This book introduces readers to the background, general framework, main operators, and other basic characteristics of biogeography-based optimization (BBO), which is an emerging branch of bio-inspired computation. In particular, the book presents the authors' recent work on improved variants of BBO, hybridization of BBO with other algorithms, and the application of BBO to a variety of domains including transportation, image processing, and neural network learning. The content will help to advance research into and application of not only BBO but also the whole field of bio-inspired computation. The algorithms and applications are organized in a step-by-step manner and clearly described with the help of pseudo-codes and flowcharts. The readers will learn not only the basic concepts of BBO but also how to apply and adapt the algorithms to the engineering optimization problems they actually encounter.

This unique book explores the important issues in studying for active visual perception. The book's eleven chapters draw on recent important work in robot vision over ten years, particularly in the use of new concepts. Implementation examples are provided with theoretical methods for testing in a real robot system. With these optimal sensor planning strategies, this book will give the robot vision system the adaptability needed in many practical applications.

The participation of citizens in democratic politics serves as an indicator to measure a country's development, its political modernization and political civilization.To promote citizens' political participation, it is important to have them participate extensively in local governance and exercise their constitutional rights. This book analyses Zhejiang's experience in democratic consultation, hearing, people's proposal solicitation system, television and Internet political consultation, official and citizen dialogue on government websites. It studies how common people can actively participate in politics and manage the public affairs of the country through institutionalized ways and means.