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Abstraction, refinement and proof for probabilistic systems
Probabilistic techniques are increasingly being employed in computer programs and systems because they can increase efficiency in sequential algorithms, enable otherwise nonfunctional distribution applications, and allow quantification of risk and safety in general. This makes operational models of how they work, and logics for reasoning about them, extremely important. Abstraction, Refinement and Proof for Probabilistic Systems presents a rigorous approach to modeling and reasoning about computer systems that incorporate probability. Its foundations lie in traditional Boolean sequential-program logic—but its extension to numeric rather than merely true-or-false judgments takes it much further, into areas such as randomized algorithms, fault tolerance, and, in distributed systems, almost-certain symmetry breaking. The presentation begins with the familiar "assertional" style of program development and continues with increasing specialization: Part I treats probabilistic program logic, including many examples and case studies; Part II sets out the detailed semantics; and Part III applies the approach to advanced material on temporal calculi and two-player games.
Abstract State Machines, B and Z ; 1st International Conference, ABZ 2008, London, UK, September 16-18, 2008. Proceedings
This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the First International Conference of Abstract State Machines, B and Z, ABZ 2008, held in London, UK, in September 2008.
A vision-based system to early detection of drowning incidents in swimming pools
Being one of the leading causes of death; drowning has become a severe problem in the past few years. Our goal from this project is to focus on the comprehensive survey of drowning detection and prevention techniques. There are various methodologies put up in the domain of swimming pool safety using different intelligent control systems. Various methods have been adopted for drowning detection using the concepts of image processing, pressure and motion sensing. The main objectives of this work are to detect the drowning person in an indoor swimming pool and send an alarm to the lifeguard to rescue if the previously detected person is missing for a specific amount of time.
A Time for Metabolism and Hormones
Recent years have seen spectacular advances in the field of circadian biology. These have attracted the interest of researchers in many fields, including endocrinology, neurosciences, cancer, and behavior. By integrating a circadian view within the fields of endocrinology and metabolism, researchers will be able to reveal many, yet-unsuspected aspects of how organisms cope with changes in the environment and subsequent control of homeostasis. This field is opening new avenues in our understanding of metabolism and endocrinology. A panel of the most distinguished investigators in the field gathered together to discuss the present state and the future of the field. The editors trust that this volume will be of use to those colleagues who will be picking up the challenge to unravel how the circadian clock can be targeted for the future development of specific pharmacological strategies toward a number of pathologies.
A Theory of Shape Identification
Recent years have seen dramatic progress in shape recognition algorithms applied to ever-growing image databases. They have been applied to image stitching, stereo vision, image mosaics, solid object recognition and video or web image retrieval. More fundamentally, the ability of humans and animals to detect and recognize shapes is one of the enigmas of perception. The book describes a complete method that starts from a query image and an image database and yields a list of the images in the database containing shapes present in the query image. A false alarm number is associated to each detection. Many experiments will show that familiar simple shapes or images can reliably be identified with false alarm numbers ranging from 10-5 to less than 10-300.
A Theory of Distributed Objects : Asynchrony - Mobility - Groups - Components
Distributed and communicating objects are becoming ubiquitous. In global, Grid and Peer-to-Peer computing environments, extensive use is made of objects interacting through method calls. So far, no general formalism has been proposed for the foundation of such systems. Caromel and Henrio are the first to define a calculus for distributed objects interacting using asynchronous method calls with generalized futures, i.e., wait-by-necessity -- a must in large-scale systems, providing both high structuring and low coupling, and thus scalability. The authors provide very generic results on expressiveness and determinism, and the potential of their approach is further demonstrated by its capacity to cope with advanced issues such as mobility, groups, and components.
A Subtle and Mysterious Machine : The Medical World of Walter Charleton (1619-1707)
Walter Charleton (1619-1707) has been widely depicted as a natural philosopher whose intellectual career mirrored the intellectual ferment of the ‘scientific revolution’. Instead of viewing him as a barometer of intellectual change, I examine the previously unexplored question of his identity as a physician. Examining three of his vernacular medical texts, this volume considers Charleton’s thoughts on anatomy, physiology and the methods by which he sought to understand the invisible processes of the body.
A Structural Framework for the Pricing of Corporate Securities : Economic and Empirical Issues
This book is the first comprehensive treatment, of structural credit risk models for the simultaneous and consistent pricing of corporate securities. Through the development of a flexible economic framework based on the firm's EBIT, the reader is taken from the economic principles of firm value models to the empirical implementation. Analytical solutions are provided, if EBIT follows an arithmetic or geometric Brownian motion.
A Story of Islamic Art
The book also provides a detailed introduction, maps, timeline, glossary, and guides for further reading. This book offers accessible answers to key questions in the scholarship on Islamic art and architecture from its earliest times to the present. The issues dealt with in each of the stories include iconography, attitudes towards representation, the role of script, the elaboration of geometric decoration, the creation of sacred and secular spaces in architecture, and the socio-cultural context of art production and consumption.
