This book describes the statistical mechanics of classicalspin systems with quenched disorder. The first part of the bookcovers the physics of spin-glass states using results obtainedwithin the framework of the mean field theory of spin glasses. Thetechnique of replica symmetry breaking is explained in detail,along with a discussion of the underlying physics. The second partis devoted to the theory of critical phenomena in the presence ofweak quenched disorder. This includes a systematic derivation ofthe traditional renormalization group theory, which is then used toobtain a new 'random' critical regime in disordered vectorferromagnets and in the two-dimensional Ising model. The third partof the book describes other types of disordered systems, relatingto new results at the frontiers of modern research. The book issuitable for graduate students and researchers in the field ofstatistical mechanics of disordered systems.

This study examines the influence of commercial interests onthe expansion of the British Empire in Western India in the age ofCornwallis and Wellesley. It questions some of the assumptionswhich have been accepted as explanations of British imperialism inthat part of India. The chief of these is that the reform of theEast India Company's administration in the 1780s brought the policyof the Bombay presidency under the firm control of thegovernor-general in Bengal and of the Court of Directors and theBoard of Control in London.

Finding Out About explains how to build useful tools forsearching collections of text and other media. In the process ittakes a close look at the properties of textual documents that donot become clear until very large collections of them are broughttogether and shows that the constructions of effective searchengines requires knowledge of the statistical and mathematicalproperties of linguistic phenomena, as well as an appreciation forthe cognitive foundation we bring to the task as language users.The unique approach of this book is its even handling of thephenomena of both numbers and words, giving it a wide appeal. Thetextbook works for undergraduate and graduate classes oninformation retrieval, library science, and computationallinguistics. More exercises are available to instructors. Asupporting Web site includes recent additions to the book, as wellas links to sites of new topics and methods.

Of the many different ways in which economists have tried toanalyse public expenditure, the most relevant to Indian economicdevelopment is that which links the level of public expenditurewith the rate at which the state can accumulate capital. Theabstract theory of this link, however, must be complemented by ahistorical account of the degree to which a state accumulationpolicy was understood by Indian policy makers, and of the other(often inconsistent) elements in the economic strategy of Indiannationalism. After attempting to provide accounts both of theabstract theory and of the institutional and policy context withinwhich it was applied, this book analyses original empirical data onpublic expenditure in India between 1960 and 1970. The real growthrate of public expenditure, its functional and economic compositionat the all-India level are presented, and the strong contrastbetween the patterns of the first and last five year periods iselucidated. The effect of the 1965-67 droughts and bad harvests in

This study introduces 'time-specific' analysis of economicprocesses. Economic processes are conventionally analysed from onepoint in time to another over a series of time units - days, weeks,or years. By contrast, these time-specific models focus on thetemporal character of events within the unit time - their timing,duration, and sequence - utilizing the information that is lost inthe macroscopic time perspective of standard economic theory. Whattime-specific analysis reveals are economic and technologicalcharacteristics of goods and services - prices and cost behaviourand temporal mobility or immobility within the unit time - thataffect capital productivity and its utilization, optimal schedulesof production, work, and consumption, least-cost methods ofproducing time-shaped outputs, and efficient welfare-maximizingbehavior in time-specific, including peak-load, markets.

There is an ongoing perception that public accountability inmodern-day governance is in 'crisis', caused by globalization andthe increasing power of private economic interests. This bookresponds to that idea, providing the most comprehensive survey todate of how different organizations hold persons acting in thepublic interest to account, and the various problems they face. Thebook shows how key issues, such as public-mindedness, democracy andresponsibility, and structures, such as bureaucracy, markets andtransparency, adopt radically different and sometimes contradictoryinterpretations when viewed from different experientialperspectives. It also demonstrates how underlying all this are corecommunities of experiences that bind these diverse interpretationsand perspectives into a complex web of mutual interaction andinfluence. The book includes studies not only of Anglo-Americanexperiences, but also of the experiences of foreign andtransnational organizations: NGOs, transnational resistancemovements, th

Mikael H?rnqvist challenges us to rethink the overall meaningand importance of Machiavelli's political thinking. Machiavelli andEmpire combines close textual analysis of The Prince and TheDiscourses with a broad historical approach, to establish theimportance of empire-building and imperial strategy inMachiavelli's thought. The primary context of Machiavelli's work,H?rnqvist argues, is not the mirror-for-princes genre or medievaland Renaissance republicanism in general, but a tradition ofFlorentine imperialist republicanism dating back to the latethirteenth-century, based on the twin notions of liberty at homeand empire abroad. Weaving together themes and topics drawn fromcontemporary Florentine political debate, Medicean ritual andRenaissance triumphalism, this study explores how Machiavelli inhis chancery writings and theoretical works promoted the longstanding aspirations of Florence to become a great and expandingempire, modelled on the example of the ancient Roman republic. Thisis a distinctive an

Natural Resources and Economic Development, first published in2005, explores a key paradox: why is natural resource exploitationnot yielding greater benefits to the poor economies of Africa, Asiaand Latin America? Part I examines this paradox both through ahistorical review of resource use and development and throughexamining current theories which explain the under-performance oftoday's resource-abundant economies, and proposes a frontierexpansion hypothesis as an alternative explanation. Part IIdevelops models to analyse the key economic factors underlying landexpansion and water use in developing countries. Part III exploresfurther the 'dualism within dualism' structure of resourcedependency, rural poverty and resource degradation withindeveloping countries, and through illustrative countrycase-studies, proposes policy and institutional reforms necessaryfor successful resource-based development.

From film stars to politicians, tycoons to writers, dissidents to lifestyle gurus, Lunch with the FT is a selection of classic interviews conducted in the unforgiving proximity of a restaurant table. The list of people who have had Lunch with the FT since 1994 reads like an international Who's Who of our times. Meet the rich and famous, the weird and the brilliant, the brave and the virtuous, brought to you by the Financial Times' global network of columnists and correspondents. The operative word is lunch: this book brings you right to the table to decide what you think of Angela Merkel or Martin Amis, George Soros or Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Angelina Jolie or Jimmy Carter. Meet not just oligarchs and royals, but the tycoon who will pay African presidents to quit, and one of the Arab world's most notorious sons. Also included are James Ferguson's famous illustrations in black and white. Lionel Barber, editor of the Financial Times, has steered the newspaper to three Newspaper of the Year awards. He has c

Free to succeed . . . Whether in troubled economic times or during years of prosperity,there is a proven way for companies to boost productivity, profits,and growth. Remarkably, it costs nothing––whether cost is measuredin terms of monetary resources or time– –and is simply based on thebelief that, if only people can be free to act in the bestinterests of their company, the results will be tremendous.Freedom, Inc. presents the evidence that this is not thePollyannaish wish of a few dreamers, but a reality built bybottom-line-focused leaders. . . . The culture of freedom works–and Freedom, Inc. reveals thesecrets of a successful business paradigm based on a trusting,nonhierarchical, liberated environment. The visionary leaders profiled here performed near-miracles indriving their companies to unheard-of levels of success, often fromunlikely or disheartening beginnings. Businesses as diverse asinsurance company USAA, winemaker Sea Smoke Cellars, Gore Associates,

Will the sun set on the greatest currency in the history ofthe world? For decades the dollar has been the undisputed champ. It’s not onlythe currency of America but much of the world as well, the fuel ofglobal prosperity. As the superengine of the world’s onlysuperpower, it’s accepted everywhere. When an Asian company tradeswith South America, those transactions are done in dollars, thecurrency of international business. But for how much longer? Economists fear America is digging a holewith an economy based on massive borrowing and huge deficits thatcloud the dollar’s future. Will the buck be eclipsed by the euro oreven China’s renminbi? Should Americans worry when the value of themighty U.S. dollar sinks to par with the Canadian “loonie”? Craig Karmin’s in-depth “biography” of the dollar explores theseissues. It also examines the green-back’s history, allure, andunique role as a catalyst for globalization, and how the Americanbuck became so almighty that $ became perhaps the most po

Whenthelandmarkbest-sellerFlawlessConsultingwasfirstpublishedmorethanthreedecadesago,itwasquicklyadoptedasthe"consultant'sbible."Withhislegendarywarmthandpassion,PeterBlockexplainedhowtodealeffectivelywithclients,peers,andothers.Thebookcontinuestospeaktopeopleinasupportfunctioninsideorganizationsaswellastoexternalconsultants.ThisthoroughlyrevisedandupdatedthirdeditionofPeterBlock'sgroundbreakingbookexploresthelatestthinkingonconsultation.Itincludesnewinsightsabouthowwecanorganizeourconsultingarounddiscoveringthestrengths,positiveexamples,andgiftsoftheclientorganizationorcommunity.Thebookremainsapracticalandspecificguideforanyonewhoneedstodevelopacapacityfordeeperrelatednessandpartnership--whichmeansitisforallwhowishtomakearealdifferenceintheworld.Thisneweditioncoverstheconsultingchallengesthathavearisenfromthewayweroutinelycommunicateelectronicallyandliveinthevirtualworld.Blocksuggestswaystoovercomethedistancingandisolatingeffectsinherentinelectronicconnects.Thebookalsoincludespracticalguidanceonhowtoaskbett

本书是中国科学院“丝路环境”研究专项的重要成果，是本系统且深入研究“一带一路”建设案例的著作，由数十位中外学者共同执笔完成。基于包容性优选化理论视角和大量海外实地调研，本书首先总结了“一带一路”建设的

《PICC培训教材：保险基础知识（2014版）》是遵循科学创新、与时俱进的原则，在2006年版的基础上进行的一项工作。新修订的教材保持了原教材的基本框架，根据保险市场及公司业务发展，补充和调整了相关章节及内容。新修订的教材共分16章，力争突出内容新颖、结构完整、实操性强的特点。

BPP Learning Media is the sole Platinum Approved provider ofACCA content. Our examiner-reviewed Study Texts and Practice Revision Kits, and our interactive study tools will provide youwith the up-to-date material you need for exam success.

