Book Description

This new edition provides a comprehensive introduction to fuzzy logic, and leads the reader through the complete process of designing, constructing, implementing, verifying and maintaining a platform-independent fuzzy system model. The book has been extensively revised to bring the subject up-to-date, and features two new chapters: "Building and Using Fuzzy Cognitive Map Models" and "Building ME-OWA Models."

The multiplatform CD-ROM contains all the C++ source code from the book's examples – but its real value is the robust package of fuzzy system related tools and utilities, featuring two notable components. First: Metus Systems' basic fuzzy modeling software, which includes complete C/C++ source code for creating and executing fuzzy models, a Visual Basic shell that can be used to create fuzzy sets and generate the C/C++ include files, and code for models for pricing, project management, risk assessment, and more. Second: The ME-OWA (Minimum-Entropy, Ordered Weighted Aggregation) decision modeling software from Fuzzy Logic, Inc. This software is used to focus on a single objective function from a set of alternatives given a fuzzy ranking among various alternatives. It is not only an important technique as a stand-alone tool, but is an important methodology in parameter selection (and parameterization ordering) for genetic algorithms and various data mining techniques. It is also an important technique used to establish rule and policy level peer weights in fuzzy models.

Key Features
* Tutorial style, requiring no background in fuzzy logic
* Case studies illustrate real-world fuzzy applications
* Mathematically straightforward exposition, with emphasis on practical use
* CD-ROM features all the C++ source code from the book and a robust package of fuzzy system related tools and utilities ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Good hands on fuzzy logic book
This is the best hands on fuzzy logic book that I have used thus far. I succesfully used the first edition of the book as reference to develop real world fuzzy applications. I see that some reviewers are somewhat upset about the source code shipping with the book. It is a pity that the C++ code, is so difficult to get going with, because this detracts from some very valuable chapters in the book itself. However, Mr Cox was very helpful in providing me with updated code. I highly recommend the book.

good general introduction - code useless
I am about halfway through the book and in general it's a decent guide to fuzzy logic. Earl explains the concepts well and provides decent real work examples. The code, as everyone else here has already said, is basically worthless. The book would be far more valuable if he just removed the code entirely from it and focused more on fuzzy logic. Another complaint: reading the first 50 pages made me feel as if I were reading a religious text, not a fuzzy systems book. Earl spends a great deal of time convincing the reader that Fuzzy Logic easily beats out other competing expert systems such as Bayes logic and neural networks. He dismisses those who do not agree with him as "uneducated" and spends time hurling personal insults at them rather than focusing on the benefits of fuzzy logic. I almost put the book down and returned it when reading the first 2 chapters. Altogether this is a decent introduction to fuzzy logic if you disregard the useless code and pedantics of the author.

Ok book - sourcecode is completely useless
If you want a book that gives basic explanation of fuzzy logic - this one is not that bad. If you want this book because it comes with 'free' code - look elsewhere. I'm a programmer with 10 years of C++ experience but I have not seen worse code than is supplied with this book. And believe me, I've seen a lot of bad code - I even wrote some of it :).

Good Entry level Fuzzy Systems text, messy code
I'm pretty comfortable with C++, so I found fixing the couple of bugs in the shipped code to be not a problem. (Quit your whining its nearly free code.) I can't vouch for the Hisss VB interface, but then I'd drive a cab before I coded with VB. There is one serious bug but its from a typo. Email me and I'll send you the patch.

On to the good part. This is the first good Fuzzy Logic book I found. I've read several others before I got to this one and each one left me more confused than the rest. Earl finnally explained what its all about and what sort of problems this technique solves. There is a bit of "Fuzzy Logic is better than Neural Nets" but no real concrete examples to prove it. I ignored that and used his examples to learn how to do this and his code in some game AI. It worked well.

Also in case you don't know the thing that Fuzzy logic does well is smooth out transistions, ie it keeps things from oscillating between two single states. It's also good for when you have multiple inputs all of which contribute to deciding whether a threshold has been reached. You set weights to the inputs contribution and analyize the result, meets the threshold or not. You can also adjust the threshold depending on the state of the object. Coupled with a Finite State machine and you've got a basic game AI.

