On Global Optimization

This paper presents a relatively “unfettered” method for finding global optima to constrained nonlinear programs. The method reformulates the given program into a bi-objective mixed-integer program that is then solved for the Nash equilibrium. A numerical example (whose solution provides a new benchmark against which other algorithms may be assessed) is included to illustrate the … Read more

Local Cuts and Two-Period Convex Hull Closures for Big-Bucket Lot-Sizing Problems

Despite the significant attention they have drawn, big bucket lot-sizing problems remain notoriously difficult to solve. Previous work of Akartunali and Miller (2012) presented results (computational and theoretical) indicating that what makes these problems difficult are the embedded single-machine, single-level, multi-period submodels. We therefore consider the simplest such submodel, a multi-item, two-period capacitated relaxation that … Read more

n-step cycle inequalities: facets for continuous n-mixing set and strong cuts for multi-module capacitated lot-sizing problem

In this paper, we introduce a generalization of the continuous mixing set (which we refer to as the continuous n-mixing set). This set is closely related to the feasible set of the multi-module capacitated lot-sizing (MML) problem with(out) backlogging. We develop new classes of valid inequalities for this set, referred to as n’-step cycle inequalities, … Read more

A Parallel Local Search Framework for the Fixed-Charge Multicommodity Network Flow Problem

We present a parallel local search approach for obtaining high quality solutions to the Fixed Charge Multi-commodity Network Flow problem (FCMNF). The approach proceeds by improving a given feasible solution by solving restricted instances of the problem where flows of certain commodities are fixed to those in the solution while the other commodities are locally … Read more

A polyhedral study of the diameter constrained minimum spanning tree problem

This paper provides a study of integer linear programming formulations for the diameter constrained spanning tree problem (DMSTP) in the natural space of edge design variables. After presenting a straightforward model based on the well known jump inequalities a new stronger family of circular-jump inequalities is introduced. These inequalities are further generalized in two ways: … Read more

Playing with Duality: An Overview of Recent Primal-Dual Approaches for Solving Large-Scale Optimization Problems

Optimization methods are at the core of many problems in signal/image processing, computer vision, and machine learning. For a long time, it has been recognized that looking at the dual of an optimization problem may drastically simplify its solution. Deriving efficient strategies which jointly brings into play the primal and the dual problems is however … Read more

The split-demand one-commodity pickup-and-delivery travelling salesman problem

This paper introduces a new vehicle routing problem transferring one commodity between customers with a capacitated vehicle that can visit a customer more than once,although a maximum number of visits must be respected. It generalizes the capacitated vehicle routing problem with split demands and some other variants recently addressed in the literature. We model the … Read more

Disjunctive Cuts for Cross-Sections of the Second-Order Cone

In this paper we provide a unified treatment of general two-term disjunctions on cross-sections of the second-order cone. We derive a closed-form expression for a convex inequality that is valid for such a disjunctive set and show that this inequality is sufficient to characterize the closed convex hull of all two-term disjunctions on ellipsoids and … Read more

The unrooted set covering connected subgraph problem differentiating between HIV envelope sequences

This paper presents a novel application of operations research techniques to the analysis of HIV env gene sequences, aiming to identify key features that are possible vaccine targets. These targets are identified as being critical to the transmission of HIV by being present in early transmitted (founder) sequences and absent in later chronic sequences. Identifying … Read more

How to Convexify the Intersection of a Second Order Cone and a Nonconvex Quadratic

A recent series of papers has examined the extension of disjunctive-programming techniques to mixed-integer second-order-cone programming. For example, it has been shown—by several authors using different techniques—that the convex hull of the intersection of an ellipsoid, $\E$, and a split disjunction, $(l – x_j)(x_j – u) \le 0$ with $l < u$, equals the intersection ... Read more