Threading model optimization of the AEMB Microprocessor

AEMB is a 32-bit RISC architecture processor with multi threading. It is a soft core processor designed for FPGA implementation and available as an open source. The processor runs on the instruction set of the Microblaze processor developed by Xilinx. The current threading model in AEMB is a fine grained model that interleaves threads one instruction at a time with separate register sets for each thread. This project aims at understanding the architecture of the AEMB and improving the performance of its threading model. The chosen optimization is to change the current threading model to a coarse grained one that switches threads on branch instructions. The advantage of this approach is that the pipeline no longer has to stall on every branch instruction executed as the processor will be executing instructions from another thread. Thus, branches cause the processor to stall only when there is back to back branch instructions or when two branch instructions with one gap between them and the first of them has no delay slot. This is quite an improvement over the previous case where the processor stalls for one cycle on any branch instruction encountered. The disadvantage to the coarse grained threading model is that data hazards that can’t be forwarded can now cause the processor to stall up to three cycles in the worst case scenario compared to only one cycle stall in the old model. As for Area consumption on FPGA, synthesis showed that the modified core utilizes double the number of LUTs that the original AEMB needs but there was no significant increase in the number of register. Further quantitative analysis is necessary to determine the total gain in performance by running the suitable benchmarks on both versions of the processor. The results are expected to be in favor of the design if the improved case is more common that the negatively affected cases

Threading model optimization of the AEMB Microprocessor

AEMB is a 32-bit RISC architecture processor with multi threading. It is a soft core processor designed for FPGA implementation and available as an open source. The processor runs on the instruction set of the Microblaze processor developed by Xilinx. The current threading model in AEMB is a fine grained model that interleaves threads one instruction at a time with separate register sets for each thread. This project aims at understanding the architecture of the AEMB and improving the performance of its threading model. The chosen optimization is to change the current threading model to a coarse grained one that switches threads on branch instructions. The advantage of this approach is that the pipeline no longer has to stall on every branch instruction executed as the processor will be executing instructions from another thread. Thus, branches cause the processor to stall only when there is back to back branch instructions or when two branch instructions with one gap between them and the first of them has no delay slot. This is quite an improvement over the previous case where the processor stalls for one cycle on any branch instruction encountered. The disadvantage to the coarse grained threading model is that data hazards that can’t be forwarded can now cause the processor to stall up to three cycles in the worst case scenario compared to only one cycle stall in the old model. As for Area consumption on FPGA, synthesis showed that the modified core utilizes double the number of LUTs that the original AEMB needs but there was no significant increase in the number of register. Further quantitative analysis is necessary to determine the total gain in performance by running the suitable benchmarks on both versions of the processor. The results are expected to be in favor of the design if the improved case is more common that the negatively affected cases

Effect of intraoperative wound irrigation with topical phenytoin on postoperative seroma formation after modified radical mastectomy

Background: Modified radical mastectomy (MRM), as a surgical treatment in breast cancer patients, may lead to important complications with significant morbidities including seroma formation. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of wound irrigation with topical phenytoin on postoperative seroma formation after modified radical mastectomy.Patients and methods: This is a double-blinded randomized clinical trial study, which was carried out in Zagazig University Hospital during a period of 6 months. It included 60 patients who were candidates for modified radical mastectomy (MRM). All patients were subjected to demographic data taking, clinical and chemical examination, clinical evaluation, radiological evaluation, Lab. Investigations.Results: Average daily breast drainage (in milliliters) of drains according to their location and day of evaluation: Group A (Phenytoin) in day 5 drained a mean of 24.62 with SD of 32.79, in day 7 mean of drainage was 28.89 and SD was 18.33, in days 8 to 10 mean of drainage was 32 and SD was 10.95, and in days 11 to 13 mean of drainage was 15 and SD was 7.07. Group B (Control): day 5 group drained a mean of 35.88 with SD of 12.93, in day 7 mean of drainage was 28.18 and SD was 12.68, in days 8 to 10 mean of drainage was 21.43 and SD was 11.07, in days 11 to 13 only one patient in control group had breast drain after 11th postoperative day drainage was 50 and in days 14 to 16 drainage was 20. Conclusion: Topical irrigation of the surgery site with phenytoin was effective in reducing axillary surgical wound drainage

Implementing ISO 14001 and Environmental Performance Evaluation: A Logistic Regression Model

Due to the growing popularity of environmental management systems and the ongoing debate among practitioners and researchers concerning the influence of environmental management systems on environmental performance, there is a need to assess how the implemented environmental management systems impact the environment. The current study examines the relationship between the guidelines provided by the ISO 14031 and ISO 14001 standards from three aspects, namely, utilizing information and data, planning for environmental performance and reviewing and improving environmental performance. This study will utilize a binary logistic regression to model and analyse the link between ISO 14001 and ISO 14031 using a 7-point Likert scale questionnaire. A total of 590 companies operating within the Saudi Arabia industrial sector were invited to take part in the study. The collection of data using questionnaires lasted from January to March 2019, and the results were analysed and compared with those of related studies. The model included a dependent variable representing whether the company is certified or not for ISO 14001 and 13 independent variables representing the main ISO 14031 guidelines. The research findings revealed that the developed model predicts 92.8% of the values, and the remaining 7.2% of the values are not covered. Thirteen independent variables were positively correlated with the dependent variable, indicating that the company is certified. The results of this study contribute significantly to the determination of the relationship between environmental performance and ISO 14001 certification

Management of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia with Sever COVID 19: A Case Report

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is a pandemic viral disease that can cause devastating complications such as acute respiratory disease, especially in patients with comorbidities. We do not know yet full pictures of this disease, especially in hematological malignancies. Here, we present management of a 57-year-old male with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia, tested positive for COVID-19, then complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Pelvic exenteration and composite sacral resection in the surgical treatment of locally recurrent rectal cancer

AbstractBackgroundThe incidence of rectal cancer recurrence after surgery is 5–45%. Extended pelvic resection which entails En-bloc resection of the tumor and adjacent involved organs provides the only true possible curative option for patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer.AimTo evaluate the surgical and oncological outcome of such treatment.Patients and methodsBetween 2006 and 2012 a consecutive series of 40 patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer underwent abdominosacral resection (ASR) in 18 patients, total pelvic exenteration with sacral resection in 10 patients and extended pelvic exenteration in 12 patients. Patients with sacral resection were 28, with the level of sacral division at S2–3 interface in 10 patients, at S3–4 in 15 patients and S4–5 in 3 patients.ResultsForty patients, male to female ratio 1.7:1, median age 45years (range 25–65years) underwent extended pelvic resection in the form of pelvic exenteration and abdominosacral resection. Morbidity, re-admission and mortality rates were 55%, 37.5%, and 5%, respectively. Mortality occurred in 2 patients due to perineal flap sepsis and massive myocardial infarction. A R0 and R1 sacral resection were achieved in 62.5% and 37.5%, respectively. The 5-year overall survival rate was 22.6% and the 4-year recurrence free survival was 31.8%.ConclusionExtended pelvic resection as pelvic exenteration and sacral resection for locally recurrent rectal cancer are effective procedures with tolerable mortality rate and acceptable outcome. The associated morbidity remains high and deserves vigilant follow up

The pattern of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in Saudi Arabia: a descriptive epidemiological analysis of data from the Saudi Ministry of Health

Purpose: This study describes the epidemiology of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Saudi Arabia. Patients and methods: Epidemiological analysis was performed on data from all MERS-CoV cases recorded by the Saudi Ministry of Health between June 6, 2013 and May 14, 2014. The frequency of cases and deaths was calculated and adjusted by month, sex, age group, and region. The average monthly temperature and humidity of infected regions throughout the year was also calculated. Results: A total of 425 cases were recorded over the study period. The highest number of cases and deaths occurred between April and May 2014. Disease occurrence among men (260 cases [62%]) was higher than in women (162 cases [38%]), and the case fatality rate was higher for men (52%) than for women (23%). In addition, those in the 45–59 years and ≥60 years age groups were most likely to be infected, and the case fatality rate for these people was higher than for other groups. The highest number of cases and deaths were reported in Riyadh (169 cases; 43 deaths), followed by Jeddah (156 cases; 36 deaths) and the Eastern Region (24 cases; 22 deaths). The highest case fatality rate was in the Eastern Region (92%), followed by Medinah (36%) and Najran (33%). MERS-CoV infection actively causes disease in environments with low relative humidity (<20%) and high temperature (15°C–35°C). Conclusion: MERS-CoV is considered an epidemic in Saudi Arabia. The frequency of cases and deaths is higher among men than women, and those above 45 years of age are most affected. Low relative humidity and high temperature can enhance the spread of this disease in the entire population. Further analytical studies are required to determine the source and mode of infection in Saudi Arabia

