Applications of Compressive Sampling Technique to Radar and Localization

During the last decade, the emerging technique of compressive sampling (CS) has become a popular subject in signal processing and sensor systems. In particular, CS breaks through the limits imposed by the Nyquist sampling theory and is able to substantially reduce the huge amount of data generated by different sources. The technique of CS has been successfully applied in signal acquisition, image compression, and data reduction. Although the theory of CS has been investigated for some radar and localization problems, several important questions have not been answered yet. For example, the performance of CS radar in a cluttered environment has not been comprehensively studied. Applying CS to passive radars and electronic warfare receivers is another concern that needs more attention. Also, it is well known that applying this strategy leads to extra computational costs which might be prohibitive in large-sized localization networks. In this chapter, we first discuss the practical issues in the process of implementing CS radars and localization systems. Then, we present some promising and efficient solutions to overcome the arising problems

Sex differences in conventional and some behavioral cardiovascular risk factors, Analysis of the prevention clinic database

Background: An increase in Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) frequency was observed over the past three decades in low- and middle income countries, especially in Iran. The purpose of the present study was to review and compare the frequencies of conventional and some non-conventional CVD risk factors between men and women in a tertiary level referral cardiovascular teaching hospital in a six month period in the North of Iran.  Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using medical databases including conventional risk factors: opium consumption, physical inactivity, high salt diet, and serum vitamin D level. The chi-square and independent t tests were used to assess the differences between groups.  Results: A total of 740 (55% women) who had available full medical history data were recruited in the study. Approximately 62% of the participants were older than 45 years with the mean age of 54 (14.2) years old. Percentages of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity in women were significantly higher than those of men (P<0.05). A total of 50% of all the participants were physically inactive. Men had higher frequency of opium and saltshaker use than women (P<0.05).  Conclusion: The current study indicated that despite the importance of conventional CVD risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity, educational programs should be considered to improve physical activity and reducing salt consumption and awareness about opium use complications

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010-19 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4.45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4.01-4.94) deaths and 105 million (95.0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44.4% (41.3-48.4) of all cancer deaths and 42.0% (39.1-45.6) of all DALYs. There were 2.88 million (2.60-3.18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50.6% [47.8-54.1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1.58 million (1.36-1.84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36.3% [32.5-41.3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20.4% (12.6-28.4) and DALYs by 16.8% (8.8-25.0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34.7% [27.9-42.8] and 33.3% [25.8-42.0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe

Shear bond strength of three self-adhesive resin cements to dentin

Context: The result of the studies concerning the bonding of self-adhesive resin cements to dentin is controversial. Aims: To assess in vitro shear bond strength (SBS) of three self-adhesive dual-cured resin cements to dentin compared to a currently used dual-cured resin cement, using SBS test. Settings and Design: The extant study is an experimental in vitro one on extracted human third molars dentin. Material and Methods: 40 intact human third molars were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups of 10. Buccal dentin surfaces were exposed perpendicular to the long axis and prepared with SiC papers. A translucent plastic ring, was placed over the dentin surfaces. Group I (Control group): After 15 s of etching and application of Excite DSC Bond (Ex), Variolink II (Var II) resin cement was injected into the plastic ring and was light cured for 40 s. Group II: RelyX Unicem (RX) was injected into the plastic ring and after 30 s, was light cured for 40 s. Group III: Maxcem (Mc) was injected into the plastic ring and after 30 s, was light cured for 40 s. Group IV: Multilink Sprint (MS) was injected into the plastic ring and after 30 s, was light cured for 40 s. After thermal cycling, SBS were measured with a universal testing machine. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical computations were conducted according to Student′s t-test. Results: The mean SBS and standard deviations (in parentheses) for groups I, II, III, and IV were 12.95 (2.64), 6.73 (0.79), 3.01 (0.90), 4.60 (0.75) MPa, respectively. Statistical analysis, revealed that: (1) the mean SBS of Var II were significantly higher than the other groups (P0.05). Conclusion: Bond strength of three self-adhesive resin cements was significantly lower than the conventional total-etch resin cement. RX significantly performed better SBS than Mc and MS to dentin

Static and kinetic frictional forces of silica-insert ceramic brackets with coated archwires in artificial saliva

Background: During sliding mechanics, the frictional force (FF) is an important counterforce to orthodontic tooth movement. The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the static and kinetic FFs of S silica-insert ceramic (SIC) brackets with Teflon-coated (TC) and conventional S stainless steel (SS) archwires. Materials and Methods: The target group of this study included 80 maxillary canine 0.022 inch slot SIC brackets. Forty SS brackets were used as the control. TC and conventional uncoated SS archwires of different dimensions (0.016, 0.018, 0.016 × 0.022, and 0.018 × 0.025 inch) were examined. All tests were carried out under artificial saliva injected condition. Scanning Electron Micrographs were prepared for two samples of coated and uncoated archwires. Analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests were used for statistical purposes (level of significance P < 0.05). Results: SIC brackets showed significantly lower levels of FFs than SS brackets. TC archwires had greater frictional values than conventional uncoated ones. They also exhibited an unusual behavior of increasing kinetic FFs with time. Indentation and delamination of coating were obvious under scanning electron microscopy observations. Conclusion: From the standpoint of friction, SIC brackets may serve well, even better than SS brackets, in sliding mechanics. The coating layer of the archwires may delaminate and lost, causing an impediment to tooth movement

Association between Metabolic syndrome and Subjective social status in coronary artery disease patients, a cross sectional study: Metabolic syndrome and Subjective social status

