Abstract
In this paper, we propose a new channel estimation (CE) structure that aims to minimize the mean square error (MMSE) of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing signals that are corrupted by fading, nonlinear, and additive white Gaussian noise channels. We demonstrate that it exhibits a simple structure consisting of a set of correlators matched to every frequency component in the nonlinearly distorted signal, followed by a linear transformation. An extension suitable for frequency shifted signals is also discussed. As case study, the potential of such CE in uplink radio-over-fiber (RoF) systems conveying WiFi signals is analyzed. Through simulations, we demonstrate the usage of the one-tap and iterative maximum likelihood (ML)-algorithm-based equalizers, when used jointly with the proposed MMSE, zero forcing, or perfect CEs. Results show that the performance of the MMSE CE approximates the one of the perfect CE. In addition, when used in conjunction with the ML algorithm, it enables relaxation of linear requirements of components in RoF by passing the need for transmitter predistortion techniques that would otherwise significantly increase wireless devices complexity.

Abstract
Sparse coding techniques have seen an increasing range of applications in recent years, especially in the area of image processing. In particular, sparse coding using l1-regularization has been efficiently solved with the Augmented Lagrangian (AL) applied to its dual formulation (DALM). This paper proposes the decomposition of the dictionary matrix in its Singular Value/Vector form in order to simplify and speed-up the implementation of the DALM algorithm. Furthermore, we propose an update rule for the penalty parameter used in AL methods that improves the convergence rate. The SVD of the dictionary matrix is done as a pre-processing step prior to the sparse coding, and thus the method is better suited for applications where the same dictionary is reused for several sparse recovery steps, such as block image processing. © 2014 IEEE.

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract
This paper estimates the relationships between bidding quantities, marginal cost and market power measures in the Spanish wholesale electricity market for two different regulatory periods: 2002-2005 and 2006-2007. Using panel econometric techniques we find differences in the impacts on bidding strategies for both periods. Hence, the marginal cost and the market power measures affect bid and net quantities. The market power measures also suggest that the coefficient is consistently positive and highly significant for both periods. Moreover, the market power and marginal costs have mixed effects according to the models proposed for both periods. In addition, our results point to the effectiveness of the different effects of mitigating the market power in the Spanish electricity market. For the 2006-2007 period, the proposed causal relationships are partially validated by the cointegration results, which assumes there is a significant causality between the Lerner Index and the marginal cost. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Abstract
We study a dichotomous decision model, where individuals can make the decision yes or no and can influence the decisions of others. We characterize all decisions that form Nash equilibria. Taking into account the way individuals influence the decisions of others, we construct the decision tilings where the axes reflect the personal preferences of the individuals for making the decision yes or no. These tilings characterize geometrically all the pure and mixed Nash equilibria. We show, in these tilings, that Nash equilibria form degenerated hysteresis with respect to the dynamics, with the property that the pure Nash equilibria are asymptotically stable and the strict mixed equilibria are unstable. These hysteresis can help to explain the sudden appearance of social, political and economic crises. We observe the existence of limit cycles for the dynamics associated to situations where the individuals keep changing their decisions along time, but exhibiting a periodic repetition in their decisions. We introduce the notion of altruist and individualist leaders and study the way that the leader can affect the individuals to make the decision that the leader pretends. © 2014, American Institute of Mathematical Sciences.