springer springer dez 2009 (699 risultati)

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Research on multi-agent systems has provided a promising technology for implementing cognitive intelligent non-playing characters. However, the technologies used in game engines and multi-agent platforms are not readily compatible due to some inherent differences in concerns. Where game engines focus on real-time aspects and thus propagate efficiency and central control, multi-agent platforms assume autonomy of the agents. Increased autonomy and intelligence may offer benefits for a more compelling gameplay and may even be necessary for serious games. However, problems occur when current game design techniques are used to incorporate state-of-the-art multi-agent system technology. A very similar argument can be given for agent-based (social) simulation.This volume contains the papers presented at AGS 2009, the First International Workshop on Agents for Games and Simulations, held in Budapest on May 11, 2009. The focus of the workshop was on the particular challenges facing those using agent technology for games and simulations, with topics covering the technical, conceptual and design aspects of the field. 273 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -In the fall semester of 1979 I gave a course on deformation theory at Berkeley. My goal was to understand completely Grothendieck's local study of the Hilbert scheme using the cohomology of the normal bundle to characterize the Zariski tangent space and the obstructions to deformations. At the same timeIstartedwritinglecturenotesforthecourse.However,thewritingproject soon foundered as the subject became more intricate, and the result was no more than ve of a projected thirteen sections, corresponding roughly to s- tions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 of the present book. These handwritten notes circulated quietly for many years until David Eisenbud urged me to complete them and at the same time (without consu- ing me) mentioned to an editor at Springer, 'You know Robin has these notes on deformation theory, which could easily become a book.' When asked by Springer if I would write such a book, I immediately refused, since I was then planning another book on space curves. But on second thought, I decided this was,afterall,aworthyproject,andthatbywritingImight nallyunderstand the subject myself. So during 2004 I expanded the old notes into a rough draft, which I used to teach a course during the spring semester of 2005. Those notes, rewritten once more, with the addition of exercises, form the book you are now reading. Mygoalinthisbookistointroducethemainideasofdeformationtheoryin algebraicgeometryandtoillustratetheiruseinanumberoftypicalsituations. 234 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -The basic problem of deformation theory in algebraic geometry involves watching a small deformation of one member of a family of objects, such as varieties, or subschemes in a fixed space, or vector bundles on a fixed scheme. In this new book, Robin Hartshorne studies first what happens over small infinitesimal deformations, and then gradually builds up to more global situations, using methods pioneered by Kodaira and Spencer in the complex analytic case, and adapted and expanded in algebraic geometry by Grothendieck.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -The basic problem of deformation theory in algebraic geometry involves watching a small deformation of one member of a family of objects, such as varieties, or subschemes in a fixed space, or vector bundles on a fixed scheme. In this new book, Robin Hartshorne studies first what happens over small infinitesimal deformations, and then gradually builds up to more global situations, using methods pioneered by Kodaira and Spencer in the complex analytic case, and adapted and expanded in algebraic geometry by Grothendieck.Springer-Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 234 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware - In the fall semester of 1979 I gave a course on deformation theory at Berkeley. My goal was to understand completely Grothendieck's local study of the Hilbert scheme using the cohomology of the normal bundle to characterize the Zariski tangent space and the obstructions to deformations. At the same timeIstartedwritinglecturenotesforthecourse.However,thewritingproject soon foundered as the subject became more intricate, and the result was no more than ve of a projected thirteen sections, corresponding roughly to s- tions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 of the present book. These handwritten notes circulated quietly for many years until David Eisenbud urged me to complete them and at the same time (without consu- ing me) mentioned to an editor at Springer, 'You know Robin has these notes on deformation theory, which could easily become a book.' When asked by Springer if I would write such a book, I immediately refused, since I was then planning another book on space curves. But on second thought, I decided this was,afterall,aworthyproject,andthatbywritingImight nallyunderstand the subject myself. So during 2004 I expanded the old notes into a rough draft, which I used to teach a course during the spring semester of 2005. Those notes, rewritten once more, with the addition of exercises, form the book you are now reading. Mygoalinthisbookistointroducethemainideasofdeformationtheoryin algebraicgeometryandtoillustratetheiruseinanumberoftypicalsituations.