Estimation of Sparsity via Simple Measurements

We consider several related problems of estimating the 'sparsity' or number of nonzero elements $d$ in a length $n$ vector $\mathbf{x}$ by observing only $\mathbf{b} = M \odot \mathbf{x}$, where $M$ is a predesigned test matrix independent of $\mathbf{x}$, and the operation $\odot$ varies between problems. We aim to provide a $\Delta$-approximation of sparsity for some constant $\Delta$ with a minimal number of measurements (rows of $M$). This framework generalizes multiple problems, such as estimation of sparsity in group testing and compressed sensing. We use techniques from coding theory as well as probabilistic methods to show that $O(D \log D \log n)$ rows are sufficient when the operation $\odot$ is logical OR (i.e., group testing), and nearly this many are necessary, where $D$ is a known upper bound on $d$. When instead the operation $\odot$ is multiplication over $\mathbb{R}$ or a finite field $\mathbb{F}_q$, we show that respectively $\Theta(D)$ and $\Theta(D \log_q \frac{n}{D})$ measurements are necessary and sufficient.Comment: 13 pages; shortened version presented at ISIT 201

Studies on hip fracture patients : effects of nutrition and rehabilitation

Hip fracture in the elderly is a serious condition associated with increased mortality. Survivors experience an increase in morbidity and disability that affect their independence and quality of life; the outcome for patients with dementia is particularly poor. Many hip fracture patients have signs of malnutrition already on admission and this patient group has been shown to have a lower body mass index (BMI) than aged-matched controls. A catabolic state develops following hip fracture, characterized by loss of bone mineral density (BMD) and muscle mass. The combination of generalized loss of muscle mass, muscle strength and/or physical performance is known as sarcopenia, which impacts functionality and health- related quality of life. This thesis has three major aims: 1) to study the possible association between BMI, a potentially modifiable factor, and one-year mortality, as well as the ability to return to independent living following hip fracture; 2) to evaluate the effect of nutritional supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD), body composition, muscle strength and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) following hip fracture; and 3) to investigate factors of importance for preservation of ambulatory function and activities of daily living (ADL) following hip fracture in patients with cognitive impairment. Study I: A prospective study of 843 elderly patients with hip fracture, without severe cognitive impairment, who came from an independent living situation at the time of admission. The results show that overweight was associated with increased one-year survival and a greater likelihood of independent living one year post-fracture. Study II: A randomized controlled study in which 79 patients with hip fracture were randomized to one of three treatment groups. Six months of postoperative treatment with protein and energy-rich supplementation combined with orally administered bisphosphonate, calcium and vitamin D were shown to have a small additive effect on bone mineral density compared with bisphosphonate and calcium alone. Study III: A randomized controlled study of the same population as in study II. Postoperative treatment with protein and energy-rich supplementation did not prevent loss of lean mass following hip fracture. However, trends toward improved handgrip strength and HRQoL were observed following nutritional supplementation. Study IV: A prospective study of 246 patients with femoral neck fracture and cognitive impairment, but ambulant prior to fracture. In addition to ambulatory and ADL function prior to fracture, the results showed that discharge to rehabilitation facilities was associated with preserved ambulatory function and ADL skills at the 4-and 12 month follow-ups

Påverkan av maxillär framflyttning med Le Fort I osteotomi på artikulation hos personer födda med läpp- käk- gomspalt

Abstract. Individuals born with cleft lip and palate are at risk for maxillary hypoplasia, which may cause articulatory difficulties. The aim of this retrospective comparative study was to examine how maxillary advancement with Le Fort I osteotomy affects the articulation of patients born with cleft lip and palate. The participants were 15 young adults, born with cleft lip and palate who had undergone Le Fort I due to maxillary hypoplasia. Audio recordings of single words from Swedish Articulation and Nasality Test, were recorded preoperatively and one year postoperatively. Transcriptions of target sounds by trained listeners, acoustic analysis of /s/ and assessment of general accuracy by untrained listeners were carried out. Nine of the 15 participants improved their articulation and seven participants exhibited normalized articulation one year postoperatively. The trained listeners’ judgments and the acoustic analysis demonstrated a positive change especially in the production of /s/. The results are in accordance with previous studies and strengthen the implication that Le Fort I has a positive impact on the articulation in patients born with cleft lip and palate.Sammanfattning. Individer födda med läpp- käk- gomspalt riskerar att få en underutvecklad överkäke, maxillär hypoplasi, vilket kan ge artikulatoriska svårigheter. Syftet med denna retrospektiva jämförande studie var att undersöka hur maxillär framflyttning med Le Fort I osteotomi påverkade artikulationen hos personer födda med läpp- käk- gomspalt. Deltagarna bestod av 15 unga vuxna födda med läpp- käk- gomspalt som hade genomgått Le Fort I på grund av maxillär hypoplasi. Materialet bestod av ljudinspelningar av ord från SVenskt Artikulations- och NasalitetsTEst, inspelade preoperativt och ett år postoperativt. Transkription av målljud av tränade lyssnare, akustisk analys av /s/ och tydlighetsbedömning av otränade lyssnare genomfördes. Nio av 15 deltagare förbättrade sin artikulation och sju deltagare uppvisade normaliserad artikulation ett år postoperativt. Tränade lyssnares bedömningar och akustisk analys påvisade den positiva förändringen framförallt i produktionen av /s/. Resultaten är i enlighet med tidigare studier och stärker således implikationen att Le Fort I har en positiv påverkan på artikulationen hos personer födda med läpp- käk- gomspalt

