The last two decades showed an introduction of world-wide threats to the biosphere and human health due to the effects of anthropogenic activities. This book pays attention to ecological and geophysical aspects of controlling the natural environment. The scientific basis of observations, assessment and forecasting of this natural environment are treated extensively. Methods of ecological and climatic monitoring are presented and their realization in several countries are discussed. Analysis of possible climatic changes, the ozone-layer problems, the polluting of the oceans, acid rain and the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident are concrete examples presented.

Techniques in the neurosciences are evolving rapidly. There are currently very few volumes dedicated to the methodology - ployed by neuroscrentists, and those that are available often seem either out of date or limited in scope. This series is about the methods most widely used by modern-day neuroscientrsts and is written by their colleagues who are practicing experts. Volume 1 will be useful to all neuroscientists since it concerns those procedures used routinely across the wrdest range of s- disciplines. Collecting these general techniques together in a single volume strikes us not only as a service, but will no doubt prove of exceptional utilitarian value as well. Volumes 2 and 3 describe all current procedures for the analyses of amines and their metabolites and of amino acids, respectively. These collections will clearly be of value to all neuroscientists working in or contemplating research in these fields. Similar reasons exist for Volume 4 on receptor binding techniques since experimental details are provided for all types of ligand-receptor binding, including chapters on general principles, drug discovery and development, and a most useful-appendix on computer programs for Scatchard, nonlinear, and competitive d- placement analyses. Volume 5 provides procedures for the asse- ment of enzymes involved in biogenic amme synthesis and catabolrsm. Volumes in the NEUROMETHODS series will be useful to neurochemists, -pharmacologists, -physiologists, -anatomists, psychopharmacologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, and chemists (organic, analyncal, pharmaceutical, medicinal); in fact, everyone involved in the neurosciences, both basic and clinical.

This book presents the idea that innovative ways of teaching and learning are very essential to retention and growth. Presented in 15 sections, the book starts with the common sense training on education and moves on to neural network operation. Throughout the book, the art of learning, associative, cognitive, and creative learning are stated and defined. Learning simplicity, information content as related to neural network learning are discussed. The author also discusses neural plasticity and adaptability in smarter neural networks. If we know our human brain's basic abilities and limitation then a better educational methods can be implemented. Presents the idea that innovative ways of teaching and learning are very essential to retention and growth Discusses major differences and constraints between neural network and computer Presents the significances of learning simplicity and information content as related to neural network learning are included Stresses the neural network learning capabilities and limitations and their role in developing more efficient learning techniques

Techniques in the neurosciences are evolving rapidly. There are currently very few volumes dedicated to the methodology - ployed by neuroscrentists, and those that are available often seem either out of date or limited in scope. This series is about the methods most widely used by modern-day neuroscientrsts and is written by their colleagues who are practicing experts. Volume 1 will be useful to all neuroscientists since it concerns those procedures used routinely across the wrdest range of s- disciplines. Collecting these general techniques together in a single volume strikes us not only as a service, but will no doubt prove of exceptional utilitarian value as well. Volumes 2 and 3 describe all current procedures for the analyses of amines and their metabolites and of amino acids, respectively. These collections will clearly be of value to all neuroscientists working in or contemplating research in these fields. Similar reasons exist for Volume 4 on receptor binding techniques since experimental details are provided for all types of ligand-receptor binding, including chapters on general principles, drug discovery and development, and a most useful-appendix on computer programs for Scatchard, nonlinear, and competitive d- placement analyses. Volume 5 provides procedures for the asse- ment of enzymes involved in biogenic amme synthesis and catabolrsm. Volumes in the NEUROMETHODS series will be useful to neurochemists, -pharmacologists, -physiologists, -anatomists, psychopharmacologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, and chemists (organic, analyncal, pharmaceutical, medicinal); in fact, everyone involved in the neurosciences, both basic and clinical.

In recent decades it has become increasingly urgent to protect human health and wellbeing from the possible negative consequences of man's economic activities, both at the actual production sites and in areas where the im pact is felt. These negative effects have gradually become more and more widespread, presenting a major hazard to the natural environment, taking on an international character, and assuming global proportions. For the countries of Europe and North America, transport of pollutants and acid rain across boundaries is a serious problem. After the Chernobyl reactor accident, regular measurements of radioactive isotopes became im perative. It is obvious that drastic measures, including steps taken on an interna tionallevel, are required to limit the negative anthropogenic impact on the environment. Under the conditions of this growing man-caused impact on nature, the existing ecological reserves of the biosphere should be husbanded especially carefully. We must determine the regimes of rational utilization of these reserves and of judicious management of the natural environment, thereby maintaining a high quality of the biosphere and preserving nature's regener ative capacity. Reliable methods should be developed to keep the environ ment from being overloaded and to safeguard the elements of the biosphere from injury. Given such a situation, it is of particular importance to have objective information about the critical factors of the human impact and the actual state of the biosphere, as well as to obtain forecasts of its future state.

A thorough examination of lab-on-a-chip circuit-level operations to improve system performance A rapidly aging population demands rapid, cost-effective, flexible, personalized diagnostics. Existing systems tend to fall short in one or more capacities, making the development of alternatives a priority. CMOS Integrated Lab-on-a-Chip System for Personalized Biomedical Diagnosis provides insight toward the solution, with a comprehensive, multidisciplinary reference to the next wave of personalized medicine technology. A standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication technology allows mass-production of large-array, miniaturized CMOS-integrated sensors from multi-modal domains with smart on-chip processing capability. This book provides an in-depth examination of the design and mechanics considerations that make this technology a promising platform for microfluidics, micro-electro-mechanical systems, electronics, and electromagnetics. From CMOS fundamentals to end-user applications, all aspects of CMOS sensors are covered, with frequent diagrams and illustrations that clarify complex structures and processes. Detailed yet concise, and designed to help students and engineers develop smaller, cheaper, smarter lab-on-a-chip systems, this invaluable reference: Provides clarity and insight on the design of lab-on-a-chip personalized biomedical sensors and systems Features concise analyses of the integration of microfluidics and micro-electro-mechanical systems Highlights the use of compressive sensing, super-resolution, and machine learning through the use of smart SoC processing Discusses recent advances in complementary metal oxide semiconductor-integrated lab-on-a-chip systems Includes guidance on DNA sequencing and cell counting applications using dual-mode chemical/optical and energy harvesting sensors The conventional reliance on the microscope, flow cytometry, and DNA sequencing leaves diagnosticians tied to bulky, expensive equipment with a central problem of scale. Lab-on-a-chip technology eliminates these constraints while improving accuracy and flexibility, ushering in a new era of medicine. This book is an essential reference for students, researchers, and engineers working in diagnostic circuitry and microsystems.

Discusses the challenges of intercultural communication in engineering, technical, and related professional fields

Given today's globalized technical and engineering environment, intercultural communication is an essential topic for engineers, other technical professionals, and technical communicators to learn. Engineering programs, in particular, need to think about how to address the ABET requirement for students to develop global competence and communication skills. This book will help readers learn what intercultural communication is like in the workplace--which is an important first step in gaining intercultural competence.

Through narratives based on the real experiences of working professionals, "Negotiating Cultural Encounters: Narrating Intercultural Engineering and Technical Communication" covers a range of design, development, research, and documentation projects--offering an authentic picture of today's international workplace. Narrative contributors present firsthand experience and perspectives on the complexities and challenges of working with multicultural team members, international vendors, and diverse customers; additional suggested readings and discussion questions provide students with information on relevant cultural factors and invite them to think deeply and critically about the narratives.

This collection of narratives: Responds to the need for updated firsthand information in intercultural communication and will help us prepare workplace professionalsCovers various topics such as designing e-commerce websites, localizing technical documentation, and translating workplace safety materialsProvides hands-on studies of intercultural professional communication in the workplaceIs targeted toward institutions that train engineers for technical communication tasks in diverse sociocultural environmentsPresents contributions from a diverse group of professionalsRecommends additional material for further pursuit

A book unlike any other in its field, "Negotiating Cultural Encounters" is ideal for all engineering and technical communication professionals seeking to better communicate their ideas and thoughts in the multicultural workplaces of the world.

This report describes research conducted to support the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in addressing safety recommendations made by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding a train derailment that occurred near Minot, North Dakota on January 18, 2002. Engineering studies entailing analysis and testing are described, which include (1) analysis of derailment dynamics based on lumped-parameter models, (2) analysis of the structural behavior of tank car components (such as the head and shell) based on finite element modeling, (3) tank car steels characterization based on laboratory testing of samples obtained from tank cars. Specific details of the research are described. Conclusions based on the research findings to date are outlined.