Shape from Positional-Contrast : Characterising Sketches with Qualitative Line Arrangements
Graphical queries for the purpose of searching for pictorial information are of growing interest in areas where pictures provide valuable information, including, for instance, design, architecture, and engineering. Sketching graphical queries is a natural way of revealing the visual appearance of objects one has in mind. Björn Gottfried develops computationally effective concepts for dealing with shape, in particular imprecise and incomplete sketched shapes. He exemplarily applies his method using graphical queries to search for historical objects. Specifying objects graphically, he shows that the new method is in fact capable of dealing with imprecise sketches.
Sequence Analysis and Modern C++ : The Creation of the SeqAn3 Bioinformatics Library
Every developer who previously worked with C++ will enjoy the in-depth chapter on important changes in the language from C++11 up to and including C++20. In contrast to many resources on Modern C++ that present new features only in small isolated examples, this book represents a more holistic approach: readers will understand the relevance of new features and how they interact in the context of a large software project and not just within a "toy example". Previous experience in creating software with C++ is highly recommended to fully appreciate these aspects. SeqAn3 is a new, re-designed software library. The conception and implementation process is detailed in this book, including a critical reflection on the previous versions of the library. This is particularly helpful to readers who are about to create a large software project themselves, or who are planning a major overhaul of an existing library or framework. While the focus of the book is clearly on software development and design, it also touches on various organisational and administrative aspects like licensing, dependency management and quality control.
Script Effects as the Hidden Drive of the Mind, Cognition, and Culture
This book reveals the hidden power of the script we read in and how it shapes and drives our minds, ways of thinking, and cultures. Expanding on the Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis (i.e., the idea that language affects the way we think), this volume proposes the “Script Relativity Hypothesis” (i.e., the idea that the script in which we read affects the way we think) by offering a unique perspective on the effect of script (alphabets, morphosyllabaries, or multi-scripts) on our attention, perception, and problem-solving
Running IPv6
Running IPv6 explains how to install and operate the IPv6 protocol for Windows XP, Mac OS X, FreeBSD, Red Hat Linux, and Cisco routers. The book also covers DNS and BIND, Zebra, Apache 2, and Sendmail. While IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, IPv6 addresses are 128 bits long, and allow for more unique addresses. While the adoption of IPv6 won't be immediate, it is necessary. Running IPv6 compares and contrasts IPv6 to IPv4, and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each. Because most major software and hardware vendors have adopted IPv6, the focus of this book is to leverage your existing knowledge of IPv4 and to help you apply that knowledge to the newer protocol.
Ruggiero Boscovich’s Theory of Natural Philosophy : Points, Distances, Determinations
Drawing on published works, correspondence and manuscripts, this book offers the most comprehensive reconstruction of Boscovich’s theory within its historical context. It explains the genesis and theoretical as well as epistemological underpinnings in light of the Jesuit tradition to which Boscovich belonged, and contrasts his ideas with those of Newton, Leibniz, and their legacy. Finally, it debates crucial issues in early-modern physical science such as the concept of force, the particle-like structure of matter, the idea of material points and the notion of continuity, and shares novel insights on Boscovich’s alleged influence on later developments in physics.
Rethinking Explanation
This book highlights some of the conceptual problems that still need to be solved and points out a number of fresh philosophical ideas to explore. Anyone interested in causal and probabilistic explanation, explanation-seeking questions and contrastive explanations, inference to the best explanation, or explanations within the special sciences should find something of interest in this book.
Research on teaching and learning probability
This book summarizes the vast amount of research related to teaching and learning probability that has been conducted for more than 50 years in a variety of disciplines. It begins with a synthesis of the most important probability interpretations throughout history: intuitive, classical, frequentist, subjective, logical propensity and axiomatic views. It discusses their possible applications, philosophical problems, as well as their potential and the level of interest they enjoy at different educational levels. Next, the book describes the main features of probabilistic thinking and reasoning, including the contrast to classical logic, probability language features, the role of intuitions, as well as paradoxes and the relevance of modeling. It presents an analysis of the differences between conditioning and causation, the variability expression in data as a sum of random and causal variations, as well as those of probabilistic versus statistical thinking.
