The structural and magnetic properties and spin dynamics of dextran coated and uncoated gamma-Fe2O3 (maghemite) nanoparticles have been investigated using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fe-57 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Mossbauer spectroscopy and dc magnetization measurements. The HRTEM observations indicated a well-crystallized system of ellipsoid-shaped nanoparticles, with an average size of 10 nm. The combined Mossbauer and magnetic study suggested the existence of significant interparticle interactions not only in the uncoated but also in the dextran coated nanoparticle assemblies. The zero-field NMR spectra of the nanoparticles at low temperatures are very similar to those of the bulk material, indicating the same hyperfine field values at saturation in accord with the performed Mossbauer measurements. The T-2 NMR spin-spin relaxation time of the nanoparticles has also been measured as a function of temperature and found to be two orders of magnitude shorter than that of the bulk material. It is shown that the thermal fluctuations in the longitudinal magnetization of the nanoparticles in the low temperature limit may account for the shortening and the temperature dependence of the T-2 relaxation time. Thus, the low temperature NMR results are in accord with the mechanism of collective magnetic excitations, due to the precession of the magnetization around the easy direction of the magnetization at an energy minimum, a mechanism originally proposed to interpret Mossbauer experiments in magnetic nanoparticles. The effect of the surface spins on the NMR relaxation mechanisms is also discussed.
Markopoulos G, Mikros G, Brousalis G. Stylometric profiling of the Greek Legal CorpusGavriilidou Z, Efthymiou E, Thomadaki E, Kambakis-Vougiouklis P. Selected Papers of the 10th International Conference on Greek Linguistics. 2012:167-176.
A common feature of the coastal excavations in both Paros and Naxos is that of submerged antiquities and collapsed hilltops into the sea. Beach rocks along the modern coastlines bear witness to the extent and depth of ancient shores. The submerged antiquities of Paros include cemeteries of various time periods, harbor installations and certain rock-cut features whose function is not yet interpreted with certainty. The archaeologists who excavated Grotta and Aplomata on Naxos spoke of two seismic events; one at an early phase of the LH IIIA2 and another one at LH IIIC period. Indisputable evidence for those earthquakes offer two submerged tidal notches found at a depth of –3 m and –2.5 m respectively. The tsunami that covered the northern part of the Hellenistic Agora in the 2nd c. AD is additionally confirmed by a submerged tidal notch at a depth of –1.70 m and dated shells of Cerastoderma. The article proposes an entirely new perspective on the sea-level changes in Cyclades, which is strictly based on archaeological stratification and sea-level indicators.
Detailed mapping along the coasts of Skyros Island (Aegean Sea) provided new evidence concerning the rates and the modality of subsidence in the area. The results are provided through the study of the shape and the dimensions of the two submerged notches detected around the carbonate coasts of the island.It is apparent that the island has been submerged not only due to the global sea-level rise during the last two centuries (1.8 ± 0.3 mm/year between 1950 and 2000), but also because of tectonic events testified by the type of the submerged notches. Some of these tectonic events seem to be of gradual and some of co-seismic origin. The transition of MSL from the retreat point of the lower notch to the retreat point of the upper notch seems to have been produced by co-seismic subsidence of about 55 cm at slightly less than 850 years BP.
Active muscles generate substantial mechanical forces by the contraction/relaxation cycle, and, to maintain an ordered state, they require molecular structures of extraordinary stability. These forces are sensed and buffered by unusually long and elastic filament proteins with highly repetitive domain arrays. Members of the myomesin protein family function as molecular bridges that connect major filament systems in the central M-band of muscle sarcomeres, which is a central locus of passive stress sensing. To unravel the mechanism of molecular elasticity in such filament-connecting proteins, we have determined the overall architecture of the complete C-terminal immunoglobulin domain array of myomesin by X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, solution X-ray scattering, and atomic force microscopy. Our data reveal a dimeric tail-to-tail filament structure of about 360 A in length, which is folded into an irregular superhelical coil arrangement of almost identical alpha-helix/domain modules. The myomesin filament can be stretched to about 2.5-fold its original length by reversible unfolding of these linkers, a mechanism that to our knowledge has not been observed previously. Our data explain how myomesin could act as a highly elastic ribbon to maintain the overall structural organization of the sarcomeric M-band. In general terms, our data demonstrate how repetitive domain modules such as those found in myomesin could generate highly elastic protein structures in highly organized cell systems such as muscle sarcomeres.
Context. We present the analysis of supernova remnants (SNRs) and candidates in M 31 identified in the XMM-Newton large programme survey of M 31. Supernova remnants are among the brightest X-ray sources in a galaxy. They are good indicators of the recent star-formation activities of galaxies and the interstellar environment in which they evolve. Aims: By combining the X-ray data of sources in M 31 with optical data as well as optical and radio catalogues, we aim to compile a complete, revised list of SNRs emitting X-rays in M 31 detected with XMM-Newton, study their luminosity and spatial distributions, and understand the X-ray spectra of the brightest SNRs. Methods: We analysed the X-ray spectra of the 12 brightest SNRs and candidates that have been observed with XMM-Newton. Our study of the four brightest sources allowed us to perform a more detailed spectral analysis and compare different models to describe their spectrum. For all M 31 large programme sources, we searched for their optical counterparts in the Hα, [S ii], and [O iii] images of the Local Group Galaxy Survey. Results: We confirm 21 X-ray sources as counterparts to known SNRs. In addition, we identify 5 new X-ray sources as X-ray and optically emitting SNRs. Seventeen sources are no longer considered as SNR candidates. We thus create a list of 26 X-ray SNRs and 20 X-ray SNR candidates in M 31 based on their X-ray, optical, and radio emission, which is the most recent complete list of X-ray SNRs in M 31. The brightest SNRs have X-ray luminosities of up to 8 × 1036 erg s-1 in the 0.35-2.0 keV band. Based on observations obtained with XMM-Newton, an ESA science mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member States and NASA.Appendices are available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org
BACKGROUND: Palliative surgery followed by postoperative chemotherapy is a challenging approach in the treatment of stage IV gastric cancer yet patients must be carefully selected on the basis of likely clinical benefit.
METHODS: The records of 218 patients with histological diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent palliative surgery followed by postoperative chemotherapy were retrospectively reviewed. Twelve potential prognostic variables including tumour DNA index and serum IgG anti- Helicobacter pylori (HP) antibodies were evaluated for their influence on overall survival by multivariate analysis.
RESULTS: The median survival was 13.25 months [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 12.00, 14.50]. Three factors were found to have an independent effect on survival: performance status (PS) [PS 60-70 vs. 90-100 Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.676; CI 1.171-2.398, p = 0.005], liver metastases (HR 1.745; CI 1.318-2.310, p < 0.001), and DNA Index as assessed by Image cytometry (2.2-3.6 vs. >3.6 HR 3.059; CI 2.185-4.283, p < 0.001 and <2.2 vs. >3.6 HR; 4.207 CI 2.751-6.433 <0.001). HP infection had no statistically significant effect on survival by either univariate or multivariate analysis.
CONCLUSION: Poor pre-treatment PS, the presence of liver metastasis and high DNA Index were identified factors associated with adverse survival outcome in patients with Stage IV gastric cancer treated with palliative gastrectomy and postoperative chemotherapy. HP infection had no influence on survival of these patients.
Core/shell particles were synthesized by assembling oppositely charged ferrite (Fe3O4 or NiFe2O4) nanoparticles on the surface of monodispersed silica core particles (having size similar to 0.4 mu m) prepared by hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethylortosilicate. Optimal conditions for synthesis of silica core/nano-Fe3O4 shell particles were found at pH similar to 5.4. The obtained particles have superparamagnetic behavior above a blocking temperature of approximate to 25 K, which make them very attractive for a broad range of biomedical and bioengineering applications. Incorporation of nickel into ferrite structure could not be achieved at lower pH value, so functionalization of core particles was required. Incorporation of nickel into ferrite structure was successful at pH above 7, however at higher pH the formation rate of nickel-ferrite particles becomes very fast and the self-aggregation dominates the competing formation of the nickel-ferrite shell. Because of that the self-aggregation was prevented by surface modification of nickel-ferrite nanoparticles with citric acid before their deposition on the functionalized silica core and homogenous and continuous NiFe2O4 shell was finally obtained. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The aim of this paper is to provide further information of the tafoni development. At Theologos area, Fthiotis Prefecture, north Euboean Gulf, a carbonate formation hosts a variety of well developed tafoni. 165 tafoni were, randomly, selected by means of a detailed geomorphological investigation. The presence or absence of lichen cover, rock flaking, and cavern floor debris, amalgamation, salt flakes, different kind of structures, biological communities, were noted, while measurements regarding their dimension took place. Surface hardness values, obtained using a Schmidt hammer. Although, there is no evidence of the key factor that drives the growth of tafoni, salt weathering and low strength seems determinant of their formation. Moreover, much of the evidences suggest that joints are actively influencing the origin and the morphology of tafoni. It is possible that tafoni formation is initiated at weak zones. The studied tafoni are actively developing and are not relict features inherited from a past environment. It seems that their evolutionary stage is II towards to III. The results of chemical and mineralogical analysis indicate that during the cavernous weathering, silica, sulphates, alumina and iron oxides have replaced carbonate grains. Also, at the non-weathered part of the rock, the main mineralogical phases are calcite and dolomite.
Extracellular matrices (ECMs) are dynamic structures that provide cells not only with a structural support but, importantly, exhibit significant functional roles in the control of key cellular events such as adhesion, migration, proliferation, differentiation, and survival. In tumors, matrix effectors such as proteoglycans (PGs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) constitute major regulators of the interactions between tumor cells and their microenvironment and, therefore, they have been identified as potential molecular targets that are expected to advance the pharmacological treatment of cancer. ECMs composition is highly affected by cells through intrinsic regulatory mechanisms, such as the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Proteasome is a major cellular protease complex that controls the concentration and turnover of molecules in ECMs, including certain types of PGs, MMPs and collagens, and consequently, in the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, proteasome activity is regulated by PG-derived intracellular glycosaminoglycan moieties revealing a critical inter-dependence of these compounds. Since ECMs renewal and degradation can be tightly regulated by proteasome activities, its modulation may be considered as a novel strategy to control the properties of tumor microenvironment. Currently, there are several proteasome inhibitors targeting distinct molecular pathways either approved or in clinical trials for the treatment of multiple cancers. In this review, the novel approach of targeting the proteasome to selectively regulate the synthesis and the bioactivity of certain matrix PGs and MMPs is presented and discussed.
The present article reports a study concerning the analysis of 19 activity plans (we call them ‘scenarios’) developed by mathematics teacher educators-in-training for the pedagogical use of digital tools. The development of these scenarios took place during their training program and it was designed as an activity for increasing reflection, for expressing creative pedagogical ideas and for an active engagement in the design of curricula enriched with the use of technology. Our analysis shows that the trainee teacher educators deconstructed and reconstructed respective parts of the formal curriculum regarding the mathematical concepts they chose to embody in their scenarios.
The hadronic model of active galactic nuclei and other compact high-energy astrophysical sources assumes that ultra-relativistic protons, electron-positron pairs and photons interact via various hadronic and electromagnetic processes inside a magnetized volume, producing the multiwavelength spectra observed from these sources. A less studied property of such systems is that they can exhibit a variety of temporal behaviours due to the operation of different feedback mechanisms. We investigate the effects of one possible feedback loop, where γ-rays produced by photopion processes are being quenched whenever their compactness increases above a critical level. This causes a spontaneous creation of soft photons in the system that result in further proton cooling and more production of γ-rays, thus making the loop operate. We perform an analytical study of a simplified set of equations describing the system, in order to investigate the connection of its temporal behaviour with key physical parameters. We also perform numerical integration of the full set of kinetic equations verifying not only our analytical results but also those of previous numerical studies. We find that once the system becomes 'supercritical', it can exhibit either a periodic behaviour or a damped oscillatory one leading to a steady state. We briefly point out possible implications of such a supercriticality on the parameter values used in active galactic nuclei spectral modelling, through an indicative fitting of the VHE emission of blazar 3C 279.
The hadronic model of active galactic nuclei and other compact high-energy astrophysical sources assumes that ultra-relativistic protons, electron-positron pairs and photons interact via various hadronic and electromagnetic processes inside a magnetized volume, producing the multiwavelength spectra observed from these sources. A less studied property of such systems is that they can exhibit a variety of temporal behaviours due to the operation of different feedback mechanisms. We investigate the effects of one possible feedback loop, where γ-rays produced by photopion processes are being quenched whenever their compactness increases above a critical level. This causes a spontaneous creation of soft photons in the system that result in further proton cooling and more production of γ-rays, thus making the loop operate. We perform an analytical study of a simplified set of equations describing the system, in order to investigate the connection of its temporal behaviour with key physical parameters. We also perform numerical integration of the full set of kinetic equations verifying not only our analytical results but also those of previous numerical studies. We find that once the system becomes 'supercritical', it can exhibit either a periodic behaviour or a damped oscillatory one leading to a steady state. We briefly point out possible implications of such a supercriticality on the parameter values used in active galactic nuclei spectral modelling, through an indicative fitting of the VHE emission of blazar 3C 279.
Tidal notches are known to undercut limestone rock formations in the mid-littoral zone, especially in microtidal marine areas. Fossil tidal notches in uplifted or submerged positions have often been used to deduce former sealevel stands and tectonic movements. In particular, the good preservation of a tidal notch profile after emergence or submergence may be used as excellent evidence that the relative sea-level change was rapid, possibly coseismic. Tidal notches are believed to result mainly from marine bioerosion processes during periods of stable relative sea level. While in tropical environments their development may often include bioconstruction layers near the notch base, in temperate environment they tend to be purely erosional features, mainly caused by the boring capacity of endolithic and epilithic algae and by the grazing gastropods that rasp away the microflora together with rock particles in the intertidal range.
Micro-erosion measurements have shown that the rate of deepening of a tidal-notch profile may be very variable (from less than 0.1 mm/yr to about 1 mm/yr, with averages of the order of 0.2 to 0.3.mm/yr in some sites of the Mediterranean). This high variability may depend from seasonal changes in the environment (temperature, salinity, air pressure) that have an influence not only on intertidal vegetation and grazing organism, but also on sea-level changes over seasonal or inter-annual scales. In spite of this variability, the inward depth of fossil notches may be used as an approximate method to roughly estimate the duration of a period of relative sea-level stability. All carbonate rocks are not equally sensitive to tidal-notch development: the slope of the rock layers and irregularities on the rock structure or surface may locally prevent the development of a tidal notch. This means that tidal notches may be present in some locations but not at some nearby sites. Therefore the absence of tidal
notches can hardly be used as a reliable criterion to interpret the lack of a sea-level stillstand. During the last two centuries tide gauges have shown that the global sea level was rising at a rate faster than the possibilities of bioerosion. As a consequence, new tidal notches have not been forming in most places during the last couple of centuries. This is causing a general lacuna in geologic marks.
In conclusion fossil tidal notches can be useful to interpret relative sea-level change in places where they are preserved. However, the lack of tidal notches does not provide evidence of the absence of a sea-level stillstand and coastal geomorphic archives are most often incomplete.
We present a time-dependent approach to the one-zone hadronic model in the case where the photon spectrum is produced by ultrarelativistic protons interacting with soft photons that are produced from protons and low magnetic fields. Assuming that protons are injected at a certain rate in a homogeneous spherical volume containing a magnetic field, the evolution of the system can be described by five coupled kinetic equations, for protons, electrons, photons, neutrons, and neutrinos. Photopair and photopion interactions are modelled using the results of Monte-Carlo simulations and, in particular, from the SOPHIA code for the latter. The coupling of energy losses and injection introduces a self-consistency in our approach and allows the study of the comparative relevancy of processes at various conditions, the efficiency of the conversion of proton luminosity to radiation, the resulting neutrino spectra, and the effects of time variability on proton injection, among other topics. We present some characteristic examples of the temporal behaviour of the system and show that this can be very different from the one exhibited by leptonic models. Furthermore, we argue that, contrary to the wide-held belief, there are parameter regimes where the hadronic models can become quite efficient. However, to keep the free parameters at a minimum and facilitate an in-depth study of the system, we have only concentrated on the case where protons are injected; i.e., we did not consider the effects of a co-accelerated leptonic component.
BACKGROUND: Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPKP) has been established as important nosocomial pathogen in many geographic regions. Transmission from patient to patient via the hands of healthcare workers is the main route of spread in the acute-care setting. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Epidemiological and infection control data were recorded during a prospective observational study conducted in a surgical unit of a tertiary-care hospital in Greece. Surveillance culture for CPKP were obtained from all patients upon admission and weekly thereafter. The Ross-Macdonald model for vector-borne diseases was applied to obtain estimates for the basic reproduction number R(0) (average number of secondary cases per primary case in the absence of infection control) and assess the impact of infection control measures on CPKP containment in endemic and hyperendemic settings. Eighteen of 850 patients were colonized with CPKP on admission and 51 acquired CPKP during hospilazation. R(0) reached 2 and exceeded unity for long periods of time under the observed hand hygiene compliance (21%). The minimum hand hygiene compliance level necessary to control transmission was 50%. Reduction of 60% to 90% in colonized patients on admission, through active surveillance culture, contact precautions and isolation/cohorting, in combination with 60% compliance in hand hygiene would result in rapid decline in CPKP prevalence within 8-12 weeks. Antibiotics restrictions did not have a substantial benefit when an aggressive control strategy was implemented. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Surveillance culture on admission and isolation/cohorting of colonized patients coupled with moderate hand hygiene compliance and contact precautions may lead to rapid control of CPKP in endemic and hyperendemic healthcare settings.
The modulation of spontaneous light emission of active centers through elastic waves in Si/SiO2 multilayer phoxonic structures that support dual photonic-phononic localized modes, in the bulk or at the surface, is studied by means of rigorous full electrodynamic and elastodynamic calculations. Our results show that strong dynamic modulation of the spontaneous emission can be achieved through an enhanced acousto-optic interaction when light and elastic energy are simultaneously localized in the same region.
In this paper we propose the design and implementationof a Turing Test (TT) for the research of the singingvoice. Although the TT is mainly related to the researchfield of Artificial Intelligence (AI), being used both as acriterion and an operational guide by the scientists of thisfield, with the present paper we attempt to introduce arather different approach to the TT. Given the fact ofvarious disputes over the validity of the TT as a criterionof AI, one might argue that the TT is nothing more thana ‘philosophical fossil’, a left-over and remainder of pastand outdated philosophical assumptions about the natureof human intelligence. The problem of an unavoidablesubjectivity in the results of TT experiments hasstrengthen the question about the usefulness of the TT asa research means. Our goal is to introduce a new scopefor the use of the TT not as a criterion of intelligence butas an ‘instrument’ for tracing certain features of humanjudgment in various fields. Pretty much in the fashion ofa Transcendental philosophical stance, we face the TT asa procedure in which what is judged is judgement itself.Specifically, in the present paper we attempt to exhibitthe way in which a TT can be used to trace and highlightfeatures of human judgment regarding the singing voice.Are certain factors like culture, gender, age or familiaritywith music technology basic parameters of the way inwhich humans perceive and judge artificial and naturalsinging voice? Is the TT a worn off chapter in the historyof the philosophy of AI or could it be a brand new toolfor the research in fields like psychoacoustics, cognitivemusicology, social psychology of music and generallyfor the research on research itself?1 This is the kind ofquestions that we intend to raise concerning the future ofthe TT, starting with a paper for a possible ‘singingvoice TT’.
The first enlargement of NATO in 1952, to include Turkey and Greece, integrated the eastern Mediterranean with West European strategic planning and consolidated US presence in the area. Today, Turkey's inclusion in the North Antlantic Treaty Organisation seems natural, given Soviet pressures against the country in 1945-1946 and its geostrategic position. Yet, in the early post-Cold War period this was not a foregone conclusion in the minds of policy-makers in Washington and particularly, in London, despite Ankara's relentless efforts after 1947 to obtain an American security guarantee. This first book-lenght study of the background to Turkey's accession to NATO provides us with a better understanding of a neglected chapter in the history of the early Cold War. The book offers a detailed analysis of how American and British security considerations in the eastern Mediterranean evolved, sometimes in parallel, sometimes in a rival fashion, bewteen 1945 and 1952 against the backdrop of the Turks' diplomatic pressure for a US military commitment. I addition, it provides an in-depth look into the fundamental tenets of Turkish foreign policy, which, it is argued, remained the same throughtout the first 30 years of the life of the Turkish republic.
Our present contribution is a resume of a series of our studies by which we make an effort to explore the factors that are related to the acceptance of evolutionary theory among Greek and other variouscountries perspective and active educators using the conceptual ecology for biological evolution as a theoretical lens. Our central question refers to the role of the type of religiosity of a certain population in making their willingness for acceptance or rejection of evolution in the school environment. The Theory of Evolution (ET) is considered as concept - threshold that needs to be passed before someone can develop his/her understanding (Kinchin 2010) of a broader perspective of natural phenomena and of the nature of science. Most educational research has shown that the result of the teaching of ET is not positive in different parts of the world. Moreover research shows that the acceptance of the ET is restricted and the knowledge is limited and controversial among school science students and teachers. Large percentages of science teachers—close to a majority in many samples—reject ET and support the teaching of antievolutionary ideas in schools (Nehm & Schonfeld, 2007). Thus evolution remains a problematic subject for many science teachers. We make the hypothesis that the type of qualitative characteristics of the religion a nation or population group holds, is an essential factor in determining the level of acceptance of evolution, and their readiness to make changes in their believes, as well. More specifically, we advocate that the student and teacher populations that come from countries with a Greek-Orthodox background are m
Our present contribution is a resume of a series of our studies by which we make an effort to explore the factors that are related to the acceptance of evolutionary theory among Greek and other variouscountries perspective and active educators using the conceptual ecology for biological evolution as a theoretical lens. Our central question refers to the role of the type of religiosity of a certain population in making their willingness for acceptance or rejection of evolution in the school environment. The Theory of Evolution (ET) is considered as concept - threshold that needs to be passed before someone can develop his/her understanding (Kinchin 2010) of a broader perspective of natural phenomena and of the nature of science. Most educational research has shown that the result of the teaching of ET is not positive in different parts of the world. Moreover research shows that the acceptance of the ET is restricted and the knowledge is limited and controversial among school science students and teachers. Large percentages of science teachers—close to a majority in many samples—reject ET and support the teaching of antievolutionary ideas in schools (Nehm & Schonfeld, 2007). Thus evolution remains a problematic subject for many science teachers. We make the hypothesis that the type of qualitative characteristics of the religion a nation or population group holds, is an essential factor in determining the level of acceptance of evolution, and their readiness to make changes in their believes, as well. More specifically, we advocate that the student and teacher populations that come from countries with a Greek-Orthodox background are m
Schéma général: Le “Fin de siècle” pour un Monde bipolaire, Fonte de glace en Zone Arctique, Mise en question du modèle de Spykman (Rimland/Aile Sud-Est de l’OTAN), Projection de force économique, politique et militaire de nouveaux pôles internationaux dans l’espace Méditerranéen (Russie et Chine), Restructuration des Sous-systèmes Stratégiques au Proche et Moyen Orient: le sous-système Israël-Chypre-Grèce-Italie et le rôle de la France (UPM).
We found that the nova candidate J004457.9+412344 is a radio-quiet quasar at z ∼ 2. Its optical long-term light curve, covering more than half a century, shows quasar typical flux variations superimposed by a spectacular single flare lasting more than one year (observer frame). We could not find comparable light curves among the several thousand catalogued radio-quiet quasars in the stripe 82 of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. The decreasing part of the flare light curve roughly follows a power law t-5/3. The quasar spectrum, the total energy of the flare, and the decline of the light curve are consistent with the tidal disruption of a ∼10 Mʘ giant star by a supermassive black hole of a few 108 Mʘ. We argue that the alternative explanation by gravitational microlensing is less likely, though it cannot be definitely excluded.
Pollen assemblages recovered from a 5 m sediment core from the Vravron coastal marsh suggest a close correlation between vegetation development and human presence in Attica, and provide the first complete record of middle to late Holocene vegetation history. Correlation of pollen with archaeological data attempts to decode the man–environment relations of the past, within the context of the known climatic variability of the mid late Holocene, in the vicinity of ancient Athens, an area of high historical significance. The pollen record of Vravron denotes a rather variable landscape where open Mediterranean evergreen pine woods alternated with maquis shrublands and grasslands, where human activities and climate have left their imprints on vegetation. During the last 5,000 years agricultural practices displayed several variations: cereal cultivation appears more intense during the Bronze Age, especially in the Mycenaean, while a spread of Olea is observed during Geometric to Classical times. The gradual abandonment of Olea cultivation evidenced in our pollen diagram came as a result of the displacement of human activities in the interior of Mesogaia in Hellenistic and Roman times. Olea and cereal cultivation intensification is observed again during the Mesobyzantine period. In the upper part of the core evidence of intense soil erosion and expansion of Vravron wetland was recorded, coinciding with the Little Ice Age climatic event and the introduction of Arvanites populations in the area.
Context. It is well established that some YSO jets (e.g. RW Aur) display different propagation speeds between their blue and red shifted parts, a feature possibly associated with the central engine or the environment in which the jet propagates. Aims: To understand the origin of asymmetric YSO jet velocities, we investigate the efficiency of two candidate mechanisms, one based on the intrinsic properties of the system and the other on the role of the external medium. In particular, a parallel or anti-parallel configuration between the protostellar magnetosphere and the disk magnetic field is considered, and the resulting dynamics examined both in an ideal and in a resistive magneto-hydrodynamical (MHD) regime. Moreover, we explore the effects of a potential difference in the pressure of the environment, as a consequence of the nonuniform density distribution of molecular clouds. Methods: Ideal and resistive axisymmetric numerical simulations were carried out for a variety of models, all of which are based on a combination of two analytical solutions, a disk wind and a stellar outflow. The initial two-component jet is modified by either inverting the orientation of its inner magnetic field or imposing a constant surrounding pressure. The velocity profiles are studied by assuming steady flows as well as after strong time variable ejection is incorporated. Results: Discrepancies between the speeds of the two outflows in opposite directions can indeed occur both due to unaligned magnetic fields and different outer pressures. In the former case, the asymmetry appears only on the dependence of the velocity on the cylindrical distance, but the implied observed value is significantly altered when the density distribution is also taken into account. On the other hand, a nonuniform medium collimates the two jets unevenly, directly affecting their propagation speed. A further interesting feature of the pressure-confined outflow simulations is the formation of static knots whose spacing seems to be associated with the ambient pressure. Conclusions: Jet velocity asymmetries are anticipated both when multipolar magnetic moments are present in the star-disk system and when nonuniform environments are considered. The latter is an external mechanism that can easily explain the large timescale of the phenomenon, whereas the former naturally relates it to the YSO intrinsic properties.
Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare two single agents paclitaxel (intravenous) versus vinorelbine (oral) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with performance status (PS):2. Patients and Methods: The patients were randomized to receive either oral vinorelbine 60 mg/m 2 on days I, 8, 15 every 4 weeks for 4 cycles (group A) or paclitaxel 90 mg/m 2 intravenously for 1 h on days 1, 8, 15 every 4 weeks for a total of 4 cycles (group B). Results: Among the 74 eligible patients (36 in arm A and 38 in arm B) in arm A, two (6%) had a partial response (95% Cl, 0.7-18.7) and 5 (14%) had stable disease (95% CI, 4.7-29.5). In arm B, five (13%) had a partial response (95% CI, 4.4-28.1) and 7 (18%) had stable disease (95% CI, 7.7-34.3). No significant difference was found in terms of clinical benefit between the two groups after two cycles of treatment except for appetite in favour of paclitaxel (p=0.01). Median survival was 3.1 months (95% CI, 2.2-4.0) for arm A and 5.1 months (95% CI, 2.7-7.6) for arm B (p=0.95). Toxicity was mild and only alopecia was more profound in the patients of arm B (p=0.008). Conclusion: No significant difference was found in clinical benefit between PS:2 NSCLC patients treated with either vinorelbine or paclitaxel.
Tzanakaki A, Anastasopoulos MP, Georgakilas K, Garcia-Espin JA, Riera JF, Figuerola S, Ghijsen M, Demchenko Y, De Laat CTAM, Vicat-Blanc P, et al.Virtual infrastructure planning: The GEYSERS approach. In: 2012 Future Network and Mobile Summit, FutureNetw 2012. ; 2012. Website
We present a catalog of photometric and spectroscopic data collected during and around of EE Cep eclipses in 1997, 2003 and 2008/9. The photometric data were obtained with 25 different instruments, mainly in Johnson-Cousins UBV(RI)C bands, and some small sets of the data were obtained with narrow interference filters, placed on, or around of H-alpha and H-beta lines. The photometry from the last two eclipses have been compiled into the set of consistent photometric data in UBV(RI)C bands, that has been used in the paper to modelling of the eclipses in EE Cep system. The 100 of spectra released in this catalog were obtained with 8 of different spectrographs at low, medium and high resolutions (R in range ~2000-48000). About half of them (54 spectra) cover narrow ranges of order 200 Angstroms with H-alpha, H-beta lines or NaI dublet, and the second part (46 spectra) cover longer ranges of wavelengths - several thousands of Angstroms in the visual domain or in the near infrared. (7 data files).
This study is based on observations obtained with the 1.3-m Warsaw telescope at the Las Campanas Observatory, Chile, during the OGLE-II and OGLE-III projects, between 1997 and 2008. (4 data files).
X-ray mosaic images from combined EPIC pn and MOS data of the SMC region centred at RA=01:00:30, DE=-72:28:00 (J2000). The three images were produced in the three energy bands 0.2-1.0keV, 1.0-2.0keV, and 2.0-4.5keV. The images are exposure-corrected and for EPIC pn out-of-time event subtracted, but not detector-background subtracted and not vignetting-corrected. (4 data files).
The serum levels of several angiogenic cytokines are increased in patients withWaldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). Angiopoietin-2 is also increased and the balance of angiopoietin-1/angiopoietin-2, which antagonize for the receptor tyrosine kinase Tie-2 is in favor of angiopoietin-2. Lymphoplasmacytic cells may produce VEGF, but they also produce large amounts of CCL-3 which attracts macrophages, and probably mast cells. Mast cells support lymphoplasmacytic cells and may also produce VEGF. VWF is stored in the Weibel-Palade bodies together with several other mediators, including angiopoietin-2. The endothelial cells (ECs) release the content of Weibel-Palade bodies in response to stimuli, such as VEGF and VWF and other molecules (such as angiopoitein-2) are released simultaneously. VWF may also have an inhibitory activity in the constitutive VEGFR-2-dependent pathway(s), which promote EC migration.
Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide that is widely used as stabilizer and thickener with many industrial applications in food industry. Our aim was to estimate the ability of Xanthomonas campestris ATCC 13951 for the production of xanthan gum by using whey as a growth medium, a by-product of dairy industry. X. campestris ATCC 13951 has been studied in batch cultures using a complex medium for the determination of the optimal concentration of glucose, galactose and lactose. In addition, whey was used under various treatment procedures (de-proteinated, partially hydrolyzed by β-lactamase and partially hydrolyzed and de-proteinated) as culture medium, to study the production of xanthan in a 2 l bioreactor with constant stirring and aeration. A production of 28 g/l was obtained when partially hydrolysed β-lactamase was used, which proved to be one of the highest xanthan gum production reported so far. At the same time, an effort has been made for the control and selection of the most appropriate procedure for the preservation of the strain and its use as inoculant in batch cultures, without loss of its viability and its capability of xanthan gum production. The pre-treatment of whey (whey permeate medium hydrolyzed, WPH) was very important for the production of xanthan by the strain X. campestris ATCC 13951 during batch culture conditions in a 2 l bioreactor. Preservation methods such as lyophilization, cryopreservation at various glycerol solution and temperatures have been examined. The results indicated that the best preservation method for the producing strain X. campestris ATCC 13951 was the lyophilization. Taking into account that whey permeate is a low cost by-product of the dairy industry, the production of xanthan achieved under the studied conditions was considered very promising for industrial application.
Context. Although numerous archival XMM-Newton observations existed towards the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) before 2009, only a fraction of the whole galaxy had been covered. Aims: Between May 2009 and March 2010, we carried out an XMM-Newton survey of the SMC, to ensure a complete coverage of both its bar and wing. Thirty-three observations of 30 different fields with a total exposure of about one Ms filled the previously missing parts. Methods: We systematically processed all available SMC data from the European Photon Imaging Camera. After rejecting observations with very high background, we included 53 archival and the 33 survey observations. We produced images in five different energy bands. We applied astrometric boresight corrections using secure identifications of X-ray sources and combined all the images to produce a mosaic covering the main body of the SMC. Results: We present an overview of the XMM-Newton observations, describe their analysis, and summarise our first results, which will be presented in detail in follow-up papers. Here, we mainly focus on extended X-ray sources, such as supernova remnants (SNRs) and clusters of galaxies, that are seen in our X-ray images. Conclusions: Our XMM-Newton survey represents the deepest complete survey of the SMC in the 0.15 - 12.0 keV X-ray band. We propose three new SNRs that have low surface brightnesses of a few 10-14 erg cm-2 s-1 arcmin-2 and large extents. In addition, several known remnants appear larger than previously measured at either X-rays or other wavelengths extending the size distribution of SMC SNRs to larger values. Based on observations with XMM-Newton, an ESA Science Mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member states and the USA (NASA).Table 1 is available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.orgFITS images are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/545/A128
In the course of the XMM-Newton survey of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), two new bright X-ray sources were discovered exhibiting the spectral characteristics of high-mass X-ray binaries - but revealing only weak evidence for pulsations in just one of the objects (at 153 s in XMMU J010743.1-715953). The accurate X-ray source locations permit the identification of these X-ray sources with Be stars, thereby strongly suggesting that these systems are new Be/X-ray binaries. From blue spectra the proposed classification for XMMU J010633.1-731543 is B0.5-1Ve and for XMMU J010743.1-715953 it is B2IV-Ve.
We review recent results of the first dedicated monitoring programme for supersoft X-ray source (SSS) states of classical novae (CNe) in the central region of the Andromeda galaxy ({M 31}), performed in high-cadence campaigns with {XMM-Newton } and Chandra. After the first three years we had detected 21 novae in X-rays (17 new), thereby discovering peculiar objects and increasing the number of known {M 31} novae with SSS state to 60. This is the largest sample known in any galaxy and we used it to carry out the first statistical analysis of novae in X-rays. We found several correlations between optical and SSS parameters, and carried out a simulation on the completeness of our monitoring as well as the first nova population study in X-rays. This shows that X-ray surveys of CNe populations are a powerful tool to address the open questions connected to these objects.
Το παρόν κείμενο αποτελέι άρθρο του Καθηγητή Ιωάννη Μάζη, σε συνεργασία με τον Κυριάκο Πατραγά, για τις προϋποθέσεις κηρύξεως τοῦ γκεχάντ και την ἀπόλυτη ἐξουσία τοῦ χαλίφη, σύμφωνα με το ισλαμικό δίκαιο.
