IOS Press – serie

A general trend in our modern society is a growing complexity. It is therefore logical that in most countries there has been a definite tendency to give weight to issues of adapting also the physical space to this complexity and to find methods to do this in an efficient way, giving satisfactory use of land and other natural resources. During the twentieth century we have seen a very active development of legal instruments for this purpose, aimed at steering spatial planning and plan implementation according to the objectives and policies chosen.This book tries to present basic information of how different countries within the chosen area have tried to solve the problem of establishing suitable systems of steering spatial development by means of planning and implementation measures. For this purpose summary descriptions of the connected formal regulations in each country are given in an appendix while a comparative presentation and discussion forms the main text. This will give the interested reader an overview of the current systems in Western Europe, how they have influenced each other but still in many parts differ from each other.

Advances in Mathematical Modeling for Reliability discusses fundamental issues on mathematical modeling in reliability theory and its applications. Beginning with an extensive discussion of graphical modeling and Bayesian networks, the focus shifts towards repairable systems: a discussion about how sensitive availability calculations parameter choices, and emulators provide the potential to perform such calculations on complicated systems to a fair degree of accuracy and in a computationally efficient manner. Another issue that is addressed is how competing risks arise in reliability and maintenance analysis through the ways in which data is censored. Mixture failure rate modeling is also a point of discussion, as well as the signature of systems, where the properties of the system through the signature from the probability distributions on the lifetime of the components are distinguished. The last three topics of discussion are relations among aging and stochastic dependence, theoretical advances in modeling, inference and computation, and recent advances in recurrent event modeling and inference.

The Knowledge Creation Potential of Management Consulting interprets management consulting from a knowledge perspective, and proposes a general conceptual framework for investigating and interpreting that potential. To begin with, the main dynamics of change that characterize today’s demand for management consulting is outlined, and is it suggested that firms are becoming increasingly aware of the real cognitive (rather than only the economic) value generation potential that can be activated through the consulting relationship. Also, the possible pathways for evolutionary transformation of consulting practices, models and roles that consulting firms could follow if they want to take advantage of the important changes that are taking place, are looked at. Next, a definition of management consulting is proposed, which aims to identify the distinctive ontological (real, essential and relatively stable) features of this particular service and emphasizes the mainly cognitive nature of its value-creation potential. Furthermore, two approaches to interpreting management consulting are discussed: the diachronic approach, and the synchronic approach. To conclude, the theories interpreting knowledge creation processes as knowledge conversion processes are explained, and applied to the specific context of management consulting relationships.

The origin of Aerodynamic Design of Transport Aircraft stems from the time when the author was appointed part-time professor in the Aerospace Faculty of Delft University of Technology. At the time his main activities were those of leading the departments of Aerodynamics, Performance and Preliminary Design at Fokker Aircraft Company. The groundwork for this book started in 1987 as a series of lecture notes consisting mainly of pictorial material with a minimum of English explanatory text. After the demise of Fokker in 1996 one feared that interest in aeronautical engineering would strongly diminish. As a result of this, the course was discontinued and the relationship between the author and the faculty came to an end. Two years later the situation was reappraised, and the interest in aeronautical engineering remained, so the course was reinstated with a former Fokker colleague Ronald Slingerland as lecturer. The lecture notes from these courses form the foundation of this publication.

The contributions presented are reflecting the ongoing efforts to redefine the discipline of urbanism under globally changing conditions. The conditions of urban development are changing rapidly; technological transformations, new transportation and distribution systems, communication technologies, globalisation and environment problems all cause new challenges. The planning of the future can no longer be based on the certainty of programs and conditions. Instead, the planner is confronted with changing conditions and shifting programs. In this framework, more than before, design approaches will be pivotal. Exploratory research, the reflexive exploration of spatial potentials and the integration of design methods in spatial research will become a key issue for the scientific development of the discipline. The Delft University of Technology intensified and enlarged the research in the field of urban transformation and sustainability and new issues and methodological approaches were discussed in order to develop new research collaborations. With this publication, a broader public has the opportunity to deal with this debate.