Real Options Valuation : The Importance of Interest Rate Modelling in Theory and Practice
Managerial decision-making during the lifetime of a project can have im portant implications on project handling and its contribution to shareholder value. Traditional capital budgeting methods (in particular methods based on net present value) fail to capture the role of managerial degrees of free dom and therefore tend to lead to a systematic undervaluation of the project. In contrast, the real options approach to investment analysis characterizes decision-making flexibility in terms of (real) option rights which can be eval uated analogously to financial options using contingent-claims pricing tech niques widely used in capital markets. The research carried out by Marcus Schulmerich analyzes real options for n- constant and stochastic interest rates versus constant interest rates. Analyzing stochastic interest rates in the context of real options valuation is of particular relevance given their long time to maturity which makes them more vulnera ble to interest rate risk than short-term financial options. To date, there has not been a comprehensive review of this issue in the academic literature. The fact that interest rates have fiuctuated widely over the recent years further highlights the need for studying this issue.
Planetary Ring Systems
Covers the scientific significance of ring studies, the history of their discovery and characterization, the observations of Pioneer 10 at Jupiter, Pioneer 11 and Voyager 1 at Jupiter and Saturn, Voyager 2 at all four giant planets of the solar system, and Galileo at Jupiter. The discussion also includes subsequent scientific analyses of the observations, along with the accompanying theoretical studies, including various theories for the origins of planetary ring systems. Finally, the four ring systems are both compared and contrasted in a chapter on comparative planetology.
Physical (A)Causality : Determinism, Randomness and Uncaused Events
Addresses the physical phenomenon of events that seem to occur spontaneously and without any known cause. These are to be contrasted with events that happen in a predetermined, predictable, lawful, and causal way. The book tries to answer some of these questions by introducing intrinsic, embedded observers and provable unknowns; that is, observables and procedures which are certified (relative to the assumptions) to be unknowable or undoable. A (somewhat iconoclastic) review of quantum mechanics is presented which is inspired by quantum logic. Postulated quantum (un-)knowables are reviewed. More exotic unknowns originate in the assumption of classical continua, and in finite automata and generalized urn models, which mimic complementarity and yet maintain value definiteness. Traditional conceptions of free will, miracles and dualistic interfaces are based on gaps in an otherwise deterministic universe.
PHP Solutions : Dynamic Web Design Made Easy
PHP and the MySQL database are deservedly the most popular combination for creating dynamic websites. They're free, easy to use, and provided by many web hosting companies in their standard packages. Unfortunately, most PHP books either expect you to be an expert already or force you to go through endless exercises of little practical value. In contrast, this book gives you real value right away through a series of practical examples that you can incorporate directly into your sites, optimizing performance and adding functionality such as file uploading, email feedback forms, image galleries, content management systems, and much more. Each solution is created with not only functionality in mind, but also visual design.
Peptide Nucleic Acids, Morpholinos and Related Antisense Biomolecules
This volume is unique to the existing literature in the Peptide Nucleic Acid field, in that it focuses on comparing and contrasting PNA with other available oligonucleotide homologues and considers areas in which these biomolecules could be profitably applied to clinical and diagnostic applications. Part I of the book addresses comparative strengths and weaknesses of various nucleoside homologues. Part II of the book addresses specific translational or clinical applications for PNA and related antisense biomolecules. The editors have succeeded in presenting a balanced yet broad view of the methods available for gene targeting and modification.
Parameter Estimation in Stochastic Differential Equations
Parameter estimation in stochastic differential equations and stochastic partial differential equations is the science, art and technology of modelling complex phenomena and making beautiful decisions. The subject has attracted researchers from several areas of mathematics and other related fields like economics and finance. This volume presents the estimation of the unknown parameters in the corresponding continuous models based on continuous and discrete observations and examines extensively maximum likelihood, minimum contrast and Bayesian methods. Useful because of the current availability of high frequency data is the study of refined asymptotic properties of several estimators when the observation time length is large and the observation time interval is small. Also space time white noise driven models, useful for spatial data, and more sophisticated non-Markovian and non-semimartingale models like fractional diffusions that model the long memory phenomena are examined in this volume.
Parallel Imaging in Clinical MR Applications
This book presents the first in-depth introduction to parallel imaging techniques and, in particular, to the application of parallel imaging in clinical MRI. It will provide readers with a broader understanding of the fundamental principles of parallel imaging and of the advantages and disadvantages of specific MR protocols in clinical applications in all parts of the body at 1.5 and 3 Tesla. The first part of the book explains relevant MRI physics and techniques, detailing the various image reconstruction algorithms for parallel imaging. The second part presents detailed, ready-to-use clinical protocols for morphologic, angiographic, and functional MR imaging, with special emphasis on problem-solving strategies for assessment of cardiovascular and oncological diseases. In addition, detailed information is provided on cutting-edge techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging, oxygen-enhanced lung imaging, and MRA with blood pool contrast agents.
