This book begins with a historical essay entitled “Will the Sun Rise Again?” and ends with a general address entitled “Mathematics and Applications”. The articles cover an interesting range of topics: combinatoric probabilities, classical limit theorems, Markov chains and processes, potential theory, Brownian motion, Schrödinger-Feynman problems, etc. They include many addresses presented at international conferences and special seminars, as well as memorials to and reminiscences of prominent contemporary mathematicians and reviews of their works. Rare old photos of many of them enliven the book.

Bayesian Networks: An Introduction provides a self-contained introduction to the theory and applications of Bayesian networks, a topic of interest and importance for statisticians, computer scientists and those involved in modelling complex data sets. The material has been extensively tested in classroom teaching and assumes a basic knowledge of probability, statistics and mathematics. All notions are carefully explained and feature exercises throughout. Features include: An introduction to Dirichlet Distribution, Exponential Families and their applications. A detailed description of learning algorithms and Conditional Gaussian Distributions using Junction Tree methods. A discussion of Pearl's intervention calculus, with an introduction to the notion of see and do conditioning. All concepts are clearly defined and illustrated with examples and exercises. Solutions are provided online. This book will prove a valuable resource for postgraduate students of statistics, computer engineering, mathematics, data mining, artificial intelligence, and biology. Researchers and users of comparable modelling or statistical techniques such as neural networks will also find this book of interest.

This unique volume presents a collection of the extensive journal publications written by Kai Lai Chung over a span of 70-odd years. It was produced to celebrate his 90th birthday. The selection is only a subset of the many contributions that he made throughout his prolific career. Another volume, Chance and Choice, published by World Scientific in 2004, contains yet another subset, with four articles in common with this volume. Kai Lai Chung's research contributions have had a major influence on several areas in probability. Among his most significant works are those related to sums of independent random variables, Markov chains, time reversal of Markov processes, probabilistic potential theory, Brownian excursions, and gauge theorems for the Schr”dinger equation.As Kai Lai Chung's contributions spawned critical new developments, this volume also contains retrospective and perspective views provided by collaborators and other authors who themselves advanced the areas of probability and mathematics.

It is well-known that modern stochastic calculus has been exhaustively developed under usual conditions. Despite such a well-developed theory, there is evidence to suggest that these very convenient technical conditions cannot necessarily be fulfilled in real-world applications. Optional Processes: Theory and Applications seeks to delve into the existing theory, new developments and applications of optional processes on "unusual" probability spaces. The development of stochastic calculus of optional processes marks the beginning of a new and more general form of stochastic analysis. This book aims to provide an accessible, comprehensive and up-to-date exposition of optional processes and their numerous properties. Furthermore, the book presents not only current theory of optional processes, but it also contains a spectrum of applications to stochastic differential equations, filtering theory and mathematical finance. Features Suitable for graduate students and researchers in mathematical finance, actuarial science, applied mathematics and related areas Compiles almost all essential results on the calculus of optional processes in unusual probability spaces Contains many advanced analytical results for stochastic differential equations and statistics pertaining to the calculus of optional processes Develops new methods in finance based on optional processes such as a new portfolio theory, defaultable claim pricing mechanism, etc.

Whether we're buying a pair of jeans, ordering a cup of coffee, selecting a long-distance carrier, applying to college, choosing a doctor, or setting up a 401(k), everyday decisions—both big and small—have become increasingly complex due to the overwhelming abundance of choice with which we are presented. As Americans, we assume that more choice means better options and greater satisfaction. But beware of excessive choice: choice overload can make you question the decisions you make before you even make them, it can set you up for unrealistically high expectations, and it can make you blame yourself for any and all failures. In the long run, this can lead to decision-making paralysis, anxiety, and perpetual stress. And, in a culture that tells us that there is no excuse for falling short of perfection when your options are limitless, too much choice can lead to clinical depression. In The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz explains at what point choice—the hallmark of individual freedom and self-determination that we so cherish—becomes detrimental to our psychological and emotional well-being. In accessible, engaging, and anecdotal prose, Schwartz shows how the dramatic explosion in choice—from the mundane to the profound challenges of balancing career, family, and individual needs—has paradoxically become a problem instead of a solution. Schwartz also shows how our obsession with choice encourages us to seek that which makes us feel worse. By synthesizing current research in the social sciences, Schwartz makes the counter intuitive case that eliminating choices can greatly reduce the stress, anxiety, and busyness of our lives. He offers eleven practical steps on how to limit choices to a manageable number, have the discipline to focus on those that are important and ignore the rest, and ultimately derive greater satisfaction from the choices you have to make.