Stress concentration in a three-layer plate with two cylindrical cavities

The stressed state of a thick three-layer plate with two circular holes is studied. Resolving functions are expressed in terms of Kolosov-Muskhelishvili integral potentials and modified Bessel functions. The problem is reduced to solving an infinite set of linear algebraic equations.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Prikladnaya Mekhanika, No. 18, pp. 25–28, 1987.     

The determination of the past and the future of a physical system in quantum mechanics

The determination of the past and the future of a physical system are complementary aims of measurements. An optimal determination of the past of a system can be achieved by an informationally complete set of physical quantities. Such a set is always strongly noncommutative. An optimal determination of the future of a physical system can be obtained by a Boolean complete set of quantities. The two aims can be reconciled to a reasonable degree with using unsharp measurements.This work was partly supported by the Bundesministerium für Forschung und Technologie, Bonn, the Research Institute for Theoretical Physics, Helsinki, and the University of Turku Foundation, Turku.     

The Implications of Cognitive-style Findings for Operational Research

Cognitive style refers to differences that can be perceived in individuals due to differing cognitive structures. There has been a large amount of research on how cognitive style affects managerial decision-making, particularly in the context of management information systems, but little or no attempt to relate these findings to operational research. This paper reviews the findings of cognitive-style research from the perspective of operational research, and draws a number of useful inferences concerning the matching of OR aids to managers, the presentation of information and recommendations, the use and acceptance of OR, and the structure of OR groups. Further, it is argued that cognitive-style findings help to give a justification to the move towards ‘soft’ approaches to analysis.     

Large fault-tolerant interconnection networks

This paper deals with reliability and fault-tolerant properties of networks. We first survey general reliability properties of networks, in particular those concerning diameter vulnerability. Then we study in details reliability properties of some families of networks in particular de Bruijn and Kautz networks and their generalizations which appear as very good fault-tolerant networks.     

Buchbesprechungen

Ohne Zusammenfassung

---

Book reviews

     

The complexity of cutting complexes

This paper investigates the combinatorial and computational aspects of certain extremal geometric problems in two and three dimensions. Specifically, we examine the problem of intersecting a convex subdivision with a line in order to maximize the number of intersections. A similar problem is to maximize the number of intersected facets in a cross-section of a three-dimensional convex polytope. Related problems concern maximum chains in certain families of posets defined over the regions of a convex subdivision. In most cases we are able to prove sharp bounds on the asymptotic behavior of the corresponding extremal functions. We also describe polynomial algorithms for all the problems discussed.Bernard Chazelle wishes to acknowledge the National Science Foundation for supporting this research in part under Grant No. MCS83-03925. Herbert Edelsbrunner is pleased to acknowledge the support of Amoco Fnd. Fac. Dev. Comput. Sci. 1-6-44862.     

OPTIMAL INVESTMENT IN THE PROTECTION OF A VULNERABLE BIOLOGICAL RESOURCE

It is assumed that the probability of destruction of a biological asset by natural hazards can be reduced through investment in protection. Specifically a model, in which the hazard rate depends on both the age of the asset and the accumulated invested protection capital, is assumed. The protection capital depreciates through time and its effectiveness in reducing the hazard rate is subject to diminishing returns. It is shown how the investment schedule to maximize the expected net present value of the asset can be determined using the methods of deterministic optimal control, with the survival probability regarded as a state variable. The optimal investment pattern involves “bang-bang-singular” control. A numerical scheme for determining jointly the optimal investment policy and the optimal harvest (or replacement) age is outlined and a numerical example involving forest fire protection is given.     

The Third-Order Singular-Perturbation Expansion of the Planar Cold-Fluid Magnetron Equations

The singular-perturbation expansion of the plasma cold-fluid equations for crossed fields in a planar geometry is presented. The general expansion is carried out to third order. Various instabilities that occur in the first, second, and third orders are discussed.     

Extended Rees algebras and mixed multiplicities

Partially supported by the general research fund at the University of Kansas     

Evaluating the Efficiency of US Air Force Real-Property Maintenance Activities

The objective of this research is to evaluate a new methodology, data envelopment analysis (DEA), as a tool for measuring and evaluating the operational efficiency of US Air Force organizations. This study involves the application of DEA to locate possible inefficiencies in the performance of US Air Force real-property maintenance activities. Dynamic behaviour, as exhibited via window analyses, is reviewed along with static counterparts. The testing was done in close coordination with Air Force officials, who reviewed the results for accuracy, validity and relevance. We conclude that this type of efficiency analysis does have value for the Air Force, where it can serve as a guide to auditors, budget programmers, managers and others in measuring, evaluating and enhancing operational efficiency.