Springer netherlands nov 2012 (778 resultados)

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -An integrated approach to environmental data management is necessitated by the complexity of the environmental problems that need to be addresses, coupled with the interdisciplinary approach that needs to be adopted to solve them. Agenda 21 of the Rio Environmental Conference mandated international programmes and organizations to take steps to develop common data and information management plans, and steps have been taken in this direction. The key word that defines the framework of the present book is `integration'. The book establishes the basics of integrated approaches and covers environmental data management systems within that framework, covering all aspects of data management, from objectives and constraints, design of data collection networks, statistical and physical sampling, remote sensing and GIS, databases, reliability of data, data analysis, and the transformation of data into information. 564 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Empirical Studies in Industrial Organization brings together leading scholars who present state-of-the-art research in the spirit of the structure-conduct-performance paradigm embodied in the work of Leonard W. Weiss. The individual chapters are generally empirically or public policy oriented. A number of them introduce new sources of data that, combined with the application of appropriate econometric techniques, enable new breakthroughs and insights on issues hotly debated in the industrial organization literature. For example, five of the chapters are devoted towards uncovering the link between market concentration and pricing behavior. While theoretical models have produced ambiguous predictions concerning the relationship between concentration and price these chapters, which span a number of different markets and situations, provide unequivocal evidence that a high level of market concentration tends to result in a higher level of prices. Three of the chapters explore the impact of market structure on production efficiency, and three other chapters focus on the role of industrial organization on public policy. Contributors include David B. Audretsch, Richard E. Caves, Mark J. Roberts, F.M. Scherer, John J. Siegfried and Hideki Yamawaki. 300 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -The member states are facing the choice between either reaping the benefits of increasing integration in a certain area - in this case the capital markets - attended by a significant reduction in national powers of autonomous decision-making and independence, or retaining this national independence enabling them to pursue their own policy objectives with the aid of instruments selected at their discretion. To this question, there is no generally valid answer. The solution is determined by the weight assigned to the benefits, on the one hand, and that assigned to the reduction in national sovereignty, on the other. This, however, is a subjective matter, which is assessed differently in the various countries. OnnoRuding, 1969 1. 1 CAPITAL LffiERALIZATION AND MONETARY UNIFICATION In the 1980s Europe made a leap forward towards the liberalization of capital movements. EEC directives were accepted by all member states obliging them to abolish all remaining exchange controls. This common objective of freedom of capital movements has been consolidated in the Treaty on European Union. Nowadays virtually all restrictions have been lifted. This stands in striking contrast to the state of affairs only a decade ago, when many countries still operated a tight regime. Although the Treaty of Rome provided for the freedom of capital movements, this objective was circumscribed by the clause that such liberalization should only be carried through to the extent necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the Common Market. 356 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -It is becoming increasingly clear that the future of the world cannot be sustained without scientific support, analysis, prediction and the use of scientific achievement. The immensity of the problems confronting us, coupled with the limited financial resources available, urgently demand the selection of priority areas of research, with a global combination of scientific effort. The new geopolitical situation has uncovered Russia's and the former Soviet Union's scientific potential. This has given rise to wider opportunities for involvement in work on international projects and programmes, many of which are discussed in the present volume. The book addresses specifically priority fields of science in which joint, multidisciplinary research should be developed, encompassing rational use of natural resources and regional sustainable development, as well as the monitoring of the biosphere's ecosystem state and the risks of natural and anthropogenic hazards, and the creation of new materials and technologies. The list of priorities includes Siberia's economic, social and humanitarian problems, as well as the development of information systems for the rapid exchange of scientific data. There is a recognised need for the involvement of young scientists in partnership laboratories, in a probationary capacity. 