Effect of anti-luteinizing hormone serum on the ovulation of rats

IN the cyclic female albino rat, a release of pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) occurs on the afternoon of proestrus1-5. This apparently induces ovulation, for ova are seen in the Fallopian tube 12 h later. Similarly, it is well known that in immature rats primed with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMS), ovulation can be induced by the administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) or LH, the ova being seen in the Fallopian tube 12 h later. No information is available, however, about the mode of action of LH, released or administered, in bringing about ovulation. We have approached this problem by blocking the action of the ovulating hormone (LH) at various times after administration. © 1970 Nature Publishing Group.

An immunochemical study of ovine pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

An immunochemical study of ovine follicle-stimulating hormone and its antibody carried out by using precipitin, agglutinating and complement-fixation systems, has suggested that the follicle-stimulating hormone, possibly by virtue of it being a univalent antigen, forms a soluble complex with its specific antibody. This antiserum is species nonspecific in that it is able to neutralize the follicle-stimulating activity of rat, mouse, hamster, guinea pig pituitary extracts, and pregnant mare serum gonadotropin. Human chorionic gonadotropin, however, has been shown not to form a complex with the follicle-stimulating hormone specific antibody.

Studies on follicular atresia: role of gonadotropins and gonadal steroids in regulating cathepsin-D activity of preovulatory follicles in the rat

Preovulatory follicular atresia was studied using pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG)-primed rats (15 IU/rat) which were deprived of hormonal support either by allowing the metabolic clearance of the PMSG or by injecting a specific PMSG antiserum (PMSG a/s). Atresia was monitored by an increase in lysosomal cathepsin-D activity and a decrease in the receptor activity of the granulosa cells (GC) isolated from the preovulatory follicles. It was shown that the increase in lysosomal activity and the decrease in receptor activity seen at 96 h after PMSG (or PMSG plus PMSG a/s) could be arrested both by follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Injection of cyanoketone or clomiphene citrate together with FSH/LH prevented this 'rescue' suggesting a role for estrogens in the regulation of atresia. Although the administration of estradiol-17 beta (20 micrograms/rat) together with PMSG a/s could show a 'rescue effect' in terms of reduction in cathepsin-D activity the gonadotropin receptor activities of these granulosa cells were not restored. The injection of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to 48 h PMSG-primed rats induced atresia as noted by an increase in cathepsin-D activity. However, the exogenous administration of FSH along with DHT prevented this atretic effect suggesting that DHT is not having a direct effect on atresia. Determination of androgen: estrogen content of the granulosa cells and an analysis of the individual profile of androgen and estrogen revealed that the increase in cathepsin-D activity could be correlated only with the decrease in GC estrogen content. This along with the observation that GC showed a loss of estrogen synthesis well before the increase in cathepsin-D activity strongly points out that the lack of estrogen rather than an increase in androgen is the principle factor responsible for the atresia of preovulatory follicles in the rat.

Ability of human chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit to inhibit the steroidogenic response to lutropin

Ability of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin to inhibit the response to lutropin (luteinizing hormone, LH) was tested in the immature rat ovarian system and pregnant-mare-serum-gonadotropin-primed rat ovarian system with progesterone production being used as the response. Human chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit was found to inhibit human and ovine lutropin-stimulated progesterone production. At a constant dose of lutropin, inhibition was dependent on the concentration of beta-subunit. When concentration of the beta-subunit was kept constant at 5.0 microgram/ml and the concentration of lutropin was varied, the inhibition was maximum at the saturating concentration of the native hormone. The alpha-subunit of the human chorionic gonadotropin did not inhibit the response to lutropin. The lutropin/beta-subunit ratio required to produce an inhibition of response was much lower than that required to bring about an observable inhibition of binding.

Studies on follicular growth in the immature rat and hamster: Effect of a single injection of gonadotropin or estrogen on the rate of3H-thymidine incorporation into ovarian DNAin vitro

Initiation of follicular growth by specific hormonal stimuli in ovaries of immature rats and hamsters was studied by determining the rate of incorporation of3H-thymidine into ovarian DNAin vitro. Incorporation was considered as an index of DNA synthesis and cell multiplication. A single injection of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin could thus maximally stimulate by 18 hr3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA of the ovary of immature hamsters. Neutralization of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin by an antiserum to ovine follicle stimulating hormone only during the initial 8–10 hr and not later could inhibit the increase in3H-thymidine incorporationin vitro observed at 18 hr, suggesting that the continued presence of gonadotropin stimulus was not necessary for this response. The other indices of follicular growth monitored such as ovarian weight, serum estradiol and uterine weight showed discernible increase at periods only after the above initial event. A single injection of estrogen (diethyl stilbesterol or estradiol-l7β) could similarly cause 18 hr later, a stimulation in the rate of incorporation of3H-thymidine into DNAin vitro in ovaries of immature rats. The presence of endogenous gonadotropins, however, was obligatory for observing this response to estrogen. Evidence in support of the above was two-fold: (i) administration of antiserum to follicle stimulating hormone or luteinizing hormone along with estrogen completely inhibited the increase in3H-thymidine incorporation into ovarian DNAin vitro; (ii) a radioimmunological measurement revealed following estrogen treatment, the presence of a higher concentration of endogenous follicle stimulating hormone in the ovary. Finally, administration of varying doses of ovine follicle stimulating hormone along with a constant dose of estrogen to immature rats produced a dose-dependent increment in the incorporation of3H-thymidine into ovarian DNAin vitro. These observations suggested the potentiality of this system for developing a sensitive bioassay for follicle stimulating hormone.

Ability of human chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit to inhibit the steroidogenic response to lutropin.

Ability of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin to inhibit the response to lutropin (luteinizing hormone, LH) was tested in the immature rat ovarian system and pregnant-mare-serum-gonadotropin-primed rat ovarian system with progesterone production being used as the response. Human chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit was found to inhibit human and ovine lutropin-stimulated progesterone production. At a constant dose of lutropin, inhibition was dependent on the concentration of beta-subunit. When concentration of the beta-subunit was kept constant at 5.0 microgram/ml and the concentration of lutropin was varied, the inhibition was maximum at the saturating concentration of the native hormone. The alpha-subunit of the human chorionic gonadotropin did not inhibit the response to lutropin. The lutropin/beta-subunit ratio required to produce an inhibition of response was much lower than that required to bring about an observable inhibition of binding.

Experimental validation of analytical performance models for IEEE 802.11 networks

We consider the simplest IEEE 802.11 WLAN networks for which analytical models are available and seek to provide an experimental validation of these models. Our experiments include the following cases: (i) two nodes with saturated queues, sending fixed-length UDP packets to each other, and (ii) a TCP-controlled transfer between two nodes. Our experiments are based entirely on Aruba AP-70 access points operating under Linux. We report our observations on certain non-standard behavior of the devices. In cases where the devices adhere to the standards, we find that the results from the analytical models estimate the experimental data with a mean error of 3-5%.

激光强化温度场的数值模拟与校验

采用MSC．Mare非线性有限元软件，对激光强化过程中的温度场进行数值模拟，分析了能量密度的变化对激光强化效果的影响。通过温度传感器测量激光强化时材料表面温度的变化来验证数值模拟的结果。模拟值与实测值基本吻合。结果表明，数值模拟结果可作为激光加II艺参数选择的依据。

The distribution and ages of regional lithologies in the lunar maria

A research program was designed (1) to map regional lithological units of the lunar surface based on measurements of spatial variations in spectral reflectance, and, (2) to establish the sequence of the formation of such lithological units from measurements of the accumulated affects of impacting bodies.

Spectral reflectance data were obtained by scanning luminance variations over the lunar surface at three wavelengths (0.4µ, 0.52µ, and 0.7µ). These luminance measurements were reduced to normalized spectral reflectance values relative to a standard area in More Serenitotis. The spectral type of each lunar area was identified from the shape of its reflectance spectrum. From these data lithological units or regions of constant color were identified. The maria fall into two major spectral classes: circular moria like More Serenitotis contain S-type or red material and thin, irregular, expansive maria like Mare Tranquillitatis contain T-type or blue material. Four distinct subtypes of S-type reflectances and two of T-type reflectances exist. As these six subtypes occur in a number of lunar regions, it is concluded that they represent specific types of material rather than some homologous set of a few end members.

The relative ages or sequence of formation of these more units were established from measurements of the accumulated impacts which have occurred since more formation. A model was developed which relates the integrated flux of particles which hove impacted a surface to the distribution of craters as functions of size and shape. Erosion of craters is caused chiefly by small bodies which produce negligible individual changes in crater shape. Hence the shape of a crater can be used to estimate the total number of small impacts that have occurred since the crater was formed. Relative ages of a surface can then be obtained from measurements of the slopes of the walls of the oldest craters formed on the surface. The results show that different maria and regions within them were emplaced at different times. An approximate absolute time scale was derived from Apollo 11 crystallization ages under an assumption of a constant rote of impacting for the last 4 x 10^9 yrs. Assuming, constant flux, the period of mare formation lasted from over 4 x 10^9 yrs to about 1.5 x 10^9 yrs ago.

A synthesis of the results of relative age measurements and of spectral reflectance mapping shows that (1) the formation of the lunar maria occurred in three stages; material of only one spectral type was deposited in each stage, (2) two distinct kinds of maria exist, each type distinguished by morphology, structure, gravity anomalies, time of formation, and spectral reflectance type, and (3) individual maria have complicated histories; they contain a variety of lithic units emplaced at different times.

Interpretation of lunar topography : impact cratering and surface roughness

This work seeks to understand past and present surface conditions on the Moon using two different but complementary approaches: topographic analysis using high-resolution elevation data from recent spacecraft missions and forward modeling of the dominant agent of lunar surface modification, impact cratering. The first investigation focuses on global surface roughness of the Moon, using a variety of statistical parameters to explore slopes at different scales and their relation to competing geological processes. We find that highlands topography behaves as a nearly self-similar fractal system on scales of order 100 meters, and there is a distinct change in this behavior above and below approximately 1 km. Chapter 2 focuses this analysis on two localized regions: the lunar south pole, including Shackleton crater, and the large mare-filled basins on the nearside of the Moon. In particular, we find that differential slope, a statistical measure of roughness related to the curvature of a topographic profile, is extremely useful in distinguishing between geologic units. Chapter 3 introduces a numerical model that simulates a cratered terrain by emplacing features of characteristic shape geometrically, allowing for tracking of both the topography and surviving rim fragments over time. The power spectral density of cratered terrains is estimated numerically from model results and benchmarked against a 1-dimensional analytic model. The power spectral slope is observed to vary predictably with the size-frequency distribution of craters, as well as the crater shape. The final chapter employs the rim-tracking feature of the cratered terrain model to analyze the evolving size-frequency distribution of craters under different criteria for identifying "visible" craters from surviving rim fragments. A geometric bias exists that systematically over counts large or small craters, depending on the rim fraction required to count a given feature as either visible or erased.

A reparação do dano causado por membro indeterminado de um grupo: por uma relação de complementaridade entre o seguro e a responsabilidade civil

O dano e sua causa apresentam-se, em conjunto, como um dilema inerente a uma sociedade que incorporou o risco como produto do seu próprio desenvolvimento. Desde tempos imemoriais a solidariedade figura como instrumento imprescindível à composição das diferentes formas possíveis para minimizar os efeitos negativos do implemento de um risco seja através da transferência de suas consequências econômicas para quem, por sua atividade o produziu ou, esteja melhor preparado para suportá-lo. Entretanto, as formas privadas tradicionais, isoladamente mostram-se insuficientes para responder satisfatoriamente à necessidade de reparação dos danos na atualidade. Isto porque, via de regra, os instrumentos para tal foram desenvolvidas em uma perspectiva individual, tendo como premissa a identificação da causa do dano e, a partir daí, a possibilidade de imputação de responsabilidade. Contemporaneamente, contudo, os danos usualmente resultam de causas múltiplas e, mesmo quando decorrem de causa única, essa pode estar relacionada a um conjunto de agentes, de forma a não ser possível a individuação do ofensor. Neste contexto, torna-se imprescindível a construção de uma noção jurídica de causalidade, apta a solucionar questões críticas, tais como a do dano causado por membro indeterminado de um grupo. Esta noção, por seu turno, requer uma base solidária mais aprofundada, de sorte a permitir a reparação do dano injusto sofrido pela vítima, sem arruinar o ofensor. Afirma-se, então, que a reparação integral dos danos em uma sociedade de risco depende de uma nova concepção acerca da solidariedade: a solidariedade global. E, indo além, a fase atual impõe a necessidade de se repensar a própria base do sistema de responsabilidade civil, como decorrência necessária de uma nova orientação jus-filosófica, inspirada por valores personalistas e solidaristas e também em razão da própria evolução social que potencializou os problemas que gravitam em torno da solidariedade e do risco, notadamente em razão da coletivização das causas dos danos. Assim, se há cada vez mais solidariedade nas causas e nos danos, deve haver também solidariedade na reparação. Nessa perspectiva, a presente dissertação tratará da coletivização da responsabilidade civil em relação à causa dos danos, na hipótese de responsabilidade grupal, e em referência à reparação dos danos em uma perspectiva convergente dos institutos do seguro e da responsabilidade civil.

Optimization of the pyrolysis process for the production of a biomass derived reducing agent and hydrogen-rich gases

221 p.

O direito processual transnacional como forma de acesso à justiça no século XXI: os reflexos e desafios da sociedade contemporânea para o direito processual civil e a concepção de um título executivo transnacional

A presente tese trata da garantia do acesso à justiça ao jurisdicionado do século XXI, membro de uma sociedade marcadamente globalizada. Embora o jurisdicionado, centro da moderna ciência processual, estabeleça com grande frequência relações que ultrapassam os limites políticos dos países, o Direito Processual, no Brasil, continua fundado em bases estritamente internas, gerando uma arriscada litigiosidade contida. Por essa razão, desenvolve-se, ao longo do presente trabalho, um raciocínio consistente e coordenado, voltado ao resgate do acesso à justiça ao jurisdicionado de nosso tempo. Para tanto, no capítulo 1, são examinados os dois grandes eixos evolutivos: os eixos social e jurídico. A partir dessa análise, conclui-se que ambos os eixos evolutivos convergem para, a um só tempo, incentivar e justificar a releitura do Direito Processual. No capítulo 2, analisamos o primado dos princípios fundamentais processuais, que ocupa posição de destaque no estudo do Direito Processual na atualidade e exerce papel de protagonismo na concepção do Direito Processual Civil Transnacional. Verificamos que a consagração dos mesmos princípios processuais fundamentais em diferentes partes do mundo promove a convergência entre os sistemas jurídico-processuais nacionais quanto à sua essência, fomentando o espírito de cooperação entre os países. No capítulo 3, aportamos no estudo do microssistema do Direito Processual Civil Transnacional, apresentando o seu conceito, bem como as principais teorias a seu respeito, como forma de delinear os seus contornos. No capítulo 4, desenvolvemos a análise do princípio fundamental do acesso à justiça, que consiste no ponto central do Direito Processual Transnacional, segundo uma nova metodologia, que alia os subprincípios do acesso à justiça concebidos por Paulo Cezar Pinheiro Carneiro à visão tridimensional do Direito talhada por Mauro Cappelletti. Através dessa metodologia, descortinamos os principais problemas e oferecemos soluções eficazes para a efetiva garantia do acesso à justiça no âmbito transnacional. No capítulo 5, examinamos a experiência precursora da União Europeia no trato do tema, que influencia a sua abordagem em todo o resto do mundo. Após contextualizar a problemática, analisamos o instituto vanguardista denominado Título Executivo Europeu como instrumento concreto de garantia do acesso à justiça no âmbito transnacional. No capítulo 6, transpomos todos os pilares teóricos e principiológicos desenvolvidos ao longo da tese para o Brasil, como forma de buscar aprimorar o nosso sistema jurídico-processual no tocante à garantia do acesso à justiça no âmbito transnacional. Para tanto, analisamos os contornos e o atual estágio evolutivo de integração do Mercosul, importante bloco regional do qual o Brasil faz parte. Por fim, invocando as modernas premissas teóricas apresentadas nos capítulos anteriores, concluímos que a legislação atualmente em vigor no Mercosul e no Brasil permite admitir o cabimento da instauração da execução, no Brasil, de sentenças oriundas de outros países do Mercosul, prescindindo do exercício do juízo de delibação pelo Superior Tribunal de Justiça. Essa solução representa um avanço concreto em prol da efetiva garantia do acesso à justiça no âmbito transnacional ao jurisdicionado no Brasil, sendo um exemplo do ciclo virtuoso que o Direito Processual Transnacional pretende inaugurar.

Assessing the precision of frequency distributions estimated from trawl-survey samples

In trawl surveys a cluster of fish are caught at each station, and fish caught together tend to have more similar characteristics, such as length, age, stomach contents etc., than those in the entire population. When this is the case, the effective sample size for estimates of the frequency distribution of a population characteristic can, therefore, be much smaller than the number of fish sampled during a survey. As examples, it is shown that the effective sample size for estimates of length-frequency distributions generated by trawl surveys conducted in the Barents Sea, off Namibia, and off South Africa is on average approximately one fish per tow. Thus many more fish than necessary are measured at each station (location). One way to increase the effective sample size for these surveys and, hence, increase the precision of the length-frequency estimates, is to reduce tow duration and use the time saved to collect samples at more stations.

意大利威尼托（Veneto）的刺叶栎林-植物社会学生物多样性研究

刺叶栎( Quercus ilex L．)是地中海的常绿树种，属于古老的第三纪植物区系成份。本文根据苏黎世——蒙特利尔学派的植被学基本原理，全面地研究了分布在整个威尼托(Veneto)大区的剌叶栎林，详细研究刺叶栎林的群落组成、结构及类型划分。同时，对威尼托的刺叶栎林同北京山区的栎林进行了比较研究。最后，着重研究了威尼托刺叶栎林的生物多样性。 威尼托的刺叶栎林主要分布在亚得里亚海沿岸（包括Foci del Tagtiamento和Bosco Nordio e Rosolina Mare两地）、Lago di Garda和Colli Euganei。 在气候上，亚得里亚海沿岸属于半地中海气候。加尔达湖区域(Laqo di Garda)则是接近欧洲中部的大陆性气候，且维持半地中海的气候特点。Co t l i Euganei是这两地气候的过渡类型，且更接近亚得里亚海沿岸的类型。 在亚得里亚海沿岸的刺叶栎林可以分为三类，第一类(I)是一些矮树丛，这是Fraxinus ornus和Quercus ilex混交林的前身，较干旱。第二类群落(II)缺少乔木层，灌木层是由一些盖度不大的刺叶栎代替，更干旱。第三类群落(Ⅲ)是一群在外貌上相同的成熟群落．Fraxinus ornus和Quercus ilex得到充分发展，较中生。 在加尔达湖区的刺叶栎林可划分为三类。第一类群落(I)代表一组耐旱、开敞的矮树丛，含有Sesterio Variae-Ostryelum群丛的特征种，这一类可划分为SesLerio Variae-Ostryetum群 丛，土壤贫脊和干旱。第二类群落(Ⅱ)代表一类较郁闭的矮树丛，含有较多的Prunetalia群落目的成份，土壤较贫脊。第三类群(Ⅲ)代表一类郁闭的群落，乔木具有很大的密度因而林下灌木不能充分发展。SesLerio Variae-Ostryetum群丛和Prunetalia群落目的成份均不多。 在Colli Euganei的刺叶栎林可划分为二类。第一类群落(I)是一些不郁闲的矮树林组成。大体上分为地中海旱生栎林和地中海假灌丛。第二类群落(II)代表了较中生状态的植被，刺叶标种群绝对郁闭。 北京地处华北大平原的西北部。北京山地的气候为温带陆地性季风气候，其地带性的落叶阔叶林是以栎林为典型。虽然这些栎林同意大利威尼托刺叶栎林是两种不同的森林类型，但两者之间是存在着一定的联系。其共有的科有20个，共有属有11个。他们在植物组成中，以禾本科，蔷薇科和豆科的植物种类为最多。在乔木层中，他们都是以壳斗科的栎属(Quercus)为优势，其中木犀科的白蜡属(Fraxinus)和槭树属(Acer)较多。 本文对威尼托大区刺叶栎林的物种多度分布格局进行了全面探讨，计算出刺叶栎林的几何分布模型、Broken-stick分布模型、Log分布模型、Log-normat分布模型等四种物种多度分布的理论模型，并将这些理论分布模型用“序列／多度”图解和“多度／频度”图解表示出来。其中，几何分布模型．Broken-stick1分布模型用“序列／多度”图解表示。Broken-stick2分布模型、Log分布模型、Log-normal分布模型用“多度／频度”图解表示。 对上述四个物种多度的理论分布同实际现察的物种多度分布进行X2分析，在5％的显著性水平上，对整个威托大区的刺叶 栎林，几何分布模型最能代表其物种多度分布，显著性最大;Log-normal分布模型也可以用来代表威尼托刺叶标妹的物种多度分布，其显著性次于几何分布模型的显著性。这表明威尼托的刺叶栎林尚处于演替的早期阶段，这些刺叶栎林曾受到严重破坏，现正在恢复。 通过比较Foci del Tagtiamento和Bosco Nordio加尔达湖区、Colli Euganei四个地方刺叶栎林的物种多度的几何分布模型和Log-normal分布模型，显示出Lago di Garda（加尔达湖区）的刺叶栎林生物多样性最好、Foci del Tagtiamento刺叶栎林生物多样性较好．Bosco Nordio的剌叶栎林生物多样性较差．Colli Euganei的刺叶栎林生物多样性最差。 再利用多样性指数计算全部威尼托大区剌叶栎林的生物多样性。计算的多样性指数有丰富度指数（包括Margalef指数、Men-hinick指数、Monk指数）、多样性指数(Shannon信息指数、Bri llouin个息指数、Gini指数、PIE指数、Mcintosh指数)、优势度指数(Berger-Parker指数、Simpson指数)、均一度指数(Pielou均一度指数、Brillouin均一度指数，PIE的V’均一度指数．PIE的V均一度指数，N2的V’均一度指数，N2的V均一度指数，Mclntosh均一度指数，Hill的F10均一度指数，Hill的E21均一度指数，Hill的F21的一度指数）。通过比较丰富度指数，多样性指数、均一度指数与优势度之间的关系，结果，Simpson优势度指数同Men-hinick物种丰富度指数、Shannon信息指数、Bril-louin信息指数、Pielou均一度指数，Brillouin均一度指数，Mcintosh均一度指数、PIE的V’均一度指数呈负相关关系，因此，上述生物多样性指数可以较好地反映威尼托大区刺叶栎林的生物多样性。反映出的结果是：加尔达湖区刺叶栎林生物多样性最好，Foci del Tagtiamento刺叶栎林生物多样性较好，Bosco Nordio的剌叶栎林生物多样性较差．Colli Euganei的刺叶栎林生物多样性最差。 生物多样性的研究显示出生物多样性同生境状况的密切联系。往往受人为干扰严重的群落生物多样性低、如Coli Euganei和亚得里亚海岸刺叶栋林;而受人为破坏较轻的群落其生物多样性高，如加尔达湖区刺叶栎。 生物多样性的研究还显示出生物多样性同群落演替的发展阶段密切相关，在群落演替初期，由于缺乏优势种，而又有大量物种侵入，物多样性相对较高。在群落演替中期，由于形成了一个或几个优势种，优势度的增加导致了生物多样性相对减低。如Foci del Tagtiamento刺叶栎林生物多样性高于Bosco Nordio刺叶栎林的生物多样性。到演替后期，随着更多物种的侵入，群落结构的复杂化、生物多样性又将逐步提高。