We compare an internal state method and a direct Runge-Kutta method for solving Volterra integro-differential equations and Volterra delay differential equations. The internal state method requires the kernel of the Volterra integral to be realizable as an impulse response function. We discover that when applicable, the internal state method is orders of magnitude more efficient than the direct numerical method. However, constructing state representation for realizable kernels can be challenging at times; therefore, we propose a rational approximation approach to avoid the problem. That is, we approximate the transfer function by a rational function, construct the corresponding linear system, and then approximate the Volterra integro-differential equation. We show that our method is convergent for the case where the kernel is nuclear. We focus our attention on time-invariant realizations but the case where the state representation of the kernel is a time-variant linear system is briefly discussed. / Ph. D.

[EN] In the stock markets, the process of estimating a fair price for a stock, option or commodity is consider the corner stone for this trade. There are several attempts to obtain a suitable mathematical model in order to enhance the estimation process for evaluating the options for short or long periods. The Black-Scholes partial differential equation (PDE) and its analytical solution, 1973, are considered a breakthrough in the mathematical modeling for the stock markets. Because of the ideal assumptions of Black-Scholes several alternatives have been developed to adequate the models to the real markets. Two strategies have been done to capture these behaviors; the first modification is to add jumps into the asset following Lévy processes, leading to a partial integro-differential equation (PIDE); the second is to allow the volatility to evolve stochastically leading to a PDE with two spatial variables. Here in this work, we solve numerically PIDEs for a wide class of Lévy processes using finite difference schemes for European options and also, the associated linear complementarity problem (LCP) for American option. Moreover, the models for options under stochastic volatility incorporated with jump-diffusion are considered. Numerical analysis for the proposed schemes is studied since it is the efficient and practical way to guarantee the convergence and accuracy of numerical solutions. In fact, without numerical analysis, careless computations may waste good mathematical models. This thesis consists of four chapters; the first chapter is an introduction containing historically review for stochastic processes, Black-Scholes equation and preliminaries on numerical analysis. Chapter two is devoted to solve the PIDE for European option under CGMY process. The PIDE for this model is solved numerically using two distinct discretization approximations; the first approximation guarantees unconditionally consistency while the second approximation provides unconditional positivity and stability. In the first approximation, the differential part is approximated using the explicit scheme and the integral part is approximated using the trapezoidal rule. In the second approximation, the differential part is approximated using the Patankar-scheme and the integral part is approximated using the four-point open type formula. Chapter three provides a unified treatment for European and American options under a wide class of Lévy processes as CGMY, Meixner and Generalized Hyperbolic. First, the reaction and convection terms of the differential part of the PIDE are removed using appropriate mathematical transformation. The differential part for European case is explicitly discretized , while the integral part is approximated using Laguerre-Gauss quadrature formula. Numerical properties such as positivity, stability and consistency for this scheme are studied. For the American case, the differential part of the LCP is discretized using a three-time level approximation with the same integration technique. Next, the Projected successive over relaxation and multigrid techniques have been implemented to obtain the numerical solution. Several numerical examples are given including discussion of the errors and computational cost. Finally in Chapter four, the PIDE for European option under Bates model is considered. Bates model combines both stochastic volatility and jump diffusion approaches resulting in a PIDE with a mixed derivative term. Since the presence of cross derivative terms involves the existence of negative coefficient terms in the numerical scheme deteriorating the quality of the numerical solution, the mixed derivative is eliminated using suitable mathematical transformation. The new PIDE is solved numerically and the numerical analysis is provided. Moreover, the LCP for American option under Bates model is studied. / [ES] El proceso de estimación del precio de una acción, opción u otro derivado en los