Otsing: 78981

A heart-wrenchingly honest chronicle of an introverted gamer geek who tries to win his best friend’ s heart but is forced to rethink his game plan when a new challenger steps into the ringEighteen-year-old Nathaniel Carpio has been having chicken inasal with his best friend Elena Dizon at their favourite sidewalk grillery for four years now, but when Lena whips out a silly ‘ six-peso coin’ to comfort him on a bad day, Nat realizes that he’ s fallen in love with her.Eager to spend the rest of his life with Lena, lovesick Nat believes they should both apply to the college program held by the developers of their favourite real-time strategy game, Mitolohiya. But just when his game plan is coming along nicely, in pops a new challenger - Rafael Antonio, the world-renowned Filipino voice actor for the hero Apolaki in the game. Now, star-struck Lena spends all her time bonding with her online idol and Nat starts to feel more and more like a boring NPC.With his future hanging in the balance, Nat embarks on an epic quest to compete with the celebrity in a real-world PvP match he’ s not ready for. Autorid: Catherine Dellosa

Life Skills Series: EMPATHYEmbark on a farm adventure with Eliza, a girl with a unique gift. Discover the magic of empathy as she befriends a grumpy goat named Bleata. Through Eliza's journey, learn the importance of understanding others' feelings.Step into a world of empathy and compassion with:Engaging Illustrations: Vibrant, colorful illustrations bring the story to life, captivating young readers and helping them visualize the importance of kind actions and words.Simple, Relatable Story: The book features an easy-to-follow narrative that illustrates the value of empathy through relatable scenarios and characters, making it accessible and meaningful for children.Life Skills Focus: The book focuses on essential life skills, emphasizing the role of empathy in building positive relationships and fostering a caring community. Life Skills Series is a collection of heartwarming stories designed to impart essential life skills to young readers. Each tale invites readers to join beloved characters as they navigate through magical realms and everyday challenges. Autorid: Penguin Books

Life Skills Series: HONESTYMeet Mewmew, an adorable cat with a wizard master. Follow her adventures as she faces a dilemma involving honesty and a magical treat jar. The story teaches the importance of truth, even when faced with tempting situations.Step into a world of honesty with:Engaging Illustrations: Vibrant, colorful illustrations bring the story to life, captivating young readers and helping them visualize the importance of truthSimple, Relatable Story: The book features an easy-to-follow narrative that illustrates the value of honesty through relatable scenarios and characters, making it accessible and meaningful for childrenLife Skills Focus: The book focuses on essential life skills, emphasizing the role of honesty in building positive relationships and fostering a caring community Life Skills Series is a collection of heartwarming stories designed to impart essential life skills to young readers. Each tale invites readers to join beloved characters as they navigate through magical realms and everyday challenges. Autorid: Penguin Books

Mindfulness in 8 Days is probably one of the most concise and impactful manuals on understanding and practising Mindfulness – a way of finding happiness by looking within ourselves.Based on the author’ s life-changing experiences with Mindfulness, this book offers a superb introduction to how readers can begin their own journey today. Along the way, we learn to live in the present moment, re-examine the meaning of success, failure, stress and joy, and confront any difficult situation with poise and inner strength.Mindfulness has been one of the most researched contemplative sciences over the last two decades, with increasing research evidence of its effectiveness. Skeptics who think it is just another New Age fad will find that this book offers a convincing case for making this practice a part of their lives.With well-chosen quotes, wise words of encouragement, and short, easy-to-do daily activities spread over just 8 days, this book is the perfect opportunity for anyone to enter into the world of Mindfulness.This Second Edition features latest research findings as well as new and updated practices and tools. Autorid: Kathirasan K

A fun and colorful read-aloud book on Austrian artist Gustav Klimt. Exploring Art with Gustav Klimt travels through the decorative motifs and figures in Gustav Klimt's paintings, and the inspirations he took from Italian mosaics and ancient art forms. TheExploring Artcollectioninvites young readers to open their minds to the depth and breadth of global art history. Each book explores the key concepts of an artists oeuvre, their inspirations and important artworks. Guiding questions, a glossary, reflections and activity pagesencourage conversations between parent and child. Autorid: Sienny Septibella

Fast-track your running ability with this comprehensive guide by one of Singapore’ s most experienced athletes, Dr Ben Tan, a three-time Sportsman of the Year and sub-3 hour marathoner.Both novice and seasoned runners will benefit immensely from Dr Ben Tan’ s personal and professional experience as a world-class athlete and sports physician, as well as tips from the best of Singapore’ s sporting community. • Understand the workings of a runner’ s body• Learn how to improve your running form• Meet your nutritional needs• Optimise your training plan• Strategise for races• Pick the right running gear• Avoid and manage injuries Autorid: Ben Tan

