Materials Issues for Generation IV Systems ; Status, Open Questions and Challenges
Global warming, shortage of low-cost oil resources and the increasing demand for energy are currently controlling the world's economic expansion while often opposing desires for sustainable and peaceful development. In this context, atomic energy satisfactorily fulfills the criteria of low carbon gas production and high overall yield. However, in the absence of industrial fast-breeders the use of nuclear fuel is not optimal, and the production of high activity waste materials is at a maximum. These are the principal reasons for the development of a new, fourth generation of nuclear reactors, minimizing the undesirable side-effects of current nuclear energy production technology while increasing yields by increasing operation temperatures and opening the way for the industrial production of hydrogen through the decomposition of water.
Materials for Tomorrow : Theory, Experiments and Modelling
This book contains six chapters on central topics in materials science. Each is written by specialists in the field, and gives a state-of-the-art presentation of the subject for graduate students and scientists not necessarily working in that field. Computer simulations of new materials, theory and experimental work are all extensively discussed. As nanomaterials are of great current interest, most of the topics discussed have a bearing on nanomaterials and nanodevices. In addition to inorganic nanotubes, metallic nanocrystals, electronic nanodevices, spintronics and interfaces on an atomic scale, the text also presents computer simulations on one of the less well understood fields in solid-state physics and materials science: glasses and undercooled fluids.
Mass Extinction
The present book combines three main aspects: five major mass extinctions; contributions on some other minor extinctions; and more importantly contributions on the current mass extinction.
Markov Chains : Models, Algorithms and Applications
Markov chains are a particularly powerful and widely used tool for analyzing a variety of stochastic (probabilistic) systems over time. This monograph will present a series of Markov models, starting from the basic models and then building up to higher-order models. Included in the higher-order discussions are multivariate models, higher-order multivariate models, and higher-order hidden models. In each case, the focus is on the important kinds of applications that can be made with the class of models being considered in the current chapter. Special attention is given to numerical algorithms that can efficiently solve the models. Therefore, Markov Chains: Models, Algorithms and Applications outlines recent developments of Markov chain models for modeling queueing sequences, Internet, re-manufacturing systems, reverse logistics, inventory systems, bio-informatics, DNA sequences, genetic networks, data mining, and many other practical systems.
Maritime Spatial Planning : past, present, future
This book is the first comprehensive overview of maritime spatial planning. Situated at the intersection between theory and practice, the volume draws together several strands of interdisciplinary research, reflecting on the history of MSP as well as examining current practice and looking towards the future. The authors and contributors examine MSP from disciplines as diverse as geography, urban planning, political science, natural science, sociology and education; reflecting the growing critical engagement with MSP in many academic fields. This innovative and pioneering volume will be of interest and value to students and scholars of maritime spatial planning, as well as planners and practitioners.
Manufacturing Execution Systems - MES
The production plants of today develop into modern service centers. Economic efficiency of modern added value is not a property of products alone but of the process. Decisive potential in business now is a question of process capability, rather than production capability. Process capability in business requires real-time systems for optimization. Business-IT needs to be developed from telecommunications and ERP to real time services, which are not offered by the prevailing ERP systems. Today, only modern Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) offer real-time applications. They generate current as well as historic mappings of production facilities and thus they can be used as basis for optimizations. It is important to map the supply chain in real time. Increasing complexity in production requires an integrated view of the production and service facilities: detailed scheduling, status collection, quality, performance analysis, tracing of material and so on have to be recorded and displayed in an integrated way.
Managing Forest Ecosystems : The Challenge of Climate Change
With climate change now charging up the political agenda, there are three issues commonly making the headlines: carbon budgets, renewable energy, and the anticipated impacts of climate change. Equally important, though currently less well covered, is the issue how these effects might be mitigated. Given the significant role that forests play in the climate system – as sources, sinks, and through carbon trading – this book discusses the current scientific evidence on the relationships between climate, forest resources and forest management practices around the world. Drawing on expertise from forest scientists from several continents, the book presents both in depth analysis of the current knowledge, and a series of case studies which assess the biological and the economic impacts of climate change. It includes sections on forest responses to climate change, monitoring and modeling changes, economic and management implications, and carbon sequestration under specific management systems.
