Library

Cosmology: A Very Short Introduction by Peter Coles

Written in simple and accessible language, this non-technical introduction to cosmology, or the creation and development of the universe, explains the discipline, covers its history, details the latest developments, and explains what is known, what is believed, and what is purely speculative.In addition, the author discusses the development of the Big Bang theory, and more speculative modern issues like quantum cosmology, superstrings, and dark matter. About the Series: Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam....

Statistical Computing: Existing Methods and Recent Development by D. Kundu

Statistical Computing: Existing Methods and Recent Developments attempts to provide a state of the art account of existing methods and recent developments in the so called new field of Statistical Computing. Fourteen different chapters deal with a wide range of topics. This includes introductory topics such as the basic numerical analysis methods, random number generation, graphical techniques used in statistical data analysis and other areas. It also covers the more specialized techniques such as the EM algorithm, genetic algorithms, nonparametric smoothing techniques, resampling methods, and artificial neural network models, to name a few. In addition, the volume also deals with the computational issues involved in the analysis of mixture models, adaptive designs, weighted distributions, and statistical signal processing, topics which are unlikely to be covered in a standard text on Statistical Computing....

Critical Theory: A Very Short Introduction by Stephen Eric Bronner

Critical theory emerged in the 1920s from the work of the Frankfurt School, the circle of German-Jewish academics who sought to diagnose -- and, if at all possible, cure -- the ills of society, particularly fascism and capitalism. In this book, Stephen Eric Bronner provides sketches of leading representatives of the critical tradition (such as George Lukács and Ernst Bloch, Theodor Adorno and Walter Benjamin, Herbert Marcuse and Jurgen Habermas) as well as many of its seminal texts and empirical investigations.This Very Short Introduction sheds light on the cluster of concepts and themes that set critical theory apart from its more traditional philosophical competitors. Bronner explains and discusses concepts such as method and agency, alienation and reification, the culture industry and repressive tolerance, non-identity and utopia. He argues for the introduction of new categories and perspectives for illuminating the obstacles to progressive change and focusing upon hidden transformative possibilities. In this newly updated second edition, Bronner targets new academic interests, broadens his argument, and adapts it to a global society amid the resurgence of right-wing politics and neo-fascist movements....

Statistical Process Control and Quality Improvement by Smith, Gerald M.

the basic applications and concepts of Statistical Process Control, providing a solid foundation in charts,scales, and analyzing process capability. Includes lab exercises for each chapter and informational boxes that emphasize important concepts. Previous edition: c1991. DLC: Process control--statistical methods....

Cryptography: A Very Short Introduction by Fred Piper, Sean Murphy

This book is a clear and informative introduction to cryptography and data protection--subjects of considerable social and political importance. It explains what algorithms do, how they are used, the risks associated with using them, and why governments should be concerned. Important areas are highlighted, such as Stream Ciphers, block ciphers, public key algorithms, digital signatures, and applications such as e-commerce. This book highlights the explosive impact of cryptography on modern society, with, for example, the evolution of the internet and the introduction of more sophisticated banking methods....

Software Quality Assurance: Principles And Practice by Nina S. Godbole

Software Quality Assurance (SQA) as a professional domain is becoming increasingly important. This book provides practical insight into the topic of Software Quality Assurance. It covers discussion on the importance of software quality assurance in the business of Information Technology, covers key practices like Reviews, Verification & Validation. It also discusses people issues and other barriers in successful implementation of Quality Management Systems in organization. This work presents methodologies, concepts as well as practical scenarios while deploying Quality Assurance practices and integrates the underlying principle into a complete reference book on this topic....

Software Project Management in Practice by Peter Gordon, Pankaj Jalote

Delivering high-quality software on time and on budget: it can be done. Pankaj Jalote introduces a set of practices and principles that have been used to successfully execute hundreds of projects -- of all types and sizes. Software Project Management in Practice presents the complete set of processes employed -- and proven effective -- at one of the world's most successful software organizations, Infosys Technologies. These processes, grounded in common sense and supported by simple metrics, can systematically improve the planning and execution of any software project. Since these processes satisfy the requirements of CMM Level 5 -- the industry's most challenging software process standard -- this book's examples illuminate project management as performed by a highly mature development organization. For all project managers and software professionals who may be called upon to manage projects....

Darwin: A Very Short Introduction by Jonathan Howard

Darwin's theory that man's ancestors were apes caused an uproar within the scientific world, as well as public frenzy when The Origin of Species was published in 1859. Arguments still rage about the implications of his evolutionary theory, and skepticism about the value of Darwin's contribution to knowledge is widespread. In this analysis of Darwin's major insights and arguments, Jonathan Howard reasserts the importance of Darwin's work for the development of modern biology. He offers a stimulating view of the famous scientist in a concise, handy format, making it a masterpiece for all Darwinians as well as for all general readers of popular science.About the Series: Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam....

Software Engineering: A Practitioner’s Approach by Roger S. Pressman

For almost three decades, Roger Pressman's Software Engineering: A Practitioner's Approach has been the world's leading textbook in software engineering. The new edition represents a major restructuring and update of previous editions, solidifying the book's position as the most comprehensive guide to this important subject. The chapter structure will return to a more linear presentation of software engineering topics with a direct emphasis on the major activities that are part of a generic software process. Content will focus on widely used software engineering methods and will de-emphasize or completely eliminate discussion of secondary methods, tools and techniques. The intent is to provide a more targeted, prescriptive, and focused approach, while attempting to maintain SEPA's reputation as a comprehensive guide to software engineering. The 39 chapters of this edition are organized into five parts - Process, Modeling, Quality Management, Managing Software Projects, and Advanced Topics. The book has been revised and restructured to improve pedagogical flow and emphasize new and important software engineering processes and practices.McGraw-Hill's Connect, is also available as an optional, add on item. Connect is the only integrated learning system that empowers students by continuously adapting to deliver precisely what they need, when they need it, how they need it, so that class time is more effective. Connect allows the professor to assign homework, quizzes, and tests easily and automatically grades and records the scores of the student's work. Problems are randomized to prevent sharing of answers and may also have a "multi-step solution" which helps move the students' learning along if they experience difficulty....

Developmental Biology: A Very Short Introduction by Lewis Wolpert

From a single cell--a fertilized egg--comes an elephant, a fly, or a human. How does this astonishing feat happen? How does the egg "know" what to become? How does it divide into the different cells, the separate tissues, the brain, the fingernail--every tiniest detail of the growing fetus? In this Very Short Introduction, renowned scientist Lewis Wolpert shows how the field of developmental biology seeks to answer these profound questions. A distinguished developmental biologist himself, Wolpert offers a concise and highly readable account of what we now know about development,discussing the first vital steps of growth, the patterning created by Hox genes and the development of form, embryonic stem cells, the timing of gene expression and its management, chemical signaling, and growth. Drawing on scientific breakthroughs in genetics, evolution, and molecular biology,he illuminates processes that are deeply rooted in evolutionary history, revealing how information is held in genes whose vital timing in switching on and off is orchestrated by a host of proteins expressed by other genes....