A suitable use of software packages for optimization problems can give the possibility to formulate design problems of robotic mechanical systems by taking into account the several aspects and behaviours for optimum solutions both in design and operation. However, an important issue that can be even critical to obtain practical solutions can be recognized in a proper identification and formulation of criteria for optimability purposes and numerical convergence feasibility. In this paper, we have reported experiences that have been developed at LARM in Cassino by referring to the abovementioned issues of determining a design procedure for manipulators both of serial and parallel architectures. The optimality criteria are focused on the well-recognized main aspects of workspace, singularity, and stiffness. Computational aspects are discussed to ensure numerical convergence to solutions that can be also of practical applications. In particular, optimality criteria and computational aspects have been elaborated by taking into account the peculiarity and constraint of each other. The general concepts and formulations are illustrated by referring to specific numerical examples with satisfactory results.

The present study has been taken up to emphasize the role of the hybridization process for optimizing a given reinforced concrete (RC) frame. Although various primary techniques have been hybrid in the past with varying degree of success, the effect of hybridization of enhanced versions of standard optimization techniques has found little attention. The focus of the current study is to see if it is possible to maintain and carry the positive effects of enhanced versions of two different techniques while using their hybrid algorithms. For this purpose, enhanced versions of standard particle swarm optimization (PSO) and a standard gravitational search algorithm (GSA), were considered for optimizing an RC frame. The enhanced version of PSO involves its democratization by considering all good and bad experiences of the particles, whereas the enhanced version of the GSA is made self-adaptive by considering a specific range for certain parameters, like the gravitational constant and a set of agents with the best fitness values. The optimization process, being iterative in nature, has been coded in C++. The analysis and design procedure is based on the specifications of Indian codes. Two distinct advantages of enhanced versions of standard PSO and GSA, namely, better capability to escape from local optima and a faster convergence rate, have been tested for the hybrid algorithm. The entire formulation for optimal cost design of a frame includes the cost of beams and columns. The variables of each element of structural frame have been considered as continuous and rounded off appropriately to consider practical limitations. An example has also been considered to emphasize the validity of this optimum design procedure.

The Walters critique of EMU presumed that pro-cyclical country-specific real interest rates would incorporate significant macroeconomic instability in an environment of asymmetric shocks. The literature on optimum currency areas suggests a number of criteria to minimize this risk, such as market flexibility, high degrees of openness, financial integration or similarity in inflation rates. In this paper, we argue that an essential part of macroeconomic volatility in a monetary union’s member country also depends on the mechanism of forming expectations. This is mainly due to (i) the construction of ex ante countryspecific real interest rate, implying a strong or weak negative correlation with current inflation rate and (ii) anticipated (and hence smoothed) loss in competitiveness and boom-bust cycle. In a 2-region 2-sector New Keynesian DSGE model, we apply 5 different specifications of ex ante real interest rates, based on commonly considered types of expectations: rational, adaptive, static, extrapolative and regressive, as well as their hybrids. Our simulations show that rational expectations dominate the other specifications in terms of minimizing the volatility of the most macroeconomic variables. This conclusion is generally insensitive to which group of agents (producers or consumers) and which region (home or foreign) forms the expectations. It also turns out that for some types of expectations the Walters critique indeed applies, i.e. the system does not fulfil the Blanchard-Kahn conditions or the system’s companion matrix has explosive eigenvalues.

