Photorealistic Materials and Textures in Blender Cycles - Fourth Edition
Master texturing and rendering in this part-color guide to create realistic materials in Blender like a pro by exploring the various tools and workflows and understanding the underlying mechanism of realismKey Features- Understand the underlying workings in Blender that allow the creation of materials and textures- Leverage the concepts of Look Development and transform into a visual storyteller- Masterfully render and present your 3D artwork by simulating highly realistic environments, lights, and visual effects in Cycles- Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBookBook DescriptionBlender is one of the most versatile tools in the 3D software industry, and with a growing audience and constantly expanding set of features, it has become more powerful, useful, and in demand than ever before. This updated fourth edition of Photorealistic Materials and Textures in Blender Cycles is an all-inclusive guide to procedural texturing, rendering, and designing materials in Blender, covering all aspects of the 3D texturing workflow.The book begins by introducing you to Blender's material nodes and material property functions, and then helps you create photorealistic textures by understanding texture maps and mapping them to 3D models. As you advance, you'll learn to design high-quality environments and lighting using HDRIs and Blender's lighting options. By exploring, breaking down, and studying the underlying mechanics that allow you to develop these elements, you'll create any material, texture, or environment and use it to improve your artwork and present them in a professional way. Finally, you'll discover how to correctly set up scenes and render settings, and get to grips with the key elements of achieving realism.By the end of this book, you'll have gained a solid understanding of materials, textures, shading, lighting, rendering, and all the critical aspects of achieving the highest quality with your 3D artwork.What you will learn- Create realistic materials in Blender using material nodes- Understand physically based rendering (PBR) materials to create high-quality textures- Complete a 3D model design with materials by correctly mapping textures- Harness Blender's texture painting features to create custom textures- Create realistic lighting and HDRI environments for your models- Control, animate, and optimize the 3D camera to prepare your scenes- Render your scenes into beautiful artworkWho this book is forIf you want to learn how to create high-quality materials, textures, and renders to enhance your Blender skills and become a professional 3D artist, then this book is for you. Game developers, 3D artists, architects, animators, freelancers, and other professionals who aim for realism, quality, and aesthetics will also find this book useful. Although no previous material or texturing knowledge is required, a basic understanding of the Blender UI and modeling experience will help you make the most of this book.Table of Contents- Creating Materials in Blender - Introducing Material Nodes - Mapping Images with Nodes - Achieving Realism with Texture Maps - Generating Texture Maps with Cycles - Creating Bumpy Surfaces with Displacement Maps - UV-Unwrapping 3D Models for Texturing - Baking Ambient Occlusion Maps - Introducing Texture Painting - Creating Photorealistic Textures on a 3D Model - Lighting a Scene in Cycles - Creating Photorealistic Environments with HDRIs - Preparing the Camera for Rendering - Rendering with Cycles
Building Secure Firmware
Use this book to build secure firmware.As operating systems and hypervisors have become successively more hardened, malware has moved further down the stack and into firmware. Firmware represents the boundary between hardware and software, and given its persistence, mutability, and opaqueness to today's antivirus scanning technology, it represents an interesting target for attackers.As platforms are universally network-connected and can contain multiple devices with firmware, and a global supply chain feeds into platform firmware, assurance is critical for consumers, IT enterprises, and governments. This importance is highlighted by emergent requirements such as NIST SP800-193 for firmware resilience and NIST SP800-155 for firmware measurement. This book covers the secure implementation of various aspects of firmware, including standards-based firmware--such as support of the Trusted Computing Group (TCG), Desktop Management Task Force (DMTF), and UnifiedExtensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) specifications--and also provides code samples and use cases. Beyond the standards, alternate firmware implementations such as ARM Trusted Firmware and other device firmware implementations (such as platform roots of trust), are covered. What You Will Learn Get an overview of proactive security development for firmware, including firmware threat modelingUnderstand the details of architecture, including protection, detection, recovery, integrity measurement, and access controlBe familiar with best practices for secure firmware development, including trusted execution environments, cryptography, and language-based defensesKnow the techniques used for security validation and maintenanceWho This Book Is ForGiven the complexity of modern platform boot requirements and the threat landscape, this book is relevant for readers spanning from IT decision makers to developers building firmware
