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Elsevier

Books in Social sciences and humanities

  • Capital Investment & Financing

    a practical guide to financial evaluation
    • 1st Edition
    • Chris f Agar
    • English
    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.

  • Corporate Social Responsibility

    a case study guide for Management Accountants
    • 1st Edition
    • John Innes + 1 more
    • English
    Corporate Social Responsiblity is based on critical insight gained by analysing four large companies’ experiences of corporate social responsibility. This study highlights the inadequacies of social and ethical reporting by business, both in terms of the ad-hoc nature of the information currently reported, and the absence of internal reporting. It will serve as evidence to companies, that producing a glossy report does not necessarily equal social responsibility.

  • Interest Rate Risk Management

    • 1st Edition
    • Christine Helliar
    • English
    Financial risk management is currently subject to much debate, especially the accounting for derivative products, and a number of commentators are objecting to the introduction of International Accounting Standard IAS 39 for Derivatives that will be in force by January 2005 for all EU companies. The topic of hedge accounting and the treatment of fair values may have a significant impact on many companies reported profits, and the volatility of earnings is likely to increase. Uniquely this monograph focuses on interest rate risk management. Most studies of corporate risk management have typically dwelt on the topic of management of exchange rate risk, with interest rate risk management being neglected. The book’s findings examine the views of UK corporate treasurers who are usually involved in the risk management strategies of their organisation and who have responsibility for implementing those strategies in practice.

  • A Practical Logic of Cognitive Systems

    The Reach of Abduction: Insight and Trial
    • 1st Edition
    • Dov M. Gabbay + 1 more
    • English
    The present work is a continuation of the authors' acclaimed multi-volume APractical Logic of Cognitive Systems. After having investigated the notion ofrelevance in their previous volume, Gabbay and Woods now turn to abduction. Inthis highly original approach, abduction is construed as ignorance-preserving... in which conjecture plays a pivotal role. Abduction is a response to acognitive target that cannot be hit on the basis of what the agent currently knows.The abducer selects a hypothesis which were it true would enable the reasoner to attain his target. He concludes from this fact that the hypothesis may be conjectured. In allowing conjecture to stand in for the knowledge he fails to have, the abducer reveals himself to be a satisficer, since an abductive solution is not a solution from knowledge. Key to the authors' analysis is the requirement that a conjectured proposition is not just what a reasoner might allow himself to assume, but a proposition he must defeasibly release as a premiss for further inferences in the domain of enquiry in which the original abduction problem has arisen.The coverage of the book is extensive, from the philosophy of science tocomputer science and AI, from diagnostics to the law, from historical explanation to linguistic interpretation. One of the volume's strongest contributions is its exploration of the abductive character of criminal trials, with special attention given to the standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.Underlying their analysis of abductive reasoning is the authors' conception ofpractical agency. In this approach, practical agency is dominantly a matter of thecomparative modesty of an agent's cognitive agendas, together with comparatively scant resources available for their advancement. Seen in these ways, abduction has a significantly practical character, precisely because it is a form of inference that satisfices rather than maximizes its response to the agent's cognitive target.The Reach of Abduction will be necessary reading for researchers, graduatestudents and senior undergraduates in logic, computer science, AI, belief dynamics, argumentation theory, cognitive psychology and neuroscience, linguistics, forensic science, legal reasoning and related areas.Key features:- Reach of Abduction is fully integrated with a background logic of cognitive systems.- The most extensive coverage compared to competitive works.- Demonstrates not only that abduction is a form of ignorance preservinginference but that it is a mode of inference that is wholly rational.- Demonstrates the satisficing rather than maximizing character ofabduction.- The development of formal models of abduction is considerably more extensive than one finds in existing literature. It is an especially impressive amalgam of sophisticatedconcept... analysis and extensive logical modelling.

  • Reliability, Maintainability and Risk

    Practical Methods for Engineers including Reliability Centred Maintenance and Safety-Related Systems
    • 7th Edition
    • David J. Smith
    • English
    For over 30 years, Reliability, Maintainability and Risk has been recognised as a leading text for reliability and maintenance professionals. Now in its seventh edition, the book has been updated to remain the first choice for professional engineers and students. The seventh edition incorporates new material on important topics including software failure, the latest safety legislation and standards, product liability, integrity of safety-related systems, as well as delivering an up-to-date review of the latest approaches to reliability modelling, including cutsec ranking. It is also supported by new detailed case studies on reliability and risk in practice.

  • Implementing Database Security and Auditing

    • 1st Edition
    • Ron Ben Natan
    • English
    This book is about database security and auditing. You will learn many methods and techniques that will be helpful in securing, monitoring and auditing database environments. It covers diverse topics that include all aspects of database security and auditing - including network security for databases, authentication and authorization issues, links and replication, database Trojans, etc. You will also learn of vulnerabilities and attacks that exist within various database environments or that have been used to attack databases (and that have since been fixed). These will often be explained to an “internals” level. There are many sections which outline the “anatomy of an attack” – before delving into the details of how to combat such an attack. Equally important, you will learn about the database auditing landscape – both from a business and regulatory requirements perspective as well as from a technical implementation perspective.

  • Mergers and Acquisitions Security

    Corporate Restructuring and Security Management
    • 1st Edition
    • Edward Halibozek + 1 more
    • English
    In reaction to the continually changing business climate companies develop many business strategies to increase their competitiveness and improve profitability. Companies regularly reshape themselves continually exploring new markets and developing new products. When they can't expand into new markets or develop new products on their own, they seek alternatives. These alternatives include merging with or acquiring other companies to create a single more capable company. Companies acquire other companies for a wide variety of reasons. In some cases company survival may actually be the reason. What does this condition mean to the security professional? In the course of mergers and acquisitions, security plays a vital role in helping to make the endeavor successful. There are numerous titles on the business aspects of M&A such as the ones listed below. However, this unique book focuses on the role security plays in helping to make a merger, acquisition or divestiture successful. It addresses the fundamental security elements that are required to support the effort. In addition, it provides an integrated "how to" approach to implementing M&A security complete with methods and processes that have been quickly and cost-effectively implemented.

  • The Psychology of Media and Politics

    • 1st Edition
    • George Comstock + 1 more
    • English
    Research indicates that people discount their own opinions and experiences in favor of those of "experts" as espoused in the media. The framing of news coverage thus has a profound impact on public opinion, and political decision making as a response to public outcry. However, the choice of how to frame the news is typically made to solicit viewership and high ratings rather than to convey accurate and meaningful information. The Psychology of Media and Politics discusses why people discount their own opinions, how the media shapes the news, when this drives political decision making, and what the effect is on the future of society. Issues addressed include: How powerful are the media in shaping political beliefs/judgment? How has this power changed in recent years? How does media influence voting behavior? To what extent do media opinions affect political decision making?

  • Cisco PIX Firewalls

    Configure / Manage / Troubleshoot
    • 1st Edition
    • Umer Khan
    • English
    Umer Khan's first book, Cisco Security Specialist's Guide to PIX Firewalls, ISBN: 1931836639, has consistently maintained its spot as the #1 best-selling PIX book on amazon.com by providing readers with a clear, comprehensive, and independent introduction to PIX Firewall configuration. With the market for PIX Firewalls maintaining double digit growth and several major enhancements to both the PIX Firewall and VPN Client product lines, this book will have enormous appeal with the audience already familiar with his first book.

  • Software Piracy Exposed

    • 1st Edition
    • Ron Honick
    • English
    This book is about software piracy--what it is and how it's done. Stealing software is not to be condoned, and theft of intellectual property and copyright infringement are serious matters, but it's totally unrealistic to pretend that it doesn't happen. Software piracy has reached epidemic proportions. Many computer users know this, the software companies know this, and once you've read the Introduction to this book, you'll understand why. Seeing how widespread software piracy is, learning how it's accomplished, and particularly how incredibly easy it is to do might surprise you. This book describes how software piracy is actually being carried out.

  • Sockets, Shellcode, Porting, and Coding: Reverse Engineering Exploits and Tool Coding for Security Professionals

    • 1st Edition
    • James C Foster
    • English
    The book is logically divided into 5 main categories with each category representing a major skill set required by most security professionals:1. Coding – The ability to program and script is quickly becoming a mainstream requirement for just about everyone in the security industry. This section covers the basics in coding complemented with a slue of programming tips and tricks in C/C++, Java, Perl and NASL. 2. Sockets – The technology that allows programs and scripts to communicate over a network is sockets. Even though the theory remains the same – communication over TCP and UDP, sockets are implemented differently in nearly ever language. 3. Shellcode – Shellcode, commonly defined as bytecode converted from Assembly, is utilized to execute commands on remote systems via direct memory access. 4. Porting – Due to the differences between operating platforms and language implementations on those platforms, it is a common practice to modify an original body of code to work on a different platforms. This technique is known as porting and is incredible useful in the real world environments since it allows you to not “recreate the wheel.”5. Coding Tools – The culmination of the previous four sections, coding tools brings all of the techniques that you have learned to the forefront. With the background technologies and techniques you will now be able to code quick utilities that will not only make you more productive, they will arm you with an extremely valuable skill that will remain with you as long as you make the proper time and effort dedications.

