A collaborative, multi-agent based methodology for abnormal events management

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Controlling the state of a reverberation chamber by means of a random multiple-antenna stirring

International audienceIn this paper we introduce a novel technique based on the random excitation of several antennas. As opposed to previous attempts at this approach, the random signals are correlated by means of a pre-conditioning filter, in order to increase the number of accessible degrees of freedom and optimize the covariance matrix of the field measured in the chamber. A dramatic improvement is observed at those frequencies where standard mechanical stirrers fail

IoT based real-time remote patient monitoring system

Healthcare technology is one of the most popular studies nowadays. With the development of healthcare technology, the lifespan of people has successfully extended. However, people in the rural area are still having a hard time to obtain professional healthcare services due to the barrier of distance and lack of doctors. A remote patient monitoring system is one of the best solutions to overcome this issue. This paper proposes an Internet of Things (IoT) based real-time remote patient monitoring system that is able to guarantee the integrity of the real-time electrocardiogram (ECG). Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol is used for transmitting the real-time ECG from the proposed system to the webserver. The doctor can access the webserver via smartphone or computer to monitor the real-time or previously recorded ECG data. The proposed system has been tested in both Local Area Network and Wide Area Network environments. The results show that the proposed system has no package loss and packet error in both Local Area Network and Wide Area Network

What are the barriers faced by patients using insulin? a qualitative study of Malaysian health care professionals' views

BACKGROUND: Patients with type 2 diabetes often require insulin as the disease progresses. However, health care professionals frequently encounter challenges when managing patients who require insulin therapy. Understanding how health care professionals perceive the barriers faced by patients on insulin will facilitate care and treatment strategies. OBJECTIVE: This study explores the views of Malaysian health care professionals on the barriers faced by patients using insulin. METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with health care professionals involved in diabetes care using insulin. Forty-one health care professionals participated in the study, consisting of primary care doctors (n = 20), family medicine specialists (n = 10), government policymakers (n = 5), diabetes educators (n = 3), endocrinologists (n = 2), and one pharmacist. We used a topic guide to facilitate the interviews, which were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a thematic approach. RESULTS: FIVE THEMES WERE IDENTIFIED AS BARRIERS: side effects, patient education, negative perceptions, blood glucose monitoring, and patient adherence to treatment and follow-up. Patients perceive that insulin therapy causes numerous negative side effects. There is a lack of patient education on proper glucose monitoring and how to optimize insulin therapy. Cost of treatment and patient ignorance are highlighted when discussing patient self-monitoring of blood glucose. Finally, health care professionals identified a lack of a follow-up system, especially for patients who do not keep to regular appointments. CONCLUSION: This study identifies five substantial barriers to optimizing insulin therapy. Health care professionals who successfully identify and address these issues will empower patients to achieve effective self-management. System barriers require government agency in establishing insulin follow-up programs, multidisciplinary diabetes care teams, and subsidies for glucometers and test strips

An overview of patient involvement in healthcare decision-making: a situational analysis of the Malaysian context

Background: Involving patients in decision-making is an important part of patient-centred care. Research has found a discrepancy between patients’ desire to be involved and their actual involvement in healthcare decision-making. In Asia, there is a dearth of research in decision-making. Using Malaysia as an exemplar, this study aims to review the current research evidence, practices, policies, and laws with respect to patient engagement in shared decision-making (SDM) in Asia. Methods: In this study, we conducted a comprehensive literature review to collect information on healthcare decision-making in Malaysia. We also consulted medical education researchers, key opinion leaders, governmental organisations, and patient support groups to assess the extent to which patient involvement was incorporated into the medical curriculum, healthcare policies, and legislation. Results: There are very few studies on patient involvement in decision-making in Malaysia. Existing studies showed that doctors were aware of informed consent, but few practised SDM. There was limited teaching of SDM in undergraduate and postgraduate curricula and a lack of accurate and accessible health information for patients. In addition, peer support groups and 'expert patient’ programmes were also lacking. Professional medical bodies endorsed patient involvement in decision-making, but there was no definitive implementation plan. Conclusion: In summary, there appears to be little training or research on SDM in Malaysia. More research needs to be done in this area, including baseline information on the preferred and actual decision-making roles. The authors have provided a set of recommendations on how SDM can be effectively implemented in Malaysia

Integration of an On-Axis General Sun-Tracking Formula in the Algorithm of an Open-Loop Sun-Tracking System

A novel on-axis general sun-tracking formula has been integrated in the algorithm of an open-loop sun-tracking system in order to track the sun accurately and cost effectively. Sun-tracking errors due to installation defects of the 25 m2 prototype solar concentrator have been analyzed from recorded solar images with the use of a CCD camera. With the recorded data, misaligned angles from ideal azimuth-elevation axes have been determined and corrected by a straightforward changing of the parameters' values in the general formula of the tracking algorithm to improve the tracking accuracy to 2.99 mrad, which falls below the encoder resolution limit of 4.13 mrad

Assessing risk of breast cancer in an ethnically South-East Asia population (results of a multiple ethnic groups study)

10.1186/1471-2407-12-529BMC Cancer12-BCMA

A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF SOME MALAYAN SOOTY MOULDS

Bachelor'sBACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS