Second Generation Expert Systems have been a very active field of research during the last years. Much work has been carried out to overcome drawbacks of first generation expert systems. This book presents an overview and new contributions from people who have played a major role in this evolution. It is divided in several sections that cover the main topics of the subject: - Combining Multiple Reasoning Paradigms - Knowledge Level Modelling - Knowledge Acquisition in Second Generation Expert Systems - Explanation of Reasoning - Architectures for Second Generation Expert Systems. This book can serve as a reference book for researchers and students and will also be an invaluable help for practitioners involved in KBS developments.

Database and Data Communication Network Systems examines the utilization of the Internet and Local Area/Wide Area Networks in all areas of human endeavor. This three-volume set covers, among other topics, database systems, data compression, database architecture, data acquisition, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and the practical application of these technologies. The international collection of contributors was culled from exhaustive research of over 100,000 related archival and technical journals. This reference will be indispensable to engineering and computer science libraries, research libraries, and telecommunications, networking, and computer companies. It covers a diverse array of topics, including: * Techniques in emerging database system architectures * Techniques and applications in data mining * Object-oriented database systems * Data acquisition on the WWW during heavy client/server traffic periods * Information exploration on the WWW * Education and training in multimedia database systems * Data structure techniques in rapid prototyping and manufacturing * Wireless ATM in data networks for mobile systems * Applications in corporate finance * Scientific data visualization * Data compression and information retrieval * Techniques in medical systems, intensive care units

Highlights the multi-disciplinary nature of probabilistic risk and hazard assessment procedures. Topics covered include: Hazard scenario analyses (e.g. HAZOP, FMEA); probabilistic risk assessments; consequence modelling; structural reliability; human error; uncertainty analyses; and risk assessment. Topics are related to the design, construction & operation of chemical & process plants; nuclear facilities; bridges; buildings; offshore structures; dams.

This monograph on the use of AI techniques in engineering emphasizes those subjects which traditionally rely on novel computer techniques (e.g. computational mechanics, computer-aided design, and optimization methods), and presents successful applications of AI techniques in solving realistic problems. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR