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This document is an editorial for a special issue of the journal AIMS Mathematics on the topic of discrete optimization. The issue includes 21 papers covering a range of subjects, including molecular trees, network systems, variational inequality problems, scheduling, image restoration, spectral clustering, integral equations, convex functions, graph products, optimization algorithms, air quality prediction, humanitarian planning, inertial methods, neural networks, transportation problems, emotion identification, fixed-point problems, structural engineering design, single machine scheduling, and ensemble learning. The papers present new theoretical results, algorithms, and applications in these areas. The guest editor expresses gratitude to the journal staff and reviewers and hopes that readers will find inspiration for their own research. [Extracted from the article]

In this work, an improved moth-flame optimization algorithm is proposed to alleviate the problems of premature convergence and convergence to local minima. From the perspective of diversity, an inertia weight of diversity feedback control is introduced in the moth-flame optimization to balance the algorithm's exploitation and global search abilities. Furthermore, a small probability mutation after the position update stage is added to improve the optimization performance. The performance of the proposed algorithm is extensively evaluated on a suite of CEC'2014 series benchmark functions and four constrained engineering optimization problems. The results of the proposed algorithm are compared with the ones of other improved algorithms presented in literatures. It is observed that the proposed method has a superior performance to improve the convergence ability of the algorithm. In addition, the proposed algorithm assists in escaping the local minima. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document discusses the importance of optimization in various fields such as statistics, biology, finance, economics, and control. It highlights the advancements made in optimization theory and methods, including first-order methods and augmented Lagrangian methods. The document also introduces a special issue on "Symmetry in Optimization Theory, Algorithms and Applications," which features five papers on topics such as ensemble learning, ant colony system algorithms, subspace algorithms, consensus problems in multi-agent systems, and dynamic conditional correlation models. The authors express their gratitude to the contributors and reviewers of the special issue. [Extracted from the article]

Economic Dispatch Problems (EDP) refer to the process of determining the power output of generation units such that the electricity demand of the system is satisfied at a minimum cost while technical and operational constraints of the system are satisfied. This procedure is vital in the efficient energy management of electricity networks since it can ensure the reliable and efficient operation of power systems. As power systems transition from conventional to modern ones, new components and constraints are introduced to power systems, making the EDP increasingly complex. This highlights the importance of developing advanced optimization techniques that can efficiently handle these new complexities to ensure optimal operation and cost-effectiveness of power systems. This review paper provides a comprehensive exploration of the EDP, encompassing its mathematical formulation and the examination of commonly used problem formulation techniques, including single and multi-objective optimization methods. It also explores the progression of paradigms in economic dispatch, tracing the journey from traditional methods to contemporary strategies in power system management. The paper categorizes the commonly utilized techniques for solving EDP into four groups: conventional mathematical approaches, uncertainty modelling methods, artificial intelligence-driven techniques, and hybrid algorithms. It identifies critical research gaps, a predominant focus on single-case studies that limit the generalizability of findings, and the challenge of comparing research due to arbitrary system choices and formulation variations. The present paper calls for the implementation of standardized evaluation criteria and the inclusion of a diverse range of case studies to enhance the practicality of optimization techniques in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The recent research trend has highlighted that multiple stakeholders are involved during requirement gathering in agile software development. Hence, leading to an increased number of duplicate user stories in agile product backlog during requirement gathering. Objective: The objective of this paper is to evaluate the existing techniques employed in identifying and eliminating the duplicate user stories from agile product backlog and to overcome the existing gaps with the help of a newly proposed clustering algorithm. Method: An agile user story is expressed as a function of input and output parameters. That said multiple user stories having similar set of input parameters are most likely to be duplicate causing a redundancy. The newly proposed algorithm is used for clustering user stories having similar set of input parameters through various iterations and then removing the identified duplicate user stories from agile product backlog. This paper also introduces the concept of mass clustering which means clustering a number of user stories in single run. Results: Experimental results prove the proposed model is capable of handling small and large releases ranging between 100 to 1000 user stories with similar efficiency. The proposed clustering algorithm outperformed the clustering algorithms and resulted in 37% decrease in agile product backlog by eliminating duplicate user stories causing redundancy. The experimental results are obtained from the logs of the MATLAB tool. However, the provided algorithm is generic in nature and can be implemented using R, Python or SAS programming tools. The provided algorithms employs proven matrix operations. Conclusion: The proposed clustering algorithm overcomes the limitation of existing user story management methods and clearly out performs when compared with other clustering algorithms. Finally, this paper gives recommendations about the usage of the provided clustering algorithm during agile release planning for eliminating duplicate user stories from agile product backlog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we define a new area-type filter algorithm based on the trust-region method. A relaxed trust-region quadratic correction subproblem is proposed to compute the trial direction at the current point. Consider the objective function and the constraint violation function at the current point as a point pair. We divide the point pairs into different partitions by the dominant region of the filter and calculate the contributions of the point pairs to the area of the filter separately. Different from the conventional filter, we define the contribution as the filter acceptance criterion for the trial point. The nonmonotone area-average form is also adopted in the filter mechanism. In this paper, monotone and nonmonotone methods are proposed and compared with the numerical values. Furthermore, the algorithm is proved to be convergent under some reasonable assumptions. The numerical experiment shows the effectiveness of the algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an efficient method to improve the far-field radiation pattern of concentric circular antenna array (CCAA) design using two stochastic optimization algorithms known as social spider algorithm (SSA) and modified social spider algorithm (MSSA). Low side lobe level (SLL) plays a crucial role in reducing the interference with the other frequency components along the entire side lobes of the far-field radiation pattern. SSA and MSAA are the state-of-the-art evolutionary optimization techniques which are applied here to determine the optimal current amplitude and the inter-element distance between two consecutive antennae of the 3-ring CCAA. In this paper, the optimal results achieved by using SSA, MSSA for (4, 6, 8) elements and (8, 10, 12) elements 3-ring CCAAs, with and without centre elements are reported. The results achieved by employing SSA and MSSA show a considerable improvement in SLL reduction as compared to the uniform and the other array patterns reported in the state-of-the-art literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the autonomy and intelligence of group animation behavior, this paper proposes a particle swarm optimization algorithm for automatic control of group animation behavior. After the user inputs the group animation behavior construction target, the individual path is planned according to the fixed behavior rules, and the particle swarm optimization algorithm and the improved artificial fish swarm optimization algorithm are used to select the optimal action for the individual in the group animation according to the top-down control process. The experimental results show that after the PSO converges to the global optimal solution, the evolution times of the PSO converge to the global optimal solution again when the surrounding environment changes 10 times. The population diversity of particle swarm optimization algorithm is obviously better than those of the other two algorithms in the process of automatically controlling the movement of individuals to the circle and to the stand in the crowd animation. Compared with the original algorithm AFSA, the improved artificial fish swarm algorithm proposed in this paper is easier to obtain the global optimal value, and the optimization speed is also improved. In conclusion, the example analysis verifies that the algorithm can effectively realize the automatic control of group animation behavior and has high convergence speed and high autonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the theory and application, this paper discusses the optimization of art image segmentation algorithm based on FFNN (Feed Forward Neural Network). In this paper, residual units are used in the corresponding stages of encoder and decoder, and feature information of several convolution layers in each convolution stage of encoder is extracted at the same time. And the feature pyramid module is used to extract multiscale features from the feature map of the last convolution stage in the encoder. Finally, pixel by pixel additions combine the previously mentioned feature information into the corresponding layer of the decoder. Additionally, an improved weight adaptive algorithm based on feature preservation is suggested in this paper, which addresses the issue that the conventional image segmentation algorithm is noise-sensitive. The adaptive connection weight mechanism is also introduced. The accuracy and recall rates of this optimization algorithm can both reach 96.574%, according to the results of 50% cross-validation. All the segmentation performance evaluation indexes of this algorithm are higher than the existing main algorithms. Moreover, the algorithm takes a short time, does not need too much manual intervention, and can effectively segment artistic images. The optimization algorithm in this paper has certain reference significance for the related research of artistic image segmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a parameter coordination optimization design of a power system stabilizer (PSS) based on an improved quasi-affine transformation evolutionary (QUATRE) algorithm to suppress low-frequency oscillation and improve the dynamic stability of power systems. To begin, the simulated annealing (SA) algorithm randomly updates the globally optimal solution of each QUATRE iteration and matches the inferior solution with a certain probability to escape the local extreme point. This new algorithm is first applied to the power system. Since the damping ratio is one of the criteria with which to measure the dynamic stability of the power system, this paper sets the objective function according to the principle of maximization of the damping coefficient of the electromechanical mode, and uses SA-QUATRE to search a group of global optimal PSS parameter combinations to improve the safety factor of the system as much as possible. Finally, the method's rationality and validity were validated by applying it to the simulation examples of the IEEE 4-machine 2-area system with different operation states. The comparison with the traditional optimization algorithm shows that the proposed method has more advantages for multi-machine PSS parameter coordination optimization, can restrain the low-frequency oscillation of the power system more effectively and can enhance the system's stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As is well known that the global optimization ability of the Fruit fly Optimization Algorithm (FOA)is weak because it is easy to fall into local optimum. In this paper, a Fruit Fly Optimization Algorithm based on Locality Sensitive Hashing-aware (LSHFOA)was proposed. The locality sensitive hashing mechanism to optimize the generation mechanism for swarm population individuals was used, which can improve the individual diversity of the population. Meanwhile, when the fruit fly population falls into the local optimum, the locality sensitive hashing mechanism was adopted to change the population location, which is used for jumping out of local optimal limits. To verify the performance of LSHFOA, it was compared with FOA and its improvement algorithms CFOA, and IFFO with 8 representative benchmark functions. A large number of experimental results showed that LSHFOA has a faster convergence speed and higher precision of optimization for function optimization, especially in high-dimensional multi-peak functions. In addition to the theoretical evaluation, we also evaluate its performance in a real-world scenario. Generally, an edge computing environment, as an extension of cloud computing, can allow the users to access the network in a low-latency manner. In this way, to capture the high-speed convergence advantage, this paper makes the first attempt to tackle a classic research problem in the edge computing environment, i.e., the edge server placement problem. The experimental results show that the new algorithm has an excellent application effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entropy-regularized quadratic optimization problems are a special class of optimization problems with wide applications in various fields, such as transportation and machine learning. In this paper, we apply the augmented Lagrangian method to this problem with its subproblem solved by the block coordinate descent method. Under certain mild conditions, we analyze the global convergence of this algorithm. Numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of this algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the gradual emergence of customized manufacturing, intelligent manufacturing systems have experienced widespread adoption, leading to a surge in research interests in the associated problem of intelligent scheduling. In this paper, we study the flexible job shop scheduling problem (FJSP) with setup time, handling time, and processing time in a multi-equipment work center production environment oriented toward smart manufacturing and make-to-order requirements. A mathematical model with the optimization objectives of minimizing the maximum completion time, the total number of machine adjustments, the total number of workpieces handled and the total load of the machine is constructed, and an improved discrete particle swarm algorithm based on Pareto optimization and a nonlinear adaptive inertia weighting strategy is proposed to solve the model. By integrating the model characteristics and algorithm features, a hybrid initialization method is designed to generate a higher-quality initialized population. Next, three cross-variance operators are used to implement particle position updates to maintain information sharing among particles. Then, the performance effectiveness of this algorithm is verified by testing and analyzing 15 FJSP test instances. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the designed algorithm for solving multi-objective FJSPs are verified by designing an FJSP test example that includes processing time, setup time and handling time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mathematical side of applied problems in multiple subject areas (biology, pattern recognition, etc.) is reduced to the problem of discrete optimization in the following mathematical method. We were provided a network and graphs in its leaves, for which we needed to find a rearrangement of graphs by non-leaf nodes, in which the given functional reached its minimum. Such a problem, even in the simplest case, is NP-hard, which means unavoidable restrictions on the network, on graphs, or on the functional. In this publication, this problem is addressed in the case of all graphs being so-called "structures", meaning directed-loaded graphs consisting of paths and cycles, and the functional as the sum (over all edges in the network) of distances between structures at the endpoints of every edge. The distance itself is equal to the minimal length of sequence from the fixed list of operations, the composition of which transforms the structure at one endpoint of the edge into the structure at its other endpoint. The list of operations (and their costs) on such a graph is fixed. Under these conditions, the given discrete optimization problem is called the reconstruction problem. This paper presents novel algorithms for solving the reconstruction problem, along with full proofs of their low error and low polynomial complexity. For example, for the network, the problem is solved with a zero error algorithm that has a linear polynomial computational complexity; and for the tree the problem is solved using an algorithm with a multiplicative error of at most two, which has a second order polynomial computational complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the existing protein recognition methods have improved the recognition accuracy of key proteins to a certain extent, they have ignored the biological features of the proteins. In view of this shortcoming, this paper constructed a high-order dynamic complex protein network for key protein recognition. At first, this paper presented a method for feature selection and candidate set evaluation of complex protein network; a weighted network was constructed based on the obtained topological features of the complex protein network and the semantic similarity of protein gene ontology annotations. Then, this paper proposed an algorithm for recognizing key proteins in high-order dynamic protein network based on a Fruit fly optimization algorithm. At last, the effectiveness of the proposed model was verified by experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multiverse optimizer (MVO) is one of the most trending algorithms used nowadays. The searching space in MVO is restricted by the best solution only, leading to a poor searching domain, therefore, a long searching time. This paper proposes an improved multiobjective multi-verse optimizer (IMOMVO) as a novel population optimization technique to solve task scheduling problems. The IMOMVO is introduced to overcome the drawbacks risen in the original MVO and its latest enhanced version mMVO. The proposed method solves the problem of the average positioning (AP) by dynamically enhancing the equation of updating the AP based on the best and the second-best available solutions. To evaluate The proposed IMOMVO, several datasets scenarios containing various tasks and virtual machines (Vms) were used to test the approach's capability. Standard evaluation metrics are used to validate the results of the proposed method; task execution time, throughput, and the Vms processing power. The proposed method obtained better results according to the evaluation measures than other state-of-the-art methods. The execution time achieves less time when compared to the mMVO as the proposed method achieved 186.33 s for executing 100 tasks and 934.92 for executing 600 tasks. The throughput results also achieved astonishing results as for 100 tasks, the throughput achieved 0.19, and the Vm processing power for the proposed method was 0.25 Kw for executing 100 tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a trend to deploy neural network on edge devices in recent years. While the mainstream of research often concerns with single edge device processing and edge-cloud two-layer neural network collaborative computing, in this paper, we propose partitioning multi-layer edge network for neural network collaborative computing. With the proposed method, sub-models of neural network are deployed on multi-layer edge devices along the communication path from end users to cloud. Firstly, we propose an optimal path selection method to form a neural network collaborative computing path with lowest communication overhead. Secondly, we establish a time-delay optimization mathematical model to evaluate the effects of different partitioning solutions. To find the optimal partition solution, an ordered elitist genetic algorithm (OEGA) is proposed. The experimental results show that, compared with traditional cloud computing, single-device edge computing and edge-cloud collaborative computing, the proposed multi-layer edge network collaborative computing has a smaller runtime delay with limited bandwidth resources, and because of the pipeline computing characteristics, the proposed method has a better response speed when processing large number of requests. Meanwhile, the OEGA algorithm has better performance than conventional methods, and the optimized partitioning method outperforms other methods like random and evenly partition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the effect of agricultural machinery task scheduling, this paper starts from the perspective of multiobjective optimization to achieve task scheduling based on multiobjective particle swarm optimization algorithm. The position of each particle is a combination of resource options for each construction activity, and the displacement range and speed range of the particles are determined. Moreover, this paper uses the method of introducing an external storage library to store the current noninferior solutions and uses the adaptive grid method and the roulette selection method to select the global optimal solution of the particles. In addition, this paper proposes a task scheduling algorithm suitable for modern agricultural machinery based on the actual needs of current agricultural machinery task scheduling. The experimental results show that the agricultural machinery task scheduling algorithm based on multiobjective optimization proposed in this paper has a good agricultural machinery task scheduling effect and meets the basic purpose of optimizing the algorithm in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, develop image encryption algorithm based on a chaotic bit-plane decomposition and optimization algorithm of a War Optimization Algorithm (WOA). Initially, utilization of SHA-256 hash algorithm for computing the plaintext images hash parameter as initial parameter of the fractional Lorenz hyperchaotic system after the process. Use the chaotic sequence for permuting plaintext image in a bit plane to achieve the scrambled images. After that, block the scrambles image into four sub images of similar size and count the hash parameter of every row of every block through the SHA-256 hash algorithm as the initial parameter of the Sine-Tent Logistic chaotic system. Utilize the achieved chaotic sequence to substitute the images. After that, the four sub-block images to get the last encrypted image and the population can be achieved. At last, utilization information entropy of ciphertext images as the fitness function of WOA. Choose the ciphertext image with the optimal information entropy of ciphertext images as the fitness function of the WOA. Select the ciphertext image with the best information entropy from the population as the optimal encrypted image, and then, return the position value of the best war source meanwhile. The proposed method is implemented in MATLAB and performance is analyzed with performance metrices. The proposed method is compared with the conventional techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Multi‐user multiple‐input