Methods

The dream of automatic language translation is now closer thanks to recent advances in the techniques that underpin statistical machine translation. This class-tested textbook from an active researcher in the field, provides a clear and careful introduction to the latest methods and explains how to build machine translation systems for any two languages. It introduces the subject's building blocks from linguistics and probability, then covers the major models for machine translation: word-based, phrase-based, and tree-based, as well as machine translation evaluation, language modeling, discriminative training and advanced methods to integrate linguistic annotation. The book also reports the latest research, presents the major outstanding challenges, and enables novices as well as experienced researchers to make novel contributions to this exciting area. Ideal for students at undergraduate and graduate level, or for anyone interested in the latest developments in machine translation.

This combination of text and lab book presents an entirely different approach to structural geology. Designed for undergraduate laboratory classes, it provides a step-by-step guide for solving geometric problems arising from structural field observations. The book discusses both traditional methods and cutting-edge approaches, with emphasis given to graphical methods and visualization techniques that support students in tackling challenging two- and three-dimensional problems. Numerous exercises encourage practice in using the techniques, and demonstrate how field observations can be converted into useful information about geological structures and the processes responsible for creating them. This updated fourth edition incorporates new material on stress, deformation, strain and flow, and the underlying mathematics of the subject. With stereonet plots and solutions to the exercises available online at www.cambridge.org/ragan, this book is a key resource for undergraduates, advanced st

The Dynamic Energy Budget theory unifies the commonalities between organisms, as prescribed by the implications of energetics, and links different levels of biological organisation (cells, organisms and populations). The theory presents simple mechanistic rules that describe the uptake and use of energy and nutrients and the consequences for physiological organisation throughout an organism's life cycle, including the energetics of ageing and contact with toxic compounds. This new edition includes a new chapter on evolutionary aspects, and discusses methods to quantify entropy for living individuals, isotope dynamics, a mechanism behind reserve dynamics, and toxicity of complex mixtures of compounds. An updated ageing module now also applies to demand systems, new methods for parameter estimation, adaptation of substrate uptake, the use of otiliths for reconstruction of food level trajectories, the differentiated growth of body parts (such as tumours and organs) linked to their functio

Geoscientists worldwide are developing and applying methodologies to estimate geologic hazards associated with the siting of nuclear facilities. Understanding such hazards, particularly in the context of the long functional lifetimes of many nuclear facilities, is challenging. This book documents the current state-of-the-art in volcanic and tectonic hazard assessment for proposed nuclear facilities, which must be located in areas where the risks associated with geologic processes are quantifiable and demonstrably low. Specific topics include overviews of volcanic and tectonic processes, the history of the development of hazard assessment methodologies, description of current techniques for characterizing hazards, and development of probabilistic methods for estimating risks. Hazard assessment examples are drawn from around the world. This volume will promote interest and debate about this important topic among researchers and graduates developing methods in geologic hazard assessment,

First printed in 1934, this book gives a critical survey of the principles and limitations of methods for studying resonance radiation that is the re-emission of absorbed radiation without change of wavelength and of the theoretical interpretation of the phenomenon. At the time of first publication, physicists had come to the limit of the then existing techniques in the field and the book was more useful to astronomers who were interested in line shapes existing in the spectra of stars. In past years other fields and techniques have developed for which the information in this book is of interest. These fields are: (1) those having to do with the determination of spins, magnetic moments and hyperfine structure separations by the methods of 'optical pumping' and 'optical double resonance': (2) optical MASERS; and (3) nuclear resonance absorption of gamma rays.

When we do something as apparently simple as sketching a map, constructing a working diagram, or drawing an imaginary face to amuse ourselves, we utilise a complex set of abilities: perceptual, mechanical, strategic, representational, pragmatic. Peter van Sommers sets out to distinguish and describe the various layers of organisation in the drawing performances of ordinary people - adults and children. Drawings, like language, have a multi-layered structure. Because much of the structure represents tacit knowledge, a variety of special observational and analytic methods must be developed to provide a comprehensive empirical account of graphic production. This book illuminates the link between laboratory methods and the study of an important skill exercised in the real world. It will be of interest to a wide range of cognitive psychologists as well as to many neuropsychologists and others concerned with art, aesthetics, writing and script evolution.

