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Purpose This paper aims to represent an improved whale optimization algorithm (WOA) based on a Lévy flight trajectory and called the LWOA algorithm to solve engineering optimization problems. The LWOA makes the WOA faster, more robust and significantly enhances the WOA. In the LWOA, the Lévy flight trajectory enhances the capability of jumping out of the local optima and is helpful for smoothly balancing exploration and exploitation of the WOA. It has been successfully applied to five standard engineering optimization problems. The simulation results of the classical engineering design problems and real application exhibit the superiority of the LWOA algorithm in solving challenging problems with constrained and unknown search spaces when compared to the basic WOA algorithm or other available solutions.Design/methodology/approach In this paper, an improved WOA based on a Lévy flight trajectory and called the LWOA algorithm is represented to solve engineering optimization problems.Findings It has been successfully applied to five standard engineering optimization problems. The simulation results of the classical engineering design problems and real application exhibit the superiority of the LWOA algorithm in solving challenging problems with constrained and unknown search spaces when compared to the basic WOA algorithm or other available solutions.Originality value An improved WOA based on a Lévy flight trajectory and called the LWOA algorithm is first proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a decentralized solution algorithm for network-constrained unit commitment (NCUC) in multiregional power systems. The proposed algorithm is based on our previous work in which a local NCUC was formulated for each control entity (i.e., region) and an analytical target cascading (ATC) based distributed but partially parallelized algorithm requiring a central coordinator was presented. The primary objective of this paper is to present a decentralized approach that relaxes the need for any form of central coordinator in ATC and allows fully parallelized solutions of the local NCUCs. To achieve this objective, we formulate a bilevel optimization problem for each control entity. While the upper level solves the NCUC problem of the control entity, the lower level seeks to coordinate the control entity with its neighboring regions. The lower level is a convex optimization, which can be further replaced in the upper level problem by the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions. The control entities communicate directly with each other and synchronously solve their local NCUCs. Having no need for any form of central coordinator, the proposed algorithm is potentially less vulnerable to cyber-attacks and communication failures than the distributed methods utilizing a coordinator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In practical engineering, the layout optimization technique driven by the thermal performance is faced with a severe computational burden when directly integrating the numerical analysis tool of temperature simulation into the optimization loop. To alleviate this difficulty, this paper presents a novel deep learning surrogate-assisted heat source layout optimization method. First, two sampling strategies, namely the random sampling strategy and the evolving sampling strategy, are proposed to produce diversified training data. Then, regarding mapping between the layout and the corresponding temperature field as an image-to-image regression task, the feature pyramid network (FPN), a kind of deep neural network, is trained to learn the inherent laws, which plays as a surrogate model to evaluate the thermal performance of the domain with respect to different input layouts accurately and efficiently. Finally, the neighborhood search-based layout optimization (NSLO) algorithm is proposed and combined with the FPN surrogate to solve discrete heat source layout optimization problems. A typical two-dimensional heat conduction optimization problem is investigated to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed deep learning surrogate-assisted layout optimization framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let B be a set of b blue points and R be a set of r red points in the plane. In this paper we study the problem of finding rectangles that contain the maximum number of blue points without containing any red points, known as the maximum-box problem . First we study this problem for axis-aligned rectangles, and propose an exact worst-case optimal O ( r 2 + r b + b log ⁡ b ) time algorithm using O ( r + b ) space to find all maximum boxes. We also provide a 2-approximation algorithm running in O ( ( r + b ) log ⁡ ( r + b ) ) time and using O ( r + b ) space to find a single maximum box in the axis-aligned case. Then we generalize the exact algorithm for the axis-aligned case to find all arbitrarily oriented maximum boxes leading to a worst-case optimal O ( ( r + b ) 2 ( r + log ⁡ b ) ) time algorithm using O ( ( r + b ) 2 ) space to solve the problem. We conclude the paper by discussing time and space trade-offs. Our results improve the previously best known solutions to the maximum-box problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an efficient and new modified differential evolution algorithm (ENMDE) for solving two short-term hydrothermal scheduling (STHTS) problems. The first is to take the available water constraint into account, and the second is to consider the reservoir volume constraints. The proposed method in this paper is a new, improved version of the conventional differential evolution (CDE) method to enhance solution quality and shorten the maximum number of iterations based on two new modifications. The first focuses on a self-tuned mutation operation to open the local search zone based on the evaluation of the quality of the solution, while the second focuses on a leading group selection technique to keep a set of dominant solutions. The contribution of each modification to the superiority of the proposed method over CDE is also investigated by implementing CDE with the self-tuned mutation (STMDE), CDE with the leading