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...

Flexible Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters and SensorsA systematic and complete discussion of the latest progress in flexible piezoelectric energy harvesting and sensing technologiesIn Flexible Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters and Sensors, a team of distinguished researchers delivers a comprehensive exploration of the design methods, working mechanisms, microfabrication processes, and applications of flexible energy harvesters for wea...

Presents the first ever guide for vehicle scanning of the dynamic properties of bridgesWritten by the leading author on the subject of vehicle scanning method (VSM) for bridges, this book allows engineers to monitor every bridge of concern on a regular and routine basis, for the purpose of maintenance and damage detection. It includes a review of the existing literature on the topic and presents the basic concept of extracting bridge frequencies from a moving test ...

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...

Framework for scanning modal parameters of bridges from vehicle responses utilizing the Vehicle Scanning Method (VSM)Advanced Vehicle Scanning Method: Bridge Modal Parameter Identification delivers a complete theoretical framework for scanning of the modal parameters (frequencies, damping ratios, and mode shapes) of bridges from vehicle responses. This book provides comprehensive coverage of the application of the Vehicle Scanning Method (VSM) for differen...

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 ...

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...

Transient Electromagnetic-Thermal Nondestructive Testing: Pulsed Eddy Current and Transient Eddy Current Thermography covers three key areas of theories, methods and applications, primarily the multi-physics field, including eddy current, heat conduction and Infrared radiation for defect evaluation, lateral heat conduction, which is analyzed to detect parallel cracks, and longitudinal heat conduction, which is analyzed to detect depth defect, or that which is beyond skin depth. In addition...

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 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 provides its reader with a good understanding of the stabilization of switched nonlinear systems (SNS), systems that are of practical use in diverse situations: design of fault-tolerant systems in space- and aircraft; traffic control; and heat propagation control of semiconductor power chips. The practical background is emphasized throughout the book; interesting practical examples frequently illustrate the theoretical results with aircraft and spacecraft given particular promine...

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...