How do we understand and explain phenomena in psychology? What does the concept of causality mean when we discuss higher psychological functions and behavior? Is it possible to generate laws in a psychological and behavioral sciencelaws that go beyond statistical regularities, frequencies, and probabilities? An international group of authors compare and contrast the use of a causal model in psychology with a newer modelthe catalytic model. The Catalyzing Mind: Beyond Models of Causality proposes an approach to the qualitative nature of psychological phenomena that focuses on the psychological significance and meaning of conditions, contexts, and situations as well as their sign-mediating processes. Contributors develop, apply, and criticize the notion of a catalyzing mind in hopes of achieving conceptual clarity and rigor. Disciplines such as philosophy, psychology, semiotics and biosemiotics are used for an interdisciplinary approach to the book. Research topics such as history and national identity, immigration, and transitions to adulthood are all brought into a dialogue with the concept of the catalyzing mind. With a variety of disciplines, theoretical concepts, and research topics this book is a collective effort at an approach to move beyond models of causality for explaining and understanding psychological phenomena.
Thứ Hai, 2 tháng 3, 2015
The Catalyzing Mind
The Computing Dendrite
Neuronal dendritic trees are complex structures that endow the cell with powerful computing capabilities and allow for high neural interconnectivity. Studying the function of dendritic structures has a long tradition in theoretical neuroscience, starting with the pioneering work by Wilfrid Rall in the 1950s. Recent advances in experimental techniques allow us to study dendrites with a new perspective and in greater detail. The goal of this volume is to provide a rsum of the state-of-the-art in experimental, computational, and mathematical investigations into the functions of dendrites in a variety of neural systems.
Chủ Nhật, 1 tháng 3, 2015
Molecular Imaging of the Brain
This book examines multi-quantum magnetic resonance imaging methods and the diagnostics of brain disorders. It consists of two Parts. The part I is initially devoted towards the basic concepts of the conventional single quantum MRI techniques. It is supplemented by the basic knowledge required to understand multi-quantum MRI. Practical illustrations are included both on recent developments in conventional MRI and the MQ-MRI. This is to illustrate the connection between theoretical concepts and their scope in the clinical applications. The Part II initially sets out the basic details about quadrupole charge distribution present in certain nuclei and their importance about the functions they perform in our brain. Some simplified final mathematical expressions are included to illustrate facts about the basic concepts of the quantum level interactions between magnetic dipole and the electric quadrupole behavior of useful nuclei present in the brain. Selected practical illustrations, from research and clinical practices are included to illustrate the newly emerging ideas and techniques. The reader should note that the two parts of the book are written with no interdependence. One can read them quite independently.
Thứ Tư, 25 tháng 2, 2015
Media and Convergence Management
Convergence has gained an enormous amount of attention in media studies within the last several years. It is used to describe the merging of formerly distinct functions, markets and fields of application, which has changed the way companies operate and consumers perceive and process media content. These transformations have not only led business practices to change and required companies to adapt to new conditions, they also continue to have a lasting impact on research in this area. This books main purpose is to shed some light on crucial phenomena of media and convergence management, while also addressing more specific issues brought about by innovations related to media, technologies, industries, business models, consumer behavior and content management.
Chủ Nhật, 15 tháng 2, 2015
Entire and Meromorphic Functions
This book is an introduction to the theory of entire and meromorphic functions intended for advanced graduate students in mathematics and for professional mathematicians. The book provides a clear treatment of the Nevanlinna theory of value distribution of meromorphic functions, and presentation of the Rubel-Taylor Fourier Series method for meromorphic functions and the Miles theorem on efficient quotient representation. It has a concise but complete treatment of the Polya theory of the Borel transform and the conjugate indicator diagram. It contains some of Buck’s results on integer-valued entire functions, and closes with the Malliavin-Rubel uniqueness theorem. The approach gets to the heart of the matter without excessive scholarly detours. It prepares the reader for further study of the vast literature on the subject, which is one of the cornerstones of complex analysis.
