Along with finite differences and finite elements, spectral methods are one of the three main methodologies for solving partial differential equations on computers. This book provides a detailed presentation of basic spectral algorithms, as well as a systematical presentation of basic convergence theory and error analysis for spectral methods. Readers of this book will be exposed to a unified framework for designing and analyzing spectral algorithms for a variety of problems, including in particular high-order differential equations and problems in unbounded domains. The book contains a large number of figures which are designed to illustrate various concepts stressed in the book. A set of basic matlab codes has been made available online to help the readers to develop their own spectral codes for their specific applications.

Cementitious materials are being widely used as solidification/stabilisation and barrier materials for a variety of chemical and radioactive wastes, primarily due to their favourable retention properties for metals, radionuclides and other contaminants. The retention properties result from various mineral phases in hydrated cement that possess a high density and diversity of reactive sites for the fixation of contaminants through a variety of sorption and incorporation reactions. This book presents a state of the art review and critical evaluation of the type and magnitude of the various sorption and incorporation processes in hydrated cement systems for twenty-five elements relevant for a broad range of radioactive and industrial wastes. Effects of cement evolution or ageing on sorption/incorporation processes are explicitly evaluated and quantified. While the immobilisation of contaminants by mixing-in during hydration is not explicitly addressed, the underlying chemical processes are similar. A quantitative database on the solid/liquid distribution behaviour of radionuclides and other elements in hydrated cement systems is established on the basis of a consistent review and re-evaluation of literature data. In addition to recommended values, all underlying original experimental data and key experimental info rmation are provided, which allows users to trace the given recommendations or to develop their own set of key values. This database is closely tied to the safety analysis of near surface disposal of radioactive waste in Belgium. It focuses on radioelements, toxic stable elements and heavy metals, which makes it relevant for investigations involving the interaction of radioactive and conventional contaminants with cement-based barriers.

Along with finite differences and finite elements, spectral methods are one of the three main methodologies for solving partial differential equations on computers. This book provides a detailed presentation of basic spectral algorithms, as well as a systematical presentation of basic convergence theory and error analysis for spectral methods. Readers of this book will be exposed to a unified framework for designing and analyzing spectral algorithms for a variety of problems, including in particular high-order differential equations and problems in unbounded domains. The book contains a large number of figures which are designed to illustrate various concepts stressed in the book. A set of basic matlab codes has been made available online to help the readers to develop their own spectral codes for their specific applications.

Why should central banks fight against inflation? To answer this question, understanding the magnitude of welfare cost of inflation is important and becomes an active research field. Economists always make some assumptions to simplify the model from reality so that the model is tractable. But at the same time, these simplifications may affect the clear view on the source of inflation cost and affect the way to measure the cost of inflation. This book analyzes the welfare cost of inflation in a general equilibrium framework that takes into account more realistic factors in the real world, a framework with more generalized model settings of money demand side and money supply side. On the money demand side, interest-bearing deposits are introduced by applying the monetary aggregation theory; on the supply side, a banking sector is established to produce interest-bearing deposits. The research should be useful for central bankers and researchers who are conducting research on the policy of central banks, and should benefit economist, econometricians, and anyone else who are interested in general equilibrium model or nonlinear threshold estimation.

With advancements in the electronic world almost occurring on a day-to-day basis and increased availability of products to the public, it is not surprising to see a staggering increase in the generation of electronic wastes over the past decade. This book explores the management, types and challenges related to e-waste. Topics discussed include the processing of plastic materials from e-waste; challenges and opportunities of e-waste management in developing countries; an e-waste quantification study of the People's Republic of China; e-waste environmental contamination and public health effects; and recovery of valuable metals from flat panel displays of spent liquid crystal and plasma televisions.