C Programming Language
The definitive reference guide to C programming from K&R for writing good code that works and is easy to modify Learn how to program in C from the developers of C, Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie. Intended for those with at least some experience with one other language (even if you are a novice), this book contains a tutorial introduction to get new users started as soon as possible and separate chapters on each major feature: Types, operators, and expressions Control flow Functions and program structure Pointers and arrays Structures Input and output This second edition of The C Programming Language describes C as defined by the ANSI standard and includes a reference manual that conveys the essentials of the standard in a smaller space for easy comprehension for programmers. "K&R is one of my favorite books. The style of the tutorial chapters is so deceptively light and simple and the manual so crisp. Much of C's reputation of simplicity comes from the clarity and great little examples from this book. My 1978 copy has lost its cover and my K&R2 is somewhat dog eared. Above all, K&R is a useful book." Bjarne Stroustrup, designer and original implementer of C++, and author of The C++ Programming Language
Fuzzy Sets, Fuzzy Numbers, Fuzzy Modeling, and Their Applications in Management and Engineering, 2nd Edition
Novel Applications of Optical Sensors and Machine Learning in Agricultural Monitoring
Mathematical and Statistical Methods and Their Applications, 2nd Edition
Data Mining and Machine Learning in the Era of Big Knowledge and Large Models
3D Computer Vision and Smart Building and City, 2nd Edition
Algorithms and Applications of Machine Learning Techniques for Healthcare
Mastering C Language In Depth - A Beginner's Guide To Building A Strong Foundation
AI Explorers
Welcome to AI Explorers, a series designed to help readers of all ages understand one of the most important technologies shaping our time. Artificial intelligence is already woven into everyday life-from the phones in our pockets to the systems that recommend what we watch, guide our work, and influence decisions around the world. Yet despite its growing presence, AI is often explained in ways that feel mysterious, technical, or overwhelming. AI Explorers: Minds Among Machines offers a clear, thoughtful guide to understanding artificial intelligence without a technical background. Through engaging explanations, practical examples, and carefully designed diagrams, this book explores: What artificial intelligence really is-and what it is not How AI systems work internally, explained in a clear and accessible way How modern AI systems learn patterns and generate responses Why concepts like bias, hallucinations, and reliability matter How AI is used in everyday work, creativity, and decision-making The role of technologies such as APIs, embeddings, vector search, and AI agents How humans and intelligent systems can work together responsibly Moving beyond hype and fear, the book invites readers to think clearly about how AI works, where it is useful, and what it means for the future of work, creativity, and human thinking. Whether you are encountering artificial intelligence for the first time or looking for a deeper, more structured understanding, AI Explorers: Minds Among Machines offers a calm, accessible pathway into one of the most transformative technologies of our era. This volume is part of the AI Explorers Series, which introduces artificial intelligence at different stages of learning-from young explorers to professionals seeking thoughtful insight into the age of intelligent machines.
Digital Dominance Africa
Digital Dominance Africa: How African Creators Can Build Audiences, Monetize Their Work, and Thrive Independently is a groundbreaking guide for the continent's rising digital talent-creators rich in vision, creativity, and ambition but often underserved by the very platforms they rely on. This book provides a practical, Africa-first blueprint for growing loyal audiences, delivering meaningful value, and building sustainable digital businesses without depending on underpaying systems. You'll learn how to attract and nurture engaged communities, create products and services that genuinely improve your followers' lives, develop a distinctive brand that stands out in Africa's dynamic digital landscape, and navigate platform limitations while maintaining ownership, independence, and control. Whether you are an emerging influencer, content creator, or digital entrepreneur, this book equips you with the strategy, mindset, and tools to build lasting influence and thrive in Africa's evolving digital economy-on your own terms.
