This timely book is a comprehensive analysis of incomplete International Investment Agreements (IIAs), featuring insights from negotiating experiences in a number of bilateral and multilateral investment treaties. It examines problems, causes, and solutions surrounding this phenomenon by employing incomplete contract theory and opens new avenues in discussing how to correct incomplete IIAs. Throughout the book, the author challenges the fundamental assumption that most IIAs are concluded in a complete manner and emphasizes the importance of accounting for the fact that IIAs are often concluded without significant investment protection articles and are subject to renegotiation. Park applies various interdisciplinary approaches, including incomplete contract theory and development theory, to illustrate how countries easily postpone their treaty negotiations and are willing to renegotiate to remedy incomplete IIAs. Furthermore, he depicts the reality of treaty negotiation in recent years, helping readers to understand how countries are failing to negotiate complete IIAs and how utilizing an economics approach could analyse and resolve this issue. Offering a useful and practical contribution to the discussion on the resolution of incomplete IIAs, this book will be key reading for academics and researchers within the fields of commercial law, international economic law, trade law and international investment law. It is also a must-read book for both government officers and investment treaty lawyers in all countries involved with Free Trade Agreements.

Given the presumed dominance of American sport, many fans throughout the hemisphere find it difficult to envision the role of sport beyond the confines of their own continent. And yet, world sport consists of so much more than the games Americans play and so much more than the stereotype of cricket for the elite and football for the working class. As worldwide sport continues to gain in popularity, we also see parallels to many aspects visible in North American sport, particularly celebrity and all its trappings and pitfalls. The success of athletes from other countries in basketball and ice hockey, and the proliferation of stars imported and now exported to and from North America, provides some better examples of sport's international power. It also creates a very new kind of sport celebrity, albeit one that often shows a rather limited reach beyond that star's own country or continent. Thus, rather than focusing on the Western Hemisphere, this collection of some of world sport's most heralded celebrities (including stars of Motocross, surfing, distance running, and more) serves as a sort of passport to many places that make up our global sporting environment.

Julie J. Park examines how losing racial diversity in a university affects the everyday lives of its students. She uses a student organization, the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) at "California University," as a case study to show how reductions in racial diversity impact the ability of students to sustain multiethnic communities. The story documents IVCF's evolution from a predominantly white group that rarely addressed race to one of the most racially diverse campus fellowships at the university. However, its ability to maintain its multiethnic membership was severely hampered by the drop in black enrollment at California University following the passage of Proposition 209, a statewide affirmative action ban. Park demonstrates how the friendships that students have-or do not have-across racial lines are not just a matter of personal preference or choice; they take place in the contexts that are inevitably shaped by the demographic conditions of the university. She contends that a strong organizational commitment to diversity, while essential, cannot sustain a racially diverse student subculture. Her work makes a critical contribution to our understanding of race and inequality in collegiate life and is a valuable resource for educators and researchers interested in the influence of racial politics on students' lives.

This issue of Thoracic Surgery Clinics is devoted to "Robotic Surgery." Editor Bernard Park, MD of Hackensack University Medical Center brings together the top experts to review this important topic in thoracic surgery. Articles in this issue include: Robotic Thoracic Surgery: Technical Considerations and Learning Curve; VATS-based Approach for Robotic Lobectomy; Total Port Approach for Robotic Lobectomy; Long-term Results for Robotic Lobectomy for Lung Cancer; Robotic Segmentectomy and Pneumonectomy; Robotic Benign Esophageal Procedures; Robotic Esophagectomy (Ivor Lewis and McKeown Approaches); Robotic Thymectomy for Myasthenia Gravis; Robotic Thymectomy for Thymic Neoplasms; and Robotic versus Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery: Advantages and Disadvantages.

This book is intended for entry-level digital SLR users. It is a comprehensive step-by-step guide that includes a pullout quick reference card. UK author Jon Sparks provides practical tips on how to get the best from this versatile camera. The D3300 is Nikon's latest entry-level DSLR. It is designed to marry the versatility and image quality of an SLR with the simplicity and ease of handling of the best digital compacts. Nikon has always valued continuity as well as innovation; e.g, it has retained its tried and tested F lens-mount (originally introduced in 1959). This means it's possible to use many classic Nikon lenses with the D3300. At first glance, the D3300 may look like a modest upgrade to the D3200, but there are some significant changes under the surface. The camera is almost exactly the same size as its predecessor, but significantly lighter. It has a 24-megapixel sensor; the pixel count may be the same as the D3200, but there's a major difference as the D3300 has dispensed with an 'anti-aliasing' filter in front of its sensor to make images even sharper.

This book presents the combined proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Computer Science and its Applications (CSA 2018) and the 13th KIPS International Conference on Ubiquitous Information Technologies and Applications (CUTE 2018), both held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec 17 - 19, 2018. The aim of these two meetings was to promote discussion and interaction among academics, researchers and professionals in the field of ubiquitous computing technologies. These proceedings reflect the state of the art in the development of computational methods, involving theory, algorithms, numerical simulation, error and uncertainty analysis and novel applications of new processing techniques in engineering, science, and other disciplines related to ubiquitous computing.

This book presents the combined proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Multimedia and Ubiquitous Engineering (MUE 2019) and the 14th International Conference on Future Information Technology (Future Tech 2019), both held in Xi'an, China, April 24 - 26, 2019. The aim of these two meetings was to promote discussion and interaction among academics, researchers and professionals in the field of ubiquitous computing technologies. These proceedings reflect the state of the art in the development of computational methods, involving theory, algorithms, numerical simulation, error and uncertainty analysis and novel applications of new processing techniques in engineering, science, and other disciplines related to ubiquitous computing.

Conglomerate Rock examines how the music industry is creating a new distribution infrastructure by dividing access to exclusive releases through different subscription services, hardware, and new media like audio DVDs in order to maximize profits. Author David J. Park argues that while these changes make it easier to see and hear artists from a handful of transnational corporations in commercial culture, access to music is becoming more dispersed, expensive and difficult to acquire. In addition, music and performers are increasingly being cross-promoted in films, television shows, commercials and other media owned by the Big 4 corporations. Conglomerate Rock critically analyzes these and other trends in order to provoke public discussion concerning the interaction between industry practice and music consumption. The present strategies employed by the industry will have long-term effects on the way consumers experience and access music, as well as how culture is viewed and portrayed in the United States and throughout the world.

This book presents the combined proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Multimedia and Ubiquitous Engineering (MUE 2018) and the 13th International Conference on Future Information Technology (Future Tech 2018), both held in Salerno, Italy, April 23 - 25, 2018. The aim of these two meetings was to promote discussion and interaction among academics, researchers and professionals in the field of ubiquitous computing technologies. These proceedings reflect the state of the art in the development of computational methods, involving theory, algorithms, numerical simulation, error and uncertainty analysis and novel applications of new processing techniques in engineering, science, and other disciplines related to ubiquitous computing.

Known for flexibility and robustness, PCR techniques continue to improve through numerous developments, including the identification of thermostable DNA polymerases which exhibit a range of properties to suit given applications. PCR Protocols, Third Edition selects recently developed tools and tricks, contributed by field-leading authors, for the significant value that they add to more generally established methods. Along with the cutting-edge methodologies, this volume describes many core applications, such as PCR cloning and sequencing, expression, copy number or methylation profile analysis, 'DNA fingerprinting', diagnostics, protein engineering, interaction screening as well as a chapter highlighting workflow considerations and contamination control, crucial for all PCR methods. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary reagents and materials, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, PCR Protocols, Third Edition seeks to further elucidate this essential technique while also providing core principles with broad applications for scientists of all backgrounds.

Since the mid-nineteenth century, the United States has used sport as a vehicle for spreading its influence and extending its power, especially in the Western Hemisphere and around the Pacific Rim, but also in every corner of the rest of the world. Through modern sport in general, and through American pastimes such as baseball, basketball and the American variant of football in particular, the U.S. has sought to Americanize the globe's masses in a long series of both domestic and foreign campaigns. Sport played roles in American programs of cultural, economic, and political expansion. Sport also contributed to American efforts to assimilate immigrant populations. Even in American games such as baseball and football, sport has also served as an agent of resistance to American imperial designs among the nations of the Western hemisphere and the Pacific Rim. As the twenty-first century begins, sport continues to shape American visions of a global empire as well as framing resistance to American imperial designs. Mapping an Empire of American Sport chronicles the dynamic tensions in the role of sport as an element in both the expansion of and the resistance to American power, and in sport's dual role as an instrument for assimilation and adaptation. This book was published as a special issue of the International Journal of the History of Sport.

Nikon's D5500 DSLR is an update to the popular D5300, featuring a touch-sensitive rear LCD screen and improved ergonomics. In almost every other respect, it's a compact, lightweight 24MP entry-level DSLR similar to its predecessor. This is a comprehensive step-by-step guide to the Nikon D5500 that includes a pull-out reference card. Author Jon Sparks provides practical tips on how to get the best from this versatile camera.

Proceedings of the International Conference on Human-centric Computing and Embedded and Multimedia Computing (HumanCom & EMC 2011) will cover topics of HumanCom and EMC, the current hot topics satisfying the world-wide ever-changing needs. Human-centric computing is to create novel solutions so that the humans are always connected, portable, and available. As with pervasive-computing, human-centric computing requires a variety of devices; however, such devices exist simply to obtain inputs from the human and are embedded in objects that humans interact with on a daily basis. Moreover, during the past couple of decades, Information Science technologies influenced and changed every aspect of our lives and our cultures. Without various Information Science technology-based applications, it would be difficult to keep information stored securely, to process information efficiently, and to communicate conveniently. Embedded computing ranges from portable devices such as digital watches and MP3 players, to large stationary installations like traffic lights, factory controllers, or the systems controlling nuclear power plants. Complexity varies from low, with a single microcontroller chip, to very high with multiple units, peripherals and networks mounted inside a large chassis or enclosure. Multimedia computing covers multimedia I/O devices, OS, storage systems, streaming media middleware, continuous media representations, media coding, media processing, etc., and also includes multimedia communications; real-time protocols, end-to-end streaming media, resource allocation, multicast protocols, and multimedia applications; databases, distributed collaboration, video conferencing, 3D virtual environments.

Translation of a text published in Korea Explores a hundred years of Korean popular music Central theme of generational conflict providing an accessible way to engage with Korea's social history

Experimental protein engineering and computational protein design are broad but complementary strategies for developing proteins with altered or novel structural properties and biological functions. By describing cutting-edge advances in both of these fields, Protein Engineering and Design aims to cultivate a synergistic approach to protein science. Experimental Protein Engineering The first half of the book discusses experimental approaches to protein engineering and starts by describing several high-throughput screening platforms for protein engineering. Key techniques used for diversity generation are also discussed. The next few chapters present examples of therapeutics, enzymes, biomaterials, and other proteins that have been engineered by rational or combinatorial approaches. The section finishes with a chapter on the use of non-natural amino acids in protein engineering. Computational Protein Design The second half of the book introduces computational protein design, beginning with a chapter on computational and informatics algorithms used in protein engineering. Core components of computational protein design are then discussed in detail, and examples of heuristic protein design are provided. Subsequent chapters present examples of how computational design has played a critical role in advancing the field of protein engineering. Concluding with a chapter outlining current challenges in the field, this book makes computational protein design and diversity-oriented protein engineering widely accessible to a broad audience in academia and industry alike.

Conglomerate Rock examines how the music industry is creating a new distribution infrastructure by dividing access to exclusive releases through different subscription services, hardware, and new media like audio DVDs in order to maximize profits. Author David J. Park argues that while these changes make it easier to see and hear artists from a handful of transnational corporations in commercial culture, access to music is becoming more dispersed, expensive and difficult to acquire. In addition, music and performers are increasingly being cross-promoted in films, television shows, commercials and other media owned by the Big 4 corporations. Conglomerate Rock critically analyzes these and other trends in order to provoke public discussion concerning the interaction between industry practice and music consumption. The present strategies employed by the industry will have long-term effects on the way consumers experience and access music, as well as how culture is viewed and portrayed in the United States and throughout the world.

Since the mid-nineteenth century, the United States has used sport as a vehicle for spreading its influence and extending its power, especially in the Western Hemisphere and around the Pacific Rim, but also in every corner of the rest of the world. Through modern sport in general, and through American pastimes such as baseball, basketball and the American variant of football in particular, the U.S. has sought to Americanize the globe's masses in a long series of both domestic and foreign campaigns. Sport played roles in American programs of cultural, economic, and political expansion. Sport also contributed to American efforts to assimilate immigrant populations. Even in American games such as baseball and football, sport has also served as an agent of resistance to American imperial designs among the nations of the Western hemisphere and the Pacific Rim. As the twenty-first century begins, sport continues to shape American visions of a global empire as well as framing resistance to American imperial designs. Mapping an Empire of American Sport chronicles the dynamic tensions in the role of sport as an element in both the expansion of and the resistance to American power, and in sport's dual role as an instrument for assimilation and adaptation. This book was published as a special issue of the International Journal of the History of Sport.

"IT Convergence and Services"is proceedings of the 3rd FTRA International Conference on Information Technology Convergence and Services (ITCS-11) and the FTRA International Conference on Intelligent Robotics, Automations, telecommunication facilities, and applications (IRoA-11). The topics of ITCS and IRoA cover the current hot topics satisfying the world-wide ever-changing needs.

The ITCS-11 will be the most comprehensive conference focused on the various aspects of advances in information technology convergence, applications, and services. The ITCS-11 will provide an opportunity for academic and industry professionals to discuss the latest issues and progress in the area of ITCS. In addition, the conference will publish high quality papers which are closely related to the various theories, modeling, and practical applications in ITCS. The main scope of ITCS-11 is as follows.

Computational Science and Applications
Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Technology
Manufacturing Technology and Services
Management Information Systems and Services
Electronic Commerce, Business and Management
Vehicular Systems and Communications
Bio-inspired Computing and Applications
IT Medical Engineering
Modeling and Services for Intelligent Building, Town, and City

The IRoA is a major forum for scientists, engineers, and practitioners throughout the world to present the latest research, results, ideas, developments and applications in all areas of intelligent robotics and automations. The main scope of IRoA-11 is as follows.

