springer netherlands springer netherlands jan 2008 (30 Ergebnisse)

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Lakes and coastal wetlands all over the world are ideal places for human habitation, fisheries, industries, shipping and recreation. Habitat environments of lakes and coastal wetlands are deteriorating due to their exploitative use and improper management. As rapid development and population growth continue in coastal areas, environmental degradation and over exploitation will further erode the biodiversity and undermine the productivity of these unique ecosystems.Lakes and coastal wetlands are transitional areas between dry terrestrial and permanent aquatic ecosystems and are recognised as highly productive. Their importance in socio-economic frontiers has been increasingly felt. Over 200 rivers and lakes in the world are shared by two or more countries. This envisages their international importance. Various efforts are currently underway to develop technologies and systems for successful management of lakes and coastal wetlands both at national and international levels. However, conflicting interests in the use of their resources have led to further worsening of the problems facing lakes and coastal wetlands. Therefore, an earnest attempt has been made in the present book to find ways for restoration, conservation and management of lakes and coastal wetlands.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 260 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -The Design Automation and Test in Europe, DATE, is Europe¿s leading international electronic systems design conference for electronic design, automation and test, from system level hardware and software implementation right down to integrated circuit design. It combines the conference with Europe¿s leading international ex- bition for electronic design, automation and test. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of DATE, we have compiled this book with the aim to highlight some of the most influential technical contributions from ten years of DATE. Selecting 30 papers, only 3 papers from each year, is a challenging endeavor. Although the impact of papers from the first years of DATE can be det- mined through various citation indexes, the impact from the later years still have to be seen. Together with all 10 Program Chairs, we have made a selection of the most influential papers covering the very broad range of topics which is characteristic for DATE.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 528 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -In the context of increasing international concern for food and environmental quality, use of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) for reducing chemical inputs in agriculture is a potentially important issue. PGPR are root-colonizing bacteria that exert beneficial effects on plant growth and development, but they can be also employed in the control of plant pathogens, for enhancing the efficiency of fertilizers, and for degrading xenobiotic compounds. This book provides an update by renowned international experts on the most recent advances in the ecology of these important bacteria, the application of innovative methodologies for their study, their interaction with the host plant, and their potential application in agriculture.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 132 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Retinal and choroidal angiogenesis are the leading causes of irreversible vision loss in developed countries. For this reason, ocular angiogenesis is an intensely studied process, and the field is advancing at an astounding pace. It has become increasingly difficult to manage the vast amount of information generated by the growing group of interested investigators, thus a resource is needed that distills and summarizes our progress to date.Retinal and Choroidal Angiogenesis provides a comprehensive, in-depth review of our current understanding of the growth of blood vessels within the eye. Renowned academic scientists, pharmaceutical scientists, and clinician-scientists have contributed chapters identifying the cellular and molecular mechanisms of retinal and choroidal angiogenesis; defining animal models of these pathologic processes; or describing the application of current tools, techniques, and theories to disease pathogenesis in humans suffering from conditions characterized by ocular angiogenesis. Additionally, novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of ocular angiogenesis are discussed, as are the unique challenges presented by delivery of drugs to the eye.Retinal and Choroidal Angiogenesis emphasizes basic principles rather than specific experimental results, although recently acquired data is frequently cited to illustrate points of broader theoretical significance. The result is a reference work appealing to ophthalmologists interested in clinical applications, as well as to basic scientists interested in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis, both in the context of ocular and non-ocular conditions.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 588 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -¿Automatic Program Development¿ is a tribute to Robert Paige (1947-1999), our accomplished and respected colleague, and moreover our good friend, whose untimely passing was a loss to our academic and research community. We have collected the revised, updated versions of the papers published in his honor in the Higher-Order and Symbolic Computation Journal in the years 2003 and 2005.Among them there are two papers by Bob: (i) a retrospective view of his research lines, and (ii) a proposal for future studies in the area of the automatic program derivation. The book also includes some papers by members of the IFIP Working Group 2.1 of which Bob was an active member. All papers are related to some of the research interests of Bob and, in particular, to the transformational development of programs and their algorithmic derivation from formal specifications. ¿Automatic Program Development¿ offers a renewed stimulus for continuing and deepening Bob's research visions.A familiar touch is given to the book by some pictures kindly provided to us by his wife Nieba, the personal recollections of his brother Gary and some of his colleagues and friends.