Showing papers by "Florida State University published in 1970"

On the transition to turbulent convection. Part 1. The transition from two- to three-dimensional flow

Abstract: In a horizontal convecting layer several distinct transitions occur before the flow becomes turbulent. These are studied experimentally for several Prandtl numbers from 1 to 104. Cell size plan form, transitions in plan form, transition to time-dependence, as well as the heat flux, are measured for Rayleigh numbers from 103 to 105. The second transition, occurring at around 12 times the critical Rayleigh number, is one from steady two-dimensional rolls to a steady regular cellular pattern. There is associated with this a discrete change of slope of the heat flux curve, coinciding with the second transition observed by Malkus. Transitions to time-dependence will be discussed in part 2.

A Characterization of Limiting Distributions of Regular Estimates

Abstract: We consider a sequence of estimates in a sequence of general estimation problems with a k-dimensional parameter. Under certain very general conditions we prove that the limiting distribution of the estimates, if properly normed, is a convolution of a certain normal distribution, which depends only of the underlying distributions, and of a further distribution, which depends on the choice of the estimate. As corollaries we obtain inequalities for asymptotic variances and for asymptotic probabilities of certain sets, generalizing so some results of J. Wolfowitz (1965), S. Kaufman (1966), L. Schmetterer (1966) and G. G. Roussas (1968).

Phonemic Variability in Apraxia of Speech

Abstract: Articulatory performance in the condition apraxia of speech (variously designated aphemia, Broca’s aphasia, motor aphasia, and cortical dysarthria) was analyzed in 10 patients and compared with the performance of 10 dysarthric and 10 normal subjects. Testing ruled out perceptual impairment and muscular weakness or incoordination as the cause of articulatory errors of the apraxic group. Initial consonant production in speech apraxia is characterized by a high degree of inconsistency of articulation errors; predominance of substitution, repetition, and addition errors as opposed to distortion errors of dysarthria; marked prosodic disturbance without phonatory and resonatory changes; increase of difficulty from spontaneous to oral reading to imitative speech conditions; facilitation of correct articulation by visual monitoring in the auditory-visual stimulus mode in contrast to the auditory (repeating tape-recorded stimuli) or visual (reading words) modes; deterioration of articulation with increase in lengt...

On the transition to turbulent convection. Part 2. The transition to time-dependent flow

Abstract: The Rayleigh number at which steady convective flow changes to time-dependent flow is determined experimentally for several fluids with Prandtl numbers from 1 to 104 The time dependence is of two forms: (i) a slow tilting of the cell boundary, with time scale of the vertical thermal diffusion time, (ii) an oscillation with a faster time scale determined by the orbit time of the fluid around the cell The nature of this oscillation is one of hot (or cold) spots advected with the original cellular motion At a fixed point in the fluid this produces a time periodic oscillation of the temperature A discrete change of slope of the heat flux curve accompanies this transition As the Rayleigh number is increased, transition to disorder is seen to result from an increase in the frequency and number of these oscillations

Resolution Enhancement of Spectra

Abstract: A numerical method has been developed to correct high-resolution infrared spectra for the distortion introduced by the spectrometer. The method involves, first, an accurate determination of the spectrometer response function and, then, deconvolution by a point-successive over-relaxation procedure. The method is applied to portions of the Q branches N2O and CH4 near 3.3 μ. The spectra are observed at pressures below 1.0 torr with spectrometer response-function half-widths less than 0.02 cm−1. The deconvolved spectra show an improvement of resolution which approaches the limit set by the Doppler widths of the lines. Line separations measured from the deconvolved spectra are within 0.001 cm−1 of the calculated values. The reduction of line overlap in the deconvolved spectra considerably increases the number of lines whose positions may be accurately measured.

Singlet Molecular Oxygen from Superoxide Anion and Sensitized Fluorescence of Organic Molecules

Abstract: The superoxide anion, O2-, evolves singlet molecular oxygen in dimethylsulfoxide solution. Pronounced water quenching of superoxide-sensitized luminescence is indicative of the preferential generation of the 1σg+ state. Recent identification of O2- in the xanthine oxidase system suggests that the generation of singlet oxygen may also occur in enzymatic systems.

Taxonomic diversity of island biotas.

