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Supply Chain (SC) Optimization is a key activity in today's industry with the goal of increasing operational efficiency, reducing costs, and improving customer satisfaction. Traditional optimization methods often struggle to effectively use resources while handling complex and dynamic Supply chain networks. This paper introduces a novel biomimetic metaheuristic algorithm called the Wombat Optimization Algorithm (WOA) for supply chain optimization. This algorithm replicates the natural behaviors observed in wombats living in the wild, particularly focusing on their foraging tactics and evasive maneuvers towards predators. The theory of WOA is described and then mathematically modeled in two phases: (i) exploration based on the simulation of wombat movements during foraging and trying to find food and (ii) exploitation based on simulating wombat movements when diving towards nearby tunnels to defend against its predators. The effectiveness of WOA in addressing optimization challenges is assessed by handling the CEC 2017 test suite across various problem dimensions, including 10, 30, 50, and 100. The findings of the optimization indicate that WOA demonstrates a strong ability to effectively manage exploration and exploitation, and maintains a balance between them throughout the search phase to deliver optimal solutions for optimization problems. A total of twelve well-known metaheuristic algorithms are called upon to test their performance against WOA in the optimization process. The outcomes of the simulations reveal that WOA outperforms the other algorithms, achieving superior results across most benchmark functions and securing the top ranking as the most efficient optimizer. Using a Wilcoxon rank sum test statistical analysis, it has been proven that WOA outperforms other algorithms significantly. WOA is put to the test with twenty-two constrained optimization problems from the CEC 2011 test suite and four engineering design problems to showcase its ability to solve real-world optimization problems. The results of the simulations demonstrate that WOA excels in real-world applications by delivering superior solutions and outperforming its competitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new bio-inspired metaheuristic algorithm named the Pufferfish Optimization Algorithm (POA), that imitates the natural behavior of pufferfish in nature, is introduced in this paper. The fundamental inspiration of POA is adapted from the defense mechanism of pufferfish against predators. In this defense mechanism, by filling its elastic stomach with water, the pufferfish becomes a spherical ball with pointed spines, and as a result, the hungry predator escapes from this threat. The POA theory is stated and then mathematically modeled in two phases: (i) exploration based on the simulation of a predator's attack on a pufferfish and (ii) exploitation based on the simulation of a predator's escape from spiny spherical pufferfish. The performance of POA is evaluated in handling the CEC 2017 test suite for problem dimensions equal to 10, 30, 50, and 100. The optimization results show that POA has achieved an effective solution with the appropriate ability in exploration, exploitation, and the balance between them during the search process. The quality of POA in the optimization process is compared with the performance of twelve well-known metaheuristic algorithms. The simulation results show that POA provides superior performance by achieving better results in most of the benchmark functions in order to solve the CEC 2017 test suite compared to competitor algorithms. Also, the effectiveness of POA to handle optimization tasks in real-world applications is evaluated on twenty-two constrained optimization problems from the CEC 2011 test suite and four engineering design problems. Simulation results show that POA provides effective performance in handling real-world applications by achieving better solutions compared to competitor algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new bio-inspired metaheuristic algorithm called Giant Armadillo Optimization (GAO) is introduced, which imitates the natural behavior of giant armadillo in the wild. The fundamental inspiration in the design of GAO is derived from the hunting strategy of giant armadillos in moving towards prey positions and digging termite mounds. The theory of GAO is expressed and mathematically modeled in two phases: (i) exploration based on simulating the movement of giant armadillos towards termite mounds, and (ii) exploitation based on simulating giant armadillos' digging skills in order to prey on and rip open termite mounds. The performance of GAO in handling optimization tasks is evaluated in order to solve the CEC 2017 test suite for problem dimensions equal to 10, 30, 50, and 100. The optimization results show that GAO is able to achieve effective solutions for optimization problems by benefiting from its high abilities in exploration, exploitation, and balancing them during the search process. The quality of the results obtained from GAO is compared with the performance of twelve well-known metaheuristic algorithms. The simulation results show that GAO presents superior performance compared to competitor algorithms by providing better results for most of the benchmark functions. The statistical analysis of the Wilcoxon rank sum test confirms that GAO has a significant statistical superiority over competitor algorithms. The implementation of GAO on the CEC 2011 test suite and four engineering design problems show that the proposed approach has effective performance in dealing with real-world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new bio-inspired metaheuristic algorithm named the Kookaburra Optimization Algorithm (KOA) is introduced, which imitates the natural behavior of kookaburras in nature. The fundamental inspiration of KOA is the strategy of kookaburras when hunting and killing prey. The KOA theory is stated, and its mathematical modeling is presented in the following two phases: (i) exploration based on the simulation of prey hunting and (ii) exploitation based on the simulation of kookaburras' behavior in ensuring that their prey is killed. The performance of KOA has been evaluated on 29 standard benchmark functions from the CEC 2017 test suite for the different problem dimensions of 10, 30, 50, and 100. The optimization results show that the proposed KOA approach, by establishing a balance between exploration and exploitation, has good efficiency in managing the effective search process and providing suitable solutions for optimization problems. The results obtained using KOA have been compared with the performance of 12 well-known metaheuristic algorithms. The analysis of the simulation results shows that KOA, by providing better results in most of the benchmark functions, has provided superior performance in competition with the compared algorithms. In addition, the implementation of KOA on 22 constrained optimization problems from the CEC 2011 test suite, as well as 4 engineering design problems, shows that the proposed approach has acceptable and superior performance compared to competitor algorithms in handling real-world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new evolutionary-based approach called a Subtraction-Average-Based Optimizer (SABO) for solving optimization problems. The fundamental inspiration of the proposed SABO is to use the subtraction average of searcher agents to update the position of population members in the search space. The different steps of the SABO's implementation are described and then mathematically modeled for optimization tasks. The performance of the proposed SABO approach is tested for the optimization of fifty-two standard benchmark functions, consisting of unimodal, high-dimensional multimodal, and fixed-dimensional multimodal types, and the CEC 2017 test suite. The optimization results show that the proposed SABO approach effectively solves the optimization problems by balancing the exploration and exploitation in the search process of the problem-solving space. The results of the SABO are compared with the performance of twelve well-known metaheuristic algorithms. The analysis of the simulation results shows that the proposed SABO approach provides superior results for most of the benchmark functions. Furthermore, it provides a much more competitive and outstanding performance than its competitor algorithms. Additionally, the proposed approach is implemented for four engineering design problems to evaluate the SABO in handling optimization tasks for real-world applications. The optimization results show that the proposed SABO approach can solve for real-world applications and provides more optimal designs than its competitor algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a new metaheuristic algorithm, which is called Artificial Locust Swarm Optimization (ALSO), inspired by random jumping and plant invasion behavior of locust swarms. Locusts interact in two different ways of searching for food: social and familial. In the familial phase, small locust groups search foods in a local area and the locusts share their information in the social phase. The proposed algorithm is less likely to trap into the local solution than other methods and has high performance in the sensitivity of the global solution. In addition, it is effective not only for the solution of black-box optimization problems but also for the solution of problems with an irregular objective function. The ALSO algorithm is compared with other recent and well-known optimization algorithms on 22 benchmark functions and 3 real engineering design problems. Simulation results prove that the ALSO algorithm is very competitive when compared to the other algorithms. Moreover, it even requires the less runtime and memory space under the same conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces a new metaheuristic algorithm called the Serval Optimization Algorithm (SOA), which imitates the natural behavior of serval in nature. The fundamental inspiration of SOA is the serval's hunting strategy, which attacks the selected prey and then hunts the prey in a chasing process. The steps of SOA implementation in two phases of exploration and exploitation are mathematically modeled. The capability of SOA in solving optimization problems is challenged in the optimization of thirty-nine standard benchmark functions from the CEC 2017 test suite and CEC 2019 test suite. The proposed SOA approach is compared with the performance of twelve well-known metaheuristic algorithms to evaluate further. The optimization results show that the proposed SOA