Politicizing food security governance through participation: opportunities and opposition

Since the 2007/08 food price crisis there has been a proliferation of multi-stakeholder processes (MSPs) devoted to bringing diverse perspectives together to inform and improve food security policy. While much of the literature highlights the positive contributions to be gained from an opening-up of traditionally state-led processes, there is a strong critique emerging to show that, in many instances, MSPs have de-politicizing effects. In this paper, we scrutinize MSPs in relation to de-politicization. We argue that re-building sustainable and just food systems requires alternative visions that can best be made visible through politicized policy processes. Focusing on three key conditions of politicization, we examine the UN Committee on World Food Security as a MSP where we see a process of politicization playing out through the endorsement of the ‘most-affected’ principle, which is in turn being actively contested by traditionally powerful actors. We conclude that there is a need to implement and reinforce mechanisms that deliberately politicize participation in MSPs, notably by clearly distinguishing between states and other stakeholders, as well as between categories of non-state actors.     

Momentum-diffusive model for gas transfer in granular media

The development of controlled atmosphere storage technology for insect control requires an accurate prediction of the distribution of introduced gases in bulk grain. The published models are based on either diffusion theory or convective-diffusion theory. The momentum transport of gases, which is a key driving force for the gas mixture movements, has been neglected. In this paper, all the driving forces for gas transfer were investigated. A momentum-diffusive model is proposed. The model is based on the combined effects of concentration gradients, pressure gradients, and gravity on the transport of gases in the bulk grain. The experimental data for CO₂ transfer through connected columns of hot and cold wheat were used to validate the model. The equations were solved using the finite difference method, and the predictions from the proposed model were in good agreement with the experimental results.     

Thermal process validation for Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes in ground turkey and beef products

At 55 to 70 degrees C, thermal inactivation D-values for Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes were 19.05 to 0.038, 43.10 to 0.096, and 33.11 to 0.12 min, respectively, in ground turkey and 21.55 to 0.055, 37.04 to 0.066, and 36.90 to 0.063 min, respectively, in ground beef. The z-values were 5.73, 5.54, and 6.13 degrees C, respectively, in ground turkey and 5.43, 5.74, and 6.01 degrees C, respectively, in ground beef. In both ground turkey and beef, significant (P < 0.05) differences were found in the D-values between E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella or between E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes. At 65 to 70 degrees C, D-values for E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and L. monocytogenes were also significantly (P < 0.05) different between turkey and beef. The obtained D- and z-values were used in predicting process lethality of the pathogens in ground turkey and beef patties cooked in an air impingement oven and confirmed by inoculation studies for a 7-log (CFU/g) reduction of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and L. monocytogenes.     

The effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin on the expression of progesterone receptors in human luteal cells in vivo and in vitro

The human corpus luteum expresses genomic progesterone receptors (PRs) suggesting that progesterone may have an autocrine or paracrine role in luteal function. We hypothesised that the reduction in luteal PR reported in the late-luteal phase augmented progesterone withdrawal and had a role in luteolysis. We therefore tested the hypothesis that luteal rescue with human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) would maintain PR expression. PR was immunolocalised to different cell types in human corpora lutea (n = 35) from different stages of the luteal phase and after luteal rescue with exogenous hCG. There was no change in the staining intensity of theca-lutein cell or stromal cell PR throughout the luteal phase or after luteal rescue. In the late-luteal phase, granulosa-lutein cell PR immunostaining was reduced (P < 0.05) but the trend to reduction was also seen after luteal rescue with hCG (P = 0.055). To further investigate the effect of hCG on granulosa-lutein cell PR expression, an in vitro model system of cultured human luteinised granulosa cells was studied. Cells were cultured for 12-13 days exposed to different patterns of hCG and aminoglutethamide to manipulate progesterone secretion (P < 0.0001). Expression of PR A/B and PR B isoforms was examined by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. PR A/B mRNA was lower (P < 0.05) after 11-13 days of culture than after 7 days of culture. This reduction could not be prevented by hCG in the presence (P < 0.05) or absence (P < 0.05) of stimulated progesterone secretion. The expression of PR B mRNA showed a similar pattern (P = 0.054). Simulated early pregnancy in vivo and hCG treatment of luteinised granulosa cells in vitro did not appear to prevent the down-regulation of PR seen during luteolysis.     

