Search and Optimization by Metaheuristics

Search and Optimization by Metaheuristics
Author: Ke-Lin Du
Publisher: Birkhäuser
Total Pages: 437
Release: 2016-07-20
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 3319411926

This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to nature-inspired metaheuristic methods for search and optimization, including the latest trends in evolutionary algorithms and other forms of natural computing. Over 100 different types of these methods are discussed in detail. The authors emphasize non-standard optimization problems and utilize a natural approach to the topic, moving from basic notions to more complex ones. An introductory chapter covers the necessary biological and mathematical backgrounds for understanding the main material. Subsequent chapters then explore almost all of the major metaheuristics for search and optimization created based on natural phenomena, including simulated annealing, recurrent neural networks, genetic algorithms and genetic programming, differential evolution, memetic algorithms, particle swarm optimization, artificial immune systems, ant colony optimization, tabu search and scatter search, bee and bacteria foraging algorithms, harmony search, biomolecular computing, quantum computing, and many others. General topics on dynamic, multimodal, constrained, and multiobjective optimizations are also described. Each chapter includes detailed flowcharts that illustrate specific algorithms and exercises that reinforce important topics. Introduced in the appendix are some benchmarks for the evaluation of metaheuristics. Search and Optimization by Metaheuristics is intended primarily as a textbook for graduate and advanced undergraduate students specializing in engineering and computer science. It will also serve as a valuable resource for scientists and researchers working in these areas, as well as those who are interested in search and optimization methods.

Estimation of Distribution Algorithms

Estimation of Distribution Algorithms
Author: Pedro Larrañaga
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2012-10-30
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 9781461356042

Estimation of Distribution Algorithms: A New Tool for Evolutionary Computation is devoted to a new paradigm for evolutionary computation, named estimation of distribution algorithms (EDAs). This new class of algorithms generalizes genetic algorithms by replacing the crossover and mutation operators with learning and sampling from the probability distribution of the best individuals of the population at each iteration of the algorithm. Working in such a way, the relationships between the variables involved in the problem domain are explicitly and effectively captured and exploited. This text constitutes the first compilation and review of the techniques and applications of this new tool for performing evolutionary computation. Estimation of Distribution Algorithms: A New Tool for Evolutionary Computation is clearly divided into three parts. Part I is dedicated to the foundations of EDAs. In this part, after introducing some probabilistic graphical models - Bayesian and Gaussian networks - a review of existing EDA approaches is presented, as well as some new methods based on more flexible probabilistic graphical models. A mathematical modeling of discrete EDAs is also presented. Part II covers several applications of EDAs in some classical optimization problems: the travelling salesman problem, the job scheduling problem, and the knapsack problem. EDAs are also applied to the optimization of some well-known combinatorial and continuous functions. Part III presents the application of EDAs to solve some problems that arise in the machine learning field: feature subset selection, feature weighting in K-NN classifiers, rule induction, partial abductive inference in Bayesian networks, partitional clustering, and the search for optimal weights in artificial neural networks. Estimation of Distribution Algorithms: A New Tool for Evolutionary Computation is a useful and interesting tool for researchers working in the field of evolutionary computation and for engineers who face real-world optimization problems. This book may also be used by graduate students and researchers in computer science. `... I urge those who are interested in EDAs to study this well-crafted book today.' David E. Goldberg, University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana.

Markov Networks in Evolutionary Computation

Markov Networks in Evolutionary Computation
Author: Siddhartha Shakya
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 247
Release: 2012-04-23
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3642289002

Markov networks and other probabilistic graphical modes have recently received an upsurge in attention from Evolutionary computation community, particularly in the area of Estimation of distribution algorithms (EDAs). EDAs have arisen as one of the most successful experiences in the application of machine learning methods in optimization, mainly due to their efficiency to solve complex real-world optimization problems and their suitability for theoretical analysis. This book focuses on the different steps involved in the conception, implementation and application of EDAs that use Markov networks, and undirected models in general. It can serve as a general introduction to EDAs but covers also an important current void in the study of these algorithms by explaining the specificities and benefits of modeling optimization problems by means of undirected probabilistic models. All major developments to date in the progressive introduction of Markov networks based EDAs are reviewed in the book. Hot current research trends and future perspectives in the enhancement and applicability of EDAs are also covered. The contributions included in the book address topics as relevant as the application of probabilistic-based fitness models, the use of belief propagation algorithms in EDAs and the application of Markov network based EDAs to real-world optimization problems. The book should be of interest to researchers and practitioners from areas such as optimization, evolutionary computation, and machine learning.

Theoretical Aspects of Evolutionary Computing

Theoretical Aspects of Evolutionary Computing
Author: Leila Kallel
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 495
Release: 2013-03-09
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 366204448X

During the first week of September 1999, the Second EvoNet Summer School on Theoretical Aspects of Evolutionary Computing was held at the Middelheim cam pus of the University of Antwerp, Belgium. Originally intended as a small get together of PhD students interested in the theory of evolutionary computing, the summer school grew to become a successful combination of a four-day workshop with over twenty researchers in the field and a two-day lecture series open to a wider audience. This book is based on the lectures and workshop contributions of this summer school. Its first part consists of tutorial papers which introduce the reader to a num ber of important directions in the theory of evolutionary computing. The tutorials are at graduate level andassume only a basic backgroundin mathematics and com puter science. No prior knowledge ofevolutionary computing or its theory is nec essary. The second part of the book consists of technical papers, selected from the workshop contributions. A number of them build on the material of the tutorials, exploring the theory to research level. Other technical papers may require a visit to the library.

Simulated Evolution and Learning

Simulated Evolution and Learning
Author: Tzai-Der Wang
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 960
Release: 2006-10-06
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 3540473319

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Simulated Evolution and Learning, SEAL 2006, held in Hefei, China in October 2006. The 117 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 420 submissions.

Distribution Models Theory

Distribution Models Theory
Author: Rafael Herrerias-pleguezuelo
Publisher: World Scientific
Total Pages: 307
Release: 2006-08-30
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9814477400

Distribution Models Theory is a revised edition of papers specially selected by the Scientific Committee for the Fifth Workshop of Spanish Scientific Association of Applied Economy on Distribution Models Theory held in Granada (Spain) in September 2005. The contributions offer a must-have point of reference on models theory.This book has been selected for coverage in:• Index to Scientific & Technical Proceedings® (ISTP®/ISI Proceedings)• Index to Scientific & Technical Proceedings (ISTP CDROM version/ISI Proceedings)

Experimental Methods for the Analysis of Optimization Algorithms

Experimental Methods for the Analysis of Optimization Algorithms
Author: Thomas Bartz-Beielstein
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 469
Release: 2010-11-02
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 3642025382

In operations research and computer science it is common practice to evaluate the performance of optimization algorithms on the basis of computational results, and the experimental approach should follow accepted principles that guarantee the reliability and reproducibility of results. However, computational experiments differ from those in other sciences, and the last decade has seen considerable methodological research devoted to understanding the particular features of such experiments and assessing the related statistical methods. This book consists of methodological contributions on different scenarios of experimental analysis. The first part overviews the main issues in the experimental analysis of algorithms, and discusses the experimental cycle of algorithm development; the second part treats the characterization by means of statistical distributions of algorithm performance in terms of solution quality, runtime and other measures; and the third part collects advanced methods from experimental design for configuring and tuning algorithms on a specific class of instances with the goal of using the least amount of experimentation. The contributor list includes leading scientists in algorithm design, statistical design, optimization and heuristics, and most chapters provide theoretical background and are enriched with case studies. This book is written for researchers and practitioners in operations research and computer science who wish to improve the experimental assessment of optimization algorithms and, consequently, their design.