Other Side of This Life : Death, Value, and Social Being in Thomas Pynchon's Fiction

This dissertation analyzes the interrelationship between death, the conditions of (wo)man s social being, and the notion of value as it emerges in the fiction of the American novelist Thomas Pynchon (1937 ). Pynchon s present work includes six novels V. (1963), The Crying of Lot 49 (1966), Gravity s Rainbow (1973), Vineland (1990), Mason & Dixon (1997), Against the Day (2006) and several short stories. Death constitues a central thematic in Pynchon s work, and it emerges through recurrent questions of mortality, suicide, mass destruction, sacrifice, afterlife, entropy, the relationship between the animate and the inanimate, and the limits of representation. In Pynchon, death is never a mere biological given (or event); it is always determined within a certain historical, cultural, and ideological context. Throughout his work, Pynchon questions the strict ontological separation of life and death by showing the relationship between this separation and social power. Conceptual divisions also reflect the relationship between society and its others, and death becomes that through which lines of social demarcation are articulated. Determined as a conceptual and social "other side", death in Pynchon forms a challenge to modern culture, and makes an unexpected return: the dead return to haunt the living, the inanimate and the animate fuse, and technoscientific attempts at overcoming and controlling death result in its re-emergence in mass destruction and ecological damage. The questioning of the ontological line also affects the structuration of Pynchon's prose, where the recurrent narrated and narrative desire to reach the limits of representation is openly associated with death. Textualized, death appears in Pynchon's writing as a sudden rupture within the textual functioning, when the "other side", that is, the bare materiality of the signifier is foregrounded. In this study, Pynchon s cultural criticism and his poetics come together, and I analyze the subversive role of death in his fiction through Jean Baudrillard s genealogy of the modern notion of death from L échange symbolique et la mort (1976). Baudrillard sees an intrinsic bond between the social repression of death in modernity and the emergence of modern political economy, and in his analysis economy and language appear as parallel systems for generating value (exchange value/ sign-value). For Baudrillard, the modern notion of death as negativity in relation to the positivity of life, and the fact that death cannot be given a proper meaning, betray an antagonistic relation between death and the notion of value. As a mode of negativity (that is, non-value), death becomes a moment of rupture in relation to value-based thinking in short, rationalism. Through this rupture emerges a form of thinking Baudrillard labels the symbolic, characterized by ambivalence and the subversion of conceptual opposites.

Lung cancer risk of airborne particles for Italian population

Airborne particles, including both ultrafine and supermicrometric particles, contain various carcinogens. Exposure and risk-assessment studies regularly use particle mass concentration as dosimetry parameter, therefore neglecting the potential impact of ultrafine particles due to their negligible mass compared to supermicrometric particles. The main purpose of this study was the characterization of lung cancer risk due to exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and some heavy metals associated with particle inhalation by Italian non-smoking people. A risk-assessment scheme, modified from an existing risk model, was applied to estimate the cancer risk contribution from both ultrafine and supermicrometric particles. Exposure assessment was carried out on the basis of particle number distributions measured in 25 smoke-free microenvironments in Italy. The predicted lung cancer risk was then compared to the cancer incidence rate in Italy to assess the number of lung cancer cases attributed to airborne particle inhalation, which represents one of the main causes of lung cancer, apart from smoking. Ultrafine particles are associated with a much higher risk than supermicrometric particles, and the modified risk-assessment scheme provided a more accurate estimate than the conventional scheme. Great attention has to be paid to indoor microenvironments and, in particular, to cooking and eating times, which represent the major contributors to lung cancer incidence in the Italian population. The modified risk assessment scheme can serve as a tool for assessing environmental quality, as well as setting up exposure standards for particulate matter.

Indoor Air Quality in Naturally Ventilated Italian Classrooms

Characterization of indoor air quality in school classrooms is crucial to children’s health and performance. The present study was undertaken to characterize the indoor air quality in six naturally ventilated classrooms of three schools in Cassino (Italy). Indoor particle number, mass, black carbon, CO2 and radon concentrations, as well as outdoor particle number were measured within school hours during the winter and spring season. The study found the concentrations of indoor particle number were influenced by the concentrations in the outdoors; highest BC values were detected in classrooms during peak traffic time. The effect of different seasons’ airing mode on the indoor air quality was also detected. The ratio between indoor and outdoor particles was of 0.85 ± 0.10 in winter, under airing conditions of short opening window periods, and 1.00 ± 0.15 in spring when the windows were opened for longer periods. This was associated to a higher degree of penetration of outdoor particles due to longer period of window opening. Lower CO2 levels were found in classrooms in spring (908 ppm) than in winter (2206 ppm). Additionally, a greater reduction in radon concentrations was found in spring. In addition, high PM10 levels were found in classrooms during break time due to re-suspension of coarse particles. Keywords: classroom; Ni/Nout ratio; airing by opening windows; particle number

Migration of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) in rainforests of north Queensland: fact or fiction?

The Wet Tropics bioregion of north Queensland has been identified as an area of global significance. The world-heritage-listed rainforests have been invaded by feral pigs (Sus scrofa) that are perceived to cause substantial environmental damage. A community perception exists of an annual altitudinal migration of the feral-pig population. The present study describes the movements of 29 feral pigs in relation to altitudinal migration (highland, transitional and lowland areas). Feral pigs were sedentary and stayed within their home range throughout a 4-year study period. No altitudinal migration was detected; pigs moved no more than a mean distance of 1.0 km from the centre of their calculated home ranges. There was no significant difference between the mean (+/- 95% confidence interval) aggregate home ranges for males (8.7 +/- 4.3 km², n = 15) and females (7.2 +/- 1.8 km², n = 14). No difference in home range was detected among the three altitudinal areas: 7.2 +/- 2.4 km² for highland, 6.2 +/- 3.9 km² for transitional and 9.9 +/- 5.3 km² for lowland areas. The aggregate mean home range for all pigs in the present study was 8.0 +/- 2.4 km². The study also assessed the influence seasons had on the home range of eight feral pigs on the rainforest boundary; home ranges did not significantly vary in size between the tropical wet and dry seasons, although the mean home range in the dry season (7.7 +/- 6.9 km²) was more than twice the home range in the wet season (2.9 +/- 0.8 km²). Heavier pigs tended to have larger home ranges. The results of the present study suggest that feral pigs are sedentary throughout the year so broad-scale control techniques need to be applied over sufficient areas to encompass individual home ranges. Control strategies need a coordinated approach if a long-term reduction in the pig population is to be achieved.

Dr. Bernhard Bardach with unidentified soldiers before departing to the Italian Front Military; Portraits; Groups

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Italian Alpine Club Portraits Groups

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Public history, private memories: Historical imagination in the new Italian cinema 1988-1999

The concern with the following arguments started during a study of national and international cinemas, from the desire to account for a cinema that internationally was doing well, but was undervalued domestically. The aims were to account for the renewal of Italian filmmaking from 1988, the New Italian cinema, and understand the conditions behind this renewal. The thesis identifies in the historical theme and in the recurrence of features from Italian cinema history elements of coherence with previous cinema production. The first consideration that emerges is that a triangulation between a new generation of filmmakers, their audience and recent history shaped the recovery of Italian cinema from 1988. A second consideration is that no discussion of Italian cinema can be separated from a discussion of that which it represents: Italian society and politics. This representation has not only addressed questions of identity for a cohort of spectators, but on occasions has captured the attention of the international audience. Thus the thesis follows a methodologic approach that positions texts in relation to certain traditions in Italian filmmaking and to the context by taking into consideration also industrial factors and social and historical changes. By drawing upon a range of disciplines, from political history to socio-psychological studies, the thesis has focussed on representation of history and memory in two periods of Italian film history: the first and the last decade of twentieth century. The concern has been not so much to interpret the films, but to understand the processes that made the films and how spectarors have applied their knowledge structures to make meaning of the films. Thus the thesis abstains from ascribing implicit meanings to films, but acknowledges how films project cultural contingencies. This is beacause film is shaped by production conditions and cultural and historical circumstances that make the film intelligible. As Bordwell stated in Making Meaning, "One can do other things with films besides 'reading' them" (1989, p. xiii). Within this framework, the thesis proposes a project that understands history films with the norms that govern Italian filmic output, those norms that regulate conditions of production and consumption and the relation between films from various traditions.

Hyperferritinemia -cataract syndrome: Long-term ophthalmic observations in an Italian family

Background Hyperferritinemia-cataract syndrome (HCS) is a rare Mendelian condition characterized by bilateral cataract and high levels of serum ferritin in the absence of iron overload. Methods HCS was diagnosed in three adult siblings. In two of them it was possible to assess lens changes initially in 1995 and again in 2013. Serum ferritin, iron, transferrin concentrations and transferrin saturation percentage were also measured, and the Iron Responsive Element (IRE) region of the L-ferritin gene (FTL) was studied. Results Serum ferritin concentrations were considerably elevated while serum iron, transferrin and transferrin saturation levels were within the normal range in each sibling. Cataract changes in our patients were consistent with those previously reported in the literature. Progression of the cataract, an aspect of few studies in this syndrome, appeared to be quite limited in extent. The heterozygous +32G to T (-168G>T) substitution in the IRE of the FTL gene was detected in this family. Conclusions Ophthalmic and biochemical studies together with genetic testing confirmed HCS in three family members. Although the disorder has been extensively described in recent years, little is known regarding cataract evolution over time. In our cases, lens evaluations encompassed many years, identified bilateral cataract of typical morphology and supported the hypothesis that this unique clinical feature of the disease tends to be slowly progressive in nature, at least in adults.

Italian ja Veneton läänin kolmas sektori. Maaraportti maaseutualueiden palvelutuotannon haasteista ja hyvistä käytännöistä.

Tiivistelmä Maaraportin tavoitteena on luoda yleiskatsaus Italian kolmanteen sektoriin ja tutkimus kohdistuu erityisesti Pohjois-Italiassa sijaitsevan Veneton läänin kolmannen sektorin palvelutuotantoon. Raportissa tarkastellaan erityisesti kolmannen sektorin ja julkisen palvelutuotantosektorin sekä julkishallinnon toiminnallisia suhteita. Kolmannen sektorin mahdollisuuksia vastata maaseutualueiden palvelujen tarjonnan haasteisiin on pyritty analysoimaan. Italia on julkishallinnon ja kolmannen sektorin palvelutuotannon kannalta tarkasteltuna nykytilanteessa mielenkiintoinen testilaboratorio koko Euroopan mittakaavassa johtuen maan historiallisista, kulttuuri-sista, kieli- ja maantieteellisistä sekä itse väestöpohjan tarjoamista haasteista. Italiasta ei voida puhua yhden homogeenisen valtiokäsitteen alla, koska maa toimii kulttuurisista perinteistään johtuen kolmella eri nopeudella. Itse valtio käsitettäkin tulkitaan Italiassa monin eri tavoin pohjautuen ”valtiona” nähdyn organisaation käytännön funktioon sitoutuneena alueellisiin ja kulttuurisiin tekijöihin. Teollinen, dynaaminen yritysten varakas Pohjois-Italia henkilöityneenä Milanoon, hallinnon ja kulttuurin leimaama Keski-Italia kiteytyneenä ikuiseen kaupunkiin Roomaan ja Napolin alapuolinen Etelä-Italia, joka painii ”järjestelmässä sisällä olevan järjestelmänsä” kanssa eivät ole koskaan muodos-taneet oikeasti yhtenäistä Italian valtiota. Italiassa erillisinä itsehallinnollisina alueina toimivat lääneiksi luettavat Sisilia, Trentino Alto-Adige, Val di Aosta, Sardegna ja Friuli-Venezia Giulia, mikä lisää hallinnollista kirjavuutta. Viimeisten vuosien aikana Italian julkishallinto on ollut jatkuvassa transitiotilassa yrittäessään kohdata uudistumisen vaateita globalisoituvassa maailmassa. Italiassa on meneillään hidas siirtyminen liittovaltiomaiseen järjestelmään ja jopa syvempään paikallisuuteen. Massiivinen ja raskas julkishallintokoneisto neljällä eri tasolla (valtio - lääninhallinnolliset alueet - vahvat maakunnat - kunnat) on erittäin hankalasti modernisoitavissa, mutta poliittinen tahtotila on vaihtumassa klassista vahvaa keskushallintoa kannattavasta ajattelutavasta hyväksymään federalistisia, alueellisia hallintoratkaisuja. Italiassa on herätty havaitsemaan, että ongelmien ratkaisu täytyy viedä itse alueille ja niiden ihmisille, koska unilateraalinen keskushallinnointitapa ei enää vastaa monikerroksisiin, moniulotteisiin alueellisiin haasteisiin. Jokaisella alueella on erilaiset lähtökohdat ongelmien ratkaisuihin myös globalisoitumisen asettamissa yhteisissä haasteissa. Kolmannen sektorin asema arvostettuna italialaisten kansalaispalvelujen täydentäjänä ja tuottajana alkaa olla nykypäivää. Kolmannen sektorin elintärkeä osuus uusien palvelutarpeiden tunnistamisessa on jo yleisesti tunnustettu tosiasia Italiassa. Vapaaehtoisjärjestöt toimivat eturivissä kansalaisten arkipäivässä ja pystyvät näin kanavoimaan ensimmäisinä sosiaalista kehityskulkua ja kohottamaan esiin erilaisia marginaalistenkin ryhmien tarpeita sekä vastaamaan niihin. Kolmas sektori laajentaa, tuottaa ja paikkaa paikallista julkista palvelutuotantoa. Ratkaiseva askel lainsäädännölliseltä kannalta on ollut rahoitusvirtojen ohjaaminen kolmannen sektorin ns. ONLUS-organisaatioille ja ONLUS-statuksen perustaminen vuonna 1997. Italiassa on 60 231.214 asukasta (31.7.2009) ja se on hallinnollisesti jakaantuneena 8 100 kuntaan. Suomessa vastaavat luvut ovat 5 350 712 asukasta ja 348 kuntaa (11/2009). Maantieteelliseltä kooltaan Italia ei eroa 301 338 km2:n pinta-alallaan paljonkaan Suomesta (338 424 km2). Väestömäärän erojen vuoksi Italiassa on keskimäärin 199,9 asukasta neliökilometrillä ja Suomessa 17,1. Maiden välinen suora vertailu ei ollut mittakaavaerojen vuoksi järkevää. Kuntien hallinnollinen rooli on Italiassa painotukseltaan erilainen kuin Suomessa. Suomessa kuntien vastuulla oleva sosiaali-, terveydenhuolto- ja koulutoimi eivät ole samassa laajuudessa italialaisten kuntien vastuulla vaan näiden toimialojen vastuulliset tahot ovat läänit terveydenhoitopiireineen sekä maakuntahallinto koulupiirien osalta. Italialaisten kuntien vastuualueet voivat myös vaihdella mittavasti perustuslaissa määriteltyjen perustoimien lisäksi. Tutkimuksen kohteeksi on rajattu Koillis-Italiassa sijaitseva Veneton läänin alue, koska se on väkimäärältään lähes yhtä suuri kuin Suomi, 4 893 309 asukasta (31.3.2009). Kuntien lukumäärä on huimaava 581 kpl. Veneto on maantieteelliseltä alueeltaan pieni ja harvaan asuttua maaseutua on pinta-alasta melko niukasti. Pohjoisen osan vuoristoalueet karuine olosuhteineen muodostavat palvelutuotannollisesti haas-teellisen ympäristön, joka on verrattavissa suomalaisten maaseutualueiden tilanteeseen. Venetossa on omaksuttu Italian mittakaavassa innovatiivisia ratkaisuja julkishallinnon palvelutuotannon ja kolmannen sektorin toiminnan osalta. Veneton alue on luokiteltu maailman pienyritysintensiivisimmäksi alueeksi, mikä heijastuu myös alueen palvelutuotantoratkaisuissa. Raportti esittelee ensin Italian hallintoa, keskushallinnon, paikallishallinnon ja tutkimuksen asettelulle olennaisten kolmannen sektorin toimijoiden osalta. Tämä on välttämätöntä, sillä kolmannen sektorin toiminta on Italiassa hyvin pitkälle lainsäädännöllä ohjattua ja rajattua. Kolmannen sektorin käsitteistöä, toimijoita, järjestäytymistä ja sen toimintaa säätelevää lainsäädäntöä esitellään tarkemmin. Veneton läänin osalta kolmanteen sektoriin perehdytään sekä hallinnon että toimijakentän näkökulmia tulkiten. Raportin lopussa esitellään kolmannen sektorin palvelutuotantoon ja hallinnointiin liittyviä case-esimerkkitapauksia.

Pulp and Paper Fiction: On the Discursive Legitimation of Global Industrial Restructuring

Despite the central role of legitimacy in social and organizational life, we know little of the subtle meaning-making processes through which organizational phenomena, such as industrial restructuring, are legitimated in contemporary society. Therefore, this paper examines the discursive legitimation strategies used when making sense of global industrial restructuring in the media. Based on a critical discourse analysis of extensive media coverage of a revolutionary pulp and paper sector merger, we distinguish and analyze five legitimation strategies: (1) normalization, (2) authorization, (3) rationalization, (4) moralization, and (5) narrativization. We argue that while these specific legitimation strategies appear in individual texts, their recurring use in the intertextual totality of the public discussion establishes the core elements of the emerging legitimating discourse.

World parliament – fact or fiction? On the feasibility of world parliamentary models

Cosmopolitan ideals have been on the philosophical agenda for several millennia but the end of the Cold War started a new discussion on state sovereignty, global democracy, the role of international law and global institutions. The Westphalian state system in practice since the 17th century is transforming and the democracy deficit needs new solutions. An impetus has been the fact that in the present world, an international body representing global citizens does not exist. In this Master’s thesis, the possibility of establishing a world parliament is examined. In a case analysis, 17 models on world parliament from two journals, a volume of essays and two other publications are discussed. Based on general observations, the models are divided into four thematic groups. The models are analyzed with an emphasis on feasible and probable elements. Further, a new scenario with a time frame of thirty years is proposed based on the methodology of normative futures studies, taking special interest in causal relationships and actions leading to change. The scenario presents three gradual steps that each need to be realized before a sustainable world parliament is established. The theoretical framework is based on social constructivism, and changes in international and multi-level governance are examined with the concepts of globalization, democracy and sovereignty. A feasible, desirable and credible world parliament is constituted gradually by implying electoral, democratic and legal measures for members initially from exclusively democratic states, parliamentarians, non-governmental organizations and other groups. The parliament should be located outside the United Nations context, since a new body avoids the problem of inefficiency currently prevailing in the UN. The main objectives of the world parliament are to safeguard peace and international law and to offer legal advice in cases when international law has been violated. A feasible world parliament is advisory in the beginning but it is granted legislative powers in the future. The number of members in the world parliament could also be extended following the example of the EU enlargement process.

Schindler's List: from fact to fiction, from fiction into film. (A case of consecutive translation)

Santamaría, José Miguel; Pajares, Eterio; Olsen, Vickie; Merino, Raquel; Eguíluz, Federico (eds.)