292 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Quality is a topical issue in manufacturing. Competitive quality performance still eludes many manufacturers in the traditional industrialized countries. A lack of quality competitiveness is one of the root causes of the relative industrial decline and consequent trade imbalances which plague some Western economies. Many explanations are advanced for poor quality performance. Inadequate levels of investment in advanced technology, together with insufficient education and training of the workforce, are perhaps the most prominent. Some believe these problems are caused by a lack of awareness and commitment from top management, while others point to differences between industrial cultures. The established remedy is known as Total Quality Management (TQM). TQM requires a corporate culture change, driven from the top, and involving every employee in a process of never-ending quality improvement aimed at internal as well as external customers. The techniques deployed to achieve TQM include measures to improve motivation, training in problem-solving and statistical process control (SPC). Quality is, however, only one of the competitive pressures placed It is also upon the manufacturer by the modem global economy. imperative to remain economical and efficient, while increasing the flexibility and responsiveness of the design and manufacturing functions. Here the reduction or elimination of stock is of great importance, particularly as financial interest rates in the less successful manufacturing nations are frequently high. Product life cycles must become ever more compressed in response to the phenomenal design to-manufacture performance of some Pacific rim economies. 256 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -This book serves as a textbook for an introductory course on performance management. It gives an overview over various aspects of managing performance of the modem enterprise by focusing on performance evaluation and measurement and performance improvement techniques. Most of the material is based on a thorough literature search and an extensive reference list has been included. The book has been sponsored by the Norwegian productivity research program TOPP and by the COMETT program of the European Community Commission. It has been applied as the text for a continuing education course both within TOPP and the COMETT project APECE. It will also serve as part of a course material for a master's degree in technology management. The book is aimed at an audience of business and technology oriented personnel at middle and higher management level in manufacturing industry. At the same time it is suitable as a textbook for business and engineering schools and colleges. is organized in five parts discussing productivity and The book performance, performance planning, performance review, performance improvement and performance influencing factors. The authors have worked closely together to obtain a well coordinated text without overlap. They have provided a draft. This draft has been circulated for comments amongst the authors and amongst external experts. Based on their input the manuscript has been revised. Eivald RfI}ren and Einar Printz Moe, chairman of the board and program manager for the TOPP research program respectively, have also provided valuable input to the book. 412 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -One would think states and peoples have had so many bad experiences with inflation that politicians at the helm of these states would do everything within their power to avoid inflation and, in particular, its very intensive shape, i. e. hyperinflation. However, this has not been the case. After the big inflations of the twenties and the post-war inflations of the fourties, we still witness intensive, economically, socially and politically extremely painful inflationary processes. And the eighties will be particularly engraved in history as a period in which the inflation has assumed an exceptionally dynamic character with respect to some countries. This regards, in the first place, Latin America, but not exclusively. Not without reason -as will be of particular intensity has also affected shown in this book -inflation countries which, according to the passed economic doctrine, were supposed to be completely immune from this economic illness. Most generally, the inflation can be assumed to be a uniform phenomenon which, in each case, can be described by a single, universal definition, while being divided into a number of forms and types distinguishable according to their original and secondary sources, their mechanisms, the ways of their manifestation as well as to their effects and the methods of counteracting them. 208 pp. Englisch.…

Buch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -This book present a structure for understanding and exploring the semiotic character of law and law systems. Cultivating a deep understanding for the ways in which lawyers make meaning-the way in which they help make the world and are made, in turn by the world they create -can provide a basis for consciously engaging in the work of the law and in the production of meaning. The book first introduces the reader to the idea of semiotics in general and legal semiotics in particular, as well as to the major actors and shapers of the field, and to the heart of the matter: signs. The second part studies the development of the strains of thinking that together now define semiotics, with attention being paid to the pragmatics, psychology and language of legal semiotics. A third part examines the link between legal theory and semiotics, the practice of law, the critical legal studies movement in the USA, the semiotics of politics and structuralism. The last part of the book ties the different strands of legal semiotics together, and closely looks at semiotics in the lawyer's toolkit-such as: text, name and meaning. 