Actuaries' Survival Guide: Navigating the Exam and Data Science, Third Edition explains what actuaries are, what they do, and where they do it. It describes exciting combinations of ideas, techniques, and skills involved in the day-to-day work of actuaries. This edition has been updated to reflect the rise of social networking and the internet, the progress toward a global knowledge-based economy, and the global expansion of the actuarial field that has occurred since the prior edition.

Human Capital, Trade and Public Policy in Rapidly Growing Economies argues that only two centuries ago, no society had ever enjoyed sustained growth in living standards. The contributors to this book aim to discover why the world today exhibits a predilection for perpetual self-improvement.In particular, the book focuses on the forces underlying long-lasting growth in East Asia's Newly Industrialized Countries (NICs). Drawing from the experiences of Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan, it questions whether public policy can contribute to removing barriers towards accumulation of wealth, and if so, what development policy should be put in place to remedy the existing distortions or market failure problems. Theoretical and empirical analyses are also used to broach other important issues, such as: Why do some economies experience growth while others decline? What are the major determinants of long-term growth and development? Is human capital the main driving force? Does international trade play a crucial role? This book will appeal to those with an interest in development and public policy.

Throughout the world there is an increasing movement of populations into urban areas and cities. As a result the demographic, economic, social and cultural characteristics of urban areas are changing, particularly in countries undergoing rapid urbanization. This book explores the different approaches to this internationally within the fields of housing and urban planning with a particular focus on developing countries. Concepts such as "informal settlements,""shelter" and "housing deficit" are explained. The impact of rapid urbanization and associated globalization on land use and housing is described and analyzed with reference to the related issues of poverty, health and the environment.
The authors examine the evolving relationship between development strategies and urban planning using a series of international case studies of planning and housing in Latin America; Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Particular consideration is given to how the discourse of "sustainability" is used within thecontext of continuing urbanization, policy and practice. The theoretical issues underpinning "sustainability" as a concept are outlined, and their implications for urban development in terms of both the "green" and "brown" agendas are described.
"Planning and Housing in Developing Countries "provides an accessible introduction to the issues as well as enhancing current theoretical debates. It explores the theories in the fields of housing and planning and examines how this relates to the practical application with a focus on developing countries. The book includes an annotated bibliography as a useful study tool for students in this area.

Written specifically as a teaching text and authored by a team of leading academics in the field, this is the first book to bring together the key issues of rapid urbanisation with approaches to planning and housing.

Outlining and explaining core concepts from a ~informal settlementsa (TM) to a ~sustainabilitya (TM), it focuses on the rapid urbanization of developing countries with case studies from Latin America, Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The impact of rapid urbanization and associated globalization on land-use and housing is described and analyzed with reference to the particular issues of poverty, health and the environment of these areas.

Providing an accessible introduction to the key issues as well as enhancing current theoretical debates and exploring practical applications, this book is an essential resource for students and researchers in this area.

Economic reform in China has resulted in a widening gap between the rich and the poor, and urban poverty has emerged as a key factor which may affect future development. This new book examines the poverty problem in relation to housing and social changes in large inland cities, and assesses the effectiveness of recent government anti-poverty policies. The book also puts the Chinese experience in the wider context of transitional economies and discusses the similarities and differences between China and Central and Eastern European countries. The book is based on a long period of research on Chinese urban development, and benefited from several research projects conducted in Chinese cities. It is an important reference for all of those interested in housing, urban studies and social change, and is a key text for students of the Chinese economy and society.

Economic reform in China has resulted in a widening gap between the rich and the poor, and urban poverty has emerged as a key factor which may affect future development. This new book examines the poverty problem in relation to housing and social changes in large inland cities, and assesses the effectiveness of recent government anti-poverty policies. The book also puts the Chinese experience in the wider context of transitional economies and discusses the similarities and differences between China and Central and Eastern European countries. The book is based on a long period of research on Chinese urban development, and benefited from several research projects conducted in Chinese cities. It is an important reference for all of those interested in housing, urban studies and social change, and is a key text for students of the Chinese economy and society.

