When Chris Wadsworth, and husband Michael, upped sticks in the South and moved north to the Lake District she had no inkling she was about to begin a new life as the owner of an art gallery. The small town of Cockermouth was hardly at the cutting edge of contemporary art – as the well-meaning locals were at pains to point out. ‘You’ve got to have views,’ they told her. ‘That’s what people here want!’ Chris had other ideas. And they didn’t include views. Instead she set out to find artists – famous, infamous, lost and unknown – whose work would eventually make her gallery in little-known Cockermouth not just a local but an international success. But artists are a funny bunch, and art springs from the most unexpected sources. Like Karen, the farmer’s wife, whose Turneresque canvasses were painted with whatever came to hand – hessian, skirting boards – but ‘mainly in Dulux’. Or the reclusive, transvestite Percy Kelly, whose refusal to exploit his art for personal gain, and troubled relationship with his estranged family, might have seen his work lost for ever if not for some surprising twists of fate. In Hercules & the Farmer’s Wife Chris tells their stories, and recounts the many other unlikely incidents –from the exploding treacle pudding and the mystery of the Purple House, to knitting vicars flogging Mick Jagger carpets – that make up life in a Cumbrian art gallery. By turns funny, and others bittersweet, Chris Wadsworth offers a private view of the wonderful world she discovered when she made art her business. Chris Wadsworth is the gallerist of Castlegate House Gallery in Cockermouth. Her exhibitions have included artists such as L.S. Lowry, Sheila Fell, Bill Peascod, Percy Kelly, Winifred Nicholson and Mary Fedden.
A pulse-racing international thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of The Expats and The Accident It’s 3:00am. Do you know where your husband is? Meet Will Rhodes: travel writer, recently married, barely solvent, his idealism rapidly giving way to disillusionment and the worry that he’s living the wrong life. Then one night, on assignment for the award-winning Travelers magazine in the wine region of Argentina, a beautiful woman makes him an offer he can’t refuse. Soon Will’s bad choices—and dark secrets—take him across Europe, from a chateau in Bordeaux to a midnight raid on a Paris mansion, from a dive bar in Dublin to a mega-yacht in the Mediterranean and an isolated cabin perched on the rugged cliffs of Iceland. As he’s drawn further into a tangled web of international intrigue, it becomes clear that nothing about Will Rhodes was ever ordinary, that the network of deception ensnaring him is part of an immense and deadly conspiracy with terrifying global implications—and that the people closest to him may pose the greatest threat of all. It’s 3:00am. Your husband has just become a spy.
Our world is being revolutionized by data-driven methods: access to large amounts of data has generated new insights and opened exciting new opportunities in commerce, science, and computing applications. Processing the enormous quantities of data necessary for these advances requires large clusters, making distributed computing paradigms more crucial than ever. MapReduce is a programming model for expressing distributed computations on massive datasets and an execution framework for large-scale data processing on clusters of commodity servers. The programming model provides an easy-to-understand abstraction for designing scalable algorithms, while the execution framework transparently handles many system-level details, ranging from scheduling to synchronization to fault tolerance. This book focuses on MapReduce algorithm design, with an emphasis on text processing algorithms common in natural language processing, information retrieval, and machine learning. We introduce the notion of MapReduce design patterns, which represent general reusable solutions to commonly occurring problems across a variety of problem domains. This book not only intends to help the reader "think in MapReduce", but also discusses limitations of the programming model as well. Table of Contents: Introduction / MapReduce Basics / MapReduce Algorithm Design / Inverted Indexing for Text Retrieval / Graph Algorithms / EM Algorithms for Text Processing / Closing Remarks
Writing good songs is not easymany talented musicians dont know how to do it. No matter what the obstacle might be, constructing a solid song can be an arduous process that frequently causes many musicians to give up. If you are interested in writing songs, making money from them, and ultimately being happy with the music you produce, 10 Truths of Songwriting can help. Longtime musician Chris M. Will simplifies the songwriting process, offering ten truths backed by real-life experience and examples. With Wills methods, you can consistently create music and lyrics that people love and not only survive but also enjoy the creative process. In the age of the Internet and with the advent of digital home recording, its easier than ever to get your music recorded, released, and heard by record companies. You just have to be able to write the songs. Using real-life examples and based on decades of experience, this songwriting guide presents a methodology for creating songs that people will love.
