Jun Liu

Model-Based Reinforcement Learning Explore a comprehensive and practical approach to reinforcement learning Reinforcement learning is an essential paradigm of machine learning, wherein an intelligent agent performs actions that ensure optimal behavior from devices. While this paradigm of machine learning has gained tremendous success and popularity in recent years, previous scholarship has focused either on theory—optimal control and dynamic programming – or on algorithms—most of which are simulation-based. Model-Based Reinforcement Learning provides a model-based framework to bridge these two aspects, thereby creating a holistic treatment of the topic of model-based online learning control. In doing so, the authors seek to develop a model-based framework for data-driven control that bridges the topics of systems identification from data, model-based reinforcement learning, and optimal control, as well as the applications of each. This new technique for assessing classical results will allow for a more efficient reinforcement learning system. At its heart, this book is focused on providing an end-to-end framework—from design to application—of a more tractable model-based reinforcement learning technique. Model-Based Reinforcement Learning readers will also find: A useful textbook to use in graduate courses on data-driven and learning-based control that emphasizes modeling and control of dynamical systems from data Detailed comparisons of the impact of different techniques, such as basic linear quadratic controller, learning-based model predictive control, model-free reinforcement learning, and structured online learning Applications and case studies on ground vehicles with nonholonomic dynamics and another on quadrator helicopters An online, Python-based toolbox that accompanies the contents covered in the book, as well as the necessary code and data Model-Based Reinforcement Learning is a useful reference for senior undergraduate students, graduate students, research assistants, professors, process control engineers, and roboticists.

This book provides a comprehensive and systematic framework for the design of adaptive architectures, which take advantage of the available a priori information to enhance the detection performance. Moreover, this framework also provides guidelines to develop decision schemes capable of estimating the target position within the range bin. To this end, the readers are driven step-by-step towards those aspects that have to be accounted for at the design stage, starting from the exploitation of system and/or environment information up to the use of target energy leakage (energy spillover), which allows inferring on the target position within the range cell under test. In addition to design issues, this book presents an extensive number of illustrative examples based upon both simulated and real-recorded data. Moreover, the performance analysis is enriched by considerations about the trade-off between performances and computational requirements. Finally, thisbook could be a valuable resource for PhD students, researchers, professors, and, more generally, engineers working on statistical signal processing and its applications to radar systems.

This book provides a comprehensive and systematic framework for the design of adaptive architectures, which take advantage of the available a priori information to enhance the detection performance. Moreover, this framework also provides guidelines to develop decision schemes capable of estimating the target position within the range bin. To this end, the readers are driven step-by-step towards those aspects that have to be accounted for at the design stage, starting from the exploitation of system and/or environment information up to the use of target energy leakage (energy spillover), which allows inferring on the target position within the range cell under test. In addition to design issues, this book presents an extensive number of illustrative examples based upon both simulated and real-recorded data. Moreover, the performance analysis is enriched by considerations about the trade-off between performances and computational requirements. Finally, thisbook could be a valuable resource for PhD students, researchers, professors, and, more generally, engineers working on statistical signal processing and its applications to radar systems.

Over the past decades, waves of political contention involving the use of information and communication technologies have swept across the globe. The phenomenon stimulates the scholarship on digital communication technologies and contentious collective action to thrive as an exciting, relevant, but highly fragmentary and contested field with disciplinary boundaries. To advance interdisciplinary understanding, Shifting Dynamics of Contention in the Digital Age outlines a communication-centered framework that articulates the intricate relationship between technology, communication, and contention. It systematically explores the influence of mobile technology on political contention in China, the country with the world's largest number of mobile and internet users. Using first-hand in-depth interview and fieldwork data, Shifting Dynamics of Contention in the Digital Age tracks the strategic choice of mobile phones as repertoires of contention, illustrates the effective mobilization of mobile communication on the basis of its strong and reciprocal social ties, and identifies the communicative practice of forwarding officially alleged "rumors" as a form of everyday resistance. Through this groundbreaking study, Shifting Dynamics of Contention in the Digital Age presents a nuanced portrayal of an emerging dynamics of contention--both its strengths and limitations- through the embedding of mobile communication into Chinese society and politics.

