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Ontologies for Urban Development
Action C21 of the European programme for Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research (COST—http://www.cost.esf.org/) is dedicated to investigating urban ontologies for an improved communication in urban civil engineering projects. The Action, known informally as "Towntology", brings together a large and heterogeneous grouping from across Europe, whose interests range from construction to urban tourism and from transport infrastructure to resource visualisation. On 6-7 November 2006, in Geneva, the Action convened a successful workshop to address emerging issues in the field. This volume presents the contributions to that workshop, in many cases revised afterwards to capture some of the outcomes of discussion.
Ontologies for Agents : Theory and Experiences
On the other hand, ontologies have established themselves as a powerful tool to enable kno- edge sharing, and a growing number of applications have bene?ted from the use of ontologies as a means to achieve semantic interoperability among heterogeneous, distributed systems. In principle ontologies and agents are a match made in heaven, that has failed to happen. What makes a simple piece of software an agent is its ability to communicate in a ”social” environment, to make autonomous decisions, and to be proactive on behalf of its user. Communication ultimately depends on und- standing the goals, preferences, and constraints posed by the user. Autonomy is theabilitytoperformataskwithlittleornouserintervention,whileproactiveness involves acting autonomously with no need for user prompting. Communication, but also autonomy and proactiveness, depend on knowledge. The ability to c- municate depends on understanding the syntax (terms and structure) and the semantics of a language. Ontologies provide the terms used to describe a domain and the semantics associated with them. In addition, ontologies are often comp- mented by some logical rules that constrain the meaning assigned to the terms. These constraints are represented by inference rules that can be used by agents to perform the reasoning on which autonomy and proactiveness are based.
Online Business Security Systems
On-Line Business Security Systems, a professional book, applies the concept of synchronization to security of global heterogeneous and hetero-standard systems by modeling the relationship of risk access spots (RAS) between advanced and developing economy's network platforms. The proposed model is more effective at securing the electronic security gap between these economies in real life applications.
Nonlinear Dynamics and Heterogeneous Interacting Agents
Economic application of nonlinear dynamics, microscopic agent-based modelling, and the use of artificial intelligence techniques as learning devices of boundedly rational actors are among the most exciting interdisciplinary ventures of economic theory over the past decade. This volume provides us with a most fascinating series of examples on "complexity in action" exemplifying the scope and explanatory power of these innovative approaches.
Next Generation Teletraffic and Wired/Wireless Advanced Networking ; 8th International Conference, NEW2AN and 1st Russian Conference on Smart Spaces, ruSMART 2008 St. Petersburg, Russia, September 3-5, 2008. Proceedings
This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Next Generation Teletraffic and Wired/Wireless Advanced Networking, NEW2AN 2008, held in St. Petersburg, Russia in September 3-5, 2008 in conjunction with the First ruSMART 2008.The 21 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from a total of 60 submissions. The NEW2AN papers are organized in topical sections on wireless networks, multi-hop wireless networks, cross-layer design, teletraffic theory, multimedia communications, heterogeneous networks, network security. The ruSMART papers start with three keynote talks followed by seven articles on Smart Spaces.
Network-Based Information Systems ; 2nd International Conference, NBiS 2008, Turin, Italy, September 1-5, 2008. Proceedings
Constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Second International Conference on Network-Based Information Systems, NBIS 2008, held in Turin, Italy, September 1-5, 2008 in conjunction with Dexa 2008.The 32 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 81 submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections on wireless networks; heterogeneous networks; ad hoc networks; P2P, grid and internet computing; ad hoc and sensor networks; intelligent algorithms and systems; secure systems and applicatinos as well as network tools and architectures.
Network-Based Information Systems ; 1st International Conference, NBIS 2007, Regensburg, Germany, September 3-7, 2007, Proceedings
This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the First International Conference on Network-Based Information Systems, NBIS 2007, held in Regensburg, Germany, September 2007 in conjunction with Dexa 2007.
Multiple Heterogeneous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Aerial robots can be considered as an evolution of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). This book provides a quite complete overview of issues related to aerial robotics, addressing problems ranging from flight control to terrain perception and mission planning and execution. The major challenges and potentials of heterogeneous UAVs are comprehensively explored. It builds on the results of the European project COMETS, and highlights a number of key research topics in the area of UAV development, including communication, perception, teleoperation and decision making. The monograph emphasizes the current state of technology, the existing problems and potentialities of systems consisting of multiple UAVs which are heterogeneous in view of the different characteristics of the aerial vehicles, the different on-board payloads, and the different on-board information processing capabilities. The book also examines potential applications of UAVs and details a relevant application case: forest fire detection and monitoring.
Morphological Models of Random Structures
This book covers methods of Mathematical Morphology to model and simulate random sets and functions (scalar and multivariate). The introduced models concern many physical situations in heterogeneous media, where a probabilistic approach is required, like fracture statistics of materials, scaling up of permeability in porous media, electron microscopy images (including multispectral images), rough surfaces, multi-component composites, biological tissues, textures for image coding and synthesis. The common feature of these random structures is their domain of definition in n dimensions, requiring more general models than standard Stochastic Processes.The main topics of the book cover an introduction to the theory of random sets, random space tessellations, Boolean random sets and functions, space-time random sets and functions (Dead Leaves, Sequential Alternate models, Reaction-Diffusion), prediction of effective properties of random media, and probabilistic fracture theories.
