Showing papers by "University of Wisconsin-Madison published in 1968"

Relative and Absolute Terrestrial Abundances of the Rare Earths

Abstract: Results of analyses on composite samples of igneous and sedimentary rocks and chondritic meteorites, obtained by an improved analytical procedure, are reported. The relative rare-earth abundances in composite samples of shales, metamorphosed shales, basalts, rhyolites, and granites are remarkably similar to each other, but small differences are apparent, even among the heavier rare earths. Eu and Ce show “anomalous” abundances in several of the samples. A new value for the average Gd content of chondritic meteorites leads to the conclusion that common crustal rocks are deficient in Eu, relative to the other rare earths. Straight lines can be drawn on comparison diagrams between the elements Pr and Tb in most samples, and between La and Tb (Eu excepted) in some. Equally good lines can be drawn whether rare-earth atomic number, ionic radius, or reciprocal ionic radius is used as the abscissa.

Protest as a Political Resource

Abstract: The frequent resort to protest activity by relatively powerless groups in recent American politics suggests that protest represents an important aspect of minority group and low income group politics. At the same time that Negro civil rights strategists have recognized the problem of using protest as a meaningful political instrument, groups associated with the “war on poverty” have increasingly received publicity for protest activity. Saul Alinsky's Industrial Areas Foundation, for example, continues to receive invitations to help organize low income communities because of its ability to mobilize poor people around the tactic of protest. The riots which dominated urban affairs in the summer of 1967 appear not to have diminished the dependence of some groups on protest as a mode of political activity.This article provides a theoretical perspective on protest activity as a political resource. The discussion is concentrated on the limitations inherent in protest which occur because of the need of protest leaders to appeal to four constituencies at the same time. As the concept of protest is developed here, it will be argued that protest leaders must nurture and sustain an organization comprised of people with whom they may or may not share common values. They must articulate goals and choose strategies so as to maximize their public exposure through communications media. They must maximize the impact of third parties in the political conflict. Finally, they must try to maximize chances of success among those capable of granting goals.

Test bias: prediction of grades of negro and white students in integrated colleges

Abstract: In a recent paper, Cleary and Hilton (1968) discussed one possible interpretation of test bias. According to that definition, an item of a test is considered biased for members of a particular group if the item produces an uncommon discrepancy between the performance of that group and the performance of other groups. That is, the members of the group obtain an average score which differs from the average score of other groups by more or less than expected from their performance on other items of the same test. In terms of the analysis of variance, bias was defined as an item-group interaction. On 'the basis of their data, Cleary and Hilton concluded that the items in the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test are not biased, and that, if the test is discriminatory, the discrimination is not largely attributable to particular sets of items.

Chlorinated Hydrocarbons and Eggshell Changes in Raptorial and Fish-Eating Birds

Abstract: Catastrophic declines of three raptorial species in the United States have been accompanied by decreases in eggshell thickness that began in 1947, have amounted to 19 percent or more, and were identical to phenomena reported in Britain. In 1967, shell thickness in herring gull eggs from five states decreased with increases in chlorinated hydrocarbon residues.

Improved Medium for Sporulation of Clostridium perfringens

Abstract: An improved sporulation medium has been developed in which all five strains of Clostridium perfringens tested exhibited a 100- to 10,000-fold increase in numbers of spores when compared with spore yields in SEC medium under comparable conditions. In addition, three of five strains produced a 100- to 1,000-fold increase, with the remaining two strains yielding approximately the same numbers of spores, when compared with strains cultured in Ellner medium. At the 40-hr sampling time, 18 of 27 strains produced a 10- to 100-fold increase in numbers of spores in our medium, when compared to spore production obtained in a medium recently reported by Kim et al. The new medium contained yeast extract, 0.4%; proteose peptone, 1.5%; soluble starch, 0.4%; sodium thioglycolate, 0.1%; and Na2HPO4. 7H2O, 1.0%. In some cases, the spore yield could be increased by the addition of activated carbon to the new medium. The inclusion of activated carbon in the medium resulted in spores with slightly greater heat resistance than spores produced in the new medium without added carbon or in SEC or in Ellner medium. The major differences in heat resistance of the various strains appeared to be genetically determined rather than reflections of a particular sporulation medium. A definite heat-shock requirement was shown for four of four strains, with the optimal temperature ranging from 60 C for a heat-sensitive strain to 80 C for a heat-resistant strain. Heating for 20 min at the optimal temperature resulted in a 100-fold increase over the viable count obtained after heating for 20 min at 50 C.

