This book presents an analysis of consumption patterns in the OE (rich) and LDC (poor) countries using recent data (1950–1998) and econometric methodology for a number of broadly aggregated consumer goods. The income elasticity estimates for the 46 countries and 9 commodity groups are tabulated. The reliability of these elasticity estimates, and also the demand theory hypotheses, are investigated using simulation techniques.Contents: An Overview of International Consumption Patterns (E A Selvanathan & S Selvanathan)Consumer Demand Models (E A Selvanathan & S Selvanathan)Data Analysis: OE Countries (E A Selvanathan & S Selvanathan)Data Analysis: Less Developed Countries (E A Selvanathan & S Selvanathan)A Comparison of Consumption Patterns in the OE and LD Countries (E A Selvanathan & S Selvanathan)Stochastic Price and Quantity Index Numbers (E A Selvanathan & S Selvanathan)Testing Demand Theory Hypotheses: OE and LD Countries (E A Selvanathan & S Selvanathan)A Comparison of Alternative Demand Systems (E A Selvanathan & S Selvanathan)The Structure of Preferences: OE and LD Countries (E A Selvanathan & S Selvanathan)Readership: Economists.Key Features:Provides comprehensive presentation of theories concerning diffusion-reaction systems of interacting populations and their optimal controlMany easy-to-understand diagrams describing the range of parameters to insure the coexistence of many interacting species for convenient applicationIntroduces the developments on the subject from the early eighties to very recent results, with a large bibliography of references, and a convenient source of information for many researchers whose work may utilize such resultsServes to encourage and enlighten young students to create a deeper understanding on partial differential equationsIllustrates skillful use of upper-lower solutions, bifurcation, degree theory, semigroup, stability theorems, W p2, 1 theory and optimal control methodsIncludes new results in traveling waves and coupled systems of waves with fluid equations, applicable to electromagnetic theory and plasma display technology