Time Series Analysis in Earthquake Complex Networks
Earthquake time series are complex due to the variety of forces affecting earthquake generation, the complexity of the Earth's crust and mantle structure, where the earthquake source develops, and the complexity of the earthquake development process in space (generation of elementary cracks, their multiplication and coalescence, leading to main fault formation and final rupture) and time (kinetics of the different stages of the fracturing process). The early stages of the process developing in the deep layers of the Earth's crust cannot be studied in detail experimentally; at present, the only mechanism through which to model these initial stages of earthquake source development is experimental and theoretical modelling. New physical/mathematical methods of data analysis, such as nonlinear dynamics, artificial intelligence/machine learning/deep learning, non-extensive statistical analysis, natural time analysis, and complex network approaches, enable us to obtain mathematical regularities underlying physical/geophysical processes using only the time series of experimental observations.The aim of this Special Issue is to examine the progress in the analysis of complex systems' time series during the fracture process using new approaches to understanding the complexity of earthquake time series.
SAP S/4HANA aATP
In today's fast-paced and customer-driven market, supply chain precision is no longer optional-it is essential. Master SAP S/4HANA aATP delivers a practical, implementation-focused guide to leveraging Advanced Available-to-Promise (aATP) capabilities to transform supply chain performance and customer fulfillment.Designed for SAP consultants, supply chain professionals, and ERP practitioners, this book provides clear, step-by-step guidance on configuring and optimizing aATP within SAP S/4HANA. Readers will learn how to improve inventory visibility, execute real-time order fulfillment, manage backorders efficiently, and enhance customer satisfaction through intelligent availability confirmation.Inside, you will discover how to: Configure and implement SAP S/4HANA aATP effectivelyOptimize inventory allocation and product availabilityExecute real-time availability checks and substitutionsManage backorder processing with advanced rules-based logicImprove supply-demand matching across complex networksAlign SAP capabilities with modern supply chain strategiesWhether you are implementing aATP for the first time or enhancing an existing SAP S/4HANA landscape, this guide bridges the gap between system functionality and real-world supply chain execution.Transform your order fulfillment processes, increase operational transparency, and unlock the full potential of SAP S/4HANA aATP to drive supply chain excellence.
CompTIA Network+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Ninth Edition (Exam N10-009)
This up-to-date All-in-One exam guide delivers complete coverage of every topic on the N10-009 version of the CompTIA Network+ Certification examGet complete coverage of all the CompTIA Network+ exam objectives inside this comprehensive resource. Written by Jonathan Weissman and created and edited by Mike Meyers, the leading expert on CompTIA certification and training, CompTIA Network+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Ninth Edition covers exam N10-009 in full detail. You'll find learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter, exam tips, scenarios, practice exam questions, and in-depth explanations. Designed to help you pass the exam with ease, this authoritative guide also serves as an essential on-the-job reference.Covers all exam topics, including: OSI Model and Number SystemsLocal Communication vs. Remote Communication, ARP, and ICMPIPv4Ports, TCP, and UDPRoutingSwitchingDNS and DHCPIPv6CablingEthernetInstalling a Physical NetworkWireless NetworkingVirtualization and Cloud ComputingData CentersDevices, Access, Management, and MonitoringPolicies and ProceduresNetwork SecurityTroubleshootingOnline content includes: 180 practice exam questions in a customizable test engine20+ lab simulations to help you prepare for the performance-based questionsOne hour of video training from Mike MeyersMike Meyers' favorite shareware and freeware networking tools and utilities
Social AI Revolution
Embark on a Digital Odyssey: Become a Maestro of AI-Enhanced CreativityIn the ever-evolving realm of social media, there lies an untapped frontier - the intersection of artificial intelligence and content creation. Imagine wielding the transformative power of AI to not only participate but dominate social media engagement. "Social AI Revolution: Winning Tactics for the Smart Content Creator" is your ultimate guide to mastering this digital renaissance. As you embark on this riveting journey, you will unravel the pioneering tactics that will crown you the sovereign of smart content creation.Navigate the nascent landscape of Social AI with a keen, strategic outlook that delineates the future of digital interaction. Chapter 1 invites you to comprehend the seismic shift AI is causing in social media dynamics - a requisite understanding for any modern content creator. Where others grapple with change, you will be welcoming it with open arms and a shrewd mind.From unearthing the quintessential tools that beckon success to painting the grand picture of your AI-augmented social media strategy, every chapter unfurls critical insights. With a focus on leveraging AI for heartbreaking personalization and distribution efficiencies, you'll learn how to craft content that resonates deeply - honing in on your audience like never before.Yet, with great power comes great responsibility. Chapter 9 dives into the ethical caverns of AI content creation. Steer clear of pitfalls as you chart a course through complicated moral waters, ensuring your creations shine with integrity. And lest you worry about being outpaced, Chapter 10 fortifies you with the skills to stay up-to-speed with AI's rapid evolutions, rendering you invincible in the face of change.Whether you're eyeing the viral zenith or the pragmatic gains from monetization, your approach will be revolutionized. Equip yourself with "Social AI Revolution: Winning Tactics for the Smart Content Creator" and transform from a mere participant into a vanguard of the content frontier. The future isn't just coming; with this book in your arsenal, you are the future.
