Search Results (24)

Background: To investigate baseline MNV characteristics in Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) and its impact on therapeutic needs and visual acuity after 5 years in initially therapy-naïve eyes. Methods: A retrospective study of 43 therapy-naïve eyes with neovascular AMD (nAMD). OCTA was performed at baseline and all eyes were observed for 5 years. MNV architecture was characterized by area, total vessel length, flow density and fractal dimension. These variables were tested for correlation with the number of administered intravitreal injections (IVIs) and best-corrected visual outcome (BCVA) after 5 years of treatment. Results: Mean follow-up time was 4.97 ± 0.21 years. Area and total vessel length of MNVs were significantly associated with a higher number of administered IVIs after 5 years (p < 0.05), flow density significantly correlated with fewer IVIs (p < 0.05). Fractal dimension showed a tendency to more IVIs (p = 0.056) after 5 years. Flow density at baseline correlated with a better BCVA (p < 0.05). In contrast, MNV area size, total vessel length and fractal dimension did not show any correlation to BCVA after 5 years (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Specific features of MNV architecture such as area, total vessel length and flow density can predict long-term treatment requirement and visual outcome. Further studies using deep learning algorithms are necessary to explore the usage of these findings in daily practice. Full article

Background: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative tool in in vitro fertilization (IVF) as it has done in other sectors. In IVF, AI offers advancements in embryo selection, treatment personalization, and outcome prediction. It does so by leveraging deep learning and computer vision, as well as AI-driven platforms such as ERICA, iDAScore, and IVY where the goal is to address the limitations of traditional embryo assessment. Key amongst them are the issues of subjectivity, labor intensity, and limited predictive power. Despite rapid technological progress, the integration of AI into routine IVF practice faces key challenges. These are issues related to clinical validation, ethical dilemmas, and workflow adaptation. Rationale/Objectives: This review synthesizes current evidence to evaluate the role of AI in IVF, focusing on six critical dimensions: (1) the evolution of AI from traditional embryology to algorithmic assessment, (2) clinical validation and regulatory considerations, (3) limitations and ethical challenges, (4) pathways for clinical integration, (5) real-world applications and outcomes, and (6) future directions and policy recommendations. The objective is to provide a comprehensive roadmap for the responsible adoption of AI in reproductive medicine. Outcomes: AI demonstrates significant potential to improve the precision and efficiency of IVF. Studies report that AI models can achieve 10 to 25% higher accuracy in predicting embryo viability and implantation potential compared to traditional morphological assessment by embryologists. This enhanced predictive power supports more consistent embryo ranking, facilitates elective single-embryo transfer (eSET) strategies, and is associated with 30 to 50% reductions in embryologist workload per embryo cohort. Early adopters report promising trends. However, large-scale randomized controlled trials have yet to conclusively demonstrate a statistically significant increase in live birth rates per transfer compared to expert embryologist selection. The most immediate and evidenced value of AI lies in hybrid decision-making models. This is where it augments embryologists by providing data-driven, objective support, thereby standardizing workflows and reducing subjectivity. Wider Implications: The sustainable integration of AI into IVF banks on three key aspects: robust evidence generation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global standardization. To foster these, policymakers ought to establish regulatory frameworks for transparency and bias mitigation. On their part, clinicians need training to interpret AI outputs critically. Ethically, safeguarding patient trust and equity is non-negotiable. Future innovations, mainly AI-enhanced genomics and real-time monitoring, could further personalize care. However, their success depends on addressing current limitations. By balancing innovation with ethical vigilance, AI holds the potential to revolutionize IVF while upholding the highest standards of patient care. Full article

The integration of renewable energy sources has become a strategic necessity for sustainable energy management and supply security. This study evaluates the performance of eight metaheuristic optimization algorithms in scheduling a renewable-based smart grid system that integrates solar, wind, and battery storage for a factory in İzmir, Türkiye. The algorithms considered include classical approaches—Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), the Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), Krill Herd Optimization (KOA), and the Ivy Algorithm (IVY)—alongside hybrid methods, namely KOA–WOA, WOA–PSO, and Gradient-Assisted PSO (GD-PSO). The optimization objectives were minimizing operational energy cost, maximizing renewable utilization, and reducing dependence on grid power, evaluated over a 7-day dataset in MATLAB. The results showed that hybrid algorithms, particularly GD-PSO and WOA–PSO, consistently achieved the lowest average costs with strong stability, while classical methods such as ACO and IVY exhibited higher costs and variability. Statistical analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings, highlighting the effectiveness of hybridization in improving smart grid energy optimization. Full article

