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Phononic and Electronic Excitations in Complex Oxides Studied with Advanced Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy Techniques (Springer Theses)

This PhD thesis reports on investigations of several oxide-based materials using advanced infrared and Raman spectroscopy techniques and in combination with external stimuli such as high magnetic or electric field, sptial confinement in thin film heterostructures and the radiation with UV light. This leads to new results in the fields of superconductivity, electronic polarization states and nanoscale phenomena.Among these, the observation of anomalous polar moments is of great relevance for understanding the electric-field-induced metal-to-insulator transistion; and the demonstration that confocal Raman spectroscopy of backfolded acoustic photons in metal-oxide multilayers can be used as a powerful characterization tool for monitoring their interface properties and layer thickness is an important technical development for the engineering of such functional oxide heterostructures.

Space and Astrophysical Plasma Simulation: Methods, Algorithms, and Applications

This book is a collection of contributions covering the major subjects in numerical simulation of space and astrophysical plasma. It introduces the different approaches and methods to model plasma, the necessary computational codes, and applications in the field. The book is rooted in the previous work Space Plasma Simulation (Springer, 2003) and includes the latest developments. It is divided into three parts and all chapters start with an introduction motivating the topic and its use in research and ends with a discussion of its applications. The chapters of the first part contain tutorials of the different basic approaches needed to perform space plasma simulations. This part is particularly useful for graduate students to master the subject. The second part presents more advanced materials for students and researchers who already work with pre-existing codes but want to implement the recent progresses made in the field. The last part of the book discusses developments in the area for researchers who are actively working on advanced simulation approaches like higher order schemes and artificial intelligence, agent-based technologies for multiscale and multi-dimensional systems, which represent the recent innovative contributions made in space plasma research.

Polarization Theory of Nuclear Reactions

Image-Based Teaching: Techniques, Tips and Tricks

This book offers detailed information on a variety of teaching techniques for radiology. Generational differences in communication and adult learning theory have led to changes in educational content delivery. Traditional didactic teaching methods are no longer embraced by students, requiring educators to learn and adopt new techniques. Radiologists currently in practice have little or no experience with these newer techniques, some thrust upon them abruptly by the COVID pandemic. In addition to practicing radiologists, the next generation of educators are currently in training and often do not receive instruction on educational theory and teaching techniques. It is incumbent upon members of the educational sphere to provide resources for these individuals. This work intends to provide just such a resource.The objectives of the book include: Explaining adult learning theory and brain-friendly teachingDescribing teaching techniques to leverage brain-friendly teachingReinforcing key points with links to online video-based lectures as an accompaniment to the text Topics covered across chapters include helping non-teaching faculty to teach, writing high quality MCQ questions, and teaching quality, safety, and professionalism. Each chapter will have one “key takeaway” chart at the conclusion of the chapter with high-yield key points highlighted in a bulleted format.This is an ideal guide for practicing radiologists, including those not currently working in academic centers. Faculty in non-academic centers can specifically benefit from chapters related to medical student, clinician and patient education. Future academic radiologists (i.e., fellows and residents) can benefit from the text as a foundation for careers in teaching hospitals and academic medical centers.

Pioneers in Cell Physiology: The Story of Warren and Margaret Lewis (Perspectives in Physiology)

This monograph is dedicated to the lives and scientific achievements of the physiology pioneers Warren and Margaret Lewis. Their story spans the first half of the 20th century, from their respective educations through early, independent research to joint research from 1910 to 1955. Among the numerous developments they initiated, were the discovery of pinocytosis, the beginnings of video microscopy and the development of the first mammalian tissue cultures. Their research expanded the theoretical knowledge of cell structure and function. On a more practical level, they advanced many laboratory methods, like the first recipes for culture media. The text is beautifully enriched with personal anecdotes about their lives. This is the story of two scientific pioneers in the context of early 20th century biology and physiology. It is an inspiration for senior and aspiring researchers.

