A Perturbed Gradient Algorithm in Hilbert Spaces

We propose a perturbed gradient algorithm with stochastic noises to solve a general class of optimization problems. We provide a convergence proof for this algorithm, under classical assumptions on the descent direction, and new assumptions on the stochastic noises. Instead of requiring the stochastic noises to correspond to martingale increments, we only require these noises … Read more

Provisioning Virtual Private Networks under traffic uncertainty

We investigate a network design problem under traffic uncertainty which arises when provisioning Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): given a set of terminals that must communicate with one another, and a set of possible traffic matrices, sufficient capacity has to be reserved on the links of the large underlying public network so as to support all … Read more

Sensitivity analysis in convex quadratic optimization: simultaneous perturbation of the objective and right-hand-side vectors

In this paper we study the behavior of Convex Quadratic Optimization problems when variation occurs simultaneously in the right-hand side vector of the constraints and in the coefficient vector of the linear term in the objective function. It is proven that the optimal value function is piecewise-quadratic. The concepts of transition point and invariancy interval … Read more

Global Optimization Toolbox for Maple: An Introduction with Illustrative Applications

This article presents a concise review of the scientific–technical computing system Maple and its application potentials in Operations Research, systems modeling and optimization. The primary emphasis is placed on nonlinear optimization models that may involve complicated functions, and/or may have multiple – global and local – optima. We introduce the Global Optimization Toolbox to solve … Read more

An Optimization Approach to Computing the Implied Volatility of American Options

We present a method to compute the implied volatility of American options as a mathematical program with equilibrium constraints. The formulation we present is new, as are the convergence results we prove. The algorithm holds the promise of being practical to implement, and we demonstrate some preliminary numerical results to this end. CitationPrinceton University working … Read more

Finding optimal realignments in sports leagues using a branch-and-cut-and-price approach

The sports team realignment problem can be modelled as $k$-way equipartition: given a complete graph $K_{n}=(V,E)$, with edge weight $c_{e}$ on each edge, partition the vertices $V$ into $k$ divisions that have exactly $S$ vertices, so as to minimize the total weight of the edges that have both endpoints in the same division. In this … Read more

A Case Study of Joint Online Truck Scheduling and Inventory Management for Multiple Warehouses

For a real world problem — transporting pallets between warehouses in order to guarantee sufficient supply for known and additional stochastic demand — we propose a solution approach via convex relaxation of an integer programming formulation, suitable for online optimization. The essential new element linking routing and inventory management is a convex piecewise linear cost … Read more

Rebalancing an Investment Portfolio in the Presence of Convex Transaction Costs

The inclusion of transaction costs is an essential element of any realistic portfolio optimization. In this paper, we consider an extension of the standard portfolio problem in which convex transaction costs are incurred to rebalance an investment portfolio. In particular, we consider linear, piecewise linear, and quadratic transaction costs. The Markowitz framework of mean-variance efficiency … Read more

Convex Optimization of Centralized Inventory Operations

Given a finite set of outlets with joint normally distributed demands and identical holding and penalty costs, inventory centralization induces a cooperative cost allocation game with nonempty core. It is well known that for this newsvendor inventory setting the expected cost of centralization can be expressed as a constant multiple of the standard deviation of … Read more

Linear Programming Lower Bounds for Minimum Converter Wavelength Assignment in Optical Networks

In this paper, we study the conflict-free assignment of wavelengths to lightpaths in an optical network with the opportunity to place wavelength converters. To benchmark heuristics for the problem, we develop integer programming formulations and study their properties. Moreover, we study the computational performance of the column generation algorithm for solving the linear relaxation of … Read more