This book integrates the analyses of organic carbon and carbonate accumulation in soil and lake sediment in a typical arid region of China that has experienced significant climate and land-use changes. It demonstrates that carbonate accumulation greatly exceeds organic carbon in both soil and sediment. It also shows that intensive cropping with sound land management in the arid land not only increases soil organic carbon stock, but also enhances accumulation of soil carbonate, particularly in subsoils. Carbon accumulation in the lake sediment increased between 1950 and 2000, after which it declined, and the authors explore how human activity and climate change may have caused the changes in carbon burial in the lake sediment. This book is of interest to researchers in a number of fields such as soil science, limnology and global change, as well as to the policy-makers.

This book, discusses the latest research on the intelligent control of two important components in smart grids, namely microgrids (MGs) and electric vehicles (EVs). It focuses on developing theoretical frameworks and proposing corresponding algorithms, to optimally schedule virtualized elements under different uncertainties so that the total cost of operating the microgrid or the EV charging system can be minimized and the systems maintain stabilized. With random factors in the problem formulation and corresponding designed algorithms, it provides insights into how to handle uncertainties and develop rational strategies in the operation of smart grid systems. Written by leading experts, it is a valuable resource for researchers, scientists and engineers in the field of intelligent management of future power grids.

This book integrates the analyses of organic carbon and carbonate accumulation in soil and lake sediment in a typical arid region of China that has experienced significant climate and land-use changes. It demonstrates that carbonate accumulation greatly exceeds organic carbon in both soil and sediment. It also shows that intensive cropping with sound land management in the arid land not only increases soil organic carbon stock, but also enhances accumulation of soil carbonate, particularly in subsoils. Carbon accumulation in the lake sediment increased between 1950 and 2000, after which it declined, and the authors explore how human activity and climate change may have caused the changes in carbon burial in the lake sediment. This book is of interest to researchers in a number of fields such as soil science, limnology and global change, as well as to the policy-makers.

This book, discusses the latest research on the intelligent control of two important components in smart grids, namely microgrids (MGs) and electric vehicles (EVs). It focuses on developing theoretical frameworks and proposing corresponding algorithms, to optimally schedule virtualized elements under different uncertainties so that the total cost of operating the microgrid or the EV charging system can be minimized and the systems maintain stabilized. With random factors in the problem formulation and corresponding designed algorithms, it provides insights into how to handle uncertainties and develop rational strategies in the operation of smart grid systems. Written by leading experts, it is a valuable resource for researchers, scientists and engineers in the field of intelligent management of future power grids.

After the discovery of milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor-factor 8 (MFG-E8) about two decades ago, a new era of delineating its potential beneficial role in several inflammatory diseases has begun to spout from the bench to translational research. In MFG-E8 and Inflammation, the editor and contributors have gathered a remarkable collection covering novel discoveries on the rapidly growing field of MFG-E8 and Inflammation which includes not only the findings from their individual lobotomies, but also from a host of pioneering researchers of this field. MFG-E8 and Inflammation starts by describing the origin, structure, expression, functions and regulation of MFG-E8, and then continues thoughtfully exploring its potentiality as a marker for apoptotic, stressed and activated cells. The topics cover the cellular and physiological function of MFG-E8, especially its role in efficient phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, intestinal barrier function, blood cell homeostasis and coagulation, and in the maintenance of the intact vascular system. The role of MFG-E8 in macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes, dendritic cells, platelets, as well as non-hematopoietic cells is adequately described in the book. The chapters also contain several lucid discussions on the recent discoveries of the roles of MFG-E8 in the autoimmune diseases, sepsis, tissue ischemia-reperfusion, hemorrhage, inflammatory bowel diseases, acute lung injury, asthma, lung fibrosis, stroke, prion diseases and Alzheimer's diseases with the potential focus on elucidating novel mechanistic pathways. MFG-E8 and Inflammation is an indispensable resource for scientists and clinical researchers working on fundamental or applied aspects of MFG-E8 pathobiology. This book explores, dissects and reviews several noteworthy findings and striking future perspectives which not only rewrite the disease pathophysiology, but also update our understanding towards attaining novel therapeutic potentials against various inflammatory diseases.

