Biodiversity. An Introduction

This new textbook is a lively and highly accessible introduction to philosophy. From the fundamental issues of philosophical thought to the latest theories in the philosophy of mind, An Introduction to Philosophy provides clear and incisive discussion of the key areas of philosophy for students new to the subject. Provides the tools new students need to tackle philosophical arguments themselves Clearly presents and explains contemporary issues and current debates Covers the key areas of philosophy, including perception, epistemology, metaphysics, the mind, philosophy of religion, ethics and political philosophy Contains numerous learning features such as introductions, summaries, questions and further reading An Introduction to Philosophy is an ideal text for AS level, A level and first-year undergraduate students or anyone studying the subject for the first time.

Bayesian Networks: An Introduction provides a self-contained introduction to the theory and applications of Bayesian networks, a topic of interest and importance for statisticians, computer scientists and those involved in modelling complex data sets. The material has been extensively tested in classroom teaching and assumes a basic knowledge of probability, statistics and mathematics. All notions are carefully explained and feature exercises throughout. Features include: An introduction to Dirichlet Distribution, Exponential Families and their applications. A detailed description of learning algorithms and Conditional Gaussian Distributions using Junction Tree methods. A discussion of Pearl's intervention calculus, with an introduction to the notion of see and do conditioning. All concepts are clearly defined and illustrated with examples and exercises. Solutions are provided online. This book will prove a valuable resource for postgraduate students of statistics, computer engineering, mathematics, data mining, artificial intelligence, and biology. Researchers and users of comparable modelling or statistical techniques such as neural networks will also find this book of interest.

This fully revised textbook is a new edition of Ronald Wardhaugh’s popular and accessible An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. Provides an accessible, comprehensive introduction to sociolinguistics that reflects new developments in the field. Fully revised, with 130 new and updated references to bring the book completely up-to-date. Includes suggested readings, discussion sections, and exercises. Features increased emphasis on issues of identity, solidarity, and power Discusses topics such as language dialects, pidgins and creoles, codes, bilingualism, speech communities, variation, words and culture, ethnographies, solidarity and politeness, talk and action, gender, disadvantage, and planning. Designed for introductory and post-introductory students, and ideal for courses including introduction to sociolinguistics, aspects of sociolinguistics, and language and society.

Cult Cinema: an Introduction presents the first in-depth academic examination of all aspects of the field of cult cinema, including audiences, genres, and theoretical perspectives. Represents the first exhaustive introduction to cult cinema Offers a scholarly treatment of a hotly contested topic at the center of current academic debate Covers audience reactions, aesthetics, genres, theories of cult cinema, as well as historical insights into the topic

Thoroughly updated and revised, An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, 7th Edition presents a comprehensive and fully updated introduction to the study of the relationship between language and society. Building on Ronald Wardhaugh’s classic text, co-author Janet Fuller has updated this seventh edition throughout with new discussions exploring language and communities, language and interaction, and sociolinguistic variation, as well as incorporating numerous new exercises and research ideas for today’s students. Taking account of new research from the field, the book explores exciting new perspectives drawn from linguistic anthropology, and includes new chapters on pragmatics, discourse analysis, and sociolinguistics and education. With an emphasis on using examples from languages and cultures around the world, chapters address topics including social and regional dialects, multilingualism, discourse and pragmatics, variation, language in education, and language policy and planning. A new companion website including a wealth of additional online material, as well as a glossary and a variety of new exercises and examples, helps further illuminate the ideas presented in the text. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, 7th Edition continues to be the most indispensable and accessible introduction to the field of sociolinguistics for students in applied and theoretical linguistics, education, and anthropology.

An Introduction to Ministry is a comprehensive and ecumenical introduction to the craft of ministry for ministers, pastors, and priests that make up the mainline denominations in the United States. Ecumenically-focused, It offers a grounded account of ministry, covering areas such as vocation, congregational leadership, and cultivation of skills for an effective ministry. Covers the key components of the M.Div. curriculum, offering a map and guide to the central skills and issues in training Explores the areas of vocation, skills for ministry, and issues around congregational leadership Each topic ends with an annotated bibliography providing an indispensable gateway to further study Helps students understand both the distinctive approach of their denomination and the relationship of that approach to other mainline denominations Advocates and defends a generous understanding of the Christian tradition in its openness and commitment to broad conversation

