The book teaches engineers many new things about a classical topic which suddenly is again in the center of interest because of its relevance for finite element analysis, for the accuracy of computational methods. It shows that influence functions play a fundamental role in the finite element analysis of structures and practically all of linear computational mechanics. It also strives to add new and important insights into modern structural analysis and into computational mechanics by establishing the central role of influence functions for the numerical analysis and to lay a new foundation to the energy and variational principles.

This extended and revised second edition is intended for engineering students and researchers working with finite element methods in structural and mechanical analysis. Discussing numerical structural analysis from first mechanical and mathematical principles, it establishes the central role of influence functions (Green's functions) in finite element analysis, reanalysis, sensitivity analysis, parameter identification and in optimization, with a particular focus on computational aspects and questions of accuracy. It also presents a one-click reanalysis, a new technique that allows instantaneous modifications to a structure to be made by clicking on single elements. Lastly, the book features four programs that can be downloaded for the solution of the Poisson equation, 2-D elasticity, plate-bending problems and planar frames.

This extended and revised second edition is intended for engineering students and researchers working with finite element methods in structural and mechanical analysis. Discussing numerical structural analysis from first mechanical and mathematical principles, it establishes the central role of influence functions (Green's functions) in linear computational mechanics. The main features of the book are mentioned below. · Introducing Green's first and second identity as the core theorems of statics and mechanics. Formulation of the variational and energy principles of mechanics with an emphasis on the computational aspects and on the qualitative features of variational solutions. · Derivation of influence functions from duality principles, the distinction between weak and strong influence functions, the difference between monopoles and dipoles and how amputated dipoles lead to singularities, and how singularities on the boundary pollute the solution inside the domain - an unavoidable effect in 2-D and 3-D. · A detailed discussion of the various features of the finite element method and the key role of the notion of "shake-equivalence" as originally introduced by Turner et alt. Establishing that in linear finite element analysis the accuracy depends on the accuracy of the influence functions. Introducing Betti extended as a core theorem of finite element analysis. · A systematic treatment of the role which Green's functions play in reanalysis, sensitivity analysis, parameter identification and in optimization. Explaining why averaging material parameters succeeds and how local stiffness changes can be identified with the action of equilibrium forces f+. · Presenting a new technique, one-click reanalysis, which allows to make modifications to a structure by clicking on single elements and seeing directly the new shape, bypassing the need to solve the modified system. · Four programs for the solution of the Poisson equation, 2-D elasticity, plate-bending problems and planar frames are offered for download in this second edition. These are all-purpose programs but with a particular emphasis on influence functions. The frame program also demonstrates one-click reanalysis.

A complete and well-balanced introduction to modern experimental design Using current research and discussion of the topic along with clear applications, Modern Experimental Design highlights the guiding role of statistical principles in experimental design construction. This text can serve as both an applied introduction as well as a concise review of the essential types of experimental designs and their applications. Topical coverage includes designs containing one or multiple factors, designs with at least one blocking factor, split-unit designs and their variations as well as supersaturated and Plackett-Burman designs. In addition, the text contains extensive treatment of: Conditional effects analysis as a proposed general method of analysis Multiresponse optimization Space-filling designs, including Latin hypercube and uniform designs Restricted regions of operability and debarred observations Analysis of Means (ANOM) used to analyze data from various types of designs The application of available software, including Design-Expert, JMP, and MINITAB This text provides thorough coverage of the topic while also introducing the reader to new approaches. Using a large number of references with detailed analyses of datasets, Modern Experimental Design works as a well-rounded learning tool for beginners as well as a valuable resource for practitioners.

Longitudinal data analysis for biomedical and behavioral sciences This innovative book sets forth and describes methods for the analysis of longitudinaldata, emphasizing applications to problems in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. Reflecting the growing importance and use of longitudinal data across many areas of research, the text is designed to help users of statistics better analyze and understand this type of data. Much of the material from the book grew out of a course taught by Dr. Hedeker on longitudinal data analysis. The material is, therefore, thoroughly classroom tested and includes a number of features designed to help readers better understand and apply the material. Statistical procedures featured within the text include: * Repeated measures analysis of variance * Multivariate analysis of variance for repeated measures * Random-effects regression models (RRM) * Covariance-pattern models * Generalized-estimating equations (GEE) models * Generalizations of RRM and GEE for categorical outcomes Practical in their approach, the authors emphasize the applications of the methods, using real-world examples for illustration. Some syntax examples are provided, although the authors do not generally focus on software in this book. Several datasets and computer syntax examples are posted on this title's companion Web site. The authors intend to keep the syntax examples current as new versions of the software programs emerge. This text is designed for both undergraduate and graduate courses in longitudinal data analysis. Instructors can take advantage of overheads and additional course materials available online for adopters. Applied statisticians in biomedicine and the social sciences can also use the book as a convenient reference.

Tools to improve decision making in an imperfect world This publication provides readers with a thorough understanding of Bayesian analysis that is grounded in the theory of inference and optimal decision making. Contemporary Bayesian Econometrics and Statistics provides readers with state-of-the-art simulation methods and models that are used to solve complex real-world problems. Armed with a strong foundation in both theory and practical problem-solving tools, readers discover how to optimize decision making when faced with problems that involve limited or imperfect data. The book begins by examining the theoretical and mathematical foundations of Bayesian statistics to help readers understand how and why it is used in problem solving. The author then describes how modern simulation methods make Bayesian approaches practical using widely available mathematical applications software. In addition, the author details how models can be applied to specific problems, including: * Linear models and policy choices * Modeling with latent variables and missing data * Time series models and prediction * Comparison and evaluation of models The publication has been developed and fine- tuned through a decade of classroom experience, and readers will find the author's approach very engaging and accessible. There are nearly 200 examples and exercises to help readers see how effective use of Bayesian statistics enables them to make optimal decisions. MATLAB? and R computer programs are integrated throughout the book. An accompanying Web site provides readers with computer code for many examples and datasets. This publication is tailored for research professionals who use econometrics and similar statistical methods in their work. With its emphasis on practical problem solving and extensive use of examples and exercises, this is also an excellent textbook for graduate-level students in a broad range of fields, including economics, statistics, the social sciences, business, and public policy.

A timely and applied approach to the newly discovered methods and applications of U-statistics Built on years of collaborative research and academic experience, Modern Applied U-Statistics successfully presents a thorough introduction to the theory of U-statistics using in-depth examples and applications that address contemporary areas of study including biomedical and psychosocial research. Utilizing a "learn by example" approach, this book provides an accessible, yet in-depth, treatment of U-statistics, as well as addresses key concepts in asymptotic theory by integrating translational and cross-disciplinary research. The authors begin with an introduction of the essential and theoretical foundations of U-statistics such as the notion of convergence in probability and distribution, basic convergence results, stochastic Os, inference theory, generalized estimating equations, as well as the definition and asymptotic properties of U-statistics. With an emphasis on nonparametric applications when and where applicable, the authors then build upon this established foundation in order to equip readers with the knowledge needed to understand the modern-day extensions of U-statistics that are explored in subsequent chapters. Additional topical coverage includes: Longitudinal data modeling with missing data Parametric and distribution-free mixed-effect and structural equation models A new multi-response based regression framework for non-parametric statistics such as the product moment correlation, Kendall's tau, and Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon rank tests A new class of U-statistic-based estimating equations (UBEE) for dependent responses Motivating examples, in-depth illustrations of statistical and model-building concepts, and an extensive discussion of longitudinal study designs strengthen the real-world utility and comprehension of this book. An accompanying Web site features SAS? and S-Plus? program codes, software applications, and additional study data. Modern Applied U-Statistics accommodates second- and third-year students of biostatistics at the graduate level and also serves as an excellent self-study for practitioners in the fields of bioinformatics and psychosocial research.

A thorough and definitive book that fully addresses traditional and modern-day topics of nonparametric statistics This book presents a practical approach to nonparametric statistical analysis and provides comprehensive coverage of both established and newly developed methods. With the use of MATLAB, the authors present information on theorems and rank tests in an applied fashion, with an emphasis on modern methods in regression and curve fitting, bootstrap confidence intervals, splines, wavelets, empirical likelihood, and goodness-of-fit testing. Nonparametric Statistics with Applications to Science and Engineering begins with succinct coverage of basic results for order statistics, methods of categorical data analysis, nonparametric regression, and curve fitting methods. The authors then focus on nonparametric procedures that are becoming more relevant to engineering researchers and practitioners. The important fundamental materials needed to effectively learn and apply the discussed methods are also provided throughout the book. Complete with exercise sets, chapter reviews, and a related Web site that features downloadable MATLAB applications, this book is an essential textbook for graduate courses in engineering and the physical sciences and also serves as a valuable reference for researchers who seek a more comprehensive understanding of modern nonparametric statistical methods.

WILEY-INTERSCIENCE PAPERBACK SERIES The Wiley-Interscience Paperback Series consists of selected books that have been made more accessible to consumers in an effort to increase global appeal and general circulation. With these new unabridged softcover volumes, Wiley hopes to extend the lives of these works by making them available to future generations of statisticians, mathematicians, and scientists. From the Reviews of A User’s Guide to Principal Components "The book is aptly and correctly named–A User’s Guide. It is the kind of book that a user at any level, novice or skilled practitioner, would want to have at hand for autotutorial, for refresher, or as a general-purpose guide through the maze of modern PCA." –Technometrics "I recommend A User’s Guide to Principal Components to anyone who is running multivariate analyses, or who contemplates performing such analyses. Those who write their own software will find the book helpful in designing better programs. Those who use off-the-shelf software will find it invaluable in interpreting the results." –Mathematical Geology

***Winner of the 2008 Ziegel Prize for outstanding new book of the year*** Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a powerful multivariate method allowing the evaluation of a series of simultaneous hypotheses about the impacts of latent and manifest variables on other variables, taking measurement errors into account. As SEMs have grown in popularity in recent years, new models and statistical methods have been developed for more accurate analysis of more complex data. A Bayesian approach to SEMs allows the use of prior information resulting in improved parameter estimates, latent variable estimates, and statistics for model comparison, as well as offering more reliable results for smaller samples. Structural Equation Modeling introduces the Bayesian approach to SEMs, including the selection of prior distributions and data augmentation, and offers an overview of the subject’s recent advances. Demonstrates how to utilize powerful statistical computing tools, including the Gibbs sampler, the Metropolis-Hasting algorithm, bridge sampling and path sampling to obtain the Bayesian results. Discusses the Bayes factor and Deviance Information Criterion (DIC) for model comparison. Includes coverage of complex models, including SEMs with ordered categorical variables, and dichotomous variables, nonlinear SEMs, two-level SEMs, multisample SEMs, mixtures of SEMs, SEMs with missing data, SEMs with variables from an exponential family of distributions, and some of their combinations. Illustrates the methodology through simulation studies and examples with real data from business management, education, psychology, public health and sociology. Demonstrates the application of the freely available software WinBUGS via a supplementary website featuring computer code and data sets. Structural Equation Modeling: A Bayesian Approach is a multi-disciplinary text ideal for researchers and students in many areas, including: statistics, biostatistics, business, education, medicine, psychology, public health and social science.