We report on the occurrence of strong nonreciprocal magnetochiral dichroism in helical structures of magnetic garnet spheres, which emerges as a result of the simultaneous lack of time-reversal and space-inversion symmetries, by means of rigorous full-electrodynamic calculations using the layer-multiple-scattering method. It is shown that a strong effect appears in flat band regions associated with enhanced natural and magnetic optical activity.
Zinc ferrites, ZnFe2O4 and zinc ferrite nanoparticles substituted with indium and yttrium, Zn1-xInxFe2O4 and ZnYxFe2-xO4 (0 <= x <= 0.3), were synthesized by co-precipitation method. We have investigated the effect of composition on the cation distribution in the spinel structure, and on the magnetic properties with a view to obtain magnetic ceramics with improved properties compared to their bulk counter parts. The results of X ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the nanoscale dimensions and spinel structure of the samples. The estimated crystallite size lies within the range 4-10 nm. Additional experiments had been conducted using a scanning mobility particle sizer spectrometer (SMPS) in order to measure the number size distribution of the nanoparticles. Mossbauer spectroscopy was used to investigate the cation distribution between the tetrahedral and octahedral sites and the formation of the partially inverse spinel. The study of the magnetic properties showed that the hysteresis loops do not saturate even in the presence of high magnetic fields, confirming the superparamagnetic single domain nature of the samples. The particle size and composition variations (e.g. addition of yttrium and indium) cause significant structural rearrangements which affect the magnetic behavior of these materials. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.
The objectives of this autopsy-based audit of firearm-related fatalities were to acquire data to inform policy decisions and to assess the probability of the injured arriving alive at a hospital and receiving definitive care. Evaluated variables Demographics; co-morbidities; location and intention of the injury; toxicology; types of firearms; Abbreviated Injury Scale; Injury Severity Score (ISS); transfer means and time; and location of death. Results Of a total of 370 fatalities, 85.7% were male. The median age was 38 (9–95) years. Suicides (47%) and assaults (45.1%) were the most common underlying intentions. The most seriously injured regions were the head (44.5%), thorax (25.7%), abdomen (10.7%), and spine (5.7%). Of the 370 total subjects, 4.9% had an İSS\} < 16 and 59.5% had an İSS\} ≤ 74; both groups were classified as potentially preventable deaths. The majority (84%) died at the scene, and only 9.8% left the emergency department alive for further treatment. Multivariate analyses documented that postmortem İSS\} is an independent factor that predicts the probability of the injured reaching a hospital alive and receiving definitive care. Individuals injured in greater Athens and those most seriously injured in the face, abdomen or spine had significantly greater chances of reaching a hospital alive and receiving definitive care, whereas those injured by a shotgun and the positive toxicology group were significantly less likely to. In conclusion, this study provides data to inform policy decisions, calls for a surveillance network and establishes a baseline for estimating the probability regarding the location of firearm-related deaths.
We present radial profiles and color magnitude diagrams for 18 star clusters in the central region of the neighboring irregular galaxy Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), using BVR photometric data obtained with the Inamori Magellan Areal Camera and Spectrograph (IMACS) mounted on the 6.5m Magellan Telescope at the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. The star clusters studied (OEi79, NGC330, H86- 135, H86-129, H86-127, H86-138, NGC306, H86-146, SOGLE220, B69 OE- SOGLE89, H86-136, H86- 145, BS259, H86-149, H86-142, H86-119, BS257, B73 or SOGLE96) are distributed over a 0.44o field centered at RA: 00h 53m 28.2s, DEC:-72o26?Ao34.5?Ao?Ao (2000) in the central bar and have been previously catalogued by Bonnato & Bica (2010), Glatt et al. (2010) and Chiosi et al. (2006). The observations obtained with IMACS have very high spatial resolution (of about 0.2 arcsec) and they are thus very well suited for studies of crowded fields. Some of the objects that had been previously classified as clusters in the aforementioned catalogues, have not been confirmed as such, by the new high resolution data. It is also noteworthy that only one of the 18 star clusters has been observed with the Hubble Space Telescope ?Ai and thus with high spatial resolution. For all of the confirmed star clusters in the sample, we have constructed radial density profiles, color magnitude and color-color diagrams. Ages were estimated using the Padova isochrones of Bressan et al. (2012), while the interstellar reddening of each cluster was estimated both from the location of the zero-age main sequence and from the color-color diagrams.
The Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) is a well known laboratory for studies of High-Mass X-ray Binaries (HMXBs), that are prime targets to investigate the evolution of binaries and massive stars. Although the number of identified Be X-ray Binaries (BeXRBs) has increased dramatically in the last decade, only recently we started to obtain a better picture of their their spectral-type distributions, which in turn can provide us with information and constrains regarding their evolution and nature. We present results from a systematic spectroscopic campaign of HMXBs identified in Chandra and XMM-Newton surveys of the SMC, using the AAOmega/2dF spectrograph at the the Anglo-Australian Telescope. We classified 21 sources, one of which is the well known supergiant B[e] star S18 (or AzV 154). We suggest that it is the optical counterpart of the X-ray source CXOU J005409.57-724143.5, being the second supergiant X-ray binary in the SMC since 1971. The classified sources are within a wide range of five orders of X-ray luminosity, extending our census of BeXRBs to almost quiescent luminosities. A comparison of the populations of HMXBs in the SMC and the Milky Way with respect to their spectral types and orbital parameters (periods and eccentricities) shows no evidence for difference in their populations. In order to expand the sample of HMXBs we performed a systematic survey on selected active regions of the SMC. Since the optical counterparts of the HMXBs display Hα excess they can be identified through Hα imaging. Thus, we observed 16 regions with the Wide Field Imager at MPG/ESO and the MOSAIC II Imager at CTIO Blanco telescopes. The analysis of these data yields approximately 3000 identified Hα emitting stars in the most active regions of the SMC. We discuss the photometric parameters of these sources (Hα EW, broad-band optical and IR colors), and their correlation with the X-ray sources identified in the Chandra and XMM-Newton surveys.
Splenosis is a common benign condition that occurs after splenic rupture via trauma or surgery. The mechanism behind splenic cell autotransplantation begins with the splenic rupture, either from trauma or surgical removal. Splenosis is usually found incidentally and, unless symptomatic, surgical therapy is not indicated. Subcutaneous splenosis is an extremely rare form of splenosis, mostly observed in abdominal surgical scars. We report a case of subcutaneous splenosis, as well as a comprehensive review of the literature. In our case, a 43-year-old woman who had splenectomy after traumatic splenic rupture at the age of 7 years old presented for plastic reconstruction of her postoperative scar. Upon surgery, two asymptomatic subcutaneous nodules were incidentally discovered. The presence of splenic tissue was confirmed by the histological study. The nodules were not excised, as the patient was not symptomatic.
BACKGROUND: HBV subgenotype A1 is the dominant genotype A strain in Africa, with molecular characteristics differentiating it from A2, which prevails elsewhere. Outside Africa, A1 is confined to areas with migration history from Africa, including India and Latin America. The aim of this study was to reconstruct A1 phylogeny on a spatial scale in order to determine whether A1 can be used to track human migrations.
METHODS: A phylogenetic comparison of A1 was established using neighbour-joining analysis of complete genomes, and the Bayesian method, implemented in BEAST, was performed on the S region of isolates from 22 countries. Migration events were estimated by ancestral state reconstruction using the criterion of parsimony.
RESULTS: From the tree reconstruction, nucleotide divergence calculations and migration analysis, it was evident that Africa was the source of dispersal of A1 globally, and its dispersal to Asia and Latin America occurred at a similar time period. Strains from South Africa were the most divergent, clustering in both the African and Asian/American clades and a South African subclade was the origin of A1. The effect of the 9th to 19th century trade and slave routes on the dispersal of A1 was evident and certain unexpected findings, such as the co-clustering of Somalian and Latin American strains, and the dispersal of A1 from India to Haiti, correlated with historical evidence.
CONCLUSIONS: Phylogeographic analyses of subgenotype A1 can be used to trace human migrations in and out of Africa and the plausible sites of origin and migration routes are presented.
The congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) is one of the most challenging problems in pediatric orthopedics. The primary treatment goals are outlined as osteosynthesis, stabilization of the ankle mortise by fibular stabilization and lower-limb-length equalization. Despite the fact that each of the aforementioned goals is difficult to be achieved regardless the surgical option, the main biological consideration is the same: pseudarthrosis resection, biological bone bridging of the defect by stable fixation and the correction of any angular deformity. The external fixation method is suggested as valuable treatment of CPT because it can address not only pseudarthrosis but also all complex deformities associated with this condition. However, treatment of CPT is impaired with complications due to the complex nature of the disease thus failure is common. The most common of these are refracture, growth disturbance, poor foot and ankle function with stiffness. Of these, refracture is the most common and serious complication after primary healing and might result in the reestablishment of pseudarthrosis. Therefore, an effective, safe and practical treatment method that minimizes the residual challenges after healing and accomplishes the multiple goals of treatment is needed. In this article, we report a patient with CPT treated successfully with external fixation. Level of evidence IV retrospective.
The superconducting magnetoresistance effect (SMRE) observed in trilayers (TLs) consisting of a superconducting (SC) Nb interlayer and two outer ferromagnetic (FM) Ni80Fe20 and Co layers is studied. We observed that the SMRE exhibits a pronounced magnitude (R-max - R-min)/R-nor of order 45 % and 86 % for the NiFe-based and Co-based TLs, respectively. For the NiFe-based TLs, the dynamic transport behavior of the observed SMRE is presented through detailed I-V characteristics that exhibit a nonlinear character even extremely close to the critical temperature, T-c(SC). Also, the detailed evolution of the longitudinal and transverse components of the TL magnetization from close to well below T-c(SC) is presented. For the Co-based TLs, the obtained magnetization and transport data justify that a strict requisite for the observation of a pronounced SMRE across T-c(SC) is that the coercivities of the FM layers should be similar. The combined data on the NiFe-based and Co-based TLs show that across the superconducting transition the SMRE is influenced by out-of-plane stray-fields, attaining pronounced values when the respective coercive fields coincide, thus enabling the transverse magnetic coupling of the outer FM layers through the SC interlayer.
We present a process that accounts for the steep decline and plateau phase of the Swift X-Ray Telescope (XRT) light curves, vexing features of gamma-ray burst (GRB) phenomenology. This process is an integral part of the "supercritical pile" GRB model, proposed a few years ago to account for the conversion of the GRB kinetic energy into radiation with a spectral peak at E pk ~ mec 2. We compute the evolution of the relativistic blast wave (RBW) Lorentz factor Γ to show that the radiation-reaction force due to the GRB emission can produce an abrupt, small (~25%) decrease in Γ at a radius that is smaller (depending on conditions) than the deceleration radius RD . Because of this reduction, the kinematic criticality criterion of the "supercritical pile" is no longer fulfilled. Transfer of the proton energy into electrons ceases and the GRB enters abruptly the afterglow phase at a luminosity smaller by ~mp /me than that of the prompt emission. If the radius at which this slow-down occurs is significantly smaller than RD , the RBW internal energy continues to drive the RBW expansion at a constant (new) Γ and its X-ray luminosity remains constant until RD is reached, at which point it resumes its more conventional decay, thereby completing the "unexpected" XRT light curve phase. If this transition occurs at R ~= RD , the steep decline is followed by a flux decrease instead of a "plateau," consistent with the conventional afterglow declines. Besides providing an account of these peculiarities, the model suggests that the afterglow phase may in fact begin before the RBW reaches R ~= RD , thus providing novel insights into GRB phenomenology.
Context. Classical novae (CNe) represent the main class of supersoft X-ray sources (SSSs) in the central region of our neighbouring galaxy M 31. Only three confirmed novae and three SSSs have been discovered in globular clusters (GCs) of any galaxy so far, of which one nova and two SSSs (including the nova) were found in M 31 GCs. Aims: To study the SSS state of CNe we carried out a high-cadence X-ray monitoring of the M 31 central area with XMM-Newton and Chandra. This project is supplemented by regular optical monitoring programmes at various observatories. Methods: We analysed X-ray and optical monitoring data of a new transient X-ray source in the M 31 GC Bol 126, discovered serendipitously in Swift observations. Our optical data set was based on regular M 31 monitoring programmes from five different small telescopes and was reduced using a homogeneous method. Additionally, we made use of Pan-STARRS 1 data obtained during the PAndromeda survey. We extracted light curves of the source in the optical and X-rays, as well as X-ray spectra. Results: Our observations reveal that the X-ray source in Bol 126 is the third SSS in an M 31 GC and can be confirmed as the second CN in the M 31 GC system. This nova is named M31N 2010-10f. Its properties in the X-ray (high black-body temperature, short SSS phase) and optical (relatively high maximum magnitude, fast decline) regimes agree with a massive white dwarf (MWD ≳ 1.3 M⊙) in the binary system. Incorporating the data on previously found (suspected) novae in M 31 GCs we used our high-cadence X-ray monitoring observations to estimate a tentative nova rate in the M 31 GC system of 0.05 yr-1 GC-1. An optical estimate, based on the recent 10.5-year WeCAPP survey, gives a lower nova rate, which is compatible with the X-ray rate on the 95% confidence level. Conclusions: Although still based on small-number statistics, there is growing evidence that the nova rate in GCs is higher than expected from primordial binary formation and under conditions as in the field. Dynamical binary formation and/or additional accretion from the intracluster medium are possible scenarios for an increased nova rate, but observational confirmation for this enhancement has been absent, so far. Regular X-ray monitoring observations of M 31 provide a promising strategy to find these novae. Partly based on observations with XMM-Newton, an ESA Science Mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member States and NASA.Tables 1-3 are available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org
Following the French Language Teachers Post-graduate Program of the Hellenic Open University a considerable number of dissertations has been completed thus involving an equivalent number of supervisors. The dissimilarities of the completed dissertations seem to depend on the students' abilities and the tactics of the supervisors. This announcement aims at investigating into the established practices and process followed by both, supervisors and students, during the writing of the dissertation. The investigation was based on questionnaires and interviews addressed to students, graduates and supervisors. The results of this research are focused on the points that have received the strongest criticism by both, supervisors and students. These points divert from the mediation and evolutionary guidance during the dissertation writing (Feuerstein, Vygotsky, Bruner).
Petrakis PE, Kostis PC, Valsamis DG. The Supply Side Policies. In: European Economics and Politics in the Midst of the Crisis. Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 2013. pp. 119–131. Website
Koulouri P, Markantonatou V, Martin C, Alexandrakis G, Poulos S, Dounas C, Henocque Y. Sustainable development of a former U.S. Base in Greece. In: Proceedings of the 10th Global Congress on ICM: Lessons Learned to Address New Challenges, EMECS 2013 - MEDCOAST 2013 Joint Conference. Vol. 1. ; 2013. pp. 403-414. Website
We report a new high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB), found in a Swift observation performed on 2013 October 11 as part of the monitoring of the nova LMC2012 (ObsId: 00049549004). The Swift/XRT count rate was 0.023±0.008 cts s-1, corresponding to a flux of 1.6×10-12 erg cm-2 s-1 (0.3-10 keV) and an unabsorbed luminosity of 5.1×1035 erg s-1 for LMC distance (50 kpc).
Aims: We observed the newly discovered X-ray source Swift J053041.9-665426in the X-ray and optical regime to confirm its proposed nature as a high mass X-ray binary. Methods: We obtained XMM-Newton and Swift X-ray data, along with optical observations with the ESO Faint Object Spectrograph, to investigate the spectral and temporal characteristics of Swift J053041.9-665426. Results: The XMM-Newton data show coherent X-ray pulsations with a period of 28.77521(10) s (1σ). The X-ray spectrum can be modelled by an absorbed power law with photon index within the range 0.76 to 0.87. The addition of a black body component increases the quality of the fit but also leads to strong dependences of the photon index, black-body temperature and absorption column density. We identified the only optical counterpart within the error circle of XMM-Newton at an angular distance of ~0.8'', which is 2MASS J05304215-6654303. We performed optical spectroscopy from which we classify the companion as a B0-1.5Ve star. Conclusions: The X-ray pulsations and long-term variability, as well as the properties of the optical counterpart, confirm that Swift J053041.9-665426 is a new Be/X-ray binary pulsar in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Based on observations with XMM-Newton, an ESA Science Mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member states and the USA (NASA).
Ce travail ambitionne à travers l’étude du cas des missions assignées par l’État français aux professeures du secondaire entre 1914 et 1918 de privilégier une vision bisexuée de l’histoire de la Grande Guerre : ces « missions » universitaires qui revêtent deux formes (mobilisation des énergies dans l’effort de guerre et délégation de professeures dans les établissements secondaires masculins) ont contribué à décloisonner des espaces d’homosociabilité, à créer aussi une nouvelle dynamique au sein des identités sexuées. L’étude, fondée sur les textes autobiographiques de deux professeures du secondaire, Jeanne Glatron et Jeanne Galzy/Baraduc, tente, à l’intersection de l’individuel et du social, de lancer une réflexion sur un moment extra-ordinaire de la condition professorale féminine ; de proposer encore, par le recours à des sources plus traditionnelles de l’histoire mais tout autant indicatrices du basculement qui s’y est produit entre 1914 et 1918, un regard pluriel sur cette expérience de femmes en guerre. Ainsi, la première partie met en valeur le vécu, les expériences, la participation active à l’effort commun, le dévouement de ces deux enseignantes mobilisées la première en zone occupée et la seconde dans un lycée de garçons du Sud de la France. La deuxième traite d’un affrontement qui évolue parallèlement à l’affrontement militaire : il oppose les deux sexes sur un autre front, celui d’une classe de garçons. De ces témoignages de civiles dans la tourmente émerge la figure de la fonctionnaire fidèle certes au service de l’ordre établi, mais transfigurée, en même temps, par la nouvelle expérience en symbole de la fluidité des identités sexuées.
Maniadakis D, Balmpakakis A, Varoutas D. On the temporal evolution of backbone topological robustness. In: Network and Optical Communications (NOC), 2013 18th European Conference on and Optical Cabling and Infrastructure (OC&i), 2013 8th Conference on. IEEE; 2013. pp. 129–136.
Allergic diseases are common in childhood and can cause a significant morbidity and impaired quality-of-life of the children and their families. Adequate allergy testing is the prerequisite for optimal care, including allergen avoidance, pharmacotherapy and immunotherapy. Children with persisting or recurrent or severe symptoms suggestive for allergy should undergo an appropriate diagnostic work-up, irrespective of their age. Adequate allergy testing may also allow defining allergic trigger in common symptoms. We provide here evidence-based guidance on when and how to test for allergy in children based on common presenting symptoms suggestive of allergic diseases.
This text is a brief presentation of the course, in theory and in practice, of Ahmet Davutoğlu’s views, as presented in his work Stratejik Derinlik: Türkiye’nin Uluslararası Konumu, Küre Yayınları, İstanbul 2001/2004 (18th edition) and in the corresponding partial translations of these texts by my colleague, K. Gogos (PhD in Geopolitics), as well as in the Greek published translation (Athens, Pοiotita editions, 2010). We shall present the ideological, Islamic and neo–Ottoman, background of this work, together with its main political proponents, on the level of Turkey’s political power. Moreover, we shall present the main points of the scholar’s geopolitical approach that lie in the sphere of the classic geostrategists and geopoliticians of the German and the Anglo–Saxon school. Davutoğlu is a typical example of a researcher of international affairs, characterised by significant epistemological and methodological deficits. He, too, fails to distinguish between Geopolitical Analysis, on the one hand, and Geostrategic Synthesis and suggestions, on the other. It is a fact, evident in the scholar’s reference to ethical and scientific dilemmas of social scientists. His stance is a serious blow to his overall geopolitical analysis and integrates prima facie his methodology, together with the particular work of the Turk scholar, into the geostrategic epistemological sphere of political propositions (which are undoubtedly systematic and thorough). This paper concludes with a presentation of the points, on the Subsystem level, of Davutoğlu’s geopolitical and geostrategic approach. In the light of the systemic geopolitical analysis, these points are considered geostrategically dangerous for Greece’s national interests. This text aims to trigger a deeper and fuller study and understanding of Davutoğlu’s work in the near future.
BACKGROUND: The major thiol-disulfide couple of reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione is a key regulator of major transcriptional pathways regulating aseptic inflammation and recovery of skeletal muscle after aseptic injury. Antioxidant supplementation may hamper exercise-induced cellular adaptations.
OBJECTIVE: The objective was to examine how thiol-based antioxidant supplementation affects skeletal muscle's performance and redox-sensitive signaling during the inflammatory and repair phases associated with exercise-induced microtrauma.
DESIGN: In a double-blind, crossover design, 10 men received placebo or N-acetylcysteine (NAC; 20 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1)) after muscle-damaging exercise (300 eccentric contractions). In each trial, muscle performance was measured at baseline, after exercise, 2 h after exercise, and daily for 8 consecutive days. Muscle biopsy samples from vastus lateralis and blood samples were collected before exercise and 2 h, 2 d, and 8 d after exercise.
RESULTS: NAC attenuated the elevation of inflammatory markers of muscle damage (creatine kinase activity, C-reactive protein, proinflammatory cytokines), nuclear factor κB phosphorylation, and the decrease in strength during the first 2 d of recovery. NAC also blunted the increase in phosphorylation of protein kinase B, mammalian target of rapamycin, p70 ribosomal S6 kinase, ribosomal protein S6, and mitogen activated protein kinase p38 at 2 and 8 d after exercise. NAC also abolished the increase in myogenic determination factor and reduced tumor necrosis factor-α 8 d after exercise. Performance was completely recovered only in the placebo group.
CONCLUSION: Although thiol-based antioxidant supplementation enhances GSH availability in skeletal muscle, it disrupts the skeletal muscle inflammatory response and repair capability, potentially because of a blunted activation of redox-sensitive signaling pathways. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01778309.
In this paper, after a short summary on the processes and rates of bioerosion that contribute to the deepening of a tidal-notch profile, some Mediterranean case-studies are presented, where a tidal notch is prevented either from forming or from being preserved. Furthermore, as shown also in a complementary paper, the recent global sea-level rise is preventing the development of new tidal notches in the present mid-littoral zone. This very useful sea-level indicator, of past temporary standstills of the relative sea level in carbonate rock areas, is of great value in assisting interpretations of relative sea-level change in locations where it is preserved. The possibilities of absence of formation or of preservation, however, imply that it should be interpreted carefully before reconstructing local relative sea-level histories. In particular, the lack of fossil tidal notches cannot be relied upon to interpret the absence of past periods of relative sea-level stabilization.
BACKGROUND: This study aims to identify crucial factors affecting the evolution of liver disease in HCV-infected renal transplant recipients. METHODS: Forty-two HCV-infected recipients with known time of HCV acquisition were followed up for a mean (SD) of 7.6 +/- 3.4 yr after transplantation with consecutive liver biopsies. Hepatitis progression was defined by: a) fibrosis progression >/= 0.2 stages/yr and/or b) development of a cholestatic syndrome. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (54.8%) displayed benign and 19 (45.2%) aggressive hepatitis progression. Hepatitis course was aggressive in 9.1% and 85% of the patients infected pre- and peri/post-transplantation, respectively (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, patients who acquired HCV infection peri- or after transplantation had an increased risk of an adverse outcome compared with those infected before transplantation (p = 0.001). HCV RNA levels at the time of first liver biopsy were lower in patients showing a benign course compared with those with aggressive evolution (p = 0.052). CONCLUSIONS: Time of acquisition of HCV infection is a major prognostic factor for hepatitis progression in the setting of renal transplantation. Immunosuppression was found to be determinant in the progression of HCV infection acquired peri- or post-transplantation. High viral load seems to be crucial in the pathogenetic process.
Stroke is a serious and frequent cerebrovascular disease with an enormous socioeconomic burden worldwide. Stroke prevention includes treatment of carotid atherosclerosis, the most common underlying cause of stroke, according to a specific diagnostic algorithm. However, this diagnostic algorithm has proved insufficient for a large number of mostly asymptomatic subjects, which poses a significant research challenge of identifying novel personalized risk markers for the disease. This paper illustrates the potential of carotid ultrasound image analysis toward this direction, with ultrasound imaging being a low-cost and noninvasive imaging modality and ultrasound-image-based features revealing valuable information on plaque composition and stability. A concise report of state-of-the-art studies in the field is provided and a perspective for clinical scenario for optimal management of atherosclerotic patients is described. Challenges and necessary future steps toward the realization of this scenario are discussed in an attempt to urge and orient future research, and mainly include systematic applications to sufficiently large patient samples, appropriately designed longitudinal studies, confirmation with histological results, and clinical trials.
BACKGROUND: The widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) is accelerating the collection of sensitive clinical data. The availability of these data raises privacy concerns, yet sharing the data is essential for public health, longitudinal patient care, and clinical research.
METHOD: Following previous work in the United States [1,2], the International Medical Informatics Association convened the 2012 European Summit on Trustworthy Reuse of Health Data. Over 100 delegates representing national governments, academia, patient groups, industry, and the European Commission participated. In all, 21 countries were represented. The agenda was designed to solicit a wide range of perspectives on trustworthy reuse of health data from the participants.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Delegates agreed that the "government" should provide oversight, that the reuse should be "fully regulated," and that the patient should be "fully informed." One important reflection was that doing nothing will have negative implications across the European Union (EU). First, continued fragmented parallel non-standards-based developments in multiple sectors entail a substantial duplication of costs and human effort. Second, a failure to work jointly across the stakeholders on common policy frameworks will forego a crucial opportunity to boost key EU markets (pharmaceuticals, health technology and devices, and eHealth solutions) and counter global competition. Finally, and crucially, the lack of harmonized policy across EU nations for trustworthy reuse of health data risks patient safety. The productive dialog, initiated with multiple stakeholders from government, academia, and industry, will have to continue, in order to address the many remaining issues outlined in this white paper.
Combining density-functional theory calculations with a classical Monte Carlo method, we show that for B2-type FeCo compounds, tetragonal distortion gives rise to a strong reduction of the Curie temperature T-C. The T-C monotonically decreases from 1575K (for c/a = 1) to 940K (for c/a = root 2). We find that the nearest neighbor Fe-Co exchange interaction is sufficient to explain the c/a behavior of the T-C. Combination of high magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy with a moderate TC value suggests tetragonal FeCo grown on the Rh substrate with c/a = 1.24 to be a promising material for heat-assisted magnetic recording applications. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.
In the study and teaching of folk dance the determination of the syntactical rules that shape the interdependence between the structural elements of dance and music remains a major topic of interscientific interest. Therefore, the aim of the present research was the multivariate categorical analysis of Greek folk dances according to their resemblance in structure and form to the type of a widespread Greek folk dance “choros sta tria.” The multivariate analysis was conducted on the qualitative findings of Tyrovola’s study (1994) which with the use of the structural-morphological method for the analysis of dance: a) documented the structural type of “choros sta tria,” b) showed its homogeneity with 132 Greek folk dances and c) proposed four taxonomic categories of dance form for their classifi cation. 122 dances of Tyrovola’s research were used in the present study and were categorized according to two independent variables (factors): a) category of dance form (identical, heteromorphic, varied, and remodeled-related dance forms), and b) geographic area (terrestrial and insular areas of the country). Nine distinct and variant properties of the dance form of “choros sta tria” were used as dependent variables: music meter, tempo, dynamics, dance handhold, dance formation, number and kind of kinetic elements of the 2nd part of the semifinal and final kinetic dance motifs, model of dance form. The correlational structure of the nine dance properties and the two factors were tested by a series of chi square (χ2) analyses (nonparametric univariate approach) and non-linear canonical correlation analyses (multivariate approach). The results of these analyses indicated that there is a significant difference between the terrestrial and insulardistribution of Greek dances across the four levels of dance form. The geographical differentiation of the dances in terrestrial or insular was mainly based on the properties of metro, tempo, dynamics, and dance formation, while the morphological differentiation in identical, heteromorphic, varied, remodeled-related dance forms was based on the interaction between the elements of their rhythmical organization and the variations of their basic structural type. The application of these statistical methods of analysis in thestudy of structure and style of Greek folk dances proved to be very efficient in unveiling critical aspects of their multivariate domain. The morphological method of dance analysis combined with statistical methods may enhance research in this area, enriching thus already documented findings regarding the substantial dimensions of this multi-factorial phenomenon.
Fractals have been very successful in quantifying nature's geometrical complexity, and have captured the imagination of scientific community. The development of fractal dimension and its applications have produced significant results across a wide variety of biomedical applications. This review deals with the application of fractals in pharmaceutical sciences and attempts to account the most important developments in the fields of pharmaceutical technology, especially of advanced Drug Delivery nano Systems and of biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics. Additionally, fractal kinetics, which has been applied to enzyme kinetics, drug metabolism and absorption, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics are presented. This review also considers the potential benefits of using fractal analysis along with considerations of nonlinearity, scaling, and chaos as calibration tools to obtain information and more realistic description on different parts of pharmaceutical sciences. As a conclusion, the purpose of the present work is to highlight the presence of fractal geometry in almost all fields of pharmaceutical research. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Resistance to antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been associated with mutations in the HBV polymerase region. This study aimed at developing an ultrasensitive method for quantifying viral populations with all major HBV resistance-associated mutations, combining the amplification refractory mutation system real-time PCR (ARMS RT-PCR) with a molecular beacon using a LightCycler. The discriminatory ability of this method, the ARMS RT-PCR with molecular beacon assay, was 0.01 to 0.25% for the different HBV resistance-associated mutations, as determined by laboratory-synthesized wild-type (WT) and mutant (Mut) target sequences. The assay showed 100% sensitivity for the detection of mutant variants A181V, T184A, and N236T in samples from 41 chronically HBV-infected patients under antiviral therapy who had developed resistance-associated mutations detected by direct PCR Sanger sequencing. The ratio of mutant to wild-type viral populations (the Mut/WT ratio) was >1% in 38 (63.3%) of 60 samples from chronically HBV-infected nucleos(t)ide analogue-naive patients; combinations of mutations were also detected in half of these samples. The ARMS RT-PCR with molecular beacon assay achieved high sensitivity and discriminatory ability compared to the gold standard of direct PCR Sanger sequencing in identifying resistant viral populations in chronically HBV-infected patients receiving antiviral therapy. Apart from the dominant clones, other quasispecies were also quantified. In samples from chronically HBV-infected nucleos(t)ide analogue-naive patients, the assay proved to be a useful tool in detecting minor variant populations before the initiation of the treatment. These observations need further evaluation with prospective studies before they can be implemented in daily practice.
State-of-the-art documents like ARIA and EPOS provide clinicians with evidence-based treatment algorithms for allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), respectively. The currently available medications can alleviate symptoms associated with AR and RS. In real life, a significant percentage of patients with AR and CRS continue to experience bothersome symptoms despite adequate treatment. This group with so-called severe chronic upper airway disease (SCUAD) represents a therapeutic challenge. The concept of control of disease has only recently been introduced in the field of AR and CRS. In case of poor control of symptoms despite guideline-directed pharmacotherapy, one needs to consider the presence of SCUAD but also treatment-related, diagnosis-related and/or patient-related factors. Treatment-related issues of uncontrolled upper airway disease are linked with the correct choice of treatment and route of administration, symptom-oriented treatment and the evaluation of the need for immunotherapy in allergic patients. The diagnosis of AR and CRS should be reconsidered in case of uncontrolled disease, excluding concomitant anatomic nasal deformities, global airway dysfunction and systemic diseases. Patient-related issues responsible for the lack of control in chronic upper airway inflammation are often but not always linked with adherence to the prescribed medication and education. This review is an initiative taken by the ENT section of the EAACI in conjunction with ARIA and EPOS experts who felt the need to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art of control in upper airway inflammation and stressing the unmet needs in this domain.
Tidal notches can form on carbonate coasts during periods of relative stable sea-level, or when sea-level changes occur at a rate lower than the rate of bioerosion. Tidal notches have often been used for Quaternary sea-level reconstructions and for estimating tectonic movements, especially in uplifting areas. Underwater geomorphological survey may reveal evidence of submerged tidal notches. Detailed, accurate and systematic survey along the coastal zone by boat is necessary, to access all sites and establish lateral continuity of observation. During the survey, the local lithology is taken into account. For each site, the time and the GPS coordinates are collected. Underwater, the observed features are measured in relation to sea level and photographed. Notch geometries (height, vertex and inward depth) are measured and interpreted. The accuracy can be improved by multiple measurements and by corrections based on air pressure and tidal records. Submerged tidal notches cannot be dated directly, but their age can be inferred from coastal cores or archaeological data. Information on the duration of the various sea-level positions can be deduced from assumptions on the minimum and maximum values of intertidal bioerosion in carbonate rocks. Through this methodology new evidence concerning the rates of subsidence in the investigated area may be provided. The profiles of submerged notches, resulting from different combinations of RSL in sheltered areas,
allow to qualitatively distinguish the way of subsidence e.g. co-seismic event, gradual relative sea-level rise, etc. Some examples of tidal notch development and tectonic movements are provided from fossil submerged notches in Greece. Although tidal notches are not forming anymore in the present-day mid-littoral zone, underwater marks on carbonate cliffs may still provide evidence of submerged tidal notches corresponding to former sea level positions, or to recent vertical shoreline displacements of seismic origin.
A systematic study of historical earthquakes leading to the quantification of earthquake effects in terms of macroseismic data points (MDPs) and, consequently, earthquake parameters has been carried out in the last decade at the Laboratory of Seismology of the University of Athens. For each earthquake, the available background information was evaluated and the corresponding macroseismic intensities assessed in terms of the European Macroseismic Scale 1998. A considerable amount of these MDPs contributed to the Archive of Historical Earthquake Data inventory through European initiatives (NERIES and SHARE). Based on the structure of the European Database, the local version of the Hellenic Macroseismic Database (HMDB.UoA) was designed incorporating historical earthquakes of the period 1000–1899 from the eastern Aegean area, central Greece and Ionian Islands. In its present form, the HMDB.UoA includes 90 events with Imax ≥ 7 (868 MDPs) and 1,088 events with Imax < 7 (1,273 MDPs). The database is hosted on the website http://macroseismology.geol.uoa.gr/.
In a bioprospecting effort towards novel thermostable lipases, we assessed the lipolytic profile of 101 bacterial strains isolated from the volcanic area of Santorini, Aegean Sea, Greece. Screening of lipase activity was performed both in agar plates and liquid cultures using olive oil as carbon source. Significant differences were observed between the two screening methods with no clear correlation between them. While the percentage of lipase producing strains identified in agar plates was only 17%, lipolytic activity in liquid culture supernatants was detected for 74% of them. Nine strains exhibiting elevated extracellular lipase activities were selected for lipase production and biochemical characterization. The majority of lipase producers revealed high phylogenetic similarity with Geobacillus species and related genera, whilst one of them was identified as Aneurinibacillus sp. Lipase biosynthesis strongly depended on the carbon source that supplemented the culture medium. Olive oil induced lipase production in all strains, but maximum enzyme yields for some of the strains were also obtained with Tween-80, mineral oil, and glycerol. Partially purified lipases revealed optimal activity at 70–80 °C and pH 8-9. Extensive thermal stability studies revealed marked thermostability for the majority of the lipases as well as a two-step thermal deactivation pattern.
A closer examination of fundamental Olympic values and symbolic meanings— expressed in the Olympic charter and recognized in Olympic protocol— reveals that they correspond to the basic perceptions in the Declaration of Human Rights. The Olympic project seems to be an ideal vehicle to promote the United Nations values and principles.Conseuently it is important to examine to what extent Olympic action communication is actually used to serve such objectives-goals and to discuss its effectiveness and legitimacy within this framework. Olympic ceremonies, for example, provide an international-global platform of mobilization for individuals, social groups, countries and nations who have been unfairly treated or remain disadvantaged, such as the mass demonstrations around the globe during the Olympic relay from ancient Olympia to Beijing in protest of the violations of human rights in China. This paper disccusses the role of the IOC in accordance to human rights and examines, on a theoretical level, why the Olympic project in general, including the Olympic symbols and ceremonies generate and activate discussions on human rights. This article, as a side effect or by-product reveals the difficulties inherent to the implementation of the human rights project outside of Olympic space and time. One need point out here, with regard to the methodological perspective, that the use of terms such as universalism, internationalism, globalization, enlightenment, nation and nationalism serve as a heuristic approach, in order to link or connect some of their cognitive contents and elementary meanings to the subject.
The present study is based on observations obtained with the 1.3m Warsaw telescope at the Las Campanas Observatory, Chile, during phase III of the OGLE project, between 2001 and 2009 (Soszynski et al., 2010, cat. J/AcA/60/165) (3 data files).
The XMM-Newton survey of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) yields a complete coverage of the bar and eastern wing in the 0.2-12.0keV band. This catalogue comprises 3053 unique X-ray point sources and sources with moderate extent that have been reduced from 5236 individual detections found in observations between April 2000 and April 2010. Sources have a median position uncertainty of 1.3" (1σ) and limiting fluxes down to ~1*10-14erg/s/cm2 in the 0.2-4.5keV band, corresponding to 5*1033erg/s for sources in the SMC. Sources have been classified using hardness ratios, X-ray variability, and their multi-wavelength properties. In addition to the main-field (5.58deg2) available outer fields have been included in the catalogue, yielding a total field area of 6.32deg2. X-ray sources with high extent (>40", e.g. supernova remnants and galaxy cluster) have been presented by Haberl et al. (2012, Cat. J/A+A/545/A128) (2 data files).
For all Chandra HRC-I observations a source catalogue was created and the energy flux of each source in each observation was derived. Fluxes were calculated assuming a generic power law spectrum and Galactic foreground absorption for each source. (5 data files).
The purpose of this paper is to assess the vulnerability to ground shaking of the building stock in the old town of Lefkada Island (Ionian Sea, W. Greece). The study area lies in the most seismically active zone of Greece region. Most of its buildings were built with local practices and have been designated by the European Council Cultural Heritage Unit as representative earthquake resistant constructions. Within the context of this research we conducted an in-situ survey, of all buildings in the old town. In addition, the 2001 buildings census catalogue elaborated by the National Statistical Service of Greece was employed, as well as the damage inspection data following the 2003 earthquake. The collected data, after a detailed processing, were projected as they would have been prior to the August, 14, 2003, Mw=6.2 Lefkada earthquake. Each building was indexed by an EMS-98 vulnerability class. All results were combined in an ArcGIS scheme in order to compute the lateral vulnerability distribution and to compare it with the 14/8/2003 earthquake effects.
