Basic Basics

Discover your inner chalk artist! Chalk art and lettering are all around: on menu boards at a favorite local coffee shop, brightening sidewalk easels at street fairs, and in lively artwork found in the home. Chalk art and lettering pros Amanda Arneill and Shannon Roberts have teamed up to provide friendly step-by-step instruction in chalk lettering and art, teaching you all you need to know to create your own chalk masterpieces:• Getting started – the basics of making and seasoning your own chalkboards• Lettering – various alphabets and lettering styles• Illustration – steps and processes in chalk art, including banners, flowers, and more• Design – brings lettering and art techniques together with guided chalk projects ideasAre you ready to take your chalk skills to the next level?!

This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the human-computer interface in clear, non-technical language, making it an ideal introduction for students of both psychology and computer science. Covering the past, present, and future developments in technology and psychology, it combines cutting-edge academic research with engaging illustrations and examples that show students how the material relates to their lives. Topics addressed include: human factors of input devices, and the basics of sensation and perception; memory and cognitive issues of users navigating their way through interfaces; communication via programming languages and natural speech interaction; cyberpathologies such as techno-stress and Internet addiction disorders; and challenges surrounding automation and artificial intelligence. This thoroughly updated second edition features new chapters on virtual reality and cybersecurity; expanded coverage of social media, mobile computing, e-learning, and video games; a

This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the human-computer interface in clear, non-technical language, making it an ideal introduction for students of both psychology and computer science. Covering the past, present, and future developments in technology and psychology, it combines cutting-edge academic research with engaging illustrations and examples that show students how the material relates to their lives. Topics addressed include: human factors of input devices, and the basics of sensation and perception; memory and cognitive issues of users navigating their way through interfaces; communication via programming languages and natural speech interaction; cyberpathologies such as techno-stress and Internet addiction disorders; and challenges surrounding automation and artificial intelligence. This thoroughly updated second edition features new chapters on virtual reality and cybersecurity; expanded coverage of social media, mobile computing, e-learning, and video games; a

This is a comprehensive introduction to the brand new theory of conic finance, also referred to as the two-price theory, which determines bid and ask prices in a consistent and fundamentally motivated manner. Whilst theories of one price classically eliminate all risk, the concept of acceptable risks is critical to the foundations of the two-price theory which sees risk elimination as typically unattainable in a modern financial economy. Practical examples and case studies provide the reader with a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of the theory, a variety of advanced quantitative models, and numerous real-world applications, including portfolio theory, option positioning, hedging, and trading contexts. This book offers a quantitative and practical approach for readers familiar with the basics of mathematical finance to allow them to boldly go where no quant has gone before.

The second edition of Steven W. Blume's bestseller provides a comprehensive treatment of power technology for the non-electrical engineer working in the electric power industryThis book aims to give non-electrical professionals a fundamental understanding of large interconnected electrical power systems, better known as the “Power Grid”, with regard to terminology, electrical concepts, design considerations, construction practices, industry standards, control room operations for both normal and emergency conditions, maintenance, consumption, telecommunications and safety. The text begins with an overview of the terminology and basic electrical concepts commonly used in the industry then it examines the generation, transmission and distribution of power. Other topics discussed include energy management, conservation of electrical energy, consumption characteristics and regulatory aspects to help readers understand modern electric power systems. This second edition features:New sections

Fatigue Design of Marine Structures provides students and professionals with a theoretical and practical background for fatigue design of marine structures including sailing ships, offshore structures for oil and gas production, and other welded structures subject to dynamic loading such as wind turbine structures. Industry expert Inge Lotsberg brings more than forty years of experience in design and standards-setting to this comprehensive guide to the basics of fatigue design of welded structures. Topics covered include laboratory testing, S-N data, different materials, different environments, stress concentrations, residual stresses, acceptance criteria, non-destructive testing, improvement methods, probability of failure, bolted connections, grouted connections, and fracture mechanics. Featuring twenty chapters, three hundred diagrams, forty-seven example calculations, and resources for further study, Fatigue Design of Marine Structures is intended as the complete reference work for

