Functional Analysis Methods for Reliability Models

This book reviews one-dimensional reactions, dynamics, diffusion and adsorption. In studies of complex systems in biology, chemistry and physics, understanding can be gained by analytical and numerical analyses of simple models. This book presents review articles at an advanced research level, describing results for one-dimensional models of dynamical processes such as chemical reactions and catalysis, kinetic ising models, phase separation and cluster growth, monolayer and multilayer adsorption with added relaxation, surface and hard-core particle dynamics, diffusional transport, random systems and experimental results. It also covers experimental results for systems ranging from chemical reactions to adsorption and reactions on polymer chains, steps on crystalline surfaces, and DNA. All chapters are written by leading scientists in the field. They present a self-contained review of this subject that will guide a reader from basic concepts, ideas, methods and models to the forefront o

Mathematical models in the social sciences have become increasingly sophisticated and widespread in the last decade. This period has also seen many critiques, most lamenting the sacrifices incurred in pursuit of mathematical rigor. If, as critics argue, our ability to understand the world has not improved during the mathematization of the social sciences, we might want to adopt a different paradigm. This book examines the three main fields of mathematical modeling - game theory, statistics, and computational methods - and proposes a new framework for modeling. Unlike previous treatments which view each field separately, the treatment provides a framework that spans and incorporates the different methodological approaches. The goal is to arrive at a new vision of modeling that allows researchers to solve more complex problems in the social sciences. Additionally, a special emphasis is placed upon the role of computational modeling in the social sciences.

The quantitative analysis of biological sequence data is based on methods from statistics coupled with efficient algorithms from computer science. Algebra provides a framework for unifying many of the seemingly disparate techniques used by computational biologists. This book, first published in 2005, offers an introduction to this mathematical framework and describes tools from computational algebra for designing new algorithms for exact, accurate results. These algorithms can be applied to biological problems such as aligning genomes, finding genes and constructing phylogenies. The first part of this book consists of four chapters on the themes of Statistics, Computation, Algebra and Biology, offering speedy, self-contained introductions to the emerging field of algebraic statistics and its applications to genomics. In the second part, the four themes are combined and developed to tackle real problems in computational genomics. As the first book in the exciting and dynamic area, it wi

Mathematical models in the social sciences have become increasingly sophisticated and widespread in the last decade. This period has also seen many critiques, most lamenting the sacrifices incurred in pursuit of mathematical rigor. If, as critics argue, our ability to understand the world has not improved during the mathematization of the social sciences, we might want to adopt a different paradigm. This book examines the three main fields of mathematical modeling - game theory, statistics, and computational methods - and proposes a new framework for modeling. Unlike previous treatments which view each field separately, the treatment provides a framework that spans and incorporates the different methodological approaches. The goal is to arrive at a new vision of modeling that allows researchers to solve more complex problems in the social sciences. Additionally, a special emphasis is placed upon the role of computational modeling in the social sciences.

Biodiversity is recognised to be of global importance, yet species and habitats continue to be under increasing pressure from human-induced influences. Environmental concerns are high on the political agenda, driving increased legislation to protect the natural environment. The starting point for much of this legislation is the requirement for a comprehensive biodiversity audit. For those needing to undertake such audits, this Handbook, first published in 2005, provides standard procedures which will enable practitioners to better monitor the condition of the biodiversity resource, resulting in improved data upon which to base future policy decisions and actions. Organised in three parts, the Handbook first addresses planning, covering method selection, experimental design, sampling strategy, and data analysis and evaluation. The second part describes survey, evaluation and monitoring methods for a broad range of habitats. Part three considers species and provides information on genera

This book will be especially useful for post-graduate students and researchers interested in the fixed point theory, particularly in topological methods in nonlinear analysis, differential equations a

This book provides a thorough introduction to one of the most efficient approximation methods for the analysis and solution of problems in theoretical physics and applied mathematics. It is written with practical needs in mind and contains a discussion of 50 problems with solutions, of varying degrees of difficulty. The problems are taken from quantum mechanics, but the method has important applications in any field of science involving second order ordinary differential equations. The power of the asymptotic solution of second order differential equations is demonstrated, and in each case the authors clearly indicate which concepts and results of the general theory are needed to solve a particular problem. This book will be ideal as a manual for users of the phase-integral method, as well as a valuable reference text for experienced research workers and graduate students.

