This book contains keynote lectures and full papers presented at the International Symposium on Computational Modelling of Objects Represented in Images (CompIMAGE), held in Coimbra, Portugal, on 20-21 October 2006. International contributions from nineteen countries provide a comprehensive coverage of the current state-of-the-art in the fields of: - Image Processing and Analysis; - Image Segmentation; - Data Interpolation; - Registration, Acquisition and Compression; - 3D Reconstruction; - Objects Tracking; - Motion and Deformation Analysis; - Objects Simulation; - Medical Imaging; - Computational Bioimaging and Visualization. Related techniques also covered in this book include the finite element method, modal analyses, stochastic methods, principal and independent components analyses and distribution models. Computational Modelling of Objects Represented in Images will be useful to academics, researchers and professionals in Computational Vision (image processing and analysis), Computer Sciences, and Computational Mechanics.

This textbook aims to fill the gap between those that offer a theoretical treatment without many applications and those that present and apply formulas without appropriately deriving them. The balance achieved will give readers a fundamental understanding of key financial ideas and tools that form the basis for building realistic models, including those that may become proprietary. Numerous carefully chosen examples and exercises reinforce the student's conceptual understanding and facility with applications. The exercises are divided into conceptual, application-based, and theoretical problems, which probe the material deeper. The book is aimed toward advanced undergraduates and first-year graduate students who are new to finance or want a more rigorous treatment of the mathematical models used within. While no background in finance is assumed, prerequisite math courses include multivariable calculus, probability, and linear algebra. The authors introduce additional mathematical tools as needed. The entire textbook is appropriate for a single year-long course on introductory mathematical finance. The self-contained design of the text allows for instructor flexibility in topics courses and those focusing on financial derivatives. Moreover, the text is useful for mathematicians, physicists, and engineers who want to learn finance via an approach that builds their financial intuition and is explicit about model building, as well as business school students who want a treatment of finance that is deeper but not overly theoretical.

Mixed-Signal Layout Generation Concepts covers important physical-design issues that exist in contemporary analog and mixed-signal design flows. Due to the increasing pressure on time-to-market, the steep increase in chip fabrication costs, and the increasing design complexity, it becomes even more challenging to produce a first-time right IC layout. The fundamental issues in creating a layout are placement and routing. Although these coupled problems have been investigated for many decades, no satisfactory automated solution has emerged yet. Fortunately, supported by modern computing power and results of new research that further improve computation efficiency, significant steps forward have been taken.
Mixed-Signal Layout Generation Concepts brings together many principles and techniques required to successfully develop and implement layout generation tools to accommodate many mixed-signal layout generation needs. Not only does it provide a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art concepts, it also illustrates many concepts with intuitive examples and pseudo code. Altogether, it facilitates creation of insight in a vast and complex area.
For those who are new to the area of mixed-signal layout generation, this book provides an excellent introduction to advanced topics in this area. A practicing EDA researcher or tool developer might find this book a useful reference that combines classical and new principles. In addition, this book relates theories to each other and to pragmatic implementations. Finally, the designer, or layout artist, interested to have a thorough understanding of fundamental concepts in mixed-signal layout generation, can take advantage of theself-contained chapters in this book.

This book aims to shed light on the use of various modelling tools and simulation techniques in the domains of tourism and hospitality. It offers an essential introduction to the most popular methods used for modelling and simulating systems and phenomena of interest, and an overview of these techniques and methods. The main concept of each technique and method is examined and case studies and links to free online tutorials and other helpful resources are provided. The volume aims to encourage students, researchers and practitioners in tourism and hospitality to enhance and enrich their toolbox in order to achieve a better and more profound knowledge of their field.

