Mark Girolami Boeken

Independent Component Analysis (ICA) is a fast developing area of intense research interest. Following on from Self-Organising Neural Independent Component Analysis and Blind Signal Separation, this book reviews the significant developments of the past year.It covers topics such as the use of hidden Markov methods, the independence assumption, and topographic ICA, and includes tutorial chapters on Bayesian and variational approaches. It also provides the latest approaches to ICA problems, including an investigation into certain "hard problems" for the very first time.Comprising contributions from the most respected and innovative researchers in the field, this volume will be of interest to students and researchers in computer science and electrical engineering; research and development personnel in disciplines such as statistical modelling and data analysis; bio-informatic workers; and physicists and chemists requiring novel data analysis methods.

The conception of fresh ideas and the development of new techniques for Blind Source Separation and Independent Component Analysis have been rapid in recent years. It is also encouraging, from the perspective of the many scientists involved in this fascinating area of research, to witness the growing list of successful applications of these methods to a diverse range of practical everyday problems. This growth has been due, in part, to the number of promising young and enthusiastic researchers who have committed their efforts to expanding the current body of knowledge within this field of research. The author of this book is among one of their number. I trust that the present book by Dr. Mark Girolami will provide a rapid and effective means of communicating some of these new ideas to a wide international audience and that in turn this will expand further the growth of knowledge. In my opinion this book makes an important contribution to the theory of Independent Component Analysis and Blind Source Separation. This opens a range of exciting methods, techniques and algorithms for applied researchers and practitioner engineers, especially from the perspective of artificial neural networks and information theory. It has been interesting to see how rapidly the scientific literature in this area has grown.

A joyful celebration of the vibrant dog community in and around San Francisco, Canines of San Francisco collects close to 500 engaging photos taken by acclaimed Bay Area photographer Mark Rogers throughout every neighborhood in this passionate, dog-loving city. In this book featuring some 300 photographs of the dogs that call The City by the Bay their home, acclaimed Bay Area and dog rescue photographer Mark Rogers has a unique talent for capturing each dog’s individual personality, as tiny puppies dominate even the most iconic landmarks. From the Golden Gate Bridge to Haight-Ashbury, from Alcatraz to the Embarcadero, this book is adorable tribute to the city's most fetching four-legged inhabitants.