A control approach to robust utility maximization with logarithmic utility and time-consistent penalties

We propose a stochastic control approach to the dynamic maximization of robust utility functionals that are defined in terms of logarithmic utility and a dynamically consistent convex risk measure. The underlying market is modeled by a diffusion process whose coefficients are driven by an external stochastic factor process. In particular, the market model is incomplete. Our main results give conditions on the minimal penalty function of the robust utility functional under which the value function of our problem can be identified with the unique classical solution of a quasilinear PDE within a class of functions satisfying certain growth conditions. The fact that we obtain classical solutions rather than viscosity solutions facilitates the use of numerical algorithms, whose applicability is demonstrated in examples.     

Weak solutions to gamma-driven stochastic differential equations

We study a stochastic differential equation driven by a gamma process, for which we give results on the existence of weak solutions under conditions on the volatility function. To that end we provide results on the density process between the laws of solutions with different volatility functions.     

Stochastic Taylor Expansions for Functionals of Diffusion Processes

In this article, a stochastic Taylor expansion of some functional applied to the solution process of an Itô or Stratonovich stochastic differential equation with a multi-dimensional driving Wiener process is given. Therefore, the multi-colored rooted tree analysis is applied in order to obtain a transparent representation of the expansion which is similar to the B-series expansion for solutions of ordinary differential equations in the deterministic setting. Further, some estimates for the mean-square and the mean truncation errors are given.     

Derivation of Stochastic Partial Differential Equations

Abstract

A procedure is explained for deriving stochastic partial differential equations from basic principles. A discrete stochastic model is first constructed. Then, a stochastic differential equation system is derived, which leads to a certain stochastic partial differential equation. To illustrate the procedure, a representative problem is first studied in detail. Exact solutions, available for the representative problem, show that the resulting stochastic partial differential equation is accurate. Next, stochastic partial differential equations are derived for a one-dimensional vibrating string, for energy-dependent neutron transport, and for cotton-fiber breakage. Several computational comparisons are made.     

A generalized stochastic goal programming model

In this paper we show how one can get stochastic solutions of Stochastic Multi-objective Problem (SMOP) using goal programming models. In literature it is well known that one can reduce a SMOP to deterministic equivalent problems and reduce the analysis of a stochastic problem to a collection of deterministic problems. The first sections of this paper will be devoted to the introduction of deterministic equivalent problems when the feasible set is a random set and we show how to solve them using goal programming technique. In the second part we try to go more in depth on notion of SMOP solution and we suppose that it has to be a random variable. We will present stochastic goal programming model for finding stochastic solutions of SMOP. Our approach requires more computational time than the one based on deterministic equivalent problems due to the fact that several optimization programs (which depend on the number of experiments to be run) needed to be solved. On the other hand, since in our approach we suppose that a SMOP solution is a random variable, according to the Central Limit Theorem the larger will be the sample size and the more precise will be the estimation of the statistical moments of a SMOP solution. The developed model will be illustrated through numerical examples.     

Deterministic and stochastic stability of a mathematical model of smoking

Our aim in this paper, is first constructing a Lyapunov function to prove the global stability of the unique smoking-present equilibrium state of a mathematical model of smoking. Next we incorporate random noise into the deterministic model. We show that the stochastic model established in this paper possesses non-negative solutions as this is essential in any population dynamics model. Then a stochastic Lyapunov method is performed to obtain the sufficient conditions for mean square and asymptotic stability in probability of the stochastic model. Our analysis reveals that the stochastic stability of the smoking-present equilibrium state, depends on the magnitude of the intensities of noise as well as the parameters involved within the model system.     

