PNLD 2013: Conference summary and a perspective

Abstract

PNLD 2013, the fourth of the Perspectives in Nonlinear Dynamics conferences, was held in Hyderabad, India from July 15 to July 18, 2013. Like previous editions of this meeting, it was a satellite to STATPHYS 25 (held in Seoul, South Korea); the linkage between these two series of conferences started when PNLD 2004 (Chennai) and STATPHYS 22 (Bangalore) were held in successive weeks. The pattern continued with PNLD 2007 (Trieste, Italy) and STATPHYS 23 (Genoa), and then PNLD 2010 was held in Bangalore, with STATPHYS 24 being held in Cairns, Australia. As we mentioned in the report on the last PNLD, much of the initial impetus to study nonlinear dynamical systems arose from considerations of statistical physics. The connection between the two families of meetings has worked to our advantage, helping to focus attention and helping to highlight important issues in nonlinear science studies in a sustained manner.