The sexually transmitted diseases are a group of infectious diseases with increasing incidence worldwide. In recent years, these diseases have taken epidemic proportions in many countries and huge efforts have been made to prevent them. The gonococcus infections, the HPV virus, AIDS, chlamydia, herpes genitalia, hepatitis B and C, the trichomonas and syphilis are the most common sexually transmitted diseases. This paper describes the clinical and epidemiological symptoms and the preventive measures that should be taken for each disease. lt also presents the dimensions of the sexually transmitted diseases in adolescents who are particularly a "sensitive" group. One of the most important and widely disseminated measures of prevention is the use of condoms. We can also see the importance of and other preventive measures which can be taken against sexually transmitted diseases. Finally, it is noted also the role of the state to treat these diseases, which are unfortunately quite common, and the measures taken by it to prevent and treat them.
Asthma and obesity are chronic multifactorial conditions that are associated with gene-environment interaction and immune function. Although the data are not fully consistent, it seems that obesity increases the risk of asthma and compromises asthma control.|To investigate the impact that weight changes have on asthma.|We carried out a systematic review of three large biomedical databases. Studies were scrutinized and critically appraised according to agreed exclusion and inclusion criteria. Quality assessment of eligible papers was conducted using the GRADE method. Meta-analyses of comparable studies were carried out.|Thirty studies met the eligibility criteria of the review. Interventions were limited to dietary manipulation in three studies, one of which also used anti-obesity drugs, and bariatric surgery in four. All the other studies reported observational data. Becoming obese increased the odds for incident asthma by 1.82 (95% CI 1.47, 2.25) in adults and 1.98 (95% CI 0.71, 5.52) in children. Weight loss was associated with significant improvement in mean scores for symptoms, rescue medication score, and asthma exacerbations in the only randomized controlled trial. Similarly, evidence gathered from observational studies, with follow-up ranging between 8 weeks to 1 year, and from changes 1 year after bariatric surgery showed improvements in all asthma control-related outcomes. Changes in lung function were reported in one randomized controlled and eight observational studies of asthmatic subjects, with conflicting results. Either improvement after weight loss, decline with weight gain, or no effects at all were reported. Changes in airway inflammation and responsiveness were reported only by observational studies.|Weight increases above the obesity threshold significantly increase the risk of asthma. The available studies show weak evidence of benefits from weight reduction on asthma outcomes.
Bonini M, Bachert C, Baena-Cagnani CE, Bedbrook A, Brozek JL, Canonica GW, Cruz AA, Fokkens WJ, Gerth van Wijk R, Grouse L, et al.What we should learn from the London Olympics. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol [Internet]. 2013;13:1-3. Website
Gait speed is associated with multiple adverse outcomes of aging. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been associated with gait speed, though few studies have examined changes in gait speed over time in population-based studies comprising participants from diverse cultural backgrounds. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between a decline in gait speed and total and regional WMH volumes in a community-based study of aging. Participants (n = 701) underwent gait-speed measurement via a 4-m walk test at the time of initial enrollment and MRI at a second time interval (mean 4.7 [SD = 0.5] years apart). Logistic regression was used to examine the association between large WMH volume and regional WMH volume with gait speed <0.5 m/s (abnormal speed), and a transition to abnormal gait speed. Analyses were adjusted for demographic and clinical factors. Large WMH volume was associated with abnormal gait speed and a transition to abnormal gait speed between the two visits, but not after adjustment for modifiable vascular disease risk factors. Increased frontal lobe WMH volume was associated with abnormal gait speed and transition to abnormal gait speed, but not in adjusted models. WMH are associated with slowing of gait over time. Prevention of WMH presents a potential strategy for the prevention of gait speed decline.
What is being done to support female entrepreneurship and in particular promote the ways in which information and communication technologies (ICTs) can encourage and facilitate it? Is today's business climate more inviting to women entrepreneurs? Are women equipped to thrive in this digital age? Current, future, and aspiring women entrepreneurs responded to these questions, and many more, at the recent European conference in Athens, Greece ‘More Technologies? More Women entrepreneurs!’ at which Madi Sharma, member of the European Economic and Social Committee argued that ‘we cannot have change unless we have men in the room.’ The European conference showed women - and men - the advantages and opportunities that ICTs can offer them for the development of their business initiatives. It also presented 12 European projects that focus on women's entrepreneurship and how ICT facilitates and fosters it. The European Commission is dynamically promoting, supporting, and encouraging female entrepreneurship. Europe needs more women entrepreneurs and actions are being taken to overcome the obstacles and change mindsets. This paper examines discussions and research on female entrepreneurial activity and provides Tips from successful women entrepreneurs who tell how they have been using new technologies - and social media in particular - to excel in their careers and balance their professional and family lives. Accordingly, this paper begins with an examination of the current research findings on social women’s new models of work, levels of engagement, and transformational leadership styles. Women share content in multiple ways, and working online has been a financial windfall for many, including stay-at-home moms and homemakers. More women are doing what comes ‘naturally’, taking advantage of their so-called natural strengths, such as ‘listening’, sharing, building relationships, and creating a culture of collaboration.
Keywords: Gender, Technology, Women entrepreneurs, ‘Feminine’ skills, Leadership qualities, Social media
What is being done to support female entrepreneurship and in particular promote the ways in which information and communication technologies (ICTs) can encourage and facilitate it? Is today's business climate more inviting to women entrepreneurs? Are women equipped to thrive in this digital age? Current, future, and aspiring women entrepreneurs responded to these questions, and many more, at the recent European conference in Athens, Greece ‘More Technologies? More Women entrepreneurs!’ at which Madi Sharma, member of the European Economic and Social Committee argued that ‘we cannot have change unless we have men in the room.’ The European conference showed women - and men - the advantages and opportunities that ICTs can offer them for the development of their business initiatives. It also presented 12 European projects that focus on women's entrepreneurship and how ICT facilitates and fosters it. The European Commission is dynamically promoting, supporting, and encouraging female entrepreneurship. Europe needs more women entrepreneurs and actions are being taken to overcome the obstacles and change mindsets. This paper examines discussions and research on female entrepreneurial activity and provides Tips from successful women entrepreneurs who tell how they have been using new technologies - and social media in particular - to excel in their careers and balance their professional and family lives. Accordingly, this paper begins with an examination of the current research findings on social women’s new models of work, levels of engagement, and transformational leadership styles. Women share content in multiple ways, and working online has been a financial windfall for many, including stay-at-home moms and homemakers. More women are doing what comes ‘naturally’, taking advantage of their so-called natural strengths, such as ‘listening’, sharing, building relationships, and creating a culture of collaboration.
Keywords: Gender, Technology, Women entrepreneurs, ‘Feminine’ skills, Leadership qualities, Social media------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cite this article as:
Kamberidou, I. J Innov Entrep (2013) 2: 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/2192-5372-2-6
Context. Local-Group galaxies provide access to samples of X-ray source populations of whole galaxies. The XMM-Newton survey of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) completely covers the bar and eastern wing with a 5.6 deg2 area in the (0.2-12.0) keV band. Aims: To characterise the X-ray sources in the SMC field, we created a catalogue of point sources and sources with moderate extent. Sources with high extent (≥40'') have been presented in a companion paper. Methods: We searched for point sources in the EPIC images using sliding-box and maximum-likelihood techniques and classified the sources using hardness ratios, X-ray variability, and their multi-wavelength properties. Results: The catalogue comprises 3053 unique X-ray sources with a median position uncertainty of 1.3'' down to a flux limit for point sources of ~10-14 erg cm-2 s-1 in the (0.2-4.5) keV band, corresponding to 5 × 1033 erg s-1 for sources in the SMC. We discuss statistical properties, like the spatial distribution, X-ray colour diagrams, luminosity functions, and time variability. We identified 49 SMC high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXB), four super-soft X-ray sources (SSS), 34 foreground stars, and 72 active galactic nuclei (AGN) behind the SMC. In addition, we found candidates for SMC HMXBs (45) and faint SSSs (8) as well as AGN (2092) and galaxy clusters (13). Conclusions: We present the most up-to-date catalogue of the X-ray source population in the SMC field. In particular, the known population of X-ray binaries is greatly increased. We find that the bright-end slope of the luminosity function of Be/X-ray binaries significantly deviates from the expected universal high-mass X-ray binary luminosity function. Based on observations obtained with XMM-Newton an ESA science mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member States and NASACatalogue is 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/558/A3
Nearby galaxies are well suited for investigating X-ray source populations in different environments than in our own Galaxy. Moreover, sources in these galaxies have well determined distances and are less absorbed than sources in the galactic plane. The Large (LMC) and the Small (SMC) Magellanic Clouds (MC) are the nearest gas-rich star-forming galaxies and their gravitational interactions are believed to have tidally triggered recent bursts of star formation. The XMM-Newton large program for the SMC, together with archival observations covers an area of 5.5 square degrees and has already produced significant results. The XMM-Newton large program for the LMC has just been completed and has covered an even bigger area of about 10 square degrees. Both surveys reach a limiting luminosity of 1032 erg/s and provide a unique data set for X-ray source population studies. The two surveys have allowed us to derive hardness ratios for the point sources and conduct spectral classification. For the brightest sources, we performed spectral and timing analysis. By complementing these results with surveys at other wavelengths we have managed to extend our understanding of the nature of individual sources as well as providing complete data-sets of X-ray source populations (X-ray Binaries, supersoft sources, supernova remnants, background active galactic nuclei and foreground galactic sources). From the classification of the sources we have constructed luminosity functions which will allow as to compare X-ray populations in the different environments that the MCs provide. Here, we present an overview of these two surveys together with the highlights of the most interesting sources that they have produced so far (e.g. Be/X-ray binaries).
A Swift observation performed on 2013 January 13 as part of the LMC UV survey (PI: S. Immler) detected the high-mass X-ray binary candidate RX J0520.5-6932 in a moderately bright X-ray outburst. Assuming a power-law spectrum with a photon index of 0.9 and absorption of 1021 cm-2, we derive a 0.2-12 keV flux of 1.67 × 10-12 erg s-1 cm-2. This flux is ~25 times higher than measured during a recent XMM-Newton observation (see below).
Context. The central field of the Andromeda galaxy (M 31) was monitored from 2006 to 2012 using the Chandra HRC-I detector (about 0.1-10 keV energy range) with the main aim of detecting X-rays from optical novae. We present a systematic analysis of all X-ray sources found in the 41 nova monitoring observations, along with 23 M 31 central field HRC-I observations available from the Chandra data archive starting in December 1999. Aims: Based on these observations, we studied the X-ray long-term variability of the source population and especially of X-ray binaries in M 31. Methods: We created a catalogue of sources detected in the 64 available observations that adds up to a total exposure time of about 1 Ms. To study the variability, we developed a processing pipeline to derive long-term Chandra HRC-I light curves for each source over the 13 years of observations. We also searched for extended X-ray sources in the merged images. Results: We present a point-source catalogue containing 318 X-ray sources with detailed long-term variability information, 28 of which are published for the first time. The spatial and temporal resolution of the catalogue allows us to classify 115 X-ray binary candidates showing high X-ray variability or even outbursts, as well as 14 globular cluster X-ray binary candidates showing no significant variability. The analysis may suggest that outburst sources are less frequent in globular clusters than in the field of M 31. We detected seven supernova remnants, one of which is a new candidate, and also resolved the first X-rays from a known radio supernova remnant. In addition to 33 known optical nova/X-ray source correlations, we discovered one previously unknown super-soft X-ray outburst and several new nova candidates. Conclusions: The catalogue contains a large sample of detailed long-term X-ray light curves in the M 31 central field, which helps in understanding the X-ray population of our neighbouring spiral galaxy M 31. Tables 1 and 2 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/555/A65
A plethora of analytical studies have addressed the physical mechanisms of jet launching and propagation in young stellar objects. However, their link to observations is still missing due to the complexity of the emission processes involved. In this work we address this issue, by presenting MHD simulations of two-component YSO jet models that are based on analytical disk and stellar outflow solutions. We include ionization and optically thin radiation losses during the temporal evolution of the flow and we post process the output files to generate synthetic emission maps. Our results are confronted to observational data and we find that our models predict the correct range of values for the density, temperature and velocity of YSO jets. Moreover, the synthetic emission maps of the - 39 - doublets [OI], [N II] and [S II] outline a well collimated and knot-structured jet, which is surrounded by a less dense and slower wind, not observable in these lines. The jet is found to have a small opening angle and a radius that is also comparable to observations.
Χρυσανθοπούλου Βασιλική. Αναδημιουργώντας τον τόπο των τραγουδιών: Ιστορία και λαϊκός πολιτισμός της Βυτίνας. In: Σ. Ι. Τσιάνης, Δημοτικά τραγούδια από τη Βυτίνα Αρκαδίας, Μουσική συλλογή (1959) – μελέτη – μεταγραφή / S. J. Chianis, Folk Songs from Vytina, Arcadia, Music collection (1959) - study – transcription. Αθήνα: Κέντρον Ερεύνης της Ελληνικής Λαογραφίας της Ακαδημίας Αθηνών & Κοινωνικό και Πολιτιστικό Ίδρυμα Τρύφωνος Θαλασσινού (χορηγός); 2013. pp. 15-27.
Βλ. στο λίνκ http://www.pemptousia.gr/analekta_issues/bioethik_paid/index.html
Η παρούσα δημοσίευση περιγράφει το πρόγραμμα σχολικών δραστηριοτήτων αγωγής υγείας που εκπονήθηκε στο 2ο Γυμνάσιο Τούμπας το σχολικό έτος 2012-13 και παρουσιάσθηκε στην ΑΕΑΘ στο μάθημα της Βιοηθικής του καθηγητή κ. Νικολάου Κόιου. Η δημοσίευση περιλαμβάνεται στο περιοδικό Ανάλεκτα με τίτλο τεύχους: «Βιοηθική Παιδεία».
Στην παρούσα εργασία παρουσιάζεται ένα πρόγραμμα μουσικοκινητικής αγωγής Carl Orff (Orff-Schulwerk) για μαθητές με προβλήματα ακοής – κωφούς και βαρήκοους μαθητές. Το πρόγραμμα βασίζεται στη θέση ότι η ακουστική απώλεια δεν αποκλείει το αναπτυσσόμενο άτομο από τη δυνατότητα ενασχόλησής του με τη μουσική. Η χρησιμότητα και η πρωτοτυπία του προγράμματος έγκειται στο ότι αποτελεί μία από τις πρώτες προσπάθειες στην Ελλάδα για μουσικοκινητική αγωγή κωφών και βαρήκοων μαθητών, η οποία είναι μέρος του ωρολογίου προγράμματος του σχολείου. Μέχρι πριν από λίγα χρόνια, η μουσική αγωγή των ατόμων με προβλήματα ακοής αντιμετωπιζόταν με επιφυλάξεις και προκαταλήψεις ως προς την αναγκαιότητα και την αποτελεσματικότητά της. Παρουσιάζονται οι θεωρητικές αρχές στις οποίες βασίστηκε το πρόγραμμα, οι στόχοι και τα μέσα του προγράμματος, καθώς και ο τρόπος αξιολόγησης των μαθητών. Τονίζεται η συμβολή της παιδαγωγικής προσέγγισης Orff στο συγκεκριμένο πρόγραμμα, καθώς οι βασικοί άξονες του προγράμματος συνάδουν με τις θεωρητικές αρχές της φιλοσοφίας Orff και έχουν υιοθετηθεί στην πράξη τα μέσα, οι παιδαγωγικές τεχνικές και τα όργανα της ορχήστρας αυτής της παιδαγωγικής προσέγγισης.
In this paper, we examine the relation between psychic trauma in the first years of life and loneliness. We selected a representative sample of important ''natural experiments'', as revealed in the work of Anna Freud, René Spitz as well as James and Joyce Robertson. The adverse effects of child neglect, abuse, abandonment, war, separation from parents, life in inappropriate institutions, and hospitalization are presented and discussed. Our analysis shows that among children with early and multiple trauma, the quality of loneliness, the normal fear of loneliness, separation anxiety in the relations with parents, siblings and peers, ways of coping with loneliness (e.g., forming relationships, play, fantasies, defense mechanisms), the capacity to be alone and the creative use of solitude, suffer and constitute major problems of traumatized children. We suggest that trauma can be healed through binding, as a restitution of the break in the continuity resulting from trauma, as well as sharing.
(2013). Η ανάγκη διαμόρφωσης μιας νέας ηθικής του Ολυμπισμού και του αθλητισμού.
Ο αθλητισμός, αποτελώντας μιὰ πολιτιστικὴ εκδήλωση, δεν είναι αποκομμένη απὸ το κοινωνικο και πολιτικὸ περιβάλλον, εντὸς του οποίου λαμβάνει υπόσταση. Οι αθλητὲς και οι παράγοντες του αθλητισμού, ως άνθρωποι και ως πολίτες, επηρεάζονται άμεσα απὸ το σύνολο των αξιών, οι οποίες διέπουν τη ζωὴ της πολιτικής κοινωνίας. Ο αθλητισμός, όπως και κάθε άλλη επιμέρους έκφανση της πολιτιστικής δραστηριότητας, έχει βεβαίως τις δικές του αξίες, καθὼς και όλες εκείνες τις αρετές που περιέχονται σε μια τέτοιας φύσεως ειρηνικὴ εκδήλωση. Όμως όπως και στην κοινωνία έτσι και στο χώρο του αθλητισμού, ενώ προβάλλεται η δικαιοσύνη, η εντιμότητα και η ισότητα, ωστόσο η καθημερινὴ πρακτικὴ βεβαιώνει την διάπραξη αδικιών και παρανομιών. Αντίστοιχα, ο αθλητισμὸς έγινε πρωταθλητισμός, ενώ η ευγενής άμιλλα έγινε ανόσιος ανταγωνισμός, ο οποίος συχνά χρησιμοποιεί κάθε άνομο μέσο, προκειμένου να επιτύχει τη νίκη.
Οι πράξεις που φθείρουν το πνεύμα του αθλητισμού συνδέονται, επομένως, με τη δομή της παγκόσμιας κοινωνίας, η οποία στο όνομα του οικονομικού συμφέροντος ανέχεται τη νόθευση αρχών διαχρονικού κύρους. Η υπονόμευση, όμως, του αθλητικού πνεύματος έχει σχέση και με την ίδια τη φύση του ανθρώπου, καθώς αυτός αναλώνεται για την κατάκτηση μιας θέσης στην κοινωνική ιεραρχία. Εν τέλει, ο θρίαμβος της αγοραίας ηθικής και λογικής που χαρακτηρίζει συνολικά τη δυτική κοινωνία, αντανακλάται και στον αθλητισμό. Είναι αναγκαία, επομένως, η αναζήτηση μιας νέας αθλητικής φιλοσοφίας, που σε συνδυασμό με την απομυθοποίηση των επίπλαστων ειδώλων, αντί για την πρωτιά θα εστιάζει στο καλύτερο που μπορεί να προσφέρει ένας νέος, βασισμένος στη φυσική του υπόσταση. Η ουσιαστική μετατροπή της ποιότητας του αθλητισμού είναι εφικτή, υπό την προϋπόθεση της πλήρους ανατροπής του υπάρχοντος οικονομικού και πολιτικού συστήματος και του ρόλου της παιδείας.
(2013). Η εθνική πολιτική στον αθλητισμό και η παγκόσμια πολιτισμική κρίση.
