* What is the essence of the similarity between linearly independent sets of columns of a matrix and forests in a graph?
* Why does the greedy algorithm produce a spanning tree of minimum weight in a connected graph?
* Can we test in polynomial time whether a matrix is totally unimodular?
Matroid theory examines and answers questions like these. Seventy-five years of study of matroids has seen the development of a rich theory with links to graphs, lattices, codes, transversals, and projective geometries. Matroids are of fundamental importance in combinatorial optimization and their applications extend into electrical and structural engineering.
This book falls into two parts: the first provides a comprehensive introduction to the basics of matroid theory, while the second treats more advanced topics. The book contains over seven hundred exercises and includes, for the first time in one place, proofs of all of the major theorems in the subject. The last two chapters review current research and list more than eighty unsolved problems along with a description of the progress towards their solutions.
Reviews from previous edition:
"It includes more background, such as finite fields and finite projective and affine geometries, and the level of the exercises is well suited to graduate students. The book is well written and includes a couple of nice touches ... this is a very useful book. I recommend it highly both as an introduction to matroid theory and as a reference work for those already seriously interested in the subject, whether for its own sake or for its applications to other fields." -- AMS Bulletin
"Whoever wants to know what is happening in one of the most exciting chapters of combinatorics has no choice but to buy and peruse Oxley's treatise." -- The Bulletin of Mathematics
"This book is an excellent graduate textbook and reference book on matroid theory. The care that went into the writing of this book is evident by the quality of the exposition." -- Mathematical Reviews

This is a collection of poetry, prose and visual art that keeps body, mind and spirit together, a rich summation of ideas, thoughts and philosophy. Their common theme is a respect for life and an affinity with what endures throughout the years, bringing an empathetic solace and strength in time of need - with a "Diary of an Edwardian Lady" look and feel about it.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Counterterrorist Detection Techniques of Explosives, Second Edition covers the most current techniques available for explosive detection. This completely revised volume describes the most updated research findings that will be used in the next generation of explosives detection technologies. New editors Drs. Avi Cagan and Jimmie Oxley have assembled in one volume a series of detection technologies written by an expert group of scientists. The book helps researchers to compare the advantages and disadvantages of all available methods in detecting explosives and, in effect, allows them to choose the correct instrumental screening technology according to the nature of the sample.

The Dorset Rockfax is now the established source of climbing information for this increasingly popular area. With a huge increase in new climbers coming into the sport from the metropolitan areas of Southern England, this book represents their closest extensive sport climbing area. The fifth edition of the Dorset Rockfax and the biggest Rockfax guidebook yet. It covers all the sport climbing across Portland, Lulworth and Swanage in Dorset and also the best of the trad climbing. The book features all the new developments since the previous book in 2012 and a few extra areas. Every crag has been rephotographed and presented with big aerial overviews and detailed new maps. Crags Covered Portland - Blacknor North, Blacknor Central, Blacknor South, Blacknor Beach, Blacknor Far South, Battleship Edge, Battleship Back Cliff, Wallsend North, Wallsend South, Coastguard North, Coastguard South, White Hole, Lighthouse Area, Cave Hole, Beeston Cliff, Godnor, Neddyfields, Cheyne Cliff, Dungecroft Quarry, Lost Valley, The Cuttings, The Knobs Lulworth Swanage - Winspit, Hedbury, Dancing Ledge, Guillemot Ledge, Cormorant Ledge, Blackers Hole, Fisherman's Ledge, The Promenade, Cattle Troughs, Boulder Ruckle, Subluminal The Needles

Uncertainties in GPS Positioning: A Mathematical Discourse describes the calculations performed by a GPS receiver and the problems associated with ensuring that the derived location is a close match to the actual location. Inaccuracies in calculating a location can have serious repercussions, so this book is a timely source for information on this rapidly evolving technology.

This lavish book highlights a selection of the wonderful illustrations held in the archive of The Florilegium Society at Sheffield Botanical Gardens. Each illustration included in the book is accompanied by a plant profile, stating where the plant was found in the wild and explaining something of its history, uses and botany. The book also gives an introduction to florilegia dating from the early herbals, and a history of the Society's Herbarium and the Gardens themselves. Featuring over 100 colour illustrations and 67 plant profiles, it is a book for everyone to enjoy, whatever the season. The Botanical Gardens are in the heart of the City of Sheffield and are a much-loved venue enjoyed both by the people of Sheffield and visitors to the City. This book has been written by the Society's founding chair Valerie Oxley. Valerie developed the diploma in Botanical Illustration with colleagues at the University of Sheffield.

Detection and quantification of trace chemicals is a major thrust of analytical chemistry. In recent years much effort has been spent developing detection systems for priority pollutants. Less mature are the detections of substances of interest to law enforcement and security personnel: in particular explosives. This volume will discuss the detection of these, not only setting out the theoretical fundamentals, but also emphasizing the remarkable developments in the last decade. Terrorist events airplanes blown out of the sky (PanAm 103 over Lockerbie) and attacks on U.S. and European cities (Trade Center in New York and the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, railways in London and Madrid)--emphasize the danger of concealed explosives. However, since most explosives release little vapor, it was not possible to detect them by technology used on most organic substances. After PanAm 103 was downed over Scotland, the U.S. Congress requested automatic explosive detection equipment be placed in airports. This volume outlines the history of explosive detection research, the developments along the way, present day technologies, and what we think the future holds.

- Written by experts in the field who set out both the scientific issues and the practical context with authority
- Discusses and describes the threat
- Describes the theoretical background and practical applications of both trace and bulk explosives detection"

"Beyond the Valley" has been a culmination of devotional thoughts expressed through experiences. As we come from different backgrounds and varying situations in life, the things that motivate us, and the way we deal with life can be hugely different. However, there are some similarities in some of our coping strategies. My reason for writing this book stems from my own personal strategy of creatively interpreting life experiences through poetry. This has helped me cope with situations in my life, which we all face from time to time like divorce, unemployment, bereavement and ill-health. As a mother of two, it has been a privilege to encourage my children in preparation for the challenges they will meet in later life; developing a trust in God and being able to ask for His guidance in the magnitude of choices they make. "Beyond the Valley" was written to show that it is not so much about doing great things, but doing things in a great and individual way. Our experiences and ambitions differ, but our importance and uniqueness should keep us rising to the top. When we think of the beauty of nature it can lift our spirits by the promise of better things to come. This adds a new and positive approach to life. Life may place us in a valley situation, but we needn't stay there. We can use these circumstances to enable us to rise above those troubles that prevent our success in life. There is always potential to be tapped and resources that we never thought were there. The same God who is with us in our valleys can also be with us on the mountaintop. He can give us the ability to reach forward courageously: Beyond the Valley