Metal clusters are on the brink between molecules and nanoparticles in size. With molecular, nano-scale, metallic as well as non-metallic aspects, metal clusters are a growing, interdisciplinary field with numerous potential applications in chemistry, catalysis, materials and nanotechnology.
This third volume in the series of hot topics from inorganic chemistry covers all recent developments in the field of metal clusters, with some 20 contributions providing an in-depth view. The result is a unique perspective, illustrating all facets of this interdisciplinary area:
* Inter-electron Repulsion and Irregularities in the Chemistry of Transition Series
* Stereochemical Activity of Lone Pairs in Heavier Main Group Element Compounds
* How Close to Close Packing?
* Forty-Five Years of Praseodymium Diiodide
* Centered Zirconium Clusters
* Titanium Niobium Oxychlorides
* Trinuclear Molybdenum and Tungsten Cluster Chalcogenides
* Current State of (B, C, N)-Compounds of Calcium and Lanthanum
* Ternary Phases of Lithium with Main-Group and Late-Transition Metals
* Polar Intermetallics and Zintl Phases along the Zintl Border
* Rare Earth Zintl Phases
* Structure-Property Relationships in Intermetallics
* Ternary and Quaternary Niobium Arsenide Zintl Phases
* The Building Block Approach to Understanding Main-Group-Metal Complex Structures
* Cation-Deficient Quaternary Thiospinels
* A New Class of Hybrid Materials via Salt Inclusion Synthesis
* Layered Perrhenate and Vanadate Hybrid Solids
* Hydrogen Bonding in Metal Halides
* Syntheses and Catalytic Properties of Titanium Nitride Nanoparticles
* Solventless Thermolysis
* New Potential Scintillation Materials in Borophosphate Systems.
With its didactical emphasis, this volume addresses a wide readership, such that both students and specialists will profit from the expert contributions.

Although research is becoming increasingly specialized these days, which also holds for Inorganic Chemistry, "Inorganic Chemistry Highlights" intend to give an overview on new developments in selected areas of this discipline.
Scientists from all over the world present current and widely interesting contributions highlighting their research in
- molecular chemistry
- main group chemistry
- solid state chemistry
- coordination chemistry
- materials science
- bioinorganic chemistry
- related topics
The book is addressed to everyone looking out for an insight in the inorganic world beyond the own special research area.

Written specifically for scientists seeking an insight into this field outside of their own specific area of focus, this series offers a truly comprehensive overview of every area in inorganic chemistry.
In this second volume, the editors have assembled an international team of experts who provide an unparalleled look at their latest research results in:
reaction mechanisms
aluminum(I) chemistry
solid state chemistry
transition metals
structural chemistry
and many related topics.
For everyone wanting to stay abreast of developments in this increasingly specialized field.

First published 1984. The intent of the authors in organizing a AAAS symposium and this subsequent volume was to integrate the findings of aquatic ecologists whose research spans the first three trophic levels (algae, zooplankton and fish) of both marine and freshwater environments. Major topics (phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish and community interactions) are presented as, at least, two trophic-level associations by scientists who have distinctly differing perspectives. The format of papers varies from review to research and was chosen by authors on the basis of suitability to their specific topic.

First published 1984. The intent of the authors in organizing a AAAS symposium and this subsequent volume was to integrate the findings of aquatic ecologists whose research spans the first three trophic levels (algae, zooplankton and fish) of both marine and freshwater environments. Major topics (phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish and community interactions) are presented as, at least, two trophic-level associations by scientists who have distinctly differing perspectives. The format of papers varies from review to research and was chosen by authors on the basis of suitability to their specific topic.

"Understanding Empiricism" is an introduction to empiricism and the empiricist tradition in philosophy. The book presents empiricism as a philosophical outlook that unites several philosophers and discusses the most important philosophical issues bearing on the subject, while maintaining enough distance from, say, the intricacies of Locke, Berkeley, Hume scholarship to allow students to gain a clear overview of empiricism without being lost in the details of the exegetical disputes surrounding particular philosophers. Written for students the book can serve both as an introduction to current problems in the theory of knowledge as well as a comprehensive survey of the history of empiricist ideas. The book begins by distinguishing between the epistemological and psychological/causal versions of empiricism, showing that it is the former that is of primary interest to philosophers. The next three chapters, on Locke, Berkeley, Hume respectively, provide an introduction to the main protagonists in the British empiricist tradition from this perspective. The book then examines more contemporary material including the ideas of Sellars, foundations and coherence theories, the rejection of the a priori by Mill, Peirce and Quine, scepticism and, finally, the status of religious belief within empiricism. Particular attention is paid to criticisms of empiricism, such as Leibniz's criticisms of Locke on innatism and Frege's objections to Mill on mathematics. The discussions are kept at an introductory level throughout to help students to locate the principles of empiricism in relation to modern philosophy.

