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Neurocutaneous Disorders : Phakomatoses and Hamartoneoplastic Syndromes
Neurocutaneous diseases are a wide group of conditions that affect the nervous system but appear as lesions of the skin. Some of the more common entities have variable forms of expression that can confuse the diagnosis; for the rare conditions it is difficult to find descriptions in the literature. Recent insights into their cellular, biochemical and molecular genetic bases have shown the essential need for a new nosology and updated genotype-phenotype correlations. The book provides an authoritative source of knowledge about these difficult problems and bridges the gap between clinical recognition and the new molecular medicine. The editors, distinguished clinicians and geneticists, assembled an internationally renowned group of collaborators, many of them the experts who first described a particular disorder or established its present accepted definition.
Neural Networks : Methodology and Applications
Neural networks represent a powerful data processing technique that has reached maturity and broad application. When clearly understood and appropriately used, they are a mandatory component in the toolbox of any engineer who wants make the best use of the available data, in order to build models, make predictions, mine data, recognize shapes or signals, etc. Ranging from theoretical foundations to real-life applications, this book is intended to provide engineers and researchers with clear methodologies for taking advantage of neural networks in industrial, financial or banking applications, many instances of which are presented in the book. For the benefit of readers wishing to gain deeper knowledge of the topics, the book features appendices that provide theoretical details for greater insight, and algorithmic details for efficient programming and implementation. The chapters have been written by experts ands seemlessly edited to present a coherent and comprehensive, yet not redundant, practically-oriented introduction.
Neural Networks : Computational Models and Applications
Neural Networks: Computational Models and Applications covers a wealth of important theoretical and practical issues in neural networks, including the learning algorithms of feed-forward neural networks, various dynamical properties of recurrent neural networks, winner-take-all networks and their applications in broad manifolds of computational intelligence: pattern recognition, uniform approximation, constrained optimization, NP-hard problems, and image segmentation. By presenting various computational models, this book is developed to provide readers with a quick but insightful understanding of the broad and rapidly growing areas in the neural networks domain. Besides laying down fundamentals on artificial neural networks, this book also studies biologically inspired neural networks. Some typical computational models are discussed, and subsequently applied to objection recognition, scene analysis and associative memory. The studies of bio-inspired models have important implications in computer vision and robotic navigation, as well as new efficient algorithms for image analysis.
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.
Neoproterozoic Geobiology and Paleobiology
The Neoproterozoic Era (1000-542 million years ago) is a geological period of dramatic climatic change and important evolutionary innovations. Repeated glaciations of unusual magnitude occurred throughout this tumultuous interval, and various eukaryotic clades independently achieved multicellularity, becoming more complex, abundant, and diverse at its termination. Animals made their first debut in the Neoproterozoic too. The intricate interaction among these geological and biological events is a centrepiece of Earth system history, and has been the focus of geobiological investigations in recent decades. The purpose of this volume is to present a sample of views and visions among some of the growing numbers of Neoproterozoic workers. The contributions represent a cross section of recent insights into the field of Neoproterozoic geobiology.
Neonatal Immunity
New advances in cellular immunology, molecular biology, recombinant DNA and proteins, and the function of cytokines and chemokines have revolutionized the study of neonatal immune responsiveness. In Neonatal Immunity, Constantin Bona, MD, critically reviews the classic, as well as most recent-and quite seminal-findings concerning the phenotypic and molecular characteristics of both fetal and neonatal B and T cells, the cells that mediate antibody and cellular immune responses in newborns and infants. Dr. Bona shows how the antibody response of neonates is modulated by maternal antibodies and how, in certain cases, this can cause transient or life-threatening neonatal autoimmune disease. He also describes the characteristics of neonatal tolerance induced by foreign allo- and self-antigens, which are the basis for understanding impaired infant immune response and which provide a rationale for the development of efficient neonatal vaccines. By making clear the characteristics and differences between the immune system and the immune responses of both newborns and infants, compared to those of adults, Dr. Bona offers insights and challenging hypotheses that promise to help overcome the poor responses of neonates to various antigens. Authoritative and forward-looking, Neonatal Immunity critically reviews what we know of the neonatal immune response today, and how this is dramatically opening new therapeutic horizons in such areas as infant vaccination, stem cells, gene therapy, and transplantation.
Neo-Liberalism, Globalization and Human Capital Learning : Reclaiming Education for Democratic Citizenship
Throughout the world, neoliberalism functions to decouple learning from the most important elements of civic education, transforming education into training and students into consumers. Neoliberalism, Globalization, and Human Capital Learning is an enormously important book that reveals in painstaking detail how neoliberal ideology destroys critical education. But it does much more. It also provides the insights and tools for educators to both overcome the market-based attack on critical education and address schooling as a democratic public sphere and the classroom as a laboratory for the nurturing of critical agency and social responsibility. This dynamic book should stir a public outcry among concerned citizens and educators through out the globe.
