Brian Billick, Super Bowl-winning coach and current analyst for the NFL network, takes on the 2018 draft class of quarterbacks and follows them for two years, identifying the tangibles and intangibles of success, in search of the key to better predicting who will make it as a top-ranked NFL franchise QB. There are elite athletes in every sport -- people who possess tangible and intangible qualities that allow them to overcome daunting odds, spot opportunity in the midst of adversity, and turn defeat into victory. No position embodies this dynamic more than football quarterbacks, and nothing is a greater test of performance than the NFL. The tangibles -- metrics, stats, ratings, bowl games, championships -- are critical to evaluation. But they're not enough. Every year, highly rated college quarterbacks are analyzed, critiqued, hyped up and/or doubted, and those who manage to survive the scrutiny are drafted early. Some of those early picks make it to the top, some end up journeymen, and some just wash out. Why? What separates the elites from the pack? In THE Q FACTOR, former NFL coach Brian Billick takes the highly promising 2018 NFL quarterback Draft class -- the most touted class since 2004 (Manning, Roethlisberger, Rivers) and 1983 (Elway, Kelly, Marino) -- and measures the top five quarterback picks to gauge how, why, and if they succeed. They are all first rounders, all with sterling college credentials, all talented athletes, all taken by teams betting their futures. One or maybe two could go on to greatness. But which ones, and why? Could the prediction process be better? Are the "experts" looking at the wrong factors? How do we find the best of the best? That's what THE Q FACTOR explores...and finally explains.

In electrical engineering, the Q (quality) factor is an important parameter that helps professionals determine the electrical properties of materials and perform microwave and high-frequency measurements. This title provides practitioners with the tools they need to quickly measure the Q factors of resonators.

This book is a simple yet thorough introduction to Q methodology, a research technique designed to capture the subjective or first-person viewpoints of its participants. Watts and Stenner outline the key theoretical concepts developed by William Stephenson, the founder of Q methodology, including subjectivity, concourse theory and abduction. They then turn to the practicalities of delivering high quality Q methodological research. Using worked examples throughout, the reader is guided through: • important design issues • the conduct of fieldwork • all the analytic processes of Q methodology, including factor extraction, factor rotation and factor interpretation. Drawing on helpful conceptual introductions to potentially difficult statistical concepts and a step-by-step guide to running Q methodological analyses using dedicated software, this book enables interested readers to design, manage, analyse, interpret and publish their own Q methodological research.

A two-week summer short course entitled Current Statistical Methods in Geology supported by the National Science Foundation was held at the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle in Chicago, Illinois from June 19 to June 30, 1972. The aim of the short course was to bridge the gap between the traditional first courses in sta tistics offered at most educational institutions and geostatistics as it is being developed by geologists and statisticians engaged in the application of statistics in geology. The course was intended for geology college teachers who were either then teaching or preparing to teach a course within their department dealing with computer ap plications and the use of statistical methods in geology. This book arose out of the class notes which were prepared by the course director and the invited lecturers. We are grateful to the 28 teachers who attended for their enthu siastic interest and thoughtful responses to the many statistical concepts presented to them as geologists during the two weeks of the course. I am deeply grateful to my graduate assistants, Richard Kolb and Andrea Krivz, for the long hours spent in collating the course mater ials, testing the various computer programs, and instructing the par ticipants in the use of computer BASIC.

Story loves structure...and so do readers! Super Structure represents over two decades of research on what makes a novel or screenplay entertaining, commercial, original, and irresistible. Contrary to what some may think, structure is not a nasty inhibitor of creativity. Quite the opposite. Properly understood and utilized, structure is what translates story into a form readers are wired to receive it. And it is only when readers truly connect with your story that they turn from casual readers into fans. The material in this book greatly expands upon the chapter on structure in Write Your Novel From the Middle. Super Structure can be considered a companion to that book, but it also stands alone in its treatment of the elements of a solid and pleasing plot. Here's more good news: Super Structure will work for any type of writer--those who like to outline, those who just fly by "the seat of the pants," and those who do a little of both. That's because Super Structure stresses the concept of "signpost scenes." There are fourteen signpost scenes, or beats, that can be used to create an entire plot, the skeleton of an idea, or a map to help you figure out what to write next. Every signpost is given its own chapter and explanation, along with a section called "Helpful Hints for Plotters and Pantsers," showing you how to apply what you've learned and adapt it to your own style of writing. Never write a weak novel or screenplay again. Super Structure is a proven foundation that never fails. It frees you to add your original voice and vision, all of which adds up to bestselling fiction and hit screenplays. "I need three things before I tackle a new novel: Diet Coke, a laptop, and my dog-eared copies of James Scott Bell's books on writing craft!"- Kami Garcia, #1 NY Times & International Bestselling author

Fundamentals of Microwave and RF Design enables mastery of the essential concepts required to cross the barriers to a successful career in microwave and RF design. Extensive treatment of scattering parameters, that naturally describe power flow, and of Smith-chart-based design procedures prepare the student for success. The emphasis is on design at the module level and on covering the whole range of microwave functions available. The orientation is towards using microstrip transmission line technologies and on gaining essential mathematical, graphical and design skills for module design proficiency. This book is derived from a multi volume comprehensive book series, Microwave and RF Design, Volumes 1-5, with the emphasis in this book being on presenting the fundamental materials required to gain entry to RF and microwave design. This book closely parallels the companion series that can be consulted for in-depth analysis with referencing of the book series being familiar and welcoming. Key Features * A companion volume to a comprehensive series on microwave and RF design * Open access ebook editions are hosted by NC State University Libraries at https://repository.lib.ncsu.edu/handle/1840.20/36776 * 59 worked examples * An average of 24 exercises per chapter * Answers to selected exercises * Emphasis on module-level design using microstrip technologies * Extensive treatment of design using Smith charts * A parallel companion book series provides a detailed reference resource

The five volume set LNCS 10960 until 10964 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Computational Science and Its Applications, ICCSA 2018, held in Melbourne, Australia, in July 2018.Apart from the general tracks, ICCSA 2018 also includes 34 international workshops in various areas of computational sciences, ranging from computational science technologies, to specific areas of computational sciences, such as computer graphics and virtual reality.The total of 265 full papers and 10 short papers presented in the 5-volume proceedings set of ICCSA 2018, were carefully reviewed and selected from 892 submissions.