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The Suzhi farmer: Constructing and contesting farming Subjectivities in post-Socialist China
No full textThis paper analyses the use of the cultural convention of suzhi in attempts to improve biosecurity practices in the Chinese pig industry. Suzhi loosely refers to ‘quality’ and has been used to define the appropriate conduct of citizens during the era of market reforms. Like other forms of agricultural governmentality, suzhi provides a way of distinguishing ‘good farming’ and creating entrepreneurial subjectivities. However, in other policy areas, suzhi has been shown to marginalise the poor and reinforce social inequalities. This paper examines the extent to which discourses of suzhi in a biosecurity context contributes to the use of preventive animal health practices, amongst pig farmers in Chongming Island, Shanghai. Drawing on documentary evidence and interviews with 33 farm animal breeders and 3 pig veterinary surgeons, the paper examines how suzhi contributes to the creation of ‘good farming’ subjectivities in order to modernise the animal health practices of pig farmers. The paper shows how suzhi contributes to the valourisation and stigmatization of different pig farming subjectivities, suggesting that it reinforces existing socio-economic inequalities. Moreover, the paper describes the ways in which modes of conduct associated with suzhi are negotiated and challenged and reduced to a symbolic ‘cloak’ that disguises the reality of preventive animal health practices
Sites of persistence of Fusobacterium necrophorum and Dichelobacter nodosus: a paradigm shift in understanding the epidemiology of footrot in sheep
Get PDFSites of persistence of bacterial pathogens contribute to disease dynamics of bacterial diseases. Footrot is a globally important bacterial disease that reduces health and productivity of sheep. It is caused by Dichelobacter nodosus, a pathogen apparently highly specialised for feet, while Fusobacterium necrophorum, a secondary pathogen in footrot is reportedly ubiquitous on pasture. Two prospective longitudinal studies were conducted to investigate the persistence of D. nodosus and F. necrophorum in sheep feet, mouths and faeces, and in soil. Molecular tools were used to detect species, strains and communities. In contrast to the existing paradigm, F. necrophorum persisted on footrot diseased feet, and in mouths and faeces; different strains were detected in feet and mouths. D. nodosus persisted in soil and on diseased, but not healthy, feet; similar strains were detected on both healthy and diseased feet of diseased sheep. We conclude that D. nodosus and F. necrophorum depend on sheep for persistence but use different strategies to persist and spread between sheep within and between flocks. Elimination of F. necrophorum would be challenging due to faecal shedding. In contrast D. nodosus could be eliminated if all footrot-affected sheep were removed and fade out of D. nodosus occurred in the environment before re-infection of a foot
Antigen array for serological diagnosis and novel allergen identification in severe equine asthma.
Get PDFSevere equine asthma (sEA), which closely resembles human asthma, is a debilitating and performancelimiting allergic respiratory disorder which afects 14% of horses in the Northern Hemisphere and is
associated with increased allergen-specifc immunoglobulin E (IgE) against a range of environmental
proteins. A comprehensive microarray platform was developed to enable the simultaneous detection
of allergen-specifc equine IgE in serum against a wide range of putative allergenic proteins. The
microarray revealed a plethora of novel pollen, bacteria, mould and arthropod proteins signifcant in
the aetiology of sEA. Moreover, the analyses revealed an association between sEA-afected horses and
IgE antibodies specifc for proteins derived from latex, which has traditionally been ubiquitous to the
horse’s environment in the form of riding surfaces and race tracks. Further work is required to establish
the involvement of latex proteins in sEA as a potential risk factor. This work demonstrates a novel and
rapid approach to sEA diagnosis, providing a platform for tailored management and the development of
allergen-specifc immunotherap
Global distribution of earthworm diversity
