CRC Press
RF and microwave circuits, measurements, and modeling.
This is one of three volumes of RF and Microwave Handbook, 2nd ed. (the volumes are sold individually or as a set with ISBN: 978-08493-7217-9; the first edition, published in 2001, was a single volume). This volume reflects the revisions and expansion of the 1st ed., with new chapters on handset and high-power PAs, magnitude and phase calibration, large signal network analysis, and behavior modeling of power amplifiers. The other chapters have been revised to reflect new approaches and technologies, including linear and pulsed measurements, transmitters and receivers, and CAD tools. The material is well-organized and presented systematically, with each chapter having an introductory overview, discussion of the theory, and an overall focus on practical applications. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
RF and microwave handbook, 2d ed.; 3v.
The first edition, published in 2001, was a single volume; this second edition comprises three volumes (sold individually or as a set) titled, respectively: RF and Microwave Applications and Systems; RF and Microwave Circuits, Measurements, and Modeling; and RF and Microwave Passive and Active Technologies. New chapters address handset and high-power power amplifiers, bit error ratio testing, broadband cable, WiMAX, and heterojunction bipolar transistors. A new overview chapter has been added on microwave engineering (by Mike Golio), and earlier chapters have been updated. All are presented in the same clearly organized, systematic format, each structured with an introductory overview, discussion of the theory, and an overall focus on practical applications. The volumes are well-illustrated with drawings, diagrams, and tables, and include appendices with mathematics, symbols, physical constants and tables used in microwave engineering. This is a thorough and up-to-date resource that will be useful to any researcher, practitioner, or graduate student in the field. The contributors are with universities and corporations mainly in the US, some are in Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
RFID handbook; applications, technology, security, and privacy.
This substantial textbook explores radio frequency identification (RFID), and how both the military and the private sector are employing this technology to create gains in efficiency and productivity. Editors Ahson and Ilyas, both respected engineers in the field, have included a wide number of articles that illustrate how RFID is downright revolutionary in terms of supply chain management, starting with general information about the physics and geometry of RFID and the tagging procedures, and moving onto more specific applications. Privacy and security issues are also discussed in depth in this volume, which is aimed at advanced engineering and security personnel. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Seafood and freshwater toxins; pharmacology, physiology, and detection, 2d ed.
Botana (pharmacology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain) reviews the current state of knowledge in seafood and freshwater toxins. Incorporating information from toxicology, chemistry, ecology, and economics, the book covers the biological aspects of toxic blooms and the effects and actions of each toxin, with emphasis on the human response. Beginning with general information on risk assessment and analytical techniques, the book's 14 chapters cover several categories of toxins by function and biomechanism. They describe potential pharmacological applications of toxins as precursors to therapeutic drugs, and discuss legal and economic perspectives of toxic incidence in industrial activity and international regulation and monitoring. This second edition includes more information on detection and food safety issues, and information on previously little-known toxins. Some chapters suggest a possible relationship between climate change and marine and freshwater toxins. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Silicon heterostructure devices.
The emergence of transistors that combine silicon-germanium with pure silicon has lit the fuse of the miraculous communications explosion of the 21st century, according to electrical and computer engineer Cressler. With help from colleagues, he presents a graduate textbook that can also serve as an introduction and reference for practicing engineers and scientists and for technical managers, sales personnel, and others in the semiconductor industry. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Simulation of industrial systems; discrete event simulation using Excel/VBA. (CD-ROM included)
Elizandro (industrial engineering, Tennessee Tech U.) and Taha (industrial engineering, U. of Arkansas) have provided a hands-on tutorial on how to model traditional applications to optimize production operations. The volume is intended for novices who wish to learn the basics of discrete event simulation and as a reference for professionals who wish to perform system modeling. Divided into three parts, the book first presents concepts of discrete simulation. The second section explores the functions and uses of Design Environment for Event-Driven Simulation (DEEDS), which is an Excel/Virtual Basic for Applications add-in. The third section offers a variety of applications using DEEDS. Chapters conclude with references and problems intended to reinforce the topic. A CD-ROM is included. The volume is distributed by Taylor & Francis. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Skeletal trauma; identification of injuries resulting from human rights abuse and armed conflict.
