Reliability-based robust design optimization: A general methodology using genetic algorithm

In this paper, we present an improved general methodology including four stages to design robust and reliable products under uncertainties. First, as the formulation stage, we consider reliability and robustness simultaneously to propose the new formulation of reliability-based robust design optimization (RBRDO) problems. In order to generate reliable and robust Pareto-optimal solutions, the combination of genetic algorithm with reliability assessment loop based on the performance measure approach is applied as the second stage. Next, we develop two criteria to select a solution from obtained Pareto-optimal set to achieve the best possible implementation. Finally, the result verification is performed with Monte Carlo Simulations and also the quality improvement during manufacturing process is considered by identifying and controlling the critical variables. The effectiveness and applicability of this new proposed methodology is demonstrated through a case study.     

Stabilization of Rössler chaotic dynamical system using fuzzy logic control algorithm

This paper proposes a fuzzy logic control algorithm (FLCA) to stabilize the Rössler chaotic dynamical system. The fuzzy logic control system is based on a Takagi-Sugeno-Kang inference engine and the stability analysis in the sense of Lyapunov is carried out using Lyapunov’s direct method. The new FLCA is formulated to offer sufficient inequality stability conditions. The asymptotic complexity of our algorithm is analyzed and proved to be lower in comparison with that of linear matrix inequality-based FLCAs. A set of simulation results illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed FLCA.     

Recommending suitable learning scenarios according to learners’ preferences: An improved swarm based approach

The paper presents a new approach for recommending suitable learning paths for different learners groups. Selection of the learning path is considered as recommendations to choosing and combining the sequences of learning objects (LOs) according to learners’ preferences. Learning path can be selected by applying artificial intelligence techniques, e.g. a swarm intelligence model. If we modify and/or change some LOs in the learning path, we should rearrange the alignment of new and old LOs and reallocate pheromones to achieve effective learning recommendations. To solve this problem, a new method based on the ant colony optimisation algorithm and adaptation of the solution to the changing optimum is proposed. A simulation process with a dynamic change of learning paths when new LOs are inserted was chosen to verify the method proposed. The paper contributes with the following new developments: (1) an approach of dynamic learning paths selection based on swarm intelligence, and (2) a modified ant colony optimisation algorithm for learning paths selection. The elaborated approach effectively assist learners by helping them to reach most suitable LOs according to their preferences, and tutors – by helping them to monitor, refine, and improve e-learning modules and courses according to the learners’ behaviour.     

A stochastic Kaczmarz algorithm for network tomography

We develop a stochastic approximation version of the classical Kaczmarz algorithm that is incremental in nature and takes as input noisy real time data. Our analysis shows that with probability one it mimics the behavior of the original scheme: starting from the same initial point, our algorithm and the corresponding deterministic Kaczmarz algorithm converge to precisely the same point. The motivation for this work comes from network tomography where network parameters are to be estimated based upon end-to-end measurements. Numerical examples via Matlab based simulations demonstrate the efficacy of the algorithm.     

On a generalization of Bernstein polynomials and Bézier curves based on umbral calculus

In Winkel (2001) a generalization of Bernstein polynomials and Bézier curves based on umbral calculus has been introduced. In the present paper we describe new geometric and algorithmic properties of this generalization including: (1) families of polynomials introduced by Stancu (1968) and Goldman (1985), i.e., families that include both Bernstein and Lagrange polynomial, are generalized in a new way, (2) a generalized de Casteljau algorithm is discussed, (3) an efficient evaluation of generalized Bézier curves through a linear transformation of the control polygon is described, (4) a simple criterion for endpoint tangentiality is established.     

Solving a multi-floor layout design model of a dynamic cellular manufacturing system by an efficient genetic algorithm

This paper presents a mixed-integer programming model for a multi-floor layout design of cellular manufacturing systems (CMSs) in a dynamic environment. A novel aspect of this model is to concurrently determine the cell formation (CF) and group layout (GL) as the interrelated decisions involved in the design of a CMS in order to achieve an optimal (or near-optimal) design solution for a multi-floor factory in a multi-period planning horizon. Other design aspects are to design a multi-floor layout to form cells in different floors, a multi-rows layout of equal area facilities in each cell, flexible reconfigurations of cells during successive periods, distance-based material handling cost, and machine depot keeping idle machines. This model incorporates with an extensive coverage of important manufacturing features used in the design of CMSs. The objective is to minimize the total costs of intra-cell, inter-cell, and inter-floor material handling, purchasing machines, machine processing, machine overhead, and machine relocation. Two numerical examples are solved by the CPLEX software to verify the performance of the presented model and illustrate the model features. Since this model belongs to NP-hard class, an efficient genetic algorithm (GA) with a matrix-based chromosome structure is proposed to derive near-optimal solutions. To verify its computational efficiency in comparison to the CPLEX software, several test problems with different sizes and settings are implemented. The efficiency of the proposed GA in terms of the objective function value and computational time is proved by the obtained results.     

Hybrid shuffled frog leaping algorithm for energy-efficient dynamic consolidation of virtual machines in cloud data centers

Cloud computing aims to provide dynamic leasing of server capabilities as scalable virtualized services to end users. However, data centers hosting cloud applications consume vast amounts of electrical energy, thereby contributing to high operational costs and carbon footprints. Green cloud computing solutions that can not only minimize the operational costs but also reduce the environmental impact are necessary. This study focuses on the Infrastructure as a Service model, where custom virtual machines (VMs) are launched in appropriate servers available in a data center. A complete data center resource management scheme is presented in this paper. The scheme can not only ensure user quality of service (through service level agreements) but can also achieve maximum energy saving and green computing goals. Considering that the data center host is usually tens of thousands in size and that using an exact algorithm to solve the resource allocation problem is difficult, the modified shuffled frog leaping algorithm and improved extremal optimization are employed in this study to solve the dynamic allocation problem of VMs. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed resource management scheme exhibits excellent performance in green cloud computing.     

Text classification using genetic algorithm oriented latent semantic features

In this paper, genetic algorithm oriented latent semantic features (GALSF) are proposed to obtain better representation of documents in text classification. The proposed approach consists of feature selection and feature transformation stages. The first stage is carried out using the state-of-the-art filter-based methods. The second stage employs latent semantic indexing (LSI) empowered by genetic algorithm such that a better projection is attained using appropriate singular vectors, which are not limited to the ones corresponding to the largest singular values, unlike standard LSI approach. In this way, the singular vectors with small singular values may also be used for projection whereas the vectors with large singular values may be eliminated as well to obtain better discrimination. Experimental results demonstrate that GALSF outperforms both LSI and filter-based feature selection methods on benchmark datasets for various feature dimensions.     

An analytical framework for integrated maritime terminal scheduling problems with time windows

Container transport, an integral part of intercontinental trade, has steadily increased over the past few decades. The productivity of such a system, in part, hinges on the efficient allocation of terminal resources such that the container transit time is minimized. This study provides an analytical framework, which entails efficient scheduling of quay and yard cranes, to minimize the time spent by containers at a terminal. A mixed-integer programming model is developed to capture the two-stage multi-processor characteristic of the problem, where each crane has specific time window availability. A genetic algorithm equipped with a novel decoding procedure is developed. The mixed-integer model is tested on a number of problem instances of varying sizes to gain managerial insights.     

动态格点搜索的改进算法用于团簇结构快速优化

结合高效的动态格点搜索(DLS)算法与扰动操作(Perturbation Operation)提出一种新的改进方法(DLS-PO),用于确定团簇的最低能量结构。针对一个特定构型,DLS算法总能给出其对应搜索空间的最规则结构。然而,一次失败的DLS优化将消耗大量的运算资源。为此,采取原子移动和结构旋转的扰动操作成功地改变了构型,再结合后续的DLS操作,提高了优化效率。将该算法用于原子数高达309的Lennard-Jones团簇及100原子NP-B函数铝团簇的结构优化。优化结果显示相比于DLS算法,DLS-PO算法更为高效。