Cybernetics and systems theory Books

Book SynopsisThe classic book on systems thinking, with more than half a million copies sold worldwide! This is a fabulous book. This book opened my mind and reshaped the way I think about investing. Forbes Perfect for fans of Kate Raworth, Rutger Bregman and Daniel Kahneman! The co-author of the international best-selling book Limits to Growth, Donella Meadows is widely regarded as a pioneer in the environmental movement and one of the world's foremost systems analysts . Her posthumously published Thinking in Systems, is a concise and crucial book offering insight for problem solving on scales ranging from the personal to the global. This essential primer brings systems thinking out of the realm of computers and equations and into the tangible world, showing readers how to develop the systems-thinking skills critical for 21st-century life. Some of the biggest problems facing the world―war, hunger, poverty, and environmental degradation―are essentially system failures. They cannot be solved by fixing one piece in isolation from the others, because even seemingly minor details have enormous impact. While readers will learn the conceptual tools and methods of systems thinking, the heart of the book is grander than methodology. Donella Meadows reminds readers to pay attention to what is important, not just what is quantifiable, to stay humble, and to stay a learner. No matter what industry or career you’re in, Thinking In Systems will bring clarity to the complicated, crowded and interdependent networks that make up the world today. Thinking in Systems helps readers avoid confusion and helplessness, the first step toward finding proactive and effective solutions.Trade ReviewPublishers Weekly, Starred Review- Just before her death, scientist, farmer and leading environmentalist Meadows (1941-2001) completed an updated, 30th anniversary edition of her influential 1972 environmental call to action, Limits to Growth, as well as a draft of this book, in which she explains the methodology-systems analysis-she used in her ground-breaking work, and how it can be implemented for large-scale and individual problem solving. With humorous and commonplace examples for difficult concepts such as a "reinforcing feedback loop," (the more one brother pushes, the more the other brother pushes back), negative feedback (as in thermostats), accounting for delayed response (like in maintaining store inventory), Meadows leads readers through the increasingly complex ways that feedback loops operate to create self-organizing systems, in nature ("from viruses to redwood trees") and human endeavor. Further, Meadows explicates methods for fixing systems that have gone haywire ("The world's leaders are correctly fixated on economic growth ...but they're pushing with all their might in the wrong direction"). An invaluable companion piece to Limits to Growth, this is also a useful standalone overview of systems-based problem solving, "a simple book about a complex world" graced by the wisdom of a profound thinker committed to "shaping a better future."When I read Thinking in Systems I am reminded of the enormity of the gap between systemic thinkers and policy makers. If this book helps narrow the gap, it will be Dana's greatest contribution."--Lester Brown, founder and President, Earth Policy Institute"Dana Meadows' exposition in this book exhibits a degree of clarity and simplicity that can only be attained by one who profoundly and honestly understands the subject at hand--in this case systems modeling. Many thanks to Diana Wright for bringing this extra legacy from Dana to us."--Herman Daly, Professor, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland at College Park"Reading Thinking in Systems evokes the wisdom and even the voice of Dana Meadows. We are reminded of how she was not only one of the great systems thinkers, but also one of our greatest teachers. This is modestly called a primer, and indeed it is, but unlike most books with that title, this one quickly takes one from the elementary into deep systems thinking about issues as critical today as they were when Dana wrote these words. The discussion of oil use and the interaction of its extraction pattern with economic decision making should be required reading for all energy policy makers and energy company executives (as well as all informed citizens in a democracy). The fisheries case reminds us of how little any government or private actor has done to grasp the importance of takeout flows in determining stocks when the input flows are not within our control. The commentary on economics and, yes the need to consider limits, is a clear systems statement that clarifies a great deal of discussion that goes back to The Limits to Growth. It is remarkable that Dana is able to explain with such clarity such systems concepts of stocks, flows, feedback, time delays, resilience, bounded rationality, and system boundaries and to illustrate each one with multiple informative examples. Her statement that goals that optimize subsystems will sub optimize the functioning of the total system, is truly profound. As the book moves from the 'mechanics' of systems dynamics to Dana's more philosophical perspective, we are treated to her inherent belief in human values that consider the good of all, and how much more effective considering the needs of others is likely to be in solving larger, complex problems. The universe and our society may be very complex and operate in counterintuitive, non-liner fashion, but following the insights of this book and applying them will provide for far more effective solutions to the challenges of a 7 billion person planet than current incremental, linear responses by governments, corporations and individuals."--Bill Moomaw, Professor of International Environmental Policy at the Fletcher School, Tufts University"In Dana Meadows's brilliantly integrative worldview, everything causes everything else; cause and effect loop back on themselves. She was the clearest thinker and writer co-creating the art and science of systems dynamics, and Thinking in Systems distills her lifetime of wisdom. This clear, fun-to-read synthesis will help diverse readers everywhere to grasp and harness how our complex world really works."--Amory B. Lovins, Chairman and Chief Scientist, Rocky Mountain Institute"Dana Meadows taught a generation of students, friends, and colleagues the art and science of thinking beyond conventional boundaries. For her systems thinking included the expected things like recognizing patterns, connections, leverage points, feedback loops and also the human qualities of judgment, foresight, and kindness. She was a teacher with insight and heart. This long anticipated book, the distillation of her life's work, is a gem."--David Orr, Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics, Oberlin College"The publication of Thinking in Systems is a landmark. To live sustainably on our planet, we must learn to understand human-environment interactions as complex systems marked by the impact of human actions, the prominence of nonlinear change, the importance of initial conditions, and the significance of emergent properties. Dana Meadows' final contribution is the best and most accessible introduction to this way of thinking we have. This book is destined to shape our understanding of socio-ecological systems in the years to come in much the same way that Silent Spring taught us to understand the nature of ecosystems in the 1960s and 1970s."--Oran R. Young, Professor, Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at University of California, Santa Barbara"Thinking in Systems is required reading for anyone hoping to run a successful company, community, or country. Learning how to think in systems is now part of change-agent literacy. And this is the best book of its kind."--Hunter Lovins, founder and President of Natural Capital Solutions and coauthor of Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution"Dana Meadows was one of the smartest people I ever knew, able to figure out the sensible answer to almost any problem. This book explains how she thought, and hence is of immense value to those of us who often wonder what she'd make of some new problem. A classic."--Bill McKibben, author of Deep Economy"An inspiring sequel to Dana Meadows' lifetime of seminal contributions to systems thinking, this highly accessible book should be read by everyone concerned with the world's future and how we can make it as good as it possibly can be."--Peter H. Raven, President, Missouri Botanical Garden"Few matched Dana Meadows remarkable blend of eloquence and clarity in making systems thinking understandable. When Dana began her career, the field was esoteric and academic. Today it is the sine quo non for intelligent action in business and society. The publication of Meadows' previously unfinished manuscript is a gift for leaders of all sorts and at all levels."--Peter M. Senge, author of The Fifth Discipline and The Necessary Revolution

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Book Synopsis"David Stroh has produced an elegant and cogent guide to what works. Research with early learners is showing that children are natural systems thinkers. This book will help to resuscitate these intuitive capabilities and strengthen them in the fire of facing our toughest problems."—Peter Senge, author of The Fifth Discipline Concrete guidance on how to incorporate systems thinking in problem solving, decision making, and strategic planning—for everyone! Donors, leaders of nonprofits, and public policy makers usually have the best of intentions to serve society and improve social conditions. But often their solutions fall far short of what they want to accomplish and what is truly needed. Moreover, the answers they propose and fund often produce the opposite of what they want over time. We end up with temporary shelters that increase homelessness, drug busts that increase drug-related crime, or food aid that increases starvation. How do these unintended consequences come about and how can we avoid them? By applying conventional thinking to complex social problems, we often perpetuate the very problems we try so hard to solve, but it is possible to think differently, and get different results. Systems Thinking for Social Change enables readers to contribute more effectively to society by helping them understand what systems thinking is and why it is so important in their work. It also gives concrete guidance on how to incorporate systems thinking in problem solving, decision making, and strategic planning without becoming a technical expert. Systems thinking leader David Stroh walks readers through techniques he has used to help people improve their efforts on complex problems like: ending homelessness improving public health strengthening education designing a system for early childhood development protecting child welfare developing rural economies facilitating the reentry of formerly incarcerated people into society resolving identity-based conflicts and more! The result is a highly readable, effective guide to understanding systems and using that knowledge to get the results you want. Trade Review “I don't know of another book in this field that presents the ideas of systems thinking in such a clear and practical way, with so many real-world examples."--Janice Molloy, managing editor, Reflections: The SoL NorthAmerica Journal on Knowledge, Learning, and ChangePublishers Weekly- "This dense volume will be of genuine use to many in the nonprofit world ... Stroh has a valuable insight to impart: Becoming a more effective systems thinker is not just an analytical task 'but also an emotional, physical, and ultimately spiritual one.' For those dedicated enough to stay with Stroh's message, this book will be a useful beginning.”“Stroh has offered an important gem in his new book, Systems Thinking for Social Change. Both illuminating and immediately useful, the book shares the key dynamics and success factors gleaned from his long career of working with organizations struggling with society’s most persistent issues. A must read for anyone whose aim is to make a difference on the ground.”--Kristina Wile, co-president, Leverage Networks, and managing partner, Systems Thinking Collaborative“If there is only one book you read on systems thinking, it should be Systems Thinking for Social Change. If you’re new to systems thinking, I consider this a must read. If you’ve been involved in systems thinking for some time and want a renewed and extended perspective, I highly recommend it. Stroh’s new work covers all the relevant areas appropriate for a solid introduction to systems thinking, though it doesn’t stop there. It makes a serious contribution by detailing a number of real-world situations that have been investigated and improved using the approach presented in the book. And it does very well something that I’ve not seen done before: it not only shows how to map the current system, but also shows how to then create a revised map of how the system is intended to work in the future. This approach ends up identifying where measurements should be made on an ongoing basis to ascertain whether the system is undergoing the intended transformation.”--Gene Bellinger, director, Systems Thinking World, Inc.“The philanthropic sector has shifted from a ‘charity’ mindset to a focus on changing systems to create sustainable change. Systems Thinking for Social Change offers practical tools for those serious about improving communities and organizations. It doesn’t minimize the complexity, but rather empowers social-change agents with tools to understand the complexity and identify the leverage points.”--Teresa Behrens, director, Institute for Foundation and Donor Learning“Over fifteen years ago, David Stroh was instrumental in introducing systems thinking to the peace-building field, using tools that have proven to be powerful for improving the effectiveness of our work. This book is a valuable resource for our field — a must read for all practitioners who have been seeking practical and easy-to-understand guidance on using systems thinking for conflict analysis and strategic planning for better impacts.”--Diana Chigas, professor of practice, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and co-director of collaborative learning, CDA Collaborative Learning Projects“This is a must read for public leaders and citizens who are interested in the learning disciplines required for a sustainable, proactive approach to preserving our shared resources.”--Georgianna Bishop, president, The Public Sector Consortium“For those who have worked for many years in the social-service sector, and who have grown cynical or disillusioned as to whether it is even possible to effect major social change, David Peter Stroh’s book, Systems Thinking for Social Change, is a must read—a clear, thoughtful, and practical guide for those desiring to create lasting social change. But reader beware! Systems thinking is more than a new way of thinking. As Stroh puts it, it is a new way of being. It requires the ability to look at things in a new way, to interact with others differently, to have a clear vision of where you want to go, a willingness to see things the way they are and, finally, the courage to take responsibility for why the system as is isn’t working. If you want to help create long-lasting, effective social change, if you want to say ‘we’re doing it—we’re actually making progress,’ then read this book.”--Anne Miskey, executive director, Funders Together to End Homelessness“David Stroh, in his invaluable new book, shows that good intentions are not enough for those who aspire to make lasting progress on fundamental social issues—and also how the language and tools of systems theory can provide a deeper understanding of the root causes and help identify the leverage points for productive and sustainable change.”--Russell Eisenstat, executive director, Center for Higher Ambition Leadership“Societal problems are a swirl of causes, effects, interactions, and contributing relationships. Yet, too often, simplistic answers are applied by the well-intended that only touch on one strand of what is (in reality) a complex and interconnected web. Stroh’s work provides an actionable guide on how to model these relationships—and more importantly how to have a meaningful and lasting impact on them.”--Jason E. Glass, superintendent and chief learner, Eagle County Schools "With this book Stroh has produced an essential —and long overdue—guide to applied systems thinking. A few well-selected examples of initiatives that turned from ‘working’ to ‘transformative' lay the foundation for how change makers can address chronic, complex social problems and deepen their impact. After helping the reader recognize what might be holding their interventions back, the book moves with ease into ways of finding leverage, the use of systems stories, and the power of visioning. In Stroh’s capable hands, systems thinking becomes a tool for defining personal or organizational priorities, for planning, and for evaluating success through measurable indicators. But the book is much more than a formidable toolbox from which to draw on a daily basis. It is, at its deeper level, a warm invitation to cultivate systems thinking as 'a way of being, not just doing' so that on the way to long-lasting, desirable outcomes, change makers can become more and more the change they want to see."--Marta Ceroni, executive director, Donella Meadows Institute“As philanthropic organizations increasingly seek to strengthen their impact, the perspectives, methods, and tools described in Stroh’s book provide us with critical guidance for thinking and action to address complex social problems and for building ‘all-in’ approaches to problem solving. Anyone in government, nonprofits, or philanthropy can benefit from this approach to solutions. And while it might take a lifetime to master the use of systems thinking for social change, reorienting how we think about problems in this way can immediately set us on a new path toward sustainability and greater likelihood of success.”--Lexi Nolen, vice president, Episcopal Health Foundation“It is not hard for people to appreciate that fragmented, piecemeal efforts to solve complex problems are ineffective. But having concrete approaches to an alternative is another matter. After almost four decades of applying practical systems-thinking tools in diverse settings, David Stroh has produced an elegant and cogent guide to what works. Research with early learners is showing that children are natural systems thinkers. This book will help to resuscitate these intuitive capabilities and strengthen them in the fire of facing our toughest problems.”--Peter Senge, senior lecturer, MIT, and author of The Fifth Discipline "Systems Thinking for Social Change uses clear, down-to-earth language to explain and illustrate systems thinking, why it matters, and how it can lead to greater success in the social sector. The book is brief yet deep, big picture yet rigorously analytical. Stroh displays considerable narrative skill, especially when he shares numerous stories from his practice of applying various systems tools that led groups to new and startling conclusions. Reading this book will test the reader substantially, as the author invites us to a deeper level of introspection about our own role in systems failures of every kind—organizational and societal—and gently asks us to embrace a new way, not merely of thinking but of being in the world. A remarkable book."--David Nee, Growth Philanthropy Network; and former executive director, William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund"Drawing on a deep well of experience, Stroh masterfully weaves metaphor, story, and practical tools, modeling for us all effective systems thinking in action. Read it and get ready to take your game up a notch."--Linda Booth Sweeney, author of Connected Wisdom, and coauthor of the The Systems Thinking Playbook“Systems thinking quickly gets very abstract and technical, often underplaying the social and storytelling dimensions. For a long time I’ve been looking for a more practical, readable, and engaging introductory book for my classes. Now, finally, here it is!”--Per Espen Stoknes, author, What We Think About When We Try Not To Think About Global Warming, and senior lecturer at BI Norwegian Business School“David Peter Stroh has been a pioneer in the effort to bring principles of systems into the service of those striving for constructive social change. (I took a course from him over thirty years ago.) Many books tell you how to engage in systems thinking but not how to apply it. This is a very useful exception. Peter draws on many years of professional engagement with the important problems of our society. Of course reading his book won’t let you banish all those problems. But it will help you focus your effort where you can have the best impact, and it will show you how to enlist others in the effort.”--Dennis Meadows, coauthor, Limits to Growth, and former director, Institute for Policy and Social Science Research

