Ageing is of perennial interest as a universal feature in all human societies. The genetic background and biochemical bases of ageing processes are currently being revealed in unprecedented detail. It is emerging that one of the main hurdles to be overcome in achieving a long and healthy lifespan is the maintenance of a properly functioning immune system. The main cause of death in people who have achieved "successful ageing" (which mostly means not having succumbed to cancer or cardiovascular disease) is infectious disease, caused by immunosenescence. This book contains chapters by many of the leaders in the field of immune-related issues in ageing and remediation.

"Advances in International Accounting" is a referred, academic research annual, that is devoted to publishing articles about advancements in the development of accounting and its related disciplines from an international perspective. This serial examines how these developments affect the financial reporting and disclosure practices, taxation, management accounting practices, and auditing of multinational corporations, as well as their effect on the education of professional accountants worldwide. "Advances in International Accounting" welcomes traditional and alternative approaches, including theoretical research, empirical research, applied research, and cross-cultural studies.

Dementia diseases are the most common cause of severe mental deterioration in the world today, and expected changes in the population structure will inevitably result in a gradually increasing occurrence of dementia. One of the primary symptoms of dementia diseases is severe memory dysfunction. Knowledge about the ways in which dementia diseases affect memory increases our knowledge about the relationship between brain structures and memory functions, is imperative for early clinical diagnosis, and forms a basis for sound behavioral and pharmacological intervention. While the memory impairment in dementia has been known for more than 2000 years, the nature of this impairment is not yet completely understood. Research in this area has not, until quite recently, utilized theoretical and methodological advances from basic cognitive psychology. This volume gives a comprehensive treatment of this new and increasingly developing field of inquiry.

The Standard Model of elementary particles and interactions is one of the best tested theories in physics. It has been found to be in remarkable agreement with experiment, and its validity at the quantum level has been successfully probed in the electroweak sector. In spite of its experimental successes, though, the Standard Model suffers from a number of limitations, and is likely to be an incomplete theory. It contains many arbitrary parameters; it does not include gravity, the fourth elementary interaction; it does not provide an explanation for the hierarchy between the scale of electroweak interactions and the Planck scale, characteristic of gravitational interactions; and finally, it fails to account for the dark matter and the baryon asymmetry of the universe. This led particle theorists to develop and study various extensions of the Standard Model, such as supersymmetric theories, Grand Unified Theories or theories with extra space-time dimensions - most of which have been proposed well before the experimental verification of the Standard Model. The coming generation of experimental facilities (such as high-energy colliders, B-physics experiments, neutrino superbeams, as well as astrophysical and cosmological observational facilities) will allow us to test the predictions of these theories and to deepen our understanding of the fundamental laws of nature.

This book is a collection of lectures given in August 2005 at the Les Houches Summer School on Particle Physics beyond the Standard Model. It provides a pedagogical introduction to the various aspects of particle physics beyond the Standard Model, covering each topic from the basics to the most recent developments: supersymmetric theories, Grand Unified Theories, theories with extra dimensions, flavour physics and CP violation, neutrino physics, astroparticle physics and cosmology.
-Provides a pedagogical introduction to particle physics beyond the Standard Model
-Covers the various aspects of particle physics beyond the Standard Model
-Addresses each topic from the basics to the most recent developments
-Addresses both the theoretical and phenomenological aspects of the subject
-Written in a pedagogical style by leading experts in the field

This volume deals with some of the multiple systems that growth factors and cytokines affect. The role of growth factors and cytokines on foetal development, in the immune and haemopoietic systems as well as in the skeletal and reproductive systems are covered. Various cancers are examined in a number of the chapters. This is the third and concluding volume of the treatise on growth factors and cytokines in health and disease.

The book is devoted to the perturbation analysis of matrix equations. The importance of perturbation analysis is that it gives a way to estimate the influence of measurement and/or parametric errors in mathematical models together with the rounding errors done in the computational process. The perturbation bounds may further be incorporated in accuracy estimates for the solution computed in finite arithmetic. This is necessary for the development of reliable computational methods, algorithms and software from the viewpoint of modern numerical analysis.

In this book a general perturbation theory for matrix algebraic equations is presented. Local and non-local perturbation bounds are derived for general types of matrix equations as well as for the most important equations arising in linear algebra and control theory. A large number of examples, tables and figures is included in order to illustrate the perturbation techniques and bounds.

