springer jul 1997 (89 Ergebnisse)

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -The aim of this book is to provide researchers in economics, finance, and statistics with an up-to-date introduction to applying Bayesian techniques to empirical studies. It covers the full range of the new numerical techniques which have been developed over the last thirty years, notably: Monte Carlo sampling, antithetic replication, importance sampling, and Gibbs sampling. The author covers both advances in theory and modern approaches to numerical and applied problems. The book includes applications drawn from a variety of different fields within economics and also provides a quick overview to the underlying statistical ideas of Bayesian thought. The result is a book which presents a roadmap of applied economic questions that can now be addressed empirically with Bayesian methods. Consequently, many researchers will find this a readily readable survey of this growing research topic.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 124 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -This is a research monograph covering the majority of known results on the problem of constructing compact symplectic manifolds with no Kaehler structure with an emphasis on the use of rational homotopy theory. In recent years, some new and stimulating conjectures and problems have been formulated due to an influx of homotopical ideas. Examples include the Lupton-Oprea conjecture, the Benson-Gordon conjecture, both of which are in the spirit of some older and still unsolved problems (e.g. Thurston's conjecture and Sullivan's problem). Our explicit aim is to clarify the interrelations between certain aspects of symplectic geometry and homotopy theory in the framework of the problems mentioned above. We expect that the reader is aware of the basics of differential geometry and algebraic topology at graduate level. 216 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Motion-based recognition deals with the recognition of an object and/or its motion, based on motion in a series of images. In this approach, a sequence containing a large number of frames is used to extract motion information. The advantage is that a longer sequence leads to recognition of higher level motions, like walking or running, which consist of a complex and coordinated series of events. Unlike much previous research in motion, this approach does not require explicit reconstruction of shape from the images prior to recognition.This book provides the state-of-the-art in this rapidly developing discipline. It consists of a collection of invited chapters by leading researchers in the world covering various aspects of motion-based recognition including lipreading, gesture recognition, facial expression recognition, gait analysis, cyclic motion detection, and activity recognition.Audience: This volume will be of interest to researchers and post- graduate students whose work involves computer vision, robotics and image processing. 388 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -In this introductory textbook, a revised and extended version of well-known lectures by L. Hörmander from 1986, four chapters are devoted to weak solutions of systems of conservation laws. Apart from that the book only studies classical solutions. Two chapters concern the existence of global solutions or estimates of the lifespan for solutions of nonlinear perturbations of the wave or Klein-Gordon equation with small initial data. Four chapters are devoted to microanalysis of the singularities of the solutions. This part assumes some familiarity with pseudodifferential operators which are standard in the theory of linear differential operators, but the extension to the more exotic classes of opertors needed in the nonlinear theory is presented in complete detail.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 304 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Laser application in chemistry and related fields is an area growing at rapid pace in line with new developments in laser technology. The fields of application range from fundamental chemical research to sophisticated analytical methods in chemical and biotechnological industry and in environmental chemistry. This book demonstrates the breadth of applications of lasers in chemistry, with particular reference to analytical and research applications. David L. Andrews presents the subject matter at a level amenable to the general chemist, the novice and the practising specialists as well. The 3rd edition of this successful book has been completely revised and updated.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 248 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -3. 2 The Busy Period 43 3. 3 The M 1M IS System with Last Come, First Served 50 3. 4 Comparison of FCFS and LCFS 51 3. 5 Time-Reversibility of Markov Processes 52 The Output Process 54 3. 6 3. 7 The Multi-Server System in a Series 55 Problems for Solution 3. 8 56 4 ERLANGIAN QUEUEING SYSTEMS 59 4. 1 Introduction 59 4. 2 The System M I E/c/1 60 4. 3 The System E/cl Mil 67 4. 4 The System MIDI1 72 4. 5 Problems for Solution 74 PRIORITY SYSTEMS 79 5 5. 