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Book SynopsisThe landmark self-help bestseller that has inspired and enhanced the lives of more than 30 million readers. In this updated edition, with a new introduction and editorial commentary by Matt Furey, president of the Psycho-Cybernetics Foundation, the original 1960 text has been annotated and amplified to make Maxwell Maltz's message even more relevant for the contemporary reader. Maltz was the first researcher and author to explain how the self-image (a term he popularized) has complete control over an individual's ability to achieve, or fail to achieve, any goal. He developed techniques for improving and managing self-image visualization, mental rehearsal and relaxation which have informed and inspired countless motivational gurus, sports psychologists, and self-help practitioners for more than sixty years. Rooted in solid science, the classic teachings in Psycho-Cybernetics continue to provide a prescription for thinking and acting that lead to life-enhancing, quantifiable results.Trade ReviewThe self-help classic * Independent *All about the science of our thoughts and how they can be measured * Daily Express *Maltz's work influenced nearly every major "self-help" professional from Zig Ziglar to Brian Tracy to Tony Robbins -- James Clear, author of Atomic HabitsPsycho-Cybernetics has sold in its millions because it provides a scientific rationale for dream fulfilment ... the perfect self-help book for a technical culture -- Tom Butler-Bowdon * 50 Self-Help Classics *Before the mind can work efficiently, we must develop our perception of the outcomes we expect to reach. Maxwell Maltz calls this Psycho-Cybernetics; when the mind has a defined target it can focus and direct and refocus and redirect until it reaches its intended goal -- Tony Robbins * Unlimited Power *An invaluable aid to the layman, offering a sound, scientific method of practical self-improvement -- Mark Freeman, author and professor of psychology, College of the Holy CrossPRAISE FOR MAXWELL MALTZ * : *Maltz is the man who popularised the notion of the self-image. He's far wiser and more profound than those who came after. This is a deeply insightful and classic book about your inner game * Entrepeneur.com *In 1960, surgeon Dr Maxwell Maltz discovered that unless the patient also worked on their self-identity and developed their feelings of self-worth, surgery would be useless, concluding that what was really needed was plastic surgery for the mind.In other words, unless we believe in ourselves, our performance in any field (and our self-respect) will be low.Since then, countless studies have been done that corroborate Dr Maltz's findings ... If we can create a ritual of talking to ourselves in a supportive, positive manner, then our self-belief will indeed strengthen * Forbes *Maxwell Maltz was an early exponent of the visualisation principle. Almost half a century ago, he captured a truth that can literally transform the way we think, act and communicate -- Bert Decker, entrepreneur and author of You’ve Got to Be Believed to Be Heard

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Influence operations." Once an exotic term from spy novels, remote from our daily lives, today it's a reality that touches all of us through our networked devices. Russia and China have gotten entry to our homes and to our minds, seeking to influence and disorient us. McLaughlin and Holstein are Paul Reveres for the 21st century, shouting the alarm and explaining how citizens, IT firms, and government must rebalance relations with China to protect our democratic system.Andrew J. Nathan, one of America’s top China-watchers and Class of 1919 Professor of Political Science, Columbia UniversityMcLaughlin and Holstein set out an immensely readable and sweeping view of how cyber vulnerabilities affect every aspect of our lives. With up-to-date examples from today’s headlines, the authors paint an alarming picture of how Russia and China have used the digital revolution to exploit our open democracy, with cyber theft of industrial secrets and personal data, and the spreading of pernicious disinformation on social media. Anyone who wants to understand the risks we face in the digital world, and to consider a range of excellent and thoughtful recommendations on how we can mitigate those risks, would enjoy reading Battlefield: Cyber.Glenn Gerstell, former General Counsel, National Security AgencyDirect but nuanced, terrifying yet inspiring, a page-turner of a narrative built on robust empirics: Battlefield: Cyber is the primer, and call to arms, that everyone needs for today's war. Michael McLaughlin and William Holstein paint, in diligently researched yet thrilling brushstrokes, both the obvious battle taking place under our very noses and the subtler one changing how battles are fought. In the process, they offer a preternaturally clear portrait of China's strategy -- and of U.S. foibles. Best of all, they provide hope for a path forward.Emily de la Bruyère, co-founder, Horizon AdvisoryWhen the history of America’s current era is written, the cybersecurity war among and between the United States, Russia and China, will play a pivotal role in understanding our socio-economic, politico-military history, and our political economy. Historians will ask: “What did America know about the threats of cyber-attacks? When did we know it? And, What did we do about it?” Mike McLaughlin and Bill Holstein do not pull punches. Battlefield: Cyber provides Americans today and historians tomorrow a thoughtful, well-investigated and documented insight into this cyber war, which may eclipse The Cold War in historical significance. This book is a must read for anyone interested in the future of democracy and the Great American Experiment. This book begs the question: “What is to Be Done?”Steven Soble, Chief Executive Officer, Assured EnterprisesPertinent exploration of how cyberspace combat has become a dangerous reality.“Make no mistake, America’s adversaries are fully engaged in a cyber war,” write the authors, “and it is raging all around us.” This initially sounds like hyperbole, but as the narrative unfolds, it begins to seem like an understatement. McLaughlin is a former senior adviser for U.S. Cyber Command, where he was responsible for the coordination of Department of Defense counterintelligence operations in cyberspace, and Holstein is a journalist who specializes in technology and China. The authors make a strong argument that Russia and China are winning an insidious digital war against the U.S. They explain how hacks, malware, and system penetrations work, dissecting some of the major incidents. Russia is mainly concerned with disruption, and its government has coopted hackers specializing in ransomware attacks into their operations. The Russian invasion of Ukraine was preceded by cyberattacks on the country’s communications systems and infrastructure, which were remarkably effective. China is more interested in colonizing American systems to insert malware, steal intellectual property, and gather personal data. Both countries have penetrated social media platforms and have established a covert presence in cloud systems. McLaughlin and Holstein propose moves to improve digital security in the U.S., looking to Taiwan as a model for cooperation between government and the private sector. A Department of Digital Services could provide coordination and support as well as pushing tech companies to move their operations out of China. Corporations have to be willing to share information and protective technology, and there must be a concerted effort to remove embedded malware from systems in companies, government agencies, and the military. McLaughlin and Holstein present a convincing case in clear language, and the result is a book that is likely to keep you awake at night.A disturbing, well-rendered study that reveals the extent of the digital struggle and charts a way forward for the U.S. - Kirkus (Starred Review)

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Book SynopsisPresents the story of order in the universe, the harmony that comes from cycles in sync. This book considers a range of applications - human sleep and circadian rhythms, menstrual synchrony, insect outbreaks, superconductors, Lasers, secret codes, heart arrhythmias and fads.

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Book SynopsisNiklas Luhmann ranks as one of the most important sociologists and social theorists of the twentieth century. Through his many books he developed a highly original form of systems theory that has been hugely influential in a wide variety of disciplines.Trade Review'These lectures, published here in English for the first time, show Luhmann at the height of his powers. They offer a unique insight into the engine room of arguably the world's most famous systems theorist. It is indeed a brilliant mind that is at work here; very few other social scientists would be able to perform at such a level. Particularly for students and readers who are not familiar with Luhmann's style of thought, this is an ideal introduction to systems theory by the man himself.' Andreas Hess, University College Dublin 'Niklas Luhmann is the closest the social sciences have come, in a long time, to an actual thinker. This book is an indispensable introduction to Luhmann’s unique version of systems theory and required reading to all concerned about theoretical sociology. It offers a rare glimpse into the experimental workings of an extraordinary sociological mind at work.' Stephan Fuchs, University of VirginiaTable of ContentsTranslators Note and Acknowledgements System-Autopoiesis-Form: An Introduction to Luhmann's 'Introduction to Systems Theory' Editor's Preface to the German Edition I. Sociology and Systems Theory 1. The Functionalism of System Maintenance 2. Parsons II. General Systems Theory 1. The Theory of Open Systems 2. System as Difference (Formal Analysis) 3. Operational Closure 4. Self-Organization, Autopoiesis 5. Structural Coupling 6. Observing 7. Re-entry 8. Complexity 9. The Idea of Rationality III. Time IV. Meaning V. Psychic and Social Systems 1. Problems of "Action Theory" 2. Two Modes of Operation of Autopoiesis VI. Communication as a Self-Observing Operation VII. Double Contingency, Structure, Conflict Suggested Further Readings

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Book SynopsisA coherent and practical philosophy of interdependence, drawing on vivid examples from the biological sciences.Trade Review"Kriti Sharma has written a remarkable book that moves seamlessly from the empirical world of biology-indeed, the microscales of test tubes and cells and molecules-to the consideration of the broadest philosophical concepts that define how we comprehend existence itself. The writing is lively and the illustrations are drawn from a wide and interdisciplinary range of sources and experiences, yet the development of the ideas is scholarly, careful, and well documented. Interdependence: Biology and Beyond will elevate and churn your thinking. It is Sharma's first book and the reader feels privileged to be present at the start of an exciting intellectual journey." -- -Peter White University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill "In setting forth her vision of contingentism-that objects are really webs of processes contingent on multiple interacting conditions-Sharma moves eloquently back and forth between biology and philosophy. The book is a model of accessible but serious and elegant science writing." -- -Evan Thompson University of British Columbia "It is a rare treat to indulge in reading a work that switches between philosophical reasoning and empirical biology. This is just what Sharma does, illuminating the concept of interdependence from its everyday usage to focus in on the micro-scale network of processes that are contingent on interactions of organisms with one another and their environments." -The Biologist "Interdependence is an exceptionally original work of comprehensive theorizing. Conceptually subtle, empirically rigorous, and compellingly argued, it addresses some of the most fundamental questions in theoretical biology and demonstrates their close relation to central problems in our ideas of knowledge, existence, and reality." -- -Barbara Herrnstein Smith author, Scandalous Knowledge: Science, Truth and the HumanTable of ContentsTable of Contents Introduction - Taking Interdependence Seriously A brief sketch of what's to come Chapter 1 - It Depends: Existence as Contingent Small worlds Introducing key concepts: reality, existence, and contingency Features of contingentism What contingentism is not Signal transduction and the book's organization Encouragement to stick with a challenging topic Chapter 2 - What Do Objects Depend On?: Physical Substance, Matter, and the External World Assumption of the intrinsic boundedness and continuity of objects Assumption of the intrinsic boundedness and continuity of particles Assumption of the intrinsic existence of (emergent) properties Assumption of the intrinsic existence of causal powers Assumption of the unified object of sense perceptions (both within and between observers) Assumption of non-impingement: "Whatever it is, it sure doesn't depend on us" Chapter summary Chapter 3 - What Does Sensing Depend On?: Transduction, Energy, and the Meeting of Worlds An overview of signal transduction Signal transduction and cell sensing Assumption of sameness and difference Assumption of energy as a kind of substance Relating physical and psychological phenomena Re-viewing sensing: new views of transformation and change Chapter summary Chapter 4 - What Do Organisms Depend On?: Bodies, Lives, Selves, and Internal Worlds Assumption of the boundedness and continuity of organisms Assumption of the coordinator and the experiencer Assumption of intrinsically existent "other minds": why do we take one another seriously as subjects? Assumption of a ground: physicalism, idealism, dualism, and contingentism What does your life depend on? Chapter summary Chapter 5 - What Does Order Depend On?: Patterns, Gaps, and the Known World On cognitive patterns and cognitive dissonance: what does order depend on? Assumption of the intrinsic existence of contradictions: what does surprise depend on? Assumption of intrinsic hierarchies of order: what makes a good theory? Assumption of a single origin and a linear history Assumption of knowledge as limited: exactly where are the gaps between organismal experience and reality? Chapter summary Conclusion - Life As We Know It "Nothing but net": thoroughgoing contingency and the absence of inherent existence Why "contingentism"?: genealogies, relations, and intellectual kindred The many forms that wonder takes Coda: Small, vast worlds Acknowledgments: What Does This Book Depend On? References

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Book SynopsisHandbook of MARINE CRAFT HYDRODYNAMICS AND MOTION CONTROL The latest tools for analysis and design of advanced GNC systemsHandbook of Marine Craft Hydrodynamics and Motion Control is an extensive study of the latest research in hydrodynamics, guidance, navigation, and control systems for marine craft. The text establishes how the implementation of mathematical models and modern control theory can be used for simulation and verification of control systems, decision-support systems, and situational awareness systems. Coverage includes hydrodynamic models for marine craft, models for wind, waves and ocean currents, dynamics and stability of marine craft, advanced guidance principles, sensor fusion, and inertial navigation.This important book includes the latest tools for analysis and design of advanced GNC systems and presents new material on unmanned underwater vehicles, surface craft, and autonomous vehicles. References and examples are included to enable eTable of ContentsAbout the Author xvii Preface xix List of Tables xxi Part One Marine Craft Hydrodynamics 1 Introduction to Part I 3 1.1 Classification of Models 6 1.2 The Classical Models in Naval Architecture 8 1.2.1 Maneuvering Theory 10 1.2.2 Seakeeping Theory 12 1.2.3 Unified Theory 14 1.3 Fossen’s Robot-inspired Model for Marine Craft 14 2 Kinematics 17 2.1 Kinematic Preliminaries 18 2.1.1 Reference Frames 18 2.1.2 Body-fixed Reference Points 21 2.1.3 Generalized Coordinates 22 2.2 Transformations Between BODY and NED 23 2.2.1 Euler Angle Transformation 26 2.2.2 Unit Quaternions 32 2.2.3 Unit Quaternion from Euler Angles 38 2.2.4 Euler Angles from a Unit Quaternion 38 2.3 Transformations Between ECEF and NED 39 2.3.1 Longitude and Latitude Rotation Matrix 40 2.3.2 Longitude, Latitude and Height from ECEF Coordinates 41 2.3.3 ECEF Coordinates from Longitude, Latitude and Height 44 2.4 Transformations between ECEF and Flat-Earth Coordinates 45 2.4.1 Longitude, Latitude and Height from Flat-Earth Coordinates 45 2.4.2 Flat-Earth Coordinates from Longitude, Latitude and Height 46 2.5 Transformations Between BODY and FLOW 47 2.5.1 Definitions of Heading, Course and Crab Angles 47 2.5.2 Definitions of Angle of Attack and Sideslip Angle 49 2.5.3 Flow-axes Rotation Matrix 51 3 Rigid-body Kinetics 55 3.1 Newton–Euler Equations of Motion about the CG 56 3.1.1 Translational Motion About the CG 58 3.1.2 Rotational Motion About the CG 59 3.1.3 Equations of Motion About the CG 60 3.2 Newton–Euler Equations of Motion About the CO 60 3.2.1 Translational Motion About the CO 61 3.2.2 Rotational Motion About the CO 61 3.3 Rigid-body Equations of Motion 63 3.3.1 Nonlinear 6-DOF Rigid-body Equations of Motion 63 3.3.2 Linearized 6-DOF Rigid-body Equations of Motion 69 4 Hydrostatics 71 4.1 Restoring Forces for Underwater Vehicles 71 4.1.1 Hydrostatics of Submerged Vehicles 71 4.2 Restoring Forces for Surface Vessels 74 4.2.1 Hydrostatics of Floating Vessels 74 4.2.2 Linear (Small Angle) Theory for Boxed-shaped Vessels 77 4.2.3 Computation of Metacenter Heights for Surface Vessels 79 4.3 Load Conditions and Natural Periods 82 4.3.1 Decoupled Computation of Natural Periods 82 4.3.2 Computation of Natural Periods in a 6-DOF Coupled System 84 4.3.3 Natural Periods as a Function of Load Condition 87 4.3.4 Free-surface Effects 89 4.3.5 Payload Effects 90 4.4 Seakeeping Analysis 90 4.4.1 Harmonic Oscillator with Sinusoidal Forcing 90 4.4.2 Steady-state Heave, Roll and Pitch Responses in Regular Waves 92 4.4.3 Explicit Formulae for Boxed-shaped Vessels in Regular Waves 94 4.4.4 Case Study: Resonances in the Heave, Roll and Pitch Modes 96 4.5 Ballast Systems 97 4.5.1 Static Conditions for Trim and Heel 99 4.5.2 Automatic Ballast Control Systems 102 5 Seakeeping Models 105 5.1 Hydrodynamic Concepts and Potential Theory 106 5.1.1 Numerical Approaches and Hydrodynamic Codes 108 5.2 Seakeeping and Maneuvering Kinematics 110 5.2.1 Seakeeping Reference Frame 110 5.2.2 Transformation Between BODY and SEAKEEPING 111 5.3 The Classical Frequency-domain Model 114 5.3.1 Frequency-dependent Hydrodynamic Coefficients 115 5.3.2 Viscous Damping 119 5.3.3 Response Amplitude Operators 121 5.4 Time-domain Models including Fluid Memory Effects 122 5.4.1 Cummins Equation in SEAKEEPING Coordinates 122 5.4.2 Linear Time-domain Seakeeping Equations in BODY Coordinates 125 5.4.3 Nonlinear Unified Seakeeping and Maneuvering Model with Fluid Memory Effects 129 5.5 Identification of Fluid Memory Effects 130 5.5.1 Frequency-domain Identification Using the MSS FDI Toolbox 131 6 Maneuvering Models 135 6.1 Rigid-body Kinetics 137 6.2 Potential Coefficients 137 6.2.1 Frequency-independent Added Mass and Potential Damping 139 6.2.2 Extension to 6-DOF Models 140 6.3 Added Mass Forces in a Rotating Coordinate System 141 6.3.1 Lagrangian Mechanics 142 6.3.2 Kirchhoff’s Equation 143 6.3.3 Added Mass and Coriolis–Centripetal Matrices 143 6.4 Dissipative Forces 148 6.4.1 Linear Damping 150 6.4.2 Nonlinear Surge Damping 151 6.4.3 Cross-flow Drag Principle 154 6.5 Ship Maneuvering Models (3 DOFs) 155 6.5.1 Nonlinear Equations of Motion 155 6.5.2 Nonlinear Maneuvering Model Based on Surge Resistance and Cross-flow Drag 158 6.5.3 Nonlinear Maneuvering Model Based on Second-order Modulus Functions 159 6.5.4 Nonlinear Maneuvering Model Based on Odd Functions 161 6.5.5 Linear Maneuvering Model 163 6.6 Ship Maneuvering Models Including Roll (4 DOFs) 165 6.6.1 The Nonlinear Model of Son and Nomoto 172 6.6.2 The Nonlinear Model of Blanke and Christensen 173 6.7 Low-Speed Maneuvering Models for Dynamic Positioning (3 DOFs) 175 6.7.1 Current Coefficients 175 6.7.2 Nonlinear DP Model Based on Current Coefficients 179 6.7.3 Linear Time-varying DP Model 180 7 Autopilot Models for Course and Heading Control 183 7.1 Autopilot Models for Course Control 184 7.1.1 State-space Model for Course Control 184 7.1.2 Course Angle Transfer Function 185 7.2 Autopilot Models for Heading Control 186 7.2.1 Second-order Nomoto Model 186 7.2.2 First-order Nomoto Model 188 7.2.3 Nonlinear Extensions of Nomoto’s Model 190 7.2.4 Pivot Point 192 8 Models for Underwater Vehicles 195 8.1 6-DOF Models for AUVs and ROVs 195 8.1.1 Equations of Motion Expressed in BODY 195 8.1.2 Equations of Motion Expressed in NED 197 8.1.3 Properties of the 6-DOF Model 198 8.1.4 Symmetry Considerations of the System Inertia Matrix 200 8.2 Longitudinal and Lateral Models for Submarines 201 8.2.1 Longitudinal Subsystem 202 8.2.2 Lateral Subsystem 204 8.3 Decoupled Models for “Flying Underwater Vehicles” 205 8.3.1 Forward Speed Subsystem 206 8.3.2 Course Angle Subsystem 206 8.3.3 Pitch–Depth Subsystem 207 8.4 Cylinder-Shaped Vehicles and Myring-type Hulls 208 8.4.1 Myring-type Hull 209 8.4.2 Spheroid Approximation 210 8.5 Spherical-Shaped Vehicles 214 9 Control Forces and Moments 217 9.1 Propellers as Thrust Devices 217 9.1.1 Fixed-pitch Propeller 217 9.1.2 Controllable-pitch Propeller 220 9.2 Ship Propulsion Systems 225 9.2.1 Podded Propulsion Units 225 9.2.2 Prime Mover System 227 9.3 USV and Underwater Vehicle Propulsion Systems 228 9.3.1 Propeller Shaft Speed Models 229 9.3.2 Motor Armature Current Control 230 9.3.3 Motor Speed Control 232 9.4 Thrusters 233 9.4.1 Tunnel Thrusters 233 9.4.2 Azimuth Thrusters 234 9.5 Rudder in the Propeller Slipstream 236 9.5.1 Rudder Forces and Moment 237 9.5.2 Steering Machine Dynamics 240 9.6 Fin Stabilizators 243 9.6.1 Lift and Drag Forces on Fins 244 9.6.2 Roll Moment Produced by Symmetrical Fin Stabilizers 245 9.7 Underwater Vehicle Control Surfaces 245 9.7.1 Rudder 247 9.7.2 Dive Planes 248 9.8 Control Moment Gyroscope 249 9.8.1 Ship Roll Gyrostabilizer 249 9.8.2 Control Moment Gyros for Underwater Vehicles 252 9.9 Moving Mass Actuators 258 10 Environmental Forces and Moments 261 10.1 Wind Forces and Moments 263 10.1.1 Wind Forces and Moments on Marine Craft at Rest 263 10.1.2 Wind Forces and Moments on Moving Marine Craft 265 10.1.3 Wind Coefficients Based on Helmholtz–Kirchhoff Plate Theory 266 10.1.4 Wind Coefficients for Merchant Ships 269 10.1.5 Wind Coefficients for Very Large Crude Carriers 271 10.1.6 Wind Coefficients for Large Tankers and Medium-sized Ships 272 10.1.7 Wind Coefficients for Moored Ships and Floating Structures 272 10.2 Wave Forces and Moments 274 10.2.1 Sea-state Descriptions 275 10.2.2 Wave Spectra 276 10.2.3 Wave Amplitude Response Model 287 10.2.4 Force RAOs 290 10.2.5 Motion RAOs 293 10.2.6 State-space Models for Wave Response Simulation 296 10.3 Ocean Current Forces and Moments 300 10.3.1 3D Irrotational Ocean Current Model 303 10.3.2 2D Irrotational Ocean Current Model 304 Part Two Motion Control 11 Introduction to Part II 309 11.1 Guidance, Navigation and Control Systems 310 11.1.1 Historical Remarks 312 11.1.2 Autopilots 314 11.1.3 Dynamic Positioning and Position Mooring Systems 315 11.1.4 Waypoint Tracking and Path-following Control Systems 316 11.2 Control Allocation 316 11.2.1 Propulsion and Actuator Models 318 11.2.2 Unconstrained Control Allocation 322 11.2.3 Constrained Control Allocation 324 12 Guidance Systems 331 12.1 Trajectory Tracking 333 12.1.1 Reference Models for Trajectory Generation 334 12.1.2 Trajectory Generation using a Marine Craft Simulator 339 12.1.3 Optimal Trajectory Generation 340 12.2 Guidance Laws for Target Tracking 341 12.2.1 Line-of-sight Guidance Law 342 12.2.2 Pure-pursuit Guidance Law 343 12.2.3 Constant Bearing Guidance Law 344 12.3 Linear Design Methods for Path Following 346 12.3.1 Waypoints 346 12.3.2 Path Generation using Straight Lines and Inscribed Circles 347 12.3.3 Straight-line Paths Based on Circles of Acceptance 349 12.3.4 Path Generation using Dubins Path 351 12.3.5 Transfer Function Models for Straight-line Path Following 352 12.4 LOS Guidance Laws for Path Following using Course Autopilots 353 12.4.1 Vector-field Guidance Law 354 12.4.2 Proportional LOS Guidance Law 356 12.4.3 Lookahead- and Enclosure-based LOS Steering 359 12.4.4 Integral LOS 361 12.5 LOS Guidance Laws for Path Following using Heading Autopilots 363 12.5.1 Crab Angle Compensation by Direct Measurements 363 12.5.2 Integral LOS 364 12.6 Curved-Path Path Following 365 12.6.1 Path Generation using Interpolation Methods 366 12.6.2 Proportional LOS Guidance Law for Curved Paths 378 12.6.3 Path-following using Serret–Frenet Coordinates 380 12.6.4 Case Study: Path-following Control using Serret–Frenet Coordinates 384 13 Model-based Navigation Systems 387 13.1 Sensors for Marine Craft 387 13.1.1 GNSS Position 388 13.1.2 GNSS Heading 389 13.1.3 Magnetic Compass 390 13.1.4 Gyrocompass 390 13.2 Wave Filtering 391 13.2.1 Low-pass Filtering 393 13.2.2 Cascaded Low-pass and Notch Filtering 396 13.2.3 Wave-frequency Estimation 397 13.3 Fixed-gain Observer Design 403 13.3.1 Observability 403 13.3.2 Luenberger Observer 405 13.3.3 Case Study: Luenberger Observer for Heading Autopilot 406 13.4 Kalman Filter Design 408 13.4.1 Discrete-time Kalman Filter 408 13.4.2 Discrete-time Extended Kalman Filter 411 13.4.3 Modification for Euler Angles to Avoid Discontinuous Jumps 412 13.4.4 Modification for Asynchronous Measurement Data 415 13.4.5 Case Study: Kalman Filter Design for Heading Autopilots 416 13.4.6 Case Study: Kalman Filter for Dynamic Positioning Systems 419 13.5 Passive Observer Design 424 13.5.1 Case Study: Passive Observer for Dynamic Positioning using GNSS and Compass Measurements 424 13.5.2 Case Study: Passive Observer for Heading Autopilots using only Compass Measurements 433 13.5.3 Case Study: Passive Observer for Heading Autopilots using both Compass and Angular Rate Sensor Measurements 440 14 Inertial Navigation Systems 443 14.1 Inertial Measurement Unit 444 14.1.1 Attitude Rate Sensors 446 14.1.2 Accelerometers 446 14.1.3 Magnetometer 449 14.2 Attitude Estimation 451 14.2.1 Static Mapping from Specific Force to Roll and Pitch Angles 451 14.2.2 Vertical Reference Unit (VRU) Transformations 452 14.2.3 Nonlinear Attitude Observer using Reference Vectors 453 14.3 Direct Filters for Aided INS 457 14.3.1 Fixed-gain Observer using Attitude Measurements 458 14.3.2 Direct Kalman Filter using Attitude Measurements 462 14.3.3 Direct Kalman Filter with Attitude Estimation 465 14.4 Indirect Filters for Aided INS 467 14.4.1 Introductory Example 469 14.4.2 Error-state Kalman Filter using Attitude Measurements 472 14.4.3 Error-state Extended Kalman Filter with Attitude Estimation 480 15 Motion Control Systems 493 15.1 Open-Loop Stability and Maneuverability 494 15.1.1 Straight-line, Directional and Positional Motion Stability 495 15.1.2 Maneuverability 504 15.2 Autopilot Design Using Successive Loop Closure 516 15.2.1 Successive Loop Closure 516 15.2.2 Case Study: Heading Autopilot for Marine Craft 518 15.2.3 Case Study: Path-following Control System for Marine Craft 519 15.2.4 Case Study: Diving Autopilot for Underwater Vehicles 521 15.3 PID Pole-Placement Algorithms 523 15.3.1 Linear Mass–Damper–Spring Systems 523 15.3.2 SISO Linear PID Control 527 15.3.3 MIMO Nonlinear PID Control 529 15.3.4 Case Study: Heading Autopilot for Marine Craft 532 15.3.5 Case Study: LOS Path-following Control for Marine Craft 538 15.3.6 Case Study: Dynamic Positioning System for Surface Vessels 540 15.3.7 Case Study: Position Mooring System for Surface Vessels 546 16 Advanced Motion Control Systems 549 16.1 Linear-quadratic Optimal Control 550 16.1.1 Linear-quadratic Regulator 550 16.1.2 LQR Design for Trajectory Tracking and Integral Action 552 16.1.3 General Solution of the LQ Trajectory-tracking Problem 554 16.1.4 Operability and Motion Sickness Incidence Criteria 560 16.1.5 Case Study: Optimal Heading Autopilot for Marine Craft 562 16.1.6 Case Study: Optimal DP System for Surface Vessels 566 16.1.7 Case Study: Optimal Rudder-roll Damping Systems for Ships 570 16.1.8 Case Study: Optimal Fin and RRD Systems for Ships 579 16.2 State Feedback Linearization 580 16.2.1 Decoupling in the BODY Frame (Velocity Control) 581 16.2.2 Decoupling in the NED Frame (Position and Attitude Control) 582 16.2.3 Case Study: Speed Control Based on Feedback Linearization 584 16.2.4 Case Study: Autopilot Based on Feedback Linearization 585 16.3 Integrator Backstepping 586 16.3.1 A Brief History of Backstepping 586 16.3.2 The Main Idea of Integrator Backstepping 587 16.3.3 Backstepping of SISO Mass–Damper–Spring Systems 594 16.3.4 Integral Action by Constant Parameter Adaptation 597 16.3.5 Integrator Augmentation Technique 599 16.3.6 Case Study: Backstepping Design for Mass–Damper–Spring 602 16.3.7 Case Study: Backstepping Design for Robot Manipulators 604 16.3.8 Case Study: Backstepping Design for Surface Craft 606 16.3.9 Case Study: Autopilot Based on Backstepping 610 16.3.10 Case Study: Path-following Controller for Underactuated Marine Craft 611 16.3.11 Case Study: Weather Optimal Position Control 616 16.4 Sliding Mode Control 634 16.4.1 Conventional Integral SMC for Second-order Systems 634 16.4.2 Conventional Integral SMC for Third-order Systems 637 16.4.3 Super-twisting Adaptive Sliding Mode Control 637 16.4.4 Case Study: Heading Autopilot Based on Conventional Integral SMC 639 16.4.5 Case Study: Depth Autopilot for Diving Based on Conventional Integral SMC 643 16.4.6 Case Study: Heading Autopilot Based on the Adaptive-gain Super Twisting Algorithm 646 Part Three Appendices A Nonlinear Stability Theory 651 A.1 Lyapunov Stability for Autonomous Systems 651 A.1.1 Stability and Convergence 651 A.1.2 Lyapunov’s Direct Method 653 A.1.3 Krasovskii–LaSalle’s Theorem 654 A.1.4 Global Exponential Stability 655 A.2 Lyapunov Stability of Non-autonomous Systems 656 A.2 1 Barbălat’s Lemma 656 A.2.2 LaSalle–Yoshizawa’s Theorem 656 A.2.3 On USGES of Proportional Line-of-sight Guidance Laws 657 A.2.4 UGAS when Backstepping with Integral Action 658 B Numerical Methods 661 B.1 Discretization of Continuous-time Systems 661 B.1.1 State-space Models 661 B.1.2 Computation of the Transition Matrix 663 B.2 Numerical Integration Methods 663 B.2.1 Euler’s Method 664 B.2.2 Adams–Bashford’s Second-order Method 665 B.2.3 Runge–Kutta Second-order Method 666 B.2.4 Runge–Kutta Fourth-order Method 666 B.3 Numerical Differentiation 666 C Model Transformations 669 C.1 Transforming the Equations of Motion to an Arbitrarily Point 669 C.1.1 System Transformation Matrix 669 C.1.2 Equations of Motion About an Arbitrarily Point 671 C.2 Matrix and Vector Transformations 672 D Non-dimensional Equations of Motion 675 D.1 Non-dimensionalization 675 D.1.1 Non-dimensional Hydrodynamic Coefficients 676 D.1.2 Non-dimensional Nomoto Models 677 D.1.3 Non-dimensional Maneuvering Models 678 D.2 6-DOF Procedure for Non-dimensionalization 678 References 681 Index 701

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Book SynopsisPresents the basic approaches underlying Stafford Beera s thinking since the publication of his first book in 1959. Deals with a philosophy of science relevant to management and particularly with the nature of models. Demonstrates all major points through examples quoted of management science applications to industry and government.Table of ContentsTHE NATURE OF OPERATIONAL RESEARCH. An Initial Posture. On Fixing Belief. Some Dangerous Precedents. The Wedged Bear. The New Look. THE ACTIVITY OF OPERATIONAL RESEARCH. About Models. Models in Aspic. The Formal Languages. A Walk in the Ramified System. Apollo's Gift. THE RELEVANCE OF CYBERNETICS. About Systems. Coping with Complexity. Controlling Operations. Self-Organizing Systems. Controlling Enterprises. OUTCOMES. The Outcome for Industry. Information and Automation. The Outcome for Government. The Outcome for Management Science. On Practicability. Index.

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Book SynopsisSimplifying chaos and complexity theory for the perplexed, John Gribbin''s Deep Simplicity: Chaos, Complexity and the Emergence of Life brilliantly illuminates the harmony underlying our existence. The world around us can be a complex, confusing place. Earthquakes happen without warning, stock markets fluctuate, weather forecasters seldom seem to get it right - even other people continue to baffle us. How do we make sense of it all? In fact, John Gribbin reveals, our seemingly random universe is actually built on simple laws of cause and effect that can explain why, for example, just one vehicle braking can cause a traffic jam; why wild storms result from a slight atmospheric change; even how we evolved from the most basic materials. Like a zen painting, a fractal image or the pattern on a butterfly''s wings, simple elements form the bedrock of a sophisticated whole. ''The master of popular science writing''  Sunday Times ''What makes Deep Simplicity different from other books on complexity theory is that Gribbin ... goes back to the fundamentals''  Daily Telegraph ''One is left feeling even more - if this is possible - filled with admiration for science and delight at the world it investigates''  Financial Times John Gribbin is one of today''s greatest writers of popular science and the author of bestselling books, including In Search of Schrödinger''s Cat, Stardust, Science: A History and In Search of the Multiverse. Gribbin trained as an astrophysicist at Cambridge University and is currently Visiting Fellow in Astronomy at the University of Sussex.Trade Review"Exhilarating... Gribbin uses a step-by-step historical method to ground contemporary thought in classical physics' the Daily Telegraph 'Gribbin...takes us through the basics of all this with his customary talent for accessibility and clarity' the Sunday Times '(Gribbin) breathes life into the core ideas of complexity science, and argues convincingly that the basic laws, even in biology, will ultimately turn out to be simple' Nature' "What makes Deep Simplicity different from other books on complexity theory is that Gribbin ! goes back to the fundamentals' Daily Telegraph 'Gribbin takes us through the basics with his customary talent for accessibility and clarity' Sunday Times 'One is left feeling even more - if this is possible - filled with admiration for science and delight at the world it investigates' Financial Times 'Gribbin breathes life into the core ideas of complexity science' Nature'

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Book SynopsisA cocktail party. A terrorist cell. Ancient bacteria. An international conglomerate. All are networks, and all are a part of a surprising scientific revolution. In Linked , Albert-László Barabási, the nation''s foremost expert in the new science of networks, takes us on an intellectual adventure to prove that social networks, corporations, and living organisms are more similar than previously thought. Barabási shows that grasping a full understanding of network science will someday allow us to design blue-chip businesses, stop the outbreak of deadly diseases, and influence the exchange of ideas and information. Just as James Gleick and the Erdos-Rényi model brought the discovery of chaos theory to the general public, Linked tells the story of the true science of the future and of experiments in statistical mechanics on the internet, all vital parts of what would eventually be called the Barabási-Albert model.

