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We consider a finite-dimensional optimization problem, the formulation of which in addition to the required variables contains parameters. The solution to this problem is a dependence of optimal values of variables on parameters. In general, these dependencies are not functions because they can have ambiguous meanings and in the functional case be nondifferentiable. In addition, their domain of definition may be narrower than the domains of definition of functions in the condition of the original problem. All these properties make it difficult to solve both the original parametric problem and other tasks, the statement of which includes these dependencies. To overcome these difficulties, usually methods such as non-differentiable optimization are used.

This article proposes an alternative approach that makes it possible to obtain solutions to parametric problems in a form devoid of the specified properties. It is shown that such representations can be explored using standard algorithms, based on the Taylor formula. This form is a function smoothly approximating the solution of the original problem for any parameter values, specified in its statement. In this case, the value of the approximation error is controlled by a special parameter. Construction of proposed approximations is performed using special functions that establish feedback (within optimality conditions for the original problem) between variables and Lagrange multipliers. This method is described for linear problems with subsequent generalization to the nonlinear case.

From a computational point of view the construction of the approximation consists in finding the saddle point of the modified Lagrange function of the original problem. Moreover, this modification is performed in a special way using feedback functions. It is shown that the necessary conditions for the existence of such a saddle point are similar to the conditions of the Karush – Kuhn – Tucker theorem, but do not contain constraints such as inequalities and conditions of complementary slackness. Necessary conditions for the existence of a saddle point determine this approximation implicitly. Therefore, to calculate its differential characteristics, the implicit function theorem is used. The same theorem is used to reduce the approximation error to an acceptable level.

Features of the practical implementation feedback function method, including estimates of the rate of convergence to the exact solution are demonstrated for several specific classes of parametric optimization problems. Specifically, tasks searching for the global extremum of functions of many variables and the problem of multiple extremum (maximin-minimax) are considered. Optimization problems that arise when using multicriteria mathematical models are also considered. For each of these classes, there are demo examples.

The article presents updated technologies for solving two classes of linear resource allocation problems with dynamically changing characteristics of situational management systems and awareness of experts (and/or trained robots). The search for solutions is carried out in an interactive mode of computational experiment using updatable knowledge systems about problems considered as constructive objects (in accordance with the methodology of formalization of knowledge about programmable problems created in the theory of S-symbols). The technologies are focused on implementation in the form of Internet services. The first class includes resource allocation problems solved by the method of targeted solution movement. The second is the problems of allocating a single resource in hierarchical systems, taking into account the priorities of expense items, which can be solved (depending on the specified mandatory and orienting requirements for the solution) either by the interval method of allocation (with input data and result represented by numerical segments), or by the targeted solution movement method. The problem statements are determined by requirements for solutions and specifications of their applicability, which are set by an expert based on the results of the portraits of the target and achieved situations analysis. Unlike well-known methods for solving resource allocation problems as linear programming problems, the method of targeted solution movement is insensitive to small data changes and allows to find feasible solutions when the constraint system is incompatible. In single-resource allocation technologies, the segmented representation of data and results allows a more adequate (compared to a point representation) reflection of the state of system resource space and increases the practical applicability of solutions. The technologies discussed in the article are programmatically implemented and used to solve the problems of resource basement for decisions, budget design taking into account the priorities of expense items, etc. The technology of allocating a single resource is implemented in the form of an existing online cost planning service. The methodological consistency of the technologies is confirmed by the results of comparison with known technologies for solving the problems under consideration.

An approach to the decrease of norm of the correction in Newton’s methods of optimization, based on the Cholesky’s factorization is presented, which is based on the integration with the technique of the choice of leading element of algorithm of linear programming as a method of solving the system of equations. We investigate the issues of increasing of the numerical stability of the Cholesky’s decomposition and the Gauss’ method of exception.

