Plantes médicinales, savoirs et société : vue des rastafaris sud-africains

L’article se penche sur le rôle de guérison que jouent les plantes à l’intérieur du mouvement rastafari sud-africain dans les townships de Cape Town, notamment sous l’angle de l’anthropologie de la santé, des sciences et des technologies. Par une recherche plus globale, l’auteure procédera au suivi ethnographique de la trajectoire de la plante médicinale indigène sud-africaine Artemisia afra (A. afra) alors que celle-ci traverse diverses étapes préparatoires conduisant aux essais cliniques. Le double objectif de vérification scientifique et de promotion des savoirs traditionnels que poursuit le projet d’essais précliniques relatif à l’A. afra soulève divers enjeux épistémologiques alors que les scientifiques et les amagqirhas (guérisseurs) et inyangas (herboristes) Xhosa profilent diverses notions d’efficacité. Aux côtés de ces derniers se retrouvent les herboristes rastafaris qui défendent également leurs savoirs traditionnels au sujet des plantes médicinales, dont ceux portant sur l’A. afra. Le parcours des herboristes rastafaris et leur herbe sacrée, la dagga (cannabis sativa, ganja), occupent un rôle particulier en lien avec l’A. afra, lequel sera ici esquissé. L’étude met en lumière les relations unificatrices qu’exerce la dagga au sein des pratiques phytothérapeutiques rastafaris, relations paradoxalement intensifiées par des rapports antagonistes avec le système bio-médico-légal sud-africain, et ce, dans un contexte de mondialisation. Il ne s’agit donc pas de rendre exotique le mouvement rastafari, mais bien d’en comprendre les articulations et les propositions qui puissent informer et défier les épistémologies scientifiques et biopolitiques dominantes actuelles. En conclusion, la façon de promouvoir les savoirs traditionnels sur les plantes en utilisant le parcours des essais cliniques scientifiques demeure très limitative. L’exploration de nouvelles voies de compréhension de l’efficacité des remèdes est plutôt suggérée.This article concentrates on the healing role played by plants within the South African Rastafarian movement in the Cape Town townships, particularly from the point of view of the anthropology of health, science and technology. In a more generalized study, the author traces the ethnographical path of the South African medicinal plant, Artemisia afra (A. afra) as it goes through various preparatory stages leading to clinical testing. The twofold objective of scientific verification and promotion of traditional knowledge pursued by the preclinical testing of A. afra raises various epistemological issues while the scientists, and the Xhosa amaggirhas (healers) and inyangas (herbalists) profile various concepts of efficacy. Alongside the latter are found the Rastafarian herbalists who also defend their traditional knowledge concerning medicinal plants, including those dealing with the A. afra. The path of the Rastafarian herbalists and their sacred herb, the dagga (cannabis sativa, ganja), occupy a special role in relation to A. afra, which is covered here. The study highlights the unifying relations that the dagga exercises within Rastafarian phytotherapeutic practices, relations that are paradoxically intensified by antagonistic relations with the South African bio-medical-legal system in a context of globalization. Therefore, the article does not seek to render the Rastafarian movement exotic, but to understand the articulations and propositions which could inform and defy current scientific and bio-political epistemologies. In conclusion, the way of promoting traditional knowledge of plants by using scientific clinical testing remains extremely limiting. The exploration of new ways of understanding the efficacy of remedies is suggested.El artículo trata el tema del papel curativo que tienen las plantas dentro del movimiento rastafari sudafricano en las townships de Cape Town, principalmente desde el punto de vista de la antropología de la salud, de las ciencias y de la tecnología. A través de una investigación más global, la autora hará el seguimiento etnográfico de la trayectoria de la planta medicinal indígena sudafricana Artemisia afra (A. afra) mientras atraviesa diversas etapas preparatorias que conducen a análisis clínicos. El doble objetivo de verificación científica y de promoción de los conocimientos tradicionales del proyecto de ensayos preclínicos relativos a la A. afra hace surgir diversas cuestiones epistemológicas, al perfilar los científicos y los amagqirhas (curanderos) e inyangas (herboristas) xhosa diversas nociones de eficacia. Paralelamente, están los herboristas rastafaris, que defienden asimismo sus conocimientos tradicionales sobre las plantas medicinales, entre ellos los que se refieren a la A. afra. El recorrido de los herboristas rastafaris y de su hierba sagrada, la dagga (cannabis sativa, ganja), tiene un papel particular en relación con la A. afra, papel que se esbozará en este artículo. El estudio revela las relaciones unificadoras de la dagga en las prácticas fitoterapéuticas rastafaris, particularmente intensificadas por la relación antagonista con el sistema bio-médico-legal sudafricano, todo ello en un contexto de mundialización. No se trata entonces de hacer parecer exótico al movimiento rastafari, sino más bien de comprender los enunciados y las propuestas que puedan servir para informar y desafiar a las epistemologías científicas y biopolíticas dominantes actuales. En conclusión, la manera de promover los conocimientos tradicionales sobre las plantas utilizando la trayectoria de los análisis científicos clínicos sigue siendo muy limitada. Se sugiere más bien la exploración de nuevas vías de comprensión de la eficacia de los remedios

