Eighteenth International Symposium on the Mathematical Theory of Networks and Systems - MTNS 2008, July 28 - August 1, 2008, Blacksburg, VA

网络与系统数学理论国际研讨会（MTNS）自1973年以来每两年在北美、欧洲和亚洲的10个国家举行一次，是一个讨论数学系统理论、网络和控制理论等广泛主题的论坛。MTNS的主要目标是将现有和新的研究人员（包括高级研究生）聚集在一起，交流思想，讨论工程和数学边界的一般领域的最新发展。数学系统理论？这些重点领域在分析和控制自然、科学和工业中表现出来的复杂系统的行为方面是至关重要的。MTNS会议提供了一个机会，通过正式的演讲和非正式的互动，为该领域的成熟和初级研究人员的全球社区提供了一个见面和相互学习的机会。下一届MTNS研讨会将于7月28日举行。2008年8月1日，弗吉尼亚州布莱克斯堡的弗吉尼亚理工大学。这一场合为美国研究生、年轻博士和其他可能资源有限的人提供了一个独特的机会，使他们能够与活跃在系统理论相关研究领域的充满活力的国际研究人员社区接触。这项提案的目的是确保为高级研究生、新近获得博士学位的学生和传统上代表性不足的群体成员（特别是妇女和少数群体成员）提供资金支持，以便他们有机会参加十年只到美国一次或两次的重大国际会议。对于许多潜在的受益者来说，这将是他们第一次有机会在本国机构之外从事专业活动。对他们所有人来说，这将是一个独特的机会，向专家观众展示他们的工作，并通过与工程和数学领域的知名研究人员互动来进一步了解该领域——互动对他们作为年轻研究人员和教育工作者的发展至关重要。

The International Symposium on the Mathematical Theory of Networks and Systems (MTNS) has met biennially since 1973 in ten countries spread across North America, Europe and Asia as a forum for a wide range of topics in mathematical system theory, networks and control theory. The primary objective of MTNS is to bring together established and new researchers, including advanced graduate students, for the exchange of ideas and the discussion of recent developments in the general area at the border of engineering and mathematics encompassed within the title ?mathematical system theory?. These areas of focus are of critical importance in the analysis and control of the behavior of complex systems as manifested in nature, science, and industry. The MTNS meetings provide an opportunity for the global community of established and beginning researchers in this area to meet with and learn from one another through both formal presentations and informal interactions. The next MTNS Symposium will be held July 28?August 1, 2008 at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. This occasion provides a unique opportunity for US graduate students, young PhDs, and others that may have restricted resources to make contact with a vibrant international community of researchers active in research areas related to systems theory. The objective of this proposal is to secure funding for the financial support of advanced graduate students, recent PhDs, and members of traditionally under-represented groups (including in particular, women and members of minority groups) so that they might have the advantage of participating in a major international conference which comes to the United States only once or twice a decade. For many of the prospective beneficiaries, this will be a first opportunity to engage in professional activity beyond their home institutions. For all of them it will be a unique opportunity to present their work to an expert audience and to further their knowledge of the field by interacting with established researchers in both engineering and mathematics - interactions that are crucial to their development as young researchers and educators.