Gravitational Wave Astrophysics

Gravitational Wave Astrophysics

This bookoffers review chapters written by invited speakers of the 3rd Session of the Sant Cugat Forum on Astrophysics – Gravitational Waves Astrophysics. All chapters have been peer reviewed. The book goes beyond normal conference proceedings in that itprovides a wide panorama of the astrophysics of gravitational waves and serves as a reference work for researchers in the field.

Carlos F. Sopuerta is working at the Institute of Space Sciences (CSIC-IEEC)Barcelonaas a Ramn y Cajal Researcher. His main research interest lies in the new area of Gravitational Wave Astronomy.,

Gravitational Wave Astrophysics

Sciences of Geodesy - II

Sciences of Geodesy - II

This series of reference books describes the sciences of different fields in and around geodesy. Each chapter, is written by experts in the respective fields and covers an individual field and describes the history, theory, the objective, the technology, and the development, the highlight of the research, the applications, the problems, as well as future directions. Contents of Volume II include: Geodetic LEO Satellite Missions, Satellite Altimetry, Airborne Lidar, GNSS Software Receiver, Geodetic Boundary Problem, GPS and INS, VLBI, Geodetic Reference Systems, Spectral Analysis, Earth Tide and Ocean Loading Tide, Remote Sensing, Photogrammetry, Occultation, Geopotential Determination, Geoid Determination, Local Gravity Field, Geopotential Determination, Magnet Field, Mobile Mapping, General Relativity, Wide-area Precise Positioning etc.

Sciences of Geodesy - II

Engineering in Translational Medicine

Engineering in Translational Medicine

This book covers a broad area of engineering research in translational medicine. Leaders in academic institutions around the world contributed focused chapters on a broad array of topics such as: cell and tissue engineering (6 chapters), genetic and protein engineering (10 chapters), nanoengineering (10 chapters), biomedical instrumentation (4 chapters), and theranostics and other novel approaches (4 chapters). Each chapter is a stand-alone review that summarizes the state-of-the-art of the specific research area.

Engineering in Translational Medicine

Introduction to Fluorescence Sensing

Introduction to Fluorescence Sensing

Fluorescence sensing is a rapidly developing field of research and technology. Its target is nearly the whole world of natural and synthetic compounds being detected in different media including living bodies. The application area range from control of industrial processes to environment monitoring and clinical diagnostics. Among different detection methods fluorescence techniques are distinguished by ultimate sensitivity, high temporal and spatial resolution and versatility that allows not only remote detection of different targets but their imaging within the living cells. The basic mechanism of sensing is the transmission of the signal produced by molecular interaction with the target to fluorescent molecules, nanoparticles and nanocomposites with the detection by devices based on modern electronics and optics. In this interdisciplinary field of research and development the book is primarily intended to be a guide for students and young researchers. It is also addressed to professionals involved in active research and product development serving as a reference for the recent achievements. The users of these products will find description of principles that could allow proper selection of sensors for particular needs. Making a strong link between education, research and product development, this book discusses future directions.

Introduction to Fluorescence Sensing

The Future of EMU

The Future of EMU

‘This book brings together the most established experts in the area to provide a comprehensive interdisciplinary perspective on the issues expected to face EMU over the next few decades, and to propose solutions to the challenges which may arise. As well as offering new and insightful contributions to the integration debate, the book is also policy-oriented, and aims to assess the future impact of EMU on various EU policy areas, such as trade policy and fiscal policy, and also its impact on political union and labour markets. With a wealth of fresh and innovative interdisciplinary perspectives on the future of EMU and on the EU integration process as a whole, this fascinating book is an essential companion for all wishing to gain a greater understanding of the challenges facing European integration in the decades to come, and the part which EMU will play in the future of Europe.’

The Future of EMU

Modern Diesel Technology

Modern Diesel Technology

To help put classroom theory into shop practice, each MDT Series title will be offered with a companion Job Sheets manual. The Job Sheets have been thoughtfully designed by experienced instructors to assist users in gaining job preparedness skills and mastering specific technical competencies required for success as a professional diesel technician. While designed to support the MDT Series, the manuals are also useful on their own, or with any comprehensive or area-specific diesel technology text. The manuals reference the NATEF Task List and consist of a set of Job Sheets for each of the following areas: Electrical/Electronic Systems; Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning Brakes; Suspension and Steering; Hydraulics Diesel Engines; Drive Train Preventative Maintenance Inspection

Modern Diesel Technology

Electro-Diffusion of Ions

Electro-Diffusion of Ions

This is one of the first texts in which electro-diffusion of ions in its different aspects is considered as a unified subject. As a subject it is relevant to understanding the behavior of apparently different physical objects such as electrolyte solution, ion-exchangers, ion-selective membranes, and semiconductors. This text treats a selection of topics in electro-diffusion of ions in an aqueous medium – a nonlinear transport process whose essence is diffusion of ions combined with their migration in a selfconsistent electric field. Electro-Diffusion of Ions is intended to enhance the understanding of particular electro-diffusional transport phenomena and to spark the interest of the mathematical community in the corresponding area of applications and development of a unified scientific vision. Contains some previously unpublished results for electro-diffusional problems.