Nanoscale science and engineering, which deal with size-dependent properties and phenomenon at nanometer scale, are unveiling new mechanisms that scientists must rely on heavily at the present time to achieve efficient and sustainable chemical processing technologies. In Nanoscale Biocatalysis: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field contribute detailed methodologies and procedures that have been developed from recent research in this burgeoning area of nanoscale technology-enabled biocatalysis. The volume opens with concepts in preparing unique and dynamic protein structures for biocatalysis, then moves on to cover methods for preparation of enzyme assembles or complexes that maintain molecular-like Brownian mobility, the development of protein-nanostructure complexes using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanoparticles, as well as methodologies that have great potential for scale-up preparation of nano-structured biocatalysts. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include brief introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and vital tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Nanoscale Biocatalysis: Methods and Protocols is an ideal guide to the new wave of development in nearly all the major areas of science and engineering brought about by this fascinating and greatly promising area of study.

This book discusses the field of bioinspired smell and taste sensors which includes many new areas: sensitive materials, physiological modelling and simulation, and more. Similar to biological chemical sensing systems, bioinspired smell and taste sensors are characterized with fast responsive, high specificity and sensitivity. One of the most important parts of the field is that of sensitive elements originated from biological components, which enable the detection of chemical signals by mimicking the biological mechanisms. This book detailed describes processing, devices, recognition principles of sensitive materials, and concrete realizations. It is written for researchers, engineers and biologists who engages in interdisciplinary research and applications. Dr. Ping Wang is a professor at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. Dr. Qingjun Liu is a professor at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. Dr. Chunsheng Wu is an associated professor at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. Dr. K. Jimmy Hsia is a professor at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, USA.

After the discovery of milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor-factor 8 (MFG-E8) about two decades ago, a new era of delineating its potential beneficial role in several inflammatory diseases has begun to spout from the bench to translational research. In MFG-E8 and Inflammation, the editor and contributors have gathered a remarkable collection covering novel discoveries on the rapidly growing field of MFG-E8 and Inflammation which includes not only the findings from their individual lobotomies, but also from a host of pioneering researchers of this field. MFG-E8 and Inflammation starts by describing the origin, structure, expression, functions and regulation of MFG-E8, and then continues thoughtfully exploring its potentiality as a marker for apoptotic, stressed and activated cells. The topics cover the cellular and physiological function of MFG-E8, especially its role in efficient phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, intestinal barrier function, blood cell homeostasis and coagulation, and in the maintenance of the intact vascular system. The role of MFG-E8 in macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes, dendritic cells, platelets, as well as non-hematopoietic cells is adequately described in the book. The chapters also contain several lucid discussions on the recent discoveries of the roles of MFG-E8 in the autoimmune diseases, sepsis, tissue ischemia-reperfusion, hemorrhage, inflammatory bowel diseases, acute lung injury, asthma, lung fibrosis, stroke, prion diseases and Alzheimer's diseases with the potential focus on elucidating novel mechanistic pathways. MFG-E8 and Inflammation is an indispensable resource for scientists and clinical researchers working on fundamental or applied aspects of MFG-E8 pathobiology. This book explores, dissects and reviews several noteworthy findings and striking future perspectives which not only rewrite the disease pathophysiology, but also update our understanding towards attaining novel therapeutic potentials against various inflammatory diseases.

This brief investigates distributed medium access control (MAC) with QoS provisioning for both single- and multi-hop wireless networks including wireless local area networks (WLANs), wireless ad hoc networks, and wireless mesh networks. For WLANs, an efficient MAC scheme and a call admission control algorithm are presented to provide guaranteed QoS for voice traffic and, at the same time, increase the voice capacity significantly compared with the current WLAN standard. In addition, a novel token-based scheduling scheme is proposed to provide great flexibility and facility to the network service provider for service class management. Also proposed is a novel busy-tone based distributed MAC scheme for wireless ad hoc networks and a collision-free MAC scheme for wireless mesh networks, respectively, taking the different network characteristics into consideration. The proposed schemes enhance the QoS provisioning capability to real-time traffic and, at the same time, significantly improve the system throughput and fairness performance for data traffic, as compared with the most popular IEEE 802.11 MAC scheme.