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 312 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Reflecting the success of the first workshop of the Cyprus Institute entitled Climate Change and Energy Pathways for the Mediterranean held in Cyprus in 2005, these proceedings present an overview of the implications of climate change for the eastern Mediterranean and the impact of climate change response on regional economic activity, particularly in the hydrocarbon industry. The 11 invited papers and the summaries of presentations and interactive discussion of the workshop emphasize regional implications and set the stage to build a research strategy for the newly established Cyprus Institute. This book is aimed not just at scientists and researchers, but at policy makers and politicians, particularly in the Mediterranean region.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 240 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -This book is an effort to bring genetic-phenomenological analyses in contact with empirical psychology, neurology, cognitive science and research in primate cognition. The conclusion reached is that most higher-order achievements of our mind might in fact be accomplished without language in the low-level system of phantasmatic imagination. This leads to an 'inclusive theory of the subject' which allows us to understand how higher-organized animals like primates can think.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 288 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -In order to learn oncology, it is necessary to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of molecular biology in carcinogenesis, and then, with this as a background, to consider the principles of the theoretical and clinical basis of the subject. For graduate students who are preparing themselves for the specialty of internal medicine or clinical oncology, and physicians who wish to become proficient in oncology, it is exceedingly difficult to be highly skilled and completely informed in this expanding field of science without a comprehensive text on the subject. This book is unique, due to its collective approach to the key aspects of the interdependency between three entities: oxidative stress, tobacco smoke and carcinogenesis, operating in a cause-effect sequence, in a concise and to the point manner. I hope this book will prove to be a helpful companion to the internist, the oncologist and the research scientist in molecular biology as well as a work of reference for the general practitioner and physician interested in cancer research.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 284 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Groundwater is of utmost importance in the arid and semi-arid environment. The areas in such regions are forced to face a variety of problems regarding groundwater as it is the main source of water no matter for any use viz., drinking, domestic, irrigation or industrial particularly for the rural population. The main challenges in hard rock areas in the semi-arid region are the water conservation, management and planning of the water resources. This is further complicated with several complexities of the geological formation. With the semi-arid environment, complex geological settings and over shooting stresses, the aquifer system becomes extremely fragile and sensitive. In spite of a good amount of research in this field, it is still needed to understand the behaviour of such complex system precisely and also apply the result in reasonably larger scales. Therefore, the present research is focused on improving the knowledge on the structure and functioning of the aquifer system in hard rock terrain.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 268 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 328 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Land-use change is one of the main drivers of many environmental change processes. It influences the basic resources of land use, including the soil. Its impact on soil often occurs so creepingly that land managers hardly contemplate initiating ameliorative or counterbalance measures. Poor land management has degraded vast amounts of land, reduced our ability to produce enough food, and is a major threat to rural livelihoods in many developing countries.To date, there has been no single unifying volume that addresses the multifaceted impacts of land use on soils. This book has responded to this challenge by bringing together renowned academics and policy experts to analyze the patterns, driving factors and proximate causes, and the socioeconomic impacts of soil degradation. Policy measures to prevent irreversible degradation and rehabilitate degraded soils are also identified.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 276 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -The Asia-Pacific region is home to the world¿s largest region of coral reefs and mangroves. It accommodates two-thirds of the world¿s human population and its economic activities have the highest growth rate in the world. Ongoing degradation of the environment, resulting from coastal development, deforestation, desertification and over-harvesting, are becoming a matter of great concern, as floods and droughts occur as a result of this degradation. The Asia-Pacific region also includes part of the ¿Pacific Rim of Fire¿ and is, therefore, vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis, as the world became aware following the Sumatra earthquake and tsunami on 26 December 2004. Threats of global environmental change, such as climate change and sea-level rise, will exacerbate such problems. Therefore, appropriate policies and measures are needed for coastal management, to address both the local and global trends. This book gives an overview of the state-of-the-art understanding on the drivers, state, and responses to coastal environmental changes in the Asia-Pacific region. It provides excellent perspectives on current and anticipated environmental changes in the region¿s coastal areas, to researchers, students, policy makers, coastal managers and other stakeholders.