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Open Access Publications from the University of California

Scholarly Works (2 results)

  • Thesis
  • Peer Reviewed
UC Irvine Electronic Theses and Dissertations (2023)

Among all cardiac arrhythmia diseases, atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent and is associated with a chaotic and fast heartbeat, which often increases the risk of cardioembolic stroke and other heart-related problems, including myocardial infarction and progressive heart failure. Thus, it is important to diagnose AF in patients in the early stages and to have them receive proper treatment before the condition worsens. Surface electrocardiogram (ECG), implantable cardiac monitor (ICM), and Holter monitor analyses by doctors are the standard methods to diagnose AF in clinics. However, such analyses/diagnoses are time-consuming and sometimes difficult to interpret due to noise or data contamination. In this thesis, a new AF detection algorithm is proposed and evaluated using four available databases. Before discussing the new algorithms developed in this thesis, a basic introduction of the heart and its arrhythmia are reviewed in Chapter 1. An overview of existing AF detection methods and algorithms used in clinical and academic research is provided in Chapters 2 and 3. Chapter 4 is dedicated to exploring the real-life factors that impact AF detection. The new QRS template-based AF detection method is introduced and discussed in Chapter 5 through 7. It is shown that the new AF detection algorithm improves detection accuracy over standard methods in Chapter 8.

    Cover page: Enhancing Atrial Fibrillation Detection Using Adaptive Template Matching
    • Article
    • Peer Reviewed
    UCLA Previously Published Works (2007)
    Health-care providers in China are facing an exponential increase in HIV testing and HIV-positive patients. A total of 1101 service providers were recruited to examine attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in China. Logistic regression models were used to assess factors associated with providers' attitudes toward mandatory HIV testing. Providers were most likely to endorse mandatory HIV testing for patients with high-risk behaviour and for all patients before surgery. Over 43% of providers endorsed mandatory testing for anyone admitted to hospital. Controlling for demographics, multivariate analyses indicated that providers with higher perceived risk of HIV infection at work, higher general prejudicial attitudes toward PLWHA, and previous contact with HIV patients were more likely to endorse mandatory HIV testing for anyone admitted to hospital. Results underscore the importance of implementing universal precautions in health-care settings and call attention to social and ethical issues associated with HIV/AIDS control and treatment in China.
      Cover page: Mandatory HIV testing in China: the perception of health-care providers.
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