Non-directed Activity Research Articles

Pathophysiology of peritonitis

Despite intensive research efforts peritonitis leading to subsequent sepsis remains associated with a high mortality. The initial effector cells are the locally residing cells of the peritoneum, such as mesothelial cells, mast cells, macrophages and lymphocytes. Through the secretion of chemokines, an influx of neutrophils initially takes place followed by monocytes. The latter can differentiate into inflammatory macrophages. The non-directed activity of neutrophilic granulocytes is limited by the induction of apoptotic programs. Through the breaching of cytokines, bacteria and microbial products into the circulation, a systemic reaction in the sense of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis arises. This is viewed as a concomitant derailing of inflammatory as well as anti-inflammatory responses, which leads to extensive apoptosis of lymphocytes. The presentation of apoptotic cells leads to a strong immunosuppression. Due to the coexistence of hyperinflammation and immunosuppression, exact knowledge of the current immune status of the patient is a prerequisite in the development of immunotherapies for the treatment of sepsis.

Know when to run, know when to hide: can behavioral differences explain the divergent invasion success of two sympatric lizards?

Invasive species represent a select subset of organisms that have successfully transitioned through each stage of the introduction process (transportation, establishment, and spread). Although there is a growing realization that behavior plays a critical role in invasion success, few studies have focused on the initial stages of introduction. We examined whether differences in the grouping tendencies and exploratory behavior of two sympatric lizard species could contribute to their divergent invasion success. While the nondirected activity of the two species did not differ, the invasive delicate skink (Lampropholis delicata) was found to be more exploratory than the congeneric noninvasive garden skink (L. guichenoti), which enabled it to more effectively locate novel environments and basking site resources. The delicate skink also exhibited a greater tendency to hide, which may act to enhance its probability of ensnarement in freight and cargo and decrease its likelihood of detection during transit. The grouping tendencies of the two species did not differ. Together, our results suggest that while the two species have an equivalent “opportunity” for unintentional human-assisted transportation, several pre-existing behavioral traits may enhance the success of the delicate skink in negotiating the initial stages of the introduction process, and subsequent post-establishment spread.

Development of Land Capacity Status for Labour Absorption in Horticulture Area Using Geographic Information System, A Case Study in Samarang Subdistrict, Garut, West Java

An index for labour absorption capacity of an agricultural cropping system requires worker number from directactivities and non-direct activities in a field The number of workers from direct activities can be generated from landmanagement (ploughing, fertilization, weeding, etc), meanwhile the number of workers from non direct activities such astransportation of manure and product, has to include a distance effect. A distance of a farm from a collection point, whereagricultural facilities distributed, contributes to the number of workers requiredfor carrying such products or fertilizers.To calculate a distant effect to absorption capacity is hampered by difficulty in measuring of farm distance in a field,which implies it is rare found such proper data in producing a labour absorption capacity. GIS as a spatial technology hascapability to produce such as distance effect. This research demonstrated the use of GIS in prodUCing labour absorptioncapacity index and map of status labour absorption in Samarang sub district, where several intensive agricultural activities such as paddy, vegetable and perfume grass crops were found The map could be used to understand indirectly the economic situation of the area.

Werke in acht Bänden by Josef Pieper

BOOK REVIEWS 167 Werke in acht Biinden. By JOSEF PIEPER. Edited by BERTHOLD WALD. Vol. 3: Schriften zum Philosophiebegriff(Hamburg: Felix Meiner Verlag, 1995). Pp. vi + 345. DM 76.- (cloth). ISBN 3-7873-1223-4. Vol. 4: Schriften zur Philosophischen Anthropologie und Ethik: Das Menschenbild der Tugendlehre (Hamburg: Felix Meiner Verlag, 1996). Pp. vi + 442. DM 96.- (cloth). ISBN: 3-7873-1224-2. The third volume of the complete works of Josef Pieper assembles diverse writings spanning a period of several decades and systematically treating the notion of philosophy (What is Philosophy?, In Defense ofPhilosophy), as well as interpretation, tradition, language, the Platonic concept of philosophy, and the future of philosophy. Among these the reader will discover two previously unpublished essays: a discussion of the Heideggerian notion of truth and an essay on intellectual work and philosophical formation. This volume also contains an instructive postface written by the editor which brings out the originality of Pieper's point of departure against the backdrop of contemporary (especially analytic and hermeneutical) philosophy. Pieper defines the philosophical act as a reflection upon the totality of that which the subject experiences, both sensually and intuitively. This totality of reality is considered in its ultimate significance, in its deepest roots, and in all its aspects. In contrast to the scientist who, at least theoretically, is able to find definitive responses to the questions he raises, the philosopher treads upon an unending path. Unable to emerge from the state of astonishment which is natural to him and which determines his vocation, he never entirely understands the aspect of the real upon which he focuses his attention. "The philosophical act begins at the boundary where knowledge and the unfathomable touch; it begins with the grasping of the incomprehensibility of the world and Dasein" (125; cf. 80, 119ff., 128ff., 17, 51ff., 53, 56). This unfathomability of the world follows as a consequence of the distinction between res naturalis and res artificialis. Referring to the Sartrean position according to which "there is no human nature, because there is no God to conceive it" (173ff.), Pieper affirms the intrinsic relation between the nature of a res and an intellect, between existence and a will, and maintains that the intellect and will at the origin of the res naturales are those of God. It is certainly natural to the human being to know all things insofar as his intellect is capax universi. Having thereby access to the essence of beings, he seizes their "after-forms." He cannot, however, know the analogy between the after-forms and the pre-form which lies in the creating intellect: rerum essentiae sunt nobis ignotae. The impossibility of fully comprehending the ultimate foundation of the world and of existence-which Pieper explains in terms of a metaphysic of the creation, the heart of his philosophy-does not require that the search of wisdom be conducted with agnostic resignation or despair, but that hope be its certain guide (38-39, 51ff., 128f., 135f., 151). 168 BOOK REVIEWS Pieper desires to preserve a metaphysical dimension ofbeing and gift present not only in the philosophical act but also in celebration, poetry, leisure, art, etc. In a world that is increasingly dominated by the categories of utility, efficiency, and production and that, by the exclusion of all nondirected activity, threatens to become totalitarian, the true philosophical question takes on the character of an intellectual luxury, a useless activity; senseless, at best, it is regarded as possibly harmful or even dangerous, since it neglects or even prohibits the concrete and practical goals of daily life (86, 90ff.). Philosophy is not the "knowledge of a servant" but the "knowledge of a gentleman" (Newman). The existential astonishment that it necessarily implies is opposed to the embourgeoisement of thought which accepts the nearest reality as ultimate and no longer perceives the world of essences and the ultimate sense of encountered realities. It is characterized by a total or partial calling into question of one's comprehension of the world, of one's place therein, and of the significance of one's life. This "anti-bourgeois upheaval," which Pieper likewise refers to as a "de-proletarianization," can be effected in many ways, but especially in...

The influence of environmental variables on amphetamine-induced activity in the preweanling rat

The present experiments investigated how environmental stimuli influence a behavioral response to amphetamine treatment in preweanling rats. In the first experiment, 15-day-old rats received either 1 mg/kg d-ampethamine or saline and were observed in the presence of their home shavings or in a novel cage. Results showed that although familiar cues from the home bedding decreased activity of the saline treated pups, these cues did not influence the activity-enhancing effect of amphetamine. In Experiment 2, 15-day-old pups were placed in a cage with an anesthetized adult conspecific and non-directed activity, around the cage, as well as directed activity on top of the adult were recorded. Following amphetamine treatment, animals tested with a conspecific showed no increase in non-directed activity, a finding which replicates previous observations. In the present experiment, however, a significant increase was seen in the activity directed towards or on top of the anesthetized adult. These experiments reveal that familiar cues per se are not sufficient to influence amphetamine-induced activity in young rats. Activity is influenced, specifically if familiar cues are associated with a discrete object. In the presence of a familiar stimulus, non-directed activity is decreased and directed activity is enhanced. These data are discussed in terms of clinical findings which slow that amphetamine acts to focus, or direct activity of the hyperactive child, and further underlines the importance of environmental variables in influencing the amphetamine response.

Interpretation of Invertebrate Drift in Streams

Various experiments were conducted in a small Minnesota trout stream to determine if data on the drift of stream invertebrates obtained with stationary nets set in the stream, may be interpreted as indication of permanent downstream displacement. A mayfly, Baetis vagans McDunnough, and the scud, Gammarus limnaeus Smith, were the two species primarily involved in the drift. Drifting invertebrates were collected in arrays of several shallow nets stacked on their supporting rods to obtain the vertical distribution of the drift through the water column. Both species entered the drift nets, not only along the stream bottom, but in all water strata. A comparison of the standing crops with drift net accumulations indicated that the drift was too large to be supplied only by the standing crops in the vicinity of the drift nets and that the organisms must have drifted down from upstream areas. Measurement of the dispersal of organisms moving into a denuded stream bottom area, alternately open to movement from upstream and downstream, indicated that both species did so primarily at night and from upstream. Experimentally blocking the drift with nets set from bank to bank reduced daily drift rates downstream from the block position through a distance of 38 m, including two riffles and an intervening pool, indicating that the organisms normally drifted through at least this distance. In general, it appears that the accumulation of organisms in drift nets is the result of a permanent displacement of the organisms downstream, and not the result of nondirectional activity in the immediate vicinity of the nets.