Modern Aspects of Electrochemistry ; Vol. 38
Solid State Electrochemistry encompassing modern equilibria concepts, thermodymanics and kinetics of charge carriers in solids.,Electron transfer processes, with special sections devoted to hydration of the proton and its heterogeneous transfer.Electrosorption at electrodes and its relevance to electrocatalysis and electrodeposition of metals,The behavior of Pt and other alloy electrocatalyst crystallites used as the electrode materials for phosphoric acid electrolyte fuel-cells.Applications of reflexology and electron microscopy to the materials science aspect of metal electrodes.Electroplating of metal matrix composites by codeposition of suspended particles, a process that has improved physical and electrochemical properties.
Modeling in Biopharmaceutics, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics : Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Approaches
The state of the art in Biopharmaceutics, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics Modeling is presented in this book. It shows how advanced physical and mathematical methods can expand classical models in order to cover heterogeneous drug-biological processes and therapeutic effects in the body. The book is divided into four parts; the first deals with the fundamental principles of fractals, diffusion and nonlinear dynamics; the second with drug dissolution, release, and absorption; the third with empirical, compartmental, and stochastic pharmacokinetic models, and the fourth mainly with nonclassical aspects of pharmacodynamics. The classical models that have relevance and application to these sciences are also considered throughout. Many examples are used to illustrate the intrinsic complexity of drug administration related phenomena in the human, justifying the use of advanced modeling methods.
Mobile and Wireless Communications with Practical Use-Case Scenarios
While wireless technologies had a spectacular evolution over the past years, the present trend is to adopt a global heterogeneous network of shared standards that enables the provisioning of Quality of Service and Quality of Experience to the end-user. To this end, enabling technologies like Machine Learning, Internet of Things, Digital Twins, are seen as promising solutions for next generation networks that will enable an intelligent adaptive interconnected environment with support for prediction and decision making so that the heterogeneous applications and users requirements can be highly satisfied. The aim of this textbook is to provide the readers with a comprehensive technical foundation of the mobile communication systems and wireless network design, operations and applications of various radio access technologies. Additionally, it also introduces the reader to the latest advancements in technologies in terms of Internet of Things ecosystem, Machine Learning and Digital Twins for IoT-enabled intelligent environments. Furthermore, this textbook also includes practical use-case scenarios using Altair WinProp Software as well as Phyton, TensorFlow and Jupiter as support for practice-based laboratory sessions"
Micromechanics of Heterogeneous Materials
The micromechanics of random structure heterogeneous materials is a burgeoning multidisciplinary research area which overlaps the scientific branches of materials science, mechanical engineering, applied mathematics, technical physics, geophysics, and biology. Micromechanics of Heterogeneous Materials features rigorous theoretical methods of applied mathematics and statistical physics in materials science of microheterogeneous media. The prediction of the behavior of heterogeneous materials by the use of properties of constituents and their microstructures is a central issue of micromechanics. This book is the first in micromechanics to provide a useful and effective demonstration of the systematic and fundamental research of the microstructure of the wide class of heterogeneous materials of natural and synthetic nature.
Micromechanics of Contact and Interphase Layers
Micromechanics provides a link between the structure and the properties at different scales of observation. This book deals with micromechanical analysis of interfaces and interface layers and presents several modelling tools, ranging from the rigorous method of asymptotic expansions to practical finite element simulations, suitable for this class of problems. Two application areas are discussed. Boundary layers associated with contact of rough bodies are modelled by applying a scale transition approach in which a macroscopic interface of zero thickness is seen at the micro-scale as a layer with some finite thickness. Secondly, evolution of laminated microstructures accompanying stress-induced martensitic transformations in shape memory alloys (SMA) is analyzed as an illustration of the case when the local interfacial phenomena – here the propagation of phase transformation fronts – govern the macroscopic behaviour of a heterogeneous material.
Microarray technology and cancer gene profiling
Cancer is a heterogeneous disease in most respects, including its cellularity, different genetic alterations and diverse clinical behaviors. In the present book, written by leading experts in each field, the technical features characterizing this powerful laboratory tool are discussed, and the applications so far described in the field of oncology are reviewed.
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.
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.
Intelligent Systems for Sustainable Person-Centered Healthcare
This book establishes a dialog among the medical and intelligent system domains for igniting transition toward a sustainable and cost-effective healthcare. The Person-Centered Care (PCC) positions a person in the center of a healthcare system, instead of defining a patient as a set of diagnoses and treatment episodes. The book discusses intelligent systems and their applications for healthcare data analysis, decision making and process design tasks. The measurement systems and efficiency evaluation models analyze ability of intelligent healthcare system to monitor person health and improving quality of life.
Intelligent Network Management and Control : Intelligent Security, Multi-criteria Optimization, Cloud Computing, Internet of Vehicles, Intelligent Radio
The management and control of networks can no longer be envisaged without the introduction of artificial intelligence at all stages. Deals with topical issues related mainly to intelligent security of computer networks, deployment of security services in SDN (software-defined networking), optimization of networks using artificial intelligence techniques and multi-criteria optimization methods for selecting networks in a heterogeneous environment. Focuses on selecting cloud computing services, intelligent unloading of calculations in the context of mobile cloud computing, intelligent resource management in a smart grid-cloud system for better energy efficiency, new architectures for the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), the application of artificial intelligence in cognitive radio networks and intelligent radio input to meet the on-road communication needs of autonomous vehicles.
Insurance intermediation : An economic analysis of the information services market
Insurance intermediaries can help consumers to economize on information and transaction costs in insurance markets. However, competing intermediaries provide heterogeneous information services, which are difficult to assess by incompletely informed consumers. Conduct and performance in the market for insurance information services are analyzed by applying search theoretical and industrial organization approaches. Based on a sample of 927 insurance intermediaries, the factors that affect the quality of the information services provided by them are studied empirically. The results obtained support the main hypotheses derived from industrial organization theories as to the poor working of quality competition under incomplete and asymmetric information on the side of consumers.
