This book provides an in-depth investigation of the quality relevant perceptual video space in the domain of videotelephony. The author presents an extensive investigation and quality modeling of the underlying video quality dimensions and the overall quality. The author examines the underlying quality dimensions and describes a method for subjective evaluation as well as the instrumental estimation of video quality in videotelephony. The book presents a new subjective test method in the field of video quality assessment. Further, it explains the experimental examination of the underlying video quality dimensions and the subjective-based, as well as instrumental-based quality estimation. Provides an investigation of the underlying quality dimensions of video in videotelephony; Presents insights into a new subjective test method, standardized as ITU-T Rec. P.918; Includes insights into the subjective and instrumental video quality estimation.

This book is concerned exclusively with discrete-time queues and their applications to the performance modeling of communication and computer networks. Since most modern networks operate on the basis of time slotting, and transmit information in fixed length (packets or cells), it thus becomes natural to model such networks in discrete-time by associating a time slot in a physical network with the unit time in the corresponding discrete-time model. The book shows how, in this way, very accurate models that faithfully reproduce the stochastic behaviour of a communication or computer network can be constructed.

The treatment is self contained, and progresses from basic probability theory and discrete-time queueing networks. These latter are applied to model the performance of numerous wide area satellite networks and local area networks, ranging in complexity from simple Aloha schemes to the timed token protocol of the FDDI network. The main objective of this book is to present a unified method for modeling any network access protocol as a discrete-time queueing network and t develop efficient solution techniques for these models. A significant number of the models and their solutions which are included have not previously appeared in the open literature.

The text should prove useful to practitioners and researchers concerned with communication and computer network performance modeling, or anyone wanting a sound understanding of the application of discrete-time technique to this subject area.

This book reports on research findings and practical lessons featuring advances in: digital and interaction design; graphic design and branding; design strategies and methodologies; design education; society and communication in design practice; and other related areas. Gathering the proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Digital Design and Communication, Digicom 2020, held virtually on November 5-6, 2020, the book describes cutting-edge perspectives on and analysis of and solutions to challenges digital communication is currently presenting to society, institutions and brands. It offers a timely guide and a source of inspiration for designers of all kinds, including graphic, digital and web designers, UI, UX and social media designers, and to researchers, advertisers, artists, and entrepreneurs, as well as brand or corporate communication managers.

Incorporating recent developments in control and systems research, "Linear Control Theory" provides the fundamental theoretical background needed to fully exploit control system design software. This logically-structured text opens with a detailed treatment of the relevant aspects of the state space analysis of linear systems. End-of-chapter problems facilitate the learning process by encouraging the student to put his or her skills into practice. Features include:

• The use of an easy to understand matrix variational technique to develop the time-invariant quadratic and LQG controllers
• A step-by-step introduction to essential mathematical ideas as they are needed, motivating the reader to venture beyond basic concepts
• The examination of linear system theory as it relates to control theory
• The use of the PBH test to characterize eigenvalues in the state feedback and observer problems rather than its usual role as a test for controllability or observability
• The development of model reduction via balanced realization
• The employment of the L2 gain as a basis for the development of the H??? controller for the design of controllers in the presence of plant model uncertainty

This book introduces readers to various signal processing models that have been used in analyzing periodic data, and discusses the statistical and computational methods involved. Signal processing can broadly be considered to be the recovery of information from physical observations. The received signals are usually disturbed by thermal, electrical, atmospheric or intentional interferences, and due to their random nature, statistical techniques play an important role in their analysis. Statistics is also used in the formulation of appropriate models to describe the behavior of systems, the development of appropriate techniques for estimation of model parameters and the assessment of the model performances. Analyzing different real-world data sets to illustrate how different models can be used in practice, and highlighting open problems for future research, the book is a valuable resource for senior undergraduate and graduate students specializing in mathematics or statistics.

