Quafu-Qcover:Explore combinatorial optimization problems on cloud-based quantum computers

We introduce Quafu-Qcover,an open-source cloud-based software package developed for solving combinatorial optimization problems using quantum simulators and hardware backends.Quafu-Qcover provides a standardized and comprehensive workflow that utilizes the quantum approximate optimization algorithm(QAOA).It facilitates the automatic conversion of the original problem into a quadratic unconstrained binary optimization(QUBO)model and its corresponding Ising model,which can be subsequently transformed into a weight graph.The core of Qcover relies on a graph decomposition-based classical algorithm,which efficiently derives the optimal parameters for the shallow QAOA circuit.Quafu-Qcover incorporates a dedicated compiler capable of translating QAOA circuits into physical quantum circuits that can be executed on Quafu cloud quantum computers.Compared to a general-purpose compiler,our compiler demonstrates the ability to generate shorter circuit depths,while also exhibiting superior speed performance.Additionally,the Qcover compiler has the capability to dynamically create a library of qubits coupling substructures in real-time,utilizing the most recent calibration data from the superconducting quantum devices.This ensures that computational tasks can be assigned to connected physical qubits with the highest fidelity.The Quafu-Qcover allows us to retrieve quantum computing sampling results using a task ID at any time,enabling asynchronous processing.Moreover,it incorporates modules for results preprocessing and visualization,facilitating an intuitive display of solutions for combinatorial optimization problems.We hope that Quafu-Qcover can serve as an instructive illustration for how to explore application problems on the Quafu cloud quantum computers.

A Comparative Study of Metaheuristic Optimization Algorithms for Solving Real-World Engineering Design Problems

Real-world engineering design problems with complex objective functions under some constraints are relatively difficult problems to solve.Such design problems are widely experienced in many engineering fields,such as industry,automotive,construction,machinery,and interdisciplinary research.However,there are established optimization techniques that have shown effectiveness in addressing these types of issues.This research paper gives a comparative study of the implementation of seventeen new metaheuristic methods in order to optimize twelve distinct engineering design issues.The algorithms used in the study are listed as:transient search optimization(TSO),equilibrium optimizer(EO),grey wolf optimizer(GWO),moth-flame optimization(MFO),whale optimization algorithm(WOA),slimemould algorithm(SMA),harris hawks optimization(HHO),chimp optimization algorithm(COA),coot optimization algorithm(COOT),multi-verse optimization(MVO),arithmetic optimization algorithm(AOA),aquila optimizer(AO),sine cosine algorithm(SCA),smell agent optimization(SAO),and seagull optimization algorithm(SOA),pelican optimization algorithm(POA),and coati optimization algorithm(CA).As far as we know,there is no comparative analysis of recent and popular methods against the concrete conditions of real-world engineering problems.Hence,a remarkable research guideline is presented in the study for researchersworking in the fields of engineering and artificial intelligence,especiallywhen applying the optimization methods that have emerged recently.Future research can rely on this work for a literature search on comparisons of metaheuristic optimization methods in real-world problems under similar conditions.

An Immune-Inspired Approach with Interval Allocation in Solving Multimodal Multi-Objective Optimization Problems with Local Pareto Sets

In practical engineering,multi-objective optimization often encounters situations where multiple Pareto sets(PS)in the decision space correspond to the same Pareto front(PF)in the objective space,known as Multi-Modal Multi-Objective Optimization Problems(MMOP).Locating multiple equivalent global PSs poses a significant challenge in real-world applications,especially considering the existence of local PSs.Effectively identifying and locating both global and local PSs is a major challenge.To tackle this issue,we introduce an immune-inspired reproduction strategy designed to produce more offspring in less crowded,promising regions and regulate the number of offspring in areas that have been thoroughly explored.This approach achieves a balanced trade-off between exploration and exploitation.Furthermore,we present an interval allocation strategy that adaptively assigns fitness levels to each antibody.This strategy ensures a broader survival margin for solutions in their initial stages and progressively amplifies the differences in individual fitness values as the population matures,thus fostering better population convergence.Additionally,we incorporate a multi-population mechanism that precisely manages each subpopulation through the interval allocation strategy,ensuring the preservation of both global and local PSs.Experimental results on 21 test problems,encompassing both global and local PSs,are compared with eight state-of-the-art multimodal multi-objective optimization algorithms.The results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm in simultaneously identifying global Pareto sets and locally high-quality PSs.