In many areas of mathematics, science and engineering, from computer graphics to inverse methods to signal processing, it is necessary to estimate parameters, usually multidimensional, by approximation and interpolation. Radial basis functions are a powerful tool which work well in very general circumstances and so are becoming of widespread use as the limitations of other methods, such as least squares, polynomial interpolation or wavelet-based, become apparent. The author's aim is to give a thorough treatment from both the theoretical and practical implementation viewpoints. For example, he emphasises the many positive features of radial basis functions such as the unique solvability of the interpolation problem, the computation of interpolants, their smoothness and convergence and provides a careful classification of the radial basis functions into types that have different convergence. A comprehensive bibliography rounds off what will prove a very valuable work.

Numerical analysis presents different faces to the world. For mathematicians it is a bona fide mathematical theory with an applicable flavour. For scientists and engineers it is a practical, applied subject, part of the standard repertoire of modelling techniques. For computer scientists it is a theory on the interplay of computer architecture and algorithms for real-number calculations. The tension between these standpoints is the driving force of this book, which presents a rigorous account of the fundamentals of numerical analysis of both ordinary and partial differential equations. The exposition maintains a balance between theoretical, algorithmic and applied aspects. This second edition has been extensively updated, and includes new chapters on emerging subject areas: geometric numerical integration, spectral methods and conjugate gradients. Other topics covered include multistep and Runge-Kutta methods; finite difference and finite elements techniques for the Poisson equation; a

This comprehensive study of farming methods and agrarian organization in Russia before the time of Peter the Great shifts the emphasis from the great estates to the basic production unit, the peasant family farms, and uses archaeological and enthnographic materials to supplement the documentary evidence. The methods of production and the farm implements used are described in detail and Professor Smith argues that features inherent in peasant farming account for Russian backwardness during this period. Part I classifies and describes the range of agrarian activities carried on in Muscovy - arable farming, hayfields, livestock, and gathering from the forest - and presents a model of a hypothetical farm unit; Part II examines three regions -Moscow, Toropets and Kazan - which stretch across central European Russia; and Part III provides a chapter on the relationship between peasant farming and the state.

Many research problems in cryospheric science, such as global warming-induced permafrost degradation, require information about the subsurface, which can be imaged using geophysical methods. This book is a practical guide to the application of geophysical techniques in mountainous and polar terrain, where the harsh environment and nature of the subsurface pose particular challenges. It starts with an introduction to the main geophysical methods and then demonstrates their application in periglacial environments through various case studies - written by a team of international experts. The final part of the book presents a series of reference tables with typical values of geophysical parameters for periglacial environments. This handbook is a valuable resource for glaciologists, geomorphologists and geologists requiring an introduction to geophysical techniques, as well as for geophysicists lacking experience of planning and conducting field surveys in cold regions.

Class-tested and coherent, this textbook teaches classical and web information retrieval, including web search and the related areas of text classification and text clustering from basic concepts. It gives an up-to-date treatment of all aspects of the design and implementation of systems for gathering, indexing, and searching documents; methods for evaluating systems; and an introduction to the use of machine learning methods on text collections. All the important ideas are explained using examples and figures, making it perfect for introductory courses in information retrieval for advanced undergraduates and graduate students in computer science. Based on feedback from extensive classroom experience, the book has been carefully structured in order to make teaching more natural and effective. Slides and additional exercises (with solutions for lecturers) are also available through the book's supporting website to help course instructors prepare their lectures.

