Multimodal estimation of distribution algorithms

Taking the advantage of estimation of distribution algorithms (EDAs) in preserving high diversity, this paper proposes a multimodal EDA. Integrated with clustering strategies for crowding and speciation, two versions of this algorithm are developed, which operate at the niche level. Then these two algorithms are equipped with three distinctive techniques: 1) a dynamic cluster sizing strategy; 2) an alternative utilization of Gaussian and Cauchy distributions to generate offspring; and 3) an adaptive local search. The dynamic cluster sizing affords a potential balance between exploration and exploitation and reduces the sensitivity to the cluster size in the niching methods. Taking advantages of Gaussian and Cauchy distributions, we generate the offspring at the niche level through alternatively using these two distributions. Such utilization can also potentially offer a balance between exploration and exploitation. Further, solution accuracy is enhanced through a new local search scheme probabilistically conducted around seeds of niches with probabilities determined self-adaptively according to fitness values of these seeds. Extensive experiments conducted on 20 benchmark multimodal problems confirm that both algorithms can achieve competitive performance compared with several state-of-the-art multimodal algorithms, which is supported by nonparametric tests. Especially, the proposed algorithms are very promising for complex problems with many local optima

Optimal Vaccine Distribution Strategy for Different Age Groups of Population: A Differential Evolution Algorithm Approach

Vaccination is one of the effective ways for protecting susceptible individuals from infectious diseases. Different age groups of population have different vulnerability to the disease and different contact frequencies. In order to achieve the maximum effects, the distribution of vaccine doses to the groups of individuals needs to be optimized. In this paper, a differential evolution (DE) algorithm is proposed to address the problem. The performance of the proposed algorithm has been tested by a classical infectious disease transmission model and a series of simulations have been made. The results show that the proposed algorithm can always obtain the best vaccine distribution strategy which can minimize the number of infectious individuals during the epidemic outbreak. Furthermore, the effects of vaccination on different days and the vaccine coverage percentages have also been discussed

Iterative Schemes by a New Generalized Resolvent for a Monotone Mapping and a Relatively Weak Nonexpansive Mapping

We introduce a new generalized resolvent in a Banach space and discuss some of its properties. Using these properties, we obtain an iterative scheme for finding a point which is a fixed point of relatively weak nonexpansive mapping and a zero of monotone mapping. Furthermore, strong convergence of the scheme to a point which is a fixed point of relatively weak nonexpansive mapping and a zero of monotone mapping is proved

Novel electromagnetic radiation in a semi-infinite space filled with a double-negative metamaterial

We have theoretically investigated the electromagnetic radiation excited by a charged particle moving along a semi-infinite space filled with a double-negative metamaterial (DNM). Cherenkov radiation in the double-negative region exhibits reversed or backward radiation behavior. The spectral density of reversed Cherenkov radiation has a continuous distribution over the radiation frequency region. The influence of some important parameters on the Cherenkov radiation energy per unit length has been discussed. The surface wave in the vacuum region presented here also is investigated. We conclude that the amplitude of the surface wave is greatly enhanced over some normal dielectric material cases. The enhanced surface wave may be useful for high frequency and high power vacuum electron devices with the DNM.National Natural Science Foundation (China) (Grant 60971031)National Natural Science Foundation (China) (Grant 61125103)Sichuan Youth Foundation (Grant No. 2010JQ0005)Foundation of the National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Vacuum Electronics (Grant No. 9140C050102100C05)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (Grant No. ZYGX2010X010

Temperature Effects on the Unsaturated Permeability of the Densely Compacted GMZ01 Bentonite under Confined Conditions

International audienceIn this study, temperature controlled soil-water retention tests and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity tests for densely compacted Gaomiaozi bentonite - GMZ01 (dry density of 1.70 Mg/m3) were performed under confined conditions. Relevant soil-water retention curves (SWRCs) and unsaturated hydraulic conductivities of GMZ01 at temperatures of 40°C and 60°C were obtained. Based on these results as well as the previously obtained results at 20°C, the influence of temperature on water-retention properties and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of the densely compacted Gaomiaozi bentonite were investigated. It was observed that: (i) water retention capacity decreases as temperature increases, and the influence of temperature depends on suction; (ii) for all the temperatures tested, the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity decreases slightly in the initial stage of hydration; the value of the hydraulic conductivity becomes constant as hydration progresses and finally, the permeability increases rapidly with suction decreases as saturation is approached; (iii) under confined conditions, the hydraulic conductivity increases as temperature increases, at a decreasing rate with temperature rise. It was also observed that the influence of temperature on the hydraulic conductivity is quite suction-dependent. At high suctions (s > 60 MPa), the temperature effect is mainly due to its influence on water viscosity; by contrast, in the range of low suctions (s < 60 MPa), the temperature effect is related to both the water viscosity and the macro-pores closing phenomenon that is supposed to be temperature dependent