Mixed methods evaluation of targeted selective anthelmintic treatment by resource-poor smallholder goat farmers in Botswana

AbstractDue to the threat of anthelmintic resistance, livestock farmers worldwide are encouraged to selectively apply treatments against gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs). Targeted selective treatment (TST) of individual animals would be especially useful for smallholder farmers in low-income economies, where cost-effective and sustainable intervention strategies will improve livestock productivity and food security. Supporting research has focused mainly on refining technical indicators for treatment, and much less on factors influencing uptake and effectiveness. We used a mixed method approach, whereby qualitative and quantitative approaches are combined, to develop, implement and validate a TST system for GINs in small ruminants, most commonly goats, among smallholder farmers in the Makgadikgadi Pans region of Botswana, and to seek better understanding of system performance within a cultural context. After the first six months of the study, 42 out of 47 enrolled farmers were followed up; 52% had monitored their animals using the taught inspection criteria and 26% applied TST during this phase. Uptake level showed little correlation with farmer characteristics, such as literacy and size of farm. Herd health significantly improved in those herds where anthelmintic treatment was applied: anaemia, as assessed using the five-point FAMACHA© scale, was 0.44–0.69 points better (95% confidence interval) and body condition score was 0.18–0.36 points better (95% C.I., five-point scale) in treated compared with untreated herds. Only targeting individuals in greatest need led to similar health improvements compared to treating the entire herd, leading to dose savings ranging from 36% to 97%. This study demonstrates that TST against nematodes can be implemented effectively by resource-poor farmers using a community-led approach. The use of mixed methods provides a promising system to integrate technical and social aspects of TST programmes for maximum uptake and effect

Milk hygienic practices and occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in small-scale dairy farms in Sao Paulo, Brazil

The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between somatic cell counts (SCC), the use of different milking practices, and the occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in 42 small-scale dairy farms located in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. S. aureus and E. coli O157:H7 were isolated in the milk from dairy cows with low (< 200,000 cells/ml) and high SCC (>200,000 cells/ml), although no effect of SCC (p > 0.05) was observed on the incidence of the bacteria in raw milk. The use of disposable gloves during milking reduced S. aureus counts in milk (p < 0.05), but did not affect the occurrence of E. coli O157:H7. The other milking practices evaluated (closed milking system, use of pre- and post-dipping, mastitis diagnosis by strip cup test, and disinfection of teat cups) did not affect (p < 0.05) the occurrence of S. aureus or E. coli O157:H7 in raw milk. Results indicate the need for effective educational programs addressed to prevent the contamination of milk with S. aureus and E. coli O157:H7 in Brazilian small-scale dairy farms.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP), BrazilFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP), Brazi

Constraints on the χ_(c1) versus χ_(c2) polarizations in proton-proton collisions at √s = 8 TeV

The polarizations of promptly produced χ_(c1) and χ_(c2) mesons are studied using data collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC, in proton-proton collisions at √s=8  TeV. The χ_c states are reconstructed via their radiative decays χ_c → J/ψγ, with the photons being measured through conversions to e⁺e⁻, which allows the two states to be well resolved. The polarizations are measured in the helicity frame, through the analysis of the χ_(c2) to χ_(c1) yield ratio as a function of the polar or azimuthal angle of the positive muon emitted in the J/ψ → μ⁺μ⁻ decay, in three bins of J/ψ transverse momentum. While no differences are seen between the two states in terms of azimuthal decay angle distributions, they are observed to have significantly different polar anisotropies. The measurement favors a scenario where at least one of the two states is strongly polarized along the helicity quantization axis, in agreement with nonrelativistic quantum chromodynamics predictions. This is the first measurement of significantly polarized quarkonia produced at high transverse momentum