Local minimizers of semi-algebraic functions

Consider a semi-algebraic function $f\colon\mathbb{R}^n \to {\mathbb{R}},$ which is continuous around a point $\bar{x} \in \mathbb{R}^n.$ Using the so–called {\em tangency variety} of $f$ at $\bar{x},$ we first provide necessary and sufficient conditions for $\bar{x}$ to be a local minimizer of $f,$ and then in the case where $\bar{x}$ is an isolated local minimizer of … Read more

Composite optimization for robust blind deconvolution

The blind deconvolution problem seeks to recover a pair of vectors from a set of rank one bilinear measurements. We consider a natural nonsmooth formulation of the problem and show that under standard statistical assumptions, its moduli of weak convexity, sharpness, and Lipschitz continuity are all dimension independent. This phenomenon persists even when up to … Read more

Constrained Assortment Optimization under the Paired Combinatorial Logit Model

We study the assortment optimization problem when customer choices are governed by the paired combinatorial logit model. We study unconstrained, capacitated and knapsack constrained versions of this problem, which are all known to be NP-hard. We design efficient algorithms that compute approximately optimal solutions, using a novel relation to the maximum directed cut problem and … Read more

A Tutorial on Formulating and Using QUBO Models

The Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) model has gained prominence in recent years with the discovery that it unifies a rich variety of combinatorial optimization problems. By its association with the Ising problem in physics, the QUBO model has emerged as an underpinning of the quantum computing area known as quantum annealing and has become … Read more

Interdiction of a Mixed-Integer Linear System

A system-interdiction problem can be modeled as a bilevel program in which the upper level models interdiction decisions and the lower level models system operation. This paper studies MILSIP, a mixed-integer linear system interdiction problem, which assumes binary interdiction decisions and models system operations through a mixed-integer linear program. To solve large-scale instances of MILSIP, … Read more

Generalized Conditional Gradient with Augmented Lagrangian for Composite Minimization

In this paper we propose a splitting scheme which hybridizes generalized conditional gradient with a proximal step which we call CGALP algorithm, for minimizing the sum of three proper convex and lower-semicontinuous functions in real Hilbert spaces. The minimization is subject to an affine constraint, that allows in particular to deal with composite problems (sum … Read more

Pricing in Multi-Interval Real-Time Markets

This paper examines multi-interval real-time markets in the context of US independent system operators (ISOs). We show that current ISO implementations that settle only the upcoming interval of the multi-interval solution can create incentive problems. Fundamentally, this is the result of each successive optimization problem treating historical losses as sunk costs. To solve the incentive … Read more

Partial smoothness of the numerical radius at matrices whose fields of values are disks

Solutions to optimization problems involving the numerical radius often belong to a special class: the set of matrices having field of values a disk centered at the origin. After illustrating this phenomenon with some examples, we illuminate it by studying matrices around which this set of “disk matrices” is a manifold with respect to which … Read more

Weak convergence of an extended splitting method for monotone inclusions

In this article, we consider the problem of finding zeros of two-operator monotone inclusions in real Hilbert spaces, and the second operator has been linearly composed. We suggest an extended splitting method: At each iteration, it mainly solves one resolvent for each operator, respectively. For these two resolvents, the involved two scaling factors can be … Read more

A Comparison of Nonsmooth, Nonconvex, Constrained Optimization Solvers for the Design of Time-Delay Compensators

We present a detailed set of performance comparisons of two state-of-the-art solvers for the application of designing time-delay compensators, an important problem in the field of robust control. Formulating such robust control mechanics as constrained optimization problems often involves objective and constraint functions that are both nonconvex and nonsmooth, both of which present significant challenges … Read more