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Epidemiology consequences of non-compliance to HCV therapy among IDUS
No full textThis is an article done by IJRRASTreatment for infections with hepatitis C viruses has recently developed markedly, and range from nonspecific
interferon-based treatments to specific antiviral treatments, such as those that inhibit hepatitis virus coded protein
production or activity. Despite advancements in the management of HCV, the epidemic prevalence continues to rise
among injection drug misusers who, are responsible for approximately 90% of new HCV cases, because of their poor
compliance with treatment requirements and conditions. A simple mathematical model is developed to explore the
impact of treatment defaulting on the transimission dynamics of HCV among injection drug misusers. Numerical
simulations are provided to support analytical findings
Short Communication:The use of polyethylene glycol in the diagnosis of polyphenolics in the foliage of Acacia species.
No full textThe aim of this work was to assess the efficacy of polyethylene glycol (PEG) for measuring tannin content in leaves of species, Acacia karroo, Acacia nilotica, Acacia tortilis, Acacia galpinii, Acacia sieberiana, Acacia hebeclada, and Acacia rhemniana. In addition, in vitro dry matter and organic matter digestibility of the browse leaves were assessed. Young leaves from the species were collected from five different trees of each species at the University of Limpopo in April 2002, and their capacity to bind PEG was compared using a completely randomized design. PEG (MW 4000) was added at ratios of plant material: PEG solution (w/v) of 1:05, 1:10, 1:15, 1:20 and 1:25. The ratio of 1: 20 (w/v) resulted in the best response in terms of tannin precipitated compared to the other ratios. The PEG binding capacity of Acacia species was found to be high ranging from 12.73 to 28.82 % dry matter, in direct response to the proportion of tannin content in the leaves. Dry matter and organic matter digestibility varied from 345.4 to 534.2 and 254.4 to 473.9 g/kg DM, respectively, for all species and were negatively correlated to PEG-binding capacity. A. hebeclada, A. sieberiana and A.galpinii had trace levels of total phenolics, A. tortilis contained approximately 90 g/kg DM of total phenolics whilst A. karroo, A. nilotica and A. rhemniana had intermediate amounts. These results suggested that polyethylene glycol can be used to determine the content and effects of tannins in tanniferous plants used by ruminants
Modelling hospitalization , home-based care and individual withdrawal for people living with HIV / AIDS in high prevalence areas
No full textIn sub-Saharan Africa, the model of care for people who are living with HIV/AIDS has changed from hospital care to home-based care. In this paper, a mathematical model describing the dynamics of HIV transmission, hospitalization, and home-based care is constructed and analysed. The model reproduction number R(e) is determined and discussed. The equilibria are determined and analysed in terms of R(e). It is shown that if R(e)<1, the disease free equilibrium is both locally and globally asymptotically stable. The model has a unique endemic equilibrium and is locally asymptotically stable whenever R(e)>1. Five cases arise in the discussion of R(e) pertaining to intervention strategies. Numerical simulations are done to compare the impact of each strategy on the dynamics of HIV/AIDS. The model is fitted to the prevalence data estimates from UNAIDS on Zimbabwe. The implications of some key epidemiological parameters are investigated numerically. Projections are made to determine the possible long term trends of the prevalence of HIV in Zimbabw
Physical Properties of a Wild-silk/Cotton Blend Yarn, and Shrinkage Properties of its Plain Knitted Product.
