Switching processes, invented by the author in 1977, is the main tool used in the investigation of traffic problems from automotive to telecommunications. The title provides a new approach to low traffic problems based on the analysis of flows of rare events and queuing models. In the case of fast switching, averaging principle and diffusion approximation results are proved and applied to the investigation of transient phenomena for wide classes of overloading queuing networks. The book is devoted to developing the asymptotic theory for the class of switching queuing models which covers models in a Markov or semi-Markov environment, models under the influence of flows of external or internal perturbations, unreliable and hierarchic networks, etc.
Many scientific, medical or engineering problems raise the issue of recovering some physical quantities from indirect measurements; for instance, detecting or quantifying flaws or cracks within a material from acoustic or electromagnetic measurements at its surface is an essential problem of non-destructive evaluation. The concept of inverse problems precisely originates from the idea of inverting the laws of physics to recover a quantity of interest from measurable data. Unfortunately, most inverse problems are ill-posed, which means that precise and stable solutions are not easy to devise. Regularization is the key concept to solve inverse problems. The goal of this book is to deal with inverse problems and regularized solutions using the Bayesian statistical tools, with a particular view to signal and image estimation. The first three chapters bring the theoretical notions that make it possible to cast inverse problems within a mathematical framework. The next three chapters address the fundamental inverse problem of deconvolution in a comprehensive manner. Chapters 7 and 8 deal with advanced statistical questions linked to image estimation. In the last five chapters, the main tools introduced in the previous chapters are put into a practical context in important applicative areas, such as astronomy or medical imaging.
An accessible, clearly organized survey of the basic topics of measure theory for students and researchers in mathematics, statistics, and physics In order to fully understand and appreciate advanced probability, analysis, and advanced mathematical statistics, a rudimentary knowledge of measure theory and like subjects must first be obtained. The Theory of Measures and Integration illuminates the fundamental ideas of the subject-fascinating in their own right-for both students and researchers, providing a useful theoretical background as well as a solid foundation for further inquiry. Eric Vestrup's patient and measured text presents the major results of classical measure and integration theory in a clear and rigorous fashion. Besides offering the mainstream fare, the author also offers detailed discussions of extensions, the structure of Borel and Lebesgue sets, set-theoretic considerations, the Riesz representation theorem, and the Hardy-Littlewood theorem, among other topics, employing a clear presentation style that is both evenly paced and user-friendly. Chapters include: * Measurable Functions * The Lp Spaces * The Radon-Nikodym Theorem * Products of Two Measure Spaces * Arbitrary Products of Measure Spaces Sections conclude with exercises that range in difficulty between easy «finger exercises»and substantial and independent points of interest. These more difficult exercises are accompanied by detailed hints and outlines. They demonstrate optional side paths in the subject as well as alternative ways of presenting the mainstream topics. In writing his proofs and notation, Vestrup targets the person who wants all of the details shown up front. Ideal for graduate students in mathematics, statistics, and physics, as well as strong undergraduates in these disciplines and practicing researchers, The Theory of Measures and Integration proves both an able primary text for a real analysis sequence with a focus on measure theory and a helpful background text for advanced courses in probability and statistics.
Shorter, more concise chapters provide flexible coverage of the subject. Expanded coverage includes: uncertainty and randomness, prior distributions, predictivism, estimation, analysis of variance, and classification and imaging. Includes topics not covered in other books, such as the de Finetti Transform. Author S. James Press is the modern guru of Bayesian statistics.
A path-breaking account of Markov decision processes-theory and computation This book's clear presentation of theory, numerous chapter-end problems, and development of a unified method for the computation of optimal policies in both discrete and continuous time make it an excellent course text for graduate students and advanced undergraduates. Its comprehensive coverage of important recent advances in stochastic dynamic programming makes it a valuable working resource for operations research professionals, management scientists, engineers, and others. Stochastic Dynamic Programming and the Control of Queueing Systems presents the theory of optimization under the finite horizon, infinite horizon discounted, and average cost criteria. It then shows how optimal rules of operation (policies) for each criterion may be numerically determined. A great wealth of examples from the application area of the control of queueing systems is presented. Nine numerical programs for the computation of optimal policies are fully explicated. The Pascal source code for the programs is available for viewing and downloading on the Wiley Web site at www.wiley.com/products/subject/mathematics. The site contains a link to the author's own Web site and is also a place where readers may discuss developments on the programs or other aspects of the material. The source files are also available via ftp at ftp://ftp.wiley.com/public/sci_tech_med/stochastic Stochastic Dynamic Programming and the Control of Queueing Systems features: * Path-breaking advances in Markov decision process techniques, brought together for the first time in book form * A theorem/proof format (proofs may be omitted without loss of continuity) * Development of a unified method for the computation of optimal rules of system operation * Numerous examples drawn mainly from the control of queueing systems * Detailed discussions of nine numerical programs * Helpful chapter-end problems * Appendices with complete treatment of background material
Approximation Theorems of Mathematical Statistics This convenient paperback edition makes a seminal text in statistics accessible to a new generation of students and practitioners. Approximation Theorems of Mathematical Statistics covers a broad range of limit theorems useful in mathematical statistics, along with methods of proof and techniques of application. The manipulation of «probability» theorems to obtain «statistical» theorems is emphasized. Besides a knowledge of these basic statistical theorems, this lucid introduction to the subject imparts an appreciation of the instrumental role of probability theory. The book makes accessible to students and practicing professionals in statistics, general mathematics, operations research, and engineering the essentials of: * The tools and foundations that are basic to asymptotic theory in statistics * The asymptotics of statistics computed from a sample, including transformations of vectors of more basic statistics, with emphasis on asymptotic distribution theory and strong convergence * Important special classes of statistics, such as maximum likelihood estimates and other asymptotic efficient procedures; W. Hoeffding's U-statistics and R. von Mises's «differentiable statistical functions» * Statistics obtained as solutions of equations («M-estimates»), linear functions of order statistics («L-statistics»), and rank statistics («R-statistics») * Use of influence curves * Approaches toward asymptotic relative efficiency of statistical test procedures
The Wiley-Interscience Paperback Series consists of selected books that have been made more accessible to consumers in an effort to increase global appeal and general circulation. With these new unabridged softcover volumes, Wiley hopes to extend the lives of these works by making them available to future generations of statisticians, mathematicians, and scientists. «. . . the wealth of material on statistics concerning the multivariate normal distribution is quite exceptional. As such it is a very useful source of information for the general statistician and a must for anyone wanting to penetrate deeper into the multivariate field.» -Mededelingen van het Wiskundig Genootschap «This book is a comprehensive and clearly written text on multivariate analysis from a theoretical point of view.» -The Statistician Aspects of Multivariate Statistical Theory presents a classical mathematical treatment of the techniques, distributions, and inferences based on multivariate normal distribution. Noncentral distribution theory, decision theoretic estimation of the parameters of a multivariate normal distribution, and the uses of spherical and elliptical distributions in multivariate analysis are introduced. Advances in multivariate analysis are discussed, including decision theory and robustness. The book also includes tables of percentage points of many of the standard likelihood statistics used in multivariate statistical procedures. This definitive resource provides in-depth discussion of the multivariate field and serves admirably as both a textbook and reference.
