bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
I. Henry VIII's Use of his Spiritual and Temporal Jurisdictions in his Great Causes of Matrimony, Legitimacy, and Succession
Authors: Levine Mortimer
Published: December 2010

The Act in Restraint of Appeals to Rome of 1533 has become one of the most controversial statutes of what Dr G. R. Elton has called the ‘Tudor revolution’. The central issue seems to be Elton's view that the term ‘empire’ in the Act's famous preamble provided the theoretical basis for Henry VIII's claim to a jurisdiction in spiritual cases. It is not my intention to enter this high and perhaps irresolvable debate; rather I propose to consider the solution that the Act provided for the practical problem that was its occasion, namely, the king's ‘great matter’, and the inadequacy of that solution for problems that developed subsequently. The political doctrines stated or implied in Tudor statutes are interesting and significant, but, as Elton has written in connexion with the causes of the Reformation, ‘Anne Boleyn should not be forgotten’.
Depressive symptom clusters are differentially associated with atherosclerotic disease
Authors: Bus B. A. A. , Marijnissen R. M. , Holewijn S. , Franke B. , Purandare N. , de Graaf J. , den Heijer M. , Buitelaar J. K. , Voshaar R. C. Oude
Published: December 2010

Background

Depression increases the risk of subsequent vascular events in both cardiac and non-cardiac patients. Atherosclerosis, the underlying process leading to vascular events, has been associated with depression. This association, however, may be confounded by the somatic-affective symptoms being a consequence of cardiovascular disease. While taking into account the differentiation between somatic-affective and cognitive-affective symptoms of depression, we examined the association between depression and atherosclerosis in a community-based sample.

Method

In 1261 participants of the Nijmegen Biomedical Study (NBS), aged 50–70 years and free of stroke and dementia, we measured the intima–media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery as a measure of atherosclerosis and we assessed depressive symptoms using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Principal components analysis (PCA) of the BDI items yielded two factors, representing a cognitive-affective and a somatic-affective symptom cluster. While correcting for confounders, we used separate multiple regression analyses to test the BDI sum score and both depression symptom clusters.

Results

We found a significant correlation between the BDI sum score and the IMT. Cognitive-affective, but not somatic-affective, symptoms were also associated with the IMT. When we stratified for coronary artery disease (CAD), the somatic-affective symptom cluster correlated significantly with depression in both patients with and patients without CAD.

Conclusions

The association between depressive symptoms and atherosclerosis is explained by the somatic-affective symptom cluster of depression. Subclinical vascular disease thus may inflate depressive symptom scores and may explain why treatment of depression in cardiac patients hardly affects vascular outcome.
Refugees, Acculturation Strategies, Stress and Integration
Authors: PHILLIMORE JENNY
Published: December 2010

The advent of super-diversity and politicisation of migration has been accompanied by heightened interest in migrant settlement. Much has been written in policy and academic fields about the importance of integration, particularly in relation to the settlement of refugees. However, little attention has been paid to the varied settlement experiences of individual refugees, or how personal, cultural and experiential factors combine to influence settlement experiences. This paper turns to cross-cultural psychology's discussion of acculturation processes and, in particular, Berry's acculturation strategies (Berry, 1997) to look at the different factors that influence acculturation and how these factors impact upon the ability of individual refugees to integrate. Using qualitative data collected from 138 interviews with refugees living in Birmingham, England, the paper shows how a range of group and individual factors, relating to their experiences both in refugees’ home and host countries, influences the acculturation strategies adopted by different refugees. It shows that in the current policy environment many refugees lack choice about acculturation strategy, are vulnerable to psychosocial stress and struggle to integrate.
Stochastic characterization of the onset of and recovery from hypoxia in Tokyo Bay, Japan: Derived distribution analysis based on “strong wind” events
Authors: Nakayama Keisuke , Sivapalan Murugesu , Sato Chizuru , Furukawa Keita
Published: December 2010

This paper uses derived distribution analysis to explore the process controls of the onset of and recovery from hypoxic conditions in Tokyo Bay, Japan. A conceptual, lumped model of dissolved oxygen (DO) dynamics in Tokyo Bay is proposed and, through comparison with a three‐dimensional simulation model, is verified to have sufficient accuracy for the prediction of the onset of and recovery from hypoxia. This conceptual DO model was implemented in continuous simulation mode, with 14 years of wind data and data on streamflow entering the Tokyo Bay, and was used to identify and quantify the various process controls of the onset of and recovery from hypoxia. The underlying process controls were identified to be streamflow discharge, as well as duration and strength of both northeast “positive” winds and southwest “negative” winds. The analysis helped to isolate, in particular, the potential for rapid and strong recovery from hypoxia due to “strong negative winds”, (i.e., negative winds that exceed a wind speed threshold of 10 m s−1) and the critical roles of the duration of these strong winds and the antecedent DO concentration on the strength of DO recovery. Motivated by these results, derived distribution analysis is adopted to predict the strength of DO recovery during periods of strong winds, using a simplified model of DO recovery, focused on isolated strong winds, that explicitly captures the effects of both wind duration and antecedent DO concentration.
Crustal‐scale transcurrent fault development in a weak‐layered crust from an integrated geophysical research: Carboneras Fault Zone, eastern Betic Cordillera, Spain
Authors: Pedrera Antonio , de Lis Mancilla Flor , Ruiz‐Constán Ana , Galindo‐Zaldívar Jesús , Morales José , Arzate Jorge , Marín‐Lechado Carlos , Ruano Patricia , Buontempo Luisa , Anahnah Farida , Stich Daniel
Published: December 2010

