The present edited volume is of special importance, and for various reasons. First of all, it is one of the most comprehensive and multifaceted coverage of broadly per­ ceived fuzzy control in the literature. The editors have succeeded to collect papers from leading scholars and researchers on various subjects related to the topic of the volume. What is relevant and original is that - as opposed to so many volumes on fuzzy control published by virtually all major publishing houses that are strongly technically oriented and covering a narrow spectrum of issues relevant to fuzzy con­ trol itself - the editors have adopted a more general and far sighted approach. Basically, the perspective assumed in the volume is that though fuzzy control has reached such a level of maturity and implementability that it has become a part of in­ dustrial practice, science and academic research still have a relevant role to play in this area. One should however take into account that by their very nature, the role of science and academic research is very peculiar and going beyond straightforward ap­ plications, ad hoc solutions, "quick and dirty" tools and techniques, etc. that are usu­ ally effective and efficient for solving practical problems. This does not mean that as­ pects of practical implementations should not be accounted for by scholars and re­ searchers.

Introductory Sections.- From Computing with Numbers to Computing with Words - From Manipulation of Measurements to Manipulation of Perceptions.- Fractal Logics Versus Fuzzy Logics.- Knowledge Representation Using Fuzzy Logic Based Characteristics.- Fuzzy Sets Theory.- On t-Norms as Basic Connectives for Fuzzy Logic.- Generalized Parametric Conjunction Operations in Fuzzy Modeling.- The Equality of Inference Results Using Fuzzy Implication and Conjunctive Interpretations of the If Then Rules Under Defuzzification.- Adaptive Information System for Multivariate Data Approximation Problems.- FGCounts of Fuzzy Sets with Triangular Norms.- On the Approximate Solution of Fuzzy Equation Systems.- Using Fuzzy Parasets in Problem-Solving Under Uncertainty.- On the Change of the Distribution Shape of Randomized Fuzzy Variables by Filtering Over Compatibilty Degrees.- On Optimization with Fuzzy Constraint Conditions.- Fuzzy Control Theory.- Inference Methods for Partially Redundant Rule Bases.- Analysis and Design of Fuzzy PID Controller Based on Classical PID Controller Approach.- Expert Methods in the Theory of Automatic Control.- Comparative Analysis of Classical and Fuzzy PID Algorithms.- Non-Fuzzy Knowledge-Rule-Based Controllers and their Optimisation by Means of Genetic Algorithms.- A New Method of Fuzzy Petri Net Synthesis and its Application for Control Systems Design.- Fuzzy Control Applications.- Improving Control Behaviour with Set-Point Pre-Processors.- Automation of Process Pretuning by a Fuzzy-Similar Method.- Selection of Mathematics Model for Daily Diagram Prediction According to Box-Jenkins Method.- The Application of Fuzzy Set to Analysis of Cultural Meaning.- Natural Language Input for Fuzzy Diagnosis.- Neuro-Fuzzy Systems and Genetic Algorithms.- NeuralNetwork Architecture of Fuzzy Systems.- A Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System Optimized by Deterministic Annealing.- Neuro-Fuzzy Detector for Industrial Process.- Fuzzy Setting of GA Parameters.- Self-Learning Fuzzy Models and Neural Models in Environment Prediction.- Fuzzy Stochastic Multistage Decision Process with Implicitly Given Termination Time.- Diagnosis, Monitoring, and Decision Support Systems.- Fuzzy Time Series Analysis.- Fuzzy Modelling of Heart Rate Variability.- Fuzzy Approach to Combining Parallel Experts Response.- Fuzzy Modeling of Dynamic Non-Linear Processes - Applied to Water Level Measurement.- Fuzzy Modelling of Multidimensional Non-linear Processes - Design and Analysis of Structures.- Fuzzy Modeling of Uncertainty in a Decision Support System for Electric Power System Planning.- Application of the FSOM to Machine Vibration Monitoring.- Near-Term Forecasting of Drilling Cost of Borehole by Fuzzy Logic.