springer netherlands springer netherlands sep 2011 (Plus de 1 700 résultats)

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -Following the development of gray-scale imaging, real-time scanning, Doppler examination, and high-frequency sonography, endosonography is one of the latest major breakthroughs in the history of diagnostic ultrasound. Although early attempts at inserting ultrasound transducers in natural cavities of the body can be traced back more than two decades, only in the past few years has technology allowed the development and commercialization of effective, easy-to-use endosono scopic probes. Because the transducer can be placed in direct contact with or close to lesions, high frequencies (up to ~2 MHz) can be used, yielding cross-sectional images of unsurpassed resolution. The availability of specially designed intracorporeal probes for specific natural cavities that are routinely explored by conventional (optical) endoscopy or palpation has significantly expanded the diagnostic applications of sonography. Transrectal and transvaginal examinations are now performed routinely in many institutions, and virtually all sonographic equipment manufac turers have in their line of products at least one endorectal and one endovaginal transducer. Most endosonoscopic probes connect to existing scanners, and for radiology departments, the invest ment for transrectal or transvaginal scanning will usually be limited to the purchase of the specific probe. In this book, clinical applications of endosonography (excluding transesophageal echocardio graphy) are covered by European and North American experts. Current equipment and techniques of examination are described in detail to help newcomers get started in the field of endosonography. 200 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -For more than a century, heterocycles have played a crucial role in the biological and industrial development of society, becoming one of the most researched areas within organic chemistry.The first chapter of Microwave-Induced Synthesis of Aromatic Heterocycles is based on microwave theory, the latest developments in instrumentation technology, and the various microwave technologies used for synthesis. The remainder of the chapters are divided into two sections. Section A deals with the five-membered heterocycles (pyrazoles, isoxazoles, triazoles, oxadiazoles, thiazoles, imidazoles, oxazoles, oxazolines etc.) and in Section B, various six-membered heterocycles (triazines, benzoxazoles, benzimidazoles, benzothiazoles) are presented. Both sections contain a detailed, recent literature review of microwave assisted synthesis and its applicability to various aromatic heterocyclics.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 104 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -Through analysis of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), this book demonstrates how to use a variety of econometric techniques to analyze the evolving and expanding carbon markets sphere, techniques that can be extrapolated to the worldwide marketplace. It features stylized facts about carbon markets from an economics perspective, as well as covering key aspects of pricing strategies, risk and portfolio management.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 248 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -Remote sensing using aircraft and satellites has helped to open up to intensified scientific scrutiny the cold and remote regions in which snow and ice are prevalent. In this book, the utility of remote sensing for identifying, mapping and analyzing surface and subsurface properties of worldwide ice and snow features is described. Emphasis is placed on the use of remote sensing for developing an improved understanding of the physical properties of ice and snow and understanding the interrelationships of cryospheric processes with atmospheric, hydrospheric and oceanic processes. Current and potential applications of remotely sensed data are also stressed. At present, all-weather, day and night observations of the polar regions can be obtained from sensors operating in different portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Because the approaches for analysis of remotely sensed data are not straightforward, Chapter 1 serves to introduce the reader to some of the optical, thermal and electrical properties of ice and snow as they pertain to remote sensing. In Chapter 2 we briefly describe many of the sensors and platforms that are referred to in the rest of the book. The remaining chapters deal with remote sensing of the seasonal snow cover, lake and river ice, permafrost, glacier ice and sea ice.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 212 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -I: A Technical Perspective on Strategic Management Requirements.- 1: Sources of the Strategic Management Challenge.- 1.1 Distinguishing the Strategic Decision Domain.- 1.2 The Strategic Focus on Organizational Positioning.- 1.3 Managerial Implications of Environmental Complexity.- 1.4 Managerial Consequences of Competitive Intensity.- 1.5 Contextual Determinants of Strategic Sophistication.- 2: Alternative Approaches to Strategic Readiness.- 2.1 The Anatomy of a Strategic Planning Structure.- 2.2 Readiness Orientations and Strategic Management Modalities.- 2.3 Prescriptive/Goal-Driven Strategic Planning.- 2.4 The Sequential Strategic Planning/Positioning Platform.- 2.5 A Brief on Contingency and Adaptive Strategic Management.- II: Modern Strategic Planning/Positioning Platforms.- 3: Structured Strategic Contingency Planning.- 3.1 Rudimentary Contingency Planning Concepts.- 3.2 Matrix-Based Strategic Planning Structures.- 3.3 Simple Strategic Tree Structures.- 3.4 Strategic Threat Projection Networks.- 3.5 Interactive Strategic Event/Response Sub-structures.- 4: Intelligence-Driven, Dynamic Strategic Planning/Positioning.- 4.1 Characteristics of Modern Command/Control Systems.- 4.2 Strategic Indicator/Warning-Alert Facilities.- 4.3 Structures to Support Dynamic Threat Projection.- 4.4 Structures to Formalize Strategic Threat Assessment.- 4.5 Definition and Use of Indicators.- 4.6 Dynamic Modification of Strategic Planning Structures.- 5: Approaches to Adaptive Strategic Management.- 5.1 Strategic Contingency Planning Quandaries.- 5.2 Interpolative Strategic Planning/Positioning Provisions.- 5.3 Adaptive/Real-Time Strategic Management Logic.- III: Addressing the Shortfall in Strategic Decision Technology.- 6: Strategic Analysis Capabilities and Confoundations.- 6.1 Decision Analysis Functions and Methodological Protocols.- 6.2 Uniquely Strategic Analytical Confoundations.- 6.3 Symptoms of the Shortfall In Strategic Decision Technology.- 7: Provisions of a Strategic Decision Protocol.- 7.1 Exchanging Quantitative for Qualitative Discipline.- 7.2 Parsing Operations: Making Subjective Arguments Accessible.- 7.3 Prospects for Logical (vs. Data Processing) Facilities.- 7.4 Initiatives for Resolving Strategic Disputation.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 316 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -Richard Fox Chairman, Scientific Programme Committee Between 25th and 29th September, 1988, 243 people who either apply or research the use of computers in fermentation gathered together at Robinson College, Cambridge, UK. They came from 30 countries. The conference brought together two traditions. Firstly, it continued the series on Computer Applications in Fermentation Technology (ICCAFT) inaugurated by Henri Blanchere in Dijon in 1973 and carried forward in Philadelphia and Manchester. Secondly, it brought the expertise of the many members of the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC), who focused their attention on biotechnology at Noordwijkerhout in the Netherlands in December, 1985. I am happy to say that the tradition carries on and a successor meeting will hopefully take place in the USA in 1991. If you find these proceedings useful or stimulating, then we hope to see you there. We set out to make ICCAFT4 a close-knit friendly conference. We housed all who cared to in Robinson College itself and organised no parallel sessions. Because we, the organisers, experience difficulty with the jargon of our colleagues from other disciplines, we asked Bruce Beck to present a breakfast tutorial on modern control and modelling techniques, and we set up informal panel discussions after dinner on two evenings. Neville Fish chaired a forum on the microbiological principles behind models, while Professors Derek Linkens and Ron Leigh led a discussion on expert systems in control.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 496 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -One: Simmel as a Puzzling Figure.- Two: Simmel as a Puzzling Figure for Contemporary Sociology.- On the Current Rediscovery of Georg Simmel¿s Sociology ¿ A European Point of View.- Georg Simmel¿s Concept of Society.- Georg Simmel and the Study of Modernity.- The World as Human Construction.- Four Concepts of Social Science at Berlin University: Dilthey, Lazarus, Schmoller and Simmel.- Simmel¿s Contribution to Parsons¿ Action Theory and its Fate.- Simmel on Memory.- Social Differentiation and Modernity: On Simmel¿s Macrosociology.- Simmel¿s Sociology in Relation to Schopenhauer¿s Philosophy.- Simmel on the Ratio of Subjective Values to Objective Cultural Possibilities.- On the Concept of ¿Erleben¿ in Georg Simmers Sociology.- Georg Simmel as an Analyst of Autonomous Dynamics: The Merry-Go-Round of Fashion.- Simmel, Individuality, and Fundamental Change.- Georg Simmel¿s Theory of Culture.- The Groundwork of Simmel¿s New ¿Storey¿ Beneath Historical Materialism.- Georg Simmel and the Cultural Dilemma of Women.- Dimensions of Conflict: Georg Simmel on Modern Life.- Simmel¿s Influence on Luk¿¿s Conception of the Sociology of Art.- Simmel¿s Metaphysics.- INDEX OF NAMES.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 400 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -During the last two decades, the production of polymers and plastics has been increasing rapidly. In spite of developing new polymers and polymeric materials, only 40-60 are used commercially on a large scale. It has been estimated that half of the annual production of polymers is employed outdoors. Increasing the stability of polymers and plastics towards heat, light, atmospheric oxygen and other environmental agents and weathering conditions has always been a very important problem. The photochemical instability of most of polymers limits them to outdoor application, where they are photo degraded fast over periods ranging from months to a few years. To the despair of technologists and consumers alike, photodegrada tion and environmental ageing of polymers occur much faster than can be expected from knowledge collected in laboratories. In many cases, improved methods of preparation and purification of both monomers and polymers yield products of better quality and higher resistance to heat and light. However, without stabilization of polymers by applica tion of antioxidants (to decrease thermal oxidative degradation) and photostabilizers (to decrease photo-oxidative degradation) it would be impossible to employ polymers and plastics in everyday use.