CRC Press

Speech enhancement; theory and practice. (DVD-ROM included)

Based on a graduate course on speech signal processing Loizou (electrical engineering, U. of Texas-Dallas) has taught since 1999, this text provides graduate students, engineers, and speech practitioners with up-to-date coverage of all major speech enhancement algorithms proposed in the last two decades. Coverage includes digital-signal processing and speech-signal fundamentals needed to understand speech enhancement algorithms; various classes of speech enhancement algorithms — spectral-subtractive, Wiener filtering, statistical-model-based methods, subspace, and noise estimation; and methods and measures for evaluating speech quality and intelligibility. The text requires previous coursework on digital-signal processing and fundamental knowledge of probability theory, random analysis, and linear algebra. The accompanying DVD-ROM contains a speech corpus for evaluation of processed speech and MATLAB^" code with the implementation of major speech enhancement algorithms. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Statistical test theory for the behavioral sciences.

As more and more educational institutions are coming to rely on testing to ascertain achievement and admissibility, educators and social scientists are coming to rely even more on assorted testing theories and models. Gruijter and van der Kamp (education and psychology emeritus respectively, Leiden U.) offer students and practitioners a logical introduction to test theory, describing measurement and scaling, classical test theory and reliability, estimating reliability, generalizability theory, models for dichotomous items, validity and validation of tests, principle component analysis, factor analysis, structural equation modeling, item response models and test equating. The result is a compact and accessible guide for first-timers as well as a professional reference for intermediate-level users. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Stochastic modelling for systems biology.

Focusing on computer simulation, Wilkinson (mathematics and statistics, Newcastle University, UK) provides an understanding of stochastic kinetic modeling of biological networks in the systems biology context, using examples that are familiar to systems biology researchers. While emphasizing the necessary probabilistic and stochastic methods, he takes a practical approach, rooting theoretical development in discussions of the intended application. Written with self-study in mind, the book provides enough background information to make the subject accessible to the nonspecialist, and includes technical chapters that deal with problems of inference from experimental data. The two key technologies chosen for illustrating theory are Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) and the statistical programming language R, with software code for R in various applications included. Basic background in high-school level algebra and calculus is assumed. Background in linear algebra and matrix theory is helpful but not essential. The book is suitable as a text for graduate programs in computational biology and bioinformatics, and for self-study by computational systems biologists and statisticians. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Structural analysis; the analytical method.

This book covers analytical procedures that will help engineers predict the capacities of circular and rectangular sections in concrete and steel by using the capacity axis, a geometric property not considered in the standard literature but here considered essential for determining the capacity of a section for biaxial bending and also as a reference axis for determining the equilibrium of internal and external forces. This analysis method is applied to footing foundations, including computing capacity curves and surface loading, steel sections, including rectangular steel tubing and I-sections, reinforced concrete sections, including bar forces and the column capacity axis, and concrete-filled tube columns. Accompanying the text are very helpful illustrations and examples. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Testing code security.

A software tester for Microsoft explains to novice testers the difference between traditional functional testing and the unique requirements of security testing, the role threat modeling plays, and the root problems behind the main security vulnerabilities. Case studies explain techniques for evaluating vulnerabilities to brute force browsing, buffer overruns, cookie tampering, cross-site scripting, denial of service, format strings, integer overflows, password and spoofing attacks, and SQL injection. The closing chapters provide background material on cryptography, firewalls, OSI network model, proxy servers, TCP/IP, and test case outlining. Distributed in the U.S. by Taylor & Francis. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

A theory of the basal ganglia and their disorders.

Miller (U. of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand) presents an overview of the basal ganglia which incorporates findings from the basic neurosciences, neurology, and psychiatry. His is the first text to address large-scale questions about the role of the basal ganglia as a whole. Chapters focusing on the framework for normal basal ganglionic function provide background to the dynamics of the basal ganglia and explore the functional significance of the striatum and its "direct" connectivity to output nuclei of the basal ganglia, the "indirect" pathways from striatum to basal ganglia output nuclei and their relation to the "direct" pathway, and theories of basal ganglionic function. Chapters focusing on major disorders of the basal ganglia discuss Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonian syndromes, dopamine-dependent psychosis, and syndromes arising as complications of prolonged underactivity of striatal dopamine mechanism and other disorders of the basal ganglia. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Thin layer chromatography in chiral separations and analysis.

