Optimal Transforms of Random Vectors. This proposal focusses on development of optimal transforms to describe and model nonlinear phenomena when only statistical information is known. An optimal transform is a mathematical procedure that enables us to process information in a way that is most suited to the task in hand. These transforms have been successfully used in approximation, information theory, communications, control theory and signal and image processing. Applications include modelli ....Optimal Transforms of Random Vectors. This proposal focusses on development of optimal transforms to describe and model nonlinear phenomena when only statistical information is known. An optimal transform is a mathematical procedure that enables us to process information in a way that is most suited to the task in hand. These transforms have been successfully used in approximation, information theory, communications, control theory and signal and image processing. Applications include modelling of physical, chemical and biological systems, filtering and compression of signals and data classification and clustering. We propose two new hybrid models for realistic transforms in a general structural framework.
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A new perturbation method for solving singular operator equations with applications to complex systems. This project will develop new methods for analysis of web-based search routines such as Google PageRank, a new algorithm for optimal estimation of random signals, more accurate error analysis in the approximate solution of singular systems of equations and enhanced understanding of models for the simulated management of urban stormwater. The project will involve collaboration between two Aus ....A new perturbation method for solving singular operator equations with applications to complex systems. This project will develop new methods for analysis of web-based search routines such as Google PageRank, a new algorithm for optimal estimation of random signals, more accurate error analysis in the approximate solution of singular systems of equations and enhanced understanding of models for the simulated management of urban stormwater. The project will involve collaboration between two Australian universities and a leading European Research Institute. It will provide employment and vital training for two postdoctoral Research fellows and research projects for three postgraduate students and two honours students.Read moreRead less
New Theory and Algorithms for Nonsmooth Optimisation with Application to Integer Programming. Mathematical optimisation plays a key role in a wide variety of applications in business, industry, engineering and science. For example, airlines cannot fly and radiation treatment for cancer cannot be delivered without solving (a series of) optimisation problems. Some classes of optimisation problem are very well solved, with clear mathematical foundations, efficient algorithms, and reliable software ....New Theory and Algorithms for Nonsmooth Optimisation with Application to Integer Programming. Mathematical optimisation plays a key role in a wide variety of applications in business, industry, engineering and science. For example, airlines cannot fly and radiation treatment for cancer cannot be delivered without solving (a series of) optimisation problems. Some classes of optimisation problem are very well solved, with clear mathematical foundations, efficient algorithms, and reliable software implementations. Both nonsmooth and integer optimisation problems have a good mathematical basis, but there are "gaps"; existing methods cannot always solve real industrial problems. This project will deliver better methods, built on better theory, and so will yield better solutions for important applications.Read moreRead less
Doubly Stochastic Matrices & The Hamiltonian Cycle Problem. The classical hard problem of determining whether a given graph possesses a Hamiltonian cycle contains the essential difficulty of the famous 'Travelling Salesman Problem'. A characterisation of this difficulty in terms of variability of returns (to the initial state) in a controlled stochastic process will be a significant conceptual advance with repercussions in a number of fields including optimisation and theoretical computer scien ....Doubly Stochastic Matrices & The Hamiltonian Cycle Problem. The classical hard problem of determining whether a given graph possesses a Hamiltonian cycle contains the essential difficulty of the famous 'Travelling Salesman Problem'. A characterisation of this difficulty in terms of variability of returns (to the initial state) in a controlled stochastic process will be a significant conceptual advance with repercussions in a number of fields including optimisation and theoretical computer science. Algorithmic advances exploiting such a characterisation will significantly contribute to existing technologies for solving problems in applications ranging from logistics to cryptography. Since TSP describes certain efficient ways of routing its applicability to information networks is clear.Read moreRead less
Mathematical models for water management systems. The Australian community is currently talking about schemes to return water to the Murray-Darling river system to combat increased salinity and dramatically reduced river flow. Many believe that vastly improved water management policies are essential to maintain agricultural well-being in Australia. Salinity and water quality depend directly on flow rates and are also important in smaller catchments. In this study we will use statistical rainf ....Mathematical models for water management systems. The Australian community is currently talking about schemes to return water to the Murray-Darling river system to combat increased salinity and dramatically reduced river flow. Many believe that vastly improved water management policies are essential to maintain agricultural well-being in Australia. Salinity and water quality depend directly on flow rates and are also important in smaller catchments. In this study we will use statistical rainfall models and stochastic dynamic programming to find practical water management policies that minimise the risk to water supply. We will develop an interactive simulation and management tool using a modern computer graphics package.Read moreRead less
Graph isomorphism and quantisation of longest cycles by means of determinants and spectra. A characterisation of the difficulty of the Hamiltonian cycle problem and the graphs isomorphism problem will be a significant conceptual advancement with repercussions in a number of fields including combinatorial optimisation and theoretical computer science, in particular, the Google PageRank. Applications of tensor networks technique will lead to a design of a quantum computer that enumerates all Hamil ....Graph isomorphism and quantisation of longest cycles by means of determinants and spectra. A characterisation of the difficulty of the Hamiltonian cycle problem and the graphs isomorphism problem will be a significant conceptual advancement with repercussions in a number of fields including combinatorial optimisation and theoretical computer science, in particular, the Google PageRank. Applications of tensor networks technique will lead to a design of a quantum computer that enumerates all Hamiltonian cycles in a graph. Analysis of the determinant objective function in terms of the eigenvalues may lead to new spectral properties of stochastic matrices. Algorithmic advances exploiting such a characterisation will significantly contribute to existing technologies for solving problems in a wide range of applications.Read moreRead less
Perturbation and approximation methods for linear operators with applications to train control, water resource management and evolution of physical systems. Linear equations are used to solve practical problems. In realistic problems the equations and their solutions depend on parameters obtained by measurement of physical quantities and on data derived from observations and experiments. Changes to the values of the key parameters will lead to changes in the solutions. This project will devel ....Perturbation and approximation methods for linear operators with applications to train control, water resource management and evolution of physical systems. Linear equations are used to solve practical problems. In realistic problems the equations and their solutions depend on parameters obtained by measurement of physical quantities and on data derived from observations and experiments. Changes to the values of the key parameters will lead to changes in the solutions. This project will develop methods to better understand the relationships between the key parameters and the solutions and will apply the new insights to practical problems such as the minimization of fuel consumption in trains, optimal resource management in water supply systems and the evolution of physical systems.Read moreRead less
A comparative study of generalised solution concepts for elliptic partial differential equations using nonsmooth analysis techniques. The solution of ellpitic partial differential equations is central to science and engineering. There are a number of solution concepts, such as those of weak solutions and viscosity solutions, but the relations between these are incompletely understood. We shall investigate this major question using recent advances in optimisation theory and nonsmooth analysis. ....A comparative study of generalised solution concepts for elliptic partial differential equations using nonsmooth analysis techniques. The solution of ellpitic partial differential equations is central to science and engineering. There are a number of solution concepts, such as those of weak solutions and viscosity solutions, but the relations between these are incompletely understood. We shall investigate this major question using recent advances in optimisation theory and nonsmooth analysis. Our approach is to use various approximations and their associated second-order subdifferentials, each of which implies a generalised solution concept and associated abstract convexity. Particular attention, including computational details, will be given to equations which have very different solutions of one type from those of another.Read moreRead less
Fuzzy modelling and design of complex networked systems. This project aims to develop analysis and synthesis approaches for non-linear networked control systems, including modelling, stability analysis and design problems. The non-linear effects and analysis of networked control systems have received considerable attention because of the universal existence of nonlinearities in practice. Network-based non-linear systems are widely used but face problems from non-linearities and networks. This pr ....Fuzzy modelling and design of complex networked systems. This project aims to develop analysis and synthesis approaches for non-linear networked control systems, including modelling, stability analysis and design problems. The non-linear effects and analysis of networked control systems have received considerable attention because of the universal existence of nonlinearities in practice. Network-based non-linear systems are widely used but face problems from non-linearities and networks. This project will establish a software-based nonlinear networked control system platform to test the presented algorithms and strengthen the scenarios in applications. This project is expected to increase Australian excellence in cyber-security and advanced manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Construction of utility functions from observations of consumer behaviour with application to resource modelling and water management strategies. The optimisation techniques developed will be on the forefront of applied mathematical sciences and will increase the prestige of the Australian mathematical community. The expected results will also be of value because they can be used to improve the CGE modelling technique. The implementation of the CGE model of one of Victoria's agricultural regions ....Construction of utility functions from observations of consumer behaviour with application to resource modelling and water management strategies. The optimisation techniques developed will be on the forefront of applied mathematical sciences and will increase the prestige of the Australian mathematical community. The expected results will also be of value because they can be used to improve the CGE modelling technique. The implementation of the CGE model of one of Victoria's agricultural regions will be used to improve the accuracy of regional economic models and will contribute to efficient regional resource management. This has the potential to positively affect the economic growth and employment in the region. The expected outcomes of the project are especially important taking into account the need for predicting the socio-economic consequences of the 1994 COAG water reforms. Read moreRead less