* McGraw-Hill's annual publication continues its tradition of making information on the latest advances in science and technology accessible to non-specialists through concise, well-illustrated articles * Approximately 170 articles from leaders in scientific and technical disciplines from astronomy to zoology * Up-to-date coverage in forefront areas such as biotechnology, cosmology, environmental science and technology, information technology, molecular medicine, telecommunications, and theoretical physics * 300 images and two color graphics enhance the text * Features numerous cross-references to the Encyclopedia and bibliographies of key literature after each article * An extensive subject index makes finding information a snap

Reviews the latest research breakthroughs and applications Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes in 1991, one-dimensional nanostructures have been at the forefront of nanotechnology research, promising to provide the building blocks for a new generation of nanoscale electronic and optoelectronic devices. With contributions from 68 leading international experts, this book reviews both the underlying principles as well as the latest discoveries and applications in the field, presenting the state of the technology. Readers will find expert coverage of all major classes of one-dimensional nanostructures, including carbon nanotubes, semiconductor nanowires, organic molecule nanostructures, polymer nanofibers, peptide nanostructures, and supramolecular nanostructures. Moreover, the book offers unique insights into the future of one-dimensional nanostructures, with expert forecasts of new research breakthroughs and applications. One-Dimensional Nanostructures collects and analyzes a wealth of key research findings and applications, with detailed coverage of: Synthesis Properties Energy applications Photonics and optoelectronics applications Sensing, plasmonics, electronics, and biosciences applications Practical case studies demonstrate how the latest applications work. Tables throughout the book summarize key information, and diagrams enable readers to grasp complex concepts and designs. References at the end of each chapter serve as a gateway to the literature in the field. With its clear explanations of the underlying principles of one-dimensional nanostructures, this book is ideal for students, researchers, and academics in chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering. Moreover, One-Dimensional Nanostructures will help readers advance their own investigations in order to develop the next generation of applications.

Myconanotechnology is a highly interdisciplinary science emerging at a fast pace and has garnered the attention of nanotechnologists, mycologists, biomedical experts, and agriculture scientists, among others. For the last decade, there has been tremendous progress in this field owing to its wider and more effective applications. In this book, the authors have attempted to discuss different evolving trends in medicine, food, agriculture, veterinary, environment, and textiles. Globally contributed by eminent authors and experts, the present book contains valuable chapters on the diverse aspects of Myconanotechnology and thus would be essential reading for academicians. This book will cater to the need of postgraduate and research students in fungal biology, microbiology, chemistry, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and pharmacology.

Morphodynamics is defined as the unique interaction among environment, functional morphology, developmental constraints, phylogeny, and time—all of which shape the evolution of life. These fabricational patterns and similarities owe their regularity not to a detailed genetic program, but to extrinsic factors, which may be mechanical, chemical, or biological in nature. These self-organizing mechanisms are the focus of Morphodynamics. Illustrated by numerous examples from across the biological spectrum, this book embodies the foundation of noted paleontologist Adolf Seilacher’s thinking on the study of morphodynamics. It represents his unique approach of presenting paleontology from an ecological and constructional perspective, rather than a purely taxonomic one. The hallmark of Seilacher’s storied career has been a constructional and functional focus. He begins by discussing the basic principles—form, pattern formation, ecology and evolution, as well as the factors that override those processes. Next, he examines how morphodynamic principles are implemented in various invertebrates including single-celled protists, Ediacarans, sponges, coelenterates, shelled organisms, worms, arthropods, and echinoderms. The final chapter explores how morphogenetic principles may apply to clonal colonial organisms. Summarizing seventy years of research into the interactions of form, function, and evolution, the book is copiously illustrated with the author’s own distinctive drawings and an abundance of photos. It provides a framework for readers to pose their own questions and sharpen their interpretive skills on this fascinating topic.