272 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Materials Chemistry is rapidly emerging as a key component of contemporary science. The strongly interdisciplinary nature of the field requires input from all branches of chemistry, from crystallography, from solid state physics and from computational and theoretical techniques. This book aims to give a coherent survey of the field by considering all the major aspects of the current study of the chemistry of materials. Early chapters emphasise basic principles and techniques. Strong emphasis is given to new techniques and technologies, for example, the opportunities opened up by new synchrotron sources in crystallography, and new computational techniques in simulation studies of complex materials. Characterisation techniques including crystallographic, microscopic and spectroscopic techniques are then described. Key contemporary themes such as atomic transport, reactivity and catalysis are reviewed. Later chapters focus on specific dasses of material, induding solid state ionics, ceramics (induding giant magneto-resistance and high temperature superconducting solids), microporous and molecular materials. We hope that the book provides a snapshot of the scientific and technological challenges in this fast developing field. The editors would like to thank the NATO Scientific Affairs Division for funding the School on which this volume is basedj financial contribution from Johnson Matthey Technology Centre is also gratefully acknowledged. We are most grateful to Mrs Jean Conisbee for all her efforts in preparing the manuscript. 548 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Lakes in the Balkans are numerous, but few of them have been studied, and even fewer on a long-term basis. This book is the first on a lake of the Balkans since the monograph on Lake Ohrid (1956). It is a synthesis of our present knowledge on the ecology and functioning of the lake and its resources, with an emphasis on its endemism and on the management needed to preserve its unique fauna and flora. It also contains original long-term studies on pelicans and fish. The target readership is well-educated lay people, conservationists (especially birdwatchers) and wetland scientists. 216 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Many problems in celestial mechanics, physics and engineering involve the study of oscillating systems governed by nonlinear ordinary differential equations or partial differential equations. This volume represents an important contribution to the available methods of solution for such systems. The contents are divided into six chapters. Chapter 1 presents a study of periodic solutions for nonlinear systems of evolution equations including differential equations with lag, systems of neutral type, various classes of nonlinear systems of integro-differential equations, etc. A numerical-analytic method for the investigation of periodic solutions of these evolution equations is presented. In Chapters 2 and 3, problems concerning the existence of periodic and quasiperiodic solutions for systems with lag are examined. For a nonlinear system with quasiperiodic coefficients and lag, the conditions under which quasiperiodic solutions exist are established. Chapter 4 is devoted to the study of invariant toroidal manifolds for various classes of systems of differential equations with quasiperiodic coefficients. Chapter 5 examines the problem concerning the reducibility of a linear system of difference equations with quasiperiodic coefficients to a linear system of difference equations with constant coefficients. Chapter 6 contains an investigation of invariant toroidal sets for systems of difference equations with quasiperiodic coefficients. For mathematicians whose work involves the study of oscillating systems. 300 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Insects are by far the largest group of animals on Earth, with over a million described species, and they occupy a wide range of ecological niches - they may be herbivores, predators, parasites or decomposers. Some are of particular economic importance as pests of agriculture and forestry, as vectors of animal and human disease, or as species of interest to wildlife conservation. Thus an understanding of the processes determining their numbers is of considerable practical value. Entomologists have played a leading role in developing a theoretical basis to Population Ecology, but we still do not have adequate experimental and observational proof for many of the theoretical ideas that have been proposed. As a result, the subject has been beset with arguments for more than 50 years. This volume attempts to reconcile some of these controversies, while also reviewing the current state of our knowledge. The editors have drawn together an international list of contributors whose views reflect a range of opinions on how natural populations are stabilised. They have succeeded in producing a book that both covers the main alternative views in population theory and contains some of the best recent field studies of insect populations. This Royal Entomological Society Symposium volume will be of great interest to all entomologists and ecologists, particularly those who wish to know more about Population Dynamics. 512 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -An almost complete collection of the papers given at the International Workshop on Imaging in High Energy Astronomy (Anacapri, Italy, 1994). These proceedings, which concentrate on imaging above 10 keV, represent the state of the art in the field, resulting from the success of many missions (I.C. Granat and CGRO) carrying detectors for high energy astronomy with imaging capabilities. The main topics of the book are Bragg concentrators, coded mask-modulation collimators, double Compton telescopes, the occultation method, tracking chambers, and new experimental techniques. The book also contains some papers dealing with image reconstruction and processing, with an emphasis on the above techniques. 396 pp. Englisch. …