I have also taken some time (about a week) and cleaned the code up. It wasn't too difficult and I now have an OOP interface to it which made things a lot easier to understand. Earl obviously has a for sale system using the original code. He must have cut a chunk out and put it on the disk. I also have about a dozen emails from him, and I've sent him the updates. He's a busy guy, bug him to put the fixed code on his site. Maybe he'll get around to it.

Fuzzy Systems Handbook by Earl Cox
I'm glad I read your other reviews. It solidified my opinion. I'm still trying, but after two days of attempting to use the software on the CD I'm convinced the review I read is right; "The software is useless". I will give the benifit of doubt, however, since I'm still green at C++, but I never did get the DLL's to even compile due to missing .HPP's and other serious errors. Also, in the book it says you can go to WWW.METUS.COM for software updates and corrections (e-mail to them still pending) but I only found a "Comming Soon" at the only link to any software. The software which was put on this CD was obviously not tested as shipped. The same problems existed with the first edition of this book, only worse. It's too bad because this is one of the only books I've found which showed any promise of helping me really understand fuzzy logic by USING it. The book also contains numerous printing errors. Looks like a case of poor QC all around. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Sanity confronts chaos theory
The author investigates the question: with all the research (and hype) in chaos theory, what has been the actual impact on our understanding of the world? I give the book 5 stars for completing it's stated mission, being readable and enjoyable, and for not pandering to a lcd.

Kellert approaches this question from a philosophical, but down-to-earth, view. From the start, this is certainly not a "gee-whiz" hop-on-the-bandwagon book. In fact, the prologue begins: "Chaos theory is not as interesting as it sounds. How could it be?"

Yet, Kellert is not out to dismiss chaos theory, but rather to make sense of what the implications of chaos theory are. Unpredictability and determinism are two such topics potentially affected by chaos theory. Quantum mechanics is another topic influenced by chaos theory. And later in the book he ponders the historical question: why did it take so long for nonlinear dynamics (chaotic systems) to come under study?

There is very little math. The intended audience seems to be those who have some notion of chaos theory already, and although an introductory chapter is included, it would be helpful to understand conceptually what a Lyapunov exponent is and what bifurcation means.

The book is footnoted sufficiently but not overdone. It is heavily (but not annoyingly) referenced with everyone from Poincare to Prigogine. Despite the years that have passed since initial publication, I do not think this book has become obsolete. Another way to say this is: chaos theory (and it's results) is still not the mind-shattering revolution that some have made it out to be.

If you have some science and math background and have been asking yourself "So, just what the heck does all this talk about chaos theory really mean??", then this book is for you. ... Read more

Book Description

This volume provides a comprehensive and highly accessible introduction to quantum chaos.It emphasizes both the experimental and theoretical aspects of quantum chaos, and includes a discussion of supersymmetry techniques. Theoretical concepts are developed clearly and illustrated by numerous experimental or numerical examples.The author also shares the first-hand insights that he gleaned from his initiation of the microwave billiard experiments.Additional topics covered include the random matrix theory, systems with periodic time dependences, the analogy between the dynamics of a one-dimensional gas with a repulsive interaction and spectral level dynamics where an external parameter takes the role of time, scattering theory distributions and fluctuation, properties of scattering matrix elements, semiclassical quantum mechanics, periodic orbit theory, and the Gutzwiller trace formula. This book is an invaluable resource for graduate students and researchers working in quantum chaos. ... Read more

Book Description

This book provides clear presentations of more than sixty important unsolved problems in mathematical systems and control theory. Each of the problems included here is proposed by a leading expert and set forth in an accessible manner. Covering a wide range of areas, the book will be an ideal reference for anyone interested in the latest developments in the field, including specialists in applied mathematics, engineering, and computer science.

The book consists of ten parts representing various problem areas, and each chapter sets forth a different problem presented by a researcher in the particular area and in the same way: description of the problem, motivation and history, available results, and bibliography. It aims not only to encourage work on the included problems but also to suggest new ones and generate fresh research. The reader will be able to submit solutions for possible inclusion on an online version of the book to be updated quarterly on the Princeton University Press website, and thus also be able to access solutions, updated information, and partial solutions as they are developed.

... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Complete Introduction to Systems Science
I find this book interesting and easily comprehensible by individuals who are interested in Systems Science.

It looks into all aspects of Systems Science, such as Law of Requisite Variety, Systems Concept, Variety Management & etc.

I would highly reccommend this book for beginners and soon these individuals would love Systems Science. ... Read more

Book Description

The problem of stochastic control of partially observable systems plays an important role in many applications. All real problems are in fact of this type, and deterministic control as well as stochastic control with full observation can only be approximations to the real world. This justifies the importance of having a theory as complete as possible, which can be used for numerical implementation. This book first presents those problems under the linear theory that may be dealt with algebraically. Later chapters discuss the nonlinear filtering theory, in which the statistics are infinite dimensional and thus, approximations and perturbation methods are developed. ... Read more

Book Description

In the new edition of this classic textbook Ed Ott has added much new material and has significantly increased the number of homework problems. The most important change is the addition of a completely new chapter on control and synchronization of chaos. Other changes include new material on riddled basins of attraction, phase locking of globally coupled oscillators, fractal aspects of fluid advection by Lagrangian chaotic flows, magnetic dynamos, and strange nonchaotic attractors. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Very good for Physicists
The best book on chaos in Dynamical Systems for physicists: clear, well written, contains the right things and does not waste time treating less necessary sections on the subject. Particularly valuable is the part on Entropy, Information and strange attractors. A good choice is to use it together with V.I. Arnold's CM. Contains also a final part on connections between QM and chaos.

Good for physicists
A good introduction to chaos in dynamical systems for physicists. The emphasis is not on time-series analysis or nonlinear systems, but chaos in "physical" systems (in the sense of applications in physics). A good reading for undergrads in physics and maths. One of the best starters for getting deeper into chaos theory...

Destined to become the standard text of the field
An excellent text that is written in a very understandable and careful style. It gives the readers a good grasp of the fundamentals by emphasizing main ideas instead of harping on technical definitions. The bibliography at the end of the book is also a good source for readers who want to delve further into the technical literature. ... Read more

Book Description

This book presents the concepts needed to deal with self-organizing complex systems from a unifying point of view that uses macroscopic data. The various meanings of the concept "information" are discussed and a general formulation of the maximum information (entropy) principle is used. With the aid of results from synergetics, adequate objective constraints for a large class of self-organizing systems are formulated and examples are given from physics, biology, and computer science (pattern recognition by parallel computers). The extensions contained in the second edition show how, based on possibly scarce and noisy data, unbiased guesses about processes of complex systems can be made and the underlying deterministic and random forces determined. This procedure allows probabilistic predictions of processes, with applications to numerous fields ranging from technology through biology and medicine to economy. The relationship to chaos theory is also addressed. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

physics approach
Self-Organization is not the function given to a neural net (although they have taken it) used for pattern recognition, nor is it a cult somewhere in Germany. After following Haken's work for 6-8 years it is good to see a summary of sorts. Haken was working with self-organizing similarities in the 80's when unification ideas were rampant. Haken uses this same analogy by equating the basic form to stochastic differential equations. It is somewhat easier to approach the differential equation as a dynamical system driven by random vector fields of which the Ito form (stuff Kalman filters are made of) is a special case. Without going into martingales Brownian motion ergodic theorems of Markovian processes Haken does give a convincing argument for what he terms MIP (max. information principle) and information gain in the system. Linguistically converted this means that the process may be likened to a diffusion process with thermodynamic stuff. This paves the way for the transfer of information from one organization structure diffusion (in the wave) front to another. It seems to me, however, that a much simpler proof would be; show the parallel between Haken's basic form and the Lax form of an evolution equation. Establish relationship to Hirota's derivatives. Usually represented and manifested as the Korteweg-deVrie equations the polynomials groups describing the equation easily convert to Hiroto derivatives. Show fundamental relationship to n-solitons and vertex operators, establish relationship to Heisenberg and Clifford algebras, show Fock representation of Bosons using Maya diagrams, show Boson-Fermion correspondence. Complex variables, infinite dimensional algebras, Fermions, and Bosons; The principle of superposition does not apply to non-linear waves, despite that there exists exact solutions containing an arbitrary number of parameters suggesting an infinite dimensional transformation group acting on spaces of solutions of integrable systems (Reaction-diffusion as one type shock waves as another). Because of this self-symmetry in scales of complex polynomials, transformational methods work well. If waves are information densities and an increase in entropy is an increase of information Hiroto's derivatives would give the mathematical link showing the degrees of information transfer between types of diffusion front (waves) and another. The similarity of scales, the repeating nature, then transfer of one wave front (diffusion) through another without annihilation. ... Read more

Book Description

Critical acclaim for How Simulation Is Changing the Frontiers of Science

"John Casti is one of the great science writers of the 1990s." —San Francisco Examiner.

"A popular account of the enormous change computers have brought to the everyday practice of science . . . an easy and enjoyable read." —Nature.

"As we approach a new century, modelling through new mathematical insights and powerful computers grows apace . . . .John Casti has written a truly important book." —The Sunday Times. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A book with a good question!
This is one of those books that address important questions. But unfortunately it is not always possible to answer these important questions. This book is about "would-be-worlds", on computer simulations of real life phenomena. The question is how can one explain real world facts with such simulations that look extremely distant from the real world. Good question, but it is very hard to answer. Casti does not answer this question, he has attempts, for example the section "Models for All Occasions" is a good step, but he can not deliver the good. Why? Maybe because he spends a lot of space introducing and discussing various examples of simulations. Maybe because he did not want to play the "philosopher of science" in this book. I do not know, but most probably he thinks that these computational models, and simulations are useful anyway. So he does not tell us how we can trust these models, but he tries to amaze us with these models. But is that bad? No!

Although practical and philosophical questions about computer simulations are very important there are still few people thinking about these issues. Casti's book directs attention to these issues and questions. Moreover, this is a book for the layman! Thus, it is good to introduce different sorts of would-be-worlds. Casti is excellent in introducing things!

Briefly, although Casti does not tell how it is possible to make inferences about the real world from such artificial worlds, this is a good book to start thinking about the philosophy and methodology of explaining with computer simulations.

Remarkably mediocre book
As someone who enjoys popular science books, dabbles in complexity theory, and works in modeling and simulation, I was really looking forward to this book. Unfortunately, it is not well structured and the author seems to be unable to decide whether he's writing about complexity or M&S. Yes, they are intertwined, but there are several books that treat the subject of complexity very well. What I was looking forward to here was a behind the scenes look at the experimental aparatus of complexity theory: Modeling and Simulation. Whether its due to lack of understanding of the art of M&S or an excessive love affair with complexity, the book comes off half-heartedly discussing both. If you want to learn about complexity, read something by John Holland. If you want to learn about M&S, read anything but this.

Useful non-technical treatment of modelling & simulation
Casti is a lucid and entertaining writer and has sufficient depth in his own subject and breadth in other disciplines as to be well placed to write a book on modelling and simulation. This is an excellent introduction to some of the mathematical, logical, and philosophical problems of and raised by the increasing use of simulation to investigate 'real-world' problems. It assumes no background beyond a general interest in science.
If this book has weaknesses they tend to be of the variety that afflicts much modern writing in popular science. Editors rather than authors, perhaps? A sizeable portion of the plates and diagrams add nothing to the book ("gee, John, this is a popular science book - we gotta have some pictures") plus a preference for rushing to mine the next source of the 'gee-whiz' factor rather than grappling with consequences.
The strapline on the cover is 'how simulation is changing the frontiers of science' and I'm not at all sure that this question is answered. The last chapter makes an unconvincing attempt to be a summary, but is in fact the least interesting of the five trailing off rather weakly into a 'what we really need is a theory of complex systems' position.
But, the acid test - did I learn anything from this book? Most definitely, yes. - Ashley Oliver ... Read more