This text identifies and discusses emerging challenges and opportunities arising from advanced-technology simulation-based microworld analogues of operational environments. These scaled worlds have been used and advocated for many years. A major transformation is expected in research and training using new, more advanced versions of these systems. Technology now affords new capabilities using PC-based systems. Complex and distributed expert decision making and team performance can be elicited and rehearsed through affordable and easily distributed systems. These new systems will transform the nature of research and training on two fronts: (1) the content internal (i.e. laboratory control) and external validity, and (2) who can do the research and/or training, as these new systems offer more opportunities/options. train, educate and/or utilize individuals who may be distributed across the globe. Researchers across the globe will also use these new capabilities, forging new and multi-discipline research as new alliances and collaborations are enabled. Research previously restricted to highly realistic and restricted high-fidelity systems will be open to more participants and these new processes and systems will create new opportunities. Such systems will offer more realism, control and feedback to researchers and trainers. Distributed systems can link multiple nodes, allowing many participants to perform within a shared scenario. Scenarios are more easily constructed and controlled. Opportunities using these internet-based systems are clear, as evidenced by high funding and investments in advanced internet-based training systems. Universities, corporations and DoD organizations are rapidly escalating their use of such systems for collaborative research, education, distributed training and distance learning. education and training for most performance domains. Low to medium fidelity environments capture knowledge and performance requirements while retaining high levels of experimental control and generalizability. This book goes further than others on simulation-based training and research (which focus on highly realistic systems) by addressing the issues of scale, fidelity and purpose in more abstracted scaled world systems. It brings together experts who use these systems, from a variety of perspectives. Their contributions document emerging trends and issues with regard to development, utilization and validation of these emerging scaled world systems.

'Points, questions, stories, and occasional rants introduce the 24 chapters of this engaging volume. With a focus on mathematics and peppered with a scattering of computer science settings, the entries range from lightly humorous to curiously thought-provoking. Each chapter includes sections and sub-sections that illustrate and supplement the point at hand. Most topics are self-contained within each chapter, and a solid high school mathematics background is all that is needed to enjoy the discussions. There certainly is much to enjoy here.'CHOICEEver notice how people sometimes use math words inaccurately? Or how sometimes you instinctively know a math statement is false (or not known)?Each chapter of this book makes a point like those above and then illustrates the point by doing some real mathematics through step-by-step mathematical techniques.This book gives readers valuable information about how mathematics and theoretical computer science work, while teaching them some actual mathematics and computer science through examples and exercises. Much of the mathematics could be understood by a bright high school student. The points made can be understood by anyone with an interest in math, from the bright high school student to a Field's medal winner.

This book is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license. This book summarizes work being pursued in the context of the CIPRNet (Critical Infrastructure Preparedness and Resilience Research Network) research project, co-funded by the European Union under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The project is intended to provide concrete and on-going support to the Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) research communities, enhancing their preparedness for CI-related emergencies, while also providing expertise and technologies for other stakeholders to promote their understanding and mitigation of the consequences of CI disruptions, leading to enhanced resilience. The book collects the tutorial material developed by the authors for several courses on the modelling, simulation and analysis of CIs, representing extensive and integrated CIP expertise. It will help CI stakeholders, CI operators and civil protection authorities understand the complex system of CIs, and help them adapt to these changes and threats in order to be as prepared as possible for mitigating emergencies and crises affecting or arising from CIs.

A complete handbook on a critical issue for today’s business leaders–how to improve customer satisfaction, control costs, and maximize profits

Producing a product or service to heighten customer satisfaction–and doing so cost effectively–do not have to be mutually exclusive objectives. With Market Driven Enterprise, Amiya Chakravarty presents a state-of-the-art, clearly designed framework for responding to market forces while keeping total costs in check.

The book’s twelve chapters are divided into three sections: interfaces and decision-making in an enterprise, product design and time-to-market, and responsive supply chains and manufacturing. A generous supply of real-world examples and more than 200 illustrations enhance the book’s readability–as does its detailed table of contents breaking down each chapter into subsections for quick reference. Some of the book’s most valuable features include:

• An analysis of the entire product development and manufacturing processes in light of customer needs
• An innovative treatment of digitally connected supply networks and new business models
• A focus on the optimization of manufacturing and marketing processes for greater managerial insights leading to the highest potential profit
• Coverage of the most vital management techniques and philosophies–concurrent engineering and quality function deployment, manufacturing flexibility, information transparency, collaboration, and the virtual enterprise–and their relationship to the market-driven manufacturing process
• Mathematical models for product-platform, product launch, supply-chain coordination, and market-driven manufacturing

For students and professionals in business and engineering, production and operations management, marketing, or production and design engineering, Market Driven Enterprise is an essential handbook. Anyone whose business is striving to attain an optimal position in a demanding marketplace will find it an excellent place to start.

Master the art of computer animation and visual effects production with the latest edition of this cutting-edge guide

This remarkable edition of "The Art of 3D Computer Animation and Effects" offers clear, step-by-step guidelines for the entire process of creating a fully rendered 3D computer animation. With up-to-date coverage of the latest computer animation styles and techniques, this versatile guide provides insightful information for creating animations and visual effects--from creative development and preproduction to finished animation.

