities. From Images to Graphical Models. IRF Models: Estimating Marginals. Markov-Gibbs Random Field Models: Estimating Signal Interactions. Applications: Image Alignment. Segmenting Multimodal Images. Segmenting with Deformable Models. Segmenting with Shape and Appearance Priors. Cine Cardiac MRI Analysis. Sizing Cardiac Pathologies.

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Book SynopsisPreviously published in French by Ãditions Quae, this volume presents findings of a major research programme into landscape and sustainable development. While led by French scholars, the research team and geographical scope of the project was international, collaborative and comparative. Using case studies from across Europe, the interdisciplinary team of contributors discuss the relationship between landscape as defined by the European Landscape Convention and the concept of sustainable development. This English edition has a new introduction written by Yves LuginbÃhl and Peter Howard. The book is then divided into three sections: Biophysical Realities and Landscape Practice; Landscape Resources-Inheritance and Renewal; Governance and Participation. Some of the topics covered, such as wind-farm landscapes, will be familiar to English language readers, but others, such as footpath economics, non-woodland trees, inter-generational equity, and the insistence on the necessary developmentsTrade Review’Landscape means as much to the French as it does to us, but language makes it hard for French experience to reach our shores. This volume of translated essays breaks down the barrier. It reveals a detailed analysis and understanding of French landscapes that challenges our preconceptions. As we also explore the potential of the European Landscape Convention, British landscape policymakers and practitioners will find here a rich mine of ideas.’ Adrian Phillips, IUCN and National Trust ’The adoption of the European Landscape Convention in 2000 by the Council of Europe transformed landscape policy, which had hitherto been preoccupied with the protection of exceptional landscapes. This important book, the outcome of an international and interdisciplinary research project led by the French Ministry of Ecology, demonstrates the role that ordinary, everyday landscapes have to play in issues of sustainability and resilience, and argues that landscape is a res publica, a matter that concerns everyone and should be debated by everybody.’ Ian Thompson, University of Newcastle, UKTable of ContentsLandscape and Sustainable Development

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Book SynopsisDistributed Cognition and Reality puts theory into practice, as the first book to show how to apply the Perceptual Cycle Model in aviation decision making. Based on case studies, critical incident interviews and live observations in cockpits, the authors develop a new way to understand how pilots and crews make decisions. This book will be useful for practitioners involved in accident and incident investigations and decision-making training, researchers and students within the disciplines of Aviation, Human Factors, Ergonomics, Engineering, Computer Science, and Psychology.Dr Katherine L Plant is a New Frontiers Fellow in Human Factors Engineering at the University of Southampton in the UK. In 2014 she was awarded the Honourable Company of Air Pilots Prize for Aviation Safety Research. Professor Neville A Stanton holds the Chair in Human Factors Engineering at the University of Southampton in the UK. In 2007 The Royal Aeronautical Society awardeTrade ReviewThe perceptual-cycle model (PCM) is one of the few approaches that truly integrates humans, systems, and environments. Plant and Stanton's thorough and detailed explanation of PCM, along with its application to understanding pilot decision making in critical situations, is a tremendously valuable resource for researchers and practitioners in this field. This book will be indispensable for all of us in the field of aviation human factors.Professor Steven Landry, Purdue University, USAPlant and Stanton have produced a remarkable piece of work in the field of aeronautical decision making. As an expert in the field, I find the Perceptual Cycle Model is extremely interesting. This book will be a valuable reference for accident analysis in practice as well as offering new research directions in the field. Prof Guy André Boy, Florida Institute of Technology, USAThis book challenges existing cognitive explanations of decision making to look beyond individual models and consider the dynamic collaborations between crew members.This book provides an analytic framework for improving our understanding of the precursors to critical events.A key contribution is to demonstrate the practical utility of tools that have a strong theoretical foundation. Professor Chris Johnson, University of Glasgow, UKThis book deserves a large audience and the theory is applicable to much wider domains for investigating incidents in other safety-critical systems. It moves significantly beyond the state-of-the-art accounts of learning from (human) error and contains many stimulating ideas for future research and practice in cognitive systems. I can highly recommend this book to engineers, practitioners, and academics who work on improving the safety of complex socio-technical systems, both through their design and in training the human operators. Professor Max Mulder, Technical University Delft, The NetherlandsTable of ContentsIntroduction. Schema Theory: Past, Present, and Future. A Case Study of the Kegworth Plane Crash: Understanding Local Rationality with the Perceptual Cycle Model. A Pilot Study: Using the Perceptual Cycle Model and Critical Decision Method to Understand Decision-Making Processes in the Cockpit. Examining the Validity of Neisser’s Perceptual Cycle Model with Accounts from Critical Decision-Making in the Cockpit. The Development of a Perceptual Cycle Classification Scheme. The Schema World Action Research Method (SWARM) for Understanding Perceptual Cycle Processes. Team Perceptual Cycle Processes. Exploring Distributed Cognition in Search and Rescue Teams.

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Book SynopsisProgram management in a technical environment is as much art as it is science. Effective program managers are able to combine management and leadership skills for the good of the program and the people entrusted to them. This book illuminates the entire life cycle of the programfrom the customer's original concept to successful completion. It includes many helpful ideas and insights into why programs and program managers can fail. Much more importantly, it provides insights about how program managers can succeed. Program Management in Defense and High Tech Environments is organized as a chronological tale of a program life cycle, with side trips that cover the important concepts of leadership, claims and claims avoidance, earned value measurement (EVM), communication basics, negotiations, and coaching. The book begins with an overview of program management, discussing the role of program managers, their required skills and experience, and the types of programs and contTable of ContentsOverview: Program Management in the Department of Defense (DoD)/High Technology Environment. Learning the Ropes: Understanding the Culture, the Customer, and the Program Capabilities. Identifying Opportunities. Pre-Proposal Work. The Proposal Process for a "Typical Program". Planning the Program and Starting Work. Running the Program. Claim Identification, Claim Management, and Claim Avoidance. Leadership Models. Communications. Earned Value Management. Negotiations. Coaching. Inheriting a Program Already in Progress.

