This volume focuses on recent developments in non-linear and hyperbolic equations. It will be a most valuable resource for researchers in applied mathematics, the theory of wavelets, and in mathematical and theoretical physics. Nine up-to-date contributions have been written on invitation by experts in the respective fields. The book is the third volume of the subseries "Advances in Partial Differential Equations".

This book contains a selection of carefully refereed research papers, most of which were presented at the fourteenth International Workshop on Operator Theory and its Applications (IWOTA), held at Cagliari, Italy, from June 24-27, 2003. The papers, many of which have been written by leading experts in the field, concern a wide variety of topics in modern operator theory and applications, with emphasis on differential operators and numerical methods. The book will be of interest to a wide audience of pure and applied mathematicians and engineers.

The state space method developed in the last decades allows us to study the theory of linear systems by using tools from the theory of linear operators; conversely, it had a strong influence on operator theory introducing new questions and topics. The present volume contains a collection of essays representing some of the recent advances in the state space method. Methods covered include noncommutative systems theory, new aspects of the theory of discrete systems, discrete analogs of canonical systems, and new applications to the theory of Bezoutiants and convolution equations. The articles in the volume will be of interest to pure and applied mathematicians, electrical engineers and theoretical physicists.

This volume is devoted to the life and work of the applied mathematician Professor Erhard Meister (1930-2001). He was a member of the editorial boards of this book series Operator The ory: Advances and Applications as well as of the journal Integral Equations and Operator Theory, both published by Birkhauser (now part of Springer-Verlag). Moreover he played a decisive role in the foundation of these two series by helping to establish contacts between Birkhauser and the founder and present chief editor of this book series after his emigration from Moldavia in 1974. The volume is divided into two parts. Part A contains reminiscences about the life of E. Meister including a short biography and an exposition of his professional work. Part B displays the wide range of his scientific interests through eighteen original papers contributed by authors with close scientific and personal relations to E. Meister. We hope that a great part of the numerous features of his life and work can be re-discovered from this book.

A comprehensive graduate textbook that introduces functional analysis with an emphasis on the theory of linear operators and its application to differential equations, integral equations, infinite systems of linear equations, approximation theory, and numerical analysis. As a textbook designed for senior undergraduate and graduate students, it begins with the geometry of Hilbert spaces and proceeds to the theory of linear operators on these spaces including Banach spaces. Presented as a natural continuation of linear algebra, the book provides a firm foundation in operator theory which is an essential part of mathematical training for students of mathematics, engineering, and other technical sciences.

This book presents recent results in the following areas: spectral analysis of one-dimensional Schrödinger and Jacobi operators, discrete WKB analysis of solutions of second order difference equations, and applications of functional models of non-selfadjoint operators. Several developments treated appear for the first time in a book. It is addressed to a wide group of specialists working in operator theory or mathematical physics.