Multiobjective fractional programming duality theory

Results of Geoffrion for efficient and properly efficient solutions of multiobjective programming problems are extended to multiobjective fractional programming problems. Duality relationships are given for these problems where the functions are generalized convex or invex.     

Estimating travel distances by the weighted lp norm

Empirical distance functions are used to estimate actual travel distances in a transportation network, to verify the accuracy of road mileage data, and to formulate continuous location models. In this article we consider the problem of fitting the weighted l_p norm to a given network. Mathematical properties are derived for two fitting criteria found in the literature. These properties are used to develop an accurate and efficient methodology to solve for the best-fitting parameter values. The directional bias of the l_p norm is analyzed for its effect on the range of search for the optimal p value. Concepts and methodology are applied to a case study of the road system in Southern Ontario. In conclusion, a general framework for other types of distance functions is briefly discussed.     

Parallel machine replacement

We consider the parallel replacement problem in which there are both fixed and variable costs associated with replacing machines. Increasing maintenance costs motivate replacements, and the fixed replacement cost provides incentive for replacing machines of different ages together in “clusters.” We prove two intuitive results for this problem. First, it is never optimal to split a cluster of like-aged machines, and second, it is never optimal to replace newer clusters before older clusters. By incorporating these two results into an algorithmic approach, we vastly reduce the amount of computation required to identify an optimal replacement policy.     

Optimal clustering: A model and method

Classifying items into distinct groupings is fundamental in scientific inquiry. The objective of cluster analysis is to assign n objects to up to K mutually exclusive groups while minimizing some measure of dissimilarity among the items. Few mathematical programming approaches have been applied to these problems. Most clustering methods to date only consider lowering the amount of interaction between each observation and the group mean or median. Clustering used in information systems development to determine groupings of modules requires a model that will account for the total group interaction. We formulate a mixed-integer programming model for optimal clustering based upon scaled distance measures to account for this total group interaction. We discuss an efficient, implicit enumeration algorithm along with some implementation issues, a method for computing tight bounds for each node in the solution tree, and a small example. A computational example problem, taken from the computer-assisted process organization (CAPO) literature, is presented. Detailed computational results indicate that the method is effective for solving this type of cluster analysis problem.     

Bayesian inference of survival curve from record-breaking observations: Estimation and asymptotic results

In a variety of industrial situations experimental outcomes are only record-breaking observations. The data available may be represented as X₁, K_1., X₂, K₂,…, where X₁, X₂,… are the successive minima and K₁, K₂, … are the number of trials needed to obtain new records. Samaniego and Whitaker [11, 12] discussed the problem of estimating the survival function in both parametric and nonparametric setups when the data consisted of record-breaking observations. In this article we derive nonparametric Bayes and empirical Bayes estimators of the survival function for such data under a Dirichlet process prior and squared error loss. Furthermore, under the assumptions that the process of observing random records can be replicated, the weak convergence of the Bayes estimator is studied as the number of replications grows large. The calculations involved are illustrated by adopting Proschan's [9] data on successive failure times of air conditioning units on Boeing aircraft, for our purpose. The nonparametric maximum likelihood estimators of the survival function for different choices of the prior are displayed for comparison purposes.     

Economic lot scheduling of fully loaded processes with external setups

Without restricting the class of permissible schedules, we derive optimal schedules for economic lot scheduling problems that are fully loaded, have external setups, and have only two products. The fully loaded condition accurately represents certain types of bottlenecks. We show that the optimal schedule must have the Wagner-Whitin property. We also develop a measure of aggregate inventory, derive an optimal steady-state aggregate inventory policy, and provide conditions under which the aggregate inventory level of an optimal schedule must approach a steady state. By restricting the class of permissible schedules to rotation cycle schedules, we extend these results to more than two products.