The distribution of refracted Lévy processes with jumps having rational Laplace transforms

We consider a refracted jump diffusion process having two-sided jumps with rational Laplace transforms. For such a process, by applying a straightforward but interesting approach, we derive formulae for the Laplace transform of its distribution. Our formulae are presented in an attractive form and the approach is novel. In particular, the idea in the application of an approximating procedure is remarkable. In addition, the results are used to price variable annuities with state-dependent fees.

Discrete Hardy-type Inequalities

This paper studies the Hardy-type inequalities on the discrete intervals. Firstly, two variational formulas for the optimal constants are introduced. Based on these formulas, an approximating procedure and the known basic estimates of the optimal constants are deduced. Thirdly, as the main innovation of this paper, an improved factor for the upper estimates is presented, which is smaller than the known one and is the best possible. Finally, some comparison results are included for comparing the optimal constants on different intervals.

On a general storage problem and its approximating solution

A GI/G/r(x) store is considered with independently and identically distributed inputs occurring in a renewal process, with a general release rate r(·) depending on the content. The (pseudo) extinction time, or the content, just before inputs is a Markov process which can be represented by a random walk on and below a bent line; this results in an integral equation of the form gn +1(y) = ∫ l(y, w)gn (w) dw with l(y, w) a known conditional density function. An approximating solution is found using Hermite or modified Hermite polynomial expansions resulting in a Gram–Charlier or generalized Gram–Charlier representation, with the coefficients being determined by a matrix equation. Evaluation of the elements of the matrix involves two-dimensional numerical integration for which Gauss–Hermite–Laguerre integration is effective. A number of examples illustrate the quality of the approximating procedure against exact and simulated results.

On a general storage problem and its approximating solution

A GI/G/r(x) store is considered with independently and identically distributed inputs occurring in a renewal process, with a general release rate r(·) depending on the content. The (pseudo) extinction time, or the content, just before inputs is a Markov process which can be represented by a random walk on and below a bent line; this results in an integral equation of the form gn+1(y) = ∫ l(y, w)gn(w) dw with l(y, w) a known conditional density function. An approximating solution is found using Hermite or modified Hermite polynomial expansions resulting in a Gram–Charlier or generalized Gram–Charlier representation, with the coefficients being determined by a matrix equation. Evaluation of the elements of the matrix involves two-dimensional numerical integration for which Gauss–Hermite–Laguerre integration is effective. A number of examples illustrate the quality of the approximating procedure against exact and simulated results.