The focus of this thesis is on specialising the configuration of a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) to allow dynamic reconfiguration of real-time applications. The dynamic reconfiguration of an application has numerous advantages, but due to the overhead introduced by this process, it is only advantageous if the execution time exceeds reconfiguration time. This implies that dynamic reconfiguration is more suited to quasi-static applications, and real-time applications are therefore typically not reconfigured. A method proposed in the literature to ameliorate the overhead from the configuration process is to use a block-RAM (BRAM) based, hardware-controlled reconfiguration architecture, eliminating the need for a processor bus by storing the configuration in localised memory. The drawback of this architecture is the limited size of the BRAM, implying only a subset of configurations can be stored. The work presented in this thesis aim to address this size limitation by proposing a specialiser capable of adapting the configuration stored in the BRAM to represent different sets of hardware. This is done by directly manipulating the bits in the configuration using passive hardware. This not only allows the configuration to be specialised practically immediately, but also allows this specialiser to be device independent. By incorporating this specialiser into the BRAM-based architecture, this study sets out to establish that it is possible to reduce the overhead of the reconfiguration process to such an extent that dynamic reconfiguration can be used for real-time applications. Since the composition of the configuration is not publicly available, a method had to be found to parse and analyse the configuration in order to map the configuration space of the device. The approach used was to compare numerous different configurations and mapping the differences. By analysing these differences, it was found that there is a logical relationship between the slice coordinates and the configuration space of the device. The encoding of the lookup tables was also determined from their initialisation parameters. This allows the configuration of any lookup table to be changed by simply changing the corresponding bits in the configuration. Using this proposed reconfiguration architecture, a distributed multiply-accumulate was reconi figured and its functional density measured. The reason for selecting this specific application is because the multiply-accumulate instruction can be found at the heart of many real-time applications. If the functional density of the reconfigured application is comparable to those of its static equivalent, a strong case can be made for real-time reconfiguration in general. Functional density is an indication of the composite benefits dynamic reconfiguration obtains above its static generic counterpart. Due to the overhead of the reconfiguration process, the functional density of reconfigured applications is traditionally significantly lower than those of static applications. If the functional density of the reconfigured application can rival those of the static equivalent, the overhead from the reconfiguration process becomes negligible. Using this metric, the functional density of the distributed multiply-accumulate was compared for different reconfiguration implementations. It was found that the reconfiguration architecture proposed in this thesis yields a significant improvement over other reconfiguration methods. In fact, the functional density of this method rivalled that of its static equivalent, implying that it is possible to dynamically reconfigure a real-time application. It was also found that the proposed architecture reduces specialisation and reconfiguration time to such an extent that it is possible complete the reconfiguration process within strict time constraints. Even though the proposed method is only capable of reconfiguring the LUTs of a real-time application, this is the first step towards allowing full reconfiguration of applications with dynamic characteristics. The first contribution this thesis makes is a novel method to parse and analyse the configuration of a XilinxR VirtexR -5 FPGA. It also successfully maps the configuration space to the configuration data. Even though this method is applied to a specific device, it is device independent and can easily be applied to any other FPGA. The second contribution comes from using the information obtained from this analysis to design and implement a configuration specialiser, capable of adapting lookup tables in real time. Lastly, the third contribution combines this specialiser with the BRAM-based architecture to allow the reconfiguration of applications typically not reconfigured. / PhD (Computer and Electronic Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2007 xviii, 140 leaves / Each healing encounter, and every treatment, has specific and non-specific treatment effects. Non – specific effects, or placebo effects, are the benefits felt by the patients because of the nature of the healing encounter. Although difficult to quantify and control, a number of authors recognize that the non-specific component of management has an additive effect on the overall clinical outcome. It has been reported that due to the physical interaction and social nature of chiropractic, there is a strong non-specific component in the management process, but to what extent it facilitates in the healing encounter is unknown. It has also been shown that spinal manipulation has a clinical effect which exceeds that of placebo; therefore it is possible for its effect to be muted or amplified, depending on the presence or absence of non-specific effects. For the above reasons this study was conducted in an attempt to map the size of the non-specific effect in the healing encounter by manipulating the practice setting in which the patients were treated.

Thesis (M.Tech.:Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2006 xvii, 148 leaves, Annexures A-L / Brunarski (1984) says that philosophically and historically, chiropractic has been uniquely orientated toward an emphasis on preventative care and health maintenance with a mechanistic and hands-on model for treatment. Instead of reductionism, chiropractors focus on holism, non-invasiveness and the sharing of the responsibilities for healing between doctor and patient. As stated in a Canadian report by Manga et al. (1993), lower back pain is a ubiquitous problem and there are many epidemiological and statistical studies documenting the high incidence and prevalence of lower back pain (Manga et al., 1993). Evans and Oldreive (2000) revealed in a study of the transversus abdominis that low back pain patients had reduced endurance of the transverses abdominis and that its protective ability was decreased. In addition, it was noted that wasting and inhibition of the other core stabiliser and co-contractor, multifidus, was present (Hides et al.,1994), both of which have been linked to the presence of low back pain (Evans and Oldreive, 2000 and Hides et al., 1994). Thus, it stands to reason that manipulation, as an effective treatment for low back pain (Di Fabio, 1992), could be effective in restoring the strength and endurance of the core stability muscles. This is theoretically supported by the fact that a restriction in motion and pain due to mechanical derangement in the low back can be effectively treated by manipulation (Sandoz, 1976; Korr (Leach, 1994); Herzog et al., 1999; Homewood, 1979; Vernon and Mrozek, 2005 and Wyke (Leach, 1994)). Homewood (1979) described that a subluxation may interfere with the nerve supply and result in a decrease in muscular activity. He hypothesized that removal of the subluxation could restore: normal physiological processes, increase muscle activity and; improve functional ability and normalize the torque ratios (Herzog et al., 1999; Korr (Leach, 1994); Nansel et al., 1993 and Rebechini-Zasadny et al., 1981). In terms of an intervention, Rebechini-Zasadny et al. (1981) and Naidoo (2002) demonstrated and inferred that manipulation to the cervical spine could affect the muscular activity supplied by those levels. They, however, suggested further studies of manipulation-induced peripheral changes in the muscles are needed, due to unaccounted for variables and small sample sizes in their respective studies This research aims to address the questions posed by the above literature, hence by investigating a high velocity low amplitude manipulation as a possible added intervention for improving local core stabilizer muscle strength, a management protocol for the chronic mechanical lower back pain could be developed.

Thesis (M.Tech.:Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2006 xvii, 176 leaves / Core strengthening has become a major trend in the rehabilitation of patients suffering with lower back pain. Clinical trials have shown that core strengthening is beneficial for patients with low back pain. According to the literature, core strengthening consists of activating the trunk musculature in order to stabilize hypermobile symptomatic joints and thus lessen mechanical stress to the spine. Spinal manipulative therapy has also proved itself to be beneficial, particularly in the case of post-natal low back pain sufferers, as manipulation may correct hypomobility associated with spinal subluxations. Literature suggests that spinal manipulative correction of spinal subluxations in combination with core stability exercises, that stablise symptomatic hypermobile joints, may have more advantages than using these interventions singularly in the treatment of post-natal low back pain. However, the combination of a core stability muscle training program with spinal manipulative therapy has yet to be investigated. In order to choose the most appropriate therapy for managing this condition, it is essential for research to be carried out to identify the most effective treatment, which would allow for better overall management of low back pain during the post-natal period. Therefore this study was designed to establish the effectiveness of a combined protocol of spinal manipulation and core stability exercises in the treatment of post-natal mechanical low back pain and to establish whether this protocol should be utilized routinely in the management of this condition.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)-Dept of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2005 x, 58, Annextures A-L, 20 leaves / An inversion ankle sprain can be defined as an injury caused by landing forcefully on an inverted, plantarflexed and internally rotated foot. This results in the fibres of the surrounding ligaments to become ruptured without disturbing the continuity of the ligament. Chronic stable ankle sprains was defined as the recurrent giving way of the ankle and there may be residual pain and swelling with no mechanical instability. According to literature, mechanisms involved in the development of chronic ankle sprains are: the lack of appropriate and early immobilization in severe cases, the development of scar tissue, lack of strengthening exercises or the development of hypermobility. Many treatments have been suggested to address these factors and would include: peripheral manipulation of the ankle joint, Muscle Energy Technique, muscle strengthening and stretching, proprioceptive training and deep transverse friction massage. Of the above mentioned treatments, Muscle Energy Technique has not been researched in a clinical setting for the treatment of chronic stable ankle inversion sprains. Therefore the purpose of this study was to investigate the relative effectiveness of Muscle Energy Technique compared to Manipulation in the treatment of chronic stable ankle inversion sprains.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)-Dept.of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2003 xv, 93 leaves / Plantar Fasciitis (PF) is a common injury, and one which is known to be stubborn to many forms of treatment. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effectiveness of manipulation of the subtalar joint combined with static stretching of the Triceps Surae muscles compared to manipulation alone in the treatment of PF. Studies have shown chiropractic manipulation to be effective in treating this overuse injury, and gastro-soleus stretching is a treatment advocated by many authors, but which has not yet been investigated in combination with manipulation. This study consisted of 40 patients who were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group One received manipulation to restrictions in the subtalar joint, and Group Two received subtalar manipulation in addition to two static stretched of the gastro-soleus muscles.