Origin of the Peyote Religion in The United States

Abstract

Peyotism in the United States was dependent upon the Peyote cactus, Lophophora williamsii, which has a very limited distribution along the lower Rio Grande River, centered around Laredo, Texas. The Lipan Apache Indians in the vicinity of Laredo,,1760to 1850’s, learned of the properties of Peyote and the ritual for its use from Coahuiltecan-speaking Carrizo and Tonkawa and in turn taught Peyotism to the Comanche and Kiowa.     

Some Pragmatic Aspects of Navaho Peyotism

Abstract

The Peyote religion has often been characterized as promoting passivity, resignation, and escape into a subjective world of visions as a substitute for the dissatisfying social and economic conditions resulting from white domination. Data gathered on the Navaho reservation are presented which indicate that it is more appropriate to view Peyotism as an active attempt to transform these conditions, an interpretation which more adequately matches the Malinowskian model of magico-religiousphenomena.     

Distribution,abundance and traditional management of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agave potatorum</Emphasis>in the Tehuacán Valley,Mexico: bases for sustainable use of non-timber forest products

Background

Agave species have been used for thousands of years in the Tehuacán Valley, but the current mescal production has great impact on populations of the most used species. Harvesting of A. potatorum takes place before sexual reproduction and the over-extraction put local populations at high risk. In the community of San Luis Atolotilán (SLA), mescal has been produced for one century but the growing mescal trade is leading to intensified agave extraction. Our study evaluated distribution and abundance of A. potatorum, extraction rates, management practices and economic importance for SLA households. The unbalanced relation between availability and extraction rates would be an indicator of risk requiring sustainable management strategies. Our case study aspires contributing to analyze general patterns for sustainable use for this and other forest products highly extracted.

Methods

We used bioclimatic modeling to project a map of potential distribution of the species, and ecological sampling to estimate the total availability of harvestable agaves within the territory of SLA. We used participant observation, surveys and semi-structured interviews with producers and households of SLA to document agave uses, technological and socio-economic aspects of mescal production, and to estimate extraction rates of agaves.

Results

Mescal production, medicine and fodder are the most important uses of A. potatorum. Its distribution area is nearly 608 ha where annually occur on average 7,296 harvestable plants, nearly 54 to 87% of them being harvested. Mescal production currently is a non-sustainable activity, requiring great changes in patterns of extraction and management adopting sustainable criteria. Local people started management planning to ensure the future availability of agaves, and the ecological information of this study has been helpful in constructing their decisions. Technical support for improving local experiences for managing populations’ recovering is a priority. Interaction of scholars and local people for solving this problem is already taking place and strengthening this process may be determinant for successful results.

Conclusions

Strategies for protecting particular populations, temporal substitution of agave species for mescal production, implementation of restoration and organization for fear commerce are needed for improving sustainable use of A. potatorum.

     

Bootlegging on a desert mountain: The political ecology of Agave (Agave spp.) demographic change in the Sonora river valley,Sonora, Mexico

Recent studies suggest that wild agave (Agavespp.) plants in Sonora, Mexico, are being over-harvested by mescal makers on communal lands. Using the conceptual framework of regional political ecology (Blaikie and Brookfield, 1987), I discuss the ecological processes of agave depletion, and investigate the social, economic, and political contexts in which unsustainable harvest practices arise. Whereas all the mescal makers have knowledge of sustainable harvest methods, population growth, expansion of agriculture onto ecologically marginal lands, and increasing dependence on wild harvested products from communal lands created the socioeconomic context for increased demand for mescal income. The ideology of household autonomy, and the belief that the village has no right to internally regulate use of the commons, created the political context for rapid, unsustainable harvesting—a tragedy of the commons. However, recent cultural changes have caused a reversal of this trend, and some wild agave populations may be recovering.     

Phytochemical differences between Calia secundiflora (Leguminosae) growing at two sites in Mexico

The ecology and quinolizidine alkaloid chemistry of Calia secundiflora (Ortega) Yakovlev growing at two sites in Mexico were compared. At one site (Hidalgo) the vegetation was dominated by Flourensia resinosa and C. secundiflora, at the other site (Queretaro) C. secundiflora and Dodanaea viscosa were dominant. The Hidalgo site had shallower soils with less organic matter, N, P, and CaCO3. Seeds of C. secundiflora from each site accumulated a similar range of quinolizidine alkaloids, but the profile of alkaloids in the leaves and roots were different. The leaves and roots of plants at Hidalgo accumulated a similar range of alkaloids to the seeds with cytisine and/or N-methylcytisine being most abundant, whereas at Queretaro the leaves and roots accumulated lupinine, with other alkaloids being relatively minor constituents. The latter profile has not been reported previously for C. secundiflora.     

