Publications

The regions around the doubly magic nuclei 100Sn and 78Ni are of great interest from a nuclear structure standpoint. These nuclei also play a key role in the astrophysical rp- and r-processes, respectively. Recently, nuclei in these regions were studied at the Coupled Cyclotron Facility at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) at Michigan State University.

The regions around the doubly magic nuclei 100Sn and 78Ni are of great interest from a nuclear structure standpoint. These nuclei also play a key role in the astrophysical rp- and r-processes, respectively. Recently, nuclei in these regions were studied at the Coupled Cyclotron Facility at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) at Michigan State University. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Background: Vinorelbine (VRL) has been shown to be active in hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) in phase II studies, alone or in combination. Its moderate toxicity profile is well tolerated in elderly patients. Patients and methods: Patients with metastatic prostate cancer, progressive after primary hormonal therapy, were randomised to receive intravenous VRL 30 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks, and hydrocortisone 40 mg/day or hydrocortisone alone until disease progression. Centres could choose to add aminoglutethimide 1000 mg/day to hydrocortisone as second-line hormone therapy (HT) for all their patients. Randomisation was stratified by centre. Further chemotherapy was allowed after progression. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). The final analysis was performed on a total of 414 patients. Reported results were all based on intention-to-treat analyses. All progressions and responses were reviewed by an independent panel. Results: PFS was significantly prolonged in the VRL plus HT arm compared with the HT alone arm, according to the statistical hypothesis of the protocol (P=0.055 in the two-sided log-rank test with a pre-specified significance level of 10%). The 6-month PFS rates were 33.2% versus 22.8%, and the median durations of PFS were 3.7 versus 2.8 months. In the multivariate Cox analysis, which included age, Karnofsky performance status (PS), haemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase at study entry and number of prior hormonal treatments, the P value was decreased to 0.005. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response rate (≥50% decline sustained for at least 6 weeks) was significantly higher for VRL plus HT compared with HT (30.1% versus 19.2%; P=0.01). Clinical benefit, defined as a decrease in pain intensity or analgesic consumption or an improvement of Karnofsky PS for at least 9 weeks, and at least stable assessment in the other two, was also more frequently observed in patients who received VRL plus HT versus HT alone (30.6% and 19.2%; P=0.008). There was no statistical difference in overall survival. Forty-three per cent of patients in the HT arm received at least one line of further chemotherapy after progression, compared with 28% of patients in the VRL-based arm. Aminoglutethimide did not seem to result in better efficacy for either arm. VRL plus HT was well tolerated, with a median administered relative dose intensity of 90%; grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 6.5% of patients and non-haematological toxicity was rare. Conclusions: The combination of VRL and hydrocortisone compared with hydrocortisone alone resulted in improved clinical benefit, PFS and PSA response rate. This therapeutic gain is similar to that previously reported with mitoxantrone in combination with low-dose corticosteroids. There was no gain in survival; however, the combination is well tolerated in this elderly group of patients, who often present cardiac co-morbidities, and therefore offers an active and safe therapeutic option for patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer. © 2004 European Society for Medical Oncology.

A review of recent advances in spintronics is presented. We report the structural, magnetic, electrical and thermal properties of the ferromagnetic half-Heusler alloy NiMnSb grown by arcmelting. The bulk material is used to deposit highly crystalline thin films at low temperature (200°C) by Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD). The structural and magnetic and transport properties of these films are nearly bulk-like suggesting that these films can be grown by PLD in multilayer structures for efficient spin injection in spintronics.

In this study, a comprehensive methodology for modelling the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic is proposed to predict the future disease burden and assess whether the recent decline in the incidence of HCV may affect the future occurrence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases. Using the prevalence of HCV, the distribution of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients within the various transmission groups and their infection-onset times, it was possible to reconstruct the incident infections per year in the past that progressed to CHC in Greece. The natural history of the disease was simulated in subcohorts of newly infected subjects using transition probabilities derived either empirically between fibrosis stages 0-4 or from literature review. Annual estimates of the incidence and prevalence of CHC by fibrosis stage, HCC and mortality in Greece were obtained up to 2030. HCV incidence peaked in the late 1980s at five new infections/10,000 person-years. Under the assumption of 20-100% decline in HCV incidence after 1990, the cumulative number of incident cirrhosis and HCC cases from 2002-2030 was projected to be lower by 9.6-48.2% and 5.9-29.5%, respectively, than that estimated under the assumption of no decline. However, the prevalent cirrhotic/HCC cases and HCV-related deaths are predicted to decline in the next 30 years only under the assumption of complete elimination of new HCV infections after 1990. Despite the progress in the reduction of HCV transmission, primary prevention does not seem adequate to reverse the rise in the incidence of cirrhosis and HCC.

An attempt is made to examine the relationship of the surface circulation prevailing over Europe with the corresponding surface and 500 hPa over Greece by correlating Lamb weather types for western Europe and Hess and Brezowsky (HB) types for central Europe with those derived from a new classification scheme for the Greek area. It was found that it was difficult to formulate rules controlling the frequency distributions of the circulation types over the Greek area in relation to the circulation over western and central Europe. However, statistically significant correlation was found between certain types with high frequency, which is greater between Lamb and HB types with the surface circulation types over the Greek area, compared with 500 hPa circulation types. For the most correlated pairs, seasonal composites of mean sea-level pressure and 500 hPa geopotential height anomalies demonstrated that the formation of the circulation types over the Greek area depends on the extent, intensity of the anticyclonic or cyclonic centres, air mass characteristics, and stability profile in the lower troposphere over the regions examined, but especially over the central and eastern Mediterranean. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society.

An attempt is made to examine rainfall variability over the Greek area in relation to 500 hPa atmospheric circulation. Daily precipitation series from 22 evenly distributed Greek stations have been used for the period 1958-2000, along with the classification scheme of daily circulation types at 500 hPa for the same period. The seasonal frequency and the trends of circulation types have been calculated. It was found that there is a general positive trend of anticyclonic circulation types and a negative one for cyclonic types. The seasonal trends of rainy days and the precipitation totals have also been calculated and analysed. A general decreasing tendency of winter rainfall is observed; the decreasing trend during autumn and spring is less significant. Concerning the frequency and intensity of rainfall per circulation type, a decreasing tendency becomes evident for the majority of the stations during winter, whereas there is an increasing tendency during autumn. A multiple regression-cross-validation model was developed using the seasonal frequency of circulation types as predictors and the seasonal rainfall totals as predictants. Only the winter modelled precipitation shows a good agreement with the observed precipitation, whereas for the other seasons the agreement is relatively poor. This could be caused by the influence of different factors that are not captured by the classification scheme used. The proposed model could serve as a circulation-based downscaling method that could be further applied to geopotential data available from general circulation models in order to study regional climatological consequences of future climate scenarios. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society.

Language relativism can be associated with two major conceptions: that “eachlanguage has or is a particular spirit” and that “each language has or is a—real or imagined—territory.” Spirituality and territoriality combined giverise to the ideology of a language as a realm. This ideology of Modern Greekas a regime language has become dominant after the official establishment of astandard norm (demotic) and the resolution of the perennial “GreekLanguage Question.” As it is evidenced by a host of “language issues” raisedin the Greek newspapers since 1976, relativism has determined what countedas a “language issue” that was worth publishing, which language issues wereeligible for public debates, and the extent to which language issues were allowedto penetrate “public opinion.”

There are observational indications that relativistic outflows in AGNs are accelerated over distances that far exceed the scale of the central engine. Examples include the radio galaxy NGC 6251, where knots in the radio jets were inferred to accelerate from ∼0.13 c at a distance of ∼0.53 pc from the galactic nucleus to ∼0.42 c at r=1.0 pc, and the quasar 3C 345, where the Lorentz factor of the radio knot C7 was deduced to increase from ∼ 5 to >10 as it moved from r=3 pc to r=20 pc}. It is argued, using exact semianalytic solutions of the relativistic MHD equations, that this behavior is a signature of magnetic acceleration. The same basic driving mechanism may apply to the relativistic jets in AGNs, gamma-ray burst sources, and microquasars.

There are observational indications that relativistic outflows in AGNs are accelerated over distances that far exceed the scale of the central engine. Examples include the radio galaxy NGC 6251, where knots in the radio jets were inferred to accelerate from ∼0.13 c at a distance of ∼0.53 pc from the galactic nucleus to ∼0.42 c at r=1.0 pc, and the quasar 3C 345, where the Lorentz factor of the radio knot C7 was deduced to increase from ∼ 5 to >10 as it moved from r=3 pc to r=20 pc}. It is argued, using exact semianalytic solutions of the relativistic MHD equations, that this behavior is a signature of magnetic acceleration. The same basic driving mechanism may apply to the relativistic jets in AGNs, gamma-ray burst sources, and microquasars.

Spherically symmetric hydrodynamical outflows accelerated thermally in the vicinity of a compact object are studied by generalizing an equation of state with a variable effective polytropic index, appropriate to describe relativistic temperatures close to the central object and nonrelativistic ones further away. Relativistic effects introduced by the Schwarzschild metric and the presence of relativistic temperatures in the corona are compared with previous results for a constant effective polytropic index and also with results of the classical wind theory. By a parametric study of the polytropic index and the location of the sonic transition it is found that space time curvature and relativistic temperatures tend to increase the efficiency of thermal driving in accelerating the outflow. Thus conversely to the classical Parker wind, the outflow is accelerated even for polytropic indices higher than 3/2. The results of this simple but fully relativistic extension of the polytropic equation of state may be useful in simulations of outflows from hot coronae in black hole magnetospheres.

We report on magnetic measurements as a function of field, temperature and time (relaxation) in superconducting Nb films of critical temperature T-c = 9.25 K. The magnetic measurements as a function of field exhibited a "second magnetization peak" (SMP) which in general is accompanied by thermomagnetic instabilities (TMIs). The lines H-smp(T) where the SMP occurs and the H-fj(T) where the first flux jump in the virgin magnetization curves is observed, end at a characteristic point (T-0, H-0) approximate to (7.2K, 80 Oe). Relaxation measurements showed that for T < T-0 approximate to 7.2 K the activation energy U-0 and the normalized relaxation rate S exhibit non-monotonic behavior as a function either of temperature or field. The extrema observed in U-0 and S coincide with the points H-on(T) or H-smp(T) of the SMP. In the regime T > T-0 approximate to 7.2 K both U-0 and S present a conventional monotonic behavior. These results indicate that the SMP behavior observed in Our Nb films is promoted by the anomalous relaxation of the magnetization. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of markers of bone remodelling, and osteoclast activation/function in patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). We have measured serum levels of soluble RANKL (sRANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1α), markers of bone resorption [N-telopeptide of collagen type-I (NTX), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform-5b (TRACP-Sb)] and bone formation [bone-alkaline phosphatase (bALP)] in 40 MGUS patients. These parameters were compared with those of 42 newly diagnosed myeloma patients, and 45 healthy, gender- and age-matched controls. MGUS patients had elevated levels of NTX, sRANKL, and sRANKL/OPG ratio compared with controls (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, TRACP-5b, MIP-1α and NTX were decreased in patients with MGUS compared with myeloma patients (P < 0.001), while OPG and bALP were increased (P < 0.001). Serum levels of MIP-1α, as well as TRACP-Sb, and sRANKL/OPG ratio were reduced, while bALP was increased in MGUS patients, even when compared with myeloma patients who had stage I/II disease. These results demonstrate that increased osteoclastogenesis leading to increased bone resorption is present in MGUS but seems to be compensated for by normal bone formation, which is absent in MM. Furthermore MIP-1α, bALP, and sRANKL/OPG may be useful tools for distinguishing between cases of MGUS and early myeloma.

Optimization of methods for ruling out Bacillus anthracis leads to increased yields, faster turnaround times, and a lighter workload. We used 72 environmental non-B. anthracis bacilli to validate methods for ruling out B. anthracis. Most effective were the use of horse blood agar, motility testing after isolates had a 2-h incubation in trypticase soy broth, and screening isolates with a B. anthracis-selective agar.

Objective. Patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) who relapse more than 6 months following completion of platinum-based primary chemotherapy are considered platinum-sensitive, and can be effectively retreated with cisplatin or carboplatin. The nucleoside analogue gemcitabine has proven activity in both platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant disease. We conducted a phase II study using the combination of carboplatin and gemcitabine for the treatment of patients with relapsed platinum-sensitive and paclitaxel-pretreated EOC. Methods. Forty-three patients were treated with gemcitabine 1000 mg/m 2, intravenously, over 30 min on days 1 and 8, and carboplatin at AUC 5 on day 1. Courses were administered every 3 weeks on an outpatient basis. Results. Among 37 patients with measurable or evaluable disease, 15 (40.5%) achieved an objective response including 10 complete and 5 partial responses. The median overall survival was 24.5 months, and the median time to progression for all patients was 9 months. The treatment was well tolerated without toxic deaths; the most common toxicities were Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia that occurred in 69%, 26%, and 24% of patients, respectively. Conclusions. The combination of carboplatin and gemcitabine is a well-tolerated outpatient regimen with activity in patients with relapsed platinum-sensitive and paclitaxel-pretreated EOC. However, a randomized prospective study is justified to define whether the addition of gemcitabine to single-agent carboplatin results in improved efficacy in this subset of patients. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the predictive value of serum beta2-microglobulin (beta2m) levels for virological breakthrough in hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B patients under long term lamivudine monotherapy. METHODS: Serum beta2m levels were calculated at baseline and every three months during lamivudine monotherapy in 25 patients with chronic hepatitis B, using microparticle enzyme immunoassay technology to investigate their association with biochemical, virological and histological outcome data. Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate the association between serum beta2m levels and virological breakthrough. RESULTS: Seven of 25 (28%), nine of 25 (36%) and 14 of 25 (56%) chronic hepatitis B patients exhibited virological breakthrough at months 12, 24 and 36 of treatment, respectively. All chronic hepatitis B patients who did not show virological breakthrough in the follow-up period exhibited beta2m elevation in month 3 of treatment. The duration (in months) of serum beta2m elevation was significantly higher in the responders group than the nonresponders group (7.3 +/- 2.6 versus 3.8 +/- 3.4, P=0.02). In contrast to patients whose serum beta2m levels were increased at three months, patients whose beta2m levels were decreased had a 4.6 times higher risk of experiencing virological breakthrough (hazards ratio 4.6, 95% CI 1.22 to 17.36). When age, pretreatment serum alanine aminotransferase and hepatitis B virus DNA levels, and grade of liver disease were simultaneously included in the same Cox model, decreased beta2m status was still associated with increased risk of virological breakthrough (hazards ratio 12.2, 95% CI 1.28 to 116.8). CONCLUSIONS: In hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B patients under long term lamivudine monotherapy, serum b2m levels at three months of treatment, compared with baseline levels, are good predictors of risk for virological breakthrough.

BACKGROUND: The effect of dietary nucleotides on lipid metabolism has been the subject of clinical studies with conflicting results. We measured serum triglycerides, total cholesterol (total-C), and lipoprotein cholesterol levels (HDL-C, LDL-C, and VLDL-C) in preterm neonates fed formula with and without nucleotide supplements. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, controlled study included 150 healthy preterm neonates (gestational age, 33.0 +/- 1.9 weeks) matched for gestational age, birth weight, and gender. Subjects were assigned at birth to receive either a standard milk formula supplemented with nucleotides (group F-NT) or the same formula without nucleotides (group F). Serum was obtained before discharge (29.1 +/- 10.0 days of life) and triglycerides, total-C, and HDL-C were determined enzymatically. LDL-C and VLDL-C were estimated by the Friedewald formula. For statistical analysis t test, Mann Whitney-U test, two-way ANOVA, and chi2 test were used, as appropriate. The influence of several factors on serum lipid levels was evaluated by linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Serum triglycerides, total-C, and VLDL-C levels did not differ between groups. HDL-C levels (median; 25th-75th percentiles) were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in group F-NT (48.0 mg/dL; 40.5-57.0 mg/dL) than in group F (34.5 mg/dL; 27.2-44.0 mg/dL). On the contrary, LDL-C levels (median; 25th-75th percentiles) were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in group F-NT (39.0 mg/dL; 26.0-54.0 mg/dL) than in group F (65.0 mg/dL; 41.0-73.0 mg/dL). In the multiple regression analysis, nucleotide supplementation was identified as one of the controlled independent factors influencing serum HDL-C and LDL-C levels. CONCLUSIONS: Preterm neonates fed from birth with formula supplemented with nucleotides have significantly higher HDL-C and lower LDL-C serum levels than do neonates fed unsupplemented formula. The clinical relevance of these results remains to be elucidated.

The forced swim test (FST) has been considered as a pharmacologically valid test of the depressive syndrome in rodents. However, few studies have focused on neurochemical and behavioral responses during FST in both male and female rats. Thus, we investigated certain behavioral and neuroendocrine responses as well as the serotonergic activity after the application of FST in both sexes. Our data show that the duration of immobility was increased in both male and female rats during the 2nd session of the FST. Sex differences are observed in some behavioral responses, such as head swinging that is mostly present in male rats. In female rats FST induced a decrease in serotonergic activity in hippocampus and hypothalamus while in male rats it induced an increase in serotonergic activity in hypothalamus. Corticosterone serum levels were elevated in both sexes. However, hippocampal GR mRNA levels tended to be increased in males and females respectively. Moreover, hypothalamic serotonin (5-HT)1A mRNA levels were decreased in female rats while in male rats hippocampal 5-HT1A mRNA levels were increased. These data have shown that FST induces "depressive like symptoms" in both sexes and provide evidence that sex differences characterize certain behavioral aspects in the FST. Notably, hippocampal and hypothalamic serotonergic activity has been differentially modified in male rats compared with female rats and these neurochemical findings could be relevant to the differentiated expression of 5-HT1A receptor. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity was also affected by FST application in a sex specific manner. The present results support that FST induced behavioral, neurochemical and neurobiological alterations, which are sex dependent.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of a carbohydrate-rich meal on post-prandial metabolic responses and skeletal muscle glycogen concentration. After an overnight fast, eight male recreational/club endurance runners ingested a carbohydrate (CHO) meal (2.5 g CHO - kg-1 body mass) and biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle before and 3 h after the meal. Ingestion of the meal resulted in a 10.6 ± 2.5% (P < 0.05) increase in muscle glycogen concentration (pre-meal vs post-meal: 314.0 ± 33.9 vs 347.3 ± 31.3 mmol · kg-1 dry weight). Three hours after ingestion, mean serum insulin concentrations had not returned to pre-feeding values (0 min vs 180 min: 45 ± 4 vs 143 ± 21 pmol · 1-1). On a separate occasion, six similar individuals ingested the meal or fasted for a further 3 h during which time expired air samples were collected to estimate the amount of carbohydrate oxidized over the 3 h post-prandial period. It was estimated that about 20% of the carbohydrate consumed was converted into muscle glycogen, and about 12% was oxidized. We conclude that a meal providing 2.5 g CHO · kg-1 body mass can increase muscle glycogen stores 3 h after ingestion. However, an estimated 67% of the carbohydrate ingested was unaccounted for and this may have been stored as liver glycogen and/or still be in the gastrointestinal tract. © 2004 Taylor & Francis Ltd.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of a carbohydrate-rich meal on post-prandial metabolic responses and skeletal muscle glycogen concentration. After an overnight fast, eight male recreational/club endurance runners ingested a carbohydrate (CHO) meal (2.5 g CHO - kg-1 body mass) and biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle before and 3 h after the meal. Ingestion of the meal resulted in a 10.6 ± 2.5% (P < 0.05) increase in muscle glycogen concentration (pre-meal vs post-meal: 314.0 ± 33.9 vs 347.3 ± 31.3 mmol · kg-1 dry weight). Three hours after ingestion, mean serum insulin concentrations had not returned to pre-feeding values (0 min vs 180 min: 45 ± 4 vs 143 ± 21 pmol · 1-1). On a separate occasion, six similar individuals ingested the meal or fasted for a further 3 h during which time expired air samples were collected to estimate the amount of carbohydrate oxidized over the 3 h post-prandial period. It was estimated that about 20% of the carbohydrate consumed was converted into muscle glycogen, and about 12% was oxidized. We conclude that a meal providing 2.5 g CHO · kg-1 body mass can increase muscle glycogen stores 3 h after ingestion. However, an estimated 67% of the carbohydrate ingested was unaccounted for and this may have been stored as liver glycogen and/or still be in the gastrointestinal tract. © 2004 Taylor & Francis Ltd.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of a carbohydrate-rich meal on post-prandial metabolic responses and skeletal muscle glycogen concentration. After an overnight fast, eight male recreational/club endurance runners ingested a carbohydrate (CHO) meal (2.5 g CHO - kg-1 body mass) and biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle before and 3 h after the meal. Ingestion of the meal resulted in a 10.6 ± 2.5% (P < 0.05) increase in muscle glycogen concentration (pre-meal vs post-meal: 314.0 ± 33.9 vs 347.3 ± 31.3 mmol · kg-1 dry weight). Three hours after ingestion, mean serum insulin concentrations had not returned to pre-feeding values (0 min vs 180 min: 45 ± 4 vs 143 ± 21 pmol · 1-1). On a separate occasion, six similar individuals ingested the meal or fasted for a further 3 h during which time expired air samples were collected to estimate the amount of carbohydrate oxidized over the 3 h post-prandial period. It was estimated that about 20% of the carbohydrate consumed was converted into muscle glycogen, and about 12% was oxidized. We conclude that a meal providing 2.5 g CHO · kg-1 body mass can increase muscle glycogen stores 3 h after ingestion. However, an estimated 67% of the carbohydrate ingested was unaccounted for and this may have been stored as liver glycogen and/or still be in the gastrointestinal tract. © 2004 Taylor & Francis Ltd.

Kamberidou, I. (2004).  “Slavery of the Mind and “Mental Imprisonment” (1870) in the harem: the Bodiless Society, a de-gendered or gender-neutral emancipatory social space? Opening presentation  (10.30 -11.00) to the ‘Virtual Harem’ for the Consultation Workshop on Gender and Technology, European Commission – Information Society DG. Avenue de Beaulieu 31   6/30, 1160 Brussels, 28 June 2004    [explanation of power structures, limits and lessons that can be drawn]   M. 1.  in Apella,

• Includes Consultation Workshop on Gender and Technology report on presentations, along with Preliminary Agenda/first draft (before corrections) for Gender and Technology Consultation Workshop, European Commission, Brussels 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Gastrointestinal and pancreatic fistulas are characterized as serious complications following abdominal surgery, with a reported incidence of up to 27% and 46%, respectively. Fistula formation results in prolonged hospitalization, increased morbidity/mortality and increased treatment costs. Conservative and surgical approaches are both employed in the management of these fistulas. The purpose of the present study was to assess, evaluate and compare the potential clinical benefit and cost effectiveness of pharmacotherapy (somatostatin versus its analogue octreotide) versus conventional therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients with gastrointestinal or pancreatic fistulas were randomized to three treatment groups: 19 patients received 6000 IU/day of somatostatin intravenously, 17 received 100 microg of octreotide three times daily subcutaneously and 15 patients received only standard medical treatment. RESULTS: The fistula closure rate was 84% in the somatostatin group, 65% in the octreotide group and 27% in the control group. These differences were of statistical significance (P=0.007). Overall mortality rate was less than 5% and statistically significant differences in mortality among the three groups could not be established. Overall, treatment with somatostatin and octreotide was more cost effective than conventional therapy (control group), and somatostatin was more cost effective than octreotide. The average hospital stay was 21.6 days, 27.0 and 31.5 days for the somatostatin, octreotide and control groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that pharmacotherapy reduces the costs involved in fistula management (by reducing hospitalization) and also offers increased spontaneous closure rate. Further prospective studies focusing on the above parameters are needed to demonstrate the clinicoeconomic benefits.

Τα φυτά ήταν εκεί. προϋπήρχαν. Φυτά μακρόβια. αείφυλλα. βαθύρριζα. ανθεκτικά. εύοσμα. λευκανθή. συμβόλιζαν αλληγορικά τα ιδεώδη. Φυτά που άγγιζαν. στόλιζαν. ζύμωναν την καθημερινότητα στην ιερή Aλτη. Φυτά με αναγεννητικές δυνάμεις. Η ισχυρή δρυς. Η λεύκα της θυσίας. Η λυγαριά της αγνότητας. Η μεθυστική άμπελος. Ο συναπτόμενος κισσός. Η ερωτική μυρτιά. Ο δοξασμένος φοίνικας. Η μαντική δάφνη. Η ιερή ελιά... Διαβάζοντας τα Συμβολικά φυτά των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων θα ανακαλύψετε όσα σχετικά είχε γράψει ο Θεόφραστος πριν από είκοσι τέσσερις αιώνες -αι παραδεδομέναι φήμαι παρά των μυθολόγων· ελάαν μεν γαρ λέγουσι την Αθήνησι. φοίνικα δε τον εν Δήλω. κότινον δε τον εν Ολυμπία. αφ ου ο στέφανος- και θα μάθετε πολλά για τη χρήση. το μύθο. την ονομασία. τη φυσική ιστορία. Τέλος. θα απολαύσετε το εικονογραφικό υλικό με τα φυτά της Ελλάδας. όπως αποτυπώθηκαν τον 18ο αιώνα από έναν μεγάλο ζωγράφο. Στην αρχαία Ολυμπία ό.τι απέμεινε απλώνεται. διαχέεται κι έρχεται από την όχθη της αθανασίας να αγγίξει το παρόν και το μέλλον. Τα φυτά εξακολουθούν ν αναπτύσσονται εκεί. ως αναπόσπαστο μέρος του ξακουστού τοπίου. Από την εφημερίδα του ΕΚΠΑ, Το Καποδιστριακό, 1/2/2005: Με την ευκαιρία της τέλεσης των Oλυμπιακών Αγώνων στην πατρίδα μας, πολλά ήταν τα βιβλία που κυκλοφορήθηκαν με θεματολόγιο αντλημένο από την ιστορία τους. Ένα από αυτά τα μελετήματα είναι και το εκδοθέν από την «Εστία» βιβλίο της επίκ. καθηγήτριας του Τμήματος Βιολογίας Σοφίας Ριζοπούλου που εκπόνησε σε συνεργασία με τη φοιτήτριά της Αννέτα Ρίζου, σχετικά με τα Συμβολικά φυτά των Oλυμπιακών Αγώνων. Ξεκινώντας τη μελέτη τους από ορισμένα εδάφια του Θεόφραστου που αναφέρονται σε συμβολικά φυτά και αντλώντας πλούσιο εικονογραφικό υλικό από το μνημειώδες έργο «Flora Graeca» του J. Sibthorp (1758-1796) και τα περιλαμβανόμενα σε αυτό σχέδια του F. L. Bauer (1760-1826), δημιούργησαν έναν κομψό και καλαίσθητο τόμο, πλούσια διακοσμημένο με ενδιαφέρουσες εικόνες. Στον πρόλογο του τόμου τονίζεται ότι «Με το εικονογραφικό υλικό, ως μέσο έκφρασης, το βιβλίο που κρατάτε στα χέρια σας, αφορά 25 φυτικά είδη που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν κατά τους αρχαίους Oλυμπιακούς Αγώνες. Η αναφορά μας έχει σχέση με τη χρήση, τον μύθο, την ονομασία, και τη φυσική και την ιστορία. Τα φυτά άγγιζαν, στόλιζαν και ζύμωναν την καθημερινότητα στην ιερή Άλτη».

The article concentrates on setting some specific criteria for the EIL (‘English as an international language’) classroom and raising teachers’ awareness of what is needed in order to identify and teach EIL classrooms. It starts by distinguishing between those communicative and teaching situations that are norm-bound and those that prioritise interlocutors’ mutual comprehensibility and cultural identity. On that basis, it goes on to delineate the EIL domain in norm-bound terms and suggests that teachers should also concentrate on teaching English as an intercultural language (EIcL). It subsequently addresses the following questions: What are the defining characteristics of an EIL/EIcL situation? How can a teacher identify such a situation and by what means can this be done? To what extent are EIL/EIcL situations similar to or different from other ESL, EFL, or more general ESOL situations? Are all EIL/EIcL situations around the world the ‘same’ and, if not, to what extent are they similar/different? To what extent do learners’ and teachers’ attitudes towards English, language learning and their own national, cultural and personal identity matter in EIL/EIcL learning/teaching?

NiMnSb has attracted a great deal of interest as a spin injector/detector in spintronic devices because it has a Curie temperature of 728 K and is predicted to be half-metallic (100% spin polarized). NiMnSb has been reported to have greatly reduced surface polarization, and to lose its half metallicity above 80 K. Here we report the investigation of the surface polarisation and electronic structure of NiMnSb by measurement of the transport spin polarization using point contact Andreev reflection spectroscopy, and anomalous Hall effect in thin films on Si(00 1). A comparison to bulk properties is made. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The magnetic properties of the polymerized phase of RbC60 have been investigated by static magnetization measurements. The magnetic susceptibility comprises a temperature dependent part that decreases rapidly below 50 K, where the metal-insulator transition and the subsequent antiferromagnetic ordering are expected according to electron spin resonance results. The temperature variation of this contribution resembles that of quasi-one-dimensional gapped systems and shows substantial field dependence suggesting a disordered antiferromagnetic phase.

A brief review is given of some results of our work on the construction of (I) steady and (II) time-dependent MHD models for nonrelativistic and relativistic astrophysical outflows and jets, analytically and numerically. The only available exact solutions for MHD outflows are those in separable coordinates, i.e., with the symmetry of radial or meridional self-similarity. Physically accepted solutions pass from the fast magnetosonic separatrix surface in order to satisfy MHD causality. An energetic criterion is outlined for selecting radially expanding winds from cylindrically expanding jets. Numerical simulations of magnetic self-collimation verify the conclusions of analytical steady solutions. We also propose a two-component model consisting of a wind outflow from a central object and a faster rotating outflow launched from a surrounding accretion disk which plays the role of the flow collimator. We also discuss the problem of shock formation during the magnetic collimation of wind-type outflows into jets.

A brief review is given of some results of our work on the construction of (I) steady and (II) time-dependent MHD models for nonrelativistic and relativistic astrophysical outflows and jets, analytically and numerically. The only available exact solutions for MHD outflows are those in separable coordinates, i.e., with the symmetry of radial or meridional self-similarity. Physically accepted solutions pass from the fast magnetosonic separatrix surface in order to satisfy MHD causality. An energetic criterion is outlined for selecting radially expanding winds from cylindrically expanding jets. Numerical simulations of magnetic self-collimation verify the conclusions of analytical steady solutions. We also propose a two-component model consisting of a wind outflow from a central object and a faster rotating outflow launched from a surrounding accretion disk which plays the role of the flow collimator. We also discuss the problem of shock formation during the magnetic collimation of wind-type outflows into jets.

A novel class of inhibitors of human digestive lipases have been developed. Various sterically hindered triacylglycerols based on 2-methyl- and 2-butylglycerol, and/or 2-methyl fatty acids were synthesized. The triacylglycerol analogues were tested for their ability to form stable monomolecular films at the air/water interface by recording their surface-pressure/molecular-area compression isotherms. The inhibition of human pancreatic and gastric lipases by the sterically hindered triacylglycerol analogues was studied by using the monolayer technique with mixed films of 1,2-dicaprin, which contained variable proportions of each inhibitor. Triolein analogues that contain a butyl group at the 2-position of the glycerol backbone or methyl groups both at the 2-position of glycerol, and the α-position of each oleic acid residue were potent inhibitors; this caused a 50 % decrease in HPL activity at 0.003 molar fraction.

