Compressive sensing for 3D microwave imaging systems

Compressed sensing (CS) image reconstruction techniques are developed and experimentally implemented for wideband microwave synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging systems with applications to nondestructive testing and evaluation. These techniques significantly reduce the number of spatial measurement points and, consequently, the acquisition time by sampling at a level lower than the Nyquist-Shannon rate. Benefiting from a reduced number of samples, this work successfully implemented two scanning procedures: the nonuniform raster and the optimum path. Three CS reconstruction approaches are also proposed for the wideband microwave SAR-based imaging systems. The first approach reconstructs a full-set of raw data from undersampled measurements via L1-norm optimization and consequently applies 3D forward SAR on the reconstructed raw data. The second proposed approach employs forward SAR and reverse SAR (R-SAR) transforms in each L1-norm optimization iteration reconstructing images directly. This dissertation proposes a simple, elegant truncation repair method to combat the truncation error which is a critical obstacle to the convergence of the CS iterative algorithm. The third proposed CS reconstruction algorithm is the adaptive basis selection (ABS) compressed sensing. Rather than a fixed sparsifying basis, the proposed ABS method adaptively selects the best basis from a set of bases in each iteration of the L1-norm optimization according to a proposed decision metric that is derived from the sparsity of the image and the coherence between the measurement and sparsifying matrices. The results of several experiments indicate that the proposed algorithms recover 2D and 3D SAR images with only 20% of the spatial points and reduce the acquisition time by up to 66% of that of conventional methods while maintaining or improving the quality of the SAR images --Abstract, page iv

The First Amendment and Modern Technology: The Free Speech Clause and Chatbot Speech

Our contemporary conversations with chatbots raise a constitutional question not previously considered: is the speech produced by chatbots constitutionally protected? If so, whose speech is the Constitution protecting—that of the chatbot or the human who programmed it with algorithms? If the Supreme Court recognizes the human programmer as the speaker of chatbot speech, as this Note contends it should, what are the potential liabilities the programmer could face as a result of such recognition, and how would this change the doctrinal landscape of the First Amendment for government regulation of speech? This Note proceeds in five parts. Section I defines “chatbot” and discusses its evolving capabilities and limitations. Section II delves into three theories that the Supreme Court has used to interpret freedom of speech issues, specifically, the marketplace of ideas, the reader-response criticism, and the chilling effect. This section provides a philosophical perspective on the Free Speech Clause to identify overlapping themes present in traditional speech and chatbot speech. Section III analyzes the United States Supreme Court’s Opinion in Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York’s opinion in Jian Zhang v. Baidu.com Inc. to present a standard under which federal courts could recognize chatbot speech as constitutionally protected speech. Section IV considers the Supreme Court’s controversial opinion in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission to illustrate the Court’s willingness to afford Free Speech Rights to non-humans, and to demonstrate that existing precedent could be adapted to include chatbot speech. Lastly, Section V explains the constitutional implications and outlines the potential dangers of extending free speech protection for society

The prognostic value of blood pH and lactate and metformin concentrations in severe metformin-associated lactic acidosis

AIMS: Analysis of the prognostic values of blood pH and lactate and plasma metformin concentrations in severe metformin-associated lactic acidosis may help to resolve the following paradox: metformin provides impressive, beneficial effects but is also associated with life-threatening adverse effects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: On the basis of 869 pharmacovigilance reports on MALA with available data on arterial pH and lactate concentration, plasma metformin concentration and outcome, we selected cases with a pH < 7.0 and a lactate concentration >10 mmol/L. Outcomes were compared with those described for severe metformin-independent lactic acidosis. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients met the above-mentioned criteria. The mean arterial pH and lactate values were 6.75 ± 0.17 and 23.07 ± 6.94 mmol/L, respectively. The survival rate was 53%, even with pH values as low as 6.5 and lactate and metformin concentrations as high as 35.3 mmol/L and 160 mg/L (normal < 1 mg/L), respectively. Survivors and non-survivors did not differ significantly in terms of the mean arterial pH and lactate concentration. The mean metformin concentration was higher in patients who subsequently died but this difference was due to a very high value (188 mg/L) in one patient in this group, in whom several triggering factors were combined. Sepsis, multidrug overdoses and the presence of at least two triggering factors for lactic acidosis were observed significantly more frequently in non-survivors (p = 0.007, 0.04, and 0.005, respectively). This contrasts with a study of metformin-independent lactic acidosis in which there were no survivors, despite less severe acidosis on average (mean pH: 6.86). CONCLUSIONS: In 56 cases of severe metformin-associated lactic acidosis, blood pH and lactate did not have prognostic value. One can reasonably rule out the extent of metformin accumulation as a prognostic factor. Ultimately, the determinants of metformin-associated lactic acidosis appear to be the nature and number of triggering factors. Strikingly, most patients survived - despite a mean pH that is incompatible with a favorable outcome under other circumstances

