A note on partitioned determinants

A formula for the determinant of a partitioned matrix, possibly with singular submatrices, is derived and applied to some psychometric and numerical problems.     

Generalized eigenvalue problems with positive semi-definite matrices

In a recent paper in this journal McDonald, Torii, and Nishisato show that generalized eigenvalue problems in which both matrices are singular can sometimes be solved by reducing them to similar problems of smaller order. In this paper a more extensive analysis of such problems is used to sharpen and clarify the results of McDonald, Torii, and Nishisato. Possible extensions are also indicated. The relevant mathematical literature is reviewed briefly.     

Associative facilitation of word recognition as measured from a neutral prime

It is shown that lexical decision times to strong associates with an associative strength of approximately 40% are facilitated relative to targets following a neutral prime, “blank,” whereas very weak associates with an associative strength of less then 3% are neither facilitated nor inhibited. It is also shown that relative to the “blank” baseline time, a row of crosses inhibits processing of the following target. The latter finding has implications for earlier studies that have used crosses as a neutral prime. In these studies, facilitation effects have been overestimated and inhibition effects have been underestimated. Neely 1976 has proposed a predict-and-match strategy according to which subjects are assumed to predict one or more targets from the prime and to match the actual target onto the predicted targets. A part of this theory is not supported by the present data. The results are discussed in terms of the two-process theory of expectancy (Posner & Snyder, 1975). They are also considered in the light of a recent theory by Becker (1980). As an alternative interpretation of part of the reported data, a coherence assumption by the subjects about all reading materials is introduced.     

Evidence that a factor besides progesterone, prolactin, or plasma-estradiol-binding protein inhibits estrogen-induced sexual receptivity in pregnant rats.

Daily administration of estradiol benzoate stimulated significantly less lordotic behavior in rats during the second half of pregnancy than in ovariectomized females that received subcutaneous progesterone implants, pituitary grafts that raised plasma prolactin, or both treatments combined. Following an initial facilitation of receptivity, females with progesterone implants showed only moderate reductions in lordosis quotients over 3 test days. The capacity of plasma from pregnant rats to bind estradiol was found to increase significantly during the second half of pregnancy. However, daily administration to pregnant rats of a synthetic estrogen, R 2858, which is not bound by plasma protein, was no more effective than estradiol benzoate in stimulating receptive behavior. Administration of estradiol benzoate also stimulated significantly lower levels of sexual behavior in pregnant females than in females in which pseudopregnancy had been prolonged by previous hysterectomy or induction of uterine decidualization. These findings suggest that some endocrine factor other than progesterone, prolactin, or estradiol-binding protein is primarily responsible for the potent suppression of behavioral responsiveness to estrogen which occurs in pregnant rats. It is suggested that 5 alpha-reduced androgens may cause these behavioral effects.     

Demonstration of an aftereffect occurring in the tactile-kinesthetic domain

Summary The aim of this work is the demonstration of a tactile-kinesthetic aftereffect. A sequence of stimuli was offered to adult subjects whose task was to compare two weights presented simultaneously to both hands by means of a Piéron gravimeter. In Experiment 1 the inspection stimuli consisted of two successive presentations of unequal weights for a period of 2 × 10 s. The test stimuli consisted of two equal weights rapidly following an inspection stimulus. Control stimuli consisting of two equal weights not preceded by an inspection stimulus were interspersed in the sequence. The results obtained confirm the existence of a contrast effect after presentation of an inspection stimulus. In Experiment 2 the inspection stimuli consisted of a single presentation of two unequal weights for a period of 20 s. The results confirm those of the first experiment and provide data enabling the contrast effect obtained to be interpreted as a Köhler-type aftereffect. In order to avoid confusion with the kinesthetic-figural aftereffect, we propose to call the effect demonstrated here the Gravimetric Aftereffect.     

Correctness of Kruskal's algorithms for monotone regression with ties

Kruskal has proposed two modifications of monotone regression that can be applied if there are ties in nonmetric scaling data. In this note we prove Kruskal's conjecture that his algorithms give the optimal least squares solution of these modified monotone regression problems. We also propose another (third) approach for dealing with ties.Comments by Dr. J. B. Kruskal have been most helpful.     

Justice in Transnational Governance

The small portion of philosophical work on global distributive justice that directly discusses particular agents, institutions or practices in global politics tends to focus on a narrow range of the existing set. The emphasis is chiefly on bilateral diplomacy or intergovernmental organisations, to the neglect of a variety of more recent forms of transnational governance, many of which incorporate non‐state actors, have more limited membership, involve informal and dynamic structures, employ cooperative and reflexive methods for ensuring compliance, and operate largely out of the public eye. This article considers how philosophers should conceive of distributive justice in relation to these neglected sites of transnational governance, using the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as an illustration.