Dynamic power reduction of FPGA-based reconfigurable computers using precomputation

This paper examines the effectiveness of employing pre-computation techniques to reduce power consumption of field configurable computing systems. Multiplier is modified with pre-computation techniques and are implemented using commercial off-the-shelf FPGAs. Pre-computation techniques reduce dynamic power consumption of a module by eliminating unnecessary signal switching activities in inactive portions of the modules. Experiments have shown that up to 52% of logic and signal power consumption can be reduced in multiplier module. Furthermore, when compared to ASIC implementations, FPGA implementations of pre-computation modules have the advantage of lower area overhead as most of them can be implemented using originally unoccupied related FPGA resources. Finally, it was found that the effectiveness of pre-computation depends heavily on the input data statistics. It is expected that compilers for future reconfigurable computers may take full advantage of such power saving techniques by optimizing the architecture according to data input statistics.postprintThe 1st International Workshop on Highly Efficient Accelerators and Reconfigurable Technologies (HEART), Tsukuba, Japan, 1 June 2010. In ACM SIGARCH Computer Architecture News, 2010, v. 38 n. 4, p. 87-9

The Pathology of Breast Biopsies in a Sample of Nigerian Patients: Review and Analysis

Background: Histological tissue diagnosis of breast lumps plays an important role in patient management. Almost all breast pathology studies in Nigeria were conducted in government owned health facilities. This study aims to describe the histopathological pattern and of breast biopsies seen in Me Cure Healthcare Limited, a privately owned diagnostic centre.Methods: Histopathological reports of all breast specimens received and processed from August 2009 to December 2013 were retrieved from a computer database and entered into an Excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS version 17. Histological features were classified using 2003 WHO classification of breast diseases.Results: A total of 1205 breast specimens were reviewed. This formed 26% of 4,642 histology specimens received in the pathology laboratory. The youngest patient was 11 years and the oldest 88 years with a mean of 31.7 years and SD ±13.12. Females accounted for 97.8% with a female to male ratio of 43.4:1. The age group 20-29 years were most involved (n=362; 30%). Malignant lesions accounted for 21.3% while benign lesions accounted for 78.7%. Fibroadenoma was the commonest benign lesion and accounted for 61.7% of all benign lesions with a mean age of cases been 24,6 years. Age groups 40-49 and 30-39 years accounted for most malignant lesions (33.5% and 27.6% respectively) with invasive ductal carcinoma been the commonest.Conclusion: Benign breast lesions are more common generally, while invasive ductal carcinoma is the commonest malignant lesion involving mainly age groups 30-49 years in our environment. Women with cancers in our environment, usually present with grades II and III lesions.Keywords: Breast, Histopathology, Biops

A histopathological study of carcinoma of the prostate in port Harcourt, Nigeria

Objectives: To determine the incidence of prostate cancer in Port Harcourt and the surrounding towns whose residents patronize the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital for tertiary health care, histologically characterize the patterns of these cancers, and grade them according to the Gleason scheme.Materials and Methods: Blocks and slides of prostate specimens received at the Department of Anatomical Pathology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital between January 1997 and December 2006 were retrospectively selected for this study. The slides were studied using a binocular Olympus light microscope. Patients’ age at presentation, presenting symptoms, and clinical diagnosis were sorted out from the request cards and the department’s archival register.Results: Carcinoma was diagnosed in 198 specimens (37.4%) of the 529 cases reviewed. Of these, 164 (82.8%) were clinical carcinoma (having been found in clinically suspected carcinoma cases for which trucut biopsies were undertaken), while 34 (17.2%) were incidental carcinoma cases (being found in prostatectomy biopsy cases of patients clinically diagnosed with nodular hyperplasia). All of the clinical carcinomas were adenocarcinomas predominantly moderately differentiated and of large acinar pattern. Also, all of the incidental carcinomas were adenocarcinomas predominantly well differentiated and of large acinar pattern. The Gleason scores (GSs) were varied but predominantly of high values, particularly with clinical carcinoma cases. The age range was 42 to 90 years and the mean was 70 years with a peak of 70 to 79 years.Conclusion: The incidence of prostate cancer in Port Harcourt is high relative to other Nigerian centers where similar studies have been carried out and compares well with the high incidence found among African American men. Histologically, all cases are acinar adenocarcinomas. Most patients present late with high GS carcinoma and therefore have poor prognosis. There is a need for enlightenment of the male populace on the high incidence of this deadly disease as well as for screening to reduce the number of patients presenting late and therefore improve prognosis

Irreducible Inguinal Hernias in the Paediatric Age Group

BACKGROUND: An inguinal hernia is said to be irreducible when the content fails to return into the peritoneal cavity without surgical intervention. Irreducibility is an ever present risk in untreated inguinal hernias and its management remains an important part of pediatric surgery practice. When a hernia is irreducible , morbidity and mortality increase.This risk of irreducibility is more in some patient groups.METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all irreducible inguinal hernias in children of both sexes from neonatal age to 15years who presented at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital from January 2000 to June 2010 and needed emergency groin exploration when reduction failed on conservative management.RESULTS: There were 25 irreducible inguinal hernias requiring emergency groin exploration. This represents 10.2% of all inguinal hernias managed within the period ,with a male :female ratio of 11.5 :1. Nineteen(76%) were on the right while six(24%) were on the left. Forty percent(40%) of the irreducible hernias were in older infants. Sixty-seven(67%) of the neonatal hernias presented as irreducible. There were 3 bowel resections(12% bowel resection rate), 2 testicular losses(8% testicular loss rate) and one death(4% mortality).CONCLUSION :There is a high rate of irreducibility of inguinal hernias in neonates , and in right-sided hernias .Identification of risk factors in and risk stratification of patients with uncomplicated inguinal hernias will helpreduce the rate of irreducible inguinal hernias and their attendant morbidities.KEY WORDS: Irreducible ; Inguinal hernia ;Pediatri

Histologic Analysis of Gynaecologic Lesions in Nigerians

Background: Gynaecological neoplasms are a cause of significant morbidity and mortality in females all over the world.Objective: To determine the pattern of gynaecological lesions seen in Me Cure Healthcare, Lagos  Nigeria.Design: A descriptive retrospective study.Setting: Histopathology section of Me Cure Healthcare Limited from August 2009 to August 2014.Subjects: Histopathological reports and paraffin sections of gynaecologic lesions/ specimens which were diagnosed by Me Cure Healthcare.Results: A total of 691 gynaecologic specimens were received. The youngest patient was 14 years, while the oldest patient was 79 years with a mean age of 40.47 years and Std of ± 10.59. Eighty three percent  of specimens were benign neoplastic lesions, while 5.9% of specimens were malignant neoplastic   lesions. Uterine leiomyomas were the most common lesions and majority of them were seen in age  groups 30-39 and 40-49 years. Simple endometrial hyperplasia without atypia accounted for most   endometrial lesions (52,3%) and were seen more in age groups 30-39 and 40-49 years. Most ovarian  lesions (45.9%) were non neoplastic cysts and seen more in age groups 20-29 and 30-39 years. The  cancers seen were those of the cervix (56.1%), endometrium (22%), ovary (14.6%), uterus (4.9%) and choriocarcinoma (2.4%) in that order. Cervical cancer was seen in 36.5% of cervical lesions and involved mainly age groups; 30-39 years, 50-59 years and 60-69 years (each of these age groups had five cases). The mean age for cases of cancer of the cervix was 50 years Std ± 13.0 and all the age groups except 10-19 years were involved.Conclusion: Benign lesions were the most common with uterine leiomyoma accounting for most of them, while cervical carcinoma was the the common gynaecological cancer. Endometrial cancer cases were noted to be on the rise

Outcomes of surgical management of intestinal atresias

Background: Outcome of managing intestinal atresias has improved in many developed countries, but most reports from low and middle income countries (LMICs) still show high morbidity and mortality.Objective: The objective of the following study is to evaluate the outcome of surgically managed intestinal atresias in our health resource limited setting.Patients and Methods: All cases of intestinal atresias managed surgically from July 2007 to July 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.Results: There were 23 patients comprised of 11 males and 12 females; 10 duodenal atresias (DA), 13 jejunoileal atresias (JIA) and no colonic  atresias. The mean age at presentation to the surgeon was 10.3 days  (range 2.43 days) for JIA and 10.6 days (range 1.35 days) for DA. Average weight at presentation was 2.2 kg for JIA and 2.4 kg for DA. Mean duration from presentation to surgery was 3.4 days for JIA and 4.8 days DA. All the JIA had primary repair; type 1 DA had duodenotomy and web excision while others had diamond duodenoduodenostomy. However one DA had duodenojejunostomy. 7 out of 10 DA patients (70%) had at least one associated anomaly, the most common being annular pancreas. There were 4 re.operations in JIA and none in DA (17.4% reoperation rate for 3 anastomotic leaks, 1 anastomotic stricture). Average hospital stay was 23 days for JIA and 12.3 days for DA. Overall, 5 (5) patients died (2 JIA and 3 DA) giving a mortality rate of 21.7%. Mortality rate for DA is 30% while for JIA is 15.4%. Causes of death were: Sepsis with disseminated intravascular coagulation (1), sepsis from anastomotic leakage (1), septic shock (1), anesthesia.related (1), undetermined (1). Two of the mortalities (40%) had re.operation for anastomotic leak.Conclusions: Short.term survival of neonates with intestinal atresias in our unit is still poor when compared with statistics from developed countries. Late presentation is common in this series, but does not appear to have negatively affected outcome. A high proportion of the mortalities had reoperation for anastomotic leak.Key words: Intestinal atresia, outcomes, surgical managemen

Detection and characterisation of β-globin gene cluster deletions in Chinese using multiplex ligationdependent probe amplification

Background: Deletions in the β-globin cluster causing thalassaemia and hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin (HPFH) are uncommon and difficult to detect. Data in Chinese are very scarce. Aims: To use a recently available technique to investigate the frequencies and nature of β-globin cluster deletions in Chinese. Methods: 106 subjects with phenotypes of thalassaemia or HPFH and suspected to have deletions in the β-globin cluster were studied. A commercially available kit employing multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was used to screen for deletions. Gap PCR and direct nucleotide sequencing were used to characterise deletions detected. Results: 17 deletions in the β-globin cluster were found in 17 patients: 8 of Chinese (Aγδβ)0 thalassaemia, 7 of Southeast Asian (Vietnamese) deletion and 2 of Thai (Aγδβ) 0 thalassaemia. The only type of deletion detected in δβ-thalassaemia was Chinese (Aγδβ) 0 thalassaemia. The deletional form of HPFH was rarely seen in only 1 case of Thai (Aγδβ)0 thalassaemia. Deletions presenting as β-thalassaemia trait and raised HbF were all of the Southeast Asian (Vietnamese) deletion type. When these deletions were co-inherited with classical β-thalassaemia mutations in compound heterozygous states, the phenotypes could be very variable. Conclusions: In the Chinese population, there are only relatively few types of deletions seen in the β-globin cluster. MLPA is a fast and effective way of screening for these deletions. Characterisation of these deletions allows the development of simpler and more specific PCR-based tests for routine diagnostic use. Accurate prediction of phenotype is not always feasible. The molecular defects in many cases of HPFH still await discovery.published_or_final_versio

Socio-Economic Factors Affecting the Marketing of Garri in Port Harcourt City of Rivers State

