Biology and Ecology of Norway Spruce
This book presents a concise and comprehensive review of the biology, ecology, and management of Norway spruce. It integrates classic and contemporary literature (more than 2000 works cited in the text), highlighting basic research and forestry practices in central and eastern Europe. The topics include anatomy and morphology, physiology and nutrition, reproductive biology and genetics, and ecology. In addition, it examines mycorrhiza, diseases and pests as well as silviculture and wood products. In the light of increasing threats to forest health from air pollution, climate change, and insects and disease, it provides an essential information source to those concerned with the ecology, conservation, and management of the species
Biologically Inspired Algorithms for Financial Modelling
Then Part I provides a thorough guide to the various bioinspired methodologies – neural networks, evolutionary computing (particularly genetic algorithms and grammatical evolution), particle swarm and ant colony optimization, and immune systems. Part II brings the reader through the development of market trading systems. Finally, Part III examines real-world case studies where BIA methodologies are employed to construct trading systems in equity and foreign exchange markets, and for the prediction of corporate bond ratings and corporate failures.
Biological invaders in inland waters : Profiles, distribution, and threats
The book examines the identity, distribution, and impact of freshwater non-indigenous species and the dynamics of their invasion. Rather than providing a broad and comprehensive review of the issue, Biological invaders in inland waters focuses on old and new invaders and also raises questions and opens perspectives that provide a starting point for further research. The ultimate purpose of this book is to help define a more general framework for our knowledge of invasions in fresh waters. Such a framework will be indispensable to the planning of a science-based management program.
Biochemistry of Atherosclerosis
Advances in Biochemistry in Heath and Disease presents state-of-the-art discussions in cutting-edge biochemical research, offering exciting developments that impact healthcare and disease research. Volumes in the series focus on cross-disciplinary biomedical research and examine various topics in biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, and biomedicine. Biochemistry of Atherosclerosis examines atherosclerosis in great detail, focusing on the risk of atherosclerosis, and the biochemical pathways involved. It provides a breadth of knowledge as well as new insights into a variety of topics relating to atherosclerosis from leading scientists around the world who are at the forefront of atherosclerosis research. Biochemistry of Atherosclerosis is essential reading for biomedical and clinical researchers.
Big Data Science in Finance
Explains the mathematics, theory, and methods of Big Data as applied to finance and investing Examines the mathematics, theory, and practical use of the revolutionary techniques that are transforming the industry. Designed for mathematically-advanced students and discerning financial practitioners alike, this energizing book presents new, cutting-edge content based on world-class research taught in the leading Financial Mathematics and Engineering programs in the world. Marco Avellaneda, a leader in quantitative finance, and quantitative methodology author Irene Aldridge help readers harness the power of Big Data. Provides a complete account of Big Data that includes proofs, step-by-step applications, and code samples Explains the difference between Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) Covers vital topics in the field in a clear, straightforward manner Compares, contrasts, and discusses Big Data and Small Data Includes Cornell University-tested educational materials such as lesson plans, end-of-chapter questions, and downloadable lecture slides
Big Data : An Art of Decision Making
Manipulating and processing masses of digital data is never a purely technical activity. It requires an interpretative and exploratory outlook - already well known in the social sciences and the humanities - to convey intelligible results from data analysis algorithms and create new knowledge. Big Data is based on an inquiry of several years within Proxem, a software publisher specializing in big data processing. The book examines how data scientists explore, interpret and visualize our digital traces to make sense of them, and to produce new knowledge. Grounded in epistemology and science and technology studies, Big Data offers a reflection on data in general, and on how they help us to better understand reality and decide on our daily actions.
Between Peace and Conflict in the East and the West : Studies on Transformation and Development in the OSCE Region
This book features various studies on democratization, transformation, socio-economic development, and security issues in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) geographical region and beyond. Written by experts and scholars working in the field of human dimension, security, transformation and development in Europe and Asia, particularly in post-soviet and communist countries, it examines the connectivity that the OSCE provides between the East and the West.
Becoming virtual : Knowledge management and transformation of the distributed organization
This book examines the capabilities needed to transform a globally distributed organization into a virtual organization (an organization that exists and operates across time and distance with the support of global communications technologies such as the Internet). It introduces techniques for definition of goals for virtualization, for monitoring progress toward virtualization and for studying the impact of virtualization on social uncertainty, knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer, organizational memory, transactive memory, communities of practice and organizational commitment, power and control. These techniques are applied in an extended case study of a development aid organization's attempts to use knowledge management for virtualization over a two year period. The multidisciplinary team of authors examines virtualization from points of view ranging from the organizational to the technological to the sociological and psychological.
Barile's clinical toxicology : Principles and mechanisms ; 3rd ed.
Examines the complex interactions associated with clinical toxicological events as a result of therapeutic drug administration or chemical exposure. Special emphasis is placed on signs and symptoms of diseases and pathology caused by toxins and clinical drugs. Includes the source, pharmacological and toxicological mechanism of action, detection and identification in body fluids, and treatment of exposure. An overview of protocols for managing various toxic ingestions, and the antidotes and treatments associated with their pathology, are discussed. In addition, effect of toxins on a limited number of body systems and drug-induced adverse drug reactions are also covered
Banking on (artificial) intelligence : Navigating the realities of ai in financial services
Provides a tailored overview of what AI specifically means for financial services, a highly regulated yet also disrupted industry. it investigates the current state of AI applications in financial services today along with the state of funding and partnerships between tech and banking industries. it also examines the key pillars of responsible AI and the importance of keeping humans in the loop. the book takes a deep dive into the use cases in the financial services industry, the challenges and opportunities, and the fragmented regulatory landscape. how can we effectively assess risks, and balance innovation and customer centricity with trust in AI in financial services? can smaller organizations reap the benefits of the technology? how can institutions deploy AI responsibly and securely, and promote a fairer and more equitable future for more people?
