Who speaks for the dispossessed?

This commentary articulates three perspectives on race in America: economic determinism, institutionalism and a field-theoretic approach. It argues that William Julius Wilson's masterwork, The Declining Significance of Race, was informed by the first and anticipated the latter two. Wilson's most profound and enduring legacy is his unwavering concern for the dispossessed.     

New perspectives on the declining significance of race: a rejoinder

In sharp contrast to many earlier studies, the articles in this symposium encompass a careful discussion of the two major underlying themes of my book, The Declining Significance of Race: (1) the effect of fundamental economic and political shifts on the changing relative importance of race and class in black occupational mobility and job placement; and (2) the swing in the concentration of racial conflict from the economic sector to the sociopolitical order. In my rejoinder I reflect on their arguments, including those that relate these themes to more recent developments in American race and ethnic relations featuring other groups, including whites and Latinos.     

Books received

In this article I discuss the major arguments in three of my books that are the focus of attention in this special issue. The Declining Significance of Race (1978, 2nd edn 1980), The Truly Disadvantaged (1987), and When Work Disappears (1996). This discussion serves as the backdrop for my rejoinder to the points made in the preceding articles, including those on the relative significance of race and class, social isolation, the concept ‘ghetto’, complexity of inner-city family life, and affirmative action. I conclude this article with some reflections on the plight of poor blacks and social policy in the United States.     

Ethnicity,race and class in the United States

Orlando Patterson, Ethnic Chauvinism: The Reactionary Impulse, New York: Stein and Day, 1977, 347 pp., $15.00.

William Julius Wilson, The Declining Significance of Race: Blacks and Changing American Institutions, Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press, 1978, xxi + 204 pp. £8.85.     

Cytogenetic studies of the Australian rodent,Uromys caudimaculatus,a species showing extensive heterochromatin variation

The Australian rodent, Uromys caudimaculatus, consists of two chromosome races, a) The Southern Race is characterized by the possession of two to twelve B-chromosomes. These vary considerably in size, morphology, and C- and G-banding characteristics, they behave as univalent at meiosis and are inherited in a random manner, b) The Northern Race lacks Bchromosomes, but possesses large blocks of distal C-positive heterochromatin on between 18 and 28 of the 46 chromosomes. The C-blocks may be entirely G-positive, entirely G-negative, or G-banded, suggesting heterogeneity within the C-blocks. There is extensive variation both between and within populations of the northern race in the number and size of the distal heterochromatic blocks. There is no apparent difference between the races in chiasma frequency. The northern race does have a much higher proportion of interstitial versus distal chiasmata, although it is probable that this is merely a reflection of lack of crossing over in the heterochromatic blocks rather than an actual shift of chiasma localisation within the euchromatin. Despite the extensive differences between the races in the amount and organization of constitutive heterochromatin, hybrids show no abnormalities at meiosis and they are fully fertile.     

Bi-fluorescence imaging for estimating accurately the nuclear condition of Rhizoctonia spp

Aims: To simplify the determination of the nuclear condition of the pathogenic Rhizoctonia, which currently needs to be performed either using two fluorescent dyes, thus more costly and time‐consuming, or using only one fluorescent dye, thus less accurate. Methods and Results: A red primary fluorescence (autofluorescence) of the hyphal cell walls and septa of Rhizoctonia spp. with green excitation is evidenced in Rhizoctonia spp. This property is exploited and combined for the first time with a conventional DAPI fluorescence to accurately determine the nuclear condition of Rhizoctonia. This bi‐fluorescence imaging strategy depicted the nuclear condition in Rhizoctonia spp. more accurately than the conventional DAPI fluorescence used alone and was validated against isolates previously genotyped by DNA sequencing. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the bi‐fluorescence imaging strategy was safe, accurate and simple to perform and interpret. Significance and Impact of the Study: The developed bi‐fluorescence imaging strategy provides a sensitive tool for determining the nuclear condition of Rhizoctonia strains. Its simplicity is a key advantage when there are numerous cultures to be examined.     

