Analytic solution for the nucleolus of a three‐player cooperative game

The nucleolus solution for cooperative games in characteristic function form is usually computed numerically by solving a sequence of linear programing (LP) problems, or by solving a single, but very large‐scale, LP problem. This article proposes an algebraic method to compute the nucleolus solution analytically (i.e., in closed‐form) for a three‐player cooperative game in characteristic function form. We first consider cooperative games with empty core and derive a formula to compute the nucleolus solution. Next, we examine cooperative games with nonempty core and calculate the nucleolus solution analytically for five possible cases arising from the relationship among the value functions of different coalitions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2010     

An integer decomposition algorithm for solving a two‐stage facility location problem with second‐stage activation costs

We study a stochastic scenario‐based facility location problem arising in situations when facilities must first be located, then activated in a particular scenario before they can be used to satisfy scenario demands. Unlike typical facility location problems, fixed charges arise in the initial location of the facilities, and then in the activation of located facilities. The first‐stage variables in our problem are the traditional binary facility‐location variables, whereas the second‐stage variables involve a mix of binary facility‐activation variables and continuous flow variables. Benders decomposition is not applicable for these problems due to the presence of the second‐stage integer activation variables. Instead, we derive cutting planes tailored to the problem under investigation from recourse solution data. These cutting planes are derived by solving a series of specialized shortest path problems based on a modified residual graph from the recourse solution, and are tighter than the general cuts established by Laporte and Louveaux for two‐stage binary programming problems. We demonstrate the computational efficacy of our approach on a variety of randomly generated test problems. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2010     

A partial characterization of the optimal ordering/rationing policy for a periodic review system with two demand classes and backordering

We consider a finite horizon periodic review, single product inventory system with a fixed setup cost and two stochastic demand classes that differ in their backordering costs. In each period, one must decide whether and how much to order, and how much demand of the lower class should be satisfied. We show that the optimal ordering policy can be characterized as a state dependent (s,S) policy, and the rationing structure is partially obtained based on the subconvexity of the cost function. We then propose a simple heuristic rationing policy, which is easy to implement and close to optimal for intensive numerical examples. We further study the case when the first demand class is deterministic and must be satisfied immediately. We show the optimality of the state dependent (s,S) ordering policy, and obtain additional rationing structural properties. Based on these properties, the optimal ordering and rationing policy for any state can be generated by finding the optimal policy of only a finite set of states, and for each state in this set, the optimal policy is obtained simply by choosing a policy from at most two alternatives. An efficient algorithm is then proposed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2010     

求解非线性规划的小生境遗传模拟退火算法

提出了用小生境遗传模拟退火算法求解带复杂约束的非线性规划问题。首先分析了遗传算法＂早熟＂收敛以及局部搜索能力弱的不足,由此引入小生境以增加种群多样性,并抑制＂早熟＂收敛现象,同时引入模拟退火算法以增强局部搜索能力,改进进化后期收敛速度慢的不足,最后结合典型非线性规划算例验证了混合算法的效率、精度和可靠性。     

重型鱼雷的机动搜索及机动搜索弹道架构

针对潜射重型鱼雷在技术性能上的大幅提高和智能化作战的需要,在提出并分析鱼雷机动搜索概念和机动搜索时机的基础上,研究了远程重型鱼雷实现机动搜索在弥补发射平台目标定位误差、鱼雷发射后目标的有意机动和适应点对域攻击战法转变等作战环节中的必要性,构建了重型鱼雷机动搜索弹道的技术框架.     

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     

Designing and pricing menus of extended warranty contracts

Extended warranties provide “piece of mind” to a consumer in that product failures which occur after the base warranty expires are rectified at little or no cost. They also provide an additional source of revenue for manufacturers or third‐party providers, such as retailers or insurance providers, and help cultivate consumer loyalty. In this article, we analyze a number of extended warranty contracts which differ in design, including restrictions on deferrals and renewals. With the use of dynamic programming, we compute the optimal strategy for a consumer with perfect information and determine the optimal pricing policy for the provider given the consumer's risk characterization. We also provide insight into when different contracts should be issued. Finally, we illustrate how profits can be dramatically increased by offering menus of warranty contracts, as opposed to stand alone contracts, with the use of integer programming. Surprisingly, risk‐taking consumers provide the greatest benefit to offering menus. These insights can help a company develop a comprehensive warranty planning strategy for given products or product lines. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 2009     

一种基于0-1整数规划的全局数据分布优化方法

数据分布是影响并行程序在分布主存多处理机上执行性能的重要因素.针对分布主存多处理机中的数据分布问题,提出了一种基于0-1整数规划、利用数据变换技术进行有效数据分布的方法.该方法通过数据变换技术改变数据的存储布局,以使得数据能被有效地分布,并且该方法还利用数据分布图描述程序被并行的情况及其所含数组被访问的情况,并将全局数据分布优化问题转换为求解数据分布图中最优路径的问题,从而可用0-1整数规划求解最优路径问题.该方法能对多个嵌套循环中具有仿射数组下标的任意维数组进行有效的数据分布,并且也能使嵌套循环的并行度尽可能地大.另外,该方法也考虑了偏移常量的对准问题,从而能使数据通信量尽量地小.实验结果验证了该方法的有效性.     

信息中心网络缓存节点位置选择算法

信息中心网络（Information-Centric Networking, ICN）“泛在缓存”的特性,引发数据副本率过高、缓存空间不能充分利用等问题。为了解决上述问题,分别从用户、服务提供商和网络运营商的角度出发,以最小化网络流量与网络费用开销为优化目标建立两个单目标优化模型,并将二者结合为帕累托模型;基于帕累托求解方法中数学规划法的思想,详细描述缓存节点位置选择算法。仿真结果表明：在流量性价比方面,所提缓存节点选择算法优于ICN的默认缓存机制;在网络费用开销方面,所提算法更适用于只有少数内容较为流行的网络中,而在所有内容都流行的情况下,ICN中默认的“遍地缓存”机制更为适宜。