Essential Managers: Do it Now!

Book Description

Learn all you need to know about how to meet the demands of today's business world by making and implementing decisions quickly. Do It Now! shows you how to think and plan constructively and how to prioritize to achieve the best results. Power tips help you handle real-life situations so you can meet your targets with a minimum of stress. The Essential Manager have sold more than 1.9 million copies worldwide! Experienced and novice managers alike can benefit from these compact guides that slip easily into a briefcase or a portfolio. The topics are relevant to every work environment, from large corporations to small businesses. Concise treatments of dozens of business techniques, skills, methods, and problems are presented with hundreds of photos, charts, and diagrams. It is the most exciting and accessible approach to business and self-improvement available.

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Employees are increasingly asked to make sophisticated decisions about their pension and healthcare plans. Yet recent research shows that the decisions 'real' people make are often not those of the careful and well-informed economic agent conventionally portrayed in economic research. Rather, decision-makers tend to operate with flawed information and make some of the most critical financial decisions of their lives lacking a full understanding of the options before them and the implications of their decisions. Pension Design and Structure explores the assumptions behind commonly-held theories of retirement decision-making, in order to draw out the consequences of frontier research in behavioral finance and economics for those interested in better design and structure of retirement pensions. Using large datasets newly provided by financial service firms and real-world experiments, this volume tests the hypotheses of this research. This is the first book to explore the implications of behavioral finance research for pensions and retirement studies. The authors blend cutting-edge research from several fields including Finance, Economics, Management, Sociology, and Psychology. The book will be of interest to pension plan participants and sponsors, financial service groups responsible for pensions, and retirement system regulators.

Book Description

Epithelial phenotype is a dynamic stage of differentiation that can be modulated during several physiological or pathological events. The rapid conversion to a mesenchymal-like phenotype is called an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The Rise and Fall of Epithelial Phenotype is the first book to comprehensively introduce the concept of EMT. The first part of this volume describes main examples and models and explains their physiological relevance. These examples include hydra morphogenesis, gastrulation in mouse, drosophila and sea urchin, as well as neural crest cell migration and heart morphogenesis in vertebrates. Part two reviews in detail, specific EMT molecular pathways covering extracellular induction, transduction and transcription response and modulation of cell-cell adhesion structures. It emphasizes new specific pathways with potential medical applications. EMTs can also be linked to pathological events such as wound healing and cancer progression, as detailed in this section of the book.

Rise and Fall of Epithelial Phenotype: Concepts of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (Molecular Biology Intelligence Unit)

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Rise and Fall of Epithelial Phenotype: Concepts of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (Molecular Biology Intelligence Unit)
Pierre Savagner
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OT0E1W

Book Description

The conference proceedings consist of approximately 120 technical papers presented at the Seventh International Geostatistics Congress held in Banff, Alberta, Canada in 2004. All the papers were reviewed by an international panel of leading geostatisticians. The five major sections are: theory, mining, petroleum, environmental and other applications. The first section showcases new and innovative ideas in the theoretical development of geostatistics as a whole; these ideas will have large impact on the directions of future geostatistical research, and the conventional approaches to heterogeneity modelling in a wide range of natural resource industries. The next four sections are focused on applications and innovations relating to the use of geostatistics in specific industries. Historically, mining, petroleum and environmental industries have embraced the use of geostatistics for uncertainty characterization, so these three industries are identified as major application areas. The last section is open for innovative geostatistical application to address the issues and impact of uncertainty in other industries.

Book Description

Powerful techniques have been developed in recent years for the analysis of digital data, especially the manipulation of images. This book provides an in-depth introduction to a range of these innovative, avant-garde data-processing techniques. It develops the reader's understanding of each technique and then shows with practical examples how they can be applied to improve the skills of graduate students and researchers in astronomy, electrical engineering, physics, geophysics and medical imaging. What sets this book apart from others on the subject is the complementary blend of theory and practical application. Throughout, it is copiously illustrated with real-world examples from astronomy, electrical engineering, remote sensing and medicine. It also shows how many, more traditional, methods can be enhanced by incorporating the new wavelet and multiscale methods into the processing. For graduate students and researchers already experienced in image processing and data analysis, this book provides an indispensable guide to a wide range of exciting and original data-analysis techniques.

Customer Reviews:

This is not a five star book.......2001-06-23

I purchased this book because I am interested in applying wavelet to financial time series. The authors have written a paper in using wavelets and noise analysis to filter these time series, so I thought that this book had promise. And in fact chapter 2 deals with noise modeling and noise filtering.

