NEWS CONCERNING A CERTAIN TAMOIO CONFEDERATION

In this article we revisit a famous chapter of Brazilian history, yet to be properly analysed from an ethnological perspective: the `Tamoio confederation,` a coalition of 16th century coastal Tupian groups who threatened to undermine Portuguese colonization during the dispute between the French and Portuguese for the Guanabara region (now Rio de Janeiro). Was this `confederation` a new phenomenon in Tupian politics, engendered by the Conquest and inducing a shift towards political centralization? Or was it, on the contrary, the actualization of a possibility already (always) present in Tupian forms of political organization and action? These are the questions guiding our inquiry, which we seek to answer through the use of both historical sources and the in-depth ethnological knowledge of Tupi-Guarani peoples developed by various authors over recent decades.

IMAGE, MAGIC AND IMAGINATION: CHALLENGES TO THE ANTHROPOLOGICAL TEXT

What different forms of engagement do image and text allow the spectator/reader? We know that text and image communicate, and that all communication depends on a relationship between those who communicate. The objective of this text is therefore to understand the new possibilities available to an anthropology of the expression of knowledge that makes use of images, such as photographs and films.

Social Science; black movement; racial relations; identityThe Brazilian black movement in the social sciences (1950-2000)

When and how did the Brazilian Black movement appear in the social sciences? What are the theoretical approaches and explanations for the 20th century emergence and development? This article will address these principal issues by analyzing studies that have taken on the topic of collective black mobilization from various disciplinary vantage points, particularly, Sociology, History and Anthropology.

Psychosocial pathways to inconsistent condom use among male sex workers: personality, drug misuse and criminality

Background: This research compared street male sex workers in Santo Andre, Brazil, that reported consistent condom use with those that revealed inconsistent condom use with their clients, concerning personality aspects, impulsiveness, alcohol and drug consumption, depressive symptoms, sociodemographic data and criminal involvement. Methods: Eighty-six male sex workers were evaluated in face-to-face interviews at their place of work. A `snowball` sampling procedure was used to access this hard-to-reach population. Findings: Male sex workers with inconsistent condom use showed greater involvement with criminal activities, higher reward dependence level and more frequent self-report of being HIV-positive. Conclusions: Conceptualisation of male sex workers` psychological characteristics may be required where HIV risk is not only attributed to sex work per se, but to other aspects such as personality-related factors and negative identity.

Prevalence and correlates of the injection of methadone syrup in Sydney, Australia

A sample of 312 heroin users was interviewed on their injection of methadone syrup. Methadone injecting was widespread, with 52% of subjects having injected methadone syrup, 29% in the preceding six months. Males and females were equally likely to report methadone injecting. Forty per cent Of current methadone injectors reported weekly or more frequent methadone injecting over the preceding six months. A history of methadone injecting was;associated with abscesses and infections in injection sites, having been diagnosed with a venous thrombosis and a history of heroin overdose. Current methadone injectors were in poorer general health, had more injection-related symptoms, higher levels of psychological distress, were more likely to have recently passed on used injecting equipment and to have recently committed criminal acts. Implications for the reduction in the prevalence of methadone injecting and associated harm are discussed.

Reliability of multiple frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis: An intermachine comparison

The technical reliability (i.e., interinstrument and interoperator reliability) of three SEAC-swept frequency bioimpedance monitors was assessed for both errors of measurement and associated analyses. In addition, intraoperator and intrainstrument variability was evaluated for repeat measures over a 4-hour period. The measured impedance values from a range of resistance-capacitance circuits were accurate to within 3% of theoretical values over a range of 50-800 ohms. Similarly, phase was measured over the range 1 degrees-19 degrees with a maximum deviation of 1.3 degrees from the theoretical value. The extrapolated impedance at zero frequency was equally well determined (+/-3%). However, the accuracy of the extrapolated value at infinite frequency was decreased, particularly at impedances below 50 ohms (approaching the lower limit of the measurement range of the instrument). The interinstrument/operator variation for whole body measurements were recorded on human volunteers with biases of less than +/-1% for measured impedance values and less than 3% for phase. The variation in the extrapolated values of impedance at zero and infinite frequencies included variations due to operator choice of the analysis parameters but was still less than +/-0.5%. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Transitions between routes of benzodiazepine administration among heroin users in Sydney

A sample of 312 heroin users were interviewed regarding their benzodiazepine use. The majority (94%) had used benzodiazepines, 72% in the 6 months prior to interview. Benzodiazepine injecting was common, with 28% of the sample having injected these drugs, 13% in the 6 months preceding interview. Current benzodiazepine injectors showed greater polydrug use, injection-related HIV risk-taking behaviour, criminal involvement, psychological distress and injection-related health problems, as well as poorer general health, and an increased risk of having overdosed than other users of benzodiazepines. Of those subjects who had injected benzodiazepines, 55% were no longer current benzodiazepine injectors. Concern for general health emerged as the most common reason for having made a transition away from injecting, and for being likely to make such a transition.