Abstract: Students of biogeography since Darwin have focused disproportionately on oceanic islands. The prime bases for this interest have been the distinct forms which have evolved in the genetic isolation provided by islands and the ecological situation pertaining because the species successfully colonizing any island are but a small subset of the mainland species pool. One aspect of the latter effect which has received attention is that, within any higher taxon, the mean number of species per genus (S/G) on an island is usually lower than S/G for its presumed source area (MacArthur and Wilson, 1967). If it is assumed that congeneric species tend to resemble one another more in any measurable biological characteristic than do less closely related species, then the lower S/G on an island implies a more "diverse" biota on the island than on the source area. Although Williams (1964) pointed out that a random subset of any species pool has an expected S/G lower than that of the entire pool, Moreau (1966) and Grant (1966) attach significance to the lower S/G per se on islands, without regard for whether this S/G is lower or higher than expected, and attribute the lower insular value to ecological and/or evolutionary phenomena. In this paper I will first treat qualitatively the general distribution of the S/G ratio for random subsets of any species pool, then analyze the data for a series of well-studied island groups, and finally reassess the ecological and evolutionary ideas formulated on this subject in the light of the statistical treatment. THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS

North Atlantic Crustal Genesis in the Vicinity of the Azores

Abstract: Summary In terms of current knowledge of crustal genesis in the Atlantic Ocean, several unique or highly anomalous features exist in the vicinity of the Azores. These include the seismically active East Azores Fracture Zone extending from Gibraltar to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge; the seismically inactive West Azores Fracture Zone which is offset northwards from the trend of the East Azores Fracture Zone; the transverse island chain of the Azores islands which trends southeast-northwest across the Mid-Atlantic Ridge; the marked change in direction of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge from northeast-southwest to north-south; and the broadening of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to the east. Bathymetric and magnetic data from surveys of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the Azores area by R.V. Trident, the U.S.Naval Oceanographic Office, and other sources have been compiled. These, together with the previously published data are compatible with a basic model consisting of a Mid-Atlantic Ridge migrating eastwards at the local crustal spreading rate, which is greater to the north than to the south of an east-west transverse fracture system. Superimposed on this is the development of a northwest-southeast trending secondary spreading centre or triple junction, within a ‘leaky transform’ system (Menard & Atwater 1968) which would have developed as the result of a change in the local crustal spreading direction south of the east-west transverse fracture system from mainly east-west to mainly northwest-southeast. Simple geometrical considerations, when combined with the length of a newly proposed ‘Terceira Rift’ and independent estimates of local crustal spreading rates suggest that the change in crustal spreading direction and triple junction development began at least 45 My ago.

Punishment and Crime: An Examination of Some Empirical Evidence

Abstract: Data from National Prisoner Statistics and Uniform Crime Reports are used to re-examine the relationship between rates of crime and the certainty and severity of punishment in the states of the United States. Recent research by Gibbs and Tittle using similar data to test deterrence hypotheses are extended in two ways: (l) by examining the relationships for three points in time which were previously examined for a single time period, and (2) by relating changes in rates of crime to prior changes in the certainty and severity of punishment. Little consistent support is found for the hypotheses that rates of crime and the certainty and severity of punishment are inversely related. The data for certainty suggest that the relationship with crime rates is somewhat variable over time and among offenses. These findings contrast with the strong and consistent negative associations reported by Tittle. An attempt is made to account for the strength and consistency of the previous findings by exploring the problem of correlated bias that exists in Tittle's measures of certainty and criminality. The inconsistency of findings, both within this study and among recent empirical tests of deterrence theory, indicate that existing sources of data may be inappropriate for use in the testing of deterrence hypotheses.

The physics, chemistry, and biology, of singlet molecular oxygen*

Abstract: The physics, chemistry, and biology of singlet molecular oxygen are topics of the liveliest current research interest. Yet just six years ago, singlet oxygen was considered to be a molecular species of passing astrophysical interest, and rather limited as a research subject. Recent discoveries concerning the easy generation of singlet molecular oxygen in large amounts, its ready detection by a variety of methods, and its unusual chemical reactivities, have made this subject one of the most rapidly developing research fields. There is possibly no better example of the interplay of various disciplines, from the most abstruse theory (antisymmetrized molecular orbitals) and abstruse measurements (high resolution spectroscopy of gases) to the most practical applications (mechanism of smog production). Singlet molecular oxygen, even though it is an excited species, is proving to be an almost ubiquitous intermediate in systems that were once considered to be the exclusive domain of normal (triplet) oxygen. In this paper we shall attempt to give a panoramic view of singlet molecular oxygen: what it is, what its properties are, how it can be made and detected, and various mechanisms by which it seems to be involved in physical, chemical, and biological processes. Spectroscopic observations on singlet molecular oxygen were made as early as the 1930's. Childs and Mecke (1931) made' absolute intensity measurements on light absorption to the 'C: state of oxygen, deducing a value of 7.1 seconds for the intrinsic mean lifetime of this excited state; Ellis and Kneser (1933) reported2p3 the spectrum for absorption to the 'A, state of oxygen. High resolution studies later (1947-48) supplied the physical data now known for singlet and triplet oxygen given in TABLE 1. It was not until 1965 that absolute absorption measurements were made4 (Badger et al.) for the absorption to the 'Ag state, giving the astonishingly long intrinsic mean lifetime of 2,700 seconds (45 min). (The lifetimes given are for the limiting condition of zero pressure and are much shortened by environmental perturbation effects.) The physical data on the three lowest electronic states of molecular oxygen reveal very small structural changes upon excitation, as shown by the near constancy of the internuclear distances. The potential curves for molecular oxygen (FIGURE 1) reflect this by the near coincidence of the potential minima for the three lowest states. The potential curves reveal also the high stability of O2 toward dissociation, the D i value (corresponding to the heat of dissociation) being 5.080 eV (117.2 kcal/mole). Another feature revealed by the potential curves of FIGURE 1 is that the

