Novel JPEG 2000 Compliant DWT and IWT VLSI Implementations

This paper proposes two JPEG 2000 compliant architectures: one for DWT (Discrete Wavelet Transform) and one for IWT (Integer Wavelet Transform) implementation. First of all some theoretical issues about DWT and IWT are discussed, then, starting from transforms characteristics, the architectures are presented showing both performance and cost. In the literature many DWT architectures have been proposed; our implementation is a new architecture that computes the DWT using filters of interest for the forthcoming JPEG 2000 standard. Moreover, we propose a Lifting Scheme based architecture for IWT, JPEG 2000 compliant too. The proposed architectures are able to support real-time streams: the DWT one, which is made of 20,000 cells, with an input throughput of 160 Msamples per second and a clock frequency of 160 MHz, the IWT one, consisting of 50,000 cells, with an input throughput of 4.5 Msamples per second and an internal clock frequency of 108 MHz.     

HRTEM investigation of the epitaxial growth of scandate/titanate multilayers

Despite their potential application in strain-engineered layer structures, the epitaxial growth of rare earth scandate films on cubic perovskite substrates is not fully understood to date. Here we report on the epitaxy of the orthorhombic GdScO₃ and DyScO₃ on (001) BaTiO₃ and SrTiO₃ thin films. In particular, the orientation relationship between the orthorhombic epilayer and the cubic substrate is examined by aberration corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. For all cases investigated, the long axis of the orthorhombic unit cell was found to be perpendicular to the growth direction.     

Co-operation regarding water and other resources will enhance economic development in Egypt,Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea

Competition for water will increase in the northern portion of the Nile River basin, with increases in population and with new and continuing efforts to stimulate economic development, improve income levels and achieve food security. Water scarcity and the inefficient allocation of water can limit the pace of economic development in arid regions, particularly when nations are unable to implement agreements that enhance the sum of net benefits generated with water resources. Much of the discussion regarding water in the northern Nile basin involves the volumetric allocation of water among countries. That focus may limit appreciation of the benefits that might be generated by co-operation involving a larger set of activities, such as international trade and transborder investments. The authors present a conceptual framework that describes how co-operation and international agreements may contribute to achieving the development goals of individual countries, while also enhancing regional net benefits. The authors propose several types of transborder investments that might be helpful in achieving those goals.     

Does the Pi strip method allow assessment of the available soil P?: Comparison against the reference isotope method

Experiments have been carried out in acid soils developed under tropical climates with and without phosphate rock (PR) addition to assess the ability of the Pi strip method to extract available soil P compared with the Isotopic Exchange Kinetics method (IEK). In the Pi strip method strips of filter paper, previously impregnated with iron hydroxide acting as a sink for phosphate ions from soil components, are added to an aqueous soil suspension. The extracted phosphate ions are eluted in diluted sulfuric acid and quantified by a colorimetric method. Available soil P, defined as the amount of phosphate ions that can move from the soil particles to soil solution, is described by three factors: an intensity factor, a quantity factor and a capacity factor. These three factors were determined by the IEK-method. Following the addition of carrier-free ³²PO₄-ions to soil, the ability of the Pi strip to extract available soil P was assessed: (i) by comparing the quantity of instantaneously exchangeable P (E₁) to the quantity extracted with the Pi strip; (ii) by determining the fraction of ³²P extracted with the Pi strip, and (iii) by comparing the specific activity (SA) of P present as phosphate ions extracted by the Pi strip to the specific activity of P in the soil solution. It was observed that (i) E₁ and the amount extracted with the Pi strip are highly correlated, (ii) the recovery of ³²P extracted by the Pi strip varies between 17 and 66%, and (iii) the specific activity of P extracted by the Pi strip is of the same order of magnitude as that of P in the soil solution. In acid soils low in available P, part of the P in aqueous KCl-extracts is presumably not only present as free phosphate ions but also occluded in the form of a soluble complex, whose isotopic exchangeability is significantly lower than that of phosphate ions transferred to the Pi strip. It is concluded from the results that the Pi strip method can be recommended in routine analysis for the determination of the quantity factor. However, this method cannot provide intensity or capacity factors and therefore needs to be complemented by the IEK-method for full characterization of the available soil P status.     

Two-fluid model simulation of two-phase flow problems using a conservative finite-volume method

A conservative finite-volume method is employed for simulations of two-phase flows with a two-fluid model using separate conservation equations for each fluid. The mathematical model is based on ensemble- and phase-averaged transport equations and a set of simple constitutive laws for interfacial phenomena. The equation system is solved iteratively and in a segregated manner with the IPSA and PEA algorithms developed by Spalding [7]. The method is verified by comparison with analytical solutions and experimental data for one-dimensional steady and unsteady two-phase flows. A formal solution error estimation procedure based on extrapolation techniques is employed to assess the numerical accuracy of the results.     

Monk seal mortality: virus or toxin?

During the past few months, more than half of the total population of about 300 highly endangered Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus) on the western Saharan coast of Africa, died in a mysterious disease outbreak. Epizootiological and postmortem findings were reminiscent of similar outbreaks amongst pinniped and cetacean species in recent years, which were caused by an infection with newly discovered morbilliviruses (for review see osterhaus et al.). Virological, as well as toxicological, analysis performed on tissue samples collected from relatively fresh carcasses during the outbreak indicate that infection with a virus closely related to dolphin morbillivirus (DMV), possibly originating from affected dolphins in the same area, was the primary cause of the outbreak. Therefore it is concluded that vaccination with a safe and effective non-replicating vaccine should be considered as a management tool in the conservation of Mediterranean monk seals.     

Report of a case of traumatic avulsion of the penile skin with amputation of the glans

OBJECTIVES: A case of traumatic avulsion of penile skin with amputation of the penis and sectioning of the urethra is described. METHODS/RESULTS: Surgical management included embedding the penis without scrotal skin and subsequent reconstruction utilizing scrotal skin. The patient has recovered sexual activity, although sensitivity has been reduced as a consequence of penile amputation. Six months postoperatively, the patient has reported orgasm during intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical technique of embedding the penis is safe and preserves elasticity for subsequent reconstruction of the urethral meatus.     

Euclid’s Elements in the Czech Lands

[Terentianus 1st – 2nd century A.D.]

This article is dedicated to Euclid’s Elements, to translations of this work into Czech, and to the translators who have taken on the task of translation. It contains a short overview of the results achieved during a three-year project supported by the Czech Grant Agency.We explored how Euclid’s Elements were spread around the Czech lands.We will try to describe the circumstances that lay behind attempts to translate the Elements into the Czech language.     

Interacting with notebook input devices: an analysis of motor performance and users' expertise

In the present study the usability of two different types of notebook input devices was examined. The independent variables were input device (touchpad vs. mini-joystick) and user expertise (expert vs. novice state). There were 30 participants, of whom 15 were touchpad experts and the other 15 were mini-joystick experts. The experimental tasks were a point-click task (Experiment 1) and a point-drag-drop task (Experiment 2). Dependent variables were the time and accuracy of cursor control. To assess carryover effects, we had the participants complete both experiments, using not only the input device for which they were experts but also the device for which they were novices. Results showed the touchpad performance to be clearly superior to mini-joystick performance. Overall, experts showed better performance than did novices. The significant interaction of input device and expertise showed that the use of an unknown device is difficult, but only for touchpad experts, who were remarkably slower and less accurate when using a mini-joystick. Actual and potential applications of this research include an evaluation of current notebook input devices. The outcomes allow ergonomic guidelines to be derived for optimized usage and design of the mini-joystick and touchpad devices.