The primary purpose of this book is to show that a multilayer neural network can be considered as a multistage system, and then that the learning of this class of neural networks can be treated as a special sort of the optimal control problem. In this way, the optimal control problem methodology, like dynamic programming, with modifications, can yield a new class of learning algorithms for multilayer neural networks.

Another purpose of this book is to show that the generalized net theory can be successfully used as a new description of multilayer neural networks. Several generalized net descriptions of neural networks functioning processes are considered, namely: the simulation process of networks, a system of neural networks and the learning algorithms developed in this book.

The generalized net approach to modelling of real systems may be used successfully for the description of a variety of technological and intellectual problems, it can be used not only for representing the parallel functioning of homogenous objects, but also for modelling non-homogenous systems, for example systems which consist of a different kind of subsystems.

The use of the generalized nets methodology shows a new way to describe functioning of discrete dynamic systems.

"

This book is composed of selected papers presented at IWIFSGN'2019-The Eighteenth International Workshop on Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets and Generalized Nets-held on October 24-25, 2019, in Warsaw, Poland, which is one of the main conferences on fuzzy logic, notably on extensions of the traditional fuzzy sets, in particular on the intuitionistic fuzzy sets. A considerable part of the conference sessions is also concerned with recent developments and challenges in the theory and applications of other topics exemplified by uncertainty, incompleteness and imprecision modeling, the Generalized Nets (GNs), a powerful extension of the traditional Petri net paradigm, and the InterCriteria Analysis, a new method for the feature selection and analyses in multicriteria and multiattribute decision-making problems. Some more general problems of computational and artificial intelligence, exemplified by evolutionary computations, machine learning, etc., are also dealt with. The papers included yield a good perspective on all of these important issues and problems.

This book gathers selected papers from two important conferences held on October 24-28, 2018, in Warsaw, Poland: theFifteenth National Conference of Operational and Systems Research, BOS-2018, one of the leading conferences in the field of operational and systems research not only in Poland but also at the European level; andthe Seventeenth International Workshop on Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets and General Nets, IWIFSGN-2018, one of thepremiere conferences on fuzzy logic. The papers presented here constitute a fair and comprehensive representation of the topics covered by both BOS-2018 and IWIFSGN-2018, includingextensions of the traditional fuzzy sets, in particular on the intuitionistic fuzzy sets, as well as other topics in uncertainty and imprecision modeling, the Generalized Nets (GNs), a powerful extension of the traditional Petri net paradigm, and InterCriteria Analysis, a new method for feature selection and analyses in multicriteria and multi-attribute decision-making problems. The Workshop was dedicated to the memory of Professor Beloslav Riecan (1936-2018), a regular participant at the IWIFSGN workshops.

This book presents selected papers from two important conferences held on October 12-14, 2016 in Warsaw, Poland: the Fourteenth National Conference of Operational and Systems Research, BOS-2016, one of the premiere conferences in the field of operational and systems research not only in Poland but also at the European level; and the Fifteenth International Workshop on Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets and General Nets, IWIFSGN-2016, one of the foremost conferences on fuzzy logic, notably addressing extensions of the traditional fuzzy sets, as well as the Generalized Nets (GNs), a powerful extension of the traditional Petri net paradigm. The scope of the BOS con ferences includes all types of problems related to systems modeling, systems analysis, broadly perceived operational research, optimization, decision making, and decision support, to name but a few. In all these areas, virtually all models used have to take into account not only uncertainty in its traditional sense, but also imprecision of information. That is, in addition to traditional probabilistic and statistical tools and techniques, the use of methods based on fuzzy sets can also be sensible. Even more so, employing certain extensions of the classic concept of a fuzzy set can be very useful. Applying intuitionistic fuzzy sets, which are at the core of the IWIFSGN conferences, is a good example. Both conferences, BOS-2016 and IWIFSGN-2016, offered ideal venues for the exchange of ideas, cross-fertilization, and mutual inspiration.

This volume constitutes the proceedings of two collocated international conferences: EUSFLAT-2017 - the 10th edition of the flagship Conference of the European Society for Fuzzy Logic and Technology held in Warsaw, Poland, on September 11-15, 2017, and IWIFSGN'2017 - The Sixteenth International Workshop on Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets and Generalized Nets, held in Warsaw on September 13-15, 2017. The conferences were organized by the Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department IV of Engineering Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, and the Polish Operational and Systems Research Society in collaboration with the European Society for Fuzzy Logic and Technology (EUSFLAT), the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and various European universities. The aim of the EUSFLAT-2017 was t o bring together theoreticians and practitioners working on fuzzy logic, fuzzy systems, soft computing and related areas and to provide a platform for exchanging ideas and discussing the latest trends and ideas, while the aim of IWIFSGN'2017 was to discuss new developments in extensions of the concept of a fuzzy set, such as an intuitionistic fuzzy set, as well as other concepts, like that of a generalized net. The papers included, written by leading international experts, as well as the special sessions and panel discussions contribute to the development the field, strengthen collaborations and intensify networking.