approach, due to the appropriate balancing exploration and exploitation, is provided better solutions for most of the mentioned benchmark functions and has superior performance compared to competing algorithms. SOA implementation on the CEC 2011 test suite and four engineering design challenges shows the high efficiency of the proposed approach in handling real-world optimization applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this paper, the authors aim to examine and comparatively evaluate a recently-developed metaheuristic called crystal structure algorithm (CryStAl) – which is inspired by the symmetries in the internal structure of crystalline solids – in solving engineering mechanics and design problems. Design/methodology/approach: A total number of 20 benchmark mathematical functions are employed as test functions to evaluate the overall performance of the proposed method in handling various functions. Moreover, different classical and modern metaheuristic algorithms are selected from the optimization literature for a comparative evaluation of the performance of the proposed approach. Furthermore, five well-known mechanical design examples are utilized to examine the capability of the proposed method in dealing with challenging optimization problems. Findings: The results of this study indicated that, in most cases, CryStAl produced more accurate outputs when compared to the other metaheuristics examined as competitors. Research limitations/implications: This paper can provide motivation and justification for the application of CryStAl to solve more complex problems in engineering design and mechanics, as well as in other branches of engineering. Originality/value: CryStAl is one of the newest metaheuristic algorithms, the mathematical details of which were recently introduced and published. This is the first time that this algorithm is applied to solving engineering mechanics and design problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Atomic Orbital Search is proposed as a novel metaheuristic algorithm. • Benchmark functions are tested and engineering design problems are solved. • Comparative analyses is conducted for performance evaluation of the new algorithm. • Statistical analysis is conducted for competitive investigation of the new algorithm. In this paper, the Atomic Orbital Search (AOS) is proposed as a novel metaheuristic algorithm for optimization purposes. The main concept of this algorithm is based on some principles of quantum mechanics and the quantum-based atomic model in which the general configuration of electrons around nucleus is in perspective. In order to evaluate the performance of this algorithm, a total number of 20 unconstrained mathematical test functions are utilized with different dimensions of 2–100 while a maximum number of 150,000 function evaluations is considered with 100 independent optimization runs for statistical purposes. A complete statistical analysis is also conducted by utilization of the Kolmogorov Smirnov, Wilcoxon and the Kruskal Wallis tests while 8 metaheuristics are also utilized as alternatives for comparative purposes. The latest Competitions on Evolutionary Computation (CEC) regarding the single objective real-parameter numerical optimization (CEC 2017) including 30 benchmark test functions is also considered in which the capability of the proposed algorithm is compared to the most state−of-the−art algorithms in the optimization field. In addition, a total number of 5 constrained engineering design problems are utilized as design examples including some of the constrained optimization problems of the recent Competitions on Evolutionary Computation (CEC 2020). The obtained results of the AOS algorithm in dealing with the constraint problems are compared to the results of different standard, improved and hybrid metaheuristic algorithms from the literature. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed AOS algorithm provides very outstanding results in dealing with the mathematical and engineering design problems. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butterfly Optimization Algorithm (BOA) is a newcomer in the category of nature inspired metaheuristic algorithms, inspired from food foraging behavior of the butterflies. Similar to other metaheuristic algorithms, it encounters two probable problems; (1) entrapment in local optima and (2) slow convergence speed. Chaotic maps are one of the best methods to improve the performance of metaheuristic algorithms. In the present study, chaos is introduced into BOA which increases its performance in terms of both local optima avoidance and convergence speed. Ten chaotic maps are employed to enhance the performance of the BOA. The proposed chaotic BOAs are validated on unimodal and multimodal benchmark test functions as well as on engineering design problems. The results indicate that the chaotic maps are able to significantly boost the performance of BOA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A new SOS algorithm is introduced to solve engineering optimization. [•] Twenty-six mathematical problems and five engineering design problems are tested. [•] The results obtained by SOS are compared with other optimization methods. [•] Obtained results confirm the excellent performance of the SOS method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]