Labor and the materiality of the sign: Beyond dualist theories of culture [1]

Conclusion What I hope to have shown is that the labor theory of culture developed here has much to contribute to an understanding of culture as meaning, and that there need not be a contradiction between pragmatic and symbolic approaches to culture as a result. It may appear that this reconciliation depends upon a break with the economic theory of labor as instrumental action, which is implicit in the very operation of capitalist society, and therefore impossible to transcend at will. No doubt the lived weight of the mental/manual division of labor in our society will continue to exercise an inordinate influence on popular opinion and common sense for some time to come. But I have nevertheless argued that what is truly impossible are the theories of meaning which result from this division of labor, whose attempts to definitively separate meaning from practice could only be realized by abolishing both. We have already seen that the notion of culture as pure reason has never been anything more than an ideology. By the same token, no specimen of completely instrumentalized labor has ever been discovered, and would not even be worth exploiting if it did exist: in any physical work, even the most degraded and mechanical, there exists a minimum of technical qualification, that is, a minimum of creative intellectual activity [126].The integrity of labor is therefore at least as demonstrable as its division, and is finally a more primordial and insuperable fact. Despite the way it has been stigmatized by dualist thought, labor continues to maintain our world, not just in a material sense, but also in a meaningful sense, as it has always done. This is something that we can point to in the here-and-now as the basis for an alternative cultural theory, one which is both more realistic and more optimistic than dualism. For in revindicating this neglected reality of labor, our concept of culture is also affirmed in new and important ways.Peter Gose is Professor of Anthropology, Department of Anthropology, University of Lethbridge, Canada.     

Autoantibodies and immunologic theories]

A hypothesis is put forward to the effect that immunological phenomena represent a particular case of the transport of metabolites, rather than obligatory "defense mechanism". This hypothesis excludes the necessity in additional postulates (forbidden clones, somatic mutations, cells-repressors etc.) to account for the basic immunological phenomena, such as recognition, appearance of autoantibodies and tolerance. It suffices to assume that: 1) autolytic enzymes destroy "their" antigens but cannot destroy completely "foreign" antigens; 2) as a result of decomposition of antigens by enzymes, "tolerogens" may appear which block the receptors in immunocompetent cells thus preventing the appearance of antibodies; 3) cells capable to synthesize autoantibodies exist in the normal organism but not activated due to the absence of "their" antigens. When such antigens appear, they initiate the synthesis of antibodies. The hypothesis advanced may appear too simple as compared with the existing theories, but experiments have to confirm it.     

Potential ofGeocoris punctipes [Hemiptera: Lygaeidae] andNabis spp. [Hemiptera: Nabidae] as predators ofEpilachna varivestis [Coleoptera: Coccinellidae]

Predation byGeocoris punctipes (Say) andNabis spp. onEpilachna varivestis Mulsant was studied in the laboratory at 26.7°C and in field cages containing soybeans. Both predator groups fed uponE. varivestis eggs, 1st, 2nd and 3rd stage larvae, but not upon 4th stage larvae, pupae, or adults. G. punctipes females produced significantly fewer eggs when fedE. varivestis eggs or 1st stage larvae than those fedGalleria mellonella (L.). Longevity of maleG. punctipes was significantly reduced when fedE. varivestis eggs; however, female longevity was not affected. Results from field cage tests indicated bothG. punctipes andNabis spp. could significantly reduce the density ofE. varivestis.     

Spirocyclic NK(1) antagonists I: [4.5] and [5.5]-spiroketals

A series of novel spiroketal-based NK(1) antagonists is described. The effect of modifications to the spiroether ring and aromatic substituents are discussed, leading to the identification of compounds with high affinity and excellent CNS penetration.     

Hexamermis glossinae [Nematoda: Mermithidae] parasitizing tsetse [Diptera: Glossinidae] in Kenya

Glossina pallidipes Austen,G. brevipalpis Newstead andG. austeni Newstead were collected from 5 sites along the south Kenyan coast over a 2 year period. They were dissected and examined for nematodes. Three of the sites yielded tsetse parasitized by juvenile mermithids identified asHexamermis glossinae Poinar et al. Glossina pallidipes andG. brevipalpis are new host records for this parasite, whileG. austeni was captured infrequently and only at a site that failed to yield other parasitized tsetse. Parasite prevalence was low (0.16–0.61 %) and did not differ between male and female hosts. More tsetse than expected by chance harboured nematodes during the long rains season (April–August) than during the short rains (September–November) or dry season (December–March). Early juvenile stages (0.5–2.5 mm long) were recovered mainly from tsetse less than 50 days old, while late juvenile stages (35–85 mm long) were only found in flies older than 30 days. Late stages occurred singly while early ones usually occurred as two or more per host.     

Synthesis of new aromatic pyrrolo[2,1-c] [1,4]benzodiazepines and pyrrolo[1,2-a]thieno[3,2-e] [1,4]diazepines as anti-tumoral agents

Diazepine analogs of thieno[2,3-b]pyrrolizin-8-ones were synthesized by aromatization of 2-hydroxypyrrolo[1,2-a]thieno[3,2-e][1,4]diazepines. These compounds were evaluated in vitro for their antiproliferative activity against the L1210 leukemia cell line. The activity of these compounds was in the micromolar range, the best result being for the mixture of the isomers 5 and 6 which showed a 0.35 microM IC50 against cell growth.     