New magnetotelluric and receiver transfer function studies provide insights from the upper to the lower crust of the eastern Betic Cordillera, which is deformed by large folds, normal faults, and a major transcurrent left‐lateral fault, the Carboneras Fault Zone (CFZ). Receiver function analysis determines a NNW dipping Moho reaching 20° that increases in depth, from 20 km south of the CFZ up to 34 km in the Sierra de Los Filabres. In addition, seismic discontinuities determined in the upper crust are interpreted as major contacts between metamorphic complexes that are detached and folded. The MT inversion model reveals a conductive zone, also representing a crustal seismic discontinuity, associated with the Alpujárride/Nevado‐Filábride contact and fitting the N vergent geometry of the Sierra Alhamilla antiform. A small flexure at Moho coincides with the CFZ, as revealed by the Bouguer anomaly trend, in agreement with the receiver function results. Moreover, the Bahr strike and tipper angle at the stations placed closest to the CFZ clearly reveal the continuity of the CFZ at least down to approximately 15 km in depth, crossing all the detected crustal discontinuities up to the Moho. The lack of a clear Moho offset associated with the Carboneras Fault supports the idea that some large strike‐slip faults tend to accommodate the deformation by a broadening fault zone at lower crustal levels. Its nucleation could occur at the base of a thin crust, where melting processes critically reduced the lithospheric strength during the late Miocene, to then propagate upward, reaching the topographic surface. Northward, the lithosphere comprised moderately larger strength, and the crustal discontinuities favored the development of larger folds with kilometric amplitude instead of strike‐slip faults since the late Miocene.
On the azimuthal location of auroral breakup: Hemispheric asymmetry
Authors: Liou K. , Newell P. T.
Published: December 2010

We study the effects of the azimuthal component of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and the Earth's dipole tilt angle (larger DTA means northern winter) on the magnetic local time of auroral breakup using 2539 previously published events. It is found that in the Northern Hemisphere the location of auroral breakup occur the earliest for the IMF By+/DTA+ paring and the latest for the IMF By−/DTA− pairing. The ordering is opposite in the Southern Hemisphere for the same conditions. A similar result is obtained if the DTA is replaced by the solar zenith angle. We did not find a strong IMF clock angle effect on the north–south azimuthal onset displacement as reported previously. We interpret the observed hemispheric asymmetry as a result of an additional By field in the plasma sheet associated with IMF By and dipole tilt and/or a day‐night gradient in ionospheric conductivity, skewing of the tail field azimuthally.
On nonlinear decay of kinetic Alfvén waves and application to some processes in space plasmas
Authors: Zhao J. S. , Wu D. J. , Lu J. Y.
Published: December 2010

This paper considers the nonlinear decay of the kinetic Alfvén waves (KAW) in the space plasmas. By using a two‐fluid model, we obtain a nonlinear equation to investigate the resonant interaction among three kinetic Alfvén waves. It is shown that the parametric instability of the kinetic Alfvén wave becomes important when its perpendicular wavelength is the order of the ion acoustic gyroradius or the electron inertial length. We give a detailed discussion for the KAW decay in the plasma inertial range and show that (1) the reverse decay of the kinetic Alfvén wave is stronger than its parallel decay for the arbitrary wavelength range; (2) the reverse decay is lager than the parallel decay for small angles of two perpendicular wave vectors of the decay waves, and these two decays are zero for large angles; (3) both growth rates depend on the choice of the wave number range of the decay waves; and (4) there exists two forbidden regions for the KAW decay. In this paper, we also discuss the nonlinear decay of the kinetic Alfvén waves in the auroral zone and show that the parametric instability can occur there and may play an important role in forming two reverse electron streaming fluxes in the electron acceleration region.
A general time‐dependent stochastic method for solving Parker's transport equation in spherical coordinates
Authors: Pei C. , Bieber J. W. , Burger R. A. , Clem J.
Published: December 2010

We present a detailed description of our newly developed stochastic approach for solving Parker's transport equation, which we believe is the first attempt to solve it with time dependence in 3‐D, evolving from our 3‐D steady state stochastic approach. Our formulation of this method is general and is valid for any type of heliospheric magnetic field, although we choose the standard Parker field as an example to illustrate the steps to calculate the transport of galactic cosmic rays. Our 3‐D stochastic method is different from other stochastic approaches in the literature in several ways. For example, we employ spherical coordinates to integrate directly, which makes the code much more efficient by reducing coordinate transformations. What is more, the equivalence between our stochastic differential equations and Parker's transport equation is guaranteed by Ito's theorem in contrast to some other approaches. We generalize the technique for calculating particle flux based on the pseudoparticle trajectories for steady state solutions and for time‐dependent solutions in 3‐D. To validate our code, first we show that good agreement exists between solutions obtained by our steady state stochastic method and a traditional finite difference method. Then we show that good agreement also exists for our time‐dependent method for an idealized and simplified heliosphere which has a Parker magnetic field and a simple initial condition for two different inner boundary conditions.
Magnetospheric feedback in solar wind energy transfer
Authors: Palmroth M. , Koskinen H. E. J. , Pulkkinen T. I. , Toivanen P. K. , Janhunen P. , Milan S. E. , Lester M.
Published: December 2010

The solar wind kinetic energy fueling all dynamical processes within the near‐Earth space is extracted in a dynamo process at the magnetopause. This direct energy transfer from the solar wind into the magnetosphere depends on the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) as well as other solar wind parameters, such as the IMF magnitude and solar wind velocity. Using the GUMICS‐4 magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation, we find that the energy input from the solar wind into the magnetosphere depends on this direct driving as well as the magnetopause magnetic properties and their time history in such a way that the energy transfer can continue even after the direct driving conditions turned unfavorable. Such a hysteresis effect introduces discrepancies between the energy input proxies and the energy input measured from GUMICS‐4, especially after strong driving, although otherwise the simulation energy input captures the system dynamics. For the cause of the effect, we propose a simple feedback mechanism based on magnetic flux accumulation in the tail lobes. By ideal MHD theory, the energy conversion at the magnetopause is proportional to the product of normal and tangential magnetic fields, the magnetic stress. During large magnetic flux accumulation, the tangential field at the magnetopause strengthens, enhancing the local instantaneous energy conversion and transfer. Our simulations show that this mechanism supports the energy transfer even under weak driving followed by favorable solar wind conditions and transfer up to 50% more power than without the feedback.
Self‐consistent inner magnetosphere simulation driven by a global MHD model
Authors: Zaharia Sorin , Jordanova V. K. , Welling D. , Tóth G.
Published: December 2010

We present results from a one‐way coupling between the kinetic Ring Current Atmosphere Interactions Model with Self‐Consistent B field (RAM‐SCB) and the Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF). RAM‐SCB obtains plasma distribution and magnetic field at model boundaries from the Block Adaptive Tree Solar Wind Roe Upwind Scheme (BATS‐R‐US) magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model and convection potentials from the Ridley Ionosphere Model within SWMF. We simulate the large geomagnetic storm of 31 August 2005 (minimum SYM‐H of −116 nT). Comparing SWMF output with Los Alamos National Laboratory geostationary satellite data, we find SWMF plasma to be too cold and dense if assumed to consist only of protons; this problem is alleviated if heavier ions are considered. With SWMF inputs, we find that RAM‐SCB reproduces well storm time magnetosphere features: ring current morphology, dusk side peak, pitch angle anisotropy, and total energy. The RAM‐SCB ring current and Dst are stronger than the SWMF ones and reproduce observations much better. The calculated field‐aligned currents (FAC) compare reasonably well with 2 h averaged pictures from Iridium satellite data. As the ring current peak rotates duskward in the storm main phase, the region 2 FACs rotate toward noon, a feature also seen in observations. Finally, the RAM‐SCB magnetic field outperforms both the dipole and the BATS‐R‐US field at Cluster and Polar spacecraft locations. This study shows the importance of a kinetic self‐consistent approach and the sensitive dependence of the storm time inner magnetosphere on plasma sheet conditions and the cross polar cap potential. The study showcases the RAM‐SCB capability as an inner magnetosphere module coupled with a global MHD model.
A comparison of THEMIS Pi2 observations near the dawn and dusk sectors in the inner magnetosphere
Authors: Kim K.‐H. , Kwon H.‐J. , Lee D.‐H. , Jin H. , Takahashi K. , Angelopoulos V. , Bonnell J. W. , Glassmeier K. H. , Park Y.‐D. , Sutcliffe P.
Published: December 2010

Pi2 pulsations observed in the inner magnetosphere have been explained as radially trapped fast mode waves in the plasmasphere (i.e., plasmaspheric resonance). This model suggests that these waves can be globally detected at all local times in the inner magnetosphere when azimuthal propagation is allowed. There are no reports of Pi2‐associated fast mode waves on the dayside in the inner magnetosphere, however. In this case study we focus on a Pi2 pulsation that was observed by the low‐latitude Bohyun station (L = 1.35) in the postmidnight sector (MLT = 3.1) at 1853 UT on 27 February 2008. During the Pi2 event, Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS)‐E was near the dawnside inner magnetosphere (MLT = 5.1 and L = 2.6), and THEMIS‐D was near the duskside inner magnetosphere (MLT = 17.8 and L = 3.1), which are transition regions between nightside and dayside. On the dawnside, THEMIS‐E observed poloidal oscillations characterized by the azimuthal component of the electric field (δEy) and the radial (δBx) and compressional (δBz) components of the magnetic field. These components had high coherence (>0.8) with a low‐latitude Pi2 pulsation at Bohyun. We confirmed that the poloidal oscillations are radially standing fast mode waves excited by plasmaspheric resonance. On the duskside, however, no poloidal oscillations in the Pi2 frequency band were detected at THEMIS‐D, indicating that the plasmaspheric resonance may not establish itself globally. We suggest that there is strong longitudinal attenuation of fast mode waves near the duskside, which may be due to complicated duskside plasmapause structures. In addition, a well‐defined, trapped fast mode oscillation would be expected as a two‐dimensional mode structure near the meridian plane of a source region.
Interannual atmospheric torque and El Niño–Southern Oscillation: Where is the polar motion signal?
Authors: Marcus Steven L. , de Viron Olivier , Dickey Jean O.
Published: December 2010

In this paper, we investigate the atmospheric excitation of polar motion (PM) associated with the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. ENSO effects on length‐of‐day due to changes in the axial component of atmospheric angular momentum (AAM) have long been recognized, but identification of PM excitation with ENSO‐induced equatorial AAM anomalies has proved more elusive. Here we use an appropriately modified form of the inverted barometer (IB) assumption to study ENSO‐related atmospheric torques arising from pressure loading on the Earth's ellipsoidal bulge and mountains and from frictional wind stress over the Earth's land‐ and ocean‐covered surface. The resulting dissipation torques, which accommodate adjustment of the oceanic mass distribution to time‐variable atmospheric loading, are found to be small. The ellipsoidal torques have the largest amplitude, reflecting the order‐of‐magnitude discrepancy between the height departures of the Earth's bulge (∼20 km) and its surface orography (∼2 km). Because of relatively uniform pressure covariances with the Southern Oscillation Index over the continents for the largely land‐based X component and the uniform IB response for the largely ocean‐based Y component; however, the ENSO‐related PM excitation arising from the ellipsoidal torques is reduced to an amplitude comparable with the sum of regional mountain torques from the individual continents. The largest of these are generated over Asia and Antarctica, arising from efficient coupling of ENSO‐related surface pressure anomalies with large‐scale orographic features. The geometrical mitigation of the ellipsoidal torques, classically expected to dominate equatorial AAM forcing, accounts for the lack of a detectable atmosphere‐driven polar motion response to ENSO.
Upscaling solute transport in naturally fractured porous media with the continuous time random walk method
Authors: Geiger S. , Cortis A. , Birkholzer J. T.
Published: December 2010

Solute transport in fractured porous media is typically “non‐Fickian”; that is, it is characterized by early breakthrough and long tailing and by nonlinear growth of the Green function–centered second moment. This behavior is due to the effects of (1) multirate diffusion occurring between the highly permeable fracture network and the low‐permeability rock matrix, (2) a wide range of advection rates in the fractures and, possibly, the matrix as well, and (3) a range of path lengths. As a consequence, prediction of solute transport processes at the macroscale represents a formidable challenge. Classical dual‐porosity (or mobile‐immobile) approaches in conjunction with an advection‐dispersion equation and macroscopic dispersivity commonly fail to predict breakthrough of fractured porous media accurately. It was recently demonstrated that the continuous time random walk (CTRW) method can be used as a generalized upscaling approach. Here we extend this work and use results from high‐resolution finite element–finite volume–based simulations of solute transport in an outcrop analogue of a naturally fractured reservoir to calibrate the CTRW method by extracting a distribution of retention times. This procedure allows us to predict breakthrough at other model locations accurately and to gain significant insight into the nature of the fracture‐matrix interaction in naturally fractured porous reservoirs with geologically realistic fracture geometries.
Modulation of headcut soil erosion in rills due to upstream sediment loads
Authors: Wells Robert R. , Bennett Sean J. , Alonso Carlos V.
Published: December 2010

Headcut erosion can severely accelerate soil loss in upland concentrated flows and lead to significant soil degradation in agricultural areas. Previous experimental work has demonstrated that actively migrating headcuts display systematic morphodynamic behavior and that impinging jet theory can provide an excellent analytic foundation for predicting these erosional phenomena. This research sought to examine systematically the effect of an upstream sediment load on the morphodynamics of actively migrating headcuts in upland concentrated flows. Using a specially designed experimental facility, actively migrating headcuts in packed soil beds were allowed to develop freely when subjected to concentrated, clear‐water flows similar to rills, crop furrows, and ephemeral gullies. After such headcut development and without altering the boundary conditions of the experiment, a sediment load composed of relatively coarser grained sand was introduced into the flow well upstream of the erosional feature. At relatively low upstream sediment loadings, the morphodynamics and sediment discharge of the actively migrating headcuts remained unchanged in time and space. As upstream sediment loadings increased, the size and migration rate of the headcuts decreased markedly, yet sediment discharge was not strongly affected as its sediment texture shifted from headcut‐controlled flux to sediment‐feed flux. The headcut erosion process was completely arrested when the upstream sediment feed rate exceeded a specific magnitude. Analytic arguments are used to explain the reaction time and morphodynamic response of an actively migrating headcut to this upstream sediment loading. This research shows that headcut erosion can be strongly modulated by an upstream sediment load, further complicating the prediction of soil erosion on upland areas dissected by sediment‐laden concentrated flows.
Transience of seawater intrusion in response to sea level rise
Authors: Watson Ty A. , Werner Adrian D. , Simmons Craig T.
Published: December 2010