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -This book presents important aspects of the New-Keynesian theory of monetary policy and its implications for the practical decision-making of central bankers today. Bridging the theory and practice of monetary policy, it provides an exposition on the key elements of the New-Keynesian approach, outlines important lessons for policymakers, and points to new directions for further research. Important policy implications of the New-Keynesian approach such as the case for forecast targeting as a strategy for monetary policy, the combination of model-based forecasts with cyclical analysis, and strategies for cross-checking model-based policy recommendations are presented in detail. The book brings together new contributions from leading scientists and experienced policymakers presented at an academic symposium on the occasion of the awarding of the Deutsche Bank Prize in Financial Economics 2007 to Professor Michael Woodford.With contributions by: Josef Ackermann, Deutsche Bank AG; Günter Beck, Goethe University Frankfurt; Jordi Galí, Universitat Pompeu Fabra; Stefan Gerlach, Goethe University Frankfurt; Domenico Giannone, European Central Bank; Otmar Issing, Goethe University Frankfurt; Hermann-Josef Lamberti, Deutsche Bank AG; Patrick Lane, The Economist; Bennet T. McCallum, Carnegie Mellon University; Frederic Mishkin, Columbia Business School; Francesca Monti, Université Libre de Bruxelles; Lucrezia Reichlin, London Business School; Norbert Walter, Deutsche Bank AG; Celia Wieland, wieland EconConsult; Volker Wieland, Goethe University Frankfurt; Michael Woodford, Columbia University 145 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Quantum Circuit Simulation covers the fundamentals of linear algebra and introduces basic concepts of quantum physics needed to understand quantum circuits and algorithms. It requires only basic familiarity with algebra, graph algorithms and computer engineering. After introducing necessary background, the authors describe key simulation techniques that have so far been scattered throughout the research literature in physics, computer science, and computer engineering. Quantum Circuit Simulation also illustrates the development of software for quantum simulation by example of the QuIDDPro package, which is freely available and can be used by students of quantum information as a 'quantum calculator.' 190 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Taxes are sometimes so fundamental to domestic systems that they are almost impossible to change, as when the tax system is part of a nation's majority religion or is linked to another value deeply rooted in local communities, such as housing or farming. There is a danger in the WTO, a Geneva-based entity, making decisions for people living in distant locations with regard to tax issues related to their local needs and wants. The Saudi Arabian tax system exemplifies the tension between religion, tax and trade, because tax has a role in the country's religion and is an essential part of its laws.Therefore, there is a need for maintaining a delicate balance between local needs and international commitments with respect to taxation. This book aims to show directions in which legal order can be preserved as much as possible from within each country, and yet not imposed upon them, and which will help build a peaceful bridge between local and international factors that are important to shaping the global order. 253 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Religious diversity is now a social fact in most countries of the world. While reports of the impact of religious diversity on Europe and North America are reasonably well-known, the ways in which Southeast Asia and Asia Pacific are religiously diverse and the ways this diversity has been managed are not. This book addresses this lack of information about one of the largest and most diverse regions of the world. It describes the religious diversity of 27 nations, as large and complex as Indonesia and as small as Tuvalu, outlining the current issues and the basic policy approaches to religious diversity. Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands are portrayed as a living laboratory of various religious blends, with a wide variance of histories and many different approaches to managing religious diversity. While interesting in their own right, a study of these nations provides a wealth of case studies of diversity management - most of them stories of success and inclusion. 270 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -The last decade has witnessed a modest but sustained increase in researching and applying formal methods. A number of well cited success stories are now available and provide strong evidence that formal methods can be effective and deployed in industrial-scale applications.Through fundamental contributions from leading researchers, this book provides further evidence of the use of formal methods in the areas of requirements, design, modelling and implementation, verification and validation. The self-contained chapters are views from experts in these areas, providing readers with rich background information and a diverse breadth of specialist material.This authoritative collection of views provides a snapshot of the field and will be of considerable interest to researchers and professionals seeking a perspective on fundamental underpinnings of formal methods and current hot topics in the field.The website fmsand.info is a useful resource, providing material associated with the book and links to further related information. 