Real Options: A Survey

This survey paper provides an overview of real options, in particular the connection with financial options, valuation methods (analytical methods vs numerical methods based on simulation, lattice approximations to stochastic processes and finite-difference methods) and a wide array of application areas, from R&D to operations management to renewable energy project selection. CitationTechnical report, Lehigh University, … Read more

Variational principles with generalized distances and applications to behavioral sciences

This paper has a two-fold focus on proving that the quasimetric and the weak $\tau$-distance versions of the Ekeland variational principle are equivalent in the sense that one implies the other and on presenting the need of such extensions for possible applications in the formation and break of workers hiring and firing routines. ArticleDownload View … Read more

Generalized Dual Face Algorithm for Linear Programming

As a natural extension of the dual simplex algorithm, the dual face algorithm performed remarkably in computational experiments with a set of Netlib standard problems. In this paper, we generalize it to bounded-variable LP problems via local duality. CitationDepartment of Mathematics, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China, 12/2014ArticleDownload View PDF

On an open question about the complexity of a dynamic spectrum management problem

In this paper we discuss the complexity of a dynamic spectrum management problem within a multi-user communication system with K users and N available tones. In this problem a common utility function is optimized. In particular, so called min-rate, harmonic mean and geometric mean utility functions are considered. The complexity of the optimization problems with … Read more

Facing an Arbitrage Opportunity: Trade or Wait?

In traditional thinking, an arbitrageur will trade immediately once an arbitrage opportunity appears. Is this the best strategy for the arbitrageur or it is even better to wait for the best time to trade so as to achieve the maximum pro fit? To answer this question, this paper studies the optimal trading strategies of an arbitrageur … Read more

A Versatile Heuristic Approach for Generalized Hub Location Problems

The usability of hub location models heavily depends on an appropriate modelling approach for the economies of scale. Realistic hub location models require more sophisticated transport cost structures than the traditional flow-independent discount. We develop a general modelling scheme for such problems allowing the definition of complicated (non-linear) costs and constraints; its structure allows an … Read more

New Exact Solution Approaches for the Split Delivery Vehicle Routing Problem

In this study, we propose exact solution methods for the Split Delivery Vehicle Routing Problem (SDVRP). We first give a new vehicle-indexed flow formulation for the problem, and then, a relaxation obtained by aggregating the vehicle-indexed variables over all vehicles. This relaxation may have optimal solutions where several vehicles exchange loads at some customers. We … Read more

Ship Traffic Optimization for the Kiel Canal

We introduce, discuss, and solve a hard practical optimization problem which we call the ship traffic control problem (STCP). Since we plan bi-directional traffic, STCP relates to, and in fact generalizes train timetabling on single-track networks. The objective of finding quickest routes motivates the integration of recent algorithmic ideas from dynamic collision-free routing of automated … Read more

Approximate Uni-directional Benders Decomposition

We examine a decomposition approach to find good quality feasible solutions. In particular, we study a method to reduce the search-space by decomposing a problem into two partitions, where the second partition (i.e., the subproblem) contains the fixed solution of the first (i.e., the master). This type of approach is usually motivated by the presence … Read more

Scheduling with Fixed Maintenance, Shared Resources and Nonlinear Feedrate Constraints: a Mine Planning Case Study

Given a short term mining plan, the task for an operational mine planner is to determine how the equipment in the mine should be used each day. That is, how crushers, loaders and trucks should be used to realise the short term plan. It is important to achieve both grade targets (by blending) and maximise … Read more