An Analysis of a KNN Perturbation Operator: An Application to the Binarization of Continuous Metaheuristics

[EN] The optimization methods and, in particular, metaheuristics must be constantly improved to reduce execution times, improve the results, and thus be able to address broader instances. In particular, addressing combinatorial optimization problems is critical in the areas of operational research and engineering. In this work, a perturbation operator is proposed which uses the k-nearest neighbors technique, and this is studied with the aim of improving the diversification and intensification properties of metaheuristic algorithms in their binary version. Random operators are designed to study the contribution of the perturbation operator. To verify the proposal, large instances of the well-known set covering problem are studied. Box plots, convergence charts, and the Wilcoxon statistical test are used to determine the operator contribution. Furthermore, a comparison is made using metaheuristic techniques that use general binarization mechanisms such as transfer functions or db-scan as binarization methods. The results obtained indicate that the KNN perturbation operator improves significantly the results.The first author was supported by the Grant CONICYT/FONDECYT/INICIACION/11180056.García, J.; Astorga, G.; Yepes, V. (2021). An Analysis of a KNN Perturbation Operator: An Application to the Binarization of Continuous Metaheuristics. Mathematics. 9(3):1-20. https://doi.org/10.3390/math9030225S12093Al-Madi, N., Faris, H., & Mirjalili, S. (2019). Binary multi-verse optimization algorithm for global optimization and discrete problems. International Journal of Machine Learning and Cybernetics, 10(12), 3445-3465. doi:10.1007/s13042-019-00931-8García, J., Moraga, P., Valenzuela, M., Crawford, B., Soto, R., Pinto, H., … Astorga, G. (2019). A Db-Scan Binarization Algorithm Applied to Matrix Covering Problems. Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience, 2019, 1-16. doi:10.1155/2019/3238574Guo, H., Liu, B., Cai, D., & Lu, T. (2016). Predicting protein–protein interaction sites using modified support vector machine. International Journal of Machine Learning and Cybernetics, 9(3), 393-398. doi:10.1007/s13042-015-0450-6Korkmaz, S., Babalik, A., & Kiran, M. S. (2017). An artificial algae algorithm for solving binary optimization problems. International Journal of Machine Learning and Cybernetics, 9(7), 1233-1247. doi:10.1007/s13042-017-0772-7García, J., Martí, J. V., & Yepes, V. (2020). The Buttressed Walls Problem: An Application of a Hybrid Clustering Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm. Mathematics, 8(6), 862. doi:10.3390/math8060862Yepes, V., Martí, J. V., & García, J. (2020). Black Hole Algorithm for Sustainable Design of Counterfort Retaining Walls. Sustainability, 12(7), 2767. doi:10.3390/su12072767Talbi, E.-G. (2015). Combining metaheuristics with mathematical programming, constraint programming and machine learning. Annals of Operations Research, 240(1), 171-215. doi:10.1007/s10479-015-2034-yJuan, A. A., Faulin, J., Grasman, S. E., Rabe, M., & Figueira, G. (2015). A review of simheuristics: Extending metaheuristics to deal with stochastic combinatorial optimization problems. Operations Research Perspectives, 2, 62-72. doi:10.1016/j.orp.2015.03.001Chou, J.-S., & Nguyen, T.-K. (2018). Forward Forecast of Stock Price Using Sliding-Window Metaheuristic-Optimized Machine-Learning Regression. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 14(7), 3132-3142. doi:10.1109/tii.2018.2794389Zheng, B., Zhang, J., Yoon, S. W., Lam, S. S., Khasawneh, M., & Poranki, S. (2015). Predictive modeling of hospital readmissions using metaheuristics and data mining. Expert Systems with Applications, 42(20), 7110-7120. doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2015.04.066De León, A. D., Lalla-Ruiz, E., Melián-Batista, B., & Marcos Moreno-Vega, J. (2017). A Machine Learning-based system for berth scheduling at bulk terminals. Expert Systems with Applications, 87, 170-182. doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2017.06.010García, J., Lalla-Ruiz, E., Voß, S., & Droguett, E. L. (2020). Enhancing a machine learning binarization framework by perturbation operators: analysis on the multidimensional knapsack problem. International Journal of Machine Learning and Cybernetics, 11(9), 1951-1970. doi:10.1007/s13042-020-01085-8García, J., Crawford, B., Soto, R., & Astorga, G. (2019). A clustering algorithm applied to the binarization of Swarm intelligence continuous metaheuristics. Swarm and Evolutionary Computation, 44, 646-664. doi:10.1016/j.swevo.2018.08.006García, J., Crawford, B., Soto, R., Castro, C., & Paredes, F. (2017). A k-means binarization framework applied to multidimensional knapsack problem. Applied Intelligence, 48(2), 357-380. doi:10.1007/s10489-017-0972-6Dokeroglu, T., Sevinc, E., Kucukyilmaz, T., & Cosar, A. (2019). A survey on new generation metaheuristic algorithms. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 137, 106040. doi:10.1016/j.cie.2019.106040Zong Woo Geem, Joong Hoon Kim, & Loganathan, G. V. (2001). A New Heuristic Optimization Algorithm: Harmony Search. SIMULATION, 76(2), 60-68. doi:10.1177/003754970107600201Rashedi, E., Nezamabadi-pour, H., & Saryazdi, S. (2009). GSA: A Gravitational Search Algorithm. Information Sciences, 179(13), 2232-2248. doi:10.1016/j.ins.2009.03.004Rao, R. V., Savsani, V. J., & Vakharia, D. P. (2011). Teaching–learning-based optimization: A novel method for constrained mechanical design optimization problems. Computer-Aided Design, 43(3), 303-315. doi:10.1016/j.cad.2010.12.015Gandomi, A. H., & Alavi, A. H. (2012). Krill herd: A new bio-inspired optimization algorithm. Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation, 17(12), 4831-4845. doi:10.1016/j.cnsns.2012.05.010Cuevas, E., & Cienfuegos, M. (2014). A new algorithm inspired in the behavior of the social-spider for constrained optimization. Expert Systems with Applications, 41(2), 412-425. doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2013.07.067Xu, L., Hutter, F., Hoos, H. H., & Leyton-Brown, K. (2008). SATzilla: Portfolio-based Algorithm Selection for SAT. Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research, 32, 565-606. doi:10.1613/jair.2490Smith-Miles, K., & van Hemert, J. (2011). Discovering the suitability of optimisation algorithms by learning from evolved instances. Annals of Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence, 61(2), 87-104. doi:10.1007/s10472-011-9230-5Peña, J. M., Lozano, J. A., & Larrañaga, P. (2005). Globally Multimodal Problem Optimization Via an Estimation of Distribution Algorithm Based on Unsupervised Learning of Bayesian Networks. Evolutionary Computation, 13(1), 43-66. doi:10.1162/1063656053583432Hutter, F., Xu, L., Hoos, H. H., & Leyton-Brown, K. (2014). Algorithm runtime prediction: Methods & evaluation. Artificial Intelligence, 206, 79-111. doi:10.1016/j.artint.2013.10.003Eiben, A. E., & Smit, S. K. (2011). Parameter tuning for configuring and analyzing evolutionary algorithms. Swarm and Evolutionary Computation, 1(1), 19-31. doi:10.1016/j.swevo.2011.02.001García, J., Yepes, V., & Martí, J. V. (2020). A Hybrid k-Means Cuckoo Search Algorithm Applied to the Counterfort Retaining Walls Problem. Mathematics, 8(4), 555. doi:10.3390/math8040555García, J., Moraga, P., Valenzuela, M., & Pinto, H. (2020). A db-Scan Hybrid Algorithm: An Application to the Multidimensional Knapsack Problem. Mathematics, 8(4), 507. doi:10.3390/math8040507Poikolainen, I., Neri, F., & Caraffini, F. (2015). Cluster-Based Population Initialization for differential evolution frameworks. Information Sciences, 297, 216-235. doi:10.1016/j.ins.2014.11.026García, J., & Maureira, C. (2021). A KNN quantum cuckoo search algorithm applied to the