Publications

The main research aim of this paper is to examine the slope-stream erosionalprocess in the Korinthos drainage basin located in the north – eastern part ofPeloponnese, Greece, by means of applying the fuzzy set theory on a GIS platform.The main steps of this procedure are: the definition of the input variables (erodibilityof rocks, slope angle, slope morphology), the construction of a fuzzy inference system based on theoretical and empirical knowledge for transforming the input to output variables (erosion – deposition) and the visualization of the output variables (Spatial distribution of the erosion-deposition processes). The earth’s surface is the result of endogenous (weathering) and exogenous (erosion) processes. Weathering destroys chemically, biologically and mechanically the structure and the cohesion of the rock. The erosional mechanism transports the sediment and depends on many factors such as: frequency and magnitude of precipitation, surface and subsurface waters, slope elements (geometry, length and angle), rocks’ susceptibility to erosion, vegetation cover, human actions and land use. The study of the erosional process demands a series of steps in order to obtain the final output maps. These steps include: 1) field-work, air-photos and satellite images interpretation, map digitization (geological, topographical, drainage), 2) definition of input and output variables, 3) formulation of the proper logical rules (Boolean or fuzzy) for the transformation of input variables to output variables, 4) analysis and visualization of the output results.The input variables used in this research are: erodibility of rocks, slope angle andslope morphology. The erodibility of rocks depends on many variables which showspatial and time variation. Firstly, it depends on physical and chemical characteristics of the rocks and the rocks’ structure and discontinuities. Secondly, it depends on the existence of a protective vegetative cover which contributes in the increase of the infiltration capacity and limits the runoff flow. Thirdly, it depends on the characteristics of the involved processes: the intensity and duration of precipitation and also its spatial and time distribution and its raindrop size.The input variables are inserted into a fuzzy inference system, constructed in orderto transform them to output variables (erosion-deposition variable). This is achievedby the formulation of the proper ‘if…then’ rules based on theoretical as well asempirical knowledge of the erosional processes.The output variable (erosion) expresses the degree of erosion and deposition ofthe various parts of the drainage basin and is presented through erosion risk maps of the area that is studied.

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We have employed magnetization measurements, Mössbauer and ESR spectroscopic techniques, in order to study the ferromagnetic insulating (FMI) compound La1-xCaxMnO3 (x=0.175) doped with 1% 57Fe. We have used two samples; one prepared in air which has cation vacancies and a second in inert atmosphere, which is stoichiometric. An abrupt change of the experimental results is obtained, by all techniques, in the ferromagnetic insulating regime, in the temperature region of T O/O//≈60 K, where an orbital rearrangement is suggested to occur. An analysis of these findings points to an orbital rearrangement transformation. Ferromagnetic resonance reveals considerable differences between stoichiometric and cation deficient samples, indicating anisotropy of the exchange interactions in the former sample with significant temperature dependence, most pronounced in the vicinity of TO/O//. © EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag 2005.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the presence of motor signs has predictive value for important outcomes in Alzheimer disease (AD). METHODS: A total of 533 patients with AD at early stages (mean Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] 21/30 at entry) were recruited and followed semiannually for up to 13.1 years (mean 3) in five University-based AD centers in the United States and European Union. Four outcomes, assessed every 6 months, were used in Cox models: cognitive endpoint (Columbia Mini-Mental State Examination < or = 20/57 [ approximately MMSE < or = 10/30]), functional endpoint (Blessed Dementia Rating Scale > or = 10), institutionalization equivalent index, and death. Using a standardized portion of the Unified PD Rating Scale (administered every 6 months for a total of 3,149 visit-assessments, average 5.9 per patient), the presence of motor signs, as well as of individual motor sign domains, was examined as time-dependent predictor. The models controlled for cohort, recruitment center, sex, age, education, a comorbidity index, and baseline cognitive and functional performance. RESULTS: A total of 39% of the patients reached the cognitive, 41% the functional, 54% the institutionalization, and 47% the mortality endpoint. Motor signs were noted for 14% of patients at baseline and for 45% at any evaluation. Their presence was associated with increased risk for cognitive decline (RR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.24 to 2.38), functional decline (1.80 [1.33 to 2.45]), institutionalization (1.68 [1.26 to 2.25]), and death (1.38 [1.05 to 1.82]). Tremor was associated with increased risk for reaching the cognitive and bradykinesia for reaching the functional endpoints. Postural-gait abnormalities carried increased risk for institutionalization and mortality. Faster rates of motor sign accumulation were associated with increased risk for all outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Motor signs predict cognitive and functional decline, institutionalization, and mortality in Alzheimer disease. Different motor sign domains predict different outcomes.

The outburst and eclipse characteristics of the eclipsing dwarf nova EX Dra prompted us to monitor it during the months July-August 2000 with the 1.2m telescope of the National Observatory of Athens (NOA). Here, we present an eclipse mapping study of the July 2000 light curves. B-band of the August 2000 data have been presented by Harlaftis et al. (2002).

The in-vitro activities of penicillin, ticarcillin-clavulanic acid, cefoxitin, imipenem, ertapenem, metronidazole and clindamycin were evaluated against 138 Gram-negative anaerobic isolates (82 Bacteroides fragilis group, 17 non-fragilis Bacteroides spp., 31 Prevotella spp., four Fusobacterium spp., two Veillonella spp., one Porphyromonas sp. and one Tissierella praeacuta) collected from six general hospitals in Athens, Greece. Overall rates of non-susceptibility (both resistant and intermediately-resistant) to penicillin and ticarcillin-clavulanic acid were 81.8% and 2.3%, respectively. The rates of non-susceptibility to cefoxitin and clindamycin were 30.3% and 31.1%, respectively, and that for metronidazole was 4.3% (four Prevotella spp. isolates, one Porphyromonas sp. isolate and one B. fragilis isolate). Only the single B. fragilis isolate was nim-positive by PCR. Only one B. fragilis isolate was resistant to both carbapenems tested, while six more Bacteroides spp. isolates were imipenem-susceptible and ertapenem-non-susceptible. The MIC range, MIC(50) and MIC(90) values were comparable for imipenem and ertapenem, although ertapenem MIC(90)s were one or two two-fold dilutions higher.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to illustrate the clinicopathological features of patients presenting with multifocal extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Among 810 patients with NHL, 37 cases (4.2%) were found to have multiple extranodal involvement (two or more sites). There were 24 men and 13 women, with a median age of 63 years. The majority of these cases (n = 26) had gastric or intestinal (GI) involvement with or without other extranodal sites. Lung along with another extranodal site was relatively common in the present series. Stratification of the 37 cases according to the International Prognostic Index (IPI) showed that 89% of the patients belonged to the high-risk groups. Diffuse large-B -cell lymphoma (DLBCL) accounted for 62%, and mucosa-associated lymphoma tissue (MALT) lymphoma accounted for 27% of all cases. After induction treatment with anthracycline-based regimens, complete remission was achieved in 21 patients (57%), partial remission was achieved in six patients (16%), and seven patients (19%) had no response, while three patients (8%) were nonevaluable. In conclusion, multifocal extranodal NHL is a heterogeneous group of diseases. The majority of them arise at various sites in the GI tract. DLBCL was the most frequent histological subtype followed by MALT lymphoma. Risk group, as defined by the IPI, was predictive of survival. ©AlphaMed Press.

Objectives: Purpose of this study was to compare prognostic factors and outcome of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) aged > 70 yr at diagnosis with those of younger patients. We also applied the recently proposed International Staging System (ISS) for MM in these patients. Patients and methods: Among 1,162 newly diagnosed, symptomatic MM patients included in our database, 357 (31%) were > 70 yr of age. Clinical and laboratory variables were evaluated in patients > 70 yr and in younger patients and were assessed for possible correlation with survival in patients > 70 yr of age. Results: Most clinical and laboratory features were similar in the two groups of patients but older patients presented more frequently with advanced ISS (P = 0.02). Despite similar response rates to primary treatment, younger patients survived longer than patients > 70 yr of age (40 vs. 28 months, P = 0.001). There was a longer survival of younger patients than that of older patients diagnosed with ISS stage 1 (median 71 vs. 54 months, P = 0.007) and ISS stage-2 patients (median: 38 vs. 26 months, P = 0.0008) but for patients with ISS stage 3 median survival was similarly poor in the younger and older age group (21 and 20 months, P = 0.283). Other variables associated with impaired prognosis were severe anemia, extensive bone marrow plasmacytosis and elevated serum LDH. Conclusions: Older patients with MM present more often with advanced ISS and have significantly shorter survival than younger patients. The ISS retained its prognostic significance within the group of elderly patients. © Blackwell Munksgaard 2005.

This book came to fruition as a result of my interest and research in the area of integration as well as music education’s role and independence within the educational process and formal classroom.The concepts of integration, interdisciplinarity and other relative terms are explained through the trace of their historical and philosophical roots and uses. The autonomy of music within the umbrella of arts as well as integrative applications between music and other subjects is discussed and issues and problems are highlighted.It was the first book in the Greek language with this subject and was reviewed and presented in the specialized press.The second edition with minor corrections was published in 2008 and the third in 2014.

Bone disease is a major feature of multiple myeloma. Myeloma-induced bone destruction is the result of an increased activity of osteoclasts, which is not accompanied by a comparable increase of osteoblast function. Recent studies have revealed that new molecules such as the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B (RANK), its ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α are implicated in osteoclast activation and differentiation, while proteins such as dickkopf-1 inhibit osteoblastic bone formation. These new molecules seem to interfere not only with the biology of myeloma bone destruction but also with tumour growth and survival, creating novel targets for the development of new antimyeloma treatment. Currently, bisphosphonates play a major role in the management of myeloma bone disease. Clodronate, pamidronate and zoledronic acid are the most effective bisphosphonates in symptomatic myeloma patients. Biochemical markers of bone remodeling have been used in an attempt to identify patients more likely to benefit from early treatment with bisphosphonates. Furthermore, using microarray techniques, myeloma patients may be subdivided into molecular subgroups with certain clinical characteristics, such as propensity for lytic lesions that may need early prophylactic treatment. Recent phase I studies with recombinant OPG and monoclonal antibodies to RANKL appear promising. © 2005 European Society for Medical Oncology.

Immunonutrition with diets enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are becoming mandatory for multiple trauma patients. Solutions containing single n-6 PUFAs were administered intravenously in an experimental model of trauma. Thirty-five rabbits were studied; 13 controls; 10 administered gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) 30 min after fracture of the right femor; and 12 arachidonic acid (AA). Systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures and heart rate were recorded; serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrate were estimated before and after therapy. Mean survival of controls, of animals treated with GLA and of animals treated with AA was 0.80, 1.41 and 3.60 days, respectively. Administration of PUFAs induced higher levels of blood pressure; that of AA decreased serum TNFalpha and tissue bacterial load compared to controls. Intravenous administration of n-6 PUFAs conferred hemodynamic stability and increased survival in a model of trauma rendering further research mandatory.

The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer has been clarified by recent randomized studies and meta-analyses, which all showed that cisplatin-based, combination chemotherapy offers a significant survival advantage. Preoperative chemotherapy results in downstaging in a significant percentage of patients, which is an independent factor of favorable prognosis. Nevertheless, the optimal sequence of perioperative chemotherapy remains undefined. The authors examine the results of large Phase II and randomized studies as well as the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the context of bladder preservation strategies. Finally, issues of improving therapeutic efficacy and directing clinical research are discussed. © 2005 Future Drugs Ltd.

Magnetic nanostructures on nonmagnetic or magnetic substrates have attracted strong attention due to the development of interesting experimental methods with atomic resolution. Motivated by this progress we have extended the full-potential Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker Green-function method to treat noncollinear magnetic nanostructures on surfaces. We focus on magnetic 3d impurity nanoclusters, sitting as adatoms on or in the first surface layer on Ni(001), and investigate the size and orientation of the local moments and, moreover, the stabilization of noncollinear magnetic solutions. While clusters of Fe, Co, Ni atoms are magnetically collinear, noncollinear magnetic coupling is expected for Cr and Mn clusters on surfaces of elemental ferromagnets. The origin of frustration is the competition of the antiferromagnetic exchange coupling among the Cr or Mn atoms with the antiferromagnetic (for Cr) or ferromagnetic (for Mn) exchange coupling between the impurities and the substrate. We find that Cr and Mn first-neighboring dimers and a Mn trimer on Ni(001) show noncollinear behavior nearly degenerate with the most stable collinear configuration. Increasing the distance between the dimer atoms leads to a collinear behavior, similar to the one of the single impurities. Finally, we compare some of the noncollinear ab initio results to those obtained within a classical Heisenberg model, where the exchange constants are fitted to total energies of the collinear states; the agreement is surprisingly good.

The purpose of this retrospective study, the largest unselected series in our country, was to illustrate the clinicopathological features of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of lymphoid neoplasms. A retrospective analysis was conducted and clinical features of histological subtypes were established in 810 patients (age ≥ 15 years) with NHL who were treated at 8 major centers representative of Greece. There were 435 males and 375 females 95% of them aged >30 years. B symptoms were present in 34% of the patients, while 45.3% had stages I-II and 54.6% had stages III-IV. LDH was increased in 37% of the patients. B cell lymphomas formed 88% of the cases whereas T cell lymphomas formed 12% of the total. Indolent lymphomas accounted for 31.1%, aggressive ones for 66.7% and very aggressive ones for 2.4% of all NHLs. Among indolent lymphomas extranodal ones (MALT B cell lymphoma) were the most common subset while follicular lymphoma grade I and II and small lymphocytic ones presented with equal frequency. Among the aggressive lymphomas diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL) was the most common subtype; this entity along with large-cell immunoblastic lymphomas accounted for 45.2% of all B cell lymphomas. Among the T cell lymphomas, peripheral T cell lymphomas and anaplastic large cell lymphomas of the T/null-cell type were the most common subtypes. The most common extranodal presentation was the gastrointestinal tract (GI). Next in frequency were primary extranodal NHL of the head and neck region. MALT B cell lymphomas were found in almost half of the patients with GI tract NHL, whereas in all other extranodal places DLCL was the predominant histological subtype. The median survival for indolent and aggressive NHL was 123.5 and 55.5 months, respectively. This is the first report of a large series of malignant lymphomas in Greece using the WHO classification. It appears that there are no significant differences between NHL in Greece and other large series as far as clinical and extranodal presentation is concerned. The frequency of follicular lymphoma in the current study is comparable to that reported from Asian countries and mainland Europe, but lower than that of US and Northern European series. There were no important differences in the incidence of the remaining histological subtypes between Greece and other European countries. Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG.

The nucleation of superconductivity in a hybrid film (HF) that consists of randomly distributed CoPt ferromagnetic nanoparticles (FNs) embedded in a 200 nm Nb layer was studied by combined magnetic and magnetoresistance measurements. The FNs exhibit both soft and hard magnetic behaviour. It is found that both magnetic phases contribute to the modulation of bulk and surface-like superconductivity by broadening their intermediate regime. More specifically, while the soft FNs (SFNs) promote bulk superconductivity, the hard FNs (HFNs) suppress the bulk superconducting state. In contrast, both SFNs and HFNs promote surface-like superconductivity since on the H-T phase diagram the respective boundary line presents abrupt upturns at their corresponding saturation fields. The dependence of the observed effects on the magnetic history gives clear evidence that they are mainly induced by the cooperative action of the FNs. Our experimental results are compared with current theoretical studies on relevant hybrid systems. Finally, the possible applications that such HFs could find in the near future are discussed.

The optical properties of a dielectric waveguide coated on one side with a periodic monolayer of metallic nanospheres are studied by means of transmission and density-of-states calculations using the on-shell layer-multiple-scattering method. In particular, the strong coupling mechanism between the waveguide and collective particle–plasmon modes is analysed and its influence on the optical response of the system is elucidated.

We carried out spectroscopic observations of the optical transient near M31 reported in ATel #611 (RA = 00h38m54.63s DEC =+40o27'34.2" (J2000)) from the 1.3m telescope of the Skinakas Observatory in Crete (Greece) on the nights 28 and 29 September 2005. The spectra covered the range 3800-7000 angstroms. All the lines of the Balmer series up to H-8 appeared strongly in emission. The equivalent widths of the H-alpha and H-beta lines (the strongest emission features) on 28 September 2005 were -550+-25 angstrom and -220+-20 angstrom, respectively and the FWHM 1800+-30 km/s in both lines.

This article investigates the role of option contracts in a supply chain when the demand curve is downward sloping. We consider call (put) options that provide the retailer with the right to reorder (return) goods at a fixed price. We show that the introduction of option contracts causes the wholesale price to increase and the volatility of the retail price to decrease. In general, options are not zero-sum games. Conditions are derived under which the manufacturer prefers to use options. When this happens the retailer is also better off, if the uncertainty in the demand curve is low. However, if the uncertainty is sufficiently high, then the introduction of option contracts alters the equilibrium prices in a way that hurts the retailer. © 2005 INFORMS.

Purpose: Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has been associated recently with the use of pamidronate and zoledronic acid. We studied the incidence, characteristics, and risk factors for the development of ONJ among patients treated with bisphosphonates for bone metastases. Patients and Methods: ONJ was assessed prospectively since July 2003. The first bisphosphonate treatment among patients with ONJ was administered in 1997. Two hundred fifty-two patients who received bisphosphonates since January 1997 were included in this analysis. Results: Seventeen patients (6.7%) developed ONJ: 11 of 111 (9.9%) with multiple myeloma, two of 70 (2.9%) with breast cancer, three of 46 (6.5%) with prostate cancer, and one of 25 (4%) with other neoplasms (P = .289). The median number of treatment cycles and time of exposure to bisphosphonates were 35 infusions and 39.3 months for patients with ONJ compared with 15 infusions (P < .001) and 19 months (P = .001), respectively, for patients with no ONJ. The incidence of ONJ increased with time to exposure from 1.5% among patients treated for 4 to 12 months to 7.7% for treatment of 37 to 48 months. The cumulative hazard was significantly higher with zoledronic acid compared with pamidronate alone or pamidronate and zoledronic acid sequentially (P < .001). All but two patients with ONJ had a history of dental procedures within the last year or use of dentures. Conclusion: The use of bisphosphonates seems to be associated with the development of ONJ. Length of exposure seems to be the most important risk factor for this complication. The type of bisphosphonate may play a role and previous dental procedures may be a precipitating factor. © 2005 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Otitis media with effusion–defined as the accumulation of middle-ear effusion behind an intact tympanic membrane without signs or symptoms of acute infection–is one of the most common causes of hearing loss in children in developed countries, potentially leading to language deficits. Although treatment of chronic or relapsing otitis media with effusion is considered imperative, none of the preventative or nonsurgical management measures currently available have proven effective. Tympanostomy tube placement remains the recommended treatment option for high-risk children or for cases of unresponsive otitis media with effusion. This can be attributed to the uncertainties surrounding its pathogenesis. Multiple factors and several possible pathogenetic models have been proposed to explain the production and persistence of middle-ear effusion; only a few of them are supported by sufficient evidence. In this review, the authors will present current knowledge on the pathogenesis, consequences, diagnosis and management of otitis media with effusion. An effort will be made to clarify those aspects sufficiently supported by evidence-based studies, and to underline those that remain unfounded.

Background. Data about the outcome and prognostic factors in the group of patients with non-squamous cell advanced or recurrent carcinomas of the uterine cervix are limited. We compared the outcome of patients with non-squamous with that of squamous cell carcinomas after platinum-based combination chemotherapy as first line therapy for stage IV or recurrent cervical carcinoma. Patients and methods. A total of 200 patients with stage IV or recurrent carcinomas of the cervix received platinum-based combination chemotherapy and were included in our analysis. Results. There were 58 patients with non-squamous and 142 patients with squamous cell carcinomas. Response to chemotherapy was 53.5% in non-squamous vs. 43.5% in squamous carcinomas. Histology was not an independent predictor of tumor response (P = 0.797). Response rates were lower in patients with relapse only in a previously irradiated area in both squamous (26.9% vs. 53.5%, P = 0.005) and non-squamous carcinomas (47.1% vs. 65%, P = 0.270). Weight loss was the only significant predictor of survival in non-squamous histology patients (P <0.0001). There was no significant difference in median survival between squamous (11.57 months [95% CI 9.35-13.79]) and non-squamous carcinomas (19.05 months [95% CI 13.63-24.47]) (P = 0.064). After adjustment for independent prognostic factors (ECOG performance status and weight loss), differences in survival remained not significant. Conclusion. Our study showed a similar outcome for both squamous and non-squamous stage IV or recurrent cervical carcinomas treated with platinum-based combination chemotherapy. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Background: The majority of patients with advanced urothelial cancer are elderly, but data regarding this specific age group are limited. We compared the tolerability and efficacy of first-line platinum (cisplatin or carboplatin)-based chemotherapy in elderly patients (≥70 years) with those in younger patients. Patients and methods: A total of 381 patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma received CIMV (cisplatin, ifosphamide, methotrexate, vinblastine) (n=32), MVAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, cisplatin) (n=105), DC (docetaxel, cisplatin) (n=174), CaG (carboplatin, gemcitabine) (n=64) or other regimes (n=6) and were included in this analysis. Results: A total of 116 patients were ≥70 years. Elderly patients experienced more frequent neutropenia grade 3/4 (55% versus 37%, P=0.087) and renal toxicity (28% versus 10%, P=0.033) among patients treated with CIMV/MVAC, and neutropenic infections (4% versus 0%, P=0.019) among patients treated with DC. Median survival did not differ significantly between elderly and younger patients (9.3 versus 10.5 months, P=0.16). Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) and haemoglobin were independently associated with prognosis. Patients with PS <2 and haemoglobin ≥10g/dl had a median survival of 14 months as opposed to 5 months for patients with PS ≥2 or haemoglobin <10g/dl (P <0.001). Conclusion: Elderly patients with advanced urothelial cancer tolerate platinum-based chemotherapy well and derive the same benefit as their younger counterparts. © 2005 European Society for Medical Oncology.

BACKGROUND. Oral-based antibiotic therapy is the standard of care in the management of cancer patients with low-risk neutropenic fever. Nevertheless, to the authors' knowledge, the best antibiotic regimen and the feasibility of ambulatory treatment have not been clearly defined. METHODS. The authors evaluated the efficacy and safety of moxifloxacin as outpatient treatment in cancer patients with febrile neutropenia who were selected according to the recently proposed Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) risk assessment model. Moxifloxacin was given at a dose of 400 mg orally once daily. RESULTS. Fifty-four patients with solid and hematologic malignancies, the majority of whom (84%) had advanced disease, were included in the current study. The median neutrophil count at the time of study entry was 340/mm3 (range, 20-950/mm3) and the median duration of neutropenia was 4 days (range, 3-14 days). Of 55 neutropenic episodes, 50 (91%) had a successful outcome with a median time to defervescence of 2 days (range, 1-5 days). A multivariate analysis indicated that severe neutropenia (an absolute neutrophil count of < 100 mm3) was the only independent factor associated with treatment failure (P < 0.04). Moxifloxacin was found to be well tolerated and there were no infectious deaths reported. CONCLUSIONS. The results of the current study demonstrated that moxifloxacin was a highly effective and safe regimen in the outpatient treatment of cancer patients with febrile neutropenia. © 2005 American Cancer Society.

Background: We compared the combination plus Carboplatin plus paclitaxel, which is considered the treatment of choice for initial chemotherapy of advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) with a regimen combining alternating carboplatin and cisplatin plus paclitaxel. The two platinum derivatives have been previously combined as they are not totally cross-resistant and as they share no overlapping toxicities. Patients and methods: Patients with AOC, after the initial cytoreductive surgery were randomized to either 6 courses of paclitaxel at 175 mg/m2 as 3h infusion plus Carboplatin at 7 AUC (Arm A) or Paclitaxel at the same dose plus Carboplatin again at 7 AUC for cycles 1,3,5, while for cycles 2,4,6 Cisplatin at 75 mg/m2 substituted for Carboplatin (Arm B). Results: 247 patients are analyzed. Significant differences were not found, both in terms of PFS (38 vs 39 months, p=0.95) and overall survival (40.6 vs 38.6 months, p=0.79). There was not also difference in 5-year survival rate (35% vs 39%) or 5-year PFS rate (23% vs 28%). Age >60, PS 2, stage IV disease and presence of residual disease were adversely related to the overall survival. Conclusion: Both regimens are well tolerated and effective. Alternating cisplatin with carboplatin does not improve the results compared with the standard combination. © 2005 European Society fr Medical Oncology.

The irinotecan-cisplatin combination has emerged as a new standard for the treatment of advanced-stage small-cell lung cancer (AS-SCLC). To move forward we developed a 3-day regimen of cisplatin, etoposide and irinotecan. Successive cohorts of AS-SCLC patients were treated with irinotecan administered as a single 1-h infusion in combination with fixed doses of cisplatin (20 mg/m 2) and etoposide (75 mg/m2), both given for three consecutive days (ECI regimen). Irinotecan dose was escalated from 60 mg/m 2 by 40-mg/m2 increments. At mid-step between the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the previous dose level, patients were randomized for the day of administration of irinotecan (day 1 vs day 3). A total of 36 AS-SCLC patients received 166 courses of treatment at four dose levels. The MTD of irinotecan was 140 mg/m2 (three dose-limiting toxicities, DLTs), and the recommended optimal dose (ROD) 120 mg/m2 (two DLTs). DLTs were febrile neutropenia and grade 3 diarrhea. Other toxicities were mild. No difference in toxicity was seen between the two time schedules. A 77% (95% CI 63.25-90.75%) response rate was recorded among 31 evaluable patients and the median survival was 12 months. The ECI regimen was well tolerated and showed considerable activity in patients with AS-SCLC. Phase II/III evaluation is ongoing. © Springer-Verlag 2005.

This paper presents research on controlling synthetic voice via a MIDI accordion. As motivation for this research served the goal of reviving "lost instruments", that is of using existing traditional instruments “lost” to new music genres as interfaces to control new types of sound generation in novel and future genres of music.We worked with a MIDI-accordion, because it provides expressive control similar to the human breath through the mechanism of the bellows. The control interface of the two hands is also suited for characteristics of the singing voice: The right hand controls the pitch of the voice as traditionally used, while the left hand chooses combinations of timbres,phonemes, longer phonetic units, and different kinds of vocal expression. We use a simple model of phonemes, diphones and timbre presets. We applied this to a combination of sample based synthesis and formantbased synthesis. Our intention is to extend the work to physical models. A further goal of this research is to bridge the gap between ongoing research in the domain of synthesis of the singing voice with that of experimentation in novel forms of artistic performance, by examining different ways of interpreting synthesized voices via the MIDI accordion.

Photonic crystals are inhomogeneous materials whose dielectric properties vary periodically in space on a macroscopic scale. These materials have novel and interesting properties concerning both basic physics and technological applications. After a brief description of the main properties of photonic crystals, we present some specific applications related to wave guiding and Anderson localization of light due to stacking faults in these crystals.

Wall lizards of the genus Podarcis (Sauria, Lacertidae) comprise 17 currently recognized species in southern Europe, where they are the predominant novavian reptile group. The taxonomy of Podarcis is complex and unstable. Based oil DNA sequence data, the species of Podarcis falls into four main groups that have substantial geographic coherence (Western island group, southwestern group, Italian group, and Balkan Peninsula group). The Balkan Peninsula species are divided into two subgroups: the subgroup of P. taurica (P. taurica, P. milensis, P. gaigeae, and perhaps P. melisellensis), and the Subgroup of P. erhardii (P. erhardii and P. peloponnesiaca). In the present study, the question of phylogenetic relationships among the species of Podarcis encountered in the Balkan Peninsula was addressed using partial mtDNA sequences for cytochrome b (cyt b) and 16S rRNA (16S). The data support the monophyly of Podarcis and suggest that there are three phylogenetic clades: the clade A (P. taurica, P. gaigeae, P. milensis, and P. melisellensis); the clade B (P. erhardii and P. peloponnesiaca), and the clade C (P. muralis and P. sicula). By examining intraspecific relationships it was found that extant populations of P. erhardii are paraphyletic. Furthermore, subspecies previously defined on the basis of morphological characteristics do not correspond to different molecular phylogenetic clades, Suggesting that their status should be reconsidered. The distinct geographic distribution of the major clades of the phylogenetic tree and its topology Suggest a spatial and temporal sequence of phylogenetic separations that coincide with some major paleogeographic separations during the geological history of the Aegean Sea. The results stress the need for a reconsideration of the evolutionary history of Balkan Podarcis species and help overcome difficulties that classical taxonomy has encountered at both the species and subspecies level. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Wall lizards of the genus Podarcis (Sauria, Lacertidae) comprise 17 currently recognized species in southern Europe, where they are the predominant reptile group. The taxonomy of Podarcis is complex and unstable. Based on DNA sequence data the species of Podarcis falls into four main groups that have substantial geographical conherence (western island group, southwestern group, Italian group and Balkan group). The Balkan species are divided in two subgroups: the subgroup of Podarcis taurica (P. taurica, P. milensis, P. gaigeae and perhaps P. melisellensis), and the subgroup of Podarcis erhardii (P. erhardii and P. peloponnesiaca). We addressed the question of phylogenetic relations among the species of the P. taurica subgroup encountered in Greece, as they can be inferred from partial mtDNA (cyt b and 16S) sequences. Our data support the monophyly of P. taurica subgroup and suggest that P. gaigeae, P. milensis and P. melisellensis form a clade, which thereinafter connects to P. taurica. Within the previous clade, P. gaigeae is more closely related to P. milensis than to P. melisellensis. However, the specimens of P. taurica were subdivided in two different groups. The first one includes the specimens from northeastern Greece, and the other group includes the specimens from the rest of continental Greece and Ionian islands. Because the molecular clock of the cyt b and 16 rRNA genes was not rejected in our model test, it is possible to estimate times of speciation events. Based on the splitting of the island of Crete from Peloponnisos [c. 5 million years ago (Ma)], the evolutionary rate for the cyt b is 1.55% per million years (Myr) and for the 16S rRNA is 0.46% per Myr. These results suggest that the evolutionary history of P. taurica in Greece is more complex than a single evolutionary invasion. The data analysed, stress the need for a reconsideration of the evolutionary history of Greek Podarcis species and help overcome difficulties that classical taxonomy has encountered at both the species level.

The paper presents new geometric, photometric and absolute parameters, derived from combined spectroscopic and photometric solutions, for ten contact binary systems. The analysis shows that three systems (EF Boo, GM Dra and SW Lac) are of W-type with shallow to moderate contact. Seven systems (V417 Aql, AH Aur, YY CrB, UX Eri, DZ Psc, GR Vir and NN Vir) are of A-type in a deep contact configuration. For six systems (V417 Aql, YY CrB, GM Dra, UX Eri, SW Lac and GR Vir) a spot model is introduced to explain the O'Connell effect in their light curves. The photometric and geometric elements of the systems are combined with the spectroscopic data taken at David Dunlap Observatory to yield the absolute parameters of the components.

The physical parameters of ten eclipsing binaries (eight contact and two semi-detached) are derived by using ground-based photometric observations and Hipparcos/Tycho photometric data, which mimic the photometric observations that are expected to be obtained by Gaia. The results are compared and the achievable precision of the basic stellar parameters derived by Gaia photometry is discussed.

We report the growth of single-phase, stoichiometric polycrystalline thin films of the half-Heusler ferromagnet NiMnSb, predicted to be half-metallic, on single crystal (100) InSb substrates heated at 200 °C by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The NiMnSb target used for the PLD deposition was synthesized by arc melting and had a saturation magnetization, MS (5K) ≤ 4μB/formula unit. The films exhibited saturation magnetization, MS (5K) ≤ 4μB/formula unit and coercive fields of 2 Oe at 300 K, indicating good structural quality. The temperature dependence of the saturation magnetization shows that at low temperature (T < 200 K) the system behaves like a Heisenberg ferromagnet as expected for a half-metal, while at T > 200 K behaves like an itinerant ferromagnet. © 2005 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Health informatics is a well established and important multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary field that not only involves informatics but also medicine, nursing, engineering, biology and other-related subjects. A co-ordination of this field at a postgraduate level has become an important issue now in Europe where other European Community programs such as the Telematics for Health Care will require during the Fifth and Sixth Framework Programmes (2000-2006) adequate human resources of higher potential and knowledge. A European M.Sc. course met all the above objectives. The curriculum was developed according to previous experiences in similar programmes. Recently the course has been organised on the basis of an Inter-University nature with the participation of 5 Greek Universities. The paper aims at providing a current description of the academic programme and a brief evaluation of the implementation phase.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of dose-dense sequential chemotherapy with or without paclitaxel primarily on disease-free survival (DFS) and secondarily on overall survival (OS) in patients with high-risk operable breast cancer. Patients and methods: From June 1997 until November 2000, 604 patients with T1-3N1M0 or T3 N0M0 tumors were randomized to three cycles of epirubicin 110 mg/m2 followed by three cycles of paclitaxel 250 mg/m2 followed by three cycles of 'intensified' CMF (cyclophosphamide 840 mg/m2, methotrexate 47 mg/m2 and fluorouracil 840 mg/m2) (group A), or to four cycles of epirubicin followed by four cycles of CMF, as in group A (group B). All cycles were given every 2 weeks with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support. Results: A total of 595 patients were eligible. Median follow-up was 61.7 months for group A and 62 months for group B. The 3-year DFS was 80% in group A and 77% in group B. Survival rates were 93% and 90%, respectively. The effect of treatment on the hazard of death was different according to hormonal receptor status. More specifically, in patients with negative receptor status the hazard of death was significantly higher for group B (hazard ratio 2.42). Both regimens were well tolerated and severe acute side-effects were infrequent. No cases of severe cardiotoxicity or acute leukemia were recorded. Conclusions: The present study failed to demonstrate a significant difference in DFS or OS between the two treatment groups. However, our study has shown clearly that high-dose paclitaxel can be safely incorporated to dose-dense sequential chemotherapy. © 2005 European Society for Medical Oncology.

Rituximab is an active agent for the treatment of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. However, many patients do not respond to this agent and several others develop secondary resistance. In order to identify clinical and laboratory parameters that could predict a higher likelihood for response, we evaluated 54 patients who were treated with single-agent rituximab. Twenty-four patients (44%)exhibited ≥ 50% reduction of serum monoclonal protein. Previously untreated and pretreated patients had the same probability for response. Low response rates were noted in patients with serum monoclonal protein level ≥ 40 g/L (17%) and serum albumin level < 35 g/L (14%). Furthermore, a multivariate analysis indicated that high serum monoclonal protein and low albumin were the dominant variables associated with shorter time to progression. The presence of 2, 1, or none of these variables was associated with median times to progression of 4 months, 11 months, and approximately 48 months, respectively. We conclude that patients with low levels of monoclonal protein and normal albumin are the best candidates for treatment with rituximab.

BACKGROUND: In cognitively impaired patients without dementia, the utility of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotyping is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive utility of the APOE epsilon4 genotype for conversion to probable Alzheimer disease (AD). DESIGN: Naturalistic, longitudinal study. SETTING: Memory disorders outpatient clinic. PATIENTS: A total of 136 patients with memory complaints were determined to have mild cognitive impairment and were evaluated every 6 months. Fifty-seven age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated annually. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures included conversion to AD. Secondary outcome measures included change over time in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score and Selective Reminding Test (SRT) delayed recall score. RESULTS: The APOE epsilon4 allele was present in 25% of patients and 21% of healthy controls. During a mean +/- SD follow-up of 35.2 +/- 24.3 months, 35 of 136 patients converted to AD. APOE epsilon4 carrier status did not differ between converters (31%) and nonconverters to AD (23%, P = .3) and did not affect the time trend in MMSE or SRT scores in the entire sample. Four of 5 APOE epsilon4 homozygotes converted to AD compared with 7 of 29 heterozygotes (P = .02). In a Cox proportional hazards model stratified by age quartiles, after controlling for sex, education, MMSE score, and SRT delayed recall score, APOE epsilon4 increased the risk of AD in patients 70 to 85 years old (n = 57; risk ratio, 2.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-7.3; P = .03) but not in patients 55 to 69 years old (n = 79; P = .7). CONCLUSIONS: APOE epsilon4 carrier status was associated with conversion to AD in older outpatients after controlling for known demographic and clinical risk factors, and APOE epsilon4 homozygosity was associated with increased risk of conversion to AD. However, APOE epsilon4 carrier status by itself did not predict cognitive decline or conversion to AD, indicating that APOE genotyping in patients with mild cognitive impairment may have limited clinical applicability for prediction of outcome.

We report multicolour photometric observations of the 2003 eclipse of the long-period (5.6 yr) eclipsing binary EE Cep. Measurements were obtained with ten telescopes at eight observatories in four countries. In most cases, UBV(RI)C broad band filters have been used. The light curve shape shows that the obscuring body is an almost dark disk around a low-luminosity central object. However, variations of the colour indices during the eclipse indicate that the obscuring body emits a considerable amount of radiation in the near infrared.

SUMMARY: A 71-year-old diabetic patient underwent right pneumonectomy with wide mediastinal lymph node dissection for lung cancer (right upper lobe). Postoperatively he developed pleura empyema that was successfully treated - drainage and Eloesser window, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. Two months later he developed an esophagopleural fistula. Due to the patient's physical condition primary repair of the esophageal rupture was considered a high-risk operation. Stenting was also considered as inappropriate due to the existing contamination. Bypassing with the use of the stomach as conduit was preferred due to its simplicity compared to the colon. In order to avoid mediastinum after the postradiation alterations and because of the Eloesser window we adopted a presternal subcutaneous position. Twenty-eight months after the by pass procedure the patient is in good health being able to eat and drink, has gained weight and shows no evidence of malignancy. Presternal gastric esophageal bypass has never been reported as a treatment for esophagopleural fistula. This case report indicates its possible successful use in this debilitating setting, although more experience is needed.

The prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance mutations in naive patients has been previously shown to differ greatly with the geographic origin. The purpose of this study was to prospectively estimate the prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance in Greece by analyzing a representative sample of newly HIV-1 diagnosed patients, as part of the SPREAD collaborative study. Protease (PR) and partial reverse transcriptase (RT) sequences were determined from 101 newly diagnosed HIV-1 patients, in Greece, during the period September 2002--August 2003, representing one-third of the total newly diagnosed HIV-1 patients in the same time period. The prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance was estimated according to the IAS-USA mutation table taking into account all mutations in RT and only major mutations in PR region. The overall prevalence of resistance was 9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 4.2--16.2%]. The prevalence of mutations associated with resistance to NRTIs was 5% (95% CI: 1.6--11.2%), for NNRTIs was 4% (95% CI: 1.1--9.8%), while no major resistance mutations were found in PR. No multi-class resistance was detected in the study population. The prevalence of resistant mutations in the recent seroconverters was 22%. For two individuals, there was clear evidence for transmitted resistance based on epidemiological information for a known source of HIV-1 transmission. The prevalence of the HIV-1 non-B subtypes and recombinants was 52%.

The authors report the case of a 2-year-old girl with pulmonary cystic adenomatoid malformation type II who presented with a mass on the lower lobe of the left lung. Resection and histological examination revealed pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed the operation and the girl is alive and in perfect condition 10 years after the operation. The literature on primary rhabdomyosarcoma of the lung in children is reviewed.

The recent activity of the events over the project has been handled by the experts with restraint. The negotiations between the Russian President Putin and the Greek Prime Minister Mr. Karamanlis that took place in Moscow in December 2004 did not make the situation over the future of the project any clearer. We cannot deny that among many Bosporus bypassing projects, it is the Bourgas-Alexandroupolis project that is the most advantageous for Russia from the geopolitical point of view. And it is logical to assume that the Russian authorities will be guided by the geopolitical interests of the country, while making a decision on overcoming the Bosporus deadlock. The same interests will no doubt become the decisive ones for the policy of the oil companies that are likely to participate in the project. In any case, we should take into account that Russian oil exports are almost completely controlled by the government, and the decision on choosing new export routes is its exclusive prerogative. Thus, the “last word” on the future of Bourgas-Alexandroupolis will be said by the Russian president. The project could be also promoted by the European Union, and it will be in line with the economic and political interests of the EU, that in the future it can confront the situation when Turkey will control oil traffic from the Caspian region to Europe. However, until now there has not been any essential reaction from the EU authorities, and the European Committee on Transport, Energy and Communications has concentrated its attention on the disputable Ukrainian route Odessa-Brody.

In this paper the study of geomorphological characteristics, developed because of the run off, in the Cyclades area and especially in Tinos, Mykonos and Naxos islands, has taken place. In order to explain their development, the geomorphological characteristics were correlated with the lithological, tectonical and hydrological characteristics of the study area. The study area is characterized by a wide variety of different lithological and hydrogeological factors. To achieve this study’s targets, GIS and GPS technology was used in order to geographicallyand statistically analyse the morphological, hydrological, lithological and tectonic factors of this area. The main sources were the pre-existent maps and the literature, aerial photos and satellite images, while the extensive field work resulted to the geomorphological mapping of the area. The results of this study are related to the analysis of the current morphology and are presented on maps and rodograms.

