The concept of network as a mathematical description of a set of states, or events, linked according to a certain topology has been developed recently and has led to a novel approach of real world. This approach is no doubt important in the field of biology. In fact biological systems can be considered networks. Thus, for instance, an enzyme-catalysed reaction is a network that links, according to a certain topology, the various states of the protein and of its complexes with the substrates and products of the chemical reaction. Connections between neurons, social relations in animal and human populations are also examples of networks. Hence there is little doubt that the concept of network transgresses the boundaries between traditional scientific disciplines.
This book is aimed at discussing in physical terms these exciting new topics on simple protein model lattices, supramolecular protein edifices, multienzyme and gene networks.
*Physical and mathematical approach of biological phenomena.
*Offers biochemists and biologists the mathematical background required to understand the text.
*Associates in the same general formulation, the ideas of communication of a message and organization of a system.
*Provides a clear-cut definition and mathematical expression of the concepts of reduction, integration, emergence and complexity that were so far time-honoured and vague

Hardbound. This book deals with numerical methods for solving large sparse linear systems of equations, particularly those arising from the discretization of partial differential equations. It covers both direct and iterative methods. Direct methods which are considered are variants of Gaussian elimination and fast solvers for separable partial differential equations in rectangular domains. The book reviews the classical iterative methods like Jacobi, Gauss-Seidel and alternating directions algorithms. A particular emphasis is put on the conjugate gradient as well as conjugate gradient -like methods for non symmetric problems. Most efficient preconditioners used to speed up convergence are studied. A chapter is devoted to the multigrid method and the book ends with domain decomposition algorithms that are well suited for solving linear systems on parallel computers.

Hardbound. This reference work covers the many aspects of Robust Inference. Much of what is contained in the chapters, written by leading experts in the field, has not been part of previous surveys of this area. Robust Inference has been an active area of research for the last two decades. Especially during recent years it has been extended in different directions covering a wide variety of models. This volume will be valuable for both graduate students and researchers using statistical methods.

"Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics "features cutting-edge articles on the physics of electron devices (especially semiconductor devices), particle optics at high and low energies, microlithography, image science and digital image processing, electromagnetic wave propagation, electron microscopy, and the computing methods used in all these domains.
Key features:

* Contributions from leading authorities * Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field

This Expert Guide gives you the techniques and technologies in embedded multicore to optimally design and implement your embedded system. Written by experts with a solutions focus, this encyclopedic reference gives you an indispensable aid to tackling the day-to-day problems when building and managing multicore embedded systems.

Following an embedded system design path from start to finish, our team of experts takes you from architecture, through hardware implementation to software programming and debug.

With this book you will learn:

What motivates multicore

The architectural options and tradeoffs; when to use what

How to deal with the unique hardware challenges that multicore presents

How to manage the software infrastructure in a multicore environment

How to write effective multicore programs

How to port legacy code into a multicore system and partition legacy software

How to optimize both the system and software

The particular challenges of debugging multicore hardware and software

Examples demonstrating timeless implementation details
Proven and practical techniques reflecting the authors expertise built from years of experience and key advice on tackling critical issues"

"Pharmacogenomics: Challenges and Opportunities in Therapeutic Implementation" includes discussions and viewpoints from the academic, regulatory, pharmaceutical, clinical, socio-ethical and economic perspectives. Each chapter presents an overview of the potential or opportunity within the areas discussed and also outlines foreseeable challenges and limitations in moving pharmacogenomics into drug development and direct therapeutic applications. This edited book contains review questions for a more in-depth analysis of the implications of pharmacogenomics and discussion points to generate ideas on best to move the field forward. Clinical pearls and case studies are used to illustrate real-life experiences and both successful and unsuccessful applications. Tables, figures, and annotations are included throughout the book to facilitate understanding and further reference.
Multi-contributed book and chapters are written by contributors who are experts in their fieldProvides perspectives from those involved in all aspects of pharmacogenomics-including academic, regulatory, economic, industry and medical-to illustrate how all of the pieces fit together and where the challenges may beIncludes case studies of both successful and unsuccessful applications so readers can consider the potential and challenges in moving the science into drug development and direct therapeutic applicationsChapters contain discussion questions and clinical pearls and enable readers to reflect on how to move pharmacogenomics forward and apply these observations and useful tips to their own work and research