Powerful Work Hacks presents readers with highly effective “hacks” that can be put into practice right away. Remote working, automation, co-working spaces, diversity and inclusion – the workplace is undergoing unprecedented change. In order to stay not just relevant, but productive and successful, today’s professionals will need to upgrade their work practices and skills.Powerful Work Hacks presents readers with highly effective “hacks” that can be put into practice right away. These tools are designed to improve personal productivity, increase job fulfillment, promote mental well-being, accelerate career growth, and ensure future-readiness. Chapters include: Work Hacks for Managing Time Effectively Work Hacks for Asking for a Raise Work Hacks for Saying No Smartly Work Hacks for Standing Out and Promoting Yourself Work Hacks for Dealing with Different Types of Managers The Future of Work is a game-changing series of business books that explore the rapidly evolving landscape of work today. Within the next five years, many jobs will disappear, many will be created, but what is certain is that all will change. Autorid: Dennis Mark

This timely book guides readers on a journey of applying proven mindfulness techniques to negotiate the challenges of work in the digital age. Today, as more people work remotely, as work-life boundaries become increasingly blurred, and as AI becomes a tremendous opportunity/threat in every industry, there is no question that we must re-examine the way we work. And we will need leaders with the wisdom to show the way. This timely book guides readers on a journey of applying proven mindfulness techniques to negotiate the challenges of work in the digital age. Readers are empowered with skills and techniques to take charge of their job and their career, and in so doing, unlock the leader within themselves. By working and leading with mindfulness, we have the potential to not only thrive in our careers, but also make positive impact on our teams, our organization, and our community at large. The Future of Work is a game-changing new series of business books that explore the rapidly evolving landscape of work today. Within the next five years, many jobs will disappear, many will be created, but what is certain is that all will change. The titles in this new series, written by some of the most influential business leaders, thought leaders, practitioners and consultants in the industry, cover everything from business trends and technological innovations to revolutions in work culture and the critical skills you’ll need in order to stay ahead of the curve. Autorid: Kathirasan K

An engaging story about the importance of protecting our environment and sustaining the Earth’s resources for ourselves and future generations. The tragedy of the commons describes what happens when people take as much as they want from a shared, limited resource without thinking of the consequences. As a result, the resource becomes depleted. In What Happened to the Fish in the Lake?, fishers live happily around a lake for years until they start to take more fish than they have need for. Over time, the fish dwindle and disappear. What will the fishers come together to do? Will they be able to solve the problem? This inspirational children’s story highlights the need for everyone to come together to protect and sustain the Earth’s natural resources for the good of all. Autorid: Maggie Ka Ka Twisstii

A timely and much-needed guide to finding – and securing – the job opportunities that will bring you financial and personal fulfillment in this highly fluid business landscape In the new world of work, old jobs are being disrupted or eliminated just as new ones are being invented that never existed before. On top of that, professionals are not only changing jobs, but even changing careers over the course of their working life. From exploring the roles most suited to your skill sets, to crafting the strategies for landing a coveted position, The Right Job For You will set you up for success! Chapters include: How To Build and Grow Your Network How to Identify the Right Job Opportunities How Companies Hire and What They Look For How to Separate Yourself from Others in Interview How to Hit The Deck Running From Day 1 The Future of Work is a game-changing collection of business books that explore the rapidly evolving landscape of work today. Within the next five years, many jobs will disappear, many will be created, but what is certain is that all will change. The titles in this new series, written by some of the most influential business leaders cover everything from business trends and technological innovations to revolutions in work culture and the critical skills you’ll need in order to stay ahead of the curve. Autorid: Dennis Mark

This book is written for both the new entrepreneur and the seasoned C-level executive who wants to spin-off a new business and change the competition in 36 months or less. It is filled with practical strategies and postures to adopt, when conceptualising a business idea, raising money at the right time, and scaling it for an exit. It puts together the lessons that the author has learned from conversations with some of the most successful investors and business leaders in the region, backed by over 20 years of running and exiting successful businesses, to help business champions navigate the fragmented market of Asia Pacific.It is the quintessential playbook for anyone who wants to start a new venture within an organisation or as a start-up. Autorid: Eric Lam

Synopsis On February 24, 2022, the world watched in horror as Russia invaded Ukraine. For Singaporean correspondent Ix Shen, the conflict hit much closer to home. With a Ukrainian wife and a community that was being torn apart, he witnessed the devastating impact of the invasion from his own balcony.Set against the backdrop of an incredibly complex war, this gripping autobiography takes readers on his adventurous evacuation to Poland – a journey both physically demanding and emotionally exhausting. Through this experience, Ix found himself transformed in profound ways, and this book is a testament to the power of personal growth and transformation even in the midst of chaos. He also provides a unique, Asian perspective on a topic that is often shrouded in propaganda and political spin.Stunning photographs offer an additional visual window into the conflict and his journey, providing a visceral and haunting glimpse at what is now lost. This insightful memoir is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the human cost of war and the power of the human spirit to endure. Autorid: IX Shen