This paper uses a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach to explore the productivity impact of a telemedicine system for obstetrics and gynaecology (O-G) services in the Greek National Health Service (NHS). DEA is a technique that can provide valuable information to aid understanding of the complex relationship between investments in telemedicine and the efficient delivery of services. The study involved 32 (O-G) units located in both peripheral regions and the central area of Attica. Initially, DEA analysis was applied to the units without the use of telemedicine taking into consideration the number of beds, staffing numbers and total expenditure. The analysis indicated that overall improvements in efficiency of between 6-10% could be achieved. There was, however, a marked difference between the units in peripheral regions and Attica. To improve efficiency in the peripheral units would require a 26% reduction in staff and 12% reduction in beds, compared to less than 5% reduction for either beds or staff in Attica. Achievable cost savings were also much higher for peripheral regions compared to central areas. These figures reflect the current status of healthcare in Greece with female patients traveling from the peripheral regions to central areas to receive O-G services. As a consequence, there is overcapacity in peripheral regions. The effect of the introduction of telemedicine was next analysed. This demonstrated that its introduction produces a geographic redistribution of O-G cases with more cases being treated in the peripheral regions. Increased treatment in these regions is associated with increased expenditure for them of approximately 10-20%. This is, however, offset by a decrease of more than 50% in expenditure for the units in Attica due to less patients traveling from the peripheral regions to them for treatment. The introduction of telemedicine also produced significant improvements in efficiency permitting a reduction of approximately 15% in beds and 25% for staff in both peripheral regions and Attica. Improvements in efficiency were more profound in peripheral units with three units achieving a relative efficiency of 100% compared to zero before the introduction of telemedicine. Economically, the introduction of telemedicine was estimated to produce annual savings of 7.5 million Euros, and when combined with the recommendations obtained from DEA achieved total savings of over 13 million Euros or approximately 25% of current expenditure. In conclusion, the study indicates that the introduction of telemedicine would overcome the diagnostic-treatment gap that currently exists in non urban regions for the treatment of O-G cases and enable more patients to be treated in peripheral regions. Application of DEA methodology demonstrated that significant improvements in efficiency and utilisation of resources could also be achieved. © The Journal on Information Technology in Healthcare 2005.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been a useful technique for the assessment of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). We evaluated the prognostic significance of different MRI patterns in symptomatic patients with MM. Patients and methods: A total of 142 symptomatic MM patients underwent MRI before treatment. MRI patterns of involvement were correlated with known prognostic variables, including the International Staging System (ISS), response to treatment and survival. Results: Focal marrow lesions were identified in 50% of patients, diffuse marrow replacement in 28%, a variegated pattern in 14% and normal pattern in 8%. When patients with the diffuse pattern were compared with patients with the other MRI patterns, they had features of more advanced disease such as higher ISS, anemia, hypercalcemia, elevated lactate dehydrogenase and extensive marrow plasmacytosis. Response rate was similar among patients with different MRI patterns. Median survival was 24 months for patients with the diffuse pattern, 51 months for those with the focal pattern, 52 months for those with the variegated pattern and 56 months for patients with the normal pattern (P = 0.001). The presence or absence of a diffuse MRI pattern separated patients with ISS stages I and II into two subgroups with significantly different survival times of 28 months and 61 months, respectively (P = 0.01). Furthermore, a diffuse MRI pattern predicted inferior outcome regardless of whether or not patients had received high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplantation. Conclusion: Diffuse marrow replacement on MRI adds to the evaluation of patients with multiple myeloma and their management. © 2005 European Society for Medical Oncology.

There are 509 expanding neutral hydrogen shells catalogued in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), all apparently very young, with dynamical ages of a few Myr. To examine their relationship with young stellar objects, we cross-correlated the shell catalogue with various catalogues of OB associations, supergiants, Cepheids, Wolf-Rayet stars, supernova remnants and star clusters. The incidence of chance line-ups was estimated via Monte Carlo simulations, and found to be high. However, it is important that there are 1.5 times more shells that are not spatially correlated to an OB association, than shells that are. Moreover, 59 of the 509 shells lie mainly in low stellar density fields and have no young stellar objects associated with them, and therefore no obvious energy source. It is shown that, on the whole, the properties of these `empty' shells are very similar to the properties of the rest of the shells, once selection biases are taken into account. In both cases, the shell radius and expansion velocity distribution functions are consistent with the standard model, according to which shells are created by stellar winds and supernova explosions, as long as all shells were created in a single burst and with a power-law distribution of the input mechanical luminosity. This would indicate a burst of star formation. This interpretation, however, cannot explain why the 59 shells, with no young stellar counterparts, show almost exactly the same behaviour as shells with OB associations within their radius. Gamma-ray bursts could account for some but certainly not for the majority of the `empty' shells. Many `empty' shells, including most of the high-luminosity ones, are located in the north-western outer regions of the SMC, and may be associated with a chimney-like feature that is known to exist in that area. Finally, it is noted that turbulence is a promising mechanism for the formation of the shell-like structures, but direct comparison with the observations was not possible at this stage, due to lack of detailed models.

Το βιβλίο αυτό αναφέρεται στο Φυσικό Περιβάλλον και τα περιβαλλοντικά προβλήματα που αντιμετωπίζει η ανθρωπότητα στην αυγή του 21ου αιώνα και τα οποία προβάλλουν ως απειλή για κάθε μορφή ζωής πάνω στον πλανήτη. Η προσέγγιση βασίζεται σε δύο άξονες: στην επιστήμη και στην εκπαίδευση. Δεν μπορεί να υπάρξει εκπαίδευση για το περιβάλλον χωρίς κατανόηση και γνώση. Δηλαδή χωρίς την κατανόηση και τη γνώση των φυσικών φαινομένων και των διαδικασιών που βρίσκονται πίσω από τα περιβαλλοντικά προβλήματα. Οικολογικά συνειδητοποιημένος πολίτης είναι ο πολίτης που κατανοεί, που έχει γνώση.Η γνώση του μέλλοντος δεν είναι κατακερματισμένη και επιμέρους αλλά ολιστική και συνθετική. Η επιστήμη γίνεται διαδικασία σύνθεσης και όχι αναγωγής. Αποβάλλει τις θετικιστικές της δεσμεύσεις και αναζητά την πολλαπλότητα των προσεγγίσεων, την αισθητική, τις ηθικές και κοινωνικές αξίες. Η μελέτη του Περιβάλλοντος αποτελεί τη βάση πάνω στην οποία γεννιέται η γνώση του μέλλοντος.Το βιβλίο απευθύνεται στους φοιτητές που στο μέλλον θα διδάξουν το ίδιο ή συναφή γνωστικά αντικείμενα, στους εκπαιδευτικούς όλων των βαθμίδων αλλά και στους οικολογικά ευαισθητοποιημένους πολίτες που αποζητούν μια ειδική γνώση και εις βάθος κατανόηση για τα περιβαλλοντικά προβλήματα.[...]

The concept of the law of damages in common law systems is dualistic: damages can be recovered for the losses incurred, including loss of profit, and for punishment of the wrongdoer. On the contrary the concept of the law of damages in civil law systems is purely monistic, at least if taken at face vale. Damages are strictly restricted to compensation. Punishment of the tortfeasor is under no circumstances a legitimate function of damages. Nevertheless during the last decade continental tort law has proven less static than one might initially think. It is still to be examined whether any recent developments have brought the two systems any closer to each other, so as at least to narrow that apparently unbridgeable gap.

The Cycladic islands are located in the central Aegean Sea (Greece) in a relatively low seismicity area and are composed mainly of metamorphic and plutonic rocks. Although the Cycladic plateau is believed to be an entity, a closer morphologic study of the islands through GIS, separates them into two parts: the eastern shallower one (Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Syros, Ios, Sikinos, Folegandros) which formed one big island (6.978Km2) at the end of the last glacial period; the western islands (Kea, Kythnos, Serifos, Sifnos, Milos) remained separated during the same period. It is concluded that the eastern islands constitute an erosional plateau which is a product of a Neogene palaeosurface that is partially submerged due to thinning of the crust during the Quaternary.

In Japanese quail, as in rats, the expression of male sexual behavior over relatively long time periods (days to weeks) is dependent on the local production of estradiol in the preoptic area via the aromatization of testosterone. On a short-term basis (minutes to hours), central actions of dopamine as well as locally produced estrogens modulate behavioral expression. In rats, a view of and sexual interaction with a female increase dopamine release in the preoptic area. In quail, in vitro brain aromatase activity (AA) is rapidly modulated by calcium-dependent phosphorylations that are likely to occur in vivo as a result of changes in neurotransmitter activity. Furthermore, an acute estradiol injection rapidly stimulates copulation in quail, whereas a single injection of the aromatase inhibitor vorozole rapidly inhibits this behavior. We hypothesized that brain aromatase and dopaminergic activities are regulated in quail in association with the expression of male sexual behavior. Visual access as well as sexual interactions with a female produced a significant decrease in brain AA, which was maximal after 5 min. This expression of sexual behavior also resulted in a significant decrease in dopaminergic as well as serotonergic activity after 1 min, which returned to basal levels after 5 min. These results demonstrate for the first time that AA is rapidly modulated in vivo in parallel with changes in dopamine activity. Sexual interactions with the female decreased aromatase and dopamine activities. These data challenge established views about the causal relationships among dopamine, estrogen action, and male sexual behavior.

Greek electroacoustic music, born in the New Music environment of the sixties and developed among fruitful and critical periods, seems to be in expansion in our days. In this article we present a brief overview of the genesis and evolution of the electroacoustic music in Greece since 1967 until today, exposing three crucial periods. In the second section we present the works, the means and aesthetics of representative composers of the most recent period (1990-2005). In the last section we focus on the pedagogical and institutional development of the Greek electroacoustic music during the last fifteen years, as well as on the diversity of styles and techniques of works presented in various events in Athens and other places in Greece. We also stress the lack of an official institute for the archiving, creation and expansion of the electroacoustic music, and the indifference of the cultural authorities to cultivate such kind of music.

Human rhinoviruses (RV), the most common triggers of acute asthma exacerbations, are considered not cytotoxic to the bronchial epithelium. Recent observations, however, have questioned this knowledge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of RV to induce epithelial cytotoxicity and affect epithelial repair in-vitro.|Monolayers of BEAS-2B bronchial epithelial cells, seeded at different densities were exposed to RV serotypes 1b, 5, 7, 9, 14, 16. Cytotoxicity was assessed chromatometrically. Epithelial monolayers were mechanically wounded, exposed or not to RV and the repopulation of the damaged area was assessed by image analysis. Finally epithelial cell proliferation was assessed by quantitation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) by flow cytometry.|RV1b, RV5, RV7, RV14 and RV16 were able to induce considerable epithelial cytotoxicity, more pronounced in less dense cultures, in a cell-density and dose-dependent manner. RV9 was not cytotoxic. Furthermore, RV infection diminished the self-repair capacity of bronchial epithelial cells and reduced cell proliferation.|RV-induced epithelial cytotoxicity may become considerable in already compromised epithelium, such as in the case of asthma. The RV-induced impairment on epithelial proliferation and self-repair capacity may contribute to the development of airway remodeling.

{Viremia has been implicated in many viral infections; however, viremia due to rhinovirus (RV; rhinoviremia) has been considered not to occur in normal individuals.|To evaluate whether RV enters the bloodstream and identify the possible risk factors.|Nasopharyngeal washes (NPWs) of 221 children with respiratory infections were examined for the presence of RV by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Blood from 88 children, whose NPW was RV-positive, and 31 of RV-negative control subjects was subsequently examined for the presence of RV in the blood by semi-nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Rhinoviremia was then correlated with clinical characteristics of the disease.|RV was detected in the blood of 10 out of 88 NPW RV-positive cases (11.4%): 7 of 28 children with asthma exacerbations (25.0%), 2 of 26 with common cold (7.7%), 1 of 25 with bronchiolitis (4.0%), and 0 of 9 with pneumonia (0%). All NPW RV-negative cases were negative in the blood. The proportion of rhinoviremia in children with asthma exacerbation was significantly higher compared with children suffering from the other diseases (25 vs. 5%

The optical response of a two-dimensional periodic array of metallic nanoparticles on a dielectric waveguide is investigated by means of numerical calculations using the on-shell layer-multiple-scattering method. We find that the strong interaction between particle-plasmon and waveguide modes influences drastically the extinction spectrum of the system. Our results explain successfully available experimental data and provide a transparent physical picture of the underlying processes.

We calculate the monthly components of the Mediterranean Sea heat budget, namely the net shortwave, net longwave, latent, sensible heat fluxes, and heat storage change, for years 1984-2000. The radiative components of the seasonal heat budget are derived by a radiation transfer model, while in most other studies bulk formulae are used. A variety of data are required to run the model, among which are cloud data from International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) D2 data set, aerosol data from Global Aerosol Data Set (GADS), temperature and humidity from National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) and European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Re-Analysis (ERA-40), and oceanographical data from Mediterranean Data Archaeology and Rescue (MEDAR) MEDATLAS database and the World Ocean Atlas 2001. We compare two methods for the estimation of the monthly latent heat flux and evaporation: the bulk aerodynamic and the heat balance. The average annual evaporation rate for the Mediterranean Sea, based on the heat balance method, is estimated at 1500 ± 190 mm yr-1. The bulk aerodynamic method produces estimates of the annual evaporation rate in the range 1060-1280 mm yr-1, depending on the source of the input data. The analysis of the heat content shows that the solar heat absorbed by the sea during summer is redistributed to winter evaporation via heat storage by the sea. Thus the peak evaporation occurs in winter and is mainly driven by energy released (100-150 Wm-2) from sea heat storage.

Objective: To assess endogenous androgen and insulin resistance status in postmenopausal women receiving continuous combined hormone therapy (HT), tibolone, raloxifene or no therapy. Methods: A total of 427 postmenopausal women aged 42-71 years were studied in a cross-sectional design. Among them 84 were taking HT (46 women conjugated equine estrogens 0.625 mg; medroxyprogesterone acetate, 5 mg, CEE/MPA; and 38 women 17β-estradiol 2 mg; norethisterone acetate 1 mg, E2/NETA); 83 were taking tibolone 2.5 mg; 50 were taking raloxifene HCl 60 mg; and 210 women were not receiving any therapy. Main outcome measures were FSH, LH, estradiol, total testosterone, SHBG, free androgen index (FAI), Δ4-Androstendione (Δ4-A), Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and HOMA insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). Results: In women not on hormone therapy smoking and older age was associated with lower DHEAS levels. FAI values increased linearly with increasing BMI. Age and BMI were positive determinants of HOMA-IR, while no association was identified between endogenous sex steroids and insulin resistance. CEE/MPA therapy was associated with higher SHBG, lower FAI and lower HOMA-IR values compared to women not on therapy (age and BMI-adjusted SHBG: CEE/MPA 148.8 nmol/l, controls 58.7 nmol/l, p < 0.01; age-adjusted FAI: CEE/MPA 0.8, controls 3.2, p < 0.05; age-adjusted HOMA-IR: CEE/MPA 1.3, controls 2.6, p < 0.05). On the contrary, E2/NETA treatment had no effect on these parameters. Women on tibolone had lower SHBG, higher FAI and similar HOMA-IR values compared to controls (age and BMI-adjusted SHBG: 24.1 nmol/l, p < 0.01; FAI: 6.0, p < 0.05; HOMA-IR: 2.3, p = NS). Raloxifene users did not exhibit any difference with respect to sex steroids and HOMA-IR levels. Conclusions: CEE/MPA users had lower free testosterone and improved insulin sensitivity. Tibolone on the other hand associated with higher free testosterone, while raloxifene did not relate to any of these parameters. © 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

{The g factor of the first excited 21+ state in 46Ca has been remeasured with better accuracy than previously obtained, g(21+, 46Ca) = -0.26(6). The experiment utilized the transient field technique combined with Coulomb excitation in inverse kinematics. This result was analyzed in terms of shell model plus deformed core calculations. The positive g factors of the 2 1+ states in Ca and Ca suggest that the 21+ state wave functions require significant particle-hole excitations of the Z = 20

Side Population (SP) cells, isolated from murine adult bone marrow (BM) based on the exclusion of the DNA dye Hoechst 33342, exhibit potent hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) activity when compared to Main Population (MP) cells. Furthermore, SP cells derived from murine skeletal muscle exhibit both hematopoietic and myogenic potential in vivo. The multipotential capacity of SP cells isolated from variable tissues is supported by an increasing number of studies. To investigate whether the SP phenotype is associated with a unique transcriptional profile, we characterized gene expression of SP cells isolated from two biologically distinct tissues, bone marrow and muscle. Comparison of SP cells with differentiated MP cells within a tissue revealed that SP cells are in an active transcriptional and translational status and underexpress genes reflecting tissue-specific functions. Direct comparison of gene expression of SP cells isolated from different tissues identified genes common to SP cells as well as genes specific to SP cells within a particular tissue and further define a muscle and bone marrow environment. This study reports gene expression of muscle SP cells, common features and differences between SP cells isolated from muscle and bone marrow, and further identifies common signaling pathways that might regulate SP cell functions.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To investigate the response to interval exercise (IE) training by looking at changes in morphologic and biochemical characteristics of the vastus lateralis muscle, and to compare these changes to those incurred after constant-load exercise (CLE) training. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, parallel, two-group study (IE vs CLE training). SETTING: Multidisciplinary, outpatient, hospital-based, pulmonary rehabilitation program. PATIENTS: Nineteen patients with stable advanced COPD (mean +/- SEM FEV1, 40 +/- 4% predicted). INTERVENTIONS: Patients (n = 10) assigned to IE training exercised at a mean intensity of 124 +/- 15% of baseline peak exercise capacity (peak work rate [Wpeak]) with 30-s work periods interspersed with 30-s rest periods for 45 min/d. Patients (n = 9) allocated to CLE training exercised at a mean intensity of 75 +/- 5% Wpeak for 30 min/d. Patients exercised 3 d/wk for 10 weeks. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Needle biopsies of the right vastus lateralis muscle were performed before and after rehabilitation. After IE training, the cross-sectional areas of type I and IIa fibers were significantly increased (type I before, 3,972 +/- 455 microm2; after, 4,934 +/- 467 microm2 [p = 0.004]; type IIa before, 3,695 +/- 372 microm2; after, 4,486 +/- 346 microm2 [p = 0.008]), whereas the capillary-to-fiber ratio was significantly enlarged (from 1.13 +/- 0.08 to 1.24 +/- 0.07 [p = 0.013]). Citrate synthase activity increased (from 14.3 +/- 1.4 to 20.5 +/- 4.2 micromol/min/g), albeit not significantly (p = 0.097). There was also a significant improvement in Wpeak (by 19 +/- 5%; p = 0.04) and in lactate threshold (by 17 +/- 5%; p = 0.02). The magnitude of changes in all the above variables was not significantly different compared to that incurred after CLE training. During training sessions, however, ratings of dyspnea and leg discomfort, expressed as fraction of values achieved at baseline Wpeak, were significantly lower (p < 0.05) for IE training (73 +/- 9% and 60 +/- 8%, respectively) compared to CLE training (83 +/- 10% and 87 +/- 13%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: High-intensity IE training is equally effective to moderately intense CLE training in inducing peripheral muscle adaptations; however, IE is associated with fewer training symptoms.

We present a small polaron hopping model for interpreting the strong temperature (T) dependence of the electrical conductivity, σ, observed at high (h) temperatures along DNA molecules. The model takes into account the one-dimensional character of the system and the presence of disorder in the DNA double helix. Percolation-theoretical considerations lead to analytical expressions for the high temperature multiphonon-assisted small polaron hopping conductivity, the hopping distance and their temperature dependence. The experimental data for lambda phage DNA (λ-DNA) and poly(dA)–poly(dT) DNA follow nicely the theoretically predicted behaviour (EQUATION). Moreover, our model leads to realistic values of the maximum hopping distances, supporting the idea of multiphonon-assisted hopping of small polarons between next nearest neighbours of the DNA molecular 'wire'. The low temperature case is also investigated.

A short shear (SH) wave profile was collected as a part of a wider experiment involving P- and S-wave reflection and refraction measurements for further processing. The purpose of the experiment was to examine the efficiency of ultra shallow bedrock surface by SH reflection imaging commonly implemented in engineering applications. The original SH data suffer from direct, refracted, guided and surface waves interference. In some Common Shot Gathers the presence of significant P wave energy is also obvious, despite the use of special designed SH-wave detectors and the use of a pure horizontal energy source, i.e. a hydraulic seismic generator device. We tested the efficiency of successive processing steps focusing on multiple energy attenuation, followed by the implementation of a technique for reducing the source generated noise, both based on forward and reverse linear and parabolic Radon transformations. The proposed scheme was applied on the data collected along a 49-shot records SH wave reflection profile.

This article presents a survey of Greek EFL teachers' (N = 421) attitudes regarding their pronunciation beliefs and practices. It touches on two sets of questions. First, it refers to teachers' viewpoints regarding pronunciation-specific issues and the possible links between pronunciation teaching, English as an international language (EIL), and the sociocultural identity of nonnative speakers of English (NNSs). Second, it tries to establish the extent to which these teachers are aware of EIL-related matters, such as the need for mutual intelligibility in NNS-NNS communication. We conclude that teachers' viewpoints are predominantly norm bound. We further attempt to make sense of these viewpoints by referring to (a) the teachers' sense of being the custodians of the English language as regards English language learners and (b) the wider sociocultural linguistic background in Greece (which involves a history of diglossia and a recent experience of a massive inflow of immigrants). We go on to suggest ways to raise teachers' awareness of EIL-related concerns by suggesting that they use their immediate geopolitical and sociocultural surroundings.

We present calculations of the spectral and temporal radiative signatures expected from ultrarelativistic protons in compact sources. The coupling between the protons and the leptonic component is assumed to occur via Bethe-Heitler pair production. This process is treated by modeling the results of Monte-Carlo simulations and incorporating them in a time-dependent kinetic equation, that we subsequently solve numerically. Thus, the present work is, in many respects, an extension of the leptonic “one-zone” models to include hadrons. Several examples of astrophysical importance are presented, such as the signature resulting from the cooling of relativistic protons on an external black-body field and that of their cooling in the presence of radiation from injected electrons. We also investigate and refine the threshold conditions for the “Pair Production/Synchrotron” feedback loop which operates when relativistic protons cool efficiently on the synchrotron radiation of the internally produced Bethe-Heitler pairs. We demonstrate that an additional component of injected electrons lowers the threshold for this instability.

