Optimization of schedule stability and efficiency under processing time variability and random machine breakdowns in a job shop environment

The ability to cope with uncertainty in dynamic scheduling environments is becoming an increasingly important issue. In such environments, any disruption in the production schedule will translate into a disturbance of the plans for several external activities as well. Hence, from a practical point of view, deviations between the planned and realized schedules are to be avoided as much as possible. The term stability refers to this concern. We propose a proactive approach to generate efficient and stable schedules for a job shop subject to processing time variability and random machine breakdowns. In our approach, efficiency is measured by the makespan, and the stability measure is the sum of the variances of the realized completion times. Because the calculation of the original measure is mathematically intractable, we develop a surrogate stability measure. The version of the problem with the surrogate stability measure is proven to be NP‐hard, even without machine breakdowns; a branch‐and‐bound algorithm is developed for this problem variant. A tabu search algorithm is proposed to handle larger instances of the problem with machine breakdowns. The results of extensive computational experiments indicate that the proposed algorithms are quite promising in performance. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2011     

A spatial rank‐based multivariate EWMA control chart

Nonparametric control charts are useful in statistical process control when there is a lack of or limited knowledge about the underlying process distribution, especially when the process measurement is multivariate. This article develops a new multivariate self‐starting methodology for monitoring location parameters. It is based on adapting the multivariate spatial rank to on‐line sequential monitoring. The weighted version of the rank‐based test is used to formulate the charting statistic by incorporating the exponentially weighted moving average control scheme. It is robust to non‐normally distributed data, easy to construct, fast to compute and also very efficient in detecting multivariate process shifts, especially small or moderate shifts which occur when the process distribution is heavy‐tailed or skewed. As it avoids the need for a lengthy data‐gathering step before charting and it does not require knowledge of the underlying distribution, the proposed control chart is particularly useful in start‐up or short‐run situations. A real‐data example from white wine production processes shows that it performs quite well. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 59: 91–110, 2012     

Optimal pricing for a short life‐cycle product when customer price‐sensitivity varies over time

Technology products often experience a life‐cycle demand pattern that resembles a diffusion process, with weak demand in the beginning and the end of the life cycle and high demand intensity in between. The customer price‐sensitivity also changes over the life cycle of the product. We study the prespecified pricing decision for a product that exhibits such demand characteristics. In particular, we determine the optimal set of discrete prices and the times to switch from one price to another, when a limited number of price changes are allowed. Our study shows that the optimal prices and switching times show interesting patterns that depend on the product's demand pattern and the change in the customers' price sensitivity over the life cycle of the product. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2012     

基于调整型的战术导弹批检试验抽样方案设计

为通过批检试验准确检验导弹的质量,提出基于调整型的战术导弹批检试验抽样方案设计思路。调整型抽样检验方法的应用,可适时调整抽样方案的宽严程度,提高检验效率,并为订货方和生产方提供适当的风险保护,把抽样检验和导弹的质量变化联系在一起形成一个动态检验过程。     

中亚来华留学生汉语学习动机差异性分析

本文通过对新疆师范大学的中亚来华留学生学习动机进行调查,用差异性检验方法,从性别、学历方面进行数据统计分析,从而发现问题,得出结论,为留学生汉语学习动机问题的研究提供参考。     

Are non‐lethal weapons a viable military option to strengthen the hearts and minds approach in Afghanistan?

Commanders of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have repeatedly stressed the hearts and minds approach in Afghanistan, in saying that the human terrain is decisive for a successful outcome of the mission. Avoidance of civilian casualties is considered of strategic importance, and by nature highly dependent on the management of tactical level Escalation of Force (EoF) situations. Non‐lethal weapons (NLWs) are expected to enable tactical commanders to avoid innocent civilian casualties in such situations. This article considers a selected NLW on its potential to accomplish this requirement. It uses a defence technology assessment approach to analyse EoF situations experienced by Dutch ISAF forces in which the NLW is inserted. The analysis demonstrates that a range of contextual factors in the Afghanistan high‐risk environment tend to narrow down the window of opportunity for the NLW to help defuse the risk of unintended civil casualties.     

基于PC104总线的数字量变换器测试系统设计

本系统采用模块化设计思想,主要由PC104主板、FPGA及相应接口电路组成,实现对某型号数字量变换器的测试,可以向数字量变换器提供特定的数字信号源,并且可以接收数字量变换器发送的PCM码流,通过计算机软件进行数据显示、存储和分析。     

基于状态变换的数字电路冗余确认研究

以状态跳变图为基础,深入分析了冗余变换与非法变换的特征,提出结构冗余和功能冗余的概念,并讨论了可测故障、不可测故障和冗余之间的联系.最后结合验证和测试生成,提出状态冗余的隐含遍历确认策略.     

A computation procedure for the exact solution of location-allocation problems with rectangular distances

A method is presented to locate and allocate p new facilities in relation to n existing facilities. Each of the n existing facilities has a requirement flow which must be supplied by the new facilities. Rectangular distances are assumed to exist between all facilities. The algorithm proceeds in two stages. In the first stage a set of all possible optimal new facility locations is determined by a set reduction algorithm. The resultant problem is shown to be equivalent to finding the p-median of a weighted connected graph. In the second stage the optimal locations and allocations are obtained by using a technique for solving the p-median problem.     

雷达网抗干扰性能综合评估指标

如何对雷达网的抗干扰性能进行评估一直是国内外的研究热点之一。从雷达网的战术功能总体需求出发,指出可以根据雷达网在干扰前后的情报信息提供能力的变化来进行评估,然后结合对雷达网内部影响其抗干扰性能的各因素分析,并考虑到外场实际开展对雷达网抗干扰性能试验评估的需求,在现有评估指标的基础上,提出用于综合评估雷达网抗干扰性能的指标。