Bøger udgivet af States Academic Press

Skin cancer refers to the abnormal growth of skin cells. In most cases, skin cancer develops on skin exposed to the sun. However, skin cancer can also develop on skin that is not exposed to sunlight. It is the most common type of cancer. It is categorized into three types, namely, melanoma squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in the melanocyte cells. It has a high probability of invading surrounding tissues and can spread to other body parts. Major signs of skin cancer include skin lesions, ragged and uneven border of lesions, unusual color spots, size greater than 0.25 inches, etc. In certain cases, skin biopsy may be required to determine skin cancer. Its treatment depends on factors such as size and location of cancer, as well as its type and stage. Treatment options for skin cancer include cryosurgery, excisional surgery, Moh's surgery, curettage and electrodesiccation, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, radiation, biological therapy, and immunotherapy. This book unravels the recent studies on the recognition and management of skin cancer. It will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.

Positive psychology studies how individuals thrive and succeed, taking into account the ordinary virtues and strengths of the humans which make life good. It addresses three areas, which include positive experiences of individuals, positive characteristics of individuals, and institutions which allow people to succeed. As an emerging subdivision in psychology, it has significant implications in the acquisition of a foreign language. Developing a positive psychology helps the foreign language learners become more resilient when presented with challenges in the instructional context. Positive psychology seeks to enhance the linguistic progress of a learner by focusing on factors such as hope, courage, well-being, optimism, creativity, happiness, grit, resilience, strengths and laughter. This book explores all the important aspects of positive psychology in learning a foreign language. It will serve as a valuable source of reference for graduate and post graduate students.

Bovine tuberculosis is an infectious disease that occurs in cattle and is primarily caused by Mycobacterium bovis. It is a zoonotic disease affecting the respiratory system of cattle. It affects domestic animals such as equines, sheep, goats, dogs, cats or pigs; and wild animal species such as antelopes, deer or boars. It is a source of infection for humans as well. The traces of bovine tuberculosis can be found in the lungs and throat of the affected cattle. The bacteria causing the disease are transmitted through the breath or discharge from mouth or nose of the affected cattle. The disease can spread in cattle through the placenta before birth, infected milk, and environmental contamination. The symptoms of bovine tuberculosis usually appear after months or years and include weakness, loss of appetite, weight-loss, intermittent hacking cough, and large prominent lymph nodes. There is no treatment available for this disease and the only way to be protected from this disease is through prevention. The other healthy members of the herd should not be exposed to the infected member. This book unravels the recent studies on the causes, symptoms and treatment of bovine tuberculosis. It will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.

Civil engineering refers to the application of scientific and physical principles for the design, development and maintenance of both the man-made and naturally built environments. This comprises infrastructure including buildings, highways, airports, sewage systems, bridges, pipelines, railways, canals, power plants and dams. The basic materials utilized in civil engineering applications are bitumen and bituminous materials, reinforced and structural steels, cement and concrete, structural clay, and concrete units. The success of civil engineering projects heavily relies on the quality of the materials used, therefore it is crucial to have testing tools that can deliver precise and repeatable results to customers. The testing of materials in civil engineering can be done through destructive and non-destructive methods. Non-destructive testing (NDT) refers to a type of method used to evaluate the long-term viability and strength of existing concrete structures using a set of non-invasive inspection procedures. This book aims to shed light on the various materials used in civil engineering as well as their testing and applications. Researchers and students in the field of civil engineering will be assisted by it.

Nutrient cycling is a cyclic process that includes the use, transfer and recycling of nutrients in the ecosystem. It involves the transfer of nutrients from the physical environment to living organisms and back to the physical environment. Nutrient cycling involves both biotic and abiotic components. Abiotic components include air, water and soil, whereas trees, animals and plants are biotic components. Gaseous cycling and sedimentary cycling are the two types of nutrient cycling. Gaseous nutrients such as carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen are recycled in water, air and soil. Contrarily, nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, and potassium are recycled mostly in soil. Plants in forest ecosystems require these nutrients for their metabolism, development and reproduction. Nutrient cycle help ecosystems function and restore ecological equilibrium by sustaining species, and genetic and ecosystem variety. This book unravels the recent studies on nutrient cycling. It aims to serve as a resource guide for students and experts alike and contribute to the growth of research on this topic.