Electro-Diffusion of Ions

Renewable Energy Governance

Renewable Energy Governance

This book focuses on Renewable Energy (RE) governance – the institutions, plans, policies and stakeholders that are involved in RE implementation – and the complexities and challenges associated with this much discussed energy area. Whilst RE technologies have advanced and become cheaper, governance schemes rarely support those technologies in an efficient and cost-effective way.

Renewable Energy Governance

Control of Surge in Centrifugal Compressors by Active Magnetic Bearings

Control of Surge in Centrifugal Compressors by Active Magnetic Bearings

Surge Control of Active-magnetic-bearing-suspended Centrifugal Compressors sets out the fundamentals of integrating active magnetic bearing (AMB) rotor suspension technology in compressor systems, and describes how this relatively new bearing technology can be employed in active control of compressor surge initiation. The authors provide a self-contained and comprehensive review of rotordynamics and the fundamentals of AMB technology. The active stabilization of compressor surge employing AMBs in a machine is fully explored, from modeling of instability and controller design, to the implementation and experimental testing of the control algorithm in a specially-constructed, industrial-size centrifugal compression system. The results of these tests demonstrate the great potential of the new surge control method suggested in this text. This book will be useful for engineers in industries that involve turbocompressors and magnetic bearings, as well as for researchers and graduate students in the field of applied control. Whatever their level of experience, engineers working in the fields of turbomachinery, magnetic bearings, rotordynamics and controls will find the material in this book absorbing as all these important aspects of engineering are integrated to create a multi-disciplinary solution to a real-life industrial problem and the book is a suitable introduction to the area for newcomers.

Control of Surge in Centrifugal Compressors by Active Magnetic Bearings

Introduction to Modern Sleep Technology

Introduction to Modern Sleep Technology

Sleep medicine has been developing for more than 40 years. The current concepts in sleep technology are mainly centered on polysomnography (PSG) and issues related to sleep technicians. However, the editors believe that the true value of technology is revealed only when benefits to humanity are manifest. To this end, they endeavor to create a new era in sleep technology, one that will improve the quality of people’s sleep and daily lives.This edited book, Introduction to Modern Sleep Technology, provides a comprehensive reference volume to the latest advancements in the area of Sleep Technology.

Introduction to Modern Sleep Technology

Stability and Transport in Magnetic Confinement Systems

Stability and Transport in Magnetic Confinement Systems

Stability and Transport in Magnetic Confinement Systems provides an advanced introduction to the fields of stability and transport in tokamaks. It serves as a reference for researchers with its highly-detailed theoretical background, and contains new results in the areas of analytical nonlinear theory of transport using kinetic theory and fluid closure. The use of fluid descriptions for advanced stability and transport problems provide the reader with a better understanding of this topic. In addition, the areas of nonlinear kinetic theory and fluid closure gives the researcher the basic knowledge of a highly relevant area to the present development of transport physics.

Stability and Transport in Magnetic Confinement Systems

Security and Privacy for Implantable Medical Devices

Security and Privacy for Implantable Medical Devices

This book presents a systematic approach to analyzing the challenging engineering problems posed by the need for security and privacy in implantable medical devices (IMD). It describes in detail new issues termed as lightweight security, due to the associated constraints on metrics such as available power, energy, computing ability, area, execution time, and memory requirements. Coverage includes vulnerabilities and defense across multiple levels, with basic abstractions of cryptographic services and primitives such as public key cryptography, block ciphers and digital signatures. Experts from Computer Security and Cryptography present new research which shows vulnerabilities in existing IMDs and proposes solutions. Experts from Privacy Technology and Policy will discuss the societal, legal and ethical challenges surrounding IMD security as well as technological solutions that build on the latest in Computer Science privacy research, as well as lightweight solutions appropriate for implementation in IMDs.