Neanderthals Revisited : New Approaches and Perspectives
This volume presents cutting-edge research by leading scientists re-examining the major debates in Neanderthal research with the use of innovative state-of-the art methods and exciting new theoretical approaches.Topics addressed include the re-evaluation of Neanderthal anatomy, inferred adaptations and habitual activities, developmental patterns, phylogenetic relationships, and the Neanderthal extinction; new methods include computer tomography, 3D geometric morphometrics, ancient DNA and bioenergetics. The diverse contributions offer fresh insights and advances in Neanderthal and modern human origins research.
Nb3Sn Accelerator Magnets : Designs, Technologies and Performance
This book is written by world-recognized experts in the fields of applied superconductivity and superconducting accelerator magnet technologies. It provides a contemporary review and assessment of the experience in research and development of high-field accelerator dipole magnets based on Nb3Sn superconductor over the past five decades. The reader attains clear insight into the development and the main properties of Nb3Sn composite superconducting wires and Rutherford cables, and details of accelerator dipole designs, technologies and performance. Special attention is given to innovative features of the developed Nb3Sn magnets. The book concludes with a discussion of accelerator magnet needs for future circular colliders.
Navigation and MIS in Orthopaedic Surgery
This textbook offers new insights into the use of computer assisted surgery and minimally invasive surgery in orthopaedic surgery. A comprehensive presentation of scientific work and clinical experience is included encompassing areas of spine, trauma, sports and reconstructive surgery. We have added sections that discuss minimally invasive surgery, as we believe CAS will be an enabling technology for these more challenging approaches by providing a virtual digital "surgical exposure". We have explored areas of new endeavor that may not have current applications.
Nature-Based Flood Risk Management on Private Land : Disciplinary Perspectives on a Multidisciplinary Challenge
This book addresses the various disciplinary aspects of nature-based solutions in flood risk management on private land. In recent decades, water management has been moving towards nature-based solutions. These are assumed to be much more multi-purpose than traditional “grey infrastructures” and seem to be regarded as a panacea for many environmental issues. At the same time, such measures require more – and mostly privately owned – land and more diverse stakeholder involvement than traditional (grey) engineering approaches. They also present challenges related to different disciplines. Nature-based solutions for flood risk management not only require technical expertise, but also call for interdisciplinary insights from land-use planning, economics, property rights, sociology, landscape planning, ecology, hydrology, agriculture and other disciplines to address the challenges of implementing them. Ultimately, nature-based flood risk management is a multi-disciplinary endeavor.
Natural products and human diseases : Pharmacology, molecular targets, and therapeutic benefits
Provides insight into the clinical and translational application of natural products in human diseases Details the impact of natural products on a molecular basis Describes the identification of biomarkers, therapeutic effects of phytochemicals, and and new targets
Natural Product Synthesis II : Targets, Methods, Concepts
From its early days, the total synthesis of complex molecules, especially those that are natural products, has been the kings discipline in organic chemistry. The reasons for this are manifold: the challenge lying in a novel and intricate molecular architecture or the difficulty encountered when isolating the substance from its natural sources, or the possibility of finding a wide test ground for established methodology or the incentive to invent new methodology when the old one has failed, or simply the art and elegance which is so typical of a truly efficient synthetic sequence. In any case, everybody will agree that total synthesis is the best way to train young chemists, In these two volumes, the contributions of a number of organic synthetic chemists from the German speaking area have been collected. It is the hope of the authors and the editor that these articles, which highlight all the various aspects of organic synthesis, will provide not only an insight into the basic strategy and tactics but also the purpose of organic syntheses.
Natural Product Synthesis I : Targets, Methods, Concepts
From its early days, the total synthesis of complex molecules, especially those that are natural products, has been the kings discipline in organic chemistry. The reasons for this are manifold: the challenge lying in a novel and intricate molecular architecture or the difficulty encountered when isolating the substance from its natural sources, or the possibility of finding a wide test ground for established methodology or the incentive to invent new methodology when the old one has failed, or simply the art and elegance which is so typical of a truly efficient synthetic sequence. In any case, everybody will agree that total synthesis is the best way to train young chemists, In these two volumes, the contributions of a number of organic synthetic chemists from the German speaking area have been collected. It is the hope of the authors and the editor that these articles, which highlight all the various aspects of organic synthesis, will provide not only an insight into the basic strategy and tactics but also the purpose of organic syntheses.
