Introduction to Nonsmooth Optimization : Theory, practice and software
- Authors: Bagirov, Adil , Karmitsa, Napsu , Makela, Marko
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Book
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: This book is the first easy-to-read text on nonsmooth optimization (NSO, not necessarily differentiable optimization). Soving these kinds of problems plays a critical role in many industrial applications and real-world modeling systems, for example in the context of image denoising, optimal control, neural network training, data mining, ecomonics, and computational chemistry and physics. The book covers both the theory and the numerical methods used in NSO, and provides an overview of different problems arising in the field. It is organized into three parts: 1. convex and nonconvex analysis and the theory of NSO; 2. test problems and practical applications; 3. a guide to NSO software. The book is ideal for anyone teaching or attending NSO courses. As an accessible introduction to the field, it is also well suited as an independent learning guide for practitioners already familiar with the basics of optimization.
Surviving, thriving and reviving in adolescence : Research and narratives from the school for student leadership
- Authors: Dyson, Michael , Plunkett, Margaret
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Book
- Full Text: false
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- Description: This research-based book focuses on the development and evolution of the School for Student Leadership (SSL), an alternate and unique residential school for year-nine students, operating in Victoria, Australia. It traces the journey of the SSL, a state secondary school, from a single campus in 2000, to its current three campuses, with more to come in the future. The book documents the key findings and insights from a university/school research partnership spanning a 16-year period. Central themes running throughout the book include the importance of social and emotional development/competence to support and guide learning in adolescence; the nature and value of adolescent leadership; relationships and community as foci of middle-years education together with what constitutes a modern ‘rite of passage’. The book explains how, in this particular alternate setting, deliberate steps have been taken – and responsively changed over time – to develop knowledge, skills and competencies, which enable the building of meaningful and sustainable relationships and social and emotional competence within the community. Many of the lessons learned in this setting reveal the potential for transference into mainstream educational settings, to enable all year-nine students to receive the same opportunities to grow and develop as those who have attended the SSL.
Physiology of characean cells
- Authors: Beilby, Mary , Casanova, Michelle
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Book
- Full Text: false
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Spirituality across disciplines : Research and Practice
- Authors: de Souza, Marian , Bone, Jane , Watson, Jacqueline
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Book
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: This book collects multiple disciplinary voices which explore current research and perspectives to discuss how sprirituality is understood, interpreted and applied in a range of contexts. It addresses sprirituality in combination with such topics as Christian mysiticism, childhood and adolescent education, midwifery, and sustainability. It links spirituality to a variety of disciplines, including cognitive neuroscience, sociology, and psychology. Finally, it discusses the application of spirituality within the context of social work, teaching, health care, and occupational therapy. A final chapter provides an analytical discussion of the different voices that appear in the book and offers a holistic description of spirituality which has the potential to bring some unity to the meaning, expression and practice of spirituality across a variety of disciplines as well as across cultural, religious and secular worldviews.
Long term warranty and after sales service concept, policies and cost models
- Authors: Rahman, Anisur , Chattopadhyay, Gopinath
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Book
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Introduction to Long-Term Warranty and After-Sales Service -- Lifetime Warranties : Policies and Cost Models -- Used Second-hand Product Warranty -- Extended Warranty -- Maintenance Contract -- Outsourcing Rail Maintenance through Maintenance Contracts - A Case Study. This volume presents concepts, policies and cost models for various long-term warranty and maintenance contracts. It offers several numerical examples for estimating costs to both the manufacturer and consumer. Long-term warranties and maintenance contracts are becoming increasingly popular, as these types of aftersales services provide assurance to consumers that they can enjoy long, reliable service, and protect them from defects and the potentially high costs of repairs. Studying long-term warranty and service contracts is important to manufacturers and consumers alike, as offering long-term warranty and maintenance contracts produce additional costs for manufacturers / service providers over the product{u2019}s service life. These costs must be factored into the price, or the manufacturer / dealer will incur losses instead of making a profit. On the other hand, the buyer / consumer needs to weigh the cost of maintaining it over its service life and to decide whether or not these policies are worth purchasing. There are a number of complexities involved in developing failure and cost models for these policies due to uncertainties concerning the service life, usage pattern, maintenance work and long-term costs of rectifications. Mathematical models for predicting failures and expected costs for various one-dimensional long-term warranty policies are developed at the system level and analyzed by taking into account the uncertainties in connection with longer coverage periods and the rectification costs over the warranty period. Failures and costs are modeled using stochastic techniques and illustrated by means of numerical examples for estimating costs to the manufacturer and consumer. Various rectification policies are proposed and analyzed. The models developed here can be used to aid in managerial decisions on purchasing products with long-term warranty policies and maintenance contracts or outsourcing maintenance.
Handbook of Psychocardiology
- Authors: Alvarenga, Marlies , Byrne, Don
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Book
- Relation: Springer Nature Living Reference
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: This handbook brings togetherthe full weight of contemporary evidence bearing on what is now commonly termed "psycho-cardiology". It focuses on the role of psycho-social factors in the genesis and clinical management of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The book constitutes a critically reviewed compendium of current knowledge in the area, coupled with guides to evidence-based best practice in the field of psycho-cardiology. The following categories are covered:Social/demographic risk for CVD, Personality and CVD risk, Stress and CVD risk, Psychopathology (particularly affective disorders) and CVD risk, The psychological management of those with clinical CVD, Psychology in the prevention of CVD. The book integrates the evidence into a compelling argument that clinicians, researchers and those in public health will discount the role of psychological factors in regard to CVD at their own peril. And importantly for clinicians charged with the care of patients with CVD, the bookposes the argument that failure to recognize the links between psychological factors and CVD may well be at the considerable peril of those patients under their care.
Literacy in the early years: reflections on international research and practice
- Authors: McLachlan, Claire , Arrow, Alison
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Book
- Relation: International Perspectives on Early Childhood Education and Development
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: This edited collection provides an in-depth exploration of different aspects of contemporary early childhood literacy research and the implications for educational practice. Each chapter details how the research was conducted and any issues that researchers encountered in collecting data with very young children, as well as what the research findings mean for educational practice. It includes photographs of effective literacy practice, detailed explanations of research methods so the studies can be replicated or expanded upon, and key features for promoting effective literacy practice in early childhood settings. This book is an essential read for everyone who is interested in exploring the complexities and challenges of researching literacy acquisition in the youngest children.