This volume constitutes the proceedings of two collocated international conferences: EUSFLAT-2017 - the 10th edition of the flagship Conference of the European Society for Fuzzy Logic and Technology held in Warsaw, Poland, on September 11-15, 2017, and IWIFSGN'2017 - The Sixteenth International Workshop on Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets and Generalized Nets, held in Warsaw on September 13-15, 2017. The conferences were organized by the Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department IV of Engineering Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, and the Polish Operational and Systems Research Society in collaboration with the European Society for Fuzzy Logic and Technology (EUSFLAT), the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and various European universities. The aim of the EUSFLAT-2017 was to bring together theoreticians and practitioners working on fuzzy logic, fuzzy systems, soft computing and related areas and to provide a platform for exchanging ideas and discussing the l atest trends and ideas, while the aim of IWIFSGN'2017 was to discuss new developments in extensions of the concept of a fuzzy set, such as an intuitionistic fuzzy set, as well as other concepts, like that of a generalized net. The papers included, written by leading international experts, as well as the special sessions and panel discussions contribute to the development the field, strengthen collaborations and intensify networking.

This volume constitutes the proceedings of two collocated international conferences: EUSFLAT-2017 - the 10th edition of the flagship Conference of the European Society for Fuzzy Logic and Technology held in Warsaw, Poland, on September 11-15, 2017, and IWIFSGN'2017 - The Sixteenth International Workshop on Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets and Generalized Nets, held in Warsaw on September 13-15, 2017. The conferences were organized by the Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department IV of Engineering Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, and the Polish Operational and Systems Research Society in collaboration with the European Society for Fuzzy Logic and Technology (EUSFLAT), the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and various European universities. The aim of the EUSFLAT-2017 was to bring together theoreticians and practitioners working on fuzzy logic, fuzzy systems, soft computing and related areas and to provide a platform for exchanging ideas and discussing the l atest trends and ideas, while the aim of IWIFSGN'2017 was to discuss new developments in extensions of the concept of a fuzzy set, such as an intuitionistic fuzzy set, as well as other concepts, like that of a generalized net. The papers included, written by leading international experts, as well as the special sessions and panel discussions contribute to the development the field, strengthen collaborations and intensify networking.

The primary purpose of this book is to show that a multilayer neural network can be considered as a multistage system, and then that the learning of this class of neural networks can be treated as a special sort of the optimal control problem. In this way, the optimal control problem methodology, like dynamic programming, with modifications, can yield a new class of learning algorithms for multilayer neural networks. Another purpose of this book is to show that the generalized net theory can be successfully used as a new description of multilayer neural networks. Several generalized net descriptions of neural networks functioning processes are considered, namely: the simulation process of networks, a system of neural networks and the learning algorithms developed in this book. The generalized net approach to modelling of real systems may be used successfully for the description of a variety of technological and intellectual problems, it can be used not only for representing the parallel functioning of homogenous objects, but also for modelling non-homogenous systems, for example systems which consist of a different kind of subsystems. The use of the generalized nets methodology shows a new way to describe functioning of discrete dynamic systems.

This book is composed of selected papers from the Sixteenth National Conference on Operational and Systems Research, BOS-2020, held on December 14-15, 2020, one of premiere conferences in the field of operational and systems research. The second is the Nineteenth International Workshop on Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets and Generalized Nets, IWIFSGN 2020, held on December 10-11, 2020, in Warsaw, Poland, in turn-one of premiere conferences on fuzzy logic, notably on extensions of the traditional fuzzy sets, also comprising a considerable part on the generalized nets (GNs), an important extension of the traditional Petri nets. A joint publication of selected papers from the two conferences follows a long tradition of such a joint organization and-from a substantial point of view-combines systems modeling, systems analysis, broadly perceived operational research, notably optimization, decision making, and decision support, with various aspects of uncertain and imprecise information and their related tools and techniques.

This volume contains, first of all, the papers presented at the Fourteenth International Workshop on Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets and Generalized Nets (IWIFSGN-2015) held on October 26-28, 2015 in Cracow, Poland. Moreover, the volume contains some papers of a particular relevance not presented at the Workshop. The Workshop is mainly devoted to the presentation of recent research results in the broadly perceived fields of intuitionistic fuzzy sets and generalized nets initiated by Professor Krassimir T. Atanassov whose constant inspiration and support is crucial for such a widespread growing popularity and recognition of these areas. The Workshop is a next edition of a series of the IWIFSGN Workshops organized for years by the Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland, Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria, and WIT -- Warsaw School of Information Technology, Warsaw, Poland, and co-organized by: Matej Bel University, Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, Universidad Publica de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain, Universidade de Tras-Os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal, Prof. Asen Zlatarov University, Burgas, Bulgaria, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain, and the University of Westminster, Harrow, UK.