mercados de valores es objeto clave de estudio de las matemáticas financieras. Se pueden encontrar diversas técnicas para obtener un modelo matemático adecuado con el fin de mejorar el proceso de valoración de las opciones para periodos cortos o largos. Históricamente, la ecuación de Black-Scholes (1973) fue un gran avance en la elaboración de modelos matemáticos para los mercados de valores. Es un modelo práctico para estimar el valor razonable de una opción. Sobre unos supuestos determinados, F. Black y M. Scholes obtuvieron una ecuación diferencial parcial lineal y su solución analítica. Desde entonces se han desarrollado modelos más complejos para adecuarse a la realidad de los mercados. Un tipo son los modelos con volatilidad estocástica que vienen descritos por una ecuación en derivadas parciales con dos variables espaciales. Otro enfoque consiste en añadir saltos en el precio del subyacente por medio de modelos de Lévy lo que lleva a resolver una ecuación integro-diferencial parcial (EIDP). En esta memoria se aborda la resolución numérica de una amplia clase de modelos con procesos de Lévy. Se desarrollan esquemas en diferencias finitas para opciones europeas y también para opciones americanas con su problema de complementariedad lineal (PCL) asociado. Además se tratan modelos con volatilidad estocástica incorporando difusión con saltos. Se plantea el análisis numérico ya que es el camino eficiente y práctico para garantizar la convergencia y precisión de las soluciones numéricas. De hecho, la ausencia de análisis numérico debilita un buen modelo matemático. Esta memoria está organizada en cuatro capítulos. El primero es una introducción con un breve repaso de los procesos estocásticos, el modelo de Black-Scholes así como nociones preliminares de análisis numérico. En el segundo capítulo se trata la EIDP para las opciones europeas según el modelo CGMY. Se proponen dos esquemas en diferencias finitas; el primero garantiza consistencia incondicional de la solución mientras que el segundo proporciona estabilidad y positividad incondicionales. Con el primer enfoque, la parte diferencial se discretiza por medio de un esquema explícito y para la parte integral se usa la regla del trapecio. En la segunda aproximación, para la parte diferencial se usa un esquema tipo Patankar y la parte integral se aproxima por medio de la fórmula de tipo abierto con cuatro puntos. En el capítulo tercero se propone un tratamiento unificado para una amplia clase de modelos de opciones en procesos de Lévy como CGMY, Meixner e hiperbólico generalizado. Se eliminan los términos de reacción y convección por medio de un apropiado cambio de variables. Después la parte diferencial se aproxima por un esquema explícito mientras que para la parte integral se usa la fórmula de cuadratura de Laguerre-Gauss. Se analizan positividad, estabilidad y consistencia. Para las opciones americanas, la parte diferencial del LCP se discretiza con tres niveles temporales mediante cuadratura de Laguerre-Gauss para la integración numérica. Finalmente se implementan métodos iterativos de proyección y relajación sucesiva y la técnica de multimalla. Se muestran varios ejemplos incluyendo estudio de errores y coste computacional. El capítulo 4 está dedicado al modelo de Bates que combina los enfoques de volatilidad estocástica y de difusión con saltos derivando en una EIDP con un término con derivadas cruzadas. Ya que la discretización de una derivada cruzada comporta la existencia de coeficientes negativos en el esquema que deterioran la calidad de la solución numérica, se propone un cambio de variables que elimina dicha derivada cruzada. La EIDP transformada se resuelve numéricamente y se muestra el análisis numérico. Por otra parte se estudia el LCP para opciones americanas con el modelo de Bates. / [CA] El procés d'estimació del preu d'una acció, opció o un altre derivat en els mercats de valors és objecte clau d'estudi de les matemàtiques financeres . Es poden trobar diverses tècniques per a obtindre un model matemàtic adequat a fi de millorar el procés de valoració de les opcions per a períodes curts o llargs. Històricament, l'equació Black-Scholes (1973) va ser un gran avanç en l'elaboració de models matemàtics per als mercats de valors. És un model matemàtic pràctic per a estimar un valor raonable per a una opció. Sobre uns suposats F. Black i M. Scholes van obtindre una equació diferencial parcial lineal amb solució analítica. Des de llavors s'han desenrotllat models més complexos per a adequar-se a la realitat dels mercats. Un tipus és els models amb volatilitat estocástica que ve descrits per una equació en derivades parcials amb dos variables espacials. Un altre enfocament consistix a afegir bots en el preu del subjacent per mitjà de models de Lévy el que porta a resoldre una equació integre-diferencial parcial (EIDP) . En esta memòria s'aborda la resolució numèrica d'una àmplia classe de models baix processos de Lévy. Es desenrotllen