Search results for ""taylor francis""

Culled from the pages of CRC's highly successful, best-selling The Circuits and Filters Handbook, Second Edition, Nonlinear and Distributed Circuits presents a sharply focused, comprehensive review of the fundamental theory behind professional applications of these complex circuits. It supplies a concise, convenient reference to the key concepts, models, and equations necessary to analyze, design, and predict the behavior of nonlinear and distributed circuits, illustrated by frequent examples. Edited by a distinguished authority, this book emphasizes the theoretical concepts underlying the processes, behavior, and operation of these devices. More than 225 figures and tables illustrate the concepts, and where necessary, the theories, principles, and mathematics of some subjects are reviewed. Expert contributors discuss the analysis, synthesis, and design of nonlinear circuits; their representation, approximation, identification, and simulation; cellular neural networks; multiconductor transmission lines; and analysis and synthesis of distributed circuits.Nonlinear and Distributed Circuits builds a strong theoretical foundation for the design and analysis of both distributed and nonlinear circuits while serving as a handy reference for experienced engineers, making it a must-have for both beginners and seasoned experts.

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Lyapunov-Based Control of Robotic Systems describes nonlinear control design solutions for problems that arise from robots required to interact with and manipulate their environments. Since most practical scenarios require the design of nonlinear controllers to work around uncertainty and measurement-related issues, the authors use Lyapunov’s direct method as an effective tool to design and analyze controllers for robotic systems.After describing the evolution of real-time control design systems and the associated operating environments and hardware platforms, the book presents a host of standard control design tools for robotic systems using a common Lyapunov-based framework. It then discusses several problems in visual servoing control, including the design of homography-based visual servo control methods and the classic structure from motion problem. The book also deals with the issues of path planning and control for manipulator arms and wheeled mobile robots. With a focus on the emerging research area of human machine interaction, the final chapter illustrates the design of control schemes based on passivity such that the machine is a net energy sink.Including much of the authors’ own research work in controls and robotics, this book facilitates an understanding of the application of Lyapunov-based control design techniques to up-and-coming problems in robotics.

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Technology has spurred the growth of huge image and video libraries, many growing into the hundreds of terabytes. As a result there is a great demand among organizations for the design of databases that can effectively support the storage, search, retrieval, and transmission of video data. Engineers and researchers in the field demand a comprehensive reference that will help them design and implement the most complex video database projects.Handbook of Video Databases: Design and Applications presents a thorough overview in 45 chapters from more than 100 renowned experts in the field. This book provides the tools to help overcome the problems of storage, cataloging, and retrieval, by exploring content standardization and other content classification and analysis methods. The challenge of these complex problems make this book a must-have for video database practitioners in the fields of image and video processing, computer vision, multimedia systems, data mining, and many other diverse disciplines.

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This book provides valuable information for investigators interested in the signaling and regulatory functions of adenosine and the adenine nucleotides. Topics covered in this comprehensive volume include the historical development of research on adenosine and adenosine triphosphate; various aspects of the formation, metabolism, release, transport, and receptors for endogenous adenosine and the adenosine triphosphate; functions of purines at the cellular level; the role of adenosine in the regulation of flow in different vascular beds; and angiogenesis. The book also addresses the purinergic regulation of the cardiac, renal, gastro-intestinal, and central nervous system, as well as potential therapeutic avenues for purine use. The book will be valuable to physiologists, pharmacologists, and other basic and clinical scientists interested in updating their knowledge of the expanding biological roles of these substances.

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This book represents a comprehensive update on pulmonary surfactant by merging classical knowledge with new information. Topics include surfactant secretion and alveolar processing and recycling; physical bases and different theoretical models of the physiological mechanism for pulmonary surfactant action; recent findings on surfactant-like material in other organs; developmental processes and multifactorial regulation; etiology and physiopathology of neonatal respiratory distress; and modern methods for functional explorations of the lung in neonates and experimental models in animals. The book also contains a discussion on the management of hyaline membrane disease, from both the experimental and clinical points of view.

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Because fine-tuning the parameters of a system is critical to a developer's success, Performance Optimization of Digital Communications Systems examines particular optimization problems in digital communications, presenting analytical techniques in combination with SystemView and MATLAB® simulations. Consisting of ten chapters, this monograph presents a unique method for determining the quality of a communications channel - a great advantage to any company that uses this method. The book presents a method for the transmission of proprietary data. It also describes the means to reduce the peak-to-average power ratio and introduces optimal phase shifters for multicarrier communication systems.This volume contains numerous illustrations and includes appendices that offer optimization puzzles, MATLAB scripts, and some newly discovered properties of flat-spectrum and spectrum-shaped waveforms.

