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This paper presents results regarding the flow resistance and the drag coefficient of floodplain vegetation. According to the literature review, most of the investigations concerning the interaction between flow and woody vegetation are based on laboratory experiments where the vegetation is idealized with a high level of abstraction. However, the vegetation's resistance behaviour depends on many natural parameters, such as the flexural rigidity, the manner of contraction in the current, the degree of foliation and the vibration behaviour. Furthermore the varying shape of the vegetation elements due to the current forces has to be observed. The drag coefficients of three kinds of willow species depending on the flow conditions and the effect of the plants flexibility and foliation on the projected plant area and thus on the drag coefficient are presented in this paper. The results show that it is very important to distinguish between leafy and leafless condition as the drag coefficient is a result of diff...

The prognosis of patients suffering from severe hyperlipidemia, sometimes combined with elevated lipoprotein (a) levels, and coronary heart disease refractory to diet and lipid-lowering drugs is poor. For such patients, regular treatment with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis is the therapeutic option. Today, there are five different LDL-apheresis systems available: cascade filtration or lipid filtration, immunoadsorption, heparin-induced LDL precipitation, dextran sulfate LDL adsorption, and the LDL hemoperfusion. There is a strong correlation between hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. Besides the elimination of other risk factors, in severe hyperlipidemia therapeutic strategies should focus on a drastic reduction of serum lipoproteins. Despite maximum conventional therapy with a combination of different kinds of lipid-lowering drugs, sometimes the goal of therapy cannot be reached. Hence, in such patients, treatment with LDL-apheresis is indicated. Technical and clinical aspects of these five different LDL-apheresis methods are shown here. There were no significant differences with respect to or concerning all cholesterols, or triglycerides observed. With respect to elevated lipoprotein (a) levels, however, the immunoadsorption method seems to be most effective. The different published data clearly demonstrate that treatment with LDL-apheresis in patients suffering from severe hyperlipidemia refractory to maximum conservative therapy is effective and safe in long-term application.