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2005 96, [20] leaves / Strengthening of the rotator cuff muscles forms an integral part of any rehabilitation programme for the shoulder. Shoulder rehabilitation programmes which incorporate early motion and emphasize strengthening, have a lower incidence of recurrent subluxations and dislocations. If cervical manipulation were proven to increase the strength of the rotator cuff muscles, then this could be used to develop and implement more effective treatment and rehabilitation protocols for patients with musculoskeletal painful shoulders and rotator cuff pathologies, and therefore provide future patients with more effective health care. Studies have shown consistent reflex responses associated with spinal manipulative treatments. These reflex responses have been hypothesized to cause the clinically beneficial effects of decreasing hypertonicity in muscles, pain reduction and increasing the functional ability of the patient, and although spinal manipulation has been shown to affect muscle strength, it has not been extensively researched and it is unclear whether increased muscle strength is yet another reflex effect of manipulation. As the rotator cuff is innervated by nerves arising from the mid and lower cervical spine, it is theorised that dysfunction of the spinal joints adversely affects nerve endings, causing inhibition of nerve function and affecting the rotator cuff. This is congruent with research which describes how there could be a decrease in muscular activity due to interference with the nerve supply of a muscle by means of a spinal joint fixation. In light of this, one could hypothesize that removal of a cervical joint dysfunction by manipulation, could increase motor unit recruitment and muscular activity of the muscles supplied by that cervical level and therefore possibly strengthen the muscles involved. Therefore the aim of this study was to determine whether cervical manipulation could contribute to the strengthening process of the rotator cuff.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic) -Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2006. xiii, 44 leaves, Annexures A-F / The purpose of this study is to determine whether the cumulative effect of studying, and practising manual therapeutic techniques (including receiving manipulation), is associated with chiropractic students experiencing low back pain (LBP). According to Smith (2005), students currently registered in the Durban Institute of Technology Health faculty were found to have the highest proportion of LBP when compared to students in other faculties. Thirty seven percent of the students with LBP were chiropractic students. In a study performed by Macanuel et al. (2005) on undergraduate chiropractic training, it was concluded that chiropractic students experience side effects during chiropractic technique class. There is epidemiological evidence that chiropractors are a high-risk group of health professionals who experience low back disorders (Tim 1996, Lorme and Naqv 2003, Rupert and Ebete 2004). Rupert and Ebete (2004) suggest that the majority of chiropractors have suffered an occupational injury primarily related to administering manual procedures.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)- Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2003. 104 leaves / Whiplash injuries are thought to occur in as many as one-fifth of all MVA’s in the United States and Canada. South Africa may have a higher incidence of whiplash injuries due to the exceptionally high road accident rate when compared with international norms (Burger 1996:478). The incidence rate is higher among female subjects and people aged 20-24 years (Teasell and Shapiro 1998: 72, Spitzer et al. 1995). Whiplash injuries or whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) often result in chronic pain with a poor response to conventional therapeutics. Manipulation, exercise and anti-inflammatories have been identified as the options with scientifically established validity in the management of WAD (Spitzer et al. 1995) Patients with WAD have a distortion of the posture control system as a result of disorganised neck proprioceptive activity. It would therefore appear that proprioceptive rehabilitative exercises would benefit WAD sufferers (Revel et al. 1994, Gimse et al. 1996). Spinal manipulation has also been shown to have a significant effect on proprioceptive-dependent abilities in subjects with chronic neck pain (Rogers 1997). This suggests that a combination of manipulation and proprioceptive rehabilitation may offer an improved treatment protocol for WAD (Fitz-Ritson 1995). The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the relative effectiveness of proprioceptive exercises and cervical spine manipulation compared to manipulation alone, in terms of subjective and objective measures, in the treatment of whiplash-associated disorders.

Submitted in partial compliance for a Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / The aim of this study was to investigate patient management protocols of low back pain (LBP) by chiropractors in the greater Durban metropolitan area. In this investigation a more generalized approach was chosen to investigate trends within the field of patient management and education for LBP. The study population of 80 chiropractors in the greater Durban metropolitan area, required a minimum response rate of 70% to obtain statistical significance (Esterhuizen, 2008), which was achieved. This study involved a quantitative descriptive design utilizing a questionnaire developed and validated by the researcher and focus group. The questionnaire was comprised of three sections, including personal information, treatment protocols and patient management with advice and education. Statistical analysis involved the use of SPSS version 15.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA), a data analysis tool. Descriptive objectives were analysed with frequency tables and cross-tabulation tables (Esterhuizen, 2008). Demographic variables and practice variables were assessed for association with responses to the questionnaire using Pearson’s Chi square test in the case of categorical demographics and responses (Esterhuizen, 2008). Bar graphs were included to reflect the treatments that were always or frequently used by respondents (Esterhuizen, 2008). There appeared to be a wide range of influences on practice philosophy and methods, independent of demographics and training institute. A chiropractor’s age was regarded as significant with regard to philosophical orientation. However, the majority of these chiropractors obtained their qualifications from international colleges. vi Spinal manipulations directed at quadratus lumborum myofascial trigger points were strongly advocated by respondents. Specific short lever manipulations were the preferred manipulation technique for treatment of LBP. Sacroiliac joint manipulation was also considered important by a significant proportion of respondents. Respondents most commonly recommended the use of mobilizations and cryotherapy when contra-indications to manipulation were evident. There was consensus in the number of days before the first follow-up after an initial treatment for a presentation of acute LBP, where 96.42% of respondents recommended follow-up at day 1 or 2. In chronic LBP first follow-up after initial treatment was recommended by 41.1% of respondents on day 2; 28.6% day 3 and 8.9% on day 1. Management protocols for acute LBP appeared to be more uniform when compared to management of chronic LBP. Despite the variances in philosophy and management protocols amongst respondents, there remains consensus that manual articular manipulation remains the mainstay in chiropractic treatment protocols for both acute and chronic LBP.