This book summarizes recent advances in robotics using 3D printers and rapid prototyping as a concept development tool. The book is focused on industrial applications, educational aspects, rehabilitation, and other related topics. In particular, the book is intended to offer the reader a smooth yet deep introduction to the use of 3D printers and rapid prototyping techniques as a solution to robotics and mechatronics problems, highlighting successful case studies.

This book constitutes the proceedings of the 10th International Workshop on Communication Technologies for Vehicles, Nets4Cars/Nets4Trains/Nets4Aircraft 2016, held in San Sebastian, Spain, in June 2016. The 13 papers presented together with 2 keynote papers, 2 invited papers, and 1 demo paper in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 17 initial submissions. The contributions are organized in topical sections named: road, rail, and air.

This book constitutes the proceedings of the 18th International GI/ITG Conference on Measurement, Modelling and Evaluation of Computing Systems and Dependability and Fault Tolerance, MMB & DFT 2016, held in Munster, Germany, in April 2016. The 12 full papers and 3 short papers included in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 23 submissions. The papers deal with the fields of performance evaluation, dependability, and fault-tolerance of computer and communication systems. A relatively new topic of smart grids is also covered.

This book constitutes the proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on Frontiers of Combining Systems, FroCoS 2015, held in Wroclaw, Poland, in September 2015. The 20 papers presented in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 34 submissions. They were organized in topical sections named: description logics; theorem proving and model building; decision procedures; decision procedures for verification; rewriting and constraint solving; transformations between symbolic systems; combination methods; and reasoning in large theories. The book also contains one invited talk in full-paper length.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 10th International Workshop on Augmented Environments for Computer-Assisted Interventions, held in conjunction with MICCAI 2015, in Munich, Germany in October 2015. The 15 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 21 submissions. The objective of the AE-CAI workshop was to attract scientific contributions that offer solutions to the technical problems in the area of augmented and virtual environments for computer-assisted interventions, and to provide a venue for dissemination of papers describing both complete systems and clinical applications.

This volume constitutes the thoroughly refereed post-conference proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Curves and Surfaces, held in Paris, France, in June 2014. The conference had the overall theme: "Representation and Approximation of Curves and Surfaces and Applications". The 32 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 39 submissions. The scope of the conference was on following topics: approximation theory, computer-aided geometric design, computer graphics and visualization, computational geometry and topology, geometry processing, image and signal processing, interpolation and smoothing, mesh generation, finite elements and splines, scattered data processing and learning theory, sparse and high-dimensional approximation, subdivision, wavelets and multi-resolution method.

This book constitutes the proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Quantitative Evaluation of Systems, QEST 2015, held in Madrid, Spain, in September 2015. The 19 papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 42 submissions. They are organized in topical sections named: modelling and applications; tools; petri nets, process algebra and fault trees; applications; and queuing systems and hybrid systems. The book also contains one full-paper invited talk.

This work presents modern implementations of relevant molecular dynamics algorithms using ls1 mardyn, a simulation program for engineering applications. The text focuses strictly on HPC-related aspects, covering implementation on HPC architectures, taking Intel Xeon and Intel Xeon Phi clusters as representatives of current platforms. The work describes distributed and shared-memory parallelization on these platforms, including load balancing, with a particular focus on the efficient implementation of the compute kernels. The text also discusses the software-architecture of the resulting code.

This tutorial on the application of the open-source software OpenGeoSys (OGS) in computational hydrology is based on a one-week training course at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Leipzig, Germany. It provides general information regarding hydrological and groundwater flow modeling and the pre-processing and step-by-step model setups of a case study with OGS and related components such as the OGS Data Explorer. The tutorial also illustrates the application of pre- and post-processing tools such as ArcGIS and ParaView. This book is intended primarily for graduate students and applied scientists who deal with hydrological-system analysis and hydrological modeling. It is also a valuable source of information for practicing hydrologists wishing to further their understanding of the numerical modeling of coupled hydrological-hydrogeological systems. This tutorial is the first in a series that will present further OGS applications in environmental sciences.

Get up and running with AutoCAD using Gindis' combination of step-by-step instruction, examples and insightful explanations. The emphasis from the beginning is on core concepts and practical application of AutoCAD in engineering, architecture, and design. Equally useful in instructor-led classroom training, self-study, or as a professional reference, the book is written with the user in mind by a long-time AutoCAD professional and instructor based on what works in the industry and the classroom.