Get PDFEarthworms are key components of soil ecological communities, performing vital functions in decomposition and nutrient cycling through ecosystems. Using data from more than 7000 sites, Phillips et al. developed global maps of the distribution of earthworm diversity, abundance, and biomass (see the Perspective by Fierer). The patterns differ from those typically found in aboveground taxa; there are peaks of diversity and abundance in the mid-latitude regions and peaks of biomass in the tropics. Climate variables strongly influence these patterns, and changes are likely to have cascading effects on other soil organisms and wider ecosystem functions.Science, this issue p. 480; see also p. 425Soil organisms, including earthworms, are a key component of terrestrial ecosystems. However, little is known about their diversity, their distribution, and the threats affecting them. We compiled a global dataset of sampled earthworm communities from 6928 sites in 57 countries as a basis for predicting patterns in earthworm diversity, abundance, and biomass. We found that local species richness and abundance typically peaked at higher latitudes, displaying patterns opposite to those observed in aboveground organisms. However, high species dissimilarity across tropical locations may cause diversity across the entirety of the tropics to be higher than elsewhere. Climate variables were found to be more important in shaping earthworm communities than soil properties or habitat cover. These findings suggest that climate change may have serious implications for earthworm communities and for the functions they provide
Loving the mess: navigating diversity and conflict in social values for sustainability
Get PDFThis paper concludes a special feature of Sustainability Science that explores a broad range of social value
theoretical traditions, such as religious studies, social psychology, indigenous knowledge, economics,
sociology, and philosophy. We introduce the concepts of ‘lenses’ and ‘tensions’ to help navigate value
diversity. First, we consider the notion of lenses: perspectives on value and valuation along diverse
dimensions that describe what values focus on, how their sociality is envisioned, and what epistemic and
procedural assumptions are made. We characterise fourteen of such dimensions. This provides a
foundation for exploration of seven areas of tension, between: 1) the values of individuals vs collectives;
2) values as discrete and held vs embedded and constructed; 3) value as static or changeable; 4) valuation
as positive or normative and transformative; 5) social vs relational values; 6) different rationalities and
their relation to value integration; 7) degrees of acknowledgment of the role of power in navigating value
conflicts. In doing so, we embrace the ‘mess’ of diversity, yet also provide a framework to organize this
mess and support and encourage active transdisciplinary collaboration. We identify key research areas
where such collaborations can be harnessed for sustainability transformation. Here it is crucial to
understand how certain social value lenses are privileged over others and build capacity in decisionmaking
for understanding and drawing on multiple value, epistemic and procedural lenses
Roses and castles: competing visions of canal heritage and the making of place
Get PDFThis article evaluates the cultural politics of waterfront heritage in regenerating Manchester, UK, in order to understand why the benefits envisaged for local communities have not been fully realised. Analysing a database of texts produced for an EU cultural heritage project (2015–2017) we find there is no lack of rich and diverse cultural heritage in Manchester, produced by a broad range of people. Using Lefebvre’s ideas about the social production of space we explore how, nonetheless, waterfronts as heritage spaces are produced in ways that exclude that variety, and thus place and displace people, socially as well as bodily. We propose a role for geolocated mobile apps for spatialised heritage storytelling to enable communities to make their mark on official, imposed representations of space. Our analysis has relevance for cities across the globe, as governments, investors, redevelopment quangos and others seek to use urban waterways as heritage assets to reinvigorate former industrial areas, without adequate appreciation of their full range of cultural meanings
Developing anti-counterfeiting measures: the role of smart packaging
Get PDFCounterfeiting of food and beverage products is rife and premium brands are often targeted by fraudsters. Such is the case with Scotch whisky, a global, reputable brand revered for its heritage and tradition. Using Scotch whisky as a case study, the aim of this paper is to review existing literature and industry information to determine the market and personal consequences of counterfeiting activities and consider the packaging related anti-counterfeiting measures that can be employed within a wider anti-counterfeiting strategy. A typology of counterfeiting activities is developed including: tear-down counterfeiting, product overruns, malicious activities and document counterfeiting. Anti-counterfeiting measures are used to deter, detect and control counterfeiting activities and different packaging related approaches include the use of smart covert and overt technology. Most smart packaging-related anti-counterfeit technologies are stand-alone systems and this presents a vulnerability. An integrated anti-counterfeiting measures strategy, employed by business, the supply chain and the government is required to reduce the risk of the sale of counterfeit food and beverage products