Η διπλωματική εργασία μεταπτυχιακής ειδίκευσης, η οποία εγκρίθηκε από τη Γενική Συνέλευση του Τμήματος Θεολογίας Α.Π.Θ με το βαθμό «΄Αριστα» το Δεκέμβριο του 1992. Τα δύο πρωτότυπα σημεία στη μελέτη αυτή είναι ο ηθικός σχολιασμός των αντισυλληπτικών μεθόδων και τεχνικών μέσων (β΄κεφάλαιο) και η τυποποίηση των απαντήσεων των ποιμένων για την αντιμετώπιση των θεμάτων της τεκνογονίας και της αντισύλληψης στον ορθόδοξο γάμο (γ΄κεφάλαιο). Στην εισαγωγή της εργασίας επισημαίνεται η σπουδαιότητα του θέματος και παρατίθεται η σχετική με αυτό προβληματική. Το πρώτο κεφάλαιο έχει τίτλο «H τεκνογονία ως σκοπός του γάμου στην ορθόδοξη παράδοση» και διαιρείται σε δύο υποενότητες. H πρώτη, η οποία επιγράφεται «Ο Γάμος και οι σκοποί του» αποτελείται από δύο παραγράφους. Στην πρώτη ορίζεται ο  χριστιανικός γάμος με βάση τη βιβλική και πατερική παράδοση, ενώ στη δεύτερη παράγραφο επιχειρείται προσπάθεια προσδιορισμού των σκοπών του. Στη δεύτερη ενότητα του ίδιου κεφαλαίου διερευνάται το πρόβλημα της τεκνογονίας όπως αυτό αντιμετωπίζεται στην ορθόδοξη θεολογία.  Το δεύτερο κεφάλαιο αναφέρεται στην «Aντισύλληψη και τον Οικογενειακό προγραμματισμό».  Περιγράφονται τα μέσα και οι μέθοδοι που χρησιμοποιούνται για αντισύλληψη. Επισημαίνεται ότι και οι φυσικές μέθοδοι απαιτούν τεχνική για την αποτελεσματική εφαρμογή τους και επομένως το ηθικό δίλημμα για την χρήση μιας φυσικής ή τεχνικής μεθόδου είναι πλασματικό. Και στη μία και στην άλλη περίπτωση εκείνο που κυρίως κρίνεται είναι η πρόθεση για φυγοτεκνία και όχι το χρησιμοποιούμενο μέσο. Όπως εξάλλου σημειώνεται, η γνώση των μέσων και των μεθόδων κρίνεται απαραίτητη, όχι μόνο για τους πιστούς αλλά και για τους πoιμένες, καθόσον ορισμένα από αυτά δεν δρουν μόνο αντισυλληπτικά, αλλά και εκτρωτικά. Το τρίτο κεφάλαιo επιγράφεται «H τεκνoγoνία στη σύγχρονη πoιμαντική πράξη» και αποτελεί το σημαντικότερο τμήμα της μελέτης, καθώς συνιστά καρπό ερευνητικής προσπάθειας. Η τέταρτη παράγραφος είναι η πλέον ενδιαφέρουσα και πρωτότυπη της μελέτης, καθώς ασχολείται με την τυπολογία της σύγχρονης ποιμαντικής στο θέμα αυτό, όπως προκύπτει από τις απαντήσεις των ερωτηθέντων πνευματικών. Τα ερωτήματα που τέθηκαν στους πνευματικούς ήταν τα εξής: α) Ποιος ο σκοπός του ορθόδοξου γάμου και ποιος της συζυγικής συνουσίας; β) Ο σύγχρονος χριστιανός έχει το δικαίωμα να ρυθμίζει τη γονιμότητα και να προγραμματίζει την οικογένεια; γ) Ποια είναι η θέση σας για την αντισύλληψη ως πράξη ρυθμίσεως των γεννήσεων και ποια για τα αντισυλληπτικά μέσα; δ) Ποια είναι η γνώμη σας για τη μέθοδο των  γόνιμων και άγονων ημερών; ε) Ποια είναι η σχέση της χρήσης αντισυλληπτικών μέσων και της συμμετοχής στο μυστήριο της Θείας Ευχαριστίας; στ) Ποια είναι η γνώμη σας για τη συζυγική συνουσία κατά την περίοδο της εγκυμοσύνης; στ) Ποια είναι η γνώμη σας για την εγκύκλιο του 1937; Οι ποιμαντικοί τύποι αναφέρονται στα προβλήματα της τεκνογονίας, του ελέγχου των γεννήσεων, της αντισύλληψης, της ρυθμίσεως της ανθρώπινης γονιμότητας και του προγραμματισμού της οικογένειας. 'Ετσι διακρίνονται δύο κυρίως γραμμές: α) H παραδοσιακή (που εκφράζεται με δύο τύπους: τον αυστηρό  και τον επιεική) και β) η νεωτερίζουσα. Ανάλογες με τους τύπους που αναφέρθηκαν είναι και οι  απαντήσεις στα ερωτήματα αυτά. Οι χαρακτηρισμοί αποτελούν προσωπικές εκτιμήσεις και επιλογές του γράφοντος. Η εργασία κατακλείεται με τον επίλογο, όπου παρουσιάζονται τα πορίσματα. Τέλος, στο παράρτημα παρατίθενται τρία κείμενα, που συνδέονται άμεσα με το υπό πραγμάτευση θέμα, δηλαδή: 1) Η περί του ζητήματος της τεκνογονίας εγκύκλιος της Ιεραρχίας της Εκκλησίας της Ελλάδος του 1937, 2) «Το διάγγελμα της Iεραρχίας της Εκκλησίας της Eλλάδoς προς τον λαόν περί τεκνογονίας (9.10.1978)», 3) Ο Νόμος υπ' αρ. 1036/1980 για τον οικογενειακό προγραμματισμό και για άλλες διατάξεις καθώς και τα στατιστικά στοιχεία με τις θέσεις των εγγάμων και αγάμων πνευματικών, που συμμετείχαν στην έρευνα. Σε επικείμενη έκδοση θα συμπεριληφθούν οι διορθώσεις των λαθών, τα οποία επισημάνθηκαν όλα αυτά τα χρόνια και θα προστεθεί η βιβλιογραφική ενημέρωσή της. ISBN 960- 7814-23-1. Κωδικός Βιβλίου στον Εύδοξο: 24999

We report the growth of single-phase, stoichiometric polycrystalline thin films of the half-Heusler ferromagnet NiMnSb, predicted to be half-metallic, on single crystal InSb (100) substrates heated at 200°C by pulsed laser deposition. The films exhibit saturation magnetization of 4 μB/ formula unit at 5 K and coercive fields of 2 Oe at 300 K indicative of their good structural quality. At low temperatures (7<200 K) the system behaves like a Heisenberg ferromagnet as expected for a half-metal, while at T>200 K it behaves like an itinerant ferromagnet. The resistivity of the film at 5 K is 6 μΩ cm. © 2004 American Institute of Physics.

We propose a process by which the kinetic energy of the protons, that carry most of the energy of GRB relativistic blast waves (RBW), is converted explosively into relativistic electrons of the same Lorentz factor, which then produce the observed prompt γ-ray emission of the burst. This conversion is the result of the combined effects of the reflection of photons produced within the flow by upstream located matter, their re-interception and conversion into e +e --pairs on the RBW by the pγ→ pe +e - reaction. This process depends on kinematic and dynamic thresholds; the former depends on the RBW Lorentz factor Γ while the second on the column density of the post shock matter to the pγ→e +e - reaction; this latter condition is in effect that of the criticality of a nuclear pile, hence the erminology. It is shown that, when operating near threshold, the resulting GRB spectrum produces its peak luminosity at energy (in the lab frame) E≃ mec2, thereby providing an answer to this outstanding question of GRBs.

Novel anomeric spironucleosides and 1'-cyano-2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxyuridine, a structural analogue of known anti-HIV agent, were prepared by nucleophilic addition of organolithium reagents to 1'-cyano-2'deoxy- and 1'-cyano-2'-deoxy-2'beta-bromouridine derivatives, respectively. The yield and distribution of products depended on the reaction conditions, whichwere studied in detail. Although none of the compounds exhibited antiviral activit, twocompounds displayed cytostatic activity against both murine leukemia and human T-lymphocyte cells.

Novel anomeric spironucleosides and 1′-cyano-2′,3′- didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxyuridine, a structural analogue of known anti-HIV agents, were prepared by nucleophilic addition of organolithium reagents to 1′-cyano-2′-deoxy- and 1′-cyano-2′-deoxy- 2′$\beta$-bromo-uridine derivatives, respectively. The yield and distribution of products depended on the reaction conditions, which were studied in detail. Although none of the compounds exhibited antiviral activity, two compounds displayed cytostatic activity against both murine leukemia and human T-lymphocyte cells.

The synthesis and physical properties of arc melted NiMnSb were studied using X-ray diffraction analysis. It was observed that the half metallicity in NiMnSb is supported by the integer saturation magnetization value at 5 K. It was found that the magnetic properties were due to magnetic moments localized at the Mn atoms. The results show that in the temperature region of 80 K to 150 K a crossover takes place from half metallic behavior to normal ferromagnetic behavior.

New BVRI CCD observations of the pulsating star SZ Lyn are presented. The light curves are analyzed using Fourier transform techniques and a new period is determined. A new ephemeris, based on recent times of maxima, is proposed. The photometric data collected over the last 40 years are used to determine the pulsational and orbital elements, since SZ Lyncis is a member of a binary system. The results are compared with those found in previous studies.

SZ Lyncis (=HD 67390) is a high amplitude Delta Scuti star, discovered by Hoffmeister in 1949. Van Genderen (1967) noticed that the residuals in the O-C diagrams followed a sinusoidal variation with a period of Porb = 3.091 years. Several years later, Barnes & Moffett (1975) improved this period to Porb = 3.138 years and suggested that the sinusoidal variations in the O-C diagrams, observed by van Genderen (1967), originate from the light travel time effect, since SZ Lyn is a member of a binary system. This hypothesis was confirmed by Bardin & Imbert (1984) with measurements of radial velocities. Soliman et al. (1986) found the pulsation period to be 0.120534896 days and the orbital period 1173.5 days.

The aim of this study was to investigate children‘s perceptions (i.e. expectations) of the interventions that teachers should implement to deal with their loneliness. The role of significant others in children‘s attempts to cope with loneliness and the children‘s perceptions of that role have been neglected by researchers. A random sample of 180 second, fourth and sixth graders from Athens, the capital of Greece, were individually interviewed. Qualitative analysis using the ‘concept-indicator model‘ (Strauss, 1987) showed that school-age children have an adequate understanding of the loneliness alleviation strategies that teachers can and should use. The strategies may be distinguished into the two already known broad categories of coping, that is problem-focused or active coping strategies (i.e. manifestation of interest and care, intervention in the peer group, encouragement to approach peers and make friends, consultation for personal improvement, informing parents), and emotion-focused or avoidance coping strategies (i.e., emotion regulation, encouragement to engage in activities and inability to cope). Results are discussed in terms of their implications for the role of the teacher in alleviating loneliness, for school-based interventions with this purpose, as well as for their contribution in the existing knowledge about coping with loneliness strategies.

Patsantaras, N. & Kamberidou, I. (2004). Technoethics-Technoethos. Second study presented [and submitted] at the Consultation Workshop on Gender and Technology in Brussels, 28 June 2004, Venue: European Commission, Information Society Directorate-General Miniaturisation, Embedded Systems, Societal Applications, June 28, 2004, Brussels. ***

• Also included, Consultation Workshop on Gender and Technology revised report,  along with our draft Policy Proposal on GENDER AND THE INFORMATION SOCIETY, July 2004.

A 10 year (1984-93) climatology is given of the global distributions of net shortwave (SW), net longwave (LW) and net all-wave radiation budget at both top-of-atmosphere (TOA) and at the Earth's surface, on a mean monthly basis, computed with a radiative transfer model with input data for key atmospheric and surface parameters. The model input data were taken from complete and comprehensive global climatological data sets, such as the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction and National Center for Atmospheric Research Global Reanalysis or the TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder, among others. Seasonal and latitudinal variations and mean annual and mean hemispherical and global averages are given, based on model results computed for each month of the period from January 1984 to December 1993. At TOA, the net incoming SW radiation has larger latitudinal variation and range of values (0-400 W m-2) than the outgoing LW radiation (100-350 W m-2). At the surface, the net downward SW radiation has similar features to that at TOA, but with smaller magnitudes. The net upward LW radiation is quite different than at TOA, with a smaller seasonal and geographical variability than the surface net SW radiation. The global system of Earth-atmosphere is found to be net radiatively heated at TOA by 3 W m-2; the Earth's surface is net heated by 98 W m-2, mainly due to solar absorption equal to 147 W m-2, a value in agreement with surface-based measurements. At TOA, there is a radiative energy surplus between 40 °S and 30 °N and a radiative loss poleward; however, at the surface the surplus regions extend from 70 °S to 70 °N. Globally, the atmosphere is found to absorb 27% of the incoming solar radiation at TOA, while it emits 79% of the outgoing terrestrial radiation.

Downwelling longwave fluxes, DLFs, have been derived for each month over a ten year period (1984-1993), on a global scale with a spatial resolution of 2.5x2.5 degrees and a monthly temporal resolution. The fluxes were computed using a deterministic model for atmospheric radiation transfer, along with satellite and reanalysis data for the key atmospheric input parameters, i.e. cloud properties, and specific humidity and temperature profiles. The cloud climatologies were taken from the latest released and improved International Satellite Climatology Project D2 series. Specific humidity and temperature vertical profiles were taken from three different reanalysis datasets; NCEP/NCAR, GEOS, and ECMWF (acronyms explained in main text). DLFs were computed for each reanalysis dataset, with differences reaching values as high as 30 Wm-2 in specific regions, particularly over high altitude areas and deserts. However, globally, the agreement is good, with the rms of the difference between the DLFs derived from the different reanalysis datasets ranging from 5 to 7 Wm-2. The results are presented as geographical distributions and as time series of hemispheric and global averages. The DLF time series based on the different reanalysis datasets show similar seasonal and inter-annual variations, and similar anomalies related to the 86/87 El Niño and 89/90 La Niña events. The global ten-year average of the DLF was found to be between 342.2 Wm-2 and 344.3 Wm-2, depending on the dataset. We also conducted a detailed sensitivity analysis of the calculated DLFs to the key input data. Plots are given that can be used to obtain a quick assessment of the sensitivity of the DLF to each of the three key climatic quantities, for specific climatic conditions corresponding to different regions of the globe. Our model downwelling fluxes are validated against available data from ground-based stations distributed over the globe, as given by the Baseline Surface Radiation Network. There is a negative bias of the model fluxes when compared against BSRN fluxes, ranging from -7 to -9 Wm-2, mostly caused by low cloud amount differences between the station and satellite measurements, particularly in cold climates. Finally, we compare our model results with those of other deterministic models and general circulation models.

Thalidomide, an oral agent with antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory properties, is being investigated extensively in the management of advanced cancer. Multiple studies with large numbers of patients have confirmed that this drug has significant activity in multiple myeloma. Some patients with myelofibrosis or myeodysplatic syndromes may reduce their need for transfusions after thalidomide treatment. The activity of thalidomide in solid tumors is less prominent. Studies in Kaposi's sarcoma, malignant melanoma, renal cell carcinoma and prostate cancer appear more promising especially when thalidomide is combined with biological agents or with chemotherapy. Limited activity was demonstrated in patients with glioma, while thalidomide appears to be inactive in patients with head and neck cancer, breast or ovarian cancer. © 2004 European Society for Medical Oncology.