A companion website offers an elaboration on key points and discussion questions and provides patient case scenarios that illustrate how pharmacogenomics may be applied to a clinical setting

This book provides a careful explanation of the basic areas of electronics and computer architecture, along with lots of examples, to demonstrate the interface, sensor design, programming and microcontroller peripheral setup necessary for embedded systems development. With no need for mechanical knowledge of robots, the book starts by demonstrating how to modify a simple radio-controlled car to create a basic robot. The fundamental electronics of the MSP430 are described, along with programming details in both C and assembly language, and full explanations of ports, timing, and data acquisition. Further chapters cover inexpensive ways to perform circuit simulation and prototyping.

Key features include:

Thorough treatment of the MSP430 s architecture and functionality along with detailed application-specific guidance Programming and the use of sensor technology to build an embedded system A learn-by-doing experience

With this book you will learn:

The basic theory for electronics design

- Analog circuits

- Digital logic

- Computer arithmetic

- Microcontroller programming

How to design and build a working robotAssembly language and C programming How to develop your own high-performance embedded systems application using an on-going robotics application

Teaches how to develop your own high-performance embedded systems application using an on-going robotics application

Thorough treatment of the MSP430 s architecture and functionality along with detailed application-specific guidance.

Focuses on electronics, programming and the use of sensor technology to build an embedded system

Covers assembly language and C programming "

Nonlinearity and Functional Analysis is a collection of lectures that aim to present a systematic description of fundamental nonlinear results and their applicability to a variety of concrete problems taken from various fields of mathematical analysis. For decades, great mathematical interest has focused on problems associated with linear operators and the extension of the well-known results of linear algebra to an infinite-dimensional context. This interest has been crowned with deep insights, and the substantial theory that has been developed has had a profound influence throughout the mathematical sciences. This volume comprises six chapters and begins by presenting some background material, such as differential-geometric sources, sources in mathematical physics, and sources from the calculus of variations, before delving into the subject of nonlinear operators. The following chapters then discuss local analysis of a single mapping and parameter dependent perturbation phenomena before going into analysis in the large. The final chapters conclude the collection with a discussion of global theories for general nonlinear operators and critical point theory for gradient mappings. This book will be of interest to practitioners in the fields of mathematics and physics, and to those with interest in conventional linear functional analysis and ordinary and partial differential equations.

"Biological Research on Addiction" examines the neurobiological mechanisms of drug use and drug addiction, describing how the brain responds to addictive substances as well as how it is affected by drugs of abuse. The book's four main sections examine behavioral and molecular biology; neuroscience; genetics; and neuroimaging and neuropharmacology as they relate to the addictive process.

This volume is especially effective in presenting current knowledge on the key neurobiological and genetic elements in an individual s susceptibility to drug dependence, as well as the processes by which some individuals proceed from casual drug use to drug dependence.

"Biological Research on Addiction" is one of three volumes comprising the 2,500-page series, "Comprehensive Addictive Behaviors and Disorders." This series provides the most complete collection of current knowledge on addictive behaviors and disorders to date. In short, it is the definitive reference work on addictions.
Each article provides glossary, full references, suggested readings, and a list of web resourcesEdited and authored by the leaders in the field around the globe - the broadest, most expert coverage availableDiscusses the genetic basis of addictionCovers basic science research from a variety of animal studies"

"Principles of Addiction "provides a solid understanding of the definitional and diagnostic differences between use, abuse, and disorder. It describes in great detail the characteristics of these syndromes and various etiological models.

The book's three main sections examine the nature of addiction, including epidemiology, symptoms, and course; alcohol and drug use among adolescents and college students; and detailed descriptions of a wide variety of addictive behaviors and disorders, encompassing not only drugs and alcohol, but caffeine, food, gambling, exercise, sex, work, social networking, and many other areas.

This volume is especially important in providing a basic introduction to the field as well as an in-depth review of our current understanding of the nature and process of addictive behaviors.

