This thesis consists of several problems concerning numerical approximations for stochastic differential equations, and is divided into three parts. The first one is on the integrability and asymptotic stability with respect to a certain class of Lyapunov functions, and the preservation of the comparison theorem for the explicit numerical schemes. In general, those properties of the original equation can be lost after discretisation, but it will be shown that by some suitable modification of the Euler scheme they can be preserved to some extent while keeping the strong convergence rate maintained. The second part focuses on the approximation of iterated stochastic integrals, which is the essential ingredient for the construction of higher-order approximations. The coupling method is adopted for that purpose, which aims at finding a random variable whose law is easy to generate and is close to the target distribution. The last topic is motivated by the simulation of equations driven by Lévy processes, for which the main difficulty is to generalise some coupling results for the one-dimensional central limit theorem to the multi-dimensional case.

This thesis challenges several concepts in finance. Firstly, it is the Markowitz's solution to the portfolio problem. It introduces a new method which de- noises the covariance matrix - the cornerstone of the portfolio management. Random Matrix Theory originates in particle physics and was recently intro- duced to finance as the intersection between economics and natural sciences has widened over the past couple of years. Often discussed Efficient Market Hypothesis is opposed by adopting the assumption, that financial returns are driven by Paretian distributions, in- stead of Gaussian ones, as conjured by Mandelbrot some 50 years ago. The portfolio selection is set in a framework, where Expected Shortfall replaces the standard deviation as the risk measure. Therefore, direct optimi- sation of the portfolio is implemented to be compared with the performance of the classical solution and its denoised counterpart. The results are evalu- ated in a controlled environment of Monte Carlo simulation as well as using empirical data from S&P 500 constituents. 1

M.Sc.

In this dissertation, I investigate three related topics on asset pricing: the consumption-based asset pricing under long-run risks and fat tails, the pricing of VIX (CBOE Volatility Index) options and the market price of risk embedded in stock returns and stock options. These three topics are fully explored in Chapter II through IV. Chapter V summarizes the main conclusions. In Chapter II, I explore the effects of fat tails on the equilibrium implications of the long run risks model of asset pricing by introducing innovations with dampened power law to consumption and dividends growth processes. I estimate the structural parameters of the proposed model by maximum likelihood. I find that the stochastic volatility model with fat tails can, without resorting to high risk aversion, generate implied risk premium, expected risk free rate and their volatilities comparable to the magnitudes observed in data. In Chapter III, I examine the pricing performance of VIX option models. The contention that simpler-is-better is supported by the empirical evidence using actual VIX option market data. I find that no model has small pricing errors over the entire range of strike prices and times to expiration. In general, Whaley’s Black-like option model produces the best overall results, supporting the simpler-is-better contention. However, the Whaley model does under/overprice out-of-the-money call/put VIX options, which is contrary to the behavior of stock index option pricing models. In Chapter IV, I explore risk pricing through a model of time-changed Lévy processes based on the joint evidence from individual stock options and underlying stocks. I specify a pricing kernel that prices idiosyncratic and systematic risks. This approach to examining risk premia on stocks deviates from existing studies. The empirical results show that the market pays positive premia for idiosyncratic and market jump-diffusion risk, and idiosyncratic volatility risk. However, there is no consensus on the premium for market volatility risk. It can be positive or negative. The positive premium on idiosyncratic risk runs contrary to the implications of traditional capital asset pricing theory.

When an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (or CAR(1)) process is observed at discrete times 0, h, 2h,··· [T/h]h, the unobserved driving process can be approximated from the ob- served process. Approximated increments of the driving process are used to test the assumption that the process is L\'evy-driven. Asymptotic behavior of the test statis- tic at high sampling frequencies is developed assuming that the model parameters are known. The behavior of the test statistics using an estimated parameter is also studied. If it can be concluded that the driving process is L\'evy, the empirical process of the approximated increments can then be used to carry out more precise tests of goodness-of-fit. For example, one can test whether the driving process can be modeled as a Brownian motion or a gamma process. In each case, performance of the proposed test is illustrated through simulation.

The aim of the tehesis is to describe the formation of collective intelligence in cyberspace and focus on its use on the example of computer games. The idea is based on the works of Pierre Lévy, who believes that in the digital revolution is the value of the picture one of the most important. In this process plays an equally important role to increase the value of ideas, narratives, social communities and the development of new media tools and technologies. Along with that, in addition to the internal space of videogames (story progression, social interaction, building of the gaming space, gaming subculture, roleplay), shapes even the space beyond the game itself (transmedia storytelling, produsage - fan sites, content sharing, discussion forums). Thesis will be listed by concepts of collective intelligence, the progress of social memory, cyberspace and will be also inspired by other authors who works with collective intelligence, like Henry Jenkins, James Surowiecki or Derrick de Kerckhove. It should also provide an opposite view of the problem based on the work of opponents, which is eg. Cory Doctorow. Strategies and the use of the collective intelligence will be described by using the example of the specific games.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第22823号 / 理博第4633号 / 新制||理||1666(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院理学研究科数学・数理解析専攻 / (主査)准教授 矢野 孝次, 教授 泉 正己, 教授 日野 正訓 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

In this thesis, we present a new existence result for Lévy-type processes. Lévy-type processes behave locally like a Lévy process, but the Lévy triplet may depend on the current position of the process. They can be characterized by their so-called symbol; this is the analogue of the characteristic exponent in the Lévy case. Using a parametrix construction, we prove the existence of Lévy-type processes with a given symbol under weak regularity assumptions on the regularity of the symbol. Applications range from existence results for stable-like processes and mixed processes to uniqueness results for Lévy-driven stochastic differential equations. Moreover, we discuss sufficient conditions for the existence of moments of Lévy-type processes and derive estimates for fractional moments.

While Monte Carlo methods for bootstrapping are typically easy to implement, they can be quite time intensive. This work aims to extend an established convolutional method of bootstrapping to work when convolutions in two or more dimensions are required. The convolutional method relies on efficient computational tools rather than Monte Carlo simulation which can greatly reduce the computation time. The proposed method is particularly well suited for the analysis of degradation data when the data are not collected on time intervals of equal length. The convolutional bootstrapping method is typically much faster than the Monte Carlo bootstrap and can be used to produce exact results in some simple cases. Even in more complicated applications, where it is not feasible to find exact results, mathematical bounds can be placed on the resulting distribution. With these benefits of the convolutional method, this bootstrapping approach has been shown to be a useful alternative to the traditional Monte Carlo bootstrap.

Fiber analysis using birefringence has been around for years but has only recently been looked at more closely under a microscope. Recent scientists have proposed methods to correct issues found with fiber analysis using birefringence, yet there has not be a defined perfect method. This research will focus on correcting previously found issues with works by Michel-Lévy and Sorensen's, as well as other scientists involved and perfecting the analysis of fiber through birefringence. The goal will be to take this research one step further into the analysis of textile fibers by RGB value analysis and birefringence. The RGB values will be analyzed in a color analysis program to compare HEX values. The cross section of the fiber will be done to receive an accurate diameter measurement of the fiber. Those RGB values and cross section diameter will then be matched to the Michel-Lévy chart and the birefringence will be determined.