「如果馬克早一點出版這本書，我可能就不必去上烹飪學校了。」──David Chang（美國名廚、《時代雜誌》十大食神） 簡潔的要點╳簡約的技法╳靈活的變化，創造在家下廚的美好感受！ 全球百萬暢銷獲獎美食作家 馬克．彼特曼 鉅獻全套收錄185道食譜 + 1,000張照片 + 超過500種變化作法，運用10招萬用備料技巧、13 種烹飪技術、5大黃金原則，以簡馭繁排除所有障礙，建立新手對下廚的信心。 馬

How do we come to know metaphysical truths? How does metaphysical inquiry work? Are metaphysical debates substantial? These are the questions which characterize metametaphysics. This book, the first systematic student introduction dedicated to metametaphysics, discusses the nature of metaphysics - its methodology, epistemology, ontology and our access to metaphysical knowledge. It provides students with a firm grounding in the basics of metametaphysics, covering a broad range of topics in metaontology such as existence, quantification, ontological commitment and ontological realism. Contemporary views are discussed along with those of Quine, Carnap and Meinong. Going beyond the metaontological debate, thorough treatment is given to novel topics in metametaphysics, including grounding, ontological dependence, fundamentality, modal epistemology, intuitions, thought experiments and the relationship between metaphysics and science. The book will be an essential resource for those studying

How do we come to know metaphysical truths? How does metaphysical inquiry work? Are metaphysical debates substantial? These are the questions which characterize metametaphysics. This book, the first systematic student introduction dedicated to metametaphysics, discusses the nature of metaphysics - its methodology, epistemology, ontology and our access to metaphysical knowledge. It provides students with a firm grounding in the basics of metametaphysics, covering a broad range of topics in metaontology such as existence, quantification, ontological commitment and ontological realism. Contemporary views are discussed along with those of Quine, Carnap and Meinong. Going beyond the metaontological debate, thorough treatment is given to novel topics in metametaphysics, including grounding, ontological dependence, fundamentality, modal epistemology, intuitions, thought experiments and the relationship between metaphysics and science. The book will be an essential resource for those studying

Providing an overview of the foundations of engineering from a fundamental scientific and physical perspective, this book reinforces the basic scientific and mathematical principles which underpin a range of engineering disciplines and applications. It covers the basics of physics, including quantum physics, as well as some key topics in chemistry, making it a valuable resource for both students and professionals looking to gain a more coherent and interdisciplinary understanding of engineering systems. Throughout, the focus is on common features of physical systems (such as mechanical and electronic resonance), showing how the same underlying principles apply to different disciplines. Problems are provided at the end of each chapter including conceptual questions and examples to demonstrate the practical application of fundamental scientific principles. These include real-world examples, which are solvable using computational packages such as MATLAB.

Combining cutting-edge technologies and techniques with existing approaches, this book equips you with the tools and knowledge needed to develop new energy-efficient and environmentally friendly RFID systems. As well as covering RFID basics, a wide range of new technologies is discussed, including biodegradable and recyclable material use, energy scavenging, passive and chipless architectures, RFID passive sensors, networked RFID and RFID sensors, organic electronic devices, textile electronics, and distributed and wide area electronics. Providing a clear description of how RFID technology can enable the evolution of the Internet of Things, the book guides you down the path to facing new challenges as we move towards ubiquitous sensing for smart environments and a networked society. This is an ideal guide for researchers in academia and industry, technical managers, and graduate students in RF and wireless communications.

This state-of-the-art book reviews key issues and methods in medical image perception research through associated techniques, illustrations and examples. Written by key figures in the field, the book covers a range of topics including the history of medical image perception research, the basics of vision and cognition, and dedicated application areas, especially those concerned with the interface between the clinician and the display of medical image data. It summarises many of the basic techniques used to conduct and analyse medical image perception and observer performance research, allowing readers to understand basic research techniques so they can adopt them for use in their own studies. Written for both newcomers to the field and experienced researchers, this book provides a broad overview of medical image perception, and will serve as a reference volume for years to come.