A Singular Introduction to Commutative Algebra
Aims to lead a further stage in the computational revolution in commutative algebra. Another feature of the book is its breadth of coverage of theoretical topics in the portions of commutative algebra closest to algebraic geometry, with algorithmic treatments of almost every topic.
A short guide to clinical pharmacokinetics
Consists of seven chapters that cover various aspects of pharmacokinetics and its clinical applications. The chapters are structured to provide clear objectives and keywords are bolded throughout the text to facilitate understanding. The topics covered include the significance of pharmacokinetics in clinical practice, factors affecting pharmacokinetic parameters, pharmacokinetic drug interactions, therapeutic drug monitoring, dosage adjustment in different population groups, the influence of hepatic diseases on pharmacokinetics and the impact of pharmacogenomics on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
A Roadmap for Formal Property Verification
Develops the answers to these questions and fits them into a roadmap for formal property verification – a roadmap that shows how to glue FPV technology into the traditional validation flow. A Roadmap for Formal Property Verification explores the key issues in this powerful technology through simple examples – you do not need any background on formal methods to read most parts of this book.
A Risk-Benefit Perspective on Early Customer Integration
Customer integration in the early innovation phase has been considered the method of choice in theory and practice. Growing experience with the concept has shown unexpected side effects that may even outweigh its recognized advantages. Therefore, management needs to be able to assess in advance whether the involvement of customers will add overall value to each particular innovation project. To support but not to replace the final managerial decision, a mathematical formula is developed. It can be applied to all kinds of process structures, takes into account the risks and benefits contingent on a company's situation as well as risk-reducing and benefit-increasing measures and translates them into numerical values. The resulting figure indicates the prospective value of customer integration in a specific project.
A Remarkable Collection of Babylonian Mathematical Texts : Manuscripts in the Schøyen Collection: Cuneiform Texts I
This new text from Jöran Friberg, the leading expert on Babylonian mathematics, presents 130 previously unpublished mathematical clay tablets from the Norwegian Schøyen collection, and provides a synthesis of the author's most important work. Through a close study of these tablets, Friberg has made numerous amazing discoveries, including the first known examples of pre-Classical labyrinths and mazes, a new understanding of the famous table text Plimpton 322, and new evidence of Babylonian familiarity with sophisticated mathematical ideas and objects, such as the three-dimensional Pythagorean equation and the icosahedron.
A Reappraisal of the Ascending Systems in Man, with Emphasis on the Medial Lemniscus
Based on material assembled by Dr Jaap HR Schoen who was one of the few neuroanatomists to apply the Nauta method to human material. Gaining insight in the consequences of longitudinal damage to the human spinal cord is necessary before reimplantation of the avulsed rootlets or an autologous transplant can be performed in man.
A primer on theoretical soil mechanics
A Primer to Theoretical Soil Mechanics is about adapting continuum mechanics to granular materials. The field of continuum mechanics offers many fruitful concepts and methods, however there is declining interest in the field due to its complex and fragmented nature. This book's purpose is therefore to facilitate the understanding of the theoretical principles of soil mechanics, as well as introducing the new theory of barodesy.
A Primer for the Exercise and Nutrition Sciences : Thermodynamics, Bioenergetics, Metabolism
Provides a fresh approach to the study of energy expenditure by introducing the latest concepts in open system thermodynamics and cellular to whole-body energy exchange. A journey is undertaken by the reader, beginning with what energy is and where the energy in glucose is found, and ending with the concept of high versus low intensity exercise in augmenting weight loss.
A Primal Perspective on the Philosophy of Religion
This book challenges this widespread assumption and demonstrates how primal religions have something significant to offer on virtually every theme discussed in the philosophy of religion. Through this book the primal religous tradition stakes its claim for a place at the table.Despite the absence of written texts, primal religions have an implicit philosophy.This study shows how materials of primal religious experience can be incorporated in the categories of modern philosophy of religion. The book contends that the primal perspective can widen and deepen the horizons of philosophy of religion and enhance the philosophical appreciation of religion as a universal phenomenon.
A Practical Guide to Lightcurve Photometry and Analysis
A Practical Guide to Lightcurve Photometry and Analysis provides, for those with access to even a modest telescope and CCD camera, all the information needed to take part in the scientific study of asteroids and variable stars.A Practical Guide to Lightcurve Photometry and Analysis contains all the material needed for readers to understand the theory, and avoid the practical pitfalls of lightcurve photometry. Detailed examples are given for obtaining data, and of course for the exciting and rewarding task of analyzing the data to determine the physical properties of the object.
A Pocket Guide to Epidemiology
A Pocket Guide to Epidemiology is a useful addition to the ready reference genre of epidemiological texts. … The text offers a comprehensive look at the salient fundamentals of epidemiology. … Organized logically and replete with classic examples, the text offers a firm foundation in epidemiological methodology. … this guide offers more examples and may be a better choice for the reader who desires to become better acquainted with epidemiology.
