Multiple limit cycles in a continuous culture vessel with variable yield

Determining the number of limit cycles for a continuous culture vessel system is always useful in analyzing the system. We prove the conditions that guarantee there exist three limit cycles for the chemostat with variable yield that was first proposed by Huang [Limit cycles in a continuous fermentation model, J. Math. Chem. 5 (1990) 287–296] and by Pilyugin and Waltman [Multiple limit cycles in the chemostat with variable yield, Math. Boisci. 182 (2003) 151–166].     

Delay analysis of a two-class batch-service queue with class-dependent variable server capacity

In this paper, we analyse the delay of a random customer in a two-class batch-service queueing model with variable server capacity, where all customers are accommodated in a common single-server first-come-first-served queue. The server can only process customers that belong to the same class, so that the size of a batch is determined by the length of a sequence of same-class customers. This type of batch server can be found in telecommunications systems and production environments. We first determine the steady state partial probability generating function of the queue occupancy at customer arrival epochs. Using a spectral decomposition technique, we obtain the steady state probability generating function of the delay of a random customer. We also show that the distribution of the delay of a random customer corresponds to a phase-type distribution. Finally, some numerical examples are given that provide further insight in the impact of asymmetry and variance in the arrival process on the number of customers in the system and the delay of a random customer.     

The stress state of a plastic layer with a variable yield strength under a flat deformation

We study the stress state of a plastic layer with a variable yield strength in a strip under a flat deformation with a tensile load. We approximately calculate the first integrals of the system of plastic equilibrium equations, obtain an analog of the first Hencky theorem, and solve the conjugation problem for stresses on the contact boundary.     

Periodic solution of a chemostat model with variable yield and impulsive state feedback control

In this paper, a chemostat model with variable yield and impulsive state feedback control is considered. We obtain sufficient conditions of the globally asymptotical stability of the system without impulsive state feedback control. We also obtain that the system with impulsive state feedback control has periodic solution of order one. Sufficient conditions for existence and stability of periodic solution of order one are given. In some cases, it is possible that the system exists periodic solution of order two. Our results show that the control measure is effective and reliable.     

Simultaneous change point analysis and variable selection in a regression problem

In this paper, an information-based criterion is proposed for carrying out change point analysis and variable selection simultaneously in linear models with a possible change point. Under some weak conditions, this criterion is shown to be strongly consistent in the sense that with probability one, it chooses the smallest true model for large n. Its byproducts include strongly consistent estimates of the regression coefficients regardless if there is a change point. In case that there is a change point, its byproducts also include a strongly consistent estimate of the change point parameter. In addition, an algorithm is given which has significantly reduced the computation time needed by the proposed criterion for the same precision. Results from a simulation study are also presented.     

Optimal joint pricing and lot sizing with fixed and variable capacity

This paper examines previously unexplored fixed and variable capacity problems of jointly determining an item's price and lot size for a profit-maximizing firm facing constant but price-dependent demands over a planning horizon. We apply geometric programming to these constrained nonlinear maximization problems with nonconcave objective functions and obtain global optimal solutions. Using Kuhn-Tucker condition, marginal and sensitivity analyses, we investigate model interactions, provide managerial implications on the optimal capacity decisions, and explore the postoptimal behavior of the price, lot size, and capacity expansion and reduction size. Some findings cast interesting insights, different from previous just-in-time management studies without pricing consideration.     

Riesz basis generation and boundary stabilization of two strings connected by a point mass with variable coefficients

In this paper, we study the Riesz basis property and the problem of stabilization of two vibrating strings connected by a point mass with variable physical coefficients under a boundary feedback control acts at one extreme point and Dirichlet boundary condition on the other end. It is shown that the system has a sequence of generalized eigenfunctions which forms a Riesz basis for the state Hilbert space. By a detailed spectral analysis, it is proved that this hybrid system is asymptotically stable but not exponentially stable.     

Stress-strain state of two-way glass-reinforced plastics with allowance for resin yield point

The results of a theoretical study of the stress-strain state of a two-way glass-reinforced plastic under uniaxial load are presented. It is assumed that the reinforcing fibers are elastic up to failure, whereas the resin is elastic only at stresses below the yield point. It is found that with these assumptions the stress-strain curve is composed of three line segments.Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 55–58, 1965     

A variable dimension algorithm with the Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition for structured stationary point problems

Given a set ofR ⁿ and a functionf from intoR ⁿ we consider a problem of finding a pointx ^* in such that(x–x ^*) ^t f(x ^*)0 holds for every pointx in. This problem is called the stationary point problem and the pointx ^* is called a stationary point. We present a variable dimension algorithm for solving the stationary point problem with an affine functionf on a polytope defined by constraints of linear equations and inequalities. We propose a system of equations whose solution set contains a piecewise linear path connecting a trivial starting point in with a stationary point. The path can be followed by solving a series of linear programs which inherit the structure of constraints of. The linear programs are solved efficiently with the Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition method by exploiting fully the structure.Part of this research was carried out when the first author was supported by the Center for Economic Research, Tilburg University, The Netherlands and the third author was supported by the Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation, Federal Republic of Germany.     

