Grief is a natural condition resulting from human loss. It is also a variable process through which aggrieved persons pass and by which a variety of personal and contextual factors can impact the both the breadth and depth. Concordantly, grief resulting from the loss of a spouse is one of the most difficult psychological and social issues through which someone can pass. Among the variety of factors associated with conjugal grief, loss that occurs outside the normative pattern of life events has received little attention. This study of 232 young widows between the ages of 18 and 55 was conducted to ascertain the factors that were associated with off-time conjugal grief. To do this, the present study utilized data from an online survey that was disseminated largely via social network sites and grief support groups across the United States. Framed in Erikson’s lifespan theory of psychosocial development and utilizing the dual process model of coping with bereavement, this study included an assessment of the impact of quality of life, coping orientation, adulthood psychosocial balance, and sociodemographic factors on grief in young widowhood. Using correlational and regression analyses, many of these variables were individually associated with young widows’ levels of grief. Through additional multiple regression analyses conducted in pursuit of a more parsimonious model, when accounting for the other variables several predictors were no longer found to provide unique contribution to participant grief. In the final model, when simultaneously adjusting for all study variables retained from earlier analyses, higher levels of loss-oriented coping were found to be associated with higher levels of grief. Additionally, higher levels of intimacy balance and participants’ longer length of relationship with their deceased spouse were both associated with lower levels of grief. These findings highlight similarities found in past research regarding conjugal loss, including loss at younger ages, grief work, and the buffering effect of intimacy balance on levels of grief. Contrary to past research on grief, the relative importance of factors such as identity balance, religiosity, and social support were limited in their net influence on grief in young widowhood. These findings can inform future research and intervention regarding the context and impact of conjugal loss that occurs at younger ages.

Darbe pateikiama samprata apie našlių pensijų sistemą, jos struktūrą, teoriškai pagrindžiami ir pateikiami Lietuvos socialinės saugos teisei būdingų našlių pensijų modeliai.Sistemos reformos kryptys analizuojamos, remiantis našlių subjektinių teisių įgyvendinimo analize. Paliečiami socialinio teisingumo aspektai, skiriant valstybines našlių pensijas bei nustatant valstybinių socialinio draudimo našlių pensijų dydį. Pateikiama našlių namų ūkių disponuojamų pajamų analizė. Socialinės politikos plotmėje nagrinėjami našlių socialinio saugumo užtikrinimo garantai. Reziumuojama, kad didelė našlių dalis iš valstybės negauna socialinės paramos. Lietuvos socialinės apsaugos teisėje n��ra našlių paramos modelio. Darbo pabaigoje pateikiamos išvados ir pasiūlymai iškeltoms teisinio reguliavimo problemoms spręsti. / The paper provides the conception of systems of state social insurance, state and social support benefits applied in the Lithuanian social security system. Based on the analysis of legal acts, the structure of the widows‘ pension system is being defined. The paper gives theoretical substantiation of and provides widows‘ pension models typical for the Lithuanian social security system. Aiming to reveal complexity and problems of the widows‘ pension system, legal regulation of widows‘ pensions and rent are being analysed in detail. There is also a review of conditions and requirements for the deceased and their spouses set out in the legal acts. Assumptions of the reform of widows‘ pension system are based on three problematic aspects: is the support provided realised following the principles of state social insurance and provision of the state and social suppport benefits; are the subjective rights of widows to support in case of widowhood approached to equivalently; is social justice retained in contribution of budget means. Trends of the reform of widows‘ pension system are analysed based on the analysis of implementation of subjective rights of widows. The paper touches aspects of social justice in assignation of widows‘ pensions and in determination of the amount of state social insurance widows‘ pensions. Widows‘ social security assurance is being analysed in the plane of social policy. It may be concluded that a great number of widows receive no benefits from the state... [to full text]

Thesis (M.S.)--Air Force Institute of Technology, 2006. / "AFIT/GLM/ENS/06-08." "March 2006." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 217-219). Also available online via the Defense Technical Information Center website (http://stinet.dtic.mil/).

