Employing Psychoacoustic Model for Digital Audio Watermarking

This thesis discusses about digital audio watermarking by employing psychoacoustic model to make the watermarked signal inaudible to the audience. Due to the digital media data able to distribute easily without losing of data information, thus the intellectual property of musical creators and distributor may affected by this kind of circumstance . To prevent this, we propose the usage of spread spectrum technique and psychoacoustic model for embedding process, zero-forcing equalization and detection and wiener filtering for extracting process. Three samples of audio signal have been chosen for this experiment which are categorized as quiet, moderate, and noise state signal. The findings shows that our watermarking scheme achieved the intended purposes which are to test digital audio watermarking by employing psychoacoustic model, to embed different length of messages to test on accuracy of extracted data and to study the suitability on using hash function for verification of modification attacks

Influence and implications of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system in obstructive sleep apnea : An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic, sleep-related breathing disorder, which is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system regulates salt and water homeostasis, blood pressure, and cardiovascular remodelling. Elevated aldosterone levels are associated with excess morbidity and mortality. We aimed to analyse the influence and implications of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system derangement in individuals with and without obstructive sleep apnea. We pooled data from 20 relevant studies involving 2828 participants (1554 with obstructive sleep apnea, 1274 without obstructive sleep apnea). The study outcomes were the levels of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system hormones, blood pressure and heart rate. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea had higher levels of plasma renin activity (pooled wmd+ 0.25 [95% confidence interval 0.04–0.46], p = 0.0219), plasma aldosterone (pooled wmd+ 30.79 [95% confidence interval 1.05–60.53], p = 0.0424), angiotensin II (pooled wmd+ 5.19 [95% confidence interval 3.11–7.27], p < 0.001), systolic (pooled wmd+ 5.87 [95% confidence interval 1.42–10.32], p = 0.0098) and diastolic (pooled wmd+ 3.40 [95% confidence interval 0.86–5.94], p = 0.0086) blood pressure, and heart rate (pooled wmd+ 3.83 [95% confidence interval 1.57–6.01], p = 0.0009) compared with those without obstructive sleep apnea. The elevation remained significant (except for renin levels) when studies involving patients with resistant hypertension were removed. Sub-group analysis demonstrated that levels of angiotensin II were significantly higher only among the Asian population with obstructive sleep apnea compared with those without obstructive sleep apnea. Body mass index accounted for less than 10% of the between-study variance in elevation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system parameters. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea have higher levels of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system hormones, blood pressure and heart rate compared with those without obstructive sleep apnea, which remains significant even among patients without resistant hypertension

May Measurement Month 2017 blood pressure screening: findings from Malaysia-South-East Asia and Australasia

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a growing burden worldwide, leading to over 10 million deaths each year. However there are still many individuals, particularly in many countries in Asia, who have poor BP control. In Malaysia, less than two-fifths have achieved BP control. We participated in BP screening in Malaysia in conjunction with the May Measurement Month 2017 (MMM17), a global initiative by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) aimed at screening more individuals for earlier detection of hypertension. A nationwide screening of adults aged ≥18 was carried out through health campaigns at clinics, hospitals, during family day events, and charity runs from 1 April 2017 to 31 May 2017 in 42 centres. We used the detailed protocol provided by ISH for data collection. A total of 4116 individuals were screened during MMM17. After multiple imputation, 32.4% (n = 1317/4059) had hypertension. Out of this, 63.9% (842/1317) of those with hypertension were on treatment. Of individuals receiving antihypertensive medication with an imputed BP, 59.5% (n = 496/834) of them had controlled BP. MMM17 was the largest organized BP screening campaign undertaken by health professionals in Malaysia. This study identified that 32.4% of screened individuals had hypertension and 59.5% individuals with treated hypertension had achieved BP control

Diagnostic Performance of Risk of Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA), Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI) and Expert Ultrasound Assessment in a Pelvic Mass Classified as Inconclusive by International Ovarian Tumour Analysis (IOTA) Simple Rules

The accurate prediction of malignancy for a pelvic mass detected on ultrasound allows for appropriate referral to specialised care. IOTA simple rules are one of the best methods but are inconclusive in 25% of cases, where subjective assessment by an expert sonographer is recommended but may not always be available. In the present paper, we evaluate the methods for assessing the nature of a pelvic mass, including IOTA with subjective assessment by expert ultrasound, RMI and ROMA. In particular, we investigate whether ROMA can replace expert ultrasound when IOTA is inconclusive. This prospective study involves one cancer centre and three general units. Women scheduled for an operation for a pelvic mass underwent a pelvic ultrasound pre-operatively. The final histology was obtained from the operative sample. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for each method were compared with the McNemar test. Of the 690 women included in the study, 171 (25%) had an inconclusive IOTA. In this group, expert ultrasound was more sensitive in diagnosing a malignant mass compared to ROMA (81% vs. 63%, p = 0.009) with no significant difference in the specificity or accuracy. All assessment methods involving IOTA had similar accuracies and were more accurate than RMI or ROMA alone. In conclusion, when IOTA was inconclusive, assessment by expert ultrasound was more sensitive than ROMA, with similar specificity

Relationship of an adherence score with blood pressure control status among patients with hypertension and their determinants: Findings from a nationwide blood pressure screening program

Abstract This study aimed to examine the relationship of adherence with blood pressure (BP) control and its associated factors in hypertensive patients. This cross‐sectional nationwide BP screening study was conducted in Malaysia from May to October 2018. Participants with self‐declared hypertension completed the Hill‐Bone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale (Hill‐Bone CHBPTS) which assesses three important domains of patient behavior to hypertension management namely medication taking, appointment keeping and reduced salt intake. Lower scores indicate better compliance while higher scores indicate otherwise. Participant's body mass index and seated BP were measured based on standard measurement protocol. Determinants of adherence to treatment were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Out of 5167 screened subjects, 1705 were known hypertensives. Of these, 927 (54.4%) answered the Hill‐Bone CHBPTS and were entered into analysis. The mean age was 59.0 ± 13.2 years, 55.6% were female and 42.2% were Malays. The mean Hill‐Bone CHBPTS score was 20.4 ± 4.4 (range 14‐47), and 52.1% had good adherence. The mean systolic BP and diastolic BP were 136.4 ± 17.9 and 80.6 ± 11.6 mmHg, respectively. BP was controlled in 58.3% of those with good adherence compared to 50.2% in those with poor adherence (p = .014). Based on multiple linear regression analysis, female gender (β = −0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] −1.30, −0.15, p = .014), older age (β = −0.05, 95% CI −0.07, −0.03, p < .001), and individuals with primary or lower educational level (β = −0.91, 95% CI −1.59, −0.23, p = .009) had better adherence to BP management. Interventional programs targeted at the less adherent groups are needed in order to improve their adherence and BP control

Gate-Defined Quantum Confinement in CVD 2D WS2

10.1002/adma.202103907ADVANCED MATERIAL

Sex Differences in 1-Year Rehospitalization for Heart Failure and Myocardial Infarction After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY123121935-194

Circulating Thymosin Beta-4 is Elevated in Women With Heart Failure

Scientific Sessions of the American-Heart-Association / Resuscitation Science Symposium13