Analysis of low bit rate image transform coding

Calculations based on high-resolution quantizations prove that the distortion rate D(R¯) of an image transform coding is proportional to 2^-2R when R¯ is large enough. In wavelet and block cosine bases, we show that if R¯<1 bit/pixel, then D(R¯) varies like R¯^1-2γ, where γ remains of the order of 1 for most natural images. The improved performance of embedded codings in wavelet bases is analyzed. At low bit rates, we show that the compression performance of an orthonormal basis depends mostly on its ability to approximate images with a few nonzero vectors     

Parallel architecture for fast transforms with trigonometric kernel

We present an unified parallel architecture for four of the most important fast orthogonal transforms with trigonometric kernel: Complex Valued Fourier (CFFT), Real Valued Fourier (RFFT), Hartley (FHT), and Cosine (FCT). Out of these, only the CFFT has a data flow coinciding with the one generated by the successive doubling method, which can be transformed on a constant geometry flow using perfect unshuffle or shuffle permutations. The other three require some type of hardware modification to guarantee the constant geometry of the successive doubling method. We have defined a generalized processing section (PS), based on a circular CORDIC rotator, for the four transforms. This PS section permits the evaluation of the CFFT and FCT transforms in n data recirculations and the RFFT and FHT transforms in n-1 data recirculations, with n being the number of stages of a transform of length N=rⁿ. Also, the efficiency of the partitioned parallel architecture is optimum because there is no cycle loss in the systolic computation of all the butterflies for each of the four transforms     

A delta transform approach to loop gain-phase shaping design of robust digital control systems

This paper addresses the existence of loop gain-phase shaping (LGPS) solutions for the design of robust digital control systems for SISO, minimum-phase, continuous-time processes with parametric uncertainty. We develop the frequency response properties of LGPS for discrete-time systems using the Δ-transform, a transform method that applies to both continuous-time and discrete-time systems. A theorem is presented which demonstrates that for reasonable specifications there always exists a sampling period such that the robust digital control problem has a solution. Finally, we offer a procedure for estimating the maximum feasible sampling period for LGPS solutions to robust digital control problems.     

MANAGING DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING Five Practices for Success

Management of distributed environments requires corporate IS managers to shift from being operators of a central utility to facilitators who can recognize the synergy among loosely related groups of users. Success depends on the development of new ways of visualizing and measuring the service delivery process.     

A generalized fuzzy Petri net model

The paper proposes a new model of Petri nets based on the use of logic based neurons. In contrast to the existing generalizations, this approach is aimed at neural-type modeling of the entire concept with a full exploitation of the learning capabilities of the processing units being used there. The places and transitions of the net are represented by OR and AND-type and DOMINANCE neurons, respectively. A correspondence between this model and the previous two-valued counterpart is also revealed. The learning aspects associated with the nets are investigated     

Robotica: a Mathematica package for robot analysis

Robotica is a computer aided design package for robotic manipulators developed in the Coordinated Science Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It encapsulates over 30 functions into a Mathematica package allowing efficient symbolic and numeric calculation of kinematic and dynamic equations for multi-degree-of-freedom manipulators. An X-Windows front end that utilizes the interprocess communication features of Mathematica 2.1 has also been created for ease of use. This paper describes the most important features of the package and how they are used     

Cholesterol and vascular disease. Study of pravastatin

Variations in lipid profile and incidence of vascular events were evaluated. Group 1 had a 29.3% reduction of total and a 38.3% reduction of LDL cholesterol as against reductions of 9% and 9.6% respectively in group 2. No significant difference was observed between the two groups as far as the vascular events considered were concerned. Pravastatin is an effective and safe drug. The lack of influence on the evolution of vascular disease would appear to be correlated to the small number of subjects studied and the short follow-up.     

Genetic aspects of Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. Empirical risk of recurrence and case presentation

Nutrient uptake by the hindlimb was investigated utilising the arteriovenous difference technique in 5 Thoroughbred horses fed to maintenance a diet of 100% roughage or 52% oat grain and 48% roughage. Arterial blood was obtained from a catheter inserted into the carotid artery while venous blood was simultaneously collected from a catheter placed into the iliac vein via the medial saphenous vein. The arteriovenous difference for glucose was significant and represented a mean extraction of 10 +/- 1% with no effect of diet. If fully oxidised, glucose uptake (corrected for lactate and pyruvate arteriovenous difference) was sufficient to account for 78 +/- 13% or 107 +/- 15% of the oxygen consumed by the hindlimb in horses fed a roughage or 52% oat grain diet respectively. Acetate was also a major metabolite of the hindlimb, showing a 39 +/- 5% extraction with no effect of diet. However, the 52% oat grain diet did induce a significant decline in the concentration of acetate in arterial blood. The potential contribution to oxidation in the hindlimb was significantly reduced from 32 +/- 4% in horses fed roughage to 21 +/- 3% when fed 52% oat grain. D-3-Hydroxybutyrate uptake could account for 9 +/- 1% of the oxidation by the hindlimb with no effect of diet. The technique for measuring nutrient uptake across the hindlimb using the arteriovenous difference is relatively simple and would be valuable in investigating fuel use by muscle during exercise.     

Effect of Freezer Programs on Real-Time Storage Results of Dissolution Profiles

Carstensen and Rhodes¹ have suggested that when, in stability programs, assays cannot be performed immediately after the protocol-designated storage time, then freezing them until such a time when assays can be performed would be a reasonable manner to retain the protocol schedule. They caution, however, that such a procedure may not be valid for dissolution data. The article to follow deals with real-time data showing that such a process is feasible for Nalidixic Acid tablets (and presumably for other tablets as well), and that, furthermore, the dissolution pattern would seem to be “frozen” as well.