Biological and natural processes have been a continuous source of inspiration for the sciences and engineering. For instance, the work of Wiener in cybernetics was influenced by feedback control processes observable in biological systems; McCulloch and Pitts description of the artificial neuron was instigated by biological observations of neural mechanisms; the idea of survival of the fittest inspired the field of evolutionary algorithms and similarly, artificial immune systems, ant colony optimisation, automated self-assembling programming, membrane computing, etc. also have their roots in natural phenomena. The second International Workshop on Nature Inspired Cooperative Strategies for Optimization (NICSO), was held in Acireale, Italy, during November 8-10, 2007. The aim for NICSO 2007 was to provide a forum were the latest ideas and state of the art research related to cooperative strategies for problem solving arising from Nature could be discussed. The contributions collected in this book were strictly peer reviewed by at least three members of the international programme committee, to whom we are indebted for their support and assistance. The topics covered by the contributions include several well established nature inspired techniques like Genetic Algorithms, Ant Colonies, Artificial Immune Systems, Evolutionary Robotics, Evolvable Systems, Membrane Computing, Quantum Computing, Software Self Assembly, Swarm Intelligence, etc.
"Our new nomenclature, DSM-IV, has new diagnoses and new symptoms in the criteria for these, and dissociation figures more prominently than in DSM-III. But this book goes far beyond such descriptive classifications. The wide range of phenomena that could be labeled as part of a set called dissociative experiences are considered in relation to possible etiologies. Biological, social, and psychological aspects of causation are considered and, above all, the linkages that may be possible between each realm of determining influences. It is this kind of multifaceted rethinking of even our basis for describing mental events and social behaviors that can start a new era of scientific study of the cause of psychiatric signs and symptoms. Join in the dialogue: reading this book is warmly recommended!"-- "Mardi J. Horowitz, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco"
"In this book you will find not so much complete agreement as thoughtful examination of intersecting issues and, hopefully, a useful integration of the related cultural, mental, and physical aspects of dissociation."-- "David Spiegel, M.D., From the Introduction"
"For those trying to understand the processes leading to dissociation, this book provides a valuable overview of knowledge to date of the cognitive, sociocultural, psychometric, and physiological aspects of dissociation, as well as descriptions and definitions of the varying phenomenology of dissociation. I recommend this book highly to anyone interested in the topic of dissociation."-- "Judith Hammerling Gold, M.D., F.R.C.P.C., Past President, American College of Psychiatrists"
