On contracts for VMI program with continuous review (r, Q) policy

Based on continuous review (r, Q) policy, this paper deals with contracts for vendor managed inventory (VMI) program in a system comprising a single vendor and a single retailer. Two business scenarios that are popular in VMI program are “vendor with ownership” and “retailer with ownership”. Taking the system performance in centralized control as benchmark, we define a contract “perfect” if the contract can enable the system to be coordinated and can guarantee the program to be trusted. A revenue sharing contract is designed for vendor with ownership, and a franchising contract is designed for retailer with ownership. Without consideration of order policy and related costs at the vendor site, it is shown that one contract can perform satisfactorily and the other one is a perfect contract. With consideration of order policy and related costs at the vendor site, it is shown that one contract can perform satisfactorily and the performance of the other one depends on system parameters.     

Reliability of a consecutive (r, s)-out-of-(m, n):F lattice system with conditions on the number of failed components in the system

A consecutive(r, s)-out-of-(m, n):F lattice system which is defined as a two-dimensional version of a consecutive k-out-of-n:F system is used as a reliability evaluation model for a sensor system, an X-ray diagnostic system, a pattern search system, etc. This system consists of m × n components arranged like an (m, n) matrix and fails iff the system has an (r, s) submatrix that contains all failed components. In this paper we deal a combined model of a k-out-of-mn:F and a consecutive (r, s)-out-of-(m, n):F lattice system. Namely, the system has one more condition of system down, that is the total number of failed components, in addition to that of a consecutive (r, s)-out-of-(m, n):F lattice system. We present a method to obtain reliability of the system. The proposed method obtains the reliability by using a combinatorial equation that does not depend on the system size. Some numerical examples are presented to show the relationship between component reliability and system reliability.     

Recursive algorithm for the reliability of a connected-(1, 2)-or-(2, 1)-out-of-(m, n):F lattice system

The connected-(1, 2)-or-(2, 1)-out-of-(m, n):F lattice system is included by the connected-X-out-of-(m, n):F lattice system defined by Boehme et al. [Boehme, T.K., Kossow, A., Preuss, W., 1992. A generalization of consecutive-k-out-of-n:F system. IEEE Transactions on Reliability 41, 451–457]. This system fails if and only if at least one subset of connected failed components occurs which includes at least a (1, 2)-matrix (that is, a row and two columns) or a (2, 1)-matrix(that is, two rows and a column) of failed components. This system is applied to two-dimensional network problems with adjacent constraints, and various systems, for example, a supervision system, etc.     

On properties of discrete (r, q) and (s, T) inventory systems

We consider single-item (r, q) and (s, T) inventory systems with integer-valued demand processes. While most of the inventory literature studies continuous approximations of these models and establishes joint convexity properties of the policy parameters in the continuous space, we show that these properties no longer hold in the discrete space, in the sense of linear interpolation extension and L^?-convexity. This nonconvexity can lead to failure of optimization techniques based on local optimality to obtain the optimal inventory policies. It can also make certain comparative properties established previously using continuous variables invalid. We revise these properties in the discrete space.     

Generalized composition operators from F(p, q, s) spaces to Bloch-type spaces

Let H(B) denote the space of all holomorphic functions on the unit ball B of Cⁿ. Let φ be a holomorphic self-map of B and g ∈ H(B) such that g(0) = 0. In this paper, we investigate the boundedness and compactness of the generalized composition operator

     

Soliton solutions for (2 + 1)-dimensional and (3 + 1)-dimensional K(m, n) equations

We consider the nonlinear dispersive K(m,n) equation with the generalized evolution term and derive analytical expressions for some conserved quantities. By using a solitary wave ansatz in the form of sech^p function, we obtain exact bright soliton solutions for (2 + 1)-dimensional and (3 + 1)-dimensional K(m,n) equations with the generalized evolution terms. The results are then generalized to multi-dimensional K(m,n) equations in the presence of the generalized evolution term. An extended form of the K(m,n) equation with perturbation term is investigated. Exact bright soliton solution for the proposed K(m,n) equation having higher-order nonlinear term is determined. The physical parameters in the soliton solutions are obtained as function of the dependent model coefficients.     

Composition operators from F(p, q, s) spaces to the nth weighted-type spaces on the unit disc

In this note we characterize the boundedness and compactness of the composition operator from the general function space F(p, q, s) to the nth weighted-type space on the unit disk, where the nth weighted-type space has been recently introduced by Stevo Stevi?.     

An inventory control system for products with optional components under service level and budget constraints

Modularization and customization have made enterprises face the multi-item inventory problems and the interactions among those items. A powerful, affordable information technology system can make the continuous review inventory policy more convenient, efficient, and effective. In this study, a (Q, r) model is developed to find the optimal lot size and reorder point for a multi-item inventory with interactions between necessary and optional components. In order to accurately approximate costs, the service cost is introduced and defined in proportion to the service level. In addition, the service cost and purchasing cost are taken simultaneously, and are treated as a budget constraint for executives to consider because the firm’s strategy could influence the choice of service level. The proposed model is formulated as a nonlinear optimization problem, as the service level is nonlinear. Thus, some known procedures are revised to solve this problem and the results are compared with other models. The results show that the revised procedure performs better than the N–R procedure, leading to important insights about inventory control policy.     

