Browse publications by year: 2020

  1. Huang MC, Liou MH, Iwaki Y
    J Soc Econ Dev, 2020 Sep 19.
    PMID: 34720470 DOI: 10.1007/s40847-020-00113-1
    Policymaking for science, technology, and innovation (R&D) is stepping into a new era in the twenty-first century within a highly integrated production network, making it more challenging to capture the impact of R&D investment from an evidence-based approach. To unfold the paradox of the R&D spillover effect spared in the global supply chain, we use computable general equilibrium model with the GTAP database v10 to analyze the impact of Japan's public R&D investment to the world focus on key sectors of global supply chain, namely chemical and pharmaceutical, electronic equipment, machinery, and transportation equipment to examine its output, external trades, and welfare. The productivity parameters triggered by public R&D investment are calibrated from the SciREX Policymaking Intelligent Assistance System-Economic Simulator (SPIAS-e). The simulation results show significant increase in Japan's output and export for chemical and pharmaceutical, electronic equipment, and transportation equipment. The GDP growth was stimulated by 0.6% and substantial welfare improvement by USD 78,000 million, while other countries such as Malaysia and Taiwan by 0.4-0.6%. In contrast, the economic indicators of China reveal a negative impact, implying a structural change in the composition of the production network. It is notable to see a higher economic integration of Oceania within the region through its vibrant production and trades. The study provides comprehensive global analysis on production networks and insights for evaluating the R&D investment spillover effects.
  2. Shariffudin NS, Min TW, Adnan A, Hashim H, Teo KSS
    Taiwan J Ophthalmol, 2020 08 14;11(3):292-295.
    PMID: 34703746 DOI: 10.4103/tjo.tjo_29_20
    A 6-year-old boy was referred from the optometrist for bilateral painless blurred vision of 2 weeks duration during routine screening. Upon examination, best-corrected visual acuity was 20/200 (right eye) and 20/120 (left eye). Anterior segment examination was normal for both eyes. Funduscopy showed bilateral optic disc swelling with peripapillary exudates and diffuse retinochoroiditis involving the posterior pole. Optical coherence tomography revealed diffuse retinal thickening with intraretinal fluids and cystoid changes of central fovea. Fluorescein angiography showed bilateral hot discs with vasculitis in all quadrants and large areas of nonperfusion at peripheral retina. The patient was initially treated as presumed ocular tuberculosis (TB) based on clinical presentation and history of contact with family member having pulmonary TB. Antituberculous therapy was started and both eyes received panretinal laser photocoagulation. After 3 weeks of anti-TB treatment, serology for Bartonella turned out to be positive. Treatment was changed to intravenous ceftriaxone for 10 days followed by oral cotrimoxazole for 6 weeks and combined treatment with oral prednisolone. Gradual clinical improvement was seen with corresponding visual gain due to the reduction of macular edema, but residual thickening remained due to its chronicity.
  3. Ahmed AAA, Al-Shami AM, Jamshed S, Zawiah M, Elnaem MH, Mohamed Ibrahim MI
    Risk Manag Healthc Policy, 2020;13:3089-3102.
    PMID: 33380849 DOI: 10.2147/RMHP.S281285
    Background: Cardiovascular disease is a leading nationwide cause of morbidity and mortality. Public awareness of risk factors for heart attacks is thought to impact the burden of disease, prevention, and timely management. The objective of this study was to assess the awareness of risk factors for heart attack and to identify the factors associated with the awareness of all modifiable risk factors for heart attack in the general population.

    Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among 393 adult individuals in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Data collection was conducted through face-to-face interviews among the lay public members who were 18-64 years old, excluding healthcare professionals in clinical settings and academic settings. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test and logistic regression analysis.

    Results: The majority of the individuals identified smoking as a risk factor for heart attack, followed by atrial fibrillation (57.7%), heart disease (54.1%), and obesity (53.8%). However, diabetes (26%) was the risk factor that was least recognized by the participants. A total of 90.6% of participants identified at least one risk factor for heart attack, while 9.8% of the participants did not identify any risk factors for heart attack, whereas 5.6% identified all modifiable heart attack risk factors. Furthermore, participants aged 46-64 years old, married respondents, and Chinese participants, those with higher educational levels, and received prior information demonstrated great awareness of eight modifiable risk factors for heart attack. Multivariable logistic regression presented that participants with aged 55-64, those with family history of heart attack and individuals with dyslipidemia were factors independently related to excellent awareness (p=0.04, OR=6.21, 95% CL= 1.081-35.641), (p=0.049, OR=2.11, 95% CL=0.721-6.230) and (p=0.009, OR= 4.08, 95% CL= 1.427-11.685), respectively.

    Conclusion: Awareness of risk factors for heart attack appears to be poor, where most of the respondents recognized only one modifiable risk factor. According to these findings, programs and strategies to raise awareness of modifiable risk factors for HA are urgently needed to protect the lay public from HA.

  4. Nayan NA, Ab Hamid H, Suboh MZ, Abdullah N, Jaafar R, Mhd Yusof NA, et al.
    DOI: 10.3991/ijoe.v16i07.13569
    Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of deaths worldwide. In 2017, CVD contributed to 13,503 deaths in Malaysia. The current approaches for CVD prediction are usually invasive and costly. Machine learning (ML) techniques allow an accurate prediction by utilizing the complex interactions among relevant risk factors. This study presents a case–control study involving 60 participants from The Malaysian Cohort, which is a prospective population-based project. Five parameters, namely, the R–R interval and root mean square of successive differences extracted from electrocardiogram (ECG), systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and total cholesterol level, were statistically significant in predicting CVD. Six ML algorithms, namely, linear discriminant analysis, linear and quadratic support vector machines, decision tree, knearest neighbor, and artificial neural network (ANN), were evaluated to determine the most accurate classifier in predicting CVD risk. ANN, which achieved 90% specificity, 90% sensitivity, and 90% accuracy, demonstrated the highest prediction performance among the six algorithms. In summary, by utilizing ML techniques, ECG data can serve as a good parameter for CVD prediction among the Malaysian multiethnic population.
    Keywords—CVD, ECG, machine learning, The Malaysian Cohort, RMSSD
    Study name: The Malaysian Cohort (TMC) project
    MeSH terms: Adult; Cardiovascular Diseases; Electrocardiography; Humans; Malaysia; Sensitivity and Specificity; Case-Control Studies
  5. Matpady P, Maiya AG, Saraswat PP, Mayya SS, Pai MS, S AD, et al.
    Diabetes Metab Syndr, 2020 11 04;14(6):2161-2167.
    PMID: 33395776 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2020.10.033
    BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a significant public health challenge for India. Self-management, including dietary management, physical activity, stress management, and adherence to medication, is critical in glycaemic control. Though data concerning self-management, in general, are available among persons with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), exclusive research on dietary self-management was limited.

    AIMS: A qualitative study to explore the knowledge, current dietary practices, and the barriers and enablers for dietary self-care management in persons with T2DM.

    METHODS: In this qualitative study, in-depth interviews were conducted among 35 participants with T2DM who scored minimally and optimally in the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ). Interviews were conducted using a validated interview guide. In-depth interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed to verbatim and thematically analysed.

    RESULTS: The study included 20 males and 15 females. The three major themes derived in the study. Firstly, "Knowledge, Interpretation and Information" the majority of the participants have understood the influence of diet on control of blood glucose level includes food choices and quantum of food. Secondly, "Current Dietary Practices-Preferences, Availability of food and Convenience influence dietary practices': All participants had their own belief on the side effects and benefits of certain food items. Most of the participants followed a three-meal pattern: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Finally, Barriers and Enablers in dietary self-management practice. Knowledge, physical and emotional factors, behaviour, planning were the intrinsic factors. Elements of the research, social support, season and climate, food environment were the extrinsic factors and communication, and financial management was the intermediate influences observed.

    CONCLUSION: The themes generated by this research provide insight into self-management and patient expectations in dietary matters. It would be desirable for physicians and health care providers to be aware of these practices when advising people with T2DM on dietary self - management.

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/diet therapy*; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/psychology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Social Support; Health Behavior*; Exercise*; Qualitative Research
  6. Gyawali P, Hinwood M, Chow WZ, Kluge M, Ong LK, Nilsson M, et al.
    Brain Behav Immun Health, 2020 Dec;9:100157.
    PMID: 34589899 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2020.100157
    Background: The precise mechanisms underlying the aetiology of post-stroke fatigue remain poorly understood. Inflammation has been associated with clinically significant fatigue across a number of neurological disorders; however, at present there is a lack of evidence regarding the association of fatigue and inflammation in the chronic phase of stroke recovery.

