Computational Topology for Biomedical Image and Data Analysis

In writing Computational Topology for Biomedical Images and Data: Theory and Applications, the interdisciplinary collaboration among Rodrigo R. Moraleda, Nektarios A. Valous, Wei Xiong, and Niels Halama has produced a work that will hold its own ground for a variety of reasons. The most enticing aspect of the book is the successful rendezvous between compactness and completeness. While the compactness does not allow it to cover the entire breadth of topics relevant to the field of computational topology, it is an excellent choice for the mandate that the book aspires to fulfil - introduction of computational topology as a potentially powerful tool for diagnostics associated with biomedical images and data. The completeness is reflected in a prudent selection, and rigorous treatment of the background mathematical concepts, essential toward building a functional data analysis pipeline based on tools from computational topology...As topological methods have only recently started finding application in the analysis of biomedical data, the book makes a timely entry in the market. A data-centric approach has allowed the book to showcase the relevance and impact of esoteric theories on real-world problems. The book is clear in its mandate of defining a target audience, namely the biomedical community...The book targets a selected audience but may be impactful in fields beyond its defined scope. Despite the evident focus of the book on biomedical data, the right audience includes individuals interested in data analysis across disciplines, and at all stages-from beginners to experts. Seasoned researchers in the field of applied and computational topology will find it a convenient reference manual....The book successfully brings together disciplines that rarely interact and is a glowing testimony to the impact of interdisciplinary collaborations. The symbiotic effort of a number of specialists in different areas has brought forth a creation that is complete in its demonstration of the relevance of abstract mathematical ideas in gaining deeper understanding of concrete real-life problems. The interdisciplinary expertise of the authors is evident in the deft selection and subsequent integration of cross disciplinary components in a seamless fashion. The authors have achieved a fine balance between theory and application, and the book is a pleasure to read. The book will definitely be a frequently used and a cherished item in my personal collection. Due to the breadth in the topics covered, compactness and lucidity, it is my hope and belief that the book will quickly find itself on the shelves of students and early researchers in TDA as a must-have, yet at the same time serve as a frequent go-to reference manual for faculty and seasoned researchers. - Pratyush Pranav, Centre de Recherche Astrophysique de Lyon, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, in IEEE SIGNAL PROCESSING MAGAZINE, July 2021 In writing Computational Topology for Biomedical Images and Data: Theory and Applications, the interdisciplinary collaboration among Rodrigo R. Moraleda, Nektarios A. Valous, Wei Xiong, and Niels Halama has produced a work that will hold its own ground for a variety of reasons. The most enticing aspect of the book is the successful rendezvous between compactness and completeness. While the compactness does not allow it to cover the entire breadth of topics relevant to the field of computational topology, it is an excellent choice for the mandate that the book aspires to fulfil - introduction of computational topology as a potentially powerful tool for diagnostics associated with biomedical images and data. The completeness is reflected in a prudent selection, and rigorous treatment of the background mathematical concepts, essential toward building a functional data analysis pipeline based on tools from computational topology...As topological methods have only recently started finding application in the analysis of biomedical data, the book makes a timely entry in the market. A data-centric approach has allowed the book to showcase the relevance and impact of esoteric theories on real-world problems. The book is clear in its mandate of defining a target audience, namely the biomedical community...The book targets a selected audience but may be impactful in fields beyond its defined scope. Despite the evident focus of the book on biomedical data, the right audience includes individuals interested in data analysis across disciplines, and at all stages-from beginners to experts. Seasoned researchers in the field of applied and computational topology will find it a convenient reference manual....The book successfully brings together disciplines that rarely interact and is a glowing testimony to the impact of interdisciplinary collaborations. The symbiotic effort of a number of specialists in different areas has brought forth a creation that is complete in its demonstration of the relevance of abstract mathematical ideas in gaining deeper understanding of concrete real-life problems. The interdisciplinary expertise of the authors is evident in the deft selection and subsequent integration of cross disciplinary components in a seamless fashion. The authors have achieved a fine balance between theory and application, and the book is a pleasure to read. The book will definitely be a frequently used and a cherished item in my personal collection. Due to the breadth in the topics covered, compactness and lucidity, it is my hope and belief that the book will quickly find itself on the shelves of students and early researchers in TDA as a must-have, yet at the same time serve as a frequent go-to reference manual for faculty and seasoned researchers. - Pratyush Pranav, Centre de Recherche Astrophysique de Lyon, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, in IEEE SIGNAL PROCESSING MAGAZINE, July 2021