COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND DIRECTION OF PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION OF THYME HERB EXTRACT (THYME CREEPING) (THYHMUS SERPYL-LUM L., FAMILY OF CLEAR-FLOWERED - LAMIACEAC) (MESSAGES IV)

The purpose of the study is to show the expediency of sequentially extracting herbal medicinal raw mate-rials with solvents in order of increasing their polarity, to reveal the nature of the distribution of both different groups of compounds and individual ones in the organic matter of thyme (thyme creeping). Re-sults and their discussion. The results of comparative characterization of the chemical composition and direction of pharmacological action of n-hexane, choroform and ethanol extracts of sequential exhaustive extraction of thyme herb (creeping thyme) obtained using chromatography-mass spectrometry, mass spectra and structural formulas of individual compounds, which were identified in 162 (n-hexane), 101 (chloroform) and 150 (ethanol) extracts. The influence of the nature of the solvent on both the yield of extracts and the structural and group composition of the latter, the features of the structural organization of the extracted compounds have been established, the specificity of the direction of the pharmacologi-cal action of each of the extracts, which made it possible to justify the expediency of successive exhaustive extraction of the initial medicinal raw materials with solvents in ascending order of their polarity.

A Comparative Analysis of Vanadyl Porphyrins Isolated from Resins of Heavy Oils with High and Low Vanadium Content

The composition of purified vanadyl porphyrins recovered from the resins of heavy oils possessing high and low vanadium contents was investigated. Vanadium content in the resins of the heavy oils under study differs by a factor of ca. 15. To recover and purify vanadyl porphyrins from the resins, extraction by N,N–dimethylformamide (DMF) with subsequent two-stage column chromatography on silica gel and sulfocationite were employed. The change of structural-group composition and content of vanadyl porphyrins in the products obtained at each stage was evaluated using Fourier IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Analysis of the purified vanadyl porphyrins using MALDI mass spectrometry determined distribution of their most abundant types (etio- and DPEP) and identified C27–C39 homologs for the resins possessing high vanadium content and C28–C39 homologs for the resins with low vanadium content.

Fluid Nest Membership Drives Variable Relatedness in Groups of a Facultatively Social Bee

Kin selection theory has dominated our understanding of the evolution of group living. However, many animal groups form among non-relatives, which gain no indirect fitness benefits from cooperating with nestmates. In this study, we characterized the relatedness and inter-nest migration behavior of the facultatively social carpenter bee, Xylocopa sonorina. Nesting constraints due to costly nest construction in this species give rise to intense intraspecific competition over access to existing nests. We used mark-recapture techniques to characterize patterns of dispersal and nest relocation within a nesting aggregation of spatially clustered nests. Two-thirds of bees relocated at least once during the reproductive season, likely to seek reproductive opportunities in another nest. This fluid nest membership creates opportunities for association among non-relatives. To assess the effects of this dynamic nesting behavior on group relatedness, we used microsatellite analysis to estimate relative relatedness within and between nests in the aggregation. We found that relatedness was variable across sampling years, but that in many cases nestmates were no more related to one another than they were to non-nestmate bees in the population. Together, these results suggest that group composition in X. sonorina may result from strategies to maximize direct fitness. This study supports the hypothesis that factors beyond kinship, such as ecological constraints, are likely to drive group formation in this species.

Humanization and policy support: A replication-extension on group-composition framing

Evaluations of beneficiary groups matter for individual levels of policy support. A variety of cues and heuristics shape evaluations. One particularly consequential heuristic concerns the beneficiary’s perceived level of humanity. Recent work shows that individuals, individuals within groups (group compositions), and unitary groups evoke different levels of perceived humanity, and that these differences have downstream effects on sympathy and willingness to help. We replicate these findings, and then extend them to government policy support. We find that individuals and group compositions evoke higher levels of support than groups, and that perceived humanity explains this effect. We focus on the Roma, a tough, critical test given pervasive dehumanization and anti-Roma prejudice. Finally, we demonstrate the value of cross-disciplinary extension-replications.

Morph Composition Matters in the Gouldian Finch (Chloebia gouldiae): Involvement of Red-Headed Birds Increases Vigilance

Animals invest in costly vigilance to detect threats. Joining groups reduces these costs, which can be further reduced in mixed-species assemblages. In colour-polymorphic species, morphs often experience different predation pressure and vary in a variety of traits. However, little is known about differences in vigilance or how group composition affects vigilance. The aim was to investigate whether higher conspicuousness increased vigilance and whether vigilance was reduced in mixed-morph groups like in mixed-species assemblages. I tested vigilance in the colour-polymorphic Gouldian Finch (Chloebia gouldiae). Same sex pairs of different age and of either pure (red-red or black-black) or mixed head colour were exposed to three contexts (familiar, changed and novel environment) and head movements were recorded. All birds reduced the frequency of head movements with increasing novelty, indicating different vigilance strategies (switching from a searching to a tracking strategy) depending on the situation. While vigilance did not differ between morphs, morph composition mattered. Black-headed pairs made fewer head movements than mixed-head colour pairs. Results indicated that conspicuousness did not affect vigilance, possibly due to existing adaptations to reduce predation risk. However, whenever red-headed birds were involved, vigilance increased either because of higher group conspicuousness or prevalence of aggression.

