9214465
Performance prediction tools for parallel discrete-event simulation
We have developed a set of performance prediction tools which help to estimate the achievable speedups from parallelizing a sequential simulation. The tools focus on two important factors in the actual speedup of a parallel simulation program: the simulation protocol used; and the inherent parallelism in the simulation model. The first two tools are a performance/parallelism analyzer for a conservative, asynchronous simulation protocol, and a similar analyzer for a conservative, synchronous (super-step) protocol. Each analyzer allows us to study how the speedup of a model changes with increasing number of processors, when a specific protocol is used. The third tool-a critical path analyzer-gives on ideal upper bound to the model's speedup. This paper gives an overview of the prediction tools, and reports the predictions from applying the tools to a discrete-event wafer fabrication simulation model. The predictions are close to speedups from actual parallel implementations. These tools help us to set realistic expectations of the speedup from a parallel simulation program, and to focus our work on issues which are more likely to yield performance improvement.
6477912
Stress testing a supply chain using simulation
Simulation provides the capability to evaluate performance of a system operating under current or proposed configurations, policies and procedures. It is very applicable to evaluation of strategic and operational level plans for supply chains. It is especially useful for exploring the viability of a supply chain before beginning production. This paper describes the use of simulation for determining the readiness of a supply chain designed by a small company for providing sub-systems to a defense contractor. The supply chain had to be stress tested at surge and mobilization volume levels to meet the requirements. Simulation provided the ideal methodology to identify and demonstrate the behavior of the supply chain under stress and evaluate strategies to meet the defined volumes. It was used to prove the readiness of the supply chain reducing perceived risks in using the virtual operation.
18211780
Supply chain opportunities: panel session: opportunities for simulation in supply chain management
It has become a matter of survival that many companies improve their supply chain efficiency. This presents an opportunity for simulation. However, there are many challenges that must be overcome for simulation to be a contributor to play an effective role. Four contributors discuss the opportunities that they see for simulation to play a meaningful role in the area of supply chain management.
18971661
Development of a high-level supply chain simulation model
This paper describes an effort that involved development of a simulation model for evaluating the business processes and inventory control parameters of a logistics and distribution supply chain. A generic simulation tool, rather than a supply chain simulator, was developed for meeting customized needs of the effort. The paper describes, the approaches used to model at the selected level of abstraction, the development of interfaces for data and experimentation and the development and delivery of animation for communicating the approach and results to the client.
201885623
Manufacturing supply chain applications: modeling computer assembly operations for supply chain integration
Factory operations have been modeled for years to understand the relationship between the different design and policy factors and the performance measures of interest. The increasing awareness of the need to manage factories as a link in the supply chain places a corresponding requirement for an enhanced approach for factory modeling. This paper describes the modeling of a computer assembly factory for supply chain integration by including aspects of inbound and outbound logistics and relevant business processes. Lessons are drawn based on the experience.
32884753
Expert Simulation For On-line Scheduling
In recent years, the automotive industry has realized the importance of speed of new products to market and has mounted efforts for improving it. The Expert System Scheduler (ESS) facilitates these efforts by enabling manufacturing plants to generate viable schedules under increasing constraints and demands for flexibility. The scheduler takes advantage of the Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) environment by utilizing the real-time information from the factory for responsive scheduling. The Expert System Scheduler uses heuristics developed by an experiences factory scheduler. It uses simulation concepts and these heuristics to generate schedules. Forward and "backward" simulation are used at different stages of the schedule generation process. The system is used to control parts flow on the factory floor at one automated facility. This highly automated facility is a testbed for implementation of CIM concepts. The scheduler runs on a Texas Instruments (TI) Explorer II computer using software developed inhouse utilizing IntelliCorp's Knowledge Engineering Environment (KEE) shell and the LISP language. The scheduling computer is networked to the factory control computer, which actually controls the plant floor. The TI Explorer II acquires current plant floor information from the factory control system, generates a new schedule and sends it back within a short time. The configuration allows fast response to changes in requirements and plant floor conditions.