Molecular simulation is a powerful tool in materials science, physics, chemistry and biomolecular fields. This updated edition provides a pragmatic introduction to a wide range of techniques for the simulation of molecular systems at the atomic level. The first part concentrates on methods for calculating the potential energy of a molecular system, with new chapters on quantum chemical, molecular mechanical and hybrid potential techniques. The second part describes methods examining conformational, dynamical and thermodynamical properties of systems, covering techniques including geometry-optimization, normal-mode analysis, molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo simulation. Using Python, the second edition includes numerous examples and program modules for each simulation technique, allowing the reader to perform the calculations and appreciate the inherent difficulties involved in each. This is a valuable resource for researchers and graduate students wanting to know how to use atomic-sc

Presents the main statistical tools of econometrics, focusing specifically on modern econometric methodology. The authors unify the approach by using a small number of estimation techniques, mainly generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation and kernel smoothing. The choice of GMM is explained by its relevance in structural econometrics and its preeminent position in econometrics overall. Split into four parts, Part I explains general methods. Part II studies statistical models that are best suited for microeconomic data. Part III deals with dynamic models that are designed for macroeconomic and financial applications. In Part IV the authors synthesize a set of problems that are specific to statistical methods in structural econometrics, namely identification and over-identification, simultaneity, and unobservability. Many theoretical examples illustrate the discussion and can be treated as application exercises. Nobel Laureate James A. Heckman offers a foreword to the work.

Presents the main statistical tools of econometrics, focusing specifically on modern econometric methodology. The authors unify the approach by using a small number of estimation techniques, mainly generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation and kernel smoothing. The choice of GMM is explained by its relevance in structural econometrics and its preeminent position in econometrics overall. Split into four parts, Part I explains general methods. Part II studies statistical models that are best suited for microeconomic data. Part III deals with dynamic models that are designed for macroeconomic and financial applications. In Part IV the authors synthesize a set of problems that are specific to statistical methods in structural econometrics, namely identification and over-identification, simultaneity, and unobservability. Many theoretical examples illustrate the discussion and can be treated as application exercises. Nobel Laureate James A. Heckman offers a foreword to the work.

Hunting Causes and Using Them argues that causation is not one thing, as commonly assumed, but many. There is a huge variety of causal relations, each with different characterizing features, different methods for discovery and different uses to which it can be put. In this collection of new and previously published essays, Nancy Cartwright provides a critical survey of philosophical and economic literature on causality, with a special focus on the currently fashionable Bayes-nets and invariance methods - and it exposes a huge gap in that literature. Almost every account treats either exclusively how to hunt causes or how to use them. But where is the bridge between? It's no good knowing how to warrant a causal claim if we don't know what we can do with that claim once we have it. This book will interest philosophers, economists and social scientists.

Hunting Causes and Using Them argues that causation is not one thing, as commonly assumed, but many. There is a huge variety of causal relations, each with different characterizing features, different methods for discovery and different uses to which it can be put. In this collection of new and previously published essays, Nancy Cartwright provides a critical survey of philosophical and economic literature on causality, with a special focus on the currently fashionable Bayes-nets and invariance methods - and it exposes a huge gap in that literature. Almost every account treats either exclusively how to hunt causes or how to use them. But where is the bridge between? It's no good knowing how to warrant a causal claim if we don't know what we can do with that claim once we have it. This book will interest philosophers, economists and social scientists.

The principles of signal processing are fundamental to the operation of many everyday devices. This book introduces the basic theory of digital signal processing, with emphasis on real-world applications. Sampling, quantization, the Fourier transform, filters, Bayesian methods and numerical considerations are covered, then developed to illustrate how they are used in audio, image, and video processing and compression, and in communications. The book concludes with methods for the efficient implementation of algorithms in hardware and software. Intuitive arguments rather than mathematical ones are used wherever possible, and links between various signal processing techniques are stressed. The advantages and disadvantages of different approaches are presented in the context of real-world examples, enabling the reader to choose the best solution to a given problem. With over 200 illustrations and over 130 exercises (including solutions), this book will appeal to practitioners working in s

