A comment on ‘ethnic discrimination in employment and housing’

This article investigates Los Angeles employers' attitudes towards African American and immigrant Latino low-skill workers. Using 145 in-depth interviews of employers in four industries, I find that a central concern of employers of low-skill jobs is control at the workplace, and employers consequently seek workers whom they perceive as manageable and pliable. As such, the most salient component of employers' attitudes towards African American and immigrant Latino low-skill workers is their perception that the manageability and pliability of workers vary by race, nativity and gender. I also link employers' micro-level attitudes to broader societal level ideologies about race and opportunity. I find that employers' attitudes were embedded within an ideology of individualism, as exemplified by the idea of the 'American Dream', and reflected the growing belief that race-based claims are illegitimate.     

A comment on ‘colonialism and ethnicity’

Self‐reported incidence of racial discrimination was investigated among four Asian‐American groups to explore their magnitude and the ways of coping with the discrimination episodes. The samples showed that among the two modes of coping ‐ problem‐focused or emotion‐focused coping ‐ a majority of Asian Americans has utilized the latter. Reasons of adopting these coping strategies were further explored for their determinants. Intergroup differences in ethnicity, education, gender and cultural values were found to exert influences on the ways of coping with racial discrimination among Asian Americans.     

Bioengineering of soil profiles in semiarid ecosystems: the ‘phytotarium’ concept. A review

This review draws attention to information from the literature and our own observations supporting the view that higher plants and micro-organisms display an intrinsic capacity to be proactively involved in pedogenetic processes. ‘Bioengineering’ of this kind is deemed to be spearheaded by principal deep-rooted tree and shrub species and to result in optimisation of command and conservation of water and nutrients within an ecosystem. Specific examples discussed in the paper include, the formation of silicon- or iron-based linings of vertical channels and pores, binding of sand on roots, generation of organically derived hydrophobicity, development of clay-based hardpans and texture-contrast seals, precipitation of silcrete, calcrete and ferricrete pavements, effective accessing and conservation of P resources, including mining by microbes and the biological cycling of Si and Al via plants and micro-organisms. In each case, definitive roles and mechanisms are suggested for the organisms involved, particularly in relation to formative effects relating to secretion of organic acids, dispersing agents and other classes of exudate. We introduce the term ‘phytotarium’ to connote the collective outcomes of the above biotic influences in construction and maintenance of niches peculiar to specific vegetation types and then review the evidence of imprinting of soil profiles due to operation of phytotaria. Examples given relate to the lateral and vertical facies encountered in certain contemporary soil profiles and paleosols with which we are familiar and are described in a companion paper.     

A critical review of the ‘neugliederung’ concept in relation to the development of the vertebral column

Summary The literature on the early embryonic development of the vertebral column in various animal species was analyzed to evaluate so many unrelated or contradictory observations. The recurring problems are described. One of the first was the lack of correspondence between the metameric boundaries of the primitive vertebral bodies arising from the somites and those of the adult vertebral bodies, as presumably shown by their relationship to the vertebral processes and spinal nerves. A century ago, Remak introduced the concept of Neugliederung, according to which the ultimate vertebral body boundaries are determined by a shift of a half segment in comparison with the earlier segment boundaries.     

Norm statement considered harmful: comment on ‘evolution of unconditional dispersal in periodic environments’

The mathematical symbol for the norm, which is heavily overloaded with multiple definitions that have both universal and specific properties, lends itself to confusion. This is manifest in the proof of an important theorem for population dynamics by Schreiber and Li on how dispersal increases population growth in a periodic environment. Here the theorem is placed in context, the proof is clarified, and the confusing but inconsequential errors corrected.     

Genetic and biochemical studies on perchloroethylene ‘in vitro’ and ‘in vivo’

Perchloroethylene (PCE) was tested in a diploid strain (D7) of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in suspension tests with and without a mammalian microsomal activation system (S9) and ‘in vivo’ by the intrasanguineous host-mediated assay. In addition, enzyme alteration studies were performed in mice non-pretreated or pretreated with phenobarbital + β-naphthoflavone. PCE did not induce any genetic effect either ‘in vitro’ or ‘in vivo’. In the suspension test, PCE was more toxic without metabolic activation and less toxic with mammalian microsomal activation. The enzymatic determinations showed an increase of the aminopyrine demethylase activity and of the level of cytochrome P-450.     