This volume constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Second International Conference on Geo-Informatics in Resource Management and Sustainable Ecosystem, GRMSE 2014, held in Ypsilanti, MI, China, in December 2014. The 73 papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 296 submissions. The papers are divided into topical sections on smart city in resource management and sustainable ecosystem; spatial data acquisition through RS and GIS in resource management and sustainable ecosystem; ecological and environmental data processing and management; advanced geospatial model and analysis for understanding ecological and environmental process; applications of geo-informatics in resource management and sustainable ecosystem.

This book constitutes the thoroughly refereed post-conference proceedings of the Third International Workshop on Energy Efficient Data Centers, E2DC 2014, held in Cambridge, UK, in June 2014. The 10 revised full papers presented were carefully selected from numerous submissions. They are organized in three topical sections named: energy optimization algorithms and models, the future role of data centres in Europe and energy efficiency metrics for data centres.

The book serves both as a reference for various scaled models with corresponding dimensionless numbers, and as a resource for learning the art of scaling. A special feature of the book is the emphasis on how to create software for scaled models, based on existing software for unscaled models. Scaling (or non-dimensionalization) is a mathematical technique that greatly simplifies the setting of input parameters in numerical simulations. Moreover, scaling enhances the understanding of how different physical processes interact in a differential equation model. Compared to the existing literature, where the topic of scaling is frequently encountered, but very often in only a brief and shallow setting, the present book gives much more thorough explanations of how to reason about finding the right scales. This process is highly problem dependent, and therefore the book features a lot of worked examples, from very simple ODEs to systems of PDEs, especially from fluid mechanics. The text is easily accessible and example-driven. The first part on ODEs fits even a lower undergraduate level, while the most advanced multiphysics fluid mechanics examples target the graduate level. The scientific literature is full of scaled models, but in most of the cases, the scales are just stated without thorough mathematical reasoning. This book explains how the scales are found mathematically. This book will be a valuable read for anyone doing numerical simulations based on ordinary or partial differential equations.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Software Reuse for Dynamic Systems in the Cloud and Beyond, ICSR 2015, held in Miami, FL, USA, in January 2015. The 21 revised full papers presented together with 3 revised short papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 60 submissions. The papers cover several software engineering areas where software reuse is important, such as software product lines, domain analysis, open source, components, cloud, quality.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 14th Ibero-American Conference on Artificial Intelligence, IBERAMIA 2014, held in Santiago de Chile, Chile, in November 2014. The 64 papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 136 submissions. The papers are organized in the following topical sections: knowledge engineering, knowledge representation and probabilistic reasoning; planning and scheduling; natural language processing; machine learning; fuzzy systems; knowledge discovery and data mining; bio-inspired computing; robotics; vision; multi-agent systems; agent-based modeling and simulation; AI in education, affective computing, and human-computer interaction; applications of AI; and ambient intelligence.

This book constitutes the thoroughly refereed post-workshop proceedings of the International Workshop on Medical Computer Vision: Algorithms for Big Data, MCV 2014, held in Cambridge, MA, USA, in September 2019, in conjunction with the 17th International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer-Assisted Intervention, MICCAI 2014. The one-day workshop aimed at exploring the use of modern computer vision technology and "big data" algorithms in tasks such as automatic segmentation and registration, localization of anatomical features and detection of anomalies emphasizing questions of harvesting, organizing and learning from large-scale medical imaging data sets and general-purpose automatic understanding of medical images. The 18 full and 1 short papers presented in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 30 submission.

Due to its comprehensive tool-set and great potential for 3D modeling, more and more architectural design and interior design firms are adapting Autodesk Maya and integrating it into their practice. There has been no book aimed at architects and designers who wish to harness the opportunities presented by this software, until now..... The book promotes parametric design. It integrates the theoretical research of computational design and Maya non-linear modeling techniques associated with simulation, animation, digital fabrication and form-finding within 2D & 3D design. Readers will learn: How to use Maya polygon and NURBS modeling tools to create non-linear procedural model. How to use Maya driver keys and relationship tools to generate parametrically negotiable solutions across various design professions. The design logic and generative processes, as well as the potential of parametric thinking as a resourceful tool for achieving diversity and complexity in form generation and fabrication. How to use Maya to prepare files for rapid prototyping and the integration of Maya into various fabrication techniques such as laser cutting, CNC milling, and 3D printing. How to create a digital simulation to simulate all aspects of surface properties and dynamic forces with Maya physics engine. How to use Maya skeleton system and animation tools to control complex architectural forms. How to create photo-realistic renderings with Maya lighting, material and texture mapping. Using several real projects as examples, the book will go through the entire rendering process step by step. How to combine Maya with various CAD/BIM tools to create an efficient design pipeline. How to use Maya MEL script to create customized tools and interface. The book includes case studies from Zaha Hadid Architects, Greg Lynn Form, Gage Clemenceau Architects, Tang & Yang Architects, as well as step by step exercises, demonstration projects and crucially a fantastic online resource which includes video tutorials, scripts, and Maya source files.

