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A brand new edition of the definitive textbook on humankind’s impact on the Earth’s environment—now in full color This classic text explores the multitude of impacts that humans have had over time upon vegetation, animals, soils, water, landforms, and the atmosphere. It considers the ways in which climate changes and modifications in land cover may change the environment in coming decades. Thoroughly revised to cover the remarkable transformation in interest that humans are having in the environment, this book examines previously uncovered topics, such as rewilding, ecosystem services, techniques for study, novel and no analogue ecosystems, and more. It also presents the latest views on big themes such as human origins, the anthropocene, domestication, extinctions, and ecological invasions. Extensively re-written, Human Impact on the Natural Environment, Eighth Edition contains many new and updated statistical tables, figures, and references. It offers enlightening chapters that look at the past and present state of the world—examining our impact on the land itself and the creatures that inhabit it; the oceans, lakes, rivers and streams; and the climate and atmosphere. The book also takes a deep look at our future impact on the planet and its resources—our affect on the coastal environments, the cryosphere and the drylands, as well as the hydrological and geomorphological impacts. Fully updated to take account of recent advances in our understanding of global warming and other phenomena Offers current opinions on such topics as human origins, the anthropocene, domestication, extinctions, and ecological invasions Features a full-color presentation to allow for more and clearer photographs and diagrams Contains more international case studies than previous editions to balance UK examples Human Impact on the Natural Environment is essential reading for undergraduates in geography and environmental science, and for those who want a thorough, wide-ranging and balanced overview of the impacts of humans upon natural processes and systems from the Stone Age to the Anthropocene and who wish to understand the major environmental issues that concern the human race at the present time.

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Get ready for the CompTIA Cloud+ Exam CV0-002 with this comprehensive resource If you’re looking to earn the challenging, but rewarding CompTIA Cloud+ certification—and a career in cloud services, then this book is the ideal resource for you. CompTIA Cloud+ Study Guide Exam CV0-002, 2nd Edition will not only help you prepare for taking the new CompTIA Coud+ Exam CV0-002, it will provide you with thorough coverage of the important topics that every cloud computing professional needs to be familiar with, including: configuration and deployment; security; maintenance; management; and troubleshooting. This comprehensive resource covers all aspects of cloud computing infrastructure and administration, with a practical focus on real-world skills. It provides you with a year of FREE access to Sybex's superior online interactive learning environment and test bank, including chapter tests, practice exams, electronic flashcards, and a glossary of key terms. Master the fundamental concepts, terminology, and characteristics of cloud computing Deploy and implement cloud solutions, manage the infrastructure, and monitor performance Install, configure, and manage virtual machines and devices Get up to speed on hardware, testing, deployment, and more Whether you’re experienced or just starting out, the Cloud+ certification identifies you as the professional these companies need to ensure safe, seamless, functional cloud services, and The CompTIA Cloud+ Study Guide Exam CV0-002 provides the tools you need to be confident on exam day.

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About the Book This Official Study Guide for the CWTS exam features complete coverage of the exam objectives, as well as hands-on exercises, Real World Scenarios, chapter review questions, a detailed glossary, objective map, and a pre-assessment test. The enhanced CD includes two bonus exams, 150 flashcards, Case Studies, and demo software. Exam coverage includes: Wi-Fi Technology, Standards, and Certifications Hardware and Software Radio Frequency (RF) Fundamentals Site Surveying and Installation Applications, Support, and Troubleshooting Security & Compliance About the CWTS Certification The Certified Wireless Technology Specialist (CWTS) is a vendor-neutral certification administered by CWNP. This brand new certification is the only entry-level vendor neutral wireless certification for IT Professionals, and was developed for IT support staff who work with wireless technologies. It is a springboard to the foundation-level Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA), and more advanced Certified Wireless Security Professional (CWSP) and Certified Wireless Network Expert (CWNE) certifications. The exam is offered in over 100 countries through both Prometric and Pearson VUE testing centers. The cost of the exam is $125. Note: CD-ROM materials for eBook purchases can be downloaded from CWNP’s website at www.cwnp.com/sybex

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With the idea of “deep learning” having now become the key to this new generation of solutions, major technological players in the business intelligence sector have taken an interest in the application of Big Data. In this book, the author explores the recent technological advances associated with digitized data flows, which have recently opened up new horizons for AI. The reader will gain insight into some of the areas of application of Big Data in AI, including robotics, home automation, health, security, image recognition and natural language processing.