Models for Research and Understanding: Exploring Dynamic Systems, Unconventional Approaches, and Applications (Simulation Foundations, Methods and Applications)

This introductory textbook/reference addresses the fundamental and mostly applied kinds of models. The focus is on models of dynamic systems that move and change over time. However, the work also proposes new methods of uncertainty treatment, offering supporting examples.Topics and features: Chapters suitable for textbook use in teaching modeling and simulationIncludes sections of questions and answers, helpful in didactic workProposes new methodology in addition to examining conventional approachesOffers some cognitive, more abstract models to give a wider insight on model building The book’s readership may consist of researchers working on multidisciplinary problems, as well educators and students. It may be used while teaching computer simulation, applied mathematics, system analysis and system dynamics.

MR Enterography: Crohn’s Disease and Beyond

This second edition is primarily dedicated to MR-Enterography, an imaging modality whose reliability for intestinal assessment in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases has gained increasing consensus.The performance of this technique has been significantly enlarged over the last years, due to its undoubted advantages in terms of exhaustive evaluation of the abdominal cavity and safeness due to the lack of radiation exposure. The first part is focused on MR-Enterography standard protocol. Nevertheless, additional sequences, technical novelties and common pitfalls are reported and discussed. In the second section, the typical intestinal and extra-intestinal findings related to Crohn’s disease are described in detail. In this edition, more emphasis has been put on practical topics, useful in the daily clinical practice: anatomical changes after surgical procedures, structured reporting and emerging clinical applications over inflammatory bowel diseases.Another part is dedicated to Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the anal canal, including technical aspects and clinical implications.The text is largely complemented by diagnostic images. Nonetheless, at the end of the book 30 illustrated cases show different clinical scenarios evaluated with MR-Enterography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the anal canal.

Phylogenetic Trees and Molecular Evolution: A Hands-on Introduction with Uncertainty Quantification Corrected (SpringerBriefs in Systems Biology)

This book serves as a brief introduction to phylogenetic trees and molecular evolution for biologists and biology students. It does so by presenting the main concepts in a variety of ways: first visually, then in a history, next in a dice game, and finally in simple equations. The content is primarily designed to introduce upper-level undergraduate and graduate students of biology to phylogenetic tree reconstruction and the underlying models of molecular evolution. A unique feature also of interest to experienced researchers is the emphasis on simple ways to quantify the uncertainty in the results more fully than is possible with standard methods.

Advanced Nanomaterials (Advances in Material Research and Technology)

This book covers synthesis, characterization, and applications of diverse types of nanomaterials. Specifically, it describes carbon, graphene, and graphene oxide-based nanomaterials and their use for environmental remediation; rare-earth ions-activated nanophosphors and their application; lanthanide-based oxides as advanced nanostructured materials for organic decontamination; and advanced functional nanomaterials for pollutant sensing and water remediation. The chapters explore the use of nanomaterials in solid-phase extraction technique, design of colorimetric sensor based on gold nanoparticles, optical sources and waveguides based on flexible 1D nanomaterials, synthesis and property characterization of 2D materials with applications, and the scale effects on the value of the surface energy of a solid. The developments of some nanomaterials such as zinc and nickel sulfides as photocatalysts and electrocatalysts, effects of reducing size and incorporation of nanoadditives, advanced carbon nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and graphene and its derivations as adsorbents, and carbon spheres and carbon soot for tribological applications are also presented in this book. In addition, nanomaterials for concrete coating applications and advances in the processing of high-entropy alloys by means of mechanical alloying are also covered. Subsequently, the use of nanomaterials in endodontics and the use of nanotechnology strategies to enhance restorative resin-based dental nanomaterials are reported.

Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability (Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation)

This book discusses the challenges related to climate change mitigation and adaptation. It adds valuable strategies and insights into the development of new practices solving the identified social and economic problems related to ecosystem deterioration and anticipating other disasters related to climate change. As the decarbonization of cities and communities became an issue of great interest to many researchers, the book in hands will be of great importance to decision-makers and energy stakeholders and others seeking a more resilient and sustainable future and developing innovative technologies to overcome environmental deterioration.This book is a culmination of selected research papers from the first version of the international conference on ‘Climate Chance and Environmental Sustainability’ which was held in 2021 in collaboration with Chongqing University, China.

Managing Sustainability: Perspectives From Retailing and Services (International Series in Advanced Management Studies)

Companies and policy makers are prioritizing environmental, social, and governance goals as part of their strategies. Academic research has started to focus on these issues, but many important matters require deeper investigation and reflection, especially in specific sectors. This book focuses on the sustainability issues within the retailing and services sectors. Starting the discussion around research-knowledge on CSR, the authors discuss the strategic aspects of managing sustainability in retailing and service companies and offer recommendations to effectively manage the marketing levers for sustainability. Readers will benefit from an in-depth analysis of the social responsibility practices of major retailers and their strategies. The authors also take an inside view of CSR by studying the angles of employee perception and job satisfaction, financial performance, and the more recent impact of COVID-19. Using this approach, they highlight the system of relationships existing between stakeholder-related concepts and organizational factors and how they affect sustainability strategy.

Forensic Aspects of Paediatric Fractures: Differentiating Accidental Trauma from Child Abuse

This excellently illustrated book, now in a revised and extended second edition, not only describes the radiological findings which can be found in child abuse cases but also places them in a forensic perspective – a crucial aspect often underrepresented in radiological books. The aim is to enable physicians involved in non-accidental trauma cases to interpret radiological findings in light of the forensic circumstances under which these findings have arisen. Accordingly, the book will assist in determining whether a fracture is accidental or the result of abuse. Fractures are addressed not only by anatomical location but also by trauma mechanism, with careful attention to evidence regarding the reported mechanism and the clinical outcome. Drawing on the latest literature, the authors explain whether a particular form of trauma can cause a particular injury and identify where the reader can find the supporting evidence. The book will be essential reading and a superb reference for all who are involved in the diagnosis of child abuse, including pediatricians, emergency room physicians, and radiologists. It will also be a valuable resource for legal medicine physicians, lawyers, and judges.

Future Fire Forms: Heat, Work and Thermodynamics

Keep on running by clever burning! This book reports how humans created materials, machines and power plants with the help of fire and which fuels, with their advantages and disadvantages, they have used so far. "Climate rescuers” of all stripes, whether qualified for such challenge or not, want to eliminate the fire completely and replace it with electricity from photovoltaics and wind power.The book contains facts and evidence as to why solar panels and windmills cannot be sufficient to ensure all the world's energy needs. Neither combustion nor thermal engines are responsible for the environmental hazard till now, but the fuels they have received in the past. Let's feed the fire with nature-compatible fuels and let it unfold properly in very effective machines and systems! The book describes systematically and comprehensibly for everyone, thermodynamic laws and methods for the design of very efficient machines and drives, as well as regenerative, climate-neutral fuels. This lecture is highly recommended when seating in front of a fireplace or sitting beside a campfire.

Atomic and Electronic Properties of 2D Moiré Interfaces (Springer Theses)

This thesis provides the first atomic length-scale observation of the structural transformation (referred to as lattice reconstruction) that occurs in moiré superlattices of twisted bilayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) at low (θ Studies using Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), a powerful tool for atomic-scale imaging, were limited due to the complexity of the (atomically-thin) sample fabrication requirements. This work developed a unique way to selectively cut and re-stack monolayers of TMDs with a controlled rotational twist angle which could then be easily suspended on a TEM grid to meet the needs of the atomically thin sample requirements. The fabrication technique enabled the study of the two common stacking-polytypes including 3R and 2H (using MoS2 and WS2 as the example) as well as their structural evolution with decreasing twist-angle.Atomic-scale studies were followed by a comprehensive investigation of their electronic properties using scanning probe microscopy and electrical transport measurements of the artificially-engineered structures. The electronic structure of two common stacking-polytypes (3R and 2H) were strikingly different, as revealed by conductive atomic force microscopy. Further studies focused on the 3R-stacking polytype to reveal room-temperature out-of-plane ferroelectricity using tools such as kelvin probe force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electrical transport measurements. This work highlights that the unique intrinsic properties of TMDs (i.e. semiconductors with strongly light-matter interaction) combined with the additional twisted degree-of-freedom has great potential to create atomically thin transistors/LEDs with built-in memory storage functions and will further aid in the development of the next generation of optoelectronics.

