Philippe Blanchard Livres

Cities can be considered to be among the largest and most complex artificial networks created by human beings. Due to the numerous and diverse human-driven activities, urban network topology and dynamics can differ quite substantially from that of natural networks and so call for an alternative method of analysis. The intent of the present monograph is to lay down the theoretical foundations for studying the topology of compact urban patterns, using methods from spectral graph theory and statistical physics. These methods are demonstrated as tools to investigate the structure of a number of real cities with widely differing medieval German cities, the webs of city canals in Amsterdam and Venice, and a modern urban structure such as found in Manhattan. Last but not least, the book concludes by providing a brief overview of possible applications that will eventually lead to a useful body of knowledge for architects, urban planners and civil engineers.

In this book the process of decoherence is reviewed from both the theoretical and the experimental physicist's point of view. Implications of this important concept for fundamental problems of quantum theory and for chemistry and biology are also given. This broad review of decoherence addresses researchers and graduate students. It could also be used in seminar work.

This revised edition offers a comprehensive exploration of modern advancements in the direct methods of calculus of variations, bridging traditional approaches with contemporary theories. Key topics include Thomas-Fermi theory and global systems of semilinear elliptic partial-differential equations, focusing on weak solutions and their regularity. While it connects to nonlinear functional analysis, the presentation prioritizes clarity and accessibility, making it suitable for readers seeking a deeper understanding of applied mathematics and mathematical physics.

Focusing on the nuances of China's trade surplus, the book addresses common misconceptions and explores the relationship between the RMB's exchange rate and trade dynamics. It also offers insights into strategies China might employ to mitigate trade frictions, providing a comprehensive analysis of economic factors at play.

This collection of essays pays tribute to the fact that, despite quantum mechanics (QM) being a refined and successful theory, many issues regarding its internal consistency and interpretation remain poorly understood. The essays link foundational issues to exciting developments stemming from major experimental and technological breakthroughs in exploiting the electromagnetic field, particularly its quantum properties and interactions with matter, as well as advances in solid-state physics, including new quantum Hall liquids, topological insulators, and graphene. The volume addresses various areas, such as new interference experiments with large molecules passing through double slits that test the Kochen-Specker theorem, violations of Bell’s inequalities and the implications of entanglement, and new non-demolition measurements related to wave-function collapse. These experimental advancements have prompted challenging questions for theorists, igniting renewed interest in the foundations of QM, a topic that has intrigued physicists for nearly ninety years. This volume, stemming from a seminar program organized by the editors, offers a pedagogically inspired snapshot of many unresolved issues in foundational QM, catering to both newcomers and seasoned specialists in the field.

Most networks and databases that humans have to deal with contain large, albeit finite number of units. Their structure, for maintaining functional consistency of the components, is essentially not random and calls for a precise quantitative description of relations between nodes (or data units) and all network components. This book is an introduction, for both graduate students and newcomers to the field, to the theory of graphs and random walks on such graphs. The methods based on random walks and diffusions for exploring the structure of finite connected graphs and databases are reviewed (Markov chain analysis). This provides the necessary basis for consistently discussing a number of applications such diverse as electric resistance networks, estimation of land prices, urban planning, linguistic databases, music, and gene expression regulatory networks.

This volume presents detailed discussions of a number of unsolved conceptual and technical issues arising, in particular, in the foundations of quantum theory and the philosophy of science. The 14 contributions capture a wide variety of viewpoints and backgrounds. Some chapters deal primarily with the main experimental issues; others focus on theoretical and philosophical questions. In addition, attempts are made to systematically analyze ways in which quantum physics can be connected to the neurosciences and consciousness research.

Das Buch bietet eine Einführung in die mathematischen Grundlagen der Theoretischen Physik, mit einem Fokus auf die Theorie der Distributionen und die lineare Funktionalanalysis. Es enthält auch eine Einführung in die Theorie der linearen Operatoren in Hilbert-Räumen und erläuternde Übersichten sowie Anhänge zu grundlegenden Konzepten.

Reinhart Koselleck (1923–2006), Professor in Bochum, Heidelberg und Bielefeld, Mitglied zahlreicher Akademien und Kollegien. Bahnbrechende Studien zur Geschichte der europäischen Aufklärung, zur Theorie der Geschichte und zur Begriffsgeschichte.