Hamiltonian systems with a stochastic force:nonlinear versus linear,and a girsanov formula

We discuss stochastic perturbations of classical Hamiltonian systems by a white noise force. We prove existence and uniqueness results for the solutions of the equation of motion under general conditions on the classical system, as well as their continuous dependence on the initial conditions. We also prove that the process in phase space is a diffusion with transition probability densities, and Lebesgue measure as c-finite invariant measure. We prove a Girsanov formula relating the solution for a nonlinear force with the one for a linear force, and give asymptotic estimates on functions of the phase space process     

A stochastic model for internal HIV dynamics

In this paper we analyse a stochastic model representing HIV internal virus dynamics. The stochasticity in the model is introduced by parameter perturbation which is a standard technique in stochastic population modelling. We show that the model established in this paper possesses non-negative solutions as this is essential in any population dynamics model. We also carry out analysis on the asymptotic behaviour of the model. We approximate one of the variables by a mean reverting process and find out the mean and variance of this process. Numerical simulations conclude the paper.     

Optimal proportional reinsurance and investment for stochastic factor models

In this work we investigate the optimal proportional reinsurance-investment strategy of an insurance company which wishes to maximize the expected exponential utility of its terminal wealth in a finite time horizon. Our goal is to extend the classical Cramér–Lundberg model introducing a stochastic factor which affects the intensity of the claims arrival process, described by a Cox process, as well as the insurance and reinsurance premia. The financial market is supposed not influenced by the stochastic factor, hence it is independent on the insurance market. Using the classical stochastic control approach based on the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation we characterize the optimal strategy and provide a verification result for the value function via classical solutions to two backward partial differential equations. Existence and uniqueness of these solutions are discussed. Results under various premium calculation principles are illustrated and a new premium calculation rule is proposed in order to get more realistic strategies and to better fit our stochastic factor model. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to obtain sensitivity analyses.     

A stochastic partial differential equation model for the pricing of mortgage-backed securities

We develop a dynamic structural model for the wealth of individual mortgagors in a mortgage pool. We model the process of default and prepayment and, by taking a limit as the pool size goes to infinity, derive a stochastic partial differential equation (SPDE) which can be used to describe the evolution of the loss process from the pool. We prove existence and uniqueness of solutions to this SPDE and show how our model is able to capture, in a flexible way, the prices of credit risky tranches of mortgage-backed securities under different market conditions.     

Stochastic Variational Inequality Approaches to the Stochastic Generalized Nash Equilibrium with Shared Constraints

In this paper, we consider the generalized Nash equilibrium with shared constraints in the stochastic environment, and we call it the stochastic generalized Nash equilibrium. The stochastic variational inequalities are employed to solve this kind of problems, and the expected residual minimization model and the conditional value-at-risk formulations defined by the residual function for the stochastic variational inequalities are discussed. We show the risk for different kinds of solutions for the stochastic generalized Nash equilibrium by the conditional value-at-risk formulations. The properties of the stochastic quadratic generalized Nash equilibrium are shown. The smoothing approximations for the expected residual minimization formulation and the conditional value-at-risk formulation are employed. Moreover, we establish the gradient consistency for the measurable smoothing functions and the integrable functions under some suitable conditions, and we also analyze the properties of the formulations. Numerical results for the applications arising from the electricity market model illustrate that the solutions for the stochastic generalized Nash equilibrium given by the ERM model have good properties, such as robustness, low risk and so on.     

On the Ekman Equations for Ocean Currents Driven by a Stochastic Wind

The basic assumptions for the depth-dependent Ekman equations are presented. An analysis of three wind stress time series, from different geographical locations, is performed: The results lead to interpret the wind stress as a stochastic process, with components fluctuating with deterministic frequencies. The stochastic equations coupling wind stress and ocean currents are formulated; their solutions are stochastically bounded. Results of numerical simulations are given to show the main behaviors of the system.     

Stochastic Retarded Evolution Equations: Green Operators,Convolutions, and Solutions

Abstract

In this work, we shall investigate solution (strong, weak and mild) processes and relevant properties of stochastic convolutions for a class of stochastic retarded differential equations in Hilbert spaces. We introduce a strongly continuous one-parameter family of bounded linear operators which will completely describe the corresponding deterministic systematical dynamics with time delays. This family, which constitutes the fundamental solutions (Green's operators) of our stochastic retarded systems, is applied subsequently to define mild solutions of the stochastic retarded differential equations considered. The relations among strong, weak and mild solutions are explored. By virtue of a strong solution approximation method, Burkholder–Davis–Gundy's type of inequalities for stochastic convolutions are established.     