A comment on Warburg’s early understanding of biocatalysis

The early history of biochemistry was characterized by changing moods. The discovery of cell free fermentation (1897) led to the optimistic belief that all life processes were carried out by intracellular enzymes, being definite proteins with special catalytic properties. But, the persistent failure to isolate pure enzymes raised doubts. When Otto Warburg found cell respiration to be a membrane-bound iron catalysis (1914), he renewed the old position that biocatalysis was caused by surface forces and ferments could be heavy metal ions adsorbed on colloidal membrane carriers. This alternative view became popular when Warburg started his research in photosynthesis and explained his peculiar “photolyte” model. Neither the suggestion of surface-active colloidal ferments, nor the idea of “photolyte” stood the test of time and have now been rejected, but their history is of importance to how concepts evolve and die.     

Molecular studies in Pelargonium (Geraniaceae). A taxonomic appraisal of section Ciconium and the origin of the ‘Zonal’ and ‘Ivy-leaved’ cultivars

An RFLP analysis of chloroplast and nuclear DNA was followed in this taxonomic appraisal of section Ciconium. The section appears to be a monophyletic one, which divides into two groups, or sub-sections. The Zonal Geranium, P. × hortorum is derived from section Ciconium, and the species most likely to be its ancestors are shown to be P. inquinans and P. zonale. Maternal inheritance of chloroplasts was demonstrated by comparing chloroplast DNA from interspecific hybrids with their parents. These data also suggest that P. inquinans was probably the maternal parent of P. × hortorum in the original crosses. The Ivy-leaved cultivars appear to be derived from P. peltatum, with some contribution from P. zonale and/or P. × hortorum.     

Reproductive strategies of animal-pollinated plants on high mountains: A review of studies from the “Third Pole”

Having hundreds of big mountains, the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and its southern boundary, the Hengduan Mountains Region, represent one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. In the so-called “Third Pole of the earth”, diverse effects of climate change and habitat heterogeneity could have driven the evolution of plant adaptive strategies. In this review, we collected and compiled recent sources of reproductive biology in animal-pollinated plants, stressing the questions that need further attention, including pollination system, pollen limitation, self-compatibility, and sexual system. We constructed plant–pollinator interaction networks based on the case studies from this region, showing that the majority of pollinators were bees, moths, butterflies, and flies were also important, and bats and birds were rare. As the unpredictable (cold, rainy or windy) weather affects pollinator activities, sexual reproduction seemed to be pollen limited, but available studies show that the exact pattern of pollen limitation is still under debate. Self-compatibility could be either a solution, or a result from pollen limitation. Moreover, plant sexual systems can be regarded as an integrated module that counters pollen limitation. As phylogenetic relationships were constructed, diverse genera experienced rapid radiation were revealed in these mountainous areas. Further studies of evolutionary transitions in reproductive systems of congeners will unveil potential factors shaping the general pattern of adaptive strategies in animal-pollinated plants. Further studies will be beneficial in using advanced new techniques, examining phenotypic selection under common gardens, and considering chemical ecology in interactions between plants and florivores, particularly in pollen fate.     

Innatism in the Anthropology of A. L. Kroeber: A Critique of ‘the Boasian Paradigm’

Basing his analysis on Kroeber's ‘The superorganic’ (1917 Kroeber, A. L. 1917. The superorganic.. American Anthropologist, 19: 163–213. [Crossref] [Google Scholar]) and ‘Eighteen professions’ (1915 Kroeber, A. L. 1915. Eighteen professions.. American Anthropologist, 17: 283–88. [Crossref] [Google Scholar]), Derek Freeman has put forward the notion of a ‘Boasian paradigm’, whereby Kroeber is alleged to have perpetuated the biology/culture split suggested by Boas. I argue, instead, that there is a strong innatist element in Kroeber's writings throughout his long career; and that the articles noted above need to be placed in the social and intellectual contexts of their time, particularly the encroachment of the eugenics movement on social theory and its application to immigration restriction.     

Comparative studies on the ‘5′-cap’ and in vitro translational activity of cytoplasmic and nuclear poly A(+) RNA

Summary Recent advances in the studies of the aggregation of G-actin monomers, containing one molecule of ATP, to long filaments of F-actin, with a concomitant hydrolysis of the nucleotide to ADP, are reviewed. With the aid of -ATP, the association and dissociation rate constant of the nucleotide could be determined. The binding of the nucleotide is enhanced by the binding of one Ca⁺⁺ ion, probably at a different site. The G value of the Mg⁺⁺ or Ca⁺⁺ induced polymerization has been determined to –39 to –59 kJ/mole, the critical protein concentration for the ATP-G-actin to ADP-F-actin conversion is very strongly influenced by the concentration of bivalent cations. The rate constants of the protein monomers, and the rate and equilibrium constants for the propagation step show the process to be extremely cooperative. Actin shows the interesting phenomenon of translocational head-to-tail polymerization, which may be regulated by ATP.The contact sites between the monomers in F-actin have been labeled by chemical modification. Two tryosine residues, 53 and 69, are probably close to one of the two sites. The ATP binding site has been labeled by an ATP analog, and there is evidence that it is close to the contact site.An invited article     

The effect of chemotherapy on the in vivo frequency of glycophorin A ‘null’ variant erythrocytes

A human in vivo somatic cell assay based on the enumeration of variant erythrocytes lacking expression of an allelic form of the cell-surface sialoglycoprotein, glycophorin A, was applied to the study of blood samples from patients obtained prior to, during, and following chemotherapy for malignant disease in order to determine the effect of mutagenic chemical agents on the frequency of variant cells. In 22 patients assayed prior to therapy, the mean variant cell frequency was 11.9 per million, which was not significantly different from that observed in healthy controls. In an initial cross-sectional survey, blood samples were obtained at various times during and after therapy from 30 patients diagnosed with a variety of malignancies who were treated with one or more known mutagenic agents including adriamycin, bleomycin, cis-platinum, cyclophosphamide, dacarbazine, etoposide, lomustine, mechlorethamine, melphalan, mitomycin C, and procarbazine. Significant elevations in the mean frequency of variant cells over pre-therapy and normal levels were observed in samples obtained during and after therapy. In a time-series study, 14 breast cancer patients treated with CAF (cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, 5-fluorouracil), CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil), or VMF (vinblastine, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil) adjuvant chemotherapy were sampled repeatedly during and after therapy. For the CAF and CMF patients an increase in the frequency of variant cells was observed with a lag in the appearance of induced variants after initiation of therapy; variant frequencies gradually increased during therapy reaching a maximum at or shortly after the end of therapy, then declined to near pre-therapy levels within 6 months. The maximum level of induced variants ranged from 2- to 7-fold over pre-therapy or normal levels depending on the combination of agents used. The breast cancer patients treated with both adriamycin     

Thirty-four years of dendrochronological studies in Perú: A review of advances and challenges

The development of tree-ring chronologies of tropical trees allows to reconstruct the environmental history of the Neotropics on extensive temporal and spatial scales. This article presents a historic, state-of -the-art overview/review of dendrochronological studies in Perú, a megadiverse country in its flora, types of climate and ecosystems. We reviewed all available information on dendrochronological studies by assessing scientific articles in indexed, and non-indexed journals as well university thesis repositories. Dendrochronological studies began in the late 1980s and have botanically involved 20 families, 34 genera and 52 tree species. The most studied families are Fabaceae (16 studies), Meliaceae (12), Rosaceae (06), and Bignoniaceae (04), and the most studied genera were Cedrela (13), Polylepis (08) and Prosopis (06). The development of chronologies was mainly applied in climatic reconstructions, forest conservation and management. We identify underrepresentation or sampling gaps regarding climatic and geographic complexity. The high tree diversity of Perú constitutes a natural laboratory to develop tree-ring studies to better understand the growth and functioning of tropical tree species, their interaction with climate, and to derive climate reconstructions during the last centuries. This review aims to contribute to the direction of future dendrochronological studies in Perú.     

Spiroacetals in the Colonization Behaviour of the Coffee Berry Borer: A ‘Push-Pull’ System

Coffee berries are known to release several volatile organic compounds, among which is the spiroacetal, conophthorin, an attractant for the coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei. Elucidating the effects of other spiroacetals released by coffee berries is critical to understanding their chemo-ecological roles in the host discrimination and colonization process of the coffee berry borer, and also for their potential use in the management of this pest. Here, we show that the coffee berry spiroacetals frontalin and 1,6-dioxaspiro [4.5] decane (referred thereafter as brocain), are also used as semiochemicals by the coffee berry borer for host colonization. Bioassays and chemical analyses showed that crowding coffee berry borers from 2 to 6 females per berry, reduced borer fecundity, which appeared to correlate with a decrease in the emission rates of conophthorin and frontalin over time. In contrast, the level of brocain did not vary significantly between borer- uninfested and infested berries. Brocain was attractive at lower doses, but repellent at higher doses while frontalin alone or in a blend was critical for avoidance. Field assays with a commercial attractant comprising a mixture of ethanol and methanol (1∶1), combined with frontalin, confirmed the repellent effect of this compound by disrupting capture rates of H. hampei females by 77% in a coffee plantation. Overall, our results suggest that the levels of frontalin and conophthorin released by coffee berries determine the host colonization behaviour of H. hampei, possibly through a ‘push-pull’ system, whereby frontalin acts as the ‘push’ (repellent) and conophthorin acting as the ‘pull’ (attractant). Furthermore, our results reveal the potential use of frontalin as a repellent for management of this coffee pest.     

A Feel for Genealogy: ‘Family Treeing’ in the North of England

Family history research is popular in England. As a social practice it straddles social class and is confined to neither the middle nor the working classes, but shows an enthusiastic and flourishing interest in the workings of social class and in micro-histories of the region. This article focuses on experts in family history research in a region of the north west of England where it is referred to colloquially as ‘family treeing’. Here family treeing is inflected by a post-industrial landscape and recent social and economic transformations with attendant threats to working-class life and dignity. Family treeing is about caring for the dead, but it is also, significantly, about caring for the living, and not only kin. It is an active practice of belonging both to people and places, and entails constant acts of reciprocity.     

The shape and mobility of the thoracic spine in asymptomatic adults – A systematic review of in vivo studies

A comprehensive knowledge of the thoracic shape and kinematics is essential for effective risk prevention, diagnose and proper management of thoracic disorders and assessment of treatment or rehabilitation strategies as well as for in silico and in vitro models for realistic applications of boundary conditions.After an extensive search of the existing literature, this study summarizes 45 studies on in vivo thoracic kyphosis and kinematics and creates a systematic and detailed database. The thoracic kyphosis over T1–12 determined using non-radiological devices (34°) was relatively less than measured using radiological devices (40°) during standing. The majority of kinematical measurements are based on non-radiological devices. The thoracic range of motion (RoM) was greatest during axial rotation (40°), followed by lateral bending (26°), and flexion (21°) when determined using non-radiological devices during standing. The smallest RoM was identified during extension (13°). The lower thoracic level (T8–12) contributed more to the RoM than the upper (T1–4) and middle (T4–8) levels during flexion and lateral bending. During axial rotation and extension, the middle level (T4–8) contributed the most. Coupled motion was evident, mostly during lateral bending and axial rotation. With aging, the thoracic kyphosis increased by about 3° per decade, whereas the RoM decreased by about 5° per decade for all load directions. These changes with aging mainly occurred in the lower region (T6–12). The influence of sex on thoracic kyphosis and the RoM has been described as partly contradictory. Obesity was found to decrease the thoracic RoM. Studies comparing standing, sitting and lying reported the effect of posture as significant.