Usefulness of the hydrogen sulfide test for assessment of water quality in Bangladesh

Aim: To evaluate the usefulness of the hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) test for assessing water quality in Bangladesh. Methods and Results: We tested 382 water samples from a variety of sources using locally produced H₂S test kits and laboratory‐based membrane filtration for the detection of Escherichia coli. Compared with membrane filtration, H₂S tests, when incubated for 24 h, had both a sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of <40% when analysis was restricted to water samples with E. coli levels below 100 colony forming units (CFU) per 100 ml. In contrast, for E. coli levels from 1000 to 9999 CFU per 100 ml, sensitivity was 94% and PPV 88%; specificity was 97% and negative predictive value was 99%. Conclusions: The hydrogen sulfide test, when incubated at 24 h, is a promising alternative for assessing water quality where E. coli levels may be high. An improved understanding of the incremental impact of contamination level on health is needed to better determine its usefulness. Significance and Impact of the Study: The hydrogen sulfide test is inexpensive, easy to use and portable. Its use may allow rapid assessment of water quality in situations where cost or logistics prevent use of other testing methods, such as in remote areas or during floods and other natural disasters.     

Influence of the ventral nerve cord on the spermatogenetic cycle in Lithobius forficatus L. (Myriapoda,Chilopoda)

The role of the ventral nerve cord has been investigated in Lithobius forficatus L., using ganglionic destructions, ganglionic implantations and ganglionic electrostimulations. It seems that a stimulating principle is present in the sub-oesophageal ganglion. Its action is not so important as that of the pars intercerebralis.     

Response to Ethnic and Racial Studies interlocutors

This symposium on my book, The Specter of Race: How Discrimination Haunts Western Democracy (Princeton, 2018) provides an opportunity to engage specialists in classical and modern political theory and philosophy, comparative racial and ethnic politics, and political sociology who have provided commentary on different aspects of the two overarching arguments intertwined in The Specter of Race; how students of democracy have largely ignored how racial and ethno-national hierarchy has been historically tethered to its practice , and how students of comparative politics have, for the most part, ignored how these hierarchies have informed the very development of modern democracies.     

Use of the rpoB gene as an alternative to the V3 gene for the identification of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria species in milk and milk products

Aim: To evaluate the rpoB gene as an alternative to the V3 gene for the identification of bacterial species in milk and milk products. Methods and Results: DNA obtained from different bacterial species strains was amplified by PCR using rpoB primers. PCR products of each bacterial species were then separated on a DGGE gel. The molecular fingerprints of the bacterial species tested were integrated into a database. The DGGE analysis shows a single band for the rpoB gene amplicons per each bacterial species. Comparison of electrophoretic profiles obtained from V3 16S rDNA amplification with those from this study obtained with rpoB showed that for some bacterial species that co‐migrated after amplification of the V3 region, distinct bands were observed on the gel with the amplification products of the rpoB region. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study show the discriminatory power of the rpoB gene, indicating that it can be used as an alternative to the V3 16S rRNA gene for the identification of bacterial species in milk and milk products. Significance and Impact of the Study: PCR‐DGGE targeting the rpoB gene is a way of discriminating the bacterial species that co‐migrated with the amplification of the V3 gene and so avoids the sequencing of the co‐migrating bands.     

Comparing measures of breeding inequality and opportunity for selection with sexual selection on a quantitative character in bighorn rams

The reliability and consistency of the many measures proposed to quantify sexual selection have been questioned for decades. Realized selection on quantitative characters measured by the selection differential i was approximated by metrics based on variance in breeding success, using either the opportunity for sexual selection I_s or indices of inequality. There is no consensus about which metric best approximates realized selection on sexual characters. Recently, the opportunity for selection on character mean OSM was proposed to quantify the maximum potential selection on characters. Using 21 years of data on bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), we investigated the correlations between seven indices of inequality, I_s, OSM and i on horn length of males. Bighorn sheep are ideal for this comparison because they are highly polygynous and sexually dimorphic, ram horn length is under strong sexual selection, and we have detailed knowledge of individual breeding success. Different metrics provided conflicting information, potentially leading to spurious conclusions about selection patterns. I_δ, an index of breeding inequality, and, to a lesser extent, I_s showed the highest correlation with i on horn length, suggesting that these indices document breeding inequality in a selection context. OSM on horn length was strongly correlated with i, I_s and indices of inequality. By integrating information on both realized sexual selection and breeding inequality, OSM appeared to be the best proxy of sexual selection and may be best suited to explore its ecological bases.     

