Computer Networks

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER‘A compelling vision of where the internet should go and how to get there.’ Sam Altman, CEO, OpenAI_A potent exploration of the power of blockchains to reshape the future of the internet – and how that affects us all – from technology entrepreneur and startup investor Chris Dixon. The internet of today is a far cry from its early promise of a decentralized, democratic network of innovation, connection and freedom. In the past decade, it has fallen almost entirely under the control of a very small group of companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook.In Read Write Own, tech visionary Chris Dixon argues that the dream of a creative, entrepreneurial internet doesn’t have to die and can, in fact, be saved with blockchain networks. He separates this movement, which aims to provide a solid foundation for everything from social networks to artificial intelligence to virtual worlds, from cryptocurrency speculation – a distinction he calls ‘the computer vs the

We live in a networked world. Online social networking platforms and the World Wide Web have changed how society thinks about connectivity. Because of the technological nature of such networks, their study has predominantly taken place within the domains of computer science and related scientific fields. But arts and humanities scholars are increasingly using the same kinds of visual and quantitative analysis to shed light on aspects of culture and society hitherto concealed. This Element contends that networks are a category of study that cuts across traditional academic barriers, uniting diverse disciplines through a shared understanding of complexity in our world. Moreover, we are at a moment in time when it is crucial that arts and humanities scholars join the critique of how large-scale network data and advanced network analysis are being harnessed for the purposes of power, surveillance, and commercial gain. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

Computational learning theory is a subject which has been advancing rapidly in the last few years. The authors concentrate on the probably approximately correct model of learning, and gradually develop the ideas of efficiency considerations. Finally, applications of the theory to artificial neural networks are considered. Many exercises are included throughout, and the list of references is extensive. This volume is relatively self contained as the necessary background material from logic, probability and complexity theory is included. It will therefore form an introduction to the theory of computational learning, suitable for a broad spectrum of graduate students from theoretical computer science and mathematics.

Modern computer networks now circle the world, but the transmission of information between them depends on the many different protocols that define the behaviour of the sender and receiver. It is clear therefore, that the accurate description of these protocols is important if harmonious communication is to be maintained. In this book the authors use the formal specification language PSF to provide an unambiguous description of several communication protocols of varying levels of complexity, ranging from the alternating bit protocol to the token ring protocol. Beginners, as well as professionals in the field of communication protocols, will benefit from both the methods of specification described and the protocols discussed in this book.

Through a collaboration among twenty legal scholars from eleven countries in North America, Europe and Asia, Patent Remedies and Complex Products presents an international consensus on the use of patent remedies for complex products such as smartphones, computer networks and the Internet of Things. It covers the application of both monetary remedies like reasonable royalties, lost profits, and enhanced damages, as well as injunctive relief. Readers will also learn about the effect of competition laws and agreements to license standards-essential patents on terms that are 'fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory' (FRAND) on patent remedies. Where national values and policy make consensus difficult, contributors discuss the nature and direction of further research required to resolve disagreements. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

Through a collaboration among twenty legal scholars from eleven countries in North America, Europe and Asia, Patent Remedies and Complex Products presents an international consensus on the use of patent remedies for complex products such as smartphones, computer networks and the Internet of Things. It covers the application of both monetary remedies like reasonable royalties, lost profits, and enhanced damages, as well as injunctive relief. Readers will also learn about the effect of competition laws and agreements to license standards-essential patents on terms that are 'fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory' (FRAND) on patent remedies. Where national values and policy make consensus difficult, contributors discuss the nature and direction of further research required to resolve disagreements. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

This is a textbook on graph theory, especially suitable for computer scientists but also suitable for mathematicians with an interest in computational complexity. Although it introduces most of the classical concepts of pure and applied graph theory (spanning trees, connectivity, genus, colourability, flows in networks, matchings and traversals) and covers many of the major classical theorems, the emphasis is on algorithms and thier complexity: which graph problems have known efficient solutions and which are intractable. For the intractable problems a number of efficient approximation algorithms are included with known performance bounds. Informal use is made of a PASCAL-like programming language to describe the algorithms. A number of exercises and outlines of solutions are included to extend and motivate the material of the text.