Highly spin polarized Heusler alloys, NiMnSb and Co2MnSi, attract a great deal of interest as potential spin injectors for spintronic applications. Spintronic devices require control of interfacial properties at the ferromagnet: semiconductor contact. To address this issue we report a systematic study of the ordinary and anomalous Hall effect, in Ni 1.15Mn0.85Sb films on silicon, as a function of film thickness. In contrast to the bulk stoichiometric material, the Hall carriers in these films become increasingly electron-like as the film thickness decreases, and as the temperature increases from 50 K toward room temperature. High field Hall measurements confirm that this is representative of the majority transport carriers. This suggests that current injected from a NiMnSb: semiconductor interface may not necessarily carry the bulk spin polarization. The films also show a low temperature upturn in the resistivity, which is linked to a discontinuity in the anomalous Hall coefficient. Overall these trends indicate that the application of Heusler alloys as spin injectors will require strictly controlled interfacial engineering, which is likely to be demanding in these ternary alloys.

Autopsy specimens are often used in molecular biological studies of disease pathophysiology. However, few analyses have focused specifically on postmortem changes in skeletal muscles, and almost all of those investigate protein or metabolic changes. Although some structural and enzymatic changes have been described, the sequence of transcriptional events associated with these remains unclear. We analyzed a series of new and preexisting human skeletal muscle data sets on approximately 12,500 genes and expressed sequence tags (ESTs) generated by the Affymetrix U95Av2 GeneChips from seven autopsy and seven surgical specimens. Remarkably, postmortem specimens (up to 46 h) revealed a significant and prominent upregulation of transcripts involved with protein biosynthesis. Additional upregulated transcripts are associated with cellular responses to oxidative stress, hypoxia, and ischemia; however, only a subset of genes in these pathways was affected. Overexpression was also seen for apoptosis-related, cell cycle regulation/arrest-related, and signal transduction-related genes. No major gene expression differences were seen between autopsy specimens with <20-h and 34- to 46-h postmortem intervals or between pediatric and adult cases. These data demonstrate that, likely in response to hypoxia and oxidative stress, skeletal muscle undergoes a highly active transcriptional, and possibly, translational phase during the initial 46-h postmortem interval. Knowledge of these changes is important for proper interpretation of gene expression studies utilizing autopsy specimens.

Ovarian germ cell tumors (OGCT) are highly curable when treated with cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. We evaluated the safety and activity of a 3-day modified bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatinum (mBEP) regimen in patients with OGCT. Patients with FIGO stages I-IV OGCT were treated with three (stages I-III complete resection) or four cycles (incomplete resection or stage IV) of bleomycin 15 mg iv, etoposide 120 mg/m 2 iv, and cisplatin 40 mg/m 2 iv for 3 days every 3 weeks. Forty-eight patients (14 with dysgerminoma and 34 with non-dysgerminomatous tumors) were included in our study. Most patients had stage I disease (65%) and complete resection of their tumor (67%). Twenty percent of patients developed grade 3 or 4 neutropenia with 4 episodes of neutropenic fever. During follow-up (median: 5 years), two patients developed progressive disease including one patient who died. All patients with stage I or II disease and all patients with dysgerminoma remain free of disease. However, 20% of patients with non-dysgerminomatous tumors stage III or IV experienced progressive disease. The modified 3-day BEP regimen was safe and effective in patients with OGCT. Further improvements are needed for patients with advanced, suboptimally debulked non-dysgerminomatous tumors. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

We evaluated the predictive value of several parameters, including the International Staging System (ISS) for myeloma, in patients with advanced disease treated with thalidomide-based regimens (TBR). We analyzed 119 patients, from 3 phase II studies. Patients with pretreatment β2 microglobulin < 3.5 mg/l and albumin ≥ 3.5 g /dl were scored ISS stage 1, patients with β2 microglobulin < 3.5 mg/1 and albumin < 3.5 g/dl or β2 microglobulin 3.5-5.5 mg/l regardless of albumin levels were scored ISS stage 2, patients with β2 microglobulin > 5.5 mg/l ISS stage 3. ISS stage was 1, 2 and 3 in 45, 32 and 23% of patients respectively. Seventy-four patients (62% achieved at least partial response. Median progression-free and overall survival were 8 months and 19.5 months respectively. ISS stage, serum LDH and performance status were independent predictive factors for survival. Based on these 3 variables a scoring system was developed with survival times of 38.1, 28.8 and 5.8 months for scores 0, 1 and 2 respectively. The ISS staging system was highly predictive for overall survival of patients with advanced myeloma treated with TBR. With the addition of performance status and serum LDH, a simple scoring system was developed which may help select patients likely to benefit from TBR. © 2004 Taylor & Francis Ltd.

Recent data have suggested that rituximab is an active agent for the treatment of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM). However, the patients that are more likely to benefit have not been clearly defined. In order to address this question we evaluated 52 patients who were treated with single-agent rituximab in the context of prospective studies. Several clinical and laboratory variables were assessed for their correlation with response and time to progression. Twenty-three (44%) patients achieved a partial response after treatment with rituximab. Previously untreated and pretreated patients had the same probability for response. Higher response rates were noted in patients with serum monoclonal protein < 40 g/l, with serum albumin ≥ 35 g/l and with kappa light chain. The median time to progression for all patients was 13.8 months. A multivariate analysis indicated that elevated serum monoclonal protein levels and low serum albumin were the dominant variables associated with shorter progression. Presence of two, one or none of these adverse prognostic factors was associated with time to progression of 3.6 months, 11 months and more than 40 months, respectively. We conclude that rituximab is an effective treatment modality for patients with WM. Patients with both low levels of monoclonal protein and normal albumin are the best candidates for treatment with standard dose rituximab. © 2004 Taylor & Francis Ltd.

In this paper we will discuss current research on the synthesis of the singing voice, its technical problems and esthetic issues, and the perspective of creating a vocal synthesizer which could be accessible to composers, musicians and musicologists, as a creative tool for composing, performing, and interpreting forgotten voice techniques of various cultures and bygone times.

A novel class of potent human pancreatic lipase (HPL) inhibitors was developed. Triacylglycerol analogues containing 2-(N-tert-butoxycarbonylamino) fatty acids were synthesized, and their ability to form stable films at the air/water interface was studied. The inhibition of human digestive lipases by the compounds synthesized was studied by the monolayer technique, and the triesters of glycerol and 2-methylglycerol with 2-(N-tert-butoxycarbonylamino)oleic acid were found to be potent inhibitors of HPL.

Kamberidou, I., & Patsantaras, N. (2004).  The “Virtual Harem”: Technophobia or Exclusion? An Educational Perspective. Study presented (and submitted) at the Consultation Workshop on Gender and Technology, 28 June 2004, Venue: European Commission – Information Society DG. Avenue de Beaulieu 31   6/30, 1160 Brussels. **Includes. Gender and Technology Workshop first draft report on presentation  

In an XMM-Newton raster observation of the bright Local Group spiral galaxy M 33 we study the population of X-ray sources (X-ray binaries, supernova remnants) down to a 0.2-4.5keV luminosity of 1035erg/s - more than a factor of 10 deeper than earlier ROSAT observations. EPIC hardness ratios and optical and radio information are used to distinguish between different source classes. The survey detects 408 sources in an area of 0.80 square degree. We correlate these newly detected sources with earlier M 33 X-ray catalogues and information from optical, infra-red and radio wavelengths. As M 33 sources we detect 21 supernova remnants (SNR) and 23 SNR candidates, 5 super-soft sources and 2 X-ray binaries (XRBs). There are 267 sources classified as hard, which may either be XRBs or Crab-like SNRs in M 33 or background AGN. The 44 confirmed and candidate SNRs more than double the number of X-ray detected SNRs in M 33. 16 of these are proposed as SNR candidates from the X-ray data for the first time. On the other hand, there are several sources not connected to M 33: five foreground stars, 30 foreground star candidates, 12 active galactic nucleus candidates, one background galaxy and one background galaxy candidate. Extrapolating from deep field observations we would expect 175 to 210 background sources in this field. This indicates that about half of the sources detected are within M 33. (1 data file).

We have studied the vortex matter phase diagram in two carbon doped MgB2-xCx (x=0.04 and 0.1) single crystals. We have found that, as in pristine MgB2, the peak effect is also present in carbon doped crystals. The regime where the peak effect is developed is more extended in comparison to the undoped crystal. The enhancement of the peak effect regime, combined with the higher H-c2(c)(0), makes doped MgB2 more favorable for practical applications. The absence of significant bulk pinning below the line H-on(T), which denotes the onset points of the peak effect, implies that the Bragg glass phase is present for H

The dispersion characteristics and the field distributions for all kind of waves which can propagate in surface corrugated waveguides are calculated by a method based on the Floquet theorem. Numerical results are presented for several corrugated structures with rectangular and circular cross-section and a comparison is made with already established codes.

In an XMM-Newton raster observation of the bright Local Group spiral galaxy M 33 we study the population of X-ray sources (X-ray binaries, supernova remnants) down to a 0.2-4.5 keV luminosity of 1035 erg s-1 - more than a factor of 10 deeper than earlier ROSAT observations. EPIC hardness ratios and optical and radio information are used to distinguish between different source classes. The survey detects 408 sources in an area of 0.80 square degree. We correlate these newly detected sources with earlier M 33 X-ray catalogues and information from optical, infra-red and radio wavelengths. As M 33 sources we detect 21 supernova remnants (SNR) and 23 SNR candidates, 5 super-soft sources and 2 X-ray binaries (XRBs). There are 267 sources classified as hard, which may either be XRBs or Crab-like SNRs in M 33 or background AGN. The 44 confirmed and candidate SNRs more than double the number of X-ray detected SNRs in M 33. 16 of these are proposed as SNR candidates from the X-ray data for the first time. On the other hand, there are several sources not connected to M 33: five foreground stars, 30 foreground star candidates, 12 active galactic nucleus candidates, one background galaxy and one background galaxy candidate. Extrapolating from deep field observations we would expect 175 to 210 background sources in this field. This indicates that about half of the sources detected are within M 33. XMM-Newton is an ESA Science Mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member States and the USA (NASA). Full Table \ref{master} is only available in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/426/11

Εξετάζεται το ελάχιστο εγγυημένο εισόδημα ως μέσο για την αντιμετώπιση των νέων κοινωνικών κινδύνων σε συνδυασμό με μέτρα για την κοινωνική ένταξη των δικαιούχων. Υποστηρίζεται ότι οι κίνδυνοι του γήρατος, της αναπηρίας και του θανάτου μπορούν να αντιμετωπισθύν καλύτερα με την εθνική σύνταξη. Το ελάχιστο εγγυημένο εισόδημα αναφέρεται πρωτίστως στον κίνδυνο της ανεργίας και της φτώχειας. Η καθιέρωσή του προϋποθέτει εμπεριστατωμένες μελέτες, οικονομικές και άλλες, ώστε να εξετασθεί η αντοχή της ελληνικής οικονομίας και η αποτροπή του ενδεχομένου το εγγυημένο εισόδημα να αποτελέσει αντικίνητρο στην εργασία. Απαιτείται επίσης εκτεταμένος κοινωνικός και πολιτικός διάλογος. Χρήσιμη είναι η εμπειρία άλλων κρατών μελών που έχουν θεσπίσει το ελάχιστο εγγυημένο εισόδημα. Σε δώδεκα κράτη μέλη της Ε.Ε. έχει καθιερωθεί με λιγότερες ή περισσότερες προϋποθέσεις. Στο σύστημα με κύρια χαρακτηριστικά τύπου Bismarck που εφαρμόζει η Ελλάδα, η πρόνοια θεωρητικά έχει δευτερεύουσα σημασία σε σχέση με την κοινωνική ασφάλιση. Όμως οι εξελίξεις την τελευταία εικοσαετία δείχνουν ότι η πρόνοια φέρει το κύριο βάρος για την αντιμετώπιση των νέων κοινωνικών κινδύνων. Ο ρόλος της διευρύνεται και οι κανόνες και τεχνική που εφαρμόζει τείνουν να αντιστοιχούν σε δικαιώματα των δικαιούχων. Στα περισσότερα κράτη μέλη της Ευρωπαϊκής Ενώσεως αυτό έχει ήδη προ δεκαετίας αποτελέσει κοινωνική και πολιτική επιλογή. Το συμπέρασμα είναι ότι και στην Ελλάδα πρέπει να εξετασθεί η καθιέρωση αφ’ ενός του ελαχίστου εγγυημένου εισοδήματος ως μέσον για την κάλυψη των νέων κοινωνικών κινδύνων και αφ’ ετέρου της εθνικής συντάξεως ως μέσον για την κάλυψη της φτώχειας σημαντικής μερίδας των συνταξιούχων γήρατος, θανάτου και αναπηρίας.  

Παρά το γεγονός οτι η ενασχόληση των παιδιών με τον αθλητισμό συμβάλλει σημαντικά στην ισορροπημένη φυσική, ψυχική και κοινωνική τους ανάπτυξη, η φυσική δραστηριότητα όσο αυξάνεται η παιδική ηλικία παρουσιάζει σταδιακή μείωση. Βασική αιτία αυτής της μείωσης είναι η έλλειψη ικανοποιητικού ελεύθερου χρόνου, εξαιτίας του βάρους των απαιτήσεων της σύγχρονης εκπαίδευσης. Το μεγαλύτερο μέρος του ελεύθερου χρόνου των μαθητών αναλώνεται στη σχολική προετοιμασία, τα φροντιστήρια και τα ιδιαίτερα μαθήματα. Αν και η πλειοψηφία των μαθητών αθλείται, η έλλειψη ελεύθερου χρόνου αναδεικνύεται από την πλειονότητα του μαθητικού πληθυσμού ως το κατ’ εξοχήν πρόβλημα, που δυσκολεύει την ενασχόλησή τους με τον αθλητισμό. Αναδεικνύεται η ανάγκη για ορθολογικότερη διαχείριση του ελεύθερου χρόνου. Περισσότερη και στοχευμένη φυσική δραστηριότητα, μέσω της προώθησης της συμμετοχής σε εξωσχολικές δραστηριότητες, προκειμένου να προληφθούν οι συνέπειες της υποκινητικότητας. 

Τὸ Ἰνστιτοῦτον Μελετῶν Ἀνατολικῆς Εὐρώπης τοῦ Μονάχου (Osteuropa Institut München), τὸ ὁποῖον θεωρεῖται ὡς τὸ ἕνα ἀπὸ τὰ δύο καλλίτερα τῆς Γερμανίας στὸ ἐρευνητικόν του πεδίο, συνέταξε καὶ παρουσίασε προσφάτως ἐπιστημονικὴ μελέτη γιὰ τὶς συνέπειες τῆς ἐνδεχομένης ἐντάξεως τῆς Τουρκίας στὴν Εὐρωπαϊκὴν Ἕνωση. Τὸ γεγονὸς ἀπέσπασε τὴν προσοχὴ ὁλοκλήρου τοῦ γερμανικοῦ τύπου, διότι, ὅπως ὀρθῶς ἐπεσημάνθη, εἶναι ἡ πρώτη ἐπιστημονικὴ μελέτη ποὺ ἀσχολεῖται μὲ τὸ σύνολο τῶν συνεπειῶν ποὺ θὰ ἔχει μία πιθανὴ ἔνταξις τῆς Τουρκίας στὴν ΕΕ καὶ μάλιστα κατὰ τρόπον ἐμπεριστατωμένο, μεθοδικὸ καὶ ἀπηλλαγμένο πολιτικῶν σκοπιμοτήτων. Περαιτέρω, γιὰ πρώτη φορὰ διερευνῶνται ὀρθολογικῶς καὶ χωρὶς τὸ ἄγχος τῶν καταναγκασμῶν τῆς «political correctness» πιθανὲς ἐναλλακτικὲς μορφὲς σχέσεως τῆς Τουρκίας μὲ τὴν ΕΕ. Το παρόν κείμενο αποτελεί σχετικό υπηρεσιακὸ υπόμνημα του συγγραφέα, κατά την θητεία του, στο Ἰνστιτοῦτο Ἀμυντικῶν Ἀναλύσεων.

