Improved Fractal Image Compression: Centered BFT with Quadtrees

Computer Scienc

Self-similarity and wavelet forms for the compression of still image and video data

This thesis is concerned with the methods used to reduce the data volume required to represent still images and video sequences. The number of disparate still image and video coding methods increases almost daily. Recently, two new strategies have emerged and have stimulated widespread research. These are the fractal method and the wavelet transform. In this thesis, it will be argued that the two methods share a common principle: that of self-similarity. The two will be related concretely via an image coding algorithm which combines the two, normally disparate, strategies. The wavelet transform is an orientation selective transform. It will be shown that the selectivity of the conventional transform is not sufficient to allow exploitation of self-similarity while keeping computational cost low. To address this, a new wavelet transform is presented which allows for greater orientation selectivity, while maintaining the orthogonality and data volume of the conventional wavelet transform. Many designs for vector quantizers have been published recently and another is added to the gamut by this work. The tree structured vector quantizer presented here is on-line and self structuring, requiring no distinct training phase. Combining these into a still image data compression system produces results which are among the best that have been published to date. An extension of the two dimensional wavelet transform to encompass the time dimension is straightforward and this work attempts to extrapolate some of its properties into three dimensions. The vector quantizer is then applied to three dimensional image data to produce a video coding system which, while not optimal, produces very encouraging results

Low bandwidth, image transmission amateur microsatellites

Some recent amateur packet satellites carry open access digital store- and-forward transponders which implement common communication protocols known as PACSAT PROTOCOL SUITE. These standard protocols have improved a "friendly" interaction of different users of packet satellites throughout the world, hence, making packet satellites a more realistic means of communication. Application developments using packet satellites have resulted in an interesting electronic-mail network for medical applications, the Health-Net, where medical professionals in developing countries exchange information with their counterparts. The introduction of a higher rate of data transmission at 9600 baud rate compared to the traditional 1200 baud rate has improved the performance of these satellites. However, this new rate demands some modifications to the existing standard radio receivers and transmitters widely used. In particular, in view of the fact that, digital image technology has transformed microcomputers into powerful visual communication tools, this type of networks can be used for visual communications. Unfortunately, due to the orbit mechanics of satellites involved, the nature of communication protocols and the speed of data transmission currently available, transmission of image data through such networks is difficult in terms of transmission time. This thesis describes the application development of still-continuous tone image transmissions for visual communications, through such networks. It focuses on how to start a packet satellite transmission ground-station, and minimising the transmission time required for image data uploading and downloading, by compressing image data to remove visually insignificant data in the images. Image compression techniques, the internationally recognised JPEG compression technique and a novel compression technique based on FRACTAL, which are known to achieve higher compression ratios are used and compared in this work. Although expensive, FRACTAL compression technique has many advantages over the JPEG compression technique. However, owing to the cost effectiveness of the JPEG compression technique, it is recommended in this thesis for image compression application through Health-Net communication network

Resolution Enhancement in Magnetic Resonance Imaging by Frequency Extrapolation

This thesis focuses on spatial resolution enhancement of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In particular, it addresses methods of performing such enhancement in the Fourier domain. After a brief review of Fourier theory, the thesis reviews the physics of the MRI acquisition process in order to introduce a mathematical model of the measured data. This model is later used to develop and analyze methods for resolution enhancement, or "super-resolution'', in MRI. We then examine strategies of performing super-resolution MRI (SRMRI). We begin by exploring strategies that use multiple data sets produced by spatial translations of the object being imaged, to add new information to the reconstruction process. This represents a more detailed mathematical examination of the author's Master's work at the University of Calgary. Using our model of the measured data developed earlier in the thesis, we describe how the acquisition strategy determines the efficacy of the SRMRI process that employs multiple data sets. The author then explores the self-similarity properties of MRI data in the Fourier domain as a means of performing spatial resolution enhancement. To this end, a fractal-based method over (complex-valued) Fourier Transforms of functions with compact spatial support, derived from a fractal transform in the spatial domain, is explored. It is shown that this method of "Iterated Fourier Transform Systems" (IFTS) can be tailored to perform frequency extrapolation, hence spatial resolution enhancement. The IFTS method, however, is limited in scope, as it assumes that a spatial function f(x) may be approximated by linear combinations of spatially-contracted and range-modified copies of the entire function. In order to improve the approximation, we borrow from traditional fractal image coding in the spatial domain, where subblocks of an image are approximated by other subblocks, and employ such a block-based strategy in the Fourier domain. An examination of the statistical properties of subblock approximation errors shows that, in general, Fourier data can be locally self-similar. Furthermore, we show that such a block-based self-similarity method is actually equivalent to a special case of the auto-regressive moving average (ARMA) modeling method. The thesis concludes with a chapter on possible future research directions in SRMRI

