A Fast Algorithm For Image Deblurring with Total Variation Regularization

We propose and test a simple algorithmic framework for recovering images from blurry and noisy observations based on total variation (TV) regularization when a blurring point-spread function is given. Using a splitting technique, we construct an iterative procedure of alternately solving a pair of easy subproblems associated with an increasing sequence of penalty parameter values. … Read more

A Fixed-Point Continuation Method for l_1-Regularized Minimization with Applications to Compressed Sensing

We consider solving minimization problems with $\ell_1$-regularization: $$\min \|x\|_1 + \mu f(x),$$ particularly for $f(x) = \frac{1}{2}\|Ax-b\|_M^2$ where $A \in \R^{m \times n}$ with $m < n$. Our goal is to construct efficient and robust algorithms for solving large-scale problems with dense data, and our approach is based on two powerful algorithmic ideas, operator-splitting and ... Read more

A gradient-based approach for computing Nash equilibria of large sequential games

We propose a new gradient based scheme to approximate Nash equilibria of large sequential two-player, zero-sum games. The algorithm uses modern smoothing techniques for saddle-point problems tailored specifically for the polytopes used in the Nash equilibrium problem. Citation Working Paper, Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University Article Download View A gradient-based approach for computing … Read more

Smooth Optimization Approach for Covariance Selection

In this paper we study a smooth optimization approach for solving a class of non-smooth {\it strongly} concave maximization problems. In particular, we apply Nesterov’s smooth optimization technique \cite{Nest83-1,Nest05-1} to their dual counterparts that are smooth convex problems. It is shown that the resulting approach has $\cO(1/{\sqrt{\epsilon}})$ iteration complexity for finding an $\epsilon$-optimal solution to … Read more

In pursuit of a root

The basis pursuit technique is used to find a minimum one-norm solution of an underdetermined least-squares problem. Basis pursuit denoise fits the least-squares problem only approximately, and a single parameter determines a curve that traces the trade-off between the least-squares fit and the one-norm of the solution. We show that the function that describes this … Read more

Explicit reformulations for robust optimization problems with general uncertainty sets

We consider a rather general class of mathematical programming problems with data uncertainty, where the uncertainty set is represented by a system of convex inequalities. We prove that the robust counterparts of this class of problems can be equivalently reformulated as finite and explicit optimization problems. Moreover, we develop simplified reformulations for problems with uncertainty … Read more

Guaranteed Minimum-Rank Solutions of Linear Matrix Equations via Nuclear Norm Minimization

The affine rank minimization problem consists of finding a matrix of minimum rank that satisfies a given system of linear equality constraints. Such problems have appeared in the literature of a diverse set of fields including system identification and control, Euclidean embedding, and collaborative filtering. Although specific instances can often be solved with specialized algorithms, … Read more

Max-min separability: incremental approach and application to supervised data classification

A new algorithm for the computation of a piecewise linear function separating two finite point sets in $n$-dimensional space is developed and the algorithm is applied to solve supervised data classification problems. The algorithm computes hyperplanes incrementally and it finds as many hyperplanes as necessary to separate two sets with respect to some tolerance. An … Read more

Semidefinite Representation of Convex Sets

Let $S =\{x\in \re^n:\, g_1(x)\geq 0, \cdots, g_m(x)\geq 0\}$ be a semialgebraic set defined by multivariate polynomials $g_i(x)$. Assume $S$ is convex, compact and has nonempty interior. Let $S_i =\{x\in \re^n:\, g_i(x)\geq 0\}$, and $\bdS$ (resp. $\bdS_i$) be the boundary of $S$ (resp. $S_i$). This paper, as does the subject of semidefinite programming (SDP), concerns … Read more

An iterative approach for cone complementarity problems for nonsmooth multibody dynamics

Aiming at a fast and robust simulation of large multibody systems with contacts and friction, this work presents a novel method for solving large cone complementarity problems by means of a fixed-point iteration. The method is an extension of the Gauss-Seidel and Gauss-Jacobi method with overrelaxation for symmetric convex linear complementarity problems. The method is … Read more