Publications

The reaction between 1-aminosugars and trimethylisocyanate (TMSNCO) was optimised as a one-step synthetic strategy for the synthesis of sugar biurets. This protocol was successfully applied to a number of 1-aminosugars, which exclusively provided the corresponding biurets in 67–99% yields. The new method- ology was applied in the de novo synthesis of N1-(2-deoxy-α/β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)biuret (dfBU) and N1-(2-deoxy-α/β-D-erythro-pentopyranosyl)biuret (dpBU), two known DNA lesions arising from the hydroxyl radical induced decomposition of 2’-deoxycytidine (dCyd).

The current paper aims to offer an analytical description of the legacy and the challenges that modern theory is inclined to face vis–à–vis systemic geopolitical approach and neo–positivism.3 Having different intellectual bases (i.e. geography and political science), systemic geopolitical analysis and structural realism follow parallel routes and struggle to manage common challenges in the light of the upmost epistemological aim; describing and analysing the international system without blinkers and any kind of ideological bias. What is the crux of the matter when analysing international politics? Has geography answered to the questions posed by political science considering the inclusion of human behaviour into the analysis of international system? Without any doubt, systemic geopolitical analysis and structural realism represent complementary theoretical proposals for decoding the causes and the effects of antagonism, balance of power, hegemonism, Great Powers‟ strategic behaviour, interdependence, the role of international institutions and cooperation. Therefore, they can co–exist for the sake of description and even prediction of certain trends of behaviour and correlation of power.

We report on judiciously designed stratified periodic structures of magnetic dielectric materials with a localized defect layer, which are able to concurrently confine light and spin waves in the same ultra-small defect region for a long time period, thus resulting in enhanced photon–magnon interaction and large dynamic optical frequency shift. Our results for a specific realization of such a one-dimensional, so-called photomagnonic, crystal magnetized at saturation perpendicular to the interfaces, obtained by means of rigorous calculations using scattering-matrix techniques, show that the inherently weak coupling between visible/near-infrared light and GHz-frequency spin waves can be greatly increased leading to strong modulation of the optical field through multi-magnon exchange mechanisms. Such novel multifunctional composite materials offer a promising platform for tailoring light–spin-wave coupling in view of fast and energy-efficient spin-optical information processing applications.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a hereditary, progressive, bilateral, and irreversible disorder of the corneal endothelium. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel, accurate and high-throughput real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and melting-curve analysis in order to genotype the rs613872 polymorphism in the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) gene and to implement it on a well-ascertained sample of 22 Greek FECD patients and 58 healthy individuals, age- and sex-matched. PATIENTS AND METHODS: DNA was extracted from blood samples, which were screened with the DNA sequencing method in order to detect the g.31753T>G/p.L450W (rs8035192) and g.31767C>A/p.Q455K (rs8035191) mutations in a COL8A2 genomic region. RESULTS: TCF4 risk G allele frequency increased to 48% in FECD patients compared to 17% in healthy-subjects [OR=4.82 (95% CI=1.98-11.73)]. No p.L450W and p.Q455K COL8A2 gene mutations were detected. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that rs613872 in the TCF4 gene is strongly and statistically associated with late-onset FECD in a Greek population

Information and Communication Technologies can have a positive impact on the learning environment by providing Physical Education teachers with a tool-kit for a complementary, alternative form of teaching knowledge objects in the Physical Education area. In volleyball teaching the system 5: 1 (5 hitters-1 setter) is difficult due to the complexity of the rotation rules. An interdisciplinary micro scenario, which includes monitoring of a multimedia application, practicing the team’s rotations by completing a relevant spreadsheet, applying a training protocol with evaluation of volleyball skills accompanied by quantification and visualization of positive, negative or neutral probability in a rally helps students both understand both the 5: 1 volleyball system and elements of Statistics.

The Cycladic Basement (CB) and the overlying Cycladic Blueschist Unit (CBU) are part of the Paleogene Cycladic subduction complex exposed in Miocene metamorphic core complexes in the distended back-arc of the retreating Hellenic subduction zone of the southern Aegean. While the Cenozoic tectono-metamorphic evolutions of the CB and the CBU have been the foci of numerous studies, this study presents new laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry bedrock and detrital zircon (DZ) U-Pb ages that place robust constraints on the presubduction tectonic, magmatic, and paleogeographic evolution of the CB. Zircon U-Pb ages of crystalline CB are $\sim$306-330 Ma, demonstrating local plutonism associated with regional voluminous, protracted Carboniferous magmatism related to Paleo-Tethys subduction. The plutons intruded the CB metasedimentary host-rock sequence, characterized by distinct Gondwanan DZ U-Pb provenance, Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic maximum depositional ages, and synmagmatic, contact metamorphic zircon rims ($\sim$300-330 Ma). DZ U-Pb dating revealed postmagmatic Permian metasedimentary rocks ($\sim$270-295 Ma) that unconformably overlie the CB and have unimodal DZ spectra that indicate exhumation of the CB prior to Permian deposition within extensional basins, as well as mark the onset of CBU deposition prior to formation of the Pindos rift domain. These U-Pb results clarify the late Paleozoic-early Mesozoic evolution of the CB as a peri-Gondwanan terrane composed of Neoproterozoic and early Paleozoic metasedimentary rocks, intruded by voluminous Carboniferous arc magmatism, and exhumed in the Permian, prior to Triassic rifting and CBU deposition. Additionally, these data provide a chronostratigraphic framework and illuminate subduction-related juxtaposition within the CB metasedimentary sequence.

©2019. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. The Cycladic Basement (CB) and the overlying Cycladic Blueschist Unit (CBU) are part of the Paleogene Cycladic subduction complex exposed in Miocene metamorphic core complexes in the distended back-arc of the retreating Hellenic subduction zone of the southern Aegean. While the Cenozoic tectono-metamorphic evolutions of the CB and the CBU have been the foci of numerous studies, this study presents new laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry bedrock and detrital zircon (DZ) U-Pb ages that place robust constraints on the presubduction tectonic, magmatic, and paleogeographic evolution of the CB. Zircon U-Pb ages of crystalline CB are $\sim$306-330 Ma, demonstrating local plutonism associated with regional voluminous, protracted Carboniferous magmatism related to Paleo-Tethys subduction. The plutons intruded the CB metasedimentary host-rock sequence, characterized by distinct Gondwanan DZ U-Pb provenance, Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic maximum depositional ages, and synmagmatic, contact metamorphic zircon rims ($\sim$300-330 Ma). DZ U-Pb dating revealed postmagmatic Permian metasedimentary rocks ($\sim$270-295 Ma) that unconformably overlie the CB and have unimodal DZ spectra that indicate exhumation of the CB prior to Permian deposition within extensional basins, as well as mark the onset of CBU deposition prior to formation of the Pindos rift domain. These U-Pb results clarify the late Paleozoic-early Mesozoic evolution of the CB as a peri-Gondwanan terrane composed of Neoproterozoic and early Paleozoic metasedimentary rocks, intruded by voluminous Carboniferous arc magmatism, and exhumed in the Permian, prior to Triassic rifting and CBU deposition. Additionally, these data provide a chronostratigraphic framework and illuminate subduction-related juxtaposition within the CB metasedimentary sequence.

It is well known that terrestrial environments host an immense microbial biodiversity. Exposed to different types of stress, such as UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, water availability and the inter- / intra-specific competition for resources, terrestrial microorganisms have been evolved to produce a large spectrum of bioactive molecules. Bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi and algae have shown a high potential of producing biomolecules for pharmaceutical or other industrial purposes as they combine a sustainable, relatively low-cost and fast-production process. Herein, we provide an overview of the different bioactive molecules produced by terrestrial microorganisms with skin protecting applications. The high content in polyphenolic and carotenoid compounds produced by several strains, as well as the presence of exopolysaccharides, melanins, indole and pyrrole derivatives, mycosporines, carboxylic acids and other molecules, are discussed in the context of their antioxidant, photo-protective and skin-whitening activity. Relevant biotechnological tools developed for the enhanced production of high added value natural products, as well as the protecting effect of some antioxidant, hydrolytic and degrading enzymes are also discussed. Furthermore, we describe classes of microbial compounds that are used or have the potential to be used as antimicrobials, moisturizers, biosurfactants, pigments, flavorings and fragrances.

BACKGROUND: Th17 cytokines are associated with modulation of inflammation and may be beneficial in clearing influenza infection in experimental models. The Th17 cytokine profile was evaluated in a pilot study of respiratory virus infections. METHODS: Consecutive patients with symptoms of respiratory tract infection visiting the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital during the winter influenza season of 2014 to 2015 were evaluated. CLART PneumoVir kit, (GENOMICA, Madrid, Spain) was used for viral detection of all known respiratory viruses. Th17 cytokine profile was evaluated with the MILLIPLEX MAP Human TH17 Magnetic Bead Panel (Millipore Corp., Billerica, MA). Correlation of the TH17 profile with viral detection was performed with univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients were evaluated (median age 56 years, 51.3% female); a respiratory virus was identified in 60 (78.9%) patients; 45% had confirmed influenza. Influenza A (H3N2) correlated with higher levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), IL-17A, IL-17E, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22, and IL-23 (P < 0.05 by analysis of variance [ANOVA]) compared with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Parainfluenza virus (PIV) similarly had higher levels of GM-CSF, IL-1b, IL-17A, IL-22 compared with those detected in RSV, influenza B and any other virus infection ( P < 0.05; ANOVA). Increasing age (beta-coefficient = 1.11, 95% CI, 1.04-1.2, P < 0.01) as well as IL-17A levels (beta-coefficient = 1.03, 95% CI, 1.001-1.05, P = 0.04) predicted hospital admission. CONCLUSION: Main Th17 cell effector cytokines were upregulated in laboratory-confirmed A(H3N2) influenza and PIV. Excessive amounts of Th17 cytokines may be implicated in the pathogenesis and immune control of acute influenza and PIV infection in humans and may predict the severity of disease

Forensic anthropologists are frequently faced with the challenge of individualizing and sorting commingled remains in a variety of scenarios. A number of protocols have been proposed to standardize the methodological approach to individuating commingled remains, some of which are focused on pair-matching. A recent study by Karell et al. (2016) proposed a virtual method for pair-matching humeri using a semi-automatic procedure that gave encouraging results. With regards to the phalanges, there are only a handful of studies focusing on identifying and siding phalanges, as well as exploring their directional and functional asymmetry. Yet, they are still as important as every other bone when sorting commingled human remains in various situations, such as archaeological common burials and mass graves, commingled decomposed remains resulting from atrocities, accidents or natural disasters. This study investigates a new method for pair-matching, a common individualization technique, using digital three-dimensional models of bone: mesh-to-mesh value comparison (MVC) as proposed by Karell et al. (2016). The MVC method digitally compares the entire three-dimensional geometry of two bones using an iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm to produce a single value as a proxy for their similarity. The method is automated with the use of Viewbox software 4.1 beta for a simultaneous comparison of all possible pairs. For this study, 515 phalanges from 24 individuals of mixed ancestry were digitized using CT scans and the 3D modeling program AMIRA 5.3.3. The models were also hollowed (internal information of compact and trabecular bone removed) to test the method with simulated surface scan models. The subsequent data-over 73,000 comparisons-were assessed using sensitivity and specificity rates via ROC analysis to indicate how well the automated version of MVC pair-matched phalanges. The best bone in terms of pair-matching was the proximal phalanx of Digit 3 with 87.5% sensitivity and 92.4% specificity rates at a threshold value of 0.488 for the unhollowed bones. The specificity drops slightly (91.1%) when the hollowed models are compared. To compare the performance of the method in all phalanges, the specificity was set to 95%-allowing for a 5% acceptable error-and the adjusted sensitivity was compared. The highest sensitivity, namely 68.8%, was noted for Digit 2 proximal phalanx for both unhollowed and hollowed models. Thus far, our preliminary results indicate that the MVC method performs well when pair-matching phalanges, though it is less accurate than pair-matching other types of bones. The introduction of 95% specificity threshold allows for rejecting pairs in great confidence, which could, for instance, significantly reduce the number of DNA comparisons required for the remaining possible matches. In addition, the similar results obtained from hollowed and unhollowed models indicate that the internal information included in the unhollowed models adds little to the identification of true pairs. This means that if a CT scan is not available, the method could be applied to surface models produced by light and laser scanners as well. While additional work needs to be done to verify these preliminary results, this research has the potential to expand the repertoire of individualization methods.

Which are the modern roots of the theories of Systemic Geopolitical Analysis and Structural Realism? Which are the epistemological and methodological bases that a conflict is profound? Being descriptive theories, both Systemic Geopolitical Analysis and Structural Realism have been constructed on the basis of axial hypotheses tested through historical practical case studies. They represent complementary approaches, based on the common Thucydidean legacy of description and analysis emphasizing ontology. In the modern framework of scientific debate, there are also common roots, while the commonalities are more between them in comparison with other theoretical approaches even included in the same scientific field. Under this lens, the current paper endeavors to decode all those reasons making the two theoretical approaches two – even not identical – twins of Thucydides.

This review is devoted to tight-binding (TB) modeling of nucleic acid sequences like DNA and RNA. It addresses how various types of order (periodic, quasiperiodic, fractal) or disorder (diagonal, non-diagonal, random, methylation et cetera) affect charge transport. We include an introduction to TB and a discussion of its various submodels [wire, ladder, extended ladder, fishbone (wire), fishbone ladder] and of the process of renormalization. We proceed to a discussion of aperiodicity, quasicrystals and the mathematics of aperiodic substitutional sequences: primitive substitutions, Perron–Frobenius eigenvalue, induced substitutions, and Pisot property. We discuss the energy structure of nucleic acid wires, the coupling to the leads, the transmission coefficients and the current–voltage curves. We also summarize efforts aiming to examine the potentiality to utilize the charge transport characteristics of nucleic acids as a tool to probe several diseases or disorders.

In October 2018, Swift announced the discovery of a new Galactic X-ray transient, Swift J1858. Just before Sun-angle constraints rendered the system unobservable, follow-up observations revealed extreme flaring activity, of a kind that has so far only been seen in the famous black hole X-ray binary (BHXRB) V404 Cyg during its 2015 eruption and in V4641 Sgr. The peculiar behaviour of these sources is thought to be a consequence of super-Eddington accretion regime. After several months of unusual strong and rapid flaring in its high-luminosity state, Swift J1858 is currently exhibiting impressive optical P-Cygni profiles, suggesting the pres- ence of a dense and cool wind from the outer accretion disk. The dominant spectroscopic signatures of such winds are actually expected to lie in the far-ultraviolet region, but they are usually inaccessible in black-hole X-ray binaries, due to interstellar reddening. Given its low extinction, Swift J1858 provides us with a rare chance to study the accretion disk wind in the crucial ultraviolet band - an opportunity that was missed in the other two systems. Building on an ongoing multi-wavelength campaign (X-rays: NICER; optical: GTC; radio: VLA & AMI), we therefore request far- and near-UV time-resolved spectroscopic observations of this system with HST/STIS+COS in order to (a) study its extreme accretion disk wind; (b) test proposed wind driving mechanisms; (c) characterize its UV variability properties and determine the origin of these variations; (d) construct the broad-band SED of the outer accretion disk that dominates the UV flux; and (e) determine the extinction towards the system in order to constrain the mass accretion rate.

Photonic crystal-assisted semiconductor photocatalysis has been attracting significant attention as an advanced photon management approach that combines light harvesting with the macro/mesoporous structured materials properties permitting enhanced mass transport and high adsorption. In this work, surface functionalization of well-ordered photonic band gap engineered TiO2 inverse opal films fabricated by the convective evaporation-induced co-assembly method was performed by graphene oxide nanocolloids (nanoGO). The loading of GO nanosheets was determined by the films’ macropore size, with minimal effects on their long range periodicity and photonic properties. While nanoGO deposition reduced mesoporosity of the nanocrystalline titania walls, their surface functionality was greatly improved by the abundant oxygen groups of the GO nanosheets leading to increased pollutant adsorption. Slow photon amplification in the aqueous phase methylene blue photodegradation was identified for the unmodified TiO2 photonic films under both UV–vis and Vis illumination upon spectral overlap of the low energy edge of the inverse opal stop band (in water) with the dye electronic absorption, due to (red) slow photons localized in the titania skeleton that distinctly accelerated dye photodegradation kinetics. The photocatalytic efficiency was further improved for the nanoGO functionalized TiO2 inverse opal films via the synergetic action of interfacial electron transfer from TiO2 to the GO nanosheets. Under UV–vis light, the functionalized photonic films outperformed benchmark mesoporous Aeroxide® P25 TiO2 films where nanoGO modification, despite the enhanced dye adsorption, resulted in adverse effects in photocatalytic degradation due to pore clogging. Combination of the exceptional structural and photonic properties of TiO2 inverse opals with the high adsorption capacity and charge separation afforded by GO nanocolloids is proposed as a promising modification route for the development of efficient photocatalytic films. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.

Photonic crystal-assisted semiconductor photocatalysis has been attracting significant attention as an advanced photon management approach that combines light harvesting with the macro/mesoporous structured materials properties permitting enhanced mass transport and high adsorption. In this work, surface functionalization of well-ordered photonic band gap engineered TiO2 inverse opal films fabricated by the convective evaporation-induced co-assembly method was performed by graphene oxide nanocolloids (nanoGO). The loading of GO nanosheets was determined by the films’ macropore size, with minimal effects on their long range periodicity and photonic properties. While nanoGO deposition reduced mesoporosity of the nanocrystalline titania walls, their surface functionality was greatly improved by the abundant oxygen groups of the GO nanosheets leading to increased pollutant adsorption. Slow photon amplification in the aqueous phase methylene blue photodegradation was identified for the unmodified TiO2 photonic films under both UV–vis and Vis illumination upon spectral overlap of the low energy edge of the inverse opal stop band (in water) with the dye electronic absorption, due to (red) slow photons localized in the titania skeleton that distinctly accelerated dye photodegradation kinetics. The photocatalytic efficiency was further improved for the nanoGO functionalized TiO2 inverse opal films via the synergetic action of interfacial electron transfer from TiO2 to the GO nanosheets. Under UV–vis light, the functionalized photonic films outperformed benchmark mesoporous Aeroxide® P25 TiO2 films where nanoGO modification, despite the enhanced dye adsorption, resulted in adverse effects in photocatalytic degradation due to pore clogging. Combination of the exceptional structural and photonic properties of TiO2 inverse opals with the high adsorption capacity and charge separation afforded by GO nanocolloids is proposed as a promising modification route for the development of efficient photocatalytic films. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.

Despite recent biomedical improvements in treating Multiple Myeloma (MM), the disease still remains incurable. Toll like receptors (TLRs) provide a link between innate and adaptive immune responses and hence potentially correlate inflammation to cancer. Although the regulatory role of TLRs in MM has been under investigation the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study we assayed the function of TLR4 in MM cell lines and in MM patients' samples. We found that lipopolysaccharide-mediated TLR4 activation increased MM cells proliferation and decreased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, we observed that either the endogenous CHOP expression or the ER stress-mediated CHOP induction, were suppressed by TLR4 activation or its overexpression in MM cell lines; TLR4 induction also suppressed ER stress-induced apoptotic signals. In support, TLR4 gene expression silencing in MM cell lines significantly decreased cell proliferation and promoted CHOP and ATF4 upregulation. TLR4 activation was also able to partially abrogate the effect of bortezomib in MM cell lines by suppressing PERK, ATF4 and phospho-eIF2A. We suggest that TLR4-mediated disruption of ER stress responses contributes to MM cells proliferation and suppresses ER-dependent death signals.

This chapter reports on the work of Working Group 4 and focuses on the integration of digital resources into mathematics teaching and learning practices.There are five central sections, focusing on, instrumental genesis, instrumental orchestration, the documentational approach to didactics, digital resources andteacher education, and the design of learning environments with the use of digital resources. A range of constructs and theoretical approaches are covered in these five sections, and the opening section comments on construct validity and issues in “networking” theoretical frameworks. The chapter can be viewed as a literature review which surveys past and present (at the time of writing) scholarship with an eye to possible future research. The chapter is extensive in several dimensions: a large range of digital resources and applications are considered; the subjects using digital resources are not just teachers but also students, student teachers and student teacher educators. Issues raised in the sections include individual and collective use of resources, the adaptation of these resources for specific learning goals and to prepare (pre- and in-service) teachers for the use of digital resources.

Troilus and Cressida: A Critical Reader offers an accessible and thought-provoking guide to this complex problem play, surveying its key themes and evolving critical preoccupations. Considering its generic ambiguity and experimentalism, it also provides a uniquely detailed and up-to-date history of the play's stage performance from Dryden's rewriting up to Mark Ravenhill and Elizabeth LeCompte's controversial 2012 production for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Wooster Group.Moving through to four new critical essays, the guide opens up fresh perspectives on the play's iconoclastic nature and its key themes, ranging from issues of gender and sexuality to Elizabethan politics, from the uses of antiquity to questions of cultural translation, with particular attention paid on Troilus' “Greekness”.

The west coast of Naxos Isl. was hit in 1956 by the Amorgos tsunami. This study aims to: a) determine the impact of a potential tsunami similar to the one that occured in 1956, based on the island's contemporary residential and tourist development, and b) explore whether the natural geomorphs (sand dunes) in the 3 study areas (Glyfada, Agios Prokopios, Chora of Naxos) can reduce the tsunami risk. Risk assessment was based on processing field data (differential GPS) and satellite images with GIS software. Furthermore, the dunes potential risk reduction has been evaluated. Results show that taller sand dunes and vegetation provides better tsunami protection to the coast of Glyfada, than the one of Agios Prokopios. Uncontrolled tourism development without any sand dunes protection measures underline their development and, consequently, increases the tsunami risk.

A high-energy muon neutrino event, IceCube-170922A, was recently discovered in both spatial and temporal coincidence with a gamma-ray flare of the blazar TXS 0506+056. It has been shown with standard one-zone models that neutrinos can be produced in the blazar jet via hadronic interactions, but with a flux that is mostly limited by the X-ray data. In this work, we explore the neutrino production from TXS 0506+056 by invoking two physically distinct emission zones in the jet, with an inner blob inside of or close to the broad-line region (BLR) and an outer one well beyond the BLR. Using the Doppler-boosted radiation of the BLR as the target photon field, the inner zone accounts for the neutrino and gamma-ray emission via pγ interactions and inverse Compton scattering, respectively, while the outer zone produces the optical and X-ray emission via synchrotron and synchrotron self-Compton processes. The different conditions of the two zones allow us to suppress the X-ray emission from the electromagnetic cascade, and set a much higher upper limit on the muon neutrino flux (i.e., ∼10-11 erg cm-2 s-1) than in one-zone models. We compare our scenario in detail with one-zone models discussed in the literature, and argue that differentiating between such scenarios will become possible with next-generation neutrino telescopes, such as IceCube-Gen2.

We present evidence that TXS 0506+056, the first plausible non-stellar neutrino source, despite appearances, is not a blazar of the BL Lac type but is instead a masquerading BL Lac, i.e. intrinsically a flat-spectrum radio quasar with hidden broad lines and a standard accretion disc. This reclassification is based on: (1) its radio and O II luminosities; (2) its emission line ratios; (3) its Eddington ratio. We also point out that the synchrotron peak frequency of TXS 0506+056 is more than two orders of magnitude larger than expected by the so-called `blazar sequence', a scenario which has been assumed by some theoretical models predicting neutrino (and cosmic ray) emission from blazars. Finally, we comment on the theoretical implications this reclassification has on the location of the γ-ray emitting region and our understanding of neutrino emission in blazars.

Coastal zone monitoring is essential in order to understand their evolution and incorporate sustainable coastal management practices. Frequent data collection is essential but often surveys can be costly and time-consuming. Several costly and time-consuming tools and techniques have been developed during the last few years for change detection and monitoring, allowing for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. In this study we present the ability of an off-the-shelf Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) coupled with Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry to map and measure coastal features (e.g. shorelines). The UAS surveys taken place over three campaigns during Autumn 2017 (November), Spring 2018 (March) and Autumn 2018 (October) in Pinios river deltaic coast. The demonstrated UAS-SfM methodology produced remote sensing data with great spatial resolution which could be used to visually identify important parameters for coastal research and management at a fraction of thecost of other available techniques and. Even an off-the-shelf UAS is suitable for repeat surveys to assess spatial and temporal changes at small spatial extents and to better comprehend how these may be related with site-specific natural processes along the coast.

Coastal zone monitoring of river deltas is essential in order to understand their evolution and incorporate sustainable coastal management practices. Frequent data collection is essential but often surveys can be costly and time-consuming. This often leads to increase the time lag between successive monitoring campaigns to reduce survey costs, with the consequence of fragmenting the data available for coastal zone management. In this study we present the ability of off-the-shelf Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) coupled with Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry to map and measure coastal features (e.g. shorelines).

On June 12, 2017, an Mw 6.3 earthquake struck Lesvos Island (Northeastern Aegean, Greece). Building damage was observed in its southeastern part with very heavy structural damage limited in the settlement of Vrissa. Taking into account that Vrissa is located further inland from the epicenter than other settlements with less damage, Vrissa looks like an earthquake impact paradox. For interpreting this paradox, a complete approach for damage assessment in an earthquake-affected area was applied during the first hours of the emergency response phase in order to provide crucial information to civil protection agencies. It comprises integration of building-by-building inspection, use of desktop and web GIS applications, UAV survey and digital post processing, extraction of data and information related to the buildings of the affected area, application of the European Macroseismic Scale 1998 and assignment of macroseismic intensities. Correlation of the all aforementioned data with the geological, geomorphological, geotechnical and seismological properties of the affected area along with its buildings characteristics was followed. This damage scene is attributed to the synergy of the near-field location of Vrissa, recent deposits, geotechnically unstable zones, proximity to active faults, rupture directivity phenomena and vulnerable buildings. The integration of UAV and web GIS applications during a rapid post-earthquake field macroseismic reconnaissance can potentially be considered as a methodological framework that can be applied for similar analysis in other areas affected not only by earthquakes but also by other extreme events that have the potential to cause destructive effects on the natural environment, humans and infrastructures.

An invisibility cloak should completely hide an object from an observer, ideally across the visible spectrum and for all angles of incidence and polarizations of light, in three dimensions. However, until now, all such devices have been limited to either small bandwidths or have disregarded the phase of the impinging wave or worked only along specific directions. Here, we show that these seemingly fundamental restrictions can be lifted by using cloaks made of fast-light media, termed tachyonic cloaks, where the wave group velocity is larger than the speed of light in vacuum. On the basis of exact analytic calculations and full-wave causal simulations, we demonstrate three-dimensional cloaking that cannot be detected even interferometrically across the entire visible regime. Our results open the road for ultrabroadband invisibility of large objects, with direct implications for stealth and information technology, non-disturbing sensors, near-field scanning optical microscopy imaging, and superluminal propagation. © 2019, The Author(s).

Ultra luminous X-ray (ULX) sources are among the most intriguing binary systems, that have long been thought to host the elusive intermediate mass black holes. Remarkably, within the last years there has been undisputed evidence that at least a few of these systems are powered by accreting neutron stars (NS) that are rotating with spin periods close to 1 s. In light of these recent discoveries and recently introduced models placing neutron stars as the engines of ULXs, we revisit the spectra of eighteen well-known ULXs, in search of indications that favor or reject this hypothesis. We find that the notable (>6keV) spectral curvature observed in most ULXs, is commensurate with the Wien tail of a hot (T>1keV) multicolor black-body component and confirm that a double thermal model (comprised of a ”cool” and ”hot” thermal component) with the addition of a faint non-thermal tail describes all ULX spectra in our list. More importantly, we offer a new physical interpretation for the dual thermal spectrum, where it is the result of accretion onto high magnetized NSs rather than black holes, in agreement with theoretical predictions. We estimate the magnetic-field strength and demonstrate that it correlates strongly with the source luminosity and the temperature of the hot component. We also discuss the application of our model on the most recent pulsating ULX "NGC 300 ULX1", casting doubts on the claimed presence of a cyclotron scattering feature in its spectrum. Our findings offer an additional and compelling argument in favor of NSs as prime candidates for powering ULXs, as has been also postulated by theory.

This work aims to explore the unphysical assumptions associated with i) the homogeneity of the well mixed compartments of pharmacokinetics and ii) the diffusion limited model of drug dissolution. To this end, we i) tested the homogeneity hypothesis using Monte Carlo simulations for a reaction and a diffusional process that take place in Euclidean and fractal media, ii) re-considered the flip-flop kinetics assuming that the absorption rate for a one-compartment model is governed by an instantaneous rate coefficient instead of a rate constant, and, iii) re-considered the extent of drug absorption as a function of dose using an in vivo reaction limited model of drug dissolution with integer and non-integer stoichiometry values. We found that drug diffusional processes and reactions are slowed down in heterogeneous media and the environmental heterogeneity leads to increased fluctuations of the measurable quantities. Highly variable experimental literature data with measurements in intrathecal space and gastrointestinal fluids were explained accordingly. Next, by applying power law and Weibull input functions to a one-compartment model of disposition we show that the shape of concentration-time curves is highly dependent on the time exponent of the input functions. Realistic examples based on PK data of three compounds known to exhibit flip-flop kinetics are analyzed. The need to use time dependent coefficients instead of rate constants in PBPK modeling and virtual bioequivalence is underlined. Finally, the shape of the fraction absorbed as a function of dose plots, using an in vivo reaction limited model of drug dissolution were found to be dependent on the stoichiometry value and the solubility of drug. Ascending and descending limbs were observed for the higher stoichiometries (2.0 and 1.5) with the low solubility drug. In contrast, for the more soluble drug, a continuous increase of fraction absorbed as a function of dose is observed when the higher stoichiometries are used (2.0 and 1.5). For both drugs, the fraction absorbed for the lower values of stoichiometry (0.7 and 1.0) exhibit a non-dependency on dose profile. Our results give an insight into the complex picture of in vivo drug dissolution since diffusion-limited and reaction-limited processes seem to operate under in vivo conditions concurrently.

In the era of precision oncology, bladder cancer (BlCa) is characterized by generic patient management and lack of personalized prognosis and surveillance. Herein, we have studied the clinical significance of urothelial cancer associated 1 (UCA1) lncRNA in improving patients' risk stratification and prognosis. A screening cohort of 176 BlCa patients was used for UCA1 quantification. The Hedegaard et al. (n = 476) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) provisional (n = 413) were analyzed as validation cohorts for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), respectively. Patients' survival outcome was assessed using recurrence and progression for NMIBC or death for MIBC as clinical endpoint events. Bootstrap analysis was performed for internal validation of Cox regression analysis, whereas the clinical benefit of disease prognosis was assessed by decision curve analysis. UCA1 was significantly overexpressed in bladder tumors compared with normal urothelium, which was confirmed only in the case of NMIBC. Interestingly, reduced expression of UCA1 was correlated with muscle-invasive disease as well as with tumors of higher stage and grade. UCA1 loss was strongly associated with higher risk of short-term relapse [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.974; P = 0.032] and progression to invasive stages (HR = 3.476; P = 0.023) in NMIBC. In this regard, Hedegaard et al. and TCGA validation cohorts confirmed the unfavorable prognostic nature of UCA1 loss in BlCa. Finally, prognosis prediction models integrating UCA1 underexpression and established clinical disease markers contributed to improved stratification specificity and superior clinical benefit for NMIBC prognosis. Underexpression of UCA1 correlates with worse disease outcome in NMIBC and contributes to superior prediction of disease early relapse and progression as well as improved patient stratification specificity.

Taking into consideration the major damage caused by the disastrous earthquake of 7th September 1999 (5.9R), the need for further and deeper investigation of the geological structure of the subsurface came up. The damage distribution of an earthquake is usually related to the tectonic structures of the area (Dilalos and Alexopoulos, 2017). Unfortunately, since the areas are covered with artificial surfaces, such as buildings, industrial infrastructures, roads, bridges and generally artificial surfaces, the geological research is quite complicated. The missing geological information for the deep subsurface can only be retrieved using geophysical methods. Given the fact that the 54.5% of Athens basin is covered with artificial surfaces (Dilalos, 2018), not all the geophysical methods can be applied. The land gravity measurements seem like the most applicable method for such a deep geotectonic investigation.

© 2019 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Study Objective: The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the effectiveness of norethisterone (NET) in the management of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in adolescents in a tertiary care center. Design: This was a prospective audit focused on administering high doses of NET in female adolescents with complaints of AUB. Setting: We included female adolescents who presented to our Emergency Gynecological Department or Adolescent Gynecological Outpatient Department from October 2016 to January 2019. Participants: The study included 29 female adolescents aged 11-17 (mean, 13.14) years. Interventions: Patients were administered a daily dose of 10-30 mg, depending on the severity of the condition, bleeding duration, and patient weight. Main Outcome Measures: Cessation of vaginal bleeding. Results: Mean age at menarche of our patient sample was 11.4 years (range, 10.7-14 years). AUB presented at a mean time of 24.6 months after menarche (range, 0-79 months). Blood transfusion was deemed necessary in 9 patients. Bleeding stopped at a mean of 46.1 (range, 8-120) hours after onset of treatment with NET. No serious adverse events were reported with NET administration, with only 3 cases of minor side effects. Conclusion: The use of NET is an effective and reliable treatment option among adolescents for whom control of AUB is desired in the acute setting.

The Copernicus EO Programme offers information services based on vast amounts of satellite and in-situ data. This information content which is freely and openly available to all users, can directly impact teaching and learning systems by providing insights of our planet never available before. Specifically, the Copernicus ecosystem can enable students to develop a keen awareness of the intricate interrelationships that exist in the real world environment. The incorporation of Copernicus services and data in all levels of education is an ongoing effort which has been initiated with the establishment of the Copernicus Academy Network. Here, we present an application of Copernicus services into the Greek upper primary school curriculum, delivered in the form of “ready-to-use” hands-on activities. We use case studies from the latest natural disasters which have raised public awareness and are believed to be concrete examples of local events that are personally relevant to students, thus engaging them in an experiential learning process. The activity shown is related to the Athens’ devastating forest fires during the summer of 2018 (Mati, Kineta forest fires). We use the Sentinel-hub EO Browser tool to approach the issue of forest fires in urban compare to rural sites. Through simple concepts developed from these examples, the students are introduced to science subjects such as the interaction of light with matter, the reflection of light by different land surfaces, and the extinction of the radiation by atmospheric constituents. The interdisciplinary approach used in the suggested classroom activities promotes the UNESCO vision for education that helps students better understand the world in which they live by addressing the complexity and interconnectedness of environmental problems and thus promoting sustainable development concepts. Future work includes the use of additional natural phenomena and disasters or man-made emergency situations monitored by Copernicus in order to further promote a holistic approach in teaching and learning of Earth System Sciences. (e.g. floods, oil spills, algal blooms, desert dust outbreaks, volcanic eruptions etc.).

this paper presents the results of research using lifeworld analysis to capture the lived experience of young people ‘on the margins’. in this research, lifeworld analysis is applied as a grounding technique in an action research project aimed at designing, implementing and evaluating a novel training programme to develop a new role in youth work - the ‘comunity Animateur’. More broadly, the action research explores the contribution marginalised young people could potentially make to enhancing the social capital of their communities and, ultimately, the contribution they could make to supporting socio-ecological transformations in Europe.

Time series in the G, BP, and RP bands of the selected field-of-view transits for 224 sources that are not published in Gaia DR2, but are plotted in Fig. 11. An animated version of Fig. 11 is provided online and at https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/gaia/gaiadr2_cu7. (2 data files).

We obtained high-resolution spectra of HD 221416 using several facilities within the TESS Follow-up Observation Program (TFOP), including HIRES (Vogt et al. 1994SPIE.2198..362V) on the 10 m telescope at Keck Observatory (Maunakea, Hawai'i); the Hertzsprung SONG Telescope at Teide Observatory (Tenerife; Grundahl et al. 2017ApJ...836..142G); HARPS (Mayor et al. 2003Msngr.114...20M), FEROS (Kaufer et al. 1999Msngr..95....8K), Coralie (Queloz et al. 2001Msngr.105....1Q), and FIDEOS (Vanzi et al. 2018MNRAS.477.5041V) on the MPG/ESO 3.6 m, 2.2 m, 1.2 m, and 1 m telescopes at La Silla Observatory (Chile); Veloce (Gilbert et al. 2018SPIE10702E..0YG) on the 3.9 m Anglo-Australian Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory (Australia); TRES (Furesz 2008, PhD thesis Univ. Szeged) on the 1.5 m Tillinghast reflector at the F. L. Whipple Observatory (Mt. Hopkins, Arizona); and iSHELL (Rayner et al. 2012SPIE.8446E..2CR) on the NASA IRTF Telescope (Maunakea, Hawai'i). All spectra used in this paper were obtained between 2018 November 11 and December 30 and have a minimum spectral resolution of R~44000. (1 data file).

We used archival observations of NGC 1326A, NGC 1425, and NGC 4548 taken with the HST WFPC2 as described in Freedman et al. (2001ApJ...553...47F) as part of the HST Key Project. For the three galaxies, we used the observations available in the filters F555W(equivalent to Johnson V filter) and the F814W (equivalent toKron-Cousins I). In particular, we used 13 epochs of observations in F555W and 8 epochs in F814W that are available for the galaxies NGC 1326A and NGC 4548, while for NGC 1425, we used the 14 available epochs in F555W and 8 in F814W (6 data files).

The data for Pismis 18 were obtained in May and June 2014 with FLAMES on the VLT-UT2 telescope at the European Southern Observatory. (1 data file).

The HCV catalog (tableb2) lists for each source the equatorial coordinates, MatchID, GroupID, subgroup, the pipeline classification flag, the expert-validation classification flag, the number of existing instrument and filter combinations for the source, the name of the instrument and filter combination for which the following data are given: the filter detection flag, which indicates whether the source is variable [1] or is not variable [0], the variability quality flag, the number of measurements in the light curve, the HSC magnitude, the corrected magnitude, the MAD value, and the reduced chi2 value. For all multi-filter variable candidates, there are extra columns for each additional instrument and filter combination, in which the source is classified as a variable candidate. The catalog of constant sources (tableb3) contains the sources that fall below the 5σ detection threshold of the HCV pipeline. These include constant sources and possibly, low-amplitude variables below the detection threshold. For each source, the columns show the equatorial coordinates, the MatchID, the GroupID, the subgroup, the number of instrument and filter combinations in which individual sources are observed, followed by the name of each instrument and filter combination for which the following data are given: the number of measurements in the light curve, the HSC magnitude, the corrected magnitude, the MAD value, and the reduced chi2 value. (2 data files).

The aim of this study is to calculate the displacement rates of the coastline at the western part of the island, which is characterized of the escarpment coast. The shape of this coastal zone is caused mainly by tectonism which is very frequent in this wider area (Valkaniotis et al., 2018). The western coast of the island from Cape Agios Ioannis (NW) to the southernmost point of the peninsula, Cape Doukato is steep and precipitous, as a result of the high seismicity of the Ionian Sea area (Bornovas, 1964). Along this side of the island, several landslides and rock falls are observed. The situation changes only at the northern part of the island, with a distinctive coastal landform over the narrow zone called "Zostiras" (Leivaditis & Verikiou - Papaspyridakou, 1986). This work was conducted using two different types of data. Historical analogue panchromatic aerial images of high resolution (Zuidam and Van Zuidam-Cancelado, 1979) and contemporary digital high resolution multi-spectral satellite images were combined for extracting the coastline at the time period of acquisition. The acquisition of the aerial photographs took place during 1945 and 2010, while the satellite images where acquired during 2016, 2017 and 2018 (Figure 1). In all cases the images were digitally processed and optically optimized in order to produce a highly accurate representation of the shoreline at each time period. All the data were imported in a Geographic Information System platform, where they were subjected into comparison and geo-statistical analysis (Tsokos et al., 2018). Several transects were drawn normally to the coast and the distance between them was set at every 200 m as the relative displacement of the coastline was calculated for each one of them. In a way to achieve this, an extension of the ESRI ArcGIS v.10.6.1 software was employed as published by USGS and named Digital Shoreline Analysis System v.5 (DSAS). The DSAS extension (Thieler et al., 2009) lets the user define a constant straight line in a specific distance from the shoreline and take transects perpendicular to it among the evolving coastlines. The measurements give quantitative information on the change of the position of the shoreline, as well as more useful statistical data. Even if this seems to be an arbitrary value, it worked rather sufficiently at this almost 12 km long segment of the shoreline as it can be characterized as rather curvy and either a smaller value would result an oversampled area with transects intersect each other mixing the calculations or a larger value would result quite sparse transect locations without any representative outcome.

In this article I discuss the nature and function of scientific concepts, what ittakes to possess them, how they can be represented, and how they can be studiedby examining the uses of the scientific terms associated with them. I then examinethe epistemological issues that arise when considering conceptual change.Furthermore, I draw a distinction between concepts referring to manifest entities(accessible to observation) and concepts referring to hidden entities (temporarilyor permanently unobservable). I argue that the function of scientific concepts isdifferent in the two cases. In the former case, their function is primarily classificatory;whereas in the latter case, their function is primarily explanatory. Finally,I suggest that the epistemological problems generated by the evolution of scientificconcepts are more severe in the latter case than in the former.