Key features:

The first book in this field
Can be used by a variety of specialists
Material is self-contained
Results can be used in the development of reliable computational algorithms
A large number of examples and graphical illustrations are given
Written by prominent specialists in the field
"

The aim of the present work is two-fold. Firstly it aims at a giving an account of many existing algorithms for calculating with finite-dimensional Lie algebras. Secondly, the book provides an introduction into the theory of finite-dimensional Lie algebras. These two subject areas are intimately related. First of all, the algorithmic perspective often invites a different approach to the theoretical material than the one taken in various other monographs (e.g., 42], 48], 77], 86]). Indeed, on various occasions the knowledge of certain algorithms allows us to obtain a straightforward proof of theoretical results (we mention the proof of the Poincare-Birkhoff-Witt theorem and the proof of Iwasawa's theorem as examples). Also proofs that contain algorithmic constructions are explicitly formulated as algorithms (an example is the isomorphism theorem for semisimple Lie algebras that constructs an isomorphism in case it exists). Secondly, the algorithms can be used to arrive at a better understanding of the theory. Performing the algorithms in concrete examples, calculating with the concepts involved, really brings the theory of life.

Immunoassay procedures (isotopic and non-isotopic) have become one of the single most important techniques in present-day diagnostic medicine. This book is designed as an introductory test for the staff of clinical research laboratories who conduct or intend to conduct such techniques, and will be of great value to the clinicians who make use of such services. The volume takes a three-pronged approach in it's in-depth presentation: explanation of the basic principles and applications of radioimmunoassays and non-isotopic immunoassays; practical illustrations of the various steps involved in immunoassays; discussion of the problems and pitfalls in immunoassays and how to avoid them. This fifth revised edition is a worthy successor to it's predecessors in this famous "Laboratory Techniques" series.

This volume deals with laser physics emphasizing laser theory from a physical point of view. It takes into account most recent developments focussing on the dynamics. Proceeding from simple to more difficult questions, the book treats, among other topics: typical experimental laser systems, intensities of laser light in single and multimode lasers, mode competition, hole-burning, Q-switched lasers, relaxation-oscillations, frequency shifts, population pulsations, mode-locking, ultrashort pulses, self-pulsing, laser light chaos, instability hierarchies, laser gyro, optical bistability, optical transistor, two-photon laser, laser line width, Hanbury-Brown-Twiss experiment, intensity correlations, photon statistics, quantum classical correspondence, laser phase-transition analogy, the laser as a synergetic system.

The modern theory of algebras of binary relations, reformulated by Tarski as an abstract, algebraic, equational theory of relation algebras, has considerable mathematical significance, with applications in various fields: e.g., in computer science---databases, specification theory, AI---and in anthropology, economics, physics, and philosophical logic.
This comprehensive treatment of the theory of relation algebras and the calculus of relations is the first devoted to a systematic development of the subject.
Key Features:
- Presents historical milestones from a modern perspective
- Careful, thorough, detailed guide to understanding relation algebras
- Provides a framework and unified perspective of the subject

This volume gives a state of the art of triangular norms which can be used for the generalization of several mathematical concepts, such as conjunction, metric, measure, etc. 16 chapters written by leading experts provide a state of the art overview of theory and applications of triangular norms and related operators in fuzzy logic, measure theory, probability theory, and probabilistic metric spaces.
Key Features:
- Complete state of the art of the importance of triangular norms in various mathematical fields
- 16 self-contained chapters with extensive bibliographies cover both the theoretical background and many applications
- Chapter authors are leading authorities in their fields
- Triangular norms on different domains (including discrete, partially ordered) are described
- Not only triangular norms but also related operators (aggregation operators, copulas) are covered
- Book contains many enlightening illustrations
- Complete state of the art of the importance of triangular norms in various mathematical fields
- 16 self-contained chapters with extensive bibliographies cover both the theoretical background and many applications
- Chapter authors are leading authorities in their fields
- Triangular norms on different domains (including discrete, partially ordered) are described
- Not only triangular norms but also related operators (aggregation operators, copulas) are covered
- Book contains many enlightening illustrations

