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Physics of Quantum Rings (NanoScience and Technology)
by Vladimir M. FominThis book, now in its second edition, introduces readers to quantum rings as a special class of modern high-tech material structures at the nanoscale. It deals, in particular, with their formation by means of molecular beam epitaxy and droplet epitaxy of semiconductors, and their topology-driven electronic, optical and magnetic properties. A highly complex theoretical model is developed to adequately represent the specific features of quantum rings. The results presented here are intended to facilitate the development of low-cost high-performance electronic, spintronic, optoelectronic and information processing devices based on quantum rings. This second edition includes both new and significantly revised chapters. It provides extensive information on recent advances in the physics of quantum rings related to the spin-orbit interaction and spin dynamics (spin interference in Rashba rings, tunable exciton topology on type II InAs/GaAsSb quantum nanostructures), the electron-phonon interaction in ring-like structures, quantum interference manifestations in novel materials (graphene nanoribbons, MoS2), and the effects of electrical field and THz radiation on the optical properties of quantum rings. The new edition also shares insights into the properties of various novel architectures, including coupled quantum ring-quantum dot chains and concentric quantum rings, topologic states of light in self-assembled ring-like cavities, and optical and plasmon m.odes in Möbius-shaped resonators.
Cosserat Continuum Mechanics: With Applications To Granular Media (Lecture Notes in Applied and Computational Mechanics #87)
by Ioannis VardoulakisThis textbook explores the theory of Cosserat continuum mechanics, and covers fundamental tools, general laws and major models, as well as applications to the mechanics of granular media. While classical continuum mechanics is based on the axiom that the stress tensor is symmetric, theories such as that expressed in the seminal work of the brothers Eugène and François Cosserat are characterized by a non-symmetric stress tensor. The use of von Mises motor mechanics is introduced, for the compact mathematical description of the mechanics and statics of Cosserat continua, as the Cosserat continuum is a manifold of oriented “rigid particles” with 3 dofs of displacement and 3 dofs of rotation, rather than a manifold of points with 3 dofs of displacement. Here, the analysis is restricted to infinitesimal particle displacements and rotations. This book is intended as a valuable supplement to standard Continuum Mechanics courses, and graduate students as well as researchers in mechanics and applied mathematics will benefit from its self-contained text, which is enriched by numerous examples and exercises.
Information and Communication Technology for Development for Africa: First International Conference, ICT4DA 2017, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, September 25–27, 2017, Proceedings (Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering #244)
by Fisseha Mekuria Ethiopia Enideg Nigussie Waltenegus Dargie Mutafugwa Edward Tesfa TegegneThis book constitutes the proceedings of the First International Conference on Information and Communication Technology for Development for Africa, ICT4DA 2017, held in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, in September 2017. The 31 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 72 submissions. The papers address the impact of ICT in fostering economic development in Africa. In detail they cover the following topics: e-services, natural language processing, intelligent systems, mobile and wireless communication, privacy and security.
Paul Rogers: With a Foreword by Jenny Pearce (Pioneers in Arts, Humanities, Science, Engineering, Practice #21)
by Paul RogersThis book brings together a collection of writings over the past half century from Professor Paul Rogers. As a leading peace researcher he has gained an international reputation for the critical, independent and rigorous analysis of international security and the underlying causes of global conflict. His work on the responses to 9/11 and the continuing failure of the war on terror, in particular, has shown prescience that has attracted widespread attention. Moreover, he has coupled his academic analysis with a determination to communicate widely beyond the university environment. With many thousands of radio and television interviews, hundreds of public lectures and a world-wide following for his web publishing, this extramural engagement consistently seeks to raise the level of public debate on international security issues.- Provides a radically different perspective on global security, based on 50 years of analysis- Uniquely integrates economic, environmental and security analysis into a single overview- Cogently demonstrates the urgent need to rethink our entire approach to global security
Philosophy's Loss of Logic to Mathematics: An Inadequately Understood Take-Over (Studies in Applied Philosophy, Epistemology and Rational Ethics #43)
by Woosuk ParkThis book offers a historical explanation of important philosophical problems in logic and mathematics, which have been neglected by the official history of modern logic. It offers extensive information on Gottlob Frege’s logic, discussing which aspects of his logic can be considered truly innovative in its revolution against the Aristotelian logic. It presents the work of Hilbert and his associates and followers with the aim of understanding the revolutionary change in the axiomatic method. Moreover, it offers useful tools to understand Tarski’s and Gödel’s work, explaining why the problems they discussed are still unsolved. Finally, the book reports on some of the most influential positions in contemporary philosophy of mathematics, i.e., Maddy’s mathematical naturalism and Shapiro’s mathematical structuralism. Last but not least, the book introduces Biancani’s Aristotelian philosophy of mathematics as this is considered important to understand current philosophical issue in the applications of mathematics. One of the main purposes of the book is to stimulate readers to reconsider the Aristotelian position, which disappeared almost completely from the scene in logic and mathematics in the early twentieth century.
Orthogenesis versus Darwinism
by Igor PopovThis book reviews the convoluted history of orthogenesis with an emphasis of non-English sources, untangles relationships between various concepts of directed evolution and argues whether orthogenesis has something to offer modern biology. Darwinism claims that evolution occurs by selection from an extensive random variability. An alternative viewpoint—that the material for variability is limited and organisms are predisposed to vary in certain directions—is the essence of evolutionary concepts that can be grouped together under the name of orthogenesis. Dating back to Lamarck, orthogenesis has existed in many guises. Branded as mystical and discarded as unscientific, it keeps re-emerging in evolutionary discussions.
An Unamendable Constitution?: Unamendability In Constitutional Democracies (Ius Gentium: Comparative Perspectives on Law and Justice #68)
by Bertil Emrah Oder Richard AlbertThis book examines the subject of constitutional unamendability from comparative, doctrinal, empirical, historical, political and theoretical perspectives. It explores and evaluates the legitimacy of unamendability in the various forms that exist in constitutional democracies.Modern constitutionalism has given rise to a paradox: can a constitutional amendment be unconstitutional? Today it is normatively contested but descriptively undeniable that a constitutional amendment—one that respects the formal procedures of textual alteration laid down in the constitutional text—may be invalidated for violating either a written or unwritten constitutional norm. This phenomenon of an unconstitutional constitutional amendment traces its political foundations to France and the United States, its doctrinal origins to Germany, and it has migrated in some form to all corners of the democratic world. One can trace this paradox to the concept of constitutional unamendability. Constitutional unamendability can be understood as a formally entrenched provision(s) or an informally entrenched norm that prohibits an alteration or violation of that provision or norm. An unamendable constitutional provision is impervious to formal amendment, even with supermajority or even unanimous agreement from the political actors whose consent is required to alter the constitutional text. Whether or not it is enforced, and also by whom, this prohibition raises fundamental questions implicating sovereignty, legitimacy, democracy and the rule of law.
Spectroscopic Ellipsometry for Photovoltaics: Volume 2: Applications and Optical Data of Solar Cell Materials (Springer Series in Optical Sciences #214)
by Robert W. Collins Hiroyuki FujiwaraSpectroscopic ellipsometry has been applied to a wide variety of material and device characterizations in solar cell research fields. In particular, device performance analyses using exact optical constants of component layers and direct analyses of complex solar cell structures are unique features of advanced ellipsometry methods. This second volume of Spectroscopic Ellipsometry for Photovoltaics presents various applications of the ellipsometry technique for device analyses, including optical/recombination loss analyses, real-time control and on-line monitoring of solar cell structures, and large-area structural mapping. Furthermore, this book describes the optical constants of 148 solar cell component layers, covering a broad range of materials from semiconductor light absorbers (inorganic, organic and hybrid perovskite semiconductors) to transparent conductive oxides and metals. The tabulated and completely parameterized optical constants described in this book are the most current resource that is vital for device simulations and solar cell structural analyses.
Resilience and Regional Dynamics: An International Approach to a New Research Agenda (Advances in Spatial Science)
by Eric Vaz Teresa Noronha Hugo PintoEconomic and financial crises have brought the rise of unemployment, reduction of economic growth and emergence of global imbalances and tensions as countries and regions have suffered the effects of a variety of internal and external shocks. In this context of constant disruption, the scientific community has struggled to provide satisfactory answers to current economic challenges within standard frameworks. Focusing on the interconnections between innovation and resilience, this edited book contributes to a better understanding of how the crisis affects innovation and the capacity of territories to adapt and evolve. It offers both theoretical and empirical contributions that debate the notions of resilience in regional and urban contexts and serve as case studies related to innovation strategies and territorial clusters.
Delta Opioid Receptor Pharmacology and Therapeutic Applications (Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology #247)
by Emily M. JutkiewiczThis volume describes our current understanding of the biological role of the delta-opioid receptor (DOR) system, focusing on its unique mechanisms of receptor trafficking and signaling in disease states. Part 1 covers the endogenous ligands that regulate the DOR system as well as novel compounds and therapies used to modulate the DOR system. Part 2 describes new insights into the localization and trafficking of the DOR and how ligand-directed signaling alters the fate of the receptor. Part 3 concentrates on the potential role of the DOR system in disease states, such as pain, mood, addiction, and Parkinson’s disease. Throughout the book, the DOR system as a target for drug development will be discussed.
Safety Cultures, Safety Models: Taking Stock And Moving Forward (SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology)
by Corinne Bieder Hervé Laroche Benoît Journé Claude GilbertThe objective of this book is to help at-risk organizations to decipher the “safety cloud”, and to position themselves in terms of operational decisions and improvement strategies in safety, considering the path already travelled, their context, objectives and constraints. What link can be established between safety culture and safety models in order to increase safety within companies carrying out dangerous activities? First, while the term “safety culture” is widely shared among the academic and industrial world, it leads to various interpretations and therefore different positioning when it comes to assess, improve or change it. Many safety theories, concepts, and models coexist today, being more or less appealing and/or directly useful to the industry. How, and based on which criteria, to choose from the available options? These are some of the questions addressed in this book, which benefits from the expertise of its worldwide famous authors in several industrial sectors.
Energiewende “Made in Germany”: Low Carbon Electricity Sector Reform In The European Context
by Christian Von Hirschhausen Clemens Gerbaulet Claudia Kemfert Casimir Lorenz Pao-Yu OeiThis book provides an in-depth analysis of the energy transformation process ongoing in Germany, now commonly referred to as energiewende, in the European context, with a focus on the electricity sector. It presents an expert look at the origins of the German energiewende, its concrete implementation, its impacts within the European context as well as medium and long-term perspectives. The authors, internationally recognized energy, electricity, and climate economists at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) and Berlin University of Technology, conclude that the first years of the energiewende have successfully laid the foundation for a renewables-based electricity system in Germany, but that challenges remain in relation to decarbonizing the electricity system and phasing out nuclear energy. The authors also provide ground-breaking insights to inform energy policy in other countries and at the European level. In the outlook, the authors explore upcoming issues, such as coupling between the electricity and other sectors, and behavioral changes of industry and households. The book addresses readers in the energy industry, energy and climate policymakers, regulators, and others interested in the low carbon energy system transformation in Germany, Europe, and worldwide.
The Economics of Talent: Human Capital, Precarity and the Creative Economy (SpringerBriefs in Regional Science)
by Roberta Comunian Lauren England Alessandra Faggian Charlotta MellanderTo date, research into urban economics, regional science and economic geography has predominantly focused on the firm and industry as the key units of analysis in order to understand economic development; however, the past few decades have seen a growing interest in the role played by talent in the knowledge economy. This book provides an essential overview of the skills revolution. It presents key milestones of the changes in economic development in the past few decades and explains the motivation behind the rise of talent, as well as its importance for cities and economies. It also offers advice on how to attract and manage talent – a major determinant of competitiveness for countries and regions around the world. In closing, the book explains the underlying theories and provides practical examples for students, researchers and practitioners alike.
Hunger: Mentalization-based Treatments For Eating Disorders
by Paul Robinson Finn Skårderud Bente SommerfeldtThis work presents the adaptation of mentalization-based therapy for use in Eating Disorders (MBT-ED). The book starts with a presentation of the theoretical concept of mentalization and describes eating disorders from this perspective. This is followed by a discussion of the place of MBT-ED in eating disorders practice. MBT is first presented as the original model for borderline personality disorder, and then the model is further developed to address specific symptoms found in eating disorders, such as body image disturbance, restriction and purging. The original MBT model consists of outpatient treatment combined with individual and group psychotherapy, and psychoeducation in groups. The book then looks at supervision and training, and how an eating disorders team can develop a mentalizing focus. It goes on to describe the training required for practitioners to deliver individual and group MBT-ED and to supervise therapy. Lastly, it examines the implementation of the approach in different clinical settings, including inpatient services, and how management can be involved in negotiating barriers and taking advantage of enablers in the system. The authors have conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial and qualitative research in MBT-ED and have extensive experience in providing and supervising this novel therapy. MBT-ED is one of the few therapies for eating disorders that links theory of mind, and attachment and psychodynamic therapies and as such will be of great theoretical interest to a wide variety of clinicians and researchers.
Advanced Research in Naval Engineering (STEAM-H: Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Mathematics & Health)
by Anthony A. Ruffa Bourama ToniThis multidisciplinary volume features invited contributions on mathematical applications in naval engineering. Seeking a more holistic approach that transcends current scientific boundaries, leading experts present interdisciplinary instruments and models on a broad range of topics. Each chapter places special emphasis on important methods, research directions, and applications of analysis within the field. Fundamental scientific and mathematical concepts are applied to topics such as the butterfly structure of the FFT, the acoustic impedance of pistons in a two-layer medium, deterministic batch trackers, spline equations, moving horizons estimation, membership games for planning sensor networks, statistical models of inertial sensors, random flight searches in bounded domains, the acoustics of a mixed porosity felt airfoil, and a novel aft boundary condition for a towed flexible cylinder.Carefully peer-reviewed and pedagogically presented for a broad readership, this volume is perfect for graduate and postdoctoral students interested in interdisciplinary research. Researchers in applied mathematics and sciences will find this book an important resource on the latest developments in the field. In keeping with the STEAM-H series, this volume hopes to inspire interdisciplinary understanding and collaboration.
Operative Techniques and Recent Advances in Acute Care and Emergency Surgery
by Paolo Aseni Luciano De Carlis Alessandro Mazzola Antonino M. GrandeThe aim of this book is to identify and shed new light on the main surgical practices involved in acute care and trauma surgery. Adopting an evidence-based approach, a multidisciplinary team of surgeons and intensivists illustrate basic and advanced operative techniques, accompanied by a comprehensive and updated reference collection. Emerging surgical procedures in Acute Care Surgery are also explored step by step with the help of ample illustrations. Further, the book offers an overview of treatment options for acute organ failure, with a focus on peculiar clinical situations that call for special treatment, including: extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), circulatory support and urgent liver transplantation. In order to identify the key determinants in decision-making and therapeutic support that can help avoid critical errors, authors not only define and discuss specific surgical techniques, but also present major issues and controversies related to it. In essence, the book can be considered a “What to do guide” that offers easy access to both basic and advanced lifesaving surgical procedures, due in part to text boxes highlighting “Tips, Tricks and Pitfalls” as well as advice on “Complications Management”. Many chapters are enriched by providing clinical case scenarios, an important educational resource including self–assessment questionnaires.
Operative Techniques and Recent Advances in Acute Care and Emergency Surgery
by Paolo Aseni Antonino M. Grande Luciano De Carlis Alessandro MazzolaThe aim of this book is to identify and shed new light on the main surgical practices involved in acute care and trauma surgery. Adopting an evidence-based approach, a multidisciplinary team of surgeons and intensivists illustrate basic and advanced operative techniques, accompanied by a comprehensive and updated reference collection. Emerging surgical procedures in Acute Care Surgery are also explored step by step with the help of ample illustrations. <p><p> Further, the book offers an overview of treatment options for acute organ failure, with a focus on peculiar clinical situations that call for special treatment, including: extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), circulatory support and urgent liver transplantation. In order to identify the key determinants in decision-making and therapeutic support that can help avoid critical errors, authors not only define and discuss specific surgical techniques, but also present major issues and controversies related to it. <p> In essence, the book can be considered a “What to do guide” that offers easy access to both basic and advanced lifesaving surgical procedures, due in part to text boxes highlighting “Tips, Tricks and Pitfalls” as well as advice on “Complications Management”. Many chapters are enriched by providing clinical case scenarios, an important educational resource including self–assessment questionnaires.
Advanced Techniques in Diagnostic Microbiology: Volume 2: Applications
by Yi-Wei Tang Charles W. StrattonIn recent years, advanced molecular techniques in diagnostic microbiology have been revolutionizing the practice of clinical microbiology in the hospital setting. Molecular diagnostic testing in general and nucleic acid-based amplification methods in particular have been heralded as diagnostic tools for the new millennium. This third edition covers not only the most recent updates and advances, but details newly invented omic techniques, such as next generation sequencing. It is divided into two distinct volumes, with Volume 1 describing the techniques, and Volume 2 addressing their applications in the field. In addition, both volumes focus more so on the clinical relevance of the test results generated by these techniques than previous editions.
The History of Research on Chemical Periodic Processes (SpringerBriefs in History of Science and Technology)
by Alexander PechenkinThis book offers a survey of the historic development of selected areas of chemistry and chemical physics, discussing in detail the European, American and Russian approaches to the development of chemistry. Other key topics include the kinetics and non-linear thermodynamics of chemical reactions and mathematical modeling, which have found new applications in the theory of dynamical systems. The first observations of the periodicity of chemical reactions were lost in the mist of time. In the second half of the 19th century, the phenomenon of chemical periodicity was studied in relation to electrochemistry, solutions and colloids. Discovered in the late 19th century, Liesegang rings are still enigmatic and remain attractive for researchers. However, the discovery of the Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction marked the successful culmination of the efforts to find a true chemical oscillatory reaction. The book investigates chemical phenomena that were neglected in the past, but have been rediscovered, placing them into a new conceptual framework. For example, it notes that William Bray, who discovered the first oscillatory homogeneous reaction in 1921, was influenced by the first bio-mathematicians who predicted chemical oscillations in homogeneous systems.
Bioinspired Heuristics for Optimization (Studies in Computational Intelligence #774)
by El-Ghazali Talbi Amir NakibThis book presents recent research on bioinspired heuristics for optimization. Learning- based and black-box optimization exhibit some properties of intrinsic parallelization, and can be used for various optimizations problems. Featuring the most relevant work presented at the 6th International Conference on Metaheuristics and Nature Inspired Computing, held at Marrakech (Morocco) from 27th to 31st October 2016, the book presents solutions, methods, algorithms, case studies, and software. It is a valuable resource for research academics and industrial practitioners.
North American Crop Wild Relatives, Volume 1: Conservation Strategies
by Stephanie L. Greene Karen A. Williams Colin K. Khoury Michael B. Kantar Laura F. MarekThe plant species that humans rely upon have an extended family of wild counterparts that are an important source of genetic diversity used to breed productive crops. These wild and weedy cousins are valuable as a resource for adapting our food, forage, industrial and other crops to climate change. Many wild plant species are also directly used, especially for revegetation, and as medicinal and ornamental plants. North America is rich in these wild plant genetic resources. This book is a valuable reference that describes the important crop wild relatives and wild utilized species found in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The book highlights efforts taken by these countries to conserve and use wild resources and provides essential information on best practices for collecting and conserving them. Numerous maps using up-to-date information and methods illustrate the distribution of important species, and supplement detailed description on the potential value these resources have to agriculture, as well as their conservation statuses and needs. There is broad recognition of the urgent need to conserve plant diversity; however, a small fraction of wild species is distinguished by their potential to support agricultural production. Many of these species are common, even weedy, and are easily overshadowed by rare or endangered plants. Nevertheless, because of their genetic proximity to agriculturally important crops or direct use, they deserve to be recognized, celebrated, conserved, and made available to support food and agricultural security. This comprehensive two-volume reference will be valuable for students and scientists interested in economic botany, and for practitioners at all levels tasked with conserving plant biodiversity.The chapters 'Public Education and Outreach Opportunities for Crop Wild Relatives in North America' and 'Genetic Resources of Crop Wild Relatives – A Canadian Perspective' are open access under a CC BY 4.0 license via link.springer.com.
Neural Advances in Processing Nonlinear Dynamic Signals (Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies #102)
by Anna Esposito Marcos Faundez-Zanuy Francesco Carlo Morabito Eros PaseroThis book proposes neural networks algorithms and advanced machine learning techniques for processing nonlinear dynamic signals such as audio, speech, financial signals, feedback loops, waveform generation, filtering, equalization, signals from arrays of sensors, and perturbations in the automatic control of industrial production processes. It also discusses the drastic changes in financial, economic, and work processes that are currently being experienced by the computational and engineering sciences community.Addresses key aspects, such as the integration of neural algorithms and procedures for the recognition, the analysis and detection of dynamic complex structures and the implementation of systems for discovering patterns in data, the book highlights the commonalities between computational intelligence (CI) and information and communications technologies (ICT) to promote transversal skills and sophisticated processing techniques.This book is a valuable resource fora. The academic research communityb. The ICT marketc. PhD students and early stage researchersd. Companies, research institutese. Representatives from industry and standardization bodies
Quantifying and Processing Biomedical and Behavioral Signals (Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies #103)
by Anna Esposito Marcos Faundez-Zanuy Francesco Carlo Morabito Eros PaseroThe book is based on interdisciplinary research on various aspects and dynamics of human multimodal signal exchanges. It discusses realistic application scenarios where human interaction is the focus, in order toidentify new methods for data processing and data flow coordination through synchronization, and optimization of new encoding features combining contextually enacted communicative signals, anddevelop shared digital data repositories and annotation standards for benchmarking the algorithmic feasibility and successive implementation of believable human–computer interaction (HCI) systems.This book is a valuable resource for a. the research community, PhD students, early stage researchersc. schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation and assisted-living centerse. the ICT market, and representatives from multimedia industries
Data Science Thinking: The Next Scientific, Technological and Economic Revolution (Data Analytics)
by Longbing CaoThis book explores answers to the fundamental questions driving the research, innovation and practices of the latest revolution in scientific, technological and economic development: how does data science transform existing science, technology, industry, economy, profession and education? How does one remain competitive in the data science field? What is responsible for shaping the mindset and skillset of data scientists? Data Science Thinking paints a comprehensive picture of data science as a new scientific paradigm from the scientific evolution perspective, as data science thinking from the scientific-thinking perspective, as a trans-disciplinary science from the disciplinary perspective, and as a new profession and economy from the business perspective. The topics cover an extremely wide spectrum of essential and relevant aspects of data science, spanning its evolution, concepts, thinking, challenges, discipline, and foundation, all the way to industrialization, profession, education, and the vast array of opportunities that data science offers. The book's three parts each detail layers of these different aspects. The book is intended for decision-makers, data managers (e.g., analytics portfolio managers, business analytics managers, chief data analytics officers, chief data scientists, and chief data officers), policy makers, management and decision strategists, research leaders, and educators who are responsible for pursuing new scientific, innovation, and industrial transformation agendas, enterprise strategic planning, a next-generation profession-oriented course development, as well as those who are involved in data science, technology, and economy from an advanced perspective. Research students in data science-related courses and disciplines will find the book useful for positing their innovative scientific journey, planning their unique and promising career, and competing within and being ready for the next generation of science, technology, and economy.
Dynamic Behavior of Materials, Volume 1: Proceedings of the 2018 Annual Conference on Experimental and Applied Mechanics (Conference Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Mechanics Series)
by Steven Mates Leslie Elise Lamberson Jamie KimberleyDynamic Behavior of Materials, Volume 1 of the Proceedings of the 2018 SEM Annual Conference & Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics, the first volume of eight from the Conference, brings together contributions to this important area of research and engineering. The collection presents early findings and case studies on fundamental and applied aspects of Experimental Mechanics, including papers on: Synchrotron Applications/Advanced Dynamic Imaging Quantitative Visualization of Dynamic Events Novel Experimental Techniques Dynamic Behavior of Geomaterials Dynamic Failure & Fragmentation Dynamic Response of Low Impedance Materials Hybrid Experimental/Computational Studies Shock and Blast Loading Advances in Material Modeling Industrial Applications