<i>Trypanosoma evansi</i>: Genetic variability detected using amplified restriction fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of Kenyan isolates

We compared two methods to generate polymorphic markers to investigate the population genetics of Trypanosoma evansi; random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and amplified restriction fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analyses. AFLP accessed many more polymorphisms than RAPD. Cluster analysis of the AFLP data showed that 12 T.evansi isolates were very similar (‘type A’) whereas 2 isolates differed substantially (‘type B’). Type A isolates have been generally regarded as genetically identical but AFLP analysis was able to identify multiple differences between them and split the type A T. evansi isolates into two distinct clades

Evaluation of enzyme immunoassays in the diagnosis of camel (Camelus dromedarius) trypanosomiasis:a preliminary investigation

Three enzyme immunoassays were used for the serodiagnosis of Trypanosoma evansi in camels in the Sudan in order to evaluate their ability to discriminate between infected and non-infected animals. Two assays were used for the detection of trypanosomal antibodies, one using specific anti-camel IgG conjugate and another using a non-specific Protein A conjugate. The third assay detected the presence of trypanosomal antigens using anti-T. evansi antibodies in a double antibody sandwich assay. Inspection of the frequency distribution of assay results suggested that the ELISA for circulating trypanosomal antibodies using specific antisera and the ELISA for circulating antigens can distinguish between non-infected camels and infected camels exhibiting patent infections or not. The ELISA using Protein A conjugate to bind non-specifically to camel immunoglobulin did not appear to discriminate between infected and non-infected animals

Epidemiology of Surra : Unanswered Questions

application/pdfjournal articl

Trypanosomiasis Caused by Trypanosoma evansi in Indonesia

application/pdfjournal articl

Status of Surra in Livestock in Thailand

application/pdfjournal articl

Elegant sufficiency: how young Australians are living better with less

This research explores Australian consumer society and how the pursuit of materialist lifestyles had led to a problem of wasteful consumerism. This problem amounts to an annual expenditure of $10.5 billion on goods that are not used (Hamilton et. al, 2005). Despite the urgent need for society to mitigate environmental catastrophe and shift towards a sustainable way of living, the problem of wasteful consumerism is only increasing. This research explores why this is the case through an analysis of meaning and motivation for modern consumerism. To address the tension between the problem of wasteful consumerism and sustainability, this research analyses the emerging discourse on sustainable consumption lifestyles and identifies how this theory can translate to individual action. Furthermore, this research identifies how some young people are discontent with the consumerist status quo and as such, are seeking to adopt alternative, sustainable lifestyles. To gain insights into the sustainable lifestyles of young people, fourteen individuals committed to sustainable living (aged 18-35 years) are interviewed in-depth. Their stories are analysed and constructed into lifestyle portraits. The fourteen lifestyle portraits address the three objectives for this research and identify (1) the individual motivations for living sustainably, (2a) how young people are living sustainably, through an analysis of the principles and practices they adopt and (2b) the challenges between the individuals’ consuming ideals and actions. Finally, (3) the biographical analysis explores the spheres of influence the individuals have within their families, peers and broader networks and assesses their potential to lead by example through living better with less

The effect of pore-scale contaminant distribution on the reactive decontamination of porous media

