This book summarizes the vast amount of research related to teaching and learning probability that has been conducted for more than 50 years in a variety of disciplines. It begins with a synthesis of the most important probability interpretations throughout history: intuitive, classical, frequentist, subjective, logical propensity and axiomatic views. It discusses their possible applications, philosophical problems, as well as their potential and the level of interest they enjoy at different educational levels. Next, the book describes the main features of probabilistic thinking and reasoning, including the contrast to classical logic, probability language features, the role of intuitions, as well as paradoxes and the relevance of modeling. It presents an analysis of the differences between conditioning and causation, the variability expression in data as a sum of random and causal variations, as well as those of probabilistic versus statistical thinking. This is followed by an analysis of probability's role and main presence in school curricula and an outline of the central expectations in recent curricular guidelines at the primary, secondary and high school level in several countries. This book classifies and discusses in detail the three different research periods on students' and people's intuitions and difficulties concerning probability: early research focused on cognitive development, a period of heuristics and biases programs, and the current period marked by a multitude of foci, approaches and theoretical frameworks.

This book describes an award-winning evolutionary algorithm that outperformed experts and conventional heuristics in solving several industrial problems. It presents a discussion of the theoretical and practical aspects that enabled GP (MicroGP) to autonomously find the optimal solution of hard problems, handling highly structured data, such as full-fledged assembly programs, with functions and interrupt handlers. For a practitioner, GP is simply a versatile optimizer to tackle most problems with limited setup effort. The book is valuable for all who require heuristic problem-solving methodologies, such as engineers dealing with verification and test of electronic circuits; or researchers working in robotics and mobile communication. Examples are provided to guide the reader through the process, from problem definition to gathering results. For an evolutionary computation researcher, GP may be regarded as a platform where new operators and strategies can be easily tested. MicroGP (the toolkit) is an active project hosted by Sourceforge: http://ugp3.sourceforge.net/

"Industrial applications of evolutionary algorithms" is intended as a resource for both experienced users of evolutionary algorithms and researchers that are beginning to approach these fascinating optimization techniques. Experienced users will find interesting details of real-world problems, advice on solving issues related to fitness computation or modeling, and suggestions on how to set the appropriate parameters to reach optimal solutions. Beginners will find a thorough introduction to evolutionary computation, and a complete presentation of several classes of evolutionary algorithms exploited to solve different problems. Inside, scholars will find useful examples on how to fill the gap between purely theoretical examples and industrial problems. The collection of case studies presented is also extremely appealing for anyone interested in Evolutionary Computation, but without direct access to extensive technical literature on the subject. After the introduction, each chapter in the book presents a test case, and is organized so that it can be read independently from the rest: all the information needed to understand the problem and the approach is reported in each part. Chapters are grouped by three themes of particular interest for real-world applications, namely prototype-based validation, reliability and test generation. The authors hope that this volume will help to expose the flexibility and efficiency of evolutionary techniques, encouraging more companies to adopt them; and that, most of all, you will enjoy your reading.

"Industrial applications of evolutionary algorithms" is intended as a resource for both experienced users of evolutionary algorithms and researchers that are beginning to approach these fascinating optimization techniques. Experienced users will find interesting details of real-world problems, advice on solving issues related to fitness computation or modeling, and suggestions on how to set the appropriate parameters to reach optimal solutions. Beginners will find a thorough introduction to evolutionary computation, and a complete presentation of several classes of evolutionary algorithms exploited to solve different problems. Inside, scholars will find useful examples on how to fill the gap between purely theoretical examples and industrial problems. The collection of case studies presented is also extremely appealing for anyone interested in Evolutionary Computation, but without direct access to extensive technical literature on the subject. After the introduction, each chapter in the book presents a test case, and is organized so that it can be read independently from the rest: all the information needed to understand the problem and the approach is reported in each part. Chapters are grouped by three themes of particular interest for real-world applications, namely prototype-based validation, reliability and test generation. The authors hope that this volume will help to expose the flexibility and efficiency of evolutionary techniques, encouraging more companies to adopt them; and that, most of all, you will enjoy your reading.

This framework document provides a practical approach for designing representative studies and developing uniform sampling guidelines to support estimates of health outcomes that are explicitly linked to exposure to land-based contaminants from ASGM activities.

