springer aug 2000 (94 Ergebnisse)

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -This book is about using graphs to understand the relationship between a regression model and the data to which it is fitted. Because of the way in which models are fitted, for example, by least squares, we can lose infor mation about the effect of individual observations on inferences about the form and parameters of the model. The methods developed in this book reveal how the fitted regression model depends on individual observations and on groups of observations. Robust procedures can sometimes reveal this structure, but downweight or discard some observations. The novelty in our book is to combine robustness and a forward' ' search through the data with regression diagnostics and computer graphics. We provide easily understood plots that use information from the whole sample to display the effect of each observation on a wide variety of aspects of the fitted model. This bald statement of the contents of our book masks the excitement we feel about the methods we have developed based on the forward search. We are continuously amazed, each time we analyze a new set of data, by the amount of information the plots generate and the insights they provide. We believe our book uses comparatively elementary methods to move regression in a completely new and useful direction. We have written the book to be accessible to students and users of statistical methods, as well as for professional statisticians.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 348 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -The Workshop on Approximation Algorithms for Combinatorial Optimization ProblemsAPPROX¿2000 focuses on algorithmic and complexity aspects ar- ing in the development of e cient approximate solutions to computationally di cult problems. It aims, in particular, at fostering cooperation among - gorithmic and complexity researchers in the eld. The workshop, to be held at the Max-Planck-Institute for Computer Science in Saarbruc ¿ ken, Wermany, co-locates with ESA¿2020 and WWE¿2000. We would like to thank the local organizers at the Max-Planck-Institute (AG 8, Kurt Mehlhorn), for this opp- tunity. APPVOXis an annual meeting, with previousworkshopsin Aalborg and Berkeley. Previous proceedings appeared as LNCS 1464 and 1671. Topics of interest for APPROX¿2000 are: design and analysis of appro- mation algorithms, inapproximability results, on-line problems, randomization techniques, average-case analysis, approximation classes, scheduling problems, routingand owproblems,coloringandiartitioning,cutsandconnectivity,pa- ing and covering, geometric problems, network design, and various applications. The numberof submitted papersto APPROX¿2000was68 fromwhich 23 paters were selected. This volume contains the selected papers plus papers by invited speakers. All papers published in the workshop proceedings nere selected by the program committee on the basis of referee reports. Each paper was reviewed vy at least three referees who judged the papers for originality, quality, and consistency with the topics of the conference. 292 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware - If the aim of psychotherapy is to alleviate suffering, then the measure of its validity must be the extent to which it does or does not achieve that goal. But who decides whether suffering has been alleviated, or whether the well-being of the client has been promoted On what basis are such judgements made The majority of literature on the effectiveness of therapy is written by therapists. This book, written by a client, challenges the power of theory and ask questions which deserve to be aired, and in so doing presents a powerful and articulate appeal for greater sensitivity, a critical view and better practice.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Over the past decade there has been a huge increase in interest in the use of lasers in dermatology. The number and choice of lasers have increased dramatically. This has expanded the number of conditions treatable by lasers and also the number of clinicians now wishing to include dermatological lasers in their therapeutic armamentarium. Marketing forces and commercial pressures have led to a situation where lasers are purchased and used without a broad-based understanding of this important and developing field. The aim of this textbook is to provide a comprehensive guide to the theoretical and practical aspects of lasers used in the fields of dermatology and plastic surgery. I would hope this book would allow the trainee, consultant dermato logist or plastic surgeon to gain a full understanding of all aspects of lasers in der matology, both from the basic science and safety aspects through to the most appropriate choice of laser for the treatment of most particular conditions. This, however, is not a 'how to . cook book'; guidance only on treatment is pro vided based on my own experience and published research. Full understanding of the 'whys' and 'whens' of treatment are the aim, coupled with an extensive review of current and 'cutting edge' research. This textbook will be an ideal complement to practical hands-on laser training to provide the clinician with all that is necessary for safe and competent practice in this field. vii '~i :r.; Acknowledgements .,~.