The traditional socially responsible personality

Abstract: Is readiness to behave in a socially responsible manner related to certain behavior and attitudes? This study of associations between a personality scale and other survey responses indicates that "high responsibles" tend to be conservative people who embrace the traditional ideas of their society. Leonard Berkowitz is Professor of Psychology and Kenneth Lutterman is Lecturer in Sociology, both at the University of Wisconsin.

Acetylene reduction by nitrogen-fixing blue-green algae.

Abstract: Known nitrogen-fixing species of blue-green algae are capable of reducing acetylene to ethylene, but acetylene is not reduced by Anacystis nidulans, which does not fix nitrogen. Cycad root nodules which contain blue-green algae as endophytes reduce acetylene. Acetylene reduction is inhibited by carbon monoxide. Nitrate or ammonium-nitrogen has no immediate effect on algae reducing acetylene, but algae grown on nitrate-nitrogen gradually lose their capacity to reduce acetylene. Nitrate-nitrogen also inhibits heterocyst formation in these algae and there is a fairly direct correlation between the abundance of heterocysts in a particular sample and its capacity to reduce acetylene. Aphanizomenon flosaquae reduces acetylene and fixes nitrogen in unialgal culture and there is strong presumptive evidence that these reductions are carried out by the alga rather than by associated bacteria. The molar ratios of ethylene: ammonia produced vary within the range 1.4–1.8.

Some Recent Advances in Forecasting and Control

Abstract: A brief discussion of Statistical Quality Control Charting procedures is first presented with special reference to the relevance of the objectives and assumptions. An approach to the design of discrete feedforward and feedback control schemes, which are of great importance for example, in the chemical industry, is then given. This approach to control employs discrete stochastic and dynamic models discussed in Part I of this paper (Box and Jenkins, 1968) and has a close link with the forecasting problems discussed there. The control algorithms obtained are ideally suited to discrete digital computer control. However, for common simple situations the algorithms may be represented by suitable charts or nomograms which may be employed to obtain improved manual control. The paper ends with a discussion of a problem typical of that arising in the parts manufacturing industry. Here, attention must be given to the cost of making an adjustment to the machine as well as to the cost of being off target and to the stochastic nature of the disturbance. An example is given where the appropriate form of action is like that required by Roberts's modification of a Shewhart chart. However, the justification required to make such action appropriate is very different from that previously given.

A bayesian approach to some outlier problems.

Abstract: The problem of outlying observations is considered from a Bayesian viewpoint. We suppose that each of the observations in an experiment may come from either a 'good' run or a 'bad' run. By specifying the models corresponding to good and bad runs and the prior probabilities of which runs being bad, we then employ standard Bayesian inference procedures to derive the appropriate analysis. In particular, we consider the linear model and assume that a good observation is normally distributed about its mean with variance o.2, and a bad one is normal with the same mean but a larger variance k2o-2. An example is given.

Phenotypic expressions of the major histocompatibility locus in man (hl-a): leukocyte antigens and mixed leukocyte culture reactivity

Abstract: The evidence is reviewed that a single genetic system, the major histocompatibility locus in man, HL-A, determines most of the antigens measured by presently available leukocyte isoantisera, and also controls reactivity in one-way mixed leucocyte culture tests. Studies in 12 families are presented to support this conclusion. Some interesting exceptions to the general typing-MLC tests correlation are presented and discussed.

Constitutive equations from molecular network theories for polymer solutions

Abstract: In this mainly expository paper, constitutive equations based on the network models ofYamamoto,Lodge, andKaye are re-derived in a common notation involving the use of base vectors embedded in the deforming macroscopic continuum. The derivations are thereby simplified in some respects and the differences of detail between the models are clarified. InLodges theory, the sub-network superposition assumption is replaced by alternative assumptions concerning the creation and loss of network segments, and the theory is extended to non-Gaussian networks.Kayes theory is extended to allow for the presence of entanglement junctions of different complexities.

