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This book explores the dilemmas of Georgian foreign policy since independence in 1991. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Georgiäa Caucasian republic with a fiercely independent national identity¿has sought its own special path to European modernity, a promised land of prosperity and peace. Foreign policy has sought to reconcile the dream of European identity with the reality of being a small, post-colonial nation that was governed from Russia for nearly two centuries and remains mired in border conflicts with Russia. In an era when Russian concerns about sovereignty are once again dominating geopolitics, this book interests historians, scholars of imperialism, and scholars of the former Soviet Union and its messy politics.Mariam Bibilashvili has a Ph.D. degree in Social Sciences from the University of Tsukuba, affiliated with the Special Program in Japanese and Eurasian Studies.

This book constitutes the thoroughly refereed proceedings of the 11th Chinese National Conference of Social Media Processing, SMP 2023, held in Anhui, China, in November 2023.The 16 full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 88 submissions. The papers are organized in the topical sections on knowledge representation and reasoning; knowledge acquisition and knowledge base construction; linked data, knowledge integration, and knowledge graph storage management; natural language understanding and semantic computing; knowledge graph applications; knowledge graph open resources.

This book focuses on input trade liberalization in China and discusses the underlying causes and profound effects of Chinese enterprises facing import liberalization of intermediate input. The content of this book includes ten chapters. The analysis of this book mainly uses academic research, with policy study for a few chapters. Most chapters in this book apply the standard method of contemporary economic systems, integrating into the most advanced economic theories of international trade. The author uses theoretical models to obtain predictions which receive empirical support and carries out strict empirical research using data of China's manufacturing enterprises and China's customs to analyze the causes which affect Chinese enterprises facing import liberalization of intermediate input after Chinäs reform and opening-up.The suggested readership would be the public who are willing to understand the issues closely related to Chinäs input trade liberalization and opening-up policy, and basic knowledge in economics would be necessary in understanding the academic research part of the book. Meanwhile, this book is also specifically compelling to business persons and policy makers in that it enables deeper understanding on issues about outward foreign investment of enterprises and Chinäs opening-up policy and facilitates their decision-making process.

This book constitutes the revised selected papers of the First International Conference, AIGC 2023, held in Shanghai, China, during August 25¿26, 2023The 30 full papers included in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 62 submissions. The volume focuses on the remarkable strides that have been made in the realm of artificial intelligence and its transformative impact on content creation. As delving into the content of the proceedings, the readers will encounter cutting-edge research findings, innovative applications, and thought-provoking insights that underscore the transformative potential of AI-generated content.

This book constitutes the proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Formal Methods and Software Engineering, ICFEM 2023, held in Brisbane, QLD, Australia, during November 21¿24, 2023.The 13 full papers presented together with 8 doctoral symposium papers in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 34 submissions, the volume also contains one invited paper. The conference focuses on applying formal methods to practical applications and presents papers for research in all areas related to formal engineering methods.

For the past decade and a half, the world has witnessed a precipitous decline of democratic countries and the consequent rise of autocrats. How Autocrats Rise: Sequences of Democratic Backsliding challenges the conventional wisdom and offers an institutional-ideological approach to understand the phenomenon, examines the steps of emergent autocrats, and analyzes the methods of legitimizing their rules. Employing the new framework, the book provides incisive analyses of four countries located in four different regions with dissimilar national features ¿ Bangladesh, Bolivia, Hungary, and Turkey, and demonstrates that political developments in these countries have followed a similar, specific pattern resulting in various shades of autocracy. Theoretically enriched and empirically grounded, this exceptionally timely book makes significant contribution to the democratic backsliding literature while offering insights on how to forestall an autocratic era.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Cryptology and Network Security, CANS 2023, which was held in October/November 2023 in Augusta, GA, USA.The 25 papers presented were thoroughly revised and selected from the 54 submissions. They are organized in the following topical sections: Schemes I; Basic Primitives; Security; MPC with Cards; Blockchain; MPC and Secret Sharing; Schemes II.

This book focuses on the development of high-performance carbon electrodes for sodium ion batteries (SIBs). By proposing folded-graphene as the high-density cathode with excellent rate capability, it provides insight into the interplay between oxygen functional groups and folded texture. It also highlights the superiority of ether electrolytes matching with carbon anodes, which are shown to deliver largely improved electrochemical performance. The achievements presented offer a valuable contribution to the carbon-based electrodes in SIBs.

