Download or read book Entropy Principle for the Development of Complex Biotic Systems written by Ichiro Aoki and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2012-01-19 with total page 119 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The concept of entropy in thermodynamics is a complex one, though it is fundamental in understanding physics, the workings of the mind, and biology. Entropy is the measure of the quality of energy, and it can also refer to the turn from order to disorder or randomness in isolated systems. In open systems, such as biology, entropy is formulated in terms of production and energy flow. This book establishes a novel view of complex biological systems and the earth using this concept of entropy, encompassing the interdisciplinary area of biology, ecology and physics. This book considers the development over time of a range of biologically complex systems such as plants, animals, humans, and ecosystems, describing them in terms of the second law of thermodynamics, entropy. With its broad coverage of biological systems, this book will be useful for students of environmental science as well as students in biology and physics. Includes discussion of multiple complex systems including the earth and biological systems within it. Suitable for those with little physics background who wish to learn how the laws of physics apply to ecological systems. Clearly organized by system, making information easy to access.
Download or read book From Randomness and Entropy to the Arrow of Time written by Lena Zuchowski and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2024-03-06 with total page 82 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Element reconstructs, analyses and compares different derivational routes to a grounding of the Arrow of Time in entropy. It also evaluates the link between entropy and visible disorder, and the related claim of an alignment of the Arrow of Time with a development from order to visible disorder. The Element identifies three different entropy-groundings for the Arrow of Time: (i) the Empirical Arrow of Time, (ii) the Universal Statistical Arrow of Time, and (iii) the Local Statistical Arrow of Time. The Element will also demonstrate that it is unlikely that high entropy states will always coincide with visible disorder. Therefore, it will dispute that there is a strong link between the Arrow of Time and visible disorder.
Download or read book The Sustainable City IX written by N. Marchettini and published by WIT Press. This book was released on 2014-09-23 with total page 1767 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Containing the proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Urban Regeneration and Sustainability this book addresses the multi-disciplinary aspects of urban planning; a result of the increasing size of cities; the amount of resources and services required and the complexity of modern society. Most of earth’s population now lives in cities and the process of urbanisation still continues generating many problems deriving from the drift of the population towards them. These problems can be resolved by cities becoming efficient habitats, saving resources in a way that improves the quality and standard of living. The process however, faces a number of major challenges, related to reducing pollution, improving main transportation and infrastructure systems. New urban solutions are required to optimise the use of space and energy resources leading to improvements in the environment, i.e. reduction in air, water and soil pollution as well as efficient ways to deal with waste generation. These challenges contribute to the development of social and economic imbalances and require the development of new solutions. Large cities are probably the most complex mechanisms to manage. However, despite such complexity they represent a fertile ground for architects, engineers, city planners, social and political scientists, and other professionals able to conceive new ideas and time them according to technological advances and human requirements. The challenge of planning sustainable cities lies in considering their dynamics, the exchange of energy and matter, and the function and maintenance of ordered structures directly or indirectly, supplied and maintained by natural systems. Topics covered include: Urban strategies; Planning, development and management; Urban conservation and regeneration; The community and the city; Eco-town planning; Landscape planning and design; Environmental management; Sustainable energy and the city; Transportation; Quality of life; Waterfront development; Case studies; Architectural issues; Cultural heritage issues; Intelligent environment and emerging technologies; Planning for risk; Disaster and emergency response; Safety and security; Waste management; Infrastructure and society; Urban metabolism.
Download or read book The Divine for Critical Minds Inquiry Into God s Existence written by Dr. Rehan Zaidi and published by A Rumi Place Publication. This book was released on 2022-06 with total page 569 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This work skeptically tackles a wide array of subjects relating to the existence of God through a stringent methodology that requires readers to take nothing for granted, question their foundational assumptions, and keep an open mind - all hallmarks of a rigorous, scientific approach.