Circumpolar study of perfluoroalkyl contaminants in polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

Perfluoroalkyl substances were determined in liver tissues and blood of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from five locations in the North American Arctic and two locations in the European Arctic. Concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate, heptadecafluorooctane sulfonamide, and perfluoroalkyl carboxylates with C(8)-C(15) perfluorinated carbon chains were determined using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. PFOS concentrations were significantly correlated with age at four of seven sampling locations, while gender was not correlated to concentration for any compound measured. Populations in South Hudson Bay (2000-2730 ng/g wet wt), East Greenland (911-2140 ng/g wet wt), and Svalbard (756-1290 ng/g wet wt) had significantly (P < 0.05) higher PFOS concentrations than western populations such as the Chukchi Sea (435-729 ng/g wet wt). Concentrations of perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) with adjacent chain lengths (i.e., C9:C10 and C10:C11) were significantly correlated (P < 0.05), suggesting PFCAs have a common source within a location, but there were differences in proportions of PFCAs between eastern and western location sources. Concentrations of PFOS in liver tissue at five locations were correlated with concentrations of four polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (180, 153, 138, and 99) in adipose tissue of bears in the same populations, suggesting similar transport pathways and source regions of PFOS or precursors.     

Genetic parameters for a multiple-trait multiple-lactation random regression test-day model in Italian Holsteins

The objectives of this study were to estimate variance components for test-day milk, fat, and protein yields and average daily SCS in 3 subsets of Italian Holsteins using a multiple-trait, multiple-lactation random regression test-day animal model and to determine whether a genetic heterogeneous variance adjustment was necessary. Data were test-day yields of milk, fat, and protein and SCS (on a log₂ scale) from the first 3 lactations of Italian Holsteins collected from 1992 to 2002. The 3 subsets of data included 1) a random sample of Holsteins from all herds in Italy, 2) a random sample of Holsteins from herds using a minimum of 75% foreign sires, and 3) a random sample of Holsteins from herds using a maximum of 25% foreign sires. Estimations of variances and covariances for this model were achieved by Bayesian methods using the Gibbs sampler. Estimated 305-d genetic, permanent environmental, and residual variance was higher in herds using a minimum of 75% foreign sires compared with herds using a maximum of 25% foreign sires. Estimated average daily heritability of milk, fat, and protein yields did not differ among subsets. Heritability of SCS in the first lactation differed slightly among subsets and was estimated to be the highest in herds with a maximum of 25% foreign sire use (0.19 ± 0.01). Genetic correlations across lactations for milk, fat, and protein yields were similar among subsets. Genetic correlations across lactations for SCS were 0.03 to 0.08 higher in herds using a minimum of 75% or a maximum of 25% foreign sires, compared with herds randomly sampled from the entire population. Results indicate that adjustment for heterogeneous variance at the genetic level based on the percentage of foreign sire use should not be necessary with a multiple-trait random regression test-day animal model in Italy.     

Temporal trends of perfluoroalkyl contaminants in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from two locations in the North American Arctic, 1972-2002

Perfluoroalkyl substances are globally distributed anthropogenic contaminants. Their production and use have increased dramatically from the early 1980s. While many recent publications have reported concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and other perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAs) in biotic and abiotic samples, only limited work has addressed temporal trends. In this study we analyzed archived polar bear(Ursus maritimus) livertissue samples from two geographic locations in the North American Arctic, collected from 1972 to 2002. The eastern group, taken from the vicinity of northern Baffin Island, Canada, comprised 31 samples, and the western group, from the vicinity of Barrow, Alaska, comprised 27 samples. Samples were analyzed for perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) from carbon chain length C8 to C15, perfluorohexane sulfonate, PFOS, the neutral precursor perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA), as well as 8:2 and 10:2 fluorotelomer acids and their alpha,beta unsaturated acid counterparts. Concentrations of PFOS and PFCAs with carbon chain lengths from C9 to C11 showed an exponential increase between 1972 and 2002 at both locations. Doubling times ranged from 3.6 +/- 0.9 years for perfluorononanoic acid in the eastern group to 13.1 +/- 4.0 years for PFOS in the western group. PFOSA showed decreasing concentrations over time at both locations, while the remaining PFAs showed no significant trends or were not detected in any sample. The doubling time for PFOS was similar to the doubling time of production of perfluoroctylsulfonyl-fluoride-based products during the 1990s.