Winkler, Gerhard, Institute of Biomathematics and Biometry (IBB), Neuherberg, Germany

Image Analysis, Random Fields and Markov Chain Monte Carlo Methods
A Mathematical Introduction

2nd ed.2003Approx. 360 pp. 59 figs., with CD-ROM. Hardcover
3-540-44213-8

This second edition of G. Winkler's successful book on random field approaches to image analysis, related Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods, and statistical inference with emphasis on Bayesian image analysis concentrates more on general principles and models and less on details of concrete applications. Addressed to students and scientists from mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, and computer science, it will serve as an introduction to the mathematical aspects rather than a survey. Basically no prior knowledge of mathematics or statistics is required.
The second edition is in many parts completely rewritten and improved, and most figures are new. The topics of exact sampling and global optimization of likelihood functions have been added. This second edition comes with a CD-ROM by F. Friedrich,containing a host of (live) illustrations for each chapter. In an interactive environment, readers can perform their own experiments to consolidate the subject.

Keywords: Bayesian statistics, Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, random fields, spatial modeling, statistical image analysis

Contents: I.Bayesian Image Analysis.- Introduction.- The Bayesian Paradigm.- Cleaning Dirty Pictures.- Random Fields.- II. The Gibbs Sampler and Simulated Annealing.- Markov Chains: Limit Theorems.- Gibbsian Sampling and Annealing.- Cooling Schedules.- Gibbsian Sampling and Annealing Revisited.- III. More on Sampling and Annealing.- Metropolis Algorithms.- Eigenvalues and Related Topics.- Parallel Algorithms.- IV. Texture Analysis.- Partitioning.- Random Fields and Texture Models.- Bayesian Texture Classification.- V. Parameter Estimation.- Maximum Likelihood Estimation.- Consistency of Spatial ML .- Computation of full ML Estimators.- VI. Supplement.- A Glance at Neural Networks.- Three Applications.- VII. Appendix.- A Simulation of Random Variables.-B Analytical Tools.- C Physical Imaging Systems.

Series: Applications of Mathematics. Volume. 27


Put, Marius van der, University of Groningen, The Netherlands;
Singer, Michael F., N.C. State University, Raleigh, USA

Galois Theory of Linear Differential Equations

2003XVIII, 460 p. Hardcover
3-540-44228-6

Linear differential equations form the central topic of this volume, with the Galois theory being the unifying theme.
A large number of aspects are presented: algebraic theory especially differential Galois theory, formal theory, classification, algorithms to decide solvability in finite terms, monodromy and Hilbert's 21th problem, asymptotics and summability, the inverse problem and linear differential equations in positive characteristic. The appendices aim to help the reader with the concepts of algebraic geometry, linear algebraic groups, sheaves, and tannakian categories that are used.
This volume will become a standard reference for all working in this area of mathematics at the graduate level, including graduate students.

Keywords: Arithmetic, Asymptotics, Computer Algebra, Direct Problems, Galois Theory, Global Classification, Inverse Problems, Linear Differential Equations, Local Classification

Contents: Algebraic Theory: Picard-Vessiot Theory.- Differential Operators and Differential Modules.- Formal Local Theory.- Algorithmic Considerations
Analytic Theory: Monodromy, the Riemann-Hilbert Problem and the Differential Galois Group.- Differential Equations on the Complex Sphere and the Riemann-Hilbert Problem.- Exact Asymptotics.- Stokes Phenomenon and Differential Galois Groups.- Stokes Matrices and Meromorphic Classification.- Universal Picard-Vessiot Rings and Galois Groups.- Inverse Problems.- Moduli for Singular Differential Equations.- Positive Characteristic
Appendices: Algebraic Geometry.- Tannakian Categories.- Sheaves and Cohomology.- Partial Differential Equations.

Series: Grundlehren der mathematischen Wissenschaften. Volume. 328


Schmidt, Bernhard, University of Augsburg, Germany

Characters and Cyclotomic Fields in Finite Geometry

2002VIII, 100 p. Softcover
3-540-44243-X

This monograph contributes to the existence theory of difference sets, cyclic irreducible codes and similar objects. The new method of field descent for cyclotomic integers of presribed absolute value is developed. Applications include the first substantial progress towards the Circulant Hadamard Matrix Conjecture and Ryser`s conjecture since decades. It is shown that there is no Barker sequence of length l with 13<1<4x10^(12). Finally, a conjecturally complete classification of all irreducible cyclic two-weight codes is obtained.