A general trend in our modern society is a growing complexity. It is therefore logical that in most countries there has been a definite tendency to give weight to issues of adapting also the physical space to this complexity and to find methods to do this in an efficient way, giving satisfactory use of land and other natural resources. During the twentieth century we have seen a very active development of legal instruments for this purpose, aimed at steering spatial planning and plan implementation according to the objectives and policies chosen.This book tries to present basic information of how different countries within the chosen area have tried to solve the problem of establishing suitable systems of steering spatial development by means of planning and implementation measures. For this purpose summary descriptions of the connected formal regulations in each country are given in an appendix while a comparative presentation and discussion forms the main text. This will give the interested reader an overview of the current systems in Western Europe, how they have influenced each other but still in many parts differ from each other.

The construction industry is a vibrant and active industry. The building sector is responsible for creating, modifying and improving the living environment of humanity. On the other hand, construction and buildings have considerable environmental impacts, consuming a significant proportion of limited resources of the planet including energy, raw material, water and land. Therefore, the sustainability of the built environment, the construction industry and the related activities is a pressing issue facing all stakeholders in order to promote Sustainable Development. The new millennium is challenging practitioners and researchers with the sustainability of the built environment and the construction industry. Hence, the main purpose of this publication is to discuss these challenges and present solutions that actively facilitate and promote the adoption of policies, methods and tools to accelerate the movement towards a global sustainable built environment. The issues presented include: Building sustainability assessment tools; Indoor environment quality and benchmarks; Sustainable resources and materials use; Use of non-conventional materials; Use of industrial waste; Eco-materials and technologies; Sustainable management of existing building stock; Innovative sustainable construction systems; and Design.

Advances in Mathematical Modeling for Reliability discusses fundamental issues on mathematical modeling in reliability theory and its applications. Beginning with an extensive discussion of graphical modeling and Bayesian networks, the focus shifts towards repairable systems: a discussion about how sensitive availability calculations parameter choices, and emulators provide the potential to perform such calculations on complicated systems to a fair degree of accuracy and in a computationally efficient manner. Another issue that is addressed is how competing risks arise in reliability and maintenance analysis through the ways in which data is censored. Mixture failure rate modeling is also a point of discussion, as well as the signature of systems, where the properties of the system through the signature from the probability distributions on the lifetime of the components are distinguished. The last three topics of discussion are relations among aging and stochastic dependence, theoretical advances in modeling, inference and computation, and recent advances in recurrent event modeling and inference.

The Knowledge Creation Potential of Management Consulting interprets management consulting from a knowledge perspective, and proposes a general conceptual framework for investigating and interpreting that potential. To begin with, the main dynamics of change that characterize today’s demand for management consulting is outlined, and is it suggested that firms are becoming increasingly aware of the real cognitive (rather than only the economic) value generation potential that can be activated through the consulting relationship. Also, the possible pathways for evolutionary transformation of consulting practices, models and roles that consulting firms could follow if they want to take advantage of the important changes that are taking place, are looked at. Next, a definition of management consulting is proposed, which aims to identify the distinctive ontological (real, essential and relatively stable) features of this particular service and emphasizes the mainly cognitive nature of its value-creation potential. Furthermore, two approaches to interpreting management consulting are discussed: the diachronic approach, and the synchronic approach. To conclude, the theories interpreting knowledge creation processes as knowledge conversion processes are explained, and applied to the specific context of management consulting relationships.

This updated and revised 2nd edition of Drug Benefits and Risks is an inclusive reference exploring the scientific basis and practice of drug therapy. The key concept is to look at the balance between the benefits and risks of drugs, but in this context also highlighting the social impact which drugs have in modern societies. Taking an evidence-based approach to the problem, the practice of clinical pharmacology and pharmacotherapy in the developing as well as the developed world is examined. For this purpose the book covers general clinical pharmacology, pharmacology of various drug groups and the treatments specific to various diseases; the book gives guidance on how doctors should act so that drugs can be used effectively and safely; and it encourages the rational use of drugs in society. This publication brings together a large amount of excellent content that will be invaluable for anyone working within, or associated with, the field of clinical pharmacology and pharmacotherapy - undergraduates, postgraduates, regulatory authorities and the pharmaceutical industry.

