In this book, we collected recent results on the control of underactuated mechanical systems subject to internal uncertainties and external disturbances. The strategy developed is so universal that it is not restricted to a specific system but a large class of underactuated systems. Several benchmark systems are studied in this book, including detailed literature review, system dynamics derivation, control problem formulation, and simulation verification. The control strategy developed in ...

This book reviews the history and development of rhizobial ecology (diversity, function and interactions with the biotic and abiotic environments), evolution (genome diversification, systematics of symbiotic genes) and application. Further, it describes the new concept of rhizobia, the latest systematic methods, biogeographic study methods, and genomic studies to identify the interactions between rhizobia, legumes and environments. To enable readers to gain a comprehensive understanding of...

A comprehensive overview of both traditional and current knowledge on the health effects of plant based antioxidants, this book reviews medicinal and aromatic plants from around the world. It covers the different sources of antioxidants including essential oils, algae and marine microorganisms, as well as the role of abiotic and biotic stresses, endophytes, transgenic approaches in scavenging ROS and antioxidant plants used in different therapeutic systems.

This book focuses on the fundamentals, technologies and properties of ion irradiation of dielectric materials (e.g. glasses, crystals) with regard to various photonic applications. It introduces readers to diverse ion-beam techniques for the fabrication and modification of micron- or nanoscale photonic structures, including optical waveguides, photonic crystals, and nanoparticle (nano-spheres and nano-rods) systems, and presents state-of-the-art advances in this multi-disciplinary research...

Do our ideas about social movements travel successfully beyond the democratic West? Unrest in China, from the dramatic events of 1989 to more recent stirrings, offers a rare opportunity to explore this question and to consider how popular contention unfolds in places where speech and assembly are tightly controlled. The contributors to this volume, all prominent scholars of Chinese politics and society, argue that ideas inspired by social movements elsewhere can help explain popular protes...

A great need exists for valuable information on factors affecting the quality of animal related products. The second edition of Handbook of Meat, Poultry and Seafood Quality, focuses exclusively on quality aspects of products of animal origin, in depth discussions and recent developments in beef, pork, poultry, and seafood quality, updated sensory evaluation of different meat products, revised microbiological aspects of different meat products. Also, included are new chapters on p...

Iptycenes Chemistry: From Synthesis to Applications provides a comprehensive overview of the development of iptycene chemistry in the past seventy years. This book covers: (1) the basic nomenclature and general properties of iptycenes and their derivatives; (2) the synthesis and functionalization reactions of triptycenes, pentiptycenes, higher iptycenes, heterotriptycenes, and homotriptycenes; (3) the methods for the preparation of iptycene-based polymers with different types; and (4) the ...

Higee Chemical Reaction Engineering systematically discusses the fundamentals, principles, and methods of molecular mixing and reaction process intensification. The book demonstrates the implementation approach, process, and effectiveness of Higee chemical reaction engineering through novel industrial case studies that help industrial technicians select reaction intensification technology route more scientifically. Sections cover the innovation and development process of Higee chemical rea...

This book systematically reviews recent advances in the synthetic methods and applications of helicenes. The first part of this book introduces the nomenclature and structural features of helicenes. The second part reviews several classic and useful methods as well as recently-developed approaches for the preparation and functionalization of helicenes, including photocyclization and Diels-Alder reactions, which are two important breakthroughs in the syntheses of helicenes. In the last part...

Engineers and scientists alike will find this book to be an excellent introduction to the topic of porous materials, in particular the three main groups of porous materials: porous metals, porous ceramics, and polymer foams. Beginning with a general introduction to porous materials, the next six chapters focus on the processing and applications of each of the three main materials groups. The book includes such new processes as gel-casting and freeze-drying for porous ceramics and self-prop...

Turbulent drag reduction by additives has long been a hot research topic. This phenomenon is inherently associated with multifold expertise. Solutions of drag-reducing additives are usually viscoelastic fluids having complicated rheological properties. Exploring the characteristics of drag-reduced turbulent flows calls for uniquely designed experimental and numerical simulation techniques and elaborate theoretical considerations. Pertinently understanding the turbulent drag reduction mecha...

The LTLGB 2012 conference is intended to bring together researchers and related government officials involved in low carbon transportation, low carbon logistics and green building, industrial practitioners to present, discuss and exchange ideas, results and experiences in the area of low carbon transportation, low carbon logistics and green building and interdisciplinary applications.