  • Innovation Happens Elsewhere

    Open Source as Business Strategy
    • 1st Edition
    • Chris Meyer + 2 more
    • English
    It's a plain fact: regardless of how smart, creative, and innovative your organization is, there are more smart, creative, and innovative people outside your organization than inside. Open source offers the possibility of bringing more innovation into your business by building a creative community that reaches beyond the barriers of the business. The key is developing a web-driven community where new types of collaboration and creativity can flourish. Since 1998 Ron Goldman and Richard Gabriel have been helping groups at Sun Microsystems understand open source and advising them on how to build successful communities around open source projects. In this book the authors present lessons learned from their own experiences with open source, as well as those from other well-known projects such as Linux, Apache, and Mozilla.

  • CCTV

    Networking and Digital Technology
    • 2nd Edition
    • Vlado Damjanovski
    • English
    Closed circuit television (CCTV) is experiencing a leap in technology using digital techniques, networking and the Internet. The new edition of this high-level professional reference retains the particulars that made the first edition a success, including the details of CCD cameras, lenses, coaxial cables, fiber-optics, and system design, but it is expanded to cover all video compression techniques used in the ever increasing assortment of digital video recorders (DVRs) available on the market today. This new edition of the book CCTV demystifies DVR technology. It also serves to clarify the technology of data networking. The theoretical section explains the various compression techniques. Networking is also a new and unknown area for many CCTV installers and this is explained in a brand new section.

  • Enabling End-Users

    Information Skills Training
    • 1st Edition
    • Ann Poyner
    • English
    This introductory book suggests ways of approaching some of the problems library and information professionals face as they prepare to offer end user education or training through personal tuition. Advice is given about how to take stock of existing library and information services in relation to their place and value within organisations. It examines issues about who needs end user education and training, what they might need and how it can be delivered. Guidance on planning and running individual, group and workshop training is provided.

  • Advances in Experimental Social Psychology

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 37
    • Mark P. Zanna
    • English
    Advances in Experimental Social Psychology continues to be one of the most sought after and most often cited series in this field. Containing contributions of major empirical and theoretical interest, this series represents the best and the brightest in new research, theory, and practice in social psychology.

  • Cyber Spying Tracking Your Family's (Sometimes) Secret Online Lives

    • 1st Edition
    • Eric Cole + 3 more
    • English
    Cyber Spying Tracking Your Family's (Sometimes) Secret Online Lives shows everyday computer users how to become cyber-sleuths. It takes readers through the many different issues involved in spying on someone online. It begins with an explanation of reasons and ethics, covers the psychology of spying, describes computer and network basics, and takes readers step-by-step through many common online activities, and shows what can be done to compromise them. The book's final section describes personal privacy and counter-spy techniques. By teaching by both theory and example this book empowers readers to take charge of their computers and feel confident they can be aware of the different online activities their families engage in.

  • Risk Management for Computer Security

    Protecting Your Network and Information Assets
    • 1st Edition
    • Andy Jones + 1 more
    • English
    Risk Management for Computer Security provides IT professionals with an integrated plan to establish and implement a corporate risk assessment and management program. The book covers more than just the fundamental elements that make up a good risk program for computer security. It presents an integrated how-to approach to implementing a corporate program, complete with tested methods and processes, flowcharts, and checklists that can be used by the reader and immediately implemented into a computer and overall corporate security program. The challenges are many and this book will help professionals in meeting their challenges as we progress through the twenty-first century. This book is organized into five sections. Section I introduces the reader to the theories of risk management and describes the field's changing environment as well as the art of managing risks. Section II deals with threat assessment and its input to risk assessment; topics covered include the threat assessment method and an example of threat assessment. Section III focuses on operating system vulnerabilities and discusses application vulnerabilities; public domain vs. COTS; and connectivity and dependence. Section IV explains what risk assessment is and Section V explores qualitative vs. quantitative tools and types of risk assessment and concludes with an assessment of the future of risk management. Corporate security professionals around the world will find this book a highly valuable source of information.

  • Empirical Methods for Evaluating Educational Interventions

    • 1st Edition
    • Gary D. Phye + 2 more
    • English
    New US government requirements state that federally funded grants and school programs must prove that they are based on scientifically proved improvements in teaching and learning. All new grants must show they are based on scientifically sound research to be funded, and budgets to schools must likewise show that they are based on scientifically sound research. However, the movement in education over the past several years has been toward qualitative rather than quantitative measures. The new legislation comes at a time when researchers are ill trained to measure results or even to frame questions in an empirical way, and when school administrators and teachers are no longer remember or were never trained to prove statistically that their programs are effective.Experiment... Methods for Evaluating Educational Interventions is a tutorial on what it means to frame a question in an empirical manner, how one needs to test that a method works, what statistics one uses to measure effectiveness, and how to document these findings in a way so as to be compliant with new empirically based requirements. The book is simplistic enough to be accessible to those teaching and administrative educational professionals long out of schooling, but comprehensive and sophisticated enough to be of use to researchers who know experimental design and statistics but don't know how to use what they know to write acceptable grant proposals or to get governmental funding for their programs.