We study the magnetization, M, and the spin polarization, ζ, of n-doped non-magnetic-semiconductor (NMS)/narrow to wide dilute-magnetic-semiconductor (DMS)/n-doped NMS quantum wells, as a function of the temperature, T, and the in-plane magnetic field, B. Under such conditions the density of states (DOS) deviates from the occasionally stereotypic step-like form, both quantitatively and qualitatively. The DOS modification causes an impressive fluctuation of M in cases of vigorous competition between spatial and magnetic confinement. At low T, the enhanced electron spin-splitting, Uoσ, acquires its bigger value. At higher T, Uoσ decreases, augmenting the influence of the spin-up electrons. Increasing B, Uoσ increases and accordingly electrons populate spin-down subbands while they abandon spin-up subbands. Furthermore, due to the DOS modification, all energetically higher subbands become gradually depopulated.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to record and analyze the dynamic nature of spontaneous smiles. METHODS: Fifteen children (9 girls and 6 boys; average age, 10.5 years) were filmed with a hidden camera while they watched a funny cartoon video. Spontaneous smiles were recorded, and the video frames were digitized. Time-graphs of the measurements were constructed, and plots of the movement of the mouth points were drawn. RESULTS: Facial measurements showed that the upper lip elevated by 28%, relative to the rest position, and the mouth increased in width by 27%. The corners of the mouth moved laterally and superiorly at an angle of approximately 47 degrees . Time analysis showed that the smiles developed in a staged fashion. The first stage (attack phase) was the shortest, lasting an average 500 ms. It was followed by a sustaining phase that included waxing and waning. The smile ended with a fade-out stage. The second and third stages were of variable duration and could be interrupted by the attack phase of a subsequent smile. CONCLUSIONS: The dynamics of the spontaneous smile and the findings of this study raise concerns about the validity of a single photographic capture for esthetic assessment and treatment planning.

The recent advances in biology and technology genetics have a great influence on the human being and further on the human-athlete, since the human cloning possibilities and the potentiality to create the conditions which will allow the blastocells production, actually leads to the creation of organic cells which contribute to the revival of the body- tissue. The international consideration that has already been developed for this matter is mainly concentrated on: a) whether or not such a scientific development consists of an interference in the biological human status and, b) whether or not such an action is morally acceptable. Those supporting the aforementioned procedures consider that the moral objections inhibit the development of important sectors of the latest technology which allows the improvement of the living conditions. On the other hand those criticizing these procedures claim that this scientific advance is actually an interference in the historical and natural continuity of the human being and further a clear moral offence to the human rights. Consequently, the development in biogenetics set up a new perception of the athlete as an individual and of sports as an anthropological phenomenon, since the role of the first is denied and the importance of the latter is downgraded. Considering that “athletics” is a phenomenon that brings together the individual with his/her nature, the genetic interference in the future athlete results in the contrary, i.e his/her withdrawal from his/her nature, while it degenerates the value of sports and weakens the importance of the sports spirit.

Skin prick testing (SPT) is the standard method for diagnosing allergic sensitization but is to some extent performed differently in clinical centres across Europe. There would be advantages in harmonizing the standard panels of allergens used in different European countries, both for clinical purposes and for research, especially with increasing mobility within Europe and current trends in botany and agriculture. As well as improving diagnostic accuracy, this would allow better comparison of research findings in European allergy centres. We have compared the different SPT procedures operating in 29 allergy centres within the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN). Standard SPT is performed similarly in all centres, e.g. using commercial extracts, evaluation after 15-20 min exposure with positive results defined as a wheal >3 mm diameter. The perennial allergens included in the standard SPT panel of inhalant allergens are largely similar (e.g. cat: pricked in all centres; dog: 26 of 29 centres and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus: 28 of 29 centres) but the choice of pollen allergens vary considerably, reflecting different exposure and sensitization rates for regional inhalant allergens. This overview may serve as reference for the practising doctor and suggests a GA(2)LEN Pan-European core SPT panel.

Η παρούσα μελέτη βασίζεται στην έρευνα που πραγματοποιήθηκε σύμφωνα με το πρόγραμμα του Ιδρύματος Κρατικών Υποτροφιών για μεταδιδακτορική έρευνα στην Ελλάδα και είχε διάρκεια δύο εξαμήνων με παράταση  υποβολής του τελικού έργου για ακόμη ένα εξάμηνο. Επιθυμία μας ήταν να προβληθεί στο ευρύτερο κοινό η υιοθεσία τέκνων, όχι μόνο ως επιλογή των συζύγων στην αντιμετώπιση της ατεκνίας, αλλά και ως πράξη αγάπης που αποσκοπεί στο συμφέρον των ορφανών και εγκατελειμμένων παιδιών. Το θέμα συνήθως εξετάζεται από νομικούς και κοινωνικούς λειτουργούς, στην προκέιμενη έρευνα εξετάζεται από την χριστιανική ηθική. Η Εκκλησία ευλογεί με συγκεκριμένη ακολουθία και ευχές την πράξη της υιοθεσίας και με τον τρόπο αυτό καταλύεται η λεγόμενη μυστικότητα που τηρούν οι γονείς και οι συγγενείς προς τον υιοθετούμενο. Εκτός όμως από την τεχνητή δημιουργία σχέσης γονιών και τέκνου με τη διαδικασία της υιοθεσίας, που αναμφίβολα ανήκει στη σφαίρα του οικογενειακού δικαίου και της κοινωνικής μέριμνας, εμφανίζεται στη παύλεια θεολογία η ίδια λέξη για να καταδείξει τη σωτηρία των πιστών, μέσω της θείας υιοθεσίας από το Θεό πατέρα.  Για την υιοθεσία τέκνων αναφύονται τα εξής ερωτήματα:   α. Είναι ηθικά  ορθό να υιοθετούν τέκνα οι ορθόδοξοι χριστιανοί στην προσπάθειά τους να ξεπεράσουν το όνειδος της ατεκνίας τους; β.  Μήπως η υιοθεσία δεν αφορά μόνο στους ατέκνους, αλλά αναφέρεται και σε ζευγάρια που έχουν ήδη αποκτήσει παιδιά; γ. Πόσο επηρεάζεται η προβολή της επιλογής της υιοθεσίας στα ηθικά διλήμματα, τα οποία δημιούργησε η πρόοδος των τεχνολογιών της υποβοηθούμενης αναπαραγωγής; δ. Γιατί πάντα υπάρχει η βούληση των ατέκνων για υιοθεσία, παρά τις δυνατότητες υποβοηθούμενης αναπαραγωγής, ενώ κάποιοι άλλοι την απορρίπτουν σε κάθε περίπτωση;  Τέτοιου είδους ερωτήματα φιλοδοξεί να εξετάσει η παρούσα έρευνα και να προσεγγίσει ηθικά το θέμα. Συγκεκριμένα, η εργασία χωρίζεται σε τέσσερα κεφάλαια. Στο πρώτο κεφάλαιο γίνεται αναφορά στην ιστορική αναδρομή του θεσμού της υιοθεσίας, στη σύγχρονη ελληνική νομοθεσία, που σχετικά πρόσφατα έχει αλλάξει, στο  νέο  θεσμό της ανάδοχης οικογένειας, στην ιδρυματική φροντίδα των ορφανών και εγκαταλειμμένων παιδιών, όπως είναι τα κέντρα παιδικής μέριμνας, τα ορφανοτροφεία της Εκκλησίας και τα παιδικά χωριά.  Στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο εξετάζουμε την υιοθεσία μέσα από άλλα συναφή θέματα και προβλήματα, όπως τα κίνητρα που οδηγούν σ’ αυτή, τη μυστικότητα και την άρνησή της, τις νέες προοπτικές που συνδέονται με την υιοθεσία, όπως τη σχέση της με το διαδίκτυο, την υποβοηθούμενη αναπαραγωγή, τη γενετική. Επιπλέον, αναφέρονται οι δυνατότητες υιοθεσίας από ομοφυλοφίλους, από μοναχικά άτομα, από αλλοθρήσκους, όπως και οι υιοθεσίες με παιδιών από διαφορετικές φυλές και εθνότητες και με παιδιά με ειδικές ανάγκες. Περιγράφεται τέλος με συντομία η ψυχολογία των εμπλεκομένων στην υιοθεσία και αναφέρονται χαρακτηριστικές περιπτώσεις υιοθεσιών. Στο τρίτο κεφάλαιο γίνεται αναφορά σε βίους αγίων σχετικούς με τη υιοθεσία και παρατίθενται  τα κείμενα που μας ενδιαφέρουν από την ορθόδοξη χριστιανική άποψη, όπως οι ακολουθίες και ευχές για την υιοθεσία και οι αναφορές σε ιερούς Κανόνες. Το κεφάλαιο κατακλείεται με τις απόψεις σύγχρονων θεολόγων και ποιμένων για το θεσμό της υιοθεσίας τέκνων. Στο τέταρτο κεφάλαιο εξετάζεται σύντομα η πατρότητα από θεολογική και κοινωνική άποψη και γίνεται αναφορά στη θεολογία του όρου «υιοθεσία», όπως αυτή χρησιμοποιήθηκε από τον απ. Παύλο. Η δική μας έρευνα εξετάζει την υιοθεσία τέκνων από την ορθόδοξη χριστιανική ηθική. Η θετική στάση απέναντι στην υιοθεσία τέκνων, αν και πολλές φορές είναι αυτονόητη, θεμελιώνεται στην προσφορά προς τον πλησίον με τον τονισμό του συμφέροντος του πάσχοντος συνανθρώπου, κι όχι αποκλειστικά των συζύγων εκείνων που αναζητούν να λύσουν τα προβλήματα ατεκνίας τους. Αποτελεί έργο αγάπης και πράξη μίμησης Θεού. Τέλος, η εργασία ολοκληρώνεται με τα συμπεράσματα, την παράθεση της βιβλιογραφίας και ενός εκτεταμένου παραρτήματος που περιλαμβάνει σχετικά κείμενα με την υιοθεσία. Αξίζει να σημειωθεί ότι οι βιλιοπαρουσιάσεις του εν λόγω πονήματος σε σχολές γονέων και σε διαλέξεις που διοργανώθηκαν από Ιερές Μητροπόλεις της Βορείου Ελλάδος, συνετέλεσαν στην τέλεση της ιερής ακολουθίας της υιοθεσίας σε Ι. Ναούς, σύμφωνα με μαρτυρίες ιερέων και γονέων, οι οποίοι υιοθέτησαν τέκνα με νόμιμο τρόπο. ΙSBN 960-78l4-24-x (set 960-7814-05-03). Κωδικός Βιβλίου στον Εύδοξο: 14297

This paper describes the study of the structural control of the Meganissi island coastal zone and its geomorphological evolution; based on that it detects and presents coastal hazard. The coastal geomorphology is affected by the lithological configuration, the tectonism, the wider seismotectonic status and the sea activity. For this study, a database has been structured in G.I.S. was using all data deriving from the above characteristics as well as detailed fieldwork, aerial photos, satellite images and pre-existing maps. Data were analysed and processed in order to locate zones of high hazard risk. Finally, a hazard risk map was developed for Meganissi island.

Purpose: p27 protein is regarded as a valuable prognostic biomarker in cancer with a potential use as a molecular target. However, different methods of immunohistochemical assessment have yielded conflicting results. Here, we sought to determine the prognostic value of p27 in ovarian cancer using a novel method of compartmentalized in situ protein analysis. Experimental Design: A tissue array composed of 150 advanced stage ovarian cancers uniformly treated, with surgical debulking followed by platinum-paclitaxel combination chemotherapy, was constructed. For evaluation of p27 protein expression, we used an immunofluorescence-based method of automated in situ quantitative measurement of protein analysis [automated quantitative analysis (AQUA)]. Results: The mean follow-up time of the patients was 34.3 months. Patients with low Fédération Internationale des Gynaecologistes et Obstetristes stage were more likely to have low nuclear p27 expression (P = 0.008). Low nuclear p27 expression was associated with improved 3-year overall survival (66% versus 20%, P = 0.0047) and disease-free survival (27% versus 12%, P = 0.022). In multivariable analysis, adjusting for well-characterized prognostic variables, low nuclear p27 expression level was the most significant prognostic factor for both disease-free and overall survival. Conclusions: Our results indicate that quantitative assessment of nuclear p27 expression level by automated in situ quantitative analysis is a strong predictor for outcome in ovarian cancer. © 2005 American Association for Cancer Research.

A robust methodology is presented for the accurate modal analysis of three-dimensional dielectric waveguides with the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. We investigate the propagation of well-defined vector modes along strongly guiding rectangular waveguides. Eigensolutions of the vectorial wave equation are utilized in the simulations to accurately launch the fundamental and higher order eigenmodes. Results for their FDTD-computed propagation constant are found to be in excellent agreement with existing mode-solving techniques. Improved accuracy or significant computational savings are achieved when the nonstandard FDTD concepts are incorporated in the context of the present analysis. © 2005 IEEE.

We investigate the magnetization of II–VI non‐magnetic‐semiconductor (NMS) / narrow to wide dilute‐magnetic‐semiconductor (DMS) / NMS quantum wells. These structures are appropriate for conduction‐band spintronics. We employ an in‐plane magnetic field, B, in order to induce non‐step‐like density of states. Finally, we tune the spin polarization by varying the temperature, T, and B, i.e. we investigate the magnetic phases of these NMS/DMS/NMS structures.

Thalidomide has antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory properties and has recently been used in the management of human malignancies. Multiple studies have confirmed its activity in multiple myeloma, alone or combined with dexamethasone and/or chemotherapy as first- or second-line treatment. In addition, it may reduce the need for transfusions in patients with myelofibrosis or myelodysplastic syndromes. The activity of thalidomide in solid tumours is less prominent. The most promising results have been reported in Kaposi's sarcoma, malignant melanoma and prostate cancer, especially when it is combined with chemotherapy. Recently, thalidomide analogues (immunomodulatory drugs), with higher immunomodulatory activity and different toxicity profile, have been developed. They have already shown promising activity in multiple myeloma and are currently being evaluated in clinical studies. © 2005 Ashley Publications Ltd.

The optical properties of three-dimensional photonic crystals consisting of polaritonic spheres in a dielectric host medium are studied by means of accurate numerical calculations using the on-shell layer-multiple-scattering method. The transmission characteristics of finite slabs of these materials are related to the complex band structure of the corresponding infinite crystals and the effect of dissipative losses is examined.

We investigate generalized asymmetric left-handed (LH) slab waveguides that constitute an extension to the symmetric structure initially proposed by Pendry. By utilizing the asymmetry it has been shown that they have the potential for increased image resolution. This is due to the amplification of the formed surface waves (SWs) that is able to compensate material losses. Some preliminary studies in this direction have been reported in the literature but, to the best of our knowledge, there is no complete study of all possible S W eigenmodes supported by such LH waveguides. A rigorous theoretical investigation is presented herein that offers clear mathematical explanation and detailed physical insight into the formation of surface polaritons (SPs) in these heterostructures and provides the conditions for their existence. It is found that a rich variety of SP modes can exist (30 in total) that depend critically on the combination of the different refractive indices, constitutive parameters ε(ω) and μ(ω) the sample geometry. For each case we provide the geometric dispersion diagram and the profile of the corresponding stable field configuration from which the various characteristics of the mode (enhancement, phase reversal) are apparent, An interesting result of the above analysis is that, for certain choices of the material parameters, the coupling between the interfaces allows the existence of new 'supermodes' when no stable solutions exist at the isolated interfaces of the slab alone. Finally, the modes that give rise to negative group velocity are identified and key features of the dispersion diagrams are discussed, most of which are unique to the structures studied herein and have not been previously recovered with symmetrical studies.

Basel, Switzerland,  Αποτελεί δημοσίευση περίληψης της ανακοίνωσης μας στο Συνέδριο της Ολλανδίας (ESF Euroconference, «Biomedicine within the Limits of Existence», Doom Utrecht, Holland, 8-13 Αpril 2005), την οποία συμπεριέλαβε το επιστημονικό περιοδικό της Societe Suisse d’ Ethique Biomedicale. Υπήρξε ιδιαίτερη επιθυμία από τη συντακτική επιτροπή για τη δημοσίευση αυτή και για περαιτέρω συνεργασία. Μέρος των απόψεων για την ανθρώπινη κλωνοποίηση που γράφτηκαν για το ελβετικό αυτό περιοδικό, το οποίο δημοσιεύει άρθρα στα αγγλικά, γαλλικά, γερμανικά και ιταλικά, περιλαμβάνονται και αποτελούν θέσεις που εκφράσθηκαν παλαιότερα στη δημοσίευση στην Επιστημονική Επετηρίδα του Τμήματος Θεολογίας 12 (2002), σελ. 389-395.

Field body temperatures (T(b)s), activity cycles, and preferred body temperatures maintained in a laboratory thermogradient (T-sel) were studied for Podarcis milensis, a small, endemic, lacertid lizard occurring in Milos Archipelago, Greece. P. milensis is active all year round; overall maximum activity level is recorded in spring, and minimum activity in winter. Daily activity patterns range from unimodal (winter) to strongly bimodal (summer). Body temperature of adults of the examined population (n = 188) averages 31.3 degrees C range 21.5-38.4 degrees C, SD 3.27 degrees C; mean monthly T(b)s are grouped together into "seasons". The species actively thermoregulates, and effectiveness of thermoregulation for the month of August is high, 0.95. The thermoregulatory behavior, microhabitat utilization, and activity cycle of this population are all discussed in the specific context of our study system: the harsh thermal environment of an insular sand dune.

The present study attempted a follow-up of the time characteristics in elite volleyball, four years after the implementation of the new regulations. To this aim data concerning set and match points and duration and total match duration from two consecutive Olympic volleyball competitions in men and women (Sidney, 2000 and Athens, 2004) were compared. Results indicated a statistically significant increase of the corresponding sets duration, and as a result of the match and total match duration, in the Athens Olympics, both for men and women. On the contrary the total number of set points remained the same. Consequently, the increase in set time duration is caused exclusively by rally time expansion. In conclusion, time characteristics of the volleyball game continue to be influenced by the impact of the new regulations.  Keywords: volleyball, time characteristics, rules.

Published in CORDIS March 2006 http://cordis.europa.eu.int/ist/directorate g/seminar20060405.htm (Η εισήγηση (position paper και action plan) της κα. Καμπερίδου ως μέλος του GEAG  συμπεριλήφθηκαν στους ατομικούς φακέλους/ντοσιέ των συμμετεχόντων και στις συζητήσεις. Στη συνέχεια ακολούθησε και δημοσίευση στο Cordis: http://cordis.europa.eu.int/ist/directorate g/seminar20060405.htm)--- **(Kamberidou, I., & Patsantaras, N. (2005). 'Towards a Gender-Neutral Inclusive Information Society: Preserving the European Model in the Information Age'. Women in Science Seminar: Women in the Information Society, European Commission Information Society and Media Directorate-General, Brussels (pp. 1–11), Brussels (DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.4646.0962). Published in Cordis: http://cordis.europa.eu.int/ist/directorate g/seminar20060405.htm.Abstract http://scholar.uoa.gr/sites/default/files/ikamper/files/towards_a_gender_neutral_inclusive_information_society.pdf   [ L. in Apella]

1. Position Paper-action plan distributed in folders of all the participants at the Women in the Information Society Seminar: Women in the Information Society, European Commission Information Society and Media Directorate-General, 5/4/2005, Centre Borschette, rue Froissart 36-1049, Brussels.
2. Participation as member of the Gender Expert Action Group (GEAG) of the European Commission DG for Information Society and Media [ L.1.  in Apella]

• Η εισήγηση (position paper και action plan) της κα. Καμπερίδου ως μέλος του GEAG (εμπειρογνώμων για θέματα φύλου και ισότητας) συμπεριλήφθηκαν στους ατομικούς φακέλους/ντοσιέ των συμμετεχόντων και στις συζητήσεις. Στη συνέχεια ακολούθησε και η δημοσίευση στο Cordis: http://cordis.europa.eu.int/ist/directorate g/seminar20060405.htm)  DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.4646.0962

Transient-field strengths for Mg ions traversing Gd hosts have been measured above the K-shell electron velocity. The results support a recent model-based extrapolation of the transient-field strength and show sufficient magnitude for g-factor measurements on exotic nuclei near the island of inversion around 32Mg produced as intermediate-energy fragments. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

This is a retrospective analysis of 150 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who had failed prior treatment or were unfit for chemotherapy and were treated with oral gefitinib ('lressa', ZD1839; AstraZeneca) 250 mg/day. Thirty-two patients who received gefitinib for 3 weeks or less were not included in the analysis. For the remaining 118 evaluable patients, the mean age was 63.1 years; most patients had received prior chemotherapy (97.5%), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status scores 0-2 (97.4%) and stage IV disease (64.4%). The majority were symptomatic (84.6%). Disease control was observed in 30 patients (25.4%), of whom five had a partial response and 25 had stable disease; 18 (15.3%) were not evaluable. Median duration of treatment was 29.9 weeks in responding patients and 11.5 in patients with progressive disease (p<0.0001). Median overall survival was 7.3 months (15.2 months for disease control) and median progression-free survival was 3.2 months. Gefitinib was well tolerated, with grade 3/4 skin rash and diarrhea seen in 2.5 and 4.2% of patients, respectively. Clinical benefit was evaluated using questionnaires before and following treatment with gefitinib. In 82 patients with completed questionnaires, evaluation revealed symptom improvement in 40.1% and improvement in general feeling in 31.4%. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) analysis found that efficacy did not correlate with tumor EGFR overexpression. Therefore, in this retrospective analysis, gefitinib treatment provided disease control in 25% of patients who derived significant palliative benefit. © 2005 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Background and Objectives. Bortezomib is a selective proteasome inhibitor which has shown significant activity in a variety of hematologic malignancies including multiple myeloma, mantle cell lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma. Thus, this agent is worth studying in patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM). Design and Methods. Patients with refractory or relapsed WM were treated with bortezomib administered intravenously at a dose of 1.3 mg/m2 on days 1, 4, 8 and 11 in a 21-day cycle for a total of four cycles. Results. Ten previously treated patients with WM were treated with bortezomib. Most patients had been exposed to all active agents for WM and eight patients had received three or more regimens. Six of these patients achieved a partial response which occurred at a median of 1 month. The median time to progression in the responding patients is expected to exceed 11 months. Bortezomib was relatively well tolerated. The more common toxicities were mild or moderate thrombocytopenia, fever and fatigue while peripheral neuropathy occurred in three patients and one patient developed severe paralytic ileus. Interpretation and Conclusions. Our preliminary data indicate that bortezomib is an active agent in patients with heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory WM. Four cycles of this agent may be adequate to assess sensitivity in this disease. Further studies are needed to confirm our results and to evaluate combinations of bortezomib with other active agents. ©2005 Ferrata Storti Foundation.