Conservation of architecture - and the conversation of Modern architecture in particular – has assumed new challenges. Rather than attempting to return a Modern building to its resumed original state, the challenge of these proceedings is to revalue the essence of the manifold manifestations of Modern architecture and redefine its meanings in a rapidly changing world of digital revolution, worldwide mobility and environmental awareness. This volume aims to provide a variety of platforms for the exchange of ideas and experience. A large, international group of architects, historians, scholars, preservationists and other parties involved in the processes of preserving, renovating and transforming Modern buildings has been invited to investigate the paradox of the Modern monument, and to reflect on the manifold dilemmas of change and continuity. The general theme is elaborated through five sub-themes. The sub-theme ‘Change and Continuity’ addresses the tensions between change and continuity from a historical-theoretical perspective. ‘Restructuring Cities and Landscapes’ focuses on the larger scale of city and landscape, while ‘Shifts in Programme and Flexibility’ draws attention to the scale of the building or building complex, and questions limits of re-use and flexibility. The fourth sub-theme deals with education and the fifth sub-theme ‘Progress, Technology and Sustainability’ considers specific issues of techniques and materials.

There were not many textbooks on shipping available for the students in the early 1990s. Therefore it was decided to write Shipping in 1996. One year earlier, Niko Wijnolst had published Design Innovation in Shipping, based on work at the Delft University of Technology. The two books together offered a comprehensive insight and overview into the dynamics of global shipping and maritime innovation. Although the core of the books held its value, it was decided to make an update of the two books and merge them into one new textbook, Shipping Innovation, destined for a broad spectre of maritime students and professionals. Some substantial new parts were added, as well as some new contributions by other writers. This textbook offers a one-stop-shopping experience to those students and professionals who wish to get acquainted with the multifaceted aspects of global shipping and its everlasting innovation dynamics. Some of the new contributions are the mission-based design process of a Panamax containership and a ro-ro vessel; sustainable shipping and innovation; and an innovation case-study on the revolutionary design of a ballast-free ship. -- ‘Shipping Innovation is a remarkable book. It deserves to become a standard text for students and professionals alike, combining as it does both commercial and technical topics into one coherent whole.’- Paul Gunton, Fairplay.co.uk

The origin of Aerodynamic Design of Transport Aircraft stems from the time when the author was appointed part-time professor in the Aerospace Faculty of Delft University of Technology. At the time his main activities were those of leading the departments of Aerodynamics, Performance and Preliminary Design at Fokker Aircraft Company. The groundwork for this book started in 1987 as a series of lecture notes consisting mainly of pictorial material with a minimum of English explanatory text. After the demise of Fokker in 1996 one feared that interest in aeronautical engineering would strongly diminish. As a result of this, the course was discontinued and the relationship between the author and the faculty came to an end. Two years later the situation was reappraised, and the interest in aeronautical engineering remained, so the course was reinstated with a former Fokker colleague Ronald Slingerland as lecturer. The lecture notes from these courses form the foundation of this publication.

Laboratory tests are an integral part in the diagnosis of diseases in the pediatric age group and are commonly an essential part of the diagnostic workup, which is important for selecting the most appropriate treatment. Many new techniques and laboratory studies have been introduced in the last few years and many have replaced older methods that have become obsolete. It has become essential to the practice of modern pediatrics to be familiar with advances in laboratory medicine and it has become important to meet the demands of the practicing physician. As before, the complexity and sophistication of many tests exceed the capabilities of many office or small hospital facilities. However, when necessary, these tests can be referred to specialized reference laboratories. As in the previous edition, the text of this revised second edition is divided into categories of disease with a brief outline of signs and symptoms that remain integral and essential for diagnosis. This is followed by diagnostic tests, including the most important methods for diagnosis with updates in molecular procedures, DNA, probes, monoclonal antibodies, polymerase chain reaction, immunocytochemical and cytochemical staining, flow cytometry, and cytogenetics. Additional tables and algorithms have been included to add simplification, clarify and to expedite the understanding and selection of diagnostic tests. ""Clinical Use of Pediatric Diagnostic Tests"" aims to become essential for the needs of pediatricians, family practitioners, students, residents, pathologists, nurses, practitioners and laboratory technicians.

