Böcker utgivna av IntechOpen

Disinfection is a method used to destroy most microbial forms, especially vegetative pathogens, by using physical and chemical procedures such as chlorination, UV radiation, boiling, vapor, etc. Biotic surfaces such as skin and abiotic surfaces such as contaminated medical devices and kitchen equipment exposed to cross contamination must be disinfected. Especially, inadequate disinfection of water can be fatal and cause life-threatening outbreaks. For this reason, water must be disinfected adequately by appropriate methods. There are several factors that affect the efficacy of disinfection against pathogens, such as capacity of biofilm and spore formation, having antibiotic resistance, etc. It is hard to destroy bacterial biofilms, bacterial spores, and resistant microorganisms. Some bacterial spores and resistant microorganisms can withstand disinfectants, so adequate disinfection must be done by appropriate methods. The aim of this book is to summarize disinfection, disinfection methods, and chemical analysis of by-products by providing up-to-date topics.

This book offers a selection of papers in the field of fault detection and diagnosis, promoting new research results in the field, which come to join other publications in the literature. Authors from countries of four continents: United States of America, South Africa, China, India, Algeria and Croatia published worked examples and case studies resulting from their research in the field. Fault detection and diagnosis has a great importance in all industrial processes, to assure the monitoring, maintenance and repair of the complex processes, including all hardware, firmware and software. The book has four sections, determined by the application domain and the methods used: 1. Hybrid Computing Systems, 2. Power Systems, 3. Power Electronics and 4. Kalman Filtering. In the first section, the readers will find a technical report on fault diagnosis of hybrid computing systems, based on the chaotic-map method that uses the exponential divergence and wide Fourier properties of the trajectories, combined with memory allocations and assignments. In the second section, two chapters are included: one of them presents a study on preventive maintenance and fault detection for wind turbine generators using statistical models and the second chapter presents a technical report on fault diagnosis for turbo-generators, based on the mechanical-electrical intersectional characteristics. The third section contains a technical report that presents some techniques of detection and localization of open-circuit faults in a three-phase voltage source inverter fed induction motor. The fourth section presents a theoretical study on the application of distributed discrete-time linear Kalman filtering with decentralized structure of sensors in fault residual generation.

Human life relies on two basic supplies from nature: oxygen and food. Oxygen can be utilized directly, but food has to go through a process of digestion to become usable nutrients. The esophagus represents the beginning of this long journey. Because of its critical location, esophageal cancer is one of the deadliest malignancies in the world, and furthermore its incidence has been rising steadily year after year while other cancers are declining. It is predicted that by the year 2035 the esophageal cancer population will increase by 77.4% and become one of top global concerns. This book covers many aspects of esophageal cancer, through which we hope to raise the awareness of professionals as well as non-professionals about this disease.

Surface engineering has rapidly expanded in recent years as the demand for improved materials has increased. Surface engineering is a valuable tool for conceiving both surface and bulk properties, which cannot be achieved simultaneously either by the coating material or by the substrate material alone. The book is written on the current trends of surface engineering and relevant research. The applied and basic research as well as some worthy concepts of materials related to this area is explained clearly to understand the need for surface engineering in industrial applications. The different surface modification processes, properties, and their characterizations are discussed elaborately for future research and as a text book. Modification of surface properties by films or coatings is used in industrial applications. This is an area of interest to numerous fields: fabrication of parts, mechanics, transport, catalysis, energy, production, microelectronics, optoelectronics, the leisure industry, etc. The properties are considered for protection against corrosion, oxidation or wear, biocompatibility, wetting, adhesion, durability, catalytic activity, and toughness. The modern concept of engineering is discussed to ensure that the contributions of this subject minimize energy consumption. The book will be used as a state of the art for present and future researchers, industrial components design, and control.

The six chapters in this volume form a timely introduction to biofeedback research. The six authors describe how objective electrophysiological data provides useful data for assessment and therapy for physical therapists, psychologists and other healthcare professionals and their clients. The first chapter, "Biofeedback and neurofeedback in the treatment of migraine", is written by Ph.D. student Zivoder Ivana. The second chapter by Prof. Dumitrascu looks at pelvic floor rehabilitation and is titled "Factors predicting failure in anorectal biofeedback". The third chapter by Dr Liao Da-Vin is titled "Collaborative, social-networked posture training with posturing monitoring and biofeedback". It is a useful and timely description of the role of biofeedback to support rehabilitation therapy at home and describe how objective information of physiotherapy treatments could increase the quality of service and the consistency of treatment outcomes. The fourth chapter by Prof. Silva Hugo is titled "Bridging the clinic-home divide in muscular rehabilitation". It also covers the role of biofeedback to support rehabilitation therapy at home. The fifth chapter is written by Ph.D. student Grin-Yatsenko Vera and is titled "Effect of infra-low frequency neurofeedback on infra-slow-EEG-fluctuations". The sixth and final chapter in the volume, "Control systems of bionic limbs of the new generation and control systems with EMG signals of VR and games, toys" by M.A. Ivaniuk Natallia goes beyond the person and shows how biofeedback can be integrated in the behavior of a bionic hand.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a world-wide known disease affecting up to 4% of the population with increasing figures in developing countries. Life expectancy of patients affected by CKD is shortened compared to the overall population and only a minority of patients reach end stage renal disease (ESRD) with the need for dialysis or renal transplantation; death overtakes dialysis. In nine chapters, this book focuses on different aspects related to the pathophysiology and clinical aspects of CKD, providing interesting insights into new and old biomarkers, allowing us to increase diagnostic and prognostic meaningfulness. In addition, chapters deal with new developments in glomerulopathies, but also aspects of the "tubulocentric" shift will be beneficial for the open-minded reader. Nevertheless, new insights into chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI) are provided.

