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Thesis (MPH)--University of Limpopo, 2010. / INTRODUCTION: Sub-optimal adherence to prescribed medications is documented as a major cause of drug resistance in tuberculosis (TB). Directly observed treatment – short course (DOTS) remains the WHO gold standard for improving adherence. Concerns with DOT as the single solution have been raised and a range of adherence strategies are increasingly being recommended. RESEARCH QUESTION: Can the SIMpill electronic reminder system increase medication adherence amongst TB patients? METHODOLOGY: A cohort of TB patients in the Frances Baard District (Northern Cape) was recruited to the project. Each patient was given their TB medication in a special SIMpill container that uses cellular phone technology to remind those patients who forget to take their medication on time. Each time the container is opened an SMS is sent to a computer server. If the container is not opened at the prescribed time the SIMpill computer sends a reminder SMS to the patient. The data collected on the computer server was analysed to show which patients opened the medication container within the agreed tolerance time, which required to be reminded by SMS, and which failed to take their medication. After the treatment programme, patients were taken through a structured questionnaire to find out their views on the functioning and user acceptability of the SIMpill system. RESULTS: 65 patients completed the SIMpill project and were subsequently interviewed. 97% of patients felt the SMS reminders helped them take their medication. The aggregated data from the SIMpill computer server showed adherence levels averaged 83% with no SMS reminders, rising to 92% if SMS reminders needed to be sent. CONCLUSION: Poor adherence is a problem in long-term therapy programmes such as those required for TB treatment. Using the SIMpill system with a cohort of 65 patients, adherence increased from 83% to 92% if SMS reminders needed to be sent by the SIMpill system

The main task of this project were to develop, hardware and software that could stream audio data via USB 2.0. This project were based on XMOS, USB 2.0 design. In this project we have brought an idea to reality in the form of a finished product. This with verification help from engineers on Syncore technologies. Under the development process the functionality surrounding component databases, provided by Altium designer, were to be evaluated. To be mentioned is that Altium designer was the software used to develop the PCB in this project. After many hours spent developing, we finally got the hardware and software to behave in the way it was suppose to do. That is, to be able to stream audio data from a high-resolution source(PC/MAC/unit with S/PDIF out, maximum resolution 24-bit 192 kHz). This to both S/PDIF and analog stereo out via RCA-connectors. The sound quality from a possible subjective point of view is very good and we are happy with the result. We think that the functionality surrounding component databases are convenient in many applications. Not just the fact that you easily can generate an up to date pricing of all components used in a project, you can also shorten the development process. This because the developer don't have to recreate schematic symbols and footprints that has already been created. Which of course was the fundamental idea behind the database functionality. These are just a few examples of its advantages. To be considered is the fact that the administration surrounding the component databases can be very time consuming. To take full advantage of Altium designers functionalities we think that it needs a dedicated administrator that maintains the database repository.

Protective device estimation is a challenging task because there are numerous protective devices present in a typical distribution system. Among various protective devices, auto-reclosers and fuses are the main overcurrent protection on distribution systems. Operation of a protective device in response to a particular fault condition depends upon the protective device’s operating behavior and coordination of various such protective devices. This thesis presents the design and implementation of a protective device estimation algorithm which helps in identifying which protective devices have operated to clear a short circuit condition. The algorithm uses manufacturer’s device details, power quality data measured from substation monitoring devices and power system event features estimated using existing DFA algorithms. The proposed technique can be used to evaluate coordination of these protective devices and helps in locating a fault in a distribution system feeder. This approach is independent of feeder topology and could be readily used for any distribution system. The effectiveness of this algorithm is verified by simulated and actual test data. Suggestions are included for future research and application by electric utilities.

Remote control service on the internet has found many applications such as remote teaching service and industry applications. Our research is not like the traditional method which sends image frames to network users. Instead, we only send the mouse and keyboard message. Our research is composed of two techniques: one is to connect computer¡¦s mouse and keyboard message with virtual device driver, and the other is to provide network function and interface with Win32 application. The accomplishment of virtual device driver is achieved by VxD and Win32 API. We compare our method with other traditional methods in both local network and 56K Modem to test the possibility of remote teaching service. The transmission amount is reduced significantly by our method. Also, the remote teaching service using our method has been successfully performed at 56K modem network environment without the delay phenomenon as shown in the test by the traditional method.

