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History of Cartography: International Symposium of the ICA, 2012
by Peter Collier Elri Liebenberg Zsolt Győző TörökThis volume collects 22 papers presented at the 4th International Symposium of the ICA Commission on the History of Cartography, held at Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary, on 28-29 June 2012. The overall conference theme is 'Exploration - Discovery - Cartography', but preference has been given to papers dealing with cartography in the 19th and 20th centuries. The papers are classified according to regional sub-themes, i.e. papers on the Americas, papers on Africa, etc.
Stimulation of Trigeminal Afferents Improves Motor Recovery After Facial Nerve Injury
by Emmanouil Skouras Stoyan Pavlov Habib Bendella Doychin N. AngelovRecovery of mimic function after facial nerve transection is poor: the successful regrowth of axotomized motoneurons to their targets is compromised by (i) poor axonal navigation and excessive collateral branching, (ii) abnormal exchange of nerve impulses between adjacent regrowing axons and (iii) insufficient synaptic input to facial motoneurons. As a result, axotomized motoneurons get hyperexcitable and unable to discharge. Since improvement of growth cone navigation and reduction of the ephaptic cross-talk between axons turn out be very difficult, the authorsa concentrated on the third detrimental component and proposed that an intensification of the trigeminal input to axotomized electrophysiologically silent facial motoneurons might improve specificity of reinnervation. To test the hypothesis they compared behavioral, electrophysiological and morphological parameters after single reconstructive surgery on the facial nerve with those obtained after identical facial nerve surgery, but combined with direct or indirect stimulation of the ipsilateral infraorbital (ION) nerve. The authors found that in all cases trigeminal stimulation was beneficial for the outcome by improving the quality of target reinnervation and recovery of vibrissal motor performance.
Stimulation of Trigeminal Afferents Improves Motor Recovery After Facial Nerve Injury: Functional, Electrophysiological and Morphological Proofs (Advances in Anatomy, Embryology and Cell Biology #213)
by Emmanouil Skouras Stoyan Pavlov Habib Bendella Doychin N. AngelovRecovery of mimic function after facial nerve transection is poor: the successful regrowth of axotomized motoneurons to their targets is compromised by (i) poor axonal navigation and excessive collateral branching, (ii) abnormal exchange of nerve impulses between adjacent regrowing axons and (iii) insufficient synaptic input to facial motoneurons. As a result, axotomized motoneurons get hyperexcitable and unable to discharge. Since improvement of growth cone navigation and reduction of the ephaptic cross-talk between axons turn out be very difficult, the authorsa concentrated on the third detrimental component and proposed that an intensification of the trigeminal input to axotomized electrophysiologically silent facial motoneurons might improve specificity of reinnervation. To test the hypothesis they compared behavioral, electrophysiological and morphological parameters after single reconstructive surgery on the facial nerve with those obtained after identical facial nerve surgery, but combined with direct or indirect stimulation of the ipsilateral infraorbital (ION) nerve. The authors found that in all cases trigeminal stimulation was beneficial for the outcome by improving the quality of target reinnervation and recovery of vibrissal motor performance.
Stochastic Geometry, Spatial Statistics and Random Fields
by Evgeny SpodarevThis volume provides a modern introduction to stochastic geometry, random fields and spatial statistics at a (post)graduate level. It is focused on asymptotic methods in geometric probability including weak and strong limit theorems for random spatial structures (point processes, sets, graphs, fields) with applications to statistics. Written as a contributed volume of lecture notes, it will be useful not only for students but also for lecturers and researchers interested in geometric probability and related subjects.
Guts of Surfaces and the Colored Jones Polynomial
by David Futer Efstratia Kalfagianni Jessica PurcellThis monograph derives direct and concrete relations between colored Jones polynomials and the topology of incompressible spanning surfaces in knot and link complements. Under mild diagrammatic hypotheses, we prove that the growth of the degree of the colored Jones polynomials is a boundary slope of an essential surface in the knot complement. We show that certain coefficients of the polynomial measure how far this surface is from being a fiber for the knot; in particular, the surface is a fiber if and only if a particular coefficient vanishes. We also relate hyperbolic volume to colored Jones polynomials. Our method is to generalize the checkerboard decompositions of alternating knots. Under mild diagrammatic hypotheses, we show that these surfaces are essential, and obtain an ideal polyhedral decomposition of their complement. We use normal surface theory to relate the pieces of the JSJ decomposition of the complement to the combinatorics of certain surface spines (state graphs). Since state graphs have previously appeared in the study of Jones polynomials, our method bridges the gap between quantum and geometric knot invariants.
The Finite Element Method: Theory, Implementation, and Applications
by Fredrik Bengzon Mats G. LarsonThis book gives an introduction to the finite element method as a general computational method for solving partial differential equations approximately. Our approach is mathematical in nature with a strong focus on the underlying mathematical principles, such as approximation properties of piecewise polynomial spaces, and variational formulations of partial differential equations, but with a minimum level of advanced mathematical machinery from functional analysis and partial differential equations. In principle, the material should be accessible to students with only knowledge of calculus of several variables, basic partial differential equations, and linear algebra, as the necessary concepts from more advanced analysis are introduced when needed. Throughout the text we emphasize implementation of the involved algorithms, and have therefore mixed mathematical theory with concrete computer code using the numerical software MATLAB is and its PDE-Toolbox. We have also had the ambition to cover some of the most important applications of finite elements and the basic finite element methods developed for those applications, including diffusion and transport phenomena, solid and fluid mechanics, and also electromagnetics.
Basics of Cutting and Abrasive Processes (Lecture Notes in Production Engineering)
by Berend Denkena Hans Kurt ToenshoffManufacturing is the basic industrial activity generating real value. Cutting and abrasive technologies are the backbone of precision production in machine, automotive and aircraft building as well as of production of consumer goods. We present the knowledge of modern manufacturing in these technologies on the basis of scientific research. The theory of cutting and abrasive processes and the knowledge about their application in industrial practice are a prerequisite for the studies of manufacturing science and an important part of the curriculum of the master study in German mechanical engineering. The basis of this book is our lecture "Basics of cutting and abrasive processes" (4 semester hours/3 credit hours) at the Leibniz University Hannover, which we offer to the diploma and master students specializing in manufacturing science.
Prokaryotic Toxin-Antitoxins
by Kenn GerdesProkaryotic Toxins - Antitoxins gives the first overview of an exciting and rapidly expanding research field. Toxin - antitoxin (TA) genes were discovered on plasmids 30 years ago. Since then it has become evident that TA genes are highly abundant in bacterial and archaeal chromosomes. TA genes code for an antitoxin that combine with and neutralize a cognate toxin. When activated, the toxins inhibit protein synthesis and cell growth and thereby induce dormancy and multidrug tolerance (persistence). Remarkably, in some species, the TA gene families have undergone dramatic expansions. For example, the highly persistent major human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis has »100 TA loci. The large expansion of TA genes by some organisms is a biological mystery. However, recent observations indicate that TA genes contribute cumulatively to the persistence of bacteria. This medically important phenomenon may thus for the first time become experimentally tractable at the molecular level.
International Trade and Unemployment
by Marco De PintoEconomic theory and empirical research confirm that the rising international integration caused an increase in aggregate income at least for the industrialized countries, although trade liberalization is no Pareto improvement. In the empirical literature, there is a consensus that the international integration implies a destruction of low-skilled job vacancies and an increase in income, while the conclusions are mixed concerning the implication for the overall unemployment rate. This book seeks to find theoretical explanations to these empirical regularities. The book poses three questions: What are the implications of trade liberalization for the labor market in the presence of trade unions if we account for both firm and worker heterogeneity? What are the implications of a redistribution policy if the government chooses unemployment benefits to partially compensate the losers of trade liberalization?, and what is the optimal redistribution scheme for trade gains if the government explicitly takes into account the consequences for the income distribution? This book presents a rigorous theoretical analysis to answer the questions posed. Beside the well-known firm-selection effect on goods markets caused by trade liberalization, a selection process on the labor market -the worker-selection effect - is presented. The book also argues that if welfare is measured in the traditional manner, i.e. income per capita, compensating the loser of trade liberalization by paying unemployment benefits decreases welfare, but the intensity of the reduction differs with respect to the chosen funding of the unemployment benefits. Another significant contribution of this book is that if the objective function of the government, i.e. the modified welfare function, includes both aggregate income and income inequality, the redistribution of trade gains can lead to an increase in welfare.
The FORA Framework
by Edy PortmannOnline reputation management deals with monitoring and influencing the online record of a person, an organization or a product. The Social Web offers increasingly simple ways to publish and disseminate personal or opinionated information, which can rapidly have a disastrous influence on the online reputation of some of the entities. The author focuses on the Social Web and possibilities of its integration with the Semantic Web as resource for a semi-automated tracking of online reputations using imprecise natural language terms. The inherent structure of natural language supports humans not only in communication but also in the perception of the world. Thereby fuzziness is a promising tool for transforming those human perceptions into computer artifacts. Through fuzzy grassroots ontologies, the Social Semantic Web becomes more naturally and thus can streamline online reputation management. For readers interested in the cross-over field of computer science, information systems, and social sciences, this book is an ideal source for becoming acquainted with the evolving field of fuzzy online reputation management in the Social Semantic Web area.
Angiofibel: Interventionelle angiographische Diagnostik und Therapie
by Boris A. RadeleffInterventionelle Radiologie Schritt für Schritt Jede Intervention stellt den behandelnden Arzt vor wichtige Fragen: Was ist bei der Patientenaufklärung zu beachten?Welche Materialien sind für diesen speziellen Fall am besten geeignet?Welches ist das optimale Vorgehen?Welche Fallstricke gibt es?Die passenden Antworten gibt das vorliegende Buch. Der Leser erfährt alles Wichtige für seine tägliche Arbeit in der Interventionellen Radiologie (vaskuläre und nicht-vaskuläre, onkologische und Notfalleingriffe). Praktische Handlungsanweisungen und Hinweise zur Vermeidung von Komplikationen runden das als Werkzeug in der täglichen Routine gedachte Werk ab. Viele praktische Tipps erleichtern den Klinikalltag Detaillierte Informationen zu Indikationsstellung und KontraindikationenPatientenvorbereitungAuswahl der erforderlichen MaterialienMethodik des EingriffesMedikamentöse peri- und postinterventionelle TherapieKlinische ErgebnisseKomplikationenAuch der fortgeschrittene Interventionalist findet in diesem Buch viel Neues zur Verfeinerung der Techniken.
Intelligent Systems for Crisis Management
by Sisi Zlatanova Arta Dilo Hans Scholten Rob PetersThere have been major advances in technologies to support crisis response in the last few years. However, many aspects related to the efficient collection and integration of geo-information, applied semantics and situation awareness for disaster management are still open. To advance the systems and make them intelligent, an extensive collaboration is required between emergency responders, disaster managers, system designers and researchers. To facilitate this process the Geo-information for Disaster Management (Gi4DM) conference has been organized since 2005. Gi4DM is coordinated by the Joint Board of Geospatial Information Societies (JB GIS) and the ad-hoc Committee on Risk and Disaster Management. This volume presents the results of the Gi4DM 2012 conference, held in Enschede, the Netherlands, on 13-15 December . It contains a selection of around 30 scientific and 25 best-practice peer-reviewed papers. The 2012 Gi4DM focuses on the intelligent use of geo-information, semantics and situation awareness.
Robotic Urology
by Peter Wiklund Hubert JohnIn this second, revised edition of Robotic Urology, leading robotic surgeons from around the world pool their knowledge to provide an updated manual that covers all the oncologic and reconstructive procedures in urologic surgery that are performed with robotic assistance. Each operation is described in detail, with careful explanation of the different surgical steps and numerous high-quality anatomic illustrations and color surgical photos. An additional feature is the inclusion of extensive references to the scientific literature. As well as offering excellent guidance on the application of robotic surgery in urology, the book will serve as an ideal reference work for all urologists and should contribute in supporting new robotic teams and further popularizing robotic surgery.
Information Quality and Management Accounting: A Simulation Analysis of Biases in Costing Systems
by Stephan LeitnerOne of the main aims of management accounting is to provide managers with accurate information in order to provide a good basis for decision-making. There is evidence that the information provided by management accounting systems (MAS) is distorted and the occurrence of biases in accounting information is widely accepted among users of MAS. At the same time, the intensity and the frequency of use of MAS increase, too. Consequently, the quality of the provided information is critical. The focus of this simulation study is twofold. On the one hand, the impact of the sophistication of traditional costing systems on error propagation in the case of a set of input biases is investigated. On the other hand, the impact of single and multiple input biases on the quality of the information provided by traditional costing systems is focused. In order to investigate the research questions, a simulation approach is applied.
Theory and Principled Methods for the Design of Metaheuristics
by Yossi Borenstein Alberto MoraglioMetaheuristics, and evolutionary algorithms in particular, are known to provide efficient, adaptable solutions for many real-world problems, but the often informal way in which they are defined and applied has led to misconceptions, and even successful applications are sometimes the outcome of trial and error. Ideally, theoretical studies should explain when and why metaheuristics work, but the challenge is huge: mathematical analysis requires significant effort even for simple scenarios and real-life problems are usually quite complex. In this book the editors establish a bridge between theory and practice, presenting principled methods that incorporate problem knowledge in evolutionary algorithms and other metaheuristics. The book consists of 11 chapters dealing with the following topics: theoretical results that show what is not possible, an assessment of unsuccessful lines of empirical research; methods for rigorously defining the appropriate scope of problems while acknowledging the compromise between the class of problems to which a search algorithm is applied and its overall expected performance; the top-down principled design of search algorithms, in particular showing that it is possible to design algorithms that are provably good for some rigorously defined classes; and, finally, principled practice, that is reasoned and systematic approaches to setting up experiments, metaheuristic adaptation to specific problems, and setting parameters. With contributions by some of the leading researchers in this domain, this book will be of significant value to scientists, practitioners, and graduate students in the areas of evolutionary computing, metaheuristics, and computational intelligence.
Cooperation, Clusters, and Knowledge Transfer: Universities and Firms Towards Regional Competitiveness (Advances in Spatial Science #77)
by Attila Varga Roel Rutten Joao J Ferreira Mário RaposoCooperation and clusters have become the guiding paradigms for explaining and promoting regional competitiveness, but the cooperation process between firms and universities and the transfer of knowledge in guiding and nurturing regional competitiveness has received relatively little attention. This book strives to fill this gap in highlighting the connection between inter-firm cooperation in regional clusters, innovation and regional networks, and the role of universities in them . It goes beyond the traditional economic approach of clusters and includes 'soft factors' in the explanation of regional competitiveness, and connects the literature on clusters to the literature of learning and knowledge creation as sources of regional competitiveness. It aims to foster an international and interdisciplinary exchange of perspectives by presenting current developments, case studies, best practices as well as new integrated theoretical approaches and applications.
β-Lactams: Unique Structures of Distinction for Novel Molecules
by Bimal K. BanikI. Ojima * E. S. Zuniga * J. D. Seitz: Advances in the Use of Enantiopure β-Lactams for the Synthesis of Biologically Active Compounds of Medicinal Interests.- I. Fernández * Miguel A. Sierra: β -Lactams from Fischer Carbene Complexes: Scope, Limitations, and Reaction Mechanism.- Bablee Mandal * Basudeb Basu: Synthesis of β-Lactams Through Alkyne-Nitrone Cycloadditions.- T. T. Tidwell: Preparation of Bis-β-Lactams by Ketene-Imine Cycloadditions.- Edward Turos: The Chemistry and Biology of N-Thiolated β-Lactams.- Indrani Banik * Bimal K. Banik: Synthesis of β-Lactams and Their Chemical Manipulations Via Microwave-Induced Reactions.
Novel Selenium-Mediated Rearrangements and Cyclisations
by Sohail Anjum ShahzadIn his thesis, Sohail Shahzad carefully investigates carbon nucleophiles in selenocyclisations, as well as reaction protocols for performing such reactions catalytically. After a comprehensive introduction to the element selenium, the author goes on to report the synthesis of several substrates for carbocyclisation reactions and the use of selenium reagents for the preparation of dihydronaphthalenes. Further chapters detail electrophilic selenium-mediated reactions, and novel strategies using selenium catalysts together with stoichiometric amounts of hypervalent iodine reagents as oxidants to convert stilbene carbosylic acids into the corresponding isocoumarins. This thesis outlines some excellent new synthetic routes which will be useful tools for synthetic organic chemistry in the future.
Industrial Deployment of System Engineering Methods
by Martyn Thomas Alexander RomanovskyA formal method is not the main engine of a development process, its contribution is to improve system dependability by motivating formalisation where useful. This book summarizes the results of the DEPLOY research project on engineering methods for dependable systems through the industrial deployment of formal methods in software development. The applications considered were in automotive, aerospace, railway, and enterprise information systems, and microprocessor design. The project introduced a formal method, Event-B, into several industrial organisations and built on the lessons learned to provide an ecosystem of better tools, documentation and support to help others to select and introduce rigorous systems engineering methods. The contributing authors report on these projects and the lessons learned. For the academic and research partners and the tool vendors, the project identified improvements required in the methods and supporting tools, while the industrial partners learned about the value of formal methods in general. A particular feature of the book is the frank assessment of the managerial and organisational challenges, the weaknesses in some current methods and supporting tools, and the ways in which they can be successfully overcome. The book will be of value to academic researchers, systems and software engineers developing critical systems, industrial managers, policymakers, and regulators.
English Writings of Hu Shih, Volume 3: National Crisis and Public Diplomacy
by Chih-Ping Chou Hu ShihHu Shih (1891-1962),. In the 1910s, Hu studied at Cornell University and later Columbia University, both in the United States. At Columbia, he was greatly influenced by his professor, John Dewey, and became a lifelong advocate of pragmatic evolutionary change. He received his Ph.D. in Philosophy in 1917 and returned to lecture at Peking University. Hu soon became one of the leading and most influential intellectuals during the May Fourth Movement and later the New Culture Movement. His most widely recognized achievement during this period was as a key contributor to Chinese liberalism and language reform in his advocacy for the use of written vernacular Chinese. Hu Shih was the Republic of China’s Ambassador to the United States of America (1938-1942) and later Chancellor of Peking University (1946-1948). In 1939 Hu Shih was nominated for a Nobel Prize in literature and in 1958 became president of the “Academia Sinica” in Taiwan, where he remained until his death in Nangang at the age of 71.<P> This diverse collection brings together his English essays, speeches and academic papers, as well as book reviews, all written between 1919 and 1962. English Writings of Hu Shih represents his thinking and insights on such topics as scientific methodology, liberalism and democracy, and social problems. It can also serve as a helpful resource for those who study Hu Shih and his views on ancient and modern China.<P><P> The first volume “Chinese Philosophy and Intellectual History” allows readers to trace the development of Chinese thought and see the historical methodology applied therein. The second volume “Literature and Society” mainly includes Hu Shih’s works on language reform, which owing to his advocacy for the use of written vernacular Chinese were a success in both the educational and literary fields. The third volume “National Crisis and Public Diplomacy” mainly collects Hu’s articles and speeches from his term as Ambassador of China to the U.S.A. between 1938 and 1942.
Stochastic Calculus with Infinitesimals
by Frederik S. HerzbergStochastic analysis is not only a thriving area of pure mathematics with intriguing connections to partial differential equations and differential geometry. It also has numerous applications in the natural and social sciences (for instance in financial mathematics or theoretical quantum mechanics) and therefore appears in physics and economics curricula as well. However, existing approaches to stochastic analysis either presuppose various concepts from measure theory and functional analysis or lack full mathematical rigour. This short book proposes to solve the dilemma: By adopting E. Nelson's "radically elementary" theory of continuous-time stochastic processes, it is based on a demonstrably consistent use of infinitesimals and thus permits a radically simplified, yet perfectly rigorous approach to stochastic calculus and its fascinating applications, some of which (notably the Black-Scholes theory of option pricing and the Feynman path integral) are also discussed in the book.
Generating Analog IC Layouts with LAYGEN II
by Nuno C.G. Horta Nuno C. Lourenço Ricardo M. MartinsThis book presents an innovative methodology for the automatic generation of analog integrated circuits (ICs) layout, based on template descriptions and on evolutionary computational techniques. A design automation tool, LAYGEN II was implemented to validate the proposed approach giving special emphasis to reusability of expert design knowledge and to efficiency on retargeting operations.
Fundamentals of Business Process Management
by Marlon Dumas Hajo A. Reijers Jan Mendling Marcello La RosaBusiness Process Management (BPM) is the art and science of how work should be performed in an organization in order to ensure consistent outputs and to take advantage of improvement opportunities, e.g. reducing costs, execution times or error rates. Importantly, BPM is not about improving the way individual activities are performed, but rather about managing entire chains of events, activities and decisions that ultimately produce added value for an organization and its customers. This textbook encompasses the entire BPM lifecycle, from process identification to process monitoring, covering along the way process modelling, analysis, redesign and automation. Concepts, methods and tools from business management, computer science and industrial engineering are blended into one comprehensive and inter-disciplinary approach. The presentation is illustrated using the BPMN industry standard defined by the Object Management Group and widely endorsed by practitioners and vendors worldwide. In addition to explaining the relevant conceptual background, the book provides dozens of examples, more than 100 hands-on exercises - many with solutions - as well as numerous suggestions for further reading. The textbook is the result of many years of combined teaching experience of the authors, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels as well as in the context of professional training. Students and professionals from both business management and computer science will benefit from the step-by-step style of the textbook and its focus on fundamental concepts and proven methods. Lecturers will appreciate the class-tested format and the additional teaching material available on the accompanying website fundamentals-of-bpm.org.
Fundamentals of Business Process Management
by Marlon Dumas Hajo A. Reijers Jan Mendling Marcello La RosaBusiness Process Management (BPM) is the art and science of how work should be performed in an organization in order to ensure consistent outputs and to take advantage of improvement opportunities, e.g. reducing costs, execution times or error rates. Importantly, BPM is not about improving the way individual activities are performed, but rather about managing entire chains of events, activities and decisions that ultimately produce added value for an organization and its customers.This textbook encompasses the entire BPM lifecycle, from process identification to process monitoring, covering along the way process modelling, analysis, redesign and automation. Concepts, methods and tools from business management, computer science and industrial engineering are blended into one comprehensive and inter-disciplinary approach. The presentation is illustrated using the BPMN industry standard defined by the Object Management Group and widely endorsed by practitioners and vendors worldwide. In addition to explaining the relevant conceptual background, the book provides dozens of examples, more than 100 hands-on exercises – many with solutions – as well as numerous suggestions for further reading. The textbook is the result of many years of combined teaching experience of the authors, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels as well as in the context of professional training. Students and professionals from both business management and computer science will benefit from the step-by-step style of the textbook and its focus on fundamental concepts and proven methods. Lecturers will appreciate the class-tested format and the additional teaching material available on the accompanying website fundamentals-of-bpm.org.
Architecture and Design of Molecule Logic Gates and Atom Circuits: Proceedings of the 2nd AtMol European Workshop (Advances in Atom and Single Molecule Machines)
by Christian Joachim Nicolas LorenteHave you ever puzzled over how to perform Boolean logic at the atomic scale? Or wondered how you can carry out more general calculations in one single molecule or using a surface dangling bond atomic scale circuit? This volume gives you an update on the design of single molecule devices, such as recitfiers, switches and transistors, more advanced semi-classical and quantum boolean gates integrated in a single molecule or constructed atom by atom on a passivated semi-conductor surface and describes their interconnections with adapted nano-scale wiring. The main contributors to the field of single molecule logic gates and surface dangling bond atomic scale circuits theory and design, were brought together for the first time to contribute on topics such as molecule circuits, surface dangling bond circuits, quantum controlled logic gates and molecular qubits. Contributions in this volume originate from the Barcelona workshop of the AtMol conference series, held from January 12-13 2012.