Formulations for dynamic lot sizing with service levels

In this article, we study deterministic dynamic lot‐sizing problems with a service‐level constraint on the total number of periods in which backlogs can occur over a finite planning horizon. We give a natural mixed integer programming formulation for the single item problem (LS‐SL‐I) and study the structure of its solution. We show that an optimal solution to this problem can be found in \begin{align*}\mathcal O(n^2\kappa)\end{align*} time, where n is the planning horizon and \begin{align*}\kappa=\mathcal O(n)\end{align*} is the maximum number of periods in which demand can be backlogged. Using the proposed shortest path algorithms, we develop alternative tight extended formulations for LS‐SL‐I and one of its relaxations, which we refer to as uncapacitated lot sizing with setups for stocks and backlogs. {We show that this relaxation also appears as a substructure in a lot‐sizing problem which limits the total amount of a period's demand met from a later period, across all periods.} We report computational results that compare the natural and extended formulations on multi‐item service‐level constrained instances. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2013     

备件需求过程的MAP数据拟合算法研究

为了将备件需求过程表示为马尔可夫到达过程(Markovian arrival process, MAP)形式,设计了备件需求到达流的MAP拟合算法.首先,采用EM算法将备件需求到达间隔时间拟合成Hyper-Erlang分布形式,然后利用MAP性质和Bayes公式推导出生成元矩阵的计算公式;随后设计了一个完整的数据拟合流程,并通过实例对算法的效果和效率与已有研究进行了对比.结果表明,该算法在确保拟合效果的同时,能够有效提升拟合效率.     

WinCC在数字化油库监控系统中的应用

为适应油库数字化建设需要,解决油库监控中区域分散、设备点多、监控面广导致的数据采集和统一管理较为困难、系统实时性差、可靠性低等问题,设计了基于WinCC的数字化油库监控系统。该设计应用OPC技术实现与控制器的数据交互,利用用户归档和变量归档,有效实现数据库的建立、查询和修改,克服了软件编程中与现场设备通信复杂和一般组态软件数据管理较差的缺陷,大大缩短了系统开发周期,使系统操作方便,界面友好美观,维护简单快捷,可广泛应用于油库监控。     

Due‐window assignment with unit processing‐time jobs

In due‐window assignment problems, jobs completed within a designated time interval are regarded as being on time, whereas early and tardy jobs are penalized. The objective is to determine the location and size of the due‐window, as well as the job schedule. We address a common due‐window assignment problem on parallel identical machines with unit processing time jobs. We show that the number of candidate values for the optimal due‐window starting time and for the optimal due‐window completion time are bounded by 2. We also prove that the starting time of the first job on each of the machines is either 0 or 1, thus introducing a fairly simple, constant‐time solution for the problem. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004     

Optimal path finding in direction,location, and time dependent environments

This article examines optimal path finding problems where cost function and constraints are direction, location, and time dependent. Recent advancements in sensor and data‐processing technology facilitate the collection of detailed real‐time information about the environment surrounding a ground vehicle, an airplane, or a naval vessel. We present a navigation model that makes use of such information. We relax a number of assumptions from existing literature on path‐finding problems and create an accurate, yet tractable, model suitable for implementation for a large class of problems. We present a dynamic programming model which integrates our earlier results for direction‐dependent, time and space homogeneous environment, and consequently, improves its accuracy, efficiency, and run‐time. The proposed path finding model also addresses limited information about the surrounding environment, control‐feasibility of the considered paths, such as sharpest feasible turns a vehicle can make, and computational demands of a time‐dependent environment. To demonstrate the applicability and performance of our path‐finding algorithm, computational experiments for a short‐range ship routing in dynamic wave‐field problem are presented. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2012     