This book provides a self-contained introduction to cellular automata and lattice Boltzmann techniques. Beginning with a chapter introducing the basic concepts of this developing field, a second chapter describes methods used in cellular automata modeling. Following chapters discuss the statistical mechanics of lattice gases, diffusion phenomena, reaction-diffusion processes and non-equilibrium phase transitions. A final chapter looks at other models and applications, such as wave propagation and multiparticle fluids. With a pedagogic approach, the volume focuses on the use of cellular automata in the framework of equilibrium and non-equilibrium statistical physics. It also emphasises application-oriented problems such as fluid dynamics and pattern formation. The book contains many examples and problems. A glossary and a detailed bibliography are also included. This will be a valuable book for graduate students and researchers working in statistical physics, solid state physics, chemic

This authoritative volume shows how modern dynamical systems theory can help us in understanding the evolution of cosmological models. It also compares this approach with Hamiltonian methods and numerical studies. A major part of the book deals with the spatially homogeneous (Bianchi) models and their isotropic subclass, the Friedmann-Lemaitre models, but certain classes of inhomogeneous models (for example, 'silent universes') are also examined. The analysis leads to an understanding of how special (high symmetry) models determine the evolution of more general families of models; and how these families relate to real cosmological observations. This is the first book to relate modern dynamical systems theory to both cosmological models and cosmological observations. It provides an invaluable reference for graduate students and researchers in relativity, cosmology and dynamical systems theory.

This is the first book presenting a stochastic extension of process algebra, PEPA; this is shown to be suitable for specifying a Markov process, which can then be applied to performance modelling. The method, which is illustrated with case studies taken from the area of communication systems, can readily be used to construct a variety of models that can be analysed using standard numerical techniques. One of the major advantages of PEPA over the standard methods for specifying stochastic performance models is the inherent apparatus for reasoning about the structure and behaviour of models. In the later chapters this apparatus is exploited to define four equivalence relations over PEPA components. Each of these notions of equivalence has intrinsic interest from a process algebra perspective. However, they are also demonstrated to be useful in a performance modelling context. To conclude the book, a section has been added surveying recent results in the area and discussing open questions

Analyzing Grammar is a clear introductory textbook on grammatical analysis, designed for students beginning to study the discipline. Covering both syntax (the structure of phrases and sentences) and morphology (the structure of words), it equips them with the tools and methods needed to analyze grammatical patterns in any language. Students are shown how to use standard notational devices such as phrase structure trees and word-formation rules, as well as prose descriptions. Emphasis is placed on comparing the different grammatical systems of the world's languages, and students are encouraged to practice the analyses through a diverse range of problem sets and exercises. Topics covered include word order, constituency, case, agreement, tense, gender, pronoun systems, inflection, derivation, argument structure and grammatical relations, and a useful glossary provides a clear explanation of each term. Accessibly written and comprehensive, Analyzing Grammar is set to become a key text for

Analyzing Grammar is a clear introductory textbook on grammatical analysis, designed for students beginning to study the discipline. Covering both syntax (the structure of phrases and sentences) and morphology (the structure of words), it equips them with the tools and methods needed to analyze grammatical patterns in any language. Students are shown how to use standard notational devices such as phrase structure trees and word-formation rules, as well as prose descriptions. Emphasis is placed on comparing the different grammatical systems of the world's languages, and students are encouraged to practice the analyses through a diverse range of problem sets and exercises. Topics covered include word order, constituency, case, agreement, tense, gender, pronoun systems, inflection, derivation, argument structure and grammatical relations, and a useful glossary provides a clear explanation of each term. Accessibly written and comprehensive, Analyzing Grammar is set to become a key text for

String Theory comprises two volumes which give a comprehensive and pedagogic account of the subject. Volume 1, first published in 1998, provides a thorough introduction to the bosonic string. The first four chapters introduce the central ideas of string theory, the tools of conformal field theory and of the Polyakov path integral, and the covariant quantization of the string. The next three chapters treat string interactions: the general formalism, and detailed treatments of the tree level and one loop amplitudes. Chapter eight covers toroidal compactification and many important aspects of string physics, such as T-duality and D-branes. Chapter nine treats higher-order amplitudes, including an analysis of their finiteness and unitarity, and various nonperturbative ideas. An appendix giving a short course on path integral methods is included. This is an essential text and reference for graduate students and researchers interested in modern superstring theory.

The 26 chapters in this graduate text examine the recognized methods for quantifying each of the major components at the five body composition levels, body composition models for estimating specific c

Quantile regression is gradually emerging as a unified statistical methodology for estimating models of conditional quantile functions. By complementing the exclusive focus of classical least squares regression on the conditional mean, quantile regression offers a systematic strategy for examining how covariates influence the location, scale and shape of the entire response distribution. This monograph is the first comprehensive treatment of the subject, encompassing models that are linear and nonlinear, parametric and nonparametric. The author has devoted more than 25 years of research to this topic. The methods in the analysis are illustrated with a variety of applications from economics, biology, ecology and finance. The treatment will find its core audiences in econometrics, statistics, and applied mathematics in addition to the disciplines cited above.

Quantile regression is gradually emerging as a unified statistical methodology for estimating models of conditional quantile functions. By complementing the exclusive focus of classical least squares regression on the conditional mean, quantile regression offers a systematic strategy for examining how covariates influence the location, scale and shape of the entire response distribution. This monograph is the first comprehensive treatment of the subject, encompassing models that are linear and nonlinear, parametric and nonparametric. The author has devoted more than 25 years of research to this topic. The methods in the analysis are illustrated with a variety of applications from economics, biology, ecology and finance. The treatment will find its core audiences in econometrics, statistics, and applied mathematics in addition to the disciplines cited above.

Recent advances in computational power are now enabling scientists to consider problems of population dynamics at an advanced level. The small bodies of our solar system, the planets around other stars, dust belts, space debris, etc., need to be understood as a a whole, with their collective dynamical evolution, stability and instability, order and chaos, aggregations and impacts. Important results on specific populations of celestial bodies, in addition to new methods of computation and analysis, have been obtained in the last few years. Scientists from 21 countries convened for the Colloquium "Dynamics of Populations of Planetary Systems", sponsored by the International Astronomical Union, in Belgrade (Serbia and Monte Negro). This proceedings volume reviews current understanding of the field, and is a valuable resource for professional astronomers and planetary scientists.

This introductory 2005 text on air-breathing jet propulsion focuses on the basic operating principles of jet engines and gas turbines. Previous coursework in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics is elucidated and applied to help the student understand and predict the characteristics of engine components and various types of engines and power gas turbines. Numerous examples help the reader appreciate the methods and differing, representative physical parameters. A capstone chapter integrates the text material into a portion of the book devoted to system matching and analysis so that engine performance can be predicted for both on- and off-design conditions. The book is designed for advanced undergraduate and first-year graduate students in aerospace and mechanical engineering. A basic understanding of fluid dynamics and thermodynamics is presumed. Although aircraft propulsion is the focus, the material can also be used to study ground- and marine-based gas turbines and turbomachinery and

This is the 2005 second edition of a highly successful and well-respected textbook on the numerical techniques used to solve partial differential equations arising from mathematical models in science, engineering and other fields. The authors maintain an emphasis on finite difference methods for simple but representative examples of parabolic, hyperbolic and elliptic equations from the first edition. However this is augmented by new sections on finite volume methods, modified equation analysis, symplectic integration schemes, convection-diffusion problems, multigrid, and conjugate gradient methods; and several sections, including that on the energy method of analysis, have been extensively rewritten to reflect modern developments. Already an excellent choice for students and teachers in mathematics, engineering and computer science departments, the revised text includes more latest theoretical and industrial developments.

Hands-on researchers describe in step-by-step detail 73 proven laboratory methods and bioinformatics tools essential for analysis of the proteome. These cutting-edge techniques address such important

This practical handbook guides readers through the various tools, methods of analysis and research skills needed for studying local churches. It is aimed at final year undergraduates, Masters level st

An Introduction to Glass Science and Technology presents the fundamental topics in glass science and technology including glass formation, crystallisation and phase separation. A detailed discussion of glass structure models with emphasis on the oxygen balance model is also presented. This expanded second edition also includes new chapters on the compositions and properties of commercial glasses and thermal analysis of glasses and melts. Exercises are included at the end of the chapters.This introductory text is ideal for undergraduates in materials science, ceramics or inorganic chemistry. It will also be useful to the engineer or scientist seeking basic knowledge of the formation, properties and production of glass.

