With the boom of big data and machine learning and the subsequent need for parallel processing technologies, fork-join queues are more relevant now than ever before. In this book, new estimates of the average response time in fork-join queues are proposed, which form the basis for new research opportunities. Analysis of Fork-Join Systems: Network of Queues with Precedence Constraints explores numerical approaches to estimate the average response time of fork-join queueing networks and offers never before published simple expressions for the mean response time as conjectures. Extensive experiments are included to demonstrate the remarkable accuracy of the conjectures and algorithms used in the estimation of the average response time. Graduate students, professors, and researchers in the fields of operations research, management science, industrial engineering, computer science, and electrical engineering will find this book very useful. Students, as well as researchers in both academia and industry, will also find this book of great help when looking for results related to fork-join queues

2020 Taylor & Francis Award Winner for Outstanding New Textbook! Featuring recent advances in the field, this new textbook presents probability and statistics, and their applications in stochastic processes. This book presents key information for understanding the essential aspects of basic probability theory and concepts of reliability as an application. The purpose of this book is to provide an option in this field that combines these areas in one book, balances both theory and practical applications, and also keeps the practitioners in mind. Features Includes numerous examples using current technologies with applications in various fields of study Offers many practical applications of probability in queueing models, all of which are related to the appropriate stochastic processes (continuous time such as waiting time, and fuzzy and discrete time like the classic Gambler's Ruin Problem) Presents different current topics like probability distributions used in real-world applications of statistics such as climate control and pollution Different types of computer software such as MATLAB (R), Minitab, MS Excel, and R as options for illustration, programing and calculation purposes and data analysis Covers reliability and its application in network queues

In this monograph stochastic models of systems analysis are discussed. It covers many aspects and different stages from the construction of mathematical models of real systems, through mathematical analysis of models based on simplification methods, to the interpretation of real stochastic systems. The stochastic models described here share the property that their evolutionary aspects develop under the influence of random factors. It has been assumed that the evolution takes place in a random medium, i.e. unilateral interaction between the system and the medium. As only Markovian models of random medium are considered in this book, the stochastic models described here are determined by two processes, a switching process describing the evolution of the systems and a switching process describing the changes of the random medium. Audience: This book will be of interest to postgraduate students and researchers whose work involves probability theory, stochastic processes, mathematical systems theory, ordinary differential equations, operator theory, or mathematical modelling and industrial mathematics.

It is well-known that modern stochastic calculus has been exhaustively developed under usual conditions. Despite such a well-developed theory, there is evidence to suggest that these very convenient technical conditions cannot necessarily be fulfilled in real-world applications. Optional Processes: Theory and Applications seeks to delve into the existing theory, new developments and applications of optional processes on "unusual" probability spaces. The development of stochastic calculus of optional processes marks the beginning of a new and more general form of stochastic analysis. This book aims to provide an accessible, comprehensive and up-to-date exposition of optional processes and their numerous properties. Furthermore, the book presents not only current theory of optional processes, but it also contains a spectrum of applications to stochastic differential equations, filtering theory and mathematical finance. Features Suitable for graduate students and researchers in mathematical finance, actuarial science, applied mathematics and related areas Compiles almost all essential results on the calculus of optional processes in unusual probability spaces Contains many advanced analytical results for stochastic differential equations and statistics pertaining to the calculus of optional processes Develops new methods in finance based on optional processes such as a new portfolio theory, defaultable claim pricing mechanism, etc.

This book contains articles arising from a conference in honour of mathematician-statistician Mikl s Csoergo on the occasion of his 80th birthday, held in Ottawa in July 2012. It comprises research papers and overview articles, which provide a substantial glimpse of the history and state-of-the-art of the field of asymptotic methods in probability and statistics, written by leading experts. The volume consists of twenty articles on topics on limit theorems for self-normalized processes, planar processes, the central limit theorem and laws of large numbers, change-point problems, short and long range dependent time series, applied probability and stochastic processes, and the theory and methods of statistics. It also includes Csoergo's list of publications during more than 50 years, since 1962.

