Books published by Springer Nature Singapore

¿This handbook is a comprehensive source of information, analysis and directions in disaster studies. It goes beyond the oft-explored issues of management and science related to the topic and explores policies, governance, law and decision-making combined with the processes of implementation and enforcement, all the while integrating the latest science and technology updates related to the topic, such as artificial intelligence and early warning systems. It brings together studies which relate to sociology, politics and institutional economics, which work under the impact of resource availability, issues of leadership and international laws. Disasters are trans-boundary and disaster studies are trans-disciplinary. It is this aspect which would form the fulcrum of contributions and present a new, refreshing and innovative design for the handbook. The transformatory pedagogy which started with the Hyogo Framework for action 2005-2015 and The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 outlines seven clear targets and four priorities for action to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risks. The four priority areas around which the book would revolve are (i) Understanding disaster risk; (ii) Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk; (iii) Investing in disaster reduction for resilience and; (iv) Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to "Build Back Better" in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

This book analyses the diffusion and implementation of Aid Effectiveness Principles in Kenyäs agricultural sector. Although Aid Effectiveness Principles represent a significant step in aid and development discourse, studies on its implementation remain inadequate, especially in the African context. This book combines the perspectives of the Kenyan government, donor representatives and small-scale farmers. The discussion on Kenya brings in comparative perspectives and, therefore, would have broader relevance to the African region, in general. It highlights a disconnect between the government and farmers concerning the ownership concept, where farmers lack a voice in important policy matters. The book shows that donors have exploited the weaknesses in government responses to interpret The Principles in ways that suit their strategic interests. Consequently, the book argues that the diffusion of Aid Effectiveness Principles has taken the form of symbolic imitation ¿ a form of policy diffusion where the policymakers choose policies for their symbolic value rather than their effectiveness.

This book includes contributions by leading experts across the globe with the first part of the book focusing on the analysis of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, examines COP26, and questions the political process in the US for the creation of policy for meaningful greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Part 2 explores various ways in which one can effectively mitigate climate change. The contents provide an analysis of carbon pricing, development of specific green energy technologies to promote economic prosperity, and analysis of electric vehicles and other elements of electrification in areas with carbon-intensive electricity supply. Part 3 analyses the international dimension of energy governance (both regional and global) and climate action. It further provides an analysis of the challenges faced by small island developing states, least-developed countries and other vulnerable places. It also offers an analysis of the prospects for a European Energy Union and explores why energy security and decarbonization are significant. Lastly, it explores global energy governance and how its fragmentation can be reduced. This volume will be a useful reference for those in industry and academia.

Biotechnology involves an interdisciplinary science that provides an interface between biological, molecular and cellular aspects of living organisms with broad technologies applicable in the fields of health, environment and materials. This book ¿Biotechnology applied to inflammatory diseases: Cellular mechanisms and nanomedicine¿ is focused on elaborating especially on two trendy areas from Biotechnology. In this volume, different inflammatory pathologies in terms of cellular and molecular mechanisms are characterized to better understand the science behind current precision medicine. The second part of the book focuses on the main biotechnological advancements for the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the progression of various types of inflammatory diseases, highlighting up-to-date contributions of nanomedicine. The reader will be able to explore the utilization of technologies for various inflammatory diseases and will be able to enable an engaging and valuableknowledge for further research and clinically applied scenarios.

Mobile crowdsensing is a new sensing paradigm that utilizes the intelligence of a crowd of individuals to collect data for mobile purposes by using their portable devices, such as smartphones and wearable devices. Commonly, individuals are incentivized to collect data to fulfill a crowdsensing task released by a data requester. This ¿sensing as a service¿ elaborates our knowledge of the physical world by opening up a new door of data collection and analysis. However, with the expansion of mobile crowdsensing, privacy issues urgently need to be solved.In this book, we discuss the research background and current research process of privacy protection in mobile crowdsensing. In the first chapter, the background, system model, and threat model of mobile crowdsensing are introduced. The second chapter discusses the current techniques to protect user privacy in mobile crowdsensing. Chapter three introduces the privacy-preserving content-based task allocation scheme. Chapter fourfurther introduces the privacy-preserving location-based task scheme. Chapter five presents the scheme of privacy-preserving truth discovery with truth transparency. Chapter six proposes the scheme of privacy-preserving truth discovery with truth hiding. Chapter seven summarizes this monograph and proposes future research directions.In summary, this book introduces the following techniques in mobile crowdsensing: 1) describe a randomizable matrix-based task-matching method to protect task privacy and enable secure content-based task allocation; 2) describe a multi-clouds randomizable matrix-based task-matching method to protect location privacy and enable secure arbitrary range queries; and 3) describe privacy-preserving truth discovery methods to support efficient and secure truth discovery. These techniques are vital to the rapid development of privacy-preserving in mobile crowdsensing.

