Bøger udgivet af Willford Press

A metallic element, compound or alloy is characterized by high structural strength, opacity to light, optical luster, malleability, ductility, and good thermal and electrical conductivity. Most pure metals are combined with one or more metallic or non-metallic components in varied proportions to achieve desired characteristics of structural hardness, resistance to corrosion, suitable color and luster. This combination of metals and other components results in the formation of alloys. The most commonly used alloys of iron are steel, stainless steel, cast iron, etc. are used in a variety of industries like construction, automobile industry, etc. Since the study of metals is fundamental to all areas of engineering. This book aims to expound some key concepts and theories related to the science of metals and alloys in detail and provide extensive information on their practical applications. With state-of-the-art inputs by acclaimed experts working in this field, this book is meant for materials scientists, engineers, experts and students.

Extreme sports are those sports activities which are associated with a high degree of risk. Participants in such sports are exposed to an increased risk of accidents or mishaps, which may also lead to death. The examples of extreme sports include mountaineering at high levels, proximity flying, rope free climbing, extreme skiing, waterfall kayaking, and big wave surfing. The major reason for participants taking part in these sports is the adrenaline rush. However, from the medical perspective, the high or rush that is obtained from the activity does not come from the adrenaline generated in response to fear, but it is the result of increased serotonin, endorphins and dopamine levels as a consequence of physical exertion. This book contains some path-breaking psychological studies on extreme sports. It aims to equip students and experts with the advanced topics and upcoming concepts in this area of psychology.

Positive psychology studies positive human functioning and success at various levels, including cultural, biological, personal, institutional, relational and universal dimensions of life. It places importance on developing positive self-image and self-esteem. It also involves the use of psychological interventions, which help in developing a positive attitude towards life events, individual traits, and subjective experiences of individuals. Positive psychology helps individuals in dealing with pathological or negative thoughts that are produced in a worried mental state. It also fosters optimism towards life. Positive psychology makes individuals focus on the positive influences and events in their life. These influences and events include positive states like compassion, resilience and gratitude; positive experiences like love, happiness, inspiration and joy; and the application of positive principles in an organization. From theories to research to practical applications, studies related to all contemporary topics of relevance to positive psychology have been included in this book. It will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.

Higher education refers to the tertiary education which leads to the award of an academic degree. It is provided through institutions such as colleges, universities, post-university schools and academies of study. The institutions of higher education may provide education or research facilities, or both. Higher level of education generally leads to better career opportunities as well as additional perks such as travel, healthcare and retirement pension. The major challenges associated with higher education are rising tuition costs and limited job opportunities. This leads to a low return on investment. Additionally, a low quality higher education may also increase the chances of unemployment. This book aims to shed light on the problems and opportunities associated with higher education. A number of latest researches have been included to keep the readers up-to-date with the global concepts in this area of study. The book will serve as a valuable source of reference for graduate and postgraduate students.

South America has a diverse linguistic heritage. Thousands of dialects and languages have been catalogued in this region, including all those that arose since the European invasion. The Arawakan language family, Macro-Ge and Carib, Chibchan, the Tupi-Guarani language family, Tucanoan, Quechuan and Panoan are some of the major language families in South America. The most widely spoken languages in South America include Portuguese, Guarani, Spanish, English, Quechua, and Aymara. South American languages are extremely diverse in terms of vocabulary, phonology, and grammar. The Guarani language is a member of the Tupi-Guarani language family and is spoken in multiple countries of South America such as Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil. It is classified as a polysynthetic language and its morphology majorly uses agglutination. This book is compiled in such a manner, that it will provide in-depth knowledge about the phonology, morphosyntax, and semantics of South American languages. It will provide comprehensive knowledge to the readers.

Sustainable tourism is a type of tourism that has more positive effects than negative effects on the environment. It encompasses providing a positive tourism experience while taking into account the considerations for environmental, economic and social issues. It focuses on three major areas, namely, improving tourist experiences, meeting the needs of host communities, and seeking to decrease the detrimental effects of tourism activities. Sustainable tourism takes into account its present and future environmental, economic and social effects by addressing the demands of its local communities and ecological surroundings. The economic growth and preservation of protected areas and regional communities is one of the fundamental tenets of sustainable tourism. Its main objective is to develop and implement effective strategies that maximize tourist potentials, are environment friendly, and are economically beneficial. The topics included in this handbook on sustainable tourism are of utmost significance and bound to provide incredible insights to the readers. It is a resource guide for experts as well as students.