273 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -The realistic generation of virtual doubles of real-world actors has been the focus of computer graphics research for many years. However, some problems still remain unsolved: it is still time-consuming to generate character animations using the traditional skeleton-based pipeline, passive performance capture of human actors wearing arbitrary everyday apparel is still challenging, and until now, there is only a limited amount of techniques for processing and modifying mesh animations, in contrast to the huge amount of skeleton-based techniques. In this thesis, we propose algorithmic solutions to each of these problems. First, two efficient mesh-based alternatives to simplify the overall character animation process are proposed. Although abandoning the concept of a kinematic skeleton, both techniques can be directly integrated in the traditional pipeline, generating animations with realistic body deformations. Thereafter, three passive performance capture methods are presented which employ a deformable model as underlying scene representation. The techniques are able to jointly reconstruct spatio-temporally coherent time-varying geometry, motion, and textural surface appearance of subjects wearing loose and everyday apparel. Moreover, the acquired high-quality reconstructions enable us to render realistic 3D Videos. At the end, two novel algorithms for processing mesh animations are described. The first one enables the fully-automatic conversion of a mesh animation into a skeletonbased animation and the second one automatically converts a mesh animation into an animation collage, a new artistic style for rendering animations. The methods described in the thesis can be regarded as solutions to specific problems or important building blocks for a larger application. As a whole, they form a powerful system to accurately capture, manipulate and realistically render realworld human performances, exceeding the capabilities of many related capture techniques. By this means, we are able to correctly capture the motion, the timevarying details and the texture information of a real human performing, and transform it into a fully-rigged character animation, that can be directly used by an animator, or use it to realistically display the actor from arbitrary viewpoints. 170 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware - All healthcare practitioners have a professional responsibility to promote good health and well-being - making health promotion and health education a fundamental part of their daily work. Using a multi-professional approach, this book provides a fascinating guide to health promotion, health education and public health issues. It supplies the knowledge and means to understand and implement a systematic approach to your own practice, including information on:- Health promotion in the context of the healthcare setting- The role of the nurse in promoting health- Evidence-based practice- Politics, policy and ethics for health education and promotion.Health Promotion and Health Education in Nursing is essential reading for all nursing students, qualified nurses and allied health professionals.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware - The optic nerve and the brain comprise the main anatomic components of neuro-ophthalmology. Although there are numerous handbooks and major texts describing all the common disorders of neuro-ophthalmology, Optic Nerve Disorders is the only practical reference book focusing only on common optic nerve disorders. The author discusses diagnosis, pathophysiology, management, and prognosis of complex optic nerve disorders. Optic Nerve Disorders is organized by optic nerve diagnoses commonly encountered in a neuro-ophthalmologic practice. It is written in a clear, concise style for quick, easy reference in the clinic.Each chapter is formatted in a similar manner and thoroughly discusses epidemiology, diagnosis (by clinical signs and symptoms and by electrophysiologic, ocular and neuroimaging techniques), pathophysiology, management (by both conventional treatments and experimental/newer medications under consideration) and prognosis.Updated information on diagnostics techniques, such as OCT, mfVEP, mfERG, VEP, ERG, the Heidleberg Tomograph and Gdx Nerve Fiber Analyzer, for imaging of the optic nerve will be incorporated into each of the chapters. Updated genetic testing for hereditary optic neuropathies will also be covered. Diagnosis of neuro-ophthalmologic disorders with newer neuroimaging techniques, such as PET, SPECT, and diffusion-weighted imaging, will be explained. New data from clinical studies, such as beta-interferons for optic neuritis, will be presented for the management of each disorder.Optic Nerve Disorders also provides an update on the latest clinical techniques in diagnosing specific optic nerve disorders and gives the most recent theories on pathophysiology. Current management recommendations for each disorder are also outlined. Neurologists and ophthalmologists will find this book useful when they need a practical reference for incorporating optic nerve evaluation in their clinical practice.