Biopotential Readout Circuits for Portable Acquisition Systems describes one of the main building blocks of such miniaturized biomedical signal acquisition systems. The focus of this book is on the implementation of low-power and high-performance integrated circuit building blocks that can be used to extract biopotential signals from conventional biopotential electrodes. New instrumentation amplifier architectures are introduced and their design is described in detail. These amplifiers are used to implement complete acquisition demonstrator systems that are a stepping stone towards practical miniaturized and low-power systems.
Mathematical Statistics with Applications in R, Third Edition, offers a modern calculus-based theoretical introduction to mathematical statistics and applications. The book covers many modern statistical computational and simulation concepts that are not covered in other texts, such as the Jackknife, bootstrap methods, the EM algorithms, and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, such as the Metropolis algorithm, Metropolis-Hastings algorithm and the Gibbs sampler. By combining discussion on the theory of statistics with a wealth of real-world applications, the book helps students to approach statistical problem-solving in a logical manner. Step-by-step procedure to solve real problems make the topics very accessible. Presents step-by-step procedures to solve real problems, making each topic more accessible Provides updated application exercises in each chapter, blending theory and modern methods with the use of R Includes new chapters on Categorical Data Analysis and Extreme Value Theory with Applications Wide array coverage of ANOVA, Nonparametric, Bayesian and empirical methods
First published in 1983. This text is designed to enable intermediate and advanced students to attain familiarity with the theoretical concepts used in labour market analysis, and to apply them fruitfully to the economic problem of labour markets. Each chapter of Section I deals with a different theoretical development of the basic labour market model of utility maximising labour supply and the marginal productivity theory of labour demand. In addition, the authors discuss in depth uncharted territory including the analysis of uncertainty and discrimination in labour markets and advances in human capital theory, in each case covering the implications both for equity and the efficient allocation of resources. Each chapter of Section II analyses an important economic problem - for instance wage determination, unemployment and inflation - using the theoretical insights derived from Section I. The contributions of different theoretical developments are assessed by reference to the current state of empirical research into labour market problems. This book stresses the interaction between labour market mechanisms and also between market and non-market forces in the belief that this will lead to a greater understanding of the operation of the labour market than can be gained by viewing each theoretical development in isolation from the others.
In the summer of 2017, wildfires dominated the headlines in British Columbia. As a low pressure weather system continued to cause lightning strikes, starting new fires, strong winds fanned the existing ones. Over two hundred fires burned in the province and nearly ten thousand people in or around the towns of 100 Mile House, Ashcroft, Cache Creek, Princeton and Williams Lake received the instruction YOU MUST EVACUATE NOW. But not everyone left. Captured by Fire alternates between the dramatic first-person accounts of wilderness dweller Chris Czajkowski and homesteader Fred Reid, who both ignored the evacuation order and stayed to protect their properties, animals and livelihoods. Living in a remote area, they knew that their homes would be of low priority to officials when fire fighting resources were deployed. Over the course of the summer, as alerts fluctuated and even the firefighters pulled out, both had to decide: when is it time to go?
A Christy Award winner from the best-selling author of War Room! In the small town of Dogwood, West Virginia, Karin has buried her shattered dreams by settling for a faithful husband whose emotional distance from her deep passions and conflicts leaves her isolated. Loaded with guilt, she tries to raise three small children and “do life” the best she can. Will returns to Dogwood intent on pursuing the only woman he has ever loved—only to find there is far more standing in his way than lost years in prison. The secrets of Will and Karin’s past begin to emerge through Danny Boyd, a young boy who wishes he hadn’t survived the tragedy that knit those two together as well as tore them apart. The trigger that will lay their pain bare and force them to face it rather than flee is the unlikely figure of Ruthie Bowles, a withered, wiry old woman who leads Karin so deep into her anger against God that it forces unexpected consequences.
