Performance Analysis of Optimization Methods in PSE Applications. Mathematical Programming Versus Grid-based Multi-parametric Genetic Algorithms

Due to their large variety of applications in the PSE area, complex optimisation problems are of high interest for the scientific community. As a consequence, a great effort is made for developing efficient solution techniques. The choice of the relevant technique for the treatment of a given problem has already been studied for batch plant design issues. However,most works reported in the dedicated literature classically considered item sizes as continuous variables. In a view of realism, a similar approach is proposed in this paper, with discrete variables representing equipment capacities. The numerical results enable to evaluate the performances of two mathematical programming (MP) solvers embedded within the GAMS package and a genetic algorithm (GA), on a set of seven increasing complexity examples. The necessarily huge number of runs for the GA could be performed within a computational framework basedon a grid infrastructure; however, since the MP methods were tackled through single-computer computations, the CPU time comparison are reported for this one-PC working mode. On the one hand, the high combinatorial effect induced by the new discrete variables heavily penalizes the GAMS modules, DICOPTþþand SBB. On the other hand, the Genetic Algorithm proves its superiority, providing quality solutions within acceptable computational times, whatever the considered example

Strengthening Compute and Data intensive Capacities of Armenia

International audienceTraditionally, Armenia has had a leading position within the computer science and Information Technology sectors in the South Caucasus region and beyond. Information Technology (IT) is also one of the fastest growing industries of the Armenian economy [1]. In 2000, the Government of Armenia recognized the IT sector as the primary constituent of the country's economic progress. Armenia is, more than ever, in need of cutting-edge and relevant e-infrastructures and e-services to tackle today's societal and scientific challenges. The Institute for Informatics and Automation Problems (IIAP) of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (NAS RA) [2] is the only state supported structure for software, hardware, and brainware technologies in Armenia. The institute is responsible for Armenia's National research and education network (Academic Scientific Research Computer Network of Armenia, ASNET-AM) [3] and the National Grid Initiative (ArmNGI) [4], and provides computational and networking facilities and advanced services to users. The main objective of this article is to highlight key activities that will spur Armenia to strengthen its scientific computing capacity thanks to the analysis made of the current trends of e-Infrastructures in Europe and the USA

E-Biothon: an experimental platform for BioInformatics

International audienceThe E-Biothon platform is an experimental Cloud platform to help speed up and advance research in biology, health and environment. It is based on a Blue Gene/P system and a web portal that allow members of the bioinformatics community to easily launch their scientific applications. We describe in this paper the technical capacities of the platform, the different applications supported and finally a set of user experiences on the platform

On the Easy Use of Scientific Computing Services for Large Scale Linear Algebra and Parallel Decision Making with the P-Grade Portal

International audienceScientific research is becoming increasingly dependent on the large-scale analysis of data using distributed computing infrastructures (Grid, cloud, GPU, etc.). Scientific computing (Petitet et al. 1999) aims at constructing mathematical models and numerical solution techniques for solving problems arising in science and engineering. In this paper, we describe the services of an integrated portal based on the P-Grade (Parallel Grid Run-time and Application Development Environment) portal (http://www.p-grade.hu) that enables the solution of large-scale linear systems of equations using direct solvers, makes easier the use of parallel block iterative algorithm and provides an interface for parallel decision making algorithms. The ultimate goal is to develop a single sign on integrated multi-service environment providing an easy access to different kind of mathematical calculations and algorithms to be performed on hybrid distributed computing infrastructures combining the benefits of large clusters, Grid or cloud, when needed

E-Biothon : Une plate-forme pour accélérer les recherches en biologie, santé et environnement

National audienceE-Biothon : Une plate-forme pour accélérer les recherches en biologie, santé et environnemen

Grid'5000: a large scale and highly reconfigurable grid experimental testbed

Large scale distributed systems such as Grids are difficult to study from theoretical models and simulators only. Most Grids deployed at large scale are production plat-forms that are inappropriate research tools because of their limited reconfiguration, control and monitoring capa-bilities. In this paper, we present Grid’5000, a 5000 CPU nation-wide infrastructure for research in Grid computing. Grid’5000 is designed to provide a scientific tool for com-puter scientists similar to the large-scale instruments used by physicists, astronomers, and biologists. We describe the motivations, design considerations, architec-ture, control, and monitoring infrastructure of this experi-mental platform. We present configuration examples and performance results for the reconfiguration subsystem

Perspectives on Big Data for Society in France (Big Data for Society workshop 2014)

(Conférencier invité)International audienc

Réflexions et actions en cours en matière de calcul et de données au CNRS

(Conférencier invité) (Journées des méso-centre, Paris, 06/10/15)International audienc

Some Issues related to Big Data and Internet of Things for Sustainable Development (Science des données, science des sociétés, Erevan2019)

(Conférencier invité) - animation table-rondeInternational audienc