# Special Issue on Modeling, Simulation, Operation and Control of Discrete Event Systems
###### Abstract
The seventh paper [13], authored by [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], and [PERSON], deals with the model identification problem by developing automated strategies to derive a process model from event data in discrete event systems. Three strategies, based on exhaustive search, genetic algorithms and a greedy heuristic, respectively, are formulated, which have been implemented and tested. The eighth paper [14], contributed by [PERSON], dwells upon decision support simulation for intermittent production systems that represent an important class of industrial processes. As claimed by the author, the proposed simulation method takes less time than the earlier methods (the modeling steps are clear and simple to implement) and it can also examine every complex intermittent production system by using the elaborated investigational method. The ninth paper [15], authored by [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], and [PERSON], focuses on reliability-based and cost-oriented product optimization. A pertinent product optimization method integrating a fuzzy reasoning Petri net, interval expert evaluation and cultural-based dynamic multi-objective particle swarm optimization is developed. A mathematical model of product optimization is established. The efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed method are demonstrated via the numerical example of the optimization design for a machine tool. The 10 th paper [16], authored by [PERSON], [PERSON], and [PERSON], deals with an automated material handling problem in the semiconductor industry for 450 mm wafer fabrication, where traffic-jam problems and lot-prioritization are of particular interest. An improved dispatching method is reported, as well as some effective rules. Experimental results show the better performance of the proposed methods and rules. The 11 th paper [17], by [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], and [PERSON], discusses the performance of a discrete event simulation model for a new transport mode--a carsharing service. The work details forecasting relocation to solve car distribution imbalances for one-way carsharing services. A real case dataset is employed to help find the best simulation results, which provides a clear insight into the impact of forecasting relocation on high system utilization and the reservation acceptance ratio. The 12 th paper [18], by [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], and [PERSON], deals with the short-term scheduling problem of crude oil operations without sufficient charging tanks in a refinery. A hybrid Petri net model is developed to describe the behavior of the system. A method is proposed to find a schedule such that the simultaneously-charging-and-feeding mode is minimally used, which is computationally efficient. The 13 th paper [19], by [PERSON] and [PERSON], investigates the control problem of discrete event systems by using fuzzy interpreted Petri nets to overcome the limitation of regular Petri net models. This work makes the use of a program model and proposes a method for generation of this model via a graphical representation. A computer tool is developed to implement the method that transforms the graphical form of fuzzy interpreted Petri nets into Structured Text language supported by the IEC 61131-3 standard. The 14 th paper [20], by [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], and [PERSON], considers the scheduling problem of flexible manufacturing systems by using timed Petri nets, which can provide an optimal solution for large-scale systems under availability constraints. A mathematical model is built to determine the optimal firing transition sequence to minimize the total manufacturing time. The 15 th paper [21], by [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], and [PERSON], studies the collaboration problem between production and logistics in a flexible production system by using timed colored Petri nets. This paper proposes a self-adaptive collaboration method by combining the schedule of token sequences.