Random Walk and Diffusion Models: An Introduction for Life and Behavioral Scientists

This book offers an accessible introduction to random walk and diffusion models at a level consistent with the typical background of students in the life sciences. In recent decades these models have become widely used in areas far beyond their traditional origins in physics, for example, in studies of animal behavior, ecology, sociology, sports science, population genetics, public health applications, and human decision making. Developing the main formal concepts, the book provides detailed and intuitive step-by-step explanations, and moves smoothly from simple to more complex models. Finally, in the last chapter, some successful and original applications of random walk and diffusion models in the life and behavioral sciences are illustrated in detail. The treatment of basic techniques and models is consolidated and extended throughout by a set of carefully chosen exercises.

From Dissent to Diplomacy: The Pugwash Project During the 1960s Cold War (SpringerBriefs in History of Science and Technology)

This book provides new and critical perspectives on the internal development of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs (the PCSWA; Pugwash) and its role in international nuclear diplomacy during the 1960s Cold War. Conceived by western scientists dissenting from their own government’s position on nuclear weapons, the conferences brought together elite scientists from across the East-West divide to work towards nuclear disarmament and for peace. The analysis follows two lines. First, the book charts the emergence during the conferences of a distinctive form of technopolitical communication that was crucial to the role of Pugwash in Informal cross-bloc dialogue about disarmament. This enabled Pugwash to realize its paradoxical vision of working both with and against governments to promote disarmament and was key to its role as both a forum for and actor within the realm of informal diplomacy. It is argued that Pugwash scientists formed the vanguard of what came in the 1960s to be called Track II diplomacy. The relevance of the contemporary concept of Science Diplomacy for Pugwash is discussed. The second analytical focus of the book centers on the internal dynamics of the international Pugwash organization. It is argued that informal modes of working and a code of confidentiality accorded the leadership enormous power and autonomy: this small network of senior figures was able to control the Pugwash agenda and priorities, and to launch diplomatic initiatives beyond the conferences. However, by 1967, competing interests were fueling tensions and instability within Pugwash as it struggled for coherence and direction amid with the political challenges posed by the Vietnam War and European security. This crisis manifest the limits of the Pugwash project and placed its future in doubt.

Understanding Land Degradation: An Overview (SpringerBriefs in Geography)

Much of the earth's population is dependent on agriculture as it provides food for their sustenance. Successful crop production depends to a considerable extent on land and climate. Soil is the main component of land and a fertile soil is essential for crop growth. However, soil fertility declines over the years mainly due to land degradation. Hence, implementing appropriate measures to control land degradation is important. It is the responsibility of the farmers and the governments to take action to control land degradation. Agricultural extension officers are involved in making farmers aware of land degradation and control measures. Planners and policy makers need scientific assessments on land degradation and its implications so that they could advice the relevant authorities who prepare the national programs and budgets. This book highlights issues related to land degradation, the causal factors and methods of control. The audience is agricultural practitioners and planners as well as students of agriculture. Environmentalists would also benefit by understanding the main issues related to land degradation discussed.

Human Aspects of Information Security and Assurance: 16th IFIP WG 11.12 International Symposium, HAISA 2022, Mytilene, Lesbos, Greece, July 6–8, 2022, Proceedings (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology #658)

This book constitutes the proceedings of the 16th IFIP WG 11.12 International Symposium on Human Aspects of Information Security and Assurance, HAISA 2022, held in Mytilene, Lesbos, Greece, in July 2022. The 25 papers presented in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 30 submissions. They are organized in the following topical sections: cyber security education and training; cyber security culture; privacy; and cyber security management.

