On the approximation of convex functions by Bernstein-type operators

As a consequence of Jensen's inequality, centered operators of probabilistic type (also called Bernstein-type operators) approximate convex functions from above. Starting from this fact, we consider several pairs of classical operators and determine, in each case, which one is better to approximate convex functions. In almost all the discussed examples, the conclusion follows from a simple argument concerning composition of operators. However, when comparing Szász-Mirakyan operators with Bernstein operators over the positive semi-axis, the result is derived from the convex ordering of the involved probability distributions. Analogous results for non-centered operators are also considered.     

Generators of some Ramanujan formulas

In this paper we prove some Ramanujan type formulas for 1/π but without using the theory of modular forms. Instead we use the WZ—method created by H. Wilf and D. Zeilberger and find some hypergeometric functions in two variables which are second components of WZ—pairs than can be certified using Zeilberger's EKHAD package. These certificates have an additional property which allows us to get generalized Ramanujan's type series which are routinely proven by computer. We call these second hypergeometric components of the WZ—pairs generators. Finding generators seems a hard task but using a kind of experimental research (explained below), we have succeeded in finding some of them. Unfortunately we have not found yet generators for the most impressive Ramanujan's formulas. We also prove some interesting binomial sums for the constant 1/π². Finally we rewrite many of the obtained series using pochhammer symbols and study the rate of convergence. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification Primary—33C20     

Lower bounds for transition probabilities on graphs

The paper presents two results. The first one provides separate conditions for the upper and lower estimates of the distribution of the time of exit from balls of a random walk on a weighted graph. The main result of the paper is that the lower estimate follows from the elliptic Harnack inequality. The second result is an off-diagonal lower bound for the transition probability of the random walk.     

Relation de Rankine Hugoniot faible pour les lois de conservation avec contraintes primitives convexes

We describe a Weak Rankine Hugoniot relation for constrained discontinuous solutions of conservation laws. The constraint is convex in the primitive variable. Various examples show the potential interest of this approach. To cite this article: B. Després, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 342 (2006).     

On the Weak Invariance Principle for Stationary Sequences under Projective Criteria

In this paper, we study the central limit theorem and its weak invariance principle for sums of a stationary sequence of random variables, via a martingale decomposition. Our conditions involve the conditional expectation of sums of random variables with respect to the distant past. The results contribute to the clarification of the central limit question for stationary sequences. Magda Peligrad is supported in part by a Charles Phelps Taft research support grant at the Univeristy of Cincinnati and the NSA grant H98230-05-1-0066.     

AlGaN/GaN HEMTs grown on silicon (001) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy

We report the realization of an AlGaN/GaN HEMT on silicon (001) substrate with noticeably better transport and electrical characteristics than previously reported. The heterostructure has been grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The 2D electron gas formed at the AlGaN/GaN interface exhibits a sheet carrier density of 8×10¹² cm⁻² and a Hall mobility of 1800 cm²/V s at room temperature. High electron mobility transistors with a gate length of 4 μm have been processed and DC characteristics have been achieved. A maximum drain current of more than 500 mA/mm and a transconductance g_m of 120 mS/mm have been obtained. These results are promising and open the way for making efficient AlGaN/GaN HEMT devices on Si(001).     

On the Behavior of Some Second Order Nonlinear Differential Equations

Qualitative behavior of second order nonlinear differential equations of type y″+p(t)y+q(t)f(y)=0, is studied. It includes properties such as positivity, number of zeros, oscillating nature, boundedness and monotonicity of the solutions.     

On a recursive method for the estimation of unknown parameters of partially observed chaotic systems

We investigate a recently proposed method for on-line parameter estimation and synchronization in chaotic systems. This novel technique has been shown effective to estimate a single unknown parameter of a primary chaotic system with known functional form that is only partially observed through a scalar time series. It works by periodically updating the parameter of interest in a secondary system, with the same functional form as the primary one but no explicit coupling between their dynamic variables, in order to minimize a suitably defined cost function. In this paper, we review the basics of the method, and investigate its robustness and new extensions. In particular, we study the performance of the novel technique in the presence of noise (either observational, i.e., an additive contamination of the observed time series, or dynamical, i.e., a random perturbation of the system dynamics) and when there is a mismatch between the primary and secondary systems. Numerical results, including comparisons with other techniques, are presented. Finally, we investigate the extension of the original method to perform the estimation of two unknown parameters and illustrate its effectiveness by means of computer simulations.     

Highly polarized dithiafulvenes: synthesis and nonlinear optical properties

Push-pull dithiafulvenes with reduced bond length alternation (BLA) and high optical nonlinearities have been prepared. The interplay between the proaromaticity of the donor and the structural and optical properties of these merocyanines is discussed. The donor ability of dithiafulvenes can reach that of ferrocene or dialkylaminophenyl groups.     

More compact invariant manifolds appearing in the non-linear coupling of oscillators

Near partially elliptic rest points of generic families of vector fields or transformations, many types of normally hyperbolic invariant compact manifolds can appear, diffeomorphic to intersections of quadrics. To cite this article: M. Chaperon et al., C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 342 (2006).