Introduction to the Special Section on Colloidal Quantum Dots for Biomedical Applications

The overview paper in this special issue deals with the unique optical properties and biofunctionalization of quantum dots (QDs), and their use in biosensing and in vivo imaging. The remaining eight papers cover the synthesis and applications of QDs and, in four cases, QD-derived or non-QD nanostructures.     

Introduction to the Special Issue on Electroceramics

The Electroceramics series of conferences has established itself over the past 20 years as a major international forum for presenting developments and innovations in the field of electroceramics. For Electroceramics XI, we combined forces with the UK Ferroelectrics Network, the UK Institute of Physics Materials and Characterisation Group, and COST539 to expand the scope of the meeting and provide opportunities for interactions with new groups. In response to the submission of almost 800 abstracts, Electroceramics XI was structured around 14 separated symposia. More than 300 papers were selected for oral presentation. This special issue contains a selection of the papers presented in symposium D2: Piezoelectric Ceramics.     

Introduction to the Special Issue on Causal Discovery

Many empirical sciences, including the social sciences and life sciences, aim to study causal relationships. Researchers in these fields need computational methods for analyzing observed data and identifying causal structures among a set of variables. Such computational methods enable researchers to draw conclusions on the basis of both their assumptions and the observed data. Moreover, these methods are useful for developing hypotheses on causal relations, designing future observational studies, and planning future experimental studies that can potentially provide stronger evidence of estimated causal relations.

The objective of this special issue is to present an up-to-date overview of causal discovery methods, which have witnessed rapid advancements in recent years. The chief editor and guest editors invited the following three survey papers on various hot topics related to causal discovery:

     

Introduction to the Special Issue on the Applications of Ferroelectrics

This special issue of the Transactions is a compilation of the most important papers presented at the 17th IEEE International Symposium on Applications of Ferroelectrics (ISAF). This was a joint meeting with the Electronics Division of the American Ceramics Society that was held at the Eldorado Hotel and Spa in Santa Fe, New Mexico, from February 24?27, 2008. The meeting was host to over 300 conference attendees and over 250 technical presentations. Presentations covered a wide range of technical topics, including processing, advanced characterization, theory and modeling of ferroelectrics, FERAM devices, capacitors, piezoelectrics, ultrasonics, multiferroics, and energy harvesting materials and devices.     

Special Section on the 2007 IEEE AUTOTESTCON

The nine papers in this special section were originally presented at the 2007 IEEE AUTOTESTCON, held in Baltimore, MD. The papers are organized into three general categories: test and diagnosis technology; prognostics and health management; and synthetic instrumentation for automatic test.     

Introduction. Computational aerodynamics

The wide range of uses of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for aircraft design is discussed along with its role in dealing with the environmental impact of flight. Enabling technologies, such as grid generation and turbulence models, are also considered along with flow/turbulence control. The large eddy simulation, Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes and hybrid turbulence modelling approaches are contrasted. The CFD prediction of numerous jet configurations occurring in aerospace are discussed along with aeroelasticity for aeroengine and external aerodynamics, design optimization, unsteady flow modelling and aeroengine internal and external flows. It is concluded that there is a lack of detailed measurements (for both canonical and complex geometry flows) to provide validation and even, in some cases, basic understanding of flow physics. Not surprisingly, turbulence modelling is still the weak link along with, as ever, a pressing need for improved (in terms of robustness, speed and accuracy) solver technology, grid generation and geometry handling. Hence, CFD, as a truly predictive and creative design tool, seems a long way off. Meanwhile, extreme practitioner expertise is still required and the triad of computation, measurement and analytic solution must be judiciously used.