Identification of multidrug (MDR) efflux transporters that belong to the ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) superfamily, represented an important breakthrough for understanding cancer multidrug resistance (MDR) and its possible overcoming. However, recent data indicate that drug resistant cells have a complex intracellular physiology that involves constant changes in energetic and oxidative-reductive metabolic pathways, as well as in the molecular circuitries connecting mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and lysosomes. The aim of this review is to discuss the key molecular mechanisms of cellular reprogramming that induce and maintain MDR, beyond the presence of MDR efflux transporters. We specifically highlight how cancer cells characterized by high metabolic plasticity – i.e. cells able to shift the energy metabolism between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, to survive both the normoxic and hypoxic conditions, to modify the cytosolic and mitochondrial oxidative-reductive metabolism, are more prone to adapt to exogenous stressors such as anti-cancer drugs and acquire a MDR phenotype. Similarly, we discuss how changes in mitochondria dynamics and mitophagy rates, changes in proteome stability ensuring non-oncogenic proteostatic mechanisms, changes in ubiquitin/proteasome- and autophagy/lysosome-related pathways, promote the cellular survival under stress conditions, along with the acquisition or maintenance of MDR. After dissecting the complex intracellular crosstalk that takes place during the development of MDR, we suggest that mapping the specific adaptation pathways underlying cell survival in response to stress and targeting these pathways with potent pharmacologic agents may be a new approach to enhance therapeutic efficacy against MDR tumors.

The wine making sector is directly intertwined with viniculture, which has been known since ancient times. Nowadays, Greece offers outstanding value for its wines and there are many new varieties that will certainly expand the customer's palate. In order to explore the sector's potential, financial statements and ratio analysis is implemented. In this study, 14 financial ratios are estimated in order to examine the domestic wine sector. This sample consists of 51 domestic wine producing companies. The uniqueness of this analysis is based on the fact that the individual financial reports are edited and properly adjusted in order for a consolidated balance sheet and profit and loss account, representative of the sector, to be constructed. The wine sector's perspective seems conducive to better control regarding primarily operating expenses. The findings could aid producers in the Greek wine industry in providing them valuable considerations and guidelines. The wine market is considered as an enjoyable, collectible, tangible asset that has an exciting future.

Brain disorders and mental diseases, in particular, are common and considered as a top global health challenge for the twenty-first century. Interestingly, women suffer more frequently from mental disorders than men. Moreover, women may respond to psychotropic drugs differently than men, and, through their lifespan, they endure sex-orientated social stressors. In this chapter, we present how women may differ in the development and manifestation of mental health issues and how they differ from men in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. We discuss issues in clinical trials regarding women participation, issues in the use of psychotropic medications in pregnancy, and challenges that psychiatry faces as a result of the wider use of contraceptives, of childbearing at older age, and of menopause. Such issues, among others, demand further women-oriented psychiatric research that can improve the care for women during the course of their lives. Indeed, despite all these known sex differences, psychiatry for both men and women patients uses the same approach. Thereby, a modified paradigm for women's psychiatry, which takes into account all these differences, emerges as a necessity, and psychiatric research should take more vigorously into account sex differences.

Brain disorders and mental diseases, in particular, are common and considered as a top global health challenge for the twenty-first century. Interestingly, women suffer more frequently from mental disorders than men. Moreover, women may respond to psychotropic drugs differently than men, and, through their lifespan, they endure sex-orientated social stressors. In this chapter, we present how women may differ in the development and manifestation of mental health issues and how they differ from men in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. We discuss issues in clinical trials regarding women participation, issues in the use of psychotropic medications in pregnancy, and challenges that psychiatry faces as a result of the wider use of contraceptives, of childbearing at older age, and of menopause. Such issues, among others, demand further women-oriented psychiatric research that can improve the care for women during the course of their lives. Indeed, despite all these known sex differences, psychiatry for both men and women patients uses the same approach. Thereby, a modified paradigm for women's psychiatry, which takes into account all these differences, emerges as a necessity, and psychiatric research should take more vigorously into account sex differences.

We use deep Chandra and HST data to uniquely classify the X-ray binary (XRB) populations in M81 on the basis of their donor stars and local stellar populations (into early-type main sequence, yellow giant, supergiant, low-mass, and globular cluster). First, we find that more massive, redder, and denser globular clusters are more likely to be associated with XRBs. Second, we find that the high-mass XRBs (HMXBs) overall have a steeper X-ray luminosity function (XLF) than the canonical star-forming galaxy XLF, though there is some evidence of variations in the slopes of the sub-populations. On the other hand, the XLF of the prototypical starburst M82 is described by the canonical powerlaw (αcum ∼ 0.6) down to LX ∼ 1036 erg s-1. We attribute variations in XLF slopes to different mass transfer modes (Roche-lobe overflow versus wind-fed systems).

©2019. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. Sikinos and Ios Islands, located in the Southern Cyclades, represent part of a Cenozoic metamorphic core complex system that exposes subduction-related metamorphic rocks in the highly extended back-arc region of the Hellenic subduction zone. These exhumed HP-LT metamorphic units are composed of Mesozoic metasedimentary rocks of the Cycladic Blueschist Unit (CBU) and the Paleozoic Cycladic Basement (CB). The magmatic and stratigraphic evolution of these units, as well as the nature of the contact between the CBU and CB, have remained poorly understood. We used zircon U-Pb dating to determine crystallization ages of the CB on Sikinos and the maximum deposition ages and detrital provenance of the metasedimentary units to reconstruct the Mesozoic to early Cenozoic stratigraphic and tectonic evolution of the CBU on both islands. The results reveal that the CB in Sikinos is composed of Cambrian-Silurian metasedimentary rocks intruded by Carboniferous granites and is overlain by metasedimentary rocks of the CBU with depositional ages spanning from Permo-Triassic to Late Cretaceous. The provenance data from the CBU records a long-lived tectonic evolution from Paleo-Tethys subduction and rifting, to passive margin formation, and to subduction of the Neo-Tethyan Pindos basin. The continuous stratigraphic record and provenance evolution from the CB into the CBU imply a para-autochthonous relationship. On NE Sikinos and Ios, stratigraphic constraints suggest older-over-younger relationships along cryptic-thrusts, supporting premetamorphic or synmetamorphic structural repetition of the CBU by imbrication, likely during subduction underplating.

Σελίδα 61 στο ΒΙΒΛΙΟ ΠΡΑΚΤΙΚΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΣΕΦΑΑ/ΕΚΠΑ

Στο άρθρο παρουσιάζεται έρευνα που διενεργήθηκε (2017-18) με σκοπό να αποτυπώσει τον βαθμό εφαρμογής των Προγραμμάτων Σπουδών της Θρησκευτικής Εκπαίδευσης (2017) στη Δευτεροβάθμια Εκπαίδευση από εκπαιδευμένους και επιμορφωμένους θεολόγους-μέντορες που συνεργάζονται με το Τμήμα Θεολογίας του ΕΚΠΑ στο πλαίσιο του προγράμματος Παιδαγωγικής και Διδακτικής επάρκειας. Πραγματοποιήθηκε με Φύλλα Παρατήρησης της διδασκαλίας από τους φοιτητές/τις φοιτήτριες. Το συμπέρασμα στο οποίο καταλήγει είναι ότι σε ένα μεγάλο βαθμό η διδακτική προσέγγιση του Μαθήματος των Θρησκευτικών αλλάζει.

Οι υπάρχουσες έρευνες αναδεικνύουν ότι πολλοί μαθητές αντιμετωπίζουν δυσκολίες στα κλάσματα εξαιτίας της σύνθετης έννοιας αυτών καθώς και των λανθασμένων στρατηγικών που χρησιμοποιούν για τη διαχείριση τους. Σύμφωνα με σύγχρονα ερευνητικά ευρήματα, φαίνεται πως τόσο η εννοιολογική όσο και η διαδικαστική γνώση των κλασμάτων είναι απαραίτητες για τη μαθηματική ικανότητα. Στόχος της παρούσας μελέτης αποτελεί η ανάδειξη της ύπαρξης ή μη διαφοροποίησης στην επίδοση στα κλάσματα ολικά, εννοιολογικά και διαδικαστικά μεταξύ παιδιών με και χωρίς δυσκολίες στα μαθηματικά ή την ανάγνωση. Για τους σκοπούς της έρευνας χρησιμοποιήθηκε το MathPro test το οποίο αξιολογεί μαθηματικές δεξιότητες στους τομείς: επίγνωσης αριθμού, μνήμης, οπτικο-χωρικό και συλλογιστικής, ένα τεστ κλασμάτων που αξιολογεί την εννοιολογική και τη διαδικαστική γνώση, ένα ερωτηματολόγιο αξιολόγησης της επίδοσης στα μαθηματικά και την ανάγνωση από το δάσκαλο της τάξης και ένα τεστ αναγνωστικής ευχέρειας. Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν πως οι μαθητές με δυσκολίες στα μαθηματικά ή την ανάγνωση σημείωσαν στατιστικά σημαντικά χαμηλότερη επίδοση στα κλάσματα συνολικά, αλλά και επιμέρους στη διαδικαστική και εννοιολογική γνώση των κλασμάτων. Οπότε, προκύπτει η ανάγκη καλλιέργειας των δεξιοτήτων που απαιτούνται για τη διαχείριση κλασματικών αριθμών με σκοπό να αντιμετωπίσουν τις εν λόγω δυσκολίες οι μαθητές

© Γιοβάνη, Χ. Καμπερίδου, Ε., Πατσαντάρας, Ν. (2019). Διερεύνηση των Διομαδικών Σχέσεων και η επίδρασή τους στη συμμετοχή των μαθητών/τριών στο μάθημα της Φυσικής Αγωγής. Αναρτημένη Ανακοίνωση. Θεματική ενότητα: «Θεσμικές, διοικητικές, κοινωνιολογικές και ιστορικές προσεγγίσεις στην άσκηση και υγεία», 5ο Συνέδριο Αθλητικής Επιστήμης «Άσκηση & Υγεία», Σχολή Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού, Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών, 12-14 Απριλίου 2019, Αθήνα. [σελ. 141 στο ΒΙΒΛΙΟ ΠΡΑΚΤΙΚΩΝ) http://sefaacongress.phed.uoa.gr/programma/analytiko-programma-sabbatoy-13-04-2019.html

Το παρόν κείμενο αναφέρεται στη Συμφωνία των Πρεσπών.

Το παρόν άρθρο αναφέρεται στη διαχείριση επίμαχων ζητημάτων στο σχολείο καιεστιάζει στη θρησκευτική ετερότητα στον σύγχρονο κόσμο, και ιδιαίτερα στην ευρωπαϊκή κοινωνία, και κυρίως στην καταλλαγή μεταξύ των ανθρώπων που ακολουθούν διαφορετικές θρησκείες ή καμία θρησκεία. Με βάση τις βασικές αρχές της βιωματικής μάθησης, αναπτύσσεται θεωρητικά και πρακτικά ένα εργαστήριο εκπαίδευσης εκπαιδευτικών που συνδυάζει το θέατρο και τη διδασκαλία-διαχείριση επίμαχων ζητημάτων. Η εκπαίδευση στοχεύει στον αναστοχασμό των συμμετεχόντων, ώστε να κατανοούν την ανάγκη του θρησκευτικού γραμματισμού αξιοποιώντας τη θεατροπαιδαγωγική ως μέθοδο, που βοηθά στην έρευνα-δράση για ένα σχολείο ανθρώπινο που εκπαιδεύει ανθρώπους και πολίτες.

Στο πλαίσιο της 4ης βιομηχανικής επανάστασης που βιώνουμε σήμερα αυτή η εργασία εξετάζει το ψηφιακό χάσμα, εισάγωντας τη διάσταση το φύλου.   Όπως τονίζει ο Elliot (2017), ερευνητής του Οργανισμού Οικονομικής Συνεργασίας και Ανάπτυξης: «Ζούμε σ’ ένα ψηφιακό παζάρι όπου οτιδήποτε  δεν έχει  κατασκευαστεί για να εξυπηρετεί την εποχή του διαδικτύου δεν θα αντέξει την πίεση.» Αυτή η παρουσίαση  επικεντρώνετε στο έμφυλο χάσμα, δηλαδή την υποεκροσώπηση των γυναικών στους τομείς της Τεχνητής Νοημοσύνης και του STEM. Η γυναικεία συμμετοχή σε διάφορους  τομείς ΤΠΕ και Επικοινωνίας στην Ευρώπη είναι μόνο 30% (και μόλις το 19% των διευθυντικών στελεχών είναι γυναίκες). Η αντιστοιχία γυναικών αποφοίτων πληροφορικής σε σχέση με τους άνδρες είναι 3 προς 10, ενώ  μόνο 9 στους 100 προγραμματιστές είναι γυναίκες.  Αναμένονται σημαντικές ελλείψεις εργατικού δυναμικού στο μέλλον, ειδικά αν λάβουμε υπόψη ότι μόνο το 24,9% των απόφοιτων της τριτοβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης σε τομείς που σχετίζονται με την τεχνολογία είναι γυναίκες (European Commission 2018) . Τα ερευνητικά μας ερωτήματα είναι: (1) Η τεχνητή νοημοσύνη (αι) θα κλείσει το έμφυλο χάσμα δεξιοτήτων, θα προωθήσει την έμφυλη ουδετερότητα (Kamberidou, 2004, 2020), δηλαδή την ισότητα, αυξάνοντας τη γυναικεία συμμετοχή. 2) Υπάρχει περίπτωση να αυξηθεί το έμφυλο χάσμα (η υποεκπροσώπηση των γυναικών) στον εργασιακό χώρο; Μήπως η τεχνητή νοημοσύνη θα αναπαράγει κοινωνικά στερεότυπα (κοινωνικές ανισότητες)  και ως αποτέλεσμα το έμφυλο χάσμα στους εργασιακούς χώρους;---------------------------------------------------- Λέξεις κλειδιά: Τεχνητή νοημοσύνη, STEM, Γυναίκα, Φύλο, Απασχολησιμότητα, Ελληνίδες επιστήμονες, Έμφυλες διαφορές, Κενό/χάσμα δεξιοτήτων     Keywords: Artificial intelligence (AI), STEM, Women, Gender, Employability, Greek women scientists, gender skills gap

Η αιγαιακή πολιτική της Ελλάδος κατά τη μεταψυχροπολεμική περίοδο είναι καθ’ όλα ενδεικτική των εγγενών προβλημάτων της ελλείψεως στρατηγικής κουλτούρας μεταξύ των εν Αθήναις ιθυνόντων. Επί του εν λόγω στοιχείου βασίζεται η ανάλυση εντός της παρούσης μελέτης και οι συμπαρομαρτούσες συνέπειες επιχειρείται να υπογραμμισθούν. Αναμφιλέκτως, τα περιθώρια χαράξεως μίας διαφορετικής στρατηγικής πλεύσεως ήταν υπαρκτά εξαιτίας της μείζονος ανακατανομής ισχύος επί πλανητικού και περιφερειακού επιπέδου την επομένη της λήξεως του Ψυχρού Πολέμου, αλλά την προκειμένη συστημική ευκαιρία άδραξε μόνο η Τουρκία, με αποτέλεσμα την πλήρη διατάραξη της ισορροπίας ισχύος εντός του Αιγαιακού Αρχιπελαγικού χώρου. Συνεπώς, με γνώμονα την πάγια εκπεφρασμένη επιλογή διεθνοποιήσεως-ουδετεροποιήσεως του διαύλου Δαρδανελίων-Αιγαίου υπό νατοϊκή σκέπη, η Ελλάς ευρίσκεται ενώπιον της προκλήσεως υλοποιήσεως μίας αξιόπιστης αποτρεπτικής στρατηγικής. Επιτυγχάνει τον εν λόγω σκοπό, με άξονα και την κρισιμοτάτη περίοδο των δεκαετιών του 1990 και του 2000 ούσες μεταβατικές για την πορεία των διακρατικών συσχετισμών εντός του συμπλόκου της Ευρυτέρας Μέσης Ανατολής.

Το παρόν κείμενο αναφέρεται στους γεωπολιτικούς δείκτες νομικού περιεχομένου, με παράδειγμα την οριοθέτηση της υφαλοκρηπίδας στον Αρκτικό Ωκεανό.

Παρόλο που η σημασία αποτελεσματικής διαχείρισης των κλασμάτων έχει αναδειχθεί από πολλούς ερευνητές, οι προαπαιτούμενες μαθηματικές δεξιότητες για τον σκοπό αυτόν δεν έχουν διερευνηθεί ακόμη. Οι μέχρι τώρα προσπάθειες έχουν επικεντρωθεί κυρίως σε ευρήματα σχετικά με την εννοιολογική και τη διαδικαστική γνώση των κλασμάτων. Η παρούσα μελέτη στοχεύει να αναδείξει αυτές τις μαθηματικές δεξιότητες που σχετίζονται με την κλασματική γνώση σε μαθητές Ε ́ και Στ ́ δημοτικού. Σε αυτήν έλαβαν μέρος 99 μαθητές σχολικής ηλικίας κατά μέσο όρο 11,1 ετών οι οποίοι φοιτούσαν σε δημόσια δημοτικά σχολεία του νομού Ευβοίας. Στην έρευνα χρησιμοποιήθηκαν το MathPro test το οποίο αξιολόγησε επιμέρους μαθηματικές δεξιότητες των συμμετεχόντων ως προς την Επίγνωση Αριθμού, τη Μνήμη, την Οπτικο-χωρική ικανότητα και τη Συλλογιστική και ένα αυτοσχέδιο τεστ για την συνολική, εννοιολογική και διαδικαστική κατανόηση στα κλάσματα. Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι από τις δραστηριότητες του MathPro test, τα Προβλήματα και οι Νοεροί Υπολογισμοί προβλέπουν τη συνολική και την εννοιολογική κλασματική επίδοση των συμμετεχόντων. Η διαδικαστική επίδοση στα κλάσματα φάνηκε να προβλέπεται από τους Κύβους, τα Προβλήματα και τους Νοερούς Υπολογισμούς. Συμπερασματικά, οι μαθηματικές δεξιότητες που σχετίζονται με τον Οπτικο-χωρικό τομέα και αυτόν της Συλλογιστικής φάνηκε ότι προβλέπουν την επίδοση στην κλασματική γνώση.

Αντερριώτη-Καλπακίδου, Μυρτώ και Καμπερίδου, Ειρήνη (2019). "Η Συμμετοχή των Μουσουλμάνων Γυναικών στη Φυσική Αγωγή και τον Αθλητισμό: Πολιτισμικά Εμπόδια και Στρατηγικές Ένταξης".  Συνεδρία Πτυχιακών Εργασιών ΙΙ, 13/4, 5ο συνέδριο Αθλητικής Επιστήμης «Άσκηση & Υγεία», Σχολή Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού, Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών, 12-14 Απριλίου 2019, Αθήνα. http://sefaacongress.phed.uoa.gr/programma/analytiko-programma-sabbatoy-13-04-2019.html [σελ. 167 στο Βιβλίο Πρακτικών ΣΕΦΑΑ/ΕΚΠΑ]

© Γεωργίου, Ι., Πατσαντάρας, Ν., Καμπερίδου, Ε. (2019). Κίνητρα των Μετεχόντων του Δρομικού Κινήματος στην Ελλάδα. Εισήγηση (ενότητα ελεύθερες ανακοινώσεις 14/4) στο 5ο συνέδριο Αθλητικής Επιστήμης «Άσκηση & Υγεία», Σχολή Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού, Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών, 12-14 Απριλίου 2019, Αθήνα. http://sefaacongress.phed.uoa.gr/programma/analytiko-programma-kyriakis-14-04-2019.html [σελ. 60 στο ΒΙΒΛΙΟ ΠΡΑΚΤΙΚΩΝ]

© Σπέγγα, Α., Καμπερίδου, Ε., Πατσαντάρας. Ν. (2019). Κοινωνικοί παράγοντες που επηρεάζουν τη συμμετοχή των εφήβων κοριτσιών στη Φυσική Δραστηριότητα, την ΄Ασκηση και τη Φυσική Αγωγή. Εισήγηση (ενότητα ελεύθερες ανακοινώσεις 14/4) στο 5ο Συνέδριο Αθλητικής Επιστήμης «Άσκηση & Υγεία», Σχολή Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού, Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών, 12-14 Απριλίου 2019, Αθήνα. http://sefaacongress.phed.uoa.gr/programma/analytiko-programma-kyriakis-14-04-2019.html (ΣΤΟ ΒΙΒΛΙΟ ΠΡΑΚΤΙΚΩΝ σελ. 62).....................ΛΕΞΕΙΣ ΚΛΕΙΔΙΑ (KEYWORDS): Φύλο, Κορίτσια, Εφηβεία, Άσκηση, Φυσική δραστηριότητα, Κοινωνική υποστήριξη, Φυσική αγωγή, Κοινωνικοποίηση (Gender, Adolescent girls, Exercise, Physical activity, Social Support, Socialization)  

Η Κυπριανή Κοινή παρουσιάζει δομικές καινοτομίες οι οποίες μπορεί να υποστηριχθεί ότι αποτελούν αποτέλεσμα της μακρόχρονης επαφής της με την Κοινή Νέα Ελληνική (ΚΝΕ), την υψηλή ποικιλία στο διγλωσσικό περιβάλλον της ελληνοκυπριακής γλωσσικής κοινότητας. Μία από αυτές τις καινοτομίες είναι και οι περιφραστικοί συντελικοί χρόνοι, παρακείμενος και υπερσυντέλικος. Σε ό,τι αφορά τον υπερσυντέλικο, στην ΚΝΕ χαρακτιρίζεται κυρίως από την ερμηνεία του προτερόχονου στο παρελθόν, καθώς και από τη χρήση του για αναφορά στο μακρινό παρελθόν. Αντιθέτως, στην Κυπριακή Ελληνική (ΚΕ) ο υπερσυντέλικος εναλλάσσεται ελεύθερα με τον αόριστο (απλό συνοπτικό παρελθοντικό) και μπορεί να επιστρατεύεται για πραγματολογικούς σκοπούς, π.χ. για να τονίσει ένα σημαντικό σημείο σε μια αφήγηση, ενδεχομένως λόγω της σχετικά μεγαλύτερης επισημότητάς του. Σε πρόσφατη έρευνα έχει υποστηριχθεί ότι αυτό αποτελεί αποκλειστική καινοτομία της ΚΕ. Η παρούσα μελέτη επανεξετάζει αυτή την υπόθεση στη βάση της παρατήρησης ότι η ΚΝΕ παρουσιάζει παρόμοιες χρήσεις. Χρησιμοποιώντας αυθόρμητα προφορικά δεδομένα και δεδομένα από ερωτηματολόγια για τον χαρακτηρισμό προτάσεων ως προς τη γραμματικότητά τους ερευνούμε (α) αν η παρατηρούμενη ποικιλότητα καθορίζεται από κοινωνιογλωσσικούς παράγοντες και (β) ποια είναι τα νεοτερικά σημασιολογικά και πραγματολογικά χαρακτηριστικά του υπερσυντέλικου σε κάθε ποικιλία.

Η Κυπριανή Κοινή παρουσιάζει δομικές καινοτομίες οι οποίες μπορεί να υποστηριχθεί ότι αποτελούν αποτέλεσμα της μακρόχρονης επαφής της με την Κοινή Νέα Ελληνική (ΚΝΕ), την υψηλή ποικιλία στο διγλωσσικό περιβάλλον της ελληνοκυπριακής γλωσσικής κοινότητας. Μία από αυτές τις καινοτομίες είναι και οι περιφραστικοί συντελικοί χρόνοι, παρακείμενος και υπερσυντέλικος. Σε ό,τι αφορά τον υπερσυντέλικο, στην ΚΝΕ χαρακτιρίζεται κυρίως από την ερμηνεία του προτερόχονου στο παρελθόν, καθώς και από τη χρήση του για αναφορά στο μακρινό παρελθόν. Αντιθέτως, στην Κυπριακή Ελληνική (ΚΕ) ο υπερσυντέλικος εναλλάσσεται ελεύθερα με τον αόριστο (απλό συνοπτικό παρελθοντικό) και μπορεί να επιστρατεύεται για πραγματολογικούς σκοπούς, π.χ. για να τονίσει ένα σημαντικό σημείο σε μια αφήγηση, ενδεχομένως λόγω της σχετικά μεγαλύτερης επισημότητάς του. Σε πρόσφατη έρευνα έχει υποστηριχθεί ότι αυτό αποτελεί αποκλειστική καινοτομία της ΚΕ. Η παρούσα μελέτη επανεξετάζει αυτή την υπόθεση στη βάση της παρατήρησης ότι η ΚΝΕ παρουσιάζει παρόμοιες χρήσεις. Χρησιμοποιώντας αυθόρμητα προφορικά δεδομένα και δεδομένα από ερωτηματολόγια για τον χαρακτηρισμό προτάσεων ως προς τη γραμματικότητά τους ερευνούμε (α) αν η παρατηρούμενη ποικιλότητα καθορίζεται από κοινωνιογλωσσικούς παράγοντες και (β) ποια είναι τα νεοτερικά σημασιολογικά και πραγματολογικά χαρακτηριστικά του υπερσυντέλικου σε κάθε ποικιλία.

Το παρόν κείμενο αναφέρεται στην ολοκληρωμένη μεθοδολογία κατασκευής σύνθετων δεικτών κατά τη σύγχρονη Συστημική Γεωπολιτική Ανάλυση.

Jugate portraits on coinage and jewellery of the Hellenistic periodJugate representations of divine or royal couples appear often on coins and sealsin Graeco-Roman art. Putting an emphasis on dynastic integrity and continuity –derived from the model of their divine predecessors– the kings of the Hellenisticperiod (and particularly so the Ptolemies of Egypt) are shown next to their consortsas guarantors for the production of lawful heirs. As their divine model –devised,evidently, by themselves in anticipation of the symbolism they wished to put forward–they most commonly used Sarapis and Isis, a couple known to us from coins, sealsand other such portable media, as well as a remote counterpart in the face of Zeusand Dione, a divine couple known from the coins and seals of Epirus.The emblematic value of coins or jewels employed as seals, such as engravedgemstones and signet rings, stresses the symbolism of the jugate scheme, renderingthe image into an agent for Hellenistic kingship ideology. The type’s adoption byRoman Imperial couples strengthened its ideological content and guaranteed itssurvival well into modernity.

Πρόκειται για το κείμενο της ανακοίνωσης στο Ε΄ Συνέδριο της Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Γενικής και Συγκριτικής Γραμματολογίας με τίτλο «Η ποιητική του τοπίου», που διοργανώθηκε σε συνεργασία με το Ινστιτούτο Νεοελληνικών Ερευνών του Εθνικού Ιδρύματος Ερευνών και πραγματοποιήθηκε στο Εθνικό Ίδρυμα Ερευνών από τις 19 έως τις 22 Ιανουαρίου 2012. Η ανακοίνωση διερευνά τη λειτουργία του μοτίβου του ορυχείου στο πρώτο διήγημα του Βιζυηνού Αι συνέπειαι της παλαιάς ιστορίας (1884). Εντοπίζεται η προέλευσή του από τις αφηγήσεις του γερμανικού ρομαντισμού, όπου το τοπίο, φυσικό ή αρχιτεκτονικό, αντικατοπτρίζει τα εντός της ψυχής συμβαίνοντα, ενώ ο υπό την γη αόρατος χώρος αποκτά ιδιαίτερη σημασία. Το ορυχείο, η κατάβαση στα έγκατα της γης, γίνεται στον ρομαντισμό ένα προσφιλές μοτίβο, όπου η κατάδυση ισοδυναμεί με προσέγγιση ενός μυστηριώδους και μαγικού ακόμα χώρου, παραπέμποντας στον ψυχισμό του ήρωα και οδηγώντας στην αποκάλυψη του μυστικού της καλλιτεχνικής δημιουργίας.  Μεταξύ των πολλών σχετικών αφηγήσεων και παραλλαγών του μοτίβου στον γερμανικό ρομαντισμό και νεορομαντισμό ιδιαίτερη θέση κατέχουν οι ιστορίες που πλέκονται γύρω από ένα ασυνήθιστο πραγματικό περιστατικό που συνέβη το 1670 στο ορυχείο του Φαλούν, στη Σουηδία. Στην ανακοίνωση αναδεικνύεται η διακειμενική σχέση του κειμένου του Βιζυηνού κυρίως με μία από τις αφηγήσεις αυτές, με την σύντομη αφήγηση του Γιόχαν Πέτερ Χέμπελ Ανέλπιστη αντάμωση [Unverhofftes Wiedersehen, 1810] συγκεκριμένα. Η ανάδειξη αυτής της σχέσης συμβάλλει στην ερμηνεία του διηγήματος του Βιζυηνού, αφού βοηθά στον εντοπισμό και στην κατανόηση της βασικής αντινομίας που διέπει και οργανώνει το αφήγημα. Στον Χέμπελ διαπιστώνουμε ότι υπάρχει μια μυθικών διαστάσεων αντινομία, το σχήμα «ζωή → θάνατος» αντιστρέφεται και γίνεται «θάνατος → ζωή», εφόσον υποδηλώνεται, από τη σκοπιά της γυναικείας μορφής του αφηγήματος, η εσχατολογική υπόσχεση του χριστιανισμού. Με παρόμοιο τρόπο ο αφηγητής του διηγήματος του Βιζυηνού αναστοχάζεται, ως φοιτητής της νέας  επιστήμης της ψυχολογίας στα τέλη του 19ου αιώνα, πάνω στις υπό διερεύνηση ιδιότητες της ψυχής του ανθρώπου, που διαφεύγουν της δυνατότητας περιγραφής και αποσαφήνισης με τα μέσα του επιστημονικού λόγου. Η σχέση «σώματος/ύλης» και «ψυχής» θεματοποιείται τόσο στο επίπεδο του ανώνυμου αφηγητή, όσο και στο επίπεδο των μορφών της Κλάρας και του Πασχάλη. Η αρχική επιδίωξη του επιστημονικού λόγου του αφηγητή να καταλήξει σε ασφαλές συμπέρασμα σχετικά με την κυριαρχία της «ύλης» πάνω στην «ψυχή» ανατρέπεται, αφού στο τέλος αναγνωρίζει την κυριαρχία της «ψυχής» πάνω στην «ύλη» μέσω της δυνατότητας υπέρβασης που διαθέτει ο άνθρωπος. Η ανακοίνωση στοχεύει παράλληλα στην ανάδειξη της λειτουργίας των λοιπών διακειμενικών αναφορών του διηγήματος σε λογοτεχνικά κείμενα του Γιόχαν Βόλφγκανγκ φον Γκαίτε.  

Ο ψηφιακός εγγραμματισμός λειτουργεί ως εξαιρετικό μέσο-εργαλείο για την ισότιμη μεταχείριση και ενσωμάτωση-ένταξη κοινωνικά αποκλεισμένων ομάδων στην κοινωνία της πληροφορίας. Προβαίνοντας σε μια ανάλυση των πρόσφατων ερευνών και συζητήσεων για το ψηφιακό χάσμα, τις απαιτούμενες σήμερα ψηφιακές δεξιότητες και τη μελλοντική ζήτηση, η συγκεκριμένη μελέτη επικεντρώνεται στην έμφυλη διάσταση. Ερευνητικά δεδομένα επιβεβαιώνουν ότι δεκαετίες προτάσεων και παρεμβάσεων—ερευνητικών, πολιτικών, κοινωνικών, νομοθετικών—δεν αύξησαν τη γυναικεία συμμετοχή στους κλάδους των STEM (Επιστήμη, Τεχνολογία, Μηχανική, Μαθηματικά) και των Τεχνολογιών της Πληροφορίας και Επικοινωνίας (ΤΠΕ). Οι γυναίκες εξακολουθούν να αποτελούν αόρατη μειονότητα σε αυτούς τους τομείς, παρά τις ενέργειες του κινήματος για την κοινωνική ενσωμάτωση-ένταξη των γυναικών και κοριτσιών στις ΤΠΕ και την ευρεία αναγνώριση της σημαντικότητας των ψηφιακών δεξιοτήτων στους χώρους εργασίας της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης. Τα αποτελέσματα εμπειρικών ερευνών αναδεικνύουν τη ζωτικής σημασίας αναμόρφωση της εκπαίδευσης STEM ώστε να συμπεριλάβει την έμφυλη διάσταση, δεδομένου ότι οι κοινωνικές προκαταλήψεις ξεκινούν από μικρή ηλικία. Επισημαίνεται, επίσης, η αναγκαιότητα να καθοριστούν και να καταγραφούν από τους βιομηχανικούς θεσμούς οι πραγματικές ανάγκες και οι ψηφιακές δεξιότητες που απαιτούνται σήμερα. Η μελέτη ολοκληρώνεται με τις πολύτιμες συμβουλές τεσσάρων γυναικών-προτύπων· συγκεκριμένα, διακεκριμένων γυναικών στην κοινωνία της πληροφορίας και των ΤΠΕ: Nancy Pascall, Rosalie Zobel, Όλγα Σταυροπούλου και Elizabeth Pollitzer.  Λέξεις κλειδιά: Ψηφιακό χάσμα-αποκλεισμός, Τεχνοφοβία, Ψηφιακές δεξιότητες, Έμφυλη διάσταση, Soft Skills ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Abstract This study examines current research on the digital skills crisis and future skills demand, focusing on the gender dimension of the digital divide. Studies confirm that decades of equal opportunity policies, legislation and government initiatives have failed to increase women’s engagement in the STEM and ICT sectors. Statistics show no real improvement, women remaining a minority, despite the social inclusion movement in ICT and the widespread acknowledgement of the importance of digital skills required in EU workplaces. Industry needs to project and clearly define digital skill requirements. It is also vital to reshape STEM education to include the gender dimension, since social biases start at an early age. Accordingly, following a series of interviews, the study concludes with recommendations from four inspirational role models, successful women in ICT and information society: Nancy Pascall, Rosalie Zobel, Olga Stavropoulou and Elizabeth Pollitzer. Key words: Digital Divide, Skill Gaps, Gender Gaps, Digital Literacy, Soft Skills

We present 114 times of minima of 6 ultra-short orbital period eclipsing binaries.

A major earthquake (Mwö=ö6.3) occurred on the 12th of June 2017 (12:28 GMT) offshore, south of the SE coast of Lesvos Island, at a depth of 13ökm, in an area characterized by normal faulting with an important strike-slip component in certain cases. Over 900 events of the sequence between 12 and 30 June 2017 were manually analyzed and located, employing an optimized local velocity model. Double-difference relocation revealed seven spatially separated groups of events, forming two linear branches, roughly aligned N130°E, compatible with the strike of known mapped faults along the southern coast of Lesvos Island. Spatiotemporal analysis indicated gradual migration of seismicity towards NW and SE from the margins of the main rupture, while a strong secondary sequence at a separate fault patch SE of the mainshock, oriented NW-SE, was triggered by the largest aftershock (Mwö=ö5.2) that occurred on 17 June. The focal mechanisms of the mainshock (φö=ö122°, δö=ö40° and λö=ö−83°) and of the major aftershocks were determined using regional moment tensor inversion. In most cases normal faulting was revealed with the fault plane oriented in a NW-SE direction, dipping SW, with the exception of the largest aftershock that was characterized by strike-slip faulting. Stress inversion revealed a complex stress field south of Lesvos, related both to normal, in an approximate E-W direction, and strike-slip faulting. All aftershocks outside the main rupture, where gradual seismicity migration was observed, are located within the positive lobes of static stress transfer determined by applying the Coulomb criterion for the mainshock. Stress loading on optimal faults under a strike-slip regime explains the occurrence of the largest aftershock and the seismicity that was triggered at the eastern patch of the rupture zone.

• 437 direct citations since 2003 (updated August 10,  2018)

437  ετεροναφορές/παραπομπές/αναφορές—απευθείας στο έργο— σε επιστημονικά περιοδικά, βιβλία, πρακτικά συνεδρίων, διδακτορικές διατριβές, κ.ά., από το 2003 έως 010/08/2018.

The extralaryngeal bifurcation point of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is typically located in a mean distance of 0-2 cm from the cricothyroid joint (CTJ). In the presented case though, the left RLN was unexpectedly identified bifurcating in a mean distance of 7 cm from the left CTJ in a young woman with multinodular goiter during total thyroidectomy. The RLN was carefully exposed throughout its course for the avoidance of iatrogenic injury of the nerval structure. The operation was uneventful. The present manuscript aims to highlight a scarce anatomic variation and its implications for thyroidectomy. Rare anatomic variations of the RLN such as the presented one encumber thyroid surgery and represent a severe risk factor of RLN injury. Meticulous operative technique combined with surgeons' perpetual awareness concerning this peculiar anatomical aberration leads to an injury-free thyroid surgery.

Aims: We study the temporal and spectral characteristics of SMC X-3 during its recent (2016) outburst to probe accretion onto highly magnetized neutron stars (NSs) at the Eddington limit. Methods: We obtained XMM-Newton observations of SMC X-3 and combined them with long-term observations by Swift. We performed a detailed analysis of the temporal and spectral behavior of the source, as well as its short- and long-term evolution. We have also constructed a simple toy-model (based on robust theoretical predictions) in order to gain insight into the complex emission pattern of SMC X-3. Results: We confirm the pulse period of the system that has been derived by previous works and note that the pulse has a complex three-peak shape. We find that the pulsed emission is dominated by hard photons, while at energies below ~1 keV, the emission does not pulsate. We furthermore find that the shape of the pulse profile and the short- and long-term evolution of the source light-curve can be explained by invoking a combination of a "fan" and a "polar" beam. The results of our temporal study are supported by our spectroscopic analysis, which reveals a two-component emission, comprised of a hard power law and a soft thermal component. We find that the latter produces the bulk of the non-pulsating emission and is most likely the result of reprocessing the primary hard emission by optically thick material that partly obscures the central source. We also detect strong emission lines from highly ionized metals. The strength of the emission lines strongly depends on the phase. Conclusions: Our findings are in agreement with previous works. The energy and temporal evolution as well as the shape of the pulse profile and the long-term spectra evolution of the source are consistent with the expected emission pattern of the accretion column in the super-critical regime, while the large reprocessing region is consistent with the analysis of previously studied X-ray pulsars observed at high accretion rates. This reprocessing region is consistent with recently proposed theoretical and observational works that suggested that highly magnetized NSs occupy a considerable fraction of ultraluminous X-ray sources.

BACKGROUND: Clinical and preclinical studies firmly support the involvement of the inflammation in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI) being widely used in AD patients, there is no conclusive evidence about their impact on the inflammatory response. METHODS: This study investigates peripheral proinflammatory cytokines (interferon gamma [IFN-γ], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], and interleukins 1β [IL-1β] and 6 [IL-6]) by firstly comparing peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-derived secretion in drug-naïve and AChEI-treated AD patients versus healthy controls. A subset of those drug-naïve AD patients, who were prescribed the AChEI donepezil, was followed-up for 6 months to investigate if donepezil suppresses proinflammatory cell-derived cytokine secretion. RESULTS: Patients with AD showed higher levels of PBMC-derived proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) in comparison with healthy controls. On reexamination, previously drug-naïve AD patients who received donepezil treatment for 6 months displayed a decrease in cell-derived IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. CONCLUSIONS: Proinflammatory PBMC-derived cytokines were increased in patients with AD in comparison with healthy controls and donepezil-reduced proinflammatory cytokines when examining drug-naïve AD patients before and after AChEI treatment.

The activation of C3O2 by the U(iii) complex [U(η5-Cp′)3] (Cp′ = C5H4SiMe3) is described. The reaction results in the reductive coupling of three C3O2 units to form a tetranuclear complex with a central cyclobutane-1,3-dione ring, with concomitant loss of CO. Careful control of reaction conditions has allowed the trapping of an intermediate, a dimeric bridging ketene complex, which undergoes insertion of C3O2 to form the final product.

INTRODUCTION: Identification and ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is a crucial surgical step when performing lower anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer. Anatomic variations of the relation between the IMA and the bifurcation point of abdominal aorta (AA) encumber surgical maneuvers and are of great clinical importance. PRESENTATION OF CASE: An unusual anatomic variation of the relation between IMA and the bifurcation point of AA was unexpectedly detected during LAR to a 69-year-old Caucasian female patient. The operation was uneventful. A meticulous review of the recent literature was conducted as well. DISCUSSION: Variations of the mesenteric vascular supply are mainly identified incidentally, during the operation. In particular, variations of IMA are extremely uncommon in the literature. However, such kind of congenital variations, are not as rare as considered and their presence encumbers surgical maneuvers and increases the potentiality of intraoperative injury and hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Surgeons' deep knowledge and unceasing awareness concerning probable anatomic variations of the relation between the IMA and AA, combined with detailed exposure of the operative field and of the relationship between these adjacent arteries constitute the cornerstone of a safe operation.

