14 research outputs found

    Using the Enterprise Architecture Approach to Analyse the Current Performance of Manchester United Football Club

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    Manchester United Football Club (MUFC) is one of the most successful football clubs in England, if not the world.  However, the football club's recent performance in domestic and European tournaments has left a lot to be desired.  The recent 2021 Europa League final failure encapsulates the football club's decade-long condition.  MUFC's days of competing seriously for trophies in every tournament open to the club are over.  MUFC came close to winning the local league in the 2017 and 2021 seasons but fell short, just like they did in the previous Europa League final in 2021.  Numerous reasons have contributed to the current poor performance streak.  This study aims to apply an enterprise architectural framework to enhance football player performance and manager-player relationships.  This study discovered that MUFC might leverage big data analytics-IT integrated systems by following easy-to-understand enterprise architectural framework phases, which streamlines the adoption process for MUF

    Vibration based energy harvesting interface circuit using diode-capacitor topologies for low power applications

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    A battery-less energy harvesting interface circuit to extract electrical energy from vibration has been proposed in this paper for low power applications. The voltage doubler integrated with DC – DC boost converter circuits were designed and simulated using MultiSIM software. The circuit was then fabricated onto a printed circuit board (PCB), using standard fabrication process. The Cockcroft Walton doubler was chosen to be implemented in this study by utilizing diode-capacitor topologies with additional RC low pass filter. The DC – DC boost converter has been designed using a CMOS step -up DC – DC switching regulators, which are suitable for low input voltage system. The achievement of this interface circuit was able to boost up the maximum voltage of 5 V for input voltage of 800 mV

    What is the influence of negative pressure wound therapy on high-risk wounds in pelvic oncology?

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    Introduction & Aims: Hindquarter amputation (HQA) has a high incidence of post-operative wound complications. We aim to use the HQA procedure as a model to investigate the potential advantages of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on wound healing complications in high-risk pelvic oncology wounds. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing HQA between January 2009 and November 2020 ​at a single tertiary centre. 106 patients underwent HQA for sarcoma. 43.4% (46 patients) had NPWT therapy following HQA. We compared the incidence of wound complications necessitating a return to the operating theatre, total incidence of wound infection (according to CDC Surgical site infection guidelines) and local recurrence between patients with and without NPWT. Results In the absence of neo-adjuvant radiotherapy, there was no difference in the incidence of wound complications requiring re-operation between the NPWT group and the conventional dressing group (odds ratio [OR], 1.01; p ​= ​0.983, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.365–2.8). However, the use of NPWT decreased the incidence of reoperation after neo-adjuvant radiotherapy versus conventional dressings [OR], 0.087; p ​= ​0.033, 95% CI, 0.009–0.818). The incidence of wound infection has declined with the increasing use of NPWT between 2009 and 2020. There was no difference in the incidence of local recurrence after two years between patient groups with and without NPWT. Conclusion The application of NPWT reduces the incidence of wound complications in high-risk pelvic oncology wounds after neo-adjuvant radiotherapy. We demonstrated a reduction in the incidence of reoperation due to wound complications in patients who received NPWT following HQA

    Preoperative Assessment of Patients Undergoing Elective Gastrointestinal Surgery: Does Body Mass Index Matter?

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    Background. At Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), no specific protocol to stratify patients by body mass index (BMI) exists. This study sought to evaluate outcomes following gastrointestinal surgery. Methods. Patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery attending preassessment screening clinic (PAS) from August to September 2016 at the QEHB were identified. Primary outcome was postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes were major complications and 30-day readmission rates. Results. Of 368 patients preassessed, 31% (116/368) were overweight and 35% (130/368) were obese. Median age was 57 (range: 17–93). There was no difference of BMI between the low risk and high risk clinics. Patients in high risk clinic had significantly higher rates of comorbidities, major surgical grades, and malignancy as the indication for surgery. Overall complication rates were 14% (52/368), with 3% (10/368) having major complications (Clavien-Dindo Grades III-IV). Whilst BMI was associated with comorbidity (p=0.03) and ASA grade (p<0.001), it was not associated with worse outcomes. Patients attending high risk clinic had significantly higher rates of complications. Conclusions. Surgery grade was found to be an independent risk factor of complication rates. Use of BMI as an independent factor for preassessment level is not justified from our cohort

