Books published by Springer Nature Singapore

This book includes original, peer-reviewed research papers from the ICAUS 2021, which offers a unique and interesting platform for scientists, engineers and practitioners throughout the world to present and share their most recent research and innovative ideas. The aim of the ICAUS 2021 is to stimulate researchers active in the areas pertinent to intelligent unmanned systems. The topics covered include but are not limited to Unmanned Aerial/Ground/Surface/Underwater Systems, Robotic, Autonomous Control/Navigation and Positioning/ Architecture, Energy and Task Planning and Effectiveness Evaluation Technologies, Artificial Intelligence Algorithm/Bionic Technology and Its Application in Unmanned Systems.The papers showcased here share the latest findings on Unmanned Systems, Robotics, Automation, Intelligent Systems, Control Systems, Integrated Networks, Modeling and Simulation. It makes the book a valuable asset for researchers, engineers, and university students alike.

This book presents a collection of old and new essays exploring the author's unique contributions to the sociology of science, mathematics, logic, robotics, brain, and god. Known for his defense of a strong social constructionist approach to the hard problems in the sociology of science, the power and range of Restivo's interests and studies are discussed in this unique text. The essays range from his introduction of the sociology of objectivity early in his career to his recent construction of a social brain paradigm. The author situates himself in the context of the leading paradigms in science studies and his relationships with leading figures in the field including Latour, Woolgar, Needham, and D.T. Campbell. The book demonstrates a general theoretical focus on the rejection of transcendence. He rejects Platonism in mathematics and socially situates consciousness, genius, and God. The author's wide ranging interdisciplinary competencies reflect classical and postmodern influences and will be an invaluable reference for researchers working in this field.

This book analyzes the positive changes, challenges, and corresponding solutions regarding charitable donation in China. It discusses a number of issues, including donors and their modes of donation, donation intermediaries and their behavioral characteristics, cultural and social factors influencing charitable donation, methods of raising charitable funds, ways of providing charitable assistance and innovation, and trends in the development of charitable donation mechanisms in China. Confirming previous findings and integrating theoretical and applied studies, the book draws new conclusions and offers fresh insights into the research questions. It also includes a multi-dimensional analysis of the behavioral patterns of the donors and the charitable donation mechanisms in contemporary China from integrated perspectives, with a systematic generalization of their key features and trends. Further topics explored include the community-based charity promotion mechanism and the trends in the mechanism development in China, which have seldom been touched on by other scholars in the field.

This book intends to report the new results of the efforts on the study of Layered Intelligence of the Machine Brain (LIMB). The book collects novel research ideas in LIMB and summarizes the current machine intelligence level as "five layer intelligence"- environments sensing, active learning, cognitive computing, intelligent decision making and automatized execution. The book is likely to be of interest to university researchers, R&D engineers and graduate students in computer science and electronics who wish to learn the core principles, methods, algorithms, and applications of LIMB.

This book examines the increasing evidence of international retirement migration (IRM) to countries of the Global South. IRM to countries of the Global South points to the increasing global interconnectedness of aging in relatively affluent countries and raises critical questions about its interrelations with global inequalities. This book provides a critical analysis of these global interrelations and their intertwinements with global inequalities and addresses the complex and multi-layered dimensions and implications of this development. It highlights the (ambiguous) everyday lives of retirement migrants in the countries of destination, and the severe impacts on the destination countries that are marked by processes of recolonization, and the reproduction, enhancement and reconfiguration of social inequalities. The growing retirement industry that capitalizes on retirement migration exploiting global differences and structural disadvantages of countries in the Global South is another integral part of this book.

This book proposes a bank risk aggregation framework based on financial statements. Specifically, bank risk aggregation is of great importance to maintain stable operation of banking industry and prevent financial crisis. A major obstacle to bank risk management is the problem of data shortage, which makes many quantitative risk aggregation approaches typically fail. Recently, to overcome the problem of inaccurate total risk results caused by the shortage of risk data, some researchers have proposed a series of financial statements-based bank risk aggregation approaches. However, the existing studies have drawbacks of low frequency and time lag of financial statements data and usually ignore off-balance sheet business risk in bank risk aggregation. Thus, by reviewing the research progress in bank risk aggregation based on financial statements and improving the drawbacks of existing methods, this book proposes a bank risk aggregation framework based on financial statements. It makes full use of information recorded in financial statements, including income statement, on- and off-balance sheet assets, and textual risk disclosures, which solves the problem of data shortage in bank risk aggregation to some extent and improves the reliability and rationality of bank risk aggregation results. This book not only improves the theoretical studies of bank risk aggregation, but also provides an important support for the capital allocation of the banking industry in practice. Thus, this book has theoretical and practical importance for bank managers and researchers of bank risk management.

This book explores the public acceptability of congestion pricing in the Chinese context. Successful in western cities, notably London, congestion pricing has overcome vested interests to revitalize city centers and reduce pollution. Given the radically different nature of China's culture and political system, the author articulates why public acceptability should be an issue and how it will look in an authoritarian context. Based on stakeholder interviews, focus groups and an attitudinal survey, this book will interest policymakers, planners, and scholars of transport governance.

This book is as an extension of previous book "Computer Vision and Machine Learning in Agriculture" for academicians, researchers, and professionals interested in solving the problems of agricultural plants and products for boosting production by rendering the advanced machine learning including deep learning tools and techniques to computer vision algorithms. The book contains 15 chapters. The first three chapters are devoted to crops harvesting, weed, and multi-class crops detection with the help of robots and UAVs through machine learning and deep learning algorithms for smart agriculture. Next, two chapters describe agricultural data retrievals and data collections. Chapters 6, 7, 8 and 9 focuses on yield estimation, crop maturity detection, agri-food product quality assessment, and medicinal plant recognition, respectively. The remaining six chapters concentrates on optimized disease recognition through computer vision-based machine and deep learning strategies.

This book presents an up-to-date account of current English-language English teaching and General Studies practices in the UAE. The chapters, written by leading language teacher educators, feature theoretical and empirical aspects of teaching, learning, assessment as well as related research. Throughout the book, the link between theory and practice is highlighted and exemplified. This reader-friendly book is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students, teachers, researchers and administrators of English language and general studies programs in the UAE and beyond who wish to keep abreast of recent developments in the field.

This book introduces the recent development in Japan of diamond electrodes, which has attracted much attention in the world. For example, electrochemical sensors using diamond electrodes are now being utilized commercially. Newly developing applications such as electrochemical organic synthesis including CO2 reduction are also expected to form an important future technology. Those emerging applications to various fields which are receiving increasing attention are described in detail here.This book is useful not only for students who would like to begin their study of diamond electrodes but also for industries that are exploring novel electrochemical applications.

This book covers the important diseases and pests of potato which are of global significance. The pests and diseases in potato lead to huge economic losses by reducing the yield and quality of the produce. This book describes major pests and diseases in detail with particular emphasis on the latest developments with respect to their biology, ecology, and management. It highlights the importance of virus infection for seed potato production and diagnostic symptoms, along with management guidelines. The book brings forth tips for judicious use of pesticides for sustainable potato production and management of pesticide resistance. Use of novel approaches such as RNA interference, genome editing, and other genomic resources for drug designing in diseases and pest management is also emphasized in the book. This book is of interest to teachers, researchers, extension workers, potato growers, and policy makers. Also, the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture and plant pathology. National and international agricultural scientists and policy makers will also find this to be a useful read.

This book highlights the proceedings of the International Conference on Atomic, Molecular, Optical and Nano-Physics with Applications (CAMNP 2019), organized by the Department of Applied Physics, Delhi Technological University, New Delhi, India. It presents experimental and theoretical studies of atoms, ions, molecules and nanostructures both at the fundamental level and on the application side using advanced technology. It highlights how modern tools of high-field and ultra-fast physics are no longer merely used to observe nature but can be used to reshape and redirect atoms, molecules, particles or radiation. It brings together leading researchers and professionals on the field to present and discuss the latest finding in the following areas, but not limited to: Atomic and Molecular Structure, Collision Processes, Data Production and Applications Spectroscopy of Solar and Stellar Plasma Intense Field, Short Pulse Laser and Atto-Second Physics Laser Technology, Quantum Optics and applications Bose Einstein condensation Nanomaterials and Nanoscience Nanobiotechnolgy and Nanophotonics Nano and Micro-Electronics Computational Condensed Matter Physics

This book illustrates the influence of biomimetics in the field of tissue engineering and drug delivery. These two distinct fields of regenerative medicine have greatly benefited from the concept of biomimetics, which focuses on using or imitating nature to develop materials for improving human lives. The book begins by highlighting the relevance and recent advances in biomimetic biomaterials. An updated and innovative content has been presented in terms of biomimetic systems that are being utilized in controlled delivery and stem cell therapy. Further, the book reviews the role of these materials in enhanced capacity for drug loading, cellular uptake, and controlled release within the target cells.  The book includes advanced techniques for characterizing biomimetic biomaterials and highlights their pivotal role in providing three-dimensional templates and synthetic extracellular matrices.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Soft Computing in Data Science, SCDS 2023, which was held virtually in January 2023. The 21 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 61 submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections on ¿¿¿artificial intelligence techniques and applications; computing and optimization; data analytics and technologies; data mining and image processing; mathematical and statistical learning.

This book focuses on the matrix cracking behavior in ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs), including first matrix cracking behavior, matrix cracking evolution behavior, matrix crack opening and closure behavior considering temperature and oxidation. The micro-damage mechanisms are analyzed, and the micromechanical damage models are developed to characterize the cracking behavior. Experimental matrix cracking behavior of different CMCs at room and elevated temperatures is predicted. The book can help the material scientists and engineering designers to better understand the cracking behavior in CMCs.

The edited book comprises invited book chapter contributions from global experts in the field of sustainable materials and resilient infrastructure. The book covers the most critical and emerging topics for creating sustainable solutions for the construction industry, promoting the technologies and monitoring methods for resilient infrastructure. It focuses on sustainable solutions and offers techniques and methodologies to deliver high-quality end solutions in civil engineering. In addition, the content provides knowledge-based information for the readers to assess, monitor, measure, and practice sustainability for resilient infrastructure. The contents of the volume are a blend of academic research work and industrial case studies. It covers the use of sustainable materials like Lime-Pozzolona Binders, biopolymers, lignosulphonate, lightweight aggregates made from fly ash, calcinated clay, paper ash, and limestone as amendments/ameliorators for soil remediation, development of neo-construction materials and composites for civil engineering applications. Design of innovative pavements using alkali activation and pervious concrete for sustainable infrastructure is also discussed. The chapters also highlight the role of civil engineers in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals, promoting climate change design for urban landscapes, and modelling building energy demand. This book is framed to address the principles and practice from the corners of geoenvironment, sustainable construction materials, low carbon materials, energy efficiency, and waste management. It is a valuable reference for faculty, researchers, field experts, scientists, and practicing engineers.

This book is a compilation of selected papers from the 5th International Petroleum and Petrochemical Technology Conference (IPPTC 2021). The work focuses on petroleum & petrochemical technologies and practical challenges in the field. It creates a platform to bridge the knowledge gap between China and the world. The conference not only provides a platform to exchanges experience but also promotes the development of scientific research in petroleum & petrochemical technologies. The book will benefit a broad readership, including industry experts, researchers, educators, senior engineers and managers.

This proceedings gather a selection of peer-reviewed papers presented at the 9th International Conference on Fracture Fatigue and Wear (FFW 2021), held  in the city of Ghent, Belgium on 2-3 August 2021. The contributions, prepared by international scientists and engineers, cover the latest advances in and innovative applications of fracture mechanics, fatigue of materials, tribology, and wear of materials. In addition, they discuss industrial applications and cover theoretical and analytical methods, numerical simulations and experimental techniques. The book is intended for academics, including graduate students and researchers, as well as industrial practitioners working in the areas of fracture fatigue and wear.