Python in Depth
Step Into the Future of Coding with Python: Your Comprehensive Guide AwaitsDive into the vibrant universe of Python and emerge as a skilled coder and programmer equipped with the knowledge to tackle any challenge the digital world throws your way. Python in Depth: A Multipurpose Coder and Programmer's Guide is not just another programming book; it's a beacon guiding you through the ever-evolving landscape of Python, from basic concepts to the most advanced applications.Begin your journey with an insightful introduction that not only welcomes you to the Python community but also prepares you for the exciting path ahead. Explore the world of Python in our first chapter, understanding why Python's simplicity and versatility make it the go-to language for professionals worldwide. Whether you're setting up your environment, selecting an IDE, or diving into Python's syntax and structure, this guide ensures a smooth initiation into coding practices that matter.But that's just the start.As you progress, immerse yourself in intermediate and advanced topics that are crucial for modern development. From object-oriented programming, exception handling, to exploring Python's extensive library ecosystem, every chapter serves as a stepping stone towards mastery. Delve into databases, web frameworks like Django and Flask, and unlock the potential of Python in data science, machine learning, and beyond.What truly sets this guide apart is its dedication to not just teaching Python, but doing so in a manner that promotes readability, efficiency, and best practices. Learn how to optimize your code, adhere to the Python style guide, and navigate the nuances of collaborative development with ease.By the end of this comprehensive guide, you will not only have a deep understanding of Python's core concepts but also have the skills to apply them in real-world scenarios - from web development and data analysis to networking, security, and even creative coding. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to expand your knowledge, Python in Depth: A Multipurpose Coder and Programmer's Guide is the key to unlocking your full potential in today's tech-driven world.Embark on this transformative journey through Python and ready yourself for a future where the possibilities are limitless. It's time to code, create, and innovate. Let's get started.
Text Mining
Encompassing fields such as information retrieval, extraction, classification, summarization and understanding, text mining has become indispensable across diverse application domains. Methodological advances span rule-based systems, statistical approaches, support vector machines, clustering, neural networks and most recently, deep learning, with distance and similarity estimation persisting as central challenges.This Special Issue comprises two survey papers and sixteen research articles, all addressing practical aspects of text mining. The surveys review methods for financial market prediction through social media analysis and sentiment detection, and provide a synthesis of techniques, evaluation strategies, and applications of recommender systems across domains including e-commerce, social media, and online learning.The research articles extend to text classification, sentiment analysis, summarization, and natural language understanding, as well as corpus construction and e-governance applications. Contributions include a large-scale Chinese toponym corpus, CHTopo, deep learning models for tourist behaviour prediction, semantic optimization of artifact presentation, BERT-based knowledge extraction for agricultural ontology construction, and transformer-based approaches for detecting moral features in television narratives.
