A similarity criterion for forest growth curves

Comparison of forest growth curves has led many to the conclusion that there is a similarity between forest stands growing in different conditions. Here we treat the same subject from the viewpoint of similarity theory. Our goal is to form a dimensionless ratio of biophysical entities that could parameterize the diversity of forest growth curves. (Such ratios are called similarity criteria.) Pursuing this goal, we focus on the analogy between tree crown growth and atomic explosion. A blast wave is formed when the rate of energy release is much higher than the rate of energy dissipation. The difference between the rates of energy release and dissipation is the essence of this phenomenon. The essential feature of crown growth is the difference between the rates of non-structural carbohydrate supply and demand. Since the rate of supply is much higher than the rate of demand, the flow of non-structural carbohydrates achieves the tips of branches and enables the radial growth of crown. Proceeding from these ideas, we derived the similarity criterion which supposedly captures the “essence of growth” that emerges from the geometric similarity of tree crowns

Thermal rupture of a free liquid sheet

We consider a free liquid sheet, taking into account the dependence of surface tension on temperature, or concentration of some pollutant. The sheet dynamics are described within a long-wavelength description. In the presence of viscosity, local thinning of the sheet is driven by a strong temperature gradient across the pinch region, resembling a shock. As a result, for long times the sheet thins exponentially, leading to breakup. We describe the quasi one-dimensional thickness, velocity, and temperature profiles in the pinch region in terms of similarity solutions, which posses a universal structure. Our analytical description agrees quantitatively with numerical simulations

Catalytic Antibodies in Norm and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is known as a systemic polyethiologic diffuse autoimmune disease characterized by connective tissue disorganization and the paramount damage of skin and visceral capillaries. Usually, SLE symptoms include high fever, hair loss, mouth ulcers, chest pain, swollen lymph nodes, painful and swollen joints, increased fatigue, and appearance of red rash more often on the face. The exact reason of SLE appearance is not really clear. Detection of catalytic Abs (abzymes) was shown to be the earliest indicator of different AI disease development. Some abzymes are cytotoxic and can play a dangerous negative role in the pathogenesis of AI diseases. SLE is characterized by the appearance of abzymes with several different catalytic functions including hydrolysis of peptides and proteins, DNA, RNA, and oligosaccharides. In addition, monoclonal SLE abzymes are characterized by extraordinary diversity in the affinity to the substrates, physicochemical and catalytic characteristics, optimal conditions of catalysis, cytotoxicity, etc. Production of abzymes in SLE mice is associated with changes in the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells of bone marrow, increase in lymphocyte proliferation, and significant suppression of cell apoptosis in different organs. In this chapter, abzymes with different catalytic activities in SLE are described