A Survey of League Championship Algorithm: Prospects and Challenges

The League Championship Algorithm (LCA) is sport-inspired optimization algorithm that was introduced by Ali Husseinzadeh Kashan in the year 2009. It has since drawn enormous interest among the researchers because of its potential efficiency in solving many optimization problems and real-world applications. The LCA has also shown great potentials in solving non-deterministic polynomial time (NP-complete) problems. This survey presents a brief synopsis of the LCA literatures in peer-reviewed journals, conferences and book chapters. These research articles are then categorized according to indexing in the major academic databases (Web of Science, Scopus, IEEE Xplore and the Google Scholar). The analysis was also done to explore the prospects and the challenges of the algorithm and its acceptability among researchers. This systematic categorization can be used as a basis for future studies.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, 2 tables, Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 201

Proceedings of Mathsport international 2017 conference

Proceedings of MathSport International 2017 Conference, held in the Botanical Garden of the University of Padua, June 26-28, 2017. MathSport International organizes biennial conferences dedicated to all topics where mathematics and sport meet. Topics include: performance measures, optimization of sports performance, statistics and probability models, mathematical and physical models in sports, competitive strategies, statistics and probability match outcome models, optimal tournament design and scheduling, decision support systems, analysis of rules and adjudication, econometrics in sport, analysis of sporting technologies, financial valuation in sport, e-sports (gaming), betting and sports

Solving Challenging Real-World Scheduling Problems

This work contains a series of studies on the optimization of three real-world scheduling problems, school timetabling, sports scheduling and staff scheduling. These challenging problems are solved to customer satisfaction using the proposed PEAST algorithm. The customer satisfaction refers to the fact that implementations of the algorithm are in industry use. The PEAST algorithm is a product of long-term research and development. The first version of it was introduced in 1998. This thesis is a result of a five-year development of the algorithm. One of the most valuable characteristics of the algorithm has proven to be the ability to solve a wide range of scheduling problems. It is likely that it can be tuned to tackle also a range of other combinatorial problems. The algorithm uses features from numerous different metaheuristics which is the main reason for its success. In addition, the implementation of the algorithm is fast enough for real-world use.Siirretty Doriast

Metaheuristic Optimization of Power and Energy Systems: Underlying Principles and Main Issues of the `Rush to Heuristics'

In the power and energy systems area, a progressive increase of literature contributions that contain applications of metaheuristic algorithms is occurring. In many cases, these applications are merely aimed at proposing the testing of an existing metaheuristic algorithm on a specific problem, claiming that the proposed method is better than other methods that are based on weak comparisons. This ‘rush to heuristics’ does not happen in the evolutionary computation domain, where the rules for setting up rigorous comparisons are stricter but are typical of the domains of application of the metaheuristics. This paper considers the applications to power and energy systems and aims at providing a comprehensive view of the main issues that concern the use of metaheuristics for global optimization problems. A set of underlying principles that characterize the metaheuristic algorithms is presented. The customization of metaheuristic algorithms to fit the constraints of specific problems is discussed. Some weaknesses and pitfalls that are found in literature contributions are identified, and specific guidelines are provided regarding how to prepare sound contributions on the application of metaheuristic algorithms to specific problems

Comprehensive Taxonomies of Nature- and Bio-inspired Optimization: Inspiration versus Algorithmic Behavior, Critical Analysis and Recommendations

In recent years, a great variety of nature- and bio-inspired algorithms has been reported in the literature. This algorithmic family simulates different biological processes observed in Nature in order to efficiently address complex optimization problems. In the last years the number of bio-inspired optimization approaches in literature has grown considerably, reaching unprecedented levels that dark the future prospects of this field of research. This paper addresses this problem by proposing two comprehensive, principle-based taxonomies that allow researchers to organize existing and future algorithmic developments into well-defined categories, considering two different criteria: the source of inspiration and the behavior of each algorithm. Using these taxonomies we review more than three hundred publications dealing with nature-inspired and bio-inspired algorithms, and proposals falling within each of these categories are examined, leading to a critical summary of design trends and similarities between them, and the identification of the most similar classical algorithm for each reviewed paper. From our analysis we conclude that a poor relationship is often found between the natural inspiration of an algorithm and its behavior. Furthermore, similarities in terms of behavior between different algorithms are greater than what is claimed in their public disclosure: specifically, we show that more than one-third of the reviewed bio-inspired solvers are versions of classical algorithms. Grounded on the conclusions of our critical analysis, we give several recommendations and points of improvement for better methodological practices in this active and growing research field.Comment: 76 pages, 6 figure