Aims: The&nbsp; purpose&nbsp; of&nbsp; this&nbsp; study&nbsp; was&nbsp; to&nbsp; examine&nbsp; the&nbsp; association&nbsp; of&nbsp; metabolic&nbsp; syndrome (MetS)&nbsp; with&nbsp; subjective&nbsp; social&nbsp; status (SSS)&nbsp; and&nbsp;&nbsp; depression&nbsp; symptoms&nbsp; among&nbsp; coronary artery disease patients (CAD). Materials and methods: in&nbsp; a&nbsp; cross&nbsp; sectional&nbsp; study&nbsp; during&nbsp;&nbsp; 2019- 2020,&nbsp; patients&nbsp; with&nbsp; CAD&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; older&nbsp; than&nbsp; 30&nbsp; through&nbsp; simple&nbsp; sampling&nbsp; method&nbsp; were&nbsp; selected. SSS&nbsp; and&nbsp; depression&nbsp; were&nbsp; assessed&nbsp; using&nbsp; MacArthur&nbsp; scale&nbsp; and&nbsp; Persian&nbsp; version&nbsp; of&nbsp; the 13&nbsp; items&nbsp; beck&nbsp; depression&nbsp; scale,&nbsp; respectively.&nbsp; The components &nbsp;of&nbsp; Metabolic&nbsp; syndrome,&nbsp; ,&nbsp; and&nbsp; demographic&nbsp; factors&nbsp; were&nbsp; collected&nbsp; based&nbsp; on&nbsp; patients&nbsp; medical&nbsp; records. result: data&nbsp; related&nbsp; to&nbsp; 500&nbsp; CAD&nbsp; patients&nbsp; aged&nbsp; 61.81&nbsp; ±&nbsp; 12.25&nbsp; years&nbsp; were&nbsp; assessed. prevalence of&nbsp; MetS&nbsp; was&nbsp; 57 % . Almost&nbsp; 75%&nbsp; of&nbsp; study&nbsp; subjects&nbsp; were&nbsp; in&nbsp; low&nbsp; category&nbsp; of&nbsp; SSS.&nbsp; Univariate&nbsp; logistic&nbsp; regression&nbsp; analysis&nbsp; showed&nbsp; the&nbsp; odds&nbsp; of&nbsp; MetS&nbsp;&nbsp; in&nbsp; patients&nbsp; with&nbsp; higher&nbsp; SSS&nbsp; was&nbsp; 21%&nbsp; less&nbsp; than&nbsp; patients&nbsp; with&nbsp; lower&nbsp; SSS&nbsp; (OR=0.79, 95% CI=0.53-1.19, P=0.274). The&nbsp; odds&nbsp; of&nbsp; MetS&nbsp; was&nbsp; higher&nbsp; in&nbsp; women [OR=1.67(1.16-2.42)] , married&nbsp; subjects[OR=1.55(0.74-3.26)] , in&nbsp; rural&nbsp; area [OR=1.30(0.88-1.91)] ,&nbsp; those&nbsp; without&nbsp; job [OR=0.83(0.58-1.19)]&nbsp; and&nbsp; literacy[OR= 0.83(0.58-1.19)] . There&nbsp; was&nbsp; no&nbsp; significant&nbsp; association&nbsp; between&nbsp; depression&nbsp; and&nbsp; the&nbsp; odds&nbsp; of&nbsp; metabolic&nbsp; syndrome (OR=0.98,&nbsp; 95%&nbsp; CI= 0.63-1.52, P= 0.950). In&nbsp; multivariate&nbsp; logistic&nbsp; regression&nbsp; analysis&nbsp; ,&nbsp; the&nbsp; inverse&nbsp; association&nbsp; between&nbsp; SSS&nbsp; and&nbsp; MetS&nbsp; was&nbsp; still&nbsp; remained&nbsp; (OR= 0.74, 95% CI=0.49-1.12, P=0.163). Conclusions: MetS&nbsp; was&nbsp; more&nbsp; prevalent&nbsp; in&nbsp; lower&nbsp; even&nbsp; considering&nbsp; demographic&nbsp; factors&nbsp; and&nbsp; depression&nbsp; symptoms. More&nbsp; researches&nbsp; need&nbsp; to&nbsp; assess&nbsp; the&nbsp; effect&nbsp; of&nbsp; perceived&nbsp; social&nbsp; standing&nbsp; on&nbsp; cardiometabolic&nbsp;&nbsp; risk&nbsp; factors

Does opium have benefit for coronary artery disease? A systematic review

Opium is a plant with euphoria effect. People from some parts of the world traditionally use opium for cardioprotective effects. We did a systematic review to assess the effect of opium on coronary artery disease (CAD). A systematic database search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cochrane library, Scopus, and SID from their onset up to June 2016. The quality of the studies was assessed with a standardized scoring system. Articles assessing the effect of opium consumption as orally or smoked were included in this review. Outcome was defined as age on CAD disease, risk of CAD, and morbidity from CAD. Poor methodological studies, animal studies, and studies on cardiovascular risk factors or serum markers were excluded from the review. Three case–control, three cohort, and eight cross-sectional studies were included in this systematic review. The age at the occurrence of myocardial infarction, coronary bypass surgery, and percutaneous intervention in opium users was signifi cantly lower than that of nonusers. Odds ratio of opium consumption for CAD ranged from 1.3 to 3.8 in different studies. Hazard ratio of opium consumption for ischemic heart disease was 1.90 (1.57–2.29) with modification by sex, ethnicity, education level, marital status, residential place, and cigarette smoking. We concluded, in spite of the traditional belief, that the current evidence did not support the protective effect of opium on CAD. Future well-designed studies concerning probable confounders in Iran and other similar parts of world are required