Η παγκόσμια οικονομική και πολιτισμική κρίση επηρεάζει, όπως είναι φυσικό, και τον αθλητισμό, ως ανθρωπολογική δραστηριότητα. Η αντιμετώπιση του αθλητισμού ως προσοδοφόρου επαγγέλματος, αντί για χώρου παιχνιδιού και ευχαρίστησης, μετατρέπει τον αθλητή από άνθρωπο σε εμπόρευμα και τον αθλητισμό από ελεύθερη επιλογή σε επαγγελματικό καθήκον. Η πρακτική της επίσημης πολιτείας αποκαλύπτει την υποστήριξή της στον αθλητισμό κορυφής, από τον οποίο αναμένει και επιδιώκει εθνικά οφέλη. Έτσι, «επενδύει» στον ανταγωνιστικό αθλητισμό, σαν να επρόκειτο για μετοχή του χρηματιστηρίου, προκειμένου να μεταφράσει τις νίκες σε κατάλληλη προπαγάνδα για την δήθεν επιτυχή πολιτική της. Για το λόγο αυτό συνάπτει ένα είδος συμβολαίου με τον επίδοξο αθλητή ή τον προπονητή του, βρίσκοντας ως καίριο σύμμαχο τα μέσα μαζικής επικοινωνίας, τα οποία είναι έτοιμα να συμβάλλουν στη μεγιστοποίηση του στόχου, διογκώνοντας το μέγεθος της επιτυχίας.
Στον ελληνικό αθλητισμό ειδικότερα, από την εποχή της Χούντας έως σήμερα, ο τρόπος με τον οποίο το πολιτικό σύστημα δείχνει να αντιλαμβάνεται την αξία της αθλητικής επιτυχίας, έχει λειτουργήσει κάπως σαν κληρονομιά. Πέρα, όμως, από τις ελάχιστες περιπτώσεις πρωταθλητών, ο αθλητισμός αποτελεί στην Ελλάδα ένα άδειο τοπίο, ενώ και ο αθλητισμός στο σχολείο θυμίζει μάλλον τεχνικές σε αυλές του Μεσαίωνα, παρά παιχνίδι και φυσική άσκηση για τους νέους. Την ίδια στιγμή στην παγκόσμια σκηνή, όπου ο άνθρωπος καλείται σήμερα να δράσει, κυριαρχεί η διαφθορά, η ωμότητα, η κάθε είδους βία και ο κυνισμός. Λίγο-πολύ ο παγκόσμιος αθλητισμός απηχεί ένα πολιτικό και κοινωνικό σύστημα που διαθέτει ανάλογα χαρακτηριστικά. Η πολιτεία, όμως, παρά τα προβλήματα, θα πρέπει να συνειδητοποιήσει την αξία του αθλητισμού, για όλους, και ειδικά για τους νέους κατά την περίοδο της σχολικής εκπαίδευσης. Δια του αθλητισμού μπορεί να αναπτύξει τις αρχές που οφείλει να τηρήσει ο αθλητής για να μη χάσει το όριο της αρετής του. Εξάλλου, εκτός από την αξιολόγηση του αθλητισμού, μπορεί να προβεί και στην αναζήτηση εκείνων των ηθικών χαρακτηριστικών, που η ίδια η πολιτεία θεωρεί αδιαπραγμάτευτα για τη διασφάλιση της ποιότητάς του.
(2013). Η ειδωλολατρία του τέλειου σώματος και το ντόπινγκ της γειτονιάς ως απόρροια του υλικού πολιτισμού
Το ντόπινγκ δεν περιορίζεται, πλέον, μόνο σε όσους αθλούνται συστηματικά, αλλά επεκτείνεται στη γειτονιά, με πολύ πιο ταπεινά κίνητρα από αυτό του ολυμπιακού μεταλλίου. Οι νέοι συχνά διακατέχονται από την επιθυμία της κατασκευής ενός «σώματος εξώφυλλου», με αποτέλεσμα να λαμβάνουν ουσίες ύποπτες ή παράνομες, από τις οποίες υπάρχουν πολλές παρενέργειες. Η πώληση τέτοιων ουσιών από τα γυμναστήρια ή το διαδίκτυο συνιστά, στην πραγματικότητα, μια μορφή λαθρεμπορίου, ενώ από τη χρήση των προϊόντων αυτών υπάρχουν κίνδυνοι οι οποίοι θέτουν σε άμεση απειλή την υγεία, ιδίως των νέων, που χαρακτηρίζονται και από άγνοια των κινδύνων. Το «μυώδες σώμα» συνιστά, πάντως, ένα «must» για το σύγχρονο δυτικό πολιτισμό, αρκούντως προβαλλόμενο και στη χώρα μας. Τα ερεθίσματα που καθορίζουν το σωματικό πρότυπο βομβαρδίζουν τον πολίτη από παντού, δημιουργώντας την βασική ψευδαίσθηση πως η επιτυχία είναι ταυτόσημη με τη σωματική ομορφιά. Ένα ολόκληρο σύστημα αθλητικής βιομηχανίας επιστρατεύεται, προκειμένου να προσδώσει σάρκα και οστά στο όνειρο του ‘τέλειου’ σώματος. Η φαντασίωση αυτή, ωστόσο, είτε δεν πραγματώνεται ποτέ, είτε επιτυγχάνεται για λίγο, οπότε η απογοήτευση οδηγεί σε αυτοδιάψευση, η οποία ωθεί σε νέα απέλπιδα απόπειρα, ενώ το ιδανικό σώμα παραμένει στη σφαίρα του ανικανοποίητου, εξιδανικεύεται και μετατρέπεται σε «φετίχ».
Η φετιχοποίηση του σώματος έχει αναχθεί σε ιδεολογία και σε τρόπο ζωής στο δυτικό πολιτισμό, μετατρέποντας σε καταπίεση την ευχαρίστηση της σχόλης. Η σωματική λατρεία αντιμετωπίζει, όμως, το σώμα όχι ανθρωπιστικά, αλλά ως λατρευτικό προϊόν. Επιπλέον, η αυταπάτη της σωματικής τελειότητας ως μέσου πληρότητας, υπονομεύει τις άλλες, ψυχικές και πνευματικές, ανάγκες, καθόσον καθιστά τον ίδιο τον άνθρωπο ένα «άλογο ζώο» κατά τον Γαληνό, που έχει μόνο σωματικά χαρακτηριστικά κατά τον Λουκιανό. Το αντίθετο της σωματικής φετιχοποίησης είναι ο ‘ανθρωπισμός του σώματος’, ο οποίος βασίζεται σε μια και μοναδική αξία: στον σεβασμό. Οτιδήποτε θέτει το σώμα έξωθεν των ορίων του, όχι με φυσικό, αλλά με τεχνητό τρόπο, παραποιώντας το με σκοπό την επίδοσή του, συνιστά κακοποίηση της ισορροπίας της φύσης.
Η κουλτούρα των μυών, η κυριαρχία της εξωτερικής εικόνας επάνω στην προσωπικότητα, ευνοούν, εν τέλει, μια ιδεολογία που υποβαθμίζει το πολυτιμότερο τμήμα του ανθρώπινου σώματος: το νου. Το πρότυπο της καπιταλιστικής ευφορίας είναι ευρέως διαδεδομένο στον σύγχρονο πολτισμό, συρρικνώνοντας αντίστοιχα τις αληθινές αξίες. Ο νέος για να είναι «in», πρέπει να είναι ο «πρώτος», ο πιο έξυπνος, ο πιο πλούσιος, ο πιο ωραίος, ο πιο δυνατός, με οποιοδήποτε τίμημα. Ο υλικός ευδαιμονισμός φαντάζει λαμπερός και κατάφωτος, οδεύοντας προς το μέλλον της πληθώρας. Ο δυτικός πολιτισμός, αχόρταγος, άπληστος, ανικανοποίητος, όπως και ο material άνθρωπός του, ζητά και καταναλώνει ολοένα και περισσότερα, επιβεβαιώνοντας ότι ένας τέτοιος πολιτισμός είναι το αντίθετο της ολιγάρκειας, της μεσότητας και του υγιούς μέτρου.
(2013). Η ηθική του σύγχρονου αθλητισμού υπό το πρίσμα της κρίσης των αξιών.
Η τοπική και η παγκόσμια κοινότητα αντιμετωπίζoυν σήμερα μια βαθύτατη κρίση, η οποία ουσιαστικά εδράζεται στην κακοποίηση και την αλλοτρίωση των ηθικών αξιών. Το εγωκεντρικό και ωφελιμιστικό πνεύμα που επικρατεί σήμερα σε κάθε έκφανση της ζωής υπεισήλθε και μόλυνε και το πνεύμα του αθλητισμού - το οποίο στην αυθεντική του μορφή είναι πνεύμα άμιλλας και υπέρβασης των ανθρώπινων δυνατοτήτων. Έτσι, υπάρχει μια ανισοκρατία στην άμιλλα, ενώ η θήρα του αθέμιτου ανταγωνισμού και του κέρδους έφθειραν και ακόμη φθείρουν το πνεύμα του αθλητισμού. Η τάση, αναίρεσης, ωστόσο, των αρχών του καλώς αγωνίζεσθαι, διαμορφώνεται από την παρεχόμενη προς τους νέους «παιδεία», που υποθάλπει τον γρήγορο και εύκολο πλουτισμό ή την με οποιοδήποτε τίμημα προβολή των ανθρώπων. Το αποτέλεσμα είναι, αντί για την, μετά από δίκαιο αγώνα, ηθική ανύψωση του αθλούμενου, και αντί για τον καθαρό αγώνα εντός του σταδίου, να επιβραβεύεται ο δόλος, τα σκοτεινά παρασκήνια και η συνολική αλλοτρίωση της ιδέας του αθλητισμού ως αξίας.
Η υποκειμενική αποτίμηση της αθλητικής νίκης έχει αντικαταστήσει το φιλοσοφικό της περιεχόμενο με την οικονομική της αξία. Η αθλητική νίκη υπό το κριτήριο αυτό θεωρείται ως καρπός της κυριαρχίας της υποκειμενικότητας, κυριαρχία την οποία η αυθεντική φιλοσοφική σκέψη οφείλει να υπερβεί. Η οπτική γωνία δεν μπορεί να είναι η βούληση για δύναμη, αλλά η άρνηση της ιδιοτέλειας, καθώς επίσης και η βούληση για άρση πάσης μορφής δύναμης που οδηγεί σε πλάσματα κυριαρχίας, άρα στην καταπίεση της ίδιας της ζωής. Η κακοποίηση των ηθικών αξιών φαίνεται πως οφείλεται, επομένως, κυρίως στην εναλλαγή των τιμών έντασης των αξιών αυτών, οι οποίες, ωστόσο, πάντα προσφέρουν τη δυνατότητα να αξιολογηθούν από τις επερχόμενες γενιές περισσότερο αυθεντικά από ό,τι ισχύει σήμερα.
This article provides the constructivist approach of religious education in Greek schools. As religious literacy is essential in interpretation of the contemporary world issues, religious education seems to be indispensable in schools according to international and European surveys and pedagogical theories. However, E.U. recommends a compulsory religious education provided to be objective and non-confessional, as it is in Greece according to the two recent curriculums of 2003 and 2011. The author imposes constructivist approach of religious education because it meets the attainments of the education generally and especially a post modern religious education. He also suggests a stage pedagogical strategy of the instruction, posing a particular proposal for the forthcoming change of religious education in the 4th, 5th and 6th years of High School (Lyceum).
(2013). Η ιδέα της ατομικής ελευθερίας ως υπόβαθρο του Ολυμπισμού
Το σύγχρονο αθλητικό περιβάλλον, όπου οι μετέχοντες προσπαθούν να κερδίσουν το πλεονέκτημα από τους αντιπάλους τους καταφεύγοντας σε παράνομες φαρμακευτικές ουσίες, συνεπάγεται όχι μόνο την παράβαση του γράμματος του νόμου, αλλά και την ακύρωση του ίδιου του ολυμπιακού πνεύματος. Η μοντέρνα ολυμπιακή ιδεολογία δεν προήλθε, όμως, από παρθενογένεση, αλλά είναι απόρροια της κυρίαρχης κοινωνικής και πολιτικής ιδεολογίας, οι οποίες ευνοούν τον ακραίο ανταγωνισμό, την κοινωνική επιθετικότητα, τις ταξικές αντιθέσεις και την ιδιοτέλεια. Η αφιλοκερδής ένταξη, ωστόσο, σ’ έναν σκοπό, η εντιμότητα στον αγώνα, ο σεβασμός στον αντίπαλο -και όχι εχθρό- ο αυτοέλεγχος, η συμμετοχή για προσωπική ικανοποίηση και όχι για την εκπλήρωση αλλότριων προσδοκιών, είναι αξιολογικές προϋποθέσεις, που μειώνουν τον ατομισμό και τον ωφελιμισμό. Κυρίως, όμως, η αξιολογική συνεισφορά της ομαδικότητας του αθλητισμού συνίσταται στο ότι η συμμετοχή του ανθρώπου στον αγώνα αποτελεί πράξη εθελοντική και εκούσια.
Ο Ολυμπισμός, επομένως, συνδέεται με τον αυθορμητισμό, την αυθεντικότητα, την αυτενέργεια, και όχι με την υποχρέωση, το καθήκον, και τον ηθικό ή υλικό εξαναγκασμό. Κατά συνέπεια, η ιδέα του Ολυμπισμού έχει ως υπόβαθρο την ιδέα της ατομικής ελευθερίας. Ο αθλητής συμμετέχει με πλήρη συνείδηση της ατομικότητάς του, προκειμένου να δώσει τον εαυτό του σε μια υπόθεση που τον αφορά, επειδή ο ίδιος την επέλεξε, και είναι έτοιμος να προσμετρηθεί με τον έτερο, γνωρίζοντας, όμως, οτι δεν πρόκειται για μια υπόθεση ζωής, αλλά για μια προσωρινή δοκιμασία, απ’ την οποία μπορεί κάθε στιγμή να εξέλθει. Αν, όμως, υπάρχουν πιέσεις και οικονομικά κίνητρα, τότε η προσωπική ελευθερία του αθλητή μεταμορφώνεται σε γενικευμένη δέσμευση. Η «άδολη», φαινομενικά, χαρά για το επίτευγμα της αθλητικής νίκης, διαθέτει τον μηχανισμό της, καθώς η μεγιστοποίηση της αθλητικής νίκης οδηγεί σε λάθος αίσθηση και σε αλλοίωση ή αλλοτρίωση των αληθινών αξιών.***
http://edopanepistimio.uoa.gr/index.php?p=opinions&id=632
The objective of the present paper is to present an alternative method of foreign language learning, the tandem. We try to define it, we refer to the way that it can work and how it can be applied in language learning. Next, we are focusing our interest on the electronic tandem and analyze certain digital tools that are used in implementing this particular process. The tools are categorized by the type of communication (synchronous or asynchronous) that they achieve and their presentation includes information about what these tools are, how they are used and whether their use is easy, the way they can help the participants throughout the process, but also the problems associated with their use. More specifically, we refer to the chat, the videoconference and the virtual worlds which are considered tools of synchronous communication. We also analyze the e mail and the blog, which are tools of asynchronous communication. Finally, we refer to the use of the social media in the tandem process, which are considered tools that combine synchronous with asynchronous communication Our final objective is to inform the teachers and students of the foreign languages about the possibilities that the tandem offers and to motivate educational institutions to incorporate the particular method in their educational programs.
Στο βιβλίο αυτό εξετάζεται ο τρόπος συγκρότησης και μετασχηματισμού των αναλυτικών προγραμμάτων της δευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης της περιόδου 1950-1980. σε μεθοδολογικό επίπεδο, επιχειρείται η σύνδεση της μικρο- με τη μακρο-ανάλυση μέσα από τη συνάρτηση των διαδικασιών συγκρότησης και μετασχηματισμών στο κοινωνικό επίπεδο (δομικές σχέσεις, θεσμικοί ρόλοι, φορείς δράσης κτλ.) με τις διαδικασίες συγκρότησης και μετασχηματισμών των αναλυτικών προγραμμάτων. Τα αναλυτικά προγράμματα προσεγγίζονται τόσο από την πλευρά των δομών και λειτουργιών (η σχέση τους με τα δομικά πεδία και η λειτουργία που επιτελούν) όσο και από την πλευρά των φορέων (ποιοι φορείς δραστηριοποιούνται και με ποιον τρόπο κατά τις διαδικασίες συγκρότησης και μετασχηματισμού τους). Στη συγκεκριμένη περίπτωση, το ιδεολογικό και το πολιτικό πλαίσιο φαίνεται να κυριαρχούν στις διαδικασίες συγκρότησης της σχολικής γνώσης, ενώ, αντιθέτως, το οικονομικό πλαίσιο δε φαίνεται να επιδρά. Ως εκ τούτου, τα αναλυτικά προγράμματα της περιόδου αυτής δε θα μπορούσαν να θεωρηθούν ως άμεση αντανάκλαση και επιβολή των συμφερόντων της αστικής τάξης στο ιδεολογικό-επομένως και στο εκπαιδευτικό-πεδίο. Συνεπώς, ως προς τη μεθοδολογική διάσταση, αυτό που φαίνεται να προκύπτει μέσα από την παραπάνω προσέγγιση είναι η εξέταση των αναλυτικών προγραμμάτων της συγκεκριμένης περιόδου, λόγω του ιδιαίτερου τρόπου σχηματισμού - και μετασχηματισμού- των κοινωνικών δομών και της ιδιότυπης διαδικασίας συγκρότησης του κράτους και των ιδεολογιών που το νομιμοποίησαν (ιδίως κατά τις πρώτες μεταπολεμικές δεκαετίες), χρήζει μιας διαφορετικής προσέγγισης, πέρα από τις συνήθεις, κατά βάση στρουκτουραλιστικές προσεγγίσεις.
Καμπερίδου, Ειρήνη (2013). «Μετάφραση Αποσπασμάτων από την έρευνα της Ειρήνης Καμπερίδου "Γυναίκες Επιχειρηματίες: Δεν μπορούμε να έχουμε αλλαγή αν δεν συμμετέχουν και οι άνδρες," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship 2013, a Springer Open Journal», σελ. 20-22. Ημερομηνία δημοσίευσης, 2013/12, ICAP Marketing Solutions. LWB- Leading Women in Business / οι γυναίκες Ηγέτες των επιχειρήσεων στην Ελλάδα. [ΕΝΘΕΤΟ ΣΤΑ ΝΕΑ]. C.0. in Apella
Το παρόν κείμενο αποτελεί άρθρο του Καθηγητή Ιωάννη Μάζη, σε συνεργασία με τον Αναστάσιο Μαρίνο και τον Κυριάκο Νικολάου-Πατραγα και αναφέρεται στον ἀπαλλακτικὸ ὅρκο, ὡς ἀποδεικτικὸν μέσον, στην ἰσλαμικῇ δίκῃ.
Χρυσανθοπούλου Βασιλική. ‘Ο βίος εν τη ξενιτεία’: Λαογραφικές και ανθρωπολογικές προσεγγίσεις στη μελέτη της ελληνικής μετανάστευσης. In: Αλεξιάδης Μηνάς Αλ, Κούζας Γεώργιος Χ Λαογραφία: Δελτίον της Ελληνικής Λαογραφικής Εταιρείας 42 (2010-2012), Πρακτικά Πανελληνίου Συνεδρίου «1909-2009: 100 Χρόνια Ελληνικής Λαογραφίας», (Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών, 11-13.03.2009). Αθήνα: Ελληνική Λαογραφική Εταιρεία και Τομέας Βυζαντινής Φιλολογίας και Λαογραφίας του Τμήματος Φιλολογίας του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών; 2013. pp. 925-968.
