Abstract: "We develop and experiment with new upper bounds for the constrained maximum-entropy sampling problem. Our partition bounds are based on Fischer's inequality. Further new upper bounds combine the use of Fischer's inequality with previously developed bounds. We demonstrate this in detail by using the partitioning idea to strengthen the spectral bounds of Ko, Lee and Queyranne and of Lee. Computational evidence suggests that these bounds may be useful in solving problems to optimality in a branch-and-bound framework."

This monograph presents a comprehensive treatment of the maximum-entropy sampling problem (MESP), which is a fascinating topic at the intersection of mathematical optimization and data science. The text situates MESP in information theory, as the algorithmic problem of calculating a sub-vector of pre-specificed size from a multivariate Gaussian random vector, so as to maximize Shannon's differential entropy. The text collects and expands on state-of-the-art algorithms for MESP, and addresses its application in the field of environmental monitoring. While MESP is a central optimization problem in the theory of statistical designs (particularly in the area of spatial monitoring), this book largely focuses on the unique challenges of its algorithmic side. From the perspective of mathematical-optimization methodology, MESP is rather unique (a 0/1 nonlinear program having a nonseparable objective function), and the algorithmic techniques employed are highly non-standard. In particular, successful techniques come from several disparate areas within the field of mathematical optimization; for example: convex optimization and duality, semidefinite programming, Lagrangian relaxation, dynamic programming, approximation algorithms, 0/1 optimization (e.g., branch-and-bound), extended formulation, and many aspects of matrix theory. The book is mainly aimed at graduate students and researchers in mathematical optimization and data analytics.

This book constitutes thoroughly refereed and revised selected papers from the 7th International Symposium on Combinatorial Optimization, ISCO 2022, which was held online during May 18–20, 2022. The 24 full papers included in this book were carefully reviewed and selected from 50 submissions. They were organized in topical sections as follows: Polyhedra and algorithms; polyhedra and combinatorics; non-linear optimization; game theory; graphs and trees; cutting and packing; applications; and approximation algorithms.

This book includes many of the papers presented at the 6th International workshop on Model Oriented Data Analysis held in June 2001. This series began in March 1987 with a meeting on the Wartburg near Eisenach (at that time in the GDR). The next four meetings were in 1990 (St Kyrik monastery, Bulgaria), 1992 (Petrodvorets, St Petersburg, Russia), 1995 (Spetses, Greece) and 1998 (Marseilles, France). Initially the main purpose of these workshops was to bring together leading scientists from 'Eastern' and 'Western' Europe for the exchange of ideas in theoretical and applied statistics, with special emphasis on experimental design. Now that the sep aration between East and West is much less rigid, this exchange has, in principle, become much easier. However, it is still important to provide opportunities for this interaction. MODA meetings are celebrated for their friendly atmosphere. Indeed, dis cussions between young and senior scientists at these meetings have resulted in several fruitful long-term collaborations. This intellectually stimulating atmosphere is achieved by limiting the number of participants to around eighty, by the choice of a location in which communal living is encour aged and, of course, through the careful scientific direction provided by the Programme Committee. It is a tradition of these meetings to provide low cost accommodation, low fees and financial support for the travel of young and Eastern participants. This is only possible through the help of sponsors and outside financial support was again important for the success of the meeting.

​Optimization has long been a source of both inspiration and applications for geometers, and conversely, discrete and convex geometry have provided the foundations for many optimization techniques, leading to a rich interplay between these subjects. The purpose of the Workshop on Discrete Geometry, the Conference on Discrete Geometry and Optimization, and the Workshop on Optimization, held in September 2011 at the Fields Institute, Toronto, was to further stimulate the interaction between geometers and optimizers. This volume reflects the interplay between these areas. The inspiring Fejes Tóth Lecture Series, delivered by Thomas Hales of the University of Pittsburgh, exemplified this approach. While these fields have recently witnessed a lot of activity and successes, many questions remain open. For example, Fields medalist Stephen Smale stated that the question of the existence of a strongly polynomial time algorithm for linear optimization is one of the most important unsolved problems at the beginning of the 21st century. The broad range of topics covered in this volume demonstrates the many recent and fruitful connections between different approaches, and features novel results and state-of-the-art surveys as well as open problems.

The volume contains the proceedings of the 7th Workshop on Model-Oriented Design and Analysis which has had the purpose of bringing together leading researchers in Eastern and Western Europe for an in-depth discussion of the optimal design of experiments. The papers are representative of the latest developments concerning non-linear models, computational algorithms and important applications, especially to medical statistics.

State-of-the-art robotics research on such topics as manipulation, motion planning, micro-robotics, distributed systems, autonomous navigation, and mapping. Robotics: Science and Systems IV spans a wide spectrum of robotics, bringing together researchers working on the foundations of robotics, robotics applications, and analysis of robotics systems. This volume presents the proceedings of the fourth annual Robotics: Science and Systems conference, held in 2008 at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. The papers presented cover a range of topics, including computer vision, mapping, terrain identification, distributed systems, localization, manipulation, collision avoidance, multibody dynamics, obstacle detection, microrobotic systems, pursuit-evasion, grasping and manipulation, tracking, spatial kinematics, machine learning, and sensor networks as well as such applications as autonomous driving and design of manipulators for use in functional-MRI. The conference and its proceedings reflect not only the tremendous growth of robotics as a discipline but also the desire in the robotics community for a flagship event at which the best of the research in the field can be presented.

This volume contains the majority of the papers presented at the 5th Inter national Workshop on Model-Oriented Data Analysis held in June 1998. This series started in March 1987 with a meeting on the Wartburg, Eisenach (Germany). The next three meetings were in 1990 (St Kyrik monastery, Bulgaria), 1992 (Petrodvorets, StPetersburg, Russia) and 1995 (Spetses, Greece). The main purpose of these workshops was to bring together lead ing scientists from 'Eastern' and 'Western' Europe for the exchange of ideas in theoretical and applied statistics, with special emphasis on experimen tal design. Now that the separation between East and West has become less rigid, this dialogue has, in principle, become much easier. However, providing opportunities for this dialogue is as vital as ever. MODA meetings are known for their friendly atmosphere, leading to fruitful discussions and collaboration, especially between young and senior scien tists. Indeed, many long term collaborations were initiated during these events. This intellectually stimulating atmosphere is achieved by limiting the number of participants to around eighty, by the choice of location so that participants can live as a community, and, of course, through the care ful selection of scientific direction made by the Programme Committee.

This book explains and illustrates recent developments and advances in decision-making and risk analysis. It demonstrates how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have not only benefitted from classical decision analysis concepts such as expected utility maximization but have also contributed to making normative decision theory more useful by forcing it to confront realistic complexities. These include skill acquisition, uncertain and time-consuming implementation of intended actions, open-world uncertainties about what might happen next and what consequences actions can have, and learning to cope effectively with uncertain and changing environments. The result is a more robust and implementable technology for AI/ML-assisted decision-making. The book is intended to inform a wide audience in related applied areas and to provide a fun and stimulating resource for students, researchers, and academics in data science and AI-ML, decision analysis, and other closely linked academic fields. It will also appeal to managers, analysts, decision-makers, and policymakers in financial, health and safety, environmental, business, engineering, and security risk management.

This monograph is an outgrowth of a set of lecture notes on the maximum entropy method delivered at the 1st Venezuelan School of Mathematics. This yearly event aims at acquainting graduate students and university teachers with the trends, techniques and open problems of current interest. In this book the author reviews several versions of the maximum entropy method and makes its underlying philosophy clear.