A new perspective on topographic map formation and the advantages of information-based learning The study of topographic map formation provides us with important tools for both biological modeling and statistical data modeling. Faithful Representations and Topographic Maps offers a unified, systematic survey of this rapidly evolving field, focusing on current knowledge and available techniques for topographic map formation. The author presents a cutting-edge, information-based learning strategy for developing equiprobabilistic topographic maps--that is, maps in which all neurons have an equal probability to be active--clearly demonstrating how this approach yields faithful representations and how it can be successfully applied in such areas as density estimation, regression, clustering, and feature extraction. The book begins with the standard approach of distortion-based learning, discussing the commonly used Self-Organizing Map (SOM) algorithm and other algorithms, and pointing out their inadequacy for developing equiprobabilistic maps. It then examines the advantages of information-based learning techniques, and finally introduces a new algorithm for equiprobabilistic topographic map formation using neurons with kernel-based response characteristics. The complete learning algorithms and simulation details are given throughout, along with comparative performance analysis tables and extensive references. Faithful Representations and Topographic Maps is an excellent, eye-opening guide for neural network researchers, industrial scientists involved in data mining, and anyone interested in self-organization and topographic maps.

Completely revised guide to the extraordinary Colorado Trail that stretches from Denver to Durango.

Which trail has a gentle slope? Where are the highest mountains along the Appalachian Trail? Is there a lake along the route? As students read this engaging volume, they will learn how to use United States Geological Survey (USGS) contour maps to answer these questions. They'll get an historical overview of how surveyors used to create these maps, and how technology now helps create more accurate maps. Students will construct 3D models of areas on a topographic map.

The Colorado Trail is the only guide available for thru-hikers, day hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners, and equestrians to the extraordinary Colorado Trail that stretches 468 miles from Denver to Durango. The completely revised 7th edition includes text and map revisions for several sections where reroutes of the trail have taken place, as well as 90 colour pictures, 28 segment maps, elevation profiles, integrated GPS waypoints, town maps and mountain bike detours of Wilderness Areas.The Colorado Trail (CT) is one of the premier scenic long trails in North America. It winds its way through endless fields of wildflowers to windy mountain passes, from wild mountain rivers and streams to winding trails through old growth forests. The CT crosses eight mountain ranges, seven National Forests, six Wilderness Areas and five river systems. Starting near Denver at 5,500 feet and ending near Durango at 7,000 feet, the CT gains and loses almost 76,000 feet in elevation over 468 miles. New to this edition are revisions of four of the 28-segment trail descriptions including sections 8, 11, 23 and 24.