الصفحة 2
الصفحة 2
New Directions in Intelligent Interactive Multimedia
This book summarizes the works and new research results presented at the First International Symposium on Intelligent Interactive Multimedia Systems and Services (KES-IIMSS 2008), organized by the University of Piraeus and its Department of Informatics in conjunction with KES International (Piraeus, Greece, July 9-11, 2008). The aim of the symposium was to provide an internationally respected forum for scientific research into the technologies and applications of intelligent interactive multimedia systems and services.
New Concepts of Antiviral Therapy
Antiviral drugs are important tools for treatment or prevention of viral infections. These drugs were first used for monotherapy, but nowadays combinations of antiviral agents are often part of a standard treatment as evidenced by e.g. HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy). However, in almost every case of antiviral therapy, drug resistant viruses appear. In addition, the low oral bioavailability, toxicity and the number of severe side effects still pose significant problems. All of the latter issues limit the clinical usefulness and drive the need for improved antiviral strategies. These strategies include new drugs and targets, novel modes of action, vector-based treatments and even the block of defined genes by inhibiting mRNA formation (siRNA).
New and Old Routes of Portuguese Emigration : Uncertain Futures at the Periphery of Europe
This book offers a comparative overview on Portuguese emigration in Europe and outside the EU in times of recession. In addition to the dynamics of movement, the book provides an in-depth analysis of the heterogeneity of this emigration. It deepens the multifaceted identities concerning social and professional pathways among highly skilled and less skilled emigrants. The labour market continues to be the main regulatory force of Portuguese emigration, which helps to explain the outflow and the processes of settlement and return. Nonetheless, this book demonstrates that non-economic factors have likewise been of great importance in the decision to emigrate.
Neutrinos and Explosive Events in the Universe
“Neutrinos and Explosive Events in the Universe” brought together experts from diverse disciplines to offer a detailed view of the exciting new work in this part of High Energy Astrophysics. Sponsored by NATO as an Advanced Study Institute, and coordinated under the auspices of the International School of Cosmic Ray Astrophysics (14th biennial course), the ASI featured a full program of lectures and discussion in the ambiance of the Ettore Majorana Centre in Erice, Italy, including visits to the local Dirac and Chalonge museum collections as well as a view of the cultural heritage of southern Sicily. Enri- ment presentations on results from the Spitzer Infrared Space Telescope and the Origin of Complexity complemented the program. This course was the best attended in the almost 30 year history of the School with 121 participants from 22 countries. The program provided a rich ex- rience, both introductory and advanced, to fascinating areas of observational Astrophysics Neutrino Astronomy, High Energy Gamma Ray Astronomy, P- ticle Astrophysics and the objects most likely responsible for the signals - plosions and related phenomena, ranging from Supernovae to Black Holes to the Big Bang. Contained in this NATO Science Series volume is a summative formulation of the physics and astrophysics of this newly emerging research area that already has been, and will continue to be, an important contributor to understanding our high energy universe.
Neural and Neuroendocrine Mechanisms in Host Defense and Autoimmunity
This comprehensive volume, written by experts in the integrative fields of neuroscience, endocrinology and immunology, provides insight into the mechanisms by which neural and neuroendocrine factors influence susceptibility to infection and autoimmunity. The book focuses on multiple sclerosis as the prototypic autoimmune disease and discusses infectious diseases including anthrax, influenza virus, herpes virus and human immunodeficiency virus. The effects of stress on experimental models of multiple sclerosis and also clinical observations of stress in multiple sclerosis patients are discussed. Neural and Neuroendocrine Mechanisms in Host Defense and Autoimmunity is an ideal book for researches and professionals in the fields of immunology, neuroscience, infectious disease, psychology, microbiology, virology, public health and pharmaceutical sciences.
Network and Parallel Computing ; IFIP International Conference, NPC 2005, Beijing, China, November 30 - December 3, 2005, Proceedings
These proceedings contain the papers presented at the 2005 IFIP International Conference on Network and Parallel Computing (NPC 2005), held in Beijing, China, between November 30 and December 3, 2005. The goal of the conference was to establish an international forum for engineers and scientists to present their ideas and experiences in network and parallel computing. A total of 320 submissions were received in response to our Call for Papers. These papers were from the following countries or regions: Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lux- burg, Nepal, Netherlands, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, and United States.