There is a vigorous debate about the merits of globalisationfor developing countries. Based on numerous focus-group discussionsand over 10,000 interviews, this book studies economic and culturalopenness from the perspective of the public in four developing or'transitional' countries: Vietnam, (South) Korea, the CzechRepublic and Ukraine (both before and after the Orange Revolution).It finds many supporters of opening up, but also many who arediscontented with its downsides and who expect states to tackle theexploitation and unfairness that accompany it. Among the mostfervent enemies of openness there is support not just for peacefulpublic protest to tackle the problems it brings, but for violenceor sabotage. The methodology provides a unique opportunity for thepublic in developing countries to 'speak with their own voices'about markets and openness – and highlights the subtlety,ambiguity, tensions, conflicts and emotion that statistics alonefail to capture.

Unrivaled in its unique combination of analytical rigor and accessibility, Intermediate Microeconomics: A Modern Approach has garnered one of the broadest adoption lists in the market. Now appearing in its Sixth Edition, Professor Varian's hallmark text is better than ever, featuring new treatments of game theory and competitive strategy, and a variety of new illustrative examples. Modern, authoritative, and above all crafted by an outstanding teacher and scholar, Intermediate Microeconomics, Sixth Edition will expand students' analytic powers and strengthen their understanding of microeconomics.

This book, based largely on the Cambridge World History ofFood, provides a look at the globalization of food from the days ofthe hunter-gatherers to present-day genetically modified plants andanimals. The establishment of agriculture and the domestication ofanimals in Eurasia, Africa, the Pacific, and the Americas are alltreated in some detail along with the subsequent diffusion offarming cultures through the activities of monks, missionaries,migrants, imperialists, explorers, traders, and raiders. Muchattention is given to the 'Columbian Exchange' of plants andanimals that brought revolutionary demographic change to everycorner of the planet and led ultimately to the European occupationof Australia and New Zealand as well as the rest of Oceania. Finalchapters deal with the impact of industrialization on foodproduction, processing, and distribution, and modern-dayfood-related problems ranging from famine to obesity to geneticallymodified food to fast food.

Sixty-three stellar academics, consultants, and practitioners look at the future of human resources The follow-up to the bestselling Tomorrow's HR Management (978-0-471-19714-0), this book presents an international panel of expert contributors who offer their views on the state of HR and what to expect in the future. Topics covered include HR as a decision science, understanding and managing people, creating and adapting organizational culture, the effects of globalization, collaborative ventures, and investing in the next generation. Like its bestselling predecessor before it, The Future of Human Resource Management offers the very best thinking on the future of HR from the most respected leaders in the field.

Quick answers to your IFRS questions Presented in a question and answer format, The Vest Pocket IFRSprovides a brief explanation of each IFRS topic, the issuesinvolved, and the solution. Coverage includes calculations, journalentries, flowcharts outlining various options, footnotesdisclosures, and brief examples. Provides quick answers to specific questions in a Q Aformat Focuses on the most common accounting problems arising from aparticular IFRS topic Calculations, footnotes disclosures, and brief examples areprovided Other titles by Bragg: The Vest Pocket Controller, AccountingBest Practies, Sixth Edition, and Just-in-Time Accounting, ThirdEdition The first book of its kind to answer IFRS issues on the spot, TheVest Pocket IFRS gives you the quick, specific IFRS answers youneed right now.

No major enterprise or financial institution can avoid doing business with China—if not directly, then through myriad hidden connections. Global businesses either use Chinese resources or sell to and in China or compete with companies that do. Because there’s no avoiding China, business leaders need a framework that orders the different (and seemingly contradictory) streams of data that hint at its future. That framework is The China Strategy. In this invaluable book, Edward Tse explains the ever-changing nature of China's business environment, its increasingly complex relationship with the rest of the world, and the global business implications—not just for our current environment but for the next decade. Change, Tse argues, is taking place in non-linearly. Some dimensions (like Chinese entrepreneurship) are expanding exponentially, while others (like the value of China's labor arbitrage) may be reaching a plateau. Eschewing easy explanations, Tse shows how to build and execute a global

The impact of protectionism is currently a contentious policyissue. This book evaluates the effects of protectionism on theBritish interwar economy. In contrast to most studies of the periodand the conclusions of orthodox economic theory, Kitson and Solomoushow that the introduction of the General Tariff in 1932 provided asubstantial stimulus to the domestic economy - a stimulus which canhelp to explain the trend improvement in British economic growth inthe 1930s. The authors show that the tariff made encouraging importsubstitution and macroeconomic expansion. The empirical evidence isexamined at two levels. First, a sectoral study shows that thenewly protected sector of the 1930s saw an improvement inperformance following the introduction of the tariff. Secondly, thelarge fall in manufacturing imports generated favourable effects onmacroeconomic performance by helping to reduce the importpropensity of the economy. The policy implication of this study isthat trade policies should be constructed in the contex