PURPOSE: The thorough knowledge of C2 lamina anatomy is essential for the avoidance of complications during screw fixation. We performed a review of the literature, aiming to detect what was found about anatomical feasibility of C2 translaminar fixation in different populations, along with possible recommendations for the avoidance of complications, and to detect whether factors such as race or gender could influence axis lamina anatomy and fixation feasibility. METHODS: We performed a search in PubMed and Cochrane database of systematic reviews for studies which correlated axis lamina anatomy with fixation feasibility. We extracted data concerning measurements on C2 lamina, the methods and conclusions of the studies. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies met our inclusion criteria. The studies mainly focused on Asian populations. Male gender was generally related to larger anatomical parameters of C2 lamina. The use of a C2 translaminar screw with a diameter of 3.5 mm was generally feasible, even in children, but there was disagreement about risk of vertebral artery injury. Computed tomography was most frequently recommended preoperatively. Three-dimensional reconstruction was suggested by some authors. CONCLUSION: C2 lamina anatomy generally permitted screw fixation in most studies, but there was disagreement about risk of vertebral artery injury. Preoperative computed tomography was generally recommended, while, according to some authors, three-dimensional reconstruction could be essential. However, there is a relative lack of studies about non-Asian populations. More research could further illustrate the anatomy of C2 lamina, clarify the safety of axis fixation for more populations and perhaps modify preoperative imaging protocols.

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd. Turner's syndrome, one of the most common sex chromosome abnormalities in females, is caused by loss of part or all of an X chromosome. We report a case of mosaic Turner's syndrome, posted for elective cesarean delivery under low-dose sequential combined spinal epidural anesthesia. The unique features of this case were the combination of an anticipated difficult airway and both short stature and scoliosis in the lumbar region. A titrated combined spinal-epidural technique was performed in order to avoid hemodynamic instability, which could have been exacerbated in the presence of cardiovascular deformities that accompany this syndrome in many cases. The patient was managed successfully under regional anesthesia, which is generally a preferred technique to general anesthesia, to avoid sympathetic stimulation during intubation and emergence. Further, this technique may avoid potential complications associated with difficult airway management.

Introduction Sigmoid colon constitutes a part of the large intestine that presents several congenital anatomic variations. In particular, the presence of a redundant loop of sigmoid colon is of tremendous importance for surgeons, obstetricians and radiologists, since it is closely related to multiple pathological conditions and functional implications of the neighboring anatomical structures. PRESENTATION OF CASE: An unusual anatomic variation in position and length of the sigmoid colon and its mesocolon was unexpectedly detected during right hemicolectomy to a 67-year-old Caucasian male patient due to colon cancer. The operation was uneventful. A meticulous review of the literature was conducted as well. DISCUSSION: A redundant loop of sigmoid colon may go unnoticed or it might lead to urinary, digestive and vascular complications. Its presence is associated with acute and chronic pathological conditions, sigmoid volvulus and serious confusions in radiological diagnosis and instrumentation. CONCLUSION: Surgeons' thorough knowledge concerning this rare anatomic variation is fundamental and crucial in order to establish a correct diagnosis and assert the appropriate management when performing operations including pelvis and abdomen.

Background: To assess the accuracy of digital models generated using commercially available software to predict anterior teeth root inclination characteristics and compare the results to relevant data obtained from CBCT images. Material and Methods: Following sample size calculation and after application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, pre-treatment maxillary and mandibular plaster models and the corresponding CBCT scans of 31 patients attending a private orthodontic clinic were selected. The subjects were 10 males and 21 females with age range 12 to 40 years. Plaster models were scanned using the high resolution mode of an Ortho Insight 3D scanner and CBCT scans were taken using a Kodak 9500 Cone Beam 3D System machine. The teeth on the digital scans were segmented and virtual roots were predicted and constructed by the Ortho Insight 3D software. The long axes of the predicted roots and the actual roots, as segmented from the CBCT images, were computed using best-fit lines. The inter-axis angle was used to assess error in root inclination prediction by the software. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used. Intra-examiner error was evaluated using the Bland-Altman method. Results: The maximum disparity in angle between images derived from digital models and CBCT data was almost 40 degrees (upper left canine). The upper and lower canines produced the worst results, followed by the lower lateral incisors. The upper central incisors showed the best results, although the maximum angle of difference exceeded 20 degrees (with the median around 8 degrees). Conclusions: Root morphology imaging prediction is not a primary function of this software and this study confirmed its limitation as a sole tool in routine clinical applications. At present these predictions cannot be considered accurate or reliable unless correlated clinically with a radiographic image. Digital models, CBCT, tooth root inclination prediction software.

Progressive loss of organ function in most organs is associated with fibrosis, a tissue state associated with abnormal matrix buildup. If highly progressive, the fibrotic process eventually leads to organ failure and death. Fibrosis is a basic connective tissue lesion defined by the increase in the amount of fibrillar extracellular matrix (ECM) components in a tissue or organ. In addition, intrinsic changes in important structural cells can induce the fibrotic response by regulating the differentiation, recruitment, proliferation and activation of extracellular matrix-producing myofibroblasts. ECM enzymes belonging to the family of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and lysyl oxidases (LOXs) play a crucial role in ECM remodeling and regeneration. MMPs have a catalytic role in degradation of ECM, whereas LOX/LOXLs mediate ECM, especially collagen, cross-linking and stiffening. Importantly, enzymes from both families are elevated during the fibrotic response to tissue injury and its resolution. Yet, the apparent molecular competition or antagonistic activities of these enzyme families during the various stages of fibrosis is often overlooked. In this review, we discuss the diverse roles of MMPs and LOX/LOXL2 in chronic organ fibrosis. Finally, we review contemporary therapeutic strategies for fibrosis treatment, based on neutralization of MMP and LOX activity, as well as the development of novel drug delivery approaches.

This innovative, fresh look on Greek painting combines a standard, comprehensive survey of the material record – wall-paintings, painted panels, or slabs – with an in-depth exploration of the ways in which the Greeks themselves appreciated this demanding art. The book dwells on techniques, styles, themes, and masters, as well as their admirers, clients, and critics. At the same time, the author discusses recent breakthroughs in archaeology, cultural studies, and art history in order to offer a well-rounded picture of a unique phenomenon in Greek culture, a celebrated art that enjoyed a long afterlife. In this respect, this book is unique in its kind as it reflects new, multidisciplinary scholarly approaches to the material record which it combines with a more traditional, art-historical exploration. Drawing on a wide range of ancient authorities – from Plato and Xenophon to Cicero, Pliny, Lucian, and Philostratus – the author discusses the surviving works within their chronological framework and under the light of recent discoveries. After a wide-ranging discussion of painting in Bronze-Age Greece (Cyclades, Crete, Santorini, Mycenaean Greece), the book establishes a highly readable narrative of all technical, stylistic, iconographical and aesthetic developments through the Archaic, the Classical, and the Hellenistic period, before it culminates with the study of Graeco-Roman painting in the 2nd-3rd c. AD. The study thus covers all significant milestones in the development of Greek painting from the prehistoric through to the Roman era, as well as most surviving works (including many lesser known or recently discovered ones); it also pays tribute to the oeuvre and individual contributions of most great masters of antiquity. The book’s introduction offers a thorough account of the techniques and materials employed in ancient painting, alongside contemporary technical, scientific, and theoretical approaches to its study. The text is fully illustrated in color, and accompanied by an extensive bibliography and index. The Art of Painting in Ancient Greece is a scholarly monograph that would interest all Greek-art enthusiasts, archaeology and art-history students, as well as any academic working on classical Greece.

The present study tests the accuracy of commonly adopted ageing methods based on the morphology of the pubic symphysis, auricular surface and cranial sutures. These methods are examined both in their traditional form as well as in the context of transition analysis using the ADBOU software in a modern Greek documented collection consisting of 140 individuals who lived mainly in the second half of the twentieth century and come from cemeteries in the area of Athens. The auricular surface overall produced the most accurate age estimates in our material, with different methods based on this anatomical area showing varying degrees of success for different age groups. The pubic symphysis produced accurate results primarily for young adults and the same applied to cranial sutures but the latter appeared completely inappropriate for older individuals. The use of transition analysis through the ADBOU software provided less accurate results than the corresponding traditional ageing methods in our sample. Our results are in agreement with those obtained from validation studies based on material from across the world, but certain differences identified with other studies on Greek material highlight the importance of taking into account intra- and inter-population variability in age estimation.

Serum relaxin 2 (RL2) is a pleiotropic hormone that acts on various organs and systems, particularly the cardiovascular system. Although RL2 seems to upregulate the synthesis of nitric monoxide (NO) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9, current literature on its role in atherosclerosis and aneurysm formation is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of serum RL2 in patients with an arterial aneurysm as well as in atherosclerotic patients, and correlate them with the severity of their related vascular disease. A total of 53 subjects were enrolled in this study: 37 patients were scheduled to undergo surgery: 21 patients for different forms of atherosclerotic disease (ATH), 16 patients for an arterial aneurysm (AA), 6 patients for undergoing temporal artery biopsy (TAB), and 10 healthy blood donors (HBD) served as the control groups. RL2 was measured using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. RL2 was significantly higher in AA patients compared to ATH (P<0.01), TAB (P<0.001) and HBD (P<0.01). No significant difference was found between the ATH and TAB groups (P>0.05). In addition, ATH and AA patients were further subdivided based on the severity of their disease. Serum RL2 was progressively increased in patients with arterial aneurysms, showing a positive relationship with the size of the aneurysmatic dilatation. By contrast, the RL2 level was inversely related to the severity of the atherosclerotic disease. Studies with a larger cohort incorporating a consistent study population are warranted to verify our results and shed light on the mechanistic background of these processes.

Augmented Realty (AR) technology has a significant contribution in healthcare sector by offering valuable solutions the last two decades. The aim of this paper is to investigate the implementations of Augmented Reality technologies in healthcare, which include wearable devices such as AR Glasses and Optical Head-Mounted Display Devices (OHMD), by searching the international scientific literature. Relevant studies were retrieved online from scientific databases using keywords related to Augmented Reality in healthcare. The results indicate the numerous applications of these technologies in healthcare procedures, like diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, as well as in the education of healthcare professionals. The international scientific community encourages the usage of the AR wearable technologies like AR glasses in Healthcare.

Results from regular monitoring of relativistic compact binaries like PSR 1913+16 are consistent with the dominant (quadrupole) order emission of gravitational waves (GWs). We show that observations associated with the binary black hole (BBH) central engine of blazar OJ 287 demand the inclusion of gravitational radiation reaction effects beyond the quadrupolar order. It turns out that even the effects of certain hereditary contributions to GW emission are required to predict impact flare timings of OJ 287. We develop an approach that incorporates this effect into the BBH model for OJ 287. This allows us to demonstrate an excellent agreement between the observed impact flare timings and those predicted from ten orbital cycles of the BBH central engine model. The deduced rate of orbital period decay is nine orders of magnitude higher than the observed rate in PSR 1913+16, demonstrating again the relativistic nature of OJ 287's central engine. Finally, we argue that precise timing of the predicted 2019 impact flare should allow a test of the celebrated black hole “no-hair theorem” at the 10% level.

In ATel #12224 we reported the H & alpha; emission, derived from a wide-field photometric survey of the Small Magellanic Cloud (Maravelias et al. 2017, IAUS 329, 373; Maravelias et al. 2019, in prep.), of the proposed optical counterpart source [M2002] 20671 to the X-ray transient XTE J0052-723 pulsar (SXP 4.78; Swift J005139.2-721704; ATel #12209).

Background Risk-adjusted treatment has led to outstanding improvements of the remission and survival rates of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Nevertheless, overtreatment-related toxicity and resistance to therapy have not been fully prevented. In the present study, we evaluated for the first time the clinical impact of the apoptosis-related BCL2L12 gene in prognosis and risk stratification of BFM-treated childhood ALL. Methods Bone marrow specimens were obtained from childhood ALL patients upon disease diagnosis and the end-of-induction (EoI; day 33) of the BFM protocol, as well as from control children. Following total RNA extraction and reverse transcription, BCL2L12 expression levels were determined by qPCR. Patients' cytogenetics, immunophenotyping and minimal residual disease (MRD) evaluation were performed according to the international guidelines. Results BCL2L12 expression was significantly increased in childhood ALL and correlated with higher BCL2/BAX expression ratio and favorable disease markers. More importantly, BCL2L12 expression was associated with disease remission, while the reduced BCL2L12 expression was able to predict patients' poor response to BFM therapy, in terms of M2-M3 response and MRD>/=0.1% on day 15. The survival analysis confirmed the significantly higher risk of the BFM-treated patients underexpressing BCL2L12 at disease diagnosis for early relapse and worse survival. Lastly, evaluation of BCL2L12 expression clearly strengthened the prognostic value of the established disease prognostic markers, leading to superior prediction of patients' outcome and improved specificity of BFM risk stratification. Conclusions The expression levels of the apoptosis-related BCL2L12 predict response to treatment and survival outcome of childhood ALL patients receiving BFM chemotherapy.

AbstractIn this prospective study, we recruited a sample of Belgian adolescents (N = 886) to investigate to what extent perceived teachers? motivating style relates to quality of motivation in the beginning of the school year and, in turn, changes in study effort and procrastination by the end of the school year. After controlling for initial levels of study effort and procrastination and for a shared variance due to classroom membership, we found, through path analysis, perceived autonomy support and structure to relate positively to autonomous motivation, which in turn predicted increased study effort and decreased procrastination at the end of the school year. The findings are discussed from a theoretical and practical standpoint.

BACKGROUND: Natural products are a significantly underutilized source of potential treatments against human disease. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prime example of conditions that could be amenable to such treatments as suggested by recent findings. OBJECTIVE: Aiming to identify novel potentially therapeutic approaches against AD, we assessed the effects of Cichorium spinosum and Sideritis scardica extracts, both distinct components of the Mediterranean diet. METHODS/RESULTS: After the detailed characterization of the extracts' composition using LC-HRMS methods, they were evaluated on two AD neuronal cell culture models, namely the AbetaPP overexpressing SH-SY5Y-AbetaPP and the hyperphosphorylated tau expressing PC12-htau. Initially their effect on cell viability of SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells was examined, and subsequently their downstream effects on AbetaPP and tau processing pathways were investigated in the SH-SY5Y-AbetaPP and PC12-htau cells. We found that the S. scardica and C. spinosum extracts have similar effects on tau, as they both significantly decrease total tau, the activation of the GSK3beta, ERK1 and/or ERK2 kinases of tau, as well as tau hyperphosphorylation. Furthermore, both extracts appear to promote AbetaPP processing through the alpha, non-amyloidogenic pathway, albeit through partly different mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that C. spinosum and S. scardica could have a notable potential in the prevention and/or treatment of AD, and merit further investigations at the in vivo level.

Relatively little research drawing from self-determination theory has examined the links between controlling teaching environments and student motivation. To this end, two longitudinal studies were conducted to explore how students’ perceptions of controlling teaching behavior and experiences of psychological need frustration were associated with a number of motivation-related outcomes over a school year. Multilevel growth modelling indicated that changes in perceptions of controlling teaching positively related to changes in need frustration across the school year (Studies 1 & 2) which, in turn, negatively related to autonomous motivation and positively related to controlled motivation and amotivation in Study 1 (N = 419); and positively related to fear of failure, contingent self-worth, and challenge avoidance in Study 2 (N = 447). Significant indirect effects also supported the mediating role of need frustration. These findings reinforce the need for research on the negative motivational pathways which link controlling teaching to poor quality student motivation. Implications for teacher training are discussed.

Τα τελευταία χρόνια, διάφορες εταιρείες σε συνεργασία με ερευνητικά εργαστήρια στο χώρο της Βιοακουστικής έχουν αναπτύξει λογισμικά ακουστικής ανάλυσης των καλεσμάτων των πουλιών, μέσω αυτόματης αναγνώρισης προτύπων, που ταυτοποιούν τη ρυθμική και μελωδική δομή του ‘‘τραγουδιού’’ τους σύμφωνα με τη βιολογική τους κατάταξη. Οι εφαρμογές αυτές ακολουθούν διαφορετική μεθοδολογία ως προς το κομμάτι της ανάλυσης και της αναγνώρισης, ωστόσο παρουσιάζουν κάποια κοινά μειονεκτήματα, όπως είναι η χαμηλή ακρίβεια, η έλλειψη μεθόδων επαγγελματικής ανάλυσης για μεγαλύτερο εύρος πουλιών, οι διάφορες τεχνικές δυσκολίες και η προϋπόθεση ύπαρξης εξειδικευμένου ανθρώπινου δυναμικού για την υλοποίησή τους. Στο πλαίσιο αυτής της ανακοίνωσης θα παρουσιάσουμε κάποιες από τις υπάρχουσες εφαρμογές και σημαντικές έρευνες πού έχουν πραγματοποιηθεί στο πεδίο αυτό, ενώ παράλληλα θα σχολιάσουμε τις επικρατέστερες μεθόδους και τεχνικές που χρησιμοποιούν. Εν συνεχεία θα αναφερθούμε στο πρόβλημα της καταγραφής και της συγκριτικής μελέτης μεγαλύτερου εύρους πουλιών, καθώς και στη δημιουργία μίας νέας εφαρμογής αναγνώρισης που μελλοντικά θα περιλαμβάνει την ελληνική ορνιθοπανίδα. Τέλος, θα συζητήσουμε τα οφέλη της εφαρμογής αυτού του τύπου λογισμικών στη σχολική εκπαίδευση και τον ηχητικό και μουσικό εγγραμματισμό στο πλαίσιο της ακουστικής οικολογίας.

The reaction of the bis(pentalene)dititanium complex Ti2(μ:η5,η5-Pn†)2 (Pn† = C8H4(1,4-SiiPr3)2) (1) with the N-heterocyclic carbene 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene results in intramolecular C-H activation of an isopropyl substituent to form a tucked-in hydride (3). Whilst pyridine will also effect this cyclometallation reaction to form (5), the pyridine analogue of (3), the bases 1,2,4,5-tetramethyl-imidazole, 2,6-lutidine, DABCO or trimethylphosphine are ineffective. The reaction of (1) with 2,6-dichloro-pyridine affords crystallographically characterised (6) which is the product of oxidative addition of one of the C-Cl bonds in 2,6-dichloro-pyridine across the Ti-Ti double bond in (1). The tucked-in hydride (3) reacts with hydrogen to afford a dihydride complex (4) in which the tuck-in process has been reversed; detailed experimental and computational studies on this reaction using D2, HD or H2/D2 support a mechanism for the formation of (4) which does not involve σ-bond metathesis of H2 with the tucked-in C-H bond in (3). The reaction of (3) with tBuCCH yields the corresponding acetylide hydrido complex (7), where deuteration studies show that again the reaction does not proceed via σ-bond metathesis. Finally, treatment of (3) with HCl affords the chloro-derivative (9) [(NHC)Ti(μ-H)Ti{(μ,η5:η5)Pn†}2Cl], whereas protonation with [NEt3H]BPh4 yielded a cationic hydride (10) featuring an agostic interaction between a Ti centre and an iPr Me group.

We consider implications of high-energy neutrino emission from blazar flares, including the recent event IceCube-170922A and the 2014-2015 neutrino flare that could originate from TXS 0506+056. First, we discuss their contribution to the diffuse neutrino intensity taking into account various observational constraints. Blazars are likely to be subdominant in the diffuse neutrino intensity at sub-PeV energies, and we show that blazar flares like those of TXS 0506+056 could make ≲1%-10% of the total neutrino intensity. We also argue that the neutrino output of blazars can be dominated by the flares in the standard leptonic scenario for their γ-ray emission, and energetic flares may still be detected with a rate of ≲ 1 {yr}}-1. Second, we consider multi-messenger constraints on the source modeling. We show that luminous neutrino flares should be accompanied by luminous broadband cascade emission, emerging also in X-rays and γ-rays. This implies that not only γ-ray telescopes like Fermi but also X-ray sky monitors such as Swift and MAXI are critical to test the canonical picture based on the single-zone modeling. We also suggest a two-zone model that can naturally satisfy the X-ray constraints while explaining the flaring neutrinos via either photomeson or hadronuclear processes.

