Design of Deep Braced Excavation in Urban Geotechnical Environments presents the design and calculation of deep braced excavation in urban geotechnical environments considering the soil characteristics of spatial variability and anisotropy, as well as excavation responses of urban adjacent utilities such as pipelines, tunnels, foundation piles and buildings. With economic development and further urbanization, excavation goes deeper, longer, and larger in scale. These conditions require advanced analysis and design methods. The text begins with coverage of overall stability, earth pressure and strut force, retaining wall responses, and ground movements. Numerical modeling and computer codes are outlined in detail. The authors then take a close look at the design of jet grouting for deformation control, instrumentation and back analysis for excavation, and the characteristics of deep braced excavation in complex geological environment. The final chapters conclude with an examination of the determination of excavation responses of urban adjacent utilities and failure analysis based on several case histories. This book provides the latest knowledge in both theory and practical application for geotechnical design engineers working on deep excavation problems.

Recently the use of sub/supercritical CO2 has received much attention as a green alternative to organic solvents for chemical processes because of its pressure-tunable physicochemical properties and economic advantages. But, the advantages are diminished because of a narrow range of CO2-soluble materials. The goal of this work is to identify and design oxygenated hydrocarbon-based CO2-soluble polymers that are able to serve as construction blocks for CO2 soluble materials. Without concerning on the cost and the environmental persistence like fluorinated materials, the inexpensive and environmentally benign materials would significantly enhance the viability of CO2-based technology. We proposed specific new polymer structures: poly (3-acetoxy oxetane), poly (vinyl methoxymethyl ether), and cellulose triacetate oligomers. Phase behavior studies were also performed with CO2-philic compounds containing vinyl acetate, propylene glycol, or tert- butyl groups. New non-fluorous CO2-soluble materials were identified, which were acetate-rich with flexible chains, weak self-interactions, and multidentate interaction between CO2 and the functional groups.

Retinoic acid (RA) is a signalling molecule involved in many important pathways in every cell. When RA binds to RA receptors and activates them, cell cycle arrest, differentiation and apoptosis can occur. In this book, the authors present topical research in the study of the structure, mechanisms and roles in disease of retinoic acid. Topics discussed include retinoid signalling in mammalian inner ear development; nuclear receptors for retinoids involved in the control of expression activity of p-glycoprotein; retinoic acid signaling and immunotherapy of cancer; using retinoic acid in molecular medicine and retinol/vitamin A signalling and self-renewal of stem cells.

Plasmonic nanostructures provide new ways of manipulating the flow of light with nanostructures and nanoparticles exhibiting optical properties never before seen in the macro-world. Covering plasmonic technology from fundamental theory to real world applications, this work provides a comprehensive overview of the field. * Discusses the fundamental theory of plasmonics, enabling a deeper understanding of plasmonic technology * Details numerical methods for modeling, design and optimization of plasmonic nanostructures * Includes step-by-step design guidelines for active and passive plasmonic devices, demonstrating the implementation of real devices in the standard CMOS nanoscale electronic-photonic integrated circuit to help cut design, fabrication and characterisation time and cost * Includes real-world case studies of plasmonic devices and sensors, explaining the benefits and downsides of different nanophotonic integrated circuits and sensing platforms. Ideal for researchers, engineers and graduate students in the fields of nanophotonics and nanoelectronics as well as optical biosensing.

A valuable contribution to the taxonomy of ladybird beetles in this region. True ladybirds, classified in the tribe Coccinellini, are easily recognisable by their relatively large and shiny bodies and contrasting colour patterns. They are one of the most widely studied groups of beetles, being of economic importance and used as model organisms in biological and ecological research. Ladybird Beetles of the Australo-Pacific Region covers 22 genera and 95 valid species, including 12 new species, of ladybird beetles from Australia, New Guinea and the Pacific area. For each species, descriptions, illustrations and keys will assist with the correct identification of ladybirds from this large but practically unknown fauna. This book is a valuable contribution to the taxonomy of ladybird beetles and to the knowledge of the biodiversity of this unique biogeographic region. It will be of use to entomologists, biologists, ecologists, quarantine officers, natural history museum curators and students.