Parallel architectural design space exploration for real-time image compression

Embedded block coding with optimized truncation (EBCOT) is a coding algorithm used in JPEG2000. EBCOT operates on the wavelet transformed data to generate highly scalable compressed bit stream. Sub-band samples obtained from wavelet transform are partitioned into smaller blocks called code-blocks. EBCOT encoding is done on blocks to avoid error propagation through the bands and to increase robustness. Block wise encoding provides flexibility for parallel hardware implementation of EBCOT. The encoding process in JPEG2000 is divided into two phases: Tier 1 coding (Entropy encoding) and Tier 2 coding (Tag tree coding). This thesis deals with design space exploration and implementation of parallel hardware architecture of Tier 1 encoder used in JPEG2000. Parallel capabilities of Tier-1 encoder is the motivation for exploration of high performance real time image compression architecture in hardware. The design space covers the following investigations: - The effect of block-size in terms of resources, speed, and compression performance, - Computational performance. The key computational performance parameters targeted by the architecture are - significant speedup compared to a sequential implementation, - minimum processing latency and, - minimum logic resource utilization. The proposed architecture is developed for an embedded application system, coded in VHDL and synthesized for implementation on Xilinx FPGA system

Predictive factors for loco regional recurrence and distant metastasis following primary surgical treatment of cutaneous melanoma

Background: Cutaneous melanoma (CM) has a high propensity for regional and systemic spread. This is one of the largest series of CM reported from India. Aims: To predict factors for loco regional recurrence (LRR) and distant metastasis in patients with CM primarily treated with surgery. Study Design: Retrospective analysis of patient database at a tertiary care cancer center with evaluation of factors for LRR and distant metastasis for CM. Materials and Methods: Data from 68 patients treated for CM between January 2006 and December 2010 were reviewed. Data recorded included age, sex, symptoms, investigations, treatment given, histopathology, recurrence and follow-up. Patient factors, tumor factors, pathologic variables, and adjuvant treatment were investigated as predictors′ of LRR and distant metastasis. Results: Mean age of patients was 54 years. Melanoma was more common in males (44). Tumor thickness > 4 mm was found in 43 patients. Lymph node involvement was found in 43 patients. Adjuvant radiotherapy was given in seven patients. At mean follow-up of 16.5 months, LRR was seen in 34 patients and distant metastasis in 28 patients. LRR and distant metastasis were more commonly found in females, age > 40 years, Clark′s level IV and V, Breslow′s depth > 4 mm, patients with lymph node involvement and extra-capsular spread. Conclusion: The age, sex, site, thickness of lesion, involvement of lymph node, and extra-capsular spread were important factors in predicting LRR and distant metastasis. Distant metastasis was also more commonly found in patients with LRR