The nova-like variable TT Ari had shown a luminosity change with a drastic change of the light curve. This state is distincly different from both the bright "negative superhump" state and the "positive superhump" state known before.

The surface waves method was used in this case study as an alternative and efficient tool for geological and geotechnical investigation. The site is located at Glyfada, Athens where neogene formations, mainly composed by clayish layers with intercalations of conglomerates, are present. The results were compared with data from geotechnical investigation and seismic refraction data.

In this paper the counteractive dynamic marine and river environments responsible for a river mouth’s and a delta’s modulation is studied. The Acheloos River (West Greece) was chosen as the case study due to the recent changes taken place in its basin. The aim of this study is to analyze the present dominant environment and the impact of human activity on this balance. A GIS database was developed and updated in order to provide access for future use and computer analysis (both spatial and chronological). The study, includes an estimation of the delta forming processes, the impact of the anthropogenic parameters on these processes, and, finally, their representation.

There is a consistent variation in the response of different skeletal muscle groups to mutations in genes known to cause muscular dystrophy, yet these muscles appear histologically similar. To better understand these phenotypic differences, we analyzed gene expression patterns in control muscle specimens obtained from four sites at autopsy: deltoid, quadriceps, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior (TA). A total of 35 muscle samples from nine individuals (four pediatric and five geriatric) were studied. Factors potentially influencing gene expression in the different samples included individuality, age, muscle type, gender, cause of death, postmortem interval, and ethnicity. The first three factors, in decreasing order, were found to have a significant impact on the stratification of muscle specimens. A novel analytic method, using a second round of normalization, was used to elicit differences between muscle types. This approach may be extended to a broader survey, potentially elucidating a molecular classification of the skeletal muscles.

We studied viral dynamic parameters in 44 chronic hepatitis B/hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)(-) patients treated with pegylated interferon alfa-2b (PEG-IFN) 100 or 200 microg weekly or lamivudine 100 mg daily or the combination of PEG-IFN 100 or 200 microg with lamivudine. Patients receiving PEG-IFN monotherapy exhibited viral load oscillations between weekly injections, which were resolved by the addition of lamivudine. The median pharmacological delay was estimated at 4.1, 5.8, and 1.8 hours in PEG-IFN monotherapy, PEG-IFN 100/200 microg + lamivudine, and lamivudine monotherapy, respectively (P = .44). The median half-life of free virus was 12.7 hours (range, 2.4-69.2 hours). The mean antiviral effectiveness of PEG-IFN 100/200 microg monotherapy was lower than that of lamivudine (82.6% vs. 96.4%; P = .005). The mean effectiveness of PEG-IFN 100 microg + lamivudine and PEG-IFN 200 microg + lamivudine was 92.8% and 94.4%, respectively. The half-life of infected cells ranged from 2.7 to 75 days. The median half-life of infected cells in patients receiving the combination regimens of PEG-IFN and lamivudine was similar to that of lamivudine patients (5.0 days vs. 6.0 days, P = .77). In conclusion, the addition of pegylated interferon alfa-2b in lamivudine treatment was found to neither enhance the potency of blocking HBV production nor the decay rates of infected cells. Supplementary material for this article can be found on the HEPATOLOGY website (http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/0270-9139/suppmat/index.html).

Kamberidou, Irene & Patsantaras, Nikolaos (2005). Virtual Globalization. Paper and proposals as member of GEAG and Research Group for the Consultation Workshop on Gender and Technology, European Commission, Information Society Directorate-General Miniaturisation, Embedded Systems, Societal Applications, April 22, 2005 Brussels.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RESEARCH GROUP PAPER AND DRAFT PROPOSALS FOR CONSULTATION WORKSHOP ON GENDER AND TECHNOLOGY, BRUSSELS, EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Information Society Directorate-General Miniaturisation, Embedded Systems, Societal Applications , February 12, 2005. Includes Irene Kamberidou's Paper and proposals as member of the Gender Expert Action Group (GEAG) and the Research Group for the next Consultation Workshop on Gender and Technology, European Commission, Information Society Directorate-General Miniaturisation, Embedded Systems, Societal Applications, April 22, 2005 Brussels (DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.3546.7606). Concludes with Irene Kamberidou’s observations and proposals from last Gender & Technology Workshop in Brussels.   Keywords and future directions: Bodiless society, gender-neutral society, gender subject, service society, virtual servitude, information manipulation, electronic surveillance, electronic terrorism, (new) information world order, digital despotism, digital capitalism, information elite, exclusionist technophobia, digital illiteracy, interdisciplinary communication, education, techno-education, integration of women (gender integration), action plan, techno-ethos, techno-ethics.   Everything as we know it today is definitively and ultimately in the process of transformation due to two significant changes in the global scene—the globalization of the economy, aggressive/dynamic competition, and the ‘invasion’ of technology in every area of human-social life, in every sector of public and private activity. Today we are witnessing the creation of “a society of services/ a service society”, as a result of accelerated technological developments, in combination with the globalization of the economy-- a service society, ‘a bodiless society” which is gradually replacing industrial society. The expansion of a new bureaucracy is being promoted, the formulation of units that provide services, and the creation of thousands of specialized employment positions in the distribution and use of new technologies, whose hard nucleus is made up of specific specialized knowledge and know-how, denied to the less-privileged gender subject/citizen. The products of the technological revolution are in reality services—a fact that has foundational consequences on society! We are at a transitional stage, in a transitional period that not only disorganizes and disorientates but also marginalizes the less privileged gender subject, namely an extremely large sector of the population, the majority of the EU population, the non-mainstream social groups. That which was familiar, understood and considered a given is being eradicated, and no longer understood. Due to the high speed disorganization of existing structures the gender subject/citizen is having dramatic difficulty in adapting and comprehending what is going on, and our social system is confronting difficulties in defining the problems and thus providing solutions on how we can get through this transitional period. KEYWORDS: Gender subject/citizen, service society, commercialization, “professionalization”, virtual world order, virtual servitude, digital despotism, virtual elite, future exclusions-technophobia, cultural commonality, commonality of cultures, virtual illiteracy, virtual techno-illiteracy, interdisciplinary communication/research, Education, socio-economic-biocentric rationale, technoethics – technoethos https://pergamos.lib.uoa.gr/uoa/dl/object/2775578  

• Includes Irene Kamberidou’s observations / proposals from last workshop. 
• GEAG (Gender Action Group)

The goal is to visualize a set of multivariate data in such a way that datavectors belonging to different classes (subgroups) appear differentiated as muchas possible. When intending such visualization, the first question should be aboutthe intrinsic dimensionality of the data. The answer may be obtained byevaluating, e.g., the fractal correlation dimension. The projection to a plane isjustified when the correlation dimension of the data is about 2. Only in such casethe performed visualization is plausible to reflect all the between group and thewithin group relationships among the data vectors. There are several recognizedmethods for mapping data to a plane. Our interest lies especially in nonlinearmethods. We consider in detail three methods: The canonical discriminantfunctions, the kernel discriminant functions and the neuroscale mapping. Weillustrate our considerations using the Kefallinia erosion data, where each datavector belongs - in a crisp way – to one of five predefined subgroups indicatingthe severity of the erosion risk. The assignments to the subgroups were performedby an expert GIS system based on logical rules established by experts.

From a sample of 304 carbon stars in the central parts of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), ~27 per cent have Merrill-Sanford (MS) bands of the SiC2 molecule. The data are based on a uniform set of spectra taken with 2dF on the Anglo-Australian Telescope, and give useful statistics on the incidence of MS bands and on their correlation (or otherwise) with other properties. All of these are red stars, cooler than 3100 K. The proportion of stars showing the bands is highest amongst the coolest stars, but not all very cool stars show the bands. There is no evidence that MS bands are more common in J-type stars (carbon stars with a high 13C/12C ratio) than in N-type carbon stars, at least within this sample of LMC stars. There is no apparent correlation with stellar variability, or between the photospheric temperature [as measured by (J-K)] and the occurrence of the 'hot' MS bands from excited molecular states. (2 data files).

We present analysis of all 24 archival raster XMM-Newton (Jansen et al., 2001A&A...365L...1J) observations of M33. (2 data files).

The diagnosis of Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) requires evidence of bone-marrow infiltration by lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma and detection of serum monoclonal protein of IgM type. The normal counterpart of the WM malignant cell is believed to be a postgerminal-center B cell. The clinical manifestations and laboratory abnormalities associated with WM are related to direct tumor infiltration and to the amount and specific properties of IgM. Asymptomatic patients should be followed without treatment. When treatment is indicated, the three main choices for systemic frontline treatment are chlorambucil, the nucleoside analogues fludarabine or cladribine and the monoclonal antibody rituximab. There is evidence that high-dose therapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation is effective even in patients with advanced and resistant disease. Patient's age, hemoglobin and serum β2-microglobulin before treatment are important prognostic variables which correlate with survival. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

We demonstrate the existence of strong Anderson localization in certain disordered phononic systems. As a result, the transmission coefficient of elastic waves through a slab of the material practically vanishes, whatever the angle of incidence, over a region of frequency much wider than the absolute frequency gap of the corresponding ordered system. The phenomenon can be of use in the design of phononic systems with very wide absolute transmission gaps.

Η παρουσίαση της δημοσιευμένης μεταπτυχιακής εργασίας στη Θεολογική Σχολή του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών προβάλλει τη σημασία και το ρόλο των δημοσιευμάτων στον Αθηναϊκό Τύπο για τα θέματα της βιοηθικής και της βιοτεχνολογίας.

Ἡ γεωπολιτικὴ σημασία τοῦ ἐθνοθρησκευτικοῦ μωσαϊκοῦ στὸ Νέο Ἰράκ, τὸ ὁποῖον, ἐπανειλημμένως ἔχει ὑποστηρίξει ὁ γράφων κατὰ τὸ παρελθόν (χωρὶς αὐτὸ νὰ σημαίνει ὅτι τὸ ἐπιθυμεῖ), θὰ εἶναι συνομόσπονδο καὶ τριεθνοτικὸ καὶ θὰ ἔχει βαρύνουσα γεωπολιτικὴ σημασία γιὰ τὴν ἐπανακατανομὴ ἰσχύος στὴ Ν/Α Μεσόγειο καὶ δι' αὐτῆς σὲ ὁλόκληρο τὸν πλανήτη. Το παρόν κείμενο αναφέρεται στις γεωπολιτικὲς ὄψεις τοῦ Κουρδικοῦ Ζητήματος στὸ νέο Ἰράκ και στα ερωτήματα που προκύπτουν γιὰ τὴν Ἑλληνικὴ Ἐξωτερικὴ καὶ Ἀμυντικὴ πολιτικὴ.

Η παγκόσμια αθλητική ηγεσία δεν κατόρθωσε να διεκδικήσει αποτελεσματικά την εφαρμογή της εκεχειρίας στο σύγχρονο κόσμο κατά τη διεξαγωγή των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων, που θα δρούσε ως προστατευτική προμετωπίδα των αγώνων. Επίσης, δεν κατάφερε να προστατεύσει τους αγώνες απ’ την τεράστια εμπορευματοποίηση που, οικειοποιούμενη τα αθλητικά οφέλη, δεν διστάζει να διογκώσει την αθλητική επιτυχία ώστε αυτή να μετατρέπεται σε ελκυστικό καταναλωτικό προϊόν. Ο αθλητισμός, αποτελώντας μια απεικόνιση της κοινωνίας στην οποία ανήκει, αντανακλά την προβληματική της. Το μεγαλύτερο πρόβλημα που αντιμετωπίζει σήμερα ο ολυμπιακός αθλητισμός, η επαπειλούμενη ασφάλεια, είναι ακριβώς το ίδιο που αξιολογείται ως νούμερο ένα στην κλίμακα των ζητημάτων του σύγχρονου κόσμου. Η τρομοκρατία, που δημιουργεί το κλίμα γενικής ανασφάλειας, είναι μια πραγματικότητα των καιρών μας, όπως πραγματικότητα είναι όμως και οι οποιοιδήποτε πολιτικοί λόγοι που γεννούν το φαινόμενο της τρομοκρατίας. Η απόφαση ν’ ανατεθεί η προστασία των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων του 2004 στο στρατιωτικό πλέγμα του ΝΑΤΟ ήρθε σε πλήρη αντίθεση με το πνεύμα που χαρακτηρίζει τους αγώνες: της ειρήνης, της ισότητας, της συνεργασίας των λαών. Η απόφαση αυτή, όχι μόνο βρίσκεται σε σύγκρουση με τον αυθεντικό χαρακτήρα των αγώνων, αλλά εγκυμονεί και κινδύνους για την επιβίωση του θεσμού. Υπάρχει μια σαφής αντίφαση στο να διεξάγεται μια εκδήλωση που συμβολίζει την ειρήνη υπό την ομπρέλα του πιο ισχυρού στρατιωτικού μηχανισμού- ο οποίος έχει μάλιστα χρεωθεί τις μεγαλύτερες επιθέσεις κατά πληθυσμών τα τελευταία χρόνια, και εναντίον του οποίου έχουν πραγματοποιηθεί οι πολυπληθέστερες αντιπολεμικές διαδηλώσεις σε όλο τον κόσμο. Όχι μόνο δεν θα έπρεπε να εισχωρήσει το ΝΑΤΟ σε μια τέτοιου χαρακτήρα εκδήλωση, αλλά και η ίδια η Αμερική, ως χώρα ευρισκόμενη σε πολεμική διένεξη με το Ιράκ και μ’ άλλες χώρες (Πακιστάν, Αφγανιστάν), θα έπρεπε, σύμφωνα με το μέτρο του αποκλεισμού που ίσχυε κατά την αρχαιότητα, να αποκλειστεί από τους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες. Η ανάληψη της ευθύνης των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων από την Ατλαντική Συμμαχία, δεν περιορίστηκε άλλωστε μόνο στους αγώνες, αλλά νομιμοποιήθηκε το ΝΑΤΟ να επιβλέπει και να ελέγχει επίσημα ολόκληρη την ευρύτερη περιοχή της Μεσογείου. Αν υπάρχει, ωστόσο, κάποιο περιθώριο ν’ αποφορτιστεί ο θεσμός των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων από το ρόλο του πολιτικού κατασκόπου απαιτούνται σημαντικές παρεμβάσεις. Μια διαφορετική εθνική και διεθνής πολιτική είναι αναγκαίες, ώστε οι μελλοντικοί Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες ν’ αποτελούν ένα αθλητικό συμβόλαιο που θα συμβάλλει στην αποφυγή ενεργειών εμπορικού ή επιθετικού χαρακτήρα, δημιουργώντας μηχανισμούς απομόνωσης απ’ τους αγώνες χωρών και ανθρώπων που οικειοποιούνται το θεσμό για πολιτικούς ή οικονομικούς λόγους. Η μορφή μιας νέας ολυμπιακής εκεχειρίας, θα έδινε έναν αξιόπιστο πολιτικό ρόλο στους αγώνες, ενώ ταυτόχρονα θα τον καθιστούσε θεσμό επικοινωνίας και συνύπαρξης μεταξύ των κοινωνιών. Η καθιέρωση της υποχρεωτικής εκεχειρίας ως προϋπόθεση για τη συμμετοχή στους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες, πιθανόν να έδινε τη δυνατότητα στο ολυμπιακό ιδεώδες να διαδραματίσει έναν οικουμενικό ρόλο, αποκτώντας, προς όφελος της ανθρωπότητας, μιαν ειρηνευτική αποστολή και διαπαιδαγωγώντας τις νέες γενιές για τη σπουδαιότητα της ειρηνικής διευθέτησης των διαφορών.

Στο άρθρο παρουσιάζονται με συντομία συμβολές ομιλητών στο συνέδριο στην Ολλανδία (ESF Euroconference, «Biomedicine within the Limits of Existence», Doom Utrecht, Holland, 8-13 Αpril 2005), οι οποίες προσφέρουν αφορμή για προβληματισμό στα σύγχρονα βιοηθικά προβλήματα.

Η προσπάθεια ηθικοποίησης της ολυμπιακής νίκης κατά την αρχαιότητα, σε μια κοινωνία που για πρώτη φορά θέτει όρους ηθικής λειτουργίας των θεσμών, δεν στέφθηκε πάντοτε από επιτυχία. Η για πολιτικούς λόγους εκμετάλλευση της ολυμπιακής επιτυχίας αποτελεί ως εκ τούτου την έκβαση της λειτουργίας μιας κοινωνίας που το πρώτιστο πολιτικό της κύτταρο είναι η «πόλη», καθώς η νίκη υφαρπάζεται από τα χέρια του μεμονωμένου νικητή για να αναχθεί σε καθολική νίκη της πόλης του. Ωστόσο, εκτός από τις αψιμαχίες μεταξύ των πόλεων, ο διακαής πόθος Ολυμπιονικών να καρπωθούν πολιτικά τα οφέλη της νίκης, οδήγησε ενίοτε σε αχαλίνωτες προσωπικές φιλοδοξίες, ή σε δραματικά αποτελέσματα, όπως το απεχθές Κυλώνειον άγος. Η διεκδίκηση της αθλητικής επιτυχίας, ως απόρροια της δίψας για προσωπική ωφέλεια, είναι ένα φαινόμενο που λειτουργεί χωρίς εξαίρεση, γι’ αυτό παρατηρείται το ίδιο συχνά είτε σε έναν τύραννο, ή βασιλιά ή ευγενή της αρχαιότητας, είτε σε έναν κοινό θνητό της σύγχρονης κοινωνίας που επιδιώκει να ξεχωρίσει δια της ολυμπιακής νίκης. Σύμμαχος και συν-διαμορφωτής αυτής της αντίληψης του αθλητή σήμερα είναι συνήθως τα ίδια τα πολιτικά σχήματα, που ως άλλοι χορηγοί και σπόνσορες, παρακολουθούν την επικαιρότητα των αθλητικών επιδόσεων, με σκοπό να αρπάξουν σαν πολεμικό λάφυρο το νικητή, για να τον χρησιμοποιήσουν στον πολιτικό στίβο ως κυνηγό ψήφων. Αυτό όχι μόνο αντίκειται στο ολυμπιακό πνεύμα, επειδή το διαστρεβλώνει, αλλά και έχει ως συνέπεια την υποβάθμιση του πολιτικού διαλόγου και των ηθικών αξιών, καθώς καλλιεργούνται στη νεολαία και στην κοινωνία πρότυπα επιτυχίας αντί για πρότυπα αξίας.