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Book SynopsisThe growing complexity of projects today, as well as the uncertainty inherent in innovative projects, is making obsolete traditional project management practices and procedures, which are based on the notion that much about a project is known at its start. The current high level of change and complexity confronting organizational leaders and managers requires a new approach to projects so they can be managed flexibly to embrace and exploit change. What once used to be considered extreme uncertainty is now the norm, and managing planned projects is being replaced by managing projects as they evolve. Successfully managing projects in extreme situations, such as polar and military expeditions, shows how to manage successfully projects in today's turbulent environment. Executed under the harshest and most unpredictable conditions, these projects are great sources for learning about how to manage unexpected and unforeseen situations as they occur. This book presents multiple case Table of ContentsForeword. Introduction: Blowing Hot and Cold on Project Management. A Polar Expedition Project and Project Management. Ambidexterity as a Project Leader Competency: A Comparative Case Study of Two Polar Expeditions. Mobilization and Sensibility on Polar Expeditions: More than Mere Motivation. Mobilizing Social Networks beyond Project Team Boundaries: The Case of Polar Expeditions. A Methodology for Investigating the "Actual" Course of a Project: The Case of a Polar Expedition. A Traditional Cree Expedition on the Ancestral Lands of the Neeposh Family of Northern Québec. Borrowing Concepts from Expedition Travel to Stimulate Alternative Tourism. The Project Front End: Financial Guidance Based on Risk. Lessons Learned from Sports Climbing: Some Disrespectful Discourse on Project Planning. Managing Extreme Situations in Fire and Rescue Organizations: The Complexity in Implementing Feedback. Coordination Practices in Extreme Situations: Lessons from the Military. Developing Collective Competence in Extreme Project Teams: The French Special Forces Case. Situated Teams: Dropping Tools on Mount Everest. Planning Risk and Cool Heads: Survival Conditions Required for Managing Projects. Flexibility and Rigidity in Planning a Program: The Case of the Montreal Metro Renovation Project. Project Manager: Specialist or Generalist? Project Management and the Unknown. Control and Flexibility: Which Balance Do We Mean? Conclusion. Epilog. Afterword: Looking for the Ordinary in the Extraordinary! Index.

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Book SynopsisFoundations of Analysis covers the basics of real analysis for a one- or two-semester course. In a straightforward and concise way, it helps students understand the key ideas and apply the theorems. The bookâs accessible approach will appeal to a wide range of students and instructors.Each section begins with a boxed introduction that familiarizes students with the upcoming topics and sets the stage for the work to be done. Each section ends with several questions that ask students to review what they have just learned. The text is also scattered with notes pointing out places where different pieces of terminology seem to conflict with each other or where different ideas appear not to fit together properly. In addition, many remarks throughout help put the material in perspective.As with any real analysis text, exercises are powerful and effective learning tools. This book is no exception. Each chapter generally contains at least 50 exercises that builTrade Review"… there is a good set of exercises in each section … . If real analysis is to be dealt with in a one-semester course, this book appears to provide a reasonable text for the course."—Mathematical Reviews, April 2015Table of ContentsNumber Systems. Sequences. Series of Numbers. Basic Topology. Limits and Continuity of Functions. Differentiation of Functions. The Integral. Sequences and Series of Functions. Elementary Transcendental Functions. Appendices. Table of Notation. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.

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Book SynopsisAquatic Dicotyledons of North America: Ecology, Life History, and Systematics brings together a wealth of information on the natural history, ecology, and systematics of North American aquatic plants. Most books on aquatic plants have a taxonomic focus and are intended primarily for identification. Instead, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the biology of major aquatic species by compiling information from numerous sources that lie scattered among the primary literature, herbarium databases, and other reference materials. Included dicotyledon species are those having an obligate (OBL) wetland status, a designation used in the USACE National Wetland Plant List. Recent phylogenetic analyses are incorporated and rationale is provided for interpreting this information with respect to species relationships. This diverse assemblage of information will be useful to a wide range of interests including academic researchers, wildlife managers, students, and virtuallTrade Review"Focusing on dicotyledonous plants considered obligatorily aquatic (i.e.,requiring water to complete some essential stage of their life history), this authoritative book offers an encyclopedic compendium of their essential characteristics, ecology, and biosystematic position.It is hard not to be impressed by a work of this magnitude and the sustained effort involved in assembling it. Aquatic Dicotyledons of North America appears destined to become an indispensable reference for almost any study of wetland plant communities on our continent and beyond."-William B. Sanders, Florida Gulf Coast University, Plant Science Bulletin Spring 2019Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroductionDicotyledonsChapter 1 Dicotyledons I: The ANA Grade and "Magnoliid" MonosulcatesChapter 2 Dicotyledons II: Basal TricolpatesEudicots (Tricolpate Dicots; Eudicotyledoneae)Chapter 3 Core Eudicots: Dicotyledons III: "Caryophyllid" TricolpatesChapter 4 Core Eudicots: Dicotyledons IV: "Rosid" TricolpatesChapter 5 Core Eudicots: Dicotyledons V: "Asterid" TricolpatesReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisComputational Trust Models and Machine Learning provides a detailed introduction to the concept of trust and its application in various computer science areas, including multi-agent systems, online social networks, and communication systems. Identifying trust modeling challenges that cannot be addressed by traditional approaches, this book: Explains how reputation-based systems are used to determine trust in diverse online communities Describes how machine learning techniques are employed to build robust reputation systems Explores two distinctive approaches to determining credibility of resourcesone where the human role is implicit, and one that leverages human input explicitly Shows how decision support can be facilitated by computational trust models Discusses collaborative filtering-based trust aware recommendation systems Defines a framework for translating a trust modeling problem into a learning problem<Table of ContentsIntroduction. Trust in Online Communities. Judging the Veracity of Claims and Reliability of Sources with Fact-Finders. Web Credibility Assessment. Trust-Aware Recommender Systems. Biases in Trust-Based Systems.