The diploma thesis focuses on the analysis of the woman's ideal during the High Middle Ages, how it was represented by St. Elizabeth of Hungary as the main character of the old-Bohemian Život svaté Alžběty that was credited to Tomáš Štítný ze Štítného. Elizabeth belongs to a new type of saintesses which during the contemporary times embodied important ideals of Christianity (above all poverty and love toward a fellowman realized by charitable and social work) and they offered a model for some overshadowed aspects of feminity (mainly a model of a perfect wife and a widow). We concentrate especially on the formation of the main character in all three women's statuses typical for the Middle Ages, that is virginity, married life and viduity, and also on the revision of their traditional hierarchy in the Elizabethean hagiography.

abstract: Human-induced rapid environmental change (HIREC) influences nearly all of Earth's ecosystems through processes such as urbanization. Previous studies have found that urbanization influences biodiversity patterns, often yielding an increase in the abundance of a few urban-adapted taxa at the expense of native species diversity. The western black widow spider, Latrodectus hesperus, is a medically-important pest species that often forms dense urban subpopulations (i.e., infestations) relative to the low-density subpopulations found throughout undisturbed, desert habitat. Here, I employ field and laboratory studies to examine the population ecology and stoichiometry of this urban pest to increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying its success. The population ecology of ten black widow subpopulations spread across metropolitan Phoenix, AZ was examined during the peak breeding season (June-August). This study revealed that arthropod prey abundance, female mass and population density of females showed significant spatial variation across the ten subpopulations. Additionally, prey abundance and foraging success, measured as the number of carcasses found in webs, were a strong determinant of female mass and population density within each subpopulation. To test the mechanisms that drive black widow infestations, I used ecological stoichiometry to examine the nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) composition of spiders and arthropod prey from urban habitat, desert habitat and a laboratory diet regime. These studies revealed that (1) spiders are more nutrient rich than cricket prey in the field, (2) spider subpopulations exhibit significant spatial variation in their nitrogen composition, (3) nutrient composition of urban spider subpopulations does not differ significantly from Sonoran desert subpopulations, (4) laboratory-reared spiders fed a diet of only laboratory-reared crickets are more nitrogen and phosphorus limited than field-captured spiders, and (5) cannibalism by laboratory-reared spiders alleviated phosphorus limitation, but not nitrogen limitation, when compared to field-captured spiders. This work highlights the need to examine the population ecology of species relationships, such as predator-prey dynamics, to fully understand the fecundity and population growth of urban pest species. Moreover, the integration of population ecology and stoichiometry illustrates the need to address mechanisms like nutrient limitation that may explain why urban pest populations thrive and native species diversity suffers following HIREC. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Biology 2012

abstract: Urbanization provides an excellent opportunity to examine the effects of human-induced rapid environmental change (HIREC) on natural ecosystems. Certain species can dominate in urban habitats at the expense of biodiversity. Phenotypic plasticity may be the mechanism by which these 'urban exploiters' flourish in urban areas. Color displays and condition-dependent phenotypes are known to be highly plastic. However, conspicuous color displays are perplexing in that they can be costly to produce and may increase detection by enemies. The Western black widow spider () is a superabundant pest species that forms dense aggregations throughout metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Adult female display a red hourglass on their abdomen, which is speculated to function as a conspicuous warning signal to enemies. Here, I performed field studies to identify how widow morphology and hourglass color differ between urban and desert subpopulations. I also conducted laboratory experiments to examine the dietary sensitivity of hourglass coloration and to identify its functional role in the contexts of agonism, mating, and predator defense. My field data reveal significant spatial variation across urban and desert subpopulations in ecology and color. Furthermore, hourglass coloration was significantly influenced by environmental factors unique to urban habitats. Desert spiders were found to be smaller and less colorful than urban spiders. Throughout, I observed a positive correlation between body condition and hourglass size. Laboratory diet manipulations empirically confirm the condition-dependence of hourglass size. Additionally, widows with extreme body conditions exhibited condition-dependent coloration. However, hourglass obstruction and enlargement did not produce any effects on the outcome of agonistic encounters, male courtship, or predator deterrence. This work offers important insights into the effects of urbanization on the ecology and coloration of a superabundant pest species. While the function of the hourglass remains undetermined, my findings characterize the black widow's hourglass as extremely plastic. Plastic responses to novel environmental conditions can modify the targets of natural selection and subsequently influence evolutionary outcomes. Therefore, assuming a heritable component to this plasticity, the response of hourglass plasticity to the abrupt environmental changes in urban habitats may result in the rapid evolution of this phenotype. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Biology 2014

