In this paper, we propose an effective compression method for electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. 1-D ECG signals are reconstructed to 2-D ECG data by period and complexity sorting schemes with image compression techniques to increase inter and intra-beat correlation. The proposed method added block division and mean period normalization techniques on top of conventional 2-D data ECG compression m...

Images typically contain smooth regions, which are easily compressed by linear transforms, and high activity regions (edges, textures), which are harder to compress. To compress the first kind, we use a “zero” encoder that has infinite context, very low capacity, and which adapts very quickly to the content. For the second, we use an “interpolation” encoder, based on neural networks, which has ...

Reliably assessing overall quality of JPEG/JPEG2000 coded images without having the original image as a reference is still challenging, mainly due to our limited understanding of how humans combine the various perceived artifacts to an overall quality judgment. A known approach to avoid the explicit simulation of human assessment of overall quality is the use of a neural network. Neural network...

ERP was one of the important developments in the use of information technology for organizations in the 1990s. Y2K rectification was a key driver in the decision to move to ERP software. Based on diffusion-of-innovation models, in this study, the sources of influence of ERP adoption in Taiwan are investigated and if the dawning Y2K can be viewed as a critical point is explored. The results demo...

This paper explores the utilization of soft information in image decoding. Error free transmission is not always possible in today's nor future's communication networks without retransmissions. Retransmissions, however, introduce delay. To delay sensitive applications the concept of soft information, i.e. lower layer knowledge about the channel conditions, could reduce the number of retransmiss...

A nationwide internet telephony network is described that uses H.323 gateways distributed around the country to provide customers with local telephone access to application services hosted at a central data center. A key technology that enables deployment of the network is automated configuration management. The configuration management system includes a detailed object-oriented data model of t...

Current image coding standards provide limited support for privacy and security features. An exception is the JPSEC standard, which defines security extensions in JPEG 2000 specifications (part 8). Notwithstanding this shortcoming, the JPEG committee is currently defining a new JPEG Systems standard, which envisages privacy and security support across JPEG family of standards. In this manuscrip...

In this paper, we examine the behavior of the JPEG2000 coding scheme over noisy or congested communication channels and highlight a cost policy aspect. Two error schemes are considered, involving bit errors (noisy channel) and packet-dropping (congested channel) effects. Two bit error methods are used, consisting of flipping or eliminating the bits, and various packet sizes are put to the test ...

JPEG 2000, the new ISO/ITU-T standard for still image coding, is about to be finished. Other new standards have been recently introduced, namely JPEG-LS and MPEG-4 VTC. This paper compares the set of features offered by JPEG 2000, and how well they are fulfilled, versus JPEG-LS and MPEG-4 VTC, as well as the older but widely used JPEG and more recent PNG. The study concentrates on the set of su...

Lightweight concrete (LWC) is a kind of concrete that made of lightweight aggregates or gas bubbles. These aggregates could be natural or artificial, and expanded polystyrene (EPS) lightweight concrete is the most interesting lightweight concrete and has good mechanical properties. Bulk density of this kind of concrete is between 300-2000 kg/m3. In this paper flexural strength of EPS is modeled...