A Linearly Convergent Algorithm for Solving a Class of Nonconvex/Affine Feasibility Problems

We introduce a class of nonconvex/affine feasibility problems, called (NCF), that consists of finding a point in the intersection of affine constraints with a nonconvex closed set. This class captures some interesting fundamental and NP hard problems arising in various application areas such as sparse recovery of signals and affine rank minimization that we briefly … Read more

Relaxations of combinatorial problems via association schemes

In this chapter we study a class of semidefinite programming relaxations of combinatorial problems. These relaxations are derived using the theory of coherent configurations in algebraic combinatorics. Citation Draft version of a chapter for “Handbook on SDP II” (M. Anjos and J. Lasserre, eds.), Springer. Article Download View Relaxations of combinatorial problems via association schemes

On semidefinite programming relaxations of maximum k-section

We derive a new semidefinite programming bound for the maximum k-section problem. For k=2 (i.e. for maximum bisection), the new bound is least as strong as the well-known bound by Frieze and Jerrum [A. Frieze and M. Jerrum. Improved Approximation Algorithms for MAX k-CUT and MAX BISECTION. Algorithmica, 18(1): 67-81, 1997]. For k > 2 … Read more

A parallel multi-population biased random-key genetic algorithm for a container loading problem

This paper presents a multi-population biased random-key genetic algorithm (BRKGA) for the Single Container Loading Problem (CLP) where several rectangular boxes of different sizes are loaded into a single rectangular container. The approach uses a maximal-space representation to manage the free spaces in the container. The proposed algorithm hybridizes a novel placement procedure with a … Read more

A biased random-key genetic algorithm for road congestion minimization

One of the main goals in transportation planning is to achieve solutions for two classical problems, the traffic assignment and toll pricing problems. The traffic assignment problem aims to minimize total travel delay among all travelers. Based on data derived from the first problem, the toll pricing problem determines the set of tolls and corresponding … Read more

On the Safety First portfolio selection

A.D.Roy’s (1952) safety first (SF) approach to a financial portfolio selection is improved. Safety first means minimization of probability of poor returns. Improvement concerns a better estimation of the poor return probabilities by means of shortfall risk functions. Optimal SF-portfolio is sought similar to Roy’s geometric method but with a different efficient frontier. In case … Read more

Efficient preconditioner updates for shifted linear systems

We present a new technique for building effective and low cost preconditioners for sequences of shifted linear systems (A+aI)x=b, where A is symmetric positive definite and a>0. This technique updates a preconditioner for A, available in the form of an LDL’ factorization, by modifying only the nonzero entries of the L factor in such a … Read more

Calibrating Artificial Neural Networks by Global Optimization

An artificial neural network (ANN) is a computational model – implemented as a computer program – that is aimed at emulating the key features and operations of biological neural networks. ANNs are extensively used to model unknown or unspecified functional relationships between the input and output of a “black box” system. In order to apply … Read more

Complementarity Problems over Symmetric Cones: A Survey of Recent Developments in Several Aspects

The complementarity problem over a symmetric cone (that we call the Symmetric Cone Complementarity Problem, or the SCCP) has received much attention of researchers in the last decade. Most of studies done on the SCCP can be categorized into the three research themes, interior point methods for the SCCP, merit or smoothing function methods for … Read more

SDP relaxations for some combinatorial optimization problems

In this chapter we present recent developments on solving various combinatorial optimization problems by using semidefinite programming (SDP). We present several SDP relaxations of the quadratic assignment problem and the traveling salesman problem. Further, we show the equivalence of several known SDP relaxations of the graph equipartition problem, and present recent results on the bandwidth … Read more