Small-Deviation Inequalities for Sums of Random Matrices

Random matrices have played an important role in many fields including machine learning, quantum information theory and optimization. One of the main research focuses is on the deviation inequalities for eigenvalues of random matrices. Although there are intensive studies on the large-deviation inequalities for random matrices, only a few of works discuss the small-deviation behavior of random matrices. In this paper, we present the small-deviation inequalities for the largest eigenvalues of sums of random matrices. Since the resulting inequalities are independent of the matrix dimension, they are applicable to the high-dimensional and even the infinite-dimensional cases

Accelerating AdS black holes as the holographic heat engines in a benchmarking scheme

We investigate the properties of holographic heat engines with an uncharged accelerating non-rotating AdS black hole as the working substance in a benchmarking scheme. We find that the efficiencies of the black hole heat engines can be influenced by both the size of the benchmark circular cycle and the cosmic string tension as a thermodynamic variable. In general, the efficiency can be increased by enlarging the cycle, but is still constrained by a universal bound $2\pi/(\pi+4)$ as expected. A cross-comparison of the efficiencies of the accelerating black hole heat engines and Schwarzschild-AdS black hole heat engines suggests that the acceleration also increases the efficiency although the amount of increase is not remarkable.Comment: 13 pages,4 figure

A two-step approach to model precipitation extremes in California based on max-stable and marginal point processes

In modeling spatial extremes, the dependence structure is classically inferred by assuming that block maxima derive from max-stable processes. Weather stations provide daily records rather than just block maxima. The point process approach for univariate extreme value analysis, which uses more historical data and is preferred by some practitioners, does not adapt easily to the spatial setting. We propose a two-step approach with a composite likelihood that utilizes site-wise daily records in addition to block maxima. The procedure separates the estimation of marginal parameters and dependence parameters into two steps. The first step estimates the marginal parameters with an independence likelihood from the point process approach using daily records. Given the marginal parameter estimates, the second step estimates the dependence parameters with a pairwise likelihood using block maxima. In a simulation study, the two-step approach was found to be more efficient than the pairwise likelihood approach using only block maxima. The method was applied to study the effect of El Ni\~{n}o-Southern Oscillation on extreme precipitation in California with maximum daily winter precipitation from 35 sites over 55 years. Using site-specific generalized extreme value models, the two-step approach led to more sites detected with the El Ni\~{n}o effect, narrower confidence intervals for return levels and tighter confidence regions for risk measures of jointly defined events.Comment: Published at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/14-AOAS804 in the Annals of Applied Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aoas/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Oscillating universe in the DGP braneworld

With a method in which the Friedmann equation is written in a form such that evolution of the scale factor can be treated as that of a particle in a "potential", we classify all possible cosmic evolutions in the DGP braneworld scenario with the dark radiation term retained. By assuming that the energy component is pressureless matter, radiation or vacuum energy, respectively, we find that in the matter or vacuum energy dominated case, the scale factor has a minimum value $a_0$. In the matter dominated case, the big bang singularity can be avoided in some special circumstances, and there may exist an oscillating universe or a bouncing one. If the cosmic scale factor is in the oscillating region initially, the universe may undergo an oscillation. After a number of oscillations, it may evolve to the bounce point through quantum tunneling and then expand. However, if the universe contracts initially from an infinite scale, it can turn around and then expand forever. In the vacuum energy dominated case, there exists a stable Einstein static state to avoid the big bang singularity. However, in certain circumstances in the matter or vacuum energy dominated case, a new kind of singularity may occur at $a_0$ as a result of the discontinuity of the scale factor. In the radiation dominated case, the universe may originate from the big bang singularity, but a bouncing universe which avoids this singularity is also possible.Comment: 25 pages, 24 figures. To appear in PR