Στόχος της μελέτης αυτής είναι, υπό το πρίσμα της σύγχρονης θεωρίας και έρευνας της αναπτυξιακής ψυχολογίας και της αναπτυξιακής ψυχοπαθολογίας, να εντοπίσει και να αναδείξει τα σημεία επαφής ανάμεσα στην αναδυόμενη ενηλικίωση και στις γνωσιακές συμπεριφοριστικές προσεγγίσεις, ή, με άλλα λόγια, να δείξει ότι η γνωσιακή συμπεριφοριστική θεραπεία είναι μια αναπτυξιακά κατάλληλη μέθοδος θεραπείας για την αναδυόμενη ενηλικίωση. Υπενθυμίζεται ότι κύριες αρχές της γνωσιακής συμπεριφοριστικής θεραπείας γενικά είναι ότι (α) η γνωστική δραστηριότητα επηρεάζει τη συμπεριφορά, (β) η γνωστική δραστηριότητα είναι δυνατόν να τροποποιηθεί και (γ) η επιθυμητή αλλαγή στη συμπεριφορά είναι δυνατόν να επιτευχθεί μέσω της γνωστικής αλλαγής (Dobson & Dozois, 2000). Έχει υποστηριχθεί (Reinecke, Dattilio, & Freeman, 1996) ότι η γνωσιακή συμπεριφοριστική θεραπεία ενέχει τέτοια δυναμική, που της επιτρέπει να προσαρμόζεται στις αναπτυξιακές απαιτήσεις κάθε περιόδου, ωστόσο δεν έχουν γίνει ακόμη αρκετές προσπάθειες προς αυτή την κατεύθυνση. Η μελέτη διαρθρώνεται σε δύο μέρη. Στο πρώτο μέρος, περιγράφονται η φύση και τα αναπτυξιακά χαρακτηριστικά της αναδυόμενης ενηλικίωσης και παρουσιάζονται, ενδεικτικά, ερευνητικά ευρήματα από πρόσφατη σχετική έρευνα στην Ελλάδα. Επίσης, γίνονται αναφορές στην ψυχική υγεία γενικά κατά την περίοδο αυτή και στην κατάθλιψη, ως παράδειγμα, ειδικά (με μια μικρή παρένθεση για το ρόλο της τριτοβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης στην περίοδο αυτή). Στο δεύτερο μέρος, αναλύονται με μεγαλύτερη αμεσότητα οι λόγοι για τους οποίους η γνωσιακή συμπεριφοριστική θεραπεία είναι σύστοιχη με τις αναπτυξιακές ανάγκες και τις κοινωνικές απαιτήσεις της αναδυόμενης ενηλικίωσης.
Πρόκειται για την έκδοση των πρακτικών του διεθνούς συνεδρίου για τον Friedrich Schiller, το οποίο έλαβε χώρα στην Αθήνα, στις 5 και 6 Νοεμβρίου 2010. Την έκδοση των πρακτικών επιμελήθηκαν η Κατερίνα Μητραλέξη και η Αναστασία Αντωνοπούλου, οι οποίες υπογράφουν και την εκτενή εισαγωγή του τόμου των πρακτικών.
Το συνέδριο αυτό διοργανώθηκε από το Τμήμα Γερμανικής Γλώσσας και Φιλολογίας του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών, με αφορμή τους εορτασμούς ανά την Ευρώπη της επετείου των 250 χρόνων από τη γέννηση του ποιητή, δραματουργού και στοχαστή Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805), αλλά κυρίως προκειμένου να προωθήσει την έρευνα του έργου του, μετά τη διαπίστωση ότι, παρά την αξιοσημείωτη απήχηση που ανέκαθεν απολάμβανε το έργο του Σίλλερ στην Ελλάδα, από τις αρχές του 19ου αιώνα έως πρόσφατα, παρατηρείται έλλειψη εξειδικευμένων μελετών πάνω σε σημαντικούς τομείς του πολύπλευρου έργου του. Η επιστημονική-οργανωτική επιτροπή του συνεδρίου επεδίωξε ως εκ τούτου την ανάδειξη πτυχών του δραματικού, λυρικού, ιστορικού και φιλοσοφικού/αισθητικού του έργου. Έτσι εξετάζεται το πολυδιάστατο έργο του Σίλλερ στο πλαίσιο των διαφόρων συστημάτων σκέψης του 18ου αιώνα, στο πλαίσιο του γερμανικού κλασικισμού, αλλά και των απαρχών του γερμανικού ρομαντισμού, ενώ δίδεται έμφαση στη σχέση του Σίλλερ με την ελληνική αρχαιότητα και την αρχαία ελληνική τέχνη. Παρουσιάζεται επίσης η πρόσληψή του στην Ελλάδα μέσω των μεταφράσεων και των θεατρικών παραστάσεων. Ο τόμος των πρακτικών περιλαμβάνει τις εισηγήσεις δεκατεσσάρων ερευνητών.
Η Αναστασία Αντωνοπούλου διερευνά την πρόσληψη της αρχαίας ελληνικής τέχνης από τον Φρήντριχ Σίλλερ και τη συσχετίζει με την ευρύτερη αντίληψη για την αρχαιότητα κατά τον 18ο αιώνα. Ο Γιώργος Ξηροπαΐδης επιχειρεί να δείξει ότι στα αισθητικά κείμενα του Σίλλερ, ενός από τους πιο οξυδερκείς και λεπταίσθητους αναγνώστες του Καντ, συναντάμε τα πρώτα ίχνη μιας πρόσληψης της καντιανής θεωρίας για το υψηλό, η οποία παρακάμπτει σχεδόν πλήρως τον κριτικό χαρακτήρα της. Η Κατερίνα Μητραλέξη διερευνά τη δραστηριότητα του Σίλλερ ως ιστορικού, αφού ο Σίλλερ δεν υπήρξε μόνον ποιητής, δραματουργός και φιλόσοφος, αλλά και αναγνωρισμένος στον καιρό του ιστορικός, διάσταση του έργου του, προς την οποία η έρευνα μόλις τα τελευταία χρόνια έστρεψε το ενδιαφέρον της.
Ο Ρολφ-Πέτερ Γιαντς εξετάζει τα κείμενα περί ερασιτεχνισμού, που συνέταξαν οι Σίλλερ και Γκαίτε περί τα τέλη του 18ου αιώνα, και τα θεωρεί ως μια φιλόδοξη προσπάθεια να διεκδικήσουν οι δύο συγγραφείς, στο όνομα των βασικών αρχών του κλασικισμού, την ερμηνευτική κυριαρχία επί των τεχνών της εποχής τους, η κατάσταση των οποίων τους φαινόταν αξιοθρήνητη. Ο Στέφαν Λίντινγκερ εξετάζει αναλυτικά, με βάση κυρίως παραδείγματα από την λυρική ποίηση, τη σημασία της έννοιας της αρμονίας στον Σίλλερ, και τη συσχετίζει με την γενικότερη έννοια του όρου. Ο Γιόαχιμ Τάιζεν θέτει στην εισήγησή του το ερώτημα: Ποιος δικαιούται εντέλει να διαβάζει Σίλλερ; Ποιος είναι – κατά την άποψη του Σίλλερ – ο ιδανικός αναγνώστης για τον οποίο αξίζει να γράφει κανείς; Ο Μαρκ Μιχάλσκι εξετάζει την πρόσληψη του Σίλλερ στο πλαίσιο εκείνων των προσπαθειών ιστοριογράφησης της γερμανικής φιλοσοφίας, οι οποίες καταπιάνονται με τη γερμανική φιλοσοφία στο σύνολό της, προσπαθώντας να την κατανοήσουν στη ροή των διαφόρων εποχών της και ως προς τον ειδικό εθνικό της χαρακτήρα.
Ο Μίχαελ Βάις επιχειρεί στο άρθρο του να αναδείξει τη λογική μιας αστικής νοοτροπίας με αφορμή το θεατρικό έργο του Φρήντριχ Σίλλερ Έρωτας και ραδιουργία (1784), αφού το έργο πραγματεύεται και αντιπαραθέτει δύο διαφορετικά πρότυπα ζωής: Το εγκώμιο μιας ζωής στηριγμένης στη φρόνηση αντιτίθεται προς ένα πρότυπο ζωής στηριγμένης στην ευαισθησία. Ο Γιάννης Πάγκαλος εξετάζει το δραματικό έργο του Σίλλερ μέσα από το πρίσμα της αλληλεπίδρασης της λογοτεχνίας με τον κινηματογράφο, εστιάζοντας σε τέσσερεις κινηματογραφικές μεταφορές του αστικού δράματος Έρωτας και ραδιουργία, των ετών 1922, 1959, 2005 και 2009.
Η Ευαγγελία Τσιαβού ασχολείται στην ανακοίνωσή της με το υψηλό στο μεταίχμιο μεταξύ αισθητικής, ιδεαλισμού, μεταφυσικής και ψυχανάλυσης. Η Κατερίνα Καρακάση παρουσιάζει τον Σίλλερ ως πρόδρομο του γερμανικού ρομαντισμού, τοποθετώντας στο επίκεντρο της εισήγησής της το ημιτελές μυθιστόρημά του Φαντάσματα, το οποίο δημοσιεύτηκε σε συνέχειες μεταξύ των ετών 1787 και 1789 στο περιοδικό «Thalia». Στο μυθιστόρημα αυτό ο Σίλλερ πραγματεύεται μεν σημαντικά ζητήματα που απασχολούν τον Διαφωτισμό, ταυτόχρονα όμως προλειαίνει το έδαφος για την έλευση του ρομαντισμού.
Η Δήμητρα Νικολαΐδου-Μπαλτά αναλύει στην εισήγησή της και συγκρίνει μεταξύ τους τα θεατρικά έργα Έρωτας και ραδιουργία του Σίλλερ και Ο Βασιλικόςτου Αντωνίου Μάτεσι, που γράφτηκε μεταξύ 1829-30. Με την ανάλυση και τη σύγκριση επιδιώκεται η διερεύνηση των συγκλίσεων και των αποκλίσεων ανάμεσα στα δύο έργα και μέσω αυτής η αποσαφήνιση του αν και κατά πόσο ο Μάτεσις έχει επηρεαστεί από το έργο του Σίλλερ. Η Αναστασία Δασκαρόλη διερευνά την πρόσληψη του ιστορικού δράματος Μαρία Στούαρτ (1800), που αποδεικνύεται ένα από τα πλέον προσφιλή έργα του Σίλλερ στην Ελλάδα. Εξετάζονται επιλεγμένες μεταφράσεις του έργου. Η Αγλαΐα Μπλιούμη, βασιζόμενη σε σύγχρονες θεωρίες της διδακτικής, παρουσιάζει πως θα μπορούσε να ενσωματωθεί η διδασκαλία κειμένων του Σίλλερ στη διδασκαλία της γερμανικής ως ξένης γλώσσας.
The aim of this research was to examine the associations between bullying/victimization and loneliness in the peer group and in the family. Participants were 202 fifth-grade students from five public schools located in the south section of Athens. They completed the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire-Revised Edition (Olweus, 2006) and the Relational Provisions Loneliness Questionnaire (RPLQ - Hayden, 1989; Terrell-Deutsch, 1999), which showed adequate internal consistency. Almost one out of five children participated in bullying situations. More boys than girls were bullies and bullies/victims. Linear regression analyses indicated that the tendency to be bullied and the tendency to bully other students predicted loneliness in the peer group better than loneliness in the family. The type of victimization with the strongest predictive value for loneliness was social exclusion. Loneliness in the peer group was associated with the victim role, whereas loneliness in the family with the bully role. Results are discussed in relation to the social nature of bullying/victimization and to the subjective distress of involved children.
Γαλανάκη Ε. Η μοναξιά των παιδιών και των εφήβων. In: Χ. Χατζηχρήστου & Η. Μπεζεβέγκης (Επιμ.), Θέματα ανάπτυξης και προσαρμογής των παιδιών στην οικογένεια και στο σχολείο. Αθήνα: Πεδίο; 2012. pp. 425-453. Publisher's Version
Οι αρχές της οικονομικής βιωσιμότητας και της ανταποδοτικότητας ως στοιχεία της έννοιας του θεσμού της κοινωνικής ασφάλισης. Οι αρχές αυτές σε συνδυασμό με τις ήδη καθιερωθείσες αρχές της κοινωνικής αλληλεγγύης και της εκπόνησης αναλογιστικών μελετών, διασφαλίζουν την οικονομική λειτουργία του θεσμού της κοινωνικής ασφάλισης και την εκπλήρωση του κοινωνικού του σκοπού.
Το έναυσμα για την παρούσα μελέτη δόθηκε πριν από αρκετά χρόνια, το 1997, με αφορμή την επέτειο για τη συμπλήρωση των 200 χρόνων από τη γέννηση του γερμανού ποιητή Χάινριχ Χάινε (Heinrich Heine, 1797-1856). Στο πλαίσιο των συνεδρίων και εκδηλώσεων κατά τη διάρκεια του επετειακού αυτού έτους το Ινστιτούτο «Heinrich Heine» της γενέθλιας πόλης Düsseldorf διοργάνωσε και παρουσίασε και στην Ελλάδα, όπως και αλλού στην Ευρώπη, μεγάλη έκθεση ντοκουμέντων για τον ποιητή, με στόχο να αναδείξει τη διεθνή εμβέλεια του έργου του, τη σημασία του όχι μόνο για τη γερμανική, αλλά και για την ευρωπαϊκή και παγκόσμια λογοτεχνία, αφού η απήχησή του υπήρξε επί μακρόν κατά πολύ μεγαλύτερη εκτός παρά εντός των γερμανικών συνόρων.
Είχε τότε ζητηθεί από την γράφουσα να διεξαγάγει βιβλιογραφική έρευνα για την πρόσληψη του έργου του στην Ελλάδα, με στόχο να προστεθεί η σχετική διάσταση στην εν λόγω έκθεση, η οποία στην Αθήνα διοργανώθηκε από το Τμήμα Γερμανικής Γλώσσας και Φιλολογίας του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών και το Ινστιτούτο Goethe Αθηνών, με την επιμέλεια της ερευνήτριας του έργου τού ποιητή κυρίας Sabine Bierwirth και της γράφουσας. Η έκθεση έλαβε χώρα τον Οκτώβριο του 1997 (8 έως 27 Οκτωβρίου, Κτήριο «Κωστή Παλαμά») και η ανταπόκριση του αθηναϊκού κοινού υπήρξε μεγάλη, κάτι που έστρεψε εμφατικά την προσοχή στο γεγονός ότι ο Χάινε είχε, και κατά τα φαινόμενα εξακολουθούσε να έχει, μεγάλη απήχηση και στην Ελλάδα.
Η τότε διεξαχθείσα βιβλιογραφική έρευνα ανέδειξε και τεκμηρίωσε την ύπαρξη πληθώρας μεταφράσεων από το πολύπλευρο έργο του, από τα μέσα του 19ου αιώνα και εντεύθεν, και παρείχε ικανές ενδείξεις για το γεγονός ότι το έργο του Χάινε υπήρξε σημαντικό και καθοριστικό για πολλούς Έλληνες ποιητές κατά τις αποφασιστικές για τη διαμόρφωση της νεοελληνικής λογοτεχνίας και ποίησης δεκαετίες του τέλους του 19ου και των αρχών του 20ού αιώνα. Σχετικές υποθέσεις έχουν διατυπώσει παλαιότερα ο Κ. Θ. Δημαράς (1972) και ο Γιώργος Βελουδής (1983), πρόσφατα δε η Άννα Χρυσογέλου-Κατσή (2005), και η Ιωάννα Ναούμ (2007), όμως δεν έχει μέχρι στιγμής υπάρξει εκτενής ερευνητική μελέτη που να θέτει και να επιχειρεί συστηματικά την απάντηση στα ποικίλα ερωτήματα σχετικά με την πρόσληψη του έργου του Χάινε στην Ελλάδα και την επίδραση που αυτό ενδεχομένως άσκησε στους Έλληνες μεταφραστές, συγγραφείς και ποιητές, παλαιότερους και νεότερους. Διότι η συμπληρωματική βιβλιογραφική έρευνα που διεξήχθη για τις ανάγκες της παρούσας μελέτης κατέδειξε ότι τα τελευταία χρόνια το ενδιαφέρον για τον Χάινε δεν έχει μόνο σε ερευνητικό επίπεδο αναζωπυρωθεί. Καταγράφηκαν αρκετές νέες εκδόσεις και ανθολογήσεις μεταφράσεων από το λυρικό, κυρίως, έργο του, αλλά και πρόσφατες μελοποιήσεις, από τον συνθέτη Κώστα Τσουμενή (2003 και 2004), όπως και νέες μεταφράσεις, από τον Κώστα Κουτσουρέλη (2002), τον Σπύρο Καρυδάκη (2004) και την Μαρία Υψηλάντη (2007), μεταφράσεις που διακρίνονται για την ποιότητά τους. Οι επιλογές των μεταφραστών δεν περιορίζονται στις πρώιμες ποιητικές συλλογές του Χάινε, όπως συνέβαινε παλαιότερα, αλλά προέρχονται από το σύνολο έργο, ενώ είναι προφανές ότι σε πολλές περιπτώσεις λειτουργούν και ως ποιητική έμπνευση.