Optimizing Grey Wolf Optimization: A Novel Agents’ Positions Updating Technique for Enhanced Efficiency and Performance

Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) is a nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithm that has gained popularity for solving optimization problems. In GWO, the success of the algorithm heavily relies on the efficient updating of the agents’ positions relative to the leader wolves. In this paper, we provide a brief overview of the Grey Wolf Optimization technique and its significance in solving complex optimization problems. Building upon the foundation of GWO, we introduce a novel technique for updating agents’ positions, which aims to enhance the algorithm’s effectiveness and efficiency. To evaluate the performance of our proposed approach, we conduct comprehensive experiments and compare the results with the original Grey Wolf Optimization technique. Our comparative analysis demonstrates that the proposed technique achieves superior optimization outcomes. These findings underscore the potential of our approach in addressing optimization challenges effectively and efficiently, making it a valuable contribution to the field of optimization algorithms.

Gradient Recovery Based Two-Grid Finite Element Method for Parabolic Integro-Differential Optimal Control Problems

In this paper, the optimal control problem of parabolic integro-differential equations is solved by gradient recovery based two-grid finite element method. Piecewise linear functions are used to approximate state and co-state variables, and piecewise constant function is used to approximate control variables. Generally, the optimal conditions for the problem are solved iteratively until the control variable reaches error tolerance. In order to calculate all the variables individually and parallelly, we introduce a gradient recovery based two-grid method. First, we solve the small scaled optimal control problem on coarse grids. Next, we use the gradient recovery technique to recover the gradients of state and co-state variables. Finally, using the recovered variables, we solve the large scaled optimal control problem for all variables independently. Moreover, we estimate priori error for the proposed scheme, and use an example to validate the theoretical results.

A Priori Error Analysis for NCVEM Discretization of Elliptic Optimal Control Problem

In this paper, we propose the nonconforming virtual element method (NCVEM) discretization for the pointwise control constraint optimal control problem governed by elliptic equations. Based on the NCVEM approximation of state equation and the variational discretization of control variables, we construct a virtual element discrete scheme. For the state, adjoint state and control variable, we obtain the corresponding prior estimate in H1 and L2 norms. Finally, some numerical experiments are carried out to support the theoretical results.

A Survey of Evolutionary Algorithms for Multi-Objective Optimization Problems With Irregular Pareto Fronts

Evolutionary algorithms have been shown to be very successful in solving multi-objective optimization problems(MOPs).However,their performance often deteriorates when solving MOPs with irregular Pareto fronts.To remedy this issue,a large body of research has been performed in recent years and many new algorithms have been proposed.This paper provides a comprehensive survey of the research on MOPs with irregular Pareto fronts.We start with a brief introduction to the basic concepts,followed by a summary of the benchmark test problems with irregular problems,an analysis of the causes of the irregularity,and real-world optimization problems with irregular Pareto fronts.Then,a taxonomy of the existing methodologies for handling irregular problems is given and representative algorithms are reviewed with a discussion of their strengths and weaknesses.Finally,open challenges are pointed out and a few promising future directions are suggested.

A New Strategy for Solving a Class of Constrained Nonlinear Optimization Problems Related to Weather and Climate Predictability

There are three common types of predictability problems in weather and climate, which each involve different constrained nonlinear optimization problems： the lower bound of maximum predictable time, the upper bound of maximum prediction error, and the lower bound of maximum allowable initial error and parameter error. Highly effcient algorithms have been developed to solve the second optimization problem. And this optimization problem can be used in realistic models for weather and climate to study the upper bound of the maximum prediction error. Although a filtering strategy has been adopted to solve the other two problems, direct solutions are very time-consuming even for a very simple model, which therefore limits the applicability of these two predictability problems in realistic models. In this paper, a new strategy is designed to solve these problems, involving the use of the existing highly effcient algorithms for the second predictability problem in particular. Furthermore, a series of comparisons between the older filtering strategy and the new method are performed. It is demonstrated that the new strategy not only outputs the same results as the old one, but is also more computationally effcient. This would suggest that it is possible to study the predictability problems associated with these two nonlinear optimization problems in realistic forecast models of weather or climate.

CHARACTERIZATION OF EFFICIENT SOLUTIONS FOR MULTI-OBJECTIVE OPTIMIZATION PROBLEMS INVOLVING SEMI-STRONG AND GENERALIZED SEMI-STRONG E-CONVEXITY

The authors of this article are interested in characterization of efficient solutions for special classes of problems. These classes consider semi-strong E-convexity of involved functions. Sufficient and necessary conditions for a feasible solution to be an efficient or properly efficient solution are obtained.