Kowalska (Department of General Chemistry and Chromatography, University of Silesia, Poland) and Sherma (chemistry, emeritus, Lafayette College) present current work on the theory, capabilities, and applications of thin layer chromatography (TLC) for direct and indirect enantioseparations. The first part of the book examines fundamental principles of chirality and TLC. It describes materials, equipment, procedures, and strategies for the separation, quantification, isolation, and analysis of chiral compounds. The second part of the book evaluates real-world enantioseparations and densitometric analyses. Emphasis is on pharmaceutical applications. With its blend of introductory, background, and advanced experimental material, the book can be used by researchers, analysts, and teachers with limited to broad experience in TLC and chiral separations. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Tomato plant culture: in the field, greenhouse, and home garden, 2d ed. (CD-ROM included)

Once considered poisonous, now considered essential, tomatoes are the West's most popular fruits and a primary source of nutrition amongst fruits and vegetables in the US, bested only by the potato by way of the deep fryer. Over 140 countries compete to meet the demand, and the market has broadened significantly to include greenhouse varieties, fast-food staples, fruit on the vine, and heirloom varieties for commercial or home growing. Jones (agronomy, U. of Georgia, Athens) updates this edition to include the most current research and practice for large and small growers producing fruit and seedlings as he covers the history of tomato culture, plant characteristics and physiology, seed and seedling production, fruit characteristics and grading, plant nutrition, field production in soil, greenhouse production, and pest identification and control. He also provides a glossary and handy summaries of characteristics and statistics for quick reference. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Universal and accessible design for products, services, and processes.

If buildings should not have stairs that keep people out, why should products have features that bar users from being able to use them? Erlandson (electrical and computer engineering and bioengineering, Wayne State U.) notes that global competition and ethics, not to mention the laws of many nations, mandate engineering products, processes and services to suit as many people as possible, regardless of their physicality. Focusing on recent research about the nature of disability and the ethics of universal and accessible design, Erlandson makes clear distinctions amongst universal, accessible and adaptable design, describes disability and disability laws and how they relate to accessible design, gives examples of universal design principles and strategies, and explains such concepts as ergonomic and cognitive soundness, perceptibility, flexibility, error-proofing, efficiency, stability, predictability, equitable treatment, and ethics. He includes information specific to the Wen and to social and political perspectives on universal and accessible design. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Wildlife habitat management; concepts and applications in forestry.

This text reflects shifts in focus over the past 30 years from game management to nongame management to biodiversity conservation. McComb (natural resources conservation, U. of Massachusetts) wants to leave her children an inheritance of biodiversity. Integrating forest planning principles with habitat ecology and conservation ecology, she addresses historical and current approaches to managing forests as mixed habitats of desirable resources, and the contentious issue of why forests should be managed at all. The text includes case studies, species range maps, and indexing by general subject and species. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Wildlife science; linking ecological theory and management applications.

Drawn from those presented at the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Institute Symposium held in April 2006 at Texas A&M U.-Kingsville, these papers give the details on theories under which wildlife managers work. The contributors of these 20 papers concentrate on issues and theories related to the management of birds, mammals, habitat, animal health and genetics and eh economic and social issues affecting wildlife science. Specific topics include migratory birds such as the white-winged dove, avian ecology at the landscape scale, global biodiversity, game bird management, wetland birds, coastal waterfowl, conserving the big cats, feeding the bears, managing ungulates, controlling density in deer populations, moving from single-species to ecosystem management, applying ecological theory about climate to habitat management, wildlife diseases and their management, conservation genetics, the new order in wildlife conservation and conducting wildlife management and ranching from externalities to profit centers. (Annotation ©2007 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)