Technical note: Finite-time regret analysis of Kiefer-Wolfowitz stochastic approximation algorithm and nonparametric multi-product dynamic pricing with unknown demand

We consider the problem of nonparametric multi-product dynamic pricing with unknown demand and show that the problem may be formulated as an online model-free stochastic program, which can be solved by the classical Kiefer-Wolfowitz stochastic approximation (KWSA) algorithm. We prove that the expected cumulative regret of the KWSA algorithm is bounded above by where κ₁, κ₂ are positive constants and T is the number of periods for any T = 1, 2, … . Therefore, the regret of the KWSA algorithm grows in the order of , which achieves the lower bounds known for parametric dynamic pricing problems and shows that the nonparametric problems are not necessarily more difficult to solve than the parametric ones. Numerical experiments further demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of our proposed KW pricing policy by comparing with some pricing policies in the literature.     

A multi‐stage stochastic programming approach for network capacity expansion with multiple sources of capacity

In networks, there are often more than one sources of capacity. The capacities can be permanently or temporarily owned by the decision maker. Depending on the nature of sources, we identify the permanent capacity, spot market capacity, and contract capacity. We use a scenario tree to model the uncertainty, and build a multi‐stage stochastic integer program that can incorporate multiple sources and multiple types of capacities in a general network. We propose two solution methodologies for the problem. Firstly, we design an asymptotically convergent approximation algorithm. Secondly, we design a cutting plane algorithm based on Benders decomposition to find tight bounds for the problem. The numerical experiments show superb performance of the proposed algorithms compared with commercial software. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 63: 600–614, 2017     

动态滑翔运动建模、机理分析与航迹优化

信天翁凭借动态滑翔的飞行技巧从梯度风中获取能量,从而在几乎不拍翅膀的情况下进行长时间、长距离飞行,这种技巧应用于小型无人机上可拓展其完成任务的能力。基于飞行器动力学对梯度风场中的无人机运动方程进行推导和简化处理;利用简化的运动方程,分别从非惯性参考系中的动能定理和机械能变化的角度,对动态滑翔获取能量的机理进行分析;利用微分平坦法,以最小平均控制输入变化率为目标函数,对徘徊模式和平移模式的动态滑翔航迹进行优化计算。分析结果表明:逆风爬升、顺风下滑是动态滑翔基本获能方式。优化结果表明:控制输入变得更加平滑,甚至出现阶段性的常值,使得控制更加简化;徘徊模式下,当风梯度作为决策变量时,优化过程可在[0,0.5 s-1]的区间上找到使得目标函数值最小的风梯度;平移模式下,目标函数值在该区间上单调递减。     

基于蜂群算法多子阵电台天线波束形成

考虑到战场环境下,低信噪比和敌方干扰容易造成超短波电台通信中断,而鉴于天线阵可以有效提高信噪比和抑制干扰,结合战场电台天线分布特点,提出一种多子阵电台天线应急接收模型。理论分析多子阵电台天线波束形成特性,以消除栅瓣、抑制干扰、提高增益为目标,采用蜂群算法对子阵间距进行优化。仿真结果表明,优化子阵间距可以有效消除栅瓣、抑制干扰、提高增益。同时,与遗传算法和粒子群算法相比,蜂群算法具有更好的全局搜索能力和收敛速度。该研究成果可为超短波电台应急通信提供参考。     

一种运用遗传算法确定船舶航向控制模糊规则的方法

为了克服船舶航向控制模糊规则确定过程中的盲目性,引入一种与之相适应的遗传算法,以使结果成为某种意义下的最优解,从而从根本上解决这一重要问题.文中运用Matlab的C语言MEX-文件技术,将遗传算法源代码与Matlab直接结合起来,利用后者的强大建模能力,建立起完整的仿真模型.仿真结果表明,船舶的航向控制能力得到明显改善.     

Merely ‘Docile Self-Deception’? German Experiences with Nuclear Consultation in NATO

ABSTRACT

Recent nuclear-weapons-related consultation in NATO within the framework of the Defence and Deterrence Posture Review sheds light on historical experiences with nuclear consultation in NATO. In the early years of the Nuclear Planning Group (NPG), which became the main forum for multilateral nuclear consultation in the alliance, developing a nuclear weapons first use doctrine was of particular importance. This process led to the adoption of the Provisional Political Guidelines (PPGs) on the threat to initiate the use of nuclear weapons. With a focus on West Germany as the primary addressee of the NPG, it will be postulated that nuclear consultation functioned and may still be seen as an essential tool to manage the credibility of US extended nuclear deterrence in the framework of NATO.     

SiC纤维表面CVD SiC涂层对其单丝强度的影响

采用化学气相沉积(CVD, Chemical Vapor Deposition)工艺在KD-I型SiC纤维表面制备了SiC涂层,选择2h、4h、6h和8h四个时间点研究了沉积时间对纤维性能的影响.结果表明:具有CVD SiC涂层的SiC纤维较无涂层的纤维来说强度有所下降;在所研究的沉积时间范围内,随着沉积时间的增加,涂层的厚度有所增加,涂层由不连续的岛状转变为连续层状,纤维的单丝强度出现了先升后降的趋势.     

As-IPDA算法的天波超视距雷达目标跟踪研究

天波超视距雷达(OTHR)具有低数据率、低检测概率和低量测精度特征对目标跟踪提出挑战.针对OTHR在低检测概率下跟踪目标存在失跟率高的问题,将As-IPDA算法应用到OTHR目标跟踪中,通过大量的仿真实例验证了As-IPDA算法在超视距雷达目标跟踪应用中的可行性,并分析了平滑步长、航迹存在性转移参数、目标检测概率对算法性能的影响,给出了算法参数选择建议,为工程应用提供理论参考.     

FMEA与粗糙集相结合的故障预测方法

基于FMEA和粗糙集决策系统基本理论,对飞机中分系统故障预测问题进行了研究。首先定义故障预测所需的征兆并对系统进行FMEA,按照FMEA分析结果分次向系统模型注入引起特定故障的事件,采集含有故障趋势的系统模型的信息用于构建适用于故障预测的粗糙集决策表,对该表进行了处理,最终发现用于故障预测的知识(即决策规则和算法);最后运用所发现的知识进行故障预测。     

饱和系统的线性最优容错不变集

针对饱和系统的容错控制问题,提出了一种D稳定约束下系统吸引域的估计方法。分别以不变集和参考集的容量为优化目标,给出了两个优化容错不变集的充分条件。为解决不变集优化中出现的双线性矩阵不等式(BMI)问题,通过构造包含线性矩阵不等式(LMI)的目标函数,将它转化为非线性规划的形式进行求解。通过一个仿真实例对该方法进行验证。