Solitary, primary malignant astrocytoma of the spinal leptomeninges.

Malignant astrocytoma of leptomeningeal origin is a rare central nervous system neoplasm. A study of surgical and autopsy material from a primary leptomeningeal malignant astrocytoma of the spinal cord is presented. The initial presentation was focal; an extramedullary, intradural mass caused thoracic cord compression, although at autopsy the neoplasm involved the entire leptomeninges. The histological, ultrastructural and immunocytochemical findings of a tumor in this location and its histogenesis are discussed.

Behavior of sink and source defects in a one-dimensional traveling finger pattern.

We present the results of an experimental study of sink and source defects in a one-dimensional pattern of traveling fingers that form at a driven fluid-air interface. We find that sinks and sources behave differently: Sinks separate regions of differing wave number and move smoothly so as to keep the phase difference across the sink fixed. They are transient objects which are eventually destroyed at the boundaries of the experiment or by collision with a source. Sources, on the other hand, are long lived. They are symmetric and stationary on average, although individual sources move erratically and do not display the phase-matching behavior of the sinks.

Overview of the Fernald Dosimetry Reconstruction Project and source term estimates for 1951-1988.

The Feed Materials Production Center, northwest of Cincinnati, processed uranium concentrates and uranium compounds recycled from other stages of nuclear weapons production, as well as some uranium ore and thorium. Particulate releases were primarily uranium (natural, depleted, and slightly enriched. In addition, two large silos containing radium-bearing residues were emission sources of radon and its decay products. The Fernald Dosimetry Reconstruction Project was undertaken to help the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to evaluate the impact of the Feed Materials Production Center on the public from radionuclides released to the environment from 1951 through 1988. At this point in the study, the project has estimated the quantities of radioactive materials released to air, surface water, and in groundwater; developed the methodology to describe the environmental transport of the materials; developed mathematical models to calculate the resulting radiation doses; and evaluated environmental monitoring data to verify that the estimates of releases and transport are reasonable. Thorough review of historical records and extensive interaction with former and current employees and residents have been the foundation for reconstructing routine operations, documenting accidents, and evaluating unmonitored emission sources. The largest releases of uranium to air and water occurred in the 1950's and 1960's. Radon releases from the silos remained elevated through most of the 1970's. The quantity of uranium released to surface water was much less than that released to air. Best estimates of releases are reported as median values, with associated uncertainties calculated as an integral part of the estimates. Screening calculations showed that atmospheric pathways dominate the total dose from Feed Materials Production Center releases. Accordingly, the local meteorology, effluent particle size and chemical form, and wet and dry deposition, were particularly important in this study. The final goal of the project is the calculation of radiation doses to people living in the study domain, which is represented by a circle with radius of 10 km centered on the Feed Materials Production Center production area.

An evaluation of in situ microcosms for validating aquatic fate and transport models.

The fates of two compounds, 2,4 Dichlorophenoxy Acetic Acid Butoxyethyl Ester (2,4-DBEE) and 1,4 Dichlorobenzene (1,4-DCB), were examined in in situ microcosms placed in a pond and compared with the fates in the pond itself. Results also were compared with predictions of an aquatic fate and transport model (EXAMS). Decay rates of 2,4-DBEE were not significantly different among the microcosms, pond and model predictions. The decay rate of 1,4-DCB in the microcosms was significantly lower than the rate for the pond, and lower than the rate predicted by the model. The low volatility of 1,4-DCB in the microcosms is attributed primarily to lack of water surface turbulence in the microcosms.

Detection of endotoxin in antibiotic solutions with Limulus amoebocyte lysate.

Twenty-eight antibiotics were tested with the Limulus amoebocyte lysate assay to determine their non-inhibitory concentrations (NICs). The Limulus amoebocyte lysate assay was found to be a valid test for most of the antibiotics tested; the NICs were found to be greater than the minimum valid test concentrations. Borderline results were obtained with cefamandole nafate and neomycin sulfate. Polymyxin B and colistimethate contained too much endotoxin to permit determination of NICs. The NIC of tetracycline hydrochloride was dependent on the initial concentration of antibiotic. This dependence was most likely caused by the amount of base required to adjust the pH before testing.

The use of simple kinetic models to help design environmental monitoring systems.

This paper describes the application of simple linear models to help design environmental monitoring systems. This process involves five steps: (1) The derivation of a schematic of the identified pollutant's transport and fate. (2) The derivation of the equation in the schematic. (3) Estimation of input data and numerical solution. (4) Comparison with initial field data. (5) Design of a monitoring system.Two examples of how this system was applied under field conditions are given. Advantages of this approach are: (1) It forces a consideration of the system as a whole rather than a series of distinct environmental components. (2) It forces a consideration of the physical-chemical and biological factors effecting pollutant transport in the system. (3) It sets up an analytical procedure for data analysis at the time the monitoring system is designed. (4) It helps show the functional relationship between pollutant levels in different environmental media. (5) It identifies points where sampling design could be changed to provide for a more efficient monitoring system. (6) It identifies gaps in our knowledge base.

Estimation of growth rate from the mitotic index.

The growth rate of a eukaryotic population dividing at a constant rate can be estimated from the equation, t(m)/g ln 2 = ln (1 + R), in which t(m) is the time required for mitosis, g is the generation time, and R is the fraction of cells undergoing mitosis. Values for t(m) and R can be determined by direct microscope examination of the population. The validity of the derived equation has been checked with an exponentially growing culture of a prokaryote, Escherichia coli, in which chloramphenicol was administered to inhibit protein synthesis. Cells having enough protein completed the division process whereas the rest of the population was inhibited. From the plot of the growth curve before and after administration of chloramphenicol, t(m) and R were estimated. The calculated and actual growth rates were almost identical.