الصفحة 13
الصفحة 13
Environmental security and environmental management : The role of risk assessment ; Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workhop on The Role of Risk Assessment in Environmental Security and Emergency Preparedness in the Mediterranean Region, held in Eilat, Israel, April 15-18, 2004
The concept of “environmental security” has emerged as one basis for understanding international conflicts. This phrase can mean a variety of things. It can signify security issues stemming from environmental concerns or conflicting needs, or it can mean that the environment is treated as a resource for the long term, and the question is what should be done today to preserve the quality of the environment in the future. In the same way that energy security is about ensuring access to energy for the long run, it can also mean that pressing environmental concerns create a situation where different countries and communities are forced to collaboratively design a unified response, even if cooperation is not generally in the logic of their relations. Over the last several years, the authors of this book and their colleagues have tried to demonstrate the power of risk assessment and decision analysis as valuable tools that decision makers should use for a broad range of environmental problems, including environmental security. Risk analysis is almost more a state of mind or a way of looking at problems than it is a kind of algorithm or a set of recipes. It projects a kind of rationality on problems and forces a certain degree of quantitative rigor, as opposed to the all too common tendency of making environmental recommendations based on anecdotal evidence.
Environmental Policy Instruments for Conserving Global Biodiversity
If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. —Mark 9:23 The current, unprecedented loss of global biodiversity as a result of anthropo genic interference in the world's ecosystems is affecting human well-being across the globe with increasing severity. It therefore represents a major chal lenge in international environmental policymaking. With the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the community of states has recognized the in creasing importance of preserving biodiversity. Given the extensive context of biodiversity loss and preservation, this study focuses on two issues, which are at the center of the public discussion regarding the objectives of conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity, and that are addressed by specific policy instruments. The first issue is the regulation of cross-border trade in genetic information and genetic resources. Here, the question is whether the commercial use of genetic information derived from bio diversity can create incentives for its preservation. The second issue involves the conservation of biodiversity through the protection of ecologically valuable eco systems from human use.
Entrepreneurship, the new economy and public policy : Schumpeterian perspectives
Silicon Valley is the most salient example of high-tech industrial clusters. Public policy makers throughout the world would like to learn the secrets of Silicon Valley in order to build their own high-tech economies. The existing literature on ind- trial clusters, which traces back to Marshall (1920), focuses on the way in which ?rms bene?t from locating in a cluster; it suggests that once a cluster comes into existence However, a more important question is how to reach this critical mass in the ?rst place. In contrast to the literature, evidence suggests that entrepreneurs rarely move when they est- lish high-tech start-ups. This contradicts the notion that location choice analyses lead entrepreneurs to a high-tech cluster. A high-tech industrial cluster such as Silicon Valley is characterized by c- centrated entrepreneurship.
Engineering self-organising systems ; 4th International Workshop, ESOA 2006, Hakodate, Japan, May 9, 2006, Revised and Invited Papers
This book discusses a broad variety of topics in an effort to allow room for new ideas and discussion, and eventually a better understanding of the important directions and techniques of Engineering Self-Organizing.This book raises the important question of whether there are underlying statistical mechanics-like principles that apply to emergent multi-agent systems. Answering this question will in the long run provide an important part of the underlying theory of emergent distributed systems.
Energy-efficient and semi-automated truck platooning : Research and evaluation
This book presents research and evaluation results of the Austrian flagship project “Connecting Austria,” illustrating the wide range of research needs and questions that arise when semi-automated truck platooning is deployed in Austria. The work presented is introduced in the context of work in similar research areas around the world. This interdisciplinary research effort considers aspects of engineering, road-vehicle and infrastructure technologies, traffic management and optimization, traffic safety, and psychology, as well as potential economic effects.