Salinity affects the photoacclimation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydomonas raudensis</Emphasis> Ettl UWO241

Chlamydomonas raudensis Ettl UWO241, a natural variant of C. raudensis, is deficient in state transitions. Its habitat, the deepest layer of Lake Bonney in Antarctica, features low irradiance, low temperature, and high salinity. Although psychrophily and low-light acclimation of this green alga has been described, very little information is available on the effect of salinity. Here, we demonstrate that this psychrophile is halotolerant, not halophilic, and it shows energy redistribution between photosystem I and II based on energy spillover under low-salt conditions. Furthermore, we revealed that C. raudensis exhibits higher non-photochemical quenching in comparison with the mesophile Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, when grown with low-salt, which is due to the lower proton conductivity across the thylakoid membrane. Significance of the C. raudensis UWO241 traits found in the low salinity culture are implicated with their natural habitats, including the high salinity and extremely stable light environments.     

How selective migration enables socioeconomic mobility

ABSTRACT

Jennifer Lee and Min Zhou’s new book, The Asian American Achievement Paradox, revives Asian American scholarship from a period of relative stagnation and elevates the discussion from the morass of cultural essentialism. Its major contributions are to extensively articulate: (1) how much cultural explanations are actually class-based explanations and (2) how selective migration creates the conditions that promote social mobility. This book resolves empirical paradoxes in the scholarship and engages broader debates on race, immigration and inequality.     

Novel metabolic routes during the oxidation of hydroxylated aromatic acids by the yeast Arxula adeninivorans

Aim: To complete our study on tannin degradation via gallic acid by the biotechnologically interesting yeast Arxula adeninivorans as well as to characterize new degradation pathways of hydroxylated aromatic acids. Methods and Results: With glucose‐grown cells of A. adeninivorans, transformation experiments with hydroxylated derivatives of benzoic acid were carried out. The 12 metabolites were analysed and identified by high performance liquid chromatography and GC/MS. The yeast is able to transform the derivatives by oxidative and nonoxidative decarboxylation as well as by methoxylation. The products of nonoxidative decarboxylation of protocatechuate and gallic acid are substrates for further ring fission. Conclusion: Whereas other organisms use only one route of transformation, A. adeninivorans is able to carry out three different pathways (oxidative, nonoxidative decarboxylation and methoxylation) on one hydroxylated aromatic acid. The determination of the K_M‐values for protocatechuate and gallic acid in crude extracts of cells of A. adeninivorans cultivated with protocatechuate and gallic acid, respectively, suggests that the decarboxylation of protocatechuate and gallic acid may be catalysed by the same enzyme. Significance and Impact of the Study: This transformation pathway of protocatechuate and gallic acid via nonoxidative decarboxylation up to ring fission is novel and has not been described so far. This is also the first report of nonoxidative decarboxylation of gallic acid by a eukaryotic micro‐organism.     

On the E-Optimality of Block Designs with Unequal Block Sizes

In this paper an inequality for the smallest positive eigenvalues of the C-matrix of a block design are derived. This inequality is a generalization of a result by Constantine (1982) to the case of unequal block sizes. On the basis of the above result a certain E-optimality criterium of block designs is given. Furthermore coefficient e_d has been introduced which permits to assess how close the block design is from the optimal one.     

