Practical Methods of Optimization

The application of Bayesian Networks (BN) or Dynamic Bayesian Networks (DBN) in dependability and risk analysis is a recent development. A large number of scientific publications show the interest in the applications of BN in this field. Unfortunately, this modeling formalism is not fully accepted in the industry. The questions facing today's engineers are focused on the validity of BN models and the resulting estimates. Indeed, a BN model is not based on a specific semantic in dependability but offers a general formalism for modeling problems under uncertainty. This book explains the principles of knowledge structuration to ensure a valid BN and DBN model and illustrate the flexibility and efficiency of these representations in dependability, risk analysis and control of multi-state systems and dynamic systems. Across five chapters, the authors present several modeling methods and industrial applications are referenced for illustration in real industrial contexts.

Features a broad introduction to recent research on Turing’s formula and presents modern applications in statistics, probability, information theory, and other areas of modern data science Turing's formula is, perhaps, the only known method for estimating the underlying distributional characteristics beyond the range of observed data without making any parametric or semiparametric assumptions. This book presents a clear introduction to Turing’s formula and its connections to statistics. Topics with relevance to a variety of different fields of study are included such as information theory; statistics; probability; computer science inclusive of artificial intelligence and machine learning; big data; biology; ecology; and genetics. The author provides examinations of many core statistical issues within modern data science from Turing's perspective. A systematic approach to long-standing problems such as entropy and mutual information estimation, diversity index estimation, domains of attraction on general alphabets, and tail probability estimation is presented in light of the most up-to-date understanding of Turing's formula. Featuring numerous exercises and examples throughout, the author provides a summary of the known properties of Turing's formula and explains how and when it works well; discusses the approach derived from Turing's formula in order to estimate a variety of quantities, all of which mainly come from information theory, but are also important for machine learning and for ecological applications; and uses Turing's formula to estimate certain heavy-tailed distributions. In summary, this book: • Features a unified and broad presentation of Turing’s formula, including its connections to statistics, probability, information theory, and other areas of modern data science • Provides a presentation on the statistical estimation of information theoretic quantities • Demonstrates the estimation problems of several statistical functions from Turing's perspective such as Simpson's indices, Shannon's entropy, general diversity indices, mutual information, and Kullback–Leibler divergence • Includes numerous exercises and examples throughout with a fundamental perspective on the key results of Turing’s formula Statistical Implications of Turing's Formula is an ideal reference for researchers and practitioners who need a review of the many critical statistical issues of modern data science. This book is also an appropriate learning resource for biologists, ecologists, and geneticists who are involved with the concept of diversity and its estimation and can be used as a textbook for graduate courses in mathematics, probability, statistics, computer science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, and information theory. Zhiyi Zhang, PhD, is Professor of Mathematics and Statistics at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is an active consultant in both industry and government on a wide range of statistical issues, and his current research interests include Turing's formula and its statistical implications; probability and statistics on countable alphabets; nonparametric estimation of entropy and mutual information; tail probability and biodiversity indices; and applications involving extracting statistical information from low-frequency data space. He earned his PhD in Statistics from Rutgers University.

A comprehensive guide to ranks and group theory Ranks of Groups features a logical, straightforward presentation, beginning with a succinct discussion of the standard ranks before moving on to specific aspects of ranks of groups. Topics covered include section ranks, groups of finite 0-rank, minimax rank, special rank, groups of finite section p-rank, groups having finite section p-rank for all primes p, groups of finite bounded section rank, groups whose abelian subgroups have finite rank, groups whose abelian subgroups have bounded finite rank, finitely generated groups having finite rank, residual properties of groups of finite rank, groups covered by normal subgroups of bounded finite rank, and theorems of Schur and Baer. This book presents fundamental concepts and notions related to the area of ranks in groups. Class-tested worldwide by highly qualified authors in the fields of abstract algebra and group theory, this book focuses on critical concepts with the most interesting, striking, and central results. In order to provide readers with the most useful techniques related to the various different ranks in a group, the authors have carefully examined hundreds of current research articles on group theory authored by researchers around the world, providing an up-to-date, comprehensive treatment of the subject. • All material has been thoroughly vetted and class-tested by well-known researchers who have worked in the area of rank conditions in groups • Topical coverage reflects the most modern, up-to-date research on ranks of groups • Features a unified point-of-view on the most important results in ranks obtained using various methods so as to illustrate the role those ranks play within group theory • Focuses on the tools and methods concerning ranks necessary to achieve significant progress in the study and clarification of the structure of groups Ranks of Groups: The Tools, Characteristics, and Restrictions is an excellent textbook for graduate courses in mathematics, featuring numerous exercises, whose solutions are provided. This book will be an indispensable resource for mathematicians and researchers specializing in group theory and abstract algebra. MARTYN R. DIXON, PhD, is Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Alabama. LEONID A. KURDACHENKO, PhD, DrS, is Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Algebra at the University of Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. IGOR YA SUBBOTIN, PhD, is Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at National University in Los Angeles, California.

