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Books in Physical sciences and engineering

  • Executing Data Quality Projects

    Ten Steps to Quality Data and Trusted Information (TM)
    • 2nd Edition
    • Danette McGilvray
    • English
    Executing Data Quality Projects, Second Edition presents a structured yet flexible approach for creating, improving, sustaining and managing the quality of data and information within any organization. Studies show that data quality problems are costing businesses billions of dollars each year, with poor data linked to waste and inefficiency, damaged credibility among customers and suppliers, and an organizational inability to make sound decisions. Help is here! This book describes a proven Ten Step approach that combines a conceptual framework for understanding information quality with techniques, tools, and instructions for practically putting the approach to work – with the end result of high-quality trusted data and information, so critical to today’s data-dependent organizations. The Ten Steps approach applies to all types of data and all types of organizations – for-profit in any industry, non-profit, government, education, healthcare, science, research, and medicine. This book includes numerous templates, detailed examples, and practical advice for executing every step. At the same time, readers are advised on how to select relevant steps and apply them in different ways to best address the many situations they will face. The layout allows for quick reference with an easy-to-use format highlighting key concepts and definitions, important checkpoints, communication activities, best practices, and warnings. The experience of actual clients and users of the Ten Steps provide real examples of outputs for the steps plus highlighted, sidebar case studies called Ten Steps in Action. This book uses projects as the vehicle for data quality work and the word broadly to include: 1) focused data quality improvement projects, such as improving data used in supply chain management, 2) data quality activities in other projects such as building new applications and migrating data from legacy systems, integrating data because of mergers and acquisitions, or untangling data due to organizational breakups, and 3) ad hoc use of data quality steps, techniques, or activities in the course of daily work. The Ten Steps approach can also be used to enrich an organization’s standard SDLC (whether sequential or Agile) and it complements general improvement methodologies such as six sigma or lean. No two data quality projects are the same but the flexible nature of the Ten Steps means the methodology can be applied to all. The new Second Edition highlights topics such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, Internet of Things, security and privacy, analytics, legal and regulatory requirements, data science, big data, data lakes, and cloud computing, among others, to show their dependence on data and information and why data quality is more relevant and critical now than ever before.
  • Earthquakes and Sustainable Infrastructure

    Neodeterministic (NDSHA) Approach Guarantees Prevention Rather Than Cure
    • 1st Edition
    • Giuliano Panza + 3 more
    • English
    Earthquakes and Sustainable Infrastructure: Neodeterministic (NDSHA) Approach Guarantees Prevention Rather Than Cure communicates in one comprehensive volume the state-of-the-art scientific knowledge on earthquakes and related risks. Earthquakes occur in a seemingly random way and, in some cases, it is possible to trace seismicity back to the concept of deterministic chaos. Therefore, seismicity can be explained by a deterministic mechanism that arises as a result of various convection movements in the Earth’s mantle, expressed in the modern movement of lithospheric plates fueled by tidal forces. Consequently, to move from a perspective focused on the response to emergencies to a new perspective based on prevention and sustainability, it is necessary to follow this neodeterministic approach (NDSHA) to guarantee prevention, saving lives and infrastructure. This book describes in a complete and consistent way an effective explanation to complex structures, systems, and components, and prescribes solutions to practical challenges. It reflects the scientific novelty and promises a feasible, workable, theoretical and applicative attitude. Earthquakes and Sustainable Infrastructure serves a “commentary role” for developers and designers of critical infrastructure and unique installations. Commentary-like roles follow standard, where there is no standard. Mega-installations embody/potentiate risks; nonetheless, lack a comprehensive classic standard. Every compound is unique, one of its kind, and differs from others even of similar function. There is no justification to elaborate a common standard for unique entities. On the other hand, these specific installations, for example, NPPs, Naval Ports, Suez Canal, HazMat production sites, and nuclear waste deposits, impose security and safety challenges to people and the environment. The book offers a benchmark for entrepreneurs, designers, constructors, and operators on how to compile diverse relevant information on site-effects and integrate it into the best-educated guess to keep safe and secure, people and environment. The authors are eager to convey the entire information and explanations to our readers, without missing either accurate information or explanations. That is achieved by “miniaturization,” as much is possible, not minimization. So far, the neodeterministic method has been successfully applied in numerous metropolitan areas and regions such as Delhi (India), Beijing (China), Naples (Italy), Algiers (Algeria), Cairo (Egypt), Santiago de Cuba (Cuba), Thessaloniki (Greece), South-East Asia (2004), Tohoku, Japan (2011), Albania (2019), Bangladesh, Iran, Sumatra, Ecuador, and elsewhere. Earthquakes and Sustainable Infrastructure includes case studies from these areas, as well as suggested applications to other seismically active areas around the globe. NDSHA approaches confirm/validate that science is looming to warn. Concurrently, leaders and practitioners have to learn to use rectified science in favor of peoples' safety. State-of-the-art science does have the know-how to reduce casualties and structural damage from potential catastrophes to a bearable incident.
  • Nanobiotechnology