Nanoscale science and engineering, which deal with size-dependent properties and phenomenon at nanometer scale, are unveiling new mechanisms that scientists must rely on heavily at the present time to achieve efficient and sustainable chemical processing technologies. In Nanoscale Biocatalysis: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field contribute detailed methodologies and procedures that have been developed from recent research in this burgeoning area of nanoscale technology-enabled biocatalysis. The volume opens with concepts in preparing unique and dynamic protein structures for biocatalysis, then moves on to cover methods for preparation of enzyme assembles or complexes that maintain molecular-like Brownian mobility, the development of protein-nanostructure complexes using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanoparticles, as well as methodologies that have great potential for scale-up preparation of nano-structured biocatalysts. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include brief introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and vital tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Nanoscale Biocatalysis: Methods and Protocols is an ideal guide to the new wave of development in nearly all the major areas of science and engineering brought about by this fascinating and greatly promising area of study.

The 14th International Nitrogen Fixation Congress was held in Beijing, China from October 27th through November 1st, 2004. This volume constitutes the proceedings of the Congress and represents a compilation of the presentations by scientists from more than 30 countries around the World who came to Beijing to discuss the progress made since the last Congress and to exchange ideas and information. This year marked the 30th anniversary of the first Congress held in Pullman, Washington, USA, in 1974. Since then, this series of Congresses has met five times in North America (three in the United States and once each in Canada and Mexico), once in South America (Brazil), four times in Western Europe (once each in Spain, The Netherlands, Germany and France), once in Eastern Europe (Russia), and once in Australia; and now for the first time in Asia. China was a most appropriate choice because China is a big country with the largest population in the World, about 1. 3 billion people, which is about 22% of the World's population. It is traditionally an agricultural country, even though China has only 7% of the available farming land. This situation explains why agriculture and its productivity are major issues for the Chinese people, its government and the scientists in the field.

The 14th International Nitrogen Fixation Congress was held in Beijing, China from October 27th through November 1st, 2004. This volume constitutes the proceedings of the Congress and represents a compilation of the presentations by scientists from more than 30 countries around the World who came to Beijing to discuss the progress made since the last Congress and to exchange ideas and information. This year marked the 30th anniversary of the first Congress held in Pullman, Washington, USA, in 1974. Since then, this series of Congresses has met five times in North America (three in the United States and once each in Canada and Mexico), once in South America (Brazil), four times in Western Europe (once each in Spain, The Netherlands, Germany and France), once in Eastern Europe (Russia), and once in Australia; and now for the first time in Asia. China was a most appropriate choice because China is a big country with the largest population in the World, about 1. 3 billion people, which is about 22% of the World's population. It is traditionally an agricultural country, even though China has only 7% of the available farming land. This situation explains why agriculture and its productivity are major issues for the Chinese people, its government and the scientists in the field.

This volumes details methods focusing on technological innovation and recent advances in diabetes management. Chapters will guide readers through recent advances, beta-cell regeneration, non-invasive imaging of endogenous, transplanted islets theranostics, microRNA profiling of beta-cells and artificial intelligence, and deep learning algorithms in diabetes. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Type-1 Diabetes: Methods and Protocols is for a broad audience including basic researches, clinicians, and physician scientists whose major focus is in diabetes.

This book establishes game-theoretical frameworks based on the mechanism design theory and proposes strategy-proof algorithms, to optimally allocate and price the related IoT services, so that the social welfare of IoT ecosystem or the service provider's revenue can be maximized and the IoT service provision can be sustainable. This book is written by experts based on the recent research results on the interaction between the service providers and users in the IoT system. Since the IoT networks are essentially supported by data, communication, and computing resources, the book focuses on three representative IoT services, including the data analytics services, the cloud/fog computing services for blockchain networks, and the wireless powered data crowdsourcing services. Researchers, scientists, and engineers in the field of resource allocation and service management for future IoT ecosystem can benefit from the book. As such, this book provides valuable insights and practical methods, especially the novel deep learning-based mechanism that can be considered in the emerging IoT technology.

