Publications

Creating a tech tool to promote European Traditional Sports and Games from an intergenerational and inclusive perspective, ERASMUS PLUS Small Collaborative Partnership-GEO-LUDENS:  ©Discussion-proposals-Greek team’s contribution for upcoming meetings in Zaragoza Spain, Feb. 9-10, 2017***Also attached: Kick-off MEETING AGENDA, 9-10 February, 2017.  Universidad San Jorge. Campus Villanueva de Gállego (Zaragoza), Spain

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the time characteristics four consecutive Olympic Games after the implementation of the new regulations, both in men and women. Data concerns the points and the duration of the set and the match as well and the total match duration, from Olympic volleyball games (Sidney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012). In total 312 matches were analyzed. Results indicated a continuous significant increase in the set and accordingly match durations, both in men and women. Overall the mean set duration for each of the first four sets increased from around 22 minutes in Sydney to 26 minutes in London and the fifth sets increased from around 15 minutes to 17.5 minutes respectively. This may be is a consequence of the teams' primary commitment to performance improvement in the defense tactics and the special attention given to the avoidance of faults. In conclusion, the implementation of the new rules since 2000, especially those related with the change to the rally point system, with each set played to 25 points and the introduction of rule for libero player have forced volleyball coaches and players to reevaluate their strategies and tactics in the goal of winning a rally, a set and a game. The collateral prolongation of the rallies and the increased uncertainty of the outcome have undeniably made the game more spectacular and intriguing to watch.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the time characteristics four consecutive Olympic Games after the implementation of the new regulations, both in men and women. Data concerns the points and the duration of the set and the match as well and the total match duration, from Olympic volleyball games (Sidney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012). In total 312 matches were analyzed. Results indicated a continuous significant increase in the set and accordingly match duration's, both in men and women. Overall the mean set duration for each of the first four sets increased from around 22 minutes in Sydney to 26 minutes in London and the fifth sets increased from around 15 minutes to 17.5 minutes respectively. This may be is a consequence of the teams’ primary commitment to performance improvement in the defense tactics and the special attention given to the avoidance of faults. In conclusion, the implementation of the new rules since 2000, especially those related with the change to the rally point system, with each set played to 25 points and the introduction of rule for libero player have forced volleyball coaches and players to reevaluate their strategies and tactics in the goal of winning a rally, a set and a game. The collateral prolongation of the rallies and the increased uncertainty of the outcome have undeniably made the game more spectacular and intriguing to watch.Keywords: Volleyball; Time characteristics; Rules.

AIM: The investigation of the association between total arterial compliance (CT)-estimated by a novel technique-with left ventricular mass (LVM) and hypertrophy (LVH). Our hypothesis was that CT may be better related to LVM compared to the gold-standard regional aortic stiffness. Within the frame of the ongoing cross-sectional study "SAFAR," 226 subjects with established hypertension or with suspected hypertension underwent blood pressure (BP) assessment, carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), and echocardiographic measurement of LVM. LVM index (LVMI) was calculated by the ratio of LVM to body surface area. CT was estimated by a previously proposed and validated formula: CT = 36.7 /cf-PWV2 [ml/mmHg]. LVMI was related to age (r = 0.207, p = 0.002), systolic BP (r = 0.248, p < 0.001), diastolic BP (r = 0.139, p = 0.04), mean BP (r = 0.212, p = 0.002), pulse pressure (r = 0.212, p = 0.002), heart rate (r = -0.172, p = 0.011), cf-PWV (r = 0.268, p < 0.001), and CT (r = -0.317, p < 0.001). The highest correlation was observed for CT that was significantly stronger than the respective correlation of cf-PWV (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, CT was a stronger determinant, compared to cf-PWV, of LVMI and LVH. It remains to be further explored whether CT has also a superior prognostic value beyond and above local or regional (segmental) estimates of pulse wave velocity.

PURPOSE: The contradictory long-term results following D2 lymphadenectomy have revealed the necessity for a more tailored lymphadenectomy in cases of gastric cancer. Among the patients who had undergone a modified D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer, we further analyzed the subgroup in which histologically and immunohistochemically solitary lymph node metastases were detected. Classifying the primary tumors as towards to the lesser and towards to the grater curvature, we propose possible routes of lymphatic spread and possible clinical implications. METHOD: Between January 2007 and December 2016, 212 patients suffering from gastric adenocarcinoma underwent a modified D2 lymphadenectomy. Solitary lymph node metastases were detected by histology in 14 patients (7 skip metastases) and by immunohistochemistry in an additional 10 patients (5 skip micrometastases). RESULTS: The incidence of the histologically detected solitary lymph node metastases was 6.6% for the whole cohort, increasing to 11.3% with the use of immunohistochemistry. The incidence of the histologically detected skip solitary lymph node metastases was 3.3% for the whole cohort, increasing to 5.7% with the use of immunohistochemistry. Tumors of the lower and middle third of the stomach were equally drained both to the level I and II lymph node stations. However, tumors towards the lesser curvature were mainly drained in the level II lymph node stations (12 out of 19; 63%), while tumors towards the greater curvature were all drained in the level I lymph node stations (5 out of 5; 100%). CONCLUSION: Primary gastric tumors towards the lesser curvature should be treated by a modified D2 lymphadenctomy. However, for tumors towards the greater curvature, a D1(+) lymphadenectomy always including the no. 7 & 9 lymph node stations complex, might be enough.

Beachrocks represent a significant paleo-environmental proxy because they can record both the vertical and the horizontal evolution of the shoreline. They have often been used to assess Holocene shoreline evolution and crustally induced Relative Sea-Level (RSL) changes in the Mediterranean Sea. In this paper, we used submerged beachrocks from Paros and Naxos Islands (Aegean Sea, Greece) to reconstruct the shoreline modification and provide new insights on the RSL evolution in central Cyclades. Paros and Naxos Islands are of great importance in terms of archaeological evidence of coastal occupation. However, the evolution of their coastlines was seldom explored. In this study, we coupled detailed underwater surveys, analysis of aerial photogrammetry, microstratigraphic analysis and luminescence dating to study beachrock outcrops found down to about 6 m below the present sea-level. We, then, spatially and chronologically constrained some major palaeogeographical changes of a number of coastal sectors of the two islands. Furthermore, the multiple analyses of beachrocks, sediment coring and archaeological data suggested that RSL rose by at least 3.8 m in the last 4.0 ka and that RSL variation in the last 2.0 ka did not exceed 2 m with respect to the present mean sea level.

The presence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) drug resistance among drug-naïve patients remains stable, although the proportion of patients with virological failure to therapy is decreasing. The dynamics of transmitted resistance among drug-naïve patients remains largely unknown. The prevalence of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) resistance was 16.9% among treatment-naïve individuals in Greece. We aimed to investigate the transmission dynamics and the effective reproductive number () of the locally transmitted NNRTI resistance. We analyzed sequences with dominant NNRTI resistance mutations (E138A and K103N) found within monophyletic clusters (local transmission networks (LTNs)) from patients in Greece. For the K103N LTN, thewas >1 between 2008 and the first half of 2013. For all E138A LTNs, thewas >1 between 1998 and 2015, except the most recent one (E138A_4), where thewas >1 between 2006 and 2011 and approximately equal to 1 thereafter. K103N and E138A_4 showed similar characteristics with a more recent origin, higherduring the first years of the sub-epidemics, and a declining trend in the number of transmissions during the last two years. In the remaining LTNs the epidemic was still expanding. Our study highlights the added value of molecular epidemiology to public health.

AIMS: To project the impact of scaling-up oral anti-viral therapy and harm reduction on chronic hepatitis C (CHC) prevalence and incidence among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Greece, to estimate the relationship between required treatment levels and expansion of harm reduction programmes to achieve specific targets and to examine whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination among PWID is possible in this high-prevalence setting. DESIGN: A dynamic discrete time, stochastic individual-based model was developed to simulate HCV transmission among PWID incorporating the effect of HCV treatment and harm reduction strategies, and allowing for re-infection following treatment. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: The population of 8300 PWID in Athens Metropolitan area. MEASUREMENTS: Reduction in HCV prevalence and incidence in 2030 compared with 2016. FINDINGS: Moderate expansion of HCV treatment (treating 4-8% of PWID/year), with a simultaneous increase of 2%/year in harm reduction coverage (from 44 to 72% coverage over 15 years), was projected to reduce CHC prevalence among PWID in Athens by 46.2-94.8% in 2030, compared with 2016. CHC prevalence would reduce to below 10% within the next 4-5 years if annual HCV treatment numbers were increased up to 16-20% PWID/year. The effect of harm reduction on incidence was more pronounced under lower treatment rates. CONCLUSIONS: Based on theoretical model projections, scaled-up hepatitis C virus treatment and harm reduction interventions could achieve major reductions in hepatitis C virus incidence and prevalence among people who inject drugs in Athens, Greece by 2030. Chronic hepatitis C could be eliminated in the next 4-5 years by increasing treatment to more than 16% of people who inject drugs per year combined with moderate increases in harm reduction coverage.

BACKGROUND: As ancient Greeks started looking for deities that could fulfill the pragmatic needs of common people, local heroes started being mythologized and worshipped through cults. METHODS: The most widespread such example was Asclepius, possibly a skilled war surgeon who followed military expeditions to Colchis and Troy. Our study investigates the possibility of the early neurosurgery to have been started inside Asclepieia by Asclepius and his followers. RESULTS: Asclepius was worshipped at religious temples called Asclepieia where certain specific medical and surgical techniques were followed. The most advanced technique was skull trepanation, which was most likely done as an acute operation to release intracranial pressure. The contemporary Hippocratic corpus provided extensive descriptions of the technique, and archaeologic evidence has shown that many patients survived the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Decompressive craniectomy techniques have been practiced for millennia but it is possible that they were first systematized as a neurosurgical innovation through the Ancient Greek religious cult followed in Asclepieia.

Within the context of Turkey's relationship with Israel, the 1950s are remembered largely as the decade when bilateral relations developed dramatically reflecting the US orientation of Adnan Menderes's foreign policy. On closer observation, however, one cannot fail to notice that there was more ebb than flow in Turkey's policy towards Israel which already assumed the double-faced profile (cold or reproachful in public/positive behind closed doors), which is usually associated with the next two decades. Drawing on substantial research in official US and British archives, this article explores the multiple considerations which informed the approach of the Menderes government towards Tel-Aviv. Crucially, it places the Turks’ approach within their broader Middle Eastern policy with the aim of showing that it was shaped not only by their relationship with their powerful ally, the United States, but also by the need to look after relations with neighbourly Arab regimes.

There has recently been a surge of interest in the physics and applications of broadband ultraslow waves in nanoscale structures operating below the diffraction limit. They range from light waves or surface plasmons in nanoplasmonic devices to sound waves in acoustic-metamaterial waveguides, as well as fermions and phonon polaritons in graphene and van der Waals crystals and heterostructures.We review the underlying physics of these structures, which upend traditional wave-slowing approaches based on resonances or on periodic configurations above the diffraction limit. Light can now be tightly focused on the nanoscale at intensities up to  1000 times larger than the output of incumbent near-field scanning optical microscopes, while exhibiting greatly boosted density of states and strong wave-matter interactions. We elucidate the general methodology by which broadband and, simultaneously, large wave decelerations, well below the diffraction limit, can be obtained in the above interdisciplinary fields.We also highlight a range of applications for renewable energy, biosensing, quantum optics, high-density magnetic data storage, and nanoscale chemical mapping.

Aims: In light of recent discoveries of pulsating ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) and recently introduced theoretical schemes that propose neutron stars (NSs) as the central engines of ULXs, we revisit the spectra of eighteen well known ULXs, in search of indications that favour this newly emerging hypothesis. Methods: We examine the spectra from high-quality XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observations. We use a combination of elementary black body and multicolour disk black body (MCD) models, to diagnose the predictions of classic and novel theoretical models of accretion onto NSs. We re-interpret the well established spectral characteristics of ULXs in terms of accretion onto lowly or highly magnetised NSs, and explore the resulting parameter space for consistency. Results: We confirm the previously noted presence of the low-energy (≲6 keV) spectral rollover and argue that it could be interpreted as due to thermal emission. The spectra are well described by a double thermal model consisting of a "hot" (≳1 keV) and a "cool" (≲0.7 keV) multicolour black body (MCB). Under the assumption that the "cool" MCD emission originates in a disk truncated at the neutron star magnetosphere, we find that all ULXs in our sample are consistent with accretion onto a highly magnetised (B ≳ 1012 G) neutron star. We note a strong correlation between the strength of the magnetic field, the temperature of the "hot" thermal component and the total unabsorbed luminosity. Examination of the NuSTAR data supports this interpretation and also confirms the presence of a weak, high-energy (≳15 keV) tail, most likely the result of modification of the MCB emission by inverse Compton scattering. We also note that the apparent high-energy tail, may simply be the result of mismodelling of MCB emission with an atypical temperature (T) versus radius (r) gradient, using a standard MCD model with a fixed gradient of T r-0.75. Conclusions: We have offered a new and robust physical interpretation for the dual-thermal spectra of ULXs. We find that the best-fit derived parameters of our model, are in excellent agreement with recent theoretical predictions that favour super-critically accreting NSs as the engines of a large fraction of ULXs. Nevertheless, the considerable degeneracy between models and the lack of unequivocal evidence cannot rule out other equally plausible interpretations. Deeper broadband observations and time-resolved spectroscopy are warranted to further explore this newly emerging framework.

In light of recent discoveries of pulsating ULXs and recently introduced models placing neutron stars as the central engines of ULXs, we revisit the spectra of seventeen ULXs, in search of indications that favor this hypothesis. To this end we examined the spectra from XMM-Newton observations of all seventeen sources in our sample. For six sources, these were complimented with spectra from public NuSTAR observations. We demonstrate that the notable ({>}6 keV) spectral curvature observed in most ULXs, is most likely due to thermal emission, with T{>} 1keV. More importantly, we find that a double thermal model (comprised of a 'cool' and 'hot' thermal component) - often associated with emission from neutron star X-ray binaries - describes all ULX spectra in our list. We propose that the dual thermal spectrum is the result of accretion onto highly magnetized NSs, as predicted in recent theoretical models (Mushtukov et al. 2017). We further argue that this finding offers an additional and compelling argument in favor of neutron stars as prime candidates for powering ULXs, as has been recently suggested (King & Lasota 2016; King et al. 2017). In my talk I will discuss the implications of our interpretation along with its merits and shortcomings.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an RNA positive strand virus, member of the Flaviviridae family. The HCV viral particle is composed of a capsid containing the genome, surrounded by an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-derived lipid bilayer where E1 and E2 are assembled as heterodimers. However, different forms of viral particles have been identified in the serum of HCV-infected patients, including non-enveloped particles. Previous reports have demonstrated that HCV non-enveloped capsid-like particles (HCVne) can be generated by HCV core protein sequence. This sequence possesses a highly conserved $\Upsilon$ΧΧ$\Phi$ motif and distal di-leucine motifs that confer primary endocytosis signals, enabling HCVne to enter hepatic cells via clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Although HCV core's primary function is to encapsidate the viral genome, it also interacts with a variety of cellular proteins in order to regulate host cell functions such as gene transcription, lipid metabolism, apoptosis and several signaling pathways. In this report, we demonstrate that the YXX$\Phi$ motif of HCV core protein is crucial for the architectural integrity of the particulate form of HCVne. Moreover, we show that the YXX$\Phi$ motif in the HCV core sequence plays a pivotal role in the signaling events following HCVne clathrin-mediated endocytosis by inducing the AP-2 clathrin adaptor protein, which in turn redirect HCVne trafficking to the lipid droplets (LDs) via the endosomal-lysosomal pathway. HCVne and LDs co-localization affects the HCV life cycle by enhancing viral replication.

© 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Purpose: The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) is an effective method of contraception, while also providing various non-contraceptive benefits. Although targeted primarily to adults, there is increasing experience in its use in adolescence. The aim of this review is to assess the available information on LNG-IUS usage in adolescence. Methods: We conducted an online search on MEDLINE and SCOPUS from inception to May 24, 2015. All studies that examined LNG-IUS use in teen populations were eligible for inclusion. Primary outcome measures included description of indications for LNG-IUS usage and relevant efficacy. Secondary outcomes included complications, such as device-related problems (perforation and expulsion) and other adverse events (pelvic inflammatory disease, PID). Acceptability of the LNG-IUS was also estimated through evaluation of continuation rate and reasons for removal were assessed. Results: Twenty-one studies met our inclusion criteria. We identified only one randomized controlled trial (RCT). All other twenty studies were observational. Pregnancy rates ranged from 0 to 2.7{%}. Management of heavy or/and painful periods was successful in 92–100{%}. Menstrual manipulation in patients with developmental delay was achieved in over 93{%} of cases. Expulsion rates ranged from 0 to 13{%} and pelvic infection/cervicitis between 0 and 2.7{%}. There were no reported uterine perforations. Conclusion: Usage of the LNG-IUS in teen populations appears to be safe and efficacious both in terms of contraception and menstrual management. However, more robust evidence is needed so as to provide firm confirmation on benefits and potential side effects.

The presence of a supermassive binary black hole (BBH) central engine in OJ287 is revealed by impact flares which arise from the secondary impacting the accretion disk of the primary. These flares have been observed since 1913 from the study of old photographic plates and from recent observational campaigns, 9 events in total. In addition, the secondary induces flares by affecting the accretion rate of the primary. The records for the latter events start in 1900, and they have been observed for each of the 10 cycles since then. Because of orbital precession, the impact flares times do not follow any simple rule. However, since the BBH - accretion disk impact model was proposed in 1995, the optical flux behavior of OJ287 has become highly predictable. The latest predictions were given for the late 2015 - early 2017 season. These have now been verified. The impact flare started on 2015 November 25, during the Centenary of Einstein’s General Relativity, followed by induced accretion flares which peaked on 2016 March and 2016 October. The nine impact flares specify the two parameters of the standard accretion disk and the 6 parameters of the BBH orbit uniquely. The main remaining uncertainty has to do with the exact way the gravitational wave (GW) emission affects the orbit. The impact flare observations demand that the GW emission is a combination of the instantaneous and hereditary effects appearing at the Post Newtonian orders 2.5PN, 3.5PN and 4PN, and all of them have to be incorporated while modeling the dynamics of the central engine BBH in OJ287. Previously, only the standard 2.5PN “Newtonian” GW terms have been used. We develop a simplified way of incorporating the higher order General Relativistic effects and obtain revised estimates for various BBH parameters. The improved BBH dynamics makes specific predictions for the occurrences of the expected impact flares in future and thereby provide additional strong field tests of General Relativity.

The Aegean-west Anatolian orocline formed due to Neogene opposite rotations of its western and eastern limbs during opening of the Aegean back-arc basin. Stretching lineations in exhumed metamorphic complexes in this basin mimic the regional vertical-axis rotation patterns and suggest that the oppositely rotating domains are sharply bounded along a Mid-Cycladic lineament, the tectonic nature of which is enigmatic. Some have proposed this lineament to be an extensional fault accommodating orogen-parallel extension, while others have considered it to be a transform fault. The island of Paros hosts the only exposure of the E- to NE-trending lineations characterizing the NW Cyclades and the N-trending lineations of the SE Cyclades. Here, we show new paleomagnetic results from isotropic, ca. 16 Ma granitoids that intruded both domains and demonstrate that the trend difference resulted from post-16 Ma $\sim$90° clockwise and 10° counterclockwise rotation of the NW and SE blocks, respectively. We interpret the semiductile to brittle, low-angle, SE-dipping Elitas shear zone that accommodated this rotation difference to reflect the Mid-Cycladic lineament. We conclude a two-stage exhumation history for Paros that is consistent with regional Aegean reconstructions. Between ca. 23 and 16 Ma, the metamorphic rocks of Paros were exhumed from amphibolite-facies to greenschist-facies conditions along a top-to-the-N detachment. The Elitas shear zone then started to exhume the northwestern, clockwiserotating domain from below the southeastern, counterclockwise rotating domain since 16 Ma. From this, we infer that the Mid-Cycladic lineament is an extensional shear zone, consistent with geometric predictions that Aegean oroclinal bending was accommodated by orogennormal and orogen-parallel extension.

RN24_09a_P: Science, Technology, Innovation & Society II (Time: 01/Sep/2017: 11:00am-12:30pm) ABSTRACT:  Virtual environments (VE) are virtual social spaces that provide powerful means for creating, activating and modifying virtual bodies—Avatars—without dependencies on biological factors,formal rules and explicit conventions. VE offer unlimited possibilities to create the desired body and express personal bodily preference in virtual sport spaces without restrictions regarding established roles and behavioural expectations. Such a VE is Second Life (SL) in which the user is represented by an Avatar. This study focuses on a virtual sport space: the Fitness Club of Second Life. It examines the rules and regulations of this virtual space along with the role of 26 Avatars as bodily representations, including their bodily behaviours-exercises-practices in the SL Fitness Club. The data for this study was selected through systematic observation of 26 Avatars (apx. 180 hours) during March, April and May 2015, followed by detailed descriptions of single phenomena. Regarding the structure of space and bodily behavior, the results indicate less differences between sport virtual spaces and sport physical spaces, the opposite of what we had originally assumed. According to the results, the Avatar Fitness Club appears to be a highly individualistic and narcissistic environment. Moreover, every user can perform his/her bodily activities in a rather liberating way, occasionally surpassing biological limitations. When the Avatars exercise they imitate the movements of the physical sport world, namely they mimic the physical body. Further studies are needed to show the influence of an Avatar’s performance-bodily exercises on the real user, the individual behind the computer screen. KEYWORDS: Avatars, Fitness Club, Second Life, bodily exercisesAlso see:https://www.conftool.pro/esa2017/index.php?page=browseSessions&print=head&form_session=1625

Virtual environments (VE) are virtual social spaces that provide powerful means for creating, activating and modifying virtual bodies—Avatars—without dependencies on biological factors,formal rules and explicit conventions. VE offer unlimited possibilities to create the desired body and express personal bodily preference in virtual sport spaces without restrictions regarding established roles and behavioural expectations. Such a VE is Second Life (SL) in which the user is represented by an Avatar. This study focuses on a virtual sport space: the Fitness Club of Second Life. It examines the rules and regulations of this virtual space along with the role of 26 Avatars as bodily representations, including their bodily behaviours-exercises-practices in the SL Fitness Club. The data for this study was selected through systematic observation of 26 Avatars (apx. 180 hours) during March, April and May 2015, followed by detailed descriptions of single phenomena. Regarding the structure of space and bodily behavior, the results indicate less differences between sport virtual spaces and sport physical spaces, the opposite of what we had originally assumed. According to the results, the Avatar Fitness Club appears to be a highly individualistic and narcissistic environment. Moreover, every user can perform his/her bodily activities in a rather liberating way, occasionally surpassing biological limitations. When the Avatars exercise they imitate the movements of the physical sport world, namely they mimic the physical body. Further studies are needed to show the influence of an Avatar’s performance-bodily exercises on the real user, the individual behind the computer screen.

We have determined and examined the astrometric data for 19 open clusters, ranging from the Hyades at just under 47pc to NGC 2422 at nearly 440pc. The clusters are : the Hyades, Coma Berenices, the Pleiades, Praesepe, alpha Per, IC 2391, IC 2602, Blanco 1, NGC 2451, NGC 6475, NGC 7092, NGC 2516, NGC 2232, IC 4665, NGC 6633, Collinder 140, NGC 2422, NGC 3532 and NGC 2547. (2 data files).

Data for GES are taken with the Fiber Large Array Multi-Element Spectrograph (FLAMES) on the VLT at the European Southern Observatory. FLAMES has two instruments, the medium-resolution multi-object spectrograph GIRAFFE and the high-resolution Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES). For intermediate-age OCs with prominent red clumps, GES targets are selected as follows: likely clump stars are observed with UVES, so that the most time-intensive targets are most likely to be members, followed by probable red giants if the clump is sparse. Main sequence stars down to V=19 are observed with GIRAFFE, using the HR9B setup primarily for stars of spectral type A to F and the HR15N setup for cooler stars. General GES target selection methods are outlined in Bragaglia et al. (in prep.). (6 data files).