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 132 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -This volume includes the papers accepted for the First International Conference on Electronic Commerce and Web Technologies, which was held in Greenwich, UK, on September 4-6, 2000. The conference is the first of a series of planned conferences on these topics with the goal to bring together researchers from academia, practitioners and commercial developers from industry, and users to assess current methodologies and explore new ideas in e-commerce and web technology. The conference attracted 120 papers from all over the world and each paper was reviewed by at least three program committee members for its merit. The program committee finally selected 42 papers for presentation and inclusion in these conference proceedings. The conference program consisted of 14 technical sessions and two invited talks spread over three days. The regular sessions covered topics such as web application design, intellectual property rights, security and fairness, distributed organizations, web usage analysis, modelling of web applications, electronic commerce success factors, electronic markets, XML, web mining, electronic negotiation, integrity and performance, facilitating electronic commerce, and mobile electronic commerce. There were two invited addresses at the conference. The first was by Anthony Finkelstein, University College London, UK on 'A Foolish Consistency: Technical Challenges in Consistency Management'. This was a common address to the DEXA, the DaWaK and the EC-Web attendees. The second talk was by Paul Timmers, European Commission, Information Technologies Directorate on 'The Role of Technology for the e-Economy'.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 492 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -This book brings together three great motifs of the network society: the seeking and using of information by individuals and groups; the creation and application of knowledge in organizations; and the fundamental transformation of these activities as they are enacted on the Internet and the World Wide Web. Of the three, the study of how individuals and groups seek information probably has the longest history, beginning with the early 'information needs and uses' studies soon after the Second World War. The study of organizations as knowledge-based social systems is much more recent, and really gained momentum only within the last decade or so. The study of the World Wide Web as information and communication media is younger still, but has generated tremendous excitement, partly because it has the potential to reconfigure the ways in which people seek information and use knowledge, and partly because it offers new methods of analyzing and measuring how in fact such information and knowledge work gets done. As research endeavors, these streams overlap and share conceptual constructs, perspectives, and methods of analysis. Although these overlaps and shared concerns are sometimes apparent in the published research, there have been few attempts to connect these ideas explicitly and identify cross-disciplinary themes. This book is an attempt to fill this void. The three authors of this book possess contrasting backgrounds and thus adopt complementary vantage points to observe information seeking and knowledge work.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 240 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -This book consists of five parts written by different authors devoted to various problems dealing with probability limit theorems. The first part, 'Classical-Type Limit Theorems for Sums ofIndependent Random Variables' (V.v. Petrov), presents a number of classical limit theorems for sums of independent random variables as well as newer related results. The presentation dwells on three basic topics: the central limit theorem, laws of large numbers and the law of the iterated logarithm for sequences of real-valued random variables. The second part, 'The Accuracy of Gaussian Approximation in Banach Spaces' (V. Bentkus, F. G6tze, V. Paulauskas and A. Rackauskas), reviews various results and methods used to estimate the convergence rate in the central limit theorem and to construct asymptotic expansions in infinite-dimensional spaces. The authors con fine themselves to independent and identically distributed random variables. They do not strive to be exhaustive or to obtain the most general results; their aim is merely to point out the differences from the finite-dimensional case and to explain certain new phenomena related to the more complex structure of Banach spaces. Also reflected here is the growing tendency in recent years to apply results obtained for Banach spaces to asymptotic problems of statistics.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 292 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -In A Theodicy of Hell Charles Seymour tackles one of the most difficult problems facing the western theistic tradition: to show the consonance between eternal punishment and the goodness of God. Medieval theology attempted to resolve the dilemma by arguing that any sin, no matter how slight, merits unending torment. Contemporary thinkers, on the other hand, tend to eliminate the retributive element from hell entirely. Combining historical breadth with detailed argumentation, the author develops a novel understanding of hell which avoids the extremes of both its traditional and modern rivals. He then surveys the battery of objections ranged against the possibility of eternal punishment and shows how his `freedom view of hell' can withstand the attack. The work will be of particular importance for those interested in philosophy of religion and theology, including academics, students, seminarians, clergy, and anyone else with a personal desire to come to terms with this perennially challenging doctrine.