This groundbreaking work is the first volume in English to examine Brazil's historic policy reforms of the 1990s and the political, economic, and social results. For years the large and ineffective government of Brazil could neither improve the country's greatly uneven distribution of wealth nor maintain inflation at reasonable levels. In the 1990s, long overdue changes bettered the government's fiscal performance, tamed inflation, and addressed chronic social ills stemming from the imbalance of wealth. But many problems, and many questions, remain. Why is Brazil still so poor, and why is inequality so intransigent? Were some of the reforms counterproductive, or could they have been implemented in a more effective way? Collecting essays by top Brazilianist scholars from various disciplines and intellectual traditions, Reforming Brazil provides new insights for international policy makers, economists, and scholars of Brazil.

The Cardiovascular System: Design, Control and Function, Volume 36A, a two- volume set, not only provides comprehensive coverage of the current knowledge in this very active and growing field of research, but also highlights the diversity in cardiovascular morphology and function and the anatomical and physiological plasticity shown by fish taxa that are faced with various abiotic and biotic challenges. Updated topics in this important work include chapters on Heart Morphology and Anatomy, Cardiomyocyte Morphology and Physiology, Electrical Excitability of the Fish Heart, Cardiac Energy Metabolism, Heart Physiology and Function, Hormonal and Intrinsic Biochemical Control of Cardiac Function, and Vascular Anatomy and Morphology. In addition, chapters integrate molecular and cellular data with the growing body of knowledge on heart and in vivo cardiovascular function, and as a result, provide insights into some of the most important questions that still need to be answered.

This important work describes recent theoretical advances in the study of artificial neural networks. It explores probabilistic models of supervised learning problems, and addresses the key statistical and computational questions. Chapters survey research on pattern classification with binary-output networks, including a discussion of the relevance of the Vapnik Chervonenkis dimension, and of estimates of the dimension for several neural network models. In addition, Anthony and Bartlett develop a model of classification by real-output networks, and demonstrate the usefulness of classification with a "large margin." The authors explain the role of scale-sensitive versions of the Vapnik Chervonenkis dimension in large margin classification, and in real prediction. Key chapters also discuss the computational complexity of neural network learning, describing a variety of hardness results, and outlining two efficient, constructive learning algorithms. The book is self-contained and accessible to researchers and graduate students in computer science, engineering, and mathematics.

Thermites, which are generally considered to be reactive mixtures of powdered metals and metal oxides, are an important subset of energetic materials. The underlying thermodynamic properties of a given mixture dictate whether it may undergo a self-sustaining reaction, liberating heat in the process. Thermodynamic information in the existing scientific literature regarding thermitic combinations is scattered and incomplete. Currently, a comprehensive overview of this nature would be of great use to those working in the areas of pyrotechnics, pyrometallurgy, high-temperature chemistry, and materials science. Thermitic Thermodynamics solves this problem by describing the results of calculations on over 800 combinations of metal, metalloid, and metal oxide reactants. Other features include: A first-of-its-kind adiabatic survey of binary thermitic reactions Provides an overview of key trends in exothermic metal-metal oxide reactivity Describes the role of non-oxide product formation in thermitic systems Explains how to interpret the results of thermochemical calculations effectively An invaluable resource, this book provides an accessible introduction for students and is also an enduring guide for professionals.

This important work describes recent theoretical advances in the study of artificial neural networks. It explores probabilistic models of supervised learning problems, and addresses the key statistical and computational questions. Chapters survey research on pattern classification with binary-output networks, including a discussion of the relevance of the Vapnik Chervonenkis dimension, and of estimates of the dimension for several neural network models. In addition, Anthony and Bartlett develop a model of classification by real-output networks, and demonstrate the usefulness of classification with a "large margin." The authors explain the role of scale-sensitive versions of the Vapnik Chervonenkis dimension in large margin classification, and in real prediction. Key chapters also discuss the computational complexity of neural network learning, describing a variety of hardness results, and outlining two efficient, constructive learning algorithms. The book is self-contained and accessible to researchers and graduate students in computer science, engineering, and mathematics.

The book opens with an angry father trying to prevent his young son from crossing a river. The son does of course do just this and enters a fantasy forest that seemingly only he can see. He encounters a talking bear but of course is not believed on his return. There is something in his father's reaction that tells him he knows more than he is letting on and Steven returns with dangerous consequences. The novel tells a peculiar tale of the fantasy forest of how it came to be and most especially focuses on the relationship between boy and bear and a fathers anguish and search for a missing son. There are more twists and turns than an agile snake as the plot unfolds.

"Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence." Aristotle
Would you want to win the lottery in exchange for your happiness? Would you want your dream career if it meant sacrificing your enjoyment in life? Would you want to live in any location of your choosing but be miserable?
The attainment of happiness in your life supersedes financial wealth, status and material possessions. Happiness is therefore the true currency and wealth we all want in life.
The fundamental business in life is to increase our income of lasting happiness and decrease the expenditure of negative emotions. This book approaches happiness like the ultimate business, focusing on bringing you a fortune in happiness. This book will provide you with evidence based practical tools and techniques so you can gain a wealth of lasting happiness income.
The Business Plan for Happiness will show you how to create more contentment in your life, help you achieve more satisfaction and fulfillment at home, at rest, at work and whilst at play.
"Everyone should own this book because it provides a structured and practical method to increase the one thing we all want lots more of: - happiness "

This is a book about the meaning of life and achieving lasting happiness. Incorporating religion, spirituality and science, this is an essential read for those who want to find that little bit extra into an ordinary life. By reading this book you will find the signs which point towards permanent happiness and contentment in your life. Discover new possibilities and become conscious of some very exciting and potentially life changing realisations. Find out how you can be happier with yourself, able to understand the behaviour and feel compassion for other people and have permanent contentment in your life. Backing up religious theory with the astounding discoveries made within modern-day science, you will no longer question that your life holds far more then what meets the eye. So, if you are prepared to change your life for the better and feel better about yourself, then read on and enter the door to your new and adventurous future. Be warned however, in order for you to discover pastures new you may need to overturn a few stones and cover some unchartered territory which may be challenging. So, with a touch of light heartedness, enjoy your exciting journey to a more fulfilled and happy life.

Simple, beautiful poetry about: life, love, rest, transcendence, flowers, deafness, anger, lies, environmental issues, age, equality, HIV/AID, tranquility, soul travel, war, the gift of a child, the unity of the world, self acceptance, patience, truth, Zen, peace awareness, wonder, deep thought, imagery, death and more.

This concise, readable book provides a sampling of the very large, active, and expanding field of artificial neural network theory. It considers select areas of discrete mathematics linking combinatorics and the theory of the simplest types of artificial neural networks. Neural networks have emerged as a key technology in many fields of application, and an understanding of the theories concerning what such systems can and cannot do is essential. The author discusses interesting connections between special types of Boolean functions and the simplest types of neural networks. Some classical results are presented with accessible proofs, together with some more recent perspectives, such as those obtained by considering decision lists. In addition, probabilistic models of neural network learning are discussed. Graph theory, some partially ordered set theory, computational complexity, and discrete probability are among the mathematical topics involved. Pointers to further reading and an extensive bibliography make this book a good starting point for research in discrete mathematics and neural networks.