Λ-Shaped Policies to Schedule Deteriorating Jobs

We study a problem of scheduling deteriorating jobs, i.e. jobs whose processing times are an increasing function of their starting times. We consider the case of a single machine and linear job-independent deterioration. The objective is to minimize the sum of weighted completion times, with weights proportional to the basic processing times. The optimal schedule is shown to be Λ-shaped, i.e. the sequence of the basic processing times has a single local maximum. Moreover, we show that the problem is solved in O(N log N) time. In the last section we test heuristics for the case of general weights.     

Crystal Structure, Electrical Transport, and Magnetic Properties of Niobium Monophosphide

Large single crystals of NbP have been prepared. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study shows that it crystallizes in tetragonal symmetry with space group I4(1)md (No. 109) and lattice parameters a = 3.3324(2) ?, c = 11.3705(7) ?, and Z = 4. A full matrix least-squares refinement based on a unique data set of 285 reflections (I> 2sigma(I)) yielded R(F) = 0.017 and R(w)(F(2)) = 0.046 for nine variables. The unit cell consists of one unique Nb and one P, each in trigonal prismatic coordination with the other element. There are two short and four long bond distances of Nb-P. The Nb-Nb bond distances are significantly shorter than R(c) = 4.09 ?, the critical distance required for good Nb-Nb 4d orbital overlap for niobium metal-metal bonds. NbP shows metallic behavior with rho = 4.5 x 10(-)(5) Omega cm at room temperature. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on a collection of randomly oriented single crystals indicate very weak Pauli paramagnetism ( approximately 10(-)(5) emu/mol). A discussion of the structure as well as the physical properties of NbP compared with those of previous results are presented. The band structure of NbP based on the extended Hückel (tight-binding) calculations is presented along with an analysis that reveals that the valence band is built up from three center bonds localized within Nb(3) triangles.     

Analysis of Open Discrete Time Queueing Networks: A Refined Decomposition Approach

This paper deals with approximate analysis methods for open queueing networks. External and internal flows from and to the nodes are characterized by renewal processes with discrete time distributions of their interarrival times. Stationary distributions of the waiting time, the queue size and the interdeparture times are obtained using efficient discrete time algorithms for single server (GI/G/1) and multi-server (GI/D/c) nodes with deterministic service. The network analysis is extended to semi-Markovian representations of each flow among the nodes, which include parameters of the autocorrelation function.     

Project Management Duration/Resource Tradeoff Analysis: an Application of the Cut Search Approach

The paper presents an application oriented procedure for solving the project management duration/resource tradeoff problem. A procedure is presented for reducing a project from a normal to a crash duration state at a minimum amount of additional resource expenditure assuming a linear utilization functions. The procedure is network based using a graphical Cut Search Approach to locate the minimal resource level at each reduction in total project duration. Activity-on-arc networks and flow networks are utilized. The paper is presented for practical application and for conceptual development as compared to a theoretical treatment.     

Electroweak tests with τ leptons at LEP

We report on two sensitive tests of lepton universality carried out by the 4 LEP experiments at the Z⁰ pole. From measurements of the τ polarization in e⁺ e^?→τ ⁺ τ ^?, the ratios of the vector and axial vector coupling constants of the electron and the tau lepton to the weak neutral current are obtained to beg _{v e} /g _{a e} =0.066±0.015 andg _{V τ} /g _{A τ} =0.070±0.009 respectively. From measurement of the τ lifetime and the τ leptonic branching ratios, the ratio of the coupling constants describing weak leptonic decays of the τ and the μ is measured to beG _τ /G _μ =0.996±0.008.     

Standard<Emphasis Type="Italic">SU</Emphasis>(5) supergravity grand unification model and predictions

A review is given of the StandardSU(5) supergravity model. This model has passed an important check regarding unification of the electro-weak and the strong couplings using high precision LEP data. It is shown that for a significant domain of the parameter space the model also satisfies constraints on the SUSY spectrum from CDF and LEP, as well as proton stability and cosmological relic density constraints.     

Parametric normalization for full-energy peak count rates obtained at different geometries

The Effective Interaction Depth (EID) law has been systematically studied and applied to parametric normalization for peak count rates obtained at different source-detector distances (S-D). The errors caused by EID normalization are less than 4% over the full range of S-D (from to several mm) for true coincidence-free -rays. Parametric corrections for the true coincidence (summing) effect are also established, based on simplified decay schemes and P/T ratio determinations. The total response of Ge detector for single-energy -rays (T) is clearly defined with scattering contributions from surroundings included. Errors from summing effect corrections are also less than 4%. The combined EID normalization and summing effect corrections give an error no greater than 5.7% for the worst situations (several mm S-D and cascade-crossover decay scheme), acceptable for most practical K₀ NAA.