This book presents stochastic processes in a comprehensive, user-friendly and accessible way containing numerous worked examples. The large number of exercises allows readers to check their understanding of the underlying theory, along with their ability to apply stochastic modelling in their own fields, making the book an excellent basis for self-study. It assumes basic knowledge of calculus and probability theory. The authors also include important proofs and theoretically challenging examples and exercises, thus making the book attractive to those whose interest is more mathematical.

From the ancients' first readings of the innards of birds to your neighbor's last bout with the state lottery, humankind has put itself into the hands of chance. Today life itself may be at stake when probability comes into play--in the chance of a false negative in a medical test, in the reliability of DNA findings as legal evidence, or in the likelihood of passing on a deadly congenital disease--yet as few people as ever understand the odds. This book is aimed at the trouble with trying to learn about probability. A story of the misconceptions and difficulties civilization overcame in progressing toward probabilistic thinking, Randomness is also a skillful account of what makes the science of probability so daunting in our own day. To acquire a (correct) intuition of chance is not easy to begin with, and moving from an intuitive sense to a formal notion of probability presents further problems. Author Deborah Bennett traces the path this process takes in an individual trying to come to grips with concepts of uncertainty and fairness, and also charts the parallel path by which societies have developed ideas about chance. Why, from ancient to modern times, have people resorted to chance in making decisions? Is a decision made by random choice "fair"? What role has gambling played in our understanding of chance? Why do some individuals and societies refuse to accept randomness at all? If understanding randomness is so important to probabilistic thinking, why do the experts disagree about what it really is? And why are our intuitions about chance almost always dead wrong? Anyone who has puzzled over a probability conundrum is struck by the paradoxes and counterintuitive results that occur at a relatively simple level. Why this should be, and how it has been the case through the ages, for bumblers and brilliant mathematicians alike, is the entertaining and enlightening lesson of Randomness.

This book provides an undergraduate-level introduction to discrete and continuous-time Markov chains and their applications, with a particular focus on the first step analysis technique and its applications to average hitting times and ruin probabilities. It also discusses classical topics such as recurrence and transience, stationary and limiting distributions, as well as branching processes. It first examines in detail two important examples (gambling processes and random walks) before presenting the general theory itself in the subsequent chapters. It also provides an introduction to discrete-time martingales and their relation to ruin probabilities and mean exit times, together with a chapter on spatial Poisson processes. The concepts presented are illustrated by examples, 138 exercises and 9 problems with their solutions.

The purpose of this book is twofold: first, it sets out to equip the reader with a sound understanding of the foundations of probability theory and stochastic processes, offering step-by-step guidance from basic probability theory to advanced topics, such as stochastic differential equations, which typically are presented in textbooks that require a very strong mathematical background. Second, while leading the reader on this journey, it aims to impart the knowledge needed in order to develop algorithms that simulate realistic physical systems. Connections with several fields of pure and applied physics, from quantum mechanics to econophysics, are provided. Furthermore, the inclusion of fully solved exercises will enable the reader to learn quickly and to explore topics not covered in the main text. The book will appeal especially to graduate students wishing to learn how to simulate physical systems and to deepen their knowledge of the mathematical framework, which has very deep connections with modern quantum field theory.

A good working knowledge of statistical principles is needed for both the design and analysis of biological experiments and the subsequent handling of the large amounts of data generated if worthwhile, reliable conclusions are to be reached.

Practical Statistics for Experimental Biologists, Second Edition provides biologists with a user-friendly, non-technical introduction to the basics of statistics. The book has been thoroughly revised and updated to incorporate:

• Worked examples and printouts from MINITAB
• Relevant case studies and applications
• Further Notes section for background explanations

Review of the First Edition

"...strongly recommended as the current first choice both for students and established research workers." Society for General Microbiology Quarterly

"...the book is refreshingly free from jargon, is well illustrated and is to be recommended." Trends in Biochemical Sciences

"It is written in an easy style, and can be thoroughly recommended..." Trends in Pharmacological Sciences

