A Cross-Sectional Study of Prevalence and Risk Factors for Major Goat Diseases in Eastern and Western Uganda: Results and Exploration of Biases.

In 1998 a cross-sectional study on goat health and management was conducted in eastern and western Uganda. This study involved 1518 goats which were distributed in 145 herds in 5 districts, namely Kumi, Masaka, Mbarara, Soroti and Ssembabule. Cluster sampling was used to select farms across the two regions. A questionnaire on goat health, management and constraints to production was administered to 145 goat owners. Blood and nasal swabs were collected from a random sample of goats. For each goat a physical examination was performed to detect presence of clinical conditions. Serological assays for contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP), peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and brucellosis were performed. Bacterial cultures were done to isolate the genera of bacteria in goats with clinical respiratory conditions (CRC). Another aspect of this study involved collection of gastrointestinal tracts from the abattoir to determine the prevalent nematode worm types and corresponding burdens as assessed through worm and fecal egg counts. Brucella melitensis was detected in 9.8% (141/1446) of the goats and these were distributed in 43.4% of the farms. Abortions were reported in 52% of the herds. A simulation model for transmission dynamics and control options for brucellosis in goats was developed and is described. Considering individual goats, CCPP, PPR, mange, orf, hoof conditions, abscesses, CRC, and infestation with ticks were detected in 29.7% (246/827), 0.5% (8/1466), 0.7% (10/1506), 3.2% (47/1475), 15.7% (237/1509), 2.2% (33/1508), 17.5% (262/1493) and 28.7% (1423/1509) of the goats, respectively. The corresponding distributions of CCPP, PPR, mange, orf, hoof conditions, and CRC at herd level were 55.1% (38/69), 2.1% (3/142), 4.1% (6/145), 10.3% (15/145), 51% (74/145) and 29.7% (43/145), respectively. Putative risk factors for diseases detected were identified through multivariable logistic regression models. These results have revealed a need for active disease surveillance in goats in Uganda and a need for educating farmers on biosecurity and modern goat management practices. This study was done in only two regions of the country and is prone to biases associated with cross-sectional designs, thus more studies, preferably longitudinal, are needed to further investigate diseases and production constraints of farmers along with possible intervention measures

SPECTROSCOPIC INVESTIGATION OF PROTEINS

Apomyoglobin is obtained from pure myoglobin by extracting out the heme group. UsingUV-visible spectrometry we are able to monitor complete removal of heme group. Thisextraction initiates the disruption of myoglobin's tertiary conformation. Apomyoglobin consistsof 8 α-helices labeled A through H. These helices unfold when the protein is subjected to pHdecrease. It is more compact at about pH 7 and unfolds as we change to more acidicenvironment. At about pH 2 we have A, G, H core with the rest of the helices unfolded. At pHvalues slightly lower than 2, A, G and H helices are also unfolded. When the protein is notdenatured, the refolding process is done by changing the pH towards neutral. At pH 2, G and Hhelices refold and at pH 4 A-helix refolds as well. We have been able to label A-helix withprotons and the rest of the protein with deuterium using H2O and D2O respectively. We havethen used temperature change to initiate the unfolding of protonated A-helix. When dissolved inD2O, the protonated A-helix at elevated temperatures, exchanges its N-H protons to N-Ddeuterons. Temperatures were elevated from 0 °C to 80 °C and changes in Am III peak intensitieswere observed using UV resonance Raman spectroscopy. These peak changes were quantifiedand used to calculate the number of N-H bonds present between 0 °C and 80 °C. The number ofN-H bonds decreased with increase in temperature indicating the unfolding of A-helix

Aspects of resource conservation and utilisation: the role of charcoal industry in the Kenya economy

Multi-disciplinary concern has been aroused by the increase of small-scale activities commonly labelled as the 'informal' sector among which the charcoal industry can be classified. This paper aims at establishing the main role of charcoal in the Kenyan economy with comparative analysis of alternative fuels taking price as the arbiter. Charcoal is the dominant fuel used by the low and medium income household in urban and some rural areas. Its use extends to industrial, educations, commercial and provision of services as a source of energy. Until recently, it was a foreign exchange earner but continues to provide employment opportunities both at formal and informal levels. The paper also discusses charcoal as a product of limited scarce forest and scrubland resources in Kenya to highlight possible future supply constraints of raw-materials and environmental imbalance. Finally focus is made on some factors controlling charcoal price and trade channels as basis for further research and policy recommendations

