Asymptotic properties of computationally efficient alternative estimators for a class of multivariate normal models

Parameters of Gaussian multivariate models are often estimated using the maximum likelihood approach. In spite of its merits, this methodology is not practical when the sample size is very large, as, for example, in the case of massive georeferenced data sets. In this paper, we study the asymptotic properties of the estimators that minimize three alternatives to the likelihood function, designed to increase the computational efficiency. This is achieved by applying the information sandwich technique to expansions of the pseudo-likelihood functions as quadratic forms of independent normal random variables. Theoretical calculations are given for a first-order autoregressive time series and then extended to a two-dimensional autoregressive process on a lattice. We compare the efficiency of the three estimators to that of the maximum likelihood estimator as well as among themselves, using numerical calculations of the theoretical results and simulations.     

Ihara zeta functions of digraphs

After defining and exploring some of the properties of Ihara zeta functions of digraphs, we improve upon Kotani and Sunada’s bounds on the poles of Ihara zeta functions of undirected graphs by considering digraphs whose adjacency matrices are directed edge matrices.     

A robust and efficient adaptive reweighted estimator of multivariate location and scatter

This article proposes a reweighted estimator of multivariate location and scatter, with weights adaptively computed from the data. Its breakdown point and asymptotic behavior under elliptical distributions are established. This adaptive estimator is able to attain simultaneously the maximum possible breakdown point for affine equivariant estimators and full asymptotic efficiency at the multivariate normal distribution. For the special case of hard-rejection weights and the MCD as initial estimator, it is shown to be more efficient than its non-adaptive counterpart for a broad range of heavy-tailed elliptical distributions. A Monte Carlo study shows that the adaptive estimator is as robust as its non-adaptive relative for several types of bias-inducing contaminations, while it is remarkably more efficient under normality for sample sizes as small as 200.     

Liquid-phase chlorination ofC-chlorovinylsilanes

Liquid-phase chlorination of a number of chloro(chlorovinyl)methylsilanes was investigated. A number of novelC-chlorosilanes were characterized by IR and¹H NMR spectra. Some regularities of these reactions were determined; correlations between the structure of chloro(chlorovinyl)methylsilanes and their reactivities were identified.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2256–2260, November, 1995.     

Fonctions qui opèrent sur les espaces de Besov

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Completely empty pyramids on integer lattices and two-dimensional faces of multidimensional continued fractions

In this paper we develop an integer-affine classification of three-dimensional multistory, completely empty convex marked pyramids. We apply it to obtain the complete lists of compact two-dimensional faces of multidimensional continued fractions lying in planes at integer distances 2, 3, 4, …  to the origin. The faces are considered up to the action of the group of integer-linear transformations.     

Characterization of reduced iso‐α‐acids derived from hops (Humulus lupulus) by NMR

Reduced forms of iso‐α‐acids (isohumulones), used in modern beer brewing were separated and characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Components from mixtures of rho‐iso‐α‐acids, tetrahydro‐iso‐α‐acids, and hexahydro‐iso‐α‐acids were isolated using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and analyzed by use of one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR experiments. The data presented assign the identities of the main peaks in the HPLC traces for the reduced iso‐α‐acids. Previous tentative assignments regarding the cis and trans configurations and the structures of the acyl residues of the reduced iso‐α‐acids were confirmed and extensive NMR assignments were made. Furthermore, the previously unknown stereochemistry in the C‐4 side‐chain of the rho‐ and hexahydro‐iso‐α‐acids was assigned. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Equivariant fixed-point indices of iterated maps

We describe an equivariant version (for actions of a finite group G) of Dold’s index theory, [10], for iterated maps. Equivariant Dold indices are defined, in general, for a G-map U → X defined on an open G-subset of a G-ANR X (and satisfying a suitable compactness condition). A local index for isolated fixed-points is introduced, and the theorem of Shub and Sullivan on the vanishing of all but finitely many Dold indices for a continuously differentiable map is extended to the equivariant case. Homotopy Dold indices, arising from the equivariant Reidemeister trace, are also considered.      

A fictitious domain approach to the numerical solution of PDEs in stochastic domains

We present an efficient method for the numerical realization of elliptic PDEs in domains depending on random variables. Domains are bounded, and have finite fluctuations. The key feature is the combination of a fictitious domain approach and a polynomial chaos expansion. The PDE is solved in a larger, fixed domain (the fictitious domain), with the original boundary condition enforced via a Lagrange multiplier acting on a random manifold inside the new domain. A (generalized) Wiener expansion is invoked to convert such a stochastic problem into a deterministic one, depending on an extra set of real variables (the stochastic variables). Discretization is accomplished by standard mixed finite elements in the physical variables and a Galerkin projection method with numerical integration (which coincides with a collocation scheme) in the stochastic variables. A stability and convergence analysis of the method, as well as numerical results, are provided. The convergence is “spectral” in the polynomial chaos order, in any subdomain which does not contain the random boundaries.