Showing papers by "University of Kansas published in 1971"

Error on choroplethic maps: definition, measurement, reduction

Abstract: Communication, whether oral, written, or graphic depends upon the ability of one individual to transfer information to another. In this essay we have tried to illustrate the fact that error in choroplethic mapping inhibits the transfer of information and that there are methods for improving this type of map as a communicative tool. We have done this by first defining overview, tabular, and boundary map uses. Second, techniques for the measurement of the error components of these three uses have been developed. Third, new reiterative and forcing manipulative techniques for choroplethic map data processing have been evolved. Lastly, the relationship between map accuracy and the information carrying capacity of a choroplethic map is set forth in hypothetical terms.

Diagnosis of impaired fetal growth in newborn infants

Abstract: Measurements of crown-heel length, head circumference, and birth weight were made on a large number of newborn infants. Birth weight by itself was frequently not a valid measure of fetal growth impairment. By including measurements of body length and head size along with birth weight, four distinct patterns of fetal growth impairment were identified. The four patterns included infants who had abnormally short body lengths for dates, infants who had evidence of disproportionate growth between body length and head circumference, infants who accumulated excessive amounts of soft-tissue mass, and infants who accumulated too little soft-tissue mass. Criteria for diagnosing each pattern were obtained prospectively and have been presented with allowances made for the effects of race, sex, fetal age, and parity on each pattern. The separate identification of the four patterns provided a more precise description of fetal growth impairment than could be obtained from birth weight and calculated gestational age.

The effect of self-recording on the classroom behavior of two eighth-grade students.

Abstract: The effects of self-recording on classroom behavior of two junior high school students was investigated. In the first experiment, study behavior of an eighth-grade girl in history class was recorded. Following baseline observations her counselor provided slips for the girl to record whether or not she studied in class. This resulted in an increase in study. When slips were withdrawn, study decreased and then increased once self-recording was reinstated. After teacher praise for study was increased, self-recording was discontinued without significant losses in study behavior. In the final phase, increased praise was also withdrawn and study remained at a high level. In the second experiment, the number of talk outs emitted by an eighth-grade boy were recorded during math period. Following baseline, slips for recording talk outs were issued for the first half of the period, for the second half, and then for the entire period. Talk outs decreased when self-recording was in effect and increased again when self-recording was discontinued. When self-recording was reinstituted in the final phase there was a slight, though not significant decrease in talking out when compared to the baseline condition.

Achievement Place: modification of the behaviors of pre-delinquent boys within a token economy.

Abstract: The “pre-delinquent” behaviors of six boys at Achievement Place, a community based family style behavior modification center for delinquents, were modified using token (points) reinforcement procedures. In Exp. I, point losses contingent on each minute late were effective in producing promptness at the evening meal. During the reversal phase, threats (which were not backed up with point losses) to reinstate the point consequences initially improved promptness but the last two of five threats were ineffective. In Exp. II, point consequences effectively maintained the boys' room-cleaning behavior and, during a fading condition where the percentage of days when the contingency occurred was decreased, the point consequences remained effective for over six months, even when they were delivered on only 8% of the days. Experiment III showed that the boys saved considerable amounts of money when point consequences were available for deposits but saved little money when no points were available. Also, when points were given only for deposits that occurred on specific days the boys deposited their money almost exclusively on those days. In Exp. IV, point consequences contingent on the number of correct answers on a news quiz produced the greatest increase in the percentage of boys who watched the news and, to a lesser extent, increased the percentage of correct answers for the boys who watched the news. The results indicate that “pre-delinquent” behaviors are amenable to modification procedures and that a token reinforcement system provides a practical means of modifying these behaviors.

Exchange Narrowing in One-Dimensional Systems

Abstract: Magnetic relaxation in one-dimensional exchange-coupled ${(\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_{3})}_{4}$NMn${\mathrm{Cl}}_{3}$ is found to be dramatically different than it is in three-dimensional exchange-narrowed paramagnets. A theory which accounts properly for the special long-time persistence of spin-correlation functions in one dimension is shown to explain the observed behavior.

Evolution In The House Sparrow. Ii. Adaptive Differentiation In North American Populations

Abstract: With the introduction of the house sparrow Passer domesticus to North America in the period 1852-1860, students of the evolutionary process had a developing case history of adaptation and differentiation set before them. However, the possibilities of gaining evolutionary insight through what Grinnell (1919) was to call \"an experiment in nature\" were not realized for several decades, perhaps because the timing of the initial introductions preceded the Darwinian thesis. But periodically the birds figured in evolutionary thinking, and suggestive instances of what they were experiencing in life in North America were noted by Bumpus (1898a, 1898b), Grinnell (1919), Lack (1940), and Calhoun (1947). In fact, with the appearance of Calhoun's work, a broad base for understanding that the birds had been undergoing adaptive differentiation was thoroughly established. Our studies, of which parts have already appeared (Johnston and Selander, 1964; Selander and Johnston, 1967), go beyond Calhoun chiefly in detail. Notwithstanding, full appreciation of variation and adaptation of house sparrows in North America is dependent on that detail.

A new approach to measuring genetic similarity.

Abstract: In his excellent review article on population genetics, Lewontin (1967) states that "the major unsolved problem of descriptive population genetics is an adequate specification of the genetic difference between two closely related species as compared to the genetic difference between two populations of the same species." The advent of many new electrophoretic techniques has permitted for the first time a reasonable specification of a population's gene pool and has given scientists a new tool to use in investigating this basic evolutionary question. Since it appears that a considerable portion of the loci which can be studied electrophoretically are polymorphic (see Prakash et al., 1969; Selander et al., 1969), to compare critically two populations of the same or closely related species one should know the frequency of the allelic forms present at the polymorphic loci. When this information is known, two populations can be compared in a general manner for each locus to ascertain whether they share the same allele or alleles and whether they have similar allelic frequencies. But when information for a large number of such loci is known, it becomes exceedingly difficult to compare populations and establish their relative genetic similarity by this approach.

Structural Habitat and Time Budget of a Tropical Anolis Lizard

Abstract: Structural habitat data generally support the interpretation that competition for food results in habitat partitioning. In this investigation, the importance of ethological factors in determining the structural habitat of Anolis lizards is demonstrated by examining the structural habitat of Anolis polylepis during foraging and social interaction, its two major activities. Overall structural habitats show that intraspecific classes use perches of significantly different heights and diameters. Perch heights of adult males and females are also shown to be related to the type of activity in which they are engaged. Overall structural habitat data show a greater difference between the sexes than actually exists in their feeding locations. Ecological differences between insular and continental Anolis potentially affecting the structural habitat are also discussed. See full-text article at JSTOR

AXOPLASMIC TRANSPORT IN THE CRAYFISH NERVE CORD The Role of Fibrillar Constituents of Neurons

Abstract: (a) Axoplasmic transport of tritium-labeled proteins in crayfish nerve cord was confirmed at a slow rate of 1 mm/day. A second proteinaceous component which moves at a rate of 10 mm/day was also detected. Radioautography and biochemical analysis indicate that proteins migrating at these velocities have a perikaryal origin and move caudad within axons as sharply defined peaks. (b) Evidence is presented for the blockage of the slow and the fast movement of proteins by intraganglionic injection of the anti-mitotic agent vinblastine sulfate (0.1 mM). (c) Electron microscope observations of vinblastine-treated ganglia revealed a reduction in the number of axonal microtubules and the formation of intracellular aggregates presumably composed of microtubular protein. (d) These findings would be compatible with the involvement of microtubules in both slow and fast axoplasmic transport. However, the block induced by vinblastine was detected in regions of the cord (up to 10 mm away from the injection site) where the number and morphology of microtubules appeared unaltered. In addition, axons showing effects of vinblastine occasionally contained mitochondria with remarkably dense and thickened membranes. (e) In association with the surfaces of axonal microtubules are lateral filamentous elements (40–80 A in diameter) which also showed vinblastine-induced alterations. Our observations indicate that such filiform structures, associated with microtubules, may be a necessary component in the transport mechanism(s).

The development of generalized imitation within topographically determined boundaries.

