The incidence of treated end stage renal disease (ESRD) continues to rise, particularly in the western world. Although renal transplantation is the treatment of choice for ESRD, the decline in the number of cadaveric organs, coupled with the rising demand for transplantation, means that an increasing number of patients will have to depend on dialysis. Vascular or peritoneal access is the Achilles' heel of any dialysis service. This book offers a clear description of the state of the art in providing and preserving a durable and reliable access.

This invaluable book contains 36 interviews, including 26 with Nobel laureates. It presents a cross-section of biomedical science, a field that has been dominant in science for the past half century. The in-depth conversations cover important research areas and discoveries, as well as the roads to these discoveries, including aspects of the scientists' work that never saw publication. They also bring out the humanness of the famous scientists - the reader learns about their backgrounds, aspirations, failings, and triumphs. The book is illustrated with snapshots of the conversations and photos provided by the interviewees.

Key Features:No prior knowledge of fuzzy logic is neededNotes offered after each chapter include historical and philosophical remarks which put the topics in a wider contextA multi-purpose book that is accessible to students and of interest to expertsSome original results are presented.

Mechanical Proving of Elementary Geometrical Theorems This book is useful not only to mathematics students, but also to students in all areas of sciences who are interested in learning some of the mathematical tools. It provides a hands-on approach to the most fundamental issues in mathematics - an approach which may help to revolutionize the teaching of mathematics.

This book describes non-conventional methods of control of human extremities, emphasizing the fact that conventional approaches used in robotics are limited when used in humans for restoration of reaching and grasping (goal-oriented movements), and standing and locomotion (cyclic movements). The use of artificial neural networks, inductive learning, skill-based expert systems and finite-state representation of movements is the base of this non-conventional control theory. A specific number of realized applications are included in the book to illustrate how these computer techniques can improve the function of assistive systems in physically challenged humans. The theory presented is applicable to the control of robots and industrial manipulators.