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Intended primarily for researchers working with bioactive substances such as hormones, neurotransmitters, growth factors, and connective tissue makers, this book discusses the principles of degradation in major groups of bioactive materials with respect to physiology, location, and regulation. Peptidases; receptor-mediated endocytosis; organ extraction and clearance; and the degradation of specific proteins, peptides, amines, steroids, and polysaccharoides are featured. Pathophysiology and its role in diagnostics and disease are considered throughout the book, in addition to updates of recent literature and substantial new information on physiology and pathophysiology of degradation of bioactive material. No special mathematical or kinetic background is necessary to read this book because the mathematic and kinetic concepts are facilitated through the presentation of fundamental and more advanced principles. Furthermore, illustrations and tables are provided to facilitate the understanding of the dynamic aspects of degradation processes. Degradation of Bioactive Substances: Physiology and Pathophysiology is the first comprehensive work describing the degradation of bioactive material, including information not found in biochemical textbooks on internal metabolism or pharmacokinetic textbooks on drug metabolism.

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This significant volume provides reviews on protein methylation reactions which occur ubiquitously in nature. Written in a comprehensive style, this work covers knowledge on the natural occurrence of methylated amino acids, their chemical synthesis, plus the enzymology, biological regulator, and biological significance of free methylated amino acids. It also includes various specific biological systems where posttranslational methylation reactions have been demonstrated. This text is unique because the chapters are critically reviewed by authorities in each respective field. This well-written volume is an excellent reference to researchers as well as graduate students interested in post-synthetic modifications of macromolecules.

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Ultrasonic Exposimetry presents the fundamentals of ultrasonics and discusses the theoretical background of acoustic wave generation and reception. Measurements, instrumentation, and interpretation of measured data (including error analysis) are examined in detail.

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Chemical Contaminants in Human Milk contains a comprehensive, up-to-date global review of the contamination of human milk with environmental and occupational chemicals. The book covers many different aspects of this problem, including the extent and benefits of breast-feeding, the transfer of chemicals into breast milk, analytical methodologies used in human milk studies, the levels of chemical contaminants in human milk, and geographical variations and time trends in levels. The many different factors that can influence the levels of contaminants in breast milk are also discussed. Other important topics examined include human milk contamination due to exposure of the mother at the workplace and the risk to her baby, the intake of toxic chemicals by breast-fed infants, calculated intakes and official limit values, the toxicological implications of human milk contamination based on available data from animal experiments and human studies. The book concludes with an overall assessment of the current situation, together with recommendations for future work. Chemical Contaminants in Human Milk is a valuable source of information for pediatricians and other health professionals, policy makers involved with ensuring the health and welfare of infants and nursing mothers, nursing mothers and organizations involved in the promotion of breast feeding, and individuals and organizations involved with the study and control of environmental pollution and occupational hygiene.

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This important new book presents critical information on the clinical and morphological aspects of various endocrinological disorders of the gut and pancreas. Topics include a historical perspective and broad overview of the neuroendocrine component of the gut; hyperplastic proliferations of gastrointestinal endocrine cells; pancreatic endocrine cells and their non-neoplastic proliferations; tumors and lesions; and endocrine differentiation in nonendocrine tumors. The book stresses clinical and pathological aspects of these topics, as well as the pathogenesis, clinicopathological correlations, and diagnostic approaches. Gastroenterologists, pathologists, internists, surgeons, endocrinologists and others interested in endocrinological disorders of the gut and pancreas will discover that this book will be a welcome addition to your reference library.

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This volume gives special reference to papillomaviruses in benign precursor lesions related to genital tumors, plus it provides a basis for a more reproducible evaluation of the pathology of papillomavirus-induced lesions. It deals with the molecular biology of papillomaviruses as it relates to our understanding of viral cell transformation and malignant conversion. Written in a comprehensive, easy-to-read format, this book covers points of medical interest such as diagnosis, therapy, and prospects for vaccination. This fascinating text provides current, state-of-the-art practices for immediate and future medical research. Virologists, microbiologists, and cancer researchers will find this work interesting and resourceful.

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Viral Fusion Mechanisms presents the first comprehensive review on this exciting topic. The book focuses on molecular mechanisms rather than phenomonology and examines a wide range of viruses, including influenza, HIV, Sendai, SFV, Vaccinia, VSV, and RSV. Recent theoretical work on dissecting protein-mediated membrane fusion is discussed, and the most promising new technologies for elucidating mechanisms are highlighted.Viral Fusion Mechanisms is an essential reference for biophysicists, cell biologists, colloid chemists, immunologists, microbiologists, molecular biologists, and virologists.

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This volume presents information and techniques which are at the leading edge of microbial acid rain research and addresses a number of topical and important issues of global concern. Topics discussed include microbial responses to low pH and biogeochemical processes. Cycling of organic matter, microbial interactions with higher forms of biota, and the factors affecting these processes and interactions are described. This book is of special interest to researchers and those involved in management of acid - stressed waters.

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Advances in Pregnancy-Related Protein Research describes the most significant advances in pregnancy-related protein research that have occurred over the last 25 years. The fetal, pregnancy, placental, and endometrial proteins discussed are classified by their origin and biological activity. The structure and function of newly discovered pregnancy protein families are examined in detail. Physiological values of various pregnancy and placental proteins are presented, and the pathophysiological significance of diagnostic and therapeutic data is addressed. Advances in Pregnancy-Related Protein Research will be a useful reference for obstetricians, oncologists, immunologists, reproduction specialists, oncodevelopmental biologists, gynecologists, and other researchers interested in the subject.

