Invited Papers.- It is a Fundamental Limitation to Base Probability Theory on Bivalent Logic.- Soft Variables as a Generalization of Uncertain, Random and Fuzzy Variables.- Decision Algorithms, Bayes' Theorem and Flow Graphs.- New Consideration on Criteria of Model Selection.- Generalized Conjunction, Disjunction and Negation Operations in Fuzzy Modeling.- Image Data Compression/Reconstruction by Fuzzy Relational Equation.- Interpolation in Hierarchical Rule Bases.- On Algebraic Operations on Fuzzy Reals.- Formal Fuzzy Logic and its Use in Modeling of Vagueness and Computing with Words.- Independent Component Analysis for Simultaneous Active Noise Canceling and Blind Signal Separation.- On The Universality of The Single-Layer Perceptron Model.- A Hybrid Connectionist System for Multiple Regression.- Financial Fraud Identification Using MF-ARTMAP Neural Network.- Radial Basis Function Neural Networks: Theory and Applications.- of Interactive Evolutionary Computation and Its Application to CG Creativity.- Neuroinformatics Research in Vision.- Soft Computing in Hardware Implementations.- Neural Networks.- On the Node Complexity of Threshold Gate Circuits with Sub-linear Fan-ins.- Numerically Robust Learning Algorithms for Feed Forward Neural Networks.- A Neural Network Based Approach For Sensors Issued Data Fusion.- Population Learning Metaheuristic for Neural Network Training.- A Penalty Function to Obtain Satisfactory Local Models of Complex Systems.- Feature Selection Based on Information Theory Filters.- Neural Network Design without Learning.- New Ontogenic Neural Network Classificator Based on Probabilistic Reasoning.- Discrete Quasi-gradient Features Weighting Algorithm.- Input Ranking Revisited: A Theoretical Input Sensitivity Approach.- On the Influence of Synaptic Dilution on Memory Properties of Neural Networks.- Evolutionary Algorithm vs. Other Methods for Constructive Optimisation of RBF Network Kernels.- Heuristic Dynamic Programming for Neural Networks Learning Part 1: Learning as a Control Problem.- Heuristic Dynamic Programming for Neural Networks Learning Part 2: I-order Differential Dynamic Programming.- Evaluation of Dipolar Neural Networks in Survival Time Prediction.- A Synaptic Indicator Based Approach for Hidden Parameters Extraction In Industrial Environment.- Regression Hyper Surfaces with a Modified Neural Network Architecture.- Response Surface Methodology at Irregular Grids Based on Voronoi Scheme with Neural Network Approximator.- Extended RBF Nets - Preliminary Studies.- How to Test Overfitting When There is not Enough Data for a Testing Set?.- On Very Large Scale Hamiltonian Neural Nets.- Fuzzy Systems.- On sup - * Compositions of Fuzzy Implications.- A New Approach to Fuzzy Constraints in Linear Programming.- On a Linguistic Description of Dependencies in Data.- New Index of Significance for Inputs Selection.- Fuzzy Reliability Analysis.- Variable Precision Rough Sets in Analysis of Inconsistent Decision Tables.- The Newton Interpolation Method with Fuzzy Numbers as the Entries.- Fuzzy Optimization Using Direct Crisp and Fuzzy Interval Comparison.- Membership Functions as Combination of Expert's Knowledge with Population Information.- Towards More Human Consistent Reasoning via Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets.- Fuzzy Relational Thesauri Expansion Using Categorized Textual Data.- Evolutionary Algorithms.- Investigation of the Neighborhood Attraction Evolutionary Algorithm Based on Neural Gas.- A Fate of Two Evolutionary Walkers after the Departure from the Origin.- Genetic Algorithms with Adaptive Meta-heuristics for 2D Packing Problem.- Genetic Decryption of Columnar Transposition Code.- A Floating-Point Based Evolutionary Algorithm for Model Parameters Extraction and Optimization in HBT Device Simulation.- Rule Extraction from Trained Neural Network with Evolutionary Algorithms.- Genetic Algorithm for Observer Parameters Tuning in Sensorless Induction Motor Drive.- Moving Objects in the Problem of Path Planning by Evolutionary Computation.- Soft Computing in Classification and Pattern Recognition.- Determining Relevant Input Dimensions for the Self Organizing Map.- The Use of Wide-frame Cepstrum in Speech Recognition.- Face Recognition/Detection by Clustering and Probabilistic Neural Networks.- A Posteriori Corrections to Classification Methods.- Competent Undemocratic Committees.- Reasoning in Structured Bayesian Networks.- Machine Learning Methods for Improving Gender Recognition from Stop Consonants.- Sequential Classification.- Geometry and Logic in Pattern Classifiers.- Fuzzy Bayesian Classifier: a Multi-Agent System for Information Retrieval in the Web.- Medical Applications of Soft Computing.- Can Neural Networks Be Used to Define the Rules of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in the Nutrition Domain?.- A Practical Approach To Image Reconstruction From Projections Using Neural Networks Structure.- A Systolic Realisation of the Neuro-Tomograph.- An Investigation of Differential Skin Colonization of Neonates by Staphylococci, Using an Artificial Neural Network-based System.- Evolutionary Computing Techniques for Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infections in Vivo, Using Gas Sensors.- Neural Expert System for Pharmaceutical Formulation Development - Focus on Solid Dispersions.- Using Artificial Neural Network as a Tool for Epidemiological Data Analysis.- A Neural Network Based Investigation of High Frequency Components of the ECG.- Automatic Ischemic Stroke Segmentation Using Various Techniques.- Neuro-Fuzzy Systems.- Simple Modification of Takagi-Sugeno Model.- Applying Genetic Algorithm for Training Hybrid Neuro-Fuzzy Classifier - the nfgClass System.- Fuzzy Calculus by RBF Neural Networks.- Extending Neuro-Fuzzy Classification to Semi-Supervised Learning.- An ?-insensitive Learning in Neuro-Fuzzy Modeling.- Soft Techniques for Bayesian Classification.- Gradient Descent Based Optimization of Transparent Mamdani Systems.- A Neural Network Equivalent to a Neuro-Fuzzy System for Classification.- Compromise Weighted Neuro - Fuzzy Systems.- A Fuzzy Relational System with Linguistic Antecedent Certainty Factors.- Interval Type 2 Neuro-Fuzzy Systems Based on Interval Consequents.- Generation of Fuzzy Neural Network Structure.- Various Methods of Soft Computing.- Regularization Background of Clustering Algorithms.- Simulated Annealing C-Means Clustering Algorithm Convergence Proof.- Learning by Constraint Relaxation.- Forests of Decision Trees.- Agent Populations as Computational Intelligence.- Conditional Belief Functions Versus Proper Belief Functions.- Transformation Distances, Strings and Identification of DNA Promoters.- Solving Stochastic Shortest Path Problem Using Monte Carlo Sampling Method: A Distributed Learning Automata Approach.- Visualization of Large Data Sets Using MDS Combined with LVQ.- Controlling the Asymptotic Level Density for Quantization Processes with Self-Organizing Maps.- Formal Neuro-Immune Network.- Memory Management in Artificial Immune System.- Image Processing.- A Software Platform for Evaluation of Neural Algorithms for Stereo Image Processing.- Sequential Analysis of Medical Images Using Neural Networks.- Medical Image Recognition Based on Fractal Features.- Improving Image Database Summarization by Automatic Image Feature Selection Using GA.- Soft Computing in Automatics.- System Identification Using Delaunay Tessellation of Self-Organizing Maps.- Neural Network Reactive Navigation and Control of Wheeled Mobile Robot.- Training of Neural Network Wiener Models with Recursive Prediction Error Algorithm.- Dynamic GMDH Type Neural Networks.- Neural Networks for Signal Processing.- Generalized Spectrum Analysis by Means of Neural Networks.- Wavelet Network for Recursive Function Learning.- Interpolation and Approximation of Models.- Wavelet Network Estimating Regression Function.- Economic Applications.- Dynamic Programming with NAR Model Versus Q-learning - Case Study.- Evaluation of Economic Effectiveness of Provinces with Rough and Fuzzy Sets.- Evolutionarily Developed Neural Networks for Investment Strategies Construction.- Credit Granting Procedure: Multilayer Perceptron And Classification Tree.- Mechanical Applications.- Reliability Analysis of Structures by Neural Network Supported Monte Carlo Methods.- BP Neural Network Computation of Response Spectra Using a Subpicture Idea.- Neural Networks in Updating of Dynamic Models with Experimental Verification.- A Fuzzy Neural Network for the Analysis of Experimental Structural Mechanics Problems.- Neural Network Identification of a Circular Hole in the Rectangular Plate.- Neural Analysis of Concrete Shrinkage.- Various Applications.- Short-Term Load Forecasting for Energy Markets.- Systolic architecture for Higher Order Neural Networks.- Decomposition and Argument Reduction of Neural Networks.- Traffic Flow Simulation - Cellular Automata with Fuzzy Rules Approach.- An MLP Predictor of ELF Environmental Magnetic Fields Pollution.- Forecasting of Meteorologic Data by Artificial Neural Networks.- Artificial Neural Network Predictive System for Oxygen Steelmaking Converter.- Evaluation of a Helicopter Model Using Generalized Back Propagation Through Time.- Correction of Non-linear Dynamic Properties of Temperature Sensors by the Use of ANN.- Short-Term Weather Forecasting with Neural Networks.- Method for Detection of Wheat Grain Damage with Application of Neural Networks.- The WWW Based Data Mining Toolbox Architecture.- Concept of Neural Model of the Sea Bottom Surface.- Systolic Simulation of Hamming Neural Network.- Neural Network Simulation of Energy Transfer Processes in a Membrane Protein System.- Neural Network Modifiers of Nonlinear Dynamical Systems.- Probabilistic-Fuzzy Method of Ship Manoeuvre Safety Assessment in a Restricted Area.- Irregular Shape Particle Size Analysis Using Neural Network Approach.- Neural Classifier for Bottom Sediments.- Performance of ROC Curves and LVQ Neural Networks in Detection of Middle Cerebral Artery Spasm.- Neural Network Approach to Acoustic Detection of Number of Vehicles.

This volume presents new trends and developments in soft computing techniques. Topics include: neural networks, fuzzy systems, evolutionary computation, knowledge discovery, rough sets, and hybrid methods. It also covers various applications of soft computing techniques in economics, mechanics, medicine, automatics and image processing. The book contains contributions from internationally recognized scientists, such as Zadeh, Bubnicki, Pawlak, Amari, Batyrshin, Hirota, Koczy, Kosinski, Novák, S.-Y. Lee, Pedrycz, Raudys, Setiono, Sincak, Strumillo, Takagi, Usui, Wilamowski and Zurada. An excellent overview of soft computing methods and their applications. TOC:Part I: Invited Papers.- Part II: Neural Networks.- Part III: Fuzzy Systems.- Part IV: Evolutionary Algorithms.- Part V: Soft Computing in Classification and Pattern Recognition.- Part VI: Medical Applications of Soft Computing.- Part VII: Neuro-Fuzzy Systems.- Part VIII: Various Methods of Soft Computing.- Part IX: Image Processing.- Part X: Soft Computing in Automatics.- Part XI: Neural Networks for Signal Processing.- Part XII: Economic Applications.- Part XIII: Mechanical Applications.- Part XIV: Various Applications.