Mem-elements for Neuromorphic Circuits with Artificial Intelligence Applications illustrates recent advances in the field of mem-elements (memristor, memcapacitor, meminductor) and their applications in nonlinear dynamical systems, computer science, analog and digital systems, and in neuromorphic circuits and artificial intelligence. The book is mainly devoted to recent results, critical aspects and perspectives of ongoing research on relevant topics, all involving networks of mem-elements devices in diverse applications. Sections contribute to the discussion of memristive materials and transport mechanisms, presenting various types of physical structures that can be fabricated to realize mem-elements in integrated circuits and device modeling.As the last decade has seen an increasing interest in recent advances in mem-elements and their applications in neuromorphic circuits and artificial intelligence, this book will attract researchers in various fields.

This unique introduction to the foundational concepts of cyber-physical systems (CPS) describes key design principles and emerging research trends in detail. Several interdisciplinary applications are covered, with a focus on the wide-area management of infrastructures including electric power systems, air transportation networks, and health care systems. Design, control and optimization of cyber-physical infrastructures are discussed, addressing security and privacy issues of networked CPS, presenting graph-theoretic and numerical approaches to CPS evaluation and monitoring, and providing readers with the knowledge needed to operate CPS in a reliable, efficient, and secure manner. Exercises are included. This is an ideal resource for researchers and graduate students in electrical engineering and computer science, as well as for practitioners using cyber-physical systems in aerospace and automotive engineering, medical technology, and large-scale infrastructure operations.

Today's pervasive computing and communications networks have created an intense need for secure and reliable cryptographic systems. Bringing together a fascinating mixture of topics in engineering, mathematics, computer science, and informatics, this book presents the timeless mathematical theory underpinning cryptosystems both old and new. Major branches of classical and modern cryptography are discussed in detail, from basic block and stream cyphers through to systems based on elliptic and hyperelliptic curves, accompanied by concise summaries of the necessary mathematical background. Practical aspects such as implementation, authentication and protocol-sharing are also covered, as are the possible pitfalls surrounding various cryptographic methods. Written specifically with engineers in mind, and providing a solid grounding in the relevant algorithms, protocols and techniques, this insightful introduction to the foundations of modern cryptography is ideal for graduate students and r

《21世紀高等學校規劃教材?計算機應用:計算機網絡300題》是作者十多年講授計算機網絡課程的積累，由于在教學中選用Andrew.S.Tenenbaum教授著的Computer Networks作為教材，所以本習題集中的有些提法也與原教材一致，但這不會影響選用其他教材的師生參考。《21世紀高等學校規劃教材?計算機應用:計算機網絡300題》的章節安排基本與原教材相同，每章前面都把本章內的知識點作了簡單

Data Communication and Networking, First Edition provides a solid, thorough overview of data communications and networking for Engineering Technology programs. This text covers information for one or more courses spanning digital communication systems, computer communication and networks, and data communications. It is specifically written and designed for engineering and engineering technology learners by using a systematic and visual approach with abundant tables, illustrations, and practical examples making it easy for students to comprehend concepts. Content begins with data communication, signal conversion and issues in data transmission. Each chapter includes an introduction, summary of key information, as well as practice questions and problems with answers. The text also includes coverage of network and network standards, Ethernet, network components and Transmission Control and Internets Protocols (TCP/IP). The integration of applications and laboratory experiments are found t

本書是譯自Douglas E. Comer之著作『Computer Networks and Internets- 4/E』，書中完全採用比喻和範例的方式來闡釋觀念、取代傳統複雜的數學式證明。內容共分四大部分，涵蓋底層傳輸、分封交換、網際網路，以及網路應用等解析。其用意在於回答基本的問題：""電腦網路與網際網路是如何運作的？""從最底層的資料傳遞過程一路用遊歷般的解說方式寫到最高層的應用軟體程式。

By considering the size of the logical network needed to perform a given computational task, the intrinsic difficulty of that task can be examined. Boolean function complexity, the combinatorial study of such networks, is a subject that started back in the 1950s and has today become one of the most challenging and vigorous areas of theoretical computer science. The papers in this book stem from the London Mathematical Society Symposium on Boolean Function Complexity held at Durham University in July 1990. The range of topics covered will be of interest to the newcomer to the field as well as the expert, and overall the papers are representative of the research presented at the Symposium. Anyone with an interest in Boolean Function complexity will find that this book is a necessary purchase.

In the thirteenth book in Stuart Gibbs's New York Times bestselling Spy School series, superspy middle schooler Ben Ripley goes off the grid to eliminate a cybersecurity threat. After a devious computer hacker pulls off the CIA's worst-case scenario, shutting down power networks all over the world, Ben and his fellow spies-in-training are forced to make a harrowing emergency landing of their plane in Indonesia. While chaos begins to erupt around the planet, Ben deduces that his team is closer to the mysterious hacker's base than anyone else. But with all computers and phones down, there's no way to communicate with anyone at the CIA. On their latest mission to save the world, Ben and his friends face a conniving villain, assassins, pirates, sharks, and very big lizards in the most remote--and deadly--location of any spy school yet!

The thalamus is a key structure in the mammalian brain, providing a hub for communication within and across distributed forebrain networks. Research in this area has undergone a revolution in the last decade, with findings that suggest an expanded role for the thalamus in sensory processing, motor control, arousal regulation, and cognition. Moving beyond previous studies of anatomy and cell neurochemistry, scientists have expanded into investigations of cognitive function, and harness new methods and theories of neural computation. This book provides a survey of topics at the cutting edge of this field, covering basic anatomy, evolution, development, physiology and computation. It is also the first book to combine these disciplines in one place, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of thalamus research, and will be an essential resource for students and experts in biology, medicine and computer science.

Connecting theory with practice, this systematic and rigorous introduction covers the fundamental principles, algorithms and applications of key mathematical models for high-dimensional data analysis. Comprehensive in its approach, it provides unified coverage of many different low-dimensional models and analytical techniques, including sparse and low-rank models, and both convex and non-convex formulations. Readers will learn how to develop efficient and scalable algorithms for solving real-world problems, supported by numerous examples and exercises throughout, and how to use the computational tools learnt in several application contexts. Applications presented include scientific imaging, communication, face recognition, 3D vision, and deep networks for classification. With code available online, this is an ideal textbook for senior and graduate students in computer science, data science, and electrical engineering, as well as for those taking courses on sparsity, low-dimensional str

Malicious hackers utilize the World Wide Web to share knowledge. Analyzing the online communication of these threat actors can help reduce the risk of attacks. This book shifts attention from the defender environment to the attacker environment, offering a new security paradigm of 'proactive cyber threat intelligence' that allows defenders of computer networks to gain a better understanding of their adversaries by analyzing assets, capabilities, and interest of malicious hackers. The authors propose models, techniques, and frameworks based on threat intelligence mined from the heart of the underground cyber world: the malicious hacker communities. They provide insights into the hackers themselves and the groups they form dynamically in the act of exchanging ideas and techniques, buying or selling malware, and exploits. The book covers both methodology - a hybridization of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and social network analysis methods - and the resulting conclusions, det

The important and rapidly emerging new field known as 'cyber threat intelligence' explores the paradigm that defenders of computer networks gain a better understanding of their adversaries by understanding what assets they have available for an attack. In this book, a team of experts examines a new type of cyber threat intelligence from the heart of the malicious hacking underworld - the dark web. These highly secure sites have allowed anonymous communities of malicious hackers to exchange ideas and techniques, and to buy/sell malware and exploits. Aimed at both cybersecurity practitioners and researchers, this book represents a first step toward a better understanding of malicious hacking communities on the dark web and what to do about them. The authors examine real-world darkweb data through a combination of human and automated techniques to gain insight into these communities, describing both methodology and results.

Essentials of Programming in Mathematica® provides an introduction suitable for readers with little or no background in the language as well as for those with some experience using programs such as C, Java, or Perl. The author, an established authority on Mathematica® programming, has written an example-driven text that covers the language from first principles, as well as including material from natural language processing, bioinformatics, graphs and networks, signal analysis, geometry, computer science, and many other applied areas. The book is appropriate for self-study or as a text for a course in programming in computational science. Readers will benefit from the author's tips, which provide insight and suggestions on small and large points. He also provides more than 350 exercises from novice through to advanced level with all of the solutions available online.

Machine learning is one of the fastest growing areas of computer science, with far-reaching applications. The aim of this textbook is to introduce machine learning, and the algorithmic paradigms it offers, in a principled way. The book provides a theoretical account of the fundamentals underlying machine learning and the mathematical derivations that transform these principles into practical algorithms. Following a presentation of the basics, the book covers a wide array of central topics unaddressed by previous textbooks. These include a discussion of the computational complexity of learning and the concepts of convexity and stability; important algorithmic paradigms including stochastic gradient descent, neural networks, and structured output learning; and emerging theoretical concepts such as the PAC-Bayes approach and compression-based bounds. Designed for advanced undergraduates or beginning graduates, the text makes the fundamentals and algorithms of machine learning accessible t

Position estimation of wireless devices has many applications in short-range networks. Ultra-wideband (UWB) signals provide accurate positioning capabilities that can be harnessed in wireless systems to realise these applications. This text provides detailed coverage of UWB positioning systems, offering comprehensive treatment of signal and receiver design for ranging, range estimation techniques, theoretical performance bounds, ranging algorithms and protocols. Beginning with a discussion of the potential applications of wireless positioning, and investigating UWB signals for such applications, later chapters establish a signal processing framework for analysing UWB positioning and ranging systems. The recent IEEE 802.15.4a standard related to UWB is also studied in detail. Each chapter contains examples, problems and Matlab scripts to help readers grasp key concepts. This is an ideal text for graduate students and researchers in electrical and computer engineering, and practitioners

Setting out core theory and reviewing a range of new methods, theoretical problems and applications, this handbook shows how hybrid dynamical systems can be modelled and understood. Sixty expert authors involved in the recent research activities and industrial application studies provide practical insights on topics ranging from the theoretical investigations over computer-aided design to applications in energy management and the process industry. Structured into three parts, the book opens with a thorough introduction to hybrid systems theory, illustrating new dynamical phenomena through numerous examples. Part II then provides a survey of key tools and tool integration activities. Finally, Part III is dedicated to applications, implementation issues and system integration, considering different domains such as industrial control, automotive systems and digital networks. Three running examples are referred to throughout the book, together with numerous illustrations, helping both rese

The use of topological ideas to explore various aspects of graph theory, and vice versa, is a fruitful area of research. There are links with other areas of mathematics, such as design theory and geometry, and increasingly with such areas as computer networks where symmetry is an important feature. Other books cover portions of the material here, but there are no other books with such a wide scope. This book contains fifteen expository chapters written by acknowledged international experts in the field. Their well-written contributions have been carefully edited to enhance readability and to standardize the chapter structure, terminology and notation throughout the book. To help the reader, there is an extensive introductory chapter that covers the basic background material in graph theory and the topology of surfaces. Each chapter concludes with an extensive list of references.

The authoritative reference on NEURON, the simulation environment for modeling biological neurons and neural networks that enjoys wide use in the experimental and computational neuroscience communities. This book shows how to use NEURON to construct and apply empirically based models. Written primarily for neuroscience investigators, teachers, and students, it assumes no previous knowledge of computer programming or numerical methods. Readers with a background in the physical sciences or mathematics, who have some knowledge about brain cells and circuits and are interested in computational modeling, will also find it helpful. The NEURON Book covers material that ranges from the inner workings of this program, to practical considerations involved in specifying the anatomical and biophysical properties that are to be represented in models. It uses a problem-solving approach, with many working examples that readers can try for themselves.

Embedded network systems (ENS) provide a set of technologies that can link the physical world to large-scale networks in applications such as monitoring of borders, infrastructure, health, the environment, automated production, supply chains, homes and places of business. This book details the fundamentals for this interdisciplinary and fast-moving field. The book begins with mathematical foundations and the relevant background topics in signal propagation, sensors, detection and estimation theory, and communications. Key component technologies in ENS are discussed: synchronization and position localization, energy and data management, actuation, and node architecture. Ethical, legal and social implications are addressed. The final chapter summarizes some of the lessons learned in producing multiple ENS generations. A focus on fundamental principles together with extensive examples and problem sets make this text ideal for use on graduate courses in electrical engineering and computer

Position estimation of wireless devices has many applications in short-range networks. Ultra-wideband (UWB) signals provide accurate positioning capabilities that can be harnessed in wireless systems to realise these applications. This text provides detailed coverage of UWB positioning systems, offering comprehensive treatment of signal and receiver design for ranging, range estimation techniques, theoretical performance bounds, ranging algorithms and protocols. Beginning with a discussion of the potential applications of wireless positioning, and investigating UWB signals for such applications, later chapters establish a signal processing framework for analysing UWB positioning and ranging systems. The recent IEEE 802.15.4a standard related to UWB is also studied in detail. Each chapter contains examples, problems and Matlab scripts to help readers grasp key concepts. This is an ideal text for graduate students and researchers in electrical and computer engineering, and practitioners

Bipartite graphs are perhaps the most basic of objects in graph theory, both from a theoretical and practical point of view. However, sometimes they have been considered only as a special class in some wider context. This book deals solely with bipartite graphs. Together with traditional material, the reader will also find many unusual results. Essentially all proofs are given in full; many of these have been streamlined specifically for this text. Numerous exercises of all standards have also been included. The theory is illustrated with many applications especially to problems in timetabling, chemistry, communication networks and computer science. For the most part the material is accessible to any reader with a graduate understanding of mathematics. However, the book contains advanced sections requiring much more specialized knowledge, which will be of interest to specialists in combinatorics and graph theory.

