A Multiple Reorder Point Inventory Policy

This paper discusses the development and application of a multiple reorder inventory policy which can be stated as follows: reorder an optimal lot size Q when inventory (stock on hand) falls to R, R-Q, R-2Q,..., R-NQ; where R is the reorder level. If demands cause the inventory to fall below two reorder levels, say a jump from R+ ? to R-2Q+?′ where ? and ?′ < Q, an order for 2Q is placed. The policy is a form of (S,q) policy where the maximum stock level S = R + Q. The system is of particular value in cases where the coefficient of variation of lead time demand μ _l (μ _l = σ _l /λ _l )is large (say >0·5) and continuous inventory records are maintained. Tables, charts and nomographs to simplify clerical tasks can be obtained quite readily. In this formulation R and Q are not independent factors as in the usual Wilson formulation, but are obtained by minimizing a single cost functional subject to the constraint of a specified risk of out-of-stock condition or a specified level of service (Galliher and Simmond, 1957), (Morse et al., 1959). The particular application concerns the raw material inventories of a manufacturer of metal pressings who is required to offer “immediate service”. The demand distribution during the lead time closely approximates the exponential distribution, and lead times are constant for each raw material. The application of the multiple reorder policy results in a 30 to 35 per cent reduction in inventory for a 95 per cent service level. Measures of sensitivity and response are obtained, and the mean number of shortages is expressed in closed form. The policy is compared with the Wilson policy and shown to be more “effective” in that it results in lower inventories and a smaller number of orders for the case considered.     

Selecting the best periodic inventory control and demand forecasting methods for low demand items

The (s,S) form of the periodic review inventory control system has been claimed theoretically to be the best for the management of items of low and intermittent demand. Various heuristic procedures have been put forward, usually justified on the basis of generated data with known properties. Some stock controllers also have other simple rules which they employ and which are rarely seen in the literature. Determining how to forecast future demands is also a major problem in the area. The research described in this paper compares various periodic inventory policies as well as some forecasting methods and attempts to determine which are best for low and intermittent demand items. It evaluates the alternative methods on some long series of daily demands for low demand items for a typical spare parts depot.     

Random process in a homogeneous Gaussian field

We consider a random process in a spatial-temporal homogeneous Gaussian field V (q , t) with the mean E V = 0 and the correlation function W(|q ? q′|, |t ? t′|) ≡ E[V (q, t)V (q′, t′)], where \( \bold{q} \in {\mathbb{R}^d} \), \( t \in {\mathbb{R}^{+} } \), and d is the dimension of the Euclidean space \( {\mathbb{R}^d} \). For a “density” G(r, t) of the familiar model of a physical system averaged over all realizations of the random field V, we establish an integral equation that has the form of the Dyson equation. The invariance of the equation under the continuous renormalization group allows using the renormalization group method to find an asymptotic expression for G(r, t) as r → ∞ and t → ∞.     

A Quality Control Approach for Monitoring Inventory Stock Levels

In this paper we develop a new approach to monitor the accuracy of an inventory management system. A recorded stock level is considered accurate when the recorded level agrees with the actual stock level, otherwise there is an error. In practice, management relies on methods to measure or assure inventory accuracy not necessarily developed for this purpose. Our methodology is based on the average absolute relative difference as a simple analytical measure for inventory accuracy (AC _N ). The approach captures the status of accuracy in an inventory and allows for greater understanding of what affects inaccuracy since the theoretical measure of accuracy is composed of several parameters representing the incidence and proportion of both overstock and understock. The implementation of the methodology is constrained because complete inspection of the inventory is very expensive in most situations, so we develop the sample analogue of the accuracy measure (AC _n ) and discuss sampling strategies. The accuracy of the inventory system is monitored by incorporating AC _n into a univariate control chart.     

