We propose a global optimization algorithm based on the Sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) sampling framework. In this framework, the objective function is normalized to be a probabilistic density function (pdf), based on which a sequence of annealed target pdfs is designed to asymptotically converge on the set of global optima. A sequential importance sampling (SIS) procedure is performed to simulat...

The use of surrogate models or metamodeling has lead to new areas of research in simulation-based design optimization. Metamodeling approaches have advantages over traditional techniques when dealing with the noisy responses and=or high computational cost characteristic of many computer simulations. This paper focuses on a particular algorithm, Efficient Global Optimization (EGO) that uses krig...

  Road traffic crashes (RTCs) account for great mortality and morbidity rates worldwide, resulting in substantial global burden. Factors contributing to RTC generally fall into three categories: environmental, vehicle, and human, with the human factor being by far the leading determinant. Obtaining an in-depth exploration of driving behavior and factors underpinning risky driving could be of pa...

Optimization of turning process is a non-linear optimization with constrains and it is difficult for the conventional optimization algorithms to solve this problem. The purpose of present study is to demonstrate the potential of Imperialist Competitive Algorithm (ICA) for optimization of multipass turning process. This algorithm is inspired by competition mechanism among imperialists and coloni...

As Global Virtual Teams (GVTs) operate across diverse geographies, time-zones, and cultures, they present particular problems for project management in that their characteristics may negatively affect team performance. While a significant body of research exists on project management and GVTs, previous studies have not fully elaborated on the collective impact that GVT characteristics, such as ...

Current genome-wide ChIP-seq experiments on different epigenetic marks aim at unraveling the interplay between their regulation mechanisms. Published evaluation tools, however, allow testing for predefined hypotheses only. Here, we present a novel method for annotation-independent exploration of epigenetic data and their inter-correlation with other genome-wide features. Our method is based on ...

Adults primarily walk to reach a new location, but why do infants walk? Do infants, like adults, walk to travel to a distant goal? We observed 30 13-month-old and 30 19-month-old infants during natural walking in a laboratory playroom. We characterized the bout structure of walking-when infants start and stop walking-to examine why infants start and stop walking. Locomotor activity was composed...

In this work, we present a model that integrates both exploration and exploitation in a common framework. First of all, we define the concept of degree of exploration from a state as the entropy of the probability distribution on the set of admissible actions in this state. This entropy value allows to control the degree of exploration linked to this state, and should be provided by the user. T...