The growth of social media over the last decade has revolutionized the way individuals interact and industries conduct business. Individuals produce data at an unprecedented rate by interacting, sharing, and consuming content through social media. Understanding and processing this new type of data to glean actionable patterns presents challenges and opportunities for interdisciplinary research, novel algorithms and tool development. Social Media Mining integrates social media, social network analysis, and data mining to provide a coherent platform to understand the basics and potentials of social media mining. It introduces the unique problems arising from social media data and presents fundamental concepts, emerging issues, and effective algorithms for network analysis and data mining. Suitable for use in advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate courses as well as professional short courses, the text contains exercises of different degrees of difficulty that improve understanding

This comprehensive guide, by pioneers in the field, brings together, for the first time, everything a new researcher, graduate student or industry practitioner needs to get started in molecular communication. Written with accessibility in mind, it requires little background knowledge, and provides a detailed introduction to the relevant aspects of biology and information theory, as well as coverage of practical systems. The authors start by describing biological nanomachines, the basics of biological molecular communication and the microorganisms that use it. They then proceed to engineered molecular communication and the molecular communication paradigm, with mathematical models of various types of molecular communication and a description of the information and communication theory of molecular communication. Finally, the practical aspects of designing molecular communication systems are presented, including a review of the key applications. Ideal for engineers and biologists looking

Compressive sensing is a new signal processing paradigm that aims to encode sparse signals by using far lower sampling rates than those in the traditional Nyquist approach. It helps acquire, store, fuse and process large data sets efficiently and accurately. This method, which links data acquisition, compression, dimensionality reduction and optimization, has attracted significant attention from researchers and engineers in various areas. This comprehensive reference develops a unified view on how to incorporate efficiently the idea of compressive sensing over assorted wireless network scenarios, interweaving concepts from signal processing, optimization, information theory, communications and networking to address the issues in question from an engineering perspective. It enables students, researchers and communications engineers to develop a working knowledge of compressive sensing, including background on the basics of compressive sensing theory, an understanding of its benefits and

Advances in chemistry, biology and genomics coupled with laboratory automation and computational technologies have led to the rapid emergence of the multidisciplinary field of chemical genomics. This edited text, with contributions from experts in the field, discusses the new techniques and applications that help further the study of chemical genomics. The beginning chapters provide an overview of the basic principles of chemical biology and chemical genomics. This is followed by a technical section that describes the sources of small-molecule chemicals; the basics of high-throughput screening technologies; and various bioassays for biochemical-, cellular- and organism-based screens. The final chapters connect the chemical genomics field with personalized medicine and the druggable genome for future discovery of new therapeutics. This book will be valuable to researchers, professionals and graduate students in many fields, including biology, biomedicine and chemistry.

Breast MRI is no longer the domain of specialised centres; it is now a mainstream diagnostic technique, and an understanding of its applications is essential for any clinician involved with breast imaging. The Handbook of Breast MRI provides core knowledge and clinical guidelines for performing breast MRI in everyday practice. Introductory chapters on breast MRI basics, anatomy and pathology are followed by detailed chapters on the use of MRI in screening, staging, problem-solving and MRI-guided interventions, each containing diagnostic algorithms, tables and lists for quick access to key diagnostic information. Each chapter also contains a selection of self testing questions, and numerous Appendices concisely summarise tumour classification and current breast cancer treatment options. The Handbook of Breast MRI is an invaluable practical diagnostic resource for radiologists, surgeons, oncologists and all clinicians involved in breast cancer management.