Bogoliubov averaging principle of stochastic reaction–diffusion equation

The purpose of this paper is to establish Bogoliubov averaging principle of stochastic reaction–diffusion equation with a stochastic process and a small parameter. The solutions to stochastic reaction–diffusion equation can be approximated by solutions to averaged stochastic reaction–diffusion equation in the sense of convergence in probability and in distribution. Namely, we establish a weak law of large numbers for the solution of stochastic reaction–diffusion equation.     

带随机过程的随机规划问题最优解集的过程特性与稳定性

本文证明了带随机过程的随机规划问题最优解集做为集值随机过程的可测性、可测最优解选择过程的存在性。研究了最优解集过程的平稳性、马氏性以及最优值过程的鞅性和最优解集过程的集值鞅性。最后，讨论了在有限维分布意义下最优解集过程对所含随机过程参数的连续性以及最优值过程的稳定性。     

Stochastic Taylor Expansions for the Expectation of Functionals of Diffusion Processes

Abstract

Stochastic Taylor expansions of the expectation of functionals applied to diffusion processes which are solutions of stochastic differential equation systems are introduced. Taylor formulas w.r.t. increments of the time are presented for both, Itô and Stratonovich stochastic differential equation systems with multi-dimensional Wiener processes. Due to the very complex formulas arising for higher order expansions, an advantageous graphical representation by coloured trees is developed. The convergence of truncated formulas is analyzed and estimates for the truncation error are calculated. Finally, the stochastic Taylor formulas based on coloured trees turn out to be a generalization of the deterministic Taylor formulas using plain trees as recommended by Butcher for the solutions of ordinary differential equations.     

Safe scheduling: Setting due dates in single-machine problems

We consider single-machine stochastic scheduling models with due dates as decisions. In addition to showing how to satisfy given service-level requirements, we examine variations of a model in which the tightness of due-dates conflicts with the desire to minimize tardiness. We show that a general form of the trade-off includes the stochastic E/T model and gives rise to a challenging scheduling problem. We present heuristic solution methods based on static and dynamic sorting procedures. Our computational evidence identifies a static heuristic that routinely produces good solutions and a dynamic rule that is nearly always optimal. The dynamic sorting procedure is also asymptotically optimal, meaning that it can be recommended for problems of any size.     

Stochastic utility-efficient programming of organic dairy farms

Opportunities to make sequential decisions and adjust activities as a season progresses and more information becomes available characterise the farm management process. In this paper, we present a discrete stochastic two-stage utility-efficient programming model of organic dairy farms, which includes risk aversion in the decision maker’s objective function as well as both embedded risk (stochastic programming with recourse) and non-embedded risk (stochastic programming without recourse). Historical farm accountancy data and subjective judgements were combined to assess the nature of the uncertainty that affects the possible consequences of the decisions. The programming model was used within a stochastic dominance framework to examine optimal strategies in organic dairy systems in Norway.     

Distributed-order fractional diffusions on bounded domains

Fractional derivatives can be used to model time delays in a diffusion process. When the order of the fractional derivative is distributed over the unit interval, it is useful for modeling a mixture of delay sources. This paper provides explicit strong solutions and stochastic analogues for distributed-order time-fractional diffusion equations on bounded domains, with Dirichlet boundary conditions.     

Determination of a stochastic friction coefficient depending on a randomly rough surface

The goal of this contribution is to calculate the the friction coefficient for a scanned surface of a worn brake pad. The data shows that the asperities can be approximated by paraboloids which allows to calculate the contact force and area with the Hertz contact model if the deformation is elastic. The friction force is calculated with the Bowden-Tabor approach which suggests that the friction force is the force to shear apart contacting asperities. This is considered to be the dominant friction cause in dry contact. To generate many surfaces with similar peak statistics the spectral decomposition is used. The friction coefficient and it's stochastic properties is calculated for these surfaces. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)