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Alternating Current Field Measurement Technique for Detection and Measurement of Cracks in Structures
by Wei Li Xiao Li Xin'an Yuan Jianming Zhao Xiaokang YinThis open access book serves as a comprehensive exploration of Alternating Current Field Measurement (ACFM), encompassing the foundational theory crucial for subsequent chapters, as well as the design and testing of ACFM probes, instruments, and software. Providing guidance and serving as a reference for ACFM instrument development, the text delves into visualization research in ACFM, offering valuable insights for technical engineering applications. Nondestructive testing (NDT) emerges as a pivotal method for detecting and assessing defects, offering support for safety pre-warning and maintenance decisions in industrial structures. Originating from the 1980s, the demand for an NDT technique arose to inspect fatigue cracks at welded intersections in offshore underwater structures in the North Sea. Conventional NDT methods proved impractical in this distinct underwater environment with quantitative evaluation requirements, prompting the development of the ACFM technique by researchers in the mechanical engineering department at University College London. Over the past four decades, ACFM's theory model, inspection methods, and equipment have undergone rapid advancements, gaining widespread utilization in ocean engineering, the power industry, rail traffic, and special equipment fields. This book encompasses diverse facets, including the global development history of alternating current field measurement technology, core basic theory, signal processing methods, probe instrument development, standardization construction, and engineering applications. Serving as a valuable learning reference for students and offering fundamental theoretical guidance for scientific researchers, it also provides case introductions for engineering applications. The book aims to propel both theoretical research and practical applications of alternating current field measurement technology, contributing significantly to its popularization and widespread application.
Alternating Current Multi-Circuit Electric Machines: A New Approach to the Steady-State Parameter Determination
by Valentin AsanbayevThis book details an approach for realization of the field decomposition concept. The book presents the methods as well as techniques and procedures for establishing electric machine circuit-loops and determining their parameters. The methods developed have been realized using the models of machines with laminated and solid rotor having classical structure. The use of such models are well recognized and simplifies practical implementation of the obtained results.
Alternating Current – Social Innovation in Community Energy (Energiepolitik und Klimaschutz. Energy Policy and Climate Protection)
by Arwen ColellCommunity energy projects give their own answers to the challenges of energy system change: They are social innovations. By building new relations between local economies, communities and technical infrastructures, these projects not only change the energy system but also respective power structures. Drawing on case studies from Germany, Denmark and Scotland, this book shows the importance of community ties, and shared symbols for successful processes of transformation and develops recommendations for policy decision-makers.
Alternating Currents: Electricity Markets and Public Policy
by Timothy J. Brennan Karen L. Palmer Salvador A. MartinezMany states within the U.S., and many countries across the world, are opening their electicity markets to competition. Many others are uncertain about their plans. These differences emphasize the complexities involved in the technology and regulatory structure of the electricity industry--an industry for which the introduction of market competition has been notoriously difficult. In response to these challenges, Alternating Currents provides a timely overview and analysis of the concerns facing industry regulators, legislators, and others as they consider whether, when, and how to open electricity markets. Authors Brennan, Palmer, and Martinez offer background on the history of regulatory policy and the technology for producing and delivering electric power. They then provide insights into the policy debates and economic issues involved in eleven important topics, including industry structure, system integrity and reliability, the mitigation of market power, and environmental protection. Alternating Currents describes the recent events leading to the demise of retail competition in California with the intent on drawing lessons for the future. In the end, the authors offer their perspective about what makes electricity a unique resource and how those factors make the potential conflict between competition and reliability the most pressing of the long-term concerns about the transformation of the electric power industry.
Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers for Machine Learning
by Zhouchen Lin Huan Li Cong FangMachine learning heavily relies on optimization algorithms to solve its learning models. Constrained problems constitute a major type of optimization problem, and the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) is a commonly used algorithm to solve constrained problems, especially linearly constrained ones. Written by experts in machine learning and optimization, this is the first book providing a state-of-the-art review on ADMM under various scenarios, including deterministic and convex optimization, nonconvex optimization, stochastic optimization, and distributed optimization. Offering a rich blend of ideas, theories and proofs, the book is up-to-date and self-contained. It is an excellent reference book for users who are seeking a relatively universal algorithm for constrained problems. Graduate students or researchers can read it to grasp the frontiers of ADMM in machine learning in a short period of time.