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 612 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -Humans interact with and are part of the mysterious processes of nature. Inevitably they have to discover how to manage the environment for their long-term survival and benefit. To do this successfully means learning something about the dynamics of natural processes, and then using the knowledge to work with the forces of nature for some desired outcome. These are intriguing and challenging tasks. This book describes a technique which has much to offer in attempting to achieve the latter task. A knowledge of dynamic programming is useful for anyone interested in the optimal management of agricultural and natural resources for two reasons. First, resource management problems are often problems of dynamic optimization. The dynamic programming approach offers insights into the economics of dynamic optimization which can be explained much more simply than can other approaches. Conditions for the optimal management of a resource can be derived using the logic of dynamic programming, taking as a starting point the usual economic definition of the value of a resource which is optimally managed through time. This is set out in Chapter I for a general resource problem with the minimum of mathematics. The results are related to the discrete maximum principle of control theory. In subsequent chapters dynamic programming arguments are used to derive optimality conditions for particular resources.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 364 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -Every day we are exposed to toxins and toxicants that can impact our health. Yet we rarely teach elementary and secondary students about these exposures and how they can reduce their risk to them. In this book we highlight activities and curriculum developed at nine universities in the United States from a grant funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Our goal is to extend these lessons to a global audience and for classroom teachers of all subjects and age levels to include environmental health in their teaching.¿An invaluable tool for equipping informed citizens to think about the environment and its human impacts --both the science, and equally important, the social and ethical dimensions¿ , Howard Frumkin, M.D., Dr. P.H., Dean, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USASpringer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 108 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -Social and natural scientists often are called upon to produce, or participate, in the pro duction of forecasts. This volume assembles essays that (a) describe the organizational and political context of applied forecasting, (b) review the state-of-the-art for many fore casting models and methods, and (c) discuss issues of predictability, the implications of forecaSt errors, and model construction, linkage and verification. The essays should be of particular interest to social and natural scientists concerned with forecasting large-scale systems. This project had its origins in discussions of social forecasts and forecasting method ologies initiated a few years ago by several social and natural science members of the Social Science Research Council's Committee on Social Indicators. It became appar ent in these discussions that certain similar problems were confronted in forecasting large-scale systems-be they social or natural. In response, the Committee hypothesized that much could be learned through more extended and systematic interchanges among social and natural scientists focusing on the formal methodologies applied in forecasting. To put this conjecture to the test, the Committee sponsored a conference at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, on June 10-13, 1984, on forecasting in the social and natural sciences. The conference was co-chaired by Committee members Kenneth C. Land and Stephen H. Schneider representing, respectively, the social and natural science mem bership of the Committee. Support for the conference was provided by a grant to the Council from the Division of Social and Economic Science of the National Science Foundation.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 392 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -Note Not long after publication of Orchid Biology, Reviews and Perspectives (OB) volume VII, my co-editor, Dr. Alec M. Pridgeon informed me that the pressure of other duties, especially the editing of Genera Orchidacearum (GO) will make it impossible for him to continue as co-editor and eventually editor ofthe series. Alec is an excellent orchid scientist and editor. I was sorry to that he had to leave OB, but glad that GO will be in his able hands. The first volume of GO attests to his considerable abilities and I wish him much success in the future. Editors of orchid publications are not the most common of species (to use a botanical analogy) and finding a replacement for Alec was not easy. However I was fortunate that Dr. Tiiu Kull agreed to become my co-editor and eventually take over the series. As is obvious from the Contributors section Dr. Kull has extensive experience as both writer and editor. My interactions with her while editing this volume have convinced me she is an excellent choice. Scientifically she brings to OB an appreciation and understanding of northern terrestrial orchids, a group, which has not received as much attention as it deserves. Another addition to OB is Dr. Tim Wing Yam who agreed to become an associate editor. Tim, who holds a position at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, will provide expertise on seed germination, hybridization, tissue culture, species and conservation.