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	<title>BookPasta.net</title>
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	<link>http://bookpasta.net</link>
	<description>and eBookz for all</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2010 02:57:40 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
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		<title>Street-Fighting Mathematics</title>
		<link>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2010/06/15/street-fighting-mathematics/</link>
		<comments>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2010/06/15/street-fighting-mathematics/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:10:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Math]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[problem-solving]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bookpasta.net/?p=559</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In problem solving, as in street fighting, rules are for fools: do whatever works—don&#8217;t just stand there! Yet we often fear an unjustified leap even though it may land us on a correct result. Traditional mathematics teaching is largely about solving exactly stated problems exactly, yet life often hands us partly defined problems needing only moderately accurate solutions. This engaging book is an antidote to the rigor mortis brought on by too much mathematical rigor, teaching us how to guess answers without needing a proof or an exact calculation. In Street-Fighting Mathematics, Sanjoy Mahajan builds, sharpens, and demonstrates tools for educated guessing and down-and-dirty, opportunistic problem solving across diverse fields of knowledge—from mathematics to management. Mahajan describes six tools: dimensional analysis, easy cases, lumping, picture proofs, successive approximation, and reasoning by analogy. Illustrating each tool with numerous examples, he carefully separates the tool—the general principle—from the particular application so that the reader can most easily grasp the tool itself to use on problems of particular interest. Street-Fighting Mathematics grew out of a short course taught by the author at MIT for students ranging from first-year undergraduates to graduate students ready for careers in physics, mathematics, management, electrical engineering, computer science, and [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Philosophies of the Sciences: A Guide</title>
		<link>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2010/06/08/philosophies-of-the-sciences-a-guide/</link>
		<comments>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2010/06/08/philosophies-of-the-sciences-a-guide/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:00:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Philosophy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reference]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[science]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bookpasta.net/?p=553</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A collection of essays discussing a wide range of sciences and the central philosophical issues associated with them, presenting the sciences collectively to encourage a greater understanding of their associative theoretical foundations, as well as their relationships to each other. Offers a new and unique approach to studying and comparing the philosophies of a variety of scientific disciplines Explores a wide variety of individual sciences, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, psychology, sociology and economics The essays are written by leading scholars in a highly accessible style for the student audience Complements more traditional studies of philosophy of science]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2010/06/08/philosophies-of-the-sciences-a-guide/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>The History of Time: A Very Short Introduction</title>
		<link>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2010/05/03/the-history-of-time-a-very-short-introduction/</link>
		<comments>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2010/05/03/the-history-of-time-a-very-short-introduction/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 May 2010 17:39:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Chronology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[time]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bookpasta.net/?p=549</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Why do we measure time in the way that we do? Why is a week seven days long? At what point did minutes and seconds come into being? Why are some calendars lunar and some solar? The organization of time into hours, days, months, and years seems immutable and universal, but is actually far more artificial than most people realize. For example, the French Revolution resulted in a restructuring of the French calendar, and the Soviet Union experimented with five and then six-day weeks. Leofranc Holford-Strevens brings us this fascinating study of time using a range of examples from Ancient Rome and Julius Caesar&#8217;s imposition of the Leap Year to the 1920&#8242;s project for a fixed Easter. Those interested in time, history, and the development of the calendar will enjoy this absorbing exploration of an aspect of our lives that we all take for granted. The organisation of time into hours, days, months and years seems immutable and universal, but is actually far more artificial than most people realise. The French Revolution resulted in a restructuring of the French calendar, and the Soviet Union experimented with five and then six-day weeks. Leofranc Holford-Strevens explores these questions using a range of [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2010/05/03/the-history-of-time-a-very-short-introduction/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Design of Observational Studies</title>
		<link>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2010/01/18/design-of-observational-studies/</link>
		<comments>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2010/01/18/design-of-observational-studies/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:32:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Econometrics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Statistics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[observational study]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sensitivity analysis]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bookpasta.net/?p=545</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The concepts of causal inference in experiments and observational studies are introduced using the elementary mathematics of independent coin flips to determine treatment assignment The basic tools of multivariate matching – such as propensity scores, optimal matching, full matching, fine balance, risk set matching – are introduced with many examples and with reference to implementation in R The key source of uncertainty in an observational study is possible bias from covariates that were not measured. The ability of competing designs to separate treatment effects from unmeasured biases – that is, the design sensitivity – is discussed in detail for the first time in book form An observational study is an empiric investigation of effects caused by treatments when randomized experimentation is unethical or infeasible. Observational studies are common in most fields that study the effects of treatments on people, including medicine, economics, epidemiology, education, psychology, political science and sociology. The quality and strength of evidence provided by an observational study is determined largely by its design. Design of Observational Studies is both an introduction to statistical inference in observational studies and a detailed discussion of the principles that guide the design of observational studies. Design of Observational Studies is divided [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2010/01/18/design-of-observational-studies/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Theory of Science and Technology Transfer and Applications</title>
		<link>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2010/01/13/theory-of-science-and-technology-transfer-and-applications/</link>
		<comments>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2010/01/13/theory-of-science-and-technology-transfer-and-applications/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:05:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Research]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[operations research]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[transfer]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bookpasta.net/?p=536</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Theory of Science and Technology Transfer and Applications presents the mechanisms, features, effects, and modes of technology transfer. It addresses the measurement, cost, benefit, optimal allocation, and game theory of technology transfer, along with the dynamics of the technical diffusion field. The book explores the concept of technology transfer and its mechanism as the main theme. It measures the cost and benefit of technology transfer, analyzes technology transfer based on technical diffusion field theory, and presents case studies to illustrate the use of a linear programming model and government investment and planning model. The authors also offer strategic analyses that utilize game models and discuss the impact of technology transfer on economic growth. Accompanied by economic globalization, globalization in technology enables the rational allocation and flow of the elements of technology without restrictions, which in turn allows the sharing of technological activities and the space flow of technology more frequently. This book focuses on the creation and development of advanced productivities. Through many real-world examples, it shows how to implement technology transfer in society, leading technology to become socially and economically valued. This book discusses the study of flows and transfers of science and technology and related problems of optimization. [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2010/01/13/theory-of-science-and-technology-transfer-and-applications/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Dynamics of Ice Sheets and Glaciers</title>
		<link>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2009/12/28/dynamics-of-ice-sheets-and-glaciers/</link>
		<comments>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2009/12/28/dynamics-of-ice-sheets-and-glaciers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:10:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Geophysics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dynamics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[flow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[glacier]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bookpasta.net/?p=533</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Dynamics of Ice Sheets and Glaciers presents an introduction to the dynamics and thermodynamics of flowing ice masses on Earth. Based on an outline of general continuum mechanics, the different initial-boundary-value problems for the flow of ice sheets, ice shelves, ice caps and glaciers are systematically derived. Special emphasis is put on developing hierarchies of approximations for the different systems, and suitable numerical solution techniques are discussed. A separate chapter is devoted to glacial isostasy. The book is appropriate for graduate courses in glaciology, cryospheric sciences, environmental sciences, geophysics and related fields. Standard undergraduate knowledge of mathematics (calculus, linear algebra) and physics (classical mechanics, thermodynamics) provide a sufficient background for successfully studying the text.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2009/12/28/dynamics-of-ice-sheets-and-glaciers/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Engineering of Mixed Reality Systems</title>
		<link>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2009/12/26/the-engineering-of-mixed-reality-systems/</link>
		<comments>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2009/12/26/the-engineering-of-mixed-reality-systems/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 27 Dec 2009 03:13:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Engineering]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[evaluation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interaction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reality]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bookpasta.net/?p=531</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Mixed reality computer systems aim to fuse digital and physical information and features, either as an augmentation of real-world environments or as a means of providing physically-based interaction with computer-based systems. So – for example – museum displays can be augmented with added information about their history and provenance, and this information delivered to a visitor via their mobile telephone as they pass in front of the display. An increasing number of systems are exploiting mixed reality but to date there are no systematic methods, techniques or guidelines for the development of such systems. In bringing together contributions on a broad range of mixed reality development issues this book provides a sound theoretical foundation for a disciplined approach to mixed reality engineering. Divided into three parts, interaction design, software design and implementation, this book brings together state of the art developments in the engineering of mixed reality systems, addressing issues at these three levels. Part 1 covers generic and specific mixed reality design elements and provides an overview of the design method; Part 2 addresses technical solutions for interaction techniques, development tools and a global view of the mixed reality software development process. Finally part 3 contains detailed case studies [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2009/12/26/the-engineering-of-mixed-reality-systems/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Serious Fun with Flexagons</title>