Astrophysics is a branch of space science, wherein the laws of physics and chemistry are applied in order to understand the universe and its components. Spectral line shape refers to the shape of a feature observed in spectroscopy that represents an energy change in an ion, atom or molecule. The shapes and widths of spectral lines are effective instruments for absorbing and emitting gas diagnostics in various astrophysical objects. The absorption and emission lines of astrophysical objects are formed in a variety of kinematical and physical circumstances and at a distance from the observer. Data on spectral lines and their profiles is crucial for modeling, diagnostics and analysis of laser development and design, fusion plasma, and plasma produced through laser. It is also important for various plasmas in technologies such as the piercing and welding of metals by laser-produced plasma and plasma based light sources. This book provides comprehensive insights into the theory of spectral line shapes in astrophysics. Also included herein is a detailed explanation of the various roles and applications of spectral line shapes in astrophysics. This book is a vital tool for all researching and studying this area of astrophysics.

Fluid flow refers to the motion of a fluid under the influence of various unbalanced forces. It primarily belongs to a branch of fluid mechanics that is typically concerned with the dynamics of fluids. Heat transfer is a field of thermal engineering that focuses on the consumption, exchange, generation and conversion of thermal energy among physical systems. It is divided into several mechanisms, including thermal radiation, thermal conduction, thermal convection and transmission of energy through phase changes. Fluid flow and heat transfer are critical components of engineering process design. Heat transfer into a fluid leads to the development of an equilibrium temperature under constant flow, which requires the solution of the Navier-Stokes equations. This book includes some of the vital pieces of works being conducted across the world on fluid flow and heat transfer. It will also provide interesting topics for research, which interested readers can take up. This book is a resource guide for experts as well as students.

Fluid dynamics is a branch of fluid mechanics, which describes the flow of fluids including gases and liquids. It focuses on the study of movements of fluids, including the interactions that occur when two fluids are exposed to one another. There are many subfields of fluid dynamics such as hydrodynamics and aerodynamics. Fluid dynamics plays an important role in the study of ocean tides, plate tectonics, planet evolution, weather patterns and blood circulation. Wind turbines, air conditioning systems, rocket engines and oil pipelines are some of the significant technological uses of fluid dynamics. It also has several engineering applications such as refrigerators and air conditioners, hydraulic equipment, automobiles, hydroelectric power plants, nuclear power plants, and thermal power plants. This book aims to shed light on some of the unexplored engineering applications of fluid dynamics and the recent researches in this field. It elucidates new techniques and their applications in a multidisciplinary manner. This book includes contributions of experts and scientists, which will provide innovative insights into this field.

Robotic systems are those systems, which interact with their surroundings using actuators, sensors and human interfaces, and provide intelligent services and information. Mechatronics is a superset of robotic technologies and is defined as an interdisciplinary branch of engineering, which combines concepts from various disciplines including electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, and robotics. The model of mechatronics system is made up of two interacting submodels, which include a submodel describing the aspects of information flow in the control system and another one describing the aspects of energy flow in the physical system. This book contains some path-breaking studies on mechatronic and robotic systems. It is a collective contribution of a renowned group of international experts. In this book, using studies and examples, constant effort has been made to make the understanding of the difficult concepts of these systems as easy and informative as possible, for the readers.

Mobile robots are automatic machines capable of moving without human intervention and performing certain actions. Mobile robotics is an emerging discipline of robotics and information technology that deals with the development of mobile robots. It is solution-oriented discipline, which involves the application of concepts from information technology, engineering science, artificial intelligence and cognitive sciences. Designing a mobile robot requires designing the different mechanical parts and developing a control system for the robot. Mobile robots are used in medical facilities to move patients, assist with surgical procedures, gather and transport supplies, and disinfect rooms. In agriculture, farmers use mobile robots for maintaining, measuring and harvesting fresh produce. This book traces the progress of the field of mobile robotics and highlights some of its key design concepts, methods and applications. It strives to provide a fair idea about this discipline and help develop a better understanding of the latest advances within this field. As this field is emerging at a rapid pace, the contents of this book will help the readers understand the modern concepts and applications of the subject.

Information geometry refers to an interdisciplinary field that studies probability theory and statistics by using methods of differential geometry. It is a general framework of dual affine connected with Riemannian manifolds. Information geometry involves the study of decision-making by using geometry which also includes modeling-fitting and pattern matching. It offers a novel approach that can be applied in many fields including physical and information sciences. Its primary goal is to research the geometrical structures that can be presented in the manifold connected with a set of probability distributions of a statistical model. Information geometry is also used to measure the degree of information integration among various terminals of a causal dynamical system. This book aims to shed light on the theory and applications of information geometry. It will also provide interesting topics for research, which interested readers can take up. This book is a resource guide for experts as well as students.

Orthogonal polynomials are a family of polynomials, wherein any two different polynomials in the sequence are orthogonal to each other under some inner product. Classical orthogonal polynomials, Hermite polynomials, Laguerre polynomials, Jacobi polynomials, and Gegenbauer polynomials are a few examples of orthogonal polynomials. These polynomials are used for least square approximations of a function, difference equations, and Fourier series. Another major application of orthogonal polynomials is error-correcting code and sphere packing. Orthogonal polynomials and special functions are useful mathematical functions, which have applications in various fields such as mathematical physics, statistics and probability, and engineering. These can be used to explain many physical and chemical phenomena. This book traces the recent studies in orthogonal polynomials and special functions. A number of latest researches have been included to keep the readers updated with the latest concepts in this area of study. With state-of-the-art inputs by acclaimed experts of mathematics, this book targets students and professionals.

An integral transform maps a function from its original function space onto another function space by integration in which some of the features of the original function could be easier to manipulate and characterize than in the original function space. The function which is transformed can be traced back to the original function generally, through the inverse transform. An integral transform traces an equation from the original domain in the other domain; where solving and manipulating the equation is much easier as compared to the original domain. Operational calculus is a method which transforms differential equations into algebraic problems. The theory of integral transformations and related operational calculus has applications in a variety of fields including physical sciences, engineering, mathematical sciences, statistics and chemical sciences. This book explores all the important aspects of integral transformations and operational calculus. It is meant for students who are looking for an elaborate reference text on the theory and applications of integral transformations and operational calculus.

High voltage engineering is the science of planning, testing and operating high voltage electrical devices, as well as designing insulation coordination to ensure the steady operation of the power network. It ensures that the consumers situated far from the power generation units have access to electrical energy. A higher voltage results in improved efficiency and reduces loss of electricity during transmission over long distances. High voltage engineering optimizes and develops the operating properties of internal and exterior insulators. It is concerned with the proper operation, application and the practical use of high voltages and high fields. Furthermore, it studies the properties of materials used for electrical insulation for estimating their performance under high stress during their life span under various physical conditions. The stress on the insulation caused by the electric field serves as the foundation for the design of high voltage equipment, where magnitude of the stress depends on the type of voltage. This book contains some path-breaking studies in the field of high voltage engineering. Researchers and students in this field will be assisted by it.

The Internet of things (IoT) refers to the physical objects equipped with software, sensors, processing ability, and other technologies. They communicate and share data with other systems and devices through the Internet or other communication networks. IoT has a wide variety of practical applications ranging from business IoT and consumer IoT to industrial and manufacturing IoT. 5G wireless networks can be utilized to connect a large number of IoT devices, and meet its high communication requirements, even when the objects are in motion. 5G has three features that are helpful for supporting specific components of IoT, which include ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), and massive machine type communications (mMTC). This book elucidates the concepts and innovative models around prospective developments with respect to Internet of things and sensor networks in 5G wireless communications. It will provide interesting topics for research, which interested readers can take up. This book is a resource guide for experts as well as students.

Digital banking refers to a type of banking conducted through digital platforms, which eliminates the need of any paperwork such as demand drafts, cheques, or pay-in slips. It entails the digitization of maximum number of traditional banking operations, products, and procedures in order to serve consumers through online channels. The development of new products, services, financial instruments, markets, and institutions is referred to as financial innovation. Lately, varieties of financial innovations have taken place in terms of financial instruments, technology, and payment systems. Financial innovations encompass the technological advancements, which are helping banks broaden their services and satisfy the new expectations of their customers. This book presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe on digital banking revolution and financial innovation. It will also provide interesting topics for research, which interested readers can take up. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.

Mathematical finance refers to a branch of applied mathematics concerned with the application of mathematics and mathematical modeling for solving financial problems and modeling financial markets. It is also known as quantitative finance and financial mathematics. The field combines tools from probability, statistics and stochastic processes with economic theory. There are various applications of mathematical finance, including risk management, data mining, stock trading, econometrics, forecasting, inventory management, marketing, and investing strategies. Risk management is one of the major applications of mathematical finance that helps in the identification and management of financial risks. Mathematical finance is used to mine financial data, which helps to manage financial risks and reduce expenses by recognizing the anomalies and patterns in data. It is used across several industries, such as manufacturing, banking, retail and technology for making predictions based on data. This book traces the progress of mathematical finance and highlights some of its key theories, tools and applications. It aims to present researches that have transformed this discipline and aided its advancement. With state-of-the-art inputs by acclaimed experts of this field, this book targets students and professionals.