Τα ερωτήματα λοιπόν που ανακύπτουν και αξίζουν διερεύνησης αφορούν τις συγκεκριμένες επιλογές των μεταφραστών από το πεζό και από το λυρικό έργο διαχρονικά, τον τρόπο της εκάστοτε μετάφρασης, όπως και την εκάστοτε κριτική θεώρηση και αποτίμηση του Χάινε ως συγγραφέα. Αφορούν βεβαίως και τις μεταφραστικές απουσίες, τα κενά που εμφανίζονται στην πρόσληψη του λογοτεχνικού και δοκιμιακού έργου και της κοσμοθεωρίας του Χάινε. Τι λοιπόν από το έργο του Χάινε μεταφράσθηκε και συζητήθηκε περισσότερο στην Ελλάδα, και υπό ποιο εν τέλει πρίσμα; Μπορεί κανείς να διακρίνει και να αναδείξει συγκεκριμένες τάσεις, ενδεικτικές ίσως για την εκάστοτε χρονική περίοδο της νεοελληνικής λογοτεχνίας, φιλολογικής κριτικής και σκέψης γενικότερα; Όπως προκύπτει από την παρούσα μελέτη μπορούμε να διακρίνουμε τουλάχιστον τρεις κορυφώσεις της πρόσληψης του συγγραφέα: στα τέλη του 19ου αιώνα (γενιά του 1880), κατά τις δεκαετίες του 1960 και του 1970, και κατά τη διάρκεια της τελευταίας εικοσαετίας.
Είναι σαφές ότι ο Χάινε ενδιέφερε τους Έλληνες κυρίως ως λυρικός ποιητής, αφού η μεγάλη πλειοψηφία των μεταφράσεων προέρχονται από το λυρικό του έργο, και μάλιστα από την πρώιμη ποίηση, η οποία όχι μόνο μεταφράσθηκε αλλά και τραγουδήθηκε πολύ διεθνώς, ίσως όσο κανενός άλλου εκ των γερμανών ποιητών. Για τα και στην Ελλάδα δημοφιλέστατα ποιήματα της ποιητικής συλλογής το Βιβλίο των τραγουδιών (BuchderLieder, 1827) ο Χάινε άντλησε μεταξύ άλλων λυρικούς τρόπους έκφρασης από τη γερμανική δημώδη ποίηση, την τόσο διαδεδομένη την εποχή του γερμανικού ρομαντισμού – στην οποία εποχή πρέπει βέβαια να αναζητηθούν οι καταβολές της ποίησής του. Μέσω των πολλών επανεκδόσεων, εγκεκριμένων και μη, αλλά και μέσω των δημοφιλών μελοποιήσεων το έργο του διείσδυσε σε πολύ μεγάλο βαθμό στην ευρωπαϊκή λογοτεχνική και κοινωνική ζωή. Ειδικά στην Ελλάδα του δευτέρου ημίσεως του 19ου αιώνα η συνάφεια προς την δημώδη λογοτεχνική έκφραση στάθηκε αποφασιστικός παράγων για τη δημοφιλία του, μέχρι του σημείου της έντονα οικειοποιητικής μεταφραστικής απόδοσης σε ελληνικό δημώδες ύφος. Τα ποιήματα του Χάινε χαιρετίσθηκαν τότε ως καινούρια εμπειρία, στο χώρο της φόρμας, αλλά και στο χώρο της θεματικής, της ποιητικής εικόνας και της έκφρασης, και λειτούργησαν απελευθερωτικά στους νέους Έλληνες ποιητές κατά τη διαδικασία απαγκίστρωσης από τη νοσηρή ατμόσφαιρα του αθηναϊκού ρομαντισμού και υπέρβασής του, όπως διαπιστώνουν μεταξύ άλλων ο Κωστής Παλαμάς και οι ποιητές της γενιάς του 1880. Μετά τον Δεύτερο Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο, τις δεκαετίες του 1960 και του 1970, συζητείται κατά προτεραιότητα ο Χάινε ως πολιτικός συγγραφέας και έρχονται στο προσκήνιο κείμενα, που δεν είχαν ως τότε τύχει προσοχής. Το δε πρόσφατο ενδιαφέρον για τον ποιητή οδήγησε μεταξύ άλλων στη μετάφραση μέρους του θεωρητικού του έργου (Η ρομαντική σχολή, 1993, μετάφραση Ν. Μ. Σκουτερόπουλος), ενώ, όσον αφορά την ποίηση, επανέρχεται η ενασχόληση με τον Χάινε ως λυρικό συγγραφέα, ικανό να εμπνεύσει και να δώσει ώθηση σε ποιητική δημιουργία.
Εν τούτοις παραμένει αξιοσημείωτο το γεγονός ότι ο Χάινε δεν προσελήφθη στην Ελλάδα σχεδόν καθόλου ως «Έλληνας», όπως ο ίδιος χαρακτήριζε τον εαυτό του, κατ’ αντιδιαστολή προς έναν «Ναζαρηνό». Ο Χάινε κάνει συστηματικά λόγο για Έλληνες και Ναζαρηνούς κυρίως στο κείμενό του με τίτλο Λούντβιχ Μπέρνε. Στη μνήμη του [Ludwig Börne. EineDenkschrift, 1840], γραμμένο μετά το θάνατο, το 1837, του συμπατριώτη, ομοϊδεάτη του στην προσπάθεια εκδημοκρατισμού της Γερμανίας, συνοδοιπόρου του στην παρισινή εξορία από το 1831 και μετά, και αργότερα αντιπάλου του Μπέρνε. Οι χαρακτηρισμοί Έλληνας και Ναζαρηνός –τον οποίο ο Χάινε προσδίδει στον Μπέρνε, κρατώντας για τον εαυτό του τον χαρακτηρισμό Έλληνας – δεν παραπέμπουν σε εθνικές ταυτότητες αλλά σε ιδεατά ερμηνευτικά σχήματα, σε διαμετρικά αντίθετες κοσμοθεάσεις, όπου Έλληνας χαρακτηρίζεται εκείνος που μετέχει της ελευθερίας, της αισθησιακότητας και της χαράς της επίγειας ζωής (Sensualismus) και Ναζαρηνός εκείνος που δίνει προτεραιότητα στα δόγματα, στον ασκητισμό και στην πνευματική πλευρά του ανθρώπου (Spiritualismus). Πρόκειται εντέλει για τοποθέτηση πάνω στο ρόλο, τις δυνατότητες και τις προτάσεις του διανοούμενου και ποιητή σε μια νέα, υπό διαμόρφωση, ελεύθερη και προοδευτική κοινωνία.
Για την περιγραφή του ρόλου αυτού, όπως και του πλαισίου στο οποίο αυτός ο διανοούμενος, ποιητής και πολιτικά συνειδητοποιημένος παρατηρητής καλείται να λειτουργήσει, ο Χάινε ανέπτυξε μια προσωπική, «ελληνική», όπως την ονομάζει ο ίδιος, οπτική και ορολογία. Προσφεύγει σε μορφές και αφηγήσεις της αρχαίας ελληνικής μυθολογίας και γραμματείας, για τις οποίες επινοεί ένα νέο πλαίσιο ερμηνείας και αφήγησης. Ελληνικά και μυθολογικά θέματα διατρέχουν όλο το έργο του, από τις απαρχές ως τα ύστερα ποιήματά του, και απηχούν τον τρόπο που τοποθετείται ο ποιητής απέναντι στα υπάρχοντα παραδείγματα δημιουργώντας τη βάση για μια νέα, προσωπική, μυθολογία. Πρόκειται για διάσταση του έργου του, της οποίας οι πτυχές δεν έχουν μόνο για τον Έλληνα αναγνώστη ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον και η οποία χρήζει περαιτέρω έρευνας. Ο Χάινε δεν υπήρξε φιλέλληνας με την κλασική έννοια του όρου, ανατρέχει όμως συστηματικά στο ελληνικό παράδειγμα.
Στο πλαίσιο της παρούσας μελέτης παρουσιάζεται συνοπτικά η προσωπική μυθολογία του Χάινε και ανιχνεύονται τα σημεία και ο τρόπος πρόσληψής της που όμως δεν συγκροτούν μια ενιαία αντίληψη για το θέμα στην Ελλάδα. Είναι γεγονός πως, πέρα από τα διάφορα μεμονωμένα ποιήματα που κυκλοφορούσαν σε μεταφράσεις πολλών και διαφόρων μεταφραστών, η πρώτη εκτενής μετάφραση από το πεζό έργο του είναι εκείνη του δοκιμίου των Εξόριστων θεών από τον Άγγελο Βλάχο το 1864, στο περιοδικό Χρυσαλλίς, κείμενο που πραγματεύεται την επιβίωση των ιδιοτήτων των αρχαίων θεών στον σύγχρονο κόσμο. Είναι αρκετά πιθανό να επελέγη το συγκεκριμένο πεζό κείμενο ακριβώς λόγω του «ελληνικού» θέματός του, και πιθανόν με διάθεση αντισυμβατική εκ μέρους του Βλάχου. Το κριτήριο του «ελληνικού» θέματος δεν φαίνεται πάντως διόλου να ισχύει για τις διάσπαρτες επιλογές των μεταφραστών από το λυρικό έργο, δεν στοιχειοθετείται ένα συστηματικό ενδιαφέρον του ελληνικού αναγνωστικού κοινού ή των λογοτεχνών για το θέμα, τουλάχιστον στο χώρο της ποίησης. Τα πράγματα είναι λίγο διαφορετικά όσον αφορά τα λοιπά πεζά κείμενα, τις επιλογές από τις Ταξιδιωτικές εικόνες και τις νουβέλες Φλωρεντινές νύχτες. Εκεί διαφαίνεται μια κάποια συνοχή ανάμεσα στις διάφορες επιλογές αφού προτιμώνται κείμενα που εμπεριέχουν αναφορές στην «ελληνική» θεώρηση των πραγμάτων εκ μέρους του Χάινε.
Η παρούσα μελέτη έθεσε λοιπόν ως στόχο την παρουσίαση και κριτική αποτίμηση της παρουσίας του συγγραφέα και ποιητή Χάινριχ Χάινε στα ελληνικά γράμματα, οριοθετήθηκε δε ως εξής: τέθηκε καταρχάς το ερώτημα σχετικά με το πώς αντιμετωπίσθηκε ο Χάινε από την ελληνική φιλολογική κριτική. Παρουσιάζονται λοιπόν στο πρώτο κεφάλαιο τα κριτικά σημειώματα ή οι εκτενέστερες μελέτες που τον αφορούν, αρχής γενομένης από την μελέτη του Ειρηναίου Ασώπιου στο περιοδικό Χρυσαλλίς το 1863 και φθάνοντας στις πλέον πρόσφατες μελέτες για τον συγγραφέα στις αρχές του 21ου αιώνα. Το μεγάλο χρονικό εύρος που καλύπτουν αυτές οι κριτικές τοποθετήσεις επιτρέπει την παρακολούθηση σε αδρές γραμμές των γενικών τάσεων της κριτικής φιλολογικής σκέψης στην Ελλάδα από τον 19ο αιώνα και εντεύθεν και της σταδιακής διαμόρφωσης της άποψης για έναν συγγραφέα, που σύμφωνα με όλες τις ενδείξεις επέδρασε καθοριστικά στο νεοελληνικό λογοτεχνικό γίγνεσθαι.
Στο δεύτερο και τρίτο κεφάλαιο τίθεται και απαντάται το ερώτημα σχετικά με τις επιλογές των μεταφραστών και των λογοτεχνών από το σύνολο έργο του Χάινε, όπου το δεύτερο κεφάλαιο εστιάζει στις επιλογές από το αφηγηματικό, και το τρίτο στις επιλογές από το λυρικό έργο, ενώ συνάμα εντοπίζονται οι χαρακτηριστικότερες μεταφραστικές απουσίες. Η παρουσίαση είναι ενδεικτική και όχι εξαντλητική. Ελέγχονται και αποτιμώνται παραδείγματα μεταφράσεων και συγγραφέων στο πλαίσιο μιας προσπάθειας ανάδειξης της θέσης των συγκεκριμένων επιλογών σε σχέση με το συνολικό έργο του Χάινε αφενός και των πτυχών της συνδιαλλαγής του πρωτότυπου έργου με τις μεταφραστικές αποδόσεις και τις κατά περίπτωση νέες συγγραφικές προσπάθειες αφετέρου
The purpose of the present study was to examine the attitude toward aloneness and the aftereffect of aloneness during middle and late childhood. Participants were 833 fourth- and sixth-grade students from primary schools in Athens, Greece. They completed two questions from the London Sentence Completion Test (Coleman, 1974) and they responded to a question about the aftereffect of aloneness (Larson, 1999). Results showed the importance of solitary play, daydreaming and self-reflection, and independence and privacy, and a rather ambivalent attitude toward aloneness. Boys have a more positive attitude toward aloneness than girls; the same applies to fourth graders. Results are discussed in light of the significance of time alone and its uses during childhood.
(2012). Ηρακλής: Η ηθική μορφή της Ελληνικής μυθολογίας και ο συμβολισμός της παραβολής της Αρετής και της Κακίας.
Στην ελληνική μυθολογία η ηρωϊκή μορφή η οποία κυριαρχεί περισσότερο από οποιονδήποτε άλλο ήρωα, σχεδόν απόλυτα, είναι ο Ηρακλής. Στο πρόσωπό του, όπως φαίνεται από τους άθλους του, συνοψίστηκαν όλα τα χαρακτηριστικά και οι ικανότητες με τα οποία η μυθοπλαστική φαντασία του ελληνικού λαού επιθυμούσε να διανθίσει τον ίδιο του τον εαυτό. Ο Ηρακλής, ως εξολοθρευτής των επικίνδυνων τεράτων που επιφέρουν την ανθρώπινη καταστροφή, και ως δυναμικός εκδικητής εκείνου του οποίου εκπροσωπεί το κακό, γίνεται ο ίδιος τιμωρός της αδικίας και υπερασπιστής του καλού. Εμφανίζεται, επομένως, ως προστάτης του αγαθού και, εν τέλει, ως ο αντίποδας του κακού, ενσαρκώνοντας τις αντιλήψεις και τους ηθικούς στόχους του λαού.
Η αλληγορία του σοφιστή Πρόδικου με την Αρετή και την Κακία, προφανώς αποτυτώνει μιαν αντίληψη η οποία ήταν γενικώς αποδεκτή. Με την εξέλιξη του μύθου του Ηρακλή μέσα στο χρόνο, η μορφή του, αποκτώντας ηθικά στοιχεία, εμπλουτίζεται, ούτως ώστε ο ήρωας εν τέλει να βαίνει προς μια πορεία εκπολιτισμού του. Ο εκπολιτισμός της μορφής του συγκεκριμένου ήρωα, προφανώς απηχεί τη σταδιακή πολιτιστική ωρίμανση του αρχαίου κόσμου, καθώς μέσα από τις μυθικές περιγραφές εξισορροπούνται οι αρχαϊκές αντιλήψεις από τη μια, με τις κατακτήσεις του λόγου και της σκέψης από την άλλη. Ο ήρωας, εν τέλει, ταυτίζεται με την επιλογή του καλού και με το χρέος του ανθρώπου να προσπαθήσει πολύ προκειμένου να πετύχει το ευτυχές τέλος, επιβεβαιώνοντας πως τα καλά κόποις κτώνται, και πως τίποτε δεν είναι αυτονόητο, αλλά κάθε επιτυχία προϋποθέτει την επίπονη προσπάθεια και την αξιοποίηση της λογικής.
Μητραλέξη Κατερίνα. Ο Schiller ως ιστορικός. In: Friedrich Schiller. Ποιητής - Δραματουργός - Στοχαστής (επιμ. Αναστασία Αντωνοπούλου - Κατερίνα Μητραλέξη). Αθήνα: Παρουσία - Πρακτικά συνεδρίων αρ. 1; 2012. pp. 73-91.Abstract
Το άρθρο αποτελεί την επεξεργασμένη και εμπλουτισμένη μορφή της ανακοίνωσης στο συνέδριο του Τμήματος Γερμανικής Γλώσσας και Φιλολογίας για τον Φρήντριχ Σίλλερ (2010) και θέμα του είναι η ενασχόληση του συγγραφέα με την ιστορία και την ιστορική επιστήμη, τόσο στο θεωρητικό του έργο, όσο και στα ιστορικά του δράματα. Ο Friedrich Schiller υπήρξε στον καιρό του αναγνωρισμένος ιστορικός, αλλά η έρευνα, φιλολογική και ιστορική, δεν ασχολήθηκε επί μακρόν με τη διάσταση αυτή του έργου του. Η αλλαγή επιστημονικού παραδείγματος στο χώρο της ιστοριογραφίας, που έστρεψε την προσοχή στον τρόπο που η ίδια η ιστοριογραφική αφήγηση συγκροτεί μέσω των αφηγηματικών δομών νόημα, αφύπνισε το ερευνητικό ενδιαφέρον για τον Σίλλερ ως ιστορικό και έδωσε ένα νέο πλαίσιο για την αναθεώρηση και τη διερεύνηση της αντίληψής του για τη ιστορία και την ιστοριογραφία. Το άρθρο συστηματοποιεί την πορεία του Σίλλερ ως ιστορικού, παρουσιάζει τις ιστορικές μελέτες του και την εξέλιξη της θεώρησής του για την ιστορία.