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Book SynopsisThis book on urban regeneration takes an approach that captures the increasing urbanization of modern living in all parts of the world. Revitalization of built and natural surroundings needs to take place to achieve resilient environmental, social, and economic success. The book looks at proactive natural and built regeneration strategies to increase biocapacity as well as contribute to quality urbanism. Adapting and coping approaches found within big city success stories illustrate the challenges of modern urban living.Table of ContentsForeword: Anthony Cupido. Preface. The Regeneration Imperative in a Changing World. Example of green building plate. The Neighborhood’s Role in Realizing the Regeneration Imperative. Example of green building plate. Practicing Regeneration. Example of green building plate. Collaborative Problem Solving. Example of green building plate. Remedial Action Plans for Great Lakes Regeneration. Example of green building plate. Sustainable Brownfields Redevelopment: case study, Collingwood Harbour, Georgian Bay, Ontario. Example of green building plate. Monitoring and Measuring Urban Regeneration. Example of green building plate. Valuation and Job Outlook after Regeneration.

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Book SynopsisThe field of encapsulation, especially microencapsulation, is a rapidly growing area of research and product development. The Handbook of Encapsulation and Controlled Release covers the entire field, presenting the fundamental processes involved and exploring how to use those processes for different applications in industry. Written at a level comprehensible to non-experts, it is a rich source of technical information and current practices in research and industry.This book is particularly designed for scientists and engineers working in various industries, including food, consumer products, pharmaceuticals, medicine, agriculture, nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, cosmetics, flavors, and fragrances. It offers a broad perspective on a variety of applications and processes, providing research information, figures, tables, illustrations, and references.The book also lays the groundwork for further advancements in encapsulation technology and controlled release aTable of ContentsFUNDAMENTALS. Overview of Encapsulation and Controlled Release. PROCESSES. Process-Selection Criteria. Microencapsulation by Spray Drying. Spray Drying and Its Application in Food Processing. Encapsulation via Spray Chilling/Cooling/Congealing. Encapsulation via Spinning Disk Technology. Encapsulation via Fluidized Bed Coating Technology. Encapsulation via Pan-Coating. Microencapsulation by Dripping and Jet Break-Up. Microencapsulation by Annular Jet Process. Encapsulation via Hot-Melt Extrusion. Microencapsulation with Coacervation. Encapsulation via Microemulsion. Ionotropic Gelation and Polyelectrolyte Complexation Technique: Novel Approach to Drug Encapsulation. Microencapsulation via Interfacial Polymerization. Microencapsulation via In Situ Polymerization. Microencapsulation with Miniemulsion Technology. Silica-Based Sol-Gel Microencapsulation and Applications. Microencapsulation by Phase Inversion Precipitation. Microfluidic Encapsulation Process. Encapsulation Process in Granulation Technology. Encapsulation via Electrohydrodynamic Atomization Spray Technology (Electrospray). Encapsulation Process: Pulsed Combustion Spray Drying. Supercritical Fluid Technology for Encapsulation. Melt-Dispersion Technique for Encapsulation. INGREDIENTS. Materials of Natural Origin for Encapsulation. Cellulose Ethers: Applications. Cellulose-Based Biopolymers: Formulation and Delivery Applications. Starch-Based Polymeric Biomaterial: Drug Delivery. Biodegradable Polymers: Drug Delivery Applications. CHARACTERIZATION. Encapsulation Field Polymers: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). APPLICATIONS. Encapsulation Technologies for Modifying Food Performance. Microencapsulation: Probiotics. Organogels as Food Delivery Systems. β-Lactoglobulin: Bioactive Nutrients Delivery. Encapsulation of Polyphenolics. Encapsulation of Bioactive Compounds. Encapsulation of Flavors, Nutraceuticals, and Antibacterials. Encapsulation of Aroma. Molecular (Cyclodextrin) Encapsulation of Volatiles and Essential Oils. Microencapsulation: Artificial Cells. Cell Encapsulation. Cell Immobilization Technologies for Applications in Alcoholic Beverages. Enzyme Immobilization in Biodegradable Polymers for Biomedical Applications. Emulsion-Solvent Removal System for Drug Delivery. Organogels in Controlled Drug Delivery. Microparticulate Drug Delivery Systems. Colloid Drug Delivery Systems. Melt Extrusion: Pharmaceutical Applications. Nanoparticles: Biomaterials for Drug Delivery. Polymer Systems for Ophthalmic Drug Delivery. Drug Delivery Systems: Oral Mucosal. Polymeric Biomaterials for Controlled Drug Delivery. Nanogels: Chemical Approaches to Preparation. Electrospinning Technology: Polymeric Nanofiber Drug Delivery. Polyelectrolyte Complexes: Drug Delivery Technology. Polymeric Nano/Microparticles for Oral Delivery of Proteins and Peptides. Vegetable Oil-Based Formulations for Controlled Drug Delivery. Introduction to Commercial Microencapsulation. Stable Core-Shell Microcapsules for Industrial Applications. Microencapsulation Applications in Food Packaging. Microencapsulation of Phase Change Materials.

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Book SynopsisData Mining with R: Learning with Case Studies, Second Edition uses practical examples to illustrate the power of R and data mining. Providing an extensive update to the best-selling first edition, this new edition is divided into two parts. The first part will feature introductory material, including a new chapter that provides an introduction to data mining, to complement the already existing introduction to R. The second part includes case studies, and the new edition strongly revises the R code of the case studies making it more up-to-date with recent packages that have emerged in R.The book does not assume any prior knowledge about R. Readers who are new to R and data mining should be able to follow the case studies, and they are designed to be self-contained so the reader can start anywhere in the document. The book is accompanied by a set of freely available R source files that can be obtained at the book's web site. These files inTable of ContentsIntroduction. I R AND DATA MINING. Introduction to R. Introduction to Data Mining. II CASE STUDIES. Predicting Algae Blooms. Predicting Stock Market Returns. Detecting Fraudulent Transactions. Classifying Microarray Samples