Στο άρθρο αυτό επισημαίνεται ότι επιβάλλεται να καθορίζεται ρητώς ο στόχος και οι αρχές που ακολουθεί κάθε οικογενειακή παροχή, ώστε να ενισχυθούν οι ευπαθείς κοινωνικές ομάδες. Eπισημαίνεται ότι η προστασία των απασχολουμένων στην Ελλάδα για τα οικογενειακά βάρη είναι κοινωνικά άνιση. Οι ελληνικές οικογένειες διακρίνονται σε δύο κατηγορίες: α) Η πρώτη, περιλαμβάνει τους δημόσιους υπαλλήλους και τους μισθωτούς του δημόσιου και του ιδιωτικού τομέα και προστατεύεται από την εργατική νομοθεσία και την κοινωνική ασφάλιση κατά τρόπο που κρίνεται σχετικά ικανοποιητικός. β) Η δεύτερη περιλαμβάνει τους αυτοτελώς απασχολουμένους και τους αγρότες και έχει μειωμένη προστασία σε σχέση με την προηγούμενη, διότι όσοι ανήκουν σε αυτήν απουσιάζουν ελάχιστα από την εργασία τους, επειδή δεν εξασφαλίζονται οι αποδοχές τους κατά τη διάρκεια της απουσίας τους. Οι κοινωνικές αυτές ανισότητες στην Ελλάδα είναι ιδιαίτερα σημαντικές, διότι η πρώτη και η δεύτερη κατηγορία έχουν περίπου ίσο αριθμό εργαζομένων. Η αναλογία αυτή διαφοροποιεί την Ελλάδα από πολλά άλλα κράτη μέλη της Ε.Ε., όπου ο συνολικός αριθμός των μισθωτών είναι πολύ μεγαλύτερος από τον αριθμό των λοιπών ασφαλισμένων. Μία άλλη παράμετρος που εντοπίζεται είναι ότι οι έμμεσα ασφαλισμένοι που στην Ελλάδα στην πλειοψηφία τους είναι γυναίκες και παιδιά δεν έχουν  άμεσο δικαίωμα κατά του ασφαλιστικού οργανισμού να αξιώσουν ατομικά και για λογαριασμό τους τις σχετικές παροχές. Προτείνεται η εκτίμηση της ανάγκης να γίνεται ανά οικογένεια και η είσπραξη της παροχής ατομικά. Επίσης, εξετάζονται τα αντικίνητρα για την απασχόληση των γυναικών που δημιουργεί η ισχύουσα προστασία και κίνητρο για την απασχόληση με συμβάσεις έργου που υποκρύπτουν συμβάσεις εργασίας. Για να δημιουργηθεί ένα συνεκτικό και ισότιμο σύστημα που θα εναρμονίζει την οικογενειακή με την επαγγελματική ζωή προτείνεται η ίδρυση ενιαίου χρηματοδοτούμενου από το Κράτος ταμείου για την κάλυψη των οικογενειακών βαρών.  

When citing/ για παραπομπήΚαμπερίδου, Ειρήνη (2005). Ο Έμφυλος Ηρωισμός του Αθλητισμού, ο ήρωας αθλητής και η αθλήτρια-ηρωίδα: το ανθρώπινο εμπόριο της ψυχαγωγίας και του θεάματος. Η Κοινωνική Εικόνα της Αθλήτριας.  Κεφάλαιο στις Πανεπιστημιακές Σημειώσεις του Σεμιναρίου Εδικών Θεμάτων «Άσκηση-Ευρωστία-Υγεία» της Επικ. Καθηγήτριας Μ. Μαριδάκη, σελ. 1-11. Ακαδημαϊκό έτος 2004-2005,   Τ.Ε.Φ.Α.Α. του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών.  DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.1389.9601 

• Kamberidou, Irene (2005). Gendered Heroism: sport heroes and heroines. (in Greek)  DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.1389.9601

Στην εργασία αυτή παρουσιάζουμε, σε θεματικές, σημαντικές απόψεις του Piaget για την εκπαίδευση και την παιδαγωγική, ένα θέμα στο οποίο δεν έχει δοθεί η απαιτούμενη προσοχή. Αναφέρονται και σχολιάζονται οι απόψεις του για τη σχέση μάθησης-ανάπτυξης, παιδαγωγικής-ψυχολογίας, για την αναγκαιότητα της γνώσης από τον εκπαιδευτικό της ψυχολογίας του παιδιού, για το περιεχόμενο της μάθησης και τα είδη της γνώσης, για τις διαδικασίες προαγωγής της μάθησης, για την ομαδική-συνεργατική μάθηση, για το παιχνίδι, για τη σχέση της γνωστικής με την ηθική εκπαίδευση, για την αυτοδιακυβέρνηση και την αλληλεγγύη, καθώς και για τη διεθνή παιδεία ως παιδεία της ελευθερίας και της ειρήνης. Επισημαίνεται η διαχρονική και ιδιαίτερα επίκαιρη αξία των ιδεών αυτών του Piaget.

Στην εργασία αυτή ανασκοπούνται κριτικά τα ευρήματα της διεθνούς βιβλιογραφίας για την πρόληψη και αντιμετώπιση της μοναξιάς του παιδιού και του εφήβου, ιδίως στο σχολικό πλαίσιο. Μέχρι σήμερα, δεν υπάρχει μια τέτοια ανασκόπηση, ο αριθμός των σχετικών ερευνών είναι μικρός και δεν έχει ελεγχθεί εμπειρικά η αποτελεσματικότητα των αντίστοιχων σχολικών παρεμβάσεων. Ειδικότερα, αποσαφηνίζονται εννοιολογικά οι επιμέρους μορφές μοναξιάς και ανασκοπούνται ευρήματα για τη σχέση του εκπαιδευτικού με τη μοναξιά των μαθητών του και τις αντίστοιχες σχολικές παρεμβάσεις. Εντοπίζονται κενά και προτείνονται οδοί περαιτέρω ερευνητικής ενασχόλησης με το θέμα.

Το παρόν κείμενο αποτελέι πρόλογο του Καθηγητή Ἰ.Θ. Μάζη στὸ τεῦχος 7, του επιστημονικού περιοδικού "Γεωστρατηγικη", του Ινστιτούτου Αμυντικών Αναλύσεων (ΙΑΑ).

Τὸ φαινόμενο τῆς τρομοκρατίας, ἰδωμένο στὴν γεωγραφική, τὴν πολιτική, τὴν θρησκευτικὴ καὶ τὴν πολιτισμική του διάσταση, τυγχάνει πολλῶν ὁρισμῶν. Καὶ τοῦτο, διότι στὸν ἀντίποδά της, δηλαδὴ στὴν θεωρία καὶ τὴν πράξη τῆς ἀντιμετωπίσεως τοῦ φαινομένου τῆς τρομοκρατίας καὶ τῶν συνεπειῶν του, ὑπεισέρχεται, ἀναμφιβόλως, ἡ ἔννοια τοῦ Συμφέροντος, ἐθνικοῦ ἢ καὶ ὑπερεθνικοῦ, ἡ ἀντίληψις τοῦ ὁποίου διαφοροποιεῖ, ἐν τέλει, τὸν προσδιορισμὸν τῆς ἰδίας τῆς ἔννοιας τῆς τρομοκρατίας. Το παρόν κείμενο αναλύει τα αἴτια τῆς τρομοκρατίας καὶ τις δυνατότητες αναιρέσεώς της.

Kamberidou, Irene & Patsantaras, Nikolaos (2004). "Absolute Exclusion: Today’s Digital Exiles”.  Analysis Report, presentation as member of GEAG for the Gender eQuality Session, second Consultation Workshop on Gender and Technology, European Commission, Information Society Directorate-General Miniaturisation, Embedded Systems, Societal Applications, Oct. 15, 2004 Brussels.   **Includes Technoethics proposals and final Report on the Gender Workshop of October 15, 2004, list of participants, membership in Expert working group, inclusion/invitation to next meeting Jan. 2005 and letter of appreciation. ** member of GEAG-Gender Expert Action Group 

Adiponectin, an adipocyte-secreted hormone, is closely and inversely associated with insulin resistance and was recently found to be inversely and independently associated with endometrial cancer. Because insulin resistance in the setting of obesity has also been associated with the development of breast cancer, we have hypothesized that decreased adiponectin levels might underlie the association between breast cancer and obesity/insulin resistance. We evaluated the association of adiponectin with the occurrence of breast cancer in a case-control study comprising 174 women with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed breast cancer and 167 controls. We found an inverse, fairly strong, and statistically significant association of serum adiponectin with breast cancer (odds ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-0.99). Importantly, despite a fairly robust inverse association of adiponectin with breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women (odds ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-1.00), no such significant association between adiponectin and breast cancer was found among premenopausal women. The observed associations were independent of possible effects of major components of the IGF system, leptin, body mass index, sociodemographic variables, and known risk factors for breast cancer. Future studies are needed to prove causality and provide further insights into both the mechanisms underlying the actions of this hormone and its potential role in breast cancer.

Purpose: Radical cystectomy represents the treatment of choice for muscle infiltrative bladder carcinoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy has been used to improve outcome after cystectomy. We report results in a prospective cohort of patients at high risk for relapse who were treated with the combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin as adjuvant treatment following cystectomy for muscle invasive bladder cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 92 patients with extravesical tumor extension (pT 3b or greater) or lymph node involvement (N+) were treated with 4 cycles of paclitaxel at 175 mg/m2 and carboplatin (area under the curve 5 according to the Calvert formula) every 3 weeks following radical cystectomy. Patients were followed every 6 months thereafter. Results: Median followup was 36.6 months. Chemotherapy was well tolerated with 62% of patients receiving 100% of the expected chemotherapy doses without delays. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was reported in 19% of patients, while neutropenic fever was reported in 7%. Five-year overall, cause specific and disease-free survival was 28.9% (95% CI 14.8 to 43.0), 36.6% (95% CI 24.4 to 49.7) and 29% (95% CI 16.3 to 42.4), respectively. Conclusions: Adjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin is feasible and could be used as adjuvant treatment for high risk bladder carcinoma. Its true value should be assessed in prospective, randomized trials.

Purpose: Radical surgery represents the treatment of choice for carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Nevertheless, approximately 50% of patients with stage T ≥ 3 or lymph node involvement die from their disease, mainly as a result of the development of distant metastases. Therefore, there is a need for effective adjuvant systemic treatment. We prospectively studied a cohort of patients who underwent surgery for high-risk carcinoma of the upper urinary tract to assess the feasibility of the combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin as adjuvant treatment. Patients and Methods: Thirty-six patients with tumor stage ≥ 3 or lymph node involvement were treated with four cycles of paclitaxel at 175 mg/m2 and carboplatin (area under the curve 5, Calvert Formula) every 3 weeks following surgery. Results: Median follow-up was 40.6 months. Chemotherapy was well tolerated with 32 patients (89%) receiving full carboplatin and paclitaxel doses without delays. The most frequent grade 3/4 toxicity was neutropenia (39%), which was complicated with fever in only one case (3%). Nonhematologic grade 3 or 4 toxicities were reported in only one case. Five-year survival was 52% (95% CI, 35% to 69%), while 5-year disease-free survival was 40.2% (95% CI, 15.8% to 64.6%). Local failure rate was 30%, as opposed to 17% of patients who developed distant metastases. No patients with grade 2 tumors relapsed during follow-up, as opposed to 60% of patients with grade 3 tumors. Conclusion: Adjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin is feasible and may reduce the risk of distant metastases in high-risk upper urinary tract carcinoma. © 2004 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

We consider the problem of dynamic admission control in a multi-class Markovian loss system receiving random batches, where each admitted class-i job demands an exponential service with rate μ, and brings a reward r i. We show that the optimal admission policy is a sequential threshold policy with monotone thresholds. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Thalidomide, a glutamic acid derivative, was withdrawn from clinical use in 1962 due to its severe teratogenic effects. Its recent reinstitution in clinical practice was related to its benefits in leprosy and multiple myeloma. Moreover, the antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory properties of thalidomide have led to its evaluation in several malignant diseases, including myelofibrosis, renal cell cancer, prostate cancer, and Kaposi sarcoma. However, thalidomide use is associated with several side effects: somnolence and constipation are the most common, while deep vein thrombosis and peripheral neuropathy are the most serious. A combination of thalidomide with steroids or chemotherapy is being evaluated in several phase 2 studies. While it is not yet clear whether these combinations will enhance efficacy, they appear to increase the toxicity of thalidomide, and thalidomide analogs are being developed to minimize this toxicity. Ongoing studies will clarify the potential advantages of these agents in the treatment of neoplastic diseases. © 2004 by Elsevier Inc.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate age-related differentiation of immune response in newborns by measuring serum concentrations of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) during the perinatal period. Subjects and methods: Fifty-seven healthy term neonates, their mothers and 25 healthy adults (controls) age-matched to the mothers were included in the study. Cytokine concentrations were measured in the umbilical cord (UC), and in first-day (1N) and fifth-day (5N) neonatal samples, compared with those in maternal serum (MS) and control serum samples. Results: Serum IL-2 concentrations in the UC were markedly elevated compared with those in MS and controls (p < 0.0001), decreasing significantly thereafter up to 5N (p < 0,001). IL-4 serum concentrations did not differ significantly between the UC, 1N and 5N samples; they were, however, markedly elevated compared with those in MS (p < 0.001, p < 0.0007 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and controls (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.006, respectively). IFN-γ serum concentrations were significantly lower in the UC compared with those in controls (p < 0.04), increasing significantly up to 5N (p < 0.03). Both IFN-γ/IL-2 and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratios increased significantly in 5N, compared with those in the UC (p < 0.001 and p < 0.03). Conclusion: Our findings indicate a differential cytokine balance at birth with enhanced expression of IL-2 and IL-4 against IFN-γ. However, a regularization of immune response seems to proceed quickly during the early neonatal life.

OBJECTIVE: Few previous studies have investigated the association between APOE genotype and brain activation during performance of cognitive tasks in healthy middle-aged and elderly subjects, and the results have been mixed. The authors investigated APOE-mediated differential brain activation in a group of healthy elderly subjects. METHODS: Using H215O positron emission tomography (PET), they imaged 32 healthy subjects (26 non-epsilon4 carriers and 6 epsilon4 carriers) performing a serial shape-recognition memory task under two conditions: Simple Demand (SD), in which one shape was presented in each study trial, and Titrated Demand (TD), in which study list length was adjusted so that each subject recognized words at approximately 75% accuracy. Multiple-regression analyses were performed, with the "activation" difference (TD-SD PET counts) as the dependent variable and the APOE genotype (presence versus absence of the epsilon4 allele) as the independent variable. RESULTS: Compared with non-carriers, epsilon4 carriers exhibited significantly decreased TD-SD activation differences in the left superior temporal, right superior frontal, left postcental, left precuneus, and posterior cingulate gyrus because epsilon4 carriers (versus non-carriers) showed increased activation during the SD and decreased activation during the TD condition. CONCLUSION: Patterns of brain activation during a nonverbal memory task differed as a function of APOE genotype and, therefore, of genetic risk for Alzheimer disease (AD). Differences in activation were not a reflection of task difficulty, but indicate memory-related altered cognitive processing. Brain regions with decreased activation in the epsilon4 subjects may result from subclinical incipient AD pathology and/or APOE-related neurophysiologic heterogeneity.

The mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) of the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium muscarium (synonym Verticillium lecanii) with a total size of 24,499-bp has been analyzed. So far, it is the smallest known mitochondrial genome among Pezizomycotina, with an extremely compact gene organization and only one group-I intron in its large ribosomal RNA (rnl) gene. It contains the 14 typical genes coding for proteins related to oxidative phosphorylation, the two rRNA genes, one intronic ORF coding for a possible ribosomal protein (rps), and a set of 25 tRNA genes which recognize codons for all amino acids, except alanine and cysteine. All genes are transcribed from the same DNA strand. Gene order comparison with all available complete fungal mtDNAs-representatives of all four Phyla are included-revealed some characteristic common features like uninterrupted gene pairs, overlapping genes, and extremely variable intergenic regions, that can all be exploited for the study of fungal mitochondrial genomes. Moreover, a minimum common mtDNA gene order could be detected, in two units, for all known Sordariomycetes namely nad1-nad4-atp8-atp6 and rns-cox3-rnl, which can be extended in Hypocreales, to nad4L-nad5-cob-cox1-nad1-nad4-atp8-atp6 and rns-cox3-rnl nad2-nad3, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of all fungal mtDNA essential protein-coding genes as one unit, clearly demonstrated the superiority of small genome (mtDNA) over single gene comparisons.

Using H2(15)O PET, the authors imaged 13 patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) while performing a serial nonverbal recognition memory task. Patterns of brain activation differed as a function of APOE genotype: epsilon4 carriers exhibited lower activation in the left lingual gyrus and higher activation in left cuneus, precuneus, parahippocampal, and right precentral gyrus. The APOE genotype seems to play a role in cerebral physiologic activity even after onset of clinical manifestations of AD.

Summary. In this article, we explore the use of a parametric model (for analyzing survival data)which is defined to allow sensitivity analysis for the presence of informative censoring. The dependence between the failure and the censoring processes is expressed through a parameter δ and a general bias function B(t, θ). We calculate the expectation of the potential bias due to informative censoring, which is an overall measure of how misleading our results might be if censoring is actually nonignorable. Bounds are also calculated for quantities of interest, e.g., parameter of the distribution of the failure process, which do not depend on the choice of the bias function for fixed δ. An application that relates to systematic lupus erythematosus data illustrates how additional information can result in reducing the uncertainty on estimates of the location parameter. Sensitivity analysis on a relative risk parameter is also explored.

School-age children’s ability to distinguish among the concepts of aloneness, loneliness, and solitude was the focus of this study. This ability has been largely neglected by researchers. Also, the relation of this ability with self-reported loneliness was examined. Individual interviews were conducted with 180 second, fourth, and sixth graders from Athens, Greece. Their responses were qualitatively and quantitatively analysed. Results showed that school-age children were able to perceive the differences between aloneness and loneliness, although they frequently associated being alone with feeling lonely. Nearly half of them perceived the motivational dimension, which distinguishes voluntary from involuntary aloneness. The ability to recognise the existence of beneficial aloneness, that is, solitude, was extremely limited among second graders, but increased dramatically up to the beginning of adolescence. About two thirds of the total sample acknowledged the human desire to be alone. Girls were significantly more able than boys to perceive the differences between aloneness and loneliness, the motivational dimension, and the desire to be alone. More than two-thirds of the total sample had experienced loneliness, but this experience appeared to be unrelated to their understanding of the various aloneness concepts. Age and gender differences, as well as children’s various justifications of their responses, are discussed in the framework of the existing theoretical and research literature on children’s aloneness, loneliness, and solitude.

Pindar, one of the most fundamental representatives of Greek choral lyric poetry, which flourished in the Archaic period, is the exclusive poet of competitive (athletic) victory. This is due to the fact that his works, the Epinikian Odes, or paeans, have survived in their entirety and, chiefly, to the fact that the victories in the sacred contests, or games, served as cause for his poetic creations. Thus, despite the fact that he was a professional poet, Pindar nevertheless formulated the athletic ideal in accordance with his belief that the games comprise the continuity of the heroic past. This paper investigates Pindar’s ideas, which influence the way he views the competitive, or athletic, victory as a value. The term ‘value’ is used here in the sense of intellectual, spiritual, religious and political value, but also in the sense of personal honor and the honor of the family heritage. Consequently, although Pindar is emphatically the poet of joy, he nevertheless makes his moments even brighter with indirect comparisons of the distant past and future prospects, putting his entire character into his poetry. The poet - whose work, according to J.B. Bury, reflects the authentic quality of the Greek intellect– comes and goes between the world of religion and that of myth, using graphic descriptions in such a manner that they create a vivid mental picture, thus giving new character to a theme. Pindar, in completing his Ode to Victory (Niki) and idealizing the victors, cultivates and expresses the athletic ideal. At the same time, by uniting all the Greeks around the sacred games by virtue of his paeans, he renders himself somewhat of a national poet. His poetic word, based, as mentioned earlier, on a bright vision of reality but also on a low-key poetic tongue, formulates into a vision-depicting poetry which deserves, according to C.M. Bowra, to be considered as the earthly correlation to Apollo’s music and the song of the Muses on Mt. Olympus which Pindar himself considers the archetype of music at those supreme moments when all differences are resolved and all guilt is expiated by the power of the life-giving word.

We present first-principles calculations of ballistic spin injection in Fe/GaAs and Fe/ZnSe junctions with orientations (00 1), (111), and (I 10). We find that the symmetry mismatch of the Fe minority spin states with the semiconductor conduction states can lead to extremely high spin polarization of the current through the (001) interface for hot and thermal injection processes. Such a symmetry mismatch does not exist for the (I 11) and (I 10) interfaces, where smaller spin injection efficiencies are found. The presence of interface states at the Fermi energy is found to lower the current spin polarization.

To assess the effectiveness of calcium phosphate as a delivery system of teicoplanin, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis was induced in 36 rabbits. Osteomyelitis was induced by inoculating 10 cfu of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolate into a 2-mm hole at the upper 1/3 of the femur for 3 weeks, when all animals had reoperations, and calcium phosphate cement with 3% teicoplanin was implanted. Animals were divided into six groups of six animals each, sacrificed at Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, respectively, after implantation. One rabbit in each group was used as a control. Substantial clinical improvement of the rabbits was observed after implantation, accompanied with sterile cultures of bone after the second week of treatment. Throughout the same period, 10 to 10 cfu/g of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolate was cultured from the control samples. Bacterial eradication signified a considerable decrease of the total histologic scores of osteomyelitis compared with controls, accompanied with newly growing host bone. The calcium phosphate with teicoplanin delivery system seems promising for treatment of bone infection attributable to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, this mixture allows filling of bone defects by new host bone.

We present B, V, R and I photometry for NGC 6779 (M56), a metal-poor globular cluster in the galactic halo. The observations were performed using the 1.3-m telescope at Skinakas Observatory, in Crete. The reddening of the cluster was found to be E(B-V) = 0.32 ± 0.02 [E(V-I) = 0.43 ± 0.02], significantly higher than previous estimates. The metal abundance of the cluster was derived from various parametrizations of red giant branch characteristics and it was found to be [Fe/H]ZW=-2.20 ± 0.12 dex on the Zinn-West metallicity scale, or [Fe/H]CG=-2.00 ± 0.21 dex on the Carretta-Gratton scale. The distance modulus of the cluster is estimated to be (m-M)V= 15.62 ± 0.26 (or 14.62, if we correct for the reddening to the cluster). The horizontal branch of NGC 6779 shows a clear gap at (B-V)o= 0.0. Finally, the revised value for the metallicity of NGC 6779 led to a revision of its age to 13 Gyr, using the age-index calibrations of Salaris & Weiss.

