Abstract
The gravitational search algorithm (GSA) is reviewed, by presenting a tutorial analysis of its key issues. As any other metaheuristic, GSA requires the selection of some heuristic parameters. One parameter which is crucial in regulating the exploratory capabilities of this algorithm is the gravitational constant. An analysis regarding this parameter selection is presented and a heuristic rule proposed for this purpose. The GSA performance is compared both with a hybridization with particle swarm optimization (PSO) and standard PSO. Preliminary simulation results are presented considering simple continuous functions optimization examples.

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This communication describes research and development directions that are being explored for the creation of a maintenance system for home appliances. The solution will enable a faster and more accurate automation of after-sale services for home appliances. It will be based on three tiers: data acquisition, data analysis and business tiers. The communication provides a context for the work, both regarding the application area in general and the three tiers, and then describes the objectives of the system being designed.

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Abstract
Advances in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) allowed them to become both flexible and cost-effective. When combined with computer vision data processing techniques they are a good way to obtain high-resolution imagery and 3D information. As such, UAS can be advantageous both for agriculture and forestry areas, where the need for data acquisition at specific times and within a specific time frame is crucial, enabling the extraction of several measurements from different crop types. In this study a low-cost UAS was used to survey an area mainly composed by chestnut trees (Castanea sativa Mill.). Flights were performed at different heights (ranging from 30 to 120 m), in single and double grid flight patterns, and photogrammetric processing was then applied. The obtained information consists of orthophoto mosaics and digital elevation models which enable the measurement of individual tree’s parameters such as tree crown diameter and tree height. Results demonstrate that despite its lower spatial resolution, data from single grid flights carried out at higher heights provided more reliable results than data acquired at lower flight heights. Higher number of images acquired in double grid flights also improved the results. Overall, the obtained results are encouraging, presenting a R² higher than 0.9 and an overall root mean square error of 44 cm.

Abstract
With the deepening of the reform of the power system, the sale companies need to constantly explore new business models and marketing programs. At the same time, the power quality should meet the requirements of the user, in which the harmonic problem is a very important aspect. Based on the service level of the harmonic losses of the application of the evaluation value of governance, the harmonic characteristics of the user put forward the harmonic control scheme of passive and active service, and simulated under PSCAD verification. Based on the analyses of the effectiveness and cost of the above schemes, combined with the profit analysis of the selling companies, a value-added service package containing the harmonic treatment is designed for the users to choose. © 2018 IEEE