Libros de ciencias, página 10 de 2692

Provides a semi-quantitative approach to recent developments in the study of optical properties of condensed matter systemsFeaturing contributions by noted experts in the field of electronic and optoelectronic materials and photonics, this book looks at the optical properties of materials as well as their physical processes and various classes. Taking a semi-quantitative approach to the subject, it presents a summary of the basic concepts, reviews recent developments in the study of optical properties of materials and offers many examples and applications.

R.A. D'Inverno There is little doubt that Einstein's theory of relativity captures the imagination. Not only has it radically altered the way we view the universe, but the theory also has a considerable number of surprises in store. This is especially so in the three main topics of current interest that this book reaches, namely: black holes, gravitational waves, and cosmology. The main aim of this textbook is to provide students with a sound mathematical introduction coupled to an understanding of the physical insights needed to explore the subject. Indeed, the book follows Einstein in that it introduces the theory very much from a physical point of view. After introducing the special theory of relativity, the basic field equations of gravitation are derived and discussed carefully as a prelude to first solving them in simple cases and then exploring the three main areas of application. Einstein's theory of relativity is undoubtedly one of the greatest achievements of the human mind. Yet, in this book, the author makes it possible for students with a wide range of abilities to deal confidently with the subject. Based on the author's fifteen years experience of teaching this subject, this is achieved by breaking down the main arguments into simple logical steps. The book includes numerous illustrative diagrams and exercises (of varying degrees of difficulty), and as a result this book makes an excellent course for any student coming to the subject for the first time.

This book includes descriptive keys for identifying every stage of all the species of ticks reported in Europe and northern Africa. It includes descriptive texts on the ecology and prominent features of each species, together with ink illustrations and distribution maps of more than 60 species of hard and soft ticks. The text for each species was prepared by specialists, the illustrations were made especially for this book and the maps were compiled on the basis of more than 40 years of records. This book is the first to offer keys for more than 60 species of ticks (both immature and adult) in the target territory. It also includes supplementary information with bibliographical details for each species.

Having been the fourth largest lake on the globe roughly 50 years ago today the Aral Sea no longer exists Human activities caused its desiccation and the formation of a huge new desert the Aralkum which can be regarded as one of the greatest ecological catastrophes and at the same time the largest primary succession experiment of mankind This volume brings together the results of international and interdisciplinary long term studies on the new desert ecosystem and is divided into four main sections The first section provides an overview of the physical characteristics of the area and covers geological pedological geomorphological and climatological aspects and their dynamics especially dust storm dynamics The second focuses on the biotic aspects and highlights the spatial and temporal patterns of the flora and fauna In the third section studies and projects aiming to combat desertification by phytomelioration and to develop strategies for the conservation of biodiversity are presented The book is rounded off with a section providing a synthesis and conclusions

The birds, animals, insects, trees and plants encountered by the majority of the worlds people are those that survive in, adapt to, or are introduced to, urban areas. Some of these organisms give great pleasure; others invade, colonise and occupy neglected and hidden areas such as derelict land and sewers. Urban areas have a high biodiversity and nature within cities provides many ecosystem services including cooling the urban area, reducing urban flood risk, filtering pollutants, supplying food, and providing accessible recreation. Yet, protecting urban nature faces competition from other urban land uses.The Handbook of Urban Ecology analyses this biodiversity and complexity and provides the science to guide policy and management to make cities more attractive, more enjoyable, and better for our own health and that of the planet. This Handbook contains 50 interdisciplinary contributions from leading academics and practitioners from across the world to provide an in-depth coverage of the main elements of practical urban ecology. It is divided into six parts, dealing with the philosophies, concepts and history of urban ecology; followed by consideration of the biophysical character of the urban environment and the diverse habitats found within it. It then examines human relationships with urban nature, the health, economic and environmental benefits of urban ecology before discussing the methods used in urban ecology and ways of putting the science into practice.The Handbook offers a state-of the art guide to the science, practice and value of urban ecology. The engaging contributions provide students and practitioners with the wealth of interdisciplinary information needed to manage the biota and green landscapes in urban areas.

This is a open access book Ranaviruses double stranded DNA viruses family Iridoviridae that cause systemic life threatening disease in a variety of amphibians reptiles and fish have contributed to mass die offs of both wild and captive populations around the globe These viruses are emerging and increasingly responsible for population declines of ectothermic vertebrates Because amphibians reptiles and freshwater turtles are suitable hosts and among the most imperiled vertebrate taxa in the world ranaviruses can have significant impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem function Additionally many fish that are raised in aquaculture facilities and traded internationally are suitable hosts thus the potential economic impact of ranaviruses is significant Ranaviruses also serve as a model for understanding viral replication and gene function among large double stranded DNA viruses e g poxviruses asfarvirus and ascoviruses Lastly study of the host immune response to ranaviral disease and the identification of viral immune evasion genes that negatively regulate host immune functions provide insight into which specific immune elements are most important in protecting host species against severe disease The effort to produce a 2nd edition of our earlier work

Esta novena edición, totalmente reestructurada y puesta al día, constituye una obra de síntesis que presenta las técnicas modernas de análisis químicos, biológicos y microbiológicos del agua. Con los avances tecnologicos mas recientes en el campo de la quimica analitica, esta nueva edicion presenta un contenido fundamentalmente renovado, pero conservando el espiritu y la forma de las anteriores ediciones. Enriquecida con datos referentes a los numerosos contaminantes organicos determinados por las nuevas reglamentaciones, integra los contaminantes emergentes y se basa en los nuevos indicadores biologicos que permiten la evaluacion del estado ecologico de las masas de agua. La interpretacion de los resultados analiticos ocupa un lugar preferente, lo que contribuye a que esta obra sea una referencia obligada para los profesionales del agua.

Solar radiation data is important for a wide range of applications, e.g. in engineering, agriculture, health sector, and in many fields of the natural sciences. A few examples showing the diversity of applications may include: architecture and building design e.g. air conditioning and cooling systems; solar heating system design and use; solar power generation; weather and climate prediction models; evaporation and irrigation; calculation of water requirements for crops; monitoring plant growth and disease control; and, skin cancer research. Solar radiation data must be provided in a variety of forms to suit these applications. The radiation reaching the upper atmosphere of the Earth is a quantity rather constant in time. But the radiation reaching some point on Earth surface is random in nature. The main cause is the fact that various gases within the atmosphere absorb solar radiation at different wavelengths, and clouds and dust also affect it. There are two ways to obtaining solar radiation data at ground level: by measurement and by modelling.The book will facilitate the calculation of solar radiation required by engineers, designers and scientists and, as a result, will increase the access to needed solar radiation data.

Probably the best studied stream on earth The result of unmatched long term data taken by the Max Planck outstation in Schlitz from the nearby Breitenbach stream since 1949 the special focus in this handbook and ready reference is on animal and microorganism occurrence and variation as well as chemical and physical parameters An invaluable data basis for modeling purposes for anyone dealing with stream ecology

The bestselling textbook for undergraduate ecology courses Ecology is an easy to read and well organized text for instructors and students to explore the basics of the field Bowman and Hacker motivate students with an engaging case study driven conceptual approach that highlights relevant applications and data driven examples