Estimating the Scale Parameter of a Lévy-stable Distribution via the Extreme Value Approach

The characteristic exponent α of a Lévy-stable law S _α (σ, β, μ) was thoroughly studied as the extreme value index of a heavy tailed distribution. For 1 < α < 2, Peng (Statist. Probab. Lett. 52: 255–264, 2001) has proposed, via the extreme value approach, an asymptotically normal estimator for the location parameter μ. In this paper, we derive by the same approach, an estimator for the scale parameter σ and we discuss its limiting behavior.      

Products of residue currents of Cauchy–Fantappiè–Leray type

With a given holomorphic section of a Hermitian vector bundle, one can associate a residue current by means of Cauchy–Fantappiè–Leray type formulas. In this paper we define products of such residue currents. We prove that, in the case of a complete intersection, the product of the residue currents of a tuple of sections coincides with the residue current of the direct sum of the sections.     

An Implicit Iteration Process with Errors for a Finite Family of r-strictly Asymptotically Pseudocontractive Mappings

In this paper,we will establish several strong convergence theorems for the approximation ofcommon fixed points of r-strictly asymptotically pseudocontractive mappings in uniformly convex Banachspaces using the modiied implicit iteration sequence with errors,and prove the necessary and sufficient conditionsfor the convergence of the sequence.Our results generalize,extend and improve the recent work,in thistopic.     

A Penrose-like inequality for maximal asymptotically flat spin initial data sets

We prove a Penrose-like inequality for the mass of a large class of constant mean curvature (CMC) asymptotically flat n-dimensional spin manifolds which satisfy the dominant energy condition and have a future converging, or past converging compact and connected boundary of non-positive mean curvature and of positive Yamabe invariant. We prove that for every n ≥ 3 the mass is bounded from below by an expression involving the norm of the linear momentum, the volume of the boundary, dimensionless geometric constants and some normalized Sobolev ratio.     

Dynamic programming in cricket: optimizing batting order for a sticky wicket

In cricket, a rain-affected pitch can make batting more difficult than normal. Several other conditions such as poor light or an initially lively pitch, may also result in difficulties for the batsmen. In this note, we refer to all of them as ‘sticky wickets’. On sticky wickets, lower order batsmen are often sent into ‘hold the fort’ until conditions improve. In this paper, a stochastic dynamic programming model is used to examine the appropriateness of this policy. The model suggests that the tactic is often optimal when the sticky wicket persists until the end of the day's play, but not often when the sticky wicket is transitory. In some circumstances, it is worthwhile, on a normal wicket near the end of the day, to send in a lower order batsman to hold the fort (a night watchman): when the wicket is sticky, this tactic is even more worthwhile.     

Potential for micromachined actuation of ultra-wide continuously tunable optoelectronic devices

Tailored scaling represents a principle of success that, both in nature and in technology, allows the effectiveness of physical effects to be enhanced. Mutation and selection in nature are imitated in technology, e.g. by model calculation and design. Proper scaling of dimensions in natural photonic crystals and our fabricated artificial 1D photonic crystals (DBRs, distributed Bragg reflectors) enable efficient diffractive interaction in a specific spectral range. For our optical microsystems we illustrate that tailored miniaturization may also increase the mechanical stability and the effectiveness of spectral tuning by thermal and electrostatic actuation, since the relative significance of the fundamental physical forces involved considerably changes with scaling. These basic physical principles are rigorously applied in micromachined 1.55-μm vertical-resonator-based devices. We modeled, implemented and characterized 1.55-μm micromachined optical filters and vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser devices capable of wide, monotonic and kink-free tuning by a single control parameter. Tuning is achieved by mechanical actuation of one or several air-gaps that are part of the vertical resonator including two ultra-highly reflective DBR mirrors of strong refractive index contrast: (i) Δn=2.17 for InP/air-gap DBRs (3.5 periods) using GaInAs sacrificial layers and (ii) Δn=0.5 for Si₃N₄/SiO₂ DBRs (12 periods) with a polymer sacrificial layer to implement the air-cavity. In semiconductor multiple air-gap filters, a continuous tuning of >8% of the absolute wavelength is obtained. Varying the reverse voltage (U=0–5 V) between the membranes (electrostatic actuation), a tuning range of >110 nm was obtained for a large number of devices. The correlation of the wavelength and the applied voltage is accurately reproducible without any hysteresis. In two filters, tuning of 127 and 130 nm was observed for about ΔU=7 V. The extremely wide tuning range and the very small voltage required are record values to the best of our knowledge. For thermally actuated dielectric filters based on polymer sacrificial layers, Δλ/ΔU=-7 nm/V is found. Received: 10 May 2002 / Published online: 8 August 2002