multiple‐output (MU‐MIMO) system has the capability of delivering optimal system capacity that provides the simultaneous service to a large number of users using dirty paper coding (DPC) scheme. However, the DPC scheme is quite difficult to be implemented in the real‐time scenario as the computational complexity is very high and the process cannot be accomplished within the duration of few coherence periods. In this paper, we have adopted a newly developed binary spider monkey optimization (binary SMO) algorithm for the joint user and antenna scheduling (JUAS) problem to maximize the achievable system sum‐rate performance. It has been shown that JUAS with binary SMO achieves nearly 99% of system throughput achieved by the extensive search algorithm (ESA) using DPC. Also it is compared with binary flower pollination algorithm (binary FPA) to check which of the two gives better result. It is observed that the binary SMO in JUAS achieves a globally optimal solution quite rapidly, to remain well within the modern‐day packet data communication interval. The proposed binary SMO shows low computational complexity and computation time as compared to ESA (i.e., DPC). Also when it is compared with binary FPA, it shows quite a significant improvement in system throughput. Moreover, the effectiveness of binary SMO in the MU‐MIMO broadcasting scenario is verified through extensive simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an improved arithmetic optimization algorithm that incorporates hybrid elite pool strategies to address the limitations of the arithmetic optimization algorithm (AOA). In AOA, the linear mathematical optimization acceleration (MOA) function cannot balance global exploitation and local exploration well. Therefore, the accuracy and convergence speed of the algorithm cannot be guaranteed. To improve the performance of AOA, this paper reconstructed a nonlinear MOA function, which is expected to balance the exploitation and the exploration of AOA. Furthermore, four hybrid elite pool strategies are integrated to enhance the ability to escape local optima. The proposed algorithm inherits the fast convergence of AOA and develops the performance of escaping local optima. Numerical experiment results on benchmark functions and engineering problems show that the proposed algorithm outperforms other compared meta-heuristic algorithms in terms of convergence speed and accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the design of a dual-loop control system for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). An improved linear extended state observer (LESO) with excellent estimation capability is employed to develop an improved linear active disturbance rejection control (LADRC) suitable for PMSM speed regulation, achieving outstanding disturbance suppression in PMSM speed control. The use of an internal model control scheme to initialize the parameters of the proportional-integral- (PI-) based current controller simplifies the search space of the control system parameter optimization. An improved particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is applied to optimize the controller parameters, thereby enhancing the overall system performance. Finally, through a series of simulations and experiments, we validate that our proposed controller exhibits superior performance compared to some other control methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The convergence rate has been widely accepted as a performance measure for choosing a better metaheuristic algorithm. So, we propose a novel technique to improve the performance of the existing Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) algorithm in terms of its convergence rate. The proposed approach also prioritizes the test cases that are obtained after executing the input benchmark programs. This paper has three technical contributions. In our first contribution, we generate test cases for the input benchmark programs. Our second contribution prioritizes test cases using an improved version of the existing GWO algorithm (CGWO). Our third contribution analyzes the obtained result and compares it with state-of-the-art metaheuristic techniques. This work is validated after running the proposed model on six benchmark programs. The obtained results show that our proposed approach has achieved 48% better APFD score for the prioritized order of test cases than the non-prioritized order. We also achieved a better convergence rate, which takes around 4000 fewer iterations, when compared with the existing methods on the same platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasingly widespread application of UAV intelligence, the need for autonomous navigation and positioning is becoming more and more important. To solve the problem that UAV cannot perform localization in complex scenes, a new multi-source fusion framework factor graph optimization algorithm is used for UAV localization state estimation in this paper, which is based on IMU/GNSS/VO multi-source sensors. Based on the factor graph model and the iSAM incremental inference algorithm, a multi-source fusion model of IMU/GNSS/VO is established, including the IMU pre-integration factor, IMU bias factor, GNSS factor, and VO factor. Mathematical simulations and validations on the EuRoC dataset show that, when the selected sliding window size is 30, the factor graph optimization (FGO) algorithm can not only meet the requirements of real time and accuracy at the same time, but it also achieves a plug-and-play function in the event of local sensor failures. Finally, compared with the traditional federated Kalman algorithm and the adaptive federated Kalman algorithm, the positioning accuracy of the FGO algorithm in this paper is improved by 1.5–2-fold, and can effectively improve autonomous navigation system robustness and flexibility in complex scenarios. Moreover, the multi-source fusion framework in this paper is a general algorithm framework that can satisfy other scenarios and other types of sensor combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the problem of low accuracy in the traditional FunkSVD recommendation algorithm, an improved FunkSVD algorithm (RM-FS) is proposed. RM-FS is an improvement of the traditional FunkSVD algorithm, using RMSProp, a deep learning optimization algorithm. The RM-FS algorithm can not only solve the problem of reduced accuracy of the traditional FunkSVD algorithm because of iterative oscillations but also alleviate the impact of data sparseness on the accuracy of the algorithm, achieving the effect of improving the accuracy of the traditional algorithm. The experimental results show that the RM-FS algorithm proposed in this paper effectively improves the accuracy of the recommendation algorithm, which is better than the traditional FunkSVD recommendation algorithm and other improved FunkSVD algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilevel image thresholding is a well-known technique for image segmentation. Recently, various metaheuristic methods have been proposed for the determination of the thresholds for multilevel image segmentation. These methods are mainly based on metaphors and they have high complexity and their convergences are comparably slow. In this paper, a multilevel image thresholding approach is proposed that simplifies the thresholding problem by using a simple optimization technique instead of metaphor-based algorithms. More specifically, in this paper, Chaotic enhanced Rao (CER) algorithms are developed where eight chaotic maps namely Logistic, Sine, Sinusoidal, Gauss, Circle, Chebyshev, Singer, and Tent are used. Besides, in the developed CER algorithm, the number of thresholds is determined automatically, instead of manual determination. The performances of the developed CER algorithms are evaluated based on different statistical analysis metrics namely BDE, PRI, VOI, GCE, SSIM, FSIM, RMSE, PSNR, NK, AD, SC, MD, and NAE. The experimental works and the related evaluations are carried out on the BSDS300 dataset. The obtained experimental results demonstrate that the proposed CER algorithm outperforms the compared methods based on PRI, SSIM, FSIM, PSNR, RMSE, AD, and NAE metrics. In addition, the proposed method provides better convergence regarding speed and accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficiency and the effectiveness of a machine learning (ML) model are greatly influenced by feature selection (FS), a crucial preprocessing step in machine learning that seeks out the ideal set of characteristics with the maximum accuracy possible. Due to their dominance over traditional optimization techniques, researchers are concentrating on a variety of metaheuristic (or evolutionary) algorithms and trying to suggest cutting-edge hybrid techniques to handle FS issues. The use of hybrid metaheuristic approaches for FS has thus been the subject of numerous research works. The purpose of this paper is to critically assess the existing hybrid FS approaches and to give a thorough literature review on the hybridization of different metaheuristic/evolutionary strategies that have been employed for supporting FS. This article reviews pertinent documents on hybrid frameworks that were published in the period from 2009 to 2022 and offers a thorough analysis of the used techniques, classifiers, datasets, applications, assessment metrics, and schemes of hybridization. Additionally, new open research issues and challenges are identified to pinpoint the areas that have to be further explored for additional study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many researchers witness the efficiency of decomposition-based evolutionary multi- and many-objective optimization algorithms in finding quality solutions on problems with regular Pareto front. These decomposition-based evolutionary approaches profoundly depend on aggregation methods and weight vectors. Such algorithms fail to guarantee the diversity in the population, especially when dealing with irregular Pareto front, because some of the weight vectors become ineffective during simulation. Efforts are being made over time to frequently adopt the position of weight vectors at the rate of increased computation burden, in order to achieve improved solutions. Hence an alternative mechanism has been suggested in this paper. Instead of changing the weight vector, a better treatment on environmental selection is proposed that could effectively balance both convergence and diversity in solving both multi- and many-objective optimization problems. The higher rate of performance of the proposed algorithm has been validated over the comparative permanence with six popular state-of-the-art algorithms in terms of hypervolume, complemented with winning ratio using t-test. It is concluded in the latter part of this paper that the proposed method performs better while solving test suite problems with irregular Pareto fronts. Moreover, it is more prone towards better solutions with an increase in the number of objective functions in MaOPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Test case generation and optimization is the foremost requirement of software evolution and test automation. In this paper, a bio-inspired Crow Search Algorithm (CSA) is suggested with an improved objective function to fulfill this requirement. CSA is a nature-inspired optimization method. The improved objective function combines branch distance and predicate distance to cover the critical path on the control flow graph. CSA is a search-based technique that uses heuristic information for automation testing, and CSA optimizers minimize test cases generated by satisfying the objective function. This paper focuses on generating test cases for all paths, including critical paths. The control flow graph covers the information flow among all the classes, functions, and conditional statements and provides test paths. The number of test cases examined through graph path coverage analysis. The minimum number of test paths is counted through complexity metrics using the cyclomatic complexity of the constructed graph. The proposed method is evaluated as mathematical optimization functions to validate their effectiveness in locating optimal solutions. The python codes are considered for evaluation and revealed that our approach is time-efficient and outperforms various optimization algorithms. The proposed approach achieved 100% path coverage, and the algorithm executes and gives optimum results in approximately 0.2745 seconds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous research based on offline Tamil recognition deals only with few Tamil characters since it becomes extremely complicated in distinguishing small variations in large handwritten document. The writer's complexity affects the overall formation of the characters. Such types of complexities are due to discontinuation of structures, unnecessary over loops, variation in shapes as well as irregular curves. This complex issue results in enhanced error value rate. Therefore, to conquer such issues, this paper proposes a novel approach to enhance the offline Tamil handwritten character recognition by utilizing four principal steps: pre-processing, segmentation, feature extraction and classification. For optimal segmentation of Tamil characters, this paper utilizes the Tsallis entropy approach-based atom search (TEAS) optimization algorithm. Then a Newton algorithm based deep convolution extreme learning (DELM) approach is utilized for the extraction and classification of input images. Finally, experiments are carried out for numerous Tamil handwritten recognition-based approaches. The proposed Tamil character recognition utilizes the datasets of isolated Tamil handwritten characters established by HP lab India to evaluate the efficiency of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bat algorithm is an effective swarm intelligence optimization algorithm which is widely used to solve continuous optimization problems. But it still has some limitations in search process and can't solve discrete optimization problems directly. Therefore, this paper introduces an unordered pair and proposes an unordered pair bat algorithm (UPBA) to make it more suitable for solving symmetric discrete traveling salesman problems. To verify the effectiveness of this method, the algorithm has been tested on 23 symmetric benchmarks and compared its performance with other algorithms. The results have shown that the proposed UPBA outperforms all the other alternatives significantly in most cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-first century is an era of cutting-edge technologies. From artificial intelligence to nanotechnology, modern life has gathered the pace to match up with the shrinking time and fast-moving world. Likewise, a Heterogeneous Network finds its own space in this century of inventions. Every individual, industry, and institute needs to be connected to the internet cloud. Mobile applications have changed the dynamics of every individual's life. From personal management to professional proficiency, mobile applications play an important role in almost every aspect. Numerous applications available these days demand continuous bandwidth connection. To remain always connected, there is a need for an effective handoff procedure. In this paper, we have proposed a convex optimization technique for optimizing the call drop probability, remaining energy and handoffs in heterogeneous networks. The proposed algorithm outperformed the already existing M-OPTG and M-WO algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tunicate Swarm Algorithm (TSA) is a new bio-based optimization technique that has proven not only to be able to compete with other methods but has also shown successful performance in classic design engineering problems/benchmark test problems. However, like some population-based methods, TSA tends to be trapped in local optima, converging to global optima in a long time, unbalanced exploitation/exploration, and the inability to effectively solve high-capacity engineering problems. In this paper, the M-TSA, which is a Modified version of the TSA, is proposed to overcome such problems. M-TSA was developed in three steps. The first is the new movement strategy that improves the movement of tunicates with a spiral movement, the second is the new herd strategy that improves the herd movement of tunics with the Levy movement, and the third is the consideration of the FAD effect. In this study, the efficiency and robustness of the M-TSA algorithm is tested on the CEC'17 test suite, six real-life design engineering problems, and two complex power system engineering problems. The test results were compared with other techniques reported in the literature and with the original TSA. Comparing the results from the M-TSA technique with other techniques proves the effectiveness of M-TSA with better exploration/exploitation balance and optimal solution finding. In this paper, MATLAB 2020b software is used for optimization problems simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the object of the study is determining air traffic scheduling management by optimizing mathematical models. The problem in this study is that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted air traffic, resulting in changes to regulations, travel restrictions and a decrease in passenger demand. One of the problems that must be resolved is how to organize and adapt flight schedules to current conditions by focusing on mathematical models that are used to optimize or increase the efficiency of managing flight schedules or air traffic. Mathematical models can help find ways to optimize the use of available resources, such as airport capacity, flight routes and flight frequency. The results obtained in this research are a mathematical model that specifically takes into account the variables involved in setting air traffic schedules during the COVID-19 pandemic so that capacity limits at airports and airspace are always normal. An optimization model was developed from previous research, namely the model that takes into account ground and air delays as well as the use of alternative paths and avoids deviations from the initial more accurate flight plan, which overall indicates that the maximum time and maximum distance values for each item have been optimized to achieve better values. This research has the novelty of producing a mathematical model using variables, objective functions, capacity limits, flight structure limits and variable domains, which then produces an algorithm with data input processes, determining optimization models, determining variables, determining objective functions, determining problems. The results of this model can be recommended to airlines in scheduling flights during the pandemic [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pursuit of achieving total power network observability in smart grids using Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) carries a significant promise of real-time Wide-Area Monitoring, Protection, and Control (WAMPAC). PMU applications eliminate periodical measurements, thereby increasing accuracy through a high sampling rate of the measured power systems quantities. The high costs of installation of PMUs for total power system observability presents a challenge in the implementation of PMUs. This is due to the expensive costs of PMU devices. This has led to a prominent optimal PMU placement (OPP) problem that researchers tirelessly aim to solve by ensuring a complete power network observability while using the least installed PMU devices possible. In this paper, a novel Binary Firefly Algorithm (BFA) based on the node degree centrality scores of each bus is proposed to minimize PMU installations. The BFA solves the OPP problem in consideration of the effect of Zero Injection Buses (ZIBs) under normal operation and single PMU outage (SPO). The robustness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm is tested on IEEE-approved test systems and visualized with a force-directed technique on an undirected power network graph. The proposed BFA yields the same but better optimal PMU numbers, obtained by existing meta-heuristic optimization techniques found in the literature for each of the IEEE test cases, as well as highlighting the cost–benefit of having a robust system against single PMU loss while considering the ZIB effect for an improved system measurement availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clean and renewable energy is the only way to achieve sustainable energy development, with considerable social and economic benefits. As a key technology for clean and renewable energy, it is very important to research the reliability optimization of microgrids. This paper reviews the research progress in microgrid reliability optimization. This paper first classifies and summarizes the existing research on microgrid control strategies and reliability assessment. Then, the system reliability optimization framework is summarized in terms of both microgrid systems and optimization objectives. Next, we summarize the most commonly used optimization algorithms for microgrid reliability for different microgrid systems. Finally, we provide a bibliometric analysis of the literature on the reliability research of microgrids. In addition, we propose some research challenges in the future for the reliability of microgrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of the time-cost-quality trade-off problem in construction projects has been widely recognized. Its goal is to minimize time and cost and maximize quality. In this paper, the bonus-penalty mechanism is introduced to improve the traditional time-cost model, and considering the nonlinear relationship between quality and time, a nonlinear time-cost quality model is established. Meanwhile, in order to better solve the time-cost-quality trade-off problem, a multi-objective immune wolf colony optimization algorithm has been proposed. The hybrid method combines the fast convergence of the wolf colony algorithm and the excellent diversity of the immune algorithm to improve the accuracy of the wolf colony search process. Finally, a railway construction project is taken as an example to prove the effectiveness of the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The task scheduling is one of the core problems of cloud computing and aims to assign tasks reasonably, realise the optimal scheduling strategy and improve the operating efficiency of overall cloud computing system. For the shortcomings of traditional particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm in total completion time and average completion time, a quadratic particle swarm optimisation (QPSO) algorithm is proposed. Using the proposed algorithm, people can find a scheduling result with the short total completion time of task and also ensuring the short average completion time of task. Finally, the research made a simulation experiment with Cloud Sim. Experiment results show that in the same condition setting, the algorithm proposed is superior to the traditional PSO algorithm. When the number of tasks increases, the comprehensive scheduling performance of QPSO is more than 20% higher than that of PSO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this paper is to present a new 2-stage hybrid optimization algorithm based scheme named PSO-BHA for image enhancement. A parameterized mapping function and a novel objective function are utilized in this paper to achieve the best-enhanced images. The suggested scheme combines the merits of particle swarm optimization (PSO) with the black hole algorithm (BHA) in two sequential stages to find the best parameters for the mapping function with the aid of the proposed objective function. The objective function uses contrast, edge, entropy, and universal quality index (UQI) for measuring contrast, and different improved information in the enhanced image. In the proposed scheme, PSO is applied first to adjust the tunable parameters of the mapping function and as a result, new pixel intensities are produced. Then, in the second stage, the obtained pixel intensities are again passed through the mapping function whose parameters are tuned by the use of the BHA. The suggested framework overcomes the limitations of the traditional histogram equalization (HE) based enhancement techniques in which excessive contrast enhancement and image information loss can occur. The suggested method is evaluated on several test images and compared with different state-of-the-art methods. The results indicate that the proposed framework provides superior performance to all existing methods in terms of various metrics. The proposed scheme also contributes to substantial feature enhancement and contrast boosting in the enhanced image, while retaining the natural feel of the original image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have recently been increasingly popular in various areas, fields, and applications. Military, disaster management, rescue operations, public services, agriculture, and various other areas are examples. As a result, UAV path planning is concerned with determining the optimal path from the source to the destination while avoiding collisions with lowering the cost of time, energy, and other resources. This review aims to assort academic studies on the path planning optimization in UAV using meta-heuristic algorithms, summarize the results of each optimization algorithm, and extend the understanding of the current state of the path planning in UAV in the meta-heuristic optimization field. For this purpose, we implemented a broad, automated search using Boolean and snowballing searching methods to find academic works on path planning in UAVs. Studies and papers have been distinguished, and the following information was obtained and aggregated from each article: authors, publication's year, the journal name or the conference name, proposed algorithms, the aim of the study, the outcome, and the quality of each study. According to the findings, the meta-heuristic algorithm is a standard optimization method for tackling single and multi-objective problems. Besides, the findings show that meta-heuristic algorithms have a great compact on the path planning optimization in UAVs, and there is good progress in this field. However, the problem still exists mainly in complex and dynamic environments, on battlefields, in rescue missions, mobile obstacles, and with multiple UAVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Smart device networks form the backbone of many Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The performance of these systems depended on many factors. This includes their ability to connect to each other and network latency. In this paper, two algorithms are discussed that build a Peer-to-peer (P2P) overlay network. The focus is on real-time end-to-end remote instrumentation for IoT applications. P2P overlay networks are used for various purposes from content distribution through to media sharing. In contrast to traditional P2P systems, IoT systems can be highly sensitive to network latency and require low bandwidth. The main contributions of this paper are two algorithms to create overlay networks that assign peer nodes to super-peer nodes. The network contains a large number of smart devices and the key aim is to minimize system wide network latency. Other constraints regarding the nodes ability include the ability to become a super-peer node such as connectivity and limited processing capacities of the smart devices are also considered in context of a P2P remote instrumentation system. Both algorithms create a 3-hop network where the latency is lowered as much as possible with the given set of nodes. The algorithms have been validated through simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a heuristic approach to doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) protection and low voltage ride through (LVRT) is carried out. DFIG-based wind systems are rapidly penetrating the power generation section. Despite their advantages, their direct coupling grid makes them highly sensitive to symmetrical faults. A well-known solution to this is the crowbar method of DFIG protection. This paper provides a method to determine the optimal crowbar resistance value, to ensure a strong trade-off between the rotor current and DC voltage transients. Further, since the crowbar method requires disconnection from the grid, the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) is applied to the system. This is to ensure fault ride through compliance with recent grid code requirements. The well-known PSO, as well as the recently developed African vultures optimization algorithm (AVOA), was applied to the problem. The first set of results show that for severe symmetrical voltage dips, the AVOA provides a good option for crowbar magnitude optimization, whereas PSO performed better for moderately severe dips. Secondly, when the LQR was optimized via the AVOA, it exhibited superiority over the conventional PSO-based PI controller. This superiority was in terms of rotor current transient magnitude, DC voltage transient magnitude, and reactive power steady-state ripple and were in the order of 67.5%, 20.35%, and 37.55%, respectively. When comparing the crowbar method and the LQR, it was observed that despite the LQR exhibiting superiority in terms of transient performance, the crowbar method offered a unanimously superior settling time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unconstrained continuous large-scale global optimization (LSGO) is still a challenging task for a wide range of modern metaheuristic approaches. A cooperative coevolution approach is a good tool for increasing the performance of an evolutionary algorithm in solving high-dimensional optimization problems. However, the performance of cooperative coevolution approaches for LSGO depends significantly on the problem decomposition, namely, on the number of subcomponents and on how variables are grouped in these subcomponents. Also, the choice of the population size is still an open question for population-based algorithms. This paper discusses a method for selecting the number of subcomponents and the population size during the optimization process ("on fly") from a predefined pool of parameters. The selection of the parameters is based on their performance in the previous optimization steps. The main goal of the study is the improvement of coevolutionary decomposition-based algorithms for solving LSGO problems. In this paper, we propose a novel self-adapt evolutionary algorithm for solving continuous LSGO problems. We have tested this algorithm on 15 optimization problems from the IEEE LSGO CEC'2013 benchmark suite. The proposed approach, on average, outperforms cooperative coevolution algorithms with a static number of subcomponents and a static number of individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this paper is to present an improved neural network algorithm (INNA) for solving the reliability-redundancy allocation problem (RRAP) with nonlinear resource constraints. In this RRAP, both the component reliability and the redundancy allocation are to be considered simultaneously. Neural network algorithm (NNA) is one of the newest and efficient swarm optimization algorithms having a strong global search ability that is very adequate in solving different kinds of complex optimization problems. Despite its efficiency, NNA experiences poor exploitation, which causes slow convergence and also restricts its practical application of solving optimization problems. Considering this deficiency and to obtain a better balance between exploration and exploitation, searching procedure for NNA is reconstructed by implementing a new logarithmic spiral search operator and the searching strategy of the learner phase of teaching–learning-based optimization (TLBO) and an improved NNA has been developed in this paper. To demonstrate the performance of INNA, it is evaluated against seven well-known reliability optimization problems and finally compared with other existing meta-heuristics algorithms. Additionally, the INNA results are statistically investigated with the Wilcoxon sign-rank test and Multiple comparison test to show the significance of the results. Experimental results reveal that the proposed algorithm is highly competitive and performs better than previously developed algorithms in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method for economic load dispatch problem (ELDP) based on improved whale optimization algorithm(IWOA) is presented, and the optimization performance of IWOA in ELDP was evaluated comprehensively. The search mechanism is modified to improve the ability of the algorithm to jump out of the local optimal. The adaptive nonlinear inertia weight is introduced to improve the convergence speed of the algorithm. A limited mutation mechanism is proposed to improve the convergence of the algorithm. The evaluation indicator of calculation time and calculation accuracy was established. Taking 26 units of the Three Gorges Hydropower Station as an example, limited adaptive genetic aigorithm (LAGA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), whale optimization algorithm (WOA) and improved whale optimization algorithm (IWOA) were used to solve ELDP. The result shows that IWOA is superior to other algorithms in calculation results of various heads and loads. The calculation accuracy of IWOA was better than WOA when the number of units turned on was more than 6. The analysis results of IWOA and DP show that the calculation time of IWOA is better than that of DP when the number of units turned on is more than 6. The IWOA and the evaluation indicators proposed in this paper provide a new way for solving ELDP of large hydropower stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: This article belongs to the Section Computing and Artificial Intelligence. Ineffective protein feature representation poses problems in protein classification in hierarchical structures. Discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is a feature representation method which generates global and local features based on different wavelet families and decomposition levels. To represent protein sequences, the proper wavelet family and decomposition level must be selected. This paper proposed a hybrid optimization method using particle swarm optimization and the firefly algorithm (FAPSO) to choose the suitable wavelet family and decomposition level of wavelet transformation for protein feature representation. The suggested approach improved on the work of earlier researchers who, in most cases, manually selected the wavelet family and level of decomposition based solely on experience and not on data. The paper also applied the virtual class methods to overcome the error propagation problems in hierarchical classification. The effectiveness of the proposed method was tested on a G-Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR) protein data set consisting of 5 classes at the family level, 38 classes at the subfamily level, and 87 classes at the sub-subfamily level. Based on the result obtained, the most selected wavelet family and decomposition level chosen to represent GPCR classes by FAPSO are Biorthogonal wavelets and decomposition level 1, respectively. The experimental results show that the representation of GPCR protein using the FAPSO algorithm with virtual classes can yield 97.9%, 86.9%, and 81.3% classification accuracy at the family, subfamily, and sub-subfamily levels, respectively. In conclusion, the result shows that the selection of optimized wavelet family and decomposition level by the FAPSO algorithm, and the virtual class method can be potentially used as the feature representation method and a hierarchical classification method for GPCR protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on mobile robots began in the late 1960s. Mobile robots are a typical autonomous intelligent system and a hot spot in the high-tech field. They are the intersection of multiple technical disciplines such as computer artificial intelligence, robotics, control theory and electronic technology. The product not only has potentially very attractive application value and commercial value, but the research on it is also a challenge to intelligent technology. The development of mobile robots provides excellent research for various intelligent technologies and solutions. This dissertation aims to study the research of multi-sensor information fusion and intelligent optimization methods and the methods of applying them to mobile robot related technologies, and in-depth study of the construction of mobile robot maps from the perspective of multi-sensor information fusion. And, in order to achieve this function, combined with autonomous exploration and other related theories and algorithms, combined with the Robot Operating System (ROS). This paper proposes the area equalization method, equalization method, fuzzy neural network and other methods to promote the realization of related technologies. At the same time, this paper conducts simulation research based on the SLAM comprehensive experiment of the JNPF-4WD square mobile robot. On this basis, the high precision and high reliability of robot positioning are further realized. The experimental results in this paper show that the maximum error of the X-axis and Y-axis, FastSLAM algorithm is smaller than EKF algorithm, and the improved FASTSALM algorithm error is further reduced compared with the original FastSLAM algorithm, the value is less than 0.1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancements in computer science include some optimization models that have been developed and used in real applications. Some metaheuristic search/optimization algorithms have been tested to obtain optimal solutions to speed controller applications in self-driving cars. Some metaheuristic algorithms are based on social behaviour, resulting in several search models, functions, and parameters, and thus algorithm-specific strengths and weaknesses. The present paper proposes a fitness function on the basis of the mathematical description of proportional integrative derivate controllers showing that mean square error is not always the best measure when looking for a solution to the problem. The fitness developed in this paper contains features and equations from the mathematical background of proportional integrative derivative controllers to calculate the best performance of the system. Such results are applied to quantitatively evaluate the performance of twenty-one optimization algorithms. Furthermore, improved versions of the fitness function are considered, in order to investigate which aspects are enhanced by applying the optimization algorithms. Results show that the right fitness function is a key point to get a good performance, regardless of the chosen algorithm. The aim of this paper is to present a novel objective function to carry out optimizations of the gains of a PID controller, using several computational intelligence techniques to perform the optimizations. The result of these optimizations will demonstrate the improved efficiency of the selected control schema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the useful knowledge representation tools, which can describe the joint probability distribution between some random variables with a graphical model and can be trained by a dataset, is the Bayesian network (BN). A BN is composed of a network structure and a conditional probability distribution table for each node. Discovering an optimal BN structure is an NP‐hard optimization problem that various meta‐heuristic algorithms are applied to solve this problem by researchers. The genetic algorithms, ant colony optimization, evolutionary programming, artificial bee colony, and bacterial foraging optimization are some of the meta‐heuristic methods to solve this problem using a dataset. Most of these methods are applying a scoring metric to generate the best network structure from a set of candidates. A Fixed Structure Learning Automata‐Based (FSLA‐B) algorithm is presented in this paper to solve the structure learning problem of BNs. There is a fixed structure learning automaton for each pair of vertices in the BN's graph structure in the proposed algorithm. The action of this automaton determines the presence and direction of an edge between the vertices. The proposed algorithm performs a guided search procedure using the FSLA and escapes from local optimums. Several datasets are utilised in this paper to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm. By performing various experiments, multiple meta‐heuristic algorithms are compared with the introduced new one. The obtained results represented that the proposed algorithm could produce competitive results and find the near‐optimal solution for the BN structure learning problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]