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 228 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -This book explores the scope and limits of macroeconomic policy in a monetary union. The focus is on pure policies, policy mixes, and policy coordination. The leading protagonists are the union central bank, national governments, and national trade unions. Special emphasis is put on wage shocks and wage restraint. This book develops a series of basic, intennediate, and advanced models. A striking feature is the numerical estimation of policy multipliers. A lot of diagrams serve to illustrate the subject in hand. The monetary union is an open economy with high capital mobility. The exchange rate between the monetary union and the rest of the world is floating. The world interest rate can be exogenous or endogenous. The union countries may differ in money demand, consumption, imports, openness, or size. Previous versions of some parts were presented at the Annual Conference of the Gennan Economic Association and . at the Workshop on International Economics. I have benefited from comments by Christopher Bliss, Volker Clausen, Johannes Hackmann, Bernd Hayo, Jay H. Levin, Reinar Ludeke, Dirk Meyer, Jochen Michaelis, Franco Reither, Gerhard Rubel, WolfScMfer, Michael Schmid, Reinhard Selten, Hans-Werner Sinn, Sylvia Staudinger, Thomas Straubhaar, Bas van Aarle, and Artur Woll. In addition, Michael Brauninger and Michael Cyrus carefully discussed with me all parts of the manuscript. Last but not least, Doris Ehrich did the secretarial work as excellently as ever. I wish to thank all of them. Executive Summary 1) The monetary union as a whole. First consider fiscal policy.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 312 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Object relationships in modern software systems are becoming increasingly numerous and complex, and program errors due to violations of object relationships are difficult to detect. Programmers need new tools that allow them to explore objects in a large system more efficiently and to detect broken object relationships instantaneously. Such tools incorporate approaches used in such areas as data visualization, pattern matching and extraction, database querying, active databases, and rule-based programming. The query-based debugging approach developed by the author of this book is another powerful yet efficient tool to be added to the developer's tool chest.Advanced Debugging Methods presents practice and tools for debugging computer programs. This book proposes new powerful approaches that simplify the daunting task of debugging complex software systems. Although debugging has been addressed in numerous research papers, many of its methods have yet to be explored in a book-length format. This book helps to fill this gap by presenting an overview of existing debugging tools with motivating examples and case studies, as well as presenting new, state-of-the-art debugging methods.Advanced Debugging Methods will be of use to software developers looking for tools to be applied in cutting edge practice; system architects looking at the relationship between software design and debugging; tools and programming language researchers looking for new ideas in run-time tool implementation as well as detailed descriptions of advanced implementations; and university professors and graduate students who will use this book as supplementary reading for graduate courses in programming tools, language implementation, and advanced object-oriented systems. Advanced Debugging Methods is also a handy reference of currently existing debugging methodologies as well as a springboard for cutting-edge research to simplify thedifficult task of debugging and to facilitate the development of more robust software systems.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 204 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -It became more and more usual, from, say, the 1970s, for each book on Module Theory, to point out and prove some (but in no more than 15 to 20 pages) generalizations to (mostly modular) lattices. This was justified by the nowadays widely accepted perception that the structure of a module over a ring is best understood in terms of the lattice struc ture of its submodule lattice. Citing Louis H. Rowen 'this important example (the lattice of all the submodules of a module) is the raison d'etre for the study of lattice theory by ring theorists'. Indeed, many module-theoretic results can be proved by using lattice theory alone. The purpose of this book is to collect and present all and only the results of this kind, although for this purpose one must develop some significant lattice theory. The results in this book are of the following categories: the folklore of Lattice Theory (to be found in each Lattice Theory book), module theoretic results generalized in (modular, and possibly compactly gen erated) lattices (to be found in some 6 to 7 books published in the last 20 years), very special module-theoretic results generalized in lattices (e. g. , purity in Chapter 9 and several dimensions in Chapter 13, to be found mostly in [27], respectively, [34] and [18]) and some new con cepts (e. g.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 248 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -In delivering lectures and writing books, we were most often forced to pay absolutely no attention to a great body of interesting results and useful algorithms appearing in numerous sources and occasionally encountered. It was absolutely that most of these re sults would finally be forgotten because it is impossible to run through the entire variety of sources where these materials could be published. Therefore, we decided to do what we can to correct this situation. We discussed this problem with Ershov and came to an idea to write an encyclopedia of algorithms on graphs focusing our main attention on the algorithms already used in programming and their generalizations or modifications. We thought that it is reasonable to group all graphs into certain classes and place the algo rithms developed for each class into a separate book. The existence of trees, i. e. , a class of graphs especially important for programming, also supported this decision. This monograph is the first but, as we hope, not the last book written as part of our project. It was preceded by two books 'Algorithms on Trees' (1984) and 'Algorithms of Processing of Trees' (1990) small editions of which were published at the Computer Center of the Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The books were distributed immediately and this made out our decision to prepare a combined mono graph on the basis of these books even stronger.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 452 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -The need to predict, understand, and optimize complex physical and c- mical processes occurring in and around the earth, such as groundwater c- tamination, oil reservoir production, discovering new oil reserves, and ocean hydrodynamics, has been increasingly recognized. Despite their seemingly disparate natures, these geoscience problems have many common mathe- tical and computational characteristics. The techniques used to describe and study them are applicable across a broad range of areas. The study of the above problems through physical experiments, mat- matical theory, and computational techniques requires interdisciplinary col- boration between engineers, mathematicians, computational scientists, and other researchers working in industry, government laboratories, and univ- sities. By bringing together such researchers, meaningful progress can be made in predicting, understanding, and optimizing physical and chemical processes. The International Workshop on Fluid Flow and Transport in Porous - dia was successfully held in Beijing, China, August 2{6, 1999. The aim of this workshop was to bring together applied mathematicians, computational scientists, and engineers working actively in the mathematical and nume- cal treatment of uid ow and transport in porous media. A broad range of researchers presented papers and discussed both problems and current, state-of-the-art techniques.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 472 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -This book is concerned with relativistic quantum field theory, especially QED, its most successful example. It is set in the no-man's land between the math ematically rigorous but numerically barren general field theory of the math ematical physicist and the computationally fertile but mathematically some times adventurous field theory of the more phenomenologically inclined, and it aims at demonstrating that closer contact between these two disparate cultures may be of benefit to both. Perturbative QED serves as an exam ple. It is shown how the rules of perturbative quantum field theory, one of the major tools of phenomenology, can be derived from well-defined general assumptions in a mathematically clean way, in particular, not using any reg ularizations. Special emphasis is placed on giving the infrared problem its full due. This leads, among other things, to an unorthodox method based on the local-observables approach to field theory, of describing particles and their reactions. The resulting scattering formalism is immediately applica ble to the infraparticle situation of QED by directly yielding expressions for the observable-inclusive cross sections, dispensing with the notion of an S matrix. Interestingly enough, these expressions differ somewhat from those of the conventional approach. This point will hopefully give rise to interesting and fruitful discussions. I have been working on these sorts of problems on and off for a long time.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 372 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -It is well known that contemporary mathematics includes many disci plines. Among them the most important are: set theory, algebra, topology, geometry, functional analysis, probability theory, the theory of differential equations and some others. Furthermore, every mathematical discipline consists of several large sections in which specific problems are investigated and the corresponding technique is developed. For example, in general topology we have the following extensive chap ters: the theory of compact extensions of topological spaces, the theory of continuous mappings, cardinal-valued characteristics of topological spaces, the theory of set-valued (multi-valued) mappings, etc. Modern algebra is featured by the following domains: linear algebra, group theory, the theory of rings, universal algebras, lattice theory, category theory, and so on. Concerning modern probability theory, we can easily see that the clas sification of its domains is much more extensive: measure theory on ab stract spaces, Borel and cylindrical measures in infinite-dimensional vector spaces, classical limit theorems, ergodic theory, general stochastic processes, Markov processes, stochastical equations, mathematical statistics, informa tion theory and many others.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 316 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG) is a classical autoimmune disease, for which the target antigen, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, has been cloned, sequenced and biochemically characterized. Antibodies to acetylcholine receptors destroy acetylcholine receptor at the neuromuscular junction, thus leading to defective neuromuscular transmission, muscle fatigue, and weakness.In the last few years, rapid advances have been made in unraveling the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of MG, both in the animal model, experimental autoimmune MG (EAMG), and in human MG. Significant advances are being made in characterizing the cells and molecules involved in the autoimmune response to the acetylcholine receptor (AChR). These advances are leading to the development of specific methods of immunointervention in EAMG. Further understanding of the intricate involvement of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and non-MHC genes, T cell receptors (TCR), costimulator molecules, and specific