The paper presents an attempt to quantify the compliance of Greek companies with international best practices. Based on 37 indicators (composed out of 54 questions) it was found that Greek companies demonstrate a fairly satisfactory degree of compliance with OECD guidelines. Their weak points lie in: the role of stakeholders and corporate social responsibility; the organisation of CG; the effective role of the independent members of the board (which may be attributed to the small size of the pool of potential independent board members); disclosure of remuneration; and risk management. Methodologically, the merit of the exercise lies in its approach towards the creation of “collectively subjective” weightings, an effort to discuss the benefits of separating the rating of the market from the rating of companies and the discussion on typologies of work that can be effectively performed through rating exercises.

Acute appendicitis and blunt abdominal trauma are common surgical emergencies. Whether there is a causative relationship between these two entities has long been a subject of debate. A twenty-one-year-old male Japanese tourist presented with vague abdominal pain and dysuria that began after he had been beaten and robbed. No signs of trauma were detected on physical examination; however, there were diffuse abdominal sensitivity with maximal tenderness in the hypogastrium and rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant. Upon no improvement with medications within 24 hours, laparotomy was performed, which revealed an inflamed appendix, a few enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, and free peritoneal fluid that was found to be sterile. Following appendectomy, the diagnosis was confirmed by pathologic examination and the enlargement of the lymph node was attributed to non-specific reactive hyperplasia. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course, with relief of pain and fever.

The first l VRI CCD photometric observations of the eclipsing binary system OT Cep are presented. The new times of minima, combined with the existing ones, are used to determine a new ephemeris of the system. Our light curves are analyzed with light curve synthesis techniques to derive the first geometric and photometric elements of OT Cep. The possible evolutionary status of the system is also discussed.

New l BVRI CCD observations of the eclipsing binary NSV 223 are described, and a new ephemeris is proposed. The light curves are analyzed using the Wilson-Devinney light curve synthesis code, and the new geometric and photometric elements are derived. These elements, combined with the available spectroscopic data, yield the absolute system parameters, which make it possible to construct a model of the system.

This paper traces the steps in the changes of the Greek mood system, from the morphological one of Classical Greek, where mood was fused with tense and agreement within INFL, to the more syntactic one of Modern Greek, where mood occupies its own projection of MOODP. We show how the catastrophic loss of the morphological marking of the mood distinctions in the verb ending during the transition from Classical Greek to Hellenistic Koine was followed by (i) the emergence of a separate projection of a functional category MOOD inside the Comp-layer hosting the subjunctive/ indicative mood features followed by (ii) the grammaticalization of the conjunction hina to the subjunctive mood particle na and its transference from the C head to the separate MOOD head located between the C and the INFL heads and (iii) the subsequent relocation of the imperative from the INFL head to the MOOD head. We show that our analysis is consistent with the theories claiming that syntactic change is associated with formal features and the fixing of parameters.

The aim of this study was to explore and compare the magnitude and time-course of the shift in the angle-force curves obtained from maximal voluntary contractions of the elbow flexors, both before and 4 consecutive days after eccentric and isometric exercise. The maximal isometric force of the elbow flexors of fourteen young male volunteers was measured at five different elbow angles between 50° and 160°. Subjects were then divided into two groups: The eccentric group (ECC, n = 7) and the isometric group (ISO, n = 7). Subjects in the ECC group performed 50 maximal voluntary eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors on an isokinetic dynamometer (30°. s-1), while subjects in the ISO group performed 50 maximal voluntary isometric muscle contractions with the elbow flexors at a lengthened position. Following the ECC and ISO exercise protocols, maximal isometric force at the five angles, muscle soreness, and the relaxed (RANG) and flexed (FANG) elbow angles were measured at 24 h intervals for 4 days. All results were presented as the mean and standard error, and a quadratic curve was used to model the maximal isometric force data obtained at the five elbow angles. This approach not only allowed us to mathematically describe the angle-force curves and estimate the peak force and optimum angle for peak force generation, but also enabled us to statistically compare the shift of the angle-force curves between and within groups. A large and persistent shift of the angle-force curve towards longer muscle lengths was observed 1 day after eccentric exercise (P<0.01). This resulted in a ∼16° shift of the optimum angle for force generation, which remained unchanged for the whole observation period. A smaller but also persistent shift of the angle-force curve was seen after isometric exercise at long muscle length (P<0.05; shift in optimum angle ∼5°). ECC exercise caused more muscle damage than ISO exercise, as indicated by the greater changes in RANG and ratings of muscle soreness (P<0.05). It was suggested that the shift in the angle-force curve was proportional to the degree of muscle damage and may be explained by the presence of overstretched sarcomeres that increased in series compliance of the muscle. © Springer-Verlag 2004.

{The aim of this study was to explore and compare the magnitude and time-course of the shift in the angle-force curves obtained from maximal voluntary contractions of the elbow flexors, both before and 4 consecutive days after eccentric and isometric exercise. The maximal isometric force of the elbow flexors of fourteen young male volunteers was measured at five different elbow angles between 50° and 160°. Subjects were then divided into two groups: The eccentric group (ECC

{The aim of this study was to explore and compare the magnitude and time-course of the shift in the angle-force curves obtained from maximal voluntary contractions of the elbow flexors, both before and 4 consecutive days after eccentric and isometric exercise. The maximal isometric force of the elbow flexors of fourteen young male volunteers was measured at five different elbow angles between 50° and 160°. Subjects were then divided into two groups: The eccentric group (ECC

The equivalence of principal bundles with transitive Lie groupoids due to Ehresmann is a well-known result. A remarkable generalization of this equivalence, given by Mackenzie, is the equivalence of principal bundle extensions with those transitive Lie groupoids over the total space of a principal bundle, which also admit an action of the structure group by automorphisms. In this paper the existence of suitably equivariant transition functions is proved for such groupoids, generalizing consequently the classification of principal bundles by means of their transition functions, to extensions of principal bundles by an equivariant form of Čech cohomology.

Objective: We examined the association between climatologic parameters and daily admissions for non-fatal acute coronary syndromes (ACS) to emergency units of hospitals in the greater Athens area, from January 2001 to August 2002. Methods: Daily mean, maximum and minimum temperatures, relative humidity, wind speed, barometric pressure and a thermo-hydrological index (T.H.I.) were measured at the meteorological station of the Laboratory of Climatology of the Geology Department of the University of Athens. In addition, the daily number of admissions for acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina in the five major general hospitals in the greater Athens area was recorded. Generalized additive models (GAM) were applied to regress-time-series of daily numbers of outpatients with acute cardiac events against climatological variations, after controlling for possible confounders and adjustment for over dispersion and serial correlation. Results: Five thousand four hundred fifty-eight Athenians with non-fatal acute cardiac events were admitted to the selected hospitals during the period of the study, 4093 (75%) males and 1365 (25%) females. There was a negative correlation between hospital admissions and mean daily temperature (MDT) with a 1Β°C decrease in mean air temperature yielding a 5% increase in hospital admissions (P<0.05). This association was stronger in females and the elderly (P<0.01). Relative humidity was positively correlated with hospital admissions (P<0.05). Conclusion: Despite the relatively short study period (<2 years), these findings suggest a significant association between cold weather and increased coronary heart disease incidence, especially in the elderly and females. Β© 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND: One HIV-1 and HCV assay simultaneously detects HIV-1 and HCV RNA (Procleix, Chiron Corp.). The main intended use of the assay is the testing of blood and blood products in blood banking. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: To evaluate the clinical sensitivity of the assay, 164 anti-HIV-1+ and 160 anti-HCV+ patients of different viral load were tested. The assay specificity was determined in 1000 HIV-1- and HCV-seronegative blood donors. The ability of the assay to detect different HCV genotypes was investigated in a total of 40 patients of different genotypes (1-4). Furthermore, to investigate the reduction of the HCV window phase before seroconversion, serial samples of 25 hemodialysis patients who seroconverted to anti-HCV were also tested. RESULTS: The assay detected all 60 HIV-1-infected patients with a viral load of greater than 50 copies per mL and 48 of 104 patients with a viral load of less than 50 copies per mL. Moreover, all 60 patients with an HCV RNA load of greater than 521 IU per mL and 7 of 100 patients with a viral load of less than 50 IU per mL tested positive. The assay specificity was found to be 100 percent. In addition, all 40 patients of different HCV genotypes were successfully detected. Finally, the median time that the assay detected HCV infection before second- and third-generation anti-HCV assay was found to be 183 and 91 days, respectively. CONCLUSION: The assay sensitivity and specificity, its ability to detect different HCV genotypes, and the significant reduction of window period of HCV infection further support its use for improving the safety of blood and blood products.

The main purpose of this paper, is to study the coastal morphology of the five largest islands in the Ionian Sea (Zante, Kefallinia, Ithaki, Leukas, Corfu) located in Western Greece, in relation to lithology, tectonic characteristics, general seismotectonic regime and marine processes of the area, and finally to locate sites of possible future coastal retreat. The predominant lithological formation of the coasts of Zante, Kefallinia, Ithaki and Leukas, is the carbonate rocks. The shores of Corfu island are composed mainly of Neogene and Quaternary formations. The morphology of the steep coastline is determined in general by offshore normal faults having NW-SE and N-S directions and the relief steepness is intensified by the high resistivity of the calcareous formations. The low relief coasts are common in areas where Quaternary deposits are dominant. Data derived from aerial and satellite images, large scale maps and detailed fieldwork mapping were treated by GIS. The upper coastal zone limit was extended up to the 20m contour line. A coastal hazard map was developed focusing on erosion prone areas. The most vulnerable were found to be the western coasts of Leukas, south Kefallinia, north Ithaki and north Corfu. Landslides and rockfalls are especially risky in western Leukas, northern Corfu and southernKefallinia.

Epidemiologic evidence suggests that higher occupational attainment and education, as well as increased participation in intellectual, social, and physical aspects of daily life, are associated with slower cognitive decline in healthy elderly and may reduce the risk of incident Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is also evidence from structural and functional imaging studies that patients with such life experiences can tolerate more AD pathology before showing signs of clinical dementia. It has been hypothesized that such aspects of life experience may result in functionally more efficient cognitive networks and, therefore, provide a cognitive reserve that delays the onset of clinical manifestations of dementia. In this article, we review some of the relevant literature of the noted associations between markers of cognitive reserve and AD and discuss the possible mechanisms that may explain these associations.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive reserve (CR) is the ability of an individual to cope with advancing brain pathological abnormalities so that he or she remains free of symptoms. Epidemiological data and evidence from positron emission tomography suggest that it may be mediated through education or IQ. OBJECTIVE: To investigate CR-mediated differential brain activation in Alzheimer disease (AD) subjects compared with healthy elderly persons. PARTICIPANTS: Using radioactive water positron emission tomography, we scanned 12 AD patients and 17 healthy elderly persons while performing a serial recognition memory task for nonverbalizable shapes under 2 conditions: low demand, in which one shape was presented in each study trial, and titrated demand, in which the study list length was adjusted so that each subject recognized shapes at approximately 75% accuracy. Positron emission tomographic scan acquisition included the encoding and recognition phases. A CR factor score that summarized years of education, National Adult Reading Test estimated IQ, and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised vocabulary subtest score (explaining 71% of the total variance) was used as an index of CR. Voxel-wise, multiple regression analyses were performed with the "activation" difference (titrated demand-low demand) as the dependent variables and the CR factor score as the independent one. Brain regions where regression slopes differed between the 2 groups were identified. RESULTS: The slopes were significantly more positive for the AD patients in the left precentral gyrus and in the left hippocampus and significantly more negative in the right fusiform, right middle occipital, left superior occipital, and left middle temporal gyri. CONCLUSION: Brain regions where systematic relationships (slopes) between subjects' education-IQ and brain activation differ as a function of disease status may mediate the differential ability to cope with (ie, delay or modify) clinical manifestations of AD.

Objectives. To evaluate prospectively the combination of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog with a somatostatin analog and dexamethasone in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) in a randomized Phase II study. HRPC presents a challenging therapeutic problem. Salvage chemotherapy is the usual approach at this stage of the disease. The combination of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog with a somatostatin analog and dexamethasone has produced objective clinical responses in HRPC. Methods. Forty patients with HRPC were randomized to receive one of two treatments. Group 1 underwent chemotherapy (estramustine 140 mg three times daily and etoposide 100 mg orally for 21 days) and group 2 the combination of a somatostatin analog (lanreotide 30 mg intramuscularly every 14 days) and dexamethasone (4 mg tapered to 1 mg), in addition to androgen ablation by orchiectomy or a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog (triptorelin 3.75 mg intramuscularly every 28 days). The clinical and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response, overall survival, time to progression, and toxicity were compared between the two groups. Results. The data of 20 patients in group 1 and 18 in group 2 were analyzed. The demographic and clinical data were similar in the two groups at study entry. A PSA response (decrease of greater than 50%) was observed in 45% of group 1 and 44% of group 2. The difference was not statistically significant. A partial clinical response was observed in 29% and 30% of groups 1 and 2, respectively. Again, the difference was not statistically significant. Changes in performance status and pain score during treatment were not significantly different in the two groups. Hematologic toxicity was more frequent in group 1 (80% of patients), and mild diabetes was more frequent in group 2 (22% of patients). The overall survival was 18.8 months in group 1 and 18 months in group 2 (not statistically significant). The time to progression was 6 versus 4 months and, in the PSA responder subgroup, it was 8 versus 7.7 months in groups 1 and 2, respectively (neither difference was statistically significant). Conclusions. The results of our randomized Phase II study indicated that the new combination treatment (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog, somatostatin analog, and dexamethasone) may be equally effective as salvage chemotherapy in patients with HRPC in terms of the clinical and PSA response, overall survival, and time to progression. A larger prospective Phase III trial is required to confirm our observations. © 2004 Elsevier Inc.

Patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS), even after complete local disease control, often relapse locally or with distant metastases. This multicenter phase II study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the combination of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) and paclitaxel, as first-line treatment in patients with advanced STS. In all, 42 patients with locally advanced or metastatic STS, median age 54 years and median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) I were treated with PLD 45 mg m -2 and paclitaxel 150 mg m -2 every 28 days for a total of six cycles. Histological types included mainly leiomyosarcomas (43%), malignant fibrous histiocytomas (14%) and liposarcomas (12%). At study entry, 69% of patients had distant metastases, Overall response rate was 16%, including one complete (CR 2%) and six partial responses (PRs 14%), while an additional 14 patients had disease stabilization (SD 33%). At median follow-up 41.5 months, median time to progression (TTP) was 5.7 months with median overall survival (OS) 13.2 months. Grade 3-4 toxicities included neutropenia (17%), anaemia (15%), neurotoxicity (5%) and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (9%). There were no treatment-related deaths. The combination of PLD and paclitaxel is a safe and well-tolerated regimen demonstrating modest efficacy as first-line treatment in patients with advanced STS.

During recent years Europe has been engaged in an educational reform that tends to change the whole educational system concerning higher education. The main issues of this reform are related to the free movement of labour and students across the member states. Hence, the need of comparative educational systems, levels, and degrees. The European Union and its executive bodies the European Council and European Commission have issued a series of declarations that are amalgamated in this chapter. The ideas behind these declarations formulate the framework of comparative educational systems that can have a significant impact on the global health informatics education.

The LCx HIV RNA quantitative assay (Abbott Laboratories, Delkenheim, Germany) was compared with the Versant HIV-1 RNA 3.0 (bDNA) assay (Bayer, Tarrytown, NY) and the COBAS Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor v1.5 test (Roche Diagnostics, Branchburg, NJ), using plasma samples of various viral load levels from HIV-1-infected patients. Considering the lower limit of the linear range of 50 copies/ml of both assays, the detection range of the LCx was 127/151 (84.1%) versus the 131/151 (86.8%) of the bDNA 3.0 assay, while overall agreement between the two assays was 93.4% (141/151). LCx and bDNA 3.0 results were found to be strongly correlated (r = 0.96). The fitted regression line was described by the equation log10(LCx copies/ml) = 0.05 + 1.06 x log10(bDNA 3.0 copies/ml) with 95% CI for the estimated slope and intercept at 1.01, 1.12 and -0.16, 0.26, respectively. Similarly, the detection range of the LCx was 115/148 (77.7%) versus the 128/148 (86.5%) of the Monitor v1.5 test. A 91.2% concordance (135/148) was observed between these two assays at a cut-off of 50 copies/ml. LCx and Monitor v1.5 results were highly correlated (r = 0.96). The fitted regression line was described by the equation log10(LCx copies/ml) = 0.06 + 1.03 x log(10)(Monitor v1.5 copies/ml) with 95% CI for the estimated slope and intercept at 0.97, 1.09 and -0.16, 0.28, respectively.

The magnetic properties of three mononuclear copper complexes where the metal ion is coordinated by Schiff base ligands have been investigated by magnetic susceptibility and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies. Significant extended magnetic coupling has been observed comprising competing antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic components, which are explained in terms of the interactions between copper ions mediated through the organic ligands. Distant substitutions in the ligand structure are suggested to affect critically the magnetic coupling leading to frustration effects on the cooperative transition that may develop under favorable structural conditions. The temperature dependence of intensity of the EPR line was studied in the temperature range 130-280K and fitted to the Curie-Weiss-type law. The consistency of magnetic and EPR results is discussed for the three investigated complexes. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Although multivariate analytic techniques might identify diagnostic patterns that are not captured by univariate methods, they have rarely been used to study the neural correlates of Alzheimer's disease (AD) or cognitive impairment. Nonquantitative H2(15)O PET scans were acquired during rest in 17 probable AD subjects selected for mild severity [mean-modified Mini Mental Status Examination (mMMS) 46/57; SD 5.1], 16 control subjects (mMMS 54; SD 2.5) and 23 subjects with minimal to mild cognitive impairment but no dementia (mMMS 53; SD 2.8). Expert clinical reading had low success in discriminating AD and controls. There were no significant mean flow differences among groups in traditional univariate SPM Noxel-wise analyses or region of interest (ROI) analyses. A covariance pattern was identified whose mean expression was significantly higher in the AD as compared to controls (P = 0.03; sensitivity 76-94%; specificity 63-81%). Sites of increased concomitant flow included insula, cuneus, pulvinar, lingual, fusiform, superior occipital and parahippocampal gyri, whereas decreased concomitant flow was found in cingulate, inferior parietal lobule, middle and inferior frontal, supramarginal and precentral gyri. The covariance analysis-derived pattern was then prospectively applied to the cognitively impaired subjects: as compared to subjects with Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) = 0, subjects with CDR = 0.5 had significantly higher mean covariance pattern expression (P = 0.009). Expression of this pattern correlated inversely with Selective Reminding Test total recall (r = -0.401, P = 0.002), delayed recall (r = -0.351, P = 0.008) and mMMS scores (r = -0.401, P = 0.002) in all three groups combined. We conclude that patients with AD may differentially express resting cerebral blood flow covariance patterns even at very early disease stages. Significant alterations in expression of resting flow covariance patterns occur even for subjects with cognitive impairment. Expression of covariance patterns correlates with cognitive and functional performance measures, holding promise for meaningful associations with underlying biopathological processes.

In the present paper, we have calculated the outgoing longwave radiation at the top of the atmosphere (OLR at TOA) using a deterministic radiation transfer model, cloud data from ISCCP-D, and atmospheric temperature and humidity data from NCEP/NCAR reanalysis, for the seventeen-year period 1984-2000. We constructed anomaly time-series of the OLR at TOA, as well as of all of the key input climatological data, averaged in the tropical region between 20°N and 20°S. We compared the anomaly time-series of the model calculated OLR at TOA with that obtained from the ERBE S-10N (WFOV NF edition 2) non-scanner measurements. The model results display very similar seasonal and inter-annual variability as the ERBS data, and indicate a decadal increase of OLR at TOA of 1.9±0.2Wm-2/decade, which is lower than that displayed by the ERBS time-series (3.5±0.3Wm-2). Analysis of the inter-annual and long-term variability of the various parameters determining the OLR at TOA, showed that the most important contribution to the observed trend comes from a decrease in high-level cloud cover over the period 1984-2000, followed by an apparent drying of the upper troposphere and a decrease in low-level cloudiness. Opposite but small trends are introduced by a decrease in low-level cloud top pressure, an apparent cooling of the lower stratosphere (at the 50mbar level) and a small decadal increase in mid-level cloud cover.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative damage is one of the major factors that lead to cell damage, organ dysfunction and death in sepsis. Thus, an attractive candidate for the pharmacologic treatment of the septic syndrome is desferoxamine (DFX), an antioxidant iron chelator used for the removal of iron and a potential free radical scavenger. OBJECTIVE: The impact of DFX administration on the survival of septic animals. The effect on cell integrity and cycle of vital organs. METHODS: Sepsis was induced in 40 rats using the cecal ligation and puncture method (CLP) and 20 rats randomly received twice subcutaneously DFX (total dose: 40 mg/kg). Rats were monitored for 36 h and all vital organs were harvested for pathology examination and immunohistochemical detection of Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c and caspase-8 apoptosis regulating proteins. RESULTS: Mean survival in the DFX group was 34.2 h (median 36.0, S.D. 4.4) and 30.2 h (median 36.0, S.D. 9.1) in the control group (p=0.04), while 36 h after follow up 85% of the DFX-treated rats and 55% of placebo rats were alive (p=0.04). Expression of pro-apoptotic bax protein was significantly increased in the heart, liver and kidney of animals in the DFX group compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with the polymeric iron chelator DFX significantly increases survival of septic subjects and alters the expression of bax, an apoptosis regulating protein in certain organs (heart, liver and kidney).

