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The first edition of this book, published in 1994, began with the statement that the new science of complexity would characterize the scientific develop­ ment of the 21st century. In the first decade of this century, this prediction has been confirmed by overwhelming new empirical results and theoretical insights the of physical and biological sciences, cognitive and computer sci­ ences, and social and economic sciences. Complexity and nonlinearity are still prominent features in the evolution of matter, mind, and human society. Thus, the science of complexity still aims at explanations for the emergence of order in nature and mind and in the economy and society by common principles. But a new engineering view has focused the exploration of complexity. On the one hand, we need new computational instruments to analyze com­ plex data and recognize future trends. On the other hand, the principles of complex dynamics are increasingly becoming the blueprints of gene, bio, and computer technology. Life and computer sciences are growing into a new kind of complex engineering, changing the basic conditions of human life and society. Nonlinear dynamics are implemented in nonlinear computer chips of high speed and miniaturized size, which are not only distributed in our technical equipment and environment, but also in our body and brain.

Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences was first conceived, published, and disseminated by the Center for Information and Numerical Data Analysis and Synthesis (CINDAS)• at Purdue University in 1957, starting its coverage of theses with the academic year 1955. Beginning with Volume 13, the printing and dis­ semination phases of the activity were transferred to University Microfilms/Xerox of Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the thought that such an arrangement would be more beneficial to the academic and general scientific and technical community. After five years of this joint undertaking we had concluded that it was in the interest of all concerned if the printing and distribution of the volumes were handled by an international publishing house to assure improved service and broader dissemination. Hence, starting with Volume 18, Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences has been disseminated on a worldwide basis by Plenum Publishing Corporation of New York, and in the same year the coverage was broadened to include Canadian universities. All back issues can also be ordered from Plenum. We have reported in Volume 39 (thesis year 1994) a total of 13,953 thesis titles from 21 Canadian and 159 United States universities. We are sure that this broader base for these titles reported will greatly enhance the value of this impor­ tant annual reference work. While Volume 39 reports theses submitted in 1994, on occasion, certain uni­ versities do report theses submitted in previous years but not reported at the time.