DNA typing revealing high HLA-Cw polymorphism completes availability of major histocompatibility complex loci in forensic medicine

Studies of human population genetics in Hungary have revealed relevant heterogeneity in the major histocompatibility complex. In the present studies, two isolated ethnic groups were chosen: people living in the Káli Basin westward from the Danube River, and those living in Opusztaszer, a village eastward from Danube, who are known as native ancient Hungarians. Blood samples were collected from 70 people in the Káli Basin and from 45 people in Opusztaszer. The frequency of HLA-Cw alleles was determined by serology as well as by DNA typing in 46 and 32 samples of the two populations, respectively, and in 44 randomly selected subjects of Hungarian origin. Compared with a random population of cadaver donors (the deaths having resulted mostly from accidents or, in a smaller number, strokes or heart infarcts) and voluntary bone marrow donors (typed in the last 10 years) recruited from all parts of Hungary and representing the mixed Hungarian population, remarkable differences were found in haplotype and allele frequencies. HLA-A, -B, -Cw typing was performed by serology and, in the case of the HLA-Cw locus, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-SSP and/or PCR-SSOP techniques, as well. The PCR-SSO oligotyping procedure allowed the identification of 32 Cw alleles in contrast with the 9 serologically detectable types. Because of the combination of low antigen expression and the lack of specific serologic reagents of good quality, no HLA-Cw antigens were detectable in 41%, and only one was detected in 48%, of the investigated individuals by standard serologic typing. With PCR-SSO typing, however, 97% of the investigated individuals proved to be heterozygous for HLA-Cw alleles. The two isolated populations differed from each other, from mixed Hungarian and other Caucasian populations in HLA-Cw* allele frequencies, as well as in haplotype distribution. This newly recognized polymorphism at the HLA-Cw locus completes the availability of major histocompatibility complex typing in forensic science and practice.     

How firms organize for successful innovation in a hostile environment

Managers in a business environment marked by rapid technological change face major challenges when making strategic decisions. A risk-averse, conservative strategy may be a safe route, but might lead to missing marketplace opportunities. This paper investigates whether a hostile business environment adversely affects either a firm's rate of technological innovation or its rate of success with new product launches. It also examines what successful innovating firms do, in terms of strategic posture and organizational structure, to adapt to hostile conditions. A model depicting relationships between environmental conditions, firm responses, innovation rates, and new product success was constructed and tested in an empirical study of 142 U.S. firms involved in technological innovation. The final section discusses managerial implications of the findings.     

反恐背景下的国土安全警务模式研究

我国未来警察角色功能应适应世界潮流的趋势,从传统的社区安全维护角色,提升为国土安全维护的角色。借鉴美国国土安全预警、危机处理、情报收集、分析、共享警务模式,我国在社会管理创新战略指引下,警察机关应围绕着国家安全与社会安全管理创新进行一系列的机制、策略、模式等改革,以适应当前的复杂的治安趋势和反恐工作的需要。所以,国土安全警务模式予以我国的启示是:警察机关应重视国土安全维护的任务,制定以情报主导的国土安全警务模式,建立国土安全警务的监督机制,从而应对当前的国际及国内的反恐形势。     

Separation and divorce in Mexico: a demographic perspective

Data from the 1976 Mexican Fertility Survey are analyzed to determine the extent of legitimization of children born out of wedlock. The socioeconomic characteristics of women in consensual and legal unions are compared. The frequency and timing of legalization of consensual unions is analyzed, and the number of consensual unions and the frequency of legalization in rural and urban areas are compared. The role of pregnancy in forcing legalization and the stability of legal unions with and without prior cohabitation are studied. (SUMMARY IN ENG)     

Reviews

William A. Clark, Crime and Punishment in Soviet Officialdom. Combating Corruption in the Political Elite, 1965–1990. London: M. E. Sharpe, 1993, xi + 242 pp., $49.95 h/b, $16.50 p/b

Leslie Holmes, The End of Communist Power. Anti‐Corruption Campaigns and Legitimation Crisis. Cambridge: Polity Press, 1993, xx + 358 pp., £45.00 h/b, £13.95 p/b.

Rachel Walker, Six Years that Shook the World: Perestroika—the Impossible Project. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1993, viii + 312 pp., £35.00 h/b, £9.99 p/b.

Stephen R. Graubard (ed.), Exit From Communism. New Brunswick, NJ, and London: Transaction Publishers, 1993, 292 pp., $19.95.

Sergei V. Chugrov, Rossiya i Zapad: Metamorfozy Vospriyatiya. Moscow: Nauka, 1993.

Zoltan D. Barany, Soldiers and Politics in Eastern Europe, 1945–90. London: Macmillan, 1993, xi + 243 pp., £40.00.

Paul Hockenos, Free to Hate. The Rise of the Right in Post‐communist Eastern Europe. London: Routledge, 1993, x + 332 pp., £17.99.

Ben Eklof (ed), School and Society in Tsarist and Soviet Russia. New York: St Martin's Press, and Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1993, xii + 254 pp., illustrations, index, £45.00.

Timothy Edward O'Connor, The Engineer of Revolution. L. B. Krasin and the Bolsheviks, 1870–1926. Oxford: Westview, 1992, xix + 322 pp., £36.95.     

Deployment stressors of the Iraq War: insights from the mainstream media

A comprehensive understanding of the stressors of the Iraq War is needed to ensure appropriate postdeployment assessments and to inform empirical inquiries. Yet we are unaware of any published studies that address the range of stressors experienced by this cohort. Thus, in the present study, we report the results of an interpretive literature review of mainstream media reports published from the beginning of the Iraq War in March 2003 to March 2005. This literature revealed a combination of stressors associated with traditional combat, insurgency warfare, and peacekeeping operations. The increasing deployment of National Guard/Reservist personnel, older soldiers, and women highlights additional stressors associated with sexual harassment and assault, preparedness and training, and life and family disruptions. This is a cause for concern as war-zone stressors have been implicated in postdeployment health outcomes, including intimate partner violence and child maltreatment, immediate physical and mental health, and long-term adjustment.     

Agglomeration Effects: Productivity of the Informal Sector in Vietnam

This paper investigates agglomeration externalities on the productivity of informal household businesses in Vietnam. Although the paper finds heterogeneous impacts of agglomeration on the productivity of informal firms between urban and rural settings and across industries, it is found that technology transfers are not an agglomerative force for the informal sector of Vietnam. The disaggregation of local scale externalities into city types reveals that the highest developed cities in Vietnam may either be low-quality agglomeration or go beyond their optimal scale for the informal sector in some industries.