This book views the Dutch sinologist, Robert van Gulik’s Judge Dee mysteries as a hybrid East–West form of detective fiction and uses the concept of transculturation to discuss their hybrid nature with respect to their sources, production, and influence.The Judge Dee mysteries authored by Robert van Gulik (1910–1967) were the first detective stories to be set in ancient China. These hybrid narratives combine Chinese historical figures, traditional Chinese crime literature, and Chin...

This book discusses the recently introduced concession policy, which is also known as PPP worldwide, on municipal utilities policy in China. In this context, critics have claimed that there is a gap in accountability with regard to concessions. The author utilizes interdisciplinary methods and comparative studies, taking into account the situation in the EU and US to analyze the accountability gap some feel will be created when the policy is implemented. Taking water sector concessions as ...

Practical Guide to VIVA and OSCE in Ophthalmology Examinations is an essential study guide presented in a direct, exam-style question-and-answer format. It combines detailed explanations with high quality clinical photographs tailor-made to help readers ace specialist oral examinations (MMed, MRCS, FRCS, FRCOphth, FAMS, FRANZCO).Co-authored by ophthalmology trainees who took the final MMed and FRCOphth (Oral) in 2016 and 2017, this is a book written by trainees, for trainees, with prominen...

In our world of information overload, there is an increasing struggle to keep the main thing the main thing. Fundamental OSCE Guide in Ophthalmology is a concise study guide presented in a direct, exam style question and answer format, illustrated with high quality clinically relevant photographs tailored to medical students, nurses, optometrists and residents in their early ophthalmology training.This book provides invaluable guidance to readers in presenting their answers in a logical, s...

With China becoming a major force in steel research and development, this book highlights the work of a group from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, led by the first four authors. This group has the ideal knowledge base for writing this updated book on heat-resistant steels. The fifth author, Sha, based in the UK, has been collaborating with the Chinese group since 2009 and is the lead or sole author of four research books, all published in English. The last book, “Steels: from materials sc...

The original version of this book is a bilingual book for international students and overseas readers, which is included in the “Introduction to China’s S&T Innovation”, a project funded by the Hubei Provincial Public Welfare Academic Publication Special Funds in 2024.The book consists of 14 chapters. Based on the introduction of the historical foundation and natural conditions of China's economic development, it introduces the history of China's economic development in stages such...

Selective Laser Melting for Metal Matrix Composites explains in detail the essential preparation and characterization methods for this technology, and explores a range of innovative applications. The subject covered by this book has been the focus of increasing levels of research both in industry and academia globally. The authors have drawn on their influential cutting-edge research to provide a much-needed guide for those investigating or applying this technology. The novel material prep...

Robotic vision represents the cutting edge of modern computing, combining artificial intelligence, deep learning, and advanced robotics to enable intelligent machines. As universities worldwide pivot from conventional machine learning to robotic vision, this book serves as an essential guide for researchers, educators, and students entering this transformative field.This comprehensive resource introduces core topics such as humanoid and arm-type robots, robotic image processing, st...

This book introduces readers to the latest technological advances in the emerging field of intelligent orthopaedics. Artificial intelligence and smart instrumentation techniques are now revolutionizing every area of our lives, including medicine. The applications of these techniques in orthopaedic interventions offer a number of potential benefits, e.g. reduced incision size and scarring, minimized soft tissue damage, and decreased risk of misalignment. Consequently, these techniques have ...

Although lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the dominant technology used in portable electronics, electric vehicles, and stationary power stations, there is concern about the long-term availability and sustainability of lithium to meet demand. Sodium batteries (SBs) are seen a viable alternative, as sodium is abundant, and because the battery components and electrical chemistry of SBs and LIBs are similar, SBs are poised to take advantage of the existing infrastructure and mature manufacturi...

The volume CCIS 2600 constitutes the refereed post-conference proceedings of the 13th International Conference of Educational Innovation through Technology, EITT 2024, Macau, China, during November 8–10, 2024.The 17 revised full papers and 7 short papers presented in these proceedings were carefully reviewed and selected from 78 submissions. The papers are organized in the following topical sections: AI-Powered Educational Innovation, Tech-Enhanced Curriculum & Teaching Inn...

This book summarizes recent advances in epoxy vitrimer research, giving thorough discussion of the classification and fabrication of epoxy vitrimers and their composites. Epoxy vitrimers are reversible covalently crosslinked networks with dynamic covalent bonds, combining the excellent mechanical properties of thermosets with the re-processability of thermoplastics. The authors explore and summarize many current and potential applications of epoxy vitrimer composites across the domains of ...