An accessible and clear introduction to linear algebra with a focus on matrices and engineering applications Providing comprehensive coverage of matrix theory from a geometric and physical perspective, Fundamentals of Matrix Analysis with Applications describes the functionality of matrices and their ability to quantify and analyze many practical applications. Written by a highly qualified author team, the book presents tools for matrix analysis and is illustrated with extensive examples and software implementations. Beginning with a detailed exposition and review of the Gauss elimination method, the authors maintain readers interest with refreshing discussions regarding the issues of operation counts, computer speed and precision, complex arithmetic formulations, parameterization of solutions, and the logical traps that dictate strict adherence to Gauss s instructions. The book heralds matrix formulation both as notational shorthand and as a quantifier of physical operations such as rotations, projections, reflections, and the Gauss reductions. Inverses and eigenvectors are visualized first in an operator context before being addressed computationally. Least squares theory is expounded in all its manifestations including optimization, orthogonality, computational accuracy, and even function theory. Fundamentals of Matrix Analysis with Applications also features: * Novel approaches employed to explicate the QR, singular value, Schur, and Jordan decompositions and their applications * Coverage of the role of the matrix exponential in the solution of linear systems of differential equations with constant coefficients * Chapter-by-chapter summaries, review problems, technical writing exercises, select solutions, and group projects to aid comprehension of the presented concepts Fundamentals of Matrix Analysis with Applications is an excellent textbook for undergraduate courses in linear algebra and matrix theory for students majoring in mathematics, engineering, and science. The book is also an accessible go-to reference for readers seeking clarification of the fine points of kinematics, circuit theory, control theory, computational statistics, and numerical algorithms.

The book addresses the system performance with a focus on the network-enhanced complexities and developing the engineering-oriented design framework of controllers and filters with potential applications in system sciences, control engineering and signal processing areas. Therefore, it provides a unified treatment on the analysis and synthesis for discrete-time stochastic systems with guarantee of certain performances against network-enhanced complexities with applications in sensor networks and mobile robotics. Such a result will be of great importance in the development of novel control and filtering theories including industrial impact. Key Features Provides original methodologies and emerging concepts to deal with latest issues in the control and filtering with an emphasis on a variety of network-enhanced complexities Gives results of stochastic control and filtering distributed control and filtering, and security control of complex networked systems Captures the essence of performance analysis and synthesis for stochastic control and filtering Concepts and performance indexes proposed reflect the requirements of engineering practice Methodologies developed in this book include backward recursive Riccati difference equation approach and the discrete-time version of input-to-state stability in probability

This book contains the notes of the lectures delivered at an Advanced Course on Combinatorial Matrix Theory held at Centre de Recerca Matematica (CRM) in Barcelona. These notes correspond to five series of lectures. The first series is dedicated to the study of several matrix classes defined combinatorially, and was delivered by Richard A. Brualdi. The second one, given by Pauline van den Driessche, is concerned with the study of spectral properties of matrices with a given sign pattern. Dragan Stevanovic delivered the third one, devoted to describing the spectral radius of a graph as a tool to provide bounds of parameters related with properties of a graph. The fourth lecture was delivered by Stephen Kirkland and is dedicated to the applications of the Group Inverse of the Laplacian matrix. The last one, given by Angeles Carmona, focuses on boundary value problems on finite networks with special in-depth on the M-matrix inverse problem.

Based on a well-established and popular course taught by the authors over many years, Stochastic Processes: An Introduction, Third Edition, discusses the modelling and analysis of random experiments, where processes evolve over time. The text begins with a review of relevant fundamental probability. It then covers gambling problems, random walks, and Markov chains. The authors go on to discuss random processes continuous in time, including Poisson, birth and death processes, and general population models, and present an extended discussion on the analysis of associated stationary processes in queues. The book also explores reliability and other random processes, such as branching, martingales, and simple epidemics. A new chapter describing Brownian motion, where the outcomes are continuously observed over continuous time, is included. Further applications, worked examples and problems, and biographical details have been added to this edition. Much of the text has been reworked. The appendix contains key results in probability for reference. This concise, updated book makes the material accessible, highlighting simple applications and examples. A solutions manual with fully worked answers of all end-of-chapter problems, and Mathematica (R) and R programs illustrating many processes discussed in the book, can be downloaded from crcpress.com.