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Basalt is the most voluminous of all the igneous rocks. Extensive field, experimental, petrographic and geochemical studies of basalt have provided us with a considerable understanding of igneous petrogenesis, plate tectonics, and crust-mantle interaction and exchange. One important aspect of geology that has developed over the last few decades is the study of oceanic basalts. The ocean basins cover about two thirds of the earth's surface and are floored by a basement of oceanic basalt that is continuously undergoing generation at spreading centres and destruction at subduction zones, a process which throughout geological time is recognized as the principal means of generating new crust. The study of oceanic basalts enables us to understand better the generation and recycling of crustal materials (including the continental crust), and the exchange between oceanic crust and seawater via hydrothermal activity. Compositional variations displayed by oceanic basalts provide windows into the mantle, and the identification of isotopically-distinct mantle reservoirs demonstrates that the source of oceanic basalts is heterogeneous and is controlled by convection and reservoir interactions within the mantle. 476 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -(HNF) , autotrophiC nanoflagellates, clhated Protozoa and mlcroalgae) and autotrophic and heterotrophic Because of difficulties related to sampling methods, activIties III a moderately aCid and humiC lake III central fixatIOn and taxonomic IdentificatIOn (Gates, 1984), It France the Lake of Vasslvlere IS only III the last decade that the Importance of the microbial loop III the transfer of energy and matter III pelagic marIne (Azam et al , 1983) and freshwater Materials and methods ecosystems (Porter, 1988, Stockner & Porter, 1988, Bermnger et ai, 1991) has been clearly demonstrat The phYSico-chemical charactenstIcs of the lake of ed The microbial loop IS a part of a larger microbial Vasslvlere (Central maSSif of France) are summanzed food web Illcludlllg both autotrophiC and heterotroph III Table 1 It IS a brown-colored humiC lake moderately IC pro-and eukaryotIc umcellular orgamsms (Sherr & aCidiC (pH values ranged between 5 1 and 7 5) A total Sherr, 1988, Weisse, 1991), which can be of paramount of 28 samples were collected from the end of Apnl to Importance III the recychng of orgamc matter (Fenchel, the middle of October at several depths (1, 5, 10 and 1987) More precisely, recent studies have suggest 15 m) III the deepest area of the lake (20 m) Samples ed that Protozoa are Illvolved III the microbial loop were taken With a Van Dorn bottle and pre-filtered onto III predatIOn and control of bactenal and autotroph a 160 p,m pore size filter, except those which were used 460 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -The explosion of new information on Helicobacter pylori-related disease, both in the basic sciences and in clinical medicine, has continued to progress at an unprecedented pace. In many instances H. pylori infection, both in man and in the laboratory animal, has become a model to investigate fundamental biological issues such as micro-organism-host interactions, intracellular signalling, development of mucosal atrophy, mechanism of microbial resistance, disease modifying factors etc. In view of this bewildering flood of new information, the time was considered right to organize yet another update on H. pylori in the successful series 'Basic mechanisms to clinical cure' to define the 'state-of-affairs' in H. pylori research at this time. Our main objective was to integrate this new information in a series of top-quality presentations and discussions between investigators and clinicians, addressing all aspects of H. pylori research, and to review the current position and future research direc tions. The format included state-of-the-art presentations by world experts heavily involved in H. pylori research, followed by in-depth discussion on intriguing or controversial issues. The topics discussed were grouped according to the leading theme: characteristics of the organism, mode of transmission, mechanisms of H. pylori-induced inflammation, causation of disturbances of gastric secretory and motor function, aspects of clinical presentation and management, problems related to H. pylori-associated gastric adenocarcinoma and MALT-lymphoma, novel aspects of antimicrobial therapy, and vaccination. The meeting concluded with a synoptic agenda of suggested future studies for the microbiologist, the histopathologist and the clinician. 528 pp. Englisch. …

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -At a time when it is becoming usual for medicines to be developed for a global market and pharmaceutical companies are endeavouring to expedite the drug development process, Regulatory Authorities are concentrating on improving their efficiency and effectiveness. Therefore, it is not surprising that questions are being asked as to how performance might be measured and compared between different authorities who are now often in receipt of dossiers that have been submitted to several agencies at the same time. Issues such as 'what target should be set for the review of new medicines ' and `how can quality be assured ' are now considered to be of critical importance. The twelfth CMR International Workshop, held in January 1997, provided the opportunity for Regulatory Authority and industry personnel from Europe, North America, Australia and Japan to openly discuss experiences and exchange views on how to improve the review process. The proceedings of this meeting provide a comprehensive overview of the current review process in different countries and the need for performance measures and targets. This volume summarises the many suggestions that were debated at the Workshop, and includes chapters on measuring performance, and on the integration of quality into the review process. 188 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Precambrian stromatolites have received in depth, consideration from geologists and paleontologists; they were indeed searching for biosedimentary structures that were sufficiently characteristic and widely distributed to be considered as useful tools for stratigraphic correlation. Silicified stromatolites are also of interest as they contain preserved traces of ancient life. Calcareous Phanerozoic stromatolites have not received very much attention from geologists. Logan's too schematic morphological classification of 1964, was not so helpful to the knowledge of Phanerozoic stromatolites because neither their morphology nor their microstructure were studied in the same detail in which Proterozoic stromatolites have now been described. We therefore know little about the Phanerozoic stromatolites which, do, however, show an interesting range of diversification. A major questions stiII remaining to be answered include the history of stromatolite development and wether their morphology has 'evolved' in addition to detailed information concerning Cenozoic nonmarine stromatolites which precipitate carbonate and the Recent giant stromatolites which trap particles. For these reasons Claude Monty, in 1981, launched the first volume of what was going to be a series on 'Phanerozoic stromatolites' in order to describe their morphology, microstructure and paleoecology and to present them in their stratigraphic context. 484 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -The double helix architecture of DNA was elucidated in 1953. Twenty years later, in 1973, the discovery of restriction enzymes helped to create recombinant DNA molecules in vitro. The implications of these powerful and novel methods of molecular biology, and their potential in the genetic manipulation and improvement of microbes, plants and animals, became increasingly evident, and led to the birth of modern biotechnology. The first transgenic plants in which a bacterial gene had been stably integrated were produced in 1983, and by 1993 transgenic plants had been produced in all major crop species, including the cereals and the legumes. These remarkable achievements have resulted in the production of crops that are resistant to potent but environmentally safe herbicides, or to viral pathogens and insect pests. In other instances genes have been introduced that delay fruit ripening, or increase starch content, or cause male sterility. Most of these manipulations are based on the introduction of a single gene - generally of bacterial origin - that regulates an important monogenic trait, into the crop of choice. Many of the engineered crops are now under field trials and are expected to be commercially produced within the next few years. The early successes in plant biotechnology led to the realization that further molecular improvement of plants will require a thorough understanding of the molecular basis of plant development, and the identification and character ization of genes that regulate agronomically important multi genic traits. 396 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Hydroxybenzophenones are most useful synthetic intermediates in the chemical industry, for example in pharmaceuticals, dyes, fragrances, agrochemicals, explosives and plastics. In this handbook, the diverse methods of obtaining over 1900 hydroxybenzophenones are described, and their physico-chemical properties and spectroscopic data references are indicated. Hence, ketones are classified methodically. They are thus easily accessible from three tables; the molecular formula index, the chemical abstracts registry numbers, and the usual names index. This work will prove to be a valuable tool for laboratory work and research and development departments. It is set to become the reference on hydroxybenzophenones. This handbook is particularly intended for engineers in chemical synthesis and academic as well as industrial researchers from various branches of chemistry. 668 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Antennas are part of every radar, every communications system, and every electronic warfare system. Therefore antennas are an important technical subject. The number of antenna books that have been published in the last 5 years alone attest to this fact. But why another book about antennas What does this book offer that is different from all the others The answer is: accessibility. Most of the technical literature on antennas is written for those with extensive backgrounds in electromagnetic theory and familiarity with the mathematical language of vector analysis, differential equations, and special functions. This puts much of the antenna literature out of reach for the nonspecialist who needs to understand the subject but cannot afford the time required to become familiar with all the background material. With the rapid expansion of technical knowledge, the number of engi neering students who find themselves attracted to 'classical' subjects, such as electromagnetic theory, is on the decline, making it increasingly difficult to train engineers in areas involving antennas. Some authors in other technical fields have recognized this problem. For example, books on solid-state elec tronic devices that do not require an extensive background in quantum me chanics are available, useful, and informative. This book fulfills a similar Ileed in the area of antennas. 