Showing papers by "University of New Mexico published in 1973"

Cloze tests of second language proficiency and what they measure

Abstract: Data from a wide variety of sources are cited in support of the cloze technique as a global measure of language proficiency. Cloze tests as measures of readability, reading comprehension, quality of translations, pragmatic expectancies due to textual illustrations, attitudes, and ethno-linguistic background are discussed. In second language applications of the cloze procedure the effects of variations in difficulty, scoring methods, and the language used are considered. Analyses of response types and frequencies are examined. Correlations with external criteria and other theoretical considerations suggest that short term memory constraints are invoked by the cloze procedure. It is argued that such constraints are limitations on competence rather than mere performance. It is claimed that cloze tests tap this underlying competence.

Relative T-cell specificity of lymphocytotoxins from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract: Lymphocytotoxic antibody activity of dera from 23 patients with systemiclupus erythematosus (SLE) was compared using three different sets of lymphocytes-peripheral blood lymphocytes from 20 normal controls, perpheral blood lymphocytes from 10 patients with chronic lymphocytic leudemia (CLL) and thymic [thymus-derived (T)] cells of 5 human fetuses. A marked decreased reactivity of the SLE sera with CLL lymphocytes and marked increased reactivity with fetal thymic cells as compared to controls was found. These data suggest T-cell specificity of lymphoctotoxic antibodies in SLE.

Selected Aspects of Burrowing Owl Ecology and Behavior

Abstract: I studied a population of 15 breeding pairs of Burrowing Owls and their offspring from 5 May 1970 to 20 May 1971 near Albuquerque, New Mexico. Observation time totaled over 400 hr. Most observations were made from a car or on foot and 7 x 50 binoculars and a 20 X spotting scope were used. A portable blind was employed for close observations and for recording vocalizations. Lights disturbed the owls and thus were not used. Vocalizations were recorded with a Uher 4000 Report-L Tape Recorder and Uher M-514 microphone at 7? ips. A 24-inch parabolic reflector sometimes was used. A more complete analysis and discussion of vocalizations of Burrowing Owls can be found in Martin (1973). Of breeding pairs, nine females and nine males were color-banded for individual recognition. At least one adult of each pair was banded at all but two burrows. One unmated adult and 48 young also were banded. Each owl received a U.S. Fish and Wildlife band and a two-color combination of red, white, green, or yellow color bands. Owls were captured by placing Havahart traps within the burrow mouth as described by Martin (1971a). All adult owls were sexed by presence or absence of a brood patch and by feather coloration. This later was confirmed by their behavior in the field. All owls were weighed, inspected for ectoparasites, examined for molt, and had their remiges and retrices measured before release. Two young owls were captured during their first observed emergence from their nest burrow and maintained in captivity for behavioral studies.

Infrared Photography of OH Airglow Structures

Abstract: Results of high-angular-resolution photography of the complex airglow structures present in the infrared sky. The photographs obtained all show bright cloud-like structures which moved on the sky and varied in brightness. It is concluded that these structures are due to varying airglow emission and not to any type of modulation of a uniform background by atmospheric clouds, dust, or haze. It is also concluded that observations of a bright spot from two widely separated sites will yield parallax determinations of the height of the OH emitting layer, so that it is no longer necessary to rely on infrequent rocket measurements at a few places.

Evolution of the predator isocline.

Abstract: Many people have talked about a prudent balance between predator and victim, but no one has ever done anything about proving its existence (e.g., Roeder, 1967, p. 101; Marler and Hamilton, 1966, p. 291; Brower and Brower, 1964; Ross, 1962, p. 230). Instead, we learn from the work of Rosenzweig and MacArthur (1963), Maly (1969), Rosenzweig (1969, 1973), that evolution in an exploitative ecosystem may endanger the prudence of the victimization: the predator is being forced by natural selection to attempt to become imprudent, to overexploit its victim, to be capable of successful reproduction in the presence of such a small density of victims that the predator's steady state is destroyed. In this paper I shall attempt to do two things. First, I analyze several descriptive models of exploitation which have at their core the general functional response of predators (Watt, 1959; Holling, 1965; Ivlev, 1961). Using these I strengthen the conviction that there is danger to the exploitational system from natural selection. Second, I show that the evolutionary process does not result in a randomly prudent interaction. On the contrary, it produces a degree of prudence which, although probably different in exact value for each predator, is at the same time predestined for each predator. If this degree of prudence does not produce an oscillation whose minimal densities are so

Inhibition of mixed leukocyte culture responses by serum and γ-globulin fractions from certain patients with connective tissue disorders

Abstract: Sera and IgG fractions from normal subjects as well as patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus were added to mixed leukocyte reactions (MLC) in an attempt to study the effects on cell-to-cell interactions in such systems. Seven and seven-tenths percent of 52 RA sera and 26% of 27 SLE sera showed suppression of MLC reactivity. MLC suppression appeared to be localized to IgG serum fractions separated by DEAE chromatography. This suppressive effect showed a strong correlation with presence of lymphocytotoxic antibody in individual sera.

Osmolar Control of Prolactin Secretion in Man

Abstract: To study the effect of changing serum osmolality on serum prolactin concentration 11 volunteers were given oral and intravenous hypotonic and hypertonic fluids. Mean serum prolactin fell to 10.5 percent of baseline after oral water loading and to 15 percent of baseline after intravenous hypotonic saline infusion. Conversely, mean prolactin rose to 417 percent of baseline after intravenous hypertonic saline administration. The correlation coefficient of simultaneously determined serum prolactin and osmolality was highly significant (P 〈 .001). Isoosmolar changes in extracellular fluid volume did not consistently affect the concentration of prolactin in the serum. Thus, prolactin may be involved in the physiologic regulation of osmolar balance and the kidney may be an important farget organ for prolaction.

Crowding among hunter-gatherers: the Kung Bushmen.

Abstract: Highly crowded living conditions exist among the !Kung Bushmen, hunter-gatherers who live on the edges of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana and South-West Africa. The !Kung appear to be crowded by choice, and biological indicators of stress are absent. Data indicate that residential crowding alone does not produce symptoms of pathological stress.

The Localization and Potential Function of Glycosyltransferases in Chick Embryos

Abstract: Fishes have a variety of peripheral mechanisms for sound production. These can be categorized as: (i) hydrodynamic mechanisms related to swimming; (ii) stridulatory mechanisms in which portions of the body strike against each other; and (iii) swim bladder mechanisms which produce sounds by contraction of muscles which alter swim bladder volume. The sounds produced by hydrodynamic and stridulalory methods usually consist of broad-band noise while swim Madder sounds generally contain a fundamental frequency which is related to the rate of muscle contraction. Harmonics can be present in swim bladder sounds, but they may be a function primarily of the environment rather than the sound-producing mechanism. The precise role of the swim bladder is not clear although it probably acts as a broadly tuned sound amplifier. In this regard, the contribution of the swim bladder as a vibrating sphere is discussed. The central mechanisms controlling sound production in fishes are best understood in toadfish of the genus Opsanus . As a synthesis of the findings in this field, a model of the neurological control of toadfish sound production is presented. Neuromuscular, central motor, and central integrative mechanisms are discussed.

Spinel Troctolite and Anorthosite in Apollo 16 Samples

Abstract: A spinel troctolite and an anorthosite from the Apollo 16 landing site represent contrasting types of "primitive" lunar cumulates. The two rock types probably formed from the same parent magma type, a high-alumina magnesian basalt, with the troctolite forming earlier by crystal settling, and the anorthosite later, possibly by flotation.

Conformity in Chinese and Americans A Field Experiment

Abstract: A cross-cultural field experiment to determine the effects of a model's social status and specific task competence on imitation or conformity was conducted in Taiwan, Republic of China, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. The results indicated that Chinese were more conforming than Americans and that, in both countries, the model's status had a significant effect and competence a negligible effect on conformity. A status-by-competence interaction for Americans and for both groups combined indicated that a high-status model was imitated slightly more if low in competence, but a low-status model was imitated only if he was highly competent.

Utility of l-dopa and Water Loading in Evaluation of Hyperprolactinemia

Abstract: Basal serum prolactin concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay in normal male and female subjects and patients with functional galactorrhea and pituitary tumors. Mean serum prolactin concentration was 34 ± 25.5 (1 sd) ng/ml for normal males, 45 ± 31.5 ng/ml for normal females, 96 ± 73.5 ng/ml for functional galactorrhea patients, and 12,444 ng/ml for pituitary tumor patients. There was considerable overlap in the serum prolactin levels of functional galactorrhea patients with levels found in normal females. Likewise, basal serum prolactin concentration in 2 of 8 patients with pituitary tumors was not clearly higher than some patients in the functional galactorrhea group. In order clinically to separate patients with pituitary tumors from patients with other causes of hyperprolactinemia, we administered l-dopa and a water load to individuals in each group. l-dopa resulted in greater than 50% suppression of serum prolactin concentration in all normal subjects and all patients with functional galacto...

Lack of Tolerance to Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Chimpanzees

Abstract: Five chimpanzees were given Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 THC): 1.0 milligram per kilogram of body weight for 21 days and 4.0 milligrams per kilogram of body weight for 42 days. Although accuracy and speed of performance on a delayed matching-to-sample task were significantly affected by both doses, tolerance to Δ 9 THC did not develop. No long-term behavioral effects of Δ 9 THC were observed after termination of the drug regimens.

The incidence of malignant lymphoma and multiple myeloma in Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors, 1945-1965.

Abstract: The present study demonstrates an increased prevalence of malignant lymphoma and multiple myeloma in survivors of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima exposed to 100 rad or more; a similar relationship is not evident in Nagasaki. This apparent discrepancy is tentatively attributed to known physical differences in the radiation spectrum emitted by the 2 bombs and/or biological differences between the inhabitants of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Other observations of interest include the following: the risk of developing lymphoma or multiple myeloma appears to be greater in persons exposed at less than 25 years of age than in people who were 25 or more years old at the time of the bomb; the appearance time is shorter in the younger age group exposed to 100 rad or more in comparison with less heavily exposed persons, and also in comparison with heavily exposed persons in the older age groups. (auth)

Localization and correlation of catecholamine‐containing cells with adenyl cyclase and phosphodiesterase activities in the human fetal heart

Abstract: The present investigation attempts to correlate the appearance of catecholamines to receptor-induced metabolic events (adenyl cyclase-phospho-diesterase) in the developing human heart. Adrenergic innervation, examined with the Falck-Hillarp fluorescence technique as well as by electron microscopy, reveals the presence of catecholamine-containing cells in or near the fetal heart at all ages studied (8–18 weeks). In most instances these cells occur either in association with extrinsic nerves along the aorta and pulmonary trunk or in the interatrial septum. Ultrastructural features of these cells include dense core vesicles. Acetylcholinesterase positive cardiac nerves and ganglion cells are observed. Highest basal activities of adenyl cyclase are found at the sixth fetal week. The enzyme is activated by fluoride ion from the eighth through the seventeenth fetal week, but not by catecholamines. Glucagon stimulates this enzyme at the seventeenth fetal week. Phosphodiesterase activity is progressively increased from the eighth to the seventeenth weeks and is inhibited by aminophylline from the tenth through the fifteenth week. Although catecholamine cells are present in the fetal heart, adrenergic fibers are absent at all ages studied. Failure to observe adrenergic fibers may correlate with the lack of hormonal activation of receptor mechanisms.

The Effect on Dental Caries of Weekly Rinsing with a Neutral Sodium Fluoride or an Acidulated Phosphate-Fluoride Mouthwash

Abstract: Three groups of schoolchildren in Portland, Ore, rinsed weekly with a placebo mouthwash, a neutral sodium fluoride rinse containing 0.3% fluoride, or an acidulated phosphate-fluoride rinse containing 0.3% fluoride. After two years, the children who had rinsed with the fluoride mouthwashes had lower incremental caries scores than did the control children.

Tertiary Volcanic Rocks, Mogollon-Datil Province, New Mexico, and Surrounding Region: K-Ar Dates, Patterns of Eruption, and Periods of Mineralization

Abstract: K-Ar dates and field relations show that mid-Tertiary volcanic rocks usually assigned to the Datil Formation or Group in southwestern New Mexico can be interpreted as consisting of three major, slightly overlapping, volcanic cycles, which erupted about 28 to 38 + m.y., 23 to 28 m.y., and 20 to 23 m.y. B.P., respectively. Each cycle consists of lava flows, ranging in composition from andesite to rhyolite, and of voluminous silicic ash-flow tuff (ignimbrite) deposits, and is terminated by basaltic andesite and associated calc-alkalic rocks. Mid-Tertiary volcanism ceased at about 20 m.y. B.P., coincident with the beginning of Basin and Range faulting. Tholeiite and alkali basalt became the most common types of volcanic rocks after 20 m.y. B.P., although some felsic volcanism persisted. The timing of mid-Tertiary events imposes constraints on plate-tectonic or other interpretations of volcanism and tectonism in western North America. Models designed to explain volcanism in the Great Basin could be expected to fit conditions in southwestern New Mexico also; the time of inception, type, variation trends, and volume of volcanism are essentially the same. The ∼20 m.y. date for the beginning of Basin and Range faulting is consistent with the constant-rate model of Atwater (1970). There is no evidence in New Mexico for progressive outward spreading of volcanism as described from the Great Basin by Armstrong and others (1969). As in the Great Basin, the mid-Tertiary rocks of southwestern New Mexico become progressively enriched in alkalis and depleted in calcium with time. This can be most clearly demonstrated by comparing rocks of pre-28 m.y. and post-28 m.y. age. In documenting a plate-tectonic model, Christiansen and Lipman (1972) and Lipman and others (1972) recognized a petrologic transition at about 28 m.y. They correlated it with the start of Basin and Range faulting, in conflict with the ∼20 m.y. date given here. Porphyry-type mineralization is shown to be partly older than mid-Tertiary volcanism and partly contemporaneous with it.

Effects of beta receptor stimulation and blockade on A-V nodal and bundle branch conduction in the canine heart.

Abstract: Thirty-five mongrel dogs were placed on total cardiopulmonary bypass, and surface electrograms were recorded from the right atrium, bundle of His and both bundle branches. The effects of sympathetic cardiac nerve stimulation and beta adrenergic blocking agents on conduction velocity in the atrioventricular (A-V) node and major bundle branches were evaluated. Although right and left stellate ganglion stimulation decreased A-V nodal conduction time (26 and 31 percent, respectively), neither procedure had any effect on conduction time in either the right or left bundle branches. Beta adrenergic blockade was then produced using either L-propranolol (0.5 to 1 mg/kg) or practolol (2 to 4 mg/kg). Blockade of existing sympathetic tone consistently produced increases in A-V nodal conduction time but had no effect on conduction times in the bundle branches. Additional doses of both beta adrenergic blocking agents were given after beta receptor blockade to assess any direct effects on conduction. Additional doses of practolol (1 to 2 mg/kg per dose) had no further effect on A-V nodal conduction time. Additional doses of L-propranolol, on the other hand, progressively increased A-V nodal conduction time as far as it could be studied before complete heart block occurred (for example, +34 percent at a dose of 0.75 mg/kg after beta blockade). In contrast, even at the highest doses of propranolol there were no significant increases in bundle branch conduction times. The data support the following conclusions: (1) Propranolol exhibits direct effects on A-V nodal conduction, but practolol does not; (2) the main bundle branches are not responsive to either beta receptor stimulation or blockade; (3) although propranolol directly depresses the A-V node, these effects are much less prominent in the bundle branches. The latter 2 conclusions suggest that the main bundle branches may present some anatomic barrier to propranolol, possess overlapping alternate pathways that conceal the depressant effects of the drug, or possess no beta adrenergic receptors.