Einstein proved that the mean square displacement of Brownian motion is proportional to time. He also proved that the diffusion constant depends on the mass and on the conductivity (sometimes referred to Einstein s relation). The main aim of this book is to reveal similar connections between the physical and geometric properties of space and diffusion. This is done in the context of random walks in the absence of algebraic structure, local or global spatial symmetry or self-similarity. The author studies the heat diffusion at this general level and discusses the following topics:

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This book builds on the premise that the effectiveness of national efforts to increase spending on R&D can be approximated by the competitiveness of that economy in international markets. Building on a number of existing 'benchmarking' studies that have to date only ranked countries according either to their R&D indicators, or their performances in innovation, this is the first book to offer a synthesized assessment of the R&D competitiveness of national economies based on both input and output related indicators. Several quantitative methods are used to combine these lists with a wide variety of R&D indicators. The book confirms one of the major premises of the Lisbon Strategy - that Europe is significantly lagging behind its overseas competitors in R&D. Competitiveness in Research and Development includes a unique comparative analysis of R&D and innovation systems of transition and developing economies. It also features a comprehensive and critical survey of international literature on the measurement of R&D and innovation performance. Academics and researchers of innovation and science and industrial economics will find much to interest them in this book as will international organisations, think tanks, and government agencies dealing with R&D and innovation. The book will also appeal to strategists and managers of R&D intensive companies.