Session IIIa Consumers Preferences, Perceptions, and Meat Quality

CONSUMER´S ACCEPTABILITY OF BEEF FROM ANIMALS SUPLEMENTED WITH ESSENTIAL OILS……………………………………………………………………………………….N/A Guerrero, A. ; Rivaroli, D.C. ; Valero, M.V. ; Sañudo, C. ; Jorge, A.M. ; Prado, I.N. SURVEILLANCE OF RETAIL BEEF TENDERNESS IN THE UNITED STATES……………..43 Igo, Meagan W. ; Arnold, Ashley N. ; Miller, Rhonda K. ; Gehring, Kerri B. ; Lorenzen, Carol L. ; Robert J. Delmore, Jr. ; Woerner, Dale R. ; Savell, Jeffrey W. EFFECTS OF FREEZING AND STORAGE PERIOD ON THE QUALITY TRAITS OF YOUNG CAMEL (CAMELUS DROMEDARIUS) MEAT……………………………………………………….47 Al-Owaimer, N. EMU MEAT QUALITY AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS A NICHE MARKET……….........……………………………………………………………………………………..52 Maheswarappa, Naveena B. ; Kulkarni, V.V. ; Muthukumar, M. ; Sen, A.R. ; Vaithiyanathan, S. ; Praveen Kumar, Y. ; Kiran, M. IMPACT OF HEDONIC EVALUATION ON CONSUMERS’ PREFERENCES FOR BEEF ATTRIBUTES INCLUDING ITS ENRICHMENT WITH N-3 AND CLA FATTY ACIDS……55 Baba, Yasmina ; Kallas, Zein ; Gil, José Maria ; Realini, Carolina E. LC-MS/MS-DETECTION OF MILK PROTEINS IN MEAT PRODUCTS…………………….N/A Jira, Wolfgang ; Schwägele, Fredi A SURVEY COMPARING MEAT QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF BEEF FROM CREDENCE ATTRIBUTE-BASED PRODUCTION SYSTEMS……………………………………………………58 Markus, S. B. ; Aalhus, J. L. ; M. Janz, J. A. ; Larsen, I. L. POSSIBILITY TO EVALUATE MEAT COLOUR USING PHOTOGRAPHIC REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………………………………….62 Brugiapaglia, A. ; Destefanis, G. IDENTIFICATION OF DRIED MEAT FLOSS AND DRIED MEAT POWDER USING COMPUTER………………………………………………………………………………………………….66 HU, Meng-Han ; DONG, Qing-Li ; YANG, Yang-Tai ; WANG, Fang-Fang EFFECT OF POSTMORTEM AGEING TIME ON QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSE MEAT………………………………………………………………………………………………………….69 Seong, Pil-Nam ; Park, Kyoungmi ; Cho, Soohyun ; Kang, Geunho ; Kang, Sun-Mun ; Park, Beomyoung ; Van Ba, Hoa NEW RATING METHOD TO SCORE THE FATNESS OF BEEF CATTLE CARCASSES IN FRENCH SLAUGHTERHOUSES………………………………………………………………………..72 Lefebvre, T. ; Denoyelle, C ; Bastien, D. PATAGONIA (ARGENTINA) BEEF QUALITY….………………………………………………….76 Picallo, Alejandra B. ; Cossu, María E. ; Grigera Naón, Juan J. ; Pereyra, Ana M. ; Lamanna, María L. ; Schor, Alejandro ; Gambetti, Paola C. ; Colombatto, Darío ; Bernard, Hugo von ; Coste, Beatriz ; Rozen, Felisa ; Moisá, Sonia TEXTURE OF PIEMONTESE BEEF CULLED COWS AGED 4-13 YEARS…………………….80 Brugiapaglia, A. ; Destefanis, G. ; Pattono, D. INSTRUMENTAL AND SENSORY MEAT TENDERNESS IN 13 HEAVY LAMB MUSCLES…………………………………………………………………………………………………….84 Ithurralde, Javier ; Bianchi, Gianni ; Feed, Oscar ; Nan, Fernando ; Ballesteros, Fernando ; Garibotto, Gustavo ; Bielli, Alejandro EFFECTS OF DIETARY INCLUSION OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAF MEAL ON FEED CONVERSION RATIO AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PORK FROM LARGE WHITE AND KOLBROEK PIGS………………………………………………………………87 Nduku, Xola P. ; Thobela, T. ; Muchenje, Voster RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MEAT JUICINESS INTENSITY SCORES DURING CHEWING……………………………………………………………………………………………………91 Zhuang, Hong ; Savage, Elizabeth M. FACTORS AFFECTING THE PHYSICO- CHEMICAL QUALITY AND FATTY ACID PROFILES OF MUTTON AT POINT OF PURCHASE IN THE EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA……………………………………………………………………………………………94 Rani, Zikhona T. ; T. Nantapo, Carlos W. ; Hugo, A. ; Muchenje, Voster MONENSIN, VIRGINIAMYCIN AND FUNCTIONAL OILS ON CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS AND MEAT QUALITY OF CATTLE ABRUPTLY FED HIGH CONCENTRATE DIETS…………………………………………………………………………………N/A Silva, A.P. ; Carvalho, R. ; Zotti, C.A. ; Mazon, M. R. ; SILVA, S. L. ; LEME, P.R. COLOR AND CAROTENOIDS IN TILAPIA FISH FED DIFFERENT CAROTENOIDS…….98 Ponsano, Elisa H. G. ; M. Grassi, Thiago L. ; E. Santo, Edson F. ; S. Marcos, Marcelo T. ; Cavazzana, Jefferson F. ; Pinto, Marcos F. EFFECT ON THE QUALITY OF RABBIT AND CHICKEN MEAT OF ADDINGN-3 FATTY ACIDS AND PLANT ANTIOXIDANTS TO THE FEED…………………………………………..102 Mourot, Jacques ; Meteau, Karine ; Bebin, Karina ; Panheleux, Marina ; Briens, Christophe ; Arturo- Schaan, Marisela DURATION OF PLANT ANTIOXIDANT DISTRIBUTION IN N-3 FATTY ACIDRICHDIETS: EFFECT ON FAT PEROXIDATION IN PORK AND PROCESSED PRODUCTS………………………………………………………………………………………………..106 Mourot, Jacques ; Arturo-Schaan, Marisela ; Perrier, Cécile ; Robin, Gwenola ; Roger, Laurent THE EFFECT OF FREEZING AND THAWING ON MEAT QUALITY OF BEEF LOINS…..109 Hope-Jones, Michelle ; Mosimanyana, Kealeboga ; Strydom, Phillip EFFECT OF SEX CONDITION AND TIME ON FEED ON THE SENSORY QUALITY OF CROSSBREED HAIR LAMB MEAT………………………………………………………………….N/A Mazon, M. R. ; Carvalho, R. ; C. Pesce, D. M. ; Guizzo, M. M. ; SILVA, S. L. ; LEME, P.R. SENSORY PROPERTIES AND CONSUMER ACCEPTABILITY OF TRADITIONAL CAPRETTO AND CHEVON…………………………………………………………………………….N/A Borgogno, Monica ; Corazzin, Mirco ; Mousavikhorshidi, Hannaneh ; Favotto, Saida ; Saccá, Elena ; Bearzi, Omar ; Furlan, Dario ; Piasentier, Edi CONSUMER’S SEGMENTATION BASED ON ACCEPTABILITY OF BOAR MEAT IN A STUDY CARRIED OUT IN BARCELONA (ES) AND READING (UK)………………………113 Panella-Riera, N. ; Blanch, M. ; Font-i-Furnols, Maria ; Gil, M. ; Kallas, Zein ; Oliver, M.A. ANALYSIS OF THE STAKEHOLDERS’ ATTITUDES FOR BANNING OF CASTRATION OF MALE PIGS IN EUROPE: FOCUS GROUP METHODOLOGY………………………………….117 Borrisser-Pairó, F. ; Kallas, Zein ; Panella-Riera, N. ; Avena, M. ; Ibáñez, M. ; Olivares, A. ; Gil, José Maria ; Oliver, M.A. STUDY OF THE PREVALENCE OF BOAR TAINT IN SPANISH COMMERCIAL PIGS BY CHEMICAL ANALYSIS…………………………………………………………………………………121 Borrisser-Pairó, F.Y. ; Panella-Riera, N. ; Zammerini, D. ; Garrido, M.D. ; Martínez, B. ; Olivares, A. ; Gil, M. ; García-Regueiro, J.A. ; Oliver, M.A