Contemporary multi-UAV formations face dual challenges of obstacle avoidance and rapid formation recovery. To enable UAV swarms to efficiently restore their predefined configurations post-obstacle navigation, a formation recovery strategy grounded in Nash equilibrium game theory is proposed in this paper. By integrating the IVY optimization algorithm, a collaborative control model that systematically balances individual UAV interests with swarm-level objectives through carefully designed optimization criteria is established. Comparative experimental results demonstrate that, compared to traditional formation obstacle-avoidance algorithms, Improved Particle Swarm Optimization (IPSO), Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), and Genetic Algorithm (GA), our method exhibits superior performance across multiple key metrics, including average path length, formation accuracy rate, recovery time, and total time consumption. Real-flight tests on a multi-UAV platform confirm IVYA-Nash surpasses improved APF in formation accuracy and aerodynamic disturbance resistance, proving robustness in dynamic multi-agent scenarios. The work provides an efficient and reliable solution for coordinated control of UAV formations in complex environments. Full article

Using a Bayesian framework to invert earthquake source parameters from multi-source geodetic data has become an important research direction. To address the issue of Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms getting stuck in local optima during nonlinear inversion of fault geometric parameters, which is often caused by improperly set parameter bounds or large deviations in the initial values, this study proposes two strategies: ‘CFI (Converge First, Then Interval)’ and ‘IVI (Interval Value Iteration)’. Tests with 12 different experimental setups show that both strategies can prevent the chain from getting trapped in local optima. Among them, the ‘IVI’ strategy, when used with MCMC algorithms where the step size follows a normal distribution, can also significantly reduce the root-mean-square error. To verify its applicability, the ‘IVI’ strategy was applied to the Bayesian inversion of the 2022 Menyuan Mw6.6 earthquake. The results show that the inverted values for fault depth, strike, dip, and rake angles are closer to the GCMT results, with ascending and descending track fitting residuals of 2.71 cm and 2.64 cm, respectively. The conclusion of this paper is to recommend the ‘IVI’ strategy when the range of source parameters is unclear. If the approximate range of parameters is known, the ‘CFI’ strategy can be applied. The original interval constraint method is recommended when the parameter bounds are fully determinable and a reliable initial model of seismic source parameters is obtainable. Full article

To address the efficiency bottlenecks of traditional full-wave simulation methods in the high-performance design and rapid optimization of microwave filters, this study proposes an efficient design method based on an improved surrogate model and a hybrid optimization algorithm. A one-dimensional dense convolutional autoencoder (1D-DenseCAE) model is constructed to enhance the model’s ability to extract key features and improve convergence speed. Additionally, the Ivy–Hiking optimization algorithm (IHOA) is introduced, combining the advantages of global search and local fine-tuning. Experiments demonstrate that this method achieves approximately a 25% improvement in convergence speed over the standard one-dimensional convolutional autoencoder (1D-CAE) in cavity filter design, and enables efficient optimization in complex structures such as interdigital filters and seventh-order cross-coupled cavity filters, meeting design requirements of return loss below −20 dB and in-band ripple under 0.5 dB. This method provides an effective technical pathway for the intelligent design of microwave filters. Full article

Accurately predicting the compressive strength of high-performance concrete (HPC) is critical for ensuring structural integrity and promoting sustainable construction practices. However, HPC exhibits highly complex, nonlinear, and multi-factorial interactions among its constituents (such as cement, aggregates, admixtures, and curing conditions), which pose significant challenges to conventional predictive models. Traditional approaches often fail to adequately capture these intricate relationships, resulting in limited prediction accuracy and poor generalization. Moreover, the high dimensionality and noisy nature of HPC mix data increase the risk of model overfitting and convergence to local optima during optimization. To address these challenges, this study proposes a novel bio-inspired hybrid optimization model, AP-IVYPSO-BP, which is specifically designed to handle the nonlinear and complex nature of HPC strength prediction. The model integrates the ivy algorithm (IVYA) with particle swarm optimization (PSO) and incorporates an adaptive probability strategy based on fitness improvement to dynamically balance global exploration and local exploitation. This design effectively mitigates common issues such as premature convergence, slow convergence speed, and weak robustness in traditional metaheuristic algorithms when applied to complex engineering data. The AP-IVYPSO is employed to optimize the weights and biases of a backpropagation neural network (BPNN), thereby enhancing its predictive accuracy and robustness. The model was trained and validated on a dataset comprising 1030 HPC mix samples. Experimental results show that AP-IVYPSO-BP significantly outperforms traditional BPNN, PSO-BP, GA-BP, and IVY-BP models across multiple evaluation metrics. Specifically, it achieved an R² of 0.9542, MAE of 3.0404, and RMSE of 3.7991 on the test set, demonstrating its high accuracy and reliability. These results confirm the potential of the proposed bio-inspired model in the prediction and optimization of concrete strength, offering practical value in civil engineering and materials design. Full article

