Search results for ""Taylor Francis Inc""

This book details most common statistical process control tools with many examples for high-volume production. It aims to make elements of high-volume production process control simple and easy to understand. It lets you thoroughly understand process controls instead of blindly trusting software tools that operate as black boxes. If you are dealing with high-volume production as an operator, line supervisor, inspector, process engineer, quality engineer, manufacturing manager, plant manager, or president of the company, you have to understand the statistical process control basics explained in this book in order to be successful.

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A follow-up to the experimental and instrumental aspects described in Basic Principles of Analytical Ultracentrifugation, the volume Sedimentation Velocity Analytical Ultracentrifugation: Discrete Species and Size-Distributions of Macromolecules and Particles describes the theory and practice of data analysis. Mathematical models for the sedimentation process and the evolution of detected signals are developed in a comprehensive framework, jointly with the description of current and historical strategies for how to extract from noisy experimental data the physical parameters of interest, such as size, mass, and shape, composition, and polydispersity of sedimenting particles. The methods are extensively illustrated, and supported with practical applications, as well as cross-references where to find the methods in the public domain software SEDFIT and SEDPHAT. The systems covered are discrete or polydisperse mixtures of sedimenting molecules or particles in dilute solution, such as proteins and other biomolecules and their stable complexes, man-made polymers, and nanoparticles, observed in different optical systems. A useful reference for researchers and graduate students of macromolecular disciplines, these methods form the essential foundation for the analysis of dynamic interacting systems, which are covered in the volume Sedimentation Velocity Analytical Ultracentrifugation: Interacting Systems. Software referenced in the book is available for download at: https://sedfitsedphat.nibib.nih.gov/default.aspx

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Computer Network Simulations Using NS2 provides a solid foundation of computer networking knowledge and skills, covering everything from simple operating system commands to the analysis of complex network performance metrics.The book begins with a discussion of the evolution of data communication techniques and the fundamental issues associated with performance evaluation. After presenting a preliminary overview of simulation and other performance evaluation techniques, the authors: Describe a number of computer network protocols and TCP/IP and OSI models, highlighting the networking devices used Explain a socket and its use in network programming, fostering the development of network applications using C and socket API Introduce the NS2 network simulator, exhibiting its internal architecture, constituent software packages, and installation in different operating systems Delve into simulation using NS2, elaborating on the use of Tcl and OTcl scripts as well as AWK scripting and plotting with Gnuplot Show how to simulate wired and wireless network protocols step by step, layer by layer Explore the idea of simulating very large networks, identifying the challenges associated with measuring and graphing the various network parameters Include nearly 90 example programs, scripts, and outputs, along with several exercises requiring application of the theory and programming Computer Network Simulations Using NS2 emphasizes the implementation and simulation of real-world computer network protocols, affording readers with valuable opportunities for hands-on practice while instilling a deeper understanding of how computer network protocols work.

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During the last decade, there has been a great deal of interest in TFETs. To the best authors’ knowledge, no book on TFETs currently exists. The proposed book provides readers with fundamental understanding of the TFETs. It explains the interesting characteristics of the TFETs, pointing to their strengths and weaknesses, and describes the novel techniques that can be employed to overcome these weaknesses and improve their characteristics. Different tradeoffs that can be made in designing TFETs have also been highlighted. Further, the book provides simulation example files of TFETs that could be run using a commercial device simulator.

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Senior investigators internationally have here collaborated to produce an international reference work. Each contributor provides critical and thought provoking concepts and ideas based on the latest developments in their field. The result is a must read and timely reference work for investigators who are interested in how spermatogenesis is currently understood and which are the most promising avenues for future research; an Introduction sets the context for the chapter and points out the relevance of the research for basic research scientists and clinicians.

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Visual Tracking in Conventional Minimally Invasive Surgery introduces the various tools and methodologies that can be used to enhance a conventional surgical setup with some degree of automation. The main focus of this book is on methods for tracking surgical tools and how they can be used to assist the surgeon during the surgical operation. Various notions associated with surgeon–computer interfaces and image-guided navigation are explored, with a range of experimental results.The book starts with some basic motivations for minimally invasive surgery and states the various distinctions between robotic and non-robotic (conventional) versions of this procedure. Common components of this type of operation are presented with a review of the literature addressing the automation aspects of such a setup. Examples of tracking results are shown for both motion and gesture recognition of surgical tools, which can be used as part of the surgeon–computer interface. In the case of marker-less tracking, where no special visual markers can be added to the surgical tools, the tracking results are divided into two types of methodology, depending on the nature and the estimate of the visual noise. Details of the tracking methods are presented using standard Kalman filters and particle filters.The last part of the book provides approaches for tracking a region on the surgical scene defined by the surgeon. Examples of how these tracking approaches can be used as part of image-guided navigation are demonstrated. This book is designed for control engineers interested in visual tracking, computer vision researchers and system designers involved with surgical automation, as well as surgeons, biomedical engineers, and robotic researchers.