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware - The antiphospholipid syndrome (Hughes syndrome) is now over a quarter of a century old. Although most of the major clinical features were described in the original papers between 1983 and 1985, the ensuing 25 years have seen a filling out of the clinical detail and recognition that the syndrome is of major medical importance. More significantly, much has been learnt of the prevalence and epidemiology of the syndrome as well as the biology of the thrombotic process so central to the condition. Sadly, all that lags behind is treatment, the choice of drugs still very limited. The syndrome now embraces all disciplines. It is now regarded as the commonest treatable cause of recurrent pregnancy loss, and has changed the face of obstetrics. It has become a major chapter in the field of neurology, being an important cause of stroke, migraine, seizures, and memory loss. In cardiology, it is at last becoming recognized as an important cause of young heart attacks, as well as providing leads in the study of accelerated atheroma. And so the list goes on - idiopathic bone fracture, abdo- nal angina, renal vascular hypertension, leg ulcers. This book, produced by clinical leaders in the field, brings together the many strands of another 'great mimic'.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -A careful basic theoretical and econometric analysis of the factors determining the real exchange rates of Canada, the U.K., Japan, France and Germany with respect to the United States is conducted. The resulting conclusion is that real exchange rates are almost entirely determined by real factors relating to growth and technology such as oil and commodity prices, international allocations of world investment across countries, and underlying terms of trade changes. Unanticipated money supply shocks, calculated in five alternative ways have virtually no effects. A Blanchard-Quah VAR analysis also indicates that the effects of real shocks predominate over monetary shocks by a wide margin. The implications of these facts for the conduct of monetary policy in countries outside the U.S. are then explored leading to the conclusion that all countries, to avoid exchange rate overshooting, have tended to automatically follow the same monetary policy as the United States. The history of world monetary policy is reviewed along with the determination of real exchange rates within the Euro Area. 404 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Motion processing is an essential piece of the complex brain machinery that allows us to reconstruct the 3D layout of objects in the environment, to break camouflage, to perform scene segmentation, to estimate the ego movement, and to control our action. Although motion perception and its neural basis have been a topic of intensive research and modeling the last two decades, recent experimental evidences have stressed the dynamical aspects of motion integration and segmentation. This book presents the most recent approaches that have changed our view of biological motion processing. These new experimental evidences call for new models emphasizing the collective dynamics of large population of neurons rather than the properties of separate individual filters. Chapters will stress how the dynamics of motion processing can be used as a general approach to understand the brain dynamics itself. 396 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -The basic problem of deformation theory in algebraic geometry involves watching a small deformation of one member of a family of objects, such as varieties, or subschemes in a fixed space, or vector bundles on a fixed scheme. In this new book, Robin Hartshorne studies first what happens over small infinitesimal deformations, and then gradually builds up to more global situations, using methods pioneered by Kodaira and Spencer in the complex analytic case, and adapted and expanded in algebraic geometry by Grothendieck. 234 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Radioactive particles have been released to the environment from a number of sources, including nuclear weapon tests, nuclear accidents and discharges from nuclear installations. Particle characteristics influence the mobility, biological uptake and effects of radionuclides, hence information on these characteristics is essential for assessing environmental impact and risks. This publication presents a series of papers covering sources and source term characterisation, methodologies for characterizing particles, and the impact of particles on the behaviour of radioactive particles in the environment. Sources covered include the Chernobyl accident, nuclear weapons accidents at Thule and Palomares accident, the discharges from Dounreay and Krashnoyarsk, and depleted uranium in Kosovo and Kuwait. The overall aim is that an increased understanding of particle characteristics and behavior will help to reduce some of the uncertainties in environmental impact and risk assessment for particle contaminated areas.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware - Radioactive particles have been released to the environment from a number of sources, including nuclear weapon tests, nuclear accidents and discharges from nuclear installations. Particle characteristics influence the mobility, biological uptake and effects of radionuclides, hence information on these characteristics is essential for assessing environmental impact and risks. This publication presents a series of papers covering sources and source term characterisation, methodologies for characterizing particles, and the impact of particles on the behaviour of radioactive particles in the environment. Sources covered include the Chernobyl accident, nuclear weapons accidents at Thule and Palomares accident, the discharges from Dounreay and Krashnoyarsk, and depleted uranium in Kosovo and Kuwait. The overall aim is that an increased understanding of particle characteristics and behavior will help to reduce some of the uncertainties in environmental impact and risk assessment for particle contaminated areas.