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 384 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Turbulence remains one of the most challenging problems in classical physics. The papers collected in this volume are the proceedings of an IUTAM S- posium on turbulence, entitled Computational Physics and New Perspectives in Turbulence. The symposium was held in September 2006, at Nagoya U- versity in Japan. The last few years have witnessed a rapid and dramatic rise in our ability to compute highly complex physical systems. As in other elds, this has had a major impact on the way in which we approach the problem of turbulence, opening up a new phase of research by providing an opportunity to study the nature of fully-developed turbulence in unprecedented detail. Leading experts in turbulence were brought together at this Symposium to exchange ideas and discuss, in the light of the recent progress in computational methods, new perspectives in our understanding of turbulence. The Symposium also fostered a vigorous interaction between those who pursue computations, and those concerned with developments in experiment and theory. There were 104 participants representing 13 countries, and the presen- tionsandconsequentdebateextendedoveraperiodoffourdays.Throughout, emphasis was placed on the fundamental physical interpretation of turbulent phenomenon. The topics covered included: (i) computational physics and the theoryofcanonicalturbulent ows;(ii)experimentalapproachestofundam- tal problems in turbulence; (iii) turbulence modeling and numerical methods; and (iv) geophysical and astrophysical turbulence.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 464 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -To accommodate the inherent non-linearity and non-stationarity of many natural time series, empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) provide an adaptive and efficient method. The HHT is based on the local characteristic time scale of the data. The HHT method provides not only a precise definition in time-frequency representation than the other conventional signal processing methods, but also more physically meaningful interpretation of the underlying dynamic processes. The EMD also works as a filter to extract the variability of signals with different scales and is applicable to non-linear and n- stationary processes. This promising algorithm has been applied in many fields since it was developed, but it has not been applied to hydrological and climatic time series. The discussion in this book starts with several simulated data sets in order to investigate the capability of this method and to compare it to other conventional frequency-domain analysis methods that assume stationarity. Rainfall, streamflow, temperature, wind speed time series and lake temperature data are investigated in this study. The aim of the work is to investigate periodicity, long term oscillations and trends embedded in these data by using HHT. The analysis is performed in both the time and frequency domains. The results from HHT are compared to those from the multi-taper method (MTM) which is based on Fourier Transform of the data.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 260 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Developments in the title field have been greatly motivated by the studies of transactinoid elements; selected experiments and their results are presented for visualization. Primarily, the book is about the physico-chemical basis of the experimental methods and techniques which are or can be used for compounds of all heavy metals; about evaluation of the desorption energies from the original gas-solid chromatography data; and about concepts and approaches which allow to estimate bulk properties of the compounds even from experiments with a few short-lived atoms. The book attempts for the first time critical discussion of the state of art from a coherent point of view to help better understanding. It was written both for the newcomers to the field and experts, its goal is also to stimulate wider use of the advantageous gas phase techniques for common elements.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 256 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -In a world characterised by rapid change, uncertainty and increasing interconnectedness there is a growing need for science to contribute to the solution of persistent, complex problems. These problems include not only some of the now broadly known environmental issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss, but also related issues such as poverty, security and governance. For all of these problems, progress in nding and implementing solutions has been very slow. The increase in availability of scienti c knowledge has not been re ected in decisive action. It is this mismatch between knowledge and action that lies behind the need for a Handbook of Transdisciplinary Research. As the editors point out in their introduction, a transdisciplinary orientation in research, education and institutions aims to overcome the disconnection between knowledge production, on the one hand, and the demand for knowledge to contribute to the solution of societal pr- lems, on the other hand. This is achieved through transdisciplinary approaches in which researchers from a wide range of disciplines work together with sta- holders. Internationally the term ¿transdisciplinary research¿ is de ned in diff- ent ways, ranging from a diffuse conceptual term located above individual dis- plines, to any research that involves stakeholders. The Handbook contributes to a clari cation of both the concept and the term, and shows that the uniqueness of the approach lies in the partnership between members of different disciplines and stakeholders.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 472 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Here is a fascinating text that integrates topics pertaining to all scales of the MHD-waves, emphasizing the linkages between the ULF-waves below the ionosphere on the ground and magnetospheric MHD-waves. It will be most helpful to graduate and post-graduate students, familiar with advanced calculus, who study the science of MHD-waves in the magnetosphere and ionosphere. The book deals with Ultra-Low-Frequency (ULF)-electromagnetic waves observed on the Earth and in Space.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 452 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Aquaculture in the Ecosystem ¿ An Introduction The growth of Aquaculture and its future role as a food supplier to human society has environmental, social and economic limitations, affecting marine ecosystems and socio-economic scales from local to global. These are close links with human health requirements and societal needs for various goods and services provided by marine ecosystems. This book shows this broad spectrum of dependencies of the future growth of aquaculture and highlights both relevant problems and expectations. Compensating for stagnant wild capture fisheries and the increasing demand for marine products, marine aquaculture is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, comparable to the computer technology industry (Chapters 9 and 10). The demand for marine products is controlled by a complexity of factors in our society, not least the increasing human population and the increasing global affluence that allows the consumer to buy higher priced marine products such as salmon, tuna and shellfish (Chapter 9). The populations of several of these top-carnivore species are seriously compromised and it will be impossible in the future to maintain wild c- tures at the level of consumer demand. In less affluent areas including SE Asia and Africa, aquaculture for both domestic consumption and export has major nutritional and economic benefits. The production of fish in aquaculture is thus expected to increase under the assumption that the bottlenecks for expansion can be overcome (Chapter 10).Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 336 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Large progress has been made in the past few years towards quantifying and understanding climate variability during past centuries. At the same time, present-day climate has been studied using state-of-the-art data sets and tools with respect to the physical and chemical mechanisms governing climate variability. Both the understanding of the past and the knowledge of the processes are important for assessing and attributing the anthropogenic effect on present and future climate. The most important time period in this context is the past approximately 100 years, which comprises large natural variations and extremes (such as long droughts) as well as anthropogenic influences, most pronounced in the past few decades. Recent and ongoing research efforts steadily improve the observational record of the 20th century, while atmospheric circulation models are used to underpin the mechanisms behind large climatic variations. Atmospheric chemistry and composition are important for understanding climate variability and change, and considerable progress has been made in the past few years in this field. The evolving integration of these research areas in a more comprehensive analysis of recent climate variability was reflected in the organisation of a workshop ¿Climate variability and extremes in the past 100 years¿ in Gwatt near Thun (Switzerland), 24¿26 July 2006. The aim of this workshop was to bring together scientists working on data issues together with statistical climatologists, modellers, and atmospheric chemists to discuss gaps in our understanding of climate variability during the past approximately 100 years.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 384 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Programmed cell death (PCD) plays pivotal roles in tumor progression, cancer therapeutics and resistance of tumor cells to therapy. With the discovery of key mechanisms that are involved in mediating PCD and in promoting resistance to therapy, design of therapeutic approaches for promoting tumor-selective cell death has risen dramatically. With this book, we give a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms that are involved in mediating and regulating PCD in cancer. We also provide a detailed indication of the utility of PCD in cancer therapy. This book will be a valuable resource for researchers investigating the role of PCD in cancer and other diseases, researchers investigating the molecular mechanism of chemotherapeutic agents and drug-resistance in cancer and for physicians using chemotherapeutic agents. Additionally, this book will be a important educational source for PhD students specializing in cell biology, immunology and MD students interested in Oncology and Cancer Therapeutics.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 372 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -The goal of this book is to explore the complexity of a microscopic bit of matter that exists in a myriad of copies within our bodies, the voltage-sensitive ion channel. We seek to investigate the way in which these macromolecules make it possible for the long fibers of our nerve and muscle cells to conduct impulses. These integral components of cell membranes are marvels of nature's evolutionary adaptation. To understand them we must probe the boundaries of physics and chemistry. Since function is intimately related to structure, we examine the molecular structure of channels, focusing on physical principles that govern all matter. With the application of genetic methods, our knowledge of ion channels has broadened and deepened. In the hope that research can help ameliorate suffering, we discuss the diseases that arise from channel malfunctions due to genetic mutations. This book is intended for students and scientists who are willing to travel into uncharted waters of an interdisciplinary science. We approach the subject of volta- sensitive ion channels from various points of view. This book seeks to give voice to the viewpoints of the physical and the biological scientist, and to bridge gaps in terminology and background. Readers may find this book to have both elementary and advanced aspects: For the reader trained in the biological sciences, it reviews background in physics and chemistry; for the reader trained in the physical sciences, it reviews background in physiology and biochemistry.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 556 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Parsing the Turing Test is a landmark exploration of both the philosophical and methodological issues surrounding the search for true artificial intelligence. Will computers and robots ever think and communicate the way humans do When a computer crosses the threshold into self-consciousness, will it immediately jump into the Internet and create a World Mind Will intelligent computers someday recognize the rather doubtful intelligence of human beings Distinguished psychologists, computer scientists, philosophers, and programmers from around the world debate these weighty issues ¿ and, in effect, the future of the human race ¿ in this important volume.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 544 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Forty percent of the world¿s population depends upon increasingly scarce and shared water resources. This situation is critical at both international and national levels not only for socio-economic development, but also for the regional stability. The intensive use of groundwater for irrigation and water supply is adding pressures to scarce water resources and the environment through overexploitation and contamination which result in situations that may lead to conflicts. The book from the NATO ASI on ¿Overexploitation and Contamination of Shared Groundwater Resources Management, (Bio)technological, and Political Approaches to Avoid Conflicts¿ is written by authors from different disciplines and regions of the world. The aim of the book is to contribute to the knowledge of shared groundwater resources management to avoid conflicts by considering multi-disciplinary approaches based on effective and equitable water sharing for all water users through cooperation and within a compassionate ecological framework along with the need for sustainable resources development and the quest for environmental and human security. The scope of the book covers the hydrogeological, environmental, (bio)technological and management aspects of shared groundwater resources integrating social, economic and political dimensions as well as legal and educational perspectives.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 468 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -The primary aim of this book is to provide a topical and timely forum for the critical appraisal of an area of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) research that is expanding rapidly. In this respect, a collection of thirteen chapters from distinguished and world-class experts in the field has been presented on the contemporary research of the RAS and their implications in human disease. This book is an indispensable tool tailor-made for specialists, non-specialists and the novice.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 320 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -This book focuses on ¿resource ecology¿, which we defined as ¿the ecology of trophic interactions between consumers and their resources¿. In our endeavour to shape the discipline of ¿resource ecology¿ further, we invited some world-class scientists to think with us. We thus organised a symposium where we made sure that we paid attention to the original Greek meaning of the word: we discussed, ate and drank together and, for health reasons, made sure that we hade enough time for strolling and bicycling along the banks of the River Rhine. We even climbed a beautiful mediaeval church tower dedicated to Saint Cunera dating back to the year that Columbus sailed for America. In ecology, spatial ecology is an up-and-coming domain of science. It addresses the effects of space and scale on the dynamics of individual species and on the structure and dynamics of multi-species assemblages. More than a few recent studies demonstrate the significance of taking into account the spatial structure of resources on the population dynamics and assemblage structure of consumers. We believe that bringing together scientists specialised in foraging theory with those who know much about spatial ecology can create a new context from which new theory will emerge. Every chapter was written on invitation. We as editors had outlined what we had in mind and sent that outline to the selected authors.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 316 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -A deficiency of one or more of the eight plant micronutrients (boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel and zinc) will adversely affect both the yield and quality of crops. Micronutrient deficiencies in crops occur in many parts of the world, at various scales (from one to millions of hectares), but differences in soil conditions, climate, crop genotypes and management, result in marked variations in their occurrence. The causes, effects and alleviation of micronutrient deficiencies in crops in: Australia, India, China, Turkey, the Near East, Africa, Europe, South America and the United States of America, are covered, and these are representative of most of the different conditions under which crops are grown anywhere in the world.Links between low contents of iodine, iron and zinc (human micronutrients) in staple grains and the incidence of human health problems are discussed, together with the ways in which the micronutrient content of food crops can beincreased and their bioavailability to humans improved. Detailed treatment of topics, such as: soil types associated with deficiencies, soil testing and plant analysis, field experiments, innovative treatments, micronutrients in the subsoil, nutrient interactions, effects of changing cropping systems, micronutrient budgets and hidden deficiencies in various chapters provides depth to the broad coverage of the book.This book provides a valuable guide to the requirements of crops for plant micronutrients and the causes, occurrence and treatment of deficiencies. It is essential reading for many agronomy, plant nutrition and agricultural extension professionals.