The aim of this volume is to present the basic mathematical aspects of the ranking methods using a didactical approach and to explain their use through examples of relevant applications in different scientific fields. Ranking methods can be applied in several different fileds, such as decision support, toxicology, EU priority lists of toxic chemicals, environmental problems, proteomics and genomics, analytical chemistry, food chemistry and QSAR.
. Covers a wide range of applications, from the environment and toxicology to DNA sequencing
. Incorporates contributions from renowned experts in the field
. Meets the increasing demand for literature concerned with ranking methods and their applications

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) was discovered in the 1970s and has since grown enormously in breadth, depth, and understanding. One of the major characteristics of SERS is its interdisciplinary nature: it lies at the boundary between physics, chemistry, colloid science, plasmonics, nanotechnology, and biology. By their very nature, it is impossible to find a textbook that will summarize the principles needed for SERS of these rather dissimilar and disconnected topics. Although a basic understanding of these topics is necessary for research projects in SERS with all its many aspects and applications, they are seldom touched upon as a coherent unit during most undergraduate studies in physics or chemistry. This book intends to fill this existing gap in the literature. It provides an overview of the underlying principles of SERS, from the fundamental understanding of the effect to its potential applications. It is aimed primarily at newcomers to the field, graduate student, researcher or scientist, attracted by the many applications of SERS and plasmonics or its basic science. The emphasis is on concepts and background material for SERS, such as Raman spectroscopy, the physics of plasmons, or colloid science, all of them introduced within the context of SERS, and from where the more specialised literature can be followed.
* Represents one of very few books fully dedicated to the topic of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)
* Gives a comprehensive summary of the underlying physical concepts around SERS
* Provides a detailed analysis of plasmons and plasmonics

For almost a decade, quantitative NMR spectroscopy (qNMR) has been established as valuable tool in drug analysis. In all disciplines, i. e. drug identification, impurity profiling and assay, qNMR can be utilized.
Separation techniques such as high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, super fluid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis techniques, govern the purity evaluation of drugs. However, these techniques are not always able to solve the analytical problems often resulting in insufficient methods. Nevertheless such methods find their way into international pharmacopoeias. Thus, the aim of the book is to describe the possibilities of qNMR in pharmaceutical analysis.
Beside the introduction to the physical fundamentals and techniques the principles of the application in drug analysis are described: quality evaluation of drugs, polymer characterization, natural products and corresponding reference compounds, metabolism, and solid phase NMR spectroscopy for the characterization drug substances, e.g. the water content, polymorphism, and drug formulations, e.g. tablets, powders. This part is accompanied by more special chapters dealing with representative examples. They give more detailed information by means of concrete examples.
- combines theory, techniques, and concrete applications-all of which closely resemble the laboratory experience
- considers international pharmacopoeias, addressing the concern for licensing
- features the work of academics and researchers, appealing to a broad readership

Comprehensive Chemometrics, Second Edition, Four Volume Set features expanded and updated coverage, along with new content that covers advances in the field since the previous edition published in 2009. Subject of note include updates in the fields of multidimensional and megavariate data analysis, omics data analysis, big chemical and biochemical data analysis, data fusion and sparse methods. The book follows a similar structure to the previous edition, using the same section titles to frame articles. Many chapters from the previous edition are updated, but there are also many new chapters on the latest developments.

A classical metastable state possesses a local free energy minimum at infinite sizes, but not a global one. This concept is phase size independent. We have studied a number of experimental results and proposed a new concept that there exists a wide range of metastable states in polymers on different length scales where their metastability is critically determined by the phase size and dimensionality. Metastable states are also observed in phase transformations that are kinetically impeded on the pathway to thermodynamic equilibrium. This was illustrated in structural and morphological investigations of crystallization and mesophase transitions, liquid-liquid phase separation, vitrification and gel formation, as well as combinations of these transformation processes. The phase behaviours in polymers are thus dominated by interlinks of metastable states on different length scales. This concept successfully explains many experimental observations and provides a new way to connect different aspects of polymer physics.
* Written by a leading scholar and industry expert
* Presents new and cutting edge material encouraging innovation and future research
* Connects hot topics and leading research in one concise volume

Optical Biosensors, 2ed describes the principles of successful systems, examples of applications, and evaluates the advantages and deficiencies of each. It also addresses future developments on two levels: possible improvements in existing systems and emerging technologies that could provide new capabilities in the future. The book is formatted for ease of use and is therefore suitable for scientists and engineers, students and researcher at all levels in the field.
* Comprehensive analysis and review of the underlying principles by optical biosensors
* Updates and informs on all the latest developments and hot topic areas
* Evaluates current methods showing the advantages and disadvantages of various systems involved

The definitive guide to mass spectrometry techniques in biology and biophysics

The use of mass spectrometry (MS) to study the architecture and dynamics of proteins is increasingly common within the biophysical community, and Mass Spectrometry in Structural Biology and Biophysics: Architecture, Dynamics, and Interaction of Biomolecules, Second Edition provides readers with detailed, systematic coverage of the current state of the art.

Offering an unrivalled overview of modern MS-based armamentarium that can be used to solve the most challenging problems in biophysics, structural biology, and biopharmaceuticals, the book is a practical guide to understanding the role of MS techniques in biophysical research. Designed to meet the needs of both academic and industrial researchers, it makes mass spectrometry accessible to professionals in a range of fields, including biopharmaceuticals.

This new edition has been significantly expanded and updated to include the most recent experimental methodologies and techniques, MS applications in biophysics and structural biology, methods for studying higher order structure and dynamics of proteins, an examination of other biopolymers and synthetic polymers, such as nucleic acids and oligosaccharides, and much more.

Featuring high-quality illustrations that illuminate the concepts described in the text, as well as extensive references that enable the reader to pursue further study, Mass Spectrometry in Structural Biology and Biophysics is an indispensable resource for researchers and graduate students working in biophysics, structural biology, protein chemistry, and related fields.

UV-Visible Spectrophotometry of Water and Wastewater is the first book dedicated to the use of UV spectrophotometry for water and wastewater quality monitoring. Using practical examples the reader is shown how this technique can be a source of new methods of characterization and measurement. Easy and fast to run, this simple and robust analytical technique must be considered as one of the best ways to obtain a quantitative estimation of specific or aggregate parameters (eg. Nitrate, TOC), and simultaneously qualitative information on the global composition of water and its variation.
* First electronic library of UV-spectra providing data readily available for researchers and users
* Provides a theoretical basis for further research in the field of spectra exploitation
* Contains helpful practical applications

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is an analytical tool used by chemists and physicists to study the structure and dynamics of molecules. In recent years, no other technique has grown to such importance as NMR spectroscopy. It is used in all branches of science where precise structural determination is required and where the nature of interactions and reactions in solution is being studied. Annual Reports on NMR has established itself as a premier means for the specialist and nonspecialist alike to become familiar with new techniques and applications of NMR spectroscopy.
* Provides updates on the latest developments in NMR spectroscopy
* Includes comprehensive review articles
* Highlights the increasing importance of NMR spectroscopy as a technique for structural determination

This third volume in the series represents the Proceedings of the 3rd International Nanophotonics Symposium, July 6-8, 2006, Icho-Kaikan, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan. Over a two-day symposium, distinguished scientists from around the world convened to discuss the latest progress in this field and the conclusions have been summarised in Nano Biophotonics: Science and Technology. The contents of this book have been compiled by invited lecturers, research members of the relevant projects/program, and some of general participants. The book has 27 chapters which are classified into 4 parts; nano bio-spectroscopy, nano bio-dynamics, nano bio-processing, and nano bio-devices.
* Bridges the gap between conventional photophysics & photochemistry and nanoscience
* Continuing the series that focuses on 'hot' areas of photochemistry, optics, material science and bioscience

The second edition of Fundamentals of Preparative and Nonlinear Chromatography is devoted to the fundamentals of a new process of purification or extraction of chemicals or proteins widely used in the pharmaceutical industry and in preparative chromatography. This process permits the preparation of extremely pure compounds satisfying the requests of the US Food and Drug Administration. The book describes the fundamentals of thermodynamics, mass transfer kinetics, and flow through porous media that are relevant to chromatography. It presents the models used in chromatography and their solutions, discusses the applications made, describes the different processes used, their numerous applications, and the methods of optimization of the experimental conditions of this process.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is an analytical tool used by chemists and physicists to study the structure and dynamics of molecules. In recent years, no other technique has grown to such importance as NMR spectroscopy. It is used in all branches of science where precise structural determination is required and where the nature of interactions and reactions in solution is being studied. Annual Reports on NMR has established itself as a premier means for the specialist and nonspecialist alike to become familiar with new techniques and applications of NMR spectroscopy.
* Includes comprehensive review articles on NMR Spectroscopy
* Provides nonspecialists using this technology in all branches of science with the latest developments in the field
* Keeps specialists up-to-date on the newest techniques in this important and fast-changing field

This book introduces readers to the latest advances in G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) biology. It reviews our current understanding of the structural basis of ligand binding and allosteric mechanisms, following a decade of technological breakthroughs. Several examples of structure-based drug discovery are presented, together with the future challenges involved in designing better drugs that target GPCRs. In turn, the book illustrates the important concept of GPCR biased signaling in physiological contexts, and presents fluorescent- and light-based methodologies frequently used to measure GPCR signaling or to trace their dynamics in cells upon ligand activation. Taken together, the chapters provide an essential overview and toolkit for new scientific investigators who plan to develop GPCR projects. All chapters were written by experts in their respective fields, and share valuable insights and powerful methodologies for the GPCR field.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is an analytical tool used by chemists and physicists to study the structure and dynamics of molecules. In recent years, no other technique has grown to such importance as NMR spectroscopy. It is used in all branches of science where precise structural determination is required and where the nature of interactions and reactions in solution is being studied. Annual Reports on NMR has established itself as a premier means for the specialist and nonspecialist alike to become familiar with new techniques and applications of NMR spectroscopy.
* Includes comprehensive review articles on NMR Spectroscopy
* NMR is used in all branches of science
* No other technique has grown to such importance as NMR Spectroscopy in recent years

This book explores the use of biomass as an energy source and its application in energy conversion technologies. Focusing on the challenges of, and technologies related to, biomass conversion, the book is divided into three parts. The first part underlines the fundamental concepts that form the basis of biomass production, its feasibility valuation, and its potential utilization. This part does not consider only how biomass is generated, but also methods of assessment. The second part focuses on the clarification of central concepts of the biorefinery processes. After a preliminary introduction with industrial examples, common issues of biochemical reaction engineering applications are analysed in detail. The theory explained in this part demonstrates that the chemical kinetics are the core focus in modelling biological processes such as growth, decay, product formation and feedstock consumption. This part continues with the theory of biofuels production, including biogas, bioethanol, biodiesel and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of hydrocarbons. The third part of this book gives detailed explanations of preliminary notions related to the theory of thermodynamics. This theory will assist the reader when taking into account the concepts treated in the previous two parts of the book. Several detailed derivations are given to give the reader a full understanding of the arguments at hand. This part also gives literature data on the main properties of some biomass feedstock. Fundamentals of Biofuels Engineering and Technology will be of interest not only to academics and researchers working in this field but also to graduate students and energy professionals seeking to expand their knowledge of this increasingly important area.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is an analytical tool used by chemists and physicists to study the structure and dynamics of molecules. In recent years, no other technique has grown to such importance as NMR spectroscopy. It is used in all branches of science where precise structural determination is required and where the nature of interactions and reactions in solution is being studied.
Annual Reports on NMR has established itself as a premier means for the specialist and nonspecialist alike to become familiar with new techniques and applications of NMR spectroscopy.
* Includes comprehensive review articles on NMR Spectroscopy
* NMR is used in all branches of science
* No other technique has grown to such importance as NMR Spectroscopy in recent years

This book offers a pragmatic guide to navigating through the complex maze of EPR/ESR spectroscopy fundamentals, techniques, and applications. Written for the scientist who is new to EPR spectroscopy, the editors have prepared a volume that de-mystifies the basic fundamentals without weighting readers down with detailed physics and mathematics, and then presents clear approaches in specific application areas. The first part presents basic fundamentals and advantages of electron paramagnetic resonance spectrscopy. The second part explores severalapplication areas including chemistry, biology, medicine, materials and geology. A frequently-asked-questions sections focuses on practicalquestions, such as the size of sample, etc. It's an ideal, hands-on reference for chemists and researchers in the pharmaceutical and materials (semiconductor) industries who are looking for a basic introduction to EPR spectroscopy.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is an analytical tool used by chemists and physicists to study the structure and dynamics of molecules. In recent years, no other technique has grown to such importance as NMR spectroscopy. It is used in all branches of science where precise structural determination is required and where the nature of interactions and reactions in solution is being studied.

Annual Reports on NMR has established itself as a premier means for the specialist and nonspecialist alike to become familiar with new techniques and applications of NMR spectroscopy.

The knowledge base of chromatography continued to expand throughout the 1990s owing to its many applications to problems of contemporary interest in industry, life and environmental sciences. Organizing this information into a single text for a diverse group of scientists has become increasingly difficult. The present book stemmed from the desire to revise Chromatography Today, written by the same author with Salwa K. Poole, and published in 1991. This title is considered to be one of the definitive texts on chromatography. It was soon realized however, that a simple revision would not provide the desired result of a contemporary picture of the practice of chromatography at the turn of the century. The only workable solution was to start afresh, maintaining the same general philosophy and concept for Chromatography Today where possible, while creating essentially a new book.
The format of the new book is modular, with extensive cross-references to permit rapid location of related material using different separation concepts. Important features are extensive tabulation of essential data for performing separations and an extensive bibliography to the most recent literature.
This title is intended as a suitable text for graduate level courses in the separation sciences and as a self-study guide for professional chromatographers wishing to refresh their background in this rapidly expanding field.
The Essence of Chromatography presents a comprehensive survey of modern chromatography and is an effective replacement for Chromatography Today.
.Comprehensive and authoritative coverage of chromatographic techniques
.Contains extensive coverage of recent literature on this subject
.Ideal text for graduates and suitable for professional chromatographers"