1 Description of a System with Priorities 79 Two Priority Classes with Pre-emptive Resume Discipline 5. 2 82 5. 3 Two Priority Classes with Head-of-Line Discipline 87 5. 4 Summary of Results 91 5. 5 Optimal Assignment of Priorities 91 5. 6 Problems for Solution 93 6 QUEUEING NETWORKS 97 6. 1 Introduction 97 6. 2 A Markovian Network of Queues 98 6. 3 Closed Networks 103 Open Networks: The Product Formula 104 6. 4 6. 5 Jackson Networks 111 6. 6 Examples of Closed Networks; Cyclic Queues 112 6. 7 Examples of Open Networks 114 6. 8 Problems for Solution 118 7 THE SYSTEM M/G/I; PRIORITY SYSTEMS 123 7. 1 Introduction 123 Contents ix 7. 2 The Waiting Time in MIGI1 124 7. 3 The Sojourn Time and the Queue Length 129 7. 4 The Service Interval 132 7.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 224 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -This book is concerned with the general theory of optimal estimation of - rameters in systems subject to random e ects and with the application of this theory. The focus is on choice of families of estimating functions, rather than the estimators derived therefrom, and on optimization within these families. Only assumptions about means and covariances are required for an initial d- cussion. Nevertheless, the theory that is developed mimics that of maximum likelihood, at least to the rst order of asymptotics. The term quasi-likelihood has often had a narrow interpretation, asso- ated with its application to generalized linear model type contexts, while that of optimal estimating functions has embraced a broader concept. There is, however, no essential distinction between the underlying ideas and the term quasi-likelihood has herein been adopted as the general label. This emphasizes its role in extension of likelihood based theory. The idea throughout involves nding quasi-scores from families of estimating functions. Then, the qua- likelihood estimator is derived from the quasi-score by equating to zero and solving, just as the maximum likelihood estimator is derived from the like- hood score.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 252 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Noun Phrases and Nominalizations: The Syntax of DPs is a theoretical study of nominal expressions which covers central aspects of their syntax that have not been approached with concurrent tools in recent years. The study examines the functional structure, offers a structural definition of syntactic nominalization, and carefully draws the border line between the lexical nominalizing mechanism and its syntactic counterpart. The empirical base of the study is broad and varied: it explores the rich nominal system of Modern Hebrew with constant comparisons to relevant structures of other Semitic and non-Semitic languages. The analyses put forward have recourse to a minimal syntactic apparatus, thus lending support to Chomsky's recent view of language design.This book targets researchers in theoretical linguistics and comparative syntax. Alongside theoretical and cross-linguistic findings, the book also offers an abundant source of insights into Hebrew nominal expressions. It can be used both as a foundational book on the syntax of nominal expressions or as a reference book for linguists and graduate students of Semitic and comparative syntax.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 236 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -As our modem society is so obviously influenced by technology, there is a growing awareness of its importance for education. The interest for including technology as a part of general education curricula is increasing. In many countries technology is an element in the curriculum either as a topic, a project, part of a Science-Technology-Society (STS) programme, part of science education, or as a separate subject. In order to clarify what technology is, there is a need for international discussions in which philosophers, engineers, scientists and educational ists are involved. One of the few conferences with such a broad representation was the second Jerusalem International Science and Technology Education Conference (JISTEC) that was held in Jerusalem, January 8-11, 1996, a conference that can truly be seen as a milestone in the international history of technology education. More than 1,000 technology educators from more than 80 countries of the world and ministers of education from 28 coun tries came together to discuss current issues in technology education during JlSTEC. To cite from Dr. Michael Dyrenfurth's personal overview of the conference in the Journal of Industrial Teacher Education (vol. 33, no. 2, Winter 1996, pp. 83-85): 'Simply put, this conference represented the most stellar international collection of technology education advocates the world has ever seen in one place'. Or in the words of Dr.