Genetic Algorithms for Applied CAD Problems

Essential Bioinformatics is a concise yet comprehensive textbook of bioinformatics, which provides a broad introduction to the entire field. Written specifically for a life science audience, the basics of bioinformatics are explained, followed by discussions of the state-of-the-art computational tools available to solve biological research problems. All key areas of bioinformatics are covered including biological databases, sequence alignment, genes and promoter prediction, molecular phylogenetics, structural bioinformatics, genomics and proteomics. The book emphasizes how computational methods work and compares the strengths and weaknesses of different methods. This balanced yet easily accessible text will be invaluable to students who do not have sophisticated computational backgrounds. Technical details of computational algorithms are explained with a minimum use of mathematical formulae; graphical illustrations are used in their place to aid understanding. The effective synthesis o

Increasingly environmental scientists, palaeoceanographers and geologists are collecting quantitative records of environmental changes (time-series) from sediments, ice cores, cave calcite, corals and trees. This book explains how to analyse these records, using straightforward explanations and diagrams rather than formal mathematical derivations. All the main cyclostratigraphic methods are covered including spectral analysis, cross-spectral analysis, filtering, complex demodulation, wavelet and singular spectrum analysis. Practical problems of time-series analysis, including those of distortions of environmental signals during stratigraphic encoding, are considered in detail. Recent research into various types of tidal and climatic cycles is summarised. The book ends with an extensive reference section, and an appendix listing sources of computer algorithms. This book provides the ideal reference for all those using time-series analysis to study the nature and history of climatic and

This new edition of a foundational text presents a contemporary review of cladistics, as applied to biological classification. It provides a comprehensive account of the past fifty years of discussion on the relationship between classification, phylogeny and evolution. It covers cladistics in the era of molecular data, detailing new advances and ideas that have emerged over the last twenty-five years. Written in an accessible style by internationally renowned authors in the field, readers are straightforwardly guided through fundamental principles and terminology. Simple worked examples and easy-to-understand diagrams also help readers navigate complex problems that have perplexed scientists for centuries. This practical guide is an essential addition for advanced undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers in taxonomy, systematics, comparative biology, evolutionary biology and molecular biology.

This new edition of a foundational text presents a contemporary review of cladistics, as applied to biological classification. It provides a comprehensive account of the past fifty years of discussion on the relationship between classification, phylogeny and evolution. It covers cladistics in the era of molecular data, detailing new advances and ideas that have emerged over the last twenty-five years. Written in an accessible style by internationally renowned authors in the field, readers are straightforwardly guided through fundamental principles and terminology. Simple worked examples and easy-to-understand diagrams also help readers navigate complex problems that have perplexed scientists for centuries. This practical guide is an essential addition for advanced undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers in taxonomy, systematics, comparative biology, evolutionary biology and molecular biology.

Detailing the main methods in the theory of involutive systems of complex vector fields this book examines the major results from the last twenty five years in the subject. One of the key tools of the subject - the Baouendi-Treves approximation theorem - is proved for many function spaces. This in turn is applied to questions in partial differential equations and several complex variables. Many basic problems such as regularity, unique continuation and boundary behaviour of the solutions are explored. The local solvability of systems of partial differential equations is studied in some detail. The book provides a solid background for others new to the field and also contains a treatment of many recent results which will be of interest to researchers in the subject.

This is the first of two volumes containing papers and commentaries presented at the Eleventh World Congress of the Econometric Society, held in Montreal, Canada in August 2015. These papers provide state-of-the-art guides to the most important recent research in economics. The book includes surveys and interpretations of key developments in economics and econometrics, and discussion of future directions for a wide variety of topics, covering both theory and application. These volumes provide a unique, accessible survey of progress on the discipline, written by leading specialists in their fields. The first volume includes theoretical and applied papers addressing topics such as dynamic mechanism design, agency problems, and networks.

This is the first of two volumes containing papers and commentaries presented at the Eleventh World Congress of the Econometric Society, held in Montreal, Canada in August 2015. These papers provide state-of-the-art guides to the most important recent research in economics. The book includes surveys and interpretations of key developments in economics and econometrics, and discussion of future directions for a wide variety of topics, covering both theory and application. These volumes provide a unique, accessible survey of progress on the discipline, written by leading specialists in their fields. The first volume includes theoretical and applied papers addressing topics such as dynamic mechanism design, agency problems, and networks.