The only problem is that I found this material impossible to follow. Despite the claims that the book is aimed at applications, there are few real examples. In the case of noise modeling and noise filtering there are none. It was impossible for me to tell whether the techniques they seem to suggest work or how they can be applied.

I've become fairly expert on Haar wavelets. Even so I can read their explaination of the Haar wavelet transform only with difficulty.

The authors give the impression that they are academics writing for academics (at the post graduate level). The book provides equations as quick short hand for ideas and the reader is expected to fill in the blanks. Perhaps a post graduate background in math is needed. However I would not say that the publishers description properly reflects the contents of this book: "[the book] develops the reader's undersanding of each technique and then shows with practical examples how they can be applied to improve the skills of [...] electrical engineers." Real world applications are mentioned, but never fully explained.

All in all I found this book an expensive disappointment.

A good, practical book on image processing.......2000-08-30

From my persepective I consider this book a bargain. The price is right and I certainly got my nickels worth reading it.

I am heavily into 2-D wavelet analysis of remote sensing imagery. My initial,naive foray into this topic was a very frustrating experience. Most wavelet books do not cover multidimensional applications well or at all. In fact, most wavelet books are inordinately concerned with the mathematical nuances of the subject and pay little attention to the mechanics of implementing the theory. So all wavelet books read pretty much the same and there is usually nothing new or insightful from one text to another.

Starck et al is the exception. It has the only clear exposition of 2-D non-separable and a trous wavelet methods that I have found anywhere. The book has been a time saver for me and not a time waster, and well worth the investment.

Excellent book, easy to read.......1999-04-04

This book appeared very easy to read and is an excellent resource of multiscale techniques. The practical applications that are discussed in this book combined with the theory, give a good overview.

Image Processing and Data Analysis, the Multiscale Approach.(Review) (book review): An article from: IIE Transactions

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Image Processing and Data Analysis, the Multiscale Approach.(Review) (book review): An article from: IIE Transactions
Dr. Joseph Wilder
Manufacturer: Institute of Industrial Engineers, Inc. (IIE)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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This digital document is an article from IIE Transactions, published by Institute of Industrial Engineers, Inc. (IIE) on June 1, 1999. The length of the article is 430 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Image Processing and Data Analysis, the Multiscale Approach.(Review) (book review)
Author: Dr. Joseph Wilder
Publication: IIE Transactions (Refereed)
Date: June 1, 1999
Publisher: Institute of Industrial Engineers, Inc. (IIE)
Volume: 31 Issue: 6 Page: 581

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

Classic trilogy by great tragedian deals with the bloody history of the House of Atreus. Grand in style, rich in diction and dramatic dialogue, the plays embody Aeschylus' concerns with the destiny and fate of both individuals and the state, all played out under the watchful eye of the gods.

Customer Reviews:

A Scene Not Worth Seeing.......2003-09-22

The value of The Oresteia Trilogy, written by Aeschylus in the fifth century B.C., can be described as educational and informative. However, the entertainment value, by present day's standards, is extremely lacking. The lengthy speeches and lack of physical action are too restricting for today's drama. A performance of The Oresteia Trilogy, while well regarded in theater departments of universities, would not be well received by an audience looking for a night of entertainment. The tragedy set in ancient Greece in 1250 B.C. tells the background and story of Orestes, the son of a king. He vows to avenge his father's murder by his mother, Clytemnestra. The Oresteia Trilogy is missing the ability to provide the audience with entertainment and information at the same time, which is a key concept for an enjoyable experience.
In the Golden Age of Athens, the time and city of Aeschylus, drama and the idea of a pure democracy were two of many advances. In The Oresteia Trilogy as well as many of the other plays Aeschylus wrote, he introduced many innovations to go along with the progressing times. A reduced chorus, more dialogue, poetic diction, as well as elaborate staging and multiple actors are all a result of Aeschylus's influence. The idea of democracy is also introduced in the third play of the trilogy, "The Furies." A court is held with what is now known as a jury of peers, which now plays an important role in today's courtrooms. The importance of The Oresteia Trilogy in today's society is that it gave one of the first glimpses of justice working in the democratic court system.
In relation to many plays with tragic themes, it is fair to say Aeschylus's The Oresteia Trilogy is archaic, as far as relating to current society. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, also a tragedy, can be related to the modern-day teen, such as myself, easily. It involves the story of two young adults, in love, with the problem of their families being at conflict for many years. They struggle to stay together only to both resolve to suicide. However, many adolescents can relate to their own families disapproval of the person they date. Conversely, in The Oresteia Trilogy I found it difficult to relate to any one character. The story involves the sacrifice of a daughter, Iphigenia; the murder of a husband and king, Agamemnon; and the murder of a mother, Clytemnestra, by her son, Orestes. Throughout this whole plot, it was challenging to align with any single event or character in the story. The adultery present can be related to the contemporary culture as well as the trial of Orestes, but as a whole the play resulted in little connection with the youth in today's world.
The predictability of the story line was also a disappointing part of the reading process. After the first play, "Agamemnon," the second two plays, "The Libation-Bearers" and "The Furies," seemed to be unsurprising and expected. The audience is able to predict the murder of Clytemnestra and the role of Orestes. One unknowledgeable fact in the beginning is the fate of Orestes. However, after the first several pages of "The Furies" that, as well, can be foreseen.
Finally, while the entertainment value of Aeschylus's trilogy is not adequate, the educational worth is ample. After reading the plays, one has a better understanding of the time period surrounding 1250 B.C. These works resulted in a greater comprehension of the religious beliefs of the time, which include a polytheistic view with the gods working directly with the common people. Also, mentioned was the government, in the form of kings and queens, as well a brief glimpse of the Trojan War. Knowledge of the fifth century drama presentation using a chorus and less direct dialogue between characters was also achieved when reading The Oresteia Trilogy.
As times have changed, so has the overall worthiness of Aeschylus's The Oresteia Trilogy. It is worthwhile for the reader to both attain knowledge and experience entertainment. Other representations of a tragedy are available that reach this goal. The Oresteia Trilogy does not accomplish both these goals, and therefore, cause the audience to lessen their purpose in reading. While the educational purposes of reading this particular trilogy are present and effective, if the fundamental reason to read is entertainment, it is worthwhile to look at different tragic plays available. The plot and the author's ability to relate the characters to the reader are downfalls for the audience and could lead to a great disappointment.

The Evil Sex?.......2003-09-17

I don't consider myself a women's rights activist my any means, but upon reading Aeschylus' tragedy The Oresteia Trilogy I was able to sympathize with them. I felt these play, written between 500-400B.C. in Greece, portrayed women as the lesser sex. They were presented as evil, worthless, conspiring creatures. I truly appreciate the poetic text of the play, for it was beautifully written. But I feel that Aeschylus' portrayal of the women was a little harsh.
The three plays that form the trilogy tell the story of the curse of the house of Atreus. In the first play, "Agamemnon," Agamemnon, king of the city of Mycene, is murdered by his wife Clytemnestra after he returns home from the ten year long Trojan War. In the second play, "The Libation-Bearers," Agamemnon's son Orestes avenges the death of his father by slaying his mother Clytemnestra. The third play entitled "The Furies" is about Orestes struggle with the furies, creatures from the underground that come to torment Orestes about his mother's death.
In the first play the chorus, which consists of the elders of the city, tells the story of the start of the Trojan War and its causes. They blame the whole war on a woman, Helen. Helen was the reason for the war, but it wasn't her fault, as the chorus says it to be. When one reads the play they begin to hate Helen because the chorus belittles her so much. They don't place any of the blame on Paris who actually stole her, simply because she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Is it right to fault someone because of a pretty face? It was said that Helen went willingly, without any struggle. The chorus constantly ridicules her saying that she is an adulteress and the cause of all the fighting and death; "Slain for a women's sin, a false wife's shame!"("Agamenon"pg.17). She might have went willingly, but could she have prevented Paris from taking her?
"Not the true parent is the mother's womb, she doth but nurse the seed new-sown: the male is the parent; she for him, as stranger for a stranger, hoards the gem."("The Furies" pg137). This is a quote from the god Apollo describing the role of women. He claims that the man is the only parent of a child. The only thing that the woman does is house the man's seed until the child is born. Apollo argues that a women has no role in the actual creation of a child, it is the man's seed that forms the child. He also claims that the killing of a husband is far worse than the killing of a mother. But is one truly worse than the other?
In the third play malevolent creatures from the underworld arise to torment Orestes about the murder of his mother. These monsters, known as furies, are despised by all. They are known as spiteful, revengeful, and evil. They are also all women. One could possible argue that they are women because they are avenging a matricide, but we can't be fully confident of the underlying meaning of the all women furies.
I understand that times have changed dramatically from the time that Aeschylus wrote, and that our perception of many things, especially the role and treatment of women, are different. But I feel that the women in this play really received a bad rap. Are women really the evil sex?

