Global optimization aims at solving the most general problems of deterministic mathematical programming: to find the global optimum of a nonlinear, nonconvex, multivariate function of continuous and/or integer variables subject to constraints which may be themselves nonlinear and nonconvex. In addition, once the solutions are found, proof of its optimality is also expected from this methodology. Therefore, with these difficulties in mind, global optimization is becoming an increasingly powerful and important methodology. Essays and Surveys in Global Optimization is the most recent examination of its mathematical capability, power, and wide ranging solutions to many fields in the applied sciences.

Global optimization aims at solving the most general problems of deterministic mathematical programming: to find the global optimum of a nonlinear, nonconvex, multivariate function of continuous and/or integer variables subject to constraints which may be themselves nonlinear and nonconvex. In addition, once the solutions are found, proof of its optimality is also expected from this methodology. Therefore, with these difficulties in mind, global optimization is becoming an increasingly powerful and important methodology. Essays and Surveys in Global Optimization is the most recent examination of its mathematical capability, power, and wide ranging solutions to many fields in the applied sciences.

A large number of mathematical models in many diverse areas of science and engineering have lead to the formulation of optimization problems where the best solution (globally optimal) is needed. This book covers a small subset of important topics in global optimization with emphasis on theoretical developments and scientific applications.

The two volume set LNCS 7491 and 7492 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Parallel Problem Solving from Nature, PPSN 2012, held in Taormina, Sicily, Italy, in September 2012. The total of 105 revised full papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 226 submissions. The meeting began with 6 workshops which offered an ideal opportunity to explore specific topics in evolutionary computation, bio-inspired computing and metaheuristics. PPSN 2012 also included 8 tutorials. The papers are organized in topical sections on evolutionary computation; machine learning, classifier systems, image processing; experimental analysis, encoding, EDA, GP; multiobjective optimization; swarm intelligence, collective behavior, coevolution and robotics; memetic algorithms, hybridized techniques, meta and hyperheuristics; and applications.

The two-volume set of LNCS 10385 and 10386, constitutes the proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Advances in Swarm Intelligence, ICSI 2017, held in Fukuoka, Japan, in July/August 2017. The total of 133 papers presented in these volumes was carefully reviewed and selected from 267 submissions. The paper were organized in topical sections as follows: Part I: theories and models of swarm intelligence; novel swarm-based optimization algorithms; particle swarm optimization; applications of particle swarm optimization; ant colony optimization; artificial bee colony algorithms; genetic algorithms; differential evolution; fireworks algorithm; brain storm optimization algorithm; cuckoo searh; and firefly algorithm. Part II: multi-objective optimization; portfolio optimization; community detection; multi-agent systems and swarm robotics; hybrid optimization algorithms and applications; fuzzy and swarm approach; clustering and forecast; classification and detection; planning and routing problems; dialog system applications; robotic control; and other applications.

Calculus Without Derivatives expounds the foundations and recent advances in nonsmooth analysis, a powerful compound of mathematical tools that obviates the usual smoothness assumptions. This textbook also provides significant tools and methods towards applications, in particular optimization problems. Whereas most books on this subject focus on a particular theory, this text takes a general approach including all main theories. In order to be self-contained, the book includes three chapters of preliminary material, each of which can be used as an independent course if needed. The first chapter deals with metric properties, variational principles, decrease principles, methods of error bounds, calmness and metric regularity. The second one presents the classical tools of differential calculus and includes a section about the calculus of variations. The third contains a clear exposition of convex analysis.

This monograph develops a framework for modeling and solving utility maximization problems in nonconvex wireless systems. The first part develops a model for utility optimization in wireless systems. The model is general enough to encompass a wide array of system configurations and performance objectives. Based on the general model, a set of methods for solving utility maximization problems is developed in the second part of the book. The development is based on a careful examination of the properties that are required for the application of each method. This part focuses on problems whose initial formulation does not allow for a solution by standard methods and discusses alternative approaches. The last part presents two case studies to demonstrate the application of the proposed framework. In both cases, utility maximization in multi-antenna broadcast channels is investigated.