In this paper, we consider the problem of restoring the correspondence matrix based on the observations of real correspondences in Moscow. Following the conventional approach [Gasnikov et al., 2013], the transport network is considered as a directed graph whose edges correspond to road sections and the graph vertices correspond to areas that the traffic participants leave or enter. The number of city residents is considered constant. The problem of restoring the correspondence matrix is to calculate all the correspondence from the $i$ area to the $j$ area.

To restore the matrix, we propose to use one of the most popular methods of calculating the correspondence matrix in urban studies — the entropy model. In our work, which is based on the work [Wilson, 1978], we describe the evolutionary justification of the entropy model and the main idea of the transition to solving the problem of entropy-linear programming (ELP) in calculating the correspondence matrix. To solve the ELP problem, it is proposed to pass to the dual problem. In this paper, we describe several numerical optimization methods for solving this problem: the Sinkhorn method and the Accelerated Sinkhorn method. We provide numerical experiments for the following variants of cost functions: a linear cost function and a superposition of the power and logarithmic cost functions. In these functions, the cost is a combination of average time and distance between areas, which depends on the parameters. The correspondence matrix is calculated for multiple sets of parameters and then we calculate the quality of the restored matrix relative to the known correspondence matrix.

We assume that the noise in the restored correspondence matrix is Gaussian, as a result, we use the standard deviation as a quality metric. The article provides an overview of gradient-free optimization methods for solving non-convex problems. Since the number of parameters of the cost function is small, we use the grid search method to find the optimal parameters of the cost function. Thus, the correspondence matrix calculated for each set of parameters and then the quality of the restored matrix is evaluated relative to the known correspondence matrix. Further, according to the minimum residual value for each cost function, we determine for which cost function and at what parameter values the restored matrix best describes real correspondence.

This article studies a method of constructing a predictive neural network model of a time series based on determining the composition of input variables, constructing a training sample and training itself using the back propagation method. Traditional methods of constructing predictive models of the time series are: the autoregressive model, the moving average model or the autoregressive model — the moving average allows us to approximate the time series by a linear dependence of the current value of the output variable on a number of its previous values. Such a limitation as linearity of dependence leads to significant errors in forecasting.

Mining Technologies using neural network modeling make it possible to approximate the time series by a nonlinear dependence. Moreover, the process of constructing of a neural network model (determining the composition of input variables, the number of layers and the number of neurons in the layers, choosing the activation functions of neurons, determining the optimal values of the neuron link weights) allows us to obtain a predictive model in the form of an analytical nonlinear dependence.

The determination of the composition of input variables of neural network models is one of the key points in the construction of neural network models in various application areas that affect its adequacy. The composition of the input variables is traditionally selected from some physical considerations or by the selection method. In this work it is proposed to use the behavior of the autocorrelation and private autocorrelation functions for the task of determining the composition of the input variables of the predictive neural network model of the time series.

In this work is proposed a method for determining the composition of input variables of neural network models for stationary and non-stationary time series, based on the construction and analysis of autocorrelation functions. Based on the proposed method in the Python programming environment are developed an algorithm and a program, determining the composition of the input variables of the predictive neural network model — the perceptron, as well as building the model itself. The proposed method was experimentally tested using the example of constructing a predictive neural network model of a time series that reflects energy consumption in different regions of the United States, openly published by PJM Interconnection LLC (PJM) — a regional network organization in the United States. This time series is non-stationary and is characterized by the presence of both a trend and seasonality. Prediction of the next values of the time series based on previous values and the constructed neural network model showed high approximation accuracy, which proves the effectiveness of the proposed method.