The potential for income and employment generation in Kenya's urban informal sector: a proposed survey

This paper is concerned with a survey of informal sector enterprises that the authors propose to carry out in Nairobi this year. The emphasis is placed on the search for more information on the operation of the sector's enterprises, particularly their constraints on expansion, so that policies of help and encouragement can be formulated from a more informed data base

Knowledge of and Perceptions about Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study among Adolescent Students in Uganda

This article reports the findings of a qualitative research study carried out in Kabarole district, western Uganda. Knowledge of and perceptions about HIV/AIDS and pregnancy and how both relate to one another were elucidated from eight focus-group discussions with 38 female and 32 male secondary students from four different schools. Widespread misinformation and misconceptions about contraceptives still exist as previously found in this area. There was a serious gap in knowledge and understanding of ‘dual protection’ against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and against pregnancy. Fertility was very highly valued, and many girls stated that they would want a child even if they were HIV-positive. Responses of girls showed that they were quite assertive in making decisions to use contraceptives. The reasons for students not being able to understand the interconnectedness of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy may lie in the fragmented fashion in which relevant health education is delivered through two separate programmes

ELECTROCHEMICAL ION-IONOPHORE RECOGNITION AT MEMBRANE/WATER INTERFACES FOR ULTRATRACE ION SENSING

ELECTROCHEMICAL ION-IONOPHORE RECOGNITION AT MEMBRANE/WATER INTERFACES FOR ULTRATRACE ION SENSING Benjamin Kabagambe, PhD University of Pittsburgh, 2015 Electrochemical methods for trace ion analysis of organic and inorganic species with environmental and biological attention have been developed and reported during past decades. Voltammetric method is attractive not only to analyze selective ion species due to its characteristic based on ion lipophilicity, but also to lower the limit of detection by combining with stripping analysis. In my PhD work, I have developed a highly selective and sensitive electrochemical ion-ionophore recognition method that can be used to characterize fundamental transport dynamics at membrane/water interfaces. I have also demonstrated that my selective and sensitive electrochemical technique is useful for very low detection of trace ions. Specifically, cyclic voltammograms of Ag+, K+, Ca2+, Ba2+, and Pb2+ transfers facilitated by highly selective ionophores are measured and analyzed numerically using the E mechanism to obtain standard IT rate constants in the range of 0.01–0.001 cm/s at plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membrane/water. We utilized ultrathin polymer membrane to maximize a current response by complete exhaustion of preconcentrated ions to detect nanomolar potassium ions using K+-selective valinomycin doped membrane. The selectivity of this membrane further reveals presence of NH4+ -valinomycin complex which is 60 times less stable than K+-valinomycin complex. This work also becomes the first to reveal 5nM K+ contamination of lab nanopure water hence the need for cleaner ultrapure water to achieve a 0.6nM K+ LOD. We further quantitatively confirm the charge-dependent sensitivity theory by stripping voltammetry experiments of divalent ion i.e. Ca2+. Specifically, the achievement of the subnanomolar LOD required two advantageous effects of higher analyte charge on sensitivity in addition to the careful prevention of the Ca2+ contamination of background solutions. Furthermore, we use the ionophore free double-polymer modified electrode to study lipophilicity of perfluoroalkyl surfactants. Advantageously, the high lipophilicity of perfluorooctane sulfonate allows for its stripping voltammetric detection at 50 pM in the presence of 1 mM aqueous supporting electrolytes, a ~10^7 times higher concentration. Significantly, this detection limit for perfluorooctane sulfonate is unprecedentedly low for electrochemical sensors and is lower than its minimum reporting level in drinking water set by the US Environmental Protection Agency

The Role of Public Library in Promoting the Reading Culture in Rwanda

The study examined the roles of the public library in promoting reading culture in Rwanda. A case study research design was used, with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data were collected using the triangulation method employing questionnaires, interviews, and observation. Quantitative data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel Office 2010. Thematic method of analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The study findings indicate that the public library was being used by most library users for reading. Whereby, the majority utilized the library for the purposes of gaining knowledge and relaxation. Additionally, the results show that most of the respondents spend more than one hour in the library reading. The findings also show that most of the library users have habits of visiting the library on a weekly basis. Furthermore, the findings show that the major factors that hinder library users from reading in the library included long distances to reach the public library, financial constraints, and addiction to watching Television and other viewing gadgets. Generally, the study concludes that public library helps to promote the reading culture among library users despite the factors that hinder effective reading culture. Thus, the study calls for library management to establish several branches of public libraries or mobile public libraries so that library users will not need to travel a long distance to find a public library. Moreover, the public library should make sure that it equips with reading materials that have titles that relate to users’ needs but also with the language that is familiar to most of its users. Furthermore, reading materials that are received as gifts or donations should be aligned with the collection management policy

