Journal Guide

Applied Soft Computing is an international journal promoting an integrated view of soft computing to solve real life problems. Soft computing is a collection of methodologies, which aim to exploit tolerance for imprecision, uncertainty and partial truth to achieve tractability, robustness and low solution cost. The focus is to publish the highest quality research in application and convergence of the areas of Fuzzy Logic, Neural Networks, Evolutionary Computing, Rough Sets and other similar techniques to address real world complexities.Applied Soft Computing is a rolling publication: articles are published as soon as the editor-in-chief has accepted them. Therefore, the web site will continuously be updated with new articles and the publication time will be short.Major Topics:The scope of this journal covers the following soft computing and related techniques, interactions between several soft computing techniques, and their industrial applications:• Ant Colony• Chaos Theory• Evolutionary Computing• Fuzzy Computing• Hybrid Methods• Immunological Computing• Morphic Computing• Neuro Computing• Particle Swarm• Probabilistic Computing• Rough Sets• WaveletThe application areas of interest include but are not limited to:• Agricultural Machinery and Produce• Autonomous Reasoning• Bio-inspired Systems• Biomedical Engineering• Condition Monitoring• Consumer Electronics• Data Mining• Data Visualisation• Decision Support • Engineering Design Optimisation• Fault Diagnosis• Human-Machine Interface• Industrial Electronics• Intelligent Agents• Intelligent Information Retrieval• Internet Tools• Manufacturing Systems• Motion Control and Power Electronics• Multi-objective Optimisation• Nano and Micro-systems• Power and Energy• Process and System Control• Process Optimisation• Reactive Distributed AI• Robotics• Signal or Image Processing• System Identification and Modelling • Systems Integration• Telecommunications• Time Series Prediction• Virtual Reality• Vision or Pattern Recognition

Applied Soil Ecology addresses the role of soil organisms and their interactions in relation to: agricultural productivity, nutrient cycling and other soil processes, the maintenance of soil structure and fertility, the impact of human activities and xenobiotics on soil ecosystems and bio(techno)logical control of soil-inhabiting pests, diseases and weeds.Benefits to authorsWe also provide many author benefits, such as free PDFs, a liberal copyright policy, special discounts on Elsevier publications and much more. Please click here for more information on our author services.Please see our Guide for Authors for information on article submission. If you require any further information or help, please visit our support pages: http://support.elsevier.comFor more information/suggestions/comments please contact AuthorSupport@elsevier.com

Applied Solar Energy covers main lines of investigations and developments on solar energy conversion and use: photovoltaics, thermophotovoltaics, water heaters, passive solar heating systems, drying of agricultural production, water desalination, solar radiation condensers, operation of Big Solar Oven, combined use of solar energy and traditional energy sources, new semiconductors for solar cells and thermophotovoltaic system photo-cells, engines for autonomous solar stations.

Description The journal has an applied focus: it actively promotes the importance of geographical research in real world settings It is policy-relevant: it seeks both a readership and contributions from practitioners as well as academics The substantive foundation is spatial analysis: the use of quantitative techniques to identify patterns and processes within geographic environments The combination of these points, which are fully reflected in the naming of the journal, establishes a unique position in the marketplace. Rationale A geographical perspective has always been crucial to the understanding of the social and physical organisation of the world around us. The techniques of spatial analysis provide a powerful means for the assembly and interpretation of evidence, and thus to address critical questions about issues such as crime and deprivation, immigration and demographic restructuring, retailing activity and employment change, resource management and environmental improvement. Many of these issues are equally important to academic research as they are to policy makers and Applied Spatial Analysis and Policy aims to close the gap between these two perspectives by providing a forum for discussion of applied research in a range of different contexts Topical and interdisciplinary Increasingly government organisations, administrative agencies and private businesses are requiring research to support their ‘evidence-based’ strategies or policies. Geographical location is critical in much of this work which extends across a wide range of disciplines including demography, actuarial sciences, statistics, public sector planning, business planning, economics, epidemiology, sociology, social policy, health research, environmental management., Focus Applied Spatial Analysis and Policy will draw on applied research from diverse problem domains, such as transport, policing, education, health, environment and leisure, in different international contexts. The journal will therefore provide insights into the variations in phenomena that exist across space, it will provide evidence for comparative policy analysis between domains and between locations, and stimulate ideas about the translation of spatial analysis methods and techniques across varied policy contexts. It is essential to know how to measure, monitor and understand spatial distributions, many of which have implications for those with responsibility to plan and enhance the society and the environment in which we all exist. Readership and Editorial Board As a journal focused on applications of methods of spatial analysis, Applied Spatial Analysis and Policy will be of interest to scholars and students in a wide range of academic fields, to practitioners in government and administrative agencies and to consultants in private sector organisations. The Editorial Board reflects the international and multidisciplinary nature of the journal.

OSA is pleased to offer Applied Spectroscopy (ISSN: 0003-7028) through the Optics InfoBase. New Applied Spectroscopy material is also now available in the OSA#!#!s Virtual Journal for Biomedical Optics. Please go to the VJBO website to find out more. Applied Spectroscopy is an internationally recognized, peer-reviewed journal covering applications in analytical chemistry, materials science, biotechnology, and chemical characterization. It is published by the Society for Applied Spectroscopy and available from SAS and OSA.

