Trace cocharacters and the Kronecker products of Schur functions

It follows from the theory of trace identities developed by Procesi and Razmyslov that the trace cocharacters arising from the trace identities of the algebra M_r(F) of r×r matrices over a field F of characteristic zero are given by TC_r,n=∑_λΛr(n)χ^λχ^λ where χ^λχ^λ denotes the Kronecker product of the irreducible characters of the symmetric group associated with the partition λ with itself and Λ_r(n) denotes the set of partitions of n with r or fewer parts, i.e. the set of partitions λ=(λ₁λ_k) with kr. We study the behavior of the sequence of trace cocharacters TC_r,n. In particular, we study the behavior of the coefficient of χ^(ν,n−m) in TC_r,n as a function of n where ν=(ν₁ν_k) is some fixed partition of m and n−mν_k. Our main result shows that such coefficients always grow as a polynomial in n of degree r−1.     

On almost sure convergence of Cesaro averages of subsequences of vector-valued functions

A remarkable theorem proved by Komlòs [4] states that if {f_n} is a bounded sequence in L¹(R), then there exists a subsequence {f_nk} and f L¹(R) such that f_nk (as well as any further subsequence) converges Cesaro to f almost everywhere. A similar theorem due to Révész [6] states that if {f_n} is a bounded sequence in L²(R), then there is a subsequence {f_nk} and f L²(R) such that Σ_k=1^∞ a_k(f_nk − f) converges a.e. whenever Σ_k=1^∞ | a_k |² < ∞. In this paper, we generalize these two theorems to functions with values in a Hilbert space (Theorems 3.1 and 3.3).     

NON-EMPTY CROSS-2-INTERSECTING FAMILIES OF SUBSETS

Let Cdenote the set of all k-subests of an n-set.Assume Alohtain in Ca,and A lohtain in (A,B) is called a cross-2-intersecting family if |A B≥2 for and A∈A,B∈B.In this paper,the best upper bounds of the cardinalities for non-empty cross-2-intersecting familles of a-and b-subsets are obtained for some a and b,A new proof for a Frankl-Tokushige theorem[6] is also given.     

A generalization of a theorem of Pringsheim

We consider noncommutative continued fractions of the form b₀ + a₁(b₁ + a₂(b₂ + a₃(…)⁻¹ c₃)⁻¹ c₂)⁻¹ c₁, (1) where a_n, b_n and c_n are elements of some Banach algebra B and b_n⁻¹ exists. Such expressions play an important role in the numerical investigation of various problems in theoretical physics and in applied mathematics, but up to now their convergence was not studied in the general case. In this paper we prove a theorem which is an extension of a wellknown theorem of Pringsheim and, in particular, guarantees the convergence of (1) under the following hypotheses:

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. As an application, we give a generalization of a theorem of van Vleck. The paper closes with an extensive bibliography.     

Some extensions of the Kantorovich inequality and statistical applications

Kantorovich gave an upper bound to the product of two quadratic forms, (X′AX) (X′A⁻¹X), where X is an n-vector of unit length and A is a positive definite matrix. Bloomfield, Watson and Knott found the bound for the product of determinants |X′AX| |X′A⁻¹X| where X is n × k matrix such that X′X = I_k. In this paper we determine the bounds for the traces and determinants of matrices of the type X′AYY′A⁻¹X, X′B²X(X′BCX)⁻¹ X′C²X(X′BCX)⁻¹ where X and Y are n × k matrices such that X′X = Y′Y = I_k and A, B, C are given matrices satisfying some conditions. The results are applied to the least squares theory of estimation.     

Prophet regions and sharp inequalities for pth absolute moments of martingales

Exact comparisons are made relating E|Y₀|^p, E|Y_n−1|^p, and E(max_j≤n−1 |Y_j|^p), valid for all martingales Y₀,…,Y_n−1, for each p ≥ 1. Specifically, for p > 1, the set of ordered triples {(x, y, z) : X = E|Y₀|^p, Y = E |Y_n−1|^p, and Z = E(max_j≤n−1 |Y_j|^p) for some martingale Y₀,…,Y_n−1} is precisely the set {(x, y, z) : 0≤x≤y≤z≤Ψ_n,p(x, y)}, where Ψ_n,p(x, y) = xψ_n,p(y/x) if x > 0, and = a_n−1,py if x = 0; here ψ_n,p is a specific recursively defined function. The result yields families of sharp inequalities, such as E(max_j≤n−1 |Y_j|^p) + ψ_n,p^*(a) E |Y₀|^p ≤ aE |Y_n−1|^p, valid for all martingales Y₀,…,Y_n−1, where ψ_n,p^* is the concave conjugate function of ψ_n,p. Both the finite sequence and infinite sequence cases are developed. Proofs utilize moment theory, induction, conjugate function theory, and functional equation analysis.     

On improved estimators of the generalized variance

Treated in this paper is the problem of estimating with squared error loss the generalized variance | Σ | from a Wishart random matrix S: p × p W_p(n, Σ) and an independent normal random matrix X: p × k N(ξ, Σ I_k) with ξ(p × k) unknown. Denote the columns of X by X₍₁₎ ,…, X_(k) and set ψ⁽⁰⁾(S, X) = {(n − p + 2)!/(n + 2)!} | S |, ψ⁽ⁱ⁾(X, X) = min[ψ⁽ⁱ⁻¹⁾(S, X), {(n − p + i + 2)!/(n + i + 2)!} | S + X₍₁₎ X′₍₁₎ + + X_(i) X′_(i) |] and Ψ⁽ⁱ⁾(S, X) = min[ψ⁽⁰⁾(S, X), {(n − p + i + 2)!/(n + i + 2)!}| S + X₍₁₎ X′₍₁₎ + + X_(i) X′_(i) |], i = 1,…,k. Our result is that the minimax, best affine equivariant estimator ψ⁽⁰⁾(S, X) is dominated by each of Ψ⁽ⁱ⁾(S, X), i = 1,…,k and for every i, ψ⁽ⁱ⁾(S, X) is better than ψ⁽ⁱ⁻¹⁾(S, X). In particular, ψ^(k)(S, X) = min[{(n − p + 2)!/(n + 2)!} | S |, {(n − p + 2)!/(n + 2)!} | S + X₍₁₎X′₍₁₎|,…,| {(n − p + k + 2)!/(n + k + 2)!} | S + X₍₁₎X′₍₁₎ + + X_(k)X′_(k)|] dominates all other ψ's. It is obtained by considering a multivariate extension of Stein's result (Ann. Inst. Statist. Math. 16, 155–160 (1964)) on the estimation of the normal variance.     

On a conjecture of J. Pelikán

There exist infinitely many finite sequences (a₁, …, a_n) (a_i {0, 1}) such that Φ_{i = 1}^{n − k} a_ia_{i + k} is odd for each k = 0, 1, …, n − 1.     

On deviations between empirical and quantile processes for mixing random variables

Let {X_n} be a strictly stationary φ-mixing process with Σ_j=1^∞ φ^1/2(j) < ∞. It is shown in the paper that if X₁ is uniformly distributed on the unit interval, then, for any t [0, 1], |F_n⁻¹(t) − t + F_n(t) − t| = O(n^−3/4(log log n)^3/4) a.s. and sup_0≤t≤1 |F_n⁻¹(t) − t + F_n(t) − t| = (O(n^−3/4(log n)^1/2(log log n)^1/4) a.s., where F_n and F_n⁻¹(t) denote the sample distribution function and tth sample quantile, respectively. In case {X_n} is strong mixing with exponentially decaying mixing coefficients, it is shown that, for any t [0, 1], |F_n⁻¹(t) − t + F_n(t) − t| = O(n^−3/4(log n)^1/2(log log n)^3/4) a.s. and sup_0≤t≤1 |F_n⁻¹(t) − t + F_n(t) − t| = O(n^−3/4(log n)(log log n)^1/4) a.s. The results are further extended to general distributions, including some nonregular cases, when the underlying distribution function is not differentiable. The results for φ-mixing processes give the sharpest possible orders in view of the corresponding results of Kiefer for independent random variables.     

Robust estimation in the linear model with asymmetric error distributions

In the linear model X^{n × 1} = C^{n × p}θ^{p × 1} + E^{n × 1}, Huber's theory of robust estimation of the regression vector θ^{p × 1} is adapted for two models for the partially specified common distribution F of the i.i.d. components of the error vector E^{n × 1}. In the first model considered, the restriction of F to a set [−a₀, b₀] is a standard normal distribution contaminated, with probability , by an unknown distribution symmetric about 0. In the second model, the restriction of F to [−a₀, b₀] is completely specified (and perhaps asymmetrical). In both models, the distribution of F outside the set [−a₀, b₀] is completely unspecified. For both models, consistent and asymptotically normal M-estimators of θ^{p × 1} are constructed, under mild regularity conditions on the sequence of design matrices {C^{n × p}}. Also, in both models, M-estimators are found which minimize the maximal mean-squared error. The optimal M-estimators have influence curves which vanish off compact sets.     

On the Behaviour of Zeros of Jacobi Polynomials

Denote by x_n,k(α,β) and x_n,k(λ)=x_n,k(λ−1/2,λ−1/2) the zeros, in decreasing order, of the Jacobi polynomial P^(α,β)_n(x) and of the ultraspherical (Gegenbauer) polynomial C^λ_n(x), respectively. The monotonicity of x_n,k(α,β) as functions of α and β, α,β>−1, is investigated. Necessary conditions such that the zeros of P^(a,b)_n(x) are smaller (greater) than the zeros of P^(α,β)_n(x) are provided. A. Markov proved that x_n,k(a,b)<x_n,k(α,β) (x_n,k(a,b)>x_n,k(α,β)) for every n and each k, 1kn if a>α and b<β (a<α and b>β). We prove the converse statement of Markov's theorem. The question of how large the function f_n(λ) could be such that the products f_n(λ)x_n,k(λ), k=1,…,[n/2] are increasing functions of λ, for λ>−1/2, is also discussed. Elbert and Siafarikas proved that f_n(λ)=(λ+(2n²+1)/(4n+2))^1/2 obeys this property. We establish the sharpness of their result.     

On the fluctuations of independent copies of moving maxima

Let {X_n, n1} be a sequence of independent random variables (r.v.'s) with a common distribution function (d.f.) F. Define the moving maxima Y_k(n)=max(X_n−k(n)+1,X_n−k(n)+2,…,X_n), where {k(n), n1} is a sequence of positive integers. Let Y_k(n)¹ and Y_k(n)² be two independent copies of Y_k(n). Under certain conditions on F and k(n), the set of almost sure limit points of the vector consisting of properly normalised Y_k(n)¹ and Y_k(n)² is obtained.     

Primitive polynomial with three coefficients prescribed

The authors proved in Fan and Han (Finite Field Appl., in press) that, for any given (a₁,a₂,a₃)F_q³, there exists a primitive polynomial f(x)=xⁿ−σ₁xⁿ⁻¹++(−1)ⁿσ_n over F_q of degree n with the first three coefficients σ₁,σ₂,σ₃ prescribed as a₁,a₂,a₃ when n8. But the methods in Fan and Han (in press) are not effective for the case of n=7. Mills (Existence of primitive polynomials with three coefficients prescribed, J. Algebra Number Theory Appl., in press) resolves the n=7 case for finite fields of characteristic at least 5. In this paper, we deal with the remaining cases and prove that there exists a primitive polynomial of degree 7 over F_q with the first three coefficient prescribed where the characteristic of F_q is 2 or 3.     

A random CLT for dependent random variables

We introduce a new condition for {Y_τn} to have the same asymptotic distribution that {Y_n} has, where {Y_n} is a sequence of random elements of a metric space (S, d) and {τ_n} is a sequence of random indices. The condition on {Y_n} is that max_iDnd(Y_i, Y_an)→^p0 as n → ∞, where D_n = {i: |k_i−k_an| ≤ δ_ank_an} and {δ_n} is a nonincreasing sequence of positive numbers. The condition on {τ_n} is that P(|(k_τn/k_an)−1| > δ_an) → 0 as n → ∞. Under these conditions, we will show that d(Y_τn, Y_an) → ^P0 and apply this result to the CLT for a general class of sequences of dependent random variables.     

Exterior algebras and two conjectures on finite abelian groups

Let G be a finite abelian group with |G| > 1. Let a ₁, …, a _k be k distinct elements of G and let b ₁, …, b _k be (not necessarily distinct) elements of G, where k is a positive integer smaller than the least prime divisor of |G|. We show that there is a permutation π on {1, …,k} such that a ₁ b _π(1), …, a _k b _π(k) are distinct, provided that any other prime divisor of |G| (if there is any) is greater than k!. This in particular confirms the Dasgupta-Károlyi-Serra-Szegedy conjecture for abelian p-groups. We also pose a new conjecture involving determinants and characters, and show that its validity implies Snevily’s conjecture for abelian groups of odd order. Our methods involve exterior algebras and characters.     

Two New Classes of Difference Families

A Z-cyclic triplewhist tournament for 4n+1 players, or briefly a TWh(4n+1), is equivalent to a n-set {(a_i, b_i, c_i, d_i) | i=1, …, n} of quadruples partitioning Z_4n+1−{0} with the property that ⁿ_i=1 {±(a_i−c_i), ±(b_i−d_i)}=ⁿ_i=1 {±(a_i−b_i), ±(c_i−d_i)}=ⁿ_i=1 {±(a_i−d_i), ±(b_i−c_i)}=Z_4n+1−{0}. The existence problem for Z-cyclic TWh(p)'s with p a prime has been solved for p1 (mod 16). I. Anderson et al. (1995, Discrete Math.138, 31–41) treated the case of p≡5 (mod 8) while Y. S. Liaw (1996, J. Combin. Des.4, 219–233) and G. McNay (1996, Utilitas Math.49, 191–201) treated the case of p≡9 (mod 16). In this paper, besides giving easier proofs of these authors' results, we solve the problem also for primes p≡1 (mod 16). The final result is the existence of a Z-cyclic TWh(v) for any v whose prime factors are all≡1 (mod 4) and distinct from 5, 13, and 17.     

Roots under convolution of sequences

The convolution a * b of the sequences a = a₀, a₁, a₂, and b is the sequence with elements ∑₀ⁿ a_kb_{n − k}. One sets 1, 1, 1, equal to σ. Given that a * a with a ≥ 0 is close to σ * σ, how close is a to σ? More generally, one asks how close a is to σ if the p-th convolution power, a*P with a ≥ 0, is close to σ*P. Power series and complex analysis form a natural tool to estimate the ‘summed deviation’ ρ = σ * (a — σ) in terms of b = a * a — σ * σ or b = a*P − σ*P. Optimal estimates are found under the condition ∑_k=0ⁿ b_k² = %plane1D;512;(n^{2β + 1}) whenever −½ < β < p − 1. It is not known what the optimal estimates are for the special case b_n = %plane1D;512;(n^β).     

The wave equation for Dunkl operators

Let k = (k_α)_αε, be a positive-real valued multiplicity function related to a root system , and Δ_k be the Dunkl-Laplacian operator. For (x, t) ε ^N, × , denote by u_k(x, t) the solution to the deformed wave equation Δ_ku_k,(x, t) = δ_ttu_k(x, t), where the initial data belong to the Schwartz space on ^N. We prove that for k 0 and N l, the wave equation satisfies a weak Huygens' principle, while a strict Huygens' principle holds if and only if (N − 3)/2 + Σ_αε+k_α ε . Here ⁺ is a subsystem of positive roots. As a particular case, if the initial data are supported in a closed ball of radius R > 0 about the origin, the strict Huygens principle implies that the support of u_k(x, t) is contained in the conical shell {(x, t), ε ^N × | |t| − R x |t| + R}. Our approach uses the representation theory of the group SL(2, ), and Paley-Wiener theory for the Dunkl transform. Also, we show that the (t-independent) energy functional of u_k is, for large |t|, partitioned into equal potential and kinetic parts.     

Rates for approximation of unbounded functions by positive linear operators

Let g_a(t) and g_b(t) be two positive, strictly convex and continuously differentiable functions on an interval (a, b) (−∞ a < b ∞), and let {L_n} be a sequence of linear positive operators, each with domain containing 1, t, g_a(t), and g_b(t). If L_n(ƒ; x) converges to ƒ(x) uniformly on a compact subset of (a, b) for the test functions ƒ(t) = 1, t, g_a(t), g_b(t), then so does every ƒ ε C(a, b) satisfying ƒ(t) = O(g_a(t)) (t → a⁺) and ƒ(t) = O(g_b(t)) (t → b⁻). We estimate the convergence rate of L_nƒ in terms of the rates for the test functions and the moduli of continuity of ƒ and ƒ′.     

On Rado numbers for

For all integers m3 and all natural numbers a₁,a₂,…,a_m−1, let n=R(a₁,a₂,…,a_m−1) represent the least integer such that for every 2-coloring of the set {1,2,…,n} there exists a monochromatic solution to

a₁x₁+a₂x₂++a_m−1x_m−1=x_m.