Let $S$ be a countable set provided with a partial order and a minimal element. Consider a Markov chain on $Scup{0}$ absorbed at $0$ with a quasi-stationary distribution. We use Holley inequality to obtain sufficient conditions under which the follow
ing hold. The trajectory of the chain starting from the minimal state is stochastically dominated by the trajectory of the chain starting from any probability on $S$, when both are conditioned to nonabsorption until a certain time. Moreover, the Yaglom limit corresponding to this deterministic initial condition is the unique minimal quasi-stationary distribution in the sense of stochastic order. As an application, we provide new proofs to classical results in the field.
Let a<b, Omega=[a,b]^{Z^d} and H be the (formal) Hamiltonian defined on Omega by H(eta) = frac12 sum_{x,yinZ^d} J(x-y) (eta(x)-eta(y))^2 where J:Z^dtoR is any summable non-negative symmetric function (J(x)ge 0 for all xinZ^d, sum_x J(x)<infty and J
(x)=J(-x)). We prove that there is a unique Gibbs measure on Omega associated to H. The result is a consequence of the fact that the corresponding Gibbs sampler is attractive and has a unique invariant measure.
