Concave Quadratic Cuts for Mixed-Integer Quadratic Problems

The technique of semidefinite programming (SDP) relaxation can be used to obtain a nontrivial bound on the optimal value of a nonconvex quadratically constrained quadratic program (QCQP). We explore concave quadratic inequalities that hold for any vector in the integer lattice ${\bf Z}^n$, and show that adding these inequalities to a mixed-integer nonconvex QCQP can improve the SDP-based bound on the optimal value. This scheme is tested using several numerical problem instances of the max-cut problem and the integer least squares problem.Comment: 24 pages, 1 figur

A shape optimization algorithm for cellular composites

We propose and investigate a mesh deformation technique for PDE constrained shape optimization. Introducing a gradient penalization to the inner product for linearized shape spaces, mesh degeneration can be prevented within the optimization iteration allowing for the scalability of employed solvers. We illustrate the approach by a shape optimization for cellular composites with respect to linear elastic energy under tension. The influence of the gradient penalization is evaluated and the parallel scalability of the approach demonstrated employing a geometric multigrid solver on hierarchically distributed meshes

Recent Advances in Denoising of Manifold-Valued Images

Modern signal and image acquisition systems are able to capture data that is no longer real-valued, but may take values on a manifold. However, whenever measurements are taken, no matter whether manifold-valued or not, there occur tiny inaccuracies, which result in noisy data. In this chapter, we review recent advances in denoising of manifold-valued signals and images, where we restrict our attention to variational models and appropriate minimization algorithms. The algorithms are either classical as the subgradient algorithm or generalizations of the half-quadratic minimization method, the cyclic proximal point algorithm, and the Douglas-Rachford algorithm to manifolds. An important aspect when dealing with real-world data is the practical implementation. Here several groups provide software and toolboxes as the Manifold Optimization (Manopt) package and the manifold-valued image restoration toolbox (MVIRT)

The Askey-scheme of hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials and its q-analogue

We list the so-called Askey-scheme of hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials. In chapter 1 we give the definition, the orthogonality relation, the three term recurrence relation and generating functions of all classes of orthogonal polynomials in this scheme. In chapeter 2 we give all limit relation between different classes of orthogonal polynomials listed in the Askey-scheme. In chapter 3 we list the q-analogues of the polynomials in the Askey-scheme. We give their definition, orthogonality relation, three term recurrence relation and generating functions. In chapter 4 we give the limit relations between those basic hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials. Finally in chapter 5 we point out how the `classical` hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials of the Askey-scheme can be obtained from their q-analogues

Optimal control of a rate-independent evolution equation via viscous regularization

We study the optimal control of a rate-independent system that is driven by a convex, quadratic energy. Since the associated solution mapping is non-smooth, the analysis of such control problems is challenging. In order to derive optimality conditions, we study the regularization of the problem via a smoothing of the dissipation potential and via the addition of some viscosity. The resulting regularized optimal control problem is analyzed. By driving the regularization parameter to zero, we obtain a necessary optimality condition for the original, non-smooth problem

A stroll in the jungle of error bounds

The aim of this paper is to give a short overview on error bounds and to provide the first bricks of a unified theory. Inspired by the works of [8, 15, 13, 16, 10], we show indeed the centrality of the Lojasiewicz gradient inequality. For this, we review some necessary and sufficient conditions for global/local error bounds, both in the convex and nonconvex case. We also recall some results on quantitative error bounds which play a major role in convergence rate analysis and complexity theory of many optimization methods

Finite difference method for a Volterra equation with a power-type nonlinearity

In this work we prove that a family of explicit numerical finite-difference methods is convergent when applied to a nonlinear Volterra equation with a power-type nonlinearity. In that case the kernel is not of Lipschitz type, therefore the classical analysis cannot be applied. We indicate several difficulties that arise in the proofs and show how they can be remedied. The tools that we use consist of variations on discreet Gronwall's lemmas and comparison theorems. Additionally, we give an upper bound on the convergence order. We conclude the paper with a construction of a convergent method and apply it for solving some examples

A Conservative Flux Optimization Finite Element Method for Convection-Diffusion Equations

This article presents a new finite element method for convection-diffusion equations by enhancing the continuous finite element space with a flux space for flux approximations that preserve the important mass conservation locally on each element. The numerical scheme is based on a constrained flux optimization approach where the constraint was given by local mass conservation equations and the flux error is minimized in a prescribed topology/metric. This new scheme provides numerical approximations for both the primal and the flux variables. It is shown that the numerical approximations for the primal and the flux variables are convergent with optimal order in some discrete Sobolev norms. Numerical experiments are conducted to confirm the convergence theory. Furthermore, the new scheme was employed in the computational simulation of a simplified two-phase flow problem in highly heterogeneous porous media. The numerical results illustrate an excellent performance of the method in scientific computing

A linear domain decomposition method for partially saturated flow in porous media

The Richards equation is a nonlinear parabolic equation that is commonly used for modelling saturated/unsaturated flow in porous media. We assume that the medium occupies a bounded Lipschitz domain partitioned into two disjoint subdomains separated by a fixed interface $\Gamma$. This leads to two problems defined on the subdomains which are coupled through conditions expressing flux and pressure continuity at $\Gamma$. After an Euler implicit discretisation of the resulting nonlinear subproblems a linear iterative ($L$-type) domain decomposition scheme is proposed. The convergence of the scheme is proved rigorously. In the last part we present numerical results that are in line with the theoretical finding, in particular the unconditional convergence of the scheme. We further compare the scheme to other approaches not making use of a domain decomposition. Namely, we compare to a Newton and a Picard scheme. We show that the proposed scheme is more stable than the Newton scheme while remaining comparable in computational time, even if no parallelisation is being adopted. Finally we present a parametric study that can be used to optimize the proposed scheme.Comment: 34 pages, 13 figures, 7 table

Projection Methods: An Annotated Bibliography of Books and Reviews

Projections onto sets are used in a wide variety of methods in optimization theory but not every method that uses projections really belongs to the class of projection methods as we mean it here. Here projection methods are iterative algorithms that use projections onto sets while relying on the general principle that when a family of (usually closed and convex) sets is present then projections (or approximate projections) onto the given individual sets are easier to perform than projections onto other sets (intersections, image sets under some transformation, etc.) that are derived from the given family of individual sets. Projection methods employ projections (or approximate projections) onto convex sets in various ways. They may use different kinds of projections and, sometimes, even use different projections within the same algorithm. They serve to solve a variety of problems which are either of the feasibility or the optimization types. They have different algorithmic structures, of which some are particularly suitable for parallel computing, and they demonstrate nice convergence properties and/or good initial behavior patterns. This class of algorithms has witnessed great progress in recent years and its member algorithms have been applied with success to many scientific, technological, and mathematical problems. This annotated bibliography includes books and review papers on, or related to, projection methods that we know about, use, and like. If you know of books or review papers that should be added to this list please contact us.Comment: Revised version. Accepted for publication in the journal "Optimization