Renewable energy refers to a type of energy that originates from natural sources, which can be replenished more quickly than their rate of consumption. Wind energy, hydroelectric power, solar energy and geothermal energy are examples of renewable energy sources. These energy sources can augment the production of electricity, thus lowering energy costs. The effectiveness of renewable energy is determined by the resources which are utilized. Some renewable energy sources, such as wind and sunlight, are more efficient and widely available than others, whereas renewable sources of energy such as geothermal energy are available in some selected places only. The projects involving renewable energy are usually large-scale and are appropriate for remote and rural areas. This book elucidates the concepts and innovative models around prospective developments with respect to renewable energy sources. It will also provide interesting topics for research, which interested readers can take up. For all readers who are interested in the engineering and technology of renewable energy sources, the studies included in this book will serve as an excellent guide to develop a comprehensive understanding.

Air quality refers to the degree to which the air at a particular location is pollution-free. Good air quality means that the air is clear and contains only small amounts of solid particles and chemical pollutants. Contrarily, air quality is considered bad when it is not clean and contains large amounts of solid and chemical particles. Air quality is measured with the help of the air quality index (AQI). Source apportionment (SA) refers to a method for identifying the sources of air pollution and the contribution (amount) of each type of pollutant source in the overall air pollution level. Most commonly used SA methods are classified in three categories, namely, emission reduction impact (ERI) methods, mass-transfer (MT) methods, and incremental (INC) methods. This book elucidates the concepts around prospective developments with respect to air quality. It will prove to be immensely beneficial to students and researchers in the field of air quality engineering.

Wastewater treatment aims at reducing pollutants by using different treatment methods. To achieve desired performance, it is important to ensure the proper operation and maintenance of the water treatment plant. A number of factors determine the wastewater reuse and include potential revenues, operating costs, resource value and public acceptance of wastewater resources. Membrane filtration, automated variable filtration (AVF) technology, new urban sanitation technology, and urine separating process are some of the advanced technologies used for wastewater treatment. The new urban sanitation technology integrates electro flocculation (Elflox) and anaerobic digestion technologies for treating wastewater. Natural treatment systems are helpful in removing several contaminants such as nutrients, pathogens, micro-constituents, and endocrine disrupting chemicals. This treatment process is extremely effective for water reclamation (or water reuse). This book provides a detailed explanation of the wastewater treatment and reuse technologies. It aims to equip students and experts with the advanced topics and upcoming concepts in the area of wastewater treatment and management.

A molecular marker is a fragment or sequence of DNA that is associated with a certain location within the genome. The development of molecular marker technology has contributed significantly in crop improvement. In plant biotechnology, markers are used to reflect random sequences, genomic variants, or genes. Molecular markers are used majorly in the construction of DNA and genome maps. They also play a potential role in detecting crop tolerance to abiotic stresses, pathogen resistance, genetic diversity and agronomical characters. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is a novel breeding tool used for more accurate and useful selections in breeding populations. There are several advantages of MAS including selection of genotypes at seedling stage, selecting traits with low heritability, and the ability to discriminate between homozygotes and heterozygotes. This book provides comprehensive insights into molecular marker technology and its applications in plant biotechnology. It will serve as a valuable source of reference for graduate and post graduate students.

Grafting is a vegetative propagation technique wherein the tissues of two plants are joined in order to continue their growth together. There are different techniques of grafting, namely, approach grafting, side grafting, splice grafting, saddle grafting, cleft grafting and flat grafting. The advantages of grafting include fast and large-scale production of desirable varieties of fruiting trees and flowering shrubs. Propagation methods such as layering and cutting are usually not successful for growing commercially significant plants but they can be grown easily using grafting. This horticulture technique is also used to overcome the issue of sexual incompatibility between two different species. It can be used for cloning a scion variety to maintain consistency of characters such as color, size and flavors. This book outlines the principles and practices of vegetable grafting. It will also provide interesting topics for research, which interested readers can take up. With the state-of-the-art inputs by acclaimed experts of this field, this book targets students and professionals.