The requirement to maximise value for shareholders is at the core of any corporate investment or financing decision. The intrinsic value of proposed investments should be assessed before deciding how much capital to allocate; the benefits and risks associated with each available source of finance should be considered when capital is being raised; and capital, and any associated financial risks, should be managed in a way that continues to maximise value. At every stage, an analysis should be carried out to ensure the decision is optimal for shareholders and other capital providers.This book provides practical guidance on the application of financial evaluation techniques and methods (mainly covered in Appendices), as well as comprehensive coverage of traditional corporate finance topics, discussed in the context of capital investment, raising and management and financial risk management (using derivatives). Models, formulae and other quantitative techniques are illustrated in over 100 examples (using only basic mathematics). Topics discussed include the following:* business appraisal using financial ratios* corporate valuation (mainly discounted cash flow and real options)*investment appraisal techniques* acquisition structuring and evaluation* the nature of loans and loan agreements* features and pricing of bonds (straight and convertible)* leasing (including leveraged leasing)* equity raising (Initial Public Offerings)* long and short term capital management* basic pricing of derivatives (forwards, futures, options, swaps)* interest rate and currency risk management using derivativesCapital Investment & Financing provides a comprehensive, in-depth coverage of concepts, methods and techniques involved when evaluating acquisitions and other investments, assessing financing opportunities, and managing capital. The core chapters provide practical guidance on key corporate finance topics; the Appendices contain more quantitative material, focusing on pricing techniques. Examples are used throughout, and an integrated case study (fictional) in the final Appendix uses many of the techniques discussed. *Discusses all key areas of corporate investing and financing, focusing on key financial issues *Concise, thorough and technical, it enables to reader to acquire knowledge effectively *Can be used in everyday analysis and decision making
Built around the common core of physics A Level syllabuses this book, which is one of a series of eight titles, covers all the compulsory content with the aim of promoting independent learning for post-16 students.
Carpentry and Joinery 2 is the second in a series of three books, which together provide an authoritative and thoroughly practical guide to carpentry and joinery for students following City & Guilds and CITB courses, NVQ candidates, and students working towards an Institute of Carpenters qualification. This book is also ideal for a wide range of amateur and professional woodworkers. Volume 2 builds on the fundamental knowledge introduced in volume 1, by covering more advanced topics and procedures, including machine tools. Essential ‘back-up’ topics are presented throughout the text to revise the key aspects covered in volume 1. The reader is shown how to apply this basic theory to actual carpentry and joinery practice in a highly illustrated, easily accessible text. The third edition has been fully updated in line with changes to the Building Regulations and current legislation, the third edition also incorporates developments in current best practice, with a comprehensive match to the latest qualifications in Wood Occupations.
An updated guide to GNSS, and INS, and solutions to real-world GNSS/INS problems with Kalman filtering Written by recognized authorities in the field, this third edition of a landmark work provides engineers, computer scientists, and others with a working familiarity of the theory and contemporary applications of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Inertial Navigational Systems, and Kalman filters. Throughout, the focus is on solving real-world problems, with an emphasis on the effective use of state-of-the-art integration techniques for those systems, especially the application of Kalman filtering. To that end, the authors explore the various subtleties, common failures, and inherent limitations of the theory as it applies to real-world situations, and provide numerous detailed application examples and practice problems, including GNSS-aided INS (tightly and loosely coupled), modeling of gyros and accelerometers, and SBAS and GBAS. Drawing upon their many years of experience with GNSS, INS, and the Kalman filter, the authors present numerous design and implementation techniques not found in other professional references. The Third Edition includes: Updates on the upgrades in existing GNSS and other systems currently under development Expanded coverage of basic principles of antenna design and practical antenna design solutions Expanded coverage of basic principles of receiver design and an update of the foundations for code and carrier acquisition and tracking within a GNSS receiver Expanded coverage of inertial navigation, its history, its technology, and the mathematical models and methods used in its implementation Derivations of dynamic models for the propagation of inertial navigation errors, including the effects of drifting sensor compensation parameters Greatly expanded coverage of GNSS/INS integration, including derivation of a unified GNSS/INS integration model, its MATLAB® implementations, and performance evaluation under simulated dynamic conditions The companion website includes updated background material; additional MATLAB scripts for simulating GNSS-only and integrated GNSS/INS navigation; satellite position determination; calculation of ionosphere delays; and dilution of precision.