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The book is a monograph in the cross disciplinary area of Computational Intelligence in Finance and elucidates a collection of practical and strategic Portfolio Optimization models in Finance, that employ Metaheuristics for their effective solutions and demonstrates the results using MATLAB implementations, over live portfolios invested across global stock universes. The book has been structured in such a way that, even novices in finance or metaheuristics should be able to comprehend and work on the hybrid models discussed in the book.

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Step into the future with AI The term «Artificial Intelligence» has been around since the 1950s, but a lot has changed since then. Today, AI is referenced in the news, books, movies, and TV shows, and the exact definition is often misinterpreted. Artificial Intelligence For Dummies provides a clear introduction to AI and how it’s being used today. Inside, you’ll get a clear overview of the technology, the common misconceptions surrounding it, and a fascinating look at its applications in everything from self-driving cars and drones to its contributions in the medical field. Learn about what AI has contributed to society Explore uses for AI in computer applications Discover the limits of what AI can do Find out about the history of AI The world of AI is fascinating—and this hands-on guide makes it more accessible than ever!

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Be prepared for the arrival of automated decision making Once thought of as science fiction, major corporations are already beginning to use cognitive systems to assist in providing wealth advice and also in medication treatment. The use of Cognitive Analytics/Artificial Intelligence (AI) Systems is set to accelerate, with the expectation that it’ll be considered ‘mainstream’ in the next 5 – 10 years. It’ll change the way we as individuals interact with data and systems—and the way we run our businesses. Cognitive Analysis and AI prepares business users for the era of cognitive analytics / artificial intelligence. Building on established texts and commentary, it specifically prepares you in terms of expectation, impact on personal roles, and responsibilities. It focuses on the specific impact on key industries (retail, financial services, utilities and media) and also on key professions (such as accounting, operational management, supply chain and risk management). Shows you how users interact with the system in natural language Explains how cognitive analysis/AI can source ‘big data’ Provides a roadmap for implementation Gets you up to speed now before you get left behind If you’re a decision maker or budget holder within the corporate context, this invaluable book helps you gain an advantage from the deployment of cognitive analytics tools.

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Addressing IT managers and staff, as well as CIOs and other executives dealing with corporate IT security, this book provides a broad knowledge on the major security issues affecting today's corporations and organizations, and presents state-of-the-art concepts and current trends for securing an enterprise. Areas covered include information security management, network and system security, identity and access management (IAM), authentication (including smart card based solutions and biometrics), and security certification. In-depth discussion of relevant technologies and standards (including cryptographic techniques, intelligent tokens, public key infrastructures, IAM technologies) is provided. The book features detailed discussions of practical experiences in different sectors, including the automotive industry, financial services, e-health, and e-government.

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When it comes to computer games, the numbers are astounding: the world's top professional gamer has won over half a million dollars shooting virtual monsters on-screen; online games claim literally millions of subscribers; while worldwide spending on computer gaming will top £24 billion by 2011. From techno-toddlers to silver surfers, everyone's playing games on their PCs, Wiis, Xboxes and phones. How are we responding to this onslaught of brain-training, entertaining, potentially addicting, time-consuming, myth-spawning games? In Powering Up, Rebecca Mileham looks at the facts behind the headlines to see what effect this epidemic of game-playing is really having on us and the society we live in. Is it making us obese, anti-social, violent and addicted… or just giving us different ways of getting cleverer, fitter and more skilled? She examines the evidence, from experts and gamers alike, and asks some controversial and thought-provoking questions: Are car-driving games turning us into boy racers? Could becoming a virtual bully help children solve classroom disputes? Should you feel remorse for killing pixel people? Does it matter if you cheat in a single-player game? Can games get ex-prisoners back to work? If you're part of the gaming revolution yourself, or are just curious to know what's fact and what's fiction in the media coverage of this topic, then this is the book for you. About the author Rebecca Mileham has written for the Sunday Times, She magazine, and for museums all over the UK. In ten years at the Science Museum, London, she developed exhibitions on topics as diverse as Charles Babbage's Difference Engines, robotic submarines, face transplants and the male pill. http://www.rebecca.mileham.net/

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This is the first book devoted entirely to Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), which is a non-specific algorithm, similar to evolutionary algorithms, such as taboo search and ant colonies. Since its original development in 1995, PSO has mainly been applied to continuous-discrete heterogeneous strongly non-linear numerical optimization and it is thus used almost everywhere in the world. Its convergence rate also makes it a preferred tool in dynamic optimization.