Compressed Sensing Using Binary Matrices of Nearly Optimal Dimensions

In this paper, we study the problem of compressed sensing using binary measurement matrices and $\ell_1$-norm minimization (basis pursuit) as the recovery algorithm. We derive new upper and lower bounds on the number of measurements to achieve robust sparse recovery with binary matrices. We establish sufficient conditions for a column-regular binary matrix to satisfy the robust null space property (RNSP) and show that the associated sufficient conditions % sparsity bounds for robust sparse recovery obtained using the RNSP are better by a factor of $(3 \sqrt{3})/2 \approx 2.6$ compared to the sufficient conditions obtained using the restricted isometry property (RIP). Next we derive universal \textit{lower} bounds on the number of measurements that any binary matrix needs to have in order to satisfy the weaker sufficient condition based on the RNSP and show that bipartite graphs of girth six are optimal. Then we display two classes of binary matrices, namely parity check matrices of array codes and Euler squares, which have girth six and are nearly optimal in the sense of almost satisfying the lower bound. In principle, randomly generated Gaussian measurement matrices are "order-optimal". So we compare the phase transition behavior of the basis pursuit formulation using binary array codes and Gaussian matrices and show that (i) there is essentially no difference between the phase transition boundaries in the two cases and (ii) the CPU time of basis pursuit with binary matrices is hundreds of times faster than with Gaussian matrices and the storage requirements are less. Therefore it is suggested that binary matrices are a viable alternative to Gaussian matrices for compressed sensing using basis pursuit. \end{abstract}Comment: 28 pages, 3 figures, 5 table

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

Microfabrication and Electrochemical Characterization of a Novel SU-8 Probe with an Array of Individually Addressable Electrodes Suitable for Redox Cycling Experiments in Ultra-small Volumes

Redox cycling is an electrochemical technique that utilizes closely spaced generator and collector electrodes to cycle reversible redox species between their oxidative states. With advantages in signal amplification, selectivity of species based on their electrochemical reaction mechanism, and limited or no background subtraction, this technique is well suited for selective detection of important electrochemically active molecules such as dopamine at basal or slowly changing levels. Miniaturized medical devices have become an area of great interest for measurement of chemicals in limited volumes with low concentrations or in sensitive tissues. A probe on a polymeric SU-8 substrate with suitable dimensions and robustness for in vivo neural measurements was developed and tested in vitro. The probe’s unique construction using microfabrication processes and a laser-machining procedure is described in detail. The probe features an array of individually addressable electrodes, each 100 μm long, 4 μm wide and with a 100 μm gap in between, on a shank that is 6 mm long and 100 μm wide. The probe is insulated by a thin layer of SU-8 with only the electrodes near the tip and the contact pads exposed. Evaluation of tissue after probe insertion into a rat brain indicates minimal damage comparable to FSCV electrodes and less extensive than the microdialysis probe. The electrodes on the probe were characterized electrochemically and redox cycling on the array was evaluated in vitro in the presence of model compounds (potassium ferricyanide and ruthenium (III) hexamine chloride) and dopamine, and the responses were compared to theory. The amplification factors, percent collection efficiencies and detection limits are determined from calibration curves. The best detection limits obtained for dopamine at the generator electrodes and collector electrodes during redox cycling are 800 nM and 1.10 μM, respectively. These values lie in the physiological concentration range of dopamine. The features and the results suggest that the probe is ready for further analysis in vivo. Finally, potential future designs for the probe are proposed and their expected current is calculated using theoretical approximations. All of the proposed designs fit on the same footprint as the current probe (70-μm wide and 100-μm long window) and have dimensions achievable with available micro and nanofabrication tools

Array LDPC Code-based Compressive Sensing

In this paper, we focus on the problem of compressive sensing using binary measurement matrices, and basis pursuit as the recovery algorithm. We obtain new lower bounds on the number of samples to achieve robust sparse recovery using binary matrices and derive sufficient conditions for a binary matrix with fixed column-weight to satisfy the robust null space property. Next we prove that any column-regular binary matrix with girth 6 has nearly optimal number of measurements. Then we show that the parity check matrices of array LDPC codes are nearly optimal in the sense of having girth six and almost satisfying the lower bound on the number of samples. Array code parity check matrices demonstrate an example of binary matrices that achieve guaranteed recovery via robust null-space property and in practice for n \leq 10^{6} provide faster recovery compared to the Gaussian counterpart. This is an extended abstract without proofs. The full paper with additional details can be found in [1]

Acoustic vitality evaluation in urban public spaces:(Case study: Darvazeh Isfahan, Shiraz, Iran)

Aims: This study establishes a contextual qualitative and quantitative evaluation of acoustic vitality in a public urban space (Darvazeh Isfahan) in Shiraz.Methods: In quantitative part, by using acoustic simulation software (Ease4.3), measurable characteristics of sound including Sound Pressure Level (SPL), Sound Clarity (C), and Sound Transmission Index (STI) were examined. In the qualitative part, by conducting a sound-walk questionnaire, 30 space-users were interviewed at different periods of a working day. Simultaneously, we used a calibrated voice recorder and mapped the overall perceived-sound pressure of urban space.Findings: The results showed instability in SPL at high ranges. It means that the fibre absorbers or street wall materials had acted insufficiently. The analysis also revealed a relatively normal Sound Transmission Index. However, the sound clarity in 50 milliseconds and 80 milliseconds were higher than average. On the qualitative evaluation part, the main sound contents that affected the sound clarity varied during the day. In the morning, users frequently perceived the carriage, motorcycle and human activity noises. Through noon, added to the morning sound content, they mentioned music sound. Finally, during the late evening, motorcycle and vehicle's noise, human's whispering and music were the most heard contents.Conclusion: By overlaying the quantitative and qualitative maps, we introduced the specific boundaries of the urban space that acoustically require urban design interventions. Despite the fact that the results might be restricted to a local context in Shiraz, the findings could impart fruitful information for implicating appropriate acoustic vitality guidelines in urban public spaces

