On the Capacity of Abelian Group Codes Over Discrete Memoryless Channels

For most discrete memoryless channels, there does not exist a linear code for the channel which uses all of the channel's input symbols. Therefore, linearity of the code for such channels is a very restrictive condition and there should be a loosening of the algebraic structure of the code to a degree that the code can admit any channel input alphabet. For any channel input alphabet size, there always exists an Abelian group structure defined on the alphabet. We investigate the capacity of Abelian group codes over discrete memoryless channels and provide lower and upper bounds on the capacity

Assessment of combating-desertification strategies using the linear assignment method

Nowadays desertification, as a global problem, affects many countries in the world, especially developing countries like Iran. With respect to increasing importance of desertification and its complexity, the necessity of attention to the optimal combating-desertification alternatives is essential. Selecting appropriate strategies according to all effective criteria to combat the desertification process can be useful in rehabilitating degraded lands and avoiding degradation in vulnerable fields. This study provides systematic and optimal strategies of combating desertification by use of a group decision-making model. To this end, the preferences of indexes were obtained through using the Delphi model, within the framework of multi-attribute decision making (MADM). Then, priorities of strategies were evaluated by using linear assignment (LA) method. According to the results, the strategies to prevent improper change of land use (A18), development and reclamation of plant cover (A23), and control overcharging of groundwater resources (A31) were identified as the most important strategies for combating desertification in this study area. Therefore, it is suggested that the aforementioned ranking results be considered in projects which control and reduce the effects of desertification and rehabilitate degraded lands

Burden of ischemic heart diseases in Iran, 1990-2010: Findings from the global burden of disease study 2010

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are viewed worldwide as one of the main causes of death.This study aims to report the burden of ischemic heart diseases (IHDs) in Iran by using data of the global burden of disease (GBD) study, 1990-2010. Materials and Methods: The GBD study 2010 was a systematic effort to provide comprehensive data to calculate disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for diseases and injuries in the world. Years of life lost (YLLs) due to premature mortality were computed on the basis of cause-of-death estimates, using Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm). Years lived with disability (YLDs) were assessed by the multiplication of prevalence, the disability weight for a sequel, and the duration of symptoms. A systematic review of published and unpublished data was performed to evaluate the distribution of diseases, and consequently prevalence estimates were calculated with a Bayesian meta-regression method (DisMod-MR). Data from population-based surveys were used for producing disability weights. Uncertainty from all inputs into the calculations of DALYs was disseminated by Monte Carlo simulation techniques. Results: The age-standardized IHDs DALY specified rate decreased 31.25 over 20 years from 1990 to 2010 from 4720 (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 4,341-5,099) to 3,245 (95% UI: 2,810-3,529) person-years per 100,000. The decrease were 38.14% among women and 26.87% among men. The age-standardized IHDs death specefied rate decreased by 21.17% from 222) 95% UI: 207-243 (to 175 (95% UI:152-190) person-years per 100,000 in both the sexes. The age-standardized YLL and YLD rates decreased 32.05% and 4.28%, respectively, in the above period. Conclusion: Despite decreasing age-standardized IHD of mortality, YLL, YLD, and DALY rates from 1990 to 2010, population growth and aging increased the global burden of IHD. YLL has decreased more than IHD deaths and YLD since 1990 but IHD mortality remains the greatest contributor to disease burden. © 2015 Journal of Research in Medical Sciences

Dual-Frequency SIW Slot Array Antenna for Automotive Radar: configurable FoV, Performance Evaluation, and Tolerance Analysis

This paper presents a single-layer SIW longitudinal slot array antenna optimized for high gain and low side lobe levels (SLL) in the W-band, designed for LMRR (Long Medium Range Radar) applications. This design enhances detection range at high frequencies. It also provides a wider azimuth field of view (FOV) at lower frequencies. The approach improves compactness and reduces costs. It eliminates the need for multiple antennas in different radar ranges. The system includes two band pass filters (BPFs) and one power divider. These components integrate into four antenna arrays, each with six slots. The results show a 4.6 dB gain improvement between lower and higher frequency bands. The antenna extends the maximum detection range by 168 m for a vehicle with an RCS of 10 dBsm in a lossless system. Additionally, the study analyses the normalized admittance of the antenna. It examines the effects of slot length, width, and displacement on conductance and susceptance. These findings confirm the antenna's efficiency for radar applications. A comprehensive tolerance analysis was performed to assess the proposed design's robustness under variations in key parameters.</p