Download or read book Numerical Ecology written by P. Legendre and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2012-07-21 with total page 1007 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The book describes and discusses the numerical methods which are successfully being used for analysing ecological data, using a clear and comprehensive approach. These methods are derived from the fields of mathematical physics, parametric and nonparametric statistics, information theory, numerical taxonomy, archaeology, psychometry, sociometry, econometry and others. - An updated, 3rd English edition of the most widely cited book on quantitative analysis of multivariate ecological data - Relates ecological questions to methods of statistical analysis, with a clear description of complex numerical methods - All methods are illustrated by examples from the ecological literature so that ecologists clearly see how to use the methods and approaches in their own research - All calculations are available in R language functions
Download or read book Ecological Modeling written by Hsiao-Hsuan Wang and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2019-08-14 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ecological Modeling: An Introduction to the Art and Science of Modeling Ecological Systems, Volume 31, presents the skills needed to appropriately evaluate and use ecological models. Illustrated throughout with practical examples, the book discusses ecological modeling as both an art and a science, balancing the qualitative (artistic) side, with its foundations in common sense and modeling practice, against the quantitative (scientific) aspects of the modeling process. This book draws on the authors’ extensive experience in both teaching and using these techniques to provide readers with a practical, user-friendly guide that supports and encourages the appropriate, effective use of these tools. Provides readers with a commonsense understanding of the systems perspective and its foundations in general system theory Highlights the importance of a solid understanding of the qualitative aspects of the modeling process Facilitates the ability to appropriately evaluate and use ecological models Supports learning with a variety of simple examples to instill the desire and confidence to embark upon the modeling experience
Download or read book The Water Energy Food Nexus written by Brenda Cansino-Loeza and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2023-11-03 with total page 455 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Optimization Models for Decision Making covers the discussion about water, energy, and food as a crucial resource for human well-being and for sustainable development. These resources are inextricable interrelated, therefore, to cover water, energy, and food demands in different sectors and at different scales, it must be considered several sources to produce resources even conventional or unconventional, and there must be considered the interlinkages of resources for a proper integration. This book will emphasize several issues that must be considered in the design of water-energy-food nexus systems such as the selection of technologies to produce water or energy, size of technologies and food required to cover nutritional demands. Therefore, in The Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Optimization Models for Decision Making, mathematical models are presented for the design of water-energy-food nexus systems involving several strategies to account for issues like sustainable development, security of resources, interest in conflicts from stakeholders, and efficient allocation of resources. - Includes different optimization models for the integration of water-energy-food nexus - Considers sustainability criteria in the presented models - Helps readers understand different approaches for trade-off solutions - Presents general software that can be used in solving different problems
Download or read book Models of the Ecological Hierarchy written by Ferenc Jordan and published by Newnes. This book was released on 2012-11-29 with total page 596 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Based on selected papers covering the presentations at the 7th European Conference on Ecological Modelling, organized by ISEM and hosted by The Microsoft Research--University of Trento Center for Computational and Systems Biology from 30 May to 2 June, 2011 in Riva del Garde, Italy"--P. xi.
Download or read book Time and Methods in Environmental Interfaces Modelling written by Dragutin T Mihailovic and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2016-10-31 with total page 414 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Time and Methods in Environmental Interfaces Modelling: Personal Insights considers the use of time in environmental interfaces modeling and introduce new methods, from the global scale (e.g. climate modeling) to the micro scale (e.g. cell and nanotubes modeling), which primarily arise from the personal research insights of the authors. As the field of environmental science requires the application of new fundamental approaches that can lead to a better understanding of environmental phenomena, this book helps necessitate new approaches in modeling, including category theory, that follow new achievements in physics, mathematics, biology, and chemistry. - Includes the use of new mathematical tools, such as category theory, mathematical theory of general systems and formal concept analysis, matrix theory tools, stability analysis, and pseudospectra - Presents new content related to time in relation to physics and biology - Combines the word of an experienced author team with over 35 papers of collective experience
Download or read book Participatory Modelling for Resilient Futures written by and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2017-11-13 with total page 238 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Participatory Modelling for Resilient Futures: Action for Managing Our Environment from the Bottom-Up, Volume One provides an important contribution to environmental management by introducing an integrative framework for participatory research for better land use and natural resource planning, organized around compelling recent case studies. It is a valuable guide for the increasing number of students looking for solutions in sustainability science and also practitioners who are on the ground working with local communities to improve specific places. The book was developed in response to the need to provide a clear and synthetic account, in accessible and non-technical language, of the way in which innovative integrative research can help solve real world human-environment interaction problems at a range of levels and scales, e.g., participatory modelling to secure a sustainable future for a natural protected area, working with stakeholders to break the deadlock on renewable energy implementation in Europe or tackling social exclusion and reducing food carbon footprint through local agroecology schemes. Makes modeling approaches accessible so environmental and natural resource managers can make more precise decisions, accounting for a positive and negative impacts of ecosystem changes Provides recent real cases to demonstrate implementation of the concepts, allowing the reader to see how to bridge scientific research and societal needs in order to effectively translate knowledge into action Provides an integrated perspective incorporating science, politics and society, as well as a toolbox of methodologies to enhance participation and engagement of key stakeholders
