Advanced Healthcare Systems

Provides an up-to-date analysis of big data and multi-agent systems The term Big Data refers to the cases, where data sets are too large or too complex for traditional data-processing software. With the spread of new concepts such as Edge Computing or the Internet of Things, production, processing and consumption of this data becomes more and more distributed. As a result, applications increasingly require multiple agents that can work together. A multi-agent system (MAS) is a self-organized computer system that comprises multiple intelligent agents interacting to solve problems that are beyond the capacities of individual agents. Modern Big Data Architectures examines modern concepts and architecture for Big Data processing and analytics. This unique, up-to-date volume provides joint analysis of big data and multi-agent systems, with emphasis on distributed, intelligent processing of very large data sets. Each chapter contains practical examples and detailed solutions suitable for a wide variety of applications. The author, an internationally-recognized expert in Big Data and distributed Artificial Intelligence, demonstrates how base concepts such as agent, actor, and micro-service have reached a point of convergence—enabling next generation systems to be built by incorporating the best aspects of the field. This book: Illustrates how data sets are produced and how they can be utilized in various areas of industry and science Explains how to apply common computational models and state-of-the-art architectures to process Big Data tasks Discusses current and emerging Big Data applications of Artificial Intelligence Modern Big Data Architectures: A Multi-Agent Systems Perspective is a timely and important resource for data science professionals and students involved in Big Data analytics, and machine and artificial learning.

Offers a step-by-step guide to building autonomous vehicles and robots, with source code and accompanying videos The first book of its kind on the detailed steps for creating an autonomous vehicle or robot, this book provides an overview of the technology and introduction of the key elements involved in developing autonomous vehicles, and offers an excellent introduction to the basics for someone new to the topic of autonomous vehicles and the innovative, modular-based engineering approach called DragonFly. Engineering Autonomous Vehicles and Robots: The DragonFly Modular-based Approach covers everything that technical professionals need to know about: CAN bus, chassis, sonars, radars, GNSS, computer vision, localization, perception, motion planning, and more. Particularly, it covers Computer Vision for active perception and localization, as well as mapping and motion planning. The book offers several case studies on the building of an autonomous passenger pod, bus, and vending robot. It features a large amount of supplementary material, including the standard protocol and sample codes for chassis, sonar, and radar. GPSD protocol/NMEA protocol and GPS deployment methods are also provided. Most importantly, readers will learn the philosophy behind the DragonFly modular-based design approach, which empowers readers to design and build their own autonomous vehicles and robots with flexibility and affordability. Offers progressive guidance on building autonomous vehicles and robots Provides detailed steps and codes to create an autonomous machine, at affordable cost, and with a modular approach Written by one of the pioneers in the field building autonomous vehicles Includes case studies, source code, and state-of-the art research results Accompanied by a website with supplementary material, including sample code for chassis/sonar/radar; GPS deployment methods; Vision Calibration methods Engineering Autonomous Vehicles and Robots is an excellent book for students, researchers, and practitioners in the field of autonomous vehicles and robots.

The definitive resource for understanding what coding is, designed for educators and parents   Even though the vast majority of teachers, parents, and students understand the importance of computer science in the 21st century, many struggle to find appropriate educational resources. Don't Teach Coding: Until You Read This Book fills a gap in current knowledge by explaining exactly what coding is and addressing why and how to teach the subject. Providing a historically grounded, philosophically sensitive description of computer coding, this book helps readers understand the best practices for teaching computer science to their students and their children.  The authors, experts in teaching computer sciences to students of all ages, offer practical insights on whether coding is a field for everyone, as opposed to a field reserved for specialists. This innovative book provides an overview of recent scientific research on how the brain learns coding, and features practical exercises that strengthen coding skills. Clear, straightforward chapters discuss a broad range of questions using principles of computer science, such as why we should teach students to code and is coding a science, engineering, technology, mathematics, or language? Helping readers understand the principles and issues of coding education, this book: Helps those with no previous background in computer science education understand the questions and debates within the field Explores the history of computer science education and its influence on the present Views teaching practices through a computational lens Addresses why many schools fail to teach computer science adequately Explains contemporary issues in computer science such as the language wars and trends that equate coding with essential life skills like reading and writing Don't Teach Coding: Until You Read This Book is a valuable resource for K-12 educators in computer science education and parents wishing to understand the field to help chart their children’s education path.

Make your 3D world a reality Some of the dramatic visual effects you've seen in top-grossing movies and heralded television series got their start in Blender. This book helps you get your own start in creating three-dimensional characters, scenes, and animations in the popular free and open-source tool. Author Jason van Gumster shares his insight as an independent animator and digital artist to help Blender newcomers turn their ideas into three-dimensional drawings. From exporting and sharing scenes to becoming a part of the Blender community, this accessible book covers it all! Create 3D characters—no experience required Build scenes with texture and real lighting features Animate your creations and share them with the world Avoid common rookie mistakes This book is the ideal starting place for newcomers to the world of 3D modeling and animation.

This book is dedicated to the application of metaheuristic optimization in trajectory generation and control issues in robotics. In this area, as in other fields of application, the algorithmic tools addressed do not require a comprehensive list of eligible solutions to effectively solve an optimization problem. This book investigates how, by reformulating the problems to be solved, it is possible to obtain results by means of metaheuristics. Through concrete examples and case studies – particularly related to robotics – this book outlines the essentials of what is needed to reformulate control laws into concrete optimization data. The resolution approaches implemented – as well as the results obtained – are described in detail, in order to give, as much as possible, an idea of metaheuristics and their performance within the context of their application to robotics.