Large jets from small-scale magnetic fields

We consider the conditions under which a rotating magnetic object can produce a magnetically powered outflow in an initially unmagnetized medium stratified under gravity. 3D MHD simulations are presented in which the footpoints of localized, arcade-shaped magnetic fields are put into rotation. It is shown how the effectiveness in producing a collimated magnetically powered outflow depends on the rotation rate, the strength and the geometry of the field. The flows produced by uniformly rotating, non-axisymmetric fields are found to consist mainly of buoyant plumes heated by dissipation of rotational energy. Collimated magnetically powered flows are formed if the field and the rotating surface are arranged such that a toroidal magnetic field is produced. This requires a differential rotation of the arcades' footpoints. Such jets are well-collimated; we follow their propagation through the stratified atmosphere over 100 times the source size. The magnetic field is tightly wound and its propagation is dominated by the development of non-axisymmetric instabilities. We observe a Poynting flux conversion efficiency of over 75% in the longest simulations. Applications to the collapsar model and protostellar jets are discussed.Comment: 9 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in A&A, complementary movies at http://www.mpa-garching.mpg.de/~rmo/pap3/index.htm

Modulation of autocrine TNF-α-stimulated matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) expression by mitogenactivated protein kinases in THP-1 monocytic cells

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is implicated in various physiological processes by its ability to degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) and process multiple regulatory proteins. Normally, MMP-9 expression is tightly controlled in cells. Sustained or enhanced MMP-9 secretion, however, has been demonstrated to contribute to the pathophysiology of numerous diseases, including arthritis and tumor progression, rendering this enzyme a major target for clinical interventions. Here we show that constitutive MMP-9 secretion was abrogated in THP-1 monocytic leukemia cells by addition of neutralizing antibodies against tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) or TNF receptor type 1 (TNF-R1), as well as by inhibition of TNF-α converting enzyme (TACE). This indicates that MMP-9 production in these cells is maintained by autocrine stimulation, with TNF-α acting via TNF-R1. To investigate the intracellular signaling routes involved in MMP-9 gene transcription, cells were treated with different inhibitors of major mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Interruption of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway 1/2 (ERK1/2) using PD98059 significantly downregulated constitutive MMP-9 release. In contrast, blockage of p38 kinase activity by addition of SB203580 or SB202190, as well as inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) using L-JNK-I1, clearly augmented MMP-9 expression and secretion by an upregulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Moreover, exogenously added TNF-α augmented MMP-9 synthesis and secretion in THP-1 cells via enhancement of ERK1/2 activity. Taken together, our results indicate that ERK1/2 activity plays a pivotal role in TNF-α-induced MMP-9 production and demonstrate its negative modulation by p38 and JNK activity. These findings suggest ERK1/2 rather than p38 and JNK as a reasonable target to specifically block MMP-9 expression using MAPK inhibitors in therapeutic applications

Reliability and validity of triage systems in paediatric emergency care

Background. Triage in paediatric emergency care is an important tool to prioritize seriously ill children. Triage can also be used to identify patients who do not need urgent care and who can safely wait. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the literature on reliability and validity of current triage systems in paediatric emergency care. Methods. We performed a search in Pubmed and Cochrane on studies on reliability and validity of triage systems in children. Results. The Manchester Triage System (MTS), the Emergency Severity Index (ESI), the Paediatric Canadian Triage and Acuity Score (paedCTAS) and the Australasian Triage Scale (ATS) are common used triage systems and contain specific parts for children. The reliability of the MTS is good and reliability of the ESI is moderate to good. Reliability of the paedCTAS is moderate and is poor to moderate for the ATS. The internal validity is moderate for the MTS and confirmed for the CTAS, but not studied for the most recent version of the ESI, which contains specific fever criteria for children. Conclusion. The MTS and paedCTAS both seem valid to triage children in paediatric emergency care. Reliability of the MTS is good, moderate to good for the ESI and moderate for the paedCTAS. More studies are necessary to evaluate if one triage system is superior over other systems when applied in emergency care

Presence and species identity of rumen flukes in cattle and sheep in the Netherlands