Book Description

By providing an introduction to nonlinear differential equations, Dr. Glendinning aims to equip the student with the mathematical know-how needed to appreciate stability theory and bifurcations.His approach is readable and covers material both old and new to undergraduate courses. Included are treatments of the Poincaré-Bendixson theorem, the Hopf bifurcation and chaotic systems. ... Read more

Book Description

The definitive guide toadvanced control system design

Advanced Modern Control System Theory and Design offers the most comprehensive treatment of advanced control systems available today. Superbly organized and easy to use, this book is designed for an advanced course and is a companion volume to the introductory text, Modern Control System Theory and Design, Second Edition (or any other introductory book on control systems). In addition, it can serve as an excellent text for practicing control system engineers who need to learn more advanced control systems techniques in order to perform their tasks.

Advanced Modern Control Systems Theory and Design briefly reviews introductory control system analysis concepts and then presents the methods for designing linear control sys-tems using single-degree and two-degrees-of-freedom compensation techniques. The very important subjects of modern control system design using state-space, pole placement, Ackermann's formula, estimation, robust control, and H8 techniques are then presented. The following crucial subjects are then covered in the presentation:
* Digital Control System Analysis and Design-extends the continuous concepts presented to discrete systems
* Nonlinear Control System Design-extends the linear concepts presented tononlinear systems
* Introduction to Optimal Control Theory and Its Applications-presents such key topics as dynamic programming and the maximum principle, as well as applications to the space attitude control problem and the lunar soft-landing problem
* Control System Design Examples: Complete Case Studies-presents the complete case studies of five control system design examples that illustrate practical design projects

Other notable features of this volume are:
* Free MATLAB software containing problem solutions which can be retrieved from the Mathworks, Inc. anonymous FTP server at ftp://ftp.mathworks.com/pub/books/advshinners
* MATLAB programs and a tutorial on the use of MATLAB incorporated directly into the text
* An extensive set of worked-out, illustrative solutions added in dedicated sections at the end of chapters
* End-of-chapter problems-one-third with answers to facilitate self-study
* A solutions manual containing solutions to the remaining two-thirds of the problems ... Read more

Reviews (1)

force control
I want to know more about force control and impedance control for manipulator robots. ... Read more

Book Description

The role of chaos in science and mathematics is examined in detail by the essays that comprise this work. Distinguished scholars specializing in mathematics, physics, and chemistry discuss the following subjects: Fractals, by Benoit Mandelbrot; The Causality Principle, Deterministic Laws and Chaos, by Heinz-Otto Peitgen; The Transition to Chaos, by Mitchell Feigenbaum; Time, Dynamics and Chaos: Integrating Poincare's "Non-Integrable Systems", by Ilya Prigogine; What Is Chaos, by Steve Smale; Chaos and Cosmos: A Theological Approach, by John Polkinghorne; and Chaos and Beyond, by James Gleick. Introduction by John Holte. This volume is number 26 in the Nobel Conference Series. Co-published with the Nobel Conference. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

excellent description of system mathematics
easily read in layman's terms to understand the basic principles of chaos mathematics. ... Read more

Book Description

What is calculus really for? This book is a highly readable introduction to the applications of calculus, from Newton's time to the present day. From Calculus to Chaos takes a fresh approach to the subject as a whole, by moving from first steps to the frontiers, and by focusing on the many important and interesting ideas which can get lost amid a snowstorm of detail in conventional texts. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Recommended
The author manages to express in an easily understandable form many of the more interesting applications of calculus, from planetary motion to the Indian Rope Trick (almost). This book is ideally suited for first year undergraduates and sixth-formers with a strong interest in Mechanics. All those doing maths at Oxford University MUST buy this book (the author spends most of the lectures making references to it and to not buy the book would be to not understand the mechanics course). ... Read more

Book Description

Modularity -- the attempt to understand systems as integrations of partially independent and interacting units -- is today a dominant theme in the life sciences, cognitive science, and computer science. The concept goes back at least implicitly to the Scientific (or Copernican) Revolution, and can be found behind later theories of phrenology, physiology, and genetics; moreover, art, engineering, and mathematics rely on modular design principles. This collection broadens the scientific discussion of modularity by bringing together experts from a variety of disciplines, including artificial life, cognitive science, economics, evolutionary computation, developmental and evolutionary biology, linguistics, mathematics, morphology, paleontology, physics, theoretical chemistry, philosophy, and the arts.

The contributors debate and compare the uses of modularity, discussing the different disciplinary contexts of "modular thinking" in general (including hierarchical organization, near-decomposability, quasi-independence, and recursion) or of more specialized concepts (including character complex, gene family, encapsulation, and mosaic evolution); what modules are, why and how they develop and evolve, and the implication for the research agenda in the disciplines involved; and how to bring about useful cross-disciplinary knowledge transfer on the topic. The book includes a foreword by the late Herbert A. Simon addressing the role of near-decomposability in understanding complex systems. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Amazing Concepts - Amazing Book!
Michael Reynolds definately walks the walk. I first heard of Earthships several years ago, but didn't give it much thought until, driving just beyond the Rio Grande Gorge outside of Taos, I saw a collection of them. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. What Michael has done, first publicized to my knowledge in this book, has been astonishing.

The book talks about his concept of the Earthship, how to build them, how they work, and how you, too can live virtually independant of the large grid of services available to you, and that in many ways makes you work for the system itself!

This book of ideas has evolved and been thoroughly vetted in real life in 3 developments around Taos and countless other places in the world (mostly in the Western US) -- so it is a lot less experimental than you might think. The novelty mostly resides with our unfamiliarity with the Earthship.

The structures are partially buried, with load bearing walls made of earth rammed old tyres, non load bearing walls built of cans, with greywater systems supported by rain catchwater. PV and wind powered, with food and other plants grown in the house, the premise is as close to total self sufficiency as one might be able to get. Philosophically, nearly a perfect experssion of that desire. Practically, it seems to deliver, which sets itself apart from many other building methods and philosophies.

In this age of unreliable utilities, uncertain prices of fuels, corrupt business leaders, bankrupt corporations and politics bought and paid for by institutions whose motives are quentionable, such a book and underlying philosphy seems relevant like no other time similar except the early 1970's.

To some, this book of building a low cost shelter might help someone get into a nice house where they might not have otherwise, to others this might be a manifasto, still others might have the engineering appeal strike the most resonant cord.

Either way, this is a MUST HAVE for at leats my bookshelf. I went ahead and got #2 and #3 as well!

You'll want all the books in this series
I went to Taos and toured some of the "Earth Ship" houses, and they were wonderful. I bought the books there and read them cover to cover (on the way home). These books are full of good, practical, information. If you have access to old tires, empty cans, clay mud, you could build your own house. I haven't done a house yet, but I've done some other interesting projects using these principles. This particular book deal most with the parts of an Earth Ship house and how they all work together. It has more how to information than the others, I thought. ... Read more

Book Description

Newton's 1702 lunar theory has puzzled scholars for centuries. Was it based on gravitational theory, as the anonymous prefatory matter suggests? If so, why does it make use of epicycles---the last serious astronomical work to do so? How did its various parameters fit together? How accurate was it? How was it related to Newton's lunar theory in the 1713 edition of the Principia? Did anyone actually use it?

In this engaging piece of detective work, Nicholas Kollerstrom has combined historical research with computer analysis to investigate these questions. The lunar theory turns out to have been the basis for numerous eighteenth century tables, and the theory was used in China well into the twentieth century. It was taken (heavily disguised) into the Principia of 1713, with one important correction. In this form, it was remarkably accurate, about as good as the observations on which it was based. It was used by Halley (in a procedure explained here for the first time) to compute lunar positions with an accuracy of under one arcminute-good enough to have won the Longitude Prize.

Newton's Forgotten Lunar Theory includes the complete text of the 1702 English edition, with annotations and a detailed commentary, and numerous tables and graphs showing the results of computer analysis. The book is supported by a freely downloadable computer model of the lunar theory. This program allows readers to test the theory for themselves. ... Read more