Smart City and sensing platforms are considered some of the most significant topics in the Internet of Things (IoT). Sensors are at the heart of the IoT, and their development is a key issue if such concepts are to achieve their full potential. This book addresses the major challenges in realizing smart city and sensing platforms in the era of the IoT and the Cloud. Challenges vary from cost and energy efficiency to availability and service quality. To tackle these challenges, sensors must meet certain expectations and requirements such as size constraints, manufacturing costs and resistance to environmental factors. This book focuses on both the design and implementation aspects for smart city and sensing applications that are enabled and supported by IoT paradigms. Attention is also given to data delivery approaches and performance aspects.

Public transport in low-income Asian (LIA) cities fails to meet people's mobility needs, generates high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and worsens social exclusion. Following successful Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects in Bogota and Curitiba, LIA countries promoted BRT in their large to medium-sized cities. However, the political and institutional structure distinctive to LIA cities makes their implementation difficult. This book investigates policy tensions by examining the planning and attempted implementation of BRT projects, taking Bandung and Surabaya in Indonesia as case studies. It analyses BRT to understand how power and communication gaps in institutional relationships between different actors at multiple levels of governance create conflict, and concludes that top-down policies and funding mechanisms cause tension in intergovernmental relationships. It also found that BRT solutions generated socio-political tension arising from the socio-economic realities and local political dynamics that shaped city structure, mobility patterns and capacity in resolving conflicts. The superimposed BRT solution generated discursive tension because conflicting discourses were not aligned with local economic, social, and environmental issues. The book highlights the need to take into consideration the vital role of local social and political actors, institutions and planning processes as they respond to and shape policies that are imposed by higher levels.

This book by renowned scholar and recognised authority on Islam, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, is a discourse on the legal position of celebrating the Mawlid al-Nabi (birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)) within Islam. Most notably, the author has comprehensively compiled evidences from the authentic source texts and classical authorities to prove not only the permissibility of celebrating the Mawlid al-Nabi within the bounds of the Shari'a (Islamic Law) but also that it is divinely ordained and was a Sunna (practice) of the Prophet himself. The author presents unique and compelling arguments showing why celebrating Mawlid al-Nabi is not only an act of righteousness, but a need of our time. Tackling the various criticisms of this act head on, he specifically addresses the issue of why the first generation of Muslims did not celebrate the Mawlid, and clarifies that labelling the Mawlid as an bid'ah (innovation) betrays a fundamental and serious flaw in the understand of the Islamic concept of bid'ah.

This Springer Laboratory volume introduces the reader to advanced techniques for the separation and fractionation of polyolefins. It includes detailed information on experimental protocols and procedures, addressing the experimental background of different polyolefin fractionation techniques in great detail. The book summarizes important applications in all major fractionation methods with emphasis on multidimensional analytical approaches. It comprises the most powerful modern techniques, such as high temperature size exclusion chromatography (HT-SEC) for molar mass analysis, temperature rising elution fractionation (TREF) and crystallization analysis fractionation (CRYSTAF) for the analysis of chemical composition and branching, high temperature two-dimensional liquid chromatography (HT-2D-LC), solvent and temperature gradient interaction chromatography (SGIC and TGIC) and crystallization elution fractionation (CEF). Beginners as well as experienced chromatographers will benefit from this concise introduction to a great variety in instrumentation, separation procedures and applications. With detailed descriptions of experimental approaches for the analysis of complex polyolefins, the readers are offered a toolbox to solve simple as well as sophisticated separation tasks. The book starts with an introduction into the molecular complexity of polyolefins - the most widely used synthetic polymers with rapidly growing production capacities. It systematically discusses crystallization based fractionation techniques including TREF, CRYSTAF and CEF and column chromatographic techniques for molar mass, chemical composition and microstructure, as well as the combination of different fractionations in multidimensional experimental setups. This book also includes basic information on the application of high-temperature field-flow fractionation.

