The Monte Carlo method is based on the munerical realization of natural or artificial models of the phenomena under considerations. In contrast to classical computing methods the Monte Carlo efficiency depends weakly on the dimen sion and geometric details of the problem. The method is used for solving complex problems of the radiation transfer theory, turbulent diffusion, chemi cal kinetics, theory of rarefied gases, diffraction of waves on random surfaces, etc. The Monte Carlo method is especially effective when using multi-processor computing systems which allow many independent statistical experiments to be simulated simultaneously. The weighted Monte Carlo estimates are constructed in order to diminish errors and to obtain dependent estimates for the calculated functionals for different values of parameters of the problem, i.e., to improve the functional dependence. In addition, the weighted estimates make it possible to evaluate special functionals, for example, the derivatives with respect to the parameters. There are many works concerned with the development of the weighted estimates. In Chap. 1 we give the necessary information about these works and present a set of illustrations. The rest of the book is devoted to the solution of a series of mathematical problems related to the optimization of the weighted Monte Carlo estimates."

Nonlinear dynamics is now recognized as playing a crucial role in a wide variety of disciplines. But what is only just beginning is the important process of cross fertilization and transfer of knowledge and expertise from one area to another. This book is intended to promote this process which will undoubtedly contribute greatly to furthering our understanding of complex systems. Contributions are provided by leading experts from the areas of sociology, cognitive science, chemistry, physiology, ecology, economics, neural networks and physics.