The rise in population and the concurrently growing consumption rate necessitates the evolution of agriculture to adopt current computational technologies to increase production at a faster and smoother scale. While existing technologies may help in crop processing, there is a need for studies that seek to understand how modern approaches like artificial intelligence, fuzzy logic, and hybrid algorithms can aid the agricultural process while utilizing energy sources efficiently. The Handbook of Research on Smart Computing for Renewable Energy and Agro-Engineering is an essential publication that examines the benefits and barriers of implementing computational models to agricultural production and energy sources as well as how these models can produce more cost-effective and sustainable solutions. Featuring coverage on a wide range of topics such as bacterial foraging, swarm intelligence, and combinatorial optimization, this book is ideally designed for agricultural engineers, farmers, municipal union leaders, computer scientists, information technologists, sustainable developers, managers, environmentalists, industry professionals, academicians, researchers, and students.

One important means to understanding normal cognitive functions is the study of the breakdown of these functions following brain damage. This book provides reviews of major case studies dealing with the breakdown of visual perception and recognition, including the disorders of motion vision, colour vision, perceptual integration, perceptual classification, recognition of particular categories of object, semantic access from vision (in optic aphasia), and recognition impairments with relative sparing of imagery. The cases are discussed in the light of studies that have followed since, and the chapters provide a context in which the contributions of the case studies can be evaluated.

Suitable as a reference for industry practitioners and as a textbook for classroom use, Case Studies in System of Systems, Enterprise Systems, and Complex Systems Engineering provides a clear understanding of the principles and practice of system of systems engineering (SoSE), enterprise systems engineering (ESE), and complex systems engineering (CSE). Multiple domain practitioners present and analyze case studies from a range of applications that demonstrate underlying principles and best practices of transdisciplinary systems engineering. A number of the case studies focus on addressing real human needs. Diverse approaches such as use of soft systems skills are illustrated, and other helpful techniques are also provided. The case studies describe, examine, analyze, and assess applications across a range of domains, including: Engineering management and systems engineering education Information technology business transformation and infrastructure engineering Cooperative framework for and cost management in the construction industry Supply chain modeling and decision analysis in distribution centers and logistics International development assistance in a foreign culture of education Value analysis in generating electrical energy through wind power Systemic risk and reliability assessment in banking Assessing emergencies and reducing errors in hospitals and health care systems Information fusion and operational resilience in disaster response systems Strategy and investment for capability developments in defense acquisition Layered, flexible, and decentralized enterprise architectures in military systems Enterprise transformation of the air traffic management and transport network Supplying you with a better understanding of SoSE, ESE, and CSE concepts and principles, the book highlights best practices and lessons learned as benchmarks that are applicable to other cases. If adopted correctly, the approaches outlined can facilitate significant progress in human affairs. The study of complex systems is still in its infancy, and it is likely to evolve for decades to come. While this book does not provide all the answers, it does establish a platform, through which analysis and knowledge application can take place and conclusions can be made in order to educate the next generation of systems engineers.

This text examines a variety of spectral computational techniques— including k-space theory, Floquet theory and beam propagation— that are used to analyze electromagnetic and optical problems. The authors tie together different applications in EM and optics in which the state variable method is used. Emphasizing the analysis of planar diffraction gratings using rigorous coupled wave analysis, the book presents many cases that are analyzed using a full-field vector approach to solve Maxwell’s equations in anisotropic media where a standard wave equation approach is intractable.

Case Studies in Disaster Response, the latest release in the Disaster and Emergency Management: Case Studies in Adaptation and Innovation series, focuses on the key functions performed in the emergency response to a disaster, how these functions are coordinated, and typical challenges and issues that emerge. Cases address both hazard- and response-generated needs. Also explored are the needs generated by emergent threats (e.g., Ebola crisis), emergent technologies (e.g., social media), and emergent groups (e.g., social innovation teams) that set the stage for innovation and adaption. - Presents in-depth cases studies in disaster response, one of the phases of disaster management - Unites practice and research from multiple disciplines to highlight the complexity of disasters preparedness, including environmental and earth sciences, engineering, public health, geography, sociology, and anthropology, humanitarian aid, emergent threats, disaster response and resilience - Examines policy and ethical dilemmas faced by decision-makers in disaster response situations