Production of Bitumen Modified with Low-Molecular Organic Compounds from Petroleum Residues. 3. Tar Modified with Formaldehyde

The chemical modification of tar with formaldehyde as 37% aqueous solutionhas been studied in the presence of the catalysts. Hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide and acid tar were used as the catalysts. The effect of the catalyst nature and amount, as well as temperature, process time and initial components ratio on the softening point, penetration, brittle point and adhesion to crushed stone has been determined. The structure of the modified tars was confirmed by IR spectroscopy. The structural-group composition was determined. Arene-formaldehyde resins have been synthesized on the basis of toluene and modified tars using hydrochloric acid as a catalyst. The synthesized resins were characterized using IR spectroscopy. The chemistry of the tar modification with formaldehyde has been proposed.

The Neuroscience of Gender Bias within Organisations: Implicit and Explicit Influences

<p>It has been 30 years since the metaphor of a ‘glass ceiling’ was introduced, yet progress to address gender bias in organisations has been slow. Within a context in which employment is rapidly changing and technologies are enabling new ways of working, gender bias in organisations remains a persistent and complex issue that requires new ways of thinking. This study integrates across two scientific disciplines: social cognitive neuroscience and complex adaptive systems, in order to examine the complex nature of gender bias in organisations and advance implications for practice. The central proposition underlying this study is that the gender composition of a person’s ‘in-group’, that is the group of people one most closely relates to in a work setting, has implications for their level of gender bias. The relationship between in-group composition and gender bias is examined from implicit (unconscious) and explicit (conscious) bias perspectives. The composition of in-group is measured by homogeneity, size and trust, and is captured within an integrated instrument that includes measures of implicit and explicit bias. The study is informed by the theory of interactive person construal. It is proposed that biases are a dynamic, continuously evolving phenomena emerging from top down and bottom up cues. Specifically, the essence of this research is the relationship between the neuroscientific dynamics of in-group and out-group differentiation within the human brain and the complex systemic nature of the modern workplace. The study endeavours to make a contribution to the understanding of how people who share common values and interests (ingroup) influence gender bias in organisations. The research has been conducted in a professional services organisation. A group of people within the organisation were asked to participate in an online survey to capture implicit bias, explicit bias, composition of their in-group and demographic details. This research applied a quantitative survey methodology. The aims of the study are to: • examine the relationship between in-group composition and gender bias building from theoretical insights from neuroscience and complex adaptive systems theory, • test both implicit and explicit attitudes towards gender bias, • test the relationship between implicit and explicit measures of bias, and • provide a contribution to theory and practice in relation to addressing the issue of gender bias in organisations. It is concluded that there is a statistically significant association between in-group composition and the manifestation of implicit and explicit bias using a variety of measures. The model of in-group composition developed for this study could be used as a means to understand gender system dynamics. A dynamic systems model of bias is proposed based on the research variables and complexity ideas examined in the study. For organisations, this research has implications for how the issue of gender bias should be approached. Connecting ideas from social cognitive neuroscience and complex adaptive systems, this research highlights the interrelationship between recurring levels (neural, individual, group, organisation) within the bias system and the nature of interventions that may lead to enduring change.</p>

The Neuroscience of Gender Bias within Organisations: Implicit and Explicit Influences

<p>It has been 30 years since the metaphor of a ‘glass ceiling’ was introduced, yet progress to address gender bias in organisations has been slow. Within a context in which employment is rapidly changing and technologies are enabling new ways of working, gender bias in organisations remains a persistent and complex issue that requires new ways of thinking. This study integrates across two scientific disciplines: social cognitive neuroscience and complex adaptive systems, in order to examine the complex nature of gender bias in organisations and advance implications for practice. The central proposition underlying this study is that the gender composition of a person’s ‘in-group’, that is the group of people one most closely relates to in a work setting, has implications for their level of gender bias. The relationship between in-group composition and gender bias is examined from implicit (unconscious) and explicit (conscious) bias perspectives. The composition of in-group is measured by homogeneity, size and trust, and is captured within an integrated instrument that includes measures of implicit and explicit bias. The study is informed by the theory of interactive person construal. It is proposed that biases are a dynamic, continuously evolving phenomena emerging from top down and bottom up cues. Specifically, the essence of this research is the relationship between the neuroscientific dynamics of in-group and out-group differentiation within the human brain and the complex systemic nature of the modern workplace. The study endeavours to make a contribution to the understanding of how people who share common values and interests (ingroup) influence gender bias in organisations. The research has been conducted in a professional services organisation. A group of people within the organisation were asked to participate in an online survey to capture implicit bias, explicit bias, composition of their in-group and demographic details. This research applied a quantitative survey methodology. The aims of the study are to: • examine the relationship between in-group composition and gender bias building from theoretical insights from neuroscience and complex adaptive systems theory, • test both implicit and explicit attitudes towards gender bias, • test the relationship between implicit and explicit measures of bias, and • provide a contribution to theory and practice in relation to addressing the issue of gender bias in organisations. It is concluded that there is a statistically significant association between in-group composition and the manifestation of implicit and explicit bias using a variety of measures. The model of in-group composition developed for this study could be used as a means to understand gender system dynamics. A dynamic systems model of bias is proposed based on the research variables and complexity ideas examined in the study. For organisations, this research has implications for how the issue of gender bias should be approached. Connecting ideas from social cognitive neuroscience and complex adaptive systems, this research highlights the interrelationship between recurring levels (neural, individual, group, organisation) within the bias system and the nature of interventions that may lead to enduring change.</p>