What Kind of Capsule Endoscope Is Suitable for a Controllable Self-Propelling Capsule Endoscope? Experimental Study Using a Porcine Stomach Model for Clinical Application (with Videos)

BackgroundWe have been developing the Self-Propelling Capsule Endoscope (SPCE) that allows for controllability from outside of the body and real-time observation. What kind of capsule endoscope (CE) is suitable for a controllable SPCE is unclear and a very critical point for clinical application. We compared observing ability of three kinds of SPCEs with different viewing angles and frame rates.MethodsEleven buttons were sewed in an excised porcine stomach. Four examiners controlled the SPCE using PillCamSB2, -ESO2, and -COLON2 (Given Imaging Ltd., Israel), for 10 minutes each with the aim of detecting as many buttons and examining them as closely as possible. The ability to find lesions was assessed based on the number of detected buttons. The SPCE-performance score (SPS) was used to evaluate the ability to examine the lesions in detail.ResultsThe SPCE-ESO2, -COLON2, and -SB2 detected 11 [interquartile range (IQR): 0], 10.5 (IQR, 0.5), and 8 (IQR, 1.0) buttons, respectively. The SPCE-ESO2 and -COLON2 had a significantly better ability to detect lesions than the -SB2 (p < 0.05). The SPCE-ESO2, -COLON2, and -SB2 had significantly different SPS values of 22 (IQR, 0), 16.5 (IQR, 1.5), and 14 (IQR, 1.0), respectively (p < 0.05 for all comparisons; SPCE-SB2 vs. -ESO2, -SB2 vs. -COLON2, and -ESO2 vs. -COLON2).ConclusionsPillCamESO2 is most suitable in different three CEs for SPCE for examining lesions in detail of the stomach.     

应用ITS序列分析探讨偏花报春的系统位置

对于偏花报春Primula secundiflora Franch. 的系统位置,主要有两种意见,一种认为偏花报春具有典型的钟状花冠,应置于钟花报春组Sect．Sikkimensis;而另一种意见则依据其他特征将其置于灯台报春组sect．Proliferae。通过对偏花报春、灯台报春组4种植物和钟花报春组3种植物核糖体DNA中的内转录间隔区(ITS)的序列测定及分析,并结合形态学及染色体特征的比较论证,认为偏花报春应置于灯台报春组。     

Agave for tequila and biofuels: an economic assessment and potential opportunities

This paper explores the economic viability of producing biofuels from Agave in Mexico and the potential for it to complement the production of tequila or mescal. We focus on Agave varieties currently being used by the tequila industry to produce two beverages, tequila and mescal, and explore the potential for biofuel production from these plants. Without competing directly with beverage production, we discuss the economic costs and benefits of converting Agave by‐products to liquid fuel as an additional value‐added product and expanding cultivation of Agave on available land. We find that the feedstock cost for biofuel from the Agave piña alone could be more than US$3 L^?1 on average. This is considerably higher than the feedstock costs of corn ethanol and sugarcane ethanol. However, there may be potential to reduce these costs with higher conversion efficiencies or by using sugar present in other parts of the plant. The costs of cellulosic biofuels using the biomass from the entire plant could be lower depending on the conversion efficiency of biomass to fuel and the additional costs of harvesting, collecting and transporting that biomass.     

The Yuwipi Cult of the Oglala and Sicangu Teton Sioux

Abstract

The Yuwipi Cult of the Teton Sioux falls into the category of the Plains darkened room or darkened tent ceremonies involving monsters, usually diminutive. This type of ceremony with the tieing and subsequent freeing of the shaman by his personal spirits is old on the Plains but is also a circumpolar complex. A Woodland past, with some elements surviving from the even earlier southeastern home, is evident in various practices and artifacts connected with the cult.

The author takes issue with a previous statement that Yuwipi is like the Peyote cult marginal to the Teton religion. Rather, Yuwipi embodies all the basic elements of Teton cultism while peyotism lacks many of these.

A specific Yuwipi meeting is described in detail the preliminary arrangments with the shaman, sweat bath procedures, food preparation for the ceremony, preparation of the meeting room, as well as the altar and sacred area, scarification of volunteers, and finally the lightsout sessions of the Yuwipi ceremony.

It is concluded that, despite rrany stories of trickery common throughout the Sioux country, Yuwipi devotees continue to believe in the power of the Yuwipi men.     

