A modified predator-prey model for the interaction of police and gangs.

A modified predator-prey model with transmissible disease in both the predator and prey species is proposed and analysed, with infected prey being more vulnerable to predation and infected predators hunting at a reduced rate. Here, the predators are the police and the prey the gang members. In this system, we examine whether police control of gangs is possible.

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants in Trinidad.

Background: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted on the Caribbean island of Trinidad to identify medicinal plants commonly used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of medical conditions.

Methods: A pilot survey was conducted to identify the top ten most common ailments where medicinal plants were used. The results of the foregoing study guided a wider national survey conducted between October 2007 and July 2008.

Rutting and Fatigue Cracking Resistance of Waste Cooking Oil Modified Trinidad Asphaltic Materials.

The influence of waste cooking oil (WCO) on the performance characteristics of asphaltic materials indigenous to Trinidad, namely, Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA), Trinidad Petroleum Bitumen (TPB), and TLA : TPB (50 : 50) blend, was investigated to deduce the applicability of the WCO as a performance enhancer for the base asphalt. The rheological properties of complex modulus (G (∗) ) and phase angle (δ) were measured for modified base asphalt blends containing up to 10% WCO. The results of rheology studies demonstrated that the incremental addition of WCO to the three parent binders resulted in incremental decreases in the rutting resistance (decrease in G (∗) /sinδ values) and increases in the fatigue cracking resistance (decrease in G (∗) sinδ value).

Serum copper and haematological values of sheep of different physiological stages in the dry and wet seasons of central trinidad.

A study was conducted to determine serum copper (Cu) concentrations and hematological values of 174 sheep from four medium sized farms, pertaining to physiological stage, in the late dry and late wet seasons of Central Trinidad. Serum Cu was significantly lower in the dry than in the wet season (P < 0.001) with a corresponding high percentage of samples with low Cu levels in the former.

A model of glucose-insulin-pramlintide pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in type I diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) complications are significantly reduced when normoglycemic levels are maintained via intensive therapy. The artificial pancreas is designed for intensive glycemic control; however, large postprandial excursions after a meal result in poor glucose regulation. Pramlintide, a synthetic analog of the hormone amylin, reduces the severity of postprandial excursions by reducing appetite, suppressing glucagon release, and slowing the rate of gastric emptying.

Nurturing Advocacy Inclusion to Bring Health Equity in Breast Cancer among African American Women.

This paper will present the multiple roles and the impact of cancer advocates. The emerging literature provides evidence for the consideration and integration of African American BC survivors as advocates in practice, policy and research relevant to cancer prevention and control. We present a practical outline for organizational assessment for the inclusion of advocates in these arenas.

First record of Anopheles albimanus from St Kitts.

Objective: Previous mosquito surveys performed in the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis identified Anopheles albimanus in Nevis but there is no recorded occurrence of this mosquito in St Kitts. To determine the presence of this and other species in St Kitts and Nevis, a mosquito survey was conducted.

Methods: Surveys were performed in two phases--the dry season (March 16-23, 2010, in St Kitts), and the rainy season (October 18-25, 2010) in St Kitts and Nevis.

Prevalence of anti-dengue immunoglobulin G antibodies among American Red Cross blood donors in Puerto Rico, 2006.

Background: Dengue is endemic in Puerto Rico and causes periodic outbreaks involving thousands of persons. Seroprevalence studies among blood donors can provide useful data on the immune status of the adult population. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-dengue immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibodies in a random sample of blood donors to the American Red Cross (ARC) in Puerto Rico.

Eryngium foetidum L.: a review.

Eryngium foetidum L. is a biennial herb which is used extensively as a medicinal plant in most tropical regions. It is of increasing importance as a spice plant cultivated in India, Vietnam, Australia and elsewhere with well documented procedures for maximum yield.