This book discusses distinctive features of the professional learning community concept, practices and processes across six different education systems in the Asia-Pacific region, namely Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, and the United States. It provides a platform for an exchange of different perspectives and offers alternative possibilities of theorizing professional learning communities across different socio-cultural contexts. Contributors provide valuable insights for policy makers, education researchers and educators in the Asia-Pacific region and elsewhere to deal with critical questions about the improvement of teaching and learning and school improvement in a globalizing world. This book was originally published as a special issue of the Asia Pacific Journal of Education.

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Anyone studying the geology and tectonics of China and who is not able to read Chinese will need to have a copy of this book: Ceotectonic Evolution of China and a companion copy of the Tectonic Map of China, scale 1:4000,000. Professor Huang Jiqing and his collaborators from the Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences have provided the English-speaking earth scientists with an extremely valuable tool that can be used towards understanding the geo b;;y of China. The introductory chapter is necessary to read prior to effective use of the material discussed in other chapters as it clearly presents the philosophy of this school of tectonics. The collaborators of the book acknowledge the important changes have been brough about by the plate tectonics theory but do not fully incorporate these ideas into their discussion. The book and map are testimony to the tremendous amount of geologic work accomplished by Chinese geologists in the past fourty years. As our Chinese collea gues begin to publish more English summaries such as this, it will become apparent to the rest of the world the vast amount of geologic mapping along with supportive stratigraphy and geophysics that has already been accomplished. Nearly all major non Chinese tracts on tectonic synthesis of the world treat China in only a cursory fashio)1 because so little is known of the area. With this text and map, future world tectonic synthesis can no longer afford to leave China out of the picture."

This book discusses distinctive features of the professional learning community concept, practices and processes across six different education systems in the Asia-Pacific region, namely Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, and the United States. It provides a platform for an exchange of different perspectives and offers alternative possibilities of theorizing professional learning communities across different socio-cultural contexts. Contributors provide valuable insights for policy makers, education researchers and educators in the Asia-Pacific region and elsewhere to deal with critical questions about the improvement of teaching and learning and school improvement in a globalizing world. This book was originally published as a special issue of the Asia Pacific Journal of Education.

An Introduction to the Machine Learning Empowered Intelligent Data Center Networking Fundamentals of Machine Learning in Data Center Networks. This book reviews the common learning paradigms that are widely used in data centernetworks, and offers an introduction to data collection and data processing in data centers. Additionally, it proposes a multi-dimensional and multi-perspective solution quality assessment system called REBEL-3S. The book offers readers a solid foundation for conducting research in the field of AI-assisted data center networks. Comprehensive Survey of AI-assisted Intelligent Data Center Networks. This book comprehensively investigates the peer-reviewed literature published in recent years. The wide range of machine learning techniques is fully reflected to allow fair comparisons. In addition, the book provides in-depth analysis and enlightening discussions on the effectiveness of AI in DCNs from various perspectives, covering flow prediction, flow classification, load balancing, resource management, energy management, routing optimization, congestion control, fault management, and network security.Provides a Broad Overview with Key Insights. This book introduces several novel intelligent networking concepts pioneered by real-world industries, such as Knowledge Defined Networks, Self-Driving Networks, Intent-driven Networks and Intent-based Networks. Moreover, it shares unique insights into the technological evolution of the fusion of artificial intelligence and data center networks, together with selected challenges and future research opportunities.

Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) Technologies discusses this innovative power generation technology that combines modern coal gasification technology with both gas turbine and steam turbine power generation, an important emerging technology which has the potential to significantly improve the efficiencies and emissions of coal power plants. The advantages of this technology over conventional pulverized coal power plants include fuel flexibility, greater efficiencies, and very low pollutant emissions. The book reviews the current status and future developments of key technologies involved in IGCC plants and how they can be integrated to maximize efficiency and reduce the cost of electricity generation in a carbon-constrained world. The first part of this book introduces the principles of IGCC systems and the fuel types for use in IGCC systems. The second part covers syngas production within IGCC systems. The third part looks at syngas cleaning, the separation of CO2 and hydrogen enrichment, with final sections describing the gas turbine combined cycle and presenting several case studies of existing IGCC plants.

This book presents the first study on the radiative relaxation mechanism of water between its different phases in order to explain an uncommon radiation phenomenon observed in the first-order phase-transition process of water. This kind of radiation is often referred to as phase-transition radiation, whose nature is different from the Planckian radiation because its strength can be even stronger than blackbody radiation at the same temperature. Changes of energetic behaviors of water molecules during phase transitions are linked to the direct emission of infrared radiation. The reported characteristic radiation for vapor condensation at wavelength 4-8 micron-meter is attributed to the radiative relaxation with one hydrogen-bond formation in liquid-water during vapor condensation. Results from infrared transmission experiments and the associated theoretical predictions by the Monte Carlo radiative transfer analysis suggest that the probability for condensation radiation occurrence, based on a statistical view for a great ensemble of molecules, is one out of 20 million collisions between water-vapor molecules and liquid-water droplets.

With the increasing stringency on sulfur content in petrodiesel, there is a growing tendency of broader usage of ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) with sulfur limit of 15 ppm. Refineries should develop cost- effective and sustainable strategies to meet the requirement. In addition to the conventional approach of revamping existing hydrotreating facilities, blending petrodiesel with biodiesel is a potentially attractive option. In this work, petrodiesel and biodiesel production processes were simulated. Next, process integration techniques were employed to optimize the processes, including both mass and heat integration. Cost estimation was carried out and optimization was performed for three blending options. In addition to the economic comparison, life-cycle greenhouse gas emission and safety issues were also investigated. This work should help shed some light on development of alternative sustainable resources and especially on the option of blending biodiesel. It should be useful to professionals in energy industry, and anyone else who are interested in process economics, environmental and safety aspects of petrodiesel and biodiesel production.

This book presents an interpretative study of an Australian leadership development program conducted in China. The study explored the conceptions of learning and leadership brought by a group of Chinese educational leaders to the course and investigated the perceived influence of the course upon their conceptions. It was a pre- and post- comparison case study inspired by the phenomenographic approach, that employed semi- structured and in-depth interviews of twenty participants over a 12-month period. This study employed a culturally sensitive approach which recognises that a complex interaction between Chinese and Western cultures is occurring in the participants. Comparison of their conceptions prior to and after the course indicated an expanded range of, and more complex conceptions. This study makes a contribution to understanding Chinese educational leaders' conceptions of learning and leadership in an international education context. Educationalists, educational leadership researchers and policy makers who read this will have a better understanding of Chinese educators' responses to the new demands of internationalisation.

Why is Hollywood so successful? Overwhelming almost every other national cinema and virtually extinguishing foreign cinema in the multicultural United States, Hollywood seems powerful around the globe. This book draws from political economy, cultural studies, and cultural policy analysis to highlight the material factors underlining this apparent artistic success.
This new edition brings the arguments completely up-to-date by taking into consideration important developments such as 9/11, shifts in the exchange rate, transformations in U.S. foreign policy, and significant developments in trade agreements, consumer technology, and ownership regimes. Each chapter has been substantially revised, and major new sections on India and China have been added.

Why is Hollywood so successful? Overwhelming almost every other national cinema and virtually extinguishing foreign cinema in the multicultural United States, Hollywood seems powerful around the globe. This book draws from political economy, cultural studies, and cultural policy analysis to highlight the material factors underlining this apparent artistic success.
This new edition brings the arguments completely up-to-date by taking into consideration important developments such as 9/11, shifts in the exchange rate, transformations in U.S. foreign policy, and significant developments in trade agreements, consumer technology, and ownership regimes. Each chapter has been substantially revised, and major new sections on India and China have been added.