Visual attention is a relatively new area of study combining a number of disciplines: artificial neural networks, artificial intelligence, vision science and psychology. The aim is to build computational models similar to human vision in order to solve tough problems for many potential applications including object recognition, unmanned vehicle navigation, and image and video coding and processing. In this book, the authors provide an up to date and highly applied introduction to the topic of visual attention, aiding researchers in creating powerful computer vision systems. Areas covered include the significance of vision research, psychology and computer vision, existing computational visual attention models, and the authors' contributions on visual attention models, and applications in various image and video processing tasks. This book is geared for graduates students and researchers in neural networks, image processing, machine learning, computer vision, and other areas of biologically inspired model building and applications. The book can also be used by practicing engineers looking for techniques involving the application of image coding, video processing, machine vision and brain-like robots to real-world systems. Other students and researchers with interdisciplinary interests will also find this book appealing. Provides a key knowledge boost to developers of image processing applications Is unique in emphasizing the practical utility of attention mechanisms Includes a number of real-world examples that readers can implement in their own work: robot navigation and object selection image and video quality assessment image and video coding Provides codes for users to apply in practical attentional models and mechanisms
A project manager must not only master methods and processes, but also have the ability to deal with new, unexpected and critical situations. The book deals with these challenges, the passion for projects and the creativity which is required in order to lead projects and bring them to a successful conclusion. Experienced project managers report on exciting tasks in various countries, daily life as project managers and about their personal experiences and learning effects. Readers will experience the fascinating appeal of the job of a «project manager», which also means constantly being prepared to get into a new task. Furthermore, the book provides ideas about how to overcome social, cultural, organisational, financial, bureaucratic or other hurdles. Not only classic project managers – engineers and economists -, but also lawyers or industrial engineers, who work in projects or are interested in project work, will be inspired by this book, how personal commitment and professional, organisational and social capabilities combine to form this unique profession.
Chemielogistik bedeutet mehr als nur Lager- und Transportlogistik. In Bezug auf Sicherheit und Umweltschutz hat die Branche hohe Anforderungen zu erfullen. Transportaufwand und Anspruch an eine spezifische Verteilung werden immer komplexer. Die Chemielogistik muss sich den wachsenden Herausforderungen der modernen globalisierten Welt stellen. Diesen Anspruchen begegnen die Autoren, ausnahmslos Spezialisten in der Chemielogistik, mit intelligenten Investitionsmodellen – die Ideen und Ansatze zur gezielten Weiterentwicklung der Branche erstrecken sich dabei auf die Bereiche: – Markt und Wettbewerb, dem Chemielogistiker in besonderem Ma?e ausgesetzt sind – Unternehmensfuhrung, wo die Geschaftsmodelle zwischen Standortlogistikern, Speziallogistikern und Konzernlogistikern erheblich differieren – Prozess- und IT-Bereich, der von den hohen und speziellen Anforderungen der Chemieindustrie gepragt ist Herausgegeben von einem fuhrenden Experten der Chemielogistik bietet das vorliegende Buch Praktikern die ideale Hilfestellung, eigene Prozesse in der Strategie- und Unternehmensentwicklung mit neuen Ideen anzureichern. Mit aktuellen Interviews aus der Industrie (Bayer MaterialScience Customer Service GmbH, A.C.P. Logistics GmbH, Dachser GmbH & Co. KG)
Applied Urban Ecology: A Global Framework explores ways in which the environmental quality of urban areas can be improved starting with existing environmental conditions and their dynamics. Written by an internationally renowned selection of scientists and practitioners, the book covers a broad range of established and novel approaches to applied urban ecology. Approaches chosen for the book are placed in the context of issues such as climate change, green- and open-space development, flood-risk assessment, threats to urban biodiversity, and increasing environmental pollution (especially in the “megacities” of newly industrialized countries). All topics covered were chosen because they are socially and socio-politically relevant today. Further topics covered include sustainable energy and budget management, urban water resource management, urban land management, and urban landscape planning and design. Throughout the book, concepts and methods are illustrated using case studies from around the world. A closing synopsis draws conclusions on how the findings of urban ecological research can be used in strategic urban management in the future. Applied Urban Ecology: A Global Framework is an advanced textbook for students, researchers and experienced practitioners in urban ecology and urban environmental research, planning, and practice.
50 Voices of Disbelief: Why We Are Atheists presents a collection of original essays drawn from an international group of prominent voices in the fields of academia, science, literature, media and politics who offer carefully considered statements of why they are atheists. Features a truly international cast of contributors, ranging from public intellectuals such as Peter Singer, Susan Blackmore, and A.C. Grayling, novelists, such as Joe Haldeman, and heavyweight philosophers of religion, including Graham Oppy and Michael Tooley Contributions range from rigorous philosophical arguments to highly personal, even whimsical, accounts of how each of these notable thinkers have come to reject religion in their lives Likely to have broad appeal given the current public fascination with religious issues and the reception of such books as The God Delusion and The End of Faith
Bistatic radar consists of a radar system which comprises a transmitter and receiver which are separated by a distance comparable to the expected target distance. This book provides a general theoretical description of such bistatic technology in the context of synthetic aperture, inverse synthetic aperture and forward scattering radars from the point of view of analytical geometrical and signal formation as well as processing theory. Signal formation and image reconstruction algorithms are developed with the application of high informative linear frequency and phase code modulating techniques, and numerical experiments that confirm theoretical models are carried out. The authors suggest the program implementation of developed algorithms. A theoretical summary of the latest results in the field of bistatic radars is provided, before applying an analytical geometrical description of scenarios of bistatic synthetic aperture, inverse synthetic aperture and forward scattering radars with cooperative and non-cooperative transmitters. Signal models with linear frequency and phase code modulation are developed, and special phase modulations with C/A (coarse acquisition) and P (precision) of GPS satellite transmitters are considered. The authors suggest Matlab implementations of all geometrical models and signal formation and processing algorithms. Contents 1. Bistatic Synthetic Aperture Radar (BSAR) Survey. 2. BSAR Geometry. 3. BSAR Waveforms and Signal Models. 4. BSAR Image Reconstruction Algorithms. 5. Analytical Geometrical Determination of BSAR Resolution. 6. BSAR Experimental Results. 7. BSAR Matlab Implementation. A general theoretical description of bistatic technology within the scope of synthetic aperture, inverse synthetic aperture and forward scattering radars from the point of view of analytical geometrical and signal formation and processing theory. Signal formation and image reconstruction algorithms are developed in this title, with application of high informative linear frequency and phase code modulating techniques. Numerical experiments that confirm theoretical models are carried out and the authors suggest program implementation for the algorithms developed.
The traditional agents for controlling the levels of glucose in the blood remain important therapies but they have their downside from the point of view of tolerability and side effects. Moreover, they appear not to be able to counter the natural history deterioration of the disease in terms of the onset of diabetic-related complications. Recent years have seen an influx of new treatment therapies and technologies aimed at achieving better glycaemic control for diabetic patients such as liraglutide (Novo Nordisk) and saxagliptin (BMS/Astra-Zeneca) and insulin pumps, away from the more traditional therapies used (classic insulin therapy, oral hypoglycaemics). This book outlines these new technologies/treatments by collating the best journal articles published in the last year, and providing expert analysis on each one. Advanced Technologies and Treatment for Diabetes 3E brings together and critically analyses the last year’s most important articles published in the world’s leading medical journals on this topic. Chapters are focused on the most current hot topic areas such as: new methods of insulin delivery; internet and IT use in treatment of diabetes; bariatric surgery & diabetes; and immunotherapy for type 1 diabetes. Each chapter includes abstracts of the published articles, scientific conclusions made, as well as annotations and a comments and analysis section from the relevant chapter editor, each of which being a well-known expert in the field. All researchers in the fields of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism will find this book extremely useful, as will diabetes technology developers, and specialist endocrinologists involved with the care of diabetic patients.