A Method of Determining Production Load and Size of Inventories when Demand is Variable

One of the more complex problems in a manufacturing organization is that of determining production load and inventories needed to satisfy variable demand. It will be shown that sometimes a relationship between the average demand (μ) and the standard deviation (σ) expressed as σ = kμ² can be used in a multi-product system to determine inventory levels and capacity required for a production-warehouse system. Models for several production-warehouse systems will be developed. An application of the method to a linen control system will be described.     

Homoclinic Solutions for <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis>)-Laplacian–Hamiltonian Systems Without Coercive Conditions

In this paper, we study the existence and multiplicity of homoclinic solutions for the following second-order p(t)-Laplacian–Hamiltonian systems

$$\frac{{\rm d}}{{\rm d}t}(|\dot{u}(t)|^{p(t)-2}\dot{u}(t))-a(t)|u(t)|^{p(t)-2}u(t)+\nabla W(t,u(t))=0,$$

where \({t \in \mathbb{R}}\), \({u \in \mathbb{R}^n}\), \({p \in C(\mathbb{R},\mathbb{R})}\) with p(t) > 1, \({a \in C(\mathbb{R},\mathbb{R})}\), \({W\in C^1(\mathbb{R}\times\mathbb{R}^n,\mathbb{R})}\) and \({\nabla W(t,u)}\) is the gradient of W(t, u) in u. The point is that, assuming that a(t) is bounded in the sense that there are constants \({0<\tau_1<\tau_2<\infty}\) such that \({\tau_1\leq a(t)\leq \tau_2 }\) for all \({t \in \mathbb{R}}\) and W(t, u) is of super-p(t) growth or sub-p(t) growth as \({|u|\rightarrow \infty}\), we provide two new criteria to ensure the existence and multiplicity of homoclinic solutions, respectively. Recent results in the literature are extended and significantly improved.

     

Normed Topological Pseudovector Groups

A normed topological pseudovector group (NTPVG for short) is a valued topological group (V,?+?,||·||) (not necessarily Abelian) endowed with a continuous scalar multiplication \({\mathbb R}_+ \times V \ni (t,x) \mapsto t \cdot x \in V\) such that 0 ·x?=?e (e denotes the neutral element of V), 1 ·x?=?x, (st) ·x?=?s ·(t ·x), t ·(x?+?y)?=?(t ·x)?+?(t ·y) and ||t ·x||?=?t ||x|| for each t, \(s \in {\mathbb R}_+\) and x, y?∈?V. It is shown that every valued topological group can be isometrically and group-homomorphically embedded in a NTPVG as a closed subset by means of a functor. Locally compact NTPV groups are fully classified. It is shown that the (unbounded) Urysohn universal metric space can be endowed with a structure of a NTPV group of exponent 2.     

Exact fill rates for (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R,s, S</Emphasis>) inventory control with gamma distributed demand

For the familiar (R, s, S) inventory control system only approximate expressions exist for the fill rate, ie the fraction of demand that can be satisfied from stock. Best-known are the approximations derived from renewal theory, holding under specific conditions; in particular, S–s should be reasonably large. Here, an exact expression for the fill rate is derived, holding generally in the situation that demand has a gamma distribution with known integer-valued shape parameter, while lead time is constant. These exact results allow a check of the renewal theory based approximations. In addition, an extremely fast simulation program was written, obviously holding for general shape parameter values.     

Effects of Centralization on Expected Costs in a Multi-location Newsboy Problem

This is a single-period, single-product inventory model with several individual sources of demand. It is a multi-location problem with an opportunity for centralization. The holding and penalty cost functions at each location are assumed to be identical. Two types of inventory system are considered in this paper: the decentralized system and the centralized system. The decentralized system is a system in which a separate inventory is kept to satisfy the demand at each source of demand. The centralized system is a system in which all demands are satisfied from one central warehouse. This paper demonstrates that, for any probability distribution of a location's demands, the following properties are always true: given that the holding and penalty cost functions are identical at all locations, (1) if the holding and penalty cost functions are concave functions, then the expected holding and penalty costs in a decentralized system exceed those in a centralized system, except that (2) if the holding and penalty cost functions are linear functions, and for any i≠j, P_ij, the coefficient of correlation between the ith location's demand and the jth location's demand is equal to 1, then the expected holding and penalty costs in a decentralized system are equal to those in a centralized system.     