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 208 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -'Prove It With Figures' displays some of the tools of the social and statistical sciences that have been applied to the proof of facts in the courtroom and to the study of questions of legal importance. It explains how researchers can extract the most valuable and reliable data that can conveniently be made available, and how these efforts sometimes go awry. In the tradition of Zeisel's 'Say It with Figures,' a standard in the field of social statistics since 1947, it clarifies, in non-technical language, some of the basic problems common to all efforts to discern cause-and-effect relationships. Designed as a textbook for law students who seek an appreciation of the power and limits of empirical methods, the work also is a useful reference for lawyers, policymakers, and members of the public who would like to improve their critical understanding of the statistics presented to them. The many case histories include analyses of the death penalty, jury selection, employment discrimination, mass torts, and DNA profiling. Hans Zeisel was Professor of Law and Sociology Emeritus at the University of Chicago, where he pioneered the application of social science to the law. Earlier, he had a distinguished career in public opinion and market research. He has written on a wide variety of topics, ranging from research methodology and history to law enforcement, juries, and Sheakespeare. He was elected Fellow of the American Statistical Assoication and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and in 1980 he was inducted into the Market Research Hall of Fame. David Kaye is Regents Professor at the Arizona State University, where he teaches evidence and related topics. An author of several law textbooks and treatises, his work also has appeared in journals ofSpringer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 388 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -For many practical problems, observations are not independent. In this book, limit behaviour of an important kind of dependent random variables, the so-called mixing random variables, is studied. Many profound results are given, which cover recent developments in this subject, such as basic properties of mixing variables, powerful probability and moment inequalities, weak convergence and strong convergence (approximation), limit behaviour of some statistics with a mixing sample, and many useful tools are provided.Audience: This volume will be of interest to researchers and graduate students in the field of probability and statistics, whose work involves dependent data (variables).Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 446 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -The The primary primary aim aim of of this this book book is is to to explore explore the the use use of of nonparametric nonparametric regres regres sion sion (i. e. , (i. e. , smoothing) smoothing) methodology methodology in in testing testing the the fit fit of of parametric parametric regression regression models. models. It It is is anticipated anticipated that that the the book book will will be be of of interest interest to to an an audience audience of of graduate graduate students, students, researchers researchers and and practitioners practitioners who who study study or or use use smooth smooth ing ing methodology. methodology. Chapters Chapters 2-4 2-4 serve serve as as a a general general introduction introduction to to smoothing smoothing in in the the case case of of a a single single design design variable. variable. The The emphasis emphasis in in these these chapters chapters is is on on estimation estimation of of regression regression curves, curves, with with hardly hardly any any mention mention of of the the lack-of lack-of fit fit problem. problem. As As such, such, Chapters Chapters 2-4 2-4 could could be be used used as as the the foundation foundation of of a a graduate graduate level level statistics statistics course course on on nonparametric nonparametric regression. regression.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 306 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PART 1 FISH CONSUMPTION AND METHYLMERCURY EXPOSURE IN THE AMAZON A. C. BARBOSA, A. M. GARCIA, J. R. DESOUZAI Mercurycontamination inhairofriverine 1-8 populations of Apiacas Reserve in the Brazilian Amazon E. D. BIDONE, Z. C. CASTILHOS, T. J. S. SANTOS, T. M. C. SOUZA and L. D. LACERDA I Fish contamination and human exposure to mercury in Tartarugalzinho River, Amapa State, Northern Amazon, Brazil. A screening approach 9-15 H. A. KEHRIG, O. MALM and H. AKAGI I Methylmercury in hair samples from different riverine groups, Amazon, Brazil 17-29 J. LEBEL, M. ROULET, D. MERGLER, M. LUCOTTE and F. LARRIBE I Fish diet and 31-44 mercury exposure in a riparian Amazonian population O. MALM. , J. R. D. GUIMARAES, M. B. CASTRO, W. R. BASTOS, J. P. VIANA, F. J. P. BRANCHES, E. G. SILVEIRA and W. C. PFEIFFER I Follow-up of mercury levels in fish, human hairand urine in the Madeira and Tapaj6s basins, Amazon, Brazil 45-51 PART 2 CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND LONG TERM EXPOSURE G. J. MYERS, P. W. DAVIDSON, C. COX, C. F. SHAMLAYE, O. CHOISY, E. CERNICHIARI, A. CHOI, J. SLOANE-REEVES, C. AXTELL, P. GAO and T. W. CLARKSON I The Seychelles child development study: Results and new directions through twenty-nine months 53-61 B. WHEATLEY, S. PARADIS, M. LASSONDE, M. -F. GIGUERE and S.