A practical, hands-on guide to real-world construction estimating How to Estimate with RSMeans Datais the only instructional book on construction cost estimating that uses the most popular source of construction cost data, RS Means. This updated fifth edition includes new coverage on the role of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the estimating process, and over 300 sample problems and exercises that show you how to apply cost data to your building project based on the RS Means 2015 Building Construction Cost Data. The companion website provides access to RS Means CostWorks data, allowing you to use real-world numbers in your practice estimates, and the included Instructor's Manual provides step-by-step solutions to problems in the book. Focused on the practical aspects of estimating, this book emphasizes the application of estimating techniques which are transferable to any estimating software through problem solving and the ground-up creation of complete construction project estimates. Estimating skills are fundamental to the construction industry, and are applied by all parties at all levels throughout the industry. This book is a hands-on guide to the techniques and tools used to create a thorough estimate, with plenty of opportunities for practice. * Apply cost data to all aspects of the building project * Practice your skills on over 300 sample problems * Construct a complete estimate using RSMeans Besides being an essential construction skill, learning estimating helps you become familiar with reading and understanding construction blueprints and how construction assemblies are built. Mastery of these vital skills is important to your future career, and How to Estimate with RSMeans Data is your ideal guide to a solid foundation.

The bookModeling Reality covers a wide range of fascinating subjects, accessible to anyone who wants to learn about the use of computer modeling to solve a diverse range of problems, but who does not possess a specialized training in mathematics or computer science. The material presented is pitched at the level of high-school graduates, even though it covers some advanced topics (cellular automata, Shannon's measure of information, deterministic chaos, fractals, game theory, neural networks, genetic algorithms, and Turing machines). These advanced topics are explained in terms of well known simple concepts: Cellular automata - Game of Life, Shannon's formula - Game of twenty questions, Game theory - Television quiz, etc. The book is unique in explaining in a straightforward, yet complete, fashion many important ideas, related to various models of reality and their applications. Twenty-five programs, written especially for this book, are provided on an accompanying CD. They greatly enhance its pedagogical value and make learning of even the more complex topics an enjoyable pleasure.

How do you use R to import, manage, visualize, and analyze real-world data? With this short, hands-on tutorial, you learn how to collect online data, massage it into a reasonable form, and work with it using R facilities to interact with web servers, parse HTML and XML, and more. Rather than use canned sample data, you'll plot and analyze current home foreclosure auctions in Philadelphia.

This practical mashup exercise shows you how to access spatial data in several formats locally and over the Web to produce a map of home foreclosures. It's an excellent way to explore how the R environment works with R packages and performs statistical analysis.Parse messy data from public foreclosure auction postings Plot the data using R's PBSmapping package Import US Census data to add context to foreclosure data Use R's lattice and latticeExtra packages for data visualization Create multidimensional correlation graphs with the pairs() scatterplot matrix package

OpenGL (R) ES (TM) is the industry's leading software interface and graphics library for rendering sophisticated 3D graphics on handheld and embedded devices. The newest version, OpenGL ES 3.0, makes it possible to create stunning visuals for new games and apps, without compromising device performance or battery life. In the OpenGL (R) ES (TM) 3.0 Programming Guide, Second Edition, the authors cover the entire API and Shading Language. They carefully introduce OpenGL ES 3.0 features such as shadow mapping, instancing, multiple render targets, uniform buffer objects, texture compression, program binaries, and transform feedback. Through detailed, downloadable C-based code examples, you'll learn how to set up and program every aspect of the graphics pipeline. Step by step, you'll move from introductory techniques all the way to advanced per-pixel lighting and particle systems. Throughout, you'll find cutting-edge tips for optimizing performance, maximizing efficiency with both the API and hardware, and fully leveraging OpenGL ES 3.0 in a wide spectrum of applications. All code has been built and tested on iOS 7, Android 4.3, Windows (OpenGL ES 3.0 Emulation), and Ubuntu Linux, and the authors demonstrate how to build OpenGL ES code for each platform. Coverage includes EGL API: communicating with the native windowing system, choosing configurations, and creating rendering contexts and surfaces Shaders: creating and attaching shader objects; compiling shaders; checking for compile errors; creating, linking, and querying program objects; and using source shaders and program binaries OpenGL ES Shading Language: variables, types, constructors, structures, arrays, attributes, uniform blocks, I/O variables, precision qualifiers, and invariance Geometry, vertices, and primitives: inputting geometry into the pipeline, and assembling it into primitives 2D/3D, Cubemap, Array texturing: creation, loading, and rendering; texture wrap modes, filtering, and formats; compressed textures, sampler objects, immutable textures, pixel unpack buffer objects, and mipmapping Fragment shaders: multitexturing, fog, alpha test, and user clip planes Fragment operations: scissor, stencil, and depth tests; multisampling, blending, and dithering Framebuffer objects: rendering to offscreen surfaces for advanced effects Advanced rendering: per-pixel lighting, environment mapping, particle systems, image post-processing, procedural textures, shadow mapping, terrain, and projective texturing Sync objects and fences: synchronizing within host application and GPU execution This edition of the book includes a color insert of the OpenGL ES 3.0 API and OpenGL ES Shading Language 3.0 Reference Cards created by Khronos. The reference cards contain a complete list of all of the functions in OpenGL ES 3.0 along with all of the types, operators, qualifiers, built-ins, and functions in the OpenGL ES Shading Language.

