LITMIR.BIZ

A behind-the-scenes exposure why our electricity system is headed for a state of emergency-and what can be done to head it off Most people don't realize that skyrocketing global energy demand and economic growth severely affect the supply of electricity. Between production (power plants) and delivery is an antiquated, «third-world» transmission grid that is in desperate need of hardening against breakdowns, terrorist attacks, inadequate carrying capacity, and operational obsolescence. And while electricity doesn't hold the headlines or dramatic power of oil, the ability to ensure its uninterrupted supply at a reasonable price is even more essential to global survival and prosperity. Lights Out is today's most detailed, in-depth examination of this largely unreported looming energy crisis. Written by one of the world's top electricity industry experts, this powerful book covers numerous hot button economic and political issues-free markets versus regulation; energy independence versus foreign imports; nuclear power, global warming, and other environmental issues; and much more. Beyond just uncovering and illuminating the problems, however, it proposes a comprehensive road map of technical solutions and regulatory reform from both the production and demand sides of the equation-a framework for rethinking, rebuilding, and enhancing the entire electricity production and delivery infrastructure. Prescriptive and provocative, Lights Out will redefine the simmering debate on how the world can-and must-act now to head off a global catastrophe, one that could eventually wreak even more havoc than the ongoing oil crisis. Jason Makansi is the President of Pearl Street, Inc., a consulting firm; Principal of PS Liquidity Advisors, an advisory service for energy technology companies raising capital; and Executive Director of the Energy Storage Council, a public-policy advocacy organization. A prolific author, respected industry thought leader, and seasoned communicator, Mr. Makansi has been analyzing the technological, business, and regulatory issues in electricity production and delivery for over twenty-five years. He earned a BS in chemical engineering from Columbia University. His earlier books include An Investor’s Guide to the Electricity Economy, also published by John Wiley & Sons, and Managing Steam: An Engineering Guide to Commercial, Industrial, and Utility Systems.

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A proven framework to fill the gap between «knowing» and «doing» Training Reinforcement offers expert guidance for more effective training outcomes. Last year, US companies spent over $165 Billon on training; while many training programs themselves provide valuable skills and concepts, even the best-designed programs are ineffective because the learned behaviors are not reinforced. Without reinforcement, learned information gets shuffled to the back of the mind in the «nice to know» file, never again to see the light of day. This book bridges the canyon between learning and doing by providing solid reinforcement strategies. Written by a former Olympic athlete and corporate training guru, this methodology works with human behavior rather than against it; you'll learn where traditional training methods fail, and how to fill those gaps with proven techniques that help training «stick.» There's a difference between «telling» and «teaching,» and that difference is reinforcement. Learned skills and behaviors cannot be truly effective until they are engrained, and they can only become engrained through use, encouragement, and measureable progress. This book provides a robust reinforcement framework that adds long-term value to any training program. Close the 5 Reinforcement Gaps and master the 3 Phases for results Create friction and direction while providing the perfect Push-Pull Follow the Reinforcement Flow to maintain consistency and effectiveness Create measureable behavior change by placing the participant central to the process Reinforcing training means more than simple repetition and reminders, and effective reinforcement requires a careful balance of independence and oversight. Training Reinforcement provides a ready-made blueprint with proven results, giving trainers and managers an invaluable resource for leading behavioral change.

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Provides a modern, practical approach to the understanding and measurement procedures relevant to the fracture of brittle materials This book examines the testing and analysis of the fracture of brittle materials. Expanding on the measurement and analysis methodology contained in the first edition, it covers the relevant measurements (toughness and strength), material types, fracture mechanics, measurement techniques, reliability and lifetime predictions, microstructural considerations, and material/test selection processes appropriate for the analysis of the fracture behavior of brittle materials. The Fracture of Brittle Materials: Testing and Analysis, Second Edition summarizes the concepts behind the selection of a test procedure for fracture toughness and strength, and goes into detail on how the statistics of fracture can be used to assure reliability. It explains the importance of the role of microstructure in these determinations and emphasizes the use of fractographic analysis as an important tool in understanding why a part failed. The new edition includes a significant quantity of material related to the fracture of biomaterials, and features two new chapters—one on thermal shock, the other on the modeling of the fracture process. It also expands on a discussion of how to treat the statistics of fracture strength data to ensure reliability. Provides practical analysis of fracture toughness and strength Introduces the engineering and materials student to the basic concepts necessary for analyzing brittle fracture Contains new statistical analysis procedures to allow for the prediction of the safe design of brittle components Contains real-world examples to assist the reader in applying the concepts to their own research, material development, and quality-control needs The Fracture of Brittle Materials: Testing and Analysis, Second Edition is an important resource for all students, technicians, engineers, scientists, and researchers involved in the study, analysis, creation, or testing of ceramics.

