Application of Markov renewal theory and semi-Markov decision processes in maintenance modeling and optimization of multi-unit systems

In this paper, a condition-based maintenance model for a multi-unit production system is proposed and analyzed using Markov renewal theory. The units of the system are subject to gradual deterioration, and the gradual deterioration process of each unit is described by a three-state continuous time homogeneous Markov chain with two working states and a failure state. The production rate of the system is influenced by the deterioration process and the demand is constant. The states of the units are observable through regular inspections and the decision to perform maintenance depends on the number of units in each state. The objective is to obtain the steady-state characteristics and the formula for the long-run average cost for the controlled system. The optimal policy is obtained using a dynamic programming algorithm. The result is validated using a semi-Markov decision process formulation and the policy iteration algorithm. Moreover, an analytical expression is obtained for the calculation of the mean time to initiate maintenance using the first passage time theory.     

基于在线学习的频谱感知次序策略*

认知无线电允许次级用户在频谱没有被主用户使用时动态地接入频谱进行数据传输。动态频谱接入是解决无线电频谱资源短缺和使用效率低下问题的有效方案,而频谱感知是实现动态频谱接入的关键挑战之一。次级用户的感知能力有限,为了快速找到频谱空闲概率最大的频段从而获得更多的频谱接入机会,研究了频谱感知次序问题。考虑到频谱空闲概率会随时间变化且对次级用户不可知,提出了一个在线学习框架,把频谱感知次序问题规约成经典多摇臂赌博机问题,并利用在线学习方法——满意折现汤普森抽样算法(satisficing discounted Thompson sampling)处理优化问题。仿真结果表明,和其他算法相比,所提算法可获得更多的频谱接入机会并且能够跟踪频谱空闲概率的变化。     

Military Spending,Conflict and External Debt in Sub-Saharan Africa

The damaging economic effects of the debt crises on Africa in the late 1980s encouraged considerable research on the determinants of external debt in developing economies. Although sub-Saharan Africa's (SSA) debt was cut by two-thirds by 2008, through two debt relief programmes, debt in the region has since been rising at an increasingly rapid pace. This study provides an empirical analysis of the determinants of external debt in SSA over the period 1960–2016, using dynamic panel methods. It also considers two potentially important factors that have received relatively little attention. One is military spending, rarely considered, despite a number of well-publicised scandals over the procurement of unnecessary and expensive high-tech weapons systems. A second, is the possibility that the countries studied have been involved in conflict. The empirical results point to a positive impact of military spending on external debt, but with some evidence of heterogeneity across the countries. Furthermore, findings indicate that the positive effect of military expenditure on debt becomes more marked in countries that have been affected by conflict. These results imply that policies to improve security and reduce military spending could be beneficial in reducing external debt and, potentially, improving economic performance in the region.     

Dynamic institutionalization: the foundations of Japan’s radioactive problem

Many have suggested that the true purpose behind Japan’s development of a closed nuclear-fuel cycle is to maintain the technical potential to develop nuclear weapons. However, closer examination of the development of Japan’s nuclear industry shows that, although Japan possesses advanced nuclear technologies, there has been no deliberate strategy to create a nuclear-weapon option. There is no “nuclear hedge.” To illustrate this point, this article presents a framework called “dynamic institutionalization” to explain the origins of Japan’s nuclear policies and the different sets of institutionalized pressures and constraints that have perpetuated these policies over time. Japan’s continued development of closed fuel-cycle technologies is primarily driven by domestic politics and the lack of a permanent spent-fuel management solution. On the other hand, Japan’s institutionalized nuclear forbearance is driven by the calculation that, as long as US extended deterrence remains credible, Japan’s security is best guaranteed through reliance on the US nuclear umbrella. By analytically untangling the policy of closed fuel-cycle development from the rationale for nuclear forbearance, this article provides a more nuanced view of the relationships between the domestic and international variables shaping Japan’s nuclear policies.     

Natural gas storage valuation and optimization: A real options application

In this article, we present an algorithm for the valuation and optimal operation of natural gas storage facilities. Real options theory is used to derive nonlinear partial‐integro‐differential equations (PIDEs), the solution of which give both valuation and optimal operating strategies for these facilities. The equations are designed to incorporate a wide class of spot price models that can exhibit the same time‐dependent, mean‐reverting dynamics, and price spikes as those observed in most energy markets. Particular attention is paid to the operational characteristics of real storage units. These characteristics include working gas capacities, variable deliverability and injection rates, and cycling limitations. We illustrate the model with a numerical example of a salt cavern storage facility that clearly shows how a gas storage facility is like a financial straddle with both put and call properties. Depending on the amount of gas in storage the relative influence of the put and call components vary. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 2009     

AIP潜艇位置基准点问题研究

位置基准点问题是常规动力潜艇战术研究中的一个重要问题.由于具有两种不同的水下航行动力,AIP潜艇位置基准点问题与普通柴电潜艇的位置基准点问题具有很大的不同.给出了AIP潜艇的位置基准点问题的数学描述,在对问题进行分析的基础上,给出了AIP潜艇位置基准点问题的一个取值范围及相应的计算方法,所采用的理论和技术包括二人零和对策、最优控制以及动态规划.最后,通过计算实例对所给理论的正确性,算法的合理性及效率进行了验证.     

基于LBDL逻辑的抗DPA攻击电路设计方法

动态差分逻辑是一种典型的电路级差分功耗攻击(DPA)防护技术.这种技术通过使逻辑门保持恒定的翻转率来降低电路功耗与数据信号之间的相关性.介绍了一种新型的、基于查找表(Look-Up-Table,LUT)结构的动态差分逻辑(LBDL),以及基于这种逻辑的集成电路设计方法.该设计方法仅需在传统的半定制设计流程中添加少量的替换操作就可以实现 ,因而比其他完全需要全定制设计的动态差分逻辑具有更好的实用性.而相对同样适用于半定制实现的动态差分逻辑 WDDL(Wave Dynamic Differential Logic),LBDL逻辑解决了逻辑门翻转时刻与数据信号之间的相关性,从而比WDDL逻辑具有更好的功耗恒定性.实验结果表明,该设计方法能够有效实现具有抗DPA攻击性能的电路.     

改进的Euler方法应用于非线性方程求根

本文通过引入动力系统,将改进的Euler方法应用于非线性方程求根问题,给出非线性方程求根的预估-再校正迭代格式,证明了该格式至少二阶收敛并可以调节参数达到超收敛。最后给出数值实验,数值结果验证了算法的有效性。     

基于ADAMS和Matlab的大口径舰炮发射系统动力学仿真

利用ADAMS和Matlab/Simulink两大软件的信息交互功能,将ADAMS中的全炮动力学仿真模型生成ADAMS_SUB模块,并将其嵌入联合后坐系统仿真模型中;通过ADAMS和 Matlab/Simulink同步运行对全炮进行发射动力学联合仿真,模拟大口径舰炮发射的全过程,分析全炮的动态响应.对全炮发射动力学联合仿真结果进行后处理分析,观察炮口扰动曲线,进行稳定性分析和炮口扰动分析.根据分析结果,对所建模型及仿真模块进行评价,结果表明,仿真结果与靶场试验数据基本吻合,为物理样机的研制提供了重要的理论参考依据.     

MADM中不同属性的规范化研究

不同属性值的规范化是多属性决策问题中的重要过程.提出了一种属性值作为点到优区间和劣区间的距离的定义,依据该定义得到了属性值规范化新方法,并通过实例证明了新规范化方法的有效性.