Positive spanning sets (PSSs) are families of vectors that span a given linear space through non-negative linear combinations. Despite certain classes of PSSs being well understood, a complete characterization of PSSs remains elusive. In this paper, we explore a relatively understudied relationship between positive spanning sets and strongly edge-connected digraphs, in that the former can … Read more
In this work, we present the first 2-index stage-based formulation for the Flying Sidekick Traveling Salesman Problem (FSTSP). Additionally, we propose a Construct-Merge-Solve & Adapt (CMSA) algorithm designed to generate high-quality feasible solutions. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm consistently produces good solutions in a fraction of the time required by state-of-the-art mixed-integer linear … Read more
The Lovasz theta function is a semidefinite programming (SDP) relaxation for the maximum weighted stable set problem, which is tight for perfect graphs. However, even for perfect graphs, there is no known rounding method guaranteed to extract an optimal stable set from the SDP solution. In this paper, we develop a novel rounding scheme for … Read more
This paper interfaces combinatorial integral approximation strategies with the inherent robustness properties of conventional model predictive control with stabilizing terminal conditions. We deduce practical stability results for finite-control set and mixed-integer model predictive control and investigate the evolution of the closed-loop system in the presence of control rounding to draw conclusions about deviation from optimality. … Read more
A Surgery Pre-Admission Testing (PAT) clinic is a hospital unit designed to serve pre-operative patients by gathering critical patient information and performing procedure-specific tests to prepare them for surgery. Patients may require multiple tests, each conducted by a specialized nurse. A patient must be assigned to a room before starting any test and must stay … Read more
Problem definition: More than one-third of US domestic flights are operated by regional airlines. This paper focuses on optimizing medium-term schedule planning decisions for a network of regional airlines through the joint optimization of frequency planning, timetable development, fleet assignment, and some limited aspects of route planning, while capturing passengers’ travel decisions through a general … Read more
In this paper, a class of bilevel programming problems is studied, in which the lower level is a quadratic programming problem, and the upper level problem consists of a nonlinear objective function with coupling constraints. An iterative process is developed to generate a sequence of points, which converges to the solution of this problem. In … Read more
Binary bilevel programs are notoriously difficult to solve due to the absence of strong and efficiently computable relaxations. In this work, we introduce a novel single-level reformulation of these programs by leveraging a network flow-based representation of the follower’s value function, utilizing decision diagrams and linear programming duality. This approach enables the development of scalable … Read more
We study the lift-and-project rank of the stable set polytope of graphs with respect to the Lovász–Schrijver SDP operator \( \text{LS}_+ \) applied to the fractional stable set polytope. In particular, we show that for every positive integer \( \ell \), the smallest possible graph with \( \text{LS}_+ \)-rank \( \ell \) contains \( 3\ell … Read more
Inspired by the impact of the Goemans-Williamson algorithm on combinatorial optimization, we construct an analogous relax-then-round strategy for low-rank optimization problems. First, for orthogonally constrained quadratic optimization problems, we derive a semidefinite relaxation and a randomized rounding scheme that obtains provably near-optimal solutions, building on the blueprint from Goemans and Williamson for the Max-Cut problem. … Read more