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Recently, many books on multiobjective programming have been published. However, only a few books have been published, in which multiobjective programming under the randomness and the fuzziness are investigated. On the other hand, several books on multilevel programming have been published, in which multiple decision makers are involved in hierarchical decision situations. In this book, we introduce the latest advances in the field of multiobjective programming and multilevel programming under uncertainty. The reader can immediately use proposed methods to solve multiobjective programming and multilevel programming, which are based on linear programming or convex programming technique. Organization of each capter is summarized as follows. In Chapter 2, multiobjective programming problems with random variables are formulated, and the corresponding interactive algorithms are developed to obtain a satisfactory solution, in which the fuzziness of human's subjective judgment for permission levels are considered. In Chapter 3, multiobjective programming problems with fuzzy random variables are formulated, and the corresponding interactive algorithms are developed to obtain a satisfactory solution, in which not only the uncertainty of fuzzy random variables but also the fuzziness of human's subjective judgment for permission levels are considered. In Chapter 4, multiobjective multilevel programming is discussed, and the interactive algorithms are developed to obtain a satisfactory solution, in which the hierarchical decision structure of multiple decision makers is reflected. In Chapter 5, two kinds of farm planning problems are solved by applying the proposed method, in which cost coefficients of crops are expressed by random variables.

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Explore a Kinetic Approach to the Description of Nucleation – An Alternative to the Classical Nucleation TheoryKinetic Theory of Nucleation presents an alternative to the classical theory of nucleation in gases and liquids—the kinetic nucleation theory of Ruckenstein–Narsimhan–Nowakowski (RNNT). RNNT uses the kinetic theory of fluids to calculate the rate of evaporation of molecules from clusters, and unlike the classical nucleation theory (CNT), does not require macroscopic thermodynamics or the detailed balance principle. The book compares the rates of evaporation of molecules from—and condensation on—the surface of a nucleus of a new phase, and explains how this alternate approach can provide much higher nucleation rates than the CNT. It applies RNNT to various case studies that include the liquid-to-solid and vapor-to-liquid phase transitions, binary nucleation, heterogeneous nucleation, nucleation on soluble particles and protein folding. It also describes the system, introduces the basic equations of the kinetic theory, and defines a new model for the nucleation mechanism of protein folding.Adaptable to coursework as well as self-study, this insightful book: Uses a kinetic approach to calculate the rate of growth and decay of a cluster Includes description of vapor-to-liquid and liquid-to-solid nucleation Outlines the application of density-functional theory (DFT) methods to nucleation Proposes the combination of the new kinetic theory of nucleation with the DFT methods Illustrates the new theory with numerical calculations Describes the model for the nucleation mechanism of protein folding, and more A comprehensive guide dedicated to the kinetic theory of nucleation and cluster growth, Kinetic Theory of Nucleation emphasizes the basic concepts of the kinetic nucleation theory, incorporates findings developed from years of research and experience, and is written by highly-regarded experts.

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Around the World, metal pollution is a major problem. Conventional practices of toxic metal removal can be ineffective and/or expensive, delaying and exacerbating the crisis. Those communities dealing with contamination must be aware of the fundamentals advances of microbe-mediated metal removal practices because these methods can be easily used and require less remedial intervention. This book describes innovations and efficient applications for metal bioremediation for environments polluted by metal contaminates.

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As the global climate shifts, communities are faced with a myriad of mitigation and adaptation challenges. These highlight the political, cultural, economic, social, and physical vulnerability of social groups, communities, families, and individuals. They also foster resilience and creative responses. Research in hazard management, humanitarian response, food security programming, and other areas seeks to identify and understand factors that create vulnerability and strategies that enhance resilience at all levels of social organization. This book uses case studies from around the globe to demonstrate ways that communities have fostered resilience to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

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Many cities, towns, and municipalities across the United States have criminal organizations operating within their jurisdictions. This book gives the investigator a guide to probing, evaluating, and analyzing local criminal organizations, with the goal of disrupting and dismantling criminal operations. Subjects covered include investigative field techniques, identification of enterprise vulnerabilities, and an in-depth look into FBI task forces. Intended for law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals, Criminal Enterprise Investigation provides readers with a critical "how to" guide to overcoming criminal enterprise in their communities. Features: Provides step-by-step guide to dismantling criminal organizations Includes real-life examples of successful investigations Covers a wide range of criminal groups, including domestic terrorists, drug cartels, gangs, white-collar criminals, and robbery and extortion rings For those working to combat criminal organizations, this book is an essential guide to best practices. Criminal Enterprise Investigation provides the theory, techniques, and real-world examples necessary to overcome criminal activity for those of any level of expertise, from seasoned criminal justice professionals to those just beginning their careers.

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As the shale revolution continues in North America, unconventional resource markets are emerging on every continent. In the next eight to ten years, more than 100,000 wells and one- to two-million hydraulic fracturing stages could be executed, resulting in close to one trillion dollars in industry spending. This growth has prompted professionals experienced in conventional oil and gas exploitation and development to acquire practical knowledge of the unconventional realm.Unconventional Oil and Gas Resources: Exploitation and Development provides a comprehensive understanding of the latest advances in the exploitation and development of unconventional resources. With an emphasis on shale, this book: Addresses all aspects of the exploitation and development process, from data mining and accounting to drilling, completion, stimulation, production, and environmental issues Offers in-depth coverage of sub-surface measurements (geological, geophysical, petrophysical, geochemical, and geomechanical) and their interpretation Discusses the use of microseismic, fiber optic, and tracer reservoir monitoring technologies and JewelSuite™ reservoir modeling software Presents the viewpoints of internationally respected experts and researchers from leading exploration and production (E&P) companies and academic institutions Explores future trends in reservoir technologies for unconventional resources development Unconventional Oil and Gas Resources: Exploitation and Development aids geologists, geophysicists, petrophysicists, geomechanic specialists, and drilling, completion, stimulation, production, and reservoir engineers in the environmentally safe exploitation and development of unconventional resources like shale.