  • Intrusion Prevention and Active Response

    Deploying Network and Host IPS
    • 1st Edition
    • Michael Rash + 2 more
    • English
    Intrusion Prevention and Active Response provides an introduction to the field of Intrusion Prevention and provides detailed information on various IPS methods and technologies. Specific methods are covered in depth, including both network and host IPS and response technologies such as port deactivation, firewall/router network layer ACL modification, session sniping, outright application layer data modification, system call interception, and application shims.

  • Law, Libraries and Technology

    • 1st Edition
    • Mark Van Hoorebeek
    • English
    Libraries are continuing to evolve as a result of the dual pressures of technology and user access. The new digital media forms are enabling librarians to find new methods of information delivery. Libraries and librarians need to be aware of the legal ramifications of the new technologies that are available. This book provides an authoritative and practical guide to the subject. Despite the negative prognosis for libraries during the early 1990s in the face of digital technology, libraries have proved to be surprisingly resilient, and have begun the long process of incorporating digital technologies into their service. The legal ramifications, however, always need to be considered. This book does just that.

  • Globalisation, Information and Libraries

    The Implications of the World Trade Organisation’s GATS and TRIPS Agreements
    • 1st Edition
    • Ruth Rikowski
    • English
    This book provides an overview of the World Trade Organisation; in particular, it focuses on two of the agreements being developed at the WTO, which are due to be strengthened in 2005, and are likely to have significant implications for libraries and information: the General Agreement on Trade in Services (the GATS) and the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). The book argues that the library and information profession needs to be more aware of these agreements and the way in which they threaten some of the professional ethics and principles (such as the balance in copyright).

  • Aggressive Network Self-Defense

    • 1st Edition
    • Neil R. Wyler
    • English
    Over the past year there has been a shift within the computer security world away from passive, reactive defense towards more aggressive, proactive countermeasures. Although such tactics are extremely controversial, many security professionals are reaching into the dark side of their tool box to identify, target, and suppress their adversaries. This book will provide a detailed analysis of the most timely and dangerous attack vectors targeted at operating systems, applications, and critical infrastructure and the cutting-edge counter-measures used to nullify the actions of an attacking, criminal hacker.

  • Deploying Citrix MetaFrame Presentation Server 3.0 with Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services

    • 1st Edition
    • Melissa Craft
    • English
    Almost 100% of all Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies use Citrix. Deploying Citrix MetaFrame Presentation Server 3.0 with Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services covers the new release to Citrix MetaFrame and how companies can deploy it in their disaster recovery plans. Server Based Computing has been established as a solid networking model for any size business. Why? Because it guarantees cost savings, fast deployment, scalability, performance, security and fast recoverability. Think "mainframe," but updated, pretty, shiny, and effective! Server based computing is the mainframe with a vengeance. Terminal Server and Citrix MetaFrame offer the advantages of the old mainframe coupled with the benefits, gadgets, and appeal of the personal computer.

  • Microsoft Log Parser Toolkit

    A Complete Toolkit for Microsoft's Undocumented Log Analysis Tool
    • 1st Edition
    • Gabriele Giuseppini + 1 more
    • English
    Written by Microsoft's Log Parser developer, this is the first book available on Microsoft's popular yet undocumented log parser tool. The book and accompanying Web site contain hundreds of customized, working scripts and templates that system administrators will find invaluable for analyzing the log files from Windows Server, Snort IDS, ISA Server, IIS Server, Exchange Server, and other products. System administrators running Windows, Unix, and Linux networks manage anywhere from 1 to thousands of operating systems (Windows, Unix, etc.), Applications (Exchange, Snort, IIS, etc.), and hardware devices (firewalls, routers, etc.) that generate incredibly long and detailed log files of all activity on the particular application or device. This book will teach administrators how to use Microsoft's Log Parser to data mine all of the information available within these countless logs. The book teaches readers how all queries within Log Parser work (for example: a Log Parser query to an Exchange log may provide information on the origin of spam, viruses, etc.). Also, Log Parser is completely scriptable and customizable so the book will provide the reader with hundreds of original, working scripts that will automate these tasks and provide formatted charts and reports detailing the results of the queries.

  • Forensic DNA Typing

    Biology, Technology, and Genetics of STR Markers
    • 2nd Edition
    • John M. Butler
    • English
    Forensic DNA Typing, Second Edition, is the only book available that specifically covers detailed information on mitochondrial DNA and the Y chromosome. It examines the science of current forensic DNA typing methods by focusing on the biology, technology, and genetic interpretation of short tandem repeat (STR) markers, which encompass the most common forensic DNA analysis methods used today. The book covers topics from introductory level right up to cutting edge research. High-profile cases are addressed throughout the text, near the sections dealing with the science or issues behind these cases. Ten new chapters have been added to accommodate the explosion of new information since the turn of the century. These additional chapters cover statistical genetic analysis of DNA data, an emerging field of interest to DNA research. Several chapters on statistical analysis of short tandem repeat (STR) typing data have been contributed by Dr. George Carmody, a well-respected professor in forensic genetics. Specific examples make the concepts of population genetics more understandable. This book will be of interest to researchers and practitioners in forensic DNA analysis, forensic scientists, population geneticists, military and private and public forensic laboratories (for identifying individuals through remains), and students of forensic science.