This definitive introduction to finite element methods was thoroughly updated for this 2007 third edition, which features important material for both research and application of the finite element method. The discussion of saddle-point problems is a highlight of the book and has been elaborated to include many more nonstandard applications. The chapter on applications in elasticity now contains a complete discussion of locking phenomena. The numerical solution of elliptic partial differential equations is an important application of finite elements and the author discusses this subject comprehensively. These equations are treated as variational problems for which the Sobolev spaces are the right framework. Graduate students who do not necessarily have any particular background in differential equations, but require an introduction to finite element methods will find this text invaluable. Specifically, the chapter on finite elements in solid mechanics provides a bridge between mathemati

The small sample properties of estimators and tests are frequently too complex to be useful or are unknown. Much econometric theory is therefore developed for very large or asymptotic samples where it is assumed that the behaviour of estimators and tests will adequately represent their properties in small samples. Refined asymptotic methods adopt an intermediate position by providing improved approximations to small sample behaviour using asymptotic expansions. Dedicated to the memory of Michael Magdalinos, whose work is a major contribution to this area, this book contains chapters directly concerned with refined asymptotic methods. In addition, there are chapters focusing on new asymptotic results; the exploration through simulation of the small sample behaviour of estimators and tests in panel data models; and improvements in methodology. With contributions from leading econometricians, this collection will be essential reading for researchers and graduate students concerned with th

The world's marine fisheries are in trouble, as a direct result of overfishing and the overcapacity of fishing fleets. Despite intensive management efforts, the problems still persist in many areas, resulting in many fisheries being neither sustainable nor profitable. Using bio-economic models of commercial fisheries, this book demonstrates that new management methods, based on individual or community catch quotas, are required to resolve the overfishing problem. Uncertainty about marine systems may be another factor contributing to overfishing. Methods of decision analysis and Bayesian inference are used to discuss risk management and the precautionary principle, arguing that extensive marine reserves may be the best way to protect fisheries, alongside a controlled catch quota system. This book will be of interest to environmental scientists, economists and fisheries managers, providing novel insights into many well-known but poorly understood aspects of fisheries management.

The world's marine fisheries are in trouble, as a direct result of overfishing and the overcapacity of fishing fleets. Despite intensive management efforts, the problems still persist in many areas, resulting in many fisheries being neither sustainable nor profitable. Using bio-economic models of commercial fisheries, this book demonstrates that new management methods, based on individual or community catch quotas, are required to resolve the overfishing problem. Uncertainty about marine systems may be another factor contributing to overfishing. Methods of decision analysis and Bayesian inference are used to discuss risk management and the precautionary principle, arguing that extensive marine reserves may be the best way to protect fisheries, alongside a controlled catch quota system. This book will be of interest to environmental scientists, economists and fisheries managers, providing novel insights into many well-known but poorly understood aspects of fisheries management.

Methods from contact and symplectic geometry can be used to solve highly non-trivial nonlinear partial and ordinary differential equations without resorting to approximate numerical methods or algebraic computing software. This book explains how it's done. It combines the clarity and accessibility of an advanced textbook with the completeness of an encyclopedia. The basic ideas that Lie and Cartan developed at the end of the nineteenth century to transform solving a differential equation into a problem in geometry or algebra are here reworked in a novel and modern way. Differential equations are considered as a part of contact and symplectic geometry, so that all the machinery of Hodge-deRham calculus can be applied. In this way a wide class of equations can be tackled, including quasi-linear equations and Monge-Ampere equations (which play an important role in modern theoretical physics and meteorology).

