This monograph establishes a theory of classification and translation closedness of time scales, a topic that was first studied by S. Hilger in 1988 to unify continuous and discrete analysis. The authors develop a theory of translation function on time scales that contains (piecewise) almost periodic functions, (piecewise) almost automorphic functions and their related generalization functions (e.g., pseudo almost periodic functions, weighted pseudo almost automorphic functions, and more). Against the background of dynamic equations, these function theories on time scales are applied to study the dynamical behavior of solutions for various types of dynamic equations on hybrid domains, including evolution equations, discontinuous equations and impulsive integro-differential equations. The theory presented allows many useful applications, such as in the Nicholson`s blowfiles model; the Lasota-Wazewska model; the Keynesian-Cross model; in those realistic dynamical models with a more complex hibrid domain, considered under different types of translation closedness of time scales; and in dynamic equations on mathematical models which cover neural networks. This book provides readers with the theoretical background necessary for accurate mathematical modeling in physics, chemical technology, population dynamics, biotechnology and economics, neural networks, and social sciences.

Abstraction Refinement for Large Scale Model Checking summarizes recent research on abstraction techniques for model checking large digital system. Considering both the size of today's digital systems and the capacity of state-of-the-art verification algorithms, abstraction is the only viable solution for the successful application of model checking techniques to industrial-scale designs. This book describes recent research developments in automatic abstraction refinement techniques. The suite of algorithms presented in this book has demonstrated significant improvement over prior art; some of them have already been adopted by the EDA companies in their commercial/in-house verification tools.

This monograph is devoted to developing a theory of combined measure and shift invariance of time scales with the related applications to shift functions and dynamic equations. The study of shift closeness of time scales is significant to investigate the shift functions such as the periodic functions, the almost periodic functions, the almost automorphic functions, and their generalizations with many relevant applications in dynamic equations on arbitrary time scales. First proposed by S. Hilger, the time scale theory-a unified view of continuous and discrete analysis-has been widely used to study various classes of dynamic equations and models in real-world applications. Measure theory based on time scales, in its turn, is of great power in analyzing functions on time scales or hybrid domains. As a new and exciting type of mathematics-and more comprehensive and versatile than the traditional theories of differential and difference equations-, the time scale theory can precisely depict the continuous-discrete hybrid processes and is an optimal way forward for accurate mathematical modeling in applied sciences such as physics, chemical technology, population dynamics, biotechnology, and economics and social sciences. Graduate students and researchers specializing in general dynamic equations on time scales can benefit from this work, fostering interest and further research in the field. It can also serve as reference material for undergraduates interested in dynamic equations on time scales. Prerequisites include familiarity with functional analysis, measure theory, and ordinary differential equations.

This book introduces computational advertising, and Internet monetization. It provides a macroscopic understanding of how consumer products in the Internet era push user experience and monetization to the limit. Part One of the book focuses on the basic problems and background knowledge of online advertising. Part Two targets the product, operations, and sales staff, as well as high-level decision makers of the Internet products. It explains the market structure, trading models, and the main products in computational advertising. Part Three targets systems, algorithms, and architects, and focuses on the key technical challenges of different advertising products. Features * Introduces computational advertising and Internet monetization * Covers data processing, utilization, and trading * Uses business logic as the driving force to explain online advertising products and technology advancement * Explores the products and the technologies of computational advertising, to provide insights on the realization of personalization systems, constrained optimization, data monetization and trading, and other practical industry problems * Includes case studies and code snippets

This book provides an overview of Chinese RMB exchange markets and its risk management strategies. The view that RMB is playing an increasingly international role has been widely accepted by practitioners as well as scholars worldwide. Moreover, the Chinese government is opening the control of RMB exchange market step by step. However, some related topics are under heated debate, such as how to manage and warn of the currency crisis, what the trend of RMB exchange rate in the future is, and how to hedge the exchange risk in the process of RMB internationalization. In this book, we will give distinct answers to the above questions.

High-Performance Computing for Big Data: Methodologies and Applications explores emerging high-performance architectures for data-intensive applications, novel efficient analytical strategies to boost data processing, and cutting-edge applications in diverse fields, such as machine learning, life science, neural networks, and neuromorphic engineering. The book is organized into two main sections. The first section covers Big Data architectures, including cloud computing systems, and heterogeneous accelerators. It also covers emerging 3D IC design principles for memory architectures and devices. The second section of the book illustrates emerging and practical applications of Big Data across several domains, including bioinformatics, deep learning, and neuromorphic engineering. Features Covers a wide range of Big Data architectures, including distributed systems like Hadoop/Spark Includes accelerator-based approaches for big data applications such as GPU-based acceleration techniques, and hardware acceleration such as FPGA/CGRA/ASICs Presents emerging memory architectures and devices such as NVM, STT- RAM, 3D IC design principles Describes advanced algorithms for different big data application domains Illustrates novel analytics techniques for Big Data applications, scheduling, mapping, and partitioning methodologies Featuring contributions from leading experts, this book presents state-of-the-art research on the methodologies and applications of high-performance computing for big data applications. About the Editor Dr. Chao Wang is an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science at the University of Science and Technology of China. He is the Associate Editor of ACM Transactions on Design Automations for Electronics Systems (TODAES), Applied Soft Computing, Microprocessors and Microsystems, IET Computers & Digital Techniques, and International Journal of Electronics. Dr. Chao Wang was the recipient of Youth Innovation Promotion Association, CAS, ACM China Rising Star Honorable Mention (2016), and best IP nomination of DATE 2015. He is now on the CCF Technical Committee on Computer Architecture, CCF Task Force on Formal Methods. He is a Senior Member of IEEE, Senior Member of CCF, and a Senior Member of ACM.

This book introduces computational advertising, and Internet monetization. It provides a macroscopic understanding of how consumer products in the Internet era push user experience and monetization to the limit. Part One of the book focuses on the basic problems and background knowledge of online advertising. Part Two targets the product, operations, and sales staff, as well as high-level decision makers of the Internet products. It explains the market structure, trading models, and the main products in computational advertising. Part Three targets systems, algorithms, and architects, and focuses on the key technical challenges of different advertising products. Features * Introduces computational advertising and Internet monetization * Covers data processing, utilization, and trading * Uses business logic as the driving force to explain online advertising products and technology advancement * Explores the products and the technologies of computational advertising, to provide insights on the realization of personalization systems, constrained optimization, data monetization and trading, and other practical industry problems * Includes case studies and code snippets

"Global tea science: Current status and future needs would suit the library of any botanical enthusiast or academic, with its comprehensive collection of relevant chapters. The humble tea leaf has might roots indeed." (Plant Science Bulletin - Botanical Society of America) Tea is the most widely-consumed beverage in the world. Like other crops, tea cultivation faces a number of challenges. With the challenge of climate change and the competition for scarce resources, there is a need to make tea cultivation more efficient and sustainable. Cultivation needs also to be more resilient to biotic and abiotic stresses, whether it be pests or more extreme weather (e.g. drought) associated with global warming. Fortunately, there is a range of research addressing these challenges. Drawing on an international range of expertise, this collection summarises this research by focusing on ways of improving the cultivation of tea at each step in the value chain, from breeding through to harvest. Part 1 reviews advances in breeding. Part 2 discusses improvements in cultivation techniques. The book then discusses plant protection and chemistry before concluding with sustainability issues. As the need for more interdisciplinary and collaborative research increases, this collection will be a standard reference for the tea research community by summarising key research trends in each topic and putting them in the context of tea cultivation as a whole.

This book provides an overview of Chinese RMB exchange markets and its risk management strategies. The view that RMB is playing an increasingly international role has been widely accepted by practitioners as well as scholars worldwide. Moreover, the Chinese government is opening the control of RMB exchange market step by step. However, some related topics are under heated debate, such as how to manage and warn of the currency crisis, what the trend of RMB exchange rate in the future is, and how to hedge the exchange risk in the process of RMB internationalization. In this book, we will give distinct answers to the above questions.

Cryogen-free cryogenics is leading a revolution in research and industry by its significant advantages over traditional liquid helium systems. This is the first overview for the field, covering the key technologies, conceptual design, fabrication, operation, performance, and applications of these systems. The contents cover important topics such as the operating principles of 4 K cryocoolers, enabling technologies (including vibration reduction) for cryogen-free systems, the cryogen-free superconducting magnet, and cryogen-free systems that reach millikelvin. It highlights the wide range of applications in materials science, quantum physics, astronomy and space science, medical sciences, etc. Key features: * Introduces technologies and practical know-how employed for cryogen-free systems of using 4 K cryocoolers to replace liquid helium * Addresses state-of-the-art of cryogen-free superconducting magnets, subkelvin refrigeration systems of the He-3 sorption cooler, adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) and dilution refrigerators (DR) * Discusses applications of cryogen-free systems in modern instruments and equipment

