The literature on methodological individualism is characterized by a widely held view that if the doctrine were stated with sufficient care it would be seen to be trivially true. Professor Bhargava questions this view. He begins by carefully disentangling the various formulations of the doctrine, identifies its most plausible version, and finally locates the principal assumption underlying it, namely that beliefs are attitudes individuated entirely in terms of what lies within the individual mind. Bhargava argues that once this individualist assumption is challenged it is possible to rehabilitate a non-individualist methodology which permits a contextual study of beliefs and actions, and even a study of social context relatively independent of the beliefs and actions of individuals.

Nanosensors in Healthcare Diagnostics examines the role of nanosensors in clinical microbiology, their utilization in point-of-care sensing, and their application in clinical diagnostics. The book addresses the concept of nanosensors and their utilization in healthcare diagnostics. It covers the principles and mechanisms involved in the nanosensor-based diagnostics platforms. It also discusses various approaches and techniques used in preparation of nanosensors as well as the application of nanosensors in clinical diagnostics and their significance. Nanosensors in Healthcare Diagnostics is a useful reference for researchers, graduate students, and industry professionals studying nanosensors in biological and medical sciences.

Provides concise, handy and clear reference and in-depth knowledge of various ultrasound images in relation to various disease entities of different systems of the body so as to arrive at a correct diagnosis. Serves as an essential guide to practicing radiologists, sonologists, obstetricians and gynaecologists, physicians and surgeons and also to postgraduate students in their examination.

This book is a compilation of a selected subset of research articles presented at the Eighth INFORMS Computing Society Conference, held in Chandler, Arizona, from January 8 to 10, 2003. The articles in this book represent the diversity and depth of the interface between ORiMS (operations research and the management sciences) and CS/AI (computer science and artificial intelligence ). This volume starts with two papers that represent the reflective and integrative thinking that is critical to any scientific discipline. These two articles present philosophical perspectives on computation, covering a variety of traditional and newer methods for modeling, solving, and explaining mathematical models. The next set includes articles that study machine learning and computational heuristics, and is followed by articles that address issues in performance testing of solution algorithms and heuristics. These two sets of papers demonstrate the richness of thought that takes place at the ORiMS and CSI AI interface. The final set of articles demonstrates the usefulness of these and other methods at the interface towards solving problems in the real world, covering e-commerce, workflow, electronic negotiation, music, parallel computation, and telecommunications. The articles in this collection represent the results of cross-fertilization between ORiMS and CSI AI, making possible advances that could have not been achieved in isolation. The continuing aim ofthe INFORMS Computing Society and this research conference is to invigorate and further develop this interface.

Communications, Information and Network Security is an excellent reference for both professional and academic researchers in the field of communication. Those working in space-time coding, multiuser detection, and wireless networks will find the book to be of particular use. New and highly original results by leading experts in communication, information theory, and data security are presented. Communications, Information and Network Security is a tribute to the broad and profound work of Ian Blake in the field of communication. All of the contributors have individually and collectively dedicated their work to Professor Blake.

This book provides a unified view on the state-of-the-art of cognitive radio technology. It includes a set of research and survey articles featuring the recent advances in theory and applications of cognitive radio technology for the next generation (e.g., fourth generation) wireless communication networks. The contributed articles cover both the theoretical concepts (e.g., information-theoretic analysis) and system-level implementation issues.

This is a handbook for visionaries. Making outlandish predictions about the future is easy. Predicting the future normal is far harder. For the past decade, Rohit Bhargava and Henry Coutinho-Mason have been on the front lines of exploring the global forces shaping our future normal through their work independently leading two of the most successful trend consultancies in the world: TrendWatching and the Non-Obvious Company. From donning full body haptic suits to sampling cultivated meat, their work has taken them into cutting-edge labs, private testing facilities, and invite-only showcases across the world. Now for the first time, they are teaming up to share a uniquely eye-opening vision of the future unlike any other. Across thirty fast-moving chapters, The Future Normal spotlights dozens of ideas and instigators who are changing the world. From biophilic skyscrapers to generative AI, these stories offer an optimistic yet deeply human view of the next decade. Along the way, we also tackle some of the biggest ethical and societal questions raised by all this progress. In this book, you’ll read about the ideas and instigators that are bringing about new ways to satisfy our fundamental needs and wants, changing not just their industries but also transforming our wider culture and society. These are the stories of the future normal, and they are coming sooner than you think. For anyone looking to get ready, this book will empower you to seize the opportunities that lie ahead in this crucial decade. 

This book edited by leading experts focuses on the foundation of ferrite materials since inception to its contemporary scenario including their vast applications. The contents range from the basic physics and chemistry of ferrites to its applications in telecommunication, SAR reduction, EMI shielding, hyperthermia treatment, and water decontamination. It also focuses on ferrite nanoparticles for sensing application, energy-storage applications, antimicrobial applications, corrosion protection applications, among others. This book is a useful reference to those in academia and industry.

This book is tailored designed for both researchers as well as academics teaching or introducing Advanced Manufacturing course to their classrooms. It presents the current state of research in this field of research and major challenges identified so far, for the integration of additive manufacturing into chemical processes. Unique capability of transforming materials into functional devices with specific geometry using the emerging additive manufacturing technologies has stimulated significant interest in biology, engineering and materials science, to provide custom-made designs for tailored applications. However, the applications of this emerging technology in the field of chemical sciences and engineering have started very recently. Therefore, the major focus of this book is to introduce the basic principles of additive manufacturing practices as well as advent into conventional chemical processes and various unit operations. The potential advantage of introducing these additive manufacturing technologies has the potential to scale down large scale chemical processes into small scale, which offers several advantages including lower foot print, waste reduction and efficient heat integration as well as distributed chemical manufacturing.