Логістична підтримка кіберспортивних проектів турнірного оператора

Робота публікується згідно наказу ректора від 21.01.2020 р. №008/од "Про перевірку кваліфікаційних робіт на академічний плагіат 2019-2020 р.р. навчальному році" . Керівник проекту: ст.викладач Воловик О.І.The modern globalized world is developing at a crazy pace. A great number of events are being held around the world at the same time. It influenced the rapid growth of the development of logistics for project and event management. Logistics plays a role of a bridge between virtual and physical reality and have also become an integral part of every project or event. To carry out a lot of events at the same time, it is required to establish a reliable logistical system, which can handle all the challenges posed. The events industry includes different types of events such as trade fairs, football matches, music festivals, or even newly arisen esports competitions. Esports is a modern time phenomenon, which becomes more and more popular. Esports events gather thousands of people under an umbrella of famous arenas and millions of viewers from all around the world who follow these events online. It is a growing world that brings people together from different states, continents, and origins with disregard of their nationality, religion, or background. Organizing and holding a big esports event is a very complicated task which is run by esports enthusiasts. The esports industry is faced with a certain lack of necessary knowledge, which in turn complicates the process of its development. The relevance of the topic is explained by the fact that esports events are attracting more and more attention, and for the successful implementation of their projects, esports tournament providers must operate with a strong logistics system through their logistical department or a third-party supplier. In this regard, the capabilities of logistics personnel must meet the growing requirements for organizing logistical support for large events. The study of the esports industry and project management tools make it possible to develop a well-prepared plan for the organization of logistical support for a big esports event, taking into account all the nuances of this industry. Production of quality esports events requires strong knowledge and significant experience. However, the acquisition of knowledge in esports complicated lack of wide research and accessible studies. Currently, certified academic institutions do not prepare staff for organizing and running esports events. The esports industry has a high entry barrier for new workers. Based on this, this bachelor thesis aims to justify preparation logistical support for esports events. The organization of logistical support of the project could be carried out by different project management tools, which have their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the area of application. So far esports has numerous titles that are divided by genres or platforms, and it will be reasonable to describe major parts of this industry and show the most successful examples of an esports event. In this paper, the organization of logistical support of The International - Dota 2 world championship will be considered. the budget of the logistical cost of the event will be calculated, and all the costs associated with transportation, accommodation, venue, etc., will be taken into account. Using special computer soft as Microsoft Office (Project, Excel, Visio) can simplify the process of implementation project management tools to the logistical support of the event.Сучасний глобалізований світ розвивається шаленими темпами. По всьому світу одночасно проводиться велика кількість заходів. Це вплинуло на швидке зростання розвитку логістики для управління проектами та заходами. Логістика відіграє роль мосту між віртуальною та фізичною реальністю, а також стала невід'ємною частиною кожного проекту чи події. Щоб проводити багато заходів одночасно, потрібно створити надійну логістичну систему, яка зможе впоратися з усіма поставленими проблемами. Індустрія подій включає різні типи подій, такі як ярмарки, футбольні матчі, музичні фестивалі або навіть нещодавно виниклі змагання з кіберспорту. Кіберспорт - це сучасний феномен часу, який стає все більш популярним. Кіберспортні заходи збирають тисячі людей під парасолькою відомих арен та мільйони глядачів з усього світу, які стежать за цими подіями в Інтернеті. Це світ, що зростає, що об’єднує людей з різних штатів, континентів та походження, нехтуючи своєю національністю, релігією чи походженням. Організація та проведення великого кіберспортивного заходу є дуже складною задачею, якою керують любителі кіберспорту. Індустрія кіберспорту стикається з певною відсутністю необхідних знань, що в свою чергу ускладнює процес її розвитку. Актуальність теми пояснюється тим, що еспортні заходи привертають дедалі більше уваги, і для успішної реалізації своїх проектів постачальники еспортних турнірів повинні працювати з потужною логістичною системою через свій відділ логістики або сторонніх постачальників. У зв'язку з цим можливості логістичного персоналу повинні відповідати зростаючим вимогам щодо організації матеріально-технічного забезпечення великих заходів. Вивчення індустрії кіберспорту та інструменти управління проектами дозволяють розробити добре підготовлений план організації матеріально-технічного забезпечення великого кіберспортивного заходу з урахуванням усіх нюансів цієї галузі. Виробництво якісних кіберспортивних заходів вимагає міцних знань та значного досвіду. Однак здобуття знань у кіберспорті ускладнило відсутність широких досліджень та доступних досліджень. В даний час сертифіковані академічні установи не готують персонал для організації та проведення кіберспортивних заходів. Індустрія кіберспорту має високий бар'єр для вступу нових працівників. Виходячи з цього, ця бакалаврська дипломна робота має на меті обґрунтувати підготовку матеріально-технічної підтримки до кіберспортивних заходів. Організація матеріально-технічного забезпечення проекту може здійснюватися за допомогою різних інструментів управління проектами, які мають свої переваги та недоліки, а також область застосування. На сьогоднішній день esports має безліч назв, розділених за жанрами або платформами, і розумно буде описати основні частини цієї галузі та показати найуспішніші приклади кіберспортивної події. У цій роботі буде розглянута організація матеріально-технічного забезпечення чемпіонату світу The International - Dota 2. буде розраховано бюджет матеріально-технічних витрат на захід, а також будуть враховані всі витрати, пов’язані з транспортом, проживанням, місцем проведення тощо. Використання спеціального комп’ютерного програмного забезпечення, як Microsoft Office (Project, Excel, Visio), може спростити процес впровадження інструментів управління проектами до матеріально-технічної підтримки заходу

