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Model Abstraction in Dynamical Systems : Application to Mobile Robot Control
The subject of this book is model abstraction of dynamical systems. The p- mary goal of the work embodied in this book is to design a controller for the mobile robotic car using abstraction. Abstraction provides a means to rep- sent the dynamics of a system using a simpler model while retaining important characteristics of the original system. A second goal of this work is to study the propagation of uncertain initial conditions in the framework of abstraction. The summation of this work is presented in this book.
Mobilities of the Highly Skilled towards Switzerland : The Role of Intermediaries in Defining “Wanted Immigrants”
This book analyses the strategies of migration intermediaries from the public and private sectors in Switzerland to select, attract, and retain highly skilled migrants who represent value to them. It reveals how state and economic actors define “wanted immigrants” and provide them with privileged access to the Swiss territory and labour market. This book thus shifts the focus from an approach that takes the category of highly skilled migrant for granted to one that regards context as crucial for structuring migrants’ characteristics, trajectories, and experiences. Beyond consideration of professional qualifications, the ways decision-makers perceive candidates and shape their resource environments are crucial for constructing them as skilled or unskilled, wanted or unwanted, welcome or unwelcome.
Mix-Design and Application of Hydraulic Grouts for Masonry Strengthening
Provides guidance for the rational design and application of hydraulic grouts, based on a series of specific data (type of masonry, voids' width, targeted strength and durability level, available materials, etc.). To this end, the basic characteristics of a grout, i.e. its injectability (penetrability, fluidity and stability), its strength and durability, are taken into account by means of rational models and quantified expressions of all grout-design parameters. Thus, a holistic, rational mix design methodology for optimization of grout composition is given, permitting the preliminary design of grouts, without having to resort to multiple tests in advance.
Mineral Trioxide Aggregate in Dentistry : From Preparation to Application
Concisely presents information on diverse aspects of MTA and its use with a view to making it more widely available to clinicians and researchers. The topics covered include the development of MTA and its introduction into clinical dentistry, its chemical composition and setting characteristics, manipulation and placement, material properties, reactivity and the influence of environmental factors.
Microcontrollers in Practice
Stressing common characteristics and real applications of the most used microcontrollers, this practical guide provides readers with hands-on knowledge of how to implement three families of microcontrollers (HC11, AVR, and 8051). Unlike the rest of the ocean of literature on individual chips, Microcontrollers in Practice supplieS side-by-side comparisons and an overview that treats the systems as resources available for implementation. Packed with hundred of practical examples and exercises to foster mastery of concepts and details, the guide also includes several extended projects. By treating the less expensive 8-bit and RISC microcontrollers, this information-dense manual equips students and home-experimenters with the know-how to put these devices into operation.
Microbial bioprocessing of agri-food wastes : food ingredients
Food ingredients are important molecules of the most diverse chemical classes responsible for conferring nutrition, stability, color, flavor, rheological and sensorial characteristics, in addition to several other important uses in the food industry. In this way, the production routes of these ingredients have gained more and more attention from consumers and producing industries, who expect that, in addition to their technological properties, these ingredients are still obtained without synthetic means, with savings of natural resources and mainly with less environmental impact.
Methods of Celestial Mechanics ; Vol. II : Application to Planetary System, Geodynamics and Satellite Geodesy
G. Beutler's Methods of Celestial Mechanics is a coherent textbook for students as well as an excellent reference for practitioners. Volume II is devoted to the applications and to the presentation of the program system CelestialMechanics. Three major areas of applications are covered: (1) Orbital and rotational motion of extended celestial bodies. The properties of the Earth-Moon system are developed from the simplest case (rigid bodies) to more general cases, including the rotation of an elastic Earth, the rotation of an Earth partly covered by oceans and surrounded by an atmosphere, and the rotation of an Earth composed of a liquid core and a rigid shell (Poincaré model). (2) Artificial Earth Satellites. The oblateness perturbation acting on a satellite and the exploitation of its properties in practice is discussed using simulation methods (CelestialMechanics) and (simplified) first order perturbation methods. The perturbations due to the higher-order terms of the Earth's gravitational potential and resonant perturbations are considered thereafter. Special attention is paid to satellites of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems and to geostationary satellites. The characteristics of and models for the two most important non-gravitational forces, atmospheric drag and radiation pressure, are presented as well as the most relevant forces acting on high- and low-orbiting satellites. (3) Evolution of the Planetary System. The outer planetary system consisting of the planets Jupiter to Pluto is studied over long time intervals using simulation methods and spectral analysis (CelestialMechanics). The properties of the inner systems, in particular of the Earth's orbit, are made visible by integrating the entire system over long time intervals relevant for climate change. The distribution of minor planets and their orbital properties, regular orbits, and chaotic orbits are easily generated and analyzed using CelestialMechanics. The volume concludes with the discussion of important mathematical tools of the program system and of the principles of spectral analysis.