Methods for Determining the Re-order Point of an (<Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>) Ordering Policy when a Service Level is Specified

This paper deals with a periodic review inventory system. Methods are discussed for determining the re-order point s of an (s, S) order policy, when a certain service level is required. The results differ from those presented for a (Q, s) model which is usually considered in literature and implemented in practice. Methods are discussed for determining the re-order point of an (s, S) policy when demand is normal or gamma distributed. A numerical investigation demonstrates the applicability of the described methods. In particular, it is shown that these methods are superior to a formula that is implemented in many inventory control systems.     

On blow-up regimes in one nonlinear parabolic equation

A nonlinear heat equation with a special source on a straight line is considered. The family of exact solutions to this equation that have the form p(t) + q(t)cosx/√2, where functions p(t) and q(t) satisfy a certain dynamic system, is constructed. The system is comprehensively analyzed, and the behavior of p(t) and q(t) depending on initial data is revealed. It is found that some of the unbounded solutions from the aforementioned family are close, in a certain sense, to an analytical solution to the heat equation with power nonlinearities. The Cauchy problem for the equations considered is studied as well. It is proved that, depending on the initial solution function, solutions may develop in a blow-up regime or decay.     

Connecting orbits of Lagrangian systems in a nonstationary force field

We study connecting orbits of a natural Lagrangian system defined on a complete Riemannian manifold subjected to the action of a nonstationary force field with potential U(q, t) = f(t)V(q). It is assumed that the factor f(t) tends to ∞ as t→±∞ and vanishes at a unique point t ₀ ∈ ?. Let X ₊, X _? denote the sets of isolated critical points of V (x) at which U(x, t) as a function of x distinguishes its maximum for any fixed t > t ₀ and t < t ₀, respectively. Under nondegeneracy conditions on points of X _± we prove the existence of infinitely many doubly asymptotic trajectories connecting X _? and X ₊.     

Probabilities of high extremes for a Gaussian stationary process in a random environment

Let ξ(t) be a zero-mean stationary Gaussian process with the covariance function r(t) of Pickands type, i.e., r(t) = 1 ? |t| ^α + o(|t| ^α ), t → 0, 0 < α ≤ 2, and η(t), ζ(t) be periodic random processes. The exact asymptotic behavior of the probabilities P(max _t∈[0,T] η(t)ξ(t) > u), P(max _t∈[0,T] (ξ(t) + η(t)) > u) and P(max _t∈[0,T] (η(t)ξ(t) + ζ(t)) > u) is obtained for u → ∞ for any T > 0 and independent ξ(t), η(t), ζ(t).     

Rationing policies for some inventory systems

This paper considers inventory systems which maintain stocks to meet various demand classes with different priorities. We use the concept of a support level control policy. That is rationing is accomplished by maintaining a support level, say K, such that when on hand stock reaches K, all low priority demands are backordered. We develop four analytical and simulation models to improve the existing models. Firstly, multiple support levels are used instead of using a single support level. Secondly, a simulation model with a more realistic assumption on the demand process has been provided. Thirdly, a single period deterministic cost minimisation model has been developed analytically. Finally, we address a continuous review (Q, r) model with a compound Poisson process.     

On the total multiplicity of zeros of generalized polynomials related to nonoscillating trajectories

For a continuous curve L = {x: x = Z(t), t ∈ [a, b]} in R ⁿ , we study the number of zeros of the function l _h (t) = 〈h, Z(t)〉, where h ∈ R ⁿ . We introduce the notion of multiple zeros for such functions and study the possibility of estimating the total multiplicity of such zeros under the assumption that the system {z ₁(t), z ₂(t), …, z _n (t)} of coordinates of the function Z(t) is a Chebyshev system on [a, b].     

