Associated polynomials and birth-death processes

We consider sequences of orthogonal polynomials with positive zeros, and pursue the question of how (partial) knowledge of the orthogonalizing measure for the {\it associated polynomials} can lead to information about the orthogonalizing measure for the original polynomials, with a view to applications in the setting of birth-death processes. In particular, we relate the supports of the two measures, and their moments of positive and negative orders. Our results indicate how the prevalence of recurrence or $\alpha$-recurrence in a birth-death process can be recognized from certain properties of an associated measure. \u

On associated polynomials and decay rates for birth-death processes

We consider sequences of orthogonal polynomials and pursue the question of how (partial) knowledge of the orthogonalizing measure for the {\it associated polynomials} can lead to information about the orthogonalizing measure for the original polynomials. In particular, we relate the supports of the two measures, and their moments. As an application we analyse the relation between two decay rates connected with a birth-death process. \u

Asymptotic period of an aperiodic Markov chain

We introduce the concept of asymptotic period for an irreducible and aperiodic, discrete-time Markov chain X on a countable state space, and develop the theory leading to its formal definition. The asymptotic period of X equals one - its period - if X is recurrent, but may be larger than one if X is transient; X is asymptotically aperiodic if its asymptotic period equals one. Some sufficient conditions for asymptotic aperiodicity are presented. The asymptotic period of a birth-death process on the nonnegative integers is studied in detail and shown to be equal to 1, 2 or infinity. Criteria for the occurrence of each value in terms of the 1-step transition probabilities are established.Comment: 19 page

The indeterminate rate problem for birth-death processes

A birth-death process is completely determined by its set of rates if and only if this set satisfies a certain condition C, say. If for a set of rates R the condition C is not fulfilled, then the problem arises of characterizing all birth-death processes which have rate set R (the indeterminate rate problem associated with R). We show that the characterization may be effected by means of the decay parameter, and we determine the set of possible values for the decay parameter in terms of JR. A fundamental role in our analysis is played by a duality concept for rate sets, which, if the pertinent rate sets satisfy C, obviously leads to a duality concept for birth-death processes. The latter can be stated in a form which suggests the possibility of extension in the context of indeterminate rate problems. This, however, is shown to be only partially true

On the Strong Ratio Limit Property for Discrete-Time Birth-Death Processes

A sufficient condition is obtained for a discrete-time birth-death process to possess the strong ratio limit property, directly in terms of the one-step transition probabilities of the process. The condition encompasses all previously known sufficient conditions

Weighted sums of orthogonal polynomials related to birth-death processes with killing

We consider sequences of orthogonal polynomials arising in the analysis of birth-death processes with killing. Motivated by problems in this stochastic setting we discuss criteria for convergence of certain weighted sums of the polynomials

Petal Senescence: New Concepts for Ageing Cells

Senescence in flower petals can be regarded as a form of programmed cell death (PCD), being a process where cells or tissues are broken down in an orderly and predictable manner, whereby nutrients are re-used by other cells, tissues or plant parts. The process of petal senescence shows many similarities to autophagic PCD in animal cells including a massive breakdown of protein, DNA and RNA, the formation of autophagic vacuoles for the breakdown of cytoplasm and organelles therein and, the eventual rupture of these vacuoles that kills the cell. Chromatin condensation and DNA and nuclear fragmentation (traditionally considered being apoptotic-like features) are observed in both autophagic animal cells and in senescing petal cells. We present a conceptional model underlying petal senescence that integrates elements that have been associated with both apoptotic and autophagic types of PC

Analysis of birth-death fluid queues

We present a survey of techniques for analysing the performance of a reservoir which receives and releases fluid at rates which are determined by the state of a background birth-death process. The reservoir is assumed to be infinitely large, but the state space of the modulating birth-death process may be finite or infinite

Quasi-stationary distributions for reducible absorbing Markov chains in discrete time

We consider discrete-time Markov chains with one coffin state and a finite set $S$ of transient states, and are interested in the limiting behaviour of such a chain as time $n \to \infty,$ conditional on survival up to $n$. It is known that, when $S$ is irreducible, the limiting conditional distribution of the chain equals the (unique) quasi-stationary distribution of the chain, while the latter is the (unique) $\rho$-invariant distribution for the one-step transition probability matrix of the (sub)Markov chain on $S,$ $\rho$ being the Perron-Frobenius eigenvalue of this matrix. Addressing similar issues in a setting in which $S$ may be reducible, we identify all quasi-stationary distributions and obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for one of them to be the unique $\rho$-invariant distribution. We also reveal conditions under which the limiting conditional distribution equals the $\rho$-invariant distribution if it is unique. We conclude with some examples

Proofs for some conjectures of Rajaratnam and Takawira

The purpose of this note is to supplement a recent paper by Rajaratnam and Takawira ({\it IEEE Trans. Vehicular Technol.} {\bf 49} (2000) 817-834), which deals with a model for the performance analysis of cellular mobile networks. We show that the key performance quantity may be obtained by evaluating an explicit formula rather than by solving a set of equations. This result enables us to verify some conjectures formulated by Rajaratnam and Takawira on the basis of numerical experiments. We also show uniqueness of the solution to a system of nonlinear equations, required in the performance analysis, as conjectured by Rajaratnam and Takawira. \u