Bound on integrals: Elimination of the dual and reduction of the number of equality constraints

Let L_j (j = 1, …, n + 1) be real linear functions on the convex set $\text{F}$ of probability distributions. We consider the problem of maximization of L_n+1(F) under the constraint F ? $\text{F}$ and the equality constraints L₁(F) = z₁ (i = 1, …, n). Incorporating some of the equality constraints into the basic set $\text{F}$, the problem is equivalent to a problem with less equality constraints. We also show how the dual problems can be eliminated from the statement of the main theorems and we give a new illuminating proof of the existence of particular solutions.The linearity of the functions L_j(j = 1, …, n + 1) can be dropped in several results.     

Best upper bounds for integrals with respect to measures allowed to vary under conical and integral constraints

We consider the general problem

$\text{sup}\text{м?M}\text{∫?dм|∫?dм=z}{}_1\text{(i=1…n)}$

, where the integrals are over an abstract space Ω, the functions $\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{i}}\text{(}\text{i}\text{=0)}\text{…..n}\text{)}$ are defined on that space, and where μm varies in a cone M of measures defined on the space. The integral on the left of the bar has to be maximized. The equalities on the right of the bar are further constraints on μ. The solution of this primal problem goes via the solution of an associated dual problem. The particular cases where M is the cone of positive measures and the cone of positive unimodal measures with fixed mode are investigated in more detail.Only two simple illustrations are given, but several actuarial applications are planned by De Vylder, Goovaerts and Haezendonck.     

Global optimization of a quadratic functional with quadratic equality constraints

In this paper, we investigate a constrained optimization problem with a quadratic cost functional and two quadratic equality constraints. While it is obvious that, for a nonempty constraint set, there exists a global minimum cost, a method to determine if a given local solution yields the global minimum cost has not been established. We develop a necessary and sufficient condition that will guarantee that solutions of the optimization problem yield the global minimum cost. This constrained optimization problem occurs naturally in the computation of the phase margin for multivariable control systems. Our results guarantee that numerical routines can be developed that will converge to the global solution for the phase margin.     

Minimization of the root of a quadratic functional under a system of affine equality constraints with application to portfolio management

We present an explicit closed form solution of the problem of minimizing the root of a quadratic functional subject to a system of affine constraints. The result generalizes Z. Landsman, Minimization of the root of a quadratic functional under an affine equality constraint, J. Comput. Appl. Math. 2007, to appear, see http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03770427, articles in press, where the optimization problem was solved under only one linear constraint. This is of interest for solving significant problems pertaining to financial economics as well as some classes of feasibility and optimization problems which frequently occur in tomography and other fields. The results are illustrated in the problem of optimal portfolio selection and the particular case when the expected return of finance portfolio is certain is discussed.     

Minimizing the probability of lifetime ruin under borrowing constraints

We determine the optimal investment strategy of an individual who targets a given rate of consumption and who seeks to minimize the probability of going bankrupt before she dies, also known as lifetime ruin. We impose two types of borrowing constraints: First, we do not allow the individual to borrow money to invest in the risky asset nor to sell the risky asset short. However, the latter is not a real restriction because in the unconstrained case, the individual does not sell the risky asset short. Second, we allow the individual to borrow money but only at a rate that is higher than the rate earned on the riskless asset.We consider two forms of the consumption function: (1) The individual consumes at a constant (real) dollar rate, and (2) the individual consumes a constant proportion of her wealth. The first is arguably more realistic, but the second is closely connected with Merton’s model of optimal consumption and investment under power utility. We demonstrate that connection in this paper, as well as include a numerical example to illustrate our results.     

Minimization of the root of a quadratic functional under an affine equality constraint

We present a way of solving the problem of minimizing the root of quadratic functional subject to an affine constraint. We give an explicit formula for computing the solutions of such a problem. This is of interest for solving significant problems of financial economics as well as some classes of feasibility and optimization problems which frequently occur in tomography and other fields.     

Estimating a linear functional relationship under linear constraints for errors

Maximum likelihood estimates for parameters in a linear functional relationship are derived when the errors are also linearly related for each observation. This is approximately the case, for example, when both variables are smooth functions of time and their values are recorded as an experimental unit reaches a certain state. This kind of model specification was needed to describe how the timing of growth cessation of trees depends on night length and temperature sum. If the slope in the constraint equation for errors varies, then an iterative estimation procedure is needed. The estimation method is extended for a two-phase linear model.     

Existence and stability of a discrete probability distribution by maximum entropy approach

The discrete maximum entropy (ME) probability distribution which can take on a finite number of values and whose first moments are assigned, is considered. The necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a maximum entropy solution are identical to the general ones for the finite moment problem. The entropy decreasing by adding one more moment is studied. Unstability of the distribution recovering is proved when an increasing number of moments is used.     

Optimal control of a big financial company with debt liability under bankrupt probability constraints

This paper considers an optimal control of a big financial company with debt liability under bankrupt probability constraints. The company, which faces constant liability payments and has choices to choose various production/business policies from an available set of control policies with different expected profits and risks, controls the business policy and dividend payout process to maximize the expected present value of the dividends until the time of bankruptcy. However, if the dividend payout barrier is too low to be acceptable, it may result in the company’s bankruptcy soon. In order to protect the shareholders’ profits, the managements of the company impose a reasonable and normal constraint on their dividend strategy, that is, the bankrupt probability associated with the optimal dividend payout barrier should be smaller than a given risk level within a fixed time horizon. This paper aims at working out the optimal control policy as well as optimal return function for the company under bankrupt probability constraint by stochastic analysis, partial differential equation and variational inequality approach. Moreover, we establish a riskbased capital standard to ensure the capital requirement can cover the total given risk by numerical analysis, and give reasonable economic interpretation for the results.     

An existence criterion for a smooth function under constraints

In this paper, we study conditions for the existence of a function satisfying constraints on its value at each point and on its derivative.     

A dual view of equilibrium problems

The aim of this paper is to introduce and study a dual problem associated to a generalized equilibrium problem (GEP). We show that the solutions of (GEP) and its dual are strictly related to the saddle points of an associated Lagrangian function, and, under some suitable conditions, to the solutions of a family of parametric optimization problems and their dual problems. Our results allow us to show that well-known concepts and results from duality theory of some important particular cases of (GEP) like variational inequalities and optimization problems can be recovered.     

An exact penalty function algorithm for optimal control problems with control and terminal equality constraints,part 1

The presence of control constraints, because they are nondifferentiable in the space of control functions, makes it difficult to cope with terminal equality constraints in optimal control problems. Gradient-projection algorithms, for example, cannot be employed easily. These difficulties are overcome in this paper by employing an exact penalty function to handle the cost and terminal equality constraints and using the control constraints to define the space of permissible search directions in the search-direction subalgorithm. The search-direction subalgorithm is, therefore, more complex than the usual linear program employed in feasible-directions algorithms. The subalgorithm approximately solves a convex optimal control problem to determine the search direction; in the implementable version of the algorithm, the accuracy of the approximation is automatically increased to ensure convergence.This work was supported by the United Kingdom Science Research Council, by the US Army Research Office, Contract No. DAAG-29-73-C-0025, and by the National Science Foundation, Grant No. ENG-73-08214-A01.     

Weighted-mean regions of a probability distribution

In this paper we investigate a new class of central regions for probability distributions on R^d, called weighted-mean regions. Their restrictions to an empirical distribution are the weighted-mean trimmed regions investigated by Dyckerhoff and Mosler (2011) for d-variate data. Furthermore a new class of stochastic orderings of variability, the weighted-mean orderings, is introduced.     

Optimal investment of DC pension plan under short-selling constraints and portfolio insurance

In this paper we investigate an optimal investment problem under short-selling and portfolio insurance constraints faced by a defined contribution pension fund manager who is loss averse. The financial market consists of a cash bond, an indexed bond and a stock. The manager aims to maximize the expected S-shaped utility of the terminal wealth exceeding a minimum guarantee. We apply the dual control method to solve the problem and derive the representations of the optimal wealth process and trading strategies in terms of the dual controlled process and the dual value function. We also perform some numerical tests and show how the S-shaped utility, the short-selling constraints and the portfolio insurance impact the optimal terminal wealth.     

A characterization of Lévy probability distribution functions on Euclidean spaces

In 1937, Paul Lévy proved two theorems that characterize one-dimensional distribution functions of class L. In 1972, Urbanik generalized Lévy's first theorem. In this note, we generalize Lévy's second theorem and obtain a new characterization of Lévy probability distribution functions on Euclidean spaces. This result is used to obtain a new characterization of operator stable distribution functions on Euclidean spaces and to show that symmetric Lévy distribution functions on Euclidean spaces need not be symmetric unimodal.     

Optimal dividend payments under a time of ruin constraint: Exponential claims

We consider the optimal dividends problem under the Cramér–Lundberg model with exponential claim sizes subject to a constraint on the expected time of ruin. We introduce the dual problem and show that the complementary slackness conditions are satisfied, thus there is no duality gap. Therefore the optimal value function can be obtained as the point-wise infimum of auxiliary value functions indexed by Lagrange multipliers. We also present a series of numerical examples.     

带等式约束的光滑优化问题的一类新的精确罚函数

罚函数方法是将约束优化问题转化为无约束优化问题的主要方法之一. 不包含目标函数和约束函数梯度信息的罚函数, 称为简单罚函数. 对传统精确罚函数而言, 如果它是简单的就一定是非光滑的; 如果它是光滑的, 就一定不是简单的. 针对等式约束优化问题, 提出一类新的简单罚函数, 该罚函数通过增加一个新的变量来控制罚项. 证明了此罚函数的光滑性和精确性, 并给出了一种解决等式约束优化问题的罚函数算法. 数值结果表明, 该算法对于求解等式约束优化问题是可行的.     

Existence and uniqueness of stationary solutions to a one-dimensional bipolar hydrodynamic model of semiconductors

We consider a one-dimensional bipolar hydrodynamic model of semiconductors. Although some results exist for the bipolar case, almost their conditions (the boundary condition, the doping profile, etc.) are far from practical application. In the present paper, under a condition appropriate for engineering, we shall prove the existence and the uniqueness of classical solutions for the stationary problem. The most difficult point is to obtain the bounded estimate and the energy estimate.