SwiftUI for Masterminds
SwiftUI for Masterminds is a comprehensive course designed to take you from the fundamentals of SwiftUI to the development of professional applications for Apple platforms.Whether you are a complete beginner starting your journey in app development or an experienced Android developer looking to expand into the Apple ecosystem, this book provides a structured, practical path to mastering SwiftUI.You will not just learn syntax or isolated examples. You will build real applications while understanding the architecture, data flow, state management, navigation, persistence, networking, multimedia integration, system services, and advanced interface design that modern apps require.Every chapter is carefully organized to guide you step by step, with clear explanations, hands-on projects, and progressively more advanced concepts. By the end of the book, you will be able to design, build, and deploy fully functional apps for iPhones, iPads, and Macs.Inside the book, you will learn: - How SwiftUI works under the hood - How to design adaptive interfaces for multiple Apple devices - How to manage data using modern tools like SwiftData - How to share data between devices - How to integrate with new and old system frameworks - How to publish your applications to the App StoreIf you are serious about building powerful apps and entering the Apple development market with confidence, SwiftUI for Masterminds will give you the knowledge and practical experience you need.Xcode 26, iOS 26, macOS 26, Swift 6.2
Hacked and Hunted
In the digital world, one click can change everything.Social media promises fame, friendship, and freedom-but beneath the surface lies a darker reality. Hacked and Hunted: A Smart Girl's Guide to Online Safety is a gripping cyber-thriller that exposes how quickly online success can turn into a nightmare-and why digital awareness is no longer optional.Meet Aarushi, Kaneera, and Sophia-three young women connected by friendship and unknowingly bound by danger. Aarushi is a brilliant tech mind who understands the language of machines. Kaneera is a rising social media influencer, basking in likes, followers, and viral fame. Sophia, a determined law student, believes justice can protect the vulnerable. Their lives collide when a celebration of online success spirals into a chilling game of cyber manipulation.What begins as a harmless posting and online engagement soon unravels into a terrifying chain of events-phishing attacks, spyware infections, account takeovers, cyberstalking, doxxing, and personal data being sold on the dark web. A faceless hacker watches their every move, exploiting overshared information and digital blind spots. Trust fractures. Fear escalates. And the line between predator and prey begins to blur.As the threat intensifies, Aarushi is forced to push her technical skills to the limit, venturing into the hacker's world where one mistake could cost everything. Kaneera's online fame becomes a weapon used against her, while Sophia uncovers a painful truth: the greatest danger doesn't always come from strangers-it can emerge from within the systems we trust most.This is more than a fast-paced thriller-it's a wake-up call.Seamlessly blending storytelling with real-world cybersecurity lessons, this book educates readers on: Phishing scams and how attackers manipulate trustWeak passwords, account takeovers, and recovery strategiesSpyware, malware, and device compromiseCyberstalking, doxxing, and digital harassmentDark web data trading and identity exposureEthical hacking, digital footprints, and online traceabilityLong-term practices for protecting privacy and digital identityEach chapter reveals not only what happens to the characters-but how it happens, empowering readers to recognize threats before they become victims themselves.Written by Anand Shinde, an internationally recognized cybersecurity expert and mentor, and Vandana Keswani, a senior enterprise cybersecurity leader and passionate advocate for empowering girls online, this book draws directly from decades of real-world cyber defense experience. Their combined expertise transforms complex threats into relatable, actionable insights-without losing the intensity of a page-turning thriller.Hacked and Hunted is especially powerful for: Teen girls and young women navigating social mediaParents seeking awareness-driven stories for their childrenEducators and mentors promoting digital safetyAnyone who believes "it won't happen to me"This story will make you rethink every password, every post, and every moment you share online.Because in today's digital world, privacy is fragile, trust is exploitable, and awareness is survival.Once you step into this story, there's no turning back.
