Bücher veröffentlicht von IntechOpen

Thermodynamics is a branch of physics concerned with heat and temperature and their relation to energy and work. It defines macroscopic variables, such as internal energy, entropy, and pressure, that partly describe a body of matter or radiation. It states that the behavior of these variables is subject to general constraints that are common to all materials, not to the peculiar properties of particular materials. These general constraints are expressed in the three laws of thermodynamics which had a deep influence on the development of physics and chemistry. The book aims to present novel ideas that are crossing traditional disciplinary boundaries and introducing a wide spectrum of viewpoints and approaches in applied thermodynamics of the third millennium. The book will be of interest to those working in the fields of propulsion systems, power generation systems, chemical industry, quantum systems, refrigeration, fluid flow, combustion, and other phenomena.

Colorectal cancer remains a major health issue for many developed regions around the world. The good news is that early detection has significantly improved overall survival rates and continues to do so. A number of prevention strategies contribute to this positive trend, and today a patient who undergoes a colonoscopy for screening purposes stands a much better chance of being effectively surveyed for prevention of colorectal cancer. Patients can rely increasingly on the improved datasets and technical advances that are being made in screening approaches and skills. With continued progress, particularly in the partnership between clinicians and computer scientists, the future for colorectal cancer surveillance looks increasingly positive for the development of improved tools and methods.

The book contains six chapters. The use of the progressive regressive strategy for biometrical authentication through the use of human gait and face images was investigated. A new lossy image compression technique that uses singular value decomposition and wavelet difference reduction technique was proposed. The best wavelet packet based selection algorithm and its application in image denoising was discussed. The scaling factor threshold estimator in different color models using a discrete wavelet transform for steganographic algorithms was presented. The extraction of features appearing in current signal using wavelet analysis when there is rotor fault of eccentricity and broken rotor bar was debated. The application of the empirical wavelet transform for seismic anomalies detection in ultralow-frequency geomagnetic signals was illustrated.

Tropical diseases affect millions of people throughout the world and particularly in the developing countries. The millennium development goals had specifically targeted HIV/AIDS and Malaria for substantial reduction as well as Tuberculosis while many other tropical diseases have been neglected. The new sustainable development goals have not made such distinction and have targeted all diseases for elimination for the improvement of the quality of life of human beings on earth. The present book was developed to provide an update on issues relevant to the treatment of selected tropical diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis and ectoparasites such as chiggers which are widely distributed throughout the world. The control of these infections has been hampered by the development of drug resistance and the lack of the development of new and more effective drugs. The understanding of the biochemical processes underlying drug activity is therefore essential for the potential elimination of these infections.

The words hydro, phobic and philic are derived from Greek and they mean water, fear and adoration respectively. These words are being used to define the interaction of water and other materials. As an example, these words are being used in classification of liquids and solids based on their solubility in water, as well as classification of solid surfaces regarding to their wettability. A lot of surfaces in the nature have Superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties. For example the wings of a butterfly, leaves of some plants, including cabbage and Indian Cress, have the mentioned properties. The best example is the LOTUS leaf. This book collects new developments in the science of surface energy.

Antibiotic resistance has become a worldwide health issue, globally recognized as the first priority by WHO. Many forms of resistance can spread with remarkable speed and cross international boundaries. World health leaders are devoting efforts to the problem by planning strategies for monitoring the effectiveness of public health interventions and detecting new trends and threats. This volume focuses on the problem from different perspectives, taking into consideration geographical dissemination (soil and water), human medicine (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and veterinary (Enterococcus spp.) impact and molecular analysis. The purpose of this volume is to provide a useful tool for control and prevention and to discuss useful epidemiological data concerning ways of obtaining an accurate picture of resistance in different communities.

Superalloy, or high-performance alloy, is an alloy that exhibits several key characteristics: excellent mechanical strength, resistance to thermal creep deformation, good surface stability, and resistance to corrosion or oxidation. The crystal structure is typically face-centered cubic austenitic. Superalloy development has relied heavily on both chemical and process innovations. Superalloys develop high temperature strength through solid solution strengthening. An important strengthening mechanism is precipitation strengthening which forms secondary phase precipitates such as gamma prime and carbides. Oxidation or corrosion resistance is provided by elements such as aluminium and chromium. This book collects new developments about superalloys.

On the liquid 's surface, the molecules have fewer neighbors in comparison with the bulk volume. As a result, the energy interaction shows itself in the surface tension. Traditionally, the surface tension can be assumed as a force in the unit of the length which can be counted by the unit of Newton on squared meter, or energy on the units of the surface. The surface tension, implies the interface between liquid and vapor, which is an example of the surface tensions. The equilibrium between these surface tensions, decides that a droplet on a solid surface, would have a droplet form or will change to layer form. This book collects new developments in wetting and wettability science.