Category theory provides a general conceptual framework that has proved fruitful in subjects as diverse as geometry, topology, theoretical computer science and foundational mathematics. Here is a friendly, easy-to-read textbook that explains the fundamentals at a level suitable for newcomers to the subject. Beginning postgraduate mathematicians will find this book an excellent introduction to all of the basics of category theory. It gives the basic definitions; goes through the various associated gadgetry, such as functors, natural transformations, limits and colimits; and then explains adjunctions. The material is slowly developed using many examples and illustrations to illuminate the concepts explained. Over 200 exercises, with solutions available online, help the reader to access the subject and make the book ideal for self-study. It can also be used as a recommended text for a taught introductory course.

Category theory provides a general conceptual framework that has proved fruitful in subjects as diverse as geometry, topology, theoretical computer science and foundational mathematics. Here is a friendly, easy-to-read textbook that explains the fundamentals at a level suitable for newcomers to the subject. Beginning postgraduate mathematicians will find this book an excellent introduction to all of the basics of category theory. It gives the basic definitions; goes through the various associated gadgetry, such as functors, natural transformations, limits and colimits; and then explains adjunctions. The material is slowly developed using many examples and illustrations to illuminate the concepts explained. Over 200 exercises, with solutions available online, help the reader to access the subject and make the book ideal for self-study. It can also be used as a recommended text for a taught introductory course.

This full-color, user-friendly field guide covers the basics involved in the collection, cleaning, and storage of vegetable seeds. Learn from an expert how to overcome pests when storing seeds, and handle environmental factors that may threaten the integrity of your seeds. An introduction to identifying different varieties of seeds will make collecting easy for beginner and experienced collectors alike. Over 120 close-up color photographs of seeds gathered from vegetables are included in this encyclopedia-style guide. Each entry identifies the seed's family, common name, species, genera, and origin, and includes collection methods, a description of the number and color of seeds, useful hints for collection, and notes on growing the source plant. Gardeners around the world will appreciate this useful field guide when harvesting nature's bounty and preserving its genetic material for years and gardens to come.

Ideal for a one-semester course, this concise textbook covers basic electronics for undergraduate students in science and engineering. Beginning with the basics of general circuit laws and resistor circuits to ease students into the subject, the textbook then covers a wide range of topics, from passive circuits through to semiconductor-based analog circuits and basic digital circuits. Using a balance of thorough analysis and insight, readers are shown how to work with electronic circuits and apply the techniques they have learnt. The textbook's structure makes it useful as a self-study introduction to the subject. All mathematics is kept to a suitable level, and there are several exercises throughout the book. Password-protected solutions for instructors, together with eight laboratory exercises that parallel the text, are available online at www.cambridge.org/Eggleston.

A practical and systematic overview of the design, fabrication and test of MEMS-based inertial sensors, this comprehensive and rigorous guide shows you how to analyze and transform application requirements into practical designs, and helps you to avoid potential pitfalls and to cut design time. With this book you'll soon be up to speed on the relevant basics, including MEMS technologies, packaging, kinematics and mechanics, and transducers. You'll also get a thorough evaluation of different approaches and architectures for design and an overview of key aspects of testing and calibration. Unique insights into the practical difficulties of making sensors for real-world applications make this up-to-date description of the state of the art in inertial MEMS an ideal resource for professional engineers in industry as well as students looking for a complete introduction to the area.

Mankin Mak's textbook provides a self-contained course on atmospheric dynamics. The first half is suitable for senior undergraduates, and develops the physical, dynamical and mathematical concepts at the fundamental level. The second half of the book is aimed at more advanced students who are already familiar with the basics. The contents have been developed from many years of the author's teaching at the University of Illinois. Discussions are supplemented with schematics, weather maps and statistical plots of the atmospheric general circulation. Students often find the connection between theoretical dynamics and atmospheric observation somewhat tenuous, and this book demonstrates a strong connection between the key dynamics and real observations. This textbook is an invaluable asset for courses in atmospheric dynamics for advanced students and researchers in atmospheric science, ocean science, weather forecasting, environmental science, and applied mathematics. Some background in mat

