Bit-level pipelined digit-serial array processors

A new architecture for high performance digit-serial vector inner product (VIP) which can be pipelined to the bit-level is introduced. The design of the digit-serial vector inner product is based on a new systematic design methodology using radix-2n arithmetic. The proposed architecture allows a high level of bit-level pipelining to increase the throughput rate with minimum initial delay and minimum area. This will give designers greater flexibility in finding the best tradeoff between hardware cost and throughput rate. It is shown that sub-digit pipelined digit-serial structure can achieve a higher throughput rate with much less area consumption than an equivalent bit-parallel structure. A twin-pipe architecture to double the throughput rate of digit-serial multipliers and consequently that of the digit-serial vector inner product is also presented. The effect of the number of pipelining levels and the twin-pipe architecture on the throughput rate and hardware cost are discussed. A two's complement digit-serial architecture which can operate on both negative and positive numbers is also presented

Effects of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation on expression of growth-associated genes by corticospinal neurons

Background: Inflammation around cell bodies of primary sensory neurons and retinal ganglion cells enhances expression of neuronal growth-associated genes and stimulates axonal regeneration. We have asked if inflammation would have similar effects on corticospinal neurons, which normally show little response to spinal cord injury. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was applied onto the pial surface of the motor cortex of adult rats with or without concomitant injury of the corticospinal tract at C4. Inflammation around corticospinal tract cell bodies in the motor cortex was assessed by immunohistochemistry for OX42 ( a microglia and macrophage marker). Expression of growth-associated genes c-jun, ATF3, SCG10 and GAP-43 was investigated by immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridisation.Results: Application of LPS induced a gradient of inflammation through the full depth of the motor cortex and promoted c-Jun and SCG10 expression for up to 2 weeks, and GAP-43 upregulation for 3 days by many corticospinal neurons, but had very limited effects on neuronal ATF3 expression. However, many glial cells in the subcortical white matter upregulated ATF3. LPS did not promote sprouting of anterogradely labelled corticospinal axons, which did not grow into or beyond a cervical lesion site.Conclusion: Inflammation produced by topical application of LPS promoted increased expression of some growth-associated genes in the cell bodies of corticospinal neurons, but was insufficient to promote regeneration of the corticospinal tract

Study of Correlation Between Heavy Metal Concentration, Street Dust and Level of Traffic in Major Roads of Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

This study was aimed at evaluating heavy metal contents in street dust of five major roads within the trunk of Kano metropolis. The dust were collected from heavy traffic roads of the city which include Zaria road (ZR), Maiduguri road (MR), Katsina road (KR), Hadejia road (HR) and Bayero University Kano road (BR). Triplicates samples were collected and the number of vehicles that pass through each road was recorded for one hour. The metal concentration of the dust was determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Strong positive correlation exist between the amount of dust collected and the number of vehicles that passed in all the roads except for Hadejia road with r2 = 0.32 which is less positive. The metal contents in dust of the five streets were higher than the WHO reference value. The positive correlation between the number of vehicles and metal type was significant (P<0.05) for Zn, Fe, and Mg in ZR, Pb and Fe in HR; Fe and Mn in BR, while between street dust and metal type was significant (p<0.05) for Zn and Fe in ZR; Fe and Cu in KR; Ca in HR and Fe in BR. The high positive correlation observed in this study may mean that the metals in the street dust originate from common anthropogenic sources. Higher than reference values of the heavy metals in street dust, indicate hazard associated with residing or conducting business along the major street in the city. The finding is in support of government effort in protecting its citizenries by prohibiting road site business

Association Between Glomerular Filtration Rate And Body Mass Index Among Orthopaedic Patients In Kano-Nigeria

Any association between body mass index and kidney disease has so far proved inconclusive. Therefore, this study is aimed to provide association between glomerular filtration rate and body mass index among orthopaedic patients. A total of sixty (60) patients irrespective of gender were recruited. Weight and height were measured prior to the sample collection. A structured questionnaire was administered to obtain the demographic data of the subjects. Blood samples were collected from each patient by venepuncture from the antecubital vein of the forearm using disposable syringes. Serum creatinine was determined by method of Rosano et al. Body Mass Index and Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) were calculated using creatinine-based equation of Modification of Diet in Renal Disease. Mean BMI was found to be higher in females (25.48±5.65) than their male counterparts (21.44±4.52), while eGFR was found to be higher in males (184.14±53.23) than in females (152.06±32.71). Subjects with eGFR ≥60 were observed to be more frequent (98.30%); normal weight individuals had higher frequency (48.33%). Positive correlation exists between BMI and eGFR in males whereas negative correlation was found in females which indicates association between body mass index and kidney function is gender related

Baseline predictors of remission, pain and fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: the TITRATE trial.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials show intensive treatment to induce remission is effective in patients with highly active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The TITRATE trial showed that the benefits of intensive treatment also extend to moderately active RA. However, many patients failed to achieve remission or show improvements in pain and fatigue. We investigated whether baseline predictors could identify treatment non-responders. METHODS: The impact of obesity, depression, anxiety and illness perception on RA outcomes, including disease activity, remission, pain and fatigue were determined using a pre-planned secondary analysis of the TITRATE trial data. RESULTS: Body mass index was associated with disease activity levels and remission: obese patients had a higher overall disease activity and fewer obese patients achieved remission. Intensive management was not associated with increased remission in these patients. Obesity was also associated with increased overall pain and fatigue. Anxiety, depression and health perceptions had no discernible impact on disease activity but were associated with high levels of pain and fatigue. There was a strong association between anxiety and high pain scores; and between depression and high fatigue scores; and health perception was strongly related to both. None of the predictors had an important impact on pain and fatigue reduction in cross-sectional analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Disease activity is higher in obese patients and they have fewer remissions over 12 months. Anxiety, depression and health perceptions were associated with higher pain and fatigue scores. Intensive management strategies need to account for these baseline features as they impact significantly on clinical and psychological outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN 70160382 ; date registered 16 January 2014

