| 1. INTRODUCTION TO STOCHASTIC PROCESSES |
| 1.1. Random Variables and Probability Theory |
| 1.2. Conditional Expectation |
| 1.3. Stochatic Processes |
| Problems |
| 2. THE POISSON RPCESS |
| 2.1 Introduction and Definitions |
| 2.2 Interarrival and Waiting Time Distributions |
| 2.3 Conditional Distribution of the Arrival Times |
| 2.4 Compound and Nonhomogenous Poisson Processes |
| 2.5 Stationary Point Processes |
| Problems |
| References |
| 3. RENEWAL THEORY |
| 3.1 Introduction and Preliminaries |
| 3.2 Renewal Equation and Generalizations |
| 3.3 Limit Theorems |
| 3.4 Wald's Equation |
| 3.5 Back to Renewal Theory |
| 3.6 Excess Life and Age Distribution |
| 3.7 Delayed Renewal Processes |
| 3.8 Counter Models |
| 3.9 Renewal Reward Process |
| 3.10 Nonterminating versus Terminating Renewal Processes |
| 3.11 Age Dependent Branching Processes |
| Problems |
| References |
| 4. MARKOV CHAINS |
| 4.1 Preliminaries and Examples |
| 4.2 Classification of States |
| 4.3 Limit Theorems |
| 4.4 Transitions Among Classes |
| 4.5 Branching Processes |
| 4.6 Transient States |
| Problems |
| References |
| 5. "SEMI-MARKOV, MARKOV RENEWAL AND REGERNERATIVE PROCESSES" |
| 5.1 Introduction and Preliminaries |
| 5.2 Classification of States |
| 5.3 Some Simple Relationships |
| 5.4 Regenerative Processes |
| 5.5 A Queueing Application |
| 5.6 Back to Markov Renewal Processes-Limiting Probabilities |
| 5.7 Limiting Distributions of the Markov Renewal Process |
| 5.8 Continuous Time Markov Chains |
| 5.9 Birth and Death Processes |
| Problems |
| References |
| 6. MARKOV DECISION PROCESSES |
| 6.1 Introduction |
| 6.2 Expected Discounted Cost |
| 6.3 Some Examples |
| 6.4 "Positive Costs, No Discounting" |
| 6.5 Applications: Optimal Stopping and Sequential Analysis |
| 6.6 Expected Average Cost Criterion-Introduction and Counter examples |
| 6.7 Expected Average Cost Criterion |
| 6.8 Finite State Space-Computational Approaches |
| Problems |
| References |
| 7. SEMI-MARKOV DECISION PROCESSES |
| 7.1 Introduction |
| 7.2 Discounted Cost Criterion |
| 7.3 Average Cost-Preliminaries and Equality of Criteria |
| 7.4 Average Cost-Results |
| 7.5 Some Examples |
| Problems |
| References |
| 8. INVENTORY THEORY |
| 8.1 Introdu |
| 8.2 A Single Period Model |
| 8.3 Multi-Period Models |
| 8.4 A Multi-Period Stationary Optimal Policy |
| 8.5 Inventory Issuing Policies |
| Problems |
| References |
| 9. BROWNIAN MOTION AND CONTINUOUS TIME OPTIMIZATION MODELS |
| 9.1 Introduction and Preliminaries |
| 9.2 Maximum of the Wiener Process |
| 9.3 The Wiener Process and Optimization |
| 9.4 The Maximum Variable-A Renewal Application |
| 9.5 Optimal Dispatching of a Poisson Process |
| 9.6 Infinitesimal Look-Ahead Stopping Rules |
| Problems |
| Reference |
| APPENDICES |
| INDEX |