cytokines in the afferent and efferent autoimmune response of AChR should pave the way to future antigen/clone-specific therapy of MG.This book is the outcome of the MG workshop proceedings in Mysore, India, 1998. The majority of the chapters in this book are contributed by world-renowned authors and their students. The book not only contains a timely review of specific topics, but also up-to-date findings. Immunologists and neurologists will find, in this volume, the latest in MG/EAMG cutting-edge research. Clinicians will be interested in the applications of the various immunointervention strategies into clinical trials in MG patients. Finally, students will not only be interested in reading the latest in EAMG/MG research, but will also find information to help them develop a future strategy to unravel the precise mechanism of disease.To summarize, in this book, the readers should find up-to-date information related to immunological mechanisms involved in MG pathogenesis and various modalities for possible approaches to immunointervention to treat MG.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 228 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware - Biometric identity verification (BIV) offers a radical alternative to passports, PIN numbers, ID cards and driving licences. It uses physiological or behavioural characteristics such as fingerprints, hand geometry, and retinas to check a person's identity. It is therefore much less open to fraudulent use, which makes it ideal for use in voting systems, financial transactions, benefit payment administration, border control, and prison access.This is the first book to provide business readers with an easy-to-read, non-technical introduction to BIV systems. It explains the background and then tells the reader how to get their system up and running quickly. It will be an invaluable read for practitioners, managers and IT personnel - in fact for anyone considering, or involved in, implementing a BIV system.Julian Ashbourn was one of the pioneers in integrating biometric technology and has provided input into many prototype BIV systems around the world.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -softwaretobrowseeachother¿sreports,discuss,andupdatetheirownreports. Lastlytherewasaprogramcommitteemeetingtodiscussthedi cultcases. Iamextremelygratefultotheprogramcommitteemembersfortheiren- mousinvestmentoftime,e ort,andadrenalineinthedi cultanddelicate processofreviewandselection. (Alistofprogramcommitteemembersands- refereestheyinvokedcanbefoundonsucceedingpagesofthisvolume. )Ialso thanktheauthorsofsubmittedpapers¿inequalmeasureregardlessofwhether theirpaperswereacceptedornot¿fortheirsubmissions. Itistheworkofthis bodyofresearchersthatmakesthisconferencepossible. IthankRebeccaWrightforhostingtheprogramcommitteemeetingatthe AT&TbuildinginNewYorkCityandmanagingthelocalarrangements,and RanCanettifororganizingthepost-PC-meetingdinnerwithhischaracteristic gastronomicandoenophilic air. VI Preface Theweb-reviewsoftwareweusedwaswrittenforEurocrypt2000byWim MoreauandJorisClaessensunderthedirectionofEurocrypt2000programchair BartPreneel,andIthankthemforallowingustodeploytheirusefulandcolorful tool. IammostgratefultoChanathipNamprempre(aka. Meaw)whoprovided systems,logistical,andmoralsupportfortheentireCrypto2000process . She wrotethesoftwarefortheweb-basedsubmissions,adaptedandranthew- reviewsoftwareatUCSD,andcompiledthe nalabstractsintotheproceedings youseehere. ShetypesfasterthanIspeak. IamgratefultoHugoKrawczykforhisinsightandadvice,providedovera longperiodoftimewithhisusualcombinationofhonestyandcharm,andto himandotherpastprogramcommitteechairs,mostnotablyMichaelWiener andBartPreneel,forrepliestothehostofquestionsIposedduringthep- cess. InadditionIreceivedusefuladvicefrommanymembersofourcommunity includingSilvioMicali,TalRabin,RonRivest,PhilRogaway,andAdiShamir. FinallythankstoMattFranklinwhoasgeneralchairwasinchargeofthelocal organizationand nances,and,ontheIACRside,toChristianCachin,Kevin McCurley,andPaulVanOorschot. ChairingaCryptoprogramcommitteeisalearningprocess. Ihavecometo appreciateevenmorethanbeforethequalityandvarietyofworkinour eld, andIhopethepSpringer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 564 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -During the last two decades, in several branches of science (water waves, crystal growth, travelling waves in one dimensional lattices, splitting of separatrices,.) different problems appeared in which the key point is the computation of exponentially small terms. This self-contained monograph gives new and rigorous mathematical tools which enable a systematic study of such problems. Starting with elementary illuminating examples, the book contains (i) new asymptotical tools for obtaining exponentially small equivalents of oscillatory integrals involving solutions of nonlinear differential equations; (ii) implementation of these tools for solving old open problems of bifurcation theory such as existence of homoclinic connections near resonances in reversible systems.