- Table View
- List View
Diffeomorphisms of Elliptic 3-Manifolds
by Darryl Mccullough J. Hyam Rubinstein John Kalliongis Sungbok HongThis work concerns the diffeomorphism groups of 3-manifolds, in particular of elliptic 3-manifolds. These are the closed 3-manifolds that admit a Riemannian metric of constant positive curvature, now known to be exactly the closed 3-manifolds that have a finite fundamental group. The (Generalized) Smale Conjecture asserts that for any elliptic 3-manifold M, the inclusion from the isometry group of M to its diffeomorphism group is a homotopy equivalence. The original Smale Conjecture, for the 3-sphere, was proven by J. Cerf and A. Hatcher, and N. Ivanov proved the generalized conjecture for many of the elliptic 3-manifolds that contain a geometrically incompressible Klein bottle. The main results establish the Smale Conjecture for all elliptic 3-manifolds containing geometrically incompressible Klein bottles, and for all lens spaces L(m,q) with m at least 3. Additional results imply that for a Haken Seifert-fibered 3 manifold V, the space of Seifert fiberings has contractible components, and apart from a small list of known exceptions, is contractible. Considerable foundational and background
An Introduction to Compactness Results in Symplectic Field Theory
by Casim AbbasThis book provides an introduction to symplectic field theory, a new and important subject which is currently being developed. The starting point of this theory are compactness results for holomorphic curves established in the last decade. The author presents a systematic introduction providing a lot of background material, much of which is scattered throughout the literature. Since the content grew out of lectures given by the author, the main aim is to provide an entry point into symplectic field theory for non-specialists and for graduate students. Extensions of certain compactness results, which are believed to be true by the specialists but have not yet been published in the literature in detail, top off the scope of this monograph.
The Software Industry: Economic Principles, Strategies, Perspectives
by Thomas Hess Peter Buxmann Heiner DiefenbachWhether ERP software, office applications, open-source products or online games: In terms of its economic characteristics, software differs fundamentally from industrial goods or services. Based on the economic principles and rules of the software industry, the book reveals strategies and business models to software vendors that comprise cooperation, distribution, pricing and production and industrialization strategies, as well as software as a service and platform concepts. Further aspects including the outsourcing behavior of software vendors and users; providing business software as open source software; selecting software; and the value chains in the software industry are also addressed. Based on a number of expert meetings, it contains numerous case studies and new empirical findings. Target audience of the book are professionals and executives from the software, consulting and IT branches as well as students and scholars of business administration, computer science, business and industrial engineering.
Sprachverarbeitung und Sprachübertragung
by Klaus FellbaumIn dem Standardwerk der Informationsverarbeitung werden nicht nur die elektroakustischen und nachrichtentechnischen Grundlagen dargestellt, auch die Sprache als menschliche Kommunikationsform wird aus linguistischer und physiologischer Perspektive beschrieben. Berücksichtigt wird dabei neben der Theorie stets die Anwendung - auf dem neuesten Stand der Technik. Die 2. Auflage bietet neue Abschnitte zu den Grundzügen der Signalanalyse und zu Sprachdialogsystemen. Audiobeispiele und multimediale Vortragselemente zum Download auf extras.springer.com.
Mechanics and Properties of Composed Materials and Structures
by Andreas Öchsner Lucas F. Silva Holm AltenbachThis collection of recent activities provides researchers and scientists with the latest trends in characterization and developments of composed materials and structures. Here, the expression 'composed materials' indicates a wider range than the expression 'composite material' which is many times limited to classical fibre reinforced plastics. The idea of composed structures and materials is to join different components in order to obtain in total better properties than one of the single constituents can provide. In this collection, well known experts present their research on composed materials such as textile composites, sandwich plates, hollow sphere structures, reinforced concrete as well as classical fibre reinforced materials.
Tools for High Performance Computing 2011
by Wolfgang E. Nagel Michael M. Resch Matthias S. Müller Holger BrunstThe proceedings of the 5th International Workshop on Parallel Tools for High Performance Computing provide an overview on supportive software tools and environments in the fields of System Management, Parallel Debugging and Performance Analysis. In the pursuit to maintain exponential growth for the performance of high performance computers the HPC community is currently targeting Exascale Systems. The initial planning for Exascale already started when the first Petaflop system was delivered. Many challenges need to be addressed to reach the necessary performance. Scalability, energy efficiency and fault-tolerance need to be increased by orders of magnitude. The goal can only be achieved when advanced hardware is combined with a suitable software stack. In fact, the importance of software is rapidly growing. As a result, many international projects focus on the necessary software.
Strategic Human Resource Development
by Matthias T. MeifertIn an era that has brought new and unexpected challenges for virtually every company, one would be hard-pressed to find any responsible manager who is not thinking about what the future will bring. In the wake of these challenges, strategic planning has moved from being the reserve of large corporations to becoming an essential need for even small and medium-sized enterprises. But what good is even the most convincing strategic concept if the company's people are unwilling or unable to put it into practice? The key is to develop people, and to develop them not only for the work of today, but also for the challenges that the future holds. Strategic HR development has become a decisive force for the success of any business. This book, edited by Matthias T. Meifert, shows us which basic considerations we need to remember and what strategic HR development means in practice. Its interesting and vivid approach takes the reader on a tour of the eight stages of HR development, introduces the critical factors, and highlights many practical recommendations for strategic HR development practice in business.
Characterization and Development of Biosystems and Biomaterials (Advanced Structured Materials #29)
by Andreas Öchsner Lucas F. Silva Holm AltenbachThis collection of recent activities provides researchers and scientists with the latest trends in characterization and developments of biosystems and biomaterials. Well known experts present their research in materials for drug delivery, dental implants and filling materials, biocompatible membranes, bioactive surface coatings and bio-compatible and eco-sustainable building materials. In The book covers also topics like microorganisms, the human eye, the musculoskeletal system and human body parts.
IT-Outsourcing
by Hagen Rickmann Stefan Diefenbach Kai T. BrüningIn der IT-Branche etabliert sich derzeit das Cloud-Computing als neue Form der Leistungserbringung. Dadurch bietet sich eine neue Perspektive auf das Outsourcen von IT-Dienstleistungen - für Anbieter wie für Kunden. In dem Band erörtern die Autoren, Anbieter, Analysten, Berater und Wissenschaftler, erstmals umfassend die neuesten Entwicklungen im Umfeld des IT-Outsourcings und zeigen anhand von Praxisbeispielen, wie damit nicht nur Kosten reduziert, sondern auch Mehrwert für das Kerngeschäft geschaffen werden kann.
IT-Outsourcing: Neue Herausforderungen im Zeitalter von Cloud Computing
by Hagen Rickmann Stefan Diefenbach Kai T. BrüningIn der IT-Branche etabliert sich derzeit das Cloud-Computing als neue Form der Leistungserbringung. Dadurch bietet sich eine neue Perspektive auf das Outsourcen von IT-Dienstleistungen – für Anbieter wie für Kunden. In dem Band erörtern die Autoren, Anbieter, Analysten, Berater und Wissenschaftler, erstmals umfassend die neuesten Entwicklungen im Umfeld des IT-Outsourcings und zeigen anhand von Praxisbeispielen, wie damit nicht nur Kosten reduziert, sondern auch Mehrwert für das Kerngeschäft geschaffen werden kann.
Carl Størmer: Auroral Pioneer (Astrophysics and Space Science Library #393)
by Alv Egeland William J. BurkeThis biography summarizes the seminal contributions to auroral and space science of Carl Størmer (1874 - 1957). He was the first to develop precise photographic methods to calculate heights and morphologies of diverse auroral forms during four solar cycles. Størmer independently devised numerical techniques to determine the trajectories of high-energy charged particles allowed and forbidden in the Earth's magnetic field. His theoretical analyses explained cosmic ray access to the upper atmosphere, 20 years before they were identified by other scientists. Størmer's crowning achievement, "The Polar Aurora," published when he was 81 years old, stands to this day as a regularly cited guide in graduate-level courses on space physics. The authors present the life of this prodigious scientist in relation to the cultural life of early 20th century in Norway and to the development of the space sciences in the post-Sputnik era.
Molecular Biology and Pathogenesis of Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus
by Muhammad Munir Siamak Zohari Mikael BergPeste de Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild small ruminants that can significantly affect economies. The authors are experts in the field and provide an up-to-date and comprehensive review covering all aspects of the disease. The book is divided into seven chapters highlighting genome organization, virus replication and the determinants of virulence, pathophysiology and clinical disease, immunology and immunopathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnostic assays and vaccines, and the challenges concerning global eradication. It is an invaluable reference work, presenting the latest information for virologists, microbiologists, immunologists, veterinarians, and scientists working in PPR research.
Landslide Science and Practice: Early Warning, Instrumentation and Monitoring
by Claudio Margottini Kyoji Sassa Paolo CanutiThis book contains peer-reviewed papers from the Second World Landslide Forum, organised by the International Consortium on Landslides (ICL), that took place in September 2011. The entire material from the conference has been split into seven volumes, this one is the second: 1. Landslide Inventory and Susceptibility and Hazard Zoning, 2. Early Warning, Instrumentation and Monitoring, 3. Spatial Analysis and Modelling, 4. Global Environmental Change, 5. Complex Environment, 6. Risk Assessment, Management and Mitigation, 7. Social and Economic Impact and Policies.
Polyploidy and Genome Evolution
by Douglas E. Soltis Pamela S. SoltisPolyploidy - whole-genome duplication (WGD) - is a fundamental driver of biodiversity with significant consequences for genome structure, organization, and evolution. Once considered a speciation process common only in plants, polyploidy is now recognized to have played a major role in the structure, gene content, and evolution of most eukaryotic genomes. In fact, the diversity of eukaryotes seems closely tied to multiple WGDs. Polyploidy generates new genomic interactions - initially resulting in "genomic and transcriptomic shock" - that must be resolved in a new polyploid lineage. This process essentially acts as a "reset" button, resulting in genomic changes that may ultimately promote adaptive speciation. This book brings together for the first time the conceptual and theoretical underpinnings of polyploid genome evolution with syntheses of the patterns and processes of genome evolution in diverse polyploid groups. Because polyploidy is most common and best studied in plants, the book emphasizes plant models, but recent studies of vertebrates and fungi are providing fresh perspectives on factors that allow polyploid speciation and shape polyploid genomes. The emerging paradigm is that polyploidy - through alterations in genome structure and gene regulation - generates genetic and phenotypic novelty that manifests itself at the chromosomal, physiological, and organismal levels, with long-term ecological and evolutionary consequences.
Complex Human Dynamics: From Mind to Societies (Understanding Complex Systems)
by Andrzej Nowak Katarzyna Winkowska-Nowak David BréeThis book, edited and authored by a closely collaborating network of social scientists and psychologists, recasts typical research topics in these fields into the language of nonlinear, dynamic and complex systems. The aim is to provide scientists with different backgrounds - physics, applied mathematics and computer sciences - with the opportunity to apply the tools of their trade to an altogether new range of possible applications. At the same time, this book will serve as a first reference for a new generation of social scientists and psychologists wishing to familiarize themselves with the new methodology and the "thinking in complexity".
Knee Surgery using Computer Assisted Surgery and Robotics
by Stefano Zaffagnini Fabio CataniThis book discusses the full range of current applications of computer-assisted surgery and robotics in the field of knee surgery, and also considers potential future applications. The impact of computer-assisted surgery on a wide range of surgical procedures is clearly explained. Procedures considered include total knee arthroplasty, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, cruciate ligament reconstruction, patellofemoral arthroplasty, and revision surgery. In each case, technical aspects are thoroughly addressed in a readily understandable manner. Knee Surgery Using Computer-Assisted Surgery and Robotics will be an ideal guide to this exciting field for both novice and more experienced surgeons who treat knee injuries and disorders.
Landslide Science and Practice: Complex Environment
by Claudio Margottini Kyoji Sassa Paolo CanutiThis book contains peer-reviewed papers from the Second World Landslide Forum, organised by the International Consortium on Landslides (ICL), that took place in September 2011. The entire material from the conference has been split into seven volumes, this one is the fifth: 1. Landslide Inventory and Susceptibility and Hazard Zoning, 2. Early Warning, Instrumentation and Monitoring, 3. Spatial Analysis and Modelling, 4. Global Environmental Change, 5. Complex Environment, 6. Risk Assessment, Management and Mitigation, 7. Social and Economic Impact and Policies.
Carbon Nanotubes as Platforms for Biosensors with Electrochemical and Electronic Transduction (Springer Theses)
by Mercè Pacios PujadóThe thesis by Mercè Pacios exploits properties of carbon nanotubes to design novel nanodevices. The prominent electrochemical properties of carbon nanotubes are used to design diverse electrode configurations. In combination with the chemical properties and (bio)functionalization versatility, these materials prove to be very appropriate for the development of electrochemical biosensors. Furthermore, this work also evaluates the semiconductor character of carbon nanotubes (CNT) for sensor technology by using a field effect transistor configuration (FET). The CNT-FET device has been optimized for operating in liquid environments. These electrochemical and electronic CNT devices are highly promising for biomolecule sensing and for the monitoring of biological processes, which can in the future lead to applications for rapid and simple diagnostics in fields such as biotechnology, clinical and environmental research.
Characterization and Authentication of Olive and Other Vegetable Oils: New Analytical Methods (Springer Theses)
by María Jesús Lerma GarcíaThis thesis presents new methods for the characterization of vegetable oils, with focus in olive oil, according to geographical and botanical origin, genetic variety and other issues influencing product quality. A wide variety of analytical techniques have been employed, such as various chromatographic techniques (different gas and liquid chromatography methods), an electronic nose, infrared spectroscopy and expert-panel evaluation. Several families of minor compounds, with interest as adulteration markers, have been used for method development, including tocopherols, sterols, phenolics, alcohols, proteins and others. Most methods have been enhanced by the application of multivariate chemometrics. The proposed analytical techniques are of interest to investigate fraudulent actions and practices which are detrimental to product quality.
Imaging in Nuclear Medicine
by Christoph Hoeschen Augusto GiussaniThis volume addresses a wide range of issues in the field of nuclear medicine imaging, with an emphasis on the latest research findings. Initial chapters set the scene by considering the role of imaging in nuclear medicine from the medical perspective and discussing the implications of novel agents and applications for imaging. The physics at the basis of the most modern imaging systems is described, and the reader is introduced to the latest advances in image reconstruction and noise correction. Various novel concepts are then discussed, including those developed within the framework of the EURATOM FP7 MADEIRA research project on the optimization of imaging procedures in order to permit a reduction in the radiation dose to healthy tissues. Advances in quality control and quality assurance are covered, and the book concludes by listing rules of thumb for imaging that will be of use to both beginners and experienced researchers.
Lévy Matters II
by Victor Rivero Alexey Kuznetsov Serge Cohen Andreas KyprianouThis is the second volume in a subseries of the Lecture Notes in Mathematics called Lévy Matters, which is published at irregular intervals over the years. Each volume examines a number of key topics in the theory or applications of Lévy processes and pays tribute to the state of the art of this rapidly evolving subject with special emphasis on the non-Brownian world. The expository articles in this second volume cover two important topics in the area of Lévy processes. The first article by Serge Cohen reviews the most important findings on fractional Lévy fields to date in a self-contained piece, offering a theoretical introduction as well as possible applications and simulation techniques. The second article, by Alexey Kuznetsov, Andreas E. Kyprianou, and Victor Rivero, presents an up to date account of the theory and application of scale functions for spectrally negative Lévy processes, including an extensive numerical overview.
Active Volcanoes of the Southwest Indian Ocean: Piton de la Fournaise and Karthala (Active Volcanoes of the World)
by Patrick Bachelery Jean-François Lenat Andrea Di Muro Laurent MichonPiton de la Fournaise and Karthala are both shield volcanoes in the southwest Indian Ocean. This publication summarizes the work done on these very active basaltic volcanoes. Piton de la Fournaise has a long history of scientific research and monitoring, with many data collected during recent eruptions. It is certainly one of the most studied volcanoes in the world. The work presented in this monograph includes geological, geophysical, geochemical and petrological aspects, but also studies on physical geography, natural hazards and the sociological and behavioural approaches. ' The Karthala volcano may be less well known, but it serves as an interesting comparison to Piton de la Fournaise. Although situated close to the volcanoes of Hawaii, it differs from them by its more alkaline magmas and less frequent activity. It was also monitored for more than 25 years, producing extraordinary eruptions in recent years.
Financial Modeling, Actuarial Valuation and Solvency in Insurance
by Mario V. Wüthrich Michael MerzRisk management for financial institutions is one of the key topics the financial industry has to deal with. The present volume is a mathematically rigorous text on solvency modeling. Currently, there are many new developments in this area in the financial and insurance industry (Basel III and Solvency II), but none of these developments provides a fully consistent and comprehensive framework for the analysis of solvency questions. Merz and Wüthrich combine ideas from financial mathematics (no-arbitrage theory, equivalent martingale measure), actuarial sciences (insurance claims modeling, cash flow valuation) and economic theory (risk aversion, probability distortion) to provide a fully consistent framework. Within this framework they then study solvency questions in incomplete markets, analyze hedging risks, and study asset-and-liability management questions, as well as issues like the limited liability options, dividend to shareholder questions, the role of re-insurance, etc. This work embeds the solvency discussion (and long-term liabilities) into a scientific framework and is intended for researchers as well as practitioners in the financial and actuarial industry, especially those in charge of internal risk management systems. Readers should have a good background in probability theory and statistics, and should be familiar with popular distributions, stochastic processes, martingales, etc.
Niederlassungen führen
by Patrick S. Renz Nikola BöhrerNiederlassungen sollten ganzheitlich geführt und gesteuert werden - andernfalls leiden Strategieumsetzung und Kommunikation. Die ganzheitliche Steuerung ist deshalb eine Governance-Aufgabe, die nicht nur im Pflichtenheft des Boards steht, auch Management und Mitarbeiter müssen in ihrem Aufgabenbereich dazu beitragen. In dem Buch werden die sechs Bereiche ganzheitlicher Führung theoretisch und anhand zahlreicher Praxisbeispiele dargestellt und hinsichtlich des Markterfolgs und der Innovationsfähigkeit analysiert. Mit Checklisten für die Umsetzung.
Quintessenz der Vertrauensbildung
by Tom Sommerlatte Jean-Luc FallouVertrauen ist der unsichtbare Vertrag, der die Innovations- und Kooperationsfähigkeit in einem Unternehmen regelt. Die Autoren demonstrieren anhand von neun Fallbeispielen aus großen und mittelständischen Unternehmen, wie Vertrauensmangel zu unproduktivem Absicherungsverhalten führt, und stellen Methoden zur Vertrauensbildung vor: zwischen Individuen und in das Unternehmen als Ganzes. Führungskräfte können mit diesem methodischen Ansatz ein Vertrauensklima schaffen, das Innovation und Kosteneffizienz fördert. Mit praxisorientierten Anleitungen.