A network-DEA model with new efficiency measures to incorporate the dynamic effect in production networks

A production network can be described as a collection of production processes performed by several interdependent groups of sub decision-making units (SDMUs) within a DMU. Dynamic effects pertain to the situation where intermediate outputs consumed by one SDMU may also dynamically influence its output level in the future. Without considering these effects in efficiency measurement, we would obtain biased efficiency measurement, because the measure could not faithfully reflect the underlying performance. Hence the result would provide misleading information to decision-makers. This paper proposes a network-DEA model with new efficiency measures to systematically cope with the dynamic effect within a production network. Various interconnections between the new measure and the DEA-efficiency have also been established. Additionally, we also formalize the relationship between returns-to-scale properties of DMUs and those of its constituting SDMUs. This paper presents a unified framework to analyze performances in a dynamic production network.     

A model for fire propagation in arrays

Fire propagation through arrays of vertically mounted fuel elements is considered. Simple experiments and the work of Vogel and Williams [1] suggests a geometrical model for fire propagation from one element of the array to another. The advantages of a geometrical model are that an inclined base can easily be accommodated, and that a physical model for simulation of fire propagation naturally appears. From the former, a critical slope can be found beyond which heat transfer is no longer rate limiting.     

SVEIRS epidemic model with delays and partial immunization for internet worms

A delayed SVEIRS model for the transmission of worms in internet with partial immunization is proposed. The impact of the possible combination of the two delays on the model is investigated. By analyzing the corresponding characteristic equations and regarding the possible combination of the two delays as the bifurcation parameter, local stability of the endemic equilibrium and existence of local Hopf bifurcation at the viral equilibrium are addressed, respectively. Further, explicit formulas that determine direction and stability of the Hopf bifurcation are derived with the help of the normal form theory and the center manifold theorem. Finally, some numerical simulations are carried out to verify the obtained theoretical findings.     

Dynamic model of worms with vertical transmission in computer network

An e-epidemic SEIRS model for the transmission of worms in computer network through vertical transmission is formulated. It has been observed that if the basic reproduction number is less than or equal to one, the infected part of the nodes disappear and the worm dies out, but if the basic reproduction number is greater than one, the infected nodes exists and the worms persist at an endemic equilibrium state. Numerical methods are employed to solve and simulate the system of equations developed. We have analyzed the behavior of the susceptible, exposed, infected and recovered nodes in the computer network with real parametric values.     

A preferential attachment model with Poisson growth for scale-free networks

We propose a scale-free network model with a tunable power-law exponent. The Poisson growth model, as we call it, is an offshoot of the celebrated model of Barabási and Albert where a network is generated iteratively from a small seed network; at each step a node is added together with a number of incident edges preferentially attached to nodes already in the network. A key feature of our model is that the number of edges added at each step is a random variable with Poisson distribution, and, unlike the Barabási–Albert model where this quantity is fixed, it can generate any network. Our model is motivated by an application in Bayesian inference implemented as Markov chain Monte Carlo to estimate a network; for this purpose, we also give a formula for the probability of a network under our model.     

A simplex model for layered niche networks

The standing crop of correlations in metazoan communities may be assessed by an inventory of niche structures focused inward and outward from the physical boundaries of skin (self), gene‐pool (family), and meme‐pool (culture). We consider tracking the progression from three and four correlation layers in many animal communities, to five of six layers for the shared adaptation of most humans, with an attention‐slice model that maps the niche‐layer focus of individuals onto the 6‐variable space of a 5‐simplex. The measure puts questions about the effect, on culture and species, of policy and natural events into a common context, and may help explore the impact of electronically mediated codes on community health. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity, 2008.     

A discrete location model with fuzzy accessibility measures

In crisply defined discrete location problems, a number of facilities are to be located at specific points within an area, according to precisely quantified criteria. However in many location problems, especially those associated with social policies, non-crisply defined criteria are used such as, how ‘near’ or ‘accessible’ a facility is, or how ‘important’ certain issues are, etc. In these cases a fuzzy sets approach is more appropriate.This paper presents an application of the set partitioning (set covering with equality constraints) type of integer programming formulation to a discrete location problem with fuzzy accessibility criteria. The solution method suggested uses the symmetry of the objectives and the constraints introduced by Bellman and Zadeh.     

Fuzzy epidemic model for the transmission of worms in computer network

An e-epidemic SIRS (susceptible–infectious–recovered–susceptible) model for the fuzzy transmission of worms in computer network is formulated. We have analyzed the comparison between classical basic reproduction number and fuzzy basic reproduction number, that is, when both coincide and when both differ. The three cases of epidemic control strategies of worms in the computer network–low, medium, and, high–are analyzed, which may help us to understand the attacking behavior and also may lead to control of worms. Numerical methods are employed to solve and simulate the system of equations developed.     

