Tamal K. Dey / Ohio State University

Curve and Surface Reconstruction
Algorithms with Mathematical Analysis

Series: Cambridge Monographs on Applied and Computational Mathematics (No. 23)
Hardback (ISBN-13: 9780521863704 | ISBN-10: 0521863708)

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 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.

* Provides fundamentals of point cloud data processing
* Algorithms with correctness proofs are presented
* Many figures, a set of exercises, and a brief history for each chapter

Contents

1. Basics; 2. Curve reconstruction; 3. Surface samples; 4. Surface reconstruction; 5. Undersampling; 6. Watertight reconstructions; 7. Noisy Samples; 8. Noise and reconstruction; 9. Implicit surface based reconstructions; 10. Morse theoretic reconstructions.

Rick Durrett / Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Random Graph Dynamics

Series: Cambridge Series in Statistical and Probabilistic Mathematics (No. 20)
Hardback (ISBN-13: 9780521866569 | ISBN-10: 0521866561)

The notion of six degrees of separation - that any two people on the planet can be connected by a short chain of people - inspired Strogatz and Watts to define the small world random graph, where each site is connected to close neighbours, but also has long range connections. At about the same time, it was observed in human social networks and on the internet that the number of neighbours of an individual has a power law distribution. This inspired Barabasi and Albert to define the preferential attachment model, which has these properties. These two papers led to an explosion of research, but much was nonrigorous and relied on simulations. This book uses mathematical arguments to obtain insights into these graphs. A unique feature of this book is the interest in the dynamics of process taking place on the graphs in addition to their geometric properties, like correctness and diameter.

* The treatment exposes the reader to a wide variety of topics in probability theory and mathematical techniques
* A number of open ended problems are mentioned
* The exposition concentrates on ideas behind proofs rather than technical details

Contents

1. Overview; 2. Erdos-Renyi random graphs; 3. Fixed degree distributions; 4. Power laws; 5. Small worlds; 6. Random walks; 7. CHKNS model.

Jan Hesthaven / Brown University, Rhode Island
Sigal Gottlieb / University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
David Gottlieb / Brown University, Rhode Island

Spectral Methods for Time-Dependent Problems

Series: Cambridge Monographs on Applied and Computational Mathematics (No. 21)
Hardback (ISBN-13: 9780521792110 | ISBN-10: 0521792118)

Spectral methods are well-suited to solve problems modeled by time-dependent partial differential equations: they are fast, efficient and accurate and widely used by mathematicians and practitioners. This class-tested introduction, the first on the subject, is ideal for graduate courses, or self-study. The authors describe the basic theory of spectral methods, allowing the reader to understand the techniques through numerous examples as well as more rigorous developments. They provide a detailed treatment of methods based on Fourier expansions and orthogonal polynomials (including discussions of stability, boundary conditions, filtering, and the extension from the linear to the nonlinear situation). Computational solution techniques for integration in time are dealt with by Runge-Kutta type methods. Several chapters are devoted to material not previously covered in book form, including stability theory for polynomial methods, techniques for problems with discontinuous solutions, round-off errors and the formulation of spectral methods on general grids. These will be especially helpful for practitioners.

* Ideal for both graduate students and practitioners, including both basic theory and more rigorous developments
* Written from material which has been thoroughly and successfully class-tested by experienced authors
* No other text in print deals with this topic at a fundamental level and it includes material never before covered in book form

Contents

Introduction; 1. From local to global approximation; 2. Trigonometric polynomial approximation; 3. Fourier spectral methods; 4. Orthogonal polynomials; 5. Polynomial expansions; 6. Polynomial approximations theory for smooth functions; 7. Polynomial spectral methods; 8. Stability of polynomial spectral methods; 9. Spectral methods for non-smooth problems; 10. Discrete stability and time integration; 11. Computational aspects; 12. Spectral methods on general grids; Bibliography.

Andrew W. Appel / Princeton University, New Jersey

Compiling with Continuations

Paperback (ISBN-13: 9780521033114 | ISBN-10: 052103311X)

The control and data flow of a program can be represented using continuations, a concept from denotational semantics that has practical application in real compilers. This book shows how continuation-passing style is used as an intermediate representation on which to perform optimisations and program transformations. Continuations can be used to compile most programming languages. The method is illustrated in a compiler for the programming language Standard ML. However, prior knowledge of ML is not necessary, as the author carefully explains each concept as it arises. This is the first book to show how concepts from the theory of programming languages can be applied to the producton of practical optimising compilers for modern languages like ML. This book will be essential reading for compiler writers in both industry and academe, as well as for students and researchers in programming language theory.

* Shows how continuations can be used to compile most programming languages
* The method is illustrated with examples from the language Standard ML
* All the nitty-gritty details of copilation to really good machine code are covered
* Will be essential reading for compilers in industry and academe

Contents

Acknowledgments; 1. Overview; 2. Continuation-passing style; 3. Semantics of the CPS; 4. ML-specific optimizations; 5. Conversion into CPS; 6. Optimization of the CPS; 7. Beta-expansion; 8. Hoisting; 9. Common subexpressions; 10. Closure conversion; 11. Register spilling; 12. Space complexity; 13. The abstract machine; 14. Machine code generation; 15. Performance evaluation; 16. The runtime system; 17. Parallel programming; 18. Future directions.

Gerard Cornuejols / Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania
Reha Tutuncu / Quantitative Resources Group, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, New York

Optimization Methods in Finance

Series: Mathematics, Finance and Risk (No. 5)
Hardback (ISBN-13: 9780521861700 | ISBN-10: 0521861705)

Optimization models play an increasingly important role in financial decisions. This is the first textbook devoted to explaining how recent advances in optimization models, methods and software can be applied to solve problems in computational finance more efficiently and accurately. Chapters discussing the theory and efficient solution methods for all major classes of optimization problems alternate with chapters illustrating their use in modeling problems of mathematical finance. The reader is guided through topics such as volatility estimation, portfolio optimization problems and constructing an index fund, using techniques such as nonlinear optimization models, quadratic programming formulations and integer programming models respectively. The book is based on Master's courses in financial engineering and comes with worked examples, exercises and case studies. It will be welcomed by applied mathematicians, operational researchers and others who work in mathematical and computational finance and who are seeking a text for self-learning or for use with courses.

* The book is based on a successful Master's course at Carnegie Mellon University and comes with worked examples, exercises and case studies
* Cutting edge material - chapters on conic and robust optimization are unique for any optimization text
* Ideal for applied mathematicians, operational researchers and others working in mathematical and computational finance
* The chapters alternate between operational research and financial applications, which is a unique approach

Contents

1. Introduction; 2. Linear programming: theory and algorithms; 3. LP models: asset/liability cash flow matching; 4. LP models: asset pricing and arbitrage; 5. Nonlinear programming: theory and algorithms; 6. NLP volatility estimation; 7. Quadratic programming: theory and algorithms; 8. QP models: portfolio optimization; 9. Conic optimization tools; 10. Conic optimization models in finance; 11. Integer programming: theory and algorithms; 12. IP models: constructing an index fund; 13. Dynamic programming methods; 14. DP models: option pricing; 15. DP models: structuring asset backed securities; 16. Stochastic programming: theory and algorithms; 17. SP models: value-at-risk; 18. SP models: asset/liability management; 19. Robust optimization: theory and tools; 20. Robust optimization models in finance; Appendix A. Convexity; Appendix B. Cones; Appendix C. A probability primer; Appendix D. The revised simplex method; Bibliography; Index.