Learning is a key issue in the analysis and design of all kinds of intelligent systems. In recent time many new paradigms of automated (machine) learning have been proposed in the literature. Soft computing, that has proved to be an effective and efficient tool in so many areas of science and technology, seems to offer new qualities in the realm of machine learning too. The purpose of this volume is to present some new learning paradigms that have been triggered, or at least strongly influenced by soft computing tools and techniques, mainly related to neural networks, fuzzy logic, rough sets, and evolutionary computations.

Soft computing (SC) consists of several computing paradigms, including neural networks, fuzzy set theory, approximate reasoning, and derivative-free optimization methods such as genetic algorithms. The integration of those constituent methodologies forms the core of SC. In addition, the synergy allows SC to incorporate human knowledge effectively, deal with imprecision and uncertainty, and learn to adapt to unknown or changing environments for better performance. Together with other modern technologies, SC and its applications exert unprecedented influence on intelligent systems that mimic human intelligence in thinking, learning, reasoning, and many other aspects. Knowledge engineering (KE), which deals with knowledge acquisition, representation, validation, inferencing, explanation, and maintenance, has made significant progress recently, owing to the indefatigable efforts of researchers. Undoubtedly, the hot topics of data mining and knowledge/data discovery have injected new life into the classical AI world. This book tells readers how KE has been influenced and extended by SC and how SC will be helpful in pushing the frontier of KE further. It is intended for researchers and graduate students to use as a reference in the study of knowledge engineering and intelligent systems. The reader is expected to have a basic knowledge of fuzzy logic, neural networks, genetic algorithms, and knowledge-based systems. Contents: Knowledge Engineering and Soft Computing OCo An Introduction (L-Y Ding); Fuzzy Knowledge-Based Systems: Linguistic Integrity: A Framework for Fuzzy Modeling OCo AFRELI Algorithm (J Espinosa & J Vandewalle); A New Approach to Acquisition of Comprehensible Fuzzy Rules (H Ohno & T Furuhashi); Fuzzy Rule Generation with Fuzzy Singleton-Type Reasoning Method (Y Shi & M Mizumoto); Antecedent Validity Adaptation Principle for Table Look-Up Scheme (P-T Chan & A B Rad); Fuzzy Spline Interpolation in Sparse Fuzzy Rule Bases (M F Kawaguchi & M Miyakoshi); Revision Principle Applied for Approximate Reasoning (L-Y Ding et al.); Handling Null Queries with Compound Fuzzy Attributes (S-L Wang & Y-J Tsai); Fuzzy System Description Language (K Otsuka et al.); Knowledge Representation, Integration, and Discovery by Soft Computing: Knowledge Representation and Similarity Measure in Learning a Vague Legal Concept (M Q Xu et al.); Trend Fuzzy Sets and Recurrent Fuzzy Rules for Ordered Dataset Modelling (J F Baldwin et al.); Approaches to the Design of Classification Systems from Numerical Data and Linguistic Knowledge (H Ishibuchi et al.); A Clustering Based on Self-Organizing Map and Knowledge Discovery by Neural Network (K Nakagawa et al.); Probabilistic Rough Induction (J-Z Dong et al.); Data Mining via Linguistic Summaries of Databases: An Interactive Approach (J Kacprzyk & S Zadrozny); and other papers. Readership: Graduate students, researchers and lecturers in knowledge engineering and soft computing."

This new volume explores a variety of modern techniques that deal with estimated models and give resolutions to complex real-life issues. Soft computing has played a crucial role not only with theoretical paradigms but is also popular for its pivotal role for designing a large variety of expert systems and artificial intelligence-based applications. Involving the concepts and practices of soft computing in conjunction with other frontier research domains, this book begins with the basics and goes on to explore a variety of modern applications of soft computing in areas such as approximate reasoning, artificial neural networks, Bayesian networks, big data analytics, bioinformatics, cloud computing, control systems, data mining, functional approximation, fuzzy logic, genetic and evolutionary algorithms, hybrid models, machine learning, metaheuristics, neuro fuzzy system, optimization, randomized searches, and swarm intelligence. This book will be helpful to a wide range of readers who wish to learn applications of soft computing approaches. It will be useful for academicians, researchers, students, and machine learning experts who use soft computing techniques and algorithms to develop cutting-edge artificial intelligence-based applications.

This book is the inaugural volume in the new Springer series on Learning and Analytics in Intelligent Systems. The series aims at providing, in hard-copy and soft-copy form, books on all aspects of learning, analytics, advanced intelligent systems and related technologies. These disciplines are strongly related and mutually complementary; accordingly, the new series encourages an integrated approach to themes and topics in these disciplines, which will result in significant cross-fertilization, research advances and new knowledge creation. To maximize the dissemination of research findings, the series will publish edited books, monographs, handbooks, textbooks and conference proceedings. This book is intended for professors, researchers, scientists, engineers and students. An extensive list of references at the end of each chapter allows readers to probe further into those application areas that interest them most.

Textiles and computing have long been associated. High volume and low profit margins of textile products have driven the industry to invest in high technology, particularly in the area of data interpretation and analysis. Thus, it is virtually inevitable that soft computing has found a home in the textile industry. Contained in this volume are six chapters discussing various aspects of soft computing in the field of textiles and apparel.

This book presents recent machine learning paradigms and advances in learning analytics, an emerging research discipline concerned with the collection, advanced processing, and extraction of useful information from both educators’ and learners’ data with the goal of improving education and learning systems. In this context, internationally respected researchers present various aspects of learning analytics and selected application areas, including: • Using learning analytics to measure student engagement, to quantify the learning experience and to facilitate self-regulation; • Using learning analytics to predict student performance; • Using learning analytics to create learning materials and educational courses; and • Using learning analytics as a tool to support learners and educators in synchronous and asynchronous eLearning. The book offers a valuable asset for professors, researchers, scientists, engineers and students of all disciplines. Extensive bibliographies at the end of each chapter guide readers to probe further into their application areas of interest.