The 20th century was the century of explosive population growth, resulting in unprecedented impacts; in contrast, the 21st century is likely to see the end of world population growth and become the century of population aging. We are currently at the crossroads of these demographic regimes. This book presents fresh evidence about our demographic future and provides a new framework for understanding the underlying unity in this diversity. It is an invaluable resource for those concerned with the implications of population change in the 21st century. The End of World Population Growth in the 21st Century is the first volume in a new series on Population and Sustainable Development. The series provides fresh ways of thinking about population trends and impacts.

Robotic systems are characterized by the intersection of computer intelligence with the physical world. This blend of physical reasoning and computational intelligence is well illustrated by the Tetrobot study described in this book. Tetrobot: A Modular Approach to Reconfigurable Parallel Robotics describes a new approach to the design of robotic systems. The Tetrobot approach utilizes modular components which may be reconfigured into many different mechanisms which are suited to different applications. The Tetrobot system includes two unique contributions: a new mechanism (a multilink spherical joint design), and a new control architecture based on propagation of kinematic solutions through the structure. The resulting Tetrobot system consists of fundamental components which may be mechanically reassembled into any modular configuration, and the control architecture will provide position control of the resulting structure. A prototype Tetrobot system has been built and evaluated experimentally. Tetrobot arms, platforms, and walking machines have been built and controlled in a variety of motion and loading conditions. The Tetrobot system has applications in a variety of domains where reconfiguration, flexibility, load capacity, and failure recovery are important aspects of the task. A number of key research directions have been opened by the Tetrobot research activities. Continuing topics of interest include: development of a more distributed implementation of the computer control architecture, analysis of the dynamics of the Tetrobot system motion for improved control of high-speed motions, integration of sensor systems to control the motion and shape of the high-dimensionality systems, and exploration of self-reconfiguration of the system. Tetrobot: A Modular Approach to Reconfigurable Parallel Robotics will be of interest to research workers, specialists and professionals in the areas of robotics, mechanical systems and computer engineering.

I ?rst met Jingqiao when he had just commenced his PhD research in evolutionary algorithms with Arthur Sanderson at Rensselaer. Jingqiao's goals then were the investigation and development of a novel class of se- adaptivedi?erentialevolutionalgorithms, later calledJADE. I had remarked to Jingqiao then that Arthur always appreciated strong theoretical foun- tions in his research, so Jingqiao's prior mathematically rigorous work in communications systems would be very useful experience. Later in 2007, whenJingqiaohadcompletedmostofthetheoreticalandinitialexperimental work on JADE, I invited him to spend a year at GE Global Research where he applied his developments to several interesting and important real-world problems. Most evolutionary algorithm conferences usually have their share of in- vative algorithm oriented papers which seek to best the state of the art - gorithms. The best algorithms of a time-frame create a foundation for a new generationof innovativealgorithms, and so on, fostering a meta-evolutionary search for superior evolutionary algorithms. In the past two decades, during whichinterest andresearchin evolutionaryalgorithmshavegrownworldwide by leaps and bounds, engaging the curiosity of researchers and practitioners frommanydiversescienceandtechnologycommunities, developingstand-out algorithms is getting progressively harder.

I ?rst met Jingqiao when he had just commenced his PhD research in evolutionary algorithms with Arthur Sanderson at Rensselaer. Jingqiao's goals then were the investigation and development of a novel class of se- adaptivedi?erentialevolutionalgorithms, later calledJADE. I had remarked to Jingqiao then that Arthur always appreciated strong theoretical foun- tions in his research, so Jingqiao's prior mathematically rigorous work in communications systems would be very useful experience. Later in 2007, whenJingqiaohadcompletedmostofthetheoreticalandinitialexperimental work on JADE, I invited him to spend a year at GE Global Research where he applied his developments to several interesting and important real-world problems. Most evolutionary algorithm conferences usually have their share of in- vative algorithm oriented papers which seek to best the state of the art - gorithms. The best algorithms of a time-frame create a foundation for a new generationof innovativealgorithms, and so on, fostering a meta-evolutionary search for superior evolutionary algorithms. In the past two decades, during whichinterest andresearchin evolutionaryalgorithmshavegrownworldwide by leaps and bounds, engaging the curiosity of researchers and practitioners frommanydiversescienceandtechnologycommunities, developingstand-out algorithms is getting progressively harder.

