![]() |
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
|
Your cart is empty |
||
|
Books > Reference & Interdisciplinary > Interdisciplinary studies > General
The literature on queueing theory is already very large. It contains more than a dozen books and about a thousand papers devoted exclusively to the subject; plus many other books on probability theory or operations research in which queueing theory is discussed. Despite this tremendous activity, queueing theory, as a tool for analysis of practical problems, remains in a primitive state; perhaps mostly because the theory has been motivated only superficially by its potential applications. People have devoted great efforts to solving the 'wrong problems. ' Queueing theory originated as a very practical subject. Much ofthe early work was motivated by problems concerning telephone traffic. Erlang, in particular, made many important contributions to the subject in the early part of this century. Telephone traffic remained one of the principle applications until about 1950. After World War II, activity in the fields of operations research and probability theory grew rapidly. Queueing theory became very popular, particularly in the late 1950s, but its popularity did not center so much around its applications as around its mathematical aspects. With the refine ment of some clever mathematical tricks, it became clear that exact solutions could be found for a large number of mathematical problems associated with models of queueing phenomena. The literature grew from 'solutions looking for a problem' rather than from 'problems looking for a solution."
Prior to the 1970's a substantial literature had accumulated on the theory of optimal design, particularly of optimal linear regression design. To a certain extent the study of the subject had been piecemeal, different criteria of optimality having been studied separately. Also to a certain extent the topic was regarded as being largely of theoretical interest and as having little value for the practising statistician. However during this decade two significant developments occurred. It was observed that the various different optimality criteria had several mathematical properties in common; and general algorithms for constructing optimal design measures were developed. From the first of these there emerged a general theory of remarkable simplicity and the second at least raised the possibility that the theory would have more practical value. With respect to the second point there does remain a limiting factor as far as designs that are optimal for parameter estimation are concerned, and this is that the theory assumes that the model be collected is known a priori. This of course underlying data to is seldom the case in practice and it often happens that designs which are optimal for parameter estimation allow no possibility of model validation. For this reason the theory of design for parameter estimation may well have to be combined with a theory of model validation before its practical potential is fully realized. Nevertheless discussion in this monograph is limited to the theory of design optimal for parameter estimation.
In June 1975, the distinguished Harvard entomologist Edward O. Wilson published a truly huge book entitled, Sociobiology: The New Synthesis. In this book, drawing on both fact and theory, Wilson tried to present a com prehensive overview of the rapidly growing subject of 'sociobiology', the study of the biological nature and foundations of animal behaviour, more precisely animal social behaviour. Although, as the title rather implies, Wilson was more surveying and synthesising than developing new material, he com pensated by giving the most thorough and inclusive treatment possible, beginning in the animal world with the most simple of forms, and progressing via insects, lower invertebrates, mammals and primates, right up to and in cluding our own species, Homo sapiens. Initial reaction to the book was very favourable, but before the year was out it came under withering attack from a group of radical scientists in the Boston area, who styled themselves 'The Science for the People Sociobiology Study Group'. Criticism, of course, is what every academic gets (and needs ); but, for two reasons, this attack was particularly unpleasant. First, not only were Wilson's ideas attacked, but he himself was smeared by being linked with the most reactionary of political thinkers, including the Nazis."
whioh the developments are appropriate in an elementary text book is open to doubt. Fortunately the proceedings of the conference arranged by the Society of Actuaries Research Committee in September 1974 provide an effective review of the ourrent position (Credibility, Theory and Applications, Ed. P. M. Kahn, Academic Press, 1975). It is doubtful if any practical use is now made of the Esscher approximation and the N-P method is much more convenient and of adequate accuracy in most practical work. Thus the first half of Chapter 6 is now largely of historical interest. Chapter 11 dealing with ruin probability during a finite time interval does not give an adequate view of the current importanoe of this topic but the position is fluid because of the considerable effort being expended in the search for practical methods of calcu lation. Formulae are, in general, complicated and involve extensive computer based quadratures or simulation techniques. The paper by Seal in the Scandinavian Actuarial Journal (The Numerical Calculation of U(w, t) the Probability of Non-ruin in an Interval (O, t) 1974) gives a recent treatment and a fairly complete list of relevant references. In many countries studies are currently in progress in the develop ment of models for business planning where the basic operations involve a stochastic process. Not only are insurance companies interested but in many commercial and industrial firms the needs are significant so that a very large field exists for applications."
Mit dem vorliegenden dritten Band findet die vor zwei J ahren gegrtindete Reihe "Fortschritte der Arzneimittelforschung" ihre planmassige Fortsetzung. Wiederum ist versucht worden, zusammenfassend tiber einige Gebiete der Arz- neimittelforschung zu berichten, wobei diesmal organische Fluorverbindungen als Medikamente, Struktur und Wirkung bei verschiedenen Anthelmintica, 5-Hydroxy-tryptamin und verwandte Indolalkylamine, die pharmakologischen Aspekte der Allergie, krebswirksame Antibiotica aus Actinomyceten und neue- ste Arzneimittel behandelt werden. Der dritte Band hat an Umfang gegentiber den beiden vorhergehenden etwas abgenommen; dies geschah einerseits aus dem Wunsche heraus, sein Erscheinen zu beschleunigen und dem Leser die Referate so frUh wie moglichnach deren Nie- derschrift zuganglich zu machen, andererseits aus dem Bestreben, die einzelnen Bande nicht tiber Gebtihr anschwellen zu lassen. Als Neuerung enthalt der vor- liegende Band erstmals ein Sachverzeichnis. Der Herausgeber hoHt, damit dem zum Teil ausgesprochenen Wunsche zahlreicher Fachkollegen nachzukommen und die Brauchbarkeit der Reihe auch als Nachschlagwerk steigem zu konnen. Das Sachverzeichnis ftihrt deutsche, franzosische und englische Stichworter ge- meinsam auf; sein jetziger Aufbau solI als ein Versuch betrachtet werden, und der Herausgeber hofft auf Anregungen, Vorschlage und Kritik aus dem Leserkreise.
The book identifies the specific ethical aspects of sustainability and develops ethical tools to analyze them. It also provides a methodological framework to integrate ethical and scientific analyses of sustainability issues, and explores the notion of a new type of self-reflective inter- and transdisciplinary sustainability research. With this, the book aims to strengthen the overall ability of academics to contribute to the analysis and solution of sustainability issues in an inclusive and integrated way.
Ever since Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, we have generally become aware of environmental contaminants and their effects on the ecosystem. The findin~ of PCB's in fish by Soren Jensen in Sweden, the recognition of mirex as contaminant in fish from Lake Ontario, and the discoveries of contaminant laden leachates from dumpsites such as the Love Canal have become milestones in the search for and charac terization of contaminants in our environment. At this time, the problem no longer is so much the identifi cation of contaminants and their sources. Rather, we are now faced with solving questions on the fates and effects of such compounds. This includes the search for mechanisms to deal effectively with the large number of chemicals already found in water, air and biota. One of such time and cost saving scientific avenues is the field of quantitative structure-activity correlations for the prediction of the environmental behavior and effects of compounds.
"Optimal Control" reports on new theoretical and practical advances essential for analysing and synthesizing optimal controls of dynamical systems governed by partial and ordinary differential equations. New necessary and sufficient conditions for optimality are given. Recent advances in numerical methods are discussed. These have been achieved through new techniques for solving large-sized nonlinear programs with sparse Hessians, and through a combination of direct and indirect methods for solving the multipoint boundary value problem. The book also focuses on the construction of feedback controls for nonlinear systems and highlights advances in the theory of problems with uncertainty. Decomposition methods of nonlinear systems and new techniques for constructing feedback controls for state- and control constrained linear quadratic systems are presented. The book offers solutions to many complex practical optimal control problems.
It is said that behind every successful man there stands a devoted and capable woman. The three famous chemists Perkin, Kipping and their collaborator Lapworth married three sisters: Mina, Lily, and Kathleen Holland. The three Holland sisters kept their husbands in close and very productive collaboration throughout their lives, thereby greatly increasing their scientific output. They functioned as a productive scientific family. However, the life and work of the men is thoroughly documented, but little is known about their wives. Professor Eugene G. Rochow, a world-renowned scientist, wrote this biographical historical novel with the help of a grandson, Dr. Brian Kipping. Professor Rochow did not intend to write a bare-bones biography. He took care to make the book factually accurate. Wherever there are no facts, he has not hesitated to flesh out the account with imagination and actual experience of others in order to make the text more readable.
