Dependence between random variables is studied at various levels in the first part, while the last two chapters are devoted to the construction of bivariate distributions via principal components. Chapter 1 of Preliminaries is devoted to general dependence concepts (Fréchet classes, copulas, and parametric families of distributions). In Chapter 2, we generalize the union and intersection operations of two distance matrices to symmetric nonnegative definite matrices. These operations are shown to be useful in the geometric interpretation of Related Metric Scaling (RMS ), and possibly in other approaches of Multivariate Analysis. They show relevant properties that are studied in this chapter. The behaviour of the operations is, in some way, analogous to that presented by the intersection and union between vector spaces; in particular, we prove that the intersection of orthogonal matrices is the null matrix, while the union is the direct sum of the matrices. Matrices that share their eigenvectors form an equivalence class, and a partial order relation is defined. This class is closed for the union and intersection operations. A continuous extension of these operations is presented in Chapter 3. Infinite matrices are studied in the context of bounded integral operators and numerical kernels. We put the basis for extending RMS to continuous random variables and, hence, infinite matrices. The starting point is Mercer's Theorem, which ensures the existence of an orthogonal expansion of the covariance kernel K (s, t) = min {F (s) , F (t)} - F (s) F (t), where F is the cumulative distribution function of each marginal variable. The sets of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of K, whose existence is ensured by the cited theorem, allow us to define a product between symmetric and positive (semi)definite kernels, and, further, to define the intersection and the union between them. Results obtained in the discrete instance are extended in this chapter to continuous variables, with examples. Such covariance kernels (symmetric and positive definite) are associated with symmetric and positive quadrant dependent (PQD) bivariate distributions. Covariance between functions of bounded variation defined on the range of some random variables, joined by distributions of this type, can be computed by means of their cumulative distribution functions. In Chapter 4, further consequences are obtained, especially some relevant relations between the covariance and the Fréchet bounds, with a number of results that can be useful in the characterization of independence as well as in testing goodness-of-fit. The intersection of two kernels (defined in Chapter 3) is a particular instance of the covariance between functions. Covariance is a quasiinner product defined through the joint distribution of the variables involved. A measure of affinity between functions with respect to H is defined, and also studied. In Chapter 5, from the concept of affinity between functions via an extension of the covariance, we define the dimension of a distribution, we relate it to the diagonal expansion and find the dimension for some parametric families. Diagonal expansions of bivariate distributions (Lancaster) allows us to construct bivariate distributions. It has proved to be adequate for constructing Markov processes, and has also been applied to engineering problems among other uses. This method has been generalized using the principal dimensions of each marginal variable that are, by construction, canonical variables. We introduce in Chapter 6 the theoretical foundations of this method. In Chapter 7 we study the bivariate, symmetric families obtained when the marginals are Uniform on (0, 1), Exponential with mean 1, standard Logistic, and Pareto (3,1). Conditions for the bivariate density, first canonical correlation and maximum correlation of each family of densities are given in some cases. The corresponding copulas are obtained. / Al Capítol 1 de Preliminars es revisen conceptes de dependència generals (classes de Fréchet, còpules, i famílies paramètriques de distribucions). Al Capítol 2, generalitzem les operacions unió i intersecció de dues matrius de distàncies a matrius simètriques semidefinides positives qualssevol. Aquestes operacions s'han mostrat d'utilitat en la interpretació geomètrica del Related Metric Scaling (RMS), i possiblement en altres tècniques d'Anàlisi Multivariant. S'estudien llur propietats que són similars, en alguns aspectes, a les de la unió i intersecció de subespais vectorials. Al Capítol 3 es presenta una extensió al continuu d'aquestes operacions, mitjançant matrius infinites en el context dels operadors integrals acotats i nuclis numèrics. S'estableix la base per a extendre el RMS a variables contínues i, per tant, a matrius infinites. Es parteix del Teorema de Mercer el qual assegura l'existència d'una expansió ortogonal del nucli de la covariança K (s, t) = min {F (s), F (t)} - F (s) F (t), on F és la funció de distribució de cada variable marginal. Els conjunts de valors i funcions pròpies d'aquest nucli ens permeten definir un producte entre nuclis i la intersecció i unió entre nuclis simètrics semidefinits positius. Tals nuclis de covariança s'associen amb distribucions bivariants també simètriques i amb dependència quadrant positiva (PQD). El producte de dos nuclis és un cas particular de covariança entre funcions, que es pot obtenir a partir de les distribucions conjunta i marginals, com s'estudia al Capítol 4 per a funcions de variació afitada, fixada la distribució bivariant H. S'obtenen interessants relacions amb les cotes de Fréchet. Aquesta covariança entre funcions és un producte quasiescalar a l'espai de funcions de variació afitada i permet definir una mesura d'afinitat. Al Capítol 5 aquesta H-afinitat s'utilitza per definir la dimensió d'una distribució. Les components principals d'una variable (Capítol 6) s'utilitzen com a variables canòniques a l'expansió diagonal de Lancaster (Capítol 7 i últim) per a construïr distribucions bivariants amb marginals Uniformes al (0,1), Exponencial de mitjana 1, Logística estàndard, i Pareto (3,1). S'obtenen condicions per la densitat bivariant, correlacions canòniques i correlació màxima per cada família. S'obtenen les còpules corresponents.

Este trabalho é dedicado ao estudo de propriedades teóricas dos operadores integrais positivos em \'L POT. 2\' (X; u), quando X é um espaço topológico localmente compacto ou primeiro enumerável e u é uma medida estritamente positiva. Damos ênfase à análise de propriedades espectrais relacionadas com extensões do Teorema de Mercer e ao estudo dos espaços de Hilbert de reprodução relacionados. Como aplicação, estudamos o decaimento dos autovalores destes operadores, em um contexto especial. Finalizamos o trabalho com a análise de propriedades de suavidade das funções do espaço de Hilbert de reprodução, quando X é um subconjunto do espaço euclidiano usual e u é a medida de Lebesgue usual de X / In this work we study theoretical properties of positive integral operators on \'L POT. 2\'(X; u), in the case when X is a topological space, either locally compact or first countable, and u is a strictly positive measure. The analysis is directed to spectral properties of the operator which are related to some extensions of Mercer\'s Theorem and to the study of the reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces involved. As applications, we deduce decay rates for the eigenvalues of the operators in a special but relevant case. We also consider smoothness properties for functions in the reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces when X is a subset of the Euclidean space and u is the Lebesgue measure of the space

Este trabalho é dedicado ao estudo de propriedades teóricas dos operadores integrais positivos em \'L POT. 2\' (X; u), quando X é um espaço topológico localmente compacto ou primeiro enumerável e u é uma medida estritamente positiva. Damos ênfase à análise de propriedades espectrais relacionadas com extensões do Teorema de Mercer e ao estudo dos espaços de Hilbert de reprodução relacionados. Como aplicação, estudamos o decaimento dos autovalores destes operadores, em um contexto especial. Finalizamos o trabalho com a análise de propriedades de suavidade das funções do espaço de Hilbert de reprodução, quando X é um subconjunto do espaço euclidiano usual e u é a medida de Lebesgue usual de X / In this work we study theoretical properties of positive integral operators on \'L POT. 2\'(X; u), in the case when X is a topological space, either locally compact or first countable, and u is a strictly positive measure. The analysis is directed to spectral properties of the operator which are related to some extensions of Mercer\'s Theorem and to the study of the reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces involved. As applications, we deduce decay rates for the eigenvalues of the operators in a special but relevant case. We also consider smoothness properties for functions in the reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces when X is a subset of the Euclidean space and u is the Lebesgue measure of the space