Forage refers to the edible parts of the plant such as stems and leaves. Grasses, herbaceous legumes, and tree legumes are examples of common forages. These are primarily consumed by grazing animals such as goats, horses, llamas, cows and sheep. Forage crops are crops that are cultivated for use as feeds for animals after their grain has been separated. Mostly, forage crops are grown in fragile habitats having poor fertility and various restrictions. Forage plants support both domesticated and wild herbivores. These plants comprise varied amounts of proteins, fiber, minerals, and lignin. This book explores all the novel perspectives related to forage crops in the present day scenario. It will also provide interesting topics for research, which interested readers can take up. The book will serve as a valuable source of reference for graduate and postgraduate students.

Sustainable agriculture is a farming practice that seeks to fulfill the present food needs of the society without compromising the needs of the future generations. Agricultural productivity is constrained by exposure to extreme vulnerability of climate in the form of floods, droughts, heat, cold waves, unseasonal rains and cyclones. Efficient management of natural resources and developing climate resilient crop varieties are some major strategies that can be adopted for overcoming the challenges of climate change. One of the major approaches which focuses on sustainable agriculture to combat climate change is climate-smart agriculture. It seeks to achieve three prominent outcomes, namely, increasing productivity, enhancing resilience and reducing emissions. This book includes some of the vital pieces of works being conducted across the world, on various topics related to sustainable agriculture and climate change. It consists of contributions made by international experts. This book aims to equip students and experts with the advanced topics and upcoming concepts in this area of study.

Plants have a complex gene pool that is capable of identifying invading pathogens and initiating effective defense mechanisms. Plant genetics refers to a specialized field of biology and botany that is concerned with the study of genes, genetic variation and heredity in plants. Molecular marker-assisted breeding (MAB) is a method for plant improvement that applies molecular biotechnologies to practical breeding and selection. MAB combines traditional plant breeding with the tools of molecular biology and genetics, prominently making use of molecular markers. MAB offers a number of benefits as compared with conventional breeding methods. It involves genetic manipulation performed at the DNA level for improving the traits of interest in plants. This book is a compilation of chapters that discuss the most vital concepts and emerging trends in the genetic analyses of plants and molecular marker-assisted breeding. It consists of contributions made by international experts. This book will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.

Agroforestry is a type of land management system where trees or shrubs are planted around or surrounding the crops or pastureland. Such type of land management helps in producing a variety of products such as fruits, wood products, pharmaceuticals and other valuable products that can be traded commercially. It ensures long-term sustainability of agriculture. Some of its other benefits include improved farmer livelihoods through wealth creation, higher yields from staple food crops, carbon sequestration, increased biodiversity, and enhanced soil structure and health. Agroforestry helps blend forestry and farming, which helps restore the land by reducing soil erosion and regulating the water accessibility to restore the land. The practice of agroforestry leads to ecosystem services, which refers to the human benefits apart from an increase in farm produce. Agroforestry-based ecosystem services help in improving agricultural sustainability by ensuring better usage of fertilizers, enhanced ground cover, improved insect resistance, and weed avoidance. This book elucidates the concepts and innovative models around prospective developments with respect to agroforestry-based ecosystem services and environmental benefits of agroforestry. It will also provide interesting topics for research, which interested readers can take up.

Acoustics is the branch of physics concerned with the study of mechanical waves in solids, liquids, and gases. It covers topics such as ultrasound, vibration, sound and infrasound. Acoustics are applied for ensuring the proper transmission of sound. Ultrasonics refers to the study of sound waves or vibrations with frequencies greater than the human audible range. These ultrasound waves are commonly used by species such as bats and whales, which can communicate and navigate using ultrasounds. Ultrasonics can be utilized to develop techniques for measuring the location of internal organs and studying their functions. It is also used for ranging and navigating, and nondestructive testing of materials. This book elucidates the concepts and innovative models around prospective developments with respect to acoustics and ultrasonics. It presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe. This book, with its detailed analyses and data, will prove immensely beneficial to professionals and students involved in this area at various levels.

