This book concisely expounds the fundamental concepts, phenomena, theories and procedures in a complete and systematic sense. In this book, not only almost all the important achievements from predecessors but also the contributions from the author himself have been summed up profoundly. Starting from the derivation of fundamental equations, various classical acoustical phenomena such as reflection, refraction, scattering diffraction and absorption in atmosphere, as well as the influences of gravitation and rotation of the earth on the behaviors of different atmospheric waves including acoustic waves, have been discussed in viewpoints of wave acoustics and geometrical acoustics respectively. The recent developments of several computation methods in the field of atmospheric acoustics have been introduced in some detail. As for the application aspects, atmospheric remote sensing has been discussed from the angle of inverse problems.

Flame retardant materials are of vital importance in guaranteeing personal security. Especially the demand for non-toxic, low smoking, polymerized flame retardants increases and new materials enter the market. The authors present the fundamental theory of polymer combustion, compare different flame retardants, describe smoke suppression mechanisms, and explain analyzing techniques for new materials.

In 2008, November 23-28, the workshop of "Classical Problems on Planar Polynomial Vector Fields " was held in the Banff International Research Station, Canada. Called "classical problems", it was concerned with the following: (1) Problems on integrability of planar polynomial vector fields. (2) The problem of the center stated by Poincare for real polynomial differential systems, which asks us to recognize when a planar vector field defined by polynomials of degree at most n possesses a singularity which is a center. (3) Global geometry of specific classes of planar polynomial vector fields. (4) Hilbert's 16th problem. These problems had been posed more than 110 years ago. Therefore, they are called "classical problems" in the studies of the theory of dynamical systems. The qualitative theory and stability theory of differential equations, created by Poincare and Lyapunov at the end of the 19th century, had major developments as two branches of the theory of dynamical systems during the 20th century. As a part of the basic theory of nonlinear science, it is one of the very active areas in the new millennium. This book presents in an elementary way the recent significant developments in the qualitative theory of planar dynamical systems. The subjects are covered as follows: the studies of center and isochronous center problems, multiple Hopf bifurcations and local and global bifurcations of the equivariant planar vector fields which concern with Hilbert's 16th problem. The book is intended for graduate students, post-doctors and researchers in dynamical systems. For all engineers who are interested in the theory of dynamical systems, it is also a reasonable reference. It requires a minimum background of a one-year course on nonlinear differential equations.

As model regions for balancing ecological with economic and social needs, biosphere reserves, by involving local stakeholders, are intended to test and develop future-oriented solutions for today's challenges in mountain regions, such as food security, poverty reduction, erosion, global warming and the conservation of biodiversity. However, the challenging task of implementing UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Reserve concept in an ideal manner may be a little over-ambitious. The reality sometimes shows a different picture. In this publication you will find various examples - good and critical ones - of mountain biosphere reserves from all over the world and read about the important roles they play as sites for conserving biodiversity, for international science collaboration, and for enhancing the sustainable use of natural resources. (Austrian Academy of Sciences Press 2011)

English summary: The Catalogus Fossilium Austriae was initiated to create a systematic catalogue of all fossils discovered in Austria. This book is the first issue of the volume Bivalvia neogenica and comprises the superfamilies Solenoidea-Clavagelloidea. The comprehensive data collection relating to each taxon (extensive synonymy lists, regional and stratigraphic distribution) and the high-quality photographic plates make this volume a basic work of reference for further studies in this and related fields. German description: Der Catalogus Fossilium Austriae ist, wie aus dem Untertitel ersichtlich, ein systematisches Verzeichnis aller auf osterreichischem Gebiet festgestellten Fossilien. Der vorliegende Band stellt den dritten Teil der Bivalvia neogenica dar und umfasst die Uberfamilien Solenoidea bis Clavagelloidea. Durch die umfassende Datenerfassung zu den einzelnen Taxa (Synonymielisten, regionale und stratigraphische Verbreitung), sowie der ausgezeichneten Bildqualitat der Tafeln ist dieser Band eine wesentliche Grundlage fur alle weiteren Studien auf diesem Gebiet.

Explains principles of solar energy semiconductor photocatalysis and systematically introduces both traditional and novel photocatalysts, including metal oxide/hydroxide photocatalysts, metal sulfide photocatalysts, and organic and plasmonic photocatalysts. The authors also demonstrate the composition and modification of photocatalysts via examples. It is well suited for laboratory researchers and industrial professionals.