Understanding seawater intrusion (SWI) induced by sea level rise (SLR) is important for the future management of many coastal aquifers. Only simplified steady state sharp interface analyses of generalized SLR‐SWI exist in the literature, and the important issue of associated time scales has been neglected. We employ numerical modeling in order to explore the transience of dispersive SLR‐SWI in common unconfined coastal aquifer settings. An instantaneous SLR is adopted to compare with the instantaneous sea level drop (SLD) case of a previous SLD‐SWI analysis. Temporal asymmetry between the SWI responses to SLR and SLD is observed. A SLR‐SWI simulation series indicates that toe “representative response times” (time to reach 95% of new steady state) range from decades to centuries for a 1 m SLR. Significant discrepancies between the representative response times of various SWI quantitative indicators (e.g., toe position, wedge center‐of‐mass) are observed. This demonstrates that the indication of steady state SWI conditions depends upon the monitoring approach and thus holds implications for studies reporting that SWI steady state has been attained. We adopt 100 years as a typical “planning time frame” and compare 100 year and steady state SLR‐SWI. As expected, the simplified steady state sharp interface solution overpredicts the 100 year landward toe shift in most cases. However, some simulations exhibit temporary “overshoot” of the steady state interface position: this is in contradiction to the presumption that steady state SWI is the worst case. Steady state sharp interface estimates appear to be at best useful as initial approximations of SLR‐SWI, given that they span 40%–250% of 100 year dispersive interface results for the cases considered.
The effect of extracorporeal albumin dialysis on plasma phospholipid fatty acids in patients with end‐stage liver disease
Authors: Zeh Nina , Rossi Steven S. , Hofmann Alan F. , Steinbach Joseph H. , Hagey Lee R. , Oliver Deanna , Stange Jan , Hassanein Tarek
Published: December 2010

Abstract The effect of extracorporeal albumin dialysis (ECAD) using the MARS™ device on plasma phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) in patients with end‐stage liver disease (ESLD) was examined. Phospholipids were isolated from plasma and the fatty acid (FA) composition of non‐sphingomyelin PL determined using capillary gas chromatography (GC). Plasma samples were also obtained from six patients with ESLD undergoing ECAD and from five patients with similar ESLD who were not treated, as well as from non‐fasting healthy subjects. PLFA were much lower [506 ± 62 μg/mL (M ± SD)] in patients with ESLD than in healthy subjects (2709 ± 688 μg/mL). In addition, the proportion of n3 and n6 polyunsaturated FA was much lower in patients with ESLD (n3, 1.7 ± 0.1%, n6, 19.6 ± 1.4%) than in healthy controls (n3, 4.1 ± 2.4%, n6, 31.9 ± 6.2%) ECAD caused an immediate increase in PLFA, averaging 56% in all patients, but PLFA levels decreased some hours later after treatment. ECAD also caused a small increase in the proportion of n3 and n6 of PLFA. During the 5 days of the study, PLFA rose in both ECAD‐treated and untreated patients, but the increase was significantly greater in ECAD treated patient. It is concluded that patients with ESLD have markedly decreased PLFA; these PLFA have a lower proportion of the polyunsaturated n3 and n6 FA with the result that the plasma level of these essential polyunsaturated PLFA is extremely low compared to that of healthy subjects. ECAD causes a transient increase in PLFA toward normal levels and also increases the proportion of n3 and n6 FA.
A 3‐year experience with Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS): our results on 63 patients with hepatic failure and color Doppler US evaluation of cerebral perfusion
Authors: Novelli Gilnardo , Rossi Massimo , Pretagostini Renzo , Novelli Luigi , Poli Luca , Ferretti Giancarlo , Iappelli Massimo , Berloco Pasquale , Cortesini Raffaello
Published: December 2010

Abstract In our 3‐year experience, we treated 63 patients with Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS). The patients were divided as follows: 10 primary non‐function (PNF) 16%, 10 delayed non‐function (DNF) 16%, 16 Fulminant hepatitis (FH) 24%, 23 acute decompensation of chronic liver disease (ACLF) 38%, and 4 hepatic resection 6%. All patients who underwent MARS treatment had bilirubin >15 mg/dL, Glasgow Coma Score between 9 and 11, ammonium >160 µg/dL and non‐coagulability. The determining factors taken into consideration for the continuation of MARS treatment were: an improvement in Glasgow Coma Score, and a decrease in ammonium and bilirubin. We also monitored hemodynamic parameters, acid–base equilibrium, and blood gas analysis before and after each treatment. In order to determine patients' neurological conditions, we not only took into account the Glasgow Coma Score, which does not give mathematically precise results but also took into account the fact that patients with hepatic coma had lower cerebral mean velocity in the cerebral arteries than patients without encephalopathy. For this reason, in the last 22 patients we monitored cerebral perfusion, determined by mean flow velocity (Vmean) in the middle cerebral artery. Our results were expressed as mean ± SD and we analyzed the differences between mean values for each variable, before and after treatment by means of Student's t‐test. At the end of treatment, we obtained significant P‐values for bilirubin, ammonium, Glasgow Coma Score and creatinine. In 16/20 patients, we could demonstrate a clear correlation between the improvement in clinical conditions (especially neurological status) and improvement in cerebral perfusion, measured by color Doppler US.
Albumin dialysis in cirrhosis with superimposed acute liver injury: possible impact of albumin dialysis on hospitalization costs
Authors: Hassanein T. , Oliver D. , Stange J. , Steiner C.
Published: December 2010

Abstract Albumin dialysis using the Molecular Adsorbents Recirculating System (MARS) has been found to be beneficial in the treatment of cirrhotic patients with acute decompensation to improve survival as well as reduce associated complications. The present study attempts to analyze the costs involved, and compare it to the benefit as a result of the MARS therapy, thus evaluating its cost‐effectiveness. Using the results of a study by Kim et al. (Hepatology 2001) describing the effects of complications on the cost of hospitalization in alcoholic liver disease patients, the expenditure incurred in a group of 11 patients treated with standard medical therapy (five survivors) and a group of 12 patients treated with MARS in addition (11 survivors) (Heemann et al., Hepatology 2002) were analyzed. MARS resulted in a reduction of in‐hospital deaths, as well as liver disease‐related complications. Both these factors led to a substantial reduction of costs in the MARS group, which was enough to counterbalance the extra costs associated with extra‐corporeal therapy. In the control group, the total hospitalization cost per survivor were calculated to be at $35 904. In the MARS group, the overall expenditure per survivor including standard medical therapy plus additional MARS liver support therapy were $32 036 – a saving of nearly $4000 compared to the control group. Therefore, it appears that the benefits of MARS therapy are enough to justify the cost of treatment and safe hospital costs, at least in the described population. However, further studies are needed to confirm these results.
Extracorporeal albumin dialysis in patients with Amanita phalloides poisoning
Authors: Faybik Peter , Hetz Hubert , Baker Amir , Bittermann Clemens , Berlakovich Gabriela , Werba Alois , Krenn Claus‐Georg , Steltzer Heinz
Published: December 2010

Background: Ingestion of Amanita phalloides is the most common cause of lethal mushroom poisoning. The relative late onset of symptoms is a distinct diagnostic feature of Amanita intoxication and also the main reason of failure for extracorporeal removal of Amanita‐specific toxins from the gut and circulation.

Patients and methods: Extracorporeal albumin dialysis (ECAD) has been used on six consecutive patients admitted after A. phalloides poisoning with acute liver failure (ALF).

Results: Six patients, with mean age of 46 years (range: 9–70 years), underwent one to three ECAD treatments. The mean time from mushroom ingestion until the first ECAD treatment was 76 h. Two patients regenerated spontaneously under ECAD treatment and orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) could be avoided. Two patients were successfully bridged to OLT and one patient died because of cerebral herniation. One patient was treated with ECAD immediately after OLT because of the graft dysfunction and survived without re‐transplantation.

Conclusion: ECAD appeared to be a successful treatment perspective in supporting liver regeneration or in sufficient bridging to OLT and also in treatment of graft dysfunction after OLT in patients with A. phalloides poisoning.
Science under politics
Authors: Cattaneo Elena , Corbellini Gilberto
Published: December 2010

Is political interference in science unavoidable? A look at the situation in Italy highlights what can happen if scientists do not defend their independence and their science.
Adult Non-hematopoietic Stem Cells and Progenitor Cells (aNHSCs)
Authors: Schäfer R. , Dahéron L.
Published: December 2010

Stem cells are primitive cells which are capable of self renewal and differentiation into more specialized cells. Although this property is shared, each stem cell has a unique set of cells they can differentiate into. Therefore, the molecular signature or “stemness” might be distinctive for each stem cell type, reflecting their unique potential. This chapter gives an overview on general issues of stem cells focusing on differentiation and the stem cell niche. Moreover, distinct types of adult non-hematopoietic stem cells featuring promising potential in the field of cellular therapies and tissue engineering will be characterized.
Hematopoietic Stem Cells and their Role in Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Fibach Eitan
Published: December 2010

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are the building blocks of the blood-cell forming (hematopoietic) system. They are endowed with the potentials of self renewal, proliferation and differentiation into all the blood cell lineages, and thus provide the system the capacity to maintain a constant number of mature functional cells under changing physiological conditions. Although they have no morphological distinctive features, they can be identified by flow cytometry based on their unique expression of surface antigens. The expression of CD34 (or CD133) and lack of expression of lineage-specific antigens allow their purification by cell sorting flow cytometry or immuno-magnetic bead separation. Transplantation of HSC is a well-established clinical practice. It is most often performed for patients with hematological and immunological diseases or with certain types of cancers. Sources of HSC for transplantation include bone marrow, peripheral blood (following immobilization and collection of the HSC) and neonatal umbilical cord blood. The number of available HSC poses a significant problem in particular for transplantation of cord blood cells into adults. Several protocols have been devised to increase the number of HSC, including co-transplantation of several units and ex-vivo expansion of HSC. Their proliferation depends on several hematopoietic factors (cytokines) and/or co-culture with stromal cells. The expansion HSC and the maintenance of their stem cell properties are limited by cell differentiation and apoptosis. We devised several strategies to overcome this problem, including the addition of the copper-chelator tetraethylenepentamine. The efficient ex-vivo manipulation of HSC is still an unsolved objective. Success in this field will provide the means for expansion of HSC as well as more differentiated progenitors for transplantation of donor's cells as well as for gene therapy using autologous cells. In light of the recent discoveries of the plasticity of HSC to give rise to non-hematopoietic cells, in vitro manipulated HSC may offer new horizons for regenerative medicine.
Cord and Cord Blood: Valuable Resources with Potential for Liver Therapy
Authors: Habibollah Saba , Jurga Marcin , Forraz Nico , McGuckin Colin
Published: December 2010

Liver cirrhosis and/or liver malignancies have been nominated the 5th leading cause of death worldwide. The WHO reported, in 2006, that 20 million people around the globe suffer from some form or other of severe liver illness. The ultimate fate of end-stage liver disorders is hepatic dysfunction and eventually organ failure. Unfortunately the only curative mode of management for liver failure is liver transplantation, which is subject to many limitations. Novel alternatives, such as artificial and bio-artificial support devices only aid in temporary replacement of some liver function until an organ is available for transplantation. These newer modalities also have drawbacks or remain experimental and still demand further controlled trials to allow proof of concept and safety before transferring them to the bedside.

Regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy has recently shown promise in the management of various human diseases. Recent reports of stem cell plasticity and its multipotentiality has raised hopes of stem cell therapy offering exciting therapeutic possibilities for patients with chronic liver disease. Although there exists a choice of stem cells that have been reported to be capable of self-renewal and differentiation to hepatobiliary cell lineages both in vitro and in vivo including, rodent and human embryonic stem cell, bone marrow haematopoietic stem cell, mesenchymal stem cell, umbilical cord blood stem cells, fetal liver progenitor cell, adult liver progenitor cells; it may be argued that with a global population of 6 billion people and a global birth rate in access of 130 million per year, placenta and the umbilical cord possibly provide the most readily accessible and ethically sound alternative source of stem cells. UCB-derived liver cells can be potentially exploited for gene therapy, cellular transplant, bio-artificial liver-assisted devices, drug toxicology testing and use as an in vitro model to understand the developmental biology of the liver. Here we review the latest scientific developments relevant for future liver cell therapy.
Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells from Tissue Repair to Destruction of Tumor Cells
Authors: Bussolari Rita , Grisendi Giulia , Cafarelli Luigi , Loschi Pietro , Scarabelli Laura , Frassoldati Antonio , Maur Michela , De Santis Giorgio , Paolucci Paolo , Conte Pierfranco , Dominici Massimo
Published: December 2010

Tumor stroma is a complex microenvironment composed of different cell types involved in the tumor initiation, promotion and progression. Therefore it may represent a suitable target in cancer therapy. Besides their known tissue repair potential, mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) share several features with the tumor associated fibroblasts comprising the tumor stroma. In addition, MSCs can migrate towards tumors possibly impacting cancer cell progression. Based on these properties, MSCs can be used as cellular vehicles for gene therapy against tumors.
Stem Cells and Cartilage Repair
Authors: Rolauffs Bernd , Badke Andreas , Weise Kuno , Grodzinsky Alan J. , Aicher Wilhelm K.
Published: December 2010

Articular cartilage together with the synovial fluid acts as a mechanical shock absorber, provides lubrication for gliding joint surfaces, and serves as an elastic connection between the articulating joint surfaces. It contains relatively few cells, the chondrocytes, but no blood or lymph vessels or nerves. Cartilaginous tissue has a very limited capacity for self-regeneration; therefore, techniques for cell-based cartilage repair were developed in the mid-nineties of the last century. For such therapies mature chondrocytes are harvested from healthy cartilage of the affected joint and implanted into the defect after in vitro expansion. This therapy works well if chondrocytes from donor tissue are available. In this chapter we discuss recent progress in cell-based tissue engineering utilizing chondrogenic progenitor cells (so-called mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs)) as surrogate cell source. The MSC characteristics, their potential but also their limitations in MSC-based cartilage repair will be discussed. In addition, the reader will be introduced to some of the current tasks in developing MSC-based therapies for the health market.
Stem Cell-based Replacement Tissue for Heart Repair
Authors: Lesman Ayelet , Levenberg Shulamit
Published: December 2010

