cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential interactions of human choriogonadotropin and its antagonistic aglycosylated analog with their receptor.

Abstract Human choriogonadotropin (hCG) is a heterodimeric hormone consisting of an alpha subunit and a beta subunit. hCG and aglycosylated hCG (aghCG) have similar receptor binding affinities but differ in their ability to activate hormone-responsive adenylate cyclase. aghCG is an effective antagonist. The mechanisms of this antagonism and interactions of antagonistic aghCG with the receptor are not understood. To address this critical question, we have examined the interaction of this hormone analog with the receptor. The hormone receptor on porcine granulosa cells is a glycoprotein of 86 kDa and thas three domains of 24 kDa, 28 kDa, and 34 kDa, which are disulfide-linked. They undergo proteolysis, particularly when bound to the hormones, to produce three polypeptide components. These three receptor components can readily be identified through the use of affinity labeling with the hormones. Affinity labeling with an amino-specific homobifunctional reagent and subsequent cleavage indicate that hCG is cross-linked directly to the 24-kDa receptor component. In contrast, aghCG is cross-linked directly to the 34-kDa component. The peptide map of the cross-linked aghCG-34-kDa receptor component produced by papain treatment is different from the peptide map of the cross-linked complex of hCG-24-kDa component. This difference in receptor binding may be a factor determining the success or failure of signal transduction from the receptor to the effector system, guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein, and adenylate cyclase.
Commentary on Karl E. Weick's ‘The role of imagination in the organizing of knowledge’

Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.Albert Einstein, as quoted in Calaprice (2000).Weick asserts that most organizations create obsta...
Binary gas diffusion of methane-nitrogen through porous solids

Diffusion rates of nitrogen and methane have been measured across ten porous solids at 35°C and 1 atm by a steady state flow method. The porous plugs used were cylindrical in shape, with diffusion occurring in the direction of the axis. Diffusion data were taken with porous cores either dry or saturated with liquids. Water and n-heptane were used as saturating liquids. The rather complex internal structure of porous solids were indirectly characterized through some auxiliary measurements. These included porosity, permeability, and electrical resistivity factor (yet another indirect measurement of tortuosity). The effective diffusion coefficients were correlated for the gas phase diffusion as a function of porosity. The ratio of effective diffusion coefficient to the open space diffusion coefficient (De/Do) was correlated for dry cores using the properties approximately characterizing the pore structure.
LINE SHAPES FOR LIGHT SCATTERED FROM BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATES

We study the coherent scattering of weak near-resonant light off a Bose-Einstein condensate formed by a system of cooled atoms in a trap. Scattering occurs primarily in the forward direction, and exhibits a very narrow feature on top of a broad non-Lorentzian background.
Spontaneous locomotor activity correlates with the degranulation of mast cells in the meninges rather than in the thalamus: Disruptive effect of cocaine

Mast cells are located in the central nervous system (CNS) of many mammals and stress induces their degranulation. We postulated that mast cells are associated with wakefulness and stimulatory tone in the CNS, as reflected by spontaneous motor activity. Because stress also precipitates drug-seeking behavior in cocaine addicts, we also postulated that cocaine manifests its effects through this relationship. We investigated the influence of single and repeated injections of cocaine on circulating corticosterone, motor activity and degranulation of mast cells in both the thalamus and meninges of mice. Mice were subjected to 5 consecutive days of cocaine or saline followed by a single injection of cocaine or saline 11 days later. Spontaneous locomotor activity was measure for 1 h after the final injection before death. Neither a single injection nor prior treatment with cocaine increased motor activity compared to saline-injected controls, however, repeated administration of cocaine induced a significant sensitization to its behavioral effect when delivered 11 days later. In mice that received only saline, motor activity correlated positively with mast cell degranulation in the meninges but not in the thalamus. Cocaine, regardless of the treatment schedule, disrupted this correlation. The concentration of corticosterone did not differ amongst groups and did not correlate with either behavior or mast cell parameters in any group. The correlation between behavioral activity and the mast cell degranulation in the meninges suggests that these parameters are linked. The disruptive effect of cocaine on this relationship indicates a role downstream from mast cells in the regulation of motor activity.
Texture contrast attracts overt visual attention in natural scenes.