Ο Σίλλερ επέλεξε ένα ιστορικό θέμα ήδη για το δεύτερο κατά σειρά συγγραφής έργο της δραματουργίας του, την «ρεπουμπλικανική τραγωδία» Η συνομωσία του Φιέσκο στη Γένοβα (1782). Η εκτενής ενασχόληση με την ιστορία ξεκινά πάντως κατά την έρευνα πηγών που διεξήγαγε λίγο αργότερα για τις ανάγκες της συγγραφής του Δον Κάρλος (1787), από την οποία προέκυψε το πρώτο μεγάλης έκτασης ιστοριογραφικό του σύγγραμμα με τίτλο Ιστορία της απόσχισης των Κάτω Χωρών από την ισπανική κυβέρνηση (1788). Ο Σίλλερ καλλιέργησε αρχικά μια ιστορική φιλοσοφική σκέψη βασισμένη στην αισιόδοξη προοπτική του Διαφωτισμού για την θετική πορεία της οικουμενικής ιστορίας και του ανθρώπου, αντίληψη που αναπτύσσεται στην εναρκτήρια διάλεξή του Τι σημαίνει και γιατί μελετά κανείς την οικουμενική ιστορία (26 Μαΐου 1789) στο πανεπιστήμιο της Ιένας, όπου εκλήθη να διδάξει ως ιστορικός. Η άποψη αυτή ανατρέπεται όμως μετά τη Γαλλική Επανάσταση και τα βίαια γεγονότα που ακολούθησαν. Στο εξής, ο στοχασμός πάνω στη σχέση του ανθρώπου με την ιστορία μετατοπίζεται, διέπεται από προβληματισμό και απαισιοδοξία, ενώ συνδέεται με το υψηλό, με την έννοια της μοίρας ως δύναμης που επιβάλλεται στον άνθρωπο. Η μεταβολή αυτή στην άποψη του Σίλλερ για την ιστορία ανιχνεύεται τόσο στα μεταγενέστερα ιστορικά και στα αισθητικά του κείμενα, όσο και στα κλασικά ιστορικά του δράματα. Ο τρόπος και τα μέσα της αναφοράς στην ιστορία αλλάζουν. Μετά το δεύτερο μεγάλο ιστορικό σύγγραμμά του, την Ιστορία του Τριακονταετούς Πολέμου (1792), ο Σίλλερ δεν γράφει πλέον ιστορικά συγγράμματα. Η ιστορία γίνεται πλέον θέμα της τραγωδίας. Τα ιστορικά δράματα της κλασικής περιόδου λειτουργούν ως μίμηση της ιστορίας και αποδεικνύονται για τον συγγραφέα το πλέον ενδεδειγμένο μέσο παρουσίασης και κατανόησης του απρόβλεπτου ιστορικού γίγνεσθαι.
Βαβουρανάκης Γιώργος. Ο θολωτός τάφος Β στη θέση Απεσωκάρι Μεσαράς. In: Ανδριανάκης Μιχάλης, Βαρθαλίτου Πετρούλα, Τζαχίλη Ίρις Αρχαιολογικό Έργο Κρήτης 2. Πρακτικά της 2ης συνάντησης, 26-28 Νοεμβρίου 2010. Ρέθυμνο: Εκδόσεις Φιλοσοφικής Σχολής Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης; 2012. pp. 144-153.
Η εκπαίδευση αποτελεί προϊόν της νεωτερικότητας και οργανώνεται σε εκκοσμικευμένο περιβάλλον. Αυτό σημαίνει ότι η Θρησκευτική Εκπαίδευση αντιμετωπίζεται ως μάθημα του σχολικού προγράμματος, όπως τα υπόλοιπα, και όχι ως μύηση σε μία θρησκεία. Στην Ελλάδα το μάθημα των Θρησκευτικών είναι ένα ακόμη μάθημα του Προγράμματος Σπουδών και δεν έχει ομολογιακό χαρακτήρα με βάση τα δύο τελευταία προγράμματα (2003, 2011). Υιοθετώντας μάλιστα παιδαγωγικά τον κονστρουκτιβισμό, σήμερα, χρησιμοποιεί περισσότερο τις τεχνικές του Θεάτρου στην Εκπαίδευση, αφού και οι δύο βασίζονται στην εμπειρία, καλλιεργούν δεξιότητες και στάσεις αποδομώντας την παγιωμένη γνώση και ζητώντας την ελεύθερη άποψη. Φυσικά αυτή η θρησκευτική εκπαίδευση επιδιώκει να αναπτύξει την κριτική στάση και την ερμηνεία της πραγματικότητας των θρησκειών και των πολιτισμών, που παράγουν, στοχεύοντας στην ειρηνική συνύπαρξη και την αλληλεγγύη. Η εισήγηση αυτή εξετάζει γιατί το θέατρο διευκολύνει τη διάδραση μεταξύ μαθητών και θρησκευτικής γνώσης στο σχολείο, με αναφορά σε εφαρμογές στην τάξη, οι οποίες στηρίζονται στην εμπειρία των Heathcote και Somers.
Σκοπός της παρούσας έρευνας ήταν να διερευνηθούν οι διαστάσεις του αναγνωστικού κινήτρου των Ελλήνων μαθητών Δ΄ και Στ΄ δημοτικού. Αναλυτικότερα, εξετάζεται κατά πόσον οι διαστάσεις του θεωρητικού μοντέλου των Wigfield και Guthrie (1995) ανιχνεύονται στο αναγνωστικό κίνητρο των Ελλήνων μαθητών δημοτικού σχολείου, η σπουδαιότητα των διαστάσεων αυτών για τους μαθητές, καθώς και οι μεταξύ τους συσχετίσεις. Ένα αντιπροσωπευτικό δείγμα 1.136 μαθητών Δ΄ και Στ΄ Δημοτικού από σχολεία της Αθήνας και του Πειραιά συμπλήρωσαν την ελληνική προσαρμογή του Ερωτηματολογίου Αναγνωστικών Κινήτρων ( Motivations for Reading Questionnaire, Wigfield & Guthrie, 1995), το οποίο επιτρέπει μια λεπτομερή ανίχνευση της πολυδιάστατης φύσης του αναγνωστικού κινήτρου. Αναδείχθηκαν τέσσερις διακριτές, αν και σχετιζόμενες μεταξύ τους, διαστάσεις: Σχολική Επίδοση, Κοινωνικοί Λόγοι, Βαθμός Δυσκολίας Αναγνώσματος και Είδος Αναγνώσματος. Οι διαστάσεις αυτές είναι λιγότερες από τις διαστάσεις του πρωτότυπου ερωτηματολογίου. Ισχυρότερο κίνητρο για ανάγνωση προέκυψε η Σχολική Επίδοση και ακολουθούν το Είδος του Αναγνώσματος και ο Βαθμός Δυσκολίας του Αναγνώσματος, ενώ το χαμηλότερο κίνητρο για ανάγνωση είναι οι Κοινωνικοί Λόγοι. Παρατηρήθηκαν στατιστικά σημαντικές συνάφειες ανάμεσα σε ορισμένες διαστάσεις του αναγνωστικού κινήτρου. Τα ευρήματα συζητούνται με αναφορά στα ευρήματα της σχετικής διεθνούς βιβλιογραφίας με τα οποία είναι σύστοιχα, καθώς σε όλες τις έρευνες αναγνωρίζεται η πολυδιάστατη φύση του αναγνωστικού κινήτρου. Τέλος, με βάση τα ευρήματα της έρευνας, προτείνονται παιδαγωγικές πρακτικές για την ενίσχυση του αναγνωστικού κινήτρου, με στόχο την καλλιέργεια της φιλαναγνωσίας και την ολόπλευρη ανάπτυξη του παιδιού.
Στο πονημάτιο αυτό, θα προσπαθήσουμε να εμφανίσουμε την πνευματική διάσταση της ανθρώπινης εργασίας, θέλοντας μ’ αυτόν τον τρόπο να τοποθετήσουμε ένα θεμελιώδες αποδεικτικό έρεισμα στην οικοδόμηση της αντιλήψεως της πνευματικότητος της εργασίας. Πρόθεσή μας είναι ν’ αποδείξουμε ότι όλες οι ανθρώπινες δραστηριότητες είναι δυνατόν, αλλά και πρέπει, να αντιμετωπίζονταιως επί μέρους εγκόσμιες αντανακλάσεις του πολυπλόκου έργου της Θείας Δραστηριότητος. Και εφόσον θέλουμε να θεωρούμε τα ανθρώπινα επαγγέλματα ως αντανακλάσεις της Θείας Δραστηριότητος, δεν μπορούμε παρά να παραδεχθούμε ότι αποτελούν σύμβολα αυτής της Δραστηριότητος, και η δική μας αποστολή συνίσταται στην αποκρυπτογράφηση και ερμηνεία αυτών των συμβόλων, των μόνων ικανών να μαςβοηθήσουν στην αντίληψη της θεωρητικής βάσεως για την οποίαν ομιλούμε.
Βαβουρανάκης Γιώργος. Τοπίο και αρχαιολογία στην Ελλάδα: Σημειώσεις για μια παρεξηγημένη σχέση. In: Μουρελάτος Διονύσης Πόλη και Ύπαιθρος στη Μεσόγειο (Διαχρονία). Vol. Παράρτημα Β. Αθήνα: Σύλλογος Μεταπτυχιακών Φοιτητών Ιστορίας-Αρχαιολογίας Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών; 2012. pp. 39-52.
Venom immunotherapy (VIT) has been shown to be an effective and safe treatment for preventing sting-induced anaphylaxis in patients with systemic reactions to hymenoptera stings. A remaining problem is the relative effectiveness and safety of different immunotherapy protocols used with respect to maintenance dose, injection interval, and duration.|We aimed to describe a modified cluster VIT protocol with a maintenance dose of 50 μg lasting 5 yr and to evaluate retrospectively its safety and efficacy in children.|Fifty four children 9.5±3.2 yr old with a history of at least one anaphylactic reaction to hymenoptera stings underwent VIT between 1995 and 2006. The identification of the offending insect(s) was based on patient's report and documented with in-vivo (SPTs and IDs) and in-vitro (RAST/CAP) test results. A modified cluster outpatient protocol lasting 5 wks, reaching a maintenance dose of 50 μg was followed according to clinical history and test results. After the maintenance dose was achieved, the followed injection-intervals were 4 wks for the first year, 5 wks for the 2nd year and 3rd year, and 6 wks for the last 2 yr.|Of the 54 children, 52 tolerated the 50 μg VIT protocol without side effects. Twenty one of them reported at least one field sting from at least one of the culprit, for their allergy, insects, 6±3.5 yr after they have started VIT treatment. In 11 of them, sting occurred 3.5±2.9 yr after the VIT was completed, whereas the other 10 of them during immunotherapy, 3.2±1.4 yr after they have started VIT. In the remaining two children, the maintenance dose was increased to 100 μg due to systemic reactions from the VIT. The data reflect outcomes 6-16 yr after the patients' initial allergic reaction.|VIT with 50 μg maintenance dose lasting 5 yr appears to be safe and effective enough to induce tolerance in children with hymenoptera venom hypersensitivity.
Scar endometriosis is an under-appreciated or misdiagnosed phenomenon in general surgery and may eventually be more common than reflected in the literature. We herein report five cases of scar endometriosis that were treated in our surgical department one to five years after Caesarean section. Scar endometriosis should be considered when the symptoms are present in a cyclic manner mostly after gynaecological operations and worsening during menstruation. Diagnosis is mainly based upon a high index ofsuspicion. The treatment of choice is surgical resection.
The Amvrakia spring is located at the bottom of Meteora pillars and more specifically near the village of Kastraki (Kalambaka municipality). It is a seasonal spring since it functions only during the wet period. The Meteora conglomerates which dominate the area are characterized by large discontinuities creating a network of groundwater pathways above the impermeable strata of the underlying marls. The research targets was to define these water pathways in order to understand the mechanism of Amvrakia spring, by mapping the exposed discontinuity network and define their underground extension with the contribution of geophysical techniques. Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Very Low Frequency (VLF) methodologies were applied. The VLF method is indicated for the detection of water-bearing fracture zones, but before the application of their filters they had to be processed for topographic corrections, as the area had not smooth relief. Five (5) VLF profiles were conducted with different directions around the spring’s area, in order to detect possible conductive zones in the conglomerates surrounding the study area. Moreover, two (2) ERT sections of a total length of 140m were carried out, parallel to existent VLF sections, for crosschecking the geophysical information. Both techniques revealed important conductive zones (<200 Ohm.m) from the south-eastern Meteora conglomerate pillars, possibly interpreted as discontinuities filled with water feeding the spring.
8-Oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) accumulates in the genome over time and is believed to contribute to the development of aging characteristics of skeletal muscle and various aging-related diseases. Here, we show a significantly increased level of intrahelical 8-oxoG and 8-oxoguanine-DNA glycosylase (OGG1) expression in aged human skeletal muscle compared to that of young individuals. In response to exercise, the 8-oxoG level was lastingly elevated in sedentary young and old subjects, but returned rapidly to preexercise levels in the DNA of physically active individuals independent of age. 8-OxoG levels in DNA were inversely correlated with the abundance of acetylated OGG1 (Ac-OGG1), but not with total OGG1, apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1), or Ac-APE1. The actual Ac-OGG1 level was linked to exercise-induced oxidative stress, as shown by changes in lipid peroxide levels and expression of Cu,Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, and SIRT3, as well as the balance between acetyltransferase p300/CBP and deacetylase SIRT1, but not SIRT6 expression. Together these data suggest that that acetylated form of OGG1, and not OGG1 itself, correlates inversely with the 8-oxoG level in the DNA of human skeletal muscle, and the Ac-OGG1 level is dependent on adaptive cellular responses to physical activity, but is age independent.
The purpose of this study was to identify, categorize, and analyze published process-product research on physical education teaching methods completed between1960 and 2009. A literature search utilizing electronic databases yielded 138 studies which met the criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Each study was analyzed to obtain information on (a) the decade the study was published, (b) the number of authors, (c) the publication outlet, (d) the type of class, (e) the sampling method, (f) the effect size, (g) the statistics used, and (h) the statistical assumptions. The results indicated that most studies were the result of collaboration efforts among researchers. Also, intact classes rather than randomization were the most common technique used for forming the experimental groups. In the majority of the studies, the selection of the sample was done by means of purposive sampling techniques. A large proportion of the studies used univariate statistics to complete the data analysis. However, the majority of the papers reviewed did not report effect size values nor did they report fulfillment of certain statistical assumptions. The major publication outlet for process-product research was the Journal of Teaching in Physical Education.
In previous papers ([1, 2]) we defined the C*-algebra and the longitudinal pseudodifferential calculus of any singular foliation (M,). In the current paper we construct the analytic index of an elliptic operator as a KK-theory element, and prove that this element can be obtained from an “adiabatic foliation” on M×ℝ, which we introduce here.
The susceptibilities of 824 Bacteroides fragilis group isolates against nine antibiotics were evaluated in a Europe-wide study involving 13 countries. Species determination, by different methods, was carried out on all but one isolate. Resistance rates were evaluated according to species and geographical areas via CLSI and the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) breakpoints. The present data were compared with those obtained 10 and 20 years ago at a European level. High-level resistance (MIC ≥ 64 mg/L) to ampicillin was observed in 44.5% of the strains, which is a significant increase relative to 20 years ago (16%). Piperacillin/tazobactam was more active than amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (3.1% and 10.4% resistance, respectively), again with a resistance increase relative to earlier studies. Dramatic increases in resistance were observed for cefoxitin, clindamycin and moxifloxacin, with rates of 17.2%, 32.4% and 13.6%, respectively. The lowest resistances were found for imipenem, metronidazole and tigecycline (1.2%, <1% and 1.7%). Nonsusceptible strains to imipenem and metronidazole were more resistant to other anti-anaerobic drugs. Differences were detected between geographical areas, with higher resistance rates for moxifloxacin in Scandinavian countries (21.4%) than in Mediterranean countries (5.4%), whereas, for clindamycin, the resistance rates were higher in Mediterranean (41.8%) and lower in Scandinavian countries (22.5%). Piperacillin/tazobactam resistance was also higher in Scandinavian countries.
Resumen: Cecilia Valdés o La Loma del Ángel y Martín Rivas son novelas clásicas de la literatura hispanoamericana. Ambas presentan la estratificación social y las ideas de unas épocas concretas. En Cecilia Valdés se presenta el mosaico de la sociedad cubana en la primera mitad del siglo XIX. Los personajes blancos son la capa dominante mientras las otras capas se preocupan más por su sobrevivencia. Los personajes blancos ricos están a favor de la esclavitud. Igualmente consideran el concubinato como algo normal y aceptable. Los personajes jóvenes ricos siguen las ideas de los mayores y se comportan del mismo modo. Los personajes femeninos tienen un papel secundario y aunque son más compasivas hacia los esclavos no pueden hacer algo. En Martín Rivas, a través de la descripción de los personajes, se revela el modo de pensar de dos capas principales: “las buenas familias” y el “medio pelo”. Los personajes de la burguesía adinerada son conservadores y se interesan en la vida política motivados siempre por su interés económico y su anhelo de poder. Los personajes femeninos, sumisos al poder masculino, no tienen ninguna participación política aunque a veces expresan opiniones contrarias a las de los hombres. Al contrario los personajes jóvenes de la burguesía pobre se inclinan al liberalismo de manera espontánea.
Palabras clave: novela, hispanoamericana, romanticismo, realismo, esclavitud, ideología, sociedad, dinero.
The potential genotoxic effects of several pure secondary metabolites produced by fungi used as biological control agents (BCAs) were studied with the Ames Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity assay and the Vitotox test, with and without metabolic activation. A complete set of Salmonella tester strains was used to avoid false negative results. To detect possible mutagenic and/or cytotoxic effects of fungal secondary metabolites due to synergistic action, crude extracts and fungal cell extracts of the BCAs were also examined. Although the sensitivity of the methods varied depending on the metabolite used, clearly no genotoxicity was observed in all cases. The results of the two assays are discussed in the light of being used in a complementary fashion for a convincing risk-assessment evaluation of fungal BCAs and their secondary metabolites.
The use of integrated Hospital Information Systems is related with many benefits for the healthcare system, increasing the effectiveness of the provided services and assuring quality of care. Aim of this study is to investigate the types of Information Systems, the level of integration and the problems identified during the implementation phase, in three public hospitals. The above are expected to contribute to the understanding of the organizational, human resource and technical factors related with the successful implementation of a hospital IS. In order to investigate those elements, an assessment questionnaire was developed and completed by nine hospitals IT employees of the three hospitals. In addition, open interviews were organized with the same employees to further formulate an overall aspect, while in one hospital case, observation and discussion with four different categories of involved staff was undertaken. It was found that the implementation problems are mainly related with the underfunding, inadequate use of standards, lack of skilled IT experts, insufficiently trained personnel and users' reserve. The problems may be tackled with a supportive hospital administration committed to the successful implementation. The external contracting company working on its own, without any participation of the hospital IT department seems to be a failure recipe. It is evident that an active management support and skillful hospital IT employees, are expected to result to success stories during the implementation of integrated hospital information systems.