In the past decade, substrate noise has had a constant and significant impact on the design of analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits. Only recently, with advances in chip miniaturization and innovative circuit design, has substrate noise begun to plague fully digital circuits as well. To combat the effects of substrate noise, heavily over-designed structures are generally adopted, thus seriously limiting the advantages of innovative technologies. Substrate Noise: Analysis and Optimization for IC Design addresses the main problems posed by substrate noise from both an IC and a CAD designer perspective. The effects of substrate noise on performance in digital, analog, and mixed-signal circuits are presented, along with the mechanisms underlying noise generation, injection, and transport. Popular solutions to the substrate noise problem and the trade-offs often debated by designers are extensively discussed. Non-traditional approaches as well as semi-automated techniques to combat substrate noise are also addressed. Substrate Noise: Analysis and Optimization for IC Design will be of interest to researchers and professionals interested in signal integrity, as well as to mixed signal and RF designers.

The modern wireless communication industry has put great demands on circuit designers for smaller, cheaper transceivers in the gigahertz frequency range. One tool which has assisted designers in satisfying these requirements is the use of on-chip inductiveelements (inductors and transformers) in silicon (Si) radio-frequency (RF) integrated circuits (ICs). These elements allow greatly improved levels of performance in Si monolithic low-noise amplifiers, power amplifiers, up-conversion and down-conversion mixers and local oscillators. Inductors can be used to improve the intermodulation distortion performance and noise figure of small-signal amplifiers and mixers. In addition, the gain of amplifier stages can be enhanced and the realization of low-cost on-chip local oscillators with good phase noise characteristics is made feasible. In order to reap these benefits, it is essential that the IC designer be able to predict and optimize the characteristics of on-chip inductiveelements. Accurate knowledge of inductance values, quality factor (Q) and the influence of ad- cent elements (on-chip proximity effects) and substrate losses is essential. In this book the analysis, modeling and application of on-chip inductive elements is considered. Using analyses based on Maxwells equations, an accurate and efficient technique is developed to model these elements over a wide frequency range. Energy loss to the conductive substrate is modeled through several mechanisms, including electrically induced displacement and conductive c- rents and by magnetically induced eddy currents. These techniques have been compiled in a user-friendly software tool ASITIC (Analysis and Simulation of Inductors and Transformers for Integrated Circuits).

The history of the rare earths has entered its third century; trans uranium elements are now a half century old. Both the lanthanide and actinide ele- ments, 30 elements altogether, are f elements, meaninj that their metallic 2 1 1 electronic configurations are typically 6s 5d 4f" and 7s 6d 5f" respectively. To an elementary approximation as summarized in the 'average inorganic chemistry textbook, these configurations cause their chemistry to be described by the trivalent state accompanied by less interesting effects such as the lanthanide contraction. However, the discovery of divalent and tetravalent lanthanides and di- to seven-valent actinides hinted at the existence of more interesting although still classic solid-state and coor- dination chemistry. Metallic halides and chalcogenides and electron-poor cluster compounds have been the outgrowth of many synthetic efforts during the past 25 years or so. These days, one can say that the lan- thanides and actinides are not at all boring; the fascination arises from every element being an individual, having its own chemistry.

The modern wireless communication industry has put great demands on circuit designers for smaller, cheaper transceivers in the gigahertz frequency range. One tool which has assisted designers in satisfying these requirements is the use of on-chip inductiveelements (inductors and transformers) in silicon (Si) radio-frequency (RF) integrated circuits (ICs). These elements allow greatly improved levels of performance in Si monolithic low-noise amplifiers, power amplifiers, up-conversion and down-conversion mixers and local oscillators. Inductors can be used to improve the intermodulation distortion performance and noise figure of small-signal amplifiers and mixers. In addition, the gain of amplifier stages can be enhanced and the realization of low-cost on-chip local oscillators with good phase noise characteristics is made feasible. In order to reap these benefits, it is essential that the IC designer be able to predict and optimize the characteristics of on-chip inductiveelements. Accurate knowledge of inductance values, quality factor (Q) and the influence of ad- cent elements (on-chip proximity effects) and substrate losses is essential. In this book the analysis, modeling and application of on-chip inductive elements is considered. Using analyses based on Maxwells equations, an accurate and efficient technique is developed to model these elements over a wide frequency range. Energy loss to the conductive substrate is modeled through several mechanisms, including electrically induced displacement and conductive c- rents and by magnetically induced eddy currents. These techniques have been compiled in a user-friendly software tool ASITIC (Analysis and Simulation of Inductors and Transformers for Integrated Circuits).

The history of the rare earths has entered its third century; trans uranium elements are now a half century old. Both the lanthanide and actinide ele- ments, 30 elements altogether, are f elements, meaninj that their metallic 2 1 1 electronic configurations are typically 6s 5d 4f" and 7s 6d 5f" respectively. To an elementary approximation as summarized in the 'average inorganic chemistry textbook, these configurations cause their chemistry to be described by the trivalent state accompanied by less interesting effects such as the lanthanide contraction. However, the discovery of divalent and tetravalent lanthanides and di- to seven-valent actinides hinted at the existence of more interesting although still classic solid-state and coor- dination chemistry. Metallic halides and chalcogenides and electron-poor cluster compounds have been the outgrowth of many synthetic efforts during the past 25 years or so. These days, one can say that the lan- thanides and actinides are not at all boring; the fascination arises from every element being an individual, having its own chemistry.

When No-Bullshit Executive Personalities Hinder Performance Many executives who are valuable leaders in their organizations often don't understand why they're not advancing in their careers at the pace or level they believe they deserve given their commitment to their imperatives. Any high-performing leader (the "No-Bullshit Executive," according to author Jordan Goldrich) who has ever been identified as abrasive or even a bully will find an ally in this must-read book. These executives (termed workplace warriors by the author) make a unique and critical contribution to the success of their companies or organizations, and their warrior spirit is especially crucial in the current VUCA environment (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity). While acknowledging their unique contributions, the author encourages no-bullshit executives to lift their warrior spirit to the level of our country's greatest warriors--the Navy SEALs and the rest of the United States Special Operations community--to find the skills they need to excel. Some of Goldrich's advice takes the form of his clever tagline: The Least You Can Do. If the abrasive executives are only interested in doing The Least You Can Do to protect themselves in a politically correct world, they will find what they need. If, on the other hand, executives want to do The Least You Can Do in the sense that of the right thing to do, they will find resources to take their leadership to a higher level. Appendices and checklists fill out the advice to help the best become even better.

In The End of Judaism, Auschwitz survivor Hajo G. Meyer, a Dutch national of German-Jewish origin, expresses in impassioned terms his dismay at what he sees as the moral collapse of contemporary Israeli society and the worldwide Jewish community as a whole. Meyer is a member of "A Different Jewish Voice," a Dutch-based, secular Jewish movement that dares to openly criticize Israel's policies toward the Palestinians. In his observations, deeply colored by his personal experiences during the Holocaust, Meyer compares Israel's current policies with the early stages of the Nazis' persecution of the German Jews. He clearly explains that he is in no way seeking to draw a parallel between the current policies of Israel and the Nazis' endgame, which resulted in the mass murder of six million innocent people. What he is trying to do is simply point out the slippery slope that eventually led to this catastrophe, and the necessity of foreseeing the possible consequences of a policy that oppresses and marginalizes the Palestinians in their own homeland. As a result of his experiences in Auschwitz, Hajo Meyer claims to have learned one fundamental lesson: that his moral duty as a human being was to never become like his oppressors. The End of Judaism is the outcry of a dissident Jew who is not afraid of standing up to entrenched ways of thinking about history, and particularly about the Palestinian conflict which is one of the most intractable social and political problems in the world today.

This book was a must have for all engineers and designers of steam engines. It explains in word and picurtes almost every detail of the constrution of railway locomotives and still does provide unique and very useful information to all lovers of historic railways.