In natural vision, the central nervous system actively selects information for detailed processing through mechanisms of visual attention. It is widely held that simple stimulus features such as color, orientation and intensity contribute to the determination of visual salience and thus can act to guide the selection process in a bottom-up fashion. Contrary to this view, Einhauser, W. & Konig, P. [(2003) Eur. J. Neurosci., 17, 1089-1097] conclude from their study of human eye movements that luminance contrast does not contribute to the calculation of stimulus salience and that top-down, rather than bottom-up, factors therefore determine attentional allocation in natural scenes. In this article, we dispute their conclusion and argue that the Einhauser and Konig study has a number of methodological problems, the most prominent of which is the unintentional introduction of changes in texture contrast. We hypothesize that texture contrast, like luminance contrast, can contribute to the guidance of attention in a bottom-up fashion, and that an appeal to top-down factors is not necessary. To test this hypothesis, we implement a purely bottom-up model of visual selective attention where salience is derived from both luminance and texture contrast. We find that the model can quantitatively account for Einhauser and Konig's results and that texture contrast strongly influences attentional guidance in this particular paradigm. The significance of this result for attentional guidance in other paradigms is discussed.
Feeding behaviour and mercury content in two flat fish in the northern Tyrrhenian sea

Abstract Total and organic mercury concentrations were determined in muscle tissue and stomach contents of specimens of Solea vulgaris and Lepidorhombus boscii , and in sediments collected in two zones of the northern Tyrrhenian sea affected by the presence of the cinnabar anomaly of Mt Amiata. Relations of mercury concentration were studied with respect to length, age, sex and feeding. Significant mercury concentration differences between the two species were found. In particular the mercury content of L. boscii was five times higher on the average than those of specimens of S. vulgaris of the same age. From our data on stomach contents it appears that one cause of these differences can be attributed to the different amount of mercury ingested in the diet.
Investigation of the interface region produced by molecular beam epitaxial regrowth

The interface region generated by molecular beam epitaxial regrowth has been studied in detail. Regrowth was carried out on epitaxial GaAs after a variety of realistic device processing steps. Combinations of wet chemical etching and ion milling with and without annealing were used with the objective of establishing the best procedure for integrated technologies during regrowth. Capacitance voltage measurements showed perturbations in the carrier profile corresponding to depletion and accumulation regions at the interface which are directly related to interface states at and around the regrowth interface. The measured concentration of the interface states are in the range 1.2 × 1010 to 7.05 × 1011 cm−2. The former is one of the lowest reported till date. The concentration of deep traps in the regrown layer and interface, observed by deep level transient spectroscopy, is much lower than the interface state density. Their contribution to carrier perturbation is insignificant, except in one case where an electron trap has a rather high concentration. Results of secondary ion mass spectroscopy indicate that the presence of carbon at the regrown interface is not principally responsible for creating the high resistivity interface region. Our data favor the concept of a disordered region created at the interface during regrowth. Interface state density and trap densities are much larger in the wet chemically etched samples, which is further supported by the results of temporal photoresponse measurements on junction photodiodes. The overall characteristics of the dry etched regrowth interfaces seem to be much more promising than the wet chemical etched ones.
The phytophagous insect fauna of the ragweed, Ambrosia psilostachya, in southern California.

Phytophagous insects representing 5 orders, 32 families, and 89+ species are reported as comprising the insect fauna of Ambrosia dumosa (Gray) Payne (Compositae) in southern California. Most insects found attacking this native ragweed were euryphagous, ectophagous, sap- and foliage-feeding species. About ½ reproduced on this plant. Twenty-one (46%) of the 46 associates identified to species were stenophagous, their hosts apparently confined to the tribe Heliantheae. Only 5 (11%) of these were minor or major pests of cultivars.
Pretreatment to reduce somatic Salmonella phage interference with FRNA coliphage assays : successful use in a one-year survey of vulnerable groundwaters.

Somatic salmonella (SS) phages were commonly found in higher numbers than F-specific RNA (FRNA) coliphages in a multi-site survey of contamination-vulnerable groundwaters. The relative abundance of SS phages required that a pretreatment procedure be implemented to reduce the SS phage content of samples before FRNA coliphage assay with Salmonella typhimurium WG49. Pretreatment involved selective SS phage removal by Salm. typhimurium WG45 cells. This pretreatment proved effective in producing interference-free samples throughout the one-year survey period and in seeded evaluation, was shown not to affect the detection of representative FRNA coliphage MS2. During the survey, 30 groundwater sites located in the continental United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands were examined for FRNA coliphages and SS phages at monthly intervals. FRNA coliphages were detected at six of the 30 sites and in 33 of 329 monthly samples. SS phages were also detected at six sites and in 28 of 329 monthly samples. Five of the phage-positive sites were positive for both phage groups. At those five sites, 58 monthly samples were collected during the survey period. Those 58 samples yielded an average FRNA coliphage concentration of 140 pfu per 100 l of groundwater as compared to an average SS phage concentration of 565 pfu per 100 l of groundwater. Twenty of the 58 samples were positive for both the FRNA coliphages and SS phages. In those samples, FRNA coliphages were more abundant in five samples; SS phages were more abundant in 15 samples. Because these results demonstrate that SS phage levels may often exceed FRNA coliphage levels in environmental waters, it is clear that SS phage removal procedures will greatly enhance the effectiveness of the WG49-based FRNA coliphage assay.
A review of cellular structure, starch, and texture qualities of processed potatoes

