Frontiers in Quantum Systems in Chemistry and Physics
The basic theory of matter on the nanoscale is quantum mechanics and the application of quantum mechanics to the study of the many-body problem in molecules and materials is a rapidly developing field of research. Frontiers in Quantum Systems in Chemistry and Physics defines the leading edge; hence it describes the new theoretical developments available to a wider audience and presents theories which provide, for example, new insights into the structure of increasing complex molecular systems or molecules in a variety of environments. New computational techniques and practices are accessed, exploiting the wide range of equipment available to the researcher from “leadership” class supercomputers to distributed workstations and the internet.
From Summetria to Symmetry : The Making of a Revolutionary Scientific Concept
The concept of symmetry is inherent to modern science, and its evolution has a complex history that richly exemplifies the dynamics of scientific change. This study is based on primary sources, presented in context: the authors examine closely the trajectory of the concept in the mathematical and scientific disciplines as well as its trajectory in art and architecture. The principal goal is to demonstrate that, despite the variety of usages in many different domains there is a conceptual unity underlying the invocation of symmetry in the period from antiquity to the 1790s which is distinct from the scientific usages of this term that first emerged in France at the end of the 18th century.
From microphysics to macrophysics : Methods and applications of statistical physics; Vol.1
Volume 1 discusses in detail the probabilistic description of quantum or classical systems, the Boltzmann-Gibbs distributions, the conservation laws, and the interpretation of entropy as missing information. Thermodynamics and electromagnetism in matter are dealt with, as well as applications to gases, both dilute and condensed, and to phase transitions.
From microphysics to macrophysics : Methods and applications of statistical physics ; Vol.2
Volume 2 applies statistical methods to systems governed by quantum effects, in particular to solid state physics, explaining properties due to the crystal structure or to the lattice excitations or to the electrons. Liquid helium is discussed and radiative equilibrium and transport are studied. The last chapters are devoted to non-equilibrium processes and to kinetic equations, with many applications included.
From Energetics to Ecosystems : the Dynamics and Structure of Ecological Systems
Ecosystems are complex and enigmatic entities that are ultimately our life support systems. Understanding these systems to the point of being able to predict their behaviour in the face of perturbations requires that researchers adopt a number of strategies that vary in both approach and scale. This book, in a sense, is representative of some of the developments that have unfolded when math and physics met ecology. Here, some of the world’s leading ecologists examine ecosystems from theoretical, experimental, and empirical viewpoints, from energetics to ecosystems. The book begins with simplifying and synthesizing nature’s complex relationships. It then moves on to explore the mapping between food web structure and function and ends with the role of theory in integrating different research areas. From the breadth of systems analyzed to the rigor of approaches taken, this book is not only a useful resource for students and researchers in ecology, but also serves as a fitting tribute to the life and work of Peter Yodzis.
Free-Convective Heat Transfer : With Many Photographs of Flows and Heat Exchange
Free Convective Heat Transfer is a thorough survey of various kinds of free-convective flows and heat transfer. Reference data are accompanied by a large number of photographs originating from different optical visualization methods illustrating the different types of flow. The formulas derived from numerical and analytical investigations are valuable tools for engineering calculations. They are written in their most compact and general form in order to allow for an extensive range of different variants of boundary and initial conditions, which, in turn, leads to a wide applicability to different flow types. Some specific engineering problems are solved in the book as exemplary applications of these formulas.
Free Energy Calculations : Theory and Applications in Chemistry and Biology
This volume sets out to present a coherent and comprehensive account of the concepts that underlie different approaches devised for the determination of free energies. The reader will gain the necessary insight into the theoretical and computational foundations of the subject and will be presented with relevant applications from molecular-level modelling and simulations of chemical and biological systems. Both formally accurate and approximate methods are covered using both classical and quantum mechanical descriptions. A central theme of the book is that the wide variety of free energy calculation techniques available today can be understood as different implementations of a few basic principles.