Young plants of Ceratonia siliqua L., Myrtus communis L., Nerium oleander L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Ligustrum japonicum Thunb. and Pittosporum tobira (Thunb.) Aiton were grown in long tubes as well in rhizotrons. After a period of acclimation to the conditions of the experimental construction under normal watering conditions, some plants were watered whereas other plants remained unwatered for a period of one month. During the studying period the plants have been observed and regular measurements of roots and above ground parts development were taken. The results show the resistance of the Mediterranean plants (C. siliqua, M. communis, N. oleander) to water deficit in comparison to plants that are often used in parks and urban horticulture (L. japonicum, P. tobira), whereas R. officinalis shows an intermediate stage of endurance to drought.

In this article, I explore the value of philosophy of science for history of science. I start by introducing a distinction between two ways of integrating history and philosophy of science: historical philosophy of science (HPS) and philosophical history of science (PHS). I then offer a critical discussion of Imre Lakatos’s project to bring philosophy of science to bear on historical interpretation. I point out certain flaws in Lakatos’s project, which I consider indicative of what went wrong with PHS in the past. Finally, I put forward my own attempt to bring out the historiographical potential of philosophy of science. Starting from Norwood Russell Hanson’s insight that historical studies of science involve metascientific concepts, I argue that philosophical reflection on those concepts can be (and, indeed, has been) historiographically fruitful. I focus on four issues (epistemic values, experimentation, scientific discovery and conceptual change) and discuss their significance and utility for historiographical practice.

In the current evolving landscape of myeloma therapies, no recommended salvage strategy exists for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM) after initial successful autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and therapeutic options extend from conventional chemotherapy and novel agents to second autologous and allogeneic transplants. In this article, we summarize the documented evidence about the utilization of second ASCT in patients with relapsed MM after a primary auto-graft and discuss the correct timing for such a salvage approach, the individual characteristics of patients who will benefit more, as well as the therapeutic role of second ASCT in the modern era of forthcoming anti-myeloma treatments. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

In the current evolving landscape of myeloma therapies, no recommended salvage strategy exists for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM) after initial successful autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and therapeutic options extend from conventional chemotherapy and novel agents to second autologous and allogeneic transplants. In this article, we summarize the documented evidence about the utilization of second ASCT in patients with relapsed MM after a primary auto-graft and discuss the correct timing for such a salvage approach, the individual characteristics of patients who will benefit more, as well as the therapeutic role of second ASCT in the modern era of forthcoming anti-myeloma treatments. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

The development of the students’ research competence in a Distance Postgraduate Program is the main question of our report. Its investigation was attempted through the study of the postgraduate students’ representations in the Module French as Foreign/International Language Program of Hellenic Open University. Particularly, the questionnaire sent to the students of this Program, focused on the role of Written Essays carried out during it, in terms of the development of students’ research competence.

The XMM-Newton survey of M31 revealed extended diffuse emission in the northern disk of M31, which is well correlated with the star-forming ring of the galaxy. The stellar population of this part of M31 has been extensively studied in the optical in the Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Treasury (PHAT) survey. We have observed the northern disk of M31 in areas within the PHAT footprint in deep XMM-Newton pointings. We have thus obtained a map of the X-ray emission of the hot interstellar medium (ISM) in a spiral galaxy like our own on arcmin scales and a complete list of X-ray sources down to the confusion limit of a few 10^{34} erg/s, with variability and spectral information for most of the sources. We will present the first results of the study of the X-ray source population and that of the hot ISM.

 Ένα από τα σημαντικότερα ζητήματα που έχει να αντιμετωπίσει σήμερα η εκπαιδευτική κοινότητα είναι αυτό του εκφοβισμού (bullying). Ερευνητικά δεδομένα υπογραμμίζουν ότι το φαινόμενο του εκφοβισμού στο σχολικό περιβάλλον ανατροφοδοτείται με έναν περίπλοκο τρόπο και είναι άρρηκτα συνδεδεμένο με εξωσχολικούς παράγοντες όπως οι αλλαγές στη δομή της οικογένειας και στην ποιότητα των ενδο-οικογενειακών και διαπροσωπικών σχέσεων, η συνεχής και αυξανόμενη έκθεση των παιδιών στη βία τόσο αναφορικά με τα ΜΜΕ όσο και κατά την ενασχόλησή τους με συγκεκριμένα ηλεκτρονικά παιχνίδια κ.α. Από ένα μεγάλο αριθμό διερευνητικών προσεγγίσεων επισημαίνεται ότι η ποιότητα του σχολικού κλίματος, η σχολική συνοχή καθώς και ο άμεσα περιβάλλων χώρος του σχολείου παίζουν σημαντικό ρόλο στην εκδήλωση επιθετικών ενεργειών. Στον ελλαδικό χώρο, παρ’ όλο που έχουν πραγματοποιηθεί πολλές έρευνες για τον εκφοβισμό ως μορφή ενδοσχολικής βίας, δεν υπάρχουν ακόμα αρκετές μελέτες, που να διαπραγματεύονται και να διερευνούν το ζήτημα αυτό στις προοπτικές του μαθήματος της Φυσικής Αγωγής (ΦΑ). Η παρούσα μελέτη –ως επιμέρους προσπάθεια μιας εν εξελίξει εμπειρικής έρευνας— βασίζεται σε ανασκόπηση της σύγχρονης ερευνητικής βιβλιογραφίας και έχει σκοπό να αναδείξει και να επισημάνει τους σημαντικότερους  παράγοντες που συμβάλλουν στην εκδήλωση του εκφοβισμού στις προοπτικές του μαθήματος της ΦΑ στον ελληνικό χώρο. Σύμφωνα με τη διεθνή βιβλιογραφία το μάθημα ΦΑ συμβάλλει θετικά στην ομαλή κοινωνικοποίηση και ενσωμάτωση των μαθητών στο σχολείο. Στις προοπτικές αυτές επισημαίνεται ότι οι Καθηγητές/τριες Φυσικής Αγωγής διαδραματίζουν καθοριστικό ρόλο στη δημιουργία θετικού κλίματος εφαρμόζοντας στρατηγικές και προγράμματα διαχείρισης διαπροσωπικών σχέσεων και συγκρούσεων. Ωστόσο από την άλλη πλευρά όπως διαπιστώνεται από τις σχετικές με αυτό το ζήτημα έρευνες που πραγματοποιήθηκαν σε άλλες χώρες, οι αθλητικές ή παιγνιώδεις ομαδικές δραστηριότητες που κατ’ εξοχήν χρησιμοποιούνται ως εκπαιδευτικό εργαλείο στη ΦΑ, δημιουργούν ευκαιρίες για στοχοποίηση κάποιων μαθητών/τριών εξαιτίας, μεταξύ άλλων, κάποιων ατομικών χαρακτηριστικών (π.χ. σωματικό βάρος, σεξουαλικό προσανατολισμό, φύλο, μειωμένο επίπεδο κινητικών δεξιοτήτων)  τόσο από τους συμμαθητές/τριες όσο και από τον εκπαιδευτικό της ΦΑ. Η στοχοποίηση αυτής της μορφής αναδεικνύεται ως ένας καταλυτικός και ουσιαστικός παράγοντας εκδήλωσης εκφοβιστικών συμπεριφορών.  Όπως προκύπτει από τα διεθνή ερευνητικά δεδομένα η ΦΑ αποτελεί ένα μέσον –ανάλογα με τον τρόπο που το οργανώνουμε και το διαχειριζόμαστε— τόσο για την καλλιέργεια και εκδήλωση του φαινομένου του εκφοβισμού όσο και για την άμβλυνσή του.   Βιβλιογραφικές Πηγές Bejerot, S., J. Edgar & B.M. Humble, (2010), “Poor performance in physical education – a risk factor for bully victimization. A case–control study”. In Acta Pædiatrica, 100: 413–419 Hicky, C., H. (2008), “Physical education, sport and hyper-masculinity in schools”. In Sport, Education and Society, 13(2): 147-161 Kamberidou, I. (2012). New Realms of Agency: Promoting Peace Education and Gender Equity through Sport. In Sport Science and Physical Education, [Ed. Luminita Georgescu],  Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems, Eolss Publishers, Oxford ,UK. Developed under the Auspices of UNESCO Oliver, K.L. & M. Hamzeh (2010), “The boys won't let us play” fifth-grade mestizas challenge physical activity discourse at school”. In Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 81(1): 38-51 

Στην περίπτωση που ο χρήστης διαθέτει adobe acrobat ακολουθούν αναλυτικές οδηγίες με τον τρόπο ψηφιακής υπογραφής (digital sign) ενός pdf εγγράφου και συγκεκριμένα του εξαγόμενου pdf με την απογραφή του ΤΠΕ εξοπλισμού του σχολείου.

Το παρόν κείμενο εξετάζει συγκριτικά τα απαιτήματα-συμπεράσματα της θεωρίας του N. J. Spyman (1943) με την απόρρητη έκθεση (1945) του καθηγητού της Σορβόννης Alexandre Kojève προς τον στρατηγό Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle, περί δημιουργίας της ΕΚΑΧ και μετάπειτα ΕΟΚ και ΕΕ, υπό το φως της δημιουργίας μιας "Λατινικής Αυτοκρατορίας" αποτελουμένης από την προεξάρχουσα εις αυτήν Γαλλία, την Ιταλία και την Ισπανία, με τις αποικίες τους, οι οποίες θα λειτουγούσαν ως ενδιάμεση ζώνη ασφαλείας μεταξύ της "Αγγλοσαξωνικής Αυτοκρατορίας" και τις Σλαβοορθοδόξου Σοβιετικής Αυτοκρατορίας.

Στὸ Γεωπολιτικὸ Σύμπλοκο τῆς Μεσογείου παρατηρεῖται τοὺς τελευταίους μῆνες μιὰ ἔντονη, ὅσο καὶ ἐπικίνδυνη, κινητικότητα στὸ τμῆμα τῶν ∆υτικῶν Βαλκανίων ἐντὸς τοῦ γεωπολιτικοῦ Ὑποσυστήματος τῶν Βαλκανίων. Ἡ χώρα μας ἔχει τὸ θλιβερὸν προνόμιον νὰ ἀποτελεῖ τὴν τομὴν τῶν δύο ἀσταθῶν Ὑποσυστημάτων τοῦ Μεσογειακοῦ Γεωπολιτικοῦ Συμπλόκου: α) τοῦ Ὑποσυστήματος τῶν Βαλκανίων καὶ β) τοῦ Ὑποσυστήματος Τουρκίας-Ἐγγύς Ἀνατολῆς. Θὰ ἀποδείξομε ἀφ' ἐνὸς ὅτι τὰ δύο αὐτὰ Ὑποσυστήματα εὑρίσκονται σὲ ἔντονη ὅσο καὶ ἀσταθῆ συλλειτουργία στὴν παροῦσα συγκυρία, καὶ ἀφ' ἑτέρου θὰ ἀναδειχθεῖ ὁ κύριος γεωπολιτικὸς παράγων, γενεσιουργὸς τῆς ἀσταθείας αὐτῆς, ὁ ὁποῖος εἶναι ἡ Ἐνεργειακὴ Ἀσφάλεια. Ἐπίσης θὰ καταδειχθοῦν οἱ βασικοὶ πόλοι διεθνοῦς ἰσχύος, ἡ Μόσχα καὶ ἡ Οὐάσιγκτων, ὁ νεοψυχροπολεμικοῦ τύπου ἀνταγωνισμὸς τῶν ὁποίων θέτει σὲ ἀποσταθεροποιητικὴ δυναμικὴ τὸ Γεωπολιτικὸ σύμπλοκο τῆς Μεσογείου μὲ κύρια ἑστία τὰ ∆υτικὰ Βαλκάνια. Ὁ ὅρος "νεοψυχροπολεμικοῦ τύπου" χρησιμοποιεῖται γιὰ νὰ τονισθεῖ τὸ γεγονὸς ὅτι ὑπάρχει σημαντικὴ ἰδεολογικὴ ἀπόστασις μεταξὺ τῶν δύο αὐτῶν πόλων (καὶ φυσικὰ —ἀλλὰ περισσότερον συγκεκαλυμμένος— μεταξὺ Οὐάσιγκτων καὶ Πεκίνου), ὅπως κατὰ τὴν περίοδον τοῦ Ψυχροῦ Πολέμου. Ἡ ἰδεολογικὴ διαφορὰ στὴν περίπτωση αὐτὴν ἔγκειται στὴν δυτικὴ κοσμοπολιτικὴ καὶ ἀκραίως νεοφιλελεύθερη δυτικὴ προσέγγιση καὶ τὴν ἐθνο-ταὐτοτικὴ συντηρητικὴ προσέγγιση τῆς Ἀνατολῆς, μὲ προεξάρχοντα πόλο τὴν Μόσχα. Τὸ θεωρητικὸ ὑπόβαθρο τῆς παρούσης ἀναλύσεως εἶναι αὐτὸ τῆς κλασικῆς ἀγγλοσαξωνικῆς γεωπολιτικῆς σχολῆς μὲ ὑπόδειγμα αὐτὸ τοῦ Ν. J. Spykman ὅπως ἐξελίχθηκε ἀπὸ τὶς προσεγγίσεις τοῦ Ζ. Brzezinsky καὶ ἡ μεθοδολογικὴ προσέγγισις αὐτὴ τῆς Συγχρόνου Συστημικῆς Γεωπολιτικῆς Ἀναλύσεως.

Εισαγωγή:. Στηv Πετοσφαίριση η αγωνιστική απόδοση εξαρτάται από την επίδοση των αθλητών στις τεχνικές δεξιότητες του παιχνιδιού (Marcelino, Mesquita, & Alfonso, 2008) και η αθλητική επιτυχία μπορεί να ποσοτικοποιηθεί με βάση την αγωνιστική απόδοση (Lobietti, Michele, & Merni, 2006). Με τη χρήση δεδομένων από μία αγωνιστική περίοδο, βρέθηκε υψηλή συσχέτιση μεταξύ της αγωνιστικής επιτυχίας (σύνολο πόντων σε πρωτάθλημα), με το άθροισμα των δεικτών αποτελεσματικότητας σερβίς και επίθεσης (Drikos, Kountouris, Laios, & Laios, 2009). Η παρούσα μελέτη εξετάζει την αγωνιστική επιτυχία (τελική κατάταξη στην 1η τετράδα της κανονικής περιόδου) σε σχέση με την αγωνιστική απόδοση, στη διάρκεια 11 συνεχών αγωνιστικών περιόδων του πρωταθλήματος Πετοσφαίρισης Ανδρών Ελλάδος. Μέθοδος:. Τα δεδομένα προήλθαν από την καταγραφή της αγωνιστικής απόδοσης των ομάδων (Ν=131), που συμμετείχαν στις κανονικές αγωνιστικές περιόδους (2005- 6 έως 2015-16) των πρωταθλημάτων Α1 κατηγορίας Ανδρών, σε τέσσερις βασικές τεχνικές δεξιότητες του παιχνιδιού (επίθεση, σερβίς, υποδοχή σερβίς και μπλοκ). Η αξιολόγηση της εκτέλεσης των τεχνικών δεξιοτήτων πραγματοποιήθηκε με τακτική κλίμακα 6 επιπέδων. Η αξιοπιστία μεταξύ των βαθμολογητών ελέγχθηκε με σταθμισμένο δείκτη Κ Cohen και ήταν Adjusted Κ= .85, πολύ καλή (Altman, 1991). Η στατιστική επεξεργασία των δεδομένων έγινε μέσω πολυμεταβλητής ανάλυσης διακύμανσης και διακριτής ανάλυσης, για τον προσδιορισμό των διαφορών ανάμεσα στις ομάδες των θέσεων 1-4, 5-8 και 9-12 και των δεξιοτήτων που κατατάσσουν με επιτυχία τις παρατηρήσεις. Αποτελέσματα:. Υπήρξε στατιστικά σημαντική διαφορά των μέσων όρων στις ομάδες 1-4 σε σχέση με τις υπόλοιπες, σε όλες τις τεχνικές δεξιότητες, εκτός από την υποδοχή σερβίς και στις ομάδες 5-8 με τις αντίστοιχες 9-12 στην επίθεση μετά από υποδοχή σερβίς και στo μπλοκ. Οι μεταβλητές με συντελεστή συσχέτισης >|.3| με τη διαχωριστική συνάρτηση, ήταν οι δείκτες αποτελεσματικότητας σερβίς (-.42), επίθεσης μετά από υποδοχή σερβίς (.90), επίθεσης μετά από άμυνα (.60) Η διαχωριστική συνάρτηση κατέταξε με επιτυχία για το σύνολο του δείγματος το 72% των παρατηρήσεων Για τις θέσεις 1-4 η επιτυχημένη κατάταξη ήταν 87,5%, ενώ για τα γκρουπ 5-8 και 9-12 ήταν 65% αντίστοιχα.Συμπεράσματα: Οι ομάδες των θέσεων 1-4 αποδίδουν καλύτερα σε όλες τις δεξιότητες που κατακτούν πόντο. Η αγωνιστική επιτυχία μπορεί να ερμηνευθεί με τη χρήση των δεικτών αποτελεσματικότητας, λόγω της καλής προσαρμογής του μοντέλου.

Η παρούσα επιστημονική δημοσίευση, αποτελεί εφαρμογή απλών και σύνθετων γεωπολιτικών δεικτών, των τεσσάρων γεωπολιτικών πυλώνων στη μεθοδολογία της συστημικής γεωπολιτικής αναλύσεως. Ως περίπτωση εξετάζεται η Συριακή Κρίση.

Ἡ κατάστασις σήμερα πιέζει γιὰ τὴ δημιουργίαν-πλησίον τῆς ἰσχυρᾶς καὶ εὐημερούσης οἰκονομικῶς Ἀρμενίας-καὶ ἑνὸς ἀνεξαρτήτου πλέον Κουρδιστάν. Τὸ νέο αὐτὸ κράτος λειτουργῶντας ὡς «buffer state/état tampon» μεταξὺ Ἀράβων, Ἰρανῶν, Σύρων καὶ Ἰρακινῶν καὶ ἐν συνδυασμῷ πρὸς μιὰ ἀπαραιτήτως ἰσχυρὰν Ἀρμενία καὶ τὸ ἤδη ἰσχυρὸ καὶ σταθερὸ ὡς πρὸς τὶς διεθνεῖς του σχέσεις Ἰσραήλ, μποροῦν νὰ ἐγγυηθοῦν τὸ ἀπαραίτητο καθεστὼς ἀσφαλείας στὴν Κεντρικὴ Ἀσία. Ἡ Ρωσσία τοῦ Ποῦτιν, ἡ ἀμερικὴ τῶν Ὀμπάμα καὶ Τρὰμπ ἀλλὰ καὶ τὸ Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ Νετανιάχου ἐπιθυμοῦν διακαῶς μιὰν ἀνάλογη λύση. Ἡ  καθεμία πλευρὰ γιὰ τοὺς δικούς της γεωστρατηγικοὺς λόγους. Ἡ Ρωσσία γιὰ νὰ ἀπομακρύνει τὸν ἰσλαμιστικὸν κίνδυνο ἀπὸ τὰ ἐδάφη τοῦ «ἐγγὺς ἐξωτερικοῦ»της στὴν Κεντρικὴ Ἀσία. Οἱ ΗΠΑ γιὰ νὰ ἀποκτήσουν ἕνα φερέγγυο σύμμαχο καὶ προβολέα ἰσχύος στὴν Μέση Ἀνατολή, στὸν Ἀραβοπερσικὸ Κόλπο καὶ τὸ κέντρο τοῦ ∆ρόμου τοῦ Μεταξιοῦ. Τὸ Ἰσραὴλ γιὰ νὰ ἀποκτήσει χερσαῖο στρατηγικὸ βάθος σὲ ἕνα ἐπισφαλὲς ἰρανο-ἀραβικὸ ἰσλαμιστικὸ περιβάλλον. Ἡ ἐγκατάλειψις τῆς εἰρήνης στὰ χέρια μιᾶς παντουρκιστικῆς τουρκικῆς πολιτικῆς, ἀπὸ πλευρᾶς ∆ύσεως, θὰ σημάνει τὴν ἔναρξη μιᾶς σειρᾶς ἁλυσιδωτῶν ἐκρήξεων μεταξὺ τῶν ἀλλοϋποβλεπομένων δρώντων στὴν περιοχή, ὅπως τὸ Ἰράν, τὸ Πακιστάν, ἡ Ρωσσία, ἡ Σ. Ἀραβία, ἡ Αἴγυπτος καὶ τὸ ἀπολύτως ἀσταθὲς Ἀφγανιστάν. Τὰ ἀποτελέσματα θὰ εἶναι δεινὰ γιὰ τὴν εἰρήνη καὶ τὸν δυτικὸ πολιτικὸ πολιτισμὸ εἰς τὴν γεωπολιτικὴν αὐτὴν ζώνη. Καὶ αὐτὸ διότι ὁ προϊὼν ἰσλαμιστικὸς χαρακτὴρ τῆς Ἀγκύρας ὁ ὁποῖος ἔχει ἐνταχθεῖ στὸ εὐρύτερο ριζοσπατικὸ ἰσλαμιστικὸ ὄχημα τῆς «διεθνοῦς» τῶν Ἀδελφῶν Μουσουλμάνων9, σίγουρα θὰ προωθήσει τὴν ἐξαγωγὴ τῆς «ἰσλαμικῆς ἐπαναστάσεως» καὶ τῶν ἱεροπολεμικῶν ἀντιλήψεων καὶ στὴν ζώνη τῶν Βαλκανίων. Στὴν φάση ὅμως αὐτὴν ἡ Τουρκία δὲν θὰ κατωρθώσει νὰ πείσει οὔτε κἂν τὸν ἑαυτόν της εἰς ὅ,τι ἀφορᾷ τὶς δημοκρατικές της πεποιθήσεις, καὶ ὁ Χάρτης τῆς Εὐρυτέρας Μέσης Ἀνατολῆς ἀναδιατάσσεται ἔχοντας αὐτὸ ὡς δεδομένο. Ἴσως τώρα ἦλθε ἡ ὥρα νὰ ἀντιληφθοῦν οἱ «μαθητευόμενοι μάγοι» τῶν διεθνῶν μητροπολιτικῶν ἐπιτελείων τὰ μέχρι σήμερα λάθη τους. Ἐλπίζομε ὅμως νὰ μὴ εἶναι εἶναι ἀργὰ καὶ γι' αὐτούς, ἀλλὰ κυρίως γιὰ ὁλόκληρη τὴν ἀνθρωπότητα. Ὁ συστηματικὸς διωγμὸς τῶν χριστιανικῶν πληθυσμῶν στὴν Μέση Ἀνατολὴ ἀπὸ τὶς ριζοσπαστικὲς ἰσλαμιστικὲς τάσεις καὶ ὀργανώσεις, οἱ ὁποῖες ἐξετράφησαν καὶ ἐξωπλίσθησαν ἀπὸ τὴν ∆ύση καὶ τοὺς συμμάχους τους στὴν Μέση Ἀνατολὴ ἐπιδεικνύουν τὴν κατεύθυνση πρὸς τὴν κεντρικὴ Ἀσία τῶν ἰσλαμιστικῶν βλέψεών τους. Ἀνάχωμα σὲ αὐτὲς τὶς βλέψεις στὸν Καύκασο καὶ τὴν περιοχὴ τῆς Κασπίας καὶ τοῦ Εὐξείνου Πόντου ἀποτελεῖ ἡ Ἀρμενία. Ἂν ἡ Ἀρμενία ὑποχωρήσει, τὰ Βαλκάνια εἶναι μιὰ χαμένη ὑπόθεσις γιὰ τὴν ∆ύση καὶ ἕνα νέο Ἐμιρᾶτο γιὰ τὸ ριζοσπαστικὸ Ἰσλὰμ τοῦ ΙSIS καὶ τῶν παρακλαδιῶν τῆς ἀλ Κάϊντα καὶ τῶν Ἀδελφῶν Μουσουλμάνων.

