Piecewise deterministic processes in biological models (Q2360303)

From the preface: ``The aim of this book is to give a short mathematical introduction to piecewise deterministic Markov processes (PDMPs) and to present biological models where they appear. The book is divided into six chapters. In the first chapter we present some examples of biological phenomena such as gene activity and population growth leading to different types of PDMPs: continuous-time Markov chains, deterministic processes with jumps, dynamical systems with random switching and point processes. The second chapter contains some theoretical results concerning Markov processes and the construction of PDMPs. The next chapter is an introduction to the theory of semi-groups of linear operators which provide the primary tools in the study of continuous-time Markov processes. In the fourth chapter we introduce stochastic semi-groups, provide some theorems on their existence and find generators of semi-groups related to PDMPs considered in the first chapter. The next chapter is devoted to the long-time behaviour (asymptotic stability and sweeping) of the stochastic semi-groups induced by PDMPs. In the last chapter we apply the general results, especially concerning asymptotic behaviour, to biological models.'' The reference list contains 213 well-chosen titles. There is a useful appendix, entitled ``Measure and Probability Essentials'', and a detailed index. The authors have tried to keep the required mathematical and biological background to a minimum so that the topics are accessible to a larger audience. This reviewer can warmly recommend the book to any mathematically interested person wishing to get acquainted with simple biological models.