Endosomes
Endosomes are a heterogeneous population of endocytic vesicles and tubules that have captivated the interest of biologists for many years, partly due to their important cellular functions and partly due to their intriguing nature and dynamics. Endosomes represent a fascinating interconnected network of thousands of vesicles that transport various cargoes, mainly proteins and lipids, to distant cellular destinations. How endosomes function, what co-ordinates the molecular determinants at each step of their dynamic life cycle and what their biological and medical relevance is, are among the questions addressed in this book.
Encounters and Practices of Petty Trade in Northern Europe, 1820–1960 : Forgotten Livelihoods
Uncovers one important, yet forgotten, form of itinerant livelihoods, namely petty trade, more specifically how it was practiced in Northern Europe during the period 1820–1960. It investigates how traders and customers interacted in different spaces and approaches ambulatory trade as an arena of encounters by looking at everyday social practices. Petty traders often belonged to subjugated social groups, like ethnic minorities and migrants, whereas their customers belonged to the resident population. How were these mobile traders perceived and described? What goods did they peddle? How did these commodities enable and shape trading encounters? What kind of narratives can be found, and whose? These questions pertaining to daily practices on a grass-root level have not been addressed in previous research.
Enabling the City : Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Encounters in Research and Practice
Focuses on how interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary processes of knowledge production may contribute to urban transformation at a local level in the 21st century, striking a balance between enthusiastic support for such transformational potential and a cautious note regarding the persistent challenges to the ethos as well as the practice of inter and transdisciplinarity. The rich stories reflect different research and local practice cultures, exploring issues such as ageing, community, health and dementia, public space, energy, mobility cultures, heritage, housing, re-use, and renewal, as well as more universal questions about urban sustainability and climate change, and perhaps most importantly, education.
Empowered Enterprise Risk Management : Theory and Practice
In this book, two experts on the topic raise the question of why many ERM programmes end up as box-checking silos with almost no connection to important decision-making processes, whereas others are empowered and end up having a profound impact on the firm’s culture, governance structures, and strategy process. The book establishes a path to empowered ERM by drawing on insights from theory and hard-won lessons from practice.
Empirical Software Engineering Issues Critical Assessment and Future Directions : International Workshop, Dagstuhl Castle, Germany, June 26-30, 2006, Revised Papers
Its goal was to discuss the state of the art of empirical software engineering (ESE) by assessing past accomplishments, raising open questions, and proposing a future research agenda. At the same time, the spectrum of methods applied in ESE has broadened.
E-Merging Media: Communication and the Media Economy of the Future
After the very successful ECC-Book on "E-conomy" this new report of the European Communication Council (ECC) analyzes from various perspectives the profound societal and economical change of the media economy, initiated by digitalization and networking. Against the background of the current media history, it highlights for example the role of the Internet hype as a pathfinder in a modified media society. The key question is concerned with how the medial future will be like. The report examines effects and new perspectives in the area of economy, society, and politics. The aspects of behavior, business models, legal and regulation questions, self-conception of society and media economy are mooted by international authors to enhance the reader's understanding of the medial future and to disclose options for action.
EM Modeling of Antennas and RF Components for Wireless Communication Systems
The book focuses on the practical aspects of computational electrodynamics. A short review of electromagnetic field theory and an illustrative introduction to basic concepts of numerical methods provide the mathematical and physical background. The main part the book guides the reader step-by-step through the modelling process: from the initial "what question shall the model answer?", through the setting up of a computer model by creating geometry, boundary conditions, sources, …, to post processing, validation, and optimization. A number of antenna and filter examples demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of different numerical methods. So the book provides a realistic view on the capabilities and limits of state-of-the-art 3D-field simulators and on how to apply this knowledge efficiently to EM analysis and designing of RF applications in modern communication systems.
Elementi di fisica teorica = Elements of theoretical physics
The approach in this book is less formal than traditional Theoretical Physics Foundations courses. The goal is still to achieve a genuine understanding of physical concepts and the ability to independently solve problems. The style is conversational, with abundant examples, and the presentation of all important steps is detailed, answering all the questions students typically ask in advance. The author has given space to recent and interesting developments, such as the scanning tunneling microscope and quantum cryptography. He has always sought to explain the rationale behind mathematical manipulations and the physical meaning of all measurable quantities. Above all, he has emphasized the aspects that make Theoretical Physics a science full of practical implications and a particularly fascinating intellectual adventure.
