Distributed Artificial Intelligence (DAI) is a vibrant sub-field of Artificial Intelligence concerned with coordinating the knowledge and actions of multiple interacting agents. Although DAI has the potential to overcome many of the problems currently associated with constructing software systems which are large, complex and knowledge rich, there have, as yet, been relatively few attempts to apply it to real world applications. To help pave the way for such future developments, this book recounts the insights gained and the breakthroughs made, whilst building multiple agent systems in the domains of electricity transportation management and control of a particle accelerator. These experiences cover the complete development lifecycle of multi-agent systems for industrial applications: ranging from the initial design, through the implementation, to the testing and evaluation phases. The book's other main features are that it: provides a thorough and up-to-date explanation of the foundation concepts of DAI, describes a new paradigm for building multi-agent systems which uses the concept of reusable cooperation knowledge and develops a new model of cooperation based on the notion of joint intentions.
Distributed Artificial Intelligence (DAI) is a vibrant sub-field of Artificial Intelligence concerned with coordinating the knowledge and actions of multiple interacting agents. Although DAI has the potential to overcome many of the problems currently associated with constructing software systems which are large, complex and knowledge rich, there have, as yet, been relatively few attempts to apply it to real world applications. To help pave the way for such future developments, this book recounts the insights gained and the breakthroughs made, whilst building multiple agent systems in the domains of electricity transportation management and control of a particle accelerator. These experiences cover the complete development lifecycle of multi-agent systems for industrial applications: ranging from the initial design, through the implementation, to the testing and evaluation phases. The book's other main features are that it: provides a thorough and up-to-date explanation of the foundation concepts of DAI, describes a new paradigm for building multi-agent systems which uses the concept of reusable cooperation knowledge and develops a new model of cooperation based on the notion of joint intentions.
Coral reefs represent the most spectacular and diverse marine ecosystem on the planet as well as a critical source of income for millions of people. However, the combined effects of human activity have led to a rapid decline in the health of reefs worldwide, with many now facing complete destruction. Their world-wide deterioration and over-exploitation has continued and even accelerated in many areas since the publication of the first edition in 2009. At the same time, there has been a near doubling in the number of scientific papers that have been written in this short time about coral reef biology and the ability to acclimate to ocean warming and acidification. This new edition has been thoroughly revised and updated, incorporating the significant increase in knowledge gained over the last decade whilst retaining the book's focus as a concise and affordable overview of the field. The Biology of Coral Reefs provides an integrated overview of the function, physiology, ecology, and behaviour of coral reef organisms. Each chapter is enriched with a selection of 'boxes' on specific aspects written by internationally recognised experts. As with other books in the Biology of Habitats Series, the emphasis in this book is on the organisms that dominate this marine environment although pollution, conservation, climate change, and experimental aspects are also included. Indeed, particular emphasis is placed on conservation and management due to the habitat's critically endangered status. A global range of examples is employed which gives the book international relevance.
Accuracy and Stability of Numerical Algorithms gives a thorough, up-to-date treatment of the behavior of numerical algorithms in finite precision arithmetic. It combines algorithmic derivations, perturbation theory, and rounding error analysis, all enlivened by historical perspective and informative quotations. This second edition expands and updates the coverage of the first edition (1996) and includes numerous improvements to the original material. Two new chapters treat symmetric indefinite systems and skew-symmetric systems, and nonlinear systems and Newton's method. Twelve new sections include coverage of additional error bounds for Gaussian elimination, rank revealing LU factorizations, weighted and constrained least squares problems, and the fused multiply-add operation found on some modern computer architectures.
Waste management is the collection, transport, processing, recycling or disposal of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity, and is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health, aesthetics or amenity. Waste management is also carried out to reduce the materials' effect on the environment and to recover resources from them. Waste management can involve solid, liquid or gaseous substances, with different methods and fields of expertise for each. Waste management practices differ for developed and developing nations, for urban and rural areas, and for residential and industrial, producers. Management for non-hazardous residential and institutional waste in metropolitan areas is usually the responsibility of local government authorities, while management for non-hazardous commercial and industrial waste is usually the responsibility of the generator. This book concentrates on the newest research in the field.
At the time of its founding, few predicted that the Fifth Republic would survive. It is a regime whose obituary has been written several times over, but which stubbornly refuses to die. Adopting a chronological framework, this up-to-date study examines how the regime emerged out of the chaos of the Algerian crisis, how its political evolution has been very different from that envisaged by de Gaulle, and why it has endured. Nicholas Atkin explains the success of the Fifth Republic but likewise illustrates the underlying problems within it. As the 2002 presidential elections have shown, although there is little prospect of regime change, liberal democracy is not in a particularly healthy state. While the political narrative takes centre stage, Atkin also explores the key social, economic and international developments which have shaped the modern history of France and affected its standing both in Europe and the rest of the world.
This book delves into the major developments triggered by the hydrocarbon discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean over the last twenty years, focusing on maritime boundary delimitation. Examining the impact that the hydrocarbon discoveries have had on the application of the law of the sea rules by the East Med states, the book looks at the new trends concerning the implementation of the law of the sea in the region. The book analyses regional state practice in terms of maritime delimitation, namely the conclusion of bilateral agreements based on the law of the sea rules, both conventional and customary, reflecting the East Med states’ willingness to cooperate in order to reap the benefits of the energy windfall. Alongside this analysis, an outline of the hydrocarbon discoveries and the pertinent maritime activities is given, as well as further coverage of the overlapping maritime claims and disputes between Greece, Cyprus and Turkey on one side, and Lebanon and Israel on the other. Moreover, the book examines the validity of maritime claims made by or through non-state entities in the region, namely the State of Palestine, the UK Sovereign Base Areas and the so-called ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ and their potential impact on the delimitation agreements already in place. The book argues that the East Med paradigm concerning the successful application of the pertinent norms in maritime delimitation proves that international law is resilient and capable of providing solutions in other turbulent regions around the globe. This book will be of interest and importance to academics and students of international law, professionals in the oil and shipping industries, legal professionals and government agencies.
øThis timely book will be of great use to both teachers and students of financial crime relevant modules.ø It will also appeal to policy-makers in government departments, law enforcement agencies and financial regulatory agencies, as well as profession
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