Artificial and Natural Radioactivity Measurements and Radiation Dose Assessment in the Vicinity of Ghana Nuclear Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1)

Radioactivity concentrations of <sup>226</sup>Ra, <sup>232</sup>Th, <sup>40</sup>K and <sup>137</sup>Cs in soil samples and water sources around the Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1) and the immediate surroundings have been measured using gamma spectrometry. The primary aim of the study was to establish baseline radioactivity levels in the environs of GHARR-1. The average activity concentration of <sup>226</sup>Ra, <sup>232</sup>Th, <sup>40</sup>K and <sup>137</sup>Cs were 22.3 ± 1.12 Bq kg<sup>-1</sup>, 49.8 ± 1.60Bq kg-1, 99.60 ± 5.81 Bq kg<sup>-1</sup> and 1.48 ± 0.25 Bq kg<sup>-1</sup> for soil and 0.60 ± 0.11 Bq l<sup>-1</sup>, 2.13 ± 0.21 Bq l<sup>-1</sup>, 10.75 ± 0.84 Bq l<sup>-1</sup> and 0.47 ± 0.05 Bq l<sup>-1</sup>for the water, respectively. The <sup>226</sup>Ra and <sup>232</sup>Th concentrations compare quite well with world averages, whilst the <sup>40</sup>K concentration was lower than the world average. The levels of <sup>137</sup>Cs observed in the samples are within the range of ‘background’  concentrations. The estimated average annual effective doses from external exposure to soil and ingestion of water samples were calculated to be 0.06 mSv and 0.53 mSv, respectively. The estimated outdoor  external gamma dose rate measured in air ranged from 20-430 nGy h<sup>-1</sup> with an average value of 100 nGy h<sup>-1</sup>, which is higher than the world average value of 59 nGy h<sup>-1</sup>. In the case of water samples, the average value was higher than the guidance level of 0.1 mSv y<sup>-1</sup>, as recommended by the European Union and the World Health Organization

Water dispersible microbicidal cellulose acetate phthalate film

BACKGROUND: Cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) has been used for several decades in the pharmaceutical industry for enteric film coating of oral tablets and capsules. Micronized CAP, available commercially as "Aquateric" and containing additional ingredients required for micronization, used for tablet coating from water dispersions, was shown to adsorb and inactivate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), herpesviruses (HSV) and other sexually transmitted disease (STD) pathogens. Earlier studies indicate that a gel formulation of micronized CAP has a potential as a topical microbicide for prevention of STDs including the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The objective of endeavors described here was to develop a water dispersible CAP film amenable to inexpensive industrial mass production. METHODS: CAP and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) were dissolved in different organic solvent mixtures, poured into dishes, and the solvents evaporated. Graded quantities of a resulting selected film were mixed for 5 min at 37°C with HIV-1, HSV and other STD pathogens, respectively. Residual infectivity of the treated viruses and bacteria was determined. RESULTS: The prerequisites for producing CAP films which are soft, flexible and dispersible in water, resulting in smooth gels, are combining CAP with HPC (other cellulose derivatives are unsuitable), and casting from organic solvent mixtures containing ≈50 to ≈65% ethanol (EtOH). The films are ≈100 µ thick and have a textured surface with alternating protrusions and depressions revealed by scanning electron microscopy. The films, before complete conversion into a gel, rapidly inactivated HIV-1 and HSV and reduced the infectivity of non-viral STD pathogens >1,000-fold. CONCLUSIONS: Soft pliable CAP-HPC composite films can be generated by casting from organic solvent mixtures containing EtOH. The films rapidly reduce the infectivity of several STD pathogens, including HIV-1. They are converted into gels and thus do not have to be removed following application and use. In addition to their potential as topical microbicides, the films have promise for mucosal delivery of pharmaceuticals other than CAP

Pyrimidine biosynthesis is not an essential function for trypanosoma brucei bloodstream forms

<p>Background: African trypanosomes are capable of both pyrimidine biosynthesis and salvage of preformed pyrimidines from the host, but it is unknown whether either process is essential to the parasite.</p> <p>Methodology/Principal Findings: Pyrimidine requirements for growth were investigated using strictly pyrimidine-free media, with or without single added pyrimidine sources. Growth rates of wild-type bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei brucei were unchanged in pyrimidine-free medium. The essentiality of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway was studied by knocking out the PYR6-5 locus that produces a fusion product of orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (OPRT) and Orotidine Monophosphate Decarboxylase (OMPDCase). The pyrimidine auxotroph was dependent on a suitable extracellular pyrimidine source. Pyrimidine starvation was rapidly lethal and non-reversible, causing incomplete DNA content in new cells. The phenotype could be rescued by addition of uracil; supplementation with uridine, 2′deoxyuridine, and cytidine allowed a diminished growth rate and density. PYR6-5−/− trypanosomes were more sensitive to pyrimidine antimetabolites and displayed increased uracil transport rates and uridine phosphorylase activity. Pyrimidine auxotrophs were able to infect mice although the infection developed much more slowly than infection with the parental, prototrophic trypanosome line.</p> <p>Conclusions/Significance: Pyrimidine salvage was not an essential function for bloodstream T. b. brucei. However, trypanosomes lacking de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis are completely dependent on an extracellular pyrimidine source, strongly preferring uracil, and display reduced infectivity. As T. brucei are able to salvage sufficient pyrimidines from the host environment, the pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway is not a viable drug target, although any interruption of pyrimidine supply was lethal.</p&gt