Stochastic Optimization Methods

Book Description

Optimization problems arising in practice involve random parameters. For the computation of robust optimal solutions, i.e., optimal solutions being insensitive with respect to random parameter variations, deterministic substitute problems are needed. Based on the distribution of the random data, and using decision theoretical concepts, optimization problems under stochastic uncertainty are converted into deterministic substitute problems. Due to the occurring probabilities and expectations, approximative solution techniques must be applied. Deterministic and stochastic approximation methods and their analytical properties are provided: Taylor expansion, regression and response surface methods, probability inequalities, First Order Reliability Methods, convex approximation/deterministic descent directions/efficient points, stochastic approximation methods, differentiation of probability and mean value functions. Convergence results of the resulting iterative solution procedures are given.

Randomization Methods in Algorithm Design: Dimacs Workshop, December 12-14, 1997 (Dimacs Series in Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science)

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Randomization Methods in Algorithm Design: Dimacs Workshop, December 12-14, 1997 (Dimacs Series in Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science)

Manufacturer: American Mathematical Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

This volume is based on proceedings held during the DIMACS workshop on Randomization Methods in Algorithm Design in December 1997 at Princeton. The workshop was part of the DIMACS Special Year on Discrete Probability. It served as an interdisciplinary research workshop that brought together a mix of leading theorists, algorithmists and practitioners working in the theory and implementation aspects of algorithms involving randomization.

Randomization has played an important role in the design of both sequential and parallel algorithms. The last decade has witnessed tremendous growth in the area of randomized algorithms. During this period, randomized algorithms went from being a tool in computational number theory to finding widespread applications in many problem domains.

Book Description

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Third International Workshop on Randomization and Approximation Techniques in Computer Science, RANDOM'99, held jointly with the Second International Workshop on Approximation Algorithms for Combinatorial Optimization Problems, APPROX'99, in Berkeley, California in August 1999.The volume presents 24 revised full papers selected from 44 submissions and four invited contributions. The papers present a wealth of new results and document the state-of-the-art in the areas covered by the workshop.

Stochastic Decomposition: A Statistical Method for Large Scale Stochastic Linear Programming (Nonconvex Optimization and Its Applications)

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Stochastic Decomposition: A Statistical Method for Large Scale Stochastic Linear Programming (Nonconvex Optimization and Its Applications)
J.L. Higle , and S. Sen
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0792338405

Book Description

This book summarizes developments related to a class of methods called Stochastic Decomposition (SD) algorithms, which represent an important shift in the design of optimization algorithms. Unlike traditional deterministic algorithms, SD combines sampling approaches from the statistical literature with traditional mathematical programming constructs (e.g. decomposition, cutting planes etc.). This marriage of two highly computationally oriented disciplines leads to a line of work that is most definitely driven by computational considerations. Furthermore, the use of sampled data in SD makes it extremely flexible in its ability to accommodate various representations of uncertainty, including situations in which outcomes/scenarios can only be generated by an algorithm/simulation. The authors report computational results with some of the largest stochastic programs arising in applications. These results (mathematical as well as computational) are the `tip of the iceberg'. Further research will uncover extensions of SD to a wider class of problems. Audience: Researchers in mathematical optimization, including those working in telecommunications, electric power generation, transportation planning, airlines and production systems. Also suitable as a text for an advanced course in stochastic optimization.

Stochastic Global Optimization (Springer Optimization and Its Applications)

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Stochastic Global Optimization (Springer Optimization and Its Applications)
Anatoly Zhigljavsky , and Antanas Zilinskas
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

This book presents the main methodological and theoretical developments in stochastic global optimization. The extensive text is divided into four chapters; the topics include the basic principles and methods of global random search, statistical inference in random search, Markovian and population-based random search methods, methods based on statistical models of multimodal functions and principles of rational decisions theory.

Key features: Inspires readers to explore various stochastic methods of global optimization by clearly explaining the main methodological principles and features of the methods; Includes a comprehensive study of probabilistic and statistical models underlying the stochastic optimization algorithms; Expands upon more sophisticated techniques including random and semi-random coverings, stratified sampling schemes, Markovian algorithms and population based algorithms; Provides a thorough description of the methods based on statistical models of objective function; Discusses criteria for evaluating efficiency of optimization algorithms and difficulties occurring in applied global optimization.