This practical coursebook introduces all the basics of modern syntactic analysis in a simple step-by-step fashion. Each unit is constructed so that the reader discovers new ideas, formulates hypotheses and practises fundamentals. The reader is presented with short sections of explanation with examples, followed by practice exercises. Feedback and comment sections follow to enable students to monitor their progress. No previous background in syntax is assumed. Students move through all the key topics in the field including features, rules of combination and displacement, empty categories, and subcategorization. The theoretical perspective in this work is unique, drawing together the best ideas from three major syntactic frameworks (minimalism, HPSG and LFG). Students using this book will learn fundamentals in such a way that they can easily go on to pursue further study in any of these frameworks.

This practical coursebook introduces all the basics of modern syntactic analysis in a simple step-by-step fashion. Each unit is constructed so that the reader discovers new ideas, formulates hypotheses and practises fundamentals. The reader is presented with short sections of explanation with examples, followed by practice exercises. Feedback and comment sections follow to enable students to monitor their progress. No previous background in syntax is assumed. Students move through all the key topics in the field including features, rules of combination and displacement, empty categories, and subcategorization. The theoretical perspective in this work is unique, drawing together the best ideas from three major syntactic frameworks (minimalism, HPSG and LFG). Students using this book will learn fundamentals in such a way that they can easily go on to pursue further study in any of these frameworks.

Magnetic Materials is an excellent introduction to the basics of magnetism, magnetic materials and their applications in modern device technologies. Retaining the concise style of the original, this edition has been thoroughly revised to address significant developments in the field, including the improved understanding of basic magnetic phenomena, new classes of materials, and changes to device paradigms. With homework problems, solutions to selected problems and a detailed list of references, Magnetic Materials continues to be the ideal book for a one-semester course and as a self-study guide for researchers new to the field. New to this edition: • Entirely new chapters on Exchange Bias Coupling, Multiferroic and Magnetoelectric Materials, Magnetic Insulators • Revised throughout, with substantial updates to the chapters on Magnetic Recording and Magnetic Semiconductors, incorporating the latest advances in the field • New example problems with worked solutions

Thermodynamics: Fundamentals and Applications is a 2005 text for a first graduate course in Chemical Engineering. The focus is on macroscopic thermodynamics; discussions of modeling and molecular situations are integrated throughout. Underpinning this text is the knowledge that while thermodynamics describes natural phenomena, those descriptions are the products of creative, systematic minds. Nature unfolds without reference to human concepts of energy, entropy, or fugacity. Natural complexity can be organized and studied by thermodynamics methodology. The power of thermodynamics can be used to advantage if the fundamentals are understood. This text's emphasis is on fundamentals rather than modeling. Knowledge of the basics will enhance the ability to combine them with models when applying thermodynamics to practical situations. While the goal of an engineering education is to teach effective problem solving, this text never forgets the delight of discovery, the satisfaction of graspin

Emergency Radiology is a quick reference pocketbook for radiologists worldwide working in any emergency or acute care setting. It acts both as a checklist of presenting features to enable accurate interpretation of diagnostic imaging investigations and as a guide to understanding the basics of performing therapeutic or diagnostic interventional procedures. A wide range of emergencies are reviewed, giving all pertinent information in a concise presentation for on-call radiologists and trainees who encounter these emergencies out-of-hours. The text is complemented by high quality images of emergency conditions in all body systems, including head, cardiovascular, chest, abdomen, pelvis and extremities. Pediatrics, fluoroscopy, ultrasound and the use of MRI in emergencies are also discussed. Emergency Radiology is an invaluable for all radiologists, emergency physicians and radiography technicians, as well as for any healthcare practitioner involved in patient care in the emergency or acut

Research into the stability of matter has been one of the most successful chapters in mathematical physics, and is a prime example of how modern mathematics can be applied to problems in physics. A unique account of the subject, this book provides a complete, self-contained description of research on the stability of matter problem. It introduces the necessary quantum mechanics to mathematicians, and aspects of functional analysis to physicists. The topics covered include electrodynamics of classical and quantized fields, Lieb-Thirring and other inequalities in spectral theory, inequalities in electrostatics, stability of large Coulomb systems, gravitational stability of stars, basics of equilibrium statistical mechanics, and the existence of the thermodynamic limit. The book is an up-to-date account for researchers, and its pedagogical style makes it suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in mathematical physics.