The aim of this research was to investigate children’s reading preferences as related to gender, age, socio-economic level, general academic achievement and reading achievement. Participants were 1,136 fourth- and sixth-grade students from public schools in Athens. They completed the Greek adaptation of The Reading Preferences Survey (Bundy, 1982). The data indicated statistically significant differences among all variables studied. Results are discussed in the framework of the existing research literature on reading preferences of primary school children and in relation to well-known theoretical formulations about children’s reading. Finally, on the basis of the data, suggestions for promoting children’s love of reading are presented.
Στο πλαίσιο του Προγράμματος Ημερίδων και Επιμορφωτικών Διαλέξεων 2013 του Τμήματος Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού (ΤΕΦΑΑ) του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών, ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον παρουσίασα, στις 20/3/2013 το θέμα: «Διαχρονική προσέγγιση του γυναικείου αποκλεισμού: Ο αθλητισμός ως πεδίο κοινωνικής χειραφέτησης». Είδαμε ότι οι πραγματικά υφιστάμενες βιολογικές διαφορές μεταξύ των φύλων -οι οποίες φυσικά υπάρχουν- αποτέλεσαν κατά το παρελθόν αφορμή, δικαιολογία, πρόφαση ή πάτημα για τον αποκλεισμό της γυναίκας από τα αθλητικά δρώμενα και κυρίως την υποεκπροσώπησή της στην ιεραρχία των αθλητικών θεσμών μέχρι και σήμερα, πχ. Διεθνούς Ολυμπιακή Επιτροπή (ΔΟΕ). Η αθλητική ταυτότητα συνδέεται με διάφορες κοινωνικο-πολιτισμικές έννοιες-νοήματα από την αρχή των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων, τον 19ο αιώνα, όταν οι γυναίκες ήταν αποκλεισμένες όχι μόνο από τον αθλητισμό, αλλά και από τον ευρύτερο κοινωνικό-δημόσιο τομέα. Παρατηρείται ότι ο ολυμπιακός αθλητισμός εμφανίζεται από τις αρχές της κοινωνικής του παρουσίας ως εκείνος ο θεσμός ο οποίος περιθωριοποίησε τις γυναικείες αξιώσεις για συμμετοχή. Από την άλλη πλευρά αποτέλεσε και πεδίο κοινωνικής χειραφέτησης για την γυναίκα. Αρχικά εξέτασα πως παγιώθηκαν και αναπαράγονται τα στερεότυπα περί ασθενές φύλου, τις κυρίαρχες «επιστημονικές», κοινωνικές και εθιμοτυπικές αντιλήψεις του 19ου και αρχές 20ου αιώνα, σύμφωνα με τις οποίες η ενασχόληση της γυναίκας με τον αγωνιστικό αθλητισμό θεωρείτο βιολογικά και ψυχικά επιβλαβής. Ασφαλώς και η στάση της ΔΟΕ, της ανδροκρατούμενης επιτροπής, απηχούσε γενικότερες κοινωνικές αντιλήψεις γύρω από τη σχέση των γυναικών με τη γυμναστική και τα σπορ. Δηλαδή, προσαρμοσμένοι στο πνεύμα της εποχής τους οι εκπρόσωποι των σημαντικότερων θεσμών του αθλητισμού των επιδόσεων, ήταν απορριπτικοί έως εχθρική όσον αφορά στη συμμετοχή των γυναικών. Η αντίληψη ότι ο κοινωνικός ρόλος της γυναίκας εξαντλείται στο πλαίσιο της οικογένειας βρήκε αντίθετες πολλές γυναίκες και αθλήτριες του 19ου και αρχές του 20ου αιώνα, όπως την Σταματία Ροβίθυ από τη Σύρο και την Κερκυραία Μελπομένη, οι οποίες το 1896 ως ένδειξη διαμαρτυρίας και αντίδρασης για τον αποκλεισμό των γυναικών από τους πρώτους σύγχρονους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες, διήνυσαν την επίσημη μαραθώνια ολυμπιακή διαδρομή, από τον Μαραθώνα μέχρι το Παναθηναϊκό στάδιο, σε 5½ ώρες και 4 ½ ώρες αντίστοιχα. Ωστόσο, εξαιρετικό ενδιαφέρον παρουσιάζει η γυναικεία επιχειρηματικότητα της Γαλλίδας αθλήτρια-ακτιβίστρια, Alice Milliat, η οποία διοργάνωσε τις γυναικείες Ολυμπιάδες, γνωστοί ως «Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες Γυναικών» (1921-1936), καθώς και άλλα γυναικεία αθλητικά events και πρωταθλήματα, όπως γυναικείο ποδόσφαιρο και ποδηλασία, σε εποχές που η αθλητική δραστηριότητα των γυναικών στιγματιζόταν κοινωνικά. Οι γυναικείες Ολυμπιάδες ήταν η απάντηση φεμινιστικών κύκλων και της Γυναικείας Διεθνούς Αθλητικής Ομοσπονδίας (Féderation Sportive Féminine Internationale), απέναντι στις συνεχείς αρνήσεις της ΔΟΕ και της Διεθνούς Ομοσπονδίας Ερασιτεχνικού Αθλητισμού να επιτραπεί στις γυναίκες να συμμετάσχουν σε ολυμπιακά αθλήματα, θεωρούμενα κατ' εξοχήν ανδρικά, όπως οι αγώνες δρόμου. Η Milliat, ως Πρόεδρος της Γυναικείας Διεθνούς Αθλητικής Ομοσπονδίας, μετά από την μεγάλη επιτυχία των «Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων Γυναικών» στο Παρίσι το 1922, ξεκίνησε διαπραγματεύσεις με τη ΔΟΕ, στις οποίες απαιτούσε την ισότιμη συμμετοχή των γυναικών και ένα ολοκληρωμένο πρόγραμμα γυναικείων αθλημάτων στους ΟΑ, διαφορετικά θα συνεχιζόταν η διοργάνωση των γυναικείων Ολυμπιάδων. Αυτό που κατάφερε, μεταξύ άλλων, ήταν τη συμμετοχή των γυναικών στο στίβο για τους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες του Άμστερνταμ το 1928 σε πέντε αθλήματα. Στη δεύτερη ενότητα της εισήγησής της η κυρία Καμπερίδου ανέδειξε ότι ο Ολυμπιακός αθλητισμός αποτέλεσε και αποτελεί πεδίο κοινωνικής χειραφέτησης όχι μόνο για την γυναίκα, αλλά και για πολλές μη-προνομιούχες κοινωνικές/εθνικές ομάδες. Παρέχει το κοινωνικό πλαίσιο για την προβολή/ορατότητα, τη γνωστοποίηση και τη διακήρυξη αιτημάτων, διαμαρτυριών και αντιθέσεων με το κατεστημένο. Εν ολίγοις, ο Ολυμπιακός αθλητισμός αποτελεί μέσο γνωστοποίησης των ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων. Παρέχει αρένα διαμαρτυρίας κατά της κοινωνικής, πολιτικής, ρατσιστικής και φυλετικής βίας. Για παράδειγμα, οι μαζικές διαδηλώσεις διαμαρτυρίας για την καταπάτηση των ανθρώπινων δικαιωμάτων στην Κίνα και στο Θιβέτ που πραγματοποιήθηκαν πριν, κατά τη διάρκεια και μετά τους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες του Πεκίνου το 2008 (Καμπερίδου, 2013)------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Η αθλητική ταυτότητα συνδέεται με διάφορες κοινωνικο-πολιτισμικές έννοιες-νοήματα από την αρχή των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων, τον 19ο αιώνα, όταν οι γυναίκες ήταν αποκλεισμένες όχι μόνο από τον αθλητισμό, αλλά και από τον ευρύτερο κοινωνικό-δημόσιο τομέα. Παρατηρείται ότι ο ολυμπιακός αθλητισμός εμφανίζεται από τις αρχές της κοινωνικής του παρουσίας ως εκείνος ο θεσμός ο οποίος περιθωριοποίησε τις γυναικείες αξιώσεις για συμμετοχή. Από την άλλη πλευρά αποτέλεσε και πεδίο κοινωνικής χειραφέτησης για την γυναίκα. Η Γαλλίδα αθλήτρια-ακτιβίστρια, Alice Milliat Milliat, ως Πρόεδρος της Γυναικείας Διεθνούς Αθλητικής Ομοσπονδίας, μετά από την μεγάλη επιτυχία των «Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων Γυναικών» στο Παρίσι το 1922, ξεκίνησε διαπραγματεύσεις με τη ΔΟΕ, στις οποίες απαιτούσε την ισότιμη συμμετοχή των γυναικών και ένα ολοκληρωμένο πρόγραμμα γυναικείων αθλημάτων στους ΟΑ, διαφορετικά θα συνεχιζόταν η διοργάνωση των γυναικείων Ολυμπιάδων. Αυτό που κατάφερε, μεταξύ άλλων, ήταν τη συμμετοχή των γυναικών στο στίβο για τους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες του Άμστερνταμ το 1928 σε πέντε αθλήματα. Εξαιρετικό ενδιαφέρον παρουσιάζει η γυναικεία επιχειρηματικότητα της Milliat, η οποία διοργάνωσε τις γυναικείες Ολυμπιάδες, γνωστοί ως «Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες Γυναικών» (1921-1936), καθώς και άλλα γυναικεία αθλητικά events και πρωταθλήματα, όπως γυναικείο ποδόσφαιρο και ποδηλασία, σε εποχές που η αθλητική δραστηριότητα των γυναικών στιγματιζόταν κοινωνικά. Οι γυναικείες Ολυμπιάδες ήταν η απάντηση φεμινιστικών κύκλων και της Γυναικείας Διεθνούς Αθλητικής Ομοσπονδίας (Féderation Sportive Féminine Internationale), απέναντι στις συνεχείς αρνήσεις της ΔΟΕ και της Διεθνούς Ομοσπονδίας Ερασιτεχνικού Αθλητισμού να επιτραπεί στις γυναίκες να συμμετάσχουν σε ολυμπιακά αθλήματα, θεωρούμενα κατ' εξοχήν ανδρικά, όπως οι αγώνες δρόμου. Στη δεύτερη ενότητα θα δούμε ότι ο Ολυμπιακός αθλητισμός αποτέλεσε και αποτελεί πεδίο κοινωνικής χειραφέτησης όχι μόνο για την γυναίκα, αλλά και για πολλές μη-προνομιούχες κοινωνικές/εθνικές ομάδες. Παρέχει το κοινωνικό πλαίσιο για την προβολή/ορατότητα, τη γνωστοποίηση και τη διακήρυξη αιτημάτων, διαμαρτυριών και αντιθέσεων με το κατεστημένο. Εν ολίγοις, αναδεικνύτεαι ότι ο Ολυμπιακός αθλητισμός αποτελεί μέσο γνωστοποίησης των ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων. Παρέχει αρένα διαμαρτυρίας κατά της κοινωνικής, πολιτικής, ρατσιστικής και φυλετικής βίας. Για παράδειγμα, οι μαζικές διαδηλώσεις διαμαρτυρίας για την καταπάτηση των ανθρώπινων δικαιωμάτων στην Κίνα και στο Θιβέτ που πραγματοποιήθηκαν πριν, κατά τη διάρκεια και μετά τους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες του Πεκίνου το 2008 (Καμπερίδου, 2011)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Καμπερίδου, Ειρήνη (2013). "Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες Γυναικών" - Διαχρονική προσέγγιση του γυναικείου αποκλεισμού: ο αθλητισμός ως πεδίο κοινωνικής χειραφέτησης. Εισήγηση (20/3/2013) στο πλαίσιο του Προγράμματος Ημερίδων και Επιμορφωτικών Διαλέξεων 2013 του Τμήματος Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού (ΤΕΦΑΑ) του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών (ΕΚΠΑ). [Women’s Olympic Games – historical perspective on women’s exclusion: sport as a social emancipation space, presentation at the seminars of the School of Physical Ed. & Sport Science, Athens, March 20, 2013 ]
The aim of this research was to examine school bullying and victimization among young adolescents (12-15 years old) as well as its relation to age, gender, and area of residence. Participants were 536 seventh, eighth, and ninth graders from lower-secondary schools located at Athens and the city of Agrinio. Students completed the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire (Olweus, 2006). Results did not show statistically significant differences between seventh, eighth and ninth graders as to their classification in the categories “bully”, “victim” and “bully/victim”. Indirect types of bullying and victimization became more frequent with advancing age. Boys were more likely to be categorized as bullies compared to girls, who were more likely to be victimized. Adolescents living in the city of Agrinio were more likely to be victims and reported a higher tendency for bullying and victimization compared to adolescents living in Athens. Results are discussed in the framework of the exist-ing Greek and international research on bullying among young adolescents.
ΤΟ ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΟ ΙΔΕΩΔΕΣ. ΠΑΓΚΟΣΜΙΑ ΚΡΙΣΗ ΚΑΙ ΠΡΟΟΠΤΙΚΕΣ
ΓΟΓΓΑΚΗ ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΑ, 2013, Αθήνα: Gutenberg
Το ολυμπιακό ιδεώδες διέρχεται σήμερα κρίση εκ των πραγμάτων, διέρχεται, όμως, κρίση και από το πνεύμα της εποχής. Ο πολιτικός ανταγωνισμός που αναπτύσσεται μεταξύ των χωρών, το οικονομικό δέλεαρ έτσι όπως προβάλλεται από τον υλικό πολιτισμό, η τεχνολογική εξειδίκευση η οποία αντιμετωπίζει τον άνθρωπο ως animal machine κατά την ορολογία του Καρτέσιου, και μάλιστα βιονικό, έχουν ως αποτέλεσμα την διαμόρφωση ενός ανθρώπου μονοσήμαντου, κατά τον ορισμό του Μαρκούζε, και την φθορά και την απαξίωση της ολυμπιακής ιδέας ως αξίας. Το πνεύμα της ευγενούς άμιλλας υπονομεύεται από το ωφελιμιστικό και εγωκεντρικό πνεύμα της σύγχρονης τεχνοκρατικής κοινωνίας, αλλά έχει σχέση και με την ίδια την πολιτική κοινωνία. Η τάση προς επιλογές αναίρεσης των αρχών του ευ αγωνίζεσθαι, διαμορφώνεται από την παρεχόμενη προς τους νέους παιδεία που υποστηρίζει τον γρήγορο και εύκολο πλουτισμό και την με οποιοδήποτε τίμημα προβολή των ανθρώπων. Ο αθλητισμός, κατ' επέκταση και οι αθλητές, δεν αποκόπτονται από το κοινωνικό και πολιτικό περιβάλλον, συνεπώς και από τις αξίες που διέπουν την ζωή της πολιτικής κοινωνίας. Παρά τις επιφυλάξεις, υπάρχουν, ωστόσο, μηνύματα σθεναρής κριτικής, η οποία αποβλέπει στην διάσωση των θεμελιωδών αξιών, στην αποδοκιμασία των αρνητικών φαινομένων του σύγχρονου αθλητισμού, στον έλεγχο της απληστίας αλλά και της μονομέρειας, στην αντικατάσταση των προτύπων επιτυχίας από πρότυπα αξίας και στον σεβασμό της ανθρώπινης δισυπόστατης φύσης. (Από το οπισθόφυλλο του βιβλίου).
It is well established that women experience major depression at roughly twice the rate of men. Interestingly, accumulating clinical and experimental evidence shows that the responsiveness of males and females to antidepressant pharmacotherapy, and particularly to tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), is sex-differentiated. Herein, we investigated whether exposure of male and female rats to the chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression, as well as treatment with the TCA clomipramine may affect serotonergic receptors' (5-HTRs) mRNA expression in a sex-dependent manner. Male and female rats were subjected to CMS for 4 weeks and during the next 4 weeks they concurrently received clomipramine treatment (10 mg/ml/kg). CMS and clomipramine's effects on 5-HT(1A)R, 5-HT(2A)R, and 5-HT(2C)R mRNA expression were assessed by in situ hybridization histochemistry in selected subfields of the hippocampus and in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), two regions implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression. CMS and clomipramine treatment induced sex-differentiated effects on rats' hedonic status and enhanced 5-HT(1A)R mRNA expression in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) hippocampal region of male rats. Additionally, CMS attenuated 5-HT(1A)R mRNA expression in the OFC of male rats and clomipramine reversed this effect. Moreover, 5-HT(2A)R mRNA levels in the OFC were enhanced in females but decreased in males, while clomipramine reversed this effect only in females. CMS increased 5-HT2CR mRNA expression in the CA4 region of both sexes and this effect was attenuated by clomipramine. Present data exposed that both CMS and clomipramine treatment may induce sex-differentiated and region-distinctive effects on 5-HTRs mRNA expression and further implicate the serotonergic system in the manifestation of sexually dimorphic neurobehavioral responses to stress.
Young infants are at increased risk for influenza-associated serious illness, onset of complications, utilization of health-care services, and hospitalization. We investigated the feasibility and acceptance of an influenza vaccination (cocooning) strategy by household contacts implemented in a maternity hospital and the neonatal unit of a pediatric hospital in Athens. A total of 224 mothers (mean age: 30.2 years) who gave birth to 242 neonates were studied. Of them, 165 (73.7%) mothers were vaccinated. Multiple logistic regression revealed that statistically significant factors associated with increased vaccination rates among mothers were: being of Roma origin (p-value=0.002), being an immigrant (p-value=0.025), giving birth to a neonate with birth weight <2500g (p-value=0.012), and residing in a family with >=4 family members (p-value=0.017). Of the 224 fathers, 125 (55.8%) received the influenza vaccine. Fathers of neonates whose mothers were vaccinated had 6-fold higher vaccination rates compared to fathers of neonates whose mothers refused vaccination (p-value<0.001). Overall, influenza vaccine was administered to 348 (46.9%) of a total of 742 household contacts of the 242 neonates. Upon entering the 2011-2012 influenza season, 51 (22.7%) of 224 families had all household contacts vaccinated against influenza (complete cocoon). Among parents, the statement "I do not want to receive the vaccine" was the prevalent reason for declining influenza vaccination, followed by the misconception "I am not at risk for contacting influenza" (41.1% and 38.2%, respectively).
Light control through elastic waves is a well established and mature technology. The underlying mechanism is the scattering of light due to the dynamic modulation of the refractive index and the material interfaces caused by an elastic wave, the so-called acousto-optic interaction. This interaction can be enhanced in appropriately designed structures that simultaneously localize light and elastic waves in the same region of space and operate as dual optical-elastic cavities, often called phoxonic or optomechanical cavities. Typical examples of phoxonic cavities are multilayer films with a dielectric sandwiched between two Bragg mirrors or, in general, defects in macroscopically periodic structures that exhibit dual band gaps for light and elastic waves. In the present work we consider dielectric particles as phoxonic cavities and study the influence of elastic eigenmode vibrations on the optical Mie resonances. An important issue is the excitation of elastic waves in such submicron particles and, in this respect, we analyze the excitation of high-frequency vibrations following thermal expansion induced by the absorption of a femtosecond laser pulse. For spherical particles, homogeneous thermalization leads to excitation of the particle breathing modes. We report a thorough study of the acousto-optic interaction, correct to all orders in the acousto-optic coupling parameter, by means of rigorous full electrodynamic and elastodynamic calculations, in both time and frequency domains. Our results show that, under double elastic-optical resonance conditions, strong acousto-optic interaction takes place and results in large dynamical shifts of the high-Q optical Mie resonances, manifested through multiphonon exchange mechanisms.
