Spatial design matrices and associated quadratic forms: structure and properties

The paper provides significant simplifications and extensions of results obtained by Gorsich, Genton, and Strang (J. Multivariate Anal. 80 (2002) 138) on the structure of spatial design matrices. These are the matrices implicitly defined by quadratic forms that arise naturally in modelling intrinsically stationary and isotropic spatial processes. We give concise structural formulae for these matrices, and simple generating functions for them. The generating functions provide formulae for the cumulants of the quadratic forms of interest when the process is Gaussian, second-order stationary and isotropic. We use these to study the statistical properties of the associated quadratic forms, in particular those of the classical variogram estimator, under several assumptions about the actual variogram.     

Correlation Inequalities and Applications to Vector-Valued Gaussian Random Variables and Fractional Brownian Motion

In this paper we extend certain correlation inequalities for vector-valued Gaussian random variables due to Kolmogorov and Rozanov. The inequalities are applied to sequences of Gaussian random variables and Gaussian processes. For sequences of Gaussian random variables satisfying a correlation assumption, we prove a Borel-Cantelli lemma, maximal inequalities and several laws of large numbers. This extends results of Be?ka and Ciesielski and of Hytönen and the author. In the second part of the paper we consider a certain class of vector-valued Gaussian processes which are α-Hölder continuous in p-th moment. For these processes we obtain Besov regularity of the paths of order α. We also obtain estimates for the moments in the Besov norm. In particular, the results are applied to vector-valued fractional Brownian motions. These results extend earlier work of Ciesielski, Kerkyacharian and Roynette and of Hytönen and the author.     

Estimating a survival function with incomplete cause-of-death data

We propose a random censorship model which permits uncertainty in the cause of death assessments for a subset of the subjects in a survival experiment. A nonparametric maximum likelihood approach and a “self-consistency” approach are considered. The solution sets corresponding to both approaches are found. They are infinite and identical. Only some of the solutions are consistent; i.e., the MLEs and self-consistent estimators are not consistent in general. Two estimates are thus proposed and their asymptotic properties are studied. It is shown that both estimates are strongly consistent and converge to Gaussian processes. The covariance structures of these Gaussian processes are derived.     

Shrinkage estimators for large covariance matrices in multivariate real and complex normal distributions under an invariant quadratic loss

The problem of estimating large covariance matrices of multivariate real normal and complex normal distributions is considered when the dimension of the variables is larger than the number of samples. The Stein–Haff identities and calculus on eigenstructure for singular Wishart matrices are developed for real and complex cases, respectively. By using these techniques, the unbiased risk estimates for certain classes of estimators for the population covariance matrices under invariant quadratic loss functions are obtained for real and complex cases, respectively. Based on the unbiased risk estimates, shrinkage estimators which are counterparts of the estimators due to Haff [L.R. Haff, Empirical Bayes estimation of the multivariate normal covariance matrix, Ann. Statist. 8 (1980) 586–697] are shown to improve upon the best scalar multiple of the empirical covariance matrix under the invariant quadratic loss functions for both real and complex multivariate normal distributions in the situation where the dimension of the variables is larger than the number of samples.     

Large extremes of Gaussian chaos processes

We study probabilities of large extremes of Gaussian chaos processes, that is, homogeneous functions of Gaussian vector processes. Important examples are products of Gaussian processes and quadratic forms of them. Exact asymptotic behaviors of the probabilities are found. To this aim, we use joint results of E. Hashorva, D. Korshunov and the author on Gaussian chaos, as well as a substantially modified asymptotical Double Sum Method.     

Symbolic and numeric scheme for solution of linear integro-differential equations with random parameter uncertainties and Gaussian stochastic process input

The paper describes a theoretical apparatus and an algorithmic part of application of the Green matrix-valued functions for time-domain analysis of systems of linear stochastic integro-differential equations. It is suggested that these systems are subjected to Gaussian nonstationary stochastic noises in the presence of model parameter uncertainties that are described in the framework of the probability theory. If the uncertain model parameter is fixed to a given value, then a time-history of the system will be fully represented by a second-order Gaussian vector stochastic process whose properties are completely defined by its conditional vector-valued mean function and matrix-valued covariance function. The scheme that is proposed is constituted of a combination of two subschemes. The first one explicitly defines closed relations for symbolic and numeric computations of the conditional mean and covariance functions, and the second one calculates unconditional characteristics by the Monte Carlo method. A full scheme realized on the base of Wolfram Mathematica and Intel Fortran software programs, is demonstrated by an example devoted to an estimation of a nonstationary stochastic response of a mechanical system with a thermoviscoelastic component. Results obtained by using the proposed scheme are compared with a reference solution constructed by using a direct Monte Carlo simulation.     

The contiguity of probability measures and asymptotic inference in continuous time stationary diffusions and Gaussian processes with known covariance

We establish contiguity of families of probability measures indexed by T, as T → ∞, for classes of continuous time stochastic processes which are either stationary diffusions or Gaussian processes with known covariance. In most cases, and in all the examples we consider in Section 4, the covariance is completely determined by observing the process continuously over any finite interval of time. Many important consequences pertaining to properties of tests and estimators, outlined in Section 5, will then apply.     

Functional Non-Central and Central Limit Theorems for Bivariate Appell Polynomials

We consider quadratic forms in bivariate Appell polynomials involving strongly dependent time series. Both the spectral density of these time series and the Fourier transform of the kernel of the quadratic forms are regularly varying at the origin and hence may diverge, for example, like a power function. We obtain functional limit theorems for these quadratic forms by extending the recent results on the convergence of their finite-dimensional distributions. Some of these are functional central limit theorems where the limiting process is Brownian motion. Others are functional non-central limit theorems where the limiting processes are typically not Gaussian or, if they are Gaussian, then they are not Brownian motion.     

Quadratic fermionic dynamics with dissipation

Gaussian solutions of the Cauchy problem for the GKS-L equation (in the Schrödinger picture) with quadratic fermionic generators are obtained. These Gaussian solutions are represented both as exponentials of quadratic forms in fermionic creation-annihilation operators and by their normal symbols. The coefficients of these forms are represented as algebraic functions of matrices.

     

Gaussian estimates for the density of the non-linear stochastic heat equation in any space dimension

In this paper, we establish lower and upper Gaussian bounds for the probability density of the mild solution to the non-linear stochastic heat equation in any space dimension. The driving perturbation is a Gaussian noise which is white in time with some spatially homogeneous covariance. These estimates are obtained using tools of the Malliavin calculus. The most challenging part is the lower bound, which is obtained by adapting a general method developed by Kohatsu-Higa to the underlying spatially homogeneous Gaussian setting. Both lower and upper estimates have the same form: a Gaussian density with a variance which is equal to that of the mild solution of the corresponding linear equation with additive noise.     

Vector-valued operators,optimal weighted estimates and the C_p condition

In this paper some new results concerning the C_p classes introduced by Muckenhoupt(1981) and later extended by Sawyer(1983), are provided. In particular, we extend the result to the full expected range p 0, to the weak norm, to other operators and to their vector-valued extensions. Some of those results rely upon sparse domination, which in the vector-valued case are provided as well. We will also provide sharp weighted estimates for vector-valued extensions relying on those sparse domination results.     

Uniform Convergence of Wavelet Expansions of Gaussian Random Processes

New results on uniform convergence in probability for the most general classes of wavelet expansions of stationary Gaussian random processes are given.     

Extremes of vector-valued Gaussian processes

The seminal papers of Pickands (Pickands, 1967; Pickands, 1969) paved the way for a systematic study of high exceedance probabilities of both stationary and non-stationary Gaussian processes. Yet, in the vector-valued setting, due to the lack of key tools including Slepian’s Lemma, there has not been any methodological development in the literature for the study of extremes of vector-valued Gaussian processes. In this contribution we develop the uniform double-sum method for the vector-valued setting, obtaining the exact asymptotics of the high exceedance probabilities for both stationary and n on-stationary Gaussian processes. We apply our findings to the operator fractional Brownian motion and Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process.     

On the capacity of the continuous time Gaussian channel with feedback

We discuss the capacity of the Gaussian channel with feedback. In general it is not easy to give an explicit formula for the capacity of a Gaussian channel, unless the channel is without feedback or a white Gaussian channel. We consider the case where a constraint, given in terms of the covariance functions of the input processes, is imposed on the input processes. It is shown that the capacity of the Gaussian channel can be achieved by transmitting a Gaussian message and using additive linear feedback.     

A note on improving quadratic inference functions using a linear shrinkage approach

In some commonly used longitudinal clinical trials designs, the quadratic inference functions (QIF) method fails to work due to non-invertible estimation of the optimal weighting matrix. We propose a modified QIF method, in which the optimal weighting matrix is estimated by a linear shrinkage estimator, replacing the sample covariance matrix. We prove that the linear shrinkage estimator is consistent and asymptotically optimal under the expected quadratic loss, and will have more stable numerical performance than the sample covariance matrix. Simulations show that numerical improvements are acquired in light of a higher percentage of convergence, and smaller standard errors and mean square errors of parameter estimates.     

Relaxation and Γ-convergence of quadratic forms inBV(I; ℝ n )

We study the lower semicontinuous envelope and the Γ-limit of degenerate quadratic integral functionals, on the space of the vector-valued functions of bounded variation defined on an interval, which are still quadratic integral functionals. We give an integral representation formula involving a new «relaxed» matrix and some linear contraints on the derivative measure.     

Lagrangian Duality and Cone Convexlike Functions

In this paper, we consider first the most important classes of cone convexlike vector-valued functions and give a dual characterization for some of these classes. It turns out that these characterizations are strongly related to the closely convexlike and Ky Fan convex bifunctions occurring within minimax problems. Applying the Lagrangian perturbation approach, we show that some of these classes of cone convexlike vector-valued functions show up naturally in verifying strong Lagrangian duality for finite-dimensional optimization problems. This is achieved by extending classical convexity results for biconjugate functions to the class of so-called almost convex functions. In particular, for a general class of finite-dimensional optimization problems, strong Lagrangian duality holds if some vector-valued function related to this optimization problem is closely K-convexlike and satisfies some additional regularity assumptions. For K a full-dimensional convex cone, it turns out that the conditions for strong Lagrangian duality simplify. Finally, we compare the results obtained by the Lagrangian perturbation approach worked out in this paper with the results achieved by the so-called image space approach initiated by Giannessi.     

The Probability Content of Cones in Isotropic Random Fields

This paper provides computable representations for the evaluation of the probability content of cones in isotropic random fields. A decomposition of quadratic forms in spherically symmetric random vectors is obtained and a representation of their moments is derived in terms of finite sums. These results are combined to obtain the distribution function of quadratic forms in spherically symmetric or central elliptically contoured random vectors. Some numerical examples involving the sample serial covariance are provided. Ratios of quadratic forms are also discussed.     

Sup-norm convergence rates for Lévy density estimation

In this paper, we consider projection estimates for Lévy densities in high-frequency setup. We give a unified treatment for different sets of basis functions and focus on the asymptotic properties of the maximal deviation distribution for these estimates. Our results are based on the idea to reformulate the problems in terms of Gaussian processes of some special type and to further analyze these Gaussian processes. In particular, we construct a sequence of excursion sets, which guarantees the convergence of the deviation distribution to the Gumbel distribution. We show that the exact rates of convergence presented in previous articles on this topic are logarithmic and construct the sequence of accompanying laws, which approximate the deviation distribution with polynomial rate.     

Wiener integrals, Malliavin calculus and covariance measure structure

We introduce the notion of covariance measure structure for square integrable stochastic processes. We define Wiener integral, we develop a suitable formalism for stochastic calculus of variations and we make Gaussian assumptions only when necessary. Our main examples are finite quadratic variation processes with stationary increments and the bifractional Brownian motion.