This book elucidates the peculiar phenomenon of entropy/enthalpy compensation that takes place in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of polymers. Numerous publications, including some books, are devoted to molecular characterization of synthetic polymers, materials presently produced in large and steadily growing quantities, applying methods of HPLC. A knowledge of the molecular characteristics of polymers is indispensable, not only for their proper applications but also for their recycling and remediation. Polymer scientists generally focus on synthesis and potential applications of polymers while not giving due attention to an important central link, their comprehensive characterization in context of development of structure-property correlations. To fill this gap is one of the aims of the present book. The process of entropy/enthalpy compensation plays a decisive role in the advanced method of polymer characterization such as liquid chromatography at critical conditions, eluent gradient interaction chromatography, and temperature gradient interaction chromatography. All chemists working on any aspect of polymer science will find this book a valuable resource for the development of structure-property correlations.

It is essential for an organization to know before involving themselves in cloud computing and big data, what are the key security requirements for applications and data processing. Big data and cloud computing are integrated together in practice. Cloud computing offers massive storage, high computation power, and distributed capability to support processing of big data. In such an integrated environment the security and privacy concerns involved in both technologies become combined. This book discusses these security and privacy issues in detail and provides necessary insights into cloud computing and big data integration. It will be useful in enhancing the body of knowledge concerning innovative technologies offered by the research community in the area of cloud computing and big data. Readers can get a better understanding of the basics of cloud computing, big data, and security mitigation techniques to deal with current challenges as well as future research opportunities.

For centuries Mawlid al-Nabi (The blessed birth of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him) has been celebrated across the Muslim world in a multitude of ways according to local or regional custom. Many view it as a communal expression of gratitude and joy at the birth of the blessed Prophet and Messenger of Allah (saw); while others bring into question its validity, regarding the practice as an innovation. And yet others negate its importance, with concerns about over-extravagance and unnecessary expense.
This work by eminent scholar and recognised authority on Islam, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri is a study of the permissibility of celebrating the Mawlid. In his characteristically methodical approach Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri meticulously examines references from the Quran, Hadith and opinions of early scholars to address fundamental questions pertaining to the celebration of the Mawlid: Is it a sinful deviation? Did the Prophet (saw) or companions celebrate it? Or is it permissible or even necessary manifestation of love and respect for the Holy Prophet (saw)? In a remarkably thorough and comprehensive analysis without precedent, the author examines the subject through every conceivable angle in making his case.

This Springer Laboratory volume introduces the reader to advanced techniques for the separation and fractionation of polyolefins. It includes detailed information on experimental protocols and procedures, addressing the experimental background of different polyolefin fractionation techniques in great detail. The book summarizes important applications in all major fractionation methods with emphasis on multidimensional analytical approaches. It comprises the most powerful modern techniques, such as high temperature size exclusion chromatography (HT-SEC) for molar mass analysis, temperature rising elution fractionation (TREF) and crystallization analysis fractionation (CRYSTAF) for the analysis of chemical composition and branching, high temperature two-dimensional liquid chromatography (HT-2D-LC), solvent and temperature gradient interaction chromatography (SGIC and TGIC) and crystallization elution fractionation (CEF). Beginners as well as experienced chromatographers will benefit from this concise introduction to a great variety in instrumentation, separation procedures and applications. With detailed descriptions of experimental approaches for the analysis of complex polyolefins, the readers are offered a toolbox to solve simple as well as sophisticated separation tasks. The book starts with an introduction into the molecular complexity of polyolefins - the most widely used synthetic polymers with rapidly growing production capacities. It systematically discusses crystallization based fractionation techniques including TREF, CRYSTAF and CEF and column chromatographic techniques for molar mass, chemical composition and microstructure, as well as the combination of different fractionations in multidimensional experimental setups. This book also includes basic information on the application of high-temperature field-flow fractionation.

Security and Privacy Issues in Internet of Medical Things addresses the security challenges faced by healthcare providers and patients. As IoMT devices are vulnerable to cyberattacks, and a security breach through IoMT devices may act as a pathway for hackers to enter hospital networks, the book covers a very timely topic. The incorporation of blockchain in the healthcare environment has given birth to the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), which consists of a collection of healthcare systems that espouse groundbreaking technologies. Systems consist of inter-linked sensors, wearable technology devices and clinical frameworks that perform explicit, secure machine-to-machine and cloud platform communications. The significance of IoMT in the field of healthcare is undoubtedly a win-win situation for patients through technology enhancements and a collection of analytics that helps in better diagnosis and treatment. Due to higher accuracy levels, IoMT devices are more reliable in reporting and data tracking and help avoid human errors and incorrect reporting.

