Search

'Can you kick a black hole?''What about electrons?'As a child, quantum-physicist Smitha Vishveshwara pondered such questions with her astrophysicist father, C. V. Vishveshwara (Vishu); decades later, their musings grew into a series of letter exchanges in Two Revolutions: Relativity and Quantum Physics. The letters between father and daughter lead the scientifically curious reader through these two remarkable branches of physics that dramatically changed our perception of nature. From the subatomic to the astronomical realms, they weave a rich tapestry of scientific insight, history, personal anecdotes, philosophy, and wonder. The book traces Einstein's tenacious journey in formulating the theory of relativity, in which space and time merge, and gravitation warps spacetime, forming the very fabric of the Universe. The authors reveal how black holes and gravitational waves emerge as bizarre and awe-inspiring constructs within this framework. In the quantum realm, the book mulls over conundrums posed by wave-particle duality, Schrodinger's curious cat, the beautiful dance of electrons in atoms, and entanglement. It explores communities of particles acting in marvelous concert in magnetic resonance imaging, superfluids, and more. Fate took unforeseen twists while the book was still in the making. In 2016, after decades of work by numerous researchers, the detection of gravitational waves — Vishu's lifelong dream — finally came to pass. Emanating from two spiraling blackholes a billion light years away, the waves'signals even showed hints of Vishu's pioneering predictions on black hole ringdowns from the 1970s. But soon after that glorious culmination, Vishu fell critically ill. Smitha concludes their story by recreating the euphoria of scientific discovery against the intimate backdrop of life and death.

This is the first comprehensive textbook on Keratorefractive Lenticule Extraction (KLEx). In fact, this new textbook is an expansion and update of the successful book, SMILE, that was published in 2015. The new edition has now been expanded to include all available KLEx procedures such as SMILE/SMILE Pro, SmartSight, CLEAR, and SILK. For the second time, the editors managed to gather a group of excellent international researchers and clinicians from all parts of the world as authors of the individual chapters. The publication follows the proven concept of the first edition, providing a clear, step-by-step approach encompassing the fundamentals, healing response, energy management, biomechanics, complications management, and surgical pattern for KLEx in general and each specific procedure in particular. For the first time, the reader will not only be able to understand KLEx in detail but also to appreciate differences in technologies available on the market.

This book shows six cases of rural grassroots cadres and masses exploring the implementation of the rural revitalization strategy. These cases show the problems encountered in the work of rural leaders and the ideas to solve contradictions (policy and reality, individual and collective), reveal the importance of organization, governance, and talent building in rural development, and emphasize that promoting rural revitalization must empower the village collective and require the active participation of all sectors of society. This work can be used as a reference book for grassroots cadres, rural revitalization workers, the public, professional researchers, and teachers and students of colleges and universities to deeply understand the grassroots practical exploration and theoretical thinking and research of rural revitalization.

Interconnected investigations between conservators, historians, heritage scientists and museum professionals centre on objects that were essential to medieval Christianity in Scandinavia (c. 1100‒1530). Through new and diverse physical data from polychrome sculptures, shrines, winged altarpieces and painted banners, the authors probe a range of issues and problems, from original devotional functions and changing appearances, to the impacts of changing liturgies, locations and priorities. This book highlights the diversity of theoretical and practical approaches to sacred medieval religious objects, and brings together new findings related to the transformations of these objects since the Reformations. Contributors are Karl Christian Alvestad, Alexandra Böhme, David Buti, Francesco Caruso, Aoife Daly, Tine Frøysaker, Elina Gertsman, Irka Hajdas, Poul Grinder Hansen, Karoline Kjesrud, Lena Liepe, Hana Lukasova, Maite Maguregui, Austin Nevin, Elena Platania, Anne Irene Riisøy, Katrine S. Scharffenberg, Jón Viðar Sigurðsson, Calin Constantin Steindal, Noëlle L.W. Streeton, Einar Uggerud, Anna Vila, and Jørgen Wadum.

The objective of this book is to review and summarize recent developments in our understanding of iron transport and storage in living systems. It includes an overview of the evolutionary aspects of iron metabolism and bacterial iron transport, as well as a detailed discussion of molecules with specific roles in iron metabolism in higher organisms. It also presents relationships between intracellular iron metabolism and cell proliferation. Iron Transport and Storage addresses the comparative aspects of iron transport and storage in different tissues. This essential volume is very useful for hematologists, physical and biological chemists, cell and molecular biologists, physiologists, and clinicians with an interest in the biology and metabolism of iron.

The purpose of this book is to collect into one volume the research done on the mass spectrometry of peptides. It balances a range of topics including theory, instrumentation, analytical techniques, and biological applications. The scope of the work contains three major sections: ionization methods, instrumental developments, and analysis of peptides. It describes 252Cf plasma desorption and laser-induced multiphoton ionization methodology. This exciting resource covers many new areas, including continuous flow FAB, quantification of human neuropeptides, and peptide mapping. It also discusses Q-FTMS, cross-links, and metal ions.