The authoritative reference on NEURON, the simulation environment for modeling biological neurons and neural networks that enjoys wide use in the experimental and computational neuroscience communities. This book shows how to use NEURON to construct and apply empirically based models. Written primarily for neuroscience investigators, teachers, and students, it assumes no previous knowledge of computer programming or numerical methods. Readers with a background in the physical sciences or mathematics, who have some knowledge about brain cells and circuits and are interested in computational modeling, will also find it helpful. The NEURON Book covers material that ranges from the inner workings of this program, to practical considerations involved in specifying the anatomical and biophysical properties that are to be represented in models. It uses a problem-solving approach, with many working examples that readers can try for themselves.

While transnational conglomerates consolidate their control of the global mediascape, local communities struggle to create democratic media systems. This groundbreaking study of community media, first published in 2005, combines original research with comparative and theoretical analysis in an engaging and accessible style. Kevin Howley explores the different ways in which local communities come to make use of various technologies such as radio, television, print and computer networks for purposes of community communication and considers the ways these technologies shape, and are shaped by, the everyday lived experience of local populations. He also addresses broader theoretical and philosophical issues surrounding the relationship between communication and community, media systems and the public sphere. Case studies illustrate the pivotal role community media play in promoting cultural production and communicative democracy within and between local communities. This book will make a s

While transnational conglomerates consolidate their control of the global mediascape, local communities struggle to create democratic media systems. This groundbreaking study of community media, first published in 2005, combines original research with comparative and theoretical analysis in an engaging and accessible style. Kevin Howley explores the different ways in which local communities come to make use of various technologies such as radio, television, print and computer networks for purposes of community communication and considers the ways these technologies shape, and are shaped by, the everyday lived experience of local populations. He also addresses broader theoretical and philosophical issues surrounding the relationship between communication and community, media systems and the public sphere. Case studies illustrate the pivotal role community media play in promoting cultural production and communicative democracy within and between local communities. This book will make a s

Bipartite graphs are perhaps the most basic of objects in graph theory, both from a theoretical and practical point of view. However, sometimes they have been considered only as a special class in some wider context. This book deals solely with bipartite graphs. Together with traditional material, the reader will also find many unusual results. Essentially all proofs are given in full; many of these have been streamlined specifically for this text. Numerous exercises of all standards have also been included. The theory is illustrated with many applications especially to problems in timetabling, chemistry, communication networks and computer science. For the most part the material is accessible to any reader with a graduate understanding of mathematics. However, the book contains advanced sections requiring much more specialized knowledge, which will be of interest to specialists in combinatorics and graph theory.

Abstract Algebra with Applications provides a friendly and concise introduction to algebra, with an emphasis on its uses in the modern world. The first part of this book covers groups, after some preliminaries on sets, functions, relations, and induction, and features applications such as public-key cryptography, Sudoku, the finite Fourier transform, and symmetry in chemistry and physics. The second part of this book covers rings and fields, and features applications such as random number generators, error correcting codes, the Google page rank algorithm, communication networks, and elliptic curve cryptography. The book's masterful use of colorful figures and images helps illustrate the applications and concepts in the text. Real-world examples and exercises will help students contextualize the information. Intended for a year-long undergraduate course in algebra for mathematics, engineering, and computer science majors, the only prerequisites are calculus and a bit of courage when ask

Do you need to know what technique to use to evaluate the reliability of an engineered system? This self-contained guide provides comprehensive coverage of all the analytical and modeling techniques currently in use, from classical non-state and state space approaches, to newer and more advanced methods such as binary decision diagrams, dynamic fault trees, Bayesian belief networks, stochastic Petri nets, non-homogeneous Markov chains, semi-Markov processes, and phase type expansions. Readers will quickly understand the relative pros and cons of each technique, as well as how to combine different models together to address complex, real-world modeling scenarios. Numerous examples, case studies and problems provided throughout help readers put knowledge into practice, and a solutions manual and Powerpoint slides for instructors accompany the book online. This is the ideal self-study guide for students, researchers and practitioners in engineering and computer science.

