SPONGES FROM BRACKISH WATER ON VERLATEN ISLAND NEAR KRAKATAU.

abstract not available 

Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among large commercial pig herds in South Africa

The prevalence of nasal carrier status of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in pigs has been described elsewhere, but is unknown in South Africa. To address concerns that exist regarding the zoonotic risk that carriers pose to workers, the herd-level prevalence of MRSA was determined among 25 large (> 500 sows) commercial pig herds in South Africa, representing 45% of the large commercial herds in the country. From each herd, the nasal contents of 18 finisher pigs were sampled at the abattoir, pooled into three and selectively cultured to determine the presence of MRSA. A herd was classified as MRSA-positive if one or more of the three pooled samples cultured positive. Three of the 25 herds tested positive for MRSA, equating to a 12% herd prevalence (95% CI: 7% – 23%) among South African commercial piggeries. The prevalence of nasal MRSA carriers among large commercial pig herds in South Africa was low compared to what has been reported elsewhere and suggests a relatively low zoonotic MRSA risk to workers in South African commercial piggeries and abattoirs

Suitability indicators to assess specific site, risk-based irrigation water quality

In the first of this two-paper series, we introduced readers to a newly developed electronic Decision Support System (DSS) that helps the user to assess the fitness for use of irrigation water (du Plessis et. al., 2019). In this paper, we provide an overview of the suitability indicators used by the DSS to assess the fitness for use of water for irrigation.http://www.sabi.co.za/magazine.htmlam2019Town and Regional Plannin

Help to assess the fitness for use of irrigation water at a specific site using a risk-based approach

Water quality guidelines have two main applications. Firstly, and more commonly, water quality guidelines are used to assess the fitness for use (FFU) of a given water for a specific purpose. Secondly, water quality guidelines are used to determine the desired composition of water that would pose minimal risk when used for a specific purpose, the so-called Water Quality Requirements (WQR). In this article we will focus on the first of these applications and specifically introduce a newly developed electronic Decision Support System (DSS) that guides the user to assess the fitness for use of a potential irrigation water.http://www.sabi.co.za/magazine.htmlam2019Plant Production and Soil Scienc

New data on the systematics and interrelationships of sawfishes (Elasmobranchii, Batoidea, Pristiformes)

New characters based on the arrangement and morphology of dermal denticles show that sawfishes can be divided into two distinctive groups. The first group, comprising the knifetooth sawfish Anoxypristis cuspidata, is characterized by tricuspid denticles variably located on both dorsal and ventral parts of the body. The second group is represented by species of the genus Pristis, showing an uniform and homogenous dermal covering of monocuspidate denticles on both dorsal and ventral sides of the body and within the buccopharyngeal cavity. Pristis is further divided into two subgroups: the first comprises species with denticles lacking any keels and furrows (the smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata, the green sawfish Pristis zijsron and the dwarf sawfish Pristis clavata); the second comprises species with denticles presenting keels and furrows well differentiated on their anterior part (the common sawfish Pristis pristis, the largetooth sawfish Pristis perotteti and the greattooth sawfish Pristis microdon). This investigation of the dermal covering provides results which agree with studies that separate the same two species groups of Pristis on the basis of other morphological data

When workplace unionism in global value chains does not function well : exploring the impediments

Improving working conditions at the bottom of global value chains has become a central issue in our global economy. In this battle, trade unionism has been presented as a way for workers to make their voices heard. Therefore, it is strongly promoted by most social standards. However, establishing a well-functioning trade union is not as obvious as it may seem. Using a comparative case study approach, we examine impediments to farm-level unionism in the cut flower industry in Ethiopia. For this purpose, we propose an integrated framework combining two lenses, namely a vertical one (governance and structure of global value chains) and a horizontal one (socio-economic context). We identify 10 impediments that point to three major dimensions contributing to unionisation. These three dimensions include awareness of and interest from workers, legitimacy of trade unions, and capacity of trade unions to act. Furthermore, our results suggest that private social standards may, in certain cases, be counterproductive for the efficient functioning of trade unions. Although we argue that there is no ‘quick fix’ solution to weak workplace unionism at the bottom of global value chains, we stress the importance of considering the dynamics of, and interactions between, the impediments when designing potential support measures that mitigate negative impacts