Generalized balancing numbers

The positive integer x is a (k, l) -balancing number for y(x ≤ y — 2) if 1^k + 2^k + … + (x — 1)^k = (x + 1)^l + … + (y — 1)^l for fixed positive integers k and l. In this paper, we prove some effective and ineffective finiteness statements for the balancing numbers, using certain Baker-type Diophantine results and Bilu—Tichy theorem, respectively.     

A balancing method and genetic algorithm for disassembly line balancing

Disassembly activities take place in various recovery operations including remanufacturing, recycling and disposal. The disassembly line is the best choice for automated disassembly of returned products. It is therefore important that the disassembly line be designed and balanced so that it works as efficiently as possible. The disassembly line balancing problem seeks a sequence which: is feasible, minimizes workstations, and ensures similar idle times, as well as other end-of-life specific concerns. However finding the optimal balance is computationally intensive with exhaustive search quickly becoming prohibitively large even for relatively small products. In this paper the problem is mathematically defined and proven NP-complete. Additionally, a new formula for quantifying the level of balancing is proposed. A first-ever set of a priori instances to be used in the evaluation of any disassembly line balancing solution technique is then developed. Finally, a genetic algorithm is presented for obtaining optimal or near-optimal solutions for disassembly line balancing problems and examples are presented to illustrate implementation of the methodology.     

Periodic load balancing

Multiprocessor load balancing aims to improve performance by moving jobs from highly loaded processors to more lightly loaded processors. Some schemes allow only migration of new jobs upon arrival, while other schemes allow migration of jobs in progress. A difficulty with all these schemes, however, is that they require continuously maintaining detailed state information. In this paper we consider the alternative of periodic load balancing, in which the loads are balanced only at each T time units for some appropriate T. With periodic load balancing, state information is only needed at the balancing times. Moreover, it is often possible to use slightly stale information collected during the interval between balancing times. In this paper we study the performance of periodic load balancing. We consider multiple queues in parallel with unlimited waiting space to which jobs come either in separate independent streams or by assignment (either random or cyclic) from a single stream. Resource sharing is achieved by periodically redistributing the jobs or the work in the system among the queues. The performance of these systems of queues coupled by periodic load balancing depends on the transient behavior of a single queue. We focus on useful approximations obtained by considering a large number of homogeneous queues and a heavy load. When the number of queues is sufficiently large, the number of jobs or quantity of work at each queue immediately after redistribution tends to evolve deterministically, by the law of large numbers. The steady-state (limiting) value of this deterministic sequence is obtained as the solution of a fixed point equation, where the initial value is equal to the expected transient value over the interval between successive redistributions conditional on the initial value. A refined approximation based on the central limit theorem is a normal distribution, where the mean and variance are obtained by solving a pair of fixed-point equations. With higher loads, which is natural to consider when load balancing is performed, a heavy-traffic limit theorem shows that one-dimensional reflected Brownian motion can be used to approximately describe system performance, even with general arrival and service processes. With these approximations, we show how performance depends on the assumed arrival pattern of jobs and the model parameters. We do numerical calculations and conduct simulation experiments to show the accuracy of the approximations. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A balancing strategy

Suppose x₁, x₂,…, is a sequence of vectors in R^k, 6X_n6⩽1, where 6(x₁,…,x_k)6 = max_j|x_j|. An algorithm is given for choosing a corresponding sequence ε₁, ε₂,…, of numbers, ε_n = ±1, so that 6ε₁x₁+ … +ε_nx_n6 remains small.     

Some remarks concerning kissing numbers,blocking numbers and covering numbers

This article shows an inequality concerning blocking numbers and Hadwiger's covering numbers and presents a strange phenomenon concerning kissing numbers and blocking numbers. As a simple corollary, we can improve the known upper bounds for Hadwiger's covering numbers ford-dimensional centrally symmetric convex bodies to 3 ^d –1.     

Two dimensional load balancing

We consider a bi-criteria parallel machine scheduling problem in which the first objective is the minimization of the makespan of the schedule and the second objective is the minimization of the maximum machine cost. Since the problem is strongly NP-hard, we propose a fast heuristic and derive its worst-case performance bound.     

负载均衡问题

自Ron Graham20世纪60年代发表第一篇负载均衡算法的论文以来,平行机排序作为组合优化近似算法理论的首个问题引起了学界的广泛兴趣,其本身研究的不断深化也一路见证了该领域的发展历程.介绍负载均衡问题的来龙去脉,特别是作者所在团队在相关问题的研究进展,从算法和复杂性不同的视角分析经典问题的计算本质,并对未来的研究提出一些建议.     

Which rational numbers are binding numbers?

The concept of the binding number of a graph was introduced by Woodall in 1973. in this paper we characterize the set F_n of all pairs (a, b) of integers such that there is a graph G with n vertices and binding number a/b that has a realizing set of b vertices.     

On Delannoy numbers and Schröder numbers

The nth Delannoy number and the nth Schröder number given by

     

Oriented hypergraphs,stability numbers and chromatic numbers

Oriented hypergraphs are defined, so that it is possible to generalize propositions characterizing the chromatic number and the stability number of a graph by means of orientations and elementary paths, to the strong and weak chromatic number and the strong and weak stability number of a hypergraph.     

Mixed ramsey numbers: Chromatic numbers versus graphs

For positive integers n₁, n₂, …, n_I and graphs G_I+1, G_I+2, …, G_k, 1 ≤ / < k, the mixed Ramsey number _χ(n₁, …, n₁, G_I+1, …, G_k) is define as the least positive integer p such that for each factorization K_p = F₁⊕ … ⊕ F_⊕ F_I+1⊕ … ⊕ F_k, it it follows that χ(F_i) ≥ n_i for some i, 1 ? i ? l, or G_i is a subgraph of F_i for some i, l < i ? k. Formulas are presented for maxed Ramsey numbers in which the graphs G_I+1, G_I+2, …, G_k are connected, and in which k = I+1 and G_I+1 is arbitray.     

Vague numbers

If there are vague numbers, it would be easier to use numbers as semantic values in a treatment of vagueness while avoiding precise cut-off points. When we assign a particular statement a range of values (less than 1 and greater than 0) there is no precise sharp cut-off point that locates the greatest lower bound or the least upper bound of the interval, I should like to say. Is this possible? “Vague Numbers” stands for awareness of the problem. I do not present a serious theory of vague numbers. I sketch some reasons for using a many-value semantics. These reasons refer to my earlier treatments of determinacy and definitions of higher-order borderline cases. I also sketch how definitions of independence use the determinacy operator. The distinction between actually assigned values and values whose assignments are acceptable helps avoid unwanted precise cut-off points.     

Niche numbers

An acyclic digraph D =(V U X, <) induces a finite graph G =(V, E) if for all v,v′ if and only if a vertex of D dominates v and v′, or is dominated by v and v′. The niche number of an induced G is the cardinality of a smallest X for which some D induces G. Many induced graphs have niche number 0, 1, or 2, but it has been an open problem as to whether they can have larger niche numbers. We prove that there are induced graphs with arbitrarily large niche numbers. Explicit examples of graphs with niche numbers 3 and 4 are given. The smallest example uses 11 vertices. We note also that every induced graph with fewer than 8 vertices has niche number 0, 1, or 2.     

Catalan numbers,q-Catalan numbers and hypergeometric series

Catalan numbers are examined in the context of hypergeometric series. We are thus able to produce new and simple q-analogs related to the theory of partitions.     

Approximation to Complex numbers by certain biquadratic numbers

A result of Davenport and Schmidt related to Wirsing's problem is generalized so that complex numbers are approximated using the algebraic integers T from the field, $\text{Q((?D)}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}$, together with numbers of degree two over T. Here D is a square free positive integer.     

Hyperperfect numbers

A new formula for hyperperfect numbers is demonstrated and new examples of hyperperfect numbers are given. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.