This edited book is dedicated to Professor N. U. Ahmed, a leading scholar and a renowned researcher in optimal control and optimization on the occasion of his retirement from the Department of Electrical Engineering at University of Ottawa in 1999. The contributions of this volume are in the areas of optimal control, non­ linear optimization and optimization applications. They are mainly the im­ proved and expanded versions of the papers selected from those presented in two special sessions of two international conferences. The first special session is Optimization Methods, which was organized by K. L. Teo and X. Q. Yang for the International Conference on Optimization and Variational Inequality, the City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1998. The other one is Optimal Control, which was organized byK. ~Teo and L. Caccetta for the Dynamic Control Congress, Ottawa, 1999. This volume is divided into three parts: Optimal Control; Optimization Methods; and Applications. The Optimal Control part is concerned with com­ putational methods, modeling and nonlinear systems. Three computational methods for solving optimal control problems are presented: (i) a regularization method for computing ill-conditioned optimal control problems, (ii) penalty function methods that appropriately handle final state equality constraints, and (iii) a multilevel optimization approach for the numerical solution of opti­ mal control problems. In the fourth paper, the worst-case optimal regulation involving linear time varying systems is formulated as a minimax optimal con­ trol problem.

The topic of this book is the theory of state spaces of operator algebras and their geometry. The states are of interest because they determine representations of the algebra, and its algebraic structure is in an intriguing and fascinating fashion encoded in the geometry of the state space. From the beginning the theory of operator algebras was motivated by applications to physics, but recently it has found unexpected new applica­ tions to various fields of pure mathematics, like foliations and knot theory, and (in the Jordan algebra case) also to Banach manifolds and infinite di­ mensional holomorphy. This makes it a relevant field of study for readers with diverse backgrounds and interests. Therefore this book is not intended solely for specialists in operator algebras, but also for graduate students and mathematicians in other fields who want to learn the subject. We assume that the reader starts out with only the basic knowledge taught in standard graduate courses in real and complex variables, measure theory and functional analysis. We have given complete proofs of basic results on operator algebras, so that no previous knowledge in this field is needed. For discussion of some topics, more advanced prerequisites are needed. Here we have included all necessary definitions and statements of results, but in some cases proofs are referred to standard texts. In those cases we have tried to give references to material that can be read and understood easily in the context of our book.

In this book the modern theory of both regular and chaotic nonlinear oscillations is set out, primarily, as applied to mechanical problems. The material is presented in a nontraditional manner with emphasis on the new results of the theory obtained partially by the author, who is one of the leading experts in the area. Among the up-to-date topics are synchronization and chaotization of self-oscillatory systems and the influence of weak random vibrations on the modification of characteristics and behavior of nonlinear systems. One of the purposes of the book is to enable readers to gain a thorough understanding of this theory and to show that it can be very useful in engineering investigations. The primary audience for this book is researchers working with different oscillatory processes and students interested in a thorough study of the general laws and applications of the theory of nonlinear oscillations.

Recent advances in wave propagation in random media are certainly consequences of new approaches to fundamental issues, as well as of a strong interest in potential applications. A collective effort has been made to present in this book the state of the art in fundamental concepts, as well as in biomedical imaging techniques.

The theoretical basis of this book is developed ab ovo. This requires dealing with several problems arising in physical chemistry including the concept of entropy as a thermodynamic coordinate and its relation to probability. Thus Maxwell Boltzmann and Gibbs statistical thermodynamics, and quantum statistics are made considerable use of. A statistical mechanical derivation of the law of mass action for gases and solids is presented, and the problems arising in the application of the law of mass action to the liquid state are addressed.

This book uncovers and presents various real-life applications in the areas of transportation, smart cities, manufacturing, agriculture, disaster management, finance, health care and in other areas by using cutting-edge advanced Machine Learning (ML) techniques such as Deep Learning and Explainable AI (XAI) models using IoT sensor data. The book provides various examples of analyzing large amounts of data, detecting patterns, and making predictions in real-time applications and detailed case studies with practical solutions using various state-of-the-art machine learning and IoT sensor data and all these aspects will benefit the stakeholders. The book is useful for academics, researchers, upper-undergraduate, master and Ph.D. students, engineers and practitioners in sensor/IoT and AI/ML technologies, methods, applications, and related areas, and it also offers valuable insights by suggesting future research directions and providing recommendations within the fields of AI and IoT.

Distinctively, this book brings together an end-to-end understanding of heatwaves, that is, a consideration of their causes, consequences for human and natural systems and societal responses to them in the form of adaptation and mitigation actions. It advocates for recognizing "the heatwave imperative" and emphasizes that “heatwaves matter”. Together, the individual chapters make the point that “knowing heatwaves” from a holistic interdisciplinary perspective will assist with efforts towards heatwave risk reduction and building resilience to what is probably the most pervasive of a range of climate hazards.

This book provides a practical, easy to understand approach to the clinical practice of cardiac CT imaging. Written by international leaders in the field with many years of experience in education and practice, the book provides the necessary background to understand all aspects of cardiac CT imaging paired with practical instructions to acquire CT images, optimize image for interpretation, and to appropriately interpret scans. An emphasis is placed on concise text, abundance of tables and illustrations, and easily searchable information. The book builds on years of experience in educating and instructing physicians on all aspects of cardiac CT imaging. The book includes chapters on latest and evolving technologies and envisions a link to online applications for enhanced, readily available instruction.

During the last ten years, China has made remarkable progress in the development of its venture capital market; however, Chinese domestic venture capital has been marginalized by American competitors. Using American venture capital as a mirror, this book empirically demonstrates that Chinese domestic venture capital lacks the four factors related to the success of their American counterparts: large and independent funding, application of incentive mechanisms, efficient exit channels, and a high-risk tolerance level. More importantly, the author shows how these defects are closely linked to the corporate governance of state-controlled listed companies.