Worldwide trends in diabetes since 1980: a pooled analysis of 751 population-based studies with 4.4 million participants

BACKGROUND: One of the global targets for non-communicable diseases is to halt, by 2025, the rise in the age-standardised adult prevalence of diabetes at its 2010 levels. We aimed to estimate worldwide trends in diabetes, how likely it is for countries to achieve the global target, and how changes in prevalence, together with population growth and ageing, are affecting the number of adults with diabetes. METHODS: We pooled data from population-based studies that had collected data on diabetes through measurement of its biomarkers. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in diabetes prevalence—defined as fasting plasma glucose of 7·0 mmol/L or higher, or history of diagnosis with diabetes, or use of insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs—in 200 countries and territories in 21 regions, by sex and from 1980 to 2014. We also calculated the posterior probability of meeting the global diabetes target if post-2000 trends continue. FINDINGS: We used data from 751 studies including 4 372 000 adults from 146 of the 200 countries we make estimates for. Global age-standardised diabetes prevalence increased from 4·3% (95% credible interval 2·4–7·0) in 1980 to 9·0% (7·2–11·1) in 2014 in men, and from 5·0% (2·9–7·9) to 7·9% (6·4–9·7) in women. The number of adults with diabetes in the world increased from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014 (28·5% due to the rise in prevalence, 39·7% due to population growth and ageing, and 31·8% due to interaction of these two factors). Age-standardised adult diabetes prevalence in 2014 was lowest in northwestern Europe, and highest in Polynesia and Micronesia, at nearly 25%, followed by Melanesia and the Middle East and north Africa. Between 1980 and 2014 there was little change in age-standardised diabetes prevalence in adult women in continental western Europe, although crude prevalence rose because of ageing of the population. By contrast, age-standardised adult prevalence rose by 15 percentage points in men and women in Polynesia and Micronesia. In 2014, American Samoa had the highest national prevalence of diabetes (>30% in both sexes), with age-standardised adult prevalence also higher than 25% in some other islands in Polynesia and Micronesia. If post-2000 trends continue, the probability of meeting the global target of halting the rise in the prevalence of diabetes by 2025 at the 2010 level worldwide is lower than 1% for men and is 1% for women. Only nine countries for men and 29 countries for women, mostly in western Europe, have a 50% or higher probability of meeting the global target. INTERPRETATION: Since 1980, age-standardised diabetes prevalence in adults has increased, or at best remained unchanged, in every country. Together with population growth and ageing, this rise has led to a near quadrupling of the number of adults with diabetes worldwide. The burden of diabetes, both in terms of prevalence and number of adults affected, has increased faster in low-income and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. FUNDING: Wellcome Trust

Liquid Metal Doping Induced Asymmetry in Two-Dimensional Metal Oxides.

The emergence of ferroelectricity in two-dimensional (2D) metal oxides is a topic of significant technological interest; however, many 2D metal oxides lack intrinsic ferroelectric properties. Therefore, introducing asymmetry provides access to a broader range of 2D materials within the ferroelectric family. Here, the generation of asymmetry in 2D SnO by doping the material with Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 (HZO) is demonstrated. A liquid metal process as a doping strategy for the preparation of 2D HZO-doped SnO with robust ferroelectric characteristics is implemented. This technology takes advantage of the selective interface enrichment of molten Sn with HZO crystallites. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate a strong tendency of Hf and Zr atoms to migrate toward the surface of liquid metal and embed themselves within the growing oxide layer in the form of HZO. Thus, the liquid metal-based harvesting/doping technique is a feasible approach devised for producing novel 2D metal oxides with induced ferroelectric properties, represents a significant development for the prospects of random-access memories

Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium complex and related subspecies as causative agents of zoonotic and occupational diseases