		<link>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2009/12/25/serious-fun-with-flexagons/</link>
		<comments>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2009/12/25/serious-fun-with-flexagons/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Dec 2009 21:29:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Geometry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[History]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[flexagons]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[geometry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mathematics]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bookpasta.net/?p=526</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A flexagon is a motion structure that has the appearance of a ring of hinged polygons. It can be flexed to display different pairs of faces, usually in cyclic order. Flexagons can be appreciated as toys or puzzles, as a recreational mathematics topic, and as the subject of serious mathematical study. Workable paper models of flexagons are easy to make and entertaining to manipulate. The mathematics of flexagons is complex, and how a flexagon works is not immediately obvious on examination of a paper model. Recent geometric analysis, included in the book, has improved theoretical understanding of flexagons, especially relationships between different types. This profusely illustrated book is arranged in a logical order appropriate for a textbook on the geometry of flexagons. It is written so that it can be enjoyed at both the recreational mathematics level, and at the serious mathematics level. The only prerequisite is some knowledge of elementary geometry, including properties of polygons. A feature of the book is a compendium of over 100 nets for making paper models of some of the more interesting flexagons, chosen to complement the text. These are accurately drawn and reproduced at half full size. Many of the nets have not [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Applying Computational Intelligence: How to Create Value</title>
		<link>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2009/12/24/applying-computational-intelligence-how-to-create-value/</link>
		<comments>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2009/12/24/applying-computational-intelligence-how-to-create-value/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:53:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[AI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[evolutionary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fuzzy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[learning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[swarm]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bookpasta.net/?p=522</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The flow of academic ideas in the area of computational intelligence is impacting industrial practice at considerable speed. Practitioners face the challenge of tracking, understanding and applying the latest techniques, which often prove their value even before the underlying theories are fully understood. This book offers realistic guidelines on creating value from the application of computational intelligence methods. In Part I, the author offers simple explanations of the key computational intelligence technologies: fuzzy logic, neural networks, support vector machines, evolutionary computation, swarm intelligence, and intelligent agents. In Part II, he defines the typical business environment and analyzes the competitive advantages these techniques offer. In Part III, he introduces a methodology for effective real-world application of computational intelligence while minimizing development cost, and he outlines the critical, underestimated technology marketing efforts required. The methodology can improve the existing capabilities of Six Sigma, one of the most popular work processes in industry. Finally, in Part IV the author looks to technologies still in the research domain, such as perception-based computing, artificial immune systems, and systems with evolved structure, and he examines the future for computational intelligence applications while taking into account projected industrial needs. The author adopts a light tone in the [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2009/12/24/applying-computational-intelligence-how-to-create-value/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Group Cognition: Computer Support for Building Collaborative Knowledge</title>
		<link>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2009/12/24/group-cognition-computer-support-for-building-collaborative-knowledge/</link>
		<comments>http://bookpasta.net/blog/2009/12/24/group-cognition-computer-support-for-building-collaborative-knowledge/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:41:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Networking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Networks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cognition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[collaboration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[group]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://bookpasta.net/?p=516</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Innovative uses of global and local networks of linked computers make new ways of collaborative working, learning, and acting possible. In Group Cognition Gerry Stahl explores the technological and social reconfigurations that are needed to achieve computer-supported collaborative knowledge building—group cognition that transcends the limits of individual cognition. Computers can provide active media for social group cognition where ideas grow through the interactions within groups of people; software functionality can manage group discourse that results in shared understandings, new meanings, and collaborative learning. Stahl offers software design prototypes, analyzes empirical instances of collaboration, and elaborates a theory of collaboration that takes the group, rather than the individual, as the unit of analysis. Stahl&#8217;s design studies concentrate on mechanisms to support group formation, multiple interpretive perspectives, and the negotiation of group knowledge in applications as varied as collaborative curriculum development by teachers, writing summaries by students, and designing space voyages by NASA engineers. His empirical analysis shows how, in small-group collaborations, the group constructs intersubjective knowledge that emerges from and appears in the discourse itself. This discovery of group meaning becomes the springboard for Stahl&#8217;s outline of a social theory of collaborative knowing. Stahl also discusses such related issues as the [...]]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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