esquemes en diferències finites per a opcions europees i també per a opcions americanes amb el seu problema de complementarietat lineal (PCL) associat. A més es tracten models amb volatilitat estocástica incorporant difusió amb bots. Es planteja l'anàlisi numèrica ja que és el camí eficient i pràctic per a garantir la convergència i precisió de les solucions numèriques. De fet, l'absència d'anàlisi numèrica debilita un bon model matemàtic. Esta memòria està organitzada en quatre capítols. El primer és una introducció amb un breu repàs dels processos estocásticos, el model de Black-Scholes així com nocions preliminars d'anàlisi numèrica. En el segon capítol es tracta l'EIDP per a les opcions europees segons el model CGMY. Es proposen dos esquemes en diferències finites; el primer garantix consistència incondicional de la solució mentres que el segon proporciona estabilitat i positivitat incondicionals. Amb el primer enfocament, la part diferencial es discretiza per mitjà d'un esquema explícit i per a la part integral s'empra la regla del trapezi. En la segona aproximació, per a la part diferencial s'usa l'esquema tipus Patankar i la part integral s'aproxima per mitjà de la fórmula de tipus obert amb quatre punts. En el capítol tercer es proposa un tractament unificat per a una àmplia classe de models d'opcions en processos de Lévy com ara CGMY, Meixner i hiperbòlic generalitzat. S'eliminen els termes de reacció i convecció per mitjà d'un apropiat canvi de variables. Després la part diferencial s'aproxima per un esquema explícit mentres que per a la part integral s'usa la fórmula de quadratura de Laguerre-Gauss. S'analitzen positivitat, estabilitat i consistència. Per a les opcions americanes, la part diferencial del LCP es discretiza amb tres nivells temporals amb quadratura de Laguerre-Gauss per a la integració numèrica. Finalment s'implementen mètodes iteratius de projecció i relaxació successiva i la tècnica de multimalla. Es mostren diversos exemples incloent estudi d'errors i cost computacional. El capítol 4 està dedicat al model de Bates que combina els enfocaments de volatilitat estocástica i de difusió amb bots derivant en una EIDP amb un terme amb derivades croades. Ja que la discretización d'una derivada croada comporta l'existència de coeficients negatius en l'esquema que deterioren la qualitat de la solució numèrica, es proposa un canvi de variables que elimina dita derivada croada. La EIDP transformada es resol numèricament i es mostra l'anàlisi numèrica. D'altra banda s'estudia el LCP per a opcions americanes en el model de Bates. / El-Fakharany, MMR. (2015). Finite Difference Schemes for Option Pricing under Stochastic Volatility and Lévy Processes: Numerical Analysis and Computing [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/53917

In this thesis, we study the existence, uniqueness, and regularity of systems of degenerate linear stochastic integro-differential equations (SIDEs) of parabolic type with adapted coefficients in the whole space. We also investigate explicit and implicit finite difference schemes for SIDEs with non-degenerate diffusion. The class of equations we consider arise in non-linear filtering of semimartingales with jumps. In Chapter 2, we derive moment estimates and a strong limit theorem for space inverses of stochastic flows generated by Lévy driven stochastic differential equations (SDEs) with adapted coefficients in weighted Hölder norms using the Sobolev embedding theorem and the change of variable formula. As an application of some basic properties of flows of Weiner driven SDEs, we prove the existence and uniqueness of classical solutions of linear parabolic second order stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs) by partitioning the time interval and passing to the limit. The methods we use allow us to improve on previously known results in the continuous case and to derive new ones in the jump case. Chapter 3 is dedicated to the proof of existence and uniqueness of classical solutions of degenerate SIDEs using the method of stochastic characteristics. More precisely, we use Feynman-Kac transformations, conditioning, and the interlacing of space inverses of stochastic flows generated by SDEs with jumps to construct solutions. In Chapter 4, we prove the existence and uniqueness of solutions of degenerate linear stochastic evolution equations driven by jump processes in a Hilbert scale using the variational framework of stochastic evolution equations and the method of vanishing viscosity. As an application, we establish the existence and uniqueness of solutions of degenerate linear stochastic integro-differential equations in the L2-Sobolev scale. Finite difference schemes for non-degenerate SIDEs are considered in Chapter 5. Specifically, we study the rate of convergence of an explicit and an implicit-explicit finite difference scheme for linear SIDEs and show that the rate is of order one in space and order one-half in time.

