Scheduling with variable time slot costs

In this article, we study a class of new scheduling models where time slot costs have to be taken into consideration. In such models, processing a job will incur certain cost which is determined by the time slots occupied by the job in a schedule. The models apply when operational costs vary over time. The objective of the scheduling models is to minimize the total time slot costs plus a traditional scheduling performance measure. We consider the following performance measures: total completion time, maximum lateness/tardiness, total weighted number of tardy jobs, and total tardiness. We prove the intractability of the models under general parameters and provide polynomial‐time algorithms for special cases with non‐increasing time slot costs.© 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2010     

Multi‐item capacitated lot‐sizing problems with setup times and pricing decisions

We study a multi‐item capacitated lot‐sizing problem with setup times and pricing (CLSTP) over a finite and discrete planning horizon. In this class of problems, the demand for each independent item in each time period is affected by pricing decisions. The corresponding demands are then satisfied through production in a single capacitated facility or from inventory, and the goal is to set prices and determine a production plan that maximizes total profit. In contrast with many traditional lot‐sizing problems with fixed demands, we cannot, without loss of generality, restrict ourselves to instances without initial inventories, which greatly complicates the analysis of the CLSTP. We develop two alternative Dantzig–Wolfe decomposition formulations of the problem, and propose to solve their relaxations using column generation and the overall problem using branch‐and‐price. The associated pricing problem is studied under both dynamic and static pricing strategies. Through a computational study, we analyze both the efficacy of our algorithms and the benefits of allowing item prices to vary over time. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2010     

Equivalent accelerated life testing plans for log‐location‐scale distributions

Accelerated life testing (ALT) is widely used to determine the failure time distribution of a product and the associated life‐stress relationship in order to predict the product's reliability under normal operating conditions. Many types of stress loadings such as constant‐stress, step‐stress and cyclic‐stress can be utilized when conducting ALT. Extensive research has been conducted on the analysis of ALT data obtained under a specified stress loading. However, the equivalency of ALT experiments involving different stress loadings has not been investigated. In this article, a log‐location‐scale distribution under Type I censoring is considered in planning ALT. An idea is provided for the equivalency of various ALT plans involving different stress loadings. Based on this idea, general equivalent ALT plans and some special types of equivalent ALT plans are explored. For demonstration, a constant‐stress ALT and a ramp‐stress ALT for miniature lamps are presented and their equivalency is investigated. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2010     

The one‐warehouse multiretailer problem with an order‐up‐to level inventory policy

We consider a two‐level system in which a warehouse manages the inventories of multiple retailers. Each retailer employs an order‐up‐to level inventory policy over T periods and faces an external demand which is dynamic and known. A retailer's inventory should be raised to its maximum limit when replenished. The problem is to jointly decide on replenishment times and quantities of warehouse and retailers so as to minimize the total costs in the system. Unlike the case in the single level lot‐sizing problem, we cannot assume that the initial inventory will be zero without loss of generality. We propose a strong mixed integer program formulation for the problem with zero and nonzero initial inventories at the warehouse. The strong formulation for the zero initial inventory case has only T binary variables and represents the convex hull of the feasible region of the problem when there is only one retailer. Computational results with a state‐of‐the art solver reveal that our formulations are very effective in solving large‐size instances to optimality. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2010     

基于状态观测器的混沌系统鲁棒同步设计

研究了在有界干扰情况下一类非线性反馈混沌系统的鲁棒同步状态观测器设计问题。基于Sylvester矩阵方程的参数化解,将非线性反馈混沌系统的鲁棒同步状态观测器设计问题转化为带有约束条件的优化问题,通过解决该优化问题得到鲁棒同步状态观测器的增益矩阵,从而达到了干扰信号解耦目的。数值算例及其仿真结果表明:该非线性反馈混沌系统的鲁棒同步状态观测器的设计方法是简单有效的。     

六角形石墨烯的输运性质研究

研究六角形石墨烯纳米结构的量子输运性质,利用基于紧束缚近似的非平衡格林函数方法计算得到体系的透射系数。由于透射率强烈地依赖于所研究区域的结构,可以看到,体系的透射率随电子能量变化发生剧烈的扰动,并得到了一些有用的结论,并且我们认为,这些结论对于未来的纳米器件设计具有指导意义。     

Country Survey XIII: Japan's security posture and defense industry prospects

Defense budgets in Japan have been complicated compromises from numerous inputs ‐ including threat perceptions, domestic industrial/technological base development, support for the bilateral security treaty with the United States and internal bureaucratic politics ‐ but with the fall of the former Soviet Union, the clearest justification for higher spending disappeared. Double‐digit defense spending increases that were common in the 1980s have been replaced by annual increases lower than present inflation rates, resulting in negative real growth in the country's defense budget. Domestic economic problems and consistent government pressures for smaller budgets have further slowed annual growth in total spending and have contributed to lower procurement budgets. As a result, the domestic Japanese defense industry is facing far more constrained conditions from the growth years of a decade before.

Government policymakers are examining Japan's regional security environment as well as its alliance with the United States to determine the appropriate course for the country to take in the coming years. The formal security treaty with the United States is likely to remain a major element of government positions, but other aspects of the country's overall security posture are open to debate. Perceptions of a reduced threat environment are fueling additional pressures for defense budget cuts.

The domestic defense industry seeks means to assure its survival in domestic defense markets in this constrained environment. Expansion into overseas markets to offset declining domestic markets is an option that currently is constrained by policy restrictions on arms exports. Industry is advocating re‐examination of those policies and unlike earlier years, government appears willing to respond positively but cautiously to this lobbying.     

基于IRT的自适应学习管理系统设计

从新一代网络教育标准体系的架构入手,结合学习管理系统标准,提出了用标准格式绑定学习单元的方法,并且结合项目反应理论,实现了自适应学习管理和跟踪。标准化的结构设计有利于教育资源在不同系统间的交互、共享和重用,而自适应的学习跟踪使得远程网络教育过程更符合人的学习规律,能够有效地提高学习效率.     

基于改进卡尔曼滤波方法的机动目标跟踪研究

针对在机动目标跟踪中当目标作高度机动飞行时卡尔曼滤波可能会出现严重发散的情况,提出利用BP神经网络校正其滤波结果,并将遗传算法应用于BP网络的训练过程,以解决BP网络训练速度慢的缺陷,提高算法的实时性。仿真表明该方法是可行的、有效的。     

Worldwide military spending, 1990–95

The decline in military spending that began in the mid‐1980s continued through 1995, and this decline was widespread both geographically and by level of development. Cuts in military spending appear to have potentially important implications for non‐military spending and fiscal adjustment. In contrast to findings for previous periods, military spending has declined more than proportionately in those countries that have reduced total spending. Countries with Fund programs have reduced military spending more sharply than other developing countries, largely reflecting outcomes in the transition economies. Further, military spending appears to have been less resilient in program countries than other developing countries.