Η συνδρομή μας στην παρούσα πρωτότυπη εισήγηση και εργασία με κριτές στον εν λόγω συνέδριο στην Αθήνα έγκειται στην επισήμανση της ανάγκης  για τη διδασκαλία της ηθικής και της ακεραιότητας στην έρευνα γενικά, και της ακεραιότητας του ερευνητή ειδικά, στη δευτεροβάθμια εκπαίδευση.SBN 978-960-466-174-9,  

Γίνεται σήμερα λόγος για την αλλαγή στο μάθημα των Θρησκευτικών στην Ελλάδα. Η συζήτηση για το θέμα έχει ξεκινήσει από τη δεκαετία του 1990 και η αλλαγή έχει γίνει από τον Σεπτέμβριο του 2016 με τη δημοσίευση σε ΦΕΚ των Προγράμματα Σπουδών Δημοτικού-Γυμνασίου και Λυκείου(στο εξής ΠΣ) και με την εφαρμογή τους ή μη εφαρμογή τους τησχολική αυτή χρονιά. Γνωρίζουμε, βέβαια όλοι και όλες ότι με την προσωπική αντίδραση του Αρχιεπισκόπου της Εκκλησίας της Ελλάδας κ. Ιερώνυμου (Κουκουνάρας Λιάγκης, 2016), της οποίας το χρονικό αδυνατούμε εδώ να αναλύσουμε, διενεργήθηκε διάλογος μεταξύ Πολιτείας και Εκκλησίας τους προηγούμενους μήνες και μετά από αναθεώρηση, θα προκύψουν νέες δημοσιεύσεις σε ΦΕΚ των δύο ΠΣ και θα ισχύσουν τη σχολική χρονιά 2017-18. Παράλληλα γνωρίζουμε ότι ομάδες εμπειρογνωμόνωντων δύο ΠΣ και εκπαιδευτικών της τάξης από την Πρωτοβάθμια και Δευτεροβάθμια εκπαίδευση εργάσθηκαν αμισθί και συνέθεσαν Φακέλους Μαθητή με διδακτικό υλικό, για κάθε τάξη Δημοτικού, Γυμνασίου και Λυκείου, σύμφωνα με τις παιδαγωγικές και διδακτικές αρχές των νέων ΠΣ και αυτοί θα δοθούν στους μαθητές και μαθήτριες τη νέα σχολική χρονιά.Τέλος, από τον διάλογο Πολιτείας και Εκκλησίας προέκυψε ρητή διαβεβαίωση της Πολιτείας ότι με την αλλαγή των ΠΣ υφίσταται το εκπαιδευτικό, παιδαγωγικό και πολιτικό περιβάλλον όχι μόνο για τη διατήρηση της υποχρεωτικότητας του μαθήματος, αλλά και για τη συμπερίληψή του στα βασικά και υποχρεωτικά μαθήματα του νέου Λυκείου, που θα ισχύσει τα επόμενα χρόνια.

Ἡ γνῶσις τῆς γεωπολιτικῆς πραγματικότητος ἀπετέλεσε, ἀποτελεῖ καὶ θὰ ἀποτελεῖ πάντοτε πρόκληση πρὸς τοὺς πολιτικοὺς καὶ πνευματικοὺς ταγούς. Οἱ κρατοῦντες εἰς τὸν Πλανήτη διαθέτουν ἰσχυρὰ κέντρα μελέτης τῆς γεωπολιτικῆς πραγματικότητος, ὥστε λαμβάνοντες ὑπ' ὄψιν τὰ προκύπτοντα γεωπολιτικὰ ὑποδείγματα νὰ προβοῦν στὴν χάραξη τῶν ἀντιστοίχων ἡγεμονικῶν ἢ κυριαρχικῶν διεθνῶν στρατηγικῶν τους. Το παρόν κείμενο αναφέρεται στη χρήση της γνώσεως στις γεωπολιτικές επιδιώξεις των κρατούντων της γης.

Με το εγχείρημά μας αυτό προσπαθήσαμε να δώσουμε μια γενεαλογική διάσταση στην αφήγηση της ιστορίας της εκπαίδευσης. Αναφερθήκαμε σε δομικά ζητήματα (οικονομικοί και κοινωνικοί μετασχηματισμοί), σε θεσμικές ρυθμίσεις (κατασκευή της εκπαίδευσης μέσα από την απόσχισή της από άλλο προϋπάρχοντα θεσμό), σε πολιτικά προβλήματα, σε ιδέες που διαμορφώθηκαν από συγκεκριμένους διανοούμενους, σε συγκεκριμένες συνθήκες (είτε προσωπικές, είτε ευρύτερες). Προφανώς, η ιστορία δεν είναι πλήρης, με την έννοια ότι δεν αναφερθήκαμε σε «όλα» όσα συνέβησαν, δεν αναφέραμε όλους όσοι ενεπλέκησαν, δεν επιμείναμε σε κάθε λεπτομέρεια. Αυτό είναι ούτως ή άλλως αδύνατο. Η ιστορική αφήγηση είναι ένα νοηματικό σχήμα που καλύπτει υπό μία θεώρηση το παρελθόν. Είναι αδύνατο να γράψει κανείς για «όλα» όσα συνέβησαν: αν το κάνει θα είναι μια απλή γεγονοτογραφία. Αν επιχειρήσει να ερμηνεύσει, τότε αναγκαστικά θα περιοριστεί σε κάποια από τα συμβάντα (θα τα αναδείξει, δηλαδή, ως ιστορικά τεκμήρια). Άρα, εκ των πραγμάτων, δεν χρειάζεται να αναφερθεί σε «όλα». Αυτό που μπορούμε να δούμε ως ένα πρώτο συμπέρασμα μέσα από αυτό το αφήγημα της εκπαίδευσης είναι ότι η ανάγκη του ανθρώπου για να προσδιοριστεί είναι σημαντική, και αυτό προσπάθησε να κάνει στο διάβα της ιστορίας. Η εκπαίδευση φαίνεται να δίνει εκείνα τα στοιχεία της ταυτότητάς μας, με τα οποία αναγνωρίζουμε τον εαυτό μας, τους άλλους, το πλαίσιο στο οποίο κινούμαστε. Αυτή η ταυτότητα, ωστόσο, είναι, όπως διαμορφώνεται μέσα από την εκπαίδευση, μια επιβαλλόμενη ταυτότητα: εμπεριέχει προγενέστερες ρυθμίσεις, ρυθμίσεις άλλων σύγχρονών μας. Εμπεριέχει, όμως, και τις δικές μας προθέσεις, προτιμήσεις, ανάγκες, διαθέσεις. Εν κατακλείδι, θα μπορούσαμε να πούμε ότι η εκπαίδευση είναι ο χώρος όπου διαμορφώνεται διαλεκτικά (άρα και συγκρουσιακά) η ταυτότητά μας: είναι ένα διαρκές «γίγνεσθαι», στο οποίο συμμετέχουμε. Όσο πιο πολύ συμμετέχουμε, τόσο περισσότερο ολοκληρώνεται, εμπλουτίζεται, εμβαθύνεται η ταυτότητά μας. Συνεπώς, η εκπαίδευση είναι το ιδανικό πεδίο στο οποίο μπορεί να βρει έκφραση η «πράξη» (praxis), η πολιτική πράξη της διαπραγμάτευσης με τη γνώση.

Καμπερίδου, Ειρήνη (2017). Κοινωνικό κεφάλαιο, φύλο και αθλητισμός: από την ‘έμφυλη κόπωση’ στην έμφυλη ενέργεια. Εισήγηση στην ΗΜΕΡΙΔΑ ΦΥΛΟ & ΑΘΛΗΤΙΣΜΟΣ. Ημερομηνία διοργάνωσης: Τετάρτη 15 Νοεμβρίου 2017, ώρα 9:30. Τόπος διεξαγωγής: Κέντρο Διάδοσης Ερευνητικών Αποτελεσμάτων (ΚΕΔΕΑ), ΑΠΘ. Διοργάνωση της Επιτροπής Φύλου & Ισότητας του ΑΠΘ σε συνεργασία με την Πανελλήνια Ένωση για την Προώθηση των Γυναικών στον Αθλητισμό και τα Σπορ (ΠΕΠΓΑΣ) & το Πανελλήνιο Αθλητικό Σωματείο Γυναικών  ‘ΠΑΣΓ ΚΑΛΛΙΠΑΤΕΙΡΑ’ Υπό την αιγίδα του ΤΕΦΑΑ – ΑΠΘ. (upcoming in Nov. 15, 2017).

Σπέγγα, Α.,  Καμπερίδου,  Ει.,  & Πατσαντάρας, Ν. (2017).  "Παράγοντες που επηρεάζουν τη συμμετοχή των μαθητριών Γυμνασίου και Λυκείου στο μάθημα της Φυσικής Αγωγής / Factors that influence female high school and junior high school students’ participation in physical education classes". Ανακοίνωση στα πρακτικά του 4ου Συνεδρίου Αθλητικής Επιστήμης «Η Φυσική Αγωγή και ο Αθλητισμός στο Σύγχρονο Κόσμο: Παιδεία - Κοινωνία – Πολιτισμός», σελ. 99. Σχολή Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού (ΣΕΦΑΑ), Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών (ΕΚΠΑ).  

Οι έρευνες της έμφυλης διάστασης του κοινωνικού κεφαλαίου, μολονότι περιορισμένες, δείχνουν  ότι οι γυναίκες παίζουν σημαντικό ρόλο στην ανάπτυξη και αναπαραγωγή του, αναλαμβάνοντας κυρίως εθελοντικές δράσεις κοινωνικής προσφοράς και δράσεις κοινωνικής επιχειρηματικότητας που συντελούν καταλυτικά στην κοινωνική και οικονομική ευημερία. Επιπρόσθετα τα αποτελέσματα μεγάλου αριθμού ποιοτικών ερευνών, οι οποίες επικεντρώνουν το ενδιαφέρον τους στις αλληλεπιδράσεις μεταξύ  φύλου, αθλητισμού και επιχειρηματικότητας, δείχνουν μια θετική συσχέτιση μεταξύ των παραμέτρων αθλητική εμπειρία και επιτυχημένη ηγεσία. Η διερευνητική αυτή προσπάθεια  προσεγγίζει τον αθλητισμό στις προοπτικές της θεώρησης περί κοινωνικού κεφαλαίου. Βασιζόμενη σε μια ενδελεχή ανασκόπηση της διεθνούς σχετικής βιβλιογραφίας, και στα αποτελέσματα ποιοτικής έρευνας (8 ημι-δομημένες συνεντεύξεις) που διενεργήθηκε το 2016-2017, στοχεύει να εξηγήσει το ζήτημα της υποεκπροσώπησης των γυναικών όσον αφορά στις θέσεις διοικητικής ευθύνης στους αθλητικούς θεσμούς και κυρίως να αναδείξει τα εμπόδια που λειτουργούν καταλυτικά για την εμφάνιση αυτής της υποεκπροσώπησης.  Επικεντρώνει το ενδιαφέρον της στη γυναικεία συμμετοχή, που κατά κανόνα παραμένει μια  ανεκμετάλλευτη πηγή κοινωνικής ενέργειας και η οποία υπό συνθήκες μπορεί να διευκολύνει ποικίλες διαδικασίες κοινωνικής ενσωμάτωσης.  Επίσης διερευνά πιθανούς συσχετισμούς μεταξύ αθλητικής εμπειρίας και επιχειρηματικής δραστηριότητας. Υποκείμενα της έρευνας ήταν οκτώ εν ενεργεία και πρώην Ελληνίδες αθλήτριες, πρωταθλήτριες, ολυμπιονίκες και ακτιβίστριες—που έχουν διαπρέψει στην αθλητική ηγεσία και στο αθλητικό επιχειρείν. Τα αποτελέσματα δείχνουν ότι ο αθλητισμός προάγει δεξιότητες που είναι σημαντικές για την επιχειρηματικότητα και την ανάληψη δραστηριοτήτων διοικητικής μέριμνας και ευθύνης.  Ωστόσο οι γυναίκες που ενεργοποιούνται στο χώρο του αθλητισμού και επιδιώκουν να αναρριχηθούν σε θέσεις διοικητικής ευθύνης ή να ασκήσουν επιχειρηματικότητα στον χώρο αυτό, έχουν να υπερβούν πολλά εμπόδια. Μεταξύ άλλων επισημαίνονται: (1) οι προκαταλήψεις και τα στερεότυπα που ακόμα είναι κυρίαρχα και προκύπτουν από τις ανδροκεντρικές καταβολές του αθλητισμού, (2) η έλλειψη γυναικών μεντόρων, (3) η  έλλειψη γυναικών προτύπων, (4) οι άνισες ευκαιρίες εξέλιξης στην αθλητική ηγεσία σε σύγκριση με τους άνδρες, (5) η  έλλειψη ισορροπίας μεταξύ επαγγελματικής και ιδιωτικής/οικογενειακής ζωής. Απάντηση σε αυτή την υποεκπροσώπηση αποτελούν προγράμματα που προωθούν, προβάλλουν, και δημιουργούν γυναίκες μέντορες και κοινωνικά πρότυπα όπως εκείνο της Ελληνικής Ολυμπιακής Επιτροπής (ΕΟΕ) και του Συλλόγου Ελλήνων Ολυμπιονικών (ΣΕΟ) «Κάνουμε Χώρο για περισσότερες γυναίκες στην Αθλητική Συμμετοχή, την Προπονητική  Καθοδήγηση, και ειδικά τη Διοικητική Στελέχωση».   Λέξεις κλειδιά: κοινωνική ενσωμάτωση, φύλο, αθλητισμός, ηγεσία, επιχειρηματικότητα, «έμφυλη κόπωση» (gender fatigue), «σπατάλη ταλέντου» (wastage of talent),  «καμπύλη  ηλιθιότητας» (Stupid Curve), εξισορρόπηση επαγγελματικής και ιδιωτικής ζωής  

Καμπερίδου, Ειρήνη (2017). Το Ανεκμετάλλευτο Κοινωνικό Κεφάλαιο του Αθλητισμού: Η Γυναίκα Αθλήτρια. Δεύτερη Έκδοση Βιβλίο Πρακτικών του 4ου Συνεδρίου Αθλητικής Επιστήμης «Η Φυσική Αγωγή και ο Αθλητισμός στο Σύγχρονο Κόσμο: Παιδεία - Κοινωνία – Πολιτισμός», σελ. 33-37. Σχολή Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής & Αθλητισμού του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών (ΕΚΠΑ).............................................................:  ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗ -- ABSTRACT Οι έρευνες της έμφυλης διάστασης του κοινωνικού κεφαλαίου, μολονότι περιορισμένες, δείχνουν  ότι οι γυναίκες παίζουν σημαντικό ρόλο στην ανάπτυξη και αναπαραγωγή του, αναλαμβάνοντας κυρίως εθελοντικές δράσεις κοινωνικής προσφοράς και δράσεις κοινωνικής επιχειρηματικότητας που συντελούν καταλυτικά στην κοινωνική και οικονομική ευημερία. Επιπρόσθετα τα αποτελέσματα μεγάλου αριθμού ποιοτικών ερευνών, οι οποίες επικεντρώνουν το ενδιαφέρον τους στις αλληλεπιδράσεις μεταξύ  φύλου, αθλητισμού και επιχειρηματικότητας, δείχνουν μια θετική συσχέτιση μεταξύ των παραμέτρων αθλητική εμπειρία και επιτυχημένη ηγεσία. Η διερευνητική αυτή προσπάθεια  προσεγγίζει τον αθλητισμό στις προοπτικές της θεώρησης περί κοινωνικού κεφαλαίου. Βασιζόμενη σε μια ενδελεχή ανασκόπηση της διεθνούς σχετικής βιβλιογραφίας, και στα αποτελέσματα ποιοτικής έρευνας (8 ημι-δομημένες συνεντεύξεις) που διενεργήθηκε το 2016-2017, στοχεύει να εξηγήσει το ζήτημα της υποεκπροσώπησης των γυναικών όσον αφορά στις θέσεις διοικητικής ευθύνης στους αθλητικούς θεσμούς και κυρίως να αναδείξει τα εμπόδια που λειτουργούν καταλυτικά για την εμφάνιση αυτής της υποεκπροσώπησης.  Επικεντρώνει το ενδιαφέρον της στη γυναικεία συμμετοχή, που κατά κανόνα παραμένει μια  ανεκμετάλλευτη πηγή κοινωνικής ενέργειας και η οποία υπό συνθήκες μπορεί να διευκολύνει ποικίλες διαδικασίες κοινωνικής ενσωμάτωσης.  Επίσης διερευνά πιθανούς συσχετισμούς μεταξύ αθλητικής εμπειρίας και επιχειρηματικής δραστηριότητας. Υποκείμενα της έρευνας ήταν οκτώ εν ενεργεία και πρώην Ελληνίδες αθλήτριες, πρωταθλήτριες, ολυμπιονίκες και ακτιβίστριες—που έχουν διαπρέψει στην αθλητική ηγεσία και στο αθλητικό επιχειρείν. Τα αποτελέσματα δείχνουν ότι ο αθλητισμός προάγει δεξιότητες που είναι σημαντικές για την επιχειρηματικότητα και την ανάληψη δραστηριοτήτων διοικητικής μέριμνας και ευθύνης.  Ωστόσο οι γυναίκες που ενεργοποιούνται στο χώρο του αθλητισμού και επιδιώκουν να αναρριχηθούν σε θέσεις διοικητικής ευθύνης ή να ασκήσουν επιχειρηματικότητα στον χώρο αυτό, έχουν να υπερβούν πολλά εμπόδια. Μεταξύ άλλων επισημαίνονται: (1) οι προκαταλήψεις και τα στερεότυπα που ακόμα είναι κυρίαρχα και προκύπτουν από τις ανδροκεντρικές καταβολές του αθλητισμού, (2) η έλλειψη γυναικών μεντόρων, (3) η  έλλειψη γυναικών προτύπων, (4) οι άνισες ευκαιρίες εξέλιξης στην αθλητική ηγεσία σε σύγκριση με τους άνδρες, (5) η  έλλειψη ισορροπίας μεταξύ επαγγελματικής και ιδιωτικής/οικογενειακής ζωής. Απάντηση σε αυτή την υποεκπροσώπηση αποτελούν προγράμματα που προωθούν, προβάλλουν, και δημιουργούν γυναίκες μέντορες και κοινωνικά πρότυπα όπως εκείνο της Ελληνικής Ολυμπιακής Επιτροπής (ΕΟΕ) και του Συλλόγου Ελλήνων Ολυμπιονικών (ΣΕΟ) «Κάνουμε Χώρο για περισσότερες γυναίκες στην Αθλητική Συμμετοχή, την Προπονητική  Καθοδήγηση, και ειδικά τη Διοικητική Στελέχωση». Λέξεις κλειδιά: κοινωνική ενσωμάτωση, φύλο, αθλητισμός, ηγεσία, επιχειρηματικότητα, «έμφυλη κόπωση» (gender fatigue), «σπατάλη εσωτερικού ταλέντου» (wastage of internal talent),  «καμπύλη  ηλιθιότητας» (Stupid Curve), εξισορρόπηση επαγγελματικής και ιδιωτικής ζωής, γεφυρώνοντας το έμφυλο χάσμα     -Βλ. ολόκληρο το άρθρο / full pdf at http://www.tinyurl.com/k69yg56   στις σελίδες  31-40. -UoA scholar:  Το Ανεκμετάλλευτο Κοινωνικό Κεφάλαιο του Αθλητισμού: Η Γυναίκα Αθλήτρια , και στο -RG: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316990102_To_Anekmetalleuto_Koinoniko_Kephalaio_tou_Athletismou_E_Gynaika_Athletria  

We present 106 times of minima of 27 eclipsing binaries.

We present 107 times of minima of 19 eclipsing binaries.

Cytosolic GIVA phospholipase A2 (GIVA cPLA2) initiates the eicosanoid pathway of inflammation and thus inhibitors of this enzyme constitute novel potential agents for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Traditionally, GIVA cPLA2 inhibitors have suffered systemically from high lipophilicity. We have developed a variety of long chain 2-oxoamides as inhibitors of GIVA PLA2. Among them, AX048 was found to produce a potent analgesic effect. We have now reduced the lipophilicity of AX048 by replacing the long aliphatic chain with a chain containing an ether linked aromatic ring with in vitro inhibitory activities similar to AX048.

The study "3,000 Years of East Mediterranean Sea Levels" investigates whether trends observed during this period in Israel from archaeological indications can be corroborated and strengthened by comparing them with relative sea levels observed in Greece. The process is comprised of three questions: 1) What types of archaeological sea-level indicators in Greece and Israel have the highest level of reliability for dating and sea-level evaluation? 2) What are the overall trends of sea-level change in Greece and Israel during the last 3,000 years, and what degree of error do these curves have? 3) What if any regional trends can be identified from the combined Greek and Israeli data? To answer the above questions, three objectives are pursued: 1) Identify archaeological RSL indicators of the last 3,000 years in Israel and Greece, including already published indicators with adequate measurements, those published but in need of new measurements, and unpublished potential indicators. 2) Assess the reliability of indicators using a consistent scoring system, correction for isostatic and tectonic effects, more precise measurements from indicators, and by exploring new methods to determine the chronology of rock carved indicators in Israel. 3) Using the assembled data, create a sea-level reconstruction for Greece, and combine the data with existing reconstructions from Israel for an analysis of matching trends. The study began with research of published sources and was supplemented by field activity. Surveys in Greece including Crete to assess both published and potential indicators occurred. Ruins from Chersonisos and Matala in Crete were examined and new measurements were taken from the latter. Fieldwork was also performed in Israel, including measurements from Caesarea for functional elevations on water channels at the promontory palace pool, at Achziv's fishpond, and around Tel Dor. The survey collected nearly 140 indicators from Israel and about 120 from Greece (excluding those outside the project's chronological scope). Of the Israeli indicators, some 120 were deemed reliable enough for reconstructions, whereas in Greece only 40 were, and not all of these from tectonically stable areas. The higher reliability of the Israeli dataset may stem from a smaller coastline and more focused sea-level research over the past few decades. In Greece, many measurements were taken by archaeologists in the 20th century before precise surveying methods were available, and published without sufficient metadata. Since then some of the sites have also become inaccessible to sea-level researchers. Analysis of indicators revealed gaps and disparities between the two regional datasets. Israel has a very strong set of many indicators from the Roman Period (~2000BP) to present, but fewer from 3000-2000BP. Greek indicators are strongly clustered in the Classical and Hellenistic Periods (2500-2000BP) with fewer before or after. These disparities make it difficult to effectively compare sea level between regions, but results suggest some correspondence of the curves. Analysis supports the work of previous Israeli researchers and suggests a relatively stable sea level there for the last 2000 years, with possible fluctuations not exceeding half a meter above or below current sea level at ~1500BP and ~750BP respectively. Both regions indicate a sea level rise between 2500-2000BP, but more data from Israel is needed to confirm this, while data from 3000-2500BP in Israel and Greece alike is scarce. In addition to the overall regional RSL comparisons, the current study also identifies the need for ongoing research and data collection: Continuing the search for sea-level indicators in Israel from 3000-2000BP, and in Greece from 3000-2500BP and from 2000BP to present, particularly in areas of reported tectonic stability like the Cyclades.

