Bücher veröffentlicht von Springer International Publishing

This book describes the development of quality over various stages, from product inspection, through quality control to the present ISO 9000 systems. It also highlights the advantages of the quality management system (QMS) standards and the need for certification by organizations and enterprises/firms interested in taking advantage of the various benefits of these standards to improve their systems and aid their survival in a globally competitive market. The author provides simplified information to enable even those hearing the word ''quality'' for the first time to be able to appreciate and understand the various quality management philosophies irrespective of their background and position.

Inspired by the neoliberal paradigm that transposes religious behaviors into a religious marketplace framed by consumerist and capitalist models, this volume draws on ethnographic fieldwork to discuss the assemblage between the well-being trope and the rise of new spiritualities, as well as their deep permeation within mainstream culture. Building on previous literature that addresses the relationship between spirituality, healing and well-being, this text discusses the religious roots of mind-body practices. The contributions offer a critical perspective on the scope, limits and impacts of the current celebration of spiritualities. Part I provides theoretical insights for thinking about ways in which the prevalent ethics of well-being reframes subjectivities within the margins of neoliberal order. Part II demonstrates how spiritual economies are promoted, shaped and regulated by institutional forces such as States, law and the labor market. In part III, contributors describe in detail how spiritual economies unfold in specific cultural and social settings. The text appeals to students and researchers working on the spirituality and sociology of religion.

In this groundbreaking interdisciplinary work, the authors focus on organizational analysis to understand workplace wellbeing, deviating from previous research that mostly looks at the individual worker or intervention. In addressing the question of why workplace health and wellbeing practices initiatives fall short of delivering sustained improvements in worker wellbeing, this book moves beyond localized explanations of the failure of specific interventions. Instead, it creates theoretical frameworks that explain how wellbeing at work can be improved and sustained. The authors use evidence from systematic and comprehensive surveys of the literature as well as new empirical research, and present an explanatory framework of the processes through which organizations change to implement and accommodate workplace health and wellbeing practices. Learning, adaptation and continuation explain successful implementation of workplace health and wellbeing practices, while Gestalting, fracturing and grafting explain how organizations resolve or negotiate conflict between health and wellbeing practices and existing organizational procedures, systems and practices. In addition, the authors reflect on the implications for research of reframing the unit of analysis as the organization and how studies on workplace wellbeing practices can provide a conceptual platform for thinking about the way organizations can create social value in a broader sense. This book, authored by experts in their field, is a great resource for academics and professionals of organizational studies and of worker wellbeing across the social sciences, behavioural sciences, business and management courses, wellbeing research, and labour studies.

This new edition discusses classical aspects of cellular physiology and the metabolism of physical exercise, as well as novel topics like exercise in transplantation and exercise in beta-cell failure, which mark the frontiers of research in sport-related sciences and research. The team of authors together with the editor are world-renowned experts in the field of physiology and metabolism applied to sport sciences. In order to make the book answering also to current pandemic clinical issue, this second edition includes new chapters, specifically dealing with COVID-related issues.Exercise physiologists, biologists and physicians will benefit from this book. However, the comprehensive nature of the content makes this publication suitable also for university classes of graduate and undergraduate student.

This book uses the idea of internal cohesion through intra-BRICS cooperation to make the argument that the next phase in the evolution of BRICS is to strengthen cooperation among BRICS countries in the implementation of decisions taken. There is a risk that what the BRICS promises and what it represents both in the eyes of its friends and foes might not materialise in the absence of central institutions. So, the book calls for the deepening intra-BRICS cooperation across all policy areas where there are already undertakings could help mitigate this risk.

This book provides an overview of the inception, development and achievements of British socialist and workers theatre ¿ a feat which has not been attempted before. It explores the connections between politics and culture (specifically theatre) and between political theory and cultural (theatrical) expression. The book is organized chronologically and uncovers much in labour and theatre history which is in danger of being lost. It can also be seen as a way into different moments in its subject¿s story (e.g. post-Ibsen naturalism; agitprop theatre; ¿fringe¿ theatre of the 1970s) and the relationship of such forms to specific political events and ideas at specific points in history.