An engaging account of today’s contemporary art world that features original articles by leading international art historians, critics, curators, and artists, introducing varied perspectives on the most important debates and discussions happening around the world. Features a collection of all-new essays, organized around fourteen specific themes, chosen to reflect the latest debates in contemporary art since 1989 Each topic is prefaced by an introduction on current discussions in the field and investigated by three essays, each shedding light on the subject in new and contrasting ways Topics include: globalization, formalism, technology, participation, agency, biennials, activism, fundamentalism, judgment, markets, art schools, and scholarship International in scope, bringing together over forty of the most important voices in the field, including Sofía Hernández Chong Cuy, David Joselit, Michelle Kuo, Raqs Media Collective, and Jan Verwoert A stimulating guide that will encourage polemical interventions and foster critical dialogue among both students and art aficionados
The recent crisis in the financial markets has exposed serious flaws in management methods. The failure to anticipate and deal with the consequences of the unfolding collapse has starkly illustrated what many leaders and managers in business have known for years; in most organizations, the process of forecasting is badly broken. For that reason, forecasting business performance tops the list of concerns for CFO's across the globe. It is time to rethink the way businesses organize and run forecasting processes and how they use the insights that they provide to navigate through these turbulent times. This book synthesizes and structures findings from a range of disciplines and over 60 years of the authors combined practical experience. This is presented in the form of a set of simple strategies that any organization can use to master the process of forecasting. The key message of this book is that while no mortal can predict the future, you can take the steps to be ready for it. ’Good enough’ forecasts, wise preparation and the capability to take timely action, will help your organization to create its own future. Written in an engaging and thought provoking style, Future Ready leads the reader to answers to questions such as: What makes a good forecast? What period should a forecast cover? How frequently should it be updated? What information should it contain? What is the best way to produce a forecast? How can you avoid gaming and other forms of data manipulation? How should a forecast be used? How do you ensure that your forecast is reliable? How accurate does it need to be? How should you deal with risk and uncertainty What is the best way to organize a forecast process? Do you need multiple forecasts? What changes should be made to other performance management processes to facilitate good forecasting? Future Ready is an invaluable guide for practicing managers and a source of insight and inspiration to leaders looking for better ways of doing things and to students of the science and craft of management. Praise for Future Ready «Will make a difference to the way you think about forecasting going forward» —Howard Green, Group Controller Unilever PLC «Great analogies and stories are combined with rock solid theory in a language that even the most reading-averse manager will love from page one» —Bjarte Bogsnes, Vice President Performance Management Development at StatoilHydro «A timely addition to the growing research on management planning and performance measurement.» —Dr. Charles T. Horngren, Edmund G. Littlefield Professor of Accounting Emeritus Stanford University and author of many standard texts including Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis, Introduction to Management Accounting, and Financial Accounting «In the area of Forecasting, it is the best book in the market.» —Fritz Roemer. Leader of Enterprise Performance Executive Advisory Program, the Hackett Group
Declared a terrorist menace yet elected to government in a free election, Hamas now stands as the most important Sunni Islamist group in the Middle East. How did Hamas grow to be so powerful? Who supports it? What is its future? This essential insight into Hamas answers these questions. Milton-Edwards and Farrell have between them spent decades researching and reporting from the heartlands of the Hamas movement and gained unrivalled access to the world of Islamic resistance and radical Islam in its potent Palestinian form. Drawing on their frontline experiences of recent events, their access to secret documents from the western intelligence community and interviews with leaders, militants, and commanders of Hamas' armed battalions, they reveal the full story of Hamas and the future of political Islam in the Middle East. Milton-Edwards and Farrell show Hamas to be a broad and thus more powerful regional phenomenon than previously thought, and by doing so contend that it is now time to rethink the war and the nature of Islam and its role in the Middle East. Beverley Milton-Edwards is Professor in the School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy at Queens University, Belfast. She is the author of books such as Contemporary Politics in the Middle East (2006) and The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: a People's War (2009). Prize-winning journalist Stephen Farrell is Foreign Correspondent for the New York Times and was previously Middle East correspondent for The Times.