Energy Storage not only plays an important role in conservinq the energy but also improves the performance and reliability of a wide range of energy systems. Energy storagp. leads to saving of premium fuels and makes the system morA cost effective by reducing the wastage of energy. In most systems there is a mismatch between the energy supply and energy demand. The energy storage can even out this imbalance and thereby help in savings of capital costs. Enerqy storage is all the more important where the enerqy source is intermittent such as Solar Energy. The use of jntermittent energy sources is likely to grow. If more and more solar energy is to be used for domestic and industrial applications then energy storage is very crucial. If no storage is used in solar energy systems then the major part of the energy demand will be met by the back-up or auxiliary energy and therefore the so called annual solar load fract]on will be very low. In case of solar energy, both short term and long term energy storage systems can be used whjch can adjust the phase difference between solar energy supply and energy demand and can match seasonal demands to the solar availability respectively. Thermal energy storage can lead to capital cost savings, fuel savjngs, and fuel substitution in many application areas. Developing an optimum thermal storaqe system is as important an area of research as developinq an alternative source of energy.

Digital Libraries and Multimedia brings together in one place important contributions and up-to-date research results in this fast moving area. Digital Libraries and Multimedia serves as an excellent reference, providing insight into some of the most challenging research issues in the field.

Degradation, Mitigation and Forecasting Approaches in Thin Film Photovoltaics covers detailed descriptions of cell to module level fundamentals of photovoltaics including thin-film materials, performance, maintenance procedures and performance forecasting approaches. Designed to help readers better understand the complexities of photovoltaics, covering the most important aspects of PV cell design, fabrication and performance limiting issues coupled with case studies dedicated towards the forecasting approaches for performance degradations occurring in PV panels. Through theoretical and experimental techniques and methods for performance prediction of the PV cells and modules, this reference concludes with an analysis of the emerging PV technologies for the future. Particularly helpful to researchers because the chapters are aligned in a way that enables readers to start from the fundamentals of PVs and end up with a sound understanding of the current and upcoming PV challenges and ways to deal with them.

This book, first of its kind in the Indian context, brings together both a theoretical understanding of various aspects of the humour, aesthetics and politics of stand-up comedy, and case studies of various forms of stand-up comedy in India. This volume is interdisciplinary wherein the contributors raise pertinent issues about the role of stand-up comedy in India in contemporary times. With an increased presence of OTT platforms and internet penetration that allows for easy access to this art form, stand-up comedy in India cannot be ignored anymore. The book includes chapters on Indian stand-up comedy related to the themes of: interrogating the term ‘Indian stand-up comedy’; historical lineage of stand-up in India; the politics of language and laughter; ‘charged humour’ vs ‘safe’/profitable comedy; stand-up comics as parrhesiastes, performance of the self and comic personas; comedy and other forms of artistic expression; laughter clubs, urbanism and stand-up comedy; surveillance, censorship and trolling; the economy of production and consumption of stand-up comedy and the ‘silences’ and limitations in the contemporary form of stand-up in India.

Several nano-scale devices have emerged that are capable of analysing plant diseases, nutrient deficiencies and any other ailments that may affect food security in agro-ecosystems. It has been envisioned that smart delivery systems can be developed and utilised for better management of agricultural ecosystems. These systems could exhibit beneficial, multi-functional characteristics, which could be used to assess and also control habitat-imposed stresses to crops. Nanoparticle-mediated smart delivery systems can control the delivery of nutrients or bioactive and/or pesticide molecules in plants. It has been suggested that nano-particles in plants might help determine their nutrient status and could also be used as cures in agro-ecosystems. Further, to enhance soil and crop productivity, nanotechnology has been used to create and deliver nano fertilizers, which can be defined as nano-particles that directly help supply nutrients for plant growth and soil productivity. Nano-particles can be absorbed onto clay networks, leading to improved soil health and more efficient nutrient use by crops. Additionally, fertilizer particles can be coated with nano-particles that facilitate slow and steady release of nutrients, reducing loss of nutrients and enhancing their efficiency in agri-crops. Although the use of nanotechnology in agro-ecosystems is still in its early stages and needs to be developed further, nano-particle-mediated delivery systems are promising solutions for the successful management of agri-ecosystems. In this context, the book offers insights into nanotechnology in agro-ecosystems with reference to biogenic nanoparticles. It highlights the: * occurrence and diversity of Biogenic Nanoparticles * mechanistic approach involved in the synthesis of biogenic nanoparticles * synthesis of nanoparticles using photo-activation, and their fate in the soil ecosystem * potential applications of nanoparticles in agricultural systems * application and biogenic synthesis of gold nanoparticles and their characterization * impact of biogenic nanoparticles on biotic stress to plants * mechanistic approaches involved in the antimicrobial effects and cytotoxicity of biogenic nanoparticles * role of biogenic nanoparticles in plant diseases management * relevance of biological synthesized nanoparticles in the longevity of agricultural crops * design and synthesis of nano-biosensors for monitoring pollutants in water, soil and plant systems * applications of nanotechnology in agriculture with special refer to soil, water and plant sciences A useful resource for postgraduate and research students in the field of plant and agricultural sciences, it is also of interest to researchers working in nano and biotechnology.

This book highlights the fundamentals of ferrites and multiferroic materials with special attention to their structure, types, and properties. It presents a comprehensive survey about ferrite and multiferroic materials, in areas significant to research and development in academia as well as in industry. The book discusses various types of methods applied for their synthesis and characterizations. This book is concerned with the fascinating class of materials with the promise for wide-ranging applications, including electromagnets, magnetic fluid hyperthermia, antenna applications, memory devices, switching circuits, bio-medical applications, actuators, magnetic field sensors and water purification, etc.