Smart Parent's Guide to Cybersecurity
Parenting doesn't come with a manual-especially in the digital age.Today's children grow up surrounded by screens, social media, online games, and limitless information. While the internet opens doors to learning, creativity, and connection, it also exposes young minds to risks many parents feel unprepared to handle: cyberbullying, online predators, privacy breaches, scams, screen addiction, and harmful content.Smart Parent's Guide to Cybersecurity is a practical, empowering roadmap designed to help parents confidently protect, guide, and educate their children in an increasingly connected world. Rather than promoting fear or excessive restriction, this book focuses on awareness, communication, trust, and practical action-the foundations of safe and responsible digital parenting.Written by two seasoned cybersecurity professionals with decades of global experience, this guide translates complex cybersecurity concepts into clear, relatable, and actionable advice for parents of all backgrounds. Whether your child is taking their first steps online or already navigating social media and gaming platforms, this book meets you where you are.Inside, you'll learn how to: Understand how children of different age groups use the internetIdentify real-world online threats such as cyberbullying, phishing, scams, malware, and online groomingCreate age-appropriate and secure digital environments across devicesSet healthy boundaries around screen time without damaging trustImplement and manage parental controls effectivelyTeach children digital etiquette, privacy awareness, and online responsibilityRecognize warning signs of online trouble and take the right steps earlySupport your child emotionally when online issues ariseBecome an active, positive presence in your child's digital lifeWhat sets this book apart is its balanced approach. Cybersecurity is not just about tools, filters, or monitoring-it's about equipping children with the judgment and confidence to make smart decisions even when parents aren't watching. Through real-life scenarios, expert insights, and practical strategies, parents learn how to move from control to collaboration, and from fear to preparedness.The book is structured to be easy to follow, with clearly defined chapters covering everything from devices and apps to social media, gaming, and connected technologies. It also includes curated resources, tools, and support networks parents can rely on beyond the book.Together, Anand and Jessen wrote this book with one clear mission: to help parents feel confident, capable, and supported in protecting their children online.If you're a parent who wants to raise a digitally aware, resilient, and responsible child-without panic, guilt, or confusion-Smart Parent's Guide to Cybersecurity is your trusted companion.Because protecting children online starts with informed parents-and meaningful conversations at home.
The Immortalists
What does it mean for us all when death is treated as a glitch and Silicon Valley invests in the "science" of eternal life? 'A fascinating, deeply reported adventure' OLIVER BURKEMAN 'An essential parable for our digital times' KEVIN FONG 'Riveting' DAILY MAIL From the epic of Gilgamesh to the alchemy of the philosopher's stone, humanity's eternal quest for immortality - and its rejuvenation tricks, therapies and tinctures - has always been our most mortal endeavor. But now the giants of invention and investment are building a fountain of youth of their own creation: one they not only engineer but also own and control. Death is simply their next problem to solve, an expression of a hubris that regards humans as appliances to be fixed and machines to be upgraded. By harnessing technology to 'cure' ageing, and funding cutting-edge - and often controversial - research, today's immortalists are locked in an arms race to pocket the profits of longevity. What was once a wild west of experimentation has wormed its way into Washington's corridors of power. Award-winning broadcaster and academic Aleks Krotoski journeys from cult fringes to the heartlands of government to meet the moguls, effective altruists, geroscientists and entrepreneurs who are disrupting death. Along the way she encounters radical life extensionists transfusing their teenage son's blood, transhumanists who want to upload consciousness to the cloud, biohackers flogging AI-powered wellness apps and billionaire kingmakers building brand-new nations. This razor-sharp investigation asks: do we really want a handful of Silicon Valley powerbrokers to be the architects of our forever?
Prince of Programming
Master the basics of programming with C#Learn to Code the Fun Way, No Experience RequiredTired of programming books that drown you in jargon and boring examples? The Prince of Programming teaches real C# fundamentals through engaging, game-themed examples inspired by classic 1980s adventure platformers.What Makes This Book Different?Zero assumptions. We start at the actual beginning.No information overload. You learn what matters, when it matters.Game-themed examples that don't bore you.Examples include comments and expected output, no computer required.Progressive learning. Each chapter builds on the last.Practical exercises with sample solutions included.What You'll LearnGetting started with Visual Studio and running your first programCode structure, naming conventions, and writing clean codeVariables, data types, and information storageLogic and decision-makingLoops and repetitionMethods and functionsCollections for managing dataObject-oriented programming with classes and inheritanceEvents and delegatesException handling and data storageCore programming principles (DRY, KISS, YAGNI)You'll learn to think like a programmer, breaking down problems, debugging systematically, and building solutions that work.Who This Book Is ForComplete beginners who've never written codeSelf-taught programmers wanting to fill foundation gapsAnyone tired of tutorials that skip stepsLearners wanting clear explanations without complexityYou don't need math skills or an expensive computer. Just curiosity and determination.Learn the Right Way from the StartThis book uses console-based examples to focus on pure programming logic. Once you master these fundamentals, you can apply them to anything: games, web apps, mobile apps, tools, whatever you want to build.Bonus chapters: Graphics programming, asynchronous programming, and LINQ.Appendices: Debugging techniques and guidance on continuing your programming journey.Visit princeofprogramming.com for code examples and resources.
