arXiv subjects

Federico Polito

Publications and source records attributed to Federico Polito.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

A practical guide to Prabhakar fractional calculus

The Mittag-Leffler function is universally acclaimed as the Queen function of fractional calculus. The aim of this work is to survey the key results and applications emerging from the three-parameter generalization of this function, known as the Prabhakar function. Specifically, after reviewing key historical events that led to the discovery and modern development of this peculiar function, we discuss how the latter allows one to introduce an enhanced scheme for fractional calculus. Then, we summarize the progress in the application of this new general framework to physics and renewal processes. We also provide a collection of results on the numerical evaluation of the Prabhakar function.

math.CA↗

arXiv2020

Studies on generalized Yule models

We present a generalization of the Yule model for macroevolution in which, for the appearance of genera, we consider point processes with the order statistics property, while for the growth of species we use nonlinear time-fractional pure birth processes or a critical birth-death process. Further, in specific cases we derive the explicit form of the distribution of the number of species of a genus chosen uniformly at random for each time. Besides, we introduce a time-changed mixed Poisson process with the same marginal distribution as that of the time-fractional Poisson process.

math.PR↗

arXiv2018

Generalized Nonlinear Yule Models

With the aim of considering models with persistent memory we propose a fractional nonlinear modification of the classical Yule model often studied in the context of macrovolution. Here the model is analyzed and interpreted in the framework of the development of networks such as the World Wide Web. Nonlinearity is introduced by replacing the linear birth process governing the growth of the in-links of each specific webpage with a fractional nonlinear birth process with completely general birth rates. Among the main results we derive the explicit distribution of the number of in-links of a webpage chosen uniformly at random recognizing the contribution to the asymptotics and the finite time correction. The mean value of the latter distribution is also calculated explicitly in the most general case. Furthermore, in order to show the usefulness of our results, we particularize them in the case of specific birth rates giving rise to a saturating behaviour, a property that is often observed in nature. The further specialization to the non-fractional case allows us to extend the Yule model accounting for a nonlinear growth.

math.PR↗

arXiv2017

A note on Hadamard fractional differential equations with varying coefficients and their applications in probability

In this paper we show several connections between special functions arising from generalized COM-Poisson-type statistical distributions and integro-differential equations with varying coefficients involving Hadamard-type operators. New analytical results are obtained, showing the particular role of Hadamard-type derivatives in connection with a recently introduced generalization of the Le Roy function. We are also able to prove a general connection between fractional hyper-Bessel-type equations involving Hadamard operators and Le Roy functions.

math.PR↗

arXiv2017

Fractional Diffusion-Telegraph Equations and their Associated Stochastic Solutions

We present the stochastic solution to a generalized fractional partial differential equation involving a regularized operator related to the so-called Prabhakar operator and admitting, amongst others, as specific cases the fractional diffusion equation and the fractional telegraph equation. The stochastic solution is expressed as a Lévy process time-changed with the inverse process to a linear combination of (possibly subordinated) independent stable subordinators of different indices. Furthermore a related SDE is derived and discussed.

math.PR↗

arXiv2017

On a class of Time-fractional Continuous-state Branching Processes

We propose a class of non-Markov population models with continuous or discrete state space via a limiting procedure involving sequences of rescaled and randomly time-changed Galton--Watson processes. The class includes as specific cases the classical continuous-state branching processes and Markov branching processes. Several results such as the expressions of moments and the branching inequality governing the evolution of the process are presented and commented. The generalized Feller branching diffusion and the fractional Yule process are analyzed in detail as special cases of the general model.

math.PR↗

arXiv2016

Some Properties of Prabhakar-type Fractional Calculus Operators

In this paper we study some properties of the Prabhakar integrals and derivatives and of some of their extensions such as the regularized Prabhakar derivative or the Hilfer--Prabhakar derivative. Some Opial- and Hardy-type inequalities are derived. In the last section we point out on some relationships with probability theory.

math.PR↗

arXiv2016

Random Graphs Associated to some Discrete and Continuous Time Preferential Attachment Models

We give a common description of Simon, Barabási--Albert, II-PA and Price growth models, by introducing suitable random graph processes with preferential attachment mechanisms. Through the II-PA model, we prove the conditions for which the asymptotic degree distribution of the Barabási--Albert model coincides with the asymptotic in-degree distribution of the Simon model. Furthermore, we show that when the number of vertices in the Simon model (with parameter $α$) goes to infinity, a portion of them behave as a Yule model with parameters $(λ,β) = (1-α,1)$, and through this relation we explain why asymptotic properties of a random vertex in Simon model, coincide with the asymptotic properties of a random genus in Yule model. As a by-product of our analysis, we prove the explicit expression of the in-degree distribution for the II-PA model, given without proof in \cite{Newman2005}. References to traditional and recent applications of the these models are also discussed.

math.PR↗

arXiv2016

A Generalization of the Space-Fractional Poisson Process and its Connection to some Lévy Processes

This paper introduces a generalization of the so-called space-fractional Poisson process by extending the difference operator acting on state space present in the associated difference-differential equations to a much more general form. It turns out that this generalization can be put in relation to a specific subordination of a homogeneous Poisson process by means of a subordinator for which it is possible to express the characterizing Lévy measure explicitly. Moreover, the law of this subordinator solves a one-sided first-order differential equation in which a particular convolution-type integral operator appears, called Prabhakar derivative. In the last section of the paper, a similar model is introduced in which the Prabhakar derivative also acts in time. In this case, too, the probability generating function of the corresponding process and the probability distribution are determined.

math.PR↗

arXiv2015

Fractional diffusions with time-varying coefficients

This paper is concerned with the fractionalized diffusion equations governing the law of the fractional Brownian motion $B_H(t)$. We obtain solutions of these equations which are probability laws extending that of $B_H(t)$. Our analysis is based on McBride fractional operators generalizing the hyper-Bessel operators $L$ and converting their fractional power $L^α$ into Erdélyi--Kober fractional integrals. We study also probabilistic properties of the r.v.'s whose distributions satisfy space-time fractional equations involving Caputo and Riesz fractional derivatives. Some results emerging from the analysis of fractional equations with time-varying coefficients have the form of distributions of time-changed r.v.'s.

math.PR↗

arXiv2014

The role of detachment of in-links in scale-free networks

Real-world networks may exhibit detachment phenomenon determined by the cancelling of previously existing connections. We discuss a tractable extension of Yule model to account for this feature. Analytical results are derived and discussed both asymptotically and for a finite number of links. Comparison with the original model is performed in the supercritical case. The first-order asymptotic tail behavior of the two models is similar but differences arise in the second-order term. We explicitly refer to World Wide Web modeling and we show the agreement of the proposed model on very recent data. However, other possible network applications are also mentioned.

math.PR↗

arXiv2014

On Firing Rate Estimation for Dependent Interspike Intervals

If interspike intervals are dependent the instantaneous firing rate does not catch important features of spike trains. In this case the conditional instantaneous rate plays the role of the instantaneous firing rate for the case of samples of independent interspike intervals. If the conditional distribution of the interspikes intervals is unknown, it becomes difficult to evaluate the conditional firing rate. We propose a non parametric estimator for the conditional instantaneous firing rate for Markov, stationary and ergodic ISIs. An algorithm to check the reliability of the proposed estimator is introduced and its consistency properties are proved. The method is applied to data obtained from a stochastic two compartment model and to in vitro experimental data.

math.ST↗

arXiv2014

Hilfer-Prabhakar Derivatives and Some Applications

We present a generalization of Hilfer derivatives in which Riemann--Liouville integrals are replaced by more general Prabhakar integrals. We analyze and discuss its properties. Further, we show some applications of these generalized Hilfer-Prabhakar derivatives in classical equations of mathematical physics, like the heat and the free electron laser equations, and in difference-differential equations governing the dynamics of generalized renewal stochastic processes.

math.PR↗

arXiv2014

Discussion on the paper "On Simulation and Properties of the Stable Law" by L. Devroye and L. James

We congratulate the authors for the interesting paper. The reading has been really pleasant and instructive. We discuss briefly only some of the interesting results given in Devroye and James "On simulation and properties of the stable law", 2014 with particular attention to evolution problems. The contribution of the results collected in the paper is useful in a more wide class of applications in many areas of applied mathematics.

math.PR↗

arXiv2014

Fractional Klein-Gordon equation for linear dispersive phenomena: analytical methods and applications

In this paper we discuss some exact results related to the fractional Klein--Gordon equation involving fractional powers of the D'Alembert operator. By means of a space-time transformation, we reduce the fractional Klein--Gordon equation to a fractional hyper-Bessel-type equation. We find an exact analytic solution by using the McBride theory of fractional powers of hyper-Bessel operators. A discussion of these results within the framework of linear dispersive wave equations is provided. We also present exact solutions of the fractional Klein-Gordon equation in the higher dimensional cases. Finally, we suggest a method of finding travelling wave solutions of the nonlinear fractional Klein-Gordon equation with power law nonlinearities.

math.AP↗

arXiv2014

Fractional Klein-Gordon equations and related stochastic processes

This paper presents finite-velocity random motions driven by fractional Klein-Gordon equations of order $α\in (0,1]$. A key tool in the analysis is played by the McBride's theory which converts fractional hyper-Bessel operators into Erdelyi-Kober integral operators. Special attention is payed to the fractional telegraph process whose space-dependent distribution solves a non-homogeneous fractional Klein-Gordon equation. The distribution of the fractional telegraph process for $α= 1$ coincides with that of the classical telegraph process and its driving equation converts into the homogeneous Klein-Gordon equation. Fractional planar random motions at finite velocity are also investigated, the corresponding distributions obtained as well as the explicit form of the governing equations. Fractionality is reflected into the underlying random motion because in each time interval a binomial number of deviations $B(n,α)$ (with uniformly-distributed orientation) are considered. The parameter $n$ of $B(n,α)$ is itself a random variable with fractional Poisson distribution, so that fractionality acts as a subsampling of the changes of directions. Finally the behaviour of each coordinate of the planar motion is examined and the corresponding densities obtained. Extensions to $N$-dimensional fractional random flights are envisaged as well as the fractional counterpart of the Euler-Poisson-Darboux equation to which our theory applies.

math.PR↗

arXiv2014

State-dependent Fractional Point Processes

The aim of this paper is the analysis of the fractional Poisson process where the state probabilities $p_k^{ν_k}(t)$, $t\ge 0$, are governed by time-fractional equations of order $0<ν_k\leq 1$ depending on the number $k$ of events occurred up to time $t$. We are able to obtain explicitely the Laplace transform of $p_k^{ν_k}(t)$ and various representations of state probabilities. We show that the Poisson process with intermediate waiting times depending on $ν_k$ differs from that constructed from the fractional state equations (in the case $ν_k = ν$, for all $k$, they coincide with the time-fractional Poisson process). We also introduce a different form of fractional state-dependent Poisson process as a weighted sum of homogeneous Poisson processes. Finally we consider the fractional birth process governed by equations with state-dependent fractionality.

math.PR↗

arXiv2013

Transient behavior of fractional queues and related processes

We propose a generalization of the classical M/M/1 queue process. The resulting model is derived by applying fractional derivative operators to a system of difference-differential equations. This generalization includes both non-Markovian and Markovian properties, which naturally provide greater flexibility in modeling real queue systems than its classical counterpart. Algorithms to simulate M/M/1 queue process and the related linear birth-death process are provided. Closed-form expressions of the point and interval estimators of the parameters of these fractional stochastic models are also presented. These methods are necessary to make these models usable in practice. The proposed fractional M/M/1 queue model and the statistical methods are illustrated using S&P data.

math.PR↗