Weighted p-bits for FPGA implementation of probabilistic circuits

Probabilistic spin logic (PSL) is a recently proposed computing paradigm based on unstable stochastic units called probabilistic bits (p-bits) that can be correlated to form probabilistic circuits (p-circuits). These p-circuits can be used to solve problems of optimization, inference and also to implement precise Boolean functions in an "inverted" mode, where a given Boolean circuit can operate in reverse to find the input combinations that are consistent with a given output. In this paper we present a scalable FPGA implementation of such invertible p-circuits. We implement a "weighted" p-bit that combines stochastic units with localized memory structures. We also present a generalized tile of weighted p-bits to which a large class of problems beyond invertible Boolean logic can be mapped, and how invertibility can be applied to interesting problems such as the NP-complete Subset Sum Problem by solving a small instance of this problem in hardware

Spatio-temporal adaptive algorithm for reacting flows

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1988.Includes bibliographical references.by Mehtab M. Pervaiz.Ph.D

Murine Typhus Presenting with Acute Psychosis and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation: A Case Report

Murine typhus is an endemic infectious disease caused by Rickettsia typhi and is transmitted by fleas. It typically causes a mild illness with symptoms of fever, rash, headache, chills, and non-specific gastrointestinal complaints. However, there have been no reported cases in the literature of murine typhus infection causing symptoms of acute psychosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). A 30-year-old female with a history of gastric bypass and chronic pain syndrome presented to the emergency department with altered mental state and fever. She developed vivid visual hallucinations, DIC, and hypoxia with pulmonary opacities, ultimately requiring intubation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed leptomeningeal enhancement with unremarkable cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies. Serum murine typhus serology came back positive. Doxycycline therapy was initiated, which resulted in complete patient recovery. This case shows that murine typhus infection may present with acute psychosis and can mimic DIC, leading to diagnostic confusion. MRI sequences may show leptomeningeal enhancement, which has never been reported before in patients with typhus. Early neurological imaging using advanced MRI sequences for patients presenting with altered sensorium, visual hallucinations, and symptoms similar to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) may help with early diagnosis, decreased hospital stay, and better prognosis

Septic arthritis of the hip in children: Aga Khan University Hospital experience in Pakistan

Objective: To present clinical, radiological and bacteriological features and short term outcome of septic arthritis of the hip in children.Methods: There were 23 male and 16 female children, including 6 neonates and 10 infants with a mean age of 3.9 years. Diagnosis of septic hip was made on clinical grounds, supplemented by X-rays, leukocyte count and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Thirty nine patients with 40 hips were followed for a mean time period of 76 weeks. All patients had a positive joint aspirate (pus) and underwent surgical decompression along with intravenous antibiotic therapy.Results: Symptoms of pain, fever and restricted range of hip motion were common to all patients. The mean leukocyte count was 14,000 and the mean ESR was 63 mm. Cultures of blood and joint aspirate were positive in 9 and 28 patients respectively. Staphylococus Aureus was the commonest organism (14 patients) identified, and only one patient had Hemophilus influenzae. Seven patients had a mixed osteoarticular infection. Positive clinical response was noted in the mean time period of 8.6 days. In follow-up, four cases developed myositis ossificans and 2 cases showed signs of partial growth plate destruction.Conclusion: Our findings of the absence of H. influenzae and the presence of a number of gut organisms are different from the previous studies. Duration of symptoms was an important prognostic factor and correlated well with the final outcome. Early surgical decompression was found to be the treatment of choice. A combined osteoarticular infection should be kept in mind in cases which show a poor response after the initial joint debridement

Toe-tourniquet syndrome: A rare potentially devastating entity

Toe-tourniquet syndrome is a rare and commonly misdiagnosed condition caused by a hair or a fiber wrapped around digits (fingers and toes). A four months baby girl who was crying and presented with redness and swelling at her 2nd and 3rd toes of right foot. Child had red and swollen 2nd and 3rd toes of right foot with hair end protruding through wounds. Constricting hairs were cut and removed. Toetourniquet syndrome is a rare entity which is caused by hair wrapped around a toe or a digit. Diagnosis is mostly clinical. In order to prevent this condition to happen, education of parents and clinicians is a cornerstone