Multiple optimal solutions to a sort of nonlinear optimization problem

The optimization problem is considered in which the objective function is pseudolinear（both pseudoconvex and pseudoconcave） and the constraints are linear. The general expression for the optimal solutions to the problem is derived with the representation theorem of polyhedral sets, and the uniqueness condition of the optimal solution and the computational procedures to determine all optimal solutions （if the uniqueness condition is not satisfied ） are provided. Finally, an illustrative example is also given.

AMBO:All Members-Based Optimizer for Solving Optimization Problems

There are many optimization problems in different branches of science that should be solved using an appropriate methodology.Populationbased optimization algorithms are one of the most efficient approaches to solve this type of problems.In this paper,a new optimization algorithm called All Members-Based Optimizer(AMBO)is introduced to solve various optimization problems.The main idea in designing the proposedAMBOalgorithm is to use more information from the population members of the algorithm instead of just a few specific members(such as best member and worst member)to update the population matrix.Therefore,in AMBO,any member of the population can play a role in updating the population matrix.The theory of AMBO is described and then mathematically modeled for implementation on optimization problems.The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated on a set of twenty-three standard objective functions,which belong to three different categories:unimodal,high-dimensional multimodal,and fixed-dimensional multimodal functions.In order to analyze and compare the optimization results for the mentioned objective functions obtained by AMBO,eight other well-known algorithms have been also implemented.The optimization results demonstrate the ability of AMBO to solve various optimization problems.Also,comparison and analysis of the results show that AMBO is superior andmore competitive than the other mentioned algorithms in providing suitable solution.

A GLOBALLY AND SUPERLINEARLY CONVERGENT TRUST REGION METHOD FOR LC^1 OPTIMIZATION PROBLEMS

A new trust region algorithm for solving convex LC 1 optimization problem is presented.It is proved that the algorithm is globally convergent and the rate of convergence is superlinear under some reasonable assumptions.

Ant colony algorithm based on genetic method for continuous optimization problem

A new algorithm is presented by using the ant colony algorithm based on genetic method （ACG） to solve the continuous optimization problem. Each component has a seed set. The seed in the set has the value of component, trail information and fitness. The ant chooses a seed from the seed set with the possibility determined by trail information and fitness of the seed. The genetic method is used to form new solutions from the solutions got by the ants. Best solutions are selected to update the seeds in the sets and trail information of the seeds. In updating the trail information, a diffusion function is used to achieve the diffuseness of trail information. The new algorithm is tested with 8 different benchmark functions.

Novel electromagnetism-like mechanism method for multiobjective optimization problems

As a new-style stochastic algorithm, the electromagnetism-like mechanism（EM） method gains more and more attention from many researchers in recent years. A novel model based on EM（NMEM） for multiobjective optimization problems is proposed, which regards the charge of all particles as the constraints in the current population and the measure of the uniformity of non-dominated solutions as the objective function. The charge of the particle is evaluated based on the dominated concept, and its magnitude determines the direction of a force between two particles. Numerical studies are carried out on six complex test functions and the experimental results demonstrate that the proposed NMEM algorithm is a very robust method for solving the multiobjective optimization problems.

Application of a Derivative-Free Method with Projection Skill to Solve an Optimization Problem

Improving numerical forecasting skill in the atmospheric and oceanic sciences by solving optimization problems is an important issue. One such method is to compute the conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation(CNOP), which has been applied widely in predictability studies. In this study, the Differential Evolution(DE) algorithm, which is a derivative-free algorithm and has been applied to obtain CNOPs for exploring the uncertainty of terrestrial ecosystem processes, was employed to obtain the CNOPs for finite-dimensional optimization problems with ball constraint conditions using Burgers' equation. The aim was first to test if the CNOP calculated by the DE algorithm is similar to that computed by traditional optimization algorithms, such as the Spectral Projected Gradient(SPG2) algorithm. The second motive was to supply a possible route through which the CNOP approach can be applied in predictability studies in the atmospheric and oceanic sciences without obtaining a model adjoint system, or for optimization problems with non-differentiable cost functions. A projection skill was first explanted to the DE algorithm to calculate the CNOPs. To validate the algorithm, the SPG2 algorithm was also applied to obtain the CNOPs for the same optimization problems. The results showed that the CNOPs obtained by the DE algorithm were nearly the same as those obtained by the SPG2 algorithm in terms of their spatial distributions and nonlinear evolutions. The implication is that the DE algorithm could be employed to calculate the optimal values of optimization problems, especially for non-differentiable and nonlinear optimization problems associated with the atmospheric and oceanic sciences.

