springer us springer us sep 2010 (49 risultati)

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -The square root of 2 is a fascinating number ¿ if a little less famous than such mathematical stars as pi, the number e, the golden ratio, or the square root of ¿1. (Each of these has been honored by at least one recent book.) Here, in an imaginary dialogue between teacher and student, readers will learn why v2 is an important number in its own right, and how, in puzzling out its special qualities, mathematicians gained insights into the illusive nature of irrational numbers. Using no more than basic high school algebra and geometry, David Flannery manages to convey not just why v2 is fascinating and significant, but how the whole enterprise of mathematical thinking can be played out in a dialogue that is imaginative, intriguing, and engaging. Original and informative, The Square Root of 2 is a one-of-a-kind introduction to the pleasure and playful beauty of mathematical thinking.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 272 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Choosing and Using a Refracting Telescope has been written for the many amateur astronomers who already own, or are intending to purchase, a refracting telescope ¿ perhaps to complement their existing arsenal of larger reflecting telescopes ¿ or for the specialist who requires a particular refractor for serious astronomical applications or nature studies.Four hundred year ago, during the winter of 1609, a relatively unknown Italian scientist, Galileo Galilei designed a spyglass with two crude lenses and turned it skyward. Since then, refractors have retained their dominance over all types of reflector in studies of the Moon, planets and double stars because of the precision of their optics and lack of a central obstruction in the optical path, which causes diffraction effects in all commercially-made reflectors.Most mature amateur astronomers got started with a 60mm refractor, or something similar. Thirty years ago, there was little choice available to the hobbyist, but in the last decade long focus crown-flint achromats have moved aside for some exquisitely crafted apochromatic designs offered by leading commercial manufacturers. There has been a huge increase in the popularity of these telescopes in the last few years, led by a significant increase in the number of companies (particularly, William Optics, Orion USA, StellarVue, SkyWatcher and AstroTech) who are now heavily marketing refractors in the amateur astronomical magazines.In Choosing and Using a Refracting Telescope, well-known observer and astronomy writer Neil English celebrates the remarkable history and evolution of the refracting telescope and looks in detail at the instruments, their development and their use.A major feature of this book is the way it compares not only different classes of refractor, but also telescopes of each class that are sold by various commercial manufacturers. The author is perhaps uniquely placed to do this, having used and testedliterally hundreds of different refracting telescopes over three decades.Because it includes many diverse subjects such as imaging with consumer-level digital cameras, imaging with webcams, and imaging with astronomical CCD cameras ¿ that are not covered together in equal depth in any other single volume ¿ Choosing and Using a Refracting Telescope could become the ¿refractor bible¿ for amateur astronomers at all levels, especially those who are interested in imaging astronomical objects of every class.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 296 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -The eld of sensory science has grown exponentially since the publication of the p- vious version of this work. Fifteen years ago the journal Food Quality and Preference was fairly new. Now it holds an eminent position as a venue for research on sensory test methods (among many other topics). Hundreds of articles relevant to sensory testing have appeared in that and in other journals such as the Journal of Sensory Studies. Knowledge of the intricate cellular processes in chemoreception, as well as their genetic basis, has undergone nothing less than a revolution, culminating in the award of the Nobel Prize to Buck and Axel in 2004 for their discovery of the olfactory receptor gene super family. Advances in statistical methodology have accelerated as well. Sensometrics meetings are now vigorous and well-attended annual events. Ideas like Thurstonian modeling were not widely embraced 15 years ago, but now seem to be part of the everyday thought process of many sensory scientists. And yet, some things stay the same. Sensory testing will always involve human participants. Humans are tough measuring instruments to work with. They come with varying degrees of acumen, training, experiences, differing genetic equipment, sensory capabilities, and of course, different preferences. Human foibles and their associated error variance will continue to place a limitation on sensory tests and actionable results. Reducing, controlling, partitioning, and explaining error variance are all at the heart of good test methods and practices.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 624 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Statistical Physics bridges the properties of a macroscopic system and the microscopic behavior of its constituting particles, otherwise impossible due to the giant magnitude of Avogadro's number. Numerous systems of today's key technologies - such as semiconductors or lasers - are macroscopic quantum objects; only statistical physics allows for understanding their fundamentals. Therefore, this graduate text also focuses on particular applications such as the properties of electrons in solids with applications, and radiation thermodynamics and the greenhouse effect.