This engaging 2005 introduction offers a critical approach to discourse, written by an expert uniquely placed to cover the subject for a variety of disciplines. Organised along thematic lines, the book begins with an outline of the basic principles, moving on to examine the methods and theory of CDA (critical discourse analysis). It covers topics such as text and context, language and inequality, choice and determination, history and process, ideology and identity. Blommaert focuses on how language can offer a crucial understanding of wider aspects of power relations, arguing that critical discourse analysis should specifically be an analysis of the 'effects' of power, what power does to people, groups and societies, and how this impact comes about. Clearly argued, this concise introduction will be welcomed by students and researchers in a variety of disciplines involved in the study of discourse, including linguistics, linguistic anthropology and the sociology of language.

Geometric integrators are time-stepping methods, designed such that they exactly satisfy conservation laws, symmetries or symplectic properties of a system of differential equations. In this book the authors outline the principles of geometric integration and demonstrate how they can be applied to provide efficient numerical methods for simulating conservative models. Beginning from basic principles and continuing with discussions regarding the advantageous properties of such schemes, the book introduces methods for the N-body problem, systems with holonomic constraints, and rigid bodies. More advanced topics treated include high-order and variable stepsize methods, schemes for treating problems involving multiple time-scales, and applications to molecular dynamics and partial differential equations. The emphasis is on providing a unified theoretical framework as well as a practical guide for users. The inclusion of examples, background material and exercises enhance the usefulness of

The description of solids at a microscopic level is complex, involving the interaction of a huge number of its constituents, such as ions or electrons. It is impossible to solve the corresponding many-body problems analytically or numerically, although much insight can be gained from the analysis of simplified models. An important example is the Hubbard model, which describes interacting electrons in narrow energy bands, and which has been applied to problems as diverse as high-Tc superconductivity, band magnetism, and the metal-insulator transition. This book presents a coherent, self-contained account of the exact solution of the Hubbard model in one dimension. The early chapters will be accessible to beginning graduate students with a basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics. The later chapters address more advanced topics, and are intended as a guide for researchers to some of the more topical results in the field of integrable models.

RNA Interference (RNAi) technology has rapidly become one of the key methods used in functional genomics. RNAi is used to block the expression of genes and create phenotypes that can potentially yield clues about the function of these genes. In the postgenomic era, the elucidation of the physiological function of genes has become the rate-limiting step in the quest to develop 'gene-based drugs' and RNAi could potentially play a pivotal role in the validation of such novel drugs. In this overview, the basic concepts and applications of RNAi biology are discussed. Leading experts from both academia and industry have contributed to this invaluable reference. The volume is forwarded by Andrew Fire, one of the winners of the 2006 Nobel Prize for the discovery of RNA Interference.

A state-of-the-art collection of readily reproducible laboratory methods for DNA identity analysis, including Y chromosome haplotyping, mtDNA, and SNP typing. The book offers well-tested protocols fo

This book teaches basic methods of partial differential equations and introduces related important ideas associated with the analysis of numerical methods for those partial differential equations. Cov

Take an in-depth, how-to look at Forex trading using the methods, analysis, and insights of a renowned trader, Raghee Horner. As the fate of the dollar against foreign currency generates both anxiety

This is a short course on Banach space theory with special emphasis on certain aspects of the classical theory. In particular, the course focuses on three major topics: the elementary theory of Schauder bases, an introduction to Lp spaces, and an introduction to C(K) spaces. While these topics can be traced back to Banach himself, our primary interest is in the postwar renaissance of Banach space theory brought about by James, Lindenstrauss, Mazur, Namioka, Pelczynski, and others. Their elegant and insightful results are useful in many contemporary research endeavors and deserve greater publicity. By way of prerequisites, the reader will need an elementary understanding of functional analysis and at least a passing familiarity with abstract measure theory. An introductory course in topology would also be helpful; however, the text includes a brief appendix on the topology needed for the course.

