Parallel Image Processing Concepts

Image processing is a task of analysing the image and produces a resultant output in linear way. Image processing tasks are widely used in many applications domains, including medical imaging, industrial manufacturing, entertainment and security systems. Often the size of the image is very large, the processing time has to be very small and usually real-time constraints have to be met. The image analysis requires a large amount of memory and cpu performance, to cope this problem image processing task is parallelized. Parallelism of image analysis task becomes a key factor for processing a huge raw image data. Parallelization allows a scalable and flexible resource management and reduces a time for developing image analysis program. This paper presenting, the automatic parallelization of image processing task in a distributed system, in which suitable subtasks for parallel processing are extracted and mapped with the components of distributed system. This paper presents different design issues of parallel image processing in distributed system. Which helps the image analysis tasks that how to post processing the image in parallel. This technique is quite interactive especially when developing parallel program, as this requires little efforts for finding a suitable distribution of program module and data

Nurse-Led intervention on knowledge, attitude and beliefs of Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background Coronary heart disease has emerged as a number one killer in Malaysia and globally. Much of the morbidity and mortality in acute coronary syndrome patients is because of patients not recognizing their symptoms which contributes to delay in seeking early treatment. Aim The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led health education programme on knowledge, attitude and beliefs of coronary patients towards the responses to acute coronary syndrome and the association with patients' characteristics. Methods A single-group quasi-experimental design took place in a tertiary hospital. A total of 60 coronary patients were recruited to this study. The knowledge, attitude and beliefs towards acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were evaluated at baseline and after 1 month of giving education intervention. Results Knowledge, attitude and beliefs about ACS increased significantly from baseline to 1 month after intervention. Level of attitude was associated with gender, educational level and employment status. Conclusions The findings of this study suggest that an education program conducted by a nurse improved patients' level of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs in response to ACS symptoms at 1 month compared to baseline, but whether they are sustained for a longer period is unclear. Improving the responses towards ACS might reduce decision delay in symptom interpretation and seeking early treatment. Relevance to clinical practice Nurse-led interventions have imparted positive outcomes in response to ACS symptoms among coronary patients. Therefore, nurses should take the initiative in educating patients to minimize delay in symptom interpretation and seeking early treatment

Practical Learning and Theory-Practice as Perceived by Student Nurses in Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Introduction: The theory-practice gap is arguably the most important issue in nursing today, given that it challenges the concept of research based practice, which is the basis of nursing as a profession. Majority of the student nurses shared their views that some of the practical procedures that they learned during their theory sessions was different from what was practiced in the wards which caused some worries among the student’s that it may affect their performance during their Obstructive Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the perception of nursing students’ towards the practical learning and strategies to bridge the theory-practice gap. Method: Survey questionnaires pertaining to perception towards the practical learning and strategies to bridge the gap were distributed among 60 UMS students nurses Year 2 and Year 3 to understand their perception on theory-practice gap. Results: As for clinical practice experience, all (100%) students stated that clinical instructor and nursing educators did orientation during the first time in the wards or clinic. Forty students (66.67%) responded “yes” that supervision occurs all the time during the clinical posting. As for practical learning, all students indicated that simulation lab was found in their faculty and nursing block. On strategies, 50 (83%), students agreed that it is helpful if nurse educators spend time in clinical practice to update their skills and re-experiencing the realities of practice. Thirty eight (63%) students agreed that that they need clarification of difficult concepts from staff nurses, clinical instructors and nurse educators. Conclusion and Recommendations: Responses from students have suggested some strategies in bridging the gap between theory and practice such as continuous communication between the education and clinical area

Biosafety in research containment laboratory

This report describes the combinations of standard and special microbiological practices, safety equipment, and facilities constituting Biosafety Level 3, which are recommended for work with infectious agents in a laboratory setting. It is accomplished through the means of Primary and Secondary Containment. Planning for and implementation of biohazard control to prevent laboratory acquired infections and to control spread of contamination must be a part of every laboratory activity in which biological materials are used.Master of Science (Biomedical Engineering

Magnetoelectric coupling-induced anisotropy in multiferroic nanocomposite (1-x)BiFeO3-xBaTiO(3)

Nanocomposite (1 - x)BiFeO3-xBaTiO(3) for x = 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 compositions were prepared by sol-gel technique. X-ray diffractograms confirmed the formation of desired crystallographic phase of the composite. The average particle size was determined 75, 128 and 150 nm for x = 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 samples by HRTEM measurement. Magnetic, dielectric and magnetoelectric response has been investigated to find out the magnetoelectric (ME) coupling at atomic scale mixing of the two phases. For effective ME coupling nanoscale synthesis provided large surface area and subsequently induced magnetic anisotropy in the sample. The computed value of magnetic anisotropy constant 4.8 x 10(3) erg/cm(3) was found to be maximum for x = 0.1 composition. It is believed that the anisotropy is being induced by ME coupling which changes with the composition. Correlated magnetic and dielectric transition temperatures were determined as an evidence of ME coupling in the material. To confirm the ME coupling room-temperature ME coupling coefficient (alpha) was calculated using dynamic method which was observed to have a maximum value of 2.74 mV/cmOe for x = 0.1 confirming the presence of room-temperature ME coupling in the nanocomposite. Spin flipping behaviour has been confirmed by ZFC-FC measurements at low temperature while the coercivity was found to be almost constant. Significantly, controlled coercivity behaviour has been correlated to the presence of ME coupling in the composite material, which can be very useful in memory device and spintronic application