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 296 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Fundamentals of Plasma Physics is a general introduction designed to present a comprehensive, logical and unified treatment of the fundamentals of plasma physics based on statistical kinetic theory, with applications to a variety of important plasma phenomena. Its clarity and completeness makes the text suitable for self-learning and for self-paced courses.Throughout the text the emphasis is on clarity, rather than formality, the various derivations are explained in detail and, wherever possible, the physical interpretations are emphasized. The mathematical treatment is set out in great detail, carrying out the steps which are usually left to the reader. The problems form an integral part of the text and most of them were designed in such a way as to provide a guideline, stating intermediate steps with answers.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 704 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -From the Foreword by Marshall Fisher, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania:As generation of academics and practitioners follows generation, it is worthwhile tocompile long views of the research and practice in the past to shed light on researchand practice going forward. This collection of peer-reviewed articles is intended toprovide such a long view.This book contains a collection of chapters written by leading scholars/practitionerswho have continued their efforts in developing and/or implementing innovativeOR/MS tools for solving real world problems. In this book, the contributors sharetheir perspectives about the past, present and future of OR/MS theoretical development, solution tools, modeling approaches, and applications. Specifically, this book collects chapters that offer insights about the following topics:¿ Survey articles taking a long view over the past two or more decades to arriveat the present state of the art while outlining ideas for future research. Surveysfocus on use of a particular OR/MS approach, e.g., mathematical programming(LP, MILP, etc.) and solution methods for particular family of application, e.g.distribution system design, distribution planning system, health care.¿ Autobiographical or biographical accounts of how particular inventions (e.g.Structured Modeling) were made. These could include personal experiences inearly development of OR/MS and an overview of what has happened since.¿ Development of OR/MS mathematical tools (e.g., stochastic programming, optimizationtheory).¿ Development of OR/MS in a particular industry sector such as global supplychain management.¿ Modeling systems for OR/MS and their development over time as well as speculationon future development (e.g., LINDO, LINGO, and What¿sBest!)¿ New applications of OR/MS models (e.g., happiness)The target audience of this book is young researchers, graduate/advanced undergraduatestudents from OR/MS and related fields likecomputer science, engineeringand management as well as practitioners who want to understand how OR/MSmodeling came about over the past few decades and what research topics or modelingapproaches they could pursue in research or application.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 324 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Cancer is a common disease with a devastating impact on the physical and psychological well being of patients. The diagnosis of cancer brings upon many clinical challenges and questions for which clear and simple answers are not always provided by modern medicine. To date, only limited therapeutic options are available for patients with advanced cancer. The recent shift toward targeted therapies has improved substantially patient¿s survival, however, relapses are frequent and cure remains rare. This led patients and many health care managers to shift attention to the holistic approach of traditional medicine particularly preparations from herbal products to manage and alleviate the disease.Typically, herbal preparations contain single or multiple plant ingredients, including a number of potential active components. Yet, they remain classified as food supplements and thus are exempt from regulations on quality control and proof of efficacy that govern standard pharmaceuticals. Clinical evidence for many preparations is often based on non-documented or anecdotal evidence. In consequence, several preparations with unproven efficacy are circulating in the market with the fear of interference with standard cancer therapies and/or severe toxicity that some can generate, in addition to the unjustified economical burden to patients. Despite inconsistent and conflicting clinical results single molecules have been isolated from herbal preparations and many are exploited to develop potential novel agents.This has fostered the need to organize a set of timely, in-depth and up-to-date review covering the latest developments in alternative cancer management from a scientific and clinical perspective dedicated to the medical community and health care providers, as well as to patients and their families. This book brings the latest comprehensive cancer information and practical recommendations on the best documented practice of alternativetherapies for cancer management put together by recognized experts in the fields of medical oncology, traditional