Certain combined characteristics of cellular structure and starch properties provide distinctions between varieties of potatoes and bear strong relation to their culinary qualities. Larger tissue cells and larger average starch granules are associated with mealiness. Smaller cells and starch granules characterize the less mealy and “waxy” varieties. Similarly, the same general relationships hold for the varietal characteristics of high vs. low solids and high vs. low starch contents. Within a variety, proportionately larger numbers of large starch granules are associated with tubers of high specific gravity, and more smaller granules, with low specific gravity. There also is a distinct reduction in percent of small granules during storage of tubers. Differences in starch granule size are accompanied by differences in amylose and amylopectin. Small granules contain less amylose and gel at higher temperatures than do the larger starch granules. Amylose content likewise appears to be a varietal characteristic. These variations in amylose content reflect fundamental differences in the properties of the starch gels formed when different varieties of potatoes are cooked. Likewise, there are similar distinctions between the starches within different tissue zones of individual tubers. Cell size also varies characteristically within different tuber regions. Starch gel properties may be manipulated during processing by such treatments as precooking-heating, chilling, freezing, and thawing. These treatments provide some measure of control of textural quality in the finished product. Additives such as stearates or glycerides complex readily with amylose and also influence gel properties and texture in processed potato products. Sucrose accumulated during tuber storage also may increase gel strength and influence texture. Varietal differences in cell structure and in starch granule size and composition offer opportunities for genetic exploitation. The merits of special processing for texture control vs. development of varieties for specific processed product qualities are briefly discussed.
Analyzing Reliability of Virtual Machine Instances with Dynamic Pricing in the Public Cloud

This study presents reliability analysis of virtual machine instances in public cloud environments in the face of dynamic pricing. Different from traditional fixed pricing, dynamic pricing allows price to dynamically fluctuate over arbitrary period of time according to external factors such as supply and demand, excess capacity, etc. This pricing option introduces a new type of fault: virtual machine instances may be unexpectedly terminated due to conflicts in the original bid price and the current offered price. This new class of fault under dynamic pricing may be more dominant than traditional faults in cloud computing environments, where resource availability associated with traditional faults is often above 99.9%. To address and understand this new type of fault, we translated two classic reliability metrics, mean time between failures and availability, to the Amazon Web Services spot market using historical price data. We also validated our findings by submitting actual bids in the spot market. We found that overall, our historical analysis and experimental validation lined up well. Based upon these experimental results, we also provided suggestions and techniques to maximize overall reliability of virtual machine instances under dynamic pricing.
The Goals of Reorga niza tion: A Framework for Analysis

Recent debates, both in the political arena and in academic circles, have thoroughly clouded the objectives that government reorganization can reasonably be expected to advance. To remedy this, this article suggests a framework for sorting out the lengthy laundry lists of possible goals commonly associated with reorganization. According to this framework, reorganizations can be distinguished according to whether their primary objective is (1) economy and efficiency; (2) policy effetiveness; or (3) tactical advantage. Each of these three major types of reorganizations has its own basic characteristics, political and administrative dynamics, underlying theory, and advantages and disadvantages. While no particular reorganization may fall exclusively into an y one of these categories, this framework can help clarify discussions of organizational reform and improve our understandmg of the objectives such reform can accomplish.
Characterization of a H+NO3− symport associated with plasma membrane vesicles of maize roots using 36CIO3− as a radiotracer analog

Abstract The mechanism of NO 3 − transport was examined in isolated plasma membrane vesicles from maize ( Zea mays L., hybrid B73 × LH 51) roots using 36 ClO 3 − as a radiotracer analog for NO 3 − . When an acid-exterior ΔpH was imposed across the vesicle membrane, uptake of 36 ClO 3 − was stimulated and the time course of radiolabel uptake displayed an overshoot phenomenon characteristic of the coupling of one solute gradient to the movement of another solute. Evidence supporting ΔpH as the driving force for 36 ClO 3 − uptake included a dependence of the overshoot peak and initial rate of 36 ClO 3 − uptake on the magnitude of the imposed ΔpH, the occurrence of ΔpH-driven 36 ClO 3 − uptake in the presence of KSCN/valinomycin, and the ability of an imposed ΔpH to drive 36 ClO 3 − uptake when radiolabel was equilibrated across the membrane. When ΔpH-driven 36 ClO 3 − transport was examined in the presence of NO 3 − radiolabel uptake was inhibited in a competitive manner. This was consistent with the carrier having the capacity to use either ClO 3 − or NO 3 − and supports the use of this radiotracer as an analog for NO 3 − in transport studies. When ΔpH-driven 36 ClO 3 − uptake was examined as a function of 36 ClO 3 − concentration and ΔpH, saturation kinetics were observed and the magnitude of the imposed ΔpH affected the K m but not the V max for 36 ClO 3 − uptake. This suggested an ordered binding mechanism where 36 ClO 3 − would bind to the protonated form of the carrier prior to translocation. Radiolabeled 36 ClO 3 − uptake was inhibited by treatment of the vesicles with phenylglyoxal, suggesting the involvement of arginine moieties in the process of transport. Taken together, these results support the presence of a H + NO 3 − symport carrier at the plasma membrane which could be involved in mediating energy-dependent NO 3 − uptake into plant cells.
Goals and Objectives for an Integrated, Graduated Curriculum in Abdominal Radiology

