Review Essay: Encyclopedia of the Great Plains

The latest of the local encyclopedias is the University of Nebraska Press\u27s Encyclopedia of the Great Plains. This work was long in the making: the idea for the encyclopedia emerged out of the University of Nebraska\u27s Center for Great Plains Studies in the late 1980s. Somewhere along the way, the editors of the Encyclopedia of the Great Plains decided to organize the entries not alphabetically but thematically. This thematic organization has its virtues, especially for readers interested in particular subjects. As editor David Wishart explains, the thematic chapters provide an interpretive function which is lacking in purely alphabetical works. Yet the thematic organization removes much possibility for experiencing one of the unique pleasures of leafing through an encyclopedia: being surprised by an interesting entry that lies right next to the entry one sought

Review Essay: Encyclopedia of the Great Plains

The latest of the local encyclopedias is the University of Nebraska Press\u27s Encyclopedia of the Great Plains. This work was long in the making: the idea for the encyclopedia emerged out of the University of Nebraska\u27s Center for Great Plains Studies in the late 1980s. Somewhere along the way, the editors of the Encyclopedia of the Great Plains decided to organize the entries not alphabetically but thematically. This thematic organization has its virtues, especially for readers interested in particular subjects. As editor David Wishart explains, the thematic chapters provide an interpretive function which is lacking in purely alphabetical works. Yet the thematic organization removes much possibility for experiencing one of the unique pleasures of leafing through an encyclopedia: being surprised by an interesting entry that lies right next to the entry one sought

Energy Conversion Alternatives Study (ECAS), Westinghouse phase 1. Volume 12: Fuel cells

A parametric assessment of four fuel cell power systems -- based on phosphoric acid, potassium hydroxide, molten carbonate, and stabilized zirconia -- has shown that the most important parameters for electricity-cost reduction and/or efficiency improvement standpoints are fuel cell useful life and power density, use of a waste-heat recovery system, and fuel type. Typical capital costs, overall energy efficiencies (based on the heating value of the coal used to produce the power plant fuel), and electricity costs are: phosphoric acid $350-450/kWe, 24-29$450-700/kWe, 26-31%, and 12.8 to 16.9 mills/MJ (46 to 61 mills/kWh); molten carbonate $480-650/kWe, 32-46$420-950/kWe, 26-53%, and 9.7 to 16.9 mills/MJ (35 to 61 mills/kWh). Three types of fuel cell power plants -- solid electrolytic with steam bottoming, molten carbonate with steam bottoming, and solid electrolyte with an integrated coal gasifier -- are recommended for further study

Asymptotically Hyperbolic Non Constant Mean Curvature Solutions of the Einstein Constraint Equations

We describe how the iterative technique used by Isenberg and Moncrief to verify the existence of large sets of non constant mean curvature solutions of the Einstein constraints on closed manifolds can be adapted to verify the existence of large sets of asymptotically hyperbolic non constant mean curvature solutions of the Einstein constraints.Comment: 19 pages, TeX, no figure

The constraint equations for the Einstein-scalar field system on compact manifolds

We study the constraint equations for the Einstein-scalar field system on compact manifolds. Using the conformal method we reformulate these equations as a determined system of nonlinear partial differential equations. By introducing a new conformal invariant, which is sensitive to the presence of the initial data for the scalar field, we are able to divide the set of free conformal data into subclasses depending on the possible signs for the coefficients of terms in the resulting Einstein-scalar field Lichnerowicz equation. For many of these subclasses we determine whether or not a solution exists. In contrast to other well studied field theories, there are certain cases, depending on the mean curvature and the potential of the scalar field, for which we are unable to resolve the question of existence of a solution. We consider this system in such generality so as to include the vacuum constraint equations with an arbitrary cosmological constant, the Yamabe equation and even (all cases of) the prescribed scalar curvature problem as special cases.Comment: Minor changes, final version. To appear: Classical and Quantum Gravit

Waveless Approximation Theories of Gravity

The analysis of a general multibody physical system governed by Einstein's equations in quite difficult, even if numerical methods (on a computer) are used. Some of the difficulties -- many coupled degrees of freedom, dynamic instability -- are associated with the presence of gravitational waves. We have developed a number of ``waveless approximation theories'' (WAT) which repress the gravitational radiation and thereby simplify the analysis. The matter, according to these theories, evolves dynamically. The gravitational field, however, is determined at each time step by a set of elliptic equations with matter sources. There is reason to believe that for many physical systems, the WAT-generated system evolution is a very accurate approximation to that generated by the full Einstein theory

A Self-Consistent Marginally Stable State for Parallel Ion Cyclotron Waves

We derive an equation whose solutions describe self-consistent states of marginal stability for a proton-electron plasma interacting with parallel-propagating ion cyclotron waves. Ion cyclotron waves propagating through this marginally stable plasma will neither grow nor damp. The dispersion relation of these waves, {\omega} (k), smoothly rises from the usual MHD behavior at small |k| to reach {\omega} = {\Omega}p as k \rightarrow \pm\infty. The proton distribution function has constant phase-space density along the characteristic resonant surfaces defined by this dispersion relation. Our equation contains a free function describing the variation of the proton phase-space density across these surfaces. Taking this free function to be a simple "box function", we obtain specific solutions of the marginally stable state for a range of proton parallel betas. The phase speeds of these waves are larger than those given by the cold plasma dispersion relation, and the characteristic surfaces are more sharply peaked in the v\bot direction. The threshold anisotropy for generation of ion cyclotron waves is also larger than that given by estimates which assume bi-Maxwellian proton distributions.Comment: in press in Physics of Plasma

Biologic therapies for systemic lupus erythematosus: where are we now?

Advances in molecular biology have led to the development of biologic therapies. This is particularly relevant in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which is a multisystem autoimmune rheumatic disease (ARD) associated with potentially life-threatening complications if not adequately treated. The availability of new biologic drugs has improved the prognosis of SLE in selected cases associated with unsatisfactory response to conventional therapies. Over the last decade, there have been developments in the availability of biologic agents for SLE treatment based upon the advances in the understanding of the disease pathogenesis. Even if the evidence of biologic treatment efficacy in SLE is weaker than in other autoimmune rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), significant progress was made, as the first biologic treatment for use in SLE patients received approval in 2011. These new biologic therapies for SLE range from anti-CD20/CD22 (clusters of differentiation characteristic to B cells), to anti-B cell activating factors and anti-interferon alpha (IFNα). This chapter reviews the various biologic agents used in SLE, their mechanism of action and safety profile. The most common side effects to biologic treatments include infection, tuberculosis (TB) reactivation and allergic reactions. Less common side effects include development of lymphoma and anti-drug or autoimmune antibody formation. Despite their toxicity profile, biologic agents are gaining ground in clinical practice due to the limited efficacy or increased toxicity of conventional disease modifying agents (DMARD’s). Biologic therapies targeting B cells, such as rituximab, and B cell activation factors, such as belimumab, are currently used in the treatment of refractory SLE. Furthermore, aggressive treatment, including the use of biologic agents, reduces long-term complications associated with prolonged use of steroids in SLE, such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. In the short term, the biologic agents are expensive when compared to traditional DMARDs; however there is evidence that their use is associated with long term benefits for patients with SLE, such as reduced hospital admission and disease complications, and improved patient outcomes. This chapter provides a summary of most biologic agents tested in SLE patients, considering their efficacy and safety profile, as well as the health implications associated with their use. We also take a brief look at newer agents currently investigated in clinical trials