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 216 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Although not evident to all, many people have been waiting more than a decade for The SGML FAQ Book by Steve DeRose. It has been 'brewing' for a long time, with many hours, months, years of research talking to people, gathering their ideas, listening to their frustrations, applauding their successes. Only Steve with his experience, credentials, wit, and enthusiasm for the subject could have written this book. But it is also a measure of the success and maturity of ISO 8879 and its amazing longevity that allows an 'SGMLer' to write such a book. We can now laugh at ourselves, even disclose our mistakes without fear of the other guy. While most would not recognize it, the revolution known as the World Wide Web would not have happened without a non-proprietary, easy, and almost 'portable way to create and distribute documents across a widely disparate set of computers, networks, even countries. HTML, an SGML application, enabled this and as a result the world and the SGML community will never be the same. For some the term SGML means order, management, standards, discipline; to others, the term brings images of pain, confusion, complexity, and pitfalls. To all who have engaged in it, the Standard means hard work, good friends, savings in terms of time, money, and effort, a sense of accomplishment and best of all - fun. This book adds immeasurably to all of these. Enjoy the quote from Through Looking by Lewis Carroll as much as we have.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 284 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -very small domain (environment) affects through analytic continuation the whole of Riemann surface, or analytic manifold . Riemann was a master at applying this principle and also the first who noticed and emphasized that a meromorphic function is determined by its 'singularities'. Therefore he is rightly regarded as the father of the huge 'theory of singularities' which is developing so quickly and whose importance (also for physics) can hardly be overe~timated. Amazing and mysterious for our cognition is the role of Euclidean space. Even today many philosophers believe (following Kant) that 'real space' is Euclidean and other spaces being 'abstract constructs of mathematicians, should not be called spaces'. The thesis is no longer tenable - the whole of physics testifies to that. Nevertheless, there is a grain of truth in the 3 'prejudice': E (three-dimensional Euclidean space) is special in a particular way pleasantly familiar to us - in it we (also we mathematicians!) feel particularly 'confident' and move with a sense of greater 'safety' than in non-Euclidean spaces. For this reason perhaps, Riemann space M stands out among the multitude of 'interesting geometries'. For it is: 1. Locally Euclidean, i. e. , M is a differentiable manifold whose tangent spaces TxM are equipped with Euclidean metric Uxi 2. Every submanifold M of Euclidean space E is equipped with Riemann natural metric (inherited from the metric of E) and it is well known how often such submanifolds are used in mechanics (e. g. , the spherical pendulum).Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 746 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware - This is the first publication of the 170 letters written by the Abbé Dominique Chaix to Dr. Dominique Villars between 1772 and 1799, when they were collaborating on the publication of the first flora for the old province of Dauphiné. The letters reveal the uncertainties of plant classification in the late 18th century, but, more generally, the penetration of the Enlightenment into a remote, alpine region of France. Both botanists were of recent peasant origin, invading, albeit deferentially, an intellectual field, traditionally the monopoly of their social betters. The letters also document the enthusiasms, anxieties, and perils of rural clerical life during the French Revolution, and give occasional evidence about the deforestation of the mountains.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware - The past two years have produced some of the most exciting results in the history of astronomy: the indirect detection of planets beyond our solar system. The study of the characteristics and physical nature of exo-planets requires an infrared interferometer in space. Such observatory would directly detect the thermal emission from exo-planets and would allow us to see signatures of molecules, e.g. water, ozone and carbon dioxide, in their atmospheres. The presence of such molecules would be strong evidence for exo-life. In addition, this kind of instrument would help to clarify important questions concerning the birth and death of stars and extragalactic astronomy. In Toledo, scientists and engineers from both sides of the Atlantic met for the first time to discuss the technological challenges of an infrared space interferometer and its scientific capabilities, particularly those related to exo-planetary systems and Earth-like planets.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -The author of this book, Prof. Vadim Vasilievich Schmidt, was known in the West as 'Russian Schmidt'. Being a talented theoretician and at the same time heading an experimentallaboratory in Chernogolovka, Vadim Schmidt had a unique talent for explaining complicated physical models and ideas in a simple way. One of his favorite sayings was 'physics is a verbal science'. The book is based on his introductory course on superconductivity. It was published in Russian in 1982 and very soon became undoubtedly the most popular Russian textbook on the physics of superconductors. Without losing its generality and depth, the book presents key aspects of superconductivity in a very clear and logically structured form. As the author said in his pref ace to the Russian edition, he tried to 'avoid situations when the words 'it is easy to show' conceal tedious and bulky computations'. In spite of its rel atively small volume, the book gives a broad overview and covers the major topics of superconductivity. Well-selected examples are clearly described and help the re ader to understand the ideas presented. The book even allows an inexperienced reader to quickly get a grasp of a topic. Vadim Schmidt was born in 1927 in Moscow. His father was a well-known politician and the family did not escape the purges of Stalin's time.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 228 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware - Developing algorithms for multi-dimensional Fourier transforms, this book presents results that yield highly efficient code on a variety of vector and parallel computers. By emphasising the unified basis for the many approaches to both one-dimensional and multidimensional Fourier transforms, this book not only clarifies the fundamental similarities, but also shows how to exploit the differences in optimising implementations. It will thus be of great interest not only to applied mathematicians and computer scientists, but also to seismologists, high-energy physicists, crystallographers, and electrical engineers working on signal and image processing.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware - Quantum Communication and Information Theory: Information Theoretic Interpretations of von Neumann Entropy; R. Jozsa. Quantum Information Theory, the Entropy Bound, and Mathematical Rigor in Physics; H.P. Yuen. Classical and Quantum Information Transmission and Interactions; C.H. Bennett. Bounds of the Accessible Information under the Influence of Thermal Noise; M. Ban, et al. Quantum Computing: Quantum Computing and Decoherence in Quantum Optical Systems; J.I. Cirac, et al. Unitary Dynamics for Quantum Codewords; A. Peres. Quantum Error Correction with Imperfect Gates; A.Y. Kitaev. Eliminating the Effects of Spontaneous Emission in Quantum Computations with Cold Trapped Ions; C. D'Helon, G.J. Milburn. Quantum Measurement Theory and Statistical Physics: On Covariant Instruments in Quantum Measurement Theory; A.S. Holevo. Quantum State Reduction and the Quantum Bayes Principle; M. Ozawa. On the Quantum Theory of Direct Detection; A. Barchielli. Homodyning as Universal Detection; G.M. D'Ariano. Quantum Optics: Atom Lasers; C.M. Savage, et al. Measurement of Quantum Phase Distribution by Projection Synthesis; D.t. Pegg, S.M. Barnett. Quantum Optical Phase; S.M. Barnett, D.T. Pegg. 42 Additional Articles. Index.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Entropy optimization is a useful combination of classical engineering theory (entropy) with mathematical optimization. The resulting entropy optimization models have proved their usefulness with successful applications in areas such as image reconstruction, pattern recognition, statistical inference, queuing theory, spectral analysis, statistical mechanics, transportation planning, urban and regional planning, input-output analysis, portfolio investment, information analysis, and linear and nonlinear programming.While entropy optimization has been used in different fields, a good number of applicable solution methods have been loosely constructed without sufficient mathematical treatment. A systematic presentation with proper mathematical treatment of this material is needed by practitioners and researchers alike in all application areas. The purpose of this book is to meet this need. Entropy Optimization and Mathematical Programming offers perspectives that meet the needs of diverse user communities so that the users can apply entropy optimization techniques with complete comfort and ease. With this consideration, the authors focus on the entropy optimization problems in finite dimensional Euclidean space such that only some basic familiarity with optimization is required of the reader.