Phoebe Wong would do anything to escape a British winter. But it may cost her more than her airfare. Sunsets, tacos and margaritas all sound perfect to exhausted forty-three-year-old single mum Phoebe with a dead-end job in Southwark. When her long-distance boyfriend in New York invites her to meet him in Florida, she couldn't wait to jump on a plane with her toddler. Arriving with her teething child at her boyfriend's Key West 'vacay home' before him, she is robbed on her first night. With no money, cards or passports, she is grateful for the support of friendly locals. At a BBQ, she meets an old expat British businessman. Her boyfriend arrives eventually, apologetic, and takes her out to a posh seafood dinner. But when the British expat is shot that night in the same restaurant's car park, Phoebe is trapped in a put-up job, and her boyfriend's delayed arrival is suspiciously timed. If this place has turned darker and chillier than London, she wants out. Will she be able to pull herself and her daughter away from danger? Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, Jennifer Hillier and Colleen Hoover. Dive in and start your adventure now. Autorid: Ivy Ngeow

Penang is one of the food capitals of Malaysia. However, over time, many Penang heritage dishes have been modified so much that what is served today is just a pale image of the original. The tastes of home-cooked dishes have not been faithfully reproduced from one generation to the next. Similarly, street- food and restaurant recipes have not been faithfully passed from a retiring chef to his successor. This book preserves the Penang heritage food from days of yore, covering home- cooked food, street food and restaurant dishes. Meticulously researched, every recipe is prefaced with heritage information and, together, they trace Penang heritage food to its Thai, Hokkien, Hainanese, Indian and Malay roots. Penang Heritage Food won a national award for best culinary history in the World Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. Autorid: Ong Jin Teong

Eighteenth-century economist Adam Smith propagated profit maximization as the incentive for businesses to create goods and services that society needs. He argued that free-market competition would ensure consumers get the best quality product at the cheapest price. Two hundered years later, Milton Friedman agreed in his seminal 1970 New York Times op-ed that the sole responsibility of business is to maximize profits ‘so long as it stays within the rules of the game’. Incentives coupled with some regulations were to henceforth safeguard societal interests. Instead, incentives created bad behaviour. Regulations were routinely bypassed with intelligent loopholes. Despite this—to encourage sustainability today—we are again using incentives and regulations. That’s predominantly what the ESG framework focuses on. And what do we see? Rampant greenwashing and box-ticking. To address today’s existential challenges, we need innovation of the highest order. Innovation can neither be legislated nor driven by extrinsic incentives alone. Autorid: Rajeev Peshawaria

100 First Concepts series consists of six picture books, each featuring 100 engaging and clearly labeled illustrations. These books are designed to help children in acquiring basic vocabulary, honing their counting abilities, and discovering a variety of animals, birds, modes of transportation, and food items. With this series children can improve their language skills and the ability to connect words with pictures.Titles in the series - 1. 100 Words we read2. 100 Numbers to count3. 100 Animals and birds4. 100 Food we eat5. 100 Things that move6. 100 First Concepts (Alphabet, shapes and colors) Autorid: Penguin Books

This book is a great treasure for everyone who enjoys the beauty of the fascinating world of recreational mathematics. It focuses on recreational aspects of numbers to create interest and motivate readers to learn to be creative in improving their problem-solving techniques. The book would help ignite interest in numbers, which will benefit teachers trying to teach math, especially to students who dont like math, by supplementing their regular curriculum with the module containing material from the book, which provides an opportunity for fun and joy while developing mathematical skills. The ideas for further exploration given in the book offer food for thought to delve into the world of research and fun, in addition to testing computational skills. The book communicates the excitement and fascination of numbers to the students in schools and colleges. The theory behind the subject matter has been kept to a minimum to retain the recreational nature of the book. The book has a delightful coverage of numerical curiosities, coincidences and wonders, revealing many new eye-opening properties of numbers. Organized into 23 chapters, the book contains a large variety of topics: digital root wonders, the elegance of squares, triangular numbers, Smith numbers, amicable numbers, perfect, multiple perfect and sociable numbers, happy numbers, Fibonacci numbers, Lucas numbers, and the Golden ratio, Kaprekar numbers, self-numbers, repunit numbers, equal product of reversible numbers (EPRNs), rare numbers, fascinating factorials, Ulam numbers, mystery of , cab and vampire numbers, digital invariants and narcissistic numbers, special numbers like autobiographical numbers, Harshad numbers, parasite numbers, polydivisible numbers, Ramanujan numbers, number curiosities such as lucky mistakes, Pascals triangle and Pythagorean triplets. Pythagoras attributed mystical qualities to some of the numbers. Even the religious properties of numbers were extensively studied. So, four chapters are exclusively devoted to such numbers, namely, the amazing number 108, the unlucky 13, the beauty of 153, and the number of the beast, with lots of new curiosities and miraculous coincidences. Autorid: Shyam Sunder Gupta