352 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Since the establishment of the CAAD futures Foundation in 1985 CAAD experts from all over the world meet every two years to present and at the same time document the state of art of research in Computer Aided Architectural Design. The history of CAAD futures started in the Netherlands at the Technical Universities of Eindhoven and Delft, where the CAAD futures Foundation came into being. Then CAAD futures crossed the oceans for the first time, the third CAAD futures in 1989 was held at Harvard University. Next stations in the evolution were in 1991 Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, the ETC, Zürich. In 1993 the conference was organized by Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh and in 1995 by National University, Singapore, CAAD futures 1995 marked the world wide nature by organizing it for the first time in Asia. Proceedings of CAAD futures held biannually provide a complete review of the state of research in Computer Aided Architectural Design. 976 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Earthquakes and Atmospheric Hazards contains a selection of papers that were presented as part of the Sixth International Symposium on Natural and Man-Made Hazards (HAZARDS-96) held in Toronto, Canada during July, 1996. The Symposium was very timely, given the large number of natural disasters that have occurred in various parts of the world during the 1990s, the United Nations' International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR). The human reaction to these disasters has varied widely from one event to the next and the economic and social costs have been immense with damage running into billions of dollars. Having in everyone's mind the Northridge, California (1994) and the Kobe, Japan (1995) earthquakes, the volcanoes in the Philippines, the cyclones and related storm surges in Bangladesh, and the floods in North America and Europe caused by heavy rains, the Symposium attracted more than one hundred papers covering various aspects of these events. The eleven papers included in this volume deal with the scientific and management issues of those earthquakes and atmospheric hazards that occurred during the late 1990s, with emphasis on the preparedness aspects. A summary report of the HAZARDS-96 Symposium and recommendations adopted by the participants is also included. Earthquakes and Atmospheric Hazards forms an excellent reference for scientists, students, engineers, the insurance industry, authorities specializing in public safety and natural hazards preparedness and mitigation plans. 208 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -It is now well recognised that many environments considered by man to be extreme are colonised by micro-organisms which are specifically adapted to these ecological niches. These organisms not only survive but actively grow under such conditions. A diverse range of bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae and yeasts has now been isolated from these habitats which are extreme in terms oftemperature, pH, salinity and pressure as well as species which are resistant to radiation and toxic chemicals. Whilst originally considered to be mere 'scientific curiosities', it is now generally accepted that many have con siderable biotechnological and commercial significance. Recently the term 'extremophile' has been used to describe these organisms. Over the past twenty years extensive studies of the ecology, physiology, taxonomy and molecular biology of these micro-organisms have been undertaken. These have resulted in a complete reassessment of our concept ofmicrobial evolution. The identification ofthe Archaeobacteria as the third kingdom ofliving organisms has given considerable impetus to extremophile research and is presenting many new challenges. 344 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Despite the significant progress, which has been made in developing of ceramic materials desired for engineering applications, their mass production is still not on expected level. Among the key factors hindering higher exploitation of these materials the problems in processing were identified. The processing comprises powder production, mixing techniques, forming, and sintering. All of them are equally important and all of them can introduce defects into the material. Besides improvement in processing, the properties of ceramic materials can be considerably improved by the creation of composites. Composites formed at micro or macro level are able to form more flaw-tolerant material. Considerable research activities, working on above mentioned phenomena are in progress at industrial laboratories as well as other research centres. This volume presents the contributions to the Advanced Research Workshop 'Engineering Ceramics '96' with 65 participants from 21 countries held on 12th - 15th May 1996 at Smolenice Castle, Slovakia, the conference site of Slovak Academy of Sciences. The book covers research activities on engineering ceramic materials and gives an overview with respect to recent developments. 