CRC Press

Brain aging; models, methods, and mechanisms.

As Riddle (neurobiology and anatomy, Wake Forest U. School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC) notes in introducing the volume's 15 chapters, studies of brain aging have come of age as life expectancies increase. International neuroscientists present an overview of selected current research and future directions in this area, including conceptual models of mechanisms, experimental methods and findings. Like aging, aging studies are not for wimps. E.g., a major challenge is distinguishing changes due to normal aging from the effects of aging-related pathologies and stress. Dietary and supplementary antioxidants hold promise for reversing the effects of oxidative stress on the brain. Color plates of brain images show age-related cognitive decline and the reversal effects of dietary strategies. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Cathodoluminescence and photoluminescence; theories and practical applications.

Startling new research goes on in the fields of cathodoluminescence (CL) and photoluminescence (PL). One of the pioneers and practitioners in the field, Ozawa focuses on getting more out of the possibilities within CL and PL, although he makes sure readers also receive a solid theoretical background. He covers luminescent properties generated in phosphor particles, improved luminance from phosophor screens in display devices, improving the image quality if phosphor screens in CL displays, screening phosphor powders on faceplates and the production of phosphor powders. Dr. Ozawa should be commended for his close attention to safety issues in CL and PL production and research. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Chemistry of natural products; amino acids, peptides, proteins and enxymes.

Designed to be accessible for undergraduates in a range of fields of study, including biochemistry and biotechnology, this text frequently uses clear illustrations and examples to get the point across painlessly. The authors point out that the study of natural products is an integral part of both undergraduate and graduate study in India and believe others would find their text useful as well, owing to their consistent and complete explanations of reactions. They work through amino acids, peptides, proteins and enzymes, providing a range of nomenclature, stereochemical aspects, physical properties, chemical reactions, industrial preparation, chemical synthesis and industrial applications. They provide exercises and a glossary. The result is a classroom text that could also serve as a quick reference. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Computational fluid dynamics in food processing.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations, which use a computational grid to solve the governing equations describing fluid flow (i.e. the continuity equation and the set of Navier-Stokes equations) and additional conservation equations, can serve as a powerful design and analysis tool for food engineers concerned with processes involving fluid flow and heat and mass transfer, such as mixing, drying, cooking, sterilization, chilling, and cold storage. In this work, Sun (director, food refrigeration and computerized food technology, National U. of Ireland) presents 28 chapters that describe the application of CFD to food engineering. Following the overview, seven chapters describe CFD applications in analyzing and optimizing cold-chain facilities. The focus in the next nine chapters then shifts to modeling of drying and heating processes and analysis of heat exchangers. The remaining chapters describe applications in separation, jet impingement, extrusion, high-pressure processing, mixing, tea fermentation, equipment hygiene, biosensors, packaging, and cheese ripening. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Composite materials; design and applications, 2d ed.

This graduate textbook describes the principal processes for the formation of composite parts, the properties of single plies and sandwich structures, methods of assembly, the mechanics of composite materials, and the orthotropic coefficients used for design. The final section provides 43 examples of the use and design of composites. Originally published in French as Materiaux composites. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Connective technologies in the supply chain.

New connective technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and global positioning systems (GPS) are enabling companies to more effectively manage their supply chains. This volume provides an overview of the implementation of these technologies in the retail and manufacturing sectors. Eleven contributions from academics and practitioners discuss such topics as the impact of RFID on supply chain traceability; the use of RFID technology in the Indian retail sector; and the character of recent RFID patenting activities. Distributed in the U.S. by Taylor & Francis. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Correspondence analysis in practice, 2d ed.

Greenacre (statistics, U. Pompeu Fabra, Spain) draws upon decades of social and environmental research to show how to use correspondence analysis (CA) for data visualization in a variety of applications. He also examines the ways in which CA, multiple CA and joint CA can translate two-way and multi-way tables into more readable forms, characteristics that make CA and its variants invaluable in such fields as social and environmental research and work in health sciences, marketing, and economics. Greenacre covers such topics as scatter plots and maps, profiles and the profile space, plotting chi-square distances, reducing dimensionality, working with two-dimensional maps and multi-way tables, correspondence analysis biplots, scaling, canonical correspondence analysis, and aspects of stability and inference. For those who need it, the appendices include such topics as the theory of CA, computation of CA and a bibliography. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Corrosion of linings and coatings; cathodic and inhibitor protection and corrosion monitoring.

This resource for practitioners surveys a range of current techniques for preventing and monitoring corrosion. The volume opens with a discussion of mortars, grouts, and monolithic surfacings. Subsequent chapters deal with such topics as cathodic protection, corrosion inhibitors, sheet linings, and cementitious coatings. Engineers are the intended audience, along with others who may be responsible for the selection of construction materials. Consultant Schweitzer is the author or editor of a number of titles on corrosion prevention. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Corrosion of polymers and elastomers.

As part of a three-volume set, Corrosion engineering handbook, 2d ed., volume two evaluates the ability of 30 thermoplastic, 20 thermoset, and 27 elastomeric materials to resist corrosion, particularly in an industrial setting. Each entry describes the material's ability to withstand sun, weather, and ozone, characterizes compatibility with corrosives, and suggests typical applications. A separate chapter provides 200 corrosion tables arranged alphabetically according to the corrodent and varying concentrations. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Dementia; an atlas of investigation and diagnosis.