Over the past decades, waves of political contention involving the use of information and communication technologies have swept across the globe. The phenomenon stimulates the scholarship on digital communication technologies and contentious collective action to thrive as an exciting, relevant, but highly fragmentary and contested field with disciplinary boundaries. To advance interdisciplinary understanding, Shifting Dynamics of Contention in the Digital Age outlines a communication-centered framework that articulates the intricate relationship between technology, communication, and contention. It systematically explores the influence of mobile technology on political contention in China, the country with the world's largest number of mobile and internet users. Using first-hand in-depth interview and fieldwork data, Shifting Dynamics of Contention in the Digital Age tracks the strategic choice of mobile phones as repertoires of contention, illustrates the effective mobilization of mobile communication on the basis of its strong and reciprocal social ties, and identifies the communicative practice of forwarding officially alleged "rumors" as a form of everyday resistance. Through this groundbreaking study, Shifting Dynamics of Contention in the Digital Age presents a nuanced portrayal of an emerging dynamics of contention--both its strengths and limitations- through the embedding of mobile communication into Chinese society and politics.

Since the publication of the first edition in 2002, there have been two major developments in L2 writing and peer response teaching and research. The first is the increased interest in CALL and computer-mediated communication (CMC) for L2 pedagogy; the second is the accessibility and viability of research on L2 peer response from all over the world. Both developments are thoroughly addressed in this new edition. Now that classes are as likely to be online as held in physical classrooms and now that a new generation of digital natives can routinely read and respond to what others write via laptops, tablets, and phones, peer response as pedagogical practice is not just more easily implemented, but it is more likely to feel natural to L2 learners. The Second Edition is a highly accessible guide to how the world is using peer response and serves as a motivator and facilitator for those who want to try it for the first time or want to increase the effectiveness of the activities—whether via CMC or not. The volume includes 11 forms useful in training students to provide good peer feedback, including a final checklist to ensure teachers have taken all the necessary steps to achieve a successful peer feedback activity.

This book serves as a comprehensive reference resource for current and prospective English language teachers, students of TESOL, academics, and other professionals working within the field of Teaching English as a Second or Other Language (TESOL). As an essential single-volume resource, TESOL: A Guide explores TESOL in three dimensions: as a profession, as a field of study, and as an international association. In doing so, it offers a thorough summary of themes and issue relevant to TESOL’s multiple dimensions, including a practical overview of the TESOL profession and a compendium of current TESOL research topics and methodologies. In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of TESOL International Association, a key section of the book highlights the development of this association and features the reflections of several previous TESOL International Association presidents. Readers will also appreciate the extensive glossary and appendix of TESOL resources, both of which are designed to comprise a valuable and manageable guide for newcomers to the field, as well as for developing practitioners and researchers.

This book serves as a comprehensive reference resource for current and prospective English language teachers, students of TESOL, academics, and other professionals working within the field of Teaching English as a Second or Other Language (TESOL). As an essential single-volume resource, TESOL: A Guide explores TESOL in three dimensions: as a profession, as a field of study, and as an international association. In doing so, it offers a thorough summary of themes and issue relevant to TESOL’s multiple dimensions, including a practical overview of the TESOL profession and a compendium of current TESOL research topics and methodologies. In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of TESOL International Association, a key section of the book highlights the development of this association and features the reflections of several previous TESOL International Association presidents. Readers will also appreciate the extensive glossary and appendix of TESOL resources, both of which are designed to comprise a valuable and manageable guide for newcomers to the field, as well as for developing practitioners and researchers.

Access Chinese gives a new perspective to teaching and learning Chinese by harmonizing 3 key elements of learning a second language creatively: 1. Intertwining language with culture 2. Balancing focus on forms and meaning 3. Developing literacy skills through both oral and written Chinese. This book treats culture as the glue that connects the units by following the story lines of a twin brother and sister learning Chinese in two contexts (China vs. US). Access Chinese provides essential tools for communication throughout the story development while at the same time engaging learners in acquiring additional vocabulary and grammar by contextualizing these elements in further communicative tasks. Also, Access Chinese uses colloquial Chinese as a starting point for engaging the learner while also introducing the nuance of Chinese philosophy and deeply imbedded Chinese etiquettes and rituals in communication to bring about the curiosity and appreciation of the language and culture.