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Book SynopsisThis 2007 book discusses the design of reliable numerical methods to retrieve missing information in models of complex systems.Table of ContentsPreface; 1. Introduction; 2. Linear algebra; 3. Discrete-time signals and systems; 4. Random variables and signals; 5. Kalman filtering; 6. Estimation of spectra and frequency response functions; 7. Output-error parametric model estimation; 8. Prediction-error parametric model estimation; 9. Subspace model identification; 10. The system identification cycle; Notation and symbols; List of abbreviations; References; Index.

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Book SynopsisUltimately, he reveals the crucial role played by the cybernetics moment-when cybernetics and information theory were seen as universal sciences-in setting the stage for our current preoccupation with information technologies.Trade ReviewNowhere in the burgeoning secondary literature on cybernetics in the last two decades is there a concise history of cybernetics, the science of communication and control that helped usher in the current information age in America. Nowhere, that is, until now... Readers have in The Cybernetics Moment the first authoritative history of American cybernetics. Information & Culture [A]n extremely interesting and stimulating history of the concepts of cybernetics... This is a book for everyone to read, relish, and think about. Choice As a whole, the book presents a comprehensive in-depth retrospective analysis of the contribution of the American scientific school to the making, formation, and development of cybernetics and information theory. An unquestionable advantage of the book is the skillful use of numerous bibliographic sources by the author that reflect the scientific, engineering, and social significance of the questions being considered, competition of ideas and developments, and also interrelations between scientists. Cybernetics and System Anaysis Dr. Kline is perhaps uniquely situated to take on so large and complicated [a] topic as cybernetics... Readers unfamiliar with Wiener and his work are well advised to start with this well-written and thorough book. Those who are already familiar will still find much that is new and informative in the thorough research and reasoned interpretations. IEEE History Center The most comprehensive intellectual history of cybernetics in Cold War America. Journal of American History The book will be most valuable as historical background for the large number of disciplines that were involved in the cybernetics moment: computer science, communications engineering, information theory, and the social sciences of sociology and anthropology. IEEE Technology and Society Magazine Ronald Kline's chronicle of cybernetics certainly does what an excellent history of science should do. It takes you there-to the golden age of a new, exciting field. You will almost smell that cigar. Second-Order Cybernetics Kline's The Cybernetics Moment tracks the rise and fall of the cybernetics movement in more detail than any historical account to date. Los Angeles Review of Books Kline does a valuable service tracing the contrasting fates of cybernetics and information theory. Annals of Science ... The knowledge offered in The Cybernetics Moment will greatly contribute to any reader seeking an enhanced or more comprehensive understanding of our present-day discourse surrounding information, while also providing a detailed and well-warranted history of the science of cybernetics. Canadian Journal of Academic Librarianship After reading his book, it is impossible to ignore the contribution that cybernetics has made to computational models and techniques used in numerous academic disciplines, and to how so many of these disciplines- from biology and engineering to social sciences and the humanities-operated even in quantitative and social history. With The Cybernetics Moment, Kline has moved cybernetics out of the shadows of intellectual history into the limelight. The American Historical ReviewTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1. War and Information Theory2. Circular Causality3. The Cybernetics Craze4. The Information Bandwagon5. Humans as Machines6. Machines as Human7. Cybernetics in Crisis8. Inventing an Information Age9. Two Cybernetic FrontiersAbbreviationsNotesIndex

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Book SynopsisTaken literally, the title All of Statistics is an exaggeration. But in spirit, the title is apt, as the book does cover a much broader range of topics than a typical introductory book on mathematical statistics. This book is for people who want to learn probability and statistics quickly. It is suitable for graduate or advanced undergraduate students in computer science, mathematics, statistics, and related disciplines. The book includes modern topics like nonparametric curve estimation, bootstrapping, and clas sification, topics that are usually relegated to follow-up courses. The reader is presumed to know calculus and a little linear algebra. No previous knowledge of probability and statistics is required. Statistics, data mining, and machine learning are all concerned with collecting and analyzing data. For some time, statistics research was con ducted in statistics departmeTrade ReviewWinner of the 2005 DeGroot Prize.From the reviews:"Presuming no previous background in statistics and described by the author as "demanding" yet "understandable because the material is as intuitive as possible" (p. viii), this certainly would be my choice of textbook if I was required to learn mathematical statistics again for a couple of semesters." Technometrics, August 2004"This book should be seriously considered as a text for a theoretical statsitics course for non-majors, and perhaps even for majors...The coverage of emerging and important topics is timely and welcomed...you should have this book on your desk as a reference to nothing less than 'All of Statistics.'" Biometrics, December 2004"Although All of Statistics is an ambitious title, this book is a concise guide, as the subtitle suggests....I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in learning something new about statistical inference. There is something here for everyone." The American Statistician, May 2005"As the title of the book suggests, ‘All of Statistics’ covers a wide range of statistical topics. … The number of topics covered in this book is vast … . The greatest strength of this book is as a first point of reference for a wide range of statistical methods. … I would recommend this book as a useful and interesting introduction to a large number of statistical topics for non-statisticians and also as a useful reference book for practicing statisticians." (Matthew J. Langdon, Journal of Applied Statistics, Vol. 32 (1), January, 2005)"This book was written specifically to give students a quick but sound understanding of modern statistics, and its coverage is very wide. … The book is extremely well done … ." (N. R. Draper, Short Book Reviews, Vol. 24 (2), 2004)"This is most definitely a book about mathematical statistics. It is full of theorems and proofs … . Presuming no previous background in statistics … this certainly would be my choice of textbook if I was required to learn mathematical statistics again for a couple of semesters." (Eric R. Ziegel, Technometrics, Vol. 46 (3), August, 2004)"The author points out that this book is for those who wish to learn probability and statistics quickly … . this book will serve as a guideline for instructors as to what should constitute a basic education in modern statistics. It introduces many modern topics … . Adequate references are provided at the end of each chapter which the instructor will be able to use profitably … ." (Arup Bose, Sankhya, Vol. 66 (3), 2004)"The amount of material that is covered in this book is impressive. … the explanations are generally clear and the wide range of techniques that are discussed makes it possible to include a diverse set of examples … . The worked examples are complemented with numerous theoretical and practical exercises … . is a very useful overview of many areas of modern statistics and as such will be very useful to readers who require such a survey. Library copies would also see plenty of use." (Stuart Barber, Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Series A – Statistics in Society, Vol. 168 (1), 2005)Table of ContentsProbability.- Random Variables.- Expectation.- Inequalities.- Convergence of Random Variables.- Models, Statistical Inference and Learning.- Estimating the CDF and Statistical Functionals.- The Bootstrap.- Parametric Inference.- Hypothesis Testing and p-values.- Bayesian Inference.- Statistical Decision Theory.- Linear and Logistic Regression.- Multivariate Models.- Inference about Independence.- Causal Inference.- Directed Graphs and Conditional Independence.- Undirected Graphs.- Loglinear Models.- Nonparametric Curve Estimation.- Smoothing Using Orthogonal Functions.- Classification.- Probability Redux: Stochastic Processes.- Simulation Methods.

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Book SynopsisThis volume is a collection of articles on themes related to the book Laws of Form by George Spencer-Brown. Laws of Form was first published in 1969 and brings forth a new articulation of the foundations of thought. In Laws of Form we have a mathematical formalism based on one symbol and an approach to the question how the world would appear if a distinction could be drawn. Laws of Form does not answer the question how, given nothing as a beginning, a distinction can, indeed must, inevitably take place. This second question must, in its own structure, be left to each individual thinker. Nevertheless, Laws of Form, beautifully written and content free (form is emptiness, emptiness is form) is the most powerful mathematical text on the edge of nothing that has been produced since Euclid''s Elements. These papers are a tribute to Spencer-Brown and his singular achievement.

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Book SynopsisThis volume is grounded in a deep appreciation of the rich and cohesive constellation of ideas developed by Humberto Maturana which, taken as a whole, can be understood as a biocultural matrix of human understanding. As a way of thinking, these ideas comprise an epistemological shift that changes the way we regard ''reality'' as we are compelled by his work to consider not only how we do what we do, but also how we know what we know.The backgrounds of the contributing authors reveal how Maturana's work resonates with a variety of domains that range from art to family therapy, from education to organizational life, and from biology to dialogue. At the same time, these authors offer transdisciplinary perspectives rooted in cybernetic understanding. The papers in this volume invite us to reflect on Maturana's contributions to our ways of being in the world, and of constituting and living in the worlds we create.

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Book SynopsisFollow the clues, track down the bad actors trying to access your systems, and uncover the chain of evidence left by even the most careful adversary. For security, network, and systems professionals familiar with security tools and Python. Cyber Threat Hunting is a practical guide to the subject, that will teach you how to identify attempts to access your systems by spotting the clues your adversaries leave behind. The book lays the path to becoming a successful cyber security threat hunter, guiding you from your very first expedition to hunting in complex cloud-native environments. Key features include: Design and implement a cyber threat-hunting framework Think like your adversaries Conduct threat-hunting expeditions Streamline how you work with other cybersecurity teams Structure threat hunting expeditions without losing track of activities and clues Use statistics and machine learning techniques to hunt threats The organisations that actively seek out security intrusions reduce the time bad actors spend on their sites, increase their cyber resilience, and build strong resistance to sophisticated covert threats. Cyber Threat Hunting gives a reliable and repeatable framework to see and stop attacks. About the technology There is no question about whether your security will come under attack. It already is. The real question is whether you will identify and learn from the attacks, when they occur. Cyber threat hunting assumes that a system has been hacked and reveals the signs that have evaded detection tools or been dismissed as unimportant. In the constantly evolving landscape of modern security, threat hunting is a vital practice to avoid complacency and harden your defences against attack.

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Book SynopsisComputers have dramatically altered life in the late twentieth century. Today we can draw on worldwide computer links, speeding up communications by radio, newspapers, and television. Ideas fly back and forth and circle the globe at the speed of electricity. And just around the corner lurks full-blown virtual reality, in which we will be able to immerse ourselves in a computer simulation not only of the actual physical world, but of any imagined world. As we begin to move in and out of a computer-generated world, Michael Heim asks, how will the way we perceive our world change? In The Metaphysics of Virtual Reality, Heim considers this and other philosophical issues of the Information Age. With an eye for the dark as well as the bright side of computer technology, he explores the logical and historical origins of our computer-generated world and speculates about the future direction of our computerized lives. He discusses such topics as the effect of word-processing on the English langTrade Reviewaccessible essays from the self-appointed philosopher of virtual reality * I-D *Heim's blend of Western logic, Eastern Mysticism and California grass may amount to a minor classic for PC-users--Zen and the art of Macintosh maintenance. These essays are full of good vibes. * Modern Review *

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Book SynopsisAs global leaders worry about a "new world order" following the pandemic, Earthly Order: How Natural Laws Define Human Life considers how such pronouncements are ultimately dependent on natural laws, which need to be understood by the public, to foster sustainable economic and political systems.Trade ReviewIn making his arguments Ali draws from the work of Nobel prize-winning scientists and his own deep knowledge of philosophy and history. Anyone anxious about the future of the planet will benefit from Ali's carefully considered, well-argued insights. * R. C. Robinson, Georgia State University *Saleem Ali's new book allows global societies to rediscover nature through an analysis of planetary order. The narrative clarifies visions of the future while practically anchored in the present. By building bridges across disciplines this book provides a pragmatic way of fostering a more positive relationship between humans and the earth. * Izabella Teixeira, Former Environment Minister of Brazil, UNEP "Champion of the Earth" Awardee *With Earthly Order, Saleem Ali presents a grand, sprawling exploration of the scientific realm in search of simplicity in nature and order in our human planet. What he uncovers is revealing and provocative in equal measure - a fresh lens to look at the social, economic, political and environmental challenges of our unsustainable age * Professor Iain Stewart, Host of BBC Series, How Earth Made Us, UNESCO Chair in Geoscience and Society, Royal Scientific Society of Jordan *Saleem Ali has at one and the same time assembled a transdisciplinary tour de force on sustainability from the natural and social sciences while also making these insights accessible to broad publics. The systems approach he offers can be a foundation for sustainability curricula in professional schools and a much-needed framework for global business, policy and civic leaders no matter where they hail from on our previous planet. * Professor Sanjeev Khagram, Director General and Dean, Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University *In an ambitious, yet eminently readable book, Saleem Ali uses a search for order as an organizing principle across all the scales of the world, from submicroscopic to the way human societies interact. I learned something on nearly every page; so will you, as the author draws us into an affirmative view of a changing, interrelated, and wondrous world. * Roald Hoffmann, Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry and Poet, Frank H. T. Rhodes Professor of Humane Letters, Emeritus, Cornell University *School is all about teaching students about the basic order of life. But the education of order is not exactly an orderly education. Broken up across multiple subjects- mathematics, chemistry, physics, economics - students never get a holistic picture of how natural laws string together to create the basic geometry of the human experience. 'Earthly Order' fixes that. Saleem Ali's new book builds a bridge across the sciences using the scaffolding of natural laws, delivering the reader a unique and unifying perspective of life on Earth. * Lucas Joppa, Chief Environmental Officer, Microsoft Corporation *Saleem Ali's new book is a tour de force examining the conceptual meaning of 'order'. Conversations about changes in economic systems, social relations, and human identity are hampered by our inadequate and imprecise thinking about "order": what function it serves, how it breaks down, and what new possibilities it can reveal. Ali's book equips us with novel metaphors and analyses to improve our understanding, debates, and collaborations. Anyone working on complex social and environmental challenges should read this. * Dr. Zia Khan, Senior Vice President of Innovation, The Rockefeller Foundation *Earthly Order is a tour de force exploration of how natural laws operate at all levels of the great hierarchy of human existents, from the quantum chemistry of our bodies to sustainability cycles of our planet to economic, social and political structures of our societies. Three principles prevail: commonality of order in a general systems theory sense; expanding multiplicity of variables that generate increasing complexity; and emergence of novel regularities, qualitatively distinct at various levels. This is a book for our times. * Robert Lawrence Kuhn, Host of media series Closer to Truth *Earthly Order educates, illuminates and challenges, making connections across great swaths of the domains of knowledge, with climate change as the overarching motivation for this intellectual exploration. I found myself pausing after many paragraphs to consider what Ali had written, often re-reading, as much to experience the pleasure of the prose a second time as to clarify something. To capture Ali's purpose with this book, and to quote from one of my favorite paragraphs, here is the last sentence of his Introduction: 'The goal here is to stretch that specter of inquiry across the full spectrum of human learning about ordered systems so as to make the quest for sustainability more meaningful in both literal and figurative ways.' And, that's just what he does, with elegance and great insight. * Jared Cohon, President Emeritus Carnegie Mellon University, Member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering *We are privileged to enjoy Saleem's wisdom in the UNEP International Resource Panel. As he states "The ultimate aim (of this book) is contemporary global problem-solving by understanding basic tenets of functional order in natural, social, and political systems. " This statement describes well the very ambition of this essential work. Nothing less than the basics of our existence in the quest leading to sustainability. How could one resist to read it and learn? * Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for Environment (2010 -2014); European Commissioner for Science (2004-2010) *In making his arguments Ali draws from the work of Nobel prize winning scientists and his own deep knowledge of philosophy and history. Anyone anxious about the future of the planet will benefit from Ali's carefully considered, well-argued insights. * Choice *Table of ContentsPREFACE Introduction: The Limited Logic of Order? Two's Company Chemical Chaos Functional Order Part I: NATURAL ORDER Chapter 1 - Seduction of Structure in Nature Molecular "Magic" Quantum Order Phases and Crystalline Order Constancy and Hybrid Natural Order Chapter 2 - The Elements of Earthly Order The New Carbonic Order? Nuclear Order Magnetic Order Chapter 3 - Circularity, Cyclicality and Sustainability Hydrological Order Orders of Gaia and Medea Organismic Order Bounded Natural Order PART 2: ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ORDER Chapter 4 - The Orders of Economic Harmony Urbanism and Resilience in Socioeconomic Order Scales and Speeds of Economic Order Currencies of Sustainable Economic Order Chapter 5 - Elusive Orders of Economic Equilibrium Orders of Price and Quantity Consumer Ecology and Varieties of Equilibria Towards and Optimal Economic Order for the Planet Chapter 6 - Mindful Errors and Social Order Lonely Crowds and the Greening of the Shared Economy Environmental Risk, Uncertainty, and Precautionary Disorder Gaining from Disorder: Immunity, Intelligence and Religion The Conspiratorial Conundrum of Cause Chapter 7 - Sex, Population and Sustainability From Tragedy to Comedy of the Commons The Age Beyond Ageing Gender, Culture and Reconciling Anomalies PART 3: POLITICAL ORDER Chapter 8 - Empires and Edens The Dragon and the Wild Goose Resource Nationalism Great Powers Concerts and Radical Salvations Chapter 9 - Borders and Functional Political Order The Ambivalence of Ecological Borders The Order of Environmental Peacebuilding Identity, Borders and Order Chapter 10 - From International to Global Order in the "Anthropocene" Confederations of Peaceful Ecological Order Networks and the Realignment of Global Order in the Anthropocene Closing the Loop on Global Order CONCLUSION: Reconciling Orders Coda: Chromatic Order ENDNOTES

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Book SynopsisChaos theory has captured scientific and popular attention. What began as the discovery of randomness in simple physical systems has become a widespread fascination with chaotic models of everything from business cycles to brainwaves to heart attacks. But what exactly does this explosion of new research into chaotic phenomena mean for our understanding of the world? In this timely book, Stephen Kellert takes the first sustained look at the broad intellectual and philosophical questions raised by recent advances in chaos theory--its implications for science as a source of knowledge and for the very meaning of that knowledge itself.Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Prologue 1: What Is Chaos Theory? 2: Varieties of the Impossible 3: Unpeeling the Layers of Determinism 4: On the Way to Dynamic Understanding 5: Beyond the Clockwork Hegemony References Index

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Book SynopsisChaos theory has captured scientific and popular attention. What began as the discovery of randomness in simple physical systems has become a widespread fascination with chaotic models of everything from business cycles to brainwaves to heart attacks. But what exactly does this explosion of new research into chaotic phenomena mean for our understanding of the world? In this timely book, Stephen Kellert takes the first sustained look at the broad intellectual and philosophical questions raised by recent advances in chaos theoryits implications for science as a source of knowledge and for the very meaning of that knowledge itself.

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Book SynopsisFrom the 2021 Nobel Prize winner in Physics, a remarkable journey into the practice of groundbreaking science ''Giorgio Parisi is renowned for his scientific creativity, originality, and power. In this exhilarating little book, he shows his human side, too. By its end, readers will feel they''ve made a charming, witty new friend'' Frank WilczekThe world is shaped by complexity. In this enlightening book, Nobel Prize winner Giorgio Parisi guides us through his unorthodox yet exhilarating work to show us how. It all starts with investigating the principles of physics by observing the sophisticated flight patterns of starlings. Studying the movements of these birds, he has realized, proves an illuminating way into understanding complex systems of all kinds - collections of everything from atoms to planets to other animals like ourselves. Along the way, Parisi reflects on the lessons he''s taken from a life in pursuit of scientific truth: the importance oTrade ReviewThe man who looked at birds and grasped the secrets of the universe ... Read this, and you will get at least a frisson of what a top-flight career in physics might feel like * Daily Telegraph *The Italian physicist puts the fiendishly tricky theory of complex systems in terms of birds and bus rides ... aims to make his branch of science accessible to all * Observer *Giorgio Parisi is remarkably flexible and ingenious... In a Flight of Starlings is a compelling introduction to how modern researchers think about complex systems, enlivened by autobiographical anecdote and reflection on the processes of science -- Sean Carroll * The Times Literary Supplement *Parisi tells of his adventures in thinking in this alarmingly brilliant, witty and brief book -- Robert Fox * Evening Standard *In a Flight of Starlings offers a glimpse into scientific discovery ... a forceful argument for the value of scientific literacy at a time when it's increasingly being challenged by misinformation ... Parisi's book is a step toward making physics feel more accessible -- Andrew DeMillo * Independent *An interesting collection of essays reflecting on Parisi's long career in science . . . The scientific explanations are admirably lucid * The Wall Street Journal *An erudite contemplation on both science and the process of doing science. And a joy to read -- Marcus Chown * Prospect Magazine *In this delightful and deeply thoughtful book, Giorgio Parisi weaves a tapestry of experiences and ideas that connects disciplines and prepares us to appreciate the beauty, importance, and cultural value of science -- Frances Arnold, winner of the Nobel PrizeAn extraordinary scientist -- Carlo Rovelli, author of Seven Brief Lessons on PhysicsGiorgio Parisi is renowned for his scientific creativity, originality, and power. In this exhilarating little book, he shows his human side, too. By its end, readers will feel they've made a charming, witty new friend. -- Frank Wilczek, winner of the Nobel Prize and author of Fundamentals

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Book SynopsisA historical study of Chile's twin experiments with cybernetics and socialism, and what they tell us about the relationship of technology and politics.In Cybernetic Revolutionaries, Eden Medina tells the history of two intersecting utopian visions, one political and one technological. The first was Chile's experiment with peaceful socialist change under Salvador Allende; the second was the simultaneous attempt to build a computer system that would manage Chile's economy. Neither vision was fully realized—Allende's government ended with a violent military coup; the system, known as Project Cybersyn, was never completely implemented—but they hold lessons for today about the relationship between technology and politics.Drawing on extensive archival material and interviews, Medina examines the cybernetic system envisioned by the Chilean government—which was to feature holistic system design, decentralized management, human-computer interaction, a n

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Book SynopsisAn introduction to a powerful and flexible network modeling tool for developing and understanding complex systems, with many examples from a range of industries.Design structure matrix (DSM) is a straightforward and flexible modeling technique that can be used for designing, developing, and managing complex systems. DSM offers network modeling tools that represent the elements of a system and their interactions, thereby highlighting the system''s architecture (or designed structure). Its advantages include compact format, visual nature, intuitive representation, powerful analytical capacity, and flexibility. Used primarily so far in the area of engineering management, DSM is increasingly being applied to complex issues in health care management, financial systems, public policy, natural sciences, and social systems. This book offers a clear and concise explanation of DSM methods for practitioners and researchers.

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Book SynopsisExplores the analogies between computing machines and the living human brain. This title shows that the brain operates both digitally and analogically, but also has its own unique statistical language.Trade Review"This book is the earliest serious examination of the human brain from the perspective of a mathematician and computer pioneer. Prior to von Neumann, the fields of computer science and neuroscience were two islands with no bridge between them."—Ray Kurzweil, from the foreword"This book contains exactly the line of reasoning that inspired the architecture underlying Watson, the machine that beat the best human champions at Jeopardy!. A must read for any new computer scientist and reread for all of us who enjoy the stunning power of thoughtful observation and objective reason."—David Ferrucci, IBM T.J. Watson Research Center"This innocent-looking little book lies at the eye of a hurricane. It represents a locus of clarity and calm at the center of a vast vortex of powerful arguments and competing research programs."—Paul and Patricia Churchland, on the earlier edition"Perhaps the most powerful, lucid and penetrating mind in the history of computer science, von Neumann's observations about the language of the brain resonate with remarkable insight. Decades ahead of his time, he launches a thread of reasoning based on his unmatched understanding of computing that suggests the human nervous system is best understood, not as a digital machine but has a statistical one. . . . 'The nervous system is a computing machine which manages to do its exceedingly complicated work on a rather low level of precision....what matters are not the precise positions of definite markers, digits, but the statistical characteristics of their occurrences, i.e., frequencies. . . .' It is exactly this line of reasoning that inspired the essential architecture underlying Watson, the machine that beat the best human champions at Jeopardy! There is no precise mathematics to human language and yet it is the foundation for expressing human thought. Von Neumann reasons his way from analog machines to digital machines to delivering unparalleled insight into the computational paradigm underlying the human brain. A must read for any new computer scientist and reread for all of us who enjoy the stunning power of thoughtful observation and objective reason."—David Ferrucci, IBM T.J. Watson Research Center"This work from the earliest days of computing reminds us of von Neumann’s deep thinking and clarity of expression."—Dag Spicer, Senior Curator, Computer History Museum

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Book SynopsisIn this groundbreaking book, Adrian Bejan takes the recurring patterns in nature—trees, tributaries, air passages, neural networks, and lightning bolts—and reveals how a single principle of physics, the constructal law, accounts for the evolution of these and many other designs in our world. Everything—from biological life to inanimate systems—generates shape and structure and evolves in a sequence of ever-improving designs in order to facilitate flow. River basins, cardiovascular systems, and bolts of lightning are very efficient flow systems to move a current—of water, blood, or electricity. Likewise, the more complex architecture of animals evolve to cover greater distance per unit of useful energy, or increase their flow across the land. Such designs also appear in human organizations, like the hierarchical “flowcharts” or reporting structures in corporations and political bodies. All are governed by the same p

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Book SynopsisOptimization is an important tool used in decision science and for the analysis of physical systems used in engineering. It begins with very simple ideas progressing through more complicated concepts, concentrating on methods for both unconstrained and constrained optimization.Trade ReviewMMOR Mathematical Methods of Operations Research, 2001: "The books looks very suitable to be used in an graduate-level course in optimization for students in mathematics, operations research, engineering, and others. Moreover, it seems to be very helpful to do some self-studies in optimization, to complete own knowledge and can be a source of new ideas... I recommend this excellent book to everyone who is interested in optimization problems."Table of ContentsPreface.-Preface to the Second Edition.-Introduction.-Fundamentals of Unconstrained Optimization.-Line Search Methods.-Trust-Region Methods.-Conjugate Gradient Methods.-Quasi-Newton Methods.-Large-Scale Unconstrained Optimization.-Calculating Derivatives.-Derivative-Free Optimization.-Least-Squares Problems.-Nonlinear Equations.-Theory of Constrained Optimization.-Linear Programming: The Simplex Method.-Linear Programming: Interior-Point Methods.-Fundamentals of Algorithms for Nonlinear Constrained Optimization.-Quadratic Programming.-Penalty and Augmented Lagrangian Methods.-Sequential Quadratic Programming.-Interior-Point Methods for Nonlinear Programming.-Background Material.- Regularization Procedure.