Thứ Bảy, 14 tháng 2, 2015
Unity 3.x Game Development by Example
The book takes a clear, step-by-step approach to building small, simple game projects. It focuses on short, attainable goals so that the reader can finish something, instead of trying to create a complex RPG or open-world game that never sees the light of day. This book encourages readers hungry for knowledge. It does not go into gory detail about how every little knob and dial functions – that’s what the software manual is for! Rather, this book is the fastest path from zero to finished game using the Unity game engine. If you’ve ever wanted to develop games, but have never felt ‘smart’ enough to deal with complex programming, this book is for you. It’s also a great kick-start for developers coming from other tools like Flash, Unreal Engine, and Game Maker Pro.
Thứ Tư, 11 tháng 2, 2015
More Than Moore
In the past decades, the main stream of microelectronics progress has been mainly powered by Moore’s law which focuses on IC miniaturization down to nanoscale. While the microelectronics community around the world continues to invent new solutions to keep Moore’s law alive, there is a fast increasing need for non-digital and mixed-signal ‘More than Moore’ (MtM) type technologies that are still based upon or derived from silicon technologies, but do not simply scale with Moore’s law. Typical examples are devices incorporating RF, power/high voltage, passive components, sensors and actuators, MEMS, Bio-chip/bio-systems, microfluidics, solid-state lighting, etc.. The increasing momentum of MtM is triggered by the increasing needs for high level heterogeneous system integration including non-digital functions, the necessity to speed up innovative product creation and to broaden the product portfolio of IC fabs, and the limiting cost and time factors of advanced system-on-chip (SoC) development. It is believed that MtM will add value to society on top of and beyond advanced semiconductors technologies, with fast increasing marketing potentials, and that it will drive paradigm shift for technologies, applications and business models.
Thứ Hai, 9 tháng 2, 2015
Recent Advances in Operator Theory, Operator Algebras and Their Applications
This book offers peer-reviewed articles from the 19th International Conference on Operator Theory, Summer 2002. It contains recent developments in a broad range of topics from operator theory, operator algebras and their applications, particularly to differential analysis, complex functions, ergodic theory, mathematical physics, matrix analysis, and systems theory. The book covers a large variety of topics including single operator theory, C*-algebras, diffrential operators, integral transforms, stochastic processes and operators, and more.
Numerical Methods for Controlled Stochastic Delay Systems
The Markov chain approximation methods are widely used for the numerical solution of nonlinear stochastic control problems in continuous time. This book extends the methods to stochastic systems with delays. Because such problems are infinite-dimensional, many new issues arise in getting good numerical approximations and in the convergence proofs. Useful forms of numerical algorithms and system approximations are developed in this work, and the convergence proofs are given. All of the usual cost functions are treated as well as singular and impulsive controls. A major concern is on representations and approximations that use minimal memory. Featuring numerical algorithms and examples with applications to control and modern communications systems, this book is the first on the subject and will be of great interest to all those who work with stochastic delay equations and whose main interest is in either the use of the algorithms or in the underlying mathematics. An excellent resource for graduate students, researchers, and practitioners, the work may be used as a graduate-level textbook for a special topics course or seminar on numerical methods in stochastic control.
Chủ Nhật, 8 tháng 2, 2015
Coxiella Burnetii
Coxiella burnetii is the etiological agent of Q fever, a zoonotic disease found worldwide. The bacterium is a fascinating example of intracellular parasitism that has uniquely evolved to thrive in the most inhospitable of cellular compartments-the phagolysosome. Understanding how C. burnetii resists the degradative functions of this vacuole, and the host cell functions coopted for successful parasitism, are central to understanding Q fever pathogenesis. Recent achievements in glycomics and proteomics are guiding development of enhanced detection schemes for the bacterium in addition to shedding light on the host immune response to the pathogen. Several chapters survey immune functions that control or potentially exacerbate Coxiella infection and delve into correlates of protective immunity elicited by vaccination. Comparative genomics is also the foundation of chapters discussing diagnostic antigen discovery and molecular typing of the bacterium, with significance for development of new clinical, epidemiologic, and forensic tools.