Surprisingly optimistic. That is what the future of energy looks like, according to author Ad van Wijk. Over a quarter of a century ago Van Wijk co-founded and was CEO of Econcern, the company that developed into the largest Dutch sustainable energy business.Surprisingly optimistic, our energy future? And what about rising prices of fossil fuels, depleting resources, pollution, energy related health problems, dependency on unpleasant and unstable regimes? Furthermore, isn’t sustainable energy expensive, difficult to harvest, unreliable and not yet available by a long shot? And didn’t Econcern itself go bankrupt during the financial crisis?Van Wijk’s optimism seems to be against the odds. But those who are prepared to take an unbiased look at the energy possibilities already existing today, get a whole new perspective. Sustainable energy for everyone, all over the world, does appear to be a goal within reach, both technologically and financially. And much, much quicker than many would tend to believe.In this book Ad van Wijk, currently professor in Future Energy Systems at Delft Technical University, succeeds in presenting a refreshing new outlook on the ‘energy’ phenomenon. It is concise, surprising and a very good read too, full of day-to-day examples (hence the title ‘How to boil an egg’).It is a surprisingly optimistic book indeed. But surprisingly realistic too.

There are two things everybody knows about glass: it is transparent, and it breaks! These are also the properties that constitute the challenge of glass as an architectural and structural material.This book presents papers from the third Challenging Glass Conference (CGC3), held at the Technical University (TU) Delft, the Netherlands, in June 2012. The conference brings together glass engineering, research and design specialists. Papers are grouped under seven topic headings: project and case studies; joints, fixings and adhesives; strength, stability and safety (a category which includes a quarter of all the papers presented at the conference); laminates and composite design; curved and bended glass; architectural design and lighting and finally, glass in facades.Glass remains one of the most exciting materials available to designers and architects today. This book will be of interest to all those involved in working with glass in an architectural and structural context.

Jointly organised by the European Commission and the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology in Spain (CDTI), the Aeronautics Days sixth edition – ‘Aerodays 2011’ – was held on 30th - 31st March and 1st April 2011 in the Palacio Municipal de Congresos of Madrid. It brought together 1400 delegates – policy makers, aerospace manufacturers, engineers, researchers and customers – to report and discuss the challenges and solutions for creating greener, safer, secure and competitive solutions for aeronautics and air transport in Europe. Highlights included ‘Flightpath 2050’, Europe’s vision for future aviation.The present book, published by the European Commission, brings together about 80 papers selected by a Scientific Advisory Committee with the intention to make broadly known the main themes and issues addressed on the occasion of this Convention.Given the strategic importance of the latter, these post-conference proceedings constitutea reference document providing an overview on aeronautical research within Europe more particularly devoted to Commission supported programmes and networks.

Air transport must evolve if it is to optimize its value in the 21st century. The mood in the aerospace industry is positive with regard to economic recovery, but the focus in this transitional time must be on sustaining value, without losing sight of environmental and safety priorities.This book presents the proceedings of the joint conference held in Delft, the Netherlands in June 2012, incorporating the 3rd International Air Transport Operations Symposium (ATOS), the 3rd Association of Scientific Development in Air Traffic Management in Europe (ASDA) Seminar, the 6th International Meeting for Aviation Products Support Processes (IMAPP) and the 2012 Complex World Seminar. The conference brought together over 200 participants from industry and academia, all of whom share the common goal of improving performance and capacity by advancing the efficiency, sustainability and safety of air transport. Presentations at the conference were divided equally between academic papers and more applied industry sessions.The book includes the majority of academic papers presented at the conference, and provides a wide overview of the issues currently of importance in the world of air transport.

This book deals with the revolution of containerization, a breakthrough in maritime transport. Until World War II, maritime transport and transshipment of general cargo had been virtually unchanged for decades. Mechanization and the introduction of small unit loads improved productivity and working conditions in the shipping business. A real breakthrough came from outside the maritime sector: railway and trucking companies launched the transportation of ‘vehicle-sized’ loads. Malcom McLean, a trucking magnate who had acquired the Pan-Atlantic Steamship Corporation, envisaged land-sea-land services, door-to-door, with ‘trailer bodies’. He equipped two of his tankers with spar decks and purchased 200 aluminum containers. On April 26, 1956 the Ideal X left the port of New York with 58 containers destined for Houston. This event triggered a revolution in maritime general cargo transport: ‘containerization’. Economies of scale, enhanced transshipment, no pilferage and less damage resulted in fast and low cost transportation. Over time, containerization accelerated the growth of worldwide trade and facilitated just-in-time logistics. Nowadays containerized transport is a real utility, indispensable for a global economy.Development of Containerization shows how the container-sector coped with the challenges it was facing. Entrepreneurial spirit and technological creativity were at the core of its success. The authors uniquely combine these two elements: the general economic and transport developments are chronologically structured per decade and pivotal technological changes are described in greater detail. The text is illustrated with many pictures because ‘seeing is believing’. The book is of interest to students in transportation, designers of terminals and intermodal transport systems and all those who are fascinated by the spectacular impact of containerization.