Rotating electric machines are electric machines that are used to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. There are three basic types of rotating electric machines, namely, the DC machine, the polyphase synchronous machine, and the polyphase induction machine. Steel, copper and aluminum are the three materials commonly used in manufacturing these machines. Rotating electric machines consists of two parts, the rotor and the stator. The rotor is the cylindrical rotating component whereas the stator is the annular stationary component. These components are made of a magnetic material, which conducts magnetic flux necessary for energy conversion process. In the case of synchronous and DC machines, the magnetic field is generated by field poles induced by the use of direct current. Rotating motors can be controlled by simple start/stop functions or may involve complex controls that regulate motor output parameters such as shaft speed and acceleration. This book includes some of the vital pieces of work being conducted across the world, on various topics related to the analysis, modeling and control of rotating electric machines. It aims to serve as a resource guide for students and experts alike and contribute to the growth of study on this subject.

Discrete geometry refers to a subfield of geometry that examines discrete and highly symmetric structures in geometry and how discrete geometric objects might be constructed. It is closely connected to computational geometry as well as other mathematical subjects including combinatorial geometry and topology, combinatorial optimization, geometric graph theory, and finite geometry. Discrete geometry focuses on the problems that aim to characterize specific discrete arrangements of geometric objects having high symmetry. Many of the techniques used to investigate discrete arrangements are based on a wide range of symetrizations. Discrete geometry is used in numerous theoretical disciplines including algebraic geometry and topology, geometry of numbers, mathematical physics, functional analysis, geometric measure theory, calculus of variations, and group theory. This book is compiled in such a manner, that it will provide an in-depth knowledge about the theory and applications of discrete geometry and symmetry. It is a resource guide for experts as well as students.

The branch of study that focuses on the energy, chemistry, physics, and water fluxes in the atmosphere and Earth's surface is known as hydrometeorology. Hydrometeorological hazards originate due to extreme meteorological and climatic occurrences having atmospheric, hydrological, or oceanographic origin. A few examples of hydrometeorological hazards include typhoons, hurricanes, floods, drought, heatwaves, cold spells, and coastal storm surges. Hydrometeorological monitoring systems are required to develop adequate preparedness and mitigation strategies. The hydrometeorological phenomena can be modeled in three major ways, namely, nowcasting, numerical weather prediction, and statistical techniques. Nowcasting refers to the weather forecasting on a very short mesoscale period. This book traces the progress of hydrometeorology, and highlights some of its key concepts and applications. It unfolds the innovative aspects of hydrometeorological observations and modeling, which will be crucial for the progress of this field in the future. The book is appropriate for students as well as for experts seeking detailed information in the area of hydrometeorology.

A power converter is an electromechanical or electrical device that converts electrical energy from one form to a desired form. The power converter regulates the power supplied to the resistor through the use of a parallel DC-DC chopper and an unregulated rectifier. It regulates the power flow from an AC supply to the motor by properly controlling power semiconductor switches. The goal of power converter design is to increase efficiency. Controlling the power converters is crucial for ensuring the standards and requirements of the desired purpose. This book aims to shed light on some of the unexplored aspects of power convertors and the recent researches on them. It consists of contributions made by international experts. Students, researchers, experts and all associated with the design and control of power converters will benefit alike from this book.

Quantitative finance is the study of financial markets and securities by using mathematical models and very huge datasets. It draws concepts from mathematics, finance, statistics, and programming. Quantitative finance allows for the creation of financial models that can be utilized for pricing a variety of financial assets such as financial derivatives products. Quantitative economics is an area of study that involves the application of tools from computer science and mathematical sciences such as stochastic models, algorithms, statistics, numerical analysis, possibility theory, and optimization theory, for effectively modeling different economic situations. It involves the study of the use of resources for the manufacture, supply and consumption of goods and services. The study of quantitative economics focuses on the quantifiable features of financial systems. This book explores all the important aspects of quantitative finance and economics in the present day scenario. It elucidates new techniques and their applications in a multidisciplinary manner. This book will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.