This set includes

Mastering chance has, for a long time, been a preoccupation of mathematical research. Today, we possess a predictive approach to the evolution of systems based on the theory of probabilities. Even so, uncovering this subject is sometimes complex, because it necessitates a good knowledge of the underlying mathematics. This book offers an introduction to the processes linked to the fluctuations in chance and the use of numerical methods to approach solutions that are difficult to obtain through an analytical approach. It takes classic examples of inventory and queueing management, and addresses more diverse subjects such as equipment reliability, genetics, population dynamics, physics and even market finance. It is addressed to those at Master s level, at university, engineering school or management school, but also to an audience of those in continuing education, in order that they may discover the vast field of decision support.

Random walks, Markov chains and electrical networks serve as an introduction to the study of real-valued functions on finite or infinite graphs, with appropriate interpretations using probability theory and current-voltage laws. The relation between this type of function theory and the (Newton) potential theory on the Euclidean spaces is well-established. The latter theory has been variously generalized, one example being the axiomatic potential theory on locally compact spaces developed by Brelot, with later ramifications from Bauer, Constantinescu and Cornea. A network is a graph with edge-weights that need not be symmetric. This book presents an autonomous theory of harmonic functions and potentials defined on a finite or infinite network, on the lines of axiomatic potential theory. Random walks and electrical networks are important sources for the advancement of the theory.

Stochastic Analysis and Diffusion Processes presents a simple, mathematical introduction to Stochastic Calculus and its applications. The book builds the basic theory and offers a careful account of important research directions in Stochastic Analysis. The breadth and power of Stochastic Analysis, and probabilistic behavior of diffusion processes are told without compromising on the mathematical details. Starting with the construction of stochastic processes, the book introduces Brownian motion and martingales. The book proceeds to construct stochastic integrals, establish the Ito formula, and discuss its applications. Next, attention is focused on stochastic differential equations (SDEs) which arise in modeling physical phenomena, perturbed by random forces. Diffusion processes are solutions of SDEs and form the main theme of this book. The Stroock-Varadhan martingale problem, the connection between diffusion processes and partial differential equations, Gaussian solutions of SDEs, and Markov processes with jumps are presented in successive chapters. The book culminates with a careful treatment of important research topics such as invariant measures, ergodic behavior, and large deviation principle for diffusions. Examples are given throughout the book to illustrate concepts and results. In addition, exercises are given at the end of each chapter that will help the reader to understand the concepts better. The book is written for graduate students, young researchers and applied scientists who are interested in stochastic processes and their applications. The reader is assumed to be familiar with probability theory at graduate level. The book can be used as a text for a graduate course on Stochastic Analysis.

This book provides an accessible overview concerning the stochastic numerical methods inheriting long-time dynamical behaviours of finite and infinite-dimensional stochastic Hamiltonian systems. The long-time dynamical behaviours under study involve symplectic structure, invariants, ergodicity and invariant measure. The emphasis is placed on the systematic construction and the probabilistic superiority of stochastic symplectic methods, which preserve the geometric structure of the stochastic flow of stochastic Hamiltonian systems. The problems considered in this book are related to several fascinating research hotspots: numerical analysis, stochastic analysis, ergodic theory, stochastic ordinary and partial differential equations, and rough path theory. This book will appeal to researchers who are interested in these topics.

The book The E. M. Stein Lectures on Hardy Spaces is based on a graduate course on real variable Hardy spaces which was given by E.M. Stein at Princeton University in the academic year 1973-1974. Stein, along with C. Fefferman and G. Weiss, pioneered this subject area, removing the theory of Hardy spaces from its traditional dependence on complex variables, and to reveal its real-variable underpinnings. This book is based on Steven G. Krantz's notes from the course given by Stein. The text builds on Fefferman's theorem that BMO is the dual of the Hardy space. Using maximal functions, singular integrals, and related ideas, Stein offers many new characterizations of the Hardy spaces. The result is a rich tapestry of ideas that develops the theory of singular integrals to a new level. The final chapter describes the major developments since 1974. This monograph is of broad interest to graduate students and researchers in mathematical analysis. Prerequisites for the book include a solid understanding of real variable theory and complex variable theory. A basic knowledge of functional analysis would also be useful.

In chapter 1, the basic assumptions of the random vibration theory are emphasized. In chapters 2 and 3, pertinent results of stochastic variables and stochastic processes have been indicated. Chapter 4 deals with the stochastic response analysis of single degrees-of-freedom, multi-degrees-of-freedom and continuous linear structural systems. In principle, an introductory course on linear structural dynamics is presupposes. However, in order to make this textbook self-contained, short reviews of the most important results of linear deterministic vibration theory have been included in the start of the relevant sub-sections. Chapter 5 outlines the reliability theory for dynamically excited building structures, i.e., reliability theory for narrowbanded response processes. Finally, Chapter 6 gives an introduction to Monte Carlo simulation methods, which become increasingly important and useful as the computers become more and more powerful.

