A splitting method for stochastic programs

This paper derives a new splitting-based decomposition algorithm for convex stochastic programs. It combines certain attractive features of the progressive hedging algorithm of Rockafellar and Wets, the dynamic splitting algorithm of Salinger and Rockafellar and an algorithm of Korf. We give two derivations of our algorithm. The first one is very simple, and the second one yields a preconditioner that resulted in a considerable speed-up in our numerical tests. The first author was supported by the Finnish Foundation for Economic Education under grants 20728 and 21599, and by Jenny ja Antti Wihuri Foundation.     

Controllability method for acoustic scattering with spectral elements

We formulate the Helmholtz equation as an exact controllability problem for the time-dependent wave equation. The problem is then discretized in time domain with central finite difference scheme and in space domain with spectral elements. This approach leads to high accuracy in spatial discretization. Moreover, the spectral element method results in diagonal mass matrices, which makes the time integration of the wave equation highly efficient. After discretization, the exact controllability problem is reformulated as a least-squares problem, which is solved by the conjugate gradient method. We illustrate the method with some numerical experiments, which demonstrate the significant improvements in efficiency due to the higher order spectral elements. For a given accuracy, the controllability technique with spectral element method requires fewer computational operations than with conventional finite element method. In addition, by using higher order polynomial basis the influence of the pollution effect is reduced.     

Atomic Decomposition of a Weighted Inductive Limit in \mathbb{C}^{n}

We construct an atomic decomposition of the space H_V^∞ consisting of analytic functions on the open unit disc. The research of the second named author was supported by the Academy of Finland project “Functional Analysis and Applications”.     

A Simple Preparation of 2-Pyrone Structural Unit

The synthesis of 4-substituted 2(5H)-furanones via organosilicon intermediates has been reported from this laboratory.¹ This method gave possibilities to extend the synthesis to include 2-pyrone species (e. g. 1), which are structure units of some natural products.     

A stochastic programming model for asset liability management of a Finnish pension company

This paper describes a stochastic programming model that was developed for asset liability management of a Finnish pension insurance company. In many respects the model resembles those presented in the literature, but it has some unique features stemming from the statutory restrictions for Finnish pension insurance companies. Particular attention is paid to modeling the stochastic factors, numerical solution of the resulting optimization problem and evaluation of the solution. Out-of-sample tests clearly favor the strategies suggested by our model over static fixed-mix and dynamic portfolio insurance strategies. Financial support from the Foundation for the Helsinki School of Economics under grants number 9981114 and 9981117 for P. Hilli and M. Koivu is gratefully acknowledged. The work of T. Pennanen was supported by Finnish Academy under contract no. 3385     

Computational high-frequency overtone spectra of the water-ammonia complex

We have computed vibrational high-frequency overtone spectra of the water-ammonia complex, H(2)O-NH(3), and its isotopomers. The complex has been modeled as two independently vibrating monomer units. The internal coordinate Hamiltonians for each monomer unit have been constructed using exact gas phase kinetic energy operators. The potential energy and dipole moment surfaces have been calculated with the explicitly correlated coupled cluster method CCSD(T)-F12A and the valence triple-ζ VTZ-F12 basis around the equilibrium geometry of the complex. The vibrational eigenvalues have been calculated variationally and the eigenfunctions obtained have been used to compute the intensities of the absorption transitions. In H(2)O-NH(3), the water molecule acts as the proton donor and its symmetry is broken. The hydrogen-bonded OH bond oscillator undergoes a large redshift and intensity enhancement compared to the free hydrogen bond. Broken degeneracy of the asymmetric vibrations, quenched inversion splittings, and blueshift of the symmetric bending mode are the most visible changes in the ammonia unit.     

A damping preconditioner for time-harmonic wave equations in fluid and elastic material

A physical damping is considered as a preconditioning technique for acoustic and elastic wave scattering. The earlier preconditioners for the Helmholtz equation are generalized for elastic materials and three-dimensional domains. An algebraic multigrid method is used in approximating the inverse of damped operators. Several numerical experiments demonstrate the behavior of the method in complicated two-dimensional and three-dimensional domains.     

The use of silylation for minimizing the interference effects caused by contamination in ultra-low level mercury analytics

The use of silylation of glassware in mercury analytics was investigated. By treating the glassware with 5% (v/v) dichlorodimethylsilane in toluene, the surfaces of the vessels were inactivated. Method development proved that silylation can extend the range of stabile, contamination-free area as low as 1 ng/L mercury without any significant investments in laboratory clean-room facilities. The resilylation had to be done once a month.     

Existence of solutions in non-convex dynamic programming and optimal investment

We establish the existence of minimizers in a rather general setting of dynamic stochastic optimization in finite discrete time without assuming either convexity or coercivity of the objective function. We apply this to prove the existence of optimal investment strategies for non-concave utility maximization problems in financial market models with frictions, a first result of its kind. The proofs are based on the dynamic programming principle whose validity is established under quite general assumptions.     

Diverting Hydrogenations with Wilkinson's Catalyst towards Highly Reactive Rhodium(I) Species

The addition of Barton's base has a dramatic effect on the classic rhodium(III)‐mediated hydrogenations promoted by Wilkinson′s catalyst. Following the initial oxidative addition, a barrierless reductive elimination of HCl from the traditional rhodium(III) intermediates instantly produces a rhodium(I) monohydride species, which is remarkably reactive in the hydrogenation of several internal alkynes and functionalized trisubstituted alkenes. The direct formation of this species is unprecedented upon addition of molecular hydrogen and its catalytic potential has been hitherto barely explored.