This book presents the most recent research advances in the theory, design, control, and application of robotic systems, which are intended for a variety of purposes such as manipulation, manufacturing, automation, surgery, locomotion, and biomechanics.

Computational kinematics is an enthralling area of science with a rich spectrum of problems at the junction of mechanics, robotics, computer science, mathematics, and computer graphics. The covered topics include design and optimization of cable-driven robots, analysis of parallel manipulators, motion planning, numerical methods for mechanism calibration and optimization, geometric approaches to mechanism analysis and design, synthesis of mechanisms, kinematical issues in biomechanics, construction of novel mechanical devices, as well as detection and treatment of singularities.

The results should be of interest for practicing and research engineers as well as Ph.D. students from the fields of mechanical and electrical engineering, computer science, and computer graphics.

Computational kinematics is an enthralling area of science with a rich spectrum of problems at the junction of mechanics, robotics, computer science, mathematics, and computer graphics. The covered topics include design and optimization of cable-driven robots, analysis of parallel manipulators, motion planning, numerical methods for mechanism calibration and optimization, geometric approaches to mechanism analysis and design, synthesis of mechanisms, kinematical issues in biomechanics, construction of novel mechanical devices, as well as detection and treatment of singularities. The results should be of interest for practicing and research engineers as well as Ph.D. students from the fields of mechanical and electrical engineering, computer science, and computer graphics.

This book presents the most recent research advances in the theory, design, control, and application of robotic systems, which are intended for a variety of purposes such as manipulation, manufacturing, automation, surgery, locomotion, and biomechanics.

This issue of Surgical Clinics focuses on Esophageal Surgery and is edited by Drs. Thomas Fabian and John A. Federico. Articles will include: Epidemiology of premalignant and malignant tumors of the esophagus; Medical and endoluminal treatments of pre-malignant lesions and their outcomes; Staging of esophageal malignancies; Surveillance for, and management of, recurrent esophageal malignancy after endoscopic treatment; Surgical treatment for early cancers as style modality; Chemoradiation therapy as definitive treatment for esophageal cancer; Tri-modality approach for esophageal malignancies; Salvage esophagectomy; Consolidation therapy and adjuvant therapy after surgical resection: Immunotherapy or Targeted Therapy?; Palliation of esophageal cancer; Surveillance following treatment of esophageal cancer; Esophageal anastomotic techniques; Management of postoperative complications after esophageal resection; The biologic characteristics and clinical presentation of esophageal cancer; and more!