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Announcement
The behavior of social insects in general, and of ants living in colonies in particular,
has since long time fascinated researchers in ethology and animal behavior,
who have proposed many models to explain their capabilities.
Recently, ant algorithms have been
proposed as a novel computational approach that replaces the traditional emphasis
on control, preprogramming, and centralization with designs featuring autonomy,
emergence, and distributed functioning. These designs are proving
flexible and robust, able to adapt quickly to changing environments and
to continue functioning even when individual elements fail.
A particularly successful research direction in ant
algorithms, known as Ant Colony Optimization,
is dedicated to their application to discrete optimization problems.
Ant Colony Optimization has been applied successfully to a large
number of difficult combinatorial problems like the quadratic assignment
and the traveling salesman problems, to routing in telecommunications networks,
scheduling, and other problems.
ANTS'2000 is the second edition
of the only event entirely devoted to ant algorithms
and to Ant Colony Optimization. Also of great interest to the workshop are models
of real ant colonies organization and functioning which could stimulate new algorithmic approaches.
The aims are to give researchers in both real ants behavior and in ant algorithms
an opportunity to meet, to present their latest
research, and to discuss current developments and applications.
The two-day event will be held in Brussels, Belgium, from 8 to 9
September, 2000.
In the evening of September 7 there will be
a tutorial on ant algorithms.
RELEVANT RESEARCH AREAS
Submissions are invited that describe:
(1) Models of aspects of real ant colonies behavior that can stimulate
new algorithmic approaches.
(2) Empirical and theoretical research in ant
algorithms and ant colony optimization.
(3) Application of ant algorithms and ant
colony optimization methods to real-world problems.
SUBMISSION OF PAPERS
Papers can be submitted either as extended abstracts or as full papers.
The length should be of approximately 4 or at most 10 pages respectively.
Formatting and submission instructions are provided
here.
Accepted submissions will be published in a booklet that will be distributed
to workshop participants.
We are now investigating the possibility of publishing the best papers
as a journal special issue.
In this case, a further call for full papers will be released.
All accepted papers will be presented at the workshop as oral
presentations or as a poster.
REGISTRATION AND FURTHER INFORMATION
Up-to-date information about the workshop will be made available at the
ANTS'2000 web site (http://iridia.ulb.ac.be/~ants/ants2000/).
For information about local arrangements, registration forms, etc., please
refer to the above mentioned web site, or contact the local organizer at
the address below.
IMPORTANT DATES
Submission deadline
April 15, 2000
Notification of acceptance
May 30, 2000
Camera ready copy
June 30, 2000
Conference
September 8-9, 2000
GENERAL CHAIR AND LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS
Marco DORIGO,
IRIDIA,
Université
Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
PROGRAM CHAIR ADDRESS
Marco Dorigo, Ph.D.
Chercheur Qualifié du FNRS
IRIDIA CP 194/6
Université Libre de Bruxelles
Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 50
1050 Bruxelles
Belgium
Tel +32-2-6503169
Secretary +32-2-6502729
Fax +32-2-6502715
LIMITED NUMBER OF PLACES
The number of participants will be limited. If you intend to participate
please fill in and send the intention
form, or drop a line to ants@iridia.ulb.ac.be.
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