The German conquest of Denmark and Norway in spring 1940 presents an interesting study of joint strategy between ground, air, and sea forces. In this campaign, the Germans placed great emphasis on mobility, speed, and surprise. The Fallschirmjager of 1940 was a well-trained, highly-motivated force, and their participation in Operation Weserubung the codename for the Wehrmacht assault on Denmark and Norway is this subject of this book. Among the topics discussed are German paratroop operations (some of the first combat jumps of the war) against the main Danish and Norwegian bridges and aerodromes, the jump on Dombas, behind enemy lines, and also their tenacious resistance on the snow-covered grounds of Narvik.

This is the first scholarly analysis that examines the development and achievements of the American community development movement. Community development is now a multi-billion industry in the US. Hundreds of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), located in all regions of the country, have successfully forged locally-based strategies that provide affordable housing, foster business development, and provide much needed community facilities, including innumerable charter schools, in highly distressed communities in inner city neighborhoods, rural communities, and also in American Indian areas. In many areas of the US, CDFIs represent a viable alternative to the mainstream banking industry. This volume documents the positive impact the CDFI industry has had in distressed urban and rural areas in the US.

This Brief provides a comprehensive overview of Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite that is traditionally considered as exclusively vectorborne, but can be foodborne, and may lead to outbreaks of Chagas disease in consumers. The characteristics of Trypanosoma cruzi and the clinical effects of the disease are covered, including documented outbreaks, regional patterns, and epidemiology. The various transmission routes are outlined, but with specific focus on foodborne transmission. A major emphasis of this text is contamination of fruit juices with Trypanosoma cruzi in, a transmission vehicle with increasing significance in the spread of this parasite. Also outlined is the difficulty of establishing a protocol for detection in food samples. Results on survival of Trypanosoma cruzi in food matrices is considered, as well as current risk assessment procedures and regulations. Different approaches to preventing transmission, including inactivation and decontamination are introduced, but also the importance of targeted educational initiatives, and also with a focus on future detection, prevention, and prevention of contamination of foods with this parasite.

A concise account of various classic theories of fluids and solids, this book is for courses in continuum mechanics for graduate students and advanced undergraduates. Thoroughly class-tested in courses at Stanford University and the University of Warwick, it is suitable for both applied mathematicians and engineers. The only prerequisites are an introductory undergraduate knowledge of basic linear algebra and differential equations. Unlike most existing works at this level, this book covers both isothermal and thermal theories. The theories are derived in a unified manner from the fundamental balance laws of continuum mechanics. Intended both for classroom use and for self-study, each chapter contains a wealth of exercises, with fully worked solutions to odd-numbered questions. A complete solutions manual is available to instructors upon request. Short bibliographies appear at the end of each chapter, pointing to material which underpins or expands upon the material discussed.

Increasing evidence indicates that inflammatory cells and immunological cytokines can enter into the brain and modulate a number of biological and cognitive functions. Under physiological conditions, only a few immune cells, such as: macrophages, lymphocytes and dendritic cells can cross the blood-brain barrier and gain access to neural tissue. For many years, these findings supported the notion that the brain was an immunologically privileged organ. To date, increasing evidence strongly challenges this conjecture. In fact, neuroinflammation triggers a significant infiltration of immune cells into the cerebral parenchyma. The infiltration of inflammatory cells is accompanied by the release of a number of cytokines that target neurons, astrocytes and microglia. This interaction between the immune system and the central nervous system modulates many cerebral functions, such as: neural remodelling, synaptic plasticity, neurotransmitter releasing, stress-associated response, cognitive and mental disease progression, and others. The book summarises the latest discoveries, from basic to clinical science, regarding the interactions between the immunological mediators and the neural tissue under physiological and pathological conditions. In this book, it is discussed the influence of immune cells and cytokines in neural-regulated systems. Herein, the readers can find comprehensive descriptions in diverse fields, such as: lipids and obesity, neuronal activity, neurotransmission, stress pathogenesis, rheumatologic diseases, spinal cord injuries, regulation of neural stem cells, neural control of reproduction, and others. To ensure that most of readers obtain clear and complete information, all chapters have been written by prominent experts in their respective fields, who explain these topics with a very accessible language. In summary, this book represents a highly-updated compendium about the interactions between the central nervous system and the immune system that could be very useful for undergraduate students, postgraduate students, academic educators or trainers, basic science researchers and clinical physicians.

Astrocytes are the main glial cell type in the central nervous system. These cells were originally regarded as supportive cells of the brain, but increasing evidence indicates they play fundamental roles in many brain functions, such as: neurotransmitters uptake, energy homoeostasis, neurogenesis, myelination, immunomodulation, neurotrophic factor releasing and blood-brain-barrier maintenance. This book summarises the latest discoveries, from basic to clinical science, regarding the main roles of astrocytes under physiological and pathological circumstances. To ensure that most of readers obtain clear and complete information, all chapters have been written in plain language by worldwide-recognised experts in their respective fields.