Comprehensive summary of the properties and performance of experimental analytical techniques for a wide range of electrochemical energy storage materials Energy Storage Materials Characterization summarizes the basic methods used to determine the properties and performance of energy storage materials and details a wide range of techniques used in electrochemical testing, including X-ray, neutron, optical, microwave, electron, and scanning probe techniques. Representative examples of each technique are presented to illustrate their powerful capabilities and offer a general strategy for future development of the original techniques. Preceding the main text, a helpful introduction covers topics including the overall energy consumption structure of the modern world, various existing forms of energy and electrochemical energy storage, known problems with energy storage materials such as lithium-ion batteries, and specifics of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Written by two highly qualified academics with significant research experience in the field, Energy Storage Materials Characterization includes information such as: Photoemission spectroscopy, X-ray pair distribution function to investigate battery systems, and cryo-electron microscopyX-ray diffraction, absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence and tomography microscopy, and neutron scattering, depth profile, and imagingUV-Vis spectroscopy for energy storage and related materials, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and optical microscopyStructural and chemical characterization of alkali-ion battery materials using electron energy-loss spectroscopy coupled with transmission electron microscopy Energy Storage Materials Characterization is an essential up-to-date reference on the subject for chemists and materials scientists involved in research related to improving electrochemical energy storage systems for superior battery performance.

This book presents a wide variety of immuno-gold techniques for use in virus diagnosis and research. Protocols are presented for state-of-the-art techniques, including in situ hybridization, freeze substitution, and the utilization of ultra-small probes and replicas for use by virologists and electron microscopists identifying and studying viruses, their components, and replication in cells. The procedures are described by eminent scientists and are pertinent to both experienced researchers and newcomers to this field who are interested in the localization of low antigenic mass structures.

The effects of climate change on food production and security are many and varied and represent one of the biggest challenges facing humanity today. As the human population increases there is increasing pressure on land availability and water resources. In many staple crops, warming temperatures have caused decreases in overall yields but at the same time the demand for cheaper and more sustainable food has increased. This edited volume examines the effects of climate change on all aspects of food production and how this is affecting food security in many parts of the world. The book presents a series of chapters which describe new technologies aimed at mitigating these effects via, for example, genetic modification, microbial science, and the introduction of new crops. · Information is presented in a very accessible and logical format. · The book focuses on sustainable food security and safety, illustrated with case studies. · The chapters cover the latest thinking on food security via sustainable livestock and agricultural production. · The book describes the social issues related to food safety, regulatory frameworks, and policies in the light of climate change.

This book provides a state-of-the-art review of the current models and typologies of olive landscapes and related farming systems in the Mediterranean. It also explores potential prospects for monitoring and enhancing their sustainability standards. Olive groves are an essential component of the historical landscape that largely drive the cultural, ecological and socio-economic character of the region. Agronomic intensification and mechanization, market globalization and delocalization, and financialization are affecting these ancient farming systems in certain olive landscapes, whereas others are threatened by abandonment and financial loss. This complex set of processes is resulting in a heterogeneous mosaic of olive landscapes when examined across nested spatial-temporal scales and institutional levels. In alignment with such complexity, multiple challenges are arising linked to sustainability standards and targets. Sustainability has actually been the subject of much public discussion and yet of not nearly enough scientific evidence-gathering that is both robust and comparable across geographic contexts and scales. This is where this book is expected to provide a meaningful contribution. Ultimately, the main objective of this book is to establish a base-line sustainability picture of the complex mosaic of olive landscapes across the Mediterranean region. The book is structured along a series of national /regional and thematic reviews and syntheses, which lead to joined-up reflections on current and future challenges, opportunities and trajectories for enhancing the sustainability of olive landscapes across the Mediterranean. The book will be of interest to academics and researchers, policy-makers, the farming community, and market agents alike. We expect that they will find in this book an overall picture of the sector´s current situation and plausible pathways for achieving enhanced sustainability standards, whilst also permitting the reader to gain depth on the contingent characteristics of the different drivers, components and typologies of these dynamic and valuable landscapes.

Luminescent Thermometers deals with all aspects of the subject from principles of methods to their applications in different areas. This book familiarizes the readers with the fundamentals of luminescence thermometry, materials used for the development of different luminescence thermometers, viz. metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) including lanthanide-doped MOFs referred as LOFs, quantum dots (QDs), rare earth-doped phosphors, and upconversion phosphors. Further, some advanced and next generation approaches for luminescent thermometers such as carbon-based materials, nanocomposites, double perovskites and garnet systems are assimilated. The applications of luminescent thermometers in temperature sensing of biological cells and tumors, thermal imaging of biological cells, flexible temperature sensors, health monitoring with wearable thermometers, and environmental monitoring are the key features of this volume. It is a valuable contribution to the literature for material scientists and engineers in academia and R&D as well as researchers working in biology and environment science.Key Features: Covers entire range of luminescent thermometers from fundamentals to applications Describes state-of-the-art of materials and next generation approaches for luminescence-based nanothermometery Discusses the high-end utilities of luminescent thermometers in different aspects of human life are discussed