Both Kimmerle (anthropology, U. of South Florida, Tampa) and Baraybar (U. of Strasbourg, France) have worked as forensic experts at numerous sights of human rights abuses around the world. Designed as a guiding tool for forensic scientists, human rights activists, and humanitarian workers, their text focuses on the process of skeletal trauma identification in the context of large-scale human rights violations or armed conflict, with examples taken from regions of the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The authors explain the mechanisms of injuries interpreted from skeletal remains, synthesize the variation in wounding patterns, and provide an epidemiological framework for interpreting physical evidence for use at trial. Twenty-six leading international scholars and practitioners from anthropology, pathology, and forensics have also contributed their research, cases, and photographs to 16 case studies distributed among the chapters. Illustrated with b&w and color photographs and diagrams. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Smart structures; innovative systems for seismic response control.
This book consolidates results from a number of research projects carried out at the University of Missouri-Rolla, providing researchers, engineers, and advanced students with a self-study reference on designing more resilient structures. The book concentrates on structural formulations, mechanisms of control systems, and numerical algorithms. It also provides step-by-step numerical examples to illustrate mathematical formulations and interpret physical representations. After a chapter on basic concepts of smart structure systems, chapters cover base isolation systems, damping systems, smart seismic structures using active, semi-active, and hybrid control systems, sensing and data acquisition systems, optimal device placement for smart seismic structures, and active and hybrid control on shallow and embedded foundations. Appendices cover MATLAB, Green's function, and element stiffness and mass coefficients. Cheng is affiliated with the University of Missouri- Rolla. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Software testing; a craftsman's approach, 3d ed.
Jorgensen (software engineering, Grand Valley State University) combines theory and practice in this text for courses in software testing. The book begins by providing the mathematical background in discrete mathematics and linear graph theory that is used in subsequent sections. It then describes specification-based (functional) and code-based (structural) test development techniques, while extending this theoretical approach to less understood levels of integration and system testing. The author further develops this discussion to include object-oriented software. A new section relates all of the previously discussed concepts to the Agile software development movement, looking at how Agile and XP development environments are radically changing the role of software testers by making testing integral at every phase of the development process. The book is for software testers, developers, and engineers. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Soil analysis in forensic taphonomy; chemical and biological effects of buried human remains.
Most forensic taphonomy literature focuses on the buried cadaver and associated items, which of course are of most interest in whatever legal process is involved. But here forensic scientists, soil scientists, archaeologists, and others discuss the process of decomposition in soils, the decomposer in the soil, and the basic physiochemical composition of the soil as its relates to forensic science and taphonomy. The point is to clarify the crucial questions of what happened and when. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Systems thinking; coping with 21st century problems.
Linear thinking has gotten us pretty far, but it limits our ability to deal with large and complex data sets, such as those associated with multinational development of the creation of advanced technologies. Boardman and Sauser (both Stevens Institute of Technology) apply their diverse educational and industrial experiences from such parts as Texas and Liverpool to explain the systems approach to thinking, sure in the knowledge that it is the next big thing. They explain why the systems approach works in the case of large concepts as well as those that are relatively small, give readers a strong foundation in basic concepts, and address applying engineering concepts to the art of cognition, understanding the dynamics of the systems approach, applying "soft" skills, building a method and a team approach, using essential characteristics wisely, coping with paradox, and celebrating complexity. The result is rigorous yet eminently accessible. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Thermophiles; biology and technology at high temperatures.
Tools like whole genome analysis and community sequencing have changed all areas of biology, but perhaps the study of thermophiles more radically than most, because scientists can now examine data in air conditioned offices instead of elusive microbes in really hot places, at least sometimes. Researchers from the US, Europe, and Japan discuss the molecular basis of thermostability, heat-stable enzymes and metabolism, the genetics of thermophiles, and minimal complexity model systems. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
The toxicology of fishes.
