All Questions
141 questions
3
votes
2
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973
views
How much larger than the relaxation time can the mixing time be?
The notation is mostly taken from the book "Markov chains and mixing times" by Levin, Peres, and Wilmer.
Consider an irreducible, aperiodic, time-reversible, discrete-time Markov chain on a finite ...
1
vote
0
answers
44
views
Validating a probability density distribution forecast model for a Markov process
Let's say we have a Markov process $X_t$, and we come up with a forecast model that takes some information from outside world and says: "value $X_{t+1}$ has probability density distribution $P_t(x)$". ...
0
votes
0
answers
117
views
Ergodicity property for continuous-time Harris positive Markov process
I have posted this question on there, but got no answer.
The following theorem is Theorem 13.3.3 of Meyn and Tweedie's Markov Chains and Stochastic Stability on page 328:
Theorem 13.3.3. If $\Phi$ ...
1
vote
0
answers
101
views
How to fit a stochastic matrix to given data.?
Given a data sequence of noisy observations of a 3-state Markov chain $X$ -- $y_1$,$y_2$,...$y_n$, with two transition matrices $A_1$ and $A_2$ corresponding to different regions (**) in the (unit) ...
1
vote
0
answers
111
views
Conditional probabilities in epidemic model
I was contemplating an epidemic model where infection and recovery rates are determined by links. Here node $i$ is infected first and recovers at a rate $\mu_i$. For all other nodes, the recovery is ...
6
votes
1
answer
509
views
Approximating Markov chains by Brownian motion
I would like a result along the following lines to be true, but haven't been able to locate it in the literature; pointers would be welcome.
Let $X_{t}$ be a finite-state, irreducible, aperiodic ...
12
votes
3
answers
4k
views
How to explain "Feller process" to an undergraduate student?
I had to explain in informal terms what a Feller process was, to undergraduate students who understand Markov property, Poisson processes and such. It was easy to define Levy process as generalisation ...
6
votes
2
answers
912
views
References for a physicist migrating to stochastic processes
I've studied "Markov Chains" - Norris and "Measure, Integral and Probability" - Capinski, Kopp. Now, I'm looking for a couple of books (or other references) that help me bridging these two topics. ...
8
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Invariant measure of Euler-Maruyama Discretisation of an Ito diffusion
Let $(X_t)_{t \geq 0}$ be a diffusion process with dynamics governed by the stochastic differential equation
\begin{equation}
dX_t = b(X_t)dt + \sigma(X_t)dW_t, ~~ X_0 = x_0,
\end{equation}
where $b,\...
3
votes
0
answers
305
views
Nonlinear Markov process
Consider the following nonlinear $\mathbb{R}$-valued stochastic recursive sequence:
$ X_{n+1} = F(X_n) + W_{n+1}, \quad (W_n)_{n\ge1} \stackrel{ \scriptsize \mathrm{i.i.d.} }{ \sim } \phi. $
How can ...
0
votes
1
answer
408
views
Generating independent random variable from two correlated random variables
Suppose two random variables $X$ and $V$ are given. I am wondering what kind of condition we need to impose on joint distribution of $V$ and $X$ to make sure that there exists a random variable $Z$ ...
2
votes
0
answers
199
views
CLT for a Markov Renewal Process
Suppose $(X,T)=\{(X_n,T_n)\}_{n\geq0}$ is a Markov renewal process, where $X$ is a finite-state, discrete-time Markov chain with state space $\{1,2,...,R\}$. $T$ is the additive component, more ...
6
votes
1
answer
387
views
Quasi-stationary distribution for a death process
In the paper, Survival in a quasi-death process by van Doorn and Pollett, the quasi-stationary distribution of a transient CTMC is discussed and QSD for a simple death process is derived.
Consider a ...
2
votes
1
answer
665
views
Transition probabilities in coupled Markov chains
I know that for a continuous-time Markov chain, the probability of transition from time $0$ to $t$ is given by $P(t)=e^{Q(t)t}$. I have a system of $N$ interdependent continuous-time Markov chains ...
6
votes
1
answer
171
views
Relative vulnerabilities in SIS epidemic model
Consider the SIS model of epidemic spreading. There is a finite graph $G(V,E)$, link infection rates $\lambda_{ij}$ and node recovery rates $\mu_i$. There are a few initial nodes which are infected at ...
1
vote
1
answer
687
views
Supremum in a Markov chain model
A Markov chain $X$ with finite state space $\{1,2,\cdots,N\}$ is defined on a probability space $(\Omega, P, \mathcal{F})$ equiped with filtration $\{\mathcal{F}_t\}$. And we assume that we can reach ...
3
votes
4
answers
681
views
Does the variance of a continuous time, time homogeneous, Markov process starting from one point necessarily not decrease?
Let $x_t$ be a zero mean, time homogeneous Markovian process (chiefly look at the case where the value is in $1$ dimension) over time $t$ starting from $x_0=0$. Is it necessary that, in continuous ...
1
vote
0
answers
196
views
The problem of the drunkard in a valley [closed]
We consider a Markov chain on a subset of positive integers S = {0, 1, 2, 3, .......N}, with transition probabilities defined as follows:
The chain jumps only one unit to the left or right.
p(i, j) =...
4
votes
0
answers
264
views
Generalized Markov Processes on CW complexes of dimension > 1
Markov processes have a large variety of applications to physics and chemistry (as well as many other fields). Such processes are formulated on graphs, i.e., CW complexes of dimension one. It is ...
0
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Markov Chain: state reduction
Hi I am trying to understand a proof in a paper (written by Isaac Sonin), I don't know if anyone could give me a clarification on the following:
Firstly we have a Markov chain $\{Y_k\}$ with finite ...
4
votes
0
answers
282
views
Markov operators and existence of ergodic measures
My question refers to the yesterday's question (see here)
of John Learner and goes as follows:
Can we deduce the existence of an ergodic measure if we know that an invariant measure exists, but the ...
0
votes
0
answers
151
views
Inequality relating stationary probabilities and transition probabilities
Let $P$ be the transition probability matrix of a aperiodic irreducible DTMC and let $\pi$ be its stationary distribution. I would like to know if there is any literature on types of Markov chains ...
1
vote
1
answer
293
views
Empirical distribution of a collection of iid Markov chains
Suppose we have $N$ independent 2-point Markov chains each having a rate matrix $Q = [-1,1;1,-1]$ and stationary distribution $\pi = [0.5,0.5]$. At time $t=0$, we initiate the chains so that the ...
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Hitting time probability in a Random Walk with possibility to die.
A Random Walker can move of one unit to the right with probability $p$, to the left with probability $q$ and it can jump again to the starting point with probability $r$ and die. Naturally $p+q+r=1$. ...
2
votes
1
answer
421
views
Extending Wald's equation to two classes of i.d. random variables?
I try to adopt Wald's equation to a slightly more complex problem. In fact, after a full day, I found some solution now, but it has a confusing argument in the middle. Perhaps somebody can help me at ...
14
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Markov chains: invariant measures and explosion
The following seems like such an elementary question, but I didn't get anywhere with it.
Suppose you are considering a Markov chain in continuous time which is transient and has an invariant measure (...
2
votes
1
answer
447
views
MCMC with progressive demollification of delta distributions
Edit: I simplified the example to a canonical case for clarity.
Given an integral $\int_{\Omega}{g(\mathbf{x})}$ with a well-posed integrand $g(\mathbf{x})$ defined on some multidimensional space $\...
4
votes
0
answers
1k
views
The spectrum of a Markov Operator and Invariant Measures
Suppose I have a discrete-time Markov Chain (in an infinite dimensional state space $\Omega$) with Markov operator $P$, a linear operator on the space of bounded measurable functions on $\Omega$. (Or ...
3
votes
1
answer
335
views
Stochastic processes having Markov kernels
Let $(\Omega_1, \mathcal{F}_1, P_1)$ and $(\Omega_2, \mathcal{F}_2, P_2)$ be probability spaces and suppose $(X_t)$ and $(Y_t)$ are real-valued stochastic processes defined on the respective spaces. ...
4
votes
2
answers
835
views
Reference on continuous-time finite state filtering
Problem: I'm working in reliability field and have seen papers written on the topic like process of failures when systems are functioning under unobservable (or observable) Markov-like environment, i....
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Ergodicity of a Markov chain
Hi,
I'd appreciate some help on a Markov chain result I'm trying to show. I believe the following is sufficient for a continuous time Markov chain $(X_t)$ with a countable state space to be ergodic:
...
2
votes
1
answer
395
views
Probability-one event for Markov chain
Let $X$ be a Markov chain, with countable state space $I$ and transition probability matrix $P$. $X$ is irreducible, but need not be recurrent. Let $S$ be a fixed subset of $I$.
Define a subset $K$ ...
11
votes
1
answer
642
views
Random walk origin return monotinicity
Consider a Markov chain on $\mathbb{Z}^d$ with transition kernel $P$ for adjacent vertices (non-diagonal). Essentially this is a $d$ dimensional random walk with the probability of a transition ...
2
votes
2
answers
861
views
Spectral gap of a product of Markov processes
For $m \in [N] \equiv \{1,\dots, N\}$, let $Q^{(m)}$ be the generator of a (well-behaved) continuous-time Markov process on a finite state space $[n_m]$. Write $J \equiv (j_1,\dots,j_N) \in \prod_m [...
3
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Markov random field with continuous index set
Hi
There's Markov random field (MRF) which, by my Wikipedia-based knowledge, is an extension of Markov chain. I'd like to think of it as going from 1D to higher dimensional spaces. Inherent in its ...
2
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Borel-Cantelli Lemma on MCs (absorbing states)
hi, I'm sorry if the question is silly, but I couldn't get my head around it for a while now.
In Markov Chains (MC) proving that a state is either recurrent or transient is through Borel-Cantelli ...
2
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Counterexample Markov process
Let $X$ be a homogeneous Markov process in a continuous time with value in the set $E$. Suppose that for some $T>0,x\in E, A\subset E$ we have
$$
P_x[X_t\in A] = 0
$$
for all $t\in [0,T]$ but
$$
...
2
votes
1
answer
640
views
Reachability for Markov process
Let $X$ be a Markov process (in continuous or discrete time) and define an event
$$
R(T,A) = (\exists t\leq T: X_t \in A).
$$
I have seen in one paper that
$$
\Pr[R(\infty,A)] = \sup\limits_{\tau} \...
2
votes
1
answer
186
views
scalar diffusions are reversible
It is well known that under mild assumptions a scalar diffusion $dX_t = a(X_t) dt + \sigma(X_t) dW_t$ with invariant probability distribution $\pi$ is reversible. This is indeed not true for ...
4
votes
1
answer
782
views
A simple problem in markov chains
I'm trying to understand a 1954 paper of Kubo intitled "Note on the stochastic theory of resonance absorption". The specific problem can be stated mathematically as follows: let $X(t)$ be a random ...
8
votes
4
answers
8k
views
Is there MDPs (Markov Decision Process) which have a non deterministic optimal policy?
I'm working on Markov Decision Process and I have not found yet an example of MDP that has a stochastic (non deterministic) optimal policy. Is there MDPs that have a stochastic optimal policy or is it ...