Mathematical modeling is both a skill and an art and must be practiced in order to maintain and enhance the ability to use those skills. Though the topics covered in this book are the typical topics of most mathematical modeling courses, this book is best used for individuals or groups who have already taken an introductory mathematical modeling course. This book will be of interest to instructors and students offering courses focused on discrete modeling or modeling for decision making.

This book offers a timely review of cutting-edge applications of computational intelligence to business management and financial analysis. It covers a wide range of intelligent and optimization techniques, reporting in detail on their application to real-world problems relating to portfolio management and demand forecasting, decision making, knowledge acquisition, and supply chain scheduling and management.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) refers to the consistent and continuous use of digital information throughout the entire lifecycle of a built facility, including its design, construction and operation. In order to exploit BIM methods to their full potential, a fundamental grasp of their key principles and applications is essential. Accordingly, this book combines discussions of theoretical foundations with reports from the industry on currently applied best practices. The book’s content is divided into six parts: Part I discusses the technological basics of BIM and addresses computational methods for the geometric and semantic modeling of buildings, as well as methods for process modeling. Next, Part II covers the important aspect of the interoperability of BIM software products and describes in detail the standardized data format Industry Foundation Classes. It presents the different classification systems, discusses the data format CityGML for describing 3D city models and COBie for handing over data to clients, and also provides an overview of BIM programming tools and interfaces. Part III is dedicated to the philosophy, organization and technical implementation of BIM-based collaboration, and discusses the impact on legal issues including construction contracts. In turn, Part IV covers a wide range of BIM use cases in the different lifecycle phases of a built facility, including the use of BIM for design coordination, structural analysis, energy analysis, code compliance checking, quantity take-off, prefabrication, progress monitoring and operation. In Part V, a number of design and construction companies report on the current state of BIM adoption in connection with actual BIM projects, and discuss the approach pursued for the shift toward BIM, including the hurdles taken. Lastly, Part VI summarizes the book’s content and provides an outlook on future developments. The book was written both for professionals using or programming such tools, and for students in Architecture and Construction Engineering programs.

The authors use Lingo, Expert Choice, Extend, and MS Project 2000 to introduce decision technology. This offers a flexible approach to math programming formulations.

Using the Schoolwide Enrichment Model With Technology is an extension of a talent development model implemented in more than 2,500 schools across the U.S. and widely used internationally. More than 40 years of research and development have documented the effectiveness of the SEM approach to promoting higher level thinking skills and creative productivity. This solution-oriented book, unlike other books focused on using technology in the classroom, recognizes that digital technologies are changing and evolving at lightning speeds. Our effective skills for using technology transcend time by focusing on how to find and use digital resources and tools rather than listing the resources that already exist. Focusing on the skills that support critical thinking and problem solving, decision making, and communication, the authors seamlessly merge technology to launch students toward independent productivity. This accessible and highly practical guide is rich with examples that will change the way you think about education while providing hands-on “how-to” guidance for creating a culture of excellence and innovation in your school and classroom.

This ground-breaking book describes the Visual Modeling Technique (VMT), a comprehensive methodology that integrates visual programming into the object-oriented application development life cycle. The book shows how the visual programming paradigm, when supported by effective tools, becomes central to the productivity of object developers.

NASA's Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT) has begun to rebuild the advanced space technology program in the agency with plans laid out in 14 draft technology roadmaps. It has been years since NASA has had a vigorous, broad-based program in advanced space technology development and its technology base has been largely depleted. However, success in executing future NASA space missions will depend on advanced technology developments that should already be underway. Reaching out to involve the external technical community, the National Research Council (NRC) considered the 14 draft technology roadmaps prepared by OCT and ranked the top technical challenges and highest priority technologies that NASA should emphasize in the next 5 years. This report provides specific guidance and recommendations on how the effectiveness of the technology development program managed by OCT can be enhanced in the face of scarce resources.