Methods for generating random variates with Polya characteristic functions

Polya has shown that real even continuous functions that are convex on (0,∞), for 1 t = 0, and decreasing to 0 as t → ∞ are characteristic functions. Dugué and Girault (1955) have shown that the corresponding random variables are distributed as $\text{Y}\text{Z}$ where Y is a random variable with density (2π)^?1$\text{(}\text{sin}\text{(}\text{x}\text{2}\text{)/(}\text{x}\text{2}\text{))}{}^2$, and Z is independent of Y and has distribution function 1 ? φ + tφ′, t > 0. This property allows us to develop fast algorithms for this class of distributions. This is illustrated for the symmetric stable distribution, Linnik's distribution and a few other distributions. We pay special attention to the generation of Y.     

The expected length of the longest probe sequence for bucket searching when the distribution is not uniform

We study the expected value of the maximum number of accesses needed to locate an element in a hashing file constructed by using an order-preserving hashing function and with collision resolution by the method of separate chaining. It is assumed that X₁, …, X_n are independent [0,1]-valued random variables with common density f, and that X_i is hashed to the $\text{nX}{}_{\mathrm{i}}\text{+ 1}\text{st}$ bucket (chain). For all densities that are bounded, the expected value of the maximum number of accesses is shown to be asymptotic to $\text{log}\text{n}\text{log log}\text{n}$, and the dependency of this expected value on f is made explicit by exhibiting the first few terms in the asymptotic expansion. For unbounded f, a tight upper bound is given for the expected value.     

Relativistically covariant Bohm-Bub hidden-variable theory for spin measurement of a single particle

We present a simple first step toward a relativistically covariant generalization of the Bohm-Bub hidden-variable theory. The model is applicable to spin measurement on a single Dirac particle and describes the collapse of the state vector to a spin-up or spin-down state. The essential postulate is that the hidden-variable vector transforms in the same way as the state vector under a Lorentz transformation. This yields a covariant collapse equation, which reduces to the ordinary Bohm-Bub equation for an observer stationary with respect to the particle and shows a time dilated collapse for a moving observer. The model yields the correct quantum transition probabilities for all observers.Deceased.     

La structure des copolyèdres au sens de Stamm

Sans résumé     

Experimental verification of the quasi-steady approximation for aerodynamic sound generation by pulsating jets in tubes

Voice production involves sound generation by a confined jet flow through an orifice (the glottis) with a time-varying area. Predictive models of speech production are usually based on the so-called quasi-steady approximation. The flow rate through the time-varying orifice is assumed to be the same as a sequence of steady flows through stationary orifices for wall geometries and flow boundary conditions that instantaneously match those of the dynamic, nonstationary problem. Either the flow rate or the pressure drop can then be used to calculate the radiated sound using conventional acoustic radiation models. The quasi-steady approximation allows complex unsteady flows to be modeled as steady flows, which is more cost effective. It has been verified for pulsating open jet flows. The quasi-steady approximation, however, has not yet been rigorously validated for the full range of flows encountered in voice production. To further investigate the range of validity of the quasi-steady approximation for voice production applications, a dynamic mechanical model of the larynx was designed and built. The model dimensions approximated those of human vocal folds. Airflow was supplied by a pressurized, quiet air storage facility and modulated by a driven rubber orifice. The acoustic pressure of waves radiated upstream and downstream of the orifice was measured, along with the orifice area and other time-averaged flow variables. Calculated and measured radiated acoustic pressures were compared. A good agreement was obtained over a range of operating frequencies, flow rates, and orifice shapes, confirming the validity of the quasi-steady approximation for a class of relevant pulsating jet flows.     

A fourfold coordinated point defect in silicon

Vacancies, interstitials, and Frenkel pairs are considered to be the basic point defects in silicon. We challenge this point of view by presenting density functional calculations that show that there is a stable point defect in silicon that has fourfold coordination and is lower in energy than the traditional defects.     

Global optimization by energy landscape paving

We introduce a novel heuristic global optimization method, energy landscape paving (ELP), which combines core ideas from energy surface deformation and tabu search. In appropriate limits, ELP reduces to existing techniques. The approach is very general and flexible and is illustrated here on two protein folding problems. For these examples, the technique gives faster convergence to the global minimum than previous approaches.     

Broadband sound generation by confined turbulent jets

Sound generation by confined stationary jets is of interest to the study of voice and speech production, among other applications. The generation of sound by low Mach number, confined, stationary circular jets was investigated. Experiments were performed using a quiet flow supply, muffler-terminated rigid uniform tubes, and acrylic orifice plates. A spectral decomposition method based on a linear source-filter model was used to decompose radiated nondimensional sound pressure spectra measured for various gas mixtures and mean flow velocities into the product of (1) a source spectral distribution function; (2) a function accounting for near field effects and radiation efficiency; and (3) an acoustic frequency response function. The acoustic frequency response function agreed, as expected, with the transfer function between the radiated acoustic pressure at one fixed location and the strength of an equivalent velocity source located at the orifice. The radiation efficiency function indicated a radiation efficiency of the order (kD)2 over the planar wave frequency range and (kD)4 at higher frequencies, where k is the wavenumber and D is the tube cross sectional dimension. This is consistent with theoretical predictions for the planar wave radiation efficiency of quadrupole sources in uniform rigid anechoic tubes. The effects of the Reynolds number, Re, on the source spectral distribution function were found to be insignificant over the range 20002.5. The influence of a reflective open tube termination on the source function spectral distribution was found to be insignificant, confirming the absence of a feedback mechanism.