Reduced Serum Homocysteine Levels in Diabetic Patients

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives: Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent form of diabetes mellitus and is associated with a variety of complications. Homocysteine is an important independent risk factor for atherosclerotic diseases in both diabetic and non diabetic subjects. The association between these two is still unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the serum homocysteine levels in uncomplicated type 2 diabetic patients and control subjects. Materials and Methods: Eighty five diabetic patients and 85 healthy control subjects with the mean age of 57.65 and 57.68 years, respectively, were selected during 2010 in Ahwaz City, southwest of Iran. Serum glucose, lipids and lipoproteins were measured by standard enzymatic techniques and homocysteine levels by enzyme -linked immunosorbent assay method. Results: In patients as a whole and with respect to the gender, homocysteine levels were generally lower than controls. Compared to other studies, homocysteine levels ranging from 12.19 to 18 μmol/l were slightly higher in both population. Conclusion: Homocysteine levels, however, were compatible with normal range of adults. The patients were not nephropathic and it is most likely that this is the main reason for maintaining the normal levels. Slightly higher levels of homocysteine in the region are due to multiple genetic and environmental factors

An analytical study on ministerial organizations status in the historiography of Ravandi, Iran

The ministry organization as a symbol of Iranian sreaming is the important element in Iranian historiography. Reproduction of many of Iranshahri thoughts teachings in Seljuk\u27s period provided background for note historians to ministry organization. With the domination of Turks on Iran was established ministry s status until free rulers of the art of government benefit of ministry\u27s knowledge. Ravandi was one of the important historians in Seljuk\u27s period. However, he extracted his historical narratives from Saljuknameh, but with the completion of them with other sources and analyzing of dates. His book was changed to an important source with a different style. Ministry organization was High-Frequency concept in Ravandi historiography. His historiography has been set as useful epistle for express reasons. The ministry in his historiography was a symbol of foresight that was a cause of stable government. This article is going to enter a descriptive and analytical methodology to analyzed Ravandi\u27s approach to ministerial organization and answered to these questions what impact of ministry status on Seljuk\u27s period in Ravandi\u27s historiography? And this approach has been influenced by what factors shape

Relationship between obesity and asthma symptoms among children in Ahvaz, Iran: a cross sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Obesity has been identified as a risk factor for higher prevalence of asthma and asthma-related symptoms in children. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the prevalence of asthma symptoms and obesity among school-age children in the city of Ahvaz, Iran.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 903 children, 7 to 11 years of age, were enrolled in this study through cluster sampling. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire was used to identify the children who were currently suffering from asthma. Height and weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated in kg/m². Overweight was defined as BMI greater than the age- and sex-specific 85th percentile, and obesity as BMI greater than the 95th percentile. We determined the relationship between obesity and asthma symptoms by chi-square tests.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of wheeze ever, current wheezing, obesity, and overweight was 21.56%, 8.7%, 6.87%, and 9.5%, respectively. The current prevalence of wheezing among obese and overweight children was 68.75% and 37%, respectively, and there was a statistical association between obesity and the prevalence of current wheezing (p < 0.001), night cough (p < 0.001), and exercise-induced wheezing (p = 0.009), but obesity and overweight were not associated with eczema and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, so it seems that the pathophysiology of asthma in obese and overweight children is not related to allergy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There is a strong association between asthma symptoms and both overweight and obesity in both sexes among school-age children.</p