No full textThe physical properties (count, twist, strength and yarn evenness) of a 30%/70% wildsilk/cotton blend and shrinkage properties of the resultant plain knitted fabric were investigated. The results show that the yarn had an average count of 62.4 tex, high number of thick places (178.5 per km) but low number of thin places (2/km) and neps (13.5/km), and had an unevenness of 10.5U%. It was also observed that the yarn displayed strength of 7.3 Newtons and an elongation of 9-14% which resulted in good knitting performance with no end breakages recorded indicating that the yarn physical properties, strength and elongation, were well suited for knitting. The shrinkage properties of the developed fabric indicated sensitivity to wet treatment as it shrunk (26.8%) when dried whilst there was no significant change noted after dry relaxation. It was concluded that the yarn blend could be used to produce knitted products only after it has been pre-treated for shrinkage in order to avoid dimensional changes during use
Biological and physical features of sisal (Agave sp.) varieties growing in Matebeleland region
No full textFive varieties of sisal growing around Matebeleland were studied to determine their biological properties. Morphometric data for Agave deserti are mean of full grown leaf dimensions were, length 64cm, width 9cm, thickness 4mm and fiber yield of 0.0359%. The average fiber length was 50cm and the breaking tensile strain of single ultimate fiber 161.84MPa. For Agave sisalana mean of full grown leaf dimensions were, length 170cm, width 14cm, thickness 5mm and fiber yield of 0.0303%. Average fiber length was 150cm. The breaking tensile strain of single ultimate fiber 88.42MPa. For Agave Americana(variety C) mean of full grown leaf dimensions were, length 215cm, width 22cm, thickness 10cm and fiber yield of 0.0030%. Average fiber length was 200cm. Breaking tensile strain of single ultimate fiber 26.98MPa. For Agave americana (variety D) mean full grown leaf dimensions were, length 200cm, width 22cm, thickness 9mm and fiber yield of 0.0037%. The breaking tensile strain of single ultimate fiber was 54.59MPa. For variety E mean full grown leaf dimensions, length 212cm, width 22cm, thickness 8mm and fiber yield of 0.026%. The terminal spine was absent. The breaking tensile strain of single ultimate fiber 171.16MPa. All the varieties attain full maturity in 5-20 years. Propagation is by bulbils and offsets. Cross sections of the fibres are horse shoe shaped for A, B and E and are lunar shaped for C and D
Analysis of an HIV/AIDS model with public-health information campaigns and individual withdrawal.
No full text1st Reading-peer reviewPrimary prevention measures designed to alter susceptibility and/or reduce exposure of susceptible individuals to diseases, remain the mainstay in the fight against HIV/AIDS.A model for HIV/AIDS, that investigates the reduction in infection by advocating for sexual behavior change through public-health information campaigns and withdrawal of individuals with AIDS from sexual activity is proposed and analyzed. The contact rate is modeled using an incidence function with saturation that depends on the number of infectives. The dynamics of the model is determined using the model reproduction number R0. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the role of some key epi31 demiological parameters. The results from the study demonstrate that an increase in the rate of dissemination of effective public-health information campaigns results in a decrease in the prevalence of the disease. Similarly, an increase in the fraction of individuals
with AIDS who withdraw from sexual activities reduces the burden of the disease
Towards improved utilization of macimbi Imbrasia belina Linnaeus,1758 as food and financial resource for people in the Gwanda district of Zimbabwe
No full textMacimbi have two generations per annum one in November and the other in April. The
November generation has a higher population per tree 206.9?56.7 than the April generation
100?25. The growth rate is the same for both generations. Each moth oviposits on one tree
and the average distance between oviposited trees is 45.7?15 m. The protein and fat content of the larvae are 59% and 14% respectively. The mass of fresh full-grown ?worms? is 12g and they are 8-9cm long. The growth rate is increased when the relative humidity is above 75% and the temperature is 30?2oC. Worms harvested before maturity need evisceration whereas those gathered when fully grown need no evisceration. Spines begin to be effective
as defense mechanism against predators after the fourth week. The pupa stage lasts 38?2
days for the November generation and 180?12 days for the April generation because of
winter. It is suggested that persons be allocated woodlots as this could lead to responsible and sustainable harvesting and protection of the environment
Bipolar Out?ows as a Repulsive Gravitational Phenomenon ?Azimuthally SymmetricTheory of Gravitation (II)
No full textJournal reference: Research in Astron. Astrophys. 2010 Vol. 10 No. 11, 1151-1176 ? ?This reading is part in a series on the Azimuthally Symmetric Theory of
Gravitation (ASTG) set-out in Nyambuya (2010a). This theory is built on Laplace-
Poisson?s well known equation and it has been shown therein (Nyambuya 2010a) that the
ASTG is capable of explaining ? from a purely classical physics standpoint; the precession
of the perihelion of solar planets as being a consequence of the azimuthal symmetry
emerging from the spin of the Sun. This symmetry has and must have an influence on the
emergent gravitational field. We show herein that the emergent equations from the ASTG
? under some critical conditions determined by the spin ? do possess repulsive gravitational
fields in the polar regions of the gravitating body in question. This places the ASTG
on an interesting pedal to infer the origins of outflows as a repulsive gravitational phenomena.