In many areas of human endeavor, the systems involved are not available for direct measurement. Instead, by combining mathematical models for a system's evolution with partial observations of its evolving state, we can make reasonable inferences about it. The increasing complexity of the modern world makes this analysis and synthesis of high-volume data an essential feature in many real-world problems.
The celebrated Kalman-Bucy filter, designed for linear dynamical systems with linearly structured measurements, is the most famous Bayesian filter. Its generalizations to nonlinear systems and/or observations are collectively referred to as nonlinear filtering (NLF), an extension of the Bayesian framework to the estimation, prediction, and interpolation of nonlinear stochastic dynamics. NLF uses a stochastic model to make inferences about an evolving system and is a theoretically optimal algorithm.
The breadth of its applications, firmly established and still emerging, is simply astounding. Early uses such as cryptography, tracking, and guidance were mostly of a military nature. Since then, the scope has exploded. It includes the study of global climate, estimating the state of the economy, identifying tumors using non-invasive methods, and much more.
The Oxford Handbook of Nonlinear Filtering is the first comprehensive written resource for the subject. It contains classical and recent results and applications, with contributions from 58 authors. Collated into 10 parts, it covers the foundations of nonlinear filtering, connections to stochastic partial differential equations, stability and asymptotic analysis, estimation and control, approximation theory and numerical methods for solving the nonlinear filtering problem (including particle methods). It also contains a part dedicated to the application of nonlinear filtering to several problems in mathematical finance.

The activity of neurons in the brain is noisy in that their firing times are random when they are firing at a given mean rate. This introduces a random or stochastic property into brain processing which we show in this book is fundamental to understanding many aspects of brain function, including probabilistic decision making, perception, memory recall, short-term memory, attention, and even creativity. In The Noisy Brain we show that in many of these processes, the noise caused by the random neuronal firing times is useful. However, this stochastic dynamics can be unstable or overstable, and we show that the stability of attractor networks in the brain in the face of noise may help to understand some important dysfunctions that occur in schizophrenia, normal aging, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The Noisy Brain provides a unifying computational approach to brain function that links synaptic and biophysical properties of neurons through the firing of single neurons to the properties of the noise in large connected networks of noisy neurons to the levels of functional neuroimaging and behaviour. The book describes integrate-and-fire neuronal attractor networks with noise, and complementary mean-field analyses using approaches from theoretical physics. The book shows how they can be used to understand neuronal, functional neuroimaging, and behavioural data on decision-making, perception, memory recall, short-term memory, attention, and brain dysfunctions that occur in schizophrenia, normal aging, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The Noisy Brain will be valuable for those in the fields of neuroscience, psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and biology from advanced undergraduate level upwards. It will also be of interest to those interested in neuroeconomics, animal behaviour, zoology, psychiatry, medicine, physics, and philosophy. The book has been written with modular chapters and sections, making it possible to select particular Chapters for course work. Advanced material on the physics of stochastic dynamics in the brain is contained in the Appendix.

Now in its second edition, this popular textbook on game theory is unrivalled in the breadth of its coverage, the thoroughness of technical explanations and the number of worked examples included. Covering non-cooperative and cooperative games, this introduction to game theory includes advanced chapters on auctions, games with incomplete information, games with vector payoffs, stable matchings and the bargaining set. This edition contains new material on stochastic games, rationalizability, and the continuity of the set of equilibrium points with respect to the data of the game. The material is presented clearly and every concept is illustrated with concrete examples from a range of disciplines. With numerous exercises, and the addition of a solution manual for instructors with this edition, the book is an extensive guide to game theory for undergraduate through graduate courses in economics, mathematics, computer science, engineering and life sciences, and will also serve as useful reference for researchers.