The history of Asia can be told through its great port cities: Guangzhou (Canton), Shanghai, Nagasaki, Basra, Aden, Jeddah, Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay), Colombo, Batavia (Jakarta), Manila, Singapore, and many others. For millennia, port cities have been centres of global trade and the exchange of goods, peoples, cultures and ideas. They developed into cosmopolitan, multicultural societies and evolved distinctive, hybrid styles of art, architecture, material culture and ways of living. They were also crucibles of innovation, and have played an enormous, though under-appreciated, role in the spread of new technologies, new forms of creative expression and new ways of thinking throughout Asia. This book takes the reader on an epic journey across maritime Asia and the Indian Ocean, stopping at 60 port cities along the coasts and rivers of China, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, the Middle East and Africa. The timeframe of the book is equally sweeping, reaching back some two thousand years to port cities of the distant past and forward again to those of the present. The stories of these great port cities are brought alive through explorations of artworks in museums, literature, architecture, food, fashion and popular culture. Every chapter is illustrated with photographs, maps or archival material. Stopping and sojourning at each of these port cities, museum director Kennie Ting tells an evocative, multi-layered tale of their living heritage, even as he paints a vivid picture of their importance in history. In doing so, he follows in the footsteps of generations of explorers and travellers who have wandered across the globe in the quest for knowledge, and recorded their experiences for posterity. Autorid: Kennie Ting

This book serves as a practical guidebook for non-Tibetan beginners who want to learn the Tibetan writing system and conversational Tibetan, but have never studied the language before. Based on modern colloquial Tibetan, it is founded on traditional Tibetan expression as well as the proper shape and style used by Tibetans in their daily lives, enabling learners to connect directly with Tibetans. This book is an outcome of the author's in-depth research on Tibetan language for the last two and half decades and is the third book in the series of his research work devoted to the 'Linguistic Studies of the lesser-known/endangered Languages of Indian Himalayas & beyond'. This book features a Foreword from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

In China, many excellent mathematics students take an active part in various mathematical contests, and each year, the best six senior high school students are selected to form the IMO National Team to compete in the International Mathematical Olympiad. In the past ten years, China's IMO Team has achieved outstanding results - they won the first place almost every year.The authors of this book are esteemed coaches of the China national team, including Xiao Liang, Qu Zhenhua, Xiong Bin, Yu Hongbing, Yao Yijun, Wang Xinmao, Li Ting, Ai Yinghua, Fu Yunhao, Wang Bin, He Yijie, and Zhang Sihui. Contributing to the translation efforts were Chen Haoran and Zhao Wei.The materials of this book come from a book (in Chinese) on Forward to IMO: A Collection of Mathematical Olympiad Problems (2023). It is a collection of problems and solutions of the major mathematical competitions in China. It provides a glimpse of how the China national team is selected and formed.

This comprehensive book features high-quality images, videos, and step-by-step instructions on capturing the upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts. The atlas also features detailed sections on the head and neck, non-Barrett's esophagus, Barrett's esophagus, duodenum, stomach, and colon. The book covers everything from equipment reviews and diagnostic technologies of the unified global standard system and image quality to the classification of lesions in different regions of the digestive system. Each section includes expert reviews and outstanding endoscopic images of various types of benign lesions and early cancers with their histopathological images. It also explains the Japan Esophageal Society classification, VS classification/MESDA-G, and JNET classification.Atlas of Advanced Endoscopy is an indispensable tool for improving the reader's knowledge and understanding of the complexity of gastrointestinal endoscopy. Readers will explore the anatomy of various conditions, including lymphoid follicles, reflex esophagitis, adenoma, hyperplastic polyp, and early cancer. With its comprehensive coverage, detailed images, and videos to assist clinical decision-making, this book is a must-have reference for anyone interested in imaging the gastrointestinal tracts. It will assist endoscopists in learning the diagnostic strategies, procedures, and clinically essential cases. This book will also be valued by practitioners, clinicians, gastroenterologists, and medical students who want to stay familiar with the latest developments in the field.