Methods in consumer research ; Vol 1 : New approaches to classic methods
Brings together world leading experts in global consumer research who provide a fully comprehensive state-of-the-art coverage of advances in the classical methods of consumer science. The book touches on the latest developments in qualitative techniques, Including coverage of both focus groups and social media, While also focusing on liking, A fundamental principle of consumer science, Consumer segmentation, And the influence of extrinsic product characteristics, Such as packaging and presentation on consumer liking.
Methods and Tools for Drought Analysis and Management
Implementation of effective drought management policies requires both advanced technologies and appropriate methods. Monitoring and forecasting systems, practical tools for risk assessment, as well as simple and objective criteria to select and implement appropriate drought mitigation measures are key elements for a successful drought management strategy.These key issues have been tackled by universities and public agencies involved in the EU projects Sedemed and Sedemed II (Programme Interreg IIIB MEDOCC), aimed at the definition of an integrated network for real time monitoring of drought, the development of common methodologies for drought analysis and forecasting, as well as the definition of proper mitigation strategies for the Mediterranean countries.The book presents the main outcomes of such projects with a special focus on: drought monitoring and forecasting echniques at different spatial scales; new or modified agrometeorological indices and remote sensing technique for drought identification and characterization; tools to improve surface water resources management under drought conditions; methods and tools for groundwater resources monitoring and management, based on hydrogeological and hydrodynamics characteristics of aquifers; general criteria to select and implement mitigation strategies to prevent or minimize drought impacts.
Metal-Catalysed Reactions of Hydrocarbons
This unique book, drawing on the author’s lifetime experience, critically evaluates the extensive literature on the field of Metal-Catalysed Reactions of Hydrocarbons. Emphasis is placed on reaction mechanisms involving hydrogenation, hydrogenolysis, skeletal and positional isomerisation, and exchange reactions. The motivation for fundamental research in heterogeneous catalysis is to identify the physicochemical characteristics of active centres for the reaction being studied, to learn how these may be modified or manipulated to improve the desired behavior of the catalyst, and to recognize and control those aspects of the catalyst's structure that limit its overall performance. By restricting the subject of the book to hydrocarbons, Bond has progressively developed the subject matter to include areas of importance both to researchers and to those working in the industry.
Meshless Methods in Solid Mechanics
The main objective of this book is to provide a textbook for graduate courses on the computational analysis of continuum and solid mechanics based on meshless (also known as mesh free) methods. It can also be used as a reference book for engineers and scientists who are exploring the physical world through computer simulations. Emphasis of this book is given to the understanding of the physical and mathematical characteristics of the procedures of computational solid mechanics. It naturally brings the essence, advantages and challenging problems of meshless methods into the picture. The subjects in this book cover the fundamentals of continuum mechanics, the integral formulation methods of continuum problems, the basic concepts of finite element methods, and the methodologies, formulations, procedures, and applications of various meshless methods. It also provides general and detailed procedures of meshless analysis on elastostatics, elastodynamics, non-local continuum mechanics and plasticity with a large number of numerical examples. Some basic and important mathematical methods are included in the Appendixes. For the readers who want to gain knowledge through hands-on experience, the meshless programs for elastostatics and elastodynamics are also introduced in the book and included in the disc.
Mediterranean Land-surface Processes Assessed from Space
1. 1 Space View and Ground Observations 1 1. 2 Mediterranean Climatic Environment 2 1. 3 Processes at Surfaces 10 1. 3. 1 Deforestation and Land-use Changes 10 1. 3. 2 Water Related Problems 16 1. 3. 3 Fire, Grazing, and Land Degradation 19 1. 3. 4 Drought, Floods, Frost, and Desertification 21 1. 3. 5 Coupling Between Surface and Atmosphere: The Role of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer 25 1. 4 Role and Capabilities of Measurements Made From Space 30 1. 4. 1 Research Programmes 30 1. 4. 2 Expected Information 32 1. 4. 3 Research Strategy 33 1. 4. 4 Observation of Changes in Heterogeneous Landscapes: Spatial and Temporal Scales 35 1. 4. 5 Land-surface Change Indicators Observable from Space 36 Spectral Characteristics of Vegetation and Soils (36); Responses of Remote Sensing Signals to Changes of Land-surface Properties (40) 1. 5 About this Book 48 Chapter 2 Processing and Archiving of Satellite and Ancillary Data 51 2. 1 Introduction 51 2. 2 The Remote Sensing Data Base 55 2. 2. 1 Satellite Instruments 55 The NOAA Observing System (55); Meteosat (57); Nimbus-7 (59); Landsat (59); SPOT (61); DMSP (62); ERS-1 and ERS-2 (62); TRMM (63); Terra (64); Envisat (65); Aqua (66) 2. 2. 2 Aircraft Instruments 66 The Use of Aircraft for Land-surface Process Studies (66); AVIRIS (67); TMS (68); AIRSAR (68); DIAL (69) 2. 3 Reception, Acquisition and Availability of Satellite Data 70 2. 3.
