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Abstract: An improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) is proposed in this paper. In the new algorithm, a population of points sampled randomly from the feasible space. Then the population is partitioned into several sub-swarms, each of which is made to evolve based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. At periodic stages in the evolution, the entire population is shuffled, and then points are reassigned to sub-swarms to ensure information sharing. This method greatly elevates the ability of exploration and exploitation. Simulations for three benchmark test functions show that IPSO possesses better ability to find the global optimum than that of the standard PSO algorithm. Compared with PSO, IPSO is also applied to identify the hydrologic model. The results show that IPSO remarkably improves the calculation accuracy and is an effective global optimization to calibrate hydrologic model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we study the positive almost periodic solutions for a class of almost periodic Lotka-Volterra type system with delays and feedback controls. Applying Schauder’s fixed point theorem, a criterion on the existence of the positive almost periodic solution of the system is obtained. Our new criterion, which improves and generalizes some well known results, can be easily checked. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The optimal design of digital systems can be complicated by non-linearities that arise from discrete optimization processes, and conventional methods often attain suboptimal results. Quantum computing may be an interesting technology to overcome that issue, but so far its effectiveness has been addressed from a most abstract perspective. This paper tackles the digital-design problem from a practical viewpoint, and derives universal criteria for assessing whether, and how much, quantum technologies can improve over conventional methods: the advantage is expressed in terms of computing time required to attain optimal design. The general framework is applied to two modern problems, i.e., training support vector machines and building vector quantizers. The experimental comparison between conventional and quantum methods addresses the actual performances of the designed systems in the case of vector quantization. Empirical evidence matches theoretical expectations and supports the design method’s consistency. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]