Neglected tropical diseases and phytochemicals in drug discovery
Neglected Tropical Diseases and Phytochemicals in Drug Discovery delivers a comprehensive exploration of the drug discovery process as it pertains to neglected tropical diseases. The book covers recent advancements in drug discovery, as well as druggable targets and new challenges facing the industry. It offers readers expansive discussions of specific diseases, including protozoan, helminth, bacterial, viral, fungal, and ectoparasitic infections.
Nature Inspired Problem-Solving Methods in Knowledge Engineering ; 2nd International Work-Conference on the Interplay Between Natural and Artificial Computation, IWINAC 2007, La Manga del Mar Menor, Spain, June 18-21, 2007, Proceedings, Part II
The second of a two-volume set, this book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Second International Work-Conference on the Interplay between Natural and Artificial Computation, IWINAC 2007, held in La Manga del Mar Menor, Spain in June 2007.
Natural Products Targeting Clinically Relevant Enzymes
Covers the full spectrum of clinically relevant enzymes that are known to be targeted by natural products. Key enzymes include acetylcholine esterase, angiotensin-I-converting enzyme, cyclooxygenase, dihydrofolate reductase, phospholipase A2, respiratory complexes, and many more. By connecting the diversity of medicinal natural product sources with their potential clinical applications, this volume serves as a companion for the medicinal chemist looking for innovative small molecule compounds as well as for pharmacologist interested in the clinical effects and mode of action of herbal and traditional medicines.
Natural language processing and information systems ; 12th International Conference on Applications of Natural Language to Information Systems, NLDB 2007, Paris, France, June 27-29, 2007, Proceedings
NLP techniques may substantially enhance most phases of the information system lifecycle, starting with requirement analysis, specification and validation, and going up to conflict resolution, result processing and presentation.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH ; Vol.1 : Frontiers in Research
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH: Volume 1, Frontiers in Research contains presentations given at the 2006 NIAID Research Conference held in Opatija, Croatia which brought internationally known researchers from the United States and Central and Eastern Europe to focus together on shared interests in microbiology, infectious disease, HIV/AIDS, and basic and clinical immunology. Some of the topics covered include emerging and re-emerging infections, the development of infectious disease prophylactics and therapeutics, drug resistance, and various topics in immunomodulation, autoimmunity, infections and immunity, and the development of vaccines.Extensive and in-depth, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH: Volume 1, Frontiers in Research is a valuable, comprehensive guide to the state of research today.
Nanotechnologies, Hazards and Resource Efficiency : A Three-Tiered Approach to Assessing the Implications of Nanotechnology and Influencing its Development
Nanotechnology is frequently described as an enabling technology and 1 fundamental innovation, i.e. it is expected to lead to numerous innovative developments in the most diverse fields of technology and areas of app- cation in society and the marketplace. The technology, it is believed, has the potential for far-reaching changes that will eventually affect all areas of life. Such changes will doubtlessly have strong repercussions for society and the environment and bring with them not only the desired and intended effects such as innovations in the form of improvements to products, pr- esses and materials; economic growth; new jobs for skilled workers; relief for the environment; and further steps toward sustainable business, but also unexpected and undesirable side effects and consequences.
Nanostructured Materials by High-Pressure Severe Plastic Deformation
Recently, it was reported that nanostructured materials processed under high pressure by HPT and ECAP have an extraordinary combination of both high strength and high ductility, which are two desirable, but rarely co-existing properties. These findings indicate that high-pressure is a critical factor that can be employed to process nanostructured materials with superior mechanical, and possibly also physical, properties. It is the objective of this workshop to review our current knowledge, identify issues for future research, and discuss future directions on the processing and properties of nanostructured materials via SPD techniques, with a special emphasis on high-pressure effects.
Nanoscale Assembly : Chemical Techniques
Recent advances have pushed the limits of lithography firmly into the sub-100 nm domain, with smallest feature sizes around 10 nm. However, compared to living organisms, devices fabricated using nanolithography are not nearly as complex, as they are essentially 2D and contain only a limited number of chemical elements. For centuries, Nature has been a major inspiration for science. First of all to learn how Life functions at cellular level, but increasingly, as a blueprint for designing non-natural devices where the building blocks and their assembly are inspired by biological examples. The key tool in translating these examples into the domain of engineering, has been self-assembly or self-organization. This book gathers a spectrum researchers who have not only furthered our knowledge of self-assembly using small molecules, polymers and colloidal particles as building blocks, but who have also shown it to be a practical tool in the assembly of an astonishing variety of devices, ranging from molecular electronics to biosensors.
Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery in Cancer Treatment
Discusses nanotechnological developments of interfering RNA-based nanoparticles, delivery vehicles, and validated therapeutic RNAi–molecular target interactions and explains the results of clinical and preclinical trials. The book also gives strategies for universal methods of constructing hybrid organic–inorganic nanomaterials that can be widely applied in the biomedical field. Focuses on : Recent advances of nanoparticle-mediated siRNA delivery systems and their application in clinical trials for cancer therapy Material platforms that establish NPs and both localized and controlled gene silencing The most promising systems for clinical application Surveys progress in nanoparticle-based nanomedicine in cancer treatment The most advanced of the nonviral nanocarriers for delivery of oligonucleotides to malignant blood cancer cells
Multiscale Modeling : A Bayesian Perspective
The book is aimed at statisticians, applied mathematicians, and engineers working on problems dealing with multiscale processes in time and/or space, such as in engineering, finance, and environmetrics. The book will also be of interest to those working on multiscale computation research. The main prerequisites are knowledge of Bayesian statistics and basic Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. A number of real-world examples are thoroughly analyzed in order to demonstrate the methods and to assist the readers in applying these methods to their own work. To further assist readers, the authors are making source code (for R) available for many of the basic methods discussed herein.
Multirate Statistical Signal Processing
This book introduces a statistical theory for extracting information from signals that have di?erent sampling rates. This new theory generalizes the conventional (deterministic) theory of multirate systems beyond many of its constraints.Furthermore,itallowsfortheformulationofseveralnewproblems such as spectrum estimation, time-delay estimation and sensor fusion in the realm of multirate signal processing. I have arrived at the theory presented here by integrating concepts from diverse areas such as information theory, inverse problems and theory of - equalities. The process of merging a variety of concepts of di?erent origin results in both merits and shortcomings. The former include the fresh and - di?erentiated view of an amateur, providing scope of application. The latter include a lack of in-depth experience in each of the original ?elds. Granted, this may lead to gaps in continuity, however it goes without saying that a complete theory can seldom be achieved by one person and in a short time.
Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis :State of the Art Surveys
The handbook presents the most up-to-date discussions on well-established methodologies and theories in the field, while systematically surveying emerging fields in MCDA such as conjoint measurement, fuzzy preferences, fuzzy integrals, rough sets, etc. MULTIPLE CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS is a valuable reference volume (more than 2000 references) for the field of decision analysis. It provides graduate students, researchers, and practitioners with a sweeping survey of MCDA theory, methodologies, and applications. It is a handbook that is particularly suitable for use in seminars in Decision Analysis, Decision Support, and Decision Theory.
Multinational Enterprises, Foreign Direct Investment and Growth in Africa : South African Perspectives
How can Africa, the world’s most lagging region, benefit from globalisation and achieve sustained economic growth? Africa needs greater investment by Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) to improve competitiveness and generate more growth through positive spill-over effects. Despite the fact that Africa’s returns on investment averaged 29% since 1990, Africa has gained merely 1% of global Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows. The challenge for African countries is how to be a more desirable destination for FDI. The study integrates three currents of economic research, namely from the literature on (endogenous) economic growth, convergence and regional integration, the explanations for Africa’s poor growth and the growing understanding of the role of MNEs in a global economy. The empirical side of the book is based on an econometric study of the determinants of FDI in Africa as well as a detailed firm-level survey conducted in 2000.
Multimedia security : Algorithm development, analysis and applications (algorithms for intelligent systems)
Provides an insight about various techniques used in multimedia security and identifies its progress in both technological and algorithmic perspectives. In the contemporary world, digitization offers an effective mechanism to process, preserve and transfer all types of information. The incredible progresses in computing and communication technologies augmented by economic feasibility have revolutionized the world. The availability of efficient algorithms together with inexpensive digital recording and storage peripherals have created a multimedia era bringing conveniences to people in sharing the digital data that includes images, audio and video. The ever-increasing pace, at which the multimedia and communication technology is growing, has also made it possible to combine, replicate and distribute the content faster and easier, thereby empowering mankind by having a wealth of information at their disposal.
