Sine–cosine crow search algorithm: theory and applications

Neural Computing and Applications - In this paper, we propose a new hybrid algorithm called sine–cosine crow search algorithm that inherits advantages of two recently developed algorithms,...     

Internet primal–dual congestion control: Stability and applications

This paper studies the stability of the primal–dual algorithm for Internet congestion control with round-trip communication delays. The model is formulated as a time-delayed multivariable control system for a general network, and then is studied by using time-delayed control theory. A necessary and sufficient condition is established for a network with a general topology, and then is further discussed for the representative dumbbell network. The stability condition is applied to the design of FAST TCP and adaptive virtual queue (AVQ) scheme as guideline, which is validated by simulation results.     

Δ-Entropy: Definition, properties and applications in system identification with quantized data

Recently, the minimum error entropy criterion, an information theoretic alternative to the traditional mean square error criterion, has been successfully used in the contexts of machine learning and signal processing. For system identification, however, the MEE criterion will be no longer suitable if the training data are discrete-valued, since minimizing error’s discrete entropy cannot constrain error’s dispersion. In this paper, to make the MEE criterion suitable for the discrete-valued data cases, we give a new entropy definition for the discrete random variables, i.e. the Δ-entropy, based on Riemann sums for finite size partitions. A probability weighted formula is established to calculate the average partition.This new entropy retains some important properties of the differential entropy and reduces to discrete entropy under certain conditions. Unlike discrete entropy, the Δ-entropy is sensitive to the dynamic range of the data, and can be used as a superior optimality criterion in system identification problems. Also, we present a plug-in estimate of Δ-entropy, analyze its asymptotic behavior and explore the links to the kernel based and m-spacing based estimates for differential entropy. Finally, the Δ-entropy criterion is applied in system identification with coarsely quantized input-output data to search for the optimum parameter set. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate the performance improvement that may be achieved with the Δ-entropy criterion.     

Hospital Event Simulation Model: Arrivals to Discharge–Design,development and application

In this paper we outline the design, development and application of a hospital patient flow management support tool – Hospital Event Simulation Model: Arrivals to Discharge (HESMAD). The model captures the patterns of patient flows within Flinders Medical Centre, a teaching hospital located in South Australia, through extensive exploitation of an existing hospital patient journey database (PJD). HESMAD employs mathematical and statistical modelling techniques, as well as the concept of modular design, to construct functions and processes that are embedded in a discrete event simulation system. The current structure of HESMAD reflects many iterations of refinements based on feedback from relevant industry experts. It places great emphasis on providing an engaging visualisation of the dynamics of events, and a convenient interface for domain experts: doctors, hospital managers and other health care professionals. An illustrative example of HESMAD’s wider applicability is presented.     

IDS: Thermodynamic–kinetic–empirical tool for modelling of solidification,microstructure and material properties

IDS (InterDendritic Solidification) is a thermodynamic–kinetic–empirical tool for simulation of solidification phenomena of steels including phase transformations from melt down to room temperature. In addition, important thermophysical material properties (enthalpy, thermal conductivity, density, etc.) are calculated. The model has been developed in the Laboratory of Metallurgy, Helsinki University of Technology, Finland, since 1984. IDS includes two main modules, the IDS module and the ADC (Austenite DeComposition) module. IDS module simulates the solidification phenomena from liquid down to 1000 °C and ADC the austenite decomposition down to room temperature. Both modules have their own recommended composition ranges. The IDS module is based on the so-called sharp interface concept. The ADC is mainly statistical based on empirical CCT (Continuous Cooling Transformation) diagrams. IDS tool is also coupled with the thermodynamic programmer's library, called ChemApp, developed by a German company, GTT-Technologies. This coupled package is used to simulate among other things multiphase inclusions during solidification. The present paper summarises the features of the IDS tool including the coupling with the ChemApp library.     

A mixed hemivariational–variational problem and applications

We consider an abstract system with Lagrange multipliers which consists of a hemivariational inequality and a variational inequality. The hemivariational inequality is governed by a hemicontinuous, generalized monotone, possibly nonlinear operator as well as by a bilinear form. This bilinear form also governs the variational inequality. We are looking for a pair solution in a subset of a product of two real reflexive Banach spaces. In order to illustrate the applicability of the abstract results, two examples in terms of PDEs are delivered. Each example is related to the weak solvability of a boundary value problem arising in contact mechanics.     

Design for manufacture and design for ‘X’: concepts,applications, and perspectives

The implementations of design for assembly and design for manufacture (DFM) led to enormous benefits including simplification of products, reduction of assembly and manufacturing costs, improvement of quality, and reduction of time to market. More recently, environmental concerns required that disassembly and recycling issues should be considered during the design stages. The effort to reduce total life-cycle costs for a product through design innovation is becoming an essential part of the current manufacturing industry. Therefore, researchers begin to focus their attention on design for environment, design for recyclability, design for life-cycle (DFLC), etc. These studies are sometimes referred to as Design for X (DFX). Since the late 1990s, hundreds of papers have been published pertaining to DFX applications in manufacturing. Most of them are widely distributed over many different disciplines and publications. This makes it very difficult for one to locate all the information necessary for the application of DFX in manufacturing. A paper that can help researchers and practitioners applying this emerging technology is highly desirable. The objective of this paper is to present the concepts, applications, and perspectives of ‘DFX’ in manufacturing, thus providing some guidelines and references for future research and implementation.     

Collaborative applications over peer-to-peer systems–challenges and solutions

Emerging collaborative Peer-to-Peer (P2P) systems require discovery and utilization of diverse, multi-attribute, distributed, and dynamic groups of resources to achieve greater tasks beyond conventional file and processor cycle sharing. Collaborations involving application specific resources and dynamic quality of service goals are stressing current P2P architectures. Salient features and desirable characteristics of collaborative P2P systems are highlighted. Resource advertising, selecting, matching, and binding, the critical phases in these systems, and their associated challenges are reviewed using examples from distributed collaborative adaptive sensing systems, cloud computing, and mobile social networks. State-of-the-art resource discovery/aggregation solutions are compared with respect to their architecture, lookup overhead, load balancing, etc., to determine their ability to meet the goals and challenges of each critical phase. Incentives, trust, privacy, and security issues are also discussed, as they will ultimately determine the success of a collaborative P2P system. Open issues and research opportunities that are essential to achieve the true potential of collaborative P2P systems are discussed.     

An evaluation of the Mn–Ga system: Phase diagram,crystal structure,magnetism, and thermodynamic properties

The Ni–Mn-Ga alloy system is attractive due to its functional properties with potentials in various applications. However, the fundamental alloy thermodynamics of the binary Mn–Ga system is still lack of investigation. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation of the Mn–Ga is performed in this work. Different versions of Mn–Ga phase diagrams available in the literature are reviewed. A new version of the Mn–Ga phase diagram is recommended along with possible invariant reactions. The crystal structure, magnetic transition, and thermochemical properties of intermetallic compounds are reviewed by considering available experimental and modeling such as ab initio calculations. In fact, more experimental information on the Mn-rich side is required in order to perform CALPHAD thermodynamic modeling for a reliable database. Further experiments are recommended to study the high-temperature phase equilibria between liquid, (γMn), (δMn) and Mn₂Ga(h), phase reactions between Mn₈Ga₅ and Mn₇Ga₆, and invariant reactions involving the MnGa phase. Nevertheless, the summarized information on phase equilibria, phase diagram, crystallography, magnetic transition temperature, magnetic moment, heat capacity, and enthalpy of formation can support the future thermodynamic investigation of the Mn–Ga system, which is critical for the materials design and discovery of Ni–Mn-Ga alloys.     

A Guaranteed Deterministic Approach to Superhedging: Financial Market Model,Trading Constraints,and the Bellman–Isaacs Equations

Automation and Remote Control - A guaranteed deterministic problem setting of superreplication in discrete time is proposed as an alternative to the traditional probabilistic approach based on the...     

The human–computer interaction handbook: fundamentals,evolving technologies and emerging applications (3rd ed)

The objective of the study was to measure maximal and subjectively graded sub-maximal efforts in a pinch grip, power grip, and stoop life activity, subsequently to study the relationship of these efforts across activities and time, and furthermore to determine the reliability of effort perception of activities in different grades of operation. Ten normal male university students with mean age of 22.2 years, mean height of 175.3 cm, and mean weight of 71.4 kg volunteered for the study. All subjects were required to exert their maximal efforts, 80%, 60%, 40%, and 20% (of the maximal) effort in pinching, gripping and stoop lifting for three trials in a random order on four different days. The subjects were tested at the same time of the day on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday of one week, and Friday of the next week. While the activity and perception had significant main effects (p < 0.001) the trial was significant only for average strength (p < 0.04). There was a significant two-way interaction between activity and perception; all other interactions were not significant. There was a systematic bias in perception at all graded contractions except at 40% level of effort. The perceived 60% and 80% of maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) were lower and 20% was higher than their respective objective values based on MVC (p <0.01). At 40% effort there was no statistical difference between perceived and objective strength effort in all three activities. The reliability of perception was similar for precision, power, or gross activity.     

Geographical distribution of global greening trends and their climatic correlates: 1982–1998

We examined trends in vegetation activity at the global scale from 1982 to 1998 using a recently developed satellite‐based vegetation index in conjunction with a gridded global climate dataset. Vegetation greening trends were observed in the northern high latitudes, the northern middle latitudes, and parts of the tropics and subtropics. Temperature, and in particular spring warming, was the primary climatic factor associated with greening in the northern high latitudes and western Europe. Temperature trends also explained greening in the US Pacific Northwest, tropical and subtropical Africa, and eastern China. Precipitation was a strong correlate of greening in fragmented regions only. Decreases in greenness in southern South America, southern Africa, and central Australia were strongly correlated to both increases in temperature and decreases in precipitation. Over vast areas globally, strong positive trends in greenness exhibited no correlation with trends in either temperature or precipitation. These areas include the eastern United States, the African tropics and subtropics, most of the Indian subcontinent, and south‐east Asia. Thus, for large areas of land that are undergoing greening, there appears to be no climatic correlate. Globally, greening trends are a function of both climatic and non‐climatic factors, such as forest regrowth, CO₂ enrichment, woody plant proliferation, and trends in agricultural practices.     

Special issue on “Soft computing techniques: applications and challenges” neural computing and applications

Neural Computing and Applications -