The Residency Review Committee of the American Council of Graduate Medical Education has designated abdominal radiology as one of the subspecialty areas required for radiology residency training. Because it spans both gastrointestinal and genitourinary organ systems and multiple modalities, a graduated, integrated abdominal radiology curriculum, which is based on the General Competencies, was developed.
A brief history of the filling simulation of injection moulding

AbstractInjection moulding is one of the most important manufacturing processes for mass production of complex plastic parts. The quality of injection moulded parts depends not only on the material, shape, and function of the part design, but also on how the material is processed during moulding. Traditional design approaches based on intuition, prior experience, and trial-and-error methodology have been becoming less efficient and effective. With advances in numerical modelling and computer simulation techniques, there have been tremendous efforts made to develop computer simulation tools to facilitate injection moulding design and process set-up. This paper reviews the history of research and development in the filling simulation of injection moulding. The existing models are classified into three categories: one-dimensional models, 2.5D models, and three-dimensional models. The basic features and relative key techniques about these models have been discussed. The techniques of tacking the moving flow f...
Teaching and Learning Pragmatics: Where Language and Culture Meet by ISHIHARA, NORIKO, & ANDREW D. COHEN

A review of the book "Teaching and Learning Pragmatics: Where Language and Culture Meet," by Noriko Ishihara and Andrew D. Cohen is presented.
Emergency department presentation of type A botulism

In October 1983, 28 people became ill with type A botulism in a common-source, food-borne outbreak. Thirteen of these patients presented to an emergency department for initial medical evaluation. The records of these thirteen patients were examined retrospectively in an attempt to characterize the initial presenting symptoms. All patients complained of at least three of four symptoms (generalized weakness, diplopia, dry mouth, and difficulty speaking). Emergency physicians can play a pivotal role in limiting the extent of common-source botulism outbreaks by early recognition of the disease and immediate mobilization of community public health resources.
Does intrauterine site of insemination in cattle really matter

Abstract Two trials were conducted to determine the influence of semen placement on pregnancy rate in dairy heifers and cows. Seventy-two dairy heifers were artificially inseminated (AI) 10 to 12 h after the first detection of estrus. Control heifers (n = 25) were inseminated at the junction of the uterine body and internal cervical os. The remaining heifers were inseminated deep in one uterine horn, 3 to 5 cm anterior to the external bifurcation. Twenty-three heifers were inseminated in the horn ipsilateral to the ovary bearing the ovulatory follicle, and 24 heifers were inseminated in the contralateral horn. Pregnancy rates did not differ for the three groups of heifers. In a second trial, 64 inseminations were performed in 38 nonlactating, adult dairy cattle. Thirty-one inseminations were made deep in the uterine horn ipsilateral to the ovary bearing the ovulatory follicle and 33 in the contralateral horn. Pregnancy rates were similar for both groups. Combining both trials, pregnancy rates for ipsilateral and contralateral inseminations were equal ( 32 54 = 59% and 34 57 = 60% , respectively). Therefore, placement of semen in one horn of the uterus does not appear to be a cause of decreased or increased pregnancy rate with AI.
Estimation of percentage of pass-by trips generated by a shopping center using artificial neural networks.

Pass‐by trips are trips made as intermediate stops on the way from an origin to a primary trip destination. Accurate estimates of the percentage of pass‐by trips generated by a land use are extremely important for both planners and developers. The traditional method of pass‐by trip estimation is regression modeling with the help of the U.S. Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation manual. This paper also uses data from the Trip Generation manual, and focuses on an alternative methodology based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). Use is made of backpropogation, a popular ANN paradigm, and five different architectures of backpropogations are developed, tested and compared against three different regression models — linear, log‐log and log‐linear forms, respectively. The results from the regression and ANN‐based models are compared in terms of the Root Mean Square of Errors (RMSE) of predicted values. It is found that the worst ANN prediction RMSE is lower than the best regression predic...
REDUCTION FORMULA FOR THE FIVE-POINT FUNCTION

In analyzing the singularities of the pentagon diagram in four- dimensional space-time, it is shown that the integral for the pentagon can be written as the sum of several fourpoint functions. (C.E.S.)
Behavior of Yarn Pullout from Woven Fabrics: Theoretical and Experimental:

Yarn pullout behavior from a woven fabric is an important indicator of the mech anism of yarn interactions within the fabric and a predictor of its various mechanical properties. It is investigated in this paper both theoretically and experimentally. An analytical model developed for nonwoven structures is modified here to describe the yarn pullout process. This theory is able to predict the relationship of the maximum pullout load and the embedded yam length in a woven fabric with tight structure. The maximum load is shown in the theory related to the mechanical and geometric properties of the fabric and yam. Experimental work verifies the connections between fabric properties and yam pullout behavior, and a comparison of critical yam pullout lengths, predicted and measured, is also presented. This work should be useful in understanding the nature of yarn interaction in a fabric as well as the structure-rein forcing mechanism of woven fabrics.
Antibody detection in tear samples as a surrogate to monitor host immunity against papillomavirus infections in vaccinated and naturally infected hosts

Monitoring serum antibodies against natural infections or after immunizations has been a standard clinical diagnostic procedure. However, collecting blood samples requires trained personnel, and may cause discomfort and increase the risk of complications. In this study, we investigated whether tear samples could serve as a surrogate for serum samples to measure specific antibodies. A widely used preclinical cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV)/rabbit model has been a surrogate model for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. New Zealand white rabbits, either naturally infected with CRPV or immunized with two clinically available HPV vaccines (Gardasil and Cervarix), were examined for antibody generation in both tear and serum samples. We demonstrated that antibodies were detectable in tears from both naturally infected as well as vaccinated animals. Overall, the antibody levels in tears were ~10-fold lower than those from the corresponding serum samples, but background noise was lower in tear samples. The isotypes of antibodies in tears were predominantly IgA and IgG. These findings showed clearly that tears could be a surrogate for serum samples for monitoring antibody responses. As collecting tears causes no discomfort and poses no risk to patients, it represents a novel and promising method for monitoring future HPV epidemiological studies as well as for use in clinical practice.
EFFECTS OF POROSITY ON SEISMIC ATTENUATION

Effects of porosity on the attenuation of wave propagation are studied. The effects of pore fluids and porous structures are significant on changing the shapes of propagating wavelets. The waveform change of a propagating wavelet is much more sensitive to porosity than intrinsic attenuation. The attenuation occurred in natural rocks may largely due to these porous effects in addition to the internal friction of the solid represented by the intrinsic quality factor Q. The waveform of a propagating wavelet is quantitatively associated with attenuation, porosity, and fluid content, and is characterized by three parameters: the porosity ϕ, the quality factor Q, and the center frequency f0. Estimations of attenuation, porosity, and fluid content can be made by optimal wavelet analysis. High-resolution mapping of subsurface structures can be achieved by solving the integral equation with the nonlinear optimization of the time-variant wavelets. The inversion and the optimization schemes have been applied to study the porous sea floor and the crustal axial magma chamber (AMC) on the East Pacific Rise. These results provide porosity, attenuation information, and the highly resolved wave events, for further evaluation of compressional and shear wave velocities and other physical properties such as crack density and aspect ratio.
What does comparative markedness explain, what should it explain, and how?

These seven commentaries treat a wide range of topics in interesting and insightful ways. It is not possible to write a coherent response that addresses all of the criticisms and suggestions, large and small, that the authors have brought up. Several main themes emerge, however, that transcend the individual commentaries, and these themes supply the structure for this reply. They include alternatives to comparative markedness, possible counterexamples, comparative markedness on other dimensions of correspondence, and questions about the authenticity of opaque phonological processes. These themes will each be addressed in turn.
Communicating Sustainability A Postoccupancy Evaluation of the David Brower Center

As the United States adjusts to the necessity of ecological sustainability, buildings play an important role because of their use of resources—and because they are potent nonverbal symbols of new societal values. The David Brower Center in Berkeley, California, strives to be a model for sustainability. Environmental impact is often the focus of those concerned with sustainability, but here, additionally, the designers aim to raise public awareness of sustainability through the building. For this reason, this building became the site for a postoccupancy evaluation class exercise; architecture students analyzed the building and what it communicates about sustainability from the perspective of its users. Findings indicate that many people did not adequately read the building’s green design characteristics: Social and symbolic communication could be improved by increasing signage and evolving clearer symbolism for “green.”
Imperialism: An ERIC/ChESS Sample.

The Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) system encompasses the world's largest and most frequendy used educational database. This database contains over 900,000 records with approximately 13,000 new documents added each year. These include journal articles, research papers, books, conference proceedings, government documents, and many others. One ofthe greatest strengths ofthe database is the interdiscipli nary nature of its inclusion. The selected documents below include coverage from fields as diverse as science, rhetoric, and journalism, as well as the more traditional social studies. The "EJ" designation at the beginning ofthe record identifies the source as an educational journal. These are easily located in most academic libraries or are available through interlibrary loan. Those items preceded by an "ED" designation are also available in many libraries or copies may be ordered from the ERIC Document Reproduction Service (EDRS). For additional information, contact EDRS, 7420 Fullerton Road, Suite 110, Springfield, VA 22153-2852 or call (800) 443-3742 or e-mail edrs@inet.ed.gov. The ERIC Clearinghouse on Social Studies/Social Science Education (ChESS) welcomes requests for searches regarding any aspect of social studies from lesson plans/instructional materials to research articles and/or general information. Please contact: Mat thew Paris, ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/ Social Science Education at (800) 266-3815 or e-mail mjparis@indiana.edu. * * *
Allelopathic response of Phalaris minor to crop and weed plants in rice–wheat system

Abstract Green manuring of sunflower and dhaincha reduced plant population of Phalaris minor 100 per cent under lab and 42 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively, under field conditions, thus, indicating the inhibitory role of allelo-chemicals. Grain yield of wheat was significantly higher with the green manuring of sunflower and dhaincha before rice transplanting over summer fallow. The allelopathic potential of broad-leaved weeds of wheat in inhibiting germination of P. minor was in the order of Chenopodium album=Medicago denticulata=Melilotus indica=Convolvulus arvensis (100 per cent inhibition) > Vicia hirsuta (86 per cent) > Cirsium arvense (48 per cent) > Lathyrus aphaca (38 per cent) > Rumex acetosella (9 per cent). Exudates of rice cultivars HKR 126, IR 64, Jaya and Haryana Basmati-1 registered >50 per cent inhibition of germination of P. minor . As the extract was diluted, effect of non-scented cultivars considerably reduced in comparison to scented group. Out of 11 wheat varieties, WH533 provided the highest inhibition of germination (30 per cent) followed by WH542 (21 per cent).
The extracellular matrix of the human fetal membranes: Structure and function

The human fetal membranes are genetically identical to the fetus and form a highly specialized interface between mother and fetus, of considerable significance to the successful maintenance and termination of pregnancy in the higher vertebrates. Additionally, the upright posture of women presents these tissues with a greater mechanical challenge than in other species. The major extracellular matrix components providing tensile strength and elastic recoil are reviewed, as well as the key enzyme, activator/inhibitor system responsible for their remodelling and breakdown. However, this fails to convey the important concept that the matrix components are bound to each other and to the cells involved in their formation and organization. These matrix components are collectively responsible for the biomechanical properties of the tissue, but they must also be considered as dynamic elements of a broader signalling system, which include hormonal autocrine/paracrine systems. A unifying hypothesis is presented, which attempts for the first time to bring these two facets of the matrix together, which permits a potential coordination of local events at the maternal-fetal interface leading to parturition. In order to understand fully both the normal biology and the pathobiology of these tissues, such integration of the cellular and extracellular signalling pathways must be achieved.
A multimethod assessment of personal space development in female and male, black and white children

In order to obtain evidence of the effects of demographic parameters and measurement techniques on personal space, several different assessments were used to determine the impact of subject age, race, and sex on interpersonal distancing. Thirteen different variables representing stimulation, paper-and-pencil, and behavioral techniques indicated that as age increased, personal space requirements decreased, particularly for whites. Blacks as compared to whites required less space at age 7, and mixed-sex dyads tended to require more space than same-sex dyads. The results thus indicate that while some previous findings appear to be measurement method specific, others show intermethod consistency.
On the existence of Nash strategies and solutions to coupled riccati equations in linear-quadratic games

The existence of linear Nash strategies for the linear-quadratic game is considered. The solvability of the coupled Riccati matrix equations and the stability of the closed-loop matrix are investigated by using Brower's fixed-point theorem. The conditions derived state that the linear closed-loop Nash strategies exist, if the open loop matrixA has a sufficient degree of stability which is determined in terms of the norms of the weighting matrices. WhenA is not necessarily stable, sufficient conditions for existence are given in terms of the solutions of auxiliary problems using the same procedure.
Realms of Value: Conflicting Natural Resource Values and Incommensurability

Divergent values are often at the heart of natural resource conflict. Using discord over the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah, U.S.A. as a case study, I propose that values are perceived as incommensurate because they reflect different realms, with which there exist distinct concepts of what it means to value and distinct, irreducible forms of value expression. I further argue that collaborative, discursive processes are one way to account for plural values in policy and decision making without requiring a common metric, yet they are not without theoretical and practical challenges.
Institutional theory of police: a review of the state of the art

One of the important developments in police theory and research is the recognition of the institutional contexts in which departments participate. A body of theory, organized under the rubric of the “theory of institutionalized organizations”, provides a theoretical framework for the conceptualization and empirical assessment of policing contexts and their relationship to police organizational structures and practices. The first part of this paper provides an overview of institutional theory and reviews writings on the application of institutional theory to the police. The second section reviews research conducted on institutional theory across the field of criminal justice. The third part contrasts the competing notions of institutions and utility in institutional theory, and locates police organizations within Giddens’ model of human agency.
DC insulator dielectrophoretic applications in microdevice technology: a review

Dielectrophoresis is a noninvasive, nondestructive, inexpensive, and fast technique for the manipulation of bioparticles. Recent advances in the field of dielectrophoresis (DEP) have resulted in new approaches for characterizing the behavior of particles and cells using direct current (DC) electric fields. In such approaches, spatial nonuniformities are created in the channel by embedding insulating obstacles in the channel or flow field in order to perform separation or trapping. This emerging field of dielectrophoresis is commonly termed DC insulator dielectrophoresis (DC-iDEP), insulator-based dielectrophoresis (iDEP), or electrodeless dielectrophoresis (eDEP). In many microdevices, this form of dielectrophoresis has advantages over traditional AC-DEP, including single material microfabrication, remotely positioned electrodes, and reduced fouling of the test region. DC-iDEP applications have included disease detection, separation of cancerous cells from normal cells, and separation of live from dead bacteria. However, there is a need for a critical report to integrate these important research findings. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current state-of-art technology in the field of DC-iDEP for the separation and trapping of inert particles and cells. In this article, a review of the concepts and theory leading to the manipulation of particles via DC-iDEP is given, and insulating obstacle geometry designs and the characterization of device performance are discussed. This review compiles and compares the significant findings obtained by researchers in handling and manipulating particles.
The Bouc hysteresis model: an initial study of qualitative characteristics

The modified Bouc hysteresis model is able to represent a large class of hysteretic behavior and is used in the area of civil engineering to represent inelastic stress-strain relationships found in a large number of structures and to describe the responses of hysteretic materials and structures to applied forces. This initial study looks at the equilibria of this important model, extensively examines their stability features, and presents a comprehensive picture of their qualitative characteristics.
The effect of gas pressure on NO conversion energy efficiency in nonthermal nitrogen plasma

Abstract This work explores the effect of gas pressure on the rate of electron collision reactions and energy consumption for NO conversion in N 2 in a pulsed corona discharge reactor. A previous study showed that the rate constant of electron collision reactions, multiplied by the electron concentration, can be expressed as k [ e ] = β α - 0.5 P - 0.5 W 0.75 exp ( - α P / W ) . The model parameter α remains constant with increasing gas pressure, which verifies the previous assumption that the electron temperature is inversely proportional to gas pressure. However, the model parameter β decreases with increasing gas pressure, which indicates that the rate constant of electron collision reactions decreases with increasing gas pressure. The new expression for the rate constant of electron collision reactions, k [ e ] = B α - 0.5 P - 1.4 W 0.75 exp ( - α P / W ) , is more general because it explicitly accounts for the effect of gas pressure that was previously contained in the parameter β . The electron mean energy decreases with increasing gas pressure, which results in thermal dissipation of a larger fraction of the energy input to the reactor that heats the gas instead of producing plasma chemical reactions. Therefore, energy efficiency for NO conversion in N 2 decreases with increasing gas pressure.
The incidence ofLironeca ovalis (say (crustacea, isopoda) and its effects on the growth of white perch,Morone americana (gmelin), in the Delaware River near Artificial Island

More than 1400 white perch from the Delaware River near Artificial Island were routinely examined forLironeca ovalis (Say). When present,L. ovalis was found within the gill chamber. Of the fish examined only 24 (1.7%) were parasitized. Most of these were less than three years old. The presence of parasites apparently results in reduced growth.
555 INTRAHEPATIC ALPHA 1-ANTITRYPSIN ACCUMULATION AND Pi TYPE; A CORRELATION STUDY

A retrospective search for propositi to study familial alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency was initiated through an immunohistochemical study of pathological specimens from children with liver disease. A modification of the immunoperoxidase method of Sternberger et al (J. Histochem. Cytochem.18:315, 1970) was used to identify intrahepatic accumulation of AAT, followed by Pityping of the children and/or their parents, using isoelectric focusing, acid starch gel and crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Ten patients with significant AAT accumulation have been Pityped thus far. Four children were PiZZ; four were PiMM. Both groups included children with portal cirrhosis, neonatal hepatitis and/or biliary atresia. Two children with liver lesions resembling tyrosinosis were typed as MZ and M (tentative). Malton An additional child (deceased) is presumed to have been AAT deficient on the basis of serum electrophoresis; his parents are unavailable for typing. The immunohistochemical identification of AAT in MM and non-M individuals suggests that AAT accumulates in damaged livers regardless of the Pi type. The identification of AAT in the liver cannot be considered proof of PiZZ genotype, but must be followed by typing. Supported in part by NlH grants CA 19834 and RR5624.
Perceiving complex causation through interaction

When we interact with a touch screen computational device we have the strong subjective impression that we are directly causing changes that occur on the screen. For example, sliding a finger on a screen causes scrolling of the information. But the current method for showing causal relationships derived from models is to use a causal network diagram with nodes representing entities and arrows represent causal relationships between those entities. Sometimes arrows are labeled to weight the connections. In such diagrams there is no immediate visual impression of causal links, just the perception of connections and the arrowhead symbol. Interactive touch screens would seem to offer the potential for creating interactive diagrams where the causal relationships are provided in a perceptually immediate and unequivocal fashion. This paper explores methods for creating interactive diagrams using multiple touches that go beyond simple positive causation to express complexities such as causal effect enhancement, causal effect reduction and causal effect blocking. A design rationale is presented with special attention to temporal constraints. Results from an evaluation study suggest that the design can be understood with minimal instruction by most people.
A hybrid robot system for ct-guided surgery

The common serial robot or parallel robot is difficult to implement for CT-guided surgery in a limited workspace. A novel hybrid robot with 9 degrees of freedom is presented in this paper, whose detailed structure is analysed based on screw theory and displacement manifold (DM). The dexterity of the hybrid robot is provided in terms of Riemann manifold (RM). Besides, DICOM (digital imaging communications in medicine) image processing, spatial registration and 3D dynamic reconstruction in the operation planning subsystem are analysed, in which some innovative methods are introduced. Meanwhile, the architecture of the CT-guided hybrid robot system and its subsystems are proposed. Simulative clinical experiment showed that the locating precision of the hybrid robot reaches 1.08 mm, which can meet the requirement of CT-guided surgery.
Brain angiotensin II and III binding and dipsogenicity in the rabbit

Abstract The rabbit brain evidence low or non-detectable levels of [125I]angiotensin II binding but considerable [125I]angiotensin III specific binding in agreement with distributions reported for the primate brain. The rabbit was dispsogenically responsive to the intracerbroventricular infusions of angiotensin II and III; however, no elevations in blood pressure were measured for either peptide. Thus, members of this species appear to have limited usefulness as a primate model for central angiotensin-induced cardiovascular changes.
Cyclical Behavior of the Labor Share

For 1970-1982, the wage/profit ratio is strongly counter-cyclical; it's movements are determined mainly by output demanded (or capacity utilization) and only secondarily by unemployment with a long...
Adjuvant chemotherapy is associated with decreased mortality after radical cystectomy for locally advanced bladder cancer

Purpose We sought to evaluate the association of adjuvant chemotherapy with the risk of subsequent mortality among patients with locally advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder undergoing radical cystectomy (RC).
Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in the Llama (Lama Glama): Diagnosis, Transmission, and Susceptibility:

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) was shown to be transmitted from either cattle to llamas, llamas to swine (interspecies), or llamas to llamas (intraspecies). Response to FMDV varied greatly in the 6 llamas studied; 3 llamas developed generalized clinical disease with mild pyrexia, 2 after intradermolingual inoculation, and 1 after exposure to a calf infected with FMDV serotype A24. Another contact llama developed vesicular lesions on all 4 extremities but no oral lesions. Two contact llamas, in separate study groups, did not seroconvert or develop clinical signs of FMDV infection. All 4 llamas showing clinical disease developed virus- neutralizing antibodies against FMDV A24 and antibodies against the virus-infection-associated antigen. Virus- neutralizing antibody titers remained elevated for over 200 days postinoculation or exposure. Antibodies to virus-infection-associated antigen were detected several days after virus-neutralizing antibody appeared and became weaker 100-125 days post-FMDV exposure in 3 of the 4 clinically affected llamas. One inoculated llama was still positive for virus-infection-associated antigen at 360 days after inoculation. Foot-and-mouth disease virus A24 was not detected from esophageal-pharyngeal fluid specimens beyond 8 days postexposure using in vitro techniques. Four native species of camelids are found in the Americas: the llama (Lama gama), the alpaca (L. pa- cos), the guanaco (L. guanacoe), and the vicuna (L. vicugna). The South American camelids are indigenous to the Andean mountain peaks and high plains and prairies of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina, and Chile 26 Since 1978 Chile has kept foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) from becoming reestablished as an en- zootic disease by extensive border surveillance and vigorous control measures. 3,6,7 However, efforts by Chile to be recognized as free of FMD by national and in- ternational governing bodies have been twice thwarted by outbreaks of the disease in 1984 and in 1987. 1,3,7,20- 25 On both occasions, alleged contraband movement of infected cattle into Chile was responsible for the outbreaks. 3,7 In neither of these FMD outbreaks were camelids known to be clinically affected. Epidemiological studies of FMD in Old World camelids, Camelus dromedarius and C. bactrianus, members of the same family as the llama, have been conducted in the Middle East. In one of these studies, foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) was isolated from esophageal-pharyngeal (OP) samples through 5 weeks postinoculation, and seroconversion was doc-