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Those tasked with investigating death scenes come from a variety of backgrounds and varying levels of experience. Whether a homicide detective, crime scene investigator, medico-legal death investigator, coroner or medical examiner, Death Scene Investigation: Procedural Guide, Second Edition provides the investigator best-practice techniques and procedures for almost any death scene imaginable, including for deaths occurring even under the most unusual of circumstances.This Second Edition is fully updated to include new coverage on shallow graves, human remains at crime scenes, poisonings, expanded coverage of projectile weapons, videography, touch DNA, death notifications, and a newly added chapter dedicated to sexual deaths. In addition, the book serves as an on-scene ready reference which includes instructions on procedure including the initial notification of a death, processing the scene and body, the investigator's role at autopsy, and analyzing the scene indicators to place evidence into context.Topics discussed include: Initial response and scene evaluation Death scene management including documentation, sketching, photography, videography, observations, and search procedures A special death investigation matrix that walks the investigator though a decision tree to help in ambiguous deaths Contains discussion of all manners of death, including accident, suicide, natural and homicide Coverage of recovery of human remains from open field, aquatic, and buried sites including estimating the time of death. Wound dynamics and mechanisms of injury that covers asphyxiation, sharp and blunt force trauma, chopping injuries; handgun, rifle, and shotgun wounds, electrical injuries, and more The bulleted format and spiral binding allows for easy use and reference in the field with sections that are self-contained and cross-referenced for quick searches. With its thorough and detailed approach, Death Scene Investigation, Second Edition will be a must-have addition to any crime scene and death investigator’s tool kit.

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This book is a bridge between ecological paradigms – organismal/community approaches to food web dynamics and ecosystem-level approaches to production. The unification of organismal, community, and ecosystem approaches in ecology is emerging due to the growing availability of new techniques for assessing trophic interactions and their implications for ecosystems. Trophic Ecology is a formal text for both newcomers to the discipline as well as seasoned professionals looking for new ideas and refreshers on old topics. A wide range of topics are explained including autotrophy, heterotrophy, omnivory, decomposition, foraging behavior and theory, trophic cascades, bioenergetics, and production. The audience is upper-level undergraduate students and entry-level graduate students interested in autecological, organismal approaches to ecology, community and ecosystem ecology. It is also a reference text for instructors teaching upper-division courses, providing examples from the literature, quantitative approaches to teach, and new hypotheses yet to be fully tested by ecologists.

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This book presents a unified algebraic approach to stabilization problems of linear boundary control systems with no assumption on finite-dimensional approximations to the original systems, such as the existence of the associated Riesz basis. A new proof of the stabilization result for linear systems of finite dimension is also presented, leading to an explicit design of the feedback scheme. The problem of output stabilization is discussed, and some interesting results are developed when the observability or the controllability conditions are not satisfied.

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For Future Leaders in Safety and EngineeringYou’ve chosen to become a leader in occupational health and safety. Practical Leadership Skills for Safety Professionals and Project Engineers can show you how. Purposely oriented toward the art and science of leadership, this book is designed to provide insight and outline development techniques for the budding young professional. Aimed squarely at college students and early career professionals, it parallels the steps that a student or recent graduate needs to take (from pre-professional to professional); it moves the reader from the classroom and then on through to early managerial years. The book covers basic office protocol and etiquette, understanding diversity and cultural nuance, and ethical considerations, and addresses most ABET-accredited engineering and safety programs with similar curricula. It also considers special cases that include toxic leadership; environmental stressors; increasing resilience; gender issues; international nuance; experiential training; and "depleted" leader development environments where upper management doesn’t seem to care. In addition, the author introduces stories, accumulated wisdom, and anecdotes from his own experience, balanced by supported research and data on outcomes.Part empirical, part anecdotal, this book: Cites current social and psychological work on leadership and professional development References industry‐related leader development research Breaks down what being a "professional" means; codes of ethics; dilemmas; case studies Explores leadership in the crisis and non‐crisis modes Offers help with identifying and fighting toxic leadership, and more Designed for both coursework and reference, Practical Leadership Skills for Safety Professionals and Project Engineers contains published research combined with the author’s own industry experience. This book provides a blueprint for the undergraduate or early‐career professional in occupational health and safety, industrial hygiene, safety management, and related industries.

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Research studies demonstrate diet and proper nutrition in conjunction with cognitive, mental, social, and physical activities can significantly help in improving brain health with advancing age, and potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline. These studies of phytopharmaceuticals and medicinal plants, demonstrate the efficacy of Huperzine A, berry anthocyanins, trans-resveratrol, Ginkgo biloba, Bacopa monniera, Centella asiatica, tocotrienols, and palm oil in boosting brain health and physical well-being. In addition, consumption of marine fishes and general seafood is recommended for long-term nutritional intervention to preserve mental health, hinder neurodegenerative processes, and sustain cognitive capacities in humans. Omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, n-3/n-6 PUFAs, flavonoids, and antioxidants prevent the initiation and progression of many neurological disorders.This book is a comprehensive review of phytopharmaceuticals impacting brain health with emphasis on diverse applications in food and nutrition sciences, biomedicine, neurology and other scientific and medical fields. It details available methods and contains numerous references making this the perfect guide for scientists who want to explore the fascinating world of phytopharmaceuticals with relation to brain health.Phytopharmaceuticals for Brain Health appeals to a diverse range of readers in industry, medical doctors, research and academia, including biologists, biochemists, food scientists, nutritionists and health professionals. Overall, this book brings a classic scenario of neurological problems to possible amelioration using novel nutraceuticals and functional foods.