"Principles of Addiction" is one of three volumes comprising the 2,500-page series, "Comprehensive Addictive Behaviors and Disorders." This series provides the most complete collection of current knowledge on addictive behaviors and disorders to date. In short, it is the definitive reference work on addictions.
Each article provides glossary, full references, suggested readings, and a list of web resourcesEdited and authored by the leaders in the field around the globe - the broadest, most expert coverage availableEncompasses types of addiction, as well as personality and environmental influences on addiction

For many years, it has been known that when rats and mice are given a reduced amount of food, their life span is increased and they remain healthy and vigorous at advanced ages.

What is the reason for this change in the usual pattern of aging? The evidence is overwhelming that the life extension results from a slowing of aging processes. And the factor responsible is the decrease in caloric intake. The obvious question: How does this factor work? A good question - and the reason that research on the anti-aging action of caloric restriction is today one of the most studied research areas in biological gerontology. For it is felt that if the biological mechanisms of the anti-aging action of caloric restriction can be uncovered, we would gain an understanding of the basic nature of aging processes, which would, in turn, yield possible interventions in human aging. This book aims to provide the growing number of researchers in this field (faculty, postdoctoral trainees, and graduate students) with a detailed knowledge of what is known about caloric restriction within the frame of gerontology, as well as insights on future of this field.

Plasma engineering applies the unique properties of plasmas (ionized gases) to improve processes and performance over many fields, such as materials processing, spacecraft propulsion, and nanofabrication. "Plasma Engineering" considers this rapidly expanding discipline from a unified standpoint, addressing fundamentals of physics and modeling as well as new real-word applications in aerospace, nanotechnology, and bioengineering.

The book starts by reviewing plasma particle collisions, waves, and instabilities, and proceeds to diagnostic tools, such as planar, spherical, and emissive probes, and the electrostatic analyzer, interferometric technique, and plasma spectroscopy. The physics of different types of electrical discharges are considered, including the classical Townsend mechanism of gas electrical breakdown and the Paschen law. Basic approaches and theoretical methodologies for plasma modeling are described, based on the fluid description of plasma solving numerically magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations and the kinetic model particle techniques that take into account kinetic interactions among particles and electromagnetic fields.

Readers are then introduced to the widest variety of applications in any text on the market. Space propulsion applications such as the Hall thruster, pulsed plasma thrusters, and microthruster are explained. Application of low-temperature plasmas in nanoscience and nanotechnology, another frontier in plasma physics, is covered, including plasma-based techniques for carbon-based nanoparticle synthesis (e.g., fundamental building blocks like single-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene). Plasma medicine, an emerging field studying plasmas for therapeutic applications, is examined as well. The latest original results on cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) applications in medicine are presented, with a focus on the therapeutic potential of CAP with a in selective tumor cell eradication and signaling pathway deregulation.
The first textbook that addresses plasma engineering in the aerospace, nanotechnology, and bioengineering fields from a unified standpointIncludes a large number of worked examples, end of chapter exercises, and historical perspectivesAccompanying plasma simulation software covering the Particle in Cell (PIC) approach, available at http: //www.particleincell.com/blog/2011/particle-in-cell-example/

Established in 1960, "Advances in Heterocyclic Chemistry" is the definitive serial in the area one of great importance to organic chemists, polymer chemists and many biological scientists. Written by established authorities in the field, the comprehensive reviews combine descriptive chemistry and mechanistic insight and yield an understanding of how the chemistry drives the properties.
Provides up-to-date material on a fast-growing and highly topical subject area
Contains the latest research covering a wide variety of heterocyclic topics
Written by leading authorities and designed as a handbook for students and industry and academic researchers"

Bringing the hard-to-quantify aspects of lived experience to analysis, and emphasizing what might be lost in interventions if cultural insights are absent, this book includes case studies from across the Asia and Pacific regions -Bangladesh, Malaysia, New Guinea, Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Tuvalu and the Cook Islands. When Culture Impacts Health offers conceptual, methodological and practical insights into understanding and successfully mediating cultural influences to address old and new public health issues including safe water delivery, leprosy, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and body image. It contains useful methodological tools - how to map cultural consensus, measure wealth capital, conduct a cultural economy audit, for example. It provides approaches for discerning between ethnic and racial constructs and for conducting research among indigenous peoples. The book will be indispensible for culture and health researchers in all regions.
Discusses global application of case descriptionsDemonstrates how a cultural approach to health research enriches and informs our understanding of intractable public health problemsCovers methods and measurements applicable to a variety of cultural research approaches as well as actual research resultsCase studies include medical anthropology, cultural epidemiology, cultural history and social medicine perspectives

"In Situ Molecular Pathology and Co-Expression Analyses" explains, in easy-to-understand language, simplified waysof understanding and performing in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry tests. The book also focuses on straightforward protocols used to simultaneously detect two or more proteins/nucleic acids within intact tissue by doing co-expression analyses.

The fields of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry have expanded rapidly due to the use of computer-based analysis. To get the most out of these automated platforms, researchers and diagnostic biomedical investigators must have a solid understanding of the basics of in situ-based tests, protocols, and regimens for troubleshooting.

Practicing molecular pathologists, clinical chemists, and toxicologists, as well as clinicians and researchers in training, will benefit from this book's clear presentation of protocols and theoretical framework.
Includes over 200 easy-to-follow experimental protocolsFeatures chapter-ending summaries of "Key Points to Remember" to bring beginners up to speed with any seasoned veteran in the fieldOffers two chapters written by industry leaders in the fields of in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and computer software for co-expression analyses"

"Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics "features cutting-edge articles on the physics of electron devices (especially semiconductor devices), particle optics at high and low energies, microlithography, image science and digital image processing, electromagnetic wave propagation, electron microscopy, and the computing methods used in all these domains.
Key features:

* Contributions from leading authorities * Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field

Established in 1960, "Advances in Heterocyclic Chemistry" is the definitive serial in the area one of great importance to organic chemists, polymer chemists and many biological scientists. Written by established authorities in the field, the comprehensive reviews combine descriptive chemistry and mechanistic insight and yield an understanding of how the chemistry drives the properties.
Provides up-to-date material on a fast-growing and highly topical subject area
Contains the latest research covering a wide variety of heterocyclic topics
Written by leading authorities and designed as a handbook for students and industry and academic researchers"

"Epigenetic Regulation in the Nervous System" addresses current understanding of the roles of epigenetic processes at the molecular/cellular level, their impact on neural development and behavior, and the potential roles of these mechanisms in neurological and psychiatric disorders. This award-winningvolume spans molecular epigenetics, development, cellular physiology and biochemistry, synaptic and neural plasticity, and behavioral models, and is unique in covering epigenetically based disorders of the central nervous system.

Behavioral epigenetics is the study of how environmental factors alter behavior, addressing the fundamental mechanisms that shape development and individual vulnerability/resilience to adverse behavioral outcomes. By understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in epigenetic modulation, researchers may be able to develop targeted therapies for those individuals in whom it malfunctions.

Edited by the most highly regarded leaders in the field, this book offers a comprehensive review of behavioral epigenetics and a balanced treatment of the strengths and weaknesses in experimentation in this area. Covering background material as well as topics of current interest, it serves both as a cutting-edge resource and a foundational reference. The book will benefit neuroscience researchers and graduate students with an interest in the links between gene regulation and behavior, as will clinicians dealing with disorders such as addiction, depression, and schizophrenia.
2013 PROSE Award winner for Best in Reference Works and Best Single Volume Reference in Sciencefrom the Association of American PublishersPresents a unified view of epigenetic mechanisms from behavior to genes and everything in betweenDiscusses clinically relevant disorders in the context of epigenetics research, making the volume appealing to clinicians as well as basic scientistsProvides numerous practical examples for the new investigator to facilitate implementation of research in neuroepigenetics"

"Landscape Evolution in the United States "is an accessible text that balances interdisciplinary theory and application within the physical geography, geology, geomorphology, and climatology of the United States. Landscape evolution refers to the changing terrain of any given area of the Earth's crust over time. Common causes of evolution (or geomorphology-land morphing into a different size or shape over time) are glacial erosion and deposition, volcanism, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, sediment transport into rivers, landslides, climate change, and other surface processes. The book is divided into three main parts covering landscape components and how they are affected by climactic, tectonic and ocean systems; varying structural provinces including the Cascadia Volcanic Arc and California Transpressional System; and the formation and collapse of mountain systems.

The vast diversity of terrain and landscapes across the United States makes this an ideal tool for geoscientists worldwide who are researching the country s geological evolution over the past several billion years.
Presents the complexities of physical geography, geology, geomorphology, and climatology of the United States through an interdisciplinary, highly accessible approachOffers more than 250 full-color figures, maps and photographs that capture the systematic interaction of land, rock, rivers, glaciers, global wind patterns and climateProvides a thorough assessment of the logic, rationale, and tools required to understand how to interpret landscape and the geological history of the EarthFeatures exercisesthat conclude each chapter, aiding in the retention of key concepts"

The objective of Volume II is to show how asymptotic methods, with the thickness as the small parameter, indeed provide a powerful means of justifying two-dimensional plate theories. More specifically, without any recourse to any "a priori" assumptions of a geometrical or mechanical nature, it is shown that in the linear case, the three-dimensional displacements, once properly scaled, converge in "H"1 towards a limit that satisfies the well-known two-dimensional equations of the linear Kirchhoff-Love theory; the convergence of stress is also established.

In the nonlinear case, again after "ad hoc" scalings have been performed, it is shown that the leading term of a formal asymptotic expansion of the three-dimensional solution satisfies well-known two-dimensional equations, such as those of the nonlinear Kirchhoff-Love theory, or the von Karman equations. Special attention is also given to the first convergence result obtained in this case, which leads to two-dimensional large deformation, frame-indifferent, nonlinear membrane theories. It is also demonstrated that asymptotic methods can likewise be used for justifying other lower-dimensional equations of elastic shallow shells, and the coupled pluri-dimensional equations of elastic multi-structures, i.e., structures with junctions. In each case, the existence, uniqueness or multiplicity, and regularity of solutions to the limit equations obtained in this fashion are also studied.

Biomass has received considerable attention as a sustainable feedstock that can replace diminishing fossil fuels for the production of energy and chemicals. At the present moment in the oil refining, petrochemical and chemical industry, after fractionation of crude oil, various fractions are upgraded either to fuels or functionalized to produce intermediates and specialty chemicals. An analogous concept of biorefining is based on the utilization of biomass as a renewable source of carbon, which could be transformed to valuable chemicals. Although various aspects of biomass transformations are frequently discussed in the literature, chemical engineering aspects of such transformations are commonly not considered. The aim of the present book is to fill this void.

* Updates and informs the reader on the latest research findings using original reviews * Written by leading industry experts and scholars * Reviews and analyzes developments in the field

A comprehensive one-year graduate (or advanced undergraduate) course in mathematical logic and foundations of mathematics. No previous knowledge of logic is required; the book is suitable for self-study. Many exercises (with hints) are included.

This is one book of a four-part series, which aims to integrate discussion of modern engineering design principles, advanced design tools, and industrial design practices throughout the design process.Through this series, the reader will:

Understand basic design principles and modern engineering design paradigms.Understand CAD/CAE/CAM tools available for various design related tasks.Understand how to put an integrated system together to conduct product design using the paradigms and tools.Understand industrial practices in employing virtual engineering design and tools for product development.
Provides a comprehensive and thorough coverage on essential elements for product performance evaluation using the virtual engineering paradigms

Covers CAD/CAE in Structural Analysis using FEM, Motion Analysis of Mechanical Systems, Fatigue and Fracture Analysis.

Each chapter includes both analytical methods and computer-aided design methods, reflecting the use of modern computational tools in engineering design and practice

A case study and tutorial example at the end of each chapter provide hands-on practice in implementing off-the-shelf computer design tools

Provides two projects at the end of the book showing the use of Pro/ENGINEER(r) and SolidWorks (r) to implement concepts discussed in the book

Industrial/Organizational psychologists are a rather diverse group of people with a common interest in applying psychology to work settings. This is the conclusion reached by George Alliger in the opening chapter of this volume, setting the tone for the rest of the book, which attempts to expand our view of what can be considered as I/O psychology. The authors of the individual chapters are from a variety of backgrounds, not all of them directly associated with I/O psychology, and they discuss topics such as managerial success and training, as well as topics much more on the edge of I/O such as team-building and organizational theory. Thus, this volume makes an important statement about the potential diversity of our field. At the same time, it will help move us towards that diversity by providing insights and information in areas that should be, and are becoming part of the realm of I/O psychology. These insights into non-traditional topics, as well as particularly interesting approaches to more traditional areas, make this volume worthwhile and useful to almost anyone concerned with I/O psychology.