Discover a practical approach to equine veterinary nursing care, for use in clinical practice and education. Textbook of Equine Veterinary Nursing provides an introduction to the required knowledge and fundamental skills involved with veterinary nursing care for equine patients. It is a rigorous and comprehensive resource for any individual working in the equine veterinary industry, covering core topics including anatomy and physiology, clinical examination, medication administration, husbandry, infection control, and critical care for equine patients. Specific nursing care requirements for neonates and donkeys are also included. Textbook of Equine Veterinary Nursing readers will also find: Detailed discussion of topics including applied equine welfare, equine medical and surgical disorders, and equine anaesthesiaInformation, revision aids, and exam guidance specific to the current syllabi for the equine veterinary nursing qualificationAdvice on career progression, further qualifications, and training in equine care Written by a team of experienced equine veterinary nurses and equine veterinary surgeons and based on evidence-based research, Textbook of Equine Veterinary Nursing is ideal for equine veterinary nurses, student equine veterinary nurses, veterinary students and equine science students. This textbook can also be used for higher education equine courses.

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) is a powerful tool that reveals the hidden colors of chemical elements, changing our understanding of nature. This technology is widely used in various fields, including industrial quality control, environmental analysis, and art conservation. A new advancement in XRF is x-ray color imaging, which captures images of chemical elements in the x-ray wavelength range. There are two techniques: scanning and projection. Projection-type x-ray color imaging is a breakthrough development that uses 2D semiconductor detectors, allowing real-time imaging and dynamic tracking of chemical reactions. This innovation has the potential to transform several scientific fields, allowing scientists to study complex systems and reactions in ways never before possible. This book explores the technology and applications of this new imaging technique. Key Features: Perhaps the leading researcher in the field Range of academic and industrial applications Practical

The book presents the entire spectrum of the microplastics problem in our waters, from the collection of water samples to their analysis and interpretation. As part of the'R(h)eines Wasser'project, the author swam the Rhine and, based on this experience, addresses a sensitive issue that will occupy humanity for many years to come.

As we confront the environmental challenges of the Anthropocene, cellular agriculture has emerged as a revolutionary technology promising to reshape global food systems. Dead Meat offers a critical examination of this biotechnological shift, exploring how cultivated meat production reconfigures the relationship between life, death, and food in the context of competing ecological, social, and ethical imperatives. Elisabeth Abergel provides a compelling analysis of cultivated meat through the lens of “competing vitalities”, questioning how these new forms of food production are narrated and imagined in the Anthropocene. She delves into the sociotechnical imaginaries that promise sustainability, animal welfare, and climate resilience, while probing the tensions between these narratives and the political economy of industrial food production. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from the environmental humanities, science and technology studies, political economy, and political ecology, Abergel critiques the idea that cultivated meat is a simple technological fix to the climate crisis. Instead, she exposes how these innovations both challenge and reinforce capitalist logics that dominate agricultural systems. Dead Meat is essential reading for scholars and students in environmental sociology, food politics, science and technology studies, environmental humanities, and political economy, as well as for activists and policymakers interested in sustainable food futures and planetary health.

This book describes the basic principles and techniques of cold plasma to synthesize nanomaterials, emphasizing the fundamentals. Nanotechnology has matured enough to make inroads into the industry. “Quantum size effects” is the basis of the exotic properties of nanomaterials. The shapes and the size distribution dictate the properties of the nano-matter. The demands of the synthesis technique are to produce nano-matter with uniform size, repeatable shapes, uniform size distribution, stability of the nanostructures (reaching thermodynamic equilibrium), reproducibility of the particle sizes, and reliability of the process. These demands can be met when the synthesis technique has precise control over the process parameters. Cold plasma techniques possess all the requirements of the needs of nanomaterial synthesis. The cold plasma, an evolving field, has been established to be the most powerful tool not only for micro-electronics (both in the deposition and etching) but in many areas like health care, medicine, agriculture, food processing, etc. The book's primary emphasis is to explain the basic principles and concepts of cold plasma in nanomaterial synthesis. The target audience is undergraduate and graduate students learning nanomaterial synthesis and plasma technology. It is hoped that this book also is a good source of reference for practicing scientists and engineers involved in synthesizing nanomaterials and nanostructures in the industry.

This book contains the original and refereed research papers presented at the 11th Frontier Academic Forum of Electrical Engineering (FAFEE 2024) held in Chongqing, China. Topics covered include: Power System and New Energy; Motors and Systems; Power Electronics and Electrical Drives; High Voltage and Discharge; Electrical Energy Storage and Application; New Electrical Materials; Advanced Electromagnetic Technology. The papers share the latest findings in the field of electrical engineering, making the book a valuable asset for researchers, engineers and university students, etc.