This book is the 8th volume of the popular series 'Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the World'. Like the previous volumes, this volume is being introduced in a monographic format containing an extremely rich and diverse medicinal flora of India. Both well-known and somewhat still ignored species have been described in view of their traditional, present day and prospective uses. The scientific and technological achievements are also included aptly in this volume, together with a careful and critical consideration to our contemporary knowledge of this vast interdisciplinary domain with an Indian focus. In the era of global climate change and pandemics, building on the huge Indian traditions, this volume will make an important contribution to the better knowledge and understanding of MAPs. The Indian flora has always been recognized for its medicinal and aromatic plant values and this volume is explicitly focusing in that direction. With the rapidly expanding scope of natural nutraceuticals and herbal formulations, this book will be a fruitful acquisition for the interested readers globally.

The goal of this book is to provide a guide and detailed review of immunosuppression in terms of molecular mechanisms of action, side effects and clinical trials that validated their utility. This includes their use in solid organ transplantation, bone marrow transplantation and autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases. This book is a critical review of these topics and a vital resource.

Volume 12 of the EYIEL focuses on "e;The Future of Dispute Settlement in International Economic Law"e;. While new forms of dispute settlement are emerging, others are in deep crisis. The volume starts off with reflections on Dispute Settlement and the World Trade Organisation, most prominently the crisis of the Appellate Body, but also addressing international intellectual property law and the African Continental Free Trade Area. This is followed by a section on Dispute Settlement and Investment Protection/International Investment Law, which includes articles on the summary dismissal of claims, the margin of appreciation doctrine, the use of conciliation to settle sovereign debt disputes, and contract-based arbitration in light of Achmea and Hagia Sophia at ICSID. Further contributions consider the emerging role of commercial courts, the dejudicialization of international economic law, dispute settlement in the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement, reference mechanisms in dispute resolution clauses, and UNCLOS. 

This book focuses on neotectonic movements and river channel evolution of the Indian subcontinent, with special reference to the Himalayan Neotectonics. Neotectonic movements have played an important role in channel evolution in tectonically active zones especially for the mountain chains, foredeeps and active deltas. The book addresses the issues of the channel evolution in neotectonically active domains of India. It aims at readers of India as well as abroad, interested in earth sciences, geomorphology, tectonics, physical geography and river forms and processes of India. 

Federated Learning: A Comprehensive Overview of Methods and Applications presents an in-depth discussion of the most important issues and approaches to federated learning for researchers and practitioners. Federated Learning (FL) is an approach to machine learning in which the training data are not managed centrally. Data are retained by data parties that participate in the FL process and are not shared with any other entity. This makes FL an increasingly popular solution for machine learning tasks for which bringing data together in a centralized repository is problematic, either for privacy, regulatory or practical reasons.This book explains recent progress in research and the state-of-the-art development of Federated Learning (FL), from the initial conception of the field to first applications and commercial use. To obtain this broad and deep overview, leading researchers address the different perspectives of federated learning: the core machine learning perspective, privacy and security, distributed systems, and specific application domains. Readers learn about the challenges faced in each of these areas, how they are interconnected, and how they are solved by state-of-the-art methods.Following an overview on federated learning basics in the introduction, over the following 24 chapters, the reader will dive deeply into various topics. A first part addresses algorithmic questions of solving different machine learning tasks in a federated way, how to train efficiently, at scale, and fairly. Another part focuses on providing clarity on how to select privacy and security solutions in a way that can be tailored to specific use cases, while yet another considers the pragmatics of the systems where the federated learning process will run. The book also covers other important use cases for federated learning such as split learning and vertical federated learning. Finally, the book includes some chapters focusing on applying FL in real-world enterprise settings.

This book shares timely and thought-provoking methodological and theoretical approaches from perspectives concerning landscape, gender, cognition, neural networks, material culture and ontology in order to comprehend rock art's role in memorisation processes, collective memory, and the intergenerational circulation of knowledge. The case studies offered here stem from human experiences from around the globe-Africa, Australia, Europe, North and South America-, which reflects the authors' diverse interpretative stances. While some of the approaches deal with mnemonics, new digital technologies and statistical analysis, others examine performances, sensory engagement, language, and political disputes, giving the reader a comprehensive view of the myriad connections between memory studies and rock art. Indigenous interlocutors participate as collaborators and authors, creating space for Indigenous narratives of memory. These narratives merge with Western versions of past and recent memories in order to construct jointly novel inter-epistemic understandings of images made on rock. Each chapter demonstrates the commitment of rock art studies to strengthen and enrich the field by exploring how communities and cultures across time have perceived and entangled rock images with a broad range of material culture, nonhumans, people, emotions, performances, sounds and narratives. Such relations are pivotal to understanding the universe behind the intersections of memory and rock art and to generating future interdisciplinary collaborative studies.

Operations Research (OR) is a fast-evolving field, which is having a significant impact on its neighbouring disciplines of Business Analytics and Data Science, and on contemporary business and management practices. This handbook provides a comprehensive and cutting edge collection of studies in the area. Views differ on what should be included within the scope of OR. The editors of this volume have taken the view that an inclusive stance is the most helpful, both for theory and practice. Real-world problems often require consideration from both ¿softer¿ and ¿harder¿ perspectives and need consideration of both predictive and prescriptive problems. In accordance with this inclusive approach to OR, the book is divided into six parts, covering Discrete Optimization, Continuous Optimization, Heuristic Search Optimization, Forecasting, Simulation and Prediction, Problem Structuring and Behavioural OR, and finally some recent OR Applications.This wide-ranging handbook includes a culturally diverse collection of authors, with different perspectives and backgrounds around Operations Research. It will be of tremendous value to researchers, students and practitioners in the field of OR

In recent decades, the advances in and consolidation of Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IOM) in several highly complex surgical areas have been undeniable.Currently all modalities of neurophysiological tests (SSEP, MEP, EMG, PEATC, VEP, BRAIN MAPPING, ETC) are performed in the operating room, where they are used to provide trans operative information on the patient's neurological status in real time (monitoring), and to identify neural structures which are at immediate risk (mapping). With the inarguably positive impact of IOM on surgical outcomes, there is an increasing interest in reliable, technically focused literature. This volume provides cutting-edge information in the field of IOM, and highlights new neurophysiological tools being used in various surgeries.The book's initial sections cover a range of topics, including an anatomical overview, electrical safety, and detailed technical descriptions of the neurophysiological tests used in IOM. The subsequent sections address e.g. the brain, brainstem, spinal cord, vascular and peripheral nerves, epilepsy, head and neck, movement disorders and special topics.Some chapters are accompanied by videos of surgeries and IOM so that the reader will have the real sensation of having been in the operating room and will gain an overview of the key steps.Written by experts in the field of IOM, the book offers a valuable resource for both experienced and early-career neurophysiologists, neurosurgeons, vascular and orthopedic surgeons, and surgeons involved with pelvic procedures. Further, its goal is to provide a real rapport, never before attained, between neurophysiologists and surgeons with a sole focus: excellence in terms of the final outcome.

This book sheds light on how Member States and EU neighbours relate to Russia. It includes their historical, financial and political ties, as well as the public perception of the national population vis-a-vis Russia. Each chapter builds on these factors to elucidate the country's position towards Russia and provides a prediction on the future of these relations. This volume shows the diverse relations that the EU member states and neighbours have with Russia, spanning from tense and confrontational to more eased and friendly, highlighting the contrasts between the national state and the EU as a whole. The book also presents the reader with concrete aspects in different policy areas, via recommendations on how single countries and the EU should deal with Russia. Russia's invasion of Ukraine on 24th February 2022 will change the relationship between the West and Putin's Russia for decades to come. No doubt that this blatant violation of International Law and the incomprehensible human suffering of Ukrainian citizens will massively change the attitude of the countries analysed in this book.

This book provides a friendly introduction to the paradigm and proposes a broad panorama of killing applications of the Infinity Computer in optimization: radically new numerical algorithms, great theoretical insights, efficient software implementations, and interesting practical case studies. This is the first book presenting to the readers interested in optimization the advantages of a recently introduced supercomputing paradigm that allows to numerically work with different infinities and infinitesimals on the Infinity Computer patented in several countries. One of the editors of the book is the creator of the Infinity Computer, and another editor was the first who has started to use it in optimization. Their results were awarded by numerous scientific prizes. This engaging book opens new horizons for researchers, engineers, professors, and students with interests in supercomputing paradigms, optimization, decision making, game theory, and foundations of mathematics and computer science."e;Mathematicians have never been comfortable handling infinities... But an entirely new type of mathematics looks set to by-pass the problem... Today, Yaroslav Sergeyev, a mathematician at the University of Calabria in Italy solves this problem... "e;MIT Technology Review"e;These ideas and future hardware prototypes may be productive in all fields of science where infinite and infinitesimal numbers (derivatives, integrals, series, fractals) are used."e; A. Adamatzky, Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Unconventional Computing."e;I am sure that the new approach ... will have a very deep impact both on Mathematics and Computer Science."e; D. Trigiante, Computational Management Science."e;Within the grossone framework, it becomes feasible to deal computationally with infinite quantities, in a way that is both new (in the sense that previously intractable problems become amenable to computation) and natural"e;. R. Gangle, G. Caterina, F. Tohme, Soft Computing."e;The computational features offered by the Infinity Computer allow us to dynamically change the accuracy of representation and floating-point operations during the flow of a computation. When suitably implemented, this possibility turns out to be particularly advantageous when solving ill-conditioned problems. In fact, compared with a standard multi-precision arithmetic, here the accuracy is improved only when needed, thus not affecting that much the overall computational effort."e; P. Amodio, L. Brugnano, F. Iavernaro & F. Mazzia, Soft Computing

This edited volume centers around the concept of BioCities, which aim to unify nature and urban spaces in order to reverse the effects of global climate change and inequity. Following this principle, the authors propose multiple approaches for sustainable city growth. The discussed concepts are not only relevant for newly constructed cities, but offer transformative perspectives for existing settlements as well.Placing nature at the forefront of city planning is not an entirely new concept, so the authors build on established ideas like the garden city, green city, eco-city, or smart city. All chapters aim to highlight aspects to develop a city that is a resilient nature-based socio-ecological system. Many of these concepts were formed in an effort to copy the best traits of a forest ecosystem: a home for many different species that build complex communities. Much like many of our forests, urban areas are managed by humans for multifunctional purposes, using living and abiotic components. This viewpoint helps to understand the potential and limitations of sustainable growth.With these chapters, the authors want to inspire planners, ecologists, urban foresters and decision makers of the future.

This book revises and expands upon the prior edition of Multi-Modal Face Presentation Attack Detection. The authors begin with fundamental and foundational information on face spoofing attack detection, explaining why the computer vision community has intensively studied it for the last decade. The authors also discuss the reasons that cause face anti-spoofing to be essential for preventing security breaches in face recognition systems. In addition, the book describes the factors that make it difficult to design effective methods of face presentation attack detection challenges. The book presents a thorough review and evaluation of current techniques and identifies those that have achieved the highest level of performance in a series of ChaLearn face anti-spoofing challenges at CVPR and ICCV. The authors also highlight directions for future research in face anti-spoofing that would lead to progress in the field. Additional analysis, new methodologies, and a more comprehensive survey of solutions are included in this new edition.

This book gives a special emphasis to state-of-the-art descriptions of approaches, methods, initiatives, and projects from universities, stakeholders, organizations, and civil society across the world, regarding cross-cutting issues in sustainable development.There is a perceived need for mobilizing the various stakeholders when attempting to promote sustainability in higher education and to promote best practices, which may inspire further initiatives. But despite this need, there are a few publications handling this matter in a coherent way. In order to meet the pressing need for publications which may document and disseminate examples of best practice on sustainable development at university level, the "e;Handbook of Best Practices in Sustainable Development at University Level"e; is being published.This book is produced by the European School of Sustainability Science and Research (ESSSR), through the Inter-University Sustainable Development Research Programme (IUSDRP) and contains inputs from authors across all geographical regions.The book also discusses examples of initiatives coordinated by universities but involving civil society, the private sector, and public sector (including local, national, and intergovernmental bodies). In particular, it describes practical experiences, partnerships, networks, and training schemes for building capacity aimed at fostering the cause of sustainable development at institutions of higher education.Thanks to its design and the contributions by experts from various areas, it provides a welcome contribution to the literature on sustainable development, and it may inspire further works in this field.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can benefit our society and economy, but also brings with it new challenges and raises legal and ethical questions. According to the author of this comprehensive analysis, it is imperative to ensure that AI is developed and applied in an appropriate legal and regulatory framework that promotes innovation and investment and, at the same time, addresses the risks associated with certain uses of AI-related technologies.Essential to understanding the relationship between policy and law, this book traces the evolution of EU policy on artificial intelligence and robotics, focusing in particular on the EU¿s ethical framework for AI, which defines trust as a prerequisite for ensuring a human-centric approach.The main part of the book provides a thorough and systematic analysis of the Commission¿s 2021 proposed AI Act, which establishes harmonised rules for the development, placement on the market and use of AI systems in the EU. The author painstakingly compares the Commission¿s proposed AI Act with the numerous ¿compromise¿ proposals of the Council of the European Union, leading to the final version of the Council¿s AI Act (general approach) and its formal adoption on 6 December 2022. The author also examines with extraordinary detail the amendments proposed by the relevant committees and political groups of the European Parliament, revealing the position the Parliament is likely to adopt in the forthcoming negotiations with the Commission and the Council on the text of the AI Act.Numerous legislative and policy documents are presented in detail, while the analysis also considers the comments made by all interested parties (e.g. the European Commission, Council of the European Union, European Parliament, governmental organisations, national competent authorities, and stakeholders/actors with different/conflicting interests, such as corporations, business and consumer associations, civil society and other non-profit organisations). In the course of its in-depth analysis, this book will provide readers with crucial insight into the reasons behind the European Institutions¿ different approaches and the often contradictory interests of stakeholders. Because the policy arguments are carefully balanced and drafted with scrupulous care, this volume will establish itself as a reference resource to be consulted for years to come.