Cadaver's dissection has a fundamental role in teaching and understanding the anatomy. Postmortem body donation (PMBD) is an important source of cadavers and provides an opportunity to carry out research or educational activities in medicine and surgery. The objective of the current study is to determine the perspectives and attitudes toward PMBD among blood donors (BLD) and elderly people. These data are fundamental to highlight the PMBD extent and individual factors that might influence PMBD. Concerning the perception of body donation (BD) among BLD and elderly, the most common reason for BD was the contribution in research, in both study groups, while the commonest reason for hesitating BD was the lack of information following by personal reasons, concerning BLD and the elderly. The BLD were more likely to be interesting in BD for contribution in research and personal reasons. Additionally, BLD compare to the elderly were less likely to hesitate BD for religious and personal reasons and more likely to hesitate BD for not being informed. BLD who interested in BD for contribution in research were significantly older. Elderly that hesitated BD for personal reasons was significantly older. In BLD group, those that responded that blood and body donation are the same were significantly younger, while in the elderly were significantly older. The proportion of BLD that declared that blood and body donation is the same was significantly higher in more educated people. A need for well-organized and informative BD programs is evident. Orientating the public towards this practice is of high moral and medical value, since with this important promotion the altruistic act of BD will expand globally.

OBJECTIVE: Several lines of evidence point to a probable relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but studies have yielded inconsistent findings on the BDNF serum level in ASD. The study aimed to assess those levels in children with ASD and their families. METHOD: BDNF serum levels were measured in 45 ASD children without intellectual disability (ID) and allergies, age 30-42 months and age-matched normal controls. BDNF serum levels in the parents of the ASD subjects were compared to normal controls. BDNF serum levels in the ASD subjects were followed up for 3 years and correlated with adaptive functioning changes. RESULTS: BDNF serum levels were measured to be lower in children with ASD and independent of all the major baseline characteristics of the subjects. Having a child with ASD raises the BDNF levels in parents comparing to controls. Prospectively, no correlation between the change of BDNF variables in time and the change of the Vineland scores was found. CONCLUSIONS: Our results contradict those from recent published meta-analyses with the age, the presence of ID and allergies being possible contributing factors. The parents' data indeed point to a role of BDNF in the pathophysiology of ASD

In gravity surveys, many unwanted effects are produced by geological or non-geological sources. These calculable effects have to be removed through the data reduction procedure. Common corrections in gravity measurements are those for the instrument drift, the tide, the Free Air, the Bouguer and the terrain effect. However, when we deal with gravity campaigns carried out in cities, we also have to take into consideration the so-called Building Correction. This concerns the correction of the gravitational effect caused by the existence of buildings and anthropogenic constructions (stadiums, bridges etc.) close to a gravity measurement. This process can become quite demanding sometimes. Because of that, in this paper we discuss a calculation method for the Building Correction of the gravity measurements. Two types of data are crucial in that procedure. The first one is the mean building density and the other one is the volume of the existing buildings, which is related to the spatial distribution and the buildings height. The mean building density has been calculated in this paper, based on percentage contribution of the building materials (concrete, bricks etc.) of the whole building volume. The calculated mean building density was equal to 0.44 g/cm3. A Building Height Map has been produced, based on the Digital Elevation Model and the Digital Surface Model. Taking into account the building volume and their density, a simulation of the terrain correction procedure has been carried out, for the Building Correction calculation. The calculated Building Correction values range from almost zero (in the suburbs) to 0.25 mGal. A comparison for the Residual Anomaly values (affected by the Building Correction) has also been made. Differences up to 0.19 mGal revealed are considered to be quite significant for the credibility of the final data.

Proteins carry out the majority of cellular functions and maintain cellular homeodynamics mostly by participating in multimeric assemblies that operate as protein machines. Proteome quality control is thus critical for cellular functionality, and it is carried out through the curating activity of the proteostasis network (PN). Key components of the PN are the protein synthesis and trafficking modules, the endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response, molecular chaperones, and the two main degradation machineries, namely the ubiquitin proteasome and autophagy lysosome pathways. Part of the PN are also several stress responsive pathways, including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which mobilises genomic responses against oxidative and/or xenobiotic damage. Nevertheless, the gradual accumulation of stressors during ageing or earlier due to lifestyle results in an increasingly damaged and unstable proteome. This outcome may then increase genomic instability due to reduced DNA replication fidelity or repair, leading to various age-related diseases such as cancer. Considering that the activation of proteostatic modules exerts anti-ageing effects in model organisms, we present herein a synopsis of studies showing that proteostatic modules activation (e.g. by natural products) represents a promising tumour-chemopreventive approach.

OBJECTIVES: Chemerin is an emerging adipocytokine at the intersection of inflammation, chemotaxis, thrombosis, fibrinolysis and metabolism. Our aims were 1) to explore circulating chemerin in resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) taking into account its several interfaces; 2) to study its diagnostic potential; and 3) to assess its associations with clinicopathological features of NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a large case-control study, serum chemerin, insulin resistance and lipid parameters, classic adipocytokines, inflammatory, coagulation, fibrinolysis and tumor biomarkers were determined in 110 consecutive patients with resectable NSCLC and 110 healthy controls matched on age (± 5 years), gender and date of blood draw (± 1 month). RESULTS: NSCLC cases exhibited significantly elevated circulating chemerin compared to controls (p < 0.001). In NSCLC cases, chemerin was positively associated with Homeostasis model assessment score of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fibrinogen, plasminogen activity, tumor and inflammatory biomarkers, adiponectin, number of infiltrated lymph nodes and NSCLC stage. In control participants, circulating chemerin was positively correlated with somatometric, metabolic, lipid, hemostatic and inflammatory biomarkers, and leptin. Serum chemerin was independently associated with NSCLC, above and beyond NSCLC risk factors (OR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.09-4.40, p = 0.03). In cases, hemostatic parameters (platelet count and plasminogen activity), HOMA-IR, CYFRA 21-1, creatinine and plant food consumption emerged as independent predictors of circulating chemerin (p < 0.05). Serum chemerin greater than 220 μg/L (cut-off point) yielded a sensitivity and a specificity of 63% and 91.8% respectively with a modest discriminative ability (AUC = 0.72, 95% C.I. 0.64-0.79) for the diagnosis of NSCLC. CONCLUSION: Chemerin may represent a potentially useful biomarker in NSCLC integrating tumor-promoting networks, inflammatory and hemostatic mechanisms, and cancer-related metabolic pathways. More preclinical, prospective and longitudinal studies highlighting the pathogenetic role of chemerin in NSCLC are needed to corroborate and extend these data.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this review, we investigate the role of classic and novel adipocytokines in cancer pathogenesis synopsizing the mechanisms underlying the association between adipocytokines and malignancy. Special emphasis is given on novel adipocytokines as new evidence is emerging regarding their entanglement in neoplastic development. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent data have emphasized the role of the triad of overweight/obesity, insulin resistance and adipocytokines in cancer. In the setting of obesity, classic and novel adipocytokines present independent and joint effects on activation of major intracellular signaling pathways implicated in cell proliferation, expansion, survival, adhesion, invasion, and metastasis. Until now, more than 15 adipocytokines have been associated with cancer, and this list continues to expand. While the plethora of circulating pro-inflammatory adipocytokines, such as leptin, resistin, extracellular nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase, and chemerin are elevated in malignancies, some adipocytokines such as adiponectin and omentin-1 are generally decreased in cancers and are considered protective against carcinogenesis. Elucidating the intertwining of inflammation, cellular bioenergetics, and adiposopathy is significant for the development of preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies against cancer. Novel more effective and safe adipocytokine-centered therapeutic interventions may pave the way for targeted oncotherapy.

Disparities among nations in the summer Olympics are often ascribed to long-lasting climatic influences. In this study, we examined six Summer Games (1996–2016) to investigate the potential correlation between climatic origin and national Olympic success in 12 dissimilar sports categories. We measured total success by medal tallies (MT) and the revealed symmetric comparative advantage (CA). Using Tobit regression, we tested the effect of four generic climates (Dry–Arid, Tropical–Equatorial, Warm–Humid, Cool–Humid) against the covariation of population, gross domestic product and the socialist system. The Tobit models were significant both for MT (ρ2 = 0.20–0.73) and CA (ρ2 = 0.08–0.54). With a few minor exceptions (Weights, Aquatics/Water, Combat) much of the variation in MT and CA was explained by the three covariates. Inter-nation disparities in Olympic performance are unrelated to climatic origin. The previously observed ‘advantage’ of the Temperate climate is discussed considering the strong ‘socialist’ covariate.

Although childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is characterized by high remission rates, there are still patients who experience poor response to therapy or toxic effects due to intensive treatment. In the present study, we examined the expression profile of miR-143 and miR-182 in childhood ALL and evaluated their clinical significance for patients receiving Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster (BFM) protocol. Bone marrow specimens from 125 childhood ALL patients upon diagnosis and the end-of-induction (EoI; day 33), as well as from 64 healthy control children undergone RNA extraction, polyadenylation, and reverse transcription. Expression levels of miRNAs were quantified by qPCR analysis. Patients' cytogenetic, immunohistotype and MRD evaluation was performed according to international guidelines. Median follow-up time was 86.0 months (95% CI 74.0-98.0), while patients' mean DFS and OS intervals were 112.0 months (95% CI 104.2-119.8) and 109.2 months (95% CI 101.2-117.3), respectively. Bone marrow levels of miR-143/miR-182 were significantly decreased in childhood ALL patients at diagnosis and increased in more than 90% of patients at the EoI. Patients' survival analysis highlighted that children overexpressing miR-143/miR-182 at the EoI presented significantly higher risk for short-term relapse (log-rank test: p = 0.021; Cox regression: HR = 4.911, p = 0.038) and death (log-rank test: p = 0.028; Cox regression: HR = 4.590, p = 0.046). Finally, the evaluation of the miR-143/miR-182 EoI levels along with the established disease prognostic markers resulted to improved prediction of BFM-treated patients' survival outcome and response to therapy and additionally to superior BFM risk stratification specificity. Concluding, miR-143 and miR-182 could serve as novel prognostic molecular markers for pediatric ALL treated with BFM chemotherapy.

The long-term change of the shoreline location is a phenomenon, which is highly factored in the design of construction projects along the coastal zone. Especially, beach erosion is characterized as one of the major problems at coastal areas and it is of high importance as a quite significant percentage of social development is concentrated in a relatively narrow zone not far from the waterfront. This study presents a methodology that aims to quantify the shoreline displacement rate by involving the processing of different types of remote sensing datasets such as aerial photographs, satellite images and unmanned aerial system data coupled with in-situ observations and measurements. Several photogrammetric techniques were used in order to orthorectify and homogenize a time series of remotely sensed data acquired from 1945 to 2017, representing a rapidly relocating coastal zone at the southern part of Corinth Gulf (Greece), as a case study. All images were digitally processed and optically optimized in order to produce a highly accurate representation of the shoreline at the time period of each acquisition. The data were imported in a Geographic Information System platform, where they were subjected to comparison and geostatistical analysis. High erosion rates were calculated, reaching the order of 0.18 m/year on average whilst extreme rates of 0.70 m/year were also observed in specific locations leading to the segmentation of the coastal zone according to its vulnerability and consequently the risk for further development as well as the effectiveness of measures already taken by the authorities.

Complete duplication of ureters is a very rare clinical entity that may either be asymptomatic or present with a variety of clinical findings. In the presented case a 51-year-old Caucasian female underwent an intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer. Intraoperatively, during the standard bilateral recognition and mobilization of the ureters, complete unilateral duplication of the left ureter was incidentally detected, deriving from a single renal parenchyma. Such a congenital abnormality though constitutes a major risk-factor of accidental ureteral injury during operations including pelvis. Conclusively, meticulous exposure of both ureters combined with surgeons' unceasing awareness constitute the cornerstone of a safe operation.

Blazars are a sub-category of radio-loud active galactic nuclei with relativistic jets pointing towards to the observer. They are well-known for their non-thermal variable emission, which practically extends over the whole electromagnetic spectrum. Despite the plethora of multi-wavelength observations, the issue about the origin of the γ -ray and radio emission in blazar jets remains unsettled. Here, we construct a parametric leptonic model for studying the connection between the γ -ray and radio emission in both steady-state and flaring states of blazars. Assuming that relativistic electrons are injected continuously at a fixed distance from the black hole, we numerically study the evolution of their population as it propagates to larger distances while losing energy due to expansion and radiative cooling. In this framework, γ -ray photons are naturally produced at small distances (e.g., 10 - 3 pc) when the electrons are still very energetic, whereas the radio emission is produced at larger distances (e.g., 1 pc), after the electrons have cooled and the emitting region has become optically thin to synchrotron self-absorption due to expansion. We present preliminary results of our numerical investigation for the steady-state jet emission and the predicted time lags between γ -rays and radio during flares.

Blazars are a sub-category of radio-loud active galactic nuclei with relativistic jets pointing towards to the observer. They are well-known for their non-thermal variable emission, which practically extends over the whole electromagnetic spectrum. Despite the plethora of multi-wavelength observations, the issue about the origin of the γ-ray and radio emission in blazar jets remains unsettled. Here, we construct a parametric leptonic model for studying the connection between the γ-ray and radio emission in both steady-state and flaring states of blazars. Assuming that relativistic electrons are injected continuously at a fixed distance from the black hole, we numerically study the evolution of their population as it propagates to larger distances while losing energy due to expansion and radiative cooling. In this framework, γ-ray photons are naturally produced at small distances (e.g., 10‑3 pc) when the electrons are still very energetic, whereas the radio emission is produced at larger distances (e.g., 1 pc), after the electrons have cooled and the emitting region has become optically thin to synchrotron self-absorption due to expansion. We present preliminary results of our numerical investigation for the steady-state jet emission and the predicted time lags between γ-rays and radio during flares.

The controlled modification of superconductivity by any means is a long-standing issue in low-temperature physics. In this work, we present data on the control of the superconducting properties of conventional low critical-temperature (T-C) Nb thin films with thickness (d(Nb)) =15 and 20 nm under application of reconfigurable strain, S induced by an external electric field, and E-ex to a piezoelectric (PE) single crystal, namely (1 - x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O-3 - x PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) with x =0.30-0.31. The experimental results (reduction of T-C and critical current (J(C)) on the order of 6% and 90-100%, respectively) are nicely reproduced with a phenomenological model that incorporates the constitutive relation S(E-ex) that describes the electro-mechanical response of the PE crystal to well-established formulas that describe T-C and J(C) of the SC thin films.

The controlled modification of superconductivity by any means, specifically in hybrid systems, has attracted much interest in the recent decades. Here, we present experimental data and phenomenological modeling on the control of T-C of superconducting (SC) Nb thin films, with thickness 3 nm <= d(Nb) <= 50 nm, under the application of in-plane strain, S(E-ex) induced by an external out-of-plane electric field, E-ex to piezoelectric (PE) single crystals, namely, (1 - x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O-3-xPbTiO(3) (PMN-xPT), with x = 0.27 and 0.31. We report experimental modification of TC of Nb by E-ex, accurately described by a phenomenological model that incorporates the constitutive relation S(E-ex) of PMN-xPT. The systematic experimental-phenomenological modeling approach introduced here is generic and paves the way for an understanding of the underlying physical mechanisms in any SC/PE hybrid. Published by AIP Publishing.

The Gulf of Corinth (Central Greece) is among the most active tectonic rifts worldwide. This is evidenced by the high level of seismicity, the intense E-W trending normal faulting and the high extension rate in a N-S direction. Destructive earthquakes, such as the Heliki event in 373 BC, have occurred since the antiquity. Intense seismicity has also occurred during the instrumental era, with the most recent strong event being the Ms=6.2 1995 Aigion earthquake. In this work, we present the RASMON and CORSSA accelerometric arrays installed across the Gulf of Corinth by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and collaborative institutes in the frame of EU and national projects. Accelerometers were first installed in 1991 and through continuous upgrades and maintenance remain in operation to date, having recorded several thousands of high-quality acceleration time-series of local and regional earthquakes. Nowadays, the accelerometric network comprises eleven (11) three-component instruments (RASMON) and a 15-component vertical array (CORSSA) operating in trigger mode. Six stations located on the southern shore of the Gulf are online via a MOXA serial-to-TCP/IP converter. Recently, NKUA has undertaken an upgrade task of the arrays in the frame of the HELPOS project, the national analog to the EU-wide EPOS project. Upgrade includes conversion of the serial Etna/K2 Kinemetrics instruments into SeedLink servers using Raspberry PIs. Therefore, via Earthworm software, tunneling to NKUA and NTP timing will be plausible. To this aim, tests are currently implemented yielding promising perspective.

Bisphenol-A (BPA), a prototype endocrine disrupting molecule, has been associated with many disease entities such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, polycystic ovarian disease, cardiovascular disease, reproductive and neurodevelopmental disorders. BPA has also been associated mainly with hormone sensitive cancers such as breast, prostate, endometrial, ovarian, testicular and thyroid cancers but also non-hormonal sensitive cancers such as cervical and lung cancers, osteosarcoma and meningioma. Recent research has investigated the sources of contamination which are responsible for higher BPA concentrations in the oral cavity and oropharyngeal space, representing the first site of BPA exposure after ingestion. Besides growing awareness and case registration, the incidence and prevalence of oral (OC) and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) have increased during the last decades correlating with the increased production of BPA worldwide. So far, no study in the medical literature has explored the association of BPA with OC and OPC. BPA may be linked to the etiopathogenesis of OC and OPC through a multitude of mechanisms encompassing and interconnecting genetic, epigenetic, inflammatory, immune, metabolic, hormonal and oxidative stress alterations as well as modulation of oral microbiome. Hence, it is not possible to rule out a potential role of BPA exposure in oral and oropharyngeal tissue carcinogenesis, especially knowing its potential to participate in other non hormonal sensitive malignancies and to deregulate signaling pathways implicated in OC and OPC. This perspective aims at outlining evidence and proposing for the first time a potential link between BPA with OC and OPC, the most frequent subtypes of head and neck malignancies.

This article, covering the roughly decade-long “Greek crisis” (2008-2018), uses official statistics in order to examine the effects the prolonged recession had for archaeology in Greece. As the data show, although revenues from museums and archaeological sites are in considerable rise (a side effect of “crisis tourism” among other factors), state spending on archaeological research is lacking; furthermore, the steady collapse of the state apparatus during this long decade has seriously affected archaeology and the ways it is practiced in the country, ultimately leading to the loss of an entire generation of Greek archaeologists.

Atherosclerosis affects millions of people worldwide. However, the wide variety of limitations in the current therapeutic options leaves much to be desired in future lipid-lowering therapies. For example, although statins, which are the first-line treatment for coronary heart disease (CHD), reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in a large percentage of patients, they lead to optimal levels of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) in only about one-third of patients. A new promising research direction against atherosclerosis aims to improve lipoprotein metabolism. Novel therapeutic approaches are being developed to increase the levels of functional high density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. This review aims to highlight the atheroprotective potential of the in vitro synthesized reconstituted HDL particles containing apolipoprotein E (apoE) as their sole apolipoprotein component (rHDL-apoE). For this purpose, we provide: (1) a summary of the atheroprotective properties of native plasma HDL and its apolipoprotein components, apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and apoE; (2) an overview of the anti-atherogenic functions of rHDL-apoA-I and apoA-I-containing HDL, i.e., natural HDL isolated from transgenic Apoa1(-/-) x Apoe(-/-) mice overexpressing human apoA-I (HDL-apoA-I); and (3) the latest developments and therapeutic potential of HDL-apoE and rHDL-apoE. Novel rHDL formulations containing apoE could possibly present enhanced biological functions, leading to improved therapeutic efficacy against atherosclerosis.

One of the most important challenges of contemporary Orthodox theology is the possibility of creative dialogue with the methods and the results of modern New Testament scholarship. This paper claims that a combination of the Orthodox theological tradition and New Testament scholarship is not only possible but indeed necessary. Since the first centuries, the Church Fathers have been studying the New Testament by a variety of approaches using the methodological tools of their respective era. The Church Fathers have considered the New Testament as being a book written by inspired human beings and witnessing the divine revelation. During the middle and later Byzantine period, the patristic biblical exegesis has gradually gained so much authority and importance that it became normative for all later interpretations. One could characterize the patristic interpretation of the Holy Scripture during the first Christian centuries as a “canon after the canon.” Modern-day New Testament scholarship is also not free of problems with regard to both method and content. From an Orthodox perspective, this is due to the fact that it often exceeds its own limits by trying to access the uncreated divine reality by using created scholarly methods and categories. The Church Fathers have avoided this inconsistency by developing and following a “double theological methodology,” namely distinct approaches to the created reality and the uncreated one. Just like the Church Fathers made use of the philosophical and theological language and methods of their own time, nowadays Orthodox Theology can significantly profit from the use of the methods and results of New Testament scholarship. This is the only way for it to provide convincing answers to contemporary questions. Such a practice would be an adoption of the true spirit of the Church Fathers, as opposed to merely citing their texts that refer to a different time and focus on different problems from our own.

