Confidence-based optimisation for the newsvendor problem under binomial,Poisson and exponential demand

We introduce a novel strategy to address the issue of demand estimation in single-item single-period stochastic inventory optimisation problems. Our strategy analytically combines confidence interval analysis and inventory optimisation. We assume that the decision maker is given a set of past demand samples and we employ confidence interval analysis in order to identify a range of candidate order quantities that, with prescribed confidence probability, includes the real optimal order quantity for the underlying stochastic demand process with unknown stationary parameter(s). In addition, for each candidate order quantity that is identified, our approach produces an upper and a lower bound for the associated cost. We apply this approach to three demand distributions in the exponential family: binomial, Poisson, and exponential. For two of these distributions we also discuss the extension to the case of unobserved lost sales. Numerical examples are presented in which we show how our approach complements existing frequentist—e.g. based on maximum likelihood estimators—or Bayesian strategies.     

Aspect ratio effects on three-dimensional incompressible flow in a two-sided non-facing lid-driven parallelepiped cavity

A numerical study of the three-dimensional fluid flow has been carried out to determine the effects of the transverse aspect ratio, Ay, on the flow structure in two-sided non-facing lid-driven cavities. The flow is complex, unstable and can undergo bifurcation. The numerical method is based on the finite volume method and multigrid acceleration. Computations have been investigated for several Reynolds numbers and various aspect ratio values. At a fixed Reynolds number, Re=500, the three-dimensional flow characteristics are analyzed considering four transverse aspect ratios, Ay=1,0.75,0.5 and 0.25. It is observed that the transition to the unsteady regime follows the classical scheme of a Hopf bifurcation. An analysis of the flow evolution shows that, at Ay=0.75, the flow bifurcates to a periodic regime at (Re=600) with a frequency f=0.093 less than the predicted value in the cubical cavity. A correlation is established when Ay=0.5 and gives the critical Reynolds number value. At Ay=0.25, the periodic regime occurs at high Re value beyond 3500, after which the flow becomes chaotic. It is shown that, when increasing Ay over the unit, the flow in the cavity exhibits a complex behavior. The kinetic energy transmission from the driven walls to the cavity center is reduced at low Ay values.     

Effective learning in the presence of adaptive counterparts

Adaptive learning algorithms (ALAs) is an important class of agents that learn the utilities of their strategies jointly with the maintenance of the beliefs about their counterparts' future actions. In this paper, we propose an approach of learning in the presence of adaptive counterparts. Our Q-learning based algorithm, called Adaptive Dynamics Learner (ADL), assigns Q-values to the fixed-length interaction histories. This makes it capable of exploiting the strategy update dynamics of the adaptive learners. By so doing, ADL usually obtains higher utilities than those of equilibrium solutions. We tested our algorithm on a substantial representative set of the most known and demonstrative matrix games. We observed that ADL is highly effective in the presence of such ALAs as Adaptive Play Q-learning, Infinitesimal Gradient Ascent, Policy Hill-Climbing and Fictitious Play Q-learning. Further, in self-play ADL usually converges to a Pareto efficient average utility.     

Modélisation de fissures elliptiques internes par hybridation de fonctions de poidsEmbedded elliptical cracks modeling with hybridization of weight functions

A method improving the evaluation of the stress intensity factor by hybridization of two weight functions is presented and applied to embedded elliptical cracks under various loadings. The hybridization consists in using one or the other function in the zone of the crack where it is the most efficient. The delimitation of the two zones is achieved after optimizing the axes ratio and the curvature radius of the crack. During this optimization we seek to reduce the effects of the singularities present in the weight functions as well as to take better into account the influence of the ellipse curvature. To cite this article: B. El Khalil Hachi et al., C. R. Mecanique 334 (2006).     

Thermochemistry and kinetics of the aspect of diammonium hydrogen phosphate precipitation in phosphoric acid solution

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The thermochemical and kinetic studies of diammonium hydrogen phosphate precipitation in phosphoric acid with ammonia were followed using a...     

Optical Detection and Spectroscopy of Single Molecules

The optical study of single molecules opens new paths in molecular spectroscopy, solid state physics and quantum optics. And recent experiments at room temperature hold great promise for chemistry and biology as well