A Tutorial on Elliptic PDE Solvers and Their Parallelization


Book Description

This compact yet thorough tutorial is the perfect introduction to the basic concepts of solving partial differential equations (PDEs) using parallel numerical methods. In just eight short chapters, the authors provide readers with enough basic knowledge of PDEs, discretization methods, solution techniques, parallel computers, parallel programming, and the run-time behavior of parallel algorithms to allow them to understand, develop, and implement parallel PDE solvers. Examples throughout the book are intentionally kept simple so that the parallelization strategies are not dominated by technical details.




Fixed Point Theory in Probabilistic Metric Spaces


Book Description

Fixed point theory in probabilistic metric spaces can be considered as a part of Probabilistic Analysis, which is a very dynamic area of mathematical research. A primary aim of this monograph is to stimulate interest among scientists and students in this fascinating field. The text is self-contained for a reader with a modest knowledge of the metric fixed point theory. Several themes run through this book. The first is the theory of triangular norms (t-norms), which is closely related to fixed point theory in probabilistic metric spaces. Its recent development has had a strong influence upon the fixed point theory in probabilistic metric spaces. In Chapter 1 some basic properties of t-norms are presented and several special classes of t-norms are investigated. Chapter 2 is an overview of some basic definitions and examples from the theory of probabilistic metric spaces. Chapters 3, 4, and 5 deal with some single-valued and multi-valued probabilistic versions of the Banach contraction principle. In Chapter 6, some basic results in locally convex topological vector spaces are used and applied to fixed point theory in vector spaces. Audience: The book will be of value to graduate students, researchers, and applied mathematicians working in nonlinear analysis and probabilistic metric spaces.




Finite Markov Chains and Algorithmic Applications


Book Description

Based on a lecture course given at Chalmers University of Technology, this 2002 book is ideal for advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate students. The author first develops the necessary background in probability theory and Markov chains before applying it to study a range of randomized algorithms with important applications in optimization and other problems in computing. Amongst the algorithms covered are the Markov chain Monte Carlo method, simulated annealing, and the recent Propp-Wilson algorithm. This book will appeal not only to mathematicians, but also to students of statistics and computer science. The subject matter is introduced in a clear and concise fashion and the numerous exercises included will help students to deepen their understanding.




Stochastic Petri Nets


Book Description

Written by a leading researcher this book presents an introduction to Stochastic Petri Nets covering the modeling power of the proposed SPN model, the stability conditions and the simulation methods. Its unique and well-written approach provides a timely and important addition to the literature. Appeals to a wide range of researchers in engineering, computer science, mathematics and OR.




Multiscale and Multiresolution Methods


Book Description

Many computionally challenging problems omnipresent in science and engineering exhibit multiscale phenomena so that the task of computing or even representing all scales of action is computationally very expensive unless the multiscale nature of these problems is exploited in a fundamental way. Some diverse examples of practical interest include the computation of fluid turbulence, structural analysis of composite materials, terabyte data mining, image processing, and a multitude of others. This book consists of both invited and contributed articles which address many facets of efficient multiscale representation and scientific computation from varied viewpoints such as hierarchical data representations, multilevel algorithms, algebraic homogeni- zation, and others. This book should be of particular interest to readers interested in recent and emerging trends in multiscale and multiresolution computation with application to a wide range of practical problems.




Maps


Book Description

Introducing readers to a wide range of maps from different time periods and a variety of cultures, this book confirms the vital roles of maps throughout history in commerce, art, literature, and national identity.




Contemporary Trends in Algebraic Geometry and Algebraic Topology


Book Description

The Wei-Liang Chow and Kuo-Tsai Chen Memorial Conference was proposed and held by Prof S S Chern in Nankai Institute of Mathematics. It was devoted to memorializing those two outstanding and original Chinese mathematicians who had made significant contributions to algebraic geometry and algebraic topology, respectively. It also provided a forum for leading mathematicians to expound and discuss their views on new ideas in these fields, as well as trends in 21st Century mathematics. About 100 mathematicians participated in the conference, including Sir Michael Atiyah, Jacob Palis, Phillip Griffiths, David Eisenbud, Philippe Tondeur, Yujiro Kawamata, Tian Gang, etc.This invaluable volume contains the selected papers presented at the conference. The topics include canonical maps of Gorenstein 3-folds, fundamental groups of algebraic curves, Chen''s interated integrals, algebraic fiber spaces, and others.




Bayesian Reliability


Book Description

Bayesian Reliability presents modern methods and techniques for analyzing reliability data from a Bayesian perspective. The adoption and application of Bayesian methods in virtually all branches of science and engineering have significantly increased over the past few decades. This increase is largely due to advances in simulation-based computational tools for implementing Bayesian methods. The authors extensively use such tools throughout this book, focusing on assessing the reliability of components and systems with particular attention to hierarchical models and models incorporating explanatory variables. Such models include failure time regression models, accelerated testing models, and degradation models. The authors pay special attention to Bayesian goodness-of-fit testing, model validation, reliability test design, and assurance test planning. Throughout the book, the authors use Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms for implementing Bayesian analyses -- algorithms that make the Bayesian approach to reliability computationally feasible and conceptually straightforward. This book is primarily a reference collection of modern Bayesian methods in reliability for use by reliability practitioners. There are more than 70 illustrative examples, most of which utilize real-world data. This book can also be used as a textbook for a course in reliability and contains more than 160 exercises. Noteworthy highlights of the book include Bayesian approaches for the following: Goodness-of-fit and model selection methods Hierarchical models for reliability estimation Fault tree analysis methodology that supports data acquisition at all levels in the tree Bayesian networks in reliability analysis Analysis of failure count and failure time data collected from repairable systems, and the assessment of various related performance criteria Analysis of nondestructive and destructive degradation data Optimal design of reliability experiments Hierarchical reliability assurance testing




A History of the Twentieth Century in 100 Maps


Book Description

The twentieth century was a golden age of mapmaking, an era of cartographic boom. Maps proliferated and permeated almost every aspect of daily life, not only chronicling geography and history but also charting and conveying myriad political and social agendas. Here Tim Bryars and Tom Harper select one hundred maps from the millions printed, drawn, or otherwise constructed during the twentieth century and recount through them a narrative of the century’s key events and developments. As Bryars and Harper reveal, maps make ideal narrators, and the maps in this book tell the story of the 1900s—which saw two world wars, the Great Depression, the Swinging Sixties, the Cold War, feminism, leisure, and the Internet. Several of the maps have already gained recognition for their historical significance—for example, Harry Beck’s iconic London Underground map—but the majority of maps on these pages have rarely, if ever, been seen in print since they first appeared. There are maps that were printed on handkerchiefs and on the endpapers of books; maps that were used in advertising or propaganda; maps that were strictly official and those that were entirely commercial; maps that were printed by the thousand, and highly specialist maps issued in editions of just a few dozen; maps that were envisaged as permanent keepsakes of major events, and maps that were relevant for a matter of hours or days. As much a pleasure to view as it is to read, A History of the Twentieth Century in 100 Maps celebrates the visual variety of twentieth century maps and the hilarious, shocking, or poignant narratives of the individuals and institutions caught up in their production and use.




The Natures of Maps


Book Description

The authors demonstrate that maps of the natural, physical world are just as culturally and socially constructed as any map of property or territory.