A Tour of Data Science: Learn R and Python in Parallel covers the fundamentals of data science, including programming, statistics, optimization, and machine learning in a single short book. It does not cover everything, but rather, teaches the key concepts and topics in Data Science. It also covers two of the most popular programming languages used in Data Science, R and Python, in one source. Key features: Allows you to learn R and Python in parallel Cover statistics, programming, optimization and predictive modelling, and the popular data manipulation tools - data.table and pandas Provides a concise and accessible presentation Includes machine learning algorithms implemented from scratch, linear regression, lasso, ridge, logistic regression, gradient boosting trees, etc. Appealing to data scientists, statisticians, quantitative analysts, and others who want to learn programming with R and Python from a data science perspective.

With the growing demand for increased bandwidth, conventional broadband access solutions will quickly become a hindrance in terms of bandwidth provision for network access. ""Optical Access Networks and Advanced Photonics: Technologies and Deployment Strategies"" presents a comprehensive overview of emerging optical access network solutions to efficiently meet the anticipated growth in bandwidth demand. Covering topics such as next-generation networking, communication networks, and photonics, this book provides the latest technology trends in order to grasp the expected beneficial use of optical access infrastructures.

The NeWS Book leads the technical reader through the discovery of a revolutionary window system: the Network extensible Window System, developed by Sun Microsystems. Independent of computer hardware and systems software, NeWS has been ported to a number of platforms and licensed to many computer vendors and software developers. NeWS will be part of the standard UNIX distribution from AT&T in the future as it is combined with the well-known X Window System from MIT in the X11/NeWS product. The specifications are in the public domain. Based on the popular PostScript page description language, NeWS provides a uniquely extensible interpretive programming environment for application developers in a networked graphics and window system environment. Networking is integral to NeWS; NeWS-based programs may span a heterogeneous set of distributed sites. NeWS is the first system to extend the PostScript language's already wide acceptance in printing applications into the realm of graphics and window-based applications. The NeWS Book is intended for a technical audience who may or may not have experience with window system design and programming. It gives practical examples of how to write PostScript programs, that implement interactive user interface techniques, while also exploring how the advanced imaging of the PostScript language model applies to the display as well as the printer. UNIX, NeWS, and graphics programmers, developers of graphical applications, computer science students, PostScript language devotees in desktop publishing, and sophisticated end-users who want to understand leading-edge solutions in window system design all will benefit from The NeWS Book.

This book presents a comprehensive guide to the design of playing robots and the related play experiences. Play is a natural activity for building and improving abilities, and it reveals important particularly for persons with disabilities. Many social, physical and cultural factors may hinder children with disabilities from fully enjoying play as their peers. Autonomous robots with specific characteristics can enhance the ludic experience, having implications for the character of the play and presenting opportunities related to autonomy and physical movement, the very nature of robots. Their introduction into play thus provides everybody, and in particular persons with disabilities, new possibilities for developing abilities, improving general status, participating in social contexts, as well as supporting professionals in monitoring progress. This book presents a framework for the design of playful activities with robots, developed over 20 years' experience at AIRLab - POLIMI. Part 1 introduces the play concepts and characteristics, and research results about play of children with different kinds of impairments. Part 2 focuses on implementing robots able to play. The design of playful activities is discussed, as well as the necessary characteristics for them to be useful in both general play and activities involving disability-related limitations. In Part 3, the defined framework is used to analyze possibilities involving robots available on the toy market, robots developed at research labs, and robots to be developed in the next future. The aim of the book is to give developers, caregivers, and users a set of methodological tools for selecting, exploring, and designing inclusive play activities where robots play a central role.

New Paradigm for considering application integration and B2B problems Heightens the importance of conveying meaning between systems Addresses movement in the EAI space toward more data handling capabilities Offers a solution for the multitude of managers disconnected with the latest technologies Leverages the technical advances made in complex data integration over 15 years Shifts the focus from technology solutions to information solutions Relies heavily on the use of practical examples, tips, definitions, and soapbox excerpts throughout the main body of text

Multi-Paradigm Modelling for Cyber-Physical Systems explores modeling and analysis as crucial activities in the development of Cyber-Physical Systems, which are inherently cross-disciplinary in nature and require distinct modeling techniques related to different disciplines, as well as a common background knowledge. This book will serve as a reference for anyone starting in the field of CPS who needs a solid foundation of modeling, including a comprehensive introduction to existing techniques and a clear explanation of their advantages and limitations. This book is aimed at both researchers and practitioners who are interested in various modeling paradigms across computer science and engineering.

Nature-inspired computation and swarm intelligence have become popular and effective tools for solving problems in optimization, computational intelligence, soft computing and data science. Recently, the literature in the field has expanded rapidly, with new algorithms and applications emerging. Nature-Inspired Computation and Swarm Intelligence: Algorithms, Theory and Applications is a timely reference giving a comprehensive review of relevant state-of-the-art developments in algorithms, theory and applications of nature-inspired algorithms and swarm intelligence. It reviews and documents the new developments, focusing on nature-inspired algorithms and their theoretical analysis, as well as providing a guide to their implementation. The book includes case studies of diverse real-world applications, balancing explanation of the theory with practical implementation. Nature-Inspired Computation and Swarm Intelligence: Algorithms, Theory and Applications is suitable for researchers and graduate students in computer science, engineering, data science, and management science, who want a comprehensive review of algorithms, theory and implementation within the fields of nature inspired computation and swarm intelligence.

Knowledge Discovery in Big Data from Astronomy and Earth Observation: Astrogeoinformatics bridges the gap between astronomy and geoscience in the context of applications, techniques and key principles of big data. Machine learning and parallel computing are increasingly becoming cross-disciplinary as the phenomena of Big Data is becoming common place. This book provides insight into the common workflows and data science tools used for big data in astronomy and geoscience. After establishing similarity in data gathering, pre-processing and handling, the data science aspects are illustrated in the context of both fields. Software, hardware and algorithms of big data are addressed. Finally, the book offers insight into the emerging science which combines data and expertise from both fields in studying the effect of cosmos on the earth and its inhabitants.

The Feature-Driven Method for Structural Optimization details a novel structural optimization method within a CAD framework, integrating structural optimization and feature-based design. The book presents cutting-edge research on advanced structures and introduces the feature-driven structural optimization method by regarding engineering features as basic design primitives. Consequently, it presents a method that allows structural optimization and feature design to be done simultaneously so that feature attributes are preserved throughout the design process. The book illustrates and supports the effectiveness of the method described, showing potential applications through numerical modeling techniques and programming. This volume presents a high-performance optimization method adapted to engineering structures-a novel perspective that will help engineers in the computation, modeling and design of advanced structures.

The book "Analysis and Design of Control Systems using MATLAB", is designed as a supplement to an introductory course in feedback control systems for undergraduate or graduate engineering students of all disciplines. Feedback control systems engineering is a multidisciplinary subject and presents a control engineering methodology based on mathematical fundamentals and stresses physical system modeling.This book includes the coverage of classical methods of control systems engineering: introduction to control systems, matrix analysis, Laplace transforms, mathematical modeling of dynamic systems, control system representation, performance and stability of feedback systems, analysis and design of feedback control systems, state space analysis and design, and MATLAB basics and MATLAB tutorial. The numerous worked examples offer detailed explanations, and guide the students through each set of problems to enable them to save a great deal of time and effort in arriving at an understanding of problems in this subject. Extensive references to guide the students to further sources of information on control systems and MATLAB is provided. In addition to students, practising engineers will also find this book immensely useful.

In recent years, it has become apparent that knowing the average atomic structure of materials is insufficient to understand their properties. Diffuse scattering in addition to the Bragg scattering holds the key to learning about defects in materials, the topic of many recent books. What has been missing is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to simulate disordered materials. The DISCUS cook book fills this need covering simple topics such as building a computer crystal to complex topics such as domain structures, stacking faults or using advanced refinement techniques to adjust parameters on a disordered model. The book contains a CD-ROM with all files needed to recreate every example given using the program DISCUS. The reader is free to follow the principles behind simulating disordered materials or to get down into the details and run or modify the given examples.

This book highlights recent advances in natural computing, including biology and its theory, bio-inspired computing, computational aesthetics, computational models and theories, computing with natural media, philosophy of natural computing and educational technology. It presents extended versions of the best papers selected from the symposium "7th International Workshop on Natural Computing" (IWNC7), held in Tokyo, Japan, in 2013. The target audience is not limited to researchers working in natural computing but also those active in biological engineering, fine/media art design, aesthetics and philosophy.