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A comprehensive and critical assessment of selenium levels in both natural and man-made materials and systems is presented in this publication. The book begins with a treatment of the chemistry and analytical chemistry of the element and an important discussion of the status and reliability of analytical data together with the approach to be followed in extracting, managing and presenting the information. An in-depth treatment of selenium is arranged according to groupings of the different materials and systems. Each chapter discusses the occurrence of selenium in and distribution among components of the specified system. Additionally, easy reference compilations of concentration data based on critical assessment of the selenium literature are provided, along with a comprehensive listing of the pertinent literature. The book concludes with chapters on the biogeochemistry of selenium in natural systems. Throughout, consideration is given to both total selenium and its compounds.

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The purpose of this 4-volume set is to examine some of the applications of lasers in polymer science and technology. Now available for the first time, up-to-date information on this fascinating subject is compiled and presented in compact form. This set focuses on current research and developments in the application of lasers in polymer and biopolymer chemistry. It includes experimental and theoretical details, apparatus, techniques, and applications. This set is a useful source for researchers, students, polymer chemists, and physicists involved in this astonishing field of high technology.

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Kinetic models are becoming standard tools in the research of biological systems. They are used to represent hypotheses, analyze data, and design experiments to maximize the information obtained from a study. Kinetic Models of Trace Element and Mineral Metabolism During Development describes models for calcium, chromium, copper, iron, iodide, lead, mercury, selenium, zinc, and others in health and disease.

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This up-to-date reference includes the most recent available data and detailed case studies concerning the potential health risks of aflatoxin in the human population. It covers everything from acute toxic effects of aflatoxin in men to original observations concerning occupational health hazards due to aflatoxin exposure via the respiratory tract. This work places special emphasis on the potential etiological role of aflatoxin in Reye's syndrome. The presence of aflatoxins in the biological material indicates that the possible carcinogenic hazard due to aflatoxin ingestion is not limited to certain areas but exists all over the world. This informative book is a must for all researchers involved in environmental pathology, food science, mycology, toxicology, and industrial safety.

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Hospitals in the US and Canada are ill-prepared for the threat of emerging infectious diseases, especially in the area of protecting healthcare workers, nurses, doctors, and first responders from transmissions. Current protocols from guideline agencies and health organizations and health departments that include state pandemic flu plans do not follow scientific evidence in many of their recommendations.Economics and 'ease of use' are trumping good science in the decision making process. For example, protocols do not demand the most stringent precautions that would protect for healthcare workers from unknown factors of transmission in the case of rapidly emerging diseases. Respiratory protection, negative pressure isolation rooms, training of healthcare workers, personal protective equipment, ventilation designs, triage of surge patients, funding issues are all areas of concern that remain controversial in current occupational health protection models. Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Threat to Occupational Health in the US and Canada offers a critical review of existing plans and infrastructures for emerging diseases and the response capabilities of healthcare delivery systems to protect the occupational health and offers many solutions. The authors perform failure analysis that cannot be found in other texts, and offer positive solutions, strategies, and tactics for strengthening the hospital and the public health response to potentially catastrophic health crises. This book contains invaluable information for managers, professionals, and policy makers in infectious disease organizations, public health organizations, as well as occupational health organizations.

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Initiation and Promotion in Skin or Liver Neoplasia is the only source of its kind that presents a comprehensive compilation of in vivo initiation/promotion studies that involve neoplastic changes in the skin or liver of experimental animals. The book surveys world literature over the past 65 years from almost 2,000 original studies covering nearly 200 journals in 9 languages. Publications reviewed consist of primary peer-reviewed papers, as well as those abstracts, meeting reports, and review articles, containing original data. Papers measuring both pre-neoplastic or neoplastic changes are included.The summaries for each study included in the book are highly formatted resumes that have four principal components which indicate:1) What was done in the study;2) How the study was done (e.g, methods);3) The precise results obtained;4) Individual critiques using GLP (Good Lab Practice) standards.Initiation and Promotion in Skin or Liver Neoplasia provides an indispensable abstracted reference resource for scientists, toxicologists, cancer researchers, litigators, regulators, environmentalists, policy analysts, and industry-based investigators.

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Covering some of the most important topics in modern toxicology, the Handbook of Human Toxicology is a unique and valuable addition to the current literature. It addresses issues, answers questions, and provides data related to. Within each of these five major sections are several carefully selected topics that reflect the current state of human toxicology. From tissue uptake of mercury to the effects of drugs on immune systems, the text provides much-needed information quickly and easily.