Exact solutions of nonlinear dispersive K(m, n) model with variable coefficients

The variable-coefficient Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation with additional terms contributed from the inhomogeneity in the axial direction and the strong transverse confinement of the condense was presented to describe the dynamics of nonlinear excitations in trapped quasi-one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensates with repulsive atom-atom interactions. To understand the role of nonlinear dispersion in this variable-coefficient model, we introduce and study a new variable-coefficient KdV with nonlinear dispersion (called vc-K(m, n) equation). With the aid of symbolic computation, we obtain its compacton-like solutions and solitary pattern-like solutions. Moreover, we also present some conservation laws for both vc-K⁺(n, n) equation and vc-K⁻(n, n) equation.     

The equivalence of curves in SL(n, R) and its application to ruled surfaces

The generating system of the differential algebra for invariant differential polynomials with two parametric curves is obtained. Conditions for the equivalence of two parametric curves families are given. We are also proved that the generating differential invariants of two parametric curves are independent. Finally, we reduce the SL(n, R)-equivalent problem for ruled surfaces to that of parametric curves.     

An algorithm for mean residual life computation of (n − k + 1)-out-of-n systems: An application of exponentiated Weibull distribution

In this paper, we establish an algorithm for the computation of the mean residual life of a (n − k + 1)-out-of-n system in the case of independent but not necessarily identically distributed lifetimes of the components. An application for the exponentiated Weibull distribution is given to study the effect of various parameters on the mean residual life of the system. Also the relationship between the mean residual life for the system and that of its components is investigated.     

A class of B-(p,r)-invex functions and mathematical programming

Invexity of a function is generalized. The new class of nonconvex functions, called B-(p,r)-invex functions with respect to η and b, being introduced, includes many well-known classes of generalized invex functions as its subclasses. Some properties of the introduced class of B-(p,r)-invex functions with respect to η and b are studied. Further, mathematical programming problems involving B-(p,r)-invex functions with respect to η and b are considered. The equivalence between saddle points and optima, and different type duality theorems are established for this type of optimization problems.     

A periodic-review inventory system with a capacitated backup supplier for mitigating supply disruptions

We consider a periodic-review inventory system with two suppliers: an unreliable regular supplier that may be disrupted for a random duration, and a reliable backup supplier that can be used during a disruption. The backup supplier charges higher unit purchasing cost and fixed order cost when compared to the regular supplier. Because the backup supplier is used at unplanned moments, its capacity to replenish inventory is considered limited. Analytical results partially characterize the structure of the optimal order policy: a state-dependent (X(i), Y(i)) band structure (with corresponding bounds of X(i) and Y(i) to be given), where i represents the status of the regular supplier. Numerical studies illustrate the structure of the optimal policy and investigate the impacts of major parameters on optimal order decisions and system costs.     

Graph convergence for the H(·, ·)-accretive operator in Banach spaces with an application

In this paper, a concept of graph convergence concerned with the H(·, ·)-accretive operator is introduced in Banach spaces and some equivalence theorems between of graph-convergence and resolvent operator convergence for the H(·, ·)-accretive operator sequence are proved. As an application, a perturbed algorithm for solving a class of variational inclusions involving the H(·, ·)-accretive operator is constructed. Under some suitable conditions, the existence of the solution for the variational inclusions and the convergence of iterative sequence generated by the perturbed algorithm are also given.     

A system of generalized variational inclusions involving generalized H(·, ·)-accretive mapping in real q-uniformly smooth Banach spaces

In this paper, we consider a class of accretive mappings called generalized H(·, ·)-accretive mappings in Banach spaces. We prove that the proximal-point mapping of the generalized H(·, ·)-accretive mapping is single-valued and Lipschitz continuous. Further, we consider a system of generalized variational inclusions involving generalized H(·, ·)-accretive mappings in real q-uniformly smooth Banach spaces. Using proximal-point mapping method, we prove the existence and uniqueness of solution and suggest an iterative algorithm for the system of generalized variational inclusions. Furthermore, we discuss the convergence criteria of the iterative algorithm under some suitable conditions. Our results can be viewed as a refinement and improvement of some known results in the literature.     

A modified (S − 1, S) inventory system for deteriorating items with Poisson demand and non-zero lead time

An inventory system is considered for continuous decaying items with non-zero lead time and stochastic demand when shortages are allowed and all unsatisfied demands are backlogged. In this research we consider orders as separate packages where replenishment is one-for-one and a modified base stock policy is applied. In this paper, a penalty cost is introduced for stochastic inventory models with decaying items when less than one unit of the product is delivered to the customers. The objective of the warehouse is to maximize his average profit. Since the concavity analysis of the model is extremely complicated, an upper bound is introduced and an algorithm is presented for finding the optimal solution. Finally, a numerical example is presented and sensitivity analysis is carried out for a number of important parameters.     

Special exact soliton solutions for the K(2, 2) equation with non-zero constant pedestal

Special exact solutions of the K(2, 2) equation, u_t + (u²)_x + (u²)_xxx = 0, are investigated by employing the qualitative theory of differential equations. Our procedure shows that the K(2, 2) equation either has loop soliton, cusped soliton and smooth soliton solutions when sitting on the non-zero constant pedestal lim_x→±∞u = A ≠ 0, or possesses compacton solutions only when lim_x→±∞u = 0. Mathematical analysis and numerical simulations are provided for these soliton solutions of the K(2, 2) equation.