multidimensional knapsack problem. Applied Soft Computing, 102, 107077. doi:10.1016/j.asoc.2020.107077Rice, J. R. (1976). The Algorithm Selection Problem. Advances in Computers Volume 15, 65-118. doi:10.1016/s0065-2458(08)60520-3Burke, E. K., Gendreau, M., Hyde, M., Kendall, G., Ochoa, G., Özcan, E., & Qu, R. (2013). Hyper-heuristics: a survey of the state of the art. Journal of the Operational Research Society, 64(12), 1695-1724. doi:10.1057/jors.2013.71Florez-Lozano, J., Caraffini, F., Parra, C., & Gongora, M. (2020). Cooperative and distributed decision-making in a multi-agent perception system for improvised land mines detection. Information Fusion, 64, 32-49. doi:10.1016/j.inffus.2020.06.009Crawford, B., Soto, R., Astorga, G., García, J., Castro, C., & Paredes, F. (2017). Putting Continuous Metaheuristics to Work in Binary Search Spaces. Complexity, 2017, 1-19. doi:10.1155/2017/8404231Mafarja, M., Aljarah, I., Heidari, A. A., Faris, H., Fournier-Viger, P., Li, X., & Mirjalili, S. (2018). Binary dragonfly optimization for feature selection using time-varying transfer functions. Knowledge-Based Systems, 161, 185-204. doi:10.1016/j.knosys.2018.08.003Feng, Y., An, H., & Gao, X. (2018). The Importance of Transfer Function in Solving Set-Union Knapsack Problem Based on Discrete Moth Search Algorithm. Mathematics, 7(1), 17. doi:10.3390/math7010017Zhang, G. (2010). Quantum-inspired evolutionary algorithms: a survey and empirical study. Journal of Heuristics, 17(3), 303-351. doi:10.1007/s10732-010-9136-0Srikanth, K., Panwar, L. K., Panigrahi, B., Herrera-Viedma, E., Sangaiah, A. K., & Wang, G.-G. (2018). Meta-heuristic framework: Quantum inspired binary grey wolf optimizer for unit commitment problem. Computers & Electrical Engineering, 70, 243-260. doi:10.1016/j.compeleceng.2017.07.023Hu, H., Yang, K., Liu, L., Su, L., & Yang, Z. (2019). Short-Term Hydropower Generation Scheduling Using an Improved Cloud Adaptive Quantum-Inspired Binary Social Spider Optimization Algorithm. Water Resources Management, 33(7), 2357-2379. doi:10.1007/s11269-018-2138-7Gao, Y. J., Zhang, F. M., Zhao, Y., & Li, C. (2019). A novel quantum-inspired binary wolf pack algorithm for difficult knapsack problem. International Journal of Wireless and Mobile Computing, 16(3), 222. doi:10.1504/ijwmc.2019.099861Kumar, Y., Verma, S. K., & Sharma, S. (2020). Quantum-inspired binary gravitational search algorithm to recognize the facial expressions. International Journal of Modern Physics C, 31(10), 2050138. doi:10.1142/s0129183120501387Balas, E., & Padberg, M. W. (1976). Set Partitioning: A survey. SIAM Review, 18(4), 710-760. doi:10.1137/1018115Borneman, J., Chrobak, M., Della Vedova, G., Figueroa, A., & Jiang, T. (2001). Probe selection algorithms with applications in the analysis of microbial communities. Bioinformatics, 17(Suppl 1), S39-S48. doi:10.1093/bioinformatics/17.suppl_1.s39Boros, E., Hammer, P. L., Ibaraki, T., & Kogan, A. (1997). Logical analysis of numerical data. Mathematical Programming, 79(1-3), 163-190. doi:10.1007/bf02614316Balas, E., & Carrera, M. C. (1996). A Dynamic Subgradient-Based Branch-and-Bound Procedure for Set Covering. Operations Research, 44(6), 875-890. doi:10.1287/opre.44.6.875Beasley, J. E. (1987). An algorithm for set covering problem. European Journal of Operational Research, 31(1), 85-93. doi:10.1016/0377-2217(87)90141-xBeasley, J. E. (1990). A lagrangian heuristic for set-covering problems. Naval Research Logistics, 37(1), 151-164. doi:10.1002/1520-6750(199002)37:13.0.co;2-2Beasley, J. ., & Chu, P. . (1996). A genetic algorithm for the set covering problem. European Journal of Operational Research, 94(2), 392-404. doi:10.1016/0377-2217(95)00159-xSoto, R., Crawford, B., Olivares, R., Barraza, J., Figueroa, I., Johnson, F., … Olguín, E. (2017). Solving the non-unicost set covering problem by using cuckoo search and black hole optimization. Natural Computing, 16(2), 213-229. doi:10.1007/s11047-016-9609-

