This book provides researchers at the forefront of nonlinear optical technologies with robust procedures and software for the systematic investigation of the fundamental phenomena in nonlinear optical waveguide structures. A full vectorial electromagnetic formulation is adopted and the conditions under which simplification to a scalar formulation is possible are clearly indicated. The need to model the dielectric saturation properly is identified, and improved algorithms are presented for obtaining the complete power dispersion curve of structures exhibiting bistability. As the stability analysis of nonlinear modes is crucial to the development of nonlinear model methods, an effective procedure to investigate the propagation of the scalar nonlinear waves in 3D is another important feature of the book. All of the procedures described, as well as an automatic mesh generator for the finite element method, are incorporated into a software package which is included with this book.

Questions about the role and influence of think tanks in matters of foreign policy and geopolitics are both timely and important. The reconfiguration of global power, explosion of social media, shifts away from traditional print and oral-based ways of imparting knowledge, and the dramatic increase in the volume of information and ideas clamoring for the attention of policy-makers are changing the landscape of foreign policy-making and the pathways through which influence is achieved. This book explains the impact of think tanks on the framing of domestic and international conversations on matters of foreign policy and geopolitics. An international group of prominent experts examine these issues in specific countries and also across national and regional borders to better understand how governments and actors in civil society are influenced by the activities of think tanks.

This volume details up-to-date information and attempts to take the reader into the exciting realm of TGF- from the basic principles to the practical applications. Chapters provide basic introduction of TGF- signaling from the cell surface to the nucleus, methods and techniques for the investigation of TGF- signaling mechanism including receptors, Smads, intracellular kinases, microRNA, epigenetic regulation, post-translational regulations, non-Smad pathway; the physiological implications including those in cell cycle arrest, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, endothelial cells, adipogenesis, Th differentiation, stem cell, bone remodeling, ovary, zebrofish development, and frog animal capping; and the methodologies including metastasis imaging, 3D morphogenesis, membrane receptor quantification, conditional knockout, bone remodeling, kinase and phosphatase assays, BiFC interaction assays, and genome-wide siRNA screen. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, TGF-Beta Signaling: Methods and Protocols aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

Questions about the role and influence of think tanks in matters of foreign policy and geopolitics are both timely and important. The reconfiguration of global power, explosion of social media, shifts away from traditional print and oral-based ways of imparting knowledge, and the dramatic increase in the volume of information and ideas clamoring for the attention of policy-makers are changing the landscape of foreign policy-making and the pathways through which influence is achieved. This book explains the impact of think tanks on the framing of domestic and international conversations on matters of foreign policy and geopolitics. An international group of prominent experts examine these issues in specific countries and also across national and regional borders to better understand how governments and actors in civil society are influenced by the activities of think tanks.

This book offers an insiders' view into Chinese plans for a green transformation of the economy of China. Analyzing the pressures, drive, and resistance to this green transformation in China, the book explores the key fields, from green finance and green banking to green consumption and green urbanization. Furthermore, it offers a guide on how government officials will be penalized or rewarded for their successful furtherance of green objectives. This book will be of interest to climate activists, China watchers, architects, and all those invested in a sustainable future.

This book offers an insiders' view into Chinese plans for a green transformation of the economy of China. Analyzing the pressures, drive, and resistance to this green transformation in China, the book explores the key fields, from green finance and green banking to green consumption and green urbanization. Furthermore, it offers a guide on how government officials will be penalized or rewarded for their successful furtherance of green objectives. This book will be of interest to climate activists, China watchers, architects, and all those invested in a sustainable future.

Corynoneura is recognized as one of the most difficult group to classify, and there has been a long history of nomenclatural changes. Taxonomy of Corynoneura Winnertz (Diptera: Chironomidae) provides detailed and accurate taxonomy of the Corynoneura generic group and discusses the scientific basis for phylogenetic studies of Chironomidae. Taxonomy of Corynoneura Winnertz (Diptera: Chironomidae) is a useful resource for researchers and practitioners in the field of entomology, systematics, phylogeny, biogeography, biodiversity, and ecology. This book is composed of four main sections: introduction, keys, classification, and zoogeography. Coverage includes a preliminary biogeographic analysis of the worldwide fauna based on the Corynoneura generic group and species distribution data, summaries of the typical features used to classify an adult, and keys to all the Corynoneura generic group and male species of Corynoneura in the world. Over 100 species of Corynoneura are described in detail with morphological figures.

"Advanced Sliding Mode Control for Mechanical Systems: Design, Analysis and MATLAB Simulation" takes readers through the basic concepts, covering the most recent research in sliding mode control. The book is written from the perspective of practical engineering and examines numerous classical sliding mode controllers, including continuous time sliding mode control, discrete time sliding mode control, fuzzy sliding mode control, neural sliding mode control, backstepping sliding mode control, dynamic sliding mode control, sliding mode control based on observer, terminal sliding mode control, sliding mode control for robot manipulators, and sliding mode control for aircraft. This book is intended for engineers and researchers working in the field of control. Dr. Jinkun Liu works at Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Dr. Xinhua Wang works at the National University of Singapore.

This book provides researchers at the forefront of nonlinear optical technologies with robust procedures and software for the systematic investigation of the fundamental phenomena in nonlinear optical waveguide structures. A full vectorial electromagnetic formulation is adopted and the conditions under which simplification to a scalar formulation is possible are clearly indicated. The need to model the dielectric saturation properly is identified, and improved algorithms are presented for obtaining the complete power dispersion curve of structures exhibiting bistability. As the stability analysis of nonlinear modes is crucial to the development of nonlinear model methods, an effective procedure to investigate the propagation of the scalar nonlinear waves in 3D is another important feature of the book. All of the procedures described, as well as an automatic mesh generator for the finite element method, are incorporated into a software package which is included with this book.