Unified Compliance
Unified Compliance was written to bridge the gap between technical implementation and regulatoryunderstanding in a the rapidly expanding digital landscape. This comprehensive guide decodes theworld's most important compliance frameworks, including HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001, NIST, HITRUST, HITECH, PIPL, DPDP and emerging AI regulations, through clear analysis and structured comparison.Designed for IT departments, legal teams, engineers, compliance departments, the book offerspractical strategies to meet compliance requirements without sacrificing system integrity. With indepthcoverage of risk management, data protection, and cross-jurisdictional standards, this workempowers professionals to align operations with modern expectations for privacy, accountability, and security resilience. Unified Compliance is both a reference and a strategic companion for thosenavigating regulatory complexity in global, hybrid, or sector-specific environments.
Generation AI and the Transformation of Human Being
Many are discussing what AI and other advanced technologies may become; few have thought through what we will become.Generation AI-those born after 2022-will be the first humans to grow up in a world of immersive AI, intelligent robots, and ambiguous boundaries between the born and the made. They will differ fundamentally from us, yet their future is our future too.How do we prepare our children-and ourselves-for careers that don't yet exist?What parts of human connection and purpose can we protect as AI becomes more capable?How will the next generation form their identity when AI can do most of what we consider uniquely human?Drawing on evolutionary biology, social science, and breakthroughs in advanced technologies, renowned scientist-philosopher Gregory Stock offers the most comprehensive analysis yet of how AI will reshape not just our world, but our very nature.From parenting and relationships to the future of education, work, and humanity itself, Generation AI maps the transformation already underway-and how to navigate it with intention rather than fear.
Private AI with Spark
For those who want to build controlled, reproducible AI systems entirely within your own infrastructure, this book is the most practical and implementation-focused trainer. Instead of relying on external APIs or cloud-hosted intelligence services, this book clearly demonstrates how Apache Spark can orchestrate data preparation, model training, batch inference, reporting, and LLM acceleration in a disciplined and transparent way.As the book opens, it swiftly defines private AI, making it clear that external AI calls are not allowed, full ownership of datasets and model assets is imperative, and repeatable runs with traceable outputs are essential. I will use a realistic sample to show you how to build an end-to-end workflow that ingests raw data, normalizes it into a stable schema, trains a baseline classifier, extracts keywords, generates summaries, and produces structured reports. There's no doubt that each step is implemented with clarity and attention to maintainability. You can be sure that logging, manifests, and monitoring are embedded from the start. We implement classic machine learning techniques, vLLM, performance measurement, batch processing patterns, quarantine handling, and structured metrics to make private AI more usable and compete with cloud-based AI.Beyond experimentation, the book transitions seamlessly into packaging and routine execution. It will teach you to bundle multiple stages into a single command workflow, schedule daily or weekly runs, generate compact run reports, and adapt the architecture to new datasets without redesigning the system. It does not promise instant transformation or one-click AI solutions. Instead, it provides a structured path to building a sustainable private AI backbone using Spark as the orchestration layer.Key LearningsNo external AI calls and full control over data, models, and repeatable runs.Stable canonical schema with downstream ML and reusable reporting.Infuse Classic ML with Spark without introducing LLM complexity.Carry out extractive summaries without hallucination risk.Complete traceability through manifests, prompt versions, and run logs.Implement data and batch flow, along with fast inference using vLLM.Extract inspectable data and surface out the hidden errors using quarantine tables.Measure and store performance for every run with stakeholder reporting.Design single-command pipeline with clear configs to build repeatable AI.Table of ContentUp and Running with Private AIData Workflows using Spark DataFramesPowerful NLP without LLMBatch Inference and Practical OutputsSmart SummariesBoosting with vLLM IntegrationPackaging Private AI