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Book SynopsisExplore the Important Role that the Semantics of Land Use and Land Cover Plays within a Broader Environmental ContextFocused on the information semantics of land use and land cover (LULC) and providing a platform for reassessing this field, Land Use and Land Cover Semantics: Principles, Best Practices, and Prospects presents a comprehensive overview of fundamental theories and best practices for applying semantics in LULC. Developed by a team of experts bridging relevant areas related to the subject (LULC studies, ontology, semantic uncertainty, information science, and earth observation), this book encourages effective and critical uses of LULC data and considers practical contexts where LULC semantics can play a vital role.The book includes work on conceptual and technological semantic practices, including but not limited to categorization; the definition of criteria for sets and their members; metadata; documentation foTrade Review"The book is a collection of articles written by well-known scientists in Spatial Information Science. The book editors and reviewers led by Dr. Ahlqvist – recognized specialist in the land use and land cover data treatment, provide careful selection and high quality of published material. I find this book to be a timely and helpful resource that gathers many different strands of quality research on increasingly pressing issues around the integrated use of land use and land cover data."—Sergei Levashkin, Visual Intelligence LP, Houston, Texas, USATable of ContentsLand Use/Land Cover Classification Systems and Their Relationship to Land Planning. Ontology for National Land Use/Land Cover Map: Poland Case Study. The Need for Awareness of Semantic Plasticity in International Harmonization of Geographical Information: Seen from a Nordic Forest Classification Perspective. Parameterized Approaches to the Categorization of Land Use and Land Cover. Eliciting and Formalizing the Intricate Semantics of Land Use and Land Cover Class Definitions. The EAGLE Concept: A Paradigm Shift in Land Monitoring. An Applied Ontology for Semantics Associated with Surface Water Features. Land Type Categories as a Complement to Land Use and Land Cover Attributes in Landscape Mapping and Monitoring. Text Mining Analysis of Land Cover Semantic Overlap . LC: A Spatial-temporal Data Model to Study Qualified Land Cover Changes. Applying Tegon, the Elementary Physical Land Cover Feature, for Data Interoperability. Resolving Semantic Heterogeneities in Land Use and Land Cover. Crowdsourcing Landscape Perceptions to Validate Land Cover Classifications.

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Book SynopsisCleavage of water to its constituents (i.e., hydrogen and oxygen) for production of hydrogen energy at an industrial scale is one of the holy grails of materials science. That can be done by utilizing the renewable energy resource i.e. sunlight and photocatalytic material. The sunlight and water are abundant and free of cost available at this planet. But the development of a stable, efficient and cost-effective photocatalytic material to split water is still a great challenge. To develop the effective materials for photocatalytic water splitting, various type of materials with different sizes and structures from nano to giant have been explored that includes metal oxides, metal chalcogenides, carbides, nitrides, phosphides, and so on. Fundamental concepts and state of art materials for the water splitting are also discussed to understand the phenomenon/mechanism behind the photoelectrochemical water splitting. This book gives a comprehensive overview and description of the manufactuTrade Review"...presents an exhaustive literature related to hydrogen generation from splitting of water by various methods. It will be welcomed by researchers as it fulfills the demand of the day."— Suresh C. Ameta, Paher University, Udaipur, India"...interesting not only to experts but also to beginners and students in the field of photoelectrochemical water splitting. The content covered will attract the broad readership in solar fuels from academia, and government to industry." — Nick Wu, West Virginia University, USA"Any courses related to Renewable Energy (as well as functional materials and solid state physics applications) could use this book. Prof. Ru-Shi Liu is a well-known scientist and highly cited in this field, so the materials presented are indeed trustworthy and of high quality."— Lionel Vayssieres, Xian Jiaotong University, ChinaTable of ContentsIntroduction to hydrogen as a green fuel. Concepts and definitions in photochemical water splitting. Water splitting technologies for hydrogen generation. Electrochemical water splitting. Oxide semiconductors (ZnO, TiO2, Fe2O3, WO3, etc) as photocatalysts for water splitting. Non oxide semiconductor materials for water splitting. Nanostructured semiconducting materials for water splitting. Giant sized materials for water splitting (supramolecular, dendrimers composite, etc). Fundamental understanding of the photocatalytic mechanisms. Photochemical cell designs, fabrication, performance, degradation, and diagnosis for efficient solar hydrogen production.

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Book SynopsisA Practical Guide to Geometric Regulation for Distributed Parameter Systems provides an introduction to geometric control design methodologies for asymptotic tracking and disturbance rejection of infinite-dimensional systems. The book also introduces several new control algorithms inspired by geometric invariance and asymptotic attraction for a wide range of dynamical control systems. The first part of the book is devoted to regulation of linear systems, beginning with the mathematical setup, general theory, and solution strategy for regulation problems with bounded input and output operators. The book then considers the more interesting case of unbounded control and sensing. Mathematically, this case is more complicated and general theorems in this area have become available only recently. The authors also provide a collection of interesting linear regulation examples from physics and engineering. The second part focuses on regulation for nonlinear syTable of ContentsRegulation for Linear Systems. Regulation: Bounded Input and Output Operators. Linear Regulation with Unbounded Control and Sensing. Examples Linear Regulation. Regulation for Nonlinear Systems. Nonlinear Distributed Parameter Systems. Nonlinear Examples.

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Book SynopsisCreate Genuine Visual Realism in Computer Graphics Digital Representations of the Real World: How to Capture, Model, and Render Visual Reality explains how to portray visual worlds with a high degree of realism using the latest video acquisition technology, computer graphics methods, and computer vision algorithms. It explores the integration of new capture modalities, reconstruction approaches, and visual perception into the computer graphics pipeline.Understand the Entire Pipeline from Acquisition, Reconstruction, and Modeling to Realistic Rendering and ApplicationsThe book covers sensors for capturing 3D scenes, including regular cameras, wide-angle omnidirectional cameras, active range scanners, and plenoptic (multi-viewpoint) cameras, as well as fundamental algorithms for processing the imagery, such as stereo correspondence and 3D structure and motion recovery. It describes 3D modeling techniques, from generic objeTrade Review"The scope and breadth of the techniques and systems used to capture, model, and render realistic simulacra of 3D scenes is quite daunting and can be a challenge for newcomers. This book provides an excellent introduction to and survey of this diverse field, written by some of the foremost researchers and practitioners in the field. Whether you are a novice or an experienced veteran, you are sure to discover a wealth of useful and inspiring information in these pages."—From the Foreword by Richard Szeliski, Microsoft ResearchTable of ContentsAcquiring the Real World. Reconstruction—Data Processing Techniques. Modeling Reality. Authentic Rendering, Display, and Perception. Applications. Bibliography. Index.

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Book SynopsisThere has been enormous growth in the use of medical implants. However, in the case of hip replacement, loosening of metallic prosthesis fixed with polymethylmethylacrylate bone cement has resulted in painstaking revision surgery, which is a major problem for the patient, surgeon, and biomedical technology itself. In fact, global recognition of this problem led to the development of cementless fixation through the novel introduction of a bioactive hydroxyapatite (HAp) coating on biomedical-grade metallic implants. Since then, a wide variety of coating methods have evolved to make the HAp coatings on metallic implants more reliable. Microplasma Sprayed Hydroxyapatite Coatings discusses plasma spraying and other related HAp coating techniques, focusing on the pros and cons of macroplasma sprayed (MAPS)- and microplasma sprayed (MIPS)-HAp coatings. The book begins by explaining what a biomaterial really is, what the frequently used term biocompatibility stands for, and whTrade Review"This unique book on development of microplasma sprayed HAp coating has been organized in a very compact yet comprehensive manner. This book also highlights the horizons of future research that invites the attention of global community, particularly those in bio-medical materials and bio-medical engineering field. This book will surely act as a very useful reference material for both graduate/post-graduate students and researchers in the field of biomedical, orthopedic and manufacturing engineering and research. I truly believ that this is the first ever effort which covers almost all the broad subject area of "HAp coatings developed by microplasma spraying including those of the more commercially accepted plasma spraying method" for developing HAp coated implants and prosthesis."—Bikramjit Basu, Professor, Materials Research Center, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Associate Faculty, Interdisciplinary Bio-Engineering Program, IISc, Bangalore, Adjunct Professor, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India"The organization of topics is done very methodically covering all the related and even peripheral issues. The subject is covered well with thorough details and critical views. The book would be a good reference point for researchers working on HA based coatings for orthopedic application."—Debrupa Lahiri, IIT Roorkee, India"The lucid presentation style makes it easy for the new entrant to be gradually initiated into the field without any shock or jerk. What is most striking and appealing about the book is that even after starting from basic simple premises it has very capably provided vast and in-depth discussion to an extent that would be very lucrative for advanced researchers from both Govt. and private research organizations in the emerging field of biomedical applications of ceramic coatings."—Dr. Satyam Priyadarshy, Founder, Reignite strategyTable of ContentsIntroduction. Plasma Spraying and Other Related Coating Techniques. Hydroxyapatite Coating and Its Application. Structural and Chemical Properties of Hydroxyapatite Coating. In Vitro Studies of Hydroxyapatite Coatings. Macromechanical Properties of Hydroxyapatite Coating. Micro/Nanomechanical Properties of Hydroxyapatite Coating. Tribological Properties of Hydroxyapatite Coatings. Residual Stress of Hydroxyapatite Coating. In Vivo Studies of Microplasma Sprayed Hydroxyapatite Coating. Future Scope and Possibilities. Conclusions.

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Book SynopsisRecognizing the importance of portfolio management, the Project Management Institute (PMI) has launched a new certification entitled the Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP). PfMP Exam Practice Tests and Study Guide is the most comprehensive resource available to help you prepare for and pass the PfMP certification exam. It provides coverage that is current with The Standard for Portfolio Management, Third Edition and the PfMP Examination Content Outline (ECO), 2013.The book consists of five sections, each of which corresponds to one of the five domains described in the ECO. Each section includes study hints, a list of major topics that may be encountered on the exam, and 20 multiple-choice practice questions that illustrate the applicable task from the ECO. Each section also includes an answer sheet and answer key with the rationale for each correct answer and reTable of ContentsIntroduction.L ist of Acronyms. Strategic Alignment. Governance. Portfolio Performance Management. Portfolio Risk Management. Communications Management. Practice Test 1. Practice Test 2. Appendix: Study Matrix Practice Tests. References.

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Book SynopsisRegulatory agencies worldwide have issued directives or such requirements for air quality standards in embryology laboratories. This practical guide reviews the application of clean room technology or controlled environments specifically suited for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Units. Its comprehensive coverage includes material on airborne particles and volatile organic compounds, including basic concepts, regulation, construction, materials, certification, clinical results in humans, and more.Trade Review"Clean Room Technology in ART Clinics: A Practical Guide provides a wealth of knowledge on this important subject and is indispensable for anyone planning or running a successful ART laboratory."— Julius Hreinsson, IVF-Sweden"This book is the first of its kind and exceptionally valuable in the current regulatory environment; it provides practical know-how on implementing and improving air cleanroom systems in ART clinics; it’s richly illustrated with examples and sample forms easily adapted for the individual clinics; and written by experts from around the world that share their experiences and provided practical information about how they implemented cleanroom technology into their IVF Clinics."— Ashok Agarwal, American Center for Reproductive Medicine, USATable of ContentsThe Basics. Construction. Operation and Monitoring. Quality Management in Clean Room ART Units. Clean Room/Controlled Environment Technology in IVF: Clinical Results and New Developments. International Experience: Case-Studies.

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Book SynopsisA significant portion of biomedical applications necessitates the establishment of an interface between the cells of the patient and the components of the device. In many cases, such as in implants and engineered tissues, the interaction of the cells with the biomaterial is one of the main determinants of the success of the system. Cell and Material Interface: Advances in Tissue Engineering, Biosensor, Implant, and Imaging Technologies explores this interaction and its control at length scales ranging from the nano to the macro.Featuring contributions from leading molecular biologists, chemists, and material scientists, this authoritative reference: Presents practical examples of cell and material interface-based applications Reflects the interdisciplinary nature of bioengineering, covering topics such as biosensing, immunology, and controlled delivery Explains the role of the cell and material interface in the context of cardiacTrade Review"The book is written in a clear manner by scientists working in the field. The pages are beautifully illustrated and each chapter concludes with plenty of references. I would recommend this book to anyone working in nanotechnology, advanced optics issues, and especially to people working in life sciences." —Optics & PhotonicsNews, March 2016 "The book is written in a clear manner by scientists working in the field. The pages are beautifully illustrated and each chapter concludes with plenty of references. I would recommend this book to anyone working in nanotechnology, advanced optics issues, and especially to people working in life sciences." —Optics & Photonics News, March 2016 Table of ContentsEditorial: Introduction to Cell/Material Interface. Scaffold Processing Technologies for Tailored Cell Interactions. Nanomaterial Cell Interactions in Tissue Engineering. Engineering Cell Surface Interface in Tissue Engineering and Cell-Based Biosensors. Protein Micropatterning Techniques for Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Research. Cell–Scaffold Interfaces in Skin Tissue Engineering. Cell and Materials Interface in Cryobiology and Cryoprotection. Micropatterning Techniques to Control Cell–Biomaterial Interface for Cardiac Tissue Engineering. Polysaccharide-Based Biomaterials for Cell–Material Interface. Macrophage-Mediated Foreign Body Responses.