Perceived barriers among cardiac patients towards cardiac rehabilitation programme

Introduction: Cardiac rehabilitation is one of the secondary prevention programme to reduce morbidity and mortality in cardiac patients. However, adherence towards this programme is still sub optimal. The objective of this study isto determine the perceived barriers on cardiac rehabilitation programme among cardiac patients and its association with the sociodemographiccharacteristics. Methods: A preliminary study using the Cardiac Rehabilitation Barrier Scale (CRBS) was conducted in a tertiary hospital among 40 patients. The CRBS tool was validated and tested for reliability.Convenience sampling method was used among those who have attended the cardiac rehabilitation programme. Ethical approval was obtained from the institution ethical committee. There were total of 22 items in the CRBS except for the last item (22nd) being an open-ended item to enable the patients to share their opinion on any other barriers towards attendance to cardiac rehabilitation programme. The 21 items assessed on patients’ opinion on the perceived barriers during their attendance to the cardiac rehabilitation programme in a form of Likert scale. Results: The overall mean (SD) score for the 21 items was 60.70 (8.77) showed that the patients were able to understand gave their best options on the opinions towards CRBS. The highest mean on item 11 on ‘time constraints’ at 3.58 (0.75). Thus, the majority of the patients scored the item “time constraints’ as the highest perceived barrier during attendance in the cardiac rehabilitation programme. The association of the sociodemographic status had significance difference (p<0.05) for gender with item 4 on ‘family responsibilities’ and item 13 on ‘I don’t have energy’ with (p=0.035) and (p=0.020) respectively. Level of education too showed significant difference to item 9 on I find ‘exercise tiring and painful’ and item 12 on ‘work responsibilities’ with (p=0.034) and(p=0.048). Conclusion: Thus, measures should be taken for other barriers to ensure patients’ adherence to the cardiac rehabilitation programme

Understanding brief illness perception among cardiac patients: a preliminary study

Introduction: Illness perceptions involve personal beliefs that patients have about their illness and may influence health behaviour considerably. This preliminary study evaluates the understanding of illness perception among cardiac patients’ and correlations of each of the items. Methods: A preliminary study was conducted using the on Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) in a tertiary hospital among 40 cardiac patients. Ethical approval was obtained from the institution ethical committee. There are 9 items in the BIPQ with 0-10 response scale measuring causal factors and an open-ended item. Items 1 to 5 assesses on the cognitive illness perception which comprises of consequences, timeline, personal control, treatment control and identity. Item 6 and 8 are on emotional response and item 7 is on coherence. Results: The overall mean score of the 8 items of BIPQ was 7.04 (1.07) with the highest mean for item 4 on treatment control and item 6 on personal control at 8.02 (0.92) and 7.03 (1.77) respectively while the lowest mean was item 7 on understanding at 6.63 (1.83). The causal factor for the open-ended question was mostly on consumption of fatty food intake, sedentary lifestyle and stress at work. Perceiving personal control was significantly being affected by perceiving treatment control for the cardiac disease (r=0.50) and being concerned about their cardiac symptoms was significantly related to perceiving consequences of the disease (r =0.54), perceiv¬ing identity (r=0.75) and perceiving emotional control (r=0.67). Perceiving emotional control on their symptoms was significantly related to perceived consequences on cardiac disease (r=0.51), perceived identity (r=0.53) and perceived concern on cardiac disease (r=0.67). Conclusion: The results shown significant correlations with relevant outcomes measures. It is useful in clinical practice to assess and potentially modify patient’s perceptions on under¬standing, emotional control, personal control, consequences and perceived concerned over their cardiac disease

The health and wellness benefits of traditional postnatal Practice (tpc) on postnatal mothers: a systematic review

Introduction: Postnatal is a transition process for the mother back to her non-pregnancy state and involves the changes in hormones level. During the postnatal period, many health issues need to be addressed for both mother and newborn. One of the upsetting health issues for the mother due to the increasing trend is postnatal depression and if it is not identified and treated early, it may cause further complicated problems not only to the mother but also to the baby, family, and local community. With this issue, the Ministry of Health Malaysia has taken a few initiatives to encourage the postnatal mother to also practice the non-medical approaches or traditional postnatal care (TPC) as a self-care for the prevention of postnatal depression. Aim: To systematically identify and review studies examining the influence of TPC on postnatal mothers. Design & Data Sources: A systematic search strategy on the research trend for the period between the years 2013 to 2020 through the Scopus database, Science Direct, and PubMed database. Methods: This review has identified 7 journal articles based on the preferred reporting items for the systematic reviews (PRISMA) framework. Results: There are many methods of TPC, such as traditional postnatal body massage, herbal consumption, herbal bath, body steaming, and body wrapping based on own culture and beliefs. Besides the TPC preparation and techniques, some studies also describe the effects of TPC on a mother’s health and wellness. Conclusion: TPC shows encouraging health trends, and it helps to enhance the well-being and good health of postpartum mothers