On the Topology of Isolated Singularities in Analytic Spaces
The aim of this book is to give an overview of selected topics on the topology of real and complex isolated singularities, with emphasis on its relations to other branches of geometry and topology. The first chapters are mostly devoted to complex singularities and a myriad of results spread in a vast literature, which are presented here in a unified way, accessible to non-specialists. Among the topics are the fibration theorems of Milnor; the relation with 3-dimensional Lie groups; exotic spheres; spin structures and 3-manifold invariants; the geometry of quadrics and Arnold's theorem which states that the complex projective plane modulo conjugation is the 4-sphere. The second part of the book studies pioneer work about real analytic singularities which arise from the topological and geometric study of holomorphic vector fields and foliations. In the low dimensional case these turn out to be related to fibred links in the 3-sphere defined by meromorphic functions. This provides new methods for constructing manifolds equipped with a rich geometry.
Old and New Perspectives on Mortality Forecasting
This book describes methods of mortality forecasting and discusses possible improvements. It contains a selection of previously unpublished and published papers, which together provide a state-of-the-art overview of statistical approaches as well as behavioural and biological perspectives. The different parts of the book provide discussions of current practice, probabilistic forecasting, the linearity in the increase of life expectancy, causes of death, and the role of cohort factors.
Nutraceuticals and health care ; 1st ed.
Explores the role of plant-based nutraceuticals as food ingredients and as therapeutic agents for preventing various diseases. The book assesses the role of nutraceuticals in addressing cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity by highlighting the derivatives, extraction, chemistry, mechanism of action, pharmacology, bioavailability, and safety of specific nutraceuticals. It analyzes twenty one nutraceuticals in a systematic way, providing a welcomed reference for nutrition researchers, nutritionists and dieticians, as well as other scientists studying related areas in food science, technology or agriculture. Students studying related topics will also benefit from this material.
Numerical Methods and Applications ; 6th International Conference, NMA 2006, Borovets, Bulgaria, August 20-24, 2006, Revised Papers
This book constitutes the thoroughly refereed post-proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Numerical Methods and Applications, NMA 2006. The papers are organized in topical sections on numerical methods for hyperbolic problems, robust preconditioning solution methods, Monte Carlo and quasi-Monte Carlo for diverse applications, metaheuristics for optimization problems, uncertain/control systems and reliable numerics, interpolation and quadrature processes, large-scale computations in environmental modelling, and contributed talks.
Numerical computation, data analysis and software in mathematics and engineering
Include the aspects of the meshless method, numerical simulation, mathematical models, deep learning and data analysis. Meshless methods, such as the improved element-free Galerkin method, the dimension-splitting, interpolating, moving, least-squares method, the dimension-splitting, generalized, interpolating, element-free Galerkin method and the improved interpolating, complex variable, element-free Galerkin method, are presented. Some complicated problems, such as tge cold roll-forming process, ceramsite compound insulation block, crack propagation and heavy-haul railway tunnel with defects, are numerically analyzed.
Nonlinear Observers and Applications
The problem of state reconstruction in dynamical systems, known as observer problem, is undoubtedly crucial for controlling or just monitoring processes. For linear systems, the corresponding theory has been quite well established for several years now, and the purpose of the present book is to propose an overview on possible tools in that respect for nonlinear systems. Basic observability notions and observer structures are first recalled, together with ingredients for advanced designs on this basis. A special attention is then paid to the well-known high gain techniques with a summary of various corresponding recent results. A focus on the celebrated Extended Kalman filter is also given, in the perspectives of both nonlinear filtering and high gain observers, leading to so-called adaptive-gain observers. The more specific immersion approach for observer design is then emphasized, while optimization-based methods are also presented as an alternative to analytic observers.
Non-Equilibrium Phase Transitions ; Vol. I : Absorbing Phase Transitions
This book describes two main classes of non-equilibrium phase-transitions: (a) static and dynamics of transitions into an absorbing state, and (b) dynamical scaling in far-from-equilibrium relaxation behaviour and ageing. The first volume begins with an introductory chapter which recalls the main concepts of phase-transitions, set for the convenience of the reader in an equilibrium context. The extension to non-equilibrium systems is made by using directed percolation as the main paradigm of absorbing phase transitions and in view of the richness of the known results an entire chapter is devoted to it, including a discussion of recent experimental results. Scaling theories and a large set of both numerical and analytical methods for the study of non-equilibrium phase transitions are thoroughly discussed.
N-Heterocyclic Carbenes in Transition Metal Catalysis
It was only in the early 1990s that carbenes with the carbene carbon being incorporated in a nitrogen containing heterocycle (N-heterocyclic carbenes or NHCs) were found to be stable enough to be isolated. Since the first report on the application of NHCs as ligands in transition metal catalysis in 1995, NHC have found numerous applications and have been established as a versatile and indispensable class of ligands. For many reactions like metathesis or cross-coupling reactions NHCs have often become the ligands of choice, allowing otherwise difficult transformations. In this book leading experts have surveyed major areas of application of NHC metal complexes in catalysis. The authors have placed a special focus on nickel- and palladium-catalyzed reactions, on applications in metathesis reactions, on oxidation reactions and on the use of chiral NHC-based catalysts. This compilation is rounded out by an introductory chapter and a chapter dealing with synthetic routes to NHC metal complexes.