CompTIA Linux+ Certification Study Guide (2009 Exam) offers a practical guide for those interested in pursuing a Linux+ certification. It covers the required content as specified in CompTIAs exam objectives and has been shaped according to the respective exam experiences of the authors. Careful attention has been paid to ensure that each exam objective has been covered and that each term in the list at the end of the objectives has been included in a glossary at the end of the book. The book has been designed in such a way that readers will start with installing Linux and end up with a useable and secure Linux workstation and server that is supported and managed. Key topics discussed include booting Linux; how to use the BASH command-line interpreter (CLI) or BASH shell; and how to install applications to transform the Linux system into a productive tool. The remaining chapters cover the configuration of Linux as a workstation and as a server; security objectives; and the care and feeding of a Linux system. Each chapter ends with 15 exam questions along with a corresponding answer key. Covers everything from test taking techniques to advanced topics - keeping the beginner and intermediate IT professional in mind Layout of the guide parallels the 2009 Linux+ objectives for ease of study More than just a book, this kit includes a self test, tiered questions, and two practice exams
Chris Webster’s handy, informative guide outlines what it takes to become an archaeological technician, a field worker in cultural resource management (CRM) archaeology. Based on his popular blog feature, Shovelbums Guide, Webster offers young archaeologists useful advice about CRM work, including writing, cooking in hotel rooms, hand-mapping, surviving unemployment, life after archaeology, and more. It provides tools new CRM archaeologists need to get hired and to live life on the road in a fluctuating job market, as well as details on how to succeed as a field archaeologist. Appendices cover sample job hunting documents and checklists for fieldwork. If you will be pursuing a position in this dynamic, challenging field, this book is a must-read both before you apply for that first job and once you get one.
• new questions from top schools since 2003 • complete solutions • topical order to facilitate drilling • complete and true encyclopedia of question−types • first to expose all-inclusive “trick” questions • first to make available full set of step-by-step solution approaches (available separately) • advanced trade book • Complete edition eBook only
The Dogwood Collection bundles three of Chris Fabry’s beloved contemporary fiction titles into one e-book for a great value! Dogwood (2009 Christy Award winner): In the small town of Dogwood, West Virginia, Karin has buried her shattered dreams by settling for a faithful husband whose emotional distance from her deep passions and conflicts leaves her isolated. Loaded with guilt, she tries to raise three small children and “do life” the best she can. Will returns to Dogwood intent on pursuing the only woman he has ever loved—only to find there is far more standing in his way than lost years in prison. The secrets of Will and Karin's past begin to emerge through Danny Boyd, a young boy who wishes he hadn't survived the tragedy that knit those two together as well as tore them apart. The trigger that will lay their pain bare and force them to face it rather than flee is the unlikely figure of Ruthie Bowles, a withered, wiry old woman who leads Karin so deep into her anger against God that it forces unexpected consequences. June Bug (Now a Lifetime original movie titled Child of Grace): “I believed everything my daddy told me until I walked into Wal-Mart and saw my picture on a little poster . . .” For as long as she can remember, June Bug and her father have traveled the back roads of the country in their beat-up RV, spending many nights parked at Wal-Mart. One morning, as she walks past the greeter at the front of the store, her eyes are drawn to the pictures of missing children, where she is shocked to see herself. This discovery begins a quest for the truth about her father, the mother he rarely speaks about, and ultimately herself. But when her father’s past catches up with them, forces beyond his control draw them back to Dogwood, West Virginia, down a winding path that will change their