Dengue fever is endemic in tropical and sub-tropical countries, and some of the important features of Dengue fever spread continue posing challenges for mathematical modelling. We propose a model, namely a system of integro-differential equations, to study a multi-serotype infectious disease. The main purpose is to include and analyse the effect of a general time delay on the model describing the length of the cross immunity protection and the effect of Antibody Dependent Enhancement (ADE), both characteristics of Dengue fever. Analysing the system, we could find the equilibriums in the invariant region. A coexistence endemic equilibrium within the region was proved, even for the asymmetric case. The local stability for the disease free equilibrium and for the boundary endemic equilibriums were proved. We have also results about the stability of the solutions of the system, that is completely determined by the Basic Reproduction Number and by the Invasion Reproduction Number, defined mathematically, as a threshold value for stability. The global dynamics is investigated by constructing suitable Lyapunov functions. Bifurcations structure and the solutions of the system were shown through numerical analysis indicating oscillatory dynamics for specific value of the parameter representing the ADE. The analytical results prove the instability of the coexistence endemic equilibrium, showing complex dynamics. Finally, mortality due to the disease is added to the original system. Analysis and discussions are made for this model as perturbation of the original non-linear system. / A Dengue é endêmica em países tropicais e subtropicais e, algumas das importantes características da dengue continua sendo um desafio para a modelagem da propagação da doença. Assim, propomos um modelo, um sistema de equações integro-diferenciais, com o objetivo de estudar uma doença infecciosa identificada por vários sorotipos. O principal objetivo é incluir e analisar o efeito de um tempo geral de retardo no modelo descrevendo o tempo de imunidade cruzada para a doença e o efeito do Antibody Dependent Enhancement (ADE). Analisando o sistema, encontramos os equilíbrios, onde a existência do equilíbrio de coexistência foi provado, mesmo para o caso assimétrico. A estabilidade local para o equilíbrio livre de doença e para os equilíbrios específicos de cada sorotipo foi provada. Também mostramos resultados para a estabilidade das soluções do sistema que é completamente determinada pelo Número Básico de Reprodução e pelo Número Básico de Invasão, definido matematicamente como um valor limiar para a estabilidade. A dinâmica global é investigada construindo funções de Lyapunov. Adicionalmente, bifurcações e as soluções do sistema foram mostrados via análise numérica indicando dinâmica oscilatória para específicos valores do parâmetro que representa o efeito ADE. Resultados analíticos obtidos pela teoria da perturbação provam a instabilidade do equilíbrio endêmico de coexistência e apontam para um complexo comportamento do sistema. Por fim, a mortalidade causada pela doença é adicionada ao sistema original. Análises e discussões são feitas para este modelo como uma perturbação do sistema não linear original.

The thesis deals with so-called evolutionary equations, a class of abstract linear operator equations, which cover a huge class of partial differential equation with and without memory. We provide a unified Hilbert space framework for the well-posedness of such equations. Moreover, we inspect the exponential stability of those problems and construct spaces of admissible inital values and pre-histories, on which a strongly continuous semigroup could be associated with the given problem. The theoretical results are illustrated by several examples.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-12T18:28:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 arquivo4092_1.pdf: 696485 bytes, checksum: 34f193833bda4c51476df064875faf7b (MD5) license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Nesta tese estudamos o comportamento assintótico de equações funcionais com retardo, especificamente a existência de soluções brandas quase automórficas e quase periódicas para a equação diferencial parcial com retardo finito. Existência de soluções brandas assintoticamente quase automórficas para uma equação diferencial funcional semi-linear e uma quação integro-diferencial com retardo infinito também é tratada. E estudamos a existência de soluções S-assintóticamente ω-periódicas e assintoticamente quase automórficas para uma classe de equações integro-diferenciais abstratas, estabelecemos alguns resultados gerais sobre a existência de soluções brandas S-assintoticamente ω-periódicas para tais equações e damos aplicações de nossos resultados abstratos. Além disso, estabelecemos condições para a existência de soluções brandas S-assintoticamente ω-periódicas de uma equação integral especifica que aparece no estudo de condução do calor em materiais com memória e apresentamos resultados similares para equações parciais integro-diferenciais abstratas com retardo infinito; discutimos também a existência de soluções brandas S-assintoticamente ω-periódica e assintoticamente quase automórficas para a equação integro-diferencial abstrata neutra. Finalmente, como aplicação das idéias anteriores, o capítulo final é concernente com o problema de estabilização para sistemas de controle hereditário

Cell migration, the active translocation of cells is involved in various biological processes, e.g. development of tissues and organs, tumor invasion and wound healing. Cell migration behavior can be divided into two distinct classes: single cell migration and collective cell migration. Single cell migration describes the migration of cells without interaction with other cells in their environment. Collective cell migration is the joint, active movement of multiple cells, e.g. in the form of strands, cohorts or sheets which emerge as the result of individual cell-cell interactions. Collective cell migration can be observed during branching morphogenesis, vascular sprouting and embryogenesis. Experimental studies of single cell migration have been extensive. Collective cell migration is less well investigated due to more difficult experimental conditions than for single cell migration. Especially, experimentally identifying the impact of individual differences in cell phenotypes on individual cell migration behavior inside cell populations is challenging because the tracking of individual cell trajectories is required. In this thesis, a novel mathematical modeling approach, individual-based lattice-gas cellular automata (IB-LGCA), that allows to investigate the migratory behavior of individual cells inside migrating cell populations by enabling the tracking of individual cells is introduced. Additionally, stochastic differential equation (SDE) approximations of individual cell trajectories for IB-LGCA models are constructed. Such SDE approximations allow the analytical description of the trajectories of individual cells during single cell migration. For a complete analytical description of the trajectories of individual cell during collective cell migration the aforementioned SDE approximations alone are not sufficient. Analytical approximations of the time development of selected observables for the cell population have to be added. What observables have to be considered depends on the specific cell migration mechanisms that is to be modeled. Here, partial integro-differential equations (PIDE) that approximate the time evolution of the expected cell density distribution in IB-LGCA are constructed and coupled to SDE approximations of individual cell trajectories. Such coupled PIDE and SDE approximations provide an analytical description of the trajectories of individual cells in IB-LGCA with density-dependent cell-cell interactions. Finally, an IB-LGCA model and corresponding analytical approximations were applied to investigate the impact of changes in cell-cell and cell-ECM forces on the migration behavior of an individual, labeled cell inside a population of epithelial cells. Specifically, individual cell migration during the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was considered. EMT is a change from epithelial to mesenchymal cell phenotype which is characterized by cells breaking adhesive bonds with surrounding epithelial cells and initiating individual migration along the extracellular matrix (ECM). During the EMT, a transition from collective to single cell migration occurs. EMT plays an important role during cancer progression, where it is believed to be linked to metastasis development. In the IB-LGCA model epithelial cells are characterized by balanced cell-cell and cell-ECM forces. The IB-LGCA model predicts that the balance between cell-cell and cell-ECM forces can be disturbed to some degree without being accompanied by a change in individual cell migration behavior. Only after the cell force balance has been strongly interrupted mesenchymal migration behavior is possible. The force threshold which separates epithelial and mesenchymal migration behavior in the IB-LGCA has been identified from the corresponding analytical approximation. The IB-LGCA model allows to obtain quantitative predictions about the role of cell forces during EMT which in the context of mathematical modeling of EMT is a novel approach.

Cell migration, the active translocation of cells is involved in various biological processes, e.g. development of tissues and organs, tumor invasion and wound healing. Cell migration behavior can be divided into two distinct classes: single cell migration and collective cell migration. Single cell migration describes the migration of cells without interaction with other cells in their environment. Collective cell migration is the joint, active movement of multiple cells, e.g. in the form of strands, cohorts or sheets which emerge as the result of individual cell-cell interactions. Collective cell migration can be observed during branching morphogenesis, vascular sprouting and embryogenesis. Experimental studies of single cell migration have been extensive. Collective cell migration is less well investigated due to more difficult experimental conditions than for single cell migration. Especially, experimentally identifying the impact of individual differences in cell phenotypes on individual cell migration behavior inside cell populations is challenging because the tracking of individual cell trajectories is required. In this thesis, a novel mathematical modeling approach, individual-based lattice-gas cellular automata (IB-LGCA), that allows to investigate the migratory behavior of individual cells inside migrating cell populations by enabling the tracking of individual cells is introduced. Additionally, stochastic differential equation (SDE) approximations of individual cell trajectories for IB-LGCA models are constructed. Such SDE approximations allow the analytical description of the trajectories of individual cells during single cell migration. For a complete analytical description of the trajectories of individual cell during collective cell migration the aforementioned SDE approximations alone are not sufficient. Analytical approximations of the time development of selected observables for the cell population have to be added. What observables have to be considered depends on the specific cell migration mechanisms that is to be modeled. Here, partial integro-differential equations (PIDE) that approximate the time evolution of the expected cell density distribution in IB-LGCA are constructed and coupled to SDE approximations of individual cell trajectories. Such coupled PIDE and SDE approximations provide an analytical description of the trajectories of individual cells in IB-LGCA with density-dependent cell-cell interactions. Finally, an IB-LGCA model and corresponding analytical approximations were applied to investigate the impact of changes in cell-cell and cell-ECM forces on the migration behavior of an individual, labeled cell inside a population of epithelial cells. Specifically, individual cell migration during the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was considered. EMT is a change from epithelial to mesenchymal cell phenotype which is characterized by cells breaking adhesive bonds with surrounding epithelial cells and initiating individual migration along the extracellular matrix (ECM). During the EMT, a transition from collective to single cell migration occurs. EMT plays an important role during cancer progression, where it is believed to be linked to metastasis development. In the IB-LGCA model epithelial cells are characterized by balanced cell-cell and cell-ECM forces. The IB-LGCA model predicts that the balance between cell-cell and cell-ECM forces can be disturbed to some degree without being accompanied by a change in individual cell migration behavior. Only after the cell force balance has been strongly interrupted mesenchymal migration behavior is possible. The force threshold which separates epithelial and mesenchymal migration behavior in the IB-LGCA has been identified from the corresponding analytical approximation. The IB-LGCA model allows to obtain quantitative predictions about the role of cell forces during EMT which in the context of mathematical modeling of EMT is a novel approach.

The thesis deals with so-called evolutionary equations, a class of abstract linear operator equations, which cover a huge class of partial differential equation with and without memory. We provide a unified Hilbert space framework for the well-posedness of such equations. Moreover, we inspect the exponential stability of those problems and construct spaces of admissible inital values and pre-histories, on which a strongly continuous semigroup could be associated with the given problem. The theoretical results are illustrated by several examples.

A Teoria das equações integrais, desde a segunda metade do século XX, tem assumido um papel cada vez maior no âmbito de problemas aplicados. Com isso, surge a necessidade do desenvolvimento de métodos numéricos cada vez mais eficazes para a resolução deste tipo de equação. Isso tem como consequência a possibilidade de resolução de uma gama cada vez maior de problemas. Nesse sentido, outros tipos de equações integrais estão sendo objeto de estudos, dentre elas as chamadas equações integro-diferenciais. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo o estudo das equações integro-diferenciais singulares lineares e não-lineares. Mais especificamente, no caso linear, apresentamos os principais resultados necessários para a obtenção de um método numérico e a formulação de suas propriedades de convergência. O caso não-linear é apresentado através de um modelo matemático para tubulações em um tipo específico de reator nuclear (LMFBR) no qual origina-se a equação integro-diferencial. A partir da equação integro-diferencial um modelo numérico é proposto com base nas condições físicas do problema / The theory of the integral equations, since the second half of the 20th century, has been assuming an ever more important role in the modelling of applied problems. Consequently, the development of new numerical methods for integral equations is called for and a larger range of problems has been possible to be solved by these new techniques. In this sense, many types of integral equations have been derived from applications and been the object of studies, among them the so called singular integro-differential equation. The present work has, as its main objective, the study of singular integrodifferential equations, both linear and non-linear. More specifically, in the linear case, we present our main results regarding the derivation of a numerical method and its uniform convergence properties. The non-linear case is introduced through the mathematical model of boiler tubes in a specific type of nuclear reactor (LMFBR) from which the integro-differential equation originates. For this integro-differential equation a numerical method is proposed based on the physical conditions of the problem