Foundations of Statistical Mechanics

Foundations of Statistical Mechanics PDF Author: W.T. Grandy Jr.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9400938675
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 391

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Book Description
In a certain sense this book has been twenty-five years in the writing, since I first struggled with the foundations of the subject as a graduate student. It has taken that long to develop a deep appreciation of what Gibbs was attempting to convey to us near the end of his life and to understand fully the same ideas as resurrected by E.T. Jaynes much later. Many classes of students were destined to help me sharpen these thoughts before I finally felt confident that, for me at least, the foundations of the subject had been clarified sufficiently. More than anything, this work strives to address the following questions: What is statistical mechanics? Why is this approach so extraordinarily effective in describing bulk matter in terms of its constituents? The response given here is in the form of a very definite point of view-the principle of maximum entropy (PME). There have been earlier attempts to approach the subject in this way, to be sure, reflected in the books by Tribus [Thermostat ics and Thermodynamics, Van Nostrand, 1961], Baierlein [Atoms and Information Theory, Freeman, 1971], and Hobson [Concepts in Statistical Mechanics, Gordon and Breach, 1971].

Foundations of Statistical Mechanics

Foundations of Statistical Mechanics PDF Author: W.T. Grandy Jr.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9400938675
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 391

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Book Description
In a certain sense this book has been twenty-five years in the writing, since I first struggled with the foundations of the subject as a graduate student. It has taken that long to develop a deep appreciation of what Gibbs was attempting to convey to us near the end of his life and to understand fully the same ideas as resurrected by E.T. Jaynes much later. Many classes of students were destined to help me sharpen these thoughts before I finally felt confident that, for me at least, the foundations of the subject had been clarified sufficiently. More than anything, this work strives to address the following questions: What is statistical mechanics? Why is this approach so extraordinarily effective in describing bulk matter in terms of its constituents? The response given here is in the form of a very definite point of view-the principle of maximum entropy (PME). There have been earlier attempts to approach the subject in this way, to be sure, reflected in the books by Tribus [Thermostat ics and Thermodynamics, Van Nostrand, 1961], Baierlein [Atoms and Information Theory, Freeman, 1971], and Hobson [Concepts in Statistical Mechanics, Gordon and Breach, 1971].

Algebra of Probable Inference

Algebra of Probable Inference PDF Author: Richard T. Cox
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
ISBN: 9780801869822
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
In Algebra of Probable Inference, Richard T. Cox develops and demonstrates that probability theory is the only theory of inductive inference that abides by logical consistency. Cox does so through a functional derivation of probability theory as the unique extension of Boolean Algebra thereby establishing, for the first time, the legitimacy of probability theory as formalized by Laplace in the 18th century. Perhaps the most significant consequence of Cox's work is that probability represents a subjective degree of plausible belief relative to a particular system but is a theory that applies universally and objectively across any system making inferences based on an incomplete state of knowledge. Cox goes well beyond this amazing conceptual advancement, however, and begins to formulate a theory of logical questions through his consideration of systems of assertions—a theory that he more fully developed some years later. Although Cox's contributions to probability are acknowledged and have recently gained worldwide recognition, the significance of his work regarding logical questions is virtually unknown. The contributions of Richard Cox to logic and inductive reasoning may eventually be seen to be the most significant since Aristotle.

The Algebra of Probable Inference

The Algebra of Probable Inference PDF Author: Richard T. Cox
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Algebra, Boolean
Languages : en
Pages : 114

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Book Description


The Algebra of Probable Inference

The Algebra of Probable Inference PDF Author: Richard Threlkeld Cox
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Algebra, Boolean
Languages : en
Pages : 114

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Book Description


Measuring Statistical Evidence Using Relative Belief

Measuring Statistical Evidence Using Relative Belief PDF Author: Michael Evans
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 148224280X
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 252

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Book Description
This book provides an overview of recent work on developing a theory of statistical inference based on measuring statistical evidence. It attempts to establish a gold standard for how a statistical analysis should proceed. The book illustrates relative belief theory using many examples and describes the strengths and weaknesses of the theory. The author also addresses fundamental statistical issues, including the meaning of probability, the role of subjectivity, the meaning of objectivity, and the role of infinity and continuity.

Semiotics and Intelligent Systems Development

Semiotics and Intelligent Systems Development PDF Author: Gudwin, Ricardo
Publisher: IGI Global
ISBN: 1599040654
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 366

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Book Description
"This book assembles semiotics and artificial intelligence techniques in order to design new kinds of intelligence systems; it changes the research field of artificial intelligence by incorporating the study of meaning processes (semiosis), from the perspective of formal sciences, linguistics, and philosophy"--Provided by publisher.

Probabilistic Graphical Models

Probabilistic Graphical Models PDF Author: Daphne Koller
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262258358
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 1270

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Book Description
A general framework for constructing and using probabilistic models of complex systems that would enable a computer to use available information for making decisions. Most tasks require a person or an automated system to reason—to reach conclusions based on available information. The framework of probabilistic graphical models, presented in this book, provides a general approach for this task. The approach is model-based, allowing interpretable models to be constructed and then manipulated by reasoning algorithms. These models can also be learned automatically from data, allowing the approach to be used in cases where manually constructing a model is difficult or even impossible. Because uncertainty is an inescapable aspect of most real-world applications, the book focuses on probabilistic models, which make the uncertainty explicit and provide models that are more faithful to reality. Probabilistic Graphical Models discusses a variety of models, spanning Bayesian networks, undirected Markov networks, discrete and continuous models, and extensions to deal with dynamical systems and relational data. For each class of models, the text describes the three fundamental cornerstones: representation, inference, and learning, presenting both basic concepts and advanced techniques. Finally, the book considers the use of the proposed framework for causal reasoning and decision making under uncertainty. The main text in each chapter provides the detailed technical development of the key ideas. Most chapters also include boxes with additional material: skill boxes, which describe techniques; case study boxes, which discuss empirical cases related to the approach described in the text, including applications in computer vision, robotics, natural language understanding, and computational biology; and concept boxes, which present significant concepts drawn from the material in the chapter. Instructors (and readers) can group chapters in various combinations, from core topics to more technically advanced material, to suit their particular needs.

Methodological Aspects of Grey Systems Theory in Management Research

Methodological Aspects of Grey Systems Theory in Management Research PDF Author: Rafał Mierzwiak
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9819724139
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 142

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Book Description


Parameter Estimation and Inverse Problems

Parameter Estimation and Inverse Problems PDF Author: Richard C. Aster
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0123850487
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 377

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Book Description
Preface -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Linear Regression -- 3. Discretizing Continuous Inverse Problems -- 4. Rank Deficiency and Ill-Conditioning -- 5. Tikhonov Regularization -- 6. Iterative Methods -- 7. Other Regularization Techniques -- 8. Fourier Techniques -- 9. Nonlinear Regression -- 10. Nonlinear Inverse Problems -- 11. Bayesian Methods -- Appendix A: Review of Linear Algebra -- Appendix B: Review of Probability and Statistics -- Appendix C: Glossary of Notation -- Bibliography -- IndexLinear Regression -- Discretizing Continuous Inverse Problems -- Rank Deficiency and Ill-Conditioning -- Tikhonov Regularization -- Iterative Methods -- Other Regularization Techniques -- Fourier Techniques -- Nonlinear Regression -- Nonlinear Inverse Problems -- Bayesian Methods.

Knowledge Representation and Defeasible Reasoning

Knowledge Representation and Defeasible Reasoning PDF Author: Henry E. Kyburg Jr.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 940090553X
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 432

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Book Description
This series will include monographs and collections of studies devoted to the investigation and exploration of knowledge, information, and data processing systems of all kinds, no matter whether human, (other) ani mal, or machine. Its scope is intended to span the full range of interests from classical problems in the philosophy of mind and philosophical psy chology through issues in cognitive psychology and sociobiology (concerning the mental capabilities of other species) to ideas related to artificial intelli gence and computer science. While primary emphasis will be placed upon theoretical, conceptual, and epistemological aspects of these problems and domains, empirical, experimental, and methodological studies will also ap pear from time to time. The present volume provides a collection of studies that focus on some of the central problems within the domain of artificial intelligence. These difficulties fall into four principal areas: defeasible reasoning (including the frame problem as apart), ordinary language (and the representation prob lems that it generates), the revision of beliefs (and its rules of inference), and knowledge representation (and the logical problems that are encountered there). These papers make original contributions to each of these areas of inquiry and should be of special interest to those who understand the crucial role that is played by questions of logical form. They vividly illustrate the benefits that can emerge from collaborative efforts involving scholars from linguistics, philosophy, computer science, and AI. J. H. F.