This book explores the beneficial impact of pedagogically updated practices and approaches in the teaching of science concepts as well as elaborates on future challenges and emerging issues that address Science and Technology Education. By pointing out new research directions it informs educational practices and bridges the gap between research and practice providing information, ideas and new …
The physics of condensed matter, in contrast to quantum physics or cosmology, is not traditionally associated with deep philosophical questions. However, as science - largely thanks to more powerful computers - becomes capable of analysing and modelling ever more complex many-body systems, basic questions of philosophical relevance arise. Questions about the emergence of structure, the nature o…
This book presents two practical physical attacks. It shows how attackers can reveal the secret key of symmetric as well as asymmetric cryptographic algorithms based on these attacks, and presents countermeasures on the software and the hardware level that can help to prevent them in the future. Though their theory has been known for several years now, since neither attack has yet been successf…
Intended to introduce readers to the use of artificial neural networks in the study of music, this volume contains numerous case studies and research findings that address problems related to identifying scales, keys, classifying musical chords, and learning jazz chord progressions. A detailed analysis of the internal structure of trained networks could yield important contributions to the fiel…
The success of a BCI system depends as much on the system itself as on the user’s ability to produce distinctive EEG activity. BCI systems can be divided into two groups according to the placement of the electrodes used to detect and measure neurons firing in the brain. These groups are: invasive systems, electrodes are inserted directly into the cortex are used for single cell or multi unit …
This book is made up of contributions dealing with heritage stones from different countries around the world. The stones are described, as well as their use in vernacular and contemporaneous architecture. Heritage stones are those stones that have special significance in human culture. Examples include some very important stones that have been either neglected because they are no longer extract…
This book describes ten of the most promising brain-computer-interface (BCI) projects to have emerged in recent years. BCI research is developing quickly, with many new ideas, research groups, and improved technologies. BCIs enable people to communicate just by thinking – without any movement at all. Several different groups have helped severely disabled users communicate with BCIs, and BCI t…
Nucleation is the key event in mineralisation, but a general molecular understanding of phase separation mechanisms is still missing, despite more than 100 years of research in this field. In recent years, many studies have highlighted the occurrence of precursors and intermediates, which seem to challenge the assumptions underlying classical theories of nucleation and growth. This is especiall…
Stemming from a 2012 conference entitled Brain Degenerations and Emerging Mental Health Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, this book is aimed at both the general practitioner interested in CNS disorders, and the specialist who would like to know more about CNS pathology in Africa. By employing a broad defi nition of what brain degeneration means, the authors are able to touch upon everything fro…
Optimal nutrition is fundamental for enhancing training, recovery and performance in sport. Therefore, research has aimed to determine the efficacy of appropriate intake of nutrients, fluids, and supplements and their role in exercise performance. The purpose of this Special Issue entitled “Nutrition, Health and Athletic Performance” is to highlight recent research examining aspects of spor…