    Aims: The aim of this study was to examine fatigue in a cohort of stroke survivors in the chronic phase of stroke, compared with matched controls, and to explore associations between the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive Protein and fatigue.

    Methods: We performed an exploratory cross-sectional study of 70 people in the chronic phase of stroke recovery, and 70 age matched controls. Fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Assessment Scale. Interleukin-6 was measured in serum using a commercially available enzyme immunoassay kit. Both outcome measures were assessed contemporaneously.

    Results: Clinically significant fatigue, defined as a score ≥24 on the Fatigue Assessment Scale, was reported by 60% of stroke survivors, and 15.7% of controls. The odds of experiencing clinically significant fatigue was 8.04 times higher among stroke survivors compared to control participants (odds ratio 8.045; 95% CI: 3.608, 17.939; P ​

  7. Walker JD, Spiro G, Loewen K, Jacklin K
    J Alzheimers Dis, 2020;78(4):1439-1451.
    PMID: 33185601 DOI: 10.3233/JAD-200704
    BACKGROUND: There remains a lack of information and understanding of the prevalence and incidence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia in Indigenous populations. Little evidence available suggests that Indigenous peoples may have disproportionately high rates of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD).

    OBJECTIVE: Given this information, this study systematically explores what risk factors may be associated with ADRD in Indigenous populations.

    METHODS: A search of all published literature was conducted in October 2016, March 2018, and July 2019 using Medline, Embase, and PsychINFO. Subject headings explored were inclusive of all terms related to Indigenous persons, dementia, and risk. All relevant words, phrases, and combinations were used. To be included in this systematic review, articles had to display an association of a risk factor and ADRD. Only studies that reported a quantifiable measure of risk, involved human subjects, and were published in English were included.

    RESULTS: Of 237 articles originally identified through database searches, 45 were duplicates and 179 did not meet a priori inclusion criteria, resulting in 13 studies eligible for inclusion in this systematic review.

    CONCLUSION: The large number of potentially modifiable risk factors reported relative to non-modifiable risk factors illustrates the importance of socioeconomic context in the pathogenesis of ADRD in Indigenous populations. The tendency to prioritize genetic over social explanations when encountering disproportionately high disease rates in Indigenous populations can distract from modifiable proximal, intermediate, and distal determinants of health.

    MeSH terms: Age Factors; Alzheimer Disease/ethnology*; Alzheimer Disease/epidemiology; Australia/epidemiology; Canada/epidemiology; Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology; Dementia/ethnology*; Dementia/epidemiology; Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology; Educational Status; Epilepsy/epidemiology; Inuits/statistics & numerical data; Guam/epidemiology; Craniocerebral Trauma/epidemiology; Humans; Hypertension/epidemiology; Malaysia/epidemiology; Obesity/epidemiology; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Smoking/epidemiology; Social Class; Incidence; Oceanic Ancestry Group/statistics & numerical data*; Sedentary Lifestyle; Mild Cognitive Impairment/ethnology*; Mild Cognitive Impairment/epidemiology
  8. Shi J, Sun J, Hu N, Hu Y
    Infect Genet Evol, 2020 11;85:104442.
    PMID: 32622923 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104442
    Little is known about the genetic features of Nipah virus (NiV) associated with virulence and transmission. Herein, phylogenetic and genetic analyses for all available NiV strains revealed sequence variations between the two genetic lineages of NiV with pathogenic differences, as well as among different strains within Bangladesh lineage. A total of 143 conserved amino acid differences, distributed among viral nucleocapsid (N), phosphoprotein (P), matrix protein (M), fusion protein (F) and glycoprotein (G), were revealed. Structural modeling revealed one key substitution (S3554N) in the viral G protein that might mediate a 12-amino-acid structural change from a loop into a β sheet. Multiple key amino acids substitutions in viral G protein were observed, which may alter viral fitness and transmissibility from bats to humans.
    MeSH terms: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Bangladesh; Chiroptera/virology; Humans; Malaysia; Phylogeny*; Genetic Variation*; Viral Proteins/genetics*; Virulence; Evolution, Molecular; Amino Acid Substitution; Nipah Virus/genetics*; Nipah Virus/pathogenicity*; Henipavirus Infections/transmission*; Henipavirus Infections/virology*
  9. Rahman HS, Aziz MS, Hussein RH, Othman HH, Salih Omer SH, Khalid ES, et al.
    Int J Surg Open, 2020;26:125-136.
    PMID: 34568614 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijso.2020.08.017
    The current rampant coronavirus infection in humans, commonly known as COVID-19, a pandemic that may cause mortality in humans, has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). The morbidity and mortality rates due to the pandemic are increasing rapidly worldwide, with the USA most affected by the disease. The source COVID-19 is not absolutely clear; however, the disease may be transmitted by either by COVID-19-positive individuals or from a contaminated environment. In this review, we focused on how the COVID-19 virus is transmitted in the community. An extensive literature search was conducted using specific keywords and criteria. Based on the published report, it is concluded that COVID-19 is primarily transmitted human-to-human via oral and respiratory aerosols and droplets with the virus-contaminated environment play a lesser role in the propagation of disease. Healthcare providers and the elderly with comorbidities are especially susceptible to the infection.
  10. Gan HM, Wengert P, Barton HA, Hudson AO, Savka MA
    Access Microbiol, 2020;2(2):acmi000089.
    PMID: 34568753 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000089
    Acinetobacter are Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the sub-phyla Gammaproteobacteria, commonly associated with soils, animal feeds and water. Some members of the Acinetobacter have been implicated in hospital-acquired infections, with broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance. Here we report the whole-genome sequence of LC510, an Acinetobacter species isolated from deep within a pristine location of the Lechuguilla Cave. Pairwise nucleotide comparison to three type strains within the genus Acinetobacter assigned LC510 as an Acinetobacter pittii isolate. Scanning of the LC510 genome identified two genes coding for b-lactamase resistance, despite the fact that LC510 was isolated from a portion of the cave not previously visited by humans and protected from anthropogenic input. The ability to produce acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) signal in culture medium, an observation that is consistent with the identification of the luxI and luxR homologues in its genome, suggests that cell-to-cell communication remains important in an isolated cave ecosystem.
  11. Yeak RDK, Yap YY, Nizlan NM
    JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc, 2020 Dec 31;58(232):1083-1085.
    PMID: 34506395 DOI: 10.31729/jnma.5224
    Quadriceps tendon rupture usually occurs in adults and is rare in children. A six-year-old boy was playing at home and had a fall. He was unable to extend his right knee but there was no gap felt over the patella tendon or quadriceps. He was first seen by a family doctor and presented late to the surgeon three months after the injury. Radiographs and ultrasound were performed. The magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the findings of partial quadriceps tear. The patient was put in a cylinder case with the knee in extension for two months. Six months post-injury, he regained full range of motion without any complications. We present an unusual case of partial quadriceps tear in an otherwise healthy six-year-old boy that was treated successfully despite a delayed presentation. Besides a high index of suspicion, magnetic resonance imaging is a good modality to detect partial quadriceps tear in children.
    MeSH terms: Adult; Child; Humans; Knee Joint/surgery; Male; Rupture; Range of Motion, Articular
  12. Kato T, Ishigooka J, Miyajima M, Watabe K, Fujimori T, Masuda T, et al.
    Psychiatry Clin Neurosci, 2020 Dec;74(12):635-644.
    PMID: 32827348 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13137
    AIM: Previous studies conducted primarily in the USA and Europe have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of lurasidone 20-120 mg/day for the treatment of bipolar I depression. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lurasidone monotherapy for the treatment of bipolar I depression among patients from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including those from Japan.

    METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to double-blind treatment for 6 weeks with lurasidone, 20-60 mg/day (n = 184) or 80-120 mg/day (n = 169), or placebo (n = 172). The primary end-point was change from baseline to Week 6 on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).

    RESULTS: Lurasidone treatment significantly reduced mean MADRS total scores from baseline to Week 6 for the 20-60-mg/day group (-13.6; adjusted P = 0.007; effect size = 0.33), but not for the 80-120-mg/day group (-12.6; adjusted P = 0.057; effect size = 0.22) compared with placebo (-10.6). Treatment with lurasidone 20-60 mg/day also improved MADRS response rates, functional impairment, and anxiety symptoms. The most common adverse events associated with lurasidone were akathisia and nausea. Lurasidone treatments were associated with minimal changes in weight, lipids, and measures of glycemic control.

