Controlling rates in a double queue

A double-ended queue with a Poisson arrival pattern is examined in a situation where the rates depend (in a restricted sense) on both the time and the state of the system. Under some circumstances, the rates can be controlled. This article studies the distribution of the difference in queue sizes for each member of a large class of control strategies and introduces the problem of determining the optimal times at which the control should be in effect in order to maximize certain objective functions.     

Political Scientists and Historians in Search of the Bomb

Britain's failure to cut military commitments in spite of escalating defence costs was not the result of blocking policies by disgruntled services. Rather, there was no determination among Whitehall's political departments to cut commitments even before the service departments could obstruct a decision on force levels. The Conservative governments under Macmillan and Douglas‐Home showed a propensity for substantial force reductions in Europe rather than in out‐of NATO areas. This remained London's long‐term aim even after it had been accepted to build up British troops in Europe to agreed force levels. During Alec Douglas‐Home's premiership Britain's global military role, especially east of Suez, gained a greater significance. An Anglo‐American military axis operating in the Far East and the Indian Ocean became a prominent feature. Ultimately, Anglo‐American military interdependence outside NATO was to ensure that Britain would be able to pursue a policy with more room for independent action.