A stochastic algorithm for function minimization

Focusing on what an optimization problem may comply with, the so-called convergence conditions have been proposed and sequentially a stochastic optimization algorithm named as DSZ algorithm is presented in order to deal with both unconstrained and constrained optimizations. Its principle is discussed in the theoretical model of DSZ algorithm, from which we present a practical … Read more

Numerical Experience with a Recursive Trust-Region Method for Multilevel Nonlinear Optimization

We consider an implementation of the recursive multilevel trust-region algorithm proposed by Gratton, Mouffe, Toint, Weber (2008) for bound-constrained nonlinear problems, and provide numerical experience on multilevel test problems. A suitable choice of the algorithm’s parameters is identified on these problems, yielding a satisfactory compromise between reliability and efficiency. The resulting default algorithm is then … Read more

Scalable Heuristics for Stochastic Programming with Scenario Selection

We describe computational procedures to solve a wide-ranging class of stochastic programs with chance constraints where the random components of the problem are discretely distributed. Our procedures are based on a combination of Lagrangian relaxation and scenario decomposition, which we solve using a novel variant of Rockafellar and Wets’ progressive hedging algorithm. Experiments demonstrate the … Read more

Convexity in semi-algebraic geometry and polynomial optimization

We review several (and provide new) results on the theory of moments, sums of squares and basic semi-algebraic sets when convexity is present. In particular, we show that under convexity, the hierarchy of semidefinite relaxations for polynomial optimization simplifies and has finite convergence, a highly desirable feature as convex problems are in principle easier to … Read more

A new class of large neighborhood path-following interior point algorithms for semidefinite optimization with (\sqrt{n}\log{\frac{{\rm Tr}(X^0S^0)}{\epsilon}})$ iteration complexity

In this paper, we extend the Ai-Zhang direction to the class of semidefinite optimization problems. We define a new wide neighborhood $\N(\tau_1,\tau_2,\eta)$ and, as usual, we utilize symmetric directions by scaling the Newton equation with special matrices. After defining the “positive part” and the “negative part” of a symmetric matrix, we solve the Newton equation … Read more

An elementary proof of optimality conditions for linear programming

We give an elementary proof of optimality conditions for linear programming. The proof is direct, built on a straightforward classical perturbation of the constraints, and does not require either the use of Farkas’ lemma or the use of the simplex method. CitationTechnical Report TRITA-MAT-2008-OS6, Department of Mathematics, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), SE-100 44 Stockholm, … Read more

Calibrating Least Squares Covariance Matrix Problems with Equality and Inequality Constraints

In many applications in statistics, finance, and insurance/reinsurance, one seeks a solution of finding a covariance matrix satisfying a large number of given linear equality and inequality constraints in a way that it deviates the least from a given symmetric matrix. The difficulty in finding an efficient method for solving this problem is due to … Read more

Algorithms over Arc-time Indexed Formulations for Single and Parallel Machine Scheduling Problems

This paper presents algorithms for single and parallel identical machine scheduling problems. While the overall algorithm can be viewed as a branch-cut-and-price over a very large extended formulation, a number of auxiliary techniques are necessary to make the column generation effective. Those techniques include a powerful fixing by reduced costs and a new proposed dual … Read more

A Branch-and-Price Algorithm for Combined Location and Routing Problems Under Capacity Restrictions

We investigate the problem of simultaneously determining the location of facilities and the design of vehicle routes to serve customer demands under vehicle and facility capacity restrictions. We present a set-partitioning-based formulation of the problem and study the relationship between his formulation and the graph-based formulations that have been used in previous studies of this … Read more

Fast Neighborhood Search For The Single Machine Earliness-Tardiness Scheduling Problem

This paper addresses the one machine scheduling problem in which $n$ jobs have distinct due dates with earliness and tardiness costs. Fast neighborhoods are proposed for the problem. They are based on a block representation of the schedule and can be computed in $O(n^2)$. A timing operator is presented as well as swap and extract-and-reinsert … Read more