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Open and distance education in Asia, Africa and the Middle East : National perspectives in a digital age
This book describes the history, structure and institutions of open and distance education in six countries: China, India, Russia, Turkey, South Africa and South Korea. It describes how open and distance education is evolving in a digital age to reflect the needs and circumstances of the national higher education systems in these countries. It also explores the similarities and differences between how their open and distance higher education systems are managed and structured. The book compare and draw conclusions about the nature of open and distance education in the context of various national higher education systems. In a digital era characterized by the growing use of online, open and distance education, this book will prove particularly valuable for policy-makers and senior administrators who want to learn about establishing or expanding open and distance education services. In addition, it offers a valuable reference guide for researchers, academics and students interested in understanding the different approaches to open and distance education.
On the move to meaningful internet systems 2006 : CoopIS, DOA, GADA, and ODBASE ; Vol. 4275 ; OTM Confederated International Conferences, CoopIS, DOA, GADA, and ODBASE 2006, Montpellier, France, October 29 - November 3, 2006, Proceedings, Part I
This two-volume set LNCS 4275/4276 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the four confederated conferences CoopIS 2006, DOA 2006, GADA 2006, and ODBASE 2006 held as OTM 2006 in Montpellier, France in October/November 2006. The 106 revised full and nine short papers presented together with four keynote speeches were carefully reviewed and selected from a total of 361 submissions.
On the move to meaningful internet systems 2005 : CoopIS, DOA, and ODBASE ; Vol. 3761 : OTM Confederated International Conferences, CoopIS, DOA, and ODBASE 2005, Agia Napa, Cyprus, October 31 - November 4, 2005, Proceedings, Part II
Constitutes the refereed proceedings of the three confederated conferences CoopIS 2005, DOA 2005, and ODBASE 2005 held as OTM 2005 in Agia Napa, Cyprus in October/November 2005. This title presents 89 revised and 7 short papers together with 3 keynote speeches that were reviewed and selected from a total of 360 submissions.
On the construction of engineering handbooks : With an Illustration from the railway safety domain
This book is the first to reflect upon the question of how to construct a desktop handbook. It is demonstrated how concept analysis can be used for identifying settled knowledge as the key ingredient by utilizing the assembled data for classification; a presentation scheme for handbook articles is developed and demonstrated to be suitable. The sketched approach is then illustrated by an example from the railway safety domain. Finally, the limitations of the presented methods are discussed.
Omega-3 fatty acids : Keys to nutritional health
Argues for the importance of essential nutrients in our diet. Over the last two decades there has been an explosion of research on the relationship of Omega-3 fatty acids and the importance of antioxidants to human health. Expert authors discuss the importance of a diet rich in Omega-3 Fatty acids for successful human growth and development and for the prevention of disease. Chapters highlight their contribution to the prevention and amelioration of a wide range of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, obesity, mental health and bone health.
Omega 3 and Omega 6 and its relationship to obesity
This research summarizes information about omega-3 and omega-6. In recent times, there has been growing recognition of the key role of foods and beverages in disease prevention and treatment. Thus, the production and consumption of functional foods has gained much importance as they provide a health benefit beyond the basic nutritional functions. At present, PUFA (poly unsaturated fatty acids) as Omega-3 [(n-3)] fatty acids and Omega -6 [(n-6)] fatty acid have been linked to healthy aging throughout life. Recently, omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid ) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid ) have been associated with cardiovascular function, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Ocular Transporters in Ophthalmic Diseases and Drug Delivery
This exceptionally important new work represents recent discoveries and advancements in the study of ocular transporters and their roles in ocular physiology, pathology, and drug delivery. Transporters are found on the membranes of cells and play a key role in transmitting signals between cells. In Ocular Transporters in Ophthalmic Diseases and Drug Delivery, a panel of distinguished authors discusses all the latest developments in the study of ocular transporters. Focusing on the molecular characteristics, localization, and substrate specificities in various compartments of the eye, this volume discusses how transporters regulate the clarity of the cornea and lens, the movements of fluids across the ciliary epithelium, and the transport of nutrients across the retinal pigment epithelium. It also provides an in-depth look at how mutations or dysfunction of specific transporters can contribute to various disorders in the eye, including blindness, and provides readers with potential targets and strategies to allow safe passage of therapeutic drugs into the eye.
Obstetrics in Family Medicine : A Practical Guide
The key points for each topic are summarized in tabular form for quick reference, and diagnostic flow charts illuminate all aspects of the decision-making process. Expert advice based on years of experience is also presented concerning physical and ultrasound examinations, laboratory tests, drug toxicities, and screening techniques.
Observing the Volcano World : Volcano Crisis Communication
This book provides a comprehensive overview of volcanic crisis research, the goal being to establish ways of successfully applying volcanology in practice and to identify areas that need to be addressed for future progress. It shows how volcano crises are managed in practice, and helps to establish best practices. Consequently the book brings together authors from all over the globe who work with volcanoes, ranging from observatory volcanologists, disaster practitioners and government officials to NGO-based and government practitioners to address three key aspects of volcanic crises.
Object-Oriented Programming Languages : Interpretation
This comprehensive examination of the main approaches to object-oriented language explains the key features of the languages in use today. Class-based, prototypes and Actor languages are all looked at and compared in terms of their semantic concepts. In providing such a wide-ranging comparison, this book provides a unique overview of the main approaches to object-oriented languages.