Optical fibre is used as a medium to transmit the light signals from one place to another. Optical fibre communication is a communication method wherein the signal is transmitted in the form of light. The fibre wires are preferred over the copper wires for transmitting signals because they offer numerous advantages over electrical cables. Fibre wires have a large transmission capacity and incur only small losses. Additionally, they are also low cost, lightweight, and free from interference. Some major components of optical fibre communications are photo detecting receivers, light signal transmitters, regenerators, optical amplifiers, and beam splitters. Optical fibres have several applications in different fields. However, they are specifically used in the telecommunications industry for internet communication, television signal transmission, and cable television signal transmission. Optical fibres are also used in CCTV surveillance cameras, hospitals, and traffic management systems. This book includes some of the vital pieces of works being conducted across the world, on various topics related to optical fibre communications. It will provide comprehensive knowledge to the readers.

Multiple-criteria decision making (MCDM) is a process of making choices that are subject to various conflicting criteria. It is also called multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). MCDM is an important subfield of operations research. Mostly, decision-making processes are complex and are subject to various internal and external factors. MCDM can be applied to many complex decisions. It is characterized as being logical, consistent, and easy to use. The MCDM problems may be categorized into two types, namely, compensatory decision making and outranking decision making. Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy multi-criteria decision making process (FDM) are compensatory decision making techniques; whereas elimination and choice expressing reality (ELECTRE), and preference ranking organization method for enrichment of evaluations (PROMETHUS) are outranking decision making techniques. MCDM has applications in various areas such as material selection; energy, environment and sustainability management; supply chain, quality and production management; and construction, project, safety and risk management field. This book unravels the recent studies on multiple-criteria decision making. It explores all the important techniques, analysis and applications of multiple-criteria decision making. The book will provide comprehensive knowledge to the readers.

Organophosphorus compounds are derivatives of phosphoric, phosphinic or phosphonic acid in which the oxygen atoms directly bind with the phosphorus atom and can be replaced by the atoms of nitrogen or sulfur. They are primarily used as pesticides and insecticides, and serve as a substitute to chlorinated hydrocarbons persisting in the environment. Despite their extensive uses, certain organophosphorus compounds are toxic for human beings. These compounds are abundant in nature and due to their inherent chemical properties, play a vital role in various sectors. Asymmetry, multivalency, variable oxidation states and metal-binding properties are a few of the notable characteristics that enhance their identification as a distinct and adaptable family of chemicals. There has been rapid progress in organophosphorus chemistry and its applications are finding their way across multiple industries. This book aims to shed light on some of the unexplored aspects of organophosphorus chemistry and the recent researches in this field. It also aims to equip students and experts with the advanced topics and upcoming concepts in this area of chemistry.

Yeast are single celled microorganisms which are classified as fungi. They are crucial in food chains, and are significant in sulfur, carbon and nitrogen cycles. They also have critical environmental applications, including the elimination of heavy metals from wastewater and bioremediation. The usage of yeasts in biotechnological processes is increasing due to their varied properties. They are used for the production of metabolites and recombinant proteins, as well as in-vivo biotransformations. Majority of yeast species are not harmful to animals or human beings, and have the potential to be utilized in a range of fields that are crucial to human activities. This book explores all the important aspects of yeast biotechnology in the present day scenario. It is a compilation of chapters that discuss the most vital concepts and emerging trends in this field. This book will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.

The field of chemical process engineering is focused on the conversion of materials in the laboratory or on a large scale. It offers natural-scientific and mathematical knowledge to help create cost-effective, secure and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. The main focus of chemical process engineering is to produce new types of materials through chemical reaction. The chemical processing industry is responsible for the chemical processing of raw materials into completed goods or intermediate goods that have a new chemical structure. These new types of materials are useful for other industries in an economy. Examples of such new materials include oleochemicals, rubber, agrochemicals, explosives, petrochemicals, polymers, perfumes, ceramics and flavors. Chemical processing at large scale is carried out in chemical processing plants that employ specialized equipment and technology that is capable of withstanding rigorous operating conditions such as extreme heat, pressure, stress, and corrosion. This book contains some path-breaking studies in the field of chemical process engineering. It elucidates new techniques and their applications in a multidisciplinary manner. Researchers and students in this field will be assisted by this book.

