Bayesian estimation of system reliability in Brownian stress-strength models

A stress-strength system fails as soon as the applied stress,X, is at least as much as the strength,Y, of the system. Stress and strength are time-varying in many real-life systems but typical statistical models for stress-strength systems are static. In this article, the stress and strength processes are dynamically modeled as Brownian motions. The resulting stress-strength system is then governed by a time-homogeneous Markov process with an absorption barrier at O. Conjugate as well as non-informative priors are developed for the model parameters and Markov chain sampling methods are used for posterior inference of the reliability of the stress-strength system. A generalization of this model is described next where the different stress-strength systems are assumed to be exchangeable. The proposed Bayesian analyses are illustrated in two examples where we obtain posterior estimates as well as perform model checking by cross-validation.     

Bipolarization of posets and natural interpolation

The Choquet integral w.r.t. a capacity can be seen in the finite case as a parsimonious linear interpolator between vertices of n[0,1]. We take this basic fact as a starting point to define the Choquet integral in a very general way, using the geometric realization of lattices and their natural triangulation, as in the work of Koshevoy.A second aim of the paper is to define a general mechanism for the bipolarization of ordered structures. Bisets (or signed sets), as well as bisubmodular functions, bicapacities, bicooperative games, as well as the Choquet integral defined for them can be seen as particular instances of this scheme.Lastly, an application to multicriteria aggregation with multiple reference levels illustrates all the results presented in the paper.     

Some properties of a class of sparse polynomials

We study an infinite class of sequences of sparse polynomials that have binomial coefficients both as exponents and as coefficients. This generalizes a sequence of sparse polynomials which arises in a natural way as graph theoretic polynomials. After deriving some basic identities, we obtain properties concerning monotonicity and log-concavity, as well as identities involving derivatives. We also prove upper and lower bounds on the moduli of the zeros of these polynomials.     

Middle-school students’ concept images of geometric translations

This study explored sixth grade students’ concept images of geometric translations and the possible sources of their conceptions in a non-technological environment. The data were gathered through a written instrument, student and teacher interviews and document analyses. Analyses of student responses revealed two major concept images of geometric translations: (a) translation as translational motion, and (b) translation as both translational and rotational motion. Students who held these conceptions showed various levels of understanding, such as conceiving translations as undefined motion, partially-defined motion, and defined-motion of a single geometric figure on the plane. The findings of the study suggested, in general, consistencies between students’ concept images and their concept definitions. However, most of the students’ concept definitions were inconsistent with the formal concept definition of geometric translations.Data analyses also revealed five interpretations of a translation vector: (a) vector as a reference line, (b) vector as a symmetry line, (c) vector as a direction indicator, (d) vector as a parameter, and (e) vector as an abstract tool. Furthermore, classroom instruction, mathematics and science textbooks, real-life examples and everyday language were the major sources of students’ concept images of geometric translations.     

强Khler-Finsler流形上(p,q)形式的中值Laplace算子(英文)

本文给出了强Khler-Finsler流形上中值Laplace算子的一些性质,如自伴性质,散度形式等。与Khler流形上利用逆变基本张量及其在Finsler流形上的变形作为密度函数定义流形上的逐点内积及整体内积不同,作者利用强Khler-Finsler流形上的逆变密切Khler度量作为密度函数定义了流形上的逐点内积和整体内积,并定义了强Khler-Finsler流形上的Hodge-Laplace算子,它可看作函数情形中值Laplace算子的推广。     

Multiple imputation and other resampling schemes for imputing missing observations

The problem of imputing missing observations under the linear regression model is considered. It is assumed that observations are missing at random and all the observations on the auxiliary or independent variables are available. Estimates of the regression parameters based on singly and multiply imputed values are given. Jackknife as well as bootstrap estimates of the variance of the singly imputed estimator of the regression parameters are given. These estimators are shown to be consistent estimators. The asymptotic distributions of the imputed estimators are also given to obtain interval estimates of the parameters of interest. These interval estimates are then compared with the interval estimates obtained from multiple imputation. It is shown that singly imputed estimators perform at least as good as multiply imputed estimators. A new nonparametric multiply imputed estimator is proposed and shown to perform as good as a multiply imputed estimator under normality. The singly imputed estimator, however, still remains at least as good as a multiply imputed estimator.     