30649473
Joint Bidding in the Name-Your-Own-Price Channel: A Strategic Analysis
In this paper, we study the name-your-own-price (NYOP) channel. We examine theoretically and empirically whether asking consumers to place a joint bid for multiple items, rather than bid one item at a time as practiced today, can increase NYOP retailers' profits. Relatedly, we also examine whether allowing consumers to self-select whether to place a joint bid or itemwise bids increases retailers' profits and consumers' surplus. We construct a dynamic model that incorporates both demand uncertainty and supply uncertainty to address these issues. Our theoretical analysis identifies the conditions under which joint bidding can increase both NYOP retailers' profits and consumers' surplus. We find that some consumers might bid more for the very same items when they place joint bids. The increase in bid amount is related to the fact that joint bidding reduces the chance of mismatch between NYOP retailers' costs and consumer bids. We conducted a laboratory study to assess the descriptive validity of some of the model predictions, because there are no field data on joint bidding in the NYOP channel. The results of the study are directionally consistent with our theory.
15500184
Counting extensional differences in BC-learning
Let BC be the model of behaviourally correct function learning as introduced by Barzdins [Theory of Algorithms and Programs, vol. 1, Latvian State University, 1974, p. 82-88] and Case and Smith [Theoret. Comput. Sci. 25 (1983) 193-220]. We introduce a mind change hierarchy for BC, counting the number of extensional differences in the hypotheses of a learner. We compare the resulting models BCn to models from the literature and discuss confidence, team learning, and finitely defective hypotheses. Among other things, we prove that there is a trade-off between the number of semantic mind changes and the number of anomalies in the hypotheses. We also discuss consequences for language learning. In particular we show that, in contrast to the case of function learning, the family of classes that are confidently BC-learnable from text is not closed under finite unions.
39763724
Branch and bound on the network model
Abstract Karp and Zhang developed a general randomized parallel algorithm for solving branch and bound problems. They showed that with high probability their algorithm attained optimal speedup within a constant factor (for p⩽ n/( log n) c , where p is the number of processors, n is the “size” of the problem, and c is a constant). Ranade later simplified the analysis and obtained a better processor bound. Karp and Zhang's algorithm works on models of computation where communication cost is constant. The present paper considers the Branch and Bound problem on networks where the communication cost is high. Suppose sending a message in a p processor network takes G = O ( log p) time and node expansion (defined below) takes unit time (other operations being free). Then a simple randomized algorithm is presented which is, asymptotically, nearly optimal for p = O (2 log c n ) , where c is any constant and n is the number of nodes in the input tree with cost no greater than the cost of the optimal leaf in the tree.
16049225
The Structure of Intrinsic Complexity of Learning
Recently, a new approach to the study of “intrinsic” complexity of learning has originated in the work of Freivalds, and has been investigated for identification in the limit of functions by Freivalds, Kinber, and Smith and for identification in the limit of languages by Jain and Sharma. Instead of concentrating on the complexity of the learning algorithm, this approach uses the notion of reducibility to investigate the complexity of the concept classes being learned. Three representative classes have been presented that classify learning problems of increasing difficulty. 
 
(a) 
 
Classes that can be learned by machines that confirm their success (singleton languages). 
 
 
 
 
(b) 
 
Classes that can be learned by machines that cannot confirm their success but can provide an upper bound on the number of mind changes after inspecting an element of the language (pattern languages). 
 
 
 
 
(c) 
 
Classes that can be learned by machines that can neither confirm success nor can provide an upper bound on the number of mind changes (finite languages).
31550952
Intrinsic Complexity of Learning Geometrical Concepts from Positive Data
Intrinsic complexity is used to measure complexity of learning areas limited by broken-straight lines (called open semi-hulls) and intersections of such areas. Any strategy learning such geometrical concept can be viewed as a sequence of primitive basic strategies. Thus, the length of such a sequence together with complexities of primitive strategies used can be regarded as complexity of learning the concept in question. We obtained best possible lower and upper bounds on learning open semi-hulls, as well as matching upper and lower bounds on complexity of learning intersections of such areas. Surprisingly, upper bounds in both cases turn out to be much lower than those provided by natural learning strategies. Another surprising result is that learning intersections of open semi-hulls (and their complements) turns out to be easier than learning open semi-hulls themselves.