Approximately 4.1 million people live in the three states of the Yucatan Peninsula: Quintana Roo, Yucatan, and Campeche. Some 30 municipalities are in a coastal territory of almost 2,000 linear kilometers, spanning the oil fields of the Gulf of Mexico to the world-renowned beaches of Cancan, just north of the second-largest barrier reef in the world. The peninsula's natural assets also include notable Mayan temples. With poverty far from eliminated, and economic development opportunities beckoning in agriculture, manufacturing, and hydrocarbon development, the region faces growing risks from environmental hazards. Oil spills, hurricanes, coral bleaching, extreme flooding, and erosion have all been experienced over the past decade. Based on preliminary identification of environmental priorities, this report explores selected topics that aim to inform decision-making in the region. A general context of integrated coastal zone management is used to explore issues, constraints, and potential solutions. The role of geomorphology is examined with a view to identifying how shore management plans can contribute to improved coastal management. Economic studies find that the main environmental health risks in the peninsula result in more than 1,000 premature deaths every year and in more than 9.36 million days lost to illnesses. These risks generate substantial economic losses, representing 2.2-3.3 percent of gross regional income. Scenarios relating to the economic cost of extreme weather events generate similar levels of damages: 1.4-1.5 percent of GDP in 2020 and 1.6-2.3 percent of GDP in 2050. A social accounting matrix examines the social and environmental interconnectedness to the various parts of the economy. An institutional analysis considers the mandates of existing institutions in the states, and of the potential role that regulatory measures may contribute to environmentally sustainable development without undermining economic growth prospects. The report concludes with options for consideration in the years ahead.

The underlying goal of this book is to facilitate and stimulate sharing of information on these phenomena, and to provide an interdisciplinary framework for bringing about improved environmental conditions in Sindh. It includes a methodology that enables the identification of environmental and climate change priority problems; the analysis of interventions to address such problems; the establishment of a social learning mechanism to continuously improve Sindh's responses and build resilience in the face of climate variability and change; and opportunities for the potential involvement of different stakeholder groups to decisively tackle climate change and deteriorating environmental conditions.

Pakistan's development efforts are guided by its 2011 Framework for Economic Growth, which identifies actions needed to create a prosperous, industrialised Pakistan through rapid and sustainable development. Industrialisation has the potential to drive Pakistan's economic growth and contribute significantly to meeting both economic and human development goals in Pakistan. Expansions of industrialisation activities, whether in highly developed or developing countries, can be stimuli for intense debate about such projects' benefits and costs to the region in which they are to be located, to the national economy - and to human health and the environment. Pakistan's 2011 Framework for Economic Growth recognises that, to accelerate industrialisation, Pakistan must reduce the cost of doing business and create an incentive structure designed to achieve a competitive, dynamic, and export-driven industrial sector capable of providing employment to the growing labour force. Competing in global markets requires a socially and environmentally sustainable industrialisation strategy. The four main inputs for sustainable industrial growth in Pakistan discussed in this book are: (i) Macroeconomic stability and sectoral policies to support industrial competitiveness by allowing long-term planning, including investments in infrastructure and cleaner production; (ii) Upgraded trade facilitation and infrastructure (particularly transport and energy) to address some of industrialisation's spatial aspects. Improved transport infrastructure will lower production's environmental costs; (iii) Greening of Pakistan's industrial sector to enhance international competitiveness - 'greening' will make Pakistan a more attractive export partner for nations and firms committed to green production; (iv) Strong institutions - for example, environmental management agencies to control pollution, and cleaner production centers to increase domestic awareness of international environmental standards- to implement industrialisation initiatives effectively, including those for small and medium-sized enterprises.This book provides a comprehensive analysis of issues relating to the debate about Pakistan's green industrial growth and lays out priorities and strategies for 'greening' Pakistan's industrial growth.

Greening Growth in Pakistan through Transport Sector Reforms: A Strategic Environmental, Poverty, and Social Assessment identifies reforms that can help Pakistan manage its environmental priorities given transport s impacts on air quality, noise pollution, road safety, hazardous-materials transport, climate change, and urban sprawl. The policy options are contextualized in light of the government of Pakistan s 2011 Framework for Economic Growth and its strategic objectives. This analytical work examines the poverty, social, and environmental aspects associated with reforms that would increase the freight transport sector s productivity to meet the Framework s goals. It focuses on the following areas: Analyzing the policy and institutional adjustments required to address the environmental, social, and poverty aspects of increased transportation efficiency in Pakistan Identifying policy options for the government of Pakistan to better serve the population, to enhance social cohesion, and to foster equitable benefit sharing with low-income or other vulnerable groups Developing a broad participatory process to give a voice to stakeholders who could be affected by enhancements of freight transport productivity Making robust recommendations to strengthen governance and the institutional capacity of agencies to manage the environmental, social, and poverty consequences of freight transportation infrastructure The book also presents information on the economic and institutional analyses undergirding this report and details its methodology. Greening Growth in Pakistan through Transport Sector Reforms is intended for policy makers, civil society, the private sector, and academics who wish to participate in dialogues on Pakistan s trade and transport sectors priorities. It is hoped that this report will stimulate debate that steers these sectors and their participants in the direction of greening economic growth."