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Maintaining the substance that made Introduction to the Thermodynamic of Materials a perennial best seller for decades, this Sixth Edition is updated to reflect the broadening field of materials science and engineering. The new edition is reorganized into three major sections to align the book for practical coursework, with the first (Thermodynamic Principles) and second (Phase Equilibria) sections aimed at use in a one semester undergraduate course. The third section (Reactions and Transformations) can be used in other courses of the curriculum that deal with oxidation, energy, and phase transformations. The book is updated to include the role of work terms other than PV work (e.g., magnetic work) along with their attendant aspects of entropy, Maxwell equations, and the role of such applied fields on phase diagrams. There is also an increased emphasis on the thermodynamics of phase transformations and the Sixth Edition features an entirely new chapter 15 that links specific thermodynamic applications to the study of phase transformations. The book also features more than 50 new end of chapter problems and more than 50 new figures.

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This concise illustrated volume presents a pictorial guide to human anatomy through the meticulous dissections of Bari Logan, assembled during his long career as a distinguished prosector, and representing an unrivalled collection of superb photographic images. Illustrations are fully labelled, and accompanied by brief clinical notes to provide additional guidance for the student. Material covering anatomical preparation and cadaver preservation, orientation and planes of section, the bones, muscles and cranial nerves and an extensive glossary provides supplemental detail. The book will be a convenient photographic companion to all core textbooks of anatomy and ideal during exam preparation.

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Using the authors many years of experience in emergency services and his skills as a hazardous materials consultant, prepares the first responder to handle everything from re-establishing control and on-scene triage to investigating the crime. Including information on pre-incident and avoidance tactics, the author also discusses monitoring and detection techniques, protective equipment and decontamination, and an extensive list of resource organizations and training opportunities. This up-to-date 3rd edition is written to provide concise information for emergency responders who might be called upon to confront explosive, chemical, nuclear, biological, or incendiary acts of terrorism.

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Regulatory affairs and pharmacological drug safety issues of Ayurvedic medicine has been overlooked by practitioners for many years. Research in Ayurveda is now a world-wide phenomenon, and several large pharmaceutical corporations are investing money for novel drug discovery from Ayurvedic sources. This book examines the regulatory and pharmacological aspects and includes extensive data on scientific evaluation carried out on Ayurvedic formulations. It will also serve as a reference book on standardization, pre-clinical studies, and clinical and toxicological studies on Ayurvedic formulations.

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DNA Nanoscience: From Prebiotic Origins to Emerging Nanotechnology melds two tales of DNA. One is a look at the first 35 years of DNA nanotechnology to better appreciate what lies ahead in this emerging field. The other story looks back 4 billion years to the possible origins of DNA which are shrouded in mystery. The book is divided into three parts comprised of 15 chapters and two Brief Interludes.Part I includes subjects underpinning the book such as a primer on DNA, the broader discipline of nanoscience, and experimental tools used by the principals in the narrative. Part II examines the field of structural DNA nanotechnology, founded by biochemist/crystallographer Nadrian Seeman, that uses DNA as a construction material for nanoscale structures and devices, rather than as a genetic material. Part III looks at the work of physicists Noel Clark and Tommaso Bellini who found that short DNA (nanoDNA) forms liquid crystals that act as a structural gatekeeper, orchestrating a series of self-assembly processes using nanoDNA. This led to an explanation of the polymeric structure of DNA and of how life may have emerged from the prebiotic clutter.

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Interventional cardiology refers to the catheter-based treatment of cardiovascular diseases and is one of the fastest growing fields in medicine. This updated text addresses recent advances in structural heart interventions, in particular aortic and mitral valve procedures. The advent of newer technologies presents both opportunities and challenges for the cardiologist to treat patients optimally. Interventional cardiologists are now at the forefront of peripheral and structural heart interventions.This new edition focuses on tailoring treatment to individual patients, taking into account specific risk factors and comorbidities, and appropriate use of devices. This second edition also provides useful tools, such as treatment algorithms, evidence tables, charts, tables, and illustrations to enhance the value of this volume as a practical reference tool. The online edition also includes several "how-to" videos.

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Injuries cause more than half of all childhood deaths and a large proportion of pediatric trauma care is provided by non-pediatric specialists. This book provides an update of current practice, backed by evidence-based recommendations, in four sections: 1) Trauma systems for children, including epidemiology, organization of pediatric trauma care, disaster planning and systems for mass pediatric casualties and community injury prevention programs. 2) General principles of resuscitation and supportive care. 3) Specific injuries commonly seen in children, including from child abuse. 4) Rehabilitation, communication, long-term outcomes and performance improvement methods to monitor outcomes.

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The book provides a comprehensive guide to vehicular social networks. The book focuses on a new class of mobile ad hoc networks that exploits social aspects applied to vehicular environments. Selected topics are related to social networking techniques, social-based routing techniques applied to vehicular networks, data dissemination in VSNs, architectures for VSNs, and novel trends and challenges in VSNs. It provides significant technical and practical insights in different aspects from a basic background on social networking, the inter-related technologies and applications to vehicular ad-hoc networks, the technical challenges, implementation and future trends.