Effects of Propranolol on the Transmembrane Potentials of Ventricular Muscle and Purkinje Fibers of the Dog

Abstract: Papillary muscle-false tendon tissue preparations isolated from dog hearts were perfused with Tyrode's solution containing propranolol in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 20.0 mg/liter. Transmembrane action potentials of both ventricular muscle fibers and Purkinje fibers were recorded. With sufficient concentration of drug, the velocity of the upstroke and the overshoot of both fiber types decreased. The curve relating upstroke velocity to level of membrane potential for Purkinje fibers was displaced to the right and down. The ability of both ventricular muscle fibers and Purkinje fibers to respond to rapid frequencies of stimulation was decreased. Repolarization of Purkinje fibers was accelerated by propranolol, but repolarization of ventricular muscle fibers was unaffected. Duration of the effective refractory period of Purkinje fibers decreased; that of ventricular muscle fibers was unchanged. Graded responses and decremental impulse conduction in Purkinje fibers were abolished in the presence of propranolol. Low doses of propranolol which caused no change in the transmembrane potential completely blocked the increase in Purkinje diastolic depolarization normally induced by epinephrine. The possible mechanisms by which propranolol might exert its antiarrhythmic actions on ventricular arrhythmias were discussed.

The effect of assortative mating on the genetic composition of a population

Abstract: (1968). The effect of assortative mating on the genetic composition of a population. Eugenics Quarterly: Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 85-97.

An accurate procedure for the determination of the rare earths by neutron activation

Abstract: The principal steps in a well-tested procedure for analysis of the rare earths in rocks and minerals are: irradiation of powdered rock samples along with a standard solution mixture of rare-earth nitrates; dissolution of the rock powder in the presence of carrier, using Na2O2 fusion; separation of the rare-earth group from the silicate residue by a sequence of hydroxide and oxalate precipitations; separation of the individual rare earths in samples and irradiated standards by ion exchange; chemical yield determination by EDTA titration; radioassay by beta or gamma counting. The average precision for duplicate analyses by different analysts was found to be better than ±4 percent mean deviation for a shale with a total rare-earth content of 200 ppm.

Elastically Effective Strand Density in Polymer Networks

Abstract: A new expression is derived which relates the density of elastically effective strands in a polymer network to the densities of random cross-links, main-chain scissions, and entanglements and to the molecular weight distribution of the initial linear polymer. Methods are recommended for characterizing the cross-link and scission densities from measurable sol fractions and for determining the entanglement density empirically. The strand density can be evaluated quite easily for the random and uniform initial molecular weight distributions. The new expression differs appreciably from that of Mullins and Bueche, owing principally to a new criterion for effectively trapping network entanglements. The statistical approach used to derive the strand density is also used in a new derivation of an existing implicit expression for the gel fraction.

An Investigation of Item Bias

Abstract: a concomitant increase in concern about the applicability of widely used tests in different cultural groups. The College Entrance Examination Board, for example, has become concerned about the appropriateness of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) for some subgroups of the population, particularly Negro Americans. It is often difficult to determine what is meant by the word &dquo;bias&dquo; when it is used in reference to tests. Test &dquo;bias&dquo; is explored here in terms of individual test items. An item of a test is said to

Plate-Dilution Frequency Technique for Assay of Microbial Ecology

Abstract: The plate-dilution frequency technique described facilitates simultaneous enumeration of a wide range of physiologically different microorganisms in complex systems with a precision comparable to dilution tube (most probable number) methods. Replicate microsamples are inoculated from each member of a dilution series onto areas delineated on plates of prepoured solid media; the plates are incubated, and the occurrence of growth or specific biochemical transformation is recorded for each inoculated area. Microbial enumeration is accomplished by reference to appropriate tables. Details of the experimental procedures are described, and tables are presented from which microbial numbers with 95% confidence limits can be obtained and compared for significant difference directly for 10-fold and 4-fold dilution series. Results of experiments in which microbial populations were estimated simultaneously by the plate-dilution frequency and conventional plate count methods are compared. The potential of the technique for broad-spectrum microbial assay is also discussed.