We consider a minimizing risk model in a stochastic shortest path problem in which for each node of a graph we select a probability distribution over the set of successor nodes so as to reach a given target node with minimum threshold probability. We formulate such a problem as undiscounted...

Total clan games are characterized using monotonicity, veto power of the clan members, and a concavity condition reflecting the decreasing marginal contribution of non-clan members to growing coalitions. This decreasing marginal contribution is incorporated in the notion of a bi-monotonic...

Although the Lagrangian method is a powerful dual search method in integer programming, it often fail to identify the optimal solution of the primal problem. In this paper, a quasi dual formulation is proposed for bounded integer programming. This formulation possesses an asymptotic strong...

We consider a discrete time finite Markov decision process (MDP) with the discounted and weighted reward optimality criteria. In [1] the authors considered some decomposition of limiting average MDPs. In this paper, we use an analogous approach for discounted and weighted MDPs. Then, we...

In this work we study a proximal-like method for the problem of convex minimization in Hilbert spaces. Using the classical proximal mapping, we construct a new stable iterative procedure. The strong convergence of obtained sequences to the normal solution of the optimization problem is proved....

We study investment problems in a continuous-time setting and conclude that the proper control variables are elasticities to the traded assets or, in the case of stochastic interest rates, (factor) durations. This formulation of a portfolio problem allows us to solve the problems in a kind of...

We study a two-machine open shop scheduling problem, in which the machines are not continuously available for processing. No preemption is allowed in the processing of any operation. The objective is to minimize the makespan. We consider approximability issues of the problem with more than one...