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Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic diseases of long duration and generally slow progression, including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes. Morbidity and mortality due to non-communicable disease has risen tremendously over the years globally. Healthful Eating As Lifestyle (HEAL): Integrative Prevention for Non-Communicable Diseases highlights the importance of HEAL as an intervention for the prevention and cure of NCDs, as well as the prevention and treatment of its risk factors like hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, increased alcohol intake, and insufficient physical activity. It provides motivational strategies for users of all ages, gender, and strata for healthful eating, both in developed and developing countries.The book is composed of evidence-based information and illustrations by 32 experts, including renowned researchers from academia, government, and non-governmental organizations in the field of NCDs and nutrition from 11 countries across five continents. Furthermore, the book discusses the dose-response relationship of healthful food with NCDs and its risk factor. It also includes nutritional home remedies for prevention and control of NCDs along with safety concerns and case studies at the end of all chapters for translating theory into practice.

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Space weather is one of the most significant natural hazards to human life and health. Conditions of the sun and in the solar wind, magnetosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere can influence the performance and reliability of space-borne and ground-based technological systems. If conditions in the space environment are adverse, they can cause disruption of satellite operations, communications, navigation, and electric power distribution grids, leading to a variety of socioeconomic losses. This book provides an overview of our current knowledge and theoretical understanding of space weather formation and covers all major topics of this phenomena, from the sun to the Earth’s ionosphere and thermosphere, thus providing a fully updated review of this rapidly advancing field. The book brings together an outstanding team of internationally recognised contributors to cover topics such as solar wind, the earth's magnetic field, radiation belts, the aurora, spacecraft charging, orbital drag and GPS.

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This book explores the numerical algorithms underpinning modern finite element based computational mechanics software. It covers all the major numerical methods that are used in computational mechanics. It reviews the basic concepts in linear algebra and advanced matrix theory, before covering solution of systems of equations, symmetric eigenvalue solution methods, and direct integration of discrete dynamic equations of motion, illustrated with numerical examples. This book suits a graduate course in mechanics based disciplines, and will help software developers in computational mechanics. Increased understanding of the underlying numerical methods will also help practicing engineers to use the computational mechanics software more effectively.

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Understand the Strategic Behavior in Queueing SystemsRational Queueing provides one of the first unified accounts of the dynamic aspects involved in the strategic behavior in queues. It explores the performance of queueing systems where multiple agents, such as customers, servers, and central managers, all act but often in a noncooperative manner.The book first addresses observable queues and models that assume state-dependent behavior. It then discusses other types of information in queueing systems and compares observable and unobservable variations and incentives for information disclosure. The next several chapters present relevant models for the maximization of individual utilities, social welfare, and profits. After covering queueing networks, from simple parallel servers to general network structures, the author describes models for planned vacations and forced vacations (such as breakdowns). Focusing on supply chain models, he then shows how agents of these models may have different goals yet they all profit when the system operates efficiently. The final chapter allows bounded rationality by lowering the assumption of fully rational agents.

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Surface Phenomena in the Structural and Mechanical Behaviour of Solid Polymers explores the role of various surface phenomena in the structural and mechanical behaviour of amorphous and semicrystalline polymers. This book: Discusses the development of the interfacial surface in the deformation of polymers Examines the healing of interfacial surfaces in polymers Inspects the structure and properties of polymers in thin films and surface layers Evaluates the mechanism of inelastic deformation in glassy amorphous polymers Investigates strain softening and the phenomena taking place upon deformation of polymers in active liquid media Covers the Rehbinder effect, or the adsorption reduction of the strength of solids Describes the properties of polymers in environmental or solvent crazing Analyses the interaction of the highly developed surface of crazed polymers with diverse low- and high-molecular mass components Addresses the instability and self-organisation of surface layers in polymers and diverse polymer systems Presents theoretical speculations concerning the structurally mechanical behaviour of ‘a rigid coating on a soft substratum’ (RCSS) systems Assesses the stress–strain properties of the thin surface layers of polymers and the nanometric coatings deposited on their surfaces Highlights the efficacy of the approaches developed for RCSS systems for the analysis and description of natural phenomena Details the applied aspects of surface phenomena in the structurally mechanical behaviour of polymers Thus, Surface Phenomena in the Structural and Mechanical Behaviour of Solid Polymers provides a useful framework for the development of new and innovative polymer-based materials.

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While many health care organizations need to improve health care quality and lower costs, most lack specific strategies and tactics for implementing these changes. Baylor Scott & White Health has established and continues to develop an accountable care organization (ACO) called the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance (BSWQA) to improve the quality of care and decrease health care costs through clinical integration.Accountable: The Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance Accountable Care Journey tells the story of the BSWQA and its clinical network and payers who are committed to delivering accountable, value-based patient care. It describes the need for ACOs in today's health care environment and details the framework and requirements needed to establish one.The book provides readers with essential background information about accountable care, including the Triple Aim and population health management. It outlines the infrastructure and governance framework needed to establish a successful ACO and supplies real-world examples from the ACO owned by Baylor Scott & White Health, the largest not-for-profit health care system in Texas.The book explores the concept of accountability for all stakeholders in today’s complex care systems, as well as the role of personal and organizational accountability in managing patient populations. It also includes detailed outlines to guide you in developing your own accountable care organization—from step-by-step details of legal requirements to an outline of the role of payers in this model.

