Weak and Strong Superiorization: Between Feasibility-Seeking and Minimization

We review the superiorization methodology, which can be thought of, in some cases, as lying between feasibility-seeking and constrained minimization. It is not quite trying to solve the full fledged constrained minimization problem; rather, the task is to find a feasible point which is superior (with respect to an objective function value) to one returned … Read more

Douglas-Rachford splitting for nonconvex feasibility problems

We adapt the Douglas-Rachford (DR) splitting method to solve nonconvex feasibility problems by studying this method for a class of nonconvex optimization problem. While the convergence properties of the method for convex problems have been well studied, far less is known in the nonconvex setting. In this paper, for the direct adaptation of the method … Read more

Solving bilevel combinatorial optimization as bilinear min-max optimization via a branch-and-cut algorithm

In this paper, we propose a generic branch-and -cut algorithm for a special class of bi-level combinatorial optimization problems. Namely, we study such problems that can be reformulated as bilinear min-max combinatorial optimization problems. We show that the reformulation can be efficiently solved by a branch-and-cut algorithm whose cuts represent the inner maximization feasibility set. … Read more

Planar Maximum Coverage Location Problem with Partial Coverage and Rectangular Demand and Service Zones

We study the planar maximum coverage location problem (MCLP) with rectilinear distance and rectangular demand zones in the case where “partial coverage” is allowed in its true sense, i.e., when covering only part of a demand zone is allowed and the coverage accrued as a result of this is proportional to the demand of the … Read more

Randomized First-order Methods for Saddle Point Optimization

In this paper, we present novel randomized algorithms for solving saddle point problems whose dual feasible region is a direct product of many convex sets. Our algorithms can achieve ${\cal O}(1/N)$ rate of convergence by solving only one dual subproblem at each iteration. Our algorithms can also achieve ${\cal O}(1/N^2)$ rate of convergence if a … Read more

Majorization-minimization procedures and convergence of SQP methods for semi-algebraic and tame programs

In view of solving nonsmooth and nonconvex problems involving complex constraints (like standard NLP problems), we study general maximization-minimization procedures produced by families of strongly convex sub-problems. Using techniques from semi-algebraic geometry and variational analysis –in particular Lojasiewicz inequality– we establish the convergence of sequences generated by this type of schemes to critical points. The … Read more

The Descriptor Continuous-Time Algebraic Riccati Equation. Numerical Solutions and Some Direct Applications

We investigate here the numerical solution of a special type of descriptor continuous-time Riccati equation which is involved in solving several key problems in robust control, formulated under very general hypotheses. We also give necessary and sufficient existence conditions together with computable formulas for both stabilizing and antistabilizing solutions in terms of the associated matrix … Read more

Adaptive Robust Optimization with Dynamic Uncertainty Sets for Multi-Period Economic Dispatch under Significant Wind

The exceptional benefits of wind power as an environmentally responsible renewable energy resource have led to an increasing penetration of wind energy in today’s power systems. This trend has started to reshape the paradigms of power system operations, as dealing with uncertainty caused by the highly intermittent and uncertain wind power becomes a significant issue. … Read more

A Proximal Multiplier Method for Convex Separable Symmetric Cone Optimization

This work is devoted to the study of a proximal decomposition algorithm for solving convex symmetric cone optimization with separable structures. The algorithm considered is based on the decomposition method proposed by Chen and Teboulle (1994), and the proximal generalized distance defined by Auslender and Teboulle (2006). Under suitable assumptions, first a class of proximal … Read more

Efficient First-Order Methods for Linear Programming and Semidefinite Programming

We present a simple transformation of any linear program or semidefinite program into an equivalent convex optimization problem whose only constraints are linear equations. The objective function is defined on the whole space, making virtually all subgradient methods be immediately applicable. We observe, moreover, that the objective function is naturally “smoothed,” thereby allowing most first-order … Read more