Mixed-Integer Programming for Cycle Detection in Non-reversible Markov Processes

In this paper, we present a new, optimization-based method to exhibit cyclic behavior in non-reversible stochastic processes. While our method is general, it is strongly motivated by discrete simulations of ordinary differential equations representing non-reversible biological processes, in particular molecular simulations. Here, the discrete time steps of the simulation are often very small compared to … Read more

Extended Formulations and Branch-and-Cut Algorithms for the Black-and-White Traveling Salesman Problem

In this paper we study integer linear programming models and develop branch-and-cut algorithms to solve the Black-and-White Traveling Salesman Problem (BWTSP) (Bourgeois et al., 2003) which is a variant of the well known Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP). Two strategies to model the BWTSP have been used in the literature. The problem is either modeled on … Read more

On the polyhedrality of closures of multi-branch split sets and other polyhedra with bounded max-facet-width

For a fixed integer $t > 0$, we say that a $t$-branch split set (the union of $t$ split sets) is dominated by another one on a polyhedron $P$ if all cuts for $P$ obtained from the first $t$-branch split set are implied by cuts obtained from the second one. We prove that given a … Read more

Variants in Modeling Time Aspects for the Multiple Traveling Salesmen Problem with Moving Targets

The multiple traveling salesmen problem with moving targets (MT-SPMT) is a generalization of the classical traveling salesmen problem (TSP), where the targets (cities or objects) are moving over time. Additionally, for each target a visibility time window is given. The task is to find routes for several salesmen so that each target is reached exactly … Read more

Alternating Criteria Search: A Parallel Large Neighborhood Search Algorithm for Mixed Integer Programs

We present a parallel large neighborhood search framework for finding high quality primal solutions for generic Mixed Integer Programs (MIPs). The approach simultaneously solves a large number of sub-MIPs with the dual objective of reducing infeasibility and optimizing with respect to the original objective. Both goals are achieved by solving restricted versions of two auxiliary … Read more

A feasible rounding approach for granular optimization problems

We introduce a new technique to generate good feasible points of mixed-integer nonlinear optimization problems. It makes use of the so-called inner parallel set of the relaxed feasible set, which was employed in O. Stein, Error bounds for mixed integer linear optimization problems, Mathematical Programming, Vol. 156 (2016), 101-123, as well as O. Stein, Error … Read more

How to choose what you lift

We explore the lifting question in the context of cut-generating functions. Most of the prior literature on lifting for cut-generating functions focuses on which cut-generating functions have the unique lifting property. Here we develop a general theory for under- standing how to do lifting for cut-generating functions which do not have the unique lifting property. … Read more

A combinatorial approach for small and strong formulations of disjunctive constraints

We present a framework for constructing small, strong mixed-integer formulations for disjunctive constraints. Our approach is a generalization of the logarithmically-sized formulations of Vielma and Nemhauser for SOS2 constraints, and we offer a complete characterization of its expressive power. We apply the framework to a variety of disjunctive constraints, producing novel, small, and strong formulations … Read more

Equivariant Perturbation in Gomory and Johnson’s Infinite Group Problem. VI. The Curious Case of Two-Sided Discontinuous Functions

We construct a two-sided discontinuous piecewise linear minimal valid function for the 1-row Gomory–Johnson model which is not extreme, but which is not a convex combination of other piecewise linear minimal valid functions. This anomalous behavior results from combining features of Hildebrand’s two-sided discontinuous extreme functions and Basu–Hildebrand–Koeppe’s piecewise linear extreme function with irrational breakpoints. … Read more

Equivariant Perturbation in Gomory and Johnson’s Infinite Group Problem. V. Software for the continuous and discontinuous 1-row case

We present software for investigations with cut generating functions in the Gomory-Johnson model and extensions, implemented in the computer algebra system SageMath. CitationAn extended abstract of 8 pages appeared under the title “Software for cut-generating functions in the Gomory–Johnson model and beyond” in Proc. International Congress on Mathematical Software 2016ArticleDownload View PDF