group selection technique (LGSDE), and CDE with the two modifications. In addition, particle swarm optimization (PSO), the bat algorithm (BA), and the flower pollination algorithm (FPA) methods are also implemented through four study cases for the first problem, and two study cases for the second problem. Through extensive numerical study cases, the effectiveness of the proposed approach is confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a data-driven H∞ approach to simultaneous fault detection and control problem. This problem is formulated as a time domain H∞ optimization problem and its solution produces a data-driven H∞ controller/detector unit of modest complexity which is capable of achieving some control and fault detection objectives. The mathematical model is assumed to be unknown and only input/output data are used for controller/detector designing. The tradeoff between these objectives is established by tuning a scalar parameter and some weighting matrices. An easily implementable algorithm summarizes the methodology presented in the paper. The proposed algorithm is applied to a numerical example in order to illustrate its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

H-matrices play an important role in applied sciences such as numerical analysis and optimization theory. An attractive question is to identify whether a given matrix is an H-matrix. In this paper, we propose a new iterative algorithm for identifying H-matrices. We show that the proposed algorithm has linear convergence and can determine the H-matrix characterization for any given matrix. Its performance is illustrated in a set of numerical tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many statistical estimation procedures lead to nonconvex optimization problems. Algorithms to solve these problems are often guaranteed to output a stationary point of the optimization problem. Oracle inequalities are an important theoretical instrument to assess the statistical performance of an estimator. Oracle results have focused on the theoretical properties of the uncomputable (global) minimum or maximum. In this paper, a general framework used for convex optimization problems to derive oracle inequalities for stationary points is extended. A main new ingredient of these oracle inequalities is that they are sharp: they show closeness to the best approximation within the model plus a remainder term. We apply this framework to different estimation problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differential evolution (DE) is one of the most powerful and versatile evolutionary algorithms for efficiently solving complex real-world optimization problems in recent years. Since its introduction in 1995, the research focus in DE has mostly been on the variant side with so many new algorithms proposed based on the original DE algorithm. However, each new algorithm is only suitable for certain fitness landscapes, and, therefore, some types of optimization problems cannot be solved efficiently. To tackle this issue, this paper presents a new self-feedback DE algorithm, named the SFDE; its optimal variation strategy is selected by extracting the local fitness landscape characteristics in each generation population and combing the probability distributions of unimodality and multimodality in each local fitness landscape. The proposed algorithm is tested on a suite of 17 benchmark functions, and the experimental results demonstrated its advantages in a high search dimension in that it can ensure that the population moves to a better fitness landscape, then speeds up convergence to the global optimum, and avoids falling into local optima. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we study the stability of the minimal solutions of set optimization problems. We provide sufficient conditions for the upper and lower semicontinuity and compactness of the minimal solutions of parametric set optimization problems whose objective values are not necessarily compact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Length scale control in topology optimization is an important area of research with direct implications on numerical stability and solution manufacturability. Projection-based algorithms for continuum topology optimization have received considerable attention in recent years due to their ability to control minimum length scale in a flexible and computationally efficient manner. In this paper, we propose a new projection-based algorithm that embeds minimum length scale control on two material phases (e.g., solid and void) as well as optional maximum length scale on one material phase (e.g., solid or void) into the projection methodology used for material distribution approaches to topology optimization. The proposed algorithms are demonstrated on benchmark problems and are shown to satisfy the length scale constraints imposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-wide oscillation detection is an important task in the maintenance of large-scale industrial control systems, owing to the fact that in an interactive multi-loop environment oscillation generated in one loop may propagate to the different parts of the plant. In such a scenario, it is required that different loops oscillating due to a common cause and hence similar frequency may be grouped together. In this paper an adaptive method for plant-wide oscillation detection based on multivariate empirical mode decomposition (MEMD) along with a grouping algorithm is proposed. The method can identify multiple oscillation groups among different variables as well as variables with random noise only. The proposed method is also applicable to both non-linear and non-stationary time series where the techniques based on the conventional Fourier analysis are prone to errors. Within each group that oscillate due to a common cause, the method can also indicate the location of the probable root cause of oscillations. The efficacy of the proposed method is established with the help of both simulation and industrial case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A typical interpolation strategy for line segments consists of a transition scheme, a Look-ahead ACC/DEC scheduling, and