An accessible and panoramic account of the theory of random walks on groups and graphs, stressing the strong connections of the theory with other branches of mathematics, including geometric and combinatorial group theory, potential analysis, and theoretical computer science. This volume brings together original surveys and research-expository papers from renowned and leading experts, many of whom spoke at the workshop 'Groups, Graphs and Random Walks' celebrating the sixtieth birthday of Wolfgang Woess in Cortona, Italy. Topics include: growth and amenability of groups; Schrödinger operators and symbolic dynamics; ergodic theorems; Thompson's group F; Poisson boundaries; probability theory on buildings and groups of Lie type; structure trees for edge cuts in networks; and mathematical crystallography. In what is currently a fast-growing area of mathematics, this book provides an up-to-date and valuable reference for both researchers and graduate students, from which future research ac

Network data are produced automatically by everyday interactions - social networks, power grids, and links between data sets are a few examples. Such data capture social and economic behavior in a form that can be analyzed using powerful computational tools. This book is a guide to both basic and advanced techniques and algorithms for extracting useful information from network data. The content is organized around 'tasks', grouping the algorithms needed to gather specific types of information and thus answer specific types of questions. Examples include similarity between nodes in a network, prestige or centrality of individual nodes, and dense regions or communities in a network. Algorithms are derived in detail and summarized in pseudo-code. The book is intended primarily for computer scientists, engineers, statisticians and physicists, but it is also accessible to network scientists based in the social sciences. MATLAB®/Octave code illustrating some of the algorithms will be availab

Chromatic graph theory is a thriving area that uses various ideas of 'colouring' (of vertices, edges, and so on) to explore aspects of graph theory. It has links with other areas of mathematics, including topology, algebra and geometry, and is increasingly used in such areas as computer networks, where colouring algorithms form an important feature. While other books cover portions of the material, no other title has such a wide scope as this one, in which acknowledged international experts in the field provide a broad survey of the subject. All fifteen chapters have been carefully edited, with uniform notation and terminology applied throughout. Bjarne Toft (Odense, Denmark), widely recognized for his substantial contributions to the area, acted as academic consultant. The book serves as a valuable reference for researchers and graduate students in graph theory and combinatorics and as a useful introduction to the topic for mathematicians in related fields.

The rapidly expanding area of structural graph theory uses ideas of connectivity to explore various aspects of graph theory and vice versa. It has links with other areas of mathematics, such as design theory and is increasingly used in such areas as computer networks where connectivity algorithms are an important feature. Although other books cover parts of this material, none has a similarly wide scope. Ortrud R. Oellermann (Winnipeg), internationally recognised for her substantial contributions to structural graph theory, acted as academic consultant for this volume, helping shape its coverage of key topics. The result is a collection of thirteen expository chapters, each written by acknowledged experts. These contributions have been carefully edited to enhance readability and to standardise the chapter structure, terminology and notation throughout. An introductory chapter details the background material in graph theory and network flows and each chapter concludes with an extensive

This 2005 book is a comparative history of the economic organisation of energy, telecommunications and transport in Europe in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It examines the role that private and public enterprise have played in the construction and operation of the railways, electricity, gas and water supply, tramways, coal, oil and natural gas industries, telegraph, telephone, computer networks and other modern telecommunications. The book begins with the arrival of the railways in the 1830s, charts the development of arms' length regulation, municipalisation and nationalisation, and ends on the eve of privatisation in the 1980s. Robert Millward argues that the role of ideology, especially in the form of debates about socialism and capitalism, has been exaggerated. Instead the driving forces in changes in economic organisation were economic and technological factors and the book traces their influence in shaping the pattern of regulation and ownership of these key sectors of

Neurons in the brain communicate by short electrical pulses, the so-called action potentials or spikes. How can we understand the process of spike generation? How can we understand information transmission by neurons? What happens if thousands of neurons are coupled together in a seemingly random network? How does the network connectivity determine the activity patterns? And, vice versa, how does the spike activity influence the connectivity pattern? These questions are addressed in this 2002 introduction to spiking neurons aimed at those taking courses in computational neuroscience, theoretical biology, biophysics, or neural networks. The approach will suit students of physics, mathematics, or computer science; it will also be useful for biologists who are interested in mathematical modelling. The text is enhanced by many worked examples and illustrations. There are no mathematical prerequisites beyond what the audience would meet as undergraduates: more advanced techniques are introd