Showing papers by "University of Oregon published in 1968"

Comprehensive observational assessment: Ia. A systematic, quantitative procedure for assessing the behavioral and physiologic state of the mouse.

Abstract: A systematic observational method is described for comprehensively assessing and quantifying the behavioral and physiologic state of the mouse and its response to drugs. With this method, the pattern profile of various classes of pharmacologic agents and their members can be identified and differentiated, and the relative specificity of their actions defined. The method is applicable to a wide range of investigative goals. Inter- and intra-observer reliability studies have shown it to meet the pragmatic requirements for research.

A test of a two-stage model of magnitude judgment

Abstract: It has been suggested that the power law J = an, describing the relationship between numerical magnitude judgments and physical magnitudes, confounds a sensory or input function with an output function flawing to do with O’s use of numbers. Judged magnitudes of differences between stimuli offer some opportunity for separating these functions. We obtained magnitude judgments of differences between paired weights, as well as magnitude judgments of the weights making up the pairs. From the former we calculated simultaneously an input exponent and an output exponent, working upon Attneave’s assumption that both transformations are describable as power functions. The inferred input and output functions, in combination, closely predict the judgments of individual weights by the same Os. Although pooled data (geometric means of judgments) conform fairly well to a linear output function, individual data do not; i.e., individual Os deviate quite significantly fromlinearity and from one another in their use of numbers. Individual values of the inferred sensory exponent, k, show significantly better uniformity over Os than do values of the phenotypica! magnitude exponent previously found to describe interval judgments of weight.

Adaptation to heterogeneous environments. i. variation in heterophylly in ranunculus flammula l.

Abstract: A population of organisms is adapted for existence in a constant environment when its individuals are adequately equipped both physiologically and morphologically for maintenance, growth and reproduction. The population then has what is called immediate fitness. But, of course, no environment is constant; all organisms must cope with change or heterogeneity both within and between generations. This they do through individual and population adaptability. Individual adaptability has been referred to in many ways, for example, as individual ecological amplitude, plasticity, phenotypic flexibility (Thoday, 1953), individual homeostasis (Lewontin, 1957) and buffering (Allard and Bradshaw, 1964). It depends basically on the physiological capabilities of the organism and is manifest as conformance or its obverse regulation (homeostasis) in morphogenesis, physiological maintenance, procreation and behavior. Whether conformance (plasticity) or regulation (stability) is the more adaptive solution for an organism faced with environmental heterogeneity depends on the peculiarities of the organ systems affected and the extent of the environmental change. Constancy can be preserved in critical attributes such as temperature, moisture, or photosynthesis only by changing some other component or attribute of the system. Sometimes the change is rapidly reversible (homeostasis in the sense of Cannon, 1932), sometimes slowly reversible (acclimation) and sometimes irreversible. The change may not show outwardly, in which case it is purely physiological, or the physiological response may have a morphological effect, in which case it is morphological as well.

Collateral social development accompanying reinforcement of outdoor play in a preschool child

Abstract: A 3-yr-old preschool girl with deficits in both motor and social repertoires was socially reinforced by teachers for use of outdoor play equipment, as a contribution to her motor skills and as a tactic to produce increased social contact with other children. Her use of outdoor play equipment, and various examples of her social interaction with both teachers and children were scored in the course of experimental development and analysis of her rate of equipment use. Equipment use increased greatly under the social reinforcement contingency; certain desirable examples of social interaction with other children showed a collateral development; other examples of adult-oriented development remained constant; and one class of undesirable baby-like behavior decreased markedly. Thus, the study provided a picture of what other behavior changes may take place in the course of behavior modification aimed at a single response class.

Amino-acid sequence of alpha chains of human haptoglobins.

Abstract: The complete amino-acid sequences of the alpha chains of the common genetic variants of human haptoglobin confirm that the α2 chain has arisen by partial gene duplication of the Hp1 locus. A homology in sequence between a portion of the haptoglobin alpha chain sequence and a series of Bence Jones light chains suggests that the functional similarity between haptoglobin and immunoglobin G may reflect a common evolutionary origin.

The current status of the change of sex operation.

Abstract: The syndrome of male transsexualism is characterized by a life-long preference for the feminine role, predicated on the conviction of belonging to the female sex. This conviction is held and persists despite the painfully obvious fact of normal male anatomy and genitalia, before and after puberty, a

Simultaneous recording of membrane potential, calcium transient and tension in single muscle fibers.

Abstract: EXCITATION-CONTRACTION (E-C) coupling in skeletal muscle is a series of events leading from membrane depolarization to the production of tension1. One of the more important intermediary processes is a transient increase in the sarcoplasmic calcium concentration (calcium transient2) during the rising phase of tension. We have simultaneously recorded changes in membrane potential, calcium transient and tension during a single contraction of an isolated muscle fibre.

The use of positive reinforcement in conditioning attending behavior.

Abstract: Individual conditioning techniques were applied in a controlled setting to increase attending behavior of an underachieving 9-yr-old male subject. The procedure involved: (1) determining a stable response pattern, (2) introducing a treatment variable to establish a high rate of task-attending behavior, (3) measuring the effect of withdrawal of the treatment variable after attaining criterion performance, and (4) transferring control to the classroom. The interval of attending behavior required for reinforcement was systematically increased from 30 sec to 600 sec as the behavior came under experimental control. Manipulating the reinforcing contingencies measurably changed the proportion of attending behavior and the frequency and duration of non-attending events. Once the behaviors were under experimental control, procedures were established to program generalization and to maintain the behavior outside the experimental setting.

The root endodermis: fine structure and function.

Abstract: The topology of the root endodermis, a tissue surrounded by peripherally located parenchyma cells and central conducting cells, suggests that it has a regulatory role in radial movement of water, minerals, and hormones. Each endodermal cell is characterized by a narrow band extending along the radial and transverse walls; this band, termed the Casparian strip, is chemically distinguishable from the remainder of the wall by stains specific for suberin and lignin. Suberin, a lipid substance, causes this portion of the wall to be hydrophobic and thus prevents passage of water and aqueous solutes. Each band is shared by the adjacent endodermal cells so that a network of suberized cell wall surrounds the conducting region of the root. At or before this network, water and aqueous solutes (such as hydrated ions) must move from the intercellular space system of the cortical parenchyma into the cytoplasm of the endodermal cell, in order to reach the center of the root. Despite extensive research on uptake and movement of water, minerals, and hormones, the specific role of the endodermis in transport is not defined.

Fine-structural Correlates of Growth in Hyphae of Ascodesmis sphaerospora

Abstract: Mycelial mats of Ascodesmis sphaerospora were fixed and embedded for electron microscopy, and thin sections of 1-mm blocks, taken from the 1st to the 7th mm behind the hyphal tips, were cut parallel to the long axis of the hyphae. The hyphal tip region is characterized by an outer zone of electron-transparent vesicles, 500 to 1,000 A in diameter, and is apparently associated with wall elaboration. Immediately behind this region, dense granules become evident along convoluted membrane systems and along the plasma membrane; in the same region are numerous small lomasomes in the lateral wall. As the hypha grows, septa are laid down at 3- to 7-min intervals at a distance of 200 to 250 μ behind the hyphal tip. A cylinder of endoplasmic reticulum is intimately involved in cross-wall deposition from its earliest stages; as the wall grows in, it becomes increasingly constricted in the pore region, finally assuming a torus-like configuration. Woronin bodies are shown to have a crystalline substructure and to originate in pouch-like membrane systems. Cross-walls from a 7- to 13-hr-old mycelium frequently show highly ordered structures in the vicinity of the pore. These structures may appear either as laminar stacks of discs to one side of the pore or as series of stubby concentric rings within the pore area itself. In the latter case, a mass of granular material is frequently seen plugging the pore. Other unusual organelles and inclusions in 7- to 13-hr hyphae are vesicles containing swirls of beaded or dilated membrane, membrane-enclosed rods, and stacks of unit membranes associated with spherical, electron-transparent vesicles.

Lobster righting responses and their neural control.

Abstract: This paper reports a behavioural analysis of the movements and righting responses of the abdominal pleopods (swimmerets) and uropods (tail fans) of the lobster Homarus americanus. The movements of individual swimmerets, studied from high-speed motion pictures, consist of a basic power stroke-return stroke cycle, upon which other cyclic power and control movements are superimposed. Tilting a lobster around the long axis of its body initiates bilaterally asymmetrical swimmeret beating. The swimmerets on the side tilted upward beat out toward the side, while those on the side tilted downward beat either straight to the rear, or not at all. These bilaterally asymmetrical swimmeret movements produce a cyclic righting torque around the long axis of the lobster's body. The peak-to-peak amplitude of this torque is directly proportional to the frequency of swimmeret beating. The characteristics of the righting torque were related to the movements of individual swimmerets. Tilting a lobster around its long axis also evokes bilaterally asymmetrical uropod movements. The uropod on the side tilted downward is spread open, while the uropod on the side tilted upward is closed. It is argued that these movements also contribute to the production of righting torque. The righting responses of both the swimmerets and the uropods are controlled exclusively by the statocyst receptors. The position and acceleration receptors of the statocysts probably both participate in the control of the responses. Destroying one statocyst shifts the position of symmetry for the swimmerets and uropods from upright to 20 degrees toward the injured side. Either the right or left statocyst can alone control the righting responses of the uropod and swimmerets of either side, however, even though the afferent responses of the two statocysts to roll in one direction are opposite. Neural models based on the bilaterally reciprocal organization of statocyst influences are proposed to explain these findings.

Theory of Two-Photon Spectroscopy in Solids

Abstract: The coefficient of absorption of two photons is calculated for a two-band model of a solid. The frequency and polarization dependence is evaluated for the case that one photon (laser) frequency is fixed while the second is varied. Wannier exciton states are explicitly included in both the intermediate and final states. Depending upon the symmetry of the two energy bands, the final state may either be an exciton $s$, $p$, or $d$ state. All three cases have different frequency and polarization dependences. The final formulas for the matrix element are complicated, and approximate formulas are given which are useful for many applications. It is shown that some of the two-photon spectroscopy experiments in semiconductors and alkali halides which have been reported so far can be explained by these calculations.

The 150% Man, a Product of Blackfeet Acculturation1

Abstract: Some work with the “levels of acculturation” concept seems to assume a continuum of change and often entails an unintended correlate of cultural loss and replacement. An assessment of individuals among the Blackfeet using two scales, one a measure of Indian orientation and the other of White orientation, reveals that this view may be incorrect. New ways can be learned without abandoning the old. The bicultural reservation community provides a variety of roles and situations for selective use of both. It is suggested that a matrix model would be more meaningful than the continuum model for the assessment of individual acculturation, and that more attention should be paid to situational factors.

The Ionic Permeability Changes during Acetylcholine-Induced Responses of Aplysia Ganglion Cells

Abstract: ACh-induced depolarization (D response) in D cells markedly decreases as the external Na+ is reduced. However, when Na+ is completely replaced with Mg++, the D response remains unchanged. When Na+ is replaced with Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, the D response completely disappears, except for a slight decrease in membrane resistance. ACh-induced hyperpolarization (H response) in H cells is markedly depressed as the external Cl- is reduced. Frequently, the reversal of the H response; i.e., depolarization, is observed during perfusion with Cl--free media. In cells which show both D and H responses superimposed, it was possible to separate these responses from each other by perfusing the cells with either Na+-free or Cl--free Ringer's solution. High [K+]0 often caused a marked hyperpolarization in either D or H cells. This is due to the primary effect of high [K+]0 on the presynaptic inhibitory fibers. The removal of this inhibitory afferent interference by applying Nembutal readily disclosed the predicted K+ depolarization. In perfusates containing normal [Na+]0, the effects of Ca++ and Mg++ on the activities of postsynaptic membrane were minimal, supporting the current theory that the effects of these ions on the synaptic transmission are mainly presynaptic. The possible mechanism of the hyperpolarization produced by simultaneous perfusion with both high [K+]0 and ACh in certain H cells is explained quantitatively under the assumption that ACh induces exclusively an increase in Cl- permeability of the H membrane.