The fourth volume of Rudolf Ahlswede’s lectures on Information Theory is focused on Combinatorics. Ahlswede was originally motivated to study combinatorial aspects of Information Theory via zero-error codes: in this case the structure of the coding problems usually drastically changes from probabilistic to combinatorial. The best example is Shannon’s zero error capacity, where independent sets in graphs have to be examined. The extension to multiple access channels leads to the Zarankiewicz problem. A code can be regarded combinatorially as a hypergraph; and many coding theorems can be obtained by appropriate colourings or coverings of the underlying hypergraphs. Several such colouring and covering techniques and their applications are introduced in this book. Furthermore, codes produced by permutations and one of Ahlswede’s favourite research fields -- extremal problems in Combinatorics -- are presented. Whereas the first part of the book concentrates on combinatorial methods in order to analyse classical codes as prefix codes or codes in the Hamming metric, the second is devoted to combinatorial models in Information Theory. Here the code concept already relies on a rather combinatorial structure, as in several concrete models of multiple access channels or more refined distortions. An analytical tool coming into play, especially during the analysis of perfect codes, is the use of orthogonal polynomials. Classical information processing concerns the main tasks of gaining knowledge and the storage, transmission and hiding of data. The first task is the prime goal of Statistics. For transmission and hiding data, Shannon developed an impressive mathematical theory called Information Theory, which he based on probabilistic models. The theory largely involves the concept of codes with small error probabilities in spite of noise in the transmission, which is modeled by channels. The lectures presented in this work are suitable for graduate students in Mathematics, and also for those working in Theoretical Computer Science, Physics, and Electrical Engineering with a background in basic Mathematics. The lectures can be used as the basis for courses or to supplement courses in many ways. Ph.D. students will also find research problems, often with conjectures, that offer potential subjects for a thesis. More advanced researchers may find questions which form the basis of entire research programs.

Sri Gopal Mohanty has made pioneering contributions to lattice path counting and its applications to probability and statistics. This is clearly evident from his lifetime publications list and the numerous citations his publications have received over the past three decades. My association with him began in 1982 when I came to McMaster Univer sity. Since then, I have been associated with him on many different issues at professional as well as cultural levels; I have benefited greatly from him on both these grounds. I have enjoyed very much being his colleague in the statistics group here at McMaster University and also as his friend. While I admire him for his honesty, sincerity and dedication, I appreciate very much his kindness, modesty and broad-mindedness. Aside from our common interest in mathematics and statistics, we both have great love for Indian classical music and dance. We have spent numerous many different subjects associated with the Indian music and hours discussing dance. I still remember fondly the long drive (to Amherst, Massachusetts) I had a few years ago with him and his wife, Shantimayee, and all the hearty discussions we had during that journey. Combinatorics and applications of combinatorial methods in probability and statistics has become a very active and fertile area of research in the recent past.

This combinatorics text provides in-depth coverage of recurrences, generating functions, partitions, and permutations, along with some of the most interesting graph and network topics, design constructions, and finite geometries. It presents the computer and software algorithms in pseudo-code and incorporates definitions, theorems, proofs, examples, and nearly 300 illustrations as pedagogical elements of the exposition. Numerous problems, solutions, and hints reinforce basic skills and assist with creative problem solving. The author also offers a website with extensive graph theory informational resources as well as a computational engine to help with calculations for some of the exercises.

Combinatorics plays a prominent role in contemporary mathematics, due to the vibrant development it has experienced in the last two decades and its many interactions with other subjects. This book arises from the INdAM conference "CoMeTA 2013 - Combinatorial Methods in Topology and Algebra,'' which was held in Cortona in September 2013. The event brought together emerging and leading researchers at the crossroads of Combinatorics, Topology and Algebra, with a particular focus on new trends in subjects such as: hyperplane arrangements; discrete geometry and combinatorial topology; polytope theory and triangulations of manifolds; combinatorial algebraic geometry and commutative algebra; algebraic combinatorics; and combinatorial representation theory. The book is divided into two parts. The first expands on the topics discussed at the conference by providing additional background and explanations, while the second presents original contributions on new trends in the topics addressed by the conference.

Polynomial Identities and Combinatorial Methods presents a wide range of perspectives on topics ranging from ring theory and combinatorics to invariant theory and associative algebras. It covers recent breakthroughs and strategies impacting research on polynomial identities and identifies new concepts in algebraic combinatorics, invariant and representation theory, and Lie algebras and superalgebras for novel studies in the field. It presents intensive discussions on various methods and techniques relating the theory of polynomial identities to other branches of algebraic study and includes discussions on Hopf algebras and quantum polynomials, free algebras and Scheier varieties.

A unique approach illustrating discrete distribution theory through combinatorial methods This book provides a unique approach by presenting combinatorial methods in tandem with discrete distribution theory. This method, particular to discreteness, allows readers to gain a deeper understanding of theory by using applications to solve problems. The author makes extensive use of the reduction approach to conditional distributions of independent random occupancy numbers, and provides excellent studies of occupancy and sequential occupancy distributions, convolutions of truncated discrete distributions, and compound and mixture distributions. Combinatorial Methods in Discrete Distributions begins with a brief presentation of set theory followed by basic counting principles. Fundamental principles of combinatorics, finite differences, and discrete probability are included to give readers the necessary foundation to the topics presented in the text. A thorough examination of the field is provided and features: Stirling numbers and generalized factorial coefficients Occupancy and sequential occupancy distributions n-fold convolutions of truncated distributions Compound and mixture distributions Thoroughly worked examples aid readers in understanding complex theory and discovering how theory can be applied to solve practical problems. An appendix with hints and answers to the exercises helps readers work through the more complex sections. Reference notes are provided at the end of each chapter, and an extensive bibliography offers readers a resource for additional information on specialized topics.

This work explores the role of probabilistic methods for solving combinatorial problems. The subjects studied are nonnegative matrices, partitions and mappings of finite sets, with special emphasis on permutations and graphs, and equivalence classes specified on sequences of finite length consisting of elements of partially ordered sets; these define the probabilistic setting of Sachkov's general combinatorial scheme. The author pays special attention to using probabilistic methods to obtain asymptotic formulae that are difficult to derive using combinatorial methods. This important book describes many ideas not previously available in English and will be of interest to graduate students and professionals in mathematics and probability theory.

Combinatorial chemistry has taken the pharmaceutical industry by storm over the past ten to fifteen years. There has been a massive investment in automation by pharmaceutical companies and a demand for graduates/PhDs with experience and knowledge of combinatorial chemistry. These days the academic education of chemists and biologists is gradually converging, so those entering the pharmaceutical industry need to be not only chemistry graduates but also biologists applying their biological knowledge to chemistry. Many chemists, however, still require experience in biological methods and similarly biologists have not yet realized the power of chemical methods. This book will therefore help ease the transition from biology into chemistry and vice versa, for those working in the combinatorial chemistry field. Because combinatorial chemistry evolved from the requirements of the biology field, the authors have written this book with both biologists and chemists in mind. Combinatorial chemistry is a new and highly influential area of modern synthetic chemistry based on efficient, parallel synthesis of molecules, as opposed to the use of several synthetic steps, to produce many sets of compounds for biological evaluation. The techniques used in this area are key to the discovery of new drug compounds in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. Combinatorial Methods in Chemistry and Biology describes the origins, basics and techniques used both in combinatorial chemistry and molecular biology. Key features: * First book to cover combinatorial methods in both chemistry and biology - ideal for those with either a chemical or biological background. * Introductory text - ideal for newcomers to the field. * Covers a wide swathe of techniques and topics - providing beginners with a complete overview of the field. * Contains chapters on supporting material and linkers, two important areas in the field. * Up-to-date and topical. This volume will be of key interest to technicians/scientists working in the pharmaceutical industry with backgrounds in either biology or chemistry. It will also be invaluable to students - postgraduates studying chemistry and molecular biology or those chemistry/molecular biology undergraduates at universities where combinatorial chemistry is taught as a module.

Handbook of Combinatorics