Extreme Bloch Functions and Summation Methods for Bloch Functions

In this paper we construct Bloch functions F for which the set {z | e sup _{|ζ| < 1} |F'(ζ)| ( 1 - |ζ| ² ) = |F'(z)| ( 1 - |z| ² )} is an analytic Jordan curve tangential to the unit disk in some points. It is proved that, using such functions, we can derive analogs to the Taylor expansion for Bloch functions in cases where the Taylor expansion does not converge. October 15, 1997. Date revised: March 12, 1998. Date accepted: June 18, 1998.     

On the Degree of Approximation by Manifolds of Finite Pseudo-Dimension

The pseudo-dimension of a real-valued function class is an extension of the VC dimension for set-indicator function classes. A class of finite pseudo-dimension possesses a useful statistical smoothness property. In [10] we introduced a nonlinear approximation width = which measures the worst-case approximation error over all functions by the best manifold of pseudo-dimension n . In this paper we obtain tight upper and lower bounds on ρ _n (W ^r,d _p , L _q ) , both being a constant factor of n ^-r/d , for a Sobolev class W ^r,d _p , . As this is also the estimate of the classical Alexandrov nonlinear n -width, our result proves that approximation of W ^r,d _p by the family of manifolds of pseudo-dimension n is as powerful as approximation by the family of all nonlinear manifolds with continuous selection operators. March 12, 1997. Dates revised: August 26, 1997, October 24, 1997, March 16, 1998, June 15, 1998. Date accepted: June 25, 1998.     

Greedy Algorithms with Regard to Multivariate Systems with Special Structure

The question of finding an optimal dictionary for nonlinear m -term approximation is studied in this paper. We consider this problem in the periodic multivariate (d variables) case for classes of functions with mixed smoothness. We prove that the well-known dictionary U ^d which consists of trigonometric polynomials (shifts of the Dirichlet kernels) is nearly optimal among orthonormal dictionaries. Next, it is established that for these classes near-best m -term approximation, with regard to U ^d , can be achieved by simple greedy-type (thresholding-type) algorithms. The univariate dictionary U is used to construct a dictionary which is optimal among dictionaries with the tensor product structure. June 22, 1998. Date revised: March 26, 1999. Date accepted: March 22, 1999.     

On Rational Interpolation to |x|

We consider Newman-type rational interpolation to |x| induced by arbitrary sets of interpolation nodes, and we show that under mild restrictions on the location of the interpolation nodes, the corresponding sequence of rational interpolants converges to |x|. Date received: August 18, 1995. Date revised: January 10, 1996.     

On the Norm of the Fourier—Gegenbauer Projection in Weighted L p Spaces

We extend the results of Pollard [4] and give asymptotic estimates for the norm of the Fourier—Gegenbauer projection operator in the appropriate weighted L _p space. In particular, we settle the question of whether the projection is bounded for p=(2λ+1)/λ and p=(2λ+1)/(λ+1) , where λ is the index for the family of Gegenbauer polynomials under consideration. March 19, 1997. Date revised: June 3, 1998. Date accepted: August 1, 1998.     

Asymptotics of Differentiated Bernstein Polynomials

It is shown that the m th-order derivative of the n th-order Bernstein polynomial of a function f satisfying a certain Lipschitz condition, can be written for n\rightarrow +∈fty as a singular integral of Gauss—Weierstrass type, m times differentiated (in a certain sense) under the integral sign. The theorem is applied to yield an overdifferentiation formula, involving p times differentiated Bernstein polynomials of functions that are not C ^p . December 1, 1998. Dates revised: July 22, 1999 and January 11, 2000. Date accepted: February 1, 2000.     

On Converse Marcinkiewicz—Zygmund Inequalities in L p ,p>1

We obtain converse Marcinkiewicz—Zygmund inequalities such as for polynomials P of degree ≤ n-1 , under general conditions on the points {t _j } ⁿ _j=1 and on the function ν . The weights {μ _j } ⁿ _j=1 are appropriately chosen. We illustrate the results by applying them to extended Lagrange interpolation for exponential weights on [-1,1] . December 3, 1997. Date revised: December 7, 1998. Date accepted: January 8, 1999.     

Estimates for conformal capacity

Let a,b,c,d be distinct points on \overline \bf R ⁿ . By p we denote the minimal conformal capacity of all rings (E,F) with a,b ∈ E and c,d∈ F . For n=2 , we use explicit expressions of p in terms of complete elliptic integrals to prove a sharp inequality that connects p and the conformal capacity of Teichmüller's ring. We also show, by a concrete example, how we can use techniques involving polarization and hyperbolic geometry to prove estimates for the conformal capacity of rings. November 16, 1998. Date revised: March 2, 1999. Date accepted: May 7, 1999.     

On a Conjecture of E. A. Rakhmanov

It is shown that a conjecture of E. A. Rakhmanov is true concerning the zero distribution of orthogonal polynomials with respect to a measure having a discrete real support. We also discuss the case of extremal polynomials with respect to some discrete L _p -norm, 0 < p ≤∈fty , and give an extension to complex supports. Furthermore, we present properties of weighted Fekete points with respect to discrete complex sets, such as the weighted discrete transfinite diameter and a weighted discrete Bernstein—Walsh-like inequality. August 24, 1998. Date revised: March 26, 1999. Date accepted: April 27, 1999.     

On Stable Local Bases for Bivariate Polynomial Spline Spaces

Stable locally supported bases are constructed for the spaces \cal S _d ^r (\triangle) of polynomial splines of degree d≥ 3r+2 and smoothness r defined on triangulations \triangle , as well as for various superspline subspaces. In addition, we show that for r≥ 1 , in general, it is impossible to construct bases which are simultaneously stable and locally linearly independent. February 2, 2000. Date revised: November 27, 2000. Date accepted: March 7, 2001.     

On the Best Approximation by Ridge Functions in the Uniform Norm

We consider the best approximation of some function classes by the manifold M _n consisting of sums of n arbitrary ridge functions. It is proved that the deviation of the Sobolev class W _p ^r,d from the manifold M _n in the space L _q for any 2≤ q≤ p≤∈fty behaves asymptotically as n ^-r/(d-1) . In particular, we obtain this asymptotic estimate for the uniform norm p=q=∈fty . January 10, 2000. Date revised: March 1, 2001. Date accepted: March 12, 2001.     

Weighted Polynomial Approximation for Convex External Fields

It is proven that if Q is convex and w(x)= exp(-Q(x)) is the corresponding weight, then every continuous function that vanishes outside the support of the extremal measure associated with w can be uniformly approximated by weighted polynomials of the form w ⁿ P _n . This solves a problem of P. Borwein and E. B. Saff. Actually, a similar result is true locally for any parts of the extremal support where Q is convex. February 10, 1998. Date revised: July 23, 1998. Date accepted: August 17, 1998.     

Averages Using Translation Induced by Laguerre and Jacobi Expansions

Approximation by averages of the generalized translation induced by Laguerre and Jacobi expansions will be shown to satisfy a strong converse inequality of type B with the appropriate K -functional. April 9, 1998. Date revised: February 22, 1999. Date accepted: March 5, 1999.     

The Whittaker Function M κ ,μ as a Function of κ

The dependence of the Whittaker function M _{κ, μ} (z) on the parameter κ is considered. A convergent expansion in ascending powers and an asymptotic expansion in descending powers of κ are discussed. Some properties of the coefficients of the convergent expansion are shown. February 14, 1997. Date revised: March 5, 1998. Date accepted: March 19, 1998.     

Biorthogonal M -Channel Compactly Supported Wavelets

We study a class of M -channel subband coding schemes with perfect reconstruction. Along the lines of [8] and [10], we construct compactly supported biorthogonal wavelet bases of L ² (R) , with dilation factor M , associated to these schemes. In particular, we study the case of splines, and obtain explicitly simple expressions for all the relevant filters. The resulting wavelets have arbitrarily large regularity and we also obtain asymptotic estimates for the regularity exponent. September 17, 1998. Date revised: June 14, 1999. Date accepted: June 25, 1999.     

On the Convergence in Capacity of Rational Approximants

Let {r _n } be a sequence of rational functions deg( r _n ≤ n) that converge rapidly in measure to an analytic function f on an open set in C ^N . We show that {r _n } converges rapidly in capacity to f on its natural domain of definition W _f (which, by a result of Goncar, is an open subset of C ^N ). In particular, for f meromorphic on C ^N and analytic near zero the sequence of Padé approximants {π _n (z, f, λ)} (as defined by Goncar) converges rapidly in capacity to f on C ^N . January 14, 1999. Date revised: October 7, 1999. Date accepted: November 1, 1999.     

Restricted Nonlinear Approximation

We introduce a new form of nonlinear approximation called restricted approximation . It is a generalization of n -term wavelet approximation in which a weight function is used to control the terms in the wavelet expansion of the approximant. This form of approximation occurs in statistical estimation and in the characterization of interpolation spaces for certain pairs of L _p and Besov spaces. We characterize, both in terms of their wavelet coefficients and also in terms of their smoothness, the functions which are approximated with a specified rate by restricted approximation. We also show the relation of this form of approximation with certain types of thresholding of wavelet coefficients. March 31, 1998. Date accepted: January 28, 1999.     

Generalized Hyperinterpolation on the Sphere and the Newman—Shapiro Operators

Hyperinterpolation on the sphere, as introduced by Sloan in 1995, is a constructive approximation method which is favorable in comparison with interpolation, but still lacking in pointwise convergence in the uniform norm. For this reason we combine the idea of hyperinterpolation and of summation in a concept of generalized hyperinterpolation. This is no longer projectory, but convergent if a matrix method A is used which satisfies some assumptions. Especially we study A partial sums which are defined by some singular integral used by Newman and Shapiro in 1964 to derive a Jackson-type inequality on the sphere. We could prove in 1999 that this inequality is realized even by the corresponding discrete operators, which are generalized hyperinterpolation operators. In view of this result the Newman—Shapiro operators themselves gain new attention. Actually, in their case, A furnishes second-order approximation, which is best possible for positive operators. As an application we discuss a method for tomography, which reconstructs smooth and nonsmooth components at their adequate rate of convergence. However, it is an open question how second-order results can be obtained in the discrete case, this means in generalized hyperinterpolation itself, if results of this kind are possible at all. March 9, 2000. Date revised: October 2, 2000. Date accepted: March 8, 2001.     

Interpolatory Pointwise Estimates for Polynomial Approximation

We discuss whether or not it is possible to have interpolatory pointwise estimates in the approximation of a function f∈ C[0,1] , by polynomials. For the sake of completeness, as well as in order to strengthen some existing results, we discuss briefly the situation in unconstrained approximation. Then we deal with positive and monotone constraints where we show exactly when such interpolatory estimates are achievable by proving affirmative results and by providing the necessary counterexamples in all other cases. November 16, 1998. Date revised: July 12, 1999. Date accepted: September 13, 1999.     

Simple Cubature Formulas with High Polynomial Exactness

We study cubature formulas for d -dimensional integrals with arbitrary weight function of tensor product form. We present a construction that yields a high polynomial exactness: for fixed degree, the number of knots depends on the dimension in an order-optimal way. The cubature formulas are universal: the order of convergence is almost optimal for two different scales of function spaces. The construction is simple: a small number of arithmetical operations is sufficient to compute the knots and the weights of the formulas. August 25, 1997. Date revised: December 3, 1998. Date accepted: March 3, 1999.