Search

Recently, substantial progress has been made in developing efficient algorithms for solving combinatorial optimization problems. In this paper, following this direction, the problem of designing supply chains which is an important combinatorial optimization problem is considered. The structural properties of supply chain models are investigated to transform such models into a generalized network optimization model. The transformation to a generalized network optimization model reduces the algorithms' solution time. Moreover, this paper proposes a new efficient hybrid algorithm based on tabu search and generalized network simplex algorithm (GN-TSA) for designing multi-objectives supply chain models. The developed algorithm's parameters are tuned properly, validated, and evaluated. The algorithm's performance is then compared to an exact algorithm embedded in the General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS) and two metaheuristic algorithms, namely a linear programming simplex algorithm integrated with the tabu search approach (LP-TSA) and simulated annealing. The findings indicated that the GN-TSA obtains solutions very close to the exact algorithm with less computation time. In addition, the proposed algorithm outperforms the LP-TSA and simulated annealing in terms of computation time, while the quality of the solutions is the same as solutions obtained by LP-TSA and better than simulated annealing. On average, the results revealed that the reduction in computational time is more than 26.30% using GN-TSA compared to LP-TSA and simulated annealing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hybrid algorithm combines two or more individual algorithms in order to integrate the advantages of these individual algorithms. In recent years, a huge number of hybrid algorithms have been proposed, and their efficiencies have been demonstrated by experimental studies. However, few theoretical results that support the experimental conclusions are available. In this paper, we focus on theoretical investigation about the efficiency of hybrid algorithms for combinatorial optimization problems. We first analyze the runtime of three specific hybrid algorithms and their component algorithms on two instances. One is a well-known pseudo-Boolean function, and the other is an instance of a classical combinatorial optimization problem. We then theoretically investigate the relationship between the upper bounds of the expected runtime of three kinds of general hybrid algorithms and their component algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knapsack problem (KP) is a discrete combinatorial optimization problem that has different utilities in many fields. It is described as a non-polynomial time (NP) problem and has several applications in many fields. The differential evolution (DE) algorithm has been successful in solving continuous optimization problems, but it needs further work to solve discrete and binary optimization problems and avoid local optima. According to the literature, no DE search operator or algorithm is optimal for all optimization tasks. As a result, using more than one search operator in a single algorithm architecture, called multi-operator-based algorithms, is a solution to address this problem. These methods outperformed single-based methods for continuous optimization problems. Thus, in this paper, a binary multi-operator differential evolution (BMODE) approach is presented to tackle the 0–1 KP. The presented methodology utilizes multiple differential evolution (DE) mutation strategies with complementary characteristics, with the best mutation operator being asserted utilizing the produced solutions' quality and the population's diversity. In BMODE, two types of transfer functions (TFs) (S-shaped and V-shaped) are used to transfer the continuous solutions to binary ones to be able to calculate the fitness function value. To handle the capacity constraints, a feasibility rule is utilized and some of the infeasible solutions are repaired. The performance of BMODE is tested by solving 40 instances with multiple dimensions, i.e., low, medium, and high. Experimental results of the proposed BMODE are compared with well-known state-of-the-art 0–1 knapsack algorithms. Based on Wilcoxon's nonparametric statistical test ( α = 0.05 ), the proposed BMODE can obtain the best results against the rival algorithms in most cases, and can work well on stability and computational accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discounted {0-1} knapsack problem (DKP) is an NP-hard problem that is more challenging than the classical knapsack problem. In this paper, an enhanced version of the sine-cosine algorithm (SCA) called TMHSCA is proposed to solve the DKP. The SCA is a novel metaheuristic algorithm based on sine-cosine theory. Three effective improvements are proposed for the SCA to enhance the convergence speed and exploitation capability of the algorithm. First, by dividing the initial population into three subpopulations using random, greedy and opposition-based learning (OBL) strategies, the diversity of the population can be effectively enhanced. Furthermore, a forward-inverse sine-cosine search that expands the search space by utilizing the worst solution as another target is proposed. The proposed forward-inverse sine-cosine search strategy facilitates the algorithm to explore the easily ignored solution space. The last improvement includes the use of an OBL mutation and the mutation operator of differential evolution at a two-stage mutation, which increases the algorithm's convergence speed and fitness. In our proposed two-stage mutation, the number of mutations can be adaptively adjusted based on the optimization capabilities of the optimal individual. Additionally, a reshuffling repair strategy for repairing infeasible solutions by sorting items into groups to obtain the weight-to-value ratio is proposed. Extensive experiments are conducted on 40 publicly available datasets and are compared to the greedy algorithm, 3 SCAs and 8 competitive baseline methods. The experimental results demonstrate that our method achieves a state-of-the-art performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quadratic assignment problem (QAP) is one of the hardest combinatorial optimization tasks. It has many real-world applications such as airport gate assignment, and hospital layout problem. Designing enhanced optimization methodologies for the QAP is an active research area. In this paper, we present an integrated firefly algorithm (FA) based on mutually orthogonal Latin squares (MOLS), named as FA-MOLS, to solve the QAP. In the optimization process, the FA-MOLS employs three improvements, namely the MOLS strategy, opposition-based learning scheme, and repeated 2-exchange mutation to maintain the balance between exploitation and exploration abilities. By these improvements, it is intended to avoid the trapping in local optima and improve the convergence speed. The performance of the proposed FA-MOLS is validated on different test instances from the literature. Additionally, two real-world QAPs are simulated and investigated, the office buildings of a single company and the layout of hospital departments. The comprehensive experimental simulations and the nonparametric Wilcoxon's test affirm that the proposed FA-MOLS can provide a highly competitive performance compared with other algorithms from the literature. Therefore, it is concluded that FA-MOLS is an efficient and reliable algorithm for solving industrial quadratic assignment tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimization of reactive power dispatch (ORPD) problem is a key factor for stable and secure operation of the electric power systems. In this paper, a newly explored nature-inspired optimization through artificial ecosystem optimization (AEO) algorithm is proposed to cope with ORPD problem in large-scale and practical power systems. ORPD is a well-known highly complex combinatorial optimization task with nonlinear characteristics, and its complexity increases as a number of decision variables increase, which makes it hard to be solved using conventional optimization techniques. However, it can be efficiently resolved by using nature-inspired optimization algorithms. AEO algorithm is a recently invented optimizer inspired by the energy flocking behavior in a natural ecosystem including non-living elements such as sunlight, water, and air. The main merit of this optimizer is its high flexibility that leads to achieve accurate balance between exploration and exploitation abilities. Another attractive property of AEO is that it does not have specific control parameters to be adjusted. In this work, three-objective version of ORPD problem is considered involving active power losses minimization and voltage deviation and voltage stability index. The proposed optimizer was examined on medium- and large-scale IEEE test systems, including 30 bus, 118 bus, 300 bus and Algerian electricity grid DZA 114 bus (220/60 kV). The results of AEO algorithm are compared with well-known existing optimization techniques. Also, the results of comparison show that the proposed algorithm performs better than other algorithms for all examined power systems. Consequently, we confirm the effectiveness of the introducing AEO algorithm to relieve the over losses problem, enhance power system performance, and meet solutions feasibility. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been employed to evaluate the performance and consistency of the proposed AEO algorithm in solving ORPD problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given a complete edge-weighted undirected graph G(V, E, W), clique partitioning problem (CPP) aims to cluster all vertices into an unknown number of disjoint groups and the objective is to maximize the sum of the edge weights of the induced subgraphs. CPP is an NP-hard combinatorial optimization problem with many real-world applications. In this paper, we propose a novel two-model local search algorithm with a self-adaptive parameter (TMLS _ SA) to solve CPP. First, a simple solution is presented, that is, one vertex per group is used. Then, we present a two-model local search that is used to improve the solution which comprises a move operator model and an exchange operator model. In the local search phase, a gain function is used to guide the search toward a possible best solution, and a lock mechanism is also applied to prevent the local search from immediately returning to visited solutions. Finally, we execute a perturbation procedure to increase the diversity. The perturbation strength is updated self-adaptively according to the solutions obtained. Our algorithm TMLS _ SA is compared with several representative algorithms, and the experimental results show that TMLS _ SA is superior to competitors on almost all test instances with respect to the solution quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In open vehicle routing problem (OVRP), after delivering service to the last customer, the vehicle does not necessarily return to the initial depot. This type of problem originally defined about thirty years ago and still is an open issue. In real life, the OVRP is similar to the delivering newspapers and consignments. The problem of service delivering to a set of customers is a particular open VRP with an identical fleet for transporting vehicles that do not necessarily return to the initial depot. Contractors which are not the employee of the delivery company use their own vehicles and do not return to the depot. Solving the OVRP means to optimize the number of vehicles, the traveling distance and the traveling time of a vehicle. In time, several algorithms such as tabu search, deterministic annealing and neighborhood search were used for solving the OVRP. In this paper, a new combinatorial algorithm named OVRP_GELS based on gravitational emulation local search algorithm for solving the OVRP is proposed. We also used record-to-record algorithm to improve the results of the GELS. Several numerical experiments show a good performance of the proposed method for solving the OVRP when compared with existing techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, a general-purpose local-search heuristic method called Extremal Optimization (EO) has been successfully applied in some NP-hard combinatorial optimization problems. In this paper, we present a novel Pareto-based algorithm, which can be regarded as an extension of EO, to solve multiobjective optimization problems. The proposed method, called Multiobjective Population-based Extremal Optimization (MOPEO), is validated by using five benchmark functions and metrics taken from the standard literature on multiobjective evolutionary optimization. The experimental results demonstrate that MOPEO is competitive with the state-of-the-art multiobjective evolutionary algorithms. Thus MOPEO can be considered as a viable alternative to solve multiobjective optimization problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the use of a genetic algorithm (GA) to perform the large-scale triangular mesh optimization process. This optimization process consists of a combination of mesh reduction and mesh smoothing that will not only improve the speed for the computation of a 3D graphical or finite element model, but also improve the quality of its mesh. The GA is developed and implemented to replace the original mesh with a re-triangulation process. The GA features optimized initial population, constrained crossover operator, constrained mutation operator and multi-objective fitness evaluation function. While retaining features is important to both visualization models and finite element models, this algorithm also optimizes the shape of the triangular elements, improves the smoothness of the mesh and performs mesh reduction based on the needs of the user. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a new codebook generation algorithm for image data compression using a combined scheme of principal component analysis (PCA) and genetic algorithm (GA). The combined scheme makes full use of the near global optimal searching ability of GA and the computation complexity reduction of PCA to compute the codebook. The experimental results show that our algorithm outperforms the popular LBG algorithm in terms of computational efficiency and image compression performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, genetic algorithm is used to help improve the tolerance of feedforward neural networks against an open .fault. The proposed method does not explicitly add any redundancy to the network, nor does it modify the training algorithm. Experiments show that it may profit the fault tolerance as well as the generalisation ability of neural networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]