In this paper we shall discuss the construction of formal short-wave asymp totic solutions of problems of mathematical physics. The topic is very broad. It can somewhat conveniently be divided into three parts: 1. Finding the short-wave asymptotics of a rather narrow class of problems, which admit a solution in an explicit form, via formulas that represent this solution. 2. Finding formal asymptotic solutions of equations that describe wave processes by basing them on some ansatz or other. We explain what 2 means. Giving an ansatz is knowing how to give a formula for the desired asymptotic solution in the form of a series or some expression containing a series, where the analytic nature of the terms of these series is indicated up to functions and coefficients that are undetermined at the first stage of consideration. The second stage is to determine these functions and coefficients using a direct substitution of the ansatz in the equation, the boundary conditions and the initial conditions. Sometimes it is necessary to use different ansiitze in different domains, and in the overlapping parts of these domains the formal asymptotic solutions must be asymptotically equivalent (the method of matched asymptotic expansions). The basis for success in the search for formal asymptotic solutions is a suitable choice of ansiitze. The study of the asymptotics of explicit solutions of special model problems allows us to "surmise" what the correct ansiitze are for the general solution."

This book is devoted to applications of singularity theory in mathematics and physics, covering a broad spectrum of topics and problems. "The book contains a huge amount of information from all the branches of Singularity Theory, presented in a very attractive way, with lots of inspiring pictures." --ZENTRALBLATT MATH

Any sustainable groundwater development programme requires knowledge of the prevailing flow system, extending from local to regional scale. This book of selected papers discusses integral groundwater management with scale flow issues and presents methods of defining, preventing, controlling and mitigating negative environmental impacts related to groundwater. It highlights specific issues such as trans-boundary groundwater flow, groundwater recharge, groundwater mining, and groundwater flow in thick aquifers, and stresses the importance of the sustainable development of groundwater and its social and economic implications. The book will interest groundwater researchers and professionals, students, government administrators and educators, providing new insights into the procedures and processes that are influenced by the scale of the groundwater flow system.

Scholarly yet readable, this second volume examines the major content areas where family life education is practiced: marriage enrichment, parent education, sex education, and aging, among others. In each section, the authors offer a critical and succinct introduction to the subject area, provide literature sources, and discuss current educational practices. They also address issues of age, gender, and ethnicity. In addition, the authors identify areas where further work needs to be done and offer suggestions for new directions, thus assisting program developers and leaders in the improvement of their practice.

Handbook of Family Life Education covers a wide range of educational and preventive programs to improve the quality of individual and family life. Although it has a long history, only recently has there been a movement toward professionalization of these programs or an intellectual justification for them developed. The Handbook of Family Life Education is the first to provide a framework for this field. Its purpose is to provide an introduction to a critical perspective on family life education--both its major intellectual themes and its areas of practice--for researchers, policymakers, curriculum and program planners, and practitioners. "Finally, there is a comprehensive resource on family life education. As the editors write in the preface, previous handbooks included discussion of family life education, but often only as one of the many chapters. Further, any earlier volume had become dated given the changes and evolving sophistication of the field. A new reference resource was needed, and these two volumes will meet that need. Hats off to the editors!" --Family Forum "This book is the most extensive compilation of research and practice regarding family life education that has been written. In the two volumes, the editors have assembled a diverse group of scholars to describe the fundamental issues and to discuss the state of the art in family life education. . . . These two volumes provide an extensive foundation for scholars, students, and practitioners interested in family life education. These volumes draw together an often disparate and disorganized body of knowledge and establish a basis for considering theoretical and methodological issues. Many of the chapters provide thorough reviews and critiques of the family life programs and insightful recommendations about future decisions. . . . the Handbook of Family Life Education is a substantial contribution to the field and will be very useful in undergraduate and graduate courses on family life education and to scholars and practitioners interested in other important issues confronting the field." --Family Relations "This is without a doubt the most complete, encyclopedic treatise on family life education available on the market, bar none. It contains all the information that either beginning family life educators or consummate professionals need to know about this field, past, present, and future. I recommend it wholeheartedly, not only to family life educators, but also to marriage and family therapists. Perhaps, in the not too distant future, all of the information contained in both volumes will be used by anyone who is interested in helping families, regardless of professional identity or theoretical orientation." --Luciano L'Abate, Georgia State University HANDBOOK OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, VOLUME 1 Foundations of Family Life Education This first volume of the Handbook of Family Life Education serves as a major resource for those who teach, practice, and do research in family life education. It documents the current status of the field and provides an introduction to and a critical perspective on family life education. The contributing authors address such topics as the nature of family life education, its evolution as a field of practice, and its intellectual and philosophical foundations. The central theme of values and the tasks of planning, implementation, and evaluation of family life programs are also examined. Where applicable, matters of ethnicity, gender, and religion are addressed.

Any sustainable groundwater development programme requires knowledge of the prevailing flow system, extending from local to regional scale. This book of selected papers discusses integral groundwater management with scale flow issues and presents methods of defining, preventing, controlling and mitigating negative environmental impacts related to groundwater. It highlights specific issues such as trans-boundary groundwater flow, groundwater recharge, groundwater mining, and groundwater flow in thick aquifers, and stresses the importance of the sustainable development of groundwater and its social and economic implications. The book will interest groundwater researchers and professionals, students, government administrators and educators, providing new insights into the procedures and processes that are influenced by the scale of the groundwater flow system.

In this paper we shall discuss the construction of formal short-wave asymp totic solutions of problems of mathematical physics. The topic is very broad. It can somewhat conveniently be divided into three parts: 1. Finding the short-wave asymptotics of a rather narrow class of problems, which admit a solution in an explicit form, via formulas that represent this solution. 2. Finding formal asymptotic solutions of equations that describe wave processes by basing them on some ansatz or other. We explain what 2 means. Giving an ansatz is knowing how to give a formula for the desired asymptotic solution in the form of a series or some expression containing a series, where the analytic nature of the terms of these series is indicated up to functions and coefficients that are undetermined at the first stage of consideration. The second stage is to determine these functions and coefficients using a direct substitution of the ansatz in the equation, the boundary conditions and the initial conditions. Sometimes it is necessary to use different ansiitze in different domains, and in the overlapping parts of these domains the formal asymptotic solutions must be asymptotically equivalent (the method of matched asymptotic expansions). The basis for success in the search for formal asymptotic solutions is a suitable choice of ansiitze. The study of the asymptotics of explicit solutions of special model problems allows us to "surmise" what the correct ansiitze are for the general solution."

This book is devoted to applications of singularity theory in mathematics and physics, covering a broad spectrum of topics and problems. "The book contains a huge amount of information from all the branches of Singularity Theory, presented in a very attractive way, with lots of inspiring pictures." --ZENTRALBLATT MATH