This book presents a systematic treatment of Markov chains, diffusion processes and state space models, as well as alternative approaches to Markov chains through stochastic difference equations and stochastic differential equations. It illustrates how these processes and approaches are applied to many problems in genetics, carcinogenesis, AIDS epidemiology and other biomedical systems.One feature of the book is that it describes the basic MCMC (Markov chain and Monte Carlo) procedures and illustrates how to use the Gibbs sampling method and the multilevel Gibbs sampling method to solve many problems in genetics, carcinogenesis, AIDS and other biomedical systems.As another feature, the book develops many state space models for many genetic problems, carcinogenesis, AIDS epidemiology and HIV pathogenesis. It shows in detail how to use the multilevel Gibbs sampling method to estimate (or predict) simultaneously the state variables and the unknown parameters in cancer chemotherapy, carcinogenesis, AIDS epidemiology and HIV pathogenesis. As a matter of fact, this book is the first to develop several state space models for many genetic problems, carcinogenesis and other biomedical problems.To emphasize special applications to medical problems, in this new edition the book has added a new chapter to illustrate how to develop biologically-supported stochastic models and state space models of carcinogenesis in human beings. Specific examples include hidden Markov models and state space models for human colon cancer, human liver cancer and some human pediatric cancers such as retinoblastoma and hepatoblastoma. The book also gives examples to illustrate how to develop procedures to assess cancer risk of environmental agents through initiation-promotion protocols.

Since the parameters in dynamical systems of biological interest are inherently positive and bounded, bounded noises are a natural way to model the realistic stochastic fluctuations of a biological system that are caused by its interaction with the external world. Bounded Noises in Physics, Biology, and Engineering is the first contributed volume devoted to the modeling of bounded noises in theoretical and applied statistical mechanics, quantitative biology, and mathematical physics. It gives an overview of the current state-of-the-art and is intended to stimulate further research. The volume is organized in four parts. The first part presents the main kinds of bounded noises and their applications in theoretical physics. The theory of bounded stochastic processes is intimately linked to its applications to mathematical and statistical physics, and it would be difficult and unnatural to separate the theory from its physical applications. The second is devoted to framing bounded noises in the theory of random dynamical systems and random bifurcations, while the third is devoted to applications of bounded stochastic processes in biology, one of the major areas of potential applications of this subject. The final part concerns the application of bounded stochastic processes in mechanical and structural engineering, the area where the renewed interest for non-Gaussian bounded noises started. Pure mathematicians working on stochastic calculus will find here a rich source of problems that are challenging from the point of view of contemporary nonlinear analysis. Bounded Noises in Physics, Biology, and Engineering is intended for scientists working on stochastic processes with an interest in both fundamental issues and applications. It will appeal to a broad range of applied mathematicians, mathematical biologists, physicists, engineers, and researchers in other fields interested in complexity theory. It is accessible to anyone with a working knowledge of stochastic modeling, from advanced undergraduates to senior researchers.

Features Quickly and concisely builds from basic probability theory to advanced topics Suitable as a primary text for an advanced course in diffusion processes and stochastic differential equations Useful as supplementary reading across a range of topics.

This work contains a collection of lectures on stochastic processes. The material is arranged in such a way to fit a lecture time of one-and-a-half hours, in order to make the book convenient for lecturers and students. The book can be used in the preparation of courses in stochastic processes for which an understanding of basic notions of mathematical analysis, theory of complex functions, theory of differential equations and probability theory is required. The subjects in the book have different levels of abstraction.

Focusing on the importance of the application of statistical techniques, this book covers the design of experiments and stochastic modeling in textile engineering. Textile Engineering: Statistical Techniques, Design of Experiments and Stochastic Modeling focuses on the analysis and interpretation of textile data for improving the quality of textile processes and products using various statistical techniques. FEATURES Explores probability, random variables, probability distribution, estimation, significance test, ANOVA, acceptance sampling, control chart, regression and correlation, design of experiments and stochastic modeling pertaining to textiles Presents step-by-step mathematical derivations Includes MATLAB (R) codes for solving various numerical problems Consists of case studies, practical examples and homework problems in each chapter This book is aimed at graduate students, researchers and professionals in textile engineering, textile clothing, textile management and industrial engineering. This book is equally useful for learners and practitioners in other scientific and technological domains.

Game theory involves multi-person decision making and differential dynamic game theory has been widely applied to n-person decision making problems, which are stimulated by a vast number of applications. This book addresses the gap to discuss general stochastic n-person noncooperative and cooperative game theory with wide applications to control systems, signal processing systems, communication systems, managements, financial systems, and biological systems. H8 game strategy, n-person cooperative and noncooperative game strategy are discussed for linear and nonlinear stochastic systems along with some computational algorithms developed to efficiently solve these game strategies.