Performance comparison of various probability gate assisted binary lightning search algorithm

Recently, many new nature-inspired optimization algorithms have been introduced to further enhance the computational intelligence optimization algorithms. Among them, lightning search algorithm (LSA) is a recent heuristic optimization method for resolving continuous problems. It mimics the natural phenomenon of lightning to find out the global optimal solution around the search space. In this paper, a suitable technique to formulate binary version of lightning search algorithm (BLSA) is presented. Three common probability transfer functions, namely, logistic sigmoid, tangent hyperbolic sigmoid and quantum bit rotating gate are investigated to be utilized in the original LSA. The performances of three transfer functions based BLSA is evaluated using various standard functions with different features and the results are compared with other four famous heuristic optimization techniques. The comparative study clearly reveals that tangent hyperbolic transfer function is the most suitable function that can be utilized in the binary version of LSA

A Hybrid k-Means Cuckoo Search Algorithm Applied to the Counterfort Retaining Walls Problem

[EN] The counterfort retaining wall is one of the most frequent structures used in civil engineering. In this structure, optimization of cost and CO2 emissions are important. The first is relevant in the competitiveness and efficiency of the company, the second in environmental impact. From the point of view of computational complexity, the problem is challenging due to the large number of possible combinations in the solution space. In this article, a k-means cuckoo search hybrid algorithm is proposed where the cuckoo search metaheuristic is used as an optimization mechanism in continuous spaces and the unsupervised k-means learning technique to discretize the solutions. A random operator is designed to determine the contribution of the k-means operator in the optimization process. The best values, the averages, and the interquartile ranges of the obtained distributions are compared. The hybrid algorithm was later compared to a version of harmony search that also solved the problem. The results show that the k-mean operator contributes significantly to the quality of the solutions and that our algorithm is highly competitive, surpassing the results obtained by harmony search.The first author was supported by the Grant CONICYT/FONDECYT/INICIACION/11180056, the other two authors were supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, along with FEDER funding (Project: BIA2017-85098-R).García, J.; Yepes, V.; Martí Albiñana, JV. (2020). A Hybrid k-Means Cuckoo Search Algorithm Applied to the Counterfort Retaining Walls Problem. Mathematics. 8(4):1-22. https://doi.org/10.3390/math8040555S12284García, J., Altimiras, F., Peña, A., Astorga, G., & Peredo, O. (2018). A Binary Cuckoo Search Big Data Algorithm Applied to Large-Scale Crew Scheduling Problems. Complexity, 2018, 1-15. doi:10.1155/2018/8395193García, J., Moraga, P., Valenzuela, M., Crawford, B., Soto, R., Pinto, H., … Astorga, G. (2019). A Db-Scan Binarization Algorithm Applied to Matrix Covering Problems. Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience, 2019, 1-16. doi:10.1155/2019/3238574Al-Madi, N., Faris, H., & Mirjalili, S. (2019). Binary multi-verse optimization algorithm for global optimization and discrete problems. International Journal of Machine Learning and Cybernetics, 10(12), 3445-3465. doi:10.1007/s13042-019-00931-8Kim, M., & Chae, J. (2019). Monarch Butterfly Optimization for Facility Layout Design Based on a Single Loop Material Handling Path. Mathematics, 7(2), 154. doi:10.3390/math7020154García, J., Crawford, B., Soto, R., & Astorga, G. (2019). A clustering algorithm applied to the binarization of Swarm intelligence continuous