Mild solutions of non-autonomous second order problems with nonlocal initial conditions

In this paper we establish the existence of mild solutions for a non-autonomous abstract semi-linear second order differential equation submitted to nonlocal initial conditions. Our approach relies on the existence of an evolution operator for the corresponding linear equation and the properties of the Hausdorff measure of non-compactness.     

Log-concavity for Bernstein-type operators using stochastic orders

This paper aims to study the preservation of log-concavity for Bernstein-type operators. In particular, attention is focused on positive linear operators, defined on the positive semi-axis, admitting a probabilistic representation in terms of a process with independent increments. This class includes the classical Gamma, Szász, and Szász–Durrmeyer operators. With respect to the first and second operators, the results of this paper correct two erroneous counterexamples in [10]. As a main tool in our results we use stochastic order techniques. Our results include, as a particular case, the log-concavity of certain functions related to the incomplete Gamma function.     

On super-linear Emden–Fowler type differential equations

We study the second order Emden–Fowler type differential equation

(a(t)|x^′|^αsgnx^′)^′+b(t)|x|^βsgnx=0${(a(t){\left|x^{\prime }\right|}^{\alpha }\mathrm{sgn}{x}^{\prime })}^{\prime }+b(t){|x|}^{\beta }\mathrm{sgn}x=0$

in the super-linear case α<β$\alpha <\beta$. Using a Hölder-type inequality, we resolve the open problem on the possible coexistence on three possible types of nononscillatory solutions (subdominant, intermediate, and dominant solutions). Jointly with this, sufficient conditions for the existence of globally positive intermediate solutions are established. Some of our results are new also for the Emden–Fowler equation.     

Improved trial methods for a class of generalized Bernoulli problems

The aim of this article is to develop improved trial methods for the solution of a generalized exterior Bernoulli free boundary problem. At the free boundary, we prescribe the Neumann boundary condition and update the free boundary with the help of the remaining Dirichlet boundary condition. Appropriate update rules are obtained by expanding the state's Dirichlet data at the actual boundary via a Taylor expansion of first and second order. The resulting trial methods converge linearly for both cases, although the trial method based on the second order Taylor expansion is much more robust. Nevertheless, via results of shape sensitivity analysis, we are able to modify the update rules such that their convergence is improved. The feasibility of the proposed trial methods and their performance is demonstrated by numerical results.     

Convolution powers of complex functions on

Repeated convolution of a probability measure on leads to the central limit theorem and other limit theorems. This paper investigates what kinds of results remain without positivity. It reviews theorems due to Schoenberg, Greville, and Thomée which are motivated by applications to data smoothing (Schoenberg and Greville) and finite difference schemes (Thomée). Using Fourier transform arguments, we prove detailed decay bounds for convolution powers of finitely supported complex functions on . If M is an hermitian contraction, an estimate for the off‐diagonal entries of the powers of is obtained. This generalizes the Carne–Varopoulos Markov chain estimate.     

Uniqueness of complete spacelike hypersurfaces via their higher order mean curvatures in a conformally stationary spacetime

We study complete noncompact spacelike hypersurfaces immersed into conformally stationary spacetimes, that is, Lorentzian manifolds endowed with a timelike conformal vector field V. In this setting, by using as main analytical tool a suitable maximum principle for complete noncompact Riemannian manifolds, we establish new characterizations of totally umbilical hypersurfaces in terms of their higher order mean curvatures. For instance, supposing an appropriated restriction on the norm of the tangential component of the vector field V, we are able to show that such hypersurfaces must be totally umbilical provided that either some of their higher order mean curvatures are linearly related or one of them is constant. Applications to the so‐called generalized Robertson‐Walker spacetimes are given. In particular, we extend to the Lorentzian context a classical result due to Jellett  29 .     

Oscillation criteria for higher order nonlinear dynamic equations

In this paper, we will consider the higher‐order functional dynamic equations of the form on an above‐unbounded time scale , where and , . The function is a rd‐continuous function such that . The results extend and improve some known results in the literature on higher order nonlinear dynamic equations.     

Optimal reinsurance and investment strategies for insurer under interest rate and inflation risks

In this paper, we investigate an optimal reinsurance and investment problem for an insurer whose surplus process is approximated by a drifted Brownian motion. Proportional reinsurance is to hedge the risk of insurance. Interest rate risk and inflation risk are considered. We suppose that the instantaneous nominal interest rate follows an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process, and the inflation index is given by a generalized Fisher equation. To make the market complete, zero-coupon bonds and Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) are included in the market. The financial market consists of cash, zero-coupon bond, TIPS and stock. We employ the stochastic dynamic programming to derive the closed-forms of the optimal reinsurance and investment strategies as well as the optimal utility function under the constant relative risk aversion (CRRA) utility maximization. Sensitivity analysis is given to show the economic behavior of the optimal strategies and optimal utility.     

Arithmetic returns for investment performance measurement

This paper introduces new money-weighted metrics for investment performance analysis, based on arithmetic means of holding period rates weighted by the investment’s market values. This approach generates rates of return which measure a fund’s or portfolio’s performance and a fund manager’s performance. It also enables to show that the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is a weighted mean of holding period rates associated with interim values which differ from market values, so that value additivity is violated. The manager’s Arithmetic Internal Rate of Return (AIRR) is shown to be the true period equivalent of the cumulative Time Weighted Rate of Return (TWRR), whereas the period TWRR (a geometric return) provides a different ranking. The method is easily generalized for coping with varying benchmark rates. We also cope with the practical problem of estimating interim values whenever they are not available.