Blood biochemistry and haematology of weaner rabbits fed sun-dried, ensiled, and fermented cassava peel-based diets

Twenty-four New Zealand white × Chinchilla weaner bucks, aged between 7 and 8 weeks and averaging 0.9 kg in weight, were divided into four groups of six each and used in a 12-week feeding trial to evaluate the blood biochemistry and haematology of rabbits fed sun-dried, ensiled, and fermented cassava peel-based diets. The test diets designated A, B, C and D were completely randomised. Diet A, the control, was a 16.18 per cent CP (crude protein) weaner ration formulated from maize, maize offals, soya bean meal, blood meal, oyster shell, bone meal, vitamin premix, and common salt. Diets B, C and D were also weaner rations of, respectively, 16.10, 16.20 and 16.08 per cent CP in which 10 per cent maize of the control diet was replaced, respectively, with sun-dried, ensiled and fermented cassava peels. The diets were roughly iso-caloric. The haematological components of the study included packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC), neutrophil (N), and lymphocytes (L). The biochemical parameters were serum creatinine, urea, bilirubin (total and conjugated), serum glutamic transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), eosinophil, and blood sugar. Liver and kidney weights were also monitored. The results showed that PCV, WBC, N and L were affected (P0.05) among rabbits fed different dietary treatments. Vingt-quatre lapins mâles en sevrage de l\'espèce de Nouvelle - Zélande blanc × Chinchilla agé de 7 à 8 semaines et de poids moyen de 0.9 kg étaient divisés en 4 groups de 6 lapins chacun et employés dans un essai d\'alimentation de 12 semaines pour évaluer la biochimie et l\'hématologie de sang de lapins nourris de régimes à base de pelure de manioc séchée de soleil, ensilées et fermentée. Les régimes d\'essai classés A, B, C et D étaient complètement choisis au hasard. Le régime A, le contrôle, était une ration de sevrage avec 16.18% de CP (protéine brute) formulée de maïs, déchets de maïs, farine de graine de soja, farine sanguine, coquille d\'huître, engrais de cendres d\'os, vitamine prémix et sel ordinaire. Les régimes B, C et D étaient aussi des rations de sevrage, respectivement, avec 16.10, 16.20 et 16.08% de CP enquel 10% de maïs du régime de contrôle était remplacé par les pelures de manioc, respectivement, séchée de soleil, ensilées et fermentée. Les régimes étaient approximativement iso-cloriques. Les éléments hématologiques de l\'étude comprenaient la volume de cellule tassée (VCT), le globule sanguin blanc (GSB), le neutrophile (N) et les lymphocytes (L). Les paramètres biochimiques étaient le sérum créatinine, l\'urée, la bilirubine (totale et conjuguée), le sérum glutamique transaminase (SGPT), le sérum glutamique oxaloacétique transaminase (SGOT), l\'éosinophile et le sucre dans le sang. Les poids de foie et de rein étaient également suivis de près. Les résultats montraient que VCT, GSB, les neutrophiles et les lymphocytes étaient modifiés (

Field-adapted sampling of whole blood to determine the levels of amodiaquine and its metabolite in children with uncomplicated malaria treated with amodiaquine plus artesunate combination

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) has been widely adopted as first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria. In Uganda, amodiaquine plus artesunate (AQ+AS), is the alternative first-line regimen to Coartem^®(artemether + lumefantrine) for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Currently, there are few field-adapted analytical techniques for monitoring amodiaquine utilization in patients. This study evaluates the field applicability of a new method to determine amodiaquine and its metabolite concentrations in whole blood dried on filter paper.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twelve patients aged between 1.5 to 8 years with uncomplicated malaria received three standard oral doses of AQ+AS. Filter paper blood samples were collected before drug intake and at six different time points over 28 days period. A new field-adapted sampling procedure and liquid chromatographic method was used for quantitative determination of amodiaquine and its metabolite in whole blood.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The sampling procedure was successively applied in the field. Amodiaquine could be quantified for at least three days and the metabolite up to 28 days. All parasites in all the 12 patients cleared within the first three days of treatment and no adverse drug effects were observed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The methodology is suitable for field studies. The possibility to determine the concentration of the active metabolite of amodiaquine up to 28 days suggested that the method is sensitive enough to monitor amodiaquine utilization in patients. Amodiaquine plus artesunate seems effective for treatment of falciparum malaria.</p

Formalising Mathematics in Simple Type Theory

Despite the considerable interest in new dependent type theories, simple type theory (which dates from 1940) is sufficient to formalise serious topics in mathematics. This point is seen by examining formal proofs of a theorem about stereographic projections. A formalisation using the HOL Light proof assistant is contrasted with one using Isabelle/HOL. Harrison's technique for formalising Euclidean spaces is contrasted with an approach using Isabelle/HOL's axiomatic type classes. However, every formal system can be outgrown, and mathematics should be formalised with a view that it will eventually migrate to a new formalism

The value of figs to chimpanzees

Nine Ugandan figs have consistent differences in nutrient concentration between the pulp and seed fractions. Pulp has more water-soluble carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, calories, and ash, while the seed fraction has more condensed tannins, lipids, and fiber. Because species differ, nutrient concentration in pulp could not be predicted from analysis of whole figs. Chimpanzees in Kibale Forest relied heavily on figs throughout 29 months, feeding relatively intensely at large trees. Fig size varied between species, between individuals of the same species, and between fruiting cycles of the same tree. Larger figs had higher water concentrations but still led to higher rates of nutrient intake per minute for chimpanzees, monkeys, and hornbills. Chimpanzees ate more than 40 cal/min, excluding calories derived from insoluble fiber, when harvesting large figs.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44560/1/10764_2005_Article_BF02192634.pd

Formal Global Optimisation with Taylor Models

Abstract. Formal proofs and global optimisation are two research ar-eas that have been heavily influenced by the arrival of computers. This article aims to bring both further together by formalising a global optimi-sation method based on Taylor models: a set of functions is represented by a polynomial together with an error bound. The algorithms are imple-mented in the proof assistant Coq&apos;s term language, with the ultimate goal to obtain formally proven bounds for any multi-variate smooth function in an efficient way. To this end we make use of constructive real numbers, interval arithmetic, and polynomial bounding techniques.

Ecotourism: The Modern Predator? Implications of Gorilla Tourism on Local Livelihoods in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

The role of ecotourism as a means of influencing the path of local development orencouraging conservation activities is not unproblematic. Indeed, an increasing body of literature not only challenges the assumed benevolence of ecotourism but critically questions the role of ecotourism in contributing to the greater social and economic justice so often assumed under these programs. This paper seeks to contribute to this growing body of critical literature through an analysis of the impact of ecotourism on the everyday lives of rural villagers adjacent to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, paying particular attention to the social forms of access to and control over the process through which decisions about ecotourism take place. Drawing on a year of ethnographic-based fieldwork, this paper focuses on how the commodification of Bwindi as a product of wilderness, a wild and unspoilt destination marketed to foreign visitors, promotes the external control of conservation spaces by international organizations that ultimatelycontribute to, rather than alleviate, poverty and dependency in local communities. Beyond providing just another case study, however, this analysis argues that the `new' relations between people and parks created under ecotourism in Bwindi have in actuality created new forms of control and vulnerabilities