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Book SynopsisRigid Body Dynamics Algorithms presents the subject of computational rigid-body dynamics through the medium of spatial 6D vector notation. The use of spatial vector notation facilitates the implementation of dynamics algorithms on a computer: shorter, simpler code that is easier to write, understand and debug, with no loss of efficiency.Trade ReviewFrom the reviews: "This book deals with a numerical treatment of different problems in the dynamics of rigid-body systems which arise mainly in robotics ... . is centered on mechanical models made up of many rigid bodies connected by joints. ... The book is written in a clear way. Each chapter begins by stating the objectives to be achieved. The algorithms presented are well documented and worked examples are also given. ... the bibliography close this useful book on the computational approach to the dynamics of rigid-body systems." (A. San Miguel, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2011 h)Table of ContentsIntroduction.- Spatial Vector Algebra.- Dynamics of Rigid Body Systems.- Modelling Rigid Body Systems.- Inverse Dynamics.- Forward Dynamics - Inertia Matrix Methods.- Forward Dynamics - Propagation Methods.- Closed Loop Systems.- Hybrid Dynamics and Other Topics.- Accuracy and Efficiency.- Contact and Impact.

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Book SynopsisThe Second Law of Thermodynamics has been called the most important law of nature: It is the law that gives a direction to processes that is not inherent in the laws of motion, that says the state of the universe is driven to thermal equilibrium.

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Book Synopsis1 Complexity and Criticality.- 2 The Discovery of Self-Organized Criticality.- 3 The Sandpile Paradigm.- 4 Real Sandpiles and Landscape Formation.- 5 Earthquakes, Starquakes, and Solar Flares.- 6 The Game of Life: Complexity Is Criticality.- 7 Is Life a Self-Organized Critical Phenomenon?.- 8 Mass Extinctions and Punctuated Equilibria in a Simple Model of Evolution.- 9 Theory of the Punctuated Equilibrium Model.- 10 The Brain.- 11 On Economics and Traffic Jams.Table of Contents1 Complexity and Criticality.- 2 The Discovery of Self-Organized Criticality.- 3 The Sandpile Paradigm.- 4 Real Sandpiles and Landscape Formation.- 5 Earthquakes, Starquakes, and Solar Flares.- 6 The “Game of Life”: Complexity Is Criticality.- 7 Is Life a Self-Organized Critical Phenomenon?.- 8 Mass Extinctions and Punctuated Equilibria in a Simple Model of Evolution.- 9 Theory of the Punctuated Equilibrium Model.- 10 The Brain.- 11 On Economics and Traffic Jams.

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Book Synopsis1 Introduction to Lie Groups.- 1.1. Manifolds.- 1.2. Lie Groups.- 1.3. Vector Fields.- 1.4. Lie Algebras.- 1.5. Differential Forms.- Notes.- Exercises.- 2 Symmetry Groups of Differential Equations.- 2.1. Symmetries of Algebraic Equations.- 2.2. Groups and Differential Equations.- 2.3. Prolongation.- 2.4. Calculation of Symmetry Groups.- 2.5. Integration of Ordinary Differential Equations.- 2.6. Nondegeneracy Conditions for Differential Equations.- Notes.- Exercises.- 3 Group-Invariant Solutions.- 3.1. Construction of Group-Invariant Solutions.- 3.2. Examples of Group-Invariant Solutions.- 3.3. Classification of Group-Invariant Solutions.- 3.4. Quotient Manifolds.- 3.5. Group-Invariant Prolongations and Reduction.- Notes.- Exercises.- 4 Symmetry Groups and Conservation Laws.- 4.1. The Calculus of Variations.- 4.2. Variational Symmetries.- 4.3. Conservation Laws.- 4.4. Noether's Theorem.- Notes.- Exercises.- 5 Generalized Symmetries.- 5.1. Generalized Symmetries of Differential Equations.- 5.2. Récursion Operators, Master Symmetries and Formal Symmetries.- 5.3. Generalized Symmetries and Conservation Laws.- 5.4. The Variational Complex.- Notes.- Exercises.- 6 Finite-Dimensional Hamiltonian Systems.- 6.1. Poisson Brackets.- 6.2. Symplectic Structures and Foliations.- 6.3. Symmetries, First Integrals and Reduction of Order.- Notes.- Exercises.- 7 Hamiltonian Methods for Evolution Equations.- 7.1. Poisson Brackets.- 7.2. Symmetries and Conservation Laws.- 7.3. Bi-Hamiltonian Systems.- Notes.- Exercises.- References.- Symbol Index.- Author Index.Table of Contents1 Introduction to Lie Groups.- 1.1. Manifolds.- Change of Coordinates.- Maps Between Manifolds.- The Maximal Rank Condition.- Submanifolds.- Regular Submanifolds.- Implicit Submanifolds.- Curves and Connectedness.- 1.2. Lie Groups.- Lie Subgroups.- Local Lie Groups.- Local Transformation Groups.- Orbits.- 1.3. Vector Fields.- Flows.- Action on Functions.- Differentials.- Lie Brackets.- Tangent Spaces and Vectors Fields on Submanifolds.- Frobenius’ Theorem.- 1.4. Lie Algebras.- One-Parameter Subgroups.- Subalgebras.- The Exponential Map.- Lie Algebras of Local Lie Groups.- Structure Constants.- Commutator Tables.- Infinitesimal Group Actions.- 1.5. Differential Forms.- Pull-Back and Change of Coordinates.- Interior Products.- The Differential.- The de Rham Complex.- Lie Derivatives.- Homotopy Operators.- Integration and Stokes’ Theorem.- Notes.- Exercises.- 2 Symmetry Groups of Differential Equations.- 2.1. Symmetries of Algebraic Equations.- Invariant Subsets.- Invariant Functions.- Infinitesimal Invariance.- Local Invariance.- Invariants and Functional Dependence.- Methods for Constructing Invariants.- 2.2. Groups and Differential Equations.- 2.3. Prolongation.- Systems of Differential Equations.- Prolongation of Group Actions.- Invariance of Differential Equations.- Prolongation of Vector Fields.- Infinitesimal Invariance.- The Prolongation Formula.- Total Derivatives.- The General Prolongation Formula.- Properties of Prolonged Vector Fields.- Characteristics of Symmetries.- 2.4. Calculation of Symmetry Groups.- 2.5. Integration of Ordinary Differential Equations.- First Order Equations.- Higher Order Equations.- Differential Invariants.- Multi-parameter Symmetry Groups.- Solvable Groups.- Systems of Ordinary Differential Equations.- 2.6. Nondegeneracy Conditions for Differential Equations.- Local Solvability.- In variance Criteria.- The Cauchy—Kovalevskaya Theorem.- Characteristics.- Normal Systems.- Prolongation of Differential Equations.- Notes.- Exercises.- 3 Group-Invariant Solutions.- 3.1. Construction of Group-Invariant Solutions.- 3.2. Examples of Group-Invariant Solutions.- 3.3. Classification of Group-Invariant Solutions.- The Adjoint Representation.- Classification of Subgroups and Subalgebras.- Classification of Group-Invariant Solutions.- 3.4. Quotient Manifolds.- Dimensional Analysis.- 3.5. Group-Invariant Prolongations and Reduction.- Extended Jet Bundles.- Differential Equations.- Group Actions.- The Invariant Jet Space.- Connection with the Quotient Manifold.- The Reduced Equation.- Local Coordinates.- Notes.- Exercises.- 4 Symmetry Groups and Conservation Laws.- 4.1. The Calculus of Variations.- The Variational Derivative.- Null Lagrangians and Divergences.- Invariance of the Euler Operator.- 4.2. Variational Symmetries.- Infinitesimal Criterion of Invariance.- Symmetries of the Euler—Lagrange Equations.- Reduction of Order.- 4.3. Conservation Laws.- Trivial Conservation Laws.- Characteristics of Conservation Laws.- 4.4. Noether’s Theorem.- Divergence Symmetries.- Notes.- Exercises.- 5 Generalized Symmetries.- 5.1. Generalized Symmetries of Differential Equations.- Differential Functions.- Generalized Vector Fields.- Evolutionary Vector Fields.- Equivalence and Trivial Symmetries.- Computation of Generalized Symmetries.- Group Transformations.- Symmetries and Prolongations.- The Lie Bracket.- Evolution Equations.- 5.2. Récursion Operators, Master Symmetries and Formal Symmetries.- Frechet Derivatives.- Lie Derivatives of Differential Operators.- Criteria for Recursion Operators.- The Korteweg—de Vries Equation.- Master Symmetries.- Pseudo-differential Operators.- Formal Symmetries.- 5.3. Generalized Symmetries and Conservation Laws.- Adjoints of Differential Operators.- Characteristics of Conservation Laws.- Variational Symmetries.- Group Transformations.- Noether’s Theorem.- Self-adjoint Linear Systems.- Action of Symmetries on Conservation Laws.- Abnormal Systems and Noether’s Second Theorem.- Formal Symmetries and Conservation Laws.- 5.4. The Variational Complex.- The D-Complex.- Vertical Forms.- Total Derivatives of Vertical Forms.- Functionals and Functional Forms.- The Variational Differential.- Higher Euler Operators.- The Total Homotopy Operator.- Notes.- Exercises.- 6 Finite-Dimensional Hamiltonian Systems.- 6.1. Poisson Brackets.- Hamiltonian Vector Fields.- The Structure Functions.- The Lie-Poisson Structure.- 6.2. Symplectic Structures and Foliations.- The Correspondence Between One-Forms and Vector Fields.- Rank of a Poisson Structure.- Symplectic Manifolds.- Maps Between Poisson Manifolds.- Poisson Submanifolds.- Darboux’ Theorem.- The Co-adjoint Representation.- 6.3. Symmetries, First Integrals and Reduction of Order.- First Integrals.- Hamiltonian Symmetry Groups.- Reduction of Order in Hamiltonian Systems.- Reduction Using Multi-parameter Groups.- Hamiltonian Transformation Groups.- The Momentum Map.- Notes.- Exercises.- 7 Hamiltonian Methods for Evolution Equations.- 7.1. Poisson Brackets.- The Jacobi Identity.- Functional Multi-vectors.- 7.2. Symmetries and Conservation Laws.- Distinguished Functionals.- Lie Brackets.- Conservation Laws.- 7.3. Bi-Hamiltonian Systems.- Recursion Operators.- Notes.- Exercises.- References.- Symbol Index.- Author Index.