Chloroplast refers to a type of membrane-bound organelle that conducts photosynthesis in plant and algal cells. Chlorophyll is the photosynthetic pigment that absorbs the energy from sunlight. It then converts and stores this energy in the energy-storage molecules, ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate). There are various parts within the structure of chloroplast, which include membrane envelope, intermembrane space, stroma, thylakoid system, grana, and chlorophyll. Grana and stroma are the two distinct regions present inside a chloroplast. The grana are the functional units of chloroplasts and consist of chlorophyll pigments. The stroma is an aqueous, alkaline and protein-rich fluid that contains various enzymes, ribosomes, DNA, and other substances present inside the chloroplast membrane surrounding the grana. This book includes some of the vital pieces of works being conducted across the world, on various topics related to the chloroplast. It will provide interesting topics for research, which interested readers can take up. The book is a resource guide for experts as well as students.

Bioinformatics is the application of tools of computation and analysis for capturing and interpreting biological data. Machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence and computer science that has applications in multiple fields. Machine learning in bioinformatics involves the application of machine learning algorithms to bioinformatics such as proteomics, genomics, microarrays, evolution, text mining and systems biology. Genomics is a prominent area of bioinformatics involved in the study of genome mapping, genomic expression regulation, and genome evolution and editing. In medical diagnostics, some of the major applications of machine learning in genomics are genome sequencing, gene editing, and improving clinical workflow. This book outlines a machine learning approach towards bioinformatics. A number of latest researches have been included to keep the readers updated with the global concepts in this area of study. It aims to serve as a resource guide for students and experts alike and contribute to the growth of the discipline.

Global logistics links key elements of the supply chain from a product's place of origin to its point of consumption, while ensuring effective and timely distribution of the commodities from producers to end consumers. It entails the preparation, packaging, and storage of commodities in distribution centers and other logistics real estate facilities. It also includes the transportation of goods by train, truck, plane or ship. A supply chain strategy functions as a blueprint to assist businesses in delivering their goods to consumers as efficiently as possible. These strategies ensure that every stage of the supply chain is optimized, including material procurement, production, shipping and logistics. The development of global logistics is driven by three underlying trends, which include expanding e-commerce, growing consumption, and supply chain reconfiguration to move goods more rapidly and effectively. This book unfolds the innovative aspects of global logistics and supply chain strategies. It consists of contributions made by international experts. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.

Aptamers are short sequences of artificial DNA or RNA that bind to specific target molecules such as peptides, proteins, carbohydrates, toxins, small molecules or live cells. In molecular biology, systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) is a combinational chemistry technique used for generating oligonucleotides of either single-stranded DNA or RNA that specifically bind to a target ligand or ligands. Aptamers can be classified into two types, namely, peptide aptamers and DNA/RNA aptamers. There are several applications of aptamers, which can be categorized into therapeutic, diagnostic, reagent production, and engineering. Aptamers are suitable in diagnostic applications since they exhibit properties of tailored specificity and affinity, high thermal stability, and scalability of production. In therapeutics, aptamers can replace antibodies and facilitate the controlled release of therapeutic biomolecules such as growth factors. This book outlines the biotechnological applications of aptamers in detail. It aims to equip students and experts with the advanced topics and upcoming concepts in this area of study.

Sustainable tourism development is a concept that is involved in the management of all resources in such a manner that the economic, social and aesthetic needs of tourists are fulfilled while maintaining the cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity, and life support systems of a tourist place. This approach can be used as an efficient strategy for increasing economic growth, alleviating poverty, creating jobs and improving food security. There are four basic principles which are fundamental to the concept of sustainable development. These include holistic planning and strategy making; preserving essential ecological processes; protecting both human heritage and biodiversity; and ensuring sustainable production to ensure that productivity can be sustained over the long-term for the future generations. This book provides comprehensive insights with respect to sustainable tourism development and management. It is a collective contribution of a renowned group of international experts. The book is appropriate for students and professionals belonging to the tourism industry.