A successive approximation approach (SAA) is developed to obtain a new congestion controller for the nonlinear network control systems. By using the successive approximation approach, the original optimal control problem is transformed into a sequence of nonhomogeneous linear two-point boundary value (TPBV) problems. The optimal control law obtained consists of an accurate linear feedback term ...

Sample average approximation (SAA) method which is also known under various names such as Monte Carlo method, sample path optimization and stochastic counterpart has recently been applied to solve stochastic programs with second order stochastic dominance (SSD) constraints. In particular, Hu et al [19] presented a detailed convergence analysis of ε-optimal values and optimal solutions of sample...

Selecting the optimal locations and timing for prescribed burning is challenging when considering uncertainties in weather, fire behavior, future suppression. In this study, we present a sample average approximation (SAA) based multistage stochastic mixed integer program with recourse to optimize decisions. The component of SAA model considers post-fuel-treatment suppression decisions manage sp...

A large class of stochastic optimization problems can be modeled as minimizing an objective function f that depends on a choice of a vector x ∈ X, as well as on a random external parameter ω ∈ Ω given by a probability distribution π. The value of the objective function is a random variable and often the goal is to find an x ∈ X to minimize the expected cost Eω[fω(x)]. Each ω is referred to as a...

We address the problem of spatial conservation planning in which the goal is to maximize the expected spread of cascades of an endangered species by strategically purchasing land parcels within a given budget. This problem can be solved by standard integer programming methods using the sample average approximation (SAA) scheme. Our main contribution lies in exploiting the separable structure pr...

We propose a decision making framework to optimize the resilience of road networks to natural disasters such as floods. Our model generalizes an existing one for this problem by allowing roads with a broad class of stochastic delay models. We then present a fast algorithm based on the sample average approximation (SAA) method and network design techniques to solve this problem approximately. On...

Stochastic variational inequalities (SVI) provide a means for modeling various optimization and equilibrium problems where data are subject to uncertainty. Often it is necessary to estimate the true SVI solution by the solution of a sample average approximation (SAA) problem. This paper proposes three methods for building confidence intervals for components of the true solution, and those inter...

Salivary α-amylase (sAA) is responsible for the 'pre-digestion' of starch in the oral cavity and accounts for up to 50 % of salivary protein in human saliva. An accumulating body of literature suggests that sAA is of nutritional importance; however, it is still not clear how sAA is related to individual's nutritional status. Although copy number variations (CNV) of the salivary amylase gene (AM...

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute phase reactant, and its level in the blood is elevated to 1000-fold in response of the body to trauma, infection, inflammation, and neoplasia. SAA was reported to inhibit platelet aggregation and to induce adhesion of leukocytes. This study looked at adhesion of human platelets to SAA. Immobilized SAA supported the adhesion of human washed platelets; level of a...

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute phase reactant, and its level in the blood is elevated to 1000-fold in response of the body to trauma, infection, inflammation, and neoplasia. SAA was reported to inhibit platelet aggregation and to induce adhesion of leukocytes. This study looked at adhesion of human platelets to SAA. Immobilized SAA supported the adhesion of human washed platelets; level of a...