Acoustic vitality evaluation in urban public spaces:(Case study: Darvazeh Isfahan, Shiraz, Iran)

Aims: This study establishes a contextual qualitative and quantitative evaluation of acoustic vitality in a public urban space (Darvazeh Isfahan) in Shiraz.Methods: In quantitative part, by using acoustic simulation software (Ease4.3), measurable characteristics of sound including Sound Pressure Level (SPL), Sound Clarity (C), and Sound Transmission Index (STI) were examined. In the qualitative part, by conducting a sound-walk questionnaire, 30 space-users were interviewed at different periods of a working day. Simultaneously, we used a calibrated voice recorder and mapped the overall perceived-sound pressure of urban space.Findings: The results showed instability in SPL at high ranges. It means that the fibre absorbers or street wall materials had acted insufficiently. The analysis also revealed a relatively normal Sound Transmission Index. However, the sound clarity in 50 milliseconds and 80 milliseconds were higher than average. On the qualitative evaluation part, the main sound contents that affected the sound clarity varied during the day. In the morning, users frequently perceived the carriage, motorcycle and human activity noises. Through noon, added to the morning sound content, they mentioned music sound. Finally, during the late evening, motorcycle and vehicle's noise, human's whispering and music were the most heard contents.Conclusion: By overlaying the quantitative and qualitative maps, we introduced the specific boundaries of the urban space that acoustically require urban design interventions. Despite the fact that the results might be restricted to a local context in Shiraz, the findings could impart fruitful information for implicating appropriate acoustic vitality guidelines in urban public spaces

Therapeutic Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Chronic Kidney Disease-Associated Pruritus: a Literature Review

Uremic pruritus remains one of the most tormenting, frequent and potentially disabling problem in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. However, an area of substantial etiological interest with relation to uremic pruritus is the essential fatty acids deficiency. So we performed a literature review to elucidate the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids on uremic pruritus. This review evaluated all of the studies published in English language, focusing on the clinical effects of omega-3 fatty acids on uremic pruritus. The literature review was conducted in December 2015 and carried out by searching Scopus, Medline, Cochrane central register of controlled trials, and Cochrane database of systematic reviews. The search terms were "kidney injury", "kidney failure", "chronic kidney disease", "end-stage renal disease", "dialysis", "hemodialysis", "peritoneal dialysis", "pruritus", "itch", "skin problems", "fish oil", "omega 3", "n-3 fatty acids", "polyunsaturated fatty acids", "docosahexaenoic acid", and "eicosapentaenoic acid". Four small studies investigating potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids on symptoms of uremic pruritus were found. Among them, three small randomized controlled trials have shown a significant improvement in pruritus symptoms (evaluated by a standard questionnaire) in CKD patients who took omega-3 supplement compared to omega-6, omega-9, and placebo supplementation. Despite numerous limitations of the studies, it is worth noting that even minor reduction in itching symptoms may be clinically significant for CKD patients. Therefore, and considering multiple health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in advanced CKD and negligible risk profile, omega-3 intake can wisely be applied to CKD patients with uremic pruritus

Topical application of Cinnamomum hydroethanolic extract improves wound healing by enhancing re-epithelialization and keratin biosynthesis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Context: Cinnamomum verum J. Presl. (Lauraceae) has a high number of polyphenols with insulin-like activity, increases glucose utilization in animal muscle, and might be beneficial for diabetic patients. Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of an ointment prepared from Cinnamomum verum hydroethanolic extract on wound healing in diabetic mice. Materials and methods: A total of 54 male BALB/c mice were divided into three groups: (1) diabetic non-treated group mice that were treated with soft yellow paraffin, (2 and 3) mice that were treated with 5 and 10% C. verum. Two circular full-thickness excisional wounds were created in each mouse, and the trial lasted for 16 d following induction of the wound. Further evaluation was made on the wound contraction ratio, histopathology parameters and mRNA levels of cyclin D1, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1), total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde of granulation tissue contents. HPLC apparatus was utilized to identify the compounds. Results: The HPLC data for cinnamon hydroethanolic extract identified cinnamaldehyde (11.26%) and 2-hydroxyl cinnamaldehyde (6.7%) as the major components. A significant increase was observed in wound contraction ratio, fibroblast proliferation, collagen deposition, re-epithelialization and keratin biosynthesis in the C. verum-treated groups in comparison to the diabetic non-treated group (p < 0.05). The expression level of cyclin D1, IGF1, GLUT 1 and antioxidant capacity increased in the C. verum-treated groups in comparison to the diabetic non-treated group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Topical administration of C. verum accelerated wound healing and can possibly be employed in treating the wounds of diabetic patients