The extent of urban air pollution in Pakistan - South Asia's most urbanised country - is among the world's most severe, significantly damaging human health, quality of life, and the economy and environment of Pakistan. The harm from Pakistan's urban air pollution is among the highest in South Asia, exceeding several high-profile causes of mortality and morbidity in Pakistan. Improved air quality management (AQM) in Pakistan can have notable economic and health benefits. For example, the estimated health benefits per dollar spent on cleaner diesel are approximately US $1-1.5 for light-duty diesel vehicles and US $1.5-2.4 for large buses and trucks. This report advocates that Pakistan allocate resources to AQM, because its air quality is severely affecting millions of Pakistanis, and because experiences around the world indicate that interventions can significantly improve air quality. This report details a broad spectrum of research on Pakistan's AQM challenges, and identifies a comprehensive set of steps to improve air quality. The research presented here underpins the conclusions that addressing Pakistan's urban air pollution requires coordinated interventions to strengthen AQM, build agencies' institutional capacity, bolster AQM's legal and regulatory framework, implement policy reforms and investments, and fill knowledge gaps. However, Pakistan's policy makers face major obstacles, including limited financial, human, and technical resources, and can pursue only a few AQM interventions at the same time. In the short term, Pakistan's AQM should give highest priority to reducing pollutants linked to high morbidity and mortality: PM2.5 (and precursors like SOx and NOx) from mobile sources. A second-level short-term priority could be PM2.5, SOx, and emissions of toxic metals from stationary sources. An important medium-term priority should be mass transportation in major cities, controlling traffic, and restricting private cars during high-pollution episodes. A long-term priority could be taxing hydrocarbons, based on their contribution to greenhouse gases.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ++++ The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to ensure edition identification: ++++ Praktisches Worterbuch Der Elektrotechnik Und Chemie In Deutscher: Englischer Und Spanischer Sprache Mit Besonderer Berucksichtigung Der Modernen Maschinentechnik, Volume 2; Praktisches Worterbuch Der Elektrotechnik Und Chemie In Deutscher: Englischer Und Spanischer Sprache Mit Besonderer Berucksichtigung Der Modernen Maschinentechnik; Paul T. Heyne Paul T. Heyne, Ernesto Sanchez-Rosal G. Kuhtmann, 1899 Chemistry; Electrical engineering; English language; German language; Industrial arts; Iron founding; Spanish language

Environmentally and socially sustainable policies are essential for good governance. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is the key tool for integrating environmental considerations into policies, programs and plans. This book focuses on SEA applied to policies. Through lessons learned from previous use of SEA on policies, it draws lessons on the strengths and weaknesses of current SEA methodology. It then goes on to analyze how policies are formulated and implemented and proposes a new conceptual framework for conducting SEA of policies thatpotentially could be more useful in influencing decision makers to integrate environmental sustainability considerations into policy formulation and implementation.

De una manera sencilla, esta monografia intenta brindar conocimiento historico y actual de lo que ha venido en llamarse Guerra Biologica, en particular, la Guerra Microbiologica. La obra no pretende ser completa ni original, sola es el resultado de la experiencia y esfuerzos de mas de tres decadas de trabajo dedicados a la ensenanza de la Medicina Veterinaria. La sensibilizacion de la poblacion a nivel mundial de este potencial peligro, garantiza un adecuado enfrentamiento a una agresion de esta indole. La humanidad que se encuentra al borde del cataclismo no soportaria un eventual combate donde el enemigo que ataque sea invisible. Pues en el enfrentamiento a este potente enemigo, las poderosas armas atomicas no serian capaces de detener su azote. El uso de germenes de forma indiscriminada es capaz de diezmar poblaciones enteras. Siendo desde una perspectiva eminentemente etica, la manipulacion de la vida una trasgresion a su esencia, es convertirla en objeto del mercado y del capital transnacional, es desacralizarla y dejarla en indefension. Es el resultado de la perdida en los seres humanos de un valor moral imprescindible el humanismo."

'Environmental Priorities and Poverty Reduction: A Country Environmental Analysis for Colombia' proposes cost-effective policy and technical interventions aimed at abating the cost of environmental degradation and supporting more equitable and sustainable economic growth. Environmental degradation is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and decreased productivity. Urban and indoor air pollution; inadequate water supply, sanitation, and hygiene; natural disasters (mainly floods and landslides); and land degradation are the environmental problems associated with the highest social and economic costs, falling most heavily on vulnerable people, especially poor children under five years old. 'Environmental Priorities and Poverty Reduction' begins by exploring institutional change and environmental priorities in Colombia over the past 50 years, a time of substantial progress in environmental protection and rapid transition from a largely rural to a highly urbanized economy. Part II assesses the burden of disease rooted in inadequate water supply, sanitation, and hygiene; poor air quality; and natural disasters; and the environmental management practices to reduce that burden. A discussion of the environmental costs of rapid and unplanned urbanization is also included. Part III assesses the sustainable management of Colombia's rich endowment of natural resources. This book provides a wealth of information for policy decision-makers, government officials, and other professionals working in environmental policy and management, poverty reduction strategies, public health, environmental economics, and civil society issues.