This book includes selected papers from the Hong Kong Association for Educational Communications and Technology (HKAECT) 2023 International Conference. It provides readers with a collection of insightful chapters which delves into the realms of data visualization, artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR). It also reflects on the dynamic shifts in online learning, blended learning, and self-directed learning. Part one of the volume includes case studies and examples of the integration of advanced technologies, such as data visualization, generative AI, and mixed reality in education. Part two shares experiences and observations from educators who embrace online learning, blended learning, and independent learning. Part three investigates the influences digital education has on learning, teaching, and society as a whole. The book paves a path for thought-provoking discussions on the future of education in a digitally connected world. It is a vital resource for educators, administrators, policymakers, and learners seeking to navigate and thrive in the rapidly evolving world of digital education.

This book serves as a guide, leading readers towards a world where waste ceases to be a burden, but a wellspring of possibilities. Whether the goal is to enhance expertise, ignite creativity, or develop a thorough grasp of waste's transformative possibilities, this book serves to achieve a more sustainable and prosperous future. It provides an invaluable treasure of knowledge for readers, researchers, working professionals, and academics alike, and offers a comprehensive roadmap to address the waste crisis with sustainable solutions. The book introduces readers to a diverse range of sustainable approaches that address the pressing challenges of waste management and resource conservation. From converting waste into building materials to employing waste in innovative 3D printing applications, these sustainable approaches empower individuals to make informed choices for a greener future. It provides in-depth insights that captivate waste management and environmental specialists while offering accessible entry points for those new to the subject.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 18th Chinese Conference on Image and Graphics Technologies and Applications, IGTA 2023, held in Beijing, China, during August 17¿19, 2023.The 35 full papers included in this book were carefully reviewed and selected from 129 submissions. They were organized in topical sections as follows: image processing and enhancement techniques; machine vision and 3D reconstruction; image/video big data analysis and understanding; computer graphics; visualization and visual analysis; virtual reality and human-computer interaction; and applications of image and graphics.

This book brings together papers presented at the 3rd International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in China (ChinaAI), which provides a venue to disseminate the latest developments and to discuss the interactions and links between these multidisciplinary fields. Spanning topics covering all topics in Artificial Intelligence with new development in China, this book is aimed at undergraduate and graduate students in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics, researchers and engineers from academia and industry as well as government employees (such as NSF, DOD, DOE, etc).

This book offers a comparative study of state strategies in relation to urban redevelopment projects associated with sports mega-events in Brazil, South Africa and the United Kingdom. It examines urban governance strategies employed to dispossess working-class communities of their land and counteract the subsequent emergence of discontent in various national contexts, offering an intricate analysis of the mechanisms of class dominance operating across diverse regions of the globe. This is based on the application of Gramscian theory concerning the capitalist state and its fluid interplay between coercion and consent. Juxtaposing historical trajectories in the execution of redevelopment initiatives linked to large-scale sporting events, the book offers an in-depth examination of the state-civil society relations shaping the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Parks, alongside the regeneration initiatives concerning the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro and the Ellis Park stadiumin Johannesburg ¿ respectively earmarked for the 2014 and 2010 FIFA World Cups. Drawing on insights from a range of disciplines and an explicitly Gramscian analytical framework, this book will appeal to students and scholars in urban planning, sport sociology, development studies, and human geography.

This multi-authored book aims to illustrate the social, economic, and ecological factors that should determine and be determined by design in the implementation of a sustainable circular economy and society. We take design to refer to a continuum of perspectives and applications from industrial design to policy design, and this broad perspective invites theoretical and methodological contributions from a range of fields. In addition to bringing scholarly diversity to circularity, we expand and challenge the mainstream circular economy narrative of material efficiencies and green growth to include the demands of inclusive growth and ecological boundaries consistent with sustainable development. Readers from within and beyond design, conscious of the limitations of circular green growth will find new inspiration in this book regarding the nature of a sustainable circular economy and society and the broad design agenda that must be implemented to enable a just and informed circular transition.

This book demonstrates the practical application of an alternative approach to current problems in high-energy astrophysics. In high-energy astrophysical processes, single collisions are accompanied by the appearance of many secondary particles with different properties. To describe the infinitesimal evolution of such a system at a measurement instant, as is commonly done when deriving the kinetic equation for the system with conserved number of particles, one must know either its prehistory or the infinite family of many-particle distributions. An alternative to this approach is to use an adjoint (in the sense of Lagrange) mathematical formalism, where the independent active variable is the phase position of a primary particle generating the cascade, and the dependent variable has the form of a functional of the cascade as a whole, interpreted as the reading of some not necessarily linear (additive) detector. This approach is characterized by mathematical efficiency: no matter how many particles are formed in a cascade, the active argument of the desired functional always remains one particle. The second advantage is its generality: the formalization of the readings of the detector, which performs real measurements through the functionality of a random implementation of the cascade, allows it to be applied to a wide range of actually used devices and installations.Readers will be able to master the fundamentals of particle astrophysics in the context of the latest developments in the field. It will benefit graduate students and established researchers alike, equipping them with the knowledge and tools necessary to design and interpret their own experiments and, ultimately, to address a number of questions about the nature and origin of cosmic particles that have arisen in recent research.

This book deals with the concept of medical ultrasound imaging and discusses array signal processing in ultrasound. Signal processing using different beamforming techniques in order to achieve a desirable reconstructed image and, consequently, obtain useful information about the imaging medium is the main focus of this book. In this regard, the principles of image reconstruction techniques in ultrasound imaging are fully described, and the required processing steps are completely expanded and analyzed in detail. Simulation results to compare the performance of different beamformers are also included in this book to visualize their differences to the reader. Other advanced techniques in the field of medical ultrasound data processing, as well as their corresponding recent achievements, are also presented in this book. Simply put, in this book, processing of medical ultrasound data from different aspects and acquiring information from them in different manners are covered and organized in different chapters. Before going through the detailed explanation in each chapter, it gives the reader an overview of the considered issue and focuses his\her mind on the challenge ahead. The contents of the book are also presented in such a way that they are easy for the reader to understand. This book is recommended for researchers who study medical ultrasound data processing.

This book highlights the use of commercially available recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) extracted from multiple construction and demolition sites, considering it as a viable alternative to conventional aggregate. It further describes the advanced techniques, such as, scanning electron microscopy, nanoindentation, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray microtomography shedding light on the deep-rooted causes of inferior macro-mechanical performance of RAC and the advantages of particle packing method design approach in this regard. It then describes the improved properties of RAC with the help of macro-mechanical performance studies, microstructural characterization and fracture analysis. The systematic and in-depth presentation of the use of recycled coarse aggregate as an alternative to conventional aggregate for the preparation of structural concrete will guide researchers on subsequent research in RAC and provide assistance to structural engineers and concrete manufacturers for the usage of RAC.

This edited book is a comprehensive collection of information on host plant resistance to insects in major field crops. The focus of the book is to make the audience aware of the latest developments in host plant resistance in major field crops and how it can be used for sustainable pest management solutions. It deals with the insect-plant interactions, plant defence responses to herbivore attacks, plant phenotyping, and breeding for insect resistance.Insects are an important group of biotic stresses that limit crop productivity in many regions of the world. At present, they are largely managed by synthetic insecticides which have their own adverse effects including insecticide resistance, pest resurgence, environmental pollution, and pesticide residues, to name a few. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop alternate pest management strategies that can provide a sustainable solution to pest problems. Host plant resistance is considered an important pest management strategy as it offers an effective, economical, and environmental friendly solution to pest problems. This book is of interest to postgraduate students, crop entomologists, and breeders working on host plant resistance to insect pests. It is also valuable for teachers, researchers, and climate change scientists.The book serves as an additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture, ecology, and environmental sciences. Agricultural experts from around the world, as well as policymakers, will also find this book helpful.

This book introduces the synthesis of functional mesoporous carbon-based films and their applications in energy systems. In the last decades, the consumption of fossil fuels has led to many problems such as the energy crisis and climate change. The rapidly increasing energy demands and environmental issues have attracted lots of attention to develop new functional materials for sustainable energy technology. Mesoporous carbon-based films show unique properties and have been regarded as a promising material applied in highly efficient energy storage and conversion systems. Interfacial assembly strategies are usually employed to construct such film devices. In this book, recent developments in synthesis of mesoporous carbon-based film devices through interfacial assembly strategies are illustrated. Additionally, the applications of mesoporous carbon-based film devices for electrochemical energy systems including batteries and electrocatalysis are introduced to demonstrate their potential, as well as describing the mechanisms to enhance the performance of these systems. Finally, some challenges and future outlooks are presented to inspire better development and contributions to this field in coming years. Given its scope, this book appeals to undergraduate students, graduate students, engineers, and researchers involved in related fields.

This book gathers a selection of peer-reviewed papers presented at the 4th International Conference on Experimental and Computational Mechanics in Engineering (ICECME 2022), held as a virtual conference and organized by Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia, on September 14¿15, 2022.This book, prepared by international scientists and engineers, covers the latest advances in computational mechanics, metallurgy and material science, energy systems, manufacturing processing systems, industrial and system engineering, biomechanics, artificial intelligence, micro-/nano-engineering, micro-electro-mechanical system, machine learning, mechatronics, and engineering design. This book is intended for academics, including graduate students and researchers, as well as industrial practitioners working in the areas of experimental and computational mechanics.

This book renders a comprehensive understanding of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from their embryonic development through adult maintenance to aging, in the studies conducted in zebrafish and mammals. Hematopoiesis provides a paradigm for understanding the development, maintenance, regeneration, aging and malignant transformation of mammalian organs. Sitting at the apex of the hematopoiesis hierarchy tree, HSCs orchestrate their proliferation, self-renewal, and differentiation to produce all the blood cell lineages throughout life, which represents the best example for somatic stem cell studies. In this book, key regulatory mechanisms for HSC self-renewal and differentiation are overviewed in an array of fields including epigenetics, metabolism and microenvironment regulation. It also highlights the HSC heterogeneity and clonal dynamics from the recent advanced single-cell technologies. This book elaborates on the research history of HSC studies and reveals how the insights from HSC studies shed light on their clinic application. It presents great value from the bench to the clinic.

This book is the first academic monograph on the Five-Hundred-Meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST, or Chinäs ¿sky eye¿), which discusses the research on cable-driven and rigid parallel robots in detail. Taking the final scale model of the FAST feed support system as the object, it introduces the theoretical and engineering research on optimal design, accuracy improvement, and control of the cable-driven and rigid parallel robots, striving to clearly illustrate the core technology of the FAST feed support system, as well as the theoretical methodology and engineering technology of cable-driven and rigid parallel mechanisms. The theoretical innovation and technological breakthroughs of the cable-driven and rigid parallel robots directly support the implementation of the feed support system, which is one of the three major innovations of the FAST. This book is geared toward the high-performance development trend of robotics and follows the complete development process of the design, control, and engineering practice of the FAST feed support system. It systematically elaborates the core theories and technologies, such as dynamic modeling, precision analysis, dimension synthesis, vibration suppression control, and inertia matching of cable-driven and rigid parallel robots. This book elaborates on theoretical research and engineering practice, which have significant inspiration and reference effects. It guides readers to gain engineering experience and practical knowledge. The intended readership includes researchers, postgraduate students, undergraduate students, technology enthusiasts, etc.

This book presents peer-reviewed papers of the 2022 10th International Conference on Environment Pollution and Prevention (ICEPP 2022), which was held in Sydney, Australia, during December 16¿18, 2022. With the worldwide increase in industrialization and movement of people toward larger cities, there has been a progressive increase in environmental pollution. The issues surrounding air, water, soil, and land pollution are now considered of global concern. Minimization of pollution involves the repeated reuse of products, reduction in waste generation, and processing and recycling of resources into new products. Pollution prevention practices not only reduce waste, but also improve safety and decrease disposal costs. The book is useful for students, academics, entrepreneurs, and professionals who are working in the important field of environmental pollution and its prevention.

The book presents the select proceedings of International Conference on Production and Industrial Engineering (CPIE) 2023. It covers the current and latest research methods for development and implementation of operation. Various topics covered include selection of designing parameters, decisions related to conditions of optimum process/operation parameters, facilities planning and management, transportation and supply chain management, quality engineering, reliability and maintenance, product design and development, human factors and ergonomics, project management, service system and service management, waste management, sustainable manufacturing, and operations. The book is useful for researchers and professionals working in manufacturing, industrial engineering, systems engineering, and production engineering.

This book includes articles from the Third International Conference on Sustainable Civil Engineering and Architecture (ICSSEA 2023), held at Da Nang City, Vietnam, on July 19-21, 2023. The conference brings together international experts from both academia and industry to share their knowledge and expertise, facilitate collaboration, and improve cooperation in the field. The book focuses on the most recent developments in sustainable architecture and civil engineering, including offshore structures, structural engineering, building materials, and architecture.

This book is a machine-generated literature overview that explores the theoretical and empirical aspects of economics of natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, droughts, and earthquakes from a policy perspective. It provides a comprehensive collection of economic theories in Disasters and empirical findings that would benefit scholars in academia and policy-making. On the theory side, there is a growing use of game theory, Input-Output, computable general equilibrium models, and Catastrophe models to analyze the economic impacts of natural disasters. These models provide optimal decisions for the government concerning disaster relief. On the empirical front, studies showing causal and associative relationships between disasters and socio-economic variables are important for estimating disaster-related losses and making appropriate policy suggestions.The book explores different critical aspects and interlinkages of natural disasters; economic, social, and political. Besides having localized effects, disasters influence macroeconomic parameters, such as impacts on international trade and foreign direct investment. Moreover, the effects of disasters are subject to interventions from various national and international agencies. It discusses fiscal pressures caused due to disasters and existing policies related to disaster-risk mitigation and management as a guide to policy-making. It is an important guide to researchers and policymakers examining the socio-economic impact of natural disasters and public investment for disaster-risk mitigation.