The Adaptive Cross Ivy (ACIVY) algorithm is a novel bio-inspired metaheuristic that emulates ivy plant growth behaviors for complex optimization problems. While the original Ivy Optimization Algorithm (IVYA) demonstrates a competitive performance, it suffers from limited inter-individual information exchange, inadequate directional guidance for local optima escape, and abrupt exploration–exploitation transitions. To address these limitations, ACIVY integrates three strategic enhancements: the crisscross strategy, enabling horizontal and vertical crossover operations for improved population diversity; the LightTrack strategy, incorporating positional memory and repulsion mechanisms for effective local optima escape; and the Top-Guided Adaptive Mutation strategy, implementing ranking-based mutation with dynamic selection pools for smooth exploration–exploitation balance. Comprehensive evaluations on the CEC2017 and CEC2022 benchmark suites demonstrate ACIVY’s superior performance against state-of-the-art algorithms across unimodal, multimodal, hybrid, and composite functions. ACIVY achieved outstanding average rankings of 1.25 (CEC2022) and 1.41 (CEC2017 50D), with statistical significance confirmed through Wilcoxon tests. Practical applications in engineering design optimization and UAV path planning further validate ACIVY’s robust performance, consistently delivering optimal solutions across diverse real-world scenarios. The algorithm’s exceptional convergence precision, solution reliability, and computational efficiency establish it as a powerful tool for challenging optimization problems requiring both accuracy and consistency. Full article

The combination of bentonite and conventional plastic concrete is an effective method for projecting structures and adsorbing heavy metals. Determining the compressive strength (CS) is a crucial step in the design of bentonite plastic concrete (BPC). Traditional experimental analyses are resource-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to high uncertainties. To address these challenges, several machine learning (ML) models, including support vector regression (SVR), artificial neural network (ANN), and random forest (RF), are generated to forecast the CS of BPC materials. To improve the prediction accuracy, a meta-heuristic optimization, called the Ivy algorithm, is integrated with Bayesian optimization (BOIvy) to optimize the ML models. Several statistical indices, including the coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMSE), prediction accuracy (U₁), prediction quality (U₂), and variance accounted for (VAF), are adopted to evaluate the predictive performance of all models. Additionally, Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) and sensitivity analysis are conducted to enhance model interpretability. The results indicate that the best model is the BOIvy-ANN model, which achieves the optimal indices during the testing. Moreover, water, curing time, and cement are found to be more influential on the prediction of the CS of BPC than other features. This paper provides a strong example of applying artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to estimate the performance of BPC materials. Full article

In recent years, metaheuristic algorithms have garnered significant attention for their efficiency in solving complex optimization problems. However, their performance critically depends on maintaining a balance between global exploration and local exploitation; a deficiency in either can result in premature convergence to local optima or low convergence efficiency. To address this challenge, this paper proposes an enhanced ivy algorithm guided by a particle swarm optimization (PSO) mechanism, referred to as IVYPSO. This hybrid approach integrates PSO’s velocity update strategy for global searches with the ivy algorithm’s growth strategy for local exploitation and introduces an ivy-inspired variable to intensify random perturbations. These enhancements collectively improve the algorithm’s ability to escape local optima and enhance the search stability. Furthermore, IVYPSO adaptively selects between local growth and global diffusion strategies based on the fitness difference between the current solution and the global best, thereby improving the solution diversity and convergence accuracy. To assess the effectiveness of IVYPSO, comprehensive experiments were conducted on 26 standard benchmark functions and three real-world engineering optimization problems, with the performance compared against 11 state-of-the-art intelligent optimization algorithms. The results demonstrate that IVYPSO outperformed most competing algorithms on the majority of benchmark functions, exhibiting superior search capability and robustness. In the stability analysis, IVYPSO consistently achieved the global optimum across multiple runs on the three engineering cases with reduced computational time, attaining a 100% success rate (SR), which highlights its strong global optimization ability and excellent repeatability. Full article

The safe and efficient design of dynamic submarine cables is critical for the reliability of floating offshore wind turbines, yet traditional time-domain simulation-based optimization approaches are computationally intensive and time consuming. To address this challenge, this study proposes a closed-loop optimization framework that couples machine learning with intelligent optimization algorithms for a dynamic cable configuration design. A high-fidelity surrogate model based on a backpropagation (BP) neural network was trained to accurately predict cable dynamic responses. Three optimization algorithms—Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Ivy Optimization (IVY), and Tornado Optimization (TOC)—were evaluated for their effectiveness in optimizing the arrangement of buoyancy and weight blocks. The TOC algorithm exhibited superior accuracy and convergence stability. Optimization results show an 18.3% reduction in maximum curvature while maintaining allowable effective tension limits. This approach significantly enhances optimization efficiency and provides a viable strategy for the intelligent design of dynamic cable systems. Future work will incorporate platform motions induced by wind turbine operation and explore multi-objective optimization schemes to further improve cable performance. Full article