Incidence rate of ovarian cancer cases in Saudi Arabia: an observational descriptive epidemiological analysis of data from Saudi Cancer Registry 2001–2008

Purpose This study provides descriptive epidemiological data, such as the percentage of cases diagnosed, crude incidence rate (CIR), and age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of ovarian cancer in Saudi Arabia from 2001–2008. Patients and methods A retrospective descriptive epidemiological analysis of all ovarian cancer cases recorded in the Saudi Cancer Registry (SCR) from January 2001–December 2008 was performed. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance tests, Poisson regression, and simple linear modeling. Results A total of 991 ovarian cancer cases were recorded in the SCR from January 2001–December 2008. The region of Riyadh had the highest overall ASIR at 3.3 cases per 100,000 women, followed by the Jouf and Asir regions at 3.13 and 2.96 cases per 100,000 women. However, Hail and Jazan had the lowest rates at 1.4 and 0.6 cases per 100,000 women, respectively. Compared to Jazan, the incidence rate ratio for the number of ovarian cancer cases was significantly higher (P<0.001) in the Makkah region at 6.4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.13–9.83), followed by Riyadh at 6.3 (95% CI: 4.10–9.82), and the eastern region of Saudi Arabia at 4.52 (95% CI: 2.93–6.98). The predicted annual CIR and ASIR for ovarian cancer in Saudi Arabia could be defined by the equations 0.9 + (0.07× years) and 1.71 + (0.09× years), respectively. Conclusion We observed a slight increase in the CIRs and ASIRs for ovarian cancer in Saudi Arabia from 2001–2008. Riyadh, Jouf, and Asir had the highest overall ASIR, while Jazan and Hail had the lowest rates. Makkah, Riyadh, and the eastern region of Saudi Arabia had the highest incidence rate ratio for the number of ovarian cancer cases. Further analytical studies are required to determine the potential risk factors of ovarian cancer among Saudi women

Medical students' perceptions of complementary and alternative medicine therapies: A pre- and post-exposure survey in Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia

Background: Evidently, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is increasingly a recognized medical practice that efficiently uses multiple treatment therapies and techniques in promoting the health  and wellbeing of people as well as preventing and managing a variety of human disorders. Research in CAM, which courses exposure to diverse healthcare professionals, is important from many perspectives including improvement in teaching skills of faculty, enhancing capacity building, and  innovative curriculum development. This pre- and post-design crosssectional study aimed to assess perceptions, training needs, personal usage, use in office practice, and knowledge of two batches of medical students toward CAM therapies in Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia.Materials and Methods: The second year medical students of the first (year 2012-13) and second (year 2013-2014) batch [n=26 &amp; 39, respectively] were selected for this study. A reliable 16-item  self-administered questionnaire was distributed among all students for answering before and after the 48-hour specific 19 CAM therapies course, in terms of CAM therapies are clearly conventional or  alternative, training needs, effectiveness, personal use, use in practice, management of two clinical cases by CAM or conventional therapies, and views about which evidence based approach strongly support individual CAM modalities.Results: Medical students' knowledge and perceptions of CAM therapies significantly improved across some sub-items of CAM questionnaire with a positive trend in the rest of its items including their views about CAM therapies, need for further training, personal use of therapies and advising patients regarding CAM practices strongly supported by randomized clinical controlled trials and published case studies.Conclusion: CAM course tends to have positive impact on the knowledge and perceptions of medical students, in addition to need for further training, and personal use and use of CAM therapies in practice in line with strong evidence-based data regarding therapeutic efficacy. The preliminary results of this study call for further research in specific CAM modalities with a larger sample in academic settings across the nation. Key words: Medical students; Complementary and Alternative Medicine; CAM course; CAM therapies; pre-post design study; Saudi Arabia