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Mangroves and Halophytes : Restoration and Utilisation
Focusing on Venezuela and Mexico, this edited volume from the International Society of Halophyte Utilisation (ISHU) explores the environmental issues facing South and Central America's coastal ecosystems, and discusses the uses of mangrove species and other halophytes in addressing issues of both coastal pollution and upland soil salinisation. The book draws on expertise from Europe and South America to present a series of case studies that detail Venezuela’s saline ecosystems and examine the economic potential of mangrove restoration and halophyte production. It includes cutting-edge research into the establishment of new mangrove stands which could serve as prototypes for the sustainable use of halophytes, including Chenopodium quinoa and Tamarix aphylla. Moreover, the detailed examples from Venezuela and other Caribbean countries provide useful models for comparison with halophyte utilisation in other parts of the world – especially the Mediterranean region, where much of the earlier research of the ISHU had been conducted.
Lake Verevi, Estonia : A highly stratified hypertrophic lake
The present book summarises investigations on Lake Verevi (surface 12.6 ha, mean depth 3.6 m). The seventeen articles in this issue deal with a wide range of questions, starting with a holistic overview of the ecological status, over assessments of long-term changes in biotic and abiotic conditions and finishing with proposed restoration plans. Abiotic chapters provide calculations on water and mass balance, distribution and fractions of phosphorus in the sediment, optical properties and penetration of radiation in the water column, sedimentation rate during the formation of stratification, and nitrogen circulation characteristics.
Biomedical EPR ; Part A : Free Radicals, Metals, Medicine and Physiology
Biomedical EPR – Part A focuses on applications of EPR spectroscopy in the areas of free radicals, metals, medicine, and physiology. The book celebrates the 70th birthday of Prof. James S. Hyde, Medical College of Wisconsin, and his contributions to this field. Chapters are written to provide introductory material for new-comers to the field which lead into up-to-date reviews that provide perspective on the wide range of questions that can be addressed by EPR.
Alicyclobacillus : Thermophilic Acidophilic Bacilli
Soft drinks with pHs lower than 4. 0 are subjected to minimum pasteuri- tion at 65 °C for 10 min as required by the Japanese Food Sanitation Law. Not only pathogenic bacteria but most spore-forming bacteria are unable to grow at this low pH condition, and thus reports of microbial spoilage in pasteurized acidic soft drinks are rare. Since 1982, when the spoilage of aseptically packed apple juice was - tributed to a new type of acidophilic spore-forming bacteria in Germany, a succession of similar complaints regarding other fruit juice concentrates and their products has been received. In the beginning, the bacteria were classified in the genus Bacillus, but later, in 1992, the new genus Ali- clobacillus was proposed owing to their characteristic cellular membranes containing omega-alicyclic fatty acids. A group of Alicyclobacillus strains, responsible for the tainting of fruit juices, was then described as A. a- doterrestris in 1999. They are acidophilic and grow preferably at around pH 4. 0. They are thermophilic and grow better at temperatures above 40 °C. This indicates that we might have been missing them by our or- nary methods of bacterial detection at pH 7. 0 and 35 °C.
Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants : Toward the Improvement of Global Environment and Food
Stresses in plants caused by salt, drought, temperature, oxygen, and toxic compounds are the principal reason for reduction in crop yield. For example, high salinity in soils accounts for large decline in the yield of a wide variety of crops world over; ~1000 million ha of land is affected by soil salinity. Increased sunlight leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species, which damage the plant cells. The threat of global environment change makes it increasingly demanding to generate crop plants that could withstand such harsh conditions. Much progress has been made in the identification and characterization of the mechanisms that allow plants to tolerate abiotic stresses.
A History of Atmospheric CO2 and Its Effects on Plants, Animals, and Ecosystems
The authors address the future role of atmospheric CO2 and its likely effects on ecosystems. This book incorporates the advances of various earth science, environmental, and ecological fields into an overall account of global change and the changing dynamics of life on Earth.
Advanced manufacturing technology and systems
Advanced manufacturing technology and systems cover a broad scope involving manufacturing processes, machine tool design, system optimization, smart and flexible manufacturing, theoretical study and metrology. This reprint comprises 19 original papers concerning recent advances in the research and development of AMTSs. Specifically, there are many research fields that are covered: machining processes (six papers), micro-/nano-precision fabrication (four papers), and system optimization (eight papers), in addition to one review.
Behavior and design of high-strength constructional steel
Presents readers with extensive information on the behavior of high-strength constructional steels, providing them with the confidence they need to use them in a safe and economic manner to design and construct steel structures. The book includes detailed discussions on the mechanical properties of HHS while explaining the latest progress in research and design guidelines, including material properties at ambient and elevated temperatures. In addition, the book explains the behavior of elementary members subject to different types of loads and load combinations, and those that are integral to the design of bolted and welded connections.
Mathematical Methods in Electro-Magneto-Elasticity
The mechanics of Coupled Fields is a discipline at the edge of modern research connecting Continuum Mechanics with Solid State Physics. It integrates the Mechanics of Continuous Media, Heat Conductivity and the theory of Electromagnetism that are usually studied seperately. For an accurate description of the influence of static and dynamic loadings, high temperatures and strong electromagneticfields in elastic media and constructive installations, a new aproach is required; an approach that has the potential to establish a synergism between the above-mentioned fields. Throughout the book a vast number of problems are considered: two-dimensional problems of electro-magneto-elasticity as well as static and dynamical problems for piecewise homogenous compound piezoelectric plates weakened by cracks and openings. The boundary conditions, the constuctive equations and the mathematical methods for their solution are thoroughly presented, so that the reader can get a clear quantative and qualitative understnding of the phenomena taking place.
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.
Material Properties under Intensive Dynamic Loading
Understanding the physical and thermomechanical response of materials subjected to intensive dynamic loading is a challenge of great significance in engineering today. This volume assumes the task of gathering both experimental and diagnostic methods in one place, since not much information has been previously disseminated in the scientific literature. This book will thus be an invaluable companion for both the seasoned practioner as well as for the novice entering the field of experimental shock physics.
Martens and Fishers (Martes) in human-altered environments : An international perspective
Examines the conditions where humans and martens are compatible and incompatible, and promotes land use practices that allow Martes to be representatively distributed and viable. All Martes have been documented to use forested habitats and 6 species (excluding the stone marten) are generally considered to require complex mid- to late-successional forests throughout much of their geographic ranges. All species in the genus require complex horizontal and vertical structure to provide escape cover protection from predators, habitat for their prey, access to food resources, and protection from the elements. Martens and the fisher have high metabolic rates, have large spatial requirements, have high surface area to volume ratios for animals that often inhabit high latitudes, and often require among the largest home range areas per unit body weight of any group of mammals. Resulting from these unique life history characteristics, this genus is particularly sensitive to human influences on their habitats, including habitat loss, stand-scale simplification of forest structure via some forms of logging, and landscape-scale effects of habitat fragmentation. Given their strong associations with structural complexity in forests, martens and the fisher are often considered as useful barometers of forest health and have been used as ecological indicators, flagship, and umbrella species in different parts of the world. Thus, efforts to successfully conserve and manage martens and fishers are associated with the ecological fates of other forest dependent species and can greatly influence ecosystem integrity within forests that are increasingly shared among wildlife and humans.We have made great strides in our fundamental understanding of how animals with these unique life history traits perceive and utilize habitats, respond to habitat change, and how their populations function and perform under different forms of human management and mismanagement.
Maintenance of Process Instrumentation in Nuclear Power Plants
The resurgence of the nuclear power industry at a time when the nuclear plant I&C workforce is diminishing due to aging and retirements has been the motivation for writing this book. This book compiles 30 years of practical knowledge gained by the author and his staff in testing the I&C systems of nuclear power plants around the world. It focuses on process temperature and pressure sensors and the verification of these sensors’ calibration and response time.
Magnetism in the Solid State : An Introduction
Presents a phenomenological approach to the field of solid state magnetism. After introducing the basic concepts from statistical thermodynamics and electronic structure theory, the first part discusses the standard models for localized moments (Weiss, Heisenberg) and delocalized moments (Stoner). This is followed by a chapter about exchange and correlation in metals, again considering the results for the localized and delocalized limit. The book ends with a chapter about spin fluctuations, which are introduced as an alternative to the finite temperature Stoner theory. A useful reference work for researchers, this book will also be a valuable accompaniment to graduate courses on magnetism and magnetic materials.
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.
Low-Temperature Physics
This book provides a concise but thorough introduction to important phenomena of low-temperature physics. It is ideally suited as a textbook for advanced undergraduates but will also be valuable for graduate students, scientists and engineers working in this field. Clear explanations of both theoretical and experimental approaches coupled with carefully selected problems will enable students to gain a firm understanding of even the most recent research developments.
Low Thermal Expansion Glass Ceramics
Describes the fundamental principles, the manufacturing process, and applications of low thermal expansion glass ceramics. The composition, structure, and stability of polycrystalline materials having a low thermal expansion are described, and it is shown how low thermal expansion glass ceramics can be manufactured from appropriately chosen glass compositions. Examples illustrate the formation of this type of glass ceramic by utilizing normal production processes together with controlled crystallization. Thus glass ceramics with thermal coefficients of expansion of less than 0.3 x 10(-6)K(-1) can be obtained. Even for the mass production of high-quality cooktop panels (Ceran®., oven windows, and other household appliances a high reproducibility of the properties is achieved. Special glass ceramics (Zerodur®. for technological and scientific applications such as high-precision optics or large astronomical mirrors are likewise discussed. The completely revised edition also features new sections on glass-ceramic applications, with details on their performance, CDC-grinding, and laser gyroscopes containing Zerodur®..
Lidar : Range-Resolved Optical Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere
Written by leading experts in optical radar, or lidar, this book brings all the recent practices up-to-date and covers a multitude of applications, from atmospheric sciences to environmental protection. Its broad cross-disciplinary scope should appeal to both the experienced scientist and the novice in the field. The Foreword is by one of the early pioneers in the area, Herbert Walther.
Kinetics of Water-Rock Interaction
Systems at the surface of the Earth are continually responding to energy inputs derived from solar radiation or from the radiogenic heat in the interior. These energy inputs drive plate movements and erosion, exposing metastable mineral phases at the Earth’s surface. In addition, these energy fluxes are harvested and transformed by living organisms. As long as these processes persist, chemical disequilibrium at the Earth’s surface will be perpetuated. Chemical disequilibrium is also driven by human activities related to production of food, extraction of water and energy resources, and burial of wastes. To understand how the surface of the Earth will change over time, we must understand the rates at which reactions occur and the chemical feedbacks that relate these reactions across extreme temporal and spatial scales. This book addresses fundamental and applied questions concerning the rates of water-rock interactions driven by tectonic, climatic, and anthropogenic forcings.
Climate Variability and Extremes during the Past 100 Years
This volume provides an up to date overview of climate variability during the 20th century in the context of natural and anthropogenic variability. It compiles a number of contributions to a workshop held in Gwatt, Switzerland, in July 2006 dealing with different aspects of climate change, variability, and extremes during the past 100 years.