The mathematical modeling of mineral processing is a very complex task because of random character of comminuted materials. However, it allows applying of standard laws of mass preservation and mass transport. The basic method of description of comminution processes is determination of particles size distribution curves for products. In the paper, the concept of applying so-called censored distribution functions was presented, what means equations of exponential, Weibull, log-normand logistic distribution functions as the basis of crushers work description (formulas 1, 2, 3 and 4). The censoring of distribution functions is being realized through acceptation of maximum particle size dmax and the shape of them depends on shape and scale parameters. The joining of technical parameters of comminuting devices with parameters of equations describing distribution functions of products allows creating of satisfying models of comminution processes. After application of general forms of separation curves the description of sieving processes is possible (equations 6a and 6b) and then also of comminution systems. The optimization of aggregates production may be based on introduction of goal function determining profit dependably on amount of individual assortments. In case of analysis of comminution systems (formulae 10) in preparation of feed to beneficiation the goal function should be based on levels of useful minerals exposure in individual fractions. The paper shows the possibility of simulation of comminution processes course leading to determination of optimal conditions of systems containing comminution and sieving processes. Furthermore, the necessity of creation of empirical models for grinding processes was shown as they would be the compensation of models being result of heuristic analysis of phenomena. Also, the elementary rules of selection of models forms and their modifications based on justification of relations between distribution function parameters and basic technical parameters of devices as well characteristics of comminuted materials were discussed. The paper is the introduction to further research of general approach to joining grained materials characteristics with comminution effects.

The locally resonant sonic material (LRSM) is an artificial metamaterial that can block underwater sound. The low-frequency insulation performance of LRSM can be enhanced by coupling local resonance and Bragg scattering effects. However, such method is hard to be experimentally proven as the best optimizing method. Hence, this paper proposes a statistical optimization method, which first finds a group of optimal solutions of an object function by utilizing genetic algorithm multiple times, and then analyzes the distribution of the fitness and the Euclidean distance of the obtained solutions, in order to verify whether the result is the global optimum. By using this method, we obtain the global optimal solution of the low-frequency insulation of LRSM. By varying parameters of the optimum, it can be found that the optimized insulation performance of the LRSM is contributed by the coupling of local resonance with Bragg scattering effect, as well as a distinct impedance mismatch between the matrix of LRSM and the surrounding water. This indicates coupling different effects with impedance mismatches is the best method to enhance the low-frequency insulation performance of LRSM.

The paper presents a comparative analysis to determine the optimal temperatures and the activation energies for various origin endo-inulinases from Aspergillus niger. The parameters were estimated based on the literature of the activity curves vs. temperature for hydrolysis of inulin. It was assumed that both the hydrolysis reaction process and the deactivation process of endo-inulinase were first-order reactions by the enzyme concentration. A mathematical model describing the effect of temperature on endo-inulinases from Aspergillus niger activity was used. Based on the comparison analysis, values of the activation energies Ea were in the range from 23:53  3:20 kJ/mol to 50:66  3:61 kJ/mol, the deactivation energies Ed were in the range from 88:42  5:03 kJ/mol to 142:87  2:75 kJ/mol and the optimum temperatures Topt were obtained in the range from 317:12  0:83 K to 332:55  0:72 for endo-inulinase A. niger.

The model is developed for the intellectualized decision-making support system on financing of cyber security means of transport cloud-based computing infrastructures, given the limited financial resources. The model is based on the use of the theory of multistep games tools. The decision, which gives specialists a chance to effectively assess risks in the financing processes of cyber security means, is found. The model differs from the existing approaches in the decision of bilinear multistep quality games with several terminal surfaces. The decision of bilinear multistep quality games with dependent movements is found. On the basis of the decision for a one-step game, founded by application of the domination method and developed for infinite antagonistic games, the conclusion about risks for players is drawn. The results of a simulation experiment within program implementation of the intellectualized decision-making support system in the field of financing of cyber security means of cloudbased computing infrastructures on transport are described. Confirmed during the simulation experiment, the decision assumes accounting a financial component of cyber defense strategy at any ratios of the parameters, describing financing process.

In this article, the authors propose and investigate a new concept of HAPS aerostat design in a modular form, which allows for sequential increasing or decreasing of the total volume, up to the desired size. In its initial form, the aerostat has relatively small dimensions but its central cylindrical part is multi-segmented and can be easily extended. The application of controllable construction couplings enables precise control of the aerostat expansion process and significantly improves its vertical mobility. The paper describes details of telescopic aerostat construction, presents a mathematical model of its vertical motion and investigates numerically two volume control strategies aimed at maximization of operation efficiency and minimization of operation cost. The results obtained reveal the main problems that have to be addressed and the factors that play a key role in design of such telescopic aerostats and control of their vertical mobility.