Intelligent Robotics & Perception systems
Automations & Control
Telecommunication Facilities
Artificial Intelligence

The IRoA is a major forum for scientists, engineers, and practitioners throughout the world to present the latest research, results, ideas, developments and applications in all areas of intelligent robotics and automations. The main scope of IRoA-11 is as follows.

Intelligent Robotics & Perception systems
Automations & Control
Telecommunication Facilities
Artificial Intelligence"

This book presents the combined proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Computer Science and its Applications (CSA 2018) and the 13th KIPS International Conference on Ubiquitous Information Technologies and Applications (CUTE 2018), both held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec 17 - 19, 2018. The aim of these two meetings was to promote discussion and interaction among academics, researchers and professionals in the field of ubiquitous computing technologies. These proceedings reflect the state of the art in the development of computational methods, involving theory, algorithms, numerical simulation, error and uncertainty analysis and novel applications of new processing techniques in engineering, science, and other disciplines related to ubiquitous computing.

This book presents the combined proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Multimedia and Ubiquitous Engineering (MUE 2019) and the 14th International Conference on Future Information Technology (Future Tech 2019), both held in Xi'an, China, April 24 - 26, 2019. The aim of these two meetings was to promote discussion and interaction among academics, researchers and professionals in the field of ubiquitous computing technologies. These proceedings reflect the state of the art in the development of computational methods, involving theory, algorithms, numerical simulation, error and uncertainty analysis and novel applications of new processing techniques in engineering, science, and other disciplines related to ubiquitous computing.

Known for flexibility and robustness, PCR techniques continue to improve through numerous developments, including the identification of thermostable DNA polymerases which exhibit a range of properties to suit given applications. PCR Protocols, Third Edition selects recently developed tools and tricks, contributed by field-leading authors, for the significant value that they add to more generally established methods. Along with the cutting-edge methodologies, this volume describes many core applications, such as PCR cloning and sequencing, expression, copy number or methylation profile analysis, 'DNA fingerprinting', diagnostics, protein engineering, interaction screening as well as a chapter highlighting workflow considerations and contamination control, crucial for all PCR methods. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary reagents and materials, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, PCR Protocols, Third Edition seeks to further elucidate this essential technique while also providing core principles with broad applications for scientists of all backgrounds.

"IT Convergence and Services"is proceedings of the 3rd FTRA International Conference on Information Technology Convergence and Services (ITCS-11) and the FTRA International Conference on Intelligent Robotics, Automations, telecommunication facilities, and applications (IRoA-11). The topics of ITCS and IRoA cover the current hot topics satisfying the world-wide ever-changing needs.

The ITCS-11 will be the most comprehensive conference focused on the various aspects of advances in information technology convergence, applications, and services. The ITCS-11 will provide an opportunity for academic and industry professionals to discuss the latest issues and progress in the area of ITCS. In addition, the conference will publish high quality papers which are closely related to the various theories, modeling, and practical applications in ITCS. The main scope of ITCS-11 is as follows.

Computational Science and Applications
Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Technology
Manufacturing Technology and Services
Management Information Systems and Services
Electronic Commerce, Business and Management
Vehicular Systems and Communications
Bio-inspired Computing and Applications
IT Medical Engineering
Modeling and Services for Intelligent Building, Town, and City

The IRoA is a major forum for scientists, engineers, and practitioners throughout the world to present the latest research, results, ideas, developments and applications in all areas of intelligent robotics and automations. The main scope of IRoA-11 is as follows.

Intelligent Robotics & Perception systems
Automations & Control
Telecommunication Facilities
Artificial Intelligence

The IRoA is a major forum for scientists, engineers, and practitioners throughout the world to present the latest research, results, ideas, developments and applications in all areas of intelligent robotics and automations. The main scope of IRoA-11 is as follows.

Intelligent Robotics & Perception systems
Automations & Control
Telecommunication Facilities
Artificial Intelligence"

This book constitutes the refereed post-proceedings of the 9th IFIP International Conference on Network and Parallel Computing, NPC 2012, held in Gwangju, Korea, in September 2012. The 38 papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 136 submissions. The papers are organized in the following topical sections: algorithms, scheduling, analysis, and data mining; network architecture and protocol design; network security; paralel, distributed, and virtualization techniques; performance modeling, prediction, and tuning; resource management; ubiquitous communications and networks; and web, communication, and cloud computing. In addition, a total of 37 papers selected from five satellite workshops (ATIMCN, ATSME, Cloud&Grid, DATICS, and UMAS 2012) are included.