Books published by Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The evolution of geological cartography in Cuba in its more than 135 years of history has been possible through the consultation of numerous archival reports, publications, maps and personal interviews with different authors and geologists of vast experience. A brief critical analysis is made of the increase in the degree of geological knowledge of the country since the elaboration of the Geological Sketch of the Cuban Island at a scale of 1: 2 000 000 (Fernández de Castro, 1883), first of Cuba and of Ibero-America, until the most recent Digital Geological Map of Cuba at scale 1: 100 000 (Pérez Aragón, 2016). Cuba and its surroundings are a geological mosaic in the southeast corner of the North American plate with rocks from many different origins, from Proterozoic to Quaternary, extended along the southern border of the plate. From the Eocene, this belt has been dissected by several great faults, related to the development of some great oceanic depressions (Cayman trough and Yucatan basin). The fossil record of Cuba, which covers approximately the last 200 million years of life on Earth, is rich in very varied fossils, witnessing a wide diversity of organisms, both animals and plants, that inhabited the Antillean and Caribbean region; and that constitute the inheritance of the biological diversity that the current Cuban archipelago exhibits. As a result of the preparation of the Cuban Metallogenic Map at scale 1: 250 000, forty-one models and eight sub-models of metallic mineral deposits were identified. These models, of descriptive¿genetic type, together with the analysis of their spatial distribution and their relationship with geology, allowed the identification and mapping of ten mineral systems, linked to the geodynamic environments present in the Cuban territory. Cuba has large deposits of limestone, loam, dolomite, kaolin, gypsum and anhydrite, rock salt, marbles, sands and clays of different types, zeolites, peat, therapeutic peloids and many more. There are manifestations of decorative and precious rocks such as jasper, jadeite, different varieties of quartz and even xylopals. A compilation of geochemical data of oceanic basalt samples from previous works, together with data of analyzed samples during this study in order to discuss geochemical criteria based on immobile element (proxies for fractionation indices, alkalinity, mantle ¿ow and subduction addition), provide a comprehensive ophiolite classification according to their tectonic setting. This book addresses different facets of the geological knowledge of Cuba: history of its cartography, marine geology, fossil record, stratigraphy, tectonics, classification of its ophiolites, quaternary deposits, metallogeny and minerageny.

This volume provides the reader with a detailed overview of the current state-of-the art approach of Hepatitis C management. It reviews the course of action in handling of chronic Hepatitis C patients with various HCV genotypes and treats special cases such as acute hepatitis, transplant and renal patients as well as people who inject drugs. The two volume work on Hepatitis C introduces to the topic by reviewing virology, diagnosis, epidemiology, prevention, management and elimination of HCV. The book provides a valuable source at full length for researchers and clinicians working on Hepatitis C.

The second edition is extended by (i) the conjugate "strong evaporation - heat conduction" problem, (ii) the influence of accommodation coefficients on intensive processes of evaporation and condensation, (iii) the problem of supersonic condensation.

This book provides a comprehensive overview on the most recent knowledge in dermatophytic infection biology. Topics covered range from taxonomy, biology and genetics of most common skin disease causing fungi over immunology of dermatophytosis to diagnosis and treatment approaches. Furthermore epidemiology of skin diseases caused by pathogenic fungi is discussed. The book is aimed at researchers and advanced students in infection biology, microbiology and dermatology.

The International Conference on Complex Systems (ICCS) offers a unique interdisciplinary venue for researchers from the physical and biological sciences, social sciences, psychology and cognitive science, engineering, medicine, human systems, and global systems. This proceedings volume gathers selected papers from the conference. The New England Complex Systems Institute (NECSI) has been instrumental in the development of complex systems science and its applications. NECSI pursues research, education, knowledge dissemination, and community development efforts around the world to promote the study of complex systems and its application for the benefit of society. NECSI hosts the International Conference on Complex Systems and publishes the NECSI Book.