  • A Behavioral Approach to Asset Pricing

    • 1st Edition
    • Hersh Shefrin
    • English
    A Behavioral Approach to Asset Pricing Theory examines the reigning assumptions of asset pricing theory and reconstructs them to incorporate findings from behavioral finance. It constructs a solid, intact structure that challenges classic assumptions and at the same time provides a strong theory and efficient empirical tools. Building on the models developed by both traditional asset pricing theorists and behavioral asset pricing theorists, this book takes the discussion to the next step. The author provides a general behaviorally based intertemporal treatment of asset pricing theory that extends to the discussion of derivatives, fixed income securities, mean-variance efficient portfolios, and the market portfolio.The book develops a series of examples to illustrate the theoretical results. The CD-ROM contains most of the examples, worked out as Excel spreadsheets, so that a diligent reader can follow them through.Instructors might also want to use the examples to assign class exercises, asking students to modify the numbers and see what happens.

  • Private Real Estate Investment

    Data Analysis and Decision Making
    • 1st Edition
    • Roger J. Brown
    • English
    Fiduciary responsibilities and related court-imposed liabilities have forced investors to assess market conditions beyond gut level, resulting in the development of sophisticated decision-making tools. Roger Brown's use of historical real estate data enables him to develop tools for gauging the impact of circumstances on relative risk. His application of higher level statistical modeling to various aspects of real estate makes this book an essential partner in real estate research. Offering tools to enhance decision-making for consumers and researchers in market economies of any country interested in land use and real estate investment, his book will improve real estate market efficiency. With property the world's biggest asset class, timely data on housing prices just got easier to find and use.

  • Comprehensive Molecular Insect Science

    • 1st Edition
    • Bozzano G Luisa
    • English

  • Classification in Theory and Practice

    • 1st Edition
    • Susan Batley
    • English
    This book covers all of the major library classification schemes in use in Europe, UK and US; it includes practical exercises to demonstrate their application. Importantly, classifying electronic resources is also discussed. The aim of the book is to demystify a very complex subject, and to provide a sound theoretical underpinning, together with practical advice and development of practical skills. The book fills the gap between more complex theoretical texts and those books with a purely practical approach. Chapters concentrate purely on classification rather than cataloguing and indexing, ensuring a more in-depth coverage of the topic.

  • Information Literacy

    A Practitioner’s Guide
    • 1st Edition
    • Susie Andretta
    • English
    Taking an international approach, this book explores two main models of Information Literacy or IL: the SCONUL (Society of College, National and University Libraries) Seven Pillars of Information Skills and the IL competencies identified by the ALA (American Library Association). Practical examples for the development of IL skills identified by these models are illustrated using printed and web-based resources. The process of integrating IL provision within a programme of study is outlined to illustrate two strategies underpinning this integration at generic-skills level, the ‘plug & play’ approach, and at subject-specific level, the ‘research skills approach’. A range of diagnostic and assessment methods, to monitor the iterative process of IL skills development, are also presented within these frameworks.

  • Buffer Overflow Attacks

    Detect, Exploit, Prevent
    • 1st Edition
    • Jason Deckard
    • English
    The SANS Institute maintains a list of the "Top 10 Software Vulnerabilities." At the current time, over half of these vulnerabilities are exploitable by Buffer Overflow attacks, making this class of attack one of the most common and most dangerous weapon used by malicious attackers. This is the first book specifically aimed at detecting, exploiting, and preventing the most common and dangerous attacks.Buffer overflows make up one of the largest collections of vulnerabilities in existence; And a large percentage of possible remote exploits are of the overflow variety. Almost all of the most devastating computer attacks to hit the Internet in recent years including SQL Slammer, Blaster, and I Love You attacks. If executed properly, an overflow vulnerability will allow an attacker to run arbitrary code on the victim’s machine with the equivalent rights of whichever process was overflowed. This is often used to provide a remote shell onto the victim machine, which can be used for further exploitation.A buffer overflow is an unexpected behavior that exists in certain programming languages. This book provides specific, real code examples on exploiting buffer overflow attacks from a hacker's perspective and defending against these attacks for the software developer.

  • Essentials of Medical Geology

    Impacts of the Natural Environment on Public Health
    • 1st Edition
    • Olle Selinus
    • English
    This authoritative reference volume emphasizes the importance and interrelationships of geological processes to the health and diseases of humans and animals. Its accessible format fosters better communication between the health and geoscience communities by elucidating the geologic origins and flow of toxic elements in the environment that lead to human exposure through the consumption of food and water. For example, problems of excess intake from drinking water have been encountered for several inorganic compounds, including fluoride in Africa and India; arsenic in certain areas of Argentina, Chile, and Taiwan; selenium in seleniferous areas in the U.S., Venezuela, and China; and nitrate in agricultural areas with heavy use of fertilizers. Environmental influences on vector borne diseases and stormflow water quality influences are also featured. Numerous examples of the environmental influences on human health from across the globe are also presented and discussed in this volume.

  • Interurban Road Charging for Trucks in Europe

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 11
    • Jose Viegas
    • English
    Charging for the use of transport infrastructure has very different traditions in the various modes, reflecting the different nature of their infrastructure (nodal vs. linear), but also different historical traditions of open access, system integration, etc.Since the early 90's various European Commission initiatives took on this issue, looking mainly at the road sector, where many countries had no (direct) access charges. Heavy goods vehicles were systematically identified as the primary targets for a renewed approach to this problem.What seemed an easy catch has proved to be much harder, with the various countries adopting almost exclusively national approaches, and the European institutions unable to drive the process.This book looks at the challenges posed by this objective, recognising that there are multiple objectives for application of road tolls and charges, and discussing the various possible solutions, in the technical, institutional and legal dimensions. The multiplicity of national situations in Europe is put in perspective, the impacts of various charging schemes on regional development and on the environment are estimated, and the recent policy process is analysed, allowing a global view of the remaining difficulties and to make recommendations about the next steps in the process.

  • Elsevier's Dictionary of Herpetological and Related Terminology

    • 1st Edition
    • D.C. Wareham
    • English
    The dictionary is a compilation of clear, concise and informative definitions of the characteristic vocabulary commonly encountered and used by herpetologists when discussing, reading, or writing about reptiles and amphibians. It is intended for all those who have an interest in these animals, from the amateur hobbyist who may find himself faced with what can be a rather intimidating scientific term or technical expression, to the trained zoologist who may sometimes have doubts over the exact meaning of a particular term. It will, it is hoped, not only be a useful source of reference to all who are either actively or passively involved in some aspects of herpetology whether they be keepers, curators, breeders, researchers, teachers or students, but an interesting read as well.

  • Vocal Rescue

    Rediscover the Beauty, Power and Freedom in Your Singing
    • 1st Edition
    • Lois Alba
    • English
    "Lois Alba is a master teacher, ...I have never seen a vocal instructor who got such remarkable results in such a short time." - Irene Dalis, General Director, Opera San Jose Achieving a successful singing career, especially in opera, can seem almost impossible to many singers because of fear of high notes, lack of projection, and confusion on how to express the music unhampered by technical preoccupation. Master Teacher and accomplished opera singer Lois Alba is aware of these pitfalls. She knows the best teaching involves an acute sense of the art form based on sound, intuition and imagery. The focus comes from the mind. It is interpreted through the ear and the body. When the body and mind come together harmoniously the result is beautiful sound. In this clear and legible guide, Lois Alba shares her formidable experience, voice training insight, and philosophical wisdom about the creative nature of singing. She works to de-program the singer as to the many myths about singing û recurring themes that flood vocal studios and ultimately damage voices. Vocal Rescue is an amalgamation of many precepts from a large library of rare treatises and the concepts outlined come from the fine art of vocal mastery known as bel canto. The text provides a seven step system that demystifies the secrets to beautiful singing, and promises to take all singers to a new level of technical proficiency and expression. Recorded illustrations on CD/DVD demonstrate the vocal principles with lessons and vocalises for singers in all voice ranges to follow. The author's website can be found at www.loisalba.com

  • English-Chinese & Chinese-English Dictionary

    • 1st Edition
    • Bozzano G Luisa
    • English
    English-Chinese & Chinese-English Dictionary

  • Delivering E-Learning for Information Services in Higher Education

    • 1st Edition
    • Paul Catherall
    • English
    This book provides a comprehensive overview of e-learning (online learning) systems in the context of system delivery for Higher Education Information Services. The book considers practical issues in choosing a virtual learning environment and discusses a range of issues in implementing, managing and maintaining the service for users. In particular, the issue of accessibility and usability is discussed in the context of recent legislation (e.g. Disability Discrimination Act / SENDA.).

  • Neural Networks in Finance

    Gaining Predictive Edge in the Market
    • 1st Edition
    • Paul D. McNelis
    • English
    This book explores the intuitive appeal of neural networks and the genetic algorithm in finance. It demonstrates how neural networks used in combination with evolutionary computation outperform classical econometric methods for accuracy in forecasting, classification and dimensionality reduction. McNelis utilizes a variety of examples, from forecasting automobile production and corporate bond spread, to inflation and deflation processes in Hong Kong and Japan, to credit card default in Germany to bank failures in Texas, to cap-floor volatilities in New York and Hong Kong.