2009 Impact Factor: 3.243Ranking: 6/39 (Spectroscopy) and 4/56 (Instruments & Instrumentation)2009 5-Year Impact Factor: 3.930Ranking: 4/39 (Spectroscopy) and 2/56 (Instruments & Instrumentation)169; 2010 Thomson Reuters, Journal Citation Reports174;Applied Spectroscopy Reviews provides the latest information on the principles, methods, and applications of all the diverse branches of spectroscopy, from X-ray, infrared, Raman, atomic absorption, and ESR to microwave, mass, NQR, NMR, and ICP. This international, single-source journal presents discussions that relate physical concepts to chemical applications for chemists, physicists, and other scientists using spectroscopic techniques.Publication office: Taylor & Francis, Inc., 325 Chestnut Street, Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

Applied Stochastic Models in Business and Industry (formerly Applied Stochastic Models and Data Analysis ) was first published in 1985, publishing contributions in the interface between stochastic modelling, data analysis and their applications in business, finance, insurance, management and production. The main objective is to publish papers, both technical and practical, presenting new results which solve real-life problems or have great potential in doing so. A second objective is to present new methods for solving such problems, i.e. optimization, data base management, knowledge acquisition, expert systems, computer-aided decision supports and neural computing. The scope of the journal is now broadened both in supporting topics and in appropriate methodology. Topics to be added include managerial processes, reliability, quality control, data analysis and data mining. New methodologies include wavelets, Markov-chain Monte Carlo methods and spatial statistics.

Applied Surface Science covers topics contributing to a better understanding of applications of surfaces, interfaces, and nanostructures. The journal is concerned with scientific research on the atomic and molecular level of material properties, determined with multiple surface analytical techniques, as well as the processing and application of such structures.Processes include deposition and growth, oxidation and nitridation, surface and interface reactions, in general, as well as their modification by directed energy deposition (lasers, ion or electron beams) or other techniques such as plasmas.Important subject areas include optical, electronic, (opto)-electronic, magnetic materials, bio-compatible materials, complex material applications, and thermal, electrical, chemical, physical and mechanical processes at well-defined surfaces and interfaces, e.g., the processes occurring in catalysis, corrosion and wear, are welcome to Applied Surface Science. However, papers with purely catalysis, corrosion and/or electrochemistry focus, or papers devoted fully to devices are considered to be more suitable for a topical journal where they find a more dedicated audience.Benefits to authorsWe also provide many author benefits, such as free PDFs, a liberal copyright policy, special discounts on Elsevier publications and much more. Please click here for more information on our author services.Please see our Guide for Authors for information on article submission. If you require any further information or help, please visit our support pages: http://support.elsevier.com

Applied Thermal Engineering publishes original, high-quality research papers and ancillary features, spanning activities ranging from fundamental research to trouble-shooting in existing plant and equipment.Component and system design covers energy use both in the process and power industries, and in buildings, including passive thermal design techniques. For the former, the design problems associated with the integration of components into overall plant are also covered. Additionally, the reduction of water use and pollution prevention are of interest.The journal features aspects of the thermal engineering of advanced processes, including process integration, intensification and development, together with the application of thermal equipment in process plants. The optimisation of processes to maximise performance is also included.A wide range of equipment is relevant to Applied Thermal Engineering, such as heat exchangers (compact and advanced designs), heat pumps and refrigeration plant, heat pipes, combined heat and power and advanced cycles, polygeneration, heat transfer enhancement as applied to the above, and other unit operations involving thermal engineering procedures, including those related to renewable sources.The application of thermal engineering is becoming critical in specific areas such as aerospace, electronics thermal management and medicine, as well as equipment used by the armed forces. Papers on such challenging applications are often a springboard for technology transfer to other areas, and are encouraged. Short communications in the form of 'Case Studies' will be considered.A theme running through many papers will be energy. Energy conservation, including heat recovery, the rational use of energy and renewable energy technologies are inevitable features of thermal engineering across all applications. As we see an increasing interest in the use of, for example, renewable energy including solar energy in the process industries, the integration of renewable energy and 'conventional' processes is a topic of relevance. Improved efficiency and alternative equipment for reducing emissions is an increasingly important aspect of all energy use.Economics plays a necessary role in the assessment of many thermal engineering projects. Submissions devoted to or considering the financial implications of equipment designs are welcome. Information on the different economic criteria applying in particular regions of the world is relevant.Review articles on appropriate topics are encouraged. Before submitting such a paper, please contact one of the Regional Editors, or the Editor-in-Chief, with an outline of your proposed paper and your expertise in the area of your review.Additional features include:• Special issues devoted to emerging topics and new developments in the field• Book reviews• Policy and legislation reports related to the topics of Applied Thermal Engineering.The Editors welcome letters on topics that readers feel are of interest to a wider audience.Applied Thermal Engineering provides essential reference material and critical design feedback, with emphasis on thermal technologies as applied across a wide range of fields.All submissions will be subject to peer review from leading experts in the field.

Applied Vegetation Science is administratively linked to the Journal of Vegetation Science. It accepts original papers (including shorter ones), reviews, forum contributions and reports. It commissions reviews of selected books. Applied fields covered by the journal include human impact on vegetation, particularly eutrophication and global change, nature conservation, nature management, restoration of plant communities and habitats of threatened plant species, and the planning of semi-natural and urban landscapes. In addition it publishes book reviews and notices of scientific meetings.