Regularity properties of non-negative sparsity sets

This paper investigates regularity properties of two non-negative sparsity sets: non negative sparse vectors, and low-rank positive semi-definite matrices. Novel formulae for their Mordukhovich normal cones are given and used to formulate sufficient conditions for non-convex notions of regularity to hold. Our results provide a useful tool for justifying the application of projection methods to certain rank constrained feasibility problems. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.