[PAS] Probability Abstracts 112

Probability Abstract Service pas at lists.imstat.org
Wed Nov 4 02:43:17 CST 2009


Probability Abstracts 112
This document contains abstracts 9029-9332
from Sep-1-2009 to October-31-2009.
They have been mailed on Nov 4th, 2009.

9029. Multivariate Log-Concave Distributions as a Nearly Parametric  
Model
Author(s): Dominic Schuhmacher and Andre Huesler and Lutz Duembgen

Abstract: In this paper we show that the family P_d of probability  
distributions on R^d with log-concave densities satisfies a strong  
continuity condition. In particular, it turns out that weak  
convergence within this family entails (i) convergence in total  
variation distance, (ii) convergence of arbitrary moments, and (iii)  
pointwise convergence of Laplace transforms. Hence the nonparametric  
model P_d has similar properties as parametric models such as, for  
instance, the family of all d-variate Gaussian distributions.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0250


9030. SDEs driven by a time-changed L\'evy process and their  
associated time-fractional order pseudo-differential equations
Author(s): Marjorie G. Hahn and Kei Kobayashi and Sabir Umarov

Abstract: It is known that if a stochastic process is a solution to a  
classical Ito stochastic differential equation (SDE), then its  
transition probabilities satisfy in the weak sense the associated  
Cauchy problem for the forward Kolmogorov equation. The forward  
Kolmogorov equation is a parabolic partial differential equation with  
coefficients determined by the corresponding SDE. Stochastic processes  
which are scaling limits of continuous time random walks have been  
connected with time-fractional differential equations. However, the  
class of SDEs that is associated with time-fractional Kolmogorov type  
equations is unknown. The present paper shows that in the cases of  
either time-fractional order or more general time-distributed order  
differential equations, the associated class of SDEs can be described  
within the framework of SDEs driven by semimartingales. These  
semimartingales are time-changed Levy processes where the independent  
time-change is given respectively by the inverse of a stable  
subordinator or the inverse of a mixture of independent stable  
subordinators.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0253


9031. Brownian and fractional Brownian stochastic currents via  
Malliavin calculus
Author(s): Franco Flandoli and Ciprian Tudor (CES and SAMOS)

Abstract: By using Malliavin calculus and multiple Wiener-It\^o  
integrals, we study the existence and the regularity of stochastic  
currents defined as Skorohod (divergence) integrals with respect to  
the Brownian motion and to the fractional Brownian motion. We consider  
also the multidimensional multiparameter case and we compare the  
regularity of the current as a distribution in negative Sobolev spaces  
with its regularity in Watanabe space.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0292


9032. A min-type stochastic fixed-point equation related to the  
smoothing transformation
Author(s): Gerold Alsmeyer and Matthias Meiners

Abstract: This paper is devoted to the study of the stochastic fixed- 
point equation X \stackrel{d}{=} \inf_{i \geq 1: T_i > 0} X_i/T_i and  
the connection with its additive counterpart $X \stackrel{d}{=} \sum_{i 
\ge 1}T_{i}X_{i}$ associated with the smoothing transformation. Here $ 
\stackrel{d}{=}$ means equality in distribution, $T := (T_i)_{i \geq  
1}$ is a given sequence of nonnegative random variables and $X,  
X_1, ...$ is a sequence of nonnegative i.i.d. random variables  
independent of $T$. We draw attention to the question of the existence  
of nontrivial solutions and, in particular, of special solutions named  
$\alpha$-regular solutions $(\alpha>0)$. We give a complete answer to  
the question of when $\alpha$-regular solutions exist and prove that  
they are always mixtures of Weibull distributions or certain periodic  
variants. We also give a complete characterization of all fixed points  
of this kind. A disintegration method which leads to the study of  
certain multiplicative martingales and a pathwise renewal equation  
after a suitable transform are the key tools for our analysis.  
Finally, we provide corresponding results for the fixed points of the  
related additive equation mentioned above. To some extent, these  
results have been obtained earlier by Iksanov.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0300


9033. Interlacement percolation on transient weighted graphs
Author(s): Augusto Teixeira

Abstract: In this article, we first extend the construction of random  
interlacements, introduced by A.S. Sznitman in [arXiv:0704.2560], to  
the more general setting of transient weighted graphs. We prove the  
Harris-FKG inequality for this model and analyze some of its  
properties on specific classes of graphs. For the case of non-amenable  
graphs, we prove that the critical value u_* for the percolation of  
the vacant set is finite. We also prove that, once G satisfies the  
isoperimetric inequality IS_6 (see (1.5)), u_* is positive for the  
product GxZ (where we endow Z with unit weights). When the graph under  
consideration is a tree, we are able to characterize the vacant  
cluster containing some fixed point in terms of a Bernoulli  
independent percolation process. For the specific case of regular  
trees, we obtain an explicit formula for the critical value u_*.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0316


9034. A functional combinatorial central limit theorem
Author(s): A. D. Barbour and Svante Janson

Abstract: The paper establishes a functional version of the Hoeffding  
combinatorial central limit theorem. First, a pre-limiting Gaussian  
process approximation is defined, and is shown to be at a distance of  
the order of the Lyapounov ratio from the original random process.  
Distance is measured by comparison of expectations of smooth  
functionals of the processes, and the argument is by way of Stein's  
method. The pre-limiting process is then shown, under weak conditions,  
to converge to a Gaussian limit process. The theorem is used to  
describe the shape of random permutation tableaux.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0347


9035. Stability Properties of Linear File-Sharing Networks
Author(s): L. Leskel\"a (MSA) and Philippe Robert (INRIA) and Florian  
Simatos

Abstract: File-sharing networks are distributed systems used to  
disseminate files among a subset of the nodes of the Internet. A file  
is split into several pieces called chunks, the general simple  
principle is that once a node of the system has retrieved a chunk, it  
may become a server for this chunk. A stochastic model is considered  
for arrival times and durations of time to download chunks. One  
investigates the maximal arrival rate that such a network can  
accommodate, i.e., the conditions under which the Markov process  
describing this network is ergodic. Technical estimates related to the  
survival of interacting branching processes are key ingredients to  
establish the stability of these systems. Several cases are  
considered: networks with one and two chunks where a complete  
classification is obtained and several cases of a network with $n$  
chunks.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0375


9036. Semimartingale decomposition of convex functions of continuous  
semimartingales by Brownian perturbation
Author(s): Nastasiya F Grinberg

Abstract: In this note we prove that the local martingale part of a  
convex function f of a d-dimensional semimartingale X=M+A can be  
wrtitten in terms of an Ito stochastic intergral of H(x), some  
measurable choice of subgradient of fat x, against M, the martingale  
part of X. This result was first proved by Bouleau in [2]. Here we  
present a new treatment of the problem.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0382


9037. Majority dynamics on trees and the dynamic cavity method
Author(s): Yashodhan Kanoria and Andrea Montanari

Abstract: An elector sits on each vertex of an infinite tree of degree  
$k$, and has to decide between two alternatives. At each time step,  
each elector switches to the opinion of the majority of her neighbors.  
We analyze this majority process when opinions are initialized to  
independent and identically distributed random variables. In  
particular, we bound the threshold value of the initial bias such that  
the process converges to consensus. In order to prove an upper bound,  
we characterize the process of a single node in the large $k$-limit.  
This approach is inspired by the theory of mean field spin-glass and  
can potentially be generalized to a wider class of models. We also  
derive a lower bound that is non-trivial for small, odd values of $k$.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0449


9038. A strong log-concavity property for measures on Boolean algebras
Author(s): Jeff Kahn and Michael Neiman

Abstract: We introduce the antipodal pairs property for probability  
measures on finite Boolean algebras and prove that conditional  
versions imply strong forms of log-concavity. We give several  
applications of this fact, including improvements of some results of  
Wagner; a new proof of a theorem of Liggett stating that ultra-log- 
concavity of sequences is preserved by convolutions; and some progress  
on a well-known log-concavity conjecture of J. Mason.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0243


9039. A Cut-off Phenomenon in Location Based Random Access Games with  
Imperfect Information
Author(s): Hazer Inaltekin and Mung Chiang and H. Vincent Poor

Abstract: This paper analyzes the behavior of selfish transmitters  
under imperfect location information. The scenario considered is that  
of a wireless network consisting of selfish nodes that are randomly  
distributed over the network domain according to a known probability  
distribution, and that are interested in communicating with a common  
sink node using common radio resources. In this scenario, the wireless  
nodes do not know the exact locations of their competitors but rather  
have belief distributions about these locations. Firstly, properties  
of the packet success probability curve as a function of the node-sink  
separation are obtained for such networks. Secondly, a monotonicity  
property for the best-response strategies of selfish nodes is  
identified. That is, for any given strategies of competitors of a  
node, there exists a critical node-sink separation for this node such  
that its best-response is to transmit when its distance to the sink  
node is smaller than this critical threshold, and to back off  
otherwise. Finally, necessary and sufficient conditions for a given  
strategy profile to be a Nash equilibrium are provided.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0255


9040. Self-Intersections of Random Geodesics on Negatively Curved  
Surfaces
Author(s): Steven P. Lalley

Abstract: We study the fluctuations of self-intersection counts of  
random geodesic segments of length $t$ on a compact, negatively curved  
surface in the limit of large $t$. If the initial direction vector of  
the geodesic is chosen according to the \emph{Liouville measure}, then  
it is not difficult to show that the number $N (t)$ of self- 
intersections by time $t$ grows like $\kappa t^{2}$, where $\kappa = 
\kappa_{M}$ is a positive constant depending on the surface $M$. We  
show that (for a smooth modification of $N (t)$) the fluctuations are  
of size $t$, and the limit distribution is a weak limit of Gaussian  
quadratic forms. We also show that the fluctuations of \emph 
{localized} self-intersection counts (that is, only self-intersections  
in a fixed subset of $M$ are counted) are typically of size $t^{3/2}$,  
and the limit distribution is Gaussian.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0259


9041. Reducing the Ising model to matchings
Author(s): Mark Huber (Claremont McKenna College) and Jenny Law (Duke  
University)

Abstract: Canonical paths is one of the most powerful tools available  
to show that a Markov chain is rapidly mixing, thereby enabling  
approximate sampling from complex high dimensional distributions. Two  
success stories for the canonical paths method are chains for drawing  
matchings in a graph, and a chain for a version of the Ising model  
called the subgraphs world. In this paper, it is shown that a  
subgraphs world draw can be obtained by taking a draw from matchings  
on a graph that is linear in the size of the original graph. This  
provides a partial answer to why canonical paths works so well for  
both problems, as well as providing a new source of algorithms for the  
Ising model. For instance, this new reduction immediately yields a  
fully polynomial time approximation scheme for the Ising model on a  
bounded degree graph when the magnitization is bounded away from 0.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0477


9042. Zeros of a two-parameter random walk
Author(s): Davar Khoshnevisan and Pal Revesz

Abstract: We prove that the number gamma(N) of the zeros of a two- 
parameter simple random walk in its first N-by-N time steps is almost  
surely equal to N to the power 1+o(1) as N goes to infinity. This is  
in contrast with our earlier joint effort with Z. Shi [4]; that work  
shows that the number of zero crossings in the first N-by-N time steps  
is N to the power (3/2)+o(1) as N goes to infinity. We prove also that  
the number of zeros on the diagonal in the first N time steps is (c+o 
(1)) log N as N goes to infinity, where c is 2\pi.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0487


9043. Branching Random Walks in Space-Time Random Environment:  
Survival Probability, Global and Local Growth Rates
Author(s): Francis Comets and Nobuo Yoshida

Abstract: We study the survival probability and the growth rate for  
branching random walks in random environment (BRWRE). The particles  
perform simple symmetric random walks on the $d$-dimensional integer  
lattice, while at each time unit, they split into independent copies  
according to time-space i.i.d. offspring distributions. The BRWRE is  
naturally associated with the directed polymers in random environment  
(DPRE), for which the quantity called the free energy is well studied.  
We discuss the survival probability (both global and local) for BRWRE  
and give a criterion for its positivity in terms of the free energy of  
the associated DPRE. We also show that the global growth rate for the  
number of particles in BRWRE is given by the free energy of the  
associated DPRE, though the local growth rateis given by the  
directional free energy.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0509


9044. Uniform estimates for metastable transition times in a coupled  
bistable system
Author(s): Florent Barret (CMAP) and Anton Bovier (IAM) and Sylvie M 
\'el\'eard (CMAP)

Abstract: We consider a coupled bistable N-particle system driven by a  
Brownian noise, with a strong coupling corresponding to the  
synchronised regime. Our aim is to obtain sharp estimates on the  
metastable transition times betwen the two stable states, both for  
fixed N and in the limit when N tends to infinity. These estimates  
would be the main step for a rigorous understanding of the metastable  
behavior of infinite dimensional systems, as the stochastically  
perturbed Ginzburg-Landau equation. The quantities of interest are  
objects of potential theory, as capacities and equilibrium measure. We  
prove estimates with error bounds that are uniform in the dimension of  
the system.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0537


9045. Upper large deviations for maximal flows through a tilted cylinder
Author(s): Marie Theret

Abstract: We consider the standard first passage percolation model in $ 
\ZZ^d$ for $d\geq 2$ and we study the maximal flow from the upper half  
part to the lower half part (respectively from the top to the bottom)  
of a cylinder whose basis is a hyperrectangle of sidelength  
proportional to $n$ and whose height is $h(n)$ for a certain height  
function $h$. We denote this maximal flow by $\tau_n$ (respectively $ 
\phi_n$). We emphasize the fact that the cylinder may be tilted. We  
look at the probability that these flows, rescaled by the surface of  
the basis of the cylinder, are greater than $\nu(\vec{v})+\eps$ for  
some positive $\eps$, where $\nu(\vec{v})$ is the almost sure limit of  
the rescaled variable $\tau_n$ when $n$ goes to infinity. On one hand,  
we prove that the speed of decay of this probability in the case of  
the variable $\tau_n$ depends on the tail of the distribution of the  
capacities of the edges: it can decays exponentially fast with $n^ 
{d-1}$, or with $n^{d-1} \min(n,h(n))$, or at an intermediate regime.  
On the other hand, we prove that this probability in the case of the  
variable $\phi_n$ decays exponentially fast with the volume of the  
cylinder as soon as the law of the capacity of the edges admits one  
exponential moment; the importance of this result is however limited  
by the fact that $\nu(\vec{v})$ is not in general the almost sure  
limit of the rescaled maximal flow $\phi_n$, but it is the case at  
least when the height $h(n)$ of the cylinder is negligible compared to  
$n$.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0614


9046. Central Limit Theorems for Multicolor Urns with Dominated Colors
Author(s): Patrizia Berti (Dip. di Matematica and Univ. Modena and  
Italy) and Irene Crimaldi (Dip. Matematica, Univ. Bologna, Italy),  
Luca Pratelli (Accademia Navale, Livorno, Italy), Pietro Rigo (Dip.  
Economia politica e Metodi quantitativi, Univ. Pavia, Italy)

Abstract: An urn contains balls of d colors. At each time, a ball is  
drawn and then replaced together with a random number of balls of the  
same color. Assuming that some colors are dominated by others, we  
prove central limit theorems. Some statistical applications are  
discussed.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0676


9047. D\'eviations mod\'er\'ees de la distance chimique
Author(s): Olivier Garet (IECN) and R\'egine Marchand (IECN)

Abstract: In this paper, we establish moderate deviations for the  
chemical distance in Bernoulli percolation. The chemical distance  
between two points is the length of the shortest open path between  
these two points. Thus, we study the size of random fluctuations  
around the mean value, and also the asymptotic behavior of this mean  
value. The estimates we obtain improve our knowledge of the  
convergence to the asymptotic shape. Our proofs rely on concentration  
inequalities proved by Boucheron, Lugosi and Massart, and also on the  
approximation theory of subadditive functions initiated by Alexander.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0697


9048. Moderate deviations for the chemical distance in Bernoulli  
percolation
Author(s): Olivier Garet (IECN) and R\'egine Marchand (IECN)

Abstract: In this paper, we establish moderate deviations for the  
chemical distance in Bernoulli percolation. The chemical distance  
between two points is the length of the shortest open path between  
these two points. Thus, we study the size of random fluctuations  
around the mean value, and also the asymptotic behavior of this mean  
value. The estimates we obtain improve our knowledge of the  
convergence to the asymptotic shape. Our proofs rely on concentration  
inequalities proved by Boucheron, Lugosi and Massart, and also on the  
approximation theory of subadditive functions initiated by Alexander.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0698


9049. On the preservation of Gibbsianness under symbol amalgamation
Author(s): Jean-Rene Chazottes and Edgardo Ugalde

Abstract: Starting from the full-shift on a finite alphabet $A$,  
suppose we confound some symbols of $A$. This gives a new full shift  
on a new alphabet $B$. The amalgamation map, call it $\pi$, defines a  
`factor map', that is, a continuous transformation between $(A^\nn,T_A) 
$ and $(B^\nn,T_B)$ with the property that $\pi\circ T_A=T_B\circ \pi 
$, where $T_A$, resp. $T_B$, is the shift map on $A^\nn$, resp. $B^\nn 
$. Given a regular function $\psi:A^\nn\to\rr$ (a `potential'), there  
is a unique Gibbs measure $\mu_\psi$. In this article, we prove that,  
for a large class of potentials, the pushforward measure $\mu_\psi\circ 
\pi^{-1}$ is still Gibbsian for a potential $\phi:B^\nn\to\rr$ having  
a `bit less' regularity than $\psi$. In the special case where $\psi$  
is a `2-symbol' potential, the Gibbs measure $\mu_\psi$ is none other  
than a Markov measure and the amalgamation $\pi$ defines a hidden  
Markov chain. In that special case, our theorem can be recast by  
saying that a hidden Markov chain is a Gibbs measure (for a H\"older  
potential).

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0528


9050. Poincar\'e inequality and exponential integrability of hitting  
times for linear diffusions
Author(s): D. Loukianova and O. Loukianov and Sh. Song

Abstract: Let $X$ be a regular linear continuous positively recurrent  
Markov process with state space $\R$, scale function $S$ and speed  
measure $m$. For $a\in \R$ denote B^+_a&=\sup_{x\geq a} \m(]x,+\infty[) 
(S(x)-S(a)) B^-_a&=\sup_{x\leq a} \m(]-\infty;x[)(S(a)-S(x)) We study  
some characteristic relations between $B^+_a$, $B^-_a$, the  
exponential moments of the hitting times $T_a$ of $X$, the Hardy and  
Poincar\'e inequalities for the Dirichlet form associated with $X$. As  
a corollary, we establish the equivalence between the existence of  
exponential moments of the hitting times and the spectral gap of the  
generator of $X$.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0762


9051. Boundary Harnack Inequality for alpha-harmonic functions on the  
Sierpi\'nski triangle
Author(s): Kamil Kaleta and Mateusz Kwa\'snicki

Abstract: We prove an uniform boundary Harnack inequality for  
nonnegative functions harmonic with respect to $\alpha$-stable process  
on the Sierpi{\'n}ski triangle, where $\alpha \in (0, 1)$. Our result  
requires no regularity assumptions on the domain of harmonicity.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0793


9052. Duality and Intertwining for discrete Markov kernels: a relation  
and examples
Author(s): Thierry Huillet (LPTM) and Servet Martinez

Abstract: We work out some relations between duality and intertwining  
in the context of discrete Markov chains, fixing up the background of  
previous relations first established for birth and death chains and  
their Siegmund duals. In view of the results, the monotone properties  
resulting from the Siegmund dual of birth and death chains are  
revisited in some detail, with emphasis on the non neutral Moran  
model. We also introduce an ultrametric type dual extending the  
Siegmund kernel. Finally we discuss the sharp dual, following closely  
the Diaconis-Fill study.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0840


9053. Diffusion approximation for the components in critical  
inhomogeneous random graphs of rank 1
Author(s): Tatyana S. Turova

Abstract: Consider the random graph on $n$ vertices $1, ..., n$. Each  
vertex $i$ is assigned a type $X_i$ with $X_1, ..., X_n$ being  
independent identically distributed as a nonnegative discrete random  
variable $X$. We assume that ${\bf E} X^3<\infty$. Given types of all  
vertices, an edge exists between vertices $i$ and $j$ independent of  
anything else and with probability $\min \{1, \frac{X_iX_j}{n}(1+\frac 
{a}{n^{1/3}}) \}$. We study the critical phase, which is known to take  
place when ${\bf E} X^2=1$. We prove that normalized by $n^{-2/3}$ the  
asymptotic joint distributions of component sizes of the graph equals  
the joint distribution of the excursions of a reflecting Brownian  
motion $B^a(s)$ with diffusion coefficient $\sqrt{{\bf E}X{\bf E}X^3}$  
and drift $a-\frac{1}{({\bf E}X)^2}s$. This shows that finiteness of $ 
{\bf E}X^3$ is the necessary condition for the diffusion limit. In  
particular, we conclude that the size of the largest connected  
component is of order $n^{2/3}$.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0897


9054. Differentiability of quadratic BSDE generated by continuous  
martingales and hedging in incomplete markets
Author(s): Peter Imkeller and Anthony Reveillac and Anja Richter

Abstract: In this paper we consider a class of BSDE with drivers of  
quadratic growth, on a stochastic basis generated by continuous local  
martingales. We first derive the Markov property of a forward-backward  
system (FBSDE) if the generating martingale is a strong Markov  
process. Then we establish the differentiability of a FBSDE with  
respect to the initial value of its forward component. This enables us  
to obtain the main result of this article which from the perspective  
of a utility optimization interpretation of the underlying control  
problem on a financial market takes the following form. The control  
process of the BSDE steers the system into a random liability  
depending on a market external uncertainty and this way describes the  
optimal derivative hedge of the liability by investment in a capital  
market the dynamics of which is described by the forward component.  
This delta hedge is described in a key formula in terms of a  
derivative functional of the solution process and the correlation  
structure of the internal uncertainty captured by the forward process  
and the external uncertainty responsible for the market  
incompleteness. The formula largely extends the scope of validity of  
the results obtained by several authors in the Brownian setting,  
designed to give a genuinely stochastic representation of the optimal  
delta hedge in the context of cross hedging insurance derivatives  
generalizing the derivative hedge in the Black-Scholes model. Of  
course, Malliavin's calculus needed in the Brownian setting is not  
available in the general local martingale framework. We replace it by  
new tools based on stochastic calculus techniques.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0941


9055. On the orthogonal component of BSDEs in a Markovian setting
Author(s): Anthony R\'eveillac

Abstract: In this Note we consider a quadratic backward stochastic  
differential equation (BSDE) driven by a continuous martingale $M$ and  
whose generator is a deterministic function. We prove (in Theorem \ref 
{theorem:main}) that if $M$ is a strong homogeneous Markov process and  
if the BSDE has the form \eqref{BSDE} then the unique solution $(Y,Z,N) 
$ of the BSDE is reduced to $(Y,Z)$, \textit{i.e.} the orthogonal  
martingale $N$ is equal to zero showing that in a Markovian setting  
the "usual" solution $(Y,Z)$ has not to be completed by a strongly  
orthogonal even if $M$ does not enjoy the martingale representation  
property.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1071


9056. A constructive approach to the Monge-Kantorovich problem for  
chains of infinite order
Author(s): Antonio Galves and Nancy L. Garcia and Clementine Prieur

Abstract: We propose a constructive approach to solve the Monge- 
Kantorovich problem for chains of infinite order on a finite alphabet  
with an additive cost function. From this constructive description of  
the Kantorovich coupling we obtain, for any $\epsilon > 0$, a perfect  
simulation algorithm for sampling from an $\epsilon$-approximating  
coupling which assigns to the cost function an expectation which is $ 
\epsilon$-close to the minimum cost. Our approach is based on a  
regenerative scheme which enable us to construct the Kantorovich  
coupling as a mixture of product measures.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1113


9057. Hsu-Robbins and Spitzer's theorems for the variations of  
fractional Brownian motion
Author(s): Ciprian Tudor (CES and Samos)

Abstract: Using recent results on the behavior of multiple Wiener-It 
\^o integrals based on Stein's method, we prove Hsu-Robbins and  
Spitzer's theorems for sequences of correlated random variables  
related to the increments of the fractional Brownian motion.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1116


9058. Convergence to L\'evy stable processes under strong mixing  
conditions
Author(s): Marta Tyran-Kaminska

Abstract: For a strictly stationary sequence of random vectors in $ 
\mathbb{R}^d$ we study convergence of partial sums processes to L\'evy  
stable process in the Skorohod space with $J_1$-topology. We identify  
necessary and sufficient conditions for such convergence and provide  
sufficient conditions when the stationary sequence is strongly mixing.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1185


9059. An application to credit risk of a hybrid Monte Carlo-Optimal  
quantization method
Author(s): Giorgia Callegaro and Abass Sagna (PMA)

Abstract: In this paper we use a hybrid Monte Carlo-Optimal  
quantization method to approximate the conditional survival  
probabilities of a firm, given a structural model for its credit  
defaul, under partial information. We consider the case when the  
firm's value is a non-observable stochastic process $(V_t)_{t \geq 0}$  
and inverstors in the market have access to a process $(S_t)_{t \geq  
0}$, whose value at each time t is related to $(V_s, s \leq t)$. We  
are interested in the computation of the conditional survival  
probabilities of the firm given the "investor information". As a  
application, we analyse the shape of the credit spread curve for zero  
coupon bonds in two examples.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0645


9060. Perimeter and Area of the Convex Hull of N Planar Brownian Motions
Author(s): Julien Randon-Furling and Satya N. Majumdar and Alain Comtet

Abstract: We compute exactly the mean perimeter and area of the convex  
hull of N independent planar Brownian paths each of duration T, both  
for open and closed paths. We show that the mean perimeter < L_N > =  
\alpha_N, \sqrt{T} and the mean area = \beta_N T for all T. The  
prefactors \alpha_N and \beta_N, computed exactly for all N, increase  
very slowly (logarithmically) with increasing N. This slow growth is a  
consequence of extreme value statistics and has interesting  
implication in ecological context in estimating the home range of a  
herd of animals with population size N.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.0921


9061. Distributed Random Access Algorithm: Scheduling and Congesion  
Control
Author(s): Libin Jiang and Devavrat Shah and Jinwoo Shin and Jean  
Walrand

Abstract: This paper provides proofs of the rate stability, Harris  
recurrence, and epsilon-optimality of CSMA algorithms where the  
backoff parameter of each node is based on its backlog. These  
algorithms require only local information and are easy to implement.  
The setup is a network of wireless nodes with a fixed conflict graph  
that identifies pairs of nodes whose simultaneous transmissions  
conflict. The paper studies two algorithms. The first algorithm  
schedules transmissions to keep up with given arrival rates of  
packets. The second algorithm controls the arrivals in addition to the  
scheduling and attempts to maximize the sum of the utilities of the  
flows of packets at the different nodes. For the first algorithm, the  
paper proves rate stability for strictly feasible arrival rates and  
also Harris recurrence of the queues. For the second algorithm, the  
paper proves the epsilon-optimality. Both algorithms operate with  
strictly local information in the case of decreasing step sizes, and  
operate with the additional information of the number of nodes in the  
network in the case of constant step size.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1266


9062. Dynkin's isomorphism theorem and the stochastic heat equation
Author(s): Nathalie Eisenbaum and Mohammud Foondun and Davar  
Khoshnevisan

Abstract: Consider the stochastic heat equation $\partial_t u = \sL u  
+ \dot{W}$, where $\sL$ is the generator of a [Borel right] Markov  
process in duality. We show that the solution is locally mutually  
absolutely continuous with respect to a smooth perturbation of the  
Gaussian process that is associated, via Dynkin's isomorphism theorem,  
to the local times of the replica-symmetric process that corresponds  
to $\sL$.In the case that $\sL$ is the generator of a L\'evy process  
on $\R^d$, our result gives a probabilistic explanation of the recent  
findings of Foondun et al.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1316


9063. On the discretization of backward doubly stochastic differential  
equations
Author(s): Omar Aboura (CES and Samos)

Abstract: In this paper, we are dealing with the approximation of the  
process (Y,Z) solution to the backward doubly stochastic differential  
equation with the forward process X . After proving the L2-regularity  
of Z, we use the Euler scheme to discretize X and the Zhang approach  
in order to give a discretization scheme of the process (Y,Z).

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1406


9064. Existence and uniqueness of solutions for Fokker-Planck  
equations on Hilbert spaces
Author(s): Vladimir Bogachev and Giuseppe Da Prato and Michael Roeckner

Abstract: We consider a stochastic differential equation in a Hilbert  
space with time-dependent coefficients for which no general existence  
and uniqueness results are known. We prove, under suitable  
assumptions, existence and uniqueness of a measure valued solution,  
for the corresponding Fokker--Planck equation. In particular, we  
verify the Chapman--Kolmogorov equations and get an evolution system  
of transition probabilities for the stochastic dynamics informally  
given by the stochastic differential equation.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1431


9065. Limit distributions for large P\'olya urns
Author(s): Brigitte Chauvin and Nicolas Pouyanne and R\'eda Sahnoun

Abstract: We consider a two colors P\'olya urn with balance $S$.  
Assume it is a \emph{large} urn \emph{i.e.} the second eigenvalue $m$  
of the replacement matrix satisfies $1/2

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1477


9066. Inhomogeneity and universality: off-critical behavior of  
interfaces
Author(s): Pierre Nolin

Abstract: We further study the interfaces arising in a situation of  
inhomogeneity. More precisely, we identify a characteristic length for  
the gradient percolation model, that enables us to tighten previous  
estimates established for it. This allows to construct non-trivial  
scaling limits: the limiting objects share some properties with  
critical percolation interfaces, but locally, they rather behave like  
off-critical percolation interfaces.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1495


9067. Les Probabilit\'es D\'efaillance comme Indicateurs de  
Performance des Barri\`eres Techniques de S\'ecurit\'e ? Approche  
Analytique
Author(s): Florent Brissaud (INERIS and UTT) and Brice Lanternier  
(INERIS)

Abstract: French environmental laws require industrialists to include  
probability criteria in risk assessments, especially to define  
confidence levels for risk management measures. This paper presents  
the failure probabilities as efficient indicators for technical safety  
barrier performances. Generic formulas are proposed to evaluate these  
probabilities, including failure rate, barrier architecture, full and  
partial proof tests. In many cases, these results can be directly used  
to assess safety barrier confidence levels.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1516


9068. A Remark on Zeros of Brownian Motion
Author(s): Weber Michel

Abstract: Let $ \{W(t), t\ge 0\}$ be a standard Brownian motion. If $I 
$ is a bounded interval on which $W $ has no zero, an almost sure  
lower bound to $\inf\{|W(t)|, t\in I\}$ can be provided, when $I$ is  
taken from a given countable family of intervals covering the positive  
half-line.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1572


9069. Symmetrization of L\'evy processes and applications
Author(s): Rodrigo Banuelos and Pedro J. Mendez-Hernandez

Abstract: It is shown that many of the classical generalized  
isoperimetric inequalities for the Laplacian when viewed in terms of  
Brownian motion extend to a wide class of Levy processes. The results  
are derived from the multiple integral inequalities of Brascamp, Lieb  
and Luttinger but the probabilistic structure of the processes plays a  
crucial role in the proofs.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1598


9070. Are fractional Brownian motions predictable?
Author(s): Adam Jakubowski

Abstract: We provide a device, called the local predictor, which  
extends the idea of the predictable compensator. It is shown that a  
fBm with the Hurst index greater than 1/2 coincides with its local  
predictor while fBm with the Hurst index smaller than 1/2 does not  
admit any local predictor. The local predictor of a martingale (in  
particular: Brownian motion) trivially exists and equals 0.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1618


9071. Random walks on discrete cylinders with large bases and random  
interlacements
Author(s): David Windisch

Abstract: Following the recent work of Sznitman (arXiv:0805.4516), we  
investigate the microscopic picture induced by a random walk  
trajectory on a cylinder of the form G_N x Z, where G_N is a large  
finite connected weighted graph, and relate it to the model of random  
interlacements on infinite transient weighted graphs. Under suitable  
assumptions, the set of points not visited by the random walk until a  
time of order |G_N|^2 in a neighborhood of a point with Z-component of  
order |G_N| converges in distribution to the law of the vacant set of  
a random interlacement on a certain limit model describing the  
structure of the graph in the neighborhood of the point. The level of  
the random interlacement depends on the local time of a Brownian  
motion. The result also describes the limit behavior of the joint  
distribution of the local pictures in the neighborhood of several  
distant points with possibly different limit models. As examples of  
G_N, we treat the d-dimensional box of side length N, the Sierpinski  
graph of depth N and the d-ary tree of depth N, where d >= 2.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1627


9072. Fluctuations of the nodal length of random spherical harmonics
Author(s): Igor Wigman

Abstract: Using the multiplicities of the Laplace eigenspace on the  
sphere (the space of spherical harmonics) we endow the space with  
Gaussian probability measure. This induces a notion of random Gaussian  
spherical harmonics of degree $n$ having Laplace eigenvalue $E=n(n 
+1)$. We study the length distribution of the nodal lines of random  
spherical harmonics. It is known that the expected length is of order  
$n$. It is natural to conjecture that the variance should be of order  
$n$, due to the natural scaling. Our principal result is that, due to  
an unexpected cancelation, the variance of the nodal length of random  
spherical harmonics is of order $\log{n}$. This behaviour is  
consistent to the one predicted by Berry for nodal lines on chaotic  
billiards (Random Wave Model). In addition we find that a similar  
result is applicable for "generic" linear statistics of the nodal lines.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1648


9073. Some almost sure results for unbounded functions of intermittent  
maps and their associated Markov chains
Author(s): Jerome Dedecker (LSTA) and Sebastien Gouezel (IRMAR) and  
Florence Merlevede (LAMA)

Abstract: We consider a large class of piecewise expanding maps T of  
[0,1] with a neutral fixed point, and their associated Markov chain  
Y_i whose transition kernel is the Perron-Frobenius operator of T with  
respect to the absolutely continuous invariant probability measure. We  
give a large class of unbounded functions f for which the partial sums  
of f\circ T^i satisfy both a central limit theorem and a bounded law  
of the iterated logarithm. For the same class, we prove that the  
partial sums of f(Y_i) satisfy a strong invariance principle. When the  
class is larger, so that the partial sums of f\circ T^i may belong to  
the domain of normal attraction of a stable law of index p\in (1, 2),  
we show that the almost sure rates of convergence in the strong law of  
large numbers are the same as in the corresponding i.i.d. case.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1403


9074. Almost sure invariance principle for dynamical systems by  
spectral methods
Author(s): Sebastien Gouezel (IRMAR)

Abstract: We prove the almost sure invariance principle for stationary  
R^d--valued processes (with dimension-independent very precise error  
terms), solely under a strong assumption on the characteristic  
functions of these processes. This assumption is easy to check for  
large classes of dynamical systems or Markov chains, using strong or  
weak spectral perturbation arguments.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1404


9075. Forest fires on $\Z_+$ with ignition only at 0
Author(s): Stanislav Volkov

Abstract: We consider a version of the forest fire model on graph $G$,  
where each vertex of a graph becomes occupied with rate one. A fixed  
vertex $v_0$ is hit by lightning with the same rate, and when this  
occurs, the whole cluster of occupied vertices containing $v_0$ is  
burnt out. We show that when $G=Z_{+}$, the times between consecutive  
burnouts at vertex $n$, divided by $\log n$, converge weakly as $n\to 
\infty$ to a random variable which distribution is $1-\rho(x)$ where $ 
\rho(x)$ is the Dickman function. We also show that on transitive  
graphs with a non-trivial site percolation threshold and one infinite  
cluster at most, the distributions of the time till the first burnout  
of {\it any} vertex have exponential tails. Finally, we give an  
elementary proof of an interesting limit: $\lim_{n\to\infty} \sum_{k=1} 
^n {n \choose k} (-1)^k \log k -\log\log n=\gamma$.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1821


9076. Queueing with neighbours
Author(s): Vadim Shcherbakov and Stanislav Volkov

Abstract: In this paper we study asymptotic behaviour of a growth  
process generated by a semi-deterministic variant of cooperative  
sequential adsorption model (CSA). This model can also be viewed as a  
particular queueing system with local interactions. We show that quite  
limited randomness of the model still generates a rich collection of  
possible limiting behaviours.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1826


9077. Estimates on the speedup and slowdown for a diffusion in a  
drifted brownian potential
Author(s): Gabriel Faraud

Abstract: We study a model of diffusion in a brownian potential. This  
model was firstly introduced by T. Brox (1986) as a continuous time  
analogue of random walk in random environment. We estimate the  
deviations of this process above or under its typical behavior. Our  
results rely on different tools such as a representation introduced by  
Y. Hu, Z. Shi and M. Yor, Kotani's lemma, introduced at first by K.  
Kawazu and H. Tanaka (1997), and a decomposition of hitting times  
developed in a recent article by A. Fribergh, N. Gantert and S. Popov  
(2008). Our results are in agreement with their results in the  
discrete case.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1864


9078. Hidden Markov processes in the context of symbolic dynamics
Author(s): Mike Boyle (University of Maryland) and Karl Petersen  
(University of North Carolina)

Abstract: In an effort to aid communication among different fields and  
perhaps facilitate progress on problems common to all of them, this  
article discusses hidden Markov processes from several viewpoints,  
especially that of symbolic dynamics, where they are known as sofic  
measures, or continuous shift-commuting images of Markov measures. It  
provides background, describes known tools and methods, surveys some  
of the literature, and proposes several open problems.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1858


9079. The triangle and the open triangle
Author(s): Gady Kozma

Abstract: We show that for percolation on any transitive graph, the  
triangle condition implies the open triangle condition.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1959


9080. Lp-solution of backward doubly stochastic differential equations
Author(s): Auguste Aman (LMAI)

Abstract: In this paper, our goal is solving backward doubly  
stochastic differential equation (BDSDE for short) under weak  
assumptions on the data. The first part of the paper is devoted to the  
development of some new technical aspects of stochastic calculus  
related to BDSDEs. Then we derive a priori estimates and prove  
existence and uniqueness of solutions, extending the results of  
Pardoux and Peng \cite{PP1} to the case where the solution is taked in  
$L^{p}, p>1$ and the monotonicity conditions are satisfied. This study  
is limited to deterministic terminal time.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.1983


9081. On the Optimal Amount of Experimentation in Sequential Decision  
Problems
Author(s): Dinah Rosenberg and Eilon Solan and Nicolas Vieille

Abstract: We provide a tight bound on the amount of experimentation  
under the optimal strategy in sequential decision problems. We show  
the applicability of the result by providing a bound on the cut-off in  
a one-arm bandit problem.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2002


9082. New rates for exponential approximation and the theorems of R 
\'enyi and Yaglom
Author(s): Erol Pek\"oz and Adrian R\"ollin

Abstract: We introduce two abstract theorems that reduce a variety of  
complex exponential distributional approximation problems to the  
construction of couplings. These are applied to obtain rates of  
convergence with respect to the Wasserstein and Kolmogorov metrics for  
the theorem of R\'enyi on random sums and generalizations of it,  
hitting times for Markov chains, and to obtain a new rate for the  
classical theorem of Yaglom on the exponential asymptotic behavior of  
a critical Galton-Watson process conditioned on non-extinction. The  
primary tools are an adaptation of Stein's method, Stein couplings, as  
well as the equilibrium distributional transformation from renewal  
theory.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2009


9083. L$^{p}$-solution of reflected generalized BSDEs with non- 
Lipschitz coefficients
Author(s): Auguste Aman (LMAI)

Abstract: In this paper, we continue in solving reflected generalized  
backward stochastic differential equations (RGBSDE for short) and  
fixed terminal time with use some new technical aspects of the  
stochastic calculus related to the reflected generalized BSDE. Here,  
existence and uniqueness of solution is proved under a non-Lipschitz  
condition on the coefficients.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2032


9084. Numerical scheme for backward doubly stochastic differential  
equations
Author(s): Auguste Aman (LMAI)

Abstract: We study a discrete-time approximation for solutions of  
systems of decoupled forward-backward doubly stochastic differential  
equations (FBDSDEs). Assuming that the coefficients are Lipschitz- 
continuous, we prove the convergence of the scheme when the step of  
time discretization, $|\pi|$ goes to zero. The rate of convergence is  
exactly equal to $|\pi|^{1/2}$. The proof is based on a generalization  
of a remarkable result on the $^{2}$-regularity of the solution of the  
backward equation derived by J. Zhang

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2035


9085. Homeomorphism of solutions to backward doubly SDEs and  
applications
Author(s): Auguste Aman (LMAI)

Abstract: In this paper we study the homeomorphic properties of the  
solutions to one dimensional backward doubly stochastic differential  
equations under suitable assumptions, where the terminal values depend  
on a real parameter. Then, we apply them to the solutions for a class  
of second order quasilinear parabolic stochastic partial differential  
equations.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2036


9086. Reflected generalized backward doubly SDEs driven by L\'evy  
processes and Applications
Author(s): Auguste Aman (LMAI)

Abstract: In this paper, a class of reflected generalized backward  
doubly stochastic differential equations (reflected GBDSDEs in short)  
driven by Teugels martingales associated with L\'{e}vy process and the  
integral with respect to an adapted continuous increasing process is  
investigated. We obtain the existence and uniqueness of solutions to  
these equations. A probabilistic interpretation for solutions to a  
class of reflected stochastic partial differential integral equations  
(PDIEs in short) with a nonlinear Neumann boundary condition is given.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2037


9087. Stochastic 2D hydrodynamical systems: Support theorem
Author(s): Igor Chueshov and Annie Millet (SAMOS and Ces and Pma)

Abstract: We deal with a class of abstract nonlinear stochastic models  
with multiplicative noise, which covers many 2D hydrodynamical models  
including the 2D Navier-Stokes equation, 2D MHD models and 2D magnetic  
B\'enard problems as well as some shell models of turbulence. Our main  
result describes the support of the distribution of solutions. Both  
inclusions are proved by means of a general result of convergence in  
probability for non linear stochastic PDEs driven by a Hilbert-valued  
Brownian motion and some adapted finite dimensional approximation of  
this process.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2100


9088. Perfect simulation for stochastic chains with unbounded variable  
length memory
Author(s): Alexsandro Gallo

Abstract: We present a new perfect simulation algorithm for stationary  
chains (indexed by $\mathbb{Z}$) having unbounded variable length  
memory. This is the class of infinite memory chains for which the  
family of transition probabilities is represented through the form of  
a \emph{probabilistic context tree}. Our condition is expressed in  
terms of the structure of the context tree. In particular, we do not  
assume the continuity of the family of transition probabilities. We  
give an explicit construction of the chain using a sequence of i.i.d.  
random variables uniformly distributed in $[0,1[$.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2150


9089. On the Domination of Random Walk on a Discrete Cylinder by  
Random Interlacements
Author(s): Alain-Sol Sznitman

Abstract: We consider simple random walk on a discrete cylinder with  
base a large d-dimensional torus of side-length N, when d is two or  
more. We develop a stochastic domination control on the local picture  
left by the random walk in boxes of side-length almost of order N, at  
certain random times comparable to the square of the number of sites  
in the base. We show a domination control in terms of the trace left  
in similar boxes by random interlacements in the infinite (d+1)- 
dimensional cubic lattice at a suitably adjusted level. As an  
application we derive a lower bound on the disconnection time of the  
discrete cylinder, which as a by-product shows the tightness of the  
laws of the ratio of the square of the number of sites in the base to  
the disconnection time. This fact had previously only been established  
when d is at least 17, in arXiv: math/0701414.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2184


9090. A Path Guessing Game with Wagering
Author(s): Marcus Pendergrass

Abstract: We consider a two-player game in which the first player (the  
Guesser) tries to guess, edge-by-edge, the path that second player  
(the Chooser) takes through a directed graph. At each step, the  
Guesser makes a wager as to the correctness of her guess, and receives  
a payoff proportional to her wager if she is correct. We derive  
optimal strategies for both players for various classes of graphs, and  
describe the Markov-chain dynamics of the game under optimal play.  
These results are applied to the infinite-duration Lying Oracle Game,  
in which the Guesser must use information provided by an unreliable  
Oracle to predict the outcome of a coin toss.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2196


9091. On the philosophy of Cram\'er-Rao-Bhattacharya Inequalities in  
Quantum Statistics
Author(s): K. R. Parthasarathy

Abstract: To any parametric family of states of a finite level quantum  
system we associate a space of Fisher maps and introduce the natural  
notions of Cram\'er-Rao-Bhattacharya tensor and Fisher information  
form. This leads us to an abstract Cram\'er-Rao-Bhattacharya lower  
bound for the covariance matrix of any finite number of unbiased  
estimators of parameteric functions. A number of illustrative examples  
is included. Modulo technical assumptions of various kinds our methods  
can be applied to infinite level quantum systems as well as parametric  
families of classical probability distributions on Borel spaces.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2210


9092. Optimal investment on finite horizon with random discrete order  
flow in illiquid markets
Author(s): Paul Gassiat (PMA) and Huyen Pham (PMA and CREST) and Mihai  
Sirbu

Abstract: We study the problem of optimal portfolio selection in an  
illiquid market with discrete order flow. In this market, bids and  
offers are not available at any time but trading occurs more  
frequently near a terminal horizon. The investor can observe and trade  
the risky asset only at exogenous random times corresponding to the  
order flow given by an inhomogenous Poisson process. By using a direct  
dynamic programming approach, we first derive and solve the fixed  
point dynamic programming equation satisfied by the value function,  
and then perform a verification argument which provides the existence  
and characterization of optimal trading strategies. We prove the  
convergence of the optimal performance, when the deterministic  
intensity of the order flow approaches infinity at any time, to the  
optimal expected utility for an investor trading continuously in a  
perfectly liquid market model with no-short sale constraints.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2203


9093. A Shape Theorem for Riemannian First-Passage Percolation
Author(s): Tom LaGatta and Jan Wehr

Abstract: Riemannian first-passage percolation (FPP) is a continuum  
analogue of standard FPP on the lattice, where the discrete passage  
times of standard FPP are replaced by a random Riemannian metric. We  
prove a shape theorem for this model--that balls in this metric grow  
linearly in time--and from this conclude that the metric is complete.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2228


9094. Heavy tail phenomenon and convergence to stable laws iterated  
Lipschitz maps
Author(s): Mariusz Mirek

Abstract: We consider the Markov chain $\{X_n^x\}_{n=0}^\infty$ on $ 
\R^d$ defined by the stochastic recursion $X_{n}^{x}=\p_{\theta_{n}}(X_ 
{n-1}^{x})$, starting at $x\in\R^d$, where $\theta_{1}, \theta_{2}, ... 
$ are i.i.d. random variables taking their values in a matric space $ 
(\Theta, d)$ and $\p_{\theta_{n}}:\R^d\mapsto\R^d$ are Lipschitz maps.  
Assume that the Markov chain has a unique stationary measure $\nu$.  
Under appropriate assumptions on $\p_{\theta_n}$ we will show that the  
measure $\nu$ has a heavy tail with the exponent $\alpha>0$ i.e. $\nu(\ 
{x\in\R^d: |x|>t\})\asymp t^{-\alpha}$. Using this result we show that  
properly normalized Birkhoff sums $S_n^x=\sum_{k=0}^n X_k^x$, converge  
in law to an $\alpha$--stable laws for $\alpha\in(0, 2]$.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2261


9095. Uniform Modulus of Continuity of Random Fields
Author(s): Yimin Xiao

Abstract: A sufficient condition for the uniform modulus of continuity  
of a random field $X = \{X(t), t \in \R^N\}$ is provided. The result  
is applicable to random fields with heavy-tailed distribution such as  
stable random fields.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2291


9096. Spectral Analysis of Multi-dimensional Self-similar Markov  
Processes
Author(s): N. Modarresi and S. Rezakhah

Abstract: In this paper we consider a wide sense discrete scale  
invariant process with scale $l>1$. We consider to have $T$ samples at  
each scale, and choose $\alpha$ by the equality $l=\alpha^T$. Our  
special scheme of sampling is to choose our samples at discrete points  
$\alpha^k, k\in W$. So we provide a discrete time wide sense scale  
invariant(DT-SI) process. We find the spectral representation of the  
covariance function of such DT-SI process. By providing harmonic like  
representation of multi-dimensional self-similar processes, spectral  
density function of them are presented. We also consider a discrete  
time scale invariance Markov(DT-SIM) process with the above scheme of  
sampling at points $\alpha^k, k\in {\bf W}$ and show that the spectral  
density matrix of DT-SIM process and its associated $T$-dimensional  
self-similar Markov process is fully specified by $\{R_{j}^H(1),R_{j}^H 
(0),j=0, 1, ..., T-1\}$ where $R_{j}^H(\tau)=\mathrm{Cov}\big(X(\alpha^ 
{j+\tau}),X(\alpha^j)\big)$

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2295


9097. Heat Kernel Upper Bounds on Long Range Percolation Clusters
Author(s): Nicholas Crawford and Allan Sly

Abstract: In this paper, we derive upper bounds for the heat kernel of  
the simple random walk on the infinite cluster of a supercritical long  
range percolation process. For any $d \geq 1$ and for any exponent $s  
\in (d, (d+2) \wedge 2d)$ giving the rate of decay of the percolation  
process, we show that the return probability decays like $t^{-\ffrac{d} 
{s-d}}$ up to logarithmic corrections, where $t$ denotes the time the  
walk is run. Moreover, our methods also yield generalized bounds on  
the spectral gap of the dynamics and on the diameter of the largest  
component in a box. Besides its intrinsic interest, the main result is  
needed for a companion paper studying the scaling limit of simple  
random walk on the infinite cluster.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2434


9098. A graph-based equilibrium problem for the limiting distribution  
of non-intersecting Brownian motions at low temperature
Author(s): Steven Delvaux and Arno B.J. Kuijlaars

Abstract: We consider n non-intersecting Brownian motion paths with p  
prescribed starting positions at time t=0 and q prescribed ending  
positions at time t=1. The positions of the paths at any intermediate  
time are a determinantal point process, which in the case p=1 is  
equivalent to the eigenvalue distribution of a random matrix from the  
Gaussian unitary ensemble with external source. For general p and q,  
we show that if a temperature parameter is sufficiently small, then  
the distribution of the Brownian paths is characterized in the large n  
limit by a vector equilibrium problem with an interaction matrix that  
is based on a bipartite planar graph. Our proof is based on a steepest  
descent analysis of an associated (p+q) by (p+q) matrix valued Riemann- 
Hilbert problem whose solution is built out of multiple orthogonal  
polynomials. A new feature of the steepest descent analysis is a  
systematic opening of a large number of global lenses.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2310


9099. 3-Connected Cores In Random Planar Graphs
Author(s): Nikolaos Fountoulakis and Konstantinos Panagiotou

Abstract: The study of the structural properties of large random  
planar graphs has become in recent years a field of intense research  
in computer science and discrete mathematics. Nowadays, a random  
planar graph is an important and challenging model for evaluating  
methods that are developed to study properties of random graphs from  
classes with structural side constraints. In this paper we focus on  
the structure of random biconnected planar graphs regarding the sizes  
of their 3-connected building blocks, which we call cores. In fact, we  
prove a general theorem regarding random biconnected graphs. If B_n is  
a graph drawn uniformly at random from a class B of labeled  
biconnected graphs, then we show that with probability 1-o(1) B_n  
belongs to exactly one of the following categories: (i) Either there  
is a unique giant core in B_n, that is, there is a 0 < c < 1 such that  
the largest core contains ~ cn vertices, and every other core contains  
at most n^a vertices, where 0 < a < 1; (ii) or all cores of B_n  
contain O(log n) vertices. Moreover, we find the critical condition  
that determines the category to which B_n belongs, and also provide  
sharp concentration results for the counts of cores of all sizes  
between 1 and n. As a corollary, we obtain that a random biconnected  
planar graph belongs to category (i), where in particular c = 0.765...  
and a = 2/3.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2326


9100. On divergence form SPDEs with growing coefficients in $W^{1}_ 
{2}$ spaces without weights
Author(s): N.V. Krylov

Abstract: We consider divergence form uniformly parabolic SPDEs with  
bounded and measurable leading coefficients and possibly growing lower- 
order coefficients in the deterministic part of the equations. We look  
for solutions which are summable to the second power with respect to  
the usual Lebesgue measure along with their first derivatives with  
respect to the spatial variable.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2467


9101. On the structure of Gaussian random variables
Author(s): Ciprian Tudor (CES and Samos)

Abstract: We study when a given Gaussian random variable on a given  
probability space $(\Omega, {\cal{F}}, P) $ is equal almost surely to $ 
\beta_{1}$ where $\beta $ is a Brownian motion defined on the same (or  
possibly extended) probability space. As a consequences of this  
result, we prove that the distribution of a random variable  
(satisfying in addition a certain property) in a finite sum of Wiener  
chaoses cannot be normal. This result also allows to understand better  
some characterization of the Gaussian variables obtained via Malliavin  
calculus.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2501


9102. Weak convergence for the stochastic heat equation driven by  
Gaussian white noise
Author(s): Xavier Bardina and Maria Jolis and Lluis Quer-Sardanyons

Abstract: In this paper, we consider a quasi-linear stochastic heat  
equation on $[0,1]$, with Dirichlet boundary conditions and controlled  
by the space-time white noise. We formally replace the random  
perturbation by a family of noisy inputs depending on a parameter $n 
\in \mathbb{N}$ such that approximate the white noise in some sense.  
Then, we provide sufficient conditions ensuring that the real-valued  
{\it mild} solution of the SPDE perturbed by this family of noises  
converges in law, in the space $\mathcal{C}([0,T]\times [0,1])$ of  
continuous functions, to the solution of the white noise driven SPDE.  
Making use of a suitable continuous functional of the stochastic  
convolution term, we show that it suffices to tackle the linear  
problem. For this, we prove that the corresponding family of laws is  
tight and we identify the limit law by showing the convergence of the  
finite dimensional distributions. We have also considered two  
particular families of noises to that our result applies. The first  
one involves a Poisson process in the plane and has been motivated by  
a one-dimensional result of Stroock, which states that the family of  
processes $n \int_0^t (-1)^{N(n^2 s)} ds$, where $N$ is a standard  
Poisson process, converges in law to a Brownian motion. The second one  
is constructed in terms of the kernels associated to the extension of  
Donsker's theorem to the plane.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2508


9103. The diversity of a distributed genome in bacterial populations
Author(s): F. Baumdicker and W. R. Hess and P. Pfaffelhuber

Abstract: The distributed genome hypothesis states that the set of  
genes in a population of bacteria is distributed over all individuals  
that belong to the specific taxon. It implies that certain genes can  
be gained and lost from generation to generation. We use the random  
genealogy given by a Kingman coalescent in order to superimpose events  
of gene gain and loss along ancestral lines. Gene gains occur at  
constant rate along ancestral lines. We assume that gained genes have  
never been present in the population before. Gene losses occur at a  
rate proportional to the number of genes present along the ancestral  
line. In this "infinitely many genes model" we derive moments for  
several statistics within a sample: the average number of genes per  
individual, the average number of genes differing between individuals,  
the number of incongruent pairs of genes, the total number of  
different genes in the sample and the gene frequency spectrum. We  
demonstrate that the model gives a reasonable fit with gene frequency  
data from marine cyanobacteria.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2572


9104. Extremal solutions for stochastic equations indexed by negative  
integers and taking values in compact groups
Author(s): Takao Hirayama and Kouji Yano

Abstract: Stochastic equations indexed by negative integers and taking  
values in compact groups are studied. Extremal solutions of the  
equations are characterized in terms of infinite products of  
independent random variables. This result is applied to characterize  
several properties of the set of all solutions in terms of the law of  
the driving noise.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2587


9105. On a zero-one law for the norm process of transient random walk
Author(s): Ayako Matsumoto and Kouji Yano

Abstract: A zero-one law of Engelbert--Schmidt type is proven for the  
norm process of a transient random walk. An invariance principle for  
random walk local times and a limit version of Jeulin's lemma play key  
roles.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2588


9106. Local limit of packable graphs
Author(s): Itai Benjamini and Nicolas Curien

Abstract: We adapt some of the planar results into higher dimensions.  
In particular, it is shown that every unbiased local limit of graphs  
sphere packed in R^d is d-parabolic (under some additional boundedness  
assumptions). We then extend parts of the circle packing theory into  
higher dimensions and derive few geometric corollaries. E.g. every  
infinite graph ``well'' packed in R^d has either strictly positive  
isoperimetric (Cheeger) constant or admits arbitrarily large finite  
sets W with boundary size which satisfies |\partial W| < |W|^{(d-1)/d  
+ o(1)}, were "well" is a local bounded geometry assumption. Some open  
problems and conjectures are gathered at the end.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2609


9107. A CLT for the third integrated moment of Brownian local time  
increments
Author(s): Jay Rosen

Abstract: Let $\{L^{x}_{t} ; (x,t)\in R^{1}\times R^{1}_{+}\}$ denote  
the local time of Brownian motion. Our main result is to show that for  
each fixed $t$ $${\int (L^{x+h}_t- L^x_t)^3 dx-12h\int (L^{x+h}_t -  
L^x_t)L^x_t dx\over h^2} \stackrel{\mathcal{L}}{\Longrightarrow}\sqrt 
{192}(\int (L^x_t)^3dx)^{1/2}\eta$$ as $h\to 0$, where $\eta$ is a  
normal random variable with mean zero and variance one that is  
independent of $L^{x}_{t}$. This generalizes our previous result for  
the second moment. We also explain why our approach will not work for  
higher moments

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2693


9108. Stochastic Taylor expansions and heat kernel asymptotics
Author(s): Fabrice Baudoin

Abstract: These notes focus on the applications of the stochastic  
Taylor expansion of solutions of stochastic differential equations to  
the study of heat kernels in small times. As an illustration of these  
methods we provide a new heat kernel proof of the Chern-Gauss-Bonnet  
theorem.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2711


9109. Explicit solutions of G-heat equation with a class of initial  
conditions by G-Brownian motion
Author(s): Mingshang Hu

Abstract: We obtain the viscosity solution of G-heat equation with the  
initial condition $\phi(x)=x^{n}$ for each integer $n\geq1$ using the  
method of G-Brownian motion.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2748


9110. Generalized backward doubly stochastic differential equations  
driven by L\'evy processes with non-Lipschitz coefficients
Author(s): Auguste Aman (LMAI) and Jean Marc Owo (LMAI)

Abstract: We prove an existence and uniqueness result for generalized  
backward doubly stochastic differential equations driven by L\'evy  
processes with non-Lipschitz assumptions.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2785


9111. Sharpness of the percolation transition in the two-dimensional  
contact process
Author(s): Jacob van den Berg

Abstract: For ordinary (independent) percolation on a large class of  
lattices it is well-known that below the critical percolation  
parameter the cluster size distribution has exponential decay, and  
that power-law behaviour of this distribution can only occur at the  
critical value. This behaviour is often called `sharpness of the  
percolation transition'. For theoretical reasons as well as motivated  
by applied research, there is an increasing interest in percolation  
models with (weak) dependencies. For instance, biologists and  
agricultural researchers have used (stationary distributions of)  
certain two-dimensional contact-like processes to model vegetation  
patterns in an arid landscape. In that context, occupied clusters are  
interpreted as patches of vegetation. For some of these models it has  
been reported in the literature that computer simulations indicate  
power-law behaviour in some interval of positive length of a model  
parameter. This would mean that in these models the percolation  
transition is not sharp. This motivated us to investigate similar  
questions for the ordinary ('basic') two-dimensional contact process  
with parameter the infection rate. We show, using techniques from  
papers on Voronoi and Johnson-Mehl tessellations by Bollob\'as and  
Riordan, that for the upper invariant measure of the contact process  
the percolation transition is sharp.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2843


9112. Conditional limit theorems for ordered random walks
Author(s): D. Denisov and V. Wachtel

Abstract: In a recent paper of Eichelsbacher and Koenig (2008) the  
model of ordered random walks has been considered. There it has been  
shown that, under certain moment conditions, one can construct a k- 
dimensional random walk conditioned to stay in a strict order at all  
times. Moreover, they have shown that the rescaled random walk  
converges to the Dyson Brownian motion. In the present paper we find  
the optimal moment assumptions for the construction of the conditional  
random walk and generalise the limit theorem for this conditional  
process.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2854


9113. On Sojourn Times in the Finite Capacity $M/M/1$ Queue with  
Processor Sharing
Author(s): Qiang Zhen and Charles Knessl

Abstract: We consider a processor shared $M/M/1$ queue that can  
accommodate at most a finite number $K$ of customers. We give an exact  
expression for the sojourn time distribution in the finite capacity  
model, in terms of a Laplace transform. We then give the tail  
behavior, for the limit $K\to\infty$, by locating the dominant  
singularity of the Laplace transform.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2908


9114. Correlation and Brascamp-Lieb inequalities for Markov semigroups
Author(s): F. Barthe and D. Cordero-Erausquin and M. Ledoux and B.  
Maurey

Abstract: This paper builds upon several recent works, where semigroup  
proofs of Brascamp-Lieb inequalities are provided in various settings  
(Euclidean space, spheres and symmetric groups). Our aim is twofold.  
Firstly, we provide a general, unifying, framework based on Markov  
generators, in order to cover a variety of examples of interest going  
beyond previous investigations. Secondly, we put forward the  
combinatorial reasons for which unexpected exponents occur in these  
inequalities.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2858


9115. The geometry of Euclidean convolution inequalities and entropy
Author(s): Dario Cordero-Erausquin and Michel Ledoux

Abstract: The goal of this note is to show that some convolution type  
inequalities from Harmonic Analysis and Information Theory, such as  
Young's convolution inequality (with sharp constant), Nelson's  
hypercontractivity of the Hermite semi-group or Shannon's inequality,  
can be reduced to a simple geometric study of frames of $\R^2$. We  
shall derive directly entropic inequalities, which were recently  
proved to be dual to the Brascamp-Lieb convolution type inequalities.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2861


9116. Asymptotic Expansions for the Conditional Sojourn Time  
Distribution in the $M/M/1$-PS Queue
Author(s): Qiang Zhen and Charles Knessl

Abstract: We consider the $M/M/1$ queue with processor sharing. We  
study the conditional sojourn time distribution, conditioned on the  
customer's service requirement, in various asymptotic limits. These  
include large time and/or large service request, and heavy traffic,  
where the arrival rate is only slightly less than the service rate.  
The asymptotic formulas relate to, and extend, some results of  
Morrison \cite{MO} and Flatto \cite{FL}.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2910


9117. Weak approximation of fractional SDES: The Donsker setting
Author(s): Xavier Bardina and Samy Tindel and Carles Rovira

Abstract: In this note, we take up the study of weak convergence for  
stochastic differential equations driven by a (Liouville) fractional  
Brownian motion $B$ with Hurst parameter $H\in(1/3,1/2)$. In the  
current paper, we approximate the $d$-dimensional fBm by the  
convolution of a rescaled random walk with Liouville's kernel. We then  
show that the corresponding differential equation converges in law to  
a fractional SDE driven by $B$.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3030


9118. Bootstrap percolation in high dimensions
Author(s): Jozsef Balogh and Bela Bollobas and Robert Morris

Abstract: In r-neighbour bootstrap percolation on a graph G, a set of  
initially infected vertices A \subset V(G) is chosen independently at  
random, with density p, and new vertices are subsequently infected if  
they have at least r infected neighbours. The set A is said to  
percolate if eventually all vertices are infected. Our aim is to  
understand this process on the grid, [n]^d, for arbitrary functions n  
= n(t), d = d(t) and r = r(t), as t -> infinity. The main question is  
to determine the critical probability p_c([n]^d,r) at which  
percolation becomes likely, and to give bounds on the size of the  
critical window. In this paper we study this problem when r = 2, for  
all functions n and d satisfying d \gg log n. The bootstrap process  
has been extensively studied on [n]^d when d is a fixed constant and 2  
\le r \le d, and in these cases p_c([n]^d,r) has recently been  
determined up to a factor of 1 + o(1) as n -> infinity. At the other  
end of the scale, Balogh and Bollobas determined p_c([2]^d,2) up to a  
constant factor, and Balogh, Bollobas and Morris determined p_c([n] 
^d,d) asymptotically if d > (log log n)^{2+\eps}, and gave much  
sharper bounds for the hypercube. Here we prove the following result:  
let x be the smallest positive root of the equation \sum_{k=0}^\infty  
(-1)^k x^k / (2^{k^2-k} k!) = 0, so x \approx 1.166. Then (16x/d^2 +  
(log d)/d^{5/2) 2^{-2\sqrt{d}} < p_c([2]^d,2) < (16x/d^2 + 5(log d)^2/ 
d^{5/2}) 2^{-2\sqrt{d}} if d is sufficiently large, and moreover we  
determine a sharp threshold for the critical probability p_c([n]^d,2)  
for every function n = n(d) with d \gg log n.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3097


9119. The Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution is not the Equilibrium on a  
Hyperboloid
Author(s): S. G. Rajeev

Abstract: We give a geometric formulation of the Fokker-Planck-Kramer  
equations for a particle moving on a Lie algebra under the influence  
of a dissipative and a random force. Special cases of interest are  
fluid mechanics, the Stochastic Loewner Equation and the rigid body.  
We find that the Boltzmann distribution, although a static solution,  
is not normalizable when the algebra is not unimodular. This is  
because the invariant measure of integration in momentum space is not  
the standard one. We solve the special case of the upper half-plane  
(hyperboloid) explicitly: there is another equilibrium solution to the  
Fokker-Planck equation, which is integrable. It breaks rotation  
invariance; moreover, the most likely value for velocity is not zero.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2401


9120. From a dichotomy for images to Haagerup's inequality
Author(s): Iosif Pinelis

Abstract: Let X be a compact topological space, and let D be a subset  
of X. Let Y be a Hausdorff topological space. Let f be a continuous  
map of the closure of D to Y such that f(D) is open. Let E be any  
connected subset of the complement (to Y) of the boundary of D. Then f 
(D) either contains E or is contained in the complement of E.  
Applications of this dichotomy principle are given, in particular for  
holomorphic maps, including maximum and minimum modulus principles, an  
inverse boundary correspondence, and a proof of Haagerup's inequality  
for the absolute power moments of linear combinations of independent  
Rademacher random variables.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.2960


9121. Large deviations for flows of interacting Brownian motions
Author(s): A.A.Dorogovtsev and O.V.Ostapenko

Abstract: We establish the large deviation principle (LDP) for  
stochastic flows of interacting Brownian motions. In particular, we  
consider smoothly correlated flows, coalescing flows and Brownian  
motion stopped at a hitting moment.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3207


9122. Scaling limits of random planar maps with large faces
Author(s): Jean-Fran\c{c}ois Le Gall (LM-Orsay) and Gr\'egory Miermont  
(DMA)

Abstract: We discuss asymptotics for large random planar maps under  
the assumption that the distribution of the degree of a typical face  
is in the domain of attraction of a stable distribution with index $ 
\alpha\in(1,2)$. When the number $n$ of vertices of the map tends to  
infinity, the asymptotic behavior of distances from a distinguished  
vertex is described by a random process called the continuous distance  
process, which can be constructed from a centered stable process with  
no negative jumps and index $\alpha$. In particular, the profile of  
distances in the map, rescaled by the factor $n^{?1/2\alpha}$,  
converges to a random measure defined in terms of the distance  
process. With the same rescaling of distances, the vertex set viewed  
as a metric space converges in distribution as $n\to\infty$, at least  
along suitable subsequences, towards a limiting random compact metric  
space whose Hausdorff dimension is equal to $2\alpha$.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3262


9123. q-Exchangeability via quasi-invariance
Author(s): Alexander Gnedin and Grigori Olshanski

Abstract: For positive q, the q-exchangeability is introduced as quasi- 
invariance under permutations, with a special cocycle. This allows us  
to extend the q-analogue of de Finetti's theorem for binary sequences  
(arXiv:0905.0367) to the general real-valued sequences. In contrast to  
the classical case with q=1, the order on the reals plays for the q- 
analogues a significant role. An explicit construction of ergodic q- 
exchangeable measures involves a random shuffling of the set N= 
{1,2,..} by iteration of the geometric choice. For q distinct from 1,  
the shuffling yields a probability measure Q that is supported by the  
group of bijections of N, and has the property of quasi-invariance  
under both left and right multiplications by finite permutations. We  
establish connections of the q-exchangeability to certain transient  
Markov chains on the q-Pascal pyramids and to invariant random flags  
over the Galois fields.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3275


9124. High level excursion set geometry for non-Gaussian infinitely  
divisible random fields
Author(s): Robert J Adler and Gennady Samorodnitsky and Jonathan E  
Taylor

Abstract: We consider smooth, infinitely divisible random fields $X 
(t), t\in M)$, $M\subset \real^d$, with regularly varying L\'evy  
measure, and are interested in the geometric characteristics of the  
excursion sets \begin{eqnarray*} A_u = \{t\in M: X(t) >u\} \end 
{eqnarray*} over high levels $u$. For a large class of such random  
fields we compute the $u\to\infty$ asymptotic joint distribution of  
the numbers of critical points, of various types, of $X$ in $A_u$,  
conditional on $A_u$ being non-empty. This allows us, for example, to  
obtain the asymptotic conditional distribution of the Euler  
characteristic of the excursion set. In a significant departure from  
the Gaussian situation, the high level excursion sets for these random  
fields can have quite a complicated geometry. Whereas in the Gaussian  
case non-empty excursion sets are, with high probability, roughly  
ellipsoidal, in the more general infinitely divisible setting almost  
any shape is possible.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3359


9125. Disorder chaos and multiple valleys in spin glasses
Author(s): Sourav Chatterjee

Abstract: We prove that the Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model of spin  
glasses is chaotic under small perturbations of the couplings at any  
temperature in the absence of an external field. The result is proved  
for two kinds of perturbations: (a) distorting the couplings via  
Ornstein-Uhlenbeck flows, and (b) replacing a small fraction of the  
couplings by independent copies. We further prove that the S-K model  
exhibits multiple valleys in its energy landscape, i.e. there are many  
states with near-minimal energy that are mutually nearly orthogonal.  
We show that the variance of the free energy of the S-K model is  
unusually small at any temperature. (By `unusually small' we mean that  
it is much smaller than the number of sites; in other words, it beats  
the classical Gaussian concentration inequality, a phenomenon that we  
call `superconcentration'.) We prove that the bond overlap in the  
Edwards-Anderson model of spin glasses is not chaotic under  
perturbations of the couplings, even large perturbations. Lastly, we  
obtain sharp lower bounds on the variance of the free energy in the E- 
A model on any bounded degree graph, generalizing a result of Wehr and  
Aizenman and establishing the absence of superconcentration in this  
class of models. Our techniques apply for the p-spin models and the  
Random Field Ising Model as well, although we do not work out the  
details in these cases.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3381


9126. Spin Needlets Spectral Estimation
Author(s): Daryl Geller and Xiaohong Lan and Domenico Marinucci

Abstract: We consider the statistical analysis of random sections of a  
spin fibre bundle over the sphere. These may be thought of as random  
fields that at each point p in $S^2$ take as a value a curve (e.g. an  
ellipse) living in the tangent plane at that point $T_{p}S^2$, rather  
than a number as in ordinary situations. The analysis of such fields  
is strongly motivated by applications, for instance polarization  
experiments in Cosmology. To investigate such fields, spin needlets  
were recently introduced by Geller and Marinucci (2008) and Geller et  
al. (2008). We consider the use of spin needlets for spin angular  
power spectrum estimation, in the presence of noise and missing  
observations, and we provide Central Limit Theorem results, in the  
high frequency sense; we discuss also tests for bias and asymmetries  
with an asymptotic justification.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3369


9127. A bijection theorem for domino tiling with diagonal impurities
Author(s): Fumihiko Nakano and Taizo Sadahiro

Abstract: We consider the dimer problem on a non-bipartite graph $G$,  
where there are two types of dimers one of which we regard impurities.  
Results of simulations using Markov chain seem to indicate that  
impurities are tend to distribute on the boundary, which we set as a  
conjecture. We first show that there is a bijection between the set of  
dimer coverings on $G$ and the set of spanning forests on two graphs  
which are made from $G$, with configuration of impurities satisfying a  
pairing condition. This bijection can be regarded as a extension of  
the Temperley bijection. We consider local move consisting of two  
operations, and by using the bijection mentioned above, we prove local  
move connectedness. We further obtained some bound of the number of  
dimer coverings and the probability finding an impurity at given edge,  
by extending the argument in our previous result.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3252


9128. Optimal Execution Problem with Market Impact
Author(s): Takashi Kato

Abstract: We study the optimal execution problem in the market model  
in consideration of market impact. First we study the discrete-time  
model and describe the value function with respect to the trader's  
optimization problem. Then, by shortening the intervals of execution  
times, we derive the value function of the continuous-time model and  
study some properties of them (continuity, semi-group property and the  
characterization as the viscosity solution of HJB.) We show that the  
properties of the continuous-time value function vary by the strength  
of market impact. Moreover we introduce some examples of this model,  
which tell us that the forms of the optimal execution strategies  
entirely change according to the amount of the security holding.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3282


9129. De Finetti theorems for easy quantum groups
Author(s): Teodor Banica and Stephen Curran and Roland Speicher

Abstract: We study sequences of noncommutative random variables which  
are invariant under ``quantum transformations'' coming from an  
orthogonal quantum group satisfying the ``easiness'' condition  
axiomatized in our previous paper. For 10 easy quantum groups, we  
obtain de Finetti type theorems characterizing the joint distribution  
of any infinite, quantum invariant sequence. In particular, we give a  
new and unified proof of the classical results of de Finetti and  
Freedman for the easy groups S_n, O_n, which is based on the  
combinatorial theory of cumulants. We also recover the free de Finetti  
theorem of K\"ostler and Speicher, and the characterization of  
operator-valued free semicircular families due to Curran. We consider  
also finite sequences, and prove an approximation result in the spirit  
of Diaconis and Freedman.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3314


9130. SRB Measures For Certain Markov Processes
Author(s): Wael Bahsoun and Pawel Gora

Abstract: We study Markov processes generated by iterated function  
systems (IFS). The constituent maps of the IFS are monotonic  
transformations of the interval with common fixed points at 0 and 1.  
We first obtain an upper bound on the number of SRB (Sinai-Ruelle- 
Bowen) measures for the IFS. Then theorems are given to analyze  
properties of the ergodic invariant measures $\delta_0$ and $ 
\delta_1$. In particular, sufficient conditions for $\delta_0$ and/or $ 
\delta_1$ to be SRB measures are given. We apply our results to asset  
market games.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3372


9131. Optimal Execution Problem with Market Impact
Author(s): Takashi Kato

Abstract: We study the optimal execution problem in the market model  
in consideration of market impact. First we study the discrete-time  
model and describe the value function with respect to the trader's  
optimization problem. Then, by shortening the intervals of execution  
times, we derive the value function of the continuous-time model and  
study some properties of them (continuity, semi-group property and the  
characterization as the viscosity solution of HJB.) We show that the  
properties of the continuous-time value function vary by the strength  
of market impact. Moreover we introduce some examples of this model,  
which tell us that the forms of the optimal execution strategies  
entirely change according to the amount of the security holding.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3282


9132. Fractional Normal Inverse Gaussian Process
Author(s): Arun Kumar and P. Vellaisamy

Abstract: Normal inverse Gaussian (NIG) process was introduced by  
Barndorff-Nielsen (1997) by subordinating Brownian motion with drift  
to an inverse Gaussian process. Increments of NIG process are  
independent and stationary. In this paper, we introduce dependence  
between the increments of NIG process, by subordinating fractional  
Brownian motion to an inverse Gaussian process and call it fractional  
normal inverse Gaussian (FNIG) process. The basic properties of this  
process are discussed. Its marginal distributions are scale mixtures  
of normal laws, infinitely divisible for the Hurst parameter 1/2<=H< 1  
and are heavy tailed. First order increments of the process are  
stationary and possess long-range dependence (LRD) property. It is  
shown that they have persistence of signs LRD property also. A  
generalization of the FNIG process called n-FNIG process is also  
discussed which allows Hurst parameter H in the interval (n-1, n).  
Possible applications to mathematical finance and hydraulics are also  
pointed out

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3637


9133. Flow of diffeomorphisms for SDEs with unbounded H\"older  
continuous drift
Author(s): F. Flandoli and M. Gubinelli and E. Priola

Abstract: We consider a SDE with a smooth multiplicative non- 
degenerate noise and a possibly unbounded Holder continuous drift  
term. We prove existence of a global flow of diffeomorphisms by means  
of a special transformation of the drift of Ito-Tanaka type. The proof  
requires non-standard elliptic estimates in Holder spaces. As an  
application of the stochastic flow, we obtain a Bismut-Elworthy-Li  
type formula for the first derivatives of the associated diffusion  
semigroup.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3668


9134. Systems of one-dimensional random walks in a common random  
environment
Author(s): Jonathon Peterson

Abstract: We consider a system of independent one-dimensional random  
walks in a common random environment under the condition that the  
random walks are transient with positive speed $v_P$. We give upper  
bounds on the quenched probability that at least one of the random  
walks started in the interval $[An, Bn]$ has traveled a distance of  
less than $(v_P - \epsilon)n$. This leads to both a uniform law of  
large numbers and a hydrodynamic limit. We also identify a family of  
distributions on the configuration of particles (parameterized by  
particle density) which are stationary under the (quenched) dynamics  
of the random walks and show that these are the limiting distributions  
for the system when started from a certain natural collection of  
distributions.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3680


9135. A Spectral Analysis of the Sequence of Firing Phases in  
Stochastic Integrate-and-Fire Oscillators
Author(s): Peter Baxendale and John Mayberry

Abstract: Integrate and fire oscillators are widely used to model the  
generation of action potentials in neurons. In this paper, we discuss  
small noise asymptotic results for a class of stochastic integrate and  
fire oscillators (SIFs) in which the buildup of membrane potential in  
the neuron is governed by a Gaussian diffusion process. To analyze  
this model, we study the asymptotic behavior of the spectrum of the  
firing phase transition operator. We begin by proving strong versions  
of a law of large numbers and central limit theorem for the first  
passage-time of the underlying diffusion process across a general time  
dependent boundary. Using these results, we obtain asymptotic  
approximations of the transition operator's eigenvalues. We also  
discuss connections between our results and earlier numerical  
investigations of SIFs.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3700


9136. Evolution in predator-prey systems
Author(s): Rick Durrett and John Mayberry

Abstract: We study the adaptive dynamics of predator prey systems  
modeled by a dynamical system in which the characteristics are allowed  
to evolve by small mutations. When only the prey are allowed to  
evolve, and the size of the mutational change tends to 0, the system  
does not exhibit long term prey coexistence and the parameters of the  
resident prey type converges to the solution of an ODE. When only the  
predators are allowed to evolve, coexistence of predators occurs. In  
this case, depending on the parameters being varied we see (i) the  
number of coexisting predators remains tight and the differences of  
the parameters from a reference species converge in distribution to a  
limit, or (ii) the number of coexisting predators tends to infinity,  
and we conjecture that the differences converge to a deterministic  
limit.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3702


9137. High Moments of Large Wigner Random MAtrices and Asymptotic  
Properties of the Spectral Norm
Author(s): O. Khorunzhiy

Abstract: We further modify the method proposed by Ya. Sinai and A.  
Soshnikov and developed by A. Ruzmaikina to study the high moments of  
large Wigner random matrices. Our result concern the asymptotic  
estimates of the high moments of n-dimensional real symmetric random  
matrices whose elements have symmetric distribution such that the  
12+delta-th moment exists.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3743


9138. On the One Dimensional Critical "Learning from Neighbours" Model
Author(s): Antar Bandyopadhyay and Rahul Roy and Anish Sarkar

Abstract: We consider a model of a discrete time "interacting particle  
system" on the integer line where infinitely many changes are allowed  
at each instance of time. We describe the model using chameleons of  
two different colours, {\it viz}., red ($R$) and blue ($B$). At each  
instance of time each chameleon performs an independent but identical  
coin toss experiment with probability $\alpha$ to decide whether to  
change its colour or not. If the coin lands head then the creature  
retains its colour (this is to be interpreted as a "success"),  
otherwise it observes the colours and coin tosses of its two nearest  
neighbours and changes its colour only if, among its neighbors and  
including itself, the proportion of successes of the other colour is  
larger than the proportion of successes of its own colour. This  
produces a Markov chain with infinite state space ${R, B}^{\Zbold}$.  
This model was first studied by Chatterjee and Xu (2004) where  
different colours had different success probabilities. In this work we  
consider the "critical" case where the success probability, $\alpha$,  
is the same irrespective of the colour of the chameleon. We show that  
starting from any initial translation invariant distribution of  
colours the Markov chain converges to a limit of a single colour,  
i.e., even at the critical case there is no "coexistence" of the two  
colours at the limit. Moreover we show that starting with an i.i.d.  
colour distribution the limiting distribution gives some advantage to  
the "underdog".

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3828


9139. On Hele-Shaw problems arising as scaling limits
Author(s): Pavel Etingof

Abstract: We discuss conjectural scaling limits of discrete 2- 
dimensional aggregation models conditioned on a semi-axis considered  
by Levine and Peres in arXiv:0712.3378. These are certain problems  
about Hele-Show flows. We study moment properties of their solutions,  
and solve some of them using conformal mappings. In particular, we  
predict the exact formula for the computer-generated shape on the left  
side of Fig. 4 in arXiv:0712.3378.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3856


9140. Wright-Fisher Diffusion in One Dimension
Author(s): Charles L. Epstein and Rafe Mazzeo

Abstract: We analyze the diffusion processes associated to equations  
of Wright-Fisher type in one spatial dimension. These are defined by a  
degenerate second order operator on the interval [0, 1], where the  
coefficient of the second order term vanishes simply at the endpoints,  
and the first order term is an inward-pointing vector field. We  
consider various aspects of this problem, motivated by applications in  
population genetics, including a sharp regularity theory for the zero  
flux boundary conditions, as well as a derivation of the precise  
asymptotics for solutions of this equation, both as t goes to 0 and  
infinity, and as x goes to 0, 1.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.3881


9141. Hard Core entropy: lower bounds
Author(s): Kari Eloranta

Abstract: We establish lower bounds for the entropy of the Hard Core  
Model on a few 2d lattices $\scriptstyle {\rm {\bf L}}.$ In this model  
the allowed configurations inside $\scriptstyle \{0,1\}^{{\rm {\bf L}}} 
$ are the one's in which the nearest neighbor $\scriptstyle 1$'s are  
forbidden. Our method which is based on a sequential fill-in scheme is  
unbiassed and thereby yields in principle arbitrarily good estimates  
for the topological entropy. The procedure also gives some detailed  
information on the support of the measure of maximal entropy.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4035


9142. Binomial Approximations for Barrier Options of Israeli Style
Author(s): Yan Dolinsky and Yuri Kifer

Abstract: We show that prices and shortfall risks of game (Israeli)  
barrier options in a sequence of binomial approximations of the Black-- 
Scholes (BS) market converge to the corresponding quantities for  
similar game barrier options in the BS market with path dependent  
payoffs and the speed of convergence is estimated, as well. The  
results are new also for usual American style options and they are  
interesting from the computational point of view, as well, since in  
binomial markets these quantities can be obtained via dynamical  
programming algorithms. The paper continues the study of [11]and [7]  
but requires substantial additional arguments in view of pecularities  
of barrier options which, in particular, destroy the regularity of  
payoffs needed in the above papers.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4136


9143. An Introduction to Stochastic PDEs
Author(s): Martin Hairer

Abstract: These notes are based on a series of lectures given first at  
the University of Warwick in spring 2008 and then at the Courant  
Institute in spring 2009. It is an attempt to give a reasonably self- 
contained presentation of the basic theory of stochastic partial  
differential equations, taking for granted basic measure theory,  
functional analysis and probability theory, but nothing else. The  
approach taken in these notes is to focus on semilinear parabolic  
problems driven by additive noise. These can be treated as stochastic  
evolution equations in some infinite-dimensional Banach or Hilbert  
space that usually have nice regularising properties and they already  
form a very rich class of problems with many interesting properties.  
Furthermore, this class of problems has the advantage of allowing to  
completely pass under silence many subtle problems arising from  
stochastic integration in infinite-dimensional spaces.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4178


9144. Localization for a Class of Linear Systems
Author(s): Yukio Nagahata and Nobuo Yoshida

Abstract: We consider a class of continuous-time stochastic growth  
models on $d$-dimensional lattice with non-negative real numbers as  
possible values per site. The class contains examples such as binary  
contact path process and potlatch process. We show the equivalence  
between the slow population growth and localization property that the  
time integral of the replica overlap diverges. We also prove, under  
reasonable assumptions, a localization property in a stronger form  
that the spatial distribution of the population does not decay  
uniformly in space.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4200


9145. The rank of diluted random graphs
Author(s): Charles Bordenave and Marc Lelarge

Abstract: We investigate the rank of the adjacency matrix of large  
diluted random graphs: for a sequence of graphs converging locally to  
a tree, we give new formulas for the asymptotic of the multiplicity of  
the eigenvalue 0. In particular, the result depends only on the  
limiting tree structure, showing that the normalized rank is  
'continuous at infinity'. Our work also gives a new formula for the  
mass at zero of the spectral measure of a Galton-Watson tree. Our  
techniques of proofs borrow ideas from analysis of algorithms, random  
matrix theory, statistical physics and analysis of Schrodinger  
operators on trees.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4244


9146. Hausdorff measure of arcs and Brownian motion on Brownian  
spatial trees
Author(s): David A. Croydon

Abstract: A Brownian spatial tree is defined to be a pair $(\mathcal 
{T},\phi)$, where $\mathcal{T}$ is the rooted real tree naturally  
associated with a Brownian excursion and $\phi$ is a random continuous  
function from $\mathcal{T}$ into $\mathbb{R}^d$ such that, conditional  
on $\mathcal{T}$, $\phi$ maps each arc of $\mathcal{T}$ to the image  
of a Brownian motion path in $\mathbb{R}^d$ run for a time equal to  
the arc length. It is shown that, in high dimensions, the Hausdorff  
measure of arcs can be used to define an intrinsic metric $d_{\mathcal 
{S}}$ on the set $\mathcal{S}:=\phi(\mathcal{T})$. Applications of  
this result include the recovery of the spatial tree $(\mathcal{T}, 
\phi)$ from the set $\mathcal{S}$ alone, which implies in turn that a  
Dawson--Watanabe super-process can be recovered from its range.  
Furthermore, $d_{\mathcal{S}}$ can be used to construct a Brownian  
motion on $\mathcal{S}$, which is proved to be the scaling limit of  
simple random walks on related discrete structures. In particular, a  
limiting result for the simple random walk on the branching random  
walk is obtained.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4260


9147. Scaling limits for critical inhomogeneous random graphs with  
finite third moments
Author(s): Shankar Bhamidi and Remco van der Hofstad and Johan van  
Leeuwaarden

Abstract: We identify the scaling limits for the sizes of the largest  
components at criticality for inhomogeneous random graphs when the  
degree exponent $\tau$ satisfies $\tau>4$. We see that the sizes of  
the (rescaled) components converge to the excursion lengths of an  
inhomogeneous Brownian motion, extending results of \cite{Aldo97}. We  
rely heavily on martingale convergence techniques, and concentration  
properties of (super)martingales. This paper is part of a programme to  
study the critical behavior in inhomogeneous random graphs of so- 
called rank-1 initiated in \cite{Hofs09a}.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4279


9148. Time-reversal and elliptic boundary value problems
Author(s): Zhen-Qing Chen and Tusheng Zhang

Abstract: In this paper, we prove that there exists a unique, bounded  
continuous weak solution to the Dirichlet boundary value problem for a  
general class of second-order elliptic operators with singular  
coefficients, which does not necessarily have the maximum principle.  
Our method is probabilistic. The time reversal of symmetric Markov  
processes and the theory of Dirichlet forms play a crucial role in our  
approach.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4301


9149. Notes on Using Control Variates for Estimation with Reversible  
MCMC Samplers
Author(s): Ioannis Kontoyiannis and Petros Dellaportas

Abstract: A general methodology is presented for the construction and  
effective use of control variates for reversible MCMC samplers. The  
values of the coefficients of the optimal linear combination of the  
control variates are computed, and adaptive, consistent MCMC  
estimators are derived for these optimal coefficients. All  
methodological and asymptotic arguments are rigorously justified.  
Numerous MCMC simulation examples from Bayesian inference applications  
demonstrate that the resulting variance reduction can be quite dramatic.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4160


9150. The scaling window for a random graph with a given degree sequence
Author(s): Hamed Hatami and Michael Molloy

Abstract: We consider a random graph on a given degree sequence ${\cal  
D}$, satisfying certain conditions. We focus on two parameters $Q=Q 
({\cal D}), R=R({\cal D})$. Molloy and Reed proved that Q=0 is the  
threshold for the random graph to have a giant component. We prove  
that if $|Q|=O(n^{-1/3} R^{2/3})$ then, with high probability, the  
size of the largest component of the random graph will be of order $ 
\Theta(n^{2/3}R^{-1/3})$. If $|Q|$ is asymptotically larger than $n^ 
{-1/3}R^{2/3}$ then the size of the largest component is  
asymptotically smaller or larger than $n^{2/3}R^{-1/3}$. Thus, we  
establish that the scaling window is $|Q|=O(n^{-1/3} R^{2/3})$.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4211


9151. Dense packing on uniform lattices
Author(s): Kari Eloranta

Abstract: We study the Hard Core Model on the graphs ${\rm {\bf  
\scriptstyle G}}$ obtained from Archimedean tilings i.e.  
configurations in $\scriptstyle \{0,1\}^{{\rm {\bf G}}}$ with the  
nearest neighbor 1's forbidden. Our particular aim in choosing these  
graphs is to obtain insight to the geometry of the densest packings in  
a uniform discrete set-up. We establish density bounds, optimal  
configurations reaching them in all cases, and introduce a  
probabilistic cellular automaton that generates the legal  
configurations. Its rule involves a parameter which can be naturally  
characterized as packing pressure. It can have a critical value but  
from packing point of view just as interesting are the noncritical  
cases. These phenomena are related to the exponential size of the set  
of densest packings and more specifically whether these packings are  
maximally symmetric, simple laminated or essentially random packings.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4247


9152. On the Distribution of a Second Class Particle in the Asymmetric  
Simple Exclusion Process
Author(s): Craig A. Tracy and Harold Widom

Abstract: We give an exact expression for the distribution of the  
position X(t) of a single second class particle in the asymmetric  
simple exclusion process (ASEP) where initially the second class  
particle is located at the origin and the first class particles occupy  
the sites {1,2,...}.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4395


9153. Stein's Method of Exchangeable Pairs with Application to the  
Curie-Weiss Model
Author(s): Sourav Chatterjee and Qi-Man Shao

Abstract: Let $(W, W')$ be an exchangeable pair. Assume that $$E(W-W'  
| W) = g(W)+r(W),$$ where $g(W)$ is a dominated term and $r(W)$ is  
negligible. Let $G(t) = \int_0^t g(s) ds$ and define $p(t) = c_1 e^{- 
c_0 G(t)}$, where $c_0$ is a properly chosen constant and $c_1 =  
1/\int_{-\infty}^\infty p(t) dt$. Let $Y$ be a random variable with  
the probability density function $p$. It is proved that $W$ converges  
to $Y$ in distribution when the conditional second moment of $(W-W')$  
given $W$ satisfies a law of large numbers. A Berry-Esseen type bound  
is also given. We use this technique to obtain a Berry-Esseen error  
bound of order $1/\sqrt{n}$ in the non-central limit theorem for the  
magnetization in the Curie-Weiss ferromagnet at the critical  
temperature.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4450


9154. Large Deviation in Harnack type Dirichlet spaces
Author(s): Ann-Kathrin Jarecki

Abstract: In the framework of Harnack type Dirichlet forms, we prove a  
large deviation principle for the asymptotics of reversible Markov  
processes with rate function given by the energy of the paths.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4479


9155. Upper Bound for Large Deviations of Reversible Diffusion Processes
Author(s): Ann-Kathrin Jarecki

Abstract: For a Markov process associated with a diffusion type  
Dirichlet form an upper bound is shown for the law of the finite  
dimensional distributions of the process. Under some more assumptions  
on the underlaying space this is also shown for the law of the Markov  
process itself. In the last section we want to give an application to  
the Wasserstein diffusion.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4483


9156. Bounding relative entropy by the relative entropy of local  
specifications in product spaces
Author(s): Katalin Marton

Abstract: For a class of density functions $q^n(x^n)$ on $\Bbb R^n$ we  
prove an inequality between relative entropy and the sum of average  
conditional relative entropies of the following form: For any density  
function $p^n(x^n)$ on $\Bbb R^n$, $D(p^n||q^n)\leq Const. \sum_{i=1} 
^n \Bbb E D(p_i(\cdot|Y_1,..., Y_{i-1},Y_{i+1},..., Y_n) || Q_i(\cdot| 
Y_1,..., Y_{i-1},Y_{i+1},..., Y_n)),$ where $p_i(\cdot|y_1,..., y_ 
{i-1},y_{i+1},..., y_n)$ and $Q_i(\cdot|x_1,..., x_{i-1},x_{i+1},...,  
x_n)$ denote the local specifications for $p^n$ resp. $q^n$, i.e., the  
conditional density functions of the $i$'th coordinate, given the  
other coordinates. The constant depends on the properties of the local  
specifications of $q^n$. The above inequality implies a logarithmic  
Sobolev inequality for $q^n$. We get an explicit lower bound for the  
logarithmic Sobolev constant of $q^n$ under the assumptions that: (i)  
the local specifications of $q^n$ satisfy logarithmic Sobolev  
inequalities with constants $\rho_i$, and (ii) they also satisfy some  
condition expressing that the mixed partial derivatives of the  
Hamiltonian of $q^n$ are not too large relative to the logarithmic  
Sobolev constants $\rho_i$. Condition (ii) may be weaker than that  
used in Otto and Reznikoff's recent paper on the estimation of  
logarithmic Sobolev constants of spin systems.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4491


9157. On Markov chains induced by partitioned transition probability  
matrices
Author(s): Thomas Kaijser

Abstract: Let S be a denumerable state space and let P be a transition  
probability matrix on S. If a denumerable set M of nonnegative  
matrices is such that the sum of the matrices is equal to P, then we  
call M a partition of P. Let K denote the set of probability vectors  
on S. To every partition M of P we can associate a transition  
probability function on K defined in such a way that if p in K and m  
in M are such that ||pm|| > 0, then, with probability ||pm|| the  
vector p is transferred to the vector pm/||pm||. Here ||.|| denotes  
the l_1-norm. In this paper we investigate convergence in distribution  
for Markov chains generated by transition probability functions  
induced by partitions of transition probability matrices. An important  
application of the convergence results obtained is to filtering  
processes of partially observed Markov chains.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4502


9158. Return probabilities of random walks among polynomial lower tail  
random conductances
Author(s): Omar Boukhadra

Abstract: We study models of continuous-time, symmetric, $\Z^{d}$- 
valued random walks in random environments, driven by a field of  
i.i.d. random nearest-neighbor conductances $\omega_{xy}\in[0,1]$ with  
a power law with an exponent $\gamma$ near 0. We are interested in  
estimating the quenched decay of the return probability $P_\omega^{t} 
(0,0)$, as $t$ tends to $+\infty$. We show that for $\gamma> \frac{d} 
{2}$, the standard bound turns out to be of the correct logarithmic  
order. As an expected concequence, the same result holds for the  
discrete-time case.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4525


9159. Recurrence and transience of branching random walks are  
dynamically stable
Author(s): Sebastian M\"uller

Abstract: Consider a sequence of i.i.d. random variables $X_n$ where  
each random variable is refreshed independently according to a Poisson  
clock. At any fixed time $t$ the law of the sequence is the same as  
for the sequence at time 0 but at random times almost sure properties  
of the sequence may be violated. If there are such \emph{exceptional  
times} we say that the property is \emph{dynamically sensitive},  
otherwise we call it \emph{dynamically stable}. In this note we  
consider branching random walks on Cayley graphs and prove that  
recurrence and transience are dynamically stable. Our proof combines  
techniques from the theory of branching random walks with those of  
dynamical percolation.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4557


9160. The t-Martin boundary of reflected random walks on a half-space
Author(s): Irina Ignatiouk-Robert

Abstract: The t-Martin boundary of a random walk on a half-space with  
reflected boundary conditions is identified. It is shown in particular  
that the t-Martin boundary of such a random walk is not stable in the  
following sense : for different values of t, the t-Martin  
compactifications are not homeomorphic to each other.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4592


9161. Invariant random fields in vector bundles and application to  
cosmology
Author(s): Anatoliy Malyarenko

Abstract: We develop the theory of invariant random fields in vector  
bundles. The spectral decomposition of an invariant random field in a  
homogeneous vector bundle generated by an induced representation of a  
compact connected Lie group $G$ is obtained. We discuss an application  
to the theory of cosmic microwave background, where $G=SO(3)$. A  
theorem about equivalence of two different groups of assumptions in  
cosmological theories is proved.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4620


9162. Disjoint Hamilton cycles in the random geometric graph
Author(s): Xavier P\'erez-Gim\'enez and Nicholas C. Wormald

Abstract: We prove a conjecture of Penrose about the standard random  
geometric graph process, in which n vertices are placed at random on  
the unit square and edges are sequentially added in increasing order  
of lengths taken in the l_p norm. We show that the first edge that  
makes the random geometric graph Hamiltonian is a.a.s. exactly the  
same one that gives 2-connectivity. We also extend this result to  
arbitrary connectivity, by proving that the first edge in the process  
that creates a k-connected graph coincides a.a.s. with the first edge  
that causes the graph to contain k/2 pairwise edge-disjoint Hamilton  
cycles (for even k), or (k-1)/2 Hamilton cycles plus one perfect  
matching, all of them pairwise edge-disjoint (for odd k).

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4459


9163. Limit theorems for vertex-reinforced jump processes on regular  
trees
Author(s): Andrea Collevecchio

Abstract: Consider a vertex-reinforced jump process defined on a  
regular tree, where each vertex has exactly $b$ children, with $b \ge  
3$. We prove the strong law of large numbers and the central limit  
theorem for the distance of the process from the root. Notice that it  
is still unknown if vertex-reinforced jump process is transient on the  
binary tree.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4854


9164. Stochastic Flows of SDEs with Irregular Drifts and Stochastic  
Transport Equations
Author(s): Xicheng Zhang

Abstract: In this article we study (possibly degenerate) stochastic  
differential equations (SDE) with irregular (or discontiuous) drifts,  
and prove that under certain conditions on the coefficients, there  
exists a unique almost everywhere stochastic invertible flow  
associated with the SDE in the sense of Lebesgue measure. In the case  
of constant diffusions and BV drifts, we obtain such a result by  
studying the related stochastic transport equation. In the case of non- 
constant diffusions and Sobolev drifts, we use a direct method. In  
particular, we extend the recent results on ODEs with non-smooth  
vector fields to SDEs.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4866


9165. The Monotone Cumulants
Author(s): Takahiro Hasebe and Hayato Saigo

Abstract: In the present paper we define the notion of generalized  
cumulants which gives a universal framework for commutative, free,  
Boolean, and especially, monotone probability theories. The uniqueness  
of generalized cumulants holds for each independence, and hence,  
generalized cumulants are equal to the usual cumulants in commutative,  
free and Boolean cases. The way we define (generalized) cumulants is  
so elementary that we need neither partition lattices nor generating  
functions. This new approach open the way to introduce monotone  
cumulants and we obtain quite simple proof of central limit theorem  
and Poisson's law of small numbers in monotone probability theory.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4896


9166. Invariant Measures and Decay of Correlations of a Class of  
Ergodic Probabilistic Cellular Automata
Author(s): Cristian Coletti (CMCC) and Pierre Tisseur (CMCC)

Abstract: Using an extended version of the duality concept between two  
stochastic processes, we give new ergodicity conditions for two states  
probabilistic cellular automata (PCA) of any dimensions and any  
radius. Under these assumptions, in the one dimensional case, we study  
some properties of the unique invariant measure and show that it is  
shift mixing. Also, the decay of correlation is studied in detail. In  
this sense, the extended concept of duality gives exponential decay of  
correlation. When the extended concept of duality can not be applied  
we are able to get, once again, exponential decay of correlation using  
well known results from the theory of branching processes.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4841


9167. Bayesian estimate of the zero-density frequency of a Cs fountain
Author(s): D Calonico and F Levi and L Lorini and G Mana

Abstract: Caesium fountain frequency-standards realize the second in  
the International System of Units with a relative uncertainty  
approaching 10^-16. Among the main contributions to the accuracy  
budget, cold collisions play an important role because of the atomic  
density shift of the reference atomic transition. This paper describes  
an application of the Bayesian analysis of the clock frequency to  
estimate the density shift and describes how the Bayes theorem allows  
the a priori knowledge of the sign of the collisional coefficient to  
be rigourously embedded into the analysis. As an application, data  
from the INRIM caesium fountain are used and the Bayesian and orthodox  
analyses are compared. The Bayes theorem allows the orthodox  
uncertainty to be reduced by 28% and demonstrates to be an important  
tool in primary frequency-metrology.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4849


9168. Dirichlet polynomials: some old and recent results, and their  
interplay in number theory
Author(s): Michel Weber

Abstract: In the first part of the paper, we present and discuss the  
interplay of Dirichlet polynomials in some classical problems of  
number theory, notably the Lindel\"of Hypothesis. We review some  
typical properties of their means and continue with some  
investigations concerning their supremum properties. Their random  
counterpart is next considered in the second part of the paper. An  
analysis of their supremum properties, which is entirely based on  
methods of stochastic processes, is presented. Some complementary  
results and related questions are included in the last section of the  
paper.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.4931


9169. An Analogue of the L\'Evy-Cram\'Er Theorem for Multi-Dimensional  
Rayleigh Distributions
Author(s): Thu Nguyen

Abstract: In the present paper we prove that every k-dimensional  
Cartesian product of Kingman convolutions can be embedded into a k- 
dimensional symmetric convolution (k=1, 2, ...) and obtain an analogue  
of the Cram\'er-L\'evy theorem for multi-dimensional Rayleigh  
distributions. A new and more general class of multi-dimensional  
Rayleygh distributions and associated higher dimensional Bessel  
processes are introduced and studied. This class of processes inherits  
the well-known characteristics of Brownian motions: They are  
independent stationary "increments" processes with continuous sample  
paths.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.5035


9170. The weak coupling limit of disordered copolymer models
Author(s): Francesco Caravenna and Giambattista Giacomin

Abstract: A copolymer is a chain of repetitive units (monomers) that  
are almost identical, but they differ in their degree of affinity for  
certain solvents. This difference leads to striking phenomena when the  
polymer fluctuates in a non-homogeneous medium, for example made up by  
two solvents separated by an interface. One may observe, for instance,  
the localization of the polymer at the interface between the two  
solvents. A discrete model of such system, based on the simple  
symmetric random walk on Z, has been investigated in [Bolthausen and  
den Hollander, Ann. Probab. 25 (1997), 1334-1366], notably in the weak  
polymer-solvent coupling limit, where the convergence of the discrete  
model toward a continuum model, based on Brownian motion, has been  
established. This result is remarkable because it strongly suggests a  
universal feature of copolymer models. In this work we prove that this  
is indeed the case. More precisely, we determine the weak coupling  
limit for a general class of discrete copolymer models, obtaining as  
limits a one-parameter (\alpha \in (0,1)) family of continuum models,  
based on \alpha-stable regenerative sets.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.5076


9171. Law of large numbers for the maximal flow through tilted  
cylinders in two-dimensional first passage percolation
Author(s): Rapha\"el Rossignol and Marie Th\'eret

Abstract: Equip the edges of the lattice $\mathbb{Z}^2$ with i.i.d.  
random capacities. We prove a law of large numbers for the maximal  
flow crossing a rectangle in $\mathbb{R}^2$ when the side lengths of  
the rectangle go to infinity. The value of the limit depends on the  
asymptotic behaviour of the ratio of the height of the cylinder over  
the length of its basis. This law of large numbers extends the law of  
large numbers obtained by Grimmett and Kesten (1984) for rectangles of  
particular orientation.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.5112


9172. Standard deviation of the longest common subsequence
Author(s): J\"uri Lember and Heinrich Matzinger

Abstract: Let $L_n$ be the length of the longest common subsequence of  
two independent i.i.d. sequences of Bernoulli variables of length $n$.  
We prove that the order of the standard deviation of $L_n$ is $\sqrt{n} 
$, provided the parameter of the Bernoulli variables is small enough.  
This validates Waterman's conjecture in this situation [Philos. Trans.  
R. Soc. Lond. Ser. B 344 (1994) 383--390]. The order conjectured by  
Chvatal and Sankoff [J. Appl. Probab. 12 (1975) 306--315], however, is  
different.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.5137


9173. Brunet-Derrida particle systems, free boundary problems and  
Wiener-Hopf equations
Author(s): Rick Durrett and Daniel Remenik

Abstract: We consider a branching-selection system in $\rr$ with $N$  
particles which give birth independently at rate 1 and where after  
each birth the leftmost particle is erased, keeping the number of  
particles constant. We show that, as $N\to\infty$, the empirical  
measure process associated to the system converges in distribution to  
a deterministic measure-valued process whose densities solve a free  
boundary integro-differential equation. We also show that this  
equation has a unique traveling wave solution traveling at speed $c$  
or no such solution depending on whether $c>a$ or $c\leq a$, where $a$  
is the asymptotic speed of the branching random walk obtained by  
ignoring the removal of the leftmost particles in our process. The  
traveling wave solutions correspond to solutions of Wiener-Hopf  
equations.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.5180


9174. On ASEP with Step Bernoulli Initial Condition
Author(s): Craig A. Tracy and Harold Widom

Abstract: This paper extends results of earlier work on ASEP to the  
case of step Bernoulli initial condition. The main results are a  
representation in terms of a Fredholm determinant for the probability  
distribution of a fixed particle, and asymptotic results which in  
particular establish KPZ universality for this probability in one  
regime. (And, as a corollary, for the current fluctuations.)

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.5192


9175. On infinitely cohomologous to zero observables
Author(s): Amanda de Lima and Daniel Smania

Abstract: We show that for a large class of piecewise expanding maps  
T, the bounded p-variation observables u_0 that admits an infinite  
sequence of bounded p-variation observables u_i satisfying u_i(x)= u_{i 
+1}(Tx) -u_{i+1}(x) are constant. The method of the proof consists in  
to find a suitable Hilbert basis for L^2(hm), where hm is the unique  
absolutely continuous invariant probability of T. In terms of this  
basis, the action of the Perron-Frobenious and the Koopan operator on  
L^2(hm) can be easily understood. This result generalizes earlier  
results by Bamon, Kiwi, Rivera-Letelier and Urzua in the case T(x)= n  
x mod 1, n in N-{0,1} and Lipchitizian observables u_0.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.5013


9176. A Discussion on Mean Excess Plots
Author(s): Souvik Ghosh and Sidney I Resnick

Abstract: A widely used tool in the study of risk, insurance and  
extreme values is the mean excess plot. One use is for validating a  
Generalized Pareto model for the excess distribution. This paper  
investigates some theoretical and practical aspects of the use of the  
mean excess plot.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.5236


9177. A historical law of large numbers for the Marcus Lushnikov process
Author(s): St\'ephanie Jacquot

Abstract: The Marcus-Lushnikov process is a finite stochastic particle  
system, in which each particle is entirely characterized by its mass.  
Each pair of particles with masses $x$ and $y$ merges into a single  
particle at a given rate $K(x,y)$. Under certain assumptions, this  
process converges to the solution to Smoluchowski equation, as the  
number of particles increases to infinity. The Marcus-Lushnikov  
process gives at each time the distribution of masses of the particles  
present in the system, but does not retain the history of formation of  
the particles. In this paper, we set up a historical analogue of the  
Marcus-Lushnikov process (built according the rules of construction of  
the usual Markov-Lushnikov process) each time giving what we call the  
historical tree of a particle. The historical tree of a particle  
present in the Marcus-Lushnikov process at a given time $t$ encodes  
information about the times and masses of the coagulation events that  
have formed that particle. We prove a law of large numbers for the  
empirical distribution of such historical trees. The limit is a  
natural measure on trees which is constructed from a solution to  
Smoluchowski coagulation equation.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.5305


9178. A metric analysis of critical Hamilton--Jacobi equations in the  
stationary ergodic setting
Author(s): Andrea Davini and Antonio Siconolfi

Abstract: We adapt the metric approach to the study of stationary  
ergodic Hamilton-Jacobi equations, for which a notion of admissible  
random (sub)solution is defined. For any level of the Hamiltonian  
greater than or equal to a distinguished critical value, we define an  
intrinsic random semidistance and prove that an asymptotic norm does  
exist. Taking as source region a suitable class of closed random sets,  
we show that the Lax formula provides admissible subsolutions. This  
enables us to relate the degeneracies of the critical stable norm to  
the existence/nonexistence of exact or approximate critical admissible  
solutions.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.5332


9179. Weak KAM Theory topics in the stationary ergodic setting
Author(s): Andrea Davini and Antonio Siconolfi

Abstract: We perform a qualitative analysis of the critical equation  
associated with a stationary ergodic Hamiltonian through a stochastic  
version of the metric method, where the notion of closed random  
stationary set, issued from stochastic geometry, plays a major role.  
Our purpose is to give an appropriate notion of random Aubry set, to  
single out characterizing conditions for the existence of exact or  
approximate correctors, and write down representation formulae for  
them. For the last task, we make use of a Lax--type formula, adapted  
to the stochastic environment. This material can be regarded as a  
first step of a long--term project to develop a random analog of Weak  
KAM Theory, generalizing what done in the periodic case or, more  
generally, when the underlying space is a compact manifold.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.5334


9180. Profiles of permutations
Author(s): Michael Lugo

Abstract: This paper develops an analogy between the cycle structure  
of, on the one hand, random permutations with cycle lengths restricted  
to lie in an infinite set $S$ with asymptotic density $\sigma$ and, on  
the other hand, permutations selected according to the Ewens  
distribution with parameter $\sigma$. In particular we show that the  
asymptotic expected number of cycles of random permutations of $[n]$  
with all cycles even, with all cycles odd, and chosen from the Ewens  
distribution with parameter 1/2 are all ${1 \over 2} \log n + O(1)$,  
and the variance is of the same order. Furthermore, we show that in  
permutations of $[n]$ chosen from the Ewens distribution with  
parameter $\sigma$, the probability of a random element being in a  
cycle longer than $\gamma n$ approaches $(1-\gamma)^\sigma$ for large  
$n$. The same limit law holds for permutations with cycles carrying  
multiplicative weights with average $\sigma$. We draw parallels  
between the Ewens distribution and the asymptotic-density case and  
explain why these parallels should exist using permutations drawn from  
weighted Boltzmann distributions.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.5351


9181. Self-interacting diffusions IV: Rate of convergence
Author(s): Michel Benaim (UNINE) and Olivier Raimond (MODAL'X)

Abstract: Self-interacting diffusions are processes living on a  
compact Riemannian manifold defined by a stochastic differential  
equation with a drift term depending on the past empirical measure of  
the process. The asymptotics of this measure is governed by a  
deterministic dynamical system and under certain conditions it  
converges almost surely towards a deterministic measure (see Bena\"im,  
Ledoux, Raimond (2002) and Bena\"im, Raimond (2005)). We are  
interested here in the rate of this convergence. A central limit  
theorem is proved. In particular, this shows that greater is the  
interaction repelling faster is the convergence.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.5468


9182. Upper large deviations for the maximal flow through a domain of $ 
\mathbb{R}^d$ in first passage percolation
Author(s): Rapha\"el Cerf and Marie Th\'eret

Abstract: We consider the standard first passage percolation model in  
the rescaled graph $\mathbb{Z}^d/n$ for $d\geq 2$, and a domain $\Omega 
$ of boundary $\Gamma$ in $\mathbb{R}^d$. Let $\Gamma^1$ and $ 
\Gamma^2$ be two disjoint open subsets of $\Gamma$, representing the  
parts of $\Gamma$ through which some water can enter and escape from $ 
\Omega$. We investigate the asymptotic behaviour of the flow $\phi_n$  
through a discrete version $\Omega_n$ of $\Omega$ between the  
corresponding discrete sets $\Gamma^1_n$ and $\Gamma^2_n$. We prove  
that under some conditions on the regularity of the domain and on the  
law of the capacity of the edges, the upper large deviations of $ 
\phi_n/ n^{d-1}$ above a certain constant are of volume order.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.5499


9183. Lower large deviations for the maximal flow through a domain of $ 
\mathbb{R}^d$ in first passage percolation
Author(s): Rapha\"el Cerf and Marie Th\'eret

Abstract: We consider the standard first passage percolation model in  
the rescaled graph $\mathbb{Z}^d/n$ for $d\geq 2$, and a domain $\Omega 
$ of boundary $\Gamma$ in $\mathbb{R}^d$. Let $\Gamma^1$ and $ 
\Gamma^2$ be two disjoint open subsets of $\Gamma$, representing the  
parts of $\Gamma$ through which some water can enter and escape from $ 
\Omega$. We investigate the asymptotic behaviour of the flow $\phi_n$  
through a discrete version $\Omega_n$ of $\Omega$ between the  
corresponding discrete sets $\Gamma^1_n$ and $\Gamma^2_n$. We prove  
that under some conditions on the regularity of the domain and on the  
law of the capacity of the edges, the lower large deviations of $ 
\phi_n/ n^{d-1}$ below a certain constant are of surface order.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.5501


9184. Law of large numbers for the maximal flow through a domain of $ 
\mathbb{R}^d$ in first passage percolation
Author(s): Rapha\"el Cerf and Marie Th\'eret

Abstract: We consider the standard first passage percolation model in  
the rescaled graph $\mathbb{Z}^d/n$ for $d\geq 2$, and a domain $\Omega 
$ of boundary $\Gamma$ in $\mathbb{R}^d$. Let $\Gamma^1$ and $ 
\Gamma^2$ be two disjoint open subsets of $\Gamma$, representing the  
parts of $\Gamma$ through which some water can enter and escape from $ 
\Omega$. We investigate the asymptotic behaviour of the flow $\phi_n$  
through a discrete version $\Omega_n$ of $\Omega$ between the  
corresponding discrete sets $\Gamma^1_n$ and $\Gamma^2_n$. We prove  
that under some conditions on the regularity of the domain and on the  
law of the capacity of the edges, $\phi_n$ converges almost surely  
towards a constant $\phi_{\Omega}$, which is the solution of a  
continuous non-random min-cut problem. Moreover, we give a necessary  
and sufficient condition on the law of the capacity of the edges to  
ensure that $\phi_{\Omega} >0$.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.5504


9185. Monotonicity properties of the asymptotic relative efficiency  
between common correlation statistics in the bivariate normal model
Author(s): Raymond Molzon and Iosif Pinelis

Abstract: Pearson's is the most common correlation statistic, used  
mainly in parametric settings. Most common among nonparametric  
correlation statistics are Spearman's and Kendall's. We show that for  
bivariate normal i.i.d. samples the pairwise asymptotic relative  
efficiency between these three statistics depends monotonically on the  
population correlation coefficient. This monotonicity is a corollary  
to a stronger result. The proofs rely on the use of l'Hospital-type  
rules for monotonicity patterns.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.5448


9186. Conditionally monotone independence
Author(s): Takahiro Hasebe

Abstract: We define the notion of conditionally monotone product as a  
part of conditionally free product, which naturally includes monotone  
and Boolean products. Then we define conditionally monotone cumulants  
which are useful to calculate the limit distributions in central limit  
theorem and Poisson's law of small numbers. Moreover, we introduce  
deformed convolutions arising from the conditionally monotone  
convolution of probability measures and compute the limit  
distributions. In order to understand the validity of cumulants, we  
discuss what are cumulants of a given convolution product in general.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0907.5473


9187. Loss of memory of random functions of Markov chains and Lyapunov  
exponents
Author(s): Pierre Collet and Florencia Leonardi

Abstract: In this paper we prove that the asymptotic rate of  
exponential loss of memory of a random function of a Markov chain $(Z_ 
{t})_{t\in\Z}$ is bounded above by the difference of the first two  
Lyapunov exponents of a certain product of matrices. We also show that  
this bound is in fact realized, namely for almost all realization of  
the process $(Z_{t})_{t\in\Z}$, we can find symbols where the  
asymptotic exponential rate of loss of memory attains the difference  
of the first two Lyapunov exponents. This shows that the process has  
infinite memory and leads to a lower bound on the asymptotic  
exponential loss of memory which is saturated (and equal to the upper  
bound for an adequate choice of the symbols) on a set of full measure.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0077


9188. Scaling limits of anisotropic Hastings-Levitov clusters
Author(s): Fredrik Johansson and Alan Sola and Amanda Turner

Abstract: We consider a variation of the standard Hastings-Levitov  
model HL(0), in which growth is anisotropic. Two natural scaling  
limits are established and we give precise descriptions of the effects  
of the anisotropy. We show that the limit shapes can be realised as  
Loewner hulls and that the evolution of harmonic measure on the  
cluster boundary can be described by the solution to a deterministic  
ordinary differential equation related to the Loewner equation. We  
also characterise the stochastic fluctuations around the deterministic  
limit flow.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0086


9189. A stochastic min-driven coalescence process and its  
hydrodynamical limit
Author(s): Anne-Laure Basdevant (IMT) and Philippe Laurencot (IMT) and  
James R. Norris (DPMMS), Clement Rau (IMT)

Abstract: A stochastic system of particles is considered in which the  
sizes of the particles increase by successive binary mergers with the  
constraint that each coagulation event involves a particle with  
minimal size. Convergence of a suitably renormalised version of this  
process to a deterministic hydrodynamical limit is shown and the time  
evolution of the minimal size is studied for both deterministic and  
stochastic models.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0129


9190. Sampling Conditioned Hypoelliptic Diffusions
Author(s): Martin Hairer and Andrew M. Stuart and Jochen Voss

Abstract: A series of recent articles introduced a method to construct  
stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs) which are invariant  
with respect to the distribution of a given conditioned diffusion.  
These works are restricted to the case of elliptic diffusions where  
the drift has a gradient structure, and the resulting SPDE is of  
second order parabolic type. The present article extends this  
methodology to allow the construction of SPDEs which are invariant  
with respect to the distribution of a class of hypoelliptic diffusion  
processes, subject to a bridge conditioning. This allows the treatment  
of more realistic physical models, for example one can use the  
resulting SPDE to study transitions between meta-stable states in  
mechanical systems with friction and noise. In this situation the  
restriction of the drift being a gradient can also be lifted.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0162


9191. On the Speed of Spread for Fractional Reaction-Diffusion Equations
Author(s): Hans Engler

Abstract: The fractional reaction diffusion equation u_t + Au = g(u)  
is discussed, where A is a fractional differential operator on the  
real line with order \alpha between 0 and 2, the C^1 function g  
vanishes at 0 and 1, and either g is non-negative on (0,1) or g < 0  
near 0. In the case of non-negative g, it is shown that solutions with  
initial support on the positive half axis spread into the left half  
axis with unbounded speed if g satisfies some weak growth condition  
near 0 in the case \alpha > 1, or if g is merely positive on a  
sufficiently large interval near 1 in the case \alpha < 1. On the  
other hand, it shown that solutions spread with finite speed if g'(0)  
< 0. The proofs use comparison arguments and a new family of traveling  
wave solutions for this class of problems.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0024


9192. A strong pair correlation bound implies the CLT for Sinai  
Billiards
Author(s): Mikko Stenlund

Abstract: For Dynamical Systems, a strong bound on multiple  
correlations implies the Central Limit Theorem (CLT) [ChMa]. In  
Chernov's paper [Ch2], such a bound is derived for dynamically Holder  
continuous observables of dispersing Billiards. Here we weaken the  
regularity assumption and subsequently show that the bound on multiple  
correlations follows directly from the bound on pair correlations.  
Thus, a strong bound on pair correlations alone implies the CLT, for a  
wider class of observables. The result is extended to Anosov  
diffeomorphisms in any dimension.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0027


9193. Approximating Eigenvectors by Subsampling
Author(s): Noureddine El Karoui and Alexandre d'Aspremont

Abstract: We show that averaging eigenvectors of randomly sampled  
submatrices efficiently approximates the true eigenvectors of the  
original matrix under certain conditions on the incoherence of the  
spectral decomposition. This incoherence assumption is typically  
milder than those made in matrix completion and allows eigenvectors to  
be sparse. We discuss applications to spectral methods in  
dimensionality reduction and information retrieval.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0137


9194. On the Role of Sparsity in Compressed Sensing and Random Matrix  
Theory
Author(s): Roman Vershynin

Abstract: We discuss applications of some concepts of Compressed  
Sensing in the recent work on invertibility of random matrices due to  
Rudelson and the author. We sketch an argument leading to the optimal  
bound N^{-1/2} on the median of the smallest singular value of an N by  
N matrix with random independent entries. We highlight the parts of  
the argument where sparsity ideas played a key role.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0257


9195. Layering and wetting transitions for an SOS interface
Author(s): Kenneth S. Alexander and Fran\c{c}ois Dunlop and Salvador  
Miracle-Sol\'e

Abstract: We study the solid-on-solid interface model above a  
horizontal wall in three dimensional space, with an attractive  
interaction when the interface is in contact with the wall, at low  
temperatures. There is no bulk external field. The system presents a  
sequence of layering transitions, whose levels increase with the  
temperature, before reaching the wetting transition.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0321


9196. Universal Gaussian fluctuations of non-Hermitian matrix ensembles
Author(s): Ivan Nourdin (PMA) and Giovanni Peccati (MODAL'X)

Abstract: We prove multi-dimensional central limit theorems for the  
spectral moments (of arbitrary degrees) associated with random  
matrices with real-valued i.i.d. entries, satisfying some appropriate  
moment conditions. Our techniques rely on a universality principle for  
the Gaussian Wiener chaos, recently proved by the authors together  
with Gesine Reinert, as well as on some combinatorial estimates.  
Unlike other related results in the probabilistic literature, we do  
not require that the law of the entries has a density with respect to  
the Lebesgue measure. In particular, our results apply to the ensemble  
of Bernoulli random matrices.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0391


9197. Optimal Transport and Tessellation
Author(s): Martin Huesmann

Abstract: Optimal transport from the volume measure to a convex  
combination of Dirac measures yields a tessellation of a Riemannian  
manifold into pieces of arbitrary relative size. This tessellation is  
studied for the cost functions $c_p(z,y)=\frac{1}{p}d^p(z,y)$ and  
$1\leq p<\infty$. Geometric descriptions of the tessellations for all  
$p$ is obtained for compact subsets of the Euclidean space and the  
sphere. For $p=1$ this approach yields Laguerre tessellations for all  
compact Riemannian manifolds.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0442


9198. The Statistical Mechanics of Stretched Polymers
Author(s): Dmitry Ioffe and Yvan Velenik

Abstract: We describe some recent results concerning the statistical  
properties of a self-interacting polymer stretched by an external  
force. We concentrate mainly on the cases of purely attractive or  
purely repulsive self-interactions, but our results are stable under  
suitable small perturbations of these pure cases. We provide in  
particular a precise description of the stretched phase (local limit  
theorems for the end-point and local observables, invariance  
principle, microscopic structure). Our results also characterize  
precisely the (non-trivial, direction-dependent) critical force needed  
to trigger the collapsed/stretched phase transition in the attractive  
case. We also describe some recent progress: first, the determination  
of the order of the phase transition in the attractive case; second, a  
proof that a semi-directed polymer in quenched random environment is  
diffusive in dimensions 4 and higher when the temperature is high  
enough. In addition, we correct an incomplete argument from one of our  
earlier works.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0452


9199. On linear evolution equations with cylindrical L\'evy noise
Author(s): Enrico Priola and Jerzy Zabczyk

Abstract: We study an infinite-dimensional Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process $ 
(X_t)$ in a given Hilbert space $H$. This is driven by a cylindrical  
symmetric L\'evy process without a Gaussian component and taking  
values in a Hilbert space $U$ which usually contains $H$. We give if  
and only if conditions under which $X_t$ takes values in $H$ for some  
$t>0$ or for all $t>0$. Moreover, we prove irreducibility for $(X_t)$.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0356


9200. On the short time asymptotic of the stochastic Allen-Cahn equation
Author(s): Hendrik Weber

Abstract: A description of the short time behavior of solutions of the  
Allen-Cahn equation with a smoothened additive noise is presented. The  
key result is that in the sharp interface limit solutions move  
according to motion by mean curvature with an additional stochastic  
forcing. This extends a similar result of Funaki in spatial dimension  
$n=2$ to arbitrary dimensions.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0580


9201. Upper and Lower Bounds in Exponential Tauberian Theorems
Author(s): Jochen Voss

Abstract: In this text we study, for positive random variables, the  
relation between the behaviour of the Laplace transform near infinity  
and the distribution near zero. A result of de Bruijn shows that $E(e^ 
{-\lambda X}) \sim e^{r\sqrt{\lambda}}$ for $\lambda\to\infty$ and $P(X 
\leq\eps) \sim \e^{s/\eps}$ for $\eps\downarrow0$ are in some sense  
equivalent and gives a relation between the constants $r$ and $s$. We  
illustrate how this result can be used to obtain simple large  
deviation results. For use in more complex situations we also give a  
generalisation of de Bruijn's result to the case when the upper and  
lower limits are different from each other.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0642


9202. Exact solution of a two-type branching process: Clone size  
distribution in cell division kinetics
Author(s): Tibor Antal and P. L. Krapivsky

Abstract: We study a two-type branching process which provides  
excellent description of experimental data on cell dynamics in skin  
tissue (Clayton et al., 2007). The model involves only a single type  
of progenitor cell, and does not require support from a self-renewed  
population of stem cells. The progenitor cells divide and may  
differentiate into post-mitotic cells. We derive an exact solution of  
this model in terms of generating functions for the total number of  
cells, and for the number of cells of different types. We also deduce  
large time asymptotic behaviors drawing on our exact results, and on  
an independent diffusion approximation.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0484


9203. Recurrence and ergodicity of random walks on linear groups and  
on homogeneous spaces
Author(s): Y. Guivarc'h and C. R. E. Raja

Abstract: We discuss recurrence and ergodicity properties of random  
walks and associated skew products for large classes of locally  
compact groups and homogeneous spaces. In particular we show that a  
closed subgroup of a product of finitely many linear groups over local  
fields supports a recurrent random walk if and only if it has at most  
quadratic growth. We give also a detailed analysis of ergodicity  
properties for special classes of random walks on homogeneous spaces.  
The structure of closed subgroups of linear groups over local fields  
and the properties of group actions with respect to stationary  
measures play an important role in the proofs.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0637


9204. A general strong law of large numbers for additive arithmetic  
functions
Author(s): Istvan Berkes and Michel Weber

Abstract: Let $f(n)$ be a strongly additive complex valued arithmetic  
function. Under mild conditions on $f$, we prove the following  
weighted strong law of large numbers: if $ X,X_1,X_2,... $ is any  
sequence of integrable i.i.d. random variables, then $$ \lim_{N\to  
\infty} {\sum_{n=1}^N f(n) X_n \over\sum_{n=1}^N f(n)} \buildrel{a.s.} 
\over{=} \E X . $$

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0680


9205. Optimal scalings for local Metropolis--Hastings chains on  
nonproduct targets in high dimensions
Author(s): Alexandros Beskos and Gareth Roberts and Andrew Stuart

Abstract: We investigate local MCMC algorithms, namely the random-walk  
Metropolis and the Langevin algorithms, and identify the optimal  
choice of the local step-size as a function of the dimension $n$ of  
the state space, asymptotically as $n\to\infty$. We consider target  
distributions defined as a change of measure from a product law. Such  
structures arise, for instance, in inverse problems or Bayesian  
contexts when a product prior is combined with the likelihood. We  
state analytical results on the asymptotic behavior of the algorithms  
under general conditions on the change of measure. Our theory is  
motivated by applications on conditioned diffusion processes and  
inverse problems related to the 2D Navier--Stokes equation.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0865


9206. Asymptotic optimality of isoperimetric constants with respect to  
$L^{2}(\pi)$-spectral gaps
Author(s): Achim Wuebker

Abstract: In this paper we investigate the existence of $L^{2}(\pi)$- 
spectral gaps for $\pi$-irreducible, positive recurrent Markov chains  
on general state space. We obtain necessary and sufficient conditions  
for the existence of $L^{2}(\pi)$-spectral gaps in terms of a sequence  
of isoperimetric constants and establish their asymptotic behavior. It  
turns out that in some cases the spectral gap can be understood in  
terms of convergence of an induced probability flow to the uniform  
flow. The obtained theorems can be interpreted as mixing results and  
yield sharp estimates for the spectral gap of some Markov chains.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0867


9207. $L^{2}$-spectral gaps, weak-reversible and very weak-reversible  
Markov chains
Author(s): Achim Wuebker and Zakhar Kabluchko

Abstract: The theory of $L^2$-spectral gaps for reversible Markov  
chains has been studied by many authors. In this paper we consider  
positive recurrent general state space Markov chains with stationary  
transition probabilities. Replacing the assumption of reversibility by  
a less strong one, we still obtain a simple necessary and sufficient  
condition for the spectral gap property of the associated Markov  
operator in terms of isoperimetric constant. Moreover, we define a new  
sequence of isoperimetric constants which provides a necessary and  
sufficient condition for the existence of a spectral gap in a very  
general setting. Finally, these results are used to obtain simple  
sufficient conditions for the existence of a spectral gap in terms of  
the first and second order transition probabilities.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0888


9208. $L^{2}$-spectral gaps for time discrete reversible Markov chains
Author(s): Achim Wuebker

Abstract: In this paper we study the spectral properties of Markov- 
operator on $L^{2}$-spaces. Lawler and Sokal (Trans. Amer. Math. Soc.,  
1988, 309, pp. 557-580) used isoperimetric constants for discrete and  
continuous time Markov chains to obtain a spectral gap at 1. For time  
discrete Markov chains this does not exclude periodic behavior. We  
define a new constant measuring the distance from periodicity and give  
necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a global  
spectral gap in terms of this constant.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0897


9209. Robust mean-variance hedging in the single period model
Author(s): R. Tevzadze and T. Uzunashvili

Abstract: We give an explicit solution of robust mean-variance hedging  
problem in the single period model for some type of contingent claims.  
The alternative approach is also considered.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0840


9210. Efficient importance sampling for binary contingency tables
Author(s): Jose H. Blanchet

Abstract: Importance sampling has been reported to produce algorithms  
with excellent empirical performance in counting problems. However,  
the theoretical support for its efficiency in these applications has  
been very limited. In this paper, we propose a methodology that can be  
used to design efficient importance sampling algorithms for counting  
and test their efficiency rigorously. We apply our techniques after  
transforming the problem into a rare-event simulation problem--thereby  
connecting complexity analysis of counting problems with efficiency in  
the context of rare-event simulation. As an illustration of our  
approach, we consider the problem of counting the number of binary  
tables with fixed column and row sums, $c_j$'s and $r_i$'s,  
respectively, and total marginal sums $d=\sum_jc_j$. Assuming that $ 
\max_jc_j=o(d^{1/2})$, $\sum c_j^2=O(d)$ and the $r_j$'s are bounded,  
we show that a suitable importance sampling algorithm, proposed by  
Chen et al. [J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 100 (2005) 109--120], requires $O 
(d^3\varepsilon^{-2}\delta^{-1})$ operations to produce an estimate  
that has $\varepsilon$-relative error with probability $1-\delta$. In  
addition, if $\max_jc_j=o(d^{1/4-\delta_0})$ for some $\delta_0>0$,  
the same coverage can be guaranteed with $O(d^3\varepsilon^{-2}\log 
(\delta^{-1}))$ operations.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.0999


9211. A probabilistic study of neural complexity
Author(s): Jerome Buzzi (LM-Orsay) and Lorenzo Zambotti (PMA)

Abstract: G. Edelman, O. Sporns, and G. Tononi have introduced in  
theoretical biology the neural complexity of a family of random  
variables. They have defined it as a specific average of mutual  
information over subsystems. We show that their choice of weights  
satisfies two natural properties, namely exchangeability and  
additivity. This paper classifies all functionals satisfying these two  
properties (which we call intricacies) in terms of probability laws on  
the unit interval and studies the growth rate of maximal intricacies  
when the size of the system goes to infinity. For systems of a fixed  
size, we show that the maximizers are non-unique and that the maximal  
value is not approached by exchangeable laws.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1006


9212. Selling a stock at the ultimate maximum
Author(s): Jacques du Toit and Goran Peskir

Abstract: Assuming that the stock price $Z=(Z_t)_{0\leq t\leq T}$  
follows a geometric Brownian motion with drift $\mu\in\mathbb{R}$ and  
volatility $\sigma>0$, and letting $M_t=\max_{0\leq s\leq t}Z_s$ for $t 
\in[0,T]$, we consider the optimal prediction problems \[V_1=\inf_ 
{0\leq\tau\leq T}\mathsf{E}\biggl(\frac{M_T}{Z_{\tau}}\biggr)\quadand 
\quad V_2=\sup_{0\leq\tau\leq T}\mathsf{E}\biggl(\frac{Z_{\tau}}{M_T} 
\biggr),\] where the infimum and supremum are taken over all stopping  
times $\tau$ of $Z$. We show that the following strategy is optimal in  
the first problem: if $\mu\leq0$ stop immediately; if $\mu\in  
(0,\sigma^2)$ stop as soon as $M_t/Z_t$ hits a specified function of  
time; and if $\mu\geq\sigma^2$ wait until the final time $T$. By  
contrast we show that the following strategy is optimal in the second  
problem: if $\mu\leq\sigma^2/2$ stop immediately, and if $\mu> 
\sigma^2/2$ wait until the final time $T$. Both solutions support and  
reinforce the widely held financial view that ``one should sell bad  
stocks and keep good ones.'' The method of proof makes use of  
parabolic free-boundary problems and local time--space calculus  
techniques. The resulting inequalities are unusual and interesting in  
their own right as they involve the future and as such have a  
predictive element.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1014


9213. An operator approach for Markov chain weak approximations with  
an application to infinite activity L\'{e}vy driven SDEs
Author(s): Hideyuki Tanaka and Arturo Kohatsu-Higa

Abstract: Weak approximations have been developed to calculate the  
expectation value of functionals of stochastic differential equations,  
and various numerical discretization schemes (Euler, Milshtein) have  
been studied by many authors. We present a general framework based on  
semigroup expansions for the construction of higher-order  
discretization schemes and analyze its rate of convergence. We also  
apply it to approximate general L\'{e}vy driven stochastic  
differential equations.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1021


9214. Asymptotic normality of plug-in level set estimates
Author(s): David M. Mason and Wolfgang Polonik

Abstract: We establish the asymptotic normality of the $G$-measure of  
the symmetric difference between the level set and a plug-in-type  
estimator of it formed by replacing the density in the definition of  
the level set by a kernel density estimator. Our proof will highlight  
the efficacy of Poissonization methods in the treatment of large  
sample theory problems of this kind.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1045


9215. Gaussian perturbations of circle maps: A spectral approach
Author(s): John Mayberry

Abstract: In this work, we examine spectral properties of Markov  
transition operators corresponding to Gaussian perturbations of  
discrete time dynamical systems on the circle. We develop a method for  
calculating asymptotic expressions for eigenvalues (in the zero noise  
limit) and show that changes to the number or period of stable orbits  
for the deterministic system correspond to changes in the number of  
limiting modulus 1 eigenvalues of the transition operator for the  
perturbed process. We call this phenomenon a $\lambda$-bifurcation.  
Asymptotic expressions for the corresponding eigenfunctions and  
eigenmeasures are also derived and are related to Hermite functions.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1058


9216. A continuous analogue of the invariance principle and its almost  
sure version
Author(s): E.E. Permyakova

Abstract: We deal with random processes obtained from a homogeneous  
random process with independent increments by replacement of the time  
scale and by multiplication by a norming constant. We prove the  
convergence in distribution of these processes to Wiener process in  
Skorokhod space endowed by the topology of uniform convergence. An  
integral type almost sure version of this theorem is obtained.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1072


9217. Functional limit theorems for Levy processes and their almost- 
sure versions
Author(s): E.E. Permyakova

Abstract: In this paper we prove a criterion of convergence in  
distribution in Skorokhod space. We apply this criterion to some  
special Levy processes and obtain almost-sure versions of limit  
theorems for these processes.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1074


9218. Total progeny in killed branching random walk
Author(s): Louigi Addario-Berry and Nicolas Broutin

Abstract: We consider a branching random walk for which the maximum  
position of a particle in the n'th generation, M_n, has zero speed on  
the linear scale: M_n/n --> 0 as n --> infinity. We further remove  
(``kill'') any particle whose displacement is negative, together with  
its entire descendence. The size $Z$ of the set of un-killed particles  
is almost surely finite. In this paper, we confirm a conjecture of  
Aldous that Exp[Z] < infinity while Exp[Z log Z]=infinity. The proofs  
rely on precise large deviations estimates and ballot theorem-style  
results for the sample paths of random walks.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1083


9219. Asymptotic Behavior of the Finite-Size Magnetization as a  
Function of the Speed of Approach to Criticality
Author(s): Richard S. Ellis and Jonathan Machta and Peter Tak-Hun Otto

Abstract: The main focus of this paper is to determine whether the  
thermodynamic magnetization is a physically relevant estimator of the  
finite-size magnetization. This is done by comparing the asymptotic  
behaviors of these two quantities along parameter sequences converging  
to either a second-order point or the tricritical point in the mean- 
field Blume-Capel model. We show that the thermodynamic magnetization  
and the finite-size magnetization are asymptotic when the parameter  
alpha governing the speed at which the sequence approaches criticality  
is below a certain threshold alpha_0. However, when alpha exceeds  
alpha_0, the thermodynamic magnetization converges to 0 much faster  
than the finite-size magnetization. The asymptotic behavior of the  
finite-size magnetization is proved via a moderate deviation principle  
when 0 < alpha < alpha_0 and via a weak-convergence limit when alpha >  
alpha_0. To the best of our knowledge, our results are the first  
rigorous confirmation of the statistical mechanical theory of finite- 
size scaling for a mean-field model.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1103


9220. On the uniqueness of classical solutions of Cauchy problems
Author(s): Erhan Bayraktar and Hao Xing

Abstract: Given that the terminal condition is of at most linear  
growth, it is well known that a Cauchy problem admits a unique  
classical solution when the coefficient multiplying the second  
derivative (i.e., the volatility) is also a function of at most linear  
growth. In this note, we give a condition on the volatility that is  
necessary and sufficient for a Cauchy problem to admit a unique  
solution.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1086


9221. Cram\'{e}r Type Moderate Deviation for the Maximum of the  
Periodogram with Application to Simultaneous Tests in Gene Expression  
Time Series
Author(s): Weidong Liu and Qi Man Shao

Abstract: In this paper, Cram\'{e}r type moderate deviations for the  
maximum of the periodogram and its studentized version are derived.  
The results are then applied to a simultaneous testing problem in gene  
expression time series. It is shown that the level of the simultaneous  
tests is accurate provided that the number of genes $G$ and the sample  
size $n$ satisfy $G=\exp(o(n^{1/3}))$.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1145


9222. Absorbing-State Phase Transition for Stochastic Sandpiles and  
Activated Random Walks
Author(s): Leonardo T. Rolla and Vladas Sidoravicius

Abstract: We study the long-time behavior of conservative interacting  
particle systems in $\mathbb Z$: The Activated Random Walk Model for  
reaction-diffusion systems and the Stochastic Sandpile. Our main  
result states that both systems locally fixate when the initial  
density of particles is small enough, establishing the existence of a  
non-trivial phase transition in the density parameter. This fact is  
predicted by theoretical physics arguments and supported by numerical  
analysis.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1152


9223. A Ciesielski-Taylor type identity for positive self-similar  
Markov processes
Author(s): A.E. Kyprianou and P. Patie

Abstract: The aim of this note is to give a straightforward proof of a  
general version of the Ciesielski-Taylor identity for positive self- 
similar Markov processes of the spectrally negative type which  
umbrellas all previously known Ciesielski-Taylor identities within the  
latter class. The approach makes use of three fundamental features.  
Firstly a new transformation which maps a subset of the family of  
Laplace exponents of spectrally negative L\'evy processes into itself.  
Secondly some classical features of fluctuation theory for spectrally  
negative L\'evy processes as well as more recent fluctuation  
identities for positive self-similar Markov processes.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1157


9224. A sharp analysis of the mixing time for random walk on rooted  
trees
Author(s): Jason Fulman

Abstract: We define an analog of Plancherel measure for the set of  
rooted unlabeled trees on n vertices, and a Markov chain which has  
this measure as its stationary distribution. Using the combinatorics  
of commutation relations, we show that order n^2 steps are necessary  
and suffice for convergence to the stationary distribution.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1141


9225. Sharp Heat Kernel Estimates for Relativistic Stable Processes in  
Open Sets
Author(s): Zhen-Qing Chen and Panki Kim and Renming Song

Abstract: In this paper, we establish sharp two-sided estimates for  
the transition densities of relativistic stable processes (or  
equivalently, for the heat kernels of the operators $m-(m^{2/\alpha}- 
\Delta)^{\alpha/2}$) in $C^{1, 1}$ open sets. The estimates are  
uniform in $m\in (0, M]$ for each fixed $M>0$. Letting $m\downarrow  
0$, the estimates given in this paper recover the Dirichlet heat  
kernel estimates for $-(-\Delta)^{\alpha/2}$ in $C^{1,1}$-open sets  
obtained in \cite{CKS}. Sharp two-sided estimates are also obtained  
for Green functions of relativistic stable processes in half-space- 
like $C^{1,1}$ open sets and bounded $C^{1,1}$ open sets.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1509


9226. The two-type continuum Richardson model: Non-dependence of the  
survival of both types on the initial configuration
Author(s): Sebastian Carstens and Thomas Richthammer

Abstract: We consider the model of Deijfen et al. for the competing  
growth of two infection types in R^d, based on the Richardson model on  
Z^d. Stochastic ball-shaped infection outbursts transmit the infection  
type of the center of the ball to all points of the ball that are not  
yet infected. Relevant parameters of the model are the initial  
infection configuration, the (type-dependent) growth rates and the  
radius distribution of the infection outbursts. The main question is  
that of coexistence: For what values of the parameters is there a  
positive probability that both types grow unboundedly? It is known  
that for this question the initial configuration basically is  
irrelevant, provided certain technical assumptions on the radius  
distribution are satisfied. Here we show how to get rid of these  
assumptions, introducing a slight generalization of the model, where  
immune regions and delayed initial infection configurations are allowed.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1551


9227. Boundary Harnack principle for $\Delta + \Delta^{\alpha/2}$
Author(s): Zhen-Qing Chen and Panki Kim and Renming Song and Zoran  
Vondra\v{c}ek

Abstract: For $d\geq 1$ and $\alpha \in (0, 2)$, consider the family  
of pseudo differential operators $\{\Delta+ b \Delta^{\alpha/2}; b\in  
[0, 1]\}$ on $\R^d$ that evolves continuously from $\Delta$ to $\Delta  
+ \Delta^{\alpha/2}$. In this paper, we establish a uniform boundary  
Harnack principle (BHP) with explicit boundary decay rate for  
nonnegative functions which are harmonic with respect to $\Delta +b  
\Delta^{\alpha/2}$ (or equivalently, the sum of a Brownian motion and  
an independent symmetric $\alpha$-stable process with constant  
multiple $b^{1/\alpha}$) in $C^{1, 1}$ open sets. Here a "uniform" BHP  
means that the comparing constant in the BHP is independent of $b\in  
[0, 1]$. Along the way, a uniform Carleson type estimate is  
established for nonnegative functions which are harmonic with respect  
to $\Delta + b \Delta^{\alpha/2}$ in Lipschitz open sets. Our method  
employs a combination of probabilistic and analytic techniques.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1559


9228. Conformal loop ensembles and the stress-energy tensor. II.  
Construction of the stress-energy tensor
Author(s): Benjamin Doyon

Abstract: This is the second part of a work aimed at constructing the  
stress-energy tensor of conformal field theory (CFT) as a local  
"object" in conformal loop ensembles (CLE). This work lies in the  
wider context of re-constructing quantum field theory from  
mathematically well-defined ensembles of random objects. In the  
present paper, based on results of the first part, we identify the  
stress-energy tensor in the dilute regime of CLE. This is done by  
deriving both its conformal Ward identities for single insertion in  
CLE probability functions, and its properties under conformal  
transformations involving the Schwarzian derivative. We also give the  
one-point function of the stress-energy tensor in terms of a notion of  
partition function, and we show that this agrees with standard CFT  
arguments. The construction is in the same spirit as that found in the  
context of SLE(8/3) by the author, Riva and Cardy (2006), which had to  
do with the case of zero central charge. The present construction  
generalises this to all central charges between 0 and 1, including all  
minimal models. This generalisation is non-trivial: the application of  
these ideas to the CLE context requires the introduction of a  
renormalised probability, and the derivation of the transformation  
properties and of the one-point function do not have counterparts in  
the SLE context.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1511


9229. The uniqueness of symmetrizing measure and linear diffusions
Author(s): Xing Fang and Jiangang Ying and Minzhi Zhao

Abstract: In this short article, we shall study one-dimensional local  
Dirichlet spaces. One result, which has its independent interest, is  
to prove that irreducibility implies the uniqueness of symmetrizing  
measure for right Markov processes. The other result is to give a  
representation for any 1-dim local, irreducible and regular Dirichlet  
space and a necessary and sufficient condition for a Dirichlet space  
to be regular subspace of another Dirichlet space.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1607


9230. Perfect simulation of Vervaat perpetuities
Author(s): James Allen Fill and Mark Huber

Abstract: We use coupling into and from the past to sample perfectly  
in a simple and provably fast fashion from the Vervaat family of  
perpetuities. The family includes the Dickman distribution, which  
arises both in number theory and in the analysis of the Quickselect  
algorithm, which was the motivation for our work.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1733


9231. Static large deviations of boundary driven exclusion processes
Author(s): Jonathan Farfan

Abstract: We prove that the stationary measure associated to a  
boundary driven exclusion process in any dimension satisfies a large  
deviation principle with rate function given by the quasi potential of  
the Freidlin and Wentzell theory.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1798


9232. Lack of strong completeness for stochastic flows
Author(s): Xue-Mei Li and Michael Scheutzow

Abstract: It is well-known that a stochastic differential equation  
(SDE) on a Euclidean space driven by a Brownian motion with Lipschitz  
coefficients generates a stochastic flow of homeomorphisms. When the  
coefficients are only locally Lipschitz, then a maximal continuous  
flow still exists but explosion in finite time may occur. If -- in  
addition -- the coefficients grow at most linearly, then this flow has  
the property that for each fixed initial condition $x$, the solution  
exists for all times almost surely. If the exceptional set of measure  
zero can be chosen independently $x$, then the maximal flow is called  
{\em strongly complete}. The question, whether an SDE with locally  
Lipschitz continuous coefficients satisfying a linear growth condition  
is strongly complete was open for many years. In this paper, we  
construct a 2-dimensional SDE with coefficients which are even bounded  
(and smooth) and which is {\em not} strongly complete thus answering  
the question in the negative.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1839


9233. Stein's method for dependent random variables occurring in  
Statistical Mechanics
Author(s): Peter Eichelsbacher and Matthias L\"owe

Abstract: We obtain rates of convergence in limit theorems of partial  
sums $S_n$ for certain sequences of dependent, identically distributed  
random variables, which arise naturally in statistical mechanics, in  
particular, in the context of the Curie-Weiss models. Under  
appropriate assumptions there exists a real number $\alpha$, a  
positive real number $\mu$, and a positive integer $k$ such that $ 
(S_n- n \alpha)/n^{1 - 1/2k}$ converges weakly to a random variable  
with density proportional to $\exp(-\mu |x|^{2k} /(2k)!)$. We develop  
Stein's method for exchangeable pairs for a rich class of  
distributional approximations including the Gaussian distributions as  
well as the non-Gaussian limit distributions with density proportional  
to $\exp(-\mu |x|^{2k} /(2k)!)$. Our results include the optimal Berry- 
Esseen rate in the Central Limit Theorem for the total magnetization  
in the classical Curie-Weiss model, for high temperatures as well as  
at the critical temperature $\beta_c=1$, where the Central Limit  
Theorem fails. Moreover, we analyze Berry-Esseen bounds as the  
temperature $1/ \beta_n$ converges to one and obtain a threshold for  
the speed of this convergence. Single spin distributions satisfying  
the Griffiths-Hurst-Sherman (GHS) inequality like models of liquid  
helium or continuous Curie-Weiss models are considered.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1909


9234. Replica Symmetry and Combinatorial Optimization
Author(s): Johan W\"astlund

Abstract: We establish the soundness of the replica symmetric ansatz  
(introduced by M. Mezard and G. Parisi) for minimum matching and the  
traveling salesman problem in the pseudo-dimension d mean field model  
for d\geq 1. The case d=1 of minimum matching corresponds to the  
pi^2/6 limit for the assignment problem established by D. Aldous in  
2001, and the analogous limit for the d=1 case of TSP was recently  
established by the author with a different method. We introduce a game- 
theoretical framework by which we prove the correctness of the replica- 
cavity prediction of the corresponding limits also for d>1.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1920


9235. High order discretization schemes for stochastic volatility models
Author(s): Benjamin Jourdain (CERMICS) and Mohamed Sbai (CERMICS)

Abstract: In usual stochastic volatility models, the process driving  
the volatility of the asset price evolves according to an autonomous  
one-dimensional stochastic differential equation. We assume that the  
coefficients of this equation are smooth. Using It\^o's formula, we  
get rid, in the asset price dynamics, of the stochastic integral with  
respect to the Brownian motion driving this SDE. Taking advantage of  
this structure, we propose - a scheme, based on the Milstein  
discretization of this SDE, with order one of weak trajectorial  
convergence for the asset price, - a scheme, based on the Ninomiya- 
Victoir discretization of this SDE, with order two of weak convergence  
for the asset price. We also propose a specific scheme with improved  
convergence properties when the volatility of the asset price is  
driven by an Orstein-Uhlenbeck process. We confirm the theoretical  
rates of convergence by numerical experiments and show that our  
schemes are well adapted to the multilevel Monte Carlo method  
introduced by Giles [2008a,b].

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1926


9236. Filtering equations for partially observable diffusion processes  
with Lipschitz continuous coefficients
Author(s): N.V. Krylov

Abstract: We present several results on smoothness in $L_{p}$ sense of  
filtering densities under the Lipschitz continuity assumption on the  
coefficients of a partially observable diffusion processes. We obtain  
them by rewriting in divergence form filtering equation which are  
usually considered in terms of formally adjoint to operators in  
nondivergence form.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1935


9237. A Characterization Theorem for the Distribution of a Continuous  
Local Martingale and Related Limit Theorems
Author(s): Andriy Yurachkivsky

Abstract: The main result of the article reads: the distribution of a  
continuous starting from zero local martingale whose quadratic  
characteristic is almost surely absolutely continuous with respect to  
some non-random increasing continuous function is determined by the  
distribution of the quadratic characteristic. Functional limit theorem  
based on this characterization are proved.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1939


9238. An application of disc packing to statistical mechanics
Author(s): Matthew Kahle

Abstract: We construct stable configurations of n overlapping discs of  
radius r in a unit square, with r = O(1/n). By a result of Diaconis,  
Lebeau, and Michel, this result is best possible, up to a constant  
factor. A consequence is that the Metropolis algorithm, a well-studied  
Markov chain on the hardcore model, is not irreducible in this range  
of parameters.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1830


9239. A comprehensive connection between the basic results and  
properties derived from two kinds of topologies of a random locally  
convex module
Author(s): Tiexin Guo

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to make a comprehensive  
connection between the basic results and properties derived from the  
two kinds of topologies (namely the $(\epsilon,\lambda)-$topology  
introduced by the author and locally $L^{0}-$convex topology recently  
introduced by Filipovi$\acute{c}$ et. al) of a random locally convex  
module. First, we give an extremely simple proof of the known Hahn- 
Banach extension theorem of $L^{0}-$linear functions as well as its  
continuous variants. Then we give the essential relations between the  
hyperplane separation theorems in [Filipovi$\acute{c}$ et. al, J.  
Funct. Anal.256(2009)3996--4029] and a basic strict separation theorem  
in [Guo et. al, Nonlinear Anal. 71(2009)3794--3804], and in the  
process obtain a useful and surprising fact that a random locally  
convex module with the countable concatenation property must have the  
same completeness under the two topologies! Based on the relation  
between the two kinds of completeness, we further present the central  
part of this paper: we prove that most of the previously established  
deep results of random conjugate spaces of random normed modules under  
the $(\epsilon,\lambda)-$topology are still valid under the locally $L^ 
{0}-$convex topology, which considerably enriches financial  
applications of random normed modules.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1843


9240. Static large deviations of boundary driven exclusion processes
Author(s): Jonathan Farfan

Abstract: We prove that the stationary measure associated to a  
boundary driven exclusion process in any dimension satisfies a large  
deviation principle with rate function given by the quasi potential of  
the Freidlin and Wentzell theory.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1798


9241. Lack of strong completeness for stochastic flows
Author(s): Xue-Mei Li and Michael Scheutzow

Abstract: It is well-known that a stochastic differential equation  
(SDE) on a Euclidean space driven by a Brownian motion with Lipschitz  
coefficients generates a stochastic flow of homeomorphisms. When the  
coefficients are only locally Lipschitz, then a maximal continuous  
flow still exists but explosion in finite time may occur. If -- in  
addition -- the coefficients grow at most linearly, then this flow has  
the property that for each fixed initial condition $x$, the solution  
exists for all times almost surely. If the exceptional set of measure  
zero can be chosen independently $x$, then the maximal flow is called  
{\em strongly complete}. The question, whether an SDE with locally  
Lipschitz continuous coefficients satisfying a linear growth condition  
is strongly complete was open for many years. In this paper, we  
construct a 2-dimensional SDE with coefficients which are even bounded  
(and smooth) and which is {\em not} strongly complete thus answering  
the question in the negative.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1839


9242. Stein's method for dependent random variables occurring in  
Statistical Mechanics
Author(s): Peter Eichelsbacher and Matthias L\"owe

Abstract: We obtain rates of convergence in limit theorems of partial  
sums $S_n$ for certain sequences of dependent, identically distributed  
random variables, which arise naturally in statistical mechanics, in  
particular, in the context of the Curie-Weiss models. Under  
appropriate assumptions there exists a real number $\alpha$, a  
positive real number $\mu$, and a positive integer $k$ such that $ 
(S_n- n \alpha)/n^{1 - 1/2k}$ converges weakly to a random variable  
with density proportional to $\exp(-\mu |x|^{2k} /(2k)!)$. We develop  
Stein's method for exchangeable pairs for a rich class of  
distributional approximations including the Gaussian distributions as  
well as the non-Gaussian limit distributions with density proportional  
to $\exp(-\mu |x|^{2k} /(2k)!)$. Our results include the optimal Berry- 
Esseen rate in the Central Limit Theorem for the total magnetization  
in the classical Curie-Weiss model, for high temperatures as well as  
at the critical temperature $\beta_c=1$, where the Central Limit  
Theorem fails. Moreover, we analyze Berry-Esseen bounds as the  
temperature $1/ \beta_n$ converges to one and obtain a threshold for  
the speed of this convergence. Single spin distributions satisfying  
the Griffiths-Hurst-Sherman (GHS) inequality like models of liquid  
helium or continuous Curie-Weiss models are considered.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1909


9243. Replica Symmetry and Combinatorial Optimization
Author(s): Johan W\"astlund

Abstract: We establish the soundness of the replica symmetric ansatz  
(introduced by M. Mezard and G. Parisi) for minimum matching and the  
traveling salesman problem in the pseudo-dimension d mean field model  
for d\geq 1. The case d=1 of minimum matching corresponds to the  
pi^2/6 limit for the assignment problem established by D. Aldous in  
2001, and the analogous limit for the d=1 case of TSP was recently  
established by the author with a different method. We introduce a game- 
theoretical framework by which we prove the correctness of the replica- 
cavity prediction of the corresponding limits also for d>1.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1920


9244. High order discretization schemes for stochastic volatility models
Author(s): Benjamin Jourdain (CERMICS) and Mohamed Sbai (CERMICS)

Abstract: In usual stochastic volatility models, the process driving  
the volatility of the asset price evolves according to an autonomous  
one-dimensional stochastic differential equation. We assume that the  
coefficients of this equation are smooth. Using It\^o's formula, we  
get rid, in the asset price dynamics, of the stochastic integral with  
respect to the Brownian motion driving this SDE. Taking advantage of  
this structure, we propose - a scheme, based on the Milstein  
discretization of this SDE, with order one of weak trajectorial  
convergence for the asset price, - a scheme, based on the Ninomiya- 
Victoir discretization of this SDE, with order two of weak convergence  
for the asset price. We also propose a specific scheme with improved  
convergence properties when the volatility of the asset price is  
driven by an Orstein-Uhlenbeck process. We confirm the theoretical  
rates of convergence by numerical experiments and show that our  
schemes are well adapted to the multilevel Monte Carlo method  
introduced by Giles [2008a,b].

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1926


9245. Filtering equations for partially observable diffusion processes  
with Lipschitz continuous coefficients
Author(s): N.V. Krylov

Abstract: We present several results on smoothness in $L_{p}$ sense of  
filtering densities under the Lipschitz continuity assumption on the  
coefficients of a partially observable diffusion processes. We obtain  
them by rewriting in divergence form filtering equation which are  
usually considered in terms of formally adjoint to operators in  
nondivergence form.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1935


9246. A Characterization Theorem for the Distribution of a Continuous  
Local Martingale and Related Limit Theorems
Author(s): Andriy Yurachkivsky

Abstract: The main result of the article reads: the distribution of a  
continuous starting from zero local martingale whose quadratic  
characteristic is almost surely absolutely continuous with respect to  
some non-random increasing continuous function is determined by the  
distribution of the quadratic characteristic. Functional limit theorem  
based on this characterization are proved.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1939


9247. An application of disc packing to statistical mechanics
Author(s): Matthew Kahle

Abstract: We construct stable configurations of n overlapping discs of  
radius r in a unit square, with r = O(1/n). By a result of Diaconis,  
Lebeau, and Michel, this result is best possible, up to a constant  
factor. A consequence is that the Metropolis algorithm, a well-studied  
Markov chain on the hardcore model, is not irreducible in this range  
of parameters.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1830


9248. A comprehensive connection between the basic results and  
properties derived from two kinds of topologies of a random locally  
convex module
Author(s): Tiexin Guo

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to make a comprehensive  
connection between the basic results and properties derived from the  
two kinds of topologies (namely the $(\epsilon,\lambda)-$topology  
introduced by the author and locally $L^{0}-$convex topology recently  
introduced by Filipovi$\acute{c}$ et. al) of a random locally convex  
module. First, we give an extremely simple proof of the known Hahn- 
Banach extension theorem of $L^{0}-$linear functions as well as its  
continuous variants. Then we give the essential relations between the  
hyperplane separation theorems in [Filipovi$\acute{c}$ et. al, J.  
Funct. Anal.256(2009)3996--4029] and a basic strict separation theorem  
in [Guo et. al, Nonlinear Anal. 71(2009)3794--3804], and in the  
process obtain a useful and surprising fact that a random locally  
convex module with the countable concatenation property must have the  
same completeness under the two topologies! Based on the relation  
between the two kinds of completeness, we further present the central  
part of this paper: we prove that most of the previously established  
deep results of random conjugate spaces of random normed modules under  
the $(\epsilon,\lambda)-$topology are still valid under the locally $L^ 
{0}-$convex topology, which considerably enriches financial  
applications of random normed modules.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1843


9249. Random matrices: Universality of local eigenvalue statistics up  
to the edge
Author(s): Terence Tao and Van Vu

Abstract: This is a continuation of our earlier paper on the  
universality of the eigenvalues of Wigner random matrices. The main  
new results of this paper are an extension of the results in that  
paper from the bulk of the spectrum up to the edge. In particular, we  
prove a variant of the universality results of Soshnikov for the  
largest eigenvalues, assuming moment conditions rather than symmetry  
conditions. The main new technical observation is that there is a  
significant bias in the Cauchy interlacing law near the edge of the  
spectrum which allows one to continue ensuring the delocalization of  
eigenvectors.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1982


9250. Optimal co-adapted coupling for a random walk on the hyper- 
complete-grap
Author(s): Stephen B. Connor

Abstract: Let $G_d$ be the complete graph with d vertices, and let X  
and Y be two simple symmetric continuous-time random walks on the  
vertices of $G_d^n$. When d=2, X and Y are random walks on the  
hypercube, for which a stochastically fastest co-adapted coupling is  
described by Connor & Jacka (2008). Here we extend this result to  
random walks on $G_d^n$, once again producing a stochastically optimal  
coupling: as d tends to infinity we show that this optimal co-adapted  
coupling tends to a maximal coupling.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2038


9251. Reconstruction on Trees: Exponential Moment Bounds for Linear  
Estimators
Author(s): Yuval Peres and Sebastien Roch

Abstract: Consider a Markov chain $(\xi_v)_{v \in V} \in [k]^V$ on the  
infinite $b$-ary tree $T = (V,E)$ with irreducible edge transition  
matrix $M$, where $b \geq 2$, $k \geq 2$ and $[k] = \{1,...,k\}$. We  
denote by $L_n$ the level-$n$ vertices of $T$. Assume $M$ has a real  
second-largest (in absolute value) eigenvalue $\lambda$ with  
corresponding real eigenvector $\nu \neq 0$. Letting $\sigma_v = \nu_ 
{\xi_v}$, we consider the following root-state estimator, which was  
introduced by Mossel and Peres (2003) in the context of the  
``recontruction problem'' on trees: \begin{equation*} S_n = (b\lambda)^ 
{-n} \sum_{x\in L_n} \sigma_x. \end{equation*} As noted by Mossel and  
Peres, when $b\lambda^2 > 1$ (the so-called Kesten-Stigum  
reconstruction phase) the quantity $S_n$ has uniformly bounded  
variance. Here, we give bounds on the moment-generating functions of  
$S_n$ and $S_n^2$ when $b\lambda^2 > 1$. Our results have implications  
for the inference of evolutionary trees.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2056


9252. Sequence-Length Requirement of Distance-Based Phylogeny  
Reconstruction: Breaking the Polynomial Barrier
Author(s): Sebastien Roch

Abstract: We introduce a new distance-based phylogeny reconstruction  
technique which provably achieves, at sufficiently short branch  
lengths, a polylogarithmic sequence-length requirement -- improving  
significantly over previous polynomial bounds for distance-based  
methods. The technique is based on an averaging procedure that  
implicitly reconstructs ancestral sequences. In the same token, we  
extend previous results on phase transitions in phylogeny  
reconstruction to general time-reversible models. More precisely, we  
show that in the so-called Kesten-Stigum zone (roughly, a region of  
the parameter space where ancestral sequences are well approximated by  
``linear combinations'' of the observed sequences) sequences of length  
$\poly(\log n)$ suffice for reconstruction when branch lengths are  
discretized. Here $n$ is the number of extant species. Our results  
challenge, to some extent, the conventional wisdom that estimates of  
evolutionary distances alone carry significantly less information  
about phylogenies than full sequence datasets.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2061


9253. Sharp approximation for density dependent Markov chains
Author(s): Kamil Szczegot

Abstract: Consider a sequence (indexed by n) of Markov chains Z^n in  
R^d characterized by transition kernels that approximately (in n)  
depend only on the rescaled state n^{-1} Z^n. Subject to a smoothness  
condition, such a family can be closely coupled on short time  
intervals to a Brownian motion with quadratic drift. This construction  
is used to determine the first two terms in the asymptotic (in n)  
expansion of the probability that the rescaled chain exits a convex  
polytope. The constant term and the first correction of size n^{-1/6}  
admit sharp characterization by solutions to associated differential  
equations and an absolute constant. The error is smaller than O(n^{- 
b}) for any b < 1/4. These results are directly applied to the  
analysis of randomized algorithms at phase transitions. In particular,  
the `peeling' algorithm in large random hypergraphs, or equivalently  
the iterative decoding scheme for low-density parity-check codes over  
the binary erasure channel is studied to determine the finite size  
scaling behavior for irregular hypergraph ensembles.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2088


9254. A Sharp Estimate for Divisors of Bernoulli Sums
Author(s): Michel Weber

Abstract: Let $S_n=\e_1+...+\e_n$, where $ \e_i $ are i.i.d. Bernoulli  
r.v.'s. Let $0\le r_d(n)<2d$ be the least residue of $n$ mod$(2d)$, $ 
\bar r_d(n)= 2d -r_d(n)$ and $\b(n,d)=\max ({1\over d}, {1\over \sqrt  
n})[e^{- {r_d(n)^2/2 n}} +e^{- {\bar r_d(n)^2/2 n}}]$. We show that $$ 
\sup_{2\le d\le n} \big|\P\big\{d|S_n\big\}- E(n,d) \big|= {\cal O}\big 
({\log^{5/2} n \over n^{3/2}}\big), $$ where $E(n,d) $ verifies $c_1\b 
(n,d)\le E(n,d)\le c_2\b(n,d) $ and $c_1,c_2 $ are numerical constants.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2047


9255. Simple Error Scattering Model for improved Information  
Reconciliation
Author(s): Stefan Rass

Abstract: Implementations of quantum key distribution as available  
nowadays suffer from inefficiencies due to post processing of the raw  
key that severely cuts down the final secure key rate. We present a  
simple model for the error scattering across the raw key and derive  
"closed form" expressions for the probability of a parity check  
failure, or experiencing more than some fixed number of errors. Our  
results can serve for improvement for key establishment, as  
information reconciliation via interactive error correction and  
privacy amplification rests on mostly unproven assumptions. We support  
those hypotheses on statistical grounds.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2069


9256. Probabilistic model associated with the pressureless gas dynamics
Author(s): Sergio Albeverio and Anastasia Korshunova and Olga Rozanova

Abstract: Using a method of stochastic perturbation of a Langevin  
system associated with the non-viscous Burgers equation we construct a  
solution to the Riemann problem for the pressureless gas dynamics  
describing sticky particles dynamics. As a bridging step we consider a  
medium consisting of noninteracting particles. We analyze the  
difference in the behavior of discontinuous solutions for these two  
models and the relations between them. In our framework in 1D case we  
obtain a unique entropy solution to the Riemann problem. Moreover, we  
describe how starting from smooth data a $\delta$ - singularity arises  
in one component of the solution.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2084


9257. The Mahonian probability distribution on words is asymptotically  
normal
Author(s): E. Rodney Canfield and Svante Janson and and Doron Zeilberger

Abstract: The Mahonian statistic is the number of inversions in a  
permutation of a multiset with $a_i$ elements of type $i$, $1\le i\le m 
$. The counting function for this statistic is the $q$ analog of the  
multinomial coefficient $\binom{a_1+...+a_m}{a_1,... a_m}$, and the  
probability generating function is the normalization of the latter. We  
give two proofs that the distribution is asymptotically normal. The  
first is {\it computer-assisted}, based on the method of moments. The  
Maple package {\tt MahonianStat}, available from the webpage of this  
article, can be used by the reader to perform experiments and  
calculations. Our second proof uses characteristic functions. We then  
take up the study of a local limit theorem to accompany our central  
limit theorem. Here our result is less general, and we must be content  
with a conjecture about further work. Our local limit theorem permits  
us to conclude that the coeffiecients of the $q$-multinomial are log- 
concave, provided one stays near the center (where the largest  
coefficients reside.)

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2089


9258. Random matrices: Universality of local eigenvalue statistics up  
to the edge
Author(s): Terence Tao and Van Vu

Abstract: This is a continuation of our earlier paper on the  
universality of the eigenvalues of Wigner random matrices. The main  
new results of this paper are an extension of the results in that  
paper from the bulk of the spectrum up to the edge. In particular, we  
prove a variant of the universality results of Soshnikov for the  
largest eigenvalues, assuming moment conditions rather than symmetry  
conditions. The main new technical observation is that there is a  
significant bias in the Cauchy interlacing law near the edge of the  
spectrum which allows one to continue ensuring the delocalization of  
eigenvectors.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1982


9259. Optimal co-adapted coupling for a random walk on the hyper- 
complete-grap
Author(s): Stephen B. Connor

Abstract: Let $G_d$ be the complete graph with d vertices, and let X  
and Y be two simple symmetric continuous-time random walks on the  
vertices of $G_d^n$. When d=2, X and Y are random walks on the  
hypercube, for which a stochastically fastest co-adapted coupling is  
described by Connor & Jacka (2008). Here we extend this result to  
random walks on $G_d^n$, once again producing a stochastically optimal  
coupling: as d tends to infinity we show that this optimal co-adapted  
coupling tends to a maximal coupling.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2038


9260. Reconstruction on Trees: Exponential Moment Bounds for Linear  
Estimators
Author(s): Yuval Peres and Sebastien Roch

Abstract: Consider a Markov chain $(\xi_v)_{v \in V} \in [k]^V$ on the  
infinite $b$-ary tree $T = (V,E)$ with irreducible edge transition  
matrix $M$, where $b \geq 2$, $k \geq 2$ and $[k] = \{1,...,k\}$. We  
denote by $L_n$ the level-$n$ vertices of $T$. Assume $M$ has a real  
second-largest (in absolute value) eigenvalue $\lambda$ with  
corresponding real eigenvector $\nu \neq 0$. Letting $\sigma_v = \nu_ 
{\xi_v}$, we consider the following root-state estimator, which was  
introduced by Mossel and Peres (2003) in the context of the  
``recontruction problem'' on trees: \begin{equation*} S_n = (b\lambda)^ 
{-n} \sum_{x\in L_n} \sigma_x. \end{equation*} As noted by Mossel and  
Peres, when $b\lambda^2 > 1$ (the so-called Kesten-Stigum  
reconstruction phase) the quantity $S_n$ has uniformly bounded  
variance. Here, we give bounds on the moment-generating functions of  
$S_n$ and $S_n^2$ when $b\lambda^2 > 1$. Our results have implications  
for the inference of evolutionary trees.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2056


9261. Sequence-Length Requirement of Distance-Based Phylogeny  
Reconstruction: Breaking the Polynomial Barrier
Author(s): Sebastien Roch

Abstract: We introduce a new distance-based phylogeny reconstruction  
technique which provably achieves, at sufficiently short branch  
lengths, a polylogarithmic sequence-length requirement -- improving  
significantly over previous polynomial bounds for distance-based  
methods. The technique is based on an averaging procedure that  
implicitly reconstructs ancestral sequences. In the same token, we  
extend previous results on phase transitions in phylogeny  
reconstruction to general time-reversible models. More precisely, we  
show that in the so-called Kesten-Stigum zone (roughly, a region of  
the parameter space where ancestral sequences are well approximated by  
``linear combinations'' of the observed sequences) sequences of length  
$\poly(\log n)$ suffice for reconstruction when branch lengths are  
discretized. Here $n$ is the number of extant species. Our results  
challenge, to some extent, the conventional wisdom that estimates of  
evolutionary distances alone carry significantly less information  
about phylogenies than full sequence datasets.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2061


9262. Sharp approximation for density dependent Markov chains
Author(s): Kamil Szczegot

Abstract: Consider a sequence (indexed by n) of Markov chains Z^n in  
R^d characterized by transition kernels that approximately (in n)  
depend only on the rescaled state n^{-1} Z^n. Subject to a smoothness  
condition, such a family can be closely coupled on short time  
intervals to a Brownian motion with quadratic drift. This construction  
is used to determine the first two terms in the asymptotic (in n)  
expansion of the probability that the rescaled chain exits a convex  
polytope. The constant term and the first correction of size n^{-1/6}  
admit sharp characterization by solutions to associated differential  
equations and an absolute constant. The error is smaller than O(n^{- 
b}) for any b < 1/4. These results are directly applied to the  
analysis of randomized algorithms at phase transitions. In particular,  
the `peeling' algorithm in large random hypergraphs, or equivalently  
the iterative decoding scheme for low-density parity-check codes over  
the binary erasure channel is studied to determine the finite size  
scaling behavior for irregular hypergraph ensembles.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2088


9263. A Sharp Estimate for Divisors of Bernoulli Sums
Author(s): Michel Weber

Abstract: Let $S_n=\e_1+...+\e_n$, where $ \e_i $ are i.i.d. Bernoulli  
r.v.'s. Let $0\le r_d(n)<2d$ be the least residue of $n$ mod$(2d)$, $ 
\bar r_d(n)= 2d -r_d(n)$ and $\b(n,d)=\max ({1\over d}, {1\over \sqrt  
n})[e^{- {r_d(n)^2/2 n}} +e^{- {\bar r_d(n)^2/2 n}}]$. We show that $$ 
\sup_{2\le d\le n} \big|\P\big\{d|S_n\big\}- E(n,d) \big|= {\cal O}\big 
({\log^{5/2} n \over n^{3/2}}\big), $$ where $E(n,d) $ verifies $c_1\b 
(n,d)\le E(n,d)\le c_2\b(n,d) $ and $c_1,c_2 $ are numerical constants.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2047


9264. Simple Error Scattering Model for improved Information  
Reconciliation
Author(s): Stefan Rass

Abstract: Implementations of quantum key distribution as available  
nowadays suffer from inefficiencies due to post processing of the raw  
key that severely cuts down the final secure key rate. We present a  
simple model for the error scattering across the raw key and derive  
"closed form" expressions for the probability of a parity check  
failure, or experiencing more than some fixed number of errors. Our  
results can serve for improvement for key establishment, as  
information reconciliation via interactive error correction and  
privacy amplification rests on mostly unproven assumptions. We support  
those hypotheses on statistical grounds.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2069


9265. Probabilistic model associated with the pressureless gas dynamics
Author(s): Sergio Albeverio and Anastasia Korshunova and Olga Rozanova

Abstract: Using a method of stochastic perturbation of a Langevin  
system associated with the non-viscous Burgers equation we construct a  
solution to the Riemann problem for the pressureless gas dynamics  
describing sticky particles dynamics. As a bridging step we consider a  
medium consisting of noninteracting particles. We analyze the  
difference in the behavior of discontinuous solutions for these two  
models and the relations between them. In our framework in 1D case we  
obtain a unique entropy solution to the Riemann problem. Moreover, we  
describe how starting from smooth data a $\delta$ - singularity arises  
in one component of the solution.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2084


9266. The Mahonian probability distribution on words is asymptotically  
normal
Author(s): E. Rodney Canfield and Svante Janson and and Doron Zeilberger

Abstract: The Mahonian statistic is the number of inversions in a  
permutation of a multiset with $a_i$ elements of type $i$, $1\le i\le m 
$. The counting function for this statistic is the $q$ analog of the  
multinomial coefficient $\binom{a_1+...+a_m}{a_1,... a_m}$, and the  
probability generating function is the normalization of the latter. We  
give two proofs that the distribution is asymptotically normal. The  
first is {\it computer-assisted}, based on the method of moments. The  
Maple package {\tt MahonianStat}, available from the webpage of this  
article, can be used by the reader to perform experiments and  
calculations. Our second proof uses characteristic functions. We then  
take up the study of a local limit theorem to accompany our central  
limit theorem. Here our result is less general, and we must be content  
with a conjecture about further work. Our local limit theorem permits  
us to conclude that the coeffiecients of the $q$-multinomial are log- 
concave, provided one stays near the center (where the largest  
coefficients reside.)

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2089


9267. High order discretization schemes for stochastic volatility models
Author(s): Benjamin Jourdain (CERMICS) and Mohamed Sbai (CERMICS)

Abstract: In usual stochastic volatility models, the process driving  
the volatility of the asset price evolves according to an autonomous  
one-dimensional stochastic differential equation. We assume that the  
coefficients of this equation are smooth. Using It\^o's formula, we  
get rid, in the asset price dynamics, of the stochastic integral with  
respect to the Brownian motion driving this SDE. Taking advantage of  
this structure, we propose - a scheme, based on the Milstein  
discretization of this SDE, with order one of weak trajectorial  
convergence for the asset price, - a scheme, based on the Ninomiya- 
Victoir discretization of this SDE, with order two of weak convergence  
for the asset price. We also propose a specific scheme with improved  
convergence properties when the volatility of the asset price is  
driven by an Orstein-Uhlenbeck process. We confirm the theoretical  
rates of convergence by numerical experiments and show that our  
schemes are well adapted to the multilevel Monte Carlo method  
introduced by Giles [2008a,b].

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1926


9268. High order discretization schemes for stochastic volatility models
Author(s): Benjamin Jourdain (CERMICS) and Mohamed Sbai (CERMICS)

Abstract: In usual stochastic volatility models, the process driving  
the volatility of the asset price evolves according to an autonomous  
one-dimensional stochastic differential equation. We assume that the  
coefficients of this equation are smooth. Using It\^o's formula, we  
get rid, in the asset price dynamics, of the stochastic integral with  
respect to the Brownian motion driving this SDE. Taking advantage of  
this structure, we propose - a scheme, based on the Milstein  
discretization of this SDE, with order one of weak trajectorial  
convergence for the asset price, - a scheme, based on the Ninomiya- 
Victoir discretization of this SDE, with order two of weak convergence  
for the asset price. We also propose a specific scheme with improved  
convergence properties when the volatility of the asset price is  
driven by an Orstein-Uhlenbeck process. We confirm the theoretical  
rates of convergence by numerical experiments and show that our  
schemes are well adapted to the multilevel Monte Carlo method  
introduced by Giles [2008a,b].

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.1926


9269. On the Copula for multivariate Extreme Value distributions
Author(s): Glauco Valle and Marco Aurelio Sanfins

Abstract: We show that all multivariate Extreme Value distributions,  
which are the possible weak limits of the $K$ largest order statistics  
of iid sequences, have the same copula, the so called K-extremal  
copula. This copula is described through exact expressions for its  
density and distribution functions. We also study measures of  
dependence, we obtain a weak convergence result and we propose a  
simulation algorithm for the K-extremal copula.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2144


9270. Simulation reductions for the Ising model
Author(s): Mark L. Huber

Abstract: Polynomial time reductions between problems have long been  
used to delineate problem classes. Simulation reductions also exist,  
where an oracle for simulation from some probability distribution can  
be employed together with an oracle for Bernoulli draws in order to  
obtain a draw from a different distribution. Here linear time  
simulation reductions are given for: the Ising spins world to the  
Ising subgraphs world and the Ising subgraphs world to the Ising spins  
world. This answers a long standing question of whether such a direct  
relationship between these two versions of the Ising model existed.  
Moreover, these reductions result in the first method for perfect  
simulation from the subgraphs world and a new Swendsen-Wang style  
Markov chain for the Ising model. The method used is to write the  
desired distribution with set parameters as a mixture of distributions  
where the parameters are at their extreme values.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2151


9271. Connectivity Bounds for the Vacant Set of Random Interlacements
Author(s): Vladas Sidoravicius and Alain-Sol Sznitman

Abstract: The model of random interlacements on Z^d, d bigger or equal  
to 3, was recently introduced in arXiv:0704.2560. A non-negative  
parameter u parametrizes the density of random interlacements on Z^d.  
In the present note we investigate the connectivity properties of the  
vacant set left by random interlacements at level u, in the non- 
percolative regime, where u is bigger than the non-degenerate critical  
parameter for percolation of the vacant set, see arXiv:0704.2560,  
arXiv:0808.3344. We prove a stretched exponential decay of the  
connectivity function for the vacant set at level u, when u is bigger  
than an other critical parameter. It is presently an open problem  
whether these two critical parameters actually coincide.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2206


9272. Random permutations with cycle weights
Author(s): Volker Betz and Daniel Ueltschi and Yvan Velenik

Abstract: We study the distribution of cycle lengths in models of  
nonuniform random permutations with cycle weights. We identify several  
regimes. Depending on the weights, the length of typical cycles grows  
like the total number n of elements, or a fraction of n, or a  
logarithmic power of n.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2217


9273. The tree length of an evolving coalescent
Author(s): Peter Pfaffelhuber and Anton Wakolbinger and Heinz Weisshaupt

Abstract: A well-established model for the genealogy of a large  
population in equilibrium is Kingman's coalescent. For the population  
together with its genealogy evolving in time, this gives rise to a  
time-stationary tree-valued process. We study the sum of the branch  
lengths, briefly denoted as tree length, and prove that the (suitably  
compensated) sequence of tree length processes converges, as the  
population size tends to infinity, to a limit process with cadlag  
paths, infinite infinitesimal variance, and a Gumbel distribution as  
its equilibrium.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2444


9274. Stochastic integral representation of the $L^{2}$ modulus of  
Brownian local time and a central limit theorem
Author(s): Yaozhong Hu and David Nualart

Abstract: The purpose of this note is to prove a central limit theorem  
for the $L^2$-modulus of continuity of the Brownian local time  
obtained in \cite{CLMR}, using techniques of stochastic analysis. The  
main ingredients of the proof are an asymptotic version of Knight's  
theorem and the Clark-Ocone formula for the $L^2$-modulus of the  
Brownian local time.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2473


9275. Environmental Noise Variability in Population Dynamics Matrix  
Models
Author(s): Michel De Lara (CERMICS)

Abstract: The impact of environmental variability on population size  
growth rate in dynamic models is a recurrent issue in the theoretical  
ecology literature. In the scalar case, R. Lande pointed out that  
results are ambiguous depending on whether the noise is added at  
arithmetic or logarithmic scale, while the matrix case has been  
investigated by S. Tuljapurkar. Our contribution consists first in  
introducing another notion of variability than the widely used  
variance or coefficient of variation, namely the so-called convex  
orders. Second, in population dynamics matrix models, we focus on how  
matrix components depend functionaly on uncertain environmental  
factors. In the log-convex case, we show that, in a sense,  
environmental variability increases both mean population size and mean  
log-population size and makes them more variable. Our main result is  
that specific analytical dependence coupled with appropriate notion of  
variability lead to wide generic results, valid for all times and not  
only asymptotically, and requiring no assumptions of stationarity, of  
normality, of independency, etc. Though the approach is different, our  
conclusions are consistent with previous results in the literature.  
However, they make it clear that the analytical dependence on  
environmental factors cannot be overlooked when trying to tackle the  
influence of variability.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2499


9276. A Backward Particle Interpretation of Feynman-Kac Formulae
Author(s): Pierre Del Moral and Arnaud Doucet and Sumeetpal S. Singh

Abstract: We design a particle interpretation of Feynman-Kac measures  
on path spaces based on a backward Markovian representation combined  
with a traditional mean field particle interpretation of the flow of  
their final time marginals. In contrast to traditional genealogical  
tree based models, these new particle algorithms can be used to  
compute normalized additive functionals "on-the-fly" as well as their  
limiting occupation measures with a given precision degree that does  
not depend on the final time horizon. We provide uniform convergence  
results w.r.t. the time horizon parameter as well as functional  
central limit theorems and exponential concentration estimates. We  
also illustrate these results in the context of computational physics  
and imaginary time Schroedinger type partial differential equations,  
with a special interest in the numerical approximation of the  
invariant measure associated to $h$-processes.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2556


9277. Threshold graph limits and random threshold graphs
Author(s): Persi Diaconis and Susan Holmes and Svante Janson

Abstract: We study the limit theory of large threshold graphs and  
apply this to a variety of models for random threshold graphs. The  
results give a nice set of examples for the emerging theory of graph  
limits.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2448


9278. Phase Transition for the Mixing Time of the Glauber Dynamics for  
Coloring Regular Trees
Author(s): Prasad Tetali and Juan C. Vera and Eric Vigoda and Linji Yang

Abstract: We prove that the mixing time of the Glauber dynamics for  
random $k$-colorings of the complete tree with branching factor $b$  
undergoes a phase transition at $k=b(1+o_b(1))/\ln{b}$. Our main  
result shows nearly sharp bounds on the mixing time of the dynamics on  
the complete tree with $n$ vertices for $k=Cb/\ln{b}$ colors with  
constant $C$. For $C\geq 1$ we prove the mixing time is $O(n^{1+o_b(1)} 
\ln^2{n})$. On the other side, for $C< 1$ the mixing time experiences  
a slowing down, in particular, we prove it is $O(n^{1/C + o_b(1)}\ln^2 
{n})$ and $\Omega(n^{1/C-o_b(1)})$. The critical point C=1 is  
interesting since it coincides (at least up to first order) to the so- 
called reconstruction threshold which was recently established by Sly.  
The reconstruction threshold has been of considerable interest  
recently since it appears to have close connections to the efficiency  
of certain local algorithms, and this work was inspired by our attempt  
to understand these connections in this particular setting.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2665


9279. Stochastic Partial Differential Equations with Unbounded and  
Degenerate Coefficients
Author(s): Xicheng Zhang

Abstract: In this article, using DiPerna-Lions theory \cite{Di-Li}, we  
investigate linear second order stochastic partial differential  
equations with unbounded and degenerate non-smooth coefficients, and  
obtain several conditions for existence and uniqueness. Moreover, we  
also prove the $L^1$-integrability and a general maximal principle for  
generalized solutions of SPDEs. As applications, we study nonlinear  
filtering problem and also obtain the existence and uniqueness of  
generalized solutions for a degenerate nonlinear SPDE.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2695


9280. Probabilistic representation for solutions of an irregular  
porous media type equation: the degenerate case
Author(s): Viorel Barbu and Michael Roeckner (SFB 701) and Francesco  
Russo (LAGA)

Abstract: We consider a possibly degenerate porous media type equation  
over all of $\R^d$ with $d = 1$, with monotone discontinuous  
coefficients with linear growth and prove a probabilistic  
representation of its solution in terms of an associated microscopic  
diffusion. This equation is motivated by some singular behaviour  
arising in complex self-organized critical systems. The main idea  
consists in approximating the equation by equations with monotone non- 
degenerate coefficients and deriving some new analytical properties of  
the solution.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2701


9281. Sharp interface limit for invariant measures of a stochastic  
Allen-Cahn equation
Author(s): Hendrik Weber

Abstract: The invariant measure of a one-dimensional Allen-Cahn  
equation with an additive space-time white noise is studied. This  
measure is absolutely continuous with respect to a Brownian bridge  
with a density which can be interpreted as a potential energy term. We  
consider the sharp interface limit in this setup. In the right scaling  
this corresponds to a Gibbs type measure on a growing interval with  
decreasing temperature. Our main result is that in the limit we still  
see exponential convergence towards a curve of minimizers of the  
energy if the interval does not grow too fast. In the original scaling  
the limit measure is concentrated on configurations with precisely one  
jump. This jump is distributed uniformly.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.2717


9282. Hydrodynamic limit of move-to-front rules and search cost  
probabilities
Author(s): Kumiko Hattori and Tetsuya Hattori

Abstract: We study a hydrodynamic limit approach to move-to-front  
rules, namely, a scaling limit as the number of items tends to  
infinity, of the joint distribution of jump rate and position of  
items. As an application of the limit formula, we present asymptotic  
formulas on search cost probability distributions, applicable for  
general jump rate distributions.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3222


9283. Stochastic Evolutions of Point Processes
Author(s): Philippe Robert

Abstract: The asymptotic behavior of birth and death processes of  
particles in a compact space is analyzed. Births: Particles are  
created at rate $\lambda_+$ and their location is independent of the  
current configuration. Deaths are due to negative particles arriving  
at rate $\lambda_-$. The death of a particle occurs when a negative  
particle arrives in its neighborhood and kills it. Several killing  
schemes are considered. The arriving locations of positive and  
negative particles are assumed to have the same distribution. By using  
a combination of monotonicity properties and invariance relations it  
is shown that the configurations of particles converge in distribution  
for several models. The problems of uniqueness of invariant measures  
and of the existence of accumulation points for the limiting  
configurations are also investigated. It is shown for several natural  
models that if $\lambda_+<\lambda_-$ then the asymptotic configuration  
has a finite number of points with probability 1. Examples with $ 
\lambda_+<\lambda_-$ and an infinite number of particles in the limit  
are also presented.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3256


9284. Reflected Brownian motion in Weyl chambers
Author(s): Nizar Demni

Abstract: We supply two different descriptions of the pushing process  
driving the reflected Brownian motion in Weyl chambers, when the  
latter domains are simplexes. The first one shows that a simple root  
lies in one and only one orbit if and only if the pushing process in  
the direction of that simple root increases as the sum of all the  
Brownian local times in the directions of the orbit's positive  
elements. The last one shows that the pushing process may be written  
as the sum of an inward normal vector at the chamber's boundary and an  
inward normal vector at the origin, yielding a kind of a multivoque  
stochastic differential equation for the reflected process. We finally  
give a particles system interpretation of the reflected process and  
construct a multidimensional skew Brownian motion.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3302


9285. A zero-one law for linear transformations of Levy noise
Author(s): Steven N. Evans

Abstract: A L\'evy noise on $\mathbb{R}^d$ assigns a random real  
"mass" $\Pi(B)$ to each Borel subset $B$ of $\mathbb{R}^d$ with finite  
Lebesgue measure. The distribution of $\Pi(B)$ only depends on the  
Lebesgue measure of $B$, and if $B_1, ..., B_n$ is a finite collection  
of pairwise disjoint sets, then the random variables $\Pi(B_1), ...,  
\Pi(B_n)$ are independent with $\Pi(B_1 \cup >... \cup B_n) = \Pi(B_1)  
+ ... + \Pi(B_n)$ almost surely. In particular, the distribution of $ 
\Pi \circ g$ is the same as that of $\Pi$ when $g$ is a bijective  
transformation of $\mathbb{R}^d$ that preserves Lebesgue measure. It  
follows from the Hewitt--Savage zero--one law that any event which is  
almost surely invariant under the mappings $\Pi \mapsto \Pi \circ g$  
for every Lebesgue measure preserving bijection $g$ of $\mathbb{R}^d$  
must have probability 0 or 1. We investigate whether certain smaller  
groups of Lebesgue measure preserving bijections also possess this  
property. We show that if $d \ge 2$, the L\'evy noise is not purely  
deterministic, and the group consists of linear transformations and is  
closed, then the invariant events all have probability 0 or 1 if and  
only if the group is not compact.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3339


9286. Finite-time blowup and existence of global positive solutions of  
a semi-linear SPDE
Author(s): Marco Dozzi (IECN) and Jos\'e Alfredo Lopez

Abstract: We consider stochastic equations of the prototype $du(t,x) = 
(\Delta u(t,x)+u(t,x)^{1+\beta})dt+\kappa u(t,x) dW_{t}$ on a smooth  
domain $D\subset \mathord{\rm I\mkern-3.6mu R\:}^d$, with Dirichlet  
boundary condition, where $\beta$, $\kappa$ are positive constants and  
$\{W_t $, $t\ge0\}$ is a one-dimensional standard Wiener process. We  
estimate the probability of finite time blowup of positive solutions,  
as well as the probability of existence of non-trivial positive global  
solutions.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3364


9287. Limit theorems for random processes with random time substitution
Author(s): Permyakova Elena

Abstract: In this paper the sufficient conditions for convergence in  
Skorokhod space $D[0,1]$ of sequence of random processes with random  
time substitution are obtained.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3395


9288. Poisson Splitting by Factors
Author(s): Alexander E. Holroyd and Russell Lyons and and Terry Soo

Abstract: Given a homogeneous Poisson process on R^d with intensity L,  
we prove that it is possible to partition the points into two sets, as  
a deterministic function of the process, and in an isometry- 
equivariant way, so that each set of points forms a homogeneous  
Poisson process, with any given pair of intensities summing to L. In  
particular, this answers a question of Ball, who proved that in d=1,  
the Poisson points may be similarly partitioned (via a translation- 
equivariant function) so that one set forms a Poisson process of lower  
intensity, and asked whether the same was possible for all d. We do  
not know whether it is possible similarly to add points (again chosen  
as a deterministic function of a Poisson process) to obtain a Poisson  
process of higher intensity, but we prove that this is not possible  
under an additional finitariness condition.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3409


9289. A rule of thumb for riffle shuffling
Author(s): Sami Assaf and Persi Diaconis and K. Soundararajan

Abstract: We study how many riffle shuffles are required to mix n  
cards if only certain features of the deck are of interest, e.g. suits  
disregarded or only the colors of interest. For these features, the  
number of shuffles drops from 3/2 log_2(n) to log_2(n). We derive  
closed formulae and an asymptotic `rule of thumb' formula which is  
remarkably accurate.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3462


9290. Optimal transportation and monotonic quantities on evolving  
manifolds
Author(s): Hong Huang

Abstract: In this note we adapt Topping's $\mathcal{L}$-optimal  
transportation theory for Ricci flow to a more general situation, i.e.  
to a closed manifold $(M,g_{ij}(t)$ evolving by $\partial_tg_{ij}=-2S_ 
{ij}$, where $S_{ij}$ is a symmetric tensor field of (2,0)-type on $M 
$. We extend some of Topping's and Lott's recent results, generalize  
the monotonicity of List's (and hence also of Perelman's) $\mathcal{W} 
$-entropy, and recover the monotonicity of M$\ddot{u}$ller's (and  
hence also of Perelman's) reduced volume.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3293


9291. Rank-based attachment leads to power law graphs
Author(s): Jeannette Janssen and Pawel Pralat

Abstract: We investigate the degree distribution resulting from graph  
generation models based on rank-based attachment. In rank-based  
attachment, all vertices are ranked according to a ranking scheme. The  
link probability of a given vertex is proportional to its rank raised  
to the power -a, for some a in (0,1). Through a rigorous analysis, we  
show that rank-based attachment models lead to graphs with a power law  
degree distribution with exponent 1+1/a whenever vertices are ranked  
according to their degree, their age, or a randomly chosen fitness  
value. We also investigate the case where the ranking is based on the  
initial rank of each vertex; the rank of existing vertices only  
changes to accommodate the new vertex. Here, we obtain a sharp  
threshold for power law behaviour. Only if initial ranks are biased  
towards lower ranks, or chosen uniformly at random, we obtain a power  
law degree distribution with exponent 1+1/a. This indicates that the  
power law degree distribution often observed in nature can be  
explained by a rank-based attachment scheme, based on a ranking scheme  
that can be derived from a number of different factors; the exponent  
of the power law can be seen as a measure of the strength of the  
attachment.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3436


9292. Notes on Feige's gumball machines problem
Author(s): John H. Elton

Abstract: We give a detailed proof, in the identically distributed  
case, of a conjecture of Feige about the maximum probability that the  
sum of n independent non-negative integer valued random variables,  
each of mean 1, exceeds n. The general case is reduced to two-point  
distributions.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3528


9293. Limit theorems for projections of random walk on a hypersphere
Author(s): Max Skipper

Abstract: We show that almost any one-dimensional projection of a  
suitably scaled random walk on a hypercube, inscribed in a  
hypersphere, converges weakly to an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process as the  
dimension of the sphere tends to infinity. We also observe that the  
same result holds when the random walk is replaced with spherical  
Brownian motion. This latter result can be viewed as a "functional"  
generalisation of Poincar\'e's observation for projections of uniform  
measure on high dimensional spheres; the former result is an analogous  
generalisation of the Bernoulli-Laplace central limit theorem. Given  
the relation of these two classic results to the central limit theorem  
for convex bodies, the modest results provided here would appear to  
motivate a functional generalisation.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3536


9294. Can an infinite product of nonnegative matrices be expressed in  
terms of infinite products of stochastic ones?
Author(s): Alain Thomas (LATP)

Abstract: It is known that if the product $M_n... M_1$ converges to a  
nonnull limit when $n\to\infty$ and if the $M_n$ belong to a finite  
set of complex matrices, then the $M_n$ for $n\ge n_0$ have a common  
right eigenvector $V$ for the eigenvalue 1. In case the $M_n$ are  
nonnegative and $V$ is positive, $\Delta^{-1}M_{n_0}... M_n\Delta$ is  
the product of the stochastic matrices $\Delta^{-1}M_n\Delta$, where  
the diagonal matrix $\Delta$ has on its diagonal the same entries as $V 
$. In the last section we examine what happen when we remove the  
hypothesis that $V$ is positive.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3538


9295. Critical random graphs: limiting constructions and  
distributional properties
Author(s): L. Addario-Berry and N. Broutin and C. Goldschmidt

Abstract: We consider the Erdos--Renyi random graph G(n,p) inside the  
critical window, where p = 1/n + lambda * n^{-4/3} for some lambda in  
R. We proved in a previous paper (arXiv:0903.4730) that considering  
the connected components of G(n,p) as a sequence of metric spaces with  
the graph distance rescaled by n^{-1/3} and letting n go to infinity  
yields a non-trivial sequence of limit metric spaces C = (C_1,  
C_2, ...). These limit metric spaces can be constructed from certain  
random real trees with vertex-identifications. We give here equivalent  
constructions using standard Brownian continuum random trees, their  
recursive construction from inhomogeneous Poisson point processes, and  
Polya's urn scheme. We also characterize the distributions of the  
masses and lengths in the constituant parts of a limit component when  
it is decomposed according to its cycle structure.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3629


9296. Harnack Inequalities and Applications for Multivalued Stochastic  
Evolution Equations
Author(s): Shun-Xiang Ouyang

Abstract: By the method of coupling and Girsanov transformation,  
Harnack inequalities [F.-Y. Wang, 1997] and strong Feller property are  
proved for the transition semigroup associated with the multivalued  
stochastic evolution equation on a Gelfand triple. The concentration  
property of the invariant measure for the semigroup is investigated.  
As applications of Harnack inequalities, explicit upper bounds of the  
$L^p$-norm of the density, contractivity, compactness and entropy-cost  
inequality for the semigroup are also presented.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3630


9297. Applications of Weak Convergence for Hedging of American and  
Game Options
Author(s): Yan Dolinsky

Abstract: This paper studies stability of Dynkin's games value under  
weak convergence. We use these results to approximate game options  
prices with path dependent payoffs in continuous time models by  
sequence of game options prices in discrete time models which can be  
calculated by dynamical programming algorithms. We also show that  
shortfall risks of American options in a sequence of multinomial  
approximations of the multidimensional BS market converge to the  
corresponding quantities for similar American options in the  
multidimensional BS market with path dependent payoffs. In comparison  
to previous papers we work under more general convergence of  
underlying processes, as well, as weaker condition on the payoffs.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3661


9298. On the minimal penalty for Markov order estimation
Author(s): Ramon van Handel

Abstract: We show that large-scale typicality of Markov sample paths  
implies that the likelihood ratio statistic satisfies a law of  
iterated logarithm uniformly to the same scale. As a consequence, the  
penalized likelihood Markov order estimator is strongly consistent for  
penalties growing as slowly as log log n when an upper bound is  
imposed on the order which may grow as rapidly as log n. Our method of  
proof, using techniques from empirical process theory, does not rely  
on the explicit expression for the maximum likelihood estimator in the  
Markov case and could therefore be applicable in other settings.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3666


9299. Zero-one laws for connectivity in random key graphs
Author(s): Osman Yagan and Armand M. Makowski

Abstract: The random key graph is a random graph naturally associated  
with the random key predistribution scheme of Eschenauer and Gligor  
for wireless sensor networks. For this class of random graphs we  
establish a new version of a conjectured zero-one law for graph  
connectivity as the number of nodes becomes unboundedly large. The  
results reported here complement and strengthen recent work on this  
conjecture by Blackburn and Gerke. In particular, the results are  
given under conditions which are more realistic for applications to  
wireless sensor networks.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3644


9300. Randomized Scheduling Algorithm for Queueing Networks
Author(s): Devavrat Shah and Jinwoo Shin

Abstract: There has recently been considerable interest in design of  
low-complexity, myopic, distributed and stable scheduling policies for  
constrained queueing network models that arise in the context of  
emerging communication networks. Here, we consider two representative  
models. One, a model for the collection of wireless nodes  
communicating through a shared medium, that represents randomly  
varying number of packets in the queues at the nodes of networks. Two,  
a buffered circuit switched network model for an optical core of  
future Internet, to capture the randomness in calls or flows present  
in the network. The maximum weight scheduling policy proposed by  
Tassiulas and Ephremide in 1992 leads to a myopic and stable policy  
for the packet-level wireless network model. But computationally it is  
very expensive (NP-hard) and centralized. It is not applicable to the  
buffered circuit switched network due to the requirement of non- 
premption of the calls in the service. As the main contribution of  
this paper, we present a stable scheduling algorithm for both of these  
models. The algorithm is myopic, distributed and performs few logical  
operations at each node per unit time.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3670


9301. Asymptotic regimes for the partition into colonies of a  
branching process with emigration
Author(s): Jean Bertoin (PMA and Dma)

Abstract: We consider a spatial branching process with emigration in  
which children either remain at the same site as their parents or  
migrate to new locations and then found their own colonies. We are  
interested in asymptotics of the partition of the total population  
into colonies for large populations with rare migrations. Under  
appropriate regimes, we establish weak convergence of the rescaled  
partition to some random measure that is constructed from the  
restriction of a Poisson point measure to a certain random region, and  
whose cumulant solves a simple integral equation.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3735


9302. On the absolute continuity of multidimensional Ornstein- 
Uhlenbeck processes
Author(s): Thomas Simon (LPP)

Abstract: Let $X$ be a $n$-dimensional Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process,  
solution of the S.D.E. $$\d X_t = AX_t \d t + \d B_t$$ where $A$ is a  
real $n\times n$ matrix and $B$ a L\'evy process without Gaussian  
part. We show that when $A$ is non-singular, the law of $X_1$ is  
absolutely continuous in $\r^n$ if and only if the jumping measure of  
$B$ fulfils a certain geometric condition with respect to $A,$ which  
we call the exhaustion property. This optimal criterion is much weaker  
than for the background driving L\'evy process $B$, which might be  
very singular and sometimes even have a one-dimensional discrete  
jumping measure. It also solves a difficult problem for a certain  
class of multivariate Non-Gaussian infinitely divisible distributions.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3736


9303. Extremal Subgraphs of Random Graphs: an Extended Version
Author(s): Graham Brightwell and Konstantinos Panagiotou and Angelika  
Steger

Abstract: We prove that there is a constant $c >0$, such that whenever  
$p \ge n^{-c}$, with probability tending to 1 when $n$ goes to  
infinity, every maximum triangle-free subgraph of the random graph $G_ 
{n,p}$ is bipartite. This answers a question of Babai, Simonovits and  
Spencer (Journal of Graph Theory, 1990). The proof is based on a tool  
of independent interest: we show, for instance, that the maximum cut  
of almost all graphs with $M$ edges, where $M >> n$, is ``nearly  
unique''. More precisely, given a maximum cut $C$ of $G_{n,M}$, we can  
obtain all maximum cuts by moving at most $O(\sqrt{n^3/M})$ vertices  
between the parts of $C$.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3778


9304. Mixing time of near-critical random graphs
Author(s): Jian Ding and Eyal Lubetzky and Yuval Peres

Abstract: Let $C_1$ be the largest component of the Erd\H{o}s-R\'enyi  
random graph $G(n,p)$. The mixing time of random walk on $C_1$ in the  
strictly supercritical regime, $p=c/n$ with fixed $c>1$, was shown to  
have order $\log^2 n$ by Fountoulakis and Reed, and independently by  
Benjamini, Kozma and Wormald. In the critical window, $p=(1+\epsilon)/n 
$ where $\lambda=\epsilon^3 n$ is bounded, Nachmias and Peres proved  
that the mixing time on $C_1$ is of order $n$. However, it was unclear  
how to interpolate between these results, and estimate the mixing time  
as the giant component emerges from the critical window. Indeed, even  
the asymptotics of the diameter of $C_1$ in this regime were only  
recently obtained by Riordan and Wormald, as well as the present  
authors and Kim. In this paper we show that for $p=(1+\epsilon)/n$  
with $\lambda=\epsilon^3 n\to\infty$ and $\lambda=o(n)$, the mixing  
time on $C_1$ is with high probability of order $(n/\lambda)\log^2  
\lambda$. In addition, we show that this is the order of the largest  
mixing time over all components, both in the slightly supercritical  
and in the slightly subcritical regime (i.e., $p=(1-\epsilon)/n$ with $ 
\lambda$ as above).

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3870


9305. Utility Optimization in Congested Queueing Networks
Author(s): Neil Stuart Walton

Abstract: We consider a multi-class single server queueing network as  
a model of a packet switching network. The rates packets are sent into  
this network are controlled by queues which act as congestion windows.  
By considering a sequence of such congestion windows we allow the  
network to become congested. We show the stationary throughput of  
routes on this sequence of networks converges to an allocation that  
maximizes aggregate utility subject to the network's capacity  
constraints. To perform this analysis we require that our utility  
functions satisfy an exponential concavity condition. This family of  
utilities includes weighted $\alpha$-fair utilities for $\alpha >1$.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3787


9306. Distributed Averaging via Lifted Markov Chains
Author(s): Kyomin Jung and Devavrat Shah and Jinwoo Shin

Abstract: Motivated by applications of distributed linear estimation,  
distributed control and distributed optimization, we consider the  
question of designing linear iterative algorithms for computing the  
average of numbers in a network. Specifically, our interest is in  
designing such an algorithm with the fastest rate of convergence given  
the topological constraints of the network. As the main result of this  
paper, we design an algorithm with the fastest possible rate of  
convergence using a non-reversible Markov chain on the given network  
graph. We construct such a Markov chain by transforming the standard  
Markov chain, which is obtained using the Metropolis-Hastings method.  
We call this novel transformation pseudo-lifting. We apply our method  
to graphs with geometry, or graphs with doubling dimension.  
Specifically, the convergence time of our algorithm (equivalently, the  
mixing time of our Markov chain) is proportional to the diameter of  
the network graph and hence optimal. As a byproduct, our result  
provides the fastest mixing Markov chain given the network topological  
constraints, and should naturally find their applications in the  
context of distributed optimization, estimation and control.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4073


9307. Hydrodynamic limit of the exclusion process in inhomogeneous media
Author(s): Milton Jara

Abstract: We obtain the hydrodynamic limit of a simple exclusion  
process in an inhomogeneous environment of divergence form. Our main  
assumption is a suitable version of Gamma-convergence for the  
environment. In this way we obtain an unified approach to recent works  
on the field.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4120


9308. Contact process in a wedge
Author(s): J. Theodore Cox and Nevena Maric and Rinaldo B. Schinazi

Abstract: We prove that the supercritical one-dimensional contact  
process survives in certain wedge-like space-time regions, and that  
when it survives it couples with the unrestricted contact process  
started from its upper invariant measure. As an application we show  
that a type of weak coexistence is possible in the nearest-neighbor  
``grass-bushes-trees'' successional model introduced in Durrett and  
Swindle (1991).

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4125


9309. Kolmogorov equation associated to the stochastic reflection  
problem on a smooth convex set of a Hilbert space
Author(s): Viorel Barbu and Giuseppe Da Prato and Luciano Tubaro

Abstract: We consider the stochastic reflection problem associated  
with a self-adjoint operator $A$ and a cylindrical Wiener process on a  
convex set $K$ with nonempty interior and regular boundary $\Sigma$ in  
a Hilbert space $H$. We prove the existence and uniqueness of a smooth  
solution for the corresponding elliptic infinite-dimensional  
Kolmogorov equation with Neumann boundary condition on $\Sigma$.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4139


9310. The survival of large dimensional threshold contact processes
Author(s): Thomas Mountford and Roberto H. Schonmann

Abstract: We study the threshold $\theta$ contact process on $\mathbb 
{Z}^d$ with infection parameter $\lambda$. We show that the critical  
point $\lambda_{\mathrm{c}}$, defined as the threshold for survival  
starting from every site occupied, vanishes as $d\to\infty$. This  
implies that the threshold $\theta$ voter model on $\mathbb{Z}^d$ has  
a nondegenerate extremal invariant measure, when $d$ is large.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4146


9311. On the extendibility of partially and Markov exchangeable binary  
sequences
Author(s): Davide Di Cecco

Abstract: In [Fortini et al., Stoch. Proc. Appl. 100 (2002), 147--165]  
it is demonstrated that a recurrent Markov exchangeable process in the  
sense of Diaconis and Freedman is essentially a partially exchangeable  
process in the sense of de Finetti. In case of finite sequences there  
is not such an equivalence. We analyze both finite partially  
exchangeable and finite Markov exchangeable binary sequences and  
formulate necessary and sufficient conditions for extendibility in  
both cases.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4158


9312. Asymptotic properties of the columns in the products of  
nonnegative matrices
Author(s): \'Eric Olivier (LATP) and Alain Thomas (LATP)

Abstract: We consider the sequence of column-vectors $R_n=A_1... A_nR$  
associated to a sequence $(A_n)$ of nonnegative $d\times d$ matrices  
and to a positive $d$-dimensional column-vector $R$. The problem to  
know the necessary and sufficient conditions -- on the sequence $(A_n) 
$ -- for $\displaystyle{R_n\over\Vert R_n\Vert}$ to converge is yet  
not solved. Nevertheless we prove this convergence in case the $A_n$  
are -- in a sense -- echeloned and fulfill certain boundness  
conditions. If the $A_n$ do not fulfill the conditions and even if  
they are sparse, it may exist a sequence of integers $(n_k)$ such that  
the matrices $A'_k=A_{n_k+1}... A_{n_{k+1}}$ do: we see in some other  
paper how to proceed in one example, and how to use the obtained  
result to study some continuous singular measure.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4171


9313. On the inverse first-passage-time problem for a Wiener process
Author(s): Cristina Zucca and Laura Sacerdote

Abstract: The inverse first-passage problem for a Wiener process $(W_t) 
_{t\ge0}$ seeks to determine a function $b{}:{}\mathbb{R}_+\to\mathbb 
{R}$ such that \[\tau=\inf\{t>0| W_t\ge b(t)\}\] has a given law. In  
this paper two methods for approximating the unknown function $b$ are  
presented. The errors of the two methods are studied. A set of  
examples illustrates the methods. Possible applications are enlighted.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4213


9314. Extremal shot noises, heavy tails and max-stable random fields
Author(s): Cl\'ement Dombry (LMA)

Abstract: Extremal shot noises naturally appear in extreme value  
theory as a model for spatial extremes and serve as basic models for  
annual maxima of rainfall or for coverage field in telecommunication.  
In this work, we examine their properties such as boundedness,  
regularity, ergodicity ... Connexions with max-stable random fields  
are established: we prove a limit theorem when the distribution of the  
weights is heavy tailed and the intensity of points goes to infinity.  
We use a point process approach strongly connected to the Peak Over  
Threshold method used by hydrologists. Properties of the limit max- 
stable random fields are also investigated.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4221


9315. Stochastic completeness and volume growth
Author(s): Christian Baer and G. Pacelli Bessa

Abstract: It has been suggested in 1999 that a certain volume growth  
condition for geodesically complete Riemannian manifolds might imply  
that the manifold is stochastically complete. This is motivated by a  
large class of examples and by a known analogous criterion for  
recurrence of Brownian motion. We show that the suggested implication  
is not true in general. We also give counter-examples to a converse  
implication.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4222


9316. Matrix factorization identity for almost semi-continuous  
processes on a Markov chain
Author(s): D.V. Gusak and E.V. Karnaukh

Abstract: In this article almost semi-continuous processes with  
stationary independent increments on a finite irreducible Markov chain  
are considered. For these processes the components of matrix  
factorization identity are concretely defined. On the basis of this  
concrete definition the relations for the distributions of extrema and  
distributions of their complements for the almost upper semi- 
continuous processes are established.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4326


9317. Limit laws of transient excited random walks on integers
Author(s): Elena Kosygina and Thomas Mountford

Abstract: We consider excited random walks (ERWs) on integers with a  
bounded number of i.i.d. cookies per site without the non-negativity  
assumption on the drifts induced by the "cookies". E. Kosygina and  
M.P.W. Zerner have shown that when the total expected drift per site,  
delta, is larger than 1 then ERW is transient to the right and,  
moreover, for delta>4 under the averaged measure it obeys the Central  
Limit Theorem. We show that when delta is in (2,4] the limiting  
behavior of an appropriately centered and scaled excited random walk  
is described by a strictly stable law with parameter delta/2. Our  
method also extends the results obtained by A.-L. Basdevant and A.  
Singh for delta in (1,2] under the non-negativity assumption to the  
setting which allows both positive and negative cookies.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4356


9318. Poisson Dirichlet$(\alpha,\theta)$-Bridge Equations and  
Coagulation-Fragmentation Duality
Author(s): Lancelot F. James

Abstract: This paper derives distributional properties of a class of  
exchangeable bridges closely related to the Poisson-Dirichlet $(\alpha, 
\theta)$ family of bridges. We then show that various stochastic  
equations derived for these bridges lead to constructions of a new  
large class of coagulation and fragmentation operators that satisfy a  
duality property, and are otherwise easily manipulated. This class,  
builds on, and includes the duality relations developed in Pitman  
(1999), Bertoin and Goldschmidt (2004), and Dong, Goldschmidt and  
Martin (2006),which we can treat in a unified way. Our exposition also  
suggests an approach to obtain other dualities and related results.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4436


9319. Convergence of Numerical Time-Averaging and Stationary Measures  
via Poisson Equations
Author(s): Jonathan C. Mattingly and Andrew M. Stuart and M.V. Tretyakov

Abstract: Numerical approximation of the long time behavior of a  
stochastic differential equation (SDE) is considered. Error estimates  
for time-averaging estimators are obtained and then used to show that  
the stationary behavior of the numerical method converges to that of  
the SDE. The error analysis is based on using an associated Poisson  
equation for the underlying SDE. The main advantage of this approach  
is its simplicity and universality. It works equally well for a range  
of explicit and implicit schemes including those with simple  
simulation of random variables, and for general hypoelliptic SDEs. An  
analogy between this approach and Stein's method is indicated. Some  
practical implications of the results are discussed.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4450


9320. Time averages, recurrence and transience in the stochastic  
replicator dynamics
Author(s): Josef Hofbauer and Lorens A. Imhof

Abstract: We investigate the long-run behavior of a stochastic  
replicator process, which describes game dynamics for a symmetric two- 
player game under aggregate shocks. We establish an averaging  
principle that relates time averages of the process and Nash  
equilibria of a suitably modified game. Furthermore, a sufficient  
condition for transience is given in terms of mixed equilibria and  
definiteness of the payoff matrix. We also present necessary and  
sufficient conditions for stochastic stability of pure equilibria.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4467


9321. Bubbles, convexity and the Black--Scholes equation
Author(s): Erik Ekstr\"{o}m and Johan Tysk

Abstract: A bubble is characterized by the presence of an underlying  
asset whose discounted price process is a strict local martingale  
under the pricing measure. In such markets, many standard results from  
option pricing theory do not hold, and in this paper we address some  
of these issues. In particular, we derive existence and uniqueness  
results for the Black--Scholes equation, and we provide convexity  
theory for option pricing and derive related ordering results with  
respect to volatility. We show that American options are convexity  
preserving, whereas European options preserve concavity for general  
payoffs and convexity only for bounded contracts.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4468


9322. On convergence to stationarity of fractional Brownian storage
Author(s): Michel Mandjes and Ilkka Norros and Peter Glynn

Abstract: With $M(t):=\sup_{s\in[0,t]}A(s)-s$ denoting the running  
maximum of a fractional Brownian motion $A(\cdot)$ with negative  
drift, this paper studies the rate of convergence of $\mathbb {P}(M(t) 
 >x)$ to $\mathbb{P}(M>x)$. We define two metrics that measure the  
distance between the (complementary) distribution functions $\mathbb{P} 
(M(t)>\cdot)$ and $\mathbb{P}(M>\cdot)$. Our main result states that  
both metrics roughly decay as $\exp(-\vartheta t^{2-2H})$, where $ 
\vartheta$ is the decay rate corresponding to the tail distribution of  
the busy period in an fBm-driven queue, which was computed recently  
[Stochastic Process. Appl. (2006) 116 1269--1293]. The proofs  
extensively rely on application of the well-known large deviations  
theorem for Gaussian processes. We also show that the identified  
relation between the decay of the convergence metrics and busy-period  
asymptotics holds in other settings as well, most notably when G 
\"artner--Ellis-type conditions are fulfilled.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4472


9323. Random recurrence equations and ruin in a Markov-dependent  
stochastic economic environment
Author(s): Jeffrey F. Collamore

Abstract: We develop sharp large deviation asymptotics for the  
probability of ruin in a Markov-dependent stochastic economic  
environment and study the extremes for some related Markovian  
processes which arise in financial and insurance mathematics, related  
to perpetuities and the $\operatorname {ARCH}(1)$ and $\operatorname  
{GARCH}(1,1)$ time series models. Our results build upon work of  
Goldie [Ann. Appl. Probab. 1 (1991) 126--166], who has developed tail  
asymptotics applicable for independent sequences of random variables  
subject to a random recurrence equation. In contrast, we adopt a  
general approach based on the theory of Harris recurrent Markov chains  
and the associated theory of nonnegative operators, and meanwhile  
develop certain recurrence properties for these operators under a  
nonstandard "G\"artner--Ellis" assumption on the driving process.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4479


9324. Non-Markov property of certain eigenvalue processes analogous to  
Dyson's model
Author(s): Ryoki Fukushima and Atsushi Tanida and Kouji Yano

Abstract: It is proven that the eigenvalue process of Dyson's random  
matrix process of size two becomes non-Markov if the common  
coefficient $1/\sqrt{2}$ in the non-diagonal entries is replaced by a  
different positive number.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4481


9325. Optimal reinsurance/investment problems for general insurance  
models
Author(s): Yuping Liu and Jin Ma

Abstract: In this paper the utility optimization problem for a general  
insurance model is studied. The reserve process of the insurance  
company is described by a stochastic differential equation driven by a  
Brownian motion and a Poisson random measure, representing the  
randomness from the financial market and the insurance claims,  
respectively. The random safety loading and stochastic interest rates  
are allowed in the model so that the reserve process is non-Markovian  
in general. The insurance company can manage the reserves through both  
portfolios of the investment and a reinsurance policy to optimize a  
certain utility function, defined in a generic way. The main feature  
of the problem lies in the intrinsic constraint on the part of  
reinsurance policy, which is only proportional to the claim-size  
instead of the current level of reserve, and hence it is quite  
different from the optimal investment/consumption problem with  
constraints in finance. Necessary and sufficient conditions for both  
well posedness and solvability will be given by modifying the  
``duality method'' in finance and with the help of the solvability of  
a special type of backward stochastic differential equations.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4538


9326. Recursive estimation of time-average variance constants
Author(s): Wei Biao Wu

Abstract: For statistical inference of means of stationary processes,  
one needs to estimate their time-average variance constants (TAVC) or  
long-run variances. For a stationary process, its TAVC is the sum of  
all its covariances and it is a multiple of the spectral density at  
zero. The classical TAVC estimate which is based on batched means does  
not allow recursive updates and the required memory complexity is O 
(n). We propose a faster algorithm which recursively computes the  
TAVC, thus having memory complexity of order O(1) and the  
computational complexity scales linearly in $n$. Under short-range  
dependence conditions, we establish moment and almost sure convergence  
of the recursive TAVC estimate. Convergence rates are also obtained.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4540


9327. Asymptotic behavior of unstable INAR(p) processes
Author(s): Matyas Barczy and Marton Ispany and Gyula Pap

Abstract: In this paper the asymptotic behavior of an unstable integer- 
valued autoregressive model of order p (INAR(p)) is described. Under a  
natural assumption it is proved that the sequence of appropriately  
scaled random step functions formed from an unstable INAR(p) process  
converges weakly towards a squared Bessel process. We note that this  
limit behavior is quite different from that of familiar unstable  
autoregressive processes of order p.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4560


9328. Analysis of a Stochastic Predator-Prey Model with Applications  
to Intrahost HIV Genetic Diversity
Author(s): Sivan Leviyang

Abstract: During an infection, HIV experiences strong selection by  
immune system T cells. Recent experimental work has shown that MHC  
escape mutations form an important pathway for HIV to avoid such  
selection. In this paper, we study a model of MHC escape mutation. The  
model is a predator-prey model with two prey, composed of two HIV  
variants, and one predator, the immune system CD8 cells. We assume  
that one HIV variant is visible to CD8 cells and one is not. The model  
takes the form of a system of stochastic differential equations.  
Motivated by well-known results concerning the short life-cycle of HIV  
intrahost, we assume that HIV population dynamics occur on a faster  
time scale then CD8 population dynamics. This separation of time  
scales allows us to analyze our model using an asymptotic approach.  
Using this model we study the impact of an MHC escape mutation on the  
population dynamics and genetic evolution of the intrahost HIV  
population. From the perspective of population dynamics, we show that  
the competition between the visible and invisible HIV variants can  
reach steady states in which either a single variant exists or in  
which coexistence occurs depending on the parameter regime. We show  
that in some parameter regimes the end state of the system is  
stochastic. From a genetics perspective, we study the impact of the  
population dynamics on the lineages of HIV samples taken after an  
escape mutation occurs. We show that the lineages go through severe  
bottlenecks and that the lineage distribution can be characterized by  
a Kingman coalescent.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4569


9329. Stability of a spatial polling system with greedy myopic service
Author(s): Lasse Leskel\"a and Falk Unger

Abstract: This paper studies a spatial queueing system on a circle,  
polled at random locations by a myopic server that can only observe  
customers in a bounded neighborhood. The server operates according to  
a greedy policy, always serving the nearest customer in its  
neighborhood, and leaving the system unchanged at polling instants  
where the neighborhood is empty. This system is modeled as a measure- 
valued random process, which is shown to be positive recurrent under a  
natural stability condition that does not depend on the server's scan  
range. When the interpolling times are light-tailed, the stable system  
is shown to be geometrically ergodic. We also briefly discuss how the  
stationary mean number of customers behaves in light and heavy traffic.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4585


9330. Strict positivity of the density for non-linear spatially  
homogeneous SPDEs
Author(s): Eulalia Nualart

Abstract: In this paper, we consider a system of $k$ second order non- 
linear stochastic differential equations with spatial dimension $d  
\geq 1$, driven by a $k$-dimensional Gaussian noise, which is white in  
time and with some spatially homogeneous covariance. We prove  
existence, smoothness, and strict positivity of the density of the law  
of the solution of this system of equations, on the set where the  
diffusion matrix is invertible, under sufficient conditions on the  
fundamental solution $\Gamma$ of the deterministic equation. For this,  
we apply techniques of Malliavin calculus. We apply this result to the  
case of the stochastic heat equation in any space dimension and the  
the stochastic wave equation in dimension $d\in \{1,2,3\}$, with a  
spatial covariance given by a Riesz kernel. We then study the strict  
positivity of the density for the case of a single equation ($k=1$),  
and apply it to the stochastic heat equation in any space dimension,  
and the stochastic wave equation in dimension $d\in \{1,2,3\}$, with a  
general spatial covariance.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4587


9331. On the spectral dimension of causal triangulations
Author(s): Bergfinnur Durhuus and Thordur Jonsson and John F. Wheater

Abstract: We introduce an ensemble of infinite causal triangulations,  
called the uniform infinite causal triangulation, and show that it is  
equivalent to an ensemble of infinite trees, the uniform infinite  
planar tree. It is proved that in both cases the Hausdorff dimension  
almost surely equals 2. The infinite causal triangulations are shown  
to be almost surely recurrent or, equivalently, their spectral  
dimension is almost surely less than or equal to 2. We also establish  
that for certain reduced versions of the infinite causal  
triangulations the spectral dimension equals 2 both for the ensemble  
average and almost surely. The triangulation ensemble we consider is  
equivalent to the causal dynamical triangulation model of two- 
dimensional quantum gravity and therefore our results apply to that  
model.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.3643


9332. Stochastic Cahn-Hilliard equation with double singular  
nonlinearities and two reflections
Author(s): Arnaud Debussche (IRMAR) and Ludovic Gouden\`ege (IRMAR)

Abstract: We consider a stochastic partial differential equation with  
two logarithmic nonlinearities, with two reflections at 1 and -1 and  
with a constraint of conservation of the space average. The equation,  
driven by the derivative in space of a space-time white noise,  
contains a bi-Laplacian in the drift. The lack of the maximum  
principle for the bi-Laplacian generates difficulties for the  
classical penalization method, which uses a crucial monotonicity  
property. Being inspired by the works of Debussche, Gouden\`ege and  
Zambotti, we obtain existence and uniqueness of solution for initial  
conditions in the interval $(-1,1)$. Finally, we prove that the unique  
invariant measure is ergodic, and we give a result of exponential  
mixing.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0908.4295




-----------------------------------
Stefano M. Iacus
Department of Economics,
Business and Statistics
University of Milan
Via Conservatorio, 7
I-20123 Milan - Italy
Ph.: +39 02 50321 461
Fax: +39 02 50321 505
http://www.economia.unimi.it/iacus
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