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For $p\ge 1$, let $\mathcal P_p(\mathbb R)$ be the set of probability measures on $\mathbb R$ of finite $p^{\rm th}$ moment. Denote by $W_p$ the Wasserstein metric of order $p$ and by $\preceq$ the increasing convex order on $\mathcal P_1(\mathbb R)$, i.e. $\mathcal P_1(\mathbb R)\ni \mu\preceq \nu\in \mathcal P_1(\mathbb R)$ if

$$\int_{\mathbb R} f d\mu \le \int_{\mathbb R} f d\nu \mbox{ holds for every convex function } f: \mathbb R\to\mathbb R \mbox{ of linear growth}.$$

My question is whether there exists a continuous function $g:\mathbb R_+\to\mathbb R_+$ with $g(0)=0$ such that :

for any $\mu, \nu\in \mathcal P_p(\mathbb R)$ of the same mean, there always exist $\lambda, \rho\in \mathcal P_p(\mathbb R)$ (depending on $\mu,\nu$) satisfying

$$\lambda\preceq \mu,\quad \lambda\preceq \nu,\quad \mu\preceq\rho,\quad \nu\preceq\rho\quad (\ast)$$

and

$$W_p(\lambda,\rho) \le g\big(W_p(\mu,\nu)\big)? \quad (\ast\ast)$$

PS : I am interested mostly for the cases $p=1$ and $p=2$. Further, it is known that $\preceq$ is a partial order and $\mu\preceq \nu$ iff

$$\int_{\mathbb R} x d\mu(x)=\int_{\mathbb R} x d\nu(x) \quad \mbox{and}\quad \int_{\mathbb R} |x-K| d\mu(x)\le\int_{\mathbb R} |x-K| d\nu(x) \mbox{ for all } K\in\mathbb R.$$

If finding such a function is not possible. A function satisfying locally the desired property is still welcome. Namely, for any $\mu\in \mathcal P_p(\mathbb R)$, find a function $g\equiv g_\mu$ such that $(\ast)$ and $(\ast\ast)$ are satisfied for all $\nu$ of the same mean of $\mu$ and with $W_p(\mu,\nu)\le 1$.

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  • $\begingroup$ The existence of such a continuous function $g:\mathbb R_+\to\mathbb R_+$ depends on the specific properties of the Wasserstein metric $W_p$ and the convex order $\preceq$. In general, finding a function $g$ satisfying the given conditions for all $\mu, \nu\in \mathcal P_p(\mathbb R)$ might be challenging. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 5 at 23:46
  • $\begingroup$ @zeraouliarafik Thanks for the comments. We may fix $p$, e.g. $p=1$ or $p=2$. If it is still hard. We may even fix $\mu$, and find such a function $g\equiv g_\mu$ so that my desired property holds for all $\nu$ with $W_p(\mu,\nu)\le 1$ $\endgroup$
    – Fawen90
    Commented Jan 6 at 7:27
  • $\begingroup$ @Fawen90 : Are you assuming that the means of $\mu$ and $\nu$ are the same? Otherwise, clearly $\lambda$ and $\rho$ do not exist. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 7 at 1:51
  • $\begingroup$ @IosifPinelis Oh, absolutely yes. Many thanks for the comment. I've corrected $\endgroup$
    – Fawen90
    Commented Jan 7 at 7:26
  • $\begingroup$ Also, I think the last displayed equality should be the inequality. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 7 at 17:24

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