Duality theorems in fuzzy optimization problems

Several duality formulation and theorems, and relationship between them in fuzzy programming problems have been studied in literature by various authors under different conditions. In this paper, by considering a partial order relation on the set of fuzzy numbers, and convexity with differentiability of fuzzy mappings, we discuss duality theorems and relationships between them in fuzzy optimization problems with fuzzy coefficients.     

A unified vector optimization problem: complete scalarizations and applications

The aim of this article is to introduce and analyse a general vector optimization problem in a unified framework. Using a well-known nonlinear scalarizing function defined by a solid set, we present complete scalarizations of the solution set to the vector problem without any convexity assumptions. As applications of our results we obtain new optimality conditions for several classical optimization problems by characterizing their solution set.     

Nonlinear scalarizing functions in set optimization problems

In this paper, we obtain Hölder continuity of the nonlinear scalarizing function for l-type less order relation, which is introduced by Hernández and Rodríguez-Marín (J. Math. Anal. Appl. 2007;325:1–18). Moreover, we introduce the nonlinear scalarizing function for u-type less order relation and establish continuity, convexity and Hölder continuity of the nonlinear scalarizing function for u-type less order relation. As applications, we firstly obtain Lipschitz continuity of solution mapping to the parametric equilibrium problems and then establish Lipschitz continuity of strongly approximate solution mappings for l-type less order relation, u-type less order relation and set less order relation to the parametric set optimization problems by using convexity and Hölder continuity of the nonlinear scalarizing functions.     

On the convexity of integrals of multivalued mappings: Applications in control theory

Using the notion of the local convexity index, we characterize in a quantitative way the local convexity of a set in then-dimensional Euclidean space, defined by an integral of a multivalued mapping. We estimate the rate of convergence of the conditional gradient method for solving an abstract optimization problem by means of the convexity index of the constraining set at the solution point. These results are applied to the qualitative analysis of the solutions of time-optimal and Mayer problems for linear control systems, as well as for estimating the convergence rate of algorithms solving these problems.     

The stability of the solution sets for set optimization problems via improvement sets

ABSTRACT

The aim of this paper is to investigate the stability of the solution sets for set optimization problems via improvement sets. Firstly, we consider the relations among the solution sets for optimization problem with set optimization criterion. Then, the closeness and the convexity of solution sets are discussed. Furthermore, the upper semi-continuity, Hausdorff upper semi-continuity and lower semi-continuity of solution mappings to parametric set optimization problems via improvement sets are established under some suitable conditions. These results extend and develop some recent works in this field.     

One class of separable optimization problems: solution method,application

Convexity and generalized convexity play a central role in mathematical economics and optimization theory. So, the research on criteria for convexity or generalized convexity is one of the most important aspects in mathematical programming, in order to characterize the solutions set. Many efforts have been made in the few last years to weaken the convexity notions. In this article, taking in mind Craven's notion of K-invexity function (when K is a cone in ? ⁿ ) and Martin's notion of Karush–Kuhn–Tucker invexity (hereafter KKT-invexity), we define a new notion of generalized convexity that is both necessary and sufficient to ensure every KKT point is a global optimum for programming problems with conic constraints. This new definition is a generalization of KKT-invexity concept given by Martin and K-invexity function given by Craven. Moreover, it is the weakest to characterize the set of optimal solutions. The notions and results that exist in the literature up to now are particular instances of the ones presented here.     

Collusive game solutions via optimization

A Nash-based collusive game among a finite set of players is one in which the players coordinate in order for each to gain higher payoffs than those prescribed by the Nash equilibrium solution. In this paper, we study the optimization problem of such a collusive game in which the players collectively maximize the Nash bargaining objective subject to a set of incentive compatibility constraints. We present a smooth reformulation of this optimization problem in terms of a nonlinear complementarity problem. We establish the convexity of the optimization problem in the case where each player's strategy set is unidimensional. In the multivariate case, we propose upper and lower bounding procedures for the collusive optimization problem and establish convergence properties of these procedures. Computational results with these procedures for solving some test problems are reported. It is with great honor that we dedicate this paper to Professor Terry Rockafellar on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Our work provides another example showing how Terry's fundamental contributions to convex and variational analysis have impacted the computational solution of applied game problems. This author's research was partially supported by the National Science Foundation under grant ECS-0080577. This author's research was partially supported by the National Science Foundation under grant CCR-0098013.     

Numerical study of learning algorithms on Stiefel manifold

Convex optimization methods are used for many machine learning models such as support vector machine. However, the requirement of a convex formulation can place limitations on machine learning models. In recent years, a number of machine learning methods not requiring convexity have emerged. In this paper, we study non-convex optimization problems on the Stiefel manifold in which the feasible set consists of a set of rectangular matrices with orthonormal column vectors. We present examples of non-convex optimization problems in machine learning and apply three nonlinear optimization methods for finding a local optimal solution; geometric gradient descent method, augmented Lagrangian method of multipliers, and alternating direction method of multipliers. Although the geometric gradient method is often used to solve non-convex optimization problems on the Stiefel manifold, we show that the alternating direction method of multipliers generally produces higher quality numerical solutions within a reasonable computation time.     

自由支配集下近似平衡约束向量优化问题的稳定性研究

在自由支配集下,对一类近似平衡约束向量优化问题（AOPVF）的稳定性进行研究.首先,在较弱的凸性假设下获得了约束集映射的Berge-半连续性和约束集的闭性、凸性和紧性结果.然后,在目标函数列Gamma-收敛的假设下,分别得到了AOPVF弱有效解映射Berge 半连续和弱有效解集下Painlevé-Kuratowski收敛的充分条件,并给出例子说明结论是新颖和有意义的.     

Convexity of the Solution Set of a Pseudoconvex Inequality in Riemannian Manifolds

Some equivalent conditions for convexity of the solution set of a pseudoconvex inequality are presented. These conditions turn out to be very useful in characterizing the solution sets of optimization problems of pseudoconvex functions defined on Riemannian manifold.     

Optimization with multivariate stochastic dominance constraints

We consider stochastic optimization problems where risk-aversion is expressed by a stochastic ordering constraint. The constraint requires that a random vector depending on our decisions stochastically dominates a given benchmark random vector. We identify a suitable multivariate stochastic order and describe its generator in terms of von Neumann–Morgenstern utility functions. We develop necessary and sufficient conditions of optimality and duality relations for optimization problems with this constraint. Assuming convexity we show that the Lagrange multipliers corresponding to dominance constraints are elements of the generator of this order, thus refining and generalizing earlier results for optimization under univariate stochastic dominance constraints. Furthermore, we obtain necessary conditions of optimality for non-convex problems under additional smoothness assumptions.     

A polyhedral branch-and-cut approach to global optimization

A variety of nonlinear, including semidefinite, relaxations have been developed in recent years for nonconvex optimization problems. Their potential can be realized only if they can be solved with sufficient speed and reliability. Unfortunately, state-of-the-art nonlinear programming codes are significantly slower and numerically unstable compared to linear programming software.In this paper, we facilitate the reliable use of nonlinear convex relaxations in global optimization via a polyhedral branch-and-cut approach. Our algorithm exploits convexity, either identified automatically or supplied through a suitable modeling language construct, in order to generate polyhedral cutting planes and relaxations for multivariate nonconvex problems. We prove that, if the convexity of a univariate or multivariate function is apparent by decomposing it into convex subexpressions, our relaxation constructor automatically exploits this convexity in a manner that is much superior to developing polyhedral outer approximators for the original function. The convexity of functional expressions that are composed to form nonconvex expressions is also automatically exploited.Root-node relaxations are computed for 87 problems from globallib and minlplib, and detailed computational results are presented for globally solving 26 of these problems with BARON 7.2, which implements the proposed techniques. The use of cutting planes for these problems reduces root-node relaxation gaps by up to 100% and expedites the solution process, often by several orders of magnitude.The research was supported in part by ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, the National Science Foundation under awards DMII 0115166 and CTS 0124751, and the Joint NSF/NIGMS Initiative to Support Research in the Area of Mathematical Biology under NIH award GM072023.     

Some useful set-valued maps in set optimization

In this article, we introduce several classes of set-valued maps which can be useful in set optimization due to their applications. Exactly, we present some set-valued maps defined by scalar and vector functions and study their properties such as continuity and convexity among others. In addition, we compute their asymptotic maps which can be employed to establish coercivity and existence results in the framework of set optimization problems. Finally, we expose some possible directions for further research.     

Generalized asymptotic functions in nonconvex multiobjective optimization problems

In this paper, we use generalized asymptotic functions and second-order asymptotic cones to develop a general existence result for the nonemptiness of the proper efficient solution set and a sufficient condition for the domination property in nonconvex multiobjective optimization problems. A new necessary condition for a point to be efficient or weakly efficient solution is given without any convexity assumption. We also provide a finer outer estimate for the asymptotic cone of the weakly efficient solution set in the quasiconvex case. Finally, we apply our results to the linear fractional multiobjective optimization problem.     

A Level Set Representation Method for N-Dimensional Convex Shape and Applications

In this work,we present a new method for convex shape representation,which is regardless of the dimension of the concerned objects,using level-set approaches.To the best of our knowledge,the proposed prior is the first one which can work for high dimensional objects.Convexity prior is very useful for object completion in computer vision.It is a very challenging task to represent high dimensional convex objects.In this paper,we first prove that the convexity of the considered object is equivalent to the convexity of the associated signed distance function.Then,the second order condition of convex functions is used to characterize the shape convexity equivalently.We apply this new method to two applications:object segmentation with convexity prior and convex hull problem(especially with outliers).For both applications,the involved problems can be written as a general optimization problem with three constraints.An algorithm based on the alternating direction method of multipliers is presented for the optimization problem.Numerical experiments are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed representation method and algorithm.     

Robust optimization revisited via robust vector Farkas lemmas

This paper provides characterizations of the weakly minimal elements of vector optimization problems and the global minima of scalar optimization problems posed on locally convex spaces whose objective functions are deterministic while the uncertain constraints are treated under the robust (or risk-averse) approach, i.e. requiring the feasibility of the decisions to be taken for any possible scenario. To get these optimality conditions we provide Farkas-type results characterizing the inclusion of the robust feasible set into the solution set of some system involving the objective function and possibly uncertain parameters. In the particular case of scalar convex optimization problems, we characterize the optimality conditions in terms of the convexity and closedness of an associated set regarding a suitable point.     

Local convexity conditions for reachability tubes of distributed control systems

For a nonlinear functional operator equation describing a wide class of controlled initial boundary-value problems we introduce the notion of an abstract reachability set analogous to the notion of a reachability tube. We obtain local sufficient conditions for the convexity of such a set. We consider a mixed boundary-value problem associated with a semilinear hyperbolic equation of the second order in a rather general form as an example illustrating the reduction of a controlled initial boundary-value problem to the studied equation, as well as the verification of the stated assumptions.     

Duality and saddle-points for convex-like vector optimization problems on real linear spaces

Usually, finite dimensional linear spaces, locally convex topological linear spaces or normed spaces are the framework for vector and multiojective optimization problems. Likewise, several generalizations of convexity are used in order to obtain new results. In this paper we show several Lagrangian type duality theorems and saddle-points theorems. From these, we obtain some characterizations of several efficient solutions of vector optimization problems (VOP), such as weak and proper efficient solutions in Benson’s sense. These theorems are generalizations of preceding results in two ways. Firstly, because we consider real linear spaces without any particular topology, and secondly because we work with a recently appeared convexlike type of convexity. This new type, designated GVCL in this paper, is based on a new algebraic closure which we named vector closure. This research for the second author was partially supported by Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (Spain), project BFM2003-02194.     

Convexity and optimization with copulæ structured probabilistic constraints

Probability constraints play a key role in optimization problems involving uncertainties. These constraints request that an inequality system depending on a random vector has to be satisfied with a high enough probability. In specific settings, copulæ can be used to model the probabilistic constraints with uncertainty on the left-hand side. In this paper, we provide eventual convexity results for the feasible set of decisions under local generalized concavity properties of the constraint mappings and involved copulæ. The results cover all Archimedean copulæ. We consider probabilistic constraints wherein the decision and random vector are separated, i.e. left/right-hand side uncertainty. In order to solve the underlying optimization problem, we propose and analyse convergence of a regularized supporting hyperplane method: a stabilized variant of generalized Benders decomposition. The algorithm is tested on a large set of instances involving several copulæ among which the Gaussian copula. A Numerical comparison with a (pure) supporting hyperplane algorithm and a general purpose solver for non-linear optimization is also presented.     

Dominating Sets for Convex Functions with Some Applications

A number of optimization methods require as a first step the construction of a dominating set (a set containing an optimal solution) enjoying properties such as compactness or convexity. In this paper, we address the problem of constructing dominating sets for problems whose objective is a componentwise nondecreasing function of (possibly an infinite number of) convex functions, and we show how to obtain a convex dominating set in terms of dominating sets of simpler problems. The applicability of the results obtained is illustrated with the statement of new localization results in the fields of linear regression and location.