This study assessed the socio-economic factors affecting the marketing of garri in Port Harcourt city of Rivers State. Specifically it examined the organization of garri marketing in Port Harcourt; the marketing cost and margin and recommended ways of improving the marketing system of garri in the study area. Four major markets (Mile one market, Mile three market, Oil mill market and Creek market) in Port Harcourt city were purposivefully selected for this study out of which 20 respondents were randomly selected from each of the market giving a total of 80 respondents. Interview schedule was used to elicit information from the respondents. Data collected include socio economic characteristic of the traders, purchases and sales transaction, marketing cost and returns and finally problems encountered by the traders. Analysis of the data obtained showed that majority (83%) of the respondents were female, 78% had basic education which help them in keeping proper record and in performing marketing function effectively. Also 87.5% had been in the business for between one to ten years while 75% were retail traders. Furthermore 50% of the garri traders buy their product from outside Port Harcourt while the major means of transportation used by the traders was taxi (40%). Some of market information was mainly from colleagues (61%). The total average marketing cost per ton is N2372.9. The respondents earn fairly high net returns in relation to the marketing function they perform but cannot be said to be excessive. The major problems encountered in the marketing of garri in the study area include transportation problem and lack of capital. It was therefore recommended that micro credit facilities through formal financial institution should be made accessible to the traders so as to help them acquire sufficient capital for the transaction. Also marketers can pool their resources together to find a lasting solution to the problem of transportation by either buying a bus or hiring one to convey them to and fro at cheaper rates and more convenient situation

Utilization of western and traditional healthcare services by farm families in Ukwa-East local government area of Abia state, Nigeria

The relationship between farmers’ health and agricultural productivity has been established in literature. The study assessed utilization of Western and Traditional healthcare services by farm- families in Ukwa-East Local Government of Abia State. The population of study comprised all farm-families in the 19 Community that make up the study area. Multistage sampling technique was employed to select 133 male and female farm-family heads who served as the sample for the study. Structured interview schedule was used for data collection. Research data were analyzed with the aid of descriptive statistics (such as mean, ranking and percentages). Among others, it was found that the illnesses/diseases that were prevalent in the study area were related to occupational hazard-induced conditions such as acute headache, waist pains, injuries and inadequate hygiene-related illnesses (such as typhoid fever and malaria) . While very few respondents use Western health care services, majority (80.4%) usually combine Traditional and Western health care services. Most respondent accessed information on Western health care services from families/friends and neighbours whereas information about Traditional health care services reached farm-families through combined efforts of family/friends and neighbours, radio and television programmes and itinerant Traditional medicine hawkers. Respondents were not in doubts about the beneficial effects of utilizing Western over Traditional health care service, their major problems with it were the high costs, time wastage, grossly inadequate primary health care facilities. It was recommended that Government improve Primary Health Care facilities, subsidize cost of drugs and services to farm families while implementing drudgery-reduction intervention programmes that would reduce occupational hazard-induced ill-health or diseases among the farm families. The Agricultural Extension service should be re-positioned with a view to making it more responsive to the pertinent needs of health education, while mounting vigorous awareness campaign against the use of unregulated traditional health care services.Keywords: Traditional healthcare, Western healthcare, farmers, diseas

Blending of Nsu and Ibeku Clays: A Solution Towards the Replacement of GP 107-3 Refractory Brick in the Metallurgical Industry

This study has compared the thermo-physical properties of local content refractories produced from blends of Ibeku and Nsu Clay deposits of Nigeria with an imported clay product, GP 107-3 aluminosilicate refractories of Germany. The properties considered are apparent porosity, bulk density, linear shrinkage, cold crushing strength, refractoriness, thermal shock resistance. The results revealed that some of the blends of the Ibeku and Nsu refractory bricks produced can suitably substitute for the imported aluminosilicate refractories utilized in metallurgical and allied industries. Ibeku sample enhanced the thermo- physical properties of Nsu sample