Reconfigurable computing techniques and adaptive systems are some of the most promising architectures for microprocessors. Reconfigurable and Adaptive Computing: Theory and Applications explores the latest research activities on hardware architecture for reconfigurable and adaptive computing systems. The first section of the book covers reconfigurable systems. The book presents a software and hardware codesign flow for coarse-grained systems-on-chip, a video watermarking algorithm for the H.264 standard, a solution for regular expressions matching systems, and a novel field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based acceleration solution with MapReduce framework on multiple hardware accelerators. The second section discusses network-on-chip, including an implementation of a multiprocessor system-on-chip platform with shared memory access, end-to-end quality-of-service metrics modeling based on a multi-application environment in network-on-chip, and a 3D ant colony routing (3D-ACR) for network-on-chip with three different 3D topologies. The final section addresses the methodology of system codesign. The book introduces a new software-hardware codesign flow for embedded systems that models both processors and intellectual property cores as services. It also proposes an efficient algorithm for dependent task software-hardware codesign with the greedy partitioning and insert scheduling method (GPISM) by task graph.

This monograph establishes a theory of classification and translation closedness of time scales, a topic that was first studied by S. Hilger in 1988 to unify continuous and discrete analysis. The authors develop a theory of translation function on time scales that contains (piecewise) almost periodic functions, (piecewise) almost automorphic functions and their related generalization functions (e.g., pseudo almost periodic functions, weighted pseudo almost automorphic functions, and more). Against the background of dynamic equations, these function theories on time scales are applied to study the dynamical behavior of solutions for various types of dynamic equations on hybrid domains, including evolution equations, discontinuous equations and impulsive integro-differential equations. The theory presented allows many useful applications, such as in the Nicholson`s blowfiles model; the Lasota-Wazewska model; the Keynesian-Cross model; in those realistic dynamical models with a more complex hibrid domain, considered under different types of translation closedness of time scales; and in dynamic equations on mathematical models which cover neural networks. This book provides readers with the theoretical background necessary for accurate mathematical modeling in physics, chemical technology, population dynamics, biotechnology and economics, neural networks, and social sciences.

Reconfigurable computing techniques and adaptive systems are some of the most promising architectures for microprocessors. Reconfigurable and Adaptive Computing: Theory and Applications explores the latest research activities on hardware architecture for reconfigurable and adaptive computing systems. The first section of the book covers reconfigurable systems. The book presents a software and hardware codesign flow for coarse-grained systems-on-chip, a video watermarking algorithm for the H.264 standard, a solution for regular expressions matching systems, and a novel field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based acceleration solution with MapReduce framework on multiple hardware accelerators. The second section discusses network-on-chip, including an implementation of a multiprocessor system-on-chip platform with shared memory access, end-to-end quality-of-service metrics modeling based on a multi-application environment in network-on-chip, and a 3D ant colony routing (3D-ACR) for network-on-chip with three different 3D topologies. The final section addresses the methodology of system codesign. The book introduces a new software-hardware codesign flow for embedded systems that models both processors and intellectual property cores as services. It also proposes an efficient algorithm for dependent task software-hardware codesign with the greedy partitioning and insert scheduling method (GPISM) by task graph.

Safe Robot Navigation Among Moving and Steady Obstacles is the first book to focus on reactive navigation algorithms in unknown dynamic environments with moving and steady obstacles. The first three chapters provide introduction and background on sliding mode control theory, sensor models, and vehicle kinematics. Chapter 4 deals with the problem of optimal navigation in the presence of obstacles. Chapter 5 discusses the problem of reactively navigating. In Chapter 6, border patrolling algorithms are applied to a more general problem of reactively navigating. A method for guidance of a Dubins-like mobile robot is presented in Chapter 7. Chapter 8 introduces and studies a simple biologically-inspired strategy for navigation a Dubins-car. Chapter 9 deals with a hard scenario where the environment of operation is cluttered with obstacles that may undergo arbitrary motions, including rotations and deformations. Chapter 10 presents a novel reactive algorithm for collision free navigation of a nonholonomic robot in unknown complex dynamic environments with moving obstacles. Chapter 11 introduces and examines a novel purely reactive algorithm to navigate a planar mobile robot in densely cluttered environments with unpredictably moving and deforming obstacles. Chapter 12 considers a multiple robot scenario. For the Control and Automation Engineer, this book offers accessible and precise development of important mathematical models and results. All the presented results have mathematically rigorous proofs. On the other hand, the Engineer in Industry can benefit by the experiments with real robots such as Pioneer robots, autonomous wheelchairs and autonomous mobile hospital.