Abstract: A multiple baseline technique was employed to examine the experimental development of an imitative repertoire within preselected topographical boundaries. Four severely retarded children, initially nonimitative, were individually trained to imitate a number of motor and vocal responses by shaping and fading procedures. Other untrained responses (probes) were demonstrated to the subjects systematically throughout the ongoing training. Training responses were divided into three topographical types: small motor, large motor, and short vocal responses. Probe responses were divided into four topographical types: small motor, large motor, short vocal, and long vocal responses. Following a multiple baseline format, sequential training of the first three types was begun at different temporal periods of the study; unreinforced imitative generalization was continually measured by the probes. Generalized imitation was observed in each subject (untrained responses were imitated even though unreinforced); but this generalization was restricted to the topographical type of imitation currently receiving training or having previously received training.

The teacher as observer and experimenter in the modification of disputing and talking-out behaviors

Abstract: Disputing and talking-out behaviors of individual pupils and entire classroom groups in special education classes and regular classes from white middle-class areas and from all black poverty areas ranging from the first grade to junior high school were studied. The classroom teacher in each case acted as the experimenter and as an observer. Various means of recording behaviors were used and reliability of observation was checked by an outside observer, another teacher, a teacher-aide, a student, or by using a tape recorder. Observation sessions varied from 15 min to an entire school day. After baseline rates were obtained, extinction of inappropriate disputing or talking-out behaviors and reinforcement of appropriate behavior with teacher attention, praise and in some cases a desired classroom activity or a surprise at the end of the week brought a decrease in undesired verbalizations. A reversal of contingencies brought a return to high levels of inappropriate talking with a return to low levels when reinforcement for appropriate talking was reinstated. The experiments demonstrated that teachers in a variety of classroom settings could obtain reliable observational records and carry out experimental manipulations successfully using resources available in most schools.

Thermal modulation of cutaneous mucus discharge as a determinant of evaporative water loss in the frog, Rana catesbeiana

Abstract: 1. Cutaneous mucus glands of Rana catesbeiana discharge lumenal fluid onto the surface of the integument synchronously and periodically. Each discharge of fluid is a rapid and discrete event and can be viewed with magnification in the living animal. Discharge occurs in response to sympathetic nervous stimulation. 2. The frequency of mucus discharge depends upon central nervous impulses and increases over the approximate range of body temperature 20–28° C. Discharge frequencies during heating exceed steady state values at identical temperatures, and may be as high as 17/minute. Local heating of the thigh does not elicit changes in discharge frequency in that region, whereas local heating of the head does. Transections and lesions of the brain suggest that the anterior hypothalamus is involved in controlling mucus gland activity. Peripheral afferents appear to modify central impulses determining the frequency of mucus discharge. 3. Direct measurements of cutaneous evaporative water loss were made by recording humidity changes of air as it passed over an area of skin beneath a ventilated capsule. Frogs which frequently discharged mucus maintained steady states of evaporative water loss comparable to that of a free water surface. Frogs in which mucus gland activity was inhibited by sympathetic blockade demonstrated drying of the integument and declining rates of evaporative water loss. 4. It is suggested that thermal modulation of mucus discharge possibly functions to maintain a moist and viable integument during terrestrial basking.

Initiation of yolk deposition by juvenile hormone.

Abstract: JUVENILE hormone is secreted by the corpus allatum gland, in insects. It was first implicated in the control of yolk deposition in 19361 and has recently been found to stimulate fat body synthesis of vitellogenic blood proteins (vitellogenins)2,3 which are selectively incorporated into yolk by the oocytes4–6.