Bacterial Biofilms
This volume tends to focus on the biology of biofilms that affect human disease. It opens with chapters that provide the reader with current perspectives on biofilm development, physiology, environmental and regulatory effects, the role of quorum sensing, and resistance/phenotypic persistence to antimicrobial agents during biofilm growth. The next chapters are devoted to common problematic biofilms, those that colonize venous and urinary catheters. The final series of chapters examines biofilm formation by four species that are important pathogens and well studied models, one of which, Yersinia pestis, cleverly adopts a biofilm state of growth within its insect vector to promote disease transmission to mammalian hosts.
AVENUE21. Connected and Automated Driving : Prospects for Urban Europe
This publication examines the impact of connected and automated vehicles on the European city and the conditions that can enable this technology to make a positive contribution to urban development. The authors argue for two theses that have thus far received little attention in scientific discourse: as connected and automated vehicles will not be ready for use in all parts of the city for a long time, previously assumed effects – from traffic safety to traffic performance as well as spatial effects – will need to be re-evaluated.
Automotive production systems and standardisation : From Ford to the case of Mercedes-Benz
The introduction of the Mercedes-Benz Production System (MPS) is exemplary of a trend within the automotive industry: the creation and introduction of company-specific standardised production systems. This book contributes to the debate about production systems by examining the social and economic implications of the role of standardisation in production systems. In this context it addresses three core issues: First, the driving forces behind the changing forms and functions of standardisation and the role of institutions therein. Second, the impact of standardisation on the evolution of automotive production systems. Third, based on the author's own empirical research conducted over a three year period at the Mercedes-Benz plant Stuttgart-Untertürkheim/Germany, the book examines the influence of standardisation on the work of actors on the shop floor in terms of organisational learning processes and the regulation of work.
Autoimmune Diseases in Endocrinology
Autoimmune Diseases in Endocrinology is a comprehensive and novel text that examines key features that predispose individuals to autoimmune diseases.
Asylum Matters : On the Front Line of Administrative Decision-Making
This book examines everyday practices in an asylum administration. Asylum decisions are often criticised as being ‘subjective’ or ‘arbitrary’. Asylum Matters turns this claim on its head.
Astrophysical disks : Collective and stochastic phenomena
The book deals with collective and stochastic processes in astrophysical discs involving theory, observations, and the results of modelling. Among others, it examines the spiral-vortex structure in galactic and accretion disks , stochastic and ordered structures in the developed turbulence. It also describes sources of turbulence in the accretion disks, internal structure of disk in the vicinity of a black hole, numerical modelling of Be envelopes in binaries, gaseous disks in spiral galaxies with shock waves formation, observation of accretion disks in a binary system and mass distribution of luminous matter in disk galaxies.
Assetization : Turning Things into Assets in Technoscientific Capitalism
In this book, scholars from a range of disciplines argue that the asset—meaning anything that can be controlled, traded, and capitalized as a revenue stream—has become the primary basis of technoscientific capitalism. An asset can be an object or an experience, a sum of money or a life form, a patent or a bodily function. A process of assetization prevails, imposing investment and return as the key rationale, and overtaking commodification and its speculative logic. Although assets can be bought and sold, the point is to get a durable economic rent from them rather than make a killing on the market. Assetization examines how assets are constructed and how a variety of things can be turned into assets, analyzing the interests, activities, skills, organizations, and relations entangled in this process.
Asset Sales : Their Role in Restructuring and Financing Firms
Examines the corporate asset market and the mechanisms of asset sale transactions. The book then focuses on the theory of finance in asset sales (the efficiency and financing theory) and the extensive empirical literature now available. In light of recent and rapid technological and digital advances, the last section presents new perspectives on analyzing asset sales transactions. Chiefly intended as a primer for PhD students and academics, the book offers a road map of the empirical research landscape and suggests future research directions.
Assessment of climate change over the Indian Region : A report of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India
Discusses the impact of human-induced global climate change on the Indian subcontinent and regional monsoon, the adjoining Indian Ocean and the Himalayas. It also examines the regional climate change projections based on the climate models used by the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) and national climate change modeling studies using the IITM Earth System Model (ESM) and CORDEX South Asia datasets
Asias debt capital markets : Prospects and strategies for development
The book has three parts. Part I describes the characteristics and historical origins of these markets. Part II examines the contemporary bond markets and shows how they contribute to general welfare, describes the relationship between the banking sector and capital markets, and assesses prospects for reform in Asia's governmental and corporate debt markets. Part III explains the micro-level impediments and obstacles that must be the first targets of any reform efforts, provides an appraisal of attempts at regional cooperation to stimulate structural reform, and lastly contributes proposals to accelerate the growth and reach of bond markets throughout Asia.



