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This publication is rare among those texts on pesticides in that it covers herbicides exclusively. It presents, in one source, information that is typically scattered. This important publication enables the reader to recommend herbicide use more reliably and efficiently. It also highlights environmental issues relevant to herbicide use in agriculture. The book outlines potential areas of further research. This title is of particular value to weed scientists, environmental chemists and engineers, soil scientists, and those responsible for recommending and/or regulating use of herbicides in agriculture.Focuses On:? Increasing efficiency of herbicides in agriculture? Decreasing environmental contamination with herbicides? Dissipation and transformations in water and sediment? Nature, transport, and fate of airborne residues? Absorption and transport in plants? Transformations in biosphere? Bioaccumulation and food chain accumulation? Photochemical transformations? Bound residues? Predictability and environmental chemistry

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Providing a clear foundation as to what a clot is, how it forms, and the most recent approaches to treatment, Thrombus and Stroke is an all-inclusive resource covering: The fundamental science of clot formation and the pharmacokinetics of thrombolysis The clinical impact of thrombus as it pertains to stroke and the most recent clinical and minimally–invasive approaches to this disorder Current pharmacological interventions and the latest findings on neurovascular disease Clinical management of stroke Thrombogenicity of vascular implants In vivo stroke modeling Methods to assess the efficacy of anticoagulation therapy From the latest imaging techniques to endovascular treatments, this comprehensive, advanced volume provides critical data needed for diagnosis and treatment. The valuable information will assist physicians in the prevention of future strokes and complications and will aid in improving patient outcomes throughout treatment.

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Post-Translational Modifications of Proteins discusses several important topics of interest to researchers and students in protein chemistry and biochemistry, including the occurrence and function of hydroxylated residues and the three enzymes required for their formation; the damaging effects of reactions between sugars and proteins; ADP-riboosylation of proteins outside the nucleus; and Monod, Wyman, and Changeux's concerted model for allosteric control of enzyme activity exemplified by studies on glycogen phosphorylase. The application of Fast Atom Bombardment Mass Spectometry (FAB-MS) to studies on the structure and biosynthesis of various oligosaccharide moieties in protein is examined, and the understanding of the structural diversity and function of glycoprotein oligosaccharides is discussed in this volume.

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Divided into five sections focusing on perioperative, surgical, pediatric, endoscopic and laparoscopic, and miscellaneous complications, this guide supplies state-of-the-art strategies for the identification, prevention, and management of the myriad complications that can arise during urologic surgical treatment. With contributors from leading health centers across the United States, this source reviews the potential complications of the latest laparoscopic procedures, as well as those related to systemic conditions.

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Metal Ions in Biological Systems is devoted to increasing our understanding of the relationship between the chemistry of metals and life processes. The volumes reflect the interdisciplinary nature of bioinorganic chemistry and coordinate the efforts of researchers in the fields of biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, coordination chemistry, environmental chemistry, biophysics, pharmacy, and medicine.Volume 43 focuses on the vibrant research area concerning the cycling of elements, metals, and non-metals in biology and geology; in 10 chapters this book offers an authoritative and timely account on this fascinating subject.

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Accelerating Process Improvement Using Agile Techniques explains how agile programming is applied to standard process improvement. By applying agile techniques, IT organizations can speed up process improvement initiatives, minimize the resources these initiatives require, and maximize the benefits of process improvement. The book details step-by-step how to implement the Accelerating Process Improvement Methodology (APIM) and how to integrate APIM with various standard process improvement models and methodologies, including the ISO 9000 series, SPICE, TQM, SPIRE, PMBOK, and CMM/CMMI. Agile process improvement enables organizations to rapidly set strategic goals, meet a greater percentage of user requirements, and realize a quicker return on investment.About the Author Deb Jacobs is a Professional Consultant with Focal Point Associates specializing in process improvement and project management. She currently provides support to organizations in training, process improvement consulting, project management consulting, software engineering consulting, and proposal development. Ms. Jacobs has over 25 year’s in project management, process improvement management, system/software engineering, and proposal development with a BS in Computer Science.

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The research on gaseous electronics reaches back more than 100 years. With the growing importance of gas lasers in so many research and industrial applications as well as power systems generating, transmitting, and distributing huge blocks of electrical power, the body of literature on cross sections, drift and diffusion, and ionization phenomena continues to bloom. Searching through this vast expanse of data is a daunting and time-consuming task. With this in mind, eminent researcher Gorur Govinda Raju presents an authoritative survey of the ballooning literature on gaseous electrical discharge.Gaseous Electronics: Theory and Practice begins with an overview of the physics underlying the collisions involved in discharge, scattering, ion mobilities, and the various cross-sections and relations between them. A discussion follows on experimental techniques used to measure collision cross-sections, covering the techniques related to the data presented in later chapters. In an unprecedented collection of data and analysis, the author supplies comprehensive cross-sections for rare gases such as Argon, Helium, Krypton, and Xenon; various diatomics; and complex molecules and industrial gases including hydrocarbons. He further includes discussions and analyses on drift and diffusion of electrons, ionization coefficients, attachment coefficients, high-voltage phenomena, and high-frequency discharges. Based on more than 40 years of experience in the field, Gaseous Electronics: Theory and Practice places a comprehensive collection of data together with theory and modern practice in a single, concise reference.

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Although programming in memory-restricted environments is never easy, this holds especially true for digital signal processing (DSP). The data-rich, computation-intensive nature of DSP makes memory management a chief and challenging concern for designers. Memory Management for Synthesis of DSP Software focuses on minimizing memory requirements during the synthesis of DSP software from dataflow representations. Dataflow representations are used in many popular DSP design tools, and the methods of this book can be applied in that context, as well as other contexts where dataflow is used.This book systematically reviews research conducted by the authors on memory minimization techniques for compiling synchronous dataflow (SDF) specifications. Beginning with an overview of the foundations of software synthesis techniques from SDF descriptions, it examines aggressive buffer-sharing techniques that take advantage of specific and quantifiable tradeoffs between code size and buffer size to achieve high levels of buffer memory optimization.The authors outline coarse-level strategies using lifetime analysis and dynamic storage allocation (DSA) for efficient buffer sharing as one approach and demonstrate the role of the CBP (consumed-before-produced) parameter at a finer level using a merging framework for buffer sharing. They present two powerful algorithms for combining these sharing techniques and then introduce techniques that are not restricted to the single appearance scheduling space of the other techniques.Extensively illustrated to clarify the mathematical concepts, Memory Management for Synthesis of DSP Software presents a comprehensive survey of state-of-the-art research in DSP software synthesis.

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Micro- and Nanostructured Multiphase Polymer Blend Systems: Phase Morphology and Interfaces focuses on the formation of phase morphology in polymer blends and copolymers and considers various types of blends including thermosets, thermoplastics, thermoplastic vulcanizates, and structured copolymers. The book carefully debates the processing, rheology, and crystallization aspects of the phase morphology of polymer blends.The text surveys theory, characterization, processing, and experimental aspects of phase morphology development and design of polymer blends. It examines the adhesion of polymer–polymer interfaces in immiscible polymer blends and the different ways by which nanostructures may be generated in thermosetting polymers. The book analyzes the polymerization process and the dynamic vulcanization of multicomponent polymer blends and the crystallization behavior occurring in blends with a confined morphology. It also discusses the structure–rheology relationship in compatibilized blends, the effects of elasticity on the structure development, and the rheological response in concentrated blends. Micro- and Nanostructured Multiphase Polymer Blend Systems examines the current state of the art, challenges, and future prospects in the field of polymer blends. The handpicked selection of topics and expert contributors makes this survey of phase morphology in polymer blends an outstanding resource for anyone involved in the field of polymer materials design.

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The knowledge of metal ion speciation is essential for predicting the exact toxicities of metal ion species in the environment. Metal ions can exist in various oxidation states, each of which possesses different physical and chemical properties as well as exhibit varying toxicities. Often, toxicity data is unreliable because it is based on metal ion concentration measurements that fail to identify a dominant species either more or less harmful than the average. Instrumental Methods in Metal Ion Speciation provides analytical techniques and experimental methodologies for determining the concentration of the different physicochemical forms of metal ions in environmental and biological samples, leading to more accurate measurements of actual toxicity.The authors introduce the principles of metal ion speciation and discuss important analytical techniques such as gas and liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and both electrochemical and radiochemical methods used to determine concentration and composition. They present a range of liquid chromatographic approaches, including capillary electrochromatography and high-performance, ion, ion pair, micellar electrokinetic, size exclusion, chiral, and supercritical fluid chromatographies for all metal ion species. Comprehensive in scope, the text covers the sources, distribution, toxicity, biotransformation, and biodegradation of each metal ions species as well as extraction methods, sample preparation, and experimental optimization techniques that can be useful in designing future experiments. Instrumental Methods in Metal Ion Speciation is a unique and valuable source of reference for scientists, academics, and researchers involved in analytical, biological, pharmaceutical, and environmental chemistries, as well as material industries, geochemistry, agriculture, biotechnology, and occupational safety and regulations.

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In today's ultra-competitive global business environment, it is becoming increasingly important for companies to reduce spending while simultaneously improving their efficiency and productivity. To achieve this goal, many organizations are opting to implement cross training programs in order to maximize the potential of their existing workforce, thus avoiding the need to outsource. Filling a gap in the literature, Workforce Cross Training presents a pioneering overview of the currently available research on this topic and provides invaluable insight into the design of successful cross training programs.Featuring contributions from a team of experts, this text integrates information from a wide variety of disciplines including human factors, industrial engineering, operations management, and behavioral psychology. The authors examine the use of cross training programs in various work environments including serial production systems, call centers, and manufacturing industries. Discussion includes best practices of cross training methods and the future opportunities offered by cross training programs.A single resource featuring an in-depth summary of the policies, methods, and results of cross training, this book delivers a much needed source of guidance for creating effective workforce cross training programs.

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The literature on cytokine genetics is vast, so vast that it is now practically beyond the time or logistical constraints of most scientists to successfully keep pace with it. A compilation of the latest research, Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms in Multifactorial Conditions brings together, reviews, and structures up-to-date information on polymorphisms in cytokine genes. It discusses haplotype structures and linkage disequilibrium patterns in cytokine gene loci; functional biological effects of polymorphisms; and genetic associations with disease. The book documents polymorphisms in the most important cytokine genes, or gene clusters, and their biological and genetic effects in a multitude of distinct multifactorial conditions. Unique to this book are the "disease-centered" chapters examining the role of cytokine gene polymorphisms in a multitude of multifactorial conditions. The conditions include autoimmune or chronic inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases, and longevity. "This section is a real tour de force" (Grant Gallagher and Michael F. Seldin, March 2006).Broadening the understanding of the effect of genetic variations on human immune responses, the organization, scope, and content of this book make it a valuable and easily accessible resource. The book integrates genetic, immunological, and clinical information and will serve as a reference for novice and expert geneticists, immunologists, cell biologists and clinicians. It is a must for everyone involved in, or planning, cytokine genetics or immunogenetics studies.