    CONCLUSION: Monotherapy with once daily doses of lurasidone 20-60 mg, but not 80-120 mg, significantly reduced depressive symptoms and improved functioning in patients with bipolar I depression. Results overall were consistent with previous studies, suggesting that lurasidone 20-60 mg/day is effective and safe in diverse ethnic populations, including Japanese.

    MeSH terms: Lurasidone Hydrochloride/administration & dosage; Lurasidone Hydrochloride/adverse effects; Lurasidone Hydrochloride/pharmacology*; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bipolar Disorder/drug therapy*; Bipolar Disorder/ethnology; Depressive Disorder, Major/drug therapy*; Depressive Disorder, Major/ethnology; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Japan; Lithuania; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Philippines; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Russia; Taiwan; Antipsychotic Agents/administration & dosage; Antipsychotic Agents/adverse effects; Antipsychotic Agents/pharmacology*; Outcome Assessment (Health Care)*; Slovakia; Young Adult
  13. Tan AG, Tham YC, Chee ML, Mitchell P, Cumming RG, Sabanayagam C, et al.
    Clin Exp Ophthalmol, 2020 07;48(5):580-592.
    PMID: 32255547 DOI: 10.1111/ceo.13757
    IMPORTANCE: Long-term data on age-related cataract, a leading cause of blindness and visual impairment, is scarce in Asian populations.

    BACKGROUND: We report the 6-year incidence and progression of age-related cataract and associated risk factors in Malay adults living in Singapore.

    DESIGN: Population-based cohort study.

    PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3280 Malays aged 40+ years participated in baseline examinations of the Singapore Malay Eye Study (2004-2006). Six years later, 1901 (72.1% of eligible) baseline participants were re-examined.

    METHODS: Cataract was assessed using lens photos, taken during eye examinations, following the Wisconsin Cataract Grading System.

    MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Incidence and progression of cortical, nuclear and posterior subcapsular (PSC) cataract. Poisson regression models and generalized estimating equations models (with Poisson link) were used to assess factors associated with cataract incidence and progression, respectively, adjusting for age, sex and other risk factors.

    RESULTS: Age-adjusted 6-year incidence of cortical, nuclear and PSC cataract was 14.1%, 13.6% and 8.7%, respectively, and was strongly age-related (P for trend

    MeSH terms: Adult; Aged; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Risk Factors; Singapore/epidemiology; Cohort Studies; Incidence
  14. Lee SS, Samarasekera DD, Sim JH, Hong WH, Foong CC, Pallath V, et al.
    Med Sci Educ, 2020 Mar;30(1):271-280.
    PMID: 34457667 DOI: 10.1007/s40670-019-00894-z
    Purpose: Research has shown that many undergraduate students struggle with self-regulated learning (SRL) in clinical year as they are insufficiently supported by the staff in the early year to prepare them for the transition. Hence, this study aims to find out the SRL strategies and the approaches that could promote SRL among pre-clinical students in two medical schools.

    Method: This is a mixed-method study. The Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) was used to collect student SRL strategies while semi-structured interviews with faculty members and focus group discussions with students were used to gather data on the approaches that promote SRL. Student MSLQ was analysed using descriptive statistics while interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.

    Results: A pilot using MSLQ with 413 students recorded a Cronbach's alpha of 0.928 for the questionnaire. The actual study involved 457 Years 1 & 2 students. Students from both institutions are motivated by the Task Value, and they use Elaboration and Organisation strategies the most in their pre-clinical year. Three themes emerged from the qualitative analysis of this study: characteristics of strategies that promote SRL, hindrance in promoting SRL, and opportunities in promoting SRL.

    Conclusions: Our findings indicate that students' intrinsic motivation is generally high in pre-clinical year. However, metacognition and critical thinking strategies will need to be enhanced among students. Despite knowing teaching and learning approaches could promote these strategies, many teachers are still not confident in doing so and hence training dang sharing best practices might be helpful in promoting SRL.