Is the first volume devoted entirely to stochastic inverse problems. Includes survey articles which makes it self-contained. Aimed at a diverse audience, including applied mathematicians, engineers, economists, and professionals from academia. Includes the most recent developments on the subject, which so far have only been available in the research literature.

'Et moi, ..., si j'avait su comment en revenir, One service mathematics has rendered the je n'y serais point aile.' human race. It has put common sense back Jules Verne where it belongs, on the topmost shelf next to the dusty canister labelled 'discarded n- sense'. The series is divergent; therefore we may be able to do something with it. Eric T. Bell O. Heaviside Mathematics is a tool for thought. A highly necessary tool in a world where both feedback and non linearities abound. Similarly, all kinds of parts of mathematics serve as tools for other parts and for other sciences. Applying a simple rewriting rule to the quote on the right above one finds such statements as: 'One service topology has rendered mathematical physics ... '; 'One service logic has rendered com puter science .. .'; 'One service category theory has rendered mathematics .. .'. All arguably true. And all statements obtainable this way form part of the raison d'etre of this series."

Completely revised and greatly expanded, the new edition of this text takes readers who have been exposed to only basic courses in analysis through the modern general theory of random processes and stochastic integrals as used by systems theorists, electronic engineers and, more recently, those working in quantitative and mathematical finance. Building upon the original release of this title, this text will be of great interest to research mathematicians and graduate students working in those fields, as well as quants in the finance industry. New features of this edition include: End of chapter exercises; New chapters on basic measure theory and Backward SDEs; Reworked proofs, examples and explanatory material; Increased focus on motivating the mathematics; Extensive topical index. "Such a self-contained and complete exposition of stochastic calculus and applications fills an existing gap in the literature. The book can be recommended for first-year graduate studies. It will be useful for all who intend to work with stochastic calculus as well as with its applications."-Zentralblatt (from review of the First Edition)

This book will cover heuristic optimization techniques and applications in engineering problems. The book will be divided into three sections that will provide coverage of the techniques, which can be employed by engineers, researchers, and manufacturing industries, to improve their productivity with the sole motive of socio-economic development. This will be the first book in the category of heuristic techniques with relevance to engineering problems and achieving optimal solutions. Features Explains the concept of optimization and the relevance of using heuristic techniques for optimal solutions in engineering problems Illustrates the various heuristics techniques Describes evolutionary heuristic techniques like genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization Contains natural based techniques like ant colony optimization, bee algorithm, firefly optimization, and cuckoo search Offers sample problems and their optimization, using various heuristic techniques

Fractional Brownian Motion (FBM) is a very classical continuous self-similar Gaussian field with stationary increments. In 1940, some works of Kolmogorov on turbulence led him to introduce this quite natural extension of Brownian Motion, which, in contrast with the latter, has correlated increments. However, the denomination FBM is due to a very famous article by Mandelbrot and Van Ness, published in 1968. Not only in it, but also in several of his following works, Mandelbrot emphasized the importance of FBM as a model in several applied areas, and thus he made it to be known by a wide community. Therefore, FBM has been studied by many authors, and used in a lot of applications.In spite of the fact that FBM is a very useful model, it does not always fit to real data. This is the reason why, for at least two decades, there has been an increasing interest in the construction of new classes of random models extending it, which offer more flexibility. A paradigmatic example of them is the class of Multifractional Fields. Multifractional means that fractal properties of models, typically, roughness of paths and self-similarity of probability distributions, are locally allowed to change from place to place.In order to sharply determine path behavior of Multifractional Fields, a wavelet strategy, which can be considered to be new in the probabilistic framework, has been developed since the end of the 90's. It is somehow inspired by some rather non-standard methods, related to the fine study of Brownian Motion roughness, through its representation in the Faber-Schauder system. The main goal of the book is to present the motivations behind this wavelet strategy, and to explain how it can be applied to some classical examples of Multifractional Fields. The book also discusses some topics concerning them which are not directly related to the wavelet strategy.