Robotic systems are characterized by the intersection of computer intelligence with the physical world. This blend of physical reasoning and computational intelligence is well illustrated by the Tetrobot study described in this book. Tetrobot: A Modular Approach to Reconfigurable Parallel Robotics describes a new approach to the design of robotic systems. The Tetrobot approach utilizes modular components which may be reconfigured into many different mechanisms which are suited to different applications. The Tetrobot system includes two unique contributions: a new mechanism (a multilink spherical joint design), and a new control architecture based on propagation of kinematic solutions through the structure. The resulting Tetrobot system consists of fundamental components which may be mechanically reassembled into any modular configuration, and the control architecture will provide position control of the resulting structure. A prototype Tetrobot system has been built and evaluated experimentally. Tetrobot arms, platforms, and walking machines have been built and controlled in a variety of motion and loading conditions. The Tetrobot system has applications in a variety of domains where reconfiguration, flexibility, load capacity, and failure recovery are important aspects of the task. A number of key research directions have been opened by the Tetrobot research activities. Continuing topics of interest include: development of a more distributed implementation of the computer control architecture, analysis of the dynamics of the Tetrobot system motion for improved control of high-speed motions, integration of sensor systems to control the motion and shape of the high-dimensionality systems, and exploration of self-reconfiguration of the system. Tetrobot: A Modular Approach to Reconfigurable Parallel Robotics will be of interest to research workers, specialists and professionals in the areas of robotics, mechanical systems and computer engineering.

From two leading experts, a revolutionary new way to think about and measure aging. Aging is a complex phenomenon. We usually think of chronological age as a benchmark, but it is actually a backward way of defining lifespan. It tells us how long we've lived so far, but what about the rest of our lives? In this pathbreaking book, Warren C. Sanderson and Sergei Scherbov provide a new way to measure individual and population aging. Instead of counting how many years we've lived, we should think about the number of years we have left, our "prospective age." Two people who share the same chronological age probably have different prospective ages, because one will outlive the other. Combining their forward-thinking measure of our remaining years with other health metrics, Sanderson and Scherbov show how we can generate better demographic estimates, which inform better policies. Measuring prospective age helps make sense of observed patterns of survival, reorients understanding of health in old age, and clarifies the burden of old-age dependency. The metric also brings valuable data to debates over equitable intergenerational pensions. Sanderson and Scherbov's pioneering model has already been adopted by the United Nations. Prospective Longevity offers us all an opportunity to rethink aging, so that we can make the right choices for our societal and economic health.

As the first in-depth study of women's experience of work in Scotland before 1800, this book draws on a wide variety of hitherto unexplored sources to throw light on the everyday working activities of women, married and single, successful and deprived, and their role in the urban community. While focusing on Edinburgh, the capital and premier service town of Eighteenth-century Scotland, Dr Sanderson's findings are important in the British context and beyond.

Joe Gunn and crew find themselves on the bloody frontlines of the Vampire/Banshee war raging in the shadows. Conspiracy and betrayal seethes around them as they try to protect Seattle from the deadliest conflict that they have ever faced...

Joe Gunn returns, known as Black Irish to the rouge vampires he hunts he now faces an ancient power known as The Dreamer who the vamps fear more than sunlight. The Dreamer wishes to launch an all out war against the vampires that would result in countless human deaths and plunge the world into a new dark age. Unsure of the loyalty of The Order he has served for so long he faces this new threat with his lover Keela and friend Brain by his side....Opportunity knocks but trouble just kicks the damn door in

Meet Joe Gunn, once a slave to a vampire master he now seeks to redeem his soul by slaying one killer vamp for each victim he delivered to his master. He serves a mysterious order and during a routine mission he stumbles across a vampire conspiracy that reaches into the highest levels of the order he serves...