This book is in the field of Engineering Thermophysics. It first introduces the authors¿ academic thoughts of photo-thermal energy cascade conversion in the fuel combustion. Afterward, a series of thermal radiation theories and models have been developed based on the aim of radiative energy utilization, including spectral radiation available energy theory, gas radiation model under complex combustion conditions, and calculation model of radiation available energy transfer in combustion medium. Based on simulation and experimental results, the radiative energy characteristics of different fuel combustion are introduced. This book develops the radiation theory of the combustion process from a new perspective, integrating theories, models, and experimental results. This book can be used as a reference for scientists, engineers, and graduate students engaged in energy environment, combustion, and thermal radiation.

This edited book provides an overview of omics technologies and methods for integration across multiple omics layers used in the plant disease diagnosis and developing management strategies. The book concentrates on the prevalence of soil-borne disease management in various important crops with use of different strategies, including host resistance and biological control etc. The special focus is on the resolving practical problems encountered after the resistance development in the pathogens against several chemical pesticides. Further, special attention is given to the emergence of new diseases or the re-emergence of old ones on several crops, and on the results and problems encountered by using microbial inoculants, biofumigation and other non-chemical control methods. This book has 18 contributory chapters from the eminent experts in the field of plant pathology, microbiology and biotechnology working on different aspects of soil-borne diseases of important agricultural crops. This edited volume is of interest and useful to researchers in plant pathology, agriculture sciences, plant genomics ecology, policy makers, also it is a valuable source of reference to the relevant researchers and students globally.

This book covers all aspects of fisheries and aquaculture of the temperate Himalayas, including fisheries resources, fish biodiversity, aquaculture status, prospects, and potential. It also includes mapping of resources, health and disease management of cultured species, feed and nutritional aspects of the cultured fish species, ornamental fisheries aspects, etc. In addition, it elucidates the recent advances in biotechnological interventions for enhancing fisheries and aquaculture productivity in the region. Essential information on the application of Geo Information System (GIS) for resource mapping, the scope of adopting re-circulatory aquaculture system for productivity enhancement, and trout culture in the Himalayan waters are provided in the book. A detailed account of recreational fisheries and fish-based ecotourism in the temperate Himalayas for generating livelihood has been provided. The impact of climate change on the fisheries of the Himalayas has been dealt with separately. The book also covers the conservation and rehabilitation aspects of endangered species of the region. This book will become a ready reference for the scientists, teachers, researchers, students, policymakers, and other stakeholders for managing fishery resources in the temperate Himalayas.

An incredible season for algebraic geometry flourished in Italy between 1860, when Luigi Cremona was assigned the chair of Geometria Superiore in Bologna, and 1959, when Francesco Severi published the last volume of the treatise on algebraic systems over a surface and an algebraic variety. This century-long season has had a prominent influence on the evolution of complex algebraic geometry - both at the national and international levels - and still inspires modern research in the area. "Algebraic geometry in Italy between tradition and future" is a collection of contributions aiming at presenting some of these powerful ideas and their connection to contemporary and, if possible, future developments, such as Cremonian transformations, birational classification of high-dimensional varieties starting from Gino Fano, the life and works of Guido Castelnuovo, Francesco Severi's mathematical library, etc. The presentation is enriched by the viewpoint of various researchers of the history of mathematics, who describe the cultural milieu and tell about the bios of some of the most famous mathematicians of those times.

Despite - or because - we live in calculative and instrumental times in higher education, liberal arts colleges and programmes are flourishing. They draw students fascinated by society and culture who want to make a creative contribution. The Reinvention of Liberal Learning around the Globe is an indispensable introduction to this diverse and brilliant educational world. (Simon Marginson, Professor of Higher Education; Director of ESRC/RE Centre for Global Higher Education, University of Oxford)The editors pull together a diverse set of authors to share a wide range of approaches and trends in shaping the present and future of our liberal arts institutions and programs. The diversity of perspectives makes this book of interest and use to anyone thinking deeply about and acting in support of the future of higher education and liberal arts education. (Michael McDonald, President, Great Lakes Colleges Association and the Global Liberal Arts Alliance)This book rigorously questions and redefines liberal arts education by examining unique contexts of Asia, North and South America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. It also considers the complexity of contemporary issues and emerging innovations in higher education. With the diversity of perspectives and experiences presented by the international authors, we could envision future liberal arts education in nurturing global and caring leaders with multiple collaborative possibilities through this book. (Mikiko Nishimura, Professor of International Christian University, Japan; Co-President of the Global Research Network for Liberal Arts Education)This volume comprehensively documents the transforming nature of liberal arts institutions within the overall tensions provided by the global pandemic occurring at the intersection with a major transitional moment of technology and communication. Its timeliness is underscored by the geographic reachof its contributions, providing a unique perspective on the multitude of ways in which higher education is responding to these powerful forces. (Deane E. Neubauer, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of Hawaii, Manoa; Associate Director of the Asia Pacific Higher Education Research Partnership)This is a most timely overview and analysis of liberal arts worldwide. The editors brought together thoughtful scholars from around the world to demonstrate the dogged persistence, resiliency, and vulnerability of the liberal arts. For those who still believe that the key value of higher learning is to enrich the intellect, enliven the spirit, and take more responsibility for the future of humanity, this valuable book provides a framework for the future. (Gerard A. Postiglione, Emeritus Professor, Honorary Professor of Education, The University of Hong KongChapter 3 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

