Moon

Moon

The Earth has limited material and energy resources. Further development of the humanity will require going beyond our planet for mining and use of extraterrestrial mineral resources and search of power sources. The exploitation of the natural resources of the Moon is a first natural step on this direction. Lunar materials may contribute to the betterment of conditions of people on Earth but they also may be used to establish permanent settlements on the Moon. This will allow developing new technologies, systems and flight operation techniques to continue space exploration. In fact, a new branch of human civilization could be established permanently on Moon in the next century. But, meantime, an inventory and proper social assessment of Moons prospective energy and material resources is required. This book investigates the possibilities and limitations of various systems supplying manned bases on Moon with energy and other vital resources. The book collects together recent proposals and innovative options and solutions. It is a useful source of condensed information for specialists involved in current and impending Moon-related activities and a good starting point for young researchers.

Moon

Martin Schechter Minimax Systems and Critical Point Theory

Martin Schechter Minimax Systems and Critical Point Theory

Many problems in science and engineering involve the solution of differential equations or systems. One of most successful methods of solving nonlinear equations is the determination of critical points of corresponding functionals. The study of critical points has grown rapidly in recent years and has led to new applications in other scientific disciplines. This monograph continues this theme and studies new results discovered since the author’s preceding book entitled Linking Methods in Critical Point Theory. Written in a clear, sequential exposition, topics include semilinear problems, Fucik spectrum, multidimensional nonlinear wave equations, elliptic systems, and sandwich pairs, among others. With numerous examples and applications, this book explains the fundamental importance of minimax systems and describes how linking methods fit into the framework. Minimax Systems and Critical Point Theory is accessible to graduate students with some background in functional analysis, and the new material makes this book a useful reference for researchers and mathematicians. Review of the author’s previous Birkhuser work, Linking Methods in Critical Point Theory: The applications of the abstract theory are to the existence of (nontrivial) weak solutions of semilinear elliptic boundary value problems for partial differential equations, written in the form Au = f(x, u). . . . The author essentially shows how his methods can be applied whenever the nonlinearity has sublinear growth, and the associated functional may increase at a certain rate in every direction of the underlying space. This provides an elementary approach to such problems. . . . A clear overview of the contents of the book is presented in the first chapter, while bibliographical comments and variant results are described in the last one. -MathSciNet

Martin Schechter Minimax Systems and Critical Point Theory

Risk Analysis and Security Countermeasure Selection

Risk Analysis and Security Countermeasure Selection

When properly conducted, risk analysis enlightens, informs, and illuminates, helping management organize their thinking into properly prioritized, cost-effective action. Poor analysis, on the other hand, usually results in vague programs with no clear direction and no metrics for measurement. Although there is plenty of information on risk analysis, it is rare to find a book that explains this highly complex subject with such startling clarity. Very few, if any, focus on the art of critical thinking and how to best apply it to the task of risk analysis.

Risk Analysis and Security Countermeasure Selection

The Emergent Multiverse

The Emergent Multiverse

The Emergent Multiverse presents a striking new account of the ‘many worlds’ approach to quantum theory. The point of science, it is generally accepted, is to tell us how the world works and what it is like. But quantum theory seems to fail to do this: taken literally as a theory of the world, it seems to make crazy claims: particles are in two places at once; cats are alive and dead at the same time. So physicists and philosophers have often been led either to give up on the idea that quantum theory describes reality, or to modify or augment the theory. The Everett interpretation of quantum mechanics takes the apparent craziness seriously, and asks, ‘what would it be like if particles really were in two places at once, if cats really were alive and dead at the same time’? The answer, it turns out, is that if the world were like thatif it were as quantum theory claimsit would be a world that, at the macroscopic level, was constantly branching into copieshence the more sensationalist name for the Everett interpretation, the ‘many worlds theory’. But really, the interpretation is not sensationalist at all: it simply takes quantum theory seriously, literally, as a description of the world. Once dismissed as absurd, it is now accepted by many physicists as the best way to make coherent sense of quantum theory. David Wallace offers a clear and up-to-date survey of work on the Everett interpretation in physics and in philosophy of science, and at the same time provides a self-contained and thoroughly modern account of itan account which is accessible to readers who have previously studied quantum theory at undergraduate level, and which will shape the future direction of research by leading experts in the field.