  • Recent Advances in the Science and Technology of Zeolites and Related Materials

    Proceedings of the 14th International Zeolite Conference, Cape Town, South Africa, 25-30th April 2004
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 154B
    • English

  • Recent Advances in the Science and Technology of Zeolites and Related Materials

    Proceedings of the 14th International Zeolite Conference, Cape Town, South Africa, 25-30th April 2004
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 154A
    • English

  • Profile of the International Filtration and Separation Industry

    Market Prospects to 2009
    • 5th Edition
    • Kenneth S Sutherland
    • English
    The total world sales of filtration and separation equipmentand spares are estimated at US$29.5 billion in 2003. Good growth is forecast to continue through to 2009, on the back of the expansion in China, and the fresh and wastewatersegment growth rates, with a CAGR of more than 6%." --Profile of the International Filtration and Separation Industry - Market Prospects to 2009, 5th Edition This revised and updated 5th edition includes increased coverage on the strategic direction of the industry, plus it offers forecasts, analysis and comment on the filtration and separation industry to 2009.The study also outlines the structure of the global industry, assesses market and technological trends, offers market figures and forecasts to 2009 and identifies the major players.

  • Google Hacking for Penetration Testers

    • 1st Edition
    • Johnny Long
    • English
    Google, the most popular search engine worldwide, provides web surfers with an easy-to-use guide to the Internet, with web and image searches, language translation, and a range of features that make web navigation simple enough for even the novice user. What many users don’t realize is that the deceptively simple components that make Google so easy to use are the same features that generously unlock security flaws for the malicious hacker. Vulnerabilities in website security can be discovered through Google hacking, techniques applied to the search engine by computer criminals, identity thieves, and even terrorists to uncover secure information. This book beats Google hackers to the punch, equipping web administrators with penetration testing applications to ensure their site is invulnerable to a hacker’s search. Penetration Testing with Google Hacks explores the explosive growth of a technique known as "Google Hacking." When the modern security landscape includes such heady topics as "blind SQL injection" and "integer overflows," it's refreshing to see such a deceptively simple tool bent to achieve such amazing results; this is hacking in the purest sense of the word. Readers will learn how to torque Google to detect SQL injection points and login portals, execute port scans and CGI scans, fingerprint web servers, locate incredible information caches such as firewall and IDS logs, password databases, SQL dumps and much more - all without sending a single packet to the target! Borrowing the techniques pioneered by malicious "Google hackers," this talk aims to show security practitioners how to properly protect clients from this often overlooked and dangerous form of information leakage.

  • The Psychology of Learning and Motivation

    Advances in Research and Theory
    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 45
    • English
    The Psychology of Learning and Motivation publishes empirical and theoretical contributions in cognitive and experimental psychology, ranging from classical and instrumental conditioning to complex learning and problem solving. Each chapter provides a thoughtful integration of a body of work.

  • The Management of Equity Investments

    • 1st Edition
    • Dimitris N. Chorafas
    • English
    The Management of Investments is based on an extensive research project done by the author in 2003 and 2004, in the United States, England, Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland.The author outlines the rules behind the able management of investments by private individuals, banks, and institutional investors. These rules are examined within the perspective of each entity's goals and challenges. Based on research results and on his own experience, the author demonstrates that shareholder value is usually being paid lip service. As far as investment results are concerned, there are serious risks associated to leveraging, near-sighted management, obsolescence of skills and dubious deals.But there are also investment rules which, when observed, help in avoiding the slippery path which ends with investors losing their capital. To help in explaining these rules, the book outlines the way capital markets work, equity research is done, and risks associated to biases. It also pays attention to forces propelling economic growth – or downturn. Growth is usually dictated by the customer, but the customer is influenced by market psychology, liquidity, volatility, and prospects of the product or financial instrument he contemplates to buy. Case studies on instruments in the book examine equities, interest rates and exchange rates. The text also analyzes the role played by hedge funds and their strategies, as well as risks associated to alternative investments.

  • Practical Financial Modelling

    A Guide to Current Practice
    • 1st Edition
    • Jonathan Swan
    • English
    This book is for all financial professionals whose work, to a greater or lesser degree, involves complex spreadsheets and financial models. This includes investment bankers, commercial banks, accountancy firms, property firms, public sector including local government and healthcare, PFI/PPP enterprises, financial managers and financially literate general managers. Junior/middle management, where the focus would be on cash flow forecasting and budgeting tasks, will also find this book of value.For the vast majority of people involved in this subject, financial modelling is an activity, a task requiring skills. Once people have the ability to structure the model, they have a better starting point from which to address the financial problems. This new book proposal intends to offer that starting point.Theory is limited to the absolute essentials that aid understanding; thus the focus with this new book is very practical - this is "how-to-do-it", showing best practice, and is illustrated with many practical worked examples.