复方苦参注射液腔内灌注治疗对恶性胸腔积液患者机体免疫功能及肿瘤标志物水平的影响

摘要 目的：探讨复方苦参注射液腔内灌注治疗对恶性胸腔积液患者机体免疫功能及肿瘤标志物水平的影响。方法：选取河北北方学院附属第一医院2020年12月到2022年12月期间收治的52例恶性胸腔积液患者,将每位患者随机进行编号,获得1～52个编号,按照奇偶法将患者分为对照组（n=26）和观察组（n=26）。对照组采用顺铂腔内灌注治疗,观察组在对照组的基础上联用复方苦参注射液腔内灌注治疗,比较两组患者的治疗效果、T淋巴细胞亚群（CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺）、癌胚抗原（CEA）、糖类抗原125（CA125）、生活质量改善率以及毒副反应。结果：观察组治疗总有效率73.08%高于对照组的42.31%（P＜0.05）。治疗后观察组的CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺与治疗前比较明显升高,且高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后两组患者的血清CEA、CA125水平与治疗前比较均明显降低,且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）。观察组生活质量改善率76.92%高于对照组46.15%（P<0.05）。观察组的骨髓抑制、胃肠道反应明显轻于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：复方苦参注射液腔内灌注治疗对恶性胸腔积液患者具有较好的疗效,且可以改善患者机体免疫功能及生活质量,降低血清肿瘤标志物水平和毒副反应。     

Determinants of current use of contraception and children ever born in Nepal

Abstract

This paper explores the extent to which women's work for earnings, education and couple communication over family planning influence current contraceptive use and children ever born in Nepal. Data came from the 1996 Nepal Family Health Survey. The findings indicate that education has a significant positive influence on current use of contraception and a significant negative influence on children ever born. There was virtually no relationship between women working and current use of contraception. However, in full models, there was a significant positive relationship for women who earn cash for work on current use and a significant negative relationship for children ever born. Working alone does not increase contraceptive use or reduce the number of children ever born in Nepal, but earning cash for work does. The husband/couple variables also proved to be important determinants of current use of contraception and children ever born.     

The influence of female education,labor force participation,and age at marriage on fertility behavior in Bangladesh

Abstract

This paper studies the relationship between three aspects of female status (education, work experience, and age at marriage) and the use of contraception and fertility in Bangladesh. Education is found to be the variable most strongly correlated with use of contraception and is also one of the significant variables explaining fertility behavior. The most important factor explaining fertility behavior is age at marriage. The higher the age at marriage, the lower the fertility, when all other factors are held constant. Work experience has very little or no effect on current use of contraception and fertility.     

Genetic diversity and morphological variability in the Balkan endemic Campanula secundiflora s.l. (Campanulaceae)

We reconstructed the relationships among populations of Campanula secundiflora s.l. and closely related and geographically close populations of C. austroadriatica and C. versicolor. Based on analyses of microsatellite DNA data, the investigated populations have high overall genetic diversity and abundant allelic variation over seven investigated loci. Bayesian model‐based clustering identified four clearly differentiated genetic groups of populations. The genetic differentiation was reflected by morphological differentiation, allowing us to propose a new taxonomic treatment of the constituents of C. secundiflora s.l. The populations distributed in south‐western Serbia and north‐eastern Montenegro were included in C. secundiflora. A new species, C ampanula montenegrina sp. nov. , distributed in the continental part of Montenegro and the northern part of Albania is described. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2016, 180 , 64–88.     

Argyll oakwoods: Use and ecological change, 1000 to 2000 AD — a palynological-historical investigation

Summary

This paper explores the relationship between ecological change and human use in Atlantic oakwoods during the last millennium. Information on vegetation change derived from high resolution pollen analytical studies can sometimes be satisfactorily linked with localised documentary evidence of historical woodland management. Key findings based on this approach using case studies of individual woods in Lorn are presented. Relatively diverse woods, probably containing old-growth, were transformed in the medieval period into disturbed open stands used for pasturage and local domestic wood supply. Around or prior to 1700 AD commercial management began and modes of exploitation changed so that, for a period until the late 19th or early 20th century, stands were cropped intensively. In the most recent 100 years or so, use of the woods has been relatively minor except as a grazing resource. The consequences of this history for the development of the current condition and character of Atlantic oakwood resources are discussed with reference to elements of woodland biodiversity such as arboreal species composition and Atlantic bryophyte assemblages.     

槐属分类系统的修订

自《槐属的研究》一文发表后,作者对本属植物的地理分布特点、主要形态特征和某些化学物质的演化趋势及其与临近属的相互关系等作了综合分析研究。结果表明:本属植物的演化趋势是由乔木→灌木或亚灌木→草本;羽状复叶→近掌状复叶或单叶;托叶有逐步退化趋势,小托叶有→无;顶生圆锥花序→多种着生的总状花序;花萼裂片连合程度逐步增加,小苞片有→无;荚果果皮构造及质地也呈进行性退化趋势,即果皮从三层完整果皮向二层过渡,质地肉质→木质→革质或近革质,开裂方式由不开裂→豆科典型的二瓣开裂→本属特有的四瓣开裂。金雀花碱在本属植物中出现较早,在肉果亚属已有较多种类含有此碱,并随着植物的进化而含有种类在逐步减少,而苦参碱在本属植物中出现的较晚,肉果亚属的植物只有少数种类含有此碱,裂果亚属含此碱的种类较多,并随着植物的进化而含有种类在逐步减少。据此,作者提出了本属植物的系统树,并对本属各分类群的系统位置作了全面修订与补充。     

Some Thoughts on the Relationship Between Behaviorism,Comparative Psychology,and Ethology

ABSTRACT

Although there has been considerable literature produced on the relationship between behaviorism, comparative psychology, and ethology; there has not been a considerable consensus of opinion. Our position, more historically situated than many, argues that the crucial distinction remains simply: “Why does each discipline use animals as subjects?” Drawing on actual position statements by definitional figures, we believe that answers to this probative inquiry amply illustrates the substantial differences between these long-standing traditions.     

Sophocarpine exert protective effect against ox-LDL-induced endothelial damage via regulating NF-κB signaling pathway

ABSTRACT

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) was known to induce endothelial cell injury to the progression of atherosclerosis (AS). Sophocarpine (SPC), a compound of sophora alkaloids isolated from the plant Sophora alopecuroides, has been shown to exhibit various pharmacological activities. This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of SPC on ox-LDL-induced endothelial cells and explored its underlying mechanism. Our results show that SPC pre-incubation ameliorated ox-LDL-mediated HAECs cytotoxicity, DNA fragmentation, and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, SPC significantly downregulated the mRNA or protein expression level of pro-inflammatory mediators (TGF-β, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) and pro-inflammatory vascular adhesion molecules (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin). Mechanistically, SPC pre-treatment downregulated IκBα expression and inhibited translocation of NF-κB in ox-LDL-mediated HAECs, overexpression of NF-κB p65 counteracted the cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic effect of SPC, suggesting that its action is dependent on NF-κB signaling pathway. Collectively, SPC suppresses ox-LDL-induced HAECs injury by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.     

Mine warfare at sea—some legal aspects of the future

Abstract

The paper addresses some of the problems that new weapon technology at sea are posing to traditional legal concepts, and to illustrate these, the sea mine has been taken as the topical weapon. One of the difficulties is that since the Hague Peace Conference of 1907, through the Covenant of the League of Nations and the Paris Treaty of 1928 renouncing war as an instrument of national policy up to the situation after the Charter of the United Nations, it is improbable that any nation will ever again declare war. In the absence of declared war, it is probably most helpful to categorize the threat or use of armed force as either a delict, a sanction, or self‐defense. The use of mines in any legal context gives rise to two fundamental questions:

a. Is the mine a lawful weapon?

b. If it is a lawful weapon what are the legal restraints on its use, if any?

The paper asserts, inter alia, that the Hague Convention No VIII Relative to the Laying of Automatic Submarine Contact Mines does not prohibit the mine as then known, and that the legal status of mines as a weapon of war has not fundamentally changed since 1907.     

不同径级国槐行道树重金属富集效能比较

采用ICP-OES测定北京市台基厂大街行道树国槐各器官中7种重金属(Cd、Cr、Ni、Cu、Mn、Pb、Zn)含量,比较不同径级国槐重金属富集效能。结果表明:国槐中重金属含量因胸径级、器官、元素种类不同而存在差异。各径级国槐重金属含量大小总体趋势为ZnMnCuPbCrNiCd,各器官中树皮和根对重金属的吸收能力最强,其次是叶和枝,树干对重金属的吸收能力最弱。不同径级国槐对重金属的富集能力存在差异,表现为小径级中径级大径级。国槐各器官中重金属积累量大小顺序为根干枝叶,重金属积累量随着胸径级扩大和生物量的增加而增加。综合比较不同径级国槐重金属年均积累量、单位面积富集量和单位空间富集量,小径级(20≤DBH30 cm)国槐富集效能最高。