The purpose of the study was to gain knowledge about the prevalence and identity of rumen flukes (RF) in cattle and sheep in the Netherlands. Routine faecal examinations of diagnostic submissions between May 2009 and September 2014 showed a mean annual herd or flock RF prevalence of 15.8% for cattle and 8.0% for sheep. Prevalence in cattle was higher after 2012 than before, which may reflect a change in detection method as well as an increase in true prevalence. During November and December 2014, an abattoir survey was conducted to allow for scoring of rumen fluke burden and to obtain specimens for molecular species characterization. Over 8 visits to 5 abattoirs in areas deemed to pose a high risk for trematode infection, 116 cows and 41 sheep from 27 herds and 10 flocks were examined. Prevalence of RF was higher in beef cattle than in dairy cattle and higher in cattle than in sheep. Median fluke burden was >100 specimens per animal for most positive animals. Using a semi-quantitative RF density score as a gold standard, sensitivity and specificity of a modified quantitative Dorsman egg counting method were estimated at 82.6% and 83.3%, respectively. Of 14 collected adult rumen flukes, twelve (8 bovine and 4 ovine specimens) were identified as Calicophoron daubneyi. The other two, of bovine origin, were identified as Paramphistomum leydeni, which was unexpected as in other European countries all recently collected rumen flukes in both cattle and sheep were identified as C. daubneyi. The findings implicate that multiple rumen fluke species, intermediate host species and transmission cycles may play a role in rumen fluke infections in the Netherlands

Wages, prices, and living standards in China, 1738-1925: in comparison with Europe, Japan, and India

The paper develops data on the history of wages and prices in Beijing, Canton, Suzhou/Shanghai in China from the eighteenth century to the twentieth and compare them with leading cities in Europe, Japan and India in terms of nominal wages, the cost of living, and the standard of living. In the eighteenth century, the real income of building workers in Asia was similar to that of workers in the backward parts of Europe but far behind that in the leading economies in northwestern Europe. Real wages declined in China in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries and rose slowly in the late nineteenth and early twentieth with little cumulative change for two hundred years. The income disparities of the early twentieth century were due to long run stagnation in China combined with industrialization in Japan and Europe.

Selling alcohol to underage adolescents in Romania: compliance with age restrictions in Pitesti

Aim. To explore the compliance rates of alcohol sales to underage youth (under 18 years old) in Pitesti, Romania. Method. To investigate compliance rates the method of mystery shopping was conducted. Four underage students (two boys and two girls) visited 58 alcohol sales points in October 2008. The visited alcohol sales points were all located in the six neighbourhoods surrounding the city centre of Pitesti and the city centre itself. The 58 sales points consisted of 8 bars and 50 big and small supermarkets. Results. All 50 supermarket purchase attempts were successful; the compliance rate with the law is therefore is 0%. Only once a cashier asked the underage mystery shopper for their age, but after lying according to the script (I�m 18 years old), alcohol was sold nonetheless. No differences in successful purchases between boys and girls exist. Also, all eight bar purchase attempts were successful; compliance rate in this sector also turns out to be 0%. Notable fact is that four visited sales points were located near a high school. Conclusion. Alcohol sales to underage youth turns out to be a major point of concern. Alcohol sales personnel does not comply with age restrictions and therefore intervention by local licensing and control bodies is neede

Tips and techniques for optimal stent graft placement in angulated aneurysm necks

An increasing number of patients with severely angulated abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) necks are being treated by endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Optimal preprocedural planning and investigation of the AAA morphology is essential to achieve a successful EVAR in these patients. In this article, we discuss specific problems that can be encountered during preoperative planning in relation to periprocedural stent graft deployment in patients with angulated AAA necks and offer potential solutions for these problems

Oversizing of Aortic Stent Grafts for Abdominal Aneurysm Repair: A Systematic Review of the Benefits and Risks

Objective: Sizing of aortic endografts is an essential step in successful endovascular treatment of aortic pathology, although consensus regarding the optimal sizing strategy is lacking. Some proximal oversizing is necessary to obtain a seat between the stent graft and the aortic watt and to prevent the graft from migrating, but excessive oversizing might influence the results negatively. In this systematic review, we investigated the current literature to obtain an overview of the risks and benefits of oversizing and to determine the optimal degree of oversizing of stent grafts used for endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Methods: PUBMED, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were searched for articles related to the impact of proximal endograft oversizing on complications after endovascular aneurysm repair. After in- and exclusion, 23 relevant articles reporting on 8415 patients remained for analysis and critical appraisal. Results: Most studies that investigated neck dilatation are flawed by poor methodology. No clear relationship between proximal oversizing and neck dilatation relative to the first postoperative scan was found. None of the studies described a positive relationship between the degree of oversizing and the incidence of endoleaks. On the contrary, oversizing up to 25% seems to decrease the risk of proximal endoleaks. There are conflicting data regarding the risk of graft migration when oversizing by more than 30%. Conclusions: Based on the best available evidence, the current standard of 10-20% oversizing regime appears to be relatively safe and preferable. Oversizing >30% might negatively impact the outcome after EVAR. Studies of higher quality are needed to further assess the relationship between proximal oversizing and the incidence of complications, particularly regarding the impact on aneurysm neck dilatation. (C) 2009 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved