Bovine in-vitro embryo production and its contribution towards improved food security in Kenya

The Boran breed is mainly kept by pastoralist communities as a source of both milk and beef, and by commercial beef ranches mainly for beef production. Although this breed Boran may seemingly be low valued, it can be raised to higher reproductive potential using current reproductive technologies such as in-vitro embryo production and embryo transfer. In this author’s literature search there was lack of locally optimized procedures for boosting the reproductive potential of the Boran cow using such technologies. This paper discusses simplified methods used for in-vitro embryo production and embryo transfer that have been tested and optimized for the Kenyan Boran cows as described in text. This article provides the reader with technical procedures, the outcomes and the challenges experienced during use of the technologies. The results of the reported in vitro embryo production obtained an oocyte maturation rate of over 90%, over 70% cleavage rate and an embryo output of 30-50% blastocyst rate. Embryo transfer had a conception rate of 45-50%. All the 17 calves born out of this work have since attained puberty without any abnormalities. This research was the first to produce a “test tube” calf in Kenya and built the capacity of 57 staff on these technical procedures within East Africa. Utilization of the in vitro embryo production technology in Kenya can be used to do value addition to indigenous cows and improve household incomes and food security. This avenue can be used to raise household revenues and attract many more farmers to engage in farming leading to improved national economic and food security. Kenya can utilize reproductive technologies in the dairy sector due to the massive potential benefits to revolutionize the sector for enhanced food security by increasing cattle productivity. The paper highlights practical ways of applying the technologies discussed therein to help raise the economy of the Kenyan livestock farmers and boost their food security. Key words: Reproductive Technologies, Boran cattle, Keny

LoanSTAR Energy Conservation Audits: January 1989 - August 1990

Fourteen audit reports, covering seventy buildings and Texas' Governor's mansion, have been accepted as a part of the Texas LoanSTAR Program. Task 1 (the first of five) is responsible for audit reviews and assignments. One hundred forty-five energy cost reduction measures (ECRMs) and maintenance and operation recommendations (M&Os) have been identified which can result in significant amounts of electrical energy, demand and natural gas savings. Costs savings are $1,882,000/yr and the investment cost is$5,566,000 for an overall simple payback of 3.0 years. The ECRMs and M&Os have been categorized as well as the types of buildings involved. The cost for auditing the 5.2 million square feet was $0.054 per square foot. Problems associated with audit reports are also discussed

Ecogeographical distribution of wild, weedy and cultivated Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench in Kenya: implications for conservation and crop-to-wild gene flow

The potential gene flow between a crop and its wild relatives is largely determined by the overlaps in their ecological and geographical distributions. Ecogeographical databases are therefore indispensable tools for the sustainable management of genetic resources. In order to expand our knowledge of Sorghum bicolor distribution in Kenya, we conducted in situ collections of wild, weedy and cultivated sorghum. Qualitative and quantitative morphological traits were measured for each sampled wild sorghum plant. Farmers’ knowledge relating to the management of sorghum varieties and autecology of wild sorghum was also obtained. Cluster analysis supports the existence of several wild sorghum morphotypes that might correspond to at least three of the five ecotypes recognized in Africa. Intermediate forms between wild and cultivated sorghum belonging to the S. bicolor ssp. drummondii are frequently found in predominantly sorghum growing areas. Crop-wild gene flow in sorghum is likely to occur in many agroecosystems of Kenya

Gendered health systems: evidence from low- and middle-income countries

Background Gender is often neglected in health systems, yet health systems are not gender neutral. Within health systems research, gender analysis seeks to understand how gender power relations create inequities in access to resources, the distribution of labour and roles, social norms and values, and decision-making. This paper synthesises findings from nine studies focusing on four health systems domains, namely human resources, service delivery, governance and financing. It provides examples of how a gendered and/or intersectional gender approach can be applied by researchers in a range of low- and middle-income settings (Cambodia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, India, China, Nigeria and Tanzania) to issues across the health system and demonstrates that these types of analysis can uncover new and novel ways of viewing seemingly intractable problems. Methods The research used a combination of mixed, quantitative, qualitative and participatory methods, demonstrating the applicability of diverse research methods for gender and intersectional analysis. Within each study, the researchers adapted and applied a variety of gender and intersectional tools to assist with data collection and analysis, including different gender frameworks. Some researchers used participatory tools, such as photovoice and life histories, to prompt deeper and more personal reflections on gender norms from respondents, whereas others used conventional qualitative methods (in-depth interviews, focus group discussion). Findings from across the studies were reviewed and key themes were extracted and summarised. Results Five core themes that cut across the different projects were identified and are reported in this paper as follows: the intersection of gender with other social stratifiers; the importance of male involvement; the influence of gendered social norms on health system structures and processes; reliance on (often female) unpaid carers within the health system; and the role of gender within policy and practice. These themes indicate the relevance of and need for gender analysis within health systems research. Conclusion The implications of the diverse examples of gender and health systems research highlighted indicate that policy-makers, health practitioners and others interested in enhancing health system research and delivery have solid grounds to advance their enquiry and that one-size-fits-all heath interventions that ignore gender and intersectionality dimensions require caution. It is essential that we build upon these insights in our efforts and commitment to move towards greater equity both locally and globally