New Perspectives on Aloe
The contents include a brief introduction of aloe, isolation, purification, and structural analysis of components, and various physiological effects of those components for possible use as health foods or drugs. Various functions identified were wound healing, angiogenesis, anti-allergy, skin whitening, stimulation of cell proliferation such as liver or kidney, protection against nephrotoxicity, and immune modulation. Moreover, we suggest standardization and quality control procedures for manufacturing raw aloe, and how to develop related products for successful application of aloe. This is important in Korea because last year the Korean government listed aloe as a health food for which the government establishes regulatory laws. Therefore, many scientists in Korea who are interested in studying health foods would be interested in this kind of text. Other major fields related to this kind of research will be medicine, biology, pharmaceutics, natural products and analytics.
Neutrophil : Methods and Protocols
Neutrophils, the most abundant white cells in humans, serve as the primary cellular defense against infection. This volume provides a concise set of protocols for assessing basic neutrophil functions and investigating specialized areas in neutrophil biology. Each of the protocols is written by leading researchers in the field and includes hints for success, as well as guidance for troubleshooting. Part I contains overviews of neutrophil biology, function, and disorders. Part II describes commonly used methods to isolate neutrophils from humans and other animal species. Part III details methods for investigating chemotaxis, transmigration, phagocytosis, and bactericidal activity. Part IV includes protocols that measure neutrophil apoptosis, calcium signal transduction, degranulation and detection of cytoplasmic granules, gene expression, transcription factors, and apoptosis. Part V provides multiple assays for measuring production of intracellular and/or extracellular reactive oxygen species, and a method that details use of the cell-free NADPH oxidase assay, an iconic assay for studies of the neutrophil NADPH oxidase. Part VI provides chapters that describe how to analyze formation and function of neutrophil extracellular traps.
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 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.
Natural occurrence and biological activities of quinoline derivatives
Provides a comprehensive overview of quinoline derivatives, focusing on their chemical structure, biological activities, and therapeutic benefits. It delves into the natural sources of these derivatives, covering their isolation, characterization, and potential therapeutic applications, particularly in areas such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antimalarial activity. With its emphasis on providing valuable reference material, this book is an indispensable resource for researchers, educators, and professionals in the fields of chemistry, biology, pharmacology, and drug discovery.
Multi-Scale Approaches in Drug Discovery : From Empirical Knowledge to In silico Experiments and Back
Drug discovery is an expensive, time-consuming process and the modern drug discovery community is constantly challenged not only with discovering novel bioactive agents to combat resistance from known diseases and fight against new ones, but to do so in a way that is economically effective. Advances in both experimental and theoretical/computational methods envisage that the greatest challenges in drug discovery can be most successfully addressed by using a multi-scale approach, drawing on the specialties of a whole host of different disciplines. Multi-Scale Approaches to Drug Discovery furnishes chemists with the detail they need to identify drug leads with the highest potential before isolating and synthesizing them to produce effective drugs with greater swiftness than classical methods may allow. This significantly speeds up the search for more efficient therapeutic agents.
Mucins : Methods and protocols
Explores the latest advancements in mucin research. The chapters in this book are organized into 8 parts and cover a wide range of topics such as mucin extraction, isolation, physicochemical property analysis, and experimental methods. The chapters also discuss the origins of mucins in jellyfish, feces, saliva and salivary glands, bronchi, stomach, and cervical tract; organic synthesis of peptides glycosylated at specific sites; analysis of mucin gene expression and methylation-specific electrophoresis of genes; imaging of mucin networks by AFM; and experimental methods using supported molecular matrix electrophoresis. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.
Motion-Free Super-Resolution
With the explosion of Internet technology and graphics engines, digital images are now everywhere. Image capturing tools are all pervading - in our pockets to inside a satellite. And although imaging applications demand an availability to high resolution images, such images are not picture perfect and may be lacking sufficient details. This requires that these images be super-resolved for improved details. How to achieve this is what constitutes research in the area of image super-resolution. Motion-Free Super-Resolution explores new technology for image super-resolution - applying cues other than the motion cue in super-resolving a scene. This book will serve as an essential reference for both academecians and practicing engineers in the area of image processing and computer vision, as well as providing a basis for ongoing research in this field.
Morphological Models of Random Structures
This book covers methods of Mathematical Morphology to model and simulate random sets and functions (scalar and multivariate). The introduced models concern many physical situations in heterogeneous media, where a probabilistic approach is required, like fracture statistics of materials, scaling up of permeability in porous media, electron microscopy images (including multispectral images), rough surfaces, multi-component composites, biological tissues, textures for image coding and synthesis. The common feature of these random structures is their domain of definition in n dimensions, requiring more general models than standard Stochastic Processes.The main topics of the book cover an introduction to the theory of random sets, random space tessellations, Boolean random sets and functions, space-time random sets and functions (Dead Leaves, Sequential Alternate models, Reaction-Diffusion), prediction of effective properties of random media, and probabilistic fracture theories.
Molecular evolutionary models in drug discovery
Explores the application of evolutionary molecular models in drug discovery in which secondary metabolites play a fundamental role. Secondary metabolites are not produced in isolation, they are the result of the interaction of genes, metabolism and the environment. The book examines the role of secondary metabolites as leads in drug discovery and on the development of a rational bioprospecting model for new medicines based on the evolution of secondary metabolism. These evolutionary models are part of biological systems and are the most reliable expression of the functioning of living beings.
Molecular Electronics Materials, Devices and Applications
another goal of Molecular Electronics Materials, Devices and Applications is also to promote a practical approach. As a starting point for future developments, a pragmatic methodology for VHDL-AMS device modelling and circuit design based on experimental data is then proposed. It includes an original fault tolerant memory architecture based on molecular electronics.



















