EXPLORATION/EXPLOITATION TRADEOFF WITH CELL-SHIFT AND HEURISTIC CROSSOVER FOR EVOLUTIONARY ALGORITHMS

In order to tradeoff exploration/exploitation and inspired by cell genetic algorithm a cellshift crossover operator for evolutionary algorithm （EA） is proposed in this paper. The definition domain is divided into n-dimension cubic sub-domains （cell） and each individual locates at an ndimensional cube. Cell-shift crossover first exchanges the cell numbers of the crossover pair if they are in the different cells （exploration） and subsequently shift the first individual from its initial place to the other individual＇s cell place. If they are already in the same cell heuristic crossover （exploitation） is used. Cell-shift/heuristic crossover adaptively executes exploration/exploitation search with the vary of genetic diversity. The cell-shift EA has excellent performance in terms of efficiency and efficacy on ten usually used optimization benchmarks when comparing with the recent well-known FEP evolutionary algorithm.     

EXISTENCE AND UNIQUENESS AND STABILITY OF SOLUTIONS FOR STOCHASTIC IMPULSIVE SYSTEMS

This paper studies the existence, uniqueness, and stability of solutions for stochastic impulsive systems. By employing Lyapunov-like functions, some sufficient conditions of the global existence, uniqueness, and stability of solutions for stochastic impulsive systems are established. Furthermore, the results are specialized to the case of linear stochastic impulsive systems. Finally, some examples are given to illustrate the applications of our theory.     

AN EXPONENTIAL INEQUALITY FOR AUTOREGRESSIVE PROCESSES IN ADAPTIVE TRACKING

A wide range of literature concerning classical asymptotic properties for linear models with adaptive control is available, such as strong laws of large numbers or central limit theorems. Unfortunately, in contrast with the situation without control, it appears to be impossible to find sharp asymptotic or nonasymptotic properties such as large deviation principles or exponential inequalities. Our purpose is to provide a first step towards that direction by proving a very simple exponential inequality for the standard least squares estimator of the unknown parameter of Gaussian autoregressive process in adaptive tracking.     

INFORMATION CHARACTERIZATION OF COMMUNICATION CHANNELS FOR SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION

This paper studies identification of systems in which the system output is quantized, transmitted through a digital communication channel, and observed afterwards. The concept of the CR Ratio is introduced to characterize impact of communication channels on identification. The relationship between the CR Ratio and Shannon channel capacity is discussed. Identification algorithms are further developed when the channel error probability is unknown.     

PEAK COVARIANCE STABILITY OF A RANDOM RICCATI EQUATION ARISING FROM KALMAN FILTERING WITH OBSERVATION LOSSES

We consider the stability of a random Riccati equation with a Markovian binary jump coefficient. More specifically, we are concerned with the boundedness of the solution of a random Riccati difference equation arising from Kalman filtering with measurement losses. A sufficient condition for the peak covariance stability is obtained which has a simpler form and is shown to be less conservative in some cases than a very recent result in existing literature. Furthermore, we show that a known sufficient condition is also necessary when the observability index equals one.     

ROLE OF α-PSEUDO-UNIVEX FUNCTIONS IN VECTOR VARIATIONAL-LIKE INEQUALITY PROBLEMS

In this paper, we introduce a new class of generalized convex function, namely, a-pseudounivex function, by combining the concepts of pseudo-univex and α-invex functions. Further, we establish some relationships between vector variational-like inequality problems and vector optimization problems under the assumptions of α-pseudo-univex functions. Results obtained in this paper present a refinement and improvement of previously known results.     

The Self-Organization of Time and Causality: Steps Towards Understanding the Ultimate Origin

Possibly the most fundamental scientific problem is the origin of time and causality. The inherent difficulty is that all scientific theories of origins and evolution consider the existence of time and causality as given. We tackle this problem by starting from the concept of self-organization, which is seen as the spontaneous emergence of order out of primordial chaos. Self-organization can be explained by the selective retention of invariant or consistent variations, implying a breaking of the initial symmetry exhibited by randomness. In the case of time, we start from a random graph connecting primitive “events”. Selection on the basis of consistency eliminates cyclic parts of the graph, so that transitive closure can transform it into a partial order relation of precedence. Causality is assumed to be carried by causal “agents” which undergo a more traditional variation and selection, giving rise to causal laws that are partly contingent, partly necessary.     

And Yet It Moves: The Observability of the Rotation of the Earth

A central point of controversy in the time of the Copernican Revolution was the motion, or not, of the earth. We now take it for granted that Copernicus and Galileo were right; the earth really does move. But to what extent is this conclusion based on observation? This paper explores the meaning and observability of the rotation of the earth and shows that the phenomenon was not observable at the time of Galileo, and it is not observable now.     

Development (and Evolution) of the Universe

I distinguish Nature from the World. I also distinguish development from evolution. Development is progressive change and can be modeled as part of Nature, using a specification hierarchy. I have proposed a ‘canonical developmental trajectory’ of dissipative structures with the stages defined thermodynamically and informationally. I consider some thermodynamic aspects of the Big Bang, leading to a proposal for reviving final cause. This model imposes a ‘hylozooic’ kind of interpretation upon Nature, as all emergent features at higher levels would have been vaguely and episodically present primitively in the lower integrative levels, and were stabilized materially with the developmental emergence of new levels. The specification hierarchy’s form is that of a tree, with its trunk in its lowest level, and so this hierarchy is appropriate for modeling an expanding system like the Universe. It is consistent with this model of differentiation during Big Bang development to view emerging branch tips as having been entrained by multiple finalities because of the top-down integration of the various levels of organization by the higher levels.