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The use of biological sources such as microbes and plants can help in synthesizing nanoparticles in a reliable and eco-friendly way. The synthesis of nanoparticles by these natural sources is characterized by processes that take place near to ambient temperature and pressures and also near neutral pH. This edited volume authored by subject specialists, provides all the latest research and builds a database of bioreduction agents to various metal nanoparticles using different precursor systems. The book also highlights the different strategies such as simplicity, cost-effectiveness, environment-friendly and easily scalable, and includes parameters for controlling the size and shape of the materials developed from the various greener methods. In order to exploit the utmost potential metal nanoparticles synthesis from the different sources such as agricultural waste, flora and fauna, food waste, microbes and biopolymer systems, it is also crucial to recognize the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of production of nanoparticles and their characterization.

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A groundbreaking text that highlights the various sources, applications and advancements concerning proteins from novel and traditional sources Novel Proteins for Food, Pharmaceuticals and Agriculture offers a guide to the various sources, applications, and advancements that exist and are currently being researched concerning proteins from novel and traditional sources. The contributors—noted experts in the field—discuss sustainable protein resources and include illustrative examples of bioactive compounds isolated from several resources that have or could obtain high market value in specific markets. The text also explores a wide range of topics such as functional food formulations and pharmaceutical applications, and how they alter biological activity to provide therapeutic benefits, nutritional values and health protection. The authors also examine the techno-functional applications of proteins and looks at the screening process for identification of bioactive molecules derived from protein sources. In addition, the text provides insight into the market opportunities that exist for novel proteins such as insect, by-product derived, macroalgal and others. The authors also discuss the identification and commercialization of new proteins for various markets. This vital text: Puts the focus on the various sources, applications and advancements concerning proteins from novel and traditional sources Contains a discussion on how processing technologies currently applied to dairy could be applied to novel protein sources such as insect and macroalgal Reviews the sustainability of protein sources and restrictions that exist concerning development Offers ideas for creating an innovative and enterprising economy that is built on recent developments Details the potential to exploit key market opportunities in sports, infant and elderly nutrition and techno-functional protein applications Written for industrial researchers as well as PhD and Post-doctoral researchers, and undergraduate students studying biochemistry, food engineering and biological sciences and those interested in market developments, Novel Proteins for Food, Pharmaceuticals and Agriculture offers an essential guide to the sources, applications and most recent developments of the proteins from both innovative and traditional sources.

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This book provides the most up-to-date knowledge on water in soils and applications for the best use of our water resources. It first addresses the influence of soils on water quality, which is linked to rock weathering, soil formation, acidity and waterlogging. Here, the constituents of soils – such as clay minerals and iron oxides – play a major role. These modifications also have an impact on biogeochemical processes at the global scale, including the carbon cycle and the composition of the atmosphere. Secondly, this book discusses soil salinity, alkalinity and sodification in climates spanning from Mediterranean to arid. Here, water quality results from the concentration of solutes by evaporation and the transpiration of plants. The proper management of irrigation both protects soils against acidification and ensures sustainable agroecological development, while improper management leads to soil degradation and groundwater overexploitation. Lastly, the book describes how excess transfer of phosphorus in lakes results from a cascade of liberation and immobilization in the structure of the surrounding landscape. This leads to a general integrative method to limit eutrophication and restore the quality of water bodies.

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This book invites the reader to look differently at two seemingly mundane resources: soil and water. Water possesses extraordinary properties which form the foundations of life itself. Without water, there would be no life, and without soils, no terrestrial life. The interaction between soils and water is therefore fundamental to the habitability of Earth’s land surface. Through in-depth analyses and experimentation, Soils as a Key Component of the Critical Zone 3 explores the circulation of water in soils. Through its properties, soil directs the path of water, leading it to wet soils or not, be absorbed by plants, infiltrate or runoff, concentrate in certain areas or flood. The potentially catastrophic consequences of such floods are often due to the absence or insufficiency of prevention measures. This book thus shows the ways in which the relationship between water, life and soils is much more than a simple series of interactions or phenomena at interfaces and in fact constitutes a system with definite properties.

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