Information retrieval (IR) is a fundamental task in many real-world applications such as Web search, question answering systems, and digital libraries. The core of IR is to identify information resources relevant to user's information need. Since there might be more than one relevant resource, the returned result is often organized as a ranked list of documents according to their relevance degree against the information need. The ranking property of IR makes it different from other tasks, and researchers have devoted substantial efforts to develop a variety of ranking models in IR. In recent years, the resurgence of deep learning has greatly advanced this field and led to a hot topic named NeuIR (neural information retrieval), especially the paradigm of pre-training methods (PTMs). Owing to sophisticated pre-training objectives and huge model size, pre-trained models can learn universal language representations from massive textual data that are beneficial to the ranking task of IR. Considering the rapid progress of this direction, this survey provides a systematic review of PTMs in IR. The authors present an overview of PTMs applied in different components of an IR system, including the retrieval component and the re-ranking component. In addition, they introduce PTMs specifically designed for IR, and summarize available datasets as well as benchmark leaderboards. Lastly, they discuss some open challenges and highlight several promising directions with the hope of inspiring and facilitating more works on these topics for future research.

Emerging technologies in education are dramatically reshaping the way we teach, learn, and create meaning-both formally and informally. The use of emerging technologies within educational contexts requires new methodological approaches to teaching, learning, and educational research. This leads educational technology developers, researchers, and practitioners to engage in the creation of diverse digital learning tools that can be used in a wide range of learning situations and scenarios. Ultimately, the goal of today's digital learning experiences includes situational experiences wherein learners and teachers symbiotically enroll in meaning-making processes. Discussion, critical reflection, and critique of these emerging technologies, tools, environments, processes, and practices require scholars to involve themselves in critical conversation about the challenges and promises afforded by emerging technologies and to engage in deliberate thinking about the critical aspects of these emerging technologies that are drastically reshaping education. Global Education and the Impact of Institutional Policies on Educational Technologies deepens this discussion of emerging technologies in educational contexts and is centered at the intersection of educational technology, learning sciences, and socio-cultural theories. This book engages a critical conversation that will further the discussion about the pedagogical potential of emerging technologies in contemporary classrooms. Covering topics such as communication networks, online learning environments, and preservice teacher education, this text is an essential resource for educational professionals, preservice teachers, professors, teachers, students, and academicians.

The application of artificial intelligence technology to 5G wireless communications is now appropriate to address the design of optimized physical layers, complicated decision-making, network management, and resource optimization tasks within networks. In exploring 5G wireless technologies and communication systems, artificial intelligence is a powerful tool and a research topic with numerous potential fields of application that require further study. Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Wireless Communication Systems explores the applications of artificial intelligence for the optimization of wireless communication systems, including channel models, channel state estimation, beamforming, codebook design, signal processing, and more. Covering key topics such as neural networks, deep learning, and wireless systems, this reference work is ideal for computer scientists, industry professionals, researchers, academicians, scholars, practitioners, instructors, and students.

Data Prefetching Techniques in Computer Systems, Volume 125 provides an in-depth review of the latest progress on data prefetching research. Topics covered in this volume include temporal prefetchers, spatial prefetchers, non-spatial-temporal prefetchers, and evaluation of prefetchers, with insights on possible future research direction. Specific chapters in this release include Introduction to Data Prefetching, Spatial Prefetching Techniques, Temporal Prefetching Techniques, Domino prefetching scheme, Bingo prefetching method, and The Champion prefetcher.

Advances in Computers, Volume 124 presents updates on innovations in computer hardware, software, theory, design and applications, with this updated volume including new chapters on Traffic-Load-Aware Virtual Channel Power-gating in Network-on-Chips, An Efficient DVS Scheme for On-chip Networks, A Power-Performance Balanced Network-on-Chip for Mixed CPU-GPU Systems, Routerless Networks-on-Chip, Routing Algorithm Design for Power- and Temperature-Aware NoCs, Approximate Communication for Energy-Efficient Network-on-Chip, Power-Efficient NoC Design by Partial Topology Reconfiguration, The Design of a Deflection-based Energy-efficient On-chip Network, and Power-Gating in Networks-on-Chip.

