Education and the Public Interest : School Reform, Public Finance, and Access to Higher Education
Economic globalization has been accompanied by implementation of education reforms linked to accountability and public finance schemes that emphasize student choice in schools and student loans in higher education. In the U.S. these reforms are rationalized based on intermediate variables. the reforms rationalized based on this research are seldom evaluated in relation to outcomes . In Education and the Public Interest the editor re-examines the political rationales for these reforms.This volume undertakes a comparative study of the states in the U.S. to examine how education reforms influence student achievement, high school graduation, and college access; and finance schemes influence college access.
Economic Sociodynamics
A groundbreaking study of rational principles for the modern state to follow in promoting economic and social progress. Explains why more thoughtful and well meaning government intervention is a must today, not irrational passivity. Highly sophisticated but exceedingly pleasant reading. In this ambitious book the authors challenge mainstream economic theory by reconsidering the principle of individualism as its foundation.They refer to that version which fails to recognize the existence of the interests of society as such, and does thus exclude the role of the state as an independent market player seeking to realize these interests. The outcome is a new theoretical concept called "Economic Sociodynamics". The book reveals in detail the said concept, in particular its key notions of the sociodynamic multiplier and the rational behavior of the state.
Economic evaluation of sustainable development
This book presents methods to evaluate sustainable development using economic tools. The focus on sustainable development takes the reader beyond economic growth to encompass inclusion, environmental stewardship and good governance. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a framework for outcomes. In illustrating the SDGs, the book employs three evaluation approaches: impact evaluation, cost-benefit analysis and objectives-based evaluation.
Econometric Analysis of Count Data
The book provides graduate students and researchers with an up-to-date survey of statistical and econometric techniques for the analysis of count data, with a focus on conditional distribution models. Proper count data probability models allow for rich inferences, both with respect to the stochastic count process that generated the data, and with respect to predicting the distribution of outcomes. The book starts with a presentation of the benchmark Poisson regression model. Alternative models address unobserved heterogeneity, state dependence, selectivity, endogeneity, underreporting, and clustered sampling. Testing and estimation is discussed from frequentist and Bayesian perspectives. Finally, applications are reviewed in fields such as economics, marketing, sociology, demography, and health sciences. The fifth edition contains several new topics, including copula functions, Poisson regression for non-counts, additional semi-parametric methods, and discrete factor models. Other sections have been reorganized, rewritten, and extended.
Earth Observation with CHAMP : Results from Three Years in Orbit
In the summer of 2000 the German geo-research satellite CHAMP was launched into orbit. Its innovative payload arrangement and the low initial orbit allow CHAMP to simultaneously collect and almost continuously analyse precise data relating to gravity and magnetic fields at low altitude. In addition, CHAMP also measures the neutral atmosphere and ionosphere using GPS techniques. Three years after launch, more than 200 CHAMP investigators and co-investigators from all over the world met at the GeoForschungsZentrum in Potsdam to present and discuss the results derived from the extensive data sets of the mission. The main outcome of this expert meeting is summarized in this volume. The book offers a comprehensive insight into the present status of the exploitation of CHAMP data for Earth system research and practical applications in geodesy, geophysics and meteorology.
Dynamics and thermodynamics with nuclear degrees of freedom
The present volume is the outcome of a community-wide review of the field of dynamics and thermodynamics with nuclear degrees of freedom which has been initiated two years ago. The achievements and the outstanding open questions are presented in 26 articles of together 61 authors and collected in six topical sections. All authors are internationally recognized experts in their fields.
Dynamic Games : Theory and Applications
Dynamic games continue to attract strong interest from researchers interested in modelling competitive as well as conflict situations exhibiting an intertemporel aspect. Applications of dynamic games have proven to be a suitable methodology to study the behaviour of players (decision-makers) and to predict the outcome of such situations in many areas including engineering, economics, management science, military, biology and political science. Dynamic Games: Theory and Applications collects thirteen articles written by established researchers.
Drug Targets in Kinetoplastid Parasites
The book contains 12 chapters contributed by eminent scientists working in this field. The articles deal mainly with two aspects: visual identification of targets and identification of therapeutic agents.Several targets like kDNA replication machinery, purine salvage pathway, purine and pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway, histone deacetylase, DNA topoisomerases, membrane transporter proteins, glycoproteins and glycolipids are discussed in this book. Since current treatments for kinetoplastid parasitic diseases are far from ideal, there is an urgent and genuine need to develop newer compounds as antiparasitic drug candidates. Therefore evelopment of some lead compounds against these parasites as well as drug resistance are also included in this book. Moreover the vast amount of information generated after publication of the "Trytrip" genome sequence now makes possible several new approaches for target identification and discovery of therapeutic agents. This book is an outcome of the contributions of many scientists working in this important area.
Digital Towns : Accelerating and Measuring the Digital Transformation of Rural Societies and Economies
This book explores the digital transformation of small and rural towns, in particular, how to measure the evolution and development of digital towns. In addition to access to resources, competition from urban and global markets, and population trends, rural communities present lesser access and use of digital technologies and have lower digital competencies and skills than their urban counterparts. Consequently, they experience less beneficial outcomes from increased digitalisation than urban areas. This book defines what a digital town is and explores digitalisation from the perspective of the four basic economic sectors in towns - individuals and households, businesses, the public sector, and civil society - and three types of enabling infrastructure - digital connectivity, education, and governance.
Digital Anatomy : Applications of Virtual, Mixed and Augmented Reality
This book offers readers fresh insights on applying Extended Reality to Digital Anatomy, a novel emerging discipline. Indeed, the way professors teach anatomy in classrooms is changing rapidly as novel technology-based approaches become ever more accessible. Recent studies show that Virtual (VR), Augmented (AR), and Mixed-Reality (MR) can improve both retention and learning outcomes.
Diagnosis and Treatment Planning in Dentistry ; 3rd ed.
Provides a full-color guide to creating treatment plans based on a comprehensive patient assessment. Using evidence-based research, this book shows how risk assessment, prognosis, and expected treatment outcomes factor into the planning process. New chapters cover patient diagnosis and team-based treatment planning, and a new Evolve website includes videos and decision-making algorithms. Written by experienced dentistry educators Stephen Stefanac and Samuel Nesbit, this book is the only dental resource that combines patient examination and oral diagnosis with treatment planning.
Diagnosis and treatment of furcation-involved teeth
Offers dental professionals a comprehensive review of the aetiology and diagnosis of furcation defects, including treatment options. Provides a practical manual for the successful diagnosis and treatment of a therapeutic challenge for general dentists and periodontists Presents illustrative photographs of clinical cases and procedures Offers a helpful chapter on patient-reported outcomes Includes a companion website with video clips and case studies
Developing BIM talent : A guide to the BIM body of knowledge with Metrics, KSAs, and learning outcomes
A systematic Building Information Modeling (BIM) framework features cutting-edge use cases and competencies for students and professionals pursuing BIM careers. Offers: A solid foundation and guidelines for educators and practitioners for starting or enhancing a BIM curriculum or training program Templates, expert interviews, and case studies that provide in-depth knowledge and lessons learned that can facilitate process changes and strategic action plans Strategies for standardizing emerging BIM job tasks, descriptions, and methods for benchmarking performance
Designing Democracy : Ideas for Better Rules
While liberal democracies are the best systems of self-governance for societies, they rarely invoke great enthusiasm. On the one hand, democracies have been known to fail in achieving efficient or fair allocations. On the other hand, many citizens take the democratic system for granted as they have yet to experience an alternative. In this book the vision we propose is that the potential of democ racies has not yet been exhausted, and that optimal democracies are both the Utopia for societies and the aim that scientists should be committed to. We present a number of ideas for drawing up new rules to im prove the functioning of democracies. The book falls into two parts. The first part examines ways of combining incentive contracts with democratic elections. We suggest that a judicious combina tion of these two elements as a dual mechanism can alleviate a wide range of political failures, while at the same time adhering to the founding principles of democracies. The second part presents new rules for decision-making and agenda setting. Together with modern communication devices, these rules can sometimes transcend the limitations of liberal VI Preface democracies in achieving desirable outcomes. Examples of such rules include the flexible majority rule where the size of the ma jority required depends on the proposal, or the rule that only those belonging to the winning majority can be taxed.
Desertification in the Mediterranean Region : A security issue ; Proceedings of the NATO Mediterranean Dialogue Workshop, held in Valencia, Spain, 2-5 December 2003
This book focuses on two basic concepts: security and desertification in the Mediterranean Region and their linkages. Desertification is recognized as a process of land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas of the world that is the result of natural phenomena (e.g. climate variation) and anthropogenic factors. The outcome of this type of degradation has typically been considered to be either a reduction or a loss of both biological and economic productivity. The scope of the book includes the identification of the physical processes of desertification specific to both the north and south Mediterranean Region. Additionally, it specifically questions how changing environmental conditions may potentially reduce stability and peace in the world and thus affect "environmental security."
Dentofacial Esthetics : From Macro to Micro
Dives deep into dentofacial esthetics and teaches you how to evaluate each patient who walks through your door from the macro to the micro, focusing first on the big picture and then working your way to the minute details in order to treatment plan for the best possible outcome. The author's mantra is that "If you don't see it, you won't treat it," so his goal is to educate dentists and orthodontists about what they should be seeing in order to yield maximally esthetic outcomes, taking into consideration concepts like esthetic balance and smile projection.
Dental Ultrasound in Periodontology and Implantology : Examination, Diagnosis and Treatment Outcome Evaluation
This book presents up-to-date information on promising indications for ultrasound in contemporary periodontics and implant therapy with the aim of assisting researchers and dental practitioners to use this novel imaging modality to advance research and patient care.
Dental implant treatment in medically compromised patients
This book is an ideal reference guide for clinicians seeking to improve their decision making and treatment outcomes when placing dental implants in medically compromised patients, in whom conditions for osseointegration and soft tissue healing may be unfavorable.
Dental biomaterials: from fundamental principles to clinical applications
Novel approaches are being developed to prevent and treat prevalent oral diseases like dental caries, periodontitis, and oral cancer. Researchers are also exploring the potential of biomaterials in regenerative dentistry, such as promoting bone growth and repairing damaged oral tissues.The ongoing research and development in dental materials and biomaterials holds great promise for improving oral health outcomes. However, it is imperative to maintain a sustained focus on research to fully leverage their potential and effectively address the existing gaps in dental care.In the special issue titled "Dental Biomaterials: From Fundamental Principles to Clinical Applications," significant findings have emerged from a variety of sources, including in vitro experiments and clinical trials.
Decision Making with the Analytic Network Process: Economic, Political, Social and Technological Applications with Benefits, Opportunities, Costs and Risks
A selection of applications of ANP to economic, social and political decisions, and also to technological design. The chapters comprise contributions of scholars, consultants and people concerned about the outcome of certain important decisions who applied the Analytic Network Process to determine the best outcome for each decision from among several potential outcomes.



















