On the inapproximability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis>: why two moments of job size distribution are not enough

The M/G/K queueing system is one of the oldest models for multiserver systems and has been the topic of performance papers for almost half a century. However, even now, only coarse approximations exist for its mean waiting time. All the closed-form (nonnumerical) approximations in the literature are based on (at most) the first two moments of the job size distribution. In this paper we prove that no approximation based on only the first two moments can be accurate for all job size distributions, and we provide a lower bound on the inapproximability ratio, which we refer to as “the gap.” This is the first such result in the literature to address “the gap.” The proof technique behind this result is novel as well and combines mean value analysis, sample path techniques, scheduling, regenerative arguments, and asymptotic estimates. Finally, our work provides insight into the effect of higher moments of the job size distribution on the mean waiting time.     

Time-dependent analysis of an <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis> / <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis> / <Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis> preemptive priority system with two priority classes

We analyze the time-dependent behavior of an M / M / c priority queue having two customer classes, class-dependent service rates, and preemptive priority between classes. More particularly, we develop a method that determines the Laplace transforms of the transition functions when the system is initially empty. The Laplace transforms corresponding to states with at least c high-priority customers are expressed explicitly in terms of the Laplace transforms corresponding to states with at most \(c - 1\) high-priority customers. We then show how to compute the remaining Laplace transforms recursively, by making use of a variant of Ramaswami’s formula from the theory of M / G / 1-type Markov processes. While the primary focus of our work is on deriving Laplace transforms of transition functions, analogous results can be derived for the stationary distribution; these results seem to yield the most explicit expressions known to date.     

On the equation Δ<Emphasis Type="Italic">u</Emphasis> + <Emphasis Type="Italic">q</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>)<Emphasis Type="Italic">u</Emphasis> = 0

Sufficient conditions for the blow-up of nontrivial generalized solutions of the interior Dirichlet problem with homogeneous boundary condition for the homogeneous elliptic-type equation Δu + q(x)u = 0, where either q(x) ≠ const or q(x) = const= λ > 0, are obtained. A priori upper bounds (Theorem 4 and Remark 6) for the exact constants in the well-known Sobolev and Steklov inequalities are established.     

On blocks with <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">B</Emphasis>)−<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">B</Emphasis>)=1

We use the method of local representation and original method of Brauer to study the block with K(B)−L(B)=1, and get some properties on the defect group and the structure of this kind of blocks. Then, we show that K(B) conjecture holds for this kind of blocks.     

On Analytic Campanato and <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">q</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis>) Spaces

We investigate the relation between analytic Campanato spaces \(\mathcal {AL}_{p,s}\) and the spaces F(p, q, s), characterize the bounded and compact Riemann–Stieltjes operators from \(\mathcal {AL}_{p,s}\) to \(F(p,p-s-1,s)\). We also describe the corona theorem and the interpolating sequences for the class \(F(p,p-2,s)\), which is the Möbius invariant subspace of the analytic Besov type spaces \(B_p(s)\).     

The stationary workload of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>/1 queue with impatient customers

We consider a G/M/1 queue in which the patience time of the customers is constant. The stationary distribution of the workload of the server, or the virtual waiting time, is derived by the level crossing argument. To this end, we obtain the expected downcrossings of a level in the workload process during a busy cycle and then the expected length of a busy cycle. For both the expectations, we use the dual property between the M/G/1 and G/M/1 queue.     

On common values of <Emphasis Type="Italic">φ</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">σ</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>). I

We show, conditional on a uniform version of the prime k-tuples conjecture, that there are x/(log x)^1+o(1) numbers not exceeding x common to the ranges of φ and σ. Here φ is Euler’s totient function and σ is the sum-of-divisors function.     