Environmental Performance of Canadian Pulp and Paper Plants: Why Some Do Well and Others Do Not ?

It is generally recognized that firms face both internal and external pressure to improve their environmental performance. However, few studies have attempted to delineate the importance of those various sources of pressure as firms' managers themselves perceive them. In this study, we show that managers in the Canadian pulp and paper industry perceive government and public, but not financial and consumer markets, as the most important source of pressure. We also show that involvement of the firm's higher level management and environmental education of employees are important determinants of the firm's performance. While the paper provides a better understanding of the determinants of environmental performance, it re-asserts the crucial role of strong government regulatory intervention. Il est généralement reconnu que les firmes font face à des pressions internes et externes pour qu'elles améliorent leur performance environnementale. Cependant, peu d'études ont tenté d'identifier l'importance de ces différentes sources de pression tel que les gestionnaires les perçoivent. Dans cette étude, nous montrons que les directeurs «environnement» de l'industrie canadienne des pâtes et papiers perçoivent le gouvernement et le public comme les sources de pression les plus importantes, devant les marchés financiers et les consommateurs. Nous montrons également que l'implication de la haute direction à l'égard de l'environnement et la formation des employés par rapport à la problématique environnementale sont des déterminants importants de la performance environnementale. Cette recherche nous aide donc à mieux comprendre les déterminants de la performance environnementale et elle permet de réaffirmer le rôle crucial joué par une intervention gouvernementale vigoureuse dans le domaine.Environmental performance, Environmental policy, Environmental audit, Performance environnementale, Politique environnementale, Audit environnementalhttp://www.google.ca/search?q=comparaison+jet+d%27encre&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&start=40&sa=N

Entrelacement de la tradition imaginaire du western et du réalisme contemporain

La création cinématographique de l’étudiante qui accompagne ce mémoire sous la forme d’un DVD est disponible à la Médiathèque de la Bibliothèque des lettres et sciences humaines sous le titre : Désarçonné.(https://umontreal.on.worldcat.org/oclc/944728147)Ce mémoire en recherche-création comporte deux parties : une création — un court métrage de fiction d’une quinzaine de minutes — et une réflexion écrite — un texte d’une cinquantaine de pages — autour d’une problématique générique. La plupart des historiens parlent d’un certain « épuisement » du western autour des années soixante-dix et quatre-vingt. Pourtant, le genre fait un retour dans le cinéma contemporain, mais sous une forme déplacée et renouvelée. Nous nous demanderons comment et pourquoi le genre du western revient aujourd’hui, sous quelle forme, et quel est le sens de cette reprise. La réflexion écrite reviendra d’abord sur le fonctionnement du système générique, pour se concentrer ensuite sur le genre du western et notamment sur le paysage de l’Ouest et le personnage du cowboy. Finalement, à l’occasion d’une étude de trois films exemplaires — The Three Burial of Melquiades Estrada (Tommy Lee Jones, 2005), et No Country for Old Men (Joel et Ethan Coen, 2007) et Don’t Come Knocking (Wim Wenders, 2005) — nous nous intéresserons plus particulièrement à la tension qui est construite dans les westerns contemporains entre l’imaginaire traditionnel du genre et le réalisme actuel. Réalisé en parallèle, le court métrage de fiction a pour ambition d’incarner ces problématiques examinées dans la partie écrite.This research is in two parts: a fifteen minutes short fiction film, and a fifty page reflection on a genre-related set of issues. Most historians agree that there was a certain "exhaustion" of the western genre in the seventies and eighties. Yet, this genre is reappearing in modern cinema, in a renewed and repositioned form. We will try to understand how and why the western genre is making a come-back, by examining the form and meaning of this resumption. This dissertation will start by reviewing the workings of the generic system, before focusing on the western genre, specifically western scenery and cowboy iconography. Finally, we will study three films that are exponents of the genre: The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (Tommy Lee Jones, 2005), No Country for Old Men (Joel and Ethan Coen, 2007), and Don’t Come Knocking (Wim Wenders, 2005). We will concentrate particularly on the tension created in modern films between the traditional conception of the western genre and contemporary realism. Produced at the same time, the short fiction film aspires to embody the issues explored in the text

Possibilities in engaging partnerships: What happens when we work together?

https://digitalcommons.ric.edu/innovation_lab/1005/thumbnail.jp

Impact of mash feeding versus pellets on propionic/butyric acid levels and on total Escherichia coli load in the gastrointestinal tract of growing pigs

Feed characteristics may influence the bacterial community composition and metabolic activities in the pig gastrointestinal tract, known to be associated with positive effects on the gut. Use of mash feed is associated with reduced Salmonella excretion, but little is known of its effect on the Escherichia coli population or of the mechanism of action. Our objectives were to assess the effect of feed texture combined with feed particle size on VFA profiles and levels, total E. coli count, and the presence of genes encoding virulence factors of pathogenic E. coli strains in the digestive tract along with their impact on pig performance of fattening pigs. Pigs (n = 840) on a commercial farm received mash or pellet diets of different particle sizes during the fattening period. Caecal and colon contents from 164 pigs were sampled at the slaughterhouse for enumeration of E. coli by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and for VFA quantification by capillary gas chromatography. The yccT gene was used to enumerate total E. coli. Improved pig performances associated with pellet texture and a 500-μm size were observed. Caecal (P = 0.02) and colon (P < 0.01) propionic acid concentrations were lower for pigs receiving pellet rather than mash feed. Similarly, caecal (P = 0.01) and colon (P < 0.001) butyric acid concentrations were also lower for pigs receiving pellet rather than mash feed, as determined by capillary gas chromatography. Moreover, caecal (P = 0.03) and colon (P < 0.001) butyric acid concentrations were higher for pigs receiving a feed with a 1,250-μm particle size rather than a 500-μm particle size. On the other hand, total caecal and colon E. coli levels were higher for pigs receiving pellet feed than for those receiving mash feed. For total E. coli enumeration, caecal (P < 0.01) and colon (P < 0.01) yccT gene copies were higher for pigs receiving pellet rather than mash feed. No effect of particle size on fatty acid concentrations or on E. coli numbers was observed. Virulence gene quantification revealed no trend. Taken together, results showed that mash feed is associated with lower growth performance but with favorable intestinal changes linked to VFA levels and E. coli reduction in the intestine

Development and validation of a nutrition knowledge questionnaire for a Canadian population

Objective The present study aimed to develop and validate a nutrition knowledge questionnaire in a sample of French Canadians from the province of Quebec, taking into account dietary guidelines. Design A thirty-eight-item questionnaire was developed by the research team and evaluated for content validity by an expert panel, and then administered to respondents. Face validity and construct validity were measured in a pre-test. Exploratory factor analysis and covariance structure analysis were performed to verify the structure of the questionnaire and identify problematic items. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability were evaluated through a validation study. Setting Online survey. Subjects Six nutrition and psychology experts, fifteen registered dietitians (RD) and 180 lay people participated. Results Content validity evaluation resulted in the removal of two items and reformulation of one item. Following face validity, one item was reformulated. Construct validity was found to be adequate, with higher scores for RD v. non-RD (21·5 (sd 2·1) v. 15·7 (sd 3·0) out of 24, P<0·001). Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the questionnaire contained only one factor. Covariance structure analysis led to removal of sixteen items. Internal consistency for the overall questionnaire was adequate (Cronbach’s α=0·73). Assessment of test–retest reliability resulted in significant associations for the total knowledge score (r=0·59, P<0·001). Conclusions This nutrition knowledge questionnaire was found to be a suitable instrument which can be used to measure levels of nutrition knowledge in a Canadian population. It could also serve as a model for the development of similar instruments in other populations

