Commutators of singular integrals on spaces of homogeneous type

In this work we prove some sharp weighted inequalities on spaces of homogeneous type for the higher order commutators of singular integrals introduced by R. Coifman, R. Rochberg and G. Weiss in Factorization theorems for Hardy spaces in several variables, Ann. Math. 103 (1976), 611–635. As a corollary, we obtain that these operators are bounded on L ^p (w) when w belongs to the Muckenhoupt’s class A _p , p > 1. In addition, as an important tool in order to get our main result, we prove a weighted Fefferman-Stein type inequality on spaces of homogeneous type, which we have not found previously in the literature.     

Exploring new directions for research in problem structuring methods: on the role of cognitive style

Prior research has argued that cognitive style can have a significant impact on group decision making. In addition, several scholars have proposed that cognitive style can play a key role in the design and use of group decision support systems. However, cognitive style has not received a great deal of attention in the problem structuring methods (PSMs) community. This is surprising, given that PSMs are specifically developed to support a group in their decision making. The purpose of this paper is thus to examine the significance of cognitive style within PSMs. The paper identifies and explores the role of four different cognitive style functions in problem structuring interventions. This analysis is carried out by focusing on the different tasks embedded within a group process supported by PSMs. Implications for the research and practice of PSMs are then discussed.     

Harmonic Algebraic Curves and Noncrossing Partitions

Motivated by Gauss's first proof of the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, we study the topology of harmonic algebraic curves. By the maximum principle, a harmonic curve has no bounded components; its topology is determined by the combinatorial data of a noncrossing matching. Similarly, every complex polynomial gives rise to a related combinatorial object that we call a basketball, consisting of a pair of noncrossing matchings satisfying one additional constraint. We prove that every noncrossing matching arises from some harmonic curve, and deduce from this that every basketball arises from some polynomial.     

At Least n – 1 Intersection Points in a Connected Family of n Unit Circles in the Plane

Let C be a family of n different unit circles in the plane. We show that C determines at least n - c intersection points, where c is the number of connected components in ∪_{C ∈ C}C. This proves a conjecture of A. Bezdek.     

Discrete-time GI/Geo/1 queue with multiple working vacations

Consider the discrete time GI/Geo/1 queue with working vacations under EAS and LAS schemes. The server takes the original work at the lower rate rather than completely stopping during the vacation period. Using the matrix-geometric solution method, we obtain the steady-state distribution of the number of customers in the system and present the stochastic decomposition property of the queue length. Furthermore, we find and verify the closed property of conditional probability for negative binomial distributions. Using such property, we obtain the specific expression for the steady-state distribution of the waiting time and explain its two conditional stochastic decomposition structures. Finally, two special models are presented.      

Technical efficiency,managerial efficiency and objective-setting in the educational system: an international comparison

This study uses data envelopment analysis to analyse the efficiency of educational systems in 31 countries. This type of evaluation is of interest both when formulating a model for analysis and when applying such a model empirically. The efficiency of an educational system must take into account the students' economic and social background, as this is an environmental factor that decisively influences their performance. This is a highly important aspect and so we propose a specific evaluative process for it. Secondly, we evaluate the efficiency of educational systems in different countries, an analysis that has few forerunners since the majority of previous research has focused on analysing a single country. The results suggest that, in general, the most efficient management of educational systems can be found in those countries with a Communist past. They also suggest that there is a series of developed countries, which, judging by the results obtained, could increase their students' performance with even fewer resources than those currently allocated to their educational systems.     

Optimal asset allocation for pension funds under mortality risk during the accumulation and decumulation phases

In a financial market with one riskless asset and n risky assets whose prices are lognormal, we solve in a closed form the problem of a pension fund maximizing the expected CRRA utility of its surplus till the (stochastic) death time of a representative agent. We consider a unique asset allocation problem for both accumulation and decumulation phases. The optimal investment in the risky assets must decrease during the first phase and increase during the second one. We accordingly suggest it is not optimal to manage the two phases separately, and outsourcing of allocation decisions should be avoided in both phases. JEL: G23, G11 MSC 2000: 62P05, 91B28, 91B30, 91B70, 93E20     

A rule-based risk decision-making approach and its application in China's customs inspection decision

This paper addresses a kind of risk decision-making problem existing widely in public administration and business management, which is characterized by (1) occurrence probabilities of states of nature can be estimated by analysing historical observations, but historical observations of different objects are unhomogeneous, (2) the relation between observations and occurrence probabilities of states of nature are affected by some qualitative and quantitative indicators, (3) it is a real-time decision-making problem, that is, there are many decisions for different objects to be made in a limited time, (4) considering decision's execution, impact of resource constrains is an important issue in decision-making process. In this paper, we develop a rule-based approach to address the problem. In the proposed approach, a two-step clustering method is employed to classify objects into categories, and observations in each category can be approximately viewed as homogeneous. For objects in each category, occurrence probabilities of states of nature are estimated by logistic regression, and the decision rule is obtained through solving an optimization model, which is to minimize the total decision risks while satisfying resource constrains. Effect and efficacy of our approach are illustrated through its application to China's customs inspection decision.     

Synergistic effect between 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcin and chloride ion on the corrosion of cold rolled steel in 0.5 M sulfuric acid

The corrosion inhibition of 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAR) on the corrosion of cold rolled steel in 0.5 M sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) was studied using weight loss method and potentiodynamic polarization method. Results obtained revealed that together with chloride ion, PAR is an effective corrosion inhibitor for steel corrosion in sulfuric acid. It was found that for steel corrosion inhibition in the presence of single PAR in sulfuric acid the Temkin adsorption isotherm may be used to explain the adsorption phenomenon. For the mixture of PAR and NaCl used as corrosion inhibitor, however, the Langmuir adsorption isotherm can be used to satisfactorily elucidate the adsorption of mixture of PAR and NaCl. Potentiodynamic polarization studies showed that single PAR mainly acts as a cathodic inhibitor for the corrosion of steel in 0.5 M sulfuric acid. The mixture of PAR and chloride ion, however, acts as a mixed type inhibitor that mainly inhibits cathodic reaction of the steel corrosion in sulfuric acid. By means of electrochemical polarization tests, a desorption potential at ca. −370 mV was observed for the adsorption of mixture of PAR and chloride ion, when potential reaches this value, adsorbed inhibitor molecule heavily departs from the steel surface. For the mixture of PAR and chloride ion, thermodynamic parameters such as adsorption heat, adsorption entropy and adsorption free energy were obtained from experimental data of the temperature studies of the inhibition process at four temperatures ranging from 30 to 45 °C, the kinetic data such as apparent activation energies and pre-exponential factors at different concentrations of the inhibitor were calculated, and the effect of the apparent activation energies and pre-exponential factors on the corrosion rates of cold rolled steel was discussed. The most suitable range of inhibitor concentration was discussed. The inhibitive action was satisfactorily explained by using both thermodynamic and kinetic models. Synergism between chloride ion and PAR was proposed. The results obtained from weight loss and potentiodynamic polarization were in good agreement.