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Books in Physical sciences and engineering

    • Palaeobiology of Giant Flightless Birds

      • 1st Edition
      • Delphine Angst + 1 more
      • English
      The fossil record of giant flightless birds extends back to the Late Cretaceous, more than 70 million years ago, but our understanding of these extinct birds is still incomplete. This is partly because the number of specimens available is sometimes limited, but also because widely different approaches have been used to study them, with sometimes contradictory results. This book summarizes the current knowledge of the paleobiology of seven groups of giant flightless birds: Dinornithiformes, Aepyornithiformes, Dromornithidae, Phorusrhacidae, Brontornithidae, Gastornithidae and Gargantuavis. The first chapter presents the global diversity of these birds and reviews the tools and methods used to study their paleobiology. Chapters 2 to 8 are each dedicated to one of the seven groups of extinct birds. Finally, a conclusion offers a global synthesis of the information presented in the book in an attempt to define a common evolutionary model.
    • Compressed Sensing in Li-Fi and Wi-Fi Networks

      • 1st Edition
      • Malek Benslama + 1 more
      • English
      Compressed Sensing in Li-Fi and Wi-Fi Networks features coverage of the first applications in optical telecommunications and wireless. After extensive development of basic theory, many techniques are presented, such as non-asymptotic analysis of random matrices, adaptive detection, greedy algorithms, and the use of graphical models. The book can be used as a comprehensive manual for teaching and research in courses covering advanced signal processing, efficient data processing algorithms, and telecommunications. After a thorough review of the basic theory of compressed sensing, many mathematical techniques are presented, including advanced signal modeling, Nyquist sub-sampling of analog signals, the non-asymptotic analysis of random matrices, adaptive detection, greedy algorithms, and the use of graphical models.
    • Computer Arithmetic and Formal Proofs

      Verifying Floating-point Algorithms with the Coq System
      • 1st Edition
      • Sylvie Boldo + 1 more
      • English
      Floating-point arithmetic is ubiquitous in modern computing, as it is the tool of choice to approximate real numbers. Due to its limited range and precision, its use can become quite involved and potentially lead to numerous failures. One way to greatly increase confidence in floating-point software is by computer-assisted verification of its correctness proofs. This book provides a comprehensive view of how to formally specify and verify tricky floating-point algorithms with the Coq proof assistant. It describes the Flocq formalization of floating-point arithmetic and some methods to automate theorem proofs. It then presents the specification and verification of various algorithms, from error-free transformations to a numerical scheme for a partial differential equation. The examples cover not only mathematical algorithms but also C programs as well as issues related to compilation.
    • Ocean Wave Energy Conversion

      Resource, Technologies and Performance
      • 1st Edition
      • Aurelien Babarit
      • English
      The waves that animate the surface of the oceans represent a deposit of renewable energy that for the most part is still unexploited today. This is not for lack of effort, as for more than two hundred years inventors, researchers and engineers have struggled to develop processes and systems to recover the energy of the waves. While all of these efforts have failed to converge towards a satisfactory technological solution, the result is a rich scientific and technical literature as well as extensive and varied feedback from experience. For the uninitiated, this abundance is an obstacle. In order to facilitate familiarization with the subject, we propose in this work a summary of the state of knowledge on the potential of wave energy as well as on the processes and technologies of its recovery (wave energy converters). In particular, we focus on the problem of positioning wave energy in the electricity market, the development of wave energy conversion technologies from a historical perspective, and finally the energy performance of the devices. This work is aimed at students, researchers, developers, industry professionals and decision makers who wish to acquire a global perspective and the necessary tools to understand the field.
    • Linux for Embedded and Real-time Applications

      • 4th Edition
      • Doug Abbott
      • English
      Linux for Embedded and Real-Time Applications, Fourth Edition, provides a practical introduction to the basics, covering the latest developments in this rapidly evolving technology. Ideal for those new to the use of Linux in an embedded environment, the book takes a hands-on approach that covers key concepts of building applications in a cross-development environment. Hands-on exercises focus on the popular open source BeagleBone Black board. New content includes graphical programming with QT as well as expanded and updated material on projects such as Eclipse, BusyBox – configuring and building, the U-Boot bootloader – what it is, how it works, configuring and building, and new coverage of the Root file system and the latest updates on the Linux kernel..
    • Waterproof and Water Repellent Textiles and Clothing