The atlas focuses on the surgical steps of the latest hernia surgeries elucidated by labeled pictures. It aims to explain the technical aspects of hernia procedures. It includes images that are both graphic and intraoperative clinical photographs for better understanding. The book is written by international experts who have invented and pioneered the newer hernia procedures. Hernia surgery has evolved at a tremendous pace in the last decade. In the last decade, there has been a proliferation of more than 20 procedures in hernia repair, and they offer advantages compared to the older procedures in various clinical situations. Presently, the resources, including images of the newer procedures, are limited to the published journals. This book aims to fill this gap by providing technique based knowledge in an illustrated manner for learning newer hernia procedures. It is written in a succinct style. The book serves as a ready reference for practicing surgeons, minimal access surgeons and, resident surgeons, fellows.

This atlas is the first book on the use of high-resolution ultrasound to assess breast implants and identify the various potential breast implant-related complications, which are frequently asymptomatic. The aim is to provide radiologists, breast surgeons, plastic surgeons, and other medical staff with a comprehensive guide of high clinical value during not only the diagnostic but also the treatment process. To this end, a wealth of ultrasound images and videos are presented, along with surgical photos and videos and pathological findings. The coverage includes the role of ultrasound in the management of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell carcinoma, with explanation of its value in distinguishing the type of implant shell, which is highly relevant in this disease. A concluding chapter presents a large series of instructive cases. The author has extensive experience in breast surgery and has been collecting implant-related data using high-resolution ultrasound, including data on the diagnosis of side effects, for more than a decade.

The book covers all aspects of hysteroscopy, adenomyomas, diagnosis, management, fact and fiction, and related technological advances. It includes detailed descriptions of the history and evolution, instrumentation, and energy sources used in hysteroscopy. Further chapters cover the process of setting up hi-tech hysteroscopy units, and the maintenance and sterilization of all instruments used during surgery. The book also examines the role of hysteroscopy in infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss, uterine malformations and endometrial polyps in detail. All chapters were written by respected international experts, and are richly illustrated with colour hysteroscopic images. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable resource for all gynaecologists and graduate students.

In 1985, Dr. Nigel Barley, senior anthropologist at The British Museum, set off for the relatively unknown Indonesian island of Sulawesi in search of the Toraja, a people whose culture includes headhunting, transvestite priests and the massacre of buffalo. In witty and finely crafted prose, Barley offers fascinating insight into the people of Sulawesi and he recounts the tale of the four Torajan woodcarvers he invites back to London to construct an Indonesian rice barn in The British Museum. Previously published as "Not a Hazardous Sport". Autorid: Nigel Barley

This book equips urban planning professionals, students, and policymakers with the knowledge to not only advocate for public goods but to effectively implement, manage, and maintain them in real-world projects and policies. It offers an in-depth exploration of the economic, legal, and governance intricacies surrounding public goods, highlighting their essential role in fostering social equity and sustainability. Through case studies and practical and theoretical exploration, this guide enables professionals to navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and ensure the equitable provision of public goods in urban contexts. By bridging theory and practice, the book empowers readers to develop and manage public goods with a focus on inclusivity, resilience, and long-term sustainability. Autorid: Roberto Rocco

"The silence depressed me. It wasn't the silence of silence. It was my own silence." Esther Greenwood is a beautiful and immensely talented young lady who dreamt of being a great writer. As a college student she travelled from Massachusetts to New York to work on a magazine for a month as a guest editor. While there, she is showered with fancy dinners, and elite networking. Esther knew she should be having the time of her life, but something was wrong, and she felt deadened.Little she knew that this was the beginning of a clinical depression which would take all sense of life out of her. After a visit from a beloved professor, she starts to believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.Months of treatment later, Esther leaves the mental hospital in time to start college. She now knew that life would be a seesaw of good and bad days, and the bell jar could ring either with sadness or elation, she just needed to hear it jingle and practice what she learnt.The Bell Jar is an intimate, and uplifting narrative written with the expert stroke of the finest writers of the century; meant to make the reader feel supported and hopeful in their journey.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. There exists a natural ebb and flow in everything you do. By aligning yourself with this innate rhythm, you effortlessly get things done with ease and calm.This is precisely what the practice of wu wei accomplishes. Rooted in the timeless wisdom of Tao, it guides us on how we can gain better control by giving up control and achieve excellence by balancing effort and ease. Rather than imposing our will, we allow things to unfold naturally. The realization holds the potential for a life-changing experience.In this book, you embark on a 7-step learning path to make wu wei a way of life. It unlocks your hidden potential and allows you to witness wu wei's transformative influence that permeates all facets of your life.The Author Having immersed himself over the decades in the profound teachings of Taoist philosophy, Tekson Teo finds great intrigue in the profound impact aligning with the natural flow of things has on achieving excellence in life. In addition to his familiarity with the practice of wu wei and scriptures such as the Tao Te Ching and the I Ching, Tekson is privileged to be a disciple of an ancient tai chi lineage, which gives him invaluable insights into the timeless wisdom. Moreover, his extensive experience as a management consultant offered him helpful perspectives on integrating the principles of wu wei into everyday work and life.Tekson was awarded BSc (Econ) Hon by University of London and MBA, DIC by Imperial College London.

