Heuristics with guaranteed performance bounds for a manufacturing system with product recovery

We consider a manufacturing system with product recovery. The system manufactures a new product as well as remanufactures the product from old, returned items. The items remanufactured with the returned products are as good as new and satisfy the same demand as the new item. The demand rate for the new item and the return rate for the old item are deterministic and constant. The relevant costs are the holding costs for the new item and the returned item, and the fixed setup costs for both manufacturing and remanufacturing. The objective is to determine the lot sizes and production schedule for manufacturing and remanufacturing so as to minimize the long-run average cost per unit time. We first develop a lower bound among all classes of policies for the problem. We then show that the optimal integer ratio policy for the problem obtains a solution whose cost is at most 1.5% more than the lower bound.     

强Khler-Finsler流形上(p,q)形式的中值Laplace算子(英文)

本文给出了强Khler-Finsler流形上中值Laplace算子的一些性质,如自伴性质,散度形式等。与Khler流形上利用逆变基本张量及其在Finsler流形上的变形作为密度函数定义流形上的逐点内积及整体内积不同,作者利用强Khler-Finsler流形上的逆变密切Khler度量作为密度函数定义了流形上的逐点内积和整体内积,并定义了强Khler-Finsler流形上的Hodge-Laplace算子,它可看作函数情形中值Laplace算子的推广。     

Knowledge trees in complex knowledge bases

We extend the use of knowledge trees as a means for questioning knowledge bases with linguistic information. Using Zadeh's theory of approximate reasoning as a tool we provide means for questioning large knowledge bases which have relational, implicational and data type information. We provide a means for answering questions of truth as well as questions of value.     

Bayesian estimation of system reliability in Brownian stress-strength models

A stress-strength system fails as soon as the applied stress,X, is at least as much as the strength,Y, of the system. Stress and strength are time-varying in many real-life systems but typical statistical models for stress-strength systems are static. In this article, the stress and strength processes are dynamically modeled as Brownian motions. The resulting stress-strength system is then governed by a time-homogeneous Markov process with an absorption barrier at O. Conjugate as well as non-informative priors are developed for the model parameters and Markov chain sampling methods are used for posterior inference of the reliability of the stress-strength system. A generalization of this model is described next where the different stress-strength systems are assumed to be exchangeable. The proposed Bayesian analyses are illustrated in two examples where we obtain posterior estimates as well as perform model checking by cross-validation.     

Neumann series and Lommel functions of two variables

We obtain several new results for Neumann series of Bessel functions as well as for its various special cases. The generalization of some well-known results for these kind of series, such as the Graf's addition theorem, are also established.     

Polynomial extensions of distributions and their applications in actuarial and financial modeling

The paper deals with orthogonal polynomials as a useful technique which can be attracted to actuarial and financial modeling. We use Pearson’s differential equation as a way for orthogonal polynomials construction and solution. The generalized Rodrigues formula is used for this goal. Deriving the weight function of the differential equation, we use it as a basic distribution density of variables like financial asset returns or insurance claim sizes. In this general setting, we derive explicit formulas for option prices as well as for insurance premiums. The numerical analysis shows that our new models provide a better fit than some previous actuarial and financial models.     

On regular and singular interval systems

We give a survey on interval linear systems discussing problems for regular systems as well as for singular ones. We consider several solution sets and direct methods to enclose them. Moreover we study iterative methods, particularly the total step method as the basis for other ones. We also use this method for enclosing solutions of singular linear systems.     