Today's "machine-learning" systems, trained by data, are so effective that we've invited them to see and hear for us-and to make decisions on our behalf. But alarm bells are ringing. Recent years have seen an eruption of concern as the field of machine learning advances. When the systems we attempt to teach will not, in the end, do what we want or what we expect, ethical and potentially existential risks emerge. Researchers call this the alignment problem. Systems cull resumes until, years later, we discover that they have inherent gender biases. Algorithms decide bail and parole-and appear to assess Black and White defendants differently. We can no longer assume that our mortgage application, or even our medical tests, will be seen by human eyes. And as autonomous vehicles share our streets, we are increasingly putting our lives in their hands. The mathematical and computational models driving these changes range in complexity from something that can fit on a spreadsheet to a complex system that might credibly be called "artificial intelligence." They are steadily replacing both human judgment and explicitly programmed software. In best-selling author Brian Christian's riveting account, we meet the alignment problem's "first-responders," and learn their ambitious plan to solve it before our hands are completely off the wheel. In a masterful blend of history and on-the ground reporting, Christian traces the explosive growth in the field of machine learning and surveys its current, sprawling frontier. Readers encounter a discipline finding its legs amid exhilarating and sometimes terrifying progress. Whether they-and we-succeed or fail in solving the alignment problem will be a defining human story. The Alignment Problem offers an unflinching reckoning with humanity's biases and blind spots, our own unstated assumptions and often contradictory goals. A dazzlingly interdisciplinary work, it takes a hard look not only at our technology but at our culture-and finds a story by turns harrowing and hopeful.

The damaging effects of cyberattacks to an industry like the Cooperative Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM) can be tremendous. From the least important to the worst ones, one can mention for example the damage in the reputation of vehicle manufacturers, the increased denial of customers to adopt CCAM, the loss of working hours (having direct impact on the European GDP), material damages, increased environmental pollution due e.g., to traffic jams or malicious modifications in sensors' firmware, and ultimately, the great danger for human lives, either they are drivers, passengers or pedestrians. Connected vehicles will soon become a reality on our roads, bringing along new services and capabilities, but also technical challenges and security threats. To overcome these risks, the CARAMEL project has developed several anti-hacking solutions for the new generation of vehicles. CARAMEL (Artificial Intelligence-based Cybersecurity for Connected and Automated Vehicles), a research project co-funded by the European Union under the Horizon 2020 framework programme, is a project consortium with 15 organizations from 8 European countries together with 3 Korean partners. The project applies a proactive approach based on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning techniques to detect and prevent potential cybersecurity threats to autonomous and connected vehicles. This approach has been addressed based on four fundamental pillars, namely: Autonomous Mobility, Connected Mobility, Electromobility, and Remote Control Vehicle. This book presents theory and results from each of these technical directions.

An up-to-date guide to creating your own fun and useful Raspberry Pi (TM) programs This fully updated guide shows how to create inventive programs and fun games on your powerful Raspberry Pi-with no programming experience required. Programming the Raspberry Pi (TM): Getting Started with Python, Third Edition addresses physical changes and new setup procedures as well as OS updates to the current version 4. You will discover how to configure hardware and software, write Python scripts, create user-friendly GUIs, and control external electronics. Step-by-step projects include a digital clock prototype and a fully functioning Raspberry Pi robot. Configure your Raspberry Pi and explore its features Start writing and debugging Python programs Use strings, lists, functions, and dictionaries Work with modules, classes, and methods Apply object-oriented development methods Create user-friendly games using Pygame Build intuitive user interfaces with guizero Interface with hardware using the gpiozero library Attach external electronics through the GPIO port Add powerful Web features to your projects

This book is not deep research work, as I am not a Ph.D. professor at any international university.

