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The term'turbulence” is used for a large variety of dynamical phenomena of fluids in motion whenever the details of the flow appear to be random and average properties are of primary interest. Just as wide ranging are the theoretical methods that have been applied towards a better understanding of fluid turbulence. In this book a number of these methods are described and applied to a broad range of problems from the transition to turbulence to asymptotic turbulence when the inertial part of the spectrum is fully developed. Statistical as well as nonstatistical treatments are presented, but a complete coverage of the subject is not attempted. The book will be of interest to scientists and engineers who wish to familiarize themselves with modern developments in theories of turbulence. The fact that the properties of turbulent fluid flow are addressed from very different points of view makes this volume rather unique among presently available books on turbulence.

In the decades the of the formation of structures past subject spontaneous in far from has into a branch of - systems equilibrium major physics grown search with ties to It has become evident that strong neighboring disciplines. a diverse of can be understood within a common mat- phenomena range matical framework which has been called nonlinear of continuous dynamics This name the close to the field of nonlinear systems. emphasizes relationship of with few of freedom which has evolved into a dynamics systems degrees mature in the recent features mathematically subject past. Many dynamical of continuous be described reduction few can a to a systems actually through of freedom and of the latter of continue to degrees properties type systems of continuous the inspire study systems. The of this book is to demonstrate the numerous goal through examples that exist for the of nonlinear the opportunities study phenomena through tools of mathematical and use of common analyses dynamical interpretations. Instead of overview of the a providing comprehensive rapidly evolving field, the contributors to this book are to communicate to a wide scientific trying audience the of what have learnt about the formation of essence they spon- neous structures in continuous and about the dissipative systems competition between order and chaos that characterizes these It is that systems. hoped the book will be even to those scientists whose not helpful are disciplines the authors.