Ebook: Computational Modeling and Problem Solving in the Networked World: Interfaces in Computer Science and Operations Research

This book is a compilation of a selected subset of research articles presented at the Eighth INFORMS Computing Society Conference, held in Chandler, Arizona, from January 8 to 10, 2003. The articles in this book represent the diversity and depth of the interface between ORiMS (operations research and the management sciences) and CS/AI (computer science and artificial intelligence ). This volume starts with two papers that represent the reflective and integrative thinking that is critical to any scientific discipline. These two articles present philosophical perspectives on computation, covering a variety of traditional and newer methods for modeling, solving, and explaining mathematical models. The next set includes articles that study machine learning and computational heuristics, and is followed by articles that address issues in performance testing of solution algorithms and heuristics. These two sets of papers demonstrate the richness of thought that takes place at the ORiMS and CSI AI interface. The final set of articles demonstrates the usefulness of these and other methods at the interface towards solving problems in the real world, covering e-commerce, workflow, electronic negotiation, music, parallel computation, and telecommunications. The articles in this collection represent the results of cross-fertilization between ORiMS and CSI AI, making possible advances that could have not been achieved in isolation. The continuing aim ofthe INFORMS Computing Society and this research conference is to invigorate and further develop this interface.

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The first section of Computational Modeling and Problem Solving in the Networked World focuses on the reflective and integrative thinking that is critical to contemporary science - "Perspectives on Computation." This section presents philosophical perspectives on computation, covering a variety of traditional and newer modeling, solving, and explaining mathematical models. The "Machine Learning & Heuristics" section includes articles that study machine learning and computational heuristics, and is followed by the "Algorithm Performance" section that addresses issues in performance testing of solution algorithms and heuristics. These two sections demonstrate the richness of thinking about solution methods that is made possible by the confluence of Computer Science and Operations Research. The final "Applications" section demonstrates how these and other methods at the interface can be used to help solve problems in the real world, covering e-commerce, workflow, electronic negotiation, music, parallel computation, and telecommunications.

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The first section of Computational Modeling and Problem Solving in the Networked World focuses on the reflective and integrative thinking that is critical to contemporary science - "Perspectives on Computation." This section presents philosophical perspectives on computation, covering a variety of traditional and newer modeling, solving, and explaining mathematical models. The "Machine Learning & Heuristics" section includes articles that study machine learning and computational heuristics, and is followed by the "Algorithm Performance" section that addresses issues in performance testing of solution algorithms and heuristics. These two sections demonstrate the richness of thinking about solution methods that is made possible by the confluence of Computer Science and Operations Research. The final "Applications" section demonstrates how these and other methods at the interface can be used to help solve problems in the real world, covering e-commerce, workflow, electronic negotiation, music, parallel computation, and telecommunications.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xi
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
A Framework for Integrating Solution Methods....Pages 3-29
Computational Modeling and Explanation....Pages 31-57
Front Matter....Pages 59-59
Extremal Optimization: An Evolutionary Local-Search Algorithm....Pages 61-77
Tabu and Scatter Search for Artificial Neural Networks....Pages 79-96
A Machine-Learning Approach to Optimal Bid Pricing....Pages 97-118
Front Matter....Pages 119-119
Grasp with Adaptive Memory Programming for Finding Good Starting Solutions to the Multicommodity Capacitated Network Design Problem....Pages 121-137
Analyzing the Impact of Knowledge on Algorithm Performance in Discrete Optimization....Pages 139-153
A Computational Study of Three Demon Algorithm Variants for Solving the Traveling Salesman Problem....Pages 155-175
Improved PTAs for the Unit-Height Rectangle Packing Problem: A New Dynamic Programming Procedure....Pages 177-187
Front Matter....Pages 189-189
Mending the Lag Between Commerce and Research: A Logic-Based Workflow Verification Approach....Pages 191-212
Batching Techniques for Task Allocation in Workflow Systems—Towards Effective Role Resolution....Pages 213-233
RECO: Representation and Evaluation of Configurable Offers....Pages 235-258
Mapping Midi to the Spiral Array: Disambiguating Pitch Spellings....Pages 259-275
Fluid Models for Parallel Processor Allocation....Pages 277-302
Identifying Investment Opportunities in International Telecommunications Markets Using Regression Models....Pages 303-325

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The first section of Computational Modeling and Problem Solving in the Networked World focuses on the reflective and integrative thinking that is critical to contemporary science - "Perspectives on Computation." This section presents philosophical perspectives on computation, covering a variety of traditional and newer modeling, solving, and explaining mathematical models. The "Machine Learning & Heuristics" section includes articles that study machine learning and computational heuristics, and is followed by the "Algorithm Performance" section that addresses issues in performance testing of solution algorithms and heuristics. These two sections demonstrate the richness of thinking about solution methods that is made possible by the confluence of Computer Science and Operations Research. The final "Applications" section demonstrates how these and other methods at the interface can be used to help solve problems in the real world, covering e-commerce, workflow, electronic negotiation, music, parallel computation, and telecommunications.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xi
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
A Framework for Integrating Solution Methods....Pages 3-29
Computational Modeling and Explanation....Pages 31-57
Front Matter....Pages 59-59
Extremal Optimization: An Evolutionary Local-Search Algorithm....Pages 61-77
Tabu and Scatter Search for Artificial Neural Networks....Pages 79-96
A Machine-Learning Approach to Optimal Bid Pricing....Pages 97-118
Front Matter....Pages 119-119
Grasp with Adaptive Memory Programming for Finding Good Starting Solutions to the Multicommodity Capacitated Network Design Problem....Pages 121-137
Analyzing the Impact of Knowledge on Algorithm Performance in Discrete Optimization....Pages 139-153
A Computational Study of Three Demon Algorithm Variants for Solving the Traveling Salesman Problem....Pages 155-175
Improved PTAs for the Unit-Height Rectangle Packing Problem: A New Dynamic Programming Procedure....Pages 177-187
Front Matter....Pages 189-189
Mending the Lag Between Commerce and Research: A Logic-Based Workflow Verification Approach....Pages 191-212
Batching Techniques for Task Allocation in Workflow Systems—Towards Effective Role Resolution....Pages 213-233
RECO: Representation and Evaluation of Configurable Offers....Pages 235-258
Mapping Midi to the Spiral Array: Disambiguating Pitch Spellings....Pages 259-275
Fluid Models for Parallel Processor Allocation....Pages 277-302
Identifying Investment Opportunities in International Telecommunications Markets Using Regression Models....Pages 303-325
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