This text is designed to function as a comprehensive guide/companion that will not only facilitate the decision-making process for the surgeon, but also help young surgeons build a successful career in skull base surgery. It is divided into six main sections: The first section details the general principles that every skull base surgeon needs to be acquainted with - skull base anatomy, developing a multidisciplinary skull base team, operating room equipment, surgical instruments, and modern imaging technologies. These are the key elements that play a major role in optimizing functional outcomes and patients' quality of life. Following this, the compartmental anatomy chapters set the stage for understanding the technical and surgical nuances of each location.The subsequent five sections are organized as anatomical compartments or regions of the skull base. Every region is organized in the same format for uniformity and ease of use. Each section includes the available treatment choices to each compartment, and describes the relevant pathologies. The contribution of worldwide leaders including neurosurgeons and otolaryngologists provides top-level expertise in how to tackle each pathology. The surgical approaches chapters that lead each anatomical section describe operative techniques in a clear. stepwise fashion with accompanying intra-operative photos and surgical videos. In the individual pathology chapters, different pathological subtypes are described with representative radiographic images of clinical case examples.  Accompanying each pathology is a treatment algorithm based on tumor morphology, pre-operative clinical status, and the goal of maximum functional preservation with a brief description of surgical approaches. This will serve as a roadmap that will help the reader to easily reach a decision of how to treat each skull base pathology.  The general theme is functional and anatomical preservation of key neurovascular structures. Setting such structures as a target and planning an approach that minimizes iatrogenic damage to these structures will lead the surgeon down the road of either open, endoscopic, or a combination of both approaches. A comprehensive book that is versatile to serve as a handbook as well as a detailed reference for skull base surgery does not currently exist. In addition, combining the two main surgical schools represented by endoscopy and open surgery into one reference enhanced by treatment algorithms is another unique feature.

This book attempts to eliminate the existing "e;imbalance"e; between the theory of electric machines and the theory of electromagnetic fields. In order to develop viable methods for engineering calculations, the author applies field equations. The resulting, new methods consist of traditional calculation elements represented in a refined form (circuit-loops, parameters, equivalent circuits and voltage equations). These calculation methods should be effective both for researchers and engineering practitioners, especially, in relation to the modern electric machines, such as powerful turbine generators, large high-speed synchronous motors, etc. 

Now more than ever there is a need to focus on Black men's health in higher education and ensure that future practitioners are trained to ethically and culturally serve this historically oppressed community. This textbook provides practical insight and knowledge that prepare students to work with Black men and their families from a strengths-based and social justice lens. There is a dearth in the literature that discusses the prioritization of Black men¿s health within the context of how they are viewed by societal approaches to engage them in research, and health programming aimed at increasing their participation in health services to decrease their morbidity and mortality rates. Much of the extant literature is over 10 years old and doesn't account for social determinants of health, perceptions of health status, as well as social justice implications that can affect the health outcomes of this historically oppressed population including structuraland systemic racism as well as police brutality and gun violence.The book's 13 chapters represent a diversity of thought and perspectives of experts reflective of various disciplines and are organized in four sections:Part I - Racial Disparities and Black MenPart II - Black Masculinity Part III - Black Men in Research Part IV - Social Justice Implications for Black Men's Health Black Men¿s Health serves as a core text across multiple disciplines and can be utilized in undergraduate- and graduate-level curriculums. It equips students and educators in social work, nursing, public health, and other helping professions with the knowledge and insight that can be helpful in their future experiences of working with Black men or men from other marginalized racial/ethnic groups and their families/social support systems. Scholars, practitioners, and academics in these disciplines, as well as community-based organizations who provide services to Black men and their families, state agencies, and evaluation firms with shared interests also would find this a useful resource.