This is a short course on Banach space theory with special emphasis on certain aspects of the classical theory. In particular, the course focuses on three major topics: the elementary theory of Schauder bases, an introduction to Lp spaces, and an introduction to C(K) spaces. While these topics can be traced back to Banach himself, our primary interest is in the postwar renaissance of Banach space theory brought about by James, Lindenstrauss, Mazur, Namioka, Pelczynski, and others. Their elegant and insightful results are useful in many contemporary research endeavors and deserve greater publicity. By way of prerequisites, the reader will need an elementary understanding of functional analysis and at least a passing familiarity with abstract measure theory. An introductory course in topology would also be helpful; however, the text includes a brief appendix on the topology needed for the course.

This is a unique, integrated approach to water resource systems management and planning. The book provides methods for analyzing water resource needs, modeling, supply reliability, irrigation optimiza

Consulting engineer Moss describes methods for analyzing reliability data, from simply calculating failure rates and using histograms to using more complex analyses based on models. He presents the fu

Intended for graduate students in mathematics, this textbook is an introduction to probabilistic methods in finance that focuses on stochastic models in real time. It is based on courses taught by the

The first of its kind, this book reviews image processing tools and techniques including Independent Component Analysis, Mutual Information, Markov Random Field Models and Support Vector Machines. The

This book has two components: stochastic dynamics and stochastic random combinatorial analysis. The first discusses evolving patterns of interactions of a large but finite number of agents of several types. Changes of agent types or their choices or decisions over time are formulated as jump Markov processes with suitably specified transition rates: optimisations by agents make these rates generally endogenous. Probabilistic equilibrium selection rules are also discussed, together with the distributions of relative sizes of the bases of attraction. As the number of agents approaches infinity, we recover deterministic macroeconomic relations of more conventional economic models. The second component analyses how agents form clusters of various sizes. This has applications for discussing sizes or shares of markets by various agents which involve some combinatorial analysis patterned after the population genetics literature. These are shown to be relevant to distributions of returns to as

This revised, expanded, edition covers the theory, design, geometry and manufacture of all types of gears and gear drives. This is an invaluable reference for designers, theoreticians, students, and manufacturers. This edition includes advances in gear theory, gear manufacturing, and computer simulation. Among the new topics are: 1. New geometry for modified spur and helical gears, face-gear drives, and cycloidal pumps. 2. New design approaches for one stage planetary gear trains and spiral bevel gear drives. 3. An enhanced approach for stress analysis of gear drives with FEM. 4. New methods of grinding face gear drives, generating double crowned pinions, and improved helical gear shaving. 5. Broad application of simulation of meshing and TCA. 6. New theories on the simulation of meshing for multi-body systems, detection of cases wherein the contact line on generating surfaces may have its own envelope, and detection and avoidance of singularities of generated surfaces.

This focuses on models and data that arise from repeated observations of a cross-section of individuals, households or companies. These models have found important applications within business, economics, education, political science and other social science disciplines. The author introduces the foundations of longitudinal and panel data analysis at a level suitable for quantitatively oriented graduate social science students as well as individual researchers. He emphasizes mathematical and statistical fundamentals but also describes substantive applications from across the social sciences, showing the breadth and scope that these models enjoy. The applications are enhanced by real-world data sets and software programs in SAS and Stata.

This focuses on models and data that arise from repeated observations of a cross-section of individuals, households or companies. These models have found important applications within business, economics, education, political science and other social science disciplines. The author introduces the foundations of longitudinal and panel data analysis at a level suitable for quantitatively oriented graduate social science students as well as individual researchers. He emphasizes mathematical and statistical fundamentals but also describes substantive applications from across the social sciences, showing the breadth and scope that these models enjoy. The applications are enhanced by real-world data sets and software programs in SAS and Stata.

Time series econometrics is a rapidly evolving field. Particularly, the cointegration revolution has had a substantial impact on applied analysis. Hence, no textbook has managed to cover the full range of methods in current use and explain how to proceed in applied domains. This gap in the literature motivates the present volume. The methods are sketched out, reminding the reader of the ideas underlying them and giving sufficient background for empirical work. The treatment can also be used as a textbook for a course on applied time series econometrics. Topics include: unit root and cointegration analysis, structural vector autoregressions, conditional heteroskedasticity and nonlinear and nonparametric time series models. Crucial to empirical work is the software that is available for analysis. New methodology is typically only gradually incorporated into existing software packages. Therefore a flexible Java interface has been created, allowing readers to replicate the applications and