Principles of Computer Systems and Network Management

Thermal systems are essential features in power, chemical processing, air conditioning, and other industries where heat and power are used. As the cost and complexity of designing thermal systems have increased, the need to understand and improve the design process has also grown. This book describes recent progress in the design of thermal systems. The book begins with a brief history and outline of developments in thermal system design. Chapters then discuss computer design tools for the power and chemical industries, predicting physical properties with computational tools, the use of 'pinch analysis' to improve thermal efficiency, applications of the exergy concept, the emerging concept of thermoeconomics, and the potential for artificial intelligence and expert systems in the design of thermal systems. With chapters written by internationally recognised authorities, the book offers a state-of-the-art review for both researchers and practitioners in mechanical, aerospace, chemical,

Examines the use of newly developed analytical tools such as fuzzy logic, neural networks, simulation, and Bayesian techniques for studying uncertainty analysis in engineering, control systems, and th

This 1997 book examines recent changes in the design of intelligent machines. New computer models of vision and navigation in animals suggest a different way to build machines. Cognition is viewed not just in terms of high-level 'expertise,' but in the ability to find one's way around the world, to learn new ways of seeing things, and to coordinate activity. This approach is called situated cognition. Situated Cognition differs from other purely philosophical treatises in that Clancey, an insider who has built expert systems for twenty years, explores the limitations of existing computer programs and compares them to human memory and learning capabilities. Clancey examines the implications of 'situated action' from the perspective of artificial intelligence specialists interested in building robots.

This 1997 book examines recent changes in the design of intelligent machines. New computer models of vision and navigation in animals suggest a different way to build machines. Cognition is viewed not just in terms of high-level 'expertise,' but in the ability to find one's way around the world, to learn new ways of seeing things, and to coordinate activity. This approach is called situated cognition. Situated Cognition differs from other purely philosophical treatises in that Clancey, an insider who has built expert systems for twenty years, explores the limitations of existing computer programs and compares them to human memory and learning capabilities. Clancey examines the implications of 'situated action' from the perspective of artificial intelligence specialists interested in building robots.

Introduces the complex systems of a broad, cross-regional range of humid to semi-arid tropical climate zones and offers an integration of biophysical and human management issues. Eleven chapters provi

Shows how ergonomics can be integrated into traditional engineering and management to make lifting easier and safer by designing or modifying systems. Discusses such issues as the prudent use of human

Information is a central topic in computer science, cognitive science and philosophy. In spite of its importance in the 'information age', there is no consensus on what information is, what makes it possible, and what it means for one medium to carry information about another. Drawing on ideas from mathematics, computer science and philosophy, this book addresses the definition and place of information in society. The authors, observing that information flow is possible only within a connected distribution system, provide a mathematically rigorous, philosophically sound foundation for a science of information. They illustrate their theory by applying it to a wide range of phenomena, from file transfer to DNA, from quantum mechanics to speech act theory.

Wild Mammals in Captivity, the first handbook of its kind, focuses on new approaches to the management of wild animals in captivity. In one comprehensive volume, the editors have gathered the most cu

Rapid developments in information technology have many implications for the organisation and management of transport and logistics. Information technology has transcended the borders of the individual

In Art and Representation, John Willats presents a radically new theory of pictures. To do this, he has developed a precise vocabulary for describing the representational systems in pictures: the w

The thesis of this original and provocative book is that representative government should be understood as a combination of democratic and undemocratic, aristocratic elements. Professor Manin challenges the conventional view that representative democracy is no more than an indirect form of government by the people, in which citizens elect representatives only because they cannot assemble and govern in person. The argument is developed by examining the historical moments when the present institutional arrangements were chosen from among the then available alternatives. Professor Manin reminds us that while today representative institutions and democracy appear as virtually indistinguishable, when representative government was first established in Europe and America, it was designed in opposition to democracy proper. Drawing on the procedures used in earlier republican systems, from classical Athens to Renaissance Florence, in order to highlight the alternatives that were forsaken, Mani

The thesis of this original and provocative book is that representative government should be understood as a combination of democratic and undemocratic, aristocratic elements. Professor Manin challenges the conventional view that representative democracy is no more than an indirect form of government by the people, in which citizens elect representatives only because they cannot assemble and govern in person. The argument is developed by examining the historical moments when the present institutional arrangements were chosen from among the then available alternatives. Professor Manin reminds us that while today representative institutions and democracy appear as virtually indistinguishable, when representative government was first established in Europe and America, it was designed in opposition to democracy proper. Drawing on the procedures used in earlier republican systems, from classical Athens to Renaissance Florence, in order to highlight the alternatives that were forsaken, Mani

Based on the author's widely used earlier text African Farm Management, this account updates the economic analysis of tropical agriculture and includes examples from all parts of the developing world. Writing in a clear, concise style, Professor Upton explains the essential theories of farm economics without numerous mathematical formulae. This account is completely revised, with increased emphasis on 'farm household economics', in which farms are seen as consumers as well as producers. Containing a new chapter on the economics of irrigated agriculture. This book provides an invaluable economic framework for better understanding the management of farming systems in the tropics, and will be welcomed by students of tropical agriculture worldwide.