(2004). Γογγάκη Κ., Η αθλητική αξία κατά τους αρχαίους στοχαστές. Επτά Ημέρες, Ένθετο αφιέρωμα, με θέμα «Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες και Λογοτεχνία», Η Καθημερινή, Κυρ. 23 Μαΐου, 8-11.   Η νίκη στους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες αποτελεί για τη συνείδηση του αρχαίου κόσμου μια σημαίνουσα αξία, και γι’ αυτό απολαμβάνει της αναγνώρισης του συνόλου της κοινωνίας (Πίνδαρος, Σόλων, Σωκράτης, Πλάτων, Αριστοτέλης). Παρά τη γενική αποδοχή της αθλητικής αξίας, ωστόσο, κατά τη διάρκεια της αρχαιότητας εκφράστηκαν και ορισμένες αρνητικές εκτιμήσεις εναντίον των αθλητών και των αγώνων, από έναν αριθμό αρχαίων Ελλήνων στοχαστών και συγγραφέων. Το μέτρο, το βάθρο στο οποίο στηρίχτηκε ο κλασικός πολιτισμός, οδήγησε στη σωματική και στην ψυχική εναρμόνιση. Η σωματική άσκηση, όμως, ενίοτε ξεπερνούσε το μέτρο, χωρίς να συνοδεύεται δηλαδή και από μιαν αντίστοιχη ψυχική καλλιέργεια. Ο ιδιαίτερος τρόπος της ζωής των αθλητών, εξάλλου, ορισμένες φορές προκαλούσε το δημόσιο αίσθημα, ενώ και η απόδοση τιμών στους αθλητές έφτανε κάποτε σε όρια υπερβολής, με αποτέλεσμα να υπερτονίζεται η αξία της σωματικής ρώμης σε σύγκριση με τη σημασία της πνευματικής. Η υπέρμετρη αναγνώριση της αγωνιστικής νίκης λειτουργούσε κάπως, και ως κίνητρο στη συνείδηση ορισμένων αθλητών, για την υπερβολική ενασχόλησή τους με τον αθλητισμό, με στόχο την ανταλλαγή της αξίας με το όφελος, είτε αυτό αφορούσε σε πολιτικό, είτε σε οικονομικό, είτε και σε κοινωνικό επίπεδο. Τα φαινόμενα αυτά ήταν μεμονωμένα κατά την αρχαιότητα, απασχόλησαν πάντως ένα μέρος της διανόησης της εποχής, από το οποίο ασκήθηκε ιδιαίτερη κριτική. Σε ορισμένες, μάλιστα περιπτώσεις, όπως ο Ξενοφάνης ή ο Ευριπίδης, ο Διογένης, η κριτική κατά των αθλητών υπήρξε δριμύτατη, προφανώς επειδή ως άνθρωποι του πνεύματος αισθάνθηκαν ότι την ίδια στιγμή που η πολιτεία αναγνώριζε υπέρμετρα την σωματική ρώμη, δεν αναγνώριζε με τον ίδιο τρόπο την προσπάθειά τους η οποία απέβλεπε στο κοινό καλό.

Η μελέτη ξεκινά από τη διαπίστωση ότι η κοινωνική ασφάλιση στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση υφίσταται ασφυκτική πίεση από δύο πλευρές. Από τη μια μεριά από το σαρωτικό ρεύμα της εισαγωγής του ανταγωνισμού και των μηχανισμών της αγοράς και από την άλλη από το λιγότερο εμφανές, θα έλεγε κανείς υπόγειο, ρεύμα της εισαγωγής ή επεκτάσεως κανόνων κοινωνικής πρόνοιας. Τίθεται το ερώτημα μήπως στην έσχατη λογική κατάληξη αυτών των μεταρρυθμίσεων η κοινωνική ασφάλιση στην Ελλάδα καθίσταται κενή περιεχομένου. Το ερώτημα αυτό μπορεί να απαντηθεί, μόνο αν εξετασθεί ποιες διατάξεις αναδεικνύουν την εισαγωγή των κανόνων της αγοράς και του ανταγωνισμού στην κοινωνική ασφάλιση και ποιες διατάξεις την εισαγωγή ή επέκταση των κανόνων της κοινωνικής πρόνοιας. Εάν η εισαγωγή αυτών των διατάξεων θίγει τον πυρήνα του θεσμού της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως, θα πρόκειται για πραγματική αποδυνάμωση του θεσμού, ενώ στην αντίθετη περίπτωση για φαινομενική. Η μελέτη θεωρεί ότι ο πυρήνας του θεσμού της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως περιλαμβάνει τα στοιχεία που συγκροτούν την έννοια της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως, δηλαδή τα καθεστώτα που στηρίζονται στον νόμο και ως αποτέλεσμα της προελεύσεώς τους χαρακτηρίζονται από το γενικό και αφηρημένο των ρυθμίσεων, την υποχρεωτικότητα, την καθολικότητα και τη διευρυμένη κοινωνική αλληλεγγύη, η οποία συνεπάγεται τη δυνατότητα εφαρμογής του διανεμητικού συστήματος για την κάλυψη των δαπανών. Δεν αποκλείεται να περιλαμβάνει και συμβατικής προελεύσεως καθεστώτα, εφόσον συγκεντρώνουν τα χαρακτηριστικά των νομοθετικών καθεστώτων. Ο πυρήνας του θεσμού περιλαμβάνει επίσης τους ασφαλιστικούς κινδύνους που ανάγονται στον σκοπό της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως, ενώ δεν περιλαμβάνει την οργάνωση και λειτουργία του ασφαλιστικού συστήματος και των επι μέρους οργανισμών κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως.             Στο πρώτο μέρος εξετάζεται η αποδυνάμωση  της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως από την εισαγωγή κανόνων ιδιωτικού δικαίου και μηχανισμών της αγοράς και υποστηρίζεται ότι είναι φαινομενική. Η επαγγελματική ασφάλιση αποτελεί την πλέον χαρακτηριστική περίπτωση εισαγωγής κανόνων του ιδιωτικού δικαίου στην κοινωνική ασφάλιση. Εξετάζονται τα ουσιώδη χαρακτηριστικά των Ταμείων Επαγγελματικής Ασφαλίσεως  (Τ.Ε.Α.) του ν. 3029/02 και διαπιστώνεται ότι η οργάνωση και λειτουργία τους συνδυάζει στοιχεία από τα αλληλοβοηθητικά σωματεία που λειτουργούν από ετών στην κοινωνική ασφάλιση, και από τις ανώνυμες εταιρείες και τους αλληλασφαλιστικούς συνεταιρισμούς, που λειτουργούν στην ιδιωτική ασφάλιση. Ωστόσο ο Έλληνας νομοθέτης έχει ενισχύσει τα κοινωνικά στοιχεία κατά τέτοιον τρόπο, ώστε, όταν χρηματοδοτούνται και από τον εργοδότη, εμπίπτουν στην έννοια του φορέα κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως του άρθρου 2 παρ. 4 του ν. 2084/92. Ειδικότερα, τα Τ.Ε.Α. έχουν μη κερδοσκοπικό χαρακτήρα, ιδρύονται και λειτουργούν με βάση τις πρωτοβουλίες και συμφωνίες των κοινωνικών εταίρων, εποπτεύονται από τον Υπουργό Εργασίας και Κοινωνικών Ασφαλίσεων, υπάγονται στον έλεγχο της Εθνικής Αναλογιστικής Αρχής, εξασφαλίζουν την ίση μεταχείριση, δεν είναι επιλεκτικά κατά την υπαγωγή των ασφαλισμένων, προστατεύουν το δικαίωμα προσδοκίας των ασφαλισμένων και δικαιούχων παροχών κατά τη διάλυσή τους και επιτελούν, έστω και περιορισμένα, αναδιανεμητική λειτουργία. Η μελέτη υποστηρίζει ότι τα εννοιολογικά χαρακτηριστικά των Τ.Ε.Α. ταυτίζονται με τα χαρακτηριστικά των συνεταιρισμών του άρθρου 12 παρ. 5 του Συντάγματος. Τούτο έχει ως αποτέλεσμα η προστασία των Τ.Ε.Α. όσον αφορά τη νομική μορφή και την οργάνωσή τους να έχει έρεισμα στο άρθρο 12 παρ. 5 του Συντάγματος και όχι στο άρθρο 22 παρ. 5. Η νομοθετική αυτή επιλογή διακρίνει τα ελληνικά καθεστώτα επαγγελματικής ασφαλίσεως από τα αντίστοιχα των άλλων κρατών μελών της Ε.Ε., όπου οι αντίστοιχοι οργανισμοί έχουν τη μορφή σωματείων ή ασφαλιστικών επιχειρήσεων. Στη συνέχεια η μελέτη εξετάζει την εισαγωγή μηχανισμών ανάλογων με τους μηχανισμούς της αγοράς για την αξιοποίηση της περιουσίας των νομοθετικών οργανισμών και τις ενοποιήσεις των ασφαλιστικών οργανισμών. Σήμερα, οι οργανισμοί κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως έχουν δικαίωμα να αξιοποιούν την περιουσία τους. Παρατηρείται μικρή διαβάθμιση όσον αφορά την έκταση και ελευθερία διαχειρίσεως των οργανισμών κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως, των Τ.Ε.Α. και των ιδιωτικών ασφαλιστικών επιχειρήσεων. Ωστόσο, κατά τη μελέτη, η διαφοροποίηση αυτή δικαιολογείται από τη διαφορετική νομική φύση και το δημόσιο συμφέρον που συνίσταται στον ρόλο των κοινωνικοασφαλιστικών οργανισμών στο σύστημα κοινωνικής προστασίας. Όσον αφορά τις ενοποιήσεις, ο ανταγωνισμός είναι ιδιότυπος. Αναφέρεται στη σύγκριση με τα ελάχιστα όρια του Ιδρύματος Κοινωνικών Ασφαλίσεων – Ενιαίου Ταμείου Ασφάλισης Μισθωτών (Ι.Κ.Α.- Ε.Τ.Α.Μ.) και του Ενιαίου Ταμείου Επικουρικής Ασφάλισης Μισθωτών (Ε.Τ.Ε.Α.Μ.) και οδηγεί σε ενοποιήσεις των ασφαλιστικών οργανισμών στην περίπτωση που οι παροχές τους δεν κρίνονται ισοδύναμες. Επίσης, αναφέρεται σε ενοποιήσεις που επιβάλλονται για οργανωτικούς λόγους, δηλαδή για να μειωθούν οι δαπάνες διοικήσεως και να απλουστευθεί το σύστημα κοινωνικών ασφαλίσεων. Συνεπώς, το κριτήριο για την ενοποίηση είναι η αποδοτική ή μη λειτουργία όσον αφορά τις υπηρεσίες που παρέχονται και όσον αφορά το κόστος λειτουργίας. Ενοποιήσεις εταιρειών προβλέπονται και στο εμπορικό δίκαιο με παρόμοια τεχνική και συνέπειες. Η διαφορά εντοπίζεται στην πρωτοβουλία για την ενοποίηση, δεδομένου ότι στην κοινωνική ασφάλιση την έχει ο νομοθέτης. Η ενοποίηση δεν συνεπάγεται απαραίτητα μείωση των δαπανών ή αποδοτικότερη λειτουργία. Η χρησιμότητα των ενοποιήσεων πρέπει να τεκμηριώνεται κάθε φορά με συγκεκριμένες οικονομικές και αναλογιστικές μελέτες. Αφού ο νόμος καθορίζει ενιαίες προϋποθέσεις, κατηγορία και έκταση των παροχών για τους ασφαλιστικούς οργανισμούς,  η ενοποίηση των ασφαλιστικών οργανισμών έχει ήδη γίνει έμμεσα και άτυπα και ως εκ τούτου η τυπική ενοποίηση δεν προσθέτει κατ’ ανάγκην  κάτι. Το πρώτο μέρος της μελέτης καταλήγει ότι η επαγγελματική ασφάλιση, οι κανόνες για την αξιοποίηση της περιουσίας, οι ενοποιήσεις δεν θίγουν τον πυρήνα του θεσμού της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως, διότι η κοινωνική ασφάλιση μπορεί να περιλάβει καθεστώτα με τα κοινωνικά χαρακτηριστικά των Τ.Ε.Α. Εξ άλλου, η επιρροή του εμπορικού και ιδιαίτερα του δικαίου ιδιωτικής ασφαλίσεως στο δίκαιο της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως μπορεί να ωφελήσει την κοινωνική ασφάλιση όσον αφορά την αξιοποίηση της περιουσίας των ασφαλιστικών οργανισμών με βάση κανόνες ιδιωτικού δικαίου και την τεχνική της αγοράς, τη σύγχρονη οργάνωση των ασφαλιστικών οργανισμών και την ανάπτυξη της επαγγελματικής ασφαλίσεως που κινείται στο όριο μεταξύ της ιδιωτικής και της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως. Συνεπώς, η εισαγωγή κανόνων του ιδιωτικού δικαίου και μηχανισμών ανάλογων με αυτών της αγοράς, όπως αυτοί που εξετάσθηκαν, μόνον φαινομενικά αποδυναμώνει την κοινωνική ασφάλιση.             Στο δεύτερο μέρος της μελέτης εξετάζεται η αποδυνάμωση από την εισαγωγή προνοιακών κανόνων και υποστηρίζεται ότι είναι πραγματική. Η σχέση της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως και της πρόνοιας έχει από ετών απασχολήσει την επιστήμη, ιδίως όσον αφορά τα κριτήρια της διακρίσεως των δύο εννοιών, τη νομική φύση των παροχών κ.λπ. Η θεωρία εξετάζει τη σχέση της κοινωνικής πρόνοιας με την κοινωνική ασφάλιση, ανεξάρτητα από το αν το σύστημα της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως είναι τύπου Bismarck ή Beveridge. Όμως, οι έννοιες και ο ρόλος της πρόνοιας και της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως ορίζoνται διαφορετικά σε κάθε σύστημα με αποτέλεσμα οι ίδιες παροχές που σε σύστημα τύπου Beveridge θεωρούνται κοινωνικοασφαλιστικές σε σύστημα τύπου Bismarck να θεωρούνται προνοιακές.             Η μελέτη θεωρεί ότι η διάκριση της πρόνοιας από την κοινωνική ασφάλιση θεμελιώνεται στο ποιος αναλαμβάνει τον κίνδυνο της φτώχειας. Όταν η κοινωνική ασφάλιση αναλαμβάνει αυτόν τον κίνδυνο, μετατρέπεται σε σύστημα κοινωνικής ασφάλειας τύπου Beveridge (αναφερόμαστε εδώ στην κοινωνική ασφάλεια ως θεσμό και όχι ως σκοπό της κοινωνικής προστασίας). Τα στοιχεία της έννοιας της πρόνοιας και τα στοιχεία της έννοιας της κοινωνικής ασφάλειας στο σύστημα τύπου Beveridge ταυτίζονται. Ειδικότερα, αυτά είναι η καθολική κάλυψη του πληθυσμού από τον κίνδυνο της φτώχειας με παροχές που χρηματοδοτούνται από τον κρατικό προϋπολογισμό με βάση την αρχή της εθνικής αλληλεγγύης. Όταν η κοινωνική ασφάλιση δεν αναλαμβάνει τον κίνδυνο της φτώχειας, τότε η κοινωνική πρόνοια λειτουργεί διακριτά και παράλληλα με το σύστημα κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως τύπου Bismarck. Τα στοιχεία της πρόνοιας και της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως διακρίνονται ως προς το ποιοι είναι οι δικαιούχοι των παροχών, ποιοι τις χρηματοδοτούν και σύμφωνα με ποιες αρχές. Στην πρόνοια δικαιούχοι είναι οι πολίτες, οι μόνιμοι κάτοικοι και, κατά την ορθότερη άποψη, όσοι διαμένουν στη χώρα, ενώ στην κοινωνική ασφάλιση μόνον όσοι εργάζονται (μισθωτοί, αυτοαπασχολούμενοι, αγρότες και δημόσιοι υπάλληλοι). Η χρηματοδότηση των προνοιακών παροχών γίνεται από τον κρατικό προϋπολογισμό με βάση την αρχή της εθνικής αλληλεγγύης, ενώ η χρηματοδότηση των κοινωνικοασφαλιστικών παροχών γίνεται με βάση την αρχή της ανταποδοτικότητας σε συνδυασμό με την αρχή της εσωτερικής αλληλεγγύης. Το κριτήριο της επικουρικότητας της προνοιακής προστασίας σε σχέση με την κοινωνικοασφαλιστική έχει σημασία για τη διάκριση της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως από την πρόνοια σε σύστημα κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως τύπου Bismarck, χωρίς όμως να επηρεάζει τη γενικότερη οριοθέτηση της πρόνοιας από την κοινωνική ασφάλιση. Στη συνέχεια εξετάζονται αφ’ ενός οι κατώτατες συντάξεις και το Επίδομα Κοινωνικής Αλληλεγγύης (Ε.Κ.Α.Σ.) και αφ’ ετέρου η κρατική χρηματοδότηση των οργανισμών κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως, προκειμένου να διαπιστωθεί αν πρόκειται για κοινωνικοασφαλιστικές ή προνοιακές παροχές σύμφωνα με τα προναφερθέντα κριτήρια. Διαπιστώνεται ότι σε σύστημα τύπου Bismarck που κατ’ εξαίρεση καλύπτει τον κίνδυνο της φτώχειας, η σχετική παροχή χαρακτηρίζεται: 1) προνοιακή, όταν αποσκοπεί στην κάλυψη του κινδύνου της φτώχειας των ασφαλισμένων, χρηματοδοτείται από τον κρατικό προϋπολογισμό και εφαρμόζεται η αρχή της εθνικής αλληλεγγύης και 2) κοινωνικοασφαλιστική, όταν αποσκοπεί στην κάλυψη του κινδύνου της φτώχειας των ασφαλισμένων και χρηματοδοτείται με βάση την αρχή της ανταποδοτικότητας σε συνδυασμό με την αρχή της εσωτερικής αλληλεγγύης.  Με βάση τα παραπάνω κριτήρια, τα κατώτατα όρια συντάξεων και το Ε.Κ.Α.Σ. στην Ελλάδα είναι προνοιακές παροχές, που χορηγούνται από τους ασφαλιστικούς οργανισμούς. Το περιεχόμενο της κρατικής μέριμνας – εγγυήσεως για την κοινωνική ασφάλιση συνοψίζεται στην ύπαρξη και στην καλή λειτουργία συστήματος τύπου Bismarck. To Κράτος, υποχρεούται να λαμβάνει τα κατάλληλα νομοθετικά και διοικητικά μέτρα, ώστε το σύστημα κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως να λειτουργεί σύμφωνα με τους κανόνες και τις αρχές που το διέπουν. Σε δύο περιπτώσεις ενεργοποιείται ο εγγυητικός ρόλος του κράτους: α) στην περίπτωση της παραλείψεως ή της κακής οργανώσεως του κοινωνικοασφαλιστικού συστήματος, και β) στην περίπτωση της κακής λειτουργίας του κοινωνικοασφαλιστικού συστήματος που οφείλεται σε πράξεις ή παραλείψεις του κράτους. Ενδεικτικά, η πράξη ή η παράλειψη μπορεί να συνίσταται σε ανεπαρκή οικονομικό έλεγχο, παράλειψη καθιερώσεως και συντάξεως αναλογιστικών μελετών κ.λπ. Η κρατική χρηματοδότηση αλλοιώνει το σύστημα τύπου Bismarck, όταν το Κράτος αναλαμβάνει την οικονομική κάλυψη των δαπανών λειτουργίας του συστήματος κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως αντί για τις εισφορές ή φέρει το κύριο βάρος παράλληλα με τις εισφορές, χωρίς αυτό να οφείλεται στην ενεργοποίηση του εγγυητικού ρόλου του. Επίσης, το ίδιο συμβαίνει, όταν το Κράτος καθίσταται υπόχρεο των παροχών ή όταν η κοινωνική ασφάλιση αναλαμβάνει τον κίνδυνο της φτώχειας και οι παροχές χρηματοδοτούνται με βάση την αρχή της εθνικής αλληλεγγύης. Στην Ελλάδα, η οποία εφαρμόζει μεικτό σύστημα κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως με προέχοντα τα χαρακτηριστικά του τύπου Bismarck, παρατηρείται ότι η κοινωνική ασφάλιση παρέχει προνοιακές παροχές (κατώτατες συντάξεις, Ε.Κ.Α.Σ.) και το κράτος συμμετέχει στη χρηματοδότηση της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως. Το σύστημα δεν μετατρέπεται σε σύστημα κοινωνικής ασφάλειας, επειδή χορηγεί προνοιακές παροχές. Η εσωτερική λογική του δεν ανατρέπεται από μεμονωμένες και αποσπασματικές ρυθμίσεις. Η κρατική συμμετοχή στη χρηματοδότηση δεν υπερβαίνει προς το παρόν τον συνταγματικό ρόλο του Κράτους ως εγγυητή της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως. Αν όμως το Κράτος καταστεί υπόχρεο για τις κοινωνικοασφαλιστικές παροχές, τότε θίγεται ο θεσμός της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως, όπως έχει καθιερωθεί συνταγματικά στην Ελλάδα.                Η μελέτη επιβεβαιώνει ότι στην Ελλάδα η κοινωνική ασφάλιση χαρακτηρίζεται από δύο αντίρροπες τάσεις. Από τη μια, εισάγονται κανόνες του ιδιωτικού δικαίου και μηχανισμοί της αγοράς, που όμως φαινομενικά και μόνον αποδυναμώνουν την κοινωνική ασφάλιση. Από την άλλη, εισάγονται ή επεκτείνονται οι κανόνες και η τεχνική της πρόνοιας, που αποδυναμώνουν πραγματικά την κοινωνική ασφάλιση. Το κράτος τείνει να μετατραπεί από εγγυητής της υπάρξεως και της λειτουργίας του συστήματος κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως σε υπόχρεο για την καταβολή των παροχών. Παράλληλα, η κοινωνική ασφάλιση χορηγεί παροχές προνοιακές που αποσκοπούν στην κάλυψη του κινδύνου της φτώχειας των ασφαλισμένων, χρηματοδοτούνται από τον κρατικό προϋπολογισμό και εφαρμόζεται η αρχή της εθνικής αλληλεγγύης. Συνεπώς, ενώ στα συστήματα κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως τύπου Bismarck η διάκριση μεταξύ της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως και της πρόνοιας είναι κατά κανόνα σαφής, στην Ελλάδα τείνει να καταστεί συγκεχυμένη.             Τελικά, επιβεβαιώνεται ότι η εισαγωγή των κανόνων του ιδιωτικού δικαίου και των μηχανισμών της αγοράς μόνο φαινομενικά αποδυναμώνει τον θεσμό της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως, ενώ η εισαγωγή των κανόνων και της τεχνικής της πρόνοιας αποδυναμώνει τη λογική του ισχύοντος κοινωνικοασφαλιστικού συστήματος και, υπό αυτό το πρίσμα, αποδυναμώνει πραγματικά τον θεσμό της κοινωνικής ασφαλίσεως.  