A Study of Dog-Coyote Hybrids and Implications Concerning Hybridization in Canis

Abstract: A female, mongrel, black and white, 25-pound terrier dog bred to a captive male Kansas coyote gave birth on 20 April 1954 to six F1 hybrid “coy-dogs” From 1956 through 1961 these produced four litters of F2 hybrids. Five of the F1 generation resembled melanistic, short-legged coyotes; the sixth was similarly colored but shaggy like the mother. The F2 generation was more varied, dog-like to somewhat coyote-like animals. Behavior varied, but all of the animals were intermediate, with some coyote-like traits, including howling. They were aggressive among themselves and had a dominance hierarchy in males and probably in females, with males dominating females. They displayed no submissive behavior adequate to inhibit a dominant individual from attacking an inferior. No trace of male parental care (which is strong in coyotes and absent in dogs) was noted in the coy-dogs. The generally small size of the F2 litters (mean 2.25, range 1 to 3) and their small number in relation to the possible number, suggests some decrease in fecundity but might also have resulted from crowding or other suboptimal conditions inducing prenatal mortality. There was a rather high incidence of dental anomaly among the hybrids. Both sexes of the hybrids, as in the comparatively few comparable studies, displayed a late autumnal, annual mating season (in this case in December), differing from that of coyotes, which breed in late winter (mainly February). The literature of dog-coyote hybridism is summarized and the implications of the peculiar reproductive timing of hybrids are discussed with respect to the possibility of hybridization in the wild leading (a) to the establishment of hybridswarms of coy-dogs and intermediate individuals; (b) to the introgression of dog genes into coyote populations; and (c) to the probable source of the extremely large size and remarkably great variation of a population of wild, coyote-like animals recently established in New England. It is concluded that the phase shift in the breeding season of F1 hybrids, requiring the young of animals presumably less fit than coyotes to be reared in midwinter and in the absence of male parental care should form an effective, if not absolute, block to the development of hybrid swarms and to the introgression of dog genes into the coyote gene pool. Application of discriminant functions analysis—here applied also to various hybrids—to a series of wild Kansas coyotes (which are as much exposed to dogs as any coyotes) shows that these specimens have none of the unusual variability characterizing the New England population. It is therefore concluded that the variability and large size of the New England canids result from the introgression of wolf genes, probably in Ontario, into coyote stock. Recent proof that these species can in fact hybridize is cited. Also, two captive-reared coyote-wolf hybrids, long ago reported but later widely over-looked, seem likely in fact to represent this cross if judged by discriminant functions analysis and by their small size.

Fatty Acid Composition of Thermophilic, Mesophilic, and Psychrophilic Clostridia

Abstract: The fatty acid composition of two thermophilic anaerobes was determined, and the results were compared with those from a mesophilic and a psychrophilic anaerobe. Notable differences were that the thermophiles contained a higher content of saturated straight- and branched-chain fatty acids, and, of the latter, iso C15 was the predominant type. The mesophile and psychrophile were characterized by having a higher percentage of unsaturated fatty acids. An unidentified fatty acid, present in all of the organisms, was purified from the psychrophile. By physical and chemical analysis the structure of the unknown acid was resolved and found to be the unsaturated cyclopropane fatty acid, 12,13-methylene-9-tetradecenoic acid.

Natural mutation rates in the house mouse. Estimates for five specific loci and dominant mutations.

Abstract: More than 7 million mice were examined for grossly visible spontaneous mutations. A total of 249 mutations were recovered, of which 206 could be characterized as their mode of inheritance (dominant or recessive). The rates of spontaneous mutations at 5 specific coat-color loci (a, b, c, d, and ln) were 11 · 10−6 per locus per gamete for mutations from wild-type, and 2.5 · 10−6 for mutations from recessive alleles. Large differences were found between the rates of the individual loci; the a, a+, and c+ alleles had the highest rates. Estimates of “forward” and “reverse” mutations at each of these five loci also showed large differences. A comparison of the rates at the five specific loci and those at other loci for which dominant mutations were recovered showed that the specific loci used in this study had a spontaneous mutation rate 6 times higher. No effect of the age of parent was discernible for those loci where sufficient numbers of mutants were recovered to make a meaningful comparison.

Two Inward Currents in Frog Atrial Muscle

Abstract: The double sucrose-gap voltage-clamp technique was applied to frog atrial tissue to investigate the ionic currents responsible for the action potential in this tissue. Membrane depolarization elicited two distinct components of inward current when the test node was exposed to normal Ringer solution: a fast inward current and a slow inward current. The fast inward current appeared to be carried by sodium ions, since it was rapidly abolished by exposure of the fiber to Na+-free solution or tetrodotoxin but persisted on exposure to Ca++-free solution. In contrast, in the majority of the preparations the slow inward current appeared to be primarily carried by calcium ions, since it was abolished on exposure of the fiber to Ca++-free solution but persisted on exposure to Na+-free solution. Action potential data supported the voltage-clamp findings. The normal action potential shows two distinct components in the upstroke phase: an initial rapid phase of depolarization followed by a slower phase of depolarization reaching the peak of the action potential. Abolition of the fast inward current resulted in abolition of the initial rapid phase of depolarization. Abolition of the slow inward current resulted in abolition of the slow phase of depolarization. These data support the hypothesis that two distinct and different ionic mechanisms contribute to the upstroke phase of the action potential in frog atrial tissue.

