A fuzzy semantic information retrieval system for transactional applications

In this paper, we present an information retrieval system based on the concept of fuzzy logic to relate vague and uncertain objects with un-sharp boundaries. The simple but comprehensive user interface of the system permits the entering of uncertain specifications in query forms. The system was modelled and simulated in a Matlab environment; its implementation was carried out using Borland C++ Builder. The result of the performance measure of the system using precision and recall rates is encouraging. Similarly, the smaller amount of more precise information retrieved by the system will positively impact the response time perceived by the users

A low cost course information syndication system

This study presents a cost-effective, reliable, and convenient mobile web-based system to facilitate the dissemination of course information to students, to support interaction that goes beyond the classroom. The system employed the Really Simple Syndication (RSS) technology and was developed using Rapid Application Development (RAD) methodology. The design of the system was modelled using Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams, while its implementation was done using Java Micro Edition (JME) and “PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor” (PHP).A simulation technique was used to evaluate the proposed system performance by comparing the approach used in its design to one adopted in a similar study, using response time and bandwidthconsumption as metrics. The results obtained revealed that the performance of the proposed syndication system was better. Similarly, an experiment to investigate the students’ perception of the system was conducted, with students’ responses revealing a tremendous success of this project

Development and testing of a graphical FORTRAN learning tool for novice programmers

To address the difficulties associated with computer programming, this article first looks at some reasons why students, especially engineering students, find programming such a daunting prospect, and it proposes a programming learning tool managed by a Deterministic Finite Automaton (DFA). The DFA machine used a graphical environment provided by Simulink to teach the FOR-mula TRANslator (FORTRAN) programming language to science students. The proposed programming learning tool and the traditional method of teaching were compared and evaluated. The results of evaluation indicated that there was an improvement in learning effectiveness of the proposed learning tool

Risk factors and assessment for cardiovascular disease among HIV-positive patients attending a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Introduction: cardiovascular risk factors are prevalent in HIV-positive patients which places them at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to determine the risk factors and risk assessment for CVD in HIV-positive patients with and without antiretroviral therapy. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study of HIV-positive patients attending the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were performed; fasting lipid profile, plasma glucose, homocysteine and hsCRP were determined, as well as prevalences and risk assessments. Statistical tests were used to compare the groups and p-value <0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: 283 subjects were recruited for this study (100 HIV-positive treatment-naive, 100 HIV-positive treated and 83 HIV negative controls). Compared to the controls, mean (sd) values were significantly higher among HIV-treated subjects: waist circumference=88.7 (10.4), p=0.035; systolic bp= 124.9 (20.7), p=0.014; glucose= 5.54 (1.7), p=0.015; triglyceride= 2.0 (1.2), p<0.001; homocysteine= 10.9 (8.9-16.2), p=0.0003; while hsCRP= 2.9 (1.4-11.6), p=0.002 and HDL-C=0.9 (0.4), p=<0.0001 were higher among the HIV-naïve subjects. Likewise, higher prevalences of the risk factors were noted among the HIV-treated subjects except low HDL-C (p<0.001) and hsCRP (p=0.03) which were higher in the HIVnaïve group. Risk assessment using ratios showed high risk for CVD especially in the HIV-naïve group. The median range for Framingham risk assessment was 1.0 - 7.5%. Conclusion: Risk factors and risk assessment for CVD are increased in HIV-positive patients with and without antiretroviral therapy.Routine evaluation and risk assessment for CVD irrespective of therapy status is necessary to prevent future cardiovascular events.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Electronic Payment Systems Development in a Developing Country: The Role of Institutional Arrangements

This paper examines the institutional arrangements in the development of Nigeria’s electronic payment system (EPS) using a new institutional economics (NIE) perspective. A case study of Nigeria’s EPS was carried out using semi structured interviews to collect data from 18 participating stakeholders; a thematic method was used for the data analysis. The study suggests that a well-functioning set of arrangements, which is lacking in the institutional setup in Nigeria may be required to build necessary institutional capacity suitable for development of safe and efficient electronic payment systems. Although the technological payment infrastructure in Nigeria is modern and of comparable standard, the failure to put in place reliable and relevant market and collaborative agreements has not enabled full exploitation of the available infrastructure. Current governance structures show elements of power struggle and distrust between stakeholders (players and regulators), hampering the creation of an environment that would sustain free market economic activities and effective development of payment systems

Verbal Design: A Participatory Design Approach with Illiterate Patient User Groups

