Life Sciences Commons^™

Food Habits Of The White Crappie, Pomoxis Annularis Rafinesque, In Branched Oak Lake, Nebraska, Terry R. Maret, Edward J. Peters

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Food habits of adult white crappie, Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque, in Branched Oak Lake, Lancaster County, Nebraska, were studied by examination of stomach contents from 170 fish. Specimens ranging in size from 194-330 mm were collected by creel census and electro-fishing between April 17 and May 5, 1977. Collections were confined to the area along the dam to determine whether crappie prey on newly-hatched walleye larvae.

Trace Metals In Wyoming Coal: Their Analysis, Concentrations, And Interrelationships, A. W. Struempler, J. M. Jolley

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

The Teflon bomb and the flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) were used to analyze trace metals in Wyoming coal The results were compared to a National Bureau of Standard (NBS) reference coal sample. The combined use of the Teflon bomb and flameless AAS appears to be a sensitive, accurate, and practical method for analyzing trace metals in coal. Most metallic concentrations in Wyoming coal samples do not appear to exceed the collected U.S. coal samples.

Long-Term Solar Modulation Of Radiocarbon Production, Steven C. Haack, Thomas E. Mcginnis

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

The variation of atmospheric radiocarbon concentration over the past 8,000 years is generally well explained in terms of the modulation of radiocarbon production by the Earth's magnetic field. The reconstruction of this variation as based upon the known fluctuation of the Earth's field, however, is slightly out of phase with and of a smaller amplitude than the empirically derived curve.

Correlations between solar magnetic activity and climatic trends are well established over a period of a few hundred years. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that the solar magnetic field modulates the production of radiocarbon in the same manner as does …

Water Usage-Who Cares?: An Historical Perspective, Darryll T. Pederson

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Water has had and still has an important role in the history of civilization. Early man created a social order and formulated social values that led to development of irrigation systems in areas of sparse precipitation. Although early settlers in Nebraska also looked to the rivers for agricultural stability in times of drought, it was not until technology and a strong federal government came of age that the discharge of rivers was significantly affected by diversions for irrigation. Now, few rivers are unaffected by one or more storage, diversion, or return structures. Additional roles for surface water are now sought. …

Residential Water Demand Of Small Communities In New York State: A Note, Raymond Hubbard, Andrew Huggins

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

A number of studies have indicated that the demand for water is price elastic. This being the case, it has been argued that appropriate pricing policies would provide a means for conserving this valuable resource. The present study, however, reveals that the residential water demand of small communities in New York State is neither price nor income elastic and that conservation measures should focus upon alternative procedures. Circumstances in Nebraska, however, are likely to be considerably at variance with those typical of New York, and it is suggested that a similar study carried out in Nebraska could be beneficial.

Postulated Late Prehistoric Human Population Movements In The Central Plains: A Critical Review, John Ludwickson

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Hypotheses which concern human "migration" within and without the Central Subarea of the Great Plains during the Late Prehistoric period are examined. The popular notion that peoples from central Nebraska migrated to the Panhandle region of Texas-Oklahoma is shown to be suspect if not false. The idea that peoples inhabiting the Missouri River trench in Nebraska were slowly migrating northwesterly finds support. Finally, evidence concerning postulated migrations of ancestral Pawnee and Arikara into the Missouri trench in South Dakota is reviewed, with two hypotheses emerging.

On The Causal Irreducibility Of Natural Function Statements, Eric Russert Kraemer

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

One topic of interest to a number of philosophers of science is whether functional explanation can be reduced to some other kind of explanation, such as causal explanation. Some philosophers have tried to reduce talk of natural functions to talk of causes. I here examine some such attempts and try to provide, in addition to the traditional counter-examples, an argument as to why such reductions should fail. Certain parallels are drawn between attributions of natural functions to parts of organisms and attributions of propositional attitudes to persons.

