CRC Press

Nanotechnology; understanding small systems.

This is the 29th volume of the Mechanical Engineering Series by CRC Press, and it is the first or one of the first introductory texts on the subject of nanotechnology. The three authors are mechanical engineers with Ph.D.s; Rogers and Adams (both of whom studied at the U. of Nevada) are entrepreneurs; Pennathur is affiliated with the U. of California, Santa Barbara. They begin with an engaging history of nanotechnology, tracking its origin and evolution from atomic hypothesis to theory, to the applied science of particles measuring roughly 0.1 to 1000 nanometers, or one-billionth of a meter (about the size of a single sugar molecule, according to Albert Einstein). Further chapters use a "systems-based" approach to explore the seven main facets of nanotechnology: nanomaterials, nanomechanics, nanoelectonics, nanoscale heat transfer, nanophotonics, nanoscale fluid mechanics and nanobiotechnology. This illustrated textbook includes homework problems and approximately 150 illustrations, as well as example problems and real-world applications. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Neuroengineering.

The neurologically blind may not be able to see normally yet, nor the paralyzed to walk, but researchers are taking advantage of advances in technology and in neurological research to conduct significant new experiments. This collection of articles addresses the fundamental facts of the neural engineering and neurophysiology behind the experiments, and describes possible clinical fields and markets. Articles on neural modulation cover brain stimulation, interference with epileptic seizures (including patient selection and device implantation), stimulation of the brain and spinal cord as well as the motor cortex to treat pain, neural augmentation to create cochlear and visual prostheses, issues of motor prostheses (including brain-computer interfaces, implants and control devices), effector subsystem technologies for such conditions as paraplegia, and upcoming technologies. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Numerical modeling of explosives and propellants, 3d ed. (CD-ROM included)

Chemist, Los Alamos veteran, and consultant Mader updates his reference on modeling the performance and vulnerability of explosives and propellants. He incorporates findings from proton radiography, which was developed as a new experimental tool over the past decade, and describes and evaluates Russian research findings that have only recently been available in the West. The disk contains codes, databases, and animated movies. No dates are cited for earlier editions. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Observed confidence levels; theory and application.

Polansky (Northern Illinois U.) presents a graduate statistics textbook that describes the basic development, theory, and application of observed confidence levels for a variety of common problems in statistical inference. He focuses on the modern nonparametric setting, where many of the calculations are based on bootstrap estimates, usually within the smooth function model popularized by Peter Hall. Chapter-end exercises are included. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Operations research and management science handbook.

Business and manufacturing today require sophisticated techniques to stay competitive. The handbook provides a number of models for various aspects of operations and management. Ravindran (industrial and management engineering, the Pennsylvania State University) has assembled highly technical articles on every aspect of business. The first section covers the creation of models for different situations. It includes among other things, linear and non-linear algorithmic programming, inventory management and using stochastic models to predict the likelihood of several possible outcomes. The second half of the book provides practical applications of these models in product management, quality control, reliability, production systems, energy systems, airline optimization, financial engineering, chain management, e-commerce, water resources and the military. The conclusion discusses possible future applications, the impact of the internet and emerging opportunities. To fully appreciate this work a knowledge of metaheuristics and linear algebra would be helpful. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Optimal and robust estimation; with an introduction to stochastic control theory, 2d ed.

This volume, intended as a text for a second graduate course in modern control theory or as a reference, describes new developments in estimation theory and design techniques used in navigation, communications systems and signal processing, aerospace systems, industry, and seismology and earthquake prediction. In this edition, robust methods are incorporated and three new chapters cover the robust Kalman filter, H-infinity filtering, and H-infinity filtering of discrete-time systems. Example problems have been updated. Also discussed is stochastic control theory, including both state variable systems and polynomial systems. Background in probability theory and the state variable representation of systems is assumed. Lewis teaches at the U. of Texas at Arlington's Automation and Robotics Research Institute. Xie is at Nanyang Technological U., Singapore, and Popa teaches electrical engineering at the U. of Texas. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Optimization modelling; a practical introduction.

Sarker (operations research) and Newton (emeritus, both: U. of New South Wales-Australian Defense Force Academy campus) begin by emphasizing the importance of modeling in operations research, management science, and optimization. Then they describe the wide range of modeling techniques and demonstrate how to use available software packages to solve optimization models without going into difficult mathematical detail and complex solutions methodologies. Exercises are included for classroom use. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Paint technology handbook.

