"Ten years after a car accident paralyzed my legs, a pressure sore infection escalated into a life-or-death scenario requiring emergency surgery, followed by an extended recovery in a nursing home. For weeks, I was confined to a special medical bed, where I was not allowed to sit up, but required to remain on my back 24/7. This is the story of my search for peace and sanity during that claustrophobic confinement, which subsequently led to a deeper understanding and alignment of my internal, eternal wellbeing." Author Ashley Lyn Olson "There has never been a more important time for healthcare to fully understand the patient experience and this book gave me greater insight into the journey. Along with some entertaining moments, the author's expressive reflections illuminate deeper themes that connect us all. Specifically, healthcare professionals and patients would all benefit from looking through the lens of her unique perspective." Allan "AJ" Johnson, MPT, Physical Therapist, Children's Hospital Director "As a person with a disability, I am in awe of Ashley's ability to choose light over darkness and embrace beauty in all aspects of life, no matter how difficult the circumstances. Her creativity and positive mind are articulated throughout the book, teaching us that our perception can lead us from adversity to a magnificent, spiritual path of appreciation." Wendy Crawford, Co-founder of RawBeautyProject.com "Ms. Olson's journey, as lovingly and humorously recounted in Confined to Align, artfully juxtaposes her rising and falling suffering with the beauty she finds in poetry, a joy list ("the smell of dirt"), a fleeting but necessary friendship (with Lola), and blissful slivers of nature. In these things she finds redemption, and her humanity becomes our own. Any physician or health care practitioner reading Ms. Olson's work will discover boundless empathy and compassion for themselves and the patients whom they serve." Jerome Bothe Deck MD, General Medicine "Ashley's blend of poetry, diary entries and reflection immerses the reader in her world. Her positivity and thoughtful approach provide a helpful template for any struggling with adversity." Ian Ruder, Editor, New Mobility; United Spinal Association "When one is paralyzed from a spinal cord injury it is so much more than just about not being able to walk. In Ashley's raw and intimate account of some of the other debilitating consequences of being paralyzed, we are taken on a journey that is simultaneously painful and up-lifting. What is thrown her way could have easily sent her into dark despair and been a depressing read, but instead we see a fierce, tenacious woman that is both samurai and mermaid (in her words), dive deep into her spirituality and choose to take control of her life. Her poetry is easily accessible and serves as a chiffon curtain to soften the harsh reality of her days in the hospital. The reader is left feeling confident that Ashley's life will be rich with possibilities. She's my rockstar!" Bonnie Lewkowicz, Founder, Access Northern California; Co-Founder, Dancer, AXIS Dance Company "In a time when we have all experienced isolation Ashley Olson recounts a slice of her life's journey when illness and isolation could have broken her. Instead through journal entries and poetry Ashley finds moments of hope and joy in unlikely places. This book can help others with spinal cord injury and/or disability embrace a different outlook when faced with long hospital stays and recovery. Additionally, we can all learn to look introspectively and take the time to get to know ourselves. Reveca Torres, www.BACKBONESONLINE.com

The progress in polymer science is revealed in the chapters of Polymer Science: A Comprehensive Reference, Ten Volume Set. In Volume 1, this is reflected in the improved understanding of the properties of polymers in solution, in bulk and in confined situations such as in thin films. Volume 2 addresses new characterization techniques, such as high resolution optical microscopy, scanning probe microscopy and other procedures for surface and interface characterization. Volume 3 presents the great progress achieved in precise synthetic polymerization techniques for vinyl monomers to control macromolecular architecture: the development of metallocene and post-metallocene catalysis for olefin polymerization, new ionic polymerization procedures, and atom transfer radical polymerization, nitroxide mediated polymerization, and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer systems as the most often used controlled/living radical polymerization methods. Volume 4 is devoted to kinetics, mechanisms and applications of ring opening polymerization of heterocyclic monomers and cycloolefins (ROMP), as well as to various less common polymerization techniques. Polycondensation and non-chain polymerizations, including dendrimer synthesis and various "click" procedures, are covered in Volume 5. Volume 6 focuses on several aspects of controlled macromolecular architectures and soft nano-objects including hybrids and bioconjugates. Many of the achievements would have not been possible without new characterization techniques like AFM that allowed direct imaging of single molecules and nano-objects with a precision available only recently. An entirely new aspect in polymer science is based on the combination of bottom-up methods such as polymer synthesis and molecularly programmed self-assembly with top-down structuring such as lithography and surface templating, as presented in Volume 7. It encompasses polymer and nanoparticle assembly in bulk and under confined conditions or influenced by an external field, including thin films, inorganic-organic hybrids, or nanofibers. Volume 8 expands these concepts focusing on applications in advanced technologies, e.g. in electronic industry and centers on combination with top down approach and functional properties like conductivity. Another type of functionality that is of rapidly increasing importance in polymer science is introduced in volume 9. It deals with various aspects of polymers in biology and medicine, including the response of living cells and tissue to the contact with biofunctional particles and surfaces. The last volume is devoted to the scope and potential provided by environmentally benign and green polymers, as well as energy-related polymers. They discuss new technologies needed for a sustainable economy in our world of limited resources. Provides broad and in-depth coverage of all aspects of polymer science from synthesis/polymerization, properties, and characterization methods and techniques to nanostructures, sustainability and energy, and biomedical uses of polymers Provides a definitive source for those entering or researching in this area by integrating the multidisciplinary aspects of the science into one unique, up-to-date reference work Electronic version has complete cross-referencing and multi-media components Volume editors are world experts in their field (including a Nobel Prize winner)

Exercise problems in each chapter.

Understanding the synthesis and applications of porous solid catalysts Heterogeneous catalysis is a catalytic process in which catalysts and reactants exist in different phases. Heterogeneous catalysis with solid catalysts proceeds through the absorption of substrates and reagents which are liquid or gas, and this is largely dependent on the accessible surface area of the solid which can generate active reaction sites. The synthesis of porous solids is an increasingly productive approach to generating solid catalysts with larger accessible surface area, allowing more efficient catalysis. Catalysis in Confined Frameworks: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications provides a comprehensive overview of synthesis and use of porous solids as heterogeneous catalysts. It provides detailed analysis of pore engineering, a thorough characterization of the advantages and disadvantages of porous solids as heterogeneous catalysts, and an extensive discussion of applications. The result is a foundational introduction to a cutting-edge field. Catalysis in Confined Frameworks: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications readers will also find: An editorial team comprised of international experts with extensive experience Detailed discussion of catalyst classes including zeolites, mesoporous aluminosilicates, and more A special focus on size selective catalysis Catalysis in Confined Frameworks: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications is an essential reference for catalytic chemists, organic chemists, materials scientists, physical chemists, and any researchers or industry professionals working with heterogeneous catalysis.

The World Atlas of Language Structures is a book and CD combination displaying the structural properties of the world's languages. 142 world maps and numerous regional maps - all in colour - display the geographical distribution of features of pronunciation and grammar, such as number of vowels, tone systems, gender, plurals, tense, word order, and body part terminology. Each world map shows an average of 400 languages and is accompanied by a fully referenced description ofthe structural feature in question.The CD provides an interactive electronic version of the database which allows the reader to zoom in on or customize the maps, to display bibliographical sources, and to establish correlations between features. The book and the CD together provide an indispensable source of information for linguists and others seeking to understand human languages.The Atlas will be especially valuable for linguistic typologists, grammatical theorists, historical and comparative linguists, and for those studying a region such as Africa, Southeast Asia, North America, Australia, and Europe. It will also interest anthropologists and geographers. More than fifty authors from many different countries have collaborated to produce a work that sets new standards in comparative linguistics. No institution involved in language research can afford to bewithout it.

Get up to speed with the future of logic switch design with this indispensable introduction to post-CMOS technologies.

Photovoltaic systems enable the sun’s energy to be converted directly into electricity using semiconductor solar cells. The ultimate goal of photovoltaic research and development is to reduce the cost of solar power to reach or even become lower than the cost of electricity generated from fossil and nuclear fuels. The power conversion efficiency and the cost per unit area of the phototvoltaic system are critical factors that determine the cost of photovoltaic electricity. Until recently, the power conversion efficiency of single-junction photovoltaic cells has been limited to approximately 33% - the so-called Shockley-Queisser limit. This book presents the latest developments in photovoltaics which seek to either reach or surpass the Shockley-Queisser limit, and to lower the cell cost per unit area. Progress toward this ultimate goal is presented for the three generations of photovoltaic cells: the 1st generation based on crystalline silicon semiconductors; the 2nd generation based on thin film silicon, compound semiconductors, amorphous silicon, and various mesoscopic structures; and the 3rd generation based on the unique properties of nanoscale materials, new inorganic and organic photoconversion materials, highly efficient multi-junction cells with low cost solar concentration, and novel photovoltaic processes. The extent to which photovoltaic materials and processes can meet the expectations of efficient and cost effective solar energy conversion to electricity is discussed. Written by an international team of expert contributors, and with researchers in academia, national research laboratories, and industry in mind, this book is a comprehensive guide to recent progress in photovoltaics and essential for any library or laboratory in the field.