Universal trellis coded quantization

Assessing and treating pain in hospices: current state of evidence-based practices

The aim of this study was to report on current provider evidence-based assessment and treatment practices for older adults with cancer in community-based hospice settings. Using the Cancer Pain Practices Index, a tool developed by the researchers to measure evidence-based pain management practices, patients received an average of 32% of those key evidence-based practices (EBPs) that were applicable to their situations. When examining individual practices, most of the patients had their pains assessed at admission using a valid pain scale (69.7%) and had primary components of a comprehensive assessment completed at admission (52.7%); most patients with admission reports of pain had an order for pain medication (83.5%). However, data revealed a number of practice gaps, including additional components of a comprehensive assessment completed within 48 hours of admission (0%); review of the pain treatment plan at each reassessment (35.7%); reassessment of moderate or greater pain (5.3%); consecutive pain reports of 5 or greater followed by increases in pain medication (15.8%); monitoring of analgesic-induced side effects (19.3%); initiation of a bowel regimen for patients with an opioid order (32.3%); and documentation of both nonpharmacological therapies (22.5%) and written pain management plans (0.6%). Findings highlight positive EBPs and areas for improving the translation of EBPs into practice. Data suggest that cancer pain is not being documented as consistently assessed, reassessed, or treated in a manner consistent with current EBP recommendations for older adults with cancer in community-based hospices.

Embedded trellis coded quantization for JPEG2000

A modified embedded trellis coded quantization (TCQ) for JPEG2000 is presented in this paper. The method for approximately inverting TCQ in the absence of the least significant bits is improved. Experimental results, presented using the optimal rate control algorithm and different embedded TCQ formulations, show that modified embedded TCQ yields significant performance improvement compared to the original one in JPEG2000.

Reversible integer-to-integer wavelet transforms for image compression: performance evaluation and analysis

In the context of image coding, a number of reversible integer-to-integer wavelet transforms are compared on the basis of their lossy compression performance, lossless compression performance, and computational complexity. Of the transforms considered, several were found to perform particularly well, with the best choice for a given application depending on the relative importance of the preceding criteria. Reversible integer-to-integer versions of numerous transforms are also compared to their conventional (i.e., nonreversible real-to-real) counterparts for lossy compression. At low bit rates, reversible integer-to-integer and conventional versions of transforms were found to often yield results of comparable quality. Factors affecting the compression performance of reversible integer-to-integer wavelet transforms are also presented, supported by both experimental data and theoretical arguments.

Progressive image coding using trellis coded quantization

In this work, we present coding techniques that enable progressive transmission when trellis coded quantization (TCQ) is applied to wavelet coefficients. A method for approximately inverting TCQ in the absence of least significant bits is developed. Results are presented using different rate allocation strategies and different entropy coders. The proposed wavelet-TCQ coder yields excellent coding efficiency while supporting progressive modes analogous to those available in JPEG.