A ship’s diesel–electric hybrid power system is complex, with hardware configuration and energy management parameters being crucial to its economic performance. However, existing optimization methods typically involve designing and optimizing the hardware configuration on the basis of typical operating conditions, followed by the design and optimization of the energy management parameters, which makes it difficult to achieve optimal system performance. Moreover, when co-optimizing hardware configurations and energy management parameters, the parameter relationships and complex constraints often lead conventional optimization algorithms to converge slowly and become trapped in local optima. To address this issue, a hybrid Ivy-SA algorithm is developed for the co-optimization of both the hardware configuration and energy management parameters. First, the main engine and hybrid ship models are established on the basis of the hardware configuration, and the accuracy of the models is validated. An energy management strategy based on the equivalent fuel consumption minimization strategy (ECMS) is then formulated, and energy management parameters are designed. A sensitivity analysis is conducted on the basis of both the hardware configuration and energy management parameters to evaluate their impacts under various conditions, enabling the selection of key optimization parameters, such as diesel engine parameters, battery configuration, and charge/discharge factors. The Ivy-SA algorithm, which integrates the advantages of both the Ivy algorithm (IVYA) and the simulated annealing algorithm (SA), is developed for the co-optimization. The algorithm is tested with the CEC2017 benchmark functions and outperforms 11 other algorithms. Furthermore, when the top five performing algorithms are applied for the co-optimization, the results show that the Ivy-SA algorithm outperforms the other four algorithms with a 14.49% increase in economic efficiency and successfully escapes local optima. Full article

In this paper, a reliability assessment and prediction method based on bearing vibration signals is proposed, which combines Adaptive Cyclostationary Blind Deconvolution (ACYCBD) and AdaBoost-Mixed Kernel Relevance Vector Machine. Firstly, CYCBD parameters were optimized by the Ivy optimization algorithm to enhance the noise reduction effect, and then multidimensional features were extracted and dimensionalization was reduced by PaCMAP. Based on dimensionality reduction features, logistic regression was used to evaluate reliability, and AdaBoost-MKRVM was combined to predict reliability. The experimental results show that the mean absolute error (MAE) of the proposed method on the bearing life dataset of Xi’an Jiaotong University is 0.052, which is better than the traditional method, and provides a new idea for the performance prediction of rolling bearings. Full article

Accurate estimations of State-of-Charge (SOC) and State-of-Health (SOH) are crucial for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of lithium-ion batteries in Battery Management Systems (BMSs). This paper proposes a novel joint estimation method integrating an Autoregressive Equivalent Circuit Model (AR-ECM) with a data-driven model to address the strong coupling between SOC and SOH. First, a multi-strategy improved Ivy algorithm (MSIVY) is utilized to optimize the hyperparameters of a Hybrid Kernel Extreme Learning Machine (HKELM). Key voltage interval features, including split voltage, differential capacity, and current–voltage product, are extracted and filtered using a sliding window approach to enhance SOH prediction accuracy. The estimated SOH is subsequently incorporated into the AR-ECM state-space equations, where an enhanced particle swarm optimization algorithm optimizes the model parameters. Finally, the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is applied to achieve collaborative SOC–SOH estimation. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves SOH errors below 1% and SOC errors under 2% on public datasets, showcasing its robust generalization capability and real-time performance. Full article

Air compressors play a crucial role in industrial production, and accurately assessing their health status is vital for ensuring stable operation. The field of health status assessment has made significant progress; however, challenges such as dataset class imbalance, feature selection, and accuracy improvement remain and require further refinement. To address these issues, this paper proposes a novel algorithm based on multi-strategy optimization, using air compressors as the research subject. During data preprocessing, the Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) is introduced to effectively balance class distribution. By integrating the Squeeze-and-Excitation (SE) mechanism with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), key features within the dataset are extracted and emphasized, reducing the impact of irrelevant features on model efficiency. Finally, Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) networks are employed for health status assessment and classification of the air compressor. The Ivy algorithm (IVYA) is introduced to optimize the BiLSTM’s hyperparameters to improve classification accuracy and avoid local optima. Through comparative and ablation experiments, the effectiveness of the proposed SMOTE-IVY-SE-CNN-BiLSTM model is validated, demonstrating its ability to significantly enhance the accuracy of air compressor health status assessment. Full article