Comparative evolutionary genetics of deleterious load in sorghum and maize

Sorghum and maize share a close evolutionary history that can be explored through comparative genomics1,2. To perform a large-scale comparison of the genomic variation between these two species, we analysed ~13 million variants identi- fied from whole-genome resequencing of 499 sorghum lines together with 25 million variants previously identified in 1,218 maize lines. Deleterious mutations in both species were prev- alent in pericentromeric regions, enriched in non-syntenic genes and present at low allele frequencies. A comparison of deleterious burden between sorghum and maize revealed that sorghum, in contrast to maize, departed from the domestication-cost hypothesis that predicts a higher deleterious burden among domesticates compared with wild lines. Additionally, sorghum and maize population genetic summary statistics were used to predict a gene deleterious index with an accuracy greater than 0.5. This research represents a key step towards understanding the evolutionary dynamics of deleterious variants in sorghum and provides a comparative genomics framework to start prioritizing these variants for removal through genome editing and breeding

Chronic Pododemodicosis in a Great Dane

A 4 year old Great Dane was presented to the Small Animal Clinic with a history of chronic swelling of all the paws. This animal had been treated for over 3 months but the condition was progressively worsening. Clinical   examination revealed all vital parameters were within normal ranges. There was gross swelling of all the paws, the skin was erythematous,  hyperpigmented and hyperkeratotic. There was also diffuse purulent   discharge from parts of the paws. Skin scrapings were positive for Demodectic mange. Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus sensitive to Gentamicin and Norfloxacin were isolated from swabs taken for culture and sensitivity. This report describes the case and the management of pododermatitis due to Demodicosis complicated with bacterial infection and emphasizes on the need for definitive diagnosis of such cases before any treatment is instituted.Keywords-Pododermatitis, demodicosis , managemen

Perceptions of childhood undernutrition among rural households on the Kenyan coast – a qualitative study

Background Nutrition plays an important role in child survival and development. Treatment action in the management of child health and nutrition is influenced by perceptions of illness, and gender plays an important role. However, little is known about if and how moderate undernutrition is recognised among lay populations, or how local social norms and intra-household dynamics affect decisions to seek biomedical assistance for nutritional concerns. In this paper we describe how childhood nutritional problems are recognised and understood within rural households. We demonstrate how context influences local constructs of ‘normal’, and suggest the centrality of gender in the management of child health and nutrition in our research context. Methods This qualitative study was undertaken in Kilifi County on the Kenyan Coast. A set of 15 households whose children were engaged in a community-based nutrition intervention were followed up over a period of twelve months. Over a total of 54 household visits, group and individual in-depth interviews were conducted with a range of respondents, supplemented by non-participant observations. Eight in-depth interviews with community representatives were also conducted. Results Local taxonomies of childhood undernutrition were found to overlap with, but differ from, biomedical categories. In particular, moderate undernutrition was generally not recognised as a health problem requiring treatment action, but rather as routine and manageable, typically seasonal, weight-loss. Where symptoms were considered more serious and requiring remedial action, household management strategies were typically based on perceived aetiology of the illness. Additionally, gender emerged as a potentially central theme in childhood nutrition problems and related management. Women reported that they have primary responsibility for ensuring children’s good health and nutritional status, and that they are often held accountable when their children are of sub-optimal health. Conclusion Perceptions of child nutrition and illness and gendered roles within households influence treatment action, and engagement with nutrition interventions. Community-based nutrition interventions must recognise these complex realities.</p

Synthesis of specimen preparation and curing processes for cold recycled asphalt mixes

IngenieursweseSiviele IngenieurswesePlease help us populate SUNScholar with the post print version of this article. It can be e-mailed to: [email protected]