Alternating Electric Fields Therapy in Oncology: A Practical Guide to Clinical Applications of Tumor Treating Fields
by Eric T. WongThis concise text provides acomplete overview of alternating electric fields therapy -- also known as tumortreating fields -- for glioblastoma and other types of solid tumormalignancies. Readers are given a fundamental understanding of this novelanti-cancer treatment modality by learning from clinical trial data as well asthe physical and cell biology effects on tumor cells when alternating electricfields are applied both in vitro and in vivo. Chapters illustrate the physicsbehind electric field propagation in space and other media. This isfollowed by a review of our current understanding of the electric field effectson dividing cells - including the disruption of cytokinesis, proper chromosomesegregation and activation on the cell surface chaperons that induceimmunogenic cell death. Data from phase III trials for the treatment ofrecurrent and newly diagnosed glioblastomas are included, as well as some ofthe ancillary post hoc analyses that were performed by variousinvestigators. The remainder of the chapter covers other solid tumormalignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer andovarian cancer, as this treatment modality is being applied to systemicmalignancies. Alternating Electric FieldsTherapy in Oncology offers oncologists,neurologists, radiation oncologists, biomedical engineers, cell biologists andmitosis researchers the fundamentals needed for clinical practice.
Alternating Narratives in Fiction for Young Readers: Twice Upon a Time (Critical Approaches to Children's Literature)
by Perry NodelmanThis book is about the implications of novels for young readers that tell their stories by alternating between different narrative lines focused on different characters. It asks: if you make sense of fiction by identifying with one main character, how do you handle two or more of them? Do novels with alternating narratives diverge from longstanding conventions and represent a significant change in literature for young readers? If not, how do these novels manage to operate within the parameters of those conventions? This book considers answers to these questions by means of a series of close readings that explore the structural, educational and ideological implications of a variety of American, British, Canadian and Australian novels for children and for young adults.
Alternativa
by Varios AutoresEnrique Santos Calderón selecciona los mejores artículos, reportajes, caricaturas, portadas, editoriales, columnas y entrevistas, de la revista que cambió la forma de hacer periodismo en Colombia La revista Alternativa fue fundada a comienzos de los años setenta por Gabriel García Márquez y Enrique Santos Calderón, entre otros. Con su aparición, se dio forma a un periodismo comprometido y militante que poco se conocía en Colombia. Este libro es un homenaje a la revista y con la selección y comentarios de Enrique Santos Calderón, quien fue su director, se presenta un intenso retrato del país que siguió al Frente Nacional, de los conflictos que asomaron en esa época y que heredamos en el presente. La publicación congregó a un grupo conformado por Orlando Fals Borda, Bernardo García, Antonio Caballero, Daniel Samper Pizano, Álvaro Tirado Mejía y varios más que influirían de manera significativa en la opinión pública colombiana. De tal suerte, la selección que aquí presentamos es la reunión de verdaderas joyas. A los textos del Nobel, muchos de ellos por primera vez reeditados en el país, se sumaron, por ejemplo, entrevistas exclusivas a Botero, Cortázar y Dalí; perfiles de León de Greiff, Capax y Ardila Lülle; la crónica del paro nacional de 1977 o las revelaciones del fiscal que llevó el caso del asesinato de Gaitán. Una Colombia extensa, profunda y diversa, que reclamaba cambios de fondo reaparece en estas páginas, como un espejo del momento actual.