I was a teacher. I was also a real estate investor. And now I am a fulltime writer. Nevertheless, I am also research addicted reading two books per month.

Moreover, as I studied Macroeconomics, I found out that the world has been threatened by a new virus, the decentralized digital virus. Metaverse, Decentraland, blockchain, bitcoin standard, smart contracts, protocols, nodes, tokens, and halvings suddenly invaded my eyes with such a power that I had to understand what the hell was that about. If you do not know what these concepts are, you are in the right place.

Some of these articles are controversial, others you might agree with, but most of them try to explain how the world is shifting into a fully digital mode.

Central banks and governments are trying to keep the boat afloat in a perfect MMT style, while politicians still do not quite understand how the moneyprinting machine works. They keep saying we need raise taxes to pay the debt when the government is the only issuer, so it cannot become insolvent.

With deflationary pressure from technological innovations, the need for fresh money puts central banks in the red to control inflation. Covid-19 hit hard on every economy, but only the issuers can control the orchestra. Straightforwardly, as a non-native writer, I will try to give you a perspective about how the world is changing, from analog to digital, from the real world to the metaverse, with a fascinating silent war between centralized money printing power and decentralized fully digital crypto ecosystems.

Cybersecurity is vital for all businesses, regardless of sector. With constant threats and potential online dangers, businesses must remain aware of the current research and information available to them in order to protect themselves and their employees. Maintaining tight cybersecurity can be difficult for businesses as there are so many moving parts to contend with, but remaining vigilant and having protective measures and training in place is essential for a successful company. The Research Anthology on Business Aspects of Cybersecurity considers all emerging aspects of cybersecurity in the business sector including frameworks, models, best practices, and emerging areas of interest. This comprehensive reference source is split into three sections with the first discussing audits and risk assessments that businesses can conduct to ensure the security of their systems. The second section covers training and awareness initiatives for staff that promotes a security culture. The final section discusses software and systems that can be used to secure and manage cybersecurity threats. Covering topics such as audit models, security behavior, and insider threats, it is ideal for businesses, business professionals, managers, security analysts, IT specialists, executives, academicians, researchers, computer engineers, graduate students, and practitioners.

The digital transformation of the 21st century has affected all facets of society and has been highly advantageous in many industries, including urban planning and regional development. The practices, strategies, and developments surrounding urban e-planning in particular have been constantly shifting and adapting to new innovations as they arrive. Trends and Innovations in Urban E-Planning provides an updated panorama of the main trends, challenges, and recent innovations in the field of e-planning through the critical perspectives of diverse experts. This book adds new and updated evidence on recent changes in this field and provides critical insights on these innovations. Covering topics such as citizen engagement, land property management, and spatial planning, this book is an essential resource for students and educators of higher education, researchers, urban planners, engineers, public officials, community groups, and academicians.

Nowadays, Virtual Reality (VR) is commonly used in various applications including entertainment, education and training, manufacturing, medical and rehabilitation. VR not only provides immersive stereoscopic visualization of virtual environments and the visualization effect and computer graphics are critical to enhancing the engagement of participants and thus increases education and training effectiveness. Nevertheless, constructing realistic 3D models and scenarios for a specific application of VR simulation is not an easy task. There are many different tools for 3D modelling such as ZBrush, Blender, SketchUp, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, 3Ds Max, Maya, Rhino3D, CATIA, and more. Many of the modelling tools are very professional and used for manufacturing and product design application. The advanced features and functions may not be applicable to different levels of users and various specialization. This book explores the application of virtual reality in healthcare settings. This includes 3D modelling techniques, texturing, assigning material, and more. It allows for not only modelling and rendering techniques, but modelling, dressing, and animation in healthcare applications. The potential market of readers, including those from the engineering disciplines such as computer sciences/ computer engineering, product designers, and more. Other potential readers are those studying nursing and medicine, healthcare workers, and anyone interested in the development of VR applications for industry use. In addition, this is suitable for readers from other industries that may need to apply virtual reality in their field.