Technology Assessment processes can be taken as a paradigm for interdisciplinary research. It is expected that interdisciplinary Technology Assessment is able to find solutions for actual sociopolitical problems that go beyond those expected from one individual scientific discipline alone. The common notion, that for tasks like this different disciplinary perspectives should be brought together, confronts the fact that there is no common notion on how interdisciplinary research should be done. In the present volume European experts of Technology Assessment present their perspectives on interdisciplinary research. Many focus on methodology, policy consulting, and participation of stakeholders, non-experts and citizens. Others present concrete case studies concerning climate change and health care. Each contribution is commented by an other scientist. The result is a discussion-like examination of the connection between interdisciplinarity and the main subjects of Technology Assesment.

Massively Parallel Systems (MPSs) with their scalable computation and storage space promises are becoming increasingly important for high-performance computing. The growing acceptance of MPSs in academia is clearly apparent. However, in industrial companies, their usage remains low. The programming of MPSs is still the big obstacle, and solving this software problem is sometimes referred to as one of the most challenging tasks of the 1990's. The 1994 working conference on "Programming Environments for Massively Parallel Systems" was the latest event of the working group WG 10.3 of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) in this field. It succeeded the 1992 conference in Edinburgh on "Programming Environments for Parallel Computing". The research and development work discussed at the conference addresses the entire spectrum of software problems including virtual machines which are less cumbersome to program; more convenient programming models; advanced programming languages, and especially more sophisticated programming tools; but also algorithms and applications.

Die Beurteilung von Technikfolgen soll in den fruhen Stadien der Technikentwick- lung stattfinden. Damit lassen sich einerseits teure Fehlinvestitionen verhindern, an- dererseits besteht durch das Vorhandensein einer solchen Beurteilung die Moeglich- keit, dass eine breite gesellschaftliche Diskussion auf der Basis wissenschaftlicher Argumente stattfinden kann. Dieser Rationalitatsgewinn kann dafur sorgen, dass in gesellschaftlichen Konflikten erst gar nicht auf- verhartete Diskussionsfronten kommen. Mit dem Projekt "Robotik. Optionen der Ersetzbarkeit des Menschen" hat die Europaische Akademie zur Erforschung von Folgen wissenschaftlich-technischer Entwicklungen Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler GmbH versucht, eine Rationale Tech- nikfolgenbeurteilung von autonomen Robotern zu einem Zeitpunkt zu beginnen, an dem verschiedene Forschungslabors bereits uber hoch entwickelte Prototypen von Service-Robotern verfugten. Eine breitere gesellschaftliche Diskussion begann in Deutschland erst Mitte des vergangenen Jahres. Sie findet erstaunlicherwei- se nicht auf den Wissenschaftsseiten der Presse statt, sondern im Feuilleton, und dementsprechend weniger auf wissenschaftliche Fakten als auf persoenliche Visio- nen Einzelner bezogen. Die in diesem Band der Schriftenreihe "Wissenschafts- ethik und Technikfolgenbeurteilung" prasentierten Ergebnisse einer interdiszipli- naren Arbeitsgruppe stellen einen wichtigen Beitrag zu dieser Diskussion dar und tragen dazu bei, die Diskussion auf einer rationalen Ebene weiterzufuhren. Die gemeinsame Autorenschaft von acht Wissenschaftlern kann als "Prufstein" fur die Qualitat der interdisziplinaren Forschung angesehen werden: Fragen hoher gesellschaftlicher Relevanz werden aus wissenschaftlichen und aus verschiedenen gesellschafts-politischen Perspektiven beantwortet mit dem Ziel, politisch umsetz- bare Handlungsempfehlungen im Konsens zu verabschieden. Ich danke den Mitglie- dern der Projektgruppe vor allem dafur, dass sie diese komplexe Aufgabe in ihrer zweijahrigen Arbeit mit grossem persoenlichen Einsatz bewaltigt haben.

