A Dual Projective Pivot Algorithm for Linear Programming

Recently, a linear programming problem solver, called dual projective simplex method, was proposed (Pan, Computers and Mathematics with Applications, vol. 35, no. 6, pp. 119–135, 1998). This algorithm requires a crash procedure to provide an initial (normal or deficient) basis. In this paper, it is recast in a more compact form so that it can get itself started from scratch with any dual (basic or nonbasic) feasible solution. A new dual Phase-1 approach for producing such a solution is proposed. Reported are also computational results obtained with a set of standard NETLIB problems.     

Optimal paths in bi-attribute networks with fractional cost functions

An important routing problem is to determine an optimal path through a multi-attribute network which minimizes a cost function of path attributes. In this paper, we study an optimal path problem in a bi-attribute network where the cost function for path evaluation is fractional. The problem can be equivalently formulated as the “bi-attribute rational path problem” which is known to be NP-complete. We develop an exact approach to find an optimal simple path through the network when arc attributes are non-negative. The approach uses some path preference structures and elimination techniques to discard, from further consideration, those (partial) paths that cannot be parts of an optimal path. Our extensive computational results demonstrate that the proposed method can find optimal paths for large networks in very attractive times.     

Network reoptimization procedures for multiobjective network probelems

Network models are attractive because of their computational efficiency. Network applications can involve multiple objective analysis. Multiple objective analysis requires generating nondominated solutions in various forms. Two general methods exist to generate new solutions in continuous optimization: changing objective function weights and inserting objective bounds through constraints. In network flow problems, modifying weights is straightforward, allowing use of efficient network codes. Use of bounds on objective attainment levels can provide a more controlled generation of solutions reflecting tradeoffs among objectives. To constrain objective attainment, however, would require a side constrained network code, sacrificing some computational efficiency for greater model flexibility. We develop reoptimization procedures for the side constrained problem and use them in conjunction with simplex-based techniques. Our approach provides a useful tool for generating solutions allowing greater decision maker control over objective attainments, allowing multiobjective analysis of large-scale problems. Results are compared with solutions obtained from the computationally more attractive weighting technique. Reoptimization procedures are discussed as a means of more efficiently conducting multiple objective network analyses.     

A dual ascent approach to the fixed-charge capacitated network design problem

In this paper we consider the problem of constructing a network over which a number of commodities are to be transported. Fixed costs are associated to the construction of network arcs and variable costs are associated to routing of commodities. In addition, one capacity constraint is related to each arc. The problem is to determine a network design that minimizes the total cost; i.e., it balances the construction and operating costs. A dual ascent procedure for finding improved lower bounds and near-optimal solutions for the fixed-charge capacitated network design problem is proposed. The method is shown to generate tighter lower bounds than the linear programming relaxation of the problem.     

Simultaneous lotsizing and scheduling on parallel machines

This paper addresses the simultaneous lotsizing and scheduling of several products on non-identical parallel production lines (heterogeneous machines). The limited capacity of the production lines may be further reduced by sequence dependent setup times. Deterministic, dynamic demand of standard products has to be met without back-logging with the objective of minimizing sequence dependent setup, holding and production costs.The problem is heuristically solved by combining the local search metastrategies threshold accepting (TA) and simulated annealing (SA), respectively, with dual reoptimization. Such a solution approach has already proved to be successful for the single machine case. The solution quality and computational performance of the new heuristics are tested by means of real-world problems gathered from industry.     

