This book introduces readers to the concept and theories of decent work and provides a framework for measuring it at the micro, meso and macro level in a given country. Further, it addresses the importance of measuring decent work in today's world and in connection with the different challenges countries face depending on their respective stage of development. The essence of the book lies in highlighting the practical applications of decent work in terms of its ability to deliver empirical measurements of qualitative and subjective phenomena with a mixed-methods approach combining tools and techniques from economics and statistics. Moreover, as the applicability of decent work is not confined to the IT industry and formal sectors of the economy, the book also provides useful guidelines on how further empirical studies can be undertaken to measure decent work in non-IT industries. As such, the book offers a rich compilation of empirical and theoretical contributions on decent work designed to not only enrich readers' understanding, but also promote awareness of the practical relevance and technical aspects of the subject matter.

This book introduces readers to the concept and theories of decent work and provides a framework for measuring it at the micro, meso and macro level in a given country. Further, it addresses the importance of measuring decent work in today's world and in connection with the different challenges countries face depending on their respective stage of development. The essence of the book lies in highlighting the practical applications of decent work in terms of its ability to deliver empirical measurements of qualitative and subjective phenomena with a mixed-methods approach combining tools and techniques from economics and statistics. Moreover, as the applicability of decent work is not confined to the IT industry and formal sectors of the economy, the book also provides useful guidelines on how further empirical studies can be undertaken to measure decent work in non-IT industries. As such, the book offers a rich compilation of empirical and theoretical contributions on decent work designed to not only enrich readers' understanding, but also promote awareness of the practical relevance and technical aspects of the subject matter.

The properties of new nanoscale materials, their fabrication and applications, as well as the operational principles of nanodevices and systems, are solely determined by quantum-mechanical laws and principles. This textbook introduces engineers to quantum mechanics and the world of nanostructures, enabling them to apply the theories to numerous nanostructure problems. The textbook covers the fundamentals of quantum mechanics, including uncertainty relations, the Schrodinger equation, perturbation theory, and tunneling. These are then applied to a quantum dot, the smallest artificial atom, and compared to hydrogen, the smallest atom in nature. Nanoscale objects with higher dimensionality, such as quantum wires and quantum wells, are introduced, as well as nanoscale materials and nanodevices. Numerous examples throughout the text help students to understand the material.

Sustainable Biodiesel: Real World Designs, Economics and Applications offers a unique, integrated approach that combines cutting-edge research results and the day-to-day aspects of biodiesel production at the industrial level. The book brings together experienced academics and recognized industry experts to explore the most practical elements of research and discuss limitations and future needs in the industry. Sections discuss biodiesel-based biorefineries, feedstock supply chains, reactor technologies and processes for biodiesel production. In addition, the authors examine biodiesel plants from the point-of-view of design, operation, quality control, lifecycle costing (LCC), life cycle assessment, and environmental and exergetic sustainability, and more. This book provides both researchers and practitioners in the field of biomass and biofuels with a well-rounded understanding of how the technologies developed in the lab can be deployed in the industry at commercial scale in a sustainable and cost-efficient way.

"It was a refreshing, old-fashioned pleasure to read Julie Scott Meisami's verse translation of, and introduction and notes to, this twelfth-century Persian allegorical romance." -Orhan Pahmuk, in the Times Literary Supplement

Globally, the demand for electricity is increasing significantly and thus there is a need for more power generation. As a result, environmental pollution from burning fossil fuels is accelerating climate change at an unprecedented pace, as evidenced by recent extreme weather events across the world. As such, several paradigm shifts in power and energy systems are happening to protect the environment, societies, and economies against climate change. As the world is planning for a future with low carbon emissions, today’s power system is transitioning from its existing traditional hierarchical structure to a more decentralized framework through innovative energy management techniques, such as peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing. Due to the potential benefits that P2P sharing can offer to electricity prosumers, consumers, and the grid, research, development, and pilot trials of P2P are advancing rapidly. To capture these developments in this emerging energy management paradigm, present in this monograph is a comprehensive review of various features of P2P sharing. To do so, first introduced is the network and market structures that are required to facilitate P2P sharing within a local community. Thereafter, a comprehensive overview of various challenges of P2P energy-sharing mechanisms at both virtual and physical layers is provided, followed by a discussion of technical approaches used in literature to address these challenges. Third, some emerging technological innovations that will be relevant to, and important for, the development of P2P sharing in future markets are introduced and discussed. Fourth, a summary of existing pilot P2P projects is provided, and this is followed by a summary of potential future research directions and a conclusion. Thus, by providing a holistic view of challenges and contributions to both virtual and physical layers of P2P energy systems simultaneously and in a structured way, this monograph delivers a comprehensive understanding of the core challenges that hinder the integration of P2P sharing in the current market model.

NIZAMI THE TREASURY OF MYSTERIES Translation & Introduction Paul Smith "The Makhzanol Asrar (The Treasury of Mysteries), the most beautiful mystic poem in the Persian language, has both perfection of language and grandeur of thought. Every line of his Treasury of Mysteries is a living witness to his absolute certainty that piety, devotion, humility and self-forgetfulness are the corner stones of total annihilation, which in turn is necessary for unification with God and the foundation of the edifice of eternal life." G. H. Darab. Senior lecturer in Persian. University of London. Paul Smith has kept to the correct rhyme-structure while retaining the meaning and beauty of the original in simple, understandable, poetic English. He has written a long Introduction on the Life of Nizami and chapters on each of his books of poetry. Bibliography. 251 pages. COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'. "It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished. If he comes to Iran I will kiss the fingertips that wrote such a masterpiece inspired by the Creator of all." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran. "Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator in English into Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart. "I was very impressed with the beauty of these books." Dr. R.K. Barz. Faculty of Asian Studies, Australian National University. "Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz." Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author). Paul Smith is a poet, author and translator of over 80 books of Sufi poets of the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Hindi, Pashtu and other languages... including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Omar Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Baba Farid, Mu'in, Amir Khusrau, Lalla Ded and others, and his own poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and screenplays.