Object detection with deep learning models : Principles and applications
Discusses recent advances in object detection and recognition using deep learning methods, which have achieved great success in the field of computer vision and image processing. It provides a systematic and methodical overview of the latest developments in deep learning theory and its applications to computer vision, illustrating them using key topics, including object detection, face analysis, 3D object recognition, and image retrieval / A structured overview of deep learning in object detection / A diversified collection of applications of object detection using deep neural networks / Emphasize agriculture and remote sensing domains / Exclusive discussion on moving object detection
Nutrition in Kidney Disease
The field of kidney disease has evolved over the years to encompass a broad and sophisticated knowledge base. There has been a proliferation of scientific information and technical advances in the field. In Nutrition in Kidney Disease, the authors provide a comprehensive perspective of the emerging science in nutrition in kidney disease. This important book is written by a collaborative group of distinguished dietitians and physicians in the specialized field of kidney disease and clinical nutrition, who have devoted their careers to the care of patients with kidney disease. At the end of key chapters, case studies assess knowledge of the subject within the context of didactic curriculums.
Nutrient Acquisition by Plants : An Ecological Perspective
Adaptation and evolution of terrestrial plants depend, to a large extent, on their ability to acquire nutrients. This is a modern and integrative treatment of the mechanisms controlling plant nutrient uptake and how plants respond to changes in the environment. The following key topics are covered: soil nutrient bioavailability; root responses to variations in nutrient supply; nitrogen fixation; regulation of nutrient uptake by internal plant demand; root characteristics; kinetics of nutrient uptake; root architecture; life span; mycorrhizae; responses to climate change. This integrated view helps us to understand the mechanisms that govern present-day plant communities and is indispensable in models designed to predict the response of plants to a changing climate.
Nutraceuticals in obesity management and control
Provides detailed information on nutraceuticals that can be helpful in the control and management of obesity. It clarifies key aspects of nutraceuticals that include sources, extraction, chemistry, mechanisms of action, pharmacology, bioavailability, safety, and various applications. Beginning with a concise overview of the prevalence of obesity, complications related to obesity, and current treatment regimens, the volume delves into the roles of functional foods and nutraceuticals for the management of body weight and for alleviating obesity comorbidities. It goes on to discuss the effect of some of the most commonly and frequently used naturally occurring nutraceutical substances, along with their mechanisms of action in controlling obesity. The volume looks at the role of nutraceutical fruits as well as the beneficial aspects of carotenoids in fruits and vegetables and explores antioxidant-rich nutraceuticals, the role of vitamins and supplements, the use of green tea, and the potential of pseudocereals and spices in the management of metabolic syndrome.
Numerical Linear Algebra
This book brings together linear algebra, numerical methods and an easy to use programming environment under Matlab (or Scilab). One of the key features of the book are the worked out examples and exercises at the end of each chapter. The reader is asked to do some numerical experiments in Matlab and then to prove the results theoretically. The book is a combination and update of two earlier French books by the authors. It is appropriate for both undergraduate and beginning graduate courses in mathematics as well as for working scientists and engineers as a self-study tool and reference.This book is about numerical linear algebra and focuses on practical algorithms for solving computer problems of linear algebra.
Nuclear Energy : Principles, Practices, and Prospects
The world faces serious difficulties in obtaining the energy that will be needed in coming decades for a growing population, especially given the problem of climate change caused by fossil fuel use. This book presents a view of nuclear energy as an important carbon-free energy option. It discusses the nuclear fuel cycle, the types of reactors used today and proposed for the future, nuclear waste disposal, reactor accidents and reactor safety, nuclear weapon proliferation, and the cost of electric power. To provide background for these discussions, the book begins with chapters on the history of the development and use of nuclear energy, the health effects of ionizing radiation, and the basic physics principles of reactor operation. The text has been rewritten and substantially expanded for this edition, to reflect changes that have taken place in the eight years since the publication of the first edition and to provide greater coverage of key topics. These include the Yucca Mountain repository plans, designs for next-generation reactors, weapons proliferation and terrorism threats, the potential of alternatives to nuclear energy, and controversies about low-level radiation.
Nuclear Dynamics : Molecular Biology and Visualization of the Nucleus
The dynamics of nuclear structures described in this book furnish the basis for a comprehensive understanding of how the higher-order organization and function of the nucleus is established and how it correlates with the expression of a variety of vital activities such as cell proliferation and differentiation. The resulting volume creates an invaluable source of reference for researchers in the field.
Nonsmooth Vector Functions and Continuous Optimization
A recent significant innovation in mathematical sciences has been the progressive use of nonsmooth calculus, an extension of the differential calculus, as a key tool of modern analysis in many areas of mathematics, operations research, and engineering. Focusing on the study of nonsmooth vector functions, this book presents a comprehensive account of the calculus of generalized Jacobian matrices and their applications to continuous nonsmooth optimization problems and variational inequalities in finite dimensions.
Nonlinear Optimization with Financial Applications
The book introduces the key ideas behind practical nonlinear optimization. Computational finance—an increasingly popular area of mathematics degree programmes—is combined here with the study of an important class of numerical techniques. The essentials of most currently popular algorithms are described and their performance is demonstrated on a range of optimization problems arising in financial mathematics. Theoretical convergence properties of methods are stated and formal proofs are provided in enough cases to be instructive rather than overwhelming. Practical behaviour of methods is illustrated by computational examples and discussions of efficiency, accuracy and computational costs. Supporting software for the examples and exercises is available
Nonlinear Optimization with Engineering Applications
This textbook examines a broad range of problems in science and engineering, describing key numerical methods applied to real life. The case studies presented are in such areas as data fitting, vehicle route planning and optimal control, scheduling and resource allocation, sensitivity calculations and worst-case analysis.