Security and Privacy for Implantable Medical Devices

New Trends in Atomic and Molecular Physics

New Trends in Atomic and Molecular Physics

The field of Atomic and Molecular Physics (AMP) has reached significant advances in highprecision experimental measurement techniques. The area covers a wide spectrum ranging from conventional to new emerging multi-disciplinary areas like physics of highly charged ions (HCI), molecular physics, optical science, ultrafast laser technology etc. This book includes the important topics of atomic structure, physics of atomic collision, photoexcitation, photoionization processes, Laser cooling and trapping, Bose Einstein condensation and advanced technology applications of AMP in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics, fusion, biology and nanotechnology. This book is useful for researchers, professors, graduate, postgraduate and PhD students dealing with atomic and molecular physics. The book has a wide scope with applications in neighboring fields like plasma physics, astrophysics, cold collisions, nanotechnology and future fusion energy sources like ITER (international Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) Tokomak plasma machine, which need accurate AMP data.

New Trends in Atomic and Molecular Physics

Psychology of Religion

Psychology of Religion

In the past four decades or so, the so-called psychology of religion after having been deemed extinct, impossible or unlikely has risen to prominence again: the number of publications is rapidly growing, an impressive secondary literature (handbooks, introductions, etc.) is available already, infrastructure has been developed (a number of new journals devoted to the subject have been founded, organizations have been established, increasingly funding is going to the area), attracting many new researchers. Organizations like the American Psychological Association are now publishing in the field of psychology of religion (and its Div. 36 [psych of rel] with almost 3,000 members is already midsized among the APA-divisions). This book documents this re-emergence and development.

Psychology of Religion

Microperimetry and Multimodal Retinal Imaging

Microperimetry and Multimodal Retinal Imaging

Microperimetry allows precise functional examination of the retina and optic nerve and is especially valuable for evaluation of the macular area. This fully up-to-date textbook on microperimetry, written by leading experts in the field, will also serve as an atlas and diagnostic reference. It is designed for use by both ophthalmologists and optometrists in daily clinical practice and clinical research, and the contents thus range from basic technical information to the most advanced clinical applications. Past and current microperimetry techniques are reviewed, and the role of microperimetry in the context of multimodal imaging scenario is explained. The full range of clinical applications is then discussed, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetes, myopia, retinal dystrophies, disorders of the vitreoretinal interface, inflammatory chorioretinal diseases, toxic retinopathies, glaucoma, and low vision.

Microperimetry and Multimodal Retinal Imaging

Introduction to Thin Film Transistors

Introduction to Thin Film Transistors

Introduction to Thin Film Transistors reviews the operation, application and technology of the main classes of thin film transistor (TFT) of current interest for large area electronics. The TFT materials covered include hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H), poly-crystalline silicon (poly-Si), transparent amorphous oxide semiconductors (AOS), and organic semiconductors. The large scale manufacturing of a-Si:H TFTs forms the basis of the active matrix flat panel display industry. Poly-Si TFTs facilitate the integration of electronic circuits into portable active matrix liquid crystal displays, and are increasingly used in active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) displays for smart phones. The recently developed AOS TFTs are seen as an alternative option to poly-Si and a-Si:H for AMOLED TV and large AMLCD TV applications, respectively. The organic TFTs are regarded as a cost effective route into flexible electronics. As well as treating the highly divergent preparation and properties of these materials, the physics of the devices fabricated from them is also covered, with emphasis on performance features such as carrier mobility limitations, leakage currents and instability mechanisms. The thin film transistors implemented with these materials are the conventional, insulated gate field effect transistors, and a further chapter describes a new thin film transistor structure: the source gated transistor, SGT.The driving force behind much of the development of TFTs has been their application to AMLCDs, and there is a chapter dealing with the operation of these displays, as well as of AMOLED and electrophoretic displays. A discussion of TFT and pixel layout issues is also included.For students and new-comers to the field, introductory chapters deal with basic semiconductor surface physics, and with classical MOSFET operation. These topics are handled analytically, so that the underlying device physics is clearly revealed. These treatments are then used as a reference point, from which the impact of additional band-gap states on TFT behaviour can be readily appreciated.This reference book, covering all the major TFT technologies, will be of interest to a wide range of scientists and engineers in the large area electronics industry. It will also be a broad introduction for research students and other scientists entering the field, as well as providing an accessible and comprehensive overview for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes.

Introduction to Thin Film Transistors

Agent-Based Models of Geographical Systems

Agent-Based Models of Geographical Systems

This unique book brings together a comprehensive set of papers on the background, theory, technical issues and applications of agent-based modelling (ABM) within geographical systems. This collection of papers is an invaluable reference point for the experienced agent-based modeller as well those new to the area. Specific geographical issues such as handling scale and space are dealt with as well as practical advice from leading experts about designing and creating ABMs, handling complexity, visualising and validating model outputs. With contributions from many of the world s leading research institutions, the latest applied research (micro and macro applications) from around the globe exemplify what can be achieved in geographical context. This book is relevant to researchers, postgraduate and advanced undergraduate students, and professionals in the areas of quantitative geography, spatial analysis, spatial modelling, social simulation modelling and geographical information sciences.

