Multiproduct dynamic lot-sizing model with coordinated replenishments

In this article we consider a multiproduct dynamic lot-sizing model. In addition to a separate setup cost for each product ordered, a joint setup cost is incurred when at least one product is ordered. We formulate the model as a concave minimization problem over a compact polyhedral set and present a finite branch and bound algorithm for finding an optimal ordering schedule. Superiority of the branch and bound algorithm to the existing exact procedures is demonstrated. We report computational experience with problems whose dimensions render the existing procedures computationally infeasible.     

Book reviews

Red Banner: the Soviet Military System in Peace and War. By Christopher Donnelly. Jane's Information Group, Coulsdon, UK (1988), 288 pp., £35.00

Images of T. E. Lawrence. By S. E. Tabachnick and C. Matheson. Jonathan Cape, London (1988); The Letters of T. E. Lawrence. Edited by Malcolm Brown. Dent, London (1988); T. E. Lawrence. By J. Wilson. National Portrait Gallery Publications, London (1988); Lawrence and the Arab Revolts. By D. Nicolle. Osprey, London (1989)

Liddell Hart and the Weight of History. By John Mearsheimer. Brassey's, London (1989), £15.95

Science and Mythology in the Making of Defence Policy. Edited by Margaret Blunden and Owen Greene. Brassey's, London (1989), £27.50/$44.00

Warfare in the Twentieth Century. Edited by Colin McInnes and G. D. Sheffield. Unwin Hyman, London (1988), 239 pp., £25.00     

Landmarks in defense literature

The Face of Battle: by John Keegan. Jonathan Cape, London, 1976; Viking Press, New York, 1976; Penguin Books, Harmondsworth, 1978, 1983, 1984.     

On a large sample test for the traffic intensity in GI|G|s queue

A large sample test based on normal approximation for the traffic intensity parameter ρ in the cases of single and multiple-server queues has been proposed. The test procedure is developed without imposing steady-state assumptions and is applicable to queueing systems with general interarrival and service-time distributions.     

Minimizing mean absolute deviation of completion times about a common due date

We consider a single machine scheduling problem in which the objective is to minimize the mean absolute deviation of job completion times about a common due date. We present an algorithm for determining multiple optimal schedules under restrictive assumptions about the due date, and an implicit enumeration procedure when the assumptions do not hold. We also establish the similarity of this problem to the two parallel machines mean flow time problem.     

Heterogeneous discrete expenditure for diminishing returns

A probabilistic model is developed that applies to military bombardment, advertising for a mass audience, and other kinds of situations in which striking a target means that less of it is left to strike. The model provides the basis for decision analysis based on marginal gain in such circumstances. Heterogneous resources are considered as well as composite targets. All expenditures are quantized. The model has been developed as part of a computer-based military expert system, to replace a large complex set of expert opinions. In that application it sharply improves efficiency, yet conforms to major tenets of tactical doctrine.     

A characterization of the wald distribution

Suppose X is a random variable having an absolutely continuous distribution function F(x). We assume that F(x) has the Wald distribution. A relation between the probability density function of X⁻¹ with that of X is used to characterize the Wald distribution.