The aim of this study is (a) to identify among the texts included in reading textbooks and anthologies in the Greek primary school those that, explicitly or implicitly, refer to loneliness; and (b) to approach their content and to attempt to analyze it from the viewpoint mainly of developmental psychology. The contribution of this study lies in the following aspects: (a) children's loneliness is a rather neglected issue of theoretical and empirical study in psychology; (b) loneliness is a universal human experience, with very important negative dimensions (it is associated with deviant development and poor mental health), as well as positive ones (it is associated with identity formation and creative activity); (c) literature texts provide a means for a profound understanding of loneliness; and (d) educators and psychologists should be aware of the facets of loneliness which are taught to children in order to be able to organize and implement the appropriate prevention and/or intervention strategies. Aspects and dimensions of loneliness are identified and discussed in terms of the existing theoretical approaches and the recent empirical findings within the field mainly of developmental psychology.

Στο παρόν κείμενο αναλύεται, σχολιάζεται και περιγράφεται καταρχάς το βασικό έργο της γεωγραφίας της "κριτικής σχολής", του Gearóid Ó Tuathail: Critical Geopolitics. Αποδεικνύεται λεπτομερώς και στοιχειοθετείται η μη κατανόηση από πλευράς του Gearóid Ó Tuathail, των διαφορών μεταξύ των επιστημονικών οντοτήτων που συνιστούν την γεωπολιτική ανάλυση και τη γεωστρατηγική σύνθεση. Επίσης, αποδεικνύεται μια μεγάλη σειρά παρανοήσεων, αναφορικά με τις έννοιες αυτές, από πλευράς του Gearóid Ó Tuathail και των εν Ελλάδι υποστηρικτών του. Το κείμενο θεμελιώνει επιστημολογικώς την έννοια της συστημικής γεωπολιτικής αναλύσως και την διαχωρίζει από την συνθετική διαδικασία της γεωστρατηγικής, η οποία αποτελέι μορφή εθνοκεντρικής στόχευσης, που καταλλήγει σε χάραξη κρατικής εξωτερικής πολιτικής.

Αποτελεί μια περιληπτική επανέκδοση της δημοσίευσης Κ. Γογγάκη (1998), «Οι Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες στην παιδική λογοτεχνία: Αsterix aux jeux Olympiques», Άθληση και Κοινωνία (Έκδοση ΤΕΦΑΑ Δημοκρίτειου Παν/μίου Θράκης), 19:88-96. Ένθετο αφιέρωμα με θέμα «Παιδί και Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες», Η Καθημερινή, Επτά Ημέρες, Κυρ. 29 Αυγ., 18-21.

Το άρθρο αποτελεί τη δημοσίευση της  εισήγησης που έγινε στη Νομαρχία του Κιλκίς για τη «γιορτή του πατέρα», τον Ιούνιο του 2002. Περιγράφει τα σύγχρονα μοντέλα του πατέρα και προβάλλει τη θεολογική άποψη για το πρότυπο Θεού-πατέρα, ώστε ο σημερινός πατέρας να έχει τη δυνατότητα να αντλεί από αυτό το μοντέλο. Μέρος της εισήγησης συμπεριλήφθηκε σε υποκεφάλαιο στη μεταδιδακτορική μελέτη μας για την υιοθεσία τέκνων.

In this paper, we identify and examine a notion of Daniel Stern's theory (1985, 1994, 1995) that was formulated only recently, in 1995, and has not received adequate attention by psychologists and psychiatrists. namely the "schema-of-being-with-the­-self". We regard it as a very important notion from both a developmental and a clinical point of view. We describe the main features of this kind of schema and comment upon its relation to several long-standing and recent theoretical formulations and research findings from psychoanalysis, infant psychology, and from the study of aloneness and loneliness.

Treatment for Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) has usually been reserved for symptomatic patients and has included alkylating agent-steroid combinations and, more recently, nucleoside analogues. We now describe our experience with 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA) alone and in combination at our center. We treated 90 consecutive, previously untreated patients with symptomatic WM using either 2-CdA alone or in combination with other agents including prednisone (pred), cyclophosphamide (Cy), and rituximab (Rit) as follows: January 1991 to December 1992 - 2-CdA 0.1 mg/kg by continuous infusion (CI) over 24 hours for days (16 patients); December 1992 to December 1995 - 2-CdA 0.1 mg/kg CI over 24 hours for 7 days plus pred 60 mg/m2 orally daily for 7 days (20 patients); July 1996 to March 1998 - 2-CdA 1.5 mg/m2 by subcutaneous injection (SC) every 8 hours for 7 days plus Cy 40 mg/m2 orally twice daily for 7 days (37 patients); August 1999 to December 2001 - 2-CdA 1.5 mg/m2 SC every 8 hours for 7 days plus Cy 40 mg/m2 orally twice daily for 7 days plus Rit 375 mg/m2 by intravenous infusion (IV) weekly for 4 weeks (17 patients). For nearly all patients, a second course was repeated after at least 6 weeks. Responding patients were monitored without further treatment until relapse. Overall response (complete [CR] + partial response [PR]) was 94% for 2-CdA alone, 60% for 2-CdA/pred, 84% for 2-CdA/Cy, and 94% for 2-CdA/Cy/Rit. Median overall survival is 73 months for 2-CdA, 41 months for 2-CdA/pred, and has not been reached for 2-CdA/Cy or 2-CdA/Cy/Rit. Cause-specific survival for 2-CdA/pred is 78 months and has not been reached for all other programs. The only poor prognostic factor for cause-specific survival was hemoglobin < 9 g/dL. 2-CdA regimens provide excellent response rates and improve cause-specific survival, with minimal treatment and little toxicity. These observations support the potential role of 2-CdA regimens as the treatment of choice for previously untreated WM. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Clinical trials comparing activator and headgear treatment have shown comparable effectiveness in the total result achieved, but the mechanism of correction is still uncertain. Most studies have used conventional cephalometric methods to evaluate treatment effects, and this might be a factor for the inconclusive results. The aim of this retrospective investigation was to compare the effects of activator and cervical headgear treatment with a superimpositional cephalometric method that could discern between vertical and horizontal effects as well as skeletal, dental, and rotational treatment results. The sample consisted of 2 groups of Class II Division 1 patients, treated without extraction by the same clinician (22 patients were treated with a modified activator-type functional appliance, and 30 patients were treated with a combination of cervical headgear and fixed edgewise appliances). Lateral cephalometric radiographs taken at the beginning of treatment and after Class II molar correction were evaluated conventionally and with a superimpositional method. Regarding the conventional cephalometric measurements, the only difference in the anteroposterior dimension between the 2 treatment modalities was the significantly reduced SNA angle in the headgear group. Both appliances appeared to produce minimal changes in FMA and GoGn-SN angles, and there were no statistically significant differences between the treatment groups. Regional superimpositions showed differences in the movement of molars: the maxillary molar was found to move more posteriorly and inferiorly in the headgear group. Conversely, the mandibular molar was found to move toward the occlusal plane more in the activator group. Assessment of mandibular skeletal changes showed that the mandible moved anteriorly by approximately 1 mm more in the activator than in the headgear group. The overall effect of the 2 appliances was found to be clinically comparable. However, the individual components of change showed differences characteristic of each appliance.