Nato And Terrorism : On Scene : New Challenges for First Responders and Civil Protection
This book provides information about how leading agencies across the NATO membership are preparing to confront and respond to terrorists deploying Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), Weapons of Mass Killing (WMK) and Weapons of Mass Disruption (WMDi). Based on contributions by experts from NATO member states, Israel and the Russian Federation, this book offers information on fourth generation warfare as a new challenge to first responders. It also provides a variety of insights into methods for preparing for and responding to WMD-, WMK-, and WMDi-events, using new technologies and strategies. Furthermore, the book offers solution for restoring the community to functioning after such a major terror attack. Topics include preparing, planning, operations, equipment, training and unique applications of existing technologies for countering terrorist attacks against cities and their infrastructure.
National Constitutions in European and Global Governance : Democracy, Rights, the Rule of Law: National Reports
It offers important insights into three areas. First, it explores how constitutions reflect the transfer of powers from domestic to European and global institutions. Secondly, it revisits substantive constitutional values, such as the protection of constitutional rights, the rule of law, democratic participation and constitutional review, along with constitutional court judgments that tackle the protection of these rights and values in the transnational context, e.g. with regard to the Data Retention Directive, the European Arrest Warrant, the ESM Treaty, and EU and IMF austerity measures. The responsiveness of the ECJ regarding the above rights and values, along with the standard of protection, is also assessed. Thirdly, challenges in the context of global governance in relation to judicial review, democratic control and accountability are examined. On a broader level, the contributors were also invited to reflect on what has increasingly been described as the erosion or ‘twilight’ of constitutionalism, or a shift to a thin version of the rule of law, democracy and judicial review in the context of Europeanisation and globalisation processes.
Nanoscale Devices - Fundamentals and Applications
This book contains a collection of papers giving insight into the fundamentals and applications of nanoscale devices. The main focus is on the synthesis and characterization of nanoscale magnetic materials, the fundamental physics and materials aspects of solid-state nanostructures, the development of novel device concepts and design principles for nanoscale devices, as well as on applications in electronics with special emphasis on defence against the threat of terrorism.
Nanopharmaceuticals ; Vol.1 : Expectations and realities of multifunctional drug delivery systems
Reviews advances in the drug delivery field via nanovehicles or nanocarriers that offer benefits like targeted therapy and serves as a single dose magic bullet for multiple drug delivery with improved drug efficiency at a lower dose, transportation of the drug across physiological barriers as well as reduced drug-related toxicity. The chapters are written by a diverse group of international researchers from industry and academia. The series Expectations and Realities of Multifunctional Drug Delivery Systems examines the fabrication, optimization, biological aspects, regulatory and clinical success of wide range of drug delivery carriers. This series reviews multifunctionality and applications of drug delivery systems, industrial trends, regulatory challenges and in vivo success stories. Throughout the volumes discussions on diverse aspects of drug delivery carriers, such as clinical, engineering, and regulatory, facilitate insight sharing across expertise area and form a link for collaborations between industry-academic scientists and clinical researchers. Expectations and Realities of Multifunctional Drug Delivery Systems connects formulation scientists, regulatory experts, engineers, clinical experts and regulatory stake holders. The wide scope of the book ensures it as a valuable reference resource for researchers in both academia and the pharmaceutical industry who want to learn more about drug delivery systems.
Myosins : A Superfamily of Molecular Motors
Application of state-of-the-art cellular and molecular biological, structural biological, genetic, biochemical and biophysical techniques has provided and continues to provide critical information regarding the structure–function relationship; and the cellular roles of various myosins in organisms as diverse as protozoa, yeast, plants and higher animals. The association of myosins with diseases including neurological disorders, immu- deficiencies, cardiomyopathies, hearing and vision loss testify to the importance of understanding the biochemical properties and cellular roles of myosins. The 16 chapters in this volume summarize the tremendous progress made in studying members of the myosin superfamily in recent years and offer critical insight into what future research will yield.
Multimodality in architecture : Collaboration, technology and education
Examines multimodality in architecture and its impacts on collaborative, technical and educational processes or systems. Multimodality is becoming increasingly critical in contemporary architectural practice and education. Creative design teams face new challenges when they embrace new modes of communication, technology, and knowledge development processes. From diverse online modes of communication to shared digital environments, generative AI and advanced hardware solutions, new modes of information creation, sharing, and application are changing the ways architects and designers work. The book presents new research which empowers international researchers and designers to work more effectively in a diverse range of digital environments. Whether the readers are architects, teachers, students, or scholars, this book provides critical insights and practical tools for understanding and optimising processes in architecture and design.