This edited volume explores the relationship between Artificial intelligence (AI), business performance, and regulation. Artificial intelligence allows entrepreneurs to create universally transferable platforms and customers to find the offer they want. Indeed, AI is an excellent tool for competitiveness and innovation. It can contribute to a positive business performance by reducing costs, analyzing and exploiting data, optimizing marketing strategy and advertising targeting, and improving the customer experience. However, Artificial intelligence can also generate threats such as disinformation, manipulation, and false content. Companies are increasingly becoming obliged to take security measures to protect digital data against cyber-attacks and data leaks. This volume presents concepts and solutions for companies aiming not only to benefit from the newest technological developments in AI but also interested in tackling the challenges that come with the use of these technologies.

This Handbook covers a large number of Pipeline Engineering topics, ranging from the initial stages of designing, constructing, operating and managing the integrity of a pipeline to several of their fluid transportation applications such as oil, gas, derivatives, slurry, hydrogen and CO2. Traditional onshore and offshore pipelines are covered, as well as chapters on present and future interaction with modern society. This Handbook serves as a first reference resource for new readers entering the field, but also as a complement to those who are aware of the general principles encompassing areas of pipeline engineering. This Handbook has been developed in close cooperation with ABCM, the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering.

This open access is an educational text on reactor physics experiments and is described based on a careful examination of the contents and pedagogical benefits obtained from the book Nuclear Reactor Physics Experiments by T. Misawa, H. Unesaki, and C. H. Pyeon (2010) from Kyoto University Press, Japan. The current volume comprehensively covers basic and applied topics on experiment using nuclear reactors, including exponential experiment, uranium enrichment measurement and subcriticality measurements, in addition to approach-to-criticality experiment, control rod calibration experiment, and reaction rate measurement by the activation foil method. This book is intended for graduate students who have already studied reactor physics and radiation detection in an undergraduate program. Readers who have not yet studied these two areas or who wish to review them are recommended to read the companion book Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Experiments, by G. Wakabayashi, T. Yamada, T. Endo, and C.H. Pyeon (2023) from Springer, covering basic concepts and theories of reactor physics and radiation detection. This volume provides a systematic understanding of reactor physics experiments, complemented by its companion book by Wakabayashi et al.

This book discusses advances in postharvest and analytical technology for horticulture crops and challenges to meet future needs. The horticulture crops (fruits and vegetables) need a systematic and scientific postharvest handling and management system for securing both physical and chemical attributes while prolonging their shelf life. Postharvest technologies include storage, drying, packaging, extraction of components, and preparation of juice and wine from the collected fruits and vegetables. All these postharvest technologies have emerged and evolved with time to provide meaningful solutions to minimize food loss, maintain quality, and provide fast processing of horticulture crops. Parallel development of analytical techniques has also evolved to monitor the quality of fruits and vegetables during postharvest processing and thus provide a rapid and efficient method for delivering safer food products. This book provides an overview of different postharvest technologies, their mechanisms, and their effect on the quality of horticulture crops. It also emphasizes the assessment of each advanced technology, including its limitations and advantages. Overall, this book provides techniques, research, mechanisms, advances, and challenges of postharvest and analytical technologies for horticulture crops, along with recommendations for future research directions.

This unique book provides a comprehensive introduction to the multifaceted realm of functionalized magnetic nanoparticles in the field of theranostics, exploring the fundamental concepts, synthesis methods, characterization techniques, and potential applications. In recent years, the intersection of nanotechnology and medicine has ushered in a new era of therapeutics and diagnostics. Among the myriad nanostructures, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have emerged as versatile candidates with immense potential for theranostic applications. Their unique combination of magnetic properties and functionalization capabilities has paved the way for innovative approaches in both the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. Understanding the synthesis, characterization, and manipulation of these MNPs is essential for harnessing their full potential in theranostics. Advances in nanotechnology have enabled precise control over their size, shape, and surface chemistry, allowing for tailored functionalities to suit specific biomedical applications. From superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) to magnetic nanorods and beyond, the diverse landscape of MNPs offers a rich playground for innovation. The convergence of diagnosis and therapy is facilitated by functionalized MNPs; their magnetic properties render them invaluable tools for imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), offering high-resolution anatomical and functional information for disease detection and monitoring. Simultaneously, functionalizing MNPs with targeting ligands, therapeutic agents, or stimuli-responsive moieties empowers them to actively engage in targeted drug delivery, hyperthermia, or magnetic manipulation of biological processes. This synergistic approach exemplifies the essence of theranostics—combining therapy and diagnostics to achieve personalized and precise medical interventions. The book discusses the challenges ahead, including the translation of functionalized MNPs from bench to bedside, which necessitates rigorous preclinical and clinical evaluations to ensure safety, efficacy, and biocompatibility. Moreover, the complex interplay between nanoparticles and biological systems demands a multidisciplinary approach, bridging the gap between materials science, biology, and clinical medicine. Regulatory hurdles, scalability issues, and ethical considerations further underscore the need for concerted efforts and strategic collaborations in the development and commercialization of MNP-based theranostic platforms. The readers will find that “Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles for Theranostic Applications” comprehensively covers the chemical, structural, and biological properties of functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for theranostic applications as well as most of the challenges. Audience This unique reference book will be of great value to materials engineers, polymer scientists, and technologists working in the electronic, electrical, and biomedical industries. It will also be of great use to graduate, postgraduate, and engineering students working in materials and polymer science.

The topics of nuclear physics, particle physics and cosmology are closely connected. As the second volume of a two-volume set, this book covers particle physics and cosmology. Chapters exploring particle physics describe the standard model of particle physics and deal with the classification of the many sub- nuclear particles and forces of nature while introducing the various advances in the field. Relativistic quantum mechanics, quantum field theory and group theory are explored and the dynamics of the universe are described. Components of the universe are additionally discussed. This course text follows a simple style, with a lucid approach and step-by-step explanations. Every effort has been made to describe things clearly and care has been taken to provide illustrations wherever applicable. Written as a self-contained, self-help book Contains theory, problems and solutions (numeral type, MCQ type, critical type) Written in an accessible style Various applications pertaining to various fields of particle physics and cosmology are considered

Selected peer-reviewed extended articles based on abstracts presented at the 11th International Conference on Materials Science (ICMS-2023)Aggregated Book

Selected peer-reviewed extended articles based on abstracts presented at the 8th International Conference on Materials Engineering and Nano Sciences (ICMENS 2024) & the 8th International Conference on Material Engineering and Manufacturing (ICMEM 2024)Aggregated Book

Special topic volume with invited peer-reviewed papers only

Special topic volume with invited peer-reviewed papers only

Collected together in one neat volume—three electrifying futuristic adventures that let loose the Robotech Defense Force against the most fearsome conquerors in the universe. Three ROBOTECH novels for the price of one. Genesis, Battle Cry, and Homecoming from the Macross Saga collected together in one neat volume. GENESIS The Global Civil War was about to make Humankind extinct, when the stupendous Super Dimensional Fortress, dispatched to Earth by a dying alien genius, changed all that forever. Humanity's only hope lay in a corps of untried young men and women gifted with powers they didn't fully understand. Then the most feared conquerors in the universe attacked, determined to destroy them for no reason they could comprehend. BATTLE CRY Henry J. Global is in command of the Super Dimensional Fortress. But a massive enemy force led by Khyron the Backstabber is hot on his trail… HOMECOMING For over a year, the humans aboard the Super Dimensional Fortress fought and eluded a millions-strong armada of alien warships. Now the SDF-1 would have to slug her way through the massed enemy fleet to return to blue-white Terra. But villains come in human form as well as alien 6 and the evil of power-hungry men may be the most lethal threat of all…

This book analyzes Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) in a systematic way, providing practical orientation on how to prepare products meeting their established specifications. The author uses his experience to review GMP following a risk-based approach. The different processes and associated elements that compose the supply chain are identified and examined by means of numerous tables and figures that facilitate comprehension and application.

What's it like to study polar bears in the wild? How do you raise children among large carnivores? And how do you find a frog that no-one has seen for 40 years? From deserts to rainforests and even the polar Arctic, scientists venture into the field to collect, observe and study the world's organisms and the environments they live in. But even with the best planning, unexpected weather, unpredictable animals and unforeseen encounters can occur. Wild Science: Unexpected Encounters When Working in Nature explores the precarious, hilarious and thought-provoking stories ‘behind the science'. It shows the value of these experiences, even when things don't go right, and the importance of fieldwork for understanding our own place in the world.

This open access book describes the nondestructive assay techniques that are used for the measurement of nuclear material (primarily uranium and plutonium) for nuclear material accountancy purposes. It is a substantial revision to the so-called PANDA manual that has been a standard reference since its publication in 1991. The book covers the origin and interactions of gamma rays and neutrons as they affect nuclear measurements and also describes the theory and practice of calorimetry. The book gives a description of many instruments based on these techniques that are applied in the field. Although the basic physics has not changed since PANDA was first published, the last thirty years have seen many advances in analysis methods, instrumentation, and applications. The basic descriptions of the origin and interactions of radiation have been updated and include newer references. There have been extensive revisions of the description of gamma detection methods, attenuation correction procedures, and analysis methods, including for the measurement of uranium enrichment and the determination of plutonium isotopic composition. Extensive revisions and additions have also been made to the description of neutron detectors and to the explanation of neutron coincidence techniques. The chapter on neutron multiplicity techniques is a new addition to this edition. The applications of gamma and neutron techniques have been completely overhauled to remove obsolete systems and to include many current applications. The values of, and references to, nuclear data have been updated. This updated edition is an essential reference for academic researchers and practitioners in the field. This is an open access book.

The management of cutaneous findings in genodermatoses is challenging to the practicing clinician, especially when all hues of skin and skin types are contemplated, and first-line therapies often inadequate. This carefully crafted Atlas includes all sorts of different ethnic skin types, while featuring a wealth of over 1000 commented images collected in more than a decade, including 200 rare genodermatoses, and providing the reader with key points for correct dermatological diagnosis. The contents start with disorders of keratinization and pigmentation, as well as bullous, acantholytic, dermal, hair and nail diseases. Successively, immunodeficiency syndromes and their skin related symptoms, hamartoneoplastic syndromes and defective excision repair syndromes are presented. The addition of vascular disorders, as well as syndromes with premature aging grant full topic coverage. This Atlas of Common and Rare Genodermatoses will be a valued companion to dermatologists and paediatric specialists in their daily practice.