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 436 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Nitric oxide (NO) is a simple gas with free radical properties. No one would have imagined a role for such a simple substance in the human body. In 1998, R. E Furchgott, E Murad, and L. J. Ignarro received the Nobel prize for their work on NO. Interestingly, Alfred B. Nobel, who invented dynamite by combining nitro glycerin with other substances, took nitroglycerin for his chest pain without realizing that NO mediates its action. Now, in addition to its vasodilating action, NO is known to possess many fundamental functions that include neurotrans mission, blood pressure control, blood clotting, and immune responses. These diverse functions, conversely, imply that the simple NO molecule may unite neuroscience, physiology, and immunology and may change our understanding of how cells communicate and defend themselves. In this context, the Inter national Symposium, Nitric Oxide and Free Radicals, was organized to address current thinking about the widespread distribution and variety of functions of NO in the eye. The symposium was held in Kyoto, Japan, September 28-29 as a Satellite Symposium of the XII International Congress of Eye Research, 1996. The Symposium was the first international gathering of leading scientists and ophthalmologists meeting to present and discuss their most recent results in a specialized area of research, specifically concerning the eye. 196 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 360 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -What are Multimedia Systems This book is intended to expose you to multimedia in its widest sense. The popular understanding of this subject is that it is the integration and delivery of text, images and sound, usually on a desktop Pc. We are all familiar with examples from the extensive range of multimedia titles available on CD-ROM. These give us a rich set of sensory experiences, and, perhaps more important, we are free to navigate our way through the information as we choose. However, this is only half of the story since these titles can only deliver information. A recent IEEE publication (Chen, 1997) suggested that multimedia should include all systems that integrate diverse media, in standalone or networked applications, either for presentation or communication. Diverse media implies visual and aural information (text, static and moving pictures and sound). Networking could be realised using intranet or telephone links. Presentation systems would imply the multimedia delivery systems with which we are all familiar. Communication implies a two-way interaction with the computer. So as well as transmitting infor mation, multimedia systems should also be able to understand and react to information presented to them using the same set of diverse media (such as typed text, pictures and sound).Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 208 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -thanks for the support provided by EWCBR-98, MLNET,theItalianAssociationforArti cialIntelligence(AI\*IA)andthe- partmentofAdvancedSciencesandTechnologies(DISTA)oftheUniversityof EasternPiedmont(Universit` adelPiemonteOrientale¿A.Avogadrö).Aspecial thanktotheinvitedspeakersBarrySmythandQiangYangandtoallthechairs ofthesessionsand nally,toSpringer-Verlagfortheirhelpandtheirenthusiastic agreementon the publication of this volume.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 552 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -The workshop series on Text, Speech and Dialogue originated in 1998 with the rst TSD1998 held in Brno, Czech Republic. This year¿s TSD2000, already the third in the series, returns to Brno and to its organizers from the Faculty of Informatics at the Masaryk University. As shown by the ever growing interest in TSD series, this annual workshop developed into the prime meeting of speech and language researchers from both sides of the former Iron Curtain, which provides a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the current activities in all aspects of language communication and to witness the amazing vitality of researchers from the former East Block countries. Thanks need to be extended to all who continue to make the TSD workshop series such a success: rst, to the authors themselves, without whom TSD2000 would not exist; next, to all organizations that support TSD2000, among them the International Speech Communication Association, the Faculty of Informatics at the Masaryk University in Brno and the Faculty of Applied Sciences, West Bohemia University in Plzen; and last but not least,to the organizers and members of the Program Committee who spentmuch effort to make TSD2000 success and who reviewed 131 contributions submitted from all corners of the world and accepted 75 out of them for presentation at the workshop. This book is evidence of the success of all involved.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 480 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Parallel Virtual Machine (PVM) and Message Passing Interface (MPI) are the most frequently used tools for programming according to the message passing paradigm, which is considered one of the best ways to develop parallel applications. This volume comprises 42 revised contributions presented at the Seventh European PVM/MPI Users¿ Group Meeting, which was held in Balatonfr ed, Hungary, 10 13 September 2000. The conference was organized by the Laboratory of Parallel and Distributed Systems of the Computer and Automation Research Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. This conference was previously held in Barcelona, Spain (1999), Liverpool, UK (1998) and Cracow, Poland (1997). The first three conferences were devoted to PVM and were held at the Technische Universit t M nchen, Germany (1996), Ecole Normale Superieure Lyon, France (1995), and University of Rome, Italy (1994). This conference has become a forum for users and developers of PVM, MPI, and other message passing environments. Interaction between those groups has proved to be very useful for developing new ideas in parallel computing and for applying existing ideas to new practical fields. The main topics of the meeting were evaluation and performance of PVM and MPI, extensions and improvements to PVM and MPI, algorithms using the message passing paradigm, and applications in science and engineering based on message passing. The conference included four tutorials and five invited talks on advances in MPI, cluster computing, network computing, grid computing, and SGI parallel computers and programming systems.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 384 pp. Englisch.

