Gap functions for quasi-equilibria

An approach for solving quasi-equilibrium problems (QEPs) is proposed relying on gap functions, which allow reformulating QEPs as global optimization problems. The (generalized) smoothness properties of a gap function are analysed and an upper estimates of its Clarke directional derivative is given. Monotonicity assumptions on both the equilibrium and constraining bifunctions are a key tool … Read more

Exploiting Optimization for Local Graph Clustering

Local graph clustering methods aim to identify well-connected clusters around a given “seed set” of reference nodes. The main focus of prior theoretical work has been on worst-case running time properties or on implicit statistical regularization; and the focus of prior empirical work has been to identify structure in large social and information networks. Here, … Read more

An Algorithmic Framework of Generalized Primal-Dual Hybrid Gradient Methods for Saddle Point Problems

The primal-dual hybrid gradient method (PDHG) originates from the Arrow-Hurwicz method, and it has been widely used to solve saddle point problems, particularly in image processing areas. With the introduction of a combination parameter, Chambolle and Pock proposed a generalized PDHG scheme with both theoretical and numerical advantages. It has been analyzed that except for … Read more

A new algorithm for solving planar multiobjective location problems involving the Manhattan norm

This paper is devoted to the study of unconstrained planar multiobjective location problems, where distances between points are defined by means of the Manhattan norm. By identifying all nonessential objectives, we develop an effective algorithm for generating the whole set of efficient solutions. We prove the correctness of this algorithm and present some computational results, … Read more

Fast convex optimization via inertial dynamics with Hessian driven damping

We first study the fast minimization properties of the trajectories of the second-order evolution equation \begin{equation*} \ddot{x}(t) + \frac{\alpha}{t} \dot{x}(t) + \beta \nabla^2 \Phi (x(t))\dot{x} (t) + \nabla \Phi (x(t)) = 0, \end{equation*} where $\Phi : \mathcal H \to \mathbb R$ is a smooth convex function acting on a real Hilbert space $\mathcal H$, and … Read more

Nash Equilibrium in a Pay-as-bid Electricity Market: Part 1 – Existence and Characterisation

We consider a model of a pay-as-bid electricity market based on a multi-leader-common-follower approach where the producers as leaders are at the upper level and the regulator as a common follower is at the lower level. We fully characterise Nash equilibria for this model by describing necessary and sufficient conditions for their existence as well … Read more

Nash Equilibrium in a Pay-as-bid Electricity Market: Part 2 – Best Response of a Producer

We consider a multi-leader-common-follower model of a pay-as-bid electricity market in which the producers provide the regulator with either linear or quadratic bids. We prove that for a given producer only linear bids can maximise his profit. Such linear bids are referred as the “best response” of the given producer. They are obtained assuming the … Read more

Variational Analysis of the Crouzeix Ratio

Let $W(A)$ denote the field of values (numerical range) of a matrix $A$. For any polynomial $p$ and matrix $A$, define the Crouzeix ratio to have numerator $\max\left\{|p(\zeta)|:\zeta\in W(A)\right\}$ and denominator $\|p(A)\|_2$. M.~Crouzeix’s 2004 conjecture postulates that the globally minimal value of the Crouzeix ratio is $1/2$, over all polynomials $p$ of any degree and … Read more

Approximate Versions of the Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers

We present three new approximate versions of alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM), all of which require only knowledge of subgradients of the subproblem objectives, rather than bounds on the distance to the exact subproblem solution. One version, which applies only to certain common special cases, is based on combining the operator-splitting analysis of the … Read more