A discrete time stochastic process {Xn, N = 0, 1, 2, ...} is said to be temporally convex (concave) if E[theta](Xn) is a nondecreasing convex (concave) function of n whenever [theta] is a nondecreasing convex (concave) function. Similarly one can define temporal convexity and concavity for...

This paper describes the development of a mathematical model that can provide the basis for a decision support system to aid dentists (or patients) in making decisions about how often to perform (or receive) bitewing radiographs. The model, which describes the initiation and progression of...

In this paper we study different maintenance policies for the control of production systems that are subject to deterioration over time. A Markov model is used to characterize the deterioration process. Two types of basic maintenance policies are considered: scheduled preventive maintenance and...

An important aspect of the efficient design of an automatic transfer line is the ability to understand and predict the effects of the system parameters such as the size of the intermediate buffer storage space, the cycle times, failure times, repair times, and scrap rate, on the production rate...

A collection of stochastic jobs is to be processed by a single machine in a manner which is consistent with a precedence relation on the job set. Costs are incurred as jobs are processed and rewards are earned when they complete. The problem of finding optimal processing strategies is in general...

The results of the classical Cyert, Davidson, and Thompson (CDT) model for estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts could be made more valuable by correcting one flaw. The CDT model rests on the total balance method of aging dollars and, as presented, its answers cannot wisely be applied...

Two models are presented as aids in setting realistic numerical goals for the employment of women and minority persons, and in evaluating progress towards meeting such goals. By modelling personnel flows in terms of hiring and persistence rates for various job categories, we develop a consistent...

Let (kQij)k be a sequence of semi-Markov matrices arising from the nonhomogeneous J-X process of Markov renewal theory. A generalization of the sufficiency half of the Lindeberg central limit theorem is proved for sums Sn=[summation operator]ni=1Xi suitably normed, where the Xi are the holding...