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Book SynopsisAs one of the most important tasks in biomedical imaging, image segmentation provides the foundation for quantitative reasoning and diagnostic techniques. A large variety of different imaging techniques, each with its own physical principle and characteristics (e.g., noise modeling), often requires modality-specific algorithmic treatment. In recent years, substantial progress has been made to biomedical image segmentation. Biomedical image segmentation is characterized by several specific factors. This book presents an overview of the advanced segmentation algorithms and their applications.Trade Review"The book provides a current and thorough overview of some commonly used image segmentation algorithms for medical imaging. The overview of a wide selection of methods is helpful, and I also found it very convenient to see implementation details collected in one single volume. This makes the book a good reference book for both researchers in the field, and could also be helpful for software engineers in the medical industry implementing methods for medical practitioners."— Kristian Sandberg, Computational Solutions, Inc., Colorado, USATable of ContentsBrief Surveys of Segmentation Algorithm Classes. Level Set Segmentation: A Survey. Dynamic Programming Based Medical Image Segmentation. Optimal Graph-Based Surface Segmentation and Applications. Medical Image Segmentation Incorporating Physical Noise Models. Atlas-Based Medical Image Segmentation. Applications. Retinal Image Segmentation. Spine Segmentation. Arterial Wall Segmentation. Segmentation of the Left Ventricle. Multi-Atlas-Based Simultaneous Labeling of Longitudinal Dynamic Cortical Surfaces in Infants. Rotational Slice-Based Prostate Segmentation. Automated Nucleus and Cytoplasm Segmentation of Overlapping Cervical Cells. Deformable Atlas for Multi-Structure Segmentation. A Variational Framework for Joint Detection and Segmentation of Ovarian Cancer Metastases. Incorporating Shape Variability in Image Segmentation via Implicit Template Deformation. Cell Orientation Entrophy (COrE): Predicting Biochemical Recurrence from Prostate Cancer Tissue Microarrays. Left Ventricle Segmentation from Cardiac MRI Combining Level Set Methods with Deep Belief Networks. Infrared Target Tracking, Recognition, an Segmentation Using Shape-Award Level Set.

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Book SynopsisForensic Biomechanics and Human Injury: Criminal and Civil Applications An Engineering Approach provides a concise, comprehensive overview of human anatomy and the biomechanical factors involved in human injury. It describes the methodologies used to compute the various forces, stresses, and energies required to injure the human body.The book covers the theoretical mathematics behind understanding how injuries occur, classifying certain types of injuries, age and biomechanical factors, impact loading, injury investigation, and the importance of expert witnesses and testimony in civil and criminal cases. It contains a significant number of sizes of all the pertinent materials in the human body, classified by age, sex, and in some instances by race, as well as stressstrain curves and tables of the strengths of these materials. Forensic Biomechanics and Human Injury provides a valuable source of information with tools to help the professional deteTable of ContentsIntroduction. Court System and Testimony. How Injuries Occur. Types of Injuries. The Need for Analysis. Biomechanical Terminology. Basic Elements of Anatomy. Strength of Human Biological Materials. Mechanics of Materials. Material Sizes of Humans. Statics and Dynamics. Errors, Sensitivity, Uncertainty, and Probability. Protective Structures and Their Effect. Examples of Analysis. Federal and Other Standards. Appendices.

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Book SynopsisThis book is dedicated to the field of conductive polymers, focusing on electrical interactions with biological systems. It addresses the use of conductive polymers as the conducting interface for electrical communications with the biological system, both in vitro and in vivo. It provides an overview on the chemistry and physics of conductive polymers, their useful characteristics as well as limitations, and technologies that apply conductive polymers for medical purposes. This groundbreaking resource addresses cytotoxicity and tissue compatibility of conductive polymers, the basics on electromagnetic fields, and commonly used experimental methods. Readers will also learn how cells are cultured in vitro with conductive polymers, and how conductive polymers and living tissues interact electrically. Throughout the contents, chapter authors emphasize the importance of conductive polymers in biomedical engineering and their potential applications in medicine. Trade Review"Profs. Zhang, Rouabhia, and Moulton have assembled a group of investigators that are working on issues ranging from materials synthesis, device characterization, and analytical measurements of performance. Of particular interest and value are several reports from clinically-inclined investigators that describe recent studies of electrically-mediated cell response. These areas represent opportunities for future developments and collaborations between chemists, materials scientists, biomedical engineers, and physicians. Taken together, these chapters provide a comprehensive overview of issues related to the interface between active devices and biological systems" —David C. Martin, Karl W. and Renate Böer Professor of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Delaware (from the Foreword)Table of ContentsEarly History of Conductive Organic PolymersSynthesis of Biomedically Relevant Conducting PolymersProperties and Characterization of Conductive PolymersMechanism in Charge Transfer and Electrical StabilityIndustry Viable Metal Anti-corrosion Application of PolyanilineMedical Device Implants for Neuromodulation. The Electromagnetic Nature of Protein-Protein InteractionsThe Impact of Electric Fields on Cell Processes, Membrane Proteins and Intracellular Signaling CascadesLipid-Protein Electrostatic Interactions in the Regulation of Membrane-Protein ActivitiesExperimental Methods to Manipulate Cultured Cells with Electrical and Electromagnetic FieldsThe Neurotrophic Factor Rationale for Using Brief Electrical Stimulation to Promote Peripheral Nerve Regeneration in Animal Models and Human PatientsIn vitro Modulatory Effects of Electrical Field on FibroblastsThe Role of Electrical Field on Neurons: In vitro StudiesModulation of Bone Cell Activities in vitro by Electrical and Electromagnetic StimulationsElectrical Stimulation of Cells Derived from MuscleThe Response of Endothelial Cells to Endogenous Bioelectric Fields The Role of Electrical Field on Stem Cells In VitroEffects of Electrical Stimulation on Cutaneous Wound Healing: Evidence from in vitro Studies and Clinical TrialsEffect of Electrical Stimulation on Bone Healing