  • UK Accounting Standards

    A Quick Reference Guide
    • 1st Edition
    • Robert Kirk
    • English
    The pace of development in financial reporting has accelerated sharply during the last few years and shows no sign of abating as the UK prepares to comply with International Accounting Standards. This text gives accounting professionals an understanding of UK accounting standards and demonstrate how they are used in practice. It is the perfect companion for those who need to keep abreast of changes to accounting standards or who need to see how the standards are applied in practice.Accounting Standards includes:* Summaries outlining the principles behind UK accounting standards* Examples and extracts from well-known recent company accounts

  • Advances in the Study of Behavior

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 34
    • Peter J.B. Slater + 5 more
    • English
    The aim of Advances in the Study of Behavior is to serve scientists engaged in the study of animal behavior, including psychologists, neuroscientists, biologists, ethologists, pharmacologists, endocrinologists, ecologists, and geneticists. Articles in the series present critical reviews of significant research programs with theoretical syntheses, reformulation of persistent problems, and/or highlighting new and exciting research concepts. Volume 34 is purely eclectic and illustrates the breadth of behavior research. Contents include sexual conflict among insects, the evolution of sexual cannibalism, odor processing and activity patterns in honeybees, hormone secretion in vertebrates, bird song organization, food transfer in primates, game theory approaches to mutualism, as well as neural mechanisms of learning and memory and how these change during infant development.

  • Handbook of Forensic Drug Analysis

    • 1st Edition
    • Fred Smith
    • English
    The Handbook of Forensic Drug Analysis is a comprehensive chemical and analytic reference for the forensic analysis of illicit drugs. With chapters written by leading researchers in the field, the book provides in-depth, up-to-date methods and results of forensic drug analyses. This Handbook discusses various forms of the drug as well as the origin and nature of samples. It explains how to perform various tests, the use of best practices, and the analysis of results. Numerous forensic and chemical analytic techniques are covered including immunoassay, gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry. Topics range from the use of immunoassay technologies for drugs-of-abuse testing, to methods of forensic analysis for cannabis, hallucinogens, cocaine, opioids, and amphetamine. The book also looks at synthetic methods and law enforcement concerns regarding the manufacture of illicit drugs, with an emphasis on clandestine methamphetamine production. This Handbook should serve as a widely used reference for forensic scientists, toxicologists, pharmacologists, drug companies, and professionals working in toxicology testing labs, libraries, and poison control centers. It may also be used by chemists, physicians and those in legal and regulatory professions, and students of graduate courses in forensic science.

  • Rape Investigation Handbook

    • 1st Edition
    • Brent E. Turvey + 1 more
    • John O. Savino + 1 more
    • English
    The Rape Investigation Handbook is the first practical and hands-on manual written by sex crime investigators and forensic scientists, providing students with first-hand insight into the work of these professionals. It is the only comprehensive reference available on the investigation of sexual assault and rape. It includes extensive accounts of perpetrators, victims, and other rape case evidence for identification of incidents of rape. The key feature of this text is a thorough overview of the investigative and forensic processes related to sex crime investigation. It takes the reader through investigative and forensic processes in a logical sequence, showing how investigations of rape and sexual assault can and should be conducted from start to finish. This book is designed to be accessible, in terms of language and approach, to the student in the classroom learning about the subject for the first time. It is an excellent training manual for sex crime investigators as well as an excellent textbook for any hands-on university course on the subject of sex crime investigation. This book would also serve as a useful supplement for any investigative course involving violent crime or death investigation.

  • Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS)

    • 1st Edition
    • Peter Komarinski
    • English
    An easy-to-understand synopsis of identification systems, presenting in simple language the process of fingerprint identification, from the initial capture of a set of finger images, to the production of a Rapsheet. No other single work exists which reviews this important identification process from beginning to end. We examine the identification process for latent (crime scene) prints and how they are identified with these systems. While the primary focus is automated fingerprint identifications, the book also touches on the emergence and use of fingerprints in other biometric systems.Criminal justice administrators, policy makers, and students of forensic science and criminal justice will find a reference to the known limitations and advantages of these systems.This book provides information as to the critical and continual need for properly trained individuals as well as an understanding of the direct and indirect costs associated with maintaining these systems. An understanding of the entire system and what it means will prove invaluable. Why are there missed identifications? Why are identifications made on one database that are not made on another database? Key terms and issues are included, and well as suggestions for improving the overall number of identifications.The book will go beyond process and also discuss issues such as interoperability, management strategies for large databases, contract development, lights out verification and several other issues which impact automated identifications.

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