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 608 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -This volume contains a collection of papers based on presentations made at the Reproductive Health Care International Symposium held in Maui, Hawaii, USA, October 1982. The papers evaluate biologic interactions be tween intrauterine contraceptive devices and the host, examine the risks associated with the use of these devices and describe aspects of technical progress in the field. The contributing authors bring their knowledge and expertise from four corners of the world to the readers. The editors wish to express their appreciation to the authors for their valuable contributions, to Carolyn K. Osborn for helpful assistance in editing the manuscripts and to MTP Press for accurate preparation and fine presentation of the material. It is hoped that this volume will serve to expand knowledge and generate further interest among its readers in the dynamic and fascinating field of intrauterine contraception. April, 1984 H.M. Hasson, MD Chicago, Illinois, USA ix 1 Ultrastructure of the decidual response to a progesterone releasing IUD U.M. SPORNITZ. K.S. LUDWIG and M. MALL-HAEFELI INTRODUCTION The ever-increasing world-wide use of the IUD has prompted intensive research into the physiology of its contraceptive action. From these studies it has become clear that the alterations in morphology as well as in the physiological milieu produced by the IUD are manifold and differ greatly with the type of IUD used.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 156 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -In the field of logic circuits in microelectronics, the leadership of silicon is now strongly established due to the achievement of its technology. Near unity yield of one million transistor chips on very large wafers (6 inches today, 8 inches tomorrow) are currently accomplished in industry. The superiority of silicon over other material can be summarized as follow: - The Si/Si0 interface is the most perfect passivating interface ever 2 obtained (less than 10' e y-I cm2 interface state density) - Silicon has a large thermal conductivity so that large crystals can be pulled. - Silicon is a hard material so that large wafers can be handled safely. - Silicon is thermally stable up to 1100°C so that numerous metallurgical operations (oxydation, diffusion, annealing . ) can be achieved safely. - There is profusion of silicon on earth so that the base silicon wafer is cheap. Unfortunatly, there are fundamental limits that cannot be overcome in silicon due to material properties: laser action, infra-red detection, high mobility for instance. The development of new technologies of deposition and growth has opened new possibilities for silicon based structures. The well known properties of silicon can now be extended and properly used in mixed structures for areas such as opto-electronics, high-speed devices. This has been pioneered by the integration of a GaAs light emitting diode on a silicon based structure by an MIT group in 1985.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 380 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -Less than 18 years have passed since the first coronary balloon angioplasty was performed in September 1977 by Andreas Gruntzig. In 1993, 185700 coronary angioplasties were performed in Europe and in many European countries, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is the most com mon method of myocardial revascularization, well ahead of coronary bypass surgery. This explosive growth of interventional cardiology results from major technological advances. The balloons have been markedly improved with a better profile, excellent trackability, and good pushability. The steer able guide wires are excellent and can reach the most difficult and the most distal parts of the coronary tree. The guiding catheters offer excellent support and good back-up in the ostium. Meanwhile, new tools have been proposed and designed for a 'lesion specific' approach. Coronary stenting which is the 'second wind' of angioplasty has dethroned most of the so-called new tools and stents are currently implanted in 30-60% of cases. Similar develop ments have occurred in the field of mitral valvuloplasty, ablative techniques in electrophysiology, and in the field of interventions in congenital heart disease. However, these advances would not have been possible without the con comitant development of cardiac imaging. For many interventions, cardiac imaging is an necessary pre-requisite: 1. Imaging is mandatory to identify the lesions needing an intervention. Coronary bypass surgery or angioplasty cannot be performed without prior coronary angiography. However, scintigraphic stress testing is also needed to identify perfusion defects in the area supplied by the diseased artery.