Since the outstanding and pioneering research work of Hopfield on recurrent neural networks (RNNs) in the early 80s of the last century, neural networks have rekindled strong interests in scientists and researchers. Recent years have recorded a remarkable advance in research and development work on RNNs, both in theoretical research as weIl as actual applications. The field of RNNs is now transforming into a complete and independent subject. From theory to application, from software to hardware, new and exciting results are emerging day after day, reflecting the keen interest RNNs have...

These days, the nature of services and the volume of demand in the telecommu- nication industry is changing radically, with the replacement of analog transmis- sion and traditional copper cables by digital technology and fiber optic transmis- sion equipment. Moreover, we see an increasing competition among providers of telecommunication services, and the development of a broad range of new services for users, combining voice, data, graphics and video. Telecommunication network planning has thus become an important problem area for developing and applying optimization models. Telephone...