This book provides a thorough review of important incidental vocabulary acquisition issues so as to provide readers with a starting point to quickly gain access to an overview of what has been published up until this point. It shows examples of how to go about conducting incidental vocabulary acquisition research. It critiques particular methodologies that have been used in previous studies and thereby challenge future researchers to innovate. When possible, particular studies are used for these critiques so that readers can become aware of the issues that they should take care of when designing their own studies. Lastly, this book suggests future directions for the field of incidental vocabulary acquisition. An extensive reading program is the heart of a well-designed language course, and one of the many reasons for this is that it provides opportunities for substantial vocabulary learning. Researching Second Language Incidental Vocabulary Acquisition through Reading is a carefully organised guide to researching such learning. The book draws on a large amount of research to cover a list of the critical factors to consider when designing research on incidental vocabulary learning from reading. The book is organised in such a way that it can be read in its entirety or used as a reference book to check particular factors in design. An important strength of the book is that it is written by a practising researcher, teacher-trainer and editor who is very familiar with carrying out and publishing such research. This is a very valuable resource for researchers and supervisors.Paul Nation, LALS, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

This book provides a mathematical but friendly introduction to the fundamental concepts, basic problems, and classic algorithms in reinforcement learning. It can help readers understand the theoretical roots of an algorithm and hence why the algorithm was designed in the first place and why it works. Many illustrative examples are given, and the mathematics is presented in a carefully designed manner to ensure that the book is friendly to read.The contents of this book include two aspects. The first is about the mathematical foundation of reinforcement learning, which includes the Bellman equation, Bellman optimality equation, value iteration and policy iteration methods, and stochastic approximation. The second is about classic reinforcement learning algorithms, which include Monte Carlo methods, temporal-difference methods, function approximation, policy gradient, and actor-critic methods.Given its scope, the book will appeal to undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, lecturers, industrial researchers, and anyone interested in reinforcement learning.

Stephen Hawking, the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University, is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists of our time. This book contains a personal selection of his most significant papers on gravitational theory applied to cosmology and black holes. His early work, partly in collaboration with Roger Penrose, showed that spacetime must come to an end at singularities that will occur both in the big bang and in black holes. This means that time will have a beginning and an end. Hawking's later work has been concerned with understanding these two situations. This requires a combination of the two great theories of the first half of the 20th century: general relativity and quantum mechanics. Although a completely unified theory remains elusive, Hawking has been able to make considerable progress, both with black hole radiation and with the no-boundary proposal for the origin to the universe. This compilation of Stephen Hawking's most important works, complete with an introduction by him, is an essential collector's item and an important source of reference for theoretical physicists.It bears testimony to the courage of a man who has overcome severe physical disability to push the frontiers of science to new heights.

This book covers thirty years of the Leningrad Mathematical Olympiad, which was, ostensibly, the very first formally organized, open, official city-level mathematical contest in the world. Founded in 1934 by a group of dedicated Soviet mathematicians, it played an outstanding (and often underappreciated) role in creating the Leningrad (St. Petersburg) school of mathematics of the 20th century.The book begins with the extensive introduction containing two prefaces (one of them written specifically for this edition), a large historical survey of the Leningrad Mathematical Olympiad, a section describing the logistical side of the contest, and a small chapter dedicated to the very first Mathematical Olympiad held in 1934, whose problems were recently found in the Soviet-era library archives.The main text contains approximately 1,100 highly original questions for students of grades 5 through 10 (ages 11-12 through 17-18) offered at the two concluding rounds of the Leningrad City Mathematics Olympiads in the years of 1961-1991. Full solutions, hints and answers are provided for all questions with very rare exceptions.It also includes 120 additional questions, offered at the various mathematical contests held in Leningrad over the same thirty-year period - on average, their difficulty is somewhat higher than that of the regular Mathematical Olympiad problems.