The control of vibrating systems is a significant issue in the design of aircraft, spacecraft, bridges and high-rise buildings. This 2001 book discusses the control of vibrating systems, integrating structural dynamics, vibration analysis, modern control and system identification. Integrating these subjects is an important feature in that engineers will need only one book, rather than several texts or courses, to solve vibration control problems. The book begins with a review of basic mathematics needed to understand subsequent material. Chapters then cover more recent and valuable developments in aerospace control and identification theory, including virtual passive control, observer and state-space identification, and data-based controller synthesis. Many practical issues and applications are addressed, with examples showing how various methods are applied to real systems. Some methods show the close integration of system identification and control theory from the state-space perspec

As the analysis of social networks, or networks of interpersonal and social relationships among social groups, has become an increasingly important method of research in several of the social and behavioural sciences, the gathering of network data has outpaced the development of new methods for its analysis. Addressing the need for analytical tools, Philippa Pattison presents a number of algebraic models for the analysis of network data, explaining in the process the rationale for an algebraic approach. Models are developed for both complete networks, meaning those representing the social ties between all pairs of members in a given group, and local networks, meaning those structured around the social ties of one particular group member. Many applications are presented and the ways that these methods can address a number of important issues confronting network analysis are explained.

Many applications in science and engineering require a digital model of a real physical object. Advanced scanning technology has made it possible to scan such objects and generate point samples on their boundaries. This book, first published in 2007, shows how to compute a digital model from this point sample. After developing the basics of sampling theory and its connections to various geometric and topological properties, the author describes a suite of algorithms that have been designed for the reconstruction problem, including algorithms for surface reconstruction from dense samples, from samples that are not adequately dense and from noisy samples. Voronoi- and Delaunay-based techniques, implicit surface-based methods and Morse theory-based methods are covered. Scientists and engineers working in drug design, medical imaging, CAD, GIS, and many other areas will benefit from this first book on the subject.

Measurement shapes scientific theories, characterises improvements in manufacturing processes and promotes efficient commerce. In concert with measurement is uncertainty, and students in science and engineering need to identify and quantify uncertainties in the measurements they make. This book introduces measurement and uncertainty to second and third year students of science and engineering. Its approach relies on the internationally recognised and recommended guidelines for calculating and expressing uncertainty (known by the acronym GUM). The statistics underpinning the methods are considered and worked examples and exercises are spread throughout the text. Detailed case studies based on typical undergraduate experiments are included to reinforce the principles described in the book. This guide is also useful to professionals in industry who are expected to know the contemporary methods in this increasingly important area. Additional online resources are available to support the bo

Complex fluid flows are encountered widely in nature, in living beings and in engineering practice. These flows often involve both geometric and dynamic complexity and present problems that are difficult to analyse because of their wide range of length and time scales, as well as their geometric configuration. This book describes some computational techniques and modelling strategies for analysing and predicting complex transport phenomena. It summarizes advances in the context of a pressure-based algorithm. Among methods discussed are discretization schemes for treating convection and pressure, parallel computing, multigrid methods, and composite, multiblock techniques. With respect to physical modelling, the book addresses issues of turbulence closure and multiscale, multiphase transport from an engineering viewpoint. Both fundamental and practical issues are considered, along with the relative merits of competing approaches. Numerous examples are given throughout the text. Mechanica

This book describes the most reliable methods available for evaluating the transport properties, such as viscosity, thermal conductivity and diffusion, of pure gases and fluid mixtures. Particular emphasis is placed on recent theoretical advances in our understanding of fluid transport properties in all the different regions of temperature and pressure. In addition to the important theoretical tools, the different methods of data representation are also covered, followed by a section which demonstrates the application of selected models in a range of circumstances. Case studies of transport property analysis for real fluids are then given, and the book concludes with a discussion of various international data banks and prediction packages. Advanced students of kinetic theory, as well as engineers and scientists involved with the design of process equipment or the interpretation of measurements of fluid transport properties, will find this book indispensable.