A benchmark is a reference point for comparisons established from the value of a performance indicator. In order to create benchmarks for volleyball, we used performance data from each team of the Greek Volley League from the season 2005-2006 until the season 2016-2017 (N = 143). We considered the effectiveness of 14 parameters from five skills: serve, attack after passing, attack after defence, block and pass. The results showed that high-level teams of the Greek championship, which finished in positions 1-4, had as benchmarks: (a) in serve, two aces every five serve errors, while teams 9-12 had two aces every six errors, (b) in attack after passing one error or one passive block every four kills, while teams 9-12 had one every five kills, (c) in attack after defence one error or one passive block every three kills versus every two kills for 9-12 and (d) one error every nine passes on the target against every seven passes for 9-12. Overall, the results of this study indicate that success in volleyball can be explained with skill performance indicators, expressed as the ratio of successful to unsuccessful attempts, or with a ratio of successful attempts per set, in case of block skill. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR

Objective. Autonomy-supportive and psychologically controlling parenting have been shown to relate to positive and negative developmental outcomes, respectively. Most research that addresses antecedents of these parenting constructs has focused on the predictive role of between-parent differences (e.g., personality). To gain insight in dynamics of within-parent changes in reported parenting, this study focused on daily fluctuations in reported autonomy-supportive and psychologically controlling parenting and examined the role of parents’ need satisfaction and need frustration in accounting for those fluctuations. Design. Mothers (M age = 45) and fathers (M age = 47) of 198 adolescents (M age = 15) participated in a 7-day diary study. Results. Multilevel modeling provided evidence for significant day-to-day variability in both parenting dimensions. Daily fluctuations in need satisfaction were related to daily fluctuations in reported autonomy-supportive parenting and daily fluctuations in need frustration were related to daily fluctuations in reported psychologically controlling parenting. These associations were not moderated by between-parent differences in those parenting dimensions. Conclusions. The findings provide evidence for the role of parents’ own needs-related experiences in their daily display of autonomy-supportive and psychologically controlling parenting.

Context. We carried out new observations of two fields in the star-forming northern ring of M 31 with XMM-Newton with each one of them consisting of two exposures of about 100 ks each. A previous XMM-Newton survey of the entire M 31 galaxy revealed extended diffuse X-ray emission in these regions. Aims: We study the population of X-ray sources in the northern disc of M 31 by compiling a complete list of X-ray sources down to a sensitivity limit of ∼7 × 1034 erg s-1 (0.5-2.0 keV) and improve the identification of the X-ray sources. The major objective of the observing programme was the study of the hot phase of the interstellar medium (ISM) in M 31. The analysis of the diffuse emission and the study of the ISM is presented in a separate paper. Methods: We analysed the spectral properties of all detected sources using hardness ratios and spectra if the statistics were high enough. We also checked for variability. In order to classify the sources detected in the new deep XMM-Newton observations, we cross-correlated the source list with the source catalogue of a new survey of the northern disc of M 31 carried out with the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope (Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Treasury, PHAT) as well as with other existing catalogues. Results: We detected a total of 389 sources in the two fields of the northern disc of M 31 observed with XMM-Newton. We identified 43 foreground stars and candidates and 50 background sources. Based on a comparison with the results of the Chandra/PHAT survey, we classify 24 hard X-ray sources as new candidates for X-ray binaries. In total, we identified 34 X-ray binaries and candidates and 18 supernova remnants (SNRs) and candidates. We studied the spectral properties of the four brightest SNRs and confirmed five new X-ray SNRs. Three of the four SNRs, for which a spectral analysis was performed, show emission mainly below 2 keV, which is consistent with shocked ISM. The spectra of two of them also require an additional component with a higher temperature. The SNR [SPH11] 1535 has a harder spectrum and might suggest that there is a pulsar-wind nebula inside the SNR. For all SNRs in the observed fields, we measured the X-ray flux or calculated upper limits. We also carried out short-term and long-term variability studies of the X-ray sources and found five new sources showing clear variability. In addition, we studied the spectral properties of the transient source SWIFT J004420.1+413702, which shows significant variation in flux over a period of seven months (June 2015 to January 2016) and associated change in absorption. Based on the likely optical counterpart detected in the Chandra/PHAT survey, the source is classified as a low-mass X-ray binary. Based on observations obtained with XMM-Newton, an ESA science mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member States and NASA.Tables A.1-A.6 are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (ftp://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/620/A28

Tsoukos, A, Veligekas, P, Brown, LE, Terzis, G, and Bogdanis, GC. Delayed effects of a low-volume, power-type resistance exercise session on explosive performance. J Strength Cond Res 32(3): 643-650, 2018-This study examined the delayed effects of a power-type training session on explosive performance. Seventeen well-trained male power and team sport athletes (age: 22.7 ± 5.5 years, height: 181 ± 8 cm, body mass: 80.7 ± 8.6 kg, body fat: 9.2 ± 1.7%, 1 repetition maximum (1RM) half-squat: 163 ± 29 kg) performed 4 sessions (2 experimental and 2 control) 1 week apart in a randomized and counterbalanced order. Explosive performance was assessed before, 24 and 48 hours after a low-volume, power-type training session (5 × 4 jump squats at 40% 1RM with 3 minutes rest), as well as before and after 24 and 48 hours of rest (control). Dependent variables were as follows: countermovement jump (CMJ), reactive strength index (RSI) during a drop jump, leg press maximum isometric force, and rate of force development (RFD) at 3 time windows: 0-100, 0-200, and 0-300 milliseconds. Analysis of variance revealed no changes in the control conditions. In contrast after training, CMJ was improved by 5.1 ± 1.0% and 3.0 ± 1.0% at 24 and 48 hours, respectively, compared with baseline. The RSI improved by 10.7 ± 2.1% only at 24 hours. The RFD increased at all time windows at 24 hours (range of improvement: 9.7 ± 3.4% to 18.3 ± 4.1%, p < 0.01). However, at 48 hours, improvement was only seen in RFD0-100 (9.8 ± 3.1%, p < 0.01). These findings suggest that a low-volume, power-type training session results in delayed enhancement of explosive muscle performance, which is greatest at 24 hours after the activity. Athletes are advised to perform power-type training 1 day before competition or a high-quality training session to improve their performances.

We demonstrate that a non-reciprocal, time-variant fiber cavity can operate above the "fundamental" time-bandwidth limit (TBL) of reciprocal structures by more than two orders of magnitude. © 2018 The Author(s).

Cloud computing is a reality in most business sectors. Hospitals have been more reluctant to adopt cloud technology due to strict data security regulations. Cloud could provide economies of scale reducing Information Technology spending in the Greek state-owned hospitals, while giving the opportunity to the hospitals to upgrade their profile offering web-based services. We propose a simple, robust and easy to apply approach for the Greek hospitals, focusing on clinical and laboratory data in order to move to the cloud environment. To the best of our knowledge, there is no other study regarding the adoption of cloud infrastructure in the Greek hospital sector. This innovative method could transform the business model of the hospitals.

We report the results of AstroSat and NuSTAR observations of the Be/X-ray binary pulsar SXP 15.3 in the Small Magellanic Cloud during its outburst in late 2017, when the source reached a luminosity level of ∼1038 erg s-1, close to the Eddington limit. The unprecedented broad-band coverage of the source allowed us to perform timing and spectral analysis between 3 and 80 keV. The pulse profile exhibits a significant energy dependence, and morphs from a double-peaked profile to a single broad pulse at energies >15 keV. This can be explained by a spectral hardening during an intensity dip seen between the two peaks of the pulse profile. We detect a Cyclotron Resonance Scattering Feature at ∼5 keV in the X-ray spectrum, independent of the choice of the continuum model. This indicates a magnetic field strength of 6 × 1011 G for the neutron star.

We report an optical/UV jet and counterjet in M84, previously unreported in archival Hubble Space Telescope imaging. With archival VLA, ALMA, and Chandra imaging, we examine the first well-sampled spectral energy distribution of the inner jet of M84, where we find that multiple co-spatial spectral components are required. In particular, the ALMA data reveal that the radio spectrum of all four knots in the jet turns over at approximately 100 GHz, which requires a second component for the bright optical/UV emission. Further, the optical/UV has a soft spectrum and is inconsistent with the relatively flat X-ray spectrum, which indicates a third component at higher energies. Using archival VLA imaging, we have measured the proper motion of the innermost knots at 0.9 ± 0.6 and 1.1 ± 0.4c, which when combined with the low jet-to-counterjet flux ratio yields an orientation angle for the system of {74}-18+9°. In the radio, we find high fractional polarization of the inner jet of up to 30% while in the optical no polarization is detected (<8%). We investigate different scenarios for explaining the particular multicomponent spectral energy distribution (SED) of the knots. Inverse Compton models are ruled out due to the extreme departure from equipartition and the unrealistically high total jet power required. The multicomponent SED can be naturally explained within a leptohadronic scenario, but at the cost of very high power in relativistic protons. A two-component synchrotron model remains a viable explanation, but more theoretical work is needed to explain the origin and properties of the electron populations.

In this paper we attempt to classify drainage sub-basins according to their erosion risk. We have adopted a multi-step procedure to face this problem. The input variables were introduced into a GIS platform. These variables are the vulnerability of the surface rocks to erosion, slope gradient, vegetation cover and land use and drainage basin characteristics. We then constructed a fuzzy inference mechanism to pre-process the input variables. Next we used neural-network technology to process the input variables. The above system was trained to ‘learn’and classify the input data. The output of this procedure was a classification of the sub-drainage basins related to their risk of erosion. This neuro-fuzzy system was applied to the island of Lefkas (Greece).

Introduction: Use of Integrated Health Information Systems (IHIS) for the provision of healthcare services benefits both healthcare professionals and patients, while requiring continuous evaluation and upgrading to fully support its role. Aim: The main purpose of the study was to develop an evaluation framework for hospitals utilizing IHIS, within the three main areas identified as Human factor, Technology and Organization. Material and methods: The questionnaire consisted of 43 questions, with 17 questions (related to categories procedures, system quality and satisfaction), 25 questions (related to categories, safety and collaboration) and 1 question related to accessibility to the system (within the category system quality). Three open questions were added to evaluate users' perception on what was needed for the improvement of health services in their respective hospitals for all 3 variables being evaluated. The open questions were included to allow participants to express their opinion in a more detailed setting. A database was developed, and the data were processed and analyzed. Results: Factor analysis formed 5 categories for the evaluation framework. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found in all categories to be above > 0.85. Conclusion: Evaluation frameworks can be designed, developed and implemented by using different methodologies. For an evaluation framework to be effective it should be designed and implemented based on the aims and purpose of the research and the specific needs of the particular healthcare setting or hospital. Considering the categories satisfaction, collaboration, safety, system quality, procedures, and by using Likert scale and open questions in the current study, DIPSA can provide a holistic image of IHIS by evaluating any hospital system.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was the development of new quantitative methodologies for the general (total) COL11A1 gene and the C transcript (RT-qPCR methods for A and E transcripts have already been developed by our group previously), the quantification of all COL11A1 transcripts and the investigation for the first time of their potential association with histopathological prognostic factors in lung cancer. METHODS: Real-time RT-qPCR methodologies with dual hybridization probes were developed on the Light Cycler 1.5 platform (Roche,Germany). All COL11A1 transcripts were measured in 27 cDNA lung tissue specimens in a blinded fashion (8 control and 19 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues with known histopathological data). Statistical analysis was performed with the IBM SPSS program. RESULTS: The novel real-time RT-qPCR methodologies were appropriately validated. All 19 NSCLC samples were positive for the general COL11A1 transcript (range 11.2-1198.0 copies/mug total RNA, while 5 out of 8 control samples were negative: mean values were also statistically significantly different (p<0.001). In 4 tumor samples (21%), no specific COL11A1 transcript was detected. Transcript C was detected in only 3 tumor samples. Regarding transcripts A and E, 13 out of 19 tumor samples were positive for either one (68%) and 11 for both (58%). CONCLUSIONS: No other statistically significant association of the specific transcripts with histopathological data was observed, most probably due to the limited number of samples. As the number of general COL11A1 transcripts/microg exceeds the sum of A+E+C transcripts in all samples, there is opportunity for discovery and identification of other transcripts as well

In this study, we aimed to investigate the different routes through which perceived goal structures, and in turn mastery-approach and performance-approach goals in mathematics, predict subsequent academic performance. Path analyses with a sample of Turkish adolescents (N = 369; 49.1% males; M-age = 16.67 years, SD = 1.85) revealed two distinct paths. After controlling for mid-year grades, we found perceived mastery goal structures to relate (positively) to mastery-approach goals, which in turn positively predicted end-year grades through challenge seeking. In contrast, perceived performance goal structures related positively to both performance approach and performance-avoidance goals with the former directly predicting higher end-year grades, and the latter being related negatively to challenge seeking. These findings imply that there may exist different paths that can predict academic performance.

The well-characterized association between HLA-B*27:05 and protection against HIV disease progression has been linked to immunodominant HLA-B*27:05-restricted CD8T-cell responses toward the conserved Gag KK10 (residues 263 to 272) and polymerase (Pol) KY9 (residues 901 to 909) epitopes. We studied the impact of the 3 amino acid differences between HLA-B*27:05 and the closely related HLA-B*27:02 on the HIV-specific CD8T-cell response hierarchy and on immune control of HIV. Genetic epidemiological data indicate that both HLA-B*27:02 and HLA-B*27:05 are associated with slower disease progression and lower viral loads. The effect of HLA-B*27:02 appeared to be consistently stronger than that of HLA-B*27:05. In contrast to HLA-B*27:05, the immunodominant HIV-specific HLA-B*27:02-restricted CD8T-cell response is to a Nef epitope (residues 142 to 150 [VW9]), with Pol KY9 subdominant and Gag KK10 further subdominant. This selection was driven by structural differences in the F pocket, mediated by a polymorphism between these two HLA alleles at position 81. Analysis of autologous virus sequences showed that in HLA-B*27:02-positive subjects, all three of these CD8T-cell responses impose selection pressure on the virus, whereas in HLA-B*27:05-positive subjects, there is no Nef VW9-mediated selection pressure. These studies demonstrate that HLA-B*27:02 mediates protection against HIV disease progression that is at least as strong as or stronger than that mediated by HLA-B*27:05. In combination with the protective Gag KK10 and Pol KY9 CD8T-cell responses that dominate HIV-specific CD8T-cell activity in HLA-B*27:05-positive subjects, a Nef VW9-specific response is additionally present and immunodominant in HLA-B*27:02-positive subjects, mediated through a polymorphism at residue 81 in the F pocket, that contributes to selection pressure against HIV.CD8T cells play a central role in successful control of HIV infection and have the potential also to mediate the eradication of viral reservoirs of infection. The principal means by which protective HLA class I molecules, such as HLA-B*27:05 and HLA-B*57:01, slow HIV disease progression is believed to be via the particular HIV-specific CD8T cell responses restricted by those alleles. We focus here on HLA-B*27:05, one of the best-characterized protective HLA molecules, and the closely related HLA-B*27:02, which differs by only 3 amino acids and which has not been well studied in relation to control of HIV infection. We show that HLA-B*27:02 is also protective against HIV disease progression, but the CD8T-cell immunodominance hierarchy of HLA-B*27:02 differs strikingly from that of HLA-B*27:05. These findings indicate that the immunodominant HLA-B*27:02-restricted Nef response adds to protection mediated by the Gag and Pol specificities that dominate anti-HIV CD8T-cell activity in HLA-B*27:05-positive subjects.

We compare two of the most successful models for the description and analysis of drug release data. The fractal kinetics approach leading to release profiles described by a Weibull function and the fractional kinetics approach leading to release profiles described by a Mittag-Leffler function. We used Monte Carlo simulations to generate artificial release data from euclidean and fractal substrates. We have also used real release data from the literature and found that both models are capable in describing release data up to roughly 85% of the release. For larger times both models systematically overestimate the number of particles remaining in the release device.

The supernova impostor SN 2010da located in the nearby galaxy NGC 300, later identified as a likely supergiant B[e] high-mass X-ray binary, was simultaneously observed by NuSTAR and XMM-Newton between 2016 December 16 and 20, over a total time span of ∼310 ks. We report the discovery of a strong periodic modulation in the X-ray flux with a pulse period of 31.6 s and a very rapid spin-up, and confirm therefore that the compact object is a neutron star. We find that the spin period is changing from 31.71 s to 31.54 s over that period, with a spin-up rate of -5.56 × 10-7 s s-1, likely the largest ever observed from an accreting neutron star. The spectrum is described by a power-law and a disc blackbody model, leading to a 0.3-30 keV unabsorbed luminosity of 4.7 × 1039 erg s-1. Applying our best-fitting model successfully to the spectra of an XMM-Newton observation from 2010, suggests that the lower fluxes of NGC 300 ULX1 reported from observations around that time are caused by a large amount of absorption, while the intrinsic luminosity was similar as seen in 2016. A more constant luminosity level is also consistent with the long-term pulse period evolution approaching an equilibrium value asymptotically. We conclude that the source is another candidate for the new class of ultraluminous X-ray pulsars.

The aim of this study is to examine the correlation of the service quality dimensions to the overall customer satisfaction in the Greek banking sector, following its restructuring due to the mergers and the takeovers during the current financial crisis period (2009 - 2015), and to analyze in particular the case of Piraeus Bank, the biggest Greek commercial Bank. The research conducted so as the data to be collected, was drawn from a customer sample of the Piraeus Bank and as for the measurements used, are based on the widely accepted SERVQUAL model, as it is proposed by Parasuraman et al. (1988), where the five dimensions of service quality merged: reliability, responsiveness, empathy, assurance and tangibles. According to the results, all service quality dimensions are positively related to the customer satisfaction. The greatest impact, regarding customer satisfaction, was observed most in the dimensions of empathy and reliability. Moreover, it was discovered that a certain type of customer discontent is on the verge of being manifested among the considered bank services.

I raise two challenges for scientific realists. The first is a pessimistic meta-induction (PMI), but not of the more common type, which focuses on rejected theories and abandoned entities. Rather, the PMI I have in mind departs from conceptual change, which is ubiquitous in science. Scientific concepts change over time, often to a degree that is difficult to square with the stability of their referents, a sine qua non for realists. The second challenge is to make sense of successful scientific practice that was centered on entities that have turned out to be fictitious.

Les modifications considérables entreprises dans le domaine de l’enseignement en Grèce dans les premières décennies du XXe siècle, se répercutent aussi dans le domaine de l’enseignement du français qui s’adapte ainsi au gré d’une législation qui définit la politique éducative et éditoriale. Dans ce cadre sont publiés des manuels inspirés de la méthode directe qui se servent de l’image comme support de l’enseignement. Notre étude se focalise sur l’analyse du rôle de l’image dans les représentations de la culture française véhiculées dans la Collection enfantine de Théodore Kyprios, publiée en Grèce dans les années 1930. Cette série de manuels constitue un tournant dans la conception du matériel didactique utilisé à l’époque pour l’enseignement du français langue étrangère : l’image n’est plus utilisée comme un support au texte mais elle est plutôt conçue comme un outil autonome et indispensable pour l’enseignement-apprentissage de la langue étudiée. L’image n’est plus soumise au texte, comme dans la plupart des manuels de l’époque, mais c’est plutôt le texte qui est soumis à l’image. Sous l’influence de la méthode directe, l’image devient le pivot central d’un enseignement qui bannit le recours à la langue maternelle et qui favorise les fonctions d’observation et d’intuition de l’élève. La culture s’introduit progressivement dans la collection des manuels de Kyprios, suivant le schéma suggéré par les programmes officiels, et se fait plus visible dans les manuels complémentaires

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness, clinical performance, and potential adverse effects of early anterior crossbite correction through opening of the bite. Subjects and methods: The sample consisted of 16 consecutive patients (8.0 ± 0.9, range: 6.2-9.3 years) with dental anterior crossbite in the mixed dentition who were treated through posterior bite opening. Patients were prospectively followed until a minimum of 6 months post-treatment and there were no drop-outs. Results: In 14 patients (87.5 per cent), the anterior crossbite was corrected. Results remained stable without any retention regime. Active treatment of the successfully treated cases lasted 2.5 months (range: 0.6-8.9). Crossbite correction of central incisors was achieved by a 2.05 mm (range: 0.97-5.45) forward movement and 9.25° (range: 2.32-14.52°) buccal inclination of the crowns (P < 0.05). The antagonists showed spontaneous adaptation of their position in the opposite direction (P < 0.05). No important adverse effects were recorded. Limitations: This was a non-comparative controlled study, on a limited sample. Conclusions: Bite opening is a promising, simple, and non-compliance approach for early dental anterior crossbite correction. The technique of 3D superimposition and analysis of digital models used here, allowed precise evaluation of single tooth movement in all three planes of space.