The nature of the symbiosis between Indo-Pacific anemone fishes and sea anemones

Abstract: Under the general heading of symbiosis, defined originally to mean a “living together” of two dissimilar species, exist the sub-categories of mutualism (where both partners benefit), commensalism (where one partner benefits and the other is neutral) and parasitism (where one partner benefits and the other is harmed). The sea anemone-fish (mainly of the genus Amphiprion) symbiosis has generally been considered to benefit only the fish, and thus has been called commensal in nature. Recent field and laboratory observations, however, suggest that this symbiosis more closely approaches mutualism in which both partners benefit to some degree. The fishes benefit by receiving protection from predators among the nematocyst-laden tentacles of the sea anemone host, perhaps by receiving some form of tactile stimulation, by being less susceptible to various diseases and by feeding on anemone tissue, prey, waste material and perhaps crustacean symbionts. The sea anemones benefit by receiving protection from various predators, removal of necrotic tissue, perhaps some form of tactile stimulation, removal of inorganic and organic material from on and around the anemone, possible removal of anemone “parasites”, and by being provided food by some species of Amphiprion.

Mercury compounds reduce photosynthesis by plankton.

Abstract: Concentrations of organomercurial fungicides as low as 0.1 part per billion in water reduced photosynthesis and growth in laboratory cultures of one species of marine diatom and several natural phytoplankton communities from Florida lakes. The acute toxicity of mercury compounds to phytoplankton is dependent on the chemical nature of the mercury compound and on cell concentrations.

Attack Autotomy: A Defense against Predators

Abstract: The response of five species of crabs to simulated predator attack was examined. Two terrestrial species autotomized their chelipeds after the chelae were firmly attached to the predator. Selection for attack autotomy is balanced by selection for retention of the cheliped whenever the cheliped is important in social or maintenance functions.

Method for Determining the Response Function of a High-Resolution Infrared Spectrometer*

Abstract: A method has been developed for determining the response function of an infrared spectrometer under the usual running condition of partially coherent illumination from a thermal source. The method consists of deconvolving observed absorption lines of known Doppler shape. Only the sample-gas temperature, molecular weight, absorption-line frequency, and equivalent width are needed to construct the true absorptance profile. The response function of a high-resolution spectrometer has been determined by this method at several frequencies in the 3-μ region. It ranged from 0.014 cm−1 to 0.020 cm−1 in width and was typically 6%–20% narrower than the observed absorption line. The entire process was carried out automatically in the computer, with absorptance data in digital form. A procedure due to P. H. van Cittert, which is often used for resolution enhancement, is shown to be a special case of the more-general and efficient relaxation technique used in this study.

Vomeronasal receptors in Turtles

Abstract: The functional similarities observed with electrophysiological techniques between olfactory and vomeronasal receptors allow speculation that morphological details essential to the common function should be observed in both cases. Both mucosae have primary receptors within the epithelium which are surrounded, but not completely isolated, by so-called supporting cells. These last secrete a granular product. In both epithelia receptor cells contact each other at the axonal, perikaryal, dendritic and junctional complex levels. The axons of the two types of receptors are unmyelinated and their diameter ranges from 0.1 to 0.4 micron. The most interesting difference between the two types of receptors lies at the level of their exposed endings. The olfactory vesicle, as it is classically represented in olfactory receptors and is common in those of turtles in the form of a ball-like protrusion above the epithelial surface, is usually missing in the vomeronasal receptors. These have a tapering cone-shaped irregular projection always complicated by a set of branched microvilli. They do, furthermore, consistently lack cilia. This observation is in agreement with recent TEM observations. The assumption that cilia are essential in the mechanism of olfactory transduction is discussed on the basis of these anatomical findings.

