This book presents recent research on the hybridization of intelligent methods, which refers to combining methods to solve complex problems. It discusses hybrid approaches covering different areas of intelligent methods and technologies, such as neural networks, swarm intelligence, machine learning, reinforcement learning, deep learning, agent-based approaches, knowledge-based system and image processing. The book includes extended and revised versions of invited papers presented at the 6th International Workshop on Combinations of Intelligent Methods and Applications (CIMA 2016), held in The Hague, Holland, in August 2016. The book is intended for researchers and practitioners from academia and industry interested in using hybrid methods for solving complex problems.

Complex problems usually cannot be solved by individual methods or techniques and require the synergism of more than one of them to be solved. This book presents a number of current efforts that use combinations of methods or techniques to solve complex problems in the areas of sentiment analysis, search in GIS, graph-based social networking, intelligent e-learning systems, data mining and recommendation systems. Most of them are connected with specific applications, whereas the rest are combinations based on principles. Most of the chapters are extended versions of the corresponding papers presented in CIMA-15 Workshop, which took place in conjunction with IEEE ICTAI-15, in November 2015. The rest are invited papers that responded to special call for papers for the book. The book is addressed to researchers and practitioners from academia or industry, who are interested in using combined methods in solving complex problems in the above areas.

This volume includes extended and revised versions of the papers presented at the 4th Workshop on "Combinations of Intelligent Methods and Applications" (CIMA 2014) which was intended to become a forum for exchanging experience and ideas among researchers and practitioners dealing with combinations of different intelligent methods in Artificial Intelligence. The aim is to create integrated or hybrid methods that benefit from each of their components. Some of the existing presented efforts combine soft computing methods (fuzzy logic, neural networks and genetic algorithms). Another stream of efforts integrates case-based reasoning or machine learning with soft-computing methods. Some of the combinations have been more widely explored, like neuro-symbolic methods, neuro-fuzzy methods and methods combining rule-based and case-based reasoning. CIMA 2014 was held in conjunction with the 26th IEEE International Conference on Tools with Artificial Intelligence (ICTAI 2014).

This book presents a number of research efforts in combining AI methods or techniques to solve complex problems in various areas. The combination of different intelligent methods is an active research area in artificial intelligence (AI), since it is believed that complex problems can be more easily solved with integrated or hybrid methods, such as combinations of different soft computing methods (fuzzy logic, neural networks, and evolutionary algorithms) among themselves or with hard AI technologies like logic and rules; machine learning with soft computing and classical AI methods; and agent-based approaches with logic and non-symbolic approaches. Some of the combinations are already extensively used, including neuro-symbolic methods, neuro-fuzzy methods, and methods combining rule-based and case-based reasoning. However, other combinations are still being investigated, such as those related to the semantic web, deep learning and swarm intelligence algorithms. Most are connected with specific applications, while the rest are based on principles.

The combination of different intelligent methods is a very active research area in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The aim is to create integrated or hybrid methods that benefit from each of their components. Some of the existing efforts combine soft computing methods either among themselves or with more traditional AI methods such as logic and rules. Another stream of efforts integrates machine learning with soft-computing or traditional AI methods. Yet another integrates agent-based approaches with logic and also non-symbolic approaches. Some of the combinations have been quite important and more extensively used, like neuro-symbolic methods, neuro-fuzzy methods and methods combining rule-based and case-based reasoning. However, there are other combinations that are still under investigation, such as those related to the Semantic Web.

The 2nd Workshop on "Combinations of Intelligent Methods and Applications" (CIMA 2010) was intended to become a forum for exchanging experience and ideas among researchers and practitioners who are dealing with combining intelligent methods either based on first principles or in the context of specific applications. CIMA 2010 was held in conjunction with the 22nd IEEE International Conference on Tools with Artificial Intelligence (ICTAI 2010). Also, a special track was organized in ICTAI 2010, under the same title.

This volume includes revised versions of the papers presented in CIMA 2010 and one of the short papers presented in the corresponding ICTAI 2010 special track. It also includes a paper of the editors as invited."

This book presents a number of research efforts in combining AI methods or techniques to solve complex problems in various areas. The combination of different intelligent methods is an active research area in artificial intelligence (AI), since it is believed that complex problems can be more easily solved with integrated or hybrid methods, such as combinations of different soft computing methods (fuzzy logic, neural networks, and evolutionary algorithms) among themselves or with hard AI technologies like logic and rules; machine learning with soft computing and classical AI methods; and agent-based approaches with logic and non-symbolic approaches. Some of the combinations are already extensively used, including neuro-symbolic methods, neuro-fuzzy methods, and methods combining rule-based and case-based reasoning. However, other combinations are still being investigated, such as those related to the semantic web, deep learning and swarm intelligence algorithms. Most are connected with specific applications, while the rest are based on principles.

Complex problems usually cannot be solved by individual methods or techniques and require the synergism of more than one of them to be solved. This book presents a number of current efforts that use combinations of methods or techniques to solve complex problems in the areas of sentiment analysis, search in GIS, graph-based social networking, intelligent e-learning systems, data mining and recommendation systems. Most of them are connected with specific applications, whereas the rest are combinations based on principles. Most of the chapters are extended versions of the corresponding papers presented in CIMA-15 Workshop, which took place in conjunction with IEEE ICTAI-15, in November 2015. The rest are invited papers that responded to special call for papers for the book. The book is addressed to researchers and practitioners from academia or industry, who are interested in using combined methods in solving complex problems in the above areas.

This volume includes extended and revised versions of the papers presented at the 4th Workshop on "Combinations of Intelligent Methods and Applications" (CIMA 2014) which was intended to become a forum for exchanging experience and ideas among researchers and practitioners dealing with combinations of different intelligent methods in Artificial Intelligence. The aim is to create integrated or hybrid methods that benefit from each of their components. Some of the existing presented efforts combine soft computing methods (fuzzy logic, neural networks and genetic algorithms). Another stream of efforts integrates case-based reasoning or machine learning with soft-computing methods. Some of the combinations have been more widely explored, like neuro-symbolic methods, neuro-fuzzy methods and methods combining rule-based and case-based reasoning. CIMA 2014 was held in conjunction with the 26th IEEE International Conference on Tools with Artificial Intelligence (ICTAI 2014).

This book is dedicated to the dreamers, their dreams, and their perseverance in research work. This volume brings together the selected and peer-reviewed contributions of the p- ticipants at the COST 2102 International Conference on Verbal and Nonverbal F- tures of Human-Human and Human-Machine Interaction, held in Patras, Greece, October 29-31, 2007, hosted by the 19th IEEE International Conference on Tools with Artificial Intelligence (ICTAI 2008). The conference was sponsored by COST (European Cooperation in the Field of Scientific and Technical Research, www.cost.esf.org ) in the domain of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for disseminating the advances of the - search activity developed within COST Action 2102: "Cross-Modal Analysis of V- bal and Nonverbal Communication"(www.cost2102.eu). COST Action 2102 is a network of about 60 European and 6 overseas laboratories whose aim is to develop "an advanced acoustical, perceptual and psychological analysis of verbal and non-verbal communication signals originating in spontaneous face-to-face interaction, in order to identify algorithms and automatic procedures capable of identifying the human emotional states. Particular care is devoted to the recognition of emotional states, gestures, speech and facial expressions, in antici- tion of the implementation of intelligent avatars and interactive dialogue systems that could be exploited to improve user access to future telecommunication services"(see COST 2102 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) www.cost2102.eu).