A first course in fuzzy logic, fuzzy dynamical systems, and biomathematics. Theory and applications (Q318831)

The book serves as a sound and balanced exposure to the subject of fuzzy sets by bringing the fundamentals of this technology and presenting their applications to dynamic systems. The material is prudently structured with well-defined threads and systematically exposed and lucidly motivated fundamentals. Updated references following each chapter are carefully selected. The chapters can be naturally split into two groups with the first one focused on the key concepts of fuzzy sets and the second one devoted to fuzzy dynamical systems and their applications to biomathematics. In more detail: the first seven chapters cover the principles of fuzzy sets while the applications are presented in Chapters 8 to 10. Chapter 1 offers an introduction to fuzzy sets along with some motivating comments. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 are devoted to concepts and methods of processing fuzzy sets including the extension principle, fuzzy relations and fuzzy logic. Chapter 5 is about rule-based constructs, which form the most visible category of fuzzy models. Fuzzy relational equations, universal approximation and fuzzy measures and fuzzy integrals are the topics covered in Chapters 6 and 7. Chapter 8 introduces the concept of fuzzy dynamical systems (models), both continuous and discrete, showing how fuzzy sets are incorporated as a means to capture the granularity of the parameters of such models or formulating initial conditions (fuzzy initial value problem). Chapter 11 covers some endnotes highlighting several points of theoretical nature and elaborating on some selected simulation aspects. The strength of the book lies in the systematic, clear, and comprehensive treatment of the foundations of fuzzy sets (which, with no doubt, could be appreciated by a newcomer to the area). The applied facet is of significant value of the material: the book ventures into the details of fuzzy dynamical systems with a particular attention paid to models encountered in biomathematics such as those dealing with life expectancy, epidemiological models, and HIV models. The selection of this application area is well motivated given the fact that in such category of modeling pursuits the factor of uncertainty is vividly present and needs to be carefully addressed. In this regard, the book offers a well-structured exposure to different ways in which fuzzy sets augment the existing modeling practices. To fully benefit from the usage of fuzzy models, one has to assume that efficient data-oriented or expert-driven techniques of membership function estimation are available. The book falls behind eventual expectations of the reader not elaborating on this issue. In summary, the book serves as a timely introduction to the discipline of fuzzy sets and fuzzy modeling and can be recommended to everybody interested in fuzzy sets and a way in which they could be used in solving practical modeling problems.