This paper examines the collaborative-intergenerational efforts, conflict resolution curricula, projects and training activities of non-profit organizations and NGOs— that reflect the values of Olympism—striving to eliminate racism and xenophobia as well as promote gender equity in sports. In this transitional stage of the postmodernist period, practices of social exclusion or under-representation due to gender, race, class, religion, sexual orientation, and so forth are socially problematic and theoretically inconsistent. The promotion of new role models and mentors in sports is vital in view of the systematic misinterpretation, or rather, misuse of Olympic values, such as obsessive competitiveness and the increase of violence and racism linked to sport events. Moreover, focusing on commercialization and consumerism are notincentives that reactivate Olympic values. A critical issue addressed, among others, is the democratization of the IOC structures. This paper argues that Peace Education—Olympism adapted into today’s globalized world—be incorporated into future reforms, educational policies and teaching practices in order to raise awareness concerning the core values of peace: pro-social attitudes, reducing ethnic prejudices, respect for diversity, promoting reconciliation, gender equality, non-violent conflict resolution and democratic decision-making.Keywords: peace education-conflict resolution skills, Olympism, racism, xenophobia, gender equity, glass ceiling, glass escalator, tokenism.I---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Second version, entire journal attached: pages 141-156
Kamberidou, Irene (2011). Athlete Activism and Peace Education: Bridging the Social Inequality Gap through Sports. NEBULA A Journal of Multidisciplinary Scholarship, Volume 8, Issue 1, December 2011. Online Quarterly Academic Periodical. ISSN – 1449-7751
[First online version: 168-180]
second version, entire journal attached: pages 141-156
Kamberidou, Irene (2011). Athlete Activism and Peace Education: Bridging the Social Inequality Gap through Sports. NEBULA A Journal of Multidisciplinary Scholarship, Volume 8, Issue 1, pp. 141-156, December 2011. Online Quarterly Academic Periodical. ISSN – 1449-7751
Kamberidou, I. (2011). “Athletes United for Peace: Reconciliation through Sport.” Presentation (εισήγηση) at the international conference SPORT AS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN CULTURES, September 15-17, 2011, Wingate Institute/Zinman College, Israel. The International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education(ICSSPE/CIEPSS). http://www.icsspe.org/index_1068a88f.php.html [book of abstracts, also see powerpoint presentation in http://www.icsspe.org/documente/Irene_Kamberidou_-_Athletes_United_for_Peace.pdf
Coaxial resonant cavities with longitudinal corrugations on the inner conductor are used in high-frequency high-power gyrotrons as means to reduce the number of possible competing modes. For a sufficiently large number of corrugations, the analytical approach usually treats the surface corrugation as a homogeneous surface impedance to obtain simple formulas for the characteristic equation and field components. These formulas can be introduced to interaction codes in a quite straightforward way. Full-wave approaches that account for the azimuthal periodicity of the structure and consider azimuthal spatial harmonics to describe the field distributions have been also employed, increasing though the complexity of the solution and the effort given in numerical calculations. In this paper, a full-wave code is used in an attempt to identify the way that the azimuthal spatial terms contribute to the reformation of the eigenvalue spectrum and propose a criterion for the selection of the spatial terms that should be taken into account for accurate enough calculations.
BACKGROUND: Biomedical informatics is a broad discipline that borrows many methods and techniques from other disciplines.
OBJECTIVE: To reflect a) on the character of biomedical informatics and to determine whether it is multi-disciplinary or inter-disciplinary; b) on the question whether biomedical informatics is more than the sum of its supporting disciplines and c) on the position of biomedical informatics with respect to related disciplines.
METHOD: Inviting an international group of experts in biomedical informatics and related disciplines on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Methods of Information in Medicine to present their viewpoints.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: This paper contains the reflections of a number of the invited experts on the character of biomedical informatics. Most of the authors agree that biomedical informatics is an interdisciplinary field of study where researchers with different scientific backgrounds alone or in combination carry out research. Biomedical informatics is a very broad scientific field and still expanding, yet comprised of a constructive aspect (designing and building systems). One author expressed that the essence of biomedical informatics, as opposed to related disciplines, lies in the modelling of the biomedical content. Interdisciplinarity also has consequences for education. Maintaining rigid disciplinary structures does not allow for sufficient adaptability to capitalize on important trends nor to leverage the influences these trends may have on biomedical informatics. It is therefore important for students to become aware of research findings in related disciplines. In this respect, it was also noted that the fact that many scientific fields use different languages and that the research findings are stored in separate bibliographic databases makes it possible that potentially connected findings will never be linked, despite the fact that these findings were published. Bridges between the sciences are needed for the success of biomedical informatics.
Pompe disease is an inherited metabolic disorder caused by α-glycosidase deficiency. The adult onset form is mainly characterized by progressive proximal muscle weakness and respiratory dysfunction. The aim of the present study is to evaluate body composition in adult patients before and after enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). Body composition was examined at baseline by means of dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in nine adult patients and after different time periods in six of them who received ERT. Total BMD (bone mineral density) was initially mildly decreased in two patients, while femoral neck BMD was decreased in five patients. On the other hand fat mass was increased in the majority of patients, while body mass index (BMI) was high in four. ERT administration did not seem to induce obvious BMD changes in any patient. Conclusively, the greater femoral neck BMD involvement may be attributed to the lower mechanical load applied by the selectively weakened muscles, whereas the increased fat mass may be the result of metabolic and nutritional derangement.
Reece et al report that single-agent bortezomib resulted in hematologic responses in two-thirds of patients with relapsed Light chain (AL) amyloidosis, including complete responses in one-third, while more than 75% of patients had response duration of more than or equal to 1 year.
Vicat-Blanc P, Figuerola S, Chen X, Landi G, Escalona E, Develder C, Tzanakaki A, Demchenko Y, García Espín JA, Ferrer J, et al.Bringing optical networks to the cloud: An architecture for a sustainable future internet. Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics) [Internet]. 2011;6656:307-320. Website
This paper investigates calendar anomalies for four emerging stock markets (Romania,Bulgaria, Croatia and Turkey) and their mature counterpart in the Balkan region (Greece), during the period 2000-2008. Five well known calendar effects on both return and volatility are examined; the day of the week effect, the January effect, the half month effect, the turn of the month effect and the time of the month effect. We provide evidence for the existence of three calendar effects (day of the week, turn of the month, time of the month) in both mean and volatility equations for Greece and Turkey, which is consistent to the findings of previous studies. On the other hand, the effects for the three emerging Balkan markets are limited and exist only in volatility. This contradictory evidence could be due to a different level of liquidity and maturity for these markets.
Contemporary thinking seems to be particularly interested in the investigation of the role of culture in socio-political life. This article presents aspects of a research project, undertaken in Greece, looking into whether a cultural product can foster intercultural communication and influence young people’s perceptions of and attitudes to cultural and religious diversity. Such cultural products are the Theatre in Education (TiE) programmes, which focus on the use of the art of theatre as a means of educational intervention. For the purposes of our research a specially designed TiE programme was used as a means of intervention and as are search tool. Our research examines secondary education students’ perceptions of and attitudes to cultural and religious diversity prior to and following the intervention in Thessaloniki and in Thrace, Greece. This cultural intervention, which incorporates art and religion, offers new insights into the possibility of the use of TiE for the religious education of young people.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment and, with the proper risk-minimizing strategies, is relatively safe even in depressed patients with cardiovascular diseases. Specifically, patients with cardiac rhythm management devices (CRMDs) require particular attention because no controlled trials exist to support current empirical recommendations. We present a depressed patient with a pacemaker successfully treated with ECT, and we critically review the relevant literature. Pooled results from 63 patients and 821 ECT sessions showed that 90% of ECT sessions have been performed on depressed patients with their pacemakers in sensing mode and rate adaptation, where available, activated as well. Only 4% of sessions were performed with those functions disabled, whereas no data was available for 6% of ECT sessions. Pooled results from case series and reports highlight a discrepancy between current clinical practice and many guidelines. Electroconvulsive therapy is probably safe in depressed patients with asynchronous fixed-rate pacemakers, although there is a risk of ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. A larger body of case series and reports suggests that there might be no need to convert synchronous demand pacemakers to asynchronous fixed-rate pacing. Regarding patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators, antitachycardia treatment was deactivated during most ECT sessions. In depressed patients with CRMDs anticholinergics might be best avoided. In all cases, proper ECT procedures, namely, patient and pacemaker electrical isolation, strict grounding and adequate muscle relaxation along with interrogation and monitoring of CRMDs before and after each session should ensure uncomplicated electroconvulsive treatments.
Case matching effects involve situations where a nominal element appears in a case that is not predicted by its syntactic status in its clause, but rather matches the case requirements of an external element. Such constructions pose serious problems for syntactic accounts of case in terms of a syntactic Case feature, because they involve a situation of case conflict/mismatch. In this article, I address the issue of case assignment/realization by examining case attraction phenomena in Greek free relative clauses. In particular, I suggest an analysis that builds on the idea that case categories are not primitives, but rather they can be decomposed in bundles of features and I propose a division of labour between narrow syntax and Morphological Structure as far as case assignment/realization is concerned. Case assignment takes place in narrow syntax as a licensing device (abstract case), but it refers only to those features that are relevant to the distinction between structural and inherent case. The full specification of the case feature bundle takes place in the Morphological Structure as a result of the application of specific case assignment algorithms defined in terms of case domains and hierarchies. At a theoretical level, such a hypothesis has the benefit of incorporating the insights about the role of case determination at Morphological Structure, as well as maintaining the well-established notion of abstract case as a licensing device of narrow syntax.
The increased operational tempo associated with current deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) is placing considerable strain on military families. Among other sequelae of OIF and OEF deployment, findings from recent studies suggest high rates of depression in spouses of service members. This review presents a rationale for targeting depression among military spouses. It examines how stressors relating to the deployment cycle may contribute to depression in spouses and outlines the effects of spousal depression on the mental health of service members and their children. Mental health services currently available to military spouses as well as barriers to their care are also described. Considerations for the adaptation of treatment to their unique circumstances and needs are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved).
The optional use of morphology attested in second language learners has been attributed either to a representational deficit or to a ‘surface’ problem with respect to the realization of inflectional affixes. In this article we contribute to this issue by providing empirical data from the early interlanguage of Greek learners of Turkish. Three experiments have been conducted, a cloze task, a sentence picture matching task and an on-line grammaticality judgement task, in order to investigate case morphology and its interaction with word order constraints.The findings of all three experiments point towards a variable use of case morphology, which is also observed in previous studies of Turkish as a second language (L2). Moreover, they show clearly that the learners face difficulties with non-canonical word orders as well as with the interaction of word order constraints and Case. On the other hand, the learners performed well on verbal inflections. On the basis of these findings, we argue that the developmental patterns in the early stages of L2 acquisition cannot be attributed to a global lack of functional categories but rather to more localized difficulties, which seem to be related to (a) whether the features in the L2 are grammaticalized in the first language and (b) the way these features are encoded in the morphosyntax of the first language. Moreover, we claim that processing factors and the specific properties of the morphological paradigms affect L2 development.
E-cadherin (CDH1) loss occurs frequently in carcinogenesis, contributing to invasion and metastasis. We observed that mouse and human epithelial cell lines overexpressing the replication licensing factor Cdc6 underwent phenotypic changes with mesenchymal features and loss of E-cadherin. Analysis in various types of human cancer revealed a strong correlation between increased Cdc6 expression and reduced E-cadherin levels. Prompted by these findings, we discovered that Cdc6 repressed CDH1 transcription by binding to the E-boxes of its promoter, leading to dissociation of the chromosomal insulator CTCF, displacement of the histone variant H2A.Z, and promoter heterochromatinization. Mutational analysis identified the Walker B motif and C-terminal region of Cdc6 as essential for CDH1 transcriptional suppression. Strikingly, CTCF displacement resulted in activation of adjacent origins of replication. These data demonstrate that Cdc6 acts as a molecular switch at the E-cadherin locus, linking transcriptional repression to activation of replication, and provide a telling example of how replication licensing factors could usurp alternative programs to fulfill distinct cellular functions.
Acute urticaria (AU) is a common condition that often presents in childhood. Although there is a general perception of cyclic annual trends in AU, no one has tried to identify any seasonal variation on its prevalence and incidence, associate environmental influences and impute geographic, ethnic, or even genetic features that may contribute to its onset. We aimed to analyze the influence of climate and geographic parameters on annual fluctuation of AU cases referred to the Emergency Departments (EDs) of Norwich (UK) and Heraklion (Crete, Greece), compare all identifiable potential triggers and severity, and calculate the prevalence and incidence of AU. Record-based data of all children up to 14 yr of age referred to both EDs between June 2005 and May 2007 were examined retrospectively. Demographic characteristics and any potential identifiable triggers of AU were recorded and compared. Poisson's regression was utilized to examine any influence of meteorological parameters on AU incidence. Edwards' test for seasonality was applied to identify any significant seasonal trend of the AU incidence within each city. Seven hundred and twenty-nine AU cases were identified (324 in Norwich and 405 in Heraklion), among 56,624 total referrals (28,931 and 27,693 cases, respectively). Respiratory infections were found to be the most commonly associated potential triggers of AU and food allergens the least. AU cases and incidence rates in both cities were equally distributed during the study period. A non-significant seasonal trend in AU incidence (October, April-May) was observed in Norwich, in contrast to a significant seasonal pattern (December, February-May) of AU in Heraklion. Temperature was inversely associated with AU incidence, while the statistically significant effect of relative humidity varied. Acute childhood urticaria shows a similar epidemiological pattern in northern and southern Europe regardless of the expected differences in genetic, geographic, and environmental background. Temperature and humidity are correlated with AU incidence. Seasonality of several acute respiratory viral infections, the most prominent associated trigger of AU, coincides with the observed AU seasonality, suggesting a potential linkage. However, this needs to be elucidated from larger epidemiological studies.
{The adipokine visfatin has been proposed to exert insulin-mimicking effects and to play a role in the development of metabolic syndrome. Preterm infants are at risk for the later development of insulin resistance and, possibly, for other components of metabolic syndrome. Dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) during the perinatal period may reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome. The authors’ objective was to study the circulating concentrations of visfatin in preterm infants and to examine associations of visfatin with anthropometric measurements, metabolic indices, and dietary LCPUFAs. Serum visfatin concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at mean (SD) 33.8 (11.7) days of life in 60 healthy preterm infants (gestational age, 32.7 [1.9] weeks) randomly assigned to be fed since birth either a formula containing LCPUFA (arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid) (+LCPUFA group) or the same formula without LCPUFA (-LCPUFA group). Associations of visfatin with anthropometric parameters, serum glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance, blood lipids, and adiponectin levels were examined. Serum visfatin levels were significantly higher in the +LCPUFA than in the -LCPUFA group (P < .001) and correlated positively with body weight z score (β = 0.31
Disorders such as depression and anxiety exhibit strong sex differences in their prevalence and incidence, with women also differing from men in their response to antidepressants. Furthermore, receptors for corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRHR1) and arginine vasopressin receptor subtype 1b (AVPR1b) are known to contribute to the regulation of mood and anxiety. In the present study, we compared the anxiety profile and CRHR1 and AVPR1b expression levels in control Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and rats of the SD-derived Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL), a genetic model of depression. Additionally, given the apparent sex differences in the therapeutic efficacy of antidepressants and because antidepressants are commonly used to treat comorbid anxiety and depressive symptoms, we assessed whether the anxiolytic effects of an antidepressant occur in a sex-dependent manner. Male and female FSL rats were treated with citalopram 10 mg/kg once daily for 14 days and were then tested in the open field and the elevated plus maze paradigms. Upon completion of the behavioural analysis, AVPR1b and CRHR1 expression levels were monitored in the hypothalamus and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) using Western blotting. According to our results, male FSL rats were more anxious than control SD rats, a difference abolished by citalopram treatment. Baseline anxiety levels were similar in female FSL and SD rats, and citalopram further reduced anxiety in female FSL rats. Importantly, whereas citalopram altered AVPR1b expression in the hypothalamus of male FSL rats, its actions on this parameter were restricted to the PFC in female FSL rats. In both sexes of FSL rats, citalopram did not alter CRHR1 expression in either the hypothalamus or PFC. Our results demonstrate that antidepressant treatment reduces anxiety levels in FSL rats of both sexes: the magnitude of treatment effect was related to the starting baseline level of anxiety and the antidepressant elicited sexually differentiated neurobiological responses in specific brain regions.
European Media provides a clear, concise account of the structures, dynamics and realities of the changing face of media in Europe. It offers a timely and illuminating appraisal of the issues surrounding the development of new media in Europe and explores debates about the role of the media in the formation of a European public sphere and a European identity.The book argues that Europe offers an ideal context for examining interactions between global, regional and national media processes and its individual chapters consider: the changing structure of the European media; the development of new media; the Europeanization of the media in the region; the challenges for the content; and audiences. Special emphasis is given to the transformation of political communication in Europe and the alleged emergence of a European public sphere and identity.
European Media: Structures, Politics and Identity is an invaluable text for courses on media and international studies as well as courses dealing with European and national policy studies. It is also helpful to students, researchers and professionals in the media sector since it combines hard facts with theoretical insight.