Український вчений, громадський діяч І. А. Фещенко-Чопівський

(uk) Ця публікація розкриває цілісну канву життєдіяльності І.Фещенка-Чопівського, показує його як політика, дипломата, ученого, видатного українця, котрий органічно увібрав українську культуру, національний характер і до останніх днів не втратив почуття національної гідності й віри в державотворчі сили свого народу.(en) The life activity of I. Feshenco-Chopivscogo is considered in the article. The publication shows him as a politician, a diplomat and an outstanding Ukrainian. His personality harmoniously absorbed the Ukrainian culture and national character. He didn’t lose the feeling of national dignity and deep faith in the ability of his nation to build the State

Deep Dive into Sustainability Assessment Methods Cradle-to-Grave: Detriment or Benefit?

The Construction Industry has been portrayed as a culprit in the global pursuit of sustainable development due to the vast resources that the industry exploits and the chemicals and pollutants it emits. It is commonly estimated that the construction industry utilizes about 30- 40% of the global natural resources. An important mitigator in the quest for a more sustainable construction industry is Sustainability Assessment Methods (SAMs) or Green Building Rating Systems. SAMs were first introduced in the early 2000s and has since gained momentum worldwide. It is now predicted to become a mainstream practice for large construction projects. Different studies show that capital costs may increase short-term, compared to a ‘ordinary’ project. However, certifying can lead to 6-30% in long-term capital savings. On the other hand, actors in the industry sometimes perceive certain criteria or sustainability indicators (SIs) belonging to SAMs to be ill-considered. Do these SIs still contribute toward sustainability, are they beneficial or detrimental to the project? This Master Thesis investigates three SAMs, BREEAM, LEED and Miljöbyggnad along with the ecolabel Nordic Swan and service SundaHus. What are their sustainability indicators grounded on? Are they aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and does a certified building equal a sustainable one? Two case studies are included in the Thesis. These investigate whether or not energy saving measures from two different kinds of heat exchangers are more sustainable then procuring only green power, such as BraMiljöval, in a specific real-life project. The case studies evaluate the possible energy savings and what Global Warming Potential (GWP) they have and compare which solution has the lowest GWP. The conclusion is that certified buildings do not equal sustainable buildings, but it is likely that the CO2 footprint of a certified building will be less than that of a non-certified. Since SAMs are not adapted per project, in certain scenarios some SIs become a detriment rather than a benefit, but in a larger sense are still beneficial. Additionally, SAMs do contribute toward the UNs SDGs and Sweden’s Environmental Quality Goal

To move ahead - the extension of a life-world

This licentiate thesis is a monography complemented with one published article: “Interactive Design – the desire for autonomous upright mobility: A longitudinal case study, Technology and Disability 19 (2007) 213-224”. My hope is that the combination of the monographic part (with its phenomenological tone, personified and situated), and the more unbarked “Technology and Disability” article (with its orientation towards the general rather than the personal aspects) will contribute to dialogues on different scientifical approaches. The overall purpose of this thesis is to develop new knowledge on child development under the conditions of SMA II. As I use a life-world phenomenological approach my first quest is to highlight and make explicit what appeared in Hanna’s life-world and how these experiences have contributed to her overall development. I also want to put forward how Hanna’s motility and mobility were supported, guided by what she expressed and strived for, in order to promote a healthy physical, psychological and social development. A special focus is on independent locomotion and how this was accomplished for Hanna. By using technology in a new way it was possible to enhance Hanna’s access to the world through the medium of her lived body, thus changing her life-world by widening her life-world horizon. The second quest of this licentiate thesis is to make this journey explicit

Yes we can - bidrage til at skabe ny vækst!

I DEFF undrer man sig højlydt over den skepsis, som forskningsbibliotekerne udviser over for den seneste DEFF-strategi. Hvorfor skulle bibliotekerne ikke kunne understøtte virksomhederne med support og services

Debugging the future: quality of life, academic success and student acceptability of assistive technology

Research has shown that integration of Assistive Technology (AT) in the educational environment is minimal but can offer life-changing benefits. My study explores the obstacles of AT and the relationship between acceptability of AT and student quality of life as well as individual self-reported academic success. I surveyed two existing groups of students at a regional comprehensive university. The first group is receiving assistance through instruction and tutoring services. The second group is receiving support to pursue future doctoral studies. Participants provided self-report of their academic strengths and challenges, acceptability of AT, and quality of life. I offered participants multiple opportunities to learn about and engage in different types of AT. Types of AT offered included: Read and Write Gold 10 (2013 Texthelp Ltd, 2013) Grammarly (Grammarly, Inc., 2013), and Dragon Naturally Speaking (Nuance Communications, Inc., 2012-2013). I predicted that higher self-reported academic challenges would increase acceptability towards AT and decrease self-reported quality of life. I also predicted that students with higher GPA would be less accepting to AT interventions. I found that there was no correlation between GPA and acceptability of AT or self-reported academic struggles and acceptability of AT. I did however find a significant negative correlation between quality of life and self-reported academic challenges