The problem of enumerating maps (a map is a set of polygonal "countries" on a world of a certain topology, not necessarily the plane or the sphere) is an important problem in mathematics and physics, and it has many applications ranging from statistical physics, geometry, particle physics, telecommunications, biology, ... etc. This problem has been studied by many communities of researchers, mostly combinatorists, probabilists, and physicists. Since 1978, physicists have invented a method called "matrix models" to address that problem, and many results have been obtained. Besides, another important problem in mathematics and physics (in particular string theory), is to count Riemann surfaces. Riemann surfaces of a given topology are parametrized by a finite number of real parameters (called moduli), and the moduli space is a finite dimensional compact manifold or orbifold of complicated topology. The number of Riemann surfaces is the volume of that moduli space. Mor e generally, an important problem in algebraic geometry is to characterize the moduli spaces, by computing not only their volumes, but also other characteristic numbers called intersection numbers. Witten's conjecture (which was first proved by Kontsevich), was the assertion that Riemann surfaces can be obtained as limits of polygonal surfaces (maps), made of a very large number of very small polygons. In other words, the number of maps in a certain limit, should give the intersection numbers of moduli spaces. In this book, we show how that limit takes place. The goal of this book is to explain the "matrix model" method, to show the main results obtained with it, and to compare it with methods used in combinatorics (bijective proofs, Tutte's equations), or algebraic geometry (Mirzakhani's recursions). The book intends to be self-contained and accessible to graduate students, and provides comprehensive proofs, several examples, and give s the general formula for the enumeration of maps on surfaces of any topology. In the end, the link with more general topics such as algebraic geometry, string theory, is discussed, and in particular a proof of the Witten-Kontsevich conjecture is provided.

This monograph presents an approachable proof of Mirzakhani’s curve counting theorem, both for simple and non-simple curves. Designed to welcome readers to the area, the presentation builds intuition with elementary examples before progressing to rigorous proofs. This approach illuminates new and established results alike, and produces versatile tools for studying the geometry of hyperbolic surfaces, Teichmüller theory, and mapping class groups. Beginning with the preliminaries of curves and arcs on surfaces, the authors go on to present the theory of geodesic currents in detail. Highlights include a treatment of cusped surfaces and surfaces with boundary, along with a comprehensive discussion of the action of the mapping class group on the space of geodesic currents. A user-friendly account of train tracks follows, providing the foundation for radallas, an immersed variation. From here, the authors apply these tools to great effect, offering simplified proofs of existing results and a new, more general proof of Mirzakhani’s curve counting theorem. Further applications include counting square-tiled surfaces and mapping class group orbits, and investigating random geometric structures. Mirzakhani’s Curve Counting and Geodesic Currents introduces readers to powerful counting techniques for the study of surfaces. Ideal for graduate students and researchers new to the area, the pedagogical approach, conversational style, and illuminating illustrations bring this exciting field to life. Exercises offer opportunities to engage with the material throughout. Basic familiarity with 2-dimensional topology and hyperbolic geometry, measured laminations, and the mapping class group is assumed.

Sergey Fedoroff and Arleen Richardson extensively revise, update, and expand their best-selling and highly praised collection of readily reproducible neural tissue culture protocols. This 3rd edition adds 11 new chapters describing important new procedures for the isolation, growth, and characterization of neural stem cells and for the manipulation of glial progenitor cells, as well as are essential procedures for hippocampal and microglial slice cultures. Protocols for Neural Cell Culture: Third Edition is a richly augmented updating of the tried and tested laboratory procedures that have made earlier editions an indispensable reference and guide to neural cell culture and its disorders.

This textbook offers an accessible introduction to translation surfaces. Building on modest prerequisites, the authors focus on the fundamentals behind big ideas in the field: ergodic properties of translation flows, counting problems for saddle connections, and associated renormalization techniques. Proofs that go beyond the introductory nature of the book are deftly omitted, allowing readers to develop essential tools and motivation before delving into the literature. Beginning with the fundamental example of the flat torus, the book goes on to establish the three equivalent definitions of translation surface. An introduction to the moduli space of translation surfaces follows, leading into a study of the dynamics and ergodic theory associated to a translation surface. Counting problems and group actions come to the fore in the latter chapters, giving a broad overview of progress in the 40 years since the ergodicity of the Teichmüller geodesic flow was proven. Exercises are included throughout, inviting readers to actively explore and extend the theory along the way. Translation Surfaces invites readers into this exciting area, providing an accessible entry point from the perspectives of dynamics, ergodicity, and measure theory. Suitable for a one- or two-semester graduate course, it assumes a background in complex analysis, measure theory, and manifolds, while some familiarity with Riemann surfaces and ergodic theory would be beneficial.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 9th International Algorithmic Number Theory Symposium, ANTS 2010, held in Nancy, France, in July 2010. The 25 revised full papers presented together with 5 invited papers were carefully reviewed and selected for inclusion in the book. The papers are devoted to algorithmic aspects of number theory, including elementary number theory, algebraic number theory, analytic number theory, geometry of numbers, algebraic geometry, finite fields, and cryptography.

This book presents methods of solving problems in three areas of elementary combinatorial mathematics: classical combinatorics, combinatorial arithmetic, and combinatorial geometry. Brief theoretical discussions are immediately followed by carefully worked-out examples of increasing degrees of difficulty and by exercises that range from routine to rather challenging. The book features approximately 310 examples and 650 exercises.