In traditional CNC systems, each segment of a piecewise linear trajectory is described by a separate block of the control program. In this case, a trapezoidal trajectory of movement is formed, and the stitching of individual sections is carried out at zero values of speed and acceleration. Increased productivity is associated with continuous processing, which in modern CNC systems is achieved through the use of spline interpolation. For a piecewise linear trajectory, which is basic for most products, the most appropriate is a first-degree spline. However, even in the simplest case of spline interpolation, the closed nature of the basic software from leading manufacturers of CNC systems limits the capabilities of not only developers, but also users. Taking this into account, the purpose of this work is a detailed study of the structural organization and operation algorithms of the simulation model of piecewise linear spline interpolation. Limitations on jerk and acceleration are considered as the main measure to reduce dynamic processing errors. In this case, special attention is paid to the S-shaped shape of the speed curve in the acceleration and deceleration sections. This is due to the conditions for the implementation of spline interpolation, one of which is the continuity of movement, which is ensured by the equality of the first and second derivatives when joining sections of the trajectory. Such a statement corresponds to the principles of implementing combined control systems of a servo electric drive, which provide partial invariance to control and disturbing effects. The reference model of a spline interpolator is adopted as the basis of the structural organization. The issues of processing scaling, which are based on a decrease in the vector speed in relation to the base value, are also considered. This allows increasing the accuracy of movements. It is shown that the range of changes in the speed of movements can be more than ten thousand, and is limited only by the speed control capabilities of the actuators.

We consider an application of the Message Passing Interface (MPI) technology for parallelization of the program code which solves equation of the linear elasticity theory. The solution of this equation describes the propagation of elastic waves in demormable rigid bodies. The solution of such direct problem of seismic wave propagation is of interest in seismics and geophysics. Our implementation of solver uses grid-characteristic method to make simulations. We consider technique to reduce time of communication between MPI processes during the simulation. This is important when it is necessary to conduct modeling in complex problem formulations, and still maintain the high level of parallelism effectiveness, even when thousands of processes are used. A solution of the problem of effective communication is extremely important when several computational grids with arbirtrary geometry of contacts between them are used in the calculation. The complexity of this task increases if an independent distribution of the grid nodes between processes is allowed. In this paper, a generalized approach is developed for processing contact conditions in terms of nodes reinterpolation from a given section of one grid to a certain area of the second grid. An efficient way of parallelization and establishing effective interprocess communications is proposed. For provided example problems we provide wave fileds and seismograms for both 2D and 3D formulations. It is shown that the algorithm can be realized both on Cartesian and on structured (curvilinear) computational grids. The considered statements demonstrate the possibility of carrying out calculations taking into account the surface topographies and curvilinear geometry of curvilinear contacts between the geological layers. Application of curvilinear grids allows to obtain more accurate results than when calculating only using Cartesian grids. The resulting parallelization efficiency is almost 100% up to 4096 processes (we used 128 processes as a basis to find efficiency). With number of processes larger than 4096, an expected gradual decrease in efficiency is observed. The rate of decline is not great, so at 16384 processes the parallelization efficiency remains at 80%.

This article reviews both historical achievements and modern results in the field of Markov Decision Process (MDP) and convex optimization. This review is the first attempt to cover the field of reinforcement learning in Russian in the context of convex optimization. The fundamental Bellman equation and the criteria of optimality of policy — strategies based on it, which make decisions based on the known state of the environment at the moment, are considered. The main iterative algorithms of policy optimization based on the solution of the Bellman equations are also considered. An important section of this article was the consideration of an alternative to the $Q$-learning approach — the method of direct maximization of the agent’s average reward for the chosen strategy from interaction with the environment. Thus, the solution of this convex optimization problem can be represented as a linear programming problem. The paper demonstrates how the convex optimization apparatus is used to solve the problem of Reinforcement Learning (RL). In particular, it is shown how the concept of strong duality allows us to naturally modify the formulation of the RL problem, showing the equivalence between maximizing the agent’s reward and finding his optimal strategy. The paper also discusses the complexity of MDP optimization with respect to the number of state–action–reward triples obtained as a result of interaction with the environment. The optimal limits of the MDP solution complexity are presented in the case of an ergodic process with an infinite horizon, as well as in the case of a non-stationary process with a finite horizon, which can be restarted several times in a row or immediately run in parallel in several threads. The review also reviews the latest results on reducing the gap between the lower and upper estimates of the complexity of MDP optimization with average remuneration (Averaged MDP, AMDP). In conclusion, the real-valued parametrization of agent policy and a class of gradient optimization methods through maximizing the $Q$-function of value are considered. In particular, a special class of MDPs with restrictions on the value of policy (Constrained Markov Decision Process, CMDP) is presented, for which a general direct-dual approach to optimization with strong duality is proposed.

The article describes the migration process of a certain population, taking into account the spatial heterogeneity of the local capacity of the ecological niche. It is assumed that this spatial heterogeneity is caused by various natural or artificial factors. The mathematical model of the migration process under consideration is a Cauchy problem on a straight line for some quasi-linear partial differential equation of the first order, which is satisfied by the linear population density under consideration. In this paper, a general solution to this Cauchy problem is found for an arbitrary dependence of the local capacity of an ecological niche on the spatial coordinate. This general solution was applied to describe the migration of the population in question in two different cases: in the case of a dependence of the local capacity of the ecological niche on the spatial coordinate in the form of a smooth step and in the case of a hill-like dependence of the local capacity of the ecological niche on the spatial coordinate. In both cases, the solution to the Cauchy problem is expressed in terms of higher transcendental functions. By applying special relations to the model parameters, these higher transcendental functions are reduced to elementary functions, which makes it possible to obtain exact model solutions explicitly expressed in terms of elementary functions. With the help of these precise solutions, an extensive program of computational experiments has been implemented, showing how the initial population density of the Gaussian form is dispersed by the considered two types of spatial heterogeneity of the local capacity of the ecological niche. These computational experiments have shown that when passing through both step-like and hill-like spatial inhomogeneities of the local capacity of an ecological niche with a narrow Gaussian width of its initial density compared to the characteristic spatial scale of these inhomogeneities, the system forgets its initial state. In particular, if we interpret the system under study as a population living in an extended calm rectilinear river along its bed, then it can be argued that under this initial condition, after the current of this river carries the population under consideration through the area of spatial heterogeneity of the local capacity of the ecological niche, the population density becomes a quasi-rectangular function.

Since 1950s the field of city transport modelling has progressed rapidly. The first equilibrium distribution models of traffic flow appeared. The most popular model (which is still being widely used) was the Beckmann model, based on the two Wardrop principles. The core of the model could be briefly described as the search for the Nash equilibrium in a population demand game, in which losses of agents (drivers) are calculated based on the chosen path and demands of this path with correspondences being fixed. The demands (costs) of a path are calculated as the sum of the demands of different path segments (graph edges), that are included in the path. The costs of an edge (edge travel time) are determined by the amount of traffic on this edge (more traffic means larger travel time). The flow on a graph edge is determined by the sum of flows over all paths passing through the given edge. Thus, the cost of traveling along a path is determined not only by the choice of the path, but also by the paths other drivers have chosen. Thus, it is a standard game theory task. The way cost functions are constructed allows us to narrow the search for equilibrium to solving an optimization problem (game is potential in this case). If the cost functions are monotone and non-decreasing, the optimization problem is convex. Actually, different assumptions about the cost functions form different models. The most popular model is based on the BPR cost function. Such functions are massively used in calculations of real cities. However, in the beginning of the XXI century, Yu. E. Nesterov and A. de Palma showed that Beckmann-type models have serious weak points. Those could be fixed using the stable dynamics model, as it was called by the authors. The search for equilibrium here could be also reduced to an optimization problem, moreover, the problem of linear programming. In 2013, A.V.Gasnikov discovered that the stable dynamics model can be obtained by a passage to the limit in the Beckmann model. However, it was made only for several practically important, but still special cases. Generally, the question if this passage to the limit is possible remains open. In this paper, we provide the justification of the possibility of the above-mentioned passage to the limit in the general case, when the cost function for traveling along the edge as a function of the flow along the edge degenerates into a function equal to fixed costs until the capacity is reached and it is equal to plus infinity when the capacity is exceeded.