This book describes the new generation of discrete choice methods, focusing on the many advances that are made possible by simulation. Researchers use these statistical methods to examine the choices that consumers, households, firms, and other agents make. Each of the major models is covered: logit, generalized extreme value, or GEV (including nested and cross-nested logits), probit, and mixed logit, plus a variety of specifications that build on these basics. Recent advances in Bayesian procedures are explored, including the use of the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm and its variant Gibbs sampling. This second edition adds chapters on endogeneity and expectation-maximization (EM) algorithms. No other book incorporates all these fields, which have arisen in the past 25 years. The procedures are applicable in many fields, including energy, transportation, environmental studies, health, labor, and marketing.

This book describes the new generation of discrete choice methods, focusing on the many advances that are made possible by simulation. Researchers use these statistical methods to examine the choices that consumers, households, firms, and other agents make. Each of the major models is covered: logit, generalized extreme value, or GEV (including nested and cross-nested logits), probit, and mixed logit, plus a variety of specifications that build on these basics. Recent advances in Bayesian procedures are explored, including the use of the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm and its variant Gibbs sampling. This second edition adds chapters on endogeneity and expectation-maximization (EM) algorithms. No other book incorporates all these fields, which have arisen in the past 25 years. The procedures are applicable in many fields, including energy, transportation, environmental studies, health, labor, and marketing.

Image processing is a hands-on discipline, and the best way to learn is by doing. This text takes its motivation from medical applications and uses real medical images and situations to illustrate and clarify concepts and to build intuition, insight and understanding. Designed for advanced undergraduates and graduate students who will become end-users of digital image processing, it covers the basics of the major clinical imaging modalities, explaining how the images are produced and acquired. It then presents the standard image processing operations, focusing on practical issues and problem solving. Crucially, the book explains when and why particular operations are done, and practical computer-based activities show how these operations affect real images. All images, links to the public-domain software ImageJ and custom plug-ins, and selected solutions are available from www.cambridge.org/books/dougherty.

This book is an introduction to the emerging field of evolutionary cognitive neuroscience, a branch of neuroscience that combines the disciplines of evolutionary psychology and cognitive neuroscience. It outlines the application of cognitive neuroscientific methods (e.g., functional magnetic resonance imaging, transcranial magnetic stimulation, magneto- and electroencephalography, and the use of neuropsychiatric and neurosurgical patients) to answer empirical questions posed from an evolutionary meta-theoretical perspective. Chapters outline the basics of cognitive evolution and how the methods of cognitive neuroscience can be employed to answer questions about the presence of evolved cognitive adaptations. Written for graduate students and researchers, the book presents the major topics of study undertaken by evolutionary cognitive neuroscientists – such as language evolution, intelligence and face processing – and serves as a primer upon which to base further study in the discipline.

This book is an introduction to the emerging field of evolutionary cognitive neuroscience, a branch of neuroscience that combines the disciplines of evolutionary psychology and cognitive neuroscience. It outlines the application of cognitive neuroscientific methods (e.g., functional magnetic resonance imaging, transcranial magnetic stimulation, magneto- and electroencephalography, and the use of neuropsychiatric and neurosurgical patients) to answer empirical questions posed from an evolutionary meta-theoretical perspective. Chapters outline the basics of cognitive evolution and how the methods of cognitive neuroscience can be employed to answer questions about the presence of evolved cognitive adaptations. Written for graduate students and researchers, the book presents the major topics of study undertaken by evolutionary cognitive neuroscientists – such as language evolution, intelligence and face processing – and serves as a primer upon which to base further study in the discipline.

