A class of inventory models with customer impatience

Classical inventory models generally assume either no backlogging of demands or unlimited backlogging. This paper treats the case wherein backlogged customers are willing to wait for a random period of time for service. A broad class of such models is discussed, with a more complete analysis performed on a simple subclass. Steady state equations are derived and solved assuming exponentially distributed interarrival times of customers, order delivery lead times, and customer patience.     

Inventory control of by-products

The system to be controlled produces n products simultaneously in fixed proportions every time it is activated. Demands for the products in any period are components of an n dimensional vector random variable with known distribution function. Cases of excess demands backlogged and excess demands lost are considered. In the former the notion of k convexity can be generalized to guarantee relatively simple form for the optimal policy in an n decision problem. In the latter, this generalization was not successful although when there is no setup cost, a convexity argument can be used to show that the optimal policy has a simple form.     

Some estimates of reliability using interference theory

According to “interference theory” of reliability, a component fails if the maximum stress exceeds the component's strength. Assuming that both these quantities are random and their distributions are normal, we obtain in this paper some point and interval estimates of reliability when the stress distribution is known and a few observations exist on component strengths.     

Optimal interdiction of a supply network

Under certain conditions, the re-supply capability of a combatant force may be limited by the characteristics of the transportation network over which supplies must flow. Interdiction by an opposing force may be used to reduce the capacity of that network. The effects of such efforts vary for differing missions and targets. With only a limited total budget available, the interdictor must decide which targets to hit, and with how much effort. An algorithm is presented for determining the optimum interdiction plan for minimizing network flow capacity when the minimum capacity on an arc is positive and the cost of interdiction is a linear function of arc capacity reduction.     

The value statement

Frequently there exists an insufficient amount of actual data upon which to base a decision. In this paper a method is presented whereby the subjective opinions of a group of qualified persons are utilized to quantify the relative importance of a finite number of parameters or objectives. A means of testing the consistency among the judges is given which allows the decision maker to determine the validity of the opinions gathered. The application presented here is in the area of Multiple Incentive Contracting. Namely, a method is proposed to facilitate the answering of the question, “What is the value to the purchaser of an incremental change in the performance of a system?” Such a vehicle is not essential to the methodology proposed.     

Allocation of resources to randomly occurring opportunities

An allocation problem is considered in lvhich different kinds of resources must be allocated to various activities, within a given time period. The opportunities for allo'cation appear randomly during this period. Certain assumptions about the values of possible allocations and the distribution of occurrences of opportunities lead to a dynamic programming formulation of the problem. This leads to a system of ordinary differential equations which are (in theory) solvable recursively, and can be solved numerically to any desired degree of precision. An example is given for the allocation of aircraft-carried weapons to targets of opportunity.     

On queueing systems with variable service capacities

In some queueing systems the total service capacity utilized at any given time is a variable under the control of a decision maker. Management doctrines are examined which prescribe the actual service capacity as a function of the queue length and the recent history of the system. Steady state probabilities, expected queue lengths and frequencies of change in capacity are evaluated for a wide class of possible control schemes. Optimization procedures are outlined.     

测量聚合物在高应变率下力学性质的实验系统

本文介绍了一种用于测量材料在高应变率下单轴应力─应变性能的实验测量系统：落重与高速摄影实验系统。该系统在现有的落重装置的基础上,增加了高速摄影和应力过程的同时测量,使得在一次实验中可同时取到应力应变数据。从而避免了这类实验中常用的变形过程中体积不变的假设。通过高速实验提供的实验照片,我们还可以观察到聚合物在高应变率下从变形到断裂的发展过程。