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware - Many coastal areas around the world are experiencing dramatic landscape changes as a result of increased tourism development and the 'sea change phenomenon' - the migration of affluent urbanites to small coastal towns seeking beautiful, natural surroundings. In response to these changes local residents in these places often complain that the distinctive character of their towns and/or individual neighborhoods is being lost or degraded. Coastal Towns in Transition looks at how changes due to unsympathetic development of the built environment and modification of the natural landscape are perceived to negatively impact on the character of small coastal towns. The book explores the concept of town character, and associated notions of sense of place, genius loci and place identity, as conceptualised by local residents in several coastal town communities along Australia's Great Ocean Road. Findings of a four-year study involving over 1800 respondents from these communities are used to explore theoretical and methodological issues associated with the assessment of place character in the context of coastal towns that are experiencing rapid environmental change.This book will be of interest to planners and environmental designers, as well as scholars in both landscape studies and social science and planning fields who are interested in the sustainable development of coastal areas. The case studies and associated planning and design strategies, together with the bibliography of selected relevant literature, will provide an invaluable reference for these scholars.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Radioactive particles have been released to the environment from a number of sources, including nuclear weapon tests, nuclear accidents and discharges from nuclear installations. Particle characteristics influence the mobility, biological uptake and effects of radionuclides, hence information on these characteristics is essential for assessing environmental impact and risks. This publication presents a series of papers covering sources and source term characterisation, methodologies for characterizing particles, and the impact of particles on the behaviour of radioactive particles in the environment. Sources covered include the Chernobyl accident, nuclear weapons accidents at Thule and Palomares accident, the discharges from Dounreay and Krashnoyarsk, and depleted uranium in Kosovo and Kuwait. The overall aim is that an increased understanding of particle characteristics and behavior will help to reduce some of the uncertainties in environmental impact and risk assessment for particle contaminated areas. 300 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Druck auf Anfrage Neuware - Printed after ordering - Philosophers have warned of the perils of a life spent without reflection, but what constitutes reflective inquiry - and why it's necessary in our lives - can be an elusive concept. Synthesizing ideas from minds as diverse as John Dewey and Paulo Freire, theHandbook of Reflection and Reflective Inquiry presents reflective thought in its most vital aspects, not as a fanciful or nostalgic exercise, but as a powerful means of seeing familiar events anew, encouraging critical thinking and crucial insight, teaching and learning. In its opening pages, two seasoned educators, Maxine Greene and Lee Shulman, discuss reflective inquiry as a form of active attention (Thoreau's 'wide-awakeness'), an act of consciousness, and a process by which people can understand themselves, their work (particularly in the form of life projects), and others. Building on this foundation, the Handbook analyzes through the work of 40 internationally oriented authors: - Definitional issues concerning reflection, what it is and is not; - Worldwide social and moral conditions contributing to the growing interest in reflective inquiry in professional education; - Reflection as promoted across professional educational domains, including K-12 education, teacher education, occupational therapy, and the law; - Methods of facilitating and scaffolding reflective engagement; - Current pedagogical and research practices in reflection; - Approaches to assessing reflective inquiry.Educators across the professions as well as adult educators, counselors and psychologists, and curriculum developers concerned with adult learning will find the Handbook of Reflection and Reflective Inquiry an invaluable teaching tool for challenging times.