A flexible and generic approach to dynamic modelling of supply chains

In this paper, we present a new modelling approach for realistic supply chain simulation. The model provides an experimental environment for informed comparison between different supply chain policies. A basic simulation model for a generic node, from which a supply chain network can be built, has been developed using an object-oriented approach. This generic model allows the incorporation of the information and physical systems and decision-making policies used by each node. The object-oriented approach gives the flexibility in specifying the supply chain configuration and operation decisions, and policies. Stochastic simulations are achieved by applying Latin Supercube Sampling to the uncertain variables in descending order of importance, which reduces the number of simulations required. We also present a case study to show that the model is applicable to a real-life situation for dynamic stochastic studies.     

Minisum collection depots location problem with multiple facilities on a network

We investigate the problem of locating a set of service facilities that need to service customers on a network. To provide service, a server has to visit both the demand node and one of several collection depots. We employ the criterion of minimizing the weighted sum of round trip distances. We prove that there exists a dominating location set for the problem on a general network. The properties of the solution on a tree and on a cycle are discussed. The problem of locating service facilities and collection depots simultaneously is also studied. To solve the problem on a general network, we suggest a Lagrangian relaxation imbedded branch-and-bound algorithm. Computational results are reported.     

Constructions of economic functions and calculations of marginal rates in DEA using parametric optimization methods

The aim of the paper is to present and substantiate a technique to visualize DEA modelling results without any loss of mathematical rigour. The proposed family of parametric optimization methods allows one to construct an intersection of the multidimensional frontier with a two-dimensional plane determined by any pair of given directions. This approach reduces the efficiency analysis of production units to the investigation of well-known functions in economics. We also propose constructive methods to calculate marginal rates of substitution, marginal rates of transformation and so on.     

Analysing the effect of technical change on individual outputs using modified quasi-Malmquist indexes

Malmquist indexes can be used to estimate technical change over time. The index generally represents the average effect of technical change on all outputs in a multi-output firm. However, changes in technology do not necessarily affect all outputs involved in the analysis equally. In this paper, a method for estimating the effect of technical change on each of the different outputs is proposed. This estimation is done by a modification of quasi-Malmquist indexes. An artificial data set has been used to validate the method proposed in this paper.     

A Characterisation of Posets that Are nearly Antichains

We present a characterisation of posets of size n with linear discrepancy n − 2. These are the posets that are “furthest” from a linear order without being an antichain. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Hydromagnetic rotating flow of a fourth‐order fluid past a porous plate

The rotating flow in the presence of a magnetic field is a problem belonging to hydromagnetics and deserves to be more widely studied than it has been to date. In the non‐linear regime the literature is scarce. We develop the governing equations for the unsteady hydromagnetic rotating flow of a fourth‐order fluid past a porous plate. The steady flow is governed by a boundary value problem in which the order of differential equations is more than the number of available boundary conditions. It is shown that by augmenting the boundary conditions based on asymptotic structures at infinity it is possible to obtain numerical solutions of the nonlinear hydromagnetic equations. Effects of uniform suction or blowing past the porous plate, exerted magnetic field and rotation on the flow phenomena, especially on the boundary layer structure near the plate, are numerically analysed and discussed. The flow behaviours of the Newtonian fluid and second‐, third‐ and fourth‐order non‐Newtonian fluids are compared for the special flow problem, respectively. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Invariant ideals of twisted crossed products

We will prove a result concerning the inclusion of non-trivial invariant ideals inside non-trivial ideals of a twisted crossed product. We will also give results concerning the primeness and simplicity of crossed products of twisted actions of locally compact groups on -algebras. Received: 25 January 2002; in final form: 22 May 2002/Published online: 2 December 2002 This work is partially supported by Hong Kong RGC Direct Grant.     

Covering vertices of a graph by k disjoint cycles

Let d, k and n be three integers with k3, d4k−1 and n3k. We show that if d(x)+d(y)d for each pair of nonadjacent vertices x and y of a graph G of order n, then G contains k vertex-disjoint cycles converting at least min{d,n} vertices of G.