Energy partitioning in three species of nematode from polysaprobic environments

Summary The partitioning of energy in three species of nematode, Paroigolaimella bernensis, Diplogasteritus nudicapitatus and Rhabditis curvicaudata, from a polysaprobic environment is considered. Temperature was shown to have a profound impact on the rate at which these organisms obtained food resources and on the partitioning of energy into growth, reproduction and maintenance. Declining temperature resulted in a reduction in energy consumption and in production and maintenance costs. Absorption efficiencies were relatively low, rarely exceeding 20% and lying on average between 5–15%. Net production efficiencies varied throughout the life-cycle, but attained maximum levels of 70–80%. Females achieved higher net production efficiency than males. The physiology and ecological implications are discussed.     

An evaluation of commercial DNA extraction kits for the isolation of bacterial spore DNA from soil

Aims: To evaluate six commercial DNA extraction kits for their ability to isolate PCR‐quality DNA from Bacillus spores in various soil samples. Methods and Results: Three soils were inoculated with various amounts of Bacillus cereus spores to simulate an outbreak or intentional release of the threat agent Bacillus anthracis. DNA was isolated from soil samples using six commercial DNA extraction kits. Extraction and purification efficiencies were assessed using a duplex real‐time PCR assay that included an internal positive control. The FastDNA^® SPIN kit for Soil showed the highest DNA extraction yield, while the E.Z.N.A.^® Soil DNA and PowerSoil^® DNA Isolation kits showed the highest efficiencies in removing PCR inhibitors from loam soil extracts. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that commercially available extraction kits can be used to extract PCR‐quality DNA from bacterial spores in soil. The selection of an appropriate extraction kit should depend on the characteristics of the soil sample and the intended downstream application. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results of this study aid in the selection of an appropriate DNA extraction kit for a given soil sample. Its application could expedite sample processing for real‐time PCR detection of a pathogen in soil.     

A mutation that increases the activity of nonsense suppressors in Escherichia coli.

Summary We have isolated a new mutation, ups, that amplifies the suppressor activity of all the nonsense suppressors we have tested so far at low but not at high temperature. The properties of ups make it a very useful tool to improve the systems of temperature sensitive suppressors thus far described. ups maps between 25 to 27 min on the E. coli genetic map (Bachmann et al., 1976) and has no suppressor activity of its own. Its effects on translational fidelity are not influenced by mutations for ribosomal drug resistance. Thus, ups is different from ram which exhibits cooperative control of translation with other ribosomal proteins. The possible functions of ups in the cell are discussed.     

Innovating inequity: if race is a technology,postracialism is the genius bar

ABSTRACT

In this essay I posit race as a kind of technology, one that creates parallel universes and premature death, requiring routine maintenance and upgrade. I suggest that David Theo Goldberg’s Are We Postracial Yet? is a story of innovation that expertly exposes the trade secrets of the social production of race. I argue that not only are technological and social innovation metaphorically linked; technoscience is also one of the most effective conduits for reproducing racial inequality, and so I extend Goldberg’s analysis to address the central role of science and technology in modern statecraft and racecraft. Finally, if postracial innovators are busily refurbishing racism to remake inequality, then those who seek radical transformation in the other direction, towards freedom and justice, must re-examine the default settings, rather than the routine breakdowns, of social life.     

Coenzyme Q system in the classification of some ascosporogenous yeast genera in the families Saccharomycetaceae and Spermophthoraceae

The Co-Q systems of 11 strains representing the generaSchwanniomyces, Lodderomyces, Lipomyces, Nematospora andMetschnikowia were determined. All the genera were characterized by the Q-9 system except for the genusNematospora with needle-shaped ascospores. The only species,Nem. coryli, was found to have the Q-6 system. These results are discussed from the taxonomic point of view. This constitutes Part VII of a series entitled “Significance of the coenzyme Q system in the classification of yeasts and yeast-like organisms.” The abbreviations used here for coenzyme Q or ubiquinone are: Co-Q, coenzyme Q; Co-Q _n , Q-n or Q _n withn denoting a specified number of isoprene units in a side chain, e.g., Co-Q₆, Q-6, Q₆, etc.