Many problems for partial difference and integro-difference equations can be written as difference equations in a normed space. This book is devoted to linear and nonlinear difference equations in a normed space. Our aim in this monograph is to initiate systematic investigations of the global behavior of solutions of difference equations in a normed space. Our primary concern is to study the asymptotic stability of the equilibrium solution. We are also interested in the existence of periodic and positive solutions. There are many books dealing with the theory of ordinary difference equations. However there are no books dealing systematically with difference equations in a normed space. It is our hope that this book will stimulate interest among mathematicians to develop the stability theory of abstract difference equations.
Note that even for ordinary difference equations, the problem of stability analysis continues to attract the attention of many specialists despite its long history. It is still one of the most burning problems, because of the absence of its complete solution,
but many general results available for ordinary difference equations
(for example, stability by linear approximation) may be easily proved for abstract difference equations.
The main methodology presented in this publication is based on a combined use of recent norm estimates for operator-valued functions with the following
methods and results:
a) the freezing method;
b) the Liapunov type equation;
c) the method of majorants;
d) the multiplicative representation of solutions.
In addition, we present stability results for abstract Volterra discrete equations.
The bookconsists of 22 chapters and an appendix. In Chapter 1, some definitions and preliminary results are collected. They are systematically used in the next chapters.
In, particular, we recall very briefly some basic notions and results of the theory of operators in Banach and ordered spaces. In addition, stability concepts are presented and Liapunov's functions are introduced. In Chapter 2 we review various classes of linear operators and their spectral properties. As examples, infinite matrices are considered. In Chapters 3 and 4, estimates for the norms of operator-valued and matrix-valued functions are suggested. In particular, we consider Hilbert-Schmidt, Neumann-Schatten, quasi-Hermitian and quasiunitary operators. These classes contain numerous infinite matrices arising in applications. In Chapter 5, some perturbation results for linear operators in a Hilbert space are presented. These results are then used in the next chapters to derive bounds for the spectral radiuses. Chapters 6-14 are devoted to asymptotic and exponential stabilities, as well as boundedness of solutions of linear and nonlinear difference equations. In Chapter 6 we investigate the linear equation with a bounded constant operator acting in a Banach space. Chapter 7 is concerned with the Liapunov type operator equation. Chapter 8 deals with estimates for the spectral radiuses of concrete operators, in particular, for infinite matrices. These bounds enable the formulation of explicit stability conditions. In Chapters 9 and 10 we consider nonautonomous (time-variant) linear equations. An essential role in this chapter is played by the evolution operator. In addition, we use the "freezing" method and multiplicativerepresentations of solutions to construct the majorants for linear equations. Chapters 11 and 12 are devoted to semilinear autonomous and nonautonomous equations. Chapters 13 and 14 are concerned with linear and nonlinear higher order difference equations. Chapter 15 is devoted to the input-to-state stability. In Chapter 16 we study periodic solutions of linear and nonlinear difference equations in a Banach space, as well as the global orbital stability of solutions of vector difference equations. Chapters 17 and 18 deal with linear and nonlinear Volterra discrete equations in a Banach space. An important role in these chapter is played by operator pencils. Chapter 19 deals with a class of the Stieltjes differential equations.
These equations generalize difference and differential equations. We apply estimates for norms of operator valued functions and properties of the multiplicative integral to certain classes of linear and nonlinear Stieltjes differential equations to obtain solution estimates that allow us to study the stability and boundedness of solutions. We also show the existence and uniqueness of solutions as well as the continuous dependence of the solutions on the time integrator. Chapter 20 provides some results regarding the Volterra--Stieltjes equations. The Volterra--Stieltjes equations include Volterra difference and Volterra integral equations. We obtain estimates for the norms of solutions of the Volterra--Stieltjes equation. Chapter 21 is devoted to difference equations with continuous time. In Chapter 22, we suggest some conditions for the existence of nontrivial and positive steady states of difference equations, as well as bounds for the stationary solutions.
- Deals systematically with difference equations in normed spaces
- Considers new classes of equations that could not be studied in the frameworks of ordinary and partial difference equations
- Develops the freezing method and presents recent results on Volterra discrete equations
- Contains an approach based on the estimates for norms of operator functions