    Absence of Association between Preoperative Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rates and Postoperative Outcomes following Elective Gastrointestinal Surgeries: A Prospective Cohort Study

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    Background. Preoperative risk stratification and optimising care of patients undergoing elective surgery are important to reduce the risk of postoperative outcomes. Renal dysfunction is becoming increasingly prevalent, but its impact on patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgery is unknown although much evidence is available for cardiac surgery. This study aimed to investigate the impact of preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgeries. Methods. This prospective study included consecutive adult patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgeries attending preassessment screening (PAS) clinics at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) between July and August 2016. Primary outcome measure was 30-day overall complication rates and secondary outcomes were grade of complications, 30-day readmission rates, and postoperative care setting. Results. This study included 370 patients, of which 11% (41/370) had eGFR of 2 comorbidities (p<0.001). Overall complication rates were 15% (54/370), with no significant difference in overall (p=0.644) and major complication rates (p=0.831) between both groups. In adjusted models, only surgery grade was predictive of overall complications. Preoperative eGFR did not impact on overall complications (HR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.45–1.54; p=0.2). Conclusions. Preoperative eGFR does not appear to impact on postoperative complications in patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgeries, even when stratified by surgery grade. These findings will help preassessment clinics in risk stratification and optimisation of perioperative care of patients

    MASJID LAMA BATU 6, BATU 6 JALAN GOMBAK, 53100 KUALA LUMPUR, SELANGOR MALAYSIA

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    The study of Masjid Lama Batu 6 in Gombak takes us back to the early Minang establishments in the area, along with the importance of the Masjid in a community and how it is designed to function as a place of worship, gathering and religious or educational activities. Although built in 1931, talk of an older masjid along the Sungai Gombak still remains to this day. The Masjid, however, is now adjacent to the main road Jalan Gombak and has modern additions to it and plans for future renovations continue. However, many elements, such as the roof structure and the timber column ‘tiang’ or soko guru, have still been kept from the original masjid. The study of Masjid Lama Batu 6 comprises the building’s and its physical site’s evolution throughout history, the surrounding culture of the people as well as its neighbourhood context. The Masjid, to this day, essentially functions as a core part of the community, holding religious as well as social requirements of Muslims, with the space for prayer as well as an adjoining hall to multi-function as an extended prayer space or to provide an educational and/or event space. The first part of the report conveys the analytical studies of Masjid Lama Batu 6, which include: history, chronology, architectural influences, the site context of the masjid, the culture and social aspects along with the migration of the first society with the new society of Batu 6. The second part of the report is a compilation of measured drawings of Masjid Lama Batu 6 Gombak. The report further evaluates the structure of the masjid, how the role of culture and religion in shaping the architecture of masjids in the region and how other factors such as climate, geography and technology can affect a building design. Ultimately, the studies are made to benefit the generations to come on the local masjid and their unique heritage

    Students' participation in collaborative research should be recognised

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    Letter to the editor

    Paediatric COVID-19 mortality: a database analysis of the impact of health resource disparity

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    Background The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric populations varied between high-income countries (HICs) versus low-income to middle-income countries (LMICs). We sought to investigate differences in paediatric clinical outcomes and identify factors contributing to disparity between countries.Methods The International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infections Consortium (ISARIC) COVID-19 database was queried to include children under 19 years of age admitted to hospital from January 2020 to April 2021 with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. Univariate and multivariable analysis of contributing factors for mortality were assessed by country group (HICs vs LMICs) as defined by the World Bank criteria.Results A total of 12 860 children (3819 from 21 HICs and 9041 from 15 LMICs) participated in this study. Of these, 8961 were laboratory-confirmed and 3899 suspected COVID-19 cases. About 52% of LMICs children were black, and more than 40% were infants and adolescent. Overall in-hospital mortality rate (95% CI) was 3.3% [=(3.0% to 3.6%), higher in LMICs than HICs (4.0% (3.6% to 4.4%) and 1.7% (1.3% to 2.1%), respectively). There were significant differences between country income groups in intervention profile, with higher use of antibiotics, antivirals, corticosteroids, prone positioning, high flow nasal cannula, non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation in HICs. Out of the 439 mechanically ventilated children, mortality occurred in 106 (24.1%) subjects, which was higher in LMICs than HICs (89 (43.6%) vs 17 (7.2%) respectively). Pre-existing infectious comorbidities (tuberculosis and HIV) and some complications (bacterial pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and myocarditis) were significantly higher in LMICs compared with HICs. On multivariable analysis, LMIC as country income group was associated with increased risk of mortality (adjusted HR 4.73 (3.16 to 7.10)).Conclusion Mortality and morbidities were higher in LMICs than HICs, and it may be attributable to differences in patient demographics, complications and access to supportive and treatment modalities

    Association of Country Income Level With the Characteristics and Outcomes of Critically Ill Patients Hospitalized With Acute Kidney Injury and COVID-19

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    Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been identified as one of the most common and significant problems in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. However, studies examining the relationship between COVID-19 and AKI in low- and low-middle income countries (LLMIC) are lacking. Given that AKI is known to carry a higher mortality rate in these countries, it is important to understand differences in this population. Methods: This prospective, observational study examines the AKI incidence and characteristics of 32,210 patients with COVID-19 from 49 countries across all income levels who were admitted to an intensive care unit during their hospital stay. Results: Among patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit, AKI incidence was highest in patients in LLMIC, followed by patients in upper-middle income countries (UMIC) and high-income countries (HIC) (53%, 38%, and 30%, respectively), whereas dialysis rates were lowest among patients with AKI from LLMIC and highest among those from HIC (27% vs. 45%). Patients with AKI in LLMIC had the largest proportion of community-acquired AKI (CA-AKI) and highest rate of in-hospital death (79% vs. 54% in HIC and 66% in UMIC). The association between AKI, being from LLMIC and in-hospital death persisted even after adjusting for disease severity. Conclusions: AKI is a particularly devastating complication of COVID-19 among patients from poorer nations where the gaps in accessibility and quality of healthcare delivery have a major impact on patient outcomes

    Thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications of COVID-19 in adults hospitalized in high-income countries compared with those in adults hospitalized in low- and middle-income countries in an international registry

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    Background: COVID-19 has been associated with a broad range of thromboembolic, ischemic, and hemorrhagic complications (coagulopathy complications). Most studies have focused on patients with severe disease from high-income countries (HICs). Objectives: The main aims were to compare the frequency of coagulopathy complications in developing countries (low- and middle-income countries [LMICs]) with those in HICs, delineate the frequency across a range of treatment levels, and determine associations with in-hospital mortality. Methods: Adult patients enrolled in an observational, multinational registry, the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infections COVID-19 study, between January 1, 2020, and September 15, 2021, met inclusion criteria, including admission to a hospital for laboratory-confirmed, acute COVID-19 and data on complications and survival. The advanced-treatment cohort received care, such as admission to the intensive care unit, mechanical ventilation, or inotropes or vasopressors; the basic-treatment cohort did not receive any of these interventions. Results: The study population included 495,682 patients from 52 countries, with 63% from LMICs and 85% in the basic treatment cohort. The frequency of coagulopathy complications was higher in HICs (0.76%-3.4%) than in LMICs (0.09%-1.22%). Complications were more frequent in the advanced-treatment cohort than in the basic-treatment cohort. Coagulopathy complications were associated with increased in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.52-1.64). The increased mortality associated with these complications was higher in LMICs (58.5%) than in HICs (35.4%). After controlling for coagulopathy complications, treatment intensity, and multiple other factors, the mortality was higher among patients in LMICs than among patients in HICs (odds ratio, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.39-1.51). Conclusion: In a large, international registry of patients hospitalized for COVID-19, coagulopathy complications were more frequent in HICs than in LMICs (developing countries). Increased mortality associated with coagulopathy complications was of a greater magnitude among patients in LMICs. Additional research is needed regarding timely diagnosis of and intervention for coagulation derangements associated with COVID-19, particularly for limited-resource settings
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