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware - The origins of turbulent ow and the transition from laminar to turbulent ow are the most important unsolved problems of uid mechanics and aerodynamics. - sides being a fundamental question of uid mechanics, there are numerous app- cations relying on information regarding transition location and the details of the subsequent turbulent ow. For example, the control of transition to turbulence is - pecially important in (1) skin-friction reduction of energy ef cient aircraft, (2) the performance of heat exchangers and diffusers, (3) propulsion requirements for - personic aircraft, and (4) separation control. While considerable progress has been made in the science of laminar to turbulent transition over the last 30 years, the c- tinuing increase in computer power as well as new theoretical developments are now revolutionizing the area. It is now starting to be possible to move from simple 1D eigenvalue problems in canonical ows to global modes in complex ows, all - companied by accurate large-scale direct numerical simulations (DNS). Here, novel experimental techniques such as modern particle image velocimetry (PIV) also have an important role. Theoretically the in uence of non-normality on the stability and transition is gaining importance, in particular for complex ows. At the same time the enigma of transition in the oldest ow investigated, Reynolds pipe ow tran- tion experiment, is regaining attention. Ideas from dynamical systems together with DNS and experiments are here giving us new insights.

Buch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware -Philosophers have warned of the perils of a life spent without reflection, but what constitutes reflective inquiry-and why it's necessary in our lives-can be an elusive concept. Synthesizing ideas from minds as diverse as John Dewey and Paulo Freire, theHandbook of Reflection and Reflective Inquiry presents reflective thought in its most vital aspects, not as a fanciful or nostalgic exercise, but as a powerful means of seeing familiar events anew, encouraging critical thinking and crucial insight, teaching and learning. In its opening pages, two seasoned educators, Maxine Green and Lee Shulman, discuss reflective inquiry as a form of active attention (Thoreau's 'wide-awakeness'), an act of consciousness, and a process by which people can understand themselves, their work (particularly in the form of life projects), and others. Building on this foundation, the Handbook of Reflection and Reflective Inquiry analyzes through the work of 40 internationally oriented authors: 606 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware - Il volume ha lo scopo di produrre un valido ed efficace strumento di riabilitazione delle disabilità di coordinazione oculo-manuale per bambini dai 0 ai 18 mesi e/o per bambini affetti da patologie genetiche e neurologiche con gravi difficoltà visuo-motorie. Il Training Computerizzato di Coordinazione Visuo-Motoria (TCCVM) è strutturato in modo semplice con stimoli visivi e uditivi gradevoli articolati in 5 livelli di difficoltà che compaiono su uno schermo touch-screen. Tali caratteristiche lo rendono fruibile sia nel contesto riabilitativo che in quello familiare. Il volume comprende un CD con il training, un manuale di installazione e istruzioni. All'interno del volume è stata descritta la riabilitazione effettuata con il TCCVM in due bambine affette da differente patologia (Sindrome di Rett e Sindrome Cri-du-Chat) con grave disturbo di coordinazione occhio-mano, che hanno ottenuto importanti miglioramenti dopo l'utilizzo di questo strumento.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. Neuware - Questo volume affronta gli aspetti clinici, assistenziali e organizzativi del trattamento del neuroleso grave: dal primo soccorso fino alla donazione degli organi a scopo di trapianto, nel caso di arresto irreversibile delle funzioni cerebrali.Nel libro particolare attenzione viene posta all'accoglienza del paziente e alla comunicazione con i familiari, e viene evidenziato il carattere fondamentale del prelievo di organi a scopo di trapianto, quale continuità assistenziale.Guida utile per chi opera nei reparti di terapia intensiva, di rianimazione, neurochirurgia, pronto soccorso e centri di coordinamento trapianti, è completato da appendici con ricca modulistica, linee guida nazionali e normative di pertinenza.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -This lecture introduces fundamental principles of online multiplayer games, primarily massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), suitable for students and faculty interested both in designing games and in doing research on them. The general focus is human-centered computing, which includes many human-computer interaction issues and emphasizes social computing, but also, looks at how the design of socio-economic interactions extends our traditional notions of computer programming to cover human beings as well as machines. In addition, it demonstrates a range of social science research methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative, that could be used by students for term papers, or by their professors for publications. In addition to drawing upon a rich literature about these games, this lecture is based on thousands of hours of first-hand research experience inside many classic examples, including World of Warcraft, The Matrix Online, Anarchy Online, Tabula Rasa, Entropia Universe, Dark Age of Camelot, Age of Conan, Lord of the Rings Online, Tale in the Desert, EVE Online, Star Wars Galaxies, Pirates of the Burning Sea, and the non-game virtual world Second Life. Among the topics covered are historical-cultural origins of leading games, technical constraints that shape the experience, rolecoding and social control, player personality and motivation, relationships with avatars and characters, virtual professions and economies, social relations inside games, and the implications for the external society. Table of Contents: Introduction / Historical-Cultural Origins / Technical Constraints / Rolecoding and Social