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) cause zoonotic infections transmitted by birds and livestock herds. These pathogens have remained as serious economic and health threats in most areas of the world. As zoonotic diseases, the risk of development of occupational disease and even death outcome necessitate implementation of control strategies to prevent its spread. Zoonotic MAP infections include Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, sarcoidosis, diabetes mellitus, and immune-related diseases (such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis). Paratuberculosis has classified as type B epidemic zoonotic disease according to world health organization which is transmitted to human through consumption of dairy and meat products. In addition, MAC causes pulmonary manifestations and lymphadenitis in normal hosts and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) progression (by serotypes 1, 4, and 8). Furthermore, other subspecies have caused respiratory abscesses, neck lymph nodes, and disseminated osteomyelitis in children and ulcers. However, the data over the occupational relatedness of these subspecies is rare. These agents can cause occupational infections in susceptible herd breeders. Several molecular methods have been recognized as proper strategies for tracking the infection. In this study, some zoonotic aspects, worldwide prevalence and control strategies regarding infections due to MAP and MAC and related subspecies has been reviewe

Socioeconomic inequality in oral health behavior in Iranian children and adolescents by the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition method: The CASPIAN- IV study

Background: The present study set to describe the socioeconomic inequality associated with oral hygiene behavior among Iranian pediatric population. Methods: A representative sample of 13486 school students aged 6-18 years was selected through multistage random cluster sampling method from urban and rural areas of 30 provinces in Iran. Principle Component Analyses (PCA) correlated variables summarized as socioeconomic status (SES). Association of independent variables with tooth brushing was assessed through logistic regression analysis. Decomposition of the gap in tooth brushing between the first and fifth SES quintiles was assessed using the counterfactual decomposition technique. To assess the relation between tooth brushing and each socioeconomic category, Concentration Index (C) and the slope index of inequality (SII) were used, representing the linear regression coefficient. Results: The participation rate was 90.6 (50.7 boys and 75.6 urban inhabitants). The mean age of participants was 12.47 ± 3.36 years. The frequency of tooth brushing increased across SES quintiles, prevalence of tooth brushing between the first and fifth quintile, under 20 difference, increased from 58.22 (95 CI: 56.24,60.20) to 78.61 (95 CI: 77.00,80.24). Only 3 of the difference is explained by the factors considered in the study, and 17 remained unknown. Residence area, family size, and smoking status made a significant contribution to the gap between the first and last SE groups. Residence area -2.01 (95 % CI: -3.46, -0.55) was along the maximum levels of gaps between SE categories. Conclusions: The findings revealed a socio-economic inequality in oral health behavior in Iranian children and adolescents. Also, factors influencing oral health are addressed to develop and implement complementary public health actions. © 2016 The Author(s)

National and sub-national burden of chronic diseases attributable to lifestyle risk factors in Iran 1990-2013; study protocol

Background: Non-communicable diseases, as the major public health problem, are caused by different risk factors. The main leading lifestyle risk factors for most diseases burden in Iran are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and smoking. The aim of this study is to provide data collection and methodology processes for estimating the trends of exposures to the selected lifestyle risk factors and their attributed burden at national and sub-national levels. Methods: Systematic review will be performed through PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and ISI/Web of Science as well as Iranian databases such as IranMedex, Irandoc and Scientific Information Database (SID). In addition, hand searching of unpublished data sources will be used to identify relevant population-based studies. The searched studies will be included only if it is reasonably population-based and representative, and exposure data has been reported or could be plausibly obtained from the study. For risk factors with no surveys identified, other sources of potential data will be considered. The target population is healthy Iranian adult population living within Iran from 1990 to 2013. Other data sources include national censuses, national registration systems, and national and sub-national surveys. Spatio-temporal Bayesian hierarchical model and Bayesian multilevel autoregressive model will be used to overcome the problem of data gaps in provinces, and in some age or sex groups or in urban/rural areas. The problem of misaligned areal units will be also addressed in these models. Conclusion: National and sub-national assessment of major lifestyle risk factors such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and smoking is necessary for priority setting and policy making in different regions of Iran