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Book SynopsisIt is no secret that Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is not as popular with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as it is with larger ones. However, many SMEs are suppliers to larger entities who are pushing for superior quality and world-class process efficiencies from suppliers.Lean Six Sigma for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises: A Practical Guide provides a roadmap for the successful implementation and deployment of LSS in SMEs. It includes five real-world case studies that demonstrate how LSS tools have been successfully integrated into LSS methodology. Simplifying the terminology and methodology of LSS, this book makes the implementation process accessible. Supplies a general introduction to continuous improvement initiatives in SMEs Identifies the key phases in the introduction and development of LSS initiatives within an SME Details the most powerful LSS tools and techniques that can be used in an SME environment<Trade Review"... it constitutes a valuable addition to the Lean Six Sigma literature that is often focused on the needs of large multinational corporations. ... Lean Six Sigma is not only for large corporations and this book proves it...an excellent reference text for running continuous improvements in small and medium organizations."—Alessandro Laureani, Master Black Belt, Google, Republic of Ireland "The book is intended for senior managers, middle managers and people on the shop floor who are preparing to become lean Six Sigma deployment champions, green belts and yellow belts. The authors provide a road map for small and medium-sized enterprises, detail metrics and the wide variety of available tools, take the reader through project selection and provide five case studies.The projects chosen are a small-scale foundry, an automobile supplier, die-casting process, a camshaft manufacturing organization in India and a lean Six Sigma application to road construction for wind turbine installation, also in India.So don’t let your organization’s small size deter you. Lean Six Sigma can reduce defect and rework in any enterprise."—ISE Magazine, Book of the Month, November 2016 Issue "This practical guide, keeping the required math and statistics to a minimum, covers the fundamental challenges and common pitfalls that can be avoided with the successful introduction and deployment of LSS in the context of SMEs.At the end of this book five different case studies are presented that clarify, with the use of real data, metrics, pictures and tables and diagrams, how LSS can really improve the business of SMEs achieving concrete positive results.All in all, this practical guide is suggested for industrial management students and company managers who need to improve their practical knowledge of Lean Six Sigma in SMEs. The language, the examples and the organization of this book help people who have only a general knowledge about Lean Six Sigma concept to go in depth in this practice."—Alessandro Perini, Production Planning & Control: The Management of Operations March 2017 Issue "... it constitutes a valuable addition to the Lean Six Sigma literature that is often focused on the needs of large multinational corporations. ... Lean Six Sigma is not only for large corporations and this book proves it...an excellent reference text for running continuous improvements in small and medium organizations."—Alessandro Laureani, Master Black Belt, Google, Republic of Ireland "The book is intended for senior managers, middle managers and people on the shop floor who are preparing to become lean Six Sigma deployment champions, green belts and yellow belts. The authors provide a road map for small and medium-sized enterprises, detail metrics and the wide variety of available tools, take the reader through project selection and provide five case studies.The projects chosen are a small-scale foundry, an automobile supplier, die-casting process, a camshaft manufacturing organization in India and a lean Six Sigma application to road construction for wind turbine installation, also in India.So don’t let your organization’s small size deter you. Lean Six Sigma can reduce defect and rework in any enterprise."—ISE Magazine, Book of the Month, November 2016 Issue "This practical guide, keeping the required math and statistics to a minimum, covers the fundamental challenges and common pitfalls that can be avoided with the successful introduction and deployment of LSS in the context of SMEs.At the end of this book five different case studies are presented that clarify, with the use of real data, metrics, pictures and tables and diagrams, how LSS can really improve the business of SMEs achieving concrete positive results.All in all, this practical guide is suggested for industrial management students and company managers who need to improve their practical knowledge of Lean Six Sigma in SMEs. The language, the examples and the organization of this book help people who have only a general knowledge about Lean Six Sigma concept to go in depth in this practice."—Alessandro Perini, Production Planning & Control: The Management of Operations March 2017 Issue Table of ContentsIntroduction to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Continuous Improvement Initiatives in SMEs. Lean Six Sigma. Lean Six Sigma Road Map for SMEs. Lean and Six Sigma Metrics. Six Sigma Methodology. Basic and Advanced Tools of Lean and Six Sigma for SMEs. LSS Project Selection. Industrial Case Studies of Lean Six Sigma.

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Book SynopsisA social robot is a robot that interacts and communicates with humans or other autonomous physical agents by following social behaviors and rules attached to its role. We seem to accept the use of robots that perform dull, dirty, and dangerous jobs. But how far do we want to go with the automation of care for children and the elderly, or the killing of terrorists? Would we be setting humanity aside if we accepted such automation?Just Ordinary Robots: Automation from Love to War provides a socially involved, yet sober, view into the new age of robots. It supplies a cutting-edge look at robot technologies, including what these technologies are capable of and the ethical and regulatory questions they raise.The book surveys the various types of social robots and examines their social significance in homes, health care, traffic, the police, and the military. Considering the technical characteristics and societal expectations of robots in these areaTrade Review"Just Ordinary Robots: Automation from Love to War examines the social significance of the new generation of five types of robots: the home robot, the care robot, police and private drones, the car robot, and the military robot. ... This book is the result of many years of research by the Rathenau Institute, The Netherlands’ key research and debating center for science, technology, and society. In 2012, this research led to the publication of the Dutch book Overal Robots (Robots Everywhere), written by Lambèr Royakkers, Floortje Daemen, and Rinie van Est. This book is an updated and drastically revised version of that book."—From the Book’s Foreword by Frans Brom, Head of Technology Assessment, Rathenau Institute, The Hague, The NetherlandsTable of ContentsRobots Everywhere. Home Is Where the Robot Is: Mechanoids, Humanoids, and Androids. Taking Care of Our Parents: The Role of Domotics and Robots. Drones in the City: Toward a Floating Robotic Panopticon? Who Drives the Car? Armed Military Drones: The Ethics behind Various Degrees of Autonomy. Automation from Love to War.

