Optimization Algorithms and Applications at OLA 2021

Dear Colleagues,

Every day, each of us continually makes decisions during our own daily activities, which means simply selecting from among all available options the one that optimizes a given goal (e.g., the classical maximizing profits and minimizing costs). Therefore, optimization problems are always around us. Consequently, efficiently solving such problems becomes crucial and important, since it may lead to fruitful and faster production, the development of cheaper industrial products, and more sustainable solutions.

However, solving optimization problems is often quite difficult. In many cases, current optimization methods may be impractical to apply due to the large size of the search space and time constraints. In light of this, approximate algorithms, and among these the metaheuristics, are reliable tools able to offer robust solutions in reasonable times, and often they represent the unique alternative in solving complex optimization problems thanks to their ability to explore large search spaces efficiently by reducing their effective sizes.

This Special Issue aims to present a collection of recent high-quality papers on optimization algorithms and their applications to problems in the real world, particularly on topics covered at The International Conference in Optimization and Learning (OLA 2021, Catania, Italy, 21–23 June 2021). Extended versions of the best papers presented at the conference will be invited for submission to this issue and will go through a rigorous review process. Submissions of contributions not presented at the conference are also welcome if they are related to the themes of the Special Issue.

Prof. El-ghazali Talbi
Dr. Bernabe Dorronsoro
Prof. Dr. Lionel Amodeo
Dr. Vincenzo Cutello
Dr. Mario Pavone
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Algorithms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.