This book addresses the construction and application of the major types of basis sets for computational chemistry calculations. In addition to a general introduction, it includes mathematical basics and a discussion of errors arising from incomplete or inappropriate basis sets. The different chapters introduce local orbitals and orbital localization as well as Slater-type orbitals and review basis sets for special applications, such as those for correlated methods, solid-state calculations, heavy atoms and time-dependent adaptable Gaussian bases for quantum dynamics simulations. This detailed review of the purpose of basis sets, their design, applications, possible problems and available solutions provides graduate students and beginning researchers with information not easily obtained from the available textbooks and offers valuable supporting material for any quantum chemistry or computational chemistry course at the graduate and/or undergraduate level. This book is also useful asa guide for researchers who are new to computational chemistry but are willing to extend their research tools by applying such methods.

The search for new strategies of pest control with safer molecules is currently of great importance and interest. Microbe-mediated biological crop protection is an attractive and promising technology with no concern for a negative impact on the environment and biodiversity. Microbial hydrolytic enzymes such as proteases, chitinases, lipases, etc. are attractive for this purpose. They present toxic properties and act synergistically to control pest attacks. Also, some metabolites, that microorganisms produce for their survival or defense, can be explored and exploited for plant protection. The focus of this Volume is on the potential of microbial hydrolytic enzymes and their metabolites in agroecosystem functioning. Subsequent chapters review topics such as microbial hydrolytic enzymes as powerful management tools, chitinases in IPM of agro-horticultural crops, metabolites as pesticides and the importance of the metabolites of entomopathogenic fungi, metabolites and virulence factors. Other topicas include: microbial-based nanoparticles, recombinant DNA technologies to improve the efficacy of microbial insecticides, the effects of entomopathogens on insect predators and parasitoids, and the management of major vegetable insect pests. This Volume provides detailed accounts on the safe use of microbial products for sustainable management of insect pests. Its aim is to build solid foundations for the students, teachers, and researchers interested in eco-friendly management of important insect crop pests.

Advances in computer power and observing systems has led to the generation and accumulation of large scale weather & climate data begging for exploration and analysis. Pattern Identification and Data Mining in Weather and Climate presents, from different perspectives, most available, novel and conventional, approaches used to analyze multivariate time series in climate science to identify patterns of variability, teleconnections, and reduce dimensionality. The book discusses different methods to identify patterns of spatiotemporal fields. The book also presents machine learning with a particular focus on the main methods used in climate science. Applications to atmospheric and oceanographic data are also presented and discussed in most chapters. To help guide students and beginners in the field of weather & climate data analysis, basic Matlab skeleton codes are given is some chapters, complemented with a list of software links toward the end of the text. A number of technical appendices are also provided, making the text particularly suitable for didactic purposes.The topic of EOFs and associated pattern identification in space-time data sets has gone through an extraordinary fast development, both in terms of new insights and the breadth of applications. We welcome this text by Abdel Hannachi who not only has a deep insight in the field but has himself made several contributions to new developments in the last 15 years. - Huug van den Dool, Climate Prediction Center, NCEP, College Park, MD, U.S.A.Now that weather and climate science is producing ever larger and richer data sets, the topic of pattern extraction and interpretation has become an essential part. This book provides an up to date overview of the latest techniques and developments in this area. - Maarten Ambaum, Department of Meteorology, University of Reading, U.K.This nicely and expertly written book covers a lot of ground, ranging from classical linear pattern identification techniques to more modern machine learning, illustrated with examples from weather & climate science. It will be very valuable both as a tutorial for graduate and postgraduate students and as a reference text for researchers and practitioners in the field. - Frank Kwasniok, College of Engineering, University of Exeter, U.K.

This edited book provides techniques which address various aspects of big data collection and analysis from social media platforms and beyond. It covers efficient compression of large networks, link prediction in hashtag graphs, visual exploration of social media data, identifying motifs in multivariate data, social media surveillance to enhance search and rescue missions, recommenders for collaborative filtering and safe travel plans to high risk destinations, analysis of cyber influence campaigns on YouTube, impact of location on business rating, bibliographical and co-authorship network analysis, and blog data analytics. All these trending topics form a major part of the state of the art in social media and big data analytics. Thus, this edited book may be considered as a valuable source for readers interested in grasping some of the most recent advancements in this high trending domain.

