An Augmented Lagrangian Method for Conic Convex Programming

We propose a new first-order augmented Lagrangian algorithm ALCC for solving convex conic programs of the form min{rho(x)+gamma(x): Ax-b in K, x in chi}, where rho and gamma are closed convex functions, and gamma has a Lipschitz continuous gradient, A is mxn real matrix, K is a closed convex cone, and chi is a “simple” … Read more

A generalization of the Lowner-John’s ellipsoid theorem

We address the following generalization $P$ of the Lowner-John’s ellipsoid problem. Given a (non necessarily convex) compact set $K\subset R^n$ and an even integer $d, find an homogeneous polynomial $g$ of degree $d$ such that $K\subset G:=\{x:g(x)\leq1\}$ and $G$ has minimum volume among all such sets. We show that $P$ is a convex optimization problem … Read more

Strong duality in conic linear programming: facial reduction and extended duals

The facial reduction algorithm of Borwein and Wolkowicz and the extended dual of Ramana provide a strong dual for the conic linear program (P) \sup { | Ax \leq_K b} in the absence of any constraint qualification. The facial reduction algorithm solves a sequence of auxiliary optimization problems to obtain such a dual. Ramana’s dual … Read more

Abstract Newtonian Frameworks and Their Applications

We unify and extend some Newtonian iterative frameworks developed earlier in the literature, which results in a collection of convenient tools for local convergence analysis of various algorithms under various sets of assumptions including strong metric regularity, semistability, or upper-Lipschizt stability, the latter allowing for nonisolated solutions. These abstract schemes are further applied for deriving … Read more

Proximal bundle methods in depth: a unified analysis for inexact oracles

The last few years have seen the advent ofa new generation of bundle methods, capable to handle inexact oracles, polluted by “noise”. Proving convergence of a bundle method is never simple and coping with inexact oracles substantially increases the technicalities. Besides, several variants exist to deal with noise, each one needing an ad hoc proof … Read more

Distributionally Robust Convex Optimization

Distributionally robust optimization is a paradigm for decision-making under uncertainty where the uncertain problem data is governed by a probability distribution that is itself subject to uncertainty. The distribution is then assumed to belong to an ambiguity set comprising all distributions that are compatible with the decision maker’s prior information. In this paper, we propose … Read more

Sparse Recovery on Euclidean Jordan Algebras

We consider the sparse recovery problem on Euclidean Jordan algebra (SREJA), which includes sparse signal recovery and low-rank symmetric matrix recovery as special cases. We introduce the restricted isometry property, null space property (NSP), and $s$-goodness for linear transformations in $s$-sparse element recovery on Euclidean Jordan algebra (SREJA), all of which provide sufficient conditions for … Read more

Variable Metric Forward-Backward algorithm for minimizing the sum of a differentiable function and a convex function

We consider the minimization of a function $G$ defined on $R^N$, which is the sum of a (non necessarily convex) differentiable function and a (non necessarily differentiable) convex function. Moreover, we assume that $G$ satisfies the Kurdyka-Lojasiewicz property. Such a problem can be solved with the Forward-Backward algorithm. However, the latter algorithm may suffer from … Read more

Effectiveness-Equity Models for Facility Location Problems on Tree Networks

We propose models to investigate effectiveness-equity tradeoffs in tree network facility location problems. We use the commonly used median objective as a measure of effectiveness, and the Gini index as a measure of (in)equity, and formulate bicriteria problems involving these objectives. We develop procedures to identify an efficient set of solutions to these problems, analyze … Read more

An Extragradient-Based Alternating Direction Method for Convex Minimization

In this paper, we consider the problem of minimizing the sum of two convex functions subject to linear linking constraints. The classical alternating direction type methods usually assume that the two convex functions have relatively easy proximal mappings. However, many problems arising from statistics, image processing and other fields have the structure that while one … Read more