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On a representation of time space-harmonic polynomials via symbolic Lévy processes

In this paper, we review the theory of time space-harmonic polynomials developed by using a symbolic device known in the literature as the classical umbral calculus. The advantage of this symbolic tool is twofold. First a moment representation is allowed for a wide class of polynomial stochastic involving the Lévy processes in respect to which they are martingales. This representation includes some well-known examples such as Hermite polynomials in connection with Brownian motion. As a consequence, characterizations of many other families of polynomials having the time space-harmonic property can be recovered via the symbolic moment representation. New relations with Kailath-Segall polynomials are stated. Secondly the generalization to the multivariable framework is straightforward. Connections with cumulants and Bell polynomials are highlighted both in the univariate case and in the multivariate one. Open problems are addressed at the end of the paper.