Outflows are an ubiquitous phenomena found in star forming systems and their true
origins is a question yet to be settled. Given the current thinking on their origins, the
direction that the present reading takes is nothing short of an asymptotic break from conventional
wisdom; at the very least, it is a complete paradigm shift as gravitation is not at
all associated; let alone considered to have anything to do with the out-pour of matter but
is thought to be an all-attractive force that tries only to squash matter together into a single
point. Additionally, we show that the emergent Azimuthally Symmetric Gravitational
Field from the ASTG strongly suggests a solution to the supposed Radiation Problem
that is thought to be faced by massive stars in their process of formation. That is, at
8 - 10M , radiation from the nascent star is expected to halt the accretion of matter
onto the nascent star. We show that in-falling material will fall onto the equatorial disk
and from there, this material will be channelled onto the forming star via the equatorial
plane thus accretion of mass continues well past the curtain value of 8-10M albeit
via the disk. Along the equatorial plane, the net force (with the radiation force included)
on any material there-on right up-till the surface of the star, is directed toward the forming
star, hence accretion of mass by the nascent star is un-hampered.NorthWest University (Potchefstroom Campus), School of Physics (Unit for Space Research), suppoterd by the Republic of South Africa's National Research Foundation,and Germany's DAAD Programme via the University of Koln
Persistence of Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus in Waterfowl in a Southern African Ecosystem
No full textShort CommunicationWaterfowl were counted and sampled in a Zimbabwean wetland over 24 months. LPAI strains were
detected during 20 consecutive months, providing evidence of regional yearly persistence of LPAI. We discuss
the role of Afro-tropical ducks in viral maintenance and transmission, and attempt to explain the observed
patterns.French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. USAID
through the Wildlife Conservation Society?s GAINS (Global Avian Influenza Network for Surveillance) program, and the South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
A Study of Scavenging Poultry Gastrointestinal and Ecto-parasites in Rural Areas of Matebeleland Province, Zimbabwe
No full textA study was carried out to determine endo and ecto-parasites in Matebeleland North and South
from free range chickens (Gallus domesticus). Only adult chickens were selected for determination of
parasite. For intestinal parasites microscopic studies of eggs and faecal egg counts were done using the
salt floatation technique. The endo parasites encountered in the study were Tetrameres americana, Acuaria
hamulosa, Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, H. dispar, Allodapa suctoria, Capillaria annulate, Raillietina
echinobothrida and R. tetragona. A commercially prepared insecticide constituted as follows (0.02%
Tetamethrin, 0.03% pramethrin and 0.034% Imiprothrin) was applied for 2 seconds and feathers were then
gentle unruffled so that ectoparasites could be counted and identified. Ecto parasites recorded in this study
were Menopon gallinae, Menacanthus stramineus, Dermanyssus gallinae, Argas persicus, Ornithonyssus
bursa, Cnemidocoptes mutans, Echidnophaga gallinacean, Gonocoites gallinae and Gonocoites hologester.
The birds under study showed slow growth, poor egg hatching. Parasites should have contributed
substantially to this poor growth although not single handedly