Mediterranean Island Landscapes : Natural and Cultural Approaches
Mediterranean islands exhibit many similarities in their biotic ecological, physical and environmental characteristics. There are also many differences in terms of their human colonization and current anthropogenic pressures. This book addresses in three sections these characteristics and examines the major environmental changes that the islands experienced during the Quaternary period. The first section provides details on natural and cultural factors which have shaped island landscapes. It describes the environmental and cultural changes of the Holocene and their effects on biota, as well as on the current human pressures that are now threats to the sustainability of the island communities. The second section focuses on the landscapes of the largest islands namely Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Cyprus, Crete, Malta and the Balearics. Each island chapter includes a special topic reflecting a particular characteristic of the island. Part three presents strategies for action towards sustainability in Mediterranean islands and concludes with a comparison between the largest islands.
Medicina fisica e riabilitativa nei disturbi di equilibrio = Physical and rehabilitative medicine in balance disorders
Balance disorders are very common in the population: particularly frequent over the age of 40, are the first motivation for a medical examination after the age of 65 and frequently tend to become chronic. Balance disorders are symptoms of system dysfunction vestibular, complex sensory-psycho-motor system, whose task is that to control the activity of the antigravity muscles to maintain the erect station, of the oculomotor ones to allow the stabilization of the visual field during movement, and the neurovegetative functions they have relationship with standing and movement. Whether the vestibular system provides the information necessary for the check-up of the erect position, the rachis realizes it through a "stability dynamic ", allowed by its structural characteristics proprioception the spine is also a fundamental sensor for controlling balance ; therefore the techniques of physical and rehabilitative medicine and of manual medicine represent a powerful tool for curing ailments equilibrium. This volume comes from the comparison between a physiatrist and an audiologist, who for 15 years have integrated their clinical experience and therefore proposes a new one inter-specialist approach to the diagnostic and therapeutic problems of patients with balance disorders.
Medical Biometrics ; 1st International Conference, ICMB 2008, Hong Kong, China, January 4-5, 2008, Proceedings
Medical biometrics primarily refers to the usage of beh- ioral and physiological characteristics of humans for medical diagnosis and body care. Thus the goal of medical biometrics is to explore solutions to the open problems in medicine using biometric measurements, technologies and systems.
MDATA : A New Knowledge Representation Model: Theory, Methods and Applications
This book introduces a new knowledge representation model called MDATA (Multi-dimensional Data Association and inTelligent Analysis). By modifying the representation of entities and relations in knowledge graphs, dynamic knowledge can be efficiently described with temporal and spatial characteristics. The MDATA model can be regarded as a high-level temporal and spatial knowledge graph model, which has strong capabilities for knowledge representation. This book introduces some key technologies in the MDATA model, such as entity recognition, relation extraction, entity alignment, and knowledge reasoning with spatiotemporal factors. The MDATA model can be applied in many critical applications and this book introduces some typical examples, such as network attack detection, social network analysis, and epidemic assessment.
Islamic banking and finance
Explores the nature and role of money in modern economies and elaborates on the process of credit deposit creation, trade cycles and instruments for the creation of value in financial markets through the perspectives of Islamic finance. The author explains its characteristics, especially the rationale for the lack of interest-based financial activities. He examines the intrinsic ethical and humanistic frameworks that govern financial theories and practices and the models for the creation of value, risk-sharing and socially responsible investing, as well as the governance and regulation that these systems follow. The author also does a comparative assessment of conventional financial systems with Islamic finance with relevant examples, assesses the performance of Islamic systems and examines existing and expanding markets for Islamic finance.
Invasive forest insects, introduced forest trees, and altered ecosystems : Ecological pest management in global forests of a changing world
Demand for timber and fibre continues to grow and is being met by increased reliance on plantation forestry. Many of the plantations that are being grown around the globe are non-native species that have characteristics of rapid growth and good commercial qualities. In some cases, the high rates of production are a result of the absence of native herbivore and diseases. This limited pest status is threatened as pest species move around the globe. At the same time there is concern about threats of these non-native plantation species on native communities and the impact of changing climates on forest productivity. This volume explores many of these issues for the first time.
Introduction to Intelligent Construction Technology of Transportation Infrastructure
Expounds on the related technologies of intelligent transportation infrastructure construction. Based on the essential characteristics of intelligent construction, "perception, analysis, decision-making, and execution," the basic structure of intelligent construction technology (ICT) is established. With the integration of engineering construction technologies, the analyses of the essence of intelligent algorithms and the feasibility of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are provided. The book introduces the essential characteristics of Big Data and the Internet of Things and their relationship with engineering construction. On this basis, the feasibility and implementation plan of intelligent technology applications in design, construction, and maintenance are analyzed and demonstrated with engineering examples.
Introduction to Genetic Algorithms
This book is designed to provide an in-depth knowledge on the basic operational features and characteristics of Genetic Algorithms. The various operators and techniques given in the book are pertinent to carry out Genetic Algorithm Research Projects. The book also explores the different types are Genetic Algorithms available with their importance. Implementation of Genetic Algorithm concept has been performed using the universal language C/C++ and the discussion also extends to Genetic Algorithm MATLAB Toolbox. Few Genetic Algorithm problems are programmed using MATLAB and the simulated results are given for the ready reference of the reader. The applications of Genetic Algorithms in Machine learning, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Data Mining, Image Processing, and VLSI are dealt to make the readers understand where the concept can be applied.