This book provides a clear exposition of the flourishing field of fixed point theory. Starting from the basics of Banach's contraction theorem, most of the main results and techniques are developed: fixed point results are established for several classes of maps and the three main approaches to establishing continuation principles are presented. The theory is applied to many areas of interest in analysis. Topological considerations play a crucial role, including a final chapter on the relationship with degree theory. Researchers and graduate students in applicable analysis will find this to be a useful survey of the fundamental principles of the subject. The very extensive bibliography and close to 100 exercises mean that it can be used both as a text and as a comprehensive reference work, currently the only one of its type.

This overview of diffusion and separation processes brings unsurpassed, engaging clarity to this complex topic. Diffusion is a key part of the undergraduate chemical engineering curriculum and at the core of understanding chemical purification and reaction engineering. This spontaneous mixing process is also central to our daily lives, with importance in phenomena as diverse as the dispersal of pollutants to digestion in the small intestine. For students, Diffusion goes from the basics of mass transfer and diffusion itself, with strong support through worked examples and a range of student questions. It also takes the reader right through to the cutting edge of our understanding, and the new examples in this third edition will appeal to professional scientists and engineers. Retaining the trademark enthusiastic style, the broad coverage now extends to biology and medicine.

Caring for newborns and infants in the first year of life can be anxiety-provoking and challenging, especially for the emergency physician. This book addresses the most common complaints that an emergency provider may have to evaluate and treat. It is divided into three sections for quick access to a variety of medical conditions. Section I covers the basics of neonate care in the emergency room and includes the general exam, airway management, and sedation. Section II focuses on specific common complaints, such as failure to thrive, fever, and seizures. Section III covers management of specific systems, including cardiology, dermatology, and toxicology. The Appendixes include handy pediatric formulas, immunization schedules, and easy-to-use algorithms and tables. A practical resource for a wide range of health providers, from medical students, residents, and Fellows to attending physicians.

Laser Fundamentals provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to the physical and engineering principles of laser operation and design. Simple explanations, based throughout on key underlying concepts, lead the reader logically from the basics of laser action to advanced topics in laser physics and engineering. Much new material has been added to this second edition, especially in the areas of solid-state lasers, semiconductor lasers, and laser cavities. This 2004 edition contains a new chapter on laser operation above threshold, including extensive discussion of laser amplifiers. The clear explanations, worked examples, and many homework problems will make this book invaluable to undergraduate and first-year graduate students in science and engineering taking courses on lasers. The summaries of key types of lasers, the use of many unique theoretical descriptions, and the extensive bibliography will also make this a valuable reference work for researchers.

The physical properties of the ionized layer in the Earth's upper atmosphere enable us to use it to support an increasing range of communications applications. This book presents a modern treatment of the physics and phenomena of the high latitude upper atmosphere and the morphology of radio propagation in the auroral and polar regions. Chapters cover the basics of radio propagation and the use of radio techniques in ionospheric studies. Many investigations of high latitude radio propagation have previously only been published in Conference Proceedings and organizational reports. This book includes many examples of the behavior of quiet and disturbed high latitude HF propagation. Ample cross-referencing, chapter summaries and reference lists make this book an invaluable aid for graduate students, ionospheric physicists and radio engineers.

In recent years climate change has become recognised as the foremost environmental problem of the twenty-first century. Not only will climate change potentially affect the multibillion dollar energy strategies of countries worldwide, but it also could seriously affect many species, including our own. A fascinating introduction to the subject, this textbook provides a broad review of past, present and likely future climate change from the viewpoints of biology, ecology and human ecology. It will be of interest to a wide range of people, from students in the life sciences who need a brief overview of the basics of climate science, to atmospheric science, geography, and environmental science students who need to understand the biological and human ecological implications of climate change. It will also be a valuable reference for those involved in environmental monitoring, conservation, policy-making and policy lobbying.