On max-k-sums

The max-$k$-sum of a set of real scalars is the maximum sum of a subset of size $k$, or alternatively the sum of the $k$ largest elements. We study two extensions: First, we show how to obtain smooth approximations to functions that are pointwise max-$k$-sums of smooth functions. Second, we discuss how the max-$k$-sum can … Read more

A first-order primal-dual algorithm with linesearch

The paper proposes a linesearch for the primal-dual method. Each iteration of the linesearch requires to update only the dual (or primal) variable. For many problems, in particular for regularized least squares, the linesearch does not require any additional matrix-vector multiplications. We prove convergence of the proposed method under the standard assumptions. We also show … Read more

Elementary polytopes with high lift-and-project ranks for strong positive semidefinite operators

We consider operators acting on convex subsets of the unit hypercube. These operators are used in constructing convex relaxations of combinatorial optimization problems presented as a 0,1 integer programming problem or a 0,1 polynomial optimization problem. Our focus is mostly on operators that, when expressed as a lift-and-project operator, involve the use of semidefiniteness constraints … Read more

Improving an ADMM-like Splitting Method via Positive-Indefinite Proximal Regularization for Three-Block Separable Convex Minimization

The augmented Lagrangian method (ALM) is fundamental for solving convex minimization models with linear constraints. When the objective function is separable such that it can be represented as the sum of more than one function without coupled variables, various splitting versions of the ALM have been well studied in the literature such as the alternating … Read more

A simple preprocessing algorithm for semidefinite programming

We propose a very simple preprocessing algorithm for semidefinite programming. Our algorithm inspects the constraints of the problem, deletes redundant rows and columns in the constraints, and reduces the size of the variable matrix. It often detects infeasibility. Our algorithm does not rely on any optimization solver: the only subroutine it needs is Cholesky factorization, … Read more

Linearized Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers via Positive-Indefinite Proximal Regularization for Convex Programming

The alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) is being widely used for various convex minimization models with separable structures arising in a variety of areas. In the literature, the proximalversion of ADMM which allows ADMM’s subproblems to be proximally regularized has been well studied. Particularly the linearized version of ADMM can be yielded when the … Read more

Convex Relaxations for Quadratic On/Off Constraints and Applications to Optimal Transmission Switching

This paper studies mixed-integer nonlinear programs featuring disjunctive constraints and trigonometric functions. We first characterize the convex hull of univariate quadratic on/off constraints in the space of original variables using perspective functions. We then introduce new tight quadratic relaxations for trigonometric functions featuring variables with asymmetrical bounds. These results are used to further tighten recent … Read more

Random permutations fix a worst case for cyclic coordinate descent

Variants of the coordinate descent approach for minimizing a nonlinear function are distinguished in part by the order in which coordinates are considered for relaxation. Three common orderings are cyclic (CCD), in which we cycle through the components of $x$ in order; randomized (RCD), in which the component to update is selected randomly and independently … Read more

Step lengths in BFGS method for monotone gradients

In this paper, we consider how to directly apply the BFGS method to finding a zero point of any given monotone gradient and thus suggest new conditions to locate the corresponding step lengths. The suggested conditions involve curvature condition and merely use gradients’ computations. Furthermore, they can guarantee convergence without any other restrictions. Finally, preliminary … Read more

Perturbation Analysis of Singular Semidefinite Program and Its Application to a Control Problem

We consider the sensitivity of semidefinite programs (SDPs) under perturbations. It is well known that the optimal value changes continuously under perturbations on the right hand side in the case where the Slater condition holds in the primal problems. In this manuscript, we observe by investigating a concrete SDP that the optimal value can be … Read more