A new bio-inspired metaheuristic algorithm named the Pufferfish Optimization Algorithm (POA), that imitates the natural behavior of pufferfish in nature, is introduced in this paper. The fundamental inspiration of POA is adapted from the defense mechanism of pufferfish against predators. In this defense mechanism, by filling its elastic stomach with water, the pufferfish becomes a spherical ball with pointed spines, and as a result, the hungry predator escapes from this threat. The POA theory is stated and then mathematically modeled in two phases: (i) exploration based on the simulation of a predator’s attack on a pufferfish and (ii) exploitation based on the simulation of a predator’s escape from spiny spherical pufferfish. The performance of POA is evaluated in handling the CEC 2017 test suite for problem dimensions equal to 10, 30, 50, and 100. The optimization results show that POA has achieved an effective solution with the appropriate ability in exploration, exploitation, and the balance between them during the search process. The quality of POA in the optimization process is compared with the performance of twelve well-known metaheuristic algorithms. The simulation results show that POA provides superior performance by achieving better results in most of the benchmark functions in order to solve the CEC 2017 test suite compared to competitor algorithms. Also, the effectiveness of POA to handle optimization tasks in real-world applications is evaluated on twenty-two constrained optimization problems from the CEC 2011 test suite and four engineering design problems. Simulation results show that POA provides effective performance in handling real-world applications by achieving better solutions compared to competitor algorithms.

The adoption of blockchain technology provides significant disruptive benefits to internet-of-things (IoT) applications in healthcare in vital aspects like security, integrity, transparency, and efficiency. Nevertheless, in order to fully realize the potential of blockchain-driven solutions, healthcare organizations have to address intricate compromises between essential factors including scalability, privacy and resource utilization considering that the data sensitivity alongside strict regulatory compliance requirements characterize this sector. This research discusses the fundamental aspects of these trade-offs, including the range of consensus protocols (e.g. proof-of-work, proof-of-stake) and cryptographic techniques (e.g. zero-knowledge proofs, homomorphic encryption). A systematic choice matrix is created, which relates specific use cases of the healthcare IoT to the optimal tailored blockchain structures on such critical metrics as transaction volume, frequency, privacy level and resource restrictions. The suggested framework provides solid, actionable recommendations to healthcare organizations in order to help them benefit from the enormous promise of the blockchain for connected IoT healthcare by finding a balance between decentralization advantages and performance, security and compliance requirements.

In the past decades, software organizations have been relying on implementing process improvement methods to advance quality, productivity, and predictability of their development and maintenance efforts. However, these methods have proven to be challenging to implement in many situations, and when implemented, their benefits are often not sustained. Commonly, the workforce requires guidance during the initial deployment, but what happens after the guidance stops? Why do not traditional improvement methods deliver the desired results? And, how do we maintain the improvements when they are realized? In response to these questions, we have combined social and organizational learning methods with Lean's continuous improvement philosophy, Kaizen, which has resulted in an IDKL model that has successfully promoted continuous learning and improvement. The IDKL has evolved through a real-life project with an industrial partner; the study employed ethnographic action research with 231 participants and had lasted for almost 3 years. The findings show that on average, Lead Time has dropped by 46%, Process Cycle Efficiency has increased by 137%, First-Pass Process Yield has increased by 27%, and Customer Satisfaction has increased by 25%.

This article introduces a novel nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithm called Frilled Lizard Optimization (FLO), which emulates the hunting behavior of frilled lizards in their natural habitat. FLO draws in-spiration from the sit-and-wait strategy observed in frilled lizards during hunting. The underlying theory of FLO is presented and mathematically formulated in two phases: (i) an exploration phase, simulating the frilled lizard's attack towards prey, and (ii) an exploitation phase, simulating the lizard's retreat to the top of the tree after feeding. To assess FLO's efficacy in solving optimization problems, the algorithm's performance is evaluated across fifty-two standard benchmark functions, encompassing unimodal, high-dimensional multimodal, fixed-dimensional multimodal, and the CEC 2017 test suite. Comparative analyses with twelve existing metaheuristic algorithms are conducted. The simulation results reveal that FLO, distinguished by its adeptness in exploration, exploitation, and balancing them during search process, outperforms competing algorithms. Additionally, FLO is implemented on twenty-two constrained optimization problems from the CEC 2011 test suite and four engineering design problems, demonstrating its effectiveness in addressing real-world optimization applications.