On Information Processes in Statistical Experiments with Distributed Observations

Using stochastic integration theory in topological vector spaces general formulas for the Hellinger processes are derived. Feynman–Kac type formulas are obtained for the related Hellinger integrals in terms of the Hellinger processes and the geometric mean measures. The expected logarithmic utility from data, characterized as the Shannon information, is also considered.     

Worst allocations of policy limits and deductibles

In the literature, orderings of optimal allocations of policy limits and deductibles were established with respect to a policyholder’s preference. However, from the viewpoint of an insurer, the orderings are not enough for the purpose of pricing. In this paper, by applying the equivalent utility premium principle, we study worst allocations of policy limits and deductibles for an insurer, which give rise to the maximum fair premiums. Closed-form solutions are derived. Then we present a result concerning the optimality in a general risk-sharing scheme, by which we obtain optimal allocations for policyholders directly from worst allocations for an insurer. Several results in Cheung [Cheung, K.C., 2007. Optimal allocation of policy limits and deductibles. Insurance Math. Econom. 41, 382–391] are generalized here.     

基于效用距离的分层多播反馈控制算法

源自适应的分层多播存在着因反馈信息爆炸而导致的缩放性问题，反馈信息合并是一个较好的解决办法。本文给出一个以效用最优为目标的自适应分层多播模型UALM，分析了在反馈树的支持下，通过反馈合并策略实现反馈控制的方法，提出了一种基于加权效用距离的分层多播反馈合并算法。仿真结果表明，该算法能够有效地控制反馈信息数目，同时使得在此基础上完成的动态分层效用接近于不进行反馈合并时的系统效用，满足分层多播的缩放性要求。     

Decision making under uncertainty with fuzzy targets

This paper discusses the issue of how to use fuzzy targets in the target-based model for decision making under uncertainty. After introducing a target-based interpretation of the expected value on which it is shown that this model implicitly assumes a neutral behavior on attitude about the target, we examine the issue of using fuzzy targets considering different attitudes about the target selection of the decision maker. We also discuss the problem for situations on which the decision maker’s attitude about target may change according to different states of nature. Especially, it is shown that the target-based approach can provide an unified way for solving the problem of fuzzy decision making with uncertainty about the state of nature and imprecision about payoffs. Several numerical examples are given for illustration of the discussed issues.     

Multicriteria modelling for a repair contract problem based on utility and the ELECTRE I method

Each alternative for a repair contract implies a specific responsetime and related cost. The response time is associated withthe commitment of repair time, based on the contract. A decisionmaker chooses the best alternative taking into account the systemperformance and the cost of the contract. This problem has beenanalysed through a multicriteria decision model. This decisionmodel supports decision makers in the determination of the bestcombination of contracting conditions. The decision model proposedallows the decision maker to quantify the consequences of anaction taking into account two basic criteria: the cost of thecontract and the system performance. Two different decisionmodels have been built to support decision makers. These decisionmodels are based on different multicriteria approaches. Thefirst, reported in a previous paper, is based on the multiattributeutility theory (MAUT). The model presented in this paper isbased on the ELECTRE I method combined with utility functions.The paper presents the main theoretical aspects related to bothapproaches and practical implications related to model building.A numerical application is presented in order to illustratethe use of the decision model.     

Optimal growth and recursive utility: Phase diagram analysis

The dynamics of the one-sector optimal growth model with recursive utility is analyzed through the use of a phase diagram. The steady state uniquely exists and is a saddle point. An increase in recursivity lowers both the steady-state capital and steady-state consumption. The model differs from the constant discount rate model in that a reduction in the population growth rate or a Hicks-neutral technical progress increases the steady-state consumption but not necessarily the steady-state capital.This research was supported in part by Indiana University through an Outstanding Young Faculty Award for which the author is grateful.The author is particularly indebted to Robert Becker and John Boyd for a careful reading of and detailed comments on an earlier draft, and to Frank Raymond and an anonymous referee for suggesting various expositional improvements. He is also indebted to Roy Gardner, Nori Hashimoto, and Nicolas Spulber for their suggestions.     

组合投资β调整与效用最大化的套期比的选择

为了针对市场风险对风险资产的组合投资进行套期保值，一般认为要选择将组合投资多头和期货合同空头结合起来的头寸方差最小化的套期保值比率，也就是要选择使某一特定函数的期望效用最大化的套期保值比率。但是本认为，由于种种原因，人们更倾向于选择对简单风险最小头寸的套期保值比率。     

The fundamental theorem of mutual insurance

The essence of mutual insurance is the notion that re-distributing risk in a pool of risks is more beneficial than taking the risk alone. Interpreting ‘more beneficial’ as an increase in utility and considering sequences of exchangeable risks, we are able to formalize this notion from the policyholder’s perspective and demonstrate its validity for various alternative preference functionals (e.g., expected utility, Choquet expected utility, and distortion risk measures). To obtain this result, we exploit that for a sequence of exchangeable risks the corresponding sequence of arithmetical averages is a reversed martingale.We conclude that pooling risks is fundamental for understanding the mechanisms of insurance because it favourably affects the utility of policyholders, and we refer to this phenomenon as the ‘utility-improving effect of risk pooling’. Moreover, we demonstrate that the utility of the policyholder is (strictly) increasing with the size of the risk pool.     

Utility maximization problem with random endowment and transaction costs: when wealth may become negative

In this article, we study the problem of maximizing expected utility from the terminal wealth with proportional transaction costs and random endowment. In the context of the existence of consistent price systems, we consider the duality between the primal utility maximization problem and the dual one, which is set up on the domain of finitely additive measures. In particular, we prove duality results for utility functions supporting possibly negative values. Moreover, we construct a shadow market by the dual optimal process and consider the utility-based pricing for random endowment.     

Optimal proportional reinsurance with common shock dependence

In this paper, we consider the optimal proportional reinsurance strategy in a risk model with multiple dependent classes of insurance business, which extends the work of Liang and Yuen (2014) to the case with the reinsurance premium calculated under the expected value principle and to the model with two or more classes of dependent risks. Under the criterion of maximizing the expected exponential utility, closed-form expressions for the optimal strategies and value function are derived not only for the compound Poisson risk model but also for the diffusion approximation risk model. In particular, we find that the optimal reinsurance strategies under the expected value premium principle are very different from those under the variance premium principle in the diffusion risk model. The former depends not only on the safety loading, time and interest rate, but also on the claim size distributions and the counting processes, while the latter depends only on the safety loading, time and interest rate. Finally, numerical examples are presented to show the impact of model parameters on the optimal strategies.