Focusing on industrial coatings applied to manufactured durable goods, this text describes every step in the automated liquid paint application process, particularly spray guns used in containment booths. The opening chapters discuss chemical cleaners for surface preparation, conversion coatings, washing systems, paint components, paint classification, fixation, curing, and color matching. Black and white drawings illustrate spray gun components, delivery systems, electrostatic systems, rotary atomizers, proper spray stroke, booth design, and surface defects. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Petascale computing; algorithms and applications.

Petascale computing is due out momentarily, and the potential developers and friends of supercomputers need to catch up. This collection, suitable for advanced students as well as practitioners, gives the basics as well as specifics on such topics as nanophysics, bioscience and related technologies. Editor Bader (computational science and engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology) and contributors offer 24 topics, including performance characteristics, petascale's impact on future NASA missions, multi-physics simulations, scalable parallel AMR for the Uintah multi-physics code, simulation of cosmological evolution, prediction of high-impact local weather, software design for climate science, distributed petascale computing, biomolecular modeling, molecular dynamics simulations, multithreaded algorithms for processing massive graphs, disaster survival guides, the road to TSUBAME, petaflops basics, performance and its complexity, highly scalable performance analysis, hybrid analysis, locality awareness in a high-productivity programming language, architectural and programming issues and applications to astrophysics. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Physical principles of wireless communications.

Including coverage of cellular telephones, satellite television beaming, satellite data transmission, satellite telephones, and wireless computer networks, Granatstein (former director of the Institute for Plasma Research at the U. of Maryland) presents descriptions of the salient features of modern wireless communication systems together with analysis of the devices and their physical mechanisms. He begins with a review of Maxwell's equation and discussion of the operation of antennas and antenna arrays in sufficient detail to allow for design calculations. He then reviews principles of probability theory relevant to the calculation of statistical variation in path loss and also covers the physics of geostationary earth orbiting satellites and low earth orbiting satellites important to first order designs of satellite communication systems. Distributed in the US by Taylor & Francis. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Planar multibody dynamics; formulation, programming, and applications.

Nikravesh (aerospace and mechanical engineering, U. of Arizona) addresses the now-dominant use of computer-aided design programs as it interfaces with the foundations of classical engineering and machine design. Using MATLAB as his exemplary programming language, he builds up concepts throughout the chapters, while repeatedly illustrating them via familiar examples such as a MacPherson suspension and filmstrip advancer. This text has been designed not as a dumbed-down graduate level text, but as a consciously undergraduate presentation of the fundamentals of multibody dynamics along with the computational and programming skills necessary to address the problems in a contemporary context. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Population-level ecological risk assessment.

Barnthouse, a scientist at an environmental company, et al. compile 11 chapters that describe methods to improve the quality and interpretation of population-level ecological assessments. Chapters, which are by an international group of scientists from academia, government, and industry, were drawn from a workshop of the same name, held in Roskilde, Denmark, in August of 2003, that was part of the "Pellston Workshop Series," from the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC). They cover topics related to assessing risks of chemical and nonchemical stressors to higher levels of biological organization and new approaches to quantifying ecological risks that connect ideas from environmental toxicology and chemistry with ecology and other environmental disciplines. They aim to advance the practice of assessment by establishing a framework that addresses methods, specifying data needs for types of assessment applications, and providing information supportive of risk management decisions. They also discuss population protection goals and specific issues such as density dependence, genetic variation, and the spatial structure of populations. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Practical guide to interpretive near-infrared spectroscopy.

This handbook focuses on the tools needed to analyze materials by interpreting near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, including the basis for cause-and-effect relationships between spectrometer response and the chemical properties of samples. Offering more than 300 illustrations showing all the major functional groups and their frequency ranges, this also includes over 120 charts and graphs explaining overlapping spectra. Topics include the analysis of alkanes and cycloalkanes, alkenes and alkynes, aromatic compounds, hydroxyl-containing compounds, water, amines and amides, carbonyls, carbohydrates, amino acids, peptides and proteins, synthetic polymers and rubbers, and a history of NIR applications. Appendices cover such topics as absorption band charts, spectra-structure correlation, and indices for functional groups, alphanumeric order of compound name and molecular formula (carbon number). (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Principles and methods of toxicology, 5th ed.