MCP Integrations for Microsoft 365
This book practically brings you the easy-to-follow solutions wherein you can connect AI-driven automation to everyday business tools using Model Context Protocol (MCP), with Microsoft Excel and Word as the primary execution and delivery surfaces. This book focuses on practical integration patterns that developers and technical teams can apply directly in real business environments. You won't find any discussions of model internals or theoretical AI concepts here.The book presents a structured approach to building governed, auditable workflows. It shows how Excel rows act as requests, YAML playbooks define execution logic, and tools such as Jira, databases, document repositories, and reporting systems are integrated through well-defined contracts. We use Microsoft Word as a controlled output surface for reports and deliverables. There are audit logs and approval mechanisms in place to ensure transparency and traceability throughout the workflow lifecycle. I will guide you through designing MCP tool contracts, mapping Excel columns to tool arguments, normalizing results for analytics, and shaping outputs for Excel and Power BI. In this book, you will learn to implement safety patterns such as idempotency, retries, policy allowlists, tenant isolation, and least-privilege access. It includes practical chapters on connector development, authentication and secrets handling, governance controls, diagnostics, testing strategies, and deployment patterns for both scheduled and on-demand execution.I strongly recommend this book to developers, platform engineers, and technical architects who work with Microsoft 365. These professionals will learn to integrate AI-assisted workflows into existing business processes without unnecessary complexity.Key LearningsTurn Excel and Word into powerful AI-driven control and delivery hubs for business automation.Automate business workflows with AI Agents without exposing users, model internals and LLMs.Build predictable, auditable, and reusable automation using tool contracts and playbooks.Trigger real business actions across Jira, databases, and documents using Excel and Word.Make use of YAML playbooks to transform multi-step business processes into workflows.Make use of audit logs, approvals, and correlation IDs to execute transparent and compliant AI actions.Prevent duplicate actions using idempotency and request tracking.Practice versioning, policies, and strict access controls for scaling MCP connectors.Table of ContentMCP and Agent PrimerMicrosoft 365 Project BlueprintTool Contracts for Excel and Word AutomationBuilding MCP Connectors as Business ActionsAuthentication and Secrets for Microsoft 365 and SaaSGovernance, Approvals, and Audit TrailsWorkflow Runner with YAML PlaybooksJira Connector with Excel RequestsData and Knowledge ConnectorsShipping MCP Integrations across Microsoft 365 Teams
The Little Book Of A.I. Prompts - The Prompt Engineer
THE PROMPT ENGINEER Volume I of The Little Book of A.I. PromptsLanguage is becoming a form of engineering.As artificial intelligence moves beyond code and into conversation, a new professional discipline is emerging one built not from algorithms, but from words. The Prompt Engineer is a thoughtful, rigorous exploration of that discipline.This book treats prompting as more than a technique. It presents it as a craft, a system of reasoning, and a new kind of literacy. Through long-form reflection and careful analysis, it examines how structure, clarity, and intent shape the behaviour of large language models, and why ambiguity, while human, must be handled with precision when language becomes executable.Written as a continuous monologue, The Prompt Engineer blends philosophy, linguistics, and systems thinking to trace the evolution of human-machine dialogue from instruction to collaboration, from syntax to meaning. Minimalist diagrams and red-letter definitions punctuate the text, reinforcing key ideas without interrupting its flow.This is not a quick guide or a collection of tricks. It is a foundational text for those who want to understand what it truly means to write for thinking systems.For readers who see language as architecture, reasoning as design, and clarity as a professional skill, The Prompt Engineer offers a calm, serious entry point into the emerging world of artificial intelligence communication.