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 572 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -Until the early seventies, tautomeric i. e. fast and reversible rearrangement reactions accompanied by migrations of carbon-centered groups - were practi cally unknown. For a long time it was assumed that the family of tautomeric reactions was confined to proto tropic transformations only. However, the discovery in the fifties of the reversible metallotropic rearrangements showed the domain of migratory tautomerism to be substantially broader. The synthesis of the metallotropic compounds was based on the substitution of a proton in prototropic compounds by an organometallic group. This approach rarely proved fruitful when attempting to effect tautomeric rearrangements of organic and organometallic groups formed by the elements to the right of carbon in the Periodic Table. By contrast, a novel approach involving an analysis of the steric requirements inherent in the structure of the transition state of a reactive center and an examination of the stereodynamic possibilities has given rise to a target-oriented molecular design of compounds capable of rapid and reversible intramolecular migration of the type indicated. The implementation of this ap proach, which is the subject of the present book, has already led to the preparation of new tautomeric compounds in which such heavy organic migrants as acyl, aryl, sulfinyl, phosphoryl, arsinyl, and other groups migrate in molecules at a frequency 6 9 of 10 -10 S-I at ambient temperature, i. e. , at the rates comparable with protonic migrations.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 296 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -Most of the nuclear facilities built since the Second World War have ceased active operation and have been decommissioned. Some of the sites are heavily contaminated with radioactive substances. Correct and efficient action to mitigate the radiological consequences of such contamination will only be possible when the behaviour of radionuclides in the terrestrial environment is sufficiently well known. Yet radioecologists often find it difficult to study the transfer of radioactivity in agricultural land and semi-natural ecosystems, because of the complexity and diversity of such environments. The present book presents an analysis of all the factors that affect the behaviour of radionuclides as they move from their point of release through the environment and then enter the tissues of biota living in the ecosystems, in particular plants and animals consumed by humans.The course on which the book is based was held in a region that is heavily contaminated by radioactive discharges into the environment during nuclear weapons fabrication in the 1950s and '60s, and due to a severe accidental release following the explosion of a rad-waste tank in 1957. This allowed in situ training of the students.The book's main emphasis is on specific radioecological problems in severely contaminated areas in the former Soviet Union: the Southern Urals Trail, the rivers Techa-Isert-Tobol-Irtis-Ob, and the 30 km zone around Chernobyl. Systems examined include soils, arable and pasture land, forests, lakes and rivers. Special attention is paid to the effects of radiation on natural ecosystems: trees, soil-dwelling organisms, and aquatic organisms. Synergistic effects are also considered. Short, medium and long term countermeasures are discussed.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 308 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -The power of microwave remote sensing for studying the oceans of the world was demonstrated conclusively by the SEASAT mission in 1978. Since then, no further satellite-flown instruments have been available to provide further data of this type. However, the proposed launch of ESA's ERS-1 satellite will lead to a new set of active microwave instruments being flown in space in 1990. Even though similar data has been obtained from aircraft-flown instruments SAR, scatterometers, altimeters etc. - a great deal of activity has been taking place to develop the necessary expertise in handling and analysing such data when it comes on-stream from ERS-1 and from subsequent satellites. It was against this background that the scientific Affairs Division of NATO again agreed to sponsor an ASI in Dundee in 1988. Its purpose was to review existing knowledge of the extraction of marine and atmospheric geophysical parameters from satellite-gathered microwave data and to enable scientists to prepare themselves and their computing systems to utilise the new data when it becomes available. The importance of the data is largely as input parameters to assist in the fitting of boundary conditions in large computer models. The course was concerned more with the non-imaging instruments, that is with passive radiometers, altimeters and scatterometers, than with the (imaging) synthetic aperture radar.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 420 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -In October 1979 the First European Symposium on Physico-Chemical Behaviour of Atmospheric Pollutants was held In Ispra (Italy); 83 scientists attended the conference contributing 44 papers. Ten years later, the Fifth European Symposium on Physico-Chemical Behaviour of Atmospheric Pollutants, organized as for the previous Symposia In the framework of the Concerted Action \*COST 611, was held in Varese (Italy) from 25 to 28 September 1989. This Volume contains the oral papers and the posters presented at this Symposium. Participation at this Conference Is more than doubled of that In 1979 In terms of scientists (185) and contributed papers (110). This simple comparison demonstrates once more the growing attention of the scientific community to the problems related to the pollution of the atmosphere. During these years, Important new Issues have arisen (global pol lutlon/cl Imatlc changes) whl Ie old ones have been reviewed due to new experimental evidence (depletion of stratospheric ozone). The Symposium offered the best opportunity for a review of the current studies and technical progress achieved In the various sectors of the Concerted Action since the Fourth Symposium held In Stresa (Italy) In September 1986. In 1987 the scientific programme and the operational structures of the COST 611 Project were revised. The Project Is now structured into three Working Parties: 1. Development of Analytical Methods to measure Trace Components of the Atmosphere. 2. Atmospheric Chemical and Photochemical Processes. 3. Field measurements and their Interpretation.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 760 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -Around the beginning of the sixteenth century, Portuguese and Dutch sailors first ventured into southern seas. With their keen navigational interest in the skies, they noted the continuous presence of two cloud-like features, not far from the almost immediately Southern Pole. The first literature mention of these 'clouds' was in the journal written in 1520 by the Italian navigator Pigafetta on the first circumnavigation of the globe by Magalhaes (c/. Pigafetta et ai. , 1962). In honour of this exploit, the objects have since become known as the Magellanic Clouds, although the Dutch name 'Kaapsche Wolken' (Cape Clouds - after the Cape of Good Hope) has also been in use for centuries. The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds are dwarf irregular galaxies, orbiting our own Milky Way Galaxy, presently at distances of 53 and 63 kpc respectively (Humphreys, 1984) . . They are the galaxies nearest to us: most other Local Group galaxies are of order ten times more distant. The LMC and SMC are also the prototypical blue dwarf irregulars, representatives of a class of objects in which several hundred more distant objects are now known. Their masses are a few per cent of the mass of the Milky Way Galaxy, but they are relatively gas-rich and appear to be, at the present epoch, forming stars at a more prodiguous rate than our Galaxy (c/. Lequeux, 1984).Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 244 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -The aim of this book is to provide a unified presentation of modern mechanics of structures in a form which is suitable for graduate students as well as for engineers and scientists working in the field of applied mechanics. Traditionally, students at technical universities have been taught subjects such as continuum mechanics, elasticity, plates and shells, frames or finite element techniques in an entirely separate manner. The authors' teaching experience clearly suggests that this situation frequently tends to create in students' minds an incomplete and inconsistent picture of the contemporary structural mechanics. Thus, it is very common that the fundamental laws of physics appear to students hardly related to simplified equations of different 'technical' theories of structures, numerical solution techniques are studied independently of the essence of mechanical models they describe, and so on. The book is intended to combine in a reasonably connected and unified manner all these problems starting with the very fundamental postulates of nonlinear continuum mechanics via different structural models of 'engineer ing' accuracy to numerical solution methods which can effectively be used for solving boundary-value problems of technological importance. The authors have tried to restrict the mathematical background required to that which is normally familiar to a mathematically minded engineering graduate.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 480 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -Five billion people, at present the world population, inevitably affect the quality of the environment. The general public in an increasing number of countries is getting more and more concerned about this deterioration in quality. As a result many people cast doubts upon the desirability of the increase in energy consumption, the production of superfluous goods, ever-growing waste flows, harmful emissions of industrial processes, and so on. Actually, no one can simply ignore these issues. For instance, the authorities could introduce more environmental legislation aiming at a healthy environment; industries could change to cleaner production processes; the public at large should assume an even more conservation-minded attitude rather than confine themselves to shaking a finger at 'the industry'. In short, in all sectors of society there are often numerous ways and means of curbing environmental pollution. Clearly, environmental technology - the development and application of techniques to identify, quantify and reduce environmental problems - can make a substantial contribution here in many situations. Until now a large number of such new techniques have been developed. Many of these techniques not only appear to add greatly to reducing the burden on the environment, they sometimes also offer interesting economic advantages (savings in raw material and energy, etc.).Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 848 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -Weed scientists are confident of increasing production through agricultural technology, including herbicides, but do not must ask if the moral obligation to feed people is sufficient justification for the benefits and harms achieved. A continuing, rigorous examination of the science¿s goals that leads to appropriate change is advocated. Weed scientists have a research consensus - a paradigm - Weeds must be controlled. Herbicides are the best control technology. Agriculture's practitoners should discuss the necessity and risks of their technology. Discussion must include scientific evidence and value-laden arguments.