All galaxies host a super-massive black hole in their center. These black holes grow their mass in symbiosis with their host galaxy and moderate their star formation. When matter is driven towards the nucleus, an accretion disk is formed to transfer angular momentum and considerable energy is released when the material falls into the black hole: this is the phenomenon of active galactic nuclei (AGN). A nucleus can shine one thousand times more brightly than the entire galaxy with its 200 billion stars. The nuclear activity can take many forms, from very powerful quasars to more ordinary Seyfert galaxies, passing by radio-galaxies, which eject a collimated plasma at ten times the radius of the galaxy.This book examines all of these manifestations and presents a unified view. When two galaxies merge, a binary black hole is formed and the two black holes will spiral inwards and merge, emitting long gravitational waves, which could be detected by the future LISA satellite.

Advances in Microbial Physiology, Volume 150 in this important serial, highlights new advances in the field with this new volume including content by an international board of authors. Chapters in this new release include Organization of respiratory chains in the bacterial cell, Anaerobic methane oxidizing archaea, Dawn of the DedA: the structure and function of the DedA family of integral membrane proteins associated with bacterial viability and antimicrobial resistance, Nickel, an essential virulence determinant of Helicobacter pylori: trafficking pathways and their targeting by bismuth, Dissimilatory sulfur compounds oxidation in thermophilic and chemolithoautotrophic bacteria belonging to the Aquificales order, and much more.

Precipitation Science: Measurement, Remote Sensing, Microphysics and Modeling addresses the latest key concerns for researchers in precipitation science, mainly observing, measuring, modeling and forecasting. Using case studies and global examples, the book demonstrates how researchers are addressing these issues using state-of-the-art methods and models to improve accuracy and output across the field. In the process, it covers such topics as discrepancies between models and observations, precipitation estimations, error assessment, droplet size distributions, and using data in forecasting and simulations. Other sections cover improved standard approaches, novel approaches, and coverage of a variety of topics such as climatology, data records, and more. By providing comprehensive coverage of the most up-to-date approaches to understanding, modeling, and predicting precipitation, this book offers researchers in atmospheric science, hydrology and meteorology with a comprehensive resource for improving outcomes and advancing knowledge.

Breast MRI: State of the Art and Future Directions provides a comprehensive overview of the current applications of breast MRI, including abbreviated MRI, as well as presenting technical recommendations, practical implementation and associated challenges in clinical routine. In addition, the book introduces novel MRI techniques, multimodality imaging, and advanced image processing coupled with AI, reviewing their potential for impeding and future clinical implementation. This book is a complete reference on state-of-the-art breast MRI methods suitable for MRI researchers, radiographers and clinicians. Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women with early detection being the key to improved prognosis and survival. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast is undisputedly the most sensitive imaging method to detect cancer, with a higher detection rate than mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis, and ultrasound.

Magnetospheric Imaging: Understanding the Space Environment through Global Measurements is a state-of-the-art resource on new and advanced techniques and technologies used in measuring and examining the space environment on a global scale. Chapters detail this emergent field by exploring optical imaging, ultraviolet imaging, energetic neutral atom imaging, X-ray imaging, radio frequency imaging, and magnetic field imaging. Each technique is clearly described, with details about the technologies involved, how they work, and both their opportunities and limitations. Magnetospheric imaging is still a relatively young capability in magnetospheric research, hence this book is an ideal resource on this burgeoning field of study. This book is a comprehensive resource for understanding where the field stands, as well as providing a stepping stone for continued advancement of the field, from developing new techniques, to applying techniques on other planetary bodies.

Advances in Microbial Physiology, Volume 79, the latest release in this serial that highlights new advances in the field, presents interesting and timely chapters authored by an international board of subject matter experts.

Ancient Supercontinents and the Paleogeography of Earth offers a systematic examination of Precambrian cratons and supercontinents. Through detailed maps of drift histories and paleogeography of each continent, this book examines topics related to Earth's tectonic evolution prior to Pangea, including plate kinematics, orogenic development, and paleoenvironments. Additionally, this book discusses the methodologies used, principally paleomagnetism and tectonostratigraphy, and addresses geophysical topics of mantle dynamics and geodynamo evolution over billions of years. Structured clearly with consistent coverage for Precambrian cratons, this book combines state-of-the-art paleomagnetic and geochronologic data to reconstruct the paleogeography of the Earth in the context of major climatic events such as global glaciations. It is an ideal, up-to-date reference for geoscientists and geographers looking for answers to questions surrounding the tectonic evolution of Earth.

Viral Replication Enzymes and their Inhibitors, Part B, Volume 50 in The Enzymes series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on a variety of topics surrounding enzymes.

Viral Replication Enzymes and their Inhibitors Part A, Volume 49, the latest release in the Enzymes series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on a variety of related topics.

Advances in Quantum Chemistry presents surveys of current topics in this rapidly developing field one that has emerged at the cross section of the historically established areas of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. It features detailed reviews written by leading international researchers. In this volume the readers are presented with an exciting combination of themes.

Carbon Mineralization in Coastal Wetlands: From Litter Decomposition to Greenhouse Gas Dynamics fills the current knowledge gap in carbon mineralization, providing a balanced view of the carbon dynamics of coastal wetlands. This book provides a holistic treatment of carbon mineralization, from the contributions of litter/root decomposition pathways to carbon mineralization and the processes and sources of greenhouse gas production. This book compares carbon mineralization in coastal wetlands and highlights differences in carbon dynamics. As studies on blue carbon have strongly emphasized the storage potential of coastal wetlands, this book serves as an ideal resource on the topics discussed.

Climate Change Science: Causes, Effects and Solutions for Global Warming presents unbiased, state-of-the-art, scientific knowledge on climate change and engineering solutions for mitigation. The book expands on all major prospective solutions for tackling climate change in a complete manner. It comprehensively explains the variety of climate solutions currently available, including the remaining challenges associated with each. Effective, complementary solutions for engineering to combat climate change are discussed and elaborated on. Some of the more high-risk proposals are qualitatively and quantitatively compared and contrasted with low-risk mitigation actions to facilitate the formulation of feasible, environmentally-friendly solutions. The book provides academics, postgraduate students and other readers in the fields of environmental science, climate change, atmospheric sciences and engineering with the information they need for their roles. Through exploring the fundamental information currently available, exergy utilization, large-scale solutions, and current solutions in place, the book is an invaluable look into how climate change can be addressed from an engineering-perspective using scientific models and calculations.

Advances in Microbial Physiology, Volume 78, the latest release in this ongoing series, continues the long tradition of topical, important, cutting-edge reviews in microbiology. This updated release contains the latest information in the field, with comprehensive chapters covering Microbubble Intensification of Bioprocessing, Bacterial cellulose: biosynthesis, production, and applications, Microbial energy management - a product of three broad tradeoffs, and more.

Environmental Systems Science: Theory and Practical Applications looks at pollution and environmental quality from a systems perspective. Credible human and ecological risk estimation and prediction methods are described, including life cycle assessment, feasibility studies, pollution control decision tools, and approaches to determine adverse outcome pathways, fate and transport, sampling and analysis, and cost-effectiveness. The book brings translational science to environmental quality, applying groundbreaking methodologies like informatics, data mining, and applications of secondary data systems. Multiple human and ecological variables are introduced and integrated to support calculations that aid environmental and public health decision making. The book bridges the perspectives of scientists, engineers, and other professionals working in numerous environmental and public health fields addressing problems like toxic substances, deforestation, climate change, and loss of biological diversity, recommending sustainable solutions to these and other seemingly intractable environmental problems. The causal agents discussed include physical, chemical, and biological agents, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), SARS-CoV-2 (the COVID-19 virus), and other emerging contaminants.

Biological Experiments in Space: 30 Years Investigating Life in Space Orbit covers investigations of plant, algae, animals, fish, microorganisms and tissue cultures on space flights, beginning with the first orbital space station on Salyut 1. The book includes results on the influence of the entire complex of physical factors associated with spaceflight on biological systems, including analysis of the impact of microgravity on organisms, as well as the effects of electric and magnetic fields. This book offers important insights for researchers of space biology and astrobiology, as well as space agency and industry specialists developing future space stations and missions. Lack of gravity, temperature and chemical gradients, magnetic and electrical fields, spectral composition and intensity of light, and high-energy cosmic radiation influence many important metabolic and physiological processes in animals, plants, and microorganisms, as well as transfer phenomena in and around them. Success of future space exploration depends on understanding the effects of these factors on biological organisms and developing appropriate countermeasures, aimed at improving growth, development, and reproduction in microgravity.

Over the past several years, there has been a growing integration of data - geophysical, geological, petrophysical, engineering-related, and production-related - in predicting and determining reservoir properties. As such, geoscientists now must learn the technology, processes, and challenges involved within their specific functions in order to optimize planning for oil field development. Applied Techniques to Integrated Oil and Gas Reservoir Characterization presents challenging questions encountered by geoscientists in their day-to-day work in the exploration and development of oil and gas fields and provides potential solutions from experts. From basin analysis of conventional and unconventional reservoirs, to seismic attributes analysis, NMR for reservoir characterization, amplitude versus offset (AVO), well-to-seismic tie, seismic inversion studies, rock physics, pore pressure prediction, and 4D for reservoir monitoring, the text examines challenges in the industry as well as the techniques used to overcome those challenges. This book includes valuable contributions from global industry experts: Brian Schulte (Schiefer Reservoir Consulting), Dr. Neil W. Craigie (Saudi Aramco), Matthijs van der Molen (Shell International E&P), Dr. Fred W. Schroeder (ExxonMobil, retired), Dr. Tharwat Hassane (Schlumberger & BP, retired), and others.