A porous material that has been contaminated with a hazardous chemical agent is typically decontaminated by applying a cleanser solution to the surface and allowing the cleanser to react into the porous material, neutralising the agent. The agent and cleanser are often immiscible fluids and so, if the porous material is initially saturated with agent, a reaction front develops with the decontamination reaction occurring at this interface between the fluids. We investigate the effect of different initial agent configurations within the pore space on the decontamination process. Specifically, we compare the decontamination of a material initially saturated by the agent with the situation when, initially, the agent only coats the walls of the pores (referred to as the ‘agent-on-walls’ case). In previous work (Luckins et al., European Journal of Applied Mathematics, 31(5):782–805, 2020), we derived homogenised models for both of these decontamination scenarios, and in this paper we explore the solutions of these two models. We find that, for an identical initial volume of agent, the decontamination time is generally much faster for the agent-on-walls case compared with the initially saturated case, since the surface area on which the reaction can occur is greater. However for sufficiently deep spills of contaminant, or sufficiently slow reaction rates, decontamination in the agent-on-walls scenario can be slower. We also show that, in the limit of a dilute cleanser with a deep initial agent spill, the agent-on-walls model exhibits behaviour akin to a Stefan problem of the same form as that arising in the initially saturated model. The decontamination time is shown to decrease with both the applied cleanser concentration and the rate of the chemical reaction. However, increasing the cleanser concentration is also shown to result in lower decontamination efficiency, with an increase in the amount of cleanser chemical that is wasted

The role of temperature and drying cycles on impurity deposition in drying porous media

We consider a liquid containing impurities saturating a porous material; when the liquid evaporates, the impurities are deposited within the material. Applications include filtration and waterproof textiles. We present a mathematical model incorporating coupling between evaporation, accumulation and transport of the impurities, and the impact of the deposited impurities on the transport of both the suspended impurities and the liquid vapour. By simulating our model numerically, we investigate the role of temperature and repeated drying cycles on the location of the deposited impurities. Higher temperatures increase the evaporation rate so that impurities are transported further into porous material before depositing than for lower temperatures. We quantify two distinct parameter regimes in which the material clogs: (i) the dry-clogging (high-temperature) regime, in which impurities are pushed far into the material before clogging, and (ii) the wet-clogging (high-impurity) regime, in which liquid becomes trapped by the clogging. Clogging restricts the extent to which drying time can be reduced by increasing the temperature

Is the Total Communication approach effective for children with complex speech, language and communication needs?

Total Communication is a collaborative intervention approach delivered by teachers and speech and language therapists (SLTs) to support children with complex speech language and communication needs (SLCN). Total Communication combines the intervention approaches of active learning and support for speech using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The AAC consists of signing, and the use of voice output communication aids / speech generating devices (VOCAs / SGDs) and communication boards. This study reports on the evaluation of the effectiveness of this approach to support primary age children with complex SLCN. The study aims to determine if the collaborative Total Communication approach facilitates communication ability. The following questions are asked: does the Total Communication approach increase the communication ability (mean length of utterance, and number of propositions, using any communication mode) of pupils with severe and complex SLCN? Is conducting an evaluation study of a holistic Total Communication approach using single case experimental design (SCED) in a special school context effective? A multiple probe design across participants was used to evaluate Total Communication with three children between 8 and 10 years. Following baseline, the children took part in the Total Communication intervention in a story telling context, via class-based active learning with speech, signing and VOCAs plus communication boards. Probes measured the children's subsequent story re-telling with these communication modes. All participants showed increases in their production of propositions and the mean length of their longest utterances, using a variety of modes of communication. Gains were sustained and generalised. The study shows Total Communication is effective in increasing the communicative ability of children with complex SLCN

The role of temperature and drying cycles on impurity deposition in drying porous media

We consider a liquid containing impurities saturating a porous material; when the liquid evaporates, the impurities are deposited within the material. Applications include filtration and waterproof textiles. We present a mathematical model incorporating coupling between evaporation, accumulation and transport of the impurities, and the impact of the deposited impurities on the transport of both the suspended impurities and the liquid vapour. By simulating our model numerically, we investigate the role of temperature and repeated drying cycles on the location of the deposited impurities. Higher temperatures increase the evaporation rate so that impurities are transported further into porous material before depositing than for lower temperatures. We quantify two distinct parameter regimes in which the material clogs: (i) the dry-clogging (high-temperature) regime, in which impurities are pushed far into the material before clogging, and (ii) the wet-clogging (high-impurity) regime, in which liquid becomes trapped by the clogging. Clogging restricts the extent to which drying time can be reduced by increasing the temperature