Asthma is a heterogeneous disease more appropriately seen as a syndrome rather than a single pathologic entity. Although it can remain quiescent for extended time periods, the inflammatory and remodeling processes affect the bronchial milieu and predispose to acute and occasionally severe clinical manifestations. The complexity underlying these episodes is enhanced during childhood, an era of ongoing alterations and maturation of key biological systems. In this review, the authors focus on such sudden-onset events, emphasizing on their diversity on the basis of the numerous asthma phenotypes.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of countermovement jumping and sprinting on shot put performance in experienced shot putters. Ten shot putters (best performance 13.16-20.36 m) participated in the study. After a standard warm-up including jogging, stretching, and 4-6 submaximal puts, they performed 3 shot put attempts with maximum effort, separated with 1.5-minute interval. Three minutes later, they performed 3 maximal consecutive countermovement jumps (CMJs). Immediately after jumping, they performed 3 shot put attempts with maximum effort, separated with a 1.5-minute interval. One week later, they carried out a similar protocol, at similar external conditions, but they performed a bout of 20-m sprinting instead of the CMJs, to potentiate shot put performance. Muscular strength (1 repetition maximum in squat, snatch, bench press, incline bench press) and body composition (dual x-ray absorptiometry) were measured during the same training period (±10 days from the jumping and sprinting protocols). Shot put performance was significantly increased after the CMJs (15.45 ± 2.36 vs. 15.85 ± 2.41 m, p = 0.0003). Similarly, shot put performance was significantly increased after sprinting (15.34 ± 2.41 vs. 15.90 ± 2.46 m, p = 0.0007). The increase in performance after sprinting was significantly higher compared with the increase after jumping (2.64 ± 1.59 vs. 3.74 ± 1.88%, p = 0.02). In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that a standard warm-up protocol followed by 3 maximal bouts of shot put and either 3 consecutive countermovement jumps or a bout of 20-m sprinting induce an acute increase in shot put performance in experienced shot putters.
The Mediterranean diet (MeDi), due to its correlation with a low morbidity and mortality for many chronic diseases, has been widely recognised as a healthy eating model. We aimed to investigate, in a cross-sectional study, the association between adherence to a MeDi and risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in a large, elderly, Australian cohort. Subjects in the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle Study of Ageing cohort (723 healthy controls (HC), 98 MCI and 149 AD participants) completed the Cancer Council of Victoria Food Frequency Questionnaire. Adherence to the MeDi (0- to 9-point scale with higher scores indicating higher adherence) was the main predictor of AD and MCI status in multinominal logistic regression models that were adjusted for cohort age, sex, country of birth, education, apolipoprotein E genotype, total caloric intake, current smoking status, body mass index, history of diabetes, hypertension, angina, heart attack and stroke. There was a significant difference in adherence to the MeDi between HC and AD subjects (P < 0.001), and in adherence between HC and MCI subjects (P < 0.05). MeDi is associated with change in Mini-Mental State Examination score over an 18-month time period (P < 0.05) in HCs. We conclude that in this Australian cohort, AD and MCI participants had a lower adherence to the MeDi than HC participants.
In the past years, a wide range of epidemiological, clinical, and experimental studies have produced remarkable advances in the field of respiratory allergies in childhood. By the recent investigations on epidemiological trends, risk factors, and prevention of asthma and allergic rhinitis, various exiting concepts have been challenged, and novel innovative approaches have been developed. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (PAI), with a number of highly relevant contributions between 2010 and 2012, has become an important forum in this area. The prevalence of asthma in some developed countries may have reached a plateau, while in developing countries, where the prevalence was previously low, allergic diseases are still on the increase. A wide array of risk and protective factors, including hygiene, infections, outdoor and indoor air pollution, allergen exposure, breast-feeding practices, nutrition, and obesity, play a multifaceted role in shaping the observed worldwide trends of respiratory allergies. Under the guidance of recent research, prediction and prevention strategies in the clinical practice are progressively changing, the focus moving away from avoidance of allergen exposure and toward tolerance induction.
Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma represent global health problems for all age groups. Asthma and rhinitis frequently coexist in the same subjects. Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) was initiated during a World Health Organization workshop in 1999 (published in 2001). ARIA has reclassified AR as mild/moderate-severe and intermittent/persistent. This classification closely reflects patients' needs and underlines the close relationship between rhinitis and asthma. Patients, clinicians, and other health care professionals are confronted with various treatment choices for the management of AR. This contributes to considerable variation in clinical practice, and worldwide, patients, clinicians, and other health care professionals are faced with uncertainty about the relative merits and downsides of the various treatment options. In its 2010 Revision, ARIA developed clinical practice guidelines for the management of AR and asthma comorbidities based on the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. ARIA is disseminated and implemented in more than 50 countries of the world. Ten years after the publication of the ARIA World Health Organization workshop report, it is important to make a summary of its achievements and identify the still unmet clinical, research, and implementation needs to strengthen the 2011 European Union Priority on allergy and asthma in children.
Resumen: Aves sin nido y Los perros hambrientos son novelas representativas de la corriente indigenista de la literatura hispanoamericana de los siglos XIX y XX respectivamente. Ambas presentan el ambiente sociopolítico y los valores sociales de unas épocas concretas de la sociedad peruana. En Aves sin nido se presenta el ambiente social y la corrupción de los religiosos y de los representantes del poder. En Los perros hambrientos la sequía cambia el ambiente físico y determina el sistema de valores. El personaje del indígena, aunque víctima de su ambiente social, tiene altas cualidades humanas.
Palabras claves: novela, hispanoamericana, indigenista, ambiente, valores
Abstract: Aves sin nido and Los perros hambrientos are representative indigenous novels of Spanish American literature of the 19th and 20th centuries respectively. Both of them present the sociopolitical environment and the social values of particular times of the Peruvian society. In Aves sin nido, it is presented the corruption of the political and religious authorities. In Los perros hambrientos, the drought changes the setting and determines the value system. The Indian characters are the victims of the social environment and have high human qualities.
Key words: novel, Spanish American, indigenous, environment, values
Purpose. Thorough understanding of biliary anatomy is required when performing surgical interventions in the hepatobiliary system. This study describes the anatomical variations of right bile ducts in terms of branching and drainage patterns, and determines their frequency. Methods. We studied 73 samples of cadaveric material, focusing on the relationship of the right anterior and posterior segmental branches, the way they form the right hepatic duct, and the main variations of their drainage pattern. Results. The anatomy of the right hepatic duct was typical in 65.75% of samples. Ectopic drainage of the right anterior duct into the common hepatic duct was found in 15.07% and triple confluence in 9.59%. Ectopic drainage of the right posterior duct into the common hepatic duct was discovered in 2.74% and ectopic drainage of the right posterior duct into the left hepatic duct in 4.11%. Ectopic drainage of the right anterior duct into the left hepatic ductal system and ectopic drainage of the right posterior duct into the cystic duct was found in 1.37%. Conclusion. The branching pattern of the right hepatic duct was atypical in 34.25% of cases. Thus, knowledge of the anatomical variations of the extrahepatic bile ducts is important in many surgical cases.
Philosophy, as Aristotle said, originates in wonder. And nonhumananimals have long been a source of wonder to humans,especially in regard to the treatment they deserve. The upshot isthat Western philosophy has been concerned with the way inwhich we ought to treat nonhuman animals since its origins withthe pre-Socratic philosophers.Animal ethics is a highly challenging field, as well as one of theliveliest areas of debate in ethics in recent years. Not only has thisarea issued in a range of attention-grabbing controversies, but ithas also led to the exploration o f novel and imaginativeapproaches to worn-out issues.This book is roughly evenly divided between the presentationand discussion of a range of influential past approaches toanimal ethics, and an equally significant range of contemporaryapproaches. We need to understand the legacy of the past andthe resources that it offers us while also forging new views thatare appropriate to our increasingly developed understanding ofthe nature of nonhuman animals.
The concept of anisotropy of spin relaxation in nonmagnetic metals with respect to the spin direction of the injected electrons relative to the crystal orientation is introduced. The effect is related to an anisotropy of the Elliott-Yafet parameter, arising from a modulation of the decomposition of the spin-orbit Hamiltonian into spin-conserving and spin-flip terms as the spin quantization axis is varied. This anisotropy, reaching gigantic values for uniaxial transition metals (e.g., 830% for hcp Hf) as density-functional calculations show, is related to extended ``spin-flip hot areas'' on the Fermi surface created by the proximity of extended sheets of the surface, or ``spin-flip hot loops'' at the Brillouin zone boundary, and has no theoretical upper limit. Possible ways of measuring the effect as well as consequences in application are briefly outlined.
Most recommender systems have too many items to propose to too many users based on limited information. This problem is formally known as the sparsity of the ratings' matrix, because this is the structure that holds user preferences. This paper outlines a Collaborative Filtering Recommender System that tries to amend this situation. After applying Singular Value Decomposition to reduce the dimensionality of the data, our system makes use of a dynamic Artificial Neural Network architecture with boosted learning to predict user ratings. Furthermore we use the concept of k-separability to deal with the resulting noisy data, a methodology not yet tested in Recommender Systems. The combination of these techniques applied to the MovieLens datasets seems to yield promising results.
Papayannis A, Balis D, Kokkalis P, Mamouri R, Tsaknakis G, Giannakaki E, Siomos N, Amiridis V. ARIADNE: the Greek lidar network. Proceedings, 26th International Laser Radar Conference, Porto Heli, Greece. 2012:25-29.
The advent of microarrays over the past decade has transformed the way genome-wide studies are designed and conducted, leading to an unprecedented speed of acquisition and amount of new knowledge. Microarray data have led to the identification of molecular subclasses of solid tumors characterized by distinct oncogenic pathways, as well as the development of multigene prognostic or predictive models equivalent or superior to those of established clinical parameters. In the field of molecular-targeted therapy for cancer, in particular, the application of array-based methodologies has enabled the identification of molecular targets with 'key' roles in neoplastic transformation or tumor progression and the subsequent development of targeted agents, which are most likely to be active in the specific molecular setting. Herein, we present a summary of the main applications of whole-genome expression microarrays in the field of molecular-targeted therapies for solid tumors and we discuss their potential in the clinical setting. An emphasis is given on deciphering the molecular mechanisms of drug action, identifying novel therapeutic targets and suitable agents to target them with, and discovering molecular markers/signatures that predict response to therapy or optimal drug dose for each patient.
PURPOSE: We performed a prospective study to document, by intra-operative manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) of the pelvic ring, the stability of lateral compression type 1 injuries that were managed in a Level-I Trauma Centre. The documentation of the short-term outcome of the management of these injuries was our secondary aim.
METHODS: A total of 63 patients were included in the study. Thirty-five patients (group A) were treated surgically whereas 28 (group B) were managed nonoperatively. Intraoperative rotational instability, evident by more than two centimetres of translation during the manipulation manoeuvre, was combined with a complete sacral fracture in all cases.
RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was present between the length of hospital stay, the time to independent pain-free mobilisation, post-manipulation pain levels and opioid requirements between the two groups, with group A demonstrating significantly decreased values in all these four variables (p < 0.05). There was also a significant difference between the pre- and 72-hour post-manipulation visual analogue scale and analgesic requirements of the group A patients, whereas the patients in group B did not demonstrate such a difference.
CONCLUSION: LC-1 injuries with a complete posterior sacral injury are inheritably rotationally unstable and patients presenting with these fracture patterns definitely gain benefit from surgical stabilisation.
The biomass degrading enzymatic potential of 101 thermophilic bacterial strains isolated from a volcanic environment (Santorini, Aegean Sea, Greece) was assessed. 80 % of the strains showed xylanolytic activity in Congo Red plates, while only eight could simultaneously hydrolyze cellulose. Fifteen isolates were selected on the basis of their increased enzyme production, the majority of which was identified as Geobacilli through 16S rDNA analysis. In addition, the enzymatic profile was evaluated in liquid cultures using various carbon sources, a procedure that revealed lack of correlation on xylanase levels between the two cultivation modes and the inability of solid CMC cultures to fully unravel the cellulose degrading potential of the isolates. Strain SP24, showing more than 99 % 16S DNA similarity with Geobacillus sp. was further studied for its unique ability to simultaneously exhibit cellulase, xylanase, β-glucosidase and β-xylosidase activities. The first two enzymes were produced mainly extracellularly, while the β-glycosidic activities were primarily detected in the cytosol. Maximum enzyme production by this strain was attained using a combination of wheat bran and xylan in the growth medium. Bioreactor cultures showed that aeration was necessary for both enhanced growth and enzyme production. Aeration had a strong positive effect on cellulase production while it negatively affected expression of β-glucosidase. Xylanase and β-xylosidase production was practically unaffected by aeration levels.
BACKGROUND: Recent studies have demonstrated an association between a Mediterranean-type diet and Alzheimer's risk. We assessed the association between Mediterranean-type diet adherence and Parkinson's disease (PD) status.
METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-seven PD participants and 198 controls completed the Willett semiquantitative questionnaire that quantifies diet during the past year. Scores were calculated using a 9-point scale; higher scores indicated greater adherence to the Mediterranean-type diet. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between PD status and Mediterranean-type diet, adjusting for caloric intake, age, sex, education, and ethnicity. Adjusted linear regression models were used to examine the association between Mediterranean-type diet adherence and PD age at onset.
RESULTS: Higher Mediterranean-type diet adherence was associated with reduced odds for PD after adjustment for all covariates (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.77-0.97; P = .010). Lower Mediterranean-type diet score was associated with earlier PD age at onset (β = 1.09; P = .006).
CONCLUSIONS: PD patients adhere less than controls to a Mediterranean-type diet. Dietary behavior may be associated with age at onset.
Background: We investigated the associations between second trimester amniotic fluid (AF) levels of human adiponectin and placental growth factor (PLGF) in small for gestational age (SGA), large for gestational age (LGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) fetuses. Materials and Methods: Adiponectin and PLGF levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay in AF of 21 SGA, 13 LGA and 44 AGA fetuses between 15-22 weeks of gestation, derived from pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis. Results: Adiponectin and PLGF levels were detectable in AF. Median (25th-75th percentile) adiponectin levels were 16.1 (10.9-32.3) ng/ml in SGA, 19.5 (15.1-30.9) ng/ml in AGA, and 18.2 (14.7-30.8) ng/ml in LGA fetuses. Median (25th-75th percentile) PLGF levels were 24.2 (19.9-34.9) pg/nl in SGA, 26.4 (20.9-33.8) pg/ml in AGA and 33.5 (21.8-40.4) pg/ml in LGA fetuses. The differences were not statistically significant. Nevertheless, indication of differentiation of levels existed when SGA and LGA fetuses in the extremes of distribution were considered. Specifically, very severely SGA fetuses (≤2.5th percentile) tended to have high levels of adiponectin and reduced levels of PLGF in AF. Conclusion: This is the first study presenting adiponectin and PLGF concentrations in early second trimester amniotic fluid in AGA, SGA and LGA fetuses. The altered concentrations of adiponectin and PLGF in very severely SGA fetuses possibly result from the growth-promoting effect of these factors through the metabolic route and the vascular integrity of the placenta, respectively.
Kamberidou I. Athletes United for Peace: Reconciliation through Sport. In: Proceedings of the international conference SPORT AS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN CULTURES. International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE/CIEPSS), Hanns-Braun-Strase Friesenhaus II D-14053 Berlin. Editors Ronnie Lidor, Karl-Heinz Schneider & Katrin Koenen. ISBN 978-3-9811179-4-3 copyright 2012 by ICSSPE; 2012. pp. 187–202.
Policy makers consider that sport contributes to a wide range of ideals such as intercultural understanding, reconciliation, social integration. Grassroots programmes involving tens of thousands participants around the globe from visionaries, educators, civic acitivists, volunteers, etc. are using sport to tackle the most pressing problems of the developing world—from AIDS in Africa to violence in Rio and Haiti. Is this the vision of salvation through sport too grandiose? Can such projects make a lasting difference? Remarkable results have been documented by many NGOs that have been using sport as a tool to promote reconciliation and respect for ethnic diversity. Sport is considered a vital space, especially in light of today’s xenophobic worldviews. (See proceedings)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kamberidou, I. (2012). Athletes United for Peace: Reconciliation through Sport. Proceedings of the international conference SPORT AS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN CULTURES, pp. 187–202. International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE/CIEPSS), Hanns-Braun-Strase Friesenhaus II D-14053 Berlin. Editors Ronnie Lidor, Karl-Heinz Schneider & Katrin Koenen. ISBN 978-3-9811179-4-3 , copyright 2012 by ICSSPE. D.4 in Apella
Kamberidou I. Athletes United for Peace: Reconciliation through Sport. In: Proceedings of the international conference SPORT AS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN CULTURES. International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE/CIEPSS …; 2012. pp. 187–202.
Although the painful experience of loneliness has been largely investigated, attitude toward aloneness and ability to be alone during middle and late childhood remains a highly neglected research issue. The Ability to Be Alone Questionnaire (Berlin, 1990), and the Aversion to Aloneness and Affinity for Aloneness subscales of the Loneliness and Aloneness Scale for Children and Adolescents (Marcoen & Goossens, 1993) were used with 136 fourth and sixth graders (Study 1); also, a sentence completion task assessing feelings about aloneness (Coleman, 1974), and three questions assessing the ability to differentiate between aloneness and loneliness (Galanaki, 2004) (Study 2) were used with 108 fourth and sixth graders. All participants came from primary schools of Athens, Greece. Results showed a decrease from middle to late childhood in children’s aversion to aloneness, and an increase in their capacity to understand that loneliness may be experienced even in the presence of others. Ability to be alone and affinity for aloneness did not show any statistically significant increase with age. The majority of fourth graders were able to understand that “alone” does not necessarily means “lonely”, but had difficulties in accepting the state “feeling lonely even in the presence of others”. Empirical support for an ambivalent attitude toward aloneness during both these age periods also emerged. Gender differences were not found. Findings are discussed in the framework of the existing research on children’s understanding and experience of aloneness and solitude, and suggestions for future research are made.
Anxiety and depression are considered as stress-related disorders, which present considerable sex differentiation. In animal models of anxiety and depression sex differences have been described and linked to the sexually dimorphic hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenals (HPA) axis. The present study aimed to adjust corticosterone, the main HPA axis stress hormone, in male and female adrenalectomized rats with oral (25 μg/ml) corticosterone replacement (ADXR). Subsequently we investigated the behavioral performance of ADXR rats in the open field, light/dark and forced swim test (FST). Male ADXR rats showed less anxiety-like behavior when compared to sham-operated controls, despite adequate corticosterone replacement. They further showed increased swimming and reduced climbing behavior in the FST, while immobility duration did not differ from sham-operated males. On the contrary, adrenalectomy and corticosterone replacement did not have significant effects on the female behavioral response. Females were generally more active and presented less anxiety-like behavior than males, while they exhibited higher depressive-like symptomatology in the FST. ADXR affected behavioral responses predominantly in males, which in turn modified sex differences in the behavioral profile. Females in proestrous and estrous did not differ from females in diestrous and methestrous in any measured behavioral response. Present results suggest that the male and not the female behavioral responses in models of anxiety and depression were mainly affected by ADXR. These findings may play a significant role in explaining the differential coping strategy of the two sexes in response to stressful experiences. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Anxiety and Depression'.