      • 1st Edition
      • John T Williams
      • English
      Waterproof and Water Repellent Textiles and Clothing provides systematic coverage of the key types of finishes and high performance materials, from conventional wax and silicone, through controversial, but widely used fluoropolymers and advanced techniques, such as atmospheric plasma deposition and sol-gel technology. The book is an essential resource for all those engaged in garment development, production and finishing, and for academics engaged in research into apparel technology and textile science. Rapid innovation in this field is driving new performance demands in many areas, including the sporting and military sectors. However, another innovation driver is the regulatory framework in the USA, Europe and globally, addressing both health concerns (e.g. with PFOS / PFOA) and environmental impacts (e.g. C8 fluorocarbon finishes). Both of these aspects are fully covered, along with the replacement materials / technologies currently available and under development. In addition, oleophobic and multifunctional coatings are discussed, as are aspects of performance, testing and applications in sportswear, protective clothing, and footwear.
    • Thermosets

      Structure, Properties, and Applications
      • 2nd Edition
      • Qipeng Guo
      • English
      Thermosets: Structure, Properties, and Applications, Second Edition builds on and updates the existing review of mechanical and thermal properties, as well as rheology and curing processes of thermosets, and the role of nanostructures in thermoset toughening. All chapters have been updated or re-written, and new chapters have been added to reflect ongoing changes and developments in the field of thermosetting materials and the applications of these materials. Applications of thermosets are the focus of the second part of the book, including the use of thermosets in the building and construction industry, aerospace technology and as insulation materials. Thermoset adhesives and coatings, including epoxy resins, acrylates and polyurethanes are also discussed, followed by a review of thermosets for electrical applications. New chapters include coverage of thermoset nanocomposites, recycling issues, and applications such as consumer goods, transportation, energy and defence. With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, the second edition of Thermosets: Structure, Properties, and Applications is an essential guide for engineers, chemists, physicists and polymer scientists involved in the development, production and application of thermosets, as well as providing a useful review for academic researchers in the field.
    • Computer Vision

      Principles, Algorithms, Applications, Learning
      • 5th Edition
      • E. R. Davies
      • English
      Computer Vision: Principles, Algorithms, Applications, Learning (previously entitled Computer and Machine Vision) clearly and systematically presents the basic methodology of computer vision, covering the essential elements of the theory while emphasizing algorithmic and practical design constraints. This fully revised fifth edition has brought in more of the concepts and applications of computer vision, making it a very comprehensive and up-to-date text suitable for undergraduate and graduate students, researchers and R&D engineers working in this vibrant subject. See an interview with the author explaining his approach to teaching and learning computer vision - http://scitechconnec...
    • XML-based Content Management

      Integration, Methodologies and Tools
      • 1st Edition
      • Ricardo Eito-Brun
      • English
      XML-based Content Management: Integration, Methodologies and Tools covers the design and deployment of XML-based solutions and how to manage content and metadata, a practice that requires a more methodological approach than those traditionally applied to the design and deployment of document and content management solutions. The extensive use of XML implies the need of adding additional activities, quality controls, and tools to the established document-management and web-application design processes. The book describes a methodology that covers the different phases of the content and metadata management lifecycle, from generation, to archiving, to compliance with existing content management and archiving standards. In addition, the book reviews the key characteristics of the tools necessary for storage, retrieval and delivery.
    • Direct Thermochemical Liquefaction for Energy Applications

      • 1st Edition
      • Lasse Rosendahl
      • English
      Direct Thermochemical Liquefaction for Energy Applications presents the state-of-the-art of the value chains associated with these biomass conversion technologies. It covers multiple feedstock availability and feedstock composition impact on process chemistry and product quality and composition. Expert authors from around the world explore co-processing benefits, process parameters, implementation and scaling, upgrading to drop-in liquid biofuels or integration into existing petrochemical refinery infrastructure. Finally, these topics are put into a sustainability perspective by establishing an LCA framework for this type of process. Its focus on implementation based on the most comprehensive knowledge makes this book particularly useful for researchers and graduate students from all sorts of background working in the field of biomass and biofuels. It is also a valuable reference for engineers working to commercialize DTL technologies, engineering specialists designing process equipment, refinery professionals and developers.