Free Energy and Self-Interacting Particles
This book examines a system of parabolic-elliptic partial differential eq- tions proposed in mathematical biology, statistical mechanics, and chemical kinetics. In the context of biology, this system of equations describes the chemotactic feature of cellular slime molds and also the capillary formation of blood vessels in angiogenesis. There are several methods to derive this system. One is the biased random walk of the individual, and another is the reinforced random walk of one particle modelled on the cellular automaton. In the context of statistical mechanics or chemical kinetics, this system of equations describes the motion of a mean field of many particles, interacting under the gravitational inner force or the chemical reaction
Free Convection Film Flows and Heat Transfer
This book presents recent developments in systematic studies of hydrodynamics and heat and mass transfer in laminar free convection, accelerating film boiling and condensation of Newtonian fluids, as well as accelerating film flow of non-Newtonian power-law fluids (FFNF). A novel system of analysis models is provided with a developed velocity component method, instead of traditional Falkner-Skan type transformation, and a system of models for treatment of variable thermophysical properties is presented with an innovative temperature parameter method that makes it easier to similarly treat related governing differential equations for consideration of fluid variable thermophysical properties. A pseudo-similarity method is applied for dealing with thermal boundary layer of FFNF, furthermore, with an induced local Prandtl number, which greatly simplifies the heat-transfer analysis and numerical calculation.
Fragmentation of Rings and Shells : The Legacy of N.F. Mott
The present book surveys the theoretical analysis put forth by Mott with particular focus on his efforts to characterize the size and distribution of fragments resulting from a dynamic fragmentation event. Copies of the original internal reports of Mott and his co-workers are included. The book also pursues additional theoretical analysis with the intent of delving further into the physical ideas and unfinished analysis implicit in Mott`s original studies. This book will be of interest to all scientists and engineers concerned with the dynamic fracture and fragmentation of solid bodies subject to intense transient loads imparted by explosive detonation and high-velocity impact from both the historical and modern perspective.
Fracture Mechanics : Inverse Problems and Solutions
This book presents, in a unified manner, a variety of topics in Continuum and Fracture Mechanics: energy methods, conservation laws, mathematical methods to solve two-dimensional and three-dimensional crack problems.
Fractals in Biology and Medicine : Beyond Planting Trees
This volume it highlights the potential that fractal geometry offers for elucidating and explaining the complex make-up of cells, tissues and biological organisms either in normal or in pathological conditions, including the structural changes that occur in tumours. It helps develop the concepts, questions and methods required in research on fractal biology and natural phenomena and to evidence the pitfalls of a too simplistic application of these principles in investigating topical subjects of biology and medicine. It discusses present and future applications of fractal geometry, bringing together cellular and molecular biology, engineering, mathematics, physics, medicine and other disciplines and allowing an interdisciplinary vision.
Fractal Behaviour of the Earth System
In this volume a collection of - pers considers the fractal behavior of the Earth's continental crust. Surface gravity anomalies are known to exhibit power-law spectral behavior under a wide range of conditions and scales. La Manna utilize multifractal models to explain the behavior of well logs from the main KTB borehole in Germany.
Foundations of learning classifier systems
This volume brings together recent theoretical work in Learning Classifier Systems (LCS), which is a Machine Learning technique combining Genetic Algorithms and Reinforcement Learning. It includes self-contained background chapters on related fields (reinforcement learning and evolutionary computation) tailored for a classifier systems audience and written by acknowledged authorities in their area - as well as a relevant historical original work by John Holland.
Foundations of Global Genetic Optimization
This book is devoted to the application of genetic algorithms in continuous global optimization. Some of their properties and behavior are highlighted and formally justified. Various optimization techniques and their taxonomy are the background for detailed discussion. The nature of continuous genetic search is explained by studying the dynamics of probabilistic measure, which is utilized to create subsequent populations. This approach shows that genetic algorithms can be used to extract some areas of the search domain more effectively than to find isolated local minima. The biological metaphor of such behavior is the whole population surviving by rapid exploration of new regions of feeding rather than caring for a single individual. One group of strategies that can make use of this property are two-phase global optimization methods. In the first phase the central parts of the basins of attraction are distinguished by genetic population analysis. Afterwards, the minimizers are found by convex optimization methods executed in parallel.
Forest Radioecology in Fukushima : Radiocesium Dynamics, Impact, and Future
This book provides holistic information on the radioactive contamination of forests. Topics are highly interdisciplinary, ranging from the dynamics of radioactive cesium in forest ecosystems to the radiation protection or the socio-economic aspects of radiation effects. It is designed to help people understand the radioactive contamination in forests and provide hints of how to cope with it and restore their livelihoods. The book is characterized by its well-balanced structure that allows the reader to understand the whole picture without going into too much scientific content. After explaining the basics of radioactive materials and radiation, the book illustrates the radioactive contamination of forests, it also describes the impacts on the forestry and life of local people and the measures taken by. Few books address the concerns about how to deal with radioactive contamination of forests and the future perspectives. In this book, people can learn all about the Fukushima nuclear accident of forests, forest products, and people with abundant reference materials.
