Jihad or qatal? Examining Al Qaeda's modus operandi

There is widespread acknowledgment that the modus operandi of jihadis affiliated with Al Qaeda and associated movements (AQAM) relies on brutal terror-inducing tactics which, more often than not, target Muslim and non-Muslim non-combatants. This article comparatively analyzes the AQAM modus operandi within the traditional stipulations of Islamic precepts with respect to waging jihad al saghir. The purpose is to glean whether or not such tactics such as suicide bombings, declaring fellow Muslim apostates in order to kill them, use of IEDs and EFPs to target civilians, constitute legitimate rules of engagement in jihad al saghir.     

On the classification gap in mathematical programming-based approaches to the discriminant problem

This article proposes a mathematical-programming-based approach to solve the classification problem in discriminant analysis which explicitly considers the classification gap. The procedure consists of two distinct phases and initially treats the classification gap as a fuzzy set in which the classification rule is not yet established. The nature of the classification gap is examined and a variety of methods are discussed which can be applied to identify the most appropriate classification rule over the fuzzy set. The proposed methodology has several potential advantages. First, it offers a more refined approach to the classification problem, facilitating careful analysis of the fuzzy region where the classification decision may not be obvious. Secondly, the two-phase approach enables the analysis of larger data sets when using computer-intensive procedures such as mixed-integer programming. Finally, because of the restricted choice of separating hyperplanes in phase 2, the approach appears to be more robust than other classification techniques with respect to outlier-contaminated data conditions. The robustness issue and computational advantage of our proposed methodology are illustrated using a limited simulation experiment.     

Coordination mechanisms for a three‐stage reverse supply chain to increase profitable returns

In this article, we consider a generic electronic product that can be remanufactured or recycled at the end of its life cycle to generate new profit. We first describe the product return process and then present a customer segmentation model to capture consumers' different behaviors with respect to product return so that the retailer can work more effectively to increase the return volume. In regard to the collaboration between the retailer and the manufacturer, we explore a revenue‐sharing coordination mechanism for achieving a win‐win outcome. The optimality and sensitivity of the critical parameters in four strategies are obtained and examined both theoretically and numerically, which generate insights on how to manage an efficient consumer‐retailer‐manufacturer reverse supply chain, as well as on the feasibility of simplifying such a three‐stage chain structure. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2013     

Min/max bounds for dynamic network flows

This paper presents an algorithm for determining the upper and lower bounds for arc flows in a maximal dynamic flow solution. The procedure is basically an extended application of the Ford-Fulkerson dynamic flow algorithm which also solves the minimal cost flow problem. A simple example is included. The presence of bounded optimal are flows entertains the notion that one can pick a particular solution which is preferable by secondary criteria.     

Estimating reliability of components with increasing failure rate using series system data

The maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) for a distribution function with increasing failure rate is derived, based on a collection of series system data. Applications can arise in industries where operating environments make available only such system-level data, due to system configuration or type-II censoring. The estimator can be solved using isotonic regression. For the special case in which systems contain one component, the estimator is equivalent to the restricted maximum likelihood estimator of Marshall and Proschan [9]. The MLE is illustrated using emergency diesel generator failure data from the nuclear industry. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 45: 115–123, 1998     

Constant risk aversion in stochastic contests with exponential completion times

This article analyzes a class of stochastic contests among multiple players under risk‐averse exponential utility. In these contests, players compete over the completion of a task by simultaneously deciding on their investment, which determines how fast they complete the task. The completion time of the task for each player is assumed to be an exponentially distributed random variable with rate linear in the player's investment and the completion times of different players are assumed to be stochastically independent. The player that completes the task first earns a prize whereas the remaining players earn nothing. The article establishes a one‐to‐one correspondence between the Nash equilibrium of this contest with respect to risk‐averse exponential utilities and the nonnegative solution of a nonlinear equation. Using the properties of the latter, it proves the existence and the uniqueness of the Nash equilibrium, and provides an efficient method to compute it. It exploits the resulting representation of the equilibrium investments to determine the effects of risk aversion and the differences between the outcome of the Nash equilibrium and that of a centralized version.© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 66:4–14, 2019     

A bivariate pareto model and its applications to reliability

We consider a bivariate Pareto distribution, as a generalization of the Lindley-Singpurwalla model, by incorporating the influence of the operating conditions on a two-component dependent system. The properties of the model and its applications to reliability analysis are discussed. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Allocation of resources to offensive strategic weapon systems

In this paper a very versatile game model is developed for use in the long range planning of our strategic force posture. This highly aggregate model yields optimal force mixes for the triad (land- and sea-based missile systems and bombers) under a variety of constraints. The model described here is a survivability model; however, it is shown how the model can still be used as a measure of overall system effectiveness. Constraints imposed on the problem include both SALT and budget limitations.