Chinese traders and explorers first visited the Maldives, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, in the early fourteenth century. The traveler Wang Dayuan “discovered” the island sultanate for the Chinese world, and merchants increasingly dealt in Maldivian goods such as coconuts, cowrie shells, and ambergris. Zheng He’s fifteenth-century voyages ventured to the islands, by then a trading hub, and brought their envoys to Beijing. But the Maldives faded from Chinese records by the end of the s...

Originating in the sea, especially in the waters surrounding the low-lying islands of the Maldives, Cypraea moneta (sometimes confused with Cypraea annulus) was transported to various parts of Afro-Eurasia in the prehistoric era, and in many cases, it was gradually transformed into a form of money in various societies for a long span of time. Yang provides a global examination of cowrie money within and beyond Afro-Eurasia from the archaeological period to the early twent...

This book is an updated, accessible approach to nonlinear structural analysis, focusing on the physical interpretation of nonlinear behaviors in framed structures. Unlike its predecessor, which was mathematically oriented, this revised edition simplifies the analysis by using the universally valid 'rigid body rule,' emphasizing physical understanding over intricate mathematical formulations.Covering key structural forms — plane and space trusses, plane and space frames — the book a...

This book elaborates on the physical principles of polarization remote sensing. It explains the reflective characteristics of surface objects and atmosphere separately, including theory, experiment, instrument and application. In addition, it introduces how polarization remote sensing works in advanced research programs as it can be used in aviation, astronomy, disaster risk prevention and navigation fields. This book serves as a fundamental and comprehensive reference for researchers and ...

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are some of the most important and valuable engineering materials developed in the last 25 years. These fascinating materials demonstrate remarkably versatile properties-including capacity for actuation and stimulus responsiveness-that are enabling technologists to develop applications used to explore everything from th

The problems in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) are not only novel and interesting but also deeply rooted in profound mathematical context. The team at the International Mathematical Olympiad Research Center at East China Normal University has compiled and studied problems from past IMOs, dividing them into four volumes based on the mathematical fields involved: algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics.In the geometry volume, the IMO geometry problems are o...

This book presents a systematic, authoritative, and in-depth exploration of the archaeological restoration and historical evolution of Chinese palace architecture, drawing on methodologies from archaeology, history, and architecture. It fills the gap left by the scarcity of architectural remains and research predating the Tang dynasty, reinforces the foundations of Chinese architectural archaeology, and introduces innovative theoretical perspectives.Adopting a multidisciplinary and...

Big data has been upgraded to our national strategy and has become a catalyst for national and local economic development. With the further promotion of big data and artificial intelligence (AI), the new business model needs to optimize and upgrade. The integration of the blockchain industry will fully implement the digital China strategy and promote the application of big data in China.This unique compendium gives a comprehensive understanding of the blockchain content through the path of...

This book introduces the application of computer vision (CV) and AI technologies to indoor personnel information monitoring, outdoor thermal environment monitoring, construction safety monitoring, and HVAC equipment monitoring.Computer Vision and AI for Indoor/Outdoor Thermal Environment*, Construction Safety, and HVAC Equipment Monitoring* explores non-contact measurement techniques relevant to the field of indoor human information and their applications in on-demand regu...

This book reviews the current applications of molecular tools in cytopathology and provides a concise handbook for those who provide care in this era of personalized medicine. Specifically, the text provides a comprehensive and concise review of the emerging molecular tests available clinically in different subspecialities of diagnostic pathology. It reviews the current data of molecular testing already applied in cytopathology, discusses some of the biomarkers with potential utility in cy...

Multiscale Hydrologic Remote Sensing: Perspectives and Applications integrates advances in hydrologic science and innovative remote sensing technologies. Raising the visibility of interdisciplinary research on water resources, it offers a suite of tools and platforms for investigating spatially and temporally continuous hydrological variables and p

This book first describes fundamental knowledge on human thermal comfort, adaptive thermal comfort, thermal comfort in sleeping environments, modeling of human thermal comfort, and thermal comfort assessment using human trials. Next, it presents an in-depth review of concept progress and evaluation of various personal comfort system, summarizes important findings and feasible applications, current gaps as well as future research needs. The seven chapters included in this section are task/a...