In art making, materials and media are the intermediaries between private ideas, thoughts and feelings, and their external manifestation in a tangible, sensual form. Thus, materials provide the core components of the exchange that occurs between art therapists and clients. This book focuses on the sensory-based, tangible vocabulary of materials and media and its relevance to art therapy. It provides a historical account of the theory and use of materials and media in art therapy, as well as an examination of the interface between art therapy, contemporary art materials and practices, and social/critical theory. Contributing authors provide examples of how art therapists have transgressed conventional material boundaries and expanded both thinking and practice in the field. The chapters discuss traditional as well as innovative media, such as body adornments, mail and video art, and comic books. Accompanying support material contains media clips, as well as 69 color images.
The present scientific and technical revolution has brought science into the range of the most effective forces of production. The formula "science= production force" applies also to the social sciences whose explorations of human relationships and drives have reached previously unsuspected depths. Objectives, such as higher living standards and full employment, economic growth and stability, social equity and security, have both called for and provided a basis for the exploitation of possibilities offered by the natural and technical sciences. In today's agriculture, age-old traditions are in the process of disintegra tion, but the heredity of a century (or that of even a millennium as in Hungary) does not get dissolved without defending itself. Technical progress and social restratification, the emergence of new scales of values and preferences, the adjustment of the rural communities to their new tasks and conditions - all these have transformed farm operations and farming techniques. But agriculture, even under its revolutionized surface, still hides deep, almost untouched layers. If economists and agriculturalists are perplexed by the multitude and variety of the visible farm problems, there exist many others about which they can only guess, which they must follow up. In formulating and solving these problems, agricultural economists have professional tasks: (1) facilitating the most efficient use of agricultural resources from the standpoint of the national economy, and (2) helping farmers and farm people to attain their stated, socially feasible objectives."
ROBERT J. LEFKOWITZ, M. D. Receptor Regulation (Receptors and Recognition, Series B, Volume 13) Edited by R. J. Lefkowitz Published in 1981 by Chapman and Hall, 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE (c) 1981 Chapman and Hall The study of hormone and drug receptors has become one of the most excit ing and rapidly moving areas of biomedical research. Elucidation of receptor mechanisms and receptor structure has become the common goal of many scientists from diverse backgrounds. The rapid advances achieved have been due, in large part, to the concentrated effort of workers from a variety of disciplines including classical pharmacology, biochemistry, endocrinology, cell biology, genetics' and molecular biology, among others. Hormone and drug receptors appear to be of three major types, which may be classified by their cellular locations. Found in the plasma membranes of cells are the receptors for a wide variety of polypeptide hormones, catecholamines and a variety of neurotransmitters. Included within this group are those receptors coupled to the enzyme adenylate cyclase. The second group of receptors are the soluble cytoplasmic receptors for the steroid hormones. A third type of hormone receptor is the receptor for the thyroid hormones which appears to be confined to the nucleus. Not only may these different types of receptor be distinguished in terms of their cellular locations but also by their mechanisms of action."
Interplay between Metal Ions and Nucleic Acids provides in an authoritative and timely manner in 12 stimulating chapters, written by 24 internationally recognized experts from 8 nations, and supported by nearly 1500 references, about 20 tables, and 125 illustrations, many in color, a most up-to-date view on metal ion-nucleic acid interactions; the characterization of which is covered in solution and in the solid state. The volume concentrates on modern developments encompassing topics in the wide range from G-quadruplexes via DNAzymes, catalysis at the DNA scaffold, and metal-mediated base pairs to peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) being thus of relevance, e.g., for chemistry and nanotechnology but also for molecular biology and (genetic) diagnostics.
Sadly enough, war, conflicts and terrorism appear to stay with us in the 21st century. But what is our outlook on new methods for preventing and ending them? Present-day hard- and software enables the development of large crisis, conflict, and conflict management databases with many variables, sometimes with automated updates, statistical analyses of a high complexity, elaborate simulation models, and even interactive uses of these databases. In this book, these methods are presented, further developed, and applied in relation to the main issue: the resolution and prevention of intra- and international conflicts. Conflicts are a worldwide phenomenon. Therefore, internationally leading researchers from the USA, Austria, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and Switzerland have contributed.
