The infinite dimensional analysis as a branch of mathematical sciences was formed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Motivated by problems in mathematical physics, the first steps in this field were taken by V. Volterra, R. GateallX, P. Levy and M. Frechet, among others (see the preface to Levy 2]). Nevertheless, the most fruitful direction in this field is the infinite dimensional integration theory initiated by N. Wiener and A. N. Kolmogorov which is closely related to the developments of the theory of stochastic processes. It was Wiener who constructed for the first time in 1923 a probability measure on the space of all continuous functions (i. e. the Wiener measure) which provided an ideal math ematical model for Brownian motion. Then some important properties of Wiener integrals, especially the quasi-invariance of Gaussian measures, were discovered by R. Cameron and W. Martin l, 2, 3]. In 1931, Kolmogorov l] deduced a second partial differential equation for transition probabilities of Markov processes order with continuous trajectories (i. e. diffusion processes) and thus revealed the deep connection between theories of differential equations and stochastic processes. The stochastic analysis created by K. Ito (also independently by Gihman 1]) in the forties is essentially an infinitesimal analysis for trajectories of stochastic processes. By virtue of Ito's stochastic differential equations one can construct diffusion processes via direct probabilistic methods and treat them as function als of Brownian paths (i. e. the Wiener functionals)."

Semimartingale Theory and Stochastic Calculus presents a systematic and detailed account of the general theory of stochastic processes, the semimartingale theory, and related stochastic calculus. The book emphasizes stochastic integration for semimartingales, characteristics of semimartingales, predictable representation properties and weak convergence of semimartingales. It also includes a concise treatment of absolute continuity and singularity, contiguity, and entire separation of measures by semimartingale approach. Two basic types of processes frequently encountered in applied probability and statistics are highlighted: processes with independent increments and marked point processes encountered frequently in applied probability and statistics.

Semimartingale Theory and Stochastic Calculus is a self-contained and comprehensive book that will be valuable for research mathematicians, statisticians, engineers, and students.

The infinite dimensional analysis as a branch of mathematical sciences was formed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Motivated by problems in mathematical physics, the first steps in this field were taken by V. Volterra, R. GateallX, P. Levy and M. Frechet, among others (see the preface to Levy 2]). Nevertheless, the most fruitful direction in this field is the infinite dimensional integration theory initiated by N. Wiener and A. N. Kolmogorov which is closely related to the developments of the theory of stochastic processes. It was Wiener who constructed for the first time in 1923 a probability measure on the space of all continuous functions (i. e. the Wiener measure) which provided an ideal math ematical model for Brownian motion. Then some important properties of Wiener integrals, especially the quasi-invariance of Gaussian measures, were discovered by R. Cameron and W. Martin l, 2, 3]. In 1931, Kolmogorov l] deduced a second partial differential equation for transition probabilities of Markov processes order with continuous trajectories (i. e. diffusion processes) and thus revealed the deep connection between theories of differential equations and stochastic processes. The stochastic analysis created by K. Ito (also independently by Gihman 1]) in the forties is essentially an infinitesimal analysis for trajectories of stochastic processes. By virtue of Ito's stochastic differential equations one can construct diffusion processes via direct probabilistic methods and treat them as function als of Brownian paths (i. e. the Wiener functionals)."

This book gives a systematic introduction to the basic theory of financial mathematics, with an emphasis on applications of martingale methods in pricing and hedging of contingent claims, interest rate term structure models, and expected utility maximization problems. The general theory of static risk measures, basic concepts and results on markets of semimartingale model, and a numeraire-free and original probability based framework for financial markets are also included. The basic theory of probability and Ito's theory of stochastic analysis, as preliminary knowledge, are presented.

These proceedings contain both general expository papers and research announcements in several active areas of probability and statistics. A large range of topics is covered from theory (Sobolev inequalities and heat semigroup, Brownian motions, white noise analysis, geometrical structure of statistical experiments) to applications (simulated annealing, ARMA models).