Strong motion data recorded during the 15-year operation of the CORinth Gulf Soft Soil Array (CORSSA) in the highly seismic region of Aegion have been homogenized and organized in a MySQL database. In the present work we describe the contents of the database and the web portal through which these data are publicly accessible. CORSSA comprises one surface and four downhole 3-D broadband accelerometric stations. It was installed in 2002, in the framework of European project CORSEIS, aiming at gathering data for studying site effects, liquefaction, and non-linear behaviour of soils, as well as earthquake source properties. To date, the array has recorded 549 local and regional events with magnitudes ranging from 1.1 to 6.5. Although the vast majority of the recorded events caused weak ground motion at the CORSSA site, the scientific value of the data set pertains to the sparsity of this kind of infrastructure in most parts of the world.

Background The work is part of a wider research project wherein we are trying to further explore the conceptual ecology of evolutionary theory of present and prospective teachers in Greece. Methods Quantitative and qualitative research was applied. In the former a questionnaire was answered by 318 secondary school teachers who teach biology. We further interviewed eight of the teachers by means of semi structured interviews and analyzed the interviews using the QSR nVivo program. Results Acceptance of evolution levels was found moderate both in the total cohort and among science teachers; on the one hand, this was correlated with the prevalence of low level of knowledge and understanding due to lack of previous instruction; on the other hand, their type of religiosity was not a serious obstacle to accepting evolution, since it was correlated with a high degree of thinking dispositions. Conclusions The results are in agreement with our previous findings that the type of religiosity is crucial for the acceptance or rejection of evolution, particularly when it does not prevent someone from being “open-minded”. At the same time, the fact that geologists who teach science showed the highest level of acceptance of evolution, indicates, when paired with other evidence, that the geological data are the most convincing evidence to help students and teachers to make a first step in their multistep route towards accepting and understanding the theory of evolution.

BACKGROUND: Accreditation is a valuable resource for medical laboratories. The development of quality systems based on ISO 15189 has taken place in many laboratories in the European countries but data about accreditation remain scarce. The EFLM Working Group "Accreditation and ISO/CEN standards" conducted a survey that reviews the current state of the accreditation process in European countries. METHODS: An on-line questionnaire was addressed to delegates of 39 EFLM scientific societies in March 2014. One answer by country was taken into account. The survey was dealing with mandatory status, number of accredited medical laboratories in each country, possibility of flexible scope and concerned medical fields. The status of point-of-care testing (POCT) in each country was also studied. RESULTS: Twenty-nine responses (74%) were registered. All the assessed countries (100%) have begun an accreditation process in various ways. All the national accreditation bodies (NAB) offer or are working to offer an ISO 15189 accreditation. The accreditation process most often concerns all phases of the examination and various medical fields. Medical laboratories are responsible for POCT in 20 (69%) countries. The accreditation process for POCT, according to ISO 15189 and ISO 22870, is also developing. CONCLUSIONS: While there are several variations in the approaches to accreditation of medical laboratories in the European countries, the ISO 15189 accreditation project has been widely accepted. The use of a unique standard and the cooperation among countries due to scientific societies, EFLM, accreditation bodies and EA enable laboratory professionals to move toward uniform implementation of the accreditation concept

BACKGROUND: Chronic aerobic exercise training is associated with improved endothelial function and arterial stiffness and favourable long-term cardiovascular effects. DESIGN: We investigated the acute effects of continuous moderate intensity aerobic exercise (CAE) and high intensity interval aerobic exercise (hIAE) on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in healthy participants. METHODS: Twenty healthy men were recruited to this cross-over study. They participated in two exercise sessions: (a) CAE, volume at 50% of maximum aerobic work for 30 minutes; and (b) hIAE, interval maximum aerobic work for 30 minutes. Endothelial function was evaluated by flow-mediated dilation in the brachial artery. The carotid femoral pulse wave velocity and the femoral dorsalis pedis pulse wave velocity were measured as indices of central aortic and peripheral arterial stiffness. Measurements were carried out before and immediately after each exercise session. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the baseline measurements before CAE and hIAE with respect to flow-mediated dilation, the carotid femoral pulse wave velocity and the femoral dorsalis pedis pulse wave velocity (p = NS). Both CAE and hIAE significantly improved the flow-mediated dilation compared with baseline (p < 0.001). Similarly, the femoral dorsalis pedis pulse wave velocity was improved after CAE and hIAE (p < 0.005), whereas the carotid femoral pulse wave velocity was not significantly affected (p = NS). CONCLUSION: Both CAE and hIAE can favourably affect endothelial function, suggesting another cardioprotective effect of acute exercise. These types of aerobic exercise have a different impact on the central and peripheral arterial stiffness.

OBJECTIVES: Whilst physical activity is linked to cardiovascular health, it has lately been recognized that different types of exercise exert diverse effects on the cardiovascular system. Therefore, we investigated the acute effects of continuous moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (CAE) and high-intensity interval aerobic exercise (hIAE) on arterial function and inflammation. METHODS: Twenty healthy men (mean age 22.6 ± 3.3 years) were recruited in this crossover study. Each of the 20 volunteers participated in two separate sessions (hIAE and CAE). The augmentation index (AIx) of aortic pressure waveforms and serum levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) were measured before and after each exercise session. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline hemodynamic and inflammatory measurements before CAE and hIAE. Compared to baseline, AIx was significantly improved after CAE (p = 0.04), while there was no significant change after hIAE (p = 0.65). Serum levels of IL-17 were significantly elevated after CAE (p = 0.042), while hIAE had no significant effect on IL-17 levels (p = 0.47). Interestingly, there was an inverse association between the elevation of IL-17 levels and the AIx improvement after CAE (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings provide additional evidence concerning the cardiovascular effects of different types of exercise training through modification of peripheral hemodynamics and the inflammatory process.

Tsoukos, A, Bogdanis, GC, Terzis, G, and Veligekas, P. Acute improvement of vertical jump performance after isometric squats depends on knee angle and vertical jumping ability. J Strength Cond Res 30(8): 2250-2257, 2016-This study examined the acute effects of maximum isometric squats at 2 different knee angles (90 or 140°) on countermovement jump (CMJ) performance in power athletes. Fourteen national-level male track and field power athletes completed 3 main trials (2 experimental and 1 control) in a randomized and counterbalanced order 1 week apart. Countermovement jump performance was evaluated using a force-plate before and 15 seconds, 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after 3 sets of 3 seconds maximum isometric contractions with 1-minute rest in between, from a squat position with knee angle set at 90 or 140°. Countermovement jump performance was improved compared with baseline only in the 140° condition by 3.8 ± 1.2% on the 12th minute of recovery (p = 0.027), whereas there was no change in CMJ height in the 90° condition. In the control condition, there was a decrease in CMJ performance over time, reaching -3.6 ± 1.2% (p = 0.049) after 12 minutes of recovery. To determine the possible effects of baseline jump performance on subsequent CMJ performance, subjects were divided into 2 groups ("high jumpers" and "low jumpers"). The baseline CMJ values of "high jumpers" and "low jumpers" differed significantly (CMJ: 45.1 ± 2.2 vs. 37.1 ± 3.9 cm, respectively, p = 0.001). Countermovement jump was increased only in the "high jumpers" group by 5.4 ± 1.4% (p = 0.001) and 7.4 ± 1.2% (p = 0.001) at the knee angles of 90 and 140°, respectively. This improvement was larger at the 140° angle (p = 0.049). Knee angle during isometric squats and vertical jumping ability are important determinants of the acute CMJ performance increase observed after a conditioning activity.

Mountain Ainos is the highest mountain of the Ionian Islands with a maximum elevation of 1628 m. Its National Park is characterized by rich flora including endemic species such as Greek fir. In order to exploit fully its touristic potential, it is necessary to examine the mountain climate. However in situ measurements of climatic parameters in mountain areas pose difficulties as far as to access areas of interest. The current study addresses one specific object: Estimating the air temperature at different altitudes of the southeastern side of Mt. Ainos, having air temperature data at the exact same altitudes of the northwestern side which is more easily accessible. We performed linear regression analysis to estimate the mean, maximum and minimum daily air temperature of the southeastern sites from data measured at the northwestern one. The results are considered satisfactory in air temperature estimation at all examined altitudes. More accurate estimations were provided in the case of the mean air temperature at the altitude of 1580 m. Also, linear models indicated noticeable estimations of the minimum temperatures at 1300 and 1580 m.

Using CO (4-3) and (2-1) Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) data, we prove that the molecular gas in the jet-driven winds of the galaxy IC 5063 is more highly excited than the rest of the molecular gas in the disk of the same galaxy. On average, the CO(4 - 3) /CO(2 - 1) flux ratio is 1 for the disk and 5 for the jet accelerated or impacted gas. Spatially-resolved maps reveal that in regions associated with winds, the CO(4 - 3) /CO(2 - 1) flux ratio significantly exceeds the upper limit of 4 for optically thick gas. It frequently takes values between 5 and 11, and it occasionally further approaches the upper limit of 16 for optically thin gas. Excitation temperatures of 30-100 K are common for the molecules in these regions. If all of the outflowing molecular gas is optically thin, at 30-50 K, then its mass is 2 × 106 M⊙. This lower mass limit is an order of magnitude below the mass derived from the CO(2 - 1) flux in the case of optically thick gas. Molecular winds can thus be less massive, but more easily detectable at high z than they were previously thought to be.

Using CO (4-3) and (2-1) Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) data, we prove that the molecular gas in the jet-driven winds of the galaxy IC 5063 is more highly excited than the rest of the molecular gas in the disk of the same galaxy. On average, the CO(4 - 3) /CO(2 - 1) flux ratio is 1 for the disk and 5 for the jet accelerated or impacted gas. Spatially-resolved maps reveal that in regions associated with winds, the CO(4 - 3) /CO(2 - 1) flux ratio significantly exceeds the upper limit of 4 for optically thick gas. It frequently takes values between 5 and 11, and it occasionally further approaches the upper limit of 16 for optically thin gas. Excitation temperatures of 30-100 K are common for the molecules in these regions. If all of the outflowing molecular gas is optically thin, at 30-50 K, then its mass is 2 × 106 M☉. This lower mass limit is an order of magnitude below the mass derived from the CO(2 - 1) flux in the case of optically thick gas. Molecular winds can thus be less massive, but more easily detectable at high z than they were previously thought to be.

The fatiguing effect of long-distance running has been examined in the context of a variety of parameters. However, there is scarcity of data regarding its effect on the vertical jump mechanics. The purpose of this study was to investigate the alterations of countermovement jump (CMJ) mechanics after a half-marathon mountain race. Twenty-seven runners performed CMJs before the race (Pre), immediately after the race (Post 1) and five minutes after Post 1 (Post 2). Instantaneous and ensemble-average analysis focused on jump height and, the maximum peaks and time-to-maximum peaks of: Displacement, vertical force (Fz), anterior-posterior force (Fx), Velocity and Power, in the eccentric (tECC) and concentric (tCON) phase of the jump, respectively. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used for statistical analysis (p ≤ 0.05). The jump height decrease was significant in Post 2 (-7.9%) but not in Post 1 (-4.1%). Fx and Velocity decreased significantly in both Post 1 (only in tECC) and Post 2 (both tECC and tCON). Α timing shift of the Fz peaks (earlier during tECC and later during tCON) and altered relative peak times (only in tECC) were also observed. Ensemble-average analysis revealed several time intervals of significant post-race alterations and a timing shift in the Fz-Velocity loop. An overall trend of lowered post-race jump output and mechanics was characterised by altered jump timing, restricted anterior-posterior movement and altered force-velocity relations. The specificity of mountain running fatigue to eccentric muscle work, appears to be reflected in the different time order of the post-race reductions, with the eccentric phase reductions preceding those of the concentric one. Thus, those who engage in mountain running should particularly consider downhill training to optimise eccentric muscular action.

Pomalidomide + low-dose dexamethasone is effective and well tolerated for refractory or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma after bortezomib and lenalidomide failure. The phase III trial MM-003 compared pomalidomide + low-dose dexamethasone with high-dose dexamethasone. This subanalysis grouped patients by baseline creatinine clearance ≥ 30 - < 60 mL/min (n=93, pomalidomide + low-dose dexamethasone; n=56, high-dose dexamethasone) or ≥ 60 mL/min (n=205, pomalidomide + low-dose dexamethasone; n=93, high-dose dexamethasone). Median progression-free survival was similar for both subgroups and favored pomalidomide + low-dose dexamethasone versus high-dose dexamethasone: 4.0 versus 1.9 months in the group with baseline creatinine clearance ≥ 30 - < 60 mL/min (P<0.001) and 4.0 versus 2.0 months in the group with baseline creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min (P<0.001). Median overall survival for pomalidomide + low-dose dexamethasone versus high-dose dexamethasone was 10.4 versus 4.9 months (P=0.030) and 15.5 versus 9.2 months (P=0.133), respectively. Improved renal function, defined as an increase in creatinine clearance from < 60 to ≥ 60 mL/min, was similar in pomalidomide + low-dose dexamethasone and high-dose dexamethasone patients (42% and 47%, respectively). Improvement in progression-free and overall survival in these patients was comparable with that in patients without renal impairment. There was no increase in discontinuations of therapy, dose modifications, and adverse events in patients with moderate renal impairment. Pomalidomide at a starting dose of 4 mg + low-dose dexamethasone is well tolerated in patients with refractory or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, and of comparable efficacy if moderate renal impairment is present. © 2016 Ferrata Storti Foundation.

BACKGROUND: The anterior component of occlusal force (ACF), considered to result from the mesial inclination of teeth relative to the occlusal plane, has been estimated by indirectly measuring contact point tightness (CPT) through interproximal insertion of metal strips. ACF has been observed concurrently with a posterior component, whose theoretical origin is difficult to explain. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate ACF by measuring CPT directly, and integrate current data to propose a theoretical basis for ACF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample comprised 14 females (age: 22.3±2.8) and 16 males (age: 20.8±2.5). Our device consisted of two force sensors: one for measuring maximum bite force (MBF) (overall thickness: 4mm), and one for measuring CPT directly (0.2mm thick), inserted between the lower first molar and second premolar. ACF was computed as the difference in CPT between the biting (at 75 per cent of MBF) and non-biting conditions. RESULTS: Averages of MBF, CPT, and ACF were 666.67 [standard deviation (SD): 36.06], 6.74 (SD: 1.17), and 20.59 (SD: 4.60) N, respectively. ACF, CPT, and MBF were higher in males by approximately 28, 18 and 7 per cent, respectively. A positive correlation was observed between ACF and MBF (R (2): 0.64). CPT was also significantly correlated to MBF (R (2): 0.40). Biomechanical analysis indicates that previously offered explanations do not unriddle the concurrent increase of CPT at anterior and posterior contact points. CONCLUSIONS: ACF was related to bite force by a logarithmic model. We speculate that CPT increases during biting through a combination of mesial tipping of teeth and mandibular bending.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is all the more used therapeutic option for patients suffering from symptomatic severe aortic valvular stenosis declined by surgeons because of high surgical risk. Given the high bleeding and ischemic risk of this vulnerable population, their antithrombotic treatment becomes a crucial issue. There is no consensus on antithrombotic treatment after TAVI and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin (indefinitely) and clopidogrel (1-6 months) is, in general, recommended. With regards to patients with an indication for oral anticoagulation (OAC), a combination of OAC plus aspirin or clopidogrel is commonly suggested. This review underscores that it is extremely difficult to compare different antithrombotic regimens in patients undergoing TAVI because of their variable demographic characteristics. Nevertheless, available data suggest that DAPT results to more bleeding events. Still, whether it positively affects ischemic episodes is doubtful. Ongoing trials are expected to draw a clearer picture on the field.

HIV is responsible for one of the largest viral pandemics in human history. Despite a concerted global response for prevention and treatment, the virus persists. Thus, urgent public health action, utilizing novel interventions, is needed to prevent future transmission events, critical to eliminating HIV. For public health planning to prove effective and successful, we need to understand the dynamics of regional epidemics and to intervene appropriately. HIV molecular epidemiology tools as implemented in phylogenetic, phylodynamic and phylogeographic analyses have proven to be powerful tools in public health planning across many studies. Numerous applications with HIV suggest that molecular methods alone or in combination with mathematical modelling can provide inferences about the transmission dynamics, critical epidemiological parameters (prevalence, incidence, effective number of infections, Re, generation times, time between infection and diagnosis), or the spatiotemporal characteristics of epidemics. Molecular tools have been used to assess the impact of an intervention and outbreak investigation which are of great public health relevance. In some settings, molecular sequence data may be more readily available than HIV surveillance data, and can therefore allow for molecular analyses to be conducted more easily. Nonetheless, classic methods have an integral role in monitoring and evaluation of public health programmes, and should supplement emerging techniques from the field of molecular epidemiology. Importantly, molecular epidemiology remains a promising approach in responding to viral diseases.

Το άρθρο στα αγγλικά περιλαμβάνει τα αποτελέσματα της συζήτησης των μαθητών στην εκδήλωση στο Ευρωπαϊκό Σχολείο ΙΙΙ Βρυξέλλες που πραγματοποιήθηκε στις 11 Μαρτίου 2016.

The objective of the study is to assess the human thermal comfort at a University Campus in the metropolitan area of Athens. The equipment setup consists of all the necessary sensors for human thermal comfort estimation along with a high resolution GPS, mounted on a cargo bicycle. The experiment was carried out for midday and night on July 29, 2015. Besides, long term 5 min measurements from a meteorological station, established on the roof of a building within the University Campus, were also used to quantify the mean thermal environment. The densely carried out bicycle measurements every 5 s was the input data utilized by the ENVI-met model; a three-dimensional microclimate model designed to simulate the surface-plant-air interactions in urban environment. The in situ measurements along with the model's output results reveal the thermal comfort regime of the selected area and the ability of the model to estimate accurately the micrometeorological conditions.

Only a few red dwarf flaring stars in the solar neighbourhood have undergone exceptional events called superflares. They have been detected with high-energy satellites (Swift) and have been proven to be powerful events (both in intensity and energy) and potentially hazardous for any extraterrestial life. The physics of these events can be understood as an extrapolation of the (much) weaker activity already occurring in the most powerful solar flares occurring in the Sun. Nevertheless, the origin (why?) of these superflares occur is currently unknown. A recent study presents the optical and X-ray long-term evolution of the emission by the super-flare from the red-dwarf star DG CVn undertaken in 2 014. In that paper we comment on the context of these observations and on the properties that can be derived through the analysis of them.

We consider the multi-armed bandit problem under a cost constraint. Successive samples from each population are i.i.d. with unknown distribution and each sample incurs a known population-dependent cost. The objective is to design an adaptive sampling policy to maximize the expected sum of n samples such that the average cost does not exceed a given bound sample-path wise. We establish an asymptotic lower bound for the regret of feasible uniformly fast convergent policies, and construct a class of policies, which achieve the bound. We also provide their explicit form under Normal distributions with unknown means and known variances. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016

INTRODUCTION: Aortic stenosis is one of the most frequent valvulopathy of modern time necessitating interventional therapy when symptoms arise and stenosis becomes severe. First line treatment has traditionally been surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). However in the last decade transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with bioprosthetic valves has proved to be a sound solution for high-risk for SAVR or inoperable patients. As expected implantation of the bioprosthetic device requires administration of antiplatelet regimen to the patients for a certain period. Atrial fibrillation (AF) may occur frequently during the peri-procedural period. In this background, the occurrence of AF after device implantation may be a challenging issue. METHODS: We performed a literature search of PubMed and Embase database. Published articles reporting the incidence, clinical implications and description of antithrombotic regimen of New-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) in individuals undergoing TAVI were considered eligible. Incidence, Implications and Antithrombotic Regimen: The overall occurrence of NOAF is reported to be 1%-32% after TAVI. Left atrial enlargement and transapical approach constitute independent predictors for NOAF. Additionally it has been shown that patients with AF face an increased risk of death irrespective of the type of AF. Patients, with a history of AF, present greater rate of death than individuals with NOAF. NOAF is responsible for cerebrovascular events (CVE) occurring in the subacute phase (days 1-30) after the procedure. The risk of stroke/transient ischemic attack after TAVI is increased at least two fold by the presence of atrial fibrillation. Empirically, a dual antiplatelet strategy has been used for patients undergoing TAVR, including aspirin and a thienopyridine. In cases where patients are in need of oral anticoagulation after TAVI a combination of aspirin or thienopyridine with acenocoumarol has been the preferred regimen. DISCUSSION: Despite the continuously crescent use of TAVI for patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis, there are still many aspects of this procedure to be clarified. A lack of data exists from the available clinical trials regarding the appropriate anticoagulation therapy for patients with greater risk for thromboembolic events. As a result, patient's treatment remains at the discretion of the physician. CONCLUSION: Limited data are available regarding the optimal therapeutic regimen in patients undergoing TAVI who need therapy for AF. Carefully designed clinical studies might further clarify the incidence and interrelation between atrial fibrillation and TAVI. The balance between the efficacy and risk of anticoagulation needs to be further clarified in patients undergoing TAVI.

Beachrocks represents a coastal deposition in the intertidal area, and studying their properties may lead to create a model which identifies the conditions of their formation (paleo-environment). This paper focuses most intently on the cement material which is able to recover the paleo-environment conditions during diagenesis of such coastal sediment. We used optical microscopy, secondary electron microscopy and Raman Spectroscopy to characterize the cement texture, mineralogy and chemistry in the beachrocks. The existence of pure calcite primarily controlled by the meteorite water, while Mg-calcite appears between the lower meteoric and the upper marine phreatic zone. Finally, the presence of aragonite associated with the marine phreatic to lower marine vadose environment.

The glycosaminoglycan heparin and its derivatives act strongly on blood coagulation, controlling the activity of serine protease inhibitors in plasma. Nonetheless, there is accumulating evidence highlighting different anticancer activities of these molecules in numerous types of cancer. Nano-heparins may have great biological significance since they can inhibit cell proliferation and invasion as well as inhibiting proteasome activation. Moreover, they can cause alterations in the expression of major modulators of the tumor microenvironment, regulating cancer cell behavior. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of two nano-heparin formulations: one isolated from porcine intestine and the other from the sea squirt Styela plicata, on a breast cancer cell model. We determined whether these nano-heparins are able to affect cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion, as well as proteasome activity and the expression of extracellular matrix molecules. Specifically, we observed that nano-Styela compared to nano-Mammalian analogue has higher inhibitory role on cell proliferation, invasion and proteasome activity. Moreover, nano-Styela regulates cell apoptosis, expression of inflammatory molecules, such as IL-6 and IL-8 and reduces the expression levels of extracellular matrix macromolecules, such as the proteolytic enzymes MT1-MMP, uPA and the cell surface proteoglycans syndecan-1 and -2, but not on syndecan-4. The observations reported in the present article indicate that nano-heparins and especially ascidian heparin are effective agents for heparin-induced effects in critical cancer cell functions, providing an important possibility in pharmacological targeting.

OBJECTIVE: This paper presents the development of medical informatics education during the years from the establishment of the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) until today. METHOD: A search in the literature was performed using search engines and appropriate keywords as well as a manual selection of papers. The search covered English language papers and was limited to search on papers title and abstract only. RESULTS: The aggregated papers were analyzed on the basis of the subject area, origin, time span, and curriculum development, and conclusions were drawn. CONCLUSIONS: From the results, it is evident that IMIA has played a major role in comparing and integrating the Biomedical and Health Informatics educational efforts across the different levels of education and the regional distribution of educators and institutions. A large selection of references is presented facilitating future work on the field of education in biomedical and health informatics.

The biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) was based on the tube model of the intestinal lumen. This model considers constant drug permeability along the intestines, a plug flow fluid with the suspended drug particles moving with the fluid, and dissolution in the small particle limit. Since then the research work focusing on drug gastrointestinal (GI) absorption phenomena and processes rely on the classical laws of transport, diffusion and kinetics; however, the homogeneous assumptions associated with the well-stirred Euclidean media, where the classical laws of diffusion and kinetics apply, have been questioned in the past In this work we explore the biopharmaceutic classification of drugs using a heterogeneous pseudo steady-state model of oral drug absorption. The fraction of dose absorbed (F-abs) was expressed as a function of two time-dependent processes where time dependent coefficients govern drug absorption and non-absorption processes. Fundamental drug properties like the absorption potential are correlated with F-abs and allow the biopharmaceutic classification of drugs taking into account the heterogeneous aspects of oral drug absorption. This analysis reveals that for Class I drugs no time dependency is expected for both absorption and non absorption processes since the gastric emptying is controlling the absorption of Class I drugs while the completion of absorption (F-abs > 90%) is terminated along the first part of the jejunum. Due to the biopharmaceutical properties of Class II, III and IV drugs, these drugs travel throughout the GI tract and therefore both absorption and non absorption processes will exhibit time dependency. Thus, the calculation of F-abs (<90%) for Class II, III and IV is dependent on the estimates of the time exponents of time dependent coefficients controlling drug absorption e.g. dissolution, uptake or non absorption e.g. precipitation. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

© 2016 The Menninger Foundation. The purpose of this study was to assess the possible effect of recalled traumatic experiences, perceived parental rearing styles, and family parameters on the occurrence of borderline personality disorder (BPD) versus other personality disorders (other-PDs). A total of 88 adult outpatients with personality disorders completed the Traumatic Antecedents Questionnaire and the Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran, which measures perceptions regarding parental rearing. Results indicated that incidence of traumatic childhood experiences was higher among those in the BPD group compared to those in the other-PD group. Firstborns were less likely to carry a diagnosis of BPD over other-PDs. Also, significantly more BPD compared to other-PD patients reported being the father's favorite child over siblings. Results suggest that traumatic exper iences, birth order, and family interactions in the presence of siblings seem to differentially affect the formation of borderline diagnosis compared to other-PDs. Limitations and clinical implications of the study are discussed in detail.

Powerful flares from blazars with short (∼min) variability time-scales are challenging for current models of blazar emission. Here, we present a physically motivated ab initio model for blazar flares based on the results of recent particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations of relativistic magnetic reconnection. PIC simulations demonstrate that quasi-spherical plasmoids filled with high-energy particles and magnetic fields are a self-consistent by-product of the reconnection process. By coupling our PIC-based results (I.e. plasmoid growth, acceleration profile, particle and magnetic content) with a kinetic equation for the evolution of the electron distribution function we demonstrate that relativistic reconnection in blazar jets can produce powerful flares whose temporal and spectral properties are consistent with the observations. In particular, our model predicts correlated synchrotron and synchrotron self-Compton flares of duration of several hours-days powered by the largest and slowest moving plasmoids that form in the reconnection layer. Smaller and faster plasmoids produce flares of sub-hour duration with higher peak luminosities than those powered by the largest plasmoids. Yet, the observed fluence in both types of flares is similar. Multiple flares with a range of flux-doubling time-scales (minutes to several hours) observed over a longer period of flaring activity (days or longer) may be used as a probe of the reconnection layer's orientation and the jet's magnetization. Our model shows that blazar flares are naturally expected as a result of magnetic reconnection in a magnetically dominated jet.

Renal failure (RF) is a common and severe complication of symptomatic myeloma, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Such patients are commonly excluded from clinical trials. Bortezomib/dexamethasone (VD)-based regimens are the backbone of the treatment of newly diagnosed MM patients who present with severe RF even those requiring dialysis. We analyzed the outcomes of 83 consecutive bortezomib-treated patients with severe RF (eGFR<30 ml/min/1.73 m2), of which 31 (37%) required dialysis. By IMWG renal response criteria, 54 (65%) patients achieved at least MRrenal, including CRrenal in 35% and PRrenal in 12%. Triplet combinations (i.e., VD plus a third agent) versus VD alone were associated with higher rates of renal responses (72 vs. 50%; P=0.06). Fifteen of the 31 (48%) patients became dialysis independent within a median of 217 days (range 11-724). Triplets were associated with a higher probability of dialysis discontinuation (57 vs. 35%). Serum free light chain (sFLC) level ≥11,550 mg/L was associated with lower rates of major renal response, longer time to major renal response, lower probability, and longer time to dialysis discontinuation. Rapid myeloma response (≥PR within the first month) was also associated with higher rates of renal response. Patients who became dialysis-independent had longer survival than those remaining on dialysis. In conclusion, VD-based triplets are associated with a significant probability of renal response and dialysis discontinuation, improving the survival of patients who became dialysis independent. Rapid disease response is important for renal recovery and sFLCs are predictive of the probability and of the time required for renal response. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Renal failure (RF) is a common and severe complication of symptomatic myeloma, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Such patients are commonly excluded from clinical trials. Bortezomib/dexamethasone (VD)-based regimens are the backbone of the treatment of newly diagnosed MM patients who present with severe RF even those requiring dialysis. We analyzed the outcomes of 83 consecutive bortezomib-treated patients with severe RF (eGFR<30 ml/min/1.73 m2), of which 31 (37%) required dialysis. By IMWG renal response criteria, 54 (65%) patients achieved at least MRrenal, including CRrenal in 35% and PRrenal in 12%. Triplet combinations (i.e., VD plus a third agent) versus VD alone were associated with higher rates of renal responses (72 vs. 50%; P=0.06). Fifteen of the 31 (48%) patients became dialysis independent within a median of 217 days (range 11-724). Triplets were associated with a higher probability of dialysis discontinuation (57 vs. 35%). Serum free light chain (sFLC) level ≥11,550 mg/L was associated with lower rates of major renal response, longer time to major renal response, lower probability, and longer time to dialysis discontinuation. Rapid myeloma response (≥PR within the first month) was also associated with higher rates of renal response. Patients who became dialysis-independent had longer survival than those remaining on dialysis. In conclusion, VD-based triplets are associated with a significant probability of renal response and dialysis discontinuation, improving the survival of patients who became dialysis independent. Rapid disease response is important for renal recovery and sFLCs are predictive of the probability and of the time required for renal response. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This study focuses on botanical features gleaned from the literary source Hypnerotomachia Poliphili (1499); the analysis reveals that Hypnerotomachia Poliphili includes 285 botanical entities associated with 672 textual passages, which have not hitherto been reported. Roses, myrtle, pines, cypresses, laurel, acanthus, oaks, junipers, ivy, thyme, violets, sandalwoods and orange trees are the most frequently cited plants. Shrubs dominate with 43%, while herbs and trees follow with 28% and 26%, respectively. Arbutus, dittany, cypress, fig tree, labdanum, laurel, myrtle, oaks, oleander, wild and cultivated olive trees, oregano, pine, thyme, grapevines are associated with the diversity of Mediterranean ecosystems. In addition, numerous textual passages of Hypnerotomachia Poliphili mentioning flowering and fruiting plants reveal the seasonality of the Mediterranean region. Exotic plants, such as frankincense tree, myrrh, banana, pepper, sandalwood and jasmines are also included. Thorny plants, sharp thistles and cedars are cited in the text as occurring among ancient monuments and historical ruins. The botanical content of Hypnerotomachia Poliphili constitutes an alternate source of botanical observation, which includes historical, allegoric and symbolic information.

Transmembrane proteins translocate co-translationally in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane and traffic as vesicular cargoes, via the Golgi, in their final membrane destination. Misfolding in the ER leads to protein degradation basically through the ERAD/proteasome system. Here, we use a mutant version of the purine transporter UapA (ΔR481) to show that specific misfolded versions of plasma membrane cargoes undergo vacuolar turnover prior to localization in the plasma membrane. We show that non-endocytic vacuolar turnover of ΔR481 is dependent on BsdA(Bsd2) , an ER transmembrane adaptor of HulA(Rsp5) ubiquitin ligase. We obtain in vivo evidence that BsdA(Bsd2) interacts with HulA(Rsp5) and ΔR481, primarily in the ER. Importantly, accumulation of ΔR481 in the ER triggers delivery of the selective autophagy marker Atg8 in vacuoles along with ΔR481. Genetic block of autophagy (atg9Δ, rabO(ts) ) reduces, but does not abolish, sorting of ΔR481 in the vacuoles, suggesting that a fraction of the misfolded transporter might be redirected for vacuolar degradation via the Golgi. Our results support that multiple routes along the secretory pathway operate for the detoxification of Aspergillus nidulans cells from misfolded membrane proteins, and that BsdA is key factor for marking specific misfolded cargoes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Background: Bortezomib with dexamethasone is a standard treatment option for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Carfilzomib with dexamethasone has shown promising activity in patients in this disease setting. The aim of this study was to compare the combination of carfilzomib and dexamethasone with bortezomib and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Methods: In this randomised, phase 3, open-label, multicentre study, patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who had one to three previous treatments were randomly assigned (1:1) using a blocked randomisation scheme (block size of four) to receive carfilzomib with dexamethasone (carfilzomib group) or bortezomib with dexamethasone (bortezomib group). Randomisation was stratified by previous proteasome inhibitor therapy, previous lines of treatment, International Staging System stage, and planned route of bortezomib administration if randomly assigned to bortezomib with dexamethasone. Patients received treatment until progression with carfilzomib (20 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2 of cycle 1; 56 mg/m2 thereafter; 30 min intravenous infusion) and dexamethasone (20 mg oral or intravenous infusion) or bortezomib (1·3 mg/m2; intravenous bolus or subcutaneous injection) and dexamethasone (20 mg oral or intravenous infusion). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival in the intention-to-treat population. All participants who received at least one dose of study drug were included in the safety analyses. The study is ongoing but not enrolling participants; results for the interim analysis of the primary endpoint are presented. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01568866. Findings: Between June 20, 2012, and June 30, 2014, 929 patients were randomly assigned (464 to the carfilzomib group; 465 to the bortezomib group). Median follow-up was 11·9 months (IQR 9·3-16·1) in the carfilzomib group and 11·1 months (8·2-14·3) in the bortezomib group. Median progression-free survival was 18·7 months (95% CI 15·6-not estimable) in the carfilzomib group versus 9·4 months (8·4-10·4) in the bortezomib group at a preplanned interim analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 0·53 [95% CI 0·44-0·65]; p<0·0001). On-study death due to adverse events occurred in 18 (4%) of 464 patients in the carfilzomib group and in 16 (3%) of 465 patients in the bortezomib group. Serious adverse events were reported in 224 (48%) of 463 patients in the carfilzomib group and in 162 (36%) of 456 patients in the bortezomib group. The most frequent grade 3 or higher adverse events were anaemia (67 [14%] of 463 patients in the carfilzomib group vs 45 [10%] of 456 patients in the bortezomib group), hypertension (41 [9%] vs 12 [3%]), thrombocytopenia (39 [8%] vs 43 [9%]), and pneumonia (32 [7%] vs 36 [8%]). Interpretation: For patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, carfilzomib with dexamethasone could be considered in cases in which bortezomib with dexamethasone is a potential treatment option. Funding: Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an Amgen subsidiary. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd.

Introduction: Carfilzomib, a second-generation proteasome inhibitor, has been increasingly used in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM) since its initial approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2012, either as a single agent or in combination with other known anti-myeloma treatments. Based on its efficacy and safety profile in the relapsed/refractory setting, carfilzomib is currently evaluated in patients with de novo MM. Areas covered: Here, we will shed some light on the introduction of carfilzomib as an effective anti-myeloma treatment, presenting its mechanism of action, its response rates and adverse events, as well as a summary of all clinical trials evaluating current dosage and schedule of administration. We will follow the entire path of drug’s development from the bench of preclinical studies to the market and bedside delivery. Revising the published evidence, we will try to answer all questions raised about the novel drug, expressing in parallel our site experience. Expert opinion: Carfilzomib, alone or in combination with other agents, is a welcome therapeutic option for MM patients with a well-defined toxicity profile. Results of ongoing trials are expected in order to update drug indications and maximize its therapeutic benefits in patients with refractory/relapse MM. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Introduction: Carfilzomib, a second-generation proteasome inhibitor, has been increasingly used in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM) since its initial approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2012, either as a single agent or in combination with other known anti-myeloma treatments. Based on its efficacy and safety profile in the relapsed/refractory setting, carfilzomib is currently evaluated in patients with de novo MM. Areas covered: Here, we will shed some light on the introduction of carfilzomib as an effective anti-myeloma treatment, presenting its mechanism of action, its response rates and adverse events, as well as a summary of all clinical trials evaluating current dosage and schedule of administration. We will follow the entire path of drug’s development from the bench of preclinical studies to the market and bedside delivery. Revising the published evidence, we will try to answer all questions raised about the novel drug, expressing in parallel our site experience. Expert opinion: Carfilzomib, alone or in combination with other agents, is a welcome therapeutic option for MM patients with a well-defined toxicity profile. Results of ongoing trials are expected in order to update drug indications and maximize its therapeutic benefits in patients with refractory/relapse MM. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

The presence of certain high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities, such as translocations (4;14) and (14;16) and deletion (17p), are known to have a negative impact on survival in multiple myeloma (MM). The phase 3 study ASPIRE (N = 792) demonstrated that progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly improved with carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRd), compared with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) in relapsed MM. This preplanned subgroup analysis of ASPIRE was conducted to evaluate KRd vs Rd by baseline cytogenetics according to fluorescence in situ hybridization. Of 417 patients with known cytogenetic risk status, 100 patients (24%) were categorized with high-risk cytogenetics (KRd, n548; Rd, n552) and 317 (76%) were categorized with standard-risk cytogenetics (KRd, n = 147; Rd, n = 170). For patients with high-risk cytogenetics, treatment with KRd resulted in a median PFS of 23.1 months, a 9-month improvement relative to treatment with Rd. For patients with standard-risk cytogenetics, treatment with KRd led to a 10-month improvement in median PFS vs Rd. The overall response rates for KRd vs Rd were 79.2% vs 59.6% (high-risk cytogenetics) and 91.2% vs 73.5% (standardrisk cytogenetics); approximately fivefold as many patients with high- or standard-risk cytogenetics achieved a complete response or better with KRd vs Rd (29.2% vs 5.8% and 38.1% vs 6.5%, respectively). KRd improved but did not abrogate the poor prognosis associated with high-risk cytogenetics. This regimen had a favorable benefit-risk profile in patients with relapsed MM, irrespective of cytogenetic risk status, and should be considered a standard of care in these patients. Copyright © 2011 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science; all rights reserved.

The presence of certain high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities, such as translocations (4;14) and (14;16) and deletion (17p), are known to have a negative impact on survival in multiple myeloma (MM). The phase 3 study ASPIRE (N = 792) demonstrated that progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly improved with carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRd), compared with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) in relapsed MM. This preplanned subgroup analysis of ASPIRE was conducted to evaluate KRd vs Rd by baseline cytogenetics according to fluorescence in situ hybridization. Of 417 patients with known cytogenetic risk status, 100 patients (24%) were categorized with high-risk cytogenetics (KRd, n548; Rd, n552) and 317 (76%) were categorized with standard-risk cytogenetics (KRd, n = 147; Rd, n = 170). For patients with high-risk cytogenetics, treatment with KRd resulted in a median PFS of 23.1 months, a 9-month improvement relative to treatment with Rd. For patients with standard-risk cytogenetics, treatment with KRd led to a 10-month improvement in median PFS vs Rd. The overall response rates for KRd vs Rd were 79.2% vs 59.6% (high-risk cytogenetics) and 91.2% vs 73.5% (standardrisk cytogenetics); approximately fivefold as many patients with high- or standard-risk cytogenetics achieved a complete response or better with KRd vs Rd (29.2% vs 5.8% and 38.1% vs 6.5%, respectively). KRd improved but did not abrogate the poor prognosis associated with high-risk cytogenetics. This regimen had a favorable benefit-risk profile in patients with relapsed MM, irrespective of cytogenetic risk status, and should be considered a standard of care in these patients. Copyright © 2011 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science; all rights reserved.

© Athens Medical Society. In March 2013, the Health Procurement Committee of the Greek Ministry of Health appointed a committee consisting of laboratory scientists to compile a list of laboratory tests performed on biological fluids, cells and tissues. This committee compiled a list entitled Catalog of Uniform Nomenclature and Coding of Laboratory Tests (CUNCLT), using as its basis the list of reagents of the European Diagnostics Manufacturers Association (EDMA). The CUNCLT refers to the nomenclature of the laboratory tests and does not include all the materials (reagents, consumables, solutions, calibrators, controls, equipment, etc.) and software that may be necessary for performing the tests. The CUNCLT categorizes the laboratory tests that are performed on biological fluids, cells and tissues into eight main categories, each including subcategories of the 1st and 2nd levels. The eight main categories of the CUNCLT, namely Clinical Chemistry- Biochemistry, Immunochemistry, Hematology, Microbiology (cultures), Infectious Immunology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Pathology-Cytology, Immunology, generally correspond to the categories of clinical laboratories that operate in public hospitals. The CUNCLT includes a total of 2,403 tests and according to its creation rationale, it is imperative that this list is regularly updated. CUNCLT is an important effort at the recording and classification of the laboratory tests carried out in clinical laboratories on biological fluids, cells and tissues. This list could be the basis for introducing the coding of laboratory tests in the laboratory information systems of public hospitals, for matching with the codes of laboratory tests prescribed by the National Organization for Health Care Services (EOPYY) and for specifications for the purchase of the reagents for laboratory testing.

Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is an asymptomatic clonal plasma cell disorder and bridges monoclonal gammo- pathyof undetermined significance to multiple myeloma (MM), based on higher levels of circulating monoclonal immunoglobulin and bone marrow plasmocytosis without end-organ damage. Until a Spanish study reported fewer MM-related events and better overall survival among patients with high- risk SMM treated with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, prior studies had failed to show improved survival with earlier intervention,although a reduction in skeletal-related events (without any impact on disease progression) has been described with bisphosphonate use. Risk factors have now been defined, and a subset of ultra-high-risk patients have been reclassified by the International Myeloma Working Group as MM, and thus will require optimal MM treatment, based on biomarkers that identify patients with a >80% risk of progression. The number of these redefined patients is small (~10%), but important to unravel, because theirriskof progression to overt MM is substantial ($80% within 2 years). Patients with a high-risk cytogenetic profile are not yet considered for early treatment, because groups are heterogeneous and risk factors other than cytogenetics are deemed to weight higher. Because patients with ultra-high- risk SMM are now considered as MM and may be treated as such, concerns exist that earlier therapy may increase the risk of selecting resistant clones and induce side effects and costs. Therefore, an even more accurate identification of patients who would benefit from interventions needs to be performed, and clinical judgment and careful discussion of pros and cons of treatment initiation need to be undertaken. For the majority of SMM patients, the standard of care remains observation until development of symptomatic MM occurs, encouraging participation in ongoing and upcoming SMM/early MM clinical trials, as well as consideration of bisphosphonate use in patients with early bone loss. © AlphaMed Press 2016.

Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is an asymptomatic clonal plasma cell disorder and bridges monoclonal gammo- pathyof undetermined significance to multiple myeloma (MM), based on higher levels of circulating monoclonal immunoglobulin and bone marrow plasmocytosis without end-organ damage. Until a Spanish study reported fewer MM-related events and better overall survival among patients with high- risk SMM treated with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, prior studies had failed to show improved survival with earlier intervention,although a reduction in skeletal-related events (without any impact on disease progression) has been described with bisphosphonate use. Risk factors have now been defined, and a subset of ultra-high-risk patients have been reclassified by the International Myeloma Working Group as MM, and thus will require optimal MM treatment, based on biomarkers that identify patients with a >80% risk of progression. The number of these redefined patients is small (~10%), but important to unravel, because theirriskof progression to overt MM is substantial ($80% within 2 years). Patients with a high-risk cytogenetic profile are not yet considered for early treatment, because groups are heterogeneous and risk factors other than cytogenetics are deemed to weight higher. Because patients with ultra-high- risk SMM are now considered as MM and may be treated as such, concerns exist that earlier therapy may increase the risk of selecting resistant clones and induce side effects and costs. Therefore, an even more accurate identification of patients who would benefit from interventions needs to be performed, and clinical judgment and careful discussion of pros and cons of treatment initiation need to be undertaken. For the majority of SMM patients, the standard of care remains observation until development of symptomatic MM occurs, encouraging participation in ongoing and upcoming SMM/early MM clinical trials, as well as consideration of bisphosphonate use in patients with early bone loss. © AlphaMed Press 2016.

INTRODUCTION: The Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF) is a pluripotent cytokine with anorexigenic actions in the hypothalamus that improves insulin sensitivity, increases energy expenditure and induces weight loss. Since CNTF also has an established myotrophic role, we sought to examine whether skeletal muscle contributes to the CNTF-induced metabolic improvement and identify the molecular mechanisms mediating these effects. METHODS: We used a mouse model of diet-induced obesity, to which high or low CNTF doses were administered for 7days. Whole transcriptome expression levels were analyzed in dissected soleus muscles using microarrays and data were then confirmed using qRT-PCR. RESULTS: We demonstrate that CNTF administration significantly downregulates leptin, while it upregulates follistatin and Pak1; a molecule associated with insulin sensitization in skeletal muscle. A significant overexpression of muscle differentiation related genes and downregulation of established atrophy mediators was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The overall gene expression changes suggest an indirect, beneficial effect of CNTF on metabolism, energy expenditure and insulin sensitivity, exerted by the pronounced stimulation of muscle growth, with similarities to the described effect of follistatin and the activation of the Akt pathway in skeletal muscle.

CONTEXT: Resistin is associated with inflammation, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular (CV) disease. OBJECTIVE: To associate circulating resistin with all-cause and CV mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. METHODS: Serum resistin was determined in a cohort of 80 elderly, non-diabetic patients with stable CKD at different stages in a follow-up period of 5 years. RESULTS: Circulating resistin was significantly elevated in deceased compared to alive patients. Resistin emerged as an independent biomarker of all-cause and CV mortality after a 5-year follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Elevated circulating resistin was a significant independent predictor of CV and all-cause mortality in elderly, non-diabetic CKD patients.

CONTEXT: Resistin is associated with inflammation, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular (CV) disease. OBJECTIVE: To associate circulating resistin with all-cause and CV mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. METHODS: Serum resistin was determined in a cohort of 80 elderly, non-diabetic patients with stable CKD at different stages in a follow-up period of 5 years. RESULTS: Circulating resistin was significantly elevated in deceased compared to alive patients. Resistin emerged as an independent biomarker of all-cause and CV mortality after a 5-year follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Elevated circulating resistin was a significant independent predictor of CV and all-cause mortality in elderly, non-diabetic CKD patients

Climate change is expected to affect the hydrological cycle, altering seawater level and groundwater recharge to coastal aquifers with various other associated impacts on natural ecosystems and human activities. As the sustainable use of groundwater resources is a great challenge for many countries in the world, groundwater modeling has become a very useful and well established tool for studying groundwater management problems. This study investigates the impacts of climate change on the groundwater of the deltaic plain of River Pinios (Central Greece). Geophysical data processing indicates that the phreatic aquifer extends mainly in the central and northern parts of the region. A one-layer transient groundwater flow and contaminant mass transport model of the aquifer system is calibrated and validated. Impacts of climate change were evaluated by incorporating the estimated recharge input and sea level change of different future scenarios within the simulation models. The most noticeable and consistent result of the climate change impact simulations is a prominent sea water intrusion in the coastal aquifer mainly as a result of sea level change which underlines the need for a more effective planning of environmental measures.

We provide new evidence on sea surface temperature (SST) variations and paleoceanographic/paleoenvironmental changes over the past 1500 years for the north Aegean Sea (NE Mediterranean). The reconstructions are based on multiproxy analyses, obtained from the high resolution (decadal to multi-decadal) marine record M2 retrieved from the Athos basin. Reconstructed SSTs show an increase from ca. 850 to 950 AD and from ca. 1100 to 1300 AD. A cooling phase of almost 1.5 °C is observed from ca. 1600 AD to 1700 AD. This seems to have been the starting point of a continuous SST warming trend until the end of the reconstructed period, interrupted by two prominent cooling events at 1832 ± 15 AD and 1995 ± 1 AD. Application of an adaptive Kernel smoothing suggests that the current warming in the reconstructed SSTs of the north Aegean might be unprecedented in the context of the past 1500 years. Internal variability in atmospheric/oceanic circulations systems as well as external forcing as solar radiation and volcanic activity could have affected temperature variations in the north Aegean Sea over the past 1500 years. The marked temperature drop of approximately ∼2 °C at 1832 ± 15 yr AD could be related to the 1809 ΑD ‘unknown’ and the 1815 AD Tambora volcanic eruptions. Paleoenvironmental proxy-indices of the M2 record show enhanced riverine/continental inputs in the northern Aegean after ca. 1450 AD.The paleoclimatic evidence derived from the M2 record is combined with a socio-environmental study of the history of the north Aegean region. We show that the cultivation of temperature-sensitive crops, i.e. walnut, vine and olive, co-occurred with stable and warmer temperatures, while its end coincided with a significant episode of cooler temperatures. Periods of agricultural growth in Macedonia coincide with periods of warmer and more stable SSTs, but further exploration is required in order to identify the causal links behind the observed phenomena. The Black Death likely caused major changes in agricultural activity in the north Aegean region, as reflected in the pollen data from land sites of Macedonia and the M2 proxy-reconstructions. Finally, we conclude that the early modern peaks in mountain vegetation in the Rhodope and Macedonia highlands, visible also in the M2 record, were very likely climate-driven.

AbstractWe provide new evidence on sea surface temperature (SST) variations and paleoceanographic/paleoenvironmental changes over the past 1500 years for the north Aegean Sea (NE Mediterranean). The reconstructions are based on multiproxy analyses, obtained from the high resolution (decadal to multi-decadal) marine record M2 retrieved from the Athos basin. Reconstructed SSTs show an increase from ca. 850 to 950 AD and from ca. 1100 to 1300 AD. A cooling phase of almost 1.5 °C is observed from ca. 1600 AD to 1700 AD. This seems to have been the starting point of a continuous SST warming trend until the end of the reconstructed period, interrupted by two prominent cooling events at 1832 ± 15 AD and 1995 ± 1 AD. Application of an adaptive Kernel smoothing suggests that the current warming in the reconstructed SSTs of the north Aegean might be unprecedented in the context of the past 1500 years. Internal variability in atmospheric/oceanic circulations systems as well as external forcing as solar radiation and volcanic activity could have affected temperature variations in the north Aegean Sea over the past 1500 years. The marked temperature drop of approximately ∼2 °C at 1832 ± 15 yr AD could be related to the 1809 ΑD ‘unknown’ and the 1815 AD Tambora volcanic eruptions. Paleoenvironmental proxy-indices of the M2 record show enhanced riverine/continental inputs in the northern Aegean after ca. 1450 AD. The paleoclimatic evidence derived from the M2 record is combined with a socio-environmental study of the history of the north Aegean region. We show that the cultivation of temperature-sensitive crops, i.e. walnut, vine and olive, co-occurred with stable and warmer temperatures, while its end coincided with a significant episode of cooler temperatures. Periods of agricultural growth in Macedonia coincide with periods of warmer and more stable SSTs, but further exploration is required in order to identify the causal links behind the observed phenomena. The Black Death likely caused major changes in agricultural activity in the north Aegean region, as reflected in the pollen data from land sites of Macedonia and the M2 proxy-reconstructions. Finally, we conclude that the early modern peaks in mountain vegetation in the Rhodope and Macedonia highlands, visible also in the M2 record, were very likely climate-driven.

{This study shed light on the long term air temperature changes in the troposphere over the Mediterranean. For this purpose, we utilized the radiosonde datasets for the barometric levels at 850, 700, 500, 300, 200, 150, and 100 hPa from seventeen meteorological stations within the Mediterranean, for the period 1965-2015. Besides, the gridded reanalysis products of upper air temperature for the respective barometric pressure levels from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF, ERA-Interim) and the National Center for Environmental Prediction-National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEPNCAR) were used and compared to stations' datasets. We analyzed the trends and variability of upper air temperature on seasonal and annual basis. The impact of atmospheric circulation, by means of specific climatic indices such as Mediterranean Oscillation Index (MOI), North Sea Caspian Pattern Index (NCPI) and North Atlantic Oscillation Index (NAOI), was also examined. The results of our analysis indicate the anthropogenic forcing to climate variability, especially in lower/middle troposphere against upper troposphere over the Mediterranean.}

Cardiac dysfunction determines prognosis in amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. The heart is the central organ of the vascular system in which endothelium function is critical for the circulatory homeostasis, but there are limited data on endothelial function in AL amyloidosis. von Willebrand factor (VWF) has been considered as a marker of endothelial activation and dysfunction, whereas a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type-1 repeats 13 (ADAMTS-13) cleaves VWF multimers, but both have been associated with prognosis in cardiovascular disease. We measured the serum levels of VWF (VWF:Ag) and ADAMTS-13 antigens in 111 newly diagnosed patients with AL amyloidosis. The levels of VWF:Ag were significantly higher than in healthy controls; 76% of patients with AL had VWF:Ag levels higher than the upper levels of controls. There was no significant association of VWF:Ag levels with patterns of organ involvement, free light-chain levels, the levels of cardiac biomarkers, or renal dysfunction but correlated with low systolic blood pressure. VWF:Ag levels ≥230.0 U/dL were associated with higher probability of early death and poor survival independently of cardiac biomarkers and low systolic blood pressure (SBP). Moreover, among patients with Mayo stage III or stage IIIB (that is stage III with N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide [NTproBNP] >8500 pg/mL) disease, VWF:Ag identified subgroups of patients with very poor outcome. Low ADAMTS-13 levels correlated with high levels of NTproBNP but had no independent prognostic significance. In conclusion, high VWF:Ag levels, probably representing endothelial dysfunction, are associated with prognosis in patients with AL amyloidosis, independently of other features of the disease or cardiac biomarkers. © 2016 by The American Society of Hematology.

Cardiac dysfunction determines prognosis in amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. The heart is the central organ of the vascular system in which endothelium function is critical for the circulatory homeostasis, but there are limited data on endothelial function in AL amyloidosis. von Willebrand factor (VWF) has been considered as a marker of endothelial activation and dysfunction, whereas a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type-1 repeats 13 (ADAMTS-13) cleaves VWF multimers, but both have been associated with prognosis in cardiovascular disease. We measured the serum levels of VWF (VWF:Ag) and ADAMTS-13 antigens in 111 newly diagnosed patients with AL amyloidosis. The levels of VWF:Ag were significantly higher than in healthy controls; 76% of patients with AL had VWF:Ag levels higher than the upper levels of controls. There was no significant association of VWF:Ag levels with patterns of organ involvement, free light-chain levels, the levels of cardiac biomarkers, or renal dysfunction but correlated with low systolic blood pressure. VWF:Ag levels ≥230.0 U/dL were associated with higher probability of early death and poor survival independently of cardiac biomarkers and low systolic blood pressure (SBP). Moreover, among patients with Mayo stage III or stage IIIB (that is stage III with N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide [NTproBNP] >8500 pg/mL) disease, VWF:Ag identified subgroups of patients with very poor outcome. Low ADAMTS-13 levels correlated with high levels of NTproBNP but had no independent prognostic significance. In conclusion, high VWF:Ag levels, probably representing endothelial dysfunction, are associated with prognosis in patients with AL amyloidosis, independently of other features of the disease or cardiac biomarkers. © 2016 by The American Society of Hematology.

BACKGROUND: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor RAGE emerge as important pathogenic contributors in colorectal carcinogenesis. However, their relationship to the detoxification enzyme Glyoxalase (GLO)-I and Adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1, AdipoR2) in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is currently understudied. In the present study, we investigated the expression levels of the above molecules in CRC compared to adjacent non-tumoral tissue and their potential correlation with clinicopathological characteristics and patients' survival. METHODS: We analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of AGE, RAGE, GLO-1, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 in 133 primary CRC cases, focusing on GLO-I. The tumour MSI status was further assessed in mucinous carcinomas. Western immunoblotting was employed for validation of immunohistochemical data in normal and tumoral tissues as well in three CRC cell lines. An independent set of 55 patients was also used to validate the results of univariate survival analysis regarding GLO-I. RESULTS: CRC tissue showed higher intensity of both AGE and RAGE expression compared with normal colonic mucosa which was negative for GLO-I in most cases (78 %). Western immunoblotting confirmed AGE, RAGE and GLO-I overexpression in tumoral tissue. GLO-I expression was directly related to RAGE and inversely related to AGE immunolabeling. There was a trend towards higher expression of all markers (except for RAGE) in the subgroup of mucinous carcinomas which, although of borderline significance, seemed to be more prominent for AdipoR1 and AGE. Additionally, AGE, AdipoR1 and Adipo R2 expression was related to tumor grade, whereas GLO-1 and AdipoR1 to T-category. In survival analysis, AdipoR2 and GLO-I overexpression predicted shortened survival in the entire cohort and in early stage cases, an effect which for GLO-I was reproduced in the validation cohort. Moreover, GLO-I emerged as an independent prognosticator of adverse significance in the patients' cohort. CONCLUSIONS: We herein provide novel evidence regarding the possible interactions between the components of AGE-RAGE axis, GLO-I and adiponectin receptors in CRC. AGE and AdipoR1 are possibly involved in colorectal carcinogenesis, whereas AdipoR2 and GLO-I emerged as novel independent prognostic biomarkers of adverse significance for patients with early disease stage. Further studies are warranted to extend our observations and investigate their potential therapeutic significance.

Hu-antigen R (HuR) is considered to play a crucial role in tumor formation and growth by binding to mRNAs encoding proteins such as Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducing their expression via mRNA stabilization and/or altered translation. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of HuR and COX-2 proteins’ expression in human benign and malignant thyroid lesions. HuR and COX-2 proteins’ expression was assessed immunohistochemically on paraffin-embedded thyroid tissues obtained from 98 patients with benign (n = 48) and malignant (n = 50) lesions and was statistically analyzed with clinicopathological parameters, follicular cells’ proliferative capacity and recurrence risk rate. Enhanced HuR and COX-2 expression was significantly more frequently observed in malignant compared to benign thyroid lesions (p = 0.0073 and p = 0.0016, respectively), as well as in papillary carcinomas compared to hyperplastic nodules (p = 0.0039 and p = 0.0009, respectively). Positive associations of both HuR and COX-2 expression with follicular cells’ proliferation rate were also noted (p = 0.0087 and p = 0.0127, respectively). In malignant thyroid lesions, elevated COX-2 expression was significantly associated with female patients’ gender (p = 0.0381) and the presence of lymph node metastases (p = 0.0296). The present data support evidence that both HuR and COX-2 may be involved in the malignant state of thyroid neoplasia and may be utilized in the diagnosis of malignant thyroid tumors.

BACKGROUND: European guidelines recommend treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB) with the nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) entecavir or tenofovir. However, many European CHB patients have been exposed to other NAs, which are associated with therapy failure and resistance. The CAPRE study was performed to gain insight in prevalence and characteristics of NA resistance in Europe. METHODS: A survey was performed on genotypic resistance testing results acquired during routine monitoring of CHB patients with detectable serum hepatitis B virus DNA in European tertiary referral centers. RESULTS: Data from 1568 patients were included. The majority (73.8%) were exposed to lamivudine monotherapy. Drug-resistant strains were detected in 52.7%. The most frequently encountered primary mutation was M204V/I (48.7%), followed by A181T/V (3.8%) and N236T (2.6%). In patients exposed to entecavir (n = 102), full resistance was present in 35.3%. Independent risk factors for resistance were age, viral load, and lamivudine exposure (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support resistance testing in cases of apparent NA therapy failure. This survey highlights the impact of exposure to lamivudine and adefovir on development of drug resistance and cross-resistance. Continued use of these NAs needs to be reconsidered at a pan-European level.

{In the present study, the dynamical downscaling technique was applied in the Advanced Weather Research and Forecasting numerical model WRF-ARW, to investigate and validate the performance of different physics parameterizations. The WRF model, was forced by ERA-INTERIM reanalysis data, for a short period of one year (January 2002-December 2002), over the area of the MED-CORDEX domain of 20 km horizontal resolution, downscaled to the domain of Greece with grid spacing of 5 km. Simulations with the Yonsei University (YSU) and Mellor-Yamada- Janjic (MYJ) schemes for boundary layer parameterizations were chosen, along with the corresponding surface layer schemes, as well as, cumulus physics schemes of Kain-Fitsch and Grell-Devenyi. The results of the model simulations have been compared with all available station measurements from the European Climate Assessment and Dataset (ECA&D) for the daily precipitation and 2-m air temperature, through the computation of statistical metrics. The study led to a more reliable choice of physics configurations schemes for the WRF model, in order to simulate future climate model experiments to assess the impact of climate change over the domain of interest.}

Purpose of investigation: To describe a novel approach for longitudinal vaginal septum (LVS) resection. Materials and Methods: Two cases of young girls with a uterus didelphys and a longitudinal vaginal septum. The technique consisted in grasping the vaginal septum with a laparoscopic 33-cm long bipolar cutting forceps, five-mm in diameter, and divided it to its midportion towards the two cervices. Results: In both cases, the procedure was straightforward, uncomplicated, completed within three minutes and the patients were discharged four hours later. It was associated with minimal blood loss, short recovery time, absence of local ischemia, and optimum healing process. Conclusion: The authors believe that surgical safety, efficacy and operative result make bipolar cutting forceps a tailored option for LVS resection.

A range of iron(II) complexes incorporating the silylated pentalene ligands (Pn†H = 1,4-{SiiPr3}2C8H5and Pn† = 1,4-{SiiPr3}2C8H4) have been investigated as model molecules/building blocks for metallocene-based polymers. Six complexes have been synthesised and extensively characterised by a range of techniques, including by cyclic voltammetry and X-ray diffraction studies. Amongst these compounds are the homobimetallic [Cp∗Fe]2(μ-Pn†) which is a fused analogue of biferrocene, and the 3d/4s heterobimetallic [Cp∗Fe(η5-Pn†)][K] which forms an organometallic polymer in the solid state. DFT calculations on model mono-Fe(η5-Pn) compounds reveal the charge densities on the uncoordinated carbon atoms of the pentalene ligand, and hence the potential for incorporating these units into heteronuclear bimetallic complexes is assessed.

INTRODUCTION: Peritoneal Encapsulation (PE) is a scarce congenital malformation, characterized by a supplementary peritoneal membrane that covers all or a part of the small intestine. PRESENTATION OF CASE: PE was unexpectantly discovered in a young woman during laparotomy for bowel obstruction. There were no specific pre-operative indications of this malformation. The operation was uneventful. DISCUSSION: PE is a very rare congenital anatomical anomaly that is difficultly identified pre-operatively. PE is mainly asymptomatic, but in some cases, like in the presented one, PE presents with small bowel obstruction. Surgeons should be aware of this malformation and suspect it when encountering a patient with small bowel obstruction without other etiological factors. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of this peculiar congenital anomaly is pivotal, so that accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of it are direct and efficient.

Hadronic models of blazar emission constitute an interesting alternative to the more popular leptonic ones. Using the BL Lac object Mrk 421 as a characteristic example, we present two distinct ways of modeling the spectral energy distribution of blazars in the hadronic context, and we discuss the predictions of each variant on the spectral shape, the multi-wavelength variability, the cosmic-ray flux, and the high-energy neutrino emission. Focusing on the latter, we then present an application of the hadronic model to individual BL Lacs that were recently suggested to be the counterparts of some of the IceCube neutrinos.

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) comprise 6-8% of the human genome. HERVs are silenced in most normal tissues, up-regulated in stem cells and in placenta but also in cancer and HIV-1 infection. Crucially, there are conflicting reports on detecting HERV RNA in non-cellular clinical samples such as plasma that suggest the study of HERV RNA can be daunting. Indeed, we find that the use of real-time PCR in a quality assured clinical laboratory setting can be sensitive to low-level proviral contamination. We developed a mathematical model for low-level contamination that allowed us to design a laboratory protocol and standard operating procedures for robust measurement of HERV RNA. We focus on one family, HERV-K HML-2 (HK2) that has been most recently active even though they invaded our ancestral genomes almost 30 millions ago. We extensively validated our experimental design on a model cell culture system showing high sensitivity and specificity, totally eliminating the proviral contamination. We then tested 236 plasma samples from patients infected with HIV-1, HCV or HBV and found them to be negative. The study of HERV RNA for human translational studies should be performed with extensively validated protocols and standard operating procedures to control the widespread low-level human DNA contamination.

List of contributions from the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) Consortium presented at the 6th International Symposium on High-Energy Gamma-Ray Astronomy (Gamma 2016), July 11-15, 2016, in Heidelberg, Germany.

BACKGROUND: 'Cover index' has been proposed to appraise the congruence between the aortic annulus and the device, with the assumption of not taking into account the actual device implantation depth. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the annulus-prosthesis mismatch, as expressed with the new proposed 'true cover index' according to actual implantation depth, can predict aortic regurgitation (AR) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS: Patients who had undergone TAVI with the self-expandable CoreValve device, were retrospectively studied. All available prosthesis sizes were ex-vivo scanned and the precise diameter at 0.3mm intervals along each device was measured. The 'true cover index' was evaluated, as a ratio of the following: 100×([prosthesis actual diameter at implantation depth-annulus diameter]/prosthesis actual diameter at implantation depth). AR was echocardiographically evaluated at discharge and 30days and classified as prominent if moderate, or trivial if none or mild. RESULTS: Overall, 120 patients who had undergone TAVI, were considered eligible for the study. 'True cover index' was statistically significantly lower among patients with prominent AR in comparison with trivial AR at discharge (5.7±4.8mm vs 9±5.1, p=0.025), as well as at one month post-TAVI (5.4±5.1mm vs 9.0±5.1, p=0.023), indicating increased AR for smaller index. After adjustment for severe annulus calcification, impaired baseline LVEF and previous valvuloplasty, it remained an independent predictor of one month prominent AR (OR: 0.854, CI: 0.730-0.999; p=0.048). 'True cover index' of <4.3 was shown to predict one-month prominent AR with sensitivity =75% and specificity =82.5%. CONCLUSIONS: 'True cover index' is strongly and independently correlated with the short and mid-term AR after CoreValve implantation.

In this paper we propose and test a methodology for constructing a credit rating model. We follow a polytomous ordered probit analysis leading to the specification of statistically significant credit rating intervals. We test our model with accounting data of Greek listed firms over the years 2004–2013, a period which includes both the pre-crisis growth and the crisis phase of the Greek economy and the stock market. Using the empirically—based rating categories that the model generates endogenously, we observe not only a clear and timely response of ratings to the changing economic environment, but we also obtain significant predictive ability over a period of one, two and three years.

In this paper we propose and test a methodology for constructing a credit rating model. We follow a polytomous ordered probit analysis leading to the specification of statistically significant credit rating intervals. We test our model with accounting data of Greek listed firms over the years 2004–2013, a period which includes both the pre-crisis growth and the crisis phase of the Greek economy and the stock market. Using the empirically—based rating categories that the model generates endogenously, we observe not only a clear and timely response of ratings to the changing economic environment, but we also obtain significant predictive ability over a period of one, two and three years.

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that provide essential metabolic functions and represent the major bioenergetic hub of eukaryotic cell. Therefore, maintenance of mitochondria activity is necessary for the proper cellular function and survival. To this end, several mechanisms that act at different levels and time points have been developed to ensure mitochondria quality control. An interconnected highly integrated system of mitochondrial and cytosolic chaperones and proteases along with the fission/fusion machinery represents the surveillance scaffold of mitostasis. Moreover, nonreversible mitochondrial damage targets the organelle to a specific autophagic removal, namely, mitophagy. Beyond the organelle dynamics, the constant interaction with the ubiquitin-proteasome-system (UPS) has become an emerging aspect of healthy mitochondria. Dysfunction of mitochondria and UPS increases with age and correlates with many age-related diseases including cancer and neurodegeneration. In this review, we discuss the functional cross talk of proteostasis and mitostasis in cellular homeodynamics and the impairment of mitochondrial quality control during ageing, cancer, and neurodegeneration.

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia (WM) is a B-cell neoplasm in which bone marrow is infiltrated by lymphoplasmacytic cells that secrete monoclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM). More than a decade ago, specific criteria were agreed to define diagnosis and symptomatic disease requiring therapy; however, treatment recommendations change as new options emerge. Treatment decisions consider specific disease characteristics (burden of disease, IgM levels, presence of cytopenias) and patient characteristics (age, comorbidities, toxicity). Recently, the impact of specific mutations (in MYD88 and CXCR4) in response to specific therapies has been reported, and this may affect treatment decisions in the future. Chemo-immunotherapy combinations based on rituximab with cyclophosphamide/dexamethasone, bendamustine or bortezomib/dexamethasone are indicated for most patients. The BTK inhibitor ibrutinib was recently approved for patients with WM, and is a new option for selected newly diagnosed or relapsing patients. New B-cell receptor inhibitors, second-generation proteasome inhibitors and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors are promising; however, more data are needed from high-quality clinical trials. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia (WM) is a B-cell neoplasm in which bone marrow is infiltrated by lymphoplasmacytic cells that secrete monoclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM). More than a decade ago, specific criteria were agreed to define diagnosis and symptomatic disease requiring therapy; however, treatment recommendations change as new options emerge. Treatment decisions consider specific disease characteristics (burden of disease, IgM levels, presence of cytopenias) and patient characteristics (age, comorbidities, toxicity). Recently, the impact of specific mutations (in MYD88 and CXCR4) in response to specific therapies has been reported, and this may affect treatment decisions in the future. Chemo-immunotherapy combinations based on rituximab with cyclophosphamide/dexamethasone, bendamustine or bortezomib/dexamethasone are indicated for most patients. The BTK inhibitor ibrutinib was recently approved for patients with WM, and is a new option for selected newly diagnosed or relapsing patients. New B-cell receptor inhibitors, second-generation proteasome inhibitors and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors are promising; however, more data are needed from high-quality clinical trials. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd

Introduction: Renal impairment (RI) is one of the most common complication of multiple myeloma (MM). RI is present in almost 20% of MM patients at diagnosis and in 40%-50% of patients during the course of their disease. Areas covered: Biology along with tools for diagnosis and management of RI are reported in this paper. Papers published in PubMed and reported abstracts up to May 2016 were used. Expert opinion: Moderate and severe RI increases the risk of early death; thus rapid intervention and initiation of anti-myeloma treatment is essential and improves renal outcomes in RI patients. Bortezomib and dexamethasone triplet combinations are the current standard of therapy for MM patients with acute kidney injury due to cast nephropathy; they offer high rates of both anti-myeloma response and renal recovery. Thalidomide and lenalidomide may be used in bortezomib refractory patients. In the relapsed/refractory setting additional treatment options such as carfilzomib, pomalidomide and monoclonal antibodies are available; however, there is limited data for their effects on patients with RI. High dose melphalan with autologous stem cell transplantation should be considered in otherwise eligible patients with RI. Finally, high cut-off hemodialysis membranes do not seem to offer significant additive effects on anti-myeloma therapies. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Introduction: Renal impairment (RI) is one of the most common complication of multiple myeloma (MM). RI is present in almost 20% of MM patients at diagnosis and in 40%-50% of patients during the course of their disease. Areas covered: Biology along with tools for diagnosis and management of RI are reported in this paper. Papers published in PubMed and reported abstracts up to May 2016 were used. Expert opinion: Moderate and severe RI increases the risk of early death; thus rapid intervention and initiation of anti-myeloma treatment is essential and improves renal outcomes in RI patients. Bortezomib and dexamethasone triplet combinations are the current standard of therapy for MM patients with acute kidney injury due to cast nephropathy; they offer high rates of both anti-myeloma response and renal recovery. Thalidomide and lenalidomide may be used in bortezomib refractory patients. In the relapsed/refractory setting additional treatment options such as carfilzomib, pomalidomide and monoclonal antibodies are available; however, there is limited data for their effects on patients with RI. High dose melphalan with autologous stem cell transplantation should be considered in otherwise eligible patients with RI. Finally, high cut-off hemodialysis membranes do not seem to offer significant additive effects on anti-myeloma therapies. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

We consider the problem of customer equilibrium strategies in an M/M/1 queue under dynamic service control. The service rate switches between a low and a high value depending on system congestion. Arriving customers do not observe the system state at the moment of arrival. We show that due to service rate variation, the customer equilibrium strategy is not generally unique, and derive an upper bound on the number of possible equilibria. For the problem of social welfare optimization, we numerically analyze the relationship between the optimal and equilibrium arrival rates as a function of various parameter values, and assess the level of inefficiency via the price of anarchy measure. We finally derive analytic solutions for the special case where the service rate switch occurs when the queue ceases to be empty. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Background A variety of clinical and laboratory prognostic factors for multiple myeloma (MM) have been addressed in published studies. The prognostic significance of cytogenetic abnormalities is also under investigation. Patients and Methods The present study evaluated the potential prognostic role of cytogenetic events and their combinations in terms of overall survival in a large cohort of unselected patients with MM (n = 432). Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed, adjusting for age, gender, Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes classification, International Staging System score, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, serum lactate dehydrogenase, serum calcium, platelet count, and blood hemoglobin. Results The presence of del(13q) (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-2.47), t(4;14) (adjusted HR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.19-3.35), and/or del(17p) (adjusted HR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.22-3.37) was independently associated with poorer overall survival. The poor prognosis seemed more pronounced among patients harboring combinations of 2 adverse cytogenetic abnormalities. In contrast, t(14;16), t(11;14), and add(1q21) were not associated with overall survival. The effect of bortezomib seemed rather minimal in the modification of the prognostic role mediated by del(17p). Conclusion The presence of del(13q), t(4;14), and del(17p), singly or in combination, seems to be an independent poor prognostic factor for patients with MM. © 2016 Elsevier Inc.