This book presents a comprehensive overview of bio-nanocomposites, from the fundamentals to emerging biomedical applications. Bio-nanocomposites have established themselves as a promising class of hybrid materials derived from natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers and organic/inorganic fillers. Different compositions can, therefore, lead to different applications based on the desired performance. This book introduces a variety of biopolymer nanocomposites, from their synthesis to their structure and applications. The fundamentals and systematic advancements in synthesizing bio-nanocomposites and their characterizations have been highlighted. In addition, the biocompatible and bridgeable properties of bio-nanocomposites are investigated in terms of functionalization, dispersion, and surface manipulation. This book also provides insights into the most recent research in bio-nanocomposites as applied to biomedical fields, including tissue engineering, wound healing, drug delivery, food packaging, agriculture, sensors, and therapies. Finally, the book proposes future prospects and challenges associated with bio-nanocomposites to achieve the desired performance in targeted biomedical applications. Given its scope, this book interests students, academics, and researchers working on the synthesis, biological applications, and pharmaceutical uses of biopolymers and associated nanocomposites.

This book discusses the new and emerging innovative trends in the bioremediation of hazardous pollutants found in wastewater. It also includes the fate of pollutants produced after the treatment process both at the laboratory scale and at the industrial scale. The book intrusively explores the unique biological aspects of the wastewater treatment process and highlights the advantages they provide for engineering applications in the industries. Each chapter covers a different biological-based approach and examines the basic principles, practical applications, recent breakthroughs, and associated limitations. It presents an array of cutting-edge wastewater treatment research and thereafter its applications in treatment, remediation, sensing, and pollution prevention processes. The biological process for application in wastewater research has a significant impact on maintaining the long-term quality, availability, and viability of water. This book elucidates the technologies of biological wastewater treatment processes. The biological processes presented in wastewater treatment processes include (1) bioremediation of wastewater that includes aerobic treatment (oxidation ponds, aeration lagoons, aerobic bioreactors, activated sludge, percolating or trickling filters, biological filters, rotating biological contactors, biological removal of nutrients) and anaerobic treatment (anaerobic bioreactors, anaerobic lagoons); (2) phytoremediation of wastewater that includes constructed wetlands, rhizofiltration, rhizodegradation, phytodegradation, phytoaccumulation, phytotransformation, and hyperaccumulators; and (3) mycoremediation of wastewater. The book describes a broad area of biological processes and water research which are considered key components for advanced water purification. It also includes the desalination technologies that remove, reduce, or neutralize water contaminants that threaten human health and/or ecosystem productivity and integrity.

This book includes peer reviewed article from the 2nd International Conference on Trends in Architecture and Construction (ICTAC-2024) held at Chandigarh in India. It explores modernity, sustainability, technology, and education within the ever-evolving architectural landscape. This book echoes a collective dedication to fostering environmentally conscious urban practices. It navigates the symbiotic relationship between technology and architecture, shining a spotlight on the pivotal roles of AI, digital tools, and cutting-edge construction techniques. Beyond the tangible, the publication illuminates the shifting terrain of architectural education, honing in on emerging research paradigms and the integration of innovative pedagogies. Rooted in sustainability, this compendium stands as a vibrant repository of insightful contributions, nurturing an expansive dialogue on the future trajectory of architecture.

This book presents cutting-edge papers and perspectives on the transport of oxygen to tissues by scientists in a multitude of disciplines such as biochemistry, engineering, mathematics, medicine, physics, physiology, veterinary and complementary medicine. The book is composed of the following 7 parts: 50th Anniversary, Brain, Clinical applications, Methods and techniques, Tumor Oxygenation, Tissue oxygenation and Muscle. The articles in this book have been presented at the 50th annual meeting of the International Society on Oxygen Transport to Tissue (ISOTT 2023). Academics, clinical and industry researchers, engineers, as well as graduate students who are interested in oxygen transport to tissue will find this book a great reference and a useful learning resource.

This book focuses on ion transport and storage around the interfaces in solid-state-ionics devices, especially for all-solid-state batteries. It covers materials research from fundamental model systems to practically important materials, advanced analysis methods, and computational & data science. This volume is intended for researchers in academia and industry who have studied or worked in this field. It is expected to provide readers with guidelines for interface and material design aimed at advancing all-solid-state batteries, as well as insights into the development of novel solid-state ionics devices. This book is a summary of the studies obtained in the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas'Interface Ionics” founded by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) during 2019-2023.

This contributed volume is designed for fundamental understanding of fracture behavior of composites applied in core industrial sectors such as mechanical, electronics, Automotive, civil structures, and aerospace research and fills the gap of knowledge on fracture analysis. The book is primarily written for senior undergraduates, graduate students, and academic researchers in above mentioned fields.