The Emergent Multiverse

Liquid-crystalline Polymers

Liquid-crystalline Polymers

This volume explores the creation, study, and processing of new liquid-crystalline polymers. It covers not only the chemistry of liquid-crystalline polymers, but also the physics and engineering aspects of these materials. A wide range of topics is covered, including syntheses of main-chain and side-chain LCPs, structural characterization of LP, rheology and processing, and applications such a electro-optics and ‘self-reinforcing’ blends. This book presents a broad view of the direction of LCP research in both industry and academe.

Liquid-crystalline Polymers

Essays on Reference, Language, and Mind

Essays on Reference, Language, and Mind

Keith Donnellan is one of the major figures in 20th century philosophy of language and mind, a key member of the highly influential group that altered the course of philosophy of language and mind around 1970. An innovative philosopher, Donnellan’s primary contributions were published in article form rather than books. This volume presents a highly focused collection of articles by Donnellan, beginning with his 1966 groundbreaking ‘Reference and Definite Descriptions,’ historically the first move in the direct reference direction.

Essays on Reference, Language, and Mind

From Transmitted Deprivation to Social Exclusion

From Transmitted Deprivation to Social Exclusion

John Welshman’s new book fills a major gap in social policy: the history of debates over ‘transmitted deprivation’, and their relationship with current initiatives on social exclusion. The book explores the content and background to Sir Keith Joseph’s famous ‘cycle of deprivation’ speech in 1972, examining his own personality and family background, his concern with ‘problem families’, and the wider policy context of the early 1970s. Tracing the direction taken by the DHSS-SSRC Research Programme on Transmitted Deprivation, it seeks to understand why the Programme was set up, and why it took the direction it did. With this background, the book explores New Labour’s approach to child poverty, initiatives such as Sure Start, the influence of research on inter-generational continuities, and its new stance on social exclusion. The author argues that, while earlier writers have acknowledged the intellectual debt that New Labour owes to Joseph, and noted similarities between current policy approaches to child poverty and earlier debates, the Government’s most recent attempts to tackle social exclusion mean that these continuities are now more striking than ever before. Making extensive use of archival sources, private papers, contemporary published documents, and oral interviews with retired civil servants and social scientists, ‘Policy, Poverty and Parenting’ is the only book-length treatment of this important but neglected strand of the history of social policy. It will be of interest to students and researchers working on contemporary history, social policy, political science, public policy, sociology, and public health.

From Transmitted Deprivation to Social Exclusion

Nonlinear Elasticity

Nonlinear Elasticity

This collection of papers by leading researchers in the field of finite, nonlinear elasticity concerns itself with the behavior of objects that deform when external forces or temperature gradients are applied. This process is extremely important in many industrial settings, such as aerospace and rubber industries. This book covers the various aspects of the subject comprehensively with careful explanations of the basic theories and individual chapters each covering a different research direction. The authors discuss the use of symbolic manipulation software as well as computer algorithm issues. The emphasis is placed firmly on covering modern, recent developments, rather than the very theoretical approach often found. The book will be an excellent reference for both beginners and specialists in engineering, applied mathematics and physics.

Nonlinear Elasticity

Digital Photography Essentials

Digital Photography Essentials

In the fast-changing world of digital photography, no other publisher/author partnership has been as successful at keeping up with current trends and developments as DK and Tom Ang. DK’s richly illustrative design and Tom’s clear writing and direction blend together to produce a strong combination of practical instruction with visual inspiration. Digital Photography Essentials provides just that combination for those wishing to develop and consolidate their skills-both technical and creative-whatever their level of expertise. It covers the basics of photography, different ways to approach a subject, how to develop projects, and image manipulation. In addition, Tom advises on printing techniques and shows you ways in which you can share your pictures with a wider audience via the internet. Throughout the book there are troubleshooting tips, image comparisons and analyzes to help you understand what makes a picture work, and inspiring assignments to follow. There is also a useful buyer’s guide to cameras, lenses, and accessories. With its fresh, contemporary design, beautiful images, and jargon-free yet highly practical text, the book is a totally new, up-to-the-minute guide to digital photography.

Digital Photography Essentials