Written by a team of international experts, Extremes and Recurrence in Dynamical Systems presents a unique point of view on the mathematical theory of extremes and on its applications in the natural and social sciences. Featuring an interdisciplinary approach to new concepts in pure and applied mathematical research, the book skillfully combines the areas of statistical mechanics, probability theory, measure theory, dynamical systems, statistical inference, geophysics, and software application. Emphasizing the statistical mechanical point of view, the book introduces robust theoretical embedding for the application of extreme value theory in dynamical systems. Extremes and Recurrence in Dynamical Systems also features: • A careful examination of how a dynamical system can serve as a generator of stochastic processes • Discussions on the applications of statistical inference in the theoretical and heuristic use of extremes • Several examples of analysis of extremes in a physical and geophysical context • A final summary of the main results presented along with a guide to future research projects • An appendix with software in Matlab® programming language to help readers to develop further understanding of the presented concepts Extremes and Recurrence in Dynamical Systems is ideal for academics and practitioners in pure and applied mathematics, probability theory, statistics, chaos, theoretical and applied dynamical systems, statistical mechanics, geophysical fluid dynamics, geosciences and complexity science. VALERIO LUCARINI, PhD, is Professor of Theoretical Meteorology at the University of Hamburg, Germany and Professor of Statistical Mechanics at the University of Reading, UK. DAVIDE FARANDA, PhD, is Researcher at the Laboratoire des science du climat et de l’environnement, IPSL, CEA Saclay, Universit? Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France. ANA CRISTINA GOMES MONTEIRO MOREIRA DE FREITAS, PhD, is Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Economics at the University of Porto, Portugal. JORGE MIGUEL MILHAZES DE FREITAS, PhD, is Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics of the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Porto, Portugal. MARK HOLLAND, PhD, is Senior Lecturer in Applied Mathematics in the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences at the University of Exeter, UK. TOBIAS KUNA, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Reading, UK. MATTHEW NICOL, PhD, is Professor of Mathematics at the University of Houston, USA. MIKE TODD, PhD, is Lecturer in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. SANDRO VAIENTI, PhD, is Professor of Mathematics at the University of Toulon and Researcher at the Centre de Physique Th?orique, France.

Praise for the First Edition “…this book is quite inspiring, giving many practical ideas for survey research, especially for designing better questionnaires.” —International Statistical Review Reflecting modern developments in the field of survey research, the Second Edition of Design, Evaluation, and Analysis of Questionnaires for Survey Research continues to provide cutting-edge analysis of the important decisions researchers make throughout the survey design process. The new edition covers the essential methodologies and statistical tools utilized to create reliable and accurate survey questionnaires, which unveils the relationship between individual question characteristics and overall question quality. Since the First Edition, the computer program Survey Quality Prediction (SQP) has been updated to include new predictions of the quality of survey questions on the basis of analyses of Multi-Trait Multi-Method experiments. The improved program contains over 60,000 questions, with translations in most European languages. Featuring an expanded explanation of the usage and limitations of SQP 2.0, the Second Edition also includes: • New practice problems to provide readers with real-world experience in survey research and questionnaire design • A comprehensive outline of the steps for creating and testing survey questionnaires • Contemporary examples that demonstrate the many pitfalls of questionnaire design and ways to avoid similar decisions Design, Evaluation, and Analysis of Questionnaires for Survey Research, Second Edition is an excellent textbook for upper-undergraduate and graduate-level courses in methodology and research questionnaire planning, as well as an ideal resource for social scientists or survey researchers needing to design, evaluate, and analyze questionnaires. Design, Evaluation, and Analysis of Questionnaires for Survey Research, Second Edition is an excellent textbook for upper-undergraduate and graduate-level courses in methodology and research questionnaire planning, as well as an ideal resource for social scientists or survey researchers needing to design, evaluate, and analyze questionnaires.Reflecting modern developments in the field of survey research, the Second Edition ofDesign, Evaluation, and Analysis of Questionnaires for Survey Research continues toprovide cutting-edge analysis of the important decisions researchers make throughout thesurvey design process.The new edition covers the essential methodologies and statistical tools utilized to createreliable and accurate survey questionnaires, which unveils the relationship between individualquestion characteristics and overall question quality. Since the First Edition, the computerprogram Survey Quality Prediction (SQP) has