AC motors play a major role in modern industrial applications. Squirrel-cage induction motors (SCIMs) are probably the most frequently used when compared to other AC motors because of their low cost, ruggedness, and low maintenance. The material presented in this book is organized into four sections, covering the applications and structural properties of induction motors (IMs), fault detection and diagnostics, control strategies, and the more recently developed topology based on the multiphase (more than three phases) induction motors. This material should be of specific interest to engineers and researchers who are engaged in the modeling, design, and implementation of control algorithms applied to induction motors and, more generally, to readers broadly interested in nonlinear control, health condition monitoring, and fault diagnosis.

Platelets play a key role in thrombosis and haemostasis. However recent evidence clearly demonstrates that the functional role of platelets extends to many other processes in the body. With an internationally recognised list of contributing authors, The Non-Thrombotic Role of Platelets in Health and Disease, is a unique and definitive source of state-of-the-art knowledge about the additional role of platelets outside thrombosis and haemostasis. The intended audience for The Non-Thrombotic Role of Platelets in Health and Disease includes platelet biologists, microbiologists, immunologists, haematologists, oncologists, respiratory physicians, cardiologists, neurobiologists, tissue engineers, as well as students and fellows in these areas.

This book endeavors to give the reader a strong base in the advanced theory of electromagnetic waves and its applications, while keeping pace with research in various other disciplines that apply electrostatics/electrodynamics theory. The treatment is highly mathematical, which tends to obscure the principles involved.

Proteomics refers to the entire complement of proteins, including modification. This promising discipline has enabled us to study proteins from a massive and comprehensive point of view. The book Recent Advances in Proteomics Research describes in five sections some of the applications of proteomics. This fine research has been written by leading experts worldwide. This book is aimed mainly at those interested in proteins and in the field of proteins, particularly biochemists, biologists, pharmacists, advanced graduate students and postgraduate researchers.

Update on Hearing Loss encompasses both the theoretical background on the different forms of hearing loss and a detailed knowledge on state-of-the-art treatment for hearing loss, written for clinicians by specialists and researchers. Realizing the complexity of hearing loss has highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary research. Therefore, all the authors contributing to this book were chosen from many different specialties of medicine, including surgery, psychology, and neuroscience, and came from diverse areas of expertise, such as neurology, otolaryngology, psychiatry, and clinical and experimental audiology.

This book considers the basic principles of biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics. It also illustrates clinical pharmacokinetic applications, such as recirculatory models, common antimalarial drugs, and clinical pharmacokinetic principles in critically ill patients, which are essential for medical professionals. Undergraduate and postgraduate students can make use of the information presented. The contents of the book represent the authors points of view as well as clinical findings and basic concepts of pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutics that are covered in textbooks.

This book covers a wide variety of topics related to advancements in different stages of mass transfer modelling processes. Its purpose is to create a platform for the exchange of recent observations, experiences, and achievements. It is recommended for those in the chemical, biotechnological, pharmaceutical, and nanotechnology industries as well as for students of natural sciences, technical, environmental and employees in companies which manufacture machines for the above-mentioned industries. This work can also be a useful source for researchers and engineers dealing with mass transfer and related issues.

This book is recommended to readers who can ponder on the collection of chapters authored/co-authored by various researchers as well as to researchers around the world covering the field of digital signal processing. This book highlights current research in the digital signal processing area such as communication engineering, image processing and power conversion system. The entire work available in the book mainly focusses on researchers who can do quality research in the area of digital signal processing and related fields. Each chapter is an independent research, which will definitely motivate young researchers to further study the subject. These six chapters divided into three sections will be an eye-opener for all those engaged in systematic research in these fields.

This book is an example of a successful and excellent addition to the literature on the topic of Food Production and Industry within the scientific world. The book is divided into six chapters, consisting of selected topics in food production and consumption and food preservation. All the six chapters have been written by renowned professionals working in Food Production and Industry and related disciplines.

Air pollution is thus far one of the key environmental issues in urban areas. Comprehensive air quality plans are required to manage air pollution for a particular area. Consequently, air should be continuously sampled, monitored, and modeled to examine different action plans. Reviews and research papers describe air pollution in five main contexts: Monitoring, Modeling, Risk Assessment, Health, and Indoor Air Pollution. The book is recommended to experts interested in health and air pollution issues.

This book contains chapters in which the problems of modern photovoltaics are considered. The majority of the chapters provide an overview of the results of research and development of different types of solar cells. Such chapters are completed by a justification for a new solar cell structure and technology. Of course, highly effective solar energy conversion is impossible without an in-depth examination of the solar cell components as physical materials. The relations between structural, thermodynamic, and optical properties of the physical material without addressing the band theory of solids are of both theoretical and practical interest. Requirements formulated for the material are also to be used for maximally efficient conversion of solar radiation into useful work.

In mammalian blood plasma there exist some 6 major lipoprotein classes. Under physiological conditions lipoproteins are certainly beneficial as they transport nutrients and steroids to numerous organs for further metabolism. On the other hand, under pathophysiological conditions most lipoprotein classes promote atherogenesis except of HDL that are considered to be anti-atherogenic. Lipoprotein research is a wide field comprising basic science, analytical methods and clinical investigations. Thus this issue does not raise the claim to give a comprehensive picture of the current knowledge, but rather focuses on specific questions related to animal models in lipoprotein research as well as features of the most atherogenic lipoprotein, Lp(a).

This book provides useful information about bioremediation, phytoremediation, and mycoremediation of wastewater and some aspects of the chemical wastewater treatment processes, including ion exchange, neutralization, adsorption, and disinfection. Additionally, this book elucidates and illustrates the wastewater treatment plants in terms of plant sizing, plant layout, plant design, and plant location. Cutting-edge topics include wet air oxidation of aqueous wastes, biodegradation of nitroaromatic compounds, biological treatment of sanitary landfill leachate, bacterial strains for the bioremediation of olive mill wastewater, gelation of arabinoxylans from maize wastewater, and modeling wastewater evolution.

With many children and adults affected by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, researchers strive to improve our understanding of the causes, consequences, and treatment of the disorder. This volume examines some of the broad arrays of research in the field of ADHD, from etiology to cutting-edge interventions. The 16 chapters explore topics ranging from comorbidity to advances in the search for biomarkers; to executive, cognitive, and social functioning; to the use of new and alternative therapies. Both the professional and the casual reader alike will find something of interest, whether learning about ADHD for the first time or looking for inspiration for new research questions or potential interventions.

The book explores the new developments that have taken place in recent years in the processing and application of aluminium alloys. The chapter on self diffusion shows a complete detail of the mechanism of diffusion in aluminium alloys and how it affects the strength. The chapter on native oxide films gives useful information on the films developed on commercial magnesium alloys. On the analytical side, the details of Mossbauer spectroscopy related to aluminium alloys fully described. One recent development in aluminium alloys is the controlling of pitting corrosion by the application of superhydrophobic coatings. Complete details of the theory and application of hydrophobicity related to aluminium alloys is shown in the two chapters related to hydrophobicity. It is hoped that this book will be found useful by researchers and general readers in the areas described in the book.

This book provides broad coverage of ion exchange and its applications. Different chapters focus on the importance of ion exchange applications such as strengtening dental porcelains, gradient changes in glass refraction, and resins as effective sorbents. Each chapter includes a brief historical overview of ion exchange and its applications. The authors also give a brief overview of these applications as well as review current experimental data on the subject.

The pollution of soil and groundwater by heavy metals and other chemicals is becoming a serious issue in many countries. However, the current bioremediation processes do not often achieve sufficient remediation, and more effective processes are desired. This book deals with advances in the bioremediation of polluted soil and groundwater. In the former chapters of this book, respected researchers in this field describe how the optimization of microorganisms, enzymes, absorbents, additives and injection procedures can help to realize excellent bioremediation. In the latter chapters, other researchers introduce bioremediation processes that have been performed in the field and novel bioremediation processes. Thus, the readers will be able to obtain new ideas about effective bioremediation as well as important information about recent advances in bioremediation.

Water quality refers to the chemical, physical, biological, and radiological characteristics of water. It is a measure of the condition of water for the purposes intended for. It is most frequently used by reference to a set of standards against which compliance can be assessed. The most common standards used to assess water quality relate to health of ecosystems, safety of human contact and potable drinking water. A range of diverse topics in the field of water quality modelling, statistical evaluation and guidelines pertaining to the best management practices in different locations around the world is given herein. Modelling of water quality in rivers and lakes, statistical methods and membrane filter performance are subject matters of interest considering in-situ water, potable water, water re-use, etc.

This book provides a concise yet comprehensive source of current information on Down syndrome. It focuses on exciting areas of research on diseases associated with Down syndrome.Inside, you will find state-of-the-art information on diseases associated with Down syndrome; improvement of cognitive skills in Down syndrome; and research approaches on Down syndrome.Although aimed primarily at research workers on Down syndrome, we hope that the appeal of this book extends beyond the narrow confines of academic interest and reaches a wider audience, especially parents, relatives, and health care providers who work with infants and children with Down syndrome.

The book Quantum Dots - Theory and Applications collects some new research results in the area of fundamental excitations, decoherence, charge states, epitaxial techniques and photoluminescence experiments related to devices made with quantum dots. This book is divided in two sections. First section includes the fundamental theories on excitons, trions, phase decoherence, and charge states, and the second section includes several applications of quantum dots.

This book, the ideal following of the previous New Insights into Anxiety Disorders, collects papers of a number of clinical psychiatrists all over the world, giving their contribution to the comprehension and clinical management of anxiety disorders. Following the previously edited book on anxiety, this new one will focus on some specific clinical issues such as PTSD, psychosomatics, and complementary approaches to anxiety management themes which were not discussed in the previous book.

In the wake of energy crisis due to rapid growth of industries, the efficient heat transfer could play a vital role in energy saving. Industries, household equipment, transportation, offices, etc., all are dependent on heat exchanging equipment. Considering this, the book has incorporated different chapters on heat transfer phenomena, analytical and experimental heat transfer investigations, heat transfer enhancement and applications.