This book summarizes recent research on abstraction techniques for model checking large digital system. Considering the size of today's digital systems and the capacity of state-of-the-art verification algorithms, abstraction is the only viable solution for the successful application of model checking techniques to industrial-scale designs. The suite of algorithms presented here represents significant improvement over prior art; some have already been adopted by the EDA companies in their commercial/in-house verification tools.

From Internet of Things to Smart Cities: Enabling Technologies explores the information and communication technologies (ICT) needed to enable real-time responses to current environmental, technological, societal, and economic challenges. ICT technologies can be utilized to help with reducing carbon emissions, improving resource utilization efficiency, promoting active engagement of citizens, and more. This book aims to introduce the latest ICT technologies and to promote international collaborations across the scientific community, and eventually, the general public. It consists of three tightly coupled parts. The first part explores the involvement of enabling technologies from basic machine-to-machine communications to Internet of Things technologies. The second part of the book focuses on state of the art data analytics and security techniques, and the last part of the book discusses the design of human-machine interfaces, including smart home and cities. Features Provides an extended literature review of relevant technologies, in addition to detailed comparison diagrams, making new readers be easier to grasp fundamental and wide knowledge Contains the most recent research results in the field of communications, signal processing and computing sciences for facilitating smart homes, buildings, and cities Includes future research directions in Internet of Things, smart homes, smart buildings, smart grid, and smart cities Presents real examples of applying these enabling technologies to smart homes, transportation systems and cities With contributions from leading experts, the book follows an easy structure that not only presents timely research topics in-depth, but also integrates them into real world applications to help readers to better understand them.

From Internet of Things to Smart Cities: Enabling Technologies explores the information and communication technologies (ICT) needed to enable real-time responses to current environmental, technological, societal, and economic challenges. ICT technologies can be utilized to help with reducing carbon emissions, improving resource utilization efficiency, promoting active engagement of citizens, and more. This book aims to introduce the latest ICT technologies and to promote international collaborations across the scientific community, and eventually, the general public. It consists of three tightly coupled parts. The first part explores the involvement of enabling technologies from basic machine-to-machine communications to Internet of Things technologies. The second part of the book focuses on state of the art data analytics and security techniques, and the last part of the book discusses the design of human-machine interfaces, including smart home and cities. Features Provides an extended literature review of relevant technologies, in addition to detailed comparison diagrams, making new readers be easier to grasp fundamental and wide knowledge Contains the most recent research results in the field of communications, signal processing and computing sciences for facilitating smart homes, buildings, and cities Includes future research directions in Internet of Things, smart homes, smart buildings, smart grid, and smart cities Presents real examples of applying these enabling technologies to smart homes, transportation systems and cities With contributions from leading experts, the book follows an easy structure that not only presents timely research topics in-depth, but also integrates them into real world applications to help readers to better understand them.

Cryogen-free cryogenics is leading a revolution in research and industry by its significant advantages over traditional liquid helium systems. This is the first overview for the field, covering the key technologies, conceptual design, fabrication, operation, performance, and applications of these systems. The contents cover important topics such as the operating principles of 4 K cryocoolers, enabling technologies (including vibration reduction) for cryogen-free systems, the cryogen-free superconducting magnet, and cryogen-free systems that reach millikelvin. It highlights the wide range of applications in materials science, quantum physics, astronomy and space science, medical sciences, etc. Key features: * Introduces technologies and practical know-how employed for cryogen-free systems of using 4 K cryocoolers to replace liquid helium * Addresses state-of-the-art of cryogen-free superconducting magnets, subkelvin refrigeration systems of the He-3 sorption cooler, adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) and dilution refrigerators (DR) * Discusses applications of cryogen-free systems in modern instruments and equipment

