Miarka, T., Berlin Science Center, Berlin, Germany
Financial Intermediation and Deregulation
A Critical Analysis of Japanese Bank-Firm Relationships
2000. XIV, 150 pp. 2 figs., 26 tabs.
3-7908-1307-9
The book attempts to give a comprehensive description and testable theory of the complicated, but not
unintelligible system of bank-firm relationships in the dynamic environment of a gradually deregulated
financial market. It provides both theory and empirical evidence that close bank-firm relationships lead to a
lower fraction of bank finance. Furthermore it is shown that since the mid 1980s it has been increasingly
dependent on the nature of a relationship whether or not it is a benefit for the competitiveness of a firm.
These findings make it necessary to redefine the image of Japan's financial system in general and bank-firm
relationships in particular.
Keywords: Bank-Firm-Relationshipf, Financial Market, Financial Intermediation, Financial Deregulation, Japan
Contents: Explaining Japanese Bank-Firm Relationships: Introduction and Overview: Introduction;
Motivation and Limitations; Research Framework; Overview.- Overview of the Japanese Financial Market:
Introduction; Legal and Institutional Framework of Japanese Financial Markets; The Boom-Bust Cycle;
Changes in Corporate Finance; Concluding Remarks.- Data Description and Measures of Bank-Firm
Relationships: The Data Base; Measures of Bank-Firm Relationships.- Banks as Monitors: Introduction;
The Model; Empirical Analysis; Conclusion.- The Recent Economic Role of Bank-Firm Relationships:
Introduction; Profitability and Bank-Firm Relationship; Growth Rates; Compensation of Employees; Firm
Risk; Interest Rates on Borrowings: Cost and Stability; Summary and Concluding Remarks.- Conclusion.-
Appendix.- Abbrevations.- Bibliography.
Series: Contributions to Economics.
Phillips, G.M., University of St.Andrews, UK
Two Millennia of Mathematics
From Archimedes to Gauss
2000. Approx. 240 pp. 9 figs.
0-387-95022-2
A collection of inter-connected topics in areas of mathematics which particularly interest the author,
ranging over the two millennia from the work of Archimedes to the "Werke" of Gauss. The book is intended
for those who love mathematics, including undergraduate students of mathematics, more experienced
students and the vast unseen host of amateur mathematicians. It is equally a useful source of material for
those who teach mathematics.
Contents: From Archimedes to Gauss.- Logarithms.- Interpolation.- Continued Fractions.- More Number
Theory.
Series: CMS Books in Mathematics.VOL. 6
Fields: Mathematics, general
Written for: Undergraduate mathematics students, graduate mathematics students,
amateurs, mathematics teachers, mathematicians
Book category: Monograph
Publication language: English
Steinmann, O., University of Bielefeld, Germany
Perturbative Quantum Electrodynamics and Axiomatic Field Theory
2000. IX, 357 pp. 36 figs.
3-540-67024-6
This book demonstrates that fundamental concepts and methods from phenomenological particle physics
can be derived rigorously from well-defined general assumptions in a mathematically clean way. Starting
with the Wightman formulation of relativistic quantum field theory, the perturbative formulation of quantum
electrodynamics is derived avoiding the usual formalism based on the canonical commutation relations. A
scattering formalism based on the local-observables approach is developed, directly yielding expressions
for the observable inclusive cross-sections without having to introduce the S-matrix. Neither ultraviolet nor
infrared regularizations are required in this approach. Although primarily intended for researchers working
in this field, anyone with a basic working knowledge of relativistic quantum field theory can benefit from
this book.
Keywords: Quantum Field Theory, Quantum Electrodynamics, Relativistic Field Theory, Abelian Gauge
Theory .
Contents: Introduction.- Relativistic Covariance.- Classical Electrodynamics.- Quantum Field Theory.- Free
Fields.- Interacting QED.- The Electric Charges.- The Program.- Unrenormalized Solution.- Renormalization.-
IR Problem.- Physical States.- The Standard View.- Particle Probes.- Interacting Particles.- Reactions.- Cross
Sections.
Series: Texts and Monographs in Physics.
Winkelmann, R., Institute for the Study of Labor, Bonn, Germany
Econometric Analysis of Count Data
3rd rev. and enlarged ed.
2000. XVI, 282 pp. 13 figs., 20 tabs.
3-540-67340-7
The book provides graduate students and researchers with an up-to-date survey of econometric and
statistical techniques for the analysis of count data, with a focus on regression models. Specialised discrete
data probability models are required in order to interpret results in terms of an underlying structural
process, and to use the model for predicting the distribution of outcomes. The book starts with a
presentation of the benchmark Poisson regression model. Alternative models address unobserved
heterogeneity, state dependence, selectivity, endogeneity, underreporting, and clustered sampling. Testing
and estimation is discussed, including Bayesian inference. Finally, applications are reviewed in fields such
as economics, marketing, sociology, demography, and health sciences.
Keywords: Count process, poisson regression, over dispersion, sample selection, maximum likelihood
Contents: Introduction.- Poisson Regression Model.- Some Thoughts on Methodology.- Some Thoughts
on Methodology.- Examples.- Organization of the Book.- Probability Models for Count Data.- Introduction.-
Poisson Distribution.- Further Distributions for Count Data.- Modified Count Data Distributions.-
Generaliziations.- Duration Analysis and Count Data.- Econometric Modeling - Basic Issues.- Poisson
Regression Model.- Estimation.- Sources of Misspecification.- Testing for Misspecification.- Econometric
Modeling - Extensions.- Introduction.- Unobserved Heterogeneity.- Dependent Count Process.- Exogenous
Selectivity.- Endogenous Selectivity.- Endogenous Regressors.- Generalized Variance Models.- Correlated
Count Data.- Multivariate Count Data.- Panel Data Models.- Time-Series Count Data Models.- Bayesian
Analysis of Count Variables.- Bayesian Analysis of the Poisson Model.- A Poisson Model with
Underreporting.- Estimation of the Multivariate Poisson-log-normal Model by MCMC.- Estimation of a
Random Coefficients Model by MCMC.- Applications.- Accidents.- Health Economics.- Demography.-
Marketing and Management.- Labor Mobility.
Best, E., University of Oldenburg, Germany
Devillers, R., Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
Koutny, M., University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Petri Net Algebra
2000. Approx. 380 pp.
3-540-67398-9
This book presents a step-by-step development of a rigorous framework for the specification and
verification of concurrent systems. Petri Net Algebra takes its inspiration and methods from Process
Algebra and Petri Nets, two prominent branches of concurrency theory. Added synergistic benefit is
derived from combining their respective advantages.
Petri nets are treated as composable objects, and as such they are embedded in a general process algebra.
On the other hand, a generic process algebra is given an automatic Petri net semantics so that net-based
verification techniques, based on structural invariants and causal partial orders, can be applied to the
process algebra.
The book contains full proofs, carefully chosen examples and several possible directions for further
research. A unique aspect is that the development of the Petri net algebra is handled so as to allow for
further application-oriented extensions and modifications.
Keywords: Concurrency, Petri Nets, Process Algebras, Structural Invariants, SOS Semantics, Refinement,
Recursion, Infinite Operators, Programming Language Semantics