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Book SynopsisThe recent introduction of nanomedicines in the drug therapy arena is revolutionizing the management of severe diseases. The key advance in the field is the optimization of the biological fate of drug molecules, thus improving the therapeutic effect while keeping to a very minimum the associated toxicity. Volume one of this book series, Nanoplatforms in Drug Delivery, established the basic aspects in the development of drug-loaded nanoplatforms, the so-called nanomedicines or nanodrugs, focusing on representative materials and strategies used in their formulation. Taking advantage of the advanced conceptualizations on nanomedicine engineering that were described in volume one, volume two, Nano-Engineering Strategies and Nanomedicines against Severe Diseases, analyzes in depth special features related to the formulation of nanoplatforms for oral, dental, topical and transdermal, pulmonary and nasal, ocular and otic, vaginal, and brain drug delivery Table of ContentsPreface to the Book Series. Preface to Volume 2. Emerging Technologies of Polymers for Nanomedicine Applications. Nanotechnology for Oral Drug Delivery and Targeting. Nanoparticulate Systems for Dental Drug Delivery. Nanotechnology for Topical and Transdermal Drug Delivery and Targeting. Nanotechnology for Pulmonary and Nasal Drug Delivery. Lipid Nanoplatforms for Pulmonary Drug Delivery. Nanotechnology for Ocular and Otic Drug Delivery and Targeting. Nanotechnology for Vaginal Drug Delivery and Targeting. Potential Nanocarriers for Brain Drug Delivery. Nanomaterials and Cancer Therapy. Nanomedicine in Cardiovascular Disease. Nano(Neuro)Medicinal Interventions for Neurodegenerative Disorders: a Meta-Analysis of Concurrent Challenges and Strategic Solutions. Nanomedicines against Infectious Diseases. Nanomedicines against Chronic Inflammatory Diseases. Nanomedicine Biopharmaceuticals for Metabolic Diseases. Nanotechnology in Gene Knockdown and miRNA Replacement in Vivo. Nanotheranostics.

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Book SynopsisMRI techniques have been recently introduced for non-invasive qualification of regional myocardial mechanics, which is not achievable with other imaging modalities. Covering more than twenty-three years of developments in MRI techniques for accessing heart mechanics, this book provides a plethora of techniques and concepts that assist readers choose the best technique for their purpose. It reviews research studies and clinical trials that implemented MRI techniques for studying heart mechanics.Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction to Heart Mechanics with Magnetic Resonance Imaging.................................................................... 1El-Sayed H. Ibrahim, PhDChapter 2 Heart Morphology, Function, and Diseases........................................................................................................... 49Brian P. Shapiro, MD and El-Sayed H. Ibrahim, PhDChapter 3 MRI Basics............................................................................................................................................................. 81El-Sayed H. Ibrahim, PhD and Refaat E. Gabr, PhDChapter 4 Introduction to Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging............................................................................ 121Elizabeth R. Jenista, PhD; David C. Wendell, PhD; Igor Klem, MD; El-Sayed H. Ibrahim, PhD;and Wolfgang G. Rehwald, PhDChapter 5 Noninvasive Characterization of Myocardial Fiber Structure Using MRI.......................................................... 179Christopher L. Welsh, PhD; El-Sayed H. Ibrahim, PhD; Frank B. Sachse, PhD; and Edward W. Hsu, PhDChapter 6 Continuum Mechanics and Mechanical Cardiac Models.................................................................................... 247El-Sayed H. Ibrahim, PhD and Ahmed S. Fahmy, PhDChapter 7 Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Cine Image Analysis............................................................................................ 285El-Sayed H. Ibrahim, PhDChapter 8 Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking....................................................................................... 343El-Sayed H. Ibrahim, PhD and Rolf Baumann, MScChapter 9 Heart Mechanics: From Implanted Markers to Magnetic Resonance Imaging Tagging..................................... 389El-Sayed H. Ibrahim, PhD, Andreas Sigfridsson, PhD; and John-Peder E. Kvitting, MD, PhDChapter 10 SPAMM and DANTE Tagging............................................................................................................................ 421El-Sayed H. Ibrahim, PhDChapter 11 Complementary Spatial Modulation of Magnetization (CSPAMM) Tagging..................................................... 453El-Sayed H. Ibrahim, PhD; Andrew J. Coristine, PhD; Hélène Feliciano, PhD; Davide Piccini, PhD;and Matthias Stuber, PhDChapter 12 Special Myocardial Tagging Patterns.................................................................................................................. 497Abbas Nasiraei-Moghaddam, PhD; Daniel B. Ennis, PhD; and El-Sayed H. Ibrahim, PhDChapter 13 Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techniques for Measuring Heart Mechanics..................................... 555El-Sayed H. Ibrahim, PhDIndex.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 589

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Book SynopsisThis book uses tutorials and new material to describe the basic concepts of soft-computing which potentially can be used in real-life sensor network applications. It is organized in a manner that exemplifies the use of an assortment of soft-computing applications for solving different problems in sensor networking. Written by worldwide experts, the chapters provide a balanced mixture of different problems concerning channel access, routing, coverage, localization, lifetime maximization and target tracking using emerging soft-computing applications.Table of ContentsIntroduction. Introduction to Soft-Computing. Introduction to Sensor Networks. Data Link Layer. Energy Saving MAC protocol. Optimization of Sleep and Duty Cycles Scheduling. Link Quality Estimation. Network Layer. Cooperative Routing among Sensor nodes. Relay Selection for Energy Efficient Routing. Energy Efficient Clustering Methods for Routing. Localization of Sensor Nodes in Noisy Environments. Energy Efficient Coverage. Transport Layer. Transmission Control for Variable Loads in Sensor Networks. Transport Protocol for Congestion Control in Sensor Networks. Application Layer. Optimal Sensor Deployment. Real-time Monitoring or Situation Understanding. Robotic Application. Aircraft Sensor Management.

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