v1.4.0

HERA

HERA is a MATLAB-based scientific ranking framework for paired benchmarking. It provides a hierarchical-compensatory logic, advanced effect-size statistics, and automated reporting capabilities.

For more information please refer to the Readme and Project Documentation.

What's New in v1.4.0?

This release brings significant enhancements to the Convergence Analysis module, improved data exports, and several bug fixes.

✨ Features

• 8th Convergence Scenario: Introduced a new Sensitivity scenario to the convergence analysis, expanding the validation suite to 8 scenarios total.
• Fully Configurable Scenarios via JSON: All convergence analysis scenarios are now fully customizable through the JSON configuration file — not just the convergence modes, but also all individual statistical parameters for each scenario.
• Automatic Update Checks: HERA now automatically checks for newer versions on startup for both the MATLAB Toolbox and the Python package (via PyPI).
• Enhanced API Documentation: The Convergence Analysis documentation now includes minimal and full usage examples, and a detailed parameter dictionary.

🔧 Bug Fixes & Improvements

• Fixed Parallelization Scheduling: Separated parallelization strategies for the simulation preparation and testing phases, fixing incorrect worker saturation and improving overall performance.
• CSV Delimiter Fix: Switched remaining CSV output from comma to semicolon delimiter for consistent spreadsheet compatibility.
• Min/Max Columns in CSV: Added Min and Max columns for Error and Cost metrics in the convergence analysis CSV export.
• Python Interface Optimization: Significant performance boost for NumPy/Pandas data via direct buffer access and improved recursive type conversion logic.
• Figure Rendering Fix: Forced MATLAB figure layout computation before saving to prevent rendering issues with certain plot types.
• Convergence Plot Layout: Refined table column widths and dynamic centering in convergence report plots.

🖥️ Platform Support

• MATLAB Toolbox & Python Package: Windows, macOS (Intel & Apple Silicon), Linux
• Standalone Runtime Application: macOS (Apple Silicon ONLY)

📦 Compatibility

• MATLAB: Compatible with R2020a and newer.
• Python: Compatible with Python 3.9 through 3.12. and Matlab Runtime R2025b (25.2).

Full Changelog: v1.3.1...v1.4.0