This book provides the latest research on the role of nutrients in the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders. It discusses dietary supplements and dietary restrictions for combating neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and epilepsy. The book also explains the impact of different nutrients such as herbal products, algae, micronutrients in stimulating the brain and central nervous system during abnormal functions. It covers the effect of the nutrients on the function of neurotransmitters, their stimulatory effect in autism, dementia, Alzheimer's, and other neuropathological states. The book also defines the mechanistic effects of neuroprotective and psycho protective effects of natural food in repairing brain damage. This book is essential reading for neuroscientists and neurologists, and healthcare professionals.

This book addresses a broad range of issues related to mental health in higher education in Australia, with specific reference to student and staff well-being. It examines the challenges of creating and sustaining more resilient cultures within higher education and the community.  Showcasing some of Australia's unique experiences, the authors present a multidisciplinary perspective of mental health supports and services relevant to the higher education landscape. This book examines the different ways Australian higher education institutions responded/are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, with reference to domestic and international students. Through the exploration of practice and research, the authors add to the rich discourses on well-being in the higher education.

This book looks at cyber security challenges with topical advancements in computational intelligence and communication technologies. This book includes invited peer-reviewed chapters on the emerging intelligent computing and communication technology research advancements, experimental outcomes, and cyber security practices, threats, and attacks with challenges. The book begins with a state-of-the-art survey and reviews of cyber security trends and issues. It further covers areas such as developments in intelligent computing and communication, smart healthcare, agriculture, transportation, online education, and many more real-life applications using IoT, big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data science, and machine learning. This book is of interest to graduate/postgraduate students, researchers, and academicians. This book will be a valuable resource for practitioners and professionals working in smart city visualization through secure and intelligent application design, development, deployment to foster digital revolution, and reliable integration of advanced computing and communication technologies with global significance.

This book details the state-of-the-art methodological advances for delineating the toxicology and working mechanisms of nanomaterials, microplastics, fine aerosol particulates (PM2.5) as well as emerging organic pollutants. It also provides latest computational approaches for toxicity prediction and risk assessment of nanoscale materials which possess realistic chances to enter the environment and human organism. Written by leading scientists at the frontiers of environmental science and nanomedicine, this book is intended for both young researchers and experienced professionals working in the fields of environmental protection, human health and occupational safety, nanotechnology, material science and nanomedicine, as well as graduate students majoring in environmental and health sciences.

This book presents the proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Electrical, Control and Computer Engineering (InECCE 2021), held in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia, on 23 August 2021. The topics covered are sustainable energy, power electronics and drives and power engineering including distributed/renewable generation, power system optimization, artificial/computational intelligence, smart grid, power system protection and machine learning energy management and conservation. The book showcases some of the latest technologies and applications developed to solve local energy and power problems in order to ensure continuity, reliability and security of electricity for future generations.  It also links topics covered the sustainable developed goals (SDGs) areas outlined by the United Nation for global sustainability. The book will appeal to professionals, scientists and researchers with experience in industry.

This book investigates the relationship between social capital and loneliness of older adults living in urban China during the COVID-19 outbreak period. It also tested the mediation role of community-based cognitive social capital on the relationship between community-based structural social capital and loneliness of older urban Chinese adults. This book targets at a broad audience with knowledge in social gerontology and social work with older adults. It will appeal to academic researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, policymakers, and social workers who have interests in social capital and mental well-being in later life, and the impacts of COVID-19 on the well-being of older adults.

The proceedings collect selected papers from the 11th International Workshop of Advanced Manufacturing and Automation (IWAMA 2021), held in Zhengzhou Polytechnic, China on 11 - 12 October, 2021. Topics focusing on novel techniques for manufacturing and automation in Industry 4.0 are now vital factors for the maintenance and improvement of the economy of a nation and the quality of life. It will help academic researchers and engineering to implement the concept, theory and methods in Industry 4.0 which has been a hot topic. These proceedings will make valuable contributions to academic researchers, engineers in the industry for the challenges in the 4th industry revolution and smart factories.