This volume brings together scholars from around the world to consider how mobile communication is both bringing us together and destroying our sense of social cohesion. There is no question that uses of technology can lead to increased cohesion within personal communities. However, as social networks become inundated with mobile communication users, the contributors argue, they may become isolated and social division can take hold. Mobile Communication covers a wide range of topics, including the replacement of co-present interaction with mediated contact; analysis of mobile-based cohesion and gender; the role of media choice and its effect on the quality as well as quantity of social cohesion; mobile communication and communities of interest; and mobile communication, cohesion, and youth. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of mobile use and its impact on social cohesion are also considered. There are chapters on caravan couples in Australia, factory workers in China, young couples in Germany, citizens in Slovenia, and sports clubs in Ireland. There is also research on drunken calls between university students in the U.S., calls among international students in Switzerland who strive to keep in contact, and communications by immigrant women in Melbourne, Australia.

A First Course in Differential Equations, Modeling, and Simulation shows how differential equations arise from applying basic physical principles and experimental observations to engineering systems. Avoiding overly theoretical explanations, the textbook also discusses classical and Laplace transform methods for obtaining the analytical solution of differential equations. In addition, the authors explain how to solve sets of differential equations where analytical solutions cannot easily be obtained. Incorporating valuable suggestions from mathematicians and mathematics professors, the Second Edition: Expands the chapter on classical solutions of ordinary linear differential equations to include additional methods Increases coverage of response of first- and second-order systems to a full, stand-alone chapter to emphasize its importance Includes new examples of applications related to chemical reactions, environmental engineering, biomedical engineering, and biotechnology Contains new exercises that can be used as projects and answers to many of the end-of-chapter problems Features new end-of-chapter problems and updates throughout Thus, A First Course in Differential Equations, Modeling, and Simulation, Second Edition provides students with a practical understanding of how to apply differential equations in modern engineering and science.