Abstract
This work discusses the solution of a Large-scale global optimization problem named Security Constrained Optimal Power Flow (SCOPF) using a method based on Cross Entropy (CE) and Evolutionary Particle Swarm Optimization (EPSO). The obtained solution is compared to the Entropy Enhanced Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy (EE-CMAES) and Shrinking Net Algorithm (SNA). Experiments show the approach reaches competitive results.

Abstract
The paper presents a multi-year, multi-objective framework for integrating Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) into the high voltage transmission network of Iran's National Power Grid (INPG). The objective functions in this study are the total cost, including the investment cost and operating cost for the planning horizon, and the system reliability. The first objective function is stated from the economic point of view, while the second objective function is considered as a security index in the expansion planning issue. The main purpose of this paper is to increase the RES penetration into the generation mix of INPG. Since the mentioned 230 to 400-kV INPG is a large-scale power system, the problem formulation is investigated in a mixed-integer programming, and then, the developed multi-objective problem has been solved using the augmented epsilon-constraint optimization method. In order to select the executive plan for installation, the fuzzy satisfying decision-making procedure is adopted in this study. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract
The increase of variable renewable energy generation has brought several new challenges to power and energy systems. Solutions based on storage systems and consumption flexibility are being proposed to balance the variability from generation sources that depend directly on environmental conditions. The widespread use of electric vehicles is seen as a resource that includes both distributed storage capabilities and the potential for consumption (charging) flexibility. However, to take advantage of the full potential of electric vehicles' flexibility, it is essential that proper incentives are provided and that the management is performed with the variation of generation. This paper presents a research study on the impact of the variation of the electricity prices on the behavior of electric vehicle's users. This study compared the benefits when using the variable and fixed charging prices. The variable prices are determined based on the calculation of distribution locational marginal pricing, which are recalculated and adapted continuously accordingly to the users' trips and behavior. A travel simulation tool was developed for simulating real environments taking into account the behavior of real users. Results show that variable-rate of electricity prices demonstrate to be more advantageous to the users, enabling them to reduce charging costs while contributing to the required flexibility for the system.

Abstract
Design-for-X (DfX) approaches continues to prove their importance to support design management in increased complexity products and towards sustainable development. Permanent increasing of market competitiveness lead the companies to narrow budgets and increase the application of Lean practices among their departments. Lean Design for eXcellence (LeanDfX) methodology was developed to cross Lean Thinking and Design-for-X project support, assessing multiple domains such as optimization, manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, eco-design, modularity or adaptability. This approach brings a systematic applicability for design engineers and technical managers, assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of a given product design. A LeanDIX index metric, ranging between 0-100%, and original scorecard were created for consistent decision support for comparison of different design concepts or design versions of products, integrating different 'X' domains. In this work, the LeanDIX methodology results are presented for a real industrial case study related to a robot gripper design of a palletizing production cell. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Abstract
Given an heterogeneous social network, can we forecast its future? Can we predict who will start using a given hashtag on twitter? Can we leverage side information, such as who retweets or follows whom, to improve our membership forecasts? We present TENSORCAST, a novel method that forecasts time-evolving networks more accurately than current state-of-the-art methods by incorporating multiple data sources in coupled tensors. TENSORCAST is (a) scalable, being linearithmic on the number of connections; (b) effective, achieving over 20% improved precision on top-1000 forecasts of community members; (c) general, being applicable to data sources with different structure. We run our method on multiple real-world networks, including DBLP, epidemiology data, power grid data, and a Twitter temporal network with over 310 million nonzeros, where we predict the evolution of the activity of the use of political hashtags.

Abstract
The high flexibility of the wireless mesh networks (WMNs) physical infrastructure can be exploited to provide communication with different technologies and support for a variety of different services and scenarios. Context information may trigger the need to build different logical networks on top of physical networks, where users can be grouped according to similarity of their context, and can be assigned to the logical networks matching their context. When building logical networks, network virtualization can be a very useful technique allowing a flexible utilization of a physical network infrastructure. Moreover, dynamic resource management using multiple channels and interfaces, directional antennas and power control, is able to provide a higher degree of flexibility in terms of resource allocation among the available virtual networks, to enable isolated and non-interfering communications while maximizing the network efficiency. In this paper we propose a resource management approach that uses transmit power control algorithm with both omnidirectional and directional antennas, to determine the resources of each virtual network while minimizing interference between virtual networks, considering the support of multiple services and users. Each virtual network can be extended to include the nodes of the WMN required by new users. The results of the proposed approach show that the support of multiple virtual networks for multiple services highly improves the network performance when compared to the support of the services in only one virtual network, with no interference minimization nor dynamic resource control.