Publications by authors named "Yi Chan"

Understanding the neural system in the brain requires the detection of signals from the tissue. Microscale electrodes enable high spatiotemporal neural recording, whereas traditional microelectrodes cause material and geometry mismatches between the electrode and the tissue, leading to injury and signal loss during recording. In this study, we propose a fabrication technique that uses magnetic force to facilitate assembly of vertical microscale wire-electrodes on a flexible substrate.

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The escalating crisis of marine plastic waste pose threats to the marine ecosystems. Statistics revealed that a staggering 8 MMT of plastic inundates the marine atmosphere annually. This review delves into a pivotal aspect of this issue, examining the release of additives like brominated flame retardants, phthalates, and bisphenol A from plastic into the environment.

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Aim: To develop an automated model for subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) detection in optical coherence tomography (OCT) images, addressing manual fovea location and choroidal contour challenges.

Methods: Two procedures were proposed: defining the fovea and segmenting the choroid. Fovea localization from B-scan OCT image sequence with three-dimensional reconstruction (LocBscan-3D) predicted fovea location using central foveal depression features, and fovea localization from two-dimensional en-face OCT (LocEN-2D) used a mask region-based convolutional neural network (Mask R-CNN) model for optic disc detection, and determined the fovea location based on optic disc relative position.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Aging negatively affects the adaptive immune system, leading to fewer diverse T cells and an increase in inflammatory T cell types, which are linked to chronic diseases and higher mortality rates.
  • - B cells play a significant role in the aging process of T cells by reducing naive T cells and promoting harmful T cell subsets, as shown through various experimental models and single-cell analysis.
  • - Targeting these age-related changes in T cells with CD20 monoclonal antibody treatment could help improve immune function and healthspan, with insulin receptor signaling identified as a key mechanism behind B cell effects on T cell dysfunction.
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Biogas plant operators often face huge challenges in the monitoring, controlling and optimisation of the anaerobic digestion (AD) process, as it is very sensitive to surrounding changes, which often leads to process failure and adversely affects biogas production. Conventional implemented methods and mechanistic models are impractical and find it difficult to model the nonlinear and intricate interactions of the AD process. Thus, the development of machine learning (ML) algorithms has attracted considerable interest in the areas of process optimization, real-time monitoring, perturbation detection and parameter prediction.

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This cross-sectional epidemiological study aimed to describe dental caries and oral hygiene conditions among visually impaired students in Hong Kong. Students aged 6-21 years from two specialised schools for those with vision impairment were invited. Information on sociodemographic background and oral health-related behaviours was collected through an online parent-reported questionnaire.

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Schizophrenia is a highly heterogeneous disorder and salient functional connectivity (FC) features have been observed to vary across study sites, warranting the need for methods that can differentiate between site-invariant FC biomarkers and site-specific salient FC features. We propose a technique named Semi-supervised learning with data HaRmonisation via Encoder-Decoder-classifier (SHRED) to examine these features from resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans gathered from four sites. Our approach involves an encoder-decoder-classifier architecture that simultaneously performs data harmonisation and semi-supervised learning (SSL) to deal with site differences and labelling inconsistencies across sites respectively.

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The superhydrophobic feature is highly desirable for oil/water separation (OWS) operation to achieve excellent separation efficiency. However, using hazardous materials in fabricating superhydrophobic surfaces is always the main concern. Herein, superhydrophobic filters were prepared via an eco-friendly approach by anchoring silica particles (SiO) onto the cotton fabric surface, followed by surface coating using natural material-myristic acid via a dip coating method.

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In recent years, deep learning models have been applied to neuroimaging data for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) images provide structural and functional information about the brain, respectively. Combining these features leads to improved performance than using a single modality alone in building predictive models for AD diagnosis.

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Cachexia is a major cause of death in cancer and leads to wasting of cardiac and skeletal muscle, as well as adipose tissue. Various cellular and soluble mediators have been postulated in driving cachexia; however, the specific mechanisms behind this muscle wasting remain poorly understood. In this study, we found polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) to be critical for the development of cancer-associated cachexia.

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We report on the proof-of-principle experiment of generating carrier-envelope phase (CEP)-controllable and frequency-tunable narrowband terahertz (THz) radiation from an air-plasma filament prescribed by the beat of a temporally stretched two-color laser pulse sequence. The pulse sequence was prepared by propagating the fundamental ultrafast laser pulse through a grating stretcher and Michelson interferometer with variable inter-arm delay. By partially frequency-doubling and focusing the pulse sequence, an air-plasma filament riding a beat note was created to radiate a THz wave with primary pulse characteristics (center frequency and CEP) under coherent control.

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To extend the detection range of time-domain spectroscopy into the challenging visible frequencies, we propose an interferometry-type frequency-resolved optical gating (FROG). Our numerical simulation shows that, when operating in a double-pulse scheme, a unique phase-locking mechanism can be activated and preserves both zero- and first-order phases (φ, φ)-indispensable for phase-sensitive spectroscopic study-that are otherwise inaccessible to standard FROG measurement. Followed by time-domain signal reconstruction and analysis protocol, we show that time-domain spectroscopy with sub-cycle temporal resolution is enabled and well suits the need of a ultrafast-compatible and ambiguity-free method for complex dielectric function measurement at visible wavelengths.