Buch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Modern physics is confronted with a large variety of complex spatial patterns. Although both spatial statisticians and statistical physicists study random geometrical structures, there has been only little interaction between the two up to now because of different traditions and languages.This volume aims to change this situation by presenting in a clear way fundamental concepts of spatial statistics which are of great potential value for condensed matter physics and materials sciences in general, and for porous media, percolation and Gibbs processes in particular. Geometric aspects, in particular ideas of stochastic and integral geometry, play a central role throughout. With nonspecialist researchers and graduate students also in mind, prominent physicists give an excellent introduction here to modern ideas of statistical physics pertinent to this exciting field of research.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 436 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 8th Annual European Symposium on Algorithms, ESA 2000, held in Saarbrücken, Germany in September 2000. The 39 revised full papers presented together with two invited papers were carefully reviewed and selected for inclusion in the book. Among the topics addressed are parallelism, distributed systems, approximation, combinatorial optimization, computational biology, computational geometry, external-memory algorithms, graph algorithms, network algorithms, online algorithms, data compression, symbolic computation, pattern matching, and randomized algorithms.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 460 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Evolutionary Web Development examines the evolution of Web information systems, paying particular attention to the emergent attributes of electronic markets. It identifies four categories of architecture and demonstrates their virtues and limitations: static, interactive, adaptive, and agent-mediated systems.Advanced systems require the developer to truly understand the needs and preferences of customers. As well as such personal attributes, the availability of empirical data about the structure and content of Web information systems is a precondition for their effective assessment. Arno Scharl presents an automated and scalable approach to Web assessment. He emphasizes the role of feedback in an iterative cycle of design, implementation, usage, and analysis.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 316 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -Questions that arose from linear programming and combinatorial optimization have been a driving force for modern polytope theory, such as the diameter questions motivated by the desire to understand the complexity of the simplex algorithm, or the need to study facets for use in cutting plane procedures. In addition, algorithms now provide the means to computationally study polytopes, to compute their parameters such as flag vectors, graphs and volumes, and to construct examples of large complexity. The papers of this volume thus display a wide panorama of connections of polytope theory with other fields. Areas such as discrete and computational geometry, linear and combinatorial optimization, and scientific computing have contributed a combination of questions, ideas, results, algorithms and, finally, computer programs. 232 pp. Englisch.

Taschenbuch. Zustand: Neu. Neuware -An increasing number of people are taking advantage of the relatively low prices of astronomical equipment. Many of these people are doing so with little knowledge of practical astronomy and, as the volume of questions asked at astronomical society meetings and on internet newsgroups attest, there is a need for these questions to be answered in one place. Hence this book. The fundamental premise behind AstroFAQs is that the beginning amateur astronomer wishes to get 'up and running' with the minimum delay. A secondary premise is that anyone will better appreciate why something is done as it is if there is an understanding of the underlying principles. AstroFAQs addresses both these premises. AstroFAQs makes no pretence to go into great depth -that would be impossible in such a slim volume -but it will give you the kick-start you need to choose and use your instrument effectively, and will take you to a level of expertise that is significantly higher than the 'beginner' status. It uses a hierarchical section num bering system that simplifies cross-referencing. Suggestions for more in-depth reading are given throughout. More and more 'newbie' astronomers are entering this fascinating hobby by purchasing one of the 'gee whiz' GOTO telescopes, of which there is an increasing selection. These serve the wish to begin observation as soon as possible, but they do so at a price premium.Springer Verlag GmbH, Tiergartenstr. 17, 69121 Heidelberg 124 pp. Englisch.