medicine, and cancer pharmacology. It goes hand-in-hand with the patient¿s medical treatment options, quality of life issues, and more. The book is organized into four major sections: The first is an overview of the cancer syndrome by renowned medical oncologists from the USA and Europe. The second is a comprehensive description of traditional medicine by renowned experts from China and Germany. The third is an overview on the pharmacological impact of herb-based formulations on standard chemotherapy agents used in clinical practice. The fourth is a survey of cases reports from several hospitals with approved practice of alternative medicine.The book will feature simple definitions and essential information grouped in both medical and lay-term terminology, and straightforward illustrations related to human physiology, disease definition, scientific data on know and potential mechanisms of action, and preventive approaches.Finally, the book will feature collaboration of experts from China, India, USA, Canada, Germany, France, and other centres with recognized expertise in alternative/traditional medicine. This international cooperation is crucial to cover the complex topic of alternative therapies for cancer.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 744 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -This impressive volume is dedicated to Mel Nathanson, a leading authoritative expert for several decades in the area of combinatorial and additive number theory. For several decades, Mel Nathanson's seminal ideas and results in combinatorial and additive number theory have influenced graduate students and researchers alike. The invited survey articles in this volume reflect the work of distinguished mathematicians in number theory, and represent a wide range of important topics in current research.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 376 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Advances in Queueing Theory and Network Applications presents several useful mathematical analyses in queueing theory and mathematical models of key technologies in wired and wireless communication networks such as channel access controls, Internet applications, topology construction, energy saving schemes, and transmission scheduling. In sixteen high quality chapters, this work provides novel ideas, new analytical models, and simulation and experimental results by experts in the field of queueing theory and network applications.The text serves as a state-of-the-art reference for a wide range of researchers and engineers engaged in the fields of queueing theory and network applications, and can also serve as supplemental material for advanced courses in operations research, queueing theory, performance analysis, traffic theory, as well as theoretical design and management of communication networks.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 332 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -In the spring of 1976, George Andrews of Pennsylvania State University visited the library at Trinity College, Cambridge, to examine the papers of the late G.N. Watson. Among these papers, Andrews discovered a sheaf of 138 pages in the handwriting of Srinivasa Ramanujan. This manuscript was soon designated, 'Ramanujan's lost notebook.' Its discovery has frequently been deemed the mathematical equivalent of finding Beethoven's tenth symphony.The 'lost notebook' contains considerable material on mock theta functions and so undoubtedly emanates from the last year of Ramanujan's life. It should be emphasized that the material on mock theta functions is perhaps Ramanujan's deepest work. Mathematicians are probably several decades away from a complete understanding of those functions. More than half of the material in the book is on q-series, including mock theta functions; the remaining part deals with theta function identities, modular equations, incomplete elliptic integrals ofthe first kind and other integrals of theta functions, Eisenstein series, particular values of theta functions, the Rogers-Ramanujan continued fraction, other q-continued fractions, other integrals, and parts of Hecke's theory of modular forms.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 452 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -This volume, which is completely dedicated to continuous bivariate dist- butions, describes in detail their forms, properties, dependence structures, computation, and applications. It is a comprehensive and thorough revision ofanearliereditionof¿ContinuousBivariateDistributions,Emphasizing- plications¿ by T.P. Hutchinson and C.D. Lai, published in 1990 by Rumsby Scienti c Publishing, Adelaide, Australia. It has been nearly two decades since the publication of that book, and much has changed in this area of research during this period. Generali- tions have been considered for many known standard bivariate distributions. Skewed versions of di erent bivariate distributions have been proposed and appliedtomodeldatawithskewnessdepartures.Byspecifyingthetwocon- tional distributions, rather than the simple speci cation of one marginal and one conditional distribution, several general families of conditionally spe- ed bivariate distributions have been derived and studied at great length. Finally, bivariate distributions generated by a variety of copulas and their exibility (in terms of accommodating association/correlation) and str- tural properties have received considerable attention. All these developments andadvancesnecessitatedthepresentvolumeandhavethusresultedinas- stantially di erent version than the last edition, both in terms of coverage and topics of discussion.