This paper presents a Participatory Design approach focused on applying primarily Verbal Design techniques working alongside illiterate People with Diabetes (PWD) from low socio-economic groups in Pakistan. After gathering a set of initial findings through classic Participatory Design and encountering several challenges, we discuss the development of our Verbal Design Approach in response which uses Narrative Scoping and Persona along with Invisible Design videos to structure and drive discussion and document design. Preliminary work showed that the approach resonated with our illiterate participants

A Case for the Adoption of an In-Memory Based Technique for Healthcare Big Data Management

In healthcare organizations, the amount of data that are generated daily are on the increase with every visit by patient. The generated data through vital signs’ readings such as body temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, body weight among others are now accumulated into big data. Recently, the growth of data is averaged at about 35 percent annually. The implication is that the amount of storage needed to hold the data doubles within a period of three years. No doubt, if these data are processed and analyzed properly, it holds immense value in diagnosis and predictive medical conditions. However, the ever increasing volume of data has brought with it some big challenges. One of such is how healthcare organizations are going to store and access the vast amount of inherent information. In this paper, we discussed the need for storing medical Big Data in the main memory (In-Memory) as a way of addressing storage and access to information challenges of big data in health care delivery system.  With current trends in technology advancement, there is an availability of storage systems with increased memory capacities. The storage of data in main memory can achieve a performance improvement of up to a factor of 100,000 or more. With this achievable performance, In-Memory Data Management proves to be a viable option

Kidney function of HIV-infected children in Lagos, Nigeria: using Filler's serum cystatin C-based formula

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Limited data is available on kidney function in HIV-infected children in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, malnutrition in these children further reduces the utility of diagnostic methods such as creatinine-based estimates of glomerular filtration rate. We determined the serum cystatin C level and estimated glomerular filtration rate of 60 antiretroviral-naïve, HIV-infected children and 60 apparently healthy age and sex matched children.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Serum cystatin C level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique, while glomerular filtration rate was estimated using Filler's serum cystatin C formula. Student t test, Mann Whitney U test, Pearson chi square and Fisher's exact test were used, where appropriate, to test difference between groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to the controls, the HIV-infected group had significantly higher median (interquartile range) serum cystatin C levels {0.77 (0.29) mg/l versus 0.66 (0.20) mg/l; p = 0.025} and a higher proportion of children with serum cystatin C level >1 mg/l {10 (16.7%) versus one (1.7%); p = 0.004}. The HIV-infected children had a mean (± SD) eGFR of 96.8 (± 36.1) ml/min/1.73 m²compared with 110.5 (± 27.8) ml/min/1.73 m²in the controls (p = 0.021). After controlling for age, sex and body mass index, only the study group (HIV infected versus control) remained a significant predictor of serum cystatin C level (β = -0.216, p = 0.021). The proportion of HIV-infected children with eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m²was eight (13.3%) versus none (0%) in the control group (p = 0.006). However, the serum cystatin C level, eGFR and proportions of children with serum cystatin C level >1 mg/l and eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m²were not significantly different between the HIV-infected children with advanced disease and those with milder disease.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>HIV-infected children in Nigeria have higher serum cystatin C level and lower eGFR compared to age and sex matched controls.</p

Serum testosterone levels of HbSS (sickle cell disease) male subjects in Lagos, Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Infertility is a major problem in sickle cell disease patients, especially in males. In addition to low serum testosterone, other abnormalities involving the accessory sex organs, such as the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland, as well as marked decrease in ejaculate volume may be observed in male HbSS patients. Hence, the need to study the role of sex hormones as a cause of infertility in male HbSS patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An unmatched case-control study was performed using seventy-five consenting subjects from Lagos University Teaching Hospital. These included 47 patients with haemoglobin phenotype SS from the Sickle cell clinic and 28 volunteered medical students and members of staff with haemoglobin phenotype AA. Demographic data were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 5 mls of blood was collected from each subject between 9.00 am & 11.am, and assayed for serum testosterone concentration.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The concentrations of serum testosterone in HbSS patients ranged from 0.2 to 4.3 ng/ml with a mean of 1.28 ± 0.72 ng/ml whilst the values in HbAA controls ranged from 1.2 to 6.9 ng/ml with a mean of 2.63 ± 1.04 ng/ml. Seven (25.0%) of the 28 controls had serum testosterone concentration lower than the quoted reference (normal) range whereas 44 (93.6%) of the 47 HbSS subjects had serum testosterone concentration lower than the reference range.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Overall, subjects with HbSS have significantly lower mean serum testosterone than HbAA controls.</p