The Realizing Character Of The Social Sciences, Andrew Larkin

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Because of successful construction of theories in the mathematical, physical, and biological sciences, and because of their unchallenged technological usefulness, the philosophy of science has concentrated on the formal and epistemological aspects of sciences. However, the less formal social sciences have had a greater impact on society. This realizing character of the sciences, i.e., their influence on society through policy (in the case of the social sciences), has been inadequately studied. In this paper the normative character of the social sciences is seen from the perspective of realization. Norms as internal and external criteria, which are entailed by realization, are …

The Brain: Physiological Foundations Of Evaluation And Memory, Jeff C. Schank

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Behavioristic axiomatizations of human evaluation have been well established (von Newmann and Morgenstern, 1953; Leinfellner, 1969). The axiomatization of the evaluative interpretation scheme can be applied to the historical sciences and provides a model of historical time. Newtonian time can be defined by imposing a strict serial order on temporal events by means of the relations of simultaneity and succession, which has been axiomatized recently (Leinfellner, 1966). The former axiomatization of the structure of evaluation can be combined with the latter axiomatization of the structure of temporally ordered memory, based on preference and indifference relations of an individual as he …

Kant's Subjectivist Theory Of Space, Mark C. Timmons

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

In his 1780 Kritik der Reinen Vernunft, Kant rejects those objectivist views of space according to which space belongs to the order of things in themselves, either as itself a thing in itself (Newton), or reducible to properties of things in themselves (Leibniz), and argues for a subjectivist alternative. What this subjectivist view comes to is unclear. This paper provides an analysis of a few key passages from the Kritik in an attempt to reconstruct Kant's doctrine of space.

Use Of The Autobiography For Personal Development And As An Investigative Technique, Mark W. Ware

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Theory and previous research indicated that an autobiographical project should facilitate personal development and the acquisition of an investigative technique. Twelve students from classes in Personality and History/Systems of Psychology participated in the study by writing autobiographical papers as one option for a course project and by completing an evaluation form. Quantitative and qualitative evaluations of the effectiveness of the autobiography for personal development and as an investigative method were obtained. Data from both sources supported the use of an autobiographical project for acquiring and clarifying information about one's self and his/her relationships to others. Student reactions also indicated that …

Water Usage And Power Production: The Electric Utility Industry Is Dependent On Water Utilization, T. P. Harding, L. G. Harrow

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

The utilization of water as a heat transfer fluid is essential for the production of economic electrical power. There are many types of cooling facilities; however, the most economical means of electrical power production requires very large quantities of water to serve as a low temperature heat sink. For this reason, the power industry has, when possible, located its facilities near large sources of cold water, such as the Missouri River. The Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) has utilized the Missouri River since the turn of the century, and continues to do so today.

The availability of water in the …

Interrelationships Of Selected Physical Properties And Chemical Constituents Of Ground Water In Northwestern Nebraska, Arthur W. Struempler

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

This study provides baseline data for many of the chemical constituents occurring in ground water in northwestern Nebraska and contiguous parts of Wyoming and South Dakota; it also projects the chemical behavior of water from similar geologic environments. Samples were collected from springs issuing mainly from the Pine Ridge escarpment and wells tapping aquifers in Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary rocks. The 139 water samples were analyzed for fifteen chemical constituents, including lithium and heavy-metals (Le., uranium, manganese, silver, lead, cadmium, and copper). The chemical composition of spring water is similar to that of well water from mid-Tertiary sandstones. Water from …

A Botanical Survey Of Cuming County: Part Ii, The Bryophytes: With Additions To Part I, The Vascular Plants, Steven P. Churchill

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Continued studies of the flora of Cuming County, Nebraska, reveal the presence of 36 species of bryophytes representing 27 genera and 17 families. The list of known vascular plants is increased by 15, and a summary of the county's flora is presented.

Spermophilus From The "Citellus" Of The Late Quarternary Of The Central Great Plains, A. M. Neuner, C. Bertrand Schultz

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

There is an abundance of the fossilized remains of the genus Spermophilus in the "Citellus Zone" of the Late Quarternary of the Central Great Plains and adjacent regions. Many of these fossils have been identified as belonging to the S. richardsonii complex, and appear to differ morphologically from their Recent descendants. The forms from the "Citellus Zone" appear to date back at least 28,000 years before present and may represent a new species. Among the specimens studied is a single complete skeleton including the baculum. The baculum seems typical of members of the complex. A close comparison of …

A Calculus Of Natural Deductions For The Full First-Order Predicate Logic With Identity, Hubert H. Schneider