On vector variational-like inequalities and vector optimization problems with (G, α)-invexity

The aim of this paper is to study the relationship among Minty vector variational-like inequality problem, Stampacchia vector variational-like inequality problem and vector optimization problem involving (G, α)-invex functions. Furthermore, we establish equivalence among the solutions of weak formulations of Minty vector variational-like inequality problem, Stampacchia vector variational-like inequality problem and weak efficient solution of vector optimization problem under the assumption of (G, α)-invex functions. Examples are provided to elucidate our results.

Integrating Tabu Search in Particle Swarm Optimization for the Frequency Assignment Problem

In this paper, we address one of the issues in the frequency assignment problem for cellular mobile networks in which we intend to minimize the interference levels when assigning frequencies from a limited frequency spectrum. In order to satisfy the increasing demand in such cellular mobile networks, we use a hybrid approach consisting of a Particle Swarm Optimization(PSO) combined with a Tabu Search(TS) algorithm. This approach takes both advantages of PSO efficiency in global optimization and TS in avoiding the premature convergence that would lead PSO to stagnate in a local minimum. Moreover, we propose a new efficient, simple, and inexpensive model for storing and evaluating solution's assignment. The purpose of this model reduces the solution's storage volume as well as the computations required to evaluate thesesolutions in comparison with the classical model. Our simulation results on the most known benchmarking instances prove the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm in comparison with previous related works in terms of convergence rate, the number of iterations, the solution storage volume and the running time required to converge to the optimal solution.

A Line Complex-Based Evolutionary Algorithm for Many-Objective Optimization

In solving many-objective optimization problems(MaO Ps),existing nondominated sorting-based multi-objective evolutionary algorithms suffer from the fast loss of selection pressure.Most candidate solutions become nondominated during the evolutionary process,thus leading to the failure of producing offspring toward Pareto-optimal front with diversity.Can we find a more effective way to select nondominated solutions and resolve this issue?To answer this critical question,this work proposes to evolve solutions through line complex rather than solution points in Euclidean space.First,Plücker coordinates are used to project solution points to line complex composed of position vectors and momentum ones.Besides position vectors of the solution points,momentum vectors are used to extend the comparability of nondominated solutions and enhance selection pressure.Then,a new distance function designed for high-dimensional space is proposed to replace Euclidean distance as a more effective distancebased estimator.Based on them,a novel many-objective evolutionary algorithm(MaOEA)is proposed by integrating a line complex-based environmental selection strategy into the NSGAⅢframework.The proposed algorithm is compared with the state of the art on widely used benchmark problems with up to 15 objectives.Experimental results demonstrate its superior competitiveness in solving MaOPs.

An Improved Bald Eagle Search Algorithm with Cauchy Mutation and Adaptive Weight Factor for Engineering Optimization

The Bald Eagle Search algorithm(BES)is an emerging meta-heuristic algorithm.The algorithm simulates the hunting behavior of eagles,and obtains an optimal solution through three stages,namely selection stage,search stage and swooping stage.However,BES tends to drop-in local optimization and the maximum value of search space needs to be improved.To fill this research gap,we propose an improved bald eagle algorithm(CABES)that integrates Cauchy mutation and adaptive optimization to improve the performance of BES from local optima.Firstly,CABES introduces the Cauchy mutation strategy to adjust the step size of the selection stage,to select a better search range.Secondly,in the search stage,CABES updates the search position update formula by an adaptive weight factor to further promote the local optimization capability of BES.To verify the performance of CABES,the benchmark function of CEC2017 is used to simulate the algorithm.The findings of the tests are compared to those of the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm(PSO),Whale Optimization Algorithm(WOA)and Archimedes Algorithm(AOA).The experimental results show that CABES can provide good exploration and development capabilities,and it has strong competitiveness in testing algorithms.Finally,CABES is applied to four constrained engineering problems and a groundwater engineeringmodel,which further verifies the effectiveness and efficiency of CABES in practical engineering problems.

Convergence analysis of a nonlinear Lagrange algorithm for general nonlinear constrained optimization problems

The convergence analysis of a nonlinear Lagrange algorithm for solving nonlinear constrained optimization problems with both inequality and equality constraints is explored in detail. The estimates for the derivatives of the multiplier mapping and the solution mapping of the proposed algorithm are discussed via the technique of the singular value decomposition of matrix. Based on the estimates, the local convergence results and the rate of convergence of the algorithm are presented when the penalty parameter is less than a threshold under a set of suitable conditions on problem functions. Furthermore, the condition number of the Hessian of the nonlinear Lagrange function with respect to the decision variables is analyzed, which is closely related to efficiency of the algorithm. Finally, the preliminary numericM results for several typical test problems are reported.