| Description |
1 online resource (xvi, 367 pages :) : illustrations |
| Contents |
1. The phenomenology of complex systems. 1.1. Complexity, a new paradigm. 1.2. Signatures of complexity. 1.3. Onset of complexity. 1.4. Four case studies. 1.5. Summing up -- 2. Deterministic view. 2.1. Dynamical systems, phase space, stability. 2.2. Levels of description. 2.3. Normal forms. 2.4. The limit of universality. 2.5. Deterministic chaos. 2.6. Emergence. 2.7. Coupling-induced complexity. 2.8. Modeling complexity beyond physical science -- 3. Probabilistic description. 3.1. Need for a probabilistic approach. 3.2. Probability distributions and their evolution laws. 3.3. The retrieval of universality. 3.4. Complexity in the probabilistic description. 3.5. Emergence revisited. 3.6. Transitions between states. 3.7. Simulating complex systems. 3.8. Disorder-generated complexity -- 4. Complexity, entropy and information. 4.1. Information entropy. 4.2. Dynamical entropies. 4.3. Information entropy production. 4.4. Large deviations, fluctuation theorems and the probabilistic properties of time sequences. 4.5. Algorithmic complexity and computation. 4.6. Dynamical systems as information sources: scaling rules and selection. 4.7. Further information measures. 4.8. Summing up -- 5. Prediction. 5.1. Communicating with a complex system. 5.2. Classical approaches and their limitations. 5.3. Nonlinear data analysis. 5.4. The monitoring of complex fields. 5.5. The predictability horizon. 5.6. Recurrence. 5.7. Extreme events -- 6. Selected topics. 6.1. The arrow of time. 6.2. Nanosystems. 6.3. Atmospheric dynamics. 6.4. Climate dynamics. 6.5. Networks. 6.6. Perspectives on biological complexity. 6.7. Equilibrium versus nonequilibrium in complexity and self-organization. 6.8. Epistemological insights from complex systems. 6.9. Outlook. The future of complexity |
| Summary |
This book provides a self-contained presentation of the physical and mathematical laws governing complex systems. Complex systems arising in natural, engineering, environmental, life and social sciences are approached from a unifying point of view using an array of methodologies such as microscopic and macroscopic level formulations, deterministic and probabilistic tools, modeling and simulation. The book can be used as a textbook by graduate students, researchers and teachers in science, as well as non-experts who wish to have an overview of one of the most open, markedly interdisciplinary and fast-growing branches of present-day science |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index |
| Subject |
Computational complexity.
|
|
Nonlinear systems.
|
|
Nonlinear theories.
|
|
System analysis.
|
| Form |
Electronic book
|
| Author |
Nicolis, Cathy.
|
| ISBN |
9789814366618 |
|
9789814366618 (e-book) |
|
9814366617 |
|
