* Elucidates the logic and practice of school-based learning communities within the context of New Curriculum Reform in China * Discusses the leadership strategies of leading professional learning innovations in school-based settings * Enriches the knowledge building of the school-based teacher learning communities around the world

This research monograph presents a new dynamical framework for the study of secular morphological evolution of galaxies along the Hubble sequence. Classical approaches based on Boltzmann's kinetic equation, as well as on its moment-equation descendants the Euler and Navier-Stokes fluid equations, are inadequate for treating the maintenance and long-term evolution of systems containing self-organized structures such as galactic density-wave modes. A global and synthetic approach, incorporating correlated fluctuations of the constituent particles during a nonequilibrium phase transition, is adopted to supplement the continuum treatment. The cutting-edge research combining analytical, N-body simulational, and observational aspects, as well as the fundamental-physics connections it provides, make this work a valuable reference for researchers and graduate students in astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, many-body physics, complexity theory, and other related fields. Contents Dynamical Drivers of Galaxy Evolution N-Body Simulations of Galaxy Evolution Astrophysical Implications of the Dynamical Theory Putting It All Together Concluding Remarks Appendix: Relation to Kinetics and Fluid Mechanics

Current Developments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering: Environmental and Health Impact of Hospital Wastewater narrates the origin (history) of pharmaceuticals discoveries, hospital wastewater and its environmental and health impacts. It covers microbiology of hospital wastewater (pathogens, multi-drug resistance development, microbial evolution and impacts on humans, animals, fish), advanced treatment options (including biological, physical and chemical methods), and highlights aspects required during hospital wastewater treatment processes. This book provides an amalgamation of all recent scientific information on hospital wastewater which is not available in the current literature.

Biomass, Biopolymer-Based Materials and Bioenergy: Construction, Biomedical and Other Industrial Applications covers a broad range of material types, including natural fiber reinforced polymer composites, particulate composites, fiberboard, wood fiber composites, and plywood composite that utilize natural, renewable and biodegradable agricultural biomass. In terms of bioenergy, the authors explore not only the well-known processing methods of biofuels, but also the kinetics of biofuels production pathways, a techno-economic analysis on biomass gasification, and biomass gasification with further upgrading into diesel additives and hybrid renewable energy systems for power generation. Further chapters discuss advanced techniques for the development of biomass-based composites, biopolymer-based composites, biomass gasification, thermal kinetic design and techno-economic analysis of biomass gasification. By introducing these topics, the book highlights a totally new research theme in biopolymer-based composite materials and bioenergy.

This book aims to introduce all aspects of Chinese civilization in a way that is easiest for readers in the Western world to understand. The first chapter of this book introduces the emergence, historical evolution and characteristics of Chinese civilization. The second chapter introduces the knowledge pedigree of Chinese civilization, which is characterized by human-centered and historical and social practice. The third chapter introduces the value pedigree of Chinese civilization with ethics and responsibility as the core and the fourth chapter introduces the national governance system of Chinese civilization in selecting and appointing talents. The fifth chapter introduces China's self-organization of mutual assistance and mutual benefit and the final chapter discusses the relationship between Chinese civilization and world civilization in the new era. Since entering the 21st century, China's economic aggregate and political influence have increased day by day. However, for a long time, the Western world's view of China has been full of various prejudices and misunderstandings which are produced by the ignorance of the history and current situation of Chinese civilization. It is hoped that readers can profoundly change their views on China after reading this book.

Industrial ecology, eco-efficiency, and green chemistry are guiding the development of the next generation of materials, products, and processes. Considerable growth has been seen in the use of biocomposites in the domestic sector, building materials, aerospace industry, circuit boards, and automotive applications over the past decade, but application in other sectors until now has been limited. Green Approaches to Biocomposite Materials Science and Engineering explores timely research on the various available types of natural fibers and the use of these fibers as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers and polymers. Emphasizing research-based solutions for sustainability across various industries, this publication is an essential reference source for engineers, researchers, environmental scientists, and graduate-level students.

Biodiesel Production: Technologies, Challenges, and Future Prospects presents approaches, technologies and source materials for biodiesel production as well as socio-economic and political impacts of biodiesel applications. This book offers a detailed overview of the benefits, impacts, and production of biodiesel. Researchers, scientists, engineers, students, policy makers, and government officials will find this book a valuable reference of comprehensive information on biodiesel production. Biodiesel Production: Technologies, Challenges, and Future Prospects presents approaches, technologies and source materials for biodiesel production as well as socio-economic and political impacts of biodiesel applications. This book offers a detailed overview of the benefits, impacts, and production of biodiesel. Researchers, scientists, engineers, students, policy makers, and government officials will find this book a valuable reference of comprehensive information on biodiesel production. Biodiesel Production: Technologies, Challenges, and Future Prospects presents approaches, technologies and source materials for biodiesel production as well as socio-economic and political impacts of biodiesel applications. This book offers a detailed overview of the benefits, impacts, and production of biodiesel. Researchers, scientists, engineers, students, policy makers, and government officials will find this book a valuable reference of comprehensive information on biodiesel production. Biodiesel Production: Technologies, Challenges, and Future Prospects presents approaches, technologies and source materials for biodiesel production as well as socio-economic and political impacts of biodiesel applications. This book offers a detailed overview of the benefits, impacts, and production of biodiesel. Researchers, scientists, engineers, students, policy makers, and government officials will find this book a valuable reference of comprehensive information on biodiesel production. Sponsored by the Biodiesel Production: Technologies, Challenges, and Future Prospects Task Committee of the Technical Committee on Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste Engineering of the Environmental Council of the Environmental and Water Resources Institute of ASCE Biodiesel Production: Technologies, Challenges, and Future Prospects presents approaches, technologies, and source materials for biodiesel production, as well as socioeconomic and political impacts of biodiesel applications. As industrialization and population increases, the need for energy is also increasing. Petroleum diesel is a major fuel source worldwide that possesses many disadvantages including decreasing fossil fuel reserves and increasing atmospheric pollution. These pollutants have significant negative impacts on the global environment and human health. Thus, it is imperative to develop alternate fuels and renewable sources of energy that are environmentally sustainable, with biodegradability, low toxicity, and renewability and are less reliant on petroleum products. This book presents a detailed overview of the benefits, impacts, and production of biodiesel. Topics include History, composition, physicochemical properties, and standards; General methods and applications of raw materials; Extraction of lipids from the oil-bearing materials; Nanotechnology and genetic engineering; Conventional methods and use of resins and adsorbents for purification; Management of coproducts; Economic evaluation and environmental impacts; and Socioeconomic and political considerations. Researchers, scientists, engineers, students, policy makers, and government officials will find this book to be an essential reference of comprehensive information on biodiesel production.