The efficiency of health and education expenditures in the Philippines

This paper attempts to measure the efficiency of provinces in the Philippines in utilizing public resources for health and education where only 1% of the total budget is spent for health and 3% is allocated for education. With such budget constraints, it is important to examine the efficiency of spending on social services as small changes can have a major impact in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Efficiency is defined as the deviation from the frontier which represents the maximum output attainable from each input level. This efficiency frontier is estimated using the data envelopment analysis, free disposal hull and Malmquist-DEA. We use expenditures for social services for input and primary and secondary enrollment rates, literacy rate per province, and life expectancy for outputs. An analysis of efficiency scores shows that provinces where the level of inequality is higher (as measured by the Gini coefficient) as well as those who receive a larger portion of their budget as grants are among the least efficient. This research can help in the budget allocation and rationalization among Philippine provinces.     

Remarks on the Uniqueness of a Solution of the Dirichlet Problem for Second-Order Elliptic Equations with Lower-Order Terms

We give an example of an incompressible diffusion equation whose solution is nonunique. It is shown that this equation has an approximation solution as well as another solution that cannot be obtained by approximation. We give sufficient conditions for the uniqueness of a solution as well as for the uniqueness of an approximation solution.     

Estimating functions for jump–diffusions

Asymptotic theory for approximate martingale estimating functions is generalised to diffusions with finite-activity jumps, when the sampling frequency and terminal sampling time go to infinity. Rate-optimality and efficiency are of particular concern. Under mild assumptions, it is shown that estimators of drift, diffusion, and jump parameters are consistent and asymptotically normal, as well as rate-optimal for the drift and jump parameters. Additional conditions are derived, which ensure rate-optimality for the diffusion parameter as well as efficiency for all parameters. The findings indicate a potentially fruitful direction for the further development of estimation for jump–diffusions.     

Engineering design and the development of knowledge for teaching among preservice science teachers

The goal of this article is to inform professional understanding regarding preservice science teachers’ knowledge of engineering and the engineering design process. Originating as a conceptual study of the appropriateness of “knowledge as design” as a framework for conducting science teacher education to support learning related to engineering design, the findings are informed by an ongoing research project. Perkins’s theory encapsulates knowledge as design within four complementary components of the nature of design. When using the structure of Perkins’s theory as a framework for analysis of data gathered from preservice teachers conducting engineering activities within an instructional methods course for secondary science, a concurrence between teacher knowledge development and the theory emerged. Initially, the individuals, who were participants in the research, were unfamiliar with engineering as a component of science teaching and expressed a lack of knowledge of engineering. The emergence of connections between Perkins’s theory of knowledge as design and knowledge development for teaching were found when examining preservice teachers’ development of creative and systematic thinking skills within the context of engineering design activities as well as examination of their knowledge of the application of science to problem‐solving situations.     

Three systems of balance equations and jump conditions for nonlocal polar thermomechanical continua

Three systems of balance equations and jump conditions as well as generalized Clausius-Duhem inequalities for nonlocal polar thermomechanical continua are naturally and systematically derived under the consideration of Euler angles as angular coordinates and the negligence of conservation law of microinertia as well as the introduction of some new definitions. These results are more general than those balance equations and jump conditions as well as generalized Clausius-Duhem inequalities proposed by Eringen for nonlocal micropolar thermomechanical continua and more suitable to treat the problems of finite deformations. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Research Foundation of Liaoning Province.     

Polynomials and multilinear mappings in topological modules

Criteria for the equicontinuity of sets of multilinear mappings between topological modules are studied, as well as topological modules of continuous multilinear mappings. As a consequence, criteria for the equicontinuity of sets of homogeneous polynomials between topological modules are also studied, as well as topological modules of continuous homogeneous polynomials.     

A Product Theorem for Markov Chains with Application to PF-Queueing Networks

Queueing networks in random environments represent more realistic models of computer and telecommunication systems than classical product form networks. This is due to the fact that network behaviour often depends on human activities which may vary according to daytime dependent behavioural patterns as well as physiological and mental indexes. In this paper we establish a product connection theorem for Markov chains which contains some corresponding results for spatial processes as well as for queueing networks in random environment as special cases. We demonstrate how our results can be applied to construct an adequate model for wireless networks with hook up capacity.     

Natural co-ordinates for control applications

Natural coordinates have emerged to be well-suited for both rigid and flexible multibody dynamics. Especially the combination of structural elements and energy-momentum consistent time stepping schemes leads to superior numerical stability as well as an automatable assembly, resulting in both excellent run-time behaviour as well as moderate modelling effort (see [1]). Incorporation of modern methods for finite-element simulations, such as mortar methods for contact or domain decomposition both for structural elements as well as continuum elements is straightforward ([2]). Augmentation techniques allow a systematic integration of both mechanical and non-mechanical quantities for simulation (see [3] and [4]), which makes this approach suitable especially for emulation and simulation of mechatronic systems. We will present an approach for evaluating forward control strategies with flexible multibody systems. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Minimum standards for investment performance: A new perspective on non-life insurer solvency

The aim of this paper is to develop an alternative approach for assessing an insurer’s solvency as a proposal for a standard model for Solvency II. Instead of deriving minimum capital requirements–as is done in solvency regulation–our model provides company-specific minimum standards for risk and return of investment performance, given the distribution structure of liabilities and a predefined safety level. The idea behind this approach is that in a situation of weak solvency, an insurer’s asset allocation can be adjusted much more easily in the short term than can, for example, claims cost distributions, operating expenses, or equity capital. Hence, instead of using separate models for capital regulation and solvency regulation–as is typically done in most insurance markets–our single model will reduce the complexity and costs for insurers as well as for regulators. In this paper, we first develop the model framework and second test its applicability using data from a German non-life insurer.     

Reactions of ketones on oxide surfaces. II. Nature of the active sites of alumina

The nature of the active sites of alumina for the reaction of cyclohexanone was investigated by the introduction of selective poisoning agents both on the surface of the alumina as well as in the reactant itself. Thus additives which are basic in nature such as sodium ions, ammonia, pyridine, as well as acidic additives such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, cyclohexanol, and isoproponal were used. Dual acid-base sites seem to be responsible for the catalytic properties. The sites responsible for the aldol condensation reaction giving a dimer seem to be similar to those sites responsible for the formation of ethers from alcohols, while the sites responsible for the formation of cyclohexene from cyclohexanone seem to be similar to those sites responsible for the formation of a carboxylate species on the adsorption of alcohols on alumina surfaces. A mechanism is proposed for the reaction of cyclohexanone which does involve the intermediacy of cyclohexanol to account for the formation of cyclohexene.     

Frame quasi-uniformities

This paper presents an entourage-like theory of quasi-uniformities for frames. The theory comprises the theory of uniformities for frames as well as the classical theory of quasi-uniformities for spaces.     

Making use of social prototypes: From fuzzy concepts to firm decisions

Evidence suggestive of the ‘fuzzy’ structure of many natural language (as opposed to scientific) categories is reviewed. Examples are drawn from categorization schemes for objects, such as cars, fruit or tables, as well as for people, such as extroverts, hippies and ‘fraternity types’. It is argued that despite the fuzziness of natural categories, there is orderliness and utility to these concepts, as well. Specifically, natural categories are organized around prototypes, representative category members, which serve as reference points for the category. The identification of category members involves a prototype-matching process. Prototypes about ‘kinds of people’ can be very useful in decisions about people with whom to affiliate and places in which to live. This process was illustrated by reference to a case analysis of students' preferences for university housing. It was concluded that natural categories may well be fuzzy, but they are far from being dispensible.     

A Second Order Nonconforming Triangular Mixed Finite Element Scheme for the Stationary Navier-Stokes Equations

In this paper,a nonconforming triangular mixed finite element scheme with second order convergence behavior is proposed for the stationary Navier-Stokes equations.The new nonconforming triangular element is taken as approximation space for the velocity and the linear element for the pressure.The convergence analysis is presented and optimal error estimates of both broken H1-norm and L2-norm for velocity as well as the L2-norm for the pressure are derived.