This book provides comprehensive guidance on leveraging SAP IBP technology to connect strategic (to be understood as long term SC&O), tactical and operational planning into one coherent process framework, presenting experience shared by practitioners in workshops, customer presentations, business, and IT transformation projects. It offers use cases and a wealth of practical tips to ensure that readers understand the challenges and advantages of IBP implementation. The book starts by characterizing disconnected planning and contrasting this with key elements of a transformation project approach. It explains the functional foundations and SAP Hybris, Trade Promotion Planning, Customer Business Planning, ARIBA, and S/4 integration with SAP IBP. It then presents process for integrating finance in IBP. Annual planning and monthly planning are taken as examples of explain Long term planning (in some companies labeled as strategic). The core of the book is about sales and operations planning (S&OP) and its process steps, product demand, supply review, integrated reconciliation and management business review, illustrating all steps with use cases. It describes unconstrained and constrained optimized supply planning, inventory optimization, shelf life planning. We explain how to improve responsiveness with order-based allocation planning, sales order confirmation, and big deal / tender management coupled with simultaneous re-planning of supply. The book closes with a chapter on performance measurement, measurement of effectiveness, efficiency, and adherence.

For courses on SPSS. SPSS is, essentially, a visually-driven program, but most texts rely primarily on a verbal approach to describe its use. A Visual Approach to SPSS for Windows is the first text of its kind to employ what the author refers to as "visual sequencing" to teach students how to use SPSS.

This book covers all the topics found in introductory descriptive statistics courses, including simple linear regression and time series analysis, the fundamentals of inferential statistics (probability theory, random sampling and estimation theory), and inferential statistics itself (confidence intervals, testing). Each chapter starts with the necessary theoretical background, which is followed by a variety of examples. The core examples are based on the content of the respective chapter, while the advanced examples, designed to deepen students' knowledge, also draw on information and material from previous chapters. The enhanced online version helps students grasp the complexity and the practical relevance of statistical analysis through interactive examples and is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students taking their first statistics courses, as well as for undergraduate students in non-mathematical fields, e.g. economics, the social sciences etc.

This book provides a simple and unified approach to the mechanics of discontinuous-fibre reinforced composites, and introduces readers as generally as possible to the key concepts regarding the mechanics of elastic stress transfer, intermediate modes of stress transfer, plastic stress transfer, fibre pull-out, fibre fragmentation and matrix rupture. These concepts are subsequently applied to progressive stages of the loading process, through to the composite fractures. The book offers a valuable guide for advanced undergraduate and graduate students attending lecture courses on fibre composites. It is also intended for beginning researchers who wish to develop deeper insights into how discontinuous fibre provides reinforcement to composites, and for engineers, particularly those who wish to apply the concepts presented here to design and develop discontinuous-fibre reinforced composites.

For courses in Accounting Information Systems. Navigate the crossroads of accounting and IT. Kay/Ovlia is designed to assist students' journey as they explore the crossroads of accounting and IT-the very place where they'll learn how to gain a competitive edge in the accounting field. To help them on their journey, this text presents information on how to develop communication, leadership, strategic and critical thinking, a customer focus, an interpretation of converging information, and technological skills.

This book discusses important recent advances in automated negotiations. It introduces a number of state-of-the-art autonomous agents for large-scale and complex negotiations, and demonstrates that automated negotiation is one of the most important areas in the field of autonomous agents and multi-agent systems. Further, it presents automated negotiation scenarios involving negotiation encounters that may have, for instance, a large number of agents or a large number of issues with interdependencies and/or real-time constraints. This book includes carefully selected and reviewed outcomes of the 11th International Workshop on Automated Negotiations (ACAN) held in Stockholm, Sweden, 2018, in conjunction with IJCAI-ECAI-2018. Written by leading academic and industrial researchers, it is a valuable resource for professionals and scholars working on complex automated negotiations. Furthermore, the in-depth descriptions of automated negotiating agent programs help readers who are involved in writing codes for automated agents.