Due to inherent limitations in human sensing organs, most data collected for various purposes contain uncertainties. Even at the rare occasions when accurate data are available, the truthful predictions derived on the data tend to create chaotic consequences. So, to effectively process and make sense out of available data, we need methods to deal with uncertainty inherently existing inside the data. The intent of this monograph is to explore the fundamental theory, methods, and techniques of practical application of grey systems theory, initiated by Professor Deng Julong in 1982. This volume presents most of the recent advances of the theory accomplished by scholars from around the world. From studying this book, the reader will not only acquire an overall knowledge of this new theory but also be able to follow the most current research activities. All examples presented are based on practical applications of the theory when urgent real-life problems had to be addressed. Last but not the least, this book concludes with three appendices. The first one compares grey systems theory and interval analysis while revealing the fact that interval analysis is a part of grey mathematics. The second appendix presents an array of different approaches of studying uncertainties. And, the last appendix shows how uncertainties appear using general systems approach.

The book covers up-to-date theoretical and applied advances in grey systems theory from across the world and vividly presents the reader with the overall picture of this new theory and its frontier research. Many of the concepts, models and methods in the book are original by the authors, including simplified form of grey number, general grey number and the operations of grey numbers; the axiomatic system of buffer operators and a series of weakening and strengthening operators; a series of grey relational analysis models, including grey absolute, relative, synthetic, similarity, closeness, negative and three dimension degree, etc.; grey fixed weight clustering model, grey evaluation models based on center-point and end-point mixed possibility functions; original difference grey model (ODGM), even difference grey model (EDGM), discrete grey model (DGM), fractional grey models, self-memory grey models; multi-attribute intelligent grey target decision models, weight vector group with kernel and the weighted comprehensive clustering coefficient vector, and spectrum analysis of sequence operators, etc. This book will be appropriate as a reference and/or professional book for courses of grey system theory for graduate students or high-level undergraduate students, majoring in areas of science, technology, agriculture, medicine, astronomy, earth science, economics, and management. It can also be utilized by researchers and practitioners in research institutions, business entities, and government agencies.

This book inclusively and systematically presents the fundamental methods, models and techniques of practical application of grey data analysis, bringing together the authors’ many years of theoretical exploration, real-life application, and teaching. It also reflects the majority of recent theoretical and applied advances in the theory achieved by scholars from across the world, providing readers a vivid overall picture of this new theory and its pioneering research activities. The book includes 12 chapters, covering the introduction to grey systems, a novel framework of grey system theory, grey numbers and their operations, sequence operators and grey data mining, grey incidence analysis models, grey clustering evaluation models, series of GM models, combined grey models, techniques for grey systems forecasting, grey models for decision-making, techniques for grey control, etc. It also includes a software package that allows practitioners to conveniently and practically employ the theory and methods presented in this book. All methods and models presented here were chosen for their practical applicability and have been widely employed in various research works. I still remember 1983, when I first participated in a course on Grey System Theory. The mimeographed teaching materials had a blue cover and were presented as a book. It was like finding a treasure: This fascinating book really inspired me as a young intellectual going through a period of confusion and lack of academic direction. It shone with pearls of wisdom and offered a beacon in the mist for a man trying to find his way in academic research. This book became the guiding light in my life journey, inspiring me to forge an indissoluble bond with Grey System Theory. ——Sifeng Liu

Computer simulation has developed into a powerful tool for problem solving in a variety of areas, in the sciences as well as in industrial environments. New developments such as parallel simulation techniques will further improve the efficiency of the tool. Decision support systems, either based on mathematical models or on knowledge based expert systems will make computer simulation accessible to more users, and will provide better environments for systems analysis, modeling and simulation. Systems Analysis and Simulation presents the papers accepted for the 3rd International Symposium for Systems Analysis and Simulation held in Berlin (GDR) in September of 1988. The contributions selected for this two-volume set present the state of the art and current trends in computer simulation. Volume I emphasizes the theoretical foundations and the methodology for computer simulation and systems analysis. Volume II presents a variety of applications in fields such as manufacturing, robotics, economics, and biology.

Due to inherent limitations in human sensing organs, most data collected for various purposes contain uncertainties. Even at the rare occasions when accurate data are available, the truthful predictions derived on the data tend to create chaotic consequences. So, to effectively process and make sense out of available data, we need methods to deal with uncertainty inherently existing inside the data. The intent of this monograph is to explore the fundamental theory, methods, and techniques of practical application of grey systems theory, initiated by Professor Deng Julong in 1982. This volume presents most of the recent advances of the theory accomplished by scholars from around the world. From studying this book, the reader will not only acquire an overall knowledge of this new theory but also be able to follow the most current research activities. All examples presented are based on practical applications of the theory when urgent real-life problems had to be addressed. Last but not the least, this book concludes with three appendices. The first one compares grey systems theory and interval analysis while revealing the fact that interval analysis is a part of grey mathematics. The second appendix presents an array of different approaches of studying uncertainties. And, the last appendix shows how uncertainties appear using general systems approach.

This book contains contributions by some of the leading researchers in the area of grey systems theory and applications. All the papers included in this volume are selected from the contributions physically presented at the 2009 IEEE International Conference on Grey Systems and Intelligent Services, November 11 – 12, 2009, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China. This event was jointly sponsored by IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Society, Natural Science Foundation of China, and Grey Systems Society of China. Additionally, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics also invested heavily in this event with its direct and indirect financial and administrative supports. The conference aimed at bringing together all scholars and experts in the fields of grey systems and intelligent services from around the world to share their cutting edge research results, exchange innovative ideas, promote mutual understanding, and seek potential opportunities for collaboration. The conference program c- mittee received 1054 full paper submissions from 16 countries and geographical regions. Nine hundred sixty four papers were submitted for regular sessions and 90 papers were tunnelled directly for special topic sessions. All the submitted papers, including those aiming at special topic sessions, were rigorously reviewed by at least 3 reviewers. Based on the reviewers’ reports, 251 papers were accepted for oral presentations, while 99 accepted for poster presentations. In other words, only slightly over 33% of the submitted papers were accepted by this conference. The rate of acceptance was lower than one third of the total submissions.