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In this paper, we propose an integral equation approach for pricing an American-style Parisian up-and-out call option under the Black–Scholes framework. The main difficulty of pricing this option lies in the determination of its optimal exercise price, which is a three-dimensional surface, instead of a two-dimensional (2-D) curve as is the case for a “one-touch” barrier option. In our approach, we first reduce the 3-D pricing problem to a 2-D one by using the “moving window” technique developed by Zhu and Chen (2013, Pricing Parisian and Parasian options analytically. Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, 37(4): 875-896), then apply the Fourier sine transform to the 2-D problem to obtain two coupled integral equations in terms of two unknown quantities: the option price at the asset barrier and the optimal exercise price. Once the integral equations are solved numerically by using an iterative procedure, the calculation of the option price and the hedging parameters is straightforward from their integral representations. Our approach is validated by a comparison between our results and those of the trusted finite difference method. Numerical results are also provided to show some interesting features of the prices of American-style Parisian up-and-out call options and the behaviour of the associated optimal exercise boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose an integral equation approach for pricing American-style Parisian down-and-out call options under the Black–Scholes framework. For this type of options, the knock-out feature is activated only if the underlying asset price continuously remains below a pre-determined barrier for a sufficiently long period of time. As such, the corresponding pricing problem becomes a three-dimensional (3-D) free boundary problem, instead of a two-dimensional (2-D) one as is the case of “one-touch” barrier options, and this poses a computational challenge. In our approach , we first reduce the 3-D problem to a 2-D one, and then, by applying the Fourier sine transform to the resulting 2-D problem, we can derive a pair of coupled integral equations governing the option price at any given time in terms of (i) the option price at the barrier and (ii) the optimal exercise boundary at that time. This pair of coupled integral equations can be solved using the Newton–Raphson iterative procedure, after which, the option price, the optimal exercise boundary, and the hedging parameters can be obtained in a straightforward manner. A complexity analysis of the method, together with numerical results, show that the proposed approach is robust and significantly more efficient than existing uniform finite difference methods with Crank–Nicolson timestepping, especially in dealing with spot prices near the barrier. Numerical results are also examined in order to provide new insight into several interesting properties of the option price and the optimal exercise boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an innovative decomposition approach for computing the price and the hedging parameters of American knock-out options with a time-dependent rebate. Our approach is built upon: (i) the Fourier sine transform applied to the partial differential equation with a finite time-dependent spatial domain that governs the option price, and (ii) the decomposition technique that partitions the price of the option into that of the European counterpart and an early exercise premium. Our analytic representations can generalize a number of existing decomposition formulas for some European-style and American-style options. A complexity analysis of the method, together with numerical results, show that the proposed approach is significantly more efficient than the state-of-the-art adaptive finite difference methods, especially in dealing with spot prices near the barrier. Numerical results are also examined in order to provide new insight in the significant effects of the rebate on the option price, the hedging parameters, and the optimal exercise boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an integral equation approach is adopted to price American-style down-and-out calls. Instead of using the probability theory as used in the literature, we use the continuous Fourier sine transform to solve the partial differential equation system governing the option prices. As a way of validating our approach, we show that the “early exercise premium representation” for American-style down-and-out calls without rebate can be re-derived by using our approach. We then examine the case that time-dependent rebates are included in the contract of American-style down-and-out calls. As a result, a more general integral representation for the price of an American-style down-and-out call, with the presence of an extra term associated with the rebate, is obtained. Our numerical method based on the newly-derived integral representation appears to be efficient in computing the price and the hedging parameters for American-style down-and-out calls with rebates. In addition, significant effects of rebates on the option prices and the optimal exercise boundaries are illustrated through selected numerical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We derive an analytical solution for the value of Parisian up-and-in calls by using the “moving window” technique for pricing European-style Parisian up-and-out calls. Our pricing formula can be applied to both European-style and American-style Parisian up-and-in calls, due to the fact that with an “in” barrier, the option holder cannot do or decide on anything before the option is activated, and once the option is activated it is just a plain vanilla call, which could be of American style or European style. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Obesity is a global health issue with obese patients requiring specialised diagnosis, treatment and care through the health service. The practical and social difficulties associated with medical imaging of obese patients are an increasingly common problem and it is currently unknown how student and qualified radiographers perceive and respond to these challenges. By better understanding challenges presented in providing quality imaging and care of imaging obese patients, education for both qualified and student radiographers can be enhanced. Radiographers are heavily reliant on visual and tactile senses to locate the position of anatomical structures for diagnostic imaging and determine radiation exposure through a delicate consideration of dose, image quality and anatomical attenuation. However, obese patients require modifications to routine radiographic practice in terms of movement/assisted positioning, equipment capabilities to take increased weight or coverage. These patients may also be subject to compromised radiological diagnosis through poor visualisation of structures. In this paper, the professional and educational literature was narratively reviewed to assess gaps in the evidence base related to the skill and care knowledge for obese patients. Literature was sourced relating to discrete radiographic considerations such as the technical factors of imaging obese patients, exposure and the impact of obesity on imaging departments' service provisions. The recent literature (post-2000 to coincide with the sharp increase in global obesity) on the perceptions of health professionals and student health practitioners has also been explored because there are no specific radiographer studies to report. By understanding the research in similar fields, we may identify what common attitudes qualified and student radiographer's hold and what challenges, technical and care related, can be prepared for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we price American-style Parisian down-and-in call options under the Black–Scholes framework. Usually, pricing an American-style option is much more difficult than pricing its European-style counterpart because of the appearance of the optimal exercise boundary in the former. Fortunately, the optimal exercise boundary associated with an American-style Parisian knock-in option only appears implicitly in its pricing partial differential equation (PDE) systems, instead of explicitly as in the case of an American-style Parisian knock-out option. We also recognize that the “moving window” technique developed by Zhu and Chen (2013) for pricing European-style Parisian up-and-out call options can be adopted to price American-style Parisian knock-in options as well. In particular, we obtain a simple analytical solution for American-style Parisian down-and-in call options and our new formula is written in terms of four double integrals, which can be easily computed numerically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]