Technology Assessment processes can be taken as a paradigm for interdisciplinary research. It is expected that interdisciplinary Technology Assessment is able to find solutions for actual sociopolitical problems that go beyond those expected from one individual scientific discipline alone. The common notion, that for tasks like this different disciplinary perspectives should be brought together, confronts the fact that there is no common notion on how interdisciplinary research should be done. In the present volume European experts of Technology Assessment present their perspectives on interdisciplinary research. Many focus on methodology, policy consulting, and participation of stakeholders, non-experts and citizens. Others present concrete case studies concerning climate change and health care. Each contribution is commented by an other scientist. The result is a discussion-like examination of the connection between interdisciplinarity and the main subjects of Technology Assesment.

Die Beurteilung von Technikfolgen soll in den fruhen Stadien der Technikentwick- lung stattfinden. Damit lassen sich einerseits teure Fehlinvestitionen verhindern, an- dererseits besteht durch das Vorhandensein einer solchen Beurteilung die Moeglich- keit, dass eine breite gesellschaftliche Diskussion auf der Basis wissenschaftlicher Argumente stattfinden kann. Dieser Rationalitatsgewinn kann dafur sorgen, dass in gesellschaftlichen Konflikten erst gar nicht auf- verhartete Diskussionsfronten kommen. Mit dem Projekt "Robotik. Optionen der Ersetzbarkeit des Menschen" hat die Europaische Akademie zur Erforschung von Folgen wissenschaftlich-technischer Entwicklungen Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler GmbH versucht, eine Rationale Tech- nikfolgenbeurteilung von autonomen Robotern zu einem Zeitpunkt zu beginnen, an dem verschiedene Forschungslabors bereits uber hoch entwickelte Prototypen von Service-Robotern verfugten. Eine breitere gesellschaftliche Diskussion begann in Deutschland erst Mitte des vergangenen Jahres. Sie findet erstaunlicherwei- se nicht auf den Wissenschaftsseiten der Presse statt, sondern im Feuilleton, und dementsprechend weniger auf wissenschaftliche Fakten als auf persoenliche Visio- nen Einzelner bezogen. Die in diesem Band der Schriftenreihe "Wissenschafts- ethik und Technikfolgenbeurteilung" prasentierten Ergebnisse einer interdiszipli- naren Arbeitsgruppe stellen einen wichtigen Beitrag zu dieser Diskussion dar und tragen dazu bei, die Diskussion auf einer rationalen Ebene weiterzufuhren. Die gemeinsame Autorenschaft von acht Wissenschaftlern kann als "Prufstein" fur die Qualitat der interdisziplinaren Forschung angesehen werden: Fragen hoher gesellschaftlicher Relevanz werden aus wissenschaftlichen und aus verschiedenen gesellschafts-politischen Perspektiven beantwortet mit dem Ziel, politisch umsetz- bare Handlungsempfehlungen im Konsens zu verabschieden. Ich danke den Mitglie- dern der Projektgruppe vor allem dafur, dass sie diese komplexe Aufgabe in ihrer zweijahrigen Arbeit mit grossem persoenlichen Einsatz bewaltigt haben.

Einf hrung in die Organisation der Produktion in Industriebetrieben, die Fragen der Produktionsziele, Wirtschaftlichkeit, Aufgaben der an der Produktion beteiligten Funktionsbereiche sowie ganzheitliche Konzepte der modernen Produktion und Methoden der Produktionsoptimierung behandelt. Das Buch liefert ein Grundverst ndnis f r die Funktionsweise industriell arbeitender Unternehmen und f r die Konzepte von Planung, Betriebs- und Leistungsoptimierung von Produktionsbetrieben.

Victorian Literary Cultures: Studies in Textual Subversion provides readers with close textual analyses regarding the role of subversive acts or tendencies in Victorian literature. By drawing clear cultural contexts for the works under review-including such canonical texts as Dracula, Jane Eyre, Middlemarch, and stories featuring Sherlock Holmes-the critics in this anthology offer groundbreaking studies of subversion as a literary motif. For some late nineteenth-century British novelists, subversion was a central aspect of their writerly existence. Although-or perhaps because-most Victorian authors composed their works for a general and mixed audience, many writers employed strategies designed to subvert genteel expectations. In addition to using coded and oblique subject matter, such figures also hid their transgressive material "in plain sight." While some writers sought to critique, and even destabilize, their society, others juxtaposed subversive themes and aesthetics negatively with communal norms in hopes of quashing progressive agendas.

Scholarly responses to Henry Miller's works have never been numerous and for many years Miller was not a fashionable writer for literary studies. In fact, there exist only three collections of essays concerning Henry Miller's oeuvre. Since these books appeared, a new generation of international Miller scholars has emerged, one that is re-energizing critical readings of this important American Modernist. Henry Miller: New Perspectives presents new essays on carefully chosen themes within Miller and his intellectual heritage to form the most authoritative collection ever published on this author.

Victorian Literary Cultures: Studies in Textual Subversion provides readers with close textual analyses regarding the role of subversive acts or tendencies in Victorian literature. By drawing clear cultural contexts for the works under review-including such canonical texts as Dracula, Jane Eyre, Middlemarch, and stories featuring Sherlock Holmes-the critics in this anthology offer groundbreaking studies of subversion as a literary motif. For some late nineteenth-century British novelists, subversion was a central aspect of their writerly existence. Although-or perhaps because-most Victorian authors composed their works for a general and mixed audience, many writers employed strategies designed to subvert genteel expectations. In addition to using coded and oblique subject matter, such figures also hid their transgressive material "in plain sight." While some writers sought to critique, and even destabilize, their society, others juxtaposed subversive themes and aesthetics negatively with communal norms in hopes of quashing progressive agendas.

Retirement Sparks serves up humorous observations on the retirement process and the ensuing life transition. It is a collection of blog posts and columns by social satirist Elaine M. Decker. Those who are familiar with her earlier work will recognize her edgy, irreverent and self-deprecating style. Retirement Sparks came about when Ms. Decker began laying the groundwork for her retirement. The process to apply for Medicare was confusing and the paperwork from providers was pervasive. She started blogging about it at RetirementSparks.blogspot.com. Over time, her topics broadened from Medicare and Social Security to downsizing, planning and other retirement-related issues. Her posts address the adjustments people make as they move into retirement life. This book includes the cream of the first year of RetirementSparks and two earlier pieces for those approaching retirement. The book is organized into six sections: Social Security, Medicare and Other Healthcare Issues, Downsizing for Retirement, Retirement Planning, What To Do in Retirement, General Observations on Retirement, and Miscellaneous Musings on Retirement. A sampling of posts includes: Acronyms for the Jargon, Alcohol Really Is Medicinal, Crankypants, The Fine Art of Napping, Patron Saint of Retirees, Retirement Commandments, Retirochondria and Species of Retirees. Retirement Sparks is an easy read that should be appreciated by anyone who is approaching retirement, as well as by those who are already there. Ms. Decker has been writing opinion pieces for decades. Her work has appeared in such publications as The New York Times, Marketing News, The Privacy Journal and Advertising Age. She now has a regular column on retirement in the monthly RI publication, Prime Time.

The current state of the military is a force that is reduced in size but still maintains a high and expanding operational tempo. Doing "more with less" is a common phrase heard throughout the military ranks. Many times that means fewer people working longer hours with fewer resources to do a job that has not been reduced in scope to match the reduced force structure. In the spirit of transformation, the military has resorted to using civilian contractors to fill the gap left by a reduced force structure. The military actually has a long history of hiring commercial air transport companies to transport forces and companies that have specialized technical skills that aid military training and development. A more recent development is commercial security forces, like Blackwater USA, which have been utilized in Iraq to augment thinly stretched conventional forces.1 Blackwater USA gives the Department of Defense (DOD) and the military some employment options but also raises many questions of cost, liability and professionalism.

Retirement Sparks Again is the continuation of Retirement Sparks, humorous reflections on retirement and the ensuing life transition. It's a collection of year two of blog posts by social satirist Elaine M. Decker, once again showcasing her signature style-edgy, irreverent and self-deprecating. If you're looking for a funny read about retirement, this is your book. Retirement Sparks Again is organized into four sections: Retirement Updates, Retirement Stresses and Pet Peeves, Retirement Tools & Tips, and Retirement Pleasures. It's an easy read that should be appreciated by anyone who is approaching retirement, as well as by those who are already there. An advance review from a regular reader says it all. "This book is even edgier than the first one. I don't know where Elaine Decker comes up with these crazy ideas, but they always leave me laughing out loud." Ms. Decker has been writing opinion pieces for decades. She has a regular column on retirement in the Rhode Island Publication Prime Time. Her work has also appeared in The New York Times, Marketing News and The Privacy Journal.

CANCER: A Coping Guide is written through the lens of men and women who have personally battled cancer, in language that everyone can understand. Its three sections provide practical advice for coping with virtually any form of cancer. The first section, "Big C, Little cs," explores the range of emotions experienced by someone coping with cancer treatment. It also covers the difficulties with interpersonal relationships during this stressful time. The second section, "Cancer Dos and Don'ts," is a guide to talking to someone fighting the disease. The author has learned that many people have no idea what to say to a loved one with this disease. Equally importantly, they have no idea what not to say. You'll find ten dos and don'ts to help with this. The final section is a humorous foray into what it means to be bald including Ten Reasons It's Good To Be Bald. "It's Good To Be Bald" is guaranteed to end your reading of CANCER: A Coping Guide with a smile. Elaine M. Decker is a writer who is also a cancer survivor. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she began keeping a journal of her own thoughts and experiences, along with those of others coping with many forms of cancer. Her retirement has afforded her the time to collect all of this into a book. Cancer: A Coping Guide has been twenty-two years in the making. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Marketing News and The Privacy Journal. Selections from her blog and book, Retirement Sparks, appear in her monthly column in the RI publication, Prime Time.

For twins Amanda and Tyler exploring with their sister Francesca and her friend Sally was always a great adventure. But when they stumbled upon the ancient mansion on the hill, little did they know the secrets it contained. Long ago something terrible had happened there. But every ten years time reverses and there is the chance to solve the mystery and right the wrong. Will they have the courage and daring to see it through?

On the last day of December 1780 John Adams wrote that he had just spent "the most anxious and mortifying Year of my whole Life." He had resided first at Paris, then at Amsterdam, attempting, without success, to open Anglo-American peace negotiations and to raise a Dutch loan. In volumes 9 and 10 of the "Papers of John Adams," over 600 letters and documents that Adams sent to and received from numerous correspondents in Europe and America provide an unparalleled view of Adams' diplomacy and a wealth of detail on the world in which he lived.

These volumes chronicle Adams' efforts to convince the British people and their leaders that Britain's economic survival demanded an immediate peace; his "snarling growling" debate with the French foreign minister, the Comte de Vergennes, over the proper Franco-American relationship; and his struggle to obtain a loan in the Netherlands, where policies were dictated by Mammon rather than republican virtue. Adams' writings, diplomatic dispatches, and personal correspondence all make clear the scope of his intelligence gathering and his propaganda efforts in the British, French, and Dutch press. The letters reflect his interest in Bordeaux wines, the fate of Massachusetts' Constitution that he had drafted in 1779, and political developments in Philadelphia, Boston, London, and St. Petersburg. The volumes leave no doubt as to John Adams' unwavering commitment to the American cause. Even in this most difficult year, he believed the revolution in America to be "the greatest that ever took Place among Men." He felt honored to serve a new nation where "the Wisdom and not the Man is attended to," whose citizens were fighting a "People's War" from which the United States would inevitably emerge victorious to take its rightful place on the world stage.

Scholarly responses to Henry Miller's works have never been numerous and for many years Miller was not a fashionable writer for literary studies. In fact, there exist only three collections of essays concerning Henry Miller's oeuvre. Since these books appeared, a new generation of international Miller scholars has emerged, one that is re-energizing critical readings of this important American Modernist. Henry Miller: New Perspectives presents new essays on carefully chosen themes within Miller and his intellectual heritage to form the most authoritative collection ever published on this author.

Communist China is lying, cheating, and stealing its way into becoming a global superpower, and President Obama is not only letting this happen but helping. This book reveals how China's rapid rise directly correlates with America's decline--and the dangerous consequences this trend holds. Exposing how China is openly threatening us, "Bowing to Beijing" is an all-encompassing look at China's destruction of traditional American industries, its far-reaching espionage tactics, its strategic military buildup and weapons smuggling, and Obama's AWOL attitude toward the Chinese threat.