Full-diversity, high-rate space-time block codes from division algebras

We present some general techniques for constructing full-rank, minimal-delay, rate at least one space-time block codes (STBCs) over a variety of signal sets for arbitrary number of transmit antennas using commutative division algebras (field extensions) as well as using noncommutative division algebras of the rational field /spl Qopf/ embedded in matrix rings. The first half of the paper deals with constructions using field extensions of /spl Qopf/. Working with cyclotomic field extensions, we construct several families of STBCs over a wide range of signal sets that are of full rank, minimal delay, and rate at least one appropriate for any number of transmit antennas. We study the coding gain and capacity of these codes. Using transcendental extensions we construct arbitrary rate codes that are full rank for arbitrary number of antennas. We also present a method of constructing STBCs using noncyclotomic field extensions. In the later half of the paper, we discuss two ways of embedding noncommutative division algebras into matrices: left regular representation, and representation over maximal cyclic subfields. The 4/spl times/4 real orthogonal design is obtained by the left regular representation of quaternions. Alamouti's (1998) code is just a special case of the construction using representation over maximal cyclic subfields and we observe certain algebraic uniqueness characteristics of it. Also, we discuss a general principle for constructing cyclic division algebras using the nth root of a transcendental element and study the capacity of the STBCs obtained from this construction. Another family of cyclic division algebras discovered by Brauer (1933) is discussed and several examples of STBCs derived from each of these constructions are presented.     

Two stage emotion recognition based on speaking rate

This paper proposes two stage speech emotion recognition approach using speaking rate. The emotions considered in this study are anger, disgust, fear, happy, neutral, sadness, sarcastic and surprise. At the first stage, based on speaking rate, eight emotions are categorized into 3 broad groups namely active (fast), normal and passive (slow). In the second stage, these 3 broad groups are further classified into individual emotions using vocal tract characteristics. Gaussian mixture models (GMM) are used for developing the emotion models. Emotion classification performance at broader level, based on speaking rate is found to be around 99% for speaker and text dependent cases. Performance of overall emotion classification is observed to be improved using the proposed two stage approach. Along with spectral features, the formant features are explored in the second stage, to achieve robust emotion recognition performance in case of speaker, gender and text independent cases.     

Information-Lossless Space–Time Block Codes From Crossed-Product Algebras

It is known that the Alamouti code is the only complex orthogonal design (COD) which achieves capacity and that too for the case of two transmit and one receive antenna only. Damen proposed a design for two transmit antennas, which achieves capacity for any number of receive antennas, calling the resulting space-time block code (STBC) when used with a signal set an information-lossless STBC. In this paper, using crossed-product central simple algebras, we construct STBCs for arbitrary number of transmit antennas over an a priori specified signal set. Alamouti code and quasi-orthogonal designs are the simplest special cases of our constructions. We obtain a condition under which these STBCs from crossed-product algebras are information-lossless. We give some classes of crossed-product algebras, from which the STBCs obtained are information-lossless and also of full rank. We present some simulation results for two, three, and four transmit antennas to show that our STBCs perform better than some of the best known STBCs and also that these STBCs are approximately 1 dB away from the capacity of the channel with quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) symbols as input     

Development of microbiologically safe mung bean sprouts using combination treatment of sodium hypochlorite and gamma radiation

Specific group of people, with impaired immune system, are recommended to consume pathogen‐free foods. In this study, microbiologically safe ready‐to‐eat (RTE) mung bean sprouts were developed using combination treatment (CT) with 200 ppm sodium hypochlorite and 12 kGy dose of gamma radiation. Microbiological analysis of combination‐treated sprout samples showed complete elimination (<10 CFU g^?1 of sprouts) of microbial load in these samples, even during storage at 4 °C up to 12 days. Combination treatment and storage period did not have any significant effect on the sensory qualities of RTE mung bean sprouts. However, reduction in the firmness and vitamin C content of combination‐treated sprout samples, similar to other food processing methods, was observed. These results suggest that CT is effective in sterilisation of mung bean sprouts. These sprouts can be included in the diets of special target groups and thereby improve in their quality of life.     

Audiovisual speech recognition for Kannada language using feed forward neural network

Neural Computing and Applications - Audiovisual speech recognition is one of the promising technologies in a noisy environment. In this work, we develop the database for Kannada Language and...     

Migration cost optimization for service provider legacy network migration to software-defined IPv6 network

This paper studies a problem for seamless migration of legacy networks of Internet service providers to a software-defined networking (SDN)-based architecture along with the transition to the full adoption of the Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) connectivity. Migration of currently running legacy IPv4 networks into such new approaches requires either upgrades or replacement of existing networking devices and technologies that are actively operating. The joint migration to SDN and IPv6 network is considered to be vital in terms of migration cost optimization, skilled human resource management, and other critical factors. In this work, we first present the approaches of SDN and IPv6 migration in service providers' networks. Then, we present the common concerns of IPv6 and SDN migration with joint transition strategies so that the cost associated with joint migration is minimized to lower than that of the individual migration. For the incremental adoption of software-defined IPv6 (SoDIP6) network with optimum migration cost, a greedy algorithm is proposed based on optimal path and the customer priority. Simulation and empirical analysis show that a unified transition planning to SoDIP6 network results in lower migration cost.     

Hydroxyoctadecadienoic Acids Regulate Apoptosis in Human THP‐1 Cells in a PPARγ‐Dependent Manner

Macrophage apoptosis, a key process in atherogenesis, is regulated by oxidation products, including hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids (HODEs). These stable oxidation products of linoleic acid (LA) are abundant in atherosclerotic plaque and activate PPARγ and GPR132. We investigated the mechanisms through which HODEs regulate apoptosis. The effect of HODEs on THP‐1 monocytes and adherent THP‐1 cells were compared with other C18 fatty acids, LA and α‐linolenic acid (ALA). The number of cells was reduced within 24 hours following treatment with 9‐HODE (p < 0.01, 30 μM) and 13 HODE (p < 0.01, 30 μM), and the equivalent cell viability was also decreased (p < 0.001). Both 9‐HODE and 13‐HODE (but not LA or ALA) markedly increased caspase‐3/7 activity (p < 0.001) in both monocytes and adherent THP‐1 cells, with 9‐HODE the more potent. In addition, 9‐HODE and 13‐HODE both increased Annexin‐V labelling of cells (p < 0.001). There was no effect of LA, ALA, or the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone (1μM), but the effect of HODEs was replicated with apoptosis‐inducer camptothecin (10μM). Only 9‐HODE increased DNA fragmentation. The pro‐apoptotic effect of HODEs was blocked by the caspase inhibitor DEVD‐CHO. The PPARγ antagonist T0070907 further increased apoptosis, suggestive of the PPARγ‐regulated apoptotic effects induced by 9‐HODE. The use of siRNA for GPR132 showed no evidence that the effect of HODEs was mediated through this receptor. 9‐HODE and 13‐HODE are potent—and specific—regulators of apoptosis in THP‐1 cells. Their action is PPARγ‐dependent and independent of GPR132. Further studies to identify the signalling pathways through which HODEs increase apoptosis in macrophages may reveal novel therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis.     

A One-Time Stegosystem and Applications to Efficient Covert Communication

We present the first information-theoretic steganographic protocol with an asymptotically optimal ratio of key length to message length that operates on arbitrary covertext distributions with constant min-entropy. Our results are also applicable to the computational setting: our stegosystem can be composed over a pseudorandom generator to send longer messages in a computationally secure fashion. In this respect our scheme offers a significant improvement in terms of the number of pseudorandom bits generated by the two parties in comparison to previous results known in the computational setting. Central to our approach for improving the overhead for general distributions is the use of combinatorial constructions that have been found to be useful in other contexts for derandomization: almost t-wise independent function families.