Application of a new multi-agent Hybrid Co-evolution based Particle Swarm Optimisation methodology in ship design

In this paper, a multiple objective 'Hybrid Co-evolution based Particle Swarm Optimisation' methodology (HCPSO) is proposed. This methodology is able to handle multiple objective optimisation problems in the area of ship design, where the simultaneous optimisation of several conflicting objectives is considered. The proposed method is a hybrid technique that merges the features of co-evolution and Nash equilibrium with a ε-disturbance technique to eliminate the stagnation. The method also offers a way to identify an efficient set of Pareto (conflicting) designs and to select a preferred solution amongst these designs. The combination of co-evolution approach and Nash-optima contributes to HCPSO by utilising faster search and evolution characteristics. The design search is performed within a multi-agent design framework to facilitate distributed synchronous cooperation. The most widely used test functions from the formal literature of multiple objectives optimisation are utilised to test the HCPSO. In addition, a real case study, the internal subdivision problem of a ROPAX vessel, is provided to exemplify the applicability of the developed method

Globalisation and insecurity

We construct a simple model of the e¤ect of increased interna-tional openness on risk bearing in an environment in which the onlyrisk-sharing institutions are self-enforcing agreements. We showhow increased openness can weaken long-term relationships, andhence risk sharing, by increasing the e¤ectiveness of the market,much as some critics of globalization have argued. However, theharm thereby done is tempered by the fact that in order to havesuch a negative indirect e¤ect, openness must have a direct e¤ectthat reduces risk. It is shown that on balance, globalization reducesrisk and raises welfare for those in small countries, but increases riskand reduces welfare for those in large countries. We construct a simple model of the e¤ect of increased interna-tional openness on risk bearing in an environment in which the onlyrisk-sharing institutions are self-enforcing agreements. We showhow increased openness can weaken long-term relationships, andhence risk sharing, by increasing the e¤ectiveness of the market,much as some critics of globalization have argued. However, theharm thereby done is tempered by the fact that in order to havesuch a negative indirect e¤ect, openness must have a direct e¤ectthat reduces risk. It is shown that on balance, globalization reducesrisk and raises welfare for those in small countries, but increases riskand reduces welfare for those in large countries

Linking and Weighting Efficiency Estimates with Stock Performance in Banking Firms

The purpose of this paper is to contribute further evidence on bank efficiency by defining alternative measures of costs when estimating efficiency and competitive viability by linking the results of efficiency estimates to market returns of financial institutions. Given a series of functions (production costs, opportunity costs of capital with systematic risk, opportunity cost of capital with specific risk, and branch network distribution), we estimate alternative partial measures of bank efficiency with DEA. Assuming that these functions are related to market returns on shares, an estimation of the relative importance of each of the functions is carried out, considering an additional initially unknown function which can be attributed to individual differences not accounted for in the previous four definitions. Due to the nature of the model, strong collinearity may be expected among efficiency measures. With the aid of a tabu search procedure, artificial instrumental variables are generated which avoid collinearity and permit the isolation of the underlying relationships. Results are applied to all Spanish banks quoting on the stock exchange.

Complexity, BioComplexity, the Connectionist Conjecture and Ontology of Complexity\ud

This paper develops and integrates major ideas and concepts on complexity and biocomplexity - the connectionist conjecture, universal ontology of complexity, irreducible complexity of totality & inherent randomness, perpetual evolution of information, emergence of criticality and equivalence of symmetry & complexity. This paper introduces the Connectionist Conjecture which states that the one and only representation of Totality is the connectionist one i.e. in terms of nodes and edges. This paper also introduces an idea of Universal Ontology of Complexity and develops concepts in that direction. The paper also develops ideas and concepts on the perpetual evolution of information, irreducibility and computability of totality, all in the context of the Connectionist Conjecture. The paper indicates that the control and communication are the prime functionals that are responsible for the symmetry and complexity of complex phenomenon. The paper takes the stand that the phenomenon of life (including its evolution) is probably the nearest to what we can describe with the term “complexity”. The paper also assumes that signaling and communication within the living world and of the living world with the environment creates the connectionist structure of the biocomplexity. With life and its evolution as the substrate, the paper develops ideas towards the ontology of complexity. The paper introduces new complexity theoretic interpretations of fundamental biomolecular parameters. The paper also develops ideas on the methodology to determine the complexity of “true” complex phenomena.\u

Balancing Lexicographic Multi-Objective Assembly Lines with Multi-Manned Stations

In a multi-manned assembly line, tasks of the same workpiece can be executed simultaneously by different workers working in the same station. This line has significant advantages over a simple assembly line such as shorter line length, less work-in-process, smaller installation space, and less product flow time. In many realistic line balancing situations, there are usually more than one objective conflicting with each other. This paper presents a preemptive goal programming model and some heuristic methods based on variable neighborhood search approach for multi-objective assembly line balancing problems with multi-manned stations. Three different objectives are considered, minimizing the total number of multi-manned stations as the primary objective, minimizing the total number of workers as the secondary objective, and smoothing the number of workers at stations as the tertiary objective. A set of test instances taken from the literature is solved to compare the performance of all methods, and results are presented

Technical report of data mining

No abstract availabl