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Responding to an estimated 14 million cases of food-borne disease that occur every year in the United States alone, the Food and Drug Administration and US Department of Agriculture have begun implementing new regulations and guidance for the microbial testing of foods. Similarly, Europe and other regions are implementing stricter oversight, as foodborne pathogens that cause deadly diseases such as e. coli 0157:H7 have raised the stakes everywhere. Food safety scientists have acted on this growing public health risk by developing improved media for the cultivation of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, much of it geared toward specific rapid detection.Reflecting the development of these new media and the latest FDA recommendations, the second edition of the Handbook of Microbiological Media for the Examination of Foodprovides an essential resource for anyone involved with the monitoring of both food production and post-production quality control. Organized alphabetically by medium, the expanded edition of this highly respected handbookincludes – · Descriptions of nearly 1,400 media including those recommended by the FDA, as well as media used elsewhere in the world · Concise and lucid instructions for the preparation and uses of each of the media · Cross-referenced indexing that allows the media to be found by name or specific microorganism of interest · Descriptions of expected results as they apply to microorganisms of importance for the examination of foods · Common synonyms for the various media and listings of compositions, so that alternate media an be effectively employed when needed Compiled by Ronald M. Atlas, a world-renowned researcher and author known for his pioneering work in pathogen detection, the Handbook of Microbiological Media for the Examination of Food, Second Edition, provides microbiologists with an essential tool for safeguarding public health.

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Ceramics were among the first materials used as substrates for mass-produced electronics, and they remain an important class of packaging and interconnect material today. Most available information about ceramic electronics is either outdated or focused on their materials science characteristics. The Ceramic Interconnect Technology Handbook goes beyond the traditional approach by first surveying the unique properties of ceramics and then discussing design, processing, fabrication, and integration, as well as packaging and interconnect technologies.Collecting contributions from an outstanding panel of experts, this book offers an up-to-date overview of modern ceramic electronics, from design and material selection to manufacturing and implementation. Beginning with an overview of the development, properties, advantages, and applications of ceramics, coverage spans electrical design, testing, simulation, thermomechanical design, screen printing, multilayer ceramics, photo-defined and photo-imaged films, copper interconnects for ceramic substrates, and integrated passive devices in ceramic substrates. It also offers a detailed review of the surface, thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of various ceramics as well as the processing of high- and low-temperature cofired ceramic (HTCC and LTCC) substrates.Opening new vistas and avenues of advancement, the Ceramic Interconnect Technology Handbook is the only source for comprehensive discussion and analysis of nearly every facet of ceramic interconnect technology and applications.

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Focusing on state-of-the-art biological testing and methods used for aquatic ecosystem health assessment, Ecotoxicological Testing of Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems evaluates the latest bioassay techniques and different types of water and sediment quality assessments. The book also explores multi-tiered approaches to making recommendations for the preservation, enhancement, and restoration of ecosystem functions as well as risk perception and communication strategies for investigators, policy makers, government agencies, and the public.The book examines the use of selective biosensors, bioassays, bioaccumulation modeling, biomarkers, gene expression analysis, and other techniques that enable scientists to measure cellular, sub-cellular, and molecular effects of low-level contaminants on various organisms and evaluate changes caused by over-exploitation, habitat modification, catchment run-off, polluting emissions, and even global warming. The chapters describe various ways to assess species diversity, organism population trends, and exposure routes to reveal tangible consequences of sediment or water toxicity. A chapter is dedicated to the role of remote sensing technologies in monitoring, prediction, and management of changes within coastal ecosystems, along with improvements in information technology and data processing that allow for the assessment of spatial variability. The last chapter summarizes the current status of techniques and strategies. Several appendices highlight the strengths and limitations of various techniques and provide references to additional literature.Contributed by leading field experts, this book is useful for post-graduate students, researchers, and regulatory professionals involved in environmental toxicology, ecosystem health, ecology, pollution monitoring, and freshwater and marine science. Ecotoxicological Testing of Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems: Emerging Techniques, Trends and Strategies presents new possibilities for prognostic tools that can be used for early detection systems and integrative approaches that foster informed decision-making consisting of evidence-based risk assessments for remediation, treatment, and maintenance in environmental and resource management