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 724 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -The book will synthesize and integrate better what are often disparate ideas, themes, and methods across substantive areas of white-collar crime and criminology and criminal justice.The book also puts together critical and emerging topics within criminology and criminal justice that have important implications for the study of white-collar crime and criminology/criminal justice more generally.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 244 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -As minimal access approaches to cancer diagnosis, staging, and therapy become more widely used, it is vital for general surgeons, along with laparoscopists, surgical oncologists and medical oncologists, to stay up to date. The editors, a team consisting of a renowned surgical oncologist and a laparoscopic specialist, aim to provide a resource for the practicing general surgeon using basic minimally invasive techniques. The book discusses diagnosis including biopsy with microinstrumentation, staging, and palliative and curative resection. Specific tumor sites are addressed, including esophagus, stomach, spleen, small bowel, pancreato-biliary, hepatic resection, and colo-rectal resection. Minimally invasive approaches to the thoracic and retroperitoneal areas are included. The book provides a thorough overview of basic cancer biology, instrumentation, and ultrasound. Additionally, Greene and Heniford explore controversial issues such as port-site recurrence and the effect of pneumoperitoneum on the spread of cancer cells in the abdomen. Many photographs and line drawings, including 16 in full color, illustrate the principles discussed in the text. A must-have for every practicing general surgeon, laparoscopic fellow, and general surgery resident.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 404 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -The need to continually discover new agents for the control or treatment of invertebrate pests and pathogens is undeniable. Agriculture, both animal and plant, succeeds only to the extent that arthropod and helminth consumers, vectors and pathogens can be kept at bay. Humans and their companion animals are also plagued by invertebrate parasites. The deployment of chemical agents for these purposes inevitably elicits the selection of resistant populations of the targets of control, necessitating a regular introduction of new kinds of molecules. Experience in other areas of chemotherapy has shown that a thorough understanding of the biology of disease is an essential platform upon which to build a discovery program. Unfortunately, investment of research resources into understanding the basic physiology of invertebrates as a strategy to illuminate new molecular targets for pesticide and parasiticide discovery has been scarce, and the pace of introduction of new molecules for these indications has been slowed as a result. An exciting and so far unexploited area to explore in this regard is invertebrate neuropeptide physiology. This book was assembled to focus attention on this promising field by compiling a comprehensive review of recent research on neuropeptides in arthropods and helminths, with contributions from many of the leading laboratories working on these systems.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 252 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Current Ornithology publishes authoritative, up-to-date, scholarly reviews of topics selected from the full range of current research in avian biology. Topics cover the spectrum from the molecular level of organization to population biology and community ecology. The series seeks especially to review (1) fields in which an abundant recent literature will benefit from synthesis and organization, or (2) newly emerging fields that are gaining recognition as the result of recent discoveries or shifts in perspective, or (3) fields in which students of vertebrates may benefit from comparisons of birds with other classes. All chapters are invited, and authors are chosen for their leadership in the subjects under review.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 204 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Molecular biology has rapidly advanced since the discovery of the basic flow of information in life, from DNA to RNA to proteins. While there are several important and interesting exceptions to this general flow of information, the importance of these biological macromolecules in dictating the phenotypic nature of living creatures in health and disease is paramount. In the last one and a half decades, and particularly after the completion of the Human Genome Project, there has been an explosion of technologies that allow the broad characterization of these macromolecules in physiology, and the perturbations to these macromolecules that occur in diseases such as cancer. In this volume, we will explore the modern approaches used to characterize these macromolecules in an unbiased, systematic way. Such technologies are rapidly advancing our knowledge of the coordinated and complicated changes that occur during carcinogenesis, and are providing vital information that, when correctly interpreted by biostatistical/bioinformatics analyses, can be exploited for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of human cancers.The purpose of this volume is to provide an overview of modern molecular biological approaches to unbiased discovery in cancer research. Advances in molecular biology allowing unbiased analysis of changes in cancer initiation and progression will be overviewed. These include the strategies employed in modern genomics, gene expression analysis, and proteomics.