In'Synapse Symphony,'music and technology collide to create a mesmerizing new frontier of consciousness. Melody, a brilliant neurotechnologist, discovers her extraordinary ability to compose melodies that can rewire the human brain and influence behavior. As her neural symphonies captivate the world, Melody finds herself thrust into a high-stakes game of power and control, with corporations and governments scrambling to harness her revolutionary creations. Faced with the potential to heal millions or inadvertently weaponize her art, Melody grapples with profound ethical dilemmas. Teaming up with a rogue AI composer and a band of underground musicians, she embarks on a thrilling quest to safeguard the purity of her work. As the boundaries between reality and virtual experience blur, Melody races against time to prevent her music from falling into the wrong hands. This techno-thriller explores the transformative power of music, the dangers of unchecked technological advancement, and the quest for a deeper understanding of human consciousness in a world where the mind itself becomes the ultimate instrument.

The IISS Strategic Dossier Turbulence in the Eastern Mediterranean: Geopolitical, Security and Energy Dynamics surveys the geopolitical landscape, defence dynamics and energy prospects of the region that spans Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Libya, Syria and Turkiye. It assesses the security outlook for the region, considering potential flashpoints for intra- and inter-state conflict and evaluating whether newly developed defence ties could evolve into formal alliances. Energy discoveries made in the region in recent years have spurred states'ambitions to become energy hubs. The dossier evaluates whether such aspirations could lay the foundations for deeper regional cooperation or, conversely, increase the risk of confrontation.The dossier includes both thematic and country-specific chapters. In addition to the countries in the area of study, it explores the involvement of seven external powers – China, the European Union, France, the Gulf Cooperation Council states, NATO, Russia and the United States – and assesses where the opportunities and risks for these actors lie.This volume will be essential for policymakers and business leaders seeking a better understanding of the factors shaping the geopolitics of the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) is revolutionizing water quality monitoring. This book explores the application of SERS for detecting pollutants, toxins, and pathogens in water at minute concentrations. With a focus on practical implementation, it equips you with the knowledge to utilize this technique for efficient on-site and laboratory analysis.• Understand the fundamentals of SERS and its advantages for water quality monitoring.• Explore the latest advancements in SERS substrates for optimized detection of contaminants.• Discover SERS applications for identifying a variety of pollutants, including heavy metals, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals.• Gain insights into SERS for bacterial and viral pathogen detection in water.• Navigate the challenges and limitations of SERS for real-world water analysis.SERS for Water Quality Monitoring is a vital resource for researchers, environmental scientists, engineers, and water quality professionals seeking a powerful tool to safeguard our water resources.

The book explores the world of medicinal plants through a groundbreaking and comprehensive book. It delves into high-throughput technologies and multi-omics approaches to unlock the untapped potential of endophytic fungi, revealing novel bioactive compounds. It further talks about the diverse biodiversity and ethnopharmacological knowledge, unravelling the molecular intricacies of secondary metabolites under varying ecological conditions. This gives insights into medicinal plant research, offering cutting-edge insights into genome-based barcoding, nanotechnology, and functional genomics for revolutionary drug discoveries. From proteomic and epigenomic analysis to big data exploration, this book presents a holistic view of medicinal plants'potential and discusses the latest advancements in micropropagation, agronomical approaches, and genome editing, paving the way for transformative medicines and healthcare breakthroughs.It serves as a great resource for academicians, researchers, and pharmacologists.

Meliponini, the stingless bees of the tropics, process and store honey, pollen and plant resins to maintain their colonies. The chemical components of their nests are bioactive and believed to be therapeutic for a long list of maladies. However, only recently are tests and analyses being done with molecular and modern laboratory techniques, such as high throughput EDX, HPIC, HPLC, GC, NMR, PCR, and ultrastructural SEM; coupled with diverse detectors such as DAD, RI, MS, SCD.This two-volume book is about the cerumen –plant resins mixed with stingless bee wax– and propolis, which fortify the colony in ways that are beginning to be understood. It includes reviews and new research on diverse topics involving the chemistry and bioactivity of plant resins, cerumen, propolis, besides bee and microbe behavior and ecology. These analytic studies are presented along with stingless bee biodiversity, palynology, cultural knowledge, bee foraging behavior, resin flower evolution, ecology, and evolution of nest microbe mutualisms, social immunity, human health, the decisive role of microbiology investigation in moving forward, natural history of stingless bee colonies and nests, marketing, and bibliometrics for plant resin use by bees, propolis, and the Starmerella yeast.

The Age of Capitalism, Consumer Culture, and the Collapse of Nature in the Anthropocene argues that the stability of post-industrial, postmodern society is threatened by the convergence of three distinct, yet interrelated, crises: environmental degradation, capitalist economic development, and the primacy of consumption and self-absorption as the basis for economic development at the expense of community and social relationships. Jack Thornburg contrasts advanced modern society with indigenous cultures in terms of nature and conceptions of the communal self. The complex nature of capitalist-oriented society has influenced how individuals conceptualize themselves. The outcome, the author contends, is a competitive society in which individuals are alienated living in uncertain times. One consequence of these crises (all of which derive from the Enlightenment and the concomitant appearance and evolution of capitalism) has been the destruction of a worldview balancing and connecting well-being with prosperity of the natural world. Money and materialism cannot buy happiness as capitalist narrative asserts. Thornburg claims that the happiness sought by individuals seeking meaning through consumption can only be realized by reintegrating nature with the human spirit.

