Asymptotic expansions in the conditional central limit theorem

Let X_n, n , be i.i.d. with mean 0, variance 1, and E(¦X_n¦^r) < ∞ for some r 3. Assume that Cramér's condition is fulfilled. We prove that the conditional probabilities P(1/√n Σ_{i = 1}ⁿ X_i t¦B) can be approximated by a modified Edgeworth expansion up to order o(1/n^{(r − 2)/2)}), if the distances of the set B from the σ-fields σ(X₁, …, X_n) are of order O(1/n^{(r − 2)/2)}(lg n)^β), where β < −(r − 2)/2 for r and β < −r/2 for r . An example shows that if we replace β < −(r − 2)/2 by β = −(r − 2)/2 for r (β < −r/2 by β = −r/2 for r ) we can only obtain the approximation order O(1/n^{(r − 2)/2)}) for r (O(lg lgn/n^{(r − 2)/2)}) for r ).     

The vertex-cover polynomial of a graph

In this paper we define the vertex-cover polynomial Ψ(G,τ) for a graph G. The coefficient of τ^r in this polynomial is the number of vertex covers V′ of G with |V′|=r. We develop a method to calculate Ψ(G,τ). Motivated by a problem in biological systematics, we also consider the mappings f from {1, 2,…,m} into the vertex set V(G) of a graph G, subject to f⁻¹(x)f⁻¹(y)≠ for every edge xy in G. Let F(G,m) be the number of such mappings f. We show that F(G,m) can be determined from Ψ(G,τ).     

Reflection sieve obstructions in finite groups of type dn

In [4] we constructed certain homology representations of a finite group G of type A_n, B_n or C_n, and showed that these representations can be used to sift out the reflection compound characters of G. In the present note, we show that for a group G of type D_n, each reflection compound character π^(k), 2 k n − 2, determines a unique “obstruction” character θ^(k), which occurs with positive multiplicity in every homology representation containing π^(k).     

Error bounds for least squares approximation by polynomials

Let f ε Cⁿ⁺¹[−1, 1] and let H[f](x) be the nth degree weighted least squares polynomial approximation to f with respect to the orthonormal polynomials q_k associated with a distribution dα on [−1, 1]. It is shown that if q_n+1/q_n max(q_n+1(1)/q_n(1), −q_n+1(−1)/q_n(−1)), then f − H[f] f^{n + 1} · q_n+1/q_{n + 1}^{(n + 1)}, where · denotes the supremum norm. Furthermore, it is shown that in the case of Jacobi polynomials with distribution (1 − t)^α (1 + t)^β dt, α, β > −1, the condition on q_n+1/q_n is satisfied when either max(α,β) −1/2 or −1 < α = β < −1/2.     

On Positive and Copositive Polynomial and Spline Approximation inLp[−1, 1], 0<p<∞

For a functionfL_p[−1, 1], 0<p<∞, with finitely many sign changes, we construct a sequence of polynomialsP_nΠ_nwhich are copositive withfand such that f−P_npCω(f, (n+1)⁻¹)_p, whereω(f, t)_pdenotes the Ditzian–Totik modulus of continuity inL_pmetric. It was shown by S. P. Zhou that this estimate is exact in the sense that if f has at least one sign change, thenωcannot be replaced byω²if 1<p<∞. In fact, we show that even for positive approximation and all 0<p<∞ the same conclusion is true. Also, some results for (co)positive spline approximation, exact in the same sense, are obtained.     

Sur l'approximation de fonctions intégrables sur [0, 1] par des polynômes de Bernstein modifies

We study here a new kind of modified Bernstein polynomial operators on L¹(0, 1) introduced by J. L. Durrmeyer in [4]. We define for f integrable on [0, 1] the modified Bernstein polynomial M_n f: M_nf(x) = (n + 1) ∑ⁿ_{k = o}P_nk(x)∝¹₀ P_nk(t) f(t) dt. If the derivative d^r f/dx^r with r 0 is continuous on [0, 1], d^r/dx^rM_n f converge uniformly on [0,1] and sup_xε[0,1] ¦M_n f(x) − f(x)¦ 2ω_f(1/trn) if ω_f is the modulus of continuity of f. If f is in Sobolev space W_l,p(0, 1) with l 0, p 1, M_n f converge to f in w^l,p(0, 1).     

Capture in linear functional differential games of pursuit

The problem of capture in a pursuit game which is described by a linear retarded functional differential equation is considered. The initial function belongs to the Sobolev space W₂⁽¹⁾. The target is either a subset of W₂⁽¹⁾ a point in W₂⁽¹⁾, a subset of the Euclidean space Eⁿ or a point of Eⁿ. There is capture if the initial function can be forced to the target by the pursuer no matter what the quarry does. The concept of capture therefore formalizes the concepts of controllability under unpredictable disturbances. This is proved to be equivalent to the controllability of an associated linear retarded functional differential equation. There is nothing in (2) (6) or (7) below which restricts the control sets to be of the same dimension as the phase space. Our results can be applied in (2) for example, if the constraint sets Q′, P′ are subsets of E^m and Eⁱ respectively with q(t) = C(t) q′(t), − p(t) = B(t) p′(t), q′(t) ε E^mp′(t) ε E^r and B(t) is an n × r′-matrices and C(t) an n × m-matrix.     

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 the L convergence of Lagrange interpolating entire functions of exponential type

Let f: be a continuous, 2π-periodic function and for each n ε let t_n(f; ·) denote the trigonometric polynomial of degree n interpolating f in the points 2kπ/(2n + 1) (k = 0, ±1, …, ±n). It was shown by J. Marcinkiewicz that lim_{n → ∞} ∝₀^2π¦f(θ) − t_n(f θ)¦^p dθ = 0 for every p > 0. We consider Lagrange interpolation of non-periodic functions by entire functions of exponential type τ > 0 in the points kπ/τ (k = 0, ± 1, ± 2, …) and obtain a result analogous to that of Marcinkiewicz.     

Values of the Euler Function in Various Sequences

Let ϕ(n) and λ(n) denote the Euler and Carmichael functions, respectively. In this paper, we investigate the equation ϕ(n)^r = λ(n)^s, where r ≥ s ≥ 1 are fixed positive integers. We also study those positive integers n, not equal to a prime or twice a prime, such that ϕ(n) = p − 1 holds with some prime p, as well as those positive integers n such that the equation ϕ(n) = f(m) holds with some integer m, where f is a fixed polynomial with integer coefficients and degree degf > 1.     

Uniqueness of Minimal Submanifolds in Euclidean Space

Let M be a properly immersed n-dimensional complete minimal submanifold in Euclidean space R^n+p of dimension n+p. Let A be the second fundamental form of the immersion, and r the extrinsic distance from the origin. Suppose M has one end and inf_t sup_r(x)>t r²(x) |A|²(x) < C(n,p), then M is an affine n-plane, where C(n,p) are constants given by C(n,1) = n – 1 and C(n,p) = (2/3)(n – 1) when p > 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.     

Centres of Convex Sets inLMetrics

It is shown that for each convex bodyARⁿthere exists a naturally defined family _AC(Sⁿ⁻¹) such that for everyg _A, and every convex functionf: R→Rthe mappingy∫_Sⁿ⁻¹ f(g(x)−y, x) dσ(x) has a minimizer which belongs toA. As an application, approximation of convex bodies by balls with respect toL^pmetrics is discussed.     

A new approach to Euler splines

Starting from the exponential Euler polynomials discussed by Euler in “Institutions Calculi Differentialis,” Vol. II, 1755, the author introduced in “Linear operators and approximation,” Vol. 20, 1972, the so-called exponential Euler splines. Here we describe a new approach to these splines. Let t be a constant such that t=|t|e^iα, −π<α<π,t≠0,t≠1.. Let S₁(x:t) be the cardinal linear spline such that S₁(v:t) = t^v for all v ε Z. Starting from S₁(x:t) it is shown that we obtain all higher degree exponential Euler splines recursively by the averaging operation . Here S_n(x:t) is a cardinal spline of degree n if n is odd, while is a cardinal spline if n is even. It is shown that they have the properties S_n(v:t) = t^v for v ε Z.     

On piecewise-polynomial approximation of functions with a bounded fractional derivative in an Lp-norm

We study the error in approximating functions with a bounded (r + α)th derivative in an L_p-norm. Here r is a nonnegative integer, α ε [0, 1), and ƒ^{(r + α)} is the classical fractional derivative, i.e., ƒ^{(r + α)}(y) = ∝₀¹, ^α d(ƒ^(r)(t)). We prove that, for any such function ƒ, there exists a piecewise-polynomial of degree s that interpolates ƒ at n equally spaced points and that approximates ƒ with an error (in sup-norm) ƒ^{(r + α)}_p O(n^{−(r+α−1/p}). We also prove that no algorithm based on n function and/or derivative values of ƒ has the error equal ƒ^{(r + α)}_p O(n^{−(r+α−1/p}) for any ƒ. This implies the optimality of piecewise-polynomial interpolation. These two results generalize well-known results on approximating functions with bounded rth derivative (α = 0). We stress that the piecewise-polynomial approximation does not depend on α nor on p. It does not depend on the exact value of r as well; what matters is an upper bound s on r, s r. Hence, even without knowing the actual regularity (r, α, and p) of ƒ, we can approximate the function ƒ with an error equal (modulo a constant) to the minimal worst case error when the regularity were known.     

Omega result for the mean square of the Riemann zeta function

A recent method of Soundararajan enables one to obtain improved Ω-result for finite series of the form ∑_nf(n) cos (2πλ_nx+β) where 0≤λ₁≤λ₂≤. . . and β are real numbers and the coefficients f(n) are all non-negative. In this paper, Soundararajan’s method is adapted to obtain improved Ω-result for E(t), the remainder term in the mean-square formula for the Riemann zeta-function on the critical line. The Atkinson series for E(t) is of the above type, but with an oscillating factor (−1)ⁿ attached to each of its terms.     

Positive Bernstein-Sheffer Operators

Let h(t) = Σ_{n ≥ 1}h_nt_n, h₁ > 0, and exp(xh(t)) = Σ_{n ≥ 0}P_n(x) tⁿ/n!. For f C[0,1], the associated Bernstein-Sheffer operator of degree n is defined by B^h_nf(x) = P_n^{− 1} Σⁿ_{k = 0}f(k/n)(ⁿ_k) P_k(x) P_{n − k}(1 − x) where p_n = p_n(1). We characterize functions h for which B^h_n is a positive operator for all n ≥ 0. Then we give a necessary and sufficient condition insuring the uniform convergence of B^h_nf to f. When h is a polynomial, we give an upper bound for the error f − B^h_nf _∞. We also discuss the behavior of B^h_nf when h is a series with a finite or infinite radius of convergence.     

Strong asymptotics in Lagrange interpolation with equidistant nodes

In this paper we prove three conjectures of Revers on Lagrange interpolation for f_λ(t)=|t|^λ,λ>0, at equidistant nodes. In particular, we describe the rate of divergence of the Lagrange interpolants L_N( f_λ,t) for 0<|t|<1, and discuss their convergence at t=0. We also establish an asymptotic relation for max_|t|1| |t|^λ−L_N( f_λ,t)|. The proofs are based on strong asymptotics for |t|^λ−L_N( f_λ,t), 0|t|<1.     

Best polynomial and durrmeyer approximation in Lp(S)

On a simplex SR^d, the best polynomial approximation is E_n()_Lp(S)=Inf{P_n−_Lp(S): P_n of total degree n}. The Durrmeyer modification, M_n, of the Bernstein operator is a bounded operator on L_p(S) and has many “nice” properties, most notably commutativity and self-adjointness. In this paper, relations between M_n−z.dfnc;_Lp(S) and E_[√n]()_Lp(S) will be given by weak inequalities will imply, for 0<α<1 and 1≤p≤∞, E_n()_Lp(S)=O(n^-2α)M_n−z.dfnc;_Lp(S)=O(n^-α). We also see how the fact that P(D)εL_p(S) for the appropriate P(D) affects directional smoothness.     

The greedy coloring is a bad probabilistic algorithm

Given a graph G and an ordering p of its vertices, denote by A(G, p) the number of colors used by the greedy coloring algorithm when applied to G with vertices ordered by p. Let , , Δ be positive constants. It is proved that for each n there is a graph G_n such that the chromatic number of G_n is at most n, but the probability that A(G_n, p) < (1 − )n/log₂ n for a randomly chosen ordering p is O(n^−Δ).