Numerical methods for large-scale non-convex quadratic programming

We consider numerical methods for finding (weak) second-order critical points for large-scale non-convex quadratic programming problems. We describe two new methods. The first is of the active-set variety. Although convergent from any starting point, it is intended primarily for the case where a good estimate of the optimal active set can be predicted. The second … Read more

A Quadratic Programming Bibliography

The following is a list of all of the published and unpublished works on quadratic programming that we are aware of. Some are general references to background material, while others are central to the development of the quadratic programming methods and to the applications we intend to cover in our evolving book on the subject. … Read more

Linear time approximation scheme for the multiprocessor open shop problem

For the $r$-stage open shop problem with identical parallel machines at each stage and the minimum makespan criterion, an approximation scheme is constructed with running time $O(nrm + C(m,\eps))$ , where $n$ is the number of jobs, $m$ is the total number of machines, and $C(m,\eps)$ is a function independent of $n$. CitationDiscrete Appl. Math. … Read more

A 3/2-Approximation algorithm for two-machine flow-shop sequencing subject to release dates

The two-machine flow shop sequencing problem with arbitrary release dates of jobs and the minimum makespan criterion is considered. The problem is known to be NP-hard, and the best known approximation algorithms are those of Potts (1985) with a worst-case performance ratio of 5/3 and running time $O(n^3 \log n)$, and a polynomial time approximation … Read more

Proving strong duality for geometric optimization using a conic formulation

Geometric optimization is an important class of problems that has many applications, especially in engineering design. In this article, we provide new simplified proofs for the well-known associated duality theory, using conic optimization. After introducing suitable convex cones and studying their properties, we model geometric optimization problems with a conic formulation, which allows us to … Read more

On Robust Optimization of Two-Stage Systems

Robust optimization extends stochastic programming models by incorporating measures of variability into the objective function. This paper explores robust optimization in the context of two-stage planning systems. First, we propose the use of a generalized Benders decomposition algorithm for solving robust models. Next, we argue that using an arbitrary measure for variability can lead to … Read more

GRASP with path relinking for the three-index assignment problem

This paper describes variants of GRASP (greedy randomized adaptive search procedure) with path relinking for the three index assignment problem (AP3). GRASP is a multi-start metaheuristic for combinatorial optimization. It usually consists of a construction procedure based on a greedy randomized algorithm and of a local search. Path relinking is an intensification strategy that explores … Read more

Minimum Risk Arbitrage with Risky Financial Contracts

For a set of financial securities specified by their expected returns and variance/covariances we propose the concept of minimum risk arbitrage, characterize conditions under which such opportunities may exist. We use conic duality and convex analysis to derive these characterizations. For practical computation a decidability result on the existence of an arbitrage opportunity is derived. … Read more

Probability distribution of solution time in GRASP: An experimental investigation

A GRASP (greedy randomized adaptive search procedure) is a multi-start metaheuristic for combinatorial optimization. We study the probability distributions of solution time to a sub-optimal target value in five GRASPs that have appeared in the literature and for which source code is available. The distributions are estimated by running 12,000 independent runs of the heuristic. … Read more

Stable Multi-Sets

In this paper we introduce a generalization of stable sets: stable multi-sets. A stable multi-set is an assignment of integers to the vertices of a graph, such that specified bounds on vertices and edges are not exceeded. In case all vertex and edge bounds equal one, stable multi-sets are equivalent to stable sets. For the … Read more