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Polycrystalline silicon (commonly called "polysilicon") is the material of choice for photovoltaic (PV) applications. Polysilicon is the purest synthetic material on the market, though its processing through gas purification and decomposition (commonly called "Siemens" process) carries high environmental risk. While many current optoelectronic applications require high purity, PV applications do not and therefore alternate processes and materials are being explored for PV grade silicon. Solar Silicon Processes: Technologies, Challenges, and Opportunities reviews current and potential future processing technologies for PV applications of solar silicon. It describes alternative processes and issues of material purity, cost, and environmental impact. It covers limits of silicon use with respect to high-efficiency solar cells and challenges arising from R&D activities. The book also defines purity requirements and purification processes of metallurgical grade silicon (MG-Si) and examines production of solar grade silicon by novel processes directly from MG-Si and/or by decomposition of silane gas in a fluidized bed reactor (FBR). Furthermore, the book: Analyzes past research and industrial development of low-cost silicon processes in view of understanding future trends in this field. Discusses challenges and probability of success of various solar silicon processes. Covers processes that are more environmentally sensitive. Describes limits of silicon use with respect to high-efficiency solar cells and challenges arising from R&D activities. Defines purity requirements and purification processes of MG-Si. Examines production of solar grade silicon directly from MG-Si.

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This book focuses on the role of modeling in the design of alloys and intermetallic compounds. It includes an introduction to the most important and most used modeling techniques, such as CALPHAD and ab-initio methods, as well as a section devoted to the latest developments in applications of alloys. The book emphasizes the correlation between modeling and technological developments while discussing topics such as wettability of Ultra High Temperature Ceramics by metals, active brazing of diamonds to metals in cutting tools, surface issues in medicine, novel Fe-based superconductors, metallic glasses, high entropy alloys, and thermoelectric materials.

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This handbook addresses the development of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly solid-state light sources, in particular semiconductor light emitting diodes (LEDs) and other solid-state lighting devices. It reflects the vast growth of this field and impacts in diverse industries, from lighting to communications, biotechnology, imaging, and medicine. The chapters include coverage of nanoscale processing, fabrication of LEDs, light diodes, photodetectors and nanodevices, characterization techniques, application, and recent advances. Readers will obtain an understanding of the key properties of solid-state lighting and LED devices, an overview of current technologies, and appreciation for the challenges remaining. The handbook will be useful to material growers and evaluators, device design and processing engineers, newcomers, students, and professionals in the field.

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The large quantity of waste generated from agricultural and food production remains a great challenge and an opportunity for the food industry. As there are numerous risks associated with waste for humans, animals and the environment, billions of dollars are spent on the treatment of agricultural and food waste. Therefore, the utilisation of bioactive compounds isolated from waste not only could reduce the risks and the costs for treatment of waste, but also could potentially add more value for agricultural and food production.This book provides comprehensive information related to extraction and isolation of bioactive compounds from agricultural and food production waste for utilisation in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The topics range from an overview on challenges and opportunities related to agricultural and food waste, the bioactive compounds in the waste, the techniques used to analyse, extract and isolate these compounds to several specific examples for potential utilisation of waste from agricultural and food industry.This book also further discusses the potential of bioactives isolated from agricultural and food waste being re-utilised in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. It is intended for students, academics, researchers and professionals who are interested in or associated with agricultural and food waste.

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This textbook presents methodologies and applications associated with multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA), especially for those students with an interest in industrial engineering. With respect to methodology, the book covers (1) problem structuring methods; (2) methods for ranking multi-dimensional deterministic outcomes including multiattribute value theory, the analytic hierarchy process, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), and outranking techniques; (3) goal programming,; (4) methods for describing preference structures over single and multi-dimensional probabilistic outcomes (e.g., utility functions); (5) decision trees and influence diagrams; (6) methods for determining input probability distributions for decision trees, influence diagrams, and general simulation models; and (7) the use of simulation modeling for decision analysis.This textbook also offers:· Easy to follow descriptions of how to apply a wide variety of MCDA techniques· Specific examples involving multiple objectives and/or uncertainty/risk of interest to industrial engineers· A section on outranking techniques ; this group of techniques, which is popular in Europe, is very rarely mentioned as a methodology for MCDA in the United States· A chapter on simulation as a useful tool for MCDA, including ranking & selection procedures. Such material is rarely covered in courses in decision analysis· Both material review questions and problems at the end of each chapter . Solutions to the exercises are found in the Solutions Manual which will be provided along with PowerPoint slides for each chapter.The methodologies are demonstrated through the use of applications of interest to industrial engineers, including those involving product mix optimization, supplier selection, distribution center location and transportation planning, resource allocation and scheduling of a medical clinic, staffing of a call center, quality control, project management, production and inventory control,and so on. Specifically, industrial engineering problems are structured as classical problems in multiple criteria decision analysis, and the relevant methodologies are demonstrated.

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A hybrid methodology, Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is designed to accommodate global challenges and constraints by capitalizing on Six Sigma and Lean Thinking. LSS incorporates best practices from programs such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Capability Maturity Model, and Total Quality Management.International Lean Six Sigma practitioners must understand the dynamics of LSS, along with its cultural aspects and regulations. Lean Six Sigma: International Standards and Global Guidelines, Second Edition provides this understanding.The book assumes that the overall goal of operational excellence is to ensure that organizational tasks and activities are being performed to the best of their process capabilities. It defines continuous improvement as activities that support and empower environments to make flexible decisions that lead to ongoing improvement and effectiveness. Coverage includes: New global LSS standards International implementation of process improvement programs New international LSS applications International Lean Six Sigma areas of competency The book defines many of the terms popularized by process improvement programs, such as center of excellence and business transformation. It documents these practices and explains how to perform future activities in accordance with the recorded practices. Exploring international approaches to Lean Six Sigma, it details the new ISO Standard for Six Sigma and also addresses the role of project management in LSS. Illustrating the synergies between Lean and Six Sigma and how they partner with other process improvement programs and initiatives, this book is an ideal study guide for those preparing to take the LSS Black Belt certification exam.