Nanocarriers for Cancer Diagnosis and Targeted Chemotherapy reviews the principles and applications of nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery. Drug targeting involves active and passive strategies that exploit both the use of ligands for interactions and the physical and chemical properties of nanocarriers and micro-environments at target sites. Multidrug resistance and adverse side effects associated with anticancer drugs have attracted greater scientific attention and led formulation scientists to specifically target these drugs to target sites. Nanocarriers like liposomes, niosomes, gold nanorods, carbon nanotubes, and micelles are discussed for the delivery of drugs to specific disease sites. This is an important reference source for researchers in the biomedical and biomaterials fields who want to gain an understanding on how nanotechnology is used for earlier diagnoses and more effective cancer treatment.

The Chemical plants, particularly those manufacturing urea are amongst the most complex plants in the chemical process industry. The severe operating conditions affect the safety of equipment, personnel involved and the environment. Different occurred accidents such as Port Neal Nitrogen Fertilizer (Dec 1994), Toulouse Fertilizer complex (Sept 2001) and Coffeyville Fertilizer Plant (Oct 2010) stresses to conduct hazard studies in fertilizer plants. Urea manufacturing process is described for understanding before conducting HAZOP studies. PHA is discussed including its basics, requirements, and procedures along with techniques (HAZOP, WHAT-IF, Check List, and FMEA). The objective of this book is the identification of major malfunctions in urea synthesis section, development of systematic procedure for risk potential assessment, to identify the weak points for process improvement, to rank the potential risk scenarios and to estimate the Quantitative Risk for the worst case scenario using ALOHA software. The book will be useful for students and professionals for understanding hazard analysis techniques and its real implementation in chemical process industries.

Pakistan is facing severe natural gas crisis and all industries are suffering. Hence all efforts should be made to save natural gas from domestic use. The conventional radial flow natural gas stove burners have low thermal performance because of high convective and radiation heat losses. Swirl flow stoves have comparatively high thermal efficiency. The shape of vessel has significant effect on the performance of stoves. A swirl stove with two heating vessels (a pan and a pot) was used for experiments. Three different flame covering draft tubes were tested i.e. Ceramic mould, Aluminum draft tube and polished steel draft tube. Thermal efficiency was checked by heating water from 30 C to 80 C and determining consumption of natural gas. Ceramic mould increases thermal efficiency of swirl stove from 36 to 39.1%. The aluminum foil with ceramic mould leads to an improvement of 45.1%. Aluminum draft tube, polished steel draft tube and ceramic mould wrapped with aluminum foil showed 2.6, 3.8 and 5.6 % increase in thermal efficiency respectively. The work is useful for designing modified burners and stoves to conserve natural gas.

Molecular Characterization of Polymers presents a range of advanced and cutting-edge methods for the characterization of polymers at the molecular level, guiding the reader through theory, fundamentals, instrumentation, and applications, and supporting the end goal of efficient material selection and improved material performance. Each chapter focuses on a specific technique or family of techniques, including the different areas of chromatography, field flow fractionation, long chain branching, static and dynamic light scattering, mass spectrometry, NMR, X-Ray and neutron scattering, polymer dilute solution viscometry, microscopy, and vibrational spectroscopy. In each case, in-depth coverage explains how to successfully implement and utilize the technique. This practical resource is highly valuable to researchers and advanced students in polymer science, materials science, and engineering, and to those from other disciplines and industries who are unfamiliar with polymer characterization techniques.

Metal Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery and Diagnostic Applications addresses the lifecycle of metal nanoparticles, from synthesis and characterization, to applications in drug delivery and targeting. It is an important resource for those in biomaterials, nanomedicine and pharmaceutical sciences, exploring gold, silver and iron-based drug delivery systems for controlled and targeted delivery of potential drugs and genes for enhanced clinical efficacy. Nanotechnology is widely used in drug delivery due to its ability to reduce plasma fluctuation of drugs, high solubility, and efficiency, the relatively low cost of nanoscale products, and enhancement of patient comfort, hence this resource is a welcome edition to the science.

This book explores a number of uncommon diseases, including autism, Asperger's syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, Huntington's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, psychosis, rabies, psoriasis, and many more. Each disease is explained with regards to its symptoms, diagnosis, causes and treatment. Keywords are also included to provide a quick indication of the chapter. As such, this volume represents important introductory material for pharmacy, medical and dental students, and scholars in all other health sciences subjects.