This book provides innovative solutions to fundamental problems in finance, such as the valuation of bond and equity, the pricing of debt, equity and total asset, the determination of optimal capital structure, etc., which are unsolved or poor-solved so far.The solutions in this book all have the following features:Based on essential assumptions in line with reality, the final solutions are analytical solutions with closed-form models, the forms and variables of the models are determined by strict and objective logic processes rather than chosen or presumed subjectively, such as the new growth model for stock valuation, the new CAPM accounting for total risk rather than only systematic risk, the real solution to optimal capital structure based on the trade-off between tax shield and bankruptcy cost. In addition, these basic solutions or models are adjusted easily to various application scenarios.

This book mainly focuses on the sampled-data control of logical networks. We believe that the methods (semi-tensor product of matrices), results (recent results on Boolean control networks under periodic sampled-data control, Boolean control networks under aperiodic sampled-data control, and logical control networks under event-triggered control) and topics (logical networks) in this book have become of particular interest to readers recently. Firstly, logical networks are of interest due to their rich range of applications in biology, game theory, coding, finite automata, graph theory, and other fields. Secondly, semi-tensor product of matrices offers a useful tool for formulating, analyzing and designing controllers for logical networks. Moreover, this book is the first to introduce sampled-data control into the study of logical control networks. All research results in this book are novel and worthy of further study. The book¿s content is divided into three parts (Boolean control networks under periodic sampled-data control, Boolean control networks under aperiodic sampled-data control, and logical control networks under event-triggered control), which essentially progress from easier to more difficult. In addition, corresponding examples and diagrams are included in each section to facilitate understanding.

This book on biopolymers offers a comprehensive source for biomaterial professionals. It covers all elementary topics related to the properties of biopolymers, the production, and processing of biopolymers, applications of biopolymers, examples of biopolymers, and the future of biopolymers. Edited by experts in the field, the book highlights international professionals¿ longstanding experiences and addresses the requirements of practitioners and newcomers in this field in finding a solution to their problems. The book brings together several natural polymers, their extraction/production, and physio-chemical features. The topics covered in this book are biopolymers from renewable sources, marine prokaryotes, soy protein and humus oils, biopolymer recycling, chemical modifications, and specific properties. The book also focuses on the potential and diverse applications of biogenic and bio-derived polymers. The content includes industrial applications of natural polymeric molecules and applications in key areas such as material, biomedical, sensing, packaging, biomedicine, and biotechnology, and tissue engineering applications are discussed in detail. The objective of this book is to fill the gap between the researchers working in the laboratory to cutting-edge technological applications in related industries. This book will be a very valuable reference material for graduates and post-graduate students, academic researchers, professionals, research scholars, and scientists, and for anyone who has a flavor for doing biomaterial research. The books are designed to serve as a bridge between undergraduate textbooks in biochemistry and professional literature. The book provides universal perspectives for an emerging field where classical polymer science blends with molecular biology with highlights on recent advances.

The Handbook of Energy Policy is a unique and novel reference for addressing the policy implications of energy demand and supply from their economic, political, social, planning, and environmental aspects. The Handbook of Energy Policy provides several studies from the global, regional, national, or local perspectives that are of wider policy significance. Studies provided in this book are of interest to the international organizations, governments, public and private sector entities, local communities, universities, research institutions, and other non-governmental organizations. Topics covered in the Handbook of Energy Policy are including energy security, energy poverty, energy finance, energy pricing, energy and environment, energy and sustainability, energy and growth, energy efficiency, energy trade, technological innovation and energy, energy transition, energy nexus studies, economics, and policy of fossil fuels, economics, and policy of renewable and greenenergies. The policy recommendations provided in all chapters are supported by a rigorous empirical or theoretical analysis.