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Abstract This paper proposes a novel decomposition method based on user-preference and developed a variation of the decomposition based multi-objective optimization algorithm (MOEA/D) targeting only solutions in a small region of the Pareto-front defined by the preference information supplied by the decision maker (DM). This is particularly advantageous for solving multi-objective optimization problems (MOPs) with more than 3 objectives, i.e., many-objective optimization problems (MaOPs). As the number of objectives increases, the ability of an EMO algorithm to approximate the entire Pareto front (PF) is rapidly diminishing. In this paper, we first propose a novel scalarizing function making use of a series of new reference points derived from a reference point specified by the DM in the preference model. Based on this scalarizing function, we then develop a user-preference-based EMO algorithm, namely R-MOEA/D. One key merit of R-MOEA/D is that it does not rely on an estimation of the ideal point, which may impact significantly the performances of state-of-the-art decomposition based EMO algorithms. Our experimental results on multi-objective and many-objective benchmark problems have shown that R-MOEA/D provides a more direct and efficient search towards the preferred PF region, resulting in competitive performances. In an interactive setting when the DM changes the reference point during optimization, R-MOEA/D has a faster response speed and performance than the compared algorithms, showing its robustness and adaptability to changes of the preference model. Furthermore, the effectiveness of R-MOEA/D is verified on a real-world problem of reservoir flood control operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we use the third order shear deformation theory of Reddy [Reddy JN. Mechanics of laminated composite plates and shells. CRC Press; 2004] with a meshless numerical method to analyze the static deformation of composite plates and shells. Numerical results are compared with Navier solutions in various examples. The meshless collocation method based on radial basis functions requires a user-defined shape parameter than can compromise the quality of the solution when poorly chosen. To improve the choice of this shape parameter, we apply an optimization technique based on the leave-one-out cross validation analysis to obtain the shape parameter in a given interval. The results obtained were significantly better than those produced with a user-defined shape parameter. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Optimization design is the most important key technique of Air-breathing Hypersonic Cruise Vehicle (HCV). To improve the design level and get better integrated performances of HCV, this paper researches the integrated optimization design method of waverider hypersonic cruise vehicle. In the optimization design, Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithms (MOGA) is selected as the optimization algorithm, and the shape parameters of aircraft are as design variables. Some performances, such as aerodynamics, aeroheating, radar cross section (RCS), airframe/scramjet integration, and volume of airframe, trimmed characteristic, static stability and maneuverability at cruise phase are selected as the objectives. When the optimization process finishes, the Pareto front side is got, in which many Pareto solutions whose integrated performances are more excellent than basic configuration are found. According to the design idea, we choose a Pareto solution from the Pareto front side as the recommended shape configuration for further research. To validate the aerodynamics of recommended configuration, wind tunnel test is done. And the comparison results show that the optimization design is successful. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Recently, genetic algorithms (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique have attracted considerable attention among various modern heuristic optimization techniques. The GA has been popular in academia and the industry mainly because of its intuitiveness, ease of implementation, and the ability to effectively solve highly non-linear, mixed integer optimization problems that are typical of complex engineering systems. PSO technique is a relatively recent heuristic search method whose mechanics are inspired by the swarming or collaborative behavior of biological populations. Since the two approaches are supposed to find a solution to a given objective function but employ different strategies and computational effort, it is appropriate to compare their performance. This paper presents the application and performance comparison of PSO and GA optimization techniques, for flexible ac transmission system (FACTS)-based controller design. The design objective is to enhance the power system stability. The design problem of the FACTS-based controller is formulated as an optimization problem and both PSO and GA optimization techniques are employed to search for optimal controller parameters. The performance of both optimization techniques in terms of computational effort, computational time and convergence rate is compared. Further, the optimized controllers are tested on a weakly connected power system subjected to different disturbances over a wide range of loading conditions and parameter variations and their performance is compared with the conventional power system stabilizer (CPSS). The eigenvalue analysis and non-linear simulation results are presented and compared to show the effectiveness of both the techniques in designing a FACTS-based controller, to enhance power system stability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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: Packing and decomposition of combinatorial objects such as graphs, digraphs, and hypergraphs by smaller objects are central problems in combinatorics and combinatorial optimization. Their study combines probabilistic, combinatorial, and algebraic methods. In addition to being among the most fascinating purely combinatorial problems, they are often motivated by algorithmic applications. There is a considerable number of intriguing fundamental problems and results in this area, and the goal of this paper is to survey the state-of-the-art. [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]

Abstract: In this paper we present a novel method for the numerical solution of dynamic optimization problems. After obtaining a first solution at a coarse resolution of the control profiles with a direct sequential approach, the structure of the control profiles is analyzed for possible switching times and arcs. Subsequently, the problem is reformulated automatically and solved as a multi-stage problem, with each stage corresponding to a potential arc. Order and resolution of the control parameterization are adapted to the type of the particular arc. By means of some case studies we show that accurate solutions with only few degrees of freedom can be obtained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper considers the mixed sensitivity optimization problem for a class of infinite-dimensional stable plants. This problem is reducible to a two- or one-block control problem with structured weighting functions. We first show that these weighting functions violate the genericity assumptions of existing Hamiltonian-based solutions such as the well-known Zhou–Khargonekar formula. Then, we derive a new closed form formula for the computation of the optimal performance level, when the underlying plant structure is specified by a pseudorational transfer function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]