Anxiety and depression are considered as stress-related disorders, which present considerable sex differentiation. In animal models of anxiety and depression sex differences have been described and linked to the sexually dimorphic hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenals (HPA) axis. The present study aimed to adjust corticosterone, the main HPA axis stress hormone, in male and female adrenalectomized rats with oral (25 μg/ml) corticosterone replacement (ADXR). Subsequently we investigated the behavioral performance of ADXR rats in the open field, light/dark and forced swim test (FST). Male ADXR rats showed less anxiety-like behavior when compared to sham-operated controls, despite adequate corticosterone replacement. They further showed increased swimming and reduced climbing behavior in the FST, while immobility duration did not differ from sham-operated males. On the contrary, adrenalectomy and corticosterone replacement did not have significant effects on the female behavioral response. Females were generally more active and presented less anxiety-like behavior than males, while they exhibited higher depressive-like symptomatology in the FST. ADXR affected behavioral responses predominantly in males, which in turn modified sex differences in the behavioral profile. Females in proestrous and estrous did not differ from females in diestrous and methestrous in any measured behavioral response. Present results suggest that the male and not the female behavioral responses in models of anxiety and depression were mainly affected by ADXR. These findings may play a significant role in explaining the differential coping strategy of the two sexes in response to stressful experiences. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Anxiety and Depression'.
Benthic foraminiferal composition of sedimentary successions during the last 7500 years, was investigated from boreholes drilled in three rather tectonically stable coastal areas of the Aegean Sea (Alykes Kitros, Lafrouda Thrace and Vravron Attica). The quantitative analysis of foraminiferal fauna enabled separation into two different groups that are supported by the analysis of modern benthic foraminiferal communities in the studied sites. Group A consists of Ammonia tepida and Haynesina germanica (closed lagoon assemblage), whereas the most common species of Group B (open lagoon assemblage) are Aubignyna perlucida, miliolids, Elphidium spp. and Ammonia spp. The foraminiferal composition integrated with radiometric dating provides information on Holocene paleoenvironmental changes in the studied coastal plains, related to seaeland interaction. Alykes Kitros and Lafrouda Thrace boreholes show a similar trend, with an open lagoonal fauna in the lower part, transitional upwards to closed lagoonal conditions. This environmental change has taken place after 6500 cal BP in Alykes Kitros and around 3000 cal BP at Lafrouda Thrace. The benthic communities of Vravron Attica borehole sediments seem to represent continuously an open lagoon/shallow marine environment from 4700 to 400 cal BP.
Morphological abnormalities of recent and fossil benthic foraminiferal tests may be caused by environmental stress resulting from anthropogenic pollution and/or natural effects. In the present paper we document and describe morphological abnormalities of Ammonia tepida and some additional foraminiferal species from Holocene sedimentary successions of the Aegean Sea (Alykes Kitros and Vravron Attica). The abnormality types are manifested largely by siamese twins, whereas distorted chamber arrangement, overdeveloped or protruding chambers and the presence of multiple apertures have also been observed. Our observations on the distribution of abnormal tests in comparison to the characters of the accompanying fauna suggest that malformation was caused mainly by rapid and intense salinity fluctuations.
To explore the comparative performance of the recently proposed bioequivalence (BE) approaches, FDA(s) and EMA(s), by the FDA working group on highly variable drugs and the EMA, respectively; to compare the impact of the GMR-constraint on the two approaches; and to provide representative plots of % BE acceptance as a function of geometric mean ratio, sample size and variability. Simulated BE studies and extreme GMR versus CV plots were used. Three sequence, three period crossover studies with two treatments were simulated using four levels of within-subject variability. The FDA(s) and EMA(s) approaches were identical when variability was < 30%. In all other cases, the FDA(s) method was more permissive than EMA(s). The major discrepancy was observed for variability values > 50%. The GMR-constraint was necessary for FDA(s), especially for drugs with high variabilities. For EMA(s), the GMR-constraint only became effective when sample size was large and variability was close to 50%. A significant discrepancy in the performances of FDA(s) and EMA(s) was observed for high variability values. The GMR-constraint was essential for FDA(s), but it was of minor importance in case of the EMA(s).
Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness worldwide, is currently defined as a disturbance of the structural or functional integrity of the optic nerve that causes characteristic atrophic changes in the optic nerve, which may lead to specific visual field defects over time. This disturbance usually can be arrested or diminished by adequate lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP). Glaucoma can be divided roughly into two main categories, ' open angle ' and ' closed angle ' glaucoma.Open angle, chronic glaucoma tends to progress at a slower rate and patients may not notice loss of vision until the disease has progressed significantly. Primary open angle glaucoma(POAG) is described distinctly as a multifactorial optic neuropathy that is chronic and progressive with a characteristic acquired loss of optic nerve fibers. Such loss develops in the presence of open anterior chamber angles, characteristic visual field abnormalities, and IOP that is too high for the healthy eye. It manifests by cupping and atrophy of the optic disc, in the absence of other known causes of glaucomatous disease. Several biological markers have been implicated with the disease. The purpose of this study was to summarize the current knowledge regarding the non-genetic molecular markers which have been predicted to have an association with POAG but have not yet been validated
Batsis D, Bitsikas X, Georgaki A, Evaggelou A, Tigas P. Biomusic: The carrier. Technoetic Arts. 2012;9:209–216.Abstract
The present work investigates the concept of sound, in relation to the new means andsciences under different perspectives, ultimately providing an analysis of the newbornartistic movement of bioart. It deals with two parts. The first part of the study is basedupon reference, investigating the interconnection between art and science. Thismechanism is characterized by transformation processes in the interdisciplinarypractices that are applied mainly by various artists and movements of the second postworld war period. The expressive element seeks for an unworldly explanation throughaudio and visual conjunctions. This nature is obvious in Paul Klee’s reflections ofmusical elements in his paintings, Rimington’s attempts to marry audiovisual influencesin his “colour organs”, the experimentations of composers like Xenakis and Stockhausenat various locations with light and color proves the continuous quest to render sound bythe use of new means. Technology is a vital component of transformation as it enhancesthe syncretic creativity for various art domains like the ones that Fluxus deployed. ΝamJun Paik and Dick Higgins introduce radical techniques in their performances as theydetach their selves from the parameters that define composition and use the mind andpower of sentiment in order to identify reality aurally and optically. Towards the end ofthe 20th century we witness the appearance of new art forms like bioart. The humanbody, host of material and immaterial functions comes to the forefront of art practice. Itsrelation to elements such as oscillations and vibrations that express the energy flow areanalyzed through the model of spiritualism that came from eastern thought. The notionof digital embodiment is presented as a reminder, highlighting the importance oftechnology in biotechnology and genetics.The second part of the study involves an experiment. This is how the concept ofbiomusic is applied with the use of ECG data from the MIT PhysioNet database. Assound penetrates the entire human body, it can be analyzed in all of its phasma. Usingthat information we attempt to translate/transform that biological sound phenomena intomusic. The sound produced by the elaboration of data which result from biologicalfunctions, can be described as Biomusic. It can be transformed into frequencies relatedto time and be expressed into music themes. Sonification plays an important role in thisresearch as it constitutes a quick and precise rendering of the polymorphic information(in this case the E.C.G.) in musical notes. This modeling and musical attribution leads intwo distinguished results each one of them concerning different clinical cases (all databelong to a normal heart function and a pathological one). The invention of this novelsystem is suggested for the scientific as well as for the music discipline. It has the abilityto be implemented in an experimental form and obtain an educational character. Thetransformation process avoids compensation throughout the matching process inbetween E.C.G. functions and music, while focusing on the aesthetic factor at the sametime. Sound meets art in the world of Biomusic as it takes shape through technology,constituting a new medium to further evolve the model of ‘’biology into art’’transformation.
BACKGROUND: Pompe disease is an inherited metabolic disorder characterized by α-glycosidase deficiency, which leads to lysosomal glycogen accumulation in many different tissues. The infantile form is the most severe with a rapidly fatal outcome, while the late onset form has a greater phenotypic variability, characterized by skeletal muscle dysfunction and early respiratory involvement. Bone mineral density (BMD) has been recently reported to be reduced in many patients with both forms of the disease. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is now available with an undefined, impact on BMD in patients with late onset disease.
OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate BMD in patients with late onset form of Pompe disease before and after ERT initiation.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was examined in four newly diagnosed patients with late onset Pompe disease and in four adults under ERT before and after ERT initiation with a treatment duration of 18 to 36 months.
RESULTS: The initial DEXA showed normal total body BMD z-score in all the patients, while L2-L4 and femoral neck BMD was reduced in three and two patients, respectively. After ERT administration, two patients had an improvement in L2-L4 lumbar spine and one patient in femoral neck BMD z-score with values within normal range.
CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that regional BMD may moderately reduce in some patients with the late onset form of Pompe disease, although profound osteopenia was not observed. The improvement of measurements in L2-L4 and femoral neck BMD z-score in some patients with low pre-treatment values after ERT administration needs to be confirmed in larger scale studies.
We report on the calculation of the fundamental plasmon waveguide modes in linear periodic chains of finite silver nanorods, aligned perpendicular to the chain. The results of rigorous full-electrodynamic calculations by the layer-multiple-scattering method are discussed in conjunction with the results of the widely used coupled-dipole model and a critical evaluation of the latter is provided. More specifically, it is shown that both diameter and height of the nanorods must be much smaller than the interparticle distance; otherwise, for relatively long nanorods close to each other, the coupled-dipole model can fail completely to predict the waveguide dispersion diagram. Moreover, the model systematically underestimates the effect of dissipative losses and cannot describe the effect of a supporting substrate, which is always present in realistic cases and induces considerable changes in the waveguide dispersion diagram.
INTRODUCTION: Successful research management requirements include; equal teamwork and efficient coordination, in order to increase the impact of the research outcomes and provide added value knowledge. Aim of this paper is to discuss the strategies that have been followed during the RN4CAST study, the largest nursing multi-country research project ever conducted in Europe. The paper focuses on the core research strategies rather than on the administrative activities, which are inevitably also required for the success of a large scale research.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This paper is an extension of a conference presentation in the International Conference of the European Federation for Medical Informatics (MIE) 2011 in Oslo, and was subsequently published in the Studies in Health Technology and Informatics book series (IOS Press) under the title "Research management: the case of RN4CAST." Management of a multicountry nursing survey requires the use of common data collection tools, applicable to every context, research protocols supporting the scope of the research, data models for multi-country analyses and global dissemination strategies. Challenges that may be faced during the implementation of the study include the individualized confrontation of obstacles during data collection, the coherence of national procedures (for example permissions for data collection) in European level, and the challenge to gain information of added value for the EU, by aggregating the national survey results through a powerful data analysis model. Communication strategies are also discussed.
We request multi-fiber optical spectroscopic observations (using the AAOmega/2dF spectrograph at AAT) of the central region of the Small Magellanic Cloud, in order to determine the donor type of the identified X-ray binaries (XRBs) detected in our large XMM survey of the same area. This way we will unambiguously classify the XRBs into Be (easily identifiable by their Hα emission) or supergiant systems. These observations will create a complete census of early-type line-emitting SMC stars down to V~19 mag, thus allowing to address: i) the fraction of early-type stars that exhibit Hα emission and the connection between their Hα excess and red excess or brightness, ii) the fraction of such sources that are observed in X-rays, which is important for constraining the formation rate of accreting binaries in an environment with well characterized stellar populations, and iii) the spectral-type distribution of low-luminosity XRBs.
M31 is our nearest spiral galaxy, at a distance of 780 kpc. Identification of X-ray sources in nearby galaxies is important for interpreting the properties of more distant ones, mainly because we can classify nearby sources using both X-ray and optical data, while more distant ones via X-rays alone. The XMM-Newton Large Project for M31 has produced an abundant sample of about 1900 X-ray sources in the direction of M31. Most of them remain elusive, giving us little signs of their origin. Our goal is to classify these sources using criteria based on properties of already identified ones. In particular we construct candidate lists of high mass X-ray binaries, low mass X-ray binaries, X-ray binaries correlated with globular clusters and AGN based on their X-ray emission and the properties of their optical counterparts, if any. Our main methodology consists of identifying particular loci of X-ray sources on X-ray hardness ratio diagrams and the color magnitude diagrams of their optical counterparts. Finally, we examined the X-ray luminosity function of the X-ray binaries populations.
INTRODUCTION: The presence of the appendix in a femoral hernia sac is known as de Garengeot's hernia. We report a rare case of an elderly woman with femoral hernia appendicitis and discuss the surgical pitfalls and considerations through a literature review.
PRESENTATION OF CASE: An 83-year-old woman presented with fever and right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Clinical examination revealed a femoral hernia. Ultrasonography confirmed bowel was present in the hernia sac. In the operation room, an acutely inflamed appendix was recognized within the sac. The patient underwent appendectomy and hernia repair with sutures.
DISCUSSION: Acute appendicitis within a femoral hernia is rare and multiple dilemmas exist regarding its treatment. An incision below the inguinal ligament is a reasonable choice in order to access the hernia sac. A mesh should be placed in non-infectious appendectomy while herniorrhaphy is preferred in cases of appendicitis.
CONCLUSION: The presence of the vermiform appendix in a femoral hernia sac is rare but the surgeon should be aware of this clinical entity. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate surgical treatment is the key to avoid complications.
The results from a four-year systematic observational sky survey of eclipsing binaries, candidates for containing a delta Scuti component, are presented. More than a hundred systems were tested for a possible oscillating behavior, 17 out of which were found to show evidence of pulsating component and 8 more being ambiguous cases for further research. Data analysis and modelling methods are described step-by-step, and as an example the case of BO Her is presented in detail. Using the observational results of all known close binaries with a delta Scuti component collected from the literature and our own study, a total of 73 such systems is gathered. Correlations among their physical parameters (e.g. pulsation and orbital periods, evolutionary status) are also derived, extending significantly our knowledge of these systems.
Ocean acidification and the related changes in seawater chemistry may disrupt calcification by coccolithophores and departure from the normal growth process causing malformed coccoliths. Coccospheres with malformed were coccoliths collected from different locations in the Aegean Sea. Although most of these specimens in our work are restricted to Emiliania huxleyi, scarce coccospheres of Rhabdosphaera clavigera, Syracosphaera pulchra, Discosphaera tubifera and Calcidiscus quadriperforatus have also been detected. In this study we discuss our observations on malformed distribution in relation to seawater carbonate chemistry.
BACKGROUND: A feature selection method in microarray gene expression data should be independent of platform, disease and dataset size. Our hypothesis is that among the statistically significant ranked genes in a gene list, there should be clusters of genes that share similar biological functions related to the investigated disease. Thus, instead of keeping N top ranked genes, it would be more appropriate to define and keep a number of gene cluster exemplars. RESULTS: We propose a hybrid FS method (mAP-KL), which combines multiple hypothesis testing and affinity propagation (AP)-clustering algorithm along with the Krzanowski & Lai cluster quality index, to select a small yet informative subset of genes. We applied mAP-KL on real microarray data, as well as on simulated data, and compared its performance against 13 other feature selection approaches. Across a variety of diseases and number of samples, mAP-KL presents competitive classification results, particularly in neuromuscular diseases, where its overall AUC score was 0.91. Furthermore, mAP-KL generates concise yet biologically relevant and informative N-gene expression signatures, which can serve as a valuable tool for diagnostic and prognostic purposes, as well as a source of potential disease biomarkers in a broad range of diseases. CONCLUSIONS: mAP-KL is a data-driven and classifier-independent hybrid feature selection method, which applies to any disease classification problem based on microarray data, regardless of the available samples. Combining multiple hypothesis testing and AP leads to subsets of genes, which classify unknown samples from both, small and large patient cohorts with high accuracy.
The paper Faivre et al. (2011) presents an interpretation of results deduced from two coastal cores that are trying to date the period of formation of a slightly submerged tidal notch often
reported from the coasts of Istria. The development of a tidal notch in carbonate coasts is usually made possible by intertidal bioerosion processes during periods of relative sea-level stability (Pirazzoli, 1986). The inward depth of the tidal notch profile, that in Istria is often of about half a meter, may be used for a rough estimation of the duration of the period of relative sea-level stability, with assumptions on the bioerosion rates, that in the Mediterranean have been reported to vary generally between about 0.2 and 1.0 mm/y (Evelpidou et al., 2012). The profile of the Istrian tidal notch shows a well preserved roof, evidence that the notch was submerged by a rapid subsidence, probably coseismic (Evelpidou et al., 2011a, 2011b). Several publications, some of them co-signed by the same authors for the area between Porec and Zadar (Fouache et al., 2000; Faivre and Fouache, 2003), have reported, from correlation with archaeological remains, that the submerged notch corresponds, more or less, to the sea level in Roman times. Other data by Faivre et al. (2010), mention a tidal notch submerged by 0.5e0.7 m and a sea level rise from the first century AD that cannot have highly exceeded 1.0 m. Finally according to Fouache et al. (2011), the sea level rise indicated by archeological remains can be estimated at 1.0+-0.48 m since Roman times.
Faivre et al. (2011) provide a new interpretation from the two cores, which is in complete contradiction with previous results, suggesting that the notch formed much later, between 1000 and 1500 AD. These two dates correspond to radiocarbon ages of two shells collected by the cores. However, apart from the depth of sampling, that nearly coincides to the base of the notch, not before but after its submergence, there is no clear evidence that the dated shells are really related to the sea level at which the notch developed before its submergence. Also, the assertion that the sample from one core would have been deposited at the beginning of the notch formation, while the sample at the same depth from the other core would just have preceded the coseismic subsidence, seems unconvincing. In fact, after the rapid subsidence of the area, the relative sea level became several decimeters higher in the areas of the Mirna River valley and of the Santa Marina Cove, permitting
an acceleration in marine sediment deposition at the levels where they have been recently cored. In addition, the period between 1000 and 1500 AD seems too short for the development of the tidal notch considered, more specifically that this period seems very unfavorable to tidal notch development because the global sea-level rise that occurred until at least 1350 AD, at a rate of 0.6 mm/y (Kemp et al., 2011), has probably limited the possibilities of local bioerosion. Seismic evidence in the period around 1500 AD is also missing. If the rapid subsidence had a coseismic origin, the event is likely to have produced a tsunami in the northern Adriatic. It is hardly believable that a tsunami occurring about 1500 AD could escape notice in Venice and in the other lagoons and harbors of the western coast of the Adriatic. In short, a late Roman date, e.g. 361 AD, as suggested by Benac et al. (2004), seems more likely than a date around 1500 AD. As to the relative sea level stability necessary for the notch formation, it could have occurred in a period of balance for relative sea level changes between the eustatic, isostatic and tectonic factors (Pirazzoli, 2005), i.e. before and during Roman times, possibly in accordance with relative sea-level variations of the type of those predicted with the modelm-2byAntonioli et al. (2007, Fig. 9C or 9D).
Research on star clusters and associations includes the observation and theory of stellar groupings as they form and evolve, cluster disruption, stellar interactions inside clusters, and star formation in dense environments. In what follows, we list past, present and future meetings (http://www2.cadc-ccda.hia-iha.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/meetings/), publications statistics and important surveys, reviews, and databases about clusters.
This paper investigates the potential congruence between research and innovation intensity in a country and the role society plays in the adoption and dissemination of scientific results. Using descriptive reports it tries to quantify certain variables and finds a significant degree of coincidence between the two. This, however, does not indicate any causal relationship but suggests that a systematic exercise of this type is feasible and may lead to the creation of valuable time series that can form solid evidence for policy in the future and create an interesting database for further research and policy-making. Countries that rank higher in their ‘science in society’ performance compared to their innovation ranking may be used as models for imitation. Furthermore, the rating process indicated that there are significant differences between European member states but there is at least a minimum involvement in every country.