An introductory perspective on statistical applications in the field of engineering Modern Engineering Statistics presents state-of-the-art statistical methodology germane to engineering applications. With a nice blend of methodology and applications, this book provides and carefully explains the concepts necessary for students to fully grasp and appreciate contemporary statistical techniques in the context of engineering. With almost thirty years of teaching experience, many of which were spent teaching engineering statistics courses, the author has successfully developed a book that displays modern statistical techniques and provides effective tools for student use. This book features: Examples demonstrating the use of statistical thinking and methodology for practicing engineers A large number of chapter exercises that provide the opportunity for readers to solve engineering-related problems, often using real data sets Clear illustrations of the relationship between hypothesis tests and confidence intervals Extensive use of Minitab and JMP to illustrate statistical analyses The book is written in an engaging style that interconnects and builds on discussions, examples, and methods as readers progress from chapter to chapter. The assumptions on which the methodology is based are stated and tested in applications. Each chapter concludes with a summary highlighting the key points that are needed in order to advance in the text, as well as a list of references for further reading. Certain chapters that contain more than a few methods also provide end-of-chapter guidelines on the proper selection and use of those methods. Bridging the gap between statistics education and real-world applications, Modern Engineering Statistics is ideal for either a one- or two-semester course in engineering statistics.
An accessible and up-to-date treatment featuring the connection between neural networks and statistics A Statistical Approach to Neural Networks for Pattern Recognition presents a statistical treatment of the Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), which is the most widely used of the neural network models. This book aims to answer questions that arise when statisticians are first confronted with this type of model, such as: How robust is the model to outliers? Could the model be made more robust? Which points will have a high leverage? What are good starting values for the fitting algorithm? Thorough answers to these questions and many more are included, as well as worked examples and selected problems for the reader. Discussions on the use of MLP models with spatial and spectral data are also included. Further treatment of highly important principal aspects of the MLP are provided, such as the robustness of the model in the event of outlying or atypical data; the influence and sensitivity curves of the MLP; why the MLP is a fairly robust model; and modifications to make the MLP more robust. The author also provides clarification of several misconceptions that are prevalent in existing neural network literature. Throughout the book, the MLP model is extended in several directions to show that a statistical modeling approach can make valuable contributions, and further exploration for fitting MLP models is made possible via the R and S-PLUS® codes that are available on the book's related Web site. A Statistical Approach to Neural Networks for Pattern Recognition successfully connects logistic regression and linear discriminant analysis, thus making it a critical reference and self-study guide for students and professionals alike in the fields of mathematics, statistics, computer science, and electrical engineering.
This book takes a fresh look at the popular and well-established method of maximum likelihood for statistical estimation and inference. It begins with an intuitive introduction to the concepts and background of likelihood, and moves through to the latest developments in maximum likelihood methodology, including general latent variable models and new material for the practical implementation of integrated likelihood using the free ADMB software. Fundamental issues of statistical inference are also examined, with a presentation of some of the philosophical debates underlying the choice of statistical paradigm. Key features: Provides an accessible introduction to pragmatic maximum likelihood modelling. Covers more advanced topics, including general forms of latent variable models (including non-linear and non-normal mixed-effects and state-space models) and the use of maximum likelihood variants, such as estimating equations, conditional likelihood, restricted likelihood and integrated likelihood. Adopts a practical approach, with a focus on providing the relevant tools required by researchers and practitioners who collect and analyze real data. Presents numerous examples and case studies across a wide range of applications including medicine, biology and ecology. Features applications from a range of disciplines, with implementation in R, SAS and/or ADMB. Provides all program code and software extensions on a supporting website. Confines supporting theory to the final chapters to maintain a readable and pragmatic focus of the preceding chapters. This book is not just an accessible and practical text about maximum likelihood, it is a comprehensive guide to modern maximum likelihood estimation and inference. It will be of interest to readers of all levels, from novice to expert. It will be of great benefit to researchers, and to students of statistics from senior undergraduate to graduate level. For use as a course text, exercises are provided at the end of each chapter.