The design of biomaterial-based heart tissue constructs have transformed tissue engineering into a promising approach toward advancing myocardial repair. Different technical strategies and potential biomaterials have been developed to promote this approach. Vascular therapy of the cardiac muscle could be modulated by endothelial progenitors cells derived from embryonic or stem cells from different sources. Based on these developments new approaches are proposed for optimization of vascularization of engineered tissues tissue in efforts to augment construct viability.
Ecological processes affecting community structure of blackfly larvae in regulated and unregulated rivers: a regional study
Authors: Zhang Yixin , Malmqvist Björn , Englund Göran
Published: December 2010

1. We examined the effects of different ecological processes on larval blackfly (Diptera: Simuliidae) community structure at a regional scale in 51 rapids in unregulated and regulated rivers in northern Sweden (200 000 km2). These processes were flow disturbance, biotic interactions (predation and competition) and the supply of food resources (suspended particles) to the larvae.

2. Using partial least squares projection to latent structures (PLS) modelling, we developed predictive models based on environmental variables at unregulated sites. Sites with high species richness and abundance were characterized by large numbers of small suspended particles, deep water colour, high total phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations, high proportions of forest in the catchment, low frequencies of large flow increments, extended forest growth period, low cover of filamentous algae on the substratum, and low altitude.

3. These PLS models were used to predict blackfly species richness and abundance at regulated sites with reduced flow (high disturbance) and with unreduced flow (low disturbance). The residuals, i.e. differences between observed and predicted values, were used to evaluate impact strength of flow regulation.

4. A significant impact of flow disturbance on blackfly larvae was detected at regulated sites with reduced flow. Simuliid species richness and the total abundance at these sites were 25% and 50% higher, respectively, than predicted. At the disturbed sites, the abundance of blackfly predators decreased by 35%, and those of assumed competitors, grazers and net‐spinning caddis larvae, by 22% and 19%, respectively.

5. The particle concentrations were not significantly different between unregulated and regulated sites and they were positively related to blackfly species richness and abundance.

6. Our results indicate that changes in water flow (hydraulic disturbance) greatly influence blackfly larvae. Predation pressure and competition is reduced, and recolonization after disturbance is rapid. Simuliid communities are a feature of disturbed sites and may be a useful indicator for evaluating the impact of flow regulation on river ecosystems. The approach taken in this study may have wider applicability in impact studies in conservation ecology.
Control of bracken and restoration of heathland. VII. The response of bracken rhizomes to 18 years of continued bracken control or 6 years of control followed by recovery
Authors: Marrs R. H. , Johnson S. W. , Duc M. G. LE
Published: December 2010

1. The effects of six bracken control treatments applied in combination with a Calluna* seeding treatment on the rhizome system of bracken Pteridium aquilinum at Cavenham Heath in Breckland was assessed after 18 years. Bracken control included cutting once and twice yearly between 1978 and 1996; spraying the herbicide asulam at the recommended rate (4·4 kg a.i. ha−1) in two treatments (1978 and 1978 plus 1979), each followed by repeat doses in 1984 and 1990, and spraying asulam followed by cutting once yearly. After 6 years the experiment was split and bracken control was continued/reapplied on half the plots and stopped on the remainder. The effects of treatment on the numbers of active and dormant buds and the length and biomass on both frond‐bearing and storage rhizomes were measured.

2. When applied continuously over the 18 years, all treatments reduced all rhizome measures, but treatments that included cutting were more effective than ones that just used asulam. The best treatment after 10–12 years was cutting twice yearly, but after 18 years this treatment had apparently reached an equilibrium and the cutting‐once‐yearly treatment was superior. No treatment eradicated the bracken in 18 years of continuous treatment.

3. When bracken control treatments were stopped after 6 years rhizome recovery started within 4 years and there was significant recovery thereafter. After 12 years the least effective treatment, cut once yearly, although still showing a significant reduction in rhizome biomass, had recovered to 88% of the untreated plots. The most effective treatment was cutting twice yearly for 6 years, where most measures of rhizome performance remained at approximately 50% of untreated plots 12 years after cutting stopped.

4. Regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between frond production and rhizome characteristics. Rhizome biomass, especially of the storage rhizome component, was consistently the most important variable; frond bud numbers were less important.

5. Simple models, developed making assumptions that the response of the rhizome to treatment is linear through time, have been shown to be invalid over the longer time period. This is because the impacts of the treatments reduce through time.

6. These results are discussed in relation to long‐term bracken control and the assessment of bracken stocks. If bracken is to be suppressed on a long‐term basis a continuous control strategy is needed. It is unlikely that complete eradication will be possible with current control technology. The long time scale found for the total recovery of the bracken from only 6 years of treatment (>12 years) means that the large areas of bracken that have been treated in the past will take some time to recover to pretreatment levels. This recovery is an unknown factor in bracken stock assessments.