Forest Diversity and Management
Natural forests with thousands of years of ecological continuity are unrivalled as the treasure store of terrestrial biodiversity on Earth. And while there is currently no fully comprehensive inventory of the biota associated with any given forest, it is reasonable to assume that in conserving natural forests we can conserve the myriads of unnamed bacteria, fungi, insects, mites and nematodes that forests support. Drawing on diverse research from biodiversity experts around the world, this collection of papers reflects the diversity of forest types and forest issues that concern forest scientists globally. Forest types considered vary from savannah and tropical rainforests to the ancient oak forests of Poland; issues explored include the effects of logging, management practices, forest dynamics and climate change on forest structure and biodiversity.
Forces, Growth and Form in Soft Condensed Matter : At the Interface between Physics and Biology
This volume comprises the proceedings of a NATO Advanced Study Institute held at Geilo, Norway, 24 March - 3 April 2003, the seventeenth ASI in a series held every two years since 1971. The objective of this ASI was to identify and discuss areas where synergism between modern physics, soft condensed matter and biology might be most fruitful. The main pedagogical approach was to have lecturers focussing on basic understanding of important aspects of the relative role of the various interaction- electrostatic, hydrophobic, steric, conformational, van der Waals etc. Soft condensed matter and the connection between physics and biology have been the themes of several earlier Geilo Schools. A return to these subjects thus allowed a fresh look and a possibility for defining new directions for research. Examples of soft materials, which were discussed at this ASI, included colloidal dispersions, gels, biopolymers and charged polymer solutions, polyelectrolytes, protein/membrane complexes, nucleic acids and their complexes. Indeed, most forms of condensed matter are soft and these substances are composed of aggregates and macromolecules, with interactions that are too weak and complex to form crystals spontaneously. A characteristic feature is that small external forces, slight perturbations in temperature, pressure or concentration, can all be enough to induce significant structural changes. Thermal fluctuations are almost by definition strong in soft materials and entropy is a predominant determinant of structure, so that disorder, slow dynamics and plastic deformation are the rule. Hence the phrase ‘soft condensed matter’ has been coined.
Flux-corrected transport : Principles, algorithms, and applications
Addressing students and researchers as well as CFD practitioners, this book describes the state of the art in the development of high-resolution schemes based on the Flux-Corrected Transport (FCT) paradigm. Intended for readers who have a solid background in Computational Fluid Dynamics, the book begins with historical notes by J.P. Boris and D.L. Book. Review articles that follow describe recent advances in the design of FCT algorithms as well as various algorithmic aspects. The topics addressed in the book and its main highlights include: the derivation and analysis of classical FCT schemes with special emphasis on the underlying physical and mathematical constraints; flux limiting for hyperbolic systems; generalization of FCT to implicit time-stepping and finite element discretizations on unstructured meshes and its role as a subgrid scale model for Monotonically Integrated Large Eddy Simulation (MILES) of turbulent flows. The proposed enhancements of the FCT methodology also comprise the prelimiting and 'failsafe' adjustment of antidiffusive fluxes, the use of characteristic variables, and iterative flux correction. The cause and cure of detrimental clipping/terracing effects are discussed. Many numerical examples are presented for academic test problems and large-scale applications alike.
Fluid Transport in Nanoporous Materials : Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute, held in La Colle sur Loup, France, 16-28 June 2003
The most promising include molecular sieves which are being developed as inorganic or polymeric systems with 0. 3-30nm in pore dimensions. These nanoporous solids have a broad spectrum of applications in chemical and biochemical processes. The unique applications of molecular sieves are based on their sorption and transport selectivity. Yet, the transport processes in nanoporous systems are not understood well. At the same time, the theoretical capabilities have increased exponentially catalyzed by increases in computational capabilities. The interactions between a diffusing species and the host solid are being studied with increasing details and realism. Further, in situ experimental techniques have been developed which give an understanding of the interactions between diffusing species and nanoporous solids that was not available even a few years ago. The time was ripe to bring together these areas of common interest and study to understand what is known and what has yet to be determined concerning transport in nanoporous solids. Molecular sieves are playing an increasing role in a broad range of industrial petrochemical and biological processes. These include shape-selective separations and catalysis as well as sensors and drug delivery. Molecular sieves are made from inorganic as well as organic solids, e. g. , polymers. They can be employed in packed beds, as membranes and as barrier materials. Initially, the applications of molecular sieves were dominated by the use of zeolites.



