Elektromagnetische feldtheorie : für ingenieure und physiker = Electromagnetic field theory : For engineers and physicists
This well-established, didactically excellent textbook combines clarity with extraordinary accuracy in the formation of terms and in the derivations. The electromagnetic field theory and the mathematical methods required for it are taught. Maxwell's equations are presented and explained. This is followed by explanations about electrostatics, flow problems, magnetostatics, quasi-stationary fields and electromagnetic waves. It gives an outlook on fundamental questions, some of which are still open, from physics to quantum mechanics. A chapter on the special theory of relativity, with the help of which numerous problems of electromagnetic field theory can be solved more easily, rounds off the work.
Electronic vs. Floor Based Trading
Historically, specialists and other floor brokers, in direct contact on the trading floor, have been at the heart of operations at the national U.S. equity exchanges. At the other end of the spectrum, electronic trading platforms have characterized most other equity markets globally for many years. Recent developments at the NYSE have moved in this direction, but fundamental questions effecting market quality remain. Can the unique services offered by the floor be provided as effectively in an electronic environment? Which environment would institutional and retail traders each find most suitable to their special needs? Which environment offers better price and quantity discovery? These are some of the questions that are addressed in this book, while providing perspective on the future direction that exchange market structure is likely to follow in the coming years.
Efficiency, Justice and Care : Philosophical Reflections on Scarcity in Health Care
This book attempts to answer the question how health care can be incorporated into a comprehensive theory of justice, while realising an acceptable balance between efficiency, justice and care. Essentially, the central question addressed by this book is the following: how best to square the proverbial welfare circle.
Education and Social Justice
The book explores the problematic relationship between education, social justice and the State, against the background of comparative education research. Social justice is an attempt to answer the following question: How can we contribute to the creation of a more equitable, respectful, and just society for everyone? The creation of a more equitable, respectful, and just society for everyone is a dream for all empowering and egalitarian pedagogues. But it will remain a mere hollow rhetoric, or magic words, unless we debate more vigorously social inequality in the global culture. The book critiques the existing status quo of stratified school systems, and the unequal disctribution of cultural capital and value added schooling.
Education and Postponement of Maternity : Economic Analyses for Industrialized Countries
This book examines various economic aspects of the role of women’s education in the postponement of maternity in these ten industrialized countries. The chapters in this book each empirically investigate one of these countries using individual or household survey data and are in particular interested in the increasing age at motherhood with the investment in education of the mother. In search of socio-economic explanations for this relationship each chapter investigates a specific related research question. This results in a book that covers a wide range of topics on the economics of fertility decisions, such as career planning motives of women, consumption smoothing motives of households and the role of institutions.
Ecosystem Services for Well-Being in Deltas : Integrated Assessment for Policy Analysis
Answers key questions about environment, people and their shared future in deltas. It develops a systematic and holistic approach for policy-orientated analysis for the future of these regions. It does so by focusing on ecosystem services in the world’s largest, most populous and most iconic delta region, that of the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta in Bangladesh. The book covers the conceptual basis, research approaches and challenges, while also providing a methodology for integration across multiple disciplines, offering a potential prototype for assessments of deltas worldwide.
E-Content: Technologies and Perspectives for the European Market
Technologies develop rapidly and reach hurricane levels of velocity but quality E-Content and innovative applications lag behind. This book addresses the question how content industries change within a digital environment and what role information and communication technologies play in transforming the competitive landscape. The authors argue that post-industrial societies tend to pay substantial amounts for equipment and gadgets but invest far too little in the quality of the content. As a result, much effort is and has to be spent on the enhancement of E-Content.