metaheuristics. Swarm and Evolutionary Computation, 44, 646-664. doi:10.1016/j.swevo.2018.08.006García, J., Lalla-Ruiz, E., Voß, S., & Droguett, E. L. (2020). Enhancing a machine learning binarization framework by perturbation operators: analysis on the multidimensional knapsack problem. International Journal of Machine Learning and Cybernetics, 11(9), 1951-1970. doi:10.1007/s13042-020-01085-8García, J., Moraga, P., Valenzuela, M., & Pinto, H. (2020). A db-Scan Hybrid Algorithm: An Application to the Multidimensional Knapsack Problem. Mathematics, 8(4), 507. doi:10.3390/math8040507Saeheaw, T., & Charoenchai, N. (2018). A comparative study among different parallel hybrid artificial intelligent approaches to solve the capacitated vehicle routing problem. International Journal of Bio-Inspired Computation, 11(3), 171. doi:10.1504/ijbic.2018.091704Valdez, F., Castillo, O., Jain, A., & Jana, D. K. (2019). Nature-Inspired Optimization Algorithms for Neuro-Fuzzy Models in Real-World Control and Robotics Applications. Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience, 2019, 1-2. doi:10.1155/2019/9128451Penadés-Plà, V., García-Segura, T., & Yepes, V. (2020). Robust Design Optimization for Low-Cost Concrete Box-Girder Bridge. Mathematics, 8(3), 398. doi:10.3390/math8030398García-Segura, T., Yepes, V., Frangopol, D. M., & Yang, D. Y. (2017). Lifetime reliability-based optimization of post-tensioned box-girder bridges. Engineering Structures, 145, 381-391. doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2017.05.013Yepes, V., Martí, J. V., & García, J. (2020). Black Hole Algorithm for Sustainable Design of Counterfort Retaining Walls. Sustainability, 12(7), 2767. doi:10.3390/su12072767Marti-Vargas, J. R., Ferri, F. J., & Yepes, V. (2013). Prediction of the transfer length of prestressing strands with neural networks. Computers and Concrete, 12(2), 187-209. doi:10.12989/cac.2013.12.2.187Fu, W., Tan, J., Zhang, X., Chen, T., & Wang, K. (2019). Blind Parameter Identification of MAR Model and Mutation Hybrid GWO-SCA Optimized SVM for Fault Diagnosis of Rotating Machinery. Complexity, 2019, 1-17. doi:10.1155/2019/3264969Sierra, L. A., Yepes, V., García-Segura, T., & Pellicer, E. (2018). Bayesian network method for decision-making about the social sustainability of infrastructure projects. Journal of Cleaner Production, 176, 521-534. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.140Crawford, B., Soto, R., Astorga, G., García, J., Castro, C., & Paredes, F. (2017). Putting Continuous Metaheuristics to Work in Binary Search Spaces. Complexity, 2017, 1-19. doi:10.1155/2017/8404231Hatamlou, A. (2013). Black hole: A new heuristic optimization approach for data clustering. Information Sciences, 222, 175-184. doi:10.1016/j.ins.2012.08.023Pan, W.-T. (2012). A new Fruit Fly Optimization Algorithm: Taking the financial distress model as an example. Knowledge-Based Systems, 26, 69-74. doi:10.1016/j.knosys.2011.07.001Rashedi, E., Nezamabadi-pour, H., & Saryazdi, S. (2009). GSA: A Gravitational Search Algorithm. Information Sciences, 179(13), 2232-2248. doi:10.1016/j.ins.2009.03.004Calvet, L., Armas, J. de, Masip, D., & Juan, A. A. (2017). Learnheuristics: hybridizing metaheuristics with machine learning for optimization with dynamic inputs. Open Mathematics, 15(1), 261-280. doi:10.1515/math-2017-0029Talbi, E.-G. (2015). Combining metaheuristics with mathematical programming, constraint programming and machine learning. Annals of Operations Research, 240(1), 171-215. doi:10.1007/s10479-015-2034-yJuan, A. A., Faulin, J., Grasman, S. E., Rabe, M., & Figueira, G. (2015). A review of simheuristics: Extending metaheuristics to deal with stochastic combinatorial optimization problems. Operations Research Perspectives, 2, 62-72. doi:10.1016/j.orp.2015.03.001Chou, J.-S., & Nguyen, T.-K. (2018). Forward Forecast of Stock Price Using Sliding-Window Metaheuristic-Optimized Machine-Learning Regression. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 14(7), 3132-3142. doi:10.1109/tii.2018.2794389Sayed, G. I., Tharwat, A., & Hassanien, A. E. (2018). Chaotic dragonfly algorithm: an improved metaheuristic algorithm for feature selection. Applied Intelligence, 49(1), 188-205. doi:10.1007/s10489-018-1261-8De León, A. D., Lalla-Ruiz, E., Melián-Batista, B., & Marcos Moreno-Vega, J. (2017). A Machine Learning-based system for berth scheduling at bulk terminals. Expert Systems with Applications, 87, 170-182. doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2017.06.010García, J., Crawford, B., Soto, R., Castro, C., & Paredes, F. (2017). A k-means binarization framework applied to multidimensional knapsack problem. Applied Intelligence, 48(2), 357-380. doi:10.1007/s10489-017-0972-6Molina-Moreno, F., Martí, J. V., & Yepes, V. (2017). Carbon embodied optimization for buttressed earth-retaining walls: Implications for low-carbon conceptual designs. Journal of Cleaner Production, 164, 872-884. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.06.246Asta, S., Özcan, E., & Curtois, T. (2016). A tensor based hyper-heuristic for nurse rostering. Knowledge-Based Systems, 98, 185-199. doi:10.1016/j.knosys.2016.01.031Martin, S., Ouelhadj, D., Beullens, P., Ozcan, E., Juan, A. A., & Burke, E. K. (2016). A multi-agent based cooperative approach to scheduling and routing. European Journal of Operational Research, 254(1), 169-178. doi:10.1016/j.ejor.2016.02.045Ghazali, R., Deris, M. M., Nawi, N. M., & Abawajy, J. H. (Eds.). (2018). Recent Advances on Soft Computing and Data Mining. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-72550-5Veček, N., Mernik, M., Filipič, B., & Črepinšek, M. (2016). Parameter tuning with Chess Rating System (CRS-Tuning) for meta-heuristic algorithms. Information Sciences, 372, 446-469. doi:10.1016/j.ins.2016.08.066Ries, J., & Beullens, P. (2015). A semi-automated design of instance-based fuzzy parameter tuning for metaheuristics based on decision tree induction. Journal of the Operational Research Society, 66(5), 782-793. doi:10.1057/jors.2014.46Yalcinoz, T., & Altun, H. (2001). Power economic dispatch using a hybrid genetic algorithm. IEEE Power Engineering Review, 21(3), 59-60. doi:10.1109/39.911360Kaur, H., Virmani, J., Kriti, & Thakur, S. (2019). A genetic algorithm-based metaheuristic approach to customize a computer-aided classification system for enhanced screen film mammograms. U-Healthcare Monitoring Systems, 217-259. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-815370-3.00010-4Faris, H., Hassonah, M. A., Al-Zoubi, A. M., Mirjalili, S., & Aljarah, I. (2017). A multi-verse optimizer approach for feature selection and optimizing SVM parameters based on a robust system architecture. Neural Computing and Applications, 30(8), 2355-2369. doi:10.1007/s00521-016-2818-2Faris, H., Aljarah, I., & Mirjalili, S. (2017). Improved monarch butterfly optimization for unconstrained global search and neural network training. Applied Intelligence, 48(2), 445-464. doi:10.1007/s10489-017-0967-3Chou, J.-S., & Thedja, J. P. P. (2016). Metaheuristic optimization within machine learning-based classification system for early warnings related to geotechnical problems. Automation in Construction, 68, 65-80. doi:10.1016/j.autcon.2016.03.015Pham, A.-D., Hoang, N.-D., & Nguyen, Q.-T. (2016). Predicting Compressive Strength of High-Performance Concrete Using Metaheuristic-Optimized Least Squares Support Vector Regression. Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 30(3), 06015002. doi:10.1061/(asce)cp.1943-5487.0000506Göçken, M., Özçalıcı, M., Boru, A., & Dosdoğru, A. T. (2016). Integrating metaheuristics and Artificial Neural Networks for improved stock price prediction. Expert Systems with Applications, 44, 320-331. doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2015.09.029Chou, J.-S., & Pham, A.