The erosional processes depend on various variables such as lithology, topography,drainage system, rock structure and climatic conditions. The quantitative evaluation on some of the above geological and geomorphological parameters is of primaryimportance for the purpose of developing erosion risk maps. These maps can become useful tools for developing appropriate strategies on environmental protection, hazard assessment and regional planning. The island of Sifnos, in Cyclades, was chosen as a case study, where in the final map of the sub-basins of this island, erosion risk distribution is presented.

Thalidomide-based regimens (TBR) are now widely used for the treatment of refractory multiple myeloma and have shown significant activity in newly diagnosed patients. In some patients with secretory disease, we observed discrepancies between the reduction of the monoclonal protein levels and the plasma cell infiltration in the bone marrow and/or extramedullary sites of relapse after treatment with TBR. The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence and analysis of this phenomenon in all myeloma patients treated with TBR in our Institution. Patients and methods: We studied all patients who received TBRs and had a follow up time of at least 6 months. Partial response (PR) was defined as at least 50% reduction of serum myeloma protein and soft tissue plasmacytomas and/or > 90% reduction of Bence Jones protein excretion and minor response as a > 25% reduction of the serum myeloma protein or > 50% reduction of the Bence Jones myeloma protein. Results: Between July 1999 and July 2002 we treated 94 patients with advanced myeloma and 9 patients with newly diagnosed disease with TBR. Sixty-seven patients (66%) achieved either partial or minor response. In 4 patients (3 with advanced and 1 with newly diagnosed myeloma) the bone marrow was heavily infiltrated by plasma cells, despite a decrease of the paraprotein levels ranging from 38% to 68%. This discordance between monoclonal protein levels and bone marrow plasmacytosis was noted in 6% of patients rated as responders and in 11% of responding patients who actually had a repeat bone marrow assessment. Furthermore 6 responding patients, after achieving a PR which lasted between 5 and 9 months, relapsed with bone marrow (all cases), and extramedullary (2 cases) plasmacytosis, without increase of serum and/or urine monoclonal protein. This hyposecretory conversion was noted in 12.5% of relapsing patients. Conclusion: Our data indicate that after treatment with TBR some patients with myeloma show discordant responses of the monoclonal protein levels and the bone marrow or extramedullary plasmacytosis. If our data are confirmed, they may have practical implications for assessment of response and follow up of patients treated with TBR.

OBJECTIVES: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) may colonize haemodialysis patients, but their epidemiology in this population is not well defined. Within the few last years, VRE strains have emerged and are increasingly isolated in the nosocomial environment in Greece, but colonization of dialysis patients has never been evaluated before. This study sought to determine the epidemiology of VRE colonization within this high-risk population and define the risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 4 month period, rectal swabs or faecal specimens were collected from 334 consecutive outpatients, who were treated at four independent dialysis units located in the same area of Athens and referring patients to the same local hospital. The relatedness of isolates was defined by molecular typing, and demographic and clinical patient data were recorded. RESULTS: Thirteen multiresistant Enterococcus faecium vanA strains were isolated corresponding to a colonization frequency of 3.9%. They were separated into seven clusters: type A (two strains), type B (six strains) and types C to G (one strain each). Type B strains originated from three units, while a single unit demonstrated four type B and two type A strains. Univariate statistical analysis revealed that prior hospitalization (P=0.001), prior administration of antimicrobials (P=0.026) and male gender (P=0.019) were associated with VRE colonization. CONCLUSIONS: In Greece, haemodialysis patients are colonized with VRE at a low frequency. The predominance of one clone and its isolation from several units strongly indicate interfacility transmission of strains, most probably within a health care environment shared by all patients.

Rhinoviruses are the most common precipitants of the common cold and have been associated with different infections of the respiratory tract, such as otitis media and sinusitis. They have also been implicated in the induction of acute asthma exacerbations, most of which are preceded by a common cold. Although in several occasions, mainly in immunocompromised hosts, severe lower respiratory tract infections have been attributed to rhinovirus infections, it is still unclear whether and to what extent these viruses contribute as pathogens in community-acquired pneumonia. Current mechanistic data suggest that rhinoviruses could be the cause of pneumonia in immunocompetent subjects. This notion is supported by epidemiological evidence, however, more clinical studies are needed to assess the actual burden.

Purpose: The combination of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC) represents the standard regimen for inoperable or metastatic urothelial cancer, but its toxicity is significant. We previously reported a 52% response rate (RR) using a docetaxel and cisplatin (DC) combination. The toxicity of this regimen compared favorably with that reported for MVAC. We thus designed a randomized phase III trial to compare DC with MVAC. Patients and Methods: Patients with inoperable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma; adequate bone marrow, renal, liver, and cardiac function; and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 2 were randomly assigned to receive MVAC at standard doses or docetaxel 75 mg/m2 and cisplatin 75 mg/m 2 every 3 weeks. All patients received prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support. Results: Two hundred twenty patients were randomly assigned (MVAC, 109 patients; DC, 111 patients). Treatment with MVAC resulted in superior RR (54.2% v 37.4%; P = .017), median time to progression (TTP; 9.4 v6.1 months; P = .003) and median survival (14.2 v9.3 months; P = .026). After adjusting for prognostic factors, difference in TTP remained significant (hazard ratio [HR], 1.61; P = .005), whereas survival difference was nonsignificant at the 5% level (HR, 1.31; P = .089). MVAC caused more frequent grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (35.4% v 19.2%; P = .006), thrombocytopenia (5.7% v 0.9%; P = .046), and neutropenic sepsis (11.6% v 3.8%; P = .001). Toxicity of MVAC was considerably lower than that previously reported for MVAC administered without G-CSF. Conclusion: MVAC is more effective than DC in advanced urothelial cancer. G-CSF-supported MVAC is well tolerated and could be used instead of classic MVAC as first-line treatment in advanced urothelial carcinoma. © 2004 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) subtypes A and B are present either simultaneously or alternate during yearly epidemics. It is still not clear whether clinical severity of acute bronchiolitis differs between the two subtypes. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to subtype RSV in previously healthy infants hospitalized with RSV bronchiolitis during a winter epidemic. A severity index based on heart rate, respiratory rate, wheezing, difficulty in feeding and oxygen saturation was calculated upon admission. Infants infected with RSV subtype-A were found to have a significantly higher (more severe) clinical score than those infected with RSV-B. There was no statistically significant difference in duration of hospitalization or need of intensive care. Boys and infants younger than 3 months of age were also more severely affected than girls or older infants, respectively. These results support the notion that RSV-A-induced bronchiolitis is more severe than RSV-B-induced one, in agreement with the majority of previously published studies.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), continuous combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and tibolone on serum leptin levels in healthy postmenopausal women. Methods: Eighty-four healthy postmenopausal women aged 43-63 years were studied prospectively. Hysterectomized women (n=16) received conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) 0.625 mg. Women with an intact uterus were randomly allocated either to CEE+medroxyprogesterone acetate (CEE/MPA) 5 mg or tibolone 2.5 mg. Serum leptin levels were assessed at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. Results: The three groups did not differ with respect to age, body mass index (BMI) or baseline serum leptin levels. Overweight women (BMI>25 kg/m2) had higher baseline leptin levels (27.0±11.4 ng/ml) compared to their lean counterparts (BMI≤25 kg/m2; leptin: 16.5±8.1 ng/ml, P=0.0001). Neither CEE nor CEE/MPA had any effect on serum leptin levels at the end of 6 months either in overweight or in lean women (overweight: CEE baseline 34.4±13.3 ng/ml, 6 months 36.9±15.8, P=0.89, CEE/MPA baseline 22.4±9.8 ng/ml, 6 months 26.8±8.7 ng/ml, P=0.1; lean: CEE baseline 12.6±4.4 ng/ml, 6 months 13.2±5.8 ng/ml, P=0.36, CEE/MPA baseline 17.2±10.6 ng/ml, 6 months 18.8±8.8 ng/ml, P=0.31). Similarly serum leptin remained unchanged at the end of the study in both lean and overweight women on tibolone (overweight: baseline 22.9±8.1 ng/ml, 6 months 18.5±12 ng/ml, P=0.37; lean: baseline 13.2±5.6 ng/ml, 6 months 17.3±8.4 ng/ml). Conclusion: BMI is a strong determinant of serum leptin levels in healthy postmenopausal women. Neither ERT/HRT nor tibolone exert any effect on serum leptin after 6 months in lean or overweight postmenopausal women. Further studies are required to verify the exact role of estrogen and tibolone on leptin production and function in postmenopausal women. © 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Objective: To assess the effect of continuous combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or tibolone on serum total homocysteine (tHcy) levels in postmenopausal women. Study design: Ninety-five postmenopausal women aged 41-68 years were included in the study. Seventy-three women with climacteric complaints, osteopenia or osteoporosis received either conjugated equine estrogens 0.625mg combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate 5mg (CEE/MPA, n=31) or tibolone 2.5mg (n=42). Twenty-two healthy women, matched for chronological and menopausal age, served as controls. Serum tHcy levels were assessed at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months. Results: No difference was recorded between groups regarding demographic characteristics or mean baseline serum tHcy. Serum tHcy levels decreased significantly in the CEE/MPA compared to baseline (change at 18 months: -3.9%, P<0.05). The magnitude of the decrease was higher in the subgroup of women with baseline tHcy levels above the median (change at 18 months: -15.0%, P<0.01). No change in tHcy levels was detected in the tibolone group throughout the study period, either in the whole group (change at 18 months: 1.9%, NS) or in the subgroup with baseline tHcy levels above the median (change at 18 months: -3.23%, NS). Conclusion: Continuous CEE/MPA reduces tHcy especially in women with high pretreatment tHcy levels. Tibolone has no effect on serum tHcy levels at least during the first 18 months of therapy. Larger studies with longer follow-up are required to confirm these results. © 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

In this paper the area of the lakes Iliki and Paralimni are examined (Viotia). The research focuses on the influence of the tectonic on the morphological structure of the area and on the formation of the lakes, with fieldwork and the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems). For this purpose the azimuth directions ofthe rupture zones were calculated with the use of ‘geoline orientation’ algorithm. The analysis of the morphological slopes and of the aspect was performed with the use of the algorithm ‘Triangulation with smoothing’. The outcome of the fault direction concurs with the Pliocene faults direction, as well as the tectonic Fokiko - Viotiko trough direction. The Quaternary faults direction concurs with the recent rupturezone. In general, the dominating morphological slopes are of 0-10%, while the higher slopes are found at the north and east. The aspect that concerns the direction of the morphological slope concurs with the main rupture zone of the tectonic Fokiko - Viotiko trough direction, and the recent rupture zone. The orientation of Iliki lake corresponds to the former rupture zone; the orientation of Paralimni lake corresponds to the later one.

The spin-orbit interaction can cause a nonvanishing density of states (DOS) within the minority-spin band gap of half metals around the Fermi level. We examine the magnitude of the effect in Heusler alloys, zinc-blende half metals, and diluted magnetic semiconductors, using first-principles calculations. We find that the ratio of spin-down to spin-up DOS at the Fermi level can range from below 1% (e.g., 0.5% for NiMnSb) over several percents {[}4.2% for (Ga,Mn)As] to 13% for MnBi. This gives a spin polarization P at E-F ranging from above 99% for NiMnSb to Papproximate to92% for (Ga,Mn)As and to Papproximate to77% for MnBi.

Using steady, axisymmetric, ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) we analyze relativistic outflows by means of examining the momentum equation along the flow and in the transfield direction. We argue that the asymptotic Lorentz factor is γ∞∼μ-σ M , and the asymptotic value of the Poynting-to-matter energy flux ratio—the so-called σ function—is given by σ∞/(1 +σ∞) ∼σ M /μ, where σ M is the Michel’s magnetization parameter and μc 2 the total energy-to-mass flux ratio. We discuss how these values depend on the conditions near the origin of the flow. By employing self-similar solutions we verify the above result, and show that a Poynting-dominated flow near the source reaches equipartition between Poynting and matter energy fluxes, or even becomes matter-dominated, depending on the value of σ M /μ.

Using steady, axisymmetric, ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) we analyze relativistic outflows by means of examining the momentum equation along the flow and in the transfield direction. We argue that the asymptotic Lorentz factor is γ∞∼μ-σ M , and the asymptotic value of the Poynting-to-matter energy flux ratio—the so-called σ function—is given by σ∞/(1 +σ∞) ∼σ M /μ, where σ M is the Michel’s magnetization parameter and μc 2 the total energy-to-mass flux ratio. We discuss how these values depend on the conditions near the origin of the flow. By employing self-similar solutions we verify the above result, and show that a Poynting-dominated flow near the source reaches equipartition between Poynting and matter energy fluxes, or even becomes matter-dominated, depending on the value of σ M /μ.

The elaboration of analytical microzoning studies involves a multidisciplinary approach comprising geological, geotechnical, seismological, geophysical and dynamic soil analysis data. In an attempt to incorporate the maximum available amount of information and in the view of the continuously expanding use of GIS, as a tool for analyzing and integrating data, a new software environment called AUTOSEISMO-GEOTECH has been developed for handling these multi-parameter data. This user friendly package is presently implemented for the cities of Heraklion (Crete island) and Thiva (province of Beotia) in Greece.

Emerin is an inner nuclear membrane protein that is mutated or not expressed in patients with X-linked Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (X-EDMD/EMD). Cytoplasmic localization of emerin in cultured cells or tissues has been reported, although this remains a controversial issue. Tubular aggregates (TAs) are pathological structures seen in the sarcoplasm of human skeletal muscle fibers in various disorders. The TAs derive from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and represent, probably, an adaptive response of the SR to various insults to the muscle fibers. In the present study, we present immunohistochemical evidence of emerin expression in TAs. Muscle biopsies with tubular aggregates from four male, unrelated patients were studied. The percentage of muscle fibers containing TAs varied between 5 and 20%. Routine histochemistry revealed intense reaction of TAs with NADH-TR, AMPDA, and NSE, but not with COX, SDH, myosin ATPase (pH 9.4, 4.3, 4.6), PAS, and Oil red O staining. Immunohistochemical study revealed strong immunostaining of TAs with antibodies against emerin and 7 SERCA2-ATPase. Immunostaining of TAs was also seen with antibodies against heat shock protein and dysferlin, but not with antibodies to lamin A, dystrophin, adhalin, beta, gamma, delta sarcoglycans, and merosin. These results suggest that emerin, an inner nuclear membrane protein, is present at the TAs. The interpretation and significance of this finding is discussed in relation to experimental data suggesting that normal emerin localization at the inner nuclear membrane depends on lamin A and mutations in the N-terminal domain of emerin cause mislocalization of the protein to the sarcoplasmic membranes.

Water sampleswere collected for coccolithophore analysis at coastal environments, in August 2002, from 7 stations in the Gulf of Kastro (Andros Island, middle Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean). The studies on coccolithophore regional dynamics in the middle Aegean Sea coastal environments have revealed a unique heterococcolith–holococcolith combination coccosphere indicating a life-cycle association of the taxa Syracosphaera halldalii in Gaarder and Hasle 1971 ex Jordan and Green 1994 and Calyptrolithina divergens var. tuberosa (Heimdal 1980) Jordan et al. 1993. Consequently their systematic taxonomy is emended and the name Syracosphaera halldalii is considered as the appropriate one for the well-established association.

Equation (5) in § 2 should readf(x)=[2xlnx+x+1-2x2+(4∊0γx)22(1+4∊0γx)(1-x)]P(1/4γ2,1,x),x=∊4∊0γ2(1-∊/γ),(5)as given by F. C. Jones (ApJ, 561, 111 [2001]). In our original paper, the factor (1-x) in the final term inside the bracket was missing. The correct form was used in all computations.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in young children is most commonly associated with viral infections; however, the role of viruses in CAP of school-age children is still inconclusive.|Seventy-five school-age children hospitalized with CAP were prospectively evaluated for the presence of viral and bacterial pathogens. Nasopharyngeal washes were examined by polymerase chain reaction for viruses and atypical bacteria. Antibody assays to detect bacterial pathogens in acute-phase and convalescent-phase serum samples were also performed.|A viral infection was identified in 65% of cases. Rhinovirus RNA was detected in 45% of patients; infection with another virus occurred in 31%. The most common bacterial pathogen was Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which was diagnosed in 35% of cases. Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA was not detected in any patient; results of serological tests were positive in only 2 patients (3%). Mixed infections were documented in 35% of patients, and the majority were a viral-bacterial combination.|The high prevalence of viral and mixed viral-bacterial infections supports the notion that the presence of a virus, acting either as a direct or an indirect pathogen, may be the rule rather than the exception in the development of CAP in school-age children requiring hospitalization.

The European Communities Confederation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EC4) opened a Register for European Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine in 1997. The operation of the Register is undertaken by a Register Committee (EC4RC). During the last 6 years more than 1500 specialists in clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine have joined the Register. In this article a Code of Conduct for Registrants which was approved at the EC4 Register Committee meeting in Amsterdam, 8 November 2003 is presented. © 2004 by Walter de Gruyter.

The purpose of this paper is to present the evaluation of a web based nursing documentation system which helps nursing professionals and students to study ICNP Greek beta 2 version and to create nursing diagnoses, interventions and outcomes by selecting relevant terms from ICNP. This advanced web-based ICNP browser enables the authentication of the user, and the creation of a type of nursing care plan through the use of ICNP. It provides different ways for creating nursing diagnoses, interventions and outcomes, by selecting relevant ICNP terms through the tree-structure view, index and search components of the tool. The evaluation of this nursing documentation system is carried out by a survey among nursing professionals working in nursing units in hospitals. The results which have derived from this survey are presented. Moreover, conclusions regarding the future changes that should be made in the system are reported.

Eighteen subjects (ages 18-35) underwent event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (efMRI) while performing a delayed-match-to-sample (DMS) task before and immediately after 48 h of sustained wakefulness. The DMS trial events were: a 3-s study period of either a one-, three-, or six-letter visual array; a 7-s retention interval; and a 3-s probe period, where a button press indicated whether the probe letter was in the study array. Ordinal Trend Canonical Variates Analysis (OrT CVA) was applied to the data from the probe period for trials with six-letter study lists prior to and immediately following sleep deprivation to find an activation pattern whose expression decreased with sleep deprivation in as many subjects as possible, while being present in both conditions. The first principal component of the OrT analysis identified a covariance pattern whose expression decreased as a function of sleep deprivation in 17 of 18 subjects (p<0.001). While overall expression of the pattern showed a systematic decrease with sleep deprivation, the brain regions that make up the pattern show covarying increases and decreases in activation. Regions that decreased their activation were noted in the parietal (BA 7 and 40), temporal (BA 37, 38 and 39) and occipital (BA 18 and 19) lobes; regions that increased their activation were noted in the cerebellum, basal ganglia, thalamus and the anterior cingulate gyrus (BA 32). The reduction in pattern expression with sleep deprivation for each subject was related to the change in performance on the DMS task. Subject decreases in pattern expression were correlated with reductions in recognition accuracy (p<0.05), increased intra-individual variability in reaction time (p<0.005) and increased lapsing (p<0.005).

In this paper we are studying the erosional procedures on the basis of Geographical InformationSystems (GIS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods. More precisely we use fuzzy logic rules toestimate the erosion risk index for the surface rocks and a model of neural networks to spatially categorisethe erosion risk index. The described procedure is applied at Zakynthos island, where acomplete spatial database already exists.

Skeletal muscle differentiation is a complex, highly coordinated process that relies on precise temporal gene expression patterns. To better understand this cascade of transcriptional events, we used expression profiling to analyze gene expression in a 12-day time course of differentiating C2C12 myoblasts. Cluster analysis specific for time-ordered microarray experiments classified 2895 genes and ESTs with variable expression levels between proliferating and differentiating cells into 22 clusters with distinct expression patterns during myogenesis. Expression patterns for several known and novel genes were independently confirmed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and/or Western blotting and immunofluorescence. MyoD and MEF family members exhibited unique expression kinetics that were highly coordinated with cell-cycle withdrawal regulators. Among genes with peak expression levels during cell cycle withdrawal were Vcam1, Itgb3, Itga5, Vcl, as well as Ptger4, a gene not previously associated with the process of myogenesis. One interesting uncharacterized transcript that is highly induced during myogenesis encodes several immunoglobulin repeats with sequence similarity to titin, a large sarcomeric protein. These data sets identify many additional uncharacterized transcripts that may play important functions in muscle cell proliferation and differentiation and provide a baseline for comparison with C2C12 cells expressing various mutant genes involved in myopathic disorders.