This volume is the first to present a state-of-the-art overview of this field, with many results published for the first time. It covers the general conditions as well as the basic applications of the theory, and it covers and demystifies the vast and technically demanding Russian literature in detail. Its coverage is thorough, streamlined and arranged according to difficulty.

This book presents an algebraic development of the theory of countable state space Markov chains with discrete- and continuous-time parameters. A Markov chain is a stochastic process characterized by the Markov prop erty that the distribution of future depends only on the current state, not on the whole history. Despite its simple form of dependency, the Markov property has enabled us to develop a rich system of concepts and theorems and to derive many results that are useful in applications. In fact, the areas that can be modeled, with varying degrees of success, by Markov chains are vast and are still expanding. The aim of this book is a discussion of the time-dependent behavior, called the transient behavior, of Markov chains. From the practical point of view, when modeling a stochastic system by a Markov chain, there are many instances in which time-limiting results such as stationary distributions have no meaning. Or, even when the stationary distribution is of some importance, it is often dangerous to use the stationary result alone without knowing the transient behavior of the Markov chain. Not many books have paid much attention to this topic, despite its obvious importance.

An Introduction to Stochastic Processes with Applications to Biology, Second Edition presents the basic theory of stochastic processes necessary in understanding and applying stochastic methods to biological problems in areas such as population growth and extinction, drug kinetics, two-species competition and predation, the spread of epidemics, and

This book extends the local central limit theorem to Markov chains whose state spaces and transition probabilities are allowed to change in time. Such chains are used to model Markovian systems depending on external time-dependent parameters. The book develops a new general theory of local limit theorems for additive functionals of Markov chains, in the regimes of local, moderate, and large deviations, and provides nearly optimal conditions for the classical expansions, as well as asymptotic corrections when these conditions fail. Applications include local limit theorems for independent but not identically distributed random variables, Markov chains in random environments, and time-dependent perturbations of homogeneous Markov chains. The inclusion of appendices with background material, numerous examples, and an account of the historical background of the subject make this self-contained book accessible to graduate students. It will also be useful for researchers in probability and ergodic theory who are interested in asymptotic behaviors, Markov chains in random environments, random dynamical systems and non-stationary systems.

Presents the theory of general irreducible Markov chains and its connection to the Perron-Frobenius theory of nonnegative operators.

Applied Probability and Stochastic Processes, Second Edition presents a self-contained introduction to elementary probability theory and stochastic processes with a special emphasis on their applications in science, engineering, finance, computer science, and operations research. It covers the theoretical foundations for modeling time-dependent random phenomena in these areas and illustrates applications through the analysis of numerous practical examples. The author draws on his 50 years of experience in the field to give your students a better understanding of probability theory and stochastic processes and enable them to use stochastic modeling in their work. New to the Second Edition Completely rewritten part on probability theory—now more than double in size New sections on time series analysis, random walks, branching processes, and spectral analysis of stationary stochastic processes Comprehensive numerical discussions of examples, which replace the more theoretically challenging sections Additional examples, exercises, and figures Presenting the material in a student-friendly, application-oriented manner, this non-measure theoretic text only assumes a mathematical maturity that applied science students acquire during their undergraduate studies in mathematics. Many exercises allow students to assess their understanding of the topics. In addition, the book occasionally describes connections between probabilistic concepts and corresponding statistical approaches to facilitate comprehension. Some important proofs and challenging examples and exercises are also included for more theoretically interested readers.

A First Course in Stochastic Processes focuses on several principal areas of stochastic processes and the diversity of applications of stochastic processes, including Markov chains, Brownian motion, and Poisson processes. The publication first takes a look at the elements of stochastic processes, Markov chains, and the basic limit theorem of Markov chains and applications. Discussions focus on criteria for recurrence, absorption probabilities, discrete renewal equation, classification of states of a Markov chain, and review of basic terminologies and properties of random variables and distribution functions. The text then examines algebraic methods in Markov chains and ratio theorems of transition probabilities and applications. The manuscript elaborates on the sums of independent random variables as a Markov chain, classical examples of continuous time Markov chains, and continuous time Markov chains. Topics include differentiability properties of transition probabilities, birth and death processes with absorbing states, general pure birth processes and Poisson processes, and recurrence properties of sums of independent random variables. The book then ponders on Brownian motion, compounding stochastic processes, and deterministic and stochastic genetic and ecological processes. The publication is a valuable source of information for readers interested in stochastic processes.

A comprehensive and accessible presentation of probability and stochastic processes with emphasis on key theoretical concepts and real-world applications With a sophisticated approach, Probability and Stochastic Processes successfully balances theory and applications in a pedagogical and accessible format. The book’s primary focus is on key theoretical notions in probability to provide a foundation for understanding concepts and examples related to stochastic processes. Organized into two main sections, the book begins by developing probability theory with topical coverage on probability measure; random variables; integration theory; product spaces, conditional distribution, and conditional expectations; and limit theorems. The second part explores stochastic processes and related concepts including the Poisson process, renewal processes, Markov chains, semi-Markov processes, martingales, and Brownian motion. Featuring a logical combination of traditional and complex theories as well as practices, Probability and Stochastic Processes also includes: Multiple examples from disciplines such as business, mathematical finance, and engineering Chapter-by-chapter exercises and examples to allow readers to test their comprehension of the presented material A rigorous treatment of all probability and stochastic processes concepts An appropriate textbook for probability and stochastic processes courses at the upper-undergraduate and graduate level in mathematics, business, and electrical engineering, Probability and Stochastic Processes is also an ideal reference for researchers and practitioners in the fields of mathematics, engineering, and finance.

This book is about discrete-time, time-homogeneous, Markov chains (Mes) and their ergodic behavior. To this end, most of the material is in fact about stable Mes, by which we mean Mes that admit an invariant probability measure. To state this more precisely and give an overview of the questions we shall be dealing with, we will first introduce some notation and terminology. Let (X,B) be a measurable space, and consider a X-valued Markov chain ~. = {~k' k = 0, 1, ... } with transition probability function (t.pJ.) P(x, B), i.e., P(x, B) := Prob (~k+1 E B I ~k = x) for each x E X, B E B, and k = 0,1, .... The Me ~. is said to be stable if there exists a probability measure (p.m.) /.l on B such that (*) VB EB. /.l(B) = Ix /.l(dx) P(x, B) If (*) holds then /.l is called an invariant p.m. for the Me ~. (or the t.p.f. P).