Generalized Multivariate Gumbel Distributions——Dependence,Aging Properties and Applications

This paper introduces a generalized multivariate Gumbel (GMG) distribution using a survival copula. Various dependence properties of the GMG distribution and some analytical properties of the generators of the GMG distribution are studied. Furthermore, the authors also investigate the dependence behavior of the residual lifetime vector of the GMG distribution. As an illustration, the GMG distribution is applied to fit a real data set.     

Bounding the inefficiency of the C-logit stochastic user equilibrium assignment

Compared with standard logit-based stochastic user equilibrium assignment model, the C-logit model describes route choice behavior in a more realistic way by considering the overlapping effect between routes. This paper investigates the inefficiency upper bounds of this model against the deterministic system optimum and the C-logit stochastic system optimum in terms of the total network travel time. It is found that the commonality factor of overlapping routes significantly affects the inefficiency bound, besides link congestion degree, total demand and the number of feasible routes. If the commonality factor is not considered, the efficiency loss resulting from selfishly stochastic travel behavior will be to large extent underestimated.     

An empirical investigation on the risk-return relationship of carbon future market

This paper examines the risk-return relationship for the carbon future market during Phases I, II and III of the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS). The risk factors derived from the newly developed LSW model, are embedded into a GARCH framework. This new specification is compared with several GARCH-M type models analyzing the risk-return relationship in the carbon market. The results show that the new specification consistently achieves a good fit and possesses superior explanatory power for the European Union Allowance (EUA) data. Some policy suggestions regarding market efficiency are also provided.     

The complexity and on-line algorithm for automated storage and retrieval system with stacker cranes on one rail

This paper considers an on-line scheduling and routing problem concerning the automated storage and retrieval system from tobacco industry. In this problem, stacker cranes run on one common rail between two racks. Multiple input/output-points are located at the bottom of the racks. The stacker cranes transport bins between the input/output-points and cells on the racks to complete requests generated over time. Each request should be accomplished within its response time. The objective is to minimize the time by which all the generated requests are completed. Under a given physical layout, the authors study the complexity of the problem and design on-line algorithms for both one-stacker-crane model and two-stacker-crane model. The algorithms are validated by instances and numerical simulations.     

Solving the perspective-three-point problem using comprehensive Gröbner systems

A complete solution classification of the perspective-three-point (P3P) problem is given by using the Gröbner basis method. The structure of the solution space of the polynomial system deduced by the P3P problem can be obtained by computing a comprehensive Gröbner system. Combining with properties of the generalized discriminant sequences, the authors give the explicit conditions to determine the number of distinct real positive solutions of the P3P problem. Several examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed conditions.     

Systemic Design for Applying the Combined Use of SSM and CDA to Social Practices

In this paper, we propose a framework for applying the combined use of soft systems methodology (SSM) and critical discourse analysis (CDA) based on social semiotic systemic functional linguistics to social practices. In the social practice, ‘participation’ mode of Checkland’s SSM is used for ‘problem-solving’ whilst CDA is used to problematize ‘problem-solving’ processes within the practice. During the meta-process of problematization of our research, we used Churchman’s systems approach and its theory of ‘boundary critique’ in order to explore issues such as governance, inequality of power, and social values within the organization examined for this study. In other words, the process-oriented methodology proposed in this paper consists of two processes: that of ‘problem-solving’ based on SSM and of problematization of naturalized discourse from the perspective of CDA and two phases of boundary critique in social practice. A detailed account of a case study of Korean social enterprise is given to demonstrate how our proposed framework of the combined use of SSM and CDA is applied into practice. Reflecting the outcome of the case study, this paper argues that critical social research from systemic inquiry using what we call ‘process-oriented methodology’ is useful to address some of the social and complex issues related to understanding dynamic relation between power and discourse amongst participants in the social enterprise in Korean contexts.     

Emergence: A Systems Theory’s Challenge to Ethics

The paper reconstructs Niklas Luhmann’s diagnosis of the dysfunctional character of moral communication in the modern society by emphasizing the emergent character of today’s moral problems. In the systems-theoretic literature, emergence means the irreducibility of the properties of the whole to the characteristics of its parts. Two arguments have been advanced. First, the dysfunctional character of moral communication has been traced back to the emergent character of many moral problems. Moral communication has thus been shown to be not inherently dysfunctional, but rather needful of semantic forms that take account of the emergent properties of the economic and other social systems. Second, these properties highlight the moral aspect of the precariousness of system–environment relations as seen by Luhmann. As a moral problem, this precariousness can be resolved through greater sensitivity of social systems to their environment, social and natural alike. Accordingly, the emergent properties of the economic and other social systems can be captured by recasting the concept of responsibility as the individual-level or organizational-level projection of the environmental sensitivity of these systems.     

A two-dimensional improvement for Farr-Gao algorithm

Farr-Gao algorithm is a state-of-the-art algorithm for reduced Gröbner bases of vanishing ideals of finite points, which has been implemented in Maple as a build-in command. This paper presents a two-dimensional improvement for it that employs a preprocessing strategy for computing reduced Gröbner bases associated with tower subsets of given point sets. Experimental results show that the preprocessed Farr-Gao algorithm is more efficient than the classical one.     

Stability of coupled impulsive Markovian jump reaction-diffusion systems on networks

This paper is devoted to the investigation of stability for a class of coupled impulsive Markovian jump reaction-diffusion systems on networks (CIMJRDSNs). By using graph theory, a systematic method is provided to construct global Lyapunov functions for the CIMJRDSNs. Based on Lyapunov functions and stochastic analysis method, some novel stability principles associated with the topology property of the networks are established.     

Social Media as a Mean for Improved Technical Communication

Technical communication (TC) is an important activity in order to provide the users of technical artifacts with necessary information concerning the operation and maintenance of the products they are using. In the current working procedures of TC, however, the users become too passive. They are just receivers of information. Further, there is no effective feedback from the users to the producers of the information. In order to overcome those problems we here propose an application of social media (SM) in future TC. By using SM as a complementary channel for TC it becomes possible for technology firms to boost their competitive advantage and to improve the quality and completeness of their TC. This technique, however, is still more of a potential and less of a reality. Several problems, mostly concerning security and confidentiality remain to be solved. The empirical base for this work comes from TIC, an EU-funded development project involving several Swedish technology companies. Published research results are somewhat scattered but several sources coherently indicate both the need and potential for SM as a vehicle in TC. By scanning the net it is further possible to identify a number of seemingly successful applications of SM in such applications.