Praise from the Second Edition «…an excellent introduction to optimization theory…» (Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 2002) «A textbook for a one-semester course on optimization theory and methods at the senior undergraduate or beginning graduate level.» (SciTech Book News, Vol. 26, No. 2, June 2002) Explore the latest applications of optimization theory and methods Optimization is central to any problem involving decision making in many disciplines, such as engineering, mathematics, statistics, economics, and computer science. Now, more than ever, it is increasingly vital to have a firm grasp of the topic due to the rapid progress in computer technology, including the development and availability of user-friendly software, high-speed and parallel processors, and networks. Fully updated to reflect modern developments in the field, An Introduction to Optimization, Third Edition fills the need for an accessible, yet rigorous, introduction to optimization theory and methods. The book begins with a review of basic definitions and notations and also provides the related fundamental background of linear algebra, geometry, and calculus. With this foundation, the authors explore the essential topics of unconstrained optimization problems, linear programming problems, and nonlinear constrained optimization. An optimization perspective on global search methods is featured and includes discussions on genetic algorithms, particle swarm optimization, and the simulated annealing algorithm. In addition, the book includes an elementary introduction to artificial neural networks, convex optimization, and multi-objective optimization, all of which are of tremendous interest to students, researchers, and practitioners. Additional features of the Third Edition include: New discussions of semidefinite programming and Lagrangian algorithms A new chapter on global search methods A new chapter on multipleobjective optimization New and modified examples and exercises in each chapter as well as an updated bibliography containing new references An updated Instructor's Manual with fully worked-out solutions to the exercises Numerous diagrams and figures found throughout the text complement the written presentation of key concepts, and each chapter is followed by MATLAB exercises and drill problems that reinforce the discussed theory and algorithms. With innovative coverage and a straightforward approach, An Introduction to Optimization, Third Edition is an excellent book for courses in optimization theory and methods at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. It also serves as a useful, self-contained reference for researchers and professionals in a wide array of fields.

Environmental Psychology: An Introduction offers a research-based introduction to the psychological relationship between humans and their built and natural environments and discusses how sustainable environments can be created to the benefit of both people and nature Explores the environment's effects on human wellbeing and behaviour, factors influencing environmental behaviour and ways of encouraging pro-environmental action Provides a state-of-the-art overview of recent developments in environmental psychology, with an emphasis on sustainability as a unifying principle for theory, research and interventions While focusing primarily on Europe and North America, also discusses environmental psychology in non-Western and developing countries Responds to a growing interest in the contribution of environmental psychologists to understanding and solving environmental problems and promoting the effects of environmental conditions on health and wellbeing

Praise for the Third Edition «. . . guides and leads the reader through the learning path . . . [e]xamples are stated very clearly and the results are presented with attention to detail.» —MAA Reviews Fully updated to reflect new developments in the field, the Fourth Edition of Introduction to Optimization fills the need for accessible treatment of optimization theory and methods with an emphasis on engineering design. Basic definitions and notations are provided in addition to the related fundamental background for linear algebra, geometry, and calculus. This new edition explores the essential topics of unconstrained optimization problems, linear programming problems, and nonlinear constrained optimization. The authors also present an optimization perspective on global search methods and include discussions on genetic algorithms, particle swarm optimization, and the simulated annealing algorithm. Featuring an elementary introduction to artificial neural networks, convex optimization, and multi-objective optimization, the Fourth Edition also offers: A new chapter on integer programming Expanded coverage of one-dimensional methods Updated and expanded sections on linear matrix inequalities Numerous new exercises at the end of each chapter MATLAB exercises and drill problems to reinforce the discussed theory and algorithms Numerous diagrams and figures that complement the written presentation of key concepts MATLAB M-files for implementation of the discussed theory and algorithms (available via the book's website) Introduction to Optimization, Fourth Edition is an ideal textbook for courses on optimization theory and methods. In addition, the book is a useful reference for professionals in mathematics, operations research, electrical engineering, economics, statistics, and business.

The new edition of the  most complete and student-friendly introduction to the field of sociolinguistics, fully revised and updated   An Introduction to Sociolinguistic s, Eighth Edition, is  a broad overview of the study of language in social context, providing accessible coverage of major concepts, theories, methods, issues, and debates within the field. This leading textbook helps students develop a critical perspective on language in society as they explore the complex connections between societal norms and language use. Organized in four sections, the text covers traditional language issues, broad approaches to research in sociolinguistics, and language in relation to gender and sexuality, education, and policy. The eighth edition contains new and updated discussion of topics including the societal aspects of African American Vernacular English (AAVE), multilingual societies and discourse, gender and sexuality, ideologies and language attitudes, and the social meanings of linguistic forms. Fully updated throughout, this important textbook:  Provides perspectives on both new and foundational research in sociolinguistics Features examples from a variety of languages and cultures that illustrate topics such as social and regional dialects, multilingualism, and language in education Includes end-of-chapter written exercises, key topic lists, chapter summaries, and “Explorations” designed to promote classroom discussion Offers students further reading suggestions, research ideas, and an updated companion website containing a searchable glossary, a review guide, additional exercises and examples, and links to online resources Includes a guide to the all explorations and exercises in the textbook, discussion topics, and other teaching resources via an instructor’s website Encouraging students to approach sociolinguistics both empirically and as a way of viewing the world around them,  An Introduction to Sociolinguistics, Eighth Edition , remains the ideal textbook for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in sociolinguistics, language and society, anthropological linguistics, applied an