Agent-Based Models of Geographical Systems

Media and Convergence Management

Media and Convergence Management

Convergence has gained an enormous amount of attention in media studies within the last several years. It is used to describe the merging of formerly distinct functions, markets and fields of application, which has changed the way companies operate and consumers perceive and process media content. These transformations have not only led business practices to change and required companies to adapt to new conditions, they also continue to have a lasting impact on research in this area. This books main purpose is to shed some light on crucial phenomena of media and convergence management, while also addressing more specific issues brought about by innovations related to media, technologies, industries, business models, consumer behavior and content management.

Media and Convergence Management

From Literature to Biterature

From Literature to Biterature

From Literature to Biterature is based on the premise that in the foreseeable future computers will become capable of creating works of literature. Among hundreds of other questions, it considers: Under which conditions would machines become capable of creative writing? Given that computer evolution will exceed the pace of natural evolution a million-fold, what will such a state of affairs entail in terms of art, culture, social life, and even nonhuman rights? Drawing a map of impending literary, cultural, social, and technological revolutions, Peter Swirski boldly assumes that computers will leap from mere syntax-driven processing to semantically rich understanding. He argues that acknowledging biterature as a species of literature will involve adopting the same range of attitudes to computer authors (computhors) as to human ones and that it will be necessary to approach them as agents with internal states and creative intentions. Ranging from the metafiction of Stanislaw Lem to the ‘Turing test’ (familiar to scientists working in Artificial Intelligence and the philosophers of mind) to the evolutionary trends of culture and machines, Swirski’s scenarios lay the groundwork for a new area of study on the cusp of literary futurology, evolutionary cognition, and philosophy of the future.

From Literature to Biterature

Development and Engineering of Dopamine Neurons

Development and Engineering of Dopamine Neurons

The neurotransmitter dopamine has just celebrated its 50th birthday. The discovery of dopamine as a neuronal entity in the late 1950s and the notion that it serves in neurotransmission has been a milestone in the field of neuroscience research. This milestone marked the beginning of an era that explored the brain as an integrated collection of neuronal systems that one could distinguish on basis of neurotransmitter identities, and importantly, in which one started to be able to pinpoint the seat of brain disease. The mesodiencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) system, previously designated as midbrain dopaminergic system, has received much attention since its discovery. The initial identification of dopamine as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS) and its relevance to psychiatric and neurological disorders have stimulated a plethora of neurochemical, pharmacological and genetic studies into the function of dopamine neurons and their projections. In the last decade, studies on gene expression and development have further increased the knowledge of this neuronal population and have unmasked a new level of complexity. The start of the molecular dissection of the mdDA system has been marked by the cloning and characterization of Nurr1 and Pitx3. These transcription factors were shown to have a critical function during mdDA development. These initial studies have been followed by the identification of many other proteins that have a crucial function in the creation of a dopamine neuron permissive region, induction of precursors, induction of terminal differentiation and finally maintenance of the mdDA neuronal pool. In addition, work showing that the historically distinguished regions of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA ) harbor molecularly distinct sets of neuronal groups with specific connectivity patterns has added a new layer ofcomplexity to how mdDA neurons are generated and function in the adult CNS. The current challenge in the field of dopamine research is to characterize the full extent of molecular processes that underlie mdDA neuron programming and to translate these findings into viable approaches for embryonic stem (ES)-cell engineering as an ultimate treatment of degenerative diseases as Parkinsons disease. The chapters presented in this book provide an overview of the different stages that are distinguished during mdDA neuronal development. Chapter 1 discusses the dopamine systems of the zebrafish, being a powerful model organism for genetic intervention on the developmental programming of neuronal systems. In Chapter 2 an overview is presented of dopamine systems that are present in the vertebrate CNS. Chapters 3-6 discuss the early specification of dopamine precursors and the programs that lead to terminal differentiation. In Chapters 7 and 8 the maintenance of dopamine neurons is discussed with a special emphasis on neurotrophic support. The specific connectivity of the dopamine system and the axon guidance rules that apply to developing dopamine neurons are described in Chapter 9. An overview of ES-cell engineering of dopamine neurons is presented in Chapters 10 and 11. The research directed towards unraveling the molecular programming of mdDA neurons continues to be highly exciting. One may expect that novel biological principles will continue to emerge from this population of neurons. In the near future the field as a whole will mature towards a more comprehensive understanding of mdDA neuronal development and network integration, and will continue to apply knowledge of dopamine neuron development and function to the treatment of human disease.

Development and Engineering of Dopamine Neurons