This volume is the first of its kind on focusing gamma-ray telescopes. Forty-eight refereed papers provide a comprehensive overview of the scientific potential and technical challenges of this nascent tool for nuclear astrophysics. The book features articles dealing with pivotal technologies such as grazing incident mirrors, multilayer coatings, Laue- and Fresnel-lenses - and even an optic using the curvature of space-time.
This NATO Advanced Study Institute was the fourth in a series devoted to the subject of phase transitions and instabilities with particular attention to structural phase transforma ions. Beginning wi th the first Geilo institute in 19'(1 we have seen the emphasis evolve from the simple quasiharmonic soft mode description within the Landau theory, through the unexpected spectral structure re presented by the "central peak" (1973), to such subjects as melting, turbulence and hydrodynamic instabilities (1975). Sophisticated theoretical techniques such as scaling laws and renormalization group theory developed over the same period have brought to this wide range of subjects a pleasing unity. These institutes have been instrumental in placing structural transformations clearly in the mainstream of statistical physics and critical phenomena. The present Geilo institute retains some of the counter cul tural flavour of the first one by insisting whenever possible upon peeking under the skirts of even the most successful phenomenology to catch a glimpse of the underlying microscopic processes. Of course the soft mode remains a useful concept, but the major em phasis of this institute is the microscopic cause of the mode softening. The discussions given here illustrate that for certain important classes of solids the cause lies in the electron phonon interaction. Three major types of structural transitions are considered. In the case of metals and semimetals, the electron phonon interaction relie6 heavily on the topology of the Fermi surface."
Growth, as we conceive it, is the study of changeinan organism not yet mature. Differential growth creates form: external form through growth rates which vary from one part of the body to another and one tissue to another; and internal form through the series of time-entrained events which build up in each cell the special ized complexity of its particular function. We make no distinction, then, between growth and development, and if we have not included accounts of differentiation it is simply because we had to draw a quite arbitrary line somewhere. lt is only rather recently that those involved in pediatrics and child health have come to realize that growth is the basic science peculiar to their art. It is a science which uses and incorporates the traditional disciplines of anatomy, physiology, biophysics, biochemistry, and biology. It is indeed a part of biology, and the study of human growth is a part of the curriculum of the rejuvenated science of Human Biology. What growth is not is a series of charts of height and weight. Growth standards are useful and necessary, and their construction is by no means void of intellectual challenge. They are a basic instrument in pediatric epidemiology. But they do not appear in this book, any more than clinical accounts of growth disorders. This appears to be the first large handbook-in three volumes-devoted to Human Growth."
Oxygen free radicals and other reactive oxygen species are being postulated as causal agents in an increasing number of pathological conditions. Indeed, some investigators are suggesting that highly destructive reactive oxygen species are the final common path lead ing to tissue damage following a wide variety of insults including trauma, hypoxia, ischemia, hyperoxia, radiation, some toxins, and even strenuous athletic pursuits. But, as Robert Floyd points out, "Proof of the importance of oxygen free radicals and the oxidative damage they initiate depend on unequivocal evidence for the pres ence of free radicals and a clear association of their formation with the induction of the dysfunction of pathological conditions. " Since such proof does not come easily, there have been and will continue to be many controversies regarding the role played by reactive oxygen species in tissue damage. There have been many recent reviews of the chemistry and pos sible role of reactive oxygen species in many types of organ dys functions, tissue damage, degenerative diseases, and aging. This book is not such a review. Rather it presents for a diverse audience of physical-organic chemists, biochemists, medical researchers, and other investigators of pathophysiology, discussions of a variety of is sues important for understanding reactive oxygen species and their role in tissue damage."
Modification of embryonic development by genetic differences in the mother is a well-regcognized phemomenon, but little is known about the genet ics of these maternal traits or the mechanisms by which they act. To illustrate the genetic approach to the problem, examples are given of how differences in embryonic response to a teratogen can be partitioned into those resulting from differences in embryonic genotype (including the possible role of X-linked genes in producing reciprocal cross differences), maternal genotype, and cytoplasmically transmitted factors. The advantages and limitations of analysis by appropriate crosses, in utero treatments, embryo transfers, and in vitro experiments are illustrated. The numerous inbred strains of the mouse, with well-documented physiology, the recently developed recombinant inbred strains, and the existence of easily identified biochemical marker genes offer at tractive opportunities, so far largely unexploited, for causal analysis of mater nal effects on teratological responses. VII. ADDENDUM Since this chapter was written, several relevant papers have appeared. The strain difference between AI] and C57BU6] mice in frequency of cleft-palate response to cortisone was fitted to a model of normally distributed log tolerance (Biddle and Fraser, 1976). Genetic differences, both in maternal uterine environment and embryonic response, can be represented in terms of their effect on the median effective dose required for the cleft-palate re sponse. The maternal effect of AI] dams relative to C57BU6] dams caused a two-fold reduction in embryonic tolerance to cortisone-induced cleft palate."
In many university curricula, the power electronics field has evolved beyond the status of comprising one or two special-topics courses. Often there are several courses dealing with the power electronics field, covering the topics of converters, motor drives, and power devices, with possibly additional advanced courses in these areas as well. There may also be more traditional power-area courses in energy conversion, machines, and power systems. In the breadth vs. depth tradeoff, it no longer makes sense for one textbook to attempt to cover all of these courses; indeed, each course should ideally employ a dedicated textbook. This text is intended for use in introductory power electronics courses on converters, taught at the senior or first-year graduate level. There is sufficient material for a one year course or, at a faster pace with some material omitted, for two quarters or one semester. The first class on converters has been called a way of enticing control and electronics students into the power area via the "back door". The power electronics field is quite broad, and includes fundamentals in the areas of * Converter circuits and electronics * Control systems * Magnetics * Power applications * Design-oriented analysis This wide variety of areas is one of the things which makes the field so interesting and appealing to newcomers. This breadth also makes teaching the field a challenging undertaking, because one cannot assume that all students enrolled in the class have solid prerequisite knowledge in so many areas.
This book makes a case for a multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach to energy research-one that brings more of the social sciences to bear. Featuring eight studies from across the spectrum of the social sciences, each applying multiple disciplines to one or more energy-related problems, the book demonstrates the strong analytical and policy-making potential of such a broadened perspective. Case studies include: energy transitions of households in developing countries, the 'curse of oil', politics and visions for renewables, economics and ethics in emissions trading, and carbon capture and storage.
The goals of the science of photobiology can be divided into four categories: to develop (I) ways to optimize the beneficial effects of light on man and his environment, (2) methods to protect organisms, including man, from the detrimental effects of light, (3) photochemical tools for use in studies of life processes, and (4) photochemical therapies in medicine. To achieve these goals will require the knowledgeable collaboration of biologists, chemists, engineers, mathematicians, physicians, and physicists; because photobiology is a truly multidisciplinary science. While a multidis ciplinary science is more intellectually demanding, it also has a greater potential for unexpected breakthroughs that can occur when data from several areas of science are integrated into new concepts for theoretical or practical use. Photochemical and Photobiological Reviews continues to provide in depth coverage of the many specialty areas of photobiology. It is hoped that these reviews will provide an important service to the younger scientists in the field and to senior scientists in related fields, because they provide a ready access to the recent literature in the field, and more importantly, they frequently offer a critical evaluation of the direction that the field is taking, or suggest a redirection when appropriate. Since it is important that this review series remain responsive to the needs of photochemists and photobiologists, the Editor would value com ments and suggestions from its readers." |
You may like...
Media Studies: Volume 1 - Media History…
Pieter J. Fourie
Paperback
(2)
Theory of Knowledge for the IB Diploma…
Sue Bastian, Julian Kitching, …
Paperback
R1,631
Discovery Miles 16 310
Designing Interdisciplinary Education…
Linda Greef, Ger Post, …
Paperback
R928
Discovery Miles 9 280
Handbook of Transdisciplinarity: Global…
Roderick J. Lawrence
Hardcover
R8,636
Discovery Miles 86 360
Advanced communication skills - For…
Marietta Swart, Maretha Hairbottle, …
Paperback
R695
Discovery Miles 6 950
|