Designed to work with any computer platform, this "Fourth Edition" cuts through technical jargon and presents numerous easy-to-understand instructive diagrams. Full-color examples are presented--including VFX and animated feature movies, games, and TV commercials--by such leading companies as Blue Sky, Blur, BUF, Disney, DreamWorks, Electronic Arts, Framestore, ILM, Imagi, Microsoft, Mac Guff, The Mill, Menfond, Pixar, Polygon, Rhythm & Hues, Sony Imageworks, Tippett, Ubisoft, and Weta, and many other studios and groundbreaking independent artists from around the world.

This fully revised edition features new material on the latest visual effects techniques, a useful update of the traditional principles of animation, practical information on creative development, multiple production pipeline ideas for shorts and visual effects, plus updated information on current production trends and techniques in animation, rendering, modeling, rigging, and compositing.

Whether you are a student, an independent artist or creator, or a production company team member, "The Art of 3D Computer Animation and Effects, Fourth Edition" gives you a broad palette of tips and techniques for bringing your visions to life through 3D computer animation.Unique focus on creative development and production issuesNon-platform specific, with multiple examples illustrated in a practical, step-by-step approachThe newest computer animation techniques, including facial animation, image-based and non-photorealistic rendering, model rigging, real-time models, and 2D/3D integrationOver 700 full-color imagesEncyclopedic timeline and production pipeline

This textbook offers theoretical and practical knowledge of the finite element method. The book equips readers with the skills required to analyze engineering problems using ANSYS (R), a commercially available FEA program. Revised and updated, this new edition presents the most current ANSYS (R) commands and ANSYS (R) screen shots, as well as modeling steps for each example problem. This self-contained, introductory text minimizes the need for additional reference material by covering both the fundamental topics in finite element methods and advanced topics concerning modeling and analysis. It focuses on the use of ANSYS (R) through both the Graphics User Interface (GUI) and the ANSYS (R) Parametric Design Language (APDL). Extensive examples from a range of engineering disciplines are presented in a straightforward, step-by-step fashion. Key topics include: * An introduction to FEM * Fundamentals and analysis capabilities of ANSYS (R) * Fundamentals of discretization and approximation functions * Modeling techniques and mesh generation in ANSYS (R) * Weighted residuals and minimum potential energy * Development of macro files * Linear structural analysis * Heat transfer and moisture diffusion * Nonlinear structural problems * Advanced subjects such as submodeling, substructuring, interaction with external files, and modification of ANSYS (R)-GUI Electronic supplementary material for using ANSYS (R) can be found at http://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-1-4899-7550-8. This convenient online feature, which includes color figures, screen shots and input files for sample problems, allows for regeneration on the reader's own computer. Students, researchers, and practitioners alike will find this an essential guide to predicting and simulating the physical behavior of complex engineering systems."

Computing in Nonlinear Media and Automata Collectives presents an account of new ways to design massively parallel computing devices in advanced mathematical models, such as cellular automata and lattice swarms, from unconventional materials, including chemical solutions, bio-polymers, and excitable media.

Advances in simulation technology have enabled an interesting amount of training and instruction to be conducted on training simulators instead of on real systems. However, experiences with the procurement and use of training simulators has not always been as successful, often owing to a lack of knowledge of didactics and of training programme development, and also to inadequate simulator specifications. The Handbook of Simulator-based Training represents the first comprehensive overview of the European state of the art in simulator-based training. It also comprises a well-founded and systematic approach to simulator-based training and the specification of simulator requirements. The multi-disciplinary research project described in this book combines the expertise of specialists in human factors, information systems, system design and engineering from 23 research and industrial organizations from five countries - France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK. The authors have synthesized and documented the project results to ensure that this handbook provides not only many valuable guidelines, but more importantly a common frame of reference. It will be a key resource for the many specialists who are concerned with simulator-based training: researchers, engineers, and users; military training institutes and training system development departments; military staff responsible for the procurement of training devices and simulators; the simulator industry; the training research community; and the human factors and ergonomics community.

This book presents a variety of techniques that combine computer-generated images and other objects with real scenes, creating augmented reality. This work provides an excellent snapshot of the current state of augmented reality research and its latest applications to industry. Using computer vision, graphics, and signal processing, augmented reality makes special effects in movies and computer games economically viable. This collection of survey and research papers presents a synopsis of the work covered at the First International Workshop on Augmented Reality.