Thứ Hai, 2 tháng 2, 2015
A First Course in Fourier Analysis
This unique book provides a meaningful resource for applied mathematics through Fourier analysis. It develops a unified theory of discrete and continuous (univariate) Fourier analysis, the fast Fourier transform, and a powerful elementary theory of generalized functions and shows how these mathematical ideas can be used to study sampling theory, PDEs, probability, diffraction, musical tones, and wavelets. The book contains an unusually complete presentation of the Fourier transform calculus. It uses concepts from calculus to present an elementary theory of generalized functions. FT calculus and generalized functions are then used to study the wave equation, diffusion equation, and diffraction equation. Real-world applications of Fourier analysis are described in the chapter on musical tones. A valuable reference on Fourier analysis for a variety of students and scientific professionals, including mathematicians, physicists, chemists, geologists, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, and others.
Thứ Năm, 29 tháng 1, 2015
The CD-ROM Drive
The CD-ROM Drive is the first to describe all the system aspects of CD-ROM drive design, discussing all the building blocks from optics to host interface. The various subsystems of CD-ROM drives and their functions are described separately and all relevant aspects are covered, from mechanical, optical and electrical to control and information processing. In addition, new aspects relating to high- and very high-speed drives are introduced and discussed. All these points, as well as those relating to drive benchmarking and performance, combine to make this book a unique contribution to the field. The CD-ROM Drive, although dedicated to the CD-ROM system, is also a valuable reference for other compact disc systems such as CD-Recordable or Digital Versatile Disc (DVD). Containing more than fifty figures and a comprehensive list of references, the book is an invaluable source for specialists in the field and designers of CD-ROM drives. It will also appeal to students interested in combined mechatronics subjects.
Thứ Tư, 28 tháng 1, 2015
Best Practice in Professional Supervision
Best Practice in Professional Supervision is an authoritative guide to being an excellent supervisor, covering the role, functions and dispositions involved. The authors consider basic skills, the practicalities of forming and maintaining the supervision relationship, and the organisational context and culture of supervision. The book offers practical examples and a model of supervision which draws together ideas from adult learning theory and reflective practice. Viewing supervision as a place for learning, this guide considers how supervision can assist practitioners to develop professional resilience and manage the stresses of complex work environments. It also includes specific chapters on supervision of clinical student placements and in child protection settings. This book covers a range of professions including social care, nursing, counselling, social work and allied health professions, and is an essential guide for all those in these and related professions undertaking supervision or supervision training.
Introducing Neuropsychology - Second Edition
Introducing Neuropsychology, Second Edition investigates the functions of the brain and explores the relationships between brain systems and human behaviour. The material is presented in a jargon-free, easy to understand manner and aims to guide students new to the field through current areas of research.
Solution Thermodynamics and its Application to Aqueous Solutions
As the title suggests, we introduce a novel differential approach to solution thermodynamics and use it for the study of aqueous solutions. We evaluate the quantities of higher order derivative than the normal thermodynamic functions. We allow these higher derivative data speak for themselves without resorting to any model system. We thus elucidate the molecular processes in solution, (referred to in this book mixing scheme ), to the depth equal to, if not deeper, than that gained by spectroscopic and other methods. We show that there are three composition regions in aqueous solutions of non-electrolytes, each of which has a qualitatively distinct mixing scheme. The boundary between the adjacent regions is associated with an anomaly in the third derivatives of G. The loci of the anomalies in the temperature-composition field form the line sometimes referred as Koga line . We then take advantage of the anomaly of a third derivative quantity of 1-propanol in the ternary aqueous solution, 1-propanol sample species H2O. We use its induced change as a probe of the effect of a sample species on H2O. In this way, we clarified what a hydrophobe, or a hydrophile, and in turn, an amphiphile, does to H2O. We also apply the same methodology to ions that have been ranked by the Hofmeister series. We show that the kosmotropes (salting out, or stabilizing agents) are either hydrophobes or hydration centres, and that chaotropes (salting in, or destablizing agents) are hydrophiles.
Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is a self-contained analysis of physical and chemical processes based on classical thermodynamic principles. Emphasis is placed on the fundamental principles with a combination of theory and practice, demonstrating their application to a variety of disciplines. This edition has been completely revised and updated to include new material and novel formulations, including new formulation and interpretation of The Second Law, discussions of heat vs. work, uniqueness of chemical potential, and construction of functions of state. This book will appeal to graduate students and professional chemists and physicists who wish to acquire a more sophisticated overview of thermodynamics and related subject matter.
Thứ Hai, 26 tháng 1, 2015
Mobile Ad Hoc Robots and Wireless Robotic Systems
The emergence of wireless robotic systems has provided new perspectives on technology. With the combination of several disciplines such as robotic systems, ad hoc networking, telecommunications and more, mobile ad hoc robots have been essential towards the future possibilities of technology.Mobile Ad Hoc Robots and Wireless Robotic Systems: Design and Implementation aims to introduce robotic theories, wireless technologies, and routing applications involved in the development of mobile ad hoc robots. This reference source brings together topics on the communication and control of network ad hoc robots, and how they working together to carry out coordinated functions.
Thứ Năm, 22 tháng 1, 2015
The De-Mathematisation of Logic
This book collects together several articles by the author, to which a certain recent RATIO paper of his relates, with that paper as an introduction to the whole. It displays a major failure in the disposition of the logicians who have followed on from Frege, principally through their attachment to mathematics, and their subsequent neglect of natural language, and its basic grammar. Thus these logicians as a whole have confused, in substantial ways, categories like use with mention, identity with equivalence, predicates with functions, predicates with their nominalisations, sentences with nominals, sentences with propositions, propositions with functions, propositions with sets, properties with states of affairs, direct speech with indirect speech, reference with description, objects with facts, pronouns with nouns, mereological sums with (mathematical) sets, numbers with sets, count terms with mass terms, amounts with numbers, and also units of measure with objects, amongst other things. The book consists in fourteen chapters, with eleven of them being as they have been, or will be, when published in central journals, and other collections. Two further chapters extend the work in another two published papers, while one chapter is quite new. The chapter titles are: ‘Logic and Grammar’, ‘Completing Russell’s Logic’, ‘Logic and Arithmetic’, ‘Natural Language Sets’, ‘Namely Riders: an Update’, ‘Concept and Object in Frege’, ‘Frege’s Hidden Assumption’, ‘A Poor Concept Script’, ‘Motivation by De Se Beliefs’, ‘Out of the Liar Tangle’, ‘Ramseying Liars’, ‘Proving that 2+3=5′, ‘Harmonising Natural Deduction’, and ‘Dialetheias are Mental Confusions’.
Thứ Tư, 21 tháng 1, 2015
Smart Sensors and Mems
Smart sensors and micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) can include a variety of devices and systems that have a high level of functionality. They may integrate sensing and actuating with information processing, analog to digital conversion and memory functions. Smart sensors and MEMS may respond to algorithmic instructions and calibration requests, allowing smart devices to become more autonomous as they provide self diagnostics and self correction. Intelligence enables adaptation, which in turn increases the reliability and longevity of the smart device and this can significantly reduce costs. The editors have brought together a roster of contributing experts to cover smart sensors including capacitive, inductive, resistive and image sensors, smart MEMS including power MEMS, optical MEMS, inertial MEMS, and MEMS print heads.
Chủ Nhật, 18 tháng 1, 2015
C++, Fourth Edition
Best-selling genius Herb Schildt covers everything from keywords, syntax, and libraries, to advanced features such as overloading, inheritance, virtual functions, namespaces, templates, and RTTIplus, a complete description of the Standard Template Library (STL).