Motion of the carotid artery wall is important for the quantification of arterial elasticity and contractility and can be estimated with a number of techniques. In this paper, a framework for quantitative evaluation of motion analysis techniques from B-mode ultrasound images is introduced. Six synthetic sequences were produced using 1) a real image corrupted by Gaussian and speckle noise of 25 and 15 dB, and 2) the ultrasound simulation package Field II. In both cases, a mathematical model was used, which simulated the motion of the arterial wall layers and the surrounding tissue, in the radial and longitudinal directions. The performance of four techniques, namely optical flow (OF (HS)), weighted least-squares optical flow (OF (LK(WLS))), block matching (BM), and affine block motion model (ABMM), was investigated in the context of this framework. The average warping indices were lowest for OF (LK(WLS)) (1.75 pixels), slightly higher for ABMM (2.01 pixels), and highest for BM (6.57 pixels) and OF (HS) (11.57 pixels). Due to its superior performance, OF (LK(WLS)) was used to quantify motion of selected regions of the arterial wall in real ultrasound image sequences of the carotid artery. Preliminary results indicate that OF (LK(WLS)) is promising, because it efficiently quantified radial, longitudinal, and shear strains in healthy adults and diseased subjects.
Land snails usually exhibit cycles of activity and dormancy (aestivation or hibernation). The transition between these two states is accompanied by a range of behavioural and physiological responses to ensure their survival under adverse environmental conditions. Furthermore, aestivation plays an important role in shaping species' distribution patterns. We examined the seasonal patterns in biochemical tissue composition in relation to aspects of behavioural ecology in three land snail populations: one mainland and one insular population of the widespread Helix aspersa and a population (sympatric with the latter) of Helix figulina, a congeneric species with a narrow and declining distribution. Helix figulina aestivates in underground borrows, while H. aspersa spends the summer under stones and may interrupt aestivation when conditions become favourable. Prior to aestivation H. figulina accumulates metabolic fuels, which it consumes later during summer, and at the same time loses substantial body water and increases lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. The insular H. aspersa population follows a similar pattern (regarding metabolites and LDH activity), with the difference that water loss is limited. However, the mainland population of H. aspersa deviates from this model with energy metabolites and water levels showing little variation throughout the year, while LDH activity is reduced. These differences probably reflect the particular behavioural and physiological patterns adopted by each species. The specialist and range-restricted H. figulina shows a constant and more predictable seasonal pattern, which may be effective for surviving in its historical biogeographic range, but it seems to be more vulnerable to possibly changing environmental conditions. On the other hand the generalist and cosmopolitan H. aspersa adopts a more flexible pattern that compensates for the effects of adverse conditions during aestivation and permits a more effective exploitation of energy resources.
Zymomonas mobilis is an ethanologenic bacterium that has been studied for use in biofuel production. Of the sequenced Zymomonas strains, ATCC 29191 has been described as the phenotypic centrotype of Zymomonas mobilis subsp. mobilis, the taxon that harbors the highest ethanol-producing Z. mobilis strains. ATCC 29191 was isolated in Kinshasa, Congo, from palm wine fermentations. This strain is reported to be a robust levan producer, while in recent years it has been employed in studies addressing Z. mobilis respiration. Here we announce the finishing and annotation of the ATCC 29191 genome, which comprises one chromosome and three plasmids.
In this paper the author presents research into the role of religion in the modern world and into young people’s perspectives on the role of religion in European school systems attempting to justify compulsory Religious Education. International and European legislation, experiences of different countries and findings of researches in Greece published for the first time, provide a proposal for compulsory Religious Education which has to be based on the constructivist theory according to pedagogical practice in Europe.
In this study, we explored the factors related to acceptance of evolutionary theory among students/preservice preschool education teachers using conceptual ecology for biological evolution as a theoretical frame. We aimed to examine the acceptance and understanding of evolutionary theory and also the relationship of acceptance and understanding of the nature of science, thinking dispositions and religiosity as independent variables. We also studied the influence of teaching on the conceptual ecology of evolution acceptance. A class of 320 future teachers was surveyed using two questionnaires. According to our findings, students' understanding of evolutionary theory is positively correlated with a moderate acceptance of evolutionary theory. We found a weak positive correlation between the understanding of the nature of science and acceptance of evolution theory, and a positive correlation between open-minded thinking dispositions and evolution theory acceptance. The strength and the patterns of these correlations are miscellaneous and are examined carefully in this paper. We also found that systematic teaching may have a significant influence on evolution theory acceptance. Our findings stress the differences that exist between societies and how socio-cultural factors such as type of religion influence acceptance of evolution and have a strong influence on evolution education.
In this work, we study the properties of the overall accreting binary population of the Magellanic Clouds and the connection between star-formation (SF) activity and X-ray binary (XRB) formation and evolution. Understanding of the populations of compact objects and their connection with SF will allow us to investigate channels of XRB formation in a variety of environments and therefore help in studies of the X-ray source populations of star-forming galaxies outside our Local Group, and even enable their use as a SF diagnostic. By using surveys carried out with space-based X-ray and infrared observatories and ground-based telescopes, we address the demographics of the most common type of young XRBs in the two nearest star-forming galaxies. Our program makes use of multiwavelength data sets in order to provide better understanding of the physical parameters which influence the XRB formation rate and evolution, such as the metallicity and the age of the parent stellar populations. In the SMC, the dominant Be-XRB population appears to be linked to the increased SF activity at ~25-60 Myr ago, while in the Large Magellanic Cloud this activity is shifted to earlier ages (at only ~10-50 Myr). The similarity of this age with the age of maximum occurrence of the Be phenomenon (~40 Myr) indicates that the presence of a circumstellar decretion disk plays a significant role in the number of observed XRBs in the 10-100 Myr age range.
The issue under contemplation is whether the Constitution is able to prevent – andin what ways – the creation of huge fiscal deficits in such a manner as to ensure theeconomic and social rights of the citizens. Although it has a particularly onerousimpact on the population, the issue of limitation of social rights due to financialcrunch and economic recession is not under contemplation here since it emerges at asubsequent time. In a certain sense it is less interesting from a legal perspectivebecause the limitations on social rights, particularly in view of their financial nature,are addressed through a set of provisions pertaining to legislative and judicial assessmentson the presence of grounds of public interest and of compliance with the principlesof equality, proportionality and the protection of human value.2To this end, the example used in this essay is the Greek Constitution. The viewssupported below are the following: First, the way that the Constitution has beeninterpreted to date is not consistent with fundamental rules and views of the EU andthe IMF, which is why there are delays in taking the measures that were agreed uponwith these international organizations and why there are shortcomings in theirimplementation. Second, the constitutional provisions regarding the economy,public finance and financial control do not suffice at a quality or a quantity level forthe prevention of crises, such as the one which the country currently faces.
OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that visfatin is significantly elevated in patients with gastric carcinoma and postmenopausal breast cancer (PBC). We thus explored whether serum visfatin could be used as a potential diagnostic and prognostic tool for PBC, taking into account clinicopathological features, serum tumor markers, anthropometric and metabolic parameters.
METHODS: Serum visfatin, tumor marker CA 15-3, carcinoembryonic antigen, metabolic and anthropometric parameters were determined in 103 postmenopausal women with pathologically confirmed, incident invasive breast cancer, 103 controls matched on age and time of diagnosis, and 51 patients with benign breast lesions (BBL).
RESULTS: Mean serum visfatin was significantly higher in cases than in controls and patients with BBL (p<0.001). In cases, visfatin was significantly associated with CA 15-3 (p=0.03), hormone-receptor status (p<0.001), lymph node invasion (p=0.06) but not with metabolic and anthropometric variables (p>0.05). Multivariable regression analysis revealed that absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER-PR-) was the strongest significant determinant of serum visfatin (p<0.001) in cases adjusting for demographic, metabolic and clinicopathological features. Based upon receiver operator characteristic analysis, serum visfatin outperformed CA 15-3 only in discriminating between PBC cases with early cancer stage than those with late stage, and in differentiating particularly patients with ER-PR- breast tumors.
CONCLUSION: Further prospective and longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether serum visfatin could be used as a prognostic tool in the armamentarium of PBC monitoring and management in conjunction with other biomarkers.
Introduction: Nowadays, reducing medication costs is vital for health care agencies. Prescription of generic drug products can help lower these expenses. A generally accepted assumption is that therapeutic equivalence, between a generic and a brand-name medication, can be claimed if bioequivalence is demonstrated. Areas covered: This article reviews the current regulatory procedures on bioequivalence testing. Special focus is placed on the guidelines recommended by the European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug administration. The authors also describe the evolution of these issues and the alternatives proposed in the literature. Expert opinion: Defining bioequivalence, as the condition of no significant differences in the extent and rate of absorption between the generic and the brand-name medication, sounds simple. However, the scientific and regulatory basis of bioequivalence appears rather complicated in practice. Even though the regulatory authorities have elucidated many issues, several aspects of bioequivalence assessment are still unresolved. Examples, of these open questions, in bioequivalence, include the assessment of complex drugs, such as biologics and iron-carbohydrates, the assessment of immunosuppressive agents as well as the role that pharmacogenomics plays in bioequivalence.
In July 2012, a confirmed case of cutaneous anthraxinfection in a stockbreeder in the prefecture of Larissa, Thessaly, Central Greece was reported. The investigation revealed five related deaths in animals (two dogs and three sheep). Control measures have been taken immediately in order to prevent further spread in humans and animals.
Twenty-four years of AVHRR-derived sea surface temperature (SST) data (1985–2008) and 35 years of NOCS (V.2) in situ-based SST data (1973–2008) were used to investigate the decadal scale variability of this parameter in the Mediterranean Sea in relation to local air–sea interaction and large-scale atmospheric variability. Satellite and in situ-derived data indicate a strong eastward increasing sea surface warming trend from the early 1990s onwards. The satellite-derived mean annual warming rate is about 0.037°C year–1 for the whole basin, about 0.026°C year–1 for the western sub-basin and about 0.042°C year–1 for the eastern sub-basin over 1985–2008. NOCS-derived data indicate similar variability but with lower warming trends for both sub-basins over the same period. The long-term Mediterranean SST spatiotemporal variability is mainly associated with horizontal heat advection variations and an increasing warming of the Atlantic inflow. Analysis of SST and net heat flux inter-annual variations indicates a negative correlation, with the long-term SST increase, driving a net air–sea heat flux decrease in the Mediterranean Sea through a large increase in the latent heat loss. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of the monthly average anomaly satellite-derived time series showed that the first EOF mode is associated with a long-term warming trend throughout the whole Mediterranean surface and it is highly correlated with both the Eastern Atlantic (EA) pattern and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) index. On the other hand, SST basin-average yearly anomaly and NAO variations show low and not statistically significant correlations of opposite sign for the eastern (negative correlation) and western (positive correlation) sub-basins. However, there seems to be a link between NAO and SST decadal-scale variations that is particularly evidenced in the second EOF mode of SST anomalies. NOCS SST time series show a significant SST rise in the western basin from 1973 to the late 1980s following a large warming of the inflowing surface Atlantic waters and a long-term increase of the NAO index, whereas SST slowly increased in the eastern basin. In the early 1990s, there is an abrupt change from a very high positive to a low NAO phase which coincides with a large change in the SST spatiotemporal variability pattern. This pronounced variability shift is followed by an acceleration of the warming rate in the Mediterranean Sea and a change in the direction (from westward to eastward) of its spatial increasing tendency.
BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Acute infections in pregnant women may be transmitted to the fetus and cause severe illness. The purpose of this study was to establish a dedicated surveillance network (DSN) for congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) in Greece, in order to assess the birth prevalence of CT. METHODS: A DSN of thirty clinicians was established for reporting CT cases from hospitals throughout Greece. The clinicians were selected on the basis that there was a high possibility the suspected cases would be referred to them from district hospitals or private clinics. Suspected cases of CT were reported on a monthly basis with a zero reporting card during a surveillance period from April 2006 to December 2009. A questionnaire was sent for any suspected case to record information including demographic parameters, clinical signs and symptoms and laboratory results. Serological and molecular confirmation of cases was performed by the Pasteur Hellenic Institute. All newborns suspected of CT received treatment and were serologically and clinically followed up for one year. RESULTS: The monthly response rate reached 100%, although only after reminders sent to 65% of the participant physicians. Sixty-three suspected CT cases were recorded by the DSN during the study period including fourteen confirmed and seven probable cases. Ten cases (47.6%) presented with symptoms at birth. Chorioretinitis was the most prominent manifestation, occurring in five symptomatic CT cases (50%). No other symptoms appeared by the end of the one year clinical follow up. No case was recorded by the existing surveillance system of the Hellenic Center of Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP) during the same time period. Birth prevalence was estimated at 0.45, 0.51 and 0.51 per 10,000 births for 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively. The incidence rate of symptomatic CT at birth was estimated at 0.10 cases per 10,000 births per year in Greece (for the period 2007-2009). CONCLUSION: The DSN for CT proved to be more sensitive than the classical notification system, easy in application and very efficient in reporting rare diseases such as CT. Similar DSNs could be used to provide useful information on other rare diseases.
Together with impaired production of erythropoietin and iron deficiency, the decreased lifespan of red blood cells (RBCs) is a main factor contributing to the chronic anaemia observed in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Atomic force microscopy is employed in this work to thoroughly survey the membrane of intact RBCs (iRBCs) of HD patients in comparison to those of healthy donors, aiming to obtain direct information on the structural status of RBCs that can be related to their decreased lifespan. We observed that the iRBC membrane of the HD patients is overpopulated with extended circular defects, termed 'orifices', that have typical dimension ranging between 0.2 and 1.0 mu m. The 'orifice' index-that is, the mean population of 'orifices' per top membrane surface-exhibits a pronounced relative increase of order 54 +/- 12% for the HD patients as compared to healthy donors. Interestingly, for the HD patients, the 'orifice' index, which relates to the structural status of the RBC membrane, correlates strongly with urea concentration, which is a basic index of the uraemic milieu. Thus, these results indicate that the uraemic milieu downgrades the structural status of the RBC membrane, possibly triggering biochemical processes that result in their premature elimination from the circulation. This process could decrease the lifespan of RBCs, as observed in HD patients.
Recent high-power gyrotrons, capable of producing radio-frequency power above 1 MW, often suffer from parasitic oscillations in the beam tunnel, despite the presence of dielectric loading materials intended to prevent the growth of such modes. Such oscillations affect the operation and the efficiency of these devices significantly. Lately, a variety of dielectric materials have been used, with limited success, in ring-loaded beam tunnels to suppress unwanted oscillations. In this paper, we perform an extended parametric study of the effects of beam-tunnel geometry and lossy material properties on the damping of such oscillations.
In this study the authors introduce the utilisation of ferrimagnetic compounds into an antenna design and investigate the capability of controlling the antenna properties by means of an external magnetic field. After intensive study of the material properties, the ferrimagnetic compound yttrium iron garnet (YIG) was found to be the best candidate for the proposed novel antenna design. The authors provide a patch antenna design with a part of the dielectric substrate replaced by YIG compound. They have investigated the influence of this compound on the antenna's polarisation properties under the application of an external magnetic field. The authors clearly demonstrate that the type and the sense of the antenna polarisation are strongly influenced by the YIG substrate, because they change with respect to the direction and the magnitude of the external magnetic field. Moreover, the authors have proved that the presence of this material induces non-reciprocal properties in the antenna's operation, changing the antenna properties with respect to receiving or transmitting mode.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause for chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. The HCV-ARF/core+1 protein is an alternative product of HCV core-encoding sequence of unknown biological function. Highly purified HCV core and ARF/core+1 recombinant proteins from HCV genotype 1a and HCV-ARF/core+1 recombinant protein from HCV genotype 3a were expressed in Escherichia coli. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we assessed the prevalence of anti-ARF/core+1 antibodies in 90 chronic hepatitis C patients infected with HCV genotypes 1a/1b or 3a, treated with pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN-a-2a) plus ribavirin. Samples derived from 92 healthy blood donors were used as negative controls. All HCV-RNA-positive serum samples reacted with core 1a antigen, while 15 (37.5%) of 40 and 14 (28%) of 50 patients infected with HCV-1a/1b and HCV-3a, respectively, were found to have anti-ARF/core+1 antibodies into their serum before treatment initiation. These antibodies were persistently present during treatment follow-up and linked to elevated levels of HCV-RNA at baseline.
This paper presents the development of an expert system for the diagnosis of child autism and discusses potential benefits of its implementation in a clinical environment. The development of the expert system was based on a diagnostic algorithm supported by a developmental scale (PEDS) and a diagnostic tool of autism (CARS). Twelve nurses who work in pediatric hospital were asked to use the expert system for a session of 30 minutes and were asked to assess its usefulness, usability and diagnostic value. The majority of nurses agree that it is a useful and promising diagnostic tool for the clinical practice and for the identification of potential child autism cases.
Friedrich Ratzel’s interdisziplinäre politischgeographische Analyse widerspiegelt sich in den nachfolgenden Systemen von R. Kjellen, N. Spykman und I. Mazis. An diese Tradition knüpfend erforscht die griechische Systematische Geopolitische Analyse die Ausarbeitung einer haltbaren theoretischen Grundlage, welche die Kooperation aller sich mit den internationalen Entwicklungen beschäftigender wissenschaftlicher Felder ermöglicht und zur Entwicklung wissenschaftlicher Interdisziplinärer Analytischer Modelle (Interdisciplinary Analysis Models) führen kann.
We study, by means of full-electrodynamic calculations using the layer-multiple-scattering method, the effect of diffractive coupling on the enhancement of the local electromagnetic field in periodic arrays of nanolenses consisting of three silver spheres with progressively decreasing sizes and separations. The interaction between the hot-spot modes of an isolated nanolens with the Rayleigh–Wood anomalies of the periodic lattice leads to a further enhancement of the local field intensity, which can be controlled by an appropriate choice of the geometrical parameters involved.
Division VII provides a forum for astronomers studying the Milky Way as a galactic system, as well as its constituents. It acts as an umbrella for two commissions, Commission 33 and Commission 37.
. Littera. 2012;31(n° spécial sur Jean-Jacques Rousseau):41-51.
La présente étude traite des liens de Rousseau avec le voyage en Orient et étudie sa présence dans ses récits. Après avoir présenté, à travers les principales publications françaises sur l’Orient, sa connaissance à la fin du XVIIe et à la première moitié du XVIIIe siècle, nous analysons la théorie de Rousseau sur l’utilité du voyage analysant son Discours sur l’origine et les fondements de l’inégalité parmi les hommes. De plus, nous étudions la contribution des récits viatiques, en tant que sources, au développement de ses théories et de sa pensée philosophique. En outre, nous nous attardons sur sa méfiance concernant la vérité de leur propos et nous examinons son utilisation de la littérature viatique. Par ailleurs, nous nous référons aux occasions qu’il avait pour réaliser un voyage et son désir de voyager dans les îles grecques et en Orient. En outre, adoptant une approche comparative, Rousseau met en lumière les différents aspects de l’Orient et montre les faiblesses de la société française. Plus précisément, il traite de la place de la femme dans le harem, et étudie l’islam en réagissant aux stéréotypes contemporains. Dans les œuvres de Rousseau, l’Orient se présente surtout comme point de référence afin de comprendre l’altérité culturelle. Notre étude, s’appuie sur des récits du voyage du XVIIe et du XVIIIe siècle ainsi que sur des œuvres de Rousseau.
