On an existence theorem for scaling problems (Q1920681)

In the paper it is considered the following optimization problem \[ I(f)=\int_\Omega\int_\Omega[|f(x)-f(y)|^2-K(x,y)]^2dx dy-\int_\Omega \int_\Omega K^2(x,y)dx dy\to\text{global minimum} \] on the set \(Y=\{f\in L_4(\Omega,\mathbb{R}^n), \int_\Omega f(x)dx=0\}\), where \(\Omega\subset \mathbb{R}^n\) is a bounded domain and the fixed function \(K(x,y)=K(y,x)\) belongs to \(L_2(\Omega\times\Omega)\). Under the assumption that the integral operator \((Rf)(x)=\int_\Omega K(x,y)f(y)dy\) is nonnegative, a criterion for the functional \(I(f)\) to attain its minimal value on the set \(Y\) is formulated. Some examples of functions \(K(x,y)\) satisfying or not satisfying that criterion are given. To prove that there exists a global minimum, the following well-known assertion is applied: in a reflexive Banach space a coercive, weakly lower semicontinuous functional attains its minimal value. The functionals under considerations arise in some mathematical models in economy and sociology.