Background A variety of clinical and laboratory prognostic factors for multiple myeloma (MM) have been addressed in published studies. The prognostic significance of cytogenetic abnormalities is also under investigation. Patients and Methods The present study evaluated the potential prognostic role of cytogenetic events and their combinations in terms of overall survival in a large cohort of unselected patients with MM (n = 432). Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed, adjusting for age, gender, Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes classification, International Staging System score, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, serum lactate dehydrogenase, serum calcium, platelet count, and blood hemoglobin. Results The presence of del(13q) (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-2.47), t(4;14) (adjusted HR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.19-3.35), and/or del(17p) (adjusted HR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.22-3.37) was independently associated with poorer overall survival. The poor prognosis seemed more pronounced among patients harboring combinations of 2 adverse cytogenetic abnormalities. In contrast, t(14;16), t(11;14), and add(1q21) were not associated with overall survival. The effect of bortezomib seemed rather minimal in the modification of the prognostic role mediated by del(17p). Conclusion The presence of del(13q), t(4;14), and del(17p), singly or in combination, seems to be an independent poor prognostic factor for patients with MM. © 2016 Elsevier Inc.

Background/Aim: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) activated with immobilized monoclonal antibody against cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3) secrete cytokines in their culture supernatant (termed ACD3S). We examined the antitumor efficacy of ACD3S-activated NK-92 cells in vitro and in vivo. Materials and Methods: Interleukin (IL) 2-depleted NK-92 cells were reactivated with ACD3S, analyzed for their phenotype and tested for cytotoxicity, and perforin and interferon (IFN) production. Severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice xenografted with human melanoma and breast cancer cells were treated with ACD3S-activated NK-92 cells and tumor growth was monitored. Results: Brief activation of IL2-depleted NK-92 cells with ACD3S fully restored their in vitro cytotoxicity towards tumor cells. ACD3S-activated NK-92 cells were phenotypically similar to standard NK-92 cells, but exhibited prolonged cytotoxicity and produced higher levels of IFN. When adoptively transferred to tumor-bearing SCID mice, these cells retarded the growth of melanoma and breast tumors. Conclusion: Stimulation of NK-92 cells with ACD3S may be useful in clinical cancer therapy, as an alternative method for ex vivo natural killer cell activation.

BACKGROUND: Daratumumab showed promising efficacy alone and with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in a phase 1-2 study involving patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. METHODS: In this phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned 569 patients with multiple myeloma who had received one or more previous lines of therapy to receive lenalidomide and dexamethasone either alone (control group) or in combination with daratumumab (daratumumab group). The primary end point was progression-free survival. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 13.5 months in a protocol-specified interim analysis, 169 events of disease progression or death were observed (in 53 of 286 patients [18.5%] in the daratumumab group vs. 116 of 283 [41.0%] in the control group; hazard ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27 to 0.52; P<0.001 by stratified log-rank test). The Kaplan- Meier rate of progression-free survival at 12 months was 83.2% (95% CI, 78.3 to 87.2) in the daratumumab group, as compared with 60.1% (95% CI, 54.0 to 65.7) in the control group. A significantly higher rate of overall response was observed in the daratumumab group than in the control group (92.9% vs. 76.4%, P<0.001), as was a higher rate of complete response or better (43.1% vs. 19.2%, P<0.001). In the daratumumab group, 22.4% of the patients had results below the threshold for minimal residual disease (1 tumor cell per 105 white cells), as compared with 4.6% of those in the control group (P<0.001); results below the threshold for minimal residual disease were associated with improved outcomes. The most common adverse events of grade 3 or 4 during treatment were neutropenia (in 51.9% of the patients in the daratumumab group vs. 37.0% of those in the control group), thrombocytopenia (in 12.7% vs. 13.5%), and anemia (in 12.4% vs. 19.6%). Daratumumab-associated infusion-related reactions occurred in 47.7% of the patients and were mostly of grade 1 or 2. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of daratumumab to lenalidomide and dexamethasone significantly lengthened progression-free survival among patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Daratumumab was associated with infusion-related reactions and a higher rate of neutropenia than the control therapy. Copyright © 2016 Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND: Daratumumab showed promising efficacy alone and with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in a phase 1-2 study involving patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. METHODS: In this phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned 569 patients with multiple myeloma who had received one or more previous lines of therapy to receive lenalidomide and dexamethasone either alone (control group) or in combination with daratumumab (daratumumab group). The primary end point was progression-free survival. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 13.5 months in a protocol-specified interim analysis, 169 events of disease progression or death were observed (in 53 of 286 patients [18.5%] in the daratumumab group vs. 116 of 283 [41.0%] in the control group; hazard ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27 to 0.52; P<0.001 by stratified log-rank test). The Kaplan- Meier rate of progression-free survival at 12 months was 83.2% (95% CI, 78.3 to 87.2) in the daratumumab group, as compared with 60.1% (95% CI, 54.0 to 65.7) in the control group. A significantly higher rate of overall response was observed in the daratumumab group than in the control group (92.9% vs. 76.4%, P<0.001), as was a higher rate of complete response or better (43.1% vs. 19.2%, P<0.001). In the daratumumab group, 22.4% of the patients had results below the threshold for minimal residual disease (1 tumor cell per 105 white cells), as compared with 4.6% of those in the control group (P<0.001); results below the threshold for minimal residual disease were associated with improved outcomes. The most common adverse events of grade 3 or 4 during treatment were neutropenia (in 51.9% of the patients in the daratumumab group vs. 37.0% of those in the control group), thrombocytopenia (in 12.7% vs. 13.5%), and anemia (in 12.4% vs. 19.6%). Daratumumab-associated infusion-related reactions occurred in 47.7% of the patients and were mostly of grade 1 or 2. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of daratumumab to lenalidomide and dexamethasone significantly lengthened progression-free survival among patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Daratumumab was associated with infusion-related reactions and a higher rate of neutropenia than the control therapy. Copyright © 2016 Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.

A twin-experiment is carried out introducing elements of an Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF), to assess and correct ocean uncertainties in a high-resolution Bay of Biscay configuration. Initially, an ensemble of 102 members is performed by applying stochastic modeling of the wind forcing. The target of this step is to simulate the envelope of possible realizations and to explore the robustness of the method at building ensemble covariances. Our second step includes the integration of the ensemble-based error estimates into a data assimilative system adopting a 4D Ensemble Optimal Interpolation (4DEnOI) approach. In the twin-experiment context, synthetic observations are simulated from a perturbed member not used in the subsequent analyses, satisfying the condition of an unbiased probability distribution function against the ensemble by performing a rank histogram. We evaluate the assimilation performance on short-term predictability focusing on the ensemble size, the observational network, and the enrichment of the ensemble by inexpensive time-lagged techniques. The results show that variations in performance are linked to intrinsic oceanic processes, such as the spring shoaling of the thermocline, in combination with external forcing modulated by river runoffs and time-variable wind patterns, constantly reshaping the error regimes. Ensemble covariances are able to capture high-frequency processes associated with coastal density fronts, slope currents and upwelling events near the Armorican and Galician shelf break. Further improvement is gained when enriching model covariances by including pattern phase errors, with the help of time-neighbor states augmenting the ensemble spread.

A significant contribution to the improvement of efficiency and lifetime of organic solar cells is due to the successful engineering of the metal contact/organic interface by introducing appropriate interlayers. In the current work we show that a short microwave post-annealing treatment in air of an under-stoichiometric molybdenum oxide (MoOx) hole transport layer significantly enhanced the performance and lifetime of an organic solar cell based on a poly(3-hexylthiophene):[6,6]-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PC71BM) blend. The enhanced performance is mainly driven by improvement in the short circuit current (Jsc) and the fill factor (FF), caused by, except for an increase of the anode work function, reduced series resistance, and increased shunt resistance and also higher charge generation efficiency, reduced recombination losses and improved hole transport towards the anode contact. In addition, the lifetime of the devices with microwave annealed MoOx interlayers was also significantly improved compared to those with as-deposited MoOx and, especially, those with the PEDOT-PSS interlayer. The above were attributed to effective dehydration which was also followed by structural transformation and crystallization of the MoOx layer during microwave annealing. The removal of absorbed water molecules led to alterations of the structure and microstructure of the MoOx films, visible in the X-ray diffraction patterns, infrared and Raman spectra and atomic force microscopy images recorded on their surface without influencing the oxide's chemical composition as evidenced by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. During microwave annealing the substrate remains practically at room temperature, so the method is applicable for films deposited on plastics or other temperature-sensitive substrates. © 2016 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

We focus in the period of announcement of accounting information for companies listed in an organized market and we re-examine their probability of delisting, voluntarily or not. Adopting the same framework, consideration is given to the assumption that investors utilize market information when accounting data are published. The analysis provided indicates that investors should pay attention to the financial disclosure timing. Our investigation demonstrated that even the short period of three months is quite important to making investment decisions.

In the course of our study on fungal purine transporters, a number of new 3-deazapurine analogues have been rationally designed, based on the interaction of purine substrates with the Aspergillus nidulans FcyB carrier, and synthesized following an effective synthetic procedure. Certain derivatives have been found to specifically inhibit FcyB-mediated [(3)H]-adenine uptake. Molecular simulations have been performed, suggesting that all active compounds interact with FcyB through the formation of hydrogen bonds with Asn163, while the insertion of hydrophobic fragments at position 9 and N6 of 3-deazaadenine enhanced the inhibition.

The detection of periodicity in the broadband non-thermal emission of blazars has so far been proven to be elusive. However, there are a number of scenarios that could lead to quasi-periodic variations in blazar light curves. For example, an orbital or thermal/viscous period of accreting matter around central supermassive black holes could, in principle, be imprinted in the multi-wavelength emission of small-scale blazar jets, carrying such crucial information about plasma conditions within the jet launching regions. In this paper, we present the results of our time series analysis of the ∼9.2 yr long, and exceptionally well-sampled, optical light curve of the BL Lac object OJ 287. The study primarily used the data from our own observations performed at the Mt. Suhora and Kraków Observatories in Poland, and at the Athens Observatory in Greece. Additionally, SMARTS observations were used to fill some of the gaps in the data. The Lomb-Scargle periodogram and the weighted wavelet Z-transform methods were employed to search for possible quasi-periodic oscillations in the resulting optical light curve of the source. Both methods consistently yielded a possible quasi-periodic signal around the periods of ∼400 and ∼800 days, the former with a significance (over the underlying colored noise) of ≥slant 99 % . A number of likely explanations for this are discussed, with preference given to a modulation of the jet production efficiency by highly magnetized accretion disks. This supports previous findings and the interpretation reported recently in the literature for OJ 287 and other blazar sources.

OBJECTIVES: Recent reports have included PALB2 (Partner and localizer of BRCA2) in the growing list of hereditary cancer genes. PALB2 mutations confer a moderate breast cancer risk in heterozygotes and Fanconi anemia in biallelic mutation carriers. PALB2 protein co-localizes with BRCA2 and BRCA1 in nuclear structures and enables error-free homologous recombination repair of double-stranded DNA breaks. This important contribution could be severely diminished if affected by epigenetic mechanisms such as promoter CpG island methylation. The aim of our study was to develop molecular methodologies in order to assess accurately PALB2 expression in breast cancer tissues. DESIGN AND METHODS: DNA and RNA were extracted from 91 sporadic fresh-frozen breast tissues with known histopathological data. DNA was subjected to sodium bisulfite conversion reaction and the CpG island of the PALB2 promoter was analyzed by pyrosequencing. RNA was converted to cDNA and analyzed by a newly developed and validated RT-qPCR assay based on a hydrolysis probe (TaqMan) in the Light Cycler. RESULTS: PALB2 promoter was not methylated in any of the samples tested. 87 out of 91 (95.6%) primary tumors were positive for PALB2 expression, as checked at the mRNA level. When levels of PALB2 mRNA were compared to histopathological data (tumor size, grade, lymph node involvement, metastasis, hormone receptors and HER2 overexpression), no significant statistical correlation was found. CONCLUSIONS: DNA methylation is an unlike mechanism for PALB2 transcriptional regulation. PALB2 mRNA expression does not seem be a promising prognostic biomarker for sporadic breast cancer

Beyond BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, PALB2 (Partner and localizer of BRCA2) emerges as the third breast cancer susceptibility gene due to its role in the same DNA repair pathway: homologous recombination. In most populations studied so far, PALB2 mutations are detected in 1-2% of BRCA negative female patients. PALB2 gene contains 13 exons; exons 4 and 5 consist 65% of the coding area. We developed a protein truncation test (PTT) for quick screening of truncating pathogenic mutations of these two large exons. Specific primers were de novo, in silico designed and the PTT-PCR products were translated in the presence of biotinylated lysine and detected colorimetrically. The assay was initially tested in 30 patients with hereditary breast cancer, negative for BRCA mutations and then, in 17 patients with the rare medullary breast cancer subtype. Small PALB2 exons were screened with high-resolution melting curve analysis (HRMA) and the large DNA rearrangements with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). Any alterations detected were verified by Sanger DNA Sequencing. The developed PTT methodology is highly specific for clinical significant mutations; positive control samples that produce truncated PALB2 peptides were correctly identified and the method was accurate when compared to DNA sequencing. We did not detect any deleterious PALB2 mutation in both groups of patients. HRMA and MLPA were also negative for all tested samples. However, our novel, fast and cost-effective PTT method for pathogenic mutation detection of the two large PALB2 exons can be applied in screening of a large number of breast cancer patients

Corinth Canal is an important technical construction with a significant role in marine and land transportation for Greece. Whilst the main highway of the Corinth bridge is well monitored there is no similar monitoring scheme for landslide failures of the canal walls. This work presents an in-house developed real-time early warning landslide triggering system using wireless sensor network (WSN) nodes. Specifically, for the detection of different types of landslide processes (drift, slide and fall) a set of corresponding MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) sensors (accelerometer, inclinometer, magnetometer) will be used. These sensors along with radio transmission unit and microprocessor comprise a WSN node. The option for in-situ processing (i.e transmitting only alerts) is possible in order to decrease the communication costs. In conjunction with the proposed WSN system, high accuracy geodetic techniques are used with terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) measurements. TLS is augmenting the point-based system to a spatial -based monitoring system. The paper describes the use of WSN node as triggering device in order to alert the users to begin TLS measurements. A description of the network topology is given along with the implementation of the system in selected control points on the canal walls. Real results are shown and the performance of the system is discussed.

Advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) is one of the leading lethal gynecological cancers in developed countries. Based on the important role of angiogenesis in ovarian cancer oncogenesis and expansion, we hypothesized that the development of an "angiogenic signature" might be helpful in prediction of prognosis and efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapies in this disease. Sixty-nine samples of ascitic fluid- 35 from platinum sensitive and 34 from platinum resistant patients managed with cytoreductive surgery and 1st-line carboplatin-based chemotherapy- were analyzed using the Proteome Profiler™ Human Angiogenesis Array Kit, screening for the presence of 55 soluble angiogenesis-related factors. A protein profile based on the expression of a subset of 25 factors could accurately separate resistant from sensitive patients with a success rate of approximately 90%. The protein profile corresponding to the "sensitive" subset was associated with significantly longer PFS (8 [95% Confidence Interval {CI}: 8-9] vs. 20 months [95% CI: 15-28]; Hazard ratio {HR}: 8.3, p<0.001) and OS (20.5 months [95% CI: 13.5-30] vs. 74 months [95% CI: 36-not reached]; HR: 5.6 [95% CI: 2.8-11.2]; p<0.001). This prognostic performance was superior to that of stage, histology and residual disease after cytoreductive surgery and the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ascites. In conclusion, we developed an "angiogenic signature" for patients with AOC, which can be used, after appropriate validation, as a prognostic marker and a tool for selection for anti-angiogenic therapies. © 2016 Trachana et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) is one of the leading lethal gynecological cancers in developed countries. Based on the important role of angiogenesis in ovarian cancer oncogenesis and expansion, we hypothesized that the development of an "angiogenic signature" might be helpful in prediction of prognosis and efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapies in this disease. Sixty-nine samples of ascitic fluid- 35 from platinum sensitive and 34 from platinum resistant patients managed with cytoreductive surgery and 1st-line carboplatin-based chemotherapy- were analyzed using the Proteome Profiler™ Human Angiogenesis Array Kit, screening for the presence of 55 soluble angiogenesis-related factors. A protein profile based on the expression of a subset of 25 factors could accurately separate resistant from sensitive patients with a success rate of approximately 90%. The protein profile corresponding to the "sensitive" subset was associated with significantly longer PFS (8 [95% Confidence Interval {CI}: 8-9] vs. 20 months [95% CI: 15-28]; Hazard ratio {HR}: 8.3, p<0.001) and OS (20.5 months [95% CI: 13.5-30] vs. 74 months [95% CI: 36-not reached]; HR: 5.6 [95% CI: 2.8-11.2]; p<0.001). This prognostic performance was superior to that of stage, histology and residual disease after cytoreductive surgery and the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ascites. In conclusion, we developed an "angiogenic signature" for patients with AOC, which can be used, after appropriate validation, as a prognostic marker and a tool for selection for anti-angiogenic therapies. © 2016 Trachana et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medication exposure during the perinatal period can have a long term impact in adult offspring on neuroplasticity and the serotonergic system, but the impact of these medications during early development is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of developmental exposure to the SSRI, fluoxetine, on the serotonergic system, dopaminergic system, and synaptophysin density in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, as well as number of immature neurons in the dentate gyrus, in juvenile rat offspring at weaning. To model aspects of maternal depression, prenatal restraint stress was used. Sprague-Dawley rat offspring were exposed to either prenatal stress and/or fluoxetine. Main findings show that developmental fluoxetine exposure to prenatally stressed offspring decreased 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels and altered the dopaminergic system in the hippocampus. Prenatal stress, regardless of fluoxetine, increased synaptophysin density in the PFC. This work indicates that early exposure to maternal stress and SSRI medication can alter brain monoamine levels and synaptophysin density in offspring at weaning.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medication exposure during the perinatal period can have a long term impact in adult offspring on neuroplasticity and the serotonergic system, but the impact of these medications during early development is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of developmental exposure to the SSRI, fluoxetine, on the serotonergic system, dopaminergic system, and synaptophysin density in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, as well as number of immature neurons in the dentate gyrus, in juvenile rat offspring at weaning. To model aspects of maternal depression, prenatal restraint stress was used. Sprague-Dawley rat offspring were exposed to either prenatal stress and/or fluoxetine. Main findings show that developmental fluoxetine exposure to prenatally stressed offspring decreased 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels and altered the dopaminergic system in the hippocampus. Prenatal stress, regardless of fluoxetine, increased synaptophysin density in the PFC. This work indicates that early exposure to maternal stress and SSRI medication can alter brain monoamine levels and synaptophysin density in offspring at weaning.

Transporters are transmembrane proteins mediating the selective uptake or efflux of solutes, metabolites, drugs, or ions across cellular membranes. Despite their immense biological importance in cell nutrition, communication, signaling, and homeostasis, their study remains technically difficult mostly due to their lipid-embedded nature. The study of eukaryotic transporters presents additional complexity due to multiple subcellular control mechanisms that operate to ensure proper membrane traffic, membrane localization, and turnover. Model fungi present unique genetic tools to study eukaryotic transporter function. This review highlights how fungal transporter genetics combined with new methodologies for assaying their cellular expression and function as well as recent structural approaches have led to the functional dissection of selected transporter paradigms in Aspergillus nidulans.

We present a strategy for the synthesis of a well-defined rod-coil block copolymers of regioregular poly(3hexylthiophene) and polystyrene (P3HT-b-PS), carrying pendant fullerenes (C60) at precise positions along the PS block. The synthesis is achieved by combining ‘living’ anionic polymerization, Kumada catalyst-transfer polycondensation, and click chemistry. Azide terminated polystyrene was synthesized via anionic polymerization, while C60 moieties were grafted along the coil block with a [4+2] Diels-Alder cycloaddition reaction. The regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) rod donor block was end-capped with alkyne and was coupled with the azide terminated polystyrene via a copper catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC), NMR, and FTIR spectroscopies were employed to confirm the synthesis of the diblock copolymers. Furthermore, the end-capping of the ‘living’ polystyrene (PS) with the diphenylethylene cyclobutene (DPE-CB) end-group was confirmed by matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF MS). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed for the estimation of the C60 content in the block copolymer. The C60 content at the coil block was 22 wt% and a strong quenching of photoluminescence (PL) was observed as the result of the aggregation and percolation structure of the C60 within the PS phase. This behavior indicates that the bonding of C60 across the PS block may offer new routes to engineering stable morphologies, where the degree of aggregation/crystallization of the acceptor material is of paramount importance for stable and efficient electron transport.

The presentation of the findings of this article is based on an action research focused on the supportive role of the school in adolescents’ lives, whereby Religious Education’s contribution to the social and emotional development of adolescents (11-15) is combined with the evaluation of the potential offered by a constructivist approach to the learning process. The research commenced in 2012 and is now in its third year. The project is based on an intervention at a high school in an impoverished suburb of Athens and researches educational practices through interpretative-ethnographic methods. The researcher has attempted to answer the question of whether the design of the learning environments is effective not only in the learning process, but also on inter-communication and “connectedness” between the members of the learning community. The findings so far indicate a correlation between adolescents’ emotional and social wellbeing and the school’s approach to knowledge and learning methods, specifically in Religious Education classes. It is fair to say, however, that there exist ethnic, social and family components that are negatively related to a sense of “connectedness” within the school although at the same time Religious Education as a subject is, however, found to be positively related to learning community atmosphere.

Advances in immunotherapy have changed the therapeutic landscape in many malignancies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have already received regulatory approval in melanomas, lung, renal and bladder carcinomas. A common feature of these neoplasms is the increased mutational load, related to a possible increase number of tumor neoantigens that are recognized by the immune system. The mechanisms that DNA damage could confer to the mutational load and the formation of neoantigens and how this could be exploited to advance our immunotherapeutic strategies is discussed in this review. © Annals of Translational Medicine.

