Fair optimization of fortnightly physician schedules with flexible shifts

This research addresses a shift scheduling problem in which physicians are assigned to demand periods. We develop a reduced set covering approach that requires shift templates to be generated for a single day and compare it to an implicit modeling technique where shift-building rules are implemented as constraints. Both techniques allow full flexibility in terms of different shift starting times and lengths as well as break placements. The objective is to minimize the paid out hours under the restrictions given by the labor agreement. Furthermore, we integrate physician preferences and fairness aspects into the scheduling model. Computational results show the efficiency of the reduced set covering formulation in comparison to the implicit modeling approach.     

Hidden Uq (sl(2)) Uq (sl(2)) Quantum Group Symmetry in Two Dimensional Gravity

In a previous paper, the quantum-group-covariant chiral vertex operators in the spin 1/2 representation were shown to act, by braiding with the other covariant primaries, as generators of the well known U_q(sl(2)) quantum group symmetry (for a single screening charge). Here, this structure is transformed to the Bloch wave/Coulomb gas operator basis, thereby establishing for the first time its quantum group symmetry properties. A U_q(sl(2)) U_q(sl(2)) symmetry of a novel type emerges: The two Cartan-generator eigenvalues are specified by the choice of matrix element (Vermamodules); the two Casimir eigenvalues are equal and specified by the Virasoro weight of the vertex operator considered; the co-product is defined with a matching condition dictated by the Hilbert space structure of the operator product. This hidden symmetry possesses a novel Hopf-like structure compatible with these conditions. At roots of unity it gives the right truncation. Its (non-linear) connection with the U_q(sl(2)) previously discussed is disentangled. Received: 25 April 1996/Accepted: 20 July 1996     

On a functional equation by Baak,Boo and Rassias

In Baak et al. (J Math Anal Appl 314(1):150–161, 2006) the authors considered the functional equation

$$\begin{aligned} r f\left( \frac{1}{r}\,\sum _{j=1}^{d}x_j\right)+ & {} \sum _{i(j)\in \{0,1\} \atop \sum _{1\le j\le d} i(j)=\ell }r f\left( \frac{1}{r}\,\sum _{j=1}^d (-1)^{i(j)}x_j\right) \\= & {} \left( {d-1\atopwithdelims ()\ell }-{d-1\atopwithdelims ()\ell -1} +1\right) \sum _{j=1}^{d} f(x_j) \end{aligned}$$

where \(d,\ell \in \mathbb {N}\), \(1<\ell <d/2\) and \(r\in \mathbb {Q}{\setminus }\{0\}\). The authors determined all odd solutions \(f:X\rightarrow Y\) for vector spaces X, Y over \(\mathbb {Q}\). In Oubbi (Can Math Bull 60:173–183, 2017) the author considered the same equation but now for arbitrary real \(r\not =0\) and real vector spaces X, Y. Generalizing similar results from (J Math Anal Appl 314(1):150–161, 2006) he additionally investigates certain stability questions for the equation above, but as for that equation itself for odd approximate solutions only. The present paper deals with the general solution of the equation and the corresponding stability inequality. In particular it is shown that under certain circumstances non-odd solutions of the equation exist.

     

Linear parameter varying control design for rotating systems supported by journal bearings

Linear parameter varying (LPV) control is a model-based control technique that takes into account time-varying parameters of the plant. In the case of rotating systems supported by lubricated bearings, the dynamic characteristics of the bearings change in time as a function of the rotating speed. Hence, LPV control can tackle the problem of run-up and run-down operational conditions when dynamic characteristics of the rotating system change significantly in time due to the bearings and high vibration levels occur. In this work, the LPV control design for a flexible shaft supported by plain journal bearings is presented. The model used in the LPV control design is updated from unbalance response experimental results and dynamic coefficients for the entire range of rotating speeds are obtained by numerical optimization. Experimental implementation of the designed LPV control resulted in strong reduction of vibration amplitudes when crossing the critical speed, without affecting system behavior in sub- or super-critical speeds.     

Associative formal power series in two indeterminates

Investigating the associativity equation for formal power series in two variables we show that the transcendental associative formal power series are of order one or two and that they can be represented by an invertible formal power series in one variable. We also discuss the convergence of associative formal power series.     

Shaper-assisted full-phase characterization of UV pulses without a spectrometer

A full-phase measurement of low-energy femtosecond UV pulses is presented. The method relies on phase retrieval of measured sonogram traces and is greatly simplified by a two-dimensional shaper-assisted cross correlation setup. As all required pulses are generated by the pulse shaper, the method is free of external references and additional tunable filter setups.     

Optimal control of Markovian jump processes with partial information and applications to a parallel queueing model

We consider a stochastic control problem over an infinite horizon where the state process is influenced by an unobservable environment process. In particular, the Hidden-Markov-model and the Bayesian model are included. This model under partial information is transformed into an equivalent one with complete information by using the well-known filter technique. In particular, the optimal controls and the value functions of the original and the transformed problem are the same. An explicit representation of the filter process which is a piecewise-deterministic process, is also given. Then we propose two solution techniques for the transformed model. First, a generalized verification technique (with a generalized Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation) is formulated where the strict differentiability of the value function is weaken to local Lipschitz continuity. Second, we present a discrete-time Markovian decision model by which we are able to compute an optimal control of our given problem. In this context we are also able to state a general existence result for optimal controls. The power of both solution techniques is finally demonstrated for a parallel queueing model with unknown service rates. In particular, the filter process is discussed in detail, the value function is explicitly computed and the optimal control is completely characterized in the symmetric case.