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 204 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Alladi Ramakrishnan (1923¿2008) was an eminent scientist who had a wide range of research interests in theoretical and mathematical physics. Professor Ramakrishnan made signi cant contributions to probability and statistics, elem- tary particle physics, cosmic rays and astrophysics, matrix theory, and the special theory of relativity. Ramakrishnan believedstrongly that in addition to doing fun- mental research, one must contribute to the advancementof the profession. Inspired by his visit to the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton in 1957¿1958, he returned to Madras and began the Theoretical Physics Seminar at his family home Ekamra Nivas. These seminars were ultimately responsible for the creation of MATSCIENCE, The Institute of Mathematical Sciences in 1962. This institute, of which he was the Director for its rst 21years, has grown steadily in size and stature, and is his monumental contribution to the profession. In a distinguished scienti c life that has spanned more than ve decades, Professor Ramakrishnan has come into close contact with, and was in uenced by, several eminent mathema- cians and physicists, and has moulded the careers of his several students and young researchers. This volume, which is a tribute to his great legacy, not only deals with his signi cant contributions to research and the profession, but also contains a ne collection of research and survey papers by leading physicists and mathematicians that cover a broad range of areas in the mathematical sciences.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 596 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Echinostomes are medically- and veterinary-important parasitic flatworms that invade humans, domestic animals and wildlife and also parasitize in their larval stages numerous invertebrate and cold-blooded vertebrate hosts. The interest in echinostomes in parasitology and general biology comes from several areas: (1) Human infections; (2) Experimental models; (3) Animal infections; (4) Systematics. The application of novel techniques is moving the echinostomes to the frontline of parasitology in fields such as systematics, immunobiology in vertebrate and invertebrate organisms and proteomics among others. The Biology of Echinostomes demonstrates the application of new techniques to a group of trematodes that may serve to obtain information of great value in parasitology and general biology. The book includes basic topics, such as biology and systematics, as well as more novel topics, such as immunobiology, proteomics, and genomics of echinostomes. The authors of each chapter emphasize their content with: (i) the most novel information obtained; (ii) analysis of this information in a more general context (i.e. general parasitology); and (iii) future perspectives in view of the information presented. The subjects are analyzed from a modern point of view, considering aspects such as applications of novel techniques and an analysis of host-parasite interactions.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 348 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Hydrogels are networks of polymer chains which can produce a colloidal gel containing over 99 per cent water. The superabsorbency and permeability of naturally occurring and synthetic hydrogels give this class of materials an amazing array of uses. These uses range from wound dressings and skin grafts to oxygen-permeable contact lenses to biodegradable delivery systems for drugs or pesticides and scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Biomedical Applications of Hydrogels Handbook provides a comprehensive description of this diverse class of materials, covering both synthesis and properties and a broad range of research and commercial applications. The Handbook is divided into four sections: Stimuli-Sensitive Hydrogels, Hydrogels for Drug Delivery, Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering, and Hydrogels with Unique Properties.Key Features:Provides comprehensive coverage of the basic science and applications of a diverse class of materialsIncludes both naturally occurring and synthetic hydrogelsEdited and written by world leaders in the field.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 452 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -CMOS Circuit Design for RF Sensors is about CMOS circuit design for sensor and actuators to be used in wireless RF systems. The main application is implantable transducers for biomedical purposes such as sensing of nerve signals and electrical stimulation of nerves. Special focus is put on the power and data link in a wireless system with transducers which are powered via the RF link. Novel principles and methods are presented for the regulation of power to the sensors and for the distribution of data and power in an implanted transducer system. One of the main problems in such systems is the transmission of power via an RF link. This problem is analyzed in detail and solutions incorporating an RF magnetic link to the transducers are identified. The theoretical results are supported by experiments from CMOS chips including a system chip for functional electrical stimulation (FES).Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 188 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Prostate cancer is the most common noncutaneous prostate cancer. Research has revealed several distinct malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer mechanisms of castration-resistant disease that may deaths among men in the United States. It is a critical converge in patients with disease progression on public health problem and remains incurable in the ADT. Many approaches are currently being evaluated metastatic setting with mortality that usually occurs as to improve the treatment of this condition and these a result of castration-resistant disease. fndings have identifed several potential targets for Since Huggins and Hodges¿ report of the dra- therapeutic intervention. These include drugs that are matic clinical effects of suppressing serum testos- more active or less toxic chemotherapy agents; drugs terone levels in men with advanced prostate cancer that induce androgen deprivation; drugs that target in 1941, hormone therapy (also called androgen the androgen receptor and/or androgen synthesis; deprivation therapy [ADT]) has become widely drugs that target specifc pathways, including ang- accepted as the mainstay of therapy for the treat- genesis and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, endothelin ment of advanced prostate cancer. ADT combined antagonists and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors; with radiation therapy is a standard of care in the and immunologic approaches. Many of these agents treatment of men with locally advanced prostate seem promising and the rationale and effcacy of cancer on the basis of evidence that shows improved these emerging therapies remain to be validated in survival. The role of ADT in the management of future clinical trials.Humana Press in Springer Science + Business Media, Heidelberger Platz 3, 14197 Berlin 448 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -It is important to include Tuber and Root Crops in the Handbook of Plant Breeding.They include starchy staple crops that are of increasing importance for global food security and relief of poverty, important millennium goals for the United Nations. Indeed, 2008 was the UN International Year of the Potato in recognition of this role of the potato as the world¿s third most important food crop after wheat and rice. The other major staples are cassava, sweetpotato and yam. Together they occupy about 50 million hectares, with production at 640 million metric tons, of which 70% is in developing countries. In total there are more than 30 species of Root and Tuber Crops grown in the world today. Given the content of other volumes in the series, it makes sense to include sugar and fodder beets; swedes and turnips; and minor root and tuber crops so that the book series is as complete as possible.Like the other volumes in the series, this one will present information on the latest in applied plant breeding using the current advances in the field, from an efficient use of genetic resources to the impact of biotechnology in plant breeding. Seven crop specific chapters are proposed, together with an introduction to this diverse set of plant species. Outstanding scientists for each crop species are proposed as senior authors, who may invite co-authors to contribute part of a chapter. In order to increase the overall acceptance of the volume, balance will be sought with authors from different research groups/countries who will be asked to contribute and collaborate where appropriate. The book should be of interest to researchers in both academic and industrial settings, and in both developed and developing countries, as well as students and teachers of plant breeding. It is currently extremely important to educate and train a new generation of plant breeders given the challenges faced by humankind in producing more food for an expanding global population during a period of environmental (including climate) change.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 312 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -The fact that tumors are composed of both tumor cells and host cells has long been known. These tumor-associated cells include vascular endothelial cells and pe- cytes, as well as inflammatory cells such as neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, mast cells and eosinophils, and lymphocytes. The tumor cells also interact with stromal cells and with elements of the tissue extracellular matrix. What has been less appreciated is the role that these cells could have in modulating the growth, invasion, and metastasis of the tumor. Early on, the elements of what we now call the tumor microenvironment were considered to be more or less innocent bysta- ers to the role of the tumor cells as they grew and invaded local sites. Today, there is an increased understanding of the critical role of the tumor microenvironment as dramatically influencing the course of tumor development and dissemination. This volume represents a superb compilation of the latest thoughts and data regarding the role of each essential component of the tumor microenvironment in cancer development and progression. Perhaps, the earliest recognition of the role of nonmalignant cells as cancer re- lators was the recognition that lymphocytes can participate in what was termed ¿immune surveillance¿ in the 1960s. Our understanding of tumor immunity has improved markedly since then, and there are now successful clinical studies sh- ing the potential use of immune-based therapies in cancer treatment.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 788 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -This book aims to bring to the forefront a field that has been developing since the late 1990s called the STAR pathway for Signal Transduction and Activation of RNA. It is a signaling pathway that targets RNA directly; in contrast to the canonical signal¿kinase cascade¿transcription factor¿DNA¿RNA. It is proposed to allow quick responses to environment changes such as those necessary in many biological phenomenona such as the nervous system, and during development. The pathway is diagramed in Chapter 1, Figure1. This chapter is a historical introduction and general review with some new data on theoretical miRNAs binding sites and STAR mRNAs. In Chapter 2, Feng and Banks address the accumulating evidence that the RNA-binding activity and the homeostasis of downstream mRNA targets of STAR proteins can be regulated by phosphorylation in response to various extracellular signals. Then Ryder and Massi review the available information on the structure of the RNA binding STAR domain and provides insights into how these proteins discriminate between different RNA targets. Next Claudio Sette offers an overview of the post-translational modifications of STAR proteins and their effects on biological functions, followed by two chapters dedicated to in depth review of STAR function in spermatogenesis and in mammalian embryonic development. Chapters 7 and 8 discuss what can be learned from STAR proteins in non-mammalian species; in Drosophila and Gld-1 and Asd-2 in C. elegans. Next Rymond discusses the actual mech- ics of splicing with mammalian SF1.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 184 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -It gives me immense pleasure to introduce this timely handbook to the research/- velopment communities in the eld of signal processing systems (SPS). This is the rst of its kind and represents state-of-the-arts coverage of research in this eld. The driving force behind information technologies (IT) hinges critically upon the major advances in both component integration and system integration. The major breakthrough for the former is undoubtedly the invention of IC in the 50¿s by Jack S. Kilby, the Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics 2000. In an integrated circuit, all components were made of the same semiconductor material. Beginning with the pocket calculator in 1964, there have been many increasingly complex applications followed. In fact, processing gates and memory storage on a chip have since then grown at an exponential rate, following Moore¿s Law. (Moore himself admitted that Moore¿s Law had turned out to be more accurate, longer lasting and deeper in impact than he ever imagined. ) With greater device integration, various signal processing systems have been realized for many killer IT applications. Further breakthroughs in computer sciences and Internet technologies have also catalyzed large-scale system integration. All these have led to today¿s IT revolution which has profound impacts on our lifestyle and overall prospect of humanity. (It is hard to imagine life today without mobiles or Internets!) The success of SPS requires a well-concerted integrated approach from mul- ple disciplines, such as device, design, and application. 1124 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -The use of polymer composites in various engineering applications has become state of the art. This multi-author volume provides a useful summary of updated knowledge on polymer composites in general, practically integrating experimental studies, theoretical analyses and computational modeling at different scales, i. e. , from nano- to macroscale. Detailed consideration is given to four major areas: structure and properties of polymer nanocomposites, characterization and modeling, processing and application of macrocomposites, and mechanical performance of macrocomposites. The idea to organize this volume arose from a very impressive workshop - The First International Workshop on Polymers and Composites at IVW Kaiserslautern: Invited Humboldt-Fellows and Distinguished Scientists, which was held on May 22-24,2003 at the University of Kaiserslautern, Germany. The contributing authors were invited to incorporate updated knowledge and developments into their individual chapters within a year after the workshop, which finally led to these excellent contributions. The success of this workshop was mainly sponsored by the German Alexander von Humboldt Foundation through a Sofia Kovalevskaja Award Program, financed by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research within the 'Investment in the Future Program' of the German Government. In 2001, the Humboldt Foundation launched this new award program in order to offer outstanding young researchers throughout the world an opportunity to establish their own work-groups and to develop innovative research concepts virtually in Germany. One of the editors, Z.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 392 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Muscle contraction has been the focus of scientific investigation for more than two centuries, and major discoveries have changed the field over the years. Early in the twentieth century, Fenn (1924, 1923) showed that the total energy liberated during a contraction (heat + work) was increased when the muscle was allowed to shorten and perform work. The result implied that chemical reactions during contractions were load-dependent. The observation underlying the ¿Fenn effect¿ was taken to a greater extent when Hill (1938) published a pivotal study showing in details the relation between heat production and the amount of muscle shortening, providing investigators with the force-velocity relation for skeletal muscles. Subsequently, two papers paved the way for the current paradigm in the field of muscle contraction. Huxley and Niedergerke (1954), and Huxley and Hanson (1954) showed that the width of the A-bands did not change during muscle stretch or activation. Contraction, previously believed to be caused by shortening of muscle filaments, was associated with sliding of the thick and thin filaments. These studies were followed by the classic paper by Huxley (1957), in which he conceptualized for the first time the cross-bridge theory; filament sliding was driven by the cyclical interactions of myosin heads (cross-bridges) with actin. The original cross-bridge theory has been revised over the years but the basic features have remained mostly intact. It now influences studies performed with molecular motors responsible for tasks as diverse as muscle contraction, cell division and vesicle transport.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 368 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Oncofertility has emerged as a way to address potential lost or impaired fertility in cancer patients and survivors, with active biomedical research that is developing new ways to help these individuals preserve their ability to have biological children. In order to move beyond oncofertility as a science and medical technology and begin to address the ethical, legal, and social ramifications of this emerging field, we must give voice to scholars from the humanities and social sciences to engage in a multidisciplinary discussion. This book brings together a pool of experts from a variety of fields, including communication, economics, ethics, history, law, religion, and sociology, to examine the complex issues raised by recent developments in oncofertility and to offer advice from national and international perspectives as we create new technology. Given the inherent interdisciplinary nature of oncofertility, this book is not only valuable, but also necessary to cultivate a deep understanding of new issues with the eventual aim of offering proposals for addressing them. Indeed, this book will be useful for people not only within the humanities and social sciences disciplines but also for those who are confronted with cancer and the possibility of impaired fertility and the medical practitioners within oncology and reproductive medicine who are at the front lines of this emerging field.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 540 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -The increasing power of computer technologies, the evolution of software en- neering and the advent of the intelligent transport systems has prompted traf c simulation to become one of the most used approaches for traf c analysis in s- port of the design and evaluation of traf c systems. The ability of traf c simulation to emulate the time variability of traf c phenomena makes it a unique tool for capturing the complexity of traf c systems. In recent years, traf c simulation ¿ and namely microscopic traf c simulation ¿ has moved from the academic to the professional world. A wide variety of traf- c simulation software is currently available on the market and it is utilized by thousands of users, consultants, researchers and public agencies. Microscopic traf c simulation based on the emulation of traf c ows from the dynamics of individual vehicles is becoming one the most attractive approaches. However, traf c simulation still lacks a uni ed treatment. Dozens of papers on theory and applications are published in scienti c journals every year. A search of simulation-related papers and workshops through the proceedings of the last annual TRB meetings would support this assertion, as would a review of the minutes from speci cally dedicated meetings such as the International Symposiums on Traf c Simulation (Yokohama, 2002; Lausanne, 2006; Brisbane, 2008) or the International Workshops on Traf c Modeling and Simulation (Tucson, 2001; Barcelona, 2003; Sedona, 2005; Graz 2008). Yet, the only comprehensive treatment of the subject to be found so far is in the user¿s manuals of various software products.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 460 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Behavioral medicine emerged in the 1970s as the interdisciplinary field concerned with the integration of behavioral, psychosocial, and biomedical science knowledge relevant to the understanding of health and illness, and the application of this knowledge to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Recent years have witnessed an enormous diversification of behavioral medicine, with new sciences (such as genetics, life course epidemiology) and new technologies (such as neuroimaging) coming into play. This book brings together such new developments by providing an up-to-date compendium of methods and applications drawn from the broad range of behavioral medicine research and practice. The book is divided into 10 sections that address key fields in behavioral medicine. Each section begins with one or two methodological or conceptual chapters, followed by contributions that address substantive topics within that field. Major health problems such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, HIV/AIDs, and obesity are explored from multiple perspectives. The aim is to present behavioral medicine as an integrative discipline, involving diverse methodologies and paradigms that converge on health and well being.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 1100 pp. Englisch.