444 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -This volume constitutes the Proceedings of the IUTAM Symposium on 'Nonlinear Analysis of Fracture', held in Cambridge from 3rd to 7th Septem ber 1995. Its objective was to assess and place on record the current state of understanding of this important class of phenomena, from the standpoints of mathematics, materials science, physics and engineering. All fracture phenomena are nonlinear; the reason for inclusion of this qualification in the title was to reflect the intention that emphasis should be placed on distinctive aspects of nonlinearity, not only with regard to material consti tutive behaviour but also with regard to insights gained, particularly from the mathematics and physics communities, during the recent dramatic ad vances in understanding of nonlinear systems in general. The expertise represented in the Symposium was accordingly very wide, and many of the world's greatest authorities in their respective fields participated. The Symposium remained focussed on issues of practical significance for fracture phenomena, with concentration on aspects that are still im perfectly understood. The most significant unifying issue in this regard is that of scale: this theme was addressed from several perspectives. One important aspect is the problem of passing information on one scale up or down, as an input for analysis at another scale. Although this is not always the case, it may be that the microscopic process of fracture is understood in some particular class of materials. 412 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Water is vital to life, maintenance of ecological balance, economic development, and sustenance of civilization. Planning and management of water resources and its optimal use are a matter of urgency for most countries of the world, and even more so for India with a huge population. Growing population and expanding economic activities exert increasing demands on water for varied needs--domestic, industrial, agricultural, power generation, navigation, recreation, etc. In India, agriculture is the highest user of water. The past three decades have witnessed numerous advances as well as have presented intriguing challenges and exciting opportunities in hydrology and water resources. Compounding them has been the growing environmental consciousness. Nowhere are these challenges more apparent than in India. As we approach the twenty first century, it is entirely fitting to take stock of what has been accomplished and what remains to be accomplished, and what accomplishments are relevant, with particular reference to Indian conditions. 628 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Interstellar dust, meteorites, interplanetary dust particles (IDP's), the zodiacal light, comets, comet dust. Where do they come from, what are they made of, how do they evolve, and finally, are there connections between them These are the questions discussed in this volume by some of the world's outstanding experts in their respective fields. The techniques used for studying the `small' solid objects of space are thoroughly discussed. Some of the methods involve a synthetic approach using the laboratory to create analog environments and materials which are believed to resemble those in space. Others use direct laboratory methods with state-of-the-art analytical tools to study the material of the objects themselves - meteorites, IDP'S. And others apply the latest in astronomical facilities to provide quantitative data on the material properties of the solids which can only be deduced from remote observations, These are compared with the laboratory results. In one instance there was a possibility to study a solar system body in situ and that was the case of comet Halley and some of the results of these studies obtained from space `laboratories' launched to meet it are discussed here. Finally, there are theoretical papers which are aimed at bridging the results of observational and laboratory methods. This book is recommended to senior scientists as well as graduate students who wish to pursue research in interstellar and solar system astronomy and their connections. 616 pp. Englisch.…

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Organic solids exhibit a wide range of electrical and related properties. They occur as crystals, glasses, polymers and thin films; they may be insulators, semiconductors, conductors or superconductors; and they may show luminescence, nonlinear optical response, and complex dynamical behaviour. The book provides a broad survey of this area, written by international experts, one third being drawn from Eastern Europe. Electrical, optical, spectroscopic and structural aspects are all treated in a way that gives an excellent introduction to current themes in this highly interdisciplinary and practically important area. The coverage is especially strong in the areas where electrical and optical properties overlap, such as photoconductivity, electroluminescence, electroabsorption, electro-optics and photorefraction. 464 pp. Englisch. …

Taschenbuch. Condición: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Interest in the occurrence and behaviour of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is increasing due to their adverse effects on the environment and human health. It is essential that information is made available on the various aspects of research on VOCs to enable better understanding and control of the various environmental and human health threats. The information in this book will be used to improve communication and understanding of the various approaches. In particular the potential and limitations of the described analytical methods will be essential in defining environmental studies and interpreting the results. 308 pp. Englisch.…