Mining for association rules and frequent patterns is a central activity in data mining. However, most existing algorithms are only moderately suitable for real-world scenarios. Most strategies use parameters like minimum support, for which it can be very difficult to define a suitable value for unknown datasets. Since most untrained users are unable or unwilling to set such technical parameters, we address the problem of replacing the minimum-support parameter with top-n strategies. In our paper, we start by extending a top-n implementation of the ECLAT algorithm to improve its performance by using heuristic search strategy optimizations. Also, real-world datasets are often distributed and modern database architectures are switching from expensive SMPs to cheaper shared-nothing blade servers. Thus, most mining queries require distribution handling. Since partitioning can be forced by user-defined semantics, it is often forbidden to transform the data. Therefore, we developed an adaptive top-n frequent-pattern mining algorithm that simplifies the mining process on real distributions by relaxing some requirements on the results. We first combine the PARTITION and the TPUT algorithms to handle distributed top-n frequent-pattern mining. Then, we extend this new algorithm for distributions with real-world data characteristics. For frequent-pattern mining algorithms, equal distributions are important conditions, and tiny partitions can cause performance bottlenecks. Hence, we implemented an approach called MAST that defines a minimum absolute-support threshold. MAST prunes patterns with low chances of reaching the global top-n result set and high computing costs. In total, our approach simplifies the process of frequent-pattern mining for real customer scenarios and data sets. This may make frequent-pattern mining accessible for very new user groups. Finally, we present results of our algorithms when run on the SAP NetWeaver BW Acceleratorwith standard and real business datasets.

The necessity for clean and sustainable energy has shifted the energy sector’s interest in renewable energy sources. Photovoltaics (PV) is the most popular renewable energy source because the sun is ubiquitous. However, several discrepancies exist in a PV system when implemented for real-world applications. Among several other existing problems related to Photovoltaics, in this work, we deal with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) under Partial Shading (PS) conditions. MPPT is a mechanism formulated as an optimization problem adjusting the PV to deliver the maximum power to the load. Under full insolation conditions, varying solar panel temperatures, and different loads MPPT problem is a convex optimization problem. However, when the PV’s surface is partially shaded, multiple power peaks are created in the power versus voltage (P-V) curve making MPPT non-convex.

The purpose of this bachelor’s thesis is to examine information search behaviour of a group of Library and Information Science students in the cultural heritage digital collection cross search service DigitaltMuseum and an evaluation of the cross-search service search functionalities’ usability for the end-user. The study aims in understanding the user search behaviour to let the designers of cultural heritage digital collections websites improve the search tools so that the design matches the real needs of the users. After doing simulated search tasks the informants answered several questions about the chosen search strategies and preferable search functionalities. Quantitative analysis shows that simple search and free keywords are the most preferable search methods, however it is not clear why. On one hand it is observed that the users prefer google-like searching, on the other, discussion on the DigitaltMuseum search functionalities shows lack of use of Knowledge Organisation System of any kind which makes the advanced search tool insufficient.

La prise de décision est une partie intégrante de notre vie quotidienne où le décideur est confronté à des problèmes composés de plusieurs objectifs habituellement contradictoires. Dans ce travail, nous traitons des problèmes d'optimisation multiobjectif dans des espaces de recherche continus ou discrets. Nous avons développé plusieurs nouveaux algorithmes basés sur les métaheuristiques hybrides évolutionnaires, en particulier sur l'algorithme MOEA/D. Nous avons proposé l'algorithme HEMH qui utilise l'algorithme DM-GRASP pour construire une population initiale de solutions de bonne qualité dispersées le long de l'ensemble des solutions Pareto optimales. Les résultats expérimentaux montrent la supériorité de toutes les variantes hybrides proposées sur les algorithmes originaux MOEA/D et SPEA2. Malgré ces bons résultats, notre approche possède quelques limitations, levées dans une version améliorée de HEMH : HEMH2 et deux autres variantes HEMHde et HEMHpr. Le Adaptive Binary DE inclus dans les HEMH2 et HEMHde a de meilleures capacités d'exploration qui pallient aux capacités de recherche locale contenues dans la HEMH, HEMH2 et HEMHde. Motivés par ces résultats, nous avons proposé un nouvel algorithme baptisé HESSA pour explorer un espace continu de recherche où le processus de recherche est réalisé par différentes stratégies de recherche. Les résultats expérimentaux montrent la supériorité de HESSA à la fois sur MOEA/D et dMOPSO. Tous les algorithmes proposés ont été vérifiés, testé et comparés à certaines méthodes MOEAs. Les résultats expérimentaux montrent que toutes les propositions sont très compétitives et peuvent être considérés comme une alternative fiable / Many real-world decision making problems consist of several conflicting objectives, the solutions of which is called the Pareto-optimal set. Hybrid metaheuristics proved their efficiency in solving these problems. They tend to enhance search capabilities by incorporating different metaheuristics. Thus, we are concerned with developing new hybrid schemes by incorporating different strategies with exploiting the pros and avoiding the drawback of the original ones. First, HEMH is proposed in which the search process includes two phases DMGRASP obtains an initial set of efficient solutions in the 1st phase. Then, greedy randomized path-relinking with local search or reproduction operators explore the non-visited regions. The efficient solutions explored over the search are collected. Second, a comparative study is developed to study the hybridization of different metaheuristics with MOEA/D. The 1st proposal combines adaptive discrete differential Evolution with MOEA/D. The 2nd combines greedy path-relinking with MOEA/D. The 3rd and the 4th proposals combine both of them in MOEA/D. Third, an improved version of HEMH is presented. HEMH2 uses inverse greedy to build its initial population. Then, differential evolution and path-relink improves these solutions by investigating the non-visited regions in the search space. Also, Pareto adaptive epsilon concept controls the archiving process. Motivated by the obtained results, HESSA is proposed to solve continuous problems. It adopts a pool of search strategies, each of which has a specified success ratio. A new offspring is generated using a randomly selected one. Then, the success ratios are adapted according to the success of the generated offspring. The efficient solutions are collected to act as global guides. The proposed algorithms are verified against the state of the art MOEAs using a set of instances from literature. Results indicate that all proposals are competitive and represent viable alternatives