Download or read book Advanced Modelling Techniques Studying Global Changes in Environmental Sciences written by and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2015-10-08 with total page 381 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Advanced Modelling Techniques Studying Global Changes in Environmental Sciences discusses the need for immediate and effective action, guided by a scientific understanding of ecosystem function, to alleviate current pressures on the environment. Research, especially in Ecological Modeling, is crucial to support the sustainable development paradigm, in which the economy, society, and the environment are integrated and positively reinforce each other. Content from this book is drawn from the 2013 conference of the International Society for Ecological Modeling (ISEM), an important and active research community contributing to this arena. Some progress towards gaining a better understanding of the processes of global change has been achieved, but much more is needed. This conference provides a forum to present current research using models to investigate actions towards mitigating and adapting to change. - Presents state-of-the-art modeling techniques - Drawn from the 2013 conference of the International Society for Ecological Modeling (ISEM), an important and active research community contributing to this arena - Integrates knowledge of advanced modeling techniques in ecological and environmental sciences - Describes new applications for sustainability
Download or read book Ecological Modelling and Engineering of Lakes and Wetlands written by and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2014-04-04 with total page 690 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ecological modelling has developed rapidly in recent decades, with the focus primarily on the restoration of lakes and wetlands. Ecological Modelling and Engineering in Lakes and Wetlands presents the progress being made in modelling for a wealth of applications. It covers the older biogeochemical models still in use today, structurally dynamic models, 3D models, biophysical models, entire watershed models, and ecotoxicological models, as well as the expansion of modeling to the Arctic and Antarctic climate-zones. The book also addresses modelling the effect of climate change, including the development of ecological models for addressing storm water pond issues, which are increasingly important in urban regions where more concentrated rainfalls are a consequence of climate change. The ecological engineering topics covered in the book also emphasize the advancements being made in applying ecological engineering regimes for better environmental management of lakes and wetlands. - Examines recent progress towards a better understanding of these two important ecosystems - Presents new results and approaches that can be used to develop better models - Discusses how to increase the synergistic effect between ecosystems engineering and modelling
Download or read book Proceedings of the International Conference on Radioscience Equatorial Atmospheric Science and Environment and Humanosphere Science 2021 written by Erma Yulihastin and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2022-09-29 with total page 1006 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book presents recent advances in the area of Radioscience, Equatorial Atmospheric Science and Environment from the international symposium for equatorial atmosphere of the celebration of the Equatorial Atmosphere Radar (EAR) 20th Anniversary, conducted by Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) and Kyoto University, in 2021. It provides a scientific platform for all participants to discuss ideas and current issues as well as to design solutions in the areas of atmospheric science, environmental science, space science, and related fields.
Download or read book Why Can t We Be More Like Trees written by Judith Bluestone Polich and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2023-11-07 with total page 231 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reveals how we can learn from the intelligent communities of trees and plants • Shares breakthrough research on how tree and plant communities function, revealing a holistic, interconnected, communal, and sentient new world • Examines the attributes we share with trees and plants and how the behaviors of altruism, cooperation, and community are genetically coded in our beings • Looks at how to learn to see, think, imagine, and live with holistic eco-centric awareness and the benefits that come from working with our plant allies Breakthrough research is not only revealing a brilliant green world with amazing attributes like dispersed intelligence but also that humanity, like the tree and plant kingdom, thrives on innate cooperation, sharing, altruism, and community. Exploring the latest cutting-edge environmental and ecological studies, climate advisor and environmental advocate Judith Polich explains how we can now see how tree and plant communities function, revealing a holistic, interconnected, communal, and seemingly sentient new world. She explains how trees communicate, how they share resources, and other ways in which they express holistic and cooperative behaviors. Looking at the new scientific understanding of the evolutionary basis of altruism, cooperation, and community—and how these behaviors are genetically coded in our beings—the author examines the attributes we share with trees and other plant communities. She explores the healing powers offered by the plant kingdom, not just as medicines but through shared sentience that can help heal our sense of dissociation and disenchantment. Revealing how to see, think, imagine, and live with holistic eco-centric awareness, the author discusses how the stories we tell ourselves and our spiritual belief systems are becoming greener, including a resurgence of beliefs that originated with plant teachers. She also explores how to overcome our current cognitive biases through greater interaction with plant intelligence. By viewing the world through a greener lens, not only can we reframe and unravel the deeper causes of the climate crisis, but we can also help co-create a new more conscious world with our plant allies.
Download or read book Entropy of Complex Processes and Systems written by Eugene Barsky and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2020-07-21 with total page 309 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Entropy of Complex Processes and Systems formalizes our understanding of many complex processes, including the development of the methodology of analytical computation of complex processes as applied in many industries, such as ore processing, or more generally, in areas of natural sciences. The adequacy of the results of these calculations is confirmed by numerous experimental data obtained both on pilots and industrial facilities. The book also provides a thorough analysis of the underlying physical foundations of entropy performed from new standpoints that are of interest to theoreticians studying contemporary expositions. - Provides methodologies for controlling and optimizing complex processes in branches of industry that involve transformation of materials or substances - Describes entropy as the universal characteristic of a stochastic process independent of the system - Introduces a new definition of entropy specifically related to dynamical phenomena
Download or read book Evolution As Entropy written by Daniel R. Brooks and published by University of Chicago Press. This book was released on 1988-10-15 with total page 438 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This second edition in just two years offers a considerably revised second chapter, in which information behavior replaces analogies to purely physical systems, as well as practical applications of the authors' theory. Attention is also given to a hierarchical theory of ecosystem behavior, taking note of constraints on local ecosystem members resul.
Download or read book Non equilibrium Thermodynamics and the Production of Entropy written by Axel Kleidon and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2004-11-18 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The present volume studies the application of concepts from non-equilibrium thermodynamics to a variety of research topics. Emphasis is on the Maximum Entropy Production (MEP) principle and applications to Geosphere-Biosphere couplings. Written by leading researchers from a wide range of backgrounds, the book presents a first coherent account of an emerging field at the interface of thermodynamics, geophysics and life sciences.
