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A Partial Instantiation Based First Order Theorem Prover, Vijay Chandru, John N. Hooker, Anjul Shrivastava, Gabriela Rago Mar 2013

A Partial Instantiation Based First Order Theorem Prover, Vijay Chandru, John N. Hooker, Anjul Shrivastava, Gabriela Rago

John Hooker

Satisfiability algorithms for propositional logic have improved enormously in recent years. This increases the attractiveness of satisfiability methods for first order logic that reduce the problem to a series of ground-level satisfiability problems. Partial Instantiation for first order satisfiability differs radically from standard resolution based methods. Two approaches to partial instantiation based first order theorem provers have been studied by R. Jeroslow and by Plaisted and Zhu. Hooker and Rago have described improvements of Jeroslow's approach by a) extending it to logic with functions b) accelerating it through use of satisfiers as introduced by Gallo and Rago, and c) simplifying …


Predicting Cause-Effect Relationships From Incomplete Discrete Observations, E Boros, P. L. Hammer, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

Predicting Cause-Effect Relationships From Incomplete Discrete Observations, E Boros, P. L. Hammer, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

This paper addresses a prediction problem occurring frequently in practice. The problem consists in predicting the value of a function on the basis of discrete observational data that are incomplete in two senses. Only certain arguments of the function are observed, and the function value is observed only for certain combinations of values of these arguments. The problem is considered under a monotonicity condition that is natural in many applications. Applications to tax auditing, medicine, and real estate valuation are discussed. In particular, a special class of problems is identified for which the best monotone prediction can be found in …


Partial Instantiation Methods For Inference In First-Order Logic, John N. Hooker, G. Rago, V. Chandru, A. Shrivastava Mar 2013

Partial Instantiation Methods For Inference In First-Order Logic, John N. Hooker, G. Rago, V. Chandru, A. Shrivastava

John Hooker

Satisfiability algorithms for propositional logic have improved enormously in recently years. This improvement increases the attractiveness of satisfiability methods for first-order logic that reduce the problem to a series of ground-level satisfiability problems. R. Jeroslow introduced a partial instantiation method of this kind that differs radically from the standard resolution-based methods. This paper lays the theoretical groundwork for an extension of his method that is general enough and efficient enough for general logic programming with indefinite clauses. In particular we improve Jeroslow's approach by (1) extending it to logic with functions, (2) accelerating it through the use of satisfiers, as …


Boolean Regression, E. Boros, P. L. Hammer, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

Boolean Regression, E. Boros, P. L. Hammer, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

We take a regression-based approach to the problem of induction, which is the problem of inferring general rules from specific instances. Whereas traditional regression analysis fits a numerical formula to data, we fit a logical formula to boolean data. We can, for instance, construct an expert system for fitting rules to an expert's observed behavior. A regression-based approach has the advantage of providing tests of statistical significance as well as other tools of regression analysis. Our approach can be extended to nonboolean discrete data, and we argue that it is better suited to rule construction than logit and other types …


A Relaxation Of The Cumulative Constraint, John N. Hooker, Hong Yan Mar 2013

A Relaxation Of The Cumulative Constraint, John N. Hooker, Hong Yan

John Hooker

Hybrid methods that combine constraint programming with mathematical programming make essential use of continuous relaxations for global constraints. We state a relaxation for the cumulative constraint. In particular we identify facet-defining inequalities for problems in which some jobs have the same duration, release time, and resource consumption rate. We also identify a much larger class of valid inequalities that exist in all problems.


A Hybrid Method For Planning And Scheduling, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

A Hybrid Method For Planning And Scheduling, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

We combine mixed integer linear programming (MILP) and constraint programming (CP) to solve planning and scheduling problems. Tasks are allocated to facilities using MILP and scheduled using CP, and the two are linked via logic-based Benders decomposition. Tasks assigned to a facility may run in parallel subject to resource constraints (cumulative scheduling). We solve minimum cost problems, as well as minimum makespan problems in which all tasks have the same release date and deadline. We obtain computational speedups of several orders of magnitude relative to the state of the art in both MILP and CP.


Optimization Methods In Logic, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

Optimization Methods In Logic, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

Optimization can make at least two contributions to boolean logic. Its solution methods can address inference and satisfiability problems, and its style of analysis can reveal tractable classes of boolean problems that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.


Optimality Conditions For Distributive Justice, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

Optimality Conditions For Distributive Justice, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

This paper uses optimization theory to address a fundamental question of ethics: how to divide resources justly among individuals, groups, or organizations. It formulates utilitarian and Rawlsian criteria for distributive justice as optimization problems. The formulations recognize that some recipients are more productive than others, so that an inequitable distribution may create greater overall utility. Conditions are derived under which a distribution of resources is utility maximizing, and under which it achieves a lexicographic maximum, which we take as formulating the difference principle of John Rawls. It is found that utility maximization requires at least as much inequality as results …


Inference-Based Sensitivity Analysis For Mixed Integer/Linear Programming, M. W. Dawande, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

Inference-Based Sensitivity Analysis For Mixed Integer/Linear Programming, M. W. Dawande, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

A new method of sensitivity analysis for mixed integer/linear programming (MILP) is derived from the idea of inference duality. The inference dual of an optimization problem asks how the optimal value can be deduced from the constraints. In MILP, a deduction based on the resolution method oftheorem proving can be obtained from the branch-and-cut tree that solves the primal problem. One can then investigate which perturbations ofthe problem leave this proof intact. On this basis it is shown that, in a minimization problem, any perturbation that satisfies a certain system of linear inequalities will reduce the optimal value no more …


Mathematical Programming Methods For Reasoning Under Uncertainty, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

Mathematical Programming Methods For Reasoning Under Uncertainty, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

We survey three applications of mathematical programming to reasoning under uncertainty: a) an application of linear programming to probabilistic logic, b) an application of nonlinear programming to Bayesian logic, a combination of Bayesian inference with probabilistic logic and c) an application of integer programming to Dempster-Shafer theory, which is a method of combining evidence from diffierent sources


A Cross-Cultural View Of Corruption, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

A Cross-Cultural View Of Corruption, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

The world is shrinking, but its cultures remain worlds apart, as do its ethical norms. The West views bribery, kickbacks, cronyism and nepotism as unethical, but they are standard practice in many parts of the world. This poses a familiar dilemma for business firms that operate globally: should they engage in what they see as corrupt behavior in order to do business? The position defended here is that firms should always resist corruption, but at the same time understand it from a broader perspective: as behavior that undermines a cultural system. Behavior that is acceptable in one country may be …


A Generalized Dilworth's Theorem, With Application To Routing And Scheduling, John N. Hooker, N R. Natraj Mar 2013

A Generalized Dilworth's Theorem, With Application To Routing And Scheduling, John N. Hooker, N R. Natraj

John Hooker

Dilworth's theorem states a duality relation between minimum chain decompositions of a directed, acyclic graph and maximum antichains. We generalize the theorem to apply when the chains of the decomposition are required to contain the chains of an initial decomposition. We show that duality obtains precisely when an associated undirected graph is perfect. We apply this result to a vehicle routing and scheduling problem with time windows. Here each chain of the initial decomposition contains nodes that correspond to the pickup, delivery and possibly intermediate stops associated with a piece of cargo.


Solving The Capacitated Local Access Network Design Problem, F. Sibel Salman, R. Ravi, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

Solving The Capacitated Local Access Network Design Problem, F. Sibel Salman, R. Ravi, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

We propose an exact solution method for a routing and capacity installation problem in networks. Given an input graph, the problem is to route traffic from a set of source nodes to a sink node and to install transmission facilities on the edges of the graph to accommodate the flow at minimum cost. We give a branch-and-bound algorithm that solves relaxations obtained by approximating the noncontinuous cost function by its lower convex envelope. The approximations are refined by branching on the flow ranges on selected edges. Our computational experiments indicate that this method is effective in solving moderate-size problems and …


Logical Inference And Polyhedral Projection, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

Logical Inference And Polyhedral Projection, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

We explore connections between polyhedral projection and inference in propositional logic. We formulate the problem of drawing all inferences that contain a restricted set of atoms (i.e., all inferences that pertain to a given question) as a logical projection problem. We show that polyhedral projection partially solves this problem and in particular derives precisely those inferences that can be obtained by a certain form of unit resolution. We prove that this unit resolution algorithm is exponential in the number of atoms in the restricted set but is polynomial in the problem size when this number of fixed. We also survey …


A Search-Infer-And-Relax Framework For Integrating Solution Methods, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

A Search-Infer-And-Relax Framework For Integrating Solution Methods, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

We present an algorithmic framework for integrating solution methods that is based on search, inference, and relaxation and their interactions. We show that the following are special cases: branch and cut, CP domain splitting with propagation, popular global optimization methods, DPL methods for SAT with conflict clauses, Benders decomposition and other nogood-based methods, partial-order dynamic backtracking, various local search metaheuristics, and GRASPs (greedy randomized adaptive search procedures). The framework allows elements of different solution methods to be combined at will, resulting in a variety of integrated methods. These include continuous relaxations for global constraints, the linking of integer and constraint …


Planning And Scheduling To Minimize Tardiness, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

Planning And Scheduling To Minimize Tardiness, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

We combine mixed integer linear programming (MILP) and constraint programming (CP) to minimize tardiness in planning and scheduling. Tasks are allocated to facilities using MILP and scheduled using CP, and the two are linked via logic-based Benders decomposition. We consider two objectives: minimizing the number of late tasks, and minimizing total tardiness. Our main theoretical contribution is a relaxation of the cumulative scheduling subproblem, which is critical to performance. We obtain substantial computational speedups relative to the state of the art in both MILP and CP. We also obtain much better solutions for problems that cannot be solved to optimality.


Inference Duality As A Basis For Sensitivity Analysis, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

Inference Duality As A Basis For Sensitivity Analysis, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

The constraint programming community has recently begun to address certain types of optimization problems. These problems tend to be discrete or to have discrete elements. Although sensitivity analysis is well developed for continuous problems, progress in this area for discrete problems has been limited. This paper proposes a general approach to sensitivity analysis that applies to both continuous and discrete problems. In the continuous case, particularly in linear programming, sensitivity analysis can be obtained by solving a dual problem. One way to broaden this result is to generalize the classical idea of a dual to that of an ldquoinference dual,rdquo …


Planning And Scheduling By Logic-Based Benders Decomposition, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

Planning And Scheduling By Logic-Based Benders Decomposition, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

We combine mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) and constraint programming (CP) to solve an important class of planning and scheduling problems. Tasks are allocated to facilities using MILP and scheduled using CP, and the two are linked via logic-based Benders decomposition. Tasks assigned to a facility may run in parallel subject to resource constraints (cumulative scheduling). We solve problems in which the objective is to minimize cost, makespan, or total tardiness. We obtain significant computational speedups, of several orders of magnitude for the first two objectives, relative to the state of the art in both MILP and CP. We also obtain …


On Integrating Constraint Propagation And Linear Programming For Combinatorial Optimization, John N. Hooker, Greger Ottosson, Erlendur S. Thorsteinsson, Hak-Jin Kim Mar 2013

On Integrating Constraint Propagation And Linear Programming For Combinatorial Optimization, John N. Hooker, Greger Ottosson, Erlendur S. Thorsteinsson, Hak-Jin Kim

John Hooker

Linear programming and constraint propagation are complementary techniques with the potential for integration to benefit the solution of combinatorial optimization problems.


A Declarative Modeling Framework That Integrates Solution Methods, John N. Hooker, Hak-Jin Kim, G. Ottosson Mar 2013

A Declarative Modeling Framework That Integrates Solution Methods, John N. Hooker, Hak-Jin Kim, G. Ottosson

John Hooker

Constraint programming offers modeling features and solution methods that are unavailable in mathematical programming but are often flexible and efficient for scheduling and other combinatorial problems. Yet mathematical programming is well suited to declarative modeling languages and is more efficient for some important problem classes. This raises this issue as to whether the two approaches can be combined in a declarative modeling framework. This paper proposes a general declarative modeling system in which the conditional structure of the constraints shows how to integrate any "checker" and any special-purpose "solver". In particular this integrates constraint programming and optimization methods, because the …


An Integrated Method For Planning And Scheduling To Minimize Tardiness, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

An Integrated Method For Planning And Scheduling To Minimize Tardiness, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

We combine mixed integer linear programming (MILP) and constraint programming (CP) to minimize tardiness in planning and scheduling. Tasks are allocated to facilities using MILP and scheduled using CP, and the two are linked via logic-based Benders decomposition. We consider two objectives: minimizing the number of late tasks, and minimizing total tardiness. Our main theoretical contribution is a relaxation of the cumulative scheduling subproblem, which is critical to performance. We obtain substantial computational speedups relative to the state of the art in both MILP and CP. We also obtain much better solutions for problems that cannot be solved to optimality.


Cultural Differences In Business Communication, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

Cultural Differences In Business Communication, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

There is no better arena for observing a culture in action than business. Cultures tend to reveal themselves in situations where much is as stake, because it is here that their resources are most needed. Marriage, family obligations, and such stressful experiences as illness and the death of a loved one bring out much of what is distinctive and fundamental in a culture. The same is true of business, because economic survival is at stake. Business practices are shaped by deeply-held cultural attitudes toward work, power, trust, wealth—and communication.


Why Business Ethics?, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

Why Business Ethics?, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

Everyone agrees that business managers must understand finance and marketing. But is it necessary for them to study ethics?


Logic-Based Methods For Optimization, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

Logic-Based Methods For Optimization, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

This tutorial describes a logic-based approach to formulating and solving pure and mixed integer programming problems. It develops logical counterparts for ideas associated with traditional branch-and-cut methods, such as cutting planes, facet-defining cuts, relaxations, etc. The motivations for doing this are a) to exploit the structure of a wide range of problems that are too complex for polyhedral analysis, b) to take advantage of logic processing techniques developed for constraint programming and logic programming, and c) to provide a unified approach to solving the growing number of problems with both qualitative and quantitative elements


Convex Programming Methods For Global Optimization, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

Convex Programming Methods For Global Optimization, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

We investigate some approaches to solving nonconvex global optimization problems by convex nonlinear programming methods. We assume that the problem becomes convex when selected variables are fixed. The selected variables must be discrete, or else discretized if they are continuous. We provide a survey of disjunctive programming with convex relaxations, logic-based outer approximation, and logic-based Benders decomposition. We then introduce a branch-and-bound method with convex quasi-relaxations (BBCQ) that can be effective when the discrete variables take a large number of real values. The BBCQ method generalizes work of Bollapragada, Ghattas and Hooker on structural design problems. It applies when the …


Kant And Cultural Relativism, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

Kant And Cultural Relativism, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

We live an age of cultural relativism that asks how universal moral obligation can be justified. Immanuel Kant took up this challenge. His arguments can be reconstructed in a way that makes sense today


Toward Professional Ethics In Business, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

Toward Professional Ethics In Business, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

Before a code of professional ethics can be formulated for business managers, it must be understood why management should be considered a profession and what should be its central mission. This paper proposes answers to these questions


Solving Fixed-Charge Network Flow Problems With A Hybrid Optimization And Constraint Programming Approach, Hak-Jin Kim, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

Solving Fixed-Charge Network Flow Problems With A Hybrid Optimization And Constraint Programming Approach, Hak-Jin Kim, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

We apply to fixed charge network flow (FCNF) problems a general hybrid solution method that combines constraint programming and linear programming. FCNF problems test the hybrid approach on problems that are already rather well suited for a classical 0–1 model. They are solved by means of a global constraint that generates specialized constraint propagation algorithms and a projected relaxation that can be rapidly solved as a minimum cost network flow problem. The hybrid approach ran about twice as fast as a commercial mixed integer programming code on fixed charge transportation problems with its advantage increasing with problem size. For general …


The Polite And The Rude, John N. Hooker Mar 2013

The Polite And The Rude, John N. Hooker

John Hooker

International managers are aware that business etiquette varies enormously around the world. These minor bits of behavior reflect fundamental differences in culture. By understanding their source, one can not only function with greater confidence but can begin to understand what holds the culture together. Larger behavior patterns that seemed odd or irrational begin to make sense.


Branching Rules For Satisfiability, John N. Hooker, V. Vinay Mar 2013

Branching Rules For Satisfiability, John N. Hooker, V. Vinay

John Hooker

Recent experience suggests that branching algorithms are among the most attractive for solving propositional satisfiability problems. A key factor in their success is the rule they use to decide on which variable to branch next. We attempt to explain and improve the performance of branching rules with an empirical model-building approach. One model is based on the rationale given for the Jeroslow-Wang rule, variations of which have performed well in recent work. The model is refuted by carefully designed computational experiments. A second model explains the success of the Jeroslow-Wang rule, makes other predictions confirmed by experiment, and leads to …