Library

Description: Convexity is an important property in nonlinear optimization since it allows to apply efficient local methods for finding global solutions. We propose to apply symbolic methods to prove or disprove convexity of rational functions over a polyhedral domain. Our algorithms reduce convexity questions to real quantifier elimination problems. Our methods are implemented and publicly available in the open source computer algebra system REDUCE. Our long term goal is to integrate REDUCE as a workhorse'' for symbolic computations into a numerical solver.

Description: Applications which need exclusive access to a shared resource in distributed systems require a fault-tolerant and scalable mechanism to coordinate this exclusive access. Examples of such applications include distributed file systems and master/slave data replication. We present Flease, an algorithm for decentralized and fault-tolerant lease coordination in distributed systems. Our algorithm allows the processes competing for a resource to coordinate exclusive access through leases among themselves without a central component. The resulting system easily scales with an increasing number of nodes and resources. We prove that Flease ensures exclusive access, i.e. guarantees that there is at most one valid lease at any time.

Description: We propose an efficient column generation method to minimize the probability of delay propagations along aircraft rotations. In this way, delay resistant schedules can be constructed. Computational results for large-scale real-world problems demonstrate substantial punctuality improvements. The method can be generalized to crew and integrated scheduling problems.

Description: In optimal control problems with nonlinear time-dependent 3D PDEs, full 4D discretizations are usually prohibitive due to the storage requirement. For this reason gradient and quasi-Newton methods working on the reduced functional are often employed. The computation of the reduced gradient requires one solve of the state equation forward in time, and one backward solve of the adjoint equation. The state enters into the adjoint equation, again requiring the storage of a full 4D data set. We propose a lossy compression algorithm using an inexact but cheap predictor for the state data, with additional entropy coding of prediction errors. As the data is used inside a discretized, iterative algorithm, lossy coding maintaining an error bound is sufficient.

Description: Bovine fertility is the subject of extensive research in animal sciences, especially because fertility of dairy cows has declined during the last decades. The regulation of estrus is controlled by the complex interplay of various organs and hormones. Mathematical modeling of the bovine estrous cycle could help in understanding the dynamics of this complex biological system. In this paper we present a mathematical model of the bovine estrous cycle that includes the processes of follicle and corpus luteum development and the key hormones that interact to control these processes. Focus in this paper is on development of the model, but also some simulation results are presented, showing that a set of equations and parameters is obtained that describes the system consistent with empirical knowledge. Even though the majority of the mechanisms that are included are only known qualitatively as stimulatory or inhibitory effects, the model surprisingly well features quantitative observations made in reality. This model of the bovine estrous cycle could be used as a basis for more elaborate models with the ability to study effects of external manipulations and genetic differences.

Description: Learning during search allows solvers for discrete optimization problems to remember parts of the search that they have already performed and avoid revisiting redundant parts. Learning approaches pioneered by the SAT and CP communities have been successfully incorporated into the SCIP constraint integer programming platform. In this paper we show that performing a heuristic constraint programming search during root node processing of a binary program can rapidly learn useful nogoods, bound changes, primal solutions, and branching statistics that improve the remaining IP search.

Description: We propose a novel integer programming approach to transfer minimization for line planning problems in public transit. The idea is to incorporate penalties for transfers that are induced by “connection capacities” into the construction of the passenger paths. We show that such penalties can be dealt with by a combination of shortest and constrained shortest path algorithms such that the pricing problem for passenger paths can be solved efficiently. Connection capacity penalties (under)estimate the true transfer times. This error is, however, not a problem in practice. We show in a computational comparison with two standard models on a real-world scenario that our approach can be used to minimize passenger travel and transfer times for large-scale line planning problems with accurate results.

Description: The aim of this paper is to devise an adaptive timestep control in the contact--stabilized Newmark method (CONTACX) for dynamical contact problems between two viscoelastic bodies in the framework of Signorini's condition. In order to construct a comparative scheme of higher order accuracy, we extend extrapolation techniques. This approach demands a subtle theoretical investigation of an asymptotic error expansion of the contact--stabilized Newmark scheme. On the basis of theoretical insight and numerical observations, we suggest an error estimator and a timestep selection which also cover the presence of contact. Finally, we give a numerical example.

