3,985 research outputs found
Firefly Algorithm: Recent Advances and Applications
Nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithms, especially those based on swarm
intelligence, have attracted much attention in the last ten years. Firefly
algorithm appeared in about five years ago, its literature has expanded
dramatically with diverse applications. In this paper, we will briefly review
the fundamentals of firefly algorithm together with a selection of recent
publications. Then, we discuss the optimality associated with balancing
exploration and exploitation, which is essential for all metaheuristic
algorithms. By comparing with intermittent search strategy, we conclude that
metaheuristics such as firefly algorithm are better than the optimal
intermittent search strategy. We also analyse algorithms and their implications
for higher-dimensional optimization problems.Comment: 15 page
A simheuristic algorithm for solving an integrated resource allocation and scheduling problem
Modern companies have to face challenging configuration issues in their manufacturing chains. One of these challenges is related to the integrated allocation and scheduling of resources such as machines, workers, energy, etc. These integrated optimization problems are difficult to solve, but they can be even more challenging when real-life uncertainty is considered. In this paper, we study an integrated allocation and scheduling optimization problem with stochastic processing times. A simheuristic algorithm is proposed in order to effectively solve this integrated and stochastic problem. Our approach relies on the hybridization of simulation with a metaheuristic to deal with the stochastic version of the allocation-scheduling problem. A series of numerical experiments contribute to illustrate the efficiency of our methodology as well as their potential applications in real-life enterprise settings
Evolving Pacing Strategies for Team Pursuit Track Cycling
Team pursuit track cycling is a bicycle racing sport held on velodromes and
is part of the Summer Olympics. It involves the use of strategies to minimize
the overall time that a team of cyclists needs to complete a race. We present
an optimisation framework for team pursuit track cycling and show how to evolve
strategies using metaheuristics for this interesting real-world problem. Our
experimental results show that these heuristics lead to significantly better
strategies than state-of-art strategies that are currently used by teams of
cyclists
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Combinatorial optimization and metaheuristics
Today, combinatorial optimization is one of the youngest and most active areas of discrete mathematics. It is a branch of optimization in applied mathematics and computer science, related to operational research, algorithm theory and computational complexity theory. It sits at the intersection of several fields, including artificial intelligence, mathematics and software engineering. Its increasing interest arises for the fact that a large number of scientific and industrial problems can be formulated as abstract combinatorial optimization problems, through graphs and/or (integer) linear programs. Some of these problems have polynomial-time (“efficient”) algorithms, while most of them are NP-hard, i.e. it is not proved that they can be solved in polynomial-time. Mainly, it means that it is not possible to guarantee that an exact solution to the problem can be found and one has to settle for an approximate solution with known performance guarantees. Indeed, the goal of approximate methods is to find “quickly” (reasonable run-times), with “high” probability, provable “good” solutions (low error from the real optimal solution). In the last 20 years, a new kind of algorithm commonly called metaheuristics have emerged in this class, which basically try to combine heuristics in high level frameworks aimed at efficiently and effectively exploring the search space. This report briefly outlines the components, concepts, advantages and disadvantages of different metaheuristic approaches from a conceptual point of view, in order to analyze their similarities and differences. The two very significant forces of intensification and diversification, that mainly determine the behavior of a metaheuristic, will be pointed out. The report concludes by exploring the importance of hybridization and integration methods
Variable neighbourhood search for the minimum labelling Steiner tree problem
We present a study on heuristic solution approaches to the minimum labelling Steiner
tree problem, an NP-hard graph problem related to the minimum labelling spanning tree
problem. Given an undirected labelled connected graph, the aim is to find a spanning
tree covering a given subset of nodes of the graph, whose edges have the smallest number
of distinct labels. Such a model may be used to represent many real world problems in
telecommunications and multimodal transportation networks. Several metaheuristics are
proposed and evaluated. The approaches are compared to the widely adopted Pilot Method
and it is shown that the Variable Neighbourhood Search metaheuristic is the most effective
approach to the problem, obtaining high quality solutions in short computational running
times
Review of Metaheuristics and Generalized Evolutionary Walk Algorithm
Metaheuristic algorithms are often nature-inspired, and they are becoming
very powerful in solving global optimization problems. More than a dozen of
major metaheuristic algorithms have been developed over the last three decades,
and there exist even more variants and hybrid of metaheuristics. This paper
intends to provide an overview of nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithms,
from a brief history to their applications. We try to analyze the main
components of these algorithms and how and why they works. Then, we intend to
provide a unified view of metaheuristics by proposing a generalized
evolutionary walk algorithm (GEWA). Finally, we discuss some of the important
open questions.Comment: 14 page
A bi-objective genetic algorithm approach to risk mitigation in project scheduling
A problem of risk mitigation in project scheduling is formulated as a bi-objective optimization problem, where the expected makespan and the expected total cost are both to be minimized. The expected total cost is the sum of four cost components: overhead cost, activity execution cost, cost of reducing risks and penalty cost for tardiness. Risks for activities are predefined. For each risk at an activity, various levels are defined, which correspond to the results of different preventive measures. Only those risks with a probable impact on the duration of the related activity are considered here. Impacts of risks are not only accounted for through the expected makespan but are also translated into cost and thus have an impact on the expected total cost. An MIP model and a heuristic solution approach based on genetic algorithms (GAs) is proposed. The experiments conducted indicate that GAs provide a fast and effective solution approach to the problem. For smaller problems, the results obtained by the GA are very good. For larger problems, there is room for improvement
Discrete Particle Swarm Optimization for the minimum labelling Steiner tree problem
Particle Swarm Optimization is an evolutionary method inspired by the
social behaviour of individuals inside swarms in nature. Solutions of the problem are
modelled as members of the swarm which fly in the solution space. The evolution is
obtained from the continuous movement of the particles that constitute the swarm
submitted to the effect of the inertia and the attraction of the members who lead the
swarm. This work focuses on a recent Discrete Particle Swarm Optimization for combinatorial optimization, called Jumping Particle Swarm Optimization. Its effectiveness is
illustrated on the minimum labelling Steiner tree problem: given an undirected labelled
connected graph, the aim is to find a spanning tree covering a given subset of nodes,
whose edges have the smallest number of distinct labels
Framework for sustainable TVET-Teacher Education Program in Malaysia Public Universities
Studies had stated that less attention was given to the education aspect, such as
teaching and learning in planning for improving the TVET system. Due to the 21st
Century context, the current paradigm of teaching for the TVET educators also has
been reported to be fatal and need to be shifted. All these disadvantages reported
hindering the country from achieving the 5th strategy in the Strategic Plan for
Vocational Education Transformation to transform TVET system as a whole.
Therefore, this study aims to develop a framework for sustainable TVET Teacher
Education program in Malaysia. This study had adopted an Exploratory Sequential
Mix-Method design, which involves a semi-structured interview (phase one) and
survey method (phase two). Nine experts had involved in phase one chosen by using
Purposive Sampling Technique. As in phase two, 118 TVET-TE program lecturers
were selected as the survey sample chosen through random sampling method. After
data analysis in phase one (thematic analysis) and phase two (Principal Component
Analysis), eight domains and 22 elements have been identified for the framework for
sustainable TVET-TE program in Malaysia. This framework was identified to embed
the elements of 21st Century Education, thus filling the gap in this research. The
research findings also indicate that the developed framework was unidimensional and
valid for the development and research regarding TVET-TE program in Malaysia.
Lastly, it is in the hope that this research can be a guide for the nations in producing a
quality TVET teacher in the future
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