Two Thumbs Up.......2003-09-16

"The Eumenides" was a captivating play with a few minor flaws. To fully understand the play, one must first understand the history that went on before the play took place. "The Eumenides" was written by Aeschylus and is also known as "The Furies", the third play of The Oresteia Trilogy. This play is set around the time period of 1250 B.C., approximately the same time as the Trojan War. The main character of the play is Orestes from Argos. In the plays before "The Eumenides", Orestes killed his mom, Clytemnestra, who killed Orestes' dad, Agamemnon, after he returned home from war. Orestes was told by Apollo to kill his mom in order to avenge his father's death. Therefore, this is the reason "The Eumenides" began at Apollo's temple.
Aeschylus was an Athenian man who wrote thirteen first place plays. He wrote this tragedy around 458 B.C. This play had some new innovations for its time period, such as a second actor, elaborate staging, and poetic diction. Aeschylus was in the navy at Salamis and took part in the Persian Invasion in 480 B.C. He died in 456 B.C., when an eagle dropped a tortoise on his head, crushing his skull.
"The Eumenides" was a great play, as were the other two of the trilogy. The poetic words seemed to flow from the actors' mouths, maybe a little too much when the Furies spoke prior to the trial. The Furies were annoying throughout the play and had too many rambling speaking parts. However, the play contained a practical plot line that is still fit for today's society, even though it was written some 2,461 years ago. I enjoyed seeing how the people from long ago dealt with similar issues, which still haunt our society today.
The plot appeared to flow steadily throughout the play. All of the various scenes streamed together and gave an insight into what life was like for Orestes. However, there wasn't much action throughout the play, but the lack of action was made up with suspense provided during the trial. Overall, Aeschylus did an excellent job writing the play.
Throughout "The Eumenides" Aeschylus chose his words perfectly. The poetic words surged smoothly through the actors' mouths. Perhaps one of the most interesting parts was listening to how Aeschylus managed to make rhymes that lasted for a good five minutes, while still making sense. He also used excellent metaphors and similes to emphasize certain points being made during the trial. Although the words may have been offensive to some, they helped highlight the common thought most people had in that time period. The language was difficult to understand at first, but as the play went on, the language became easier to understand. Perhaps one of the best qualities about this play is how it relates to today's society. We are still forced to judge whether a person is innocent or guilty of murder. We still ask God for help and believe that God knows best for us. We also have a similar court system, such as the one the Athenians used. "The Eumenides" shows how we should always obey our God, just as the Athenians did because God will always be on our side, just like Apollo was towards Orestes. In addition, it was interesting to see how the gods interacted with the humans in the Greek times. The play made it clear that gods played a huge role in the decision making at the trial and all other life decisions of the citizens.
Most of "The Eumenides" was entertaining; however, there were a few dreadful parts. Before the trial, the Furies spoke way too much. The Furies points could have been made in a one or two minute speech, instead of an eight to ten minute speech. Moreover, the way the Furies talked was annoying. I couldn't stand to listen to one of them start a line, and another one finish it. It was hard to tell who was talking because they wore masks. Furthermore, the Furies continual swaying movement drove me crazy.
The actors and costumes were a perfect match for the play. The actors appeared very natural at their roles. They weren't too dramatic, but they weren't stoic either. The costumes were great as well. They had just enough clues to be able to tell who was who.
Overall, the "perfectly cast" actors speak their words poetically throughout the play. In addition, it is refreshing to watch a play in which the old-fashioned props and costumes are used. Plus, I like the idea of religion playing a prominent part in the characters' lives, since most modern plays try to avoid religion. "The Eumenides" isn't just the greatest play of The Oresteia Trilogy, but one of the greatest plays of all time.

The Verdict, "Two Thumbs Up".......2003-09-16

...
"The Eumenides" was a captivating play with a few minor flaws. To fully understand the play, one must first understand the history that went on before the play took place. "The Eumenides" was written by Aeschylus and is also known as "The Furies", the third play of The Oresteia Trilogy. This play is set around the time period of 1250 B.C., approximately the same time as the Trojan War. The main character of the play is Orestes from Argos. In the plays before "The Eumenides", Orestes killed his mom, Clytemnestra, who killed Orestes' dad, Agamemnon, after he returned home from war. Orestes was told by Apollo to kill his mom in order to avenge his father's death. Therefore, this is the reason "The Eumenides" began at Apollo's temple.
Aeschylus was an Athenian man who wrote thirteen first place plays. He wrote this tragedy around 458 B.C. This play had some new innovations for its time period, such as a second actor, elaborate staging, and poetic diction. Aeschylus was in the navy at Salamis and

...
Page 2

took part in the Persian Invasion in 480 B.C. He died in 456 B.C., when an eagle dropped a tortoise on his head, crushing his skull.
"The Eumenides" was a great play, as were the other two of the trilogy. The poetic words seemed to flow from the actors' mouths, maybe a little too much when the Furies spoke prior to the trial. The Furies were annoying throughout the play and had too many rambling speaking parts. However, the play contained a practical plot line that is still fit for today's society, even though it was written some 2,461 years ago. I enjoyed seeing how the people from long ago dealt with similar issues, which still haunt our society today.
The plot appeared to flow steadily throughout the play. All of the various scenes streamed together and gave an insight into what life was like for Orestes. However, there wasn't much action throughout the play, but the lack of action was made up with suspense provided during the trial. Overall, Aeschylus did an excellent job writing the play.
Throughout "The Eumenides" Aeschylus chose his words perfectly. The poetic words surged smoothly through the actors' mouths. Perhaps one of the most interesting parts was listening to how Aeschylus managed to make rhymes that lasted for a good five minutes, while still making sense. He also used excellent metaphors and similes to emphasize certain points being made during the trial. Although the words may have been offensive to some, they helped highlight the common thought most people had in that time period. The language was difficult to understand at first, but as the play went on, the language became easier to understand.

...
Page 3
Perhaps one of the best qualities about this play is how it relates to today's society. We are still forced to judge whether a person is innocent or guilty of murder. We still ask God for help and believe that God knows best for us. We also have a similar court system, such as the one the Athenians used. "The Eumenides" shows how we should always obey our God, just as the Athenians did because God will always be on our side, just like Apollo was towards Orestes. In addition, it was interesting to see how the gods interacted with the humans in the Greek times. The play made it clear that gods played a huge role in the decision making at the trial and all other life decisions of the citizens.
Most of "The Eumenides" was entertaining; however, there were a few dreadful parts. Before the trial, the Furies spoke way too much. The Furies points could have been made in a one or two minute speech, instead of an eight to ten minute speech. Moreover, the way the Furies talked was annoying. I couldn't stand to listen to one of them start a line, and another one finish it. It was hard to tell who was talking because they wore masks. Furthermore, the Furies continual swaying movement drove me crazy.
The actors and costumes were a perfect match for the play. The actors appeared very natural at their roles. They weren't too dramatic, but they weren't stoic either. The costumes were great as well. They had just enough clues to be able to tell who was who.
Overall, the "perfectly cast" actors speak their words poetically throughout the play. In addition, it is refreshing to watch a play in which the old-fashioned props and costumes are used. Plus, I like the idea of religion playing a prominent part in the characters' lives, since most modern plays try to avoid religion. "The Eumenides" isn't just the greatest play of The Oresteia Trilogy, but one of the greatest plays of all time.

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times, gods and Murder.......2003-09-16

The Oresteia Trilogy, written by Aeschylus, consisted of three well written plays; Agamemnon, The Libation-Bearers, and The Furies. Even though Aeschylus lived in Athens from 525 until 456 B.C., he wrote the play to take place around 1250 B.C. Even though I struggled with the language, the characters had such strong feelings they made the play easier to understand. Aeschylus always gave his characters great emotional range, their feelings moved from one extreme to the other. For example, when Clytemnestra found out that Agamemnon had killed their daughter Iphigenia, she knew the only way to avenge him would be to kill him.
Orestes plan to avenge his mother was complicated. The god Apollo, as well as Electra, thought Clytemnestra deserved to die because she killed her husband. Apollo thought it might help
end the curse on the house of Atreus. Regardless, the Chorus thought Orestes' murder was much worse than the murder Clytemnestra committed. Orestes committed matricide, the murdering of one's mother. I liked this passage. I could relate what Orestes was going through, but on a different level. I know what it's like to be indifferent and have everybody expect you to do something, regardless of how you actually feel. Peer pressure is hard enough to deal with and worse if your beliefs aren't set in stone. Being confused and pressured made Orestes' character seem real to me.
I would definitely recommend The Oresteia Trilogy to anyone as a spectacular play to read. The way the characters' emotions were portrayed and toyed with made the play come to life. I thought Aeschylus did a great job of bringing all of his characters, especially Orestes, to life. The plot was really well developed and made the play much more captivating to read. Overall, this is one of the best plays I have read in an extremely long time. Aeschylus definitely deserved all of his awards for being a playwright.

The Oresteia Trilogy: Agamemnon, The Libation-Bearers and The Furies

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The Oresteia Trilogy: Agamemnon, The Libation-Bearers and The Furies
E. D. (translator) Aeschylus; Morshead
Manufacturer: Dover Publications, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KPGKI6

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