Anderson localization for one- and quasi-one-dimensional systems

We prove almost-sure exponential localization of all the eigenfunctions and nondegeneracy of the spectrum for random discrete Schrödinger operators on one- and quasi-one-dimensional lattices. This paper provides a much simpler proof of these results than previous approaches and extends to a much wider class of systems; we remark in particular that the singular continuous spectrum observed in some quasiperiodic systems disappears under arbitrarily small local perturbations of the potential. Our results allow us to prove that, e.g., for strong disorder, the smallest positive Lyapunov exponent of some products of random matrices does not vanish as the size of the matrices increases to infinity.     

Linear spin-zero quantum fields in external gravitational and scalar fields

We give mathematically rigorous results on the quantization of the covariant Klein Gordon field with an external stationary scalar interaction in a stationary curved space-time. We show how, following Segal, Weinless etc., the problem reduces to finding a “one particle structure” for the corresponding classical system. Our main result is an existence theorem for such a one-particle structure for a precisely specified class of stationary space-times. Byproducts of our approach are:

1. A discussion of when a given “equal-time” surface in a given stationary space-time is Cauchy.
2. A modification and extension of the methods of Chernoff [3] for proving the essential self-adjointness of certain partial differential operators.

     

Anderson localization for multi-dimensional systems at large disorder or large energy

We prove that discrete Schrödinger operators on ^d with a random-potential have almost-surely only pure point spectrum and exponentially decaying eigenfunctions for large disorder or large energy. This is the first proof of localization for multi-dimensional Anderson models.Groupe de recherche 048 du CNRS     

A power-law distribution for tenure lengths of sports managers

We show that the tenure lengths for managers of sport teams follow a power law distribution with an exponent between 2 and 3. We develop a simple theoretical model which replicates this result. The model demonstrates that the empirical phenomenon can be understood as the macroscopic outcome of pairwise interactions among managers in a league, threshold effects in managerial performance evaluation, competitive market forces, and luck at the microscopic level.     

Tristable and multiple bistable activity in complex random binary networks of two-state units

We study complex networks of stochastic two-state units. Our aim is to model discrete stochastic excitable dynamics with a rest and an excited state. Both states are assumed to possess different waiting time distributions. The rest state is treated as an activation process with an exponentially distributed life time, whereas the latter in the excited state shall have a constant mean which may originate from any distribution. The activation rate of any single unit is determined by its neighbors according to a random complex network structure. In order to treat this problem in an analytical way, we use a heterogeneous mean-field approximation yielding a set of equations generally valid for uncorrelated random networks. Based on this derivation we focus on random binary networks where the network is solely comprised of nodes with either of two degrees. The ratio between the two degrees is shown to be a crucial parameter. Dependent on the composition of the network the steady states show the usual transition from disorder to homogeneously ordered bistability as well as new scenarios that include inhomogeneous ordered and disordered bistability as well as tristability. The various steady states differ in their spiking activity expressed by a state dependent spiking rate. Numerical simulations agree with analytic results of the heterogeneous mean-field approximation.     

Operators that are points of spectral continuity,II

This paper continues an earlier study of those bounded operators on a Hilbert space at which the spectrum is continuous, where the spectrum is considered as a function whose domain is the set of all bounded operators furnished with the norm topology and whose range is the collection of compact subsets of the complex plane furnished with the Hausdorff metric. In this paper the points of continuity of the essential spectrum, the approximate point spectrum, and certain related subsets of the spectrum are characterized.The first author was supported by National Science Foundation Grant MCS 77-28396.     

The median procedure in cluster analysis and social choice theory

Classical approachs for fitting and aggregation problems, specially in cluster analysis, social choice theory and paired comparisons methods, consist in the minimization of a remoteness function between relational data and a relational model. The notion of median, with its algebraic, metric, geometrical and statistical aspects, allow a unified treatment of many of base problems. Properties of median procedures are organized according to four directions: stabilities and axiomatic characterizations; Arrow-like properties; combinatorial properties; effective computational possibilities. Finally, interesting mathematical problems, related to the notion of median are surveyed.