Control / Personality and Motivation / Avatars and Characters / Virtual Professions and Economies / Social Relations Inside Games / Implications for External Society 116 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -It has become highly desirable to provide users with flexible ways to query/search information over databases as simple as keyword search like Google search. This book surveys the recent developments on keyword search over databases, and focuses on finding structural information among objects in a database using a set of keywords. Such structural information to be returned can be either trees or subgraphs representing how the objects, that contain the required keywords, are interconnected in a relational database or in an XML database. The structural keyword search is completely different from finding documents that contain all the user-given keywords. The former focuses on the interconnected object structures, whereas the latter focuses on the object content.The book is organized as follows. In Chapter 1, we highlight the main research issues on the structural keyword search in different contexts. In Chapter 2, we focus on supporting structural keyword search in a relational database management system using the SQL query language. We concentrate on how to generate a set of SQL queries that can find all the structural information among records in a relational database completely, and how to evaluate the generated set of SQL queries efficiently. In Chapter 3, we discuss graph algorithms for structural keyword search by treating an entire relational database as a large data graph. In Chapter 4, we discuss structural keyword search in a large tree-structured XML database. In Chapter 5, we highlight several interesting research issues regarding keyword search on databases.The book can be used as either an extended survey for people who are interested in the structural keyword search or a reference book for a postgraduate course on the related topics.Table of Contents: Introduction / Schema-Based Keyword Search on Relational Databases / Graph-Based Keyword Search / Keyword Search in XML Databases / Other Topics for Keyword Search on Databases 156 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -At its very core multimedia information retrieval means the process of searching for and finding multimedia documents; the corresponding research field is concerned with building the best possible multimedia search engines. The intriguing bit here is that the query itself can be a multimedia excerpt: For example, when you walk around in an unknown place and stumble across an interesting landmark, would it not be great if you could just take a picture with your mobile phone and send it to a service that finds a similar picture in a database and tells you more about the building -- and about its significance, for that matter This book goes further by examining the full matrix of a variety of query modes versus document types. How do you retrieve a music piece by humming What if you want to find news video clips on forest fires using a still image The text discusses underlying techniques and common approaches to facilitate multimedia search engines from metadata driven retrieval, via piggy-back text retrieval where automated processes create text surrogates for multimedia, automated image annotation and content-based retrieval. The latter is studied in great depth looking at features and distances, and how to effectively combine them for efficient retrieval, to a point where the readers have the ingredients and recipe in their hands for building their own multimedia search engines. Supporting users in their resource discovery mission when hunting for multimedia material is not a technological indexing problem alone. We look at interactive ways of engaging with repositories through browsing and relevance feedback, roping in geographical context, and providing visual summaries for videos. The book concludes with an overview of state-of-the-art research projects in the area of multimedia information retrieval, which gives an indication of the research and development trends and, thereby, a glimpse of the future world. Table of Contents: What is Multimedia Information Retrieval / Basic Multimedia Search Technologies / Content-based Retrieval in Depth / Added Services / Multimedia Information Retrieval Research / Summary 172 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Condizione: Neu. This item is printed on demand - it takes 3-4 days longer - Neuware -Today, Web search is treated as a solitary experience. Web browsers and search engines are typically designed to support a single user, working alone. However, collaboration on information-seeking tasks is actually commonplace. Students work together to complete homework assignments, friends seek information about joint entertainment opportunities, family members jointly plan vacation travel, and colleagues jointly conduct research for their projects. As improved networking technologies and the rise of social media simplify the process of remote collaboration, and large, novel display form-factors simplify the process of co-located group work, researchers have begun to explore ways to facilitate collaboration on search tasks. This lecture investigates the who, what, where, when and why of collaborative search, and gives insight in how emerging solutions can address collaborators' needs. Table of Contents: Introduction / Who / What / Where / When / Why / Conclusion: How 100 pp. Englisch.