Clergy widows face unique challenges because of being in the manse and their changed position in the congregation. Though they are human, like everyone, the expectations from the church and community are usually different. As the mother to the church, she is expected to be strong for the sake of the church members. There is a common assertion that a clergy spouse should conceal her grief due to her position in public. Many clergy spouses struggle to find their ministry rhythm after losing their husband. One of the contributory factors is the manner in which the local church leadership handles the clergy family after the death of the male clergy. This research was undertaken as a response to the plight of the clergy widows under the local church leadership. A qualitative methodological design was followed to tap out new experiences. Five clergy widows and one pastor were interviewed and an in-depth qualitative analysis was undertaken to explore the role of the church on caring for the clergy family. The results of the study are presented in a descriptive and interpretive approach. The available literature was coherently linked to participants’ narratives in developing new knowledge. Hence, the research is intended to contribute by bringing new perspective on how the church cares for the clergy family after the death of the male clergy. This study was initially scheduled to be done within the Sekhukhune district in the Limpopo province. However, due to the withdrawal of some potential participants, the author ended up overlapping to part of the Mpumalanga province. It was discovered that most churches provided the necessary support towards the burial of the clergy but to dismally disappear immediately after the funeral. This trend coupled with the removal of the clergy family from the manse immediately after the funeral has caused unfathomable trauma in the clergy family As this study’s aim was to contribute to the field of practical theology and pastoral care, the interpretive model postulated by Osmer was employed. The findings are hoped to contribute to the body of knowledge within an African perspective. It is intended to contribute to pastoral an approach, which is applicable to the African perspective and Biblical ethos. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Practical Theology / MA / Unrestricted

Spider silk is one of the most versatile material.s in nature with great mechanical properties, exceeding some of the best man made materials. Native and synthetically produced silk has been used in a wide array of applications throughout the history of mankind including nets, bandages and cloths. It is recognized that spider silk can be a suitable replacement material for many existing materials such as ropes, body armor, parachutes and biodegradable bottles - all of which could show cost and environmental 4 benefits relative to other currently used man made materials. An added advantage to these types of applications is the potential for the products to have intrinsic antimicrobial activity. Studies have demonstrated a level of antimicrobial activity in native silk, a property that may have evolved in order to resist microbial decomposition, to protect developing eggs, and to resist decomposition or destruction by predators, parasites, or fluctuations in the environment. In this study, the novel aqueous glue coating peptides found on the silk fiber of the black widow spider, spider coating peptide 1 and 2, were investigated. Using circular dichroism, it was determined that SCP-1 and SCP-2 display predominantly alpha-helical secondary structures. In temperature gradient studies, SCP-1 is structurally stable at high temperatures while SCP-2 unfolded and lost its alpha-helical structure. The two peptides remained structurally stable both in an acidic and basic environment. This study was the first to characterize the secondary structure of the peptides found coating various silk fibers in Latrodectus hesperus, the black widow spider. The function of the SCPs is unknown but has-been hypothesized to potentially have antimicrobial properties. We investigated this role and found no significant antibacterial activity of the peptides against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtitlis in growth studies. This study is the first to investigate the functional role of SCPs.

Spider silk from the female black widow spider, Latrodectus hesperus, is made of extraordinary biomolecules of nature. Efforts of the scientific community to commercially synthesize silks have become a collaborating, yet competitive race, to characterize the proteins that contribute to its intriguing biomechanics. Little has been reported on aqueous silk molecules in black widow spider silk, which are quite different from the large water insoluble core fibroins. In this study, a novel, aqueous aggregate gland derived silk factor (AgSF 1) was investigated using proteomics and immunological approaches. Western blot analyses of whole tissue lysates and solublized silk fibers revealed high levels of AgSFl in the aggregate gland, in the web scaffolding junctions, and in wrapping silk. MS/MS analyses of tryptic digest products from solubilized wrapping silk and aggregate gland whole cell lysate also confirmed the presence of AgSFl in these samples. Possible post-translational modifications were also analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) and MS/MS analysis. AgSFl was localized in the web scaffolding junctions and our data supports a role as an adhesive silk protein that serves as a center for connecting scaffolding fibers that functions to reduce the tensile strength of scaffolding fibers, which facilitates capture of aerial insects.

Little is actually known about the transcriptional regulation of spider silk as most studies have focused on the material properties of silks. We isolated and mapped the TuSp1 core promoter from the black widow spider, Latrodectus hesperus. Using a genomic DNA walking strategy, we have isolated an upstream segment (581 bp) of genomic DNA containing the promoter as well as the first exon of the TuSp1 gene. This upstream regulatory element was able to initiate transcription in insect cells when placed upstream the promoterless firefly luciferase reporter gene. Initiation of transcription was orientation dependent, as insertion of this upstream regulatory module in the reverse orientation led to inefficient transcriptional initiation. Only 170 bp of upstream sequence was required for strong transcriptional initiation, showing that core promoter resides within the first 170 bp of upstream 5' -flanking DNA. We also demonstrate the bHLH factor SGSF1 can repress gene transcription of the TuSp1 core promoter, implying SGSF I might participate in the transcriptional regulation of the TuSp1 gene in vivo.