Statistical computation of Boltzmann entropy and estimation of the optimal probability density function from statistical sample

In this work, we investigate the statistical computation of the Boltzmann entropy of statistical samples. For this purpose, we use both histogram and kernel function to estimate the probability density function of statistical samples. We find that, due to coarse-graining, the entropy is a monotonic increasing function of the bin width for histogram or bandwidth for kernel estimation, which seems to be difficult to select an optimal bin width/bandwidth for computing the entropy. Fortunately, we notice that there exists a minimum of the first derivative of entropy for both histogram and kernel estimation, and this minimum point of the first derivative asymptotically points to the optimal bin width or bandwidth. We have verified these findings by large amounts of numerical experiments. Hence, we suggest that the minimum of the first derivative of entropy be used as a selector for the optimal bin width or bandwidth of density estimation. Moreover, the optimal bandwidth selected by the minimum of the first derivative of entropy is purely data-based, independent of the unknown underlying probability density distribution, which is obviously superior to the existing estimators. Our results are not restricted to one-dimensional, but can also be extended to multivariate cases. It should be emphasized, however, that we do not provide a robust mathematical proof of these findings, and we leave these issues with those who are interested in them.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, MNRAS, in the pres

Constraints on primordial black holes and primeval density perturbations from the epoch of reionization

We investigate the constraint on the abundance of primordial black holes (PBHs) and the spectral index $n$ of primeval density perturbations given by the ionizing photon background at the epoch of reionization. Within the standard inflationary cosmogony, we show that the spectral index $n$ of the power-law power spectrum of primeval density perturbations should be $n<$1.27. Since the universe is still optical thick at the reionization redshift $z\sim 6$ - 8, this constraint is independent of the unknown parameter of reheating temperature of the inflation. The ionizing photon background from the PBHs can be well approximated by a power law spectrum $J(\nu)\propto{\nu}^3$, which is greatly different from those given by models of massive stars and quasars.Comment: 4 pages, 3 eps figues, to be published in ApJ Letter

Prediction of a missing higher charmonium around 4.26 GeV in J/ψJ/\psi family

Inspired by the similarity of mass gaps of $J/\psi$ and $\Upsilon$ families, the prediction of missing higher charmonium with mass $4263$ MeV and very narrow width is made. In addition, the properties of two charmonium-like states, $X(3940)$ and $X(4160)$, and charmonium $\psi(4415)$ are discussed. Here, $X(3940)$ as $\eta_c(3S)$ is established while the explanation of $X(4160)$ to be $\eta_c(4S)$ is fully excluded and $\eta_c(4S)$ is typically a very narrow state. These predictions can be accessible at BESIII, Belle and BelleII in near future.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures and 1 table. More discussions added. Accepted by Eur. Phys. J.