Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Subduction is a major process that plays a first-order role in the dynamics of the Earth. The sinking of cold lithosphere into the mantle is thought by many authors to be the most important source of energy for plates driving forces. It also deeply modifies the thermal and chemical structure of the mantle, producing arc volcanism and is responsible for the release of most of the seismic energy on Earth. There has been considerable achievements done during the past decades regarding the complex interactions between the various processes acting in subduction zones. This volume contains a collection of contributions that were presented in June 2007 in Montpellier (France) during a conference that gave a state of the art panorama and discussed the perspectives about "Subduction Zone Geodynamics." The papers included in this special volume offer a unique multidisciplinary picture of the recent research on subduction zones geodynamics. They are organized into five main topics:
Subduction zone geodynamics, Seismic tomography and anisotropy, Great subduction zone earthquakes, Seismogenic zone characterization, Continental and ridge subduction processes.
Each of the 13 papers collected in the present volume is primarily concerned with one of these topics. However, it is important to highlight that papers always treat more than one topic so that all are related lighting on different aspects of the complex and fascinating subduction zones geodynamics.

In the last decade there has been no major clinical mono- graph on this increasingly common and difficult malignancy which is a killer of young people. The gap in the literature is now filled by this authoritative volumewhich will be essential reading for any body involved in the study or management of melanoma.

When Natasha makes a selfish choice, she finds herself trapped in a lavish but lonely palace, far from her widowed father. Will she find a way to escape and see her father again? This poignant tale, inspired by Russian folklore, will help start conversations about the importance of family.

Die BegritIe einer latenten oder manifesten Ateminsuffizienz sind im medizinischen Sprachgebrauch zwar gelaufig und grundlich untersucht. Die postoperative Ateminsuffizienz im Arbeitsbereich des Chirurgen ist mit ihren praktischen Konsequenzen aber nicht geniigend bekannt. Manche Kranken, die nach technisch gelungenem EingritI in der unmittelbaren postoperativen Phase unter der Diagnose des Kreislaufversagens ad exitum kommen, erliegen einer todlichen Ateminsuffizienz. Das ist keineswegs ein auf die Thoraxchirurgie beschranktes Problem. Das Krankheitsbild der akuten Ateminsuffizienz versetzt den Kranken in eine Grenzsituation, die dem Kliniker nur eine knappe Zeitspanne zu aussichtsreichem Hande1n laGt. Welche pathophysiologischen Kriterien die klinische Beurteilung des Zustandes stiitzen, welche MaBnahmen zu ergrei- fen sind und welche Behandlungsstufen dem therapeutischen Plan zugrunde liegen, solI aus der Erfahrung am Krankenbett und experimenteller Unter- suchung entwickelt werden. Nicht minder wichtig ist eine Analyse der Leistungsgrenze und der Gefahren aktiver MaBnahmen. Die Behandlung der Ateminsuffizienz durch kiinstliche Beatmung kann eine bedrohliche Situation zur Katastrophe fiihren. Da es sich dabei um eine echte vollstandige Substitutions-Therapie handelt, ist die Dosierung des Atemzeitvolumens der entscheidende und limitierende Faktor. Sowohl massive Hypo-wie Hyperventilation ziehen Veranderungen des Kreislaufes und des StotIwechsels nach sich, die iiber langere Zeit mit dem Leben nicht mehr vereinbar sind. Ziel der eigenen experimentellen Untersuchungen war es, die Folgen einer Hyperventilation auf den Kreislauf festzustellen. Die Kenntnis der Kreislaufveranderungen im Stadium der Hypokapnie erlaubt, Riickschliisse auf Vberdosierung des Atemzeitvolumens zu ziehen.