Team to Market (T2M): Creating High Performance Teams in the Digital Age

1. Teams are the essential means of product or service delivery and the fundamental building blocks of modern organisations. An effective team can produce results far outperforming a collection of even the most talented individuals when team members coalesce and jell into a single, well-functioning, fully-aligned organism. This report advances the notion of “Team to Market” (T2M) to help business leaders and knowledge workers understand, create and lead high performance teams in the digital age

Holistic, data-driven, service and supply chain optimisation: linked optimisation.

The intensity of competition and technological advancements in the business environment has made companies collaborate and cooperate together as a means of survival. This creates a chain of companies and business components with unified business objectives. However, managing the decision-making process (like scheduling, ordering, delivering and allocating) at the various business components and maintaining a holistic objective is a huge business challenge, as these operations are complex and dynamic. This is because the overall chain of business processes is widely distributed across all the supply chain participants; therefore, no individual collaborator has a complete overview of the processes. Increasingly, such decisions are automated and are strongly supported by optimisation algorithms - manufacturing optimisation, B2B ordering, financial trading, transportation scheduling and allocation. However, most of these algorithms do not incorporate the complexity associated with interacting decision-making systems like supply chains. It is well-known that decisions made at one point in supply chains can have significant consequences that ripple through linked production and transportation systems. Recently, global shocks to supply chains (COVID-19, climate change, blockage of the Suez Canal) have demonstrated the importance of these interdependencies, and the need to create supply chains that are more resilient and have significantly reduced impact on the environment. Such interacting decision-making systems need to be considered through an optimisation process. However, the interactions between such decision-making systems are not modelled. We therefore believe that modelling such interactions is an opportunity to provide computational extensions to current optimisation paradigms. This research study aims to develop a general framework for formulating and solving holistic, data-driven optimisation problems in service and supply chains. This research achieved this aim and contributes to scholarship by firstly considering the complexities of supply chain problems from a linked problem perspective. This leads to developing a formalism for characterising linked optimisation problems as a model for supply chains. Secondly, the research adopts a method for creating a linked optimisation problem benchmark by linking existing classical benchmark sets. This involves using a mix of classical optimisation problems, typically relating to supply chain decision problems, to describe different modes of linkages in linked optimisation problems. Thirdly, several techniques for linking supply chain fragmented data have been proposed in the literature to identify data relationships. Therefore, this thesis explores some of these techniques and combines them in specific ways to improve the data discovery process. Lastly, many state-of-the-art algorithms have been explored in the literature and these algorithms have been used to tackle problems relating to supply chain problems. This research therefore investigates the resilient state-of-the-art optimisation algorithms presented in the literature, and then designs suitable algorithmic approaches inspired by the existing algorithms and the nature of problem linkages to address different problem linkages in supply chains. Considering research findings and future perspectives, the study demonstrates the suitability of algorithms to different linked structures involving two sub-problems, which suggests further investigations on issues like the suitability of algorithms on more complex structures, benchmark methodologies, holistic goals and evaluation, processmining, game theory and dependency analysis

A Comprehensive Review of Bio-Inspired Optimization Algorithms Including Applications in Microelectronics and Nanophotonics

The application of artificial intelligence in everyday life is becoming all-pervasive and unavoidable. Within that vast field, a special place belongs to biomimetic/bio-inspired algorithms for multiparameter optimization, which find their use in a large number of areas. Novel methods and advances are being published at an accelerated pace. Because of that, in spite of the fact that there are a lot of surveys and reviews in the field, they quickly become dated. Thus, it is of importance to keep pace with the current developments. In this review, we first consider a possible classification of bio-inspired multiparameter optimization methods because papers dedicated to that area are relatively scarce and often contradictory. We proceed by describing in some detail some more prominent approaches, as well as those most recently published. Finally, we consider the use of biomimetic algorithms in two related wide fields, namely microelectronics (including circuit design optimization) and nanophotonics (including inverse design of structures such as photonic crystals, nanoplasmonic configurations and metamaterials). We attempted to keep this broad survey self-contained so it can be of use not only to scholars in the related fields, but also to all those interested in the latest developments in this attractive area

Bio-inspired optimization in integrated river basin management

Water resources worldwide are facing severe challenges in terms of quality and quantity. It is essential to conserve, manage, and optimize water resources and their quality through integrated water resources management (IWRM). IWRM is an interdisciplinary field that works on multiple levels to maximize the socio-economic and ecological benefits of water resources. Since this is directly influenced by the river’s ecological health, the point of interest should start at the basin-level. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the application of bio-inspired optimization techniques in integrated river basin management (IRBM). This study demonstrates the application of versatile, flexible and yet simple metaheuristic bio-inspired algorithms in IRBM. In a novel approach, bio-inspired optimization algorithms Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) are used to spatially distribute mitigation measures within a basin to reduce long-term annual mean total nitrogen (TN) concentration at the outlet of the basin. The Upper Fuhse river basin developed in the hydrological model, Hydrological Predictions for the Environment (HYPE), is used as a case study. ACO and PSO are coupled with the HYPE model to distribute a set of measures and compute the resulting TN reduction. The algorithms spatially distribute nine crop and subbasin-level mitigation measures under four categories. Both algorithms can successfully yield a discrete combination of measures to reduce long-term annual mean TN concentration. They achieved an 18.65% reduction, and their performance was on par with each other. This study has established the applicability of these bio-inspired optimization algorithms in successfully distributing the TN mitigation measures within the river basin. Stakeholder involvement is a crucial aspect of IRBM. It ensures that researchers and policymakers are aware of the ground reality through large amounts of information collected from the stakeholder. Including stakeholders in policy planning and decision-making legitimizes the decisions and eases their implementation. Therefore, a socio-hydrological framework is developed and tested in the Larqui river basin, Chile, based on a field survey to explore the conditions under which the farmers would implement or extend the width of vegetative filter strips (VFS) to prevent soil erosion. The framework consists of a behavioral, social model (extended Theory of Planned Behavior, TPB) and an agent-based model (developed in NetLogo) coupled with the results from the vegetative filter model (Vegetative Filter Strip Modeling System, VFSMOD-W). The results showed that the ABM corroborates with the survey results and the farmers are willing to extend the width of VFS as long as their utility stays positive. This framework can be used to develop tailor-made policies for river basins based on the conditions of the river basins and the stakeholders' requirements to motivate them to adopt sustainable practices. It is vital to assess whether the proposed management plans achieve the expected results for the river basin and if the stakeholders will accept and implement them. The assessment via simulation tools ensures effective implementation and realization of the target stipulated by the decision-makers. In this regard, this dissertation introduces the application of bio-inspired optimization techniques in the field of IRBM. The successful discrete combinatorial optimization in terms of the spatial distribution of mitigation measures by ACO and PSO and the novel socio-hydrological framework using ABM prove the forte and diverse applicability of bio-inspired optimization algorithms