Receptive training of adjectival inflections in mental retardates.

Abstract: A generalized discrimination of /er/ and /est/ suffixes as labels for stimuli exemplifying comparative or superlative relationships was established in three institutionalized retardates through differential reinforcement. The subjects were first taught correct pointing in response to opposite adjectives (e.g., "big-small") presented as labels for simple visual stimuli, and then taught each of the comparatives, or each of the superlatives possible for those opposites (e.g., "big-bigger" and "small-smaller", or "big-biggest" and "small-smallest"). As training proceeded, novel combinations of the training stimuli were presented as unreinforced probes to display any developing generalization of the training. As training of comparative discrimination proceeded, correct pointing response to comparative probes was high, but correct response to superlative probes was low. When training of superlative discriminations replaced training of comparatives, correct response to superlative probes increased, and correct response to comparative probes remained high.

Modification of articulation errors of pre-delinquents by their peers.

Abstract: Pre-delinquent peers in Achievement Place (a community based family style rehabilitation program based on a token economy) were given points (token reinforcement) to modify the articulation errors of two boys. In Experiment I, using a multiple baseline experimental design, error words involving the /l/, /r/, /th/, and /ting/ sounds were successfully treated by both a group of peers and by individual peers. Also, generalization occurred to words that were not trained. The speech correction procedure used by the peers involved a number of variables including modelling, peer approval, contingent points, and feedback. The individual role of each of these variables was not experimentally analyzed, but it was demonstrated that peers could function as speech therapists without instructions, feedback, or the presence of an adult. It was also found that payment of points to peers for detecting correct articulations produced closer agreement with the experimenter than when they were paid points for finding incorrect articulations. The results were replicated in a second experiment with another subject who had similar articulation errors. In addition, the second experiment showed that peer speech correction procedures resulted in some generalization to the correct use of target words in sentences and significant improvements on standard tests of articulation.

An investigation of the effects of the metaphor and simile in persuasive discourse

Abstract: (1971). An investigation of the effects of the metaphor and simile in persuasive discourse. Speech Monographs: Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 142-145.

Use of bretylium tosylate in the management of acute myocardial infarction

Abstract: Sixty-two patients with acute myocardial infarction were treated for 4 days with bretylium tosylate. This agent was effective in suppressing and preventing ventricular fibrillation as well as other irritable arrhythmias and heart block. On admission 37 patients had arrhythmias and 2 complete atrioventricular (A-V) block; 23 had no rhythm disturbances and were treated prophylactically. Of the 37 patients with arrhythmias, 11 had been treated with lidocaine without success. Eight patients had from 1 to 5 episodes of ventricular fibrillation (not suppressed by lidocaine in 7) before treatment with bretylium, but no patient had ventricular fibrillation after bretylium therapy was started. Ventricular arrhythmias were suppressed in from 10 minutes to 12 hours on routine dose therapy; the response indicated a sharp dose-dependent effect for complete suppression. Twenty-two of the 23 patients treated prophylactically had no arrhythmias. One patient had fatal ventricular fibrillation 5 1 2 hours after the first dose was administered and just before the second dose was due; this was the only death due to arrhythmia in the 62 patients. Of the 60 patients without heart block on admission, only 1 had heart block of any degree during treatment. There were 8 deaths in the hospital (12.9 percent), 7 as a result of pump failure. If 2 patients who were in extremis before treatment was started, and who died before an effect could have occurred, are excluded, mortality was under 10 percent. Our previous mortality in the unit was 20 percent. The actions of bretylium in increasing contractile strength, impulse formation and conduction velocity in addition to suppressing rhythm disturbance make it a valuable agent for the management of the major complications of acute myocardial infarction.