Fluctuation Mechanism and Control on System Instantaneous Availability facilitates the development of modeling and identification skills for both theoretical research and applications. Supplying a systematic introduction to the basic results in fluctuation analysis of instantaneous availability, it covers the theory, methodology, and specific engineering implementation required to conduct equipment instantaneous availability research. Presenting practical methods and tools, the book describes how to control the matching transition of new equipment systems as a result of interactions among sub-systems. It will help readers further extend their research on steady-state availability analysis to the optimization and control over instantaneous availability that is more suitable for engineering practices. The book provides the in-depth research on system instantaneous availability models, solutions, methodology, and frameworks required to investigate system instantaneous availability fluctuations within a certain range. Its chapters are divided into "Basic" and "Applied" components. The Basic chapters introduce the relevant concepts about system availability, the general continuous availability model approximate solution algorithms and problems, the discrete-time systems instantaneous availability model under general probability distribution, and the system instantaneous availability model and stability proof constraint by limited time, respectively. The Applied chapters focus on system instantaneous availability fluctuation analysis and control methods, discrete-time instantaneous availability model comparison and analysis under exponential distribution, system instantaneous availability fluctuations analysis under truncated discrete Weibull distribution, and system instantaneous availability fluctuations optimal design under truncated discrete Weibull distribution. Presenting the material in an accessible manner, the book summarizes current research results and engineering practices. It includes many examples that illustrate the roles of the new modeling methods for instantaneous availability. It also supplies Matlab (R) code for all the calculations performed in the book.

High-Performance Computing for Big Data: Methodologies and Applications explores emerging high-performance architectures for data-intensive applications, novel efficient analytical strategies to boost data processing, and cutting-edge applications in diverse fields, such as machine learning, life science, neural networks, and neuromorphic engineering. The book is organized into two main sections. The first section covers Big Data architectures, including cloud computing systems, and heterogeneous accelerators. It also covers emerging 3D IC design principles for memory architectures and devices. The second section of the book illustrates emerging and practical applications of Big Data across several domains, including bioinformatics, deep learning, and neuromorphic engineering. Features Covers a wide range of Big Data architectures, including distributed systems like Hadoop/Spark Includes accelerator-based approaches for big data applications such as GPU-based acceleration techniques, and hardware acceleration such as FPGA/CGRA/ASICs Presents emerging memory architectures and devices such as NVM, STT- RAM, 3D IC design principles Describes advanced algorithms for different big data application domains Illustrates novel analytics techniques for Big Data applications, scheduling, mapping, and partitioning methodologies Featuring contributions from leading experts, this book presents state-of-the-art research on the methodologies and applications of high-performance computing for big data applications. About the Editor Dr. Chao Wang is an Associate Professor in the School of Computer Science at the University of Science and Technology of China. He is the Associate Editor of ACM Transactions on Design Automations for Electronics Systems (TODAES), Applied Soft Computing, Microprocessors and Microsystems, IET Computers & Digital Techniques, and International Journal of Electronics. Dr. Chao Wang was the recipient of Youth Innovation Promotion Association, CAS, ACM China Rising Star Honorable Mention (2016), and best IP nomination of DATE 2015. He is now on the CCF Technical Committee on Computer Architecture, CCF Task Force on Formal Methods. He is a Senior Member of IEEE, Senior Member of CCF, and a Senior Member of ACM.

The open access two-volume set LNCS 12224 and 12225 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 32st International Conference on Computer Aided Verification, CAV 2020, held in Los Angeles, CA, USA, in July 2020.* The 43 full papers presented together with 18 tool papers and 4 case studies, were carefully reviewed and selected from 240 submissions. The papers were organized in the following topical sections: Part I: AI verification; blockchain and Security; Concurrency; hardware verification and decision procedures; and hybrid and dynamic systems. Part II: model checking; software verification; stochastic systems; and synthesis. *The conference was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The open access two-volume set LNCS 12224 and 12225 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 32st International Conference on Computer Aided Verification, CAV 2020, held in Los Angeles, CA, USA, in July 2020.* The 43 full papers presented together with 18 tool papers and 4 case studies, were carefully reviewed and selected from 240 submissions. The papers were organized in the following topical sections: Part I: AI verification; blockchain and Security; Concurrency; hardware verification and decision procedures; and hybrid and dynamic systems. Part II: model checking; software verification; stochastic systems; and synthesis. *The conference was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This book constitutes the proceedings of the 14th IFIP WG 10.3 International Conference on Network and Parallel Computing, NPC 2017, held in Hefei, China, in October 2017.The 9 full papers and 10 short papers presented in this book were carefully reviewed and selected from 88 submissions. The papers cover traditional areas of network and parallel computing including parallel applications, distributed algorithms, software environments, and distributed tools.