Stability in nonlinear neutral integro-differential equations with variable delay using fixed point theory

The nonlinear neutral integro-differential equation $$\frac{d}{dt}x ( t ) =-\int_{t-\tau ( t ) }^{t}a ( t,s ) g \bigl( x ( s ) \bigr) ds+\frac{d}{dt}G \bigl( t,x \bigl( t-\tau ( t ) \bigr) \bigr) , $$ with variable delay τ(t)≥0 is investigated. We find suitable conditions for τ, a, g and G so that for a given continuous initial function ψ a mapping P for the above equation can be defined on a carefully chosen complete metric space $S_{\psi }^{0}$ in which P possesses a unique fixed point. The final result is an asymptotic stability theorem for the zero solution with a necessary and sufficient condition. The obtained theorem improves and generalizes previous results due to Burton (Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 132:3679–3687, 2004), Becker and Burton (Proc. R. Soc. Edinb., A 136:245–275, 2006) and Jin and Luo (Comput. Math. Appl. 57:1080–1088, 2009).     

Component ordering strategies in assembly systems with uncertain capacity and random yield

Sourcing components in a complex global supplier network may lead to a high degree of supply uncertainty. Events, such as unexpected production defects or insufficient supplier capacity, can cause unexpected shortages of required components and halt the assembly of final products. Accordingly, the assembly enterprises must effectively manage various supply uncertainties in their component ordering decisions to avoid such component shortfalls. These issues have guided this research to investigate the optimal ordering strategies of an assembler facing the following two types of supply uncertainty: the uncertain production capacity of a standard component (component 1) and the random production yield of a core component (component 2). The assembler makes the component ordering decisions before these supply uncertainties are realized. We characterize the optimal ordering decision and find that the assembler should order components 1 and 2 according to a fixed ratio, which only depends on the random yield of component 2 and the production cost of component 1, but not on the uncertain capacity of component 1. A case study is presented to further explore the intertwined effects of these two uncertainties in an assembly system. Finally, the model is extended to consider a secondary option of buying additional component 1 s after observing some or all of the supply uncertainties, and this secondary option endows the firm with different capabilities in counteracting the supply uncertainties.     

One complex variable from the several variables point of view

We discuss basic properties of holomorphic functions of one complex variable from the point of view of the theory of several complex variables.     

Clustering with a constraining variable

Clustering can be treated as an optimization problem over a set of feasible clusterings. This paper deals with a clustering problem where the set of feasible clusterings is determined by constraining the function of values of a given (constraining) variable in each cluster. It can be shown that agglomerative clustering methods are not suitable for solving problems with constraining variables. For solving clustering problems of this type, local optimization procedures can be adapted. In the study of the influence of constraints on the clustering, a special coefficient is defined. The proposed procedures of clustering with constraining variables are illustrated by clustering the Slovene communes on the basis of the socioeconomic indicators.     

An analysis of turbulent film condensation on a sphere with variable wall temperature under the effect of local shear stress

This paper presents an investigation into turbulent film condensation on a sphere with variable wall temperature. Under the wide range of vapor velocity, the wall temperature and the local film shear stress were considered. The result shows that under the high velocity vapor, the increase of the temperature amplitude will bring out a larger Nusselt number, and the increase is about 2.7–5.6%. Besides, under the effect of the local film shear stress, the mean Nusselt number will decrease about 0.65–0.8%. Furthermore, the paper then discusses the influence of shears and temperature amplitudes on the local dimensionless film thickness and heat transfer characteristics. Finally, the results developed in the current study are compared with those generated by previous theoretical results.     

A two-level hedging point policy for controlling a manufacturing system with time-delay,demand uncertainty and extra capacity

This paper focuses on the production control of a manufacturing system with time-delay, demand uncertainty and extra capacity. Time-delay is a typical feature of networked manufacturing systems (NMS), because an NMS is composed of many manufacturing systems with transportation channels among them and the transportation of materials needs time. Besides this, for a manufacturing system in an NMS, the uncertainty of the demand from its downstream manufacturing system is considered; and it is assumed that there exist two-levels of demand rates, i.e., the normal one and the higher one, and that the time between the switching of demand rates are exponentially distributed. To avoid the backlog of demands, it is also assumed that extra production capacity can be used when the work-in-process (WIP) cannot buffer the high-level demands rate. For such a manufacturing system with time-delay, demand uncertainty and extra capacity, the mathematical model for its production control problem is established, with the objective of minimizing the mean costs for WIP inventory and occupation of extra production capacity. To solve the problem, a two-level hedging point policy is proposed. By analyzing the probability distribution of system states, optimal values of the two hedging levels are obtained. Finally, numerical experiments are done to verify the effectiveness of the control policy and the optimality of the hedging levels.