Adsorption of Metals by Geomedia II serves as a needed resource for this topic which has received much attention during the past 25 years. The book provides an in-depth review of the field, followed by numerous chapters that document the current status of adsorption research for a variety of metals by geomedia ranging from individual minerals to sediments and soils. Adsorption mechanisms are detailed and precipitation is presented as a distinct sorption process. Virtually all factors affecting the extent of metal adsorption are examined, including the effects of selected anions, competition among metals, pH, metal concentration, loading, variable metal adsorption capacity, ionic strength, hydrogen exchange and stoichiometry, and solids concentration. A variety of adsorption models are briefly presented and some are used to extend laboratory studies to field sites.
This is a compilation of 25 peer reviewed papers from among the 60+ platform and poster presentations of the symposium "Adsorption of Metals to Geomedia II" at the American Chemical Society (ACS) Meeting, March 27-29, 2006 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. This symposium is a follow-up to the original held in 1996.
* Learn the tools and techniques from leading academics and industry experts
* One stop practical resource and guide for those in the field
* Keep informed and up to date on all the latest advancements in technology

This book is a collection of contemporary applications of psychological insights into practical human factors issues. The topics are arranged largely according to an information processing/energetic approach to human behavior. Consideration is also given to human-computer interaction and organizational design.

Individuals from diverse disciplines, including neurology, physiology, psychology, mathematics, and engineering have contributed to this volume. Their scientific investigations of volitional action are part of the resurgence of interest in the psychology and physiology of volition which has taken place in recent years. The book comprises a significant sample of their observations, both rational and empirical, which have new practical implications for our understanding of human conduct. The book was designed to serve a threefold purpose: a) to consolidate the gains of the various scholars, relatively isolated in their respective disciplines, b) to foster and help focus future research on conation and self-control and c) to provide practitioners in applied psychology with a broad-based tutorial.

Peptidomimetics have found wide application as bioavailable, and often potent mimetics of natural peptides. They form the basis of important classes of enzyme inhibitors, they act as receptor agonists and antagonists, and they have even been used to mimic DNA structure. Recent advances in the use of solid-phase organic synthesis have paved the way for the preparation of libraries of these structures to allow the rapid optimization of theri biological properties and hence therapeutic potential. We are also beginning to gain a greater understanding of the structural features of this class of compounds that influence their ability to permeate membranes, and their rate of clearance and metabolism. This volume brings together many of these critical issues by highlighting recent advances in a number of core peptidomimetic-based research.

Traditionally, randomness and determinism have been viewed as being diametrically opposed, based on the idea that causality and determinism is complicated by "noise." Although recent research has suggested that noise can have a productive role, it still views noise as a separate entity. This work suggests that this not need to be so. In an informal presentation, instead, the problem is traced to traditional assumptions regarding dynamical equations and their need for unique solutions. If this requirement is relaxed, the equations admit for instability and stochasticity evolving from the dynamics itself. This allows for a decoupling from the "burden" of the past and provides insights into concepts such as predictability, irreversibility, adaptability, creativity and multi-choice behaviour. This reformulation is especially relevant for biological and social sciences whose need for flexibility a propos of environmental demands is important to understand: this suggests that many system models are based on randomness and nondeterminism complicated with a little bit of determinism to ultimately achieve concurrent flexibility and stability. As a result, the statistical perception of reality is seen as being a more productive tool than classical determinism. The book addresses scientists of all disciplines, with special emphasis at making the ideas more accessible to scientists and students not traditionally involved in the formal mathematics of the physical sciences. The implications may be of interest also to specialists in the philosophy of science.
-Presents the ideas in an informal language.
-Provides tools for exploring data for singularities.

This volume is an historically based critical evaluation of Freud's personality theory. In it the observations Freud made are described and the theoretical ideas he put forward for explaining them are set out. The adequacy of Freud's explanations are judged against the logical and scientific standards of Freud's own time. The historical perspective will give the reader a sound basis on which to make a judgement about psycho-analysis as a method of investigation and a theory of personality as well as a sense of what Freud was about from Freud's own standpoint. Freud's endeavour is sited in the psychological and psychiatric context of the time, a period not previously given the critical attention it warrants. All of Freud's important assumptions and characteristic modes of thought are to be found in this formative period. The placement also brings out more clearly the basis of a number of the unresolved problems of contemporary psycho-analytic theory, such as the place of affect and the instinctual drives, the role of the ego, and the basis of treatment.

This book provides a comprehensive treatise on the chemical and biochemical consequences of damaging free radical reactions, the implications for the pathogenesis of disease and how this might be controlled endogenously and by radical scavenging drugs. Oxidative stress may be influenced by exogenous agents of oxidative stress, radiation, trauma, drug activation, oxygen excess, or by exogenous oxidative stress which is associated with many pathological states including chronic inflammatory disorders, cardiovascular disease, injury to the central nervous system, and connective tissue damage. This and many other such aspects are presented clearly and in depth.

The development of antioxidant drugs depends on the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the generation of excessive free radicals "in vivo," the factors controlling their release and the site of their action. This excellent volume presents an up-to-date account of the current state of knowledge in these areas.

Wave energy, together with other renewable energy resources is expected to provide a small but significant proportion of future energy requirements without adding to pollution and global warming.
This practical and concise reference considers alternative application methods, explains the concepts behind wave energy conversion and investigates wave power activities across the globe.
Explores the potential of using the power generated by waves as a natural energy resource
Considers the power transfer systems needed to do this, and looks at the environmental impacts

Hurricanes are one of the most adverse aspects of the ocean environment, with the potential to cause a disastrous event for marine systems in the ocean. This is an invaluable reference for all involved in the field of naval, ocean and coastal engineering. The work clarifies hurricane generated sea conditions necessary for the design and operation of marine systems in a seaway, and provides information for the protection of near shore / onshore structures and the environment at the time of hurricane landing.
Reveals Information vital for avoidance of disastrous events experienced by ships and offshore structures
Includes detailed analysis of hurricane sea wave data obtained by buoys

Interest in the concept of time has a long history and has been a topic of study for a wide range of investigators. No change can take place without specification of time. While philosophers and physicists have been intrigued by the concept of subjective perception of time and its relationship to real time, natural scientists have been concerned mainly with investigating time as a factor in understanding the behaviour of animals from the migratory habits of birds to the periodical breeding cycles. The immense bulk of temporal perception studies, the variety of approaches, methods of measurement and even terminology has led to a difficulty in reaching a global interpretation of the results.

This book aims to give an integrative approach of time sense and to focus the analysis on temporal factors in the processing of movement, trying to link temporal perception studies in the final common pathway, that is motion. To give some clues of human brain integrative processes at higher levels. And, finally, to clarify the neurophysiological substrate of these operations.

Since the classic studies of Woodworth (1899), the role of
vision in the control of movement has been an important
research topic in experimental psychology. While many early
studies were concerned with the relative importance of vision
and kinesthesis and/or the time it takes to use visual
information, recent theoretical and technical developments
have stimulated scientists to ask questions about how
different sources of visual information contribute to motor
control in different contexts.

In this volume, articles are
presented that provide a broad coverage of the current
research and theory on vision and human motor learning and
control. Many of the contributors are colleagues that have met
over the years at the meetings and conferences concerned with
human movement. They represent a wide range of affiliation and
background including kinesiology, physical education,
neurophysiology, cognitive psychology and neuropsychology.
Thus the topic of vision and motor control is addressed from a
number of different perspectives. In general, each author sets
an empirical and theoretical framework for their topic, and
then discusses current work from their own laboratory, and how
it fits into the larger context. A synthesis chapter at the end of the volume identifies commonalities in the work and suggests directions for future experimentation.

"Rock Mass Classifications - A Practical Approach in Civil Engineering" was written in response to the many unanswered questions regarding this subject. Questions such as - Is Classification reasonably reliable? Can it be successful in crisis management of geohazards? Can a single Classification system be general for all rock structures? Is Classification a scientific approach? Laborious field research was undertaken in the Himalayan mountains by a team of scientists from the Central Mining Research Institute (CMRI), University of Roorkee (UOR), Central Soil and Material Research Station (CSMRS), U.P. Irrigation Research Institute (UPIRI), and Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) to answer these questions. The results obtained from the research work were systematically compiled to produce this book which bears particular relevance to civil, mining and petroleum engineers and geologists.

Endorsements
"It is a Handbook of Rock Engineering" - Zhao Jian, School of Civil & Structural Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
"I came across your new book - Rock Mass Classification, absolutely fantastic" - Subodh K. Jain, U.S.A