Nonflatness and totality

We interpret finite types as domains over nonflat inductive base types in order to bring out the finitary core that seems to be inherent in the concept of totality. We prove a strong version of the Kreisel density theorem by providing a total compact element as a witness, a result that we cannot hope to have if we work with flat base types. To this end, we develop tools that deal adequately with possibly inconsistent finite sets of information. The classical density theorem is reestablished via a ‘finite density theorem,’ and corollaries are obtained, among them Berger's separation property

Perceptual models in speech quality assessment and coding

The ever-increasing demand for good communications/toll quality speech has created a renewed interest into the perceptual impact of rate compression. Two general areas are investigated in this work, namely speech quality assessment and speech coding. In the field of speech quality assessment, a model is developed which simulates the processing stages of the peripheral auditory system. At the output of the model a "running" auditory spectrum is obtained. This represents the auditory (spectral) equivalent of any acoustic sound such as speech. Auditory spectra from coded speech segments serve as inputs to a second model. This model simulates the information centre in the brain which performs the speech quality assessment. [Continues.