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Evolutionary Biology: Mechanisms and Trends
by Pierre PontarottiThe annual Evolutionary Biology Meetings in Marseilles serve to gather leading evolutionary biologists and other scientists using evolutionary biology concepts, e.g. for medical research. The aims of these meetings are to promote the exchange of ideas and to encourage interdisciplinary collaborations. This book collects 19 selected contributions presented at the 15th meeting, which took place in September 2011. It starts with a description of the life and work of J.B.S. Haldane, a remarkable evolutionary biologist of the 20th century. The remaining chapters are grouped under the following three themes: · New Concepts in Evolutionary Biology · Macroevolution: Mechanisms and Trends · Genome Evolution Offering an up-to-date overview of recent results in the field of evolutionary biology, this book is an invaluable source of information for scientists, teachers and advanced students.
Enabling Flexibility in Process-Aware Information Systems: Challenges, Methods, Technologies
by Barbara Weber Manfred ReichertIn today's dynamic business world, the success of a company increasingly depends on its ability to react to changes in its environment in a quick and flexible way. Companies have therefore identified process agility as a competitive advantage to address business trends like increasing product and service variability or faster time to market, and to ensure business IT alignment. Along this trend, a new generation of information systems has emerged--so-called process-aware information systems (PAIS), like workflow management systems, case handling tools, and service orchestration engines. With this book, Reichert and Weber address these flexibility needs and provide an overview of PAIS with a strong focus on methods and technologies fostering flexibility for all phases of the process lifecycle (i.e., modeling, configuration, execution and evolution). Their presentation is divided into six parts. Part I starts with an introduction of fundamental PAIS concepts and establishes the context of process flexibility in the light of practical scenarios. Part II focuses on flexibility support for pre-specified processes, the currently predominant paradigm in the field of business process management (BPM). Part III details flexibility support for loosely specified processes, which only partially specify the process model at build-time, while decisions regarding the exact specification of certain model parts are deferred to the run-time. Part IV deals with user- and data-driven processes, which aim at a tight integration of processes and data, and hence enable an increased flexibility compared to traditional PAIS. Part V introduces existing technologies and systems for the realization of a flexible PAIS. Finally, Part VI summarizes the main ideas of this book and gives an outlook on advanced flexibility issues. The book's target groups include researchers, PhD students and Master students in the field of information systems. After reading the book, they will better understand PAIS flexibility aspects. To support the easy use as a textbook, a series of exercises is provided at the end of each chapter and slides and further teaching material are available on the book's web site www.flexible-processes.com. Professionals specializing in business process management (BPM) who want to obtain a good understanding of flexibility challenges in BPM and state-of-the-art solutions will also benefit from the presentations of open source as well as commercial process management systems and related practical scenarios.
Mouse Development
by Jacek Z. KubiakThe mouse is a perfect model organism to study mammalian, and thus indirectly also human, embryology. Most scientific achievements that have had an important impact on the understanding of basic mechanisms governing embryo development in humans, originated from mouse embryology. Stem cell research, which now offers the promise of regenerative medicine, began with the isolation and culture of mouse embryonic stem cells by Martin Evans (who received the Nobel Prize in medicine in 2007 for this achievement) and Matthew Kaufman. This book provides an overview of mouse development, spanning from oocytes before fertilization to the state-of-the-art description of embryonic and adult stem cells. The chapters, written by the leading specialists in the field, deal with the most recent discoveries in this extremely fast-developing area of research.
Analytical Imaging Techniques for Soft Matter Characterization (Engineering Materials)
by Vikas Mittal Nadejda B. MatskoThe book aims to describe the microscopic characterization of the soft matter in the light of new advances acquired in the science of microscopy techniques like AFM; SEM; TEM etc. It does not focus on the traditional information on the microscopy methods as well as systems already present in different books, but intends to answer more fundamental questions associated with commercially important systems by using new advances in microscopy. Such questions are generally not answered by other techniques. The contents of the book also reflect this as the chapters are not based on describing only material systems, but are based on the answering the problems or questions arising in their characterization. Both qualitative as well as quantitative analysis using such microscopic techniques is discussed. Moreover, efforts have been made to provide a broader reach as discussions on both polymers as well as biological matter have been included as different sections. Such a text with comprehensive overview of the various characterization possibilities using microscopy methods can serve as a valuable reference for microscopy experts as well as non-experts alike
The Dual Nature of Life
by Gennadiy ZhegunovLife is a diverse and ubiquitous phenomenon on Earth, characterized by fundamental features distinguishing living bodies from nonliving material. Yet it is also so complex that it has long defied precise definition. This book from a seasoned biologist offers new insights into the nature of life by illuminating a fascinating architecture of dualities inherent in its existence and propagation. Life is connected with individual living beings, yet it is also a collective and inherently global phenomenon of the material world. It embodies a dual existence of cycles of phenotypic life, and their unseen driver -- an uninterrupted march of genetic information whose collective immortality is guaranteed by individual mortality. Although evolution propagates and tunes species of organisms, the beings produced can be regarded merely as tools for the survival and cloning of genomes written in an unchanging code. What are the physical versus informational bases and driving forces of life, and how do they unite as an integrated system? What does time mean for individuals, life on the global scale, and the underlying information? This accessible examination of principles and evidence shows that a network of dualities lies at the heart of biological puzzles that have engaged the human mind for millennia.
Groundwater in Ethiopia
by Seifu KebedeThis book provides a comprehensive description of groundwater resources in Ethiopia and its various dimensions (groundwater as resource, environmental functions, and socioeconomics). The prevailing knowledge of groundwater resources in Ethiopia (or elsewhere in Sub Saharan Africa) was based on geological and stratigraphic framework known nearly four decades ago (mainly 1960's and 70's). Thanks to the substantial geoscientific research since the 70's a new set of relevant geological/stratigrahpic data has been created that helps to re-define our understanding of groundwater resources in Africa as a whole and in Ethiopia in particular: a) For the first time the basement aquifer of Ethiopia has been described hydrogeologically based on genesis of regoliths (deep weathering and striping history); clear regional difference in groundwater potential is shown for the first time; comparative accounty has been given regarding groundwater occurrence in the generally low grade basement rocks of Ethiopia (Arabian Nubian shield) and high grade basement rocks of the rest of Africa. b) For the first time groundwater occurrence in multilayred sedimentary rocks account for spatial variation in degree of karstification; deformation history, and stratigraphy. c) The vast volcanic aquifers of Ethiopia which have previously classified based on their ages are now reclassified based on age, morphology (eg. groundwater in plateau volcanics, groundwater in shield volcanics) and aquifer structure. d) The loose alluvio lacustrine sediments which were known as least extensive in previous works based on areal cover are in fact shown to host the most voluminous groundwater resources in Ethiopia. These aquifers have now been described based on their geomorphology, extent, and genesis. The aim of this book is to use these newly created knowledge to redefine the understanding of groundwater resources in Ethiopia.
Groundwater in Ethiopia: Features, Numbers and Opportunities (Springer Hydrogeology)
by Seifu KebedeThis book provides a comprehensive description of groundwater resources in Ethiopia and its various dimensions (groundwater as resource, environmental functions, and socioeconomics). The prevailing knowledge of groundwater resources in Ethiopia (or elsewhere in Sub Saharan Africa) was based on geological and stratigraphic framework known nearly four decades ago (mainly 1960's and 70's). Thanks to the substantial geoscientific research since the 70's a new set of relevant geological/stratigrahpic data has been created that helps to re-define our understanding of groundwater resources in Africa as a whole and in Ethiopia in particular: a) For the first time the basement aquifer of Ethiopia has been described hydrogeologically based on genesis of regoliths (deep weathering and striping history); clear regional difference in groundwater potential is shown for the first time; comparative accounty has been given regarding groundwater occurrence in the generally low grade basement rocks of Ethiopia (Arabian Nubian shield) and high grade basement rocks of the rest of Africa. b) For the first time groundwater occurrence in multilayred sedimentary rocks account for spatial variation in degree of karstification; deformation history, and stratigraphy. c) The vast volcanic aquifers of Ethiopia which have previously classified based on their ages are now reclassified based on age, morphology (eg. groundwater in plateau volcanics, groundwater in shield volcanics) and aquifer structure. d) The loose alluvio lacustrine sediments which were known as least extensive in previous works based on areal cover are in fact shown to host the most voluminous groundwater resources in Ethiopia. These aquifers have now been described based on their geomorphology, extent, and genesis. The aim of this book is to use these newly created knowledge to redefine the understanding of groundwater resources in Ethiopia.
Einstein's Relativity
by Fred I Cooperstock Steven TieuThis richly illustrated book is unique in bringing Einstein's relativity to a higher level for the non-specialist than has ever been attempted before, using nothing more than grade-school algebra. Bondi's approach with spacetime diagrams is simplified and expanded, clarifying the famous asymmetric aging-of-twins paradox. Einstein's theory of gravity, general relativity, is simplified for the reader using spacetime diagrams. The theory is applied to important topics in physics such as gravitational waves, gravitational collapse and black holes, time machines, the relationship to the quantum world, galactic motions and cosmology.
Model Based Parameter Estimation: Theory and Applications
by Johannes P. Schlöder Rolf Rannacher Stefan Körkel Thomas Carraro Willi Jäger Hans Georg BockThis judicious selection of articles combines mathematical and numerical methods to apply parameter estimation and optimum experimental design in a range of contexts. These include fields as diverse as biology, medicine, chemistry, environmental physics, image processing and computer vision. The material chosen was presented at a multidisciplinary workshop on parameter estimation held in 2009 in Heidelberg. The contributions show how indispensable efficient methods of applied mathematics and computer-based modeling can be to enhancing the quality of interdisciplinary research. The use of scientific computing to model, simulate, and optimize complex processes has become a standard methodology in many scientific fields, as well as in industry. Demonstrating that the use of state-of-the-art optimization techniques in a number of research areas has much potential for improvement, this book provides advanced numerical methods and the very latest results for the applications under consideration.
Generic Systems Engineering: Ein methodischer Ansatz zur Komplexitätsbewältigung
by Petra WinzerIn dem Band wird ein Denkmodell mit Umsetzungskonzept vorgestellt, das den Umgang mit Komplexität in der Produktentwicklung und der Produktion erleichtert. Abgeleitet von einfachen Regeln, beruht der Ansatz auf dem Konzept des Systems Engineering. Unterschiedliche, zum Systems Engineering entwickelte Vorgehenskonzepte werden darin zusammengeführt, um gegenwärtige und zukünftige Dimensionen der Komplexität zu bewältigen. Die schnell erfass- und erlernbaren Lösungsansätze werden anhand ausgewählter Beispiele der Produktentwicklung illustriert.
Quantum Chemistry of Solids
by Robert A. EvarestovQuantum Chemistry of Solids delivers a comprehensive account of the main features and possibilities of LCAO methods for the first principles calculations of electronic structure of periodic systems. The first part describes the basic theory underlying the LCAO methods applied to periodic systems and the use of Hartree-Fock(HF), Density Function theory(DFT) and hybrid Hamiltonians. The translation and site symmetry consideration is included to establish connection between k-space solid -state physics and real-space quantum chemistry. The inclusion of electron correlation effects for periodic systems is considered on the basis of localized crystalline orbitals. The possibilities of LCAO methods for chemical bonding analysis in periodic systems are discussed. The second part deals with the applications of LCAO methods for calculations of bulk crystal properties, including magnetic ordering and crystal structure optimization. In the second edition two new chapters are added in the application part II of the book. Chapter 12 deals with the recent LCAO calculations and illustrates the efficiency of the scalar-relativistic LCAO method for solids, containing heavy atoms. Chapter 13 deals with the symmetry properties and the recent applications of LCAO method to inorganic nanotubes. New material is added to chapter 9 devoted to LCAO calculations of perfect-crystal properties. The possibilities of LCAO method for calculation of the high-frequency dielectric constants of crystals and the description of phase transitions in solids are discussed. The efficiency of LCAO method in the quantum-mechanics-molecular dynamics approach to the interpretation of x-ray absorption and EXAFS spectra is illustrated. A new section is devoted to recent LCAO calculations of electronic, vibrational and magnetic properties of tungstates MeWO4 (Me: Fe,Co,Ni,Cu,Zn,Cd).
Gasotransmitters: Physiology and Pathophysiology
by Guzel F. Sitdikova Thomas M. Weiger Anton HermannSince the epochal discovery of the radical and highly toxic gas nitric oxide (NO) as a signaling molecule, two other no less toxic gases - carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) - have been found to also be involved in a plethora of physiological and pathophysiological functions. The gases termed gasotransmitters play an increasingly important role in understanding how signalling into and between cells is modulated and fine-tuned. The advent of gasotransmitters has profoundly changed our way of thinking about biosynthesis, liberation, storage and action mechanisms in cellular signaling. In recent years an impressive amount of new data, distributed throughout the existing literature, has been generated. For this book the editors have recruited distinguished colleagues in the field to summarize and review important biological, pharmacological and medical functions and their implications, as well as methods for the detection of gasotransmitters.
Prospects for Chemoprevention of Colorectal Neoplasia
by Andrew T. Chan Elmar DeteringThe prevention of colorectal cancer is a subject of increasing medical importance, and there have been a number of promising recent developments. This book examines in detail important aspects of the current status and future prospects for chemoprevention of colorectal tumors. Research into the mechanisms that lead from early colorectal adenoma to colorectal cancer is discussed. The role and modes of action of available drugs such as celecoxib and sulindac are described, and recent data from aspirin trials are analyzed. In addition, the possible impact of nutritional agents with anti-inflammatory properties is considered, and strategies applicable in those with a high level of genetic risk are evaluated. An important feature of the book is its holistic perspective, making it relevant for gastroenterologists, internists, general practitioners, oncologists, colorectal and gastroenterological surgeons, and public health practitioners.
Metallocorroles for Attenuation of Atherosclerosis
by Adi HaberAdi Haber's thesis summarises the use of a new entity, the corrole, to combat one of the major cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis. She examines the effects of three rationally designed corrole-metal complexes on some of the many variables which contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. There is a focus on both the "bad" and "good" cholesterol carriers, LDL and HDL. Adi Haber proceeds from basic findings in pure chemistry through biochemical and cell culture tests to in vivo examinations. The work in this thesis shows that corroles are highly efficient both for early and late treatment of atherosclerosis in animals. These results will pave the way for ongoing regulated preclinical studies focussed on the development of metallocorroles as potential drugs for treating cardiovascular diseases.
Self-Assembly of Flat Organic Molecules on Metal Surfaces
by Manuela MuraManuela Mura's thesis is devoted to ab initio studies of self-assembled organic molecules on a gold surface. This area of research is particularly vibrant because of the various applications such studies have in nanoscience and surface chemistry and physics. In this thesis Manuela Mura uses theory to suggest atomistic models for the observed assembled and she proposes an assembly mechanism. The methods and results developed as part of this work will be of wide interest to physicists and chemists working on the assemblies of organic molecules on crystal surfaces.
Stellar Structure and Evolution
by Alfred Weigert Achim Weiss Rudolf KippenhahnThis long-awaited second edition of the classical textbook on Stellar Structure and Evolution by Kippenhahn and Weigert is a thoroughly revised version of the original text. Taking into account modern observational constraints as well as additional physical effects such as mass loss and diffusion, Achim Weiss and Rudolf Kippenhahn have succeeded in bringing the book up to the state-of-the-art with respect to both the presentation of stellar physics and the presentation and interpretation of current sophisticated stellar models. The well-received and proven pedagogical approach of the first edition has been retained. The book provides a comprehensive treatment of the physics of the stellar interior and the underlying fundamental processes and parameters. The models developed to explain the stability, dynamics and evolution of the stars are presented and great care is taken to detail the various stages in a star's life. Just as the first edition, which remained a standard work for more than 20 years after its first publication, the second edition will be of lasting value not only for students but also for active researchers in astronomy and astrophysics.
Stellar Structure and Evolution (Astronomy and Astrophysics Library)
by Alfred Weigert Achim Weiss Rudolf KippenhahnThis long-awaited second edition of the classical textbook on Stellar Structure and Evolution by Kippenhahn and Weigert is a thoroughly revised version of the original text. Taking into account modern observational constraints as well as additional physical effects such as mass loss and diffusion, Achim Weiss and Rudolf Kippenhahn have succeeded in bringing the book up to the state-of-the-art with respect to both the presentation of stellar physics and the presentation and interpretation of current sophisticated stellar models. The well-received and proven pedagogical approach of the first edition has been retained.The book provides a comprehensive treatment of the physics of the stellar interior and the underlying fundamental processes and parameters. The models developed to explain the stability, dynamics and evolution of the stars are presented and great care is taken to detail the various stages in a star’s life. Just as the first edition, which remained a standard work for more than 20 years after its first publication, the second edition will be of lasting value not only for students but also for active researchers in astronomy and astrophysics.
Molecular Imaging of the Brain
by M. M. Kaila Rakhi KailaThis book examines multi-quantum magnetic resonance imaging methods and the diagnostics of brain disorders. It consists of two Parts. The part I is initially devoted towards the basic concepts of the conventional single quantum MRI techniques. It is supplemented by the basic knowledge required to understand multi-quantum MRI. Practical illustrations are included both on recent developments in conventional MRI and the MQ-MRI. This is to illustrate the connection between theoretical concepts and their scope in the clinical applications. The Part II initially sets out the basic details about quadrupole charge distribution present in certain nuclei and their importance about the functions they perform in our brain. Some simplified final mathematical expressions are included to illustrate facts about the basic concepts of the quantum level interactions between magnetic dipole and the electric quadrupole behavior of useful nuclei present in the brain. Selected practical illustrations, from research and clinical practices are included to illustrate the newly emerging ideas and techniques. The reader should note that the two parts of the book are written with no interdependence. One can read them quite independently.
A Rapid Introduction to Adaptive Filtering (SpringerBriefs in Electrical and Computer Engineering)
by Hernan Rey Leonardo Rey VegaIn this book, the authors provide insights into the basics of adaptive filtering, which are particularly useful for students taking their first steps into this field. They start by studying the problem of minimum mean-square-error filtering, i.e., Wiener filtering. Then, they analyze iterative methods for solving the optimization problem, e.g., the Method of Steepest Descent. By proposing stochastic approximations, several basic adaptive algorithms are derived, including Least Mean Squares (LMS), Normalized Least Mean Squares (NLMS) and Sign-error algorithms. The authors provide a general framework to study the stability and steady-state performance of these algorithms. The affine Projection Algorithm (APA) which provides faster convergence at the expense of computational complexity (although fast implementations can be used) is also presented. In addition, the Least Squares (LS) method and its recursive version (RLS), including fast implementations are discussed. The book closes with the discussion of several topics of interest in the adaptive filtering field.
Stability Loss and Buckling Delamination
by Surkay AkbarovThis book investigates stability loss problems of the viscoelastic composite materials and structural members within the framework of the Three-Dimensional Linearized Theory of Stability (TDLTS). The stability loss problems are considered the development of the initial infinitesimal imperfection in the structure of the material or of the structural members. This development is studied within the framework of the Three-Dimensional Geometrical Non-Linear Theory of the Deformable Solid Body Mechanics. The solution to the corresponding boundary-value problems is presented in the series form in the small parameter which characterizes the degree of the initial imperfection. In this way, the nonlinear problems for the domains bounded by noncanonical surfaces are reduced for the same nonlinear problem for the corresponding domains bounded by canonical surfaces and the series subsequent linearized problems. It is proven that the equations and relations of these linearized problems coincide with the corresponding ones of the well-known TDLTS. Under concrete investigations as stability loss criterion the case is taken for the initial infinitesimal imperfection that starts to increase indefinitely. Moreover, it is proven that the critical parameters can be determined by the use of only the zeroth and first approximations.
Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Produktion an Hochlohnstandorten
by Günther Schuh Thomas FriedliIn einem dynamischer und komplexer werdenden Umfeld wird produzierenden Unternehmen mehr und mehr Flexibilität abverlangt. Die Autoren stellen einen integrierten Managementansatz mit spezifischen Methoden und Instrumente vor, mit denen Unternehmen zur notwendigen Flexibilität geführt werden können. Der St. Galler Tradition folgend, steht dabei nicht die Teiloptimierung einzelner Bereiche, sondern die Betrachtung des Gesamtunternehmens im Vordergrund. In der 2. Auflage werden neue Ansätze erläutert, u. a. Globale Produktion und Operative Exzellenz.
Linked Enterprise Data
by Harald Sack Tassilo Pellegrini Sören AuerDie Herausgeber und Autoren führen praxisnah in neue Methoden und Technologien des (Meta-)Daten-Managements für die Vernetzung und Integration verteilter, heterogener Datenbestände ein. Dabei werden die neuen Technologien und Methoden von bereits etablierten Ansätzen deutlich abgegrenzt, ihre Potenziale und auch ihre Grenzen klar benannt. Vor allem Semantic-Web-Technologien, deren betrieblicher Einsatz anhand anschaulicher Fallstudien erläutert wird, spielen eine zentrale Rolle.
S3-Leitlinie Psychosoziale Therapien bei schweren psychischen Erkrankungen
by Peter Falkai Dgppn Dt. GesellschaftDie Leitlinie zeichnet sich durch einen diagnoseübergreifenden Ansatz für die Behandlung von Menschen mit schweren psychischen Störungen aus. Diese Patienten leiden hauptsächlich an den Auswirkungen einer schweren und längerfristigen psychischen Erkrankung. Für die Leitlinie wurden die Empfehlungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Nervenheilkunde (DGPPN) berücksichtigt.
Duplexsonographie der oberflächlichen Beinvenen
by Erika MendozaAllen Ärzten, die Venen operativ oder konservativ behandeln, bietet dieses Buch eine praxisorientierte Anleitung zur Sonographie der oberflächlichen Venen. Die einzelnen Venensegmente werden mit Normalbefund, häufigen und seltenen pathologischen Bildern und differenzialdiagnostisch wichtigen Nebenbefunden ausführlich dargestellt. In der Neuauflage sind die aktuelle anatomische Nomenklatur und die Stadieneinteilung berücksichtigt, zudem werden neue therapeutische Verfahren besprochen. Die beigefügte DVD enthält zusätzliches Bild- und Videomaterial.
Psychologie der Persönlichkeit
by Jens B. Asendorpf Franz J. NeyerDie individuelle Besonderheit des Menschen steht im Zentrum des Fachgebiets Persönlichkeits- oder Differentielle Psychologie. In dem Band erläutern die Autoren systematisch Grundlagen und Anwendung: die sechs Paradigmen der Persönlichkeitspsychologie, Persönlichkeitsbereiche und Störungen, die Entwicklung der Persönlichkeit, Umwelt- und Beziehungsaspekte, kulturvergleichende Persönlichkeitspsychologie und Geschlechterunterschiede. Mit Merksätzen und Prüfungsfragen, deutsch-englischem Glossar und zusätzlichen Materialien auf der begleitenden Website.