Neural Networks 22 (2009) 489–490

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Neural Networks
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/neunet

2009 Special Issue

Advances in neural networks research: An introduction

Robert Kozma a,∗ , Steven Bressler b , Leonid Perlovsky c , Ganesh Kumar Venayagamoorthy d
a
The University of Memphis, FedEx Institute of Technology, Memphis, TN, USA
b
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA
c
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
d
Missouri Science and Technology University, MO, USA

article info abstract

Keywords: The present Special Issue ‘‘Advances in Neural Networks Research: IJCNN2009’’ provides a state-of-art
Neuroscience
overview of the field of neural networks. It includes 39 papers from selected areas of the 2009 Inter-
Cognition
national Joint Conference on Neural Networks (IJCNN2009). IJCNN2009 took place on June 14-19, 2009
Machine Learning
Hybrid Systems in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and it represents an exemplary collaboration between the International Neural
Soft Computing Networks Society and the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society. Topics in this issue include neuro-
Dynamic Systems science and cognitive science, computational intelligence and machine learning, hybrid techniques, non-
Image Processing linear dynamics and chaos, various soft computing technologies, intelligent signal processing and pattern
Bioinformatics recognition, bioinformatics and biomedicine, and engineering applications.
Robotics © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Power Systems

Overview of Neural Networks Research at IJCNN2009 of IJCNN2009, published by IEEE Press, Piscataway, NJ, USA. The
final program of the conference reflects the broad international
The International Joint Conference on Neural Networks –
impact of neural network science with authors from 52 countries
IJCNN2009 – is the premier international conference on neural
and from six continents of the world. Following the traditions, the
networks theory, analysis, and a wide range of applications. The
Neural Networks journal has a Special Issue containing extended
conference theme in 2009 has been ‘‘The Century of Brain Compu-
versions of selected papers presented at IJCNN. This special issue
tation — Neural Network Alliances with Cognitive Computing and
includes 39 papers from selected areas covering the IJCNN2009
Intelligent Machine Embodiments.’’ Studies into higher cognition
topics. The articles of this Special Issue represent significantly
and brain functions represent an ultimate frontier of scientific re-
extended and revised versions of the short conference papers
search. It was more than 50 years ago when John Von Neumann
published in the Proceedings of IJCNN2009. Each paper has been
introduced his groundbreaking work on self-organization in cellu-
thoroughly reviewed and consequently revised by the authors,
lar automata and on the intimate relationship between computers
before final acceptance for publication in the Neural Networks
and the brain (VonNeumann, 1958). In the past decades, in par-
journal.
ticular since the rebirth and explosive development of the field in
The Special Issue starts with papers on neuroscience and cogni-
the mid 80s, neural network approaches have demonstrated their
tion, which provide important biological and cognitive inspiration
excellent potential to support fundamental theoretical and practi-
for neural network research. The papers in this section deal with
cal research towards new generations of artificial intelligence and
miscroscopic, mesoscopic and macroscopic aspects of neural sys-
intelligent computing.
tems and high-level cognitive functions, such as spatio-temporal
IJCNN2009 is a truly interdisciplinary event with a broad range
orientation, multisensory perception, emotions, and language. The
of contributions on recent advances in neural networks, including
second section includes papers on Machine Learning (ML) tech-
neuroscience and cognitive science, computational intelligence
niques. Machine learning is traditionally a key component of arti-
and machine learning, hybrid techniques, nonlinear dynamics
ficial intelligence and it provides innovative ideas for learning and
and chaos, various soft computing technologies, bioinformatics
adaptation utilized in neural network models and in novel memory
and biomedicine, and engineering applications. The conference
designs.
program included 519 papers which appeared in the proceedings
Soft computing and hybrid algorithms combine neural, fuzzy,
and evolutionary approaches to computational intelligence; re-
cent developments include artificial immune systems and quan-
∗ Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 901 678 2497; fax: +1 901 678 2480. tum computing. Hybrid methods significantly contribute to the
E-mail address: rkozma@memphis.edu (R. Kozma). robustness of intelligent technologies and find their applications
0893-6080/$ – see front matter © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.neunet.2009.07.008
490 R. Kozma et al. / Neural Networks 22 (2009) 489–490

in a wide range of practical areas as demonstrated in this Spe- include robotics and machine embodiments, adaptive control
cial Issue. Nonlinear systems theory and chaos computing are of complex systems, including power systems, manufacturing,
important emergent methods injecting innovative ideas into the transportation. Cutting-edge research presented in the last chapter
dynamic development of neural networks. Topics of significance demonstrates the latest achievements in the industrial application
in this area include stability of neural dynamic systems, the role area.
of nonconvergent and chaotic trajectories in robust system perfor-
mance, the constructive role of noise in biologically-inspired neu- Acknowledgements
ral approaches.
Intelligent signal processing is a major field where neural The Guest Editors of this Special Issue, Robert Kozma, Steven
networks have clearly demonstrated their advantages with respect Bressler, Leonid Perlovsky, and Ganesh Kumar Venayagamoorthy
to traditional statistical techniques. Neural networks have been appreciate the cooperation of IJCNN organizers and reviewers, who
very successful in solving difficult signal processing and pattern made possible to produce this timely volume. We believe that
recognition problems. The present Special Issue includes excellent this comprehensive collection of high-quality papers by leading
examples of innovations in this area, including image processing, experts in the field will stimulate and promote progress of neural
time series analysis and prediction. Bioinformatics and biomedical networks, and will lead to future successes in neural networks
applications are among the most successful areas demonstrating research.
the usefulness of intelligent technologies. With the rapid growth
of the health industry, there is a clear demand for intelligent References
technologies, and our Special Issue shows excellent examples of
innovative solutions. Engineering applications of neural networks Von Neumann, J. (1958). The computer and the brain. Yale University Press.