This book is a final year undergraduate text on stochastic processes, a tool used widely by statisticians and researchers working in the mathematics of finance. The book will give a detailed treatment of conditional expectation and probability, a topic which in principle belongs to probability theory, but is essential as a tool for stochastic processes. Although the book is a final year text, the author has chosen to use exercises as the main means of explanation for the various topics, and the book will have a strong self-study element. The author has concentrated on the major topics within stochastic analysis: Stochastic Processes, Markov Chains, Spectral Theory, Renewal Theory, Martingales and Itô Stochastic Processes.

One of the first books to provide in-depth and systematic application of finite element methods to the field of stochastic structural dynamics The parallel developments of the Finite Element Methods in the 1950 s and the engineering applications of stochastic processes in the 1940 s provided a combined numerical analysis tool for the studies of dynamics of structures and structural systems under random loadings. In the open literature, there are books on statistical dynamics of structures and books on structural dynamics with chapters dealing with random response analysis. However, a systematic treatment of stochastic structural dynamics applying the finite element methods seems to be lacking. Aimed at advanced and specialist levels, the author presents and illustrates analytical and direct integration methods for analyzing the statistics of the response of structures to stochastic loads. The analysis methods are based on structural models represented via the Finite Element Method. In addition to linear problems the text also addresses nonlinear problems and non-stationary random excitation with systems having large spatially stochastic property variations. * A systematic treatment of stochastic structural dynamics applying the finite element methods * Highly illustrated throughout and aimed at advanced and specialist levels, it focuses on computational aspects instead of theory * Emphasizes results mainly in the time domain with limited contents in the time-frequency domain * Presents and illustrates direction integration methods for analyzing the statistics of the response of linear and nonlinear structures to stochastic loads Under Author Information - one change of word to existing text: He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)...

The first comprehensive graduate-level introduction to stochastic thermodynamics Stochastic thermodynamics is a well-defined subfield of statistical physics that aims to interpret thermodynamic concepts for systems ranging in size from a few to hundreds of nanometers, the behavior of which is inherently random due to thermal fluctuations. This growing field therefore describes the nonequilibrium dynamics of small systems, such as artificial nanodevices and biological molecular machines, which are of increasing scientific and technological relevance. This textbook provides an up-to-date pedagogical introduction to stochastic thermodynamics, guiding readers from basic concepts in statistical physics, probability theory, and thermodynamics to the most recent developments in the field. Gradually building up to more advanced material, the authors consistently prioritize simplicity and clarity over exhaustiveness and focus on the development of readers' physical insight over mathematical formalism. This approach allows the reader to grow as the book proceeds, helping interested young scientists to enter the field with less effort and to contribute to its ongoing vibrant development. Chapters provide exercises to complement and reinforce learning. Appropriate for graduate students in physics and biophysics, as well as researchers, Stochastic Thermodynamics serves as an excellent initiation to this rapidly evolving field. Emphasizes a pedagogical approach to the subject Highlights connections with the thermodynamics of information Pays special attention to molecular biophysics applications Privileges physical intuition over mathematical formalism Solutions manual available on request for instructors adopting the book in a course

This book studies the large deviations for empirical measures and vector-valued additive functionals of Markov chains with general state space. Under suitable recurrence conditions, the ergodic theorem for additive functionals of a Markov chain asserts the almost sure convergence of the averages of a real or vector-valued function of the chain to the mean of the function with respect to the invariant distribution. In the case of empirical measures, the ergodic theorem states the almost sure convergence in a suitable sense to the invariant distribution. The large deviation theorems provide precise asymptotic estimates at logarithmic level of the probabilities of deviating from the preponderant behavior asserted by the ergodic theorems.

The field of stochastic processes and Random Matrix Theory (RMT) has been a rapidly evolving subject during the last fifteen years. The continuous development and discovery of new tools, connections and ideas have led to an avalanche of new results. These breakthroughs have been made possible thanks, to a large extent, to the recent development of various new techniques in RMT. Matrix models have been playing an important role in theoretical physics for a long time and they are currently also a very active domain of research in mathematics. An emblematic example of these recent advances concerns the theory of growth phenomena in the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) universality class where the joint efforts of physicists and mathematicians during the last twenty years have unveiled the beautiful connections between this fundamental problem of statistical mechanics and the theory of random matrices, namely the fluctuations of the largest eigenvalue of certain ensembles of random matrices. This text not only covers this topic in detail but also presents more recent developments that have emerged from these discoveries, for instance in the context of low dimensional heat transport (on the physics side) or integrable probability (on the mathematical side).