Anthropology as a moral science of possibilities

In a world of continued and expanding empire, does sociocultural anthropology in itself offer grounds for moral and social criticism? One line in anthropological thought leads to cultural relativism and an awareness that a cloud of alternative possibilites surrounds any moral code. However, a second line, based in reflection on fieldwork and on the professional ethics arising with it, does suggest some basic moral aesthetic standards, including trust, mutual forbearance, and acceptance of others' worth. Moreover, a third line, that investigating the sources of social change and cultural metamorphosis, suggests that moral agency-cum-patiencydoing-and-being-done-to in the web of social relationsis a basic category of human thought and existence and that moral rhetorical persuasion of agents-cum-patients is likewise a constituent of all cultural arrangements. These reflections give sociocultural anthropologists support, based in the moral logic of the discipline itself and in its understanding of the complexity of possibilities surrounding any moral judgment, for sceptical and therapeutic criticism of rhetoric exercised in pursuit of empire. This argument is illustrated through an analysis of American political rhetoric supporting the invasion of Iraq

Letter from Kate Glessner Carrithers to John Muir, [ca. 1902] May 21.

My dear Mr Muir.Will you kindly inform me as to the exact title of Clarence King\u27s work on geology (as I understand it) relative to the geology of the Yosemite. If his book would not be helpful perhaps you will suggest something in it\u27s stead, not too technical. Since coming to California03006 your name has grown so familiar and your books have given so much pleasure to me and some friends of mine who are lovers of nature and the free untramelled life you enjoy. We are contemplating a journey to the Yosemite [to?] remain perhaps thru\u27 the summer and wish to enjoy it in the most intelligent way, at least to get a clear idea of its beauty. Mr Lukens, whom we know, has spoken of you so often that I felt not the least fear in asking your assistance.My friends have four new [illegible] and I have [illegible] Mountains of California. We would be delighted if you would suggest others you like.With very great respectKate Glessner Carrithers408 Kensington PlacePasadena Calif.May 21

Methods for Mass Data Acquisition of Whiskey Webs.

Whiskey webs are a recently discovered phenomenon in which the monolayer collapse during evaporation of diluted American whiskey results in self-assembled, web-like structures. It was found that the pattern of weblike structures were unique between different American whiskey products. It is desirable to use these unique patterns as a “fingerprint” which can be used to identify whiskeys, their chemical constituents, and perhaps even counterfeits. In pursuit of identifying whiskey products based on their web pattern, it is necessary to have a large database of samples imaged for each product. The device discussed herein is the realization of an apparatus capable of automating the droplet deposition and imaging of whiskey webs. The apparatus was shown to produce droplets with a smaller volumetric deviation than traditional methods. The apparatus will standardize the droplet deposition procedure and serve as the foundation for statistical studies of whiskey web uniqueness and chemical characterization

Graduate Recital:David R. Carrithers, Baritone

Centennial Lecture Hall July 28, 1968 3:00p.m

Integrating a Social Justice Perspective in Economics Education: Creating a Distinctly Catholic Education

This paper suggests a way of creating a distinctly Catholic economics education by integrating a social justice perspective into the curriculum through writings from Catholic Social Thought (CST). In so doing, we argue that students of economics will gain a more thorough understanding of the economics discipline. Moreover, a grounding in CST will help business and economics students better negotiate the conflicting view of markets they encounter in the “disconnect” between business courses and humanities/social science core courses. The thesis of the paper is that CST can be a useful mechanism by which to instill a social justice perspective in economics education and to motivate educators to be clear and complete in discussing assumptions that underlie economic theory. We explore reasons economics educators have been reluctant to use tools such as CST to inform their discussion of economic theory. We use the subdiscipline of welfare theory and in particular assumptions regarding the common good, preference satisfaction, and individual and social utility to distinguish between perspectives from CST and what is taught as modern economic theory. Finally we offer some simple curricular changes that can be accomplished with little cost, which can lead to three bold accomplishments: creating a distinctly Catholic economics education, improving students’ understanding of their discipline, and diminishing the frustration and confusion students feel when they encounter disconnected messages about the effects of markets and the promotion of social justice

Simple device facilitates inert-gas welding of tubes

Metal Y-tube simultaneously directs argon streams over weld areas on both sides of tubes being joined along a line on their outer periphery. The device is advanced along the junction in step with the welding operation

Activation of a novel natriuretic endocrine system in humans with heart failure

Proguanylin and prouroguanylin are the inactive precursors of guanylin and uroguanylin, natriuretic peptides involved in the regulation of sodium balance. Urinary uroguanylin levels have been found previously to be elevated in patients with HF (heart failure). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether plasma proguanylin and prouroguanylin levels are increased in patients with HF and to evaluate their relationship with cardiac and renal function. In this prospective observational study, we recruited 243 patients with HF (151 men) and 72 healthy controls. In patients with HF, plasma levels of proguanylin [median, 7.2 (range, 0.9–79.0) μg/l] and prouroguanylin [8.3 (1.7–53.0 μg/l)] were both significantly (P<0.0005) higher compared with levels in healthy controls [5.5 (0.4–22.3 μg/l) for proguanylin and 6.3 (2.5–16.9) μg/l for prouroguanylin]. In patients with HF, increased age, a history of hypertension, diabetes and atrial fibrillation, use of diuretics, a higher NYHA (New York Heart Association) class and a lower eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) were significant univariate predictors of proguanylin and prouroguanylin levels. In multivariate analysis, a history of hypertension and low eGFR both had strong independent associations with proguanylin and prouroguanylin levels. Proguanylin and prouroguanylin varied significantly between NYHA class with a trend of increasing plasma concentrations with worsening severity of symptoms. In conclusion, plasma proguanylin and prouroguanylin are elevated in patients with HF. Elevated plasma proguanylin and prouroguanylin levels are associated with hypertension, renal impairment and increasing severity of HF. This novel endocrine system may contribute to the pathophysiology of HF