First and foremost, I would like to thank Concha Bielza and Pedro Larrañaga for being my supervisors and mentors. Without your unfailing support, recommendations and patient, this thesis would not have been the same. You have been role models who not only guided my research but also demonstrated your enthusiastic research attitudes. I owe you so much. Whatever research path I do take, I will be prepared because of you.I would also like to express my thanks to all my friends and colleagues at the Computational Intelligence Group who provided me with not only an excellent working atmosphere and stimulating discussions but also friendships, care and assistance when I needed. My special thank-you goes to