Although there are many textbooks that deal with the formal apparatus of quantum mechanics (QM) and its application to standard problems, none take into account the developments in the foundations of the subject which have taken place in the last few decades. There are specialized treatises on various aspects of the foundations of QM, but none that integrate those topics with the standard material. This book aims to remove that unfortunate dichotomy, which has divorced the practical aspects of the subject from the interpretation and broader implications of the theory.In this edition a new chapter on quantum information is added. As the topic is still in a state of rapid development, a comprehensive treatment is not feasible. The emphasis is on the fundamental principles and some key applications, including quantum cryptography, teleportation of states, and quantum computing. The impact of quantum information theory on the foundations of quantum mechanics is discussed. In addition, there are minor revisions to several chapters.The book is intended primarily as a graduate level textbook, but it will also be of interest to physicists and philosophers who study the foundations of QM. Parts of it can be used by senior undergraduates too. Autorid: Leslie E Ballentine

This book takes the student from the Newtonian mechanics typically taught in the first and the second year to the areas of recent research. The discussion of topics such as invariance, Hamiltonian-Jacobi theory, and action-angle variables is especially complete; the last includes a discussion of the Hannay angle, not found in other texts. The final chapter is an introduction to the dynamics of nonlinear nondissipative systems. Connections with other areas of physics which the student is likely to be studying at the same time, such as electromagnetism and quantum mechanics, are made where possible. There is thus a discussion of electromagnetic field momentum and mechanicalhidden momentum in the quasi-static interaction of an electric charge and a magnet. This discussion, among other things explains the(e/c)A term in the canonical momentum of a charged particle in an electromagnetic field. There is also a brief introduction to path integrals and their connection with Hamilton's principle, and the relation between the Hamilton-Jacobi equation of mechanics, the eikonal equation of optics, and the Schrödinger equation of quantum mechanics.The text contains 115 exercises. This text is suitable for a course in classical mechanics at the advanced undergraduate level. Autorid: Melvin G Calkin

Did You Hear That? Help for Children Who Hear Voices is about five very different children who share one thing in common hearing voices and seeing things that are not there.Susie is a 9-year-old who keeps her challenges with auditory and visual hallucinations a secret until a teacher alerts her parents of her difficulties at school. With compassion, empathy, love and understanding, Susie's parents encourage her to see a counselor. Susie builds trust and rapport with her counselor, which finally allows her to share her well-guarded secret. After divulging what has been troubling her for years, with her counselor's help, she discovers that she is not the only one in the world who struggles with voices.Susie then introduces readers to four other children of different ethnicities, ages, backgrounds, talents and interests who also hear voices. All of the children share with readers their challenges with voices and personal life circumstances that contributed to them hearing voices. Then they go on to speak about their personal choices regarding what role they want voices to have in their lives and how counselors helped them achieve their individual goals.Did You Hear That? is a beautifully illustrated practical therapeutic storybook for psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health practitioners treating children with auditory and visual hallucinations. While it normalizes the experience and assists children in seeking professional help, it is also an easy to understand and user-friendly guide for concerned parents, teachers, pediatricians and allied health professionals. Autorid: Seethalakshmi Subbiah

"The first half of the book walks the reader through methods of counting, both direct elementary methods and the more advanced method of generating functions. Then, in the second half of the book, the reader learns how to apply these methods to fascinating objects, such as graphs, designs, random variables, partially ordered sets, and algorithms. In short, the first half emphasizes depth by discussing counting methods at length; the second half aims for breadth, by showing how numerous the applications of our methods are. New to this fifth edition of A Walk Through Combinatorics is the addition of Instant Check exercises - more than a hundred in total - which are located at the end of most subsections. As was the case for all previous editions, the exercises sometimes contain new material that was not discussed in the text, allowing instructors to spend more time on a given topic if they wish to do so. With a thorough introduction into enumeration and graph theory, as well as a chapter on permutation patterns (not often covered in other textbooks), this book is well suited for any undergraduate introductory combinatorics class"-- Autorid: Miklos Bona

How To Learn Both Applied Statistics (Econometrics) And Free, Open-Source Software R? This Book Allows Students To Have A Sense Of Accomplishment By Copying And Pasting Many Hands-On Templates Provided Here. The Textbook Is Essential For Anyone Wishing To Have A Practical Understanding Of An Extensive Range Of Topics In Econometrics. No Other Text Provides Software Snippets To Learn So Many New Statistical Tools With Hands-On Examples. The Explicit Knowledge Of Inputs And Outputs Of Each New Method Allows The Student To Know Which Algorithm Is Worth Studying. The Book Offers Sufficient Theoretical And Algorithmic Details About A Vast Range Of Statistical Techniques. The Second Edition'S Preface Lists The Following Topics Generally Absent In Other Textbooks. (I) Iteratively Reweighted Least Squares, (Ii) Pillar Charts To Represent 3D Data. (Iii) Stochastic Frontier Analysis (Sfa) (Iv) Model Selection With Mallows' Cp Criterion. (V) Hodrick-Prescott (Hp) Filter. (Vi) Automatic Arima Models. (Vi) Nonlinear Granger-Causality Using Kernel Regressions And Bootstrap Confidence Intervals. (Vii) New Keynesian Phillips Curve (Nkpc). (Viii) Market-Neutral Pairs Trading Using Two Cointegrated Stocks. (Ix) Artificial Neural Network (Ann) For Product-Specific Forecasting. (X) Vector Ar And Varma Models. (Xi) New Tools For Diagnosing The Endogeneity Problem. (Xii) The Elegant Set-Up Of K-Class Estimators And Identification. (Xiii) Probit-Logit Models And Heckman Selection Bias Correction. (Xiv) Receiver Operating Characteristic (Roc) Curves And Areas Under Them. (Xv) Confusion Matrix. (Xvi) Quantile Regression (Xvii) Elastic Net Estimator. (Xviii) Generalized Correlations (Xix) Maximum Entropy Bootstrap For Time Series. (Xx) Convergence Concepts Quantified. (Xxi) Generalized Partial Correlation Coefficients (Xxii) Panel Data And Duration (Survival) Models. Autorid: Hrishikesh D Vinod