Partial equilibrium in risk‐based production decisions

Characteristically, a small subset of operational problems admit risk neutrality when contingent claims methodology were used in their analysis. That is, for the majority of manufacturing and production problems, operating cash flows are not directly linked to prices of traded assets. However, to the extent that correlations can be estimated, the methodology's applicability to a broader set of operational problems is supported. Our article addresses this issue with the objective of extending the use of contingent claims techniques to a larger set of operational problems. In broad terms, this objective entails a partial equilibrium approach to the problem of valuing uncertain cash flows. To this end, we assume risk aversion and cast our approach within Merton's intertemporal capital asset pricing model. In this context, we formulate a “generic” production valuation model that is framed as an exercise in stochastic optimal control. The model is versatile in its characterization and can easily be adapted to accommodate a wide‐ranging set of risk‐based operational problems where the underlying sources of uncertainty are not traded. To obtain results, the model is recast as a stochastic dynamic program to be solved numerically. The article addresses a number of fundamental issues in the analysis risk based decision problems in operations. First, in the approach provided, decisions are analyzed under a properly defined risk structure. Second, the process of analysis leads to suitably adjusted probability distributions through which, appropriately discounted expectations are derived. Third, through consolidating existing concepts into a standard and adaptable framework, we extend the applicability of contingent claims methodology to a broader set of operational problems. The approach is advantageous as it obviates the need for exogenously specifying utility functions or discount rates.© 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2011     

一类有增益网络的最大流模型

一般带容量限制的网络图中流出源点与流入汇点的流量相等,但在实际应用中,存在一类流量经过弧发生变化的网络,使得流出源点与流入汇点的流量不相等。针对此类问题,建立了增益网络最大流模型,并通过增设虚弧将增益网络转换成循环网络,利用循环网络中汇点流量瞬间平衡的优点简化了模型。最后,结合实例进行分析,编写程序对实例进行了计算,计算结果验证了该模型的有效性。     

浅议行政执法责任制

行政执法责任制是依法行政的重要保障。当前实施行政执法责任制存在着一些问题,应从行政执法责任制的本质和操作规程、依法界定执法职责、建立评议考核机制等三个方面进行改革。     

论教学过程中的理性思维

教学过程本来是个理性的实践过程,但是,目前现实的情况确实存在一些非理性的现象和问题,影响教学过程的质量。本文从现实教学过程存在的非理性问题和现象,产生和形成的原因,以及如何进行理性思考和反思等方面进行分析,以提高教学的实效性、创新性。     

Contractual agreements for coordination and vendor‐managed delivery under explicit transportation considerations

We consider the coordination problem between a vendor and a buyer operating under generalized replenishment costs that include fixed costs as well as stepwise freight costs. We study the stochastic demand, single‐period setting where the buyer must decide on the order quantity to satisfy random demand for a single item with a short product life cycle. The full order for the cycle is placed before the cycle begins and no additional orders are accepted by the vendor. Due to the nonrecurring nature of the problem, the vendor's replenishment quantity is determined by the buyer's order quantity. Consequently, by using an appropriate pricing schedule to influence the buyer's ordering behavior, there is an opportunity for the vendor to achieve substantial savings from transportation expenses, which are represented in the generalized replenishment cost function. For the problem of interest, we prove that the vendor's expected profit is not increasing in buyer's order quantity. Therefore, unlike the earlier work in the area, it is not necessarily profitable for the vendor to encourage larger order quantities. Using this nontraditional result, we demonstrate that the concept of economies of scale may or may not work by identifying the cases where the vendor can increase his/her profits either by increasing or decreasing the buyer's order quantity. We prove useful properties of the expected profit functions in the centralized and decentralized models of the problem, and we utilize these properties to develop alternative incentive schemes for win–win solutions. Our analysis allows us to quantify the value of coordination and, hence, to identify additional opportunities for the vendor to improve his/her profits by potentially turning a nonprofitable transaction into a profitable one through the use of an appropriate tariff schedule or a vendor‐managed delivery contract. We demonstrate that financial gain associated with these opportunities is truly tangible under a vendor‐managed delivery arrangement that potentially improves the centralized solution. Although we take the viewpoint of supply chain coordination and our goal is to provide insights about the effect of transportation considerations on the channel coordination objective and contractual agreements, the paper also contributes to the literature by analyzing and developing efficient approaches for solving the centralized problem with stepwise freight costs in the single‐period setting. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2006