Optimizing Costs: How Biosecurity Measures Transform Smallholder Poultry Economics

Attempts to manage poultry diseases through clinical treatment are both costly and increase the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study was motivated by the need to tackle the dual challenge of diseases leading to AMR and low poultry productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa. It assesses the cost efficiency of farmers who use varying levels of biosecurity measures. We employ a three-step estimation procedure: first, a latent class analysis (LCA) model to describe adoption patterns. Secondly, a stochastic frontier analysis is used to generate cost efficiency scores and inefficiency effects. Lastly, a one-way ANOVA is used to compare cost efficiency by adoption categories. The LCA model reveals three uptake patterns for biosecurity measures with low, moderate, and high adoption behaviors. The average cost efficiency scores are 49.5%, 61.6%, and 68.6%, respectively, for the low, moderate, and high adoption categories. The overall score of 60.4% indicates that poultry farmers in Nyanza are largely cost-efficient. We demonstrate from the observed pattern that there is room to improve cost performance through increased use of biosecurity measures. Years of experience in poultry farming and larger stock sizes reduce farm cost inefficiency. These findings form the basis for the promotion of biosecurity measures

From IKUNS to 1KUNS - First Kenyan university nanosatellite

1KUNS-PF (1st Kenyan University Nano Satellite - Precursor Flight) is a 1U-CubeSat selected in the framework of the UN/Japan Cooperation Program for CubeSat Deployment from the International Space Station (ISS) Japanese Expe rimental Module (Kibo) "KiboCUBE". The mission develops in a partnership between the School of Engineering - University of Nairobi, Kenya and University o f Ro me " La Sapien za", Ro me, Ita ly, with the support of the Kenya Space Agency and sponsorship from the Italian Space Agency, in the framework of the ASISapienza Agreement for the research and education activity at the Broglio Space Center in Malindi, Kenya. A jointed Postgraduate Course between Sapienza and University of Na irobi was established, to foster capacity building in aerospace at an academic institution level in Kenya, involving Italian and Kenyan students and professors in the higher education activity. Support to the satellite development and to the postgraduate course is provided by ASI and by Italian companies. The aim of 1KUNS-PF is to test in orbit several critical technologies that will fly onboard IKUNS, a 6U University CubeSat for Earth observation in the visual band, funded by ASI in collaboration with Sapienza University. 1KUNS-PF is a technology demonstration to test in orbit on-board systems that include commercial and in-house developed experimental devices. In detail, the nanosatellite payloads are a silicon cell solar panel made in the Nairobi facility, two commercial-off-the-shelf micro cameras and a telemetry electronic board designed to manage the experimental devices. The primary mission goal is to verify the performance of the on-board subsystems, receiving telemetry data from the satellite. Secondary scientific objectives are associated with the acquisition, storage on-board, and correct transmission to ground of low-defin ition, panchro matic images of the East Africa region, where the interest of Kenya lies for the Earth Observation applications in terms of agriculture monitoring, coastal areas monitoring, etc. This mission will allow to test and verify the performances obtained with the selected devices and developed software, in order to support the development of the IKUNS program. The paper describes the 1KUNS-PF project during its phases of design, from IKUNS to 1KUNS-PF, and the achievements obtained thanks to the collaboration between Kenyan and Italian institutions

Increased deposition of C3b on red cells with low CR1 and CD55 in a malaria-endemic region of western Kenya: Implications for the development of severe anemia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Severe anemia due to <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>malaria is a major cause of mortality among young children in western Kenya. The factors that lead to the age-specific incidence of this anemia are unknown. Previous studies have shown an age-related expression of red cell complement regulatory proteins, which protect erythrocytes from autologous complement attack and destruction. Our primary objective was to determine whether in a malaria-endemic area red cells with low levels of complement regulatory proteins are at increased risk for complement (C3b) deposition <it>in vivo</it>. Secondarily, we studied the relationship between red cell complement regulatory protein levels and hemoglobin levels.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Three hundred and forty-two life-long residents of a malaria-holoendemic region of western Kenya were enrolled in a cross-sectional study and stratified by age. We measured red cell C3b, CR1, CD55, and immune complex binding capacity by flow cytometry. Individuals who were positive for malaria were treated and blood was collected when they were free of parasitemia. Analysis of variance was used to identify independent variables associated with the %C3b-positive red cells and the hemoglobin level.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Individuals between the ages of 6 and 36 months had the lowest red cell CR1, highest %C3b-positive red cells, and highest parasite density. Malaria prevalence also reached its peak within this age group. Among children ≤ 24 months of age the %C3b-positive red cells was usually higher in individuals who were treated for malaria than in uninfected individuals with similarly low red cell CR1 and CD55. The variables that most strongly influenced the %C3b-positive red cells were age, malaria status, and red cell CD55 level. Although it did not reach statistical significance, red cell CR1 was more important than red cell CD55 among individuals treated for malaria. The variables that most strongly influenced the hemoglobin level were age, the %C3b-positive red cells, red cell CR1, and red cell CD55.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Increasing malaria prevalence among children >6 to ≤ 36 months of age in western Kenya, together with low red cell CR1 and CD55 levels, results in increased C3b deposition on red cells and low hemoglobin. The strong contribution of age to C3b deposition suggests that there are still additional unidentified age-related factors that increase the susceptibility of red cells to C3b deposition and destruction.</p