Earth's Core: Geophysics of a Planet's Deepest Interior provides a multidisciplinary approach to Earth's core, including seismology, mineral physics, geomagnetism, and geodynamics. The book examines current observations, experiments, and theories; identifies outstanding research questions; and suggests future directions for study. With topics ranging from the structure of the core-mantle boundary region, to the chemical and physical properties of the core, the workings of the geodynamo, inner core seismology and dynamics, and core formation, this book offers a multidisciplinary perspective on what we know and what we know we have yet to discover. The book begins with the fundamental material and concepts in seismology, mineral physics, geomagnetism, and geodynamics, accessible from a wide range of backgrounds. The book then builds on this foundation to introduce current research, including observations, experiments, and theories. By identifying unsolved problems and promising routes to their solutions, the book is intended to motivate further research, making it a valuable resource both for students entering Earth and planetary sciences and for researchers in a particular subdiscipline who need to broaden their understanding.

Sample Return Missions: The Last Frontier of Solar System Exploration examines the discoveries and results obtained from sample return missions of the past, present, and future. It analyses the results in the context of the current state of knowledge and their relation to the formation and evolution of planetary bodies, as well as to the available technologies and techniques. It provides detailed descriptions of experimental procedures applied to returned samples. Beginning with an overview of previous missions, Sample Return Missions then goes on to provide an overview of facilities throughout the world used to analyze the returned samples. Finally, it addresses techniques for collection, transport, and analysis of the samples, with an additional focus on lessons learned and future perspectives. Providing an in-depth examination of a variety of missions, with both scientific and engineering implications, this book is an important resource for the planetary science community, as well as the experimentalist and engineering communities.

Cross-Scale Coupling and Energy Transfer in the Magnetosphere-Ionosphere-Thermosphere System provides a systematic understanding of Magnetosphere-Ionosphere-Thermosphere dynamics. Cross-scale coupling has become increasingly important in the Space Physics community. Although large-scale processes can specify the averaged state of the system reasonably well, they cannot accurately describe localized and rapidly varying structures in space in actual events. Such localized and variable structures can be as intense as the large-scale features. This book covers observations on quantifying coupling and energetics and simulation on evaluating impacts of cross-scale processes. It includes an in-depth review and summary of the current status of multi-scale coupling processes, fundamental physics, and concise illustrations and plots that are usable in tutorial presentations and classrooms. Organized by physical quantities in the system, Cross-Scale Coupling and Energy Transfer in the Magnetosphere-Ionosphere-Thermosphere System reviews recent advances in cross-scale coupling and energy transfer processes, making it an important resource for space physicists and researchers working on the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere.

Landslide Hazards, Risks and Disasters Second Edition makes a broad but detailed examination of major aspects of mass movements and their consequences, and provides knowledge to form the basis for more complete and accurate monitoring, prediction, preparedness and reduction of the impacts of landslides on society. The frequency and intensity of landslide hazards and disasters has consistently increased over the past century, and this trend will continue as society increasingly utilises steep landscapes. Landslides and related phenomena can be triggered by other hazard and disaster processes - such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and wildfires - and they can also cause other hazards and disasters, making them a complex multi-disciplinary challenge. This new edition of Landslide Hazards, Risks and Disasters is updated and includes new chapters, covering additional topics including rockfalls, landslide interactions and impacts and geomorphic perspectives. Knowledge, understanding and the ability to model landslide processes are becoming increasingly important challenges for society extends its occupation of increasingly hilly and mountainous terrain, making this book a key resource for educators, researchers and disaster managers in geophysics, geology and environmental science.

Advances in Quantum Chemistry presents surveys of current topics in this rapidly developing field, one that has emerged at the cross section of the historically established areas of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. The book features detailed reviews written by leading international researchers. In this volume, the readers are presented with an exciting combination of themes.

This book provides the first comprehensive historical account of the evolution of scientific traditions in astronomy, astrophysics, and the space sciences within the Max Planck Society. Structured with in-depth archival research, interviews with protagonists, unpublished photographs, and an extensive bibliography, it follows a unique history: from the post-war relaunch of physical sciences in West Germany, to the spectacular developments and successes of cosmic sciences in the second half of the 20th century, up to the emergence of multi-messenger astronomy. It reveals how the Society acquired national and international acclaim in becoming one of the world's most productive research organizations in these fields.

Earth's Magnetosphere: Formed by the Low Latitude Boundary Layer, Second Edition, provides a fully updated overview of both historical and current data related to the magnetosphere and how it is formed. With a focus on experimental data and space missions, the book goes in depth relating space physics to the Earth's magnetosphere and its interaction with the solar wind. Starting with Newton's law, this book also examines Maxwell's equations and subsidiary equations such as continuity, constitutive relations and the Lorentz transformation, Helmholtz' theorem, and Poynting's theorem, among other methods for understanding this interaction. This new edition of Earth's Magnetosphere is updated with information on such topics as 3D reconnection, space weather implications, recent missions such as MMS, ionosphere outflow and coupling, and the inner magnetosphere. With the addition of end-of-chapter problems as well, this book is an excellent foundational reference for geophysicists, space physicists, plasma physicists, and graduate students alike.