It is a sad and little known fact that during World War Two a portion of the Native American population of Alaska were rounded up and placed in what became known as Duration Camps. This was done at least offically for thier own safety but comditions in these camps were horrible and manhy died before seeing thier homes again. The Us goverment eventually paid settlements to the survivors of this grave misjustice. The Origin of the Wind is about a young Native American girl who after arguing with her mother about attending heritage night is given the diary her grandmother kept while living in one such camp. Through reading this diary the girl comes to have a better understanding of the importance of knowing ones heritage and the value of the family and community.

Dictionary/Index of Interior Plants deals with the common and not so common plants used in interior environments. Numerous popular trees, shrubs, vines and ground covers that are used as potted, specimen, tub, planter, hanging basket, floral design material, water garden, bonsai and terraria in interior plantscapes are considered. The book is written as a quick reference of plant names (common and scientific) rather than a comprehensive taxonomic text for identifying plants. Beginning and commercial growers, plantscapers, interior plantscape designers, teachers, students, researchers, and all lovers of green plants will find it useful in locating a plant along with its currently acceptable scientific name (plus its derivation, meaning and pronunciation). This task is facilitated by cross-referencing of common names of interior plants to their scientific names. Brief descriptions of the plant that are relevant to their interior use are provided to confirm the plant.

This book is intended to describe what it is that every Englishman is bound to serve (a mistery is a service). It describes the purpose and function of English Freemasonry. Contents: Freemasonry as a bulwark of society; Politics and morals; Kingship in Freemasonry; Moral decadence; Function of religion; Religious decadence; Function of Freemasonry.

Obsessions generate anxieties; compulsions diminish them. Drs. McGinn and Sanderson demonstrate that if the assumptions governing obsessions and compulsions are challenged, the seemingly closed circle can be broken and an intransigent disorder treated. They model the therapist's use of cognitive behavioral techniques session by session, scripting the clinical approach to each intervention: Psychoeducation strategies; Cognitive Restructuring; Systematic Exposure; and Response Prevention. Focusing on a single composite case to animate a workable program, the authors manage to cover all bases while leaving room for compassionate improvisation.

Social fears are among the most common forms of anxiety in our society. Social phobia, the clinical syndrome, can seriously impact a person's life, increasing the risk of depression, substance abuse, and suicide, and reducing opportunities for social interaction, sustained relationships, and careers. The good news is that empirical evidence shows treatment for social phobia can be highly effective in producing change, and treatment that emphasizes the learning of new skills produces more change than simple education and/or medication. Rapee and Sanderson furnish a practical treatment program whose components are based on empirically validated techniques.

This highly practical manual provides evidence-based tools and techniques for assessing and treating clients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Proven cognitive-behavioral interventions are described in rich, step-by-step detail, together with illustrative case examples. With an emphasis on both accountability and flexibility, the clinician is guided to select from available options, weave them into individualized treatment plans, and troubleshoot problems that may arise. For those clients who do not respond well to CBT alone, the book also offers a chapter on cutting-edge supplementary interventions that have shown promise in preliminary clinical trials. Special features include a wealth of reproducible materials-over 25 client handouts and forms, assessment tools, and more-presented in a convenient large-size format.

The 20th century was the century of explosive population growth, resulting in unprecedented impacts; in contrast, the 21st century is likely to see the end of world population growth and become the century of population aging. We are currently at the crossroads of these demographic regimes. This book presents fresh evidence about our demographic future and provides a new framework for understanding the underlying unity in this diversity. It is an invaluable resource for those concerned with the implications of population change in the 21st century. The End of World Population Growth in the 21st Century is the first volume in a new series on Population and Sustainable Development. The series provides fresh ways of thinking about population trends and impacts.

This book describes an approach to intelligent task planning in a robotic system. Petri net and fuzzy logic are integrated and used to represent task sequence planning and error recovery. During the generation and execution of task plans, different kinds of uncertainties need to be handled to ensure the efficiency and reliability of the system. Following a systematic modeling procedure, a fuzzy Petri net is constructed based on geometric relations, fuzzy variables, and reasoning structures. The resulting net can be used to analyze and control the system. Many examples are discussed to illustrate the theory and the applications of fuzzy Petri nets.