Effect of hope therapy on the hope of diabetic patients

Hope is the most important factor in diabetic patients' life. The level of hope may be changing among these individuals as a result of chronic nature of diabetes and its complications. When the level of hope increases among these patients, they can resist against physical and psychological complications of diabetes more, accept the treatment better, enjoy life more, and adapt with their situations more efficiently. This study aimed to define the efficacy of hope therapy on hope among diabetic patients. This was a quasi-experimental study conducted on 38 diabetic patients referring to Sedigheh Tahereh Research and Treatment Center affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Iran in 2012. The subjects were selected based on the goals and inclusion criteria of the study and then were randomly assigned to study and control groups. Herth Hope Index (HHI) was completed by both groups before, after, and 1 month after intervention. In the study group, 120-min sessions of hope therapy were held twice a week for 4 weeks. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were adopted to analyze the data through SPSS version 12. Comparison of the results showed that hope therapy significantly increased hope in diabetic patients after intervention in the study group compared to control (P < 0.001). The results showed that hope therapy increased hope among diabetic patients. This method is suggested to be conducted for diabetic patients. Effect of hope therapy on the hope of diabetic patients (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272842885_Effect_of_hope_therapy_on_the_hope_of_diabetic_patients [accessed Oct 28 2017]

The Impact of Lived-Experience Based Therapy and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy on Body Mass Index and Self-Esteem among Obese Women

Introduction: Culturally sensitive psychological intervention among individuals with obesity has gained major attention among experts in psychological fields. The current study was to examine and compare the impact of the Lived–Experienced Based Therapy (LEBT) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on BMI and self-esteem among Iranian obese women in Esfahan City, Iran. Method: The study used quasi-experimental method with pre-test, post-test and 3-month follow-up. The study population consisted of all females with BMI above 30, in Esfahan. Overall, 45 women (M= 34.11, SD= 5.60) were purposefully selected and randomly divided into three study groups. The sample was selected using online and display ads. Both treatment groups received 8 sessions of specific interventions from April to June 2018, while the control group did not receive any therapies. Data were collected using the global formula calculating BMI and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (1965) and analyzed by SPSS-21 software. The ANCOVA and repeated measure ANOVA (i.e., Bonferroni test analysis) were used to compare three groups at three stages of pre-test, post-test and follow-up. Results: The results showed that BMI and self-esteem in both experiment groups were significantly improved at both post-test and follow-up, compared to the pre-test and control group (p&lt;.001). However, there was no significant difference between the effectiveness of CBT and LEBT in both stages of post-test and follow-up. Conclusion: Both psychological therapies are effective to address low self-esteem and high BMI of obese women.Declaration of Interest: Non

2-Aminopyridine Analogs Inhibit Both Enzymes of the Glyoxylate Shunt in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for many hospital-acquired infections. P. aeruginosa can thrive in diverse infection scenarios by rewiring its central metabolism. An example of this is the production of biomass from C2 nutrient sources such as acetate via the glyoxylate shunt when glucose is not available. The glyoxylate shunt is comprised of two enzymes, isocitrate lyase (ICL) and malate synthase G (MS), and flux through the shunt is essential for the survival of the organism in mammalian systems. In this study, we characterized the mode of action and cytotoxicity of structural analogs of 2-aminopyridines, which have been identified by earlier work as being inhibitory to both shunt enzymes. Two of these analogs were able to inhibit ICL and MS in vitro and prevented growth of P. aeruginosa on acetate (indicating cell permeability). Moreover, the compounds exerted negligible cytotoxicity against three human cell lines and showed promising in vitro drug metabolism and safety profiles. Isothermal titration calorimetry was used to confirm binding of one of the analogs to ICL and MS, and the mode of enzyme inhibition was determined. Our data suggest that these 2-aminopyridine analogs have potential as anti-pseudomonal agents