Focusing on the period of Milton Friedman's collaboration with Anna J. Schwartz, from 1948 to 1991, this 1996 work examines the history of debates between Friedman and his critics over money's causal role in business cycles. Professor Hammond shows that critics' reactions were grounded in two distinctive features of Friedman and Schwartz's way of doing economic analysis - their National Bureau business cycle methods and Friedman's Marshallian methodology. With the post-war dominance of Cowles Commission methods and Walrasian methodology, Friedman and Schwartz's monetary economics appeared to contemporary critics to be 'measurement without theory'. Drawing extensively upon unpublished materials, Professor Hammond's treatment offers new insights on Milton Friedman's attempts to settle debates with his critics and his eventual recognition of the methodological impediments. The book will interest monetary economists and macroeconomists, as well as historians of economics and methodologists

In semiconductor-device fabrication processes, lithography technology is used to print circuit patterns on semiconductor wafers. The remarkable miniaturization of semiconductor devices has been made possible only because of the continuous progress in lithography technology. However, for the trend of ever-increasing miniaturization to continue a breakthrough in lithography technology is now needed. This book describes advanced techniques under development in Japan and elsewhere that represent the key to future semiconductor-device fabrication. The background to developments in lithography technology, trends in ULSI technology and future prospects are reviewed, and the requirements that future lithography technology must meet are described. Several important lithography methods, such as deep UV lithography, X-ray lithography, electron-beam lithography, and focused ion-beam lithography are described in detail by experts in each area. The principles underlying each of these methods are ill

Valence bond theory is one of two commonly used methods in molecular quantum mechanics, the other is molecular orbital theory. This book focuses on the first of these methods, ab initio valence bond theory. The book is split into two parts. Part I gives simple examples of two-electron calculations and the necessary theory to extend these to larger systems. Part II gives a set of case studies of related molecule sets designed to show the nature of the valence bond description of molecular structure. It also highlights the stability of this description to varying basis sets. There are references to the CRUNCH computer program for molecular structure calculations which is currently available in the public domain. The book will be of primary interest to researchers and students working on electronic theory and computation in chemistry and chemical physics.

The introduction of numerical methods, particularly finite element (FE) analysis, represents a significant advance in metal forming operations. Numerical methods are used increasingly to optimize product design and deal with problems in metal forging, rolling, and extrusion processes. Metal Forming Analysis, first published in 2001, describes the most important numerical techniques for simulating metal forming operations. The first part of the book describes principles and procedures and includes numerous examples and worked problems. The remaining chapters focus on applications of numerical analysis to specific forming operations. Most of these results are drawn from the authors' research in the areas of metal testing, sheet metal forming, forging, extrusion, and similar operations. Sufficient information is presented so that readers can understand the nonlinear finite element method as applied to forming problems without a prior background in structural finite element analysis. Gradu

The study of structural analysis and design is a central subject in civil, aeronautical and mechanical engineering. This book presents a modern and unified introduction to structural analysis, with a strong emphasis on how structures actually behave. The unifying theme is the application of energy methods, developed without the formal mathematics of the calculus of variations. The energy approach makes it possible to articulate the logical relationship between equilibrium and compatibility; emphasise the unity of structural analysis, particularly for indeterminate structures; and identify the roles of idealization and discretization in structural modelling. Thus, energy methods also serve as a prelude to the main ideas behind modern computational approaches to structural analysis and design. As an aid to upper-level undergraduate students in mastering this material, the text includes numerous worked examples, as well as homework problems.

Bayesian inference provides a simple and unified approach to data analysis, allowing experimenters to assign probabilities to competing hypotheses of interest, on the basis of the current state of knowledge. By incorporating relevant prior information, it can sometimes improve model parameter estimates by many orders of magnitude. This book provides a clear exposition of the underlying concepts with many worked examples and problem sets. It also discusses implementation, including an introduction to Markov chain Monte-Carlo integration and linear and nonlinear model fitting. Particularly extensive coverage of spectral analysis (detecting and measuring periodic signals) includes a self-contained introduction to Fourier and discrete Fourier methods. There is a chapter devoted to Bayesian inference with Poisson sampling, and three chapters on frequentist methods help to bridge the gap between the frequentist and Bayesian approaches. Supporting Mathematica® notebooks with solutions to sele