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 88 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -The 1990 ESPRIT Conferene is being held in Brussels from the 12th November to the 15th November. Well over 1700 participants from all over Europe and overseas are expected to attend the various events. The Conference will offer the opportunity to be updated on the results ofthe ESPRITprojects and Basic Research actions andto develop international contacts with colleagues, both within a specific branch of Information Technology and across different branches. The first three days of the Conference are devoted to presentations of Esprit projects and Basic Research actions structured into plenary and parallel sessions; the scope of the Conference has been broadened this year by the inclusion of several well-known international speakers. All areas of Esprit work are covered: Microelectronics, Information Processing Systems, Office and Business Systems, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Basic Research and aspects of the Information Exchange System. During the IT Forum on Thursday November 15th, major European industrial and political decision-makers will address the audience in the morning. In the afternoon, a Round Table will discuss the impact of Information Technology on society. More than 100 projects and actions will display their major innovations and achieve ments at the Esprit Exhibition which will be, for the first time, open to the general public.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 908 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -Over the last century the discharge of crude or partially treated sewage has probably been the most widespread, most documented and certainly the best understood form of pollution entering the aquatic environment. In the past two decades, however, there has been an increasing public aware ness of the potential hazards that exist from the contamination of the freshwater environment by toxic substances associated with the mining industry. World demand for minerals has intensified the exploitation of natural resources. In most western and newly developed countries significant mining proposals are now strenuously regulated to protect the environ ment. These involve economic and legislative measures and the use of appropriate control technologies. This concern will undoubtedly continue to spread worldwide requiring a programme of enlightened environmental protection management policies and practices for the future. This book has been prepared as a synthesis of our current understand ing of the effects of various heavy metals and acidic discharges likely to contaminate the freshwater environment as a direct result of mining activities. The review is based upon the dissertations of former BP spon sored students who were engaged to provide a better scientific understand ing of the causes of environmental problems associated with this industry. It gives us great pleasure to publish this information for use and appli cation by a wider audience as part of the contribution of The British Petroleum Company p.1.c. to European Year of the Environment.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 248 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -Many pathologists have little acquaintance with ear, nose concomitant biopsy have become commonplace in the and throat pathology. Some receive few specimens from management of throat disorders. It is hoped that. by ENT tissues; others are deterred from deeper study of the publication of this Atlas, pathologists receiving only material that emanates from regions the normal anatomy occasional specimens will be guided in their provision of of which is so forbidding in its complexity and holds no a report helpful to the clinician and those who are involved familiarity through autopsy investigation, for, apart from with a larger ENT service may be providec with a guide the larynx, there is usually no compelling indication for to the deeper understanding of the subject. examination of the ear, nose or throat at postmortem. Yet. The modern tendency in publication of ristopatholog equally with biopsy specimens from other parts of the ical microphotographs is to omit any statement of their body, the pathologist's report is consequential for the magnification, since it will usually be clear to the reader efficient handling of ear, nose and throat illnesses and what order of enlargement is involved. I n this Atlas, sometimes even for the patient's survival.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 124 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -The locus of concreteness effects in memory for verbal materials has been described here in terms of the processing of shared and distinctive information. This theoretical view is consistent with a variety of findings previously taken as support for dual coding, insofar as both verbal and perceptual information may be involved in comprehending high-imagery sentences and in learning lists of concrete words. But going beyond previous accounts of imagery, this view also can provide explanations for several findings that appear contradictory to the thesis that concrete and abstract materials differ in the form of their storage in long-term memory. Although this does not rule out a role for imagery in list learning or text comprehension, it is clear that the complex processes involved in comprehension and memory for language go beyond mechanisms supplied by a theory based on the availability of modality-specific mental representations. The task now is to determine the viability of the theory in other domains. Several domains of imagery research presented at EWIC provided fertile ground for evaluating my theoretical viewpoint. Although not all provide a basis for distinguishing representational theories of imagery from the imagery as process view, there are data in several areas that are more consistent with the latter than the former. In other cases, there are at least potential sources of evidence that would allow such a distinction.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 448 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -The NATO Advanced Study Institute on 'Algorithms for continuous optimiza tion: the state of the art' was held September 5-18, 1993, at II Ciocco, Barga, Italy. It was attended by 75 students (among them many well known specialists in optimiza tion) from the following countries: Belgium, Brasil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Spain, Turkey, UK, USA, Venezuela. The lectures were given by 17 well known specialists in the field, from Brasil, China, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, UK, USA. Solving continuous optimization problems is a fundamental task in computational mathematics for applications in areas of engineering, economics, chemistry, biology and so on. Most real problems are nonlinear and can be of quite large size. Devel oping efficient algorithms for continuous optimization has been an important field of research in the last 30 years, with much additional impetus provided in the last decade by the availability of very fast and parallel computers. Techniques, like the simplex method, that were already considered fully developed thirty years ago have been thoroughly revised and enormously improved. The aim of this ASI was to present the state of the art in this field. While not all important aspects could be covered in the fifty hours of lectures (for instance multiob jective optimization had to be skipped), we believe that most important topics were presented, many of them by scientists who greatly contributed to their development.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 584 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -In the past, coronary arteriography was the only modality available to provide high quality images of the coronary anatomy. Quantitative coronary arteriography (QCA) was developed, implemented, validated and extensively applied to obtain accurate and reproducible data about coronary morphology and the functional significance of coronary obstructions. Over the last few years extensive basic technological research supported by clinical investigations has created competing modalities to visualize coronary morphology and the associated perfusion of the myocardial muscle. Currently, the following modalities are available: X-ray coronary arteriography, intracoronary ultrasound, contrast- and stress-echocardiography, angioscopy, nuclear cardiology, magnetic resonance imaging, and cine and spiral CT imaging.For all these imaging modalities, the application of dedicated quantitative analytical software packages enables the evaluation of the imaging studies in a more accurate, reliable, and reproducible manner. These extensions and achievements have resulted in improved diagnostics and subsequently in improved patient care. Particularly in patients with ischaemic heart disease, major progress has been made to detect coronary artery disease in an early phase of the disease process, to follow the atherosclerotic changes in the coronary arteries, to establish the functional and metabolic consequences of the luminal obstructions, and accurately to assess the results of interventional therapy.Aside from all these high-tech developments in cardiac imaging techniques, the transition from the analogue to the digital world has been going on for some time now. For the future, it has been predicted that the CD-R will be the exchange medium for cardiac images and DICOM-3 the standard file format. This has been a major achievement in the field of standardization activities. Since these developments will have a major impact on the way images willbe stored, reviewed and exchanged in the near future, an important part of this book has been dedicated to DICOM and the filmless catheterization laboratory.Cardiovascular Imaging will assist cardiologists, radiologists, nuclear medicine physicians, image processing specialists, physicists, basic scientists, and fellows in training for these specialties to understand the most recent achievements in cardiac imaging techniques and their impact on cardiovascular medicine.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 604 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Etat : Neu. Neuware -tic knowledge, a multidisciplinary approach is indis Over the past 60 years, radiology has progressively uncovered the human body. At first a fleshless skele pensable: clinicians, radiologists, surgeons, radio therapists, and pathologists must all contribute their ton for global study, the body then appeared in slices, until with present techniques its smallest respective inputs for every patient referred. More over, experience is acquired through knowledge of structures are revealed. The physician at the com cases whose diagnosis is certain, and with which new puter console is constantly amazed at the never ending series of organ sections and their mUltiple cases can be compared. In this way a data base is created, whether in the physician'S memory or in images arising through manipulation of the signal. Cerebral convolutions, orbital content, bone mar that of the computer, which is helpful in making row, the face and all its bones can now be made visi diagnoses. ble without any danger to the patient. A lesion can be detected, located and identified; it can be ob Dr.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 188 pp. Englisch.