AS-BOX: Additional Sampling Method for Weighted Sum Problems with Box Constraints

A class of optimization problems characterized by a weighted finite-sum objective function subject to box constraints is considered. We propose a novel stochastic optimization method, named AS-BOX (Additional Sampling for BOX constraints), that combines projected gradient directions with adaptive variable sample size strategies and nonmonotone line search. The method dynamically adjusts the batch size based … Read more

ASPEN: An Additional Sampling Penalty Method for Finite-Sum Optimization Problems with Nonlinear Equality Constraints

We propose a novel algorithm for solving non-convex, nonlinear equality-constrained finite-sum optimization problems. The proposed algorithm incorporates an additional sampling strategy for sample size update into the well-known framework of quadratic penalty methods. Thus, depending on the problem at hand, the resulting method may exhibit a sample size strategy ranging from a mini-batch on one … Read more

First-order methods for stochastic and finite-sum convex optimization with deterministic constraints

In this paper, we study a class of stochastic and finite-sum convex optimization problems with deterministic constraints. Existing methods typically aim to find an \(\epsilon\)-expectedly feasible stochastic optimal solution, in which the expected constraint violation and expected optimality gap are both within a prescribed tolerance ϵ. However, in many practical applications, constraints must be nearly … Read more

IPAS: An Adaptive Sample Size Method for Weighted Finite Sum Problems with Linear Equality Constraints

Optimization problems with the objective function in the form of weighted sum and linear equality constraints are considered. Given that the number of local cost functions can be large as well as the number of constraints, a stochastic optimization method is proposed. The method belongs to the class of variable sample size first order methods, … Read more

On the Out-of-Sample Performance of Stochastic Dynamic Programming and Model Predictive Control

Sample average approximation–based stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) and model predictive control (MPC) are two different methods for approaching multistage stochastic optimization. In this paper we investigate the conditions under which SDP may be outperformed by MPC. We show that, depending on the presence of concavity or convexity, MPC can be interpreted as solving a mean-constrained … Read more

Asymptotic Consistency for Nonconvex Risk-Averse Stochastic Optimization with Infinite Dimensional Decision Spaces

Optimal values and solutions of empirical approximations of stochastic optimization problems can be viewed as statistical estimators of their true values. From this perspective, it is important to understand the asymptotic behavior of these estimators as the sample size goes to infinity, which is both of theoretical as well as practical interest. This area of … Read more

Monotonicity and Complexity of Multistage Stochastic Variational Inequalities

In this paper, we consider multistage stochastic variational inequalities (MSVIs). First, we give multistage stochastic programs and multistage multi-player noncooperative game problems as source problems. After that, we derive the monotonicity properties of MSVIs under less restrictive conditions. Finally, the polynomial rate of convergence with respect to sample sizes between the original problem and its … Read more

Spectral Projected Subgradient Method for Nonsmooth Convex Optimization Problems

We consider constrained optimization problems with a nonsmooth objective function in the form of mathematical expectation. The Sample Average Approximation (SAA) is used to estimate the objective function and variable sample size strategy is employed. The proposed algorithm combines an SAA subgradient with the spectral coefficient in order to provide a suitable direction which improves … Read more

A Prescriptive Machine Learning Method for Courier Scheduling on Crowdsourced Delivery Platforms

Crowdsourced delivery platforms face the unique challenge of meeting dynamic customer demand using couriers not employed by the platform. As a result, the delivery capacity of the platform is uncertain. To reduce the uncertainty, the platform can offer a reward to couriers that agree to be available to make deliveries for a specified period of … Read more