The emergence of the information technologies has seriously changed the healthcare system. Thus, health professionals need to be well-educated in order to respond successfully to the challenges of their job. In higher education programs in, biomedical informatics and health informatics are continuously developing. At this study more than 500 universities and colleges in Europe were checked in order to find related educational programs at all academic levels. The outcome of the research includes 316 study programs at undergraduate and postgraduate level including a variety of specializations. The majority of these programs are taking place in Czech Republic, Ireland and Austria. In contrast, countries such as Croatia and Cyprus have very low number of study programs in these fields.

OBJECTIVE: We estimated and compared the risk of clinically identified acquired drug resistance under immediate initiation [the currently recommended antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation strategy], initiation with CD4 cell count less than 500 cells/μl and initiation with CD4 cell count less than 350 cells/μl. DESIGN: Cohort study based on routinely collected data from the HIV-CAUSAL collaboration. METHODS: For each individual, baseline was the earliest time when all eligibility criteria (ART-naive, AIDS free, and others) were met after 1999. Acquired drug resistance was defined using the Stanford classification as resistance to any antiretroviral drug that was clinically identified at least 6 months after ART initiation. We used the parametric g-formula to adjust for time-varying (CD4 cell count, HIV RNA, AIDS, ART regimen, and drug resistance testing) and baseline (calendar period, mode of acquisition, sex, age, geographical origin, ethnicity and cohort) characteristics. RESULTS: In 50 981 eligible individuals, 10% had CD4 cell count more than 500 cells/μl at baseline, and 63% initiated ART during follow-up. Of 2672 tests for acquired drug resistance, 794 found resistance. The estimated 7-year risk (95% confidence interval) of acquired drug resistance was 3.2% (2.8,3.5) for immediate initiation, 3.1% (2.7,3.3) for initiation with CD4 cell count less than 500 cells/μl, and 2.8% (2.5,3.0) for initiation with CD4 cell count less than 350 cells/μl. In analyses restricted to individuals with baseline in 2005-2015, the corresponding estimates were 1.9% (1.8, 2.5), 1.9% (1.7, 2.4), and 1.8% (1.7, 2.2). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the risk of acquired drug resistance is very low, especially in recent calendar periods, and that immediate ART initiation only slightly increases the risk. It is unlikely that drug resistance will jeopardize the proven benefits of immediate ART initiation.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a short-term, high-intensity, low-volume Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) specific strength and conditioning training program on performance in national level MMA athletes. Seventeen experienced fighters were divided into two groups: (A) Specific Training Group (STG; n = 10), which followed a specific strength and conditioning program designed according to the demands of MMA competition and (B) Regular Training Group (RTG; n = 7), in which participants followed a regular strength and conditioning program commonly used by MMA athletes. Before and after the four-week training period (3 days per week), body composition, aerobic fitness, strength, power and speed were evaluated. Significant improvements in estimated VO, average power during the 2000 m rowing, bench press, back squat and deadlift 1RM, SJ power, CMJ height power, medicine ball throw velocity, 10 m sprint and 2 m take down speed and fat-free mass were found only in the STG (3.7 to 22.2%; p < 0.05; Hedge's g = -0.42 - 4.1). No significant changes were found for the RTG (p = 0.225 to 0.811). Significant differences between the groups were found for almost all post-training assessments (p < 0.05; Hedge's g = 0.25 - 1.45) as well as for the percentage changes from pre to post training (p < 0.05; Hedge's g: 0.25 - 1.45). Significant relationships were found between percentage changes in fat-free mass, endurance capacity, muscle strength/power and speed (r: -0.475 to 0.758; p < 0.05). These results suggest that a high-intensity low-volume strength and conditioning training intervention designed according to the demands of MMA competition may result in significant performance improvements for well-trained fighters.

We investigated theoretically the effect of introducing Si impurities in a single layer graphene (1LG) that had been deposited on a polar substrate on the transport properties of the graphene layer. We consider in our analysis the scattering effects due to the surface optical (SO) phonons located at the interface of the 1LG with various polar substrates such asSiC, hexagonal BN,SiO2andHfO2. Our results demonstrate a reduction of SO phonon-limited (SOPL) mobility, and SOPL conductivity as well as an increase of the SOPL resistivity and of the scattering rate in the presence of Si impurities in the 1LG. Further, we studied the effect of Si impurities on the electron-surface phonon interaction. For our analysis we used the eigenenergies aquired from the tight-binding Hamiltonian in 1LG. Indeed the presence of the Si impurities induces a decrement in the resonant coupling between the electronic sub-levels and the surface vibration modes in monolayer graphene deposited on polar substrates. Finally, we investigated the effect of Si impurities on the Auger scattering process which affects the carriers relaxation. Our results show an enhancement of the Auger scattering rate in the case of the Si-doped 1LG compared to the undoped 1LG. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.

Urbanization has a significant impact on the surface environment and land surface temperature (LST) can be used as reliable indicator of the Surface Urban Heat Island effect that is caused by it. Here, the relationship between LST and the Athens urban landscape is investigated, using very high resolution airborne nighttime LST image data, obtained during the ESA’s 2009 THERMOPOLIS campaign for three typical summer days (warm day, day with strong Etesian winds and heat wave day). The landscape is represented by the percentage of built-up area coverage per spatial unit provided the European Settlement Map (ESM), spatially averaged on the European Urban Atlas land use map, both provided by Copernicus Land Monitoring Service. It is found that the LSTs exhibit statistically significant differences among the different urban land cover/land use (LCLU) classes, but also among the different days for the same LCLU. A modelled global relationship between LST and landscape can be constructed, though hot and cold spots exist, which indicate clustered areas with higher and lower LSTs. The hotspots coincide with the city centre area of dense fabric and the deviations are maximized with unfavourable meteorological conditions, i.e. heat waves and windless days.

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the effectiveness of Mosston and Ashworth’s (2008) practice and reciprocal styles of teaching on motor skill acquisition of school and university students. A systematic search in bibliographical databases led to the identification of 23 relevant studies published in peer-reviewed journals. Using certain methodological and statistical criteria, we retained six studies for further analysis. We estimated proper Effect Size (ES) statistics for each study and each teaching style. Heterogeneity of the ESs was almost negligence for the reciprocal style and moderate to large for the practice style (I2 > 50%). Both teaching styles appear to produce rather large effects, with the practice style (mean d = 1.16) having larger effects than the reciprocal style (mean d = 0.94). This meta-analysis provides an overview and synthesis of relevant studies and highlights both teaching styles for increasing K-12 and university students’ motor skill learning. The results are discussed in light of the Spectrum theory.   Keywords: meta-analysis, Spectrum, practice style, reciprocal style, motor skill

This study compared knee angle-specific neuromuscular adaptations after two low-volume isometric leg press complex training programmes performed at different muscle lengths. Fifteen young males were divided into two groups and trained three times per week for 6 weeks. One group (n = 8) performed 5-7 sets of 3 s maximum isometric leg press exercise, with 4 min recovery, with knee angle at 85° ± 2° (longer muscle-tendon unit length; L-MTU). The other group (n = 7) performed the same isometric training at a knee angle of 145° ± 2° (180°= full extension; shorter muscle-tendon unit length; S-MTU). During the recovery after each set of isometric exercise, participants performed two CMJ every minute, as a form of complex training. Maximum isometric force (MIF) and rate of force development (RFD) were measured over a wide range of knee angles. Countermovement jump (CMJ) performance and maximum half-squat strength (1RM) were also assessed. Training at S-MTU induced a large increase of MIF (22-58%, p < 0.02) and RFD (18-43%, p < 0.05 to 0.001) at knee angles close to the training angle and resulted in a 14° ± 9° shift of the force vs. knee joint angle relationship towards extended knee joint angles (p = 0.001). In contrast, training at L-MTU, resulted in a moderate and similar (≈12.3%, p = 0.028) improvement of force at all knee angles. CMJ performance and 1RM were equally increased in both groups after training by 10.4% ± 8.3% and 7.8% ± 4.7% (p < 0.001), respectively. Low-volume maximal isometric leg-press complex training at S-MTU causes angle-specific adaptations in isometric strength and RFD, while dynamic muscle performance is independent of muscle length during training.

© 2017 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Objective: To systematically review and appraise the existing evidence in relation to the efficacy and safety of pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (pGnRH) for the treatment of women with hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA). Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Setting: Not applicable. Patient(s): A total of 35 studies (three randomized and 32 observational) encompassing 1,002 women with HA. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Primary outcomes: ovulation rate (OvR), pregnancy per ovulatory cycle rate (POR), and live birth per ovulatory cycle rate (LBOR). Secondary outcomes: multiple gestation (MG), ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), and superficial thrombophlebitis (ST) rates. The summary measures were expressed as proportions and 95{%} confidence intervals (CI). Result(s): Pulsatile GnRH treatment appears to achieve high OvRs. A trend toward high PORs and LBORs among women with HA is demonstrated. SC pGnRH achieves comparable OvR compared with IV pGnRH. The incidence of OHSS is low and of mild severity. Treatment with pGnRH is associated with low but slightly higher MG rates compared with the general population. IV administered pGnRH is rarely associated with ST. Conclusion(s): The high OvRs leading to a high rate of singleton pregnancies and the low likelihood of OHSS render the pGnRH treatment modality both effective and safe for the treatment of women with HA of either primary or secondary origin.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The effects of long-term antiviral therapy on survival have not been adequately assessed in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). In this 10-centre, ongoing cohort study, we evaluated the probability of survival and factors affecting survival in Caucasian CHB patients who received long-term entecavir/tenofovir therapy. METHODS: We included 1,951 adult Caucasians with CHB, with or without compensated cirrhosis and without hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at baseline, who received entecavir/tenofovir for >/=12months (median, six years). Kaplan-Meier estimates of cumulative survival over time were obtained. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated by comparing death rates with those in the Human Mortality Database. RESULTS: The one-, five-, and eight-year cumulative probabilities were 99.7, 95.9, and 94.1% for overall survival, 99.9, 98.3, and 97.4% for liver-related survival, and 99.9, 97.8, and 95.8% for transplantation-free liver-related survival, respectively. Overall mortality was independently associated with older age and HCC development, liver-related mortality was associated with HCC development only, and transplantation-free liver-related mortality was independently associated with HCC development and lower platelet levels at baseline. Baseline cirrhosis was not independently associated with any type of mortality. Compared with the general population, in all CHB patients mortality was not significantly different (SMR 0.82), whereas it was lower in patients without HCC regardless of baseline cirrhosis (SMR 0.58) and was higher in patients who developed HCC (SMR 3.09). CONCLUSION: Caucasian patients with CHB and compensated liver disease who receive long-term entecavir/tenofovir therapy have excellent overall and liver-related eight-year survival, which is similar to that of the general population. HCC is the main factor affecting their overall mortality, and is the only factor affecting their liver-related mortality. LAY SUMMARY: Caucasian patients with chronic hepatitis B with or without compensated cirrhosis who receive long-term entecavir or tenofovir therapy have excellent overall eight-year survival, which is similar to that of the general population. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the main factor affecting their overall mortality, and is the only factor affecting liver-related mortality in this setting.

Letter writing was widespread in the Graeco-Roman world, as indicated by the large number of surviving letters and their extensive coverage of all social categories. Despite a large amount of work that has been done on the topic of ancient epistolography, material and formatting conventions have remained underexplored, mainly due to the difficulty of accessing images of letters in the past. Thanks to the increasing availability of digital images and the appearance of more detailed and sophisticated editions, we are now in a position to study such aspects. This book examines the development of letter writing conventions from the archaic to Roman times, and is based on a wide corpus of letters that survive on their original material substrates. The bulk of the material is from Egypt, but the study takes account of comparative evidence from other regions of the Graeco-Roman world. Through analysis of developments in the use of letters, variations in formatting conventions, layout and authentication patterns according to the sociocultural background and communicational needs of writers, this book sheds light on changing trends in epistolary practice in Graeco-Roman society over a period of roughly eight hundred years.

RESUMEN: La novela El siglo de las luces de Alejo Carpentier es una obra en la que la historia juega un papel importante. En dicha obra el autor empieza de la Revolución Francesa y sus ideales de libertad y justicia social con el propósito de inspirar a los pueblos latinoamericanos que sufren bajo gobiernos opresivos-dictatoriales. En el presente estudio se trata un análisis profundo de la relación entre historia, memoria y literatura. Palabras clave: Literatura cubana, real maravilloso, novela histórica, revolución. ABSTRACT: History plays an important role in Alejo Carpentier’s novel El siglo de las luces. In this work the author presents the French Revolution and its ideals of freedom and social justice in order to inspire the Spanish American people suffering under oppressive dictatorial governments. This study investigates in detail the relationship of history, memory and literature.  Key words: Cuban literature, real maravilloso, historical novel, revolution.

Fibrosis is the extensive accumulation and buildup of extracellular matrix components, especially fibrillar collagens, during wound healing in response to tissue injury. During all individual stages of fibrosis ECM proteases, mainly matrix metalloproteinases, have diverse roles. The functional role of MMPs and their endogenous inhibitors are differentiated among their family members, and according to the different stages of fibrosis. MMPs levels are elevated in several inflammatory and non-inflammatory fibrotic tissues contributing to the development, progression or resolution of the disease, whereas in other tissues their expression levels can be diminished or be stable to the baseline. The biological roles of MMPs during fibrosis are not fully resolved, but they seem to differ according the specific member of the family, the affected tissue and the stage of the fibrotic response. Remarkably, some members of the family exhibit profibrotic actions while other function as antifibrotic molecules. Diverse animal models indicate that MMPs are contributing in processes related to immunity, tissue repair and ECM turnover, providing significant impact on mechanisms related to fibrosis. For that purpose, these proteases are considered as pharmacological targets and new biological drugs have been developed in order to treat fibrosis.

Malaria existed in Greece since prehistoric times. Its prevalence fluctuated depending on climatic, socioeconomic and political changes. The book focuses on the factors that contributed to the spreading of the disease in the years between independent statehood in 1830 and the elimination of malaria in the 1970s. By the nineteenth century, Greece was the most malarious country in Europe and the one most heavily infected with its lethal form, falciparum malaria. Owing to pressures on the environment from economic development, agrarian colonization and heightened mobility, the situation became so serious that malaria became a routine part of everyday life for practically all Greek families, further exacerbated by wars. The country’s highly fragmented geography and its variable rainfall distribution created an environment that was ideal for sustaining and spreading the disease. These factors, in turn, affected the tolerance of the population to malaria. In their struggle with physical suffering and death, the Greeks developed a culture of avid quinine consumption and were likewise eager to embrace the DDT spraying campaign of the immediate post WWII years, which, overall, had a positive demographic effect.ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: Malaria: An Ancient and Global Disease Chapter 2: The Fragmented Geography of the Disease Chapter 3: Malaria in Peace and War Chapter 4: Patients, Doctors, and Cures ConclusionReviewed in American Historical Review 125:3 (June 2020) by Andrew Robarts https://doi.org/10.1093/ahr/rhz686 Bulletin of the History of Medicine 94:2 (Summer 2020) by Jesse Bump https://doi.org/10.1353/bhm.2020.0049 Hungarian Historical Review 8:4 (2019) by Róbert Balogh http://www.hunghist.org/82-book-reviews/606-2019-4-reviewsJournal of Modern Greek Studies by David Idol https://doi.org/10.1353/mgs.2019.0024Medical History by Lion Murard https://doi.org/10.1017/mdh.2019.68Social History of Medicine by Vassiliki Theodorou https://doi.org/10.1093/shm/hkz008Technology and Culture 62:1 (January 2021) by Daniel Gallardo-Albarrán https://doi.org/10.1353/tech.2021.0025Μνήμων 36 (2017-2018) by Vangelis Karamanolakis 

A deterministic seismic risk and monetary loss model is presented for the capital of Santorini volcanic Island, the town of Fira, on a building block scale. A local seismic source of M5.6 inferred from a recent volcano unrest in 2011–2012, detailed seismic vulnerability of 435 buildings and site conditions deduced from free-field ambient noise measurements were combined toward assessing the EMS-98 damage grade and its probability to occur. The seismic scenario yielded no damage or slight damage for 84{%} of the buildings, 16{%} of the constructions are expected to present moderate-to-heavy damage, while the economic loss amounts to 4 million euros. Although the model predicts low damage and direct economic loss, interaction with the touristic business activities might produce cascade side effects for the economy of the island and consequently Greece's GDP, an important part of which emanates from Santorini.

This paper discusses a new method for encoding ByzantineMusic Neumatic Notation (especially the one developedduring the ‘transitory’ period 1670-1814). The Notation ofthis period is characterized by difficulties and peculiarities.The difficult access to Byzantine manuscripts and their deterioratedcondition, complicate reading. In addition, our incompleteknowledge of the interpretation of signs impedesthe comprehension of the musical text leading in results thatare often in dispute. The fact that sign unions are complexenough together with their presence in various places ina composition make electronic transcriptions the ultimatechallenge. Moreover, there does not exist a framework fordata encoding and analysis. This work presents a proposalfor the development of such a model for the old ByzantineNeumatic Notation in Python. The implementation of thisproject is still at an initial stage, and focuses, mostly, on theefficient digitization of old manuscripts. The system, eventhough fully functional, has certain limitations. Some signsare missing, and the musical text is created using microphotographies.Future developments of the program will focuson resolving these deficiencies and adding more features tothe system.

In the present work, we effectively modify the TiO2 electron transport layer of organic solar cells with an inverted architecture using appropriately engineered porphyrin molecules. The results show that the optimized porphyrin modifier bearing two carboxylic acids as the anchoring groups and a triazine electron-withdrawing spacer significantly reduces the work function of TiO2, thereby reducing the electron extraction barrier. Moreover, the lower surface energy of the porphyrin-modified substrate results in better physical compatibility between the latter and the photoactive blend. Upon employing porphyrin-modified TiO2 electron transport layers in PTB7:PC71BM-based organic solar cells we obtained an improved average power conversion efficiency up to 8.73%. Importantly, porphyrin modification significantly increased the lifetime of the devices, which retained 80% of their initial efficiency after 500 h of storage in the dark. Because of its simplicity and efficacy, this approach should give tantalizing glimpses and generate an impact into the potential of porphyrins to facilitate electron transfer in organic solar cells and related devices. © 2018 American Chemical Society.

The current paper presents the students' evaluation of a laboratory e-learning course in Health Informatics. After attending the e-learning course, students assessed the e-learning course through an anonymous questionnaire. The study results present the positive attitude of the students towards the e-learning course in Health Informatics. The current e-learning course is easy to use, and it is preferred on the same extent as the hybrid one (e-learning and in-class learning combination). The majority of the participants believed that the e-learning method is at least the same or more efficient compared to the traditional learning approach. Based on the study findings, it seems that this e-learning course could offer important advantages on the learning process as long as it helps students learn in a more effective manner than traditional learning.

Cerebral cortex size differs dramatically between reptiles, birds, and mammals, owing to developmental differences in neuron production. In mammals, signaling pathways regulating neurogenesis have been identified, but genetic differences behind their evolution across amniotes remain unknown. We show that direct neurogenesis from radial glia cells, with limited neuron production, dominates the avian, reptilian, and mammalian paleocortex, whereas in the evolutionarily recent mammalian neocortex, most neurogenesis is indirect via basal progenitors. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments in mouse, chick, and snake embryos and in human cerebral organoids demonstrate that high Slit/Robo and low Dll1 signaling, via Jag1 and Jag2, are necessary and sufficient to drive direct neurogenesis. Attenuating Robo signaling and enhancing Dll1 in snakes and birds recapitulates the formation of basal progenitors and promotes indirect neurogenesis. Our study identifies modulation in activity levels of conserved signaling pathways as a primary mechanism driving the expansion and increased complexity of the mammalian neocortex during amniote evolution.

Frequency-dependent brightness fluctuations of radio sources, the so-called extreme scattering events (ESEs), have been observed over the last three decades. They are caused by Galactic plasma structures whose geometry and origin are still poorly understood. In this paper, we construct axisymmentric two-dimensional (2D) column density profiles for the plasma lens and explore the resulting ESEs for both point-like and extended sources. A quantity that becomes relevant is the impact parameter b, namely the distance of the observer's path from the lens' symmetry axis. We demonstrate its effects on the shape of ESE light curves and use it for a phenomenological classification of ESEs into four main types. Three of them are unique outcomes of the 2D model and do not show a characteristic U-shaped dip in the light curve, which has been traditionally used as an identification means of ESEs. We apply our model to five well-studied ESEs and show that elongated plasma tubes or quasi-spherical clouds are favoured over plasma sheets for four of them, while the remaining one is compatible with both lens geometries.