Optical Coherence Tomography : Technology and Applications
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is the optical analog of ultrasound imaging and is emerging as a powerful imaging technique that enables non-invasive, in vivo, high resolution, cross-sectional imaging in biological tissue. A new generation OCT technology has now been developed, representing a quantum leap in resolution and speed, achieving in vivo optical biopsy, i.e. the visualization of tissue architectural morphology in situ and in real time. Functional extensions of OCT technology enable non-invasive, depth resolved functional assessment and imaging of tissue. These new techniques should not only improve image contrast, but should also enable the differentiation of pathologies via metabolic properties or functional state. The book introduces OCT technology and applications not only from an optical and technological viewpoint, but also from biomedical and clinical perspectives.
Nonlinear Structural Engineering : With Unique Theories and Methods to Solve Effectively Complex Nonlinear Problems
This book is aiming to concentrate on the nonlinear static and dynamic analysis of structures and structural components that are widely used in everyday engineering applications. It approaches a nonlinear problem by mathematically converting it into an exact equivalent pseudolinear one, in contrast to commonly used approaches which are based on linear concepts. The new concepts, theories and methods introduced in this book, simplify a great deal the solution of the complex nonlinear problems, and also allow for the correct usage of the powerful existing linear methods of analysis.
New Directions in Cognitive Information Retrieval
New Directions in Cognitive Information Retrieval presents an exciting new direction for research into cognitive oriented information retrieval (IR) research, a direction based on an analysis of the user’s problem situation and cognitive behavior when using the IR system. This contrasts with the current dominant IR research paradigm which concentrates on improving IR system matching performance. The chapters describe the leading edge concepts and models of cognitive IR that explore the nexus between human cognition, information and the social conditions that drive humans to seek information using IR systems. Chapter topics include: Polyrepresentation, cognitive overlap and the boomerang effect, Multitasking while conducting the search, Knowledge Diagram Visualizations of the topic space to facilitate user assimilation of information, Task, relevance, selection state, knowledge need and knowledge behavior, search training built into the search, children’s collaboration for school projects, and other cognitive perspectives on IR concepts and issues.
Multidetector-Row CT Angiography
Multidetector-row CT has dramatically improved the results of computed tomography in all clinical applications, but its beneficial impact has been most striking in vascular imaging. The simplicity of acquisition and the wide availability of equipment make this modality especially suitable for routine clinical application. In this book the basic aspects of multidetector-row CT angiography are comprehensively reviewed. Individual chapters are included on technical principles, image processing techniques and contrast agent administration. All clinical applications are then discussed in depth, with lucid descriptions of the examination technique for particular clinical indications and of the findings that characterize specific diseases. Limitations and advantages in comparison with other imaging modalities are considered. A large number of high-quality black and white and color illustrations help to explain the clinical findings.
Multidetector-Row Computed Tomography : Scanning and Contrast Protocols
Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) has advanced the approach to diagnostic assessment of many pathologies and now plays an integral role in imaging of both abdominal and cardiovascular diseases. The possibility to acquire diagnostic images with shorter scan duration, longer scan ranges, and/or thinner sections, MDCT has facilitated the opening of new horizons, such as interventional MDCT and functional imaging in stroke and oncology. In addition, advanced postprocessing techniques now permit high quality volumetric imaging in combination with maximum intensity projections, volume rendering, curved planar reformations and multiplanar reconstructions. This volume gathers contributions by internationally renowned specialists in the field who, through presenting their clinical experience, provide a thorough overview not only of MDCT and its practical applications, but also of workflow management in everyday clinical practice. Focussing on scanning and contrast protocols, the current advantages and disadvantages of non-enhanced vs. enhanced MDCT are discussed, along with insights into likely future developments. The volume represents an up-to-date source of technical and practically-oriented clinical information which should prove of great benefit to all who wish to improve or consolidate their knowledge and expertise in MDCT.
MRI of the Liver : Imaging Techniques, Contrast Enhancement, Differential Diagnosis
Due to the latest developments in magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of liver pathology, a second, completely revised and enlarged edition of this book was felt necessary – despite only three years having elapsed since the first edition. New chapters have been added covering important and highly relevant topics, among which imaging of pseudolesions, imaging of neoplastic diseases in pediatric subjects, imaging of bile ducts, MR angiography and imaging pre and post liver transplantation.



















