ISBN13: 9780195310658
hardback, 560 pages May 2007, Table of Contents
Description
There is a tremendous fascination with chaos and fractals, about which picture books can be found on coffee tables everywhere. Chaos and fractals represent hands-on mathematics that is alive and changing. One can turn on a personal computer and create stunning mathematical images that no one has ever seen before.
Chaos and fractals are part of dynamics, a larger subject that deals with change, with systems that evolve with time. Whether the system in question settles down to equilibrium, keeps repeating in cycles, or does something more complicated, it is dynamics that scientists and mathematicians use to analyze a system's behavior. Chaos is the term used to describe the apparently complex behavior of what we consider to be simple, well-behaved systems. Chaotic behavior, when looked at casually, looks erratic and almost random. The type of behavior that in the last 20 years has come to be called chaotic arises in very simple systems. In fact, these systems are essentially deterministic; that is, precise knowledge of the conditions of a system allow future behavior of the system to be predicted. The problem of chaos is to reconcile these apparently conflicting notions: randomness and predictability.
Why have scientists, engineers, and mathematicians become intrigued by chaos? The answer to that question has two parts: (1) the study of chaos has provided new conceptual tools enabling scientists to categorize and understand complex behavior and (2) chaotic behavior seems to be universal - from electrical circuits to nerve cells. Chaos is about predictability in even the most unstable systems, and symmetry is a pattern of predictability - a conceptual tool to help understand complex behavior. The Symmetry of Chaos treats this interplay between chaos and symmetry. This graduate textbook in physics, applied mathematics, engineering, fluid dynamics, and chemistry is full of exciting new material, illustrated by hundreds of figures. Nonlinear dynamics and chaos are relatively young fields, and in addition to serving textbook markets, there is a strong interest among researchers in new results in the field.
The authors are the foremost experts in this field, and this book should give a definitive account of this branch of dynamical systems theory. Product Details
560 pages; 307 line illus.; 6-1/8 x 9-1/4;
ISBN13: 978-0-19-531065-8
Robert Gilmore, Professor, Physics Department, Drexel University , and Christophe Letellier, Chaotician, Universite de Rouen
Table of Contents
Part I Examples and Simple Application 1. Introduction 2. Simple Symmetries 3. Image Dynamical Systems 4. Covers 5. Peeling Bifurcations 6. Three-Fold and Four-Fold covers 7. Multichannel Intermittency 8. Driven Two-Dimensional Dynamical Systems 9. Larger Symmetries Part II Mathematical Foundations 10. Group Theory Basics 11. Invariant Polynomials 12. Equivariant Dynamics in R N 13. Covering Dynamical Systems 14. Symmetries Due to Symmetry Part III Symmetry without Groups: Topology 15. symmetry without Groups: "Topological Symmetry" 16. All the Covers of the Horsehoe Appendix A A Potpourri of Equivariant Systems References Index
ISBN-13: 978-0-19-921465-5
Estimated publication date: July 2007
686 pages, 234x156 mm
Review(s) from previous edition:
'... this book presents a uniquely excellent overview of some of the most relevant and pressing current issues underlying research in Bayesian statistics today. That such a definitive and all-encompassing presentation of a wide range of current concerns is fused in a single volume is by any measure its primary attraction. The format has additional appeal given the conference organizers' well-judged decision to encourage contributed discussion for the invited papers. This is particularly useful in bringing the most salient points to the forefront of the readers' attention.' - Journal of the Royal Statistical Society
'This volume will be of most use for the research-orientated investigator, or for a casual reader of Bayesian literature, both as stimulating to read and as a useful reference text.' - Journal of the Royal Statistical Society
'... this collection provides an excellent overview of current research in Bayesian statistics ... Given the high quality of most papers in this volume, and the range of interesting applications, this is a must for academic libraries. I would advise researchers in Statistics, OR, and related fields to have a look at the volume, as it provides a fast overview of recent developments in Bayesian statistics. Some of the applications might also provide useful examples for teaching statistics at the postgraduate level.' - Journal of the Operational Research Society
Description
A wide perspective of developments in Bayesian statistics over the last four years
An indispensable reference to all statisticians
Broad range of applications and models, including genetics, computer vision and computation
Authoritative reviews
The Valencia International Meetings on Bayesian Statistics, held every four years, provide the main forum for researchers in the area of Bayesian Statistics to come together to present and discuss frontier developments in the field. Covering a broad range of applications and models, including genetics, computer vision and computation, the resulting proceedings provide a definitive, up-to-date overview encompassing a wide range of theoretical and applied research. This eighth proceedings includes edited and refereed versions of 20 invited papers plus extensive and in-depth discussion along with 19 extended four page abstracts of the best presentations offering a wide perspective of the developments in Bayesian statistics over the last four years.
Readership: An indispensable reference to all statisticians.
Contents
Generative or Discriminative? Getting the Best of Both Worlds , Bishop, C. M. and Lasserre, J.
Assessing the Effect of Genetic Mutation - A Bayesian Framework for Determining Population History from DNA Sequence Data , Brooks, S. P., Manolopoulou, I. and Emerson, B. C.
Some Aspects of Bayesian Model Selection for Prediction , Ghosh, J. K. and Chakrabarti, A.
Nonparametric Function Estimation Using Overcomplete Dictionaries , Clyde, M. A. and Wolpert, R. L.
Sequential Monte Carlo for Bayesian Computation , Del Moral, P., Doucet, A. and Jasra, A.
Dynamic Gaussian Process Priors, with Applications to The Analysis of Space-time Data , Gamerman, D., Salazar, E. and Reis, E. A.
Bayesian Nonparametric Modelling for Spatial Data Using Dirichlet Processes , Gelfand, A. E., Guindani, M. and Petrone, S.
Bayesian Nonparametric Latent Feature Models , Ghahramani, Z., Griffiths, T. L. and Sollich, P.
Objective Bayesian Analysis of Multiple Changepoints for Linear Models , GirLon, F. J., Moreno, E. and Casella, G.
Bayesian Relaxation: Boosting, The Lasso, and other L norms , Holmes, C. C. and Pintore, A.
The Bayesian Approach to the Analysis of Finite Population Surveys , Little, R. J. A. and Zheng, H.
Detecting selection in DNA sequences: Bayesian Modelling and Inference , Merl, D. and Prado, R.
Deriving Bayesian and frequentist estimators from time-invariance estimating equations: a unifying approach , Mira, A. and Baddeley, A.
FDR and Bayesian Multiple Comparisons Rules , MNuller, P., Parmigiani, G. and Rice, K.
Estimating the Integrated Likelihood via Posterior Simulation Using the Harmonic Mean Identity. , Raftery, A., Newton, M., Satagopan, J. and Krivitsky, P.
Approximating Interval Hypothesis: p-values and Bayes Factors , Rousseau, J.
Bayesian Probability in Quantum Mechanics , Schack, R.
Fast Bayesian Shape Matching Using Geometric Algorithms , Schmidler, S. C.
Nested Sampling for Bayesian Computations , Skilling, J.
ISBN-13: 978-0-19-921726-7
Estimated publication date: July 2007
416 pages, 234x156 mm
Review(s) from previous edition:
''Michael Lockwood's book The Labyrinth of Time: Introducing the Universe has just appeared. I highly recommend it. It's a wonderful overview of the physics and philosophy of time, crafted extremely carefully and engagingly (yet without compromising any content) for the lay reader, superbly produced and illustrated. Oh, and it's true.'' - Professor David Deutsch, author of The Fabric of Reality
''Michael Lockwood's book...is a model of balance and clarity....Lockwood's style is clear and straightforward'' - Paul Davies, Times Higher Education Supplement
Description
A fascinating introduction to time and the universe
For the first time in a popular book, the physics is made comprehensible
Lucid, witty, and compellingly written
Modern physics has revealed the universe as a much stranger place than we could have imagined. The puzzle at the centre of our knowledge of the universe is time. Michael Lockwood takes the reader on a fascinating journey into the nature of things. He investigates philosophical questions about past, present, and future, our experience of time, and the possibility of time travel. And he provides the most careful, lively, and up-to-date introduction to the physics of time and the structure of the universe. He guides us step by step through relativity theory and quantum physics, introducing and explaining the ground-breaking ideas of Newton and Boltzmann, Einstein and Schroedinger, Penrose and Hawking. We zoom in on the behaviour of molecules and atoms, and pull back to survey the expansion of the universe. We learn about entropy and gravity, black holes and wormholes, about how it all began and where we are all headed. Lockwood's aim is not just to boggle the mind but to lead us towards an understanding of the science and philosophy. Things will never seem the same again after a voyage through The Labyrinth of Time .
(Hardback)
ISBN-13: 978-0-19-922892-8
(Paperback)
ISBN-13: 978-0-19-922893-5
Estimated publication date: November 2007
196 pages, 20 line drawings, 234x156 mm
Reviews
'Very well written, clear and to the point, and just at the right level to fill the regrettable gap between the maths-free popular books on quantum mechanics and the full courses in most textbooks.' - Jeremy Butterfield, University of Cambridge
Description
Concise, modern treatment of fundamental quantum mechanics
Suitable as a supplementary text, a primary text in a short course, or a reference
Over 60 problems
A bridge between modern physics courses and advanced quantum courses
Suitable for non-physicists, e.g., chemists, materials scientists, electrical engineers
Focuses on in-depth understanding of fundamental concepts and structure of quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics - central not only to physics, but also to chemistry, materials science, and other fields - is notoriously abstract and difficult. Essential Quantum Mechanics is a uniquely concise and explanatory book that fills the gap between introductory and advanced courses, between popularizations and technical treatises.
By focusing on the fundamental structure, concepts, and methods of quantum mechanics, this introductory yet sophisticated work emphasizes both physical and mathematical understanding. A modern perspective is adopted throughout - the goal, in part, being to gain entry into the world of 'real' quantum mechanics, as used by practicing scientists.
With over 60 original problems, Essential Quantum Mechanics is suitable as either a text or a reference. It will be invaluable to physics students as well as chemists, electrical engineers, philosophers, and others whose work is impacted by quantum mechanics, or who simply wish to better understand this fascinating subject.
Readership: Undergraduate and graduate students in physics, mathematics, materials science, chemistry, and electrical engineering.
Contents
1. Introduction: Three Worlds
2. The Quantum Postulates
3. What is a Quantum State?
4. The Structure of Quantum States
5. Operators
6. Matrix Mechanics
7. Commutators and Uncertainty Relations
8. Angular Momentum
9. The Time-independent Schrodinger Equation
10. Why is the State Complex?
11. Time Evolution
12. Wavefunctions
Appendices