The Choquet-Deny convolution equation μ=μ*σ for probability measures on Abelian semigroups

In this note, we characterize the regular probability measures satisfying the Choquet-Deny convolution equation =* on Abelian topological semigroups for a given probability measure .     

Superdegenerate point in FCC phase diagram: CVM and Monte Carlo investigations

We investigate the topology of the phase diagram of binary alloys on the fee lattice with first-neighbor antiferromagnetic interactions around the superdegenerate point, where the L1₀ and L1₂ phases meet. We treat the system as a hard-constraint lattice gas, following a procedure previously described by Lebowitzet al. We perform cluster variation method calculations in theT0 limit and Monte Carlo simulations directly atT=0 K on the ground states of the superdegenerate point. We find that: (i) there is no disordered phase in the neighborhood of this point; (ii) a phase L for which two of the four cubic sublattices have the same average occupancy and each of the two others are different appears between L1₀ and L1₂; (iii) the transition L/L1₂ is of first order.     

Electrical breakdown of anodic aluminum oxide

Results are presented from a study of electrical breakdown of anodic aluminum oxide in a constant field with a platinum pressure electrode. Statistical breakdown parameters and their dependence on the magnitude and polarity of the applied voltage are obtained. Field and temperature dependences of breakdown delay time over the interval 10^–6–10³ sec are determined. It is shown that the experimental (E) curves can be rectified (in two segments) in the coordinates log E^–1. This indicates a possible contribution to the breakdown mechanism by both tunnel injection of electrons from the cathode and subsequent avalanche multiplication of electrons within the dielectric.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 4, pp. 25–29, April, 1990.In conclusion, the authors thank T. V. Shmidt and E. Ya. Khanin for assistance in the study.     

On two mean value properties and functional equations associated with them

Summary Motivated by different mean value properties, the functional equationsf(x) – f(y)/x–y=[(x, y)], (i)xf(y) – yf(x)/x–y=[(x, y)] (ii) (x y) are completely solved when, are arithmetic, geometric or harmonic means andx, y elements of proper real intervals. In view of a duality between (i) and (ii), three of the results are consequences of other three.The equation (ii) is also solved when is a (strictly monotonic) quasiarithmetic mean while the real interval contains 0 and when is the arithmetic mean while the domain is a field of characteristic different from 2 and 3. (A result similar to the latter has been proved previously for (i).)     

On the Role of Mixed Strategies in Elementary Decision Analysis and Related Decision-Support-System Treatments

We first demonstrate that mixed strategies are relevant in decision analysis for a maximin decision-maker quite apart from any game-theory considerations. This rectifies the apparent misconception that results from MS/OR textbooks which discuss mixed strategies only in the game-theory setting. Next we show an example of an implementable mixed strategy, by which we mean a mixed decision strategy which does not require randomization for its implementation. This application is to portfolio construction.     

Optimal Discrete Approximations for Continuous Outcomes with Applications in Decision and Risk Analysis

In decision and risk analysis, it is common to use discrete probability distributions to approximate uncertain events with continuous outcomes. This paper discusses how these approximations may be selected. A class of approximations based on a modification to Taguchi's work on tolerance analysis is shown to be optimal under assumptions of independent uncertainties with normally distributed outcomes. The approximation procedure is shown to be robust in many other situations and is extremely easy to use in practice. We also show how the approximation may be integrated into the process of subjective probability estimation by a ‘subject-matter expert’.     

Optimal Inventory Policies with Service-Level Constraints

In a practical situation it is often difficult to determine the value of the shortage costs for use in in ventory-control systems. However, in cost-minimization problems including service-level constraints, shortage costs are implicitly prevailing. With the purpose of exploring these relations, a continuous review (Q, r) stock-control system is considered, where the order points and lot sizes are computed simultaneously. Instead of explicitly expressing the shortage cost in the objective function, it is taken into consideration through a service-level constraint. The shadow price of this constraint can in some sense be interpreted as the shortage cost corresponding to the requested service level. By changing the value of the service level, interesting relations between shortage costs and service levels can be viewed for different sets of other inventory parameters. In order to investigate the sensitivity for probabilistic variations in the input data, two different probability distributions are used to describe the lead-time demand.     

Quantum field theories of vortices and anyons

We develop the quantization of topological solitons (vortices) in three-dimensional quantum field theory, in terms of the Euclidean region functional integral. We analyze in some detail the vortices of the abelian Higgs model. If a Chern-Simons term is added to the action, the vortices turn out to be anyons, i.e. particles with arbitrary real spin and intermediate () statistics. Localization properties of the interpolating field, scattering theory and spin-statistics connection of anyons are discussed. Such analysis might be relevant in connection with the fractional quantum Hall effect and two-dimensional models of HighT _csuperconductors.