Sensory hypoinnervation in club foot

Abstract We have compared the density of nerve fibres in the synovium in club foot with that of specimens obtained from the synovium of the hip at operations for developmental dysplasia. The study focused on the sensory neuropeptides substance P; calcitonin gene-related peptide; protein gene product 9.5, a general marker for mature peripheral nerve fibres; and growth associated protein 43, a neuronal marker for new or regenerating nerve fibres. In order to establish whether there might be any inherent difference we analysed the density of calcitonin gene-related peptide-positive nerve fibres in the hip and ankle joints in young rats. Semi-quantitative analysis showed a significant reduction in the number of sensory and mature nerve fibres in the synovium in club foot compared with the control hips. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) positive fibres were reduced by 28%, substance P-positive fibres by 36% and protein gene product 9.5-positive fibres by 52% in club foot. The growth associated protein 43-positive fibres also seemed to be less in six samples of club foot. No difference in the density of CGRP-positive nerve fibres was observed in the synovium between ankle and hip joints in rats. The lack of sensory input may be responsible for the fibrosis and soft-tissue contractures associated with idiopathic club foot

A Rare Presentation of Cardiac Aspergilloma in an Immunocompetent Host: Case Report and Literature Review

Cardiac aspergilloma is exceptionally rare with only a handful of cases reported and majority of them being in immunocompromised patients. Here, we present a case of cardiac aspergilloma involving the right and left ventricle in an immunocompetent patient that initially presented with acute limb ischemia. He was later found to have a cardiac mass with histopathological diagnosis confirming Aspergillus species. Despite aggressive medical and surgical interventions, the patient had an unfavorable outcome due to low suspicion of invasive fungal endocarditis given his immunocompetent status. Cardiac aspergilloma should remain in the differential diagnosis of immunocompetent patients as early clinical suspicion will result in early treatment and decreased mortality. Novel therapies are required to decrease mortality in the future from this fatal disease

Outpatient percutaneous release of trigger finger: A cost effective and safe procedure

Introduction: Trigger finger is a common cause of pain and disability of the hand. Percutaneous release results in earlier functional recovery and patient satisfaction. This is a rapid and cost-effective method which saves a surgical procedure and results in better functional outcome.Materials and Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted on fifty-two fingers and thumbs in 52 patients treated from 1st July 2014 till 31st December 2014, in the Orthopaedic Section, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. All the baseline characteristics of the patients, like demographics, symptoms, Quinell\u27s criteria and functional outcome were recorded. The patients were treated at our hospital with trigger finger, managed with percutaneous release using an 18 gauge needle and followed up for a minimum period of three months. The follow-up information included range of motion scoring, patient satisfaction and overall outcome of the procedure in terms of patient acceptance. The data was analyzed to determine the functional outcome at three months.Results: There was complete release of A1 pulleys in 52 out of 52 digits (100%) in the patients undergoing percutaneous release and significant patient satisfaction. No recurrence was observed.Conclusion: Percutaneous release of trigger finger with needle was not only associated with excellent functional outcome and recovery in terms of patient satisfaction and range of finger motion three months post-procedure but also was found to be cost effective

Cell coverage analysis of a low altitude aerial base station in wind perturbations

The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as Aerial Base Station (ABSs) is emerging as an effective technique to provide high capacity wireless networks to ground users. In this paper, cell coverage of a low altitude UAV is investigated for supporting such networks. An analytical framework for cell coverage area of an ABS is provided for Suburban, Urban and Urban high rise environments using a solid angle approach including radio link propagation effects in air- to-ground channel obtained from ray tracing simulations. Here, we account for the change in Euler angles such as roll, pitch and yaw due to perturbations by wind gusts or intentional maneuvers which leads to an increase in the geometrical coverage area by approximately 40-50 %, given same transmission power and antenna gain of the ABS