This book gives a comprehensive introduction to numerical methods and analysis of stochastic processes, random fields and stochastic differential equations, and offers graduate students and researchers powerful tools for understanding uncertainty quantification for risk analysis. Coverage includes traditional stochastic ODEs with white noise forcing, strong and weak approximation, and the multi-level Monte Carlo method. Later chapters apply the theory of random fields to the numerical solution of elliptic PDEs with correlated random data, discuss the Monte Carlo method, and introduce stochastic Galerkin finite-element methods. Finally, stochastic parabolic PDEs are developed. Assuming little previous exposure to probability and statistics, theory is developed in tandem with state-of-the-art computational methods through worked examples, exercises, theorems and proofs. The set of MATLAB (R) codes included (and downloadable) allows readers to perform computations themselves and solve the test problems discussed. Practical examples are drawn from finance, mathematical biology, neuroscience, fluid flow modelling and materials science.

Malliavin Calculus in Finance: Theory and Practice aims to introduce the study of stochastic volatility (SV) models via Malliavin Calculus. Malliavin calculus has had a profound impact on stochastic analysis. Originally motivated by the study of the existence of smooth densities of certain random variables, it has proved to be a useful tool in many other problems. In particular, it has found applications in quantitative finance, as in the computation of hedging strategies or the efficient estimation of the Greeks. The objective of this book is to offer a bridge between theory and practice. It shows that Malliavin calculus is an easy-to-apply tool that allows us to recover, unify, and generalize several previous results in the literature on stochastic volatility modeling related to the vanilla, the forward, and the VIX implied volatility surfaces. It can be applied to local, stochastic, and also to rough volatilities (driven by a fractional Brownian motion) leading to simple and explicit results. Features Intermediate-advanced level text on quantitative finance, oriented to practitioners with a basic background in stochastic analysis, which could also be useful for researchers and students in quantitative finance Includes examples on concrete models such as the Heston, the SABR and rough volatilities, as well as several numerical experiments and the corresponding Python scripts Covers applications on vanillas, forward start options, and options on the VIX. The book also has a Github repository with the Python library corresponding to the numerical examples in the text. The library has been implemented so that the users can re-use the numerical code for building their examples. The repository can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/2KNex2Y.

This book contains both expository articles and original research in the areas of function theory and operator theory. The contributions include extended versions of some of the lectures by invited speakers at the conference in honor of the memory of Serguei Shimorin at the Mittag-Leffler Institute in the summer of 2018. The book is intended for all researchers in the fields of function theory, operator theory and complex analysis in one or several variables. The expository articles reflecting the current status of several well-established and very dynamical areas of research will be accessible and useful to advanced graduate students and young researchers in pure and applied mathematics, and also to engineers and physicists using complex analysis methods in their investigations.

This contributed volume provides an extensive account of research and expository papers in a broad domain of mathematical analysis and its various applications to a multitude of fields. Presenting the state-of-the-art knowledge in a wide range of topics, the book will be useful to graduate students and researchers in theoretical and applicable interdisciplinary research. The focus is on several subjects including: optimal control problems, optimal maintenance of communication networks, optimal emergency evacuation with uncertainty, cooperative and noncooperative partial differential systems, variational inequalities and general equilibrium models, anisotropic elasticity and harmonic functions, nonlinear stochastic differential equations, operator equations, max-product operators of Kantorovich type, perturbations of operators, integral operators, dynamical systems involving maximal monotone operators, the three-body problem, deceptive systems, hyperbolic equations, strongly generalized preinvex functions, Dirichlet characters, probability distribution functions, applied statistics, integral inequalities, generalized convexity, global hyperbolicity of spacetimes, Douglas-Rachford methods, fixed point problems, the general Rodrigues problem, Banach algebras, affine group, Gibbs semigroup, relator spaces, sparse data representation, Meier-Keeler sequential contractions, hybrid contractions, and polynomial equations. Some of the works published within this volume provide as well guidelines for further research and proposals for new directions and open problems.

Dynamical evolution over long time scales is a prominent feature of all the systems we intuitively think of as complex - for example, ecosystems, the brain or the economy. In physics, the term ageing is used for this type of slow change, occurring over time scales much longer than the patience, or indeed the lifetime, of the observer. The main focus of this book is on the stochastic processes which cause ageing, and the surprising fact that the ageing dynamics of systems which are very different at the microscopic level can be treated in similar ways.The first part of this book provides the necessary mathematical and computational tools and the second part describes the intuition needed to deal with these systems. Some of the first few chapters have been covered in several other books, but the emphasis and selection of the topics reflect both the authors' interests and the overall theme of the book. The second part contains an introduction to the scientific literature and deals in some detail with the description of complex phenomena of a physical and biological nature, for example, disordered magnetic materials, superconductors and glasses, models of co-evolution in ecosystems and even of ant behaviour. These heterogeneous topics are all dealt with in detail using similar analytical techniques.This book emphasizes the unity of complex dynamics and provides the tools needed to treat a large number of complex systems of current interest. The ideas and the approach to complex dynamics it presents have not appeared in book form until now.

