PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA FRUIT EXTRACT AMELIORATES ALTERED BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETES MELLITUS ALBINO RATS

Objective: Consistent projections have indicated a steady increase in the global burden of diabetes mellitus. Given the increased cost in conventional management of the condition in addition to reported side effects and cost of orthodox management, attention is shifting to the use of alternative methods such as plants materials with dual benefits as food and medicine. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the effect of date palm fruit on some biochemical parameters in streptozotocin-induced wistar rats. Methods: Animals were divided into 5 groups of 6 rats each (I as normal control, II as diabetic control and 3-5 as extract-treated groups) maintained for 14 d. At the end of the treatment, the animals were fasted overnight, then sacrificed and blood samples collected for analysis of biochemical parameters (including blood glucose, blood lipids and enzymes). Results: The results show that treatment of diabetic animals with extract of date palm fruit show a significant (P<0.05) reduction in glucose levels in groups II–V compared to group I. Similar positive effects were observed in the levels of lipids and enzymes in treated groups compared to diabetic control group II. A GC-MS analysis of the fraction of the fruit extract revealed some bioactive compounds that may be responsible for the effects exhibited in the study. Conclusion: These findings which demonstrate the ameliorative effect on hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, further support the use of date palm fruit as a nutraceutical agent

Single ion heat engine with maximum efficiency at maximum power

We propose an experimental scheme to realize a nano heat engine with a single ion. An Otto cycle may be implemented by confining the ion in a linear Paul trap with tapered geometry and coupling it to engineered laser reservoirs. The quantum efficiency at maximum power is analytically determined in various regimes. Moreover, Monte Carlo simulations of the engine are performed that demonstrate its feasibility and its ability to operate at maximum efficiency of 30% under realistic conditions.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Voicing ambiguities in the Ilizwi Lenyaniso Lomhlaba co-creator collective

This article considers youth co-production in the context of Global Challenges Research funded project, Changing the Story. The participatory project conceives of ‘voice' as research data, turn of phrase, and character by engaging with the work produced by South African co-creator collective Ilizwi Lenyaniso Lomhlaba, who contribute to voicing issues related to land, stewardship and futures. Developing Linda Tuhiwai Smith's five dimensions of decolonial theorisation, the article considers ‘voice' as a complex and dynamic formulation including regimes of power: funding, legacies of dispossession and ongoing marginalisation and highlighting the achievements of young people’s formulation of the stories of their world

Quantum-enhanced absorption refrigerators

Thermodynamics is a branch of science blessed by an unparalleled combination of generality of scope and formal simplicity. Based on few natural assumptions together with the four laws, it sets the boundaries between possible and impossible in macroscopic aggregates of matter. This triggered groundbreaking achievements in physics, chemistry and engineering over the last two centuries. Close analogues of those fundamental laws are now being established at the level of individual quantum systems, thus placing limits on the operation of quantum-mechanical devices. Here we study quantum absorption refrigerators, which are driven by heat rather than external work. We establish thermodynamic performance bounds for these machines and investigate their quantum origin. We also show how those bounds may be pushed beyond what is classically achievable, by suitably tailoring the environmental fluctuations via quantum reservoir engineering techniques. Such superefficient quantum-enhanced cooling realises a promising step towards the technological exploitation of autonomous quantum refrigerators

Effect of Slice Weight and Soaking Time on the Physico-Chemical Properties of Cassava Flour (Manihotesculentus) used for Bakery Products

Quality cassava(Manihotesculentus, Crantz) flour is often influenced by process variables such as slice weight and soaking time which may affect its nutritional quality. In this study, the effect of process variables (slice weight and soaking time) on quality of cassava flour was carried out. Cassava root was peeled, washed and cut into varied sizes (25.86 - 54.14 g) and soaked at varied time (7.03 - 40.97 h). The proximate composition, physical and chemical properties of the flour were carried out using standard methods. The result in our findings showed that slice weight and soaking time had significant increase (p<0.05) on the proximate and physico-chemical properties of the flour.The amylose and amylopectin content of the flour increased with increasing soaking time while the hydrogen cyanide content decreased with increase in soaking time. Overall, the quality cassava flour displayed desirable properties for its incorporation into baked goods

Parasitological prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis in Faro and Deo division Cameroon, Ten years after the tse-tse eradication campaign

Dix ans après la campagne d'éradication des glossines, une enquête transversale visant à déterminer la prévalence de la trypanosomose et l’identification des espèces de trypanosome en présence a été effectuée dans le département du Faro & Deo, plateau de l’Adamaoua, Nord Cameroun. Au total, 302 bovins adultes ont été examinés dans vingt localités différentes appartenant soit à la zone assainie, tampon ou infestée. Les techniques de diagnostic utilisées consistaient en un examen de la couche leucocytaire sur fond noir, un examen d’un frottis mince colore et une évaluation de l’hématocrite. La prévalence totale de la trypanosomose bovine était de 14,6%, mais variait significativement par zone. Elle était élevée en zone infestée 35.1% et basse dans la zone assainie (4.3%) et tampon (5.3%); et aucune différence significative (P =0.051 > 0.05) n’été observé entre la zone tampon et le plateau. Parmi les animaux positifs, 43.2%, 13.6%, 9.1%, 13.6% et 20.5% étaient causes par Trypanosoma congolense, Trypanosoma vivax, Trypanosoma brucei, et des infections mixtes (T. congolense et T. vivax) et (T. congolense, T. brucei et T. vivax) respectivement. L’hématocrite des animaux positifs et négatifs allait de 16 à 40 pour cent et de 15 à 46 pour cent, respectivement. L’hématocrite moyen des animaux négatifs (29,6±5.7%) était significativement plus élevé que l’hématocrite moyen des animaux positifs (26,9±6.4%) (P = 0.003 < 0.05). Vu le risque de trypanosomose sur le plateau, une stratégie de contrôle appropriée est fortement recommandée.Ten years after the tsetse eradication campaign, a cross sectional survey to determine the prevalence of trypanosomosis and identifying the species of trypanosomes infecting cattle was conducted in the Adamaoua plateau, North Cameroon. A total of 302 adult cattle were examined at twenty different localities. Field examination of the buffy coat, stained thin blood film examination and packed cell volume (PCV) evaluation were thediagnostic techniques used. The overall prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis was 14.6%. However, the prevalence differed significantly between zones. It was higher in the valley (35.1%) and lower in the buffer zone and the plateau (5.3% and 4.3% respectively); no significant difference (P = 0.051) was found between the buffer zone and plateau. Among the positive animals, 43.2%, 13.6%, 9.1%, 13.6% and 20.5% werefrom Trypanosoma congolense, T. vivax , T. brucei and mixed infection (T. congolense & T. vivax) and (T. congolense, T. brucei & T. vivax), respectively. The mean PCV of positive and negative animals ranged between 16 - 40 % and 15 - 46%, respectively. The mean PCV of negative animals (29.6±5.7%) was significantly higher than the mean PCV of positive animals (26.9±6.4%) (P < 0.05). Because of the risk of trypanosomosis on the plateau, appropriate control strategies need to be put in place urgently