Description: Railway scheduling is based on the principle of the construction of a conflict-free timetable. This leads to a strict definition of capacity: in contrast with road transportation, it can be said in advance whether a given railway infrastructure can accommodate - at least in theory - a certain set of train requests. Consequently, auctions for railway capacity are modeled as auctions of discrete goods -- the train slots. We present estimates for the efficiency gain that may be generated by slot auctioning in comparison with list price allocation. We introduce a new class of allocation and auction problems, the feasible assignment problem, that is a proper generalization of the well-known combinatorial auction problem. The feasible assignment class was designed to cover the needs for an auction mechanism for railway slot auctions, but is of interest in its own right. As a practical instance to state and solve the railway slot allocation problem, we present an integer programming formulation, briefly the ACP, which turns out to be an instance of the feasible assignment problem and whose dual problem yields prices that can be applied to define a useful activity rule for the linearized version of the Ausubel Milgrom Proxy auction. We perform a simulation aiming to measure the impact on efficiency and convergence rate.

Description: This paper presents concepts and implementation of the finite element toolbox Kaskade 7, a flexible C++ code for solving elliptic and parabolic PDE systems. Issues such as problem formulation, assembly and adaptivity are discussed at the example of optimal control problems. Trajectory compression for parabolic optimization problems is considered as a case study.

Description: In this paper a bottom-up approach of automatic simplification of a railway network is presented. Starting from a very detailed, microscopic level, as it is used in railway simulation, the network is transformed by an algorithm to a less detailed level (macroscopic network), that is sufficient for long-term planning and optimization. In addition running and headway times are rounded to a pre-chosen time discretization by a special cumulative method, which we will present and analyse in this paper. After the transformation we fill the network with given train requests to compute an optimal slot allocation. Then the optimized schedule is re-transformed into the microscopic level and can be simulated without any conflicts occuring between the slots. The algorithm is used to transform the network of the very dense Simplon corridor between Swiss and Italy. With our aggregation it is possible for the first time to generate a profit maximal and conflict free timetable for the corridor across a day by a simultaneously optimization run.

Description: In solving large polynomial algebraic systems that are too big for standard Gröbner basis techniques one way to make progress is to introduce case distinctions. This divide and conquer technique can be beneficial if the algorithms and computer programs know how to take advantage of inequalities. A further hurdle is the form of the resulting general solutions which often have unnecessarily many branches. In this paper we discuss a procedure to merge solutions by dropping inequalities which are associated with them and, if necessary, by re-parametrizing solutions. In the appendix the usefulness of the procedure is demonstrated in the classification of quadratic Hamiltonians with a Lie-Poisson bracket $e(3)$. This application required the solution of algebraic systems with over 200 unknowns, 450 equations and between 5000 and 9000 terms.

Description: In the paper arguments are given why the concept of static evaluation (SE) has the potential to be a useful extension to Monte Carlo tree search. A new concept of modeling SE through a dynamical system is introduced and strengths and weaknesses are discussed. The general suitability of this approach is demonstrated. A Remark: Among users of the Internet Go server KGS the abbreviation SE is used for 'Score Estimator'. Although different from 'Static Evaluation' a score estimator is easily obtained from static evaluation by adding up probabilities of chains to be alive at the end of the game or points to be owned by White or Black

Description: Linear Poisson brackets on e(3) typical of rigid body dynamics are considered. All quadratic Hamiltonians of Kowalevski type having additional first integral of fourth degree are found. Quantum analogs of these Hamiltonians are listed.

Description: A solution generating technique is developed for $D=5$ minimal supergravity with two commuting Killing vectors based on the $G_2$ U-duality arising in the reduction of the theory to three dimensions. The target space of the corresponding 3-dimensional sigma-model is the coset $G_{2(2)}/(SL(2,R)\times SL(2,R))$. Its isometries constitute the set of solution generating symmetries. These include two electric and two magnetic Harrison transformations with the corresponding two pairs of gauge transformations, three $SL(2,R) \; S$-duality transformations, and the three gravitational scale, gauge and Ehlers transformations (altogether 14). We construct a representation of the coset in terms of $7\times 7$ matrices realizing the automorphisms of split octonions. Generating a new solution amounts to transforming the coset matrices by one-parametric subgroups of $G_{2(2)}$ and subsequently solving the dualization equations. Using this formalism we derive a new charged black ring solution with two independent parameters of rotation.

Description: A classification problem is proposed for supersymmetric %scaling\/-\/in\-va\-ri\-ant evolutionary PDE that satisfy the assumptions of nonlinearity, nondegeneracy, and homogeneity. Four classes of nonlinear coupled boson\/-\/fermion systems are discovered under the weighting assumption $|f|=|b|=|D_t|=\oh$. The syntax of the \Reduce\ package \SsTools, which was used for intermediate computations, and the applicability of its procedures to the calculus of super\/-\/PDE are described.

Description: We consider the problem of constructing Gardner's deformations for the $N{=}2$ supersymmetric $a{=}4$--\/Korteweg\/--\/de Vries equation; such deformations yield recurrence relations between the super\/-\/Hamiltonians of the hierarchy. We prove the non\/-\/existence %P.~Mathieu's Open problem on constructing for of supersymmetry\/-\/invariant %Gardner's deformations that %solutions, retract to Gardner's formulas for the KdV equation %whenever it is assumed that, under the %respective component reduction. % in the $N{=}2$ super\/-\/field. the solutions . At the same time, we propose a two\/-\/step scheme for the recursive production of the integrals of motion for the $N{=}2$,\ $a{=}4$--\/SKdV. First, we find a new Gardner's deformation of the Kaup\/--\/Boussinesq equation, which is contained in the bosonic limit of the super\/-\/%$N{=}2$,\ $a{=}4$--\/SKdV hierarchy. This yields the recurrence relation between the Hamiltonians of the limit, whence we determine the bosonic super\/- /Hamiltonians of the full $N{=}2$, $a{=}4$--\/SKdV hierarchy.

Description: We provide an introduction into the mathematics of and with paths. Not on the shortest, but hopefully on an entertaining path!

Description: Wir stellen in dieser Arbeit ein mathematisches Optimierungsmodell zur Bestimmung eines optimalen Linienplans vor, das sowohl die Fahrzeiten und die Anzahl der Umstiege berücksichtigt als auch die Kosten des Liniennetzes. Dieses Modell deckt wichtige praktische Anforderungen ab, die in einem gemeinsamen Projekt mit den Verkehrsbetrieben in Potsdam (ViP) formuliert wurden. In diesem Projekt wurde der Linienplan 2010 für Potsdam entwickelt. Unsere Berechnungen zeigen, dass die mathematische Optimierung in nichts einer "Handplanung" des Liniennetzes nachsteht. Im Gegenteil, mit Hilfe des Optimierungsprogramms ist es möglich, durch Veränderung der Parameter mehrere verschiedene Szenarien zu berechnen, miteinander zu vergleichen und Aussagen über minimale Kosten und Fahrzeiten zu machen.

Description: The paper gathers evidence showing different dimensions of the game of Go: the continuous and discrete nature of the game and different types of relations between state variables happening on ultra local, local, regional, and global scales. Based on these observations a new continuous local model for describing a board position is introduced. This includes the identification of the basic variables describing a board position and the formulation and solution of a dynamical system for their computation. To be usable as a static evaluation function for a game playing program at least group-wide (regional)aspects will have to be incorporated.

Description: The track allocation problem, also known as train routing problem or train timetabling problem, is to find a conflict-free set of train routes of maximum value in a railway network. Although it can be modeled as a standard path packing problem, instances of sizes relevant for real-world railway applications could not be solved up to now. We propose a rapid branching column generation approach that integrates the solution of the LP relaxation of a path coupling formulation of the problem with a special rounding heuristic. The approach is based on and exploits special properties of the bundle method for the approximate solution of convex piecewise linear functions. Computational results for difficult instances of the benchmark library TTPLIB are reported.

Description: This paper presents a case study on a railway timetable optimization for the very dense Simplon corridor, a major railway connection in the Alps between Switzerland and Italy. Starting from a detailed microscopic network as it is used in railway simulation, the data is transformed by an automatic procedure to a less detailed macroscopic network, that is sufficient for the purpose of capacity planning and amenable to state-of-the-art integer programming optimization methods. In this way, the macroscopic railway network is saturated with trains. Finally, the corresponding timetable is re-transformed to the microscopic level in such a way that it can be operated without any conflicts among the slots. Using this integer programming based micro-macro aggregation-disaggregation approach, it becomes for the first time possible to generate a profit maximal and conflict free timetable for the complete Simplon corridor over an entire day by a simultaneous optimization of all trains requests. This also allows to to undertake a sensitivity analysis of various problem parameters.

Description: The thesis presents the analysis of a reduced model for modulation of internal gravity waves by deep convective clouds. The starting point for the derivation are conservation laws for mass, momentum and energy coupled with a bulk micro-physics model describing the evolution of mixing ratios of water vapor, cloud water and rain water. A reduced model for the identified scales of the regime is derived, using multi-scale asymptotics. The closure of the model employs conditional averaging over the horizontal scale of the convective clouds. The resulting reduced model is an extension of the anelastic equations, linearized around a constant background state, which are well-known from meteorology. The closure of the model is achieved purely by analytical means and involves no additional physically motivated assumptions. The essential new parameter arising from the coupling to a micro-physics model is the area fraction of saturated regions on the horizontal scale of the convective clouds. It turns out that this parameter is constant on the employed short timescale. Hence the clouds constitute a constant background, modulating the characteristics of propagation of internal waves. The model is then investigated by analytical as well as numerical means. Important results are, among others, that in the model moisture (i) inhibits propagation of internal waves by reducing the modulus of the group velocity, (ii) reduces the angle between the propagation direction of a wave-packet and the horizontal, (iii) causes critical layers and (iv) introduces a maximum horizontal wavelength beyond which waves are no longer propagating but become evanescent. The investigated examples of orographically generated gravity waves also feature a significant reduction of vertical momentum flux by moisture. The model is extended by assuming systematically small under-saturation, that is saturation at leading order. The closure is similar to the original case but requires additional assumptions. The saturated area fraction in the obtained model is no longer constant but now depends nonlinearly on vertical displacement and thus on vertical velocity.

Description: We propose a hybrid approach for solving the resource-constrained project scheduling problem which is an extremely hard to solve combinatorial optimization problem of practical relevance. Jobs have to be scheduled on (renewable) resources subject to precedence constraints such that the resource capacities are never exceeded and the latest completion time of all jobs is minimized. The problem has challenged researchers from different communities, such as integer programming (IP), constraint programming (CP), and satisfiability testing (SAT). Still, there are instances with 60 jobs which have not been solved for many years. The currently best known approach, lazyFD, is a hybrid between CP and SAT techniques. In this paper we propose an even stronger hybridization by integrating all the three areas, IP, CP, and SAT, into a single branch-and-bound scheme. We show that lower bounds from the linear relaxation of the IP formulation and conflict analysis are key ingredients for pruning the search tree. First computational experiments show very promising results. For five instances of the well-known PSPLIB we report an improvement of lower bounds. Our implementation is generic, thus it can be potentially applied to similar problems as well.

Description: In contrast to the well known meshbased methods like the finite element method, meshfree methods do not rely on a mesh. However besides their great applicability, meshfree methods are rather time consuming. Thus, it seems favorable to combine both methods, by using meshfree methods only in a small part of the domain, where a mesh is disadvantageous, and a meshbased method for the rest of the domain. We motivate, that this coupling between the two simulation techniques can be considered as saddle point problem and show the stability of this coupling. Thereby a novel transfer operator is introduced, which interacts in the transition zone, where both methods coexist.

Description: This thesis deals with a Dial-a-Ride problem on trees and considers both offline and online versions of this problem. We study the behavior of certain algorithms on random instances, i.e. we do probabilistic analysis. The focus is on results describing the typical behavior of the algorithms, i.e. results holding with (asymptotically) high probability. For the offline version, we present a simplified proof of a result of Coja-Oghlan, Krumke und Nierhoff. The results states that some heuristic using a minimum spanning tree to approximate a Steiner tree gives optimal results with high probability. This explains why this heuristic produces optimal solutions quite often. In the second part, probabilistic online versions of the problem are introduced. We study the online strategies REPLAN and IGNORE. Regarding the IGNORE strategy we can show that it works almost optimal under high load with high probability.

Description: All-optical telecommunication networks allow for switching connections by lightpaths which can pass several network links without any opto-electronic conversion. Upon arrival of a connection request, it must be decided online, i.e., without knowledge of future requests, if it is accepted and in that case on which lightpaths the connection is routed. This online problem with the goal of maximizing the total profit gained by accepted requests is called Dynamic Singleclass Call Admission Problem (DSCA). We present existing and new algorithms for the DSCA as well as their theoretical and practical evaluation.

Description: This diploma thesis deals with the restoration problem in telecommunication networks. The goal is to find a cost minimal capacity capacity assignment on the edges and nodes of a network such that given demands can be satisfied even in case of the failure of an edge or node in the network. Moreover, restrictions on the routing paths (like length restrictions) and hardware constraints have to be satisfied. A Mixed Integer Programming model is presented which takes into account restoration requirements as well as hardware constraints and which abstracts from a particular restoration protocol and failure situation. This abstraction provides new insight into the structure of the network restoration problem and shows that from a mathematical point of view, the commonly used restoration techniques Link Restoration, Path Restoration and Reservation are not as different as they seem to be from a practical point of view. In addition, our model allows (but is not limited to) optimizing working capacity, intended for normal use, and spare capacity, intended for rerouting purposes in case of a failure, in one step. Furthermore, our formulation of capacity cost allows taking into account the effects of discrete, non-linear cost structures which are common in practice. Up to our knowledge, no publication in the existing literature covers all these aspects, let alone in one model, although they are of major practical interest. The model has been implemented in a Branch and Cut framework. The theoretical background of the algorithmic procedure is presented in detail, including computational complexity investigations on the pricing problem. The abstraction from a particular restoration protocol turns out to be useful both from a theoretical and computational point of view. In fact, our investigations suggest a distinction into Local Restoration and Global Restoration rather than into Link Restoration,Path Restoration, Reservation and mixtures of these concepts. In addition to the theoretical aspects of the algorithmic procedure, some implementational details are briefly discussed. Our implementation has been tested on 14 real world instances, which is described in detail. One part of the computational results consists of a comparison of optimal network cost values using diffeent restoration mechanisms, applied to securing either all single node failures, all single edge failures or both. In addition, the effects of a discrete cost structure are investigated, which has rarely been considered yet in literature. Furthermore, the cost ifference between joint and successive working and spare capacity optimization is investigated. In the second part of the computational results, several heuristics for the network restoration problem are compared with respect to both solution quality and time. This diploma thesis deals with the restoration problem in telecommunication networks. The goal is to find a cost minimal capacity capacity assignment on the edges and nodes of a network such that given demands can be satisfied even in case of the failure of an edge or node in the network. Moreover, restrictions on the routing paths (like length restrictions) and hardware constraints have to be satisfied. A Mixed Integer Programming model is presented which takes into account restoration requirements as well as hardware constraints and which abstracts from a particular restoration protocol and failure situation. This abstraction provides new insight into the structure of the network restoration problem and shows that from a mathematical point of view, the commonly used restoration techniques Link Restoration, Path Restoration and Reservation are not as different as they seem to be from a practical point of view. In addition, our model allows (but is not limited to) optimizing working capacity, intended for normal use, and spare capacity, intended for rerouting purposes in case of a failure, in one step. Furthermore, our formulation of capacity cost allows taking into account the effects of discrete, non-linear cost structures which are common in practice. Up to our knowledge, no publication in the existing literature covers all these aspects, let alone in one model, although they are of major practical interest. The model has been implemented in a Branch and Cut framework. The theoretical background of the algorithmic procedure is presented in detail, including computational complexity investigations on the pricing problem. The abstraction from a particular restoration protocol turns out to be useful both from a theoretical and computational point of view. In fact, our investigations suggest a distinction into Local Restoration and Global Restoration rather than into Link Restoration, Path Restoration, Reservation and mixtures of these concepts. In addition to the theoretical aspects of the algorithmic procedure, some implementational details are briefly discussed. Our implementation has been tested on 14 real world instances, which is described in detail. One part of the computational results consists of a comparison of optimal network cost values using different restoration mechanisms, applied to securing either all single node failures, all single edge failures or both. In addition, the effects of a discrete cost structure are investigated, which has rarely been considered yet in literature. Furthermore, the cost difference between joint and successive working and spare capacity optimization is investigated. In the second part of the computational results, several heuristics for the network restoration problem are compared with respect to both solution quality and time.

Description: Als Cluster Analyse bezeichnet man den Prozess der Suche und Beschreibung von Gruppen (Clustern) von Objekten, so daß die Objekte innerhalb eines Clusters bezüglich eines gegebenen Maßes maximal homogen sind. Die Homogenität der Objekte hängt dabei direkt oder indirekt von den Ausprägungen ab, die sie für eine Anzahl festgelegter Attribute besitzen. Die Suche nach Clustern läßt sich somit als Optimierungsproblem auffassen, wobei die Anzahl der Cluster vorher bekannt sein muß. Wenn die Anzahl der Objekte und der Attribute groß ist, spricht man von komplexen, hoch-dimensionalen Cluster Problemen. In diesem Fall ist eine direkte Optimierung zu aufwendig, und man benötigt entweder heuristische Optimierungsverfahren oder Methoden zur Reduktion der Komplexität. In der Vergangenheit wurden in der Forschung fast ausschließlich Verfahren für geometrisch basierte Clusterprobleme entwickelt. Bei diesen Problemen lassen sich die Objekte als Punkte in einem von den Attributen aufgespannten metrischen Raum modellieren; das verwendete Homogenitätsmaß basiert auf der geometrischen Distanz der den Objekten zugeordneten Punkte. Insbesondere zur Bestimmung sogenannter metastabiler Cluster sind solche Verfahren aber offensichtlich nicht geeignet, da metastabile Cluster, die z.B. in der Konformationsanalyse von Biomolekülen von zentraler Bedeutung sind, nicht auf einer geometrischen, sondern einer dynamischen Ähnlichkeit beruhen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird ein allgemeines Clustermodell vorgeschlagen, das zur Modellierung geometrischer, wie auch dynamischer Clusterprobleme geeignet ist. Es wird eine Methode zur Komplexitätsreduktion von Clusterproblemen vorgestellt, die auf einer zuvor generierten Komprimierung der Objekte innerhalb des Datenraumes basiert. Dabei wird bewiesen, daß eine solche Reduktion die Clusterstruktur nicht zerstört, wenn die Komprimierung fein genug ist. Mittels selbstorganisierter neuronaler Netze lassen sich geeignete Komprimierungen berechnen. Um eine signifikante Komplexitätsreduktion ohne Zerstörung der Clusterstruktur zu erzielen, werden die genannten Methoden in ein mehrstufiges Verfahren eingebettet. Da neben der Identifizierung der Cluster auch deren effiziente Beschreibung notwendig ist, wird ferner eine spezielle Art der Komprimierung vorgestellt, der eine Boxdiskretisierung des Datenraumes zugrunde liegt. Diese ermöglicht die einfache Generierung von regelbasierten Clusterbeschreibungen. Für einen speziellen Typ von Homogenitätsfunktionen, die eine stochastische Eigenschaft besitzen, wird das mehrstufige Clusterverfahren um eine Perroncluster Analyse erweitert. Dadurch wird die Anzahl der Cluster, im Gegensatz zu herkömmlichen Verfahren, nicht mehr als Eingabeparameter benötigt. Mit dem entwickelten Clusterverfahren kann erstmalig eine computergestützte Konformationsanalyse großer, für die Praxis relevanter Biomoleküle durchgeführt werden. Am Beispiel des HIV Protease Inhibitors VX-478 wird dies detailliert beschrieben.

Description: Mobile cellular communcication is a key technology in today's information age. Despite the continuing improvements in equipment design, interference is and will remain a limiting factor for the use of radio communication. This Ph. D. thesis investigates how to prevent interference to the largest possible extent when assigning the available frequencies to the base stations of a GSM cellular network. The topic is addressed from two directions: first, new algorithms are presented to compute "good" frequency assignments fast; second, a novel approach, based on semidef inite programming, is employed to provide lower bounds for the amount of unavoidable interference. The new methods proposed for automatic frequency planning are compared in terms of running times and effectiveness in computational experiments, where the planning instances are taken from practice. For most of the heuristics the running time behavior is adequate for inter active planning; at the same time, they provide reasonable assignments from a practical point of view (compared to the currently best known, but substantially slower planning methods). In fact, several of these methods are successfully applied by the German GSM network operator E-Plus. The currently best lower bounds on the amount of unavoidable (co-channel) interference are obtained from solving semidefinite programs These programs arise as nonpolyhedral relaxation of a minimum /c-parti tion problem on complete graphs. The success of this approach is made plausible by revealing structural relations between the feasible set of the semidefinite program and a polytope associated with an integer linear programming formulation of the minimum ^-partition problem. Comparable relations are not known to hold for any polynomial time solvable polyhedral relaxation of the minimum ^-partition problem. The appli cation described is one of the first of semidefinite programming for large industrial problems in combinatorial optimization.