Winston Churchill defined Russia as “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma”. It was still the case when Hari Kumar left southern India and went behind the Iron Curtain in the seventies to study medicine at Peoples Friendship University, Moscow, USSR.Through the eyes of a man from a very different background and culture, Hari recounts his intimate observations of the lives and habits of the Russians; their joys, troubles, ambitions and hopes. It is a true story from a fas...

The famous Kola performances of Tulu Nadu involve dancers who invite powerful, sacred spirits to possess them. Through the performers, and surrounded by vibrant colours and striking visuals, these spirits - known as Daiva - may settle disputes, provide guidance, grant blessings and pass judgement.However, there is so much more to it than art and devotion. From Panjurli, the benevolent boar spirit to Bobbarya, guardian of the sea, this book explores it all: the kinds of Daiva, their...

Her beauty brought her fame, her seduction made her dangerous, and her vengeance made her deadly. An exotic dancer who captivated Belle Époque Paris, she was known as 'Mata Hari,' meaning "Eye of the Dawn" in Malay. Her performances, filled with tales of lust, jealousy, and passion, enthralled the public. However, during World War I, she was accused by the French of espionage for the Germans, using her allure to extract military secrets from influential men. Mata Hari remains a symbol of f...

Cloud Computing and IoT Strategies for Industry 5.0 Innovation is a comprehensive study centred on Industry 5.0 principles, highlighting the integration of human-centric, sustainable, and resilient intelligent digital technologies. The book presents a comprehensive exploration of how cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), edge intelligence, and advanced data analytics are transforming the modern industrial ecosystemWith ten structured chapters, the book progresses from foun...

Recent global cancer statistical data has clearly indicated that prostate cancer is currently the second most frequently diagnosed cancer (at 15% of all male cancers) and globally the sixth leading cause of cancer death in males. This book is a summary of prostate cancer, covering its incidence, epidemiology, and current treatment options. It also serves as an up-to-date review of the status of currently available alternative and complementary medicines for treating prostate cancer, includ...

This book presents select proceedings of Electric Power and Renewable Energy Conference 2020 (EPREC 2020). This book provides rigorous discussions, case studies, and recent developments in the emerging areas of the power system, especially, renewable energy conversion systems, distributed generations, microgrid, smart grid, HVDC & FACTS, power system protection, etc. The readers would be benefited in terms of enhancing their knowledge and skills in the domain areas. The book will be a valu...

Climate justice is a crucial issue, particularly for Indigenous communities that are disproportionately affected by environmental changes despite contributing the least to global emissions. Achieving sustainability and social justice requires an inclusive approach that considers diverse policies, cultural perspectives, and methodological interventions. As globalization deepens interconnectivity, addressing climate justice through equitable policies, climate finance, and community-driven so...

This book focuses on the seismic design of Structures, Piping Systems and Components (SSC). It explains the basic mechanisms of earthquakes, generation of design basis ground motion, and fundamentals of structural dynamics; further, it delves into geotechnical aspects related to the earthquake design, analysis of multi degree-of-freedom systems, and seismic design of RC structures and steel structures. The book discusses the design of components and piping systems located at the ground lev...

Advanced systems, such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and Internet of Things (IoT), have transformative potential in creating intelligent and sustainable solutions for the sequestration management of carbon emissions. Carbon sequestration is important in fighting global warming, and the optimization of carbon shifts markets to a low-carbon economy. They also have real-world applications in areas like agriculture, healthcare, energy, supply chains, and conservation. These prac...

We live in a digital world, where we use digital tools and smart devices to communicate over the Internet. In turn, an enormous amount of data gets generated. The traditional computing architectures are inefficient in storing and managing this massive amount of data. Unfortunately, the data cannot be ignored as it helps businesses to make better decisions, solve problems, understand performance, improve processes, and understand customers. Therefore, we need modern systems capable of handl...

In the advancing fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, a pressing ethical dilemma arises. As technology continues its relentless march forward, ethical considerations within these domains become increasingly complex and critical. Bias in algorithms, lack of transparency, data privacy breaches, and the broader societal repercussions of AI applications are demanding urgent attention. This ethical quandary poses a formidable challenge for researchers, academics, and industr...

This book comprehensively describes the complex technologies now available for the sustainable management of municipal waste, and the economic and policy implications of their implementation. It combines varied perspectives from the field of environmental engineering, offering readers an interdisciplinary approach to environmentally sustainable waste management strategies. Featuring contributions from experts around the globe, the book presents a diverse array of insights, experiences and ...