Analysing human rights accountability towards ending preventable maternal morbidity and morality in Uganda

Doctor Legum - LLDThe persistence of preventable Maternal Morbidity and Mortality (hereafter MMM), in the developing world, despite ground breaking technological and scientific advances, is unacceptable. There is no cause of death and disability for men between ages 15 and 44 that comes close to the large scale of maternal mortality and morbidity. Thus, the prevalence of high MMM ratios indicates the side-lining of women's rights. Surprisingly, the causal factors of preventable MMM and interventions needed to reverse the pervasively high numbers are now well known. Yet, hundreds of women continue to die daily and to suffer lifelong illnesses while giving birth. In Uganda, despite various regulatory, policy and programmatic strategies, the most recent survey revealed that the maternal mortality ratios were at a staggering 438 per 100,000 live births

Analysing human rights accountability towards ending preventable maternal morbidity and mortality in Uganda

Doctor Legum - LLDThe persistence of preventable Maternal Morbidity and Mortality (hereafter MMM), in the developing world, despite ground breaking technological and scientific advances, is unacceptable. There is no cause of death and disability for men between ages 15 and 44 that comes close to the large scale of maternal mortality and morbidity.1 Thus, the prevalence of high MMM ratios indicates the side-lining of women's rights. Surprisingly, the causal factors of preventable MMM and interventions needed to reverse the pervasively high numbers are now well known. Yet, hundreds of women continue to die daily and to suffer lifelong illnesses while giving birth. In Uganda, despite various regulatory, policy and programmatic strategies, the most recent survey revealed that the maternal mortality ratios were at a staggering 438 per 100,000 live births.2 This study attributes the continued prevalence of high MMM rates to lack of accountability that would ensure services and resources are being maximized and redistributed equitably. Lack of effective accountability mechanisms in place encourages unbridled financial, human and technical resource wastage, diversion, non-utilization and embezzlement of funds. It is not enough that medical equipment, personnel and finances are increasingly being allocated to the health sector by the Government. Without effective tracking and supervisory mechanisms, these additional financial, technical and human resource allocation will most likely not translate into reduced MMM rates. Sadly, in Uganda, the role of accountability towards the operationalization of human rights is underappreciated. In fact, many health sector practitioners are unaware of the ways in which accountability can be implemented. Despite the recent infiltration of the term 'accountability' into laws and policies, it remains an elusive and fuzzy concept. Further still, as demonstrated throughout the study, accountability has been popularized by international and regional human rights monitoring mechanisms such as the UN treaty bodies, African Commission but at the domestic level, great strides have yet to be made in infusing human rights accountability into laws, policies, programs and practices in a way that will reverse the high MMM. The domestication of accountability is vital because human rights ideals are only turned into actual implementable strategies at the national level. A direct focus on Uganda would allow for the undertaking of the country's own specific challenges within its domestic context

Implementing legal accountability to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity in Uganda

Accountability is a vital human rights principle to address preventable maternal morbidity and mortality in Uganda. The continuous use of ‘accountability’ as a term without elaborating on it gets in the way of using its underlying principles to improve laws and policies. The implementation of legal accountability requires creating avenues through which women whose maternal health rights have been violated may access legal remedies. The existence of adequate legal remedies is vital not only for redressing violations of rights but also for identifying and proposing strategies towards addressing the bottlenecks in health systems. Courts of law are principal judicial mechanisms and, therefore, it is incumbent upon courts to expand rather than limit maternal healthrelated rights. The Uganda Human Rights Commission is another body which is empowered with a protective and promotional mandate that should be used to promote and protect reproductive health rights. It is further emphasised that accountability is not a tool to be understood and interpreted only by legal practitioners. Rather, various forms of accountability, including social and administrative forms, are vital for complementing legal accountability in reducing preventable maternal mortality and morbidity