Scientists in the US, Canada, Hong Kong, and Europe are the contributors to this handbook, which contains 25 chapters describing in depth various aspects and case studies of the aquatic toxicology of fishes. Initial chapters examine general principles, including the bioavailability of chemical contaminants in aquatic systems, toxicokinetics in fishes, biotransformations, and molecular mechanisms of toxicity. Six chapters discuss key target systems and organismal effects, including liver toxicity, the osmoregulatory system, chemical carcinogenesis of fishes, and toxicity resistance. Methods and applications are discussed in five chapters that consider biomarkers, research of aquatic ecosystems, and ecological risk assessment with regard to fishes. Seven case studies conclude the volume, considering the impact of mining on fish in Montana, and the effects on fishes of toxic pollution that includes synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, the Exxon Valdez oil spill, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, steroids and surfactants in treated sewage in English rivers, pulp and paper mill pollution, and dioxin-like chemicals in the Great Lakes. The result is an authoritative presentation of the state of research in the field. Both editors are with the Nicholas School of Environment and Earth Sciences at Duke U., North Carolina. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Understanding A3 thinking; a critical component of Toyota's PDCA management system.
PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act), also known as the Deming Cycle, is an iterative four-step problem-solving process used in quality control that is at the core of the Toyota Motor Corporation's success. Also part of its corporate culture is the 3A report, a one- page report on the PDCA process. Sobek (industrial and management engineering, Montana State U.) and Smalley (president of a consulting firm who was involved in the startup of Toyota facilities outside Japan) trace Toyota's adoption of this process in detail. The appendix provides an example of a problem-solving A3 report as a solution to an exercise found in one of the chapters. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Vegetables and fruits; nutritional and therapeutic values.
Described by a colleague as "one of the world's most knowledgeable and well-known researchers on medical and plant foods," Li (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada), presents scientific evidence backing up mothers' admonitions to "eat your vegetables" (and fruits). He presents analyses of the nutritional and therapeutic values of plant foods, which may help stem the epidemic of diseases related to obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and stress. The volume contains summary charts of their beneficial vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals such as flavonoids. Appendices list chemical components and their sources (e.g., zinc- asparagus officinalis, et al.), and the English and scientific names of common and less well-known vegetables and fruits. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Vitamin analysis for the health and food sciences, 2d ed.
This update of the 1999 edition adds research scientist Lin Ye (Coca-Cola Co.), whose focus is on the development of liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy methods for analysis of food ingredients, to the editorship of Eitenmiller (food biochemistry, U. of Georgia) and W.O. Landen (retired, U.S. Food and Drug Administration). For the training of graduate students and analysts, they present a primer on each fat- and water-soluble vitamin and its role in metabolism before reviewing Association of Official Analytical Chemists International and other commonly- used vitamin assay methods. Summary tables review the vitamin properties of various foods and analytical methods. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Wadi hydrology.
Originally Turkish, civil and hydrological engineer Sen seems to follow the work around Europe, the US, and the Middle East, and was recently appointed to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He sets out the basic philosophical, logical, and scientific methodologies for assessing, evaluating, and managing both surface and ground water resources in arid and semi-arid region. Emphemeral water courses, wadi in Arabic, are a vital source of water in most such areas, and form the foundation for both research and management. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
WiMAX/MobileFI; advanced research and technology.
The way in which the World Wide Web has crossed borders, bringing information to everyone at virtually the same moment is one of the wonders of the late twentieth century. The international contributors to this volume are proof of the universality of the Internet. Xiao (computer science, University of Alabama) is also a member of the IEEE 802.11 group which is studying how to improve broadband wireless technology both in hand held and desktop communication. The essays are highly technical and deal with problems such as encryption, reliability, integration of the non-compatible systems WiMAXX and WiFi, establishing networks, efficient relay of information and greater capacity. This is intended for experts in the field, both in the university and the communications industry. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