This book is the second edition of the one originally published in 2016, which focused on state-of-the-art microfluidic research in medical and biological applications. Similar to the first edition, beginners in the field —undergraduates, engineers, biologists, medical and pharmaceutical researchers—will easily learn to understand microfluidic-based medical and biological applications. Because a wide range of topics is summarized here, it also helps experts to learn more about fields outside their own specialties. In this second edition, significant revisions have been made to chapters covering technologies that have seen major advancements, such as acoustofluidics, protein crystallography, organ-on-a-chip systems, nanopore sensing, and paper-based microfluidics. In addition, the chapters on cancer diagnosis using exosomes and single-cell sequencing using droplet microfluidics, which are attracting attention as new technologies, have been newly added. Readers will be convinced that microfluidic devices have great potential for medical and biological applications.

Common Lip Diseases: A Clinical Guide is a comprehensive medical atlas designed to enhance the understanding and management of various labial pathologies. This guide is specifically tailored for dentistry students, dentists, and dermatologists, offering a clear and concise overview of common lip diseases, organized by etiology for easy reference.The atlas covers a wide range of conditions, including infectious and inflammatory cheilitis, traumatic lip diseases, and systemic immunological disorders like lichen planus and pemphigus vulgaris. It also addresses labial manifestations of systemic diseases, vascular pathologies, and potentially malignant disorders such as squamous cell carcinoma. Additionally, the guide explores pigmented lesions and introduces innovative treatment protocols like phototherapy and photodynamic therapy.Key Features- Quick and easy-to-read medical reference- Covers several conditions of the lips- Several detailed images- Case studies for understanding outpatient clinical practiceWith its didactic approach, this atlas is an invaluable resource for medical professionals seeking to advance their basic knowledge in oral medicine.

This book collects the selected papers of the XIV Congress of the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment held in Chengdu, Sichuan, China from September 21st - 27th, 2023, with the theme of Engineering Geology for a Habitable Earth. The meeting proceedings analyses the dynamic role of engineering geology in our changing world. The congress is expected to enhance the inter-disciplinary research development of international engineering geology and the environment, and contribute to the advancement of major projects, ecological progress, and habitable earth with in-depth discussion in the area of engineering geology and global climate change, geological hazard assessment and prevention, geotechnical properties of rock and soil mass, engineering geology and the environmental issues concerning marine, transportation, urban and ecological environment protection, engineering geology and resilience engineering construction, intelligent engineering geology, and new theories, methods, and techniques in engineering geology.

DNAPL Site Evaluation covers long-term contamination of ground water by DNAPL (dense non-aqueous phase liquids) chemicals. The book develops a framework for planning and implementing DNAPL site characterization activities. It provides detailed methods to identify, characterize, and monitor sites and analyzes their utility, limitations, risks, availability, and cost. Methods to interpret contaminant fate and transport are identified, and new site characterization methods are assessed. DNAPL Site Evaluation will maximize the cost-effectiveness of site investigation/remediation by providing the best information available to describe and evaluate methods to be used for determining the presence, fate, and transport of subsurface DNAPL contamination. The book will be a useful reference for groundwater professionals and environmental regulatory personnel.

Handbook of Chromatography: Analysis of Lipids provides a valuable review of state-of-the-art applications of chromatographic techniques (TLC, GC, HPLC) and other analytical techniques. Much of this volume is devoted to applications of HPLC (including supercritical fluid chromatography) in the analysis of lipids such as fatty acids, oxygenated fatty acids, enantiomeric acyl- and alkylglycerols, and lipoproteins. The handbook also provides extensive coverage of applications of combinations of various chromatographic techniques used in the analysis of ozonides, anacardic acids, glycerophospholipids, products of lipolysis, artifacts and contaminants in edible fats, acylated proteins, non-caloric lipids, lipophilic vitamins, acyl-Coenzyme A thioesters, dolichols, mycolic acids, technical fats and fat products, and liposomes. Handbook of Chromatography: Analysis of Lipids will be a useful reference for oil chemists, biochemists, fat science technologists, and other scientists involved in lipid research.

Epidermal Langerhans Cells focuses on epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) and the important role they play in the induction of contact hypersensitivity and graft rejection. This in-depth work discusses how these antigen-presenting cells are modulated by various physicochemical agents (such as UV light) and how they can be infected by the AIDS virus. It also reveals that cytokines mediate their development into potent T cell-stimulatory dendritic cells. This comprehensive review covers important experimental details and methods, and fascinating information on LCs. It also provides an overview of the immune system as it relates to the skin in health and disease. This up-to-date publication is an indispensable resource for all investigative and clinical dermatologists, as well as immunologists interested in antigen-presenting cells.