-D. (2017). Nature-inspired metaheuristic optimization in least squares support vector regression for obtaining bridge scour information. Information Sciences, 399, 64-80. doi:10.1016/j.ins.2017.02.051Kuo, R. J., Lin, T. C., Zulvia, F. E., & Tsai, C. Y. (2018). A hybrid metaheuristic and kernel intuitionistic fuzzy c-means algorithm for cluster analysis. Applied Soft Computing, 67, 299-308. doi:10.1016/j.asoc.2018.02.039Singh Mann, P., & Singh, S. (2017). Energy efficient clustering protocol based on improved metaheuristic in wireless sensor networks. Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 83, 40-52. doi:10.1016/j.jnca.2017.01.031Rosa, R. de A., Machado, A. M., Ribeiro, G. M., & Mauri, G. R. (2016). A mathematical model and a Clustering Search metaheuristic for planning the helicopter transportation of employees to the production platforms of oil and gas. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 101, 303-312. doi:10.1016/j.cie.2016.09.006Faris, H., Mirjalili, S., & Aljarah, I. (2019). Automatic selection of hidden neurons and weights in neural networks using grey wolf optimizer based on a hybrid encoding scheme. International Journal of Machine Learning and Cybernetics, 10(10), 2901-2920. doi:10.1007/s13042-018-00913-2De Rosa, G. H., Papa, J. P., & Yang, X.-S. (2017). Handling dropout probability estimation in convolution neural networks using meta-heuristics. Soft Computing, 22(18), 6147-6156. doi:10.1007/s00500-017-2678-4Rere, L. M. R., Fanany, M. I., & Arymurthy, A. M. (2016). Metaheuristic Algorithms for Convolution Neural Network. Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience, 2016, 1-13. doi:10.1155/2016/1537325Jothi, R., Mohanty, S. K., & Ojha, A. (2017). DK-means: a deterministic K-means clustering algorithm for gene expression analysis. Pattern Analysis and Applications, 22(2), 649-667. doi:10.1007/s10044-017-0673-0García, J., Pope, C., & Altimiras, F. (2017). A Distributed K-Means Segmentation Algorithm Applied to Lobesia botrana Recognition. Complexity, 2017, 1-14. doi:10.1155/2017/5137317Arunkumar, N., Mohammed, M. A., Abd Ghani, M. K., Ibrahim, D. A., Abdulhay, E., Ramirez-Gonzalez, G., & de Albuquerque, V. H. C. (2018). K-Means clustering and neural network for object detecting and identifying abnormality of brain tumor. Soft Computing, 23(19), 9083-9096. doi:10.1007/s00500-018-3618-7Abdel-Basset, M., Wang, G.-G., Sangaiah, A. K., & Rushdy, E. (2017). Krill herd algorithm based on cuckoo search for solving engineering optimization problems. Multimedia Tools and Applications, 78(4), 3861-3884. doi:10.1007/s11042-017-4803-xChi, R., Su, Y., Zhang, D., Chi, X., & Zhang, H. (2017). A hybridization of cuckoo search and particle swarm optimization for solving optimization problems. Neural Computing and Applications, 31(S1), 653-670. doi:10.1007/s00521-017-3012-xLi, J., Xiao, D., Lei, H., Zhang, T., & Tian, T. (2020). Using Cuckoo Search Algorithm with Q-Learning and Genetic Operation to Solve the Problem of Logistics Distribution Center Location. Mathematics, 8(2), 149. doi:10.3390/math8020149Pan, J.-S., Song, P.-C., Chu, S.-C., & Peng, Y.-J. (2020). Improved Compact Cuckoo Search Algorithm Applied to Location of Drone Logistics Hub. Mathematics, 8(3), 333. doi:10.3390/math8030333Yepes, V., Alcala, J., Perea, C., & González-Vidosa, F. (2008). A parametric study of optimum earth-retaining walls by simulated annealing. Engineering Structures, 30(3), 821-830. doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2007.05.023Molina-Moreno, F., García-Segura, T., Martí, J. V., & Yepes, V. (2017). Optimization of buttressed earth-retaining walls using hybrid harmony search algorithms. Engineering Structures, 134, 205-216. doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2016.12.04

A Literature Review of Cuckoo Search Algorithm

