Finite Element Analysis. An Introductory Guide to FEM Techniques and Applications

Mercury Learning and Information, Sarhan M. Musa

This comprehensive guide explores the versatility and affordability of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) as a powerful tool for solving engineering problems. The book provides a practical introduction to FEA, covering applications in mechanical, civil, electrical engineering, and physics. It presents a balanced blend of theory and applications, catering to both beginners and those seeking to enhance their FEA skills.The journey begins with mathematical preliminaries and an introduction to the Finite Element Method. It progresses through various applications such as axially loaded members, trusses, beams, stress analysis, thermal analysis, fluid flow analysis, dynamic analysis, and engineering electromagnetics analysis. Each chapter includes comparisons of analytical methods, FEA hand calculations, and software-based solutions, helping readers understand the strengths and limitations of each approach.Understanding these concepts is crucial for effective problem-solving in engineering. This book transitions readers from fundamental principles to advanced engineering applications, blending theoretical knowledge with practical skills. Companion files with executable models and animations enhance the learning experience, making this guide an essential resource for mastering FEA techniques.

Adobe InDesign. Creative Class for Beginners

Mercury Learning and Information, Lauren Saalmuller, Stephanie Torta

This book explores digital design, tailored for beginners eager to master Adobe InDesign, and serves as a valuable resource for experienced users refining their skills. It demystifies Adobe InDesign, defining essential tools through engaging projects and tutorials. Starting with navigating the interface, it lays a solid foundation by teaching how to open and create documents, understand the workspace, and tailor the program to individual needs.The book offers practical experience with projects such as web banners, social media ads, logos, flyers, posters, covers, newsletters, and booklets. Each project builds on the previous one, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of InDesign's capabilities. A complete “Save the Sharks” marketing campaign allows users to apply their skills in a real-world context, with options to customize content for personal campaigns.Understanding Adobe InDesign is crucial for creating professional-quality designs. This book transitions users from novices to confident designers, equipped with practical skills and comprehensive knowledge. It ensures a smooth learning journey, enhancing creative potential and proficiency in digital design. Companion files with video tutorials and project files enrich the learning experience, making it an essential resource for all levels.

Microsoft Excel Functions and Formulas. Master Excel Formulas and Functions for Efficient Data Management With Excel 2021/Microsoft 365

Mercury Learning and Information, Brian Moriarty, Bernd Held, Theodor Richardson

In this updated edition for Excel 2021, Microsoft 365, and previous versions, this book reveals the secrets of Excel through practical examples in a quick reference format. It includes new chapters on data analytics and shortcut keys, making it an essential resource for both beginners and experienced users. The book is designed to help you understand, create, and apply formulas efficiently.The journey begins with an introduction to formulas, followed by chapters on logical, text, date, and time functions. You will explore statistical, mathematical, and financial functions, along with database, lookup, and reference functions. The book also delves into conditional formatting, dynamic array formulas, special solutions, and user-defined functions, providing step-by-step instructions and ready-to-use Excel screenshots.By the end of the course, you will have mastered Excel's advanced formulas and functions, enabling you to perform complex data analysis and enhance your productivity. Companion files include video tutorials, over 250 worksheet examples, and all figures from the text, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.

Microsoft Access 2021 Programming Pocket Primer. A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering Access VBA

Mercury Learning and Information, Julitta Korol

This book, part of the successful Pocket Primer series, is designed for those who need to master Access programming fundamentals quickly. You only need this concise guide to get started and feel comfortable with VBA. The concepts learned here also apply to Excel programming. The book is divided into nine chapters, each progressively introducing you to programming in Microsoft Access 2021.Beginning with an introduction to Access VBA, the book covers the Visual Basic Editor, fundamental VBA programming concepts, and how to create both built-in and custom functions. You will learn to add decision-making capabilities and repeating actions to your programs, manage multiple values using arrays and collections, and utilize built-in tools for testing and debugging your code.This structured approach ensures that by the end of the course, you will have a solid foundation in Access programming. The companion files provide all the hands-on resources needed to complete chapter projects, making this an essential resource for mastering Access VBA efficiently and effectively.

Data Wrangling Using Pandas, SQL, and Java. A Comprehensive Guide to Data Cleaning and Transformation

Mercury Learning and Information, Oswald Campesato

This book is designed for aspiring data scientists and those involved in data cleaning. It covers features of NumPy and Pandas, along with creating databases and tables in MySQL. It also addresses various data wrangling tasks using Python scripts and awk-based shell scripts. Companion files with code are available from the publisher.Understanding data cleaning and manipulation is vital for data scientists. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to essential tools and techniques. From Python basics to advanced data wrangling, it equips readers with the skills needed to manage and clean data effectively.The journey begins with an introduction to Python and progresses through working with data, Pandas, and SQL. It also covers Java, JSON, XML, and specific data cleaning tasks. The book culminates with detailed data wrangling techniques, ensuring readers gain practical, hands-on experience in data management.

Blockchain, Bitcoin, and the Digital Economy. Unlocking the Future of Financial Technology

Mercury Learning and Information, Len Mei

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to blockchain technology, discussing its fundamentals, development issues, potential applications, security, and use in cryptocurrency. It also delves into fintech, its current status, and related concepts in the digital economy. The rapidly changing nature of these topics makes the book a valuable resource for anyone interested in blockchain and cryptocurrency. Numerous references offer up-to-date information on these subjects.The course begins with an overview of blockchain and its basic concepts, followed by an in-depth look at Bitcoin and its associated issues. The journey continues with consensus mechanisms, exploring altcoins, and mutual distributed ledgers. The book then shifts focus to applications of blockchain beyond cryptocurrency, highlighting industrial uses, payment systems, and lending. Governance, regulation, and future trends in blockchain technology are also covered.Understanding these concepts is crucial for navigating the evolving landscape of blockchain and cryptocurrency. This book ensures a smooth transition from novice to knowledgeable enthusiast, equipping readers with practical insights and comprehensive knowledge. By the end, readers will grasp blockchain technology's impact on various industries and its potential for future innovations.

The Creation of a Conscious Machine. The AI Quest: Building Awareness with Advanced Artificial Intelligence Technologies

Mercury Learning and Information, Jean E. Tardy

This book delves into Generative AI and the potential for AI to achieve consciousness. It covers historical and modern perspectives on AI, from ancient myths to the Turing Test and current advancements. The book explores the theoretical and practical aspects of creating a conscious AI, including specifications for synthetic consciousness and integrating AI with human cognition. It questions whether generative AI can meet traditional criteria of consciousness.The journey begins with understanding consciousness, tracing AI's origins, and clarifying human cognition through AI. It examines early AI failures, fears of success, and the engineering of consciousness. The book also explores archaic AI representations, the intelligence of automatons, and the relevance of the Turing Test, concluding with strategies for achieving synthetic consciousness.These concepts are crucial for advancing AI towards synthetic consciousness. This book transitions readers from historical perspectives to modern AI challenges, blending theory with practical insights. It is an essential resource for understanding the future of AI and its potential to achieve consciousness.

Autodesk Revit 2025 Architecture. Mastering Revit Techniques for Efficient Architectural Design

Mercury Learning and Information, Munir Hamad

This book is a complete guide to mastering Autodesk Revit 2025, starting with the basics and progressively covering advanced architectural design techniques. It begins by introducing the Revit interface, navigation tools, and essential concepts like CAD vs. BIM, ensuring a solid foundation for beginners.Readers will then learn to create and modify architectural elements, such as walls, doors, windows, and roofs while exploring detailed workflows for project setup, annotation, and documentation. Each chapter includes hands-on exercises and practical examples to reinforce learning and improve proficiency with Revit’s powerful tools.The final sections delve into advanced topics like creating families, managing work sets, and using project phasing and design options. By the end of the book, readers will have gained the expertise to use Revit effectively in real-world architectural projects, making it an essential resource for both novice and experienced users.