Amateurs and Peofessionals: A Study of Delegates to the 1968 Democratic National Convention

Abstract: Several years ago James Q. Wilson studied the members of the three amateur Democratic clubs in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. He intended his study, by his own admission, to be interesting rather than theoretical, but we have found its theoretical portions to be intriguing. The amateur politicians studies by Wilson primarily concentrated their energies in local politics, although their ambitions extended far beyond local campaigns and issues. Indeed, they expressed a clear desire to alter fundamentally the character of the American party system and, accordingly, all governing institutions. Wilson's task of identifying and characterizing the political motives and tactics of amateur Democrats was facilitated by the existence of political clubs. He had only to identify the clubs he wished to study and survey their members. Future researchers were left the responsibility of identifying similar political motives and tactics in less well-defined groups. We attempted to do this for a sample of delegates to the Democratic National Convention in 1968, and, following Wilson's criteria, we were successful in identifying a substantial proportion of amateur Democrats. The amateur Democrat described by Wilson was not set apart from the more conventional party activitsts by his liberalism, his age, education or class. He was not a dilettante or an inept practitioner of politics, nor did he regard politics as an avocation or hobby. Rather the amateur found politics intrinsically interesting because it expressed a conception of the public interest. The political world was perceived in terms of policies and principles which were consistent with the amateur's theory of deomocracy.

Conditioned Suppression as an Animal Psychophysical Technique

Abstract: The purpose of this chapter is to describe and evaluate the conditioned suppression technique for the measurement of sensory thresholds in animals. Conditioned suppression was described by Estes and Skinner in 1941, but the technique was not used in animal psychophysics until recently. In a conditioned suppression experiment, a warning stimulus, which is terminated with a brief unavoidable electric shock, is superimposed on a baseline of ongoing lever pressing or key pecking independent of any responding by the animal. Conditioned suppression has, then, the advantages of aversive control while the ongoing behavior of the animal is being maintained on a positive reinforcement schedule.

CATALYSTS OF LIPID PEROXIDATION IN MEATS. 3. Catalysts of Oxidative Rancidity in Meats

Abstract: SUMMARY Data presented in this paper can be interpreted as evidence that both heme and non-heme iron are functioning as catalysts of lipid oxidation in meat. The most direct evidence comes from cooked meat, since there the picture is not complicated by interfering enzymes. After removal of MetMb by treating with H2O2, a significant lipid oxidation was demonstrated, especially at lower pH where non heme iron is most active. The catalytic activity of hemoprotein is limited in raw meat. Oxygen can be removed from the tissues and MetMb reduced back to Mb by the reducing enzymes. This is especially true at higher PH. Possible limitations of the heme-catalyzed reactions in meat by high (inhibition) levels of myoglobin, or because of separation of reactants in cellular structures, are discussed. The effects of additives were in line with the interpretation that lipid oxidation is catalyzed by both non-heme and hemoprotein. In raw meat, lipid oxidation could be slightly accelerated by adding TDPA or cysteine but inhibited by adding ascorbic acid or EDTA. It is considered that EDTA inhibited the non-heme iron catalysis at the natural acidic pH, whereas ascorbic acid prevented Mb oxidation and thus indirectly retarded the rancidity developed.

The formation and stability of ideal family size among young people

Abstract: A sample of 1,123 sixth, ninth, and twelfth graders in two Southern counties was questioned to ascertain how many children they think is ideal. More than three-fourths of the students in each grade had given thought to an ideal number of children for themselves; fewer had thought about the ideal number for the average American couple. Two and three children were the modal responses; mean ideal sizes were 3.02 for self and 3.16 for the average couple. The range of acceptable fertility behavior, “too few” or “too many” children, is defined by medians of 1.56 and 5.96. Ideal and acceptable family sizes increase slightly in the higher grades. A sex difference in ideals appeared only at grade 12; girls wanted more children. Negroes wanted fewer children than did whites at grade 6, more at grade 12. Size of family of orientation was directly related to ideals at grades 6 and 9, but the relation was curvilinear at grade 12. The direct relation between ideals and socioeconomic status became more pronounced at grade 12. Ideal sizes were larger for Catholics than for other religious groups. The study lends at least minimal support to the notion that early socialization affects ideas about family size.

Geochemistry of an oceanite-ankaramite-basalt suite from East Island, Crozet Archipelago

Abstract: The petrology and geochemistry of East Island have been investigated for the first time. The island is a deeply dissected remnant of a Pleistocene shield volcano, one of several emerging from an oceanic rise forming part of the southwest branch of the Indian Ocean ridge system. The lavas form a flat-lying sequence of oceanites, ankaramites, olivine basalts and feldsparphyric basalts, the ankaramites containing 1 cm phenocrysts of diopsidic clinopyroxene. X-Ray fluorescence analyses were made of 43 lavas for the major elements plus Cr, Ni, Rb, Sr, Ba, Pb, and Th and the minerals were analysed by electron microprobe. The elements Mg, Cr, and Ni are strongly concentrated in spinel, olivine and clinopyroxene phases and in the ankaramites and oceanite lavas with maximum concentrations of 18% MgO, 1,000 ppm Cr, 380 ppm Ni, while Al, Ti, K, Rb, Ba, Th, Na, P, Sr concentrate in the groundmass and in the feldspathic and aphyric basalts. The elements Si, Ca, Fe and Mn remain virtually constant throughout the series.