- Table View
- List View
Opossums: An Adaptive Radiation of New World Marsupials
by Robert S. Voss Sharon A. JansaThe definitive volume on opossums, a group of ecologically and scientifically important mammals, covering natural history, evolution, behavior, and biogeography.Opossums are the most diverse and ecologically important group of New World marsupials, although only the Virginia opossum is familiar to North American residents. In fact, many species of opossums are found in Neotropical rainforests, savannas, and other habitats, where they are key participants in food webs and other ecological relationships. One species, the short-tail opossum (Monodelphis domestica), has recently become a model organism for biomedical researchers. Eclipsed in the public imagination by their Australian relatives, opossums remained for many years a somewhat obscure group, of interest primarily to taxonomists and students of mammalian reproduction. While thousands of scientific articles have appeared in recent years on opossum systematics, morphology, behavior, physiology, genetics, and ecology, this important but widely scattered literature has never been effectively summarized—until now. In Opossums, the first book-length treatment of these fascinating organisms, recognized authorities Robert S. Voss and Sharon A. Jansa synthesize a wide range of available information about the diversity, comparative biology, and natural history of the opossum. Peering into every biological facet of the lives of these long-neglected mammals, the volume includes• introductory chapters explaining the paleontological and biogeographic context for opossum evolution• an overview of the extant fauna, which includes over 100 species in 18 genera • a section devoted to opossum phenotypes: morphology, physiology, and behavior• detailed information on opossum natural history, including habitats, diets, predators, and parasites• in-depth and novel interpretations of opossums' adaptive radiation in a phylogenetic contextIntended for undergraduate biology majors, graduate students, and research professionals, this coherent and original portrait of opossums will be of particular interest to mammalogists, evolutionary biologists, and Neotropical field biologists as well as biomedical researchers working with Monodelphis domestica as a model organism.
Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb: Young Readers Edition of AMERICAN PROMETHEUS: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
by Kai Bird Martin J. SherwinA young readers edition of the #1 New York Times bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus was the inspiration for the blockbuster film, Oppenheimer.This brand-new edition introduces the next generation to one of the twentieth century's most iconic and complex global figures.J. Robert Oppenheimer was a brilliant physicist who led the American effort to build the atomic bomb during World War II, and who later found himself confronting the moral consequences of the revolutionary weapon he helped create. Readers of all ages will witness the rise and fall of a scientific and historical icon in this masterful new edition. Exploring his childhood, his secret work on the bomb, his central role in the Cold War, and his tragic downfall, this quintessential biography is history at its finest. Filled with dozens of photographs and updated information, this riveting and deeply informative account is now available to a middle and high school audience.
Oppenheimer: The Tragic Intellect (Interspecific Interactions Ser.)
by Charles ThorpeAt a time when the Manhattan Project was synonymous with large-scale science, physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904–67) represented the new sociocultural power of the American intellectual. Catapulted to fame as director of the Los Alamos atomic weapons laboratory, Oppenheimer occupied a key position in the compact between science and the state that developed out of World War II. By tracing the making—and unmaking—of Oppenheimer’s wartime and postwar scientific identity, Charles Thorpe illustrates the struggles over the role of the scientist in relation to nuclear weapons, the state, and culture. A stylish intellectual biography, Oppenheimer maps out changes in the roles of scientists and intellectuals in twentieth-century America, ultimately revealing transformations in Oppenheimer’s persona that coincided with changing attitudes toward science in society. “This is an outstandingly well-researched book, a pleasure to read and distinguished by the high quality of its observations and judgments. It will be of special interest to scholars of modern history, but non-specialist readers will enjoy the clarity that Thorpe brings to common misunderstandings about his subject.”—Graham Farmelo, Times Higher Education Supplement “A fascinating new perspective. . . . Thorpe’s book provides the best perspective yet for understanding Oppenheimer’s Los Alamos years, which were critical, after all, not only to his life but, for better or worse, the history of mankind.”—Catherine Westfall, Nature
Opportunistic Adaptation: Using the Urban Renewal Cycle to Adapt to Climate Change (IHE Delft PhD Thesis Series)
by Polpat NilubonUrban climate adaptation currently focusses mainly on hazards but often ignores opportunities which arise in both space and time. Opportunistic Adaptation provides a rationalized approach to mainstream measures for climate adaptation into urban renewal cycles. Adaptation opportunities are identified by projecting the lifespans of urban assets into the future to obtain an operational urban adaptation agenda for the future. Upscaling of the adaptation process is done by synchronizing the end-of-lifecycle of a group of assets to develop adaptation clusters that comprise multiple dwellings, infrastructure as well as public spaces. An extensive catalogue of adaptation measures for different scale-levels ensures flexibility in the type of measures that can be integrated. Sequencing the adaptation measures over long periods of time provides insight and flexibility in the long-term protection standards that can be achieved. By applying a design-centered approach, the potentials of obtaining co-benefits in the urban landscape are maximized. Potentials of clustering of nature-based solutions are being considered which ensures to maximize the delivery of ecosystem services. This research aims to assess \the adaptation potential of Bangkok, based on a case study area (Lat Krabang) by mapping the adaptation opportunities and flood vulnerability. The resulting outputs will contribute to the development of a flexible and inclusive FRM strategy.
Opportunistic Fungi, Nematode and Plant Interactions: Interplay and Mechanisms
by Mohd. Sayeed AkhtarThis book covers the fundamental and applied characteristics of opportunistic (OP) fungi, plant parasitic nematodes (PPN), and plant interactions. Fungal behavior and cultivation, physiological and molecular changes in relation to hosts and pathogens, and the mechanistic aspects of their management strategies are also covered in this volume. In the diverse agro-climatic conditions of the world, PPN has been identified as the most damaging pest to a variety of commercial and agro-important crop plants. Various chemical nematicides have been widely employed to treat nematode infection in recent decades, but use of these chemicals has been restricted due to widespread concerns about human health and environmental safety. In this regard, rhizospheric microorganisms can act as a first line of defense against pathogen attacks on the root and play a critical role in the management of plant diseases caused by PPN. The OP might directly parasitize the PPN by secreting metabolic chemicals that affect the viability of one or more phases of the nematode's life cycle. This book is of interest and useful to teachers, researchers, and professionals working on plant nematology, pathology, ecology, soil science, host-plant interactions, microbial ecology, and industries. Aside from that, this book also serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students all over the globe, as well as agricultural scientists and policymakers.
Opportunistic Spectrum Sharing in Cognitive Radio Networks
by Wei Zhang Zhe WangThis Springer Brief investigates spectrum sharing with limited channel feedback in various cognitive radio systems, such as point-to-point, broadcast scheduling and ad-hoc networks. The design aim is to optimally allocate the secondary resources to improve the throughput of secondary users while maintaining a certain quality of service for primary users. The analytical results of optimal resource allocation are derived via optimization theory and are verified by the numerical results. The results demonstrate the secondary performance is significantly improved by limited feedback and is further improved by more feedback bits, more secondary receivers and more primary side information.
Opportunities Beyond Carbon: Looking Forward to a Sustainable World
by John O'BrienOpportunities Beyond Carbon presents climate change as potentially the 'best crisis we ever had'. It maps the many opportunities for communities large and small, local and international, making the transition to a low carbon economy. John O'Brien has compiled essays by key politicians, investors, business people, activists and academics on how to make the most of the current predicament. This fresh, lucid and practical optimism for the future offers a foundation for an entirely new and proactive attitude to climate change.
Opportunities In High Magnetic Field Science
by National Research Council of the National AcademiesHigh-field magnets—those that operate at the limits of the mechanical and/or electromagnetic properties of their structural materials—are used as research tools in a variety of scientific disciplines. The study of high magnetic fields themselves is also important in many areas such as astrophysics. Because of their importance in scientific research and the possibility of new breakthroughs, the National Science Foundation asked the National Research Council to assess the current state of and future prospects for high-field science and technology in the United States. This report presents the results of that assessment. It focuses on scientific and technological challenges and opportunities, and not on specific program activities. The report provides findings and recommendations about important research directions, the relative strength of U.S. efforts compared to other countries, and ways in which the program can operate more effectively.
Opportunities and Challenges in Development: Essays for Sarmila Banerjee
by Mousumi Dutta Simanti BandyopadhyayThis book provides a broad overview of the current research on various aspects of development, with a focus on India. The content and treatment of the subject of development in this volume is distinctive in many ways. It is a balanced mix of theory and practical elements, dealing with a number of issues at micro as well as macro levels. The analyses of the current socio-economic problems are attempted in an elegant yet simple manner which makes it equally useful for an aspiring researcher in economics or any inter disciplinary field. The methodologies of the articles include analytical verbal argumentative logic, theoretical constructs or different versions of statistical, econometric or programming techniques. It also contains well written survey articles, which are useful in grasping the fundamental research issues and in tracing the progress of research in an area. The general scope of the book is very wide as the readership can include researchers, scholars, graduate and undergraduate students, policy makers and practitioners. Though the contributors are primarily scholars in the field of Economics or Statistics, the book contains useful takeaways for those working in the area of Development. It will also be of interest to policy makers and practitioners interested in development issues, and to post graduate students in Economics or any field, in social science, management or development.
Opportunities and Pitfalls of Corporate Social Responsibility: The Marange Diamond Mines Case Study (CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance)
by Shame Mugova Paul R. SachsThis book addresses key aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and explores them from a variety of perspectives in a case study on the Marange diamond mines in Zimbabwe. The business case of the Marange mines is presented to demonstrate the challenge of practicing social responsibility while considering and balancing the needs of a developing nation, environmental protection, community involvement and international business. Lessons learned from the case study will help business leaders and strategists in developing countries and multinational corporations to better understand and employ CSR principles so as to enhance sustainability and social impact. Further, the book provides a unique combination of academic, industrial and local approaches.
Opportunities for High-Power, High-Frequency Transmitters to Advance Ionospheric/Thermospheric Research: Report of a Workshop
by Committee on the Role of High-Power High-Frequency-Band Transmitters in Advancing Ionospheric/Thermospheric Research: A Workshop"Opportunities for High-Power, High-Frequency Transmitters to Advance Ionospheric/Thermospheric Research" is the summary of a workshop convened by the Space Studies Board of the National Research Council in May 2013. The request for this workshop was informed by the sponsors' awareness of the possibility that tight budgets would result in the Department of Defense's curtailment or even termination1 of support for the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP), which includes the world's highest-power and most capable high-frequency transmitter - "heater" - for ionospheric research. Although the workshop was organized to consider the utility of heaters in upper atmospheric research in general, it had a specific focus on the HAARP transmitter facility, which is located in a remote part of southeastern Alaska. Research conducted by the ionospheric modifications community - a community that uses high-frequency transmitters to inject energy in the ionosphere and measure its effects using ground and space-based diagnostics - is focused on understanding the interaction of radio waves with the ionospheric plasma, the local consequences of heating in the ionosphere, and studies of non-linear plasma physics processes. The workshop provided a forum for information exchange between the comparatively small group of scientists engaged in programs of upper atmospheric research using high-power high-frequency radar transmitters and the larger ionospherethermosphere-magnetosphere research community. This report examines the state of the art in active ionospheric and thermospheric research; considers the fundamental research areas in ionospheric science that can be addressed using high-power high-frequency-band transmitters; discusses emerging science questions that might benefit from active ionospheric experiments in the sub-auroral zone; and considers ways to combine similar facilities to perform global ionospheric science. The report also examines research opportunities that might arise from the relocation of the AMISR incoherent scatter radar from the Poker Flat Research Facility in Poker Flat, AK to Gakona, AK, the location of the HAARP facility.
Opportunities for the Gulf Research Program: A Workshop Summary
by Kim WaddellEnvironmental monitoring in the Gulf of Mexico poses extensive challenges and significant opportunities. Multiple jurisdictions manage this biogeographically and culturally diverse region, whose monitoring programs tend to be project-specific by design and funding. As a result, these programs form more of a monitoring patchwork then a network. At the same time, the Gulf monitoring community faces a unique opportunity to organize and think differently about monitoring - including how best to allocate and manage the resources for this large marine ecosystem and its communities - as a result of the infusion of resources for environmental restoration and related activities after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Opportunities for the Gulf Research Program: Monitoring Ecosystem Restoration and Deep Water Environments summarizes a Gulf Research Program workshop held on September 3-4, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The workshop gathered about 40 participants from the energy industry, state and federal government, academia, and nongovernmental organizations to examine two broad issues that were seen as time-sensitive opportunities in light of significant investments in the Gulf for restoration and accelerating development of energy resources in the deep Gulf: monitoring ecosystem restoration and deep water environments. As participants explored potential opportunities for the Program to consider, they noted the essential role that communication and outreach play in successful monitoring, and the importance of applying an ecosystem service approach to monitoring, forging partnerships among stakeholders, and supporting efforts to organize and manage monitoring data.
Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications
by Committee on Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army ApplicationsThis report surveys opportunities for future Army applications in biotechnology, including sensors, electronics and computers, materials, logistics, and medical therapeutics, looking at commercial trends and development and how they can be matched with Army requirements. An introductory chapter offers background on the science and history of the biotechnology industry, and subsequent chapters discuss research and developments in different areas of biotechnology. The report will assist the Army in planning its science and technology program and in overcoming barriers to the development of technologies over the next 25 years. There is no subject index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc. , Portland, OR (booknews. com)
Oprime refrescar: La aventura de redescubrir el alma de Mi
by Satya NadellaOprime refrescar es un conjunto de reflexiones, meditaciones y recomendaciones presentadas como algoritmos de parte de un líder con principios que busca el progreso para sí mismo, para una empresa con amplia trayectoria y para la sociedad.El CEO de Microsoft narra la historia de transformación constante desde dentro de la empresa, trazando su viaje personal desde su infancia en la India hasta dirigir algunos de los cambios tecnológicos más importantes de la era digital, y ofrece su visión para la era de tecnologías inteligentes que se avecina.Oprime refrescar habla del cambio individual, de la transformación que se está produciendo dentro de Microsoft y de la llegada de la ola de tecnología más emocionante y perturbadora que la humanidad ha experimentado hasta hoy, que incluye aspectos como la inteligencia artificial, la realidad mixta y la computación cuántica. Analiza cómo las personas, las organizaciones y las sociedades pueden y deben actualizarse en su búsqueda constante de nuevas energías, nuevas ideas, relevancia continua y reinvención. En esencia, el libro trata sobre los seres humanos y sobre cómo una de nuestras cualidades básicas, la empatía, será cada vez más valiosa en un mundo cuyo statu quo se verá trastornado como nunca antes por el avance tecnológico.Además de sus reflexiones sobre estos impresionantes avances científicos, Satya Nadella habla de su infancia antes de emigrar a Estados Unidos y de cómo aprendió a liderar durante el proceso. También comparte sus meditaciones al ocupar el cargo de CEO, siendo casi un desconocido que sucedía al inteligente Bill Gates y al dinámico Steve Ballmer. Explica cómo la compañía redescubrió su alma y lo transformó todo, desde su cultura y sus alianzas empresariales hasta el paisaje tremendamente competitivo de la industria.Nadella concluye estableciendo una ecuación para restaurar la confianza digital: principios éticos al diseñar la tecnología y crecimiento económico para todos.
Opsin-free Optogenetics: Technology and Applications (Methods in Signal Transduction Series)
by Kai Zhang Yubin ZhouOptogenetics represents a breakthrough technology capable of dynamically modulating molecular and cellular activity in live cells with high precision. This transformative technology made it possible to reversibly interrogate protein actions, cellular events, and animal behaviors with a simple flash of light. Manipulating the temporal and spatial profile of light enabled precise control of membrane potentials. This feature has inspired non-opsin-based optogenetics, which not only inherits the precise spatiotemporal resolution but also expands the targets into a diverse pool of biomolecules such as membrane receptors, ion channels, kinases, GTPases, and transcription factors. This book is unique because it emphasizes the design and applications of opsin-free optogenetic tools. Key Features Describes new developments in non-opsin-based optogenetic tools Introduces cutting-edge methods for precise modulation of cell signaling Highlights applications of optogenetic regulation of cellular functions Covers contributions from an international team of leading experts Related Titles Lim, W. & B. Mayer – Cell Signaling (ISBN 9780815342441) Ayyanathan, K., ed. – Cancer Cell Signaling: Targeting Signaling Pathways Toward Therapeutic Approaches to Cancer (ISBN 9781774630839) Zhang , J. et al., eds. – Optical Probes in Biology (ISBN 9781138199934)
Optic Diagnostics on Pulverized Coal Particles Combustion Dynamics and Alkali Metal Release Behavior (Springer Theses)
by Ye YuanThis book focuses on pulverized coal particle devolatilization, ignition, alkali metal release behavior, and burnout temperature using several novel optic diagnostic methods on a Hencken multi-flat flame burner. Firstly, it presents a novel multi-filter technique to detect the CH* signal during coal ignition, which can be used to characterize the volatile release and reaction process. It then offers observations on the prevalent transition from heterogeneous ignition to hetero-homogeneous ignition due to ambient temperature based on visible light signal diagnostics. By utilizing the gap between the excitation energies of the gas and particle phases, a new low-intensity laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (PS-LIBS) is developed to identify the presence of sodium in the particle or gas phase along the combustion process. For the first time, the in-situ verification of the gas phase Na release accompanying coal devolatilization is fulfilled when the ambient temperature is high enough. In fact, particle temperature plays a vital role in the coal burnout process and ash particle formation. The last part of the book uses RGB color pyrometry and the CBK model to study the char particle temperature on a Hencken burner. It offers readers valuable information on the technique of coal ignition and combustion diagnostics as well as coal combustion characteristics.
Optical 3D-Spectroscopy for Astronomy
by Guy Monnet Roland BaconOver the last 50 years, a variety of techniques have been developed to add a third dimension to regular imaging, with an extended spectrum associated to every imaging pixel. Dubbed 3D spectroscopy from its data format, it is now widely used in the astrophysical domain, but also inter alia for atmospheric sciences and remote sensing purposes. This is the first book to comprehensively tackle these new capabilities. It starts with the fundamentals of spectroscopic instruments, in particular their potentials and limits. It then reviews the various known 3D techniques, with particular emphasis on pinpointing their different `ecological? niches. Putative users are finally led through the whole observing process, from observation planning to the extensive ? and crucial - phase of data reduction. This book overall goal is to give the non-specialist enough hands-on knowledge to learn fast how to properly use and produce meaningful data when using such a 3D capability.
Optical Absorption Spectra Calculated Using Linear-Scaling Density-Functional Theory
by Laura RatcliffThe development of linear-scaling density functional theory (LS-DFT) has made ab initio calculations on systems containing thousands of atoms possible. These systems range from nanostructures to biomolecules. These methods rely on the use of localized basis sets, which are optimised for the representation of occupied Kohn-Sham states but do not guarantee an accurate representation of the unoccupied states. This is problematic if one wishes to combine the power of LS-DFT with that of theoretical spectroscopy, which provides a direct link between simulation and experiment. In this work a new method is presented for optimizing localized functions to accurately represent the unoccupied states, thus allowing theoretical spectroscopy of large systems. Results are presented for optical absorption spectra calculated using the ONETEP code, but the method is equally applicable to other spectroscopies and LS formulations. Other topics covered include a study of some simple one dimensional basis sets and the presentation of two methods for band structure calculation using localized basis sets, both of which have important implications for the use of localized basis sets within LS-DFT.
Optical Absorption of Impurities and Defects in Semiconducting Crystals
by Bernard Pajot Bernard ClerjaudThis book outlines, with the help of several specific examples, the important role played by absorption spectroscopy in the investigation of deep-level centers introduced in semiconductors and insulators like diamond, silicon, germanium and gallium arsenide by high-energy irradiation, residual impurities, and defects produced during crystal growth. It also describes the crucial role played by vibrational spectroscopy to determine the atomic structure and symmetry of complexes associated with light impurities like hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen, and as a tool for quantitative analysis of these elements in the materials.
Optical Angular Momentum
by L. Allen Stephen M. Barnett Miles J. PadgettSpin angular momentum of photons and the associated polarization of light has been known for many years. However, it is only over the last decade or so that physically realizable laboratory light beams have been used to study the orbital angular momentum of light. In many respects, orbital and spin angular momentum behave in a similar manner, but t
Optical Anisotropy of Biological Polycrystalline Networks: Vector-Parametric Diagnostics (SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology)
by Jun Zheng Alexander G. Ushenko Alexander V. Dubolazov Lilia Trifonyuk Iryna V. Soltys Yuriy A. UshenkoThis book highlights the analysis of new azimuth-independent methods of Stokes polarimetry and Mueller-matrixreconstruction of distributions of optical anisotropy parameters using spatial-frequency filtering of manifestations of phase (linear and circular birefringence) and amplitude (linear and circular dichroism) anisotropy for diagnosing changes in the orientational-phase structure of fibrillar networks of histological sections of biological tissues and polycrystalline films of biological fluids.
Optical Applications of Liquid Crystals
by L. VicariIn recent years, there has been increasing activity in the research and design of optical systems based on liquid crystal (LC) science. Bringing together contributions from leading figures in industry and academia, Optical Applications of Liquid Crystals covers the range of existing applications as well as those in development. Unique in its thorou
Optical Beam Characterization via Phase-Space Tomography
by Alejandro CámaraThis thesis focuses on the fundamental problem of characterising partially coherent beams. The book describes several non-interferometric methods based on phase-space tomography for recovering the spatial coherence information of optical beams. In the context of optical beams, partially coherent light provides numerous advantages over coherent light. From microscopy to optical communications, there are many disciplines that benefit from using partially coherent beams. However, their range of applications currently remains limited due to the complexity of extracting information. In addition to providing a feasible experimental solution for the general case, the book explores several situations in which beam symmetries are exploited to simplify the information extraction process. Each characterisation method is accompanied by a corresponding theoretical explanation and a thorough description of experimental examples.
Optical Binding Phenomena: Observations and Mechanisms
by Jonathan M. TaylorThis thesis addresses optical binding - a new area of interest within the field of optical micromanipulation. It presents, for the first time, a rigorous numerical simulation of some of the key results, along with new experimental findings and also physical interpretations of the results. In an optical trap particles are attracted close to areas of high optical intensities and intensity gradients. So, for example, if two lasers are pointed towards each other (a counter propagating trap) then a single particle is trapped in the centre of the two beams - the system is analogous to a particle being held by two springs in a potential well. If one increases the number of particles in the trap then naively one would expect all the particles to collect in the centre of the well. However, the effect of optical binding means that the presence of one particle affects the distribution of light experienced by another particle, resulting in extremely complex interactions that can lead to unusual 1D and 2D structures to form within the trap. Optical binding is not only of theoretical interest but also has applications in micromanipulation and assembly.
Optical Brain–Computer Interface: Using a Miniscope to Detect Multi-Neuronal Dynamics during Cognition-Related Events
by Chris French Ranjith R Unnithan Dechuan SunIn this shortform book, Sun, French, and Unnithan explore state-of-the-art optical recording techniques, with a focus on the revolutionary miniaturized fluorescence microscope – the miniscope – for real-time and in vivo monitoring of multi-neuronal dynamics during cognition-related events.The miniscope is a powerful tool that allows real-time in vivo optical recording of multi-neuronal activity in freely moving animals. This book highlights the use of the miniscope in the context of the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory and cognition. The authors employ a combination of theoretical concepts, practical applications, and illustrative case studies to deliver a comprehensive understanding of optical recording techniques. They provide step-by-step guides for using the miniscope, offer insights into data analysis, and discuss its implications in the context of hippocampal research and brain–computer interfaces. Readers will gain profound insights into the role of the hippocampus in memory and cognition, and expert knowledge of the latest miniaturized in vivo optical recording techniques. The book provides them with thorough guidance on implementing a miniaturized fluorescence microscope for a brain–computer interface and information on advanced analysis techniques on the activity of large neuronal populations. This book provides an invaluable short and accessible guide for researchers, neuroscientists, and brain–computer interface enthusiasts to enable them to understand and leverage the immense potential of this advanced optical recording methodology.