X-ray Imaging of the Soil Porous Architecture

The advent of X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) as a tool for the soil sciences almost 40 years ago has revolutionised the field. Soil is the fragile, thin layer of material that exists above earth’s geological substrates upon which so much of life on earth depends. However a major limitation to our understanding of how soils behave and function is due to its complex, opaque structure that hinders our ability to assess its porous architecture without disturbance. X-ray imagery has facilitated the ability to truly observe soil as it exists in three dimensions and across contrasting spatial and temporal scales in the field in an undisturbed fashion. This book gives a comprehensive overview of the “state of the art” in a variety of application areas where this type of imaging is used, including soil water physics and hydrology, agronomic management of soils, and soil-plant-microbe interactions. It provides the necessary details for entry level readers in the crucial areas of sample preparation, scanner optimisation and image processing and analysis. Drawing on experts across the globe, from both academia and industry, the book covers the necessary “dos and don’ts”, but also offers insights into the future of both technology and science. The wider application of the book is provided by dedicated chapters on how the data from such imagery can be incorporated into models and how the technology can be interfaced with other relevant technical applications. The book ends with a future outlook from the four editors, each of whom has over 20 years of experience in the application of X-ray CT to soil science.

Cosmology in the Early Modern Age: A Web of Ideas (Logic, Epistemology, and the Unity of Science #56)

This volume addresses the history and epistemology of early modern cosmology. The authors reconstruct the development of cosmological ideas in the age of ‘scientific revolution’ from Copernicus to Leibniz, taking into account the growth of a unified celestial-and-terrestrial mechanics. The volume investigates how, in the rise of the new science, cosmology displayed deep and multifaceted interrelations between scientific notions (stemming from mechanics, mathematics, geometry, astronomy) and philosophical concepts. These were employed to frame a general picture of the universe, as well as to criticize and interpret scientific notions and observational data.This interdisciplinary work reconstructs a conceptual web pervaded by various intellectual attitudes and drives. It presents an historical–epistemological unified itinerary which includes Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, Descartes, Huygens, Newton and Leibniz. For each of the scientists and philosophers, a presentation and commentary is made of their cosmological views, and where relevant, outlines of their most relevant physical concepts are given. Furthermore, the authors highlight the philosophical and epistemological implications of their scientific works. This work is helpful both as a synthetic overview of early modern cosmology, and an analytical exposition of the elements that were intertwined in early-modern cosmology. This book addresses historians, philosophers, and scientists and can also be used as a research source book by post-graduate students in epistemology, history of science and history of philosophy.

Harmonic Analysis in Operator Algebras and its Applications to Index Theory and Topological Solid State Systems (Mathematical Physics Studies)

This book contains a self-consistent treatment of Besov spaces for W*-dynamical systems, based on the Arveson spectrum and Fourier multipliers. Generalizing classical results by Peller, spaces of Besov operators are then characterized by trace class properties of the associated Hankel operators lying in the W*-crossed product algebra. These criteria allow to extend index theorems to such operator classes. This in turn is of great relevance for applications in solid-state physics, in particular, Anderson localized topological insulators as well as topological semimetals. The book also contains a self-contained chapter on duality theory for R-actions. It allows to prove a bulk-boundary correspondence for boundaries with irrational angles which implies the existence of flat bands of edge states in graphene-like systems.This book is intended for advanced students in mathematical physics and researchers alike.

Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics (Lecture Notes in Physics #1007)

The importance of thermodynamics, particularly its Second Principle, to all branches of science in which systems with very large numbers of particles are involved cannot be overstated. This book offers a panoramic view of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Perhaps the two most attractive aspects of thermodynamic equilibrium are its stability and its independence from the specifics of the particular system involved. Does an equivalent exist for non-equilibrium thermodynamics? Many researchers have tried to describe such stability in the same way that the Second Principle describes the stability of thermodynamic equilibrium - and failed. Most of them invoked either entropy, or its production rate, or some modified version of it. In their efforts, however, those researchers have found a lot of useful stability criteria for far-from-equilibrium states. These criteria usually take the form of variational principles, in terms of the minimization or maximization of some quantity. The aim of this book is to discuss these variational principles by highlighting the role of macroscopic quantities. This book is aimed at a wider audience than those most often exposed to the criteria described, i.e., undergraduates in STEM, as well as the usual interested and invested professionals.

Soybean Improvement: Physiological, Molecular and Genetic Perspectives

Soybean (Glycine max L. (Merr)) is one of the most important crops worldwide. Soybean seeds are vital for both protein meal and vegetable oil. Soybean was domesticated in China, and since last 4-5 decades it has become one of the most widely grown crops around the globe. The crop is grown on an anticipated 6% of the world’s arable land, and since the 1970s, the area in soybean production has the highest percentage increase compared to any other major crop. It is a major crop in the United States, Brazil, China and Argentina and important in many other countries. The cultivated soybean has one wild annual relative, G. soja, and 23 wild perennial relatives. Soybean has spread to many Asian countries two to three thousand years ago, but was not known in the West until the 18th century. Among the various constraints responsible for decrease in soybean yields are the biotic and abiotic stresses which have recently increased as a result of changing climatic scenarios at global level. A lot of work has been done for cultivar development and germplasm enhancement through conventional plant breeding. This has resulted in development of numerous high yielding and climate resilient soybean varieties. Despite of this development, plant breeding is long-term by nature, resource dependent and climate dependent. Due to the advancement in genomics and phenomics, significant insights have been gained in the identification of genes for yield improvement, tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress and increased quality parameters in soybean. Molecular breeding has become routine and with the advent of next generation sequencing technologies resulting in SNP based molecular markers, soybean improvement has taken a new dimension and resulted in mapping of genes for various traits that include disease resistance, insect resistance, high oil content and improved yield.This book includes chapters from renowned potential soybean scientists to discuss the latest updates on soybean molecular and genetic perspectives to elucidate the complex mechanisms to develop biotic and abiotic stress resilience in soybean. Recent studies on the improvement of oil quality and yield in soybean have also been incorporated.

Microbiology of Ethanol Fermentation in Sugarcane Biofuels: Fundamentals, Advances, and Perspectives

This book discusses the microbiology of fermentation for the production of bioethanol from sugarcane. Coverage includes how selected yeasts improve ethanol yield and productivity concerning recent advances at genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic levels, how microorganisms (bacteria and yeasts) interact with each other in fermentation vats, and the application of microbiological monitoring methods with safety and precision. Special attention is given to antimicrobial strategies used to decrease contamination. The book is aimed at professionals working in the bioethanol industry, as well as students and researchers studying biological and biotechnological aspects of applied matters such as industrial microbiology and industrial fermentations. The English translation of this book from its Portuguese original manuscript was done with the help of artificial intelligence (machine translation by the service provider DeepL.com). A subsequent human revision of the content was done by the author. Covers common microbiological monitoring techniques;Reviews selected yeasts used in the bioethanol industry;Examines the role of bacteria and native yeasts in ethanolic fermentation and methods to control their growth.

Progress in Sustainable Aviation (Sustainable Aviation)

Progress in Sustainable Aviation looks at recent progress and new technological developments in sustainable aviation, presenting readers with engineering solutions and methodologies for efficiency and cost savings, performance improvement, and emission reduction. Coverage includes alternative fuel types, propulsion technologies, and emission technologies used in different aerial vehicles, such as unmanned aerial vehicles, drones, and passenger aircraft. Operational areas, such as the building of green airports, commercial air transport, and maintenance management are also addressed. This collection will be a valuable reference for researchers, practicing engineers, scientists, and students working in the area of sustainable aviation technology and management. Looks at recent progress in sustainable aviation technologies;Presents alternative aviation fuel types and propulsion technologies;Includes case studies and practical applications.