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The L p maximal inequalities for martingales are one of the classical results in probability theory. Here we establish the sharp moderate maximal inequalities for upward skip-free Markov chains, which include the L p maximal inequalities as special cases. Furthermore, we apply our theory to two specific examples and obtain their moderate maximal inequalities: the first one is the M/M/1 queue and the second one is an upward skip-free Markov chain with large death jumps. These two examples have the same total birth and death rates. However, the former exhibits a phase transition phenomenon while the latter does not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a recent paper in this journal, Gong, Mao and Zhang, using the theory of Dirichlet forms, extended Karlin and McGregor's classical results on first-hitting times of a birth-death process on the nonnegative integers by establishing a representation for the Laplace transform $${\mathbb {E}}[e^{sT_{ij}}]$$ of the first-hitting time $$T_{ij}$$ for any pair of states i and j, as well as asymptotics for $${\mathbb {E}}[e^{sT_{ij}}]$$ when either i or j tends to infinity. It will be shown here that these results may also be obtained by employing tools from the orthogonal-polynomial toolbox used by Karlin and McGregor, in particular associated polynomials and Markov's theorem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study, for a given process $\mathcal{X}$, the conditions under which ν-similarity is provided, relations between similarity and ν-similarity of processes, and we analyze (doubly) limiting conditional distributions. We present sufficient conditions for the existence of at least one ν-similar process to a given one. Moreover, recursive formulas for birth and death rates of ν-similar processes are formulated. We apply differential equations and uniqueness of solutions to such equations to derive the main results of the paper. Finally, an example illustrates the applications of our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using the Mecke identity, we study a class of birth-death type Dirichlet forms associated with the mixed Poisson measure. Both Poincaré and weak Poincaré inequalities are established, while another Poincaré type inequality is disproved under some reasonable assumptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the probabilistic evolution of a birth and death continuous time measure-valued process with mutations and ecological interactions. The individuals are characterized by (phenotypic) traits that take values in a compact metric space. Each individual can die or generate a new individual. The birth and death rates may depend on the environment through the action of the whole population. The offspring can have the same trait or can mutate to a randomly distributed trait. We assume that the population will be extinct almost surely. Our goal is the study, in this infinite dimensional framework, of the quasi-stationary distributions of the process conditioned on non-extinction. We first show the existence of quasi-stationary distributions. This result is based on an abstract theorem proving the existence of finite eigenmeasures for some positive operators. We then consider a population with constant birth and death rates per individual and prove that there exists a unique quasi-stationary distribution with maximal exponential decay rate. The proof of uniqueness is based on an absolute continuity property with respect to a reference measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]