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 358 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -The purpose of this book is to serve as essential reading for those innovating and marketing food products for children as well as those determined to better understand the children's marketplace in order to ensure that it is administered in a manner consistent with the long-term aspirations of society. The book begins by setting the scene and looking at the way children influence food choices within the family and the role advertising is thought to play in driving those choices. Professor Stratton of The Psychology Business (Department of Psychology, Leeds University) has world renowned expertise in the methodology of researching family dynamics and he shows which are the prime influences on the family diet. J.W. Thompson Advertising Board Director Jane Mathews then evaluates what constitutes effective advertising and reveals enduring themes within the children's marketplace. In Chapter 3, Dr Kathryn O'Sullivan of the Kellogg's company examines the nutritional importance of food under the title 'Starting the day right'. She demonstrates her expertise for introducing young taste buds to products which 'Break the fast'. Simon Lang, Senior Consultant at the Henley Centre follows by examining not only why food tastes change in children but also why family eating is itself changing and the implications for the future.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 276 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -This book is written as a practical field manual to effective. Each geolOgist has to develop his/her be used by geologists engaged in mineral explo own techniques and will ultimately be judged on ration. It is also hoped that it will serve as a text results, not the process by which these results and reference for students in Applied Geology were reached. In mineral exploration, the only courses of universities and colleges. The book 'right' way of doing anything is the way that aims to outline some of the practical skills that locates ore in the quickest and most cost-effective turn the graduate geologist into an explo manner. It is preferable, however, for an individ rationist:. It is intended as a practical 'how to' ual to develop his/her own method of operation book, rather than as a text on geological or ore after having tried, and become aware of, those deposit theory. procedures which experience has shown to work An explorationist is a professional who search well and which are generally accepted in indus try as good exploration practice. es for ore bodies in a scientific and structured way. Although an awkward and artificial term, The chapters of the book approximately fol this is the only available word to describe the low the steps which a typical exploration pro totality of the skills which are needed to locate gramme would go through. In Chapter 1, the and define economic mineralization. 132 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -As one of the most quantitative of ecological subdisciplines, resource competition is an important, central area of ecology. Recently research into this area has increased dramatically and resource competition models have become more complex. The characterisation of this phenomenon is therefore the aim of this book. Resource Competition seeks to identify the unifying principles emerging from experimental and theoretical approaches as well as the differences between organisms, illustrating that greater knowledge of resource competition will benefit human and environmental welfare. This book will serve as an indispensable guide to ecologists, evolutionary biologists and environmental managers, and all those interested in resource competition as an emerging discipline.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 356 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -This book provides a unique, in-depth view of past, present and potential future climatic change in mountain regions, and in particular on the mechanisms which are responsible for this change. Other books which focus on environmental change in mountains focus more generally on the impacts of this change on mountain systems, rather than on the regional features of climatic change itself. The book enters into a high level of detail concerning results of international investigations which involve specialists from numerous climate-related disciplines. The book can be used in an academic and research context, for advanced graduate and doctoral students, as well as researchers working in various domains of relevance to climatic change issues. The book also has relevance in the context of future activities of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in terms of providing up-to-date knowledge of fundamental mechanisms and consequences of climatic change in mountain regions.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 308 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -In the preliminary stage of designing new structural hardware that must perform a given mission in a fluctuating load environment, there are several factors the designers should consider. Trade studies for different design configurations should be performed and, based on strength and weight considerations, among others, an optimum configuration selected. The selected design must be able to withstand the environment in question without failure. Therefore, a comprehen sive structural analysis that consists of static, dynamic, fatigue, and fracture is necessary to ensure the integrity of the structure. During the past few decades, fracture mechanics has become a necessary discipline for the solution of many structural problems. These problems include the prevention of failures resulting from preexisting cracks in the parent material, welds or that develop under cyclic loading environment during the life of the structure. The importance of fatigue and fracture in nuclear, pressure vessel, aircraft, and aerospace structural hardware cannot be overemphasized where safety is of utmost concern. This book is written for the designer and strength analyst, as well as for the material and process engineer who is concerned with the integrity of the structural hardware under load-varying environments in which fatigue and frac ture must be given special attention. The book is a result of years of both acade mic and industrial experiences that the principal author and co-authors have accumulated through their work with aircraft and aerospace structures.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 396 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Crandall's Power Supply Testing Handbook comes into the marketplace at an optimum time. Now, more than ever, there is an urgency for a comprehensive handbook on power supply testing that will fulfill the reference needs of the wide variety of professionals testing power supplies, including designers, manufacturers, purchasers, and field service organizations.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 340 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -The first edition of Advances in the Microbiology and Biochemistry of Cheese and Fermented Milk was aimed at the gap in the literature between the many excellent technical texts on the one hand, and the widely scattered scientific literature on the other. We tried to present the state of the art in pre competitive research in a predigested, yet scientifically coherent form, and relate it to the marketable properties of fermented dairy products. In this way, researchers could use the book to mentally step back from their specializations and see how far they had progressed as a community; at the same time we hoped that R&D-based companies could use it to assess the utility (or lack of it) of the research output in setting out their research acquisition strategy for product improvement and innovation. In a sense, the first edition could claim to have initiated Technology Foresight in its limited field before Government caught the idea, and it certainly gave the science base an opportunity to display its talents and resources as a potential source of wealth creation, well before this became an 'official' function of publicly funded science and technology. Thus, the first edition was intended as a progressive move within the growing science and technology literature, and judged by its market success, it seems to have served precisely that purpose. 388 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -The first edition of Cold and Chilled Storage Technology was prepared at a time when great changes were taking place in the industry that were hard to put into clear perspective. For example, the CFClozone layer problem was identified, the Montreal Protocol was signed and experts from many disci plines were already proposing 'solutions' to the problems seen at the time. Not only were there the usual differences in approach to the problems, there were different understandings of the problems themselves. For in stance, some authoritative voices were saying HCFC 22 was 'part of the solution, not part of the problem' and recommending it as the main refrig erant for the future, others said the opposite. As editor, I have taken the view that this should be a 'reference book' and, as such, it should contain information that points in the direction of tried and proven good practice. To avoid the risk of misdirecting readers, I decided that the CFC issue was too unclear to be usefully discussed in the first edition and left it out altogether. This was the main criticism of the first edition at the time of its publication but, in view of the developments since then, I stand by my decision to avoid premature comment in that instance. The matter is discussed in this edition in Chapters 4 and 7, which include summaries of other related factors, in a way that was certainly not possible in 1989.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 356 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -The work of 47 contributors from the U.S., Canada, and Israel, the Sourcebook gives special attention to the complexity of the social support construct, expanding the field's theoretical base by seriously reappraising social support research in the context of findings from other fields of psychology and related disciplines. Personality processes are specified to account for observed associations between social support and physical well-being. Several new studies are included which illustrate empirical approaches to exploring these processes. And key contributions highlight the great strides made in understanding the links among personal dispositions, situational contexts, and potentially supportive transactions.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 532 pp. Englisch.