Access Chinese gives a new perspective to teaching and learning Chinese by harmonizing 3 key elements of learning a second language creatively:Intertwining language with culture Balancing focus on forms and meaning Developing literacy skills through both oral and written Chinese. This book treats culture as the glue that connects the units by following the story lines of a twin brother and sister learning Chinese in two contexts (China vs. US). Access Chinese provides essential tools for communication throughout the story development while at the same time engaging learners in acquiring additional vocabulary and grammar by contextualizing these elements in further communicative tasks. Also, Access Chinese uses colloquial Chinese as a starting point for engaging the learner while also introducing the nuance of Chinese philosophy and deeply imbedded Chinese etiquettes and rituals in communication to bring about the curiosity and appreciation of the language and culture.

Written from an operator’s viewpoint, HSPA Performance and Evolution explores the lessons learned and techniques developed for optimally deploying HSPA (High Speed Packet Access). The essential distinctions between rolling out HSPA compared to earlier UMTS and GSM technologies are explained covering the many issues that must be specifically handled. Areas in standards which have been left open for interpretation, causing significant differences between vendor implementations, are identified and solutions explored. This book is invaluable in enabling wireless operators to extract maximum performance offered by 3GPP’s HSPA radio technology, consisting of both downlink (HSDPA) and uplink (HSUPA) elements. It focuses on real-world performance, sharing practical implementation methods and tradeoffs for deploying, optimizing and maintaining networks using the HSPA air interface. Examines algorithms, equipment and performance perspectives to identify and explain HSPAMeasures performance and sets network parameters for optimal tradeoffsPresents results from practical and real-world network performancesExplores the evolution of HSPA technology into HSPA+ and eventually next generation LTE technologies

Communication Strategies covers the vocabulary, patterns, and collocations that English language learners need to communicate actively.

Communication Strategies covers the vocabulary, patterns, and collocations that English language learners need to communicate actively.

This book examines not only the importance of English language teaching in China, but also the need for this teaching to be modernised in order for China to better join the world economy. The current trend within English teaching in China is for 'communicative competence' - that is, in being understood even if the English usage is incorrect. This volume argues that more solid grammar teaching must be coupled to this communicative competence, if English language teaching in China is to be successful. The contributors to this volume examine every aspect of language teaching and suggest new ways in which communication and grammar can be balanced. The chapters include coverage of: the importance of English in a global world; theories of language teaching; creating a learning environment; using multimedia; online learning; language testing; and appropriate teacher training. With its balance of theory and practice, and internationally renowned contributors, this guide to new approaches, perspectives and standards in language teaching will be essential reading for academics interested in applied linguistics and second language acquisition, and English language teaching professionals.

This book examines the importance of English language teaching in China, but also the need for this teaching to be modernised in order for China to better join the world economy. The current trend within English teaching in China is for 'communicative competence' - that is, in being understood even if the English usage is incorrect. This volume argues that more solid grammar teaching must be coupled to this communicative competence, if English language teaching in China is to be successful. The contributors to this volume examine every aspect of language teaching and suggest new ways in which communication and grammar can be balanced. The chapters include coverage of: the importance of English in a global world; theories of language teaching; creating a learning environment; using multimedia; online learning; language testing; and appropriate teacher training. With its balance of theory and practice, and internationally renowned contributors, this guide to new approaches, perspectives and standards in language teaching will be essential reading for academics interested in applied linguistics and second language acquisition, and English language teaching professionals.

The past decade has witnessed a steady increase in the numbers of Asian students in North American institutions of higher learning. While their academic success has been widely recognized, concerns about their silence in classrooms have also been expressed by educators. Following an overview of Asian students in North American higher education, this book presents a focused ethnographic study of twenty Asian graduate students enrolled in a major US university, exploring and describing Asian student's oral classroom participation modes across multiple factors. Four major classroom communication patterns--total integration, conditional interaction, marginal participation, and silent observation--are identified among the participants and discussed across sociocultural, affective, cognitive, linguistic, and pedagogical/environmental factors. Also discussed are the Asian concepts of face saving, politeness, and social identity in multiple discourse communities in light of Asian students' perceptions of and modes in classroom participation. The book concludes with a call for the development of cultural transformation competence, which encompasses social identity negotiation skills, and culture-sensitivity knowledge and mindful reflexivity in addition to communicative competence.