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Reviews in Food and Nutrition Toxicity, Volume 4 includes the most recent reviews of current issues involved in the toxicity of food and nutrients. With contributors from the fields of medicine, public health, and environmental science, the continuation of this series distills a broad range of research on food safety and food technology. Volume Four discusses:The extent to which postnatal metal exposure through breastfeeding can impair an infant's health Selenium bioavailability and metabolism, effects of selenium exposure, and mechanisms of selenium toxicity The fate of toxic and nontoxic arsenic compounds in the human body upon ingestion The biological role of sulfur, sulfur metabolism, deficiencies, and toxicity The effects on fluoride on teeth, bones, kidneys, arteries, hormones, the brain, and the reproductive system Food-borne disease outbreaks, microbial quality and risk assessment of food-borne microorganisms in ready to eat foods Effect of T-2 toxin on DNA and chromosomes, circulatory system, skin, reproductive system, liver and spleen, gastrointestinal tract, brain and neurotransmitters, and more Investigation of the interference of AFB1 with molecular components of cell cycle checkpoints Analyzes cycad consumption and its effects on the neurological systems and its manifestations; describes bio-chemical changes and morphological or pathological outcomes through time in detail Lectins in the human diet, toxicity and biological effects, immunomodulatory effects, modulation of immune function by dietary lectins in diseaseThis is a valuable resource for anyone involved in the food industry or academics researching food science and food technology.

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Data used to develop and confirm models suffer from several shortcomings: the total data is too limited, the data are non-stationary, and the data represent nonlinear processes. The Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) is a relatively new method that has grown into a robust tool for data analysis and is ready for a wide variety of applications.This text presents the first thorough presentation of the formulation and application of the Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT) in engineering. After an introduction and overview of recent advances, thirty leading international experts explore the use of the HHT in areas such as oceanography, nonlinear soil amplification, and non-stationary random processes. One chapter offers a comparative analysis between HHT wavelet and Fourier transforms, and another looks at the HHT applied to molecular dynamic simulations. The final chapter provides perspectives on the theory and practice of HHT and reviews applications in disciplines ranging from biomedical, chemical, and financial engineering to meteorology and seismology.The Hilbert-Huang Transform in Engineering features a variety of modern topics, and the examples presented include wide-ranging, real-life engineering problems. While the development of the HHT is not yet complete, this book clearly demonstrates the power and utility of the method and will undoubtedly stimulate further interest, theoretical advances, and innovative applications.

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Bringing producer and consumer debates together, Geographic Information: Value, Pricing, Production, and Consumption provides a coherent perspective on what have become emotional and territorial issues of IPR protection and liberation. This book addresses a range of issues relating to GI, from its definition, purpose, and use to how GI affects individuals, organizations, and governments. It examines business issues including pricing, exploitation, competition, and IPR in private, commercial, and public domain environments. It also introduces a detailed case study that shows how the GI collection and dissemination policies affect regional and global environmental monitoring programs.

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A cross between a dictionary and an encyclopedia, Desk Reference for Hematology, Second Edition presents a concise yet thorough examination of hematology and its relationship with other systems and disorders. The 1500 alphabetically listed articles provide quick and easy access to expert information, the 150 tables put precise data at your fingertips, and the 100 figures are a visual tool that clarify the text. The book also includes 500 references on state-of-the-art guidelines and recent developments.See what’s new in the Second Edition: · Revised articles emphasizing genetics, physiology, pathological mechanisms · Updated coverage of treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, coagulation, and thrombotic disorders · Hundreds of completely new articles, new illustrations, and new explanatory diagrams as well as revised tables Completely revised, this edition covers hematopoiesis, red blood cells, granulocytes, lymphocytes, platelets and hemostasis where the respective physiology is described anemias, leukemias, lymphomas, auto-immune disorders, hemorrhagic disorders, and thrombosis where etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment is described. The book includes coverage of blood groups and the practice of blood component therapy. The editor pays particular attention to recent developments in hematological molecular genetics and leukemogenesis. The information is cross-referenced with words highlighted in bold face within an article to indicate that further information on the subject is available under the emboldened heading. A separate table provides common abbreviations used widely throughout the text. Carefully designed for ease of use, the book provides speedy access to authoritative information on the scientific basis of blood disorders and their treatment.

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The increasing power of computer resources along with great improvements in observational data in recent years have led to some remarkable and rapid advances in astrophysical fluid dynamics. The subject spans three distinct but overlapping communities whose interests focus on (1) accretion discs and high-energy astrophysics; (2) solar, stellar, and galactic magnetic fields; and (3) the geodynamo, planetary magnetic fields, and associated experiments. This book grew out of a special conference sponsored by the London Mathematical Society with the support of EPSRC that brought together leading researchers in all of these areas to exchange ideas and review the status of the field.The many interesting problems addressed in this volume concern:

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Satellite Monitoring of Inland and Coastal Water Quality: Retrospection, Introspection, Future Directions reviews how aquatic optics models can convert remote determinations of water color into accurate assessments of water quality. This book illustrates how this conversion can generate products of value for the environmental monitoring of optically complex inland and coastal waters. The author emphasizes how terrestrial, aquatic, and wetland remote sensing are underutilized tools due to a lack of influential end-usership. He takes a realistic look at this disinterest and examines why it exists, how it can be abated, and the synergies that need to be activated among technologists, scientists, entrepreneurs, policy-makers, and water quality professionals. Offering a guide to possible linkages between scientific products of remote sensing and their application to mandates and priorities of environmental stewards and policy-makers, this book uses the research and science agenda of Environment Canada as a template for generic environmental interests and concerns. It is hoped that this guide presents a compelling case for incorporation of aquatic remote sensing into protocols of ground-based environmental monitoring networks.

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The complete mapping of the human genome, along with the development of sophisticated molecular technologies, has accelerated research on the relationship between nutrients and genes. This has led to compelling evidence garnered from epidemiological and experimental observations supporting the idea that the interaction between nutrients and genes is one of the most important mechanisms influencing carcinogenesis. Nutrient-Gene Interactions in Cancer brings together leading authorities in the field who provide an overview and look specifically at the mechanisms known to underlie each nutrient and gene interaction. The book examines the multi-functional relationship linking nutrition and cancer development, including the complex role nutrients have in modulating cancer growth via interactions with specific genes, and the emerging new strategy for cancer chemoprevention that is based on a deepened understanding of this relationship. The authors also provide freshly illuminating information on many well-known interactions.The first part of the book includes chapters on the basic elements of biology and pathobiology of gene-nutrient interactions with a focus on mechanisms and biomarkers. This is followed by chapters, which detail specific gene-nutrient interactions, offering numerous examples supported by recent investigations. The final chapter looks to the future, considering the potential for further investigation by outlining new perspectives in this rapidly growing area of medical science. While this work is especially valuable to science investigators, it will also be of great interest to clinicians who manage cancer patients, in that it presents useful tools that advance the clinical value of gene-nutrient interaction research in medical nutrition and oncology.

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Mass Spectrometry (MS) has rapidly become an indispensable tool in polymer analysis, and modern MS today complements in many ways the structural data provided by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Infrared (IR) methods. Recent advances have sparked a growing interest in this field and established a need for a summary of progress made and results achieved.Mass Spectrometry of Polymers effectively fills this need. The discussion begins by introducing MS in detail, providing a historical perspective and a review of modern instrumentation and methods. The text then focuses on mathematical concepts and practical algorithms used in some of the major quantitative polymer applications of MS, providing a skillful prologue to polymer characterization techniques. Detailed chapters follow, describing the most relevant applications of MS to the analysis of polymers and the techniques currently employed.Authored by internationally recognized experts from academia and industry, Mass Spectrometry of Polymers is the only state-of-the-art work available that deals systematically with this rapidly emerging discipline, and will be useful to both novices and experienced practitioners in polymer MS.

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While unhealthy diet and sedentary behaviors are second only to smoking as the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S., less than 45 percent of adult and pediatric obese patients received any prior advice from a physician to lose weight. The low rate of identification and treatment of obesity by physicians can often be attributed to lack of awareness, lack of counseling skills, and the high rate of recidivism in overweight patients.A Clinical Guide for Management of Overweight and Obese Children and Adults addresses deficiencies in the identification, treatment, and management of obesity through a collection of monographs written by internationally recognized authorities. Designed for healthcare practitioners, this reference provides practical distinctions and recomendations for adult and pediatric obesity in a single volume. This clinical guide outlines the management of the obese patient from the preparation of office accommodations through the long road of maintained wellness. The editors offer evaluation and assessment strategies for the simply overweight patient to severe complex obesity with multiple comorbidities. It considers treatment modalities from lifestyle change to bariatric surgery, including exercise, diet, and pharmacotherapeutic remedies. The book highlights weight management through behavioral health considerations, the community support system, and other adjunctive therapies, as part of a comprehensive weight loss program. Taking in to consideration the holistic methods incorporated in the new discipline of obesity medicine, A Clinical Guide for Management of Overweight and Obese Children and Adults reviews the state-of-the-art management of this burgeoning “disease” epidemic.

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Grid computing is an emerging technology designed for high-powered applications. Grid Application Systems Design shows how to unleash the high performance of Grid technology. It begins by delving into the history and theory of grid computing, providing background on the concepts, terminology, and issues surrounding it. The book then examines design issues inherent in using Grid technology and a highly distributed computing model. These issues include data updating, data retrieval, concurrency, maintenance, and security concerns. The book also takes an in-depth look at the advantages of migrating toward this new computing architecture and the possibilities it holds for users. The author addresses such issues as high capacity bandwidth and interconnection requirements that relate to managers and administrators. Lastly, the book explores the design decisions, issues, and opportunities that must be tackled by the designer, the developer, and the data administrator involved in creating applications for this new paradigm.

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Software Requirements: Encapsulation, Quality, and Reuse describes how to make requirements easy to change by using encapsulation. It introduces the Freedom methodology that shows how to encapsulate requirements thereby promoting reuse and quality. Encapsulating requirements reduces software life cycle costs by making requirements and the code that implements them more adaptable to changing technology and business needs. The book examines the definition of requirements and explains how they can be encapsulated within software so developers, software engineers, and analysts better understand the requirements used to create software. With the theoretical underpinnings established, the book provides an overview of the Freedom methodology and details the individual tasks of the methodology in a "how-to" fashion, explaining relevant terminology, recording notations, and more. It also shows how the Freedom requirements methodology can be used as a part of any overall software development methodology.

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