A new estimate of Ukrainian population losses during the crises of the 1930s and 1940s

Ukraine experienced two very acute demographic crises during the Soviet era: the 1933 famine and the Second World War. While different estimates of total losses have been produced previously, we have tried here to distinguish the specific impact of the crises on mortality from their impact on fertility and migration. Taking into account all existing sources of registered data and estimates, a painstaking reconstruction of annual demographic changes has been produced and complete annual life tables have been computed for the years 1926-59. Life expectancy at birth fell to a level as low as 10 years for females and 7 for males in 1933 and plateaued around 25 for females and 15 for males in the period 1941-44.     

Introduction to the Issue

The criminal trial of O. J. Simpson, his acquittal, and the subsequent public reaction have provided an opportunity to apply social science models and methods in ways that have enhanced our understanding of the complexity and dynamics of ethnicity. Most of the articles in this issue focus on ethnicity and go beyond simplistic analyses of ethnic differences in responses to O. J. Simpson and the trial. These analyses inform us that ethnicity is best viewed as a proxy for a host of life experiences, beliefs, and attitudes. The knowledge gained from these applications demonstrates that social scientists can contribute to the understanding of major public events when issues of ethnicity are involved. This article provides an introduction to the dynamics of ethnicity and overviews of the articles in this collection.     

Ethical Issues that arise in Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is designed to give the debtor another chance after a financial failure, and it is often an option that is both more ethical and more efficient than liquidation. We address some basic issues, such as whether Chapter 11 bankruptcy itself is ethical and what elements help one to decide if a particular bankruptcy is ethical. There are many chances for unethical acts during bankruptcy, such as the ethics of a firm that files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy yet has sufficient assets to meet its financial obligations, or the often exorbitant fees that bankruptcy professionals are allowed as well as the apparent partiality demonstrated in some bankruptcy courts.     

From social capital to entrepreneurial orientation: The mediating role of dynamic capabilities

This paper analyzes how social capital and its three dimensions—structural, relational, and cognitive—affect entrepreneurial orientation through dynamic capabilities. We specifically analyzed the effect of each dimension of social capital on firms' entrepreneurial orientation and the mediating effect of dynamic capabilities to explain these relationships. This study was conducted on a sample of firms in the Spanish agri-food industry. The results of the empirical analysis show that dynamic capabilities are generated by firms' social capital. Dynamic capabilities lead relational and cognitive social capital to develop a higher entrepreneurial orientation. The negative effect of structural social capital can only be countered if firms build and develop dynamic capabilities.     

Fathering latina sexualities: Mexican men and the virginity of their daughters

Mexican men have been traditionally misrepresented in or omitted from fatherhood scholarship, sexuality and reproductive health‐related research, and immigration studies. Based on in‐depth tape‐recorded interviews with 20 immigrant men living in Los Angeles, this study examined Mexican fathers’ views of virginity as they educate their daughters in the United States. Results indicate that fathers’ perceptions of a daughter's virginity are shaped by regional expressions of patriarchy and masculinity, and the socioeconomic segregation of inner‐city barrios. Protecting their daughters from a sexually dangerous society and improving their socioeconomic future is of greater concern to these men than preserving virginity per se. These men's narratives challenge stereotypical images and archetypes of the Latino macho father.     

L‘économie des Québécois francophones à la lumière de la socio-anthropologie*

After taking a summary look at the links that exist between anthropology and sociology, the author introduces what would seem at first glance to be a new discipline, that of socio-anthropology. Advances made in this new field of research stem from the implications behind the definition given to the object of study, and from the methods used. An economic sector controlled by French-speaking Quebecers serves as an illustration. Its examination draws on the hypothesis that family relationships are constituent of relationships in production, that is, of the economic structure. The author then posits that an interdisciplinary approach is essential in socio-anthropology. Après un rapide survol des liens entre l'anthropologie et la sociologie, cet article présente ce qui semble être, au premier abord, une nouvelle discipline: la socio-anthropologie. Les progrès de cette dernière résident notamment dans la teneur de la définition de l'objet et dans les méthodes adoptées pour l'étudier. L'examen de l'économie des francophones au Québec sert ici d'illustration. Il se réclame de l'hypothèse voulant que les rapports de parenté soient constitutifs des rapports de production, c'est-á-dire de la structure économique. La socio-anthropologie relève, au dire de l'auteur, d'une approche interdisciplinaire.     

Sexual inactivity among men who have sex with men living with hiv in europe

Objectives: Most people living with HIV stay sexually active, but some remain inactive. This study investigated prevalence and correlates of sexual inactivity among European HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: An anonymous sexual health questionnaire was distributed in 17 HIV outpatient clinics throughout Europe. Ninety-seven (11.6%) of 838 respondents reported absence of sexual activity. Results: Multivariable regression analysis identified older age, relationship status, and less satisfaction with general health and sexual desire as being associated with sexual inactivity. Conclusions: Prevalence of sexual inactivity has declined since the introduction of antiretroviral therapy to levels similar to those of HIV-negative MSM, suggesting a tendency toward normalization of HIV-positive MSM's sex lives.     

Economic evaluation of brief sex counseling for sexually dysfunctional adolescents

Objectives: In a randomized controlled trial brief sex counselling (BSC), intensive sexual healthcare (ISH) and no treatment (NT) for adolescents with a sexual dysfunction were compared. The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of BSC versus ISH and NT from a societal perspective. Methods: Costs, sexual functioning and quality of life were measured during 6 months. Primary outcome measures were measured with the Female Sexual Functional Index, the International Index of Erectile Function and the utilities reflecting Quality of Life based on the SF-36. Uncertainty was dealt with by using bootstrap replications and sensitivity analyses. Results: Results show that the societal costs were the highest for ISH followed by NT and BSC. The difference in costs between ISH compared to NT and BSC was significant. Furthermore, there were no significant group differences in sexual functioning or quality of life. With respect to the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility, BSC can be considered to be a suitable treatment for adolescents with a sexual dysfunction. Conclusions: Due to the lack of a significant difference in clinical effect, it can be concluded that BSC is the cheapest treatment option when implementing the intention-to-treat, besides a no treatment option, for adolescents with a sexual dysfunction.     

A Multi-Dimensional Assessment of the Health Needs of Homeless Infants and Pre-School Children in Phoenix

The dual purpose of this study was to identify the comprehensive health needs of a selected group of homeless children in Phoenix, Arizona, and to utilize the findings in developing needed services. A non-random sample of 60 infants and pre-school children were given on-site physical, dental, developmental, behavioral, and nutritional assessments. The study included Medicaid’s Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment procedures, complete oral screening, the Denver DevelopmentaL and Denver ArticuLation Screening Test, the Pre-school Behavior Inventory, and parental interviews. Fifty-eight of the 60 children screened needed further evaluation, treatment, or follow-up services. The most significant problems included low hematocrit readings, inadequate immunizations, and untreated medical and dental problems specific to this age group. Also identified were developmental deLays and potential behavior problems. It is imperative that aggressive outreach and follow-up services be developed to reach homeless children and to insure that needed intelVentions are provided.