Launching MATLAB Without the Java Desktop

At the moment we are very busy with the calculation of recurrence plots in the working group. One of my doctoral students complained that his MATLAB installation often crashes due to Java problems after the calculation has been running for a while. Of course you can try to solve the Java problems. On the other hand, you can also completely avoid the MATLAB user interface. Here is how.

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Second Edition of MDRES Submitted to Springer Today

The 2nd edition of the book MATLAB® and Design Recipes for Earth Sciences (MDRES), together with designer Elisabeth Sillmann, was submitted to Springer International Publishing AG today. Different from the first edition shown on the right hand side, the book’s new title is Collecting, Processing and Presenting Geoscientific Information with the subtitle MATLAB® and Design Recipes for Earth Sciences. The book has been thoroughly reworked and includes a 12th chapter on Creating Multimedia Publications.

 

 

Principal Component Analysis in 6 Steps

The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is equivalent to fitting an n-dimensional ellipsoid to the data, where the eigenvectors of the covariance matrix of the data set are the axes of the ellipsoid. The eigenvalues represent the distribution of the variance among each of the eigenvectors. To understand the method, it is helpful to know something about matrix algebra, eigenvectors, and eigenvalues. Here is a n=2 dimensional example to perform a PCA without the use of the MATLAB function pca, but with the function of eig for the calculation of eigenvectors and eigenvalues. Continue reading “Principal Component Analysis in 6 Steps”

Public Lecture on Climate Change and Human Evolution at U Potsdam Children’s University

On September 29, 2017, the University of Potsdam will once again open its lecture halls for children to inspire them with the world of science. On this day, children can listen to interesting lectures, discuss with the scientists, and can experience exciting experiments. On Friday 29 September 2017 I will give a public lecture on tectonics, climate and human evolution for 8–10 year old children. Please visit the webpage of the children’s university to learn more about the event and how to register.