The 3D printing revolution is well upon us, with new machines appearing at an amazing rate. With the abundance of information and options out there, how are makers to choose the 3D printer that's right for them? MAKE is here to help, with our Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing. With articles about techniques, freely available CAD packages, and comparisons of printers that are on the market, this book makes it easy to understand this complex and constantly-shifting topic. Based on articles and projects from MAKE's print and online publications, this book arms you with everything you need to know to understand the exciting but sometimes confusing world of 3D Printing.

This book is one of very few in the maritime literature that solely focus on the latest developments in information technology (IT) methodologies in this field. It provides the reader with a concise overview of how IT can truly improve the efficacy of operations in the maritime industry. It consists of seven chapters that address a range of topics related to the synergy between Computer Science and Maritime Science. Specifically, Chapters 1 and 2 explore two important problems in maritime logistics pertaining to quayside operational planning, while Chapters 3 and 4 focus on maritime routing methodologies. Chapters 5 and 6 present decision-making support systems for safe shipping and port security. Last, Chapter 7 presents simulation methodologies for modeling maritime traffic. The intended readership of the book spans both an academic audience and professionals in the areas of Operational Research, Transportation Science, and Maritime Science interested in applying IT methodologies in their areas of expertise.

Proceedings of the FISITA 2012 World Automotive Congress are selected from nearly 2,000 papers submitted to the 34th FISITA World Automotive Congress, which is held by Society of Automotive Engineers of China (SAE-China ) and the International Federation of Automotive Engineering Societies (FISITA). This proceedings focus on solutions for sustainable mobility in all areas of passenger car, truck and bus transportation. Volume 2: Advanced Internal Combustion Engines (II) focuses on: *Flow and Combustion Diagnosis *Engine Design and Simulation *Heat Transfer and Waste Heat Reutilization *Emission Standard and International Regulations Above all researchers, professional engineers and graduates in fields of automotive engineering, mechanical engineering and electronic engineering will benefit from this book. SAE-China is a national academic organization composed of enterprises and professionals who focus on research, design and education in the fields of automotive and related industries. FISITA is the umbrella organization for the national automotive societies in 37 countries around the world. It was founded in Paris in 1948 with the purpose of bringing engineers from around the world together in a spirit of cooperation to share ideas and advance the technological development of the automobile.

7. 1. 1 Background Uncertainty can be considered as the lack of adequate information to make a decision. It is important to quantify uncertainties in mathematical models used for design and optimization of nondeterministic engineering systems. In general, - certainty can be broadly classi?ed into three types (Bae et al. 2004; Ha-Rok 2004; Klir and Wierman 1998; Oberkampf and Helton 2002; Sentz 2002). The ?rst one is aleatory uncertainty (also referred to as stochastic uncertainty or inherent - certainty) - it results from the fact that a system can behave in random ways. For example, the failure of an engine can be modeled as an aleatory uncertaintybecause the failure can occur at a random time. One cannot predict exactly when the engine will fail even if a large quantity of failure data is gathered (available). The second one is epistemic uncertainty (also known as subjective uncertainty or reducible - certainty) - it is the uncertainty of the outcome of some random event due to lack of knowledge or information in any phase or activity of the modeling process. By gaining information about the system or environmental factors, one can reduce the epistemic uncertainty. For example, a lack of experimental data to characterize new materials and processes leads to epistemic uncertainty.

This book presents a theoretical and practical overview of computational modeling in bioengineering, focusing on a range of applications including electrical stimulation of neural and cardiac tissue, implantable drug delivery, cancer therapy, biomechanics, cardiovascular dynamics, as well as fluid-structure interaction for modelling of organs, tissues, cells and devices. It covers the basic principles of modeling and simulation with ordinary and partial differential equations using MATLAB and COMSOL Multiphysics numerical software. The target audience primarily comprises postgraduate students and researchers, but the book may also be beneficial for practitioners in the medical device industry.

The most pertinent tsunami related issues such as water borne debris during tsunami flooding, design loads to incorporate for impact forces on coastal zone infrastructure, detection and warning are meticulously incorporated in this book.Modelling of various coastal processes have proven to be successful in the recent past, which includes extreme events such as storm surge, cyclone, etc. The possible provisions for computational/numerical tsunami modelling and real physical modelling in laboratory are elaborated. The propagation, evolution and run-up of tsunami waves and their associated non-linear dynamics are discussed.The significant inferences from the experts who have had hands-on experience working with the extensive magnitude of a tsunami disaster reported on the signature studies and post-facto effects of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, with respect to the damages along the Indian coast.

This comprehensive volume covers both elementary and advanced analog and digital circuit simulation using PSpice. The text includes many worked examples, circuit diagrams, tables, and code listings. It also compares practical results with those obtained from simulation.

This book provides an insight in advanced methods and concepts for structural analysis and design against seismic loading. The book consists of 25 chapters dealing with a wide range of timely issues in contemporary Earthquake Engineering. In brief, the topics covered are: collapse assessment, record selection, effect of soil conditions, problems in seismic design, protection of monuments, earth dam structures and liquid containers, numerical methods, lifetime assessment, post-earthquake measures. A common ground of understanding is provided between the communities of Earth Sciences and Computational Mechanics towards mitigating seismic risk. The topic is of great social and scientific interest, due to the large number of scientists and practicing engineers currently working in the field and due to the great social and economic consequences of earthquakes.

Models and simulations of all kinds are tools for dealing with reality. Humans have always used mental models to better understand the world around them: to make plans, to consider different possibilities, to share ideas with others, to test changes, and to determine whether or not the development of an idea is feasible. The book Modeling and Simulation uses exactly the same approach except that the traditional mental model is translated into a computer model, and the simulations of alternative outcomes under varying conditions are programmed on the computer. The advantage of this method is that the computer can track the multitude of implications and consequences in complex relationships much more quickly and reliably than the human mind. This unique interdisciplinary text not only provides a self contained and complete guide to the methods and mathematical background of modeling and simulation software (SIMPAS) and a collection of 50 systems models on an accompanying diskette. Students from fields as diverse as ecology and economics will find this clear interactive package an instructive and engaging guide.

This volume is designed as a 12-lecture textbook, which can serve as a course companion, self teaching guide and handbook for basic concepts. Each lecture comprises 20 pages, in which the methods are introduced, examples shown and the code is given. All examples are computed with open source software, mainly R, and with archaeological data available from the book's website. The book does not describe elaborated high-end models but rather very basic modelling concepts that serve as components in more complex models. The book enables the reader to construct such models by themselves and be sensitive for certain problems. In addition it gives hints for the interpretation of the results. Students are usually quick to apply fancy methods yet fail in the proper interpretation due to a lack of understanding of the underlying principles. This problem is addressed by the proposed book through three concepts: 1. Command line software forces the students to first learn some details before they are able to produce results on their own. 2. The book is focused on principles and methods. When the students understand a few basic principles, they have far better access to a wide range of related methods. 3. Examples of poor analysis highlight common pitfalls. The volume attempts to be an applied, minimalistic and efficient textbook and is based upon several successful courses.

This book provides a detailed overview of the concepts, techniques, applications, and methodological approaches involved in land use and cover change (LUCC) modeling, also known simply as land change modeling. More than 40 international experts in this field have participated in this book, which illustrates recent advances in LUCC modeling with examples from North and South America, the Middle East, and Europe. Given the broad range of geomatic approaches available, it helps readers select the approach that best meets their needs. The book is structured into five parts preceded by a foreword written by Roger White and a general introduction. Part I consists of four chapters, each of which focuses on a specific stage in the modeling process: calibration, simulation, validation, and scenarios. It presents and explains the fundamental ideas and concepts underlying LUCC modeling. This is complemented by a comparative analysis of the selected software packages, practically applied in various case studies in Part II and Part III. Part II discusses recently proposed methodological developments that have enhanced modeling procedures and results while Part III offers case studies as well as interesting, innovative methodological proposals. Part IV revises different fundamental techniques used in LUCC modeling and finally Part V describes the best-known software packages used in the applications presented in Parts II and III.

Geometric constraint programming increases flexibility in CAD design specifications and leads to new conceptual design paradigms.
This volume features a collection of work by leading researchers developing the various aspects of constraint-based product modeling.
In an introductory chapter the role of constraints in CAD systems of the future and their implications for the STEP data exchange format are discussed. The main part of the book deals with the application of constraints to conceptual and collaborative design, as well as state-of-the-art mathematical and algorithmic methods for constraint solving.