In this article we survey mathematical programming approaches to problems in the field of water network optimization. Predominant in the literature are two different, but related problem classes. One can be described by the notion of network design, while the other is more aptly termed by network operation. The basic underlying model in both cases is a nonlinear network flow model, and we give ...

Important: Review Appendix A of [3] and make sure you understand it. The text below hits a few important topics from that material and adds a few more relevant items. Some of it will be covered in class but it is up to you to fill in the rest. Many of the things discussed here will be referred to during the semester.

July 1, 2011. For the few sorry spirits who, misguided by the general state of the world, thought that mathematical optimization was in theoretical decline or too remote from applications in the real world, the SIOPT Conference on Optimization in Darmstadt in May was a real and vivid counterexample. Indeed this very well attended meeting (600+ participants) was a resounding success in terms of ...

Simulating evolution as seen in nature has been identified as one of the key computing paradigms for the new decade. Today evolutionary algorithms have been successfully used in a number of applications. These include discrete and continuous optimization problems, synthesis of neural networks, synthesis of computer programs from examples (also called genetic programming) and even evolvable hard...

By morphing mean–variance optimization (MVO) portfolio model into semi-absolute deviation (SAD) model, we apply multi criteria decision making (MCDM) via fuzzy mathematical programming to develop comprehensive models of asset portfolio optimization (APO) for the investors’ pursuing either of the aggressive or conservative strategies. 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

PURPOSE To introduce the concept of dose-mass-based inverse optimization for radiotherapy applications. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mathematical derivation of the dose-mass-based formalism is presented. This mathematical representation is compared to the most commonly used dose-volume-based formulation used in inverse optimization. A simple example on digitally created phantom is presented. The pha...

September 30, 2010. Starting a new chairmanship of the Mathematical Optimization Society is at the same time very motivating and humbling. Very motivating because I believe the Society is in an excellent position: the membership is strong and the importance of our scientific subject is definitely growing in importance, both in industry and academia. The role of the Society, as the main professi...

March 30, 2011. The Mathematical Optimization Society is alive and active, and the best proof of this statement is the number of innovations that have taken place within the Society since I wrote my last column in Optima. Let me review these innovations briefly. The first innovation, especially from the researcher point of view, is the new internet support which has been introduced for our main...

August 1, 2012. While preparing this column and in my periodic and frantic search for material of interest, I stumbled on this most appropriate motto: Optimum is maximum at a minimum – due to the nu-jazz artist Mr Gaus (no, this is not made up). In view of the coming ISMP festivities, this sounded a marvelous quote, at least if properly interpreted. Indeed, it would be completely wrong to sugge...