Solving bi-level programming problem with fuzzy random variable coefficients

Optimistic Stackelberg solutions to bilevel linear programming with fuzzy random variable coefficients

Multi-parametric programming based algorithms for the global solution of bi-level mixed-integer linear and quadratic programming problems

In this paper, we propose an alternate modified solution procedure based on fuzzy goal programming (FGP) approach for solving bi-level multiobjective linear fractional programming problems (BL-MOLFPPs) with some major modifications in the algorithm suggested by Abo-Sinna and Baky (2010). The proposed modified technique is simpler and requires less computational works than that of earlier technique. In the formulation of FGP models, each objective function (at both the levels - leader's level and follower's level) as well as control variables (of leader's level) are transformed into fuzzy goals with modified membership functions. Then FGP approach is used for achieving the highest degree of each of membership goals. To avoid decision deadlock situations and difficulties associated with bi-level programming problems, solution preferences by decision makers (at leader's and follower's levels) are not taken into account in proposed algorithm. A comparative analysis is also carried out with numerical example in order to show efficiency of proposed algorithm over earlier technique.

Multi-objective linear bi-level multi-follower programming problem (MOBLMFPP) is a special case of two level hierarchical programming problems in which the second level hierarchy includes multiple followers. This paper presents an alternate method based on fuzzy goal programming approach for the solution of multi-objective linear bi-level multi-follower programming (MOLBMFP) problem in which there is no sharing of information among followers. In the proposed FGP model formulation, each of objective functions of each level (leader and follower's level of MOLBMFPP) as well as decision variables at each level are characterised into fuzzy goals. Suitable linear membership functions are defined for each objective function and decision variables. Then minimising the sum of the negative deviational variables of both levels, the highest membership value of each of fuzzy goals is obtained. Existence of compromise optimal solution for MOLBMFPP is established in context of proposed approach. A numerical example is illustrated in support of proposed methodology. A comparative analysis is also carried out in order to show efficiency of proposed method over earlier method for the solution of MOLBMFPP.

This article considers bilevel linear programming problems where the coefficients of the objective functions and the constraints in the problem are given as fuzzy parameters. Stackelberg problems and Stackelberg solutions under fuzziness have not been fully discussed so far. New Stackelberg solution concepts under fuzziness, called possibilistic Stackelberg solutions , are proposed by incorporating possibility theory into Stackelberg solutions in non-fuzzy environments. This paper shows some theoretical properties and theorems on the formulated fuzzy bilevel programming problems. It is shown that the proposed possibilistic Stackelberg solutions are obtained by using linear or nonlinear programming techniques. The effectiveness of the proposed models is demonstrated by numerical experiments using transportation problems where the upper-level decision maker is a buyer and the lower-level one is a supplier.

A global optimization algorithm for solving the bi-level linear fractional programming problem

In this study, we consider solution approaches used to solve the proposed bilevel linear programming model for an Industrial Symbiosis network. We first solve this model with the well-known Karush-Kuch-Tucker (KKT) approach. However, transforming a bilevel programming model with the KKT approach increases the number of variables and constraints. For this reason, we use the fuzzy programming approach and the fuzzy goal programming approaches as alternatives to the KKT approach. Next, we compare the results of the KKT approach with these methods and examine the suitability of these approaches to solve our bilevel problem. Unlike previous studies, which claimed that fuzzy approaches mostly outperform the KKT approach, in our case, the best solution is obtained with the KKT approach. This is most probably because these approaches ignore the hierarchical nature of the problem. We believe that more research on fuzzy approaches is needed to evaluate the suitability of these approaches for solving bilevel programming problems.KeywordsIndustrial symbiosisBilevel programmingFuzzy programming approachFuzzy goal programming

This paper considers bilevel linear programming with fuzzy random variables. Through the introduction of a novel optimisation model that is to minimise the absolute deviation of degree of possibility and necessity that each fuzzy goal is fulfilled, the original bilevel programming problems with fuzzy random variables can be transformed into deterministic bilevel fractional programming problems. It is shown that the extended Stackelberg solutions can be obtained by solving the transformed bilevel linear programming problem through the combined use of the variable transformation method and the Kth best algorithm. A numerical example of bilevel purchase problem for food retailing is provided to illustrate the usefulness of the proposed methods.

This paper investigates a kind of bilevel programming with fuzzy random variable coefficients in both objective functions and the right hand side of constraints. On the basis of the notion of Er-expected value of fuzzy random variable, the upper and lower level objective functions can be replaced with their corresponding Er-expected values. In terms of probability over defuzzified operator, fuzzy stochastic constraints can be converted into the equivalent forms. Based on these, the fuzzy random bilevel programming problem can be transformed into its deterministic one. Then we suggest differential evolution algorithm to solve the final crisp problem. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the proposed method.

This paper considers a particular case of linear bilevel programming problems with one leader and multiple followers. In this model, the followers are independent, meaning that the objective function and the set of constraints of each follower only include the leader's variables and his own variables. We prove that this problem can be reformulated into a linear bilevel problem with one leader and one follower by defining an adequate second level objective function and constraint region. In the second part of the paper we show that the results on the optimality of the linear bilevel problem with multiple independent followers presented in Shi et al. [The kth-best approach for linear bilevel multi-follower programming, J. Global Optim. 33, 563---578 (2005)] are based on a misconstruction of the inducible region.

By handling the travel cost function artfully, the authors formulate the transportation mixed network design problem (MNDP) as a mixed-integer, nonlinear bilevel programming problem, in which the lower-level problem, comparing with that of conventional bilevel DNDP models, is not a side constrained user equilibrium assignment problem, but a standard user equilibrium assignment problem. Then, the bilevel programming model for MNDP is reformulated as a continuous version of bilevel programming problem by the continuation method. By virtue of the optimal-value function, the lower-level assignment problem can be expressed as a nonlinear equality constraint. Therefore, the bilevel programming model for MNDP can be transformed into an equivalent single-level optimization problem. By exploring the inherent nature of the MNDP, the optimal-value function for the lower-level equilibrium assignment problem is proved to be continuously differentiable and its functional value and gradient can be obtained efficiently. Thus, a continuously differentiable but still nonconvex optimization formulation of the MNDP is created, and then a locally convergent algorithm is proposed by applying penalty function method. The inner loop of solving the subproblem is mainly to implement an all-or-nothing assignment. Finally, a small-scale transportation network and a large-scale network are presented to verify the proposed model and algorithm.

BackgroundOptimization procedures to identify gene knockouts for targeted biochemical overproduction have been widely in use in modern metabolic engineering. Flux balance analysis (FBA) framework has provided conceptual simplifications for genome-scale dynamic analysis at steady states. Based on FBA, many current optimization methods for targeted bio-productions have been developed under the maximum cell growth assumption. The optimization problem to derive gene knockout strategies recently has been formulated as a bi-level programming problem in OptKnock for maximum targeted bio-productions with maximum growth rates. However, it has been shown that knockout mutants in fact reach the steady states with the minimization of metabolic adjustment (MOMA) from the corresponding wild-type strains instead of having maximal growth rates after genetic or metabolic intervention. In this work, we propose a new bi-level computational framework--MOMAKnock--which can derive robust knockout strategies under the MOMA flux distribution approximation.MethodsIn this new bi-level optimization framework, we aim to maximize the production of targeted chemicals by identifying candidate knockout genes or reactions under phenotypic constraints approximated by the MOMA assumption. Hence, the targeted chemical production is the primary objective of MOMAKnock while the MOMA assumption is formulated as the inner problem of constraining the knockout metabolic flux to be as close as possible to the steady-state phenotypes of wide-type strains. As this new inner problem becomes a quadratic programming problem, a novel adaptive piecewise linearization algorithm is developed in this paper to obtain the exact optimal solution to this new bi-level integer quadratic programming problem for MOMAKnock.ResultsOur new MOMAKnock model and the adaptive piecewise linearization solution algorithm are tested with a small E. coli core metabolic network and a large-scale iAF1260 E. coli metabolic network. The derived knockout strategies are compared with those from OptKnock. Our preliminary experimental results show that MOMAKnock can provide improved targeted productions with more robust knockout strategies.

On solutions and distribution problems of the linear programming with fuzzy random variable coefficients

A solution to bi/tri-level programming problems using particle swarm optimization

We introduce the notion of factoraggregation,which is a special construction of general aggregation operators, and apply it for an analysis of optimal solution parameters for bilevel linear programming problems. The aggregation observes lower level objective functions considering the classes of equivalence generated by an objective function on the upper level. The proposed method is illustrated with numerical and graphical examples.KeywordsMembership FunctionLinear Programming ProblemAggregation OperatorLower Level ObjectiveBilevel Linear Programming ProblemThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.