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Book SynopsisEquations in dimensions one and two constitute the majority of the text, and in particular it is demonstrated that the basic notion of stability and bifurcations of vector fields are easily explained for scalar autonomous equations.Trade ReviewJ.K. Hale, H. Kocak, and H. Buttanri Dynamics and Bifurcations "This book takes the reader step by step through the vast subject of dynamical systems. Proceeding from 1 to 2 dimensions and onto higher dimensions in separate self-contained sections, the text is mathematically rigorous yet devoid of excess formalism. A refreshing balance is further achieved by the use of many excellent illustrations and a wealth of worked and unworked examples."—MATHEMATIKATable of ContentsI: Dimension One.- 1. Scalar Autonomous Equations.- 1.1. Existence and Uniqueness.- 1.2. Geometry of Flows.- 1.3. Stability of Equilibria.- 1.4. Equations on a Circle.- 2. Elementary Bifurcations.- 2.1. Dependence on Parameters - Examples.- 2.2. The Implicit Function Theorem.- 2.3. Local Perturbations Near Equilibria.- 2.4. An Example on a Circle.- 2.5. Computing Bifurcation Diagrams.- 2.6. Equivalence of Flows.- 3. Scalar Maps.- 3.1. Euler’s Algorithm and Maps.- 3.2. Geometry of Scalar Maps.- 3.3. Bifurcations of Monotone Maps.- 3.4. Period-doubling Bifurcation.- 3.5. An Example: The Logistic Map.- II: Dimension One and One Half.- 4. Scalar Nonautonomous Equations.- 4.1. General Properties of Solutions.- 4.2. Geometry of Periodic Equations.- 4.3. Periodic Equations on a Cylinder.- 4.4. Examples of Periodic Equations.- 4.5. Stability of Periodic Solutions.- 5. Bifurcation of Periodic Equations.- 5.1. Bifurcations of Poincaré Maps.- 5.2. Stability of Nonhyperbolic Periodic Solutions.- 5.3. Perturbations of Vector Fields.- 6. On Tori and Circles.- 6.1. Differential Equations on a Torus.- 6.2. Rotation Number.- 6.3. An Example: The Standard Circle Map.- III: Dimension Two.- 7. Planar Autonomous Systems.- 7.1. “Natural” Examples of Planar Systems.- 7.2. General Properties and Geometry.- 7.3. Product Systems.- 7.4. First Integrals and Conservative Systems.- 7.5. Examples of Elementary Bifurcations.- 8. Linear Systems.- 8.1. Properties of Solutions of Linear Systems.- 8.2. Reduction to Canonical Forms.- 8.3. Qualitative Equivalence in Linear Systems.- 8.4. Bifurcations in Linear Systems.- 8.5. Nonhomogeneous Linear Systems.- 8.6. Linear Systems with 1-periodic Coefficients.- 9. Near Equilibria.- 9.1. Asymptotic Stability from Linearization.- 9.2. Instability from Linearization.- 9.3. Liapunov Functions.- 9.4. An Invariance Principle.- 9.5. Preservation of a Saddle.- 9.6. Flow Equivalence Near Hyperbolic Equilibria.- 9.7. Saddle Connections.- 10. In the Presence of a Zero Eigenvalue.- 10.1. Stability.- 10.2. Bifurcations.- 10.3. Center Manifolds.- 11. In the Presence of Purely Imaginary Eigenvalues.- 11.1. Stability.- 11.2. Poincaré-Andronov-Hopf Bifurcation.- 11.3. Computing Bifurcation Curves.- 12. Periodic Orbits.- 12.1. Poincaré-Bendixson Theorem.- 12.2. Stability of Periodic Orbits.- 12.3. Local Bifurcations of Periodic Orbits.- 12.4. A Homoclinic Bifurcation.- 13. All Planar Things Considered.- 13.1. Structurally Stable Vector Fields.- 13.2. Dissipative Systems.- 13.3. One-parameter Generic Bifurcations.- 13.4. Bifurcations in the Presence of Symmetry.- 13.5. Local Two-parameter Bifurcations.- 14- Conservative and Gradient Systems.- 14.1. Second-order Conservative Systems.- 14.2. Bifurcations in Conservative Systems.- 14.3. Gradient Vector Fields.- 15. Planar Maps.- 15.1. Linear Maps.- 15.2. Near Fixed Points.- 15.3. Numerical Algorithms and Maps.- 15.4. Saddle Node and Period Doubling.- 15.5. Poincaré-Andronov-Hopf Bifurcation.- 15.6. Area-preserving Maps.- IV: Higher Dimensions.- 16. Dimension Two and One Half.- 16.1. Forced Van der Pol.- 16.2. Forced Duffing.- 16.3. Near a Transversal Homoclinic Point.- 16.4. Forced and Damped Duffing.- 17. Dimension Three.- 17.1. Period Doubling.- 17.2. Bifurcation to Invariant Torus.- 17.3. Silnikov Orbits.- 17.4. The Lorenz Equations.- 18. Dimension Four.- 18.1. Integrable Hamiltonians.- 18.2. A Nonintegrable Hamiltonian.- Farewell.- APPENDIX: A Catalogue of Fundamental Theorems.- References.

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Book SynopsisThis is the first volume of a three-volume introduction to modern geometry which emphasizes applications to other areas of mathematics and theoretical physics. Topics covered include tensors and their differential calculus, the calculus of variations in one and several dimensions, and geometric field theory.Table of Contents1 Geometry in Regions of a Space. Basic Concepts.- §1. Co-ordinate systems.- 1.1. Cartesian co-ordinates in a space.- 1.2. Co-ordinate changes.- §2. Euclidean space.- 2.1. Curves in Euclidean space.- 2.2. Quadratic forms and vectors.- §3. Riemannian and pseudo-Riemannian spaces.- 3.1. Riemannian metrics.- 3.2. The Minkowski metric.- §4. The simplest groups of transformations of Euclidean space.- 4.1. Groups of transformations of a region.- 4.2. Transformations of the plane.- 4.3. The isometries of 3-dimensional Euclidean space.- 4.4. Further examples of transformation groups.- 4.5. Exercises.- §5. The Serret—Frenet formulae.- 5.1. Curvature of curves in the Euclidean plane.- 5.2. Curves in Euclidean 3-space. Curvature and torsion.- 5.3. Orthogonal transformations depending on a parameter.- 5.4. Exercises.- §6. Pseudo-Euclidean spaces.- 6.1. The simplest concepts of the special theory of relativity.- 6.2. Lorentz transformations.- 6.3. Exercises.- 2 The Theory of Surfaces.- §7. Geometry on a surface in space.- 7.1. Co-ordinates on a surface.- 7.2. Tangent planes.- 7.3. The metric on a surface in Euclidean space.- 7.4. Surface area.- 7.5. Exercises.- §8. The second fundamental form.- 8.1. Curvature of curves on a surface in Euclidean space.- 8.2. Invariants of a pair of quadratic forms.- 8.3. Properties of the second fundamental form.- 8.4. Exercises.- §9. The metric on the sphere.- §10. Space-like surfaces in pseudo-Euclidean space.- 10.1. The pseudo-sphere.- 10.2. Curvature of space-like curves in $$ \mathbb{R}_1^3 $$.- §11. The language of complex numbers in geometry.- 11.1. Complex and real co-ordinates.- 11.2. The Hermitian scalar product.- 11.3. Examples of complex transformation groups.- §12. Analytic functions.- 12.1. Complex notation for the element of length, and for the differential of a function.- 12.2. Complex co-ordinate changes.- 12.3. Surfaces in complex space.- §13. The conformal form of the metric on a surface.- 13.1. Isothermal co-ordinates. Gaussian curvature in terms of conformal co-ordinates.- 13.2. Conformal form of the metrics on the sphere and the Lobachevskian plane.- 13.3. Surfaces of constant curvature.- 13.4. Exercises.- §14. Transformation groups as surfaces in N-dimensional space.- 14.1. Co-ordinates in a neighbourhood of the identity.- 14.2. The exponential function with matrix argument.- 14.3. The quaternions.- 14.4. Exercises.- §15. Conformal transformations of Euclidean and pseudo-Euclidean spaces of several dimensions.- 3 Tensors: The Algebraic Theory.- §16. Examples of tensors.- §17. The general definition of a tensor.- 17.1. The transformation rule for the components of a tensor of arbitrary rank.- 17.2. Algebraic operations on tensors.- 17.3. Exercises.- §18. Tensors of type (0, k).- 18.1. Differential notation for tensors with lower indices only.- 18.2. Skew-symmetric tensors of type (0, k).- 18.3. The exterior product of differential forms. The exterior algebra.- 18.4. Skew-symmetric tensors of type (k, 0) (polyvectors). Integrals with respect to anti-commuting variables.- 18.5. Exercises.- §19. Tensors in Riemannian and pseudo-Riemannian spaces.- 19.1. Raising and lowering indices.- 19.2. The eigenvalues of a quadratic form.- 19.3. The operator ?.- 19.4. Tensors in Euclidean space.- 19.5. Exercises.- §20. The crystallographic groups and the finite subgroups of the rotation group of Euclidean 3-space. Examples of invariant tensors.- §21. Rank 2 tensors in pseudo-Euclidean space, and their eigenvalues.- 21.1. Skew-symmetric tensors. The invariants of an electromagnetic field.- 21.2. Symmetric tensors and their eigenvalues. The energy-momentum tensor of an electromagnetic field.- §22. The behaviour of tensors under mappings.- 22.1. The general operation of restriction of tensors with lower indices.- 22.2. Mappings of tangent spaces.- §23. Vector fields.- 23.1. One-parameter groups of diffeomorphisms.- 23.2. The exponential function of a vector field.- 23.3. The Lie derivative.- 23.4. Exercises.- §24. Lie algebras.- 24.1. Lie algebras and vector fields.- 24.2. The fundamental matrix Lie algebras.- 24.3. Linear vector fields.- 24.4. Left-invariant fields defined on transformation groups.- 24.5. Invariant metrics on a transformation group.- 24.6. The classification of the 3-dimensional Lie algebras.- 24.7. The Lie algebras of the conformal groups.- 24.8. Exercises.- 4 The Differential Calculus of Tensors.- §25. The differential calculus of skew-symmetric tensors.- 25.1. The gradient of a skew-symmetric tensor.- 25.2. The exterior derivative of a form.- 25.3. Exercises.- §26. Skew-symmetric tensors and the theory of integration.- 26.1. Integration of differential forms.- 26.2. Examples of integrals of differential forms.- 26.3. The general Stokes formula. Examples.- 26.4. Proof of the general Stokes formula for the cube.- 26.5. Exercises.- §27. Differential forms on complex spaces.- 27.1. The operators d? and d?.- 27.2. Kählerian metrics. The curvature form.- §28. Covariant differentiation.- 28.1. Euclidean connexions.- 28.2. Covariant differentiation of tensors of arbitrary rank.- §29. Covariant differentiation and the metric.- 29.1. Parallel transport of vector fields.- 29.2. Geodesics.- 29.3. Connexions compatible with the metric.- 29.4. Connexions compatible with a complex structure (Hermitian metric).- 29.5. Exercises.- §30. The curvature tensor.- 30.1. The general curvature tensor.- 30.2. The symmetries of the curvature tensor. The curvature tensor defined by the metric.- 30.3. Examples: The curvature tensor in spaces of dimensions 2 and 3; the curvature tensor of transformation groups.- 30.4. The Peterson—Codazzi equations. Surfaces of constant negative curvature, and the “sine—Gordon” equation.- 30.5. Exercises.- 5 The Elements of the Calculus of Variations.- §31. One-dimensional variational problems.- 31.1. The Euler—Lagrange equations.- 31.2. Basic examples of functional.- §32. Conservation laws.- 32.1. Groups of transformations preserving a given variational problem.- 32.2. Examples. Applications of the conservation laws.- §33. Hamiltonian formalism.- 33.1. Legendre’s transformation.- 33.2. Moving co-ordinate frames.- 33.3. The principles of Maupertuis and Fermat.- 33.4. Exercises.- §34. The geometrical theory of phase space.- 34.1. Gradient systems.- 34.2. The Poisson bracket.- 34.3. Canonical transformations.- 34.4. Exercises.- §35. Lagrange surfaces.- 35.1. Bundles of trajectories and the Hamilton—Jacobi equation.- 35.2. Hamiltonians which are first-order homogeneous with respect to the momentum.- §36. The second variation for the equation of the geodesics.- 36.1. The formula for the second variation.- 36.2. Conjugate points and the minimality condition.- 6 The Calculus of Variations in Several Dimensions. Fields and Their Geometric Invariants.- §37. The simplest higher-dimensional variational problems.- 37.1. The Euler—Lagrange equations.- 37.2. The energy-momentum tensor.- 37.3. The equations of an electromagnetic field.- 37.4. The equations of a gravitational field.- 37.5. Soap films.- 37.6. Equilibrium equation for a thin plate.- 37.7. Exercises.- §38. Examples of Lagrangians.- §39. The simplest concepts of the general theory of relativity.- §40. The spinor representations of the groups SO(3) and O(3, 1). Dirac’s equation and its properties.- 40.1. Automorphisms of matrix algebras.- 40.2. The spinor representation of the group SO(3).- 40.3. The spinor representation of the Lorentz group.- 40.4. Dirac’s equation.- 40.5. Dirac’s equation in an electromagnetic field. The operation of charge conjugation.- §41. Covariant differentiation of fields with arbitrary symmetry.- 41.1. Gauge transformations. Gauge-invariant Lagrangians.- 41.2. The curvature form.- 41.3. Basic examples.- §42. Examples of gauge-invariant functionals. Maxwell’s equations and the Yang—Mills equation. Functionals with identically zero variational derivative (characteristic classes).

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