BACKGROUND: Topographic correlation between the primary gastric tumor and the first peri- and extragastric lymphatic drain basin (solitary lymph node metastasis) on gastrectomy specimens, represents a reliable method to investigate and understand the exact pattern of lymphatic drainage from a gastric tumor. Analyzing that correlation, useful information regarding the extent of the appropriate oncological perigastric lymphadenectomy will be provided. We retrospectively evaluate the usefulness of a modified D2 lymphadenectomy in gastric cancer patients, based on the topographic correlation between the primary tumor and the location of the solitary lymph node metastases, as they were detected by histology and immunohistochemistry.
MATERIALS AND METHOD: Between April 2003 and March 2010, 134 gastric cancer patients were submitted to a modified D2 lymphadenectomy. Postoperatively, the standard histological ex-amination by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, disclosed metastatic infiltration of at least two lymph nodes in 90 patients, solitary lymph node metastases were histologically detected in 10 patients, while the remaining 34 patients were classified as pN0. All lymph nodes of the ten patients with histological solitary lymph node metastases, as well as the 34 patients who had been classified as pN0 by histology, were further submitted to immunohistochemistry for micrometastases detection. More than one micrometastases were detected in none of them, while in seven patients solitary micrometastases were detected either in the level I perigastric or in the level II extragastric lymph nodes stations (skip micrometastases).
RESULTS: Solitary lymph node metastases were detected by histology in ten patients and by immunohistochemistry in additional seven (nine females and eight males). Solitary metastases were detected in the level I LN stations in seven patients (four by histology and three by immunohistochemistry) and in the level II LN stations in ten patients (six by histology and four by immunohistochemistry). In order of frequency, the solitary lymph node metastases were located in the no 7 (n = 6), no 6 (n = 4), no 9 (n = 2), no 5 (n = 2), no 4 (n = 1), no 8 (n = 1) and no 12 (n = 1) LN stations. Skip metastases encountered the 60% of the histologically detected, 57% of the immunohistochemically detected and 59% of all solitary lymph node metastases. 80% of solitary metastases in the level II LN stations, were mainly located in the nos 7-9 lymph node stations complex. Tumors of the lower and middle-third of the stomach were equally drained both to the level I and level II lymph node stations, while 67% of the tumors towards the lesser curvature, were mainly drained in the level II lymph node stations.
CONCLUSION: D2 lymphadenectomy increases the number of true R0 resections. Thus, a modified D2 lymphadenectomy should be routinely performed in gastric cancer patients.
Unprecedented low-dispersion high-frequency acoustic excitations are observed in dense suspensions of elastically hard colloids. The experimental phononic band structure for SiO 2 particles with different sizes and volume fractions is well represented by rigorous full-elastodynamic multiple-scattering calculations. The slow phonons, which do not relate to particle resonances, are localized in the surrounding liquid medium and stem from coherent multiple scattering that becomes strong in the close-packing regime. Such rich phonon-matter interactions in nanostructures, being still unexplored, can open new opportunities in phononics.
OBJECTIVES: Doripenem is a new carbapenem recently introduced into Europe. The COMParative Activity of Carbapenem Testing (COMPACT) study compared the susceptibility of common Gram-negative bacilli causing serious infections in hospitalized patients with doripenem, imipenem and meropenem.
METHODS: Gram-negative isolates (4498 total: 2171 Pseudomonas species; 1910 Enterobacteriaceae; and 417 other Gram-negative bacilli) were collected from 80 centres in 16 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa during 2008-09. The MICs of doripenem, imipenem and meropenem were determined using Etest methodology and broth microdilution. Susceptibility was interpreted according to CLSI, EUCAST and FDA breakpoints.
RESULTS: The MIC(90)s of doripenem, imipenem and meropenem for all isolates were 8, ≥64 and 32 mg/L, respectively. Doripenem had the lowest MIC(90) for Pseudomonas species at 16 mg/L, with imipenem and meropenem values of ≥64 mg/L. Enterobacteriaceae were highly susceptible to all three carbapenems, with MIC(90)s of doripenem, imipenem and meropenem of 0.06, 0.5 and 0.12 mg/L, respectively. Other Gram-negative isolates, predominantly Acinetobacter baumannii, were resistant to all three carbapenems (MIC(90) ≥64 mg/L). Susceptibility to doripenem was observed in 14.9% of isolates resistant to imipenem and/or meropenem.
CONCLUSIONS: Doripenem showed excellent activity against Gram-negative isolates; generally it was more active than imipenem and at least as good as meropenem. Against Pseudomonas species, doripenem was more active than both imipenem and meropenem, with doripenem susceptibility observed for some imipenem- and/or meropenem-resistant isolates.
BACKGROUND: HIV-1 is characterized by increased genetic heterogeneity which tends to hinder the reliability of detection and accuracy of HIV-1 RNA quantitation assays. METHODS: In this study, the Abbott RealTime HIV-1 (Abbott RealTime) assay was compared to the Roche Cobas TaqMan HIV-1 (Cobas TaqMan) and the Siemens Versant HIV-1 RNA 3.0 (bDNA 3.0) assays, using clinical samples of various viral load levels and subtypes from Greece, where the recent epidemiology of HIV-1 infection has been characterized by increasing genetic diversity and a marked increase in subtype A genetic strains among newly diagnosed infections. RESULTS: A high correlation was observed between the quantitative results obtained by the Abbott RealTime and the Cobas TaqMan assays. Viral load values quantified by the Abbott RealTime were on average lower than those obtained by the Cobas TaqMan, with a mean (SD) difference of -0.206 (0.298) log(10) copies/ml. The mean differences according to HIV-1 subtypes between the two techniques for samples of subtype A, B, and non-A/non-B were 0.089, -0.262, and -0.298 log(10) copies/ml, respectively. Overall, differences were less than 0.5 log(10) for 85% of the samples, and >1 log(10) in only one subtype B sample. Similarly, Abbott RealTime and bDNA 3.0 assays yielded a very good correlation of quantitative results, whereas viral load values assessed by the Abbott RealTime were on average higher (mean (SD) difference: 0.160 (0.287) log(10) copies/ml). The mean differences according to HIV-1 subtypes between the two techniques for subtype A, B and non-A/non-B samples were 0.438, 0.105 and 0.191 log(10) copies/ml, respectively. Overall, the majority of samples (86%) differed by less than 0.5 log(10), while none of the samples showed a deviation of more than 1.0 log(10). CONCLUSIONS: In an area of changing HIV-1 subtype pattern, the Abbott RealTime assay showed a high correlation and good agreement of results when compared both to the Cobas TaqMan and bDNA 3.0 assays, for all HIV-1 subtypes tested. All three assays could determine viral load from samples of different HIV-1 subtypes adequately. However, assay variation should be taken into account when viral load monitoring of the same individual is assessed by different systems.
Fe3Si is a ferromagnetic material with possible applications in magnetic tunnel junctions. When doped with Mn, the material shows a complex magnetic behavior, as suggested by older experiments. We employed the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker Green-function method within density-functional theory in order to study the alloy Fe3-xMnxSi, with 0 <= x <= 1. Chemical disorder is described within the coherent potential approximation. In agreement with experiment, we find that the Mn atoms align ferromagnetically to the Fe atoms, and that the magnetization and Curie temperature drop with increasing Mn concentration x. The calculated spin polarization P at the Fermi level varies strongly with x, from P = -0.3 at x = 0 (ordered Fe3Si) through P = 0 at x = 0.28, to P = +1 for x > 0.75; i.e., at high Mn concentrations the system is half metallic. We discuss the origin of the trends of magnetic moments, exchange interactions, Curie temperature, and the spin polarization.
Early prediction of human intestinal absorption is important in selection of potential orally administered drugs. Various computational models for prediction of the fraction of dose absorbed, Fa, have been developed. In 1989, a sigmoidal relationship between Fa and drug absorption potential was shown. Since then various physicochemical descriptors of molecules (lipophilicity, polar surface area, hydrogen bond descriptors) have been found to correlate with human intestinal absorption and various attempts in estimating Fa have been reported. Most studies rely on the presupposition that Fa is mainly dependent on drug's solubility, which drives the dissolution rate in the gastrointestinal (GI) fluids, and the rate of passive drug transport across the intestinal membrane. In the same vein, the biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) and the relevant FDA guideline classify drugs in four categories according to their aqueous solubility and permeability. However, the biopharmaceutics drug disposition classification system (BDDCS) revealed the poor predictability of permeability estimates for Fa and the major role of transporters for GI uptake of drugs. The role of solubility in the reaction limited model of dissolution and the ubiquitous presence of supersaturated solubility-dissolution phenomena in the GI lumen, call for a more physiologically relevant consideration of GI absorption.
The phosphoglucomutase gene from a wild type Fusarium oxysporum strain (F3), was homologously expressed, under the control of the constitutive promoter of gpdA of Aspergillus nidulans. The transformant produced elevated levels of phosphoglucomutase activity compared to the wild type, a fact that facilitated the subsequent purification procedure. The enzyme (FoPGM) was purified to homogeneity applying three anion exchange and one gel filtration chromatography steps. The native enzyme revealed a monomeric structure with a molecular mass of 60 kDa, while the isoelectric point was 3.5. FoPGM was active in pH ranged from 6.0 to 8.0, with an optimum using 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid buffer at 7.0, while loss of activity was observed when phosphate buffer was used in the above mentioned pH range. The optimal temperature for activity was 45 °C but the enzyme became unstable at temperatures above 40 °C. FoPGM requires the presence of a divalent cation for its function with maximum activity being obtained with Co2+. The apparent Km for Co2+ was found to be 10 μM. The enzyme was also active with other divalent metal ions such as Mn2+, Mg2+, Ni2+ and Ca2+ but to a lesser extent. The following kinetic constants were determined: vmax, 0.74 μmol mgprotein−1 min−1; kcat, 44.2 min−1; Km(G1P), 0.10 mM;Km(G1,6diP), 1.03 μM; kcat/Km(G1P), 443 mM−1 min−1 and kcat/Km(G1,6diP), 42,860 mM−1 min−1. The enzyme was considered to follow a Ping Pong substituted enzyme or enzyme isomerization mechanism.
This study examines firm’s stock returns’ behaviour, when they announce corporate events like management change, collaborations and stock repurchase. It examines how this change is portrayed in firms’ stock prices returns. The methodologies used are the methodology of event study analysis and bootstrap methodology. Companies selected belong to eight different sectors of Athens Stock Exchange with different Stock Exchange value in order to get a more general picture that does not only represent one sector which can be influenced individually from accidental factors. The sample constitutes forty firms listed in Athens Stock Exchange. Results indicate that corporate events’ impact is important and a key for enterprises to follow new challenges and create financial value. This paper provides evidence on the impact of corporate governance on stock returns in Greece. The implication is that corporate events create financial value.
Kamberidou I. The crisis in women's sports and the modelification of male and female athletes in the media. In: Announcement in the session “Sport and the Humanities, Theoretical and Social Sciences Perspectives of the Conference “Research & Applications in Sport Science” at Peace and Friendship Stadium, Athens, Greece, 6-8 May 2011. the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Athens: pp. 71-72 in Proceedings: http://www.tefaacongress.gr/ [IN GREEK]; 2011. pp. 71–72. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Η εργασία αυτή εξετάζει την προβολή του γυναικείου αθλητισμού στα ΜΜΕ: ΗΠΑ, Αυστραλία, Ελλάδα. Ειδικά στις ΗΠΑ επισημαίνεται η «κρίση στο γυναικείο αθλητισμό» όπου η τηλεοπτική κάλυψη γυναικείων αγώνων είναι λιγότερη από ότι ήταν πριν 20 χρόνια [1]. Από την ανασκόπηση της βιβλιογραφίας και την επεξεργασία πρόσφατων συζητήσεων και ποσοτικών και ποιοτικών αναλύσεων γίνεται φανερό ότι: Πρώτον, η αθλήτρια απολαμβάνει, σε αντίθεση με το παρελθόν, μια εκρηκτική παρουσία στα ΜΜΕ, αλλά όχι για την αθλητική της ιδιότητα. Δεύτερον, εντοπίζονται ‘ίσες ευκαιρίες’ στην εμπορευματοποίηση-‘μοντελοποίηση’ του σώματος και της αθλητικής ταυτότητας: προβολή των άφυλων αθλητών/τριών, θηλυκοποίηση του αθλητή και αρρενοποίηση της αθλήτριας. Τρίτον, σταδιακά καταρρίπτονται οι θεωρήσεις ότι μόνο το γυναικείο σώμα αντικειμενικοποιείται. Τέλος, διαπραγματευόμαστε εναλλακτικά αθλητικά μοντέλα, μια ολιστική προσέγγιση, ενόψει της εμπορικής παγκοσμιοποίησης του Αθλητισμού και της αθλητικής ταυτότητας. Οι κλωνοποιημένοι αθλητές-ήρωες
και αθλήτριες-ηρωίδες που προβάλλονται στα ΜΜΕ δεν εκπροσωπούν την πλειονότητα των αθλητών/τριών της κοινωνικής περιοχής του αθλητισμού. Ένας αυξανόμενος αριθμός ανώνυμων-ηρωίδων - αθλητριών, γυμναστριών, ερευνητριών - δουλεύουν έξω από τη δεσπόζουσα τάση της εποχής και αγωνίζονται για τη δημιουργία καινούριων αθλητικών μοντέλων και προτύπων, για την προστασία και ακεραιότητα του αθλητή/τριας και της αθλητικής δεοντολογίας. Messner, M. A., Hextrum, R., Nyad, D. (2010). Gender in Televised Sports, June 2010, διαθέσιμο στην ιστοσελίδα: http://www.usc.edu/dept/cfr/html/documents/tvsports.pdf. Pfister, Gertrud (2010) 'Women in sport - gender relations and future perspectives', Sport inSociety, 13: 2, 234 - 248. Report (2010). “New Report Reveals Poor Media Coverage of Women in Sport”, Australia. Διαθέσιμο στην ιστοσελίδα: http://www.ausport.gov.au/participating/women/research. IOC Report (2005) "Women’s Participation at the Games of the XXVIIIE Olympiad: Athens 2004: Statistics.". IOC, Department of International Cooperation and Development. Ελληνικός έντυπος τύπος: Ολυμπιάδες 2008, 2004, 2000 (Καθημερινή, Βήμα, Ριζοσπάστης). Πρακτικά Συνεδρίου: http://www.tefaacongress.gr/2011/Proceedings.html
Aims: The largest Local Group spiral galaxy, M 31, has been completely imaged for the first time, obtaining a luminosity lower limit ~1035 erg s-1 in the 0.2-4.5 keV band. Our XMM-Newton EPIC survey combines archival observations along the major axis, from June 2000 to July 2004, with observations taken between June 2006 and February 2008 that cover the remainder of the D25 ellipse. The main goal of the paper is to study the X-ray source population of M 31. Methods: An X-ray catalogue of 1897 sources was created, with 914 detected for the first time. Source classification and identification were based on X-ray hardness ratios, spatial extent of the sources, and cross correlation with catalogues in the X-ray, optical, infrared, and radio wavelengths. We also analysed the long-term variability of the X-ray sources and this variability allows us to distinguish between X-ray binaries and active galactic nuclei (AGN). Furthermore, supernova remnant classifications of previous studies that did not use long-term variability as a classification criterion could be validated. Including previous Chandra and ROSAT observations in the long-term variability study allowed us to detect additional transient or at least highly variable sources, which are good candidate X-ray binaries. Results: Fourteen of the 30 supersoft source (SSS) candidates represent supersoft emission of optical novae. Many of the 25 supernova remnants (SNRs) and 31 SNR candidates lie within the 10 kpc dust ring and other star-forming regions in M 31. This connection between SNRs and star-forming regions implies that most of the remnants originate in type II supernovae. The brightest sources in X-rays in M 31 belong to the class of X-ray binaries (XRBs). Ten low-mass XRBs (LMXBs) and 26 LMXB candidates were identified based on their temporal variability. In addition, 36 LMXBs and 17 LMXB candidates were identified owing to correlations with globular clusters and globular cluster candidates. From optical and X-ray colour-colour diagrams, possible high-mass XRB (HMXB) candidates were selected. Two of these candidates have an X-ray spectrum as is expected for an HMXB containing a neutron star primary. Conclusions: While our survey has greatly improved our understanding of the X-ray source populations in M 31, at this point 65% of the sources can still only be classified as "hard" sources; i.e. it is not possible to decide whether these sources are X-ray binaries or Crab-like supernova remnants in M 31 or X-ray sources in the background. Deeper observations in X-ray and at other wavelengths would help classify these sources. Based on observations obtained with XMM-Newton, an ESA science mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member States and NASA.Tables 5 and 8 are only available in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/534/A55
Dieser Artikel zielt darauf, Friedrich Ratzels politisch-geographische Wahrnehmung des Staates hinzuweisen. Zunächst wird gezeigt, dass Ratzels Sichtpunkt frei von organistischen oder metaphysischen Elementen ist. Endlich wird es untersucht werden, wie Ratzel den Staat als Ausdruck des neuen gesellschaftlichen Lebens (new social life) wahrnimmt.
Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has had a major breakthrough with the impressive results obtained using systems of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has a huge potential in astrophysics, particle physics and cosmology. CTA is an international initiative to build the next generation instrument, with a factor of 5-10 improvement in sensitivity in the 100 GeV-10 TeV range and the extension to energies well below 100 GeV and above 100 TeV. CTA will consist of two arrays (one in the north, one in the south) for full sky coverage and will be operated as open observatory. The design of CTA is based on currently available technology. This document reports on the status and presents the major design concepts of CTA.
Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has had a major breakthrough with the impressive results obtained using systems of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has a huge potential in astrophysics, particle physics and cosmology. CTA is an international initiative to build the next generation instrument, with a factor of 5-10 improvement in sensitivity in the 100 GeV-10 TeV range and the extension to energies well below 100 GeV and above 100 TeV. CTA will consist of two arrays (one in the north, one in the south) for full sky coverage and will be operated as open observatory. The design of CTA is based on currently available technology. This document reports on the status and presents the major design concepts of CTA.
Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has had a major breakthrough with the impressive results obtained using systems of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has a huge potential in astrophysics, particle physics and cosmology. CTA is an international initiative to build the next generation instrument, with a factor of 5-10 improvement in sensitivity in the 100 GeV-10 TeV range and the extension to energies well below 100 GeV and above 100 TeV. CTA will consist of two arrays (one in the north, one in the south) for full sky coverage and will be operated as open observatory. The design of CTA is based on currently available technology. This document reports on the status and presents the major design concepts of CTA.
Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has had a major breakthrough with the impressive results obtained using systems of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has a huge potential in astrophysics, particle physics and cosmology. CTA is an international initiative to build the next generation instrument, with a factor of 5-10 improvement in sensitivity in the 100 GeV-10 TeV range and the extension to energies well below 100 GeV and above 100 TeV. CTA will consist of two arrays (one in the north, one in the south) for full sky coverage and will be operated as open observatory. The design of CTA is based on currently available technology. This document reports on the status and presents the major design concepts of CTA.
A real-time PCR targeting IS6110 was employed for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in specimens collected from 10 patients treated with intravesical M. bovis bacillus Galmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy for bladder malignancy. BCG DNA was detected in all urine specimens taken 24 h after the instillations, as well as in 24% of the specimens collected 7 days after the instillations; it was also detected in a single specimen taken 6 weeks after the last instillation. BCG DNA was detected in 8.3% of the blood specimens taken 1 day after instillation, and its amplification was associated with cases of self-limiting fever. These findings give indications that this real-time PCR is helpful to recognize BCG bacteremic cases, which may lead to mycobacterial infection.
The paper aims to point out some of the relations between land and state in Friedrich Ratzel political-geographic analysis. First, it will be demonstrated how the perception of the land correlates with the culture situation of the observer. Second, it will be shown how political space is situated in Ratzel’s analytical system of power. At last it will be examined how far Ratzel estimates both, geographical and human factors, in his political system and decision making process.
It has been suggested that inflammation is involved in Alzheimer disease (AD) pathogenesis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between inflammatory aspects of diet and incident AD risk. About 2258 nondemented elderly (age ≥ 65) in New York who provided dietary information at baseline were followed-up prospectively for AD development. We examined the composite total Inflammation Factor Rating (tIFR), as a measure of inflammatory impact of foods, in relation with (i) serum level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and (ii) risk of incident AD using Cox proportional hazard model. The tIFR was not associated with serum hsCRP level. After an average of 4.0 years of follow-up, 262 participants developed incident AD. The tIFR was not associated with AD risk: compared with the lowest tertile of tIFR (most proinflammatory), hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for the highest tertile (most anti-inflammatory) was 0.97 (0.69-1.35) (P-for-trend=0.71), in the adjusted model. We conclude that tIFR might not be a biologically relevant measure of the inflammatory impact of the diet. In addition, although it remains possible that tIFR might be related with some other aspects of inflammation not captured by hsCRP, lack of association with AD risk suggests its limited clinical utility.
It has been suggested that inflammation is involved in Alzheimer disease (AD) pathogenesis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between inflammatory aspects of diet and incident AD risk. About 2258 nondemented elderly (age >/= 65) in New York who provided dietary information at baseline were followed-up prospectively for AD development. We examined the composite total Inflammation Factor Rating (tIFR), as a measure of inflammatory impact of foods, in relation with (i) serum level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and (ii) risk of incident AD using Cox proportional hazard model. The tIFR was not associated with serum hsCRP level. After an average of 4.0 years of follow-up, 262 participants developed incident AD. The tIFR was not associated with AD risk: compared with the lowest tertile of tIFR (most proinflammatory), hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for the highest tertile (most anti-inflammatory) was 0.97 (0.69-1.35) (P-for-trend=0.71), in the adjusted model. We conclude that tIFR might not be a biologically relevant measure of the inflammatory impact of the diet. In addition, although it remains possible that tIFR might be related with some other aspects of inflammation not captured by hsCRP, lack of association with AD risk suggests its limited clinical utility.
Much of the attention on diet and Alzheimer's disease (AD) or cognition among the elderly has focused on the role of single nutrients or foods, while available information on dietary pattern (DP) analysis, which better reflects the complexity of the diet, is sparse. In this review, we describe different patterning approaches and present studies performed to date that have assessed the associations between DPs and risk of AD or cognitive function in the elderly. Three patterning approaches have been most commonly used: (i) hypothesis-based that use dietary quality indexes or scores (e.g. Mediterranean pattern), (ii) data-driven that use factor or cluster analysis to derive DPs, (iii) reduced rank regression which combines characteristics of the former two approaches. Despite differences existing among the approaches, DPs characterized by higher intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts and legumes, and lower intake of meats, high fat dairy, and sweets seemed to be associated with lower odds of cognitive deficits or reduced risk of AD. Overall, the inherent advantages as well as the existing evidence of DP analyses strongly suggest that this approach may be valuable in AD and aging research. Further studies are warranted, though, to confirm the findings in different population settings, to address some methodological issues, and possibly utilize the information for future clinical trial design.
Greece under severe financial and economic crisis has accepted the control of the World Monetary Fund and the European Union. Among other measures imposed on Greece is government funding to remain at 5 per cent of the GDP until 2030. In order to fulfill this obligation, Laws 3863 and 3865/2010 have been passed. With these laws, the distinction between basic pension and contributory pension is introduced. A theoretical mathematical model based on social security principles for calculating the aggregate pension (basic pension and contributory pension) is presented and compared to the model that corresponds to the recent reform to the Greek pension scheme. Apart from the social and economic merits of this reform, some paradoxes and shortcomings are pointed out.
This article addresses the distinction between interpretation and application of international legal norms and argues that it constitutes an issue central to the theory and practice of international adjudication. The distinction, though sometimes negated, surpassed or simply neglected, in fact exists and should be drawn by international lawyers, especially vis-a‘-vis the challenges set by the fragmentation of international law. Ergo, an illustrative operative sketch of juridical reasoning delimiting the two processes in the course of international dispute settlement is suggested by distinguishing between interpretation, interpretative application and application stricto sensu, as all taking place in the context of application lato sensu of international legal norms. The article concludes by turning to the secondary norms on state responsibility and the general principles of estoppel and acquiescence as noteworthy examples of lato sensu application of leges generales in international settlement of disputes.
Aiming at portraying the Aegean's water mass structure and identifying Dense Water Formation processes, two winter cruises were conducted in 2005?2006, across the plateaus and depressions of the Aegean Sea. The most prominent feature of the water mass distribution in the basin is a distinct ?X-shape? of the Θ-S characteristics, suggesting a complicated coupling of the major Aegean sub-basins. The surface and deep waters are relatively decoupled with diverse origin characteristics, while the intermediate layers act as connectors of the main thermohaline cells. The Central Aegean seems to play a key role due to formation processes of water masses with densities equal and/or higher than 29.2 kg/m3, that take place in the sub-basin and disperses in the North Aegean. On the other hand, the South Aegean appears greatly influenced by the Eastern Mediterranean circulation and water mass distribution, especially under the Eastern Mediterranean Transient status. The Transitional Mediterranean Water monitored in the post-EMT period and characterized by low temperature at 14.2°C, low salinity at 38.92 and low dissolved oxygen at 3.97 ml/l, with its core around 750 m and above the saline (39.06) Cretan Deep Water, altered significantly the South Aegean structure. The pre-EMT thermohaline pattern of the Central and South Aegean deep layers were similar, while the bottom density of the Central basin was higher than that in the South Aegean. Thus, it is possible that the deep waters of the Central Aegean acted as a dense water reserve supply for the deeper part of the Southern basin.
. First. London: LSE IDEAS, London School of Economics and Political Science ; 2011 pp. 17-22.
If improved relations between Turkey and Greece simply meant the implementation of of modest CBMs, more trade and regular meetings between the leaders of the two countries then the bilateral relationship seems better than perhaps at any time since the 1930s. But in the context of the issues that have bedevilled bilateral relations for over thirty years, these changes have not been profound. This paper tries to answer why the ongoing dialogue between Ankara and Athens since 1999 has not led to reconciliation over differences in the Aegean.
This volume emerged from a collaborative Network of Excellence project funded by the European Commission. The Network, which comprises thirty-two institutes from Europe and beyond, integrates European research capabilities across disciplines and countries to provide the society and the state with tools for managing cultural diversity as a key element of sustainable development. The work presented here describes the emergence and increasing importance of diversity within academic research and practice and offers valuable insights on diversity management and policy implementation.
BACKGROUND: Kallikrein-related peptidase 5 (KLK5) is a secreted trypsin-like protease of the KLK family, encoded by the KLK5 gene. KLK5 has been found to cleave various extracellular matrix components, as well as to activate several other KLK proteases, triggering the stimulation of tissue microenvironment proteolytic cascades. MATERIAL AND METHODS: KLK5 expression levels were quantified in 102 cancerous and benign breast tissue specimens, obtained by randomly chosen patients, using RT-qPCR assay. Subsequently, advanced biostatistics were applied in order to analyze the KLK5 expression profile in the two patients' cohorts and also to evaluate its clinical significance for the discrimination of breast tumors. RESULTS: A statistically significant (p < 0.001) down-regulation of the KLK5 expression levels were observed in the malignant specimens compared to the benign ones. Logistic regression and ROC curve analysis revealed the significant (p < 0.001) and the independent (p < 0.001) value of the KLK5 expression quantification, for the discrimination of the malignant from the benign mammary gland biopsies. Moreover, KLK5 expression levels correlate with the pre-menopausal status (p < 0.005) as well as the ER-negative staining (p = 0.028) of women with breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The quantification of KLK5 expression in breast tissue biopsies may be considered as a novel and independent biomarker for the differential diagnosis between malignant and benign tumors of the mammary gland.
Pompe disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the deficiency of acid α-glycosidase resulting in lysosomal accumulation of glycogen. The late-onset disease form is characterized by progressive skeletal and respiratory muscle dysfunction. In addition to the recently introduced enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), treatments such as protein-enriched diet and exercise training have been proposed, although little is known about their effectiveness on the physical condition of such patients. Aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of exercise training on muscular strength and body composition in five patients with late-onset Pompe disease receiving ERT. All subjects followed a 20 week lasting program of supervised aerobic and progressive resistance exercise training. Before and after the training period, body composition was determined with dual X-ray absorptiometry and isometric muscular strength was measured with a specialized load transducer. Functional capacity was assessed using the 6-min shuttle walk test. A significant increase in muscular strength (15-50% at various body parts, p<0.05) and 6-minute walking distance (203.8 ± 177 m before vs. 248.2 ± 184 m after, p<0.01) was observed after training, whereas total and lower extremities lean body mass did not change significantly. These results suggest that exercise training has a positive effect on muscular strength and functional capacity in patients on ERT with late-onset Pompe disease.
BACKGROUND: In most patients with COPD, rehabilitative exercise training partially reverses the morphologic and structural abnormalities of peripheral muscle fibers. However, whether the degree of improvement in muscle fiber morphology and typology with exercise training varies depending on disease severity remains unknown.
METHODS: Forty-six clinically stable patients with COPD classified by GOLD (Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease) as stage II (n = 14), III (n = 18), and IV (n = 14) completed a 10-week comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program consisting of high-intensity exercise three times weekly.
RESULTS: At baseline, muscle fiber mean cross-sectional area and capillary density did not significantly differ between patients with COPD and healthy control subjects, whereas muscle fiber type I and II proportion was respectively lower (P < .001) and higher (P < .002) in patients with GOLD stage IV compared with healthy subjects and patients with GOLD stages II and III. Exercise training improved, to a comparable degree, functional capacity and the St. George Respiratory Questionnaire health-related quality of life score across all three GOLD stages. Vastus lateralis muscle fiber mean cross-sectional area was increased (P < .001) in all patient groups (stage II: from 4,507 ± 280 μm² to 5,091 ± 271 μm² [14% ± 3%]; stage III: from 3,753 ± 258 μm² to 4,212 ± 268 μm² [14% ± 3%]; stage IV: from 3,961 ± 266 μm² to 4,551 ± 262 μm² [17% ± 5%]), whereas all groups exhibited a comparable reduction (P < .001) in type IIb fiber proportion (stage II: by 6% ± 2%; stage III: by 6% ± 1%; stage IV: by 7% ± 1%) and an increase (P < .001) in capillary to fiber ratio (stage II: from 1.48 ± 0.10 to 1.81 ± 0.10 [23% ± 5%]; stage III: from 1.29 ± 0.06 to 1.56 ± 0.09 [21% ± 5%]; stage IV: from 1.43 ± 0.10 to 1.71 ± 0.13 [18 ± 3%]). The magnitude of changes in the aforementioned variables did not differ across GOLD stages.
CONCLUSIONS: Functional capacity and morphologic and typologic adaptations to rehabilitation in peripheral muscle fibers were similar across GOLD stages II to IV. Pulmonary rehabilitation should be implemented in patients at all COPD stages.
Cow's milk (CM) allergy affects about 2% of infants. The allergenicity of dietary proteins, including those from CM, has been related to their digestibility although the generality of the link and its causality remains to be demonstrated. In this study we use an in vitro digestion system, to investigate the digestibility of β-lactoglobulin (blg) during gastrointestinal transit and to assess the impact of this process on blg allergenic reactivity in CM allergic children.|Blg digesta were prepared using an in vitro digestion protocol simulating either gastric digestion alone or followed by duodenal digestion with or without phosphatidylcholine (PC). Biochemical analysis of blg digesta was performed by SDS-PAGE and their concentration was measured by a sandwich ELISA. Assessment of their allergenic reactivity was done in vitro by EAST inhibition, specific basophil activation (basotest) and lymphocyte proliferation (PCNA-flow cytometry) assays using sera and cells from patients allergic to blg and in vivo by skin prick testing (SPT) of these patients.|Blg was only broken down to smaller peptides after gastro-duodenal digestion although a sizeable amount of intact protein still remained. Digestion did not modify the IgE binding capacity of blg except for gastro-duodenal digestion performed in the absence of PC. These results are consistent with the quantity of intact blg remaining in the digesta. Overall both gastric and gastroduodenal digestion enhanced activation of sensitized basophils and proliferation of sensitized lymphocytes by blg. However, there was a tendency towards reduction in mean diameter of SPT following digestion, the PC alone during phase 1 digestion causing a significant increase in mean diameter.|Digestion did not reduce the allergenic reactivity of blg to a clinically insignificant extent, PC inhibiting digestion and thereby protecting blg allergenic reactivity. SPT reactivity was reduced compared to blg immunoreactivity in in vitro tests.
Aims: We investigate the behavior of the frequency-centered light curves expected within the standard model of gamma ray bursts, allowing the maximum electron energy (γmax) to be a free parameter that may take low values. Methods: We solve the spatially averaged kinetic equations that describe the simultaneous evolution of particles and photons, obtaining the multi-wavelength spectra as a function of time. From these we construct the frequency-centered light curves with an emphasis on the X-ray and optical bands. Results: We show that in cases where γmax takes low values, the produced X-ray light curves show a plateau as the synchrotron component gives its place to the synchrotron self-Compton one in the X-ray band.
Aims: We investigate the behavior of the frequency-centered light curves expected within the standard model of gamma ray bursts, allowing the maximum electron energy (γmax) to be a free parameter that may take low values. Methods: We solve the spatially averaged kinetic equations that describe the simultaneous evolution of particles and photons, obtaining the multi-wavelength spectra as a function of time. From these we construct the frequency-centered light curves with an emphasis on the X-ray and optical bands. Results: We show that in cases where γmax takes low values, the produced X-ray light curves show a plateau as the synchrotron component gives its place to the synchrotron self-Compton one in the X-ray band.
Arabatzis T. Electron. In: S. Azzouni et al (eds), Eine Naturgeschichte für das 21. Jahrhundert : hommage à, zu Ehren von, in honor of Hans-Jörg Rheinberger. Berlin: Max Planck Institute for the History of Science; 2011. pp. 231-232.2011b
OBJECTIVE: Obesity has been implicated in the etiology of postmenopausal breast cancer (PBC). We hypothesized that altered secretion of visfatin may underlie this association. We thus investigated the association of serum visfatin with PBC risk, taking into account known risk factors including adipokines and anthropometric and metabolic parameters.
METHODS: In a case-control study, we studied 102 postmenopausal women with pathologically confirmed, incident invasive breast cancer and 102 control women matched on age and time of diagnosis between 2003 and 2010 at Army Share Fund Hospital, Veterans' Hospital (NIMTS). Levels of serum visfatin, adiponectin, leptin, metabolic parameters, carcinoembryonic antigen, and CA 15-3 were determined.
RESULTS: The mean serum visfatin level was significantly higher in case than in control participants (P < 0.001). Women in the highest quartile of visfatin concentration presented significantly higher odds for PBC, adjusting for age, date of diagnosis, education, body mass index, waist circumference, years with menstruation, parity/age at first full-term pregnancy, breast-feeding, family history of cancer, use of exogenous hormones, alcohol consumption, smoking status, homeostasis model assessment score, and serum leptin and adiponectin concentrations (odds ratio, 7.93; 95% CI, 2.52-24.9). In case participants, the visfatin level correlated significantly with the tumor marker CA 15-3 (P = 0.03) but not with metabolic and anthropometric variables (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Further prospective studies are needed to determine whether an elevated serum visfatin level is implicated in the etiopathogenesis of PBC or reflects changes during PBC progression and could therefore be used as a biomarker for PBC.
