Böcker utgivna av WSPC (Europe)

The development of inexpensive and fast computers, coupled with the discovery of efficient algorithms for dealing with polynomial equations, has enabled exciting new applications of algebraic geometry and commutative algebra. Algebraic Geometry for Robotics and Control Theory shows how tools borrowed from these two fields can be efficiently employed to solve relevant problem arising in robotics and control theory.After a brief introduction to various algebraic objects and techniques, the book first covers a wide variety of topics concerning control theory, robotics, and their applications. Specifically this book shows how these computational and theoretical methods can be coupled with classical control techniques to: solve the inverse kinematics of robotic arms; design observers for nonlinear systems; solve systems of polynomial equalities and inequalities; plan the motion of mobile robots; analyze Boolean networks; solve (possibly, multi-objective) optimization problems; characterize the robustness of linear; time-invariant plants; and certify positivity of polynomials.

Readers will find many practical applications of pyrolysis-GC/MS as well as R&D usage in this newly revised and expanded edition. Detailed experimental descriptions for the identification of synthetic polymers and copolymers are included. This volume presents the current state of analytical pyrolysis, and contains full identification of several classes of polymers/copolymers and biopolymers that readers will find helpful. Structures and functions of various types of pyrolyzers are explored, as well as the results of the pyrolysis-gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric identification of synthetic polymers/copolymers and biopolymers at 700°C.Practical applications of this hyphenated technique, detailing the analysis of microplastics, failure analysis in the automotive industry and solutions for technological problems are provided. Numerous practical applications of pyrolysis-GC/MS, for industrial and R&D usage, will be of benefit to Chemists and Engineers, as well as for students of Chemistry and Polymer Sciences.

Discontinuous (first-order) phase transitions constitute the most fundamental and widespread type of structural transitions existing in Nature, forming a large majority of the transitions found in elemental crystals, alloys, inorganic compounds, minerals and complex fluids. Nevertheless, only a small part of them, namely, weakly discontinuous transformations, were considered by phenomenological theories, leaving aside the most interesting from a theoretical point of view and the most important for application cases. Discontinuous Phase Transitions in Condensed Matter introduces a density-wave approach to phase transitions which results in a unified, symmetry-based, model-free theory of the weak crystallization of molecular mixtures to liquid-crystalline mesophases, strongly discontinuous crystallization from molten metals and alloys to conventional, fully segregated crystals, to aperiodic, quasi-crystalline structures. Assembly of aperiodic closed virus capsids with non-crystallographic symmetry also falls into the domain of applicability of the density-wave approach.The book also considers the applicability domains of the symmetry-based approach in physics of low-dimensional systems. It includes comparisons of stability of different surface superstructures and metal monoatomic coverage structures on the surface of single-crystalline substrates. The example of the twisted graphene bilayer demonstrates how parametrization in the spirit of an advanced phenomenological approach can establish symmetry-controlled, and therefore model-free, links between geometrical parameters of the twisted bilayer structure and reconstruction of its Brillouin zone and energy bands.

One billion tonnes of food wasted is generated around the world every year. This book seeks to address and mitigate this urgent problem by focusing on food valorisation through conversion to various value-added products. Contributions from a wide range of international experts draw attention to valuable, realistic, and exciting opportunities for science, business, and society to provide essential and substantial environmental benefits. This timely volume comprises 18 chapters dealing with different aspects of food waste treatment and management in different parts of the world. These chapters explore the fundamentals, trends, and future opportunities for food waste composting and anaerobic digestion, as well as how food waste can be converted to single-cell protein, animal feeds, and fertiliser. This book also addresses various value-added products that can be generated. These include products such as chemicals, synthetic alternatives, nanocellulose, construction materials, and biodegradable fibres.

Many applications, including computer vision, computer arithmetic, deep learning, entanglement in quantum information, graph theory and energy networks, can be successfully tackled within the framework of polynomial optimization, an emerging field with growing research efforts in the last two decades. One key advantage of these techniques is their ability to model a wide range of problems using optimization formulations. Polynomial optimization heavily relies on the moment-sums of squares (moment-SOS) approach proposed by Lasserre, which provides certificates for positive polynomials. On the practical side, however, there is "no free lunch" and such optimization methods usually encompass severe scalability issues. Fortunately, for many applications, including the ones formerly mentioned, we can look at the problem in the eyes and exploit the inherent data structure arising from the cost and constraints describing the problem.This book presents several research efforts to resolve this scientific challenge with important computational implications. It provides the development of alternative optimization schemes that scale well in terms of computational complexity, at least in some identified class of problems. It also features a unified modeling framework to handle a wide range of applications involving both commutative and noncommutative variables, and to solve concretely large-scale instances. Readers will find a practical section dedicated to the use of available open-source software libraries.This interdisciplinary monograph is essential reading for students, researchers and professionals interested in solving optimization problems with polynomial input data.

This book illustrates current cyber laundering practices and the underlying risks associated with them, such as cross-border crimes and terrorism financing. Despite the existence of international regulations and strong worldwide cooperation, countermeasures and international response efforts are often hindered by enforcement and jurisdictional issues, as well as online asset recovery complexity.This work investigates the blockages to the accomplishment of cyber laundering regulation and enforcement at the international level. It provides strong legal recommendations for fostering the construction of more efficient means of legal implementation.

Regulating cyber matters is a complex task, as cyberspace is an intricate world full of new threats related to a person's identity, finance, and private information. Algorithm manipulation, hate crimes, cyber-laundering, and data theft are strong menaces in the cyber world. New technologies are generating both privacy and security issues involving anonymity, cross-border transactions, virtual communications, and assets, among others.This book is a collection of works by experts on cyber matters and legal considerations that need addressing in a timely manner. It comprises cross-disciplinary knowledge that is pooled to this end. Risk mitigation tools, including cyber risk management, data protection regulations, as well as ethical practice guidelines are reviewed in detail.The regulatory issues associated with new technologies along with emergent challenges in the field of cybersecurity that require improved regulatory frameworks are considered. We probe ethical, material, and enforcement threats, thus revealing the inadequacy of current legal practices. To address these shortcomings, we propose new regulatory privacy and security guidelines that can be implemented to deal with the new technologies and cyber matters.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) has experienced a rapid expansion in available treatments, from hyperacute emergency care to the detailed investigation of persistent breathlessness despite anticoagulation during follow up. Whilst recent clinical practice guidelines provide a robust evidence base for more routine aspects of pulmonary embolism management, clinicians frequently face patient-specific challenges where the evidence for how to proceed with patient management may be less secure.Derived from the personal experience of expert clinicians who are engaged in all aspects of PE care, this book provides a practical update on contemporary management aspects from life-threatening presentation of pulmonary embolism with failed thrombolysis to the patient presenting with complex comorbidity or during pregnancy. General physicians and clinical specialists interested in contemporary diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism will benefit from this book.