Optimization techniques play key role in real world problems. In many situations where decisions are taken based on random search they are used. But choosing optimal Optimization algorithm is a major challenge to the user. This paper presents a review on Cuckoo Search Algorithm which can replace many traditionally used techniques. Cuckoo search uses Levi flight strategy based on Egg laying Radius in deriving the solution specific to problem. CS optimization algorithm increases the efficiency, accuracy, and convergence rate. Different categories of the cuckoo search and several applications of the cuckoo search are reviewed. Keywords: Cuckoo Search Optimization, Applications , Levy Flight DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-8-01 Publication date:March 31st 202

Effect of Population Structures on Quantum-Inspired Evolutionary Algorithm

Quantum-inspired evolutionary algorithm (QEA) has been designed by integrating some quantum mechanical principles in the framework of evolutionary algorithms. They have been successfully employed as a computational technique in solving difficult optimization problems. It is well known that QEAs provide better balance between exploration and exploitation as compared to the conventional evolutionary algorithms. The population in QEA is evolved by variation operators, which move the Q-bit towards an attractor. A modification for improving the performance of QEA was proposed by changing the selection of attractors, namely, versatile QEA. The improvement attained by versatile QEA over QEA indicates the impact of population structure on the performance of QEA and motivates further investigation into employing fine-grained model. The QEA with fine-grained population model (FQEA) is similar to QEA with the exception that every individual is located in a unique position on a two-dimensional toroidal grid and has four neighbors amongst which it selects its attractor. Further, FQEA does not use migrations, which is employed by QEAs. This paper empirically investigates the effect of the three different population structures on the performance of QEA by solving well-known discrete benchmark optimization problems

The Plant Propagation Algorithm for Discrete Optimisation

The thesis is concerned with novel Nature-Inspired heuristics for the so called NP-hard problems of optimisation. A particular algorithm which has been recently introduced and shown to be effective in continuous optimisation is the Plant Propagation Algorithm or PPA. Here, we intend to extend it to cope with combinatorial optimisation. In order to show that our extension is viable and effective, we consider three types of problems which are good representatives of the whole topic. These are the Travelling Salesman Problem or TSP, the Knapsack Problem or KP and the scheduling problem of Berth Allocation as arises in container ports or BAP. Because PPA is a population-based search heuristic, we devote a chapter to the important issue of generating good and yet computationally relatively light initial populations of solutions to kick start the search process. In the case of the TSP we revisit and extend the Strip Algorithm (SA). We introduce the 2-Part SA and show that it is better than the classical SA. We also introduce new variants such as the Adaptive SA and the Spiral SA which cope with clustered cities and instances with cities concentrated around the center of the unit square, respectively. In the case of KP we adapt the Roulette Wheel selection approach to generate solutions to start with PPA. And in the case of BAP, we introduce a number of simple heuristics which consider a schedule as a flat box with one side being the processing time and the other the position of vessels on the wharf. The heuristics try to generate schedules by avoiding overlap as much as possible. All approaches and algorithms are implemented and tested against well established algorithms. The results are recorded and discussed extensively. The thesis ends with a conclusion and ideas for further research