Alternativa al uso del estrógeno: Terapia hormonal con progesterona natural
by Judi Gerstung Raquel MartinCADA VEZ MÁS MUJERES DESEAN ENCONTRAR una alternativa natural para la terapia de hormonas sintéticas y sus peligrosos efectos secundarios. Alternativa al uso del estrógeno presenta una de las sustancias naturales más útiles: la progesterona natural. Esta forma de progesterona natural, que se deriva de un ñame silvestre, se puede conseguir en tabletas o en crema. Es idéntica a la progesterona producida por el organismo y por lo tanto, de facil absorción. Muchos de los malestares que sufre la mujer, como los calambres menstruales, los abortos espontáneos, y los síntomas, casi siempre negativos, de la menopausia, pueden ser resultado de una deficiencia de progesterona natural, unido al predominio del estrógeno. A este problema contribuyen el estrés, una dieta deficiente y la cada vez peor calidad de los productos frescos. La medicina moderna suele tratar el desequilibrio hormonal prescribiendo hormonas sintéticas con la intención de volver a conseguir la porporción correcta entre el estrógeno y la progesterona. Pero el organismo de la mujer no asimila eficazmente estas hormonas artificiales, con lo que se provocan una serie de efectos secundarios que pueden ser peores que los malestares que se pretenden evitar. El suplemento de progesterona natural es útil para tratar y prevenir muchas enfermedades: SPM, irregularidad menstrual, infertilidad, depresión, endometriosis, fibromas uterinos y osteoporosis. También es muy eficaz para aliviar bochornos, insomnio, sudor nocturno, sequedad vaginal y otros síntomas de la menopausia. La autora, Raquel Martin, analiza una serie de estudios, muchas veces confusos, sobre la terapia de reemplazo hormonal y guía a las lectoras hacia alternativa naturales. Raquel Martin da consejos acerca de cómo las lectoras pueden colaborar con un médico compresivo a fin de lograr el enfoque adecuado para ellas en particlar.
Alternativa naranja: Ciudadanos a la conquista de España
by Iñaki Ellakuria José María Albert de PacoUna crónica objetiva de los 10 trepidantes años de Ciudadanos. El 8 de junio de 2005, quince intelectuales anunciaron la creación de un partido político como reacción a los efectos del nacionalismo en la vida pública catalana, con el fin de combatirlos frontalmente, sin complejos. Apenas un año después nacía Ciudadanos. Hoy, la criatura que inspiraron los Boadella, España, Ovejero o De Carreras, es una formación vertebral de la política española y su líder, Albert Ribera, se dispone a dar el salto al Congreso de los Diputados de la mano de una propuesta que no es de izquierdas ni de derechas, sino todo lo contrario. Los periodistas Iñaki Ellakuría y José María Alberto de Paco se han zambullido en Ciudadanos para elaborar una crónica que va desde los orígenes de la formación hasta su entrada en el Parlamento. Hablar de partido naranja es hablar de un modelo de éxito. Pero no solo eso: Ciudadanos es también un herviderode contradicciones, amagos de extinción y querellas internas. Ambas caras están contadas en Alternativa naranja, el mejor libro sobre un partido político con mucho futuro.
Alternativas para el Prozac: Remedios naturales para la depresión
by Ran KnishinskyA principios de la década de 1990, las ventas de Prozac superaban las de todos los demás medicamentos contra la depresión tanto en Estados Unidos como en el mercado mundial. En cambio hoy, en Alemania y otros paises de Europa, la hierba de San Juan se recomienda tres veces más que el Prozac para tratar la depresión, y han aparecido muchos otros remedios naturales, menos caros que el Prozac y sin sus numerosos efectos secundarios. Alternativas para el Prozac es el primer libro que presenta un extenso panorama sobre la historia de la hierba de San Juan, los resultados de los estudios médicos y sus aplicaciones clínicas. También es el primero en proporcionar información sobre las demás terapias naturales contra la depresión: la kava, planta medicinal del Pacifico que alivia la tensión y la ansiedad; el aminoácido 5-HTP, que eleva los niveles de la serotonina y de las endorfinas; la homeopatía, que tiene remedios especiales acordes con las diferentes personalidades; el ginkgo; la fenilalanina; la tirosina; y las vitaminas B. Todos estos remedios son invaluables para el mejoramiento de la salud mental. Alternativas para el Prozac habla de manera sencilla y directa sobre la depresión. Es un libro ideal para los consumidores responsables que desean saberlo todo y conocer todas las alternativas antes de decidir lo que más les conviene.
Alternative (Changing Mobilities)
by Maria Alice de Faria NogueiraBy introducing the new concept of alternative (im)mobilities, this collection draws attention to a different approach to mobility practices. In doing so, this ground-breaking volume explores a range of issues related related to (im)mobilities and the Covid-19 pandemic, transport and social practices, and media and urban tourism. Designed and organized in a legally or illegally way, alternative (im)mobilities are examples of those daily practices of displacement of people, objects, and information, which mobilize a multidisciplinary framework of urbanization, shedding light on important and long-standing issues of inequality and the lack of recognition of diversity in economics, social and culture urban life. This volume opens up a new set of research questions related to the complex ways in which informal actors cope with their everyday life experience, regarding dwelling, commuting, working, caring of vulnerable people, health issues, access to information, among other mobility practices, besides the lack of essential – and infrastructural - public services. This volume will be of great interest to researchers and scholars in geography and the social sciences interested in mobilities, transport, communication, tourism, mobility justice and inequality, public decision making and health studies.
Alternative Accountabilities in Global Politics: The Scars of Violence (Interventions)
by Brent J. SteeleIn fields such as politics, international relations, public administration and international law, there is a rapidly growing interest in the topic of ‘accountability’. In this innovative new work, Steele shows how we might recognize how an alternative form of accountability in global politics has been present for some time, and that, furthermore, this form’s continued presence remains one of the most politically powerful, if not endurable, possibilities for resistance in the near future. This book argues that the physical and visually shocking outcomes of violence found on the bodies of humans, as well as the buildings and landscapes which surround us, specifically the scars they leave behind, remain one of our most compelling forms of accountability. Steele develops the theoretical argument on scars and exteriority utilizing insights from several philosophical and theoretical resources including Hannah Arendt, Erving Goffmann, and Richard Rorty. The work examines scars and their effects through several illustrations, including the accounts of Emmett Till, Iranian protestor Neda Agha-Soltan, the Syrian boy Hamza al-Khateeb, the massacre in WWII and then memorializing throughout the 20th century of the Lidice children in the modern-day Czech Republic, the particular architecturally destructive outcomes of the 2008-9 Gaza War, the loss of the Twin Towers in New York, as well as a variety of violent scars found on the landscapes of Europe and Southeast Asia. Emphasizing the importance of the space and ‘time’ of scars, the book illustrates how an alternative form of accountability in the scar can be a useful, disruptive, spontaneous, but also creative practice to challenge the discourses of violence which remain with us today.
Alternative Acquisition Models and Financial Innovation: Special Purpose Acquisition Companies in Europe, and the Italian Legal Framework (Routledge International Studies in Money and Banking)
by Yochanan Shachmurove Daniele D’Alvia Ettore Maria LombardiThis is the first book written in English on special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) in the context of European and Italian financial law, introducing the topic with a general overview on the European stage. It is also the first book on European financial regulations of SPACs. As such, it is a groundbreaking reference text for SPAC studies at the international level. Alternative Acquisition Models and Financial Innovation: Special Purpose Acquisition Companies in Europe, and the Italian Legal Framework offers the most comprehensive overview of the current international financial regulations of SPACs in the EU and UK compared to the main legal system where SPACs originated—the US. This edited book is focused on finding a European legal framework for SPACs by discovering whether the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) or the Undertakings for the Collective Investment in Transferable Securities Directive (UCITS) are applicable to them and why, as well as identifying the objectives of financial regulation of SPACs in the EU, US and UK. Essentially, the edited collection explores soft law and self-regulation instances against the state-based Westphalian approaches centred on hard law instances; describes practical examples of SPACs in Italy and Europe; and analyses the limits and perspectives of such investment vehicles on the Italian capital market as well as their possible uses as forms of shadow banking and venture companies at international levels.
Alternative Ageing: How To Stay Looking and Feeling Younger For Longer
by Suzi Grant'Suzi Grant knows the secrets of youth' The TimesLOOK AND FEEL YOUR BEST IN 2020 WITH ALTERNATIVE AGEING - THE NATURAL WAY TO FEEL YOUNG AGAINSuzi Grant is in her late sixties but you wouldn't know it. Still living life to the full, she knows the secrets of looking and feeling fabulous for ever. A leading blogger and researcher into ageing, Suzi has created this easy Alternative Ageing action plan to give you more energy and vitality. Inside you'll discover:- What foods to eat and avoid- How to keep your skin glowing- How to naturally boost your hormones- Easy fitness exercises- Simple stress busters- An average alternative-ageing day Follow the tips in Alternative Ageing and you'll soon discover a new you who looks and feels great and runs rings around your children - and even grandchildren.It's time to feel young all over again.
Alternative Agricultural and Food Policies and the 1985 Farm Bill (Routledge Revivals)
by Gordon C. Rausser and Kenneth R. FarrellIn 1985, the U.S. Congress confronted the difficult and complex task of developing a 5-year omnibus legislation allowing for lower commodity prices. But, policies predicated on the concept of agriculture as a unique sector of the economy became less and less appropriate to the highly interdependent, open agricultural economy throughout the 1980s. First published in 1985, this collection of 16 papers and related discussions contained in these proceedings is an important contribution toward understanding the issues, options, and dilemmas in U.S. agricultural policy. This is an ideal title for students interested in environmental studies, agriculture, and national policy.
Alternative Alternatives
by Sona BlessingIn the aftermath of the financial crisis, investors are searching for new opportunities and products to safeguard their investments for the future. Riding high on the wave of new financial opportunities are Alternative Alternatives (AA). However, there is a dearth of information on what Alternative Alternatives are, how they work, and how they can be profited from.The book defines what Alternative Alternatives are, based on research and the following hypothesis: If the source (origin) of the risk lies outside of the financial markets, then it should be insulated from the vagaries of those markets. The book identifies and examines such and other unique, idiosyncratic, and difficult to replicate sources of risk - assets and strategies. The recent credit and sovereign debt crisis have served to defend the hypothesis and have upheld the conclusion that alternative alternative assets and strategies offer a risk-return profile that is distinct to those offered by traditional and main stream hedge fund strategies. These strategies include timberland investing, insurance risk transfer, asset/loan based lending (aviation, shipping, trade, entertainment, litigation financing etc), collectables and extraction strategies such as volatility and behaviour finance.This book will be a one stop resource to the new investment class known globally as Alternative Alternatives (AA) and will provide a comprehensive but accessible introduction to these assets. It provides an in-depth analysis of the assets and strategies which will leave investors with everything they need to identify and allocate to the best AA for them. It reviews the asset on a standalone basis, providing an explanation of the product, its characteristics, a SWOT analysis, and details its risk/reward drivers. The book also looks at how to integrate the asset within a portfolio - its peculiarities, the challenges and the constraints of each. Next, the book shows how Alternative Alternatives are used in the real world, how they are implemented, and the results that they have achieved. Finally, the book looks at the scope, scalability and prospects for each asset in the future.
Alternative Antriebe und Ergänzungen zum konventionellen Antrieb (Nutzfahrzeugtechnik lernen)
by Michael HilgersDie komplexe Nutzfahrzeugtechnik anschaulich darzustellen ist Ziel dieses Werkes, das aus 9 einzelnen, in sich abgeschlossenen Beiträgen besteht. Kompakt und gut verständlich bietet es den Überblick heutiger Technik im Nutzfahrzeug. Ausgehend von den grundlegenden Anforderungen des Kunden werden die konzeptionsbestimmenden Charakteristika und Systeme in geschlossenen Beiträgen fundiert dargestellt. Dieser Band stellt Alternativen und Ergänzungen zum konventionellen Antrieb des Nutzfahrzeuges vor. Die große Vielzahl von Optionen wird verständlich für den Praktiker und den Lernenden dargeboten. Hybridfahrzeuge, elektrische Antriebe und alternative Kraftstoffe werden behandelt.
Alternative Approaches in Conflict Resolution (Rethinking Peace and Conflict Studies)
by Martin Leiner Christine SchliesserThis edited volume brings together alternative and innovative approaches in conflict resolution. With traditional military intervention repeatedly leading to the transformation of entire regions into zones of instability and violence (Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria), the study of alternative and less violent approaches to conflict resolution has become imperative. Four approaches are presented here: negotiation, religion and gender, reconciliation and forgiveness, and the arts. This volume contains the insights and experiences of fourteen internationally renowned scholars and practitioners from different contexts. Can forgiveness help heal relationships in post-apartheid South Africa? How can art assist dealing with 'unrememberable' events such as the genocide in Rwanda? What transformational resources do women offer in contexts of massive human rights violations? The aim here is twofold: to provide and encourage critical reflection of the approaches presented here and to explore concrete improvements in conflict resolution strategies. In its interdisciplinary and international outlook, this work combines the tried-and-tested approaches from conflict resolution experts in academia, NGOs and civil society, making it an invaluable tool for academics and practitioners alike.
Alternative Approaches in Conflict Resolution (Rethinking Peace and Conflict Studies)
by Martin Leiner Christine SchliesserIn its second edition, this extended and revised volume brings together alternative and innovative approaches in conflict resolution. With traditional military intervention repeatedly contributing to instability and violence, the study of alternative approaches has become imperative. Can forgiveness help heal relationships in post-apartheid South Africa? How can art assist dealing with ‘unrememberable’ events such as the genocide in Rwanda? What transformational resources do women offer in contexts of massive human rights violations? The aim of this edited volume is twofold: to provide and encourage critical reflection of the approaches presented here and to explore concrete improvements in conflict resolution strategies. In its interdisciplinary and international outlook, this work combines the tried-and-tested approaches from conflict resolution experts in academia, NGOs and civil society, making it an invaluable tool for academics and practitioners alike.
Alternative Approaches in Macroeconomics: Essays in Honour of John McCombie
by Philip ArestisThis book honours Professor John McCombie’s retirement by exploring a variety of themes, theories and debates in non-orthodox macroeconomics. With contributions from leading scholars, the book covers diverse ground in economic thought, policy, empirical work and modelling. It demonstrates ongoing presumptions and asks probing questions of topical questions from the increase of income equality to the international variation of productivity investment. This collection will appeal to academics and students with an interest in the history of macroeconomic thinking.
Alternative Approaches to Assessing Young Children
by Angela Losardo Angela Notari SyversonIn today's climate of increased accountability and diversity, alternative assessments for young children are more important than ever. That's why the timely NEW edition of this bestselling textbook is a must for all educators as they prepare to work with children who are culturally, linguistically, or developmentally diverse. <p><p>Developed by top authorities in early childhood special education and widely adopted since its first edition was published in 2001, this introductory text has been carefully updated to reflect 10 years of evolution in demographics, research, technology, and legislation.
Alternative Approaches to Economic Theory: Complexity, Post Keynesian and Ecological Economics (Routledge Frontiers of Political Economy)
by Victor A. BekerThe 2007–2008 financial crisis exposed the shortcomings of mainstream economic theory with economists unprepared to deal with it. In the face of this, a major rethinking of economics seems necessary and in presenting alternative approaches to economic theory, this book contributes to the rebuilding of the discipline. This volume brings together contributions from different perspectives and theoretical approaches that address the challenge of updating the economic theory corpus and seek to recover prestige for this discipline after the failure of neoclassical economics. It addresses a range of topics, including the complexity approach to economics, category theory, the Post-Keynesian approach to micro and macroeconomics, financialisation, multidimensional analysis and ecological economics. The book is aimed at economics scholars, researchers, academics and practitioners, as well as upper undergraduates and graduates in this area of knowledge. It may also be of interest for people interested in methodological issues in economics and the relationship between economic theory and the real world.
Alternative Approaches to Education: A Guide for Teachers and Parents (Asaa Women In Asia Ser.)
by Fiona CarnieAlternative Approaches to Education provides parents and teachers with information and guidance on different education options in the UK and further afield. This new and expanded edition, including additional chapters and up-to-date contact details, explains the values, philosophies and methods of a range of alternative approaches available outside and within the state system, as well as if you’re ‘doing it yourself’. Illustrated throughout with the first-hand experiences of children, teachers and parents, it provides lists of useful contacts, sources of further information and answers to common questions. Together with brand new chapters on recent research and contemporary debates, and on Free Schools, it covers: Small alternative schools Steiner Waldorf education Democratic schools Alternatives in the state system Parents as change agents Setting up a Small School or Learning Centre Home-based education Flexible schooling Exploring why alternative approaches to education are needed, this accessible and informative book challenges the dominant educational orthodoxies by putting children first. It will be of interest to teachers looking to build on their knowledge of different educational approaches in order to find new ways of working. It is also an ideal introduction for parents deciding how best to educate their children.
Alternative Approaches to Human Rights: The Disparate Historical Paths of the European, Inter-American and African Regional Human Rights Systems (ASCL Studies in Comparative Law)
by Christopher RobertsThis book explores the comparative historical evolution of the European, Inter-American and African regional human rights systems. The book devotes attention to various factors that have shaped the systems: the different circumstances in which they were founded; the influence of major states and inter-state politics within their respective regions; gradual processes of institutional evolution; and the impact of human rights advocates and claimants. Throughout, the book devotes careful attention to the impact of institutional and procedural choices on the functioning of human rights systems. Overarchingly, the book explores the contextually-generated differences between the three systems, suggesting that human rights practice is less unitary than it might at times appear. Prescriptively, the book proposes that, contrary to the received wisdom in some quarters, the Inter-American system's dual-track approach may provide the most promising model in regards to future human rights system design.