Lexicographic choice functions

We investigate a generalisation of the coherent choice functions considered by Seidenfeld et al. (2010), by sticking to the convexity axiom but imposing no Archimedeanity condition. We define our choice functions on vector spaces of options, which allows us to incorporate as special cases both Seidenfeld et al.'s (2010) choice functions on horse lotteries and sets of desirable gambles (Quaeghebeur, 2014), and to investigate their connections. We show that choice functions based on sets of desirable options (gambles) satisfy Seidenfeld's convexity axiom only for very particular types of sets of desirable options, which are in a one-to-one relationship with the lexicographic probabilities. We call them lexicographic choice functions. Finally, we prove that these choice functions can be used to determine the most conservative convex choice function associated with a given binary relation.Comment: 27 page

Polynomial functions on non-commutative rings - a link between ringsets and null-ideal sets

Regarding polynomial functions on a subset $S$ of a non-commutative ring $R$, that is, functions induced by polynomials in $R[x]$ (whose variable commutes with the coefficients), we show connections between, on one hand, sets $S$ such that the integer-valued polynomials on $S$ form a ring, and, on the other hand, sets $S$ such that the set of polynomials in $R[x]$ that are zero on $S$ is an ideal of $R[x]$.Comment: 9 pages, conference paper for "advances in algebra ..." at Ton Duc Thang University, Vietnam, Dec 18-20, 201

Region of Attraction Estimation Using Invariant Sets and Rational Lyapunov Functions

This work addresses the problem of estimating the region of attraction (RA) of equilibrium points of nonlinear dynamical systems. The estimates we provide are given by positively invariant sets which are not necessarily defined by level sets of a Lyapunov function. Moreover, we present conditions for the existence of Lyapunov functions linked to the positively invariant set formulation we propose. Connections to fundamental results on estimates of the RA are presented and support the search of Lyapunov functions of a rational nature. We then restrict our attention to systems governed by polynomial vector fields and provide an algorithm that is guaranteed to enlarge the estimate of the RA at each iteration