This book is based on the idea that Boltzmann-like modelling methods can be developed to design, with special attention to applied sciences, kinetic-type models which are called generalized kinetic models. In particular, these models appear in evolution equations for the statistical distribution over the physical state of each individual of a large population. The evolution is determined both by interactions among individuals and by external actions. Considering that generalized kinetic models can play an important role in dealing with several interesting systems in applied sciences, the book provides a unified presentation of this topic with direct reference to modelling, mathematical statement of problems, qualitative and computational analysis, and applications. Models reported and proposed in the book refer to several fields of natural, applied and technological sciences. In particular, the following classes of models are discussed: population dynamics and socio-economic behaviours, models of aggregation and fragmentation phenomena, models of biology and immunology, traffic flow models, models of mixtures and particles undergoing classic and dissipative interactions.

This book deals with analytic problems related to some developments and generalizations of the Boltzmann equation toward the modeling and qualitative analysis of large systems that are of interest in applied sciences. These generalizations are documented in the various surveys edited by Bellomo and Pulvirenti with reference to models of granular media, traffic flow, mathematical biology, communication networks, and coagulation models.The above literature motivates applied mathematicians to study the Cauchy problem and to develop an asymptotic analysis for models regarded as developments of the Boltzmann equation. This book aims to initiate the research plan by the analyzing afore mentioned analysis problems.The first generalization dealt with refers to the averaged Boltzmann equation, which is obtained by suitable averaging of the distribution function of the field particles into the action domain of the test particle. This model is further developed to describe equations with dissipative collisions and a class of models that are of interest in mathematical biology. In this latter case the state of the particles is defined not only by a mechanical variable but also by a biological microscopic state.The book is essentially devoted to analytic aspects and deals with the analysis of the Cauchy problem and with the development of an asymptotic theory to obtain the macroscopic description from the mesoscopic one.

This book presents contributions on the following topics: discretization methods in the velocity and space, analysis of the conservation properties, asymptotic convergence to the continuous equation when the number of velocities tends to infinity, and application of discrete models. It consists of ten chapters. Each chapter is written by applied mathematicians who have been active in the field, and whose scientific contributions are well recognized by the scientific community.

Annotation This book is one of the first few devoted to high-dimensional diffusion stochastic processes with nonlinear coefficients. These processes are closely associated with large systems of Ito's stochastic differential equations and with discretized-in-the-parameter versions of Ito's stochastic differential equations that are nonlocally dependent on the parameter. The latter models include Ito's stochastic integro-differential, partial differential and partial integro-differential equations.The book presents the new analytical treatment which can serve as the basis of a combined, analytical -- numerical approach to greater computational efficiency. Some examples of the modelling of noise in semiconductor devices are provided

This seminal book unites three different areas of modern science: the micromechanics and nanomechanics of composite materials; wavelet analysis as applied to physical problems; and the propagation of a new type of solitary wave in composite materials, nonlinear waves. Each of the three areas is described in a simple and understandable form, focusing on the many perspectives of the links among the three.All of the techniques and procedures are described here in the clearest and most open form, enabling the reader to quickly learn and use them when faced with the new and more advanced problems that are proposed in this book. By combining these new scientific concepts into a unitary model and enlightening readers on this pioneering field of research, readers will hopefully be inspired to explore the more advanced aspects of this promising scientific direction. The application of wavelet analysis to nanomaterials and waves in nanocomposites can be very appealing to both specialists working on theoretical developments in wavelets as well as specialists applying these methods and experiments in the mechanics of materials.

This volume collects refereed contributions based on the presentations made at the Sixth Workshop on Advanced Mathematical and Computational Tools in Metrology, held at the Istituto di Metrologia “G. Colonnetti” (IMGC), Torino, Italy, in September 2003. It provides a forum for metrologists, mathematicians and software engineers that will encourage a more effective synthesis of skills, capabilities and resources, and promotes collaboration in the context of EU programmes, EUROMET and EA projects, and MRA requirements. It contains articles by an important, worldwide group of metrologists and mathematicians involved in measurement science and, together with the five previous volumes in this series, constitutes an authoritative source for the mathematical, statistical and software tools necessary to modern metrology.The proceedings have been selected for coverage in:Index to Scientific & Technical Proceedings® (ISTP® / ISI Proceedings)Index to Scientific & Technical Proceedings (ISTP CDROM version / ISI Proceedings)CC Proceedings — Engineering & Physical Sciences

This book provides a variety of methods required for the analysis and solution of equations which arise in the modeling of phenomena from the natural and engineering sciences. It can be used productively by both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as others who need to learn and understand these techniques. A detailed discussion is also presented for several topics that are usually not included in standard textbooks at this level: qualitative methods for differential equations, dimensionalization and scaling, elements of asymptotics, difference equations, and various perturbation methods. Each chapter contains a large number of worked examples and provides references to the appropriate literature.