Keywords: Barker sequences, Circulant Hadamard matrices, Differences sets, irreducible cyclic codes

Contents: 1. Introduction: The nature of the problems.- The combinatorial structures in question.- Group rings, characters, Fourier analysis.- Number theoretic tools.- Algebraic-combinatorial tools. 2. The field descent: The fixing theorem.- Prescribed absolute value.- Bounding the absoute value.- The modulus equation and the class group. 3. Exponent bounds: Self-conjugacy exponent bounds.- Field descent exponent bounds. 4. Two-weight irreducible cyclic bounds: A necessary and sufficient condition.- All two-weight irreducible cyclic codes?- Partial proof of Conjecture 4.2.4.- Two-intersection sets and sub-difference sets

Series: Lecture Notes in Mathematics. Volume. 1797


Gras, Georges, University of Franche-Comte, Besancon, France

Class Field Theory: From Theory to Practice

2003XVI, 492 p. Hardcover
3-540-44133-6

Global class field theory is a major achievement of algebraic number theory, based on the functorial properties of the reciprocity map and the existence theorem. The author works out the consequences and the practical use of these results by giving detailed studies and illustrations of classical subjects (classes, ideles, ray class fields, symbols, reciprocity laws, Hasse's principles, the Grunwald-Wang theorem, Hilbert's towers,...). He also proves some new or less-known results (reflection theorem, structure of the abelian closure of a number field) and lays emphasis on the invariant (/cal T) p, of abelian p-ramification, which is related to important Galois cohomology properties and p-adic conjectures. This book, intermediary between the classical literature published in the sixties and the recent computational literature, gives much material in an elementary way, and is suitable for students, researchers, and all who are fascinated by this theory.

Keywords: Abelian closure, Class field theory, idele groups, number fields, reciprocity laws

Contents: Preface Introduction to Global Class Field Theory Chapter I: Basic Tools and Notations 1) Places of a number field 2) Embeddings of a Number Field in its Completions 3) Number and Ideal Groups 4) Idele Groups - Generalized Class Groups 5) Reduced Ideles - Topological Aspects 6) Kummer Extensions Chapter II: Reciprocity Maps - Existence Theorems 1) The Local Reciprocity Map - Local Class Field Theory 2) Idele Groups in an Extension L/K 3) Global Class Field Theory: Idelic Version 4) Global Class Field Theory: Class Group Version 5) Ray Class Fields 6) The Hasse Principle - For Norms - For Powers 7) Symbols Over Number Fields - Hilbert and Regular Kernels Chapter III: Abelian Extensions with Restricted Ramification - Abelian Closure 1) Generalities on H(T)/H and its Subextensions 2) Computation of A(T) := Gal(H(T)/K) and T(T) := tor(A(T)) 3) Study of the compositum of the Zp-extensions - The p-adic Conjecture 4) Structure Theorems for the Abelian Closure of K 5) Explicit Computations in Incomplete p-Ramification 6) The Radical of the Maximal Elementary Subextension of the compositum of the Zp-extensions Chapter IV: Invariant Classes Formulas in p-ramification - Genus Theory 1) Reduction to the Case of p-Ramification 2) Injectivity of the Transfer Map: A(K,p) to A(L,p) 3) Determination of invariant classes of A(L,p) and T(L,p) - p-Rationality 4) Genus Theory with Ramification and Decomposition Chapter V: Cyclic Extensions with Prescribed Ramification 1) Study of an Example 2) Construction of a Governing Field 3) Conclusion and Perspectives Appendix: Arithmetical Interpretation of the second cohomology group of G(T,S) over Zp 1) A General Approach by Class Field Theory 2) Complete p-Ramification Without Finite Decomposition 3) The General Case - Infinitesimal Knot Groups Bibliography Index of Notations

Series: Springer Monographs in Mathematics.


Laudal, Olav Arnfinn, University of Oslo, Norway; Piene, Ragni, University of Oslo, Norway (Eds.)

The Legacy of Niels Henrik Abel
The Abel Bicentennial, Oslo, June 3-8, 2002

2003Approx. 400 p. With CD-ROM. Hardcover
3-540-43826-2

This book contains a series of research papers on subjects related to the work of Niels Henrik Abel, written by some of the foremost specialists in their fields.
Some of the authors have been specifically invited to present papers, discussing the influence of Abel in a mathematical-historical context. Others have submitted papers presented at the Abel Bicentennial Conference, Oslo June 3-8, 2002. The idea behind the book has been to produce a text covering a substantial part of the legacy of Abel, as perceived at the beginning of the 21st century.

Keywords: algebraic geometry, complex analysis, history of mathematics, non-communtative geometry

Contents: From the Contents: History of Mathematics: A. Stubhaug, Ch. Houzel, F. Catanese, and B. Mazur, together with research papers by D. Lazard, G. Frei, N. Schappacher on Algebraic Equations/Arithmetics, by G. Faltings, C. Ciliberto, A. Brigaglia, S. Kleiman, W. Fulton, and T. Ekedahl on Algebraic Geometry, by P.Griffiths, M. Green, Y.-T. Siu, and J.-E. Bjorck on Complex Analysis, by G. Henkin, M. Passare, and S. Gindikin on Differential equations, and by Yu.Manin.
Moreover the plenary speakers at the conference have all been invited to submit papers. This includes A. Connes, G. Faltings, W. Fulton, H.W.Lenstra, K.A. Ribet, D. Sullivan, A. Wiles, M. Kontsevich, and D. Zagier.