Personality is now understood to be a function of both biological and environmental influences. This revised and updated edition of Psychobiology of Personality describes what is currently known about the biological basis of the primary personality traits, including genetic, neurological, biochemical, physiological, and behavioral influences. Emphasis is placed on understanding the connections between phenomena at these levels. The research discussed makes use of animal models, based on experimental brain research, as well as human clinical and normal personality research. Chapters are devoted to temperament and personality trait structure, psychobiological methods, and each of four major personality traits: extraversion, impulsive, sensation seeking, and aggression. Recent advances in psychobiological methods, such as molecular genetics and brain imaging have enabled us to begin to unravel the genetic and neurological sources of behavior and personality. These advances are discussed i

Personality is now understood to be a function of both biological and environmental influences. This revised and updated edition of Psychobiology of Personality describes what is currently known about the biological basis of the primary personality traits, including genetic, neurological, biochemical, physiological, and behavioral influences. Emphasis is placed on understanding the connections between phenomena at these levels. The research discussed makes use of animal models, based on experimental brain research, as well as human clinical and normal personality research. Chapters are devoted to temperament and personality trait structure, psychobiological methods, and each of four major personality traits: extraversion, impulsive, sensation seeking, and aggression. Recent advances in psychobiological methods, such as molecular genetics and brain imaging have enabled us to begin to unravel the genetic and neurological sources of behavior and personality. These advances are discussed i

Since this Companion to the New Testament was first published in 1970, new methods of interpretation and sustained research into the environment of Jesus, and the early church, have combined to correct former misunderstandings and to set old problems in a new light. This fully revised second edition now follows the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) to provide a running commentary on the text of the New Testament while taking account of the findings of recent scholarship. Using no technical language, it aims to set the text in the context of the time and place in which it was written, and to clarify its meaning in the light of modern methods of research and interpretation. Accessible and up-to-date, this work will be invaluable to clergy, students and all who have a serious interest in the New Testament.

Since this Companion to the New Testament was first published in 1970, new methods of interpretation and sustained research into the environment of Jesus, and the early church, have combined to correct former misunderstandings and to set old problems in a new light. This fully revised second edition now follows the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) to provide a running commentary on the text of the New Testament while taking account of the findings of recent scholarship. Using no technical language, it aims to set the text in the context of the time and place in which it was written, and to clarify its meaning in the light of modern methods of research and interpretation. Accessible and up-to-date, this work will be invaluable to clergy, students and all who have a serious interest in the New Testament.

This graduate-level text gives a self-contained exposition of fundamental topics in equilibrium and nonequilibrium statistical thermodynamics. The text follows a balanced approach between the macroscopic (thermodynamic) and microscopic (statistical) points of view. The first half of the book deals with equilibrium thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. In addition to standard subjects, the reader will find a detailed account of broken symmetries, critical phenomena and the renormalization group, as well as an introduction to numerical methods. The second half of the book is devoted to nonequilibrium phenomena, first following a macroscopic approach, with hydrodynamics as an important example. Kinetic theory receives a thorough treatment through analysis of the Boltzmann-Lorentz model and the Boltzmann equation. The book concludes with general nonequilibrium methods such as linear response, projection method and the Langevin and Fokker-Planck equations, including numerical simulation

In many areas of mathematics, science and engineering, from computer graphics to inverse methods to signal processing, it is necessary to estimate parameters, usually multidimensional, by approximation and interpolation. Radial basis functions are a powerful tool which work well in very general circumstances and so are becoming of widespread use as the limitations of other methods, such as least squares, polynomial interpolation or wavelet-based, become apparent. The author's aim is to give a thorough treatment from both the theoretical and practical implementation viewpoints. For example, he emphasises the many positive features of radial basis functions such as the unique solvability of the interpolation problem, the computation of interpolants, their smoothness and convergence and provides a careful classification of the radial basis functions into types that have different convergence. A comprehensive bibliography rounds off what will prove a very valuable work.