Expanding curves in T1(Hn) under geodesic flow and equidistribution in homogeneous spaces

Let H = SO(n, 1) and A = {a(t): t ∈ R} be a maximal R-split Cartan subgroup of H. Let G be a Lie group containing H and Γ be a lattice of G. Let φ = gΓ ∈ G/Γ be a point of G/Γ such that its H-orbit Hx is dense in G/Γ. Let φ: I = [a, b] → H be an analytic curve. Then φ(I)x gives an analytic curve in G/Γ. In this article, we will prove the following result: if φ(I) satisfies some explicit geometric condition, then a(t)φ(I)x tends to be equidistributed in G/Γ as t → ∞. It answers the first question asked by Shah in [Sha09c] and generalizes the main result of that paper.     

Moderate deviations for Euler-Maruyama approximation of Hull-White stochastic volatility model

We consider the Euler-Maruyama discretization of stochastic volatility model dS_t = σ_tS_tdW_t, dσ_t = ωσ_tdZ_t, t ∈ [0, T], which has been widely used in financial practice, where W_t,Z_t, t ∈ [0, T], are two uncorrelated standard Brownian motions. Using asymptotic analysis techniques, the moderate deviation principles for log S_n (or log |S_n| in case S_n is negative) are obtained as n → ∞ under different discretization schemes for the asset price process S_t and the volatility process σ_t. Numerical simulations are presented to compare the convergence speeds in different schemes.     

Weakly nonlinear Schrödinger equation with random initial data

It is common practice to approximate a weakly nonlinear wave equation through a kinetic transport equation, thus raising the issue of controlling the validity of the kinetic limit for a suitable choice of the random initial data. While for the general case a proof of the kinetic limit remains open, we report on first progress. As wave equation we consider the nonlinear Schrödinger equation discretized on a hypercubic lattice. Since this is a Hamiltonian system, a natural choice of random initial data is distributing them according to the corresponding Gibbs measure with a chemical potential chosen so that the Gibbs field has exponential mixing. The solution ψ _t (x) of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation yields then a stochastic process stationary in x∈? ^d and t∈?. If λ denotes the strength of the nonlinearity, we prove that the space-time covariance of ψ _t (x) has a limit as λ→0 for t=λ ^?2 τ, with τ fixed and |τ| sufficiently small. The limit agrees with the prediction from kinetic theory.     

Goodness-of-fit Tests for Continuous-time Stationary Processes

The paper considers the following problem of hypotheses testing: based on a finite realization {X(t)}, 0 ≤ t ≤ T of a zero mean real-valued mean square continuous stationary Gaussian process X(t), t ? R, construct goodness-of-fit tests for testing a hypothesis H₀ that the hypothetical spectral density of the process X(t) has the specified form. We show that in the case where the hypothetical spectral density of X(t) does not depend on unknown parameters (the hypothesis H₀ is simple), then the suggested test statistic has a chi-square distribution. In the case where the hypothesis H₀ is composite, that is, the hypothetical spectral density of X(t) depends on an unknown p–dimensional vector parameter, we choose an appropriate estimator for unknown parameter and describe the limiting distribution of the test statistic, which is similar to that of obtained by Chernov and Lehman in the case of independent observations. The testing procedure works both for short- and long-memory models.     

Loewner matrices and operator convexity

Let f be a function from \({\mathbb{R}_{+}}\) into itself. A classic theorem of K. Löwner says that f is operator monotone if and only if all matrices of the form \({\left [\frac{f(p_i) - f(p_j)}{p_i-p_j}\right ]_{\vphantom {X_{X_1}}}}\) are positive semidefinite. We show that f is operator convex if and only if all such matrices are conditionally negative definite and that f (t) = t g(t) for some operator convex function g if and only if these matrices are conditionally positive definite. Elementary proofs are given for the most interesting special cases f (t) = t ^r , and f (t) = t log t. Several consequences are derived.