Stay up-to-date with the growing amount of reference resources available online How important is the World Wide Web to information retrieval and communication? Important enough that information professionals have seen students exit from their libraries en masse when Internet service was lost. Internet providers dominate the indexing and abstracting of periodical articles as major publishers now offer nearly all of their reference titles in digital form. Libraries spend increasing amounts of funding on electronic reference materials, and librarians devote an increasing amount of time to assisting in their use. The Reference Collection: From the Shelf to the Web is an essential guide to collection development for electronic materials in academic and public libraries. The Reference Collection: From the Shelf to the Web tracks the continuing evolution of electronic reference resources-and how they’re accessed—in a variety of settings. Librarians representing university, elementary school, and public libraries in the United States and Australia examine how reference collections have evolved over time (and may soon be a thing of the past); how public and school libraries have dealt with the changes; why library research assignments have become more difficult for teachers to make and for students to complete; how to organize online reference sources; and why the nature of plagiarism has changed in the electronic era. The book also examines the use of electronic references from a publisher’s perspective and looks at the most important Web-accessible reference tools—both free and subscription—in the areas of humanities, medicine, the social sciences, business, and education. The Reference Collection: From the Shelf to the Web also examines: issues of authority, accessibility, cost, comfort, and user education in evaluating electronic resources the formation of purchasing consortia to facilitate the transfer of reference materials from print to online formats current literature and research findings on the state of digital versus print reference collections what electronic publishing means to smaller reference books (dictionaries, almanacs, etc.) the need for increased information literacy among students the nature, extent, and causes of cyber plagiarism the use of federated search tools and includes a selected list of the top 100 free Internet reference sites The Reference Collection: From the Shelf to the Web is an essential resource for all reference and collection development librarians, and an invaluable aid for publishing professionals.

This book is about people who operate, maintain, design, research, and manage complex systems, ranging from air traffic control systems, process control plants and manufacturing facilities to industrial enterprises, government agencies and universities. The focus is on the nature of the work these types of people perform, as well as the human abilities and limitations that usually enable and sometimes hinder their work. In particular, this book addresses how to best enhance abilities and overcome limitations, as well as foster acceptance of the means to these ends.

Wood has played a major role throughout human history. Strong and versatile, the earliest humans used wood to make shelters, cook food, construct tools, build boats, and make weapons. Recently, scientists, politicians, and economists have renewed their interest in wood because of its unique properties, aesthetics, availability, abundance, and perhaps most important of all, its renewability. However, wood will not reach its highest use potential until we fully describe it, understand the mechanisms that control its performance properties, and, finally, are able to manipulate those properties to give us the desired performance we seek. The Handbook of Wood Chemistry and Wood Composites analyzes the chemical composition and physical properties of wood cellulose and its response to natural processes of degradation. It describes safe and effective chemical modifications to strengthen wood against biological, chemical, and mechanical degradation without using toxic, leachable, or corrosive chemicals. Expert researchers provide insightful analyses of the types of chemical modifications applied to polymer cell walls in wood. They emphasize the mechanisms of reaction involved and resulting changes in performance properties including modifications that increase water repellency, fire retardancy, and resistance to ultraviolet light, heat, moisture, mold, and other biological organisms. The text also explores modifications that increase mechanical strength, such as lumen fill, monomer polymer penetration, and plasticization. The Handbook of Wood Chemistry and Wood Composites concludes with the latest applications, such as adhesives, geotextiles, and sorbents, and future trends in the use of wood-based composites in terms of sustainable agriculture, biodegradability and recycling, and economics. Incorporating decades of teaching experience, the editor of this handbook is well-attuned to educational demands as well as industry standards and research trends.

Bones and Cartilage provides the most in-depth review ever assembled on the topic. It examines the function, development and evolution of bone and cartilage as tissues, organs and skeletal systems. It describes how bone and cartilage is developed in embryos and are maintained in adults, how bone reappears when we break a leg, or even regenerates when a newt grows a new limb, or a lizard a tail. This book also looks at the molecules and cells that make bones and cartilages and how they differ in various parts of the body and across species. It answers such questions as "Is bone always bone? "Do bones that develop indirectly by replacing other tissues, such as marrow, tendons or ligaments, differ from one another? "Is fish bone the same as human bone? "Can sharks even make bone? and many more.* Complete coverage of every aspect of bone and cartilage* Full of interesting and unusual facts* The only book available that integrates development and evolution of the skeleton* Treats all levels from molecular to clinical, embryos to evolution* Written in a lively, accessible style* Extensively illustrated and referenced* Integrates analysis of differentiation, growth and patterning* Covers all the vertebrates as well as invertebrate cartilages* Identifies the stem cells in embryos and adults that can make skeletal tissues