An introduction to simulated annealing. This book brings together for the first time many of the theoretical foundations for improvements to algorithms for global optimization that until now existed only in scattered research articles.

An introduction to this topic for novices which provides an informative review of the area for the more expert reader.

This book provides the readers with the knowledge of Simulated Annealing and its vast applications in the various branches of engineering. We encourage readers to explore the application of Simulated Annealing in their work for the task of optimization.

Militarized Conflict Modeling Using Computational Intelligence examines the application of computational intelligence methods to model conflict. Traditionally, conflict has been modeled using game theory. The inherent limitation of game theory when dealing with more than three players in a game is the main motivation for the application of computational intelligence in modeling conflict. Militarized interstate disputes (MIDs) are defined as a set of interactions between, or among, states that can result in the display, threat or actual use of military force in an explicit way. These interactions can result in either peace or conflict. This book models the relationship between key variables and the risk of conflict between two countries. The variables include Allies which measures the presence or absence of military alliance, Contiguity which measures whether the countries share a common boundary or not and Major Power which measures whether either or both states are a major power. Militarized Conflict Modeling Using Computational Intelligence implements various multi-layer perception neural networks, Bayesian networks, support vector machines, neuro-fuzzy models, rough sets models, neuro-rough sets models and optimized rough sets models to create models that estimate the risk of conflict given the variables. Secondly, these models are used to study the sensitivity of each variable to conflict. Furthermore, a framework on how these models can be used to control the possibility of peace is proposed. Finally, new and emerging topics on modelling conflict are identified and further work is proposed.

The digital age is ripe with emerging advances and applications in technological innovations. Mimicking the structure of complex systems in nature can provide new ideas on how to organize mechanical and personal systems. The Handbook of Research on Modeling, Analysis, and Application of Nature-Inspired Metaheuristic Algorithms is an essential scholarly resource on current algorithms that have been inspired by the natural world. Featuring coverage on diverse topics such as cellular automata, simulated annealing, genetic programming, and differential evolution, this reference publication is ideal for scientists, biological engineers, academics, students, and researchers that are interested in discovering what models from nature influence the current technology-centric world.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 5th International Workshop on Energy Minimization Methods in Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, EMMCVPR 2005, held in St. Augustine, FL, USA in November 2005. The 24 revised full papers and 18 poster papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 120 submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections on probabilistic and informational approaches, combinatorial approaches, variational approaches, and other approaches and applications.

Do you want easy access to the latest methods in scientific computing? This greatly expanded third edition of Numerical Recipes has it, with wider coverage than ever before, many new, expanded and updated sections, and two completely new chapters. The executable C++ code, now printed in colour for easy reading, adopts an object-oriented style particularly suited to scientific applications. Co-authored by four leading scientists from academia and industry, Numerical Recipes starts with basic mathematics and computer science and proceeds to complete, working routines. The whole book is presented in the informal, easy-to-read style that made earlier editions so popular. Highlights of the new material include: a new chapter on classification and inference, Gaussian mixture models, HMMs, hierarchical clustering, and SVMs; a new chapter on computational geometry, covering KD trees, quad- and octrees, Delaunay triangulation, and algorithms for lines, polygons, triangles, and spheres; interior point methods for linear programming; MCMC; an expanded treatment of ODEs with completely new routines; and many new statistical distributions. For support, or to subscribe to an online version, please visit www.nr.com.

This book examines the main methodological and theoretical developments in stochastic global optimization. It is designed to inspire readers to explore various stochastic methods of global optimization by clearly explaining the main methodological principles and features of the methods. Among the book’s features is a comprehensive study of probabilistic and statistical models underlying the stochastic optimization algorithms.

The complete Numerical Recipes 3rd edition book/CD bundle, with a hundred new routines, two new chapters and much more.

Building on , this volume on Optimization and Decision Making covers a range of algorithms and their applications. Like the first volume, it provides a starting point for machine learning enthusiasts as a comprehensive guide on classical optimization methods. It also provides an in-depth overview on how artificial intelligence can be used to define, disprove or validate economic modeling and decision making concepts.