The state-dependent <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis> / <Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis> / 1 queue with orbit

We consider a state-dependent single-server queue with orbit. This is a versatile model for the study of service systems, where the server needs a non-negligible time to retrieve waiting customers every time he completes a service. This situation arises typically when the customers are not physically present at a system, but they have a remote access to it, as in a call center station, a communication node, etc. We introduce a probabilistic approach for the performance evaluation of this queueing system, that we refer to as the queueing and Markov chain decomposition approach. Moreover, we discuss the applicability of this approach for the performance evaluation of other non-Markovian service systems with state dependencies.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis><Superscript>1</Superscript>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">μ</Emphasis>) for vector-valued measure <Emphasis Type="Italic">μ</Emphasis>

Let μ be a measure from a σ-algebra of subsets of a set T into a sequentially complete Hausdorff topological vector space X. Assume that μ is convexly bounded, i.e., the convex hull of its range is bounded in X, and denote by L ¹(μ) the space of scalar valued functions on T which are integrable with respect to the vector measure μ. We study the inheritance of some properties from X to L ¹(μ). We show that the bounded multiplier property passes from X to L ¹(μ). Answering a 1972 problem of Erik Thomas, we show that for a rather large class of F-spaces X the non-containment of c ₀ passes from X to L ¹(μ).     

An <Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-approach for packing (<Emphasis Type="Italic">ℓ</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">w</Emphasis>)-rectangles into rectangular and <Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-shaped pieces

This paper presents an approach using a recursive algorithm for packing (?, w)-rectangles into larger rectangular and L-shaped pieces. Such a problem has actual applications for non-guillotine cutting and pallet/container loading. Our motivation for developing the L-approach is based on the fact that it can solve difficult pallet loading instances. Indeed, it is able to solve all testing problems (more than 20 000 representatives of infinite equivalence classes of the literature), including the 18 hard instances unresolved by other heuristics. We conjecture that the L-approach always finds optimum packings of (?, w)-rectangles into rectangular pieces. Moreover, the approach may also be useful when dealing with cutting and packing problems involving L-shaped pieces.     

Difference sets with <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 5<Emphasis Type="Italic"> p</Emphasis><Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">r</Emphasis></Superscript>

Let D be a (v, k, λ)-difference set in an abelian group G, and (v, 31) = 1. If n = 5p ^r with p a prime not dividing v and r a positive integer, then p is a multiplier of D. In the case 31|v, we get restrictions on the parameters of such difference sets D for which p may not be a multiplier.      

Systematic Construction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">q</Emphasis>-Analogs of <Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis>−(<Emphasis Type="Italic">v</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis>,λ)-Designs

In the present paper we consider a q-analog of t–(v,k,)-designs. It is canonic since it arises by replacing sets by vector spaces over GF(q), and their orders by dimensions. These generalizations were introduced by Thomas [Geom.Dedicata vol. 63, pp. 247–253 (1996)] they are called t –(v,k,;q)- designs. A few of such q-analogs are known today, they were constructed using sophisticated geometric arguments and case-by-case methods. It is our aim now to present a general method that allows systematically to construct such designs, and to give complete catalogs (for small parameters, of course) using an implemented software package. &nbsp; In order to attack the (highly complex) construction, we prepare them for an enormous data reduction by embedding their definition into the theory of group actions on posets, so that we can derive and use a generalization of the Kramer-Mesner matrix for their definition, together with an improved version of the LLL-algorithm. By doing so we generalize the methods developed in a research project on t –(v,k,)-designs on sets, obtaining this way new results on the existence of t–(v,k,;q)-designs on spaces for further quintuples (t,v,k,;q) of parameters. We present several 2–(6,3,;2)-designs, 2–(7,3,;2)-designs and, as far as we know, the very first 3-designs over GF(q).classification 05B05     

The critical group of <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis></Subscript> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>

In this paper, the structure of the critical group of the graph K _m × C _n is determined, where m, n ≥ 3.     