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Commercial development of energy from renewables and nuclear is critical to long-term industry and environmental goals. However, it will take time for them to economically compete with existing fossil fuel energy resources and their infrastructures. Gas fuels play an important role during and beyond this transition away from fossil fuel dominance to a balanced approach to fossil, nuclear, and renewable energies. Chemical Energy from Natural and Synthetic Gas illustrates this point by examining the many roles of natural and synthetic gas in the energy and fuel industry, addressing it as both a "transition" and "end game" fuel. The book describes various types of gaseous fuels and how are they are recovered, purified, and converted to liquid fuels and electricity generation and used for other static and mobile applications. It emphasizes methane, syngas, and hydrogen as fuels, although other volatile hydrocarbons are considered. It also covers storage and transportation infrastructure for natural gas and hydrogen and methods and processes for cleaning and reforming synthetic gas. The book also deals applications, such as the use of natural gas in power production in power plants, engines, turbines, and vehicle needs. Presents a unified and collective look at gas in the energy and fuel industry, addressing it as both a "transition" and "end game" fuel. Emphasizes methane, syngas, and hydrogen as fuels. Covers gas storage and transport infrastructure. Discusses thermal gasification, gas reforming, processing, purification and upgrading. Describes biogas and bio-hydrogen production. Deals with the use of natural gas in power production in power plants, engines, turbines, and vehicle needs.

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The book provides comprehensive information on a wide range of topics from biology, physiology, genetics to the use of genomic tools in weed science. The book covers information at a more advanced level than the previously published books in weed science. It covers not only weed genetics and genomics research, but also weed management from an ecological perspective. Furthermore, the book also gives a broad coverage of novel mechanisms of weed resistance to herbicides. More importantly, it includes next generation sequencing techniques and bioinformatics of herbicide resistant genes in weeds.

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Horticultural therapy has evolved from its use only by volunteer gardeners to become a recognized and respected therapeutic modality conducted by trained, registered professionals. Horticultural Therapy Methods is the first textbook to describe the processes and techniques used to provide horticultural therapy interventions and the rationale for their use. This book presents types of programs, settings, and goals in horticultural therapy. It outlines treatment planning; development of sessions to meet treatment objectives; motivation and behavior management techniques; documentation guidelines; practical approaches for wellness; and resources for activity ideas. New to this Edition: Various useful examples of horticultural therapy in practice and strategically placed tips and resources. Additions to appendix on horticultural therapy treatment strategies. New chapter on session planning. Thirty-seven photographs demonstrating horticultural therapy in practice. Additional "HT Practice" examples and tips. The book is used as a reference and a guide for students, educators, and those conducting horticultural therapy or therapeutic horticulture to guide them in constructing effective treatment programs. Health care and human service professionals use the reference in the therapy, treatment, and education of inmates, residents, patients, trainees, students, and other participants.

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Praise for the 1st Edition:"well written and up to date…. The problem sets at the end of each chapter reinforce and enhance the material presented, and may give students confidence in handling real-world problems." ―Optics & Photonics News"rigorous but simple description of a difficult field keeps the reader’s attention throughout…. serves perfectly for an introductory-level course." ―Physics TodayThis fully revised introduction enables the reader to understand and use the basic principles related to many phenomena in nonlinear optics and provides the mathematical tools necessary to solve application-relevant problems. The book is a pedagogical guide aimed at a diverse audience including engineers, physicists, and chemists who want a tiered approach to understanding nonlinear optics. The material is augmented by numerous problems, with many requiring the reader to perform real-world calculations for a range of fields, from optical communications to remote sensing and quantum information. Analytical solutions of equations are covered in detail and numerical approaches to solving problems are explained and demonstrated. The second edition expands the earlier treatment and includes: A new chapter on quantum nonlinear optics. Thorough treatment of parametric optical processes covering birefringence, tolerances and beam optimization to design and build high conversion efficiency devices. Treatment of numerical methods to solving sets of complex nonlinear equations. Many problems in each chapter to challenge reader comprehension. Extended treatment of four-wave mixing and solitons. Coverage of ultrafast pulse propagation including walk-off effects.

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With coverage that ranges from basic information to advanced research, Papaya: Biology, Cultivation, Production and Uses pulls together the vast literature scattered over various sources into one practical resource. The book provides a solid review of papaya biology, production, and uses supported by color photographs and illustrations. It covers papaya cultivation, botany, genetics, medicinal uses, unfruitfulness, plant protection, and physiological disorders for the first time in considerable detail.This textcomprises advanced information on agronomy, breeding, seed production technology, scientific crop management issues, and protected cultivation. It discusses papain, papaya products, source of drugs, important nutrients, anti-nutrients, and other commercial compounds produced and used for disease management. Additional background material on the production, processing, uses of papaya, considerations to be taken into account when assessing new varieties of papaya and constituents to be analyzed related to food and feed.Papaya is one of the most nutritious and medicinally important fruits of the tropical region. Scientific papaya cultivation and efficient use of resources hold the real key to providing fresh papaya produce and livelihood security to the masses of developing countries. Thus, the academic and practical knowledge about papaya production is essential to helping you formulate management practices for sustainable agricultural development.