Design and evaluation of multimedia extensions for the DLX architecture

Multimedia computer architecture extensions for Hennessy and Patterson\u27s DLX architecture are developed following the study of multimedia applications and existing multimedia architecture extensions. Support for the extensions is added to a VHDL superscalar DLX CPU model as well as a DLX assembler. Key functions used in digital video encoding and decoding are modified to use the extensions, and simulations are undertaken using the VHDL model to determine the speedup offered by the extensions for these functions. The results of the simulations are used to calculate the application speedup based on the function speedup and the fraction of the time that each application spends executing each function. It is shown that the superscalar CPU design limits the performance gain offered by the extensions, and concluded that the effectiveness of the extensions is further limited by the fraction of the application code that can make use of them

Forecasting the Prices of Cryptocurrencies using a Novel Parameter Optimization of VARIMA Models

This work is a comparative study of different univariate and multivariate time series predictive models as applied to Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies, and other related financial time series data. ARIMA models, long regarded as the gold standard of univariate financial time series prediction due to both its flexibility and simplicity, are used a baseline for prediction. Given the highly correlative nature amongst different cryptocurrencies, this work aims to show the benefit of forecasting with multivariate time series models—primarily focusing on a novel parameter optimization of VARIMA models outlined in this paper. These models are trained on 3 years of historical data, aggregated from different cryptocurrency exchanges by Coinmarketcap.com, which includes: daily average prices and trading volume. Historical time series data of traditional market data, including the stock Nvidia, the de facto leading manufacture of gaming GPU’s, is also analyzed in conjunction with cryptocurrency prices, as gaming GPU’s have played a significant role in solving the profitable SHA256 hashing problems associated with cryptocurrency mining and have seen equivalently correlated investor attention as a result. Models are trained on this historical data using moving window subsets, with window lengths of 100, 200, and 300 days and forecasting 1 day into the future. Validation of this prediction against the actually price from that day are done with following metrics: Directional Forecasting (DF), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Mean Squared Error (MSE)

Effective treatment of solid tumors via Cryosurgery

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Coupled surface to deep Earth processes: Perspectives from TOPO-EUROPE with an emphasis on climate- and energy-related societal challenges

Understanding the interactions between surface and deep Earth processes is important for research in many diverse scientific areas including climate, environment, energy, georesources and biosphere. The TOPO-EUROPE initiative of the International Lithosphere Program serves as a pan-European platform for integrated surface and deep Earth sciences, synergizing observational studies of the Earth structure and fluxes on all spatial and temporal scales with modelling of Earth processes. This review provides a survey of scientific developments in our quantitative understanding of coupled surface-deep Earth processes achieved through TOPO-EUROPE. The most notable innovations include (1) a process-based understanding of the connection of upper mantle dynamics and absolute plate motion frames; (2) integrated models for sediment source-to-sink dynamics, demonstrating the importance of mass transfer from mountains to basins and from basin to basin; (3) demonstration of the key role of polyphase evolution of sedimentary basins, the impact of pre-rift and pre-orogenic structures, and the evolution of subsequent lithosphere and landscape dynamics; (4) improved conceptual understanding of the temporal evolution from back-arc extension to tectonic inversion and onset of subduction; (5) models to explain the integrated strength of Europe's lithosphere; (6) concepts governing the interplay between thermal upper mantle processes and stress-induced intraplate deformation; (7) constraints on the record of vertical motions from high-resolution data sets obtained from geo-thermochronology for Europe's topographic evolution; (8) recognition and quantifications of the forcing by erosional and/or glacial-interglacial surface mass transfer on the regional magmatism, with major implications for our understanding of the carbon cycle on geological timescales and the emerging field of biogeodynamics; and (9) the transfer of insights obtained on the coupling of deep Earth and surface processes to the domain of geothermal energy exploration. Concerning the future research agenda of TOPO-EUROPE, we also discuss the rich potential for further advances, multidisciplinary research and community building across many scientific frontiers, including research on the biosphere, climate and energy. These will focus on obtaining a better insight into the initiation and evolution of subduction systems, the role of mantle plumes in continental rifting and (super)continent break-up, and the deformation and tectonic reactivation of cratons; the interaction between geodynamic, surface and climate processes, such as interactions between glaciation, sea level change and deep Earth processes; the sensitivity, tipping points, and spatio-temporal evolution of the interactions between climate and tectonics as well as the role of rock melting and outgassing in affecting such interactions; the emerging field of biogeodynamics, that is the impact of coupled deep Earth – surface processes on the evolution of life on Earth; and tightening the connection between societal challenges regarding renewable georesources, climate change, natural geohazards, and novel process-understanding of the Earth system

Biomechanics of the tibiofemoral joint in relation to the mechanical factors associated with osteoarthritis of the knee

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH