GeoProc2008 collects the proceedings of the International Conference on Coupled T-H-M-C (thermal, hydraulic, mechanical, chemical) Processes in Geosystems.
The Mediterranean region has been shaped by human activity and maintained by traditional practices of land use for centuries. This has affected the distribution of plants and the landscape, which can be considered as part of the European cultural landscape. This book details the rapid changes that have taken place in the vegetation of the Mediterranean in the last half-century, a period in which major socio-economic development greatly affected the cultural and physical landscape.
This series in three volumes considers maps as constructions resulting from a number of successive transformations and stages integrated in a logical reasoning and an order of choices. Volume 2 focuses on the impact of the quantitative revolution, partially related to the advent of the computer age, on thematic cartography.
This new and expanded Fourth Edition of Dr. Benarde's myth-defying book uses an evidence-based approach to refute today's pervasive, environmental doomsday hype. With up-to-date information consolidated from authoritative scientific journals and presented in highly readable form, Our Precarious Habitat . . . It's In Your Hands: covers hot-button issues like global warming, nuclear energy, electromagnetic fields, alternative health practices, and more; covers illnesses such as SARS, avian flu, West Nile virus, and prion diseases like mad cow; and includes facts, figures, tables, and charts derived from respected scientific sources and presented in easy-to-understand terms. New to this edition are sections on alternative energy sources, climate change, and creationism vs. evolution, plus expanded information on food safety that covers genetically modified foods, organic foods, free-radicals and antioxidants, and dietary supplements. This book is a great resource for environmental science professionals and a thought-provoking textbook for students in medicine and public health, the social sciences, earth science, and other areas. Most of all, it's an eye-opening reference for concerned officials and citizens who want a clear, unbiased perspective on environmental issues in order to separate scientific fact from alarmist propaganda.
This book explores the possibility that life exists on Mars. It provides an interdisciplinary overview of the early evolution of life in hydrothermal ecosystems on Earth, focusing on the problem of remote sensing and incorporating geological work relevant to the search for evidence of early life on Earth and Mars. It discusses the belief that studying thermal spring deposits as part of this search may be the best opportunity to test whether life on earth is a «unique experiment,» or whether there is life elsewhere in the solar system.
This exciting book brings together an international and interdisciplinary group of experts to discuss the importance of pulsatile signalling in the induction of biological responses. Coverage includes the basic mechanisms involved in hormone pulsatility, the significance of pulsatility in normal and disease conditions, the relevance of circadian rhythms, changes with ageing, and detailed consideration of specific peptide hormone systems. This book includes contributions from professionals working in both basic and clinical research and reveals much new and exciting work in this area and promises new research directions.
Computer vision encompasses the construction of integrated vision systems and the application of vision to problems of real-world importance. The process of creating 3D models is still rather difficult, requiring mechanical measurement of the camera positions or manual alignment of partial 3D views of a scene. However using algorithms, it is possible to take a collection of stereo-pair images of a scene and then automatically produce a photo-realistic, geometrically accurate digital 3D model. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the methods, theories and algorithms of 3D computer vision. Almost every theoretical issue is underpinned with practical implementation or a working algorithm using pseudo-code and complete code written in C++ and MatLab®. There is the additional clarification of an accompanying website with downloadable software, case studies and exercises. Organised in three parts, Cyganek and Siebert give a brief history of vision research, and subsequently: present basic low-level image processing operations for image matching, including a separate chapter on image matching algorithms; explain scale-space vision, as well as space reconstruction and multiview integration; demonstrate a variety of practical applications for 3D surface imaging and analysis; provide concise appendices on topics such as the basics of projective geometry and tensor calculus for image processing, distortion and noise in images plus image warping procedures. An Introduction to 3D Computer Vision Algorithms and Techniques is a valuable reference for practitioners and programmers working in 3D computer vision, image processing and analysis as well as computer visualisation. It would also be of interest to advanced students and researchers in the fields of engineering, computer science, clinical photography, robotics, graphics and mathematics.
Carbohydrates are widely distributed in nature and widely available, and so are considered as a promising feedstock for the preparation of many organic chemical compounds. They are particularly useful in the preparation of nitrogen heterocycles because of their related structural characteristics and easy availability. Synthesis of Naturally Occurring Nitrogen Heterocycles from Carbohydrates will review the recent literature dealing with use of carbohydrates as raw materials in the synthesis of these materials. The text contains six chapters arranged according to the complexity of the heterocyclic compounds discussed, ranging from five to seven membered rings and from single to multiple fused rings. The book provides a detailed discussion of the various synthetic approaches to these compounds, using carbohydrate starting materials, and does not merely reference synthetic methodology but attempts to give as much detail as possible on the actual experimental conditions used, in such a way that the chemist can use the information directly to design a multi-step synthesis. It discusses the different approaches to the synthesis of a wide range of naturally occurring nitrogen heterocycles in a format that enables the reader to make comparisons and decisions on whether to use a certain procedure, to modify it, or to devise a new synthetic methodology.
CCPS (Center for Chemical Process Safety)
Providing in-depth guidance on how to design and rate emergency pressure relief systems, Guidelines for Pressure Relief and Effluent Handling Systems incorporates the current best designs from the Design Institute for Emergency Relief Systems as well as American Petroleum Institute (API) standards. Presenting a methodology that helps properly size all the components in a pressure relief system, the book includes a CD with the CCFlow suite of design tools and the new Superchems for DIERS Lite software, making this an essential resource for engineers designing chemical plants, refineries, and similar facilities. Access to Software Access the Guidelines for Pressure Relief and Effluent Handling Software and documents using a web browser at: http://www.aiche.org/ccps/PRTools Each folder will have a readme file and installation instructions for the program. After downloading SuperChems™ for DIERS Lite the purchaser of this book must contact the AIChE Customer Service with the numeric code supplied within the book. The purchaser will then be supplied with a license code to be able to install and run SuperChems™ for DIERS Lite. Only one license per purchaser will be issued.
A timely, hands-on guide to environmental issues and regulatory standards for the petroleum industry Environmental analysis and testing methods are an integral part of any current and future refining activities. Today's petroleum refining industry must be prepared to meet a growing number of challenges, both environmental and regulatory. Environmental Analysis and Technology for the Refining Industry focuses on the analytical issues inherent in any environmental monitoring or cleanup program as they apply to today's petroleum industry, not only during the refining process, but also during recovery operations, transport, storage, and utilization. Designed to help today's industry professionals identify test methods for monitoring and cleanup of petroleum-based pollutants, the book provides examples of the application of environmental regulations to petroleum refining and petroleum products, as well as current and proposed methods for the mitigation of environmental effects and waste management. Part I introduces petroleum technology, refining, and products, and reviews the nomenclature used by refiners, environmental scientists, and engineers. Part II discusses environmental technology and analysis, and provides information on environmental regulation and the impact of refining. Coverage includes: * In-depth descriptions of analyses related to gaseous emissions, liquid effluents, and solid waste * A checklist of relevant environmental regulations * Numerous real-world examples of the application of environmental regulations to petroleum refining and petroleum products * An analysis of current and proposed methods of environmental protection and waste management