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The ability to work with, and retrieve images, is vital to forensic and criminal case work. During a five-decade-long career, author John C. Russ has taught methods for image processing and measurement to thousands of students. Forensic Uses of Digital Imaging, Second Edition distills his classroom and workshop material to present the information most relevant to forensic science.Since the publication of the first edition, there have been many significant changes in technology that have revolutionized the ways digital images are used in forensic investigations. Fully updated, the second edition: Covers the widespread advancements of digital imaging photography and processing Discusses the increased power, storage capacity, and use of digital cameras, laptop computers, tablets, and cell phones in forensic science Gives real-world examples to illustrate comparisons between different processing options Includes hundreds of full-color images that demonstrate technologies and techniques Addresses issues of admissibility of forensic investigation results under Frye and Daubert rules Provides guidelines and suggestions for effectively presenting and explaining results Forensic Uses of Digital Imaging, Second Edition explains concepts with minimal jargon, and the methods and tools described in this book can be implemented in a broad spectrum of available computer programs. By demonstrating how these methods can be applied to a variety of images, this book helps readers develop the ability to understand when and how specific techniques should be used. It will be of particular use in casework for practicing photography and imaging police and forensic professionals who need to verify and explain both interpretations and processes to legal professionals, judges, and juries.

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This book covers Munchausen and Munchausen by Proxy (MBP) though the terms have recently changed. The 2013 DSM-V—the update to the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) diagnostic and classification tool—has classified both Munchausen and MBP as "Factitious Systematic Abuse." While thought to have occurred primarily with children and their caregivers, recent research shows a more widespread problem: such medical abuse to spouses, the disabled, the elderly—even pets. Many involve repeat and long-term instances of hospital and medical fraud. This book covers the syndrome itself, interviewing and investigative aspects, victimology, as well indicators in the event of homicide and death.

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Because they meet the needs of today’s consumers, fresh-cut plant products are currently one of the hottest commodities in the food market of industrialized countries. However, fresh-cut produce deteriorates faster than the correspondent intact produce. The main purpose of Fresh-Cut Fruits and Vegetables: Technology, Physiology, and Safety is to provide helpful guidelines to the industry for minimizing deterioration, keeping the overall quality, and lengthening the shelf life. It provides an integrated and interdisciplinary approach for accomplishing the challenges, where raw materials, handling, minimal processing, packaging, commercial distribution, and retail sale must be well managed. It covers technology, physiology, quality, and safety of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. In this book, the chapters follow a logical sequence analyzing most of the important factors affecting the main characteristics of fresh-cut horticultural products. The most relevant technologies to prevent deterioration and improve final overall quality of fresh-cut commodities are described in detail. This book covers the basics of the subject from quality preservation, nutritional losses, physiology, and safety to industry-oriented advancements in sanitization, coatings, and packaging. It examines such novel preservation technologies as edible coatings, antimicrobial coatings, natural antimicrobials, gum arabic coatings, and pulsed light treatments. Minimal processing design and industrial equipment are also reviewed. With its international team of contributors, this book will be an essential reference work both for professionals involved in the postharvest handling of fresh-cut and minimally processed fruits and vegetables and for academic and researchers working in the area.

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There are many emergencies that the dermatologist needs to address and many cutaneous diseases in the emergency room that require rapid dermatologic consultation. The dermatologist is frequently the first physician to examine such patients before a hospital admission and also the first to identify a critical situation, stabilize the patient, and choose urgent and appropriate intervention. Both the practicing dermatologist and the emergency physician will benefit from the revised and updated edition of this text from top international dermatologists, enabling them to hone their diagnostic skills, expand their knowledge and understanding of pathologic events, and learn treatment options available for acute life-threatening skin diseases in this complicated and multifaceted field.

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Although batching often appears more efficient than one-piece flow for individual tasks, the practice creates waste for other parts of the organization that more than offset its perceived benefits. A silent productivity killer, batching is an extremely difficult mindset to overcome and, as a result, numerous Lean initiatives have been destroyed by it.This book argues the case for one-piece flow over batching. It identifies the eight root causes of batching, the wastes created from batching, how batching drives the eight wastes, and the advantages of one-piece flow.One-Piece Flow vs. Batching: A Guide to Understanding How Continuous Flow Maximizes Productivity and Customer Value provides concrete arguments as to why batching, while sometimes necessary, is never the most efficient solution for most processes. It explains why flow, especially one-piece flow or continuous flow, should always be your ultimate objective when driving for increased productivity in any process.Using case studies to illustrate how to channel current mindsets toward one-piece flow as the preferred operation, the book is designed to support anyone involved in continuous improvement activities. It provides the tools and understanding you will need to overcome resistance to implementing flow and, in particular, one-piece flow processes—whether it be on the factory floor or in a banking office.

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Environmental remote sensing plays a critical role in observing key hydrological components such as precipitation, soil moisture, evapotranspiration and total water storage on a global scale. As water security is one of the most critical issues in the world, satellite remote sensing techniques are of particular importance for emerging regions which have inadequate in-situ gauge observations. This book reviews multiple remote sensing observations, the application of remote sensing in hydrological modeling, data assimilation and hydrological capacity building in emerging regions.

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