A Counterexample on Sample-Path Optimality in Stable Markov Decision Chains with the Average Reward Criterion

This note deals with Markov decision chains evolving on a denumerable state space. Under standard continuity-compactness requirements, an explicit example is provided to show that, with respect to a strong sample-path average reward criterion, the Lyapunov function condition does not ensure the existence of an optimal stationary policy.     

The Cayley–Dickson process for dialgebras

We adapt the algorithm of Kolesnikov and Pozhidaev, which converts a polynomial identity for algebras into the corresponding identities for dialgebras, to the Cayley–Dickson doubling process. We obtain a generalization of this process to the setting of dialgebras, establish some of its basic properties, and construct dialgebra analogues of the quaternions and octonions.     

Non-simultaneous quenching in a system of heat equations coupled at the boundary

We study the solutions of a parabolic system of heat equations coupled at the boundary through a nonlinear flux. We characterize in terms of the parameters involved when non-simultaneous quenching may appear. Moreover, if quenching is non-simultaneous we find the quenching rate, which surprisingly depends on the flux associated to the other component. Partially supported by project BFM2002-04572 (Spain). Partially supported by UBA grant EX046, CONICET and Fundación Antorchas (Argentina). Received: February 17, 2004; revised: July 5, 2004     

A majorization inequality for Wright-convex functions revisited

We give an elementary proof of a majorization inequality concerning Wright-convex functions.     

On closures of joint similarity orbits

For an n-tuple T=(T₁,..., T_n) of operators on a Hilbert spacexxHx, the joint similarity orbit of T isxxSx(T)={VTV^–1 =(VT₁V^–1,...,VT_nV^–1): V is invertible onxxHx}. We study the structure of the norm closure ofxxSx, both in the case when T is commutative and when it is not. We first develop a Rota-model for the Taylor spectrum and use it to study n-tuples with totally disconnected Taylor spectrum, in particular quasinilpotent ones. We then consider limits of nilpotent n-tuples, and of normal n-tuples. For noncommuting n-tuples, we present a number of surprising facts relating the closure ofxxSx(T) to the Harte spectrum of T and the lack of commutativity of T. We show that a continuous function which is constant onxxSx(T) for all T must be constant. We conclude the paper with a detailed study of closed similarity orbits.Research partially supported by grants from the National Science Foundation.     

Large Deviations Behavior for the Quadratic Error of Density Estimate

For a projection estimator f_n of an unknown density f we investigate the behavior of large deviations probability P{T_n > r_n} when r_n , where T_n is appropriately centered and normed quadratic error f_n-f)².     

Lattice Boltzmann simulation of two-sided lid-driven flow in a staggered cavity

In this article, the lattice Boltzmann method is employed in order to explore incompressible fluid flow inside a two-sided lid-driven staggered cavity. Results of the lattice Boltzmann simulation for antiparallel motion of lids are compared with the data from existing literature. For parallel motion of lids, the characteristics of flow pattern for a variety of Re numbers (50–3200) are presented. An asymmetric steady-state flow pattern for parallel motion of lids is obtained.     

More on P-Stable Convex Sets in Banach Spaces

We study the asymptotic behavior and limit distributions for sums S _n =b_n ^-1 _i=1 ⁿ _i,where _i, i 1, are i.i.d. random convex compact (cc) sets in a given separable Banach space B and summation is defined in a sense of Minkowski. The following results are obtained: (i) Series (LePage type) and Poisson integral representations of random stable cc sets in B are established; (ii) The invariance principle for processes S _n(t) =b_n ^-1 _i=1 ^[nt] _i, t[0, 1], and the existence of p-stable cc Levy motion are proved; (iii) In the case, where _i are segments, the limit of S _n is proved to be countable zonotope. Furthermore, if B = R ^d , the singularity of distributions of two countable zonotopes Y_{p 1}, ₁,Y_{p 2}, ₂, corresponding to values of exponents p ₁, p ₂ and spectral measures ₁, ₂, is proved if either p ₁ p ₂ or _{1 2}; (iv) Some new simple estimates of parameters of stable laws in R ^d , based on these results are suggested.     

Quadratically hyponormal weighted shifts with two equal weights

We present an extensive analysis ofpositively quadratically hyponormal weighted shiftsW with ₀ = ₁ = 1. Our main result states that such weighted shifts abound! Specifically, by focusing on recursively generated weighted shifts of the form, we establish that the planar set is positively quadratically hyponormal} is a closed convex, set with nonempty interior. In addition, we are able to describe in detail the boundary of Research partially supported by NSF grants DMS-9401455 and DMS-9800931Research partially supported by KOSEF grant 971-0102-006-2 and by TGRC-KOSEF