Combined DEMATEL technique with hybrid MCDM methods for creating the aspired intelligent global manufacturing & logistics systems

The concept of globalization has been prosperous in the past decades while manufacturing as well as logistics have already become one of the most significant issues in the globalization era. However, while modern globalized firms are leveraging both global manufacturing resources as well as logistics systems for pursuing higher quality, lower cost as well as product differentiation, how to evaluate, selecting an appropriate global manufacturing strategy by considering issues from both aspects of global manufacturing as well as logistics has become one of the most critical and difficult issues. Moreover, how the chosen intertwined global manufacturing as well as logistics system is to be optimized so that the aspired level of the global manufacturing system can be achieved have few been addressed. Thus, this research aims to resolve the above mentioned global manufacturing and logistics strategy selection as well as system reconfiguration issue. A Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) technique based novel multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) method with Analytic Network Process (ANP), Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) as well as VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) will be proposed for selecting and re-configuring the aspired global manufacturing and logistics system. An empirical study based on the global manufacturing and logistics system design of a semiconductor company will be provided for verifying the effectiveness of this proposed methodology.     

Notions of equivalence through ratios: Students with and without learning disabilities

Students with learning disabilities (LD) specific to mathematics historically underperform in foundational content such as rational number equivalence. This study examined the strategy usage and multiplicative thinking of three third grade children (i.e., Bill, a child identified as having a learning disability specific to mathematics, Carl, a child labeled as low achieving in mathematics, and Albert, a child labeled as typically achieving) before, during, and after participating in tutoring sessions consisting of student-centered pedagogy and equivalence tasks presented through an underutilized interpretation of rational number: namely, the ratio interpretation. Constant comparison analysis of the children's work during the tutoring sessions as well as responses to tasks during two clinical interviews seemed to indicate that all three children increased their use of viable strategies, with notable differences in the sophistication of the strategies as well as the level of multiplicative thinking utilized before and after the ratio-based tutoring sessions. Yet, Bill's continued use of rudimentary strategies reflects a need for continued research to investigate why the use of such strategies persists and how supporting the development of more sophisticated strategies (especially among children with LD) can be achieved.     

Game of two cars: Case of variable speed

A stochastic version of Isaacs's (Ref. 1) game of two cars is dealt with here. In this version, the pursuer, owing to thrust and drag forces, has a variable speed, whereas the evader's speed is constant. Also, the pursuer can maneuver as long as his speed is bounded by some lower and upper limits. The probability of interception, corresponding to optimal (saddle-point) feedback strategies, is computed and serves as a reference for evaluating the performance of four different versions of the proportional navigation pursuit law as well as two other strategies.     

不带微结构的连续统中新的能量守恒定律和C-D不等式

对连续统力学中的基本定律和均衡方程以及C-D不等式进行了认真的再研究.指出了现有的动量矩均衡定律和能量守恒定律以及Clausius-Duhem不等式的不完整性,并且提出了不带微结构的局部和非局部非对称连续统中新的而且更为普遍的能量守恒定律和相应的能量均衡方程以及C-D不等式.     

Engineering design and the development of knowledge for teaching among preservice science teachers

The goal of this article is to inform professional understanding regarding preservice science teachers’ knowledge of engineering and the engineering design process. Originating as a conceptual study of the appropriateness of “knowledge as design” as a framework for conducting science teacher education to support learning related to engineering design, the findings are informed by an ongoing research project. Perkins’s theory encapsulates knowledge as design within four complementary components of the nature of design. When using the structure of Perkins’s theory as a framework for analysis of data gathered from preservice teachers conducting engineering activities within an instructional methods course for secondary science, a concurrence between teacher knowledge development and the theory emerged. Initially, the individuals, who were participants in the research, were unfamiliar with engineering as a component of science teaching and expressed a lack of knowledge of engineering. The emergence of connections between Perkins’s theory of knowledge as design and knowledge development for teaching were found when examining preservice teachers’ development of creative and systematic thinking skills within the context of engineering design activities as well as examination of their knowledge of the application of science to problem‐solving situations.     

社会网络分析方法在管理民间信仰活动的应用研究

民间信仰活动是一种复杂的社会现象,其信众群体是一个独特的社会关系网络。本文在国内首次运用社会网络分析的思维和方法,在对冀南地区民间信仰抽样调查的基础上,建立网络模型,通过对民间信仰主体和客体各结点的中心性、凝聚性等进行量化分析,进而探究民间信仰网络的社会结构及其属性,得出信众群体特征、信仰动因、活动特点、社会心态等有益结论,为民间信仰活动的社会治理和政府管理提供科学依据.     

A novel distribution classifier

We present a novel classifier for a collection of nonnegative L¹ functions. Given two sets of data, one set coming from “similar” distributions labeled as normal, and the other unspecified labeled as abnormal. To understand the structure of normality, and further to classify new data with minimal errors, we propose to find the smallest CKL spheres (based on Csiszar divergences) including as many normal data as possible and excluding as many abnormal data as possible. We prove the existence and uniqueness of such a classifier.     

Stationary probability distributions for multiresponse linear learning models

A necessary and sufficient condition is given for the existence of stationary probability distributions of a non-Markovian model with linear transition rule. Similar to the Markovian case, stationary probability distributions are characterized as eigenvectors of nonnegative matrices. The model studied includes as special cases the Markovian model as well as the linear learning model and has applications in psychological and biological research, in control theory, and in adaption theory.     

Multicomponent flow modeling

We present multicomponent flow models derived from the kinetic theory of gases and investigate the symmetric hyperbolic-parabolic structure of the resulting system of partial differential equations.We address the Cauchy problem for smooth solutions as well as the existence of deflagration waves,also termed anchored waves.We further discuss related models which have a similar hyperbolic-parabolic structure,notably the SaintVenant system with a temperature equation as well as the equations governing chemical equilibrium flows.We next investigate multicomponent ionized and magnetized flow models with anisotropic transport fluxes which have a different mathematical structure.We finally discuss numerical algorithms specifically devoted to complex chemistry flows,in particular the evaluation of multicomponent transport properties,as well as the impact of multicomponent transport.     

四元数矩阵理论中的几个概念间的关系

本文指出并改正文［１］中的错误，给出弱特征多项式［２］与重特征多项式［３］间的显式关系，同时也给出行列式［２］与重行列式［４］间的显式关系，最后讨论了左特征值、右特征值、特征值和特征根之间的关系及最小多项式与弱特征多项式根之间的关系．     

Existence and uniqueness of solutions for a diffusion model of host-parasite dynamics

Milner and Patton (J. Comput. Appl. Math., in press) introduced earlier a new approach to modeling host-parasite dynamics through a convection-diffusion partial differential equation, which uses the parasite density as a continuous structure variable. A motivation for the model was presented there, as well as results from numerical simulations and comparisons with those from other models. However, no proof of existence or uniqueness of solutions to the new model proposed was included there. In the present work the authors deal with the well posedness of that model and they prove existence and uniqueness of solutions, as well as establishing some asymptotic results.     

基于质量的IT外包合同设计及分析

考虑了内制与外包两种模式,并以内制模式为基准对IT外包合同进行研究。在外包模式下,分别研究了采取固定价格合同和基于质量的合同时,如何激励接包方付出的努力水平,使其达到内制模式下的最优努力水平,从而使得发包方在满足接包方保留收益的前提下获得更高的期望收益。同时对于影响接包方努力水平的各因素进行了分析。研究结果表明,在一定条件下,选择基于质量、引入奖惩机制的合同将会达到内制模式下的最优努力水平,并能够最大化发包方收益。此外,接包方的努力程度随着激励系数、奖惩系数的增加而增加,但是激励系数会随着奖惩系数的增大而减小,这意味着发包方需要权衡使用奖惩机制。     

基于复杂网络的并联式项目群结构脆弱性评估

运用复杂网络研究并联式项目群的结构脆弱性。将项目群中的任务用节点表示、任务之间的依赖关系用边表示,依据任务的工期确定点权、任务之间的依赖强度确定边权,则并联式项目群被抽象为一个有向加权网络。在分析并联式项目群网络拓扑特征的基础上,构建并联式项目群脆弱性评估模型,并对一个并联式项目群进行脆弱性评估。仿真结果表明该方法可以对并联式项目群脆弱性进行定量化评估、能够有效识别结构中的脆弱环节。本研究为保障项目群顺利实施、抵御风险提供了新的思路。