  15. Buhari AM, Ooi CP, Baskaran VM, Phan RCW, Wong K, Tan WH
    J Imaging, 2020 Nov 30;6(12).
    PMID: 34460527 DOI: 10.3390/jimaging6120130
    Several studies on micro-expression recognition have contributed mainly to accuracy improvement. However, the computational complexity receives lesser attention comparatively and therefore increases the cost of micro-expression recognition for real-time application. In addition, majority of the existing approaches required at least two frames (i.e., onset and apex frames) to compute features of every sample. This paper puts forward new facial graph features based on 68-point landmarks using Facial Action Coding System (FACS). The proposed feature extraction technique (FACS-based graph features) utilizes facial landmark points to compute graph for different Action Units (AUs), where the measured distance and gradient of every segment within an AU graph is presented as feature. Moreover, the proposed technique processes ME recognition based on single input frame sample. Results indicate that the proposed FACS-baed graph features achieve up to 87.33% of recognition accuracy with F1-score of 0.87 using leave one subject out cross-validation on SAMM datasets. Besides, the proposed technique computes features at the speed of 2 ms per sample on Xeon Processor E5-2650 machine.
  16. Kieu STH, Bade A, Hijazi MHA, Kolivand H
    J Imaging, 2020 Dec 01;6(12).
    PMID: 34460528 DOI: 10.3390/jimaging6120131
    The recent developments of deep learning support the identification and classification of lung diseases in medical images. Hence, numerous work on the detection of lung disease using deep learning can be found in the literature. This paper presents a survey of deep learning for lung disease detection in medical images. There has only been one survey paper published in the last five years regarding deep learning directed at lung diseases detection. However, their survey is lacking in the presentation of taxonomy and analysis of the trend of recent work. The objectives of this paper are to present a taxonomy of the state-of-the-art deep learning based lung disease detection systems, visualise the trends of recent work on the domain and identify the remaining issues and potential future directions in this domain. Ninety-eight articles published from 2016 to 2020 were considered in this survey. The taxonomy consists of seven attributes that are common in the surveyed articles: image types, features, data augmentation, types of deep learning algorithms, transfer learning, the ensemble of classifiers and types of lung diseases. The presented taxonomy could be used by other researchers to plan their research contributions and activities. The potential future direction suggested could further improve the efficiency and increase the number of deep learning aided lung disease detection applications.
  17. Abu Hasan MDB, Ahmad ZAB, Leong MS, Hee LM
    J Imaging, 2020 Mar 05;6(3).
    PMID: 34460607 DOI: 10.3390/jimaging6030010
    This paper presents automated harmonic removal as a desirable solution to effectively identify and discard the harmonic influence over the output signal by neglecting any user-defined parameter at start-up and automatically reconstruct back to become a useful output signal prior to system identification. Stochastic subspace-based algorithms (SSI) methods are the most practical tool due to the consistency in modal parameters estimation. However, it will be problematic when applied to structures with rotating machines and the presence of harmonic excitations. Difficulties arise when automating this procedure without any human interaction and the problem is still unresolved because stochastic subspace-based algorithms (SSI) methods still require parameters (the maximum within-cluster distance) that are compulsory to be defined at start-up for each analysis of the dataset. Thus, the use of image-based feature extraction for clustering and classification of harmonic components and structural poles directly from a stabilization diagram and for modal system identification is the focus of the present paper. As a fundamental necessary condition, the algorithm has been assessed first from computed numerical responses and then applied to the experimental dataset with the presence of harmonic excitation. Results of the proposed approach for estimating modal parameters demonstrated very high accuracy and exhibited consistent results before and after removing harmonic components from the response signal.
  18. Rajadurai A, Eng KS, Lee CK, Emy Saera R, Zulkifli Zaki AG
    MyJurnal
    Thromboembolic complications are common amongst cases of COVID-19 infections. This occurrence has seen a key role of endovascular treatment in the management of this potentially fatal complication. Endovascular thrombectomy or catheter directed thrombolysis is a fast and effective method for treatment of pulmonary embolisms, especially in a pandemic. We describe a case of COVD-19 complicated with massive pulmonary embolism treated with catheter directed thrombolysis- discussing case management, patient workflow and safety measures that should be strictly adhered to ensure a favorable outcome and ensure safety of treating personnel.
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