Understanding Search Engines: Mathematical Modeling and Text Retrieval (Software, Environments, Tools), Second Edition

Product Description

There is no other information retrieval/search book where the heart is the mathematical foundations. This book is greatly needed to further establish information retrieval as a serious academic, as well as practical and industrial, area." ---Jaime Carbonell, Carnegie Mellon University. Berry and Browne describe most of what you need to know to design your own search engine. Their strength is the description of the solid mathematical underpinnings at a level that is understandable to competent engineering undergraduates, perhaps with a bit of instructor guidance. They discuss the algorithms used by most commercial search engines, so you may find your use of Google and its kind becomes more effective, too. --George Corliss, Marquette University. This book gives a valuable, generally non-technical, insight into how search engines work, how to improve the users' success in Information Retrieval (IR), and an in-depth analysis of a mathematical algorithm for improving a search engine's performance. Written in an informal style, the book is easy to read and is a good introduction on how search engines operate Christopher Dean, Mathematics Today, October 1999. The second edition of Understanding Search Engines: Mathematical Modeling and Text Retrieval follows the basic premise of the first edition by discussing many of the key design issues for building search engines and emphasizing the important role that applied mathematics can play in improving information retrieval. The authors discuss important data structures, algorithms, and software as well as user-centered issues such as interfaces, manual indexing, and document preparation. Readers will find that the second edition includes significant changes that bring the text up to date on current information retrieval methods. For example, the authors have added a completely new chapter on link-structure algorithms used in search engines such as Google, and the chapter on user interface has been rewritten to specifically focus on search engine usability. To reflect updates in the literature on information retrieval, the authors have added new recommendations for further reading and expanded the bibliography. In addition, the index has been updated and streamlined to make it more reader friendly. Instructors will find that the book serves as an excellent companion text for courses in information retrieval, applied linear algebra, and scientific computing. Because of the authors informal, conversational tone, readers with nonmathematical backgrounds also will appreciate the less technical chapters of the text.

Customer Reviews:

Good Introduction.......2007-05-07

There are better books in the market, and even the author would be the first to recognize it. However, this book is one of the most clear and readable introduction to the subject that you can find.

The author fully acomplishes the objective: teach his reader, at undergratuate level, how search engines work. Even some difficult subject, such as LSI, are treated at a level one can easilly understand.

One of the most important characteristics of the book is that it does math. Every formula has an example, usually using small matrix that allow the reader to easilly follow them.

The book is suitable for an objective introduction to the field. It is not very "academic", in the sense it is rather informal. If it is not a textbook, it could help some bewildered student to grasp the inner workings. It could also help a teacher to find clearer ways for explanations and good examples for classroom.

Read at the bookstore, no need to buy.......2002-05-19

This little booklet is best to be read at the bookstore.

There is no need to buy. In fact, buying it is a waste
of money, given the $[money] price tag. That is about a $[money]
a page.

So, save your money and time...

Appreciations from a novice........2000-06-29

I read this book because I am starting academic research on search engines. It was one of my first books on the subject. It actually deals with two aspects: (1) relevant issues in search engine design, and (2) a mathematically sound approach in building and querying large index strucutres. The explanation in the book on both aspects is short but to the point and explained in an understandable way. It also contains a short list + description of some key references. Great !

Modeling the Environment: An Introduction To System Dynamics Modeling Of Environmental Systems

Average customer rating:

Great Book for Anyone
Great interdisciplinary book on environmental modeling
Modeling the Environment

Modeling the Environment: An Introduction To System Dynamics Modeling Of Environmental Systems
Andrew Ford
Manufacturer: Island Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1559636017

Book Description

Modeling the Environment is the first introductory textbook for a technique of rapidly growing importance. It requires little or no mathematical background, and is appropriate for undergraduate environmental students as well as professionals new to modelling. Developed from the author's own introductory course, it is classroom-tested and represents an important contribution to the field of system dynamics.

Modeling techniques that allow managers and researchers to see in advance the consequences of actions and policies are becoming increasingly important to environmental management. The models produced are vital analytical tools that aid the policy-setting and implementation process, and help us to understand how environmental systems respond to management interventions.

Modeling the Environment is a basic introduction to one of the most widely known and used modeling techniques, system dynamics. The book is designed to build the skills of students as they progress from learning fundamental ideas to constructing models of increasing complexity. Written in a clear and comprehensible style, the book:

presents basic concepts of modeling using system dynamics
illustrates the mechanics of model construction through a range of working models
offers a rich array of exercises for students to use in applying the principles and techniques described in the text
walks students through the design and application of models of specific types of environmental systems

In addition, the book contains more than 300 figures and model illustrations, and provides a guide to an interactive website where students can use the text to "navigate" management flight simulators ? models of both real and hypothetical systems developed by the author. The book also contains appendixes that help students review the necessary math, and which provide additional concepts and exercises for further study.

Customer Reviews:

Great Book for Anyone.......2006-12-12

This is a great book for anyone who wants to gain a thorough understanding of Stella software. The book is easy to read, and the examples and case studies are well chosen.

Great interdisciplinary book on environmental modeling.......2000-05-24

A highly readable introduction to environmental modeling. What distinguishes the book from other environmental science and environmental modeling works is its interdisciplinary treatment. In particular, the models integrate the physical world and the world of human behavior. Far too many environmental models fail to close the feedbacks between human behavior and the state of the environment, instead taking waste inputs or resource use as exogenous. This book helps students learn to model human behavior (social and economic) as an integral part of the ecological system. The models and software mean the book encourages active learning, and enable students to explore important issues on their own if they choose.

