A Method for Solving Distributed Service Allocation Problems

We present a method for solving service allocation problems in which a set of services must be allocated to a set of agents so as to maximize a global utility. The method is completely distributed so it can scale to any number of services without degradation. We first formalize the service allocation problem and then present a simple hill-climbing, a global hill-climbing, and a bidding-protocol algorithm for solving it. We analyze the expected performance of these algorithms as a function of various problem parameters such as the branching factor and the number of agents. Finally, we use the sensor allocation problem, an instance of a service allocation problem, to show the bidding protocol at work. The simulations also show that phase transition on the expected quality of the solution exists as the amount of communication between agents increases

Pointwise universal consistency of nonparametric linear estimators

This paper presents sufficient conditions for pointwise universal consistency of nonparametric delta estimators. We show the applicability of these conditions for some classes of nonparametric estimators

Automatic spectral density estimation for Random fields on a lattice via bootstrap

This paper considers the nonparametric estimation of spectral densities for second order stationary random fields on a d-dimensional lattice. I discuss some drawbacks of standard methods, and propose modified estimator classes with improved bias convergence rate, emphasizing the use of kernel methods and the choice of an optimal smoothing number. I prove uniform consistency and study the uniform asymptotic distribution, when the optimal smoothing number is estimated from the sampled data.

POINTWISE UNIVERSAL CONSISTENCY OF NONPARAMETRIC LINEAR ESTIMATORS

This paper presents sufficient conditions for pointwise universal consistency of nonparametric delta estimators. We show the applicability of these conditions for some classes of nonparametric estimators.

A valid theory on probabilistic causation

In this paper several definitions of probabilistic causation are considered, and their main drawbacks discussed. Current notions of probabilistic causality have symmetry limitations (e.g. correlation and statistical dependence are symmetric notions). To avoid the symmetry problem, non-reciprocal causality is often defined in terms of dynamic asymmetry. But these notions are likely to consider spurious regularities. In this paper we present a definition of causality that does non have symmetry inconsistences. It is a natural extension of propositional causality in formal logics, and it can be easily analyzed with statistical inference. The modeling problems are also discussed using empirical processes.Causality, Empirical Processes and Classification Theory, 62M30, 62M15, 62G20

Automatic spectral density estimation for random fields on a lattice via bootstrap.

We consider the nonparametric estimation of spectral densities for secondorder stationary random fields on a d-dimensional lattice. We discuss some drawbacks of standard methods and propose modified estimator classes with improved bias convergence rate, emphasizing the use of kernel methods and the choice of an optimal smoothing number.We prove the uniform consistency and study the uniform asymptotic distribution when the optimal smoothing number is estimated from the sampled data.Spatial data; Spectral density; Smoothing number; Uniform asymptotic distribution; Bootstrap;

Pointwise universal consistency of nonparametric density estimators.

This paper presents sufficient conditions for pointwise universal consistency of nonparametric delta estimators and shows the application of these conditions for some classes of nonparametric estimators.Delta estimators; Pointwise approximation; Pointwise universal consistency;

Do business density and variety determine retail performance?

Outlet location plays a crucial role in retail strategy. In this paper we study the relationship between spatial density (concentration) of retailers in the trade area and their economic performance. This analysis will help managers figure out the economic potential of starting a retail business in a given area, reducing business start-up risks. We find that retail businesses located in high and low retail density zones enjoy higher performance levels, consistent with competitive advantage arising from agglomeration economies and local market power respectively. We also find that retail businesses located in intermediate density areas use a differentiation strategy based on business variety (diversification across stores). Outlets located in areas with the highest variety enjoy performance levels similar to those achieved in the agglomeration and low density areas. The results suggest that retail companies should jointly consider variety and density to determine location

Optimal duration of magazine promotions

The planning of promotions and other marketing events frequently requires manufacturers to make decisions about the optimal duration of these activities. Yet manufacturers often lack the support tools for decision making. We assume that customer decisions at the aggregated level follow a state-dependent Markov process. On the basis of the expected economic return associated with dynamic response to stimuli, we determine the ideal length of marketing events using dynamic programming optimization and apply the model to a complex promotion event. Results suggest that this methodology could help managers in the publishing industry to plan the optimal duration of promotion event

Magazine sales promotion : a dynamic response analysis

This paper studies the impact and effectiveness of a type of non-price promotion often used in the European periodical magazines industry to stimulate sales, in which a value pack is sold containing the magazine issue plus another product. Magazines are sold simultaneously with and without promotion at different prices, and promotions are serialized by fractioning the additional product across different issues of the magazine. We find that promoted magazines contemporarily cannibalize non-promoted sales; but this loss is compensated by a medium term increase of non-promoted sales. These results show that this sales promotion strategy is an effective way to diminish the decline rate of periodical sales