Domains of Geometric Partial Attraction of Max-Semistable Laws: Structure, Merge and Almost Sure Limit Theorems

Max-semistable laws arise as non-degenerate weak limits of suitably centered and normed maxima of i.i.d. random variables along subsequences {k(n)} such that k(n+1)/k(n)c1, in which case the common distribution function F of the i.i.d. random variables is said to belong to the domain of geometric partial attraction of the max-semistable law. We give a necessary and sufficient condition for F to belong to the domain of geometric partial attraction of a max-semistable law and investigate the structure of these domains. We show that although weak convergence does not take place along {n}=, the distributions of the maxima merge together along the entire {n} with a suitably chosen family of limiting laws. The use of merge is demonstrated by almost sure limit theorems, which are also valid along the whole {n}.     

Poincaré inequalities and quasiconformal structure on the boundary of some hyperbolic buildings

In this paper we shall show that the boundary of the hyperbolic building considered by M. Bourdon admits Poincaré type inequalities. Then by using Heinonen-Koskela's work, we shall prove Loewner capacity estimates for some families of curves of and the fact that every quasiconformal homeomorphism is quasisymmetric. Therefore by these results, the answer to questions 19 and 20 of Heinonen and Semmes (Thirty-three YES or NO questions about mappings, measures and metrics, Conform Geom. Dyn. 1 (1997), 1-12) is NO.

     

Derivation of a new class of distributions for the microcanonical ensemble

A new class of distributions for the microcanonical ensemble, which are shown to be stable laws, are derived by applying the central limit theorem to the canonical ensemble. This opens up a whole new host of phenomena that can be treated from a unified thermodynamic point of view. Pressure broadening of line shapes is used as an illustration.1. Work supported, in part, by contributions from the Consiglio Nazionale di Ricerche and the Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica.2. The interaction parameterC is proportional to the mean square dipole moment. As an order of magnitude of the dipole moment, we can take it as the product of the electric charge and a typical atomic radius for a moderately excited state, which is several times the Bohr radius. Multiplication by the fine structure constant converts the Bohr radius into the Compton wavelength, thereby reducing the magnitude of the interaction by 1/137.     

Neighboring extremals of dynamic optimization problems with path equality constraints

Neighboring extremals of dynamic optimization problems with path equality constraints and with an unknown parameter vector are considered in this paper. With some simplifications, the problem is reduced to solving a linear, time-varying two-point boundary-value problem with integral path equality constraints. A modified backward sweep method is used to solve this problem. Two example problems are solved to illustrate the validity and usefulness of the solution technique. This research was supported in part by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under NASA Grant No. NCC-2-106. The author is indebted to Professor A. E. Bryson, Jr., Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Stanford University, for many stimulating discussions.     

The dynamics of random interfaces in phase transitions

A review is given of recent developments involving the dynamics of random interfaces formed in the evolution of metastable and unstable systems. Topics which are discussed include interface growth and nonequilibrium dynamical scaling. The possibility of there being dynamical universality classes in first-order phase transitions is also discussed. There are a large number of systems of experimental interest which include binary alloys, binary fluids, and polymer mixtures. Other systems studied by computer simulation include the kinetic Ising, Potts, andZ _N models.Work supported by NSF grant No. DMR-8013700.     

A Bahadur efficiency comparison between one and two sample rank statistics and their sequential rank statistic analogues

One and two sample rank statistics are shown in general to be more efficient in the Bahadur sense than their sequential rank statistic analogues as defined by Mason (1981, Ann. Statist.9 424–436) and Lombard (1981, South African Statist. J.15 129–152), even though the two families of statistics (those based on full ranks and those based on sequential ranks) have the same Pitman efficiency against local alternatives. In the process, general results on large deviation probabilities and laws of large numbers for statistics based on sequential ranks are obtained.     

Types of laws of random vectors and best estimators

Optimality of estimators of a vector parameter in terms of the probability of the estimators being contained in suitable region(s) around the parameter point is defined. Conditions under which optimal estimators in the usual senses are also optimal in the above sense are investigated.     

Energy Conservation with Non-Symplectic Methods: Examples and Counter-Examples

Energy conservation of numerical integrators is well understood for symplectic one-step methods. This article provides new insight into energy conservation with non-symplectic methods. Sufficient conditions and counter-examples are presented. AMS subject classification (2000) 65L06, 65P10, 37J99.Submitted June 2004. Accepted October 2004. Communicated by Syvert Nørsett.