Simple Iterative Methods for Linear Optimization over Convex Sets

We give simple iterative methods for computing approximately optimal primal and dual solutions for the problem of maximizing a linear functional over a convex set $K$ given by a separation oracle. In contrast to prior work, our algorithms directly output primal and dual solutions and avoid a common requirement of binary search on the objective … Read more

On Generating Lagrangian Cuts for Two-stage Stochastic Integer Programs

We investigate new methods for generating Lagrangian cuts to solve two-stage stochastic integer programs. Lagrangian cuts can be added to a Benders reformulation, and are derived from solving single scenario integer programming subproblems identical to those used in the nonanticipative Lagrangian dual of a stochastic integer program. While Lagrangian cuts have the potential to significantly … Read more

A Primal-Dual Algorithm for Risk Minimization

In this paper, we develop an algorithm to efficiently solve risk-averse optimization problems posed in reflexive Banach space. Such problems often arise in many practical applications as, e.g., optimization problems constrained by partial differential equations with uncertain inputs. Unfortunately, for many popular risk models including the coherent risk measures, the resulting risk-averse objective function is … Read more

Finding the Sequence of Largest Small n-Polygons by Numerical Optimization

LSP(n), the largest small polygon with n vertices, is the polygon of unit diameter that has maximal area A(n). It is known that for all odd values n≥3, LSP(n) is the regular n-polygon; however, this statement is not valid for even values of n. Finding the polygon LSP(n) and A(n) for even values n≥6 has … Read more

A Geometric View of SDP Exactness in QCQPs and its Applications

Let S denote a subset of Rn defined by quadratic equality and inequality constraints and let S denote its projected semidefinite program (SDP) relaxation. For example, take S and S to be the epigraph of a quadratically constrained quadratic program (QCQP) and the projected epigraph of its SDP relaxation respectively. In this paper, we suggest … Read more

A study of the relation between the single-row and the double-row facility layout problem

The NP-hard Multi-Row Facility Layout Problem (MRFLP) consists of a set of one-dimensional departments and pairwise transport weights between them. It asks for a non-overlapping arrangement of the departments along a given number of rows such that the weighted sum of the horizontal center-to-center distances between the departments is minimized. We mainly focus on the … Read more

Implications, conflicts, and reductions for Steiner trees

The Steiner tree problem in graphs (SPG) is one of the most studied problems in combinatorial optimization. In the last 10 years, there have been significant advances concerning approximation and complexity of the SPG. However, the state of the art in (practical) exact solution of the SPG has remained largely unchallenged for almost 20 years. … Read more

Sparse Poisson regression via mixed-integer optimization

We present a mixed-integer optimization (MIO) approach to sparse Poisson regression. The MIO approach to sparse linear regression was first proposed in the 1970s, but has recently received renewed attention due to advances in optimization algorithms and computer hardware. In contrast to many sparse estimation algorithms, the MIO approach has the advantage of finding the … Read more

The Price of Anarchy in Series-Parallel Network Congestion Games

We study the inefficiency of pure Nash equilibria in symmetric network congestion games defined over series-parallel networks with affine edge delays. For arbitrary networks, Correa (2019) proved a tight upper bound of 5/2 on the PoA. On the other hand, for extension-parallel networks, a subclass of series-parallel networks, Fotakis (2010) proved that the PoA is … Read more

Multi-cover Inequalities for Totally-Ordered Multiple Knapsack Sets: Theory and Computation

We propose a method to generate cutting-planes from multiple covers of knapsack constraints. The covers may come from different knapsack inequalities if the weights in the inequalities form a totally-ordered set. Thus we introduce and study the structure of a totally-ordered multiple knapsack set. The valid multi-cover inequalities we derive for its convex hull have … Read more