The book presents a machine-generated literature review on CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) from 114 selected papers published by Springer Nature in the last few years, which are then organized by the book editors with a human-written introduction to each chapter. Each chapter presents summaries of predefined themes and provides the reader with a basis for further exploration of the topic. As one of the experimental projects initiated by Springer Nature for AI book content generation, this book shows the latest developments in the CRISPR field. It will be a useful reference for graduate students who are interested in CRISPR-related research and early-career researchers who need an overview of the current development of the field.

This book establishes game-theoretical frameworks based on the mechanism design theory and proposes strategy-proof algorithms, to optimally allocate and price the related IoT services, so that the social welfare of IoT ecosystem or the service provider's revenue can be maximized and the IoT service provision can be sustainable. This book is written by experts based on the recent research results on the interaction between the service providers and users in the IoT system. Since the IoT networks are essentially supported by data, communication, and computing resources, the book focuses on three representative IoT services, including the data analytics services, the cloud/fog computing services for blockchain networks, and the wireless powered data crowdsourcing services. Researchers, scientists, and engineers in the field of resource allocation and service management for future IoT ecosystem can benefit from the book. As such, this book provides valuable insights and practical methods, especially the novel deep learning-based mechanism that can be considered in the emerging IoT technology.

Microgrid Protection and Control is the result of numerous research works and publications by R&D engineers and scientists of the Microgrid and Energy Internet Research Centre. Through the authors long-routed experience in the microgrid and energy internet industry, this book looks at the sophisticated protection and control issues connected to the special nature of microgrid. The book explains the different ways of classifying types of microgrids and common misconceptions, looking at industrial and research trends along with the different technical issues and challenges faced with deploying microgrid in various settings. Forecasting short-term demand and renewable generation for optimal operation is covered with techniques for accurate enhancement supported with practical application examples. With chapters on dynamic, transient and tertiary control and experimental and simulation tests this reference is useful for all those working in the research, engineering and application of microgrids and power distribution systems.

High-speed turnouts, a key technology for high-speed railways, have a great influence on the safe and stable running of high-speed trains. Design of High-Speed Railway Turnouts: Theory and Applications, comprehensively introduces the technical characteristics and requirements of high-speed turnouts, including design theories and methods of turnout layout geometry, wheel and rail relations, track stiffness, welded turnout, turnout conversion, turnout components, and manufacture and laying technologies of turnouts. Analyzing the operational problems of China's high-speed turnout in particular, this book discusses the control of structure irregularity, state irregularity, geometrical irregularity and dynamic irregularity during the design, manufacture, laying, and maintenance of turnouts. At the end of this reference book, the author provides high-speed turnouts management methods, maintenance standards, testing and monitoring technology, and maintenance technology. Design of High-Speed Railway Turnouts: Theory and Applications will enable railway technicians all over the world to develop an in-depth knowledge of the design, manufacture, laying, and maintenance technology of high-speed turnouts.

This open access book explores new research directions in social inequality and urban segregation. With the goal of fostering an ongoing dialogue between scholars in Europe and China, it brings together an impressive team of international researchers to shed light on the entwined processes of inequality and segregation, and the implications for urban development. Through a rich collection of empirical studies at the city, regional and national levels, the book explores the impact of migration on cities, the related problems of social and spatial segregation, and the ramifications for policy reform. While the literature on both segregation and inequality has traditionally been dominated by European and North American studies, there is growing interest in these issues in the Chinese context. Economic liberalization, rapid industrial restructuring, the enormous growth of cities, and internal migration, have all reshaped the country profoundly. What have we learned from the European and North American experience of segregation and inequality, and what insights can be gleaned to inform the bourgeoning interest in these issues in the Chinese context? How is China different, both in terms of the nature and the consequences of segregation inequality, and what are the implications for future research and policy? Given the continued rise of China's significance in the world, and its recent declaration of war on poverty, this book offers a timely contribution to scholarship, identifying the core insights to be learned from existing research, and providing important guidance on future directions for policy makers and researchers.