an interpolation algorithm. In these three parts, the main computation occurs in the first and second part. Some research work has been carried out to decrease the computation in the previous literatures, but these methods occupy a lot of computing resources for the optimization process during the calculation of transition curve parameters and feed rates. Consequently, the computational efficiency of interpolation strategy is greatly reduced. To deal with the issue, a real-time interpolation strategy is proposed in this paper. In the transition scheme, a Bézier curve is utilized to smooth the line segments. Based on the relationship among the approximation error, the approximation radius, and the transition curve, the curve can be directly generated when the approximation error is given. In the ACC/DEC scheduling, a 3-segment feed rate profile with jerk continuity is constructed. Meanwhile, a Look-ahead planning based on Backward Scanning and Forward Revision (BSFR) algorithm is utilized to eliminate redundant computation. Compared with Zhao’s and Shi’s strategy, the proposed strategy has the merits of C2 and G2 continuity for the tool path, jerk continuity for the tool movement, and distinguished real-time performance for interpolation. The experiments of 3D pentagram and 2D butterfly are carried out with different strategies and their results demonstrate that the interpolation efficiency can be greatly improved with the proposed strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, based on a new smoothing function, the general box constrained variational inequalities are solved by a smoothing Newton algorithm with a nonmonotone line search. The proposed algorithm is proved to be globally and locally superlinearly convergent under suitable assumptions. The preliminary numerical results are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper, we consider the bioprocess system optimal control problem. Generally speaking, it is very difficult to solve this problem analytically. To obtain the numerical solution, the problem is transformed into a parameter optimization problem with some variable bounds, which can be efficiently solved using any conventional optimization algorithms, e.g. the improved Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno algorithm. However, in spite of the improved Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno algorithm is very efficient for local search, the solution obtained is usually a local extremum for non-convex optimal control problems. In order to escape from the local extremum, we develop a novel stochastic search method. By performing a large amount of numerical experiments, we find that the novel stochastic search method is excellent in exploration, while bad in exploitation. In order to improve the exploitation, we propose a hybrid numerical optimization algorithm to solve the problem based on the novel stochastic search method and the improved Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno algorithm. Convergence results indicate that any global optimal solution of the approximate problem is also a global optimal solution of the original problem. Finally, two bioprocess system optimal control problems illustrate that the hybrid numerical optimization algorithm proposed by us is low time-consuming and obtains a better cost function value than the existing approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce and analyze a general iterative algorithm for finding a common solution of a finite family of mixed equilibrium problems, a general system of generalized equilibria and a fixed point problem of nonexpansive mappings in a real Hilbert space. Under some appropriate conditions, we derive the strong convergence of the sequence generated by the proposed algorithm to a common solution, which also solves some optimization problem. The result presented in this paper improves and extends some corresponding ones in the earlier and recent literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we significantly extend the applicability of state-of-the-art ELDP (equations for linearizing discrete product terms) method by providing a new linearization to handle more complicated non-linear terms involving both of discrete and bounded continuous variables. A general class of “representable programming problems” is formally proposed for a much wider range of engineering applications. Moreover, by exploiting the logarithmic feature embedded in the discrete structure, we present an enhanced linear reformulation model which requires half an order fewer equations than the original ELDP. Computational experiments on various engineering design problems support the superior computational efficiency of the proposed linearization reformulation in solving engineering optimization problems with discrete and bounded continuous variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological sequence comparison algorithms that compute the optimal local and global alignments calculate a dynamic programming (DP) matrix with quadratic time complexity. The DP matrix H is calculated with a recurrence relation in which the value of each cell Hi,j is the result of a maximum operation on the cell's values Hi-1, j-1, Hi-1, j and Hi,j-1 added or subtracted by a constant value. Therefore, it can be noticed that the difference between the value of cell Hi,j being calculated and the values of direct neighbor cells previously computed respect well-defined upper and lower bounds. Using these bounds, we can show that it is possible to determine the maximum and the minimum value of every cell in H, for a given reference cell. We use this result to define a generic pruning method which determines the cells that can pruned (i.e. no need to be computed since they will not contribute to the final solution), accelerating the computation but keeping the guarantee that the optimal result will be produced. The goal of this paper is thus to investigate and formalize properties of the DP matrix in order to estimate and increase the pruning method efficiency. We also show that the pruning efficiency depends mainly on three characteristics: (a) the order in which the cells of H are calculated, (b) the values of the parameters used in the recurrence relation and (c) the contents of the sequences compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose an arc-search infeasible-interior-point method based on the wide neighbourhoodfor linear complementarity problems over symmetric cones with the Cartesian-property (-SCLCP). The algorithm searches the optimizers along the ellipses that approximate the central path. Moreover, we derive the complexity bound of the algorithm which coincides with the currently best known theoretical complexity bounds for the short step path-following algorithm. Some numerical results are provided to demonstrate the computational performance of the proposed algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The adaptive operator selection (AOS) and the adaptive parameter control are widely used to enhance the search power in many multiobjective evolutionary algorithms. This paper proposes a novel adaptive selection strategy with bandits for the multiobjective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (MOEA/D), named latest stored information based adaptive selection (LSIAS). An improved upper confidence bound (UCB) method is adopted in the strategy, in which the operator usage rate and abandonment of extreme fitness improvement are introduced to improve the performance of UCB. The strategy uses a sliding window to store recent valuable information about operators, such as factors, probabilities, and efficiency. Four common used DE operators are chosen with the AOS, and two kinds of assist information on operator are selected to improve the operators search power. The operator information is updated with the help of LSIAS and the resulting algorithmic combination is called MOEA/D-LSIAS. Compared to some well-known MOEA/D variants, the LSIAS demonstrates the superior robustness and fast convergence for various multiobjective optimization problems. The comparative experiments also demonstrate improved search power of operators with different assist information on different problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a primal method for finding the minimum L-infinity solution to under-determined linear systems of equations. The method is a two-phase method. Line search is performed at both phases. We establish a condition for a direction to be descent. The convergence proof of the method is shown. Expedient numerical schemes can be used whenever appropriate. Results are presented, which show the superiority of the method over some well-known methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose an iteratively reweightedminimization algorithm (IRL1 algorithm) for solving the elasticminimization problem. We prove that any sequence generated by the IRL1 algorithm is bounded and asymptotically regular. We also prove that the sequence is convergent for any rationaland the limit is a stationary point of the elasticminimization problem. Moreover, under certain conditions, we present an error bound between the limit point of convergent sequence and the sparse solution of underdetermined linear system. Numerical experiments on sparse vector recovery are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feature-driven topology optimization has been extensively studied in the past decade, and the majority of the works have treated it as the multi-component/void layout optimization problem. A major limitation of this treatment is that the number of components/voids should be defined in advance. To overcome this limitation, this paper presents a novel void feature control method, through which the specified void feature (in any geometric form) could be well-contained by each interior void in the finalized topology design, regardless of the quantity. Numerical stability of this method is discussed and an auxiliary algorithm has been developed to enhance it. Other than that, the proposed method also serves the purpose of void length scale control, which is also a hot issue in the topology optimization field. To be specific, by tailoring the specified void feature size, the void length scale is guaranteed to be larger than that. To the authors’ knowledge, the void length scale control was rarely studied under the level set framework. Through a few numerical case studies, it is proven that the void feature control method is effective while only limited compromise of the structural performance has been observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the optimal operation management of the distribution feeder reconfiguration (DFR) considering the uncertainty effects. In contrast to the conventional objective functions, this paper considers the System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) as a reliability index. Meanwhile, the total active power losses and the voltage deviation objective functions are considered as the other targets too. In order to make the analysis more practical, the uncertainty associated with the active and reactive load forecast errors are modeled in a stochastic framework based on 2 m Point Estimate Method (PEM). In the proposed stochastic optimization framework, an external memory called repository is defined to store the non-dominated solutions which are found during the optimization process. Also, a fuzzy based clustering technique is defined to keep the size of the repository within the predefined limits. Since the proposed problem is a nonlinear, discrete complex optimization problem, this paper proposes an intelligent self adaptive modified optimization algorithm based on θ-firefly algorithm to solve the optimal multi-objective stochastic DFR problem suitably. The proposed self-adaptive modification method consists of three sub-modification techniques which let each firefly choose the sub-modification method that best suits its situation adaptively. The feasibility and superiority of the proposed method is tested on a standard IEEE test system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is a population based algorithm for solving global optimization problems. Owing to its efficiency and simplicity, PSO has attracted many researchers' attention and developed many variants. Orthogonal learning particle swarm optimization (OLPSO) is proposed as a new variant of PSO that relies on a new learning strategy called orthogonal learning strategy. The OLPSO differs in the utilization of the information of experience from the standard PSO, in which each particle utilizes its historical best experience and globally best experience through linear summation. In OLPSO, particles can fly in better directions by constructing an efficient exemplar through orthogonal experimental design. However, the global version based orthogonal learning PSO (OLPSO-G) still have some drawbacks in solving some complex multimodal function optimization. In this paper, we proposed a quadratic interpolation based OLPSO-G (QIOLPSO-G), in which, a quadratic interpolation based construction strategy for the personal historical best experience is applied. Meanwhile, opposition-based learning, and Gaussian mutation are also introduced into this paper to increase the diversity of the population and discourage the premature convergence. Experiments are conducted on 16 benchmark problems to validate the effectiveness of the QIOLPSO-G, and comparisons are made with four typical PSO algorithms. The results show that the introduction of the three strategies does enhance the effectiveness of the algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium is an integral part of water, and its excessive amount in drinking water causes high blood pressure and hypertension. In the present paper, spatial distribution of sodium concentration in drinking water is modeled and optimized sampling designs for selecting sampling locations is calculated for three divisions in Punjab, Pakistan. Universal kriging and Bayesian universal kriging are used to predict the sodium concentrations. Spatial simulated annealing is used to generate optimized sampling designs. Different estimation methods (i.e., maximum likelihood, restricted maximum likelihood, ordinary least squares, and weighted least squares) are used to estimate the parameters of the variogram model (i.e, exponential, Gaussian, spherical and cubic). It is concluded that Bayesian universal kriging fits better than universal kriging. It is also observed that the universal kriging predictor provides minimum mean universal kriging variance for both adding and deleting locations during sampling design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an efficient algorithm for solving a balanced regularization problem in the frame-based image restoration. The balanced regularization is usually formulated as a minimization problem, involving an \ell2 data-fidelity term, an \ell1 regularizer on sparsity of frame coefficients, and a penalty on distance of sparse frame coefficients to the range of the frame operator. In image restoration, the balanced regularization approach bridges the synthesis-based and analysis-based approaches, and balances the fidelity, sparsity, and smoothness of the solution. Our proposed algorithm for solving the balanced optimal problem is based on a variable splitting strategy and the classical alternating direction method. This paper shows that the proposed algorithm is fast and efficient in solving the standard image restoration with balanced regularization. More precisely, a regularized version of the Hessian matrix of the \ell2 data-fidelity term is involved, and by exploiting the related fast tight Parseval frame and the special structures of the observation matrices, the regularized Hessian matrix can perform quite efficiently for the frame-based standard image restoration applications, such as circular deconvolution in image deblurring and missing samples in image inpainting. Numerical simulations illustrate the efficiency of our proposed algorithm in the frame-based image restoration with balanced regularization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to present a theoretic and numerical study of utilizing squeezing and phase shift in coherent feedback control of linear quantum optical systems. A quadrature representation with built-in phase shifters is proposed for such systems. Fundamental structural characterizations of linear quantum optical systems are derived in terms of the new quadrature representation. These results reveal considerable insights into the issue of the physical realizability of such quantum systems. The problem of coherent quantum linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) feedback control studied in H. I. Nurdin, M. R. James, and I. R. Petersen, Automatica, IFAC, 45 (2009), pp. 1837-1846; G. Zhang and M. R. James, IEEE Trans. Automat. Control, 56 (2011), pp. 1535-1550 is reinvestigated in depth. First, the optimization methods in these papers are extended to a multistep optimization algorithm which utilizes ideal squeezers. Second, a two-stage optimization approach is proposed on the basis of controller parametrization. Numerical studies show that closed-loop systems designed via the second approach may offer LQG control performance even better than that when the closed-loop systems are in the vacuum state. When ideal squeezers in a closed-loop system are replaced by (more realistic) degenerate parametric amplifiers, a sufficient condition is derived for the asymptotic stability of the resultant new closed-loop system; the issue of performance convergence is also discussed in the LQG control setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes iterative methods for solving the general linear matrix equation including the well-known Lyapunov matrix equation, Sylvester matrix equation and some related matrix equations encountered in control system theory, as special cases. We develop the methods from the optimization point of view in the sense that the iterative algorithms are constructed to solve some optimization problems whose solutions are closely related to the unique solution to the linear matrix equation. Actually, two optimization problems are considered and, therefore, two iterative algorithms are proposed to solve the linear matrix equation. To solve the two optimization problems, the steepest descent method is adopted. By means of the so-called weighted inner product that is defined and studied in this paper, the convergence properties of the algorithms are analysed. It is shown that the algorithms converge at least linearly for arbitrary initial conditions. The proposed approaches are expected to be numerically reliable as only matrix manipulation is required. Numerical examples show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY In this paper, we introduce the so-called symplectic discrete singular convolution differentiator (SDSCD) method for structure-preserving modelling of elastic waves. In the method presented, physical space is discretized by the DSCD, whereas an explicit third-order symplectic scheme is used for the time discretization. This approach uses optimization and truncation to form a localized operator. This preserves the fine structure of the wavefield in complex media and avoids non-causal interaction when parameter discontinuities are present in the medium. Theoretically, the approach presented is a structure-preserving algorithm. Also, some numerical experiments are shown in this paper. Elastic wavefield modelling experiments on a laterally heterogeneous medium with high parameter contrasts demonstrate the superior performance of the SDSCD for suppression of numerical dispersion. Long-term computational experiments exhibit the remarkable capability of the approach presented for long-time simulations. Promising numerical results suggest the SDSCD is suitable for high-precision and long-time numerical simulations, as it has structure-preserving property and it can suppress effectively numerical dispersion when coarse grids are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we try to solve the semidefinite program with box constraints. Since the traditional projection method for constrained optimization with box constraints is not suitable to the semidefinite constraints, we present a new algorithm based on the feasible direction method. In the paper, we discuss two cases: the objective function in semidefinite programming is linear and nonlinear, respectively. We establish the convergence of our algorithm, and report the numerical experiments which show the effectiveness of the algorithm. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper focuses on the optimization of a linear actuator by the “output space mapping (OSM)” method. The underlying objective of this work lies in the minimization of the time required for the achievement of this optimal design. Indeed, in addition to the sole costs of optimization processes strictly speaking, the time needed for the developpement of the models is taken into account. In the context of OSM, two different finite-element models of the same actuator are used. This paper presents these modeling solutions and considers their corresponding accuracy. Results of this multi-objective optimization method are presented and compared with those obtained by the sequential simplex (SS) method based solely on the fine model. Both approaches give similar results. However, the comparison of their performances clearly shows that the OSM algorithm is an effective technique for reducing the computation time of optimization studies, even in the case of relatively simple electromagnetic structures. Hence, this approach leads to an original and effective optimization methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performance evaluation of multi-target tracking algorithms is of great practical importance in the design, parameter optimization and comparison of tracking systems. The goal of performance evaluation is to measure the distance between two sets of tracks: the ground truth tracks and the set of estimated tracks. This paper proposes a mathematically rigorous metric for this purpose. The basis of the proposed distance measure is the recently formulated consistent metric for performance evaluation of multi-target filters, referred to as the OSPA metric. Multi-target filters sequentially estimate the number of targets and their position in the state space. The OSPA metric is therefore defined on the space of finite sets of vectors. The distinction between filtering and tracking is that tracking algorithms output tracks and a track represents a labeled temporal sequence of state estimates, associated with the same target. The metric proposed in this paper is therefore defined on the space of finite sets of tracks and incorporates the labeling error. Numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed metric behaves in a manner consistent with our expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: In this paper, we investigate the optimal locations of surveillance cameras on straight lanes. As known, inappropriate settings of surveillance cameras will result in some dead angles and dead space, and oversetting of surveillance cameras will waste limited resources. The considered location problem aims to minimize the maximal detection failure probability of points on straight lane subject to a limited budget. The problem is an important and complex location problem in practice. The purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly, exact closed forms of optimal locations of single-type surveillance cameras are derived. Secondly, we apply a PSO algorithm for solving the types and locations of multiple-type surveillance cameras. Numerical results are reported and compared with those by well known software LINGO. Limited numerical results show the effectiveness of PSO especially when the budget is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, a new fault prediction model is presented to deal with the fault prediction problems in the presence of both quantitative and qualitative data based on the dynamic evidential reasoning (DER) approach. In engineering practice, system performance is constantly changed with time. As such, there is a need to develop a supporting mechanism that can be used to conduct dynamic fusion with time, and establish a prediction model to trace and predict system performance. In this paper, a DER approach is first developed to realize dynamic fusion. The new approach takes account of time effect by introducing belief decaying factor, which reflects the nature that evidence credibility is decreasing over time. Theoretically, it is show that the new DER aggregation schemes also satisfy the synthesis theorems. Then a fault prediction model based on the DER approach is established and several optimization models are developed for locally training the DER prediction model. The main feature of these optimization models is that only partial input and output information is required, which can be either incomplete or vague, either numerical or judgmental, or mixed. The models can be used to fine tune the DER prediction model whose initial parameters are decided by expert’s knowledge or common sense. Finally, two numerical examples are provided to illustrate the detailed implementation procedures of the proposed approach and demonstrate its potential applications in fault prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with computation of the capacity region of the discrete memoryless multiple-access channel (MAC), which is equivalent to solving a difficult nonconvex optimization problem. In the literature, it is claimed that for elementary MACs, i.e., MACs for which the size of output alphabet is greater or equal to the sizes of all input alphabets, the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker conditions provide a necessary and sufficient condition for sum-rate optimality. In this paper, we demonstrate that this claim does not hold, even for two-user channels with binary input and binary output alphabets. Consequently, the capacity computation problem for the discrete MAC remains an interesting and mostly unsolved problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to utilize an evolutionary algorithm as an optimization technique to solve design optimization of a pivoted-pad journal bearing performance characteristics considering objective functions which are contradictory to each other. These functions include fluid film thickness, film temperature, and power loss along with design variables vector, which consists of pad axial length to journal diameter ratio, pad arc length, bearing radial clearance, pad offset factor, and pad preload factor. Design/methodology/approach - In order to improve performance characteristics of the pivoted-pad journal bearing, the genetic algorithm (GA) was employed and the modeling of the bearing was represented with the finite element method. Also, a numerical method, global criterion, was conducted to validate the efficiency and applicability of the proposed method. Findings - This paper utilizes the GA to solve multi-objective optimization of the pivoted-pad journal bearing performance governed by design variables such as pad axial length to journal diameter ratio, pad arc length, bearing radial clearance, pad offset factor, and pad preload factor for a range of rotational speed. The global criterion method (GCM) proves that the proposed method is very efficient and useful for the optimal design of the pivoted-pad journal bearings. An acceptable results agreement between the GA and the GCM has been obtained. The GA is well suited to find the optimum solutions with a high probability since it starts with an initial set of solutions rather than a single solution. The GA explores different areas of search space in parallel and, it is good at exploitation. Originality/value - With the help of the proposed method, it will be possible to have an idea about bearing geometric parameters on a more rational basis, and to better predict the dynamic performance of rotor systems supported on the pivoted-pad journal bearings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the tight enclosure of matrix multiplication AB for two floating-point matrices A and B. The aim of this paper is to compute component-wise upper and lower bounds of the exact result C of the matrix multiplication AB by floating-point arithmetic. Namely, an interval matrix enclosing C is obtained. In this paper, new algorithms for enclosing C are proposed. The proposed algorithms are designed to mainly exploit the level 3 operations in BLAS. Although the proposed algorithms take around twice as much costs as a standard algorithm promoted by Oishi and Rump, the accuracy of the result by the proposed algorithms is better than that of the standard algorithm. At the end of this paper, we present numerical examples showing the efficiency of the proposed algorithms. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we propose a probabilistic approach to represent interval data for input variables in reliability and uncertainty analysis problems, using flexible families of continuous Johnson distributions. Such a probabilistic representation of interval data facilitates a unified framework for handling aleatory and epistemic uncertainty. For fitting probability distributions, methods such as moment matching are commonly used in the literature. However, unlike point data where single estimates for the moments of data can be calculated, moments of interval data can only be computed in terms of upper and lower bounds. Finding bounds on the moments of interval data has been generally considered an NP-hard problem because it includes a search among the combinations of multiple values of the variables, including interval endpoints. In this paper, we present efficient algorithms based on continuous optimization to find the bounds on second and higher moments of interval data. With numerical examples, we show that the proposed bounding algorithms are scalable in polynomial time with respect to increasing number of intervals. Using the bounds on moments computed using the proposed approach, we fit a family of Johnson distributions to interval data. Furthermore, using an optimization approach based on percentiles, we find the bounding envelopes of the family of distributions, termed as a Johnson p-box. The idea of bounding envelopes for the family of Johnson distributions is analogous to the notion of empirical p-box in the literature. Several sets of interval data with different numbers of intervals and type of overlap are presented to demonstrate the proposed methods. As against the computationally expensive nested analysis that is typically required in the presence of interval variables, the proposed probabilistic representation enables inexpensive optimization-based strategies to estimate bounds on an output quantity of interest. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Evolutionary Structural Optimization (ESO) andits later version bi-directional ESO (BESO) have gainedwidespread popularity among researchers in structural optimizationand practitioners in engineering and architecture.However, there have also been many critical comments onvarious aspects of ESO/BESO. To address those criticisms,we have carried out extensive work to improve the originalESO/BESO algorithms in recent years. This paper summarizeslatest developments in BESO for stiffness optimizationproblems and compares BESO with other well-establishedoptimization methods. Through a series of numerical examples,this paper provides answers to those critical commentsand shows the validity and effectiveness of the evolutionarystructural optimization method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper deals with the use of reduced models for solving some optimal control problems. More precisely, the reduced model is obtained through the modal identification method. The test case which the algorithms is tested on is based on the flow over a backward-facing step. Though the reduction for the velocity fields for different Reynolds numbers is treated elsewhere , only the convection–diffusion equation for the energy problem is treated here. The model reduction is obtained through the solution of a gradient-type optimization problem where the objective function gradient is computed through the adjoint-state method. The obtained reduced models are validated before being coupled to optimal control algorithms. In this paper the feedback optimal control problem is considered. A Riccati equation is solved along with the Kalman gain equation. Additionally, a Kalman filter is performed to reconstruct the reduced state through previous and actual measurements. The numerical test case shows the ability of the proposed approach to control systems through the use of reduced models obtained by the modal identification method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In any machining fixture, the workpiece elastic deformation caused during machining influences the dimensional and form errors of the workpiece. Placing each locator and clamp in an optimal place can minimize the elastic deformation of the workpiece, which in turn minimizes the dimensional and form errors of the workpiece. Design of fixture configuration (layout) is a procedure to establish the workpiece–fixture contact through optimal positioning of clamping and locating elements. In this paper, an ant colony algorithm (ACA) based discrete and continuous optimization methods are applied for optimizing the machining fixture layout so that the workpiece elastic deformation is minimized. The finite element method (FEM) is used for determining the dynamic response of the workpiece caused due to machining and clamping forces. The dynamic response of the workpiece is simulated for all ACA runs. This paper proves that the ACA-based continuous fixture layout optimization method exhibits the better results than that of ACA-based discrete fixture layout optimization method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents a systematic method for the determination of optimal geometric machining parameters in multi-axis machining. Machining accuracy is considered to be determined by a set of geometric parameters: the design parameters of the cutter, the positioning of the cutter, the orientation of the cutter etc. First, we formulate the general nonlinear constrained optimization model of the machining process. The optimal machining result is expected to produce the least deviation between the designed surface and the actual surface. This objective is accomplished by minimizing the deviation between the designed surface and the actual surface during machining. The details of how to characterize and calculate the deviation is then discussed for both ruled surface milling and general free-form surface milling. The swept surface is developed based on robotic manipulation and is used to model the actual surface. A signed distance function is constructed to perform the comparison which returns the signed distance from each sampled point to the designed surface. The direct search algorithm (Nelder–Mead simplex algorithm and pattern search algorithm in this paper) is used to solve our optimization problems due to possible discontinuity of the objective function and large nonlinearity of the problem. Three numerical examples and necessary comparisons are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of our method. The first example shows the generation of the swept volume of a filled-end cutter. The second example employs the swept surface generation method to solve a parameter optimization problem. Sensitivity analysis is performed for the parameters critical to machining accuracy. The third example optimizes the cutter orientation relative to the part surface to minimize the kinematics error caused by kinematics transformation and interpolation of multi-axis machines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper discusses portfolio selection problem in fuzzy environment. In the paper, security returns are regarded as fuzzy variables. Based on credibility measure and the expected value operator and variance operator based on credibility, two new types of fuzzy mean-variance models are proposed. A hybrid intelligent algorithm is provided to give a general solution of the optimization problems. Numerical examples are also presented to illustrate the optimization idea and the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses several versions of the method of shortest residuals, a specific variant of the conjugate gradient algorithm, first introduced by Lemaréchal and Wolfe and discussed by Hestenes in a quadratic case. In the paper we analyze the global convergence of the versions considered. Numerical comparison of these versions of the method of shortest residuals and an implementation of a standard Polak–Ribière conjugate gradient algorithm is also provided. It supports the claim that the method of shortest residuals is a viable technique, competitive to other conjugate gradient algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]