Dynamic traveling salesman problem with stochastic release dates

The dynamic traveling salesman problem with stochastic release dates (DTSP-srd) is a problem in which a supplier has to deliver parcels to its customers. These parcels are delivered to its depot while the distribution is taking place. The arrival time of a parcel to the depot is called its release date. In the DTSP-srd, release dates are stochastic and dynamically updated as the distribution takes place. The objective of the problem is the minimization of the total time needed to serve all customers, given by the sum of the traveling time and the waiting time at the depot. The problem is represented as a Markov Decision Process and is solved through a reoptimization approach. Two models are proposed for the problem to be solved at each stage. The first model is stochastic and exploits the entire probabilistic information available for the release dates. The second model is deterministic and uses an estimation of the release dates. An instance generation procedure is proposed to simulate the evolution of the information to perform computational tests. The results show that a more frequent reoptimization provides better results across all tested instances and that the stochastic model performs better than the deterministic model. The main drawback of the stochastic model lies in the computational time required to evaluate a solution, which makes an iteration of the heuristic substantially more time-consuming than in the case where the deterministic model is used.     

New Reoptimization Techniques applied to Steiner Tree Problem

Given an instance of an optimization problem together with an optimal solution for it, a reoptimization problem asks for a solution for a locally modified input instance. In this paper we develop new reoptimization techniques and apply them to the Steiner Tree Problem. Our techniques significantly improve the previous results and apply to a variety of reoptimization problems.     

A Practical Algorithm for Computing a Subadditive Dual Function for Set Partitioning

Recently, a new algorithm for computing an optimal subadditive dual function to an integer program has been proposed. In this paper we show how to apply the algorithm to the set partitioning problem. We give several enhancements to the algorithm and we report computational experiments. The results show that it is tractable to obtain an optimal subadditive function for small and medium size problems. To the best of our knowledge this is the first work that reports computational experiments on computing an optimal subadditive dual function.     

Algorithms for the single-source uncapacitated minimum concave-cost network flow problem

We investigate algorithms, applications, and complexity issues for the single-source uncapacitated (SSU) version of the minimum concave-cost network flow problem (MCNFP). We present applications arising from production planning, and prove complexity results for both global and local search. We formally state the local search algorithm of Gallo and Sodini [5], and present alternative local search algorithms. Computational results are provided to compare the various local search algorithms proposed and the effects of initial solution techniques.     

Dual gradient method for linearly constrained,strongly convex,separable mathematical programming problems

A new dual gradient method is given to solve linearly constrained, strongly convex, separable mathematical programming problems. The dual problem can be decomposed into one-dimensional problems whose solutions can be computed extremely easily. The dual objective function is shown to have a Lipschitz continuous gradient, and therefore a gradient-type algorithm can be used for solving the dual problem. The primal optimal solution can be obtained from the dual optimal solution in a straightforward way. Convergence proofs and computational results are given.     

A Branch and Bound algorithm for the minimax regret spanning arborescence

The paper considers the problem of finding a spanning arborescence on a directed network whose arc costs are partially known. It is assumed that each arc cost can take on values from a known interval defining a possible economic scenario. In this context, the problem of finding the spanning arborescence which better approaches to that of minimum overall cost under each possible scenario is studied. The minimax regret criterion is proposed in order to obtain such a robust solution of the problem. As it is shown, the bounds on the optimal value of the minimax regret optimization problem obtained in a previous paper, can be used here in a Branch and Bound algorithm in order to give an optimal solution. The computational behavior of the algorithm is tested through numerical experiments. This research has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science and FEDER Grant No. MTM2006-04393 and by the European Alfa Project, “Engineering System for Preparing and Making Decisions Under Multiple Criteria”, II-0321-FA.     

A new variable reduction technique for convex integer quadratic programs

Convex integer quadratic programming involves minimization of a convex quadratic objective function with affine constraints and is a well-known NP-hard problem with a wide range of applications. We proposed a new variable reduction technique for convex integer quadratic programs (IQP). Based on the optimal values to the continuous relaxation of IQP and a feasible solution to IQP, the proposed technique can be applied to fix some decision variables of an IQP simultaneously at zero without sacrificing optimality. Using this technique, computational effort needed to solve IQP can be greatly reduced. Since a general convex bounded IQP (BIQP) can be transformed to a convex IQP, the proposed technique is also applicable for the convex BIQP. We report a computational study to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed technique in solving quadratic knapsack problems.     

PSBH中的组合优化问题及其计算方法

本文介绍了具有部分位置信息的SBH杂交测序（Positional Sequencing by Hy-bridization,简称PSBH）实验所产生的一个重构DNA片断的组合优化问题,并讨论了该问题最优重构的计算问题.通过对PSBH提供的谱集及其位置信息的分析处理,我们获得了若干判定最优重构片断头尾的分支定界准则以及确定其非头尾位置最可能出现k-tuple的动态规划计算方法,并由此给出了该PSBH问题的一个新重构算法.该算法允许PSBH谱集含有一般杂交实验中常常可能出现探针错配所产生的正错误,并且仅仅假设PSBH的谱集、位置信息和位置长度是已知的,所以我们的算法具有更一般的适应性和实用性.此外,由于我们给出的算法能够极大地利用PSBH的谱集和位置信息所蕴含的信息确定最优重构片断头尾及其中间位置最可能出现的k-tuple,极大地减少了PSBH重构中的随意性,所以我们的算法也是有效的,模拟PSBH实验的计算结果验证了这一点.     

On Solving Quickest Time Problems in Time-Dependent, Dynamic Networks

In this paper, a pseudopolynomial time algorithm is presented for solving the integral time-dependent quickest flow problem (TDQFP) and its multiple source and sink counterparts: the time-dependent evacuation and quickest transshipment problems. A more widely known, though less general version, is the quickest flow problem (QFP). The QFP has historically been defined on a dynamic network, where time is divided into discrete units, flow moves through the network over time, travel times determine how long each unit of flow spends traversing an arc, and capacities restrict the rate of flow on an arc. The goal of the QFP is to determine the paths along which to send a given supply from a single source to a single sink such that the last unit of flow arrives at the sink in the minimum time. The main contribution of this paper is the time-dependent quickest flow (TDQFP) algorithm which solves the TDQFP, i.e. it solves the integral QFP, as defined above, on a time-dependent dynamic network, where the arc travel times, arc and node capacities, and supply at the source vary with time. Furthermore, this algorithm solves the time-dependent minimum time dynamic flow problem, whose objective is to determine the paths that lead to the minimum total time spent completing all shipments from source to sink. An optimal solution to the latter problem is guaranteed to be optimal for the TDQFP. By adding a small number of nodes and arcs to the existing network, we show how the algorithm can be used to solve both the time-dependent evacuation and the time-dependent quickest transshipment problems. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Lagrangean heuristics combined with reoptimization for the 0-1 bidimensional knapsack problem

First, this paper deals with lagrangean heuristics for the 0-1 bidimensional knapsack problem. A projected subgradient algorithm is performed for solving a lagrangean dual of the problem, to improve the convergence of the classical subgradient algorithm. Secondly, a local search is introduced to improve the lower bound on the value of the biknapsack produced by lagrangean heuristics. Thirdly, a variable fixing phase is embedded in the process. Finally, the sequence of 0-1 one-dimensional knapsack instances obtained from the algorithm are solved by using reoptimization techniques in order to reduce the total computational time effort. Computational results are presented.     

允许长度估计误差的SBH最优重构问题及其算法

本文讨论了允许长度估计误差和杂交错误的更实际SBH(Sequencing by Hybridization)最优重构问题.通过对SBH谱集中k-tuple之间的相关信息的分析和最优重构性质的讨论,我们得到若干非最优解的删除法则和最优解的判定法则,并获得了一个能够极大地减少最优解重构随意性的动态规划计算方法.由此,我们给出了该SBH问题的一个新重构算法.该算法既允许SBH谱集含有一般杂交实验中可能出现的探针错配所产生的正错误,也允许目标DNA序列长度有估计误差,所以本文的算法具有更一般的适应性和实用性.模拟计算结果表明我们的算法也是十分有效的(即使在谱集有多达100%的正错误情况).     

An improved Lagrangian relaxation and dual ascent approach to facility location problems

The literature knows semi-Lagrangian relaxation as a particular way of applying Lagrangian relaxation to certain linear mixed integer programs such that no duality gap results. The resulting Lagrangian subproblem usually can substantially be reduced in size. The method may thus be more efficient in finding an optimal solution to a mixed integer program than a “solver” applied to the initial MIP formulation, provided that “small” optimal multiplier values can be found in a few iterations. Recently, a simplification of the semi-Lagrangian relaxation scheme has been suggested in the literature. This “simplified” approach is actually to apply ordinary Lagrangian relaxation to a reformulated problem and still does not show a duality gap, but the Lagrangian dual reduces to a one-dimensional optimization problem. The expense of this simplification is, however, that the Lagrangian subproblem usually can not be reduced to the same extent as in the case of ordinary semi-Lagrangian relaxation. Hence, an effective method for optimizing the Lagrangian dual function is of utmost importance for obtaining a computational advantage from the simplified Lagrangian dual function. In this paper, we suggest a new dual ascent method for optimizing both the semi-Lagrangian dual function as well as its simplified form for the case of a generic discrete facility location problem and apply the method to the uncapacitated facility location problem. Our computational results show that the method generally only requires a very few iterations for computing optimal multipliers. Moreover, we give an interesting economic interpretation of the semi-Lagrangian multiplier(s).     

Optimal design of double layer scallop domes using genetic algorithm

An efficient methodology is proposed for optimal design of large-scale domes with various topologies and dimensions in plan. The major concern with the optimal design of large domes is the difficulties arising from plurality of design variables, i.e., size and shape variables. This complexity has propounded the optimal design problem of large scale domes as a great challenge over the years. Thus, in current study, extending the novel idea of using parametric mathematical functions, design variables are correlated to the geometrical properties of domes through a new point of view. Additionally, a modified sizing approach is taken up while treating with element sections. In this way, the number of design variables is decreased. Consequently, fewer numbers of these variables provides an impressive condition that considerably takes down the computational efforts needed to explore the design space for finding the solution of optimization problem. Optimization task is performed by the robust technique of genetic algorithm. The presented approach is applicable to a wide variety of enormous domes with outsized number of nodes and members. However, to show applicability as well as computational advantages of the presented algorithm, a numerical example of scallop domes is investigated.     

Formation of a strategic manufacturing and distribution network with transfer prices

We propose a profit maximization model for the decision support system of a firm that wishes to establish or rationalize a multinational manufacturing and distribution network to produce and deliver finished goods from sources to consumers. The model simultaneously evaluates all traditional location factors in a manufacturing and distribution network design problem and sets intra-firm transfer prices that take account of tax and exchange rate differentials between countries. Utilizing the generalized Benders decomposition approach, we exploit the partition between the product flow and the cash allocation (i.e., the pricing and revenue assignment) decisions in the supply chain to find near optimal model solutions. Our proposed profit maximizing strategic planning model produces intuitive results. We offer computational experiments to illustrate the potential valuable guidance the model can provide to a firm's supply chain design strategic planning process.     

Labeling algorithm for the shortest path problem with turn prohibitions with application to large-scale road networks

In real road networks, the presence of no-left, no-right or no U-turn signs, restricts the movement of vehicles at intersections. These turn prohibitions must be considered when calculating the shortest path between a starting and an ending point in a road network. We propose an extension of Dijkstra’s algorithm to solve the shortest path problem with turn prohibitions. The method uses arc labeling and a network structure with low memory requirements. We compare the proposed method with the dual graph approach in a set of randomly generated networks and Bogotá’s large-scale road network. Our computational experiments show that the performance of the proposed method is better than that of the dual graph approach, both in terms of computing time and memory requirements. We co-developed a Web-based decision support system for computing shortest paths with turn prohibitions that uses the proposed method as the core engine.