Minimum T-cuts and optimal T-pairings

We introduce the notion of T-pairing and give a min-max characterization for the minimum size of a T-cut. We show that the coefficients in the minimal TDI system for the T-cut polyhedron can be arbitrarily big.     

Landesman-Lazer type conditions for a system of p-Laplacian like operators

We study the existence of periodic solutions for a nonlinear second order system of ordinary differential equations of p-Laplacian type. Assuming suitable Nagumo and Landesman-Lazer type conditions we prove the existence of at least one solution applying topological degree methods. We extend a celebrated result by Nirenberg for resonant systems.     

l-solutions and stability analysis of difference equations using the Kummer’s test

We address the p-summability and asymptotic stability properties in nonautonomous linear difference equations. We focus our discussion on two kind of difference equations. The first one is a first order system of linear nonautonomous difference equations, and our discussion involves the use of Kummer’s convergence test. The second one is a linear nonautonomous scalar higher order difference equation. In this case our discussion is based on a recently introduced transformation of a higher order system into a first-step recursion, where the companion matrices are well treatable from our point of view. We give insight on our ideas that are behind our methods, prove new results, and show applications.     

The N threshold policy for the GI/M/1 queue

We study a GI/M/1 queue with an N threshold policy. In this system, the server stops attending the queue when the system becomes empty and resumes serving the queue when the number of customers reaches a threshold value N. Using the embeded Markov chain method, we obtain the stationary distributions of queue length and waiting time and prove the stochastic decomposition properties.     

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.     

Analysis of an M/G/∞ queue with batch arrivals and batch-dedicated servers

We analyze an M/G/∞ queue with batch arrivals, where jobs belonging to a batch have to be processed by the same server. The number of jobs in the system is characterized as a compound Poisson random variable through a scaling of the original arrival and batch size processes.     

Monotone optimal control for a class of Markov decision processes

This paper provides a unified framework to study monotone optimal control for a class of Markov decision processes through D-multimodularity. We demonstrate that each system in this class can be classified as either a substitution-type or a complement-type system according to the possible transition set, which can be used as a classification mechanism that integrates a variety of models in the literature. We develop a generic proof of the structural properties of both types of system. In particular, we show that D-multimodularity is a generally sufficient condition for monotone optimal control of different types of system in this class. With this unified theory, there is no need to pursue each problem ad hoc and the structural properties of this class of MDPs follow with ease.     

Parallel and k-out-of-n: G systems with nonidentical components and their mean residual life functions

A system with n independent components which has a k-out-of-n: G structure operates if at least k components operate. Parallel systems are 1-out-of-n: G systems, that is, the system goes out of service when all of its components fail. This paper investigates the mean residual life function of systems with independent and nonidentically distributed components. Some examples related to some lifetime distribution functions are given. We present a numerical example for evaluating the relationship between the mean residual life of the k-out-of-n: G system and that of its components.     

Is the new ECTS system better than the traditional one? An application to the ECTS pilot-project at the University Pablo de Olavide

At the meeting of the joint Bologna Declaration, EU representatives agreed on the establishment of a common European Higher Education Area by 2010. Since then, several universities have implemented pilot projects, although no formal research has been carried out to analyse their results. In this study, we analysed one of these pilot-projects with two objectives. First, we examined the performance of the new system as compared to that of the traditional system. We used a procedure based on a modified model of Data Envelopment Analysis that is able to distinguish students’ efficiency (managerial efficiency) from efficiency based on the educational programme used (programme efficiency). Then we analysed whether the different systems perform differently for different types of students.     

The influence of delivery times on repairable k-out-of-N systems with spares

The k-out-of-N structure is a popular type of redundancy in fault-tolerant systems with wide applications in computer and communication systems, and power transmission and distribution systems, among others, during the past several decades. In this paper, our interest is in such a reliability system with identical, repairable components having exponential life times, in which at least k out of N components are needed for the system to perform its functions. There is a single repairman who attends to failed components on a first-come-first-served basis. The repair times are assumed to be of phase type. The system has K spares which can be tapped to extend the lifetime of the system using a probabilistic rule. We assume that the delivery time of a spare is exponentially distributed and there could be multiple requests for spares at any given time. Our main goal is to study the influence of delivery times on the performance measures of the k-out-of-N reliability system. To that end, the system is analyzed using a finite quasi-birth-and-death process and some interesting results are obtained.     