Objective: To determine postnatal changes in neonatal serum concentrations of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and its soluble receptor (sIL-4R). Methods: Forty-five healthy term neonates, 25 of the neonates' mothers and 27 healthy adults (controls) participated in the study. Cytokine concentrations were measured in blood samples from the umbilical cord, from the neonates on the 1st and 5th day after birth, from mothers and from controls. Results: IFN-γ concentrations were significantly lower in the umbilical cord, compared to concentrations in the controls (p < 0.04), and increased significantly from the umbilical cord to levels in neonates on day 5 (p < 0.03). In mothers and the umbilical cord, IFN-γ concentrations were dependent on the mode of delivery, being higher after vaginal delivery than after elective Cesarean section (p < 0.005; p < 0.006, respectively). IL-4 concentrations in the umbilical cord for 1-day and 5-day neonates were significantly elevated compared to those in mothers (p < 0.001; p < 0.0007; p < 0.0001, respectively) and controls (p < 0.05; p < 0.01; p < 0.006, respectively). sIL-4R concentrations in all neonatal samples were significantly elevated compared to those in controls (p < 0.0001), the highest being found in 1-day-old neonates. A strong negative correlation was found between IL-4 and sIL-4R concentrations in 1- and 5-day-old neonates (r = -0.48, p < 0.002; r = -0.45, p < 0.0065, respectively). Moreover, IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio increased significantly from the umbilical cord to 5 days of life (p < 0.03). Conclusions: Our findings indicate an earlier development of IL-4 than IFN-γ, which could be viewed as a developmental characteristic in the ontogeny of the immune system.

Analysis is presented for Case II drug transport with axial and radial release from cylinders. The previously reported {[}J. Control Release 5 (1987) 37] relationships for radial release from films and slabs are special cases of the general solution derived in this study. The widely used exponential relation M-t/M-infinity = kt(n) describes nicely the first 60% of the fractional release curve when Case II drug transport with axial and radial release from cylinders is operating. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

We use exact self-similar solutions of the steady, axisymmetric, relativistic, hydromagnetic equations to study the formation of AGN jets. Our formalism allows us to examine the effects of the thermal, centrifugal, and electromagnetic forces on the flow acceleration and collimation. We apply our analysis to the jet in NGC 6251 and show that the puzzling sub-pc scale acceleration to mildly relativistic speeds recently inferred in this source from VLBI measurements can be attributed to magnetic driving.

We describe a photonic crystal disordered by stacking faults which can be realized in the laboratory and which exhibits an Anderson localization of light over certain regions of frequency. The localization length is obtained from a calculation of the transmittance of a slab of the material as a function of the thickness of the slab. The localization length depends on the frequency and the angle of incidence of the incident light. It appears that there are regions of frequency where all states of the electromagnetic field are either localized or delocalized, but we also find regions where localized states coexist with delocalized ones.

Angiogenesis represents an essential step in tumor proliferation, expansion, and metastasis. Tumor cells may express both proangiogenic and/or antiangiogenic factors. Under normal circumstances, angiogenesis is controlled through the equilibrium of these factors. This balance is disrupted in malignancy, resulting in promotion of angiogenesis. Among angiogenic molecules, VEGF appears to have a central role in the angiogenic process: it is the target of many proangiogenic factors, but it also regulates molecules that are implicated in endothelial proliferation. It has been suggested that VEGF may be a proximate angiogenic factor through which others act. The degree of angiogenesis and the expression of angiogenic factors have been associated with prognosis in several human neoplasms. In addition, angiogenesis offers a theoretically selective target for anticancer therapy, since it is only required for wound healing, endometrial proliferation, and pregnancy in healthy individuals. Antiangiogenic cancer treatment is still largely experimental and its clinical potential is currently being studied in clinical trials. Thalidomide, a drug with antiangiogenic properties, has shown significant efficacy in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. In addition, an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody prolonged survival in patients with advanced colorectal and renal cell carcinoma. Although these results are encouraging, selection of patients is essential in order to target populations most likely to benefit from antiangiogenic therapy. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In this study, we examined the long-term reductions in maximal isometric force (MIF) caused by a protocol of repeated maximal isometric contractions at long muscle length. Furthermore, we wished to ascertain whether the reductions in MIF are dependent on muscle length - that is, are the reductions in MIF more pronounced when the muscle contracts at a short length. The MIF of the elbow flexors of seven young male volunteers was measured at five different elbow angles between 50° and 160°. On a separate day, the participants performed 50 maximal voluntary isometric muscle contractions with the elbow flexors at a lengthened position; that is, with the shoulder hyperextended at 45° and the elbow joint fixed at 140°. Following this exercise, the MIF at the five elbow angles, range of motion, muscle soreness and plasma creatine kinase activity were measured at 24 h intervals for 4 days. On day 1, the decline in MIF was higher at the more acute elbow angles of 50° (42 ± 8%) and 70° (39 ± 8%; both P < 0.01) than at 90° (26 ± 4%) and 140° (16 ± 3%; both P < 0.01). No significant reduction in MIF was evident at an elbow angle of 160°. Maximal isometric force at an elbow angle of 140° was fully restored on day 3, whereas at an angle of 50° it remained depressed for the 4 day observation period. Restoration of MIF was a function of the elbow angle, with force recovery being less at the smaller angles. The range of motion was decreased by 14 ± 2° on day 1 (P < 0.01) and did not return to baseline values by day 4. Muscle soreness ratings remained significantly elevated for the 4 day period. Serum creatine kinase peaked on day 1 (522 ± 129 IU, P < 0.01) and decreased thereafter. We conclude that the disproportionate decrease in MIF at the small elbow angles and the length-specific recovery in MIF after repeated maximal isometric contractions at long muscle length may be explained by the presence of overstretched sarcomeres that increased in series compliance of the muscle, therefore causing a rightward shift of the force-length relationship.

In this study, we examined the long-term reductions in maximal isometric force (MIF) caused by a protocol of repeated maximal isometric contractions at long muscle length. Furthermore, we wished to ascertain whether the reductions in MIF are dependent on muscle length - that is, are the reductions in MIF more pronounced when the muscle contracts at a short length. The MIF of the elbow flexors of seven young male volunteers was measured at five different elbow angles between 50° and 160°. On a separate day, the participants performed 50 maximal voluntary isometric muscle contractions with the elbow flexors at a lengthened position; that is, with the shoulder hyperextended at 45° and the elbow joint fixed at 140°. Following this exercise, the MIF at the five elbow angles, range of motion, muscle soreness and plasma creatine kinase activity were measured at 24 h intervals for 4 days. On day 1, the decline in MIF was higher at the more acute elbow angles of 50° (42 ± 8%) and 70° (39 ± 8%; both P < 0.01) than at 90° (26 ± 4%) and 140° (16 ± 3%; both P < 0.01). No significant reduction in MIF was evident at an elbow angle of 160°. Maximal isometric force at an elbow angle of 140° was fully restored on day 3, whereas at an angle of 50° it remained depressed for the 4 day observation period. Restoration of MIF was a function of the elbow angle, with force recovery being less at the smaller angles. The range of motion was decreased by 14 ± 2° on day 1 (P < 0.01) and did not return to baseline values by day 4. Muscle soreness ratings remained significantly elevated for the 4 day period. Serum creatine kinase peaked on day 1 (522 ± 129 IU, P < 0.01) and decreased thereafter. We conclude that the disproportionate decrease in MIF at the small elbow angles and the length-specific recovery in MIF after repeated maximal isometric contractions at long muscle length may be explained by the presence of overstretched sarcomeres that increased in series compliance of the muscle, therefore causing a rightward shift of the force-length relationship.

In this study, we examined the long-term reductions in maximal isometric force (MIF) caused by a protocol of repeated maximal isometric contractions at long muscle length. Furthermore, we wished to ascertain whether the reductions in MIF are dependent on muscle length - that is, are the reductions in MIF more pronounced when the muscle contracts at a short length. The MIF of the elbow flexors of seven young male volunteers was measured at five different elbow angles between 50° and 160°. On a separate day, the participants performed 50 maximal voluntary isometric muscle contractions with the elbow flexors at a lengthened position; that is, with the shoulder hyperextended at 45° and the elbow joint fixed at 140°. Following this exercise, the MIF at the five elbow angles, range of motion, muscle soreness and plasma creatine kinase activity were measured at 24 h intervals for 4 days. On day 1, the decline in MIF was higher at the more acute elbow angles of 50° (42 ± 8%) and 70° (39 ± 8%; both P < 0.01) than at 90° (26 ± 4%) and 140° (16 ± 3%; both P < 0.01). No significant reduction in MIF was evident at an elbow angle of 160°. Maximal isometric force at an elbow angle of 140° was fully restored on day 3, whereas at an angle of 50° it remained depressed for the 4 day observation period. Restoration of MIF was a function of the elbow angle, with force recovery being less at the smaller angles. The range of motion was decreased by 14 ± 2° on day 1 (P < 0.01) and did not return to baseline values by day 4. Muscle soreness ratings remained significantly elevated for the 4 day period. Serum creatine kinase peaked on day 1 (522 ± 129 IU, P < 0.01) and decreased thereafter. We conclude that the disproportionate decrease in MIF at the small elbow angles and the length-specific recovery in MIF after repeated maximal isometric contractions at long muscle length may be explained by the presence of overstretched sarcomeres that increased in series compliance of the muscle, therefore causing a rightward shift of the force-length relationship.

BACKGROUND: Regional cerebral blood flow (CBF), a good indirect index of cerebral pathologic changes in Alzheimer disease (AD), is more severely reduced in patients with higher educational attainment and IQ when controlling for clinical severity. This has been interpreted as suggesting that cognitive reserve allows these patients to cope better with the pathologic changes in AD. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether premorbid engagement in various activities may also provide cognitive reserve. DESIGN: We evaluated intellectual, social, and physical activities in 9 patients with early AD and 16 healthy elderly controls who underwent brain H(2)(15)O positron emission tomography. In voxelwise multiple regression analyses that controlled for age and clinical severity, we investigated the association between education, estimated premorbid IQ, and activities, and CBF. RESULTS: In accordance with previous findings, we replicated an inverse association between education and CBF and IQ and CBF in patients with AD. In addition, there was a negative correlation between previous reported activity score and CBF in patients with AD. When both education and IQ were added as covariates in the same model, a higher activity score was still associated with more prominent CBF deficits. No significant associations were detected in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: At any given level of clinical disease severity, there is a greater degree of brain pathologic involvement in patients with AD who have more engagement in activities, even when education and IQ are taken into account. This may suggest that interindividual differences in lifestyle may affect cognitive reserve by partially mediating the relationship between brain damage and the clinical manifestation of AD.

A study was undertaken to evaluate the frequency and natural history of disease in patients with asymptomatic Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM). Among 132 consecutive, newly diagnosed patients with monoclonal IgM, 82 (27%) had symptomatic WM indicated by anemia, lymphadenopathy, or splenomegaly. Thirtyone patients had similar clinical features but were asymptomatic and followed without therapy until disease progression. There were 19 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance of IgM type (MGUS). In comparison to overt WM, patients with asymptomatic WM had significantly higher hemoglobin (Hgb) level (median, 12.1 v 9.7 g/dL), lower serum β2-microglobulin (B2M) level (median, 2.4 v 3.4 mg/L), and similar IgM peaks (median, 2.2 and 1.8 g/dL). The IgM component was 3.6 g/dL or less in all patients with asymptomatic disease. For asymptomatic WM, median time to disease progression was 6.9 years with rare morbidity. Prognostic factors for early progression were Hgb < 11.5 g/dL, B2M ≥ 3.0 mg/L, and IgM peak >3.0 g/dL. Combinations of these variables defined three risk groups for progression with markedly different median times to progression of >5 years, 2 years, and 0.5 year, respectively. Response rate and survival after institution of treatment were similar to those of patients treated promptly for overt disease. We conclude that, among patients with WM, 27% were asymptomatic with slow disease progression before the need for chemotherapy. Since disease outcomes after treatment were similar to those of patients treated at diagnosis, patients with asymptomatic disease should be identified and followed without treatment for as long as risks of complications remain low. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The multiarmed-bandit problem is often taken as a basic model for the trade-off between the exploration and utilization required for efficient optimization under uncertainty. In this article, we study the situation in which the unknown performance of a new bandit is to be evaluated and compared with that of a known one over a finite horizon. We assume that the bandits represent random variables with distributions from the one-parameter exponential family. When the objective is to maximize the Bayes expected sum of outcomes over a finite horizon, it is shown that optimal policies tend to simple limits when the length of the horizon is large.

A number of regulatory binding sites of glycogen phosphorylase (GP), such as the catalytic, the inhibitor, and the new allosteric sites are currently under investigation as targets for inhibition of hepatic glycogenolysis under high glucose concentrations; in some cases specific inhibitors are under evaluation in human clinical trials for therapeutic intervention in type 2 diabetes. In an attempt to investigate whether the storage site can be exploited as target for modulating hepatic glucose production, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-cyclodextrins were identified as moderate mixed-type competitive inhibitors of GPb (with respect to glycogen) with K(i) values of 47.1, 14.1, and 7.4 mM, respectively. To elucidate the structural basis of inhibition, we determined the structure of GPb complexed with beta- and gamma-cyclodextrins at 1.94 A and 2.3 A resolution, respectively. The structures of the two complexes reveal that the inhibitors can be accommodated in the glycogen storage site of T-state GPb with very little change of the tertiary structure and provide a basis for understanding their potency and subsite specificity. Structural comparisons of the two complexes with GPb in complex with either maltopentaose (G5) or maltoheptaose (G7) show that beta- and gamma-cyclodextrins bind in a mode analogous to the G5 and G7 binding with only some differences imposed by their cyclic conformations. It appears that the binding energy for stabilization of enzyme complexes derives from hydrogen bonding and van der Waals contacts to protein residues. The binding of alpha-cyclodextrin and octakis (2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-gamma-cyclodextrin was also investigated, but none of them was bound in the crystal; moreover, the latter did not inhibit the phosphorylase reaction.

It is now well established that solid tumors depend on angiogenesis. Promoters and inhibitors of angiogenesis are in balance and antiangiogenic strategies aim at repressing the angiogenic process, thus retarding solid tumor progression. Recent data suggest the importance of angiogenesis in hematologic malignancies and several studies reveal an increased angiogenesis in active multiple myeloma. Angiogenesis seems to be a prominent feature of MM progression, and seems to be correlated with the prognosis and the resistance of MM to chemotherapy. Numerous cell populations and cytokines are involved in angiogenesis in multiple myeloma and antiangiogenic therapy with thalidomide is effective in patients with refractory or relapsed disease. The combination of thalidomide and of other immunomodulatory agents with other therapeutic regimens could lead to more effective management of patients with multiple myeloma.

We present a study of bright X-ray sources in the central part of the Small Magellanic Cloud based on a survey performed with the Chandra X-ray Observatory (see accompanying poster by J. McDowell et al). From the 122 sources (at the 3σ level), detected within the 1280 arcmin2 covered by the survey, we concentrate on the 16 brightest sources (>100 counts; LX > 1035erg/s) for which we can perform detailed spectral and timing analysis. These sources include two known supernova remnants (in one of which we identify a weak central point-like source), seven known X-ray binaries, and five previously detected sources which are most likely pulsar binaries, based on spectra and variability from the Chandra data. Two sources were not detected by any previous scans and are new transient candidate X-ray binary pulsars. This work was supported in part by the SAO intern program under NSF grant AST-9731923 and in part by NASA Grant G02-3117X.

We present preliminary results from our Cycle 3 Chandra survey of the central region of the Small Magellanic Cloud. Five ACIS-I fields cover a large fraction of the bar. The images show at least ten bright, extended, supernova remnants and two bright, previously unknown, transients; point sources are detected down to a luminosity of log L(erg/s) = 33. We have obtained exposure-corrected luminosity functions for each field.

We summarize the early results from a Chandra X-ray Observatory survey of the central region of the Small Magellanic Cloud, dominated by a recent burst of star formation. We detect 122 sources in five ACIS fields, reaching a 0.1-10 keV luminosity (corrected for Milky Way absorption ) of 4.3× 1033 erg/s, an order of magnitude deeper than previous surveys. Our survey includes 20 candidate transient sources and measures extent in 5 supernova remnants. The data indicate fewer very faint sources than would be expected from the background. We compare our results with ROSAT and ASCA observations of the region; many of the ASCA sources are found to suffer from confusion. We are beginning a program of optical identifications for the newly discovered sources. The companion poster by Taylor et al. describes our X-ray spectral and timing analysis on the bright sources. We acknowledge support from the Chandra X-ray Center (NASA contract NAS8-39073).