Emphasizing clinical and pathological differential diagnosis, this atlas offers a focused review for healthcare practitioners and trainees and is not intended as a comprehensive reference. An overview of cognitive aging and dementia is followed by chapters on Alzheimer's disease — interviewing, screening, staging, diagnosis; neuropathology of healthy brain aging and of preclinical and clinical Alzheimer's; vascular dementia; dementia with Lewy bodies; the frontotemporal dementias; and miscellaneous dementing disorders. Each chapter includes summary tables of core data, neuroimaging and pathologic illutrations, and literature citations. Three of the four authors are affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis; the fourth, with the U. of Kansas School of Medicine. The format is oversize: 9.75x12 inches. Distributed by CRC Press. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Effective software maintenance and evolution; a reuse-based approach.

Jarzabek (computer science, National U. of Singapore) addresses both conventional and unconventional means of maintaining software and takes an approach that exploits similarities in software and in patterns of evolutionary change. On the way to green he describes conventional methods, including static program analysis, reverse engineering, model-based design, and configuration management. He then describes reuse-based techniques step-by-step, gives the symptoms and causes of software similarities, develops a mixed-strategy approach to generic design, scales it up, and applies the approach to a range of projects. Distributed by Taylor & Francis. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The electric power engineering handbook, 2d ed.; 5v.

The volumes are also available individually, but this package offers significant savings for those who want all five. The set comprises Power System Stability and Control, Power Systems, Electric Power Transformer Engineering, 2nd ed., Electric Power Substations Engineering, 2nd ed., and Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution.

One of the five volumes of the 2d edition of the Electric power engineering handbook (also sold as a 5v. set), this volume is also a 2d ed, with new chapters on the environmental impact of transmission lines, real-time control of distributed generation, and distribution system characteristics and protection. Seven initial chapters discuss conventional and nonconventional methods of electricity generating, with chapters included on wind power, photovoltaics, and new energy technologies, including flywheel and compressed air energy storage and fuel cells. Subsequent chapters discuss current technology in transmission and distribution systems, electric power utilization and power quality. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Electric power substations engineering, 2d ed.

One of the five volumes of the 2d edition of the Electric power engineering handbook (also sold as a 5v. set), this volume is also a 2d ed, with new chapters on substation asset management and substation commissioning and substantial updating of the sections on integration, automation, substation grounding, high-voltage switching equipment and air-and gas-insulated substation. The 20 chapters are written for engineers and present full overviews of each topic, with lists of further references. Design, automation, operation and security are each discussed, with chapters on communications, physical and cyber security, and asset management, among other topics. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Electric power transformer engineering, 2d ed.

One of the five volumes of the 2d edition of the Electric power engineering handbook (also sold as a 5v. set), this volume is also a 2d ed, with updated material, especially concerning the topics of dry- type transformers, instrument transformers, reactors, and load-tap changers. Written for engineers with experience of power transformers or those with sufficient knowledge of physics and its applications, the first 9 chapters describe the transformers and related technology, with the remaining chapters devoted to operation and transformer design. The text, which is well-illustrated with photos and drawings, is authored by professionals working in the industry, mainly in the U.S., though some are in Europe, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Essential concepts of bearing technology. (CD-ROM included)

The classic engineering reference Rolling Bearing Analysis has been divided into two volumes for its fifth edition. The first volume, titled Essential Concepts of Bearing Technology, focuses on the fundamental concepts underlying rolling bearing behavior. Its intended audience includes students as well as practicing engineers. The volume is illustrated throughout with b&w drawings, photographs, and diagrams. Numerical examples are found on the accompanying CD-ROM, along with tables of ABMA/ANSI standards. Harris is the author of 67 technical publications, mostly on rolling bearings. Kotzalas is a researcher with The Timken Company. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Essentials of law and ethics for pharmacy technicians, 2d ed.

There are plenty of ethics textbooks for pharmacy students; but for pharmacy technicians the information is presented haphazardly in texts on other subjects, and few programs offer a course devoted to ethics. Standberg (pharmacy technician program, North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton) combines legal and ethical issues that will be important for future technicians to know. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Field and laboratory investigations in agroecology, 2d ed.

Gliessman (agroecology, U. of California-Santa Cruz) provides a manual for the field and laboratory component of a lecture-based course in which his Agroecology: The Ecology of Sustainable Food Systems serves as the core text, though it can be used with a different text or without one at all. The experiments described cover environmental factors, population dynamics in crop systems, inter-specific interactions, farm and field systems, and food systems. There is no index or bibliography. No date is cited for the first edition. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Fundamentals of biofilm research. (CD-ROM included)

As in so many cases, the potential of biofilm outstrips the tools researchers need to realize that potential. This uses process analysis, engineering systems, recent successful biofilm applications and mathematical modeling to develop a system of compatible tools and measurements designed to be used across the field in achieving reproducible results, aligning research, ease communication and implement suitable procedures to interpret meaningful results. The authors introduce the range of present biofilm research and its strategies, then describe laboratory biofilm reactors and their applications, sensors useful in biofilm research, the construction of microsensors and their instrumentation and calibration, methods of quantifying biofilm structure, interpreting results of studies using the model of stratified biofilms, and conducting experimental protocols and procedures. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Fundamentals of metallic corrosion; atmospheric and media corrosion of metals.

Essential for choosing materials that will withstand environmental and process conditions, the understanding of corrosion is essential for successfully designing, using and maintaining equipment and structural components. This reference, which provides complete coverage of the science underlying corrosion in metals and alloys, concentrates on such atmospheric corrosives as compounds containing sulfur, nitrogen and chlorine and natural media such as water, acids, salts, organics and gases. It devotes significant space to metal types and their alloys, including nickel alloys, copper, copper alloys, aluminum, titanium, zinc, lead, other nonferrous materials and alloys and especially stainless, ferritic and martenistic steels. It includes the effects of indoor and outdoor pollutants on materials, comparability data and the resistance of coatings. Users will find the illustrations and tables easy to use and the index is particularly helpful. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)