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Natural deductions form an important tool in applications of logic to scientific theories. Our calculus for natural deductions is formulated in such a manner that it can be applied to the language of the full first-order predicate logic. Among its features are a certain symmetry of its deduction rules and simplified restrictions governing finished deductions. The adequacy of our natural deduction system is established by means of showing its equivalence with a more standard type of deduction system, known to be sound and complete. The proof for the equivalence of the two systems is constructive so that any deduction in …

Are Psychophysical Models Of Behavior Possible?, Marianne Shaw

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

In "The Correspondence Hypothesis," (Philosophical Review), Bruce Goldberg argues that the correspondence hypothesis is an illusion because "B's having the same thought as A" does not entail "B's having the same set of mental or neurophysiological properties, i.e., brain state or process, as A." If Goldberg is correct, a telling blow has been struck against the construction of information processing and psycho linguistic models created with the intention of later incorporation into neurophysiological models of brain functioning.

However, while Goldberg is correct in pointing out that two individuals can be said to have the same thought and yet …

Transactions Of The Nebraska Academy Of Sciences Volume Vii (1979): Table Of Contents

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Nebraska Academy of Sciences, Officers, Policy Committee ......... ii

Editorial Board, Instructions to Contributors ......... vi

Symposium "Water Usage: Who Cares?"

Water usage-who cares?: a planner's viewpoint (G. J. Karabatsos) ......... 1

Water usage-who cares?: an environmental viewpoint (H. G. Nagel) ......... 5

Water usage-who cares?: an historical perspective (D. T. Pederson) ......... 9

Instream flow needs for water quality management (R. D. Todd) ......... 11

Water usage and power production: the electric utility industry is dependent on water utilization (T. P. Harding and L. G. Harrow) ......... 15

Other Water-Related Subjects

Hydrogeologic relationships to structural failure, Chadron State College, …

Water Usage- Who Cares?: A Planner's Viewpoint, Gus J. Karabatsos

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

This paper presents a discussion on the general subject of water. The answer to the question, "Water Usage-Who Cares?" should be easy--everyone. Water is needed for human consumption, for sanitary purposes, for plants, fish and animals, for commerce and industry, and a myriad of other uses. The interest groups are many and varied. A more appropriate question, however, would be "Water-Who Gets It?" This question is not so easy, since it involves a human equation which too many times is based on emotions rather than facts. Also, we can expect a broad spectrum of values that is attached to various …

Water Usage- Who Cares?: An Environmental Viewpoint, Harold G. Nagel

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

In answer to the rhetorical question, Water usage-who cares?, I considered listing the thousands of species of aquatic plants and animals that inhabit and depend upon the surface waters of Nebraska. But this would take too long, and I don't know them all anyway. However, I must defend the nonhuman species' rights to habitat. There are many frameworks to justify their continued existence: economic, aesthetic, and philosophic, to name a few.

Having been active in the environmental movement of the 70's in Nebraska, I can assure you that it has so diverse a following that I cannot possibly presume to …

Instream Flow Needs For Water Quality Management, Robert D. Todd

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

The Department of Environmental Control (DEC) was established by legislative action with passage of the Nebraska Environmental Protection Act in 1971. This legislation gave broad powers to the department directing the development of comprehensive programs for the prevention, control, and abatement of new or existing pollution of the air, waters, and land of the state. This authority is further spelled out by statute with regard to development of control programs, water quality standards, and wastewater treatment criteria.

The water pollution abatement programs administered by DEC are based primarily on two basic sets of regulations, Water Quality Standards and National Pollutant …

Hydrogeologic Relationships To Structural Failure Chadron State College, Nebraska, Larry D. Agenbroad

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Inordinate structural failure in several buildings on the Chadron State College campus has occurred in recent years. Disregard for hydrogeologic conditions and their effect on foundation material accounts for part of the damage.

Runoff And Soil Loss Under A Center Pivot Irrigation System On Crete And Wymore Soils In Nebraska, A. A. Y. Hanna, P. W. Harlan, D. T. Lewis

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

The introduction of the center pivot as a means of water application in areas formerly thought too steep for irrigation has opened many new areas to irrigated agriculture. With this expansion, many people have been concerned about increased runoff. This study was designed to determine if application of water through a center pivot produced runoff and increased the amount of soil loss on sloping clayey soils of the Crete and Wymore series. Small runoff plots were constructed near the perimeter of the irrigated circle for collection of runoff and sediment.

They study concludes that center pivot application of water on …

A System Model Of Shawnee Indian Migration, Jerry E. Clark

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Existing theories or "laws" of migration prove to be inadequate for understanding and explaining the widespread migration of the Shawnee Indians. By viewing Shawnee migration as a system, their movement from place to place can be understood in terms of cultural, historical, and environmental variables. Migration to and from Alabama and eastern Pennsylvania indicates how these variables operated to make a particular location favorable or unfavorable for the Shawnee.

Isolation Of Trivittatus Virus From Aedes Triseriatus, Terry L. Foxhoven, Ardyce B. Welch

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Aedes triseriatus mosquitoes were trapped and processed for viral isolation. Swiss white mice and BHK-21 cell cultures were used for propagation of virus. A sucrose-acetone extracted antigen was produced from infected mouse brains. Anti-serum was produced in Swiss white mice as hyperimmune ascitic fluid using Sarcoma 180/TG. The isolate was identified using hemagglutination, hemagglutination-inhibition, and serum neutralization techniques. The virus was identified as California group arbovirus, type Trivittatus.

This is the first reported isolation of California group arbovirus, type Trivittatus virus from field samples of A. triseriatus mosquito and the first time the virus has been isolated from any species …

A Preliminary Study Of Seed Predators Of Platte Thistle In The Nebraska Sandhills, William O. Lamp, M. K. Mccarty

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

The biology and infestation patterns of three seed-feeding insects were investigated in Platte thistle populations (Cirsium canescens Nutt.). The insects have been identified as Paracantha culta (Wiedemann), Orellia occidentalis (Snow), and Homoeosoma stypticellum (Grote). Factors determining infestation patterns were studied by collecting 75 post-bloom heads from three Sandhills sites on June 16, 1977. Mean number of insects per head was 0.55 for P. culta, 4.3 for O. occidentalis, and 3.3 for H. stypticellum. Insects were present in 97 percent of the heads. Competition between species was reduced by differences in time of active growth of the …

A List Of The Mosses Of Buffalo And Kearney Counties, Nebraska Held In The Kearney State College Herbarium, Marvin C. Williams, Linda L. Spessard

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

A check list of the mosses of Buffalo and Kearney counties is presented. Most records are new for the counties and two new state records are listed.

The Biostratigraphy Of Arvicoline Rodents In North America, Larry D. Martin

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Arvicoline rodents are presently the most useful biostratigraphic tools in North America for the correlation of continental sediments that are Blancan in age or younger. Recent work in the Central Great Plains suggests that they also may have value for intercontinental correlations. About one-third of the Blancan genera of arvicolines became extinct at the end of Blancan time, while the earliest post-Blancan faunas contain very few arvicolines. The fauna from beneath the "type-S Pearlette Ash" at the type section of the Sappa Formation (1.2 million years B.P.) contains the earliest dated record of a Microtus-like microtine (Allophaiomys) …

Variation And Evolution In The Premolar Teeth Of Osteoborus And Borophagus Canidae, K. A. Richey

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Seven graphs analyze the important dimensions and proprtions of the premolars in the described species of Osteoborus and Borophagus. Grids or scales of standard deviation multiples for a standard population (Coffee Ranch) are superimposed on the graphs. A graph of the relative width of P/4 plotted against the absolute width of M/1 shows, among other things, that Aelurodon validus does not belong in Osteroborus. The graphs show exactly the relations of isolated specimens and types to each other but do not resolve completely the fundamental uncertainties regarding their species or biostratigraphic positions. Species, as presently constituted, may differ …

Contributions Of Pierre Paul Broca To Cancer Genetics, Anne J. Krush

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Pierre P. Broca was born in a small town near Bordeaux, France, June 28, 1824, the son of a Huguenot physician. After graduation from a local college, he entered medical school at the University of Paris at the age of 17, was graduated in three years. Five years later he received the M.D. degree, having special interests in pathology, anatomy, and surgery. In 1853 he was appointed assistant professor at the Faculty of Medicine and surgeon of the "Central Bureau." Broca made significant scientific and clinical contributions in all of the above fields as well as in anthropology. He founded …