Create innovative CG solutions with Maya and this creative guide

Professional Maya artists have to think on their feet. It's nothing for them to receive just vague sketches or incomplete ideas of what the studio wants and have to come up with something brilliant. If you're an intermediate to advanced Maya user, Maya Visual Effects: The Innovator's Guide, Second Edition is what you need to meet the challenge. Professional Maya artist Eric Keller offers inspired solutions and hands-on projects, as well as numerous practical shortcuts and deadlines, so you learn to produce innovative CG assets from scratch, using Maya, on a deadline.Shows intermediate to advanced Maya users new solutions, workarounds, and shortcuts for creating Maya visual effects on deadlineGives readers plenty of hands-on projects, so they come up with solutions that they can add to their Maya toolsetsOffers workable ideas that can be applied, no matter which version of Maya software is being usedPresents projects in an engaging style, with pages of full-color imagery to illustrate concepts

Create amazing effects with the creative insights and fresh advice in this new edition of "Maya Visual Effects: The Innovator's Guide."

Understanding Molecular Simulation: From Algorithms to Applications explains the physics behind the "recipes" of molecular simulation for materials science. Computer simulators are continuously confronted with questions concerning the choice of a particular technique for a given application. A wide variety of tools exist, so the choice of technique requires a good understanding of the basic principles. More importantly, such understanding may greatly improve the efficiency of a simulation program. The implementation of simulation methods is illustrated in pseudocodes and their practical use in the case studies used in the text.
Since the first edition only five years ago, the simulation world has changed significantly -- current techniques have matured and new ones have appeared. This new edition deals with these new developments; in particular, there are sections on:
. Transition path sampling and diffusive barrier crossing to simulaterare events
. Dissipative particle dynamic as a course-grained simulation technique
. Novel schemes to compute the long-ranged forces
. Hamiltonian and non-Hamiltonian dynamics in the context constant-temperature and constant-pressure molecular dynamics simulations
. Multiple-time step algorithms as an alternative for constraints
. Defects in solids
. The pruned-enriched Rosenbluth sampling, recoil-growth, and concerted rotations for complex molecules
. Parallel tempering for glassy Hamiltonians
Examples are included that highlight current applications and the codes of case studies are available on the World Wide Web. Several new examples have been added since the first edition to illustrate recent applications. Questions are included in this new edition. No prior knowledge of computer simulation is assumed."

Performability modelling and evaluation brings together two disciplines that have long been treated separately in different communities: computer and communication system performance evaluation and system reliability and availability evaluation.

• Provides a single-source reference covering of all aspects of performability evaluation.
• Introduces a new approach to assessing the performance and dependability of systems thus revealing system characteristics that cannot be uncovered separately by performance or reliability evaluation.
• Explains how systems can operate partially in the presence of failures by discussing:

This practical guide offers a short course on scaling CouchDB to meet the capacity needs of your distributed application. Through a series of scenario-based examples, this book lets you explore several methods for creating a system that can accommodate growth and meet expected demand. In the process, you learn about several tools that can help you with replication, load balancing, clustering, and load testing and monitoring.Apply performance tips for tuning your database Replicate data, using Futon and CouchDB's RESTful interface Distribute CouchDB's workload through load balancing Learn options for creating a cluster of CouchDB nodes, including BigCouch, Lounge, and Pillow Conduct distributed load testing with Tsung