Interactions betweenAcyrthosiphon kondoi [Homoptera: Aphidoidea] andAphelinus asychis [Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea] and other parasites and hosts

In laboratory trials to investigate the parasite/host spectra of certain aphid pests and hymenopterous parasites, the aphidAcyrthosiphon kondoi Shinji encapsulated the egg of the aphelinid parasiteAphelinus asychis Walker. The resultant brown, sclerotic capsule was formed within 24 h of exposure of the aphid to parasitization and as far as is known prevented the development of the parasite to the larval stage. The capsule remained throughout the life of the aphid, whose longevity and fecundity were apparently not seriously impaired. A small number ofAphelinus escaped encapsulation, especially in aphids already containing capsule(s), and developed into normal, reproductive adults.A. kondoi did not encapsulate, andA. asychis was not encapsulated by any other species. However, thoughA. asychis readily parasitizedAphis citricola van der Goot,A. nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe andToxoptera citricidus (Kirkaldy), most of its progeny ceased development in these aphids before reaching the mummification stage, and died within the dead or dying, non-mummified aphid host.     

Creating the conditions for peacemaking: theories of practice in ethnic conflict resolution

Establishing the conditions for effective intergroup peacemaking is a formidable task in severe ethnic conflicts. Conflict resolution practitioners argue that a critical first step is developing preconditions which convince competing groups that there are opponents to whom it is worth talking, that it is possible to create structural changes conducive to a stable peace, and that an agreement is possible which can meet each side's basic concerns and needs. This article compares six theories of practice of ethnic conflict resolution: community relations, principled negotiation; human needs; psychoanalytically rooted identity; intercultural miscommunications and conflict transformation, examining how each understands ethnic conflict; the goals it articulates; the effects of good practice on participants in interventions; the mechanisms by which the project achieves its impact; and the dynamics of transfer affecting the course of a wider conflict. It is argued that clearer articulation of these assumptions will improve both theory and practice in the search for settlements to severe ethnic conflict.     

Competition betweenBracon mellitor [Hym.: Braconidae] andCatolaccus grandis [Hym.: Pteromalidae] for their hostAnthonomus grandis [Col.: Curculionidae]

BioControl - Laboratory studies of competition between populations of 2 parasitoids of the cotton boll weevil,Anthonomus grandis Boheman, showed that populations ofCatolaccus grandis (Burks)...     

Interference between parasitoids [Hym.: Aphidiidae] and fungi [Entomophthorales] attacking cereal aphids

In field populations of cereal aphids parasitism levels declined through the season as fungal infection increased. In laboratory trials the fungusErynia neoaphidis Remaudiere & Hennebert took 3 to 4 days to kill the rose-grain aphid,Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker), whereas the parasitoidAphidius rhopalosiphi De Stefani-Perez took 8 to 9 days at 20°C. When aphids were infected by the fungus less than 4 days after being parasitized the parasitoids were prevented from completing their development. Conversely, when infection occurred more than 4 days after parasitization development of the fungus was significantly impaired. There was no histological evidence that the fungus invaded the tissues of the parasitoid when both attacked the same aphid. Interference between parasitoids and fungal pathogens must be taken into account when estimating the impact of these mortality agents on pest populations.     

Occurrence and impact ofPhytomyza orobanchia [Diptera: Agromyzidae] onOrobanche crenata [Orobanchaceae] in Syria

A survey was carried out in 1988 to determine the occurrence and distribution of the flyPhytomyza orobanchia Kaltenbach [Diptera: Agromyzidae] on broomrape (Orobanche crenata Forskal) at 21 locations in northwestern Syria. Fruit capsules of broomrape were examined in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) fields. The fly was present at 95% of the locations sampled. Of 630 broomrape plants examined over all locations, 55.5% were infested. Of the 1,890 capsules examined, 32.5% were attacked. Fly populations were highest near the coast where 79% of the broomrapes were damaged. The total seed output of broomrape plants was reduced by 29.4% in the surveyed area due to a mean seed destruction of 91.1% per infested broomrape capsule.      

Reserve carbohydrate in maize stem : [C]glucose and [C]sucrose uptake characteristics

Maize (Zea mays L.) stem is thought to function alternately as a net importing and net exporting organ during ontogeny, depending on whole plant photosynthetic source and sink status. The [¹⁴C]sucrose and [¹⁴C]glucose uptake capacity of stem tissues was investigated to increase our understanding of the transport factors which may influence sink status.     

[3H]Tyramine binding: A comparison with neuronal [3H]-dopamine uptake and [3H]mazindol binding processes

[³H]Spiperone ([³H]SPI) binding sites in rat or bovine striata have been solubilized using CHAPS or digitonin detergents. Solubilized sites retained the binding characteristics of those in native membrane preparations. The same solubilized material, however, did not bind [³H]tyramine ([³H]PTA), thus indicating that [³H]PTA binding sites and DA receptors are different chemico-physical entities. In membrane preparations or crude synaptosomes obtained from the c.striatum of neonatally-rendered hypothyroid rats, when central DA-pathways are impaired, both [³H]PTA binding and [³H]DA uptake processes were markedly decreased, with no effect on [³H]mazindol ([³H]MAZ) binding, compared to euthyroids. Reserpine, a well-known inhibitor of DA-uptake into a variety of secretory vesicles, and a potent in vivo andin vitro inhibitor of [³H]PTA binding, did not affect the [³H]MAZ binding process. This further supported the suggestion that while [³H]PTA binding sites are almost totally associated with the vesicular transporter for DA, [³H]MAZ does label a site involved in the DA-translocation across the neuronal membrane. The latter process seems to be rather insensitive to thyroid hypofunction, when however the intracellular storage of DA might be consistently impaired. In conclusion, PTA might be well exploited as a marker of the DA vesicular transporter through its molecular characterization, whenever possible.Special issue dedicated to Dr. Paola S. Timiras