Plant breeders and geneticists are under constant pressure to sustain and expand food production by using innovative breeding strategies and introducing minor crops, which are well adapted to marginal lands, provide a source of nutrition, and have abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, to feed an ever-increasing human population. The basic concept of this book is to examine the use of innovative methods, augmenting traditional plant breeding, towards the improvement and development of new crop varieties, under the increasingly limiting environmental and cultivation factors, to achieve sustainable agricultural production and enhanced food security. Three volumes of the book series Advances in Plant Breeding Strategies were published in 2015, 2016 and 2018, respectively: Volume 1. Breeding, Biotechnology and Molecular Tools; Volume 2. Agronomic, Abiotic and Biotic Stress Traits and Volume 3. Fruits. In 2019, the following four volumes were published: Volume 4. Nut and Beverage Crops, Volume 5. Cereals, Volume 6. Industrial and Food Crops and Volume 7. Legumes. In 2021, three volumes are being concurrently published: Volume 8. Vegetable Crops: Bulbs, Roots and Tubers, Volume 9. Vegetable Crops: Fruits and Young Shoots and Volume 10. Vegetable Crops: Leaves, Flowerheads, Green Pods, Mushrooms and Truffles. This Volume 10, subtitled Vegetable Crops: Leaves, Flowerheads, Green Pods, Mushrooms and Truffles, consists of 14 chapters focusing on advances in breeding strategies using both traditional and modern approaches for the improvement of individual vegetable crops. Chapters are arranged in 4 parts according to the edible vegetable parts. Part I: Leaves - Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. var. pekinensis), Rocket salad (Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa Mill.), Spring onion (Allium fistulosum L.),Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk.) and Watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.); Pat II: Flowerheads and Green Pods - Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.), Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus L.), Garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) and Yardlong bean (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. ssp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc.); Part III: Mushrooms - Enoki mushroom (Flammulina velutipes (Curtis) Singer) and Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Sing.); Part IV: Truffles - Desert truffles (Terfezia spp.) and White truffle (Tuber magnatum Picco and T. borchii Vittad.). Each chapter comprehensively reviews the contemporary literature on the subject and reflects the experiences of the authors. Chapters are written by internationally-reputable scientists and subjected to a review process to assure quality presentation and scientific accuracy. Each chapter begins with an introduction covering related backgrounds and provides in-depth discussion of the subject supported with high-quality color photos, illustrations and relevant data. The chapter c

This book examines the development of innovative modern methodologies towards augmenting conventional plant breeding, in individual crops, for the production of new crop varieties under the increasingly limiting environmental and cultivation factors to achieve sustainable agricultural production, enhanced food security, in addition to providing raw materials for innovative industrial products and pharmaceuticals. This Volume 9, subtitled Vegetable Crops: Fruits and Young Shoots, consists of 12 chapters focusing on advances in breeding strategies using both traditional and modern approaches for the improvement of individual vegetable crops. Chapters are arranged in 2 parts according to the edible vegetable parts. Part I: Fruits - Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum Sendt.), Chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.), Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.), Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.), Eggplant (Solanum spp.), Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), Plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.), Sweet gourd (Cucurbita moschata Duch. ex Poir.), Melon (Cucumis melo L. Groups Dudaim and Flexuosus), Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) and Part II: Young shoots - Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.). The chapters were contributed by 43 internationally reputable scientists from 11 countries. Each chapter comprehensively reviews the modern literature on the subject and reflects the authors own experience.

This volume explores the challenges of sustaining long-term ecological research through a historical analysis of the Long Term Ecological Research Program created by the U.S. National Science Foundation in 1980. The book examines reasons for the creation of the Program, an overview of its 40-year history, and in-depth historical analysis of selected sites. Themes explored include the broader impact of this program on society, including its relevance to environmental policy and understanding global climate change, the challenge of extending ecosystem ecology into urban environments, and links to creative arts and humanities projects. A major theme is the evolution of a new type of network science, involving comparative studies, innovation in information management, creation of socio-ecological frameworks, development of governance structures, and formation of an International Long Term Ecological Research Network with worldwide reach. The book¿s themes will interest historians, philosophers and social scientists interested in ecological and environmental sciences, as well as researchers across many disciplines who are involved in long-term ecological research.