lives forever. Almost Heaven (2011 ECPA Christian Book Award winner for fiction / 2011 Christy Award Winner for contemporary standalone novel): Billy Allman is a hillbilly genius. People in Dogwood, West Virginia, say he was born with a second helping of brains and a gift for playing the mandolin but was cut short on social skills. Though he’d gladly give you the shirt off his back, they were right. Billy longs to use his life as an ode to God, a lyrical, beautiful bluegrass song played with a finely tuned heart. So with spare parts from a lifetime of collecting, he builds a radio station in his own home. People in town laugh. But Billy carries a brutal secret that keeps him from significance and purpose. Things always seem to go wrong for him. However small his life seems, from a different perspective Billy’s song reaches far beyond the hills and hollers he calls home. Malachi is an angel sent to observe Billy. Though it is not his dream assignment, Malachi follows the man and begins to see the bigger picture of how each painful step Billy takes is a note added to a beautiful symphony that will forever change the lives of those who hear it.
• actual GCE exam question-types • must-have critical resource for students and tutors • all trick question-types since 2003 covered • full and complete step by step solutions • complete edition eBook available
Proposes a new theory of Senate agenda setting that reconciles a divide in literature between the conventional wisdom – in which party power is thought to be mostly undermined by Senate procedures and norms – and the apparent partisan bias in Senate decisions noted in recent empirical studies. Chris Den Hartog and Nathan W. Monroe's theory revolves around a 'costly consideration' framework for thinking about agenda setting, where moving proposals forward through the legislative process is seen as requiring scarce resources. To establish that the majority party pays lower agenda consideration costs through various procedural advantages, the book features a number of chapters examining partisan influence at several stages of the legislative process, including committee reports, filibusters and cloture, floor scheduling and floor amendments. Not only do the results support the book's theoretical assumption and key hypotheses, but they shed new light on virtually every major step in the Senate's legislative process.
This unique text/reference describes in detail the latest advances in unsupervised process monitoring and fault diagnosis with machine learning methods. Abundant case studies throughout the text demonstrate the efficacy of each method in real-world settings. The broad coverage examines such cutting-edge topics as the use of information theory to enhance unsupervised learning in tree-based methods, the extension of kernel methods to multiple kernel learning for feature extraction from data, and the incremental training of multilayer perceptrons to construct deep architectures for enhanced data projections. Topics and features: discusses machine learning frameworks based on artificial neural networks, statistical learning theory and kernel-based methods, and tree-based methods; examines the application of machine learning to steady state and dynamic operations, with a focus on unsupervised learning; describes the use of spectral methods in process fault diagnosis.
• critical notes to exam concepts • enable accurate, complete and independent self education • holistic question answering techniques • quickly preparation before taking the actual exams • complete edition and concise edition eBooks available
* Assumes no prior knowledge * Adopts a modelling approach * Numerous tutorial problems, worked examples and exercises included * Elementary topics augmented by planetary motion and rotating frames This text provides an invaluable introduction to mechanicsm confining attention to the motion of a particle. It begins with a full discussion of the foundations of the subject within the context of mathematical modelling before covering more advanced topics including the theory of planetary orbits and the use of rotating frames of reference. Truly introductory , the style adoped is perfect for those unfamiliar with the subject and , as emphasis is placed on understanding, readers who have already studied maechanics will also find a new insight into a fundamental topic.