Series Synopsis The Read + Play series of books help children nurture a lifelong love for reading and learning through the power of play. With each story, children are guided through various Read and Play elements to immerse them in the story world experience. Start your child on an enriching journey of learning with Read + Play today! Story Synopsis The Adventures of Mooty depicts the delightful adventures of the lovable little mouse, Mooty, who endears himself to a community of animals, birds and insects and becomes their hero. Autorid: Jessie Wee

This book comprehensively introduces the basic knowledge and main technologies of cloud computing and big data. It covers cloud computing, big data technology, virtualization technology, data centers, parallel computing and clustering technology, cloud storage technology, OpenStack, Hadoop, Spark, Storm, and cloud computing simulation.With a focus on practicality, this volume is enriched with experiments and closely integrates theory with practice, enabling readers to systematically and comprehensively understand cloud computing and big data technologies.This useful reference textbook benefits professionals, academics, researchers, graduate and undergraduate students in databases/information sciences. Autorid: Junxiu An, Sian Jin, Lilang Wan

In Rethinking China, Zhengyu “Z” Huang delivers a timely and incisive critique of the prevailing US narrative on China—challenging long-held assumptions with data, expert interviews, and firsthand insight. Blending history, economics, diplomacy, and lived experience, Huang dismantles assumptions surrounding trade, intellectual property, human rights, and national security, while cutting through fear and laying bare the dangerous consequences of dehumanizing rhetoric and strategic miscalculation. From the legacy of Vietnam to the risks of war over Taiwan, he calls for evidence-based policymaking and a more honest, values-driven approach to coexistence and competition with China. This book is an essential guide for policymakers, media, and citizens alike seeking clarity in one of the most consequential relationships of our time. Autorid: Zhengyu Z. Huang

This book is a one-stop resource on all the critical aspects of planning and designing hospitals, one of the most complex healthcare projects to undertake. A well-planned and designed hospital should control infection rate, provide safety to patients, caregivers and visitors, help improve patients' recovery and have scope for future expansion and change. Reinforcing these basic principles, guidance on such effective planning and designing is the key focus. Readers are offered insights into eliminating shortcomings at every stage of setting up a hospital which may not be feasible to rectify later on through alterations. Chapters from 1 to 12 of the book provide exhaustive notes on initial planning, such as detailed project reports, feasibility studies, and area calculation. Chapters 13 to 27 include designing and layout of all the essential departments/units such as OPD, emergency, intermediate care, diagnostics, operating rooms, and intensive care units. Chapters 28 to 37 cover designing support services like sterilization department, pharmacy, medical gas pipeline, kitchen, laundry, medical record, and mortuary. Chapters 38 to 48 take the readers through planning other services like air-conditioning and ventilation, fire safety, extra low voltage, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services. Chapter 49 is for the planning of medical equipment. A particular chapter on "Green" hospital designing is included. This book is a single essential tabletop reference for hospital consultants, medical and hospital administrators, hospital designers, architecture students, and hospital promoters.

This richly illustrated volume presents an accessible history of Chinese silk art. Combining an expansive perspective with systematic analysis and engaging prose—complemented by extensive color imagery—the author meticulously examines the essence of ancient Chinese silk artistry. The narrative excels through concise yet profound scholarship: tracing historical origins, exploring nuanced aesthetic depths, and illuminating core principles with scholarly elegance and intellectual pleasure. The Reconstructed textile patterns serve as indispensable visual narratives alongside the text, achieving exceptional contextual fidelity. These visual restorations create a resonant dialogue between between modern readers and historical artisans, allowing contemporary audiences to meaningfully connect with the invisible creators behind these masterworks. Beyond its scholarly contribution, this work holds significant practical value for advancing contemporary silk design and artistic practices. It thus represents a vital step toward perpetuating China’s outstanding traditional cultural heritage.