Corporate bankruptcy forecasting is a vast area of finance and accounting research that seeks to predict bankruptcy and various measures of financial distress in public firms. It is an important indicator, which assists the investors and policy makers in taking proactive measures to minimize the impact of bankruptcies. In modern economies, banks, retail investors, institutional investors and lenders keep searching for information that can forecast financial distress in public firms. Bankruptcy prediction helps in better allocation of resources. It helps in highlighting the issues in businesses to provide business managers with additional time for taking corrective measures to avoid bankruptcy. In recent years, researchers have developed machine learning algorithms, which use financial ratios for the prediction of bankruptcy. This book outlines the key concepts of bankruptcy prediction in detail. A number of latest researches have been included to keep the readers up-to-date with the global concepts in this area of study.

Managerial economics refers to a subfield of economics that deals with the use of economic methods in managerial decision-making process. It examines the internal and external factors that influence an organization. Managerial economics seeks to solve issues by using micro and macroeconomic tools. It plays an important role in assisting the businesses in identifying their strengths and weaknesses. Managerial economics assists businesses in determining where they excel and where they fall short. A business strategy is a plan that assists a business in achieving its objectives. It comprises strategies for various functions such as operations, marketing, and finance. Some of the key elements for building an effective business strategy include business objective, core values, SWOT analysis, operational strategies, and measurement. Managerial economics provides the baseline macroeconomic forecasts that drive sales and earnings projections, which are critical for making strategic business plans. This book explores all the important aspects of managerial economics and business strategy in the present day scenario. A number of latest researches have been included to keep the readers up-to-date with the global concepts in this area of study.

Amides refer to functional groups wherein a carbonyl carbon atom is connected by a single bond to a nitrogen atom, and either a hydrogen or a carbon atom. An amide bond refers to a type of peptide bond. The condensation of an amine and a carboxylic acid is the most common process for the creation of this type of bond. The high stability of amide bonds is due to their tendency to create a resonating structure which gives a double bond character to the amide CO-N bond. It also leads to a decrease in the rotation around the peptide bond. The creation of amide bonds is a fundamental reaction in chemistry that is used in the synthesis of polymers, peptides and food additives. Inert amide bonds can be activated through acyl, acyl addition, radical and decarbonylative pathways. This book aims to shed light on the concepts and reactions of amide bond activation. It presents researches and studies performed by experts across the globe. The extensive content of this book provides the readers with a thorough understanding of the subject.

Supply chain management (SCM) involves the management of the flow of goods or supplies through the different stages of a production cycle. All organizations that execute projects or produce goods (or provide services) use SCM. Its main function is to ensure a steady flow of resources required for a project or production activities. An efficient supply chain is essential for organizations of all types. However, it is extremely essential for manufacturing businesses. The factors which make supply chain management important for the manufacturing industry include increased complexity of the products; shift in brand behavior due to which they no longer build their own products; and the enhanced use of technology in the manufacturing processes. Due to these factors, manufacturers must have an efficient SCM system. This book is a compilation of chapters that discuss the most vital concepts and emerging trends in the field of supply chain management with a specific focus on the manufacturing processes. It consists of contributions made by international experts. The book will serve as a valuable source of reference for graduate and postgraduate students.

Supply chain management (SCM) deals with the management of materials and information across the entire supply chain. SCM majorly focuses on three areas, namely, information flow, inventory management and production management. Businesses must develop and optimize techniques for managing inventory and production throughout their supply chains. Inventory management is an area of management that deals with the control of the entire stock of a company. Inventory control and warehouse management are parts of the overall inventory management process. The movement of items within a warehouse comes under the purview of inventory control whereas managing the stock at a specific location falls under warehouse management. Production management or operations management is a management area that involves planning, organizing, directing and controlling all the activities of production. This book provides comprehensive insights on inventory and production management in supply chains. A number of latest researches have been included to keep the readers up-to-date with the global concepts in this area of study. The book aims to serve as a resource guide for students and experts alike.

Ergonomics refers to a branch of science that strives to understand human capabilities and limitations. It emphasizes on improving the knowledge related to the interaction of people with environments, products and systems. It involves arranging and designing systems, workplaces and products so that they are appropriate for the users. The aim of ergonomics is to reduce the risk of work-related discomfort and injury. There are three main ergonomic stressors that are used while analyzing a job, which include any stationary or difficult working postures used to complete a task, the repetitiveness of a task, and the force needed to execute a task. The usage of appropriate ergonomics keeps workers healthy, whether it be a desk job or a job requiring physical labor. This book provides comprehensive insights into the field of ergonomics. Also included herein is a detailed explanation of its role in improving system performance and human well-being. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.

Chemical analysis is a process that involves determining the physical properties or chemical composition of samples of matter. In the field of analytical chemistry, various techniques are used for detecting, identifying, characterizing and quantifying chemical compounds. Mass spectrometry is an important technique of chemical analysis that is used extensively in proteomics for detecting and identifying molecules according to their masses. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is another analytical technique used to separate, identify and quantify the different components of a mixture according to different characteristics such as size of the components and their affinity for a ligand. Calorimetry is yet another chemical analysis technique used in drug design, quality control and metabolic rate examination. This book provides significant information of analytical chemistry to help develop a good understanding of the different chemical analysis procedures. A number of latest researches have been included to keep the readers updated with the global concepts in this area of study. This book is a vital tool for all researching or studying chemical analysis procedures as it gives incredible insights into emerging methods and techniques.

Entrepreneurship policies refer to those policies which promote individuals operating independently in a business to engage in economically and socially beneficial activities. These policies are aimed at lowering the barriers for creating businesses. In addition, one of the major objectives of entrepreneurial policies and strategies is to enhance the entrepreneurial activity to a socially optimal level. Policies can be implemented directly to address the needs of entrepreneurs, such as business assistance programs or indirectly by making necessary changes in education policy. Some strategies to achieve success for first-time entrepreneurs involves making a preliminary plan, establishing strong relationships, and visually arranging ideas. This book provides significant information of this discipline to help develop a good understanding of entrepreneurial policies and strategies. It is an essential guide for both academicians and those who wish to study policies related to entrepreneurship in further detail.

Global transformation refers to a real-change process that affects political, economic and cultural structures at the regional, national and global levels. This transformation involves a complex combination of progressive ideas, industrialization and rational state-building. Global transformations marked the change from the modern era to the most recent stage of globalization, when the wave of global relationships and flows increased significantly and qualitatively altered the basic forms of social activities such as cultural, economic and political activities. Globalization has many political impacts, including a decrease in hegemony and illegal control of nations. Other political effects include increased liberty, transformation of political theories in domestic and international context, and involvement of new political actors, which result in expansion of political culture. The topics included in this book on the politics and economics of global transformations are of utmost significance and bound to provide incredible insights to readers. Its extensive content provides the readers with a thorough understanding of the subject.

Financial derivatives are financial instruments that derive their value from underlying assets such as stocks, bonds, commodities and currencies. Financial market for trading derivatives is known as derivatives market. There are four major types of financial derivatives including futures, options, forwards and swaps. Hedgers and speculators use derivative products to take advantage of the market fluctuations. Derivatives are used primarily for one of two purposes, namely, mitigating risk (hedging) or assuming risk in expectation of commensurate reward (speculation). Investors choose financial derivatives to deal with market volatility, take advantage of arbitrage opportunities, and to access different markets and assets. The type of derivative contract wherein the buyer and seller enter into an agreement to fix the quantity and price of an asset is called a future contract. The objective of this book is to give a general view of the different areas of financial derivatives including markets and their applications. Those in search of information to further their knowledge will be greatly assisted by this book.

The application of information technology in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sector is referred to as tourism technology. It enables the tourists to schedule the trips and track the flights. They also have an instant access to all the necessary information about their destination on a single platform due to the Internet. Technologies such as voice search and voice control, smart phones, smart speakers, voice controlled devices, AI assistants, and IoT have helped tourism customers in obtaining information without the need for human interaction. Robotic technology also plays a crucial role in assisting and enhancing the travel experience. Robots are being used to greet guests on arrival, and provide information and food service. This book includes some of the vital pieces of works being conducted across the world, on various topics related to the application of technology in tourism industry. It will help the readers in keeping pace with the rapid changes in the field of tourism and hotel management.

Fractional calculus is a branch of mathematical analysis that studies the different possibilities of defining real number powers or complex number powers of the differentiation operator and the integration operator. It also focuses on developing a calculus for such operators generalizing the classical one. Fractional differential equations are a generalization of differential equations through the application of fractional calculus. They are also referred to as extraordinary differential equations. They are widely used in various disciplines such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, mechanics, control theory, signal and image processing, and environmental science. Most of the computational tools do not have in-built functions for solving fractional differential equations or differential equations having non-integer order. However, there are certain numerical methods for solving fractional-order problems such as certain MATLAB routines. This book provides a broad overview of the numerical methods used for solving fractional differential equations. It will serve as a valuable source of reference for students and mathematics researchers.