The smooth structure set of <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis><Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis></Superscript> × <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis><Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">q</Emphasis></Superscript>

We calculate \({\mathcal{S}^{{\it Diff}}(S^p \times S^q)}\), the smooth structure set of S ^p × S ^q , for p, q ≥ 2 and p + q ≥ 5. As a consequence we show that in general \({\mathcal{S}^{Diff}(S^{4j-1}\times S^{4k})}\) cannot admit a group structure such that the smooth surgery exact sequence is a long exact sequence of groups. We also show that the image of the forgetful map \({\mathcal{S}^{Diff}(S^{4j}\times S^{4k}) \rightarrow \mathcal{S}^{Top}(S^{4j}\times S^{4k})}\) is not in general a subgroup of the topological structure set.     

On the Crossing Number of <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis></Subscript> □ <Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>

Crossing numbers of graphs are in general very difficult to compute. There are several known exact results on the crossing number of the Cartesian products of paths, cycles or stars with small graphs. In this paper we study cr(K_m □ P_n), the crossing number of the Cartesian product K_m □ P_n. We prove that for m ≥ 3,n ≥ 1 and cr(K_m □ P_n)≥ (n − 1)cr(K_m+2 − e) + 2cr(K_m+1). For m≤ 5, according to Klešč, Jendrol and Ščerbová, the equality holds. In this paper, we also prove that the equality holds for m = 6, i.e., cr(K₆ □ P_n) = 15n + 3. Research supported by NFSC (60373096, 60573022).     

The commutation relation <Emphasis Type="Italic">xy</Emphasis>=<Emphasis Type="Italic">qyx</Emphasis>+<Emphasis Type="Italic">hf</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis>) and Newton’s binomial formula

Let x and y be two variables satisfying the commutation relation xy=qyx+hf(y), where f(y) is a polynomial. In this paper, using Young diagrams and generating functions techniques, we study the binomial formula (x+y) ⁿ and we present an identity for x ^m y. The connection to Operator Calculus is discussed and several special cases are treated explicitly.     

Equitable total coloring of <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> ⋁ <Emphasis Type="Italic">W</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>

The minimum number of total independent partition sets of V ∪ E of graph G(V,E) is called the total chromatic number of G denoted by χ _t (G). If the difference of the numbers of any two total independent partition sets of V ∪ E is no more than one, then the minimum number of total independent partition sets of V ∪ E is called the equitable total chromatic number of G, denoted by χ _et (G). In this paper, we obtain the equitable total chromatic number of the join graph of fan and wheel with the same order. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 10771091).     

A theorem of the alternatives for the equation |<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ax</Emphasis>| − |<Emphasis Type="Italic">B</Emphasis>||<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>| = <Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>

A theorem of the alternatives for the equation \({|Ax|-|B||x|=b\ (A,B\in{\mathbb{R}}^{n\times n},\, b\in{\mathbb{R}}^n)}\) is proved and several consequences are drawn. In particular, a class of matrices A, B is identified for which the equation has exactly 2 ⁿ solutions for each positive right-hand side b.     

Cycles in <Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis>-orbits in <Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis><Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">ℂ</Emphasis></Superscript>-flag manifolds

There is a natural duality between orbits of a real form G of a complex semisimple group G on a homogeneous rational manifold Z=G /P and those of the complexification K of any of its maximal compact subgroups K: (,) is a dual pair if is a K-orbit. The cycle space C() is defined to be the connected component containing the identity of the interior of {g:g() is non-empty and compact}. Using methods which were recently developed for the case of open G-orbits, geometric properties of cycles are proved, and it is shown that C() is contained in a domain defined by incidence geometry. In the non-Hermitian case this is a key ingredient for proving that C() is a certain explicitly computable universal domain.Research of the first author partially supported by Schwerpunkt Global methods in complex geometry and SFB-237 of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.The second author was supported by a stipend of the Deutsche Akademische Austauschdienst.     

The crossing number of <Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis> ▭ <Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript> for the graph <Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis> on six vertices

The crossing numbers of Cartesian products of paths, cycles or stars with all graphs of order at most four are known. The crossing numbers of G□C _n for some graphs G on five and six vertices and the cycle C _n are also given. In this paper, we extend these results by determining the crossing number of the Cartesian product G □ C _n , where G is a specific graph on six vertices.