A model for stochastic hybrid systems with application to communication networks

We propose a model for stochastic hybrid systems (SHSs) where transitions between discrete modes are triggered by stochastic events much like transitions between states of a continuous-time Markov chains. However, the rate at which transitions occur is allowed to depend both on the continuous and the discrete states of the SHS. Based on results available for piecewise-deterministic Markov process (PDPs), we provide a formula for the extended generator of the SHS, which can be used to compute expectations and the overall distribution of the state.As an application, we construct a stochastic model for on-off TCP flows that considers both the congestion-avoidance and slow-start modes and takes directly into account the distribution of the number of bytes transmitted. Using the tools derived for SHSs, we model the dynamics of the moments of the sending rate by an infinite system of ODEs, which can be truncated to obtain an approximate finite-dimensional model. This model shows that, for transfer-size distributions reported in the literature, the standard deviation of the sending rate is much larger than its average. Moreover, the later seems to vary little with the probability of packet drop. This has significant implications for the design of congestion control mechanisms.     

A mathematical model for the three-dimentional ocean sound propagation

A model is developed mathematically to represent sound propagation in a three-dimensional ocean. The complete development is based on characteristics of the physical environment, mathematical theory, and computational accuracy.While the two-dimentional underwater acoustic wave propagation problem is not yet solved completely for range-dependent environments,three-dimentional environmental effects, such as fronts and eddies, often cannot be neglected. To predict underwater sound propagation, one usually deals with the solution of the Helmholtz (reduced wave) equation. This elliptical equation, along with a set of boundary conditions including a wall condition at the maximum range, forms a well-posed problem, which is pure boundary-value problem. An existing approach to economically solve this three-dimensional range-dependent problem is by means of a two-dimensional parabolic partial differential equation. This parabolic approximation approach, within the limitation of mathematical and acoustical approximations, offers efficient solutions to a class of long-range propagation problems. The parabolic wave equation is much easier to solve than the elliptic equation; one major saving is the removal of the wall boundary condition at the maximum range. The application of the two-dimensional parabolic wave equation to a number of realistic problems has been successful.We discuss the extension of the parabolic equation approach to three-dimensional problems. This paper begins with general considerations of the three-dimensional elliptic wave equation and shows how to transform this equation into parabolic equations which are easier to solve. The development of this paper focuses on wide angle three-dimensional underwater acoustic propagation and accommodates as a special case prevoius developments by other authors. In the course of our development, the physical properties, mathematical validity, and computational accuracy are the primary factors considered. We describe how parabolic wave equations are derived and how wide angle propagation is taken into consideration. Then, a discussion of the limitations and the advantages of the parabolic equation approximation is highlighted. These provide the background for the mathematical formulation of three-dimensional underwater acoustic wave propagation models.Modelling the mathematical solution to three-dimensional underwater acoustic wave propagation involves difficulties both in describing the theoretical acoustics and in performing the large scale computations. We have used the mathematical and physical properties of the problem to simplify considerably. Simplications allow us to introduce a three-dimensional mathematical model for underwater acoustic propagation predictions. Our wide angle three-dimensional parabolic equation model is theoretically justifiable and computationally accurate. This model offers a variety of capabilities to handle a class of long-range propagation problems under acoustical environments with three-dimensional variations.     

Hopf bifurcation in a environmental defensive expenditures model with time delay

In this paper a three-dimensional environmental defensive expenditures model with delay is considered. The model is based on the interactions among visitors V, quality of ecosystem goods E, and capital K, intended as accommodation and entertainment facilities, in Protected Areas (PAs). The tourism user fees (TUFs) are used partly as a defensive expenditure and partly to increase the capital stock. The stability and existence of Hopf bifurcation are investigated. It is that stability switches and Hopf bifurcation occurs when the delay t passes through a sequence of critical values, τ₀. It has been that the introduction of a delay is a destabilizing process, in the sense that increasing the delay could cause the bio-economics to fluctuate. Formulas about the stability of bifurcating periodic solution and the direction of Hopf bifurcation are exhibited by applying the normal form theory and the center manifold theorem. Numerical simulations are given to illustrate the results.     

A deterministic model for the propagation of turbulent oscillations

The deterministic point of view on turbulent fluid motion is to consider the Cauchy problem for equations of Navier-Stokes type associated with large Reynolds numbers and with singular initial data. Although the corresponding mathematical study has a lot progressed, it remains limited by fundamental difficulties related to the presence of instabilities. Precisely, the purpose of this article is to show on a realistic two-dimensional model that, up to some extent, such instabilities can be managed. This is achieved in the framework of a supercritical nonlinear geometric optics. The aim is to provide a theory allowing to take into account the interaction of a large amplitude monophase oscillating wave with waves oscillating at smaller frequencies in the other direction. The effect is that very complicated phenomena can occur in the inertial range, including for instance the production of new scales.     

A new model for gas flow in pipe networks

We introduce a new model for gas dynamics in pipe networks by asymptotic analysis. The model is derived from the isothermal Euler equations. We present the derivation of the model as well as numerical results illustrating the validity and its properties. We compare the new model with existing models from the mathematical and engineering literature. We further give numerical results on a sample network. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new non-oriented model for classifying flexible measures in DEA

In conventional data envelopment analysis (DEA), measures are classified as either input or output. However, in some real cases there are variables which act as both input and output and are known as flexible measures. Most of the previous suggested models for determining the status of flexible measures are oriented. One important issue of these models is that unlike standard DEA, even under constant returns to scale the input- and output-oriented model may produce different efficiency scores. Also, can be expected a flexible measure is selected as an input variable in one model but an output variable in the other model. In addition, in all of the previous studies did not point to variable returns to scale (VRS), but the VRS assumption is prevailed on many real applications. To deal with these issues, this study proposes a new non-oriented model that not only selects the status of each flexible measure as an input or output but also determines returns to scale status. Then, the aggregate model and an extension with the negative data related to the proposed approach are presented.     

A propagation model of computer virus with nonlinear vaccination probability

This paper is intended to examine the effect of vaccination on the spread of computer viruses. For that purpose, a novel computer virus propagation model, which incorporates a nonlinear vaccination probability, is proposed. A qualitative analysis of this model reveals that, depending on the value of the basic reproduction number, either the virus-free equilibrium or the viral equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable. The results of simulation experiments not only demonstrate the validity of our model, but also show the effectiveness of nonlinear vaccination strategies. Through parameter analysis, some effective strategies for eradicating viruses are suggested.     

A curved exponential family model for complex networks

Networks are being increasingly used to represent relational data. As the patterns of relations tends to be complex, many probabilistic models have been proposed to capture the structural properties of the process that generated the networks. Two features of network phenomena not captured by the simplest models is the variation in the number of relations individual entities have and the clustering of their relations. In this paper we present a statistical model within the curved exponential family class that can represent both arbitrary degree distributions and an average clustering coefficient. We present two tunable parameterizations of the model and give their interpretation. We also present a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm that can be used to generate networks from this model.     

A mathematical model for the 3-dimensional ocean sound propagation

A mathematical model is developed to represent sound propagation in a 3-dimensional ocean. The complete development is based on characteristics of the physical environment, mathematical theory, and computational accuracy. An exact solution test is performed to examine the validity of the theoretical development. A real application is included to demonstrate the model's capability.     

A hybrid macroscopic-based model for traffic flow in road networks

Recently, the unquestionable growth of interest to increase the operational efficiency and capability of transportation systems led to the development of a large number of traffic modeling theories. One of the major operational issues when developing a transportation system management model lies in the selection of the appropriate methodological approach with respect to several decisions, such as the selection of the type of input and output data as well as the qualitative representation and the computational power of the model. Despite the considerable effort in the area, there is still not an approach which per se models effectively the various dynamically evolving features of traffic in road networks. The present paper addresses this issue by introducing a new hybrid approach which combines the complementary features and capabilities of both continuum mathematical models e.g. 1, 6, 23 and 26 and knowledge-based models e.g. 7, 22 and 28 in order to describe effectively traffic flow in road networks.     

Wave propagation in RTD-based cellular neural networks

This work investigates the existence of monotonic traveling wave and standing wave solutions of RTD-based cellular neural networks in the one-dimensional integer lattice . For nonzero wave speed c, applying the monotone iteration method with the aid of real roots of the corresponding characteristic function of the profile equation, we can partition the parameter space (γ,δ)-plane into four regions such that all the admissible monotonic traveling wave solutions connecting two neighboring equilibria can be classified completely. For the case of c=0, a discrete version of the monotone iteration scheme is established for proving the existence of monotonic standing wave solutions. Furthermore, if γ or δ is zero then the profile equation for the standing waves can be viewed as an one-dimensional iteration map and we then prove the multiplicity results of monotonic standing waves by using the techniques of dynamical systems for maps. Some numerical results of the monotone iteration scheme for traveling wave solutions are also presented.     

On a model for optical pulse propagation with saturation nonlinearity

We have suggested a new nonlinear equation for optical pulse propagation in the nonlinear medium with saturation type nonlinearity. The equation can be exactly analysed by Hirota's approach and we have studied the form of explicit one and two solition states.