Managing Critical Infrastructure Risks
At the beginning of each year, there is a deluge of top-10 lists on just about every subject you can imagine. A top-10 list of biggest news stories, best-selling books, most popular music and movies, richest companies, and best places to visit or live. It seems everyone has his or her own top-10 list, reflecting, perhaps, differences in regional, national, and cultural values. Companies and governments most often tend to focus their top-10 lists on economic priorities, or priorities related to national defense, security, public health, and new infrastructure. This year, 2007, was no exception. Yet, increasingly, we see governments, private organizations, and companies advocating a new type of prioritization. This framework needs to reach beyond the realms of economics, world trade, and corporate management to include the environment, stakeholders, public preferences, and social goals. Moreover, corporations and individuals are not only interested in generic 10-best lists; they want lists tailored to their values, goals, and current economic and social state. For example, the U. S.
Make and Test Projects in Engineering Design : Creativity, Engagement and Learning
This is a book about the invention and testing of ideas. By describing how to generate engaging problem situations for engineering students to solve it inspires original currents of thought. This is the first book that formalises an important aspect of early learning in engineering design.
Magnetohydrodynamics : Historical Evolution and Trends
Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) studies the interaction between the flow of an electrically conducting fluid and magnetic fields. It involves such diverse topics as the evolution and dynamics of astrophysical objects, thermonuclear fusion, metallurgy and semiconductor crystal growth, etc. Although the first ideas in magnetohydrodynamics appeared at the beginning of the last century, the "explosion" in theoretical and experimental studies occurred in the 1950s-60s. This state-of-the-art book aims at revising the evolution of ideas in various branches of magnetohydrodynamics (astrophysics, earth and solar dynamos, plasmas, MHD turbulence and liquid metals) and reviews current trends and challenges.
Magnetic Control of Tokamak Plasmas
The main topic of Magnetic Control of Tokamak Plasmas is the design of feedback control systems guaranteeing the stability of plasma equilibrium inside a tokamak and the regulation of the plasma position and shape during plasma pulses. Modelling and control details are presented, allowing the non-expert to understand the control problem. Starting from equations of magneto-hydro-dynamics, all the steps needed for the derivation of plasma state-space models are enumerated. The basics of electromagnetics are frequently recalled. The control problem is then described beginning with control of current and position – vertical and radial – and progressing to the more challenging shape control. The solutions proposed vary from simple PIDs to more sophisticated MIMO controllers.
Magnesium Technology : Metallurgy, Design Data, Applications
Magnesium, with a density of 1.74 g/cm², is the lightest structural metal and magnesium are increasingly chosen for weight-critical applications such as in land-based transport systems. "Magnesium Technology" substantially updates and complements existing reference sources on this key material. It assembles international contributions from seven countries covering a wide range of research programs into new alloys with the requisite property profiles, i.e., the current state of both research and technological applications of magnesium. In particular, the international team of authors covers key topics, such as: casting and wrought alloys; fabrication methods; corrosion and protection; engineering requirements and strategies, with examples from the automobile, aerospace, and consumer-goods industries, and recycling.
Macrocyclic Chemistry : Current Trends and Future Perspectives
Macrocyclic Chemistry: Current Trends and Future Perspectives illustrates essential concepts in this expanding research field covering both basic and applied studies. Written by well-known experts from around the world, the topics of the chapters range from new macrocyclic architectures with different functions and self-assembly processes through to the modeling and dynamics of such systems. The content also reflects on application possibilities in analytical chemistry, separation processes, material preparation and medicine. Thus this book serves as a creative source of research strategies and methodic tools.