In the summer of 1982, hospital emergency rooms in the San Francisco Bay Area were suddenly confronted with mysteriously “frozen” patients – young men and women who, though conscious, could neither move nor speak. Doctors were baffled, until neurologist J. William Langston, recognizing the symptoms of advanced Parkinson’s disease, administered L-dopa – the only known effective treatment – and “unfroze” his patient. Dr. Langston determined that this patient and five others had all used the same tainted batch of synthetic heroin, inadvertently laced with a toxin that had destroyed an area of their brains essential to normal movement. This same area, the substantia nigra, slowly deteriorates in Parkinson’s disease. As scientists raced to capitalize on this breakthrough, Dr. Langston struggled to salvage the lives of his frozen patients, for whom L-dopa provided only short-term relief. The solution he found lay in the most daring area of research: fetal-tissue transplants. The astonishing recovery of two of his patients garnered worldwide press coverage, helped overturn federal restrictions on fetal-tissue research, and offered hope to millions suffering from Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other degenerative brain disorders. This is the story behind the headline – a spellbinding account that brings to life the intellectual excitement, ethical dilemmas, and fierce competitiveness of medical research. This new updated edition of the classic neurological mystery tale, “The Case of the Frozen Addicts,” illuminates how the solution to a baffling mystery of the brain’s chemistry opened a new frontier in medicine and restored life to people without hope. “It begins with a series of quixotic discoveries, escalates to providing possible solutions for one of humanity’s most intractable medical problems, and then catapults the reader into the center of America’s hottest political arena – abortion and fetal sanctity. Bravo! A brilliant read.” – Laurie Garrett, author of The Coming Plague “[Langston and Palfreman] weave a highly readable and spellbinding medical detective tale… It is as absorbing as a good mystery, as entertaining as an exciting novel, and as enlightening as a good biography.” – Stanley Fahn, New England Journal of Medicine “I could not put it down… it is the lives of the ‘frozen addicts’ themselves – and the fullness with which this is presented – which makes the whole thing overwhelming.” – Oliver Sacks

In the summer of 1982, hospital emergency rooms in the San Francisco Bay Area were suddenly confronted with mysteriously “frozen” patients – young men and women who, though conscious, could neither move nor speak. Doctors were baffled, until neurologist J. William Langston, recognizing the symptoms of advanced Parkinson’s disease, administered L-dopa – the only known effective treatment – and “unfroze” his patient. Dr. Langston determined that this patient and five others had all used the same tainted batch of synthetic heroin, inadvertently laced with a toxin that had destroyed an area of their brains essential to normal movement. This same area, the substantia nigra, slowly deteriorates in Parkinson’s disease. As scientists raced to capitalize on this breakthrough, Dr. Langston struggled to salvage the lives of his frozen patients, for whom L-dopa provided only short-term relief. The solution he found lay in the most daring area of research: fetal-tissue transplants. The astonishing recovery of two of his patients garnered worldwide press coverage, helped overturn federal restrictions on fetal-tissue research, and offered hope to millions suffering from Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other degenerative brain disorders. This is the story behind the headline – a spellbinding account that brings to life the intellectual excitement, ethical dilemmas, and fierce competitiveness of medical research. This new updated edition of the classic neurological mystery tale, “The Case of the Frozen Addicts,” illuminates how the solution to a baffling mystery of the brain’s chemistry opened a new frontier in medicine and restored life to people without hope. “It begins with a series of quixotic discoveries, escalates to providing possible solutions for one of humanity’s most intractable medical problems, and then catapults the reader into the center of America’s hottest political arena – abortion and fetal sanctity. Bravo! A brilliant read.” – Laurie Garrett, author of The Coming Plague “[Langston and Palfreman] weave a highly readable and spellbinding medical detective tale… It is as absorbing as a good mystery, as entertaining as an exciting novel, and as enlightening as a good biography.” – Stanley Fahn, New England Journal of Medicine “I could not put it down… it is the lives of the ‘frozen addicts’ themselves – and the fullness with which this is presented – which makes the whole thing overwhelming.” – Oliver Sacks

Therapeutic architecture can be described as the people-centered, evidence-based discipline of the built environment, which aims to identify and support ways of incorporating those spatial elements that interact with people physiologically and psychologically into design. Architecture is an important factor in people's lives when they are well; when they experience ill-health and are less able to cope it becomes even more important.This book explores the design of specialized residential architecture for people with mental health problems. It sets out to show how building design can support medical and health related procedures and practices, leading to better therapeutic outcomes and an enhanced quality of life. Based on almost two decades of research, it aims to understand how architectural design interacts with the therapeutic milieu, the care programs, and actually living in the spaces.The book is divided into two main parts covering theory and research. Part one consists of three chapters: a brief introduction to old practices, current medical psychosocial and architectural thinking, and alternative thinking. Part two explores the research and conclusions derived from fieldwork.This book provides a fascinating insight into the effect that architectural design can have on all of us, but particularly on those with mental health problems.""Dr. Evangelia Chrysikou explains the many aspects of mental health and its relation to the quality of the built environment and I strongly recommend this very enjoyable book to anyone who would like to find out more about this important topic.""Prof. Alan Dilani, Ph.D.International Academy for Design and Health ""This book provides important, evidence-based data that will help to drive the design of new and refurbished psychiatric facilities and will no doubt become a highly-regarded resource for medical planners and architects.""Jo Makosinski Editor, Building Better Healthcare

This book describes the blast furnace process for operators. As a starting point, the blast furnace is seen as a simple iron ore melter, while gradually the physical, chemical and metallurgical background is clarified. Operational observations, challenges and remedies are explained from this perspective. Optimization of the blast furnace process is not only based on “best practice transfer”, but also requires conceptual understanding of what works when. In other words: operational improvement is not only based on know–how, but on know–why as well. With Modern Blast Furnace Ironmaking – An Introduction (Third Edition, 2015) the reader has a compact compendium of the blast furnace process available: by operators and for operators and for those who are preparing to become operators.

This book describes the blast furnace process for operators. As a starting point, the blast furnace is seen as a simple iron ore melter, while gradually the physical, chemical and metallurgical background is clarified. Operational observations, challenges and remedies are explained from this perspective. Optimization of the blast furnace process is not only based on “best practice transfer”, but also requires conceptual understanding of what works when. In other words: operational improvement is not only based on know–how, but on know–why as well. With Modern Blast Furnace Ironmaking – An Introduction (Third Edition, 2015) the reader has a compact compendium of the blast furnace process available: by operators and for operators and for those who are preparing to become operators.

The 2nd Edition of Metabolic Diseases provides readers with a completely updated description of the Foundations of Clinical Management, Genetics, and Pathology. A distinguished group of 31 expert authors has contributed 25 chapters as a tribute to Enid Gilbert-Barness and the late Lewis Barness--- both pioneers in this topic. Enid’s unique perspectives on the pathology of genetic disorders and Lew’s unsurpassed knowledge of metabolism integrated with nutrition have inspired the contributors to write interdisciplinary descriptions of generally rare, and always challenging, hereditary metabolic disorders. Discussions of these interesting genetic disorders are organized in the perspective of molecular abnormalities leading to morphologic disturbances with distinct pathology and clinical manifestations.The book emphasizes recent advances such as development of improved diagnostic methods and discovery of new, more effective therapies for many of the diseases. It includes optimal strategies for diagnosis and information on access to specialized laboratories for specific testing. The target audience is a wide variety of clinicians, including pediatricians, neonatologists, obstetricians, maternal-fetal specialists, internists, pathologists, geneticists, and laboratorians engaged in prenatal and/or neonatal screening. In addition, all scientists and health science professionals interested in metabolic diseases will find the comprehensive, integrated chapters informative on the latest discoveries. It is our hope that the 2nd Edition will open new avenues and vistas for our readers and that they will share with us the interest, excitement and passion of the research into all these challenging disorders.

Material undergoes the transformation from metal to non-metal or from non-metal to metal when environmental conditions, such as temperature and pressure, or the percentages of constituent components are changed. Such a transition is known as the metal-nonmetal (M-NM) transition.This book, 'The Physics of Metal – Nonmetal Transitions', explores the mechanisms so far discovered which cause the M-NM transition and presents a systematic discussion of them. All the mechanisms are discussed in terms of energy bands, and the band theory is introduced and explained in chapter 2. Once chapters 1 and 2 have been assimilated, the remaining chapters can be read independently of each other if required. The mechanisms discussed therein include the Peierls transition, the Bloch-Wilson transitions – types I and II respectively – the second of which was discovered by the author and her students. Subsequent chapters cover the Anderson transition and the Mott transition, and each chapter includes not only traditional theories, but also updated information about more recent research. The book can be used either as a textbook for undergraduate and postgraduate students of science and technology or as an introductory treatise for researchers in a wide variety of fields.

Material undergoes the transformation from metal to non-metal or from non-metal to metal when environmental conditions, such as temperature and pressure, or the percentages of constituent components are changed. Such a transition is known as the metal-nonmetal (M-NM) transition.This book, 'The Physics of Metal – Nonmetal Transitions', explores the mechanisms so far discovered which cause the M-NM transition and presents a systematic discussion of them. All the mechanisms are discussed in terms of energy bands, and the band theory is introduced and explained in chapter 2. Once chapters 1 and 2 have been assimilated, the remaining chapters can be read independently of each other if required. The mechanisms discussed therein include the Peierls transition, the Bloch-Wilson transitions – types I and II respectively – the second of which was discovered by the author and her students. Subsequent chapters cover the Anderson transition and the Mott transition, and each chapter includes not only traditional theories, but also updated information about more recent research. The book can be used either as a textbook for undergraduate and postgraduate students of science and technology or as an introductory treatise for researchers in a wide variety of fields.

In 1974, a scientific conference covering marine automation group and large vessels issues was organized under the patronage of the Technical Naval Studies Centre (CETENA) and the Italian National Research Council (CNR). A later collaboration with the Marine Technical Association (ATENA) led to the renaming of the conference as NAV, extending the topics covered to the technical field previously covered by ATENA national conferences. The NAV conference is now held every 3 years, and attracts specialists from all over the world. This book presents the proceedings of NAV 2018, held in Trieste, Italy, in June 2018. The book contains 70 scientific papers, 35 technical papers and 16 reviews, and subjects covered include: comfort on board; conceptual and practical ship design; deep sea mining and marine robotics; protection of the environment; renewable marine energy; design and engineering of offshore vessels; digitalization, unmanned vehicles and cyber security; yacht and pleasure craft design and inland waterway vessels.With its comprehensive coverage of scientific and technical maritime issues, the book will be of interest to all those involved in this important industry.

Since they entered our world around the middle of the 20th century, the application of mechatronics has enhanced our lives with functionality based on the integration of electronics, control systems and electric drives.This book deals with the special class of mechatronics that has enabled the exceptional levels of accuracy and speed of high-tech equipment applied in the semiconductor industry, realising the continuous shrink in detailing of micro-electronics and MEMS.As well as the more frequently presented standard subjects of dynamics, motion control, electronics and electromechanics, this book includes an overview of systems engineering, optics and precision measurement systems, in an attempt to establish a connection between these fields under one umbrella.Robert Munnig Schmidt is emeritus professor in Mechatronic System Design at Delft University of Technology with industrial experience at Philips and ASML in research and development of consumer and high-tech systems. He is also director of RMS Acoustics & Mechatronics, doing research and development on active controlled low frequency sound systems.Georg Schitter is professor at the Automation and Control Institute (ACIN) at Vienna University of Technology with a standing track record in research on the control and mechatronic design of extremely fast precision motion systems such as video rate AFM systems.Adrian Rankers is managing partner of Mechatronics Academy, developing and delivering high level courses to the industrial community, based on industrial experience at Philips in the research and development of consumer and high-tech systems. He also teaches Mechatronics at the Eindhoven University of Technology.Jan van Eijk is emeritus professor in Advanced Mechatronics at Delft University of Technology. He is also director of MICE BV and partner at Mechatronics Academy, acting as industrial R&D advisor and teacher with experience at Philips in the research and development of consumer and high-tech systems.