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Reasoning about someone's thoughts and intentions--i.e., forming a "theory of mind"--is a core aspect of social cognition and relies on association areas of the brain that have expanded disproportionately in the human lineage. We recently showed that these association zones comprise parallel distributed networks that, despite occupying adjacent and interdigitated regions, serve dissociable functions. One network is selectively recruited by social cognitive processes. What circuit properties differentiate these parallel networks? Here, we show that social cognitive association areas are intrinsically and selectively connected to anterior regions of the medial temporal lobe that are implicated in emotional learning and social behaviors, including the amygdala at or near the basolateral complex and medial nucleus. The results suggest that social cognitive functions emerge through coordinated activity between internal circuits of the amygdala and a broader distributed association network, and indicate the medial nucleus may play an important role in social cognition in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes the process of neighborhood change between 1970-90, examining Hispanic co-residence with other major groups in New York City neighborhoods. Results suggest that race plays an important role in neighborhood transitions involving Hispanics, and the continuing flow of new Hispanic subgroups is likely to increase ethnic succession in many Hispanic neighborhoods. (SM)

Examines the nature of recent (1990-1994) increased immigrant flows into New York City and their impact on that city's population. It discusses the demographic characteristics of the immigrants during the early 90s, the impact of the immigration laws, and the demographic impact of immigrant flows to the city. Concluding comments explore the future impact immigration may have on the city. (GR)

The article examines the racial structure of Hispanic ethnic cultures to study how Hispanic ethnic settlement integrates and blends with New York CityEs overall racial hierarchy.

The American Community Survey (ACS) is a continuous measurement survey program designed to replace the census long form sample. While the census sample provides detailed socioeconomic data once a decade, the ACS will provide these data annually using a questionnaire that largely mirrors the census long form. This paper examines operational data in Bronx County, one of 36 ACS test counties, and finds the ACS superior to the census on two important measures of data quality. First, applying the minimal data requirement for inclusion of a long form in the census sample, ACS questionnaires were significantly more likely than the long forms to meet this threshold. Second, the level of nonresponse to items on the ACS was often one-half the census level. The ACS and census have sharply divergent goals and operational methods that affect data quality. The primary objective of the census is a population count for reapportionment and redistricting; collecting long form information is a secondary goal. In contrast, the primary objective of the ACS is to estimate the characteristics of an area based on answers to all items on the survey. Operationally, the census follows up every nonresponding household, using a pool of minimally trained, temporary workers. In comparison, the ACS follows up only one-in-three nonresponding households, using a permanent cadre of professional interviewers. This results in superior nonresponse follow-up in the ACS, with lower levels of non-sampling error, even in more difficult-to-enumerate high poverty areas of the Bronx. The ACS is to be fully implemented in July 2004, pending Congressional funding. With detailed socioeconomic data available annually from the ACS, the 2010 census would then be able to focus primarily on a population headcount. The paper concludes by discussing operational aspects of the ACS that must be improved, including increasing its visibility, for the survey to he accepted as an integral part of the nation's data collection system.

Between 1970 and 1990, a surging Hispanic population succeeded whites across New York City, resulting in major increases in both all-minority and multiethnic neighborhoods. Puerto Rican and Dominican flows resulted in transitions to all-minority neighborhoods, whereas South Americans showed a more integrated pattern of settlement. The unique settlement patterns of Hispanic subgroups need to be understood in the context of larger political, social, and economic forces operating in the city. In the post-1990 period, newer Hispanic groups have begun to succeed Puerto Ricans. Thus, earlier patterns of white to Hispanic transitions now have been supplemented by ethnic succession among Hispanics.

Low rates of survey response are a problem that survey organizations increasingly experience across the world. Understanding local socio-demographic reasons for low response, and projecting future response, can inform targeted outreach and messaging to communities. Using the US Census as a case study, we study mail response behavior both cross-sectionally and over time. The cross-sectional part of this study (2010) helps inform the selection of explanatory variables for a two-panel difference model (2000–2010). In turn, the two-panel difference model offers an in-depth understanding of which demographic indicators shape response across time. Increases in response between 2000 and 2010 were found to be associated with growth in the elderly and in the Dominican populations, while growth in blacks, renters, and those with low educational attainment were associated with decreases in response. Coefficients from the two-panel difference model are then applied to demographic changes from 2008–2012 to 2013–2017, to project response rates for the most recent period. While much of our findings are in line with prior survey research, we demonstrate the importance of projecting response behavior using a local perspective, as national-level results do not always apply to smaller jurisdictions. In a diverse country such as the United States, a hyper-diverse city such as New York often carves its own path. To our knowledge, this is the first paper that connects shifts in socio-demographic neighborhood characteristics with changes in response rates. As racial and ethnic diversity increases in cities across western societies, our methodology allows jurisdictions to project response rates using shifts in socio-demographic neighborhood characteristics that are tied to self-response. Such a tailored approach can be replicated across different kinds of surveys, countries, and time points, which will allow for the identification of local factors that drive changes in survey response and help establish a precisely customized outreach plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation and regionalization of sporic pigments, conidia and ascopores, which result from the homothallic ascomycete Aspergillus nidulans, is evident in specialized cell type and is developmentally regulated. Identity as a novel dimeric hydroxylated anthraquinone is established for the major ascospore pigment of A. nidulans ascomycete. It proves to be a product of a polyketide synthase.

The examination of preserved, organic archaeological remains with the techniques of molecular genetics is providing direct access to the genetic components of these tissues. Although the nucleic acids are often chemically modified and substantially sheared, it has been possible to retrieve ancient DNA sequences. The polymerase chain-reaction method, which has been modified to overcome the inhibitory properties of lesion-containing DNA, is capable of reconstructing ancient DNA sequences from template molecules that are shorter than the amplified products. This has made it possible to analyze both ancient or extinct mitochondrial and genomic DNA sequences. These studies have resolved ambiguities in the phylogenies of extinct animals and have contributed to knowledge about the patterns of human population migration. The potential of ancient nucleic acid analysis to make contributions in paleopathology, molecular evolution, and population genetics depends on improved methodologies which, in turn, requires a more comprehensive understanding of postmortem chemical processes.

We examine New York's components of population change—net migration and natural increase—by race and space to explain increases in integrated and minority neighborhoods, in this era of greater ethnoracial diversity. The city has net outflows of Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics, and net Asian inflows, a new dynamic that has reordered its neighborhoods. Asians, often joined by Hispanics, moved into White neighborhoods without triggering White flight, resulting in integrated neighborhoods without Blacks. These neighborhoods constitute a plurality, furthering Black exclusion. Minority neighborhoods saw net outflows, an overlooked phenomenon, but expanded thanks to natural increase, which maintains the existing racial structure. White inflows have helped transition some minority neighborhoods to integrated areas, though integrated neighborhoods with Blacks declined overall. As Asians and Hispanics occupy historically White spaces, this warrants a reconceptualization of race and the emerging racial hierarchy, and a focus on the gatekeeper role of Asians and Hispanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

JOSEPH J. SALVO Population Division, NYC Department of City Planning Few issues are as heated as the impact of immigration on the nation and its cities. Much of this debate, [...]