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 380 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Originally formed around a set of lectures presented at a NATO Advanced Study Institute (ASI), this book has grown in scope and in aspiration to become organised and presented rather more as a textbook than as a standard ¿collection of proceedings¿. The lack of a unified reference textbook covering both the science of seasonal to interannual predictions and real-world uses of the forecasts was the main driver for the effort placed into writing an amalgamated introductory book, each chapter of which has been thoroughly peer reviewed. Throughout, our objective has been to present a book accessible to people from diverse disciplines, both scientific and social, interested in this intriguing and fast emerging area.The fascination of seasonal climate forecasting, for which El Niño forecasting provides the prime basis, derives from its multi-faceted character. Not only does it pose exciting new scientific challenges for the climate community, but it is linked naturally to a great variety of key practical concerns, from security related issues, such as water resource management, food security, and disaster prediction and prevention, to health planning, agriculture management, energy supply, and tourism, to name but a few. Seasonal to interannual climate forecasts are indeed becoming a most important element in certain policy/decision making systems, not least within the contexts of sustainable development and of climate change adaptation.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 484 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Coherent sources of mid-infrared (mid-IR) radiation are of great interest for a wide range of scienti c and technological applications from spectroscopy and frequency metrology to information technology, industrial process control, pho- chemistry, photobiology and photomedicine. The mid-IR spectrum, which may be de ned as wavelengths beyond 2µm, covers important atmospheric windows, and numerous molecular gases, toxic agents, air, water, and soil pollutants, c- ponents of human breath, and several explosive agents have strong absorption ngerprints in this region. The development of practical coherent solid-state sources in the mid-IR can thus provide indispensable tools for a variety of - plications in environmental monitoring and pollution control, detection of water and soil contaminants, food quality control, agriculture and life sciences, and n- invasive disease diagnosis and therapy through breath analysis. Coherent mid-IR sources also offer important technologies for atmospheric chemistry, free-space communication, imaging, rapid detection of explosives, chemical and biological agents, nuclear material and narcotics, as well as applications in air- and sea-born safety and security, amongst many. The timely advancement of coherent mid-IR sources is, therefore, vital to future progress in many application areas across a broad range of scienti c, technological, and industrial disciplines. On the other hand, more than 40 years after the invention of laser, much of the mid-IR spectrum still remains inaccessible to conventional lasers due to fun- mental limitations, most notably a lack of suitable crystalline laser gain materials.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 644 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -It is evident that urban education has become the central focus of educators at the present time. In the U.S., for example, almost one third of all school age children attend schools in large urban school districts. It is in these urban schools where the diversity of cultures and languages is highest and where student learning is most problematic.What has emerged from recent work to improve urban schools is the insight that there is no one-size-fits-all panacea. Rather, we have discovered that the local context shapes, in critically important ways, what will be effective at the school level. The universality of the problematics with urban education, together with the importance of understanding the local, or situated, context of improvement interventions, brings into sharp focus the importance and timeliness of an undertaking like the International Handbook of Urban Education.An important focus of the International Handbook of Urban Education will be the interrogation of both the social and political factors that lead to different problem posing and subsequent solutions within each region. An important question to be answered, for example, is what it takes in terms of resources, political will and policy actions to improve urban education.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 1324 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Cette étude tente de reconstruire la première phénoménologie de la religion du jeune Heidegger par l¿examen du recueil de notes éparses rédigées entre 1916 et 1919 et intitulé rétrospectivement Les fondements philosophiques de la mystique médiévale. Entre sa thèse d¿habilitation et ses premiers cours d¿après-guerre, Heidegger se consacre à l¿écriture d¿une Phénoménologie de la conscience religieuse qui, pour des raisons quelque peu mystérieuses, restera finalement inachevée. Si certains de ses éléments seront repris et assimilés dans les cours sur Paul et Augustin des années 1920 et 1921, de nombreux autres, concernant des auteurs tels que Maître Eckhart, Bernard de Clairvaux, Luther, Schleiermacher ou Adolf Reinach, ou des notions phénoménologiques, théologiques et religieuses, telles que la prédonation, la foi, la prière ou l¿a priori religieux, trouvent dans ce texte une thématisation tout à fait spécifique, dictée par une situation biographique et philosophique singulière. C¿est pour répondre à cette dimension hapaxique que ce livre tente un commentaire exhaustif des notes heideggeriennes. Et c¿est à l¿occasion de cette lecture suivie que sont apparues les grandes lignes de ce que l¿on peut appeler une « herméneutique théologique » censée guider la phénoménologie sur le terrain religieux nouvellement investi et la familiariser avec des phénomènes qui résistent en certains endroits à son esprit méthodique. Malgré leur caractère introductif, les premières recherches de Heidegger témoignent d¿une richesse, d¿une profondeur et d¿un respect de la vie religieuse inégalés à ce jour et il n¿est pas exagéré de dire qüelles devraient servir de prolégomènes à toute phénoménologie future de la religion. Ainsi, parallèlement au travail d¿explication, le travail ici présenté esquisse en ce domaine quelques chemins possiblesen prolongeant certaines descriptions heideggeriennes et en posant les bases d¿un nouveau dialogue entre phénoménologie, théologie et sciences religieuses.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 656 pp. Französisch.