6,168 research outputs found
Optimal Composition Ordering Problems for Piecewise Linear Functions
In this paper, we introduce maximum composition ordering problems. The input
is real functions and a constant
. We consider two settings: total and partial compositions. The
maximum total composition ordering problem is to compute a permutation
which maximizes , where .
The maximum partial composition ordering problem is to compute a permutation
and a nonnegative integer which maximize
.
We propose time algorithms for the maximum total and partial
composition ordering problems for monotone linear functions , which
generalize linear deterioration and shortening models for the time-dependent
scheduling problem. We also show that the maximum partial composition ordering
problem can be solved in polynomial time if is of form
for some constants , and . We
finally prove that there exists no constant-factor approximation algorithm for
the problems, even if 's are monotone, piecewise linear functions with at
most two pieces, unless P=NP.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figure
Energy-Efficient Transmission Scheduling with Strict Underflow Constraints
We consider a single source transmitting data to one or more receivers/users
over a shared wireless channel. Due to random fading, the wireless channel
conditions vary with time and from user to user. Each user has a buffer to
store received packets before they are drained. At each time step, the source
determines how much power to use for transmission to each user. The source's
objective is to allocate power in a manner that minimizes an expected cost
measure, while satisfying strict buffer underflow constraints and a total power
constraint in each slot. The expected cost measure is composed of costs
associated with power consumption from transmission and packet holding costs.
The primary application motivating this problem is wireless media streaming.
For this application, the buffer underflow constraints prevent the user buffers
from emptying, so as to maintain playout quality. In the case of a single user
with linear power-rate curves, we show that a modified base-stock policy is
optimal under the finite horizon, infinite horizon discounted, and infinite
horizon average expected cost criteria. For a single user with piecewise-linear
convex power-rate curves, we show that a finite generalized base-stock policy
is optimal under all three expected cost criteria. We also present the
sequences of critical numbers that complete the characterization of the optimal
control laws in each of these cases when some additional technical conditions
are satisfied. We then analyze the structure of the optimal policy for the case
of two users. We conclude with a discussion of methods to identify
implementable near-optimal policies for the most general case of M users.Comment: 109 pages, 11 pdf figures, template.tex is main file. We have
significantly revised the paper from version 1. Additions include the case of
a single receiver with piecewise-linear convex power-rate curves, the case of
two receivers, and the infinite horizon average expected cost proble
Testing for Stochastic Dominance with Diversification Possibilities
We derive empirical tests for stochastic dominance that allow for diversification betweenchoice alternatives. The tests can be computed using straightforward linearprogramming. Bootstrapping techniques and asymptotic distribution theory canapproximate the sampling properties of the test results and allow for statistical inference.Our results could provide a stimulus to the further proliferation of stochastic dominancefor the problem of portfolio selection and evaluation (as well as other choice problemsunder uncertainty that involve diversification possibilities). An empirical application forUS stock market data illustrates our approach.stochastic dominance;portfolio selection;linear programming;portfolio diversification;portfolio evaluation
Geometric aspects of the Maximum Principle and lifts over a bundle map
A coordinate-free proof of the Maximum Principle is provided in the specific
case of an optimal control problem with fixed time. Our treatment heavily
relies on a special notion of variation of curves that consist of a
concatenation of integral curves of time-dependent vector fields with unit time
component, and on the use of a concept of lift over a bundle map. We further
derive necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of so-called
abnormal and strictly abnormal extremals.Comment: 38p, accepted for publication in Acta Appl. Mat
A Neuroevolutionary Approach to Stochastic Inventory Control in Multi-Echelon Systems
Stochastic inventory control in multi-echelon systems poses hard problems in optimisation under uncertainty. Stochastic programming can solve small instances optimally, and approximately solve larger instances via scenario reduction techniques, but it cannot handle arbitrary nonlinear constraints or other non-standard features. Simulation optimisation is an alternative approach that has recently been applied to such problems, using policies that require only a few decision variables to be determined. However, to find optimal or near-optimal solutions we must consider exponentially large scenario trees with a corresponding number of decision variables. We propose instead a neuroevolutionary approach: using an artificial neural network to compactly represent the scenario tree, and training the network by a simulation-based evolutionary algorithm. We show experimentally that this method can quickly find high-quality plans using networks of a very simple form
Kleene Algebras and Semimodules for Energy Problems
With the purpose of unifying a number of approaches to energy problems found
in the literature, we introduce generalized energy automata. These are finite
automata whose edges are labeled with energy functions that define how energy
levels evolve during transitions. Uncovering a close connection between energy
problems and reachability and B\"uchi acceptance for semiring-weighted
automata, we show that these generalized energy problems are decidable. We also
provide complexity results for important special cases
Methods for many-objective optimization: an analysis
Decomposition-based methods are often cited as the
solution to problems related with many-objective optimization. Decomposition-based methods employ a scalarizing function to reduce a many-objective problem into a set of single objective problems, which upon solution yields a good approximation of the set of optimal solutions. This set is commonly referred to as
Pareto front. In this work we explore the implications of using decomposition-based methods over Pareto-based methods from a probabilistic point of view. Namely, we investigate whether there is an advantage of using a decomposition-based method, for example using the Chebyshev scalarizing function, over Paretobased methods
Aspects of Unstructured Grids and Finite-Volume Solvers for the Euler and Navier-Stokes Equations
One of the major achievements in engineering science has been the development of computer algorithms for solving nonlinear differential equations such as the Navier-Stokes equations. In the past, limited computer resources have motivated the development of efficient numerical schemes in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) utilizing structured meshes. The use of structured meshes greatly simplifies the implementation of CFD algorithms on conventional computers. Unstructured grids on the other hand offer an alternative to modeling complex geometries. Unstructured meshes have irregular connectivity and usually contain combinations of triangles, quadrilaterals, tetrahedra, and hexahedra. The generation and use of unstructured grids poses new challenges in CFD. The purpose of this note is to present recent developments in the unstructured grid generation and flow solution technology
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