Crc press aug 2006 (6 risultati)

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware - This volume grew out of the 2nd International Symposium on Behavioral and Morphological Asymmetries, which took place in St. Petersburg (Russia) in September 2004 at the St. Petersburg State University under the patronage of the St. Petersburg Society of Naturalists. The Symposium is the descendant of a satellite event with a similar name of the 4th World Congress of Herpetology (December, 2001, Bentota, Sri Lanka). While the 1st Symposium (see special issue number 3 for 2002 of the journal, Laterality) covered only asymmetries observed in amphibians and reptiles, the second one had a broader scope. Three years passed since the Sri Lanka meeting and there was sustained and increasing interest in vertebrate lateralization in the scientific community, especially in lower vertebrates, or at least, in nonmammalian models. This supported not only by the collection of talks at the Symposium, but also by current publications in international periodicals. Talks here were substantially biased towards the lower vertebrates and birds, while reptiles remained to be studied in more detail. Two important rationales were considered for the Symposium and the volume, which you have in hand. The first was to bring together topics and specialists representing different branches of the relatively broad field of research of animal asymmetries. The contributions focused on three main subjects: (1) development of structural and functional asymmetries constituted; (2) evolution and adaptation; and (3) function. Aiming for a broader range of topics, the Symposium may still show the current perspective. The increasing number of contributors (twice as many as at the Sri Lanka meeting) give at least a hope that it was indeed so. We, however, further invited authors, who although not present at the meeting itself, nevertheless could contribute to the book to finalize its shape. The other purpose of this volume is to expose Western scientists to Eastern thoughts regarding laterality, and vice versa. We aimed also to help Russian scientists with limited resources and access to the international journals the chance to publish in the Western literature. It seemed to us that this is a fine and perfectly acceptable approach, which on the other hand explains some of the unevenness in the quality and the style of the different manuscripts. Taken together, these fourteen Chapters, we believe, display a variety of the most interesting and intriguing topics within the broad field of animal lateralization, showing the perspectives of its developments. Far from complete, the volume nevertheless is a state-of-the-art book, which complements a bulk of recent literature on genetics and developmental studies of asymmetries of the heart and other inner organs, interhemispheric specialization in human subjects, and fluctuating morphological asymmetry in animals. …

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware - Integrating a contemporary approach to econometrics with the powerful computational tools offered by Stata, An Introduction to Modern Econometrics Using Stata focuses on the role of method-of-moments estimators, hypothesis testing, and specification analysis and provides practical examples that show how the theories are applied to real data sets using Stata.As an expert in Stata, the author successfully guides readers from the basic elements of Stata to the core econometric topics. He first describes the fundamental components needed to effectively use Stata. The book then covers the multiple linear regression model, linear and nonlinear Wald tests, constrained least-squares estimation, Lagrange multiplier tests, and hypothesis testing of nonnested models. Subsequent chapters center on the consequences of failures of the linear regression model's assumptions. The book also examines indicator variables, interaction effects, weak instruments, underidentification, and generalized method-of-moments estimation. The final chapters introduce panel-data analysis and discrete- and limited-dependent variables and the two appendices discuss how to import data into Stata and Stata programming.Presenting many of the econometric theories used in modern empirical research, this introduction illustrates how to apply these concepts using Stata. The book serves both as a supplementary text for undergraduate and graduate students and as a clear guide for economists and financial analysts.…

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware - The basics through practical applicationall in one book! Potatoes are a crucial food crop around the world, grown in nearly 150 countries. The Handbook of Potato Production, Improvement, and Postharvest Management compiles everything you need to know about potato crop production in one well-organized reference. Leading international authorities clearly discuss the biology, genetics, breeding, diseases, and effective approaches for improvement of crop and handling after harvest. This one-of-a-kind text explores, from interdisciplinary perspectives, every aspect of potato crop management from seed germination to end use while presenting the most current research available. The Handbook of Potato Production, Improvement, and Postharvest Management reviews both wild and cultivated potatoes, examining the crop's origins, history, and habitat. Cultivation techniques are discussed in detail, with emphasis on breeding, biotechnological, and agronomic methods that can improve yield and help ensure the health of the vegetable. Qualitative and quantitative genetic traits are comprehensively explained, and integrated management of pests, diseases, weed, and water are extensively considered. Various abiotic stresses are examined, including heat, drought, salinity, frost, and others. Potato crop's most devastating disease, late blight, is explored in detail. Different types of after-harvest storage are analyzed with an eye toward maintaining optimum freshness year-round, and a useful description of biochemical changes effected during storage is included. Processing and detailed information on food value are also reviewed. In addition, a final chapter explores true potato seed (TPS) options. The book includes detailed references and helpful tables, graphs, and figures to enhance understanding of material.Topics in the Handbook of Potato Production, Improvement, and Postharvest Management include: - history - structure - biosystematics - genetics - breeding - biotechnology for improvement - approaches to improve quality - ecophysiology and agronomic management - comprehensive information on diseases and viruses - insects - abiotic stresses and their management - storage issues - processing - and much more! The Handbook of Potato Production, Improvement, and Postharvest Management makes an invaluable desktop reference for educators, postgraduate students, researchers, and any potato industry professional. The text is also perfect for university reference libraries.…

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware - In this dynamic review and synthesis of empirical research and theoretical discussion of design as cognitive activity, Willemien Visser reconciles and integrates the classical view of design, as conceptualized by Herbert Simon's symbolic information processing approach, with modern views of design such as the situativity approach, as formulated by Donald Schön. The author goes on to develop her own view on design, in which design is most appropriately characterized as a construction of representations.The Cognitive Artifacts of Designing takes seriously the idea that design research warrants development in the cognitive sciences, and Visser lays the groundwork for the integration of design research and cognitive science. This seemingly simple framework -- designing is the construction of representations -- has implications that set the stage for this mutually beneficial integration. This volume will be of great interest to scholars concerned with design -- not only in cognitive design studies, but also in design methodology and engineering -- as well as cognitive scientists who are interested in problem solving in 'the real world.' Cognitive ergonomists and design practitioners will also be richly rewarded by a close reading of this volume.…

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware - The industrial world consumes millions of kilos of processed food per day. Consistency of taste and texture, standards of raw materials, adherence to health codes, and uniform weights, are established industry specifications. Failure to meet any one of these can result in tons of food destroyed and billions of dollars lost. By the end of the 20th century the growing reliance on computers had shifted food quality and safety activities from human inspection to automated, statistically driven monitoring systems.Measurement and Control in Food Processing is designed to raise awareness of the current techniques of computerized measurement and process control, aid in the design of instruments and control schemes, explain the applicability of these tools to enhance quality and productivity, and educate students preparing to enter the food industry. Beginning with an illustrated introduction, followed by a detailed background in basic principles the author lays a solid foundation for understanding the role of transducers and controllers, demonstrating the need for current practices with specific problems from his experience in the tea industry.Divided into five major chapters, the book covers the most recent developments and applications in measurement techniques, and non-traditional methods such as electronic nose, biosensors, and fuzzy logic control. Addressing a major issue of today, the author investigates microcomputer-based monitoring by discussing the devices, standards, procedures, and suitable examples for process-computer interaction.Bridging the gap between the food-processing engineer who may not know how to design a controller unit and the instrumentation engineer who may not understand the complex flavor components involved, Measurement and Control in Food Processing ensures that together they can consistently make a decent cup of tea.…

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware - Polymers are among the major hallmarks of 20th-century science, and the explosive outgrowth and tremendous importance of polymeric foams is a testament to their amazing versatility and unique properties. With applications from automotive to acoustic and medical, polymeric foams pervade all areas of our lives. If this growth is to continue into the new millennium, especially in light of stringent environmental regulations, a strong understanding of the basic science and the major technologies behind foam production is critical.Written by experienced and accomplished leaders in the field, Polymeric Foams: Science and Technology provides comprehensive coverage of the fundamentals, technologies, applications, and recent developments. The authors first outline the basic principles and fundamental foaming mechanisms, covering thermodynamics, kinetics, and the basics of blowing agents and foam formation. Foaming technologies and product applications then become the focus, with explanations of structure-property relationships, processing methods, and general types of foams. The book concludes with chapters on recent developments in composite and biodegradable foams that illustrate how to tailor processing to meet application needs.Illuminating the role of polymeric foams in the modern materials landscape, Polymeric Foams: Science and Technology is the perfect guide for developing innovative materials that achieve better performance and regulatory compliance. …