A total of 1019 non-replicate, consecutively isolated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains were collected from in-patients of a tertiary care general hospital in Athens, Greece, during the period 1994-2001. The susceptibility, resistance phenotypes and the dissemination of these isolates among hospital wards were studied. Total MRSA and gentamicin-resistant MRSA, as a proportion of the S. aureus isolates, increased from 33 and 9% in 1994 to 50.1 and 33.3% in 2001, respectively. Three main multi-resistant phenotypes predominated, representing 50.9% of the total MRSA isolates in 2001. MRSA strains susceptible to all antibiotics tested decreased to 1.9% in 1997 and again increased to 13.5% in 2001. A gradual decrease in the susceptibility of vancomycin during the 8-year-period was detected, but no vancomycin resistant S. aureus strains were isolated.

High-resolution photoacoustic spectra of trinitrate-bis[N-(2- pyridylmethylene)-N′-benzoyl-hydrazine]R(III), (R = La, Cc, Pr), and binitrato-bis[N-(2-pyridylmethylene)-N′-benzoyl-hydrazine]R(III) nitrate (R=Y, Nd, Eu, Yb, Tb, Gd, Ho, Dy, Er) complexes, in the visual region, were studied for powder samples. Very intense photoacoustic spectra of various shapes were attributed to the intraligand transitions of the π → π* type located mainly on the C=N group and the n → π* transitions located on the carbonyl group. The intensity of these transitions essentially depends on the type of rare earth ions. The existence of f-f electron transitions could influence the relaxation processes, which play an important role in intensity determination of the above transitions. For many investigated samples the energy levels of excited states of rare earth ions were identified (f-f electron transitions). The radiation energy for some of the rare earth ions were compared with the d-d electron transitions of certain coppcr(II) organometallic complexes, which are very important in biogenic systems. The correlation between ions with localized and extended wave functions is suggested.

We compare space quantization obtained by codebook vectors yielded by Kohonen’s self-organizing maps and the neural gas methods. The average approximation error (called also the quantization error) is smaller when applying the neural gas method. The results are visualized graphically by scatterplot matrices. For the special case of 3-dimensional data the results, i.e. location of the representative codebook vectors among the original data points – are also visualized by a rotatable 3-D plot. The analysis was carried out for the Kefallinia data counting n D 3420 data vectors, each with p D 3 components. We stated that the results depend on the way of standardization of the data.

We consider a large set of data comprising N=3422 data vectors, each containing observations on p=3 variables. We find for these data representative data vectors. We do it by employing the methodology of Kohonen's self-organizing maps. The found representative data vectors are called codebook vectors. In particular we analyze two collections (assemblages) of codebook vectors counting m=275 and m=120 elements. The quantity of the representation is measured by evaluating two errors: the quantization error q1 and the topological error q2. We show for our data that the magnitude of these errors depends on the way the original data werestandardized. After a thorough graphical analysis of the results we came to the conclusion that codebook vectors obtained from data standardized by range yield a little better representation as those do which were obtained from data standardized by variance. None of the representations is satisfactory from our point of view.

OBJECTIVE: To report pathologic findings in 124 Australian and North American cases of primary nemaline myopathy. METHODS: Results of 164 muscle biopsies from 124 Australian and North American patients with primary nemaline myopathy were reviewed, including biopsies from 19 patients with nemaline myopathy due to alpha-actin (ACTA1) mutations and three with mutations in alpha-tropomyosin(SLOW) (TPM3). For each biopsy rod number per fiber, percentage of fibers with rods, fiber-type distribution of rods, and presence or absence of intranuclear rods were documented. RESULTS: Rods were present in all skeletal muscles and diagnosis was possible at all ages. Most biopsies contained nemaline bodies in more than 50% of fibers, although rods were seen only on electron microscopy in 10 patients. Rod numbers and localization correlated poorly with clinical severity. Frequent findings included internal nuclei and increased fiber size variation, type 1 fiber predominance and atrophy, and altered expression of fiber type specific proteins. Marked sarcomeric disruption, increased glycogen deposition, and intranuclear rods were associated with more severe clinical phenotypes. Serial biopsies showed progressive fiber size variation and increasing numbers of rods with time. Pathologic findings varied widely in families with multiple affected members. CONCLUSIONS: Very numerous nemaline bodies, glycogen accumulation, and marked sarcomeric disruption were common in nemaline myopathy associated with mutations in skeletal alpha-actin. Nemaline myopathy due to mutations in alpha-tropomyosin(SLOW) was characterized by preferential rod formation in, and atrophy of, type 1 fibers. Light microscopic features of nemaline myopathy correlate poorly with disease course. Electron microscopy may correlate better with disease severity and genotype.

This presentation represents consensus recommendations for the clinicopathological definition of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM), which were prepared in conjunction with the Second International Workshop held in Athens, Greece during September 2002. WM is an uncommon lymphoproliferative disorder characterized primarily by bone marrow infiltration and IgM monoclonal gammopathy. It should be considered a distinct clinicopathological entity rather than a clinical syndrome secondary to IgM secretion. The underlying pathological diagnosis in WM is lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Revised European-American Lymphoma (REAL) classification criteria. The concentration of monoclonal IgM can vary widely in WM and it is not possible to define a concentration that reliably distinguishes WM from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and other lymphoproliferative disorders. A diagnosis of WM can therefore be made irrespective of IgM concentration if there is evidence on a bone marrow trephine biopsy of bone marrow infiltration by lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma with predominantly an intertrabecular pattern, supported by appropriate immunophenotypic studies. Simple criteria to distinguish patients with symptomatic WM who require therapy from those with asymptomatic WM and MGUS were also proposed. Patients with clinical features attributable to IgM monoclonal gammopathy but no overt evidence of lymphoma are considered to constitute a distinct clinical group and the term "IgM-related disorders" is proposed. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND: Knee injuries represent an important category of road traffic injuries among children, and they are heterogeneous in their aetiology. The aims of this study were to estimate the incidence of road traffic childhood knee injuries in Greece by age and gender, point out their time, place and person co-ordinates and identify clusters with distinct characteristics with a view to potential preventive interventions. METHODS: During a 3-year period, 305 children with knee injuries resulting from a road traffic accident were identified among the 66,870 children with injuries recorded in the Emergency Department Injury Surveillance System (EDISS) of Greece. Using previously derived sampling ratios and national data on childhood population, incidence data by age and gender were estimated. Hierarchical analysis was undertaken for cluster identification. RESULTS: The incidence of road traffic knee injuries was 97.5 per 100,000 children-years. The incidence increased with age and was higher among boys than among girls. Most childhood knee injuries (50.2%) occur among pedestrians, and the majority (90.9%) of the children or their guardians admitted responsibility in crossing the road. Of the 31 children injured as car passengers, the vast majority (87.1%) were unrestrained, and a large fraction (38.7%) were front seat passengers. Two clusters were identified: the first consisted of younger children who resided mostly in the Athens area and suffered less serious knee injuries as pedestrians or car passengers during the colder months; the second consisted of older children, frequently tourists, who suffered more serious injuries as cyclists while vacationing. CONCLUSIONS: Many of the children who suffered road traffic knee injuries as pedestrians admitted responsibility in road crossing, whereas a large proportion of children who were injured as car passengers were injured while improperly seated in the front and without seatbelt protection. Older children, frequently tourists, were at high risk of knee injuries while using motorcycles and bicycles.

The concept of cognitive reserve (CR) suggests that innate intelligence or aspects of life experience like educational or occupational attainments may supply reserve, in the form of a set of skills or repertoires that allows some people to cope with progressing Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology better than others. There is epidemiological evidence that lifestyle characterized by engagement in leisure activities of intellectual and social nature is associated with slower cognitive decline in healthy elderly and may reduce the risk of incident dementia. There is also evidence from functional imaging studies that subjects engaging in such leisure activities can clinically tolerate more AD pathology. It is possible that aspects of life experience like engagement in leisure activities may result in functionally more efficient cognitive networks and therefore provide a CR that delays the onset of clinical manifestations of dementia.

Cognitive reserve (CR) is the ability of an individual to cope with advancing brain pathology so that he remains free of symptomatology. Epidemiological evidence and in vivo neurometabolic data suggest that CR may be mediated through education or IQ. The goal of this study was to investigate CR-mediated differential brain activation in 17 healthy young adults and 19 healthy elders. Using nonquantitative H(2)(15)O PET scanning, we assessed relative regional cerebral blood flow while subjects performed a serial recognition memory task under two conditions: nonmemory control (NMC), in which one shape was presented in each study trial; and titrated demand (TD), in which study list length was adjusted so that each subject recognized shapes at approximately 75% accuracy. A factor score that summarized years of education and scores on two IQ indices was used as an index of CR. Voxel-wise, multiple regression analyses were performed with TD minus NMC difference PET counts as the dependent variable and the CR variable as the independent variable of interest. We identified brain regions where regression slopes were different from zero in each separate group, and also those where regression slopes differed between the two age groups. The slopes were significantly more positive in the young in the right inferior temporal gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, and cingulate, while the elderly had a significantly more positive slope in left cuneus. Brain regions where systematic relationships between CR and brain activation differ as a function of aging are loci where compensation for aging has occurred. They may mediate differential ability to cope with brain changes in aging.

We explain in simple terms why a rotating and magnetized outflow forms a core with a jet and show numerical simulations which substantiate this argument. The outflow from a solar-type inefficient magnetic rotator is found to be very weakly collimated while the outflow from a ten times faster rotating YSO is shown to produce a tightly collimated jet. This gives rise to an evolutionary scenario for stellar outflows. We also propose a two-component model consisting of a wind outflow from a central object and a faster rotating outflow launched from a surrounding accretion disk which plays the role of the flow collimator.

We explain in simple terms why a rotating and magnetized outflow forms a core with a jet and show numerical simulations which substantiate this argument. The outflow from a solar-type inefficient magnetic rotator is found to be very weakly collimated while the outflow from a ten times faster rotating YSO is shown to produce a tightly collimated jet. This gives rise to an evolutionary scenario for stellar outflows. We also propose a two-component model consisting of a wind outflow from a central object and a faster rotating outflow launched from a surrounding accretion disk which plays the role of the flow collimator.

Objectives. To consider the safety profile and therapeutic value of the combination of estramustine and mitoxantrone in a bimonthly schedule to treat hormone-refractory prostate cancer. The survival of patients with prostate cancer who relapse after androgen ablation is limited and the therapeutic options are restricted. Methods. Twenty-nine patients with relapse after previous treatment were included in the study; however, 3 patients who refused to start treatment were not included in the analysis, leaving 26 eligible patients. The median age was 64 years (range 44 to 82), the World Health Organization performance status ranged from 1 to 3, and the mean prostate-specific antigen level was 103 ng/mL (range 1 to 620). The Gleason score ranged from 2 to 9. The patients received a total of 208 therapeutic cycles (mean 8, range 3 to 24). Every cycle consisted of oral estramustine 140 mg, 3 times a day continuously, and intravenous mitoxantrone 20 mg (total dose). The regimen was repeated every 2 weeks. Results. Twenty-seven percent of patients with measurable soft-tissue disease demonstrated an objective response, which included one complete and six partial responses. Thirteen patients (50%) had a greater than 50% reduction in serum prostate-specific antigen level. The median duration of response was 9.2 months, and the median survival for all patients was 15 months. The most common side effects were neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Conclusions. The combination of estramustine and mitoxantrone is safe, well tolerated, and relatively active in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer. More patients are needed to partake in Phase III studies to establish the survival benefit that this combination may offer. © 2003 Elsevier Inc.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible genetic relationship among erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated in Greece and the UK. METHODS: During 1995-97, 140 S. pneumoniae strains were isolated from clinical specimens submitted to the microbiology departments of the two main children's hospital in Athens. All erythromycin-resistant strains were further studied with respect to the presence of genes encoding for the two major mechanisms of macrolide resistance, their serotypes, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) types, in comparison to a previously characterized UK erythromycin-resistant clone. RESULTS: Eleven of the 140 isolates (7.9%) were resistant to erythromycin; nine of these were susceptible to penicillin. Serotyping allocated seven, three and one isolates to serotypes 14, 19F and serogroup 6, respectively. The mefA gene was detected in seven isolates (five serotype 14 and two serotype 19F), ermB in two (one serotype 19F and the serogroup 6 isolate), whilst in the remaining two isolates no resistance gene could be detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA showed that five Greek serotype 14 isolates belonged to the same chromosomal type as the serotype 14 erythromycin-resistant UK clone. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that erythromycin resistance among the S. pneumoniae isolates was mostly owing to the efflux mechanism and suggested a possible clonal spread of serotype 14 erythromycin-resistant S. pneumoniae strains between Greece and the UK.

The g factor of the 21+ state in 44Ca has been measured using the transient field technique and Coulomb excitation in inverse kinematics. A positive value of g(21+, 44Ca) = +0.12±0.05 was deduced. The result suggests the (fp)v4 configuration competes with excitations of the 40Ca core. A simple model which considers that the wave function for the 21+ state consists of approximately equal admixtures of spherical four valence neutron configurations and a deformed core configuration accounts for the experimentally observed g factor as well as the previously measured quadrupole moment. © 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.

The g factors of the 2+1 and 3-1 states in 96Zr have been measured for the first time by Coulomb excitation of 96Zr beams in inverse kinematics using transient magnetic fields. The resulting g factors are g(2+1) = +0.03(7) and g(3-1) = +0.98(15). The lifetime of the 2+1 state, ? = 0.82(10) ps, was redetermined via the Doppler Shift Attenuation Method. The 2+1 ? 0+1 transition rate and the g-factor data are in fair agreement with shell-model calculations involving both proton and neutron excitations. The pronounced octupole strength of the 3-1 ? 0+1 transition is not seen in the g factor which exceeds significantly an expected Z/A value. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Conduction electron spin resonance is employed to study the interplay of the electronic and structural properties in the normal state of Mg1-xAlxB2 alloys as a function of Al-doping for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1. The x-dependence of the spin susceptibility reveals considerable reduction of the total density of states N(EF) with increasing Al concentration, complying with theoretical predictions for a predominant filling effect of the hole σ bands by electron doping. The CESR linewidth exhibits significant broadening, especially prominent in the high-Al-content region, indicative of the presence of enhanced structural disorder, consistent with the presence of compositional fluctuations.

We present first-principles calculations of the magnetic hyperfine fields H-hf of 5sp impurities on the (001), (111), and (110) surfaces of Ni. We examine the dependence of H-hf on the coordination number by placing the impurity in the surfaces, on top of them at the adatom positions, and in the bulk. We find a strong coordination dependence of H-hf, different and characteristic for each impurity. The behaviour is explained in terms of the on-site s-p hybridization as the symmetry is reduced at the surface. Our results are in agreement with recent experimental findings.

Glass ceramics of the composition (Bi0.8Pb0.2) 4Sr3Ca3Cu4O8 prepared by the melt quenching technique and the crystalline phases produced by the rapid thermal annealing have been studied by electrical resistivity and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements in the temperature range from liquid helium up to room temperature. The concentration of the EPR active Cu 2+ paramagnetic centers decreases as conductivity increases for the glass ceramics and disappears alter crystallization and the growth of superconducting phases, similar to bulk high-Tc,. superconductors. The EPR spectra of both glass and crystallized ceramics after short-time annealing indicate the coexistence of Cu2+ paramagnetic ions and the exchange coupled clusters.

In this paper the area of Iliki and Paralimni karstic lakes is studied throughfieldwork and GIS. The study area is situated east of