This 1979 volume of the Handbook of Phycological Methods was the first compilation of biochemical and physiological procedures selected specifically for the experimental phycologist. Algae present unique problems to the researcher because of their diverse structure and composition, which differ significantly from those of other commonly used organisms. The book contains practical examples of processes such as photosynthesis, respiration and the transport and accumulation of ions presented by contributors who have applied these these techniques to algae. The methods are described in sufficient detail so that they may be used by technicians, graduate and undergraduate students, and non-specialists. Beginners and experts alike will appreciate the continuing value of this book.

The book provides an extensive theoretical treatment of whistler-mode propagation, instabilities and damping in a collisionless plasma. This book fills a gap between oversimplified analytical studies of these waves, based on the cold plasma approximation, and studies based on numerical methods. Although the book is primarily addressed to space plasma physicists and radio physicists, it will also prove useful to laboratory plasma physicists. Mathematical methods described in the book can be applied in a straightforward way to the analysis of other types of plasma waves. Problems included in this book, along with their solutions, allow it to be used as a textbook for postgraduate students.

Now available in the Cambridge Mathematical Library, the classic work from Luis Santaló. Integral geometry originated with problems on geometrical probability and convex bodies. Its later developments, however, have proved to be useful in several fields ranging from pure mathematics (measure theory, continuous groups) to technical and applied disciplines (pattern recognition, stereology). The book is a systematic exposition of the theory and a compilation of the main results in the field. The volume can be used to complement courses on differential geometry, Lie groups or probability or differential geometry. It is ideal both as a reference and for those wishing to enter the field.

This book brings together the top international sales law scholars from twenty-three countries to review the Convention on Contracts for International Sale of Goods (CISG) and its role in the unification of global sales law. It reviews the substance of CISG rules and analyzes alternative interpretations. A comparative analysis is given of how countries have accepted, interpreted, and applied the CISG. Theoretical insights are offered into the problems of uniform laws, the CISG's role in bridging the gap between the common and civil legal traditions, and the debate over good faith in CISG jurisprudence. The book reviews case law relating to the interpretation and application of the provisions of the CISG; analyzes how it has been recognized and implemented by national courts and arbitral tribunals; offers insights into problems of uniformity of application of an international sales convention; compares the CISG with the English Sale of Goods Act and places it in the context of other tex

This book brings together the top international sales law scholars from twenty-three countries to review the Convention on Contracts for International Sale of Goods (CISG) and its role in the unification of global sales law. It reviews the substance of CISG rules and analyzes alternative interpretations. A comparative analysis is given of how countries have accepted, interpreted, and applied the CISG. Theoretical insights are offered into the problems of uniform laws, the CISG's role in bridging the gap between the common and civil legal traditions, and the debate over good faith in CISG jurisprudence. The book reviews case law relating to the interpretation and application of the provisions of the CISG; analyzes how it has been recognized and implemented by national courts and arbitral tribunals; offers insights into problems of uniformity of application of an international sales convention; compares the CISG with the English Sale of Goods Act and places it in the context of other tex

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.

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.

Bringing together a collection of previously published work, this book provides a discussion of major considerations relating to the construction of econometric models that work well to explain economic phenomena, predict future outcomes and be useful for policy-making. Analytical relations between dynamic econometric structural models and empirical time series MVARMA, VAR, transfer function, and univariate ARIMA models are established with important application for model-checking and model construction. The theory and applications of these procedures to a variety of econometric modeling and forecasting problems as well as Bayesian and non-Bayesian testing, shrinkage estimation and forecasting procedures are also presented and applied. Finally, attention is focused on the effects of disaggregation on forecasting precision and the Marshallian Macroeconomic Model that features demand, supply and entry equations for major sectors of economies is analysed and described. This volume will pr

The Handbook of Modern Ion Beam Materials Analysis, 2nd Edition is a compilation of updated techniques and data for use in the ion-beam analysis of materials. The information presented is unavailable collectively from any other source, and places a strong emphasis on practical examples of the analysis techniques as they are applied to common problems. Revised and updated from the popular handbook previously released in 1995, this edition is written and compiled by over 30 leading authorities in the field of ion beam analysis and is an important reference tool for technicians, students and professionals. It is an excellent introduction to the fundamentals and lab practices of ion beam analysis and useful as a teaching text for undergraduate senior or first-year graduate students. It is the most recent and comprehensive collection of nuclear and atomic data for the applications of ion beam materials analysis.

In the twentieth-century, evidence-based injury prevention and control strategies have contributed to a substantial decline in the number of deaths associated with injury. However, researchers in the field of injury prevention have often gathered their study methods from other disciplines; it can be difficult for injury investigators to locate all of the research tools that can be applied to problems related to injury. Injury Control: A Guide to Research and Program Evaluation addresses the growing need for a comprehensive source of knowledge on all research designs available for injury control and research. Included in this accessible guidebook is information about choices in study design, details about study execution and discussion of specific tools such as injury severity scales, programme evaluations and systematic reviews. Epidemiologists, health service investigators, trauma surgeons and emergency medicine physicians will find this a useful source for understanding, reviewing an

In the twentieth-century, evidence-based injury prevention and control strategies have contributed to a substantial decline in the number of deaths associated with injury. However, researchers in the field of injury prevention have often gathered their study methods from other disciplines; it can be difficult for injury investigators to locate all of the research tools that can be applied to problems related to injury. Injury Control: A Guide to Research and Program Evaluation addresses the growing need for a comprehensive source of knowledge on all research designs available for injury control and research. Included in this accessible guidebook is information about choices in study design, details about study execution and discussion of specific tools such as injury severity scales, programme evaluations and systematic reviews. Epidemiologists, health service investigators, trauma surgeons and emergency medicine physicians will find this a useful source for understanding, reviewing an

Geophysical Continua presents a systematic treatment of deformation in the Earth from seismic to geologic time scales, and demonstrates the linkages between different aspects of the Earth's interior that are often treated separately. A unified treatment of solids and fluids is developed to include thermodynamics and electrodynamics, in order to cover the full range of tools needed to understand the interior of the globe. The emphasis throughout the book is on relating seismological observations with interpretations of Earth processes. Physical principles and mathematical descriptions are developed that can be applied to a broad spectrum of geodynamic problems. Incorporating illustrative examples and an introduction to modern computational techniques, this textbook is designed for graduate-level courses in geophysics and geodynamics. It is also a useful reference for practising Earth scientists.

A quantitative introduction to the Earth's atmosphere for intermediate-advanced undergraduate and graduate students, with an emphasis on underlying physical principles. This edition has been brought completely up-to-date, and now includes a new chapter on the physics of climate change which builds upon material introduced in earlier chapters, giving the student a broad understanding of some of the physical concepts underlying this most important and topical subject. In contrast to many other books on atmospheric science, the emphasis is on the underlying physics. Atmospheric applications are developed mainly in the problems given at the end of each chapter. The book is an essential resource for all students of atmospheric physics as part of an atmospheric science, meteorology, physics, Earth science, planetary science, or applied mathematics course.

This monograph deals with Burgers' equation and its generalisations. Such equations describe a wide variety of nonlinear diffusive phenomena, for instance, in nonlinear acoustics, laser physics, plasmas and atmospheric physics. The Burgers equation also has mathematical interest as a canonical nonlinear parabolic differential equation that can be exactly linearised. It is closely related to equations that display soliton behaviour and its study has helped elucidate other such nonlinear behaviour. The approach adopted here is applied mathematical. The author discusses fully the mathematical properties of standard nonlinear diffusion equations, and contrasts them with those of Burgers' equation. Of particular mathematical interest is the treatment of self-similar solutions as intermediate asymptotics for a large class of initial value problems whose solutions evolve into self-similar forms. This is achieved both analytically and numerically.

Geophysical Continua presents a systematic treatment of deformation in the Earth from seismic to geologic time scales, and demonstrates the linkages between different aspects of the Earth's interior that are often treated separately. A unified treatment of solids and fluids is developed to include thermodynamics and electrodynamics, in order to cover the full range of tools needed to understand the interior of the globe. The emphasis throughout the book is on relating seismological observations with interpretations of Earth processes. Physical principles and mathematical descriptions are developed that can be applied to a broad spectrum of geodynamic problems. Incorporating illustrative examples and an introduction to modern computational techniques, this textbook is designed for graduate-level courses in geophysics and geodynamics. It is also a useful reference for practising Earth scientists.

Certain nonlinear optimization problems arising in such disparate areas as the theory of computation, pure and applied probability and mathematical physics, can be solved by linear methods, provided one replaces the usual number system with one in which addition satisfies the idempotent law. This systematic study of the subject has emerged, triggered in part by a workshop organized by Hewlett-Packard's Basic Research Institute in the Mathematical Sciences (BRIMS), which brought together many leading researchers in the area. This volume is a record of that workshop, but it also includes other invited contributions, a broad Introduction to Idempotency, written specially for the book, and a bibliography of the subject. In sum, the articles cover both practical and more theoretical considerations, making it essential reading for all workers in the area.

Certain nonlinear optimization problems arising in such disparate areas as the theory of computation, pure and applied probability and mathematical physics, can be solved by linear methods, provided one replaces the usual number system with one in which addition satisfies the idempotent law. This systematic study of the subject has emerged, triggered in part by a workshop organized by Hewlett-Packard's Basic Research Institute in the Mathematical Sciences (BRIMS), which brought together many leading researchers in the area. This volume is a record of that workshop, but it also includes other invited contributions, a broad Introduction to Idempotency, written specially for the book, and a bibliography of the subject. In sum, the articles cover both practical and more theoretical considerations, making it essential reading for all workers in the area.

Geophysical imaging methods provide solutions to a wide range of environmental and engineering problems: protection of soil and groundwater from contamination, disposal of chemical and nuclear waste, geotechnical site testing, landslide and ground subsidence hazard detection, location of archaeological artefacts. This book comprehensively describes the theory, data acquisition and interpretation of all of the principal techniques of geophysical surveying: gravity, magnetic, seismic, self-potential, resistivity, induced polarization, electromagnetic, ground-probing radar, radioactivity, geothermal, and geophysical borehole logging. A final chapter is devoted to inversion theory and tomography. Each chapter is supported by a large number of richly illustrated case histories. This book will prove to be a valuable course-book for advanced undergraduates and postgraduates in environmental and applied geophysics, a supplementary course-book for students of geology, engineering geophysics, ci

Engineers and applied geophysicists routinely encounter interpolation and estimation problems when analysing data from field observations. Introduction to Geostatistics presents practical techniques for the estimation of spatial functions from sparse data. The author's unique approach is a synthesis of classic and geostatistical methods with a focus on the most practical linear minimum-variance estimation methods, and includes suggestions on how to test and extend the applicability of such methods. The author includes many useful methods (often not covered in other geostatistics books) such as estimating variogram parameters, evaluating the need for a variable mean, parameter estimation and model testing in complex cases (e.g. anisotropy, variable mean, and multiple variables), and using information from deterministic mathematical models. Well illustrated with exercises and worked examples taken from hydrogeology, Introduction to Geostatistics assumes no background in statistics and

This book examines the ways in which the theory and data of social psychology can be applied to teaching, learning, and other experiences in schools. Its focus ranges in level from the individual (e.g., student attitudes and attributions), to teacher-student interaction, to the impact of society (e.g., racial and cultural influences on school performances). The editor and distinguished contributors have two major purposes. The first is to illustrate the scope and sophistication of the emerging field known as the social psychology of education. The second is to provide solid, informed suggestions to educators for the amelioration of current educational problems. To that end, each author explicitly discusses implications for educational practice. Psychologists and educational researchers will find The Social Psychology of Education a useful and comprehensive guide to an increasingly active research area.

This book examines the ways in which the theory and data of social psychology can be applied to teaching, learning, and other experiences in schools. Its focus ranges in level from the individual (e.g., student attitudes and attributions), to teacher-student interaction, to the impact of society (e.g., racial and cultural influences on school performances). The editor and distinguished contributors have two major purposes. The first is to illustrate the scope and sophistication of the emerging field known as the social psychology of education. The second is to provide solid, informed suggestions to educators for the amelioration of current educational problems. To that end, each author explicitly discusses implications for educational practice. Psychologists and educational researchers will find The Social Psychology of Education a useful and comprehensive guide to an increasingly active research area.

This is an introductory textbook on spherical and positional astronomy. It is entirely suitable for use by students with no prior knowledge of classical astronomy. At the same time, it is sufficiently comprehensive to make it a useful background reference book for anyone engaged in practical astronomy. The first three chapters sketch essential background: mathematical techniques and coordinate systems. Successive chapters then give treatments of refraction, aberration, stellar parallex, precession, nutation and proper motion. An entire chapter is devoted to astrographic plate measurements. The gravitational two-body problem is solved and applied to solar system dynamics. Novel areas include a full treatment of binary star orbits and two chapters on developments in radio astronomy. Worked examples and problems to be solved by the reader ensure that this is a valuable textbook.

Application of Artificial Intelligence in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Energy Management presents the state-of-the-art in hybrid electric vehicle system modelling and management. With a focus on learning-based energy management strategies, the book provides detailed methods, mathematical models, and strategies designed to optimize the energy management of the energy supply module of a hybrid vehicle.The book first addresses the underlying problems in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) modeling, and then introduces several artificial intelligence-based energy management strategies of HEV systems, including those based on fuzzy control with driving pattern recognition, multi objective optimization, fuzzy Q-learning and Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) algorithms. To help readers apply these management strategies, the book also introduces State of Charge and State of Health prediction methods and real time driving pattern recognition. For each application, the detailed experimental process

Linear algebra is something all mathematics undergraduates and many other students, in subjects ranging from engineering to economics, have to learn. The fifth edition of this hugely successful textbook retains the quality of earlier editions while at the same time seeing numerous minor improvements and major additions. The latter include: a new chapter on singular values and singular vectors, including ways to analyze a matrix of data; a revised chapter on computing in linear algebra, with professional-level algorithms and code that can be downloaded for a variety of languages; a new section on linear algebra and cryptography; and a new chapter on linear algebra in probability and statistics. A dedicated and active website also offers solutions to exercises as well as new exercises from many different sources (e.g. practice problems, exams, development of textbook examples), plus codes in MATLAB, Julia, and Python.

With an eye towards environmental sustainability, this book presents a step-by-step approach to formulating the resilience of civil infrastructure and energy systems. It provides a concise explanation of resilience terminology, a general overview of theoretical models and analyses, and a clear guide to practical applications, covering critical topics such as interdependent infrastructures and geologic carbon sequestration. Additionally, it contains a general introduction to selected data science topics, so readers can acquire the tools to formulate and analyze resilience engineering problems in depth. Informed by the author's extensive practical experience and thorough academic background, this book includes examples to illustrate key computational algorithms, end-of-chapter exercises and references, and an entire chapter devoted to case studies. Intended for practitioners of resilience engineering with a background in probability, this book offers a balanced blend of background, theor

Physical phenomena can be modeled at varying degrees of complexity and at different scales. Multiscale modeling provides a framework, based on fundamental principles, for constructing mathematical and computational models of such phenomena, by examining the connection between models at different scales. This book, by a leading contributor to the field, is the first to provide a unified treatment of the subject, covering, in a systematic way, the general principles of multiscale models, algorithms and analysis. After discussing the basic techniques and introducing the fundamental physical models, the author focuses on the two most typical applications of multiscale modeling: capturing macroscale behavior and resolving local events. The treatment is complemented by chapters that deal with more specific problems. Throughout, the author strikes a balance between precision and accessibility, providing sufficient detail to enable the reader to understand the underlying principles without all

One of the most cited books in physics of all time, Quantum Computation and Quantum Information remains the best textbook in this exciting field of science. This 10th anniversary edition includes an introduction from the authors setting the work in context. This comprehensive textbook describes such remarkable effects as fast quantum algorithms, quantum teleportation, quantum cryptography and quantum error-correction. Quantum mechanics and computer science are introduced before moving on to describe what a quantum computer is, how it can be used to solve problems faster than 'classical' computers and its real-world implementation. It concludes with an in-depth treatment of quantum information. Containing a wealth of figures and exercises, this well-known textbook is ideal for courses on the subject, and will interest beginning graduate students and researchers in physics, computer science, mathematics, and electrical engineering.

Complex Webs synthesises modern mathematical developments with a broad range of complex network applications of interest to the engineer and system scientist, presenting the common principles, algorithms, and tools governing network behaviour, dynamics, and complexity. The authors investigate multiple mathematical approaches to inverse power laws and expose the myth of normal statistics to describe natural and man-made networks. Richly illustrated throughout with real-world examples including cell phone use, accessing the Internet, failure of power grids, measures of health and disease, distribution of wealth, and many other familiar phenomena from physiology, bioengineering, biophysics, and informational and social networks, this book makes thought-provoking reading. With explanations of phenomena, diagrams, end-of-chapter problems, and worked examples, it is ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in engineering and the life, social, and physical sciences. It is also a

This book describes theoretical advances in the study of artificial neural networks. It explores probabilistic models of supervised learning problems, and addresses the key statistical and computational questions. Research on pattern classification with binary-output networks is surveyed, including a discussion of the relevance of the Vapnik–Chervonenkis dimension, and calculating estimates of the dimension for several neural network models. A model of classification by real-output networks is developed, and the usefulness of classification with a 'large margin' is demonstrated. The authors explain the role of scale-sensitive versions of the Vapnik–Chervonenkis dimension in large margin classification, and in real prediction. They also discuss the computational complexity of neural network learning, describing a variety of hardness results, and outlining two efficient constructive learning algorithms. The book is self-contained and is intended to be accessible to researchers and gradua

This book describes theoretical advances in the study of artificial neural networks. It explores probabilistic models of supervised learning problems, and addresses the key statistical and computational questions. Research on pattern classification with binary-output networks is surveyed, including a discussion of the relevance of the Vapnik–Chervonenkis dimension, and calculating estimates of the dimension for several neural network models. A model of classification by real-output networks is developed, and the usefulness of classification with a 'large margin' is demonstrated. The authors explain the role of scale-sensitive versions of the Vapnik–Chervonenkis dimension in large margin classification, and in real prediction. They also discuss the computational complexity of neural network learning, describing a variety of hardness results, and outlining two efficient constructive learning algorithms. The book is self-contained and is intended to be accessible to researchers and gradua

An important goal of environmental research is to inform policy and decision making. However, environmental experts working at the interface between science, policy and society face complex challenges, including how to identify sources of disagreement over environmental issues, communicate uncertainties and limitations of knowledge, and tackle controversial topics such as genetic modification and the use of biofuels. This book discusses the problems environmental experts encounter in the interaction between knowledge, society, and policy on both a practical and conceptual level. Key findings from social science research are illustrated with a range of case studies, from fisheries to fracking. The book offers guidance on how to tackle these challenges, equipping readers with tools to better understand the diversity of environmental knowledge and its role in complex environmental issues. Written by leading natural and social scientists, this text provides an essential resource for studen

An important goal of environmental research is to inform policy and decision making. However, environmental experts working at the interface between science, policy and society face complex challenges, including how to identify sources of disagreement over environmental issues, communicate uncertainties and limitations of knowledge, and tackle controversial topics such as genetic modification and the use of biofuels. This book discusses the problems environmental experts encounter in the interaction between knowledge, society, and policy on both a practical and conceptual level. Key findings from social science research are illustrated with a range of case studies, from fisheries to fracking. The book offers guidance on how to tackle these challenges, equipping readers with tools to better understand the diversity of environmental knowledge and its role in complex environmental issues. Written by leading natural and social scientists, this text provides an essential resource for studen

Applications of queueing network models have multiplied in the last generation, including scheduling of large manufacturing systems, control of patient flow in health systems, load balancing in cloud computing, and matching in ride sharing. These problems are too large and complex for exact solution, but their scale allows approximation. This book is the first comprehensive treatment of fluid scaling, diffusion scaling, and many-server scaling in a single text presented at a level suitable for graduate students. Fluid scaling is used to verify stability, in particular treating max weight policies, and to study optimal control of transient queueing networks. Diffusion scaling is used to control systems in balanced heavy traffic, by solving for optimal scheduling, admission control, and routing in Brownian networks. Many-server scaling is studied in the quality and efficiency driven Halfin–Whitt regime and applied to load balancing in the supermarket model and to bipartite matching in ri