Advances in immunotherapy have changed the therapeutic landscape in many malignancies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have already received regulatory approval in melanomas, lung, renal and bladder carcinomas. A common feature of these neoplasms is the increased mutational load, related to a possible increase number of tumor neoantigens that are recognized by the immune system. The mechanisms that DNA damage could confer to the mutational load and the formation of neoantigens and how this could be exploited to advance our immunotherapeutic strategies is discussed in this review. © Annals of Translational Medicine.

DNA repair activity of malignant cells seems to influence therapeutic outcome and patients' survival. Herein, we investigated the mechanistic basis for the link between DNA repair efficiency and response to antimyeloma therapy. Nucleotide excision repair (NER), interstrand cross-links repair (ICL/R), double-strand breaks repair (DSB/R), and chromatin structure were evaluated in multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines (melphalan-sensitive RPMI8226; melphalan-resistant LR5) and bone marrow plasma cells (BMPCs) from MM patients who responded (n = 17) or did not respond (n = 9) to subsequent melphalan therapy. The effect of DSB/R inhibition was also evaluated. Responders' BMPCs showed slower rates of NER and DSB/R (P < .0022), similar rates of ICL/R, and more condensed chromatin structure compared with nonresponders. Moreover, apoptosis rates of BMPCs were inversely correlated with individual DNA repair efficiency and were higher in responders' cells compared with those of nonresponders (P = .0011). Similarly, RPMI8226 cells showed slower rates of NER and DSB/R, comparable rates of ICL/R, more condensed chromatin structure, and higher sensitivity than LR5 cells. Interestingly, cotreatment of BMPCs or cell lines with DSB/R inhibitors significantly reduced the rates ofDSB/R and increasedmelphalan sensitivity of the cells, with the nonhomologous end-joining inhibitor SCR7 showing the strongest effect. Together, responders' BMPCs are characterized by lower efficiencies of NER and DSB/R mechanisms, resulting in higher accumulation of the extremely cytotoxic ICLs andDSBs lesions,which in turn triggers the induction of the apoptotic pathway. Moreover, the enhancement of melphalan cytotoxicity by DSB/R inhibition offers a promising strategy toward improvement of existing antimyeloma regimens. © 2016 by The American Society of Hematology.

DNA repair activity of malignant cells seems to influence therapeutic outcome and patients' survival. Herein, we investigated the mechanistic basis for the link between DNA repair efficiency and response to antimyeloma therapy. Nucleotide excision repair (NER), interstrand cross-links repair (ICL/R), double-strand breaks repair (DSB/R), and chromatin structure were evaluated in multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines (melphalan-sensitive RPMI8226; melphalan-resistant LR5) and bone marrow plasma cells (BMPCs) from MM patients who responded (n = 17) or did not respond (n = 9) to subsequent melphalan therapy. The effect of DSB/R inhibition was also evaluated. Responders' BMPCs showed slower rates of NER and DSB/R (P < .0022), similar rates of ICL/R, and more condensed chromatin structure compared with nonresponders. Moreover, apoptosis rates of BMPCs were inversely correlated with individual DNA repair efficiency and were higher in responders' cells compared with those of nonresponders (P = .0011). Similarly, RPMI8226 cells showed slower rates of NER and DSB/R, comparable rates of ICL/R, more condensed chromatin structure, and higher sensitivity than LR5 cells. Interestingly, cotreatment of BMPCs or cell lines with DSB/R inhibitors significantly reduced the rates ofDSB/R and increasedmelphalan sensitivity of the cells, with the nonhomologous end-joining inhibitor SCR7 showing the strongest effect. Together, responders' BMPCs are characterized by lower efficiencies of NER and DSB/R mechanisms, resulting in higher accumulation of the extremely cytotoxic ICLs andDSBs lesions,which in turn triggers the induction of the apoptotic pathway. Moreover, the enhancement of melphalan cytotoxicity by DSB/R inhibition offers a promising strategy toward improvement of existing antimyeloma regimens. © 2016 by The American Society of Hematology.

A literature review was conducted to present if travellers accept the mobile healthcare (m-Health) technologies. The research was run on international scientific databases using certain keywords to cover the content of the review. From the online search results, 21 publications were selected which combine the "m-Health", "travellers" and "technology acceptance" topics. The majority of the papers are using the Technology Acceptance Model (or a variation of it) on their methodology. Only few papers discuss about the above three topics simultaneously. All of the publications highlight the acceptance of the mobile technologies by their users. Based on this, it can be assumed that travellers may accept the m-Health applications. Further investigation is needed on this subject to give more accurate results.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate whether multistranded fixed retainers prevented overeruption of unopposed mandibular second molars in maxillary first molar extraction cases. METHODS: The panoramic radiographs of 65 Class II Division 1 Caucasian Whites (28 females, 37 males) consecutively treated with bilateral maxillary first molar extraction and the Begg technique, and with records taken after treatment (T1) and in retention (T2), were withdrawn from private practice records. After appliance removal, mandibular second molars were retained with sectional wires till at least T2 in case of lack of occlusal contact with the antagonist. The subjects were assigned to study-retention and control-nonretention groups based on the retention status of mandibular second molars. Radiographic analysis was carried out to determine inclination of mandibular molars and the resulting movement of second molar centroids. Parametric and nonparametric tests were performed to assess the changes between T1 and T2. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in molar inclination were observed between groups and timepoints (P > 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in molar movement percentages (P > 0.05) irrespective of whether fixed retention had been used or not. CONCLUSIONS: No significant eruption occurred in unopposed mandibular second molars bonded with fixed sectional retainers compared to molars partially occluded with the antagonists without fixed retention. Given the study limitations, fixed retention should be considered with caution in restricting tooth overeruption in unopposed molars.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has undeniably earned a prestigious post in the quiver of interventional cardiologists against symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Cerebrovascular events are listed within the most frequent complications. METHODS: We performed a systematic search of EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane library from inception to March 2016 for the following search terms (transcatheter AND antiplatelet) OR (transcatheter AND antithrombotic) to retrieve studies of dual antiplatelet treatment (DAPT) and single antiplatelet treatment (SAPT) in patients after TAVI to study thrombotic, hemorrhagic and cardiovascular events at 30 days post procedure. From a total of 208 records 4 studies met inclusion criteria. RESULTS: In the included studies, 286 patients were enrolled in the DAPT group and 354 patients in the SAPT group. There was no difference in all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, stroke, and myocardial infraction 30 days post TAVI between DAPT and SAPT. However, patients in the DAPT group had a significantly increased incidence of lethal and major bleeding at 30 days of follow-up and the incidence of the combined end-point of stroke, spontaneous MI, all-cause mortality and major bleeding was significantly higher in the DAPT group in comparison to the SAPT group. CONCLUSION: DAPT compared to SAPT in patients after TAVI increases incidence of hemorrhagic events with no benefits in terms of thrombotic events and cardiovascular mortality. However, these data must be interpreted cautiously and the choice of DAPT over SAPT must be based on an individual patient characteristic according to medical practice criteria.

We report on the influence of elastic waves on the optical response and light emission in simultaneously photonic and phononic resonant cavities. Elastic waves couple with light through the acousto-optic interaction. Concurrent control of both light and sound through simultaneously photonic–phononic, often called phoxonic, band-gap structures is intended to advance both our understanding as well as our ability to manipulate light with sound and vise versa. In particular, co-localization of light and sound in phoxonic cavities could trigger nonlinear absorption and emission processes and lead to enhanced acousto-optic effects. We review our recent work on sound-controlled optical response and light emission in phoxonic cavities and investigate the limits of validity of the photoelastic model that describes light–sound interaction to first-order approximation. Moreover we present some preliminary results on silicon nitride nanobeam phoxonic devices.

The frequency ω dependent storage G′(ω) and loss G″(ω) moduli of star-shaped polystyrene (SPS) molecules of a range of functionalities f and molecular weights per arm Ma were measured under small amplitude oscillatory shear conditions. Star-shaped macromolecules are composed of an inner region, core, where the chain segments are stretched and the “packing” density is higher than that of the outer region, corona. The frequency dependencies of G′(ω) and G″(ω) for low functionality molecules (f<8) with long arms Ma are well described by the model of Milner and McLeish, indicating that the translational dynamics are facilitated by an arm retraction mechanism. With increasing values of f and decreasing Ma the model failsthe arm retraction process is no longer validdue largely to the increasing size of the core in relation to the overall size of the molecule. The molecules exhibit evidence of spatial structural order due to entropic, intermolecular interactions, and the translational dynamics of these molecules occur via a cooperative process, akin to that of soft colloids, for sufficiently large values of f and small Ma. The overall dynamics may be summarized in a diagram delineating different mechanisms that facilitate flow as a function of f and Ma. 

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of low-intensity running performed immediately after lower-body power-training sessions on power development. METHODS: Twenty young females participated in 6 weeks, 3/week, of either lower body power training (PT) or lower body power training followed by 30 min of low-intensity running (PET) eliciting 60-70 % of maximal heart rate. The following were measured before and after the training period: counter-movement jump, isometric leg press force and rate of force development (RFD), half squat 1-RM, vastus lateralis fiber type composition and cross sectional area, resting intramuscular fiber conduction velocity (MFCV), and heart rate during the modified Bruce treadmill test. RESULTS: Counter-movement jump height and peak power increased after PT (10.7 ± 6.2 and 12.9 ± 18.7 %, p < 0.05) but not after PET (3.4 ± 7.6 and 5.11 ± 10.94 %, p > 0.05). Maximum isometric force, RFD, and half squat 1-RM increased similarly in both groups. Muscle fiber type composition was not altered in either group. Muscle fiber cross sectional area increased only after PT (17.5 ± 17.4, 14.5 ± 10.4, 20.36 ± 11.3 %, in type I, IIA, and IIX fibers, respectively, p < 0.05). Likewise, mean MFCV increased with PT only (before: 4.53 ± 0.38 m s(-1), after: 5.09 ± 0.39 m s(-1), p = 0.027). Submaximal heart rate during the Bruce treadmill test remained unchanged after PT but decreased after PET. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that low-intensity running performed after lower-body power training impairs the exercise-induced adaptation in stretch-shortening cycle jumping performance (vertical jump height, peak power), during the first 6 weeks of training, which may be partially linked to inhibited muscle fiber hypertrophy and muscle fiber conduction velocity.

A series of experiments was carried out to investigate any structural or biochemical alterations on Arabidopsis thaliana (Col.) plants after a long term exposure to non ionizing radiation emitted from the base unit of a cordless DECT system. Exposed plants, compared to their control counterparts, seem to be affected concerning their biomass and leaf structure. Their leaves are thinner and possess fewer chloroplasts. SEM observations of the exposed leaves reveal that the only feature affected is the pubescence which almost disappears while TEM investigation revealed minor structural effects in the chloroplasts. The reduction in the number of chloroplasts as well as the decrease of stroma thylakoids and photosynthetic pigments are probably the main reasons for a weak photosynthetic potential and a consequent reduction of the biomass production. © 2016 Elsevier GmbH.

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) was experimentally cultivated with the use of digested, dried sewage sludge (130 t/ha) and water from a municipal Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in order to assess their potential to replace conventional fertilization (100 kg N/ha, 75 kg P2O5/ha and 75 kg Κ2O/ha) and irrigation. Tap water and treated wastewater were used for irrigation in quantities corresponding to 6500 m3/ha. Four different treatment combinations were applied as follows: (a) wastewater irrigation and conventional fertilization, (b) wastewater irrigation and sewage sludge fertilization, (c) tap water irrigation and sewage sludge fertilization, and (d) tap water irrigation and conventional fertilization. The dry plant biomass collected in the final harvest (140 days after plant emergence) from the four treatment plots was 12.3 t/ha, 12.6 t/ha, 12.4 t/ha and 12.8 t/ha respectively. These differences were not statistically significant (ANOVA, P = 0.05) and, therefore, it was concluded that the use of municipal wastes had similar effects on dry biomass production with that of conventional fertilization. An earlier harvest (125 days after plant emergence) gave 11.3% lower dry biomass on average in relation to the second harvest, and this difference was statistically significant (ANOVA, P = 0.05). Premature harvest may lead to significant biomass losses, so the plant must be collected during its technological maturity stage. There was not any statistically significant difference among the four treatments and between the two harvests in fiber dimensions and derived values (suitability indices for paper manufacture). On the other hand, cellulose and lignin content in the second harvest were significantly higher compared to the first one, whereas no significant differences were detected among the four treatments. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.

Hydroxymethyl ketones are useful auxiliaries in organic synthesis and are also found in several medicinal agents. N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been used in the literature in order to introduce the hydroxymethyl group into aromatic aldehydes in good yields, but they are not that successful for aliphatic aldehydes. In the present work, the use of microwave irradiation has been efficiently incorporated into this organocatalytic synthesis of aromatic, but more importantly of aliphatic hydroxymethyl ketones that can be used as precursors for medicinally interesting compounds.

Resumen: En la novela Aluvión de fuego de Óscar Cerruto se tocan varios aspectos de la sociedad boliviana relacionados con la guerra del Chaco. Se realiza una crítica aguda del sistema político que fue la causa de una guerra absurda y de las injusticias que sufren las capas más desfavorecidas de la población boliviana. El entorno físico juega un papel importante, ya que, aparte de ser el casus belli de la guerra, define la vida y la mentalidad de los personajes, especialmente de los indígenas y los mineros. A través del recorrido del joven protagonista, un rico burgués, por el vasto territorio boliviano se revela una sociedad en crisis debida a la falta de comunicación que caracteriza la clase dominante y los indios. Cerruto cuestiona la situación política y social, mientras que expresa la necesidad de la formación de una conciencia nacional en el pueblo boliviano. Abstract: The Oscar Cerruto´s novel, Aluvión de fuego, presents various aspects of the Bolivian society related to the Chaco War; it condemns the political situation, which is responsible for the absurd war and the injustices the lower social classes suffered. The natural environment setting of the novel is of special importance, because it is the casus belli and defines the life and the whole mentality of the characters, especially of the Indians and miners. The young protagonist´s tour of the vast Bolivian territory, who is a rich bourgeois, shows a society in crisis because of the lack of communication between the ruling class and the Indians. Cerruto questions the political and social situation and expresses the need to form a national consciousness in the Bolivian people.

This paper presents a comparison between e-Learning and traditional learning methods of a University course on Health Informatics domain. A pilot research took place among University students who divided on two learning groups, the e-learners and the traditional learners. A comparison of the examinations' marks for the two groups of students was conducted in order to find differences on students' performance. The study results reveal that the students scored almost the same marks independently of the learning procedure. Based on that, it can be assumed that the e-learning courses have the same effectiveness as the in-classroom learning sessions.

We employ two tight-binding (TB) approaches to systematically study the electronic structure and hole or electron transfer in B-DNA monomer polymers and dimer polymers made up of N monomers (base pairs): (I) at the base-pair level, using the onsite energies of base pairs and the hopping integrals between successive base pairs, i.e., a wire model and (II) at the single-base level, using the onsite energies of the bases and the hopping integrals between neighboring bases, i.e., an extended ladder model since we also include diagonal hoppings. We solve a system of M (matrix dimension) coupled equations [(I) M=N, (II) M=2N] for the time-independent problem, and a system of M coupled first order differential equations for the time-dependent problem. We perform a comparative study of stationary and time-dependent aspects of the two TB variants, using realistic sets of parameters. The studied properties include HOMO and LUMO eigenspectra, occupation probabilities, density of states and HOMO-LUMO gaps as well as mean over time probabilities to find the carrier at each site [(I) base pair or (II) base], Fourier spectra, which reflect the frequency content of charge transfer, and pure mean transfer rates from a certain site to another. The two TB approaches give coherent, complementary aspects of electronic properties and charge transfer in B-DNA monomer polymers and dimer polymers.

This volume brings together a variety of approaches to the different ways in which the role of animals was understood in ancient Greco-Roman myth and religion, across a period of several centuries, from Preclassical Greece to Late Antique Rome. Animals in Greco-Roman antiquity were thought to be intermediaries between men and gods, and they played a pivotal role in sacrificial rituals and divination, the foundations of pagan religion. The studies in the first part of the volume examine the role of the animals in sacrifice and divination. The second part explores the similarities between animals, on the one hand, and men and gods, on the other. Indeed, in antiquity, the behaviour of several animals was perceived to mirror human behaviour, while the selection of the various animals as sacrificial victims to specific deities often was determined on account of some peculiar habit that echoed a special attribute of the particular deity. The last part of this volume is devoted to the study of animal metamorphosis, and to this end a number of myths that associate various animals with transformation are examined from a variety of perspectives.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Monoclonal antibodies mark the beginning of a new era in the context of multiple myeloma (MM) treatment. Numerous antibodies have been tested or are currently in development for patients with MM, in order to improve tolerability and quality of life. Areas covered: This manuscript reviews emerging antibodies for the treatment of MM i.e. elotuzumab, daratumumab, MOR03087, isatuximab, bevacizumab, cetuximab, siltuximab, tocilizumab, elsilimomab, azintrel, rituximab, tositumomab, milatuzumab, lucatumumab, dacetuzumab, figitumumab, dalotuzumab, AVE1642, tabalumab, pembrolizumab, pidilizumab, nivolumab. Expert opinion: Amongst these antibodies, elotuzumab which targets SLAMF-7 and daratumumab which targets CD38, have been recently approved by FDA for patients with relapsed/refractory MM. Both agents are well tolerated. Multiple clinical trials incorporating these monoclonal antibodies in MM treatment are currently ongoing. Of special interest are the anticipated results of phase III clinical trials with elotuzumab [NCT0189164; NCT01335399; NCT02495922] and daratumumab [NCT02252172; NCT02195479] in newly diagnosed MM patients. Moreover, of great interest are the awaited data on pembrolizumabin combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone in refractory/relapsed MM patients [NCT02576977] and in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed MM patients. It seems that the incorporation of monoclonal antibodies will change the landscape of myeloma therapy in the near future. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Monoclonal antibodies mark the beginning of a new era in the context of multiple myeloma (MM) treatment. Numerous antibodies have been tested or are currently in development for patients with MM, in order to improve tolerability and quality of life. Areas covered: This manuscript reviews emerging antibodies for the treatment of MM i.e. elotuzumab, daratumumab, MOR03087, isatuximab, bevacizumab, cetuximab, siltuximab, tocilizumab, elsilimomab, azintrel, rituximab, tositumomab, milatuzumab, lucatumumab, dacetuzumab, figitumumab, dalotuzumab, AVE1642, tabalumab, pembrolizumab, pidilizumab, nivolumab. Expert opinion: Amongst these antibodies, elotuzumab which targets SLAMF-7 and daratumumab which targets CD38, have been recently approved by FDA for patients with relapsed/refractory MM. Both agents are well tolerated. Multiple clinical trials incorporating these monoclonal antibodies in MM treatment are currently ongoing. Of special interest are the anticipated results of phase III clinical trials with elotuzumab [NCT0189164; NCT01335399; NCT02495922] and daratumumab [NCT02252172; NCT02195479] in newly diagnosed MM patients. Moreover, of great interest are the awaited data on pembrolizumabin combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone in refractory/relapsed MM patients [NCT02576977] and in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in newly diagnosed MM patients. It seems that the incorporation of monoclonal antibodies will change the landscape of myeloma therapy in the near future. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

This study provides new evidence on emerging stock market contagion during the Global Financial crisis (GFC) and the Euro zone Sovereign Debt Crisis (ESDC). Focusing on the three emerging Baltic markets and developed European markets, proxied by the EUROSTOXX50 stock index, we explore asymmetric dynamic conditional correlation dynamics across stable and crisis periods. Empirical evidence indicates a diverse contagion pattern for the Baltic region across the two crises. Latvia and Lithuania were contagious during the GFC, while they were insulated from the adverse effects of the ESDC. On the other hand, Estonia decoupled from the negative consequences during the global turmoil period, but recoupled during the ESDC. The results could be attributed to financial and macroeconomic characteristics of the Baltic countries before and after the turmoil periods and the introduction time of the Euro as a national currency.

Δίγλωσση έκδοση στα ελληνικά και καταλανικά. Εκδ. Carmen Narro.Το βιβλίο σχετίζεται με τη δράση της Καταλανικής Κομπανίας στη Βυζαντινή Αυτοκρατορία στις αρχές του 14ου, όπως αυτή αποτυπώθηκε σε τμήμα του Χρονικού του Ραμόν Μουντανέρ, έργο του α’ μισού του ίδιου αιώνα. Αποτελεί προϊόν συνεργασίας με τρεις καθηγητές του Πανεπιστημίου της Βαλένθια και υλοποιήθηκε στο πλαίσιο σχετικού ερευνητικού προγράμματος. Η δίγλωσση έκδοση (καταλανικό πρωτότυπο-ελληνική μετάφραση), 417 σελίδων, περιέχει Πρόλογο, Εισαγωγή, τα κεφάλαια CXCIV-CCXLIV (πρωτότυπο και μετάφραση, αλλά και πλήθος υποσημειώσεων στα καταλανικά και τα ελληνικά) και σχετικούς πίνακες προσώπων, θεμάτων και γεωγραφικών όρων.

Collective hybridized plasmon modes, which enable strong magnetooptical coupling and consequent enhanced Faraday effect in three-dimensional periodic assemblies of magnetic dielectric nanoparticles coated with a noble-metal shell, are studied by means of rigorous full electrodynamic calculations using an extension of the layer-multiple-scattering method, in conjunction with the effective-medium approximation. A thorough analysis of relevant photonic dispersion diagrams and transmission spectra provides a consistent explanation of the underlying physical mechanisms to a degree that goes beyond existing interpretation. It is shown that properly designed structures of such composite magnetoplasmonic nanoparticles offer a versatile platform for engineering increased and broadband Faraday rotation.

From 1979 to 1989, ten million tons of phosphogypsum, a waste by-product of the Greek phosphate fertilizer industry, was disposed into an abandoned limestone quarry in Schistos former waste site, Piraeus (Greece). The quarry has been recently closed and remediated using geomembranes and thick soil cover with vegetation. A part of the deposited phosphogypsum has been exposed due to intense rainfall episodes leading to concerns about how could potentially released radioactivity affect the surrounding environment. This study seeks to assess the environmental impact of the phosphogypsum deposited in the Schistos quarry, using laboratory-based $\gamma$-ray spectrometry measurements and geographical information systems. Radioactivity concentrations were mapped onto spatial-data to yield a spatial-distribution of radioactivity in the area. The data indicate elevated 226Ra concentrations in a specific area on the steep south-eastern cliff of the remediated waste site that comprises uncovered phosphogypsum and is known to be affected by local weather conditions. 226Ra concentrations range from 162 to 629 Bq/kg, with an average activity being on the low side, compared to the global averages for phosphogypsum. Nevertheless, the low environmental risk may be minimized by remediating this area with geomembranes and thick soil cover with vegetation, a technique, which has worked successfully over the remainder of the remediated quarry.

{The main objective of this work is the assessment of the annual number of hospital admissions for respiratory disease (HARD) due to the exposure to inhalable particulate matter (PM10), within the greater Athens area (GAA), Greece. Towards this aim, the time series of the particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 mu m (PM10) recorded in six monitoring stations located in the GAA, for a 13-year period 2001-2013, is used. In this study AirQ2.2.3 software developed by the WHO, was used to evaluate adverse health effects by PM10 in the GAA during the examined period. The results show that, the mean annual HARD cases per 100,000 inhabitants ranged between 20 (suburban location) and 40 (city centre location). Approximately 70 % of the annual HARD cases are due to city centre residents. In all examined locations, a declining trend in the annual number of HARD cases is appeared. Moreover, a strong relation between the annual number of HARD cases and the annual number of days exceeding the European Union daily PM10 threshold value was found.}