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Most elapid snakes produce venoms that contain alpha-neurotoxins (α-NTXs), which are proteins that cause post-synaptic blockade and paralysis in snakebite envenoming. However, existing elapid antivenoms are known for their low potency in neutralizing the neurotoxic activity of α-NTXs, while the immunological basis has not been elucidated. In this study, a structure-based major histocompatibility complex II (MHCII) epitope predictor of horse (), complemented with DM-editing determinant screening algorithm was adopted to assess the immunogenicity of α-NTXs in the venoms of major Asiatic elapids ().

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To achieve the main goal of net zero carbon emission, the shift from conventional fossil-based energy/products to renewable and low carbon-based energy/products is necessary. Biomass has been perceived as a carbon-neutral source from which energy and value-added products can be derived, while sludge is a slurry waste that inherently contains high amount of minerals and organic matters. Hence, thermochemical co-processing of biomass wastes and sludge could create positive synergistic effects, resulting in enhanced performance of the process (higher conversion or yield) and improved qualities or characteristics of the products as compared to that of mono-processing.

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Article Synopsis
  • Insulin receptors (InsR) help control how our bodies grow and use energy, and these pathways are found in both our metabolism and immune system.
  • InsR signaling affects immune cells, influencing how they work and respond when we are sick.
  • Changes in InsR signaling can lead to health problems, especially in older people, like type 2 diabetes, cancer, and becoming more easily sick.
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Introduction And Hypothesis: High-intensity physical activity and exercise have been listed as possible risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The aim of the present study is to conduct a literature review on the prevalence and incidence of POP in women who engage in regular physical activity. In addition, we review the effects of a single exercise or a single session of exercise on pelvic floor support.

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Background: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is one of the most common and serious sequelae of stroke. The pathogenesis of PSD involves both psychosocial and biological mechanisms, and aerobic exercise is a potential therapeutic target. We conducted an in-depth exploration of the protective mechanisms of aerobic exercise in a PSD mouse model.

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Background: Philippine Cobra Antivenom (PCAV) is the only snake antivenom manufactured in the Philippines. It is used clinically to treat envenoming caused by the Philippine Spitting Cobra (Naja philippinensis). While PCAV is effective pharmacologically, it is crucial to ensure the safety profile of this biologic that is derived from animal plasma.

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The valorization and conversion of biomass into various value-added products and bioenergy play an important role in the realization of sustainable circular bioeconomy and net zero carbon emission goals. To that end, microwave technology has been perceived as a promising solution to process and manage oil palm waste due to its unique and efficient heating mechanism. This review presents an in-depth analysis focusing on microwave-assisted torrefaction, gasification, pyrolysis and advanced pyrolysis of various oil palm wastes.

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Introduction And Hypothesis: Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is effective for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), but other exercise programs have also been promoted and used. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effect of hypopressive and other exercise programs besides PFMT for POP.

Methods: A literature search was conducted on Ovid Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, PEDro, and Scopus databases from January 1996 to 30 December 2021.

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Snakebite envenoming is an important neglected tropical disease. Antivenom supply, however, remains limited in many parts of the world. This study aimed to examine the protein composition, immunoreactivity and neutralization efficacy of a new antivenom product (VINS Philippine Elapid Antivenoms, VPEAV) developed for the treatment of snakebite envenoming caused by the Philippine Cobra (Naja philippinensis), Samar Cobra (Naja samarensis) and King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah).

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One of the greatest challenges in biorefinery is to reduce biomass' recalcitrance and enable valorization of lignin into higher value compounds. Likewise, green solvents and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) with feasible economic viability, functionality, and environmental sustainability have been widely introduced in extraction and conversion of lignin. This review starts with the underscore of disadvantages and limitations of conventional pretreatment approaches and role of green solvents in lignin extraction.

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Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is a flammable, corrosive and lethal gas even at low concentrations (ppm levels). Hence, the capture and removal of HS from various emitting sources (such as oil and gas processing facilities, natural emissions, sewage treatment plants, landfills and other industrial plants) is necessary to prevent and mitigate its adverse effects on human (causing respiratory failure and asphyxiation), environment (creating highly flammable and explosive environment), and facilities (resulting in corrosion of industrial equipment and pipelines). In this review, the state-of-the-art technologies for HS capture and removal are reviewed and discussed.

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Introduction And Hypothesis: This manuscript from Chapter 3 of the International Urogynecology Consultation (IUC) on Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) describes the current evidence and suggests future directions for research on the effect of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) in prevention and treatment of POP.

Methods: An international group of four physical therapists, four urogynecologists and one midwife/basic science researcher performed a search of the literature using pre-specified search terms on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in Ovid Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, PEDro and Scopus databases for publications between 1996 and 2021. Full publications or expanded abstracts in English or in other languages with abstracts in English were included.

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Article Synopsis
  • Recent research in molecular simulation for hybrid membranes is growing, but there's a need for organized reviews to showcase advancements and feasibility.* -
  • This paper reviews the development and performance of various hybrid membranes—like ionic liquid and mixed matrix membranes—focusing on molecular interactions and transport mechanisms at the atomic level.* -
  • Despite some limitations in current simulation methods, the findings show that these membranes can significantly enhance separation performance, with insights into future applications in fields like CO2 removal and wastewater treatment.*
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