Based on the author's widely used earlier text African Farm Management, this account updates the economic analysis of tropical agriculture and includes examples from all parts of the developing world. Writing in a clear, concise style, Professor Upton explains the essential theories of farm economics without numerous mathematical formulae. This account is completely revised, with increased emphasis on 'farm household economics', in which farms are seen as consumers as well as producers. Containing a new chapter on the economics of irrigated agriculture. This book provides an invaluable economic framework for better understanding the management of farming systems in the tropics, and will be welcomed by students of tropical agriculture worldwide.

Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection fails to explain the forms of organisms because it focuses on inheritance and survival, not on how organisms are generated. The first part of this 2007 book (by Gerry Webster) looks critically of the conceptual structure of Darwinism and describes the limitation of the theory of evolution as a comprehensive biological theory, arguing that a theory of biological form is needed to understand the structure of organisms and their transformations as revealed in taxonomy. The second part of the book (by Brian Goodwin) explores such a theory in terms of organisms as developing and transforming dynamic systems, within which gene action is to be understood. A number of specific examples, including tetrapod limb formation and Drosophila development, are used to illustrate how these hierarchically-organized dynamic fields undergo robust symmetry-breaking cascades to produce generic forms.

Fish culture in hatcheries and other aquacultural facilities is becoming much more intensive all over the world. The success of all kinds of fish rearing depends on the quality of management and th

When the original edition was published in 1989, it was the first book for decades to be devoted to planning and design of distribution systems. It has now been fully revised, particularly in the ligh

This primer highlights both the strengths and the limitations of benefit-cost analysis in the development, design, and implementation of regulatory reform.

Examines the original principles of autopoiesis, a concept from biology and neurophysiology, and discusses their application to disciplines such as philosophy, social theory, mathematics, law, family

Intended for network managers who use SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). Integrates an understanding of both the underlying concepts and the management infrastructure so that managers can be p

This work presents traditional methods and current techniques of incorporating the computer into closed-loop dynamic systems control, combining conventional transfer function design and state variable

Sound Check is a simplified guide to what can be a tricky subject: getting good sound. Starting with an easy-to-understand explanation of the principles and physics of sound, Sound Check goes on to c

Computers are developing into a powerful medium integrating film, pictures, text and sound, and the use of computers for communication and information is rapidly expanding. The Computer as Medium brings insights from art, literature and theatre to bear on computers and discusses the communicative and organizational nature of computer networks within a historical perspective. The book consists of three parts. The first part characterizes the semiotic nature of computers and discusses semiotic approaches to programming and interface design. The second part discusses narrative and aesthetic issues of interactive fiction, information systems and hypertext. The final part contains papers on the cultural, organizational and historical impact of computers.The broad and rich coverage of this book will appeal to scholars in cognitive science, computer science, linguistics, semiotics, media studies and mass communications, cultural studies and education.

Featuring short case study applications, this new edition explores the principles, practices, functions, and challenges of manufacturing management. It incorporates the latest developments in technolo

This 1992 book surveys the field of ultrafast fiber switching devices and systems that have potential processing speeds in excess of 50 gigabits-per-second. The treatment covers basic physical principles, device physics and systems applications. The purpose of the book is to provide a complete tour of the key research issues and approaches in ultrafast switching. Topics covered include routing and logic devices, solitons in optical fibers, and the application of ultrafast gates to telecommunications transmission systems, local area networks and optical computing. The author is a member of the Technical Staff in basic research at AT&T Bell Laboratories, Holmdel, and is excellently positioned to provide this state-of-the-art survey in this exciting and advancing field. The book will be of great value to all researchers and graduate students working in the areas of high-speed electronics, optical data processing, nonlinear guided-wave optics, and photonic switching.

Addresses some fundamental considerations associated with the engineering of large scale systems. The first part deals with systems methodology, design and management including a detailed examination

The theories of bifurcation, chaos and fractals as well as equilibrium, stability and nonlinear oscillations, are part of the theory of the evolution of solutions of nonlinear equations. A wide range of mathematical tools and ideas are drawn together in the study of these solutions, and the results applied to diverse and countless problems in the natural and social sciences, even philosophy. The text evolves from courses given by the author in the UK and the United States. It introduces the mathematical properties of nonlinear systems, mostly difference and differential equations, as an integrated theory, rather than presenting isolated fashionable topics. Topics are discussed in as concrete a way as possible and worked examples and problems are used to explain, motivate and illustrate the general principles. The essence of these principles, rather than proof or rigour, is emphasized. More advanced parts of the text are denoted by asterisks, and the mathematical prerequisites are limit

Cox covers all aspects of the management of archival programs, including appraisal and acquisition, preservation and security, arrangement, description, and reference, fund-raising, grantsmanship, an

This valuable new book offers practical guidance regarding the design and operation of systems for reducing effluent nitrogen and phosphorus. The principles of nitrogen and phosphorus removal are disc

This volume, first published in 1991, provides a useful and informative introduction to basic pharmacological principles and practice in the context of tropical medicine and diseases. The author discusses the cultural and environmental factors that affect the use of drugs in the tropics. The book highlights the potential inconsistencies and incompatibilities arising from the use of traditional and orthodox medicine, which can account for the extensive misuse of modern drugs among populations where the two systems are practised. Whilst emphasis is primarily given to the treatment of a wide range of tropical diseases, such as malaria, bilharzia and sickle-cell disease, the underlying principles are also fully explained to provide a conceptual framework for the academic exploration of cultural, genetic, environmental and nutritional factors affecting drug use in the tropics. The author also gives a concise treatment of systematic pharmacology. This makes the volume a useful text for stude

'The Encyclopedia of Pharmaceutical Technology presents up-to-date and interdisciplinary contributions by leading international authorities in all areas of drugs and drug delivery systems. Major compo

This book is a digital electronics text focused on 'how to' design, build, operate and adapt data acquisition systems. The book is intended to serve people whose goals include teaching or learning one or more of the following: digital electronics, circuit design for computer expansion slots, software which interacts with outside hardware, the process of computer based data acquisition, and the design, adaptation, construction and testing of measurement systems. The fundamental idea of the book is that parallel I/O ports (available for all popular computers) offer a superior balance of simplicity, low cost, speed, flexibility and adaptability.

This practical handbook explains eight constitutional principles and applies them to real-world planning situations. These statements of principles reflect consensus opinions, but the book also discus

This textbook addresses the main economic principles required by agricultural economists involved in rural development. The principles of 'micro-economics' or 'price-theory' are of relevance to economists everywhere, but this book reinforces the message of their relevance for rural development by explaining the theory in the specific context of the agricultural and food sectors of developing countries. Hypothetical and actual empirical illustrations drawn almost exclusively from such countries distinguish this book from other economic principles texts that draw their examples almost invariably from industrialised countries, and also from books more oriented to the issue of rural development. The first half of the book deals with the underlying principles of production, supply and demand. These are essential tools for the study and management of the agricultural sector and food markets. In the second half, supply and demand are bought together into a chapter of equilibrium and exchange.

What is the mind? How does it work? How does it influence behavior? Some psychologists hope to answer such questions in terms of concepts drawn from computer science and artificial intelligence. They test their theories by modeling mental processes in computers. This book shows how computer models are used to study many psychological phenomena - including vision, language, reasoning, and learning. It also shows that computer modeling involves differing theoretical approaches. Computational psychologists disagree about some basic questions. For instance, should the mind be modeled by digital computers, or by parallel-processing systems more like brains? Do computer programs consist of meaningless patterns, or do they embody (and explain) genuine meaning?

Computer simulation of systems has become an important tool in scientific research and engineering design, including the simulation of systems through the motion of their constituent particles. Import

Totally revised, this 2nd Edition includes a new chapter on decision analysis, and additional material on computer solutions of linear programming problems, LP applications, the use of sensitivity ana

Farmers all over the world have to decide what to produce and how to go about it. In the tropics, small farmers have to work with a limited resource-base which usually does not lead itself to highly productive systems of consistent crop and animal production. Yet those people who live in developing tropical countries should be concerned that their farmers do produce more from the limited resources with which they have to work. The principles of farm management economics and the applications of the tools and techniques of farm management analysis and planning can help small farmers in tropics to produce 'a bit more' from their lot. For the benefit of teachers and students of agriculture, farm extension advisors and agricultural planners and managers, this book sets out the principles and practices of farm management economics on small holdings in the tropics in a clear, simple, useful and usable way.

An up-to-date text designed for undergraduate courses in control systems engineering and principles of automatic controls. Focuses on design and implementation rather than just the mathematics of cont

This well-written and lively account of the principles of how motivational systems operate includes discussions of both theories and empirical results from individual systems. It reviews current experimental evidence on hunger, thirst, sex and other areas and argues that common factors must be emphasised as much as differences between the systems. The book summarises the theoretical principles that emerge: it shows where motivation theory and learning theory should come together, rather than diverge. Models with general predictive power are elaborated and related to the goal directed aspect of motivation. The book deals with motivation at all levels from the physiological to that of mathematical modelling and explains complex ideas lucidly. It complements other books in the Problems in the Behavioural Sciences Series including Hunger (le Magnen), Thirst (Rolls & Rolls) and Contemporary Animal Learning Theory (Dickson).