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In recent years, the nasal route has received a great deal of attention as convenient and reliable method of systemic administration of drugs, due to its benefits of reduced pain, precise drug delivery and eliminated risk of intravenous needles. The pharmaceutical industries are facing a competitive challenge introducing novel devices for the nasal drug delivery, which is better than commercially available, unit dose and squeeze bottle sprayers. The purpose of this study is to develop such a device for the nasal drug delivery that would satisfy the needs of the patients, physicians and pharmacist. An electronically controlled multi-dose nasal drug delivery device is developed as a result of the study. The parts of the device are designed to satisfy customer needs. The developed parts are redesigned for manufacture and assembly, considering the DFMA principles. The conceptual design was tested for its functionality by developing working prototypes of using rapid prototyping techniques. Suitable materials and manufacturing processes for parts of the device are determined, and the manufacturing and assembly cost of the device is estimated to justify affordability.

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This thesis describes an evaluation of a novel low light level charge couple device (L3CCD) technology. Two L3CCDs have been fully evaluated in terms of their signal and noise properties. The primary aim of this work is to identify the device characteristics that affect the overall performance. Conclusions have been made to this end and a prediction of the optimal performance in terms of the device sensitivity is made. Comparisons with other detectors suitable for use in medical imaging have shown that the L3CCD surpasses other detectors in specific performance characteristics and is comparable in others. The competitive performance of the L3CCD confirms that it may afford benefits in those areas in which the L3CCD has superior performance compared to other detectors. Two diagnostic imaging techniques which were identified as applications of L3CCD technology have been investigated. Linear systems analysis has been used to predict the performance of two L3CCD based imaging systems for use in fluoroscopic imaging. Comparison of the predicted performance of the two system with systems in clinical use show that an L3CCD coupled to an x-ray phosphor via a tapered fibre optic is a competitive alternative to present fluoroscopic imaging systems. Experimental validation of the model has confirmed this conclusion. An L3 detector has been designed, built and evaluated for diffraction enhanced breast imaging. To demonstrate the use of the L3 detector for diffraction enhanced breast imaging it has been used to acquire diffraction images of human breast tissue with cancerous inclusions. Measurements of scatter contrast confirm improvements in scatter contrast compared to transmission contrast. The successful demonstration of the L3CCDs ability to collect diagnostic information has shown that the L3CCD is suitable for diffraction enhanced breast imaging.

An Intelligent Pedestrian Device (IPD) is a new concept in pedestrian safety. It is defined as a microprocessor based information device which detects the approach of oncoming vehicles and informs the pedestrian whether or not it is safe to cross. IPDs could be portable or fixed to a roadside station. They could help reduce pedestrian accidents, which cost £2681 million in the UK in 1994. This study aims to assess whether the concept is socially acceptable and what the design criteria might be. A study of social acceptance involved group interviews of 5-10 participants with 84 pedestrians in five categories: adults aged 18-60, elderly aged 65+, visually restricted, parents of children aged 5-9 and children aged 10-14. The results suggest that vulnerable pedestrians are more positive about the device than the more able-bodied. Theories that may help explain this are discussed and it is concluded that, with education and marketing, the IPD could gain a degree of social acceptance. Observation of more than 900 pedestrian crossing movements at four different sites showed a range of behaviours, and that people often take risks in order to reduce delay. IPDs will require pedestrians to change some of their behaviours, especially those that are risky. Legal acceptance will demand high levels of costly product research and development, and a portable device will not be technologically feasible until well into the next century. However, the wider social benefits of IPDs may be worth the costs. An outline of design criteria for basic and sophisticated portable IPDs is given, and alternative functions are suggested. It is recommended that further work concentrate on developing software and hardware for fixed modes of IPD. It is concluded that, ultimately, acceptance will probably depend on whether Government decides that the IPD has a place in the road environment of the future.