Product Description
Independent component analysis (ICA) is becoming an increasingly important tool for analyzing large data sets. In essence, ICA separates an observed set of signal mixtures into a set of statistically independent component signals, or source signals. In so doing, this powerful method can extract the relatively small amount of useful information typically found in large data sets. The applications for ICA range from speech processing, brain imaging, and electrical brain signals to telecommunications and stock predictions.

In Independent Component Analysis, Jim Stone presents the essentials of ICA and related techniques (projection pursuit and complexity pursuit) in a tutorial style, using intuitive examples described in simple geometric terms. The treatment fills the need for a basic primer on ICA that can be used by readers of varying levels of mathematical sophistication, including engineers, cognitive scientists, and neuroscientists who need to know the essentials of this evolving method.

An overview establishes the strategy implicit in ICA in terms of its essentially physical underpinnings and describes how ICA is based on the key observations that different physical processes generate outputs that are statistically independent of each other. The book then describes what Stone calls "the mathematical nuts and bolts" of how ICA works. Presenting only essential mathematical proofs, Stone guides the reader through an exploration of the fundamental characteristics of ICA.

Topics covered include the geometry of mixing and unmixing; methods for blind source separation; and applications of ICA, including voice mixtures, EEG, fMRI, and fetal heart monitoring. The appendixes provide a vector matrix tutorial, plus basic demonstration computer code that allows the reader to see how each mathematical method described in the text translates into working Matlab computer code. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Wonderful Book!
Eases the reader gradually through the foundations of ICA and treats various published methods in a contrasting manner. No other reference is needed while reading the book; he even gives the pronounciation of some of the greek letters in footnotes.

Stimulating introduction and review of ICA
This excellent book introduces the reader in the field of Independent Component Analysis providing the necessary fundamentals to understand and apply the different methods. The book also makes interesting links to other techniques. The author has succeeded at writing a very didactic text, not an easy task given the complexity of the matter, and at transmitting his enthusiasm to the reader.
I've enjoyed this book, which has been not only an introduction to ICA but which has brought me into ICA, stimulating my own experimentation with the technique.

Outstanding
Without this book I would never have understood the basics and finesses of ICA. Even if readers ar highly skilled in math reading this book will set out mile'stones' that will enhance the understanding of the ICA- problem, -tools and -possibilities.

Dr. G. Otte

The best introduction on the subject
I can't stress how reader friendly this book is.It is by far the best introduction on component analysis.It is written in such a way that those with a weaker math background can understand it while those with years of experience will not be bored, at certain times it even reads like a story.

It addition to being readable the book contains an impressive amount of content for its size.This content is presented in an organized manner, and in such a way that the user can immediately apply the techniques to their own problems.

If you are interested in independent component analysis or one of its relatives I highly recommend this valuable, reasonably price book.

James Stone's monograph: 'Independent Component Analysis'
James Stone's monograph is a refreshing new book amongst the many other `new books' on Independent Component Analysis (ICA). The author brings his teaching experience to present the theory and practice of ICA in a highly accessible form using a duplication of words and straight-forward mathematics.

Particular attention is given in the earlier chapters to the description of the linear signal mixing process giving the Reader a good basis for understanding the fundamental assumptions upon which ICA and its application to Blind Source Separation are based.

The book is aimed at the Reader with a technical but not necessarily formal mathematics background. Illustrative examples and functional algorithms in MatLab are frequent and references are made to the author's available electronic resources. As such it is suitable to both the newcomer to ICA, and to the more expert engineer or scientist.

This Reviewer rates this book very highly.
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Product Description
Computers in Music Education: Amplifying Musicality addresses the question of how computer technologies might best assist music education.Aimed at current and preservice music teachers and designed to be a basic teaching text, it addresses issues from pedagogy through using computers to aid production and presentation of students' musical works, as well as implementing a computer-aided program in the classroom.

Computing technology has been rapidly changing, particularly when it comes to the field of music.From notation software to MIDI sound creation, from downloading music from the web for study and enjoyment to posting personal MP3s for mass distribution, the world of computers has transformed how we perform and learn about music.This book, written by a music educator and digital media specialist, cuts through the jargon to present a concise, easy-to-digest overview of the field, with practical suggestions spread throughout.

While there are many more technical books, few offer a comprehensive, understandable overview of the field.Computers in Music Education: Amplifying Musicality addresses this need, and will be the standard text for the growing number of courses in this important area. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Comprehensive guide
In a field that changes every year, Andrew Brown's book is the most comprehensive and current that I know. I am using it as the backbone of an MTeach music tech course I'm lecturing in this year and it has at least one chapter to cover every topic the course does. It's important to understand that what this book does best is introduce technologies and ways of using them rather than spoon-feed ready-made lessons to a music teacher. There is, of course, plenty of use for the latter, but this book is for teachers who already know how they best teach music, know their repertoire and resources well, but are finding it hard to find pedagogically beneficial ways of integrating technology into the music classroom. This book will give you literally hundreds of approaches.

Music technology as creative production
This book provides a creative production approach to technology in music education and a clear philosophy for music practice that weaves technology into creative music making for 21st century musicians and educators. The book layout is clear and covers technology from the mundane use of spreadsheets for timetabling instrumental music lessons through to the exciting generative and algorithmic music of computer composition. The approach has strong roots in music education theory and philosophy but at the same time provides constructivist/pragmatist approaches to understanding and applying technology to music practice. This book is a must for music teachers in schools and tertiary music educators. Of particular use are the chapter summaries that give a clear and concise outline of each chapter's content which will be extremely useful for pre service teacher education students. Dr Brown's background as a computer music composer, software designer and experienced music teacher in both secondary and tertiary contexts have shaped this book into an extremely useful and practical book. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Education & Treatment of Children, published by Family Services of Western Pennsylvania on August 1, 2002. The length of the article is 3360 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Providing instruction from novel staff as an antecedent intervention for child tantrum behavior in a public school classroom.
Author: James K. Luiselli
Publication: Education & Treatment of Children (Refereed)
Date: August 1, 2002
Publisher: Family Services of Western Pennsylvania
Volume: 25Issue: 3Page: 356(10)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Family Practice News, published by International Medical News Group on September 15, 2002. The length of the article is 466 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: How to limit scars in children undergoing surgery. (Increase Subcutaneous Sutures).
Author: Patrice G.W. Norton
Publication: Family Practice News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 15, 2002
Publisher: International Medical News Group
Volume: 32Issue: 18Page: 30(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more