This book covers recent advances in the method used in testing, especially in the case of structural integrity that includes fatigue and fracture tests, vibrations test and surface engineering tests that are extremely crucial and widely used by engineers and industries. The book will provide you with information on how to apply the advanced formulation, advanced theory and advanced method of testing that are relevant to all engineering fields: mechanical, electrical, civil, materials and surface engineering. The topics are explained comprehensively, including the reliable test that one should perform in order to effectively investigate the strength and validation of the developed theory or model. I hope that the material is not too theoretical and that the reader finds the case study, formulation, testing method and the analysis helpful for tackling their own engineering and science based studies.

Meat holds an important position in human nutrition. Although protein from this source has lower biological value than egg albumin, it is an exclusive source of heme iron and vitamins and minerals. Fat content and fatty acid profile from this source are a constant matter of concern. Though currently meat utilization is linked with an array of maladies, including atherosclerosis, leukemia, and diabetes, meat has a noteworthy role not only for safeguarding proper development and health, but also in human wellbeing. Enormous scientific investigations have proved that consuming meat has had a beneficial role in cranial/dental and gastrointestinal tract morphologic changes, human upright stance, reproductive attributes, extended lifespan, and maybe most prominently, in brain and cognitive development.

Environmental risks are a multi- and interdisciplinary topic with a great interest in current society. This book examines the issues of natural hazards (e.g., typhoons, landslides, wildfires), anthropogenic activities (construction of artificial dams, the operation of nuclear power plants), and their potential risks to the environment and/or quality of life at various scales, from local to regional and even at a global level. The book intends to discuss concepts, methods, and techniques to address environmental risks and vulnerabilities, revealing the complex interactions between nature and human communities and activities. Policies and practices for disaster risk management should be based on the best state-of-the-art methods and techniques, integration between natural and/or social approaches, interdisciplinary research, and multilevel cooperation.

Ion channels are proteins that make pores in the membranes of excitable cells present both in the brain and the body. These cells are not only responsible for converting chemical and mechanical stimuli into the electrical signals but are also liable for monitoring vital functions. All our activities, from the blinking of our eyes to the beating of our heart and all our senses from smell to sight, touch, taste and hearing are regulated by the ion channels. This book will take us on an expedition describing the role of ion channels in congenital and acquired diseases and the challenges and limitations scientist are facing in the development of drugs targeting these membrane proteins.

Corn or maize (Zea mays L.) plays an important role in global food security. The many uses of corn make it a central commodity and a great influence on prices. Because of its worldwide distribution and relatively lower price, corn has a wider range of uses. It is used directly for human consumption, in industrially processed foods, as livestock feed, and in industrial nonfood products such as starches, acids, and alcohols. Recently, there has been interest in using maize for the production of ethanol as a substitute for petroleum-based fuels. It is an important source of carbohydrate, protein, iron, vitamin B, and minerals. Climate change, however, is a growing concern among corn growers worldwide. Scientists estimate that corn production will need to be increased by 15% per unit area between 2017 and 2037. To increase corn yields, advanced and new production technology needs to be developed and distributed among corn growers. The advanced technology to boost corn yields and counteract climate change is important for food security for the growing global population. Nutritionally, maize seeds contain 60-68% starch and 7-15% protein. Maize oil is widely used as a cooking medium and for manufacturing hydrogenated oil. The oil has the quality of reducing cholesterol in the human blood similar to sunflower oil. Corn flour is used as a thickening agent in the preparation of many edibles such as soups, sauces, and custard powder. Integrated nutrients management improves corn growth, leaf area index and light interception, dry matter accumulation and distribution, grain and fodder quality, yield components, grain and biomass yields, harvest index, and shelling percentage, and reduces the problem of food insecurity.

This book covers a wide variety of topics related to the application of experimental methods, in addition to the pedagogy of chemical engineering laboratory unit operations. The purpose of this book is to create a platform for the exchange of different experimental techniques, approaches and lessons, in addition to new ideas and strategies in teaching laboratory unit operations to undergraduate chemical engineering students. It is recommended for instructors and students of chemical engineering and natural sciences who are interested in reading about different experimental setups and techniques, covering a wide range of scales, which can be widely applied to many areas of chemical engineering interest.

Ferroelectricity is a symptom of inevitable electrical polarization changes in materials without external electric field interference. Ferroelectricity is a phenomenon exhibited by crystals with a spontaneous polarization and hysteresis effects associated with dielectric changes when an electric field is given. Our fascination with ferroelectricity is in recognition of a beautiful article by Itskovsky, in which he explains the kinetics of a ferroelectric phase transition in a thin ferroelectric layer (¿lm). We have been researching ferroelectric materials since 2001. There are several materials known for their ferroelectric properties. Barium titanate and barium strontium titanate are the most well known. Several others include tantalum oxide, lead zirconium titanate, gallium nitride, lithium tantalate, aluminium, copper oxide, and lithium niobate. There is still a blue ocean of ferroelectric applications yet to be expounded. It is and hopefully always will be a bright future.

B-group vitamins are involved in numerous metabolic reactions and their widespread deficiency can cause a large series of health problems. The aim of this book is to provide an update on the current use and perspectives of B-group vitamins. Novel methods to detect folates in pregnant women, the use and role of folate dentistry, the use of genotype notification to modify food intake behavior, thiamin metabolism in Archaea and its role in plants and in crop improvement, the use of riboflavin in blood safety and niacin in metabolic stress and resistance in dairy cows are some of the subjects that are described in this multitopic book written by authors from seven different countries.