Modeling the Environment.......2000-04-24

This book is easy to read and contains clear examples of how to use stella software to model the environment. The marvel here is the software, not the book. For the software timid, it might suppliment the software users guide.

Transport Modeling for Environmental Engineers and Scientists

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Transport Modeling for Environmental Engineers and Scientists
Mark M. Clark
Manufacturer: Wiley-Interscience
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 047112348X

Book Description

A New Approach to Environmental Engineering Education his exciting introduction to environmental modeling unites the principles underlying mass and momentum transport phenomena with environmental processes that ultimately determine the spread and control of pollutants in air, water, and soil.

Transport Modeling for Environmental Engineers and Scientists builds on integrated transport courses pioneered thirty years ago in the chemical engineering curriculum, and demonstrates the underlying unity of mass and momentum transport processes. It describes how these processes operate within the major environmental media, and how they underlie and unify the mechanics common to both pollutant transport and pollution control processes.

Offering a solid foundation for the development of improved environmental designs and models, this comprehensive text:

Covers the fundamentals of mass and momentum transport processes with an emphasis on aerosol and colloidal systems
Presents an environmental focus on sedimentation, coagulation, adsorption, filtration, dispersion, chromatography, and porous media transport
Includes chapters on chemical kinetics and reactor design
Includes worked examples and numerous exercises at the end of each chapter
Features numerous illustrations.

Book Description

Despite advances in modeling, such as graphical user interfaces, the use of GIS layers, and databases for developing input files, the approaches to modeling phosphorus (P) have not changed since their initial development in the 1980s. Current understanding of P processes has evolved and this new information needs to be incorporated into the current models. Filling this need, Modeling Phosphorus in the Environment describes basic approaches to modeling P, how the current models implement these approaches, and ways to improve them. The book sets the scene with a review of general approaches to modeling runoff and erosion, P in runoff, leaching of P, stream processes that affect P, and an examination of the important issue of model uncertainty. It describes state-of-the-science watershed-scale P transport models including dynamic semi-disturbed models, models of intermediate complexity, and two lumped models. Phosphorus Indexes (PIs) represent one end of the modeling spectrum and the book takes a comprehensive look at PIs developed in each state, and illustrates some of the problems encountered when incorporating PIs into farm-scale manure management software. The book discusses monitoring data, which is critical for calibrating models, and concludes with suggestions for improving the modeling of P. From researching mechanisms to applying regulations, the uses of phosphorus models have increased as our knowledge of the effects of phosphorus in the environment has increased. Drawing on contributions from experts, the book gives you the tools to select the model that best fits your needs.

Average customer rating:

Suitability for those that are not engineers

Applied Contaminant Transport Modeling
Chunmiao Zheng , and Gordon D. Bennett
Manufacturer: Wiley-Interscience
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0471384771

Book Description

The challenges facing groundwater scientists and engineers today demand expertise in a wide variety of disciplines–geology, hydraulics, geochemistry, geophysics, and biology. As the number of the subdisciplines has increased and as each has become more complex and quantitative, the problem of integrating their concepts and contributions into a coherent overall interpretation has become progressively more difficult. To an increasing degree transport simulation has emerged as an answer to this problem, and the transport model has become a vehicle for integrating the vast amount of field data from a variety of sources and for understanding the relationship of various physical, chemical, and biological processes.

Applied Contaminant Transport Modeling is the first resource designed to provide coverage of the discipline’s basic principles, including the theories behind solute transport in groundwater, common numerical techniques for solving transport equations, and step-by-step guidance on the development and use of field-scale modeling. The Second Edition incorporates recent advances in contaminant transport theory and simulation techniques, adding the following to the original text:

-An expanded discussion of the role of aquifer heterogeneity in controlling solute transport
-A new section on the dual-domain mass transfer approach as an alternative to the classical advection-dispersion model
-Additional chemical processes and reactions in the discussion of reactive transport
-A discussion of the TVD (total-variation-diminishing) approach to transport solution
-An entirely new Part III containing two chapters on simulation of flow and transport under variable water density and under variable saturation, respectively, and a third chapter on the use of the simulation-optimization approach in remediation system design

Applied Contaminant Transport Modeling, Second Edition remains the premier reference for practicing hydrogeologists, environmental scientists, engineers, and graduate students in the field. In 1998, in recognition of their work on the first edition, the authors were honored with the John Hem Excellence in Science and Engineering Award of the National Ground Water Association

Customer Reviews:

Suitability for those that are not engineers.......2005-10-14

This book provided an excellent explanation of the modeling of solutes and groundwater that conveyed a very good understanding of the challenges and methods used without resorting to the use of mathematical sophistication that actual ground water modelers no doubt possess.

In other words, I think that this book would benefit both those that are hydrologists and geologists as well as those that have had some training in environemental site assessment and remediation but have not been exposed to the actual number crunching that is essential for doing actual simulations.

Mathematical Modeling in the Environment (Classroom Resource Materials)

Average customer rating:

A very interesting textbook for an interdisciplinary course.
Not Good as Primary Text
Not Good as Primary Text

Mathematical Modeling in the Environment (Classroom Resource Materials)
Charles R. Hadlock
Manufacturer: The Mathematical Association of America
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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