In this paper we deal with the feasibility-seeking problem for unions of convex sets (UCS) sets and propose an iterative process for its solution. Renewed interest in this problem stems from the fact that it was recently discovered to serve as a modeling approach in fields of applications and from the ongoing recent research efforts … Read more
Derivative-free optimization algorithms are particularly useful for tackling blackbox optimization problems where the objective function arises from complex and expensive procedures that preclude the use of classical gradient-based methods. In contemporary decentralized environments, such functions are defined locally on different computational nodes due to technical or privacy constraints, introducing additional challenges within the optimization process. … Read more
We show that continuous quadratic submodular minimization with bounds is solvable in polynomial time using semidefinite programming, and we apply this result to two moment problems arising in distributionally robust optimization and the computation of covariance bounds. Accordingly, this research advances the ongoing study of continuous submodular minimization and opens new application areas therein. ArticleDownload … Read more
Inverse problems are inherently ill-posed, leading standard optimization techniques to fail and necessitating the use of regularization. This paper introduces a regularized, structure-exploiting Powell-Symmetric-Broyden method under modified secant conditions for solving ill-posed inverse problems in both infinite dimensional and finite dimensional settings. Our approach integrates regularization and structure exploitation directly within the Quasi-Newton framework, leveraging … Read more
The semidefinite (SDP) relaxation of a quadratically constrained quadratic program (QCQP) is called exact if it has a rank-$1$ optimal solution corresponding to a QCQP optimal solution. Given an arbitrary QCQP whose SDP relaxation is exact, this paper investigates incorporating additional quadratic inequality constraints while maintaining the exactness of the SDP relaxation of the resulting … Read more
Multiobjective blackbox optimization deals with problems where the objective and constraint functions are the outputs of a numerical simulation. In this context, no derivatives are available, nor can they be approximated by finite differences, which precludes the use of classical gradient-based techniques. The DMulti-MADS algorithm implements a state-of-the-art direct search procedure for multiobjective blackbox optimization … Read more
Maximizing the difference of 2 convex functions over a convex feasible set (the so called DCA problem) is a hard problem. There is a large number of publications addressing this problem. Many of them are variations of widely used DCA algorithm [20]. The success of this algorithm to reach a good approximation of a global … Read more
Inspired by collaborative initiatives in the military domain, we analyze a setting in which multiple different players (e.g., Ministries of Defence) have to carry out preventive maintenance jobs. Each player is responsible for one job, with a job-specific minimal frequency and with maintenance costs, consisting of a job-specific variable component and a fixed component, which … Read more
We propose and analyze a sequential quadratic programming algorithm for minimizing a noisy nonlinear smooth function subject to noisy nonlinear smooth equality constraints. The algorithm uses a step decomposition strategy and, as a result, is robust to potential rank-deficiency in the constraints, allows for two different step size strategies, and has an early stopping mechanism. … Read more
This paper studies stationary points in mathematical programs with cone complementarity constraints (CMPCC). We begin by reviewing various formulations of CMPCC and revisiting definitions for Bouligand, proximal strong, regular strong, Wachsmuth’s strong, L-strong, weak, as well as Mordukhovich and Clarke stationary points, establishing a comprehensive framework for CMPCC. Building on key principles related to cone … Read more