Stochastic Hydrology and its Use in Water Resources Systems Simulation and Optimization (NATO Science Series E:)

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Stochastic Hydrology and its Use in Water Resources Systems Simulation and Optimization (NATO Science Series E:)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0792322886

Book Description

Stochastic hydrology is an essential base of water resources systems analysis, due to the inherent randomness of the input, and consequently of the results. These results have to be incorporated in a decision-making process regarding the planning and management of water systems. It is through this application that stochastic hydrology finds its true meaning, otherwise it becomes merely an academic exercise. A set of well known specialists from both stochastic hydrology and water resources systems present a synthesis of the actual knowledge currently used in real-world planning and management. The book is intended for both practitioners and researchers who are willing to apply advanced approaches for incorporating hydrological randomness and uncertainty into the simulation and optimization of water resources systems.

Stochastic Local Search Algorithms for Multiobjective Combinatorial Optimizations: Methods and Analysis

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Stochastic Local Search Algorithms for Multiobjective Combinatorial Optimizations: Methods and Analysis
Luis F. Paquete
Manufacturer: IOS Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1586035967

Book Description

Multiobjective Combinatorial Optimization Problems (MCOPs) arise in many real-life applications and they are among the hardest optimization problems. Therefore, high-quality approximations that can be obtained in reasonable time are, in practice, preferable to the often infeasible long computation times required for finding the optimum. Stochastic Local Search (SLS) algorithms were shown to give state-of-the-art results for many other problems, but little is known on how to design and analyse them for MCOPs. The main purpose of this book is to fill this gap. We start by defining two search models that correspond to two distinct ways of tackling MCOPs by SLS algorithms. Notions of local optima for MCOPs are formally introduced and related to the typical outcome of SLS algorithms. Moreover, we present a systematic approach for the design of these algorithms based on the notion of SLS components and a general guideline to empirically analyse algorithm performance. Finally, several SLS algorithms and SLS components are tested on the Multiobjective Traveling Salesman Problem and the Multiobjective Quadratic Assignment Problem. The effect of instance features and SLS components on the performance of the SLS algorithms are identified by experimental design techniques. The results obtained clearly indicate that the best performing variants are new state-of-the-art algorithms.

Stochastic Models in Operations Research: Stochastic Optimization (McGraw-Hill Series in Quantitative Methods for Management)

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Stochastic Models in Operations Research: Stochastic Optimization (McGraw-Hill Series in Quantitative Methods for Management)
Daniel P. Heyman , and Matthew J. Sobel
Manufacturer: Mcgraw-Hill College
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0070286329

Stochastic Optimization: Numerical Methods and Technical Applications : Proceedings of a Gamm/Ifip-Workshop Held at the Federal Armed Forces Universi (Springer Series in Information Sciences)

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Stochastic Optimization: Numerical Methods and Technical Applications : Proceedings of a Gamm/Ifip-Workshop Held at the Federal Armed Forces Universi (Springer Series in Information Sciences)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Accounting for habitat loss rates in sequential reserve selection: Simple methods for large problems [An article from: Biological Conservation]

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Accounting for habitat loss rates in sequential reserve selection: Simple methods for large problems [An article from: Biological Conservation]
A. Moilanen , and M. Cabeza
Manufacturer: Elsevier
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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ASIN: B000PDYIIM

Book Description

This digital document is a journal article from Biological Conservation, published by Elsevier in 2007. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:
We develop reserve selection methods for maximizing either species retention in the landscape or species representation in reserve areas. These methods are developed in the context of sequential reserve selection, where site acquisition is done over a number of years, yearly budgets are limited and habitat loss may cause some sites to become unavailable during the planning period. The main methodological development of this study is what we call a site-ordering algorithm, which maximizes representation within selected sites at the end of the planning period, while accounting for habitat loss rates in optimization. Like stochastic dynamic programming, which is an approach that guarantees a globally optimal solution, the ordering algorithm generates a sequence in which sites are ideally acquired. As a distinction from stochastic dynamic programming, the ordering is generated via a relatively fast approximate process, which involves hierarchic application of the principle of maximization of marginal gain. In our comparisons, the ordering algorithm emerges a clear winner, it does well in terms of retention and is superior to simple heuristics in terms of representation within reserves. Unlike stochastic dynamic programming, the ordering algorithm is applicable to relatively large problem sizes, with reasonable computation times expected for problems involving thousands of sites.

Book Description

As member-owned savings and loans institutions. credit unions are a rapidly growing worldwide phenomenon. Based upon empirical studies of various credit union industries, this comprehensive book examines the changing role of credit unions and uncovers the future strategic development issues facing them, whether they are in the US, UK, Asia, Africa or the emerging markets of Eastern Europe. The dynamics and behaviour of different credit union industries provide the backdrop to detailed consideration of key operational issues such as membership growth, product diversification, shared services, and credit union management. The Strategic Development of Credit Unions also provides a comparative framework for assessing the performance of credit unions as increasingly key providers of financial services and includes:

the historical development of credit unions
the prudential and regulatory requirements governing credit union operations
US credit unions as a demonstration effect of development issues
in-depth empirical study of the UK credit union industry
emerging credit union industries in Eastern Europe and the Third World
the strategic development agenda for credit unions

Customer Reviews:

Excellent book great for all people........2004-11-24

It does not matter if you are a banking proffessional or a finance layman this book is for you. It teaches everything most people would want to know about a credit union going from its origins in Germany, from a union of farmers, to the comercial institutions of today. The book tells the story in detail of why you should support credit unions and how and when they can save you money. I think that it's worth it to read some history and pay a $100 if you can lower your loan payments among others.

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Strategic pricing made easy
Laura Beaudoin , and Elizabeth J. Tipton
Manufacturer: Kendall/Hunt
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 078726895X

Book Description

Breakthrough will help executives lead their teams to peerless, unsurpassed performance by helping them define a grand goal and engage the organization to pursue and achieve that goal, no matter how difficult the challenge seems. Based on a ten-year landmark study of more than seventy bold, breakthrough companies such as IBM, Dayton-Hudson, Progressive Insurance, EMC, American Standard, Charles Schwab, and Dell Computer, the book shows how these remarkable companies adopted outrageous objectives and then did what it takes to achieve remarkable results.

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Customer Reviews:

Review of Management Book.......2005-09-16

Thank you for the book. It came in good time and was in good condition.

A Good Read!.......2004-08-04

This book aims to show CEOs how to achieve the impossible. Based on a study of 70 companies that managed to accomplish incredibly ambitious goals, it offers a straightforward and, for the most part, lucid set of guiding principles to reach breakthrough success. Author Bill Davidson anchors his prescription in the experiences of real companies and illustrates each point with copious anecdotes. Although he strays now and then into the jargon of the academic tribe, these digressions are rare and excusable. His case histories and tactical advice offer something of value to every CEO or senior manager. We recommend this book to executives whose companies are trapped in strategic dead-ends and desperate to blast out, or to executives who would rather act before a crisis really blossoms.

Breakthrough.......2003-11-14

Breakthrough is an outstanding book. Davidson gives first-hand experiences with numerous successful breakthrough companies and synthesizes practical principles on how to craft and achieve the "Outrageous Objectives" of your company's next success cycle. I disagree with the reader below. While Good to Great is also an excellent book, Breakthrough provides deeper insights into the essential ingredients of breakthrough and gives more valuable, real world examples to illustrate them.

Breakthrough.......2003-11-11

This book contains an extraordinary amount of very valuable material in a short and readable format. There are several new ideas in here that capture critical emerging trends in management. The idea of enterprise strategy, and the leadership model that goes with it, is a key, contrarian take on what works in the world of business. The depth of research underlying the
book gives great weight to what might otherwise be dismissed because it challenges our prevailing assumptions. There are many

powerful examples descibed in detail, and the author brings you inside a number of fascinating organizations, with a close-up, real-time view of leaders in action. There are also two very useful frameworks - one for strategy formulation includes some new thinking on the difference between segments, niches and mainstsream markets that sheds new light on strategic positioning. The author summarizes the experience of dozens of successful breakthrough companies in an AIM, Ready, Fire framework that captures their best practices. The final chapter on leadership also gives new thoughts on what it takes to lead a breakthrough company.

Ho-hum stuff.......2003-11-06

I disagree with the reader below who says it's the next Good to Great, one of the all-time best business books (my copy is totally dog eared, and I loan it out all the time). I didn't find anything new in this book, and I worked at two of the companies the author "studied" in his research. I say there's no need for a new Good to Great (it's timeless, in my opinion) and certainly no need for an also-ran like this one.

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Outrageous Consulting
Suzanne Bailey , and Lara Ewing
Manufacturer: NPL Comprehensive
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

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ASIN: 0970549261

Book Description

Outrageous Consulting is about broadening the range of capacities we use to create results in business. By encouraging the use of a wide range of our intellectual spectrum, we literally involve more human resources in meeting the challenges of business today. An incredibly valuable resource for consultants, trainers, or any change agent in an organization. Based upon Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). 6 Audio cassettes

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