This fifth edition of a toxicology reference is updated to reflect new research since the last edition was published five years ago. The framework of this edition follows that of previous editions. The place of toxicology in history opens the book, and is followed by sections on basic toxicological principles, agents that cause toxicity, and toxicological testing methods, including many of the test protocols required to meet regulatory needs worldwide. Each method or procedure is discussed from the standpoint of technique and interpretation of data. Discussions address the problems that may be encountered in performing a protocol. This edition includes new chapters on toxicogenomics, plant and animal poisons, pathology for toxicologists, information resources, and non-animal testing alternatives. The glossary has been significantly expanded. This hefty tome can be used as a text for graduate students in courses in general and advanced toxicology. It can also be used as a professional reference. Hayes is affiliated with the Harvard School of Public Health. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Principles of food toxicology.

Combining theory and applications with examples of food-related poisons and poisonings from around the world, Püssa (food toxicology, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia) introduces general and food-specific principles of toxicology at the molecular, cellular, and organism level, emphasizing the biochemical mechanisms of toxic effects. After material on principles, chapters characterize the most important food-borne toxicants, such as endogenous plant toxins, pollutants, mycotoxins, food additives, and veterinary drugs and feed additives. Other areas covered include routes of xenobiotics in an organism, evaluation of the toxicity of substances, and toxicological safety and risk analysis. The book will be of interest to students of food science and technology, professional food scientists, manufacturers, and regulatory agency personnel. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Principles of mobile computing and communications.

Othman (computer science and information technology, U. of Malaya) discusses how the development of mobile computing applications and the development of conventional applications differ, why they differ, and other relevant issues. Intended for second-year or third-year undergraduate computer science students, Othman indicates that it also can be used as a reference book for post-graduate course work. Chapters conclude with a summary, a list of references, and a bibliography. A list of acronyms with definitions also is included. Chapters are written to be independent of each other, allowing the reader to read the book in its entirety or to select topics of interest. Among those topics are cellular network architecture, wireless local area and personal area networks, issues in mobile computing, wireless network security. Distributed by Taylor & Francis. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Process chemistry of lubricant base stocks.

Lynch, a consultant to the lubricants industry, provides an introduction to the chemistry behind the production of lubricant base stocks from crude oil fractions, as well as an overview of the development work that has gone on in this area over the past 150 years. He relates the properties of base stocks to their chemical composition and describes the process steps for their manufacture. The book highlights catalytic processes, including hydrocracking, hydrofinishing, and catalytic dewaxing. It also covers traditional solvent-based separation methods used to remove impurities, enhance performance, and improve oxidation resistance. The final chapters discuss the production of food grade white oils and paraffins and the gas-to-liquids processes used to produce highlight paraffinic base stocks via Fischer-Tropsch chemistry. The book can be used as a reference for professionals across a range of disciplines. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Process engineering and design using Visual BASIC. (CD-ROM included)

This book addresses a trend toward the increased use of software tools in the design processes of engineers, which is sometimes not matched with an increase in mathematical or theoretical savvy. Datta organizes his material sequentially, building up the essential blocks of foundational mathematics and engineering concepts, while providing examples of how to use these concepts to create useful programs. Includes nine pre-written programs on CD-ROM. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Production planning and industrial scheduling; examples, case studies, and applications, 2d ed.

This second-edition textbook, an expanded edition of Industrial Scheduling (1997), is intended for engineering, industrial and manufacturing students, those studying business and operations management, and professionals who need a handy reference (each procedure is illlustrated with a solved example). Sule (industrial engineering, Louisiana Tech U.) shows how to integrate logistical factors, production planning, and production scheduling data and discusses production factors and strategies, the location of plants, differences in material flow based on machine configuration, scheduling issues associated with various production patterns, and planning for quantities. He advocates a simple heuristic approach to production planning and industrial scheduling rather than more complex mathematical techniques. A companion website offers additional material. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Rapid prototyping and engineering applications; a toolbox for prototype development.

Emphasizing the important role of prototyping in product definition, Liou (mechanical engineering, University of Missouri-Rolla) examines a range of prototyping tools. He discusses engineering procedures and the application of modern prototyping technologies, such as rapid prototyping (RP) and virtual prototyping (VP), with emphasis on RP technologies. Chapters cover modeling, materials selection and product prototyping, building a prototype using off-the-shelf components, prototyping of automated systems, and prototype optimization. Examples and case studies demonstrate industrial practices. The text is geared toward senior undergraduates and beginning graduate students who are interested in product design and prototyping. With ten chapters, it can be used for a two-semester course. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)