Smart grids with distributed clean energy generation, storage and prosumers are the future of energy systems. They need two-way digital communication between multiple customers and suppliers of energy, to produce, buy and sell electricity to the grid at small scales. These arrangements need a system that maintains, checks, and registers information about transactions. Blockchain technology is able to handle these requirements with smart contracts, peer-to-peer energy trading and immutable transactions. A blockchain is a digital ledger of transactions that can be accessed across the entire network of computer systems. Combined with sensors to track energy flows, blockchain can enable the smart grid. After an introduction to blockchain, chapters cover integration with IoT, IoT- and blockchain-enabled smart grids, use of sensors, security and privacy, use of machine and deep learning, energy storage and transaction, as well as use of cryptocurrencies for transactions. Written by an international team with the necessary multi-disciplinarity, this work for researchers in power systems as well as economists with related interests covers the use of blockchain technology for smart grids.

This book discusses recent advances in the estimation and control of networked systems with unacknowledged packet losses: systems usually known as user-datagram-protocol-like. It presents both the optimal and sub-optimal solutions in the form of algorithms, which are designed to be implemented easily by computer routines. It also provides MATLAB (R) routines for the key algorithms. It shows how these methods and algorithms can solve estimation and control problems effectively, and identifies potential research directions and ideas to help readers grasp the field more easily. The novel auxiliary estimator method, which is able to deal with estimators that consist of exponentially increasing terms, is developed to analyze the stability and convergence of the optimal estimator. The book also explores the structure and solvability of the optimal control, i.e. linear quadratic Gaussian control. It develops various sub-optimal but efficient solutions for estimation and control for industrial and practical applications, and analyzes their stability and performance. This is a valuable resource for researchers studying networked control systems, especially those related to non-TCP-like networks. The practicality of the ideas included makes it useful for engineers working with networked control.

In view of better results expected from examination of medical datasets (images) with hybrid (integration of thresholding and segmentation) image processing methods, this work focuses on implementation of possible hybrid image examination techniques for medical images. It describes various image thresholding and segmentation methods which are essential for the development of such a hybrid processing tool. Further, this book presents the essential details, such as test image preparation, implementation of a chosen thresholding operation, evaluation of threshold image, and implementation of segmentation procedure and its evaluation, supported by pertinent case studies. Aimed at researchers/graduate students in the medical image processing domain, image processing, and computer engineering, this book: Provides broad background on various image thresholding and segmentation techniques Discusses information on various assessment metrics and the confusion matrix Proposes integration of the thresholding technique with the bio-inspired algorithms Explores case studies including MRI, CT, dermoscopy, and ultrasound images Includes separate chapters on machine learning and deep learning for medical image processing

This book discusses recent advances in the estimation and control of networked systems with unacknowledged packet losses: systems usually known as user-datagram-protocol-like. It presents both the optimal and sub-optimal solutions in the form of algorithms, which are designed to be implemented easily by computer routines. It also provides MATLAB (R) routines for the key algorithms. It shows how these methods and algorithms can solve estimation and control problems effectively, and identifies potential research directions and ideas to help readers grasp the field more easily. The novel auxiliary estimator method, which is able to deal with estimators that consist of exponentially increasing terms, is developed to analyze the stability and convergence of the optimal estimator. The book also explores the structure and solvability of the optimal control, i.e. linear quadratic Gaussian control. It develops various sub-optimal but efficient solutions for estimation and control for industrial and practical applications, and analyzes their stability and performance. This is a valuable resource for researchers studying networked control systems, especially those related to non-TCP-like networks. The practicality of the ideas included makes it useful for engineers working with networked control.

Many scholars have noted the role of China's demand for silver in the emergence of the modern world. This book discusses the interaction of this demand and the early-nineteenth-century Latin American independence movements, changes in the world economy, the resulting disruptions in the Qing dynasty, and the transformation from the High Qing to modern China. Man-houng Lin shows how the disruption in the world's silver supply caused by the turmoil in Latin America and subsequent changes in global markets led to the massive outflow of silver from China and the crisis of the Qing empire. During the first stage of this dynastic crisis, traditional ideas favoring plural centers of power became more popular than they ever had been. As the crisis developed, however, statist ideas came to the fore. Even though the Qing survived with the resumption of the influx of Latin American silver, its status relative to Japan in the East Asian order slipped. The statist inclination, although moderated to a degree in the modern period, is still ascendant in China today. These changes--Qing China's near-collapse, the beginning of its eclipse by Japan in the East Asian order, and shifting notions of the proper relationship between state and market and between state and society--led to "China upside down."

Commercial Arbitration: The Scottish and International Perspectives thoroughly analyses the Arbitration (Scotland) Act 2010 and the most important current issues arising from international commercial arbitration. Legal case studies comparing Scots and international practice provide you with a practical insight to the various aspects of arbitration. The international practice chapters include UNCITRAL Model Law, UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, institutional arbitration rules and International Bar Association arbitration guidelines.