In many branches of science relevant observations are taken sequentially over time. Bayesian Analysis of Time Series discusses how to use models that explain the probabilistic characteristics of these time series and then utilizes the Bayesian approach to make inferences about their parameters. This is done by taking the prior information and via Bayes theorem implementing Bayesian inferences of estimation, testing hypotheses, and prediction. The methods are demonstrated using both R and WinBUGS. The R package is primarily used to generate observations from a given time series model, while the WinBUGS packages allows one to perform a posterior analysis that provides a way to determine the characteristic of the posterior distribution of the unknown parameters. Features Presents a comprehensive introduction to the Bayesian analysis of time series. Gives many examples over a wide variety of fields including biology, agriculture, business, economics, sociology, and astronomy. Contains numerous exercises at the end of each chapter many of which use R and WinBUGS. Can be used in graduate courses in statistics and biostatistics, but is also appropriate for researchers, practitioners and consulting statisticians. About the author Lyle D. Broemeling, Ph.D., is Director of Broemeling and Associates Inc., and is a consulting biostatistician. He has been involved with academic health science centers for about 20 years and has taught and been a consultant at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Texas School of Public Health. His main interest is in developing Bayesian methods for use in medical and biological problems and in authoring textbooks in statistics. His previous books for Chapman & Hall/CRC include Bayesian Biostatistics and Diagnostic Medicine, and Bayesian Methods for Agreement.

The general theory of stochastic processes and the more specialized theory of Markov processes evolved enormously in the second half of the last century. In parallel, the theory of controlled Markov chains (or Markov decision processes) was being pioneered by control engineers and operations researchers. Researchers in Markov processes and controlled Markov chains have been, for a long time, aware of the synergies between these two subject areas. However, this may be the first volume dedicated to highlighting these synergies and, almost certainly, it is the first volume that emphasizes the contributions of the vibrant and growing Chinese school of probability. The chapters that appear in this book reflect both the maturity and the vitality of modern day Markov processes and controlled Markov chains. They also will provide an opportunity to trace the connections that have emerged between the work done by members of the Chinese school of probability and the work done by the European, US, Central and South American and Asian scholars.

Now in its second edition, this book gives a systematic and self-contained presentation of basic results on stochastic evolution equations in infinite dimensional, typically Hilbert and Banach, spaces. In the first part the authors give a self-contained exposition of the basic properties of probability measure on separable Banach and Hilbert spaces, as required later; they assume a reasonable background in probability theory and finite dimensional stochastic processes. The second part is devoted to the existence and uniqueness of solutions of a general stochastic evolution equation, and the third concerns the qualitative properties of those solutions. Appendices gather together background results from analysis that are otherwise hard to find under one roof. This revised edition includes two brand new chapters surveying recent developments in the area and an even more comprehensive bibliography, making this book an essential and up-to-date resource for all those working in stochastic differential equations.

Metaheuristic optimization is a higher-level procedure or heuristic designed to find, generate, or select a heuristic (partial search algorithm) that may provide a sufficiently good solution to an optimization problem, especially with incomplete or imperfect information or limited computation capacity. This is usually applied when two or more objectives are to be optimized simultaneously. This book is presented with two major objectives. Firstly, it features chapters by eminent researchers in the field providing the readers about the current status of the subject. Secondly, algorithm-based optimization or advanced optimization techniques, which are applied to mostly non-engineering problems, are applied to engineering problems. This book will also serve as an aid to both research and industry. Usage of these methodologies would enable the improvement in engineering and manufacturing technology and support an organization in this era of low product life cycle. Features: Covers the application of recent and new algorithms Focuses on the development aspects such as including surrogate modeling, parallelization, game theory, and hybridization Presents the advances of engineering applications for both single-objective and multi-objective optimization problems Offers recent developments from a variety of engineering fields Discusses Optimization using Evolutionary Algorithms and Metaheuristics applications in engineering