Lunar Orbiter Photographic Atlas of the Near Side of the Moon
Organized to make it easy for astronomers to use, enabling ground-based images and views to be compared with the Orbiter photographs. The photographs are striking for their consistent Sun angles (for uniform appearance). All features are identified with their current IAU-approved names, and each photograph is located in terms of latitude and longitude. To help practical astronomers, all the photographs are systematically related to an Earth-based view.
Low-Dimensional Molecular Metals
Assimilating new research in the field of low-dimensional metals, this monograph provides a detailed overview of the current status of research on quasi-one- and two-dimensional molecular metals, describing normal-state properties, magnetic field effects, superconductivity, and the phenomena of interacting p and d electrons. It will be useful not only for frontier researchers with a broad interest in low-dimensional electronic and magnetic properties, but also for graduate students of solid-state physics and chemistry with some background knowledge of solid-state physics. It includes a number of fundamental and novel findings relating to the characteristics of these low-dimensional metals, which in future are likely to become standard material in textbooks on solid-state physics.
Low Power Uwb Cmos Radar Sensors
Low Power UWB CMOS Radar Sensors deals with the problem of designing low cost CMOS radar sensors. The radar sensor uses UWB signals in order to obtain a reasonable target separation capability, while maintaining a maximum signal frequency below 2 GHz. This maximum frequency value is well within the reach of current CMOS technologies. The use of UWB signals means that most of the methodologies used in the design of circuits and systems that process narrow band signals, can no longer be applied. Low Power UWB CMOS Radar Sensors provides an analysis between the interaction of UWB signals, the antennas and the processing circuits.
Logic in Reality
The interface of logic, philosophy and science. It is intended for readers with interest and/or current involvement in process philosophy, ontology and in the philosophy or metaphysical aspects of science, especially, quantum physics, biology and cosmology. The content requires competence in reasoning, but not detailed knowledge of the fields discussed.
Local-Moment Ferromagnets : Unique Properties for Modern Applications
Some ferromagnetic materials with localized magnetic moments have become a hot topic in modern solid-state physics because of their potential applications, e.g. in spintronic devices. The magnetic systems of interest comprise diluted magnetic semiconductors and half-metallic ferromagnets. Like conventional concentrated local-moment systems, they are characterized by an exchange interaction between localized magnetic moments and quasi-free charge carriers. The current research on local-moment ferromagnetism is reviewed in a tutorial style by leading experts in this field. Experimentalists present the latest approaches to characterize the unique material properties, and theoreticians propose definitive ideas to explain the observed phenomena. Students and researches alike will benefit from this status report.
Lived Nation as the History of Experiences and Emotions in Finland, 1800-2000
It revolves around the following questions: What kinds of experiences have engendered national mobilization and feelings of national belonging? How have political and societal conflicts turned into new communities of experience and emotion? What kinds of experiences have been integrated into, or excluded from, the national context in different instances? How have people internalized or contested the nation as a context for their personal, family and minority-group experiences? In what ways has the nation entered and affected people’s intimate spheres of life? How have “national” experiences been transmitted to children in the renewal of the nation? This edited collection points to the histories of experience and emotions as a novel way of studying nations and nationalism. Building on current debates in nationalism studies, it offers a theoretical framework for analyzing the historical construction of “lived nations,” and introduces a number of new methodological approaches to understand the experiences of the nation, extending from the investigation of personal reminiscences and music records to the study of dreams and children’s drawings.
Linking and Aligning Scores and Scales
In this book, experts in statistics and psychometrics describe classes of linkages, the history of score linkings, data collection designs, and methods used to achieve sound score linkages. They describe and critically discuss applications to a variety of domains including equating of achievement exams, linkages between computer-delivered exams and paper-and-pencil exams, concordances between the current version of the SAT® and its predecessor, concordances between the ACT® and the SAT®, vertical linkages of exams that span grade levels, and linkages of scales from high-stakes state assessments to the scales of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).



