From mobile, cable-free re-charging of electric vehicles, smart phones and laptops to collecting solar electricity from orbiting solar farms, wireless power transfer (WPT) technologies offer consumers and society enormous benefits. Written by innovators in the field, this comprehensive resource explains the fundamental principles and latest advances in WPT and illustrates key applications of this emergent technology. Key features and coverage include: The fundamental principles of WPT to practical applications on dynamic charging and static charging of EVs and smartphones. Theories for inductive power transfer (IPT) such as the coupled inductor model, gyrator circuit model, and magnetic mirror model. IPTs for road powered EVs, including controller, compensation circuit, electro-magnetic field cancel, large tolerance, power rail segmentation, and foreign object detection. IPTs for static charging for EVs and large tolerance and capacitive charging issues, as well as IPT mobile applications such as free space omnidirectional IPT by dipole coils and 2D IPT for robots. Principle and applications of capacitive power transfer. Synthesized magnetic field focusing, wireless nuclear instrumentation, and future WPT. A technical asset for engineers in the power electronics, internet of things and automotive sectors, Wireless Power Transfer for Electric Vehicles and Mobile Devices is an essential design and analysis guide and an important reference for graduate and higher undergraduate students preparing for careers in these industries.
Provides technical details and developments for all automotive power transmission systems The transmission system of an automotive vehicle is the key to the dynamic performance, drivability and comfort, and fuel economy. Modern advanced transmission systems are the combination of mechanical, electrical and electronic subsystems. The development of transmission products requires the synergy of multi-disciplinary expertise in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and electronic and software engineering. Automotive Power Transmission Systems comprehensively covers various types of power transmission systems of ground vehicles, including conventional automobiles driven by internal combustion engines, and electric and hybrid vehicles. The book covers the technical aspects of design, analysis and control for manual transmissions, automatic transmission, CVTs, dual clutch transmissions, electric drives, and hybrid power systems. It not only presents the technical details of key transmission components, but also covers the system integration for dynamic analysis and control. Key features: Covers conventional automobiles as well as electric and hybrid vehicles. Covers aspects of design, analysis and control. Includes the most recent developments in the field of automotive power transmission systems. The book is essential reading for researchers and practitioners in automotive, mechanical and electrical engineering.
Using the modern home as a springboard, Atoms under the Floorboards introduces the reader to the fascinating and surprising scientific explanations behind a variety of common (and often entertainingly mundane) household phenomena, from gurgling drains and squeaky floorboards to rubbery custard and shiny shoes. Packed with facts and fun, each chapter focuses on a feature in each of the areas and slowly unpicks the science behind it. * Is it better to build skyscrapers like wobbly jellies or stacks of biscuits? *Can you burn your house down with an electric drill? *How many atoms would you have to split to power a lightbulb? *How can a raincoat be waterproof and breathable at the same time? Atoms under the Floorboards answers all these questions, and hundreds more. You'll never look at your home the same way again ...
New Labour's distinctive idea is that equality andefficiency are partners, not enemies. This, the bookargues, is an example of managerialist ideology - thebelief that trade-offs between conflicting values can bemanaged away by clever policies, that management canreplace politics. This is not true. The book is a plea toremove ......
A decade after the first edition of this book established itself as one of the major books that covered the nature of the demand for tourism, and the implications of that demand, this second edition represents a significant updating of material that reflects contemporary thinking.
For most people in Southwest Florida, the name Buckingham is just one more dot on a map--a rural area east of U.S. Interstate 75. But for a few years, it was so much more. Starting in 1942, it was the site of the Buckingham Army Air Field--home to some 16,000 men and women supporting the United States' World War II efforts. Airplanes roared in the skies over Lee County and reflected off the azure waters of the Gulf of Mexico as tens of thousands of young men trained as aerial gunners. Learning to target and bring down enemy aircraft with their guns was critical to America's success in both the European and Pacific theaters. On the ground, trucks rumbled across the mammoth base, soldiers marched in review under the hot Florida sun, and an entire town sprang up on what was once swampland. Barracks were built, along with stores, nightclubs, churches, and even a hospital with its own baby ward. Today the memories of Buckingham Army Air Field can be found hiding in plain sight, including a working airport that was once the heart of the base.
This comprehensive textbook, first published in 1985, on the world economic, written specifically for non-specialists, compares neo-classical, neo-Ricardian and Marxist theories and policies in international economics. Theories of trade and money, and issues such as international debt crisis, the rise of the newly industrializing countries and the demands for a New International Economic Order, and explained clearly and concisely. A wide range of political economics across the political spectrum are discussed. This accessible book will be of interest to anyone who wants to make sense of the complexities of international economy and the competing theories on trade, money and crisis.
The River Thames Book, now in its 8th edition, is the best-selling guide to the non-tidal Thames from Teddington to its source in Gloucestershire. This complete guide covers the Barrier to Cricklade with the River Wey, Basingstoke Canal and the Kennet & Avon Canal to Great Bedwyn. Chris Cove-Smith's updated text describes the navigation with support of clear and detailed mapping. The River Thames Book also lists in exhaustive detail the facilities to be found along each section of the navigation.
The entire focus of Maths Friend is to help students improve their grade at GCSE. Author Chris Robinson can’t promise that his guide will turn you into a maths genius, but what he knows it will do is help students make the most of their talents. Maths Friend does not pretend that maths is fun. “I know from tutoring that many students believe maths is just an instrument of torture invented by schools and by examiners!” admits Chris. Maths Friend fills in gaps left by the textbook and the revision guide, and at times gives a different way of looking at things than the one normally given in class. Much of the book is directed to answering exam questions. Chris shows how the examiner takes the maths you learn and twists it around to make it look unusual. Stay calm, read this book and see through the examiner’s tricks. We all make silly mistakes, especially under exam pressure. If there is time, checking your work is vital, but it’s not easy to do properly. This book will help the student make those checks. The most common errors are laid out in a spot-the-blunder section. Here, extra marks can be gained for no extra maths knowledge and that can make all the difference to the final grade. Maths Friend also covers aspects that textbooks do not deal with, that won’t be found in revision guides or online help, and that teachers have not got the time to cover. Maths Friend is a must-have guide for pupils aged 14-16 studying for their maths GCSE.
With increasing demands for high precision autonomous control over wide operating envelopes, conventional control engineering approaches are unable to adequately deal with system complexity, nonlinearities, spatial and temporal parameter variations, and with uncertainty. Intelligent Control or self-organising/learning control is a new emerging discipline that is designed to deal with problems. Rather than being model based, it is experiential based. Intelligent Control is the amalgam of the disciplines of Artificial Intelligence, Systems Theory and Operations Research. It uses most recent experiences or evidence to improve its performance through a variety of learning schemas, that for practical implementation must demonstrate rapid learning convergence, be temporally stable, be robust to parameter changes and internal and external disturbances. It is shown in this book that a wide class of fuzzy logic and neural net based learning algorithms satisfy these conditions. It is demonstrated that this class of intelligent controllers is based upon a fixed nonlinear mapping of the input (sensor) vector, followed by an output layer linear mapping with coefficients that are updated by various first order learning laws. Under these conditions self-organising fuzzy logic controllers and neural net controllers have common learning attributes.A theme example of the navigation and control of an autonomous guided vehicle is included throughout, together with a series of bench examples to demonstrate this new theory and its applicability.
This new edition of this classic title, now in its seventh edition, presents a balanced and comprehensive introduction to the theory, implementation, and practice of time series analysis. The book covers a wide range of topics, including ARIMA models, forecasting methods, spectral analysis, linear systems, state-space models, the Kalman filters, nonlinear models, volatility models, and multivariate models. It also presents many examples and implementations of time series models and methods to reflect advances in the field. Highlights of the seventh edition: A new chapter on univariate volatility models A revised chapter on linear time series models A new section on multivariate volatility models A new section on regime switching models Many new worked examples, with R code integrated into the text The book can be used as a textbook for an undergraduate or a graduate level time series course in statistics. The book does not assume many prerequisites in probability and statistics, so it is also intended for students and data analysts in engineering, economics, and finance.
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