This Special Issue focused on novel vision-based approaches, mainly related to computer vision and machine learning, for the automatic analysis of human behaviour. We solicited submissions on the following topics: information theory-based pattern classification, biometric recognition, multimodal human analysis, low resolution human activity analysis, face analysis, abnormal behaviour analysis, unsupervised human analysis scenarios, 3D/4D human pose and shape estimation, human analysis in virtual/augmented reality, affective computing, social signal processing, personality computing, activity recognition, human tracking in the wild, and application of information-theoretic concepts for human behaviour analysis. In the end, 15 papers were accepted for this special issue. These papers, that are reviewed in this editorial, analyse human behaviour from the aforementioned perspectives, defining in most of the cases the state of the art in their corresponding field.

Behavior Analysis with Machine Learning Using R introduces machine learning and deep learning concepts and algorithms applied to a diverse set of behavior analysis problems. It focuses on the practical aspects of solving such problems based on data collected from sensors or stored in electronic records. The included examples demonstrate how to perform common data analysis tasks such as: data exploration, visualization, preprocessing, data representation, model training and evaluation. All of this, using the R programming language and real-life behavioral data. Even though the examples focus on behavior analysis tasks, the covered underlying concepts and methods can be applied in any other domain. No prior knowledge in machine learning is assumed. Basic experience with R and basic knowledge in statistics and high school level mathematics are beneficial. Features: Build supervised machine learning models to predict indoor locations based on WiFi signals, recognize physical activities from smartphone sensors and 3D skeleton data, detect hand gestures from accelerometer signals, and so on. Program your own ensemble learning methods and use Multi-View Stacking to fuse signals from heterogeneous data sources. Use unsupervised learning algorithms to discover criminal behavioral patterns. Build deep learning neural networks with TensorFlow and Keras to classify muscle activity from electromyography signals and Convolutional Neural Networks to detect smiles in images. Evaluate the performance of your models in traditional and multi-user settings. Build anomaly detection models such as Isolation Forests and autoencoders to detect abnormal fish behaviors. This book is intended for undergraduate/graduate students and researchers from ubiquitous computing, behavioral ecology, psychology, e-health, and other disciplines who want to learn the basics of machine learning and deep learning and for the more experienced individuals who want to apply machine learning to analyze behavioral data.

This Special Issue focused on novel vision-based approaches, mainly related to computer vision and machine learning, for the automatic analysis of human behaviour. We solicited submissions on the following topics: information theory-based pattern classification, biometric recognition, multimodal human analysis, low resolution human activity analysis, face analysis, abnormal behaviour analysis, unsupervised human analysis scenarios, 3D/4D human pose and shape estimation, human analysis in virtual/augmented reality, affective computing, social signal processing, personality computing, activity recognition, human tracking in the wild, and application of information-theoretic concepts for human behaviour analysis. In the end, 15 papers were accepted for this special issue. These papers, that are reviewed in this editorial, analyse human behaviour from the aforementioned perspectives, defining in most of the cases the state of the art in their corresponding field.

Bridging the gap between human-computer engineering and control engineering, Human Behavior Learning and Transfer delineates how to abstract human action and reaction skills into computational models. The authors include methods for modeling a variety of human action and reaction behaviors and explore processes for evaluating, optimizing, and transferring human skills. They also cover modeling continuous and discontinuous human control strategy and discuss simulation studies and practical real-life situations. The book examines how to model two main aspects of human behavior: reaction skills and action skills. It begins with a discussion of the various topics involved in human reaction skills modeling. The authors apply machine learning techniques and statistical analysis to abstracting models of human reaction control strategy. They contend that such models can be learned sufficiently to emulate complex human control behaviors in the feedback loop. The second half of the book explores issues related to human action skills modeling. The methods presented are based on techniques for reducing the dimensionality of data sets, while preserving as much useful information as possible. The modeling approaches developed are applied in real-life applications including navigation of smart wheel chairs and intelligent surveillance. Written in a consistent, easily approachable style, the book includes in-depth discussions of a broad range of topics. It provides the tools required to formalize human behaviors into algorithmic, machine-coded strategies.

Written by an experienced statistics educator and two data scientists, this book unifies conventional statistical thinking and contemporary machine learning framework into a single overarching umbrella over data science. The book is designed to bridge the knowledge gap between conventional statistics and machine learning. It provides an accessible approach for readers with a basic statistics background to develop a mastery of machine learning. The book starts with elucidating examples in Chapter 1 and fundamentals on refined optimization in Chapter 2, which are followed by common supervised learning methods such as regressions, classification, support vector machines, tree algorithms, and range regressions. After a discussion on unsupervised learning methods, it includes a chapter on unsupervised learning and a chapter on statistical learning with data sequentially or simultaneously from multiple resources. One of the distinct features of this book is the comprehensive coverage of the topics in statistical learning and medical applications. It summarizes the authors’ teaching, research, and consulting experience in which they use data analytics. The illustrating examples and accompanying materials heavily emphasize understanding on data analysis, producing accurate interpretations, and discovering hidden assumptions associated with various methods. Key Features: Unifies conventional model-based framework and contemporary data-driven methods into a single overarching umbrella over data science. Includes real-life medical applications in hypertension, stroke, diabetes, thrombolysis, aspirin efficacy. Integrates statistical theory with machine learning algorithms. Includes potential methodological developments in data science.

Data analysis is changing fast. Driven by a vast range of application domains and affordable tools, machine learning has become mainstream. Unsupervised data analysis, including cluster analysis, factor analysis, and low dimensionality mapping methods continually being updated, have reached new heights of achievement in the incredibly rich data wor