A two-echelon base-stock inventory model with Poisson demand and the sequential processing of orders at the upper echelon

We consider a two-echelon inventory system with a number of non-identical, independent ‘retailers’ at the lower echelon and a single ‘supplier’ at the upper echelon. Each retailer experiences Poisson demand and operates a base stock policy with backorders. The supplier manufactures to order and holds no stock. Orders are produced, in first-come first-served sequence, with a fixed production time. The supplier therefore functions as an M/D/1 queue. We are interested in the performance characteristics (average inventory, average backorder level) at each retailer. By finding the distribution of order lead time and hence the distribution of demand during order lead time, we find the steady state inventory and backorder levels based on the assumption that order lead times are independent of demand during order lead time at a retailer. We also propose two alternative approximation procedures based on assumed forms for the order lead time distribution. Finally we provide a derivation of the steady state inventory and backorder levels which will be exact as long as there is no transportation time on orders between the supplier and retailers. A numerical comparison is made between the exact and approximate measures. We conclude by recommending an approach which is intuitive and computationally straightforward.     

Algorithmic analysis of the Geo/Geo/c retrial queue

In this paper, we consider a discrete-time queue of Geo/Geo/c type with geometric repeated attempts. It is known that its continuous counterpart, namely the M/M/c queue with exponential retrials, is analytically intractable due to the spatial heterogeneity of the underlying Markov chain, caused from the retrial feature. In discrete-time, the occurrence of multiple events at each slot increases the complexity of the model and raises further computational difficulties. We propose several algorithmic procedures for the efficient computation of the main performance measures of this system. More specifically, we investigate the stationary distribution of the system state, the busy period and the waiting time. Several numerical examples illustrate the analysis.     

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.     

Analysis of the manufacturing lead time in a production system with non-renewal batch input,threshold policy and post-operation

In this paper, we analyze the manufacturing lead time in a production system with BMAP (Batch Markovian Arrival process) input and post-operation operated under the N-policy. We use the factorization principle to derive the waiting time distribution (hence the manufacturing lead time) and the mean performance measures. A numerical example is provided.     

Active redundancy allocation for a k-out-of-n:F system of dependent components

We characterize active redundancy through compensator transform and use the reverse rule of order 2 (RR₂) property between compensator processes to investigate the problem of where to allocate a spare in a k-out-of-n:F system of dependent components through active redundancy.     

A recursive method for the F-policy G/M/1/K queueing system with an exponential startup time

This paper deals with the optimal control of a finite capacity G/M/1 queueing system combined the F-policy and an exponential startup time before start allowing customers in the system. The F-policy queueing problem investigates the most common issue of controlling arrival to a queueing system. We provide a recursive method, using the supplementary variable technique and treating the supplementary variable as the remaining interarrival time, to develop the steady-state probability distribution of the number of customers in the system. We illustrate a recursive method by presenting three simple examples for exponential, 3-stage Erlang, and deterministic interarrival time distributions, respectively. A cost model is developed to determine the optimal management F-policy at minimum cost. We use an efficient Maple computer program to determine the optimal operating F-policy and some system performance measures. Sensitivity analysis is also studied.     

Convergence of two-stage multisplitting method using AOR or SSOR multisplittings

In this paper, we study the convergence of two-stage multisplitting method using AOR or SSOR multisplittings as inner splittings and an outer splitting for solving a linear system whose coefficient matrix is an H-matrix. We also introduce an application of the two-stage multisplitting method.     

On the GI/M/1/N queue with multiple working vacations—analytic analysis and computation

We consider finite buffer single server GI/M/1 queue with exhaustive service discipline and multiple working vacations. Service times during a service period, service times during a vacation period and vacation times are exponentially distributed random variables. System size distributions at pre-arrival and arbitrary epoch with some important performance measures such as, probability of blocking, mean waiting time in the system etc. have been obtained. The model has potential application in the area of communication network, computer systems etc. where a single channel is allotted for more than one source.     

On a class of rational p-adic dynamical systems

In this paper we investigate the behavior of trajectories of one class of rational p-adic dynamical systems in complex p-adic field Cp. We studied Siegel disks and attractors of such dynamical systems. We found the basin of the attractor of the system. It is proved that such dynamical systems are not ergodic on a unit sphere with respect to the Haar measure.     

A construction of 2-designs from Steiner systems and extendable designs

We give a construction of a 2-(mn²+1,mn,(n+1)(mn−1)) design starting from a Steiner system S(2,m+1,mn²+1) and an affine plane of order n. This construction is applied to known classes of Steiner systems arising from affine and projective geometries, Denniston designs, and unitals. We also consider the extendability of these designs to 3-designs.