Development and validation of the food liking questionnaire in a french-canadian population

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire assessing food liking in a French-Canadian population. A questionnaire was developed, in which participants were asked to rate their degree of liking of 50 food items. An expert panel evaluated the content validity. For the validation study, 150 men and women completed the questionnaire twice. An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was performed to assess the number of subscales of the questionnaire. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the subscales were evaluated. Concurrent validity was assessed through correlations between liking scores and self-reported frequencies of consumption. Comments from the experts led to changes in the list of foods included in the questionnaire. The EFA revealed a two-factor structure for the questionnaire (i.e., savory and sweet foods) and led to the removal of nine items, resulting in a 32-item questionnaire. The two subscales revealed good internal consistency (Cronbach alphas: 0.85 and 0.89) and test-retest reliability (p = 0.84 and 0.86). The questionnaire demonstrated adequate concurrent validity, with moderate correlations between food liking and self-reported frequency of consumption (r = 0.19–0.39, ps < 0.05). This new Food Liking Questionnaire assessing liking of a variety of savory and sweet foods demonstrated good psychometric properties in every validation step. This questionnaire will be useful to explore the role of food liking and its interactions with other factors in predicting eating behaviors and energy intake

Enhancing innovation between scientific and indigenous knowledge: pioneer NGOs in India

Abstract Background Until recently, little attention has been paid to local innovation capacity as well as management practices and institutions developed by communities and other local actors based on their traditional knowledge. This paper doesn't focus on the results of scientific research into innovation systems, but rather on how local communities, in a network of supportive partnerships, draw knowledge for others, combine it with their own knowledge and then innovate in their local practices. Innovation, as discussed in this article, is the capacity of local stakeholders to play an active role in innovative knowledge creation in order to enhance local health practices and further environmental conservation. In this article, the innovative processes through which this capacity is created and reinforced will be defined as a process of "ethnomedicine capacity". Methods The field study undertaken by the first author took place in India, in the State of Tamil Nadu, over a period of four months in 2007. The data was collected through individual interviews and focus groups and was complemented by participant observations. Results The research highlights the innovation capacity related to ethnomedical knowledge. As seen, the integration of local and scientific knowledge is crucial to ensure the practices anchor themselves in daily practices. The networks created are clearly instrumental to enhancing the innovation capacity that allows the creation, dissemination and utilization of 'traditional' knowledge. However, these networks have evolved in very different forms and have become entities that can fit into global networks. The ways in which the social capital is enhanced at the village and network levels are thus important to understand how traditional knowledge can be used as an instrument for development and innovation. Conclusion The case study analyzed highlights examples of innovation systems in a developmental context. They demonstrate that networks comprised of several actors from different levels can synergistically forge linkages between local knowledge and formal sciences and generate positive and negative impacts. The positive impact is the revitalization of perceived traditions while the negative impacts pertain to the transformation of these traditions into health commodities controlled by new elites, due to unequal power relations

Implementation, effectiveness and political context of comprehensive primary health care: preliminary findings of a global literature review

Primary health care (PHC) is again high on the international agenda. It was the theme of The World Health Report in 2008, thirty years after the Alma-Ata Declaration, and has been the topic of a series of significant conferences around the world throughout 2008. What have we learnt about its impact in improving population health and health equity? What more do we still need to know? These two questions framed a four-year international research/capacity-building project, “Revitalizing Health for All” (RHFA), funded by the Canadian Global Health Research Initiative, which began in 2007. The findings of a global literature review conducted by this Initiative, and focusing on comprehensive primary health care - and how it has been implemented since Alma Ata are presented. The way in which the political context has affected the comprehensiveness of PHC is considered - along with a series of proposed future PHC research areas.Web of Scienc