Fast and Robust Recursive Algorithms for Separable Nonnegative Matrix Factorization

In this paper, we study the nonnegative matrix factorization problem under the separability assumption (that is, there exists a cone spanned by a small subset of the columns of the input nonnegative data matrix containing all columns), which is equivalent to the hyperspectral unmixing problem under the linear mixing model and the pure-pixel assumption. We … Read more

A method for weighted projections to the positive definite cone

We study the numerical solution of the problem $\min_{X \ge 0} \|BX-c\|2$, where $X$ is a symmetric square matrix, and $B$ a linear operator, such that $B^*B$ is invertible. With $\rho$ the desired fractional duality gap, we prove $O(\sqrt{m}\log\rho^{-1})$ iteration complexity for a simple primal-dual interior point method directly based on those for linear programs … Read more

A unified mixed-integer programming model for simultaneous fluence weight and aperture optimization in VMAT, Tomotherapy, and Cyberknife

In this paper, we propose and study a unified mixed-integer programming model that simultaneously optimizes fluence weights and multi-leaf collimator (MLC) apertures in the treatment planning optimization of VMAT, Tomotherapy, and CyberKnife. The contribution of our model is threefold: i. Our model optimizes the fluence and MLC apertures simultaneously for a given set of control … Read more

Complexity Analysis of Interior Point Algorithms for Non-Lipschitz and Nonconvex Minimization

We propose a first order interior point algorithm for a class of non-Lipschitz and nonconvex minimization problems with box constraints, which arise from applications in variable selection and regularized optimization. The objective functions of these problems are continuously differentiable typically at interior points of the feasible set. Our algorithm is easy to implement and the … Read more

Optimal management and sizing of energy storage under dynamic pricing for the efficient integration of renewable energy

In this paper, we address the optimal energy storage management and sizing problem in the presence of renewable energy and dynamic pricing. We formulate the problem as a stochastic dynamic programming problem that aims to minimize the long-term average cost of conventional generation used as well as investment in storage, if any, while satisfying all … Read more

Effective Strategies to Teach Operations Research to Non-Mathematics Majors

Operations Research (OR) is the discipline of applying advanced analytical methods to help make better decisions (Horner (2003)). OR is characterized by its broad applicability and its interdisciplinary nature. Currently, in addition to mathematics, many other undergraduate programs such as management sciences, business, economics, electrical engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, and related fields, have incorporated … Read more

Superiorization: An optimization heuristic for medical physics

Purpose: To describe and mathematically validate the superiorization methodology, which is a recently-developed heuristic approach to optimization, and to discuss its applicability to medical physics problem formulations that specify the desired solution (of physically given or otherwise obtained constraints) by an optimization criterion. Methods: The superiorization methodology is presented as a heuristic solver for a … Read more

A variable smoothing algorithm for solving convex optimization problems

In this article we propose a method for solving unconstrained optimization problems with convex and Lipschitz continuous objective functions. By making use of the Moreau envelopes of the functions occurring in the objective, we smooth the latter to a convex and differentiable function with Lipschitz continuous gradient by using both variable and constant smoothing parameters. … Read more

Matheuristics for $\PsihBcLearning

Recently, the so-called $\psi$-learning approach, the Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier obtained with the ramp loss, has attracted attention from the computational point of view. A Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) formulation has been proposed for $\psi$-learning, but solving this MINLP formulation to optimality is only possible for datasets of small size. For datasets of … Read more

A new Search via Probability Algorithm for solving Engineering Optimization Problems

The Search Algorithms have been introduced in the paper [3][6] under the name ‘Search via Probability Algorithm’. These optimization techniques converge very fast and are very efficient for solving optimization problems with very large scale feasible domains. But these optimization techniques are not effective in solving the numerical optimization problems with long narrow feasible domains. … Read more