    Microbes and Plant Assisted Synthesis of Nanoparticles, Mechanisms and Applications
    • 1st Edition
    • Sougata Ghosh + 1 more
    • English
    Nanobiotechnology: Microbes and Plant Assisted Synthesis of Nanoparticles, Mechanisms and Applications covers in detail the green synthesis of nanostructures of tailor-made size, shape and physico-chemical and opto-electronic properties. The rationale behind the selection of bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae, fungi, virus and medicinal plants for the synthesis of biologically active exotic nanoparticles for biomedical applications is also part of this book. It also explores metal recovery, bioconversion, detoxification and removal of heavy metals using nanobiotechnology and discusses the potential of nanobiotechnology to address environmental pollution and toxicity. The book further covers the economic and commercial aspects of such green nanobiotechnology initiatives, its current status in intellectual property rights like patents filed so far globally, technology transfers, and market potential. This information enables one to decipher the scope of biogenic nanoparticles and its prospects.
  • Advanced Mathematics for Engineering Students

    The Essential Toolbox
    • 1st Edition
    • Brent J. Lewis + 2 more
    • English
    Advanced Mathematics for Engineering Students: The Essential Toolbox provides a concise treatment for applied mathematics. Derived from two semester advanced mathematics courses at the author’s university, the book delivers the mathematical foundation needed in an engineering program of study. Other treatments typically provide a thorough but somewhat complicated presentation where students do not appreciate the application. This book focuses on the development of tools to solve most types of mathematical problems that arise in engineering – a “toolbox” for the engineer. It provides an important foundation but goes one step further and demonstrates the practical use of new technology for applied analysis with commercial software packages (e.g., algebraic, numerical and statistical).
  • Nanomaterials

    Application in Biofuels and Bioenergy Production Systems
    • 1st Edition
    • R. Praveen Kumar + 1 more
    • English
    Nanomaterials: Application in Biofuels and Bioenergy Production Systems looks at how biofuels and bioenergy can be part of the "sustainable" solution to the worlds energy problems. By addressing bioenergy products compared to their fossil energy counterparts, covering research and development in biofuels applied with nanomaterials this book analyzes the future trends and how biofuels and bioenergy can contribute to its optimization. Starting from fundamentals up to synthesis, characterization and applications of nanomaterials in biofuels and bioenergy production systems, the chapters include the procedures needed for introducing nanomaterials in these specific sectors along with the benefits derived from their applications. Including the hazards and environmental effects of nanomaterials in bioenergy applications, sustainability issues and a techno-economic analysis of the topic, this book provides researchers in bioscience, energy & environment and bioengineering with an up to date look at the full life cycle assessment of nanomaterials in bioenergy.
  • Physics of Nuclear Reactors

    • 1st Edition
    • P. Mohanakrishnan + 2 more
    • English
    Physics of Nuclear Reactors presents a comprehensive analysis of nuclear reactor physics. Editors P. Mohanakrishnan, Om Pal Singh, and Kannan Umasankari and a team of expert contributors combine their knowledge to guide the reader through a toolkit of methods for solving transport equations, understanding the physics of reactor design principles, and developing reactor safety strategies. The inclusion of experimental and operational reactor physics makes this a unique reference for those working and researching nuclear power and the fuel cycle in existing power generation sites and experimental facilities. The book also includes radiation physics, shielding techniques and an analysis of shield design, neutron monitoring and core operations. Those involved in the development and operation of nuclear reactors and the fuel cycle will gain a thorough understanding of all elements of nuclear reactor physics, thus enabling them to apply the analysis and solution methods provided to their own work and research. This book looks to future reactors in development and analyzes their status and challenges before providing possible worked-through solutions. Cover image: Kaiga Atomic Power Station Units 1 – 4, Karnataka, India. In 2018, Unit 1 of the Kaiga Station surpassed the world record of continuous operation, at 962 days. Image courtesy of DAE, India.
  • Electroanalytical Applications of Quantum Dot-Based Biosensors

    • 1st Edition
    • Bengi Uslu
    • English
    Quantum dots (QDs) are hybrid organic/inorganic nanoparticles with novel physical properties. QDs have two components: an inorganic core and an optically active coated shell. Moreover, surface coatings can be applied to QDs to modify the particle as needed for experiments. Hydrophilic coatings prevent leaking of metal cargo from the core, enhancing the solubility in biological contexts and bind molecules, such as receptor–ligands, antibodies, therapeutic, and diagnostic macromolecules for enhanced effects. Their high surface-to-volume ratio allows multiple functional groups to attach onto the surface of the particles at constant surface volume. Silicon-, gallium-, indium-, or germanium-based; cadmium-based; and carbon-based QDs have already been used in many applications, such as imaging probes for the engineering of multifunctional nanodevices. Superior properties of QDs make them an excellent system in technology and biotechnology.This book describes electroanalytical applications of QD-based nanobiosensors, including brief information about the synthesis and characterization of QDs and basics of electroanalytical methods, followed by QDs in electrochemical biomimetic sensors, QDs in microchips, inorganic materials doped QDs, QD-based electrochemical DNA biosensors, electroluminescence for biomarker analysis using aptamer-based QDs, QD-based photoelectrochemical techniques, enzyme-based nanobiosensors using QDs, QD-based electrochemical immunosensors, and QD-modified nanosensors in drug analysis.
  • Encyclopedia of Materials: Technical Ceramics and Glasses

    • 1st Edition
    • Michael Pomeroy
    • English
    Encyclopedia of Materials: Technical Ceramics and Glasses, Two Volume Set is an essential resource guide to these incredibly important and versatile materials. The book covers everything from the types, structures, mechanics and properties of ceramics and glasses, to the testing, characterization, modeling and applications of these materials. Important recent developments are also considered, including additive manufacturing methods, polymer derived ceramics, advanced sintering/densificat... methods, modern analytical and testing methods, and novel applications of ceramics. This expertly-edited collection of articles provides a comprehensive source of high-quality foundational material for students (undergraduate and postgraduate), as well as postdoctoral researchers and those working in Industry (product and process development). Particular effort has been made to complement and support the ‘blended learning’ approach championed by both the American and European Ceramic Societies and EU Erasmus programme (EUCERMAT). As such, this encyclopedia is the ideal resource to facilitate collaborative, long distance education in the field.
  • Inclusive Radio Communications for 5G and Beyond

    • 1st Edition
    • Claude Oestges + 1 more
    • English
    Inclusive Radio Communication Networks for 5G and Beyond is based on the COST IRACON project that consists of 500 researchers from academia and industry, with 120 institutions from Europe, US and the Far East involved. The book presents state-of-the-art design and analysis methods for 5G (and beyond) radio communication networks, along with key challenges and issues related to the development of 5G networks. This book is Open Access and was funded by: CNIT - Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Telecomunicazioni European Association for Communications and Networking (EURACON), AISBL
  • Environmental Resilience and Transformation in times of COVID-19

    Climate Change Effects on Environmental Functionality
    • 1st Edition
    • A.L. Ramanathan + 5 more
    • English
    Environmental Resilience and Transformation in Times of COVID-19: Climate Change Effects on Environmental Functionality is a timely reference to better understand environmental changes amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated lockdowns. The book is organized into five themes: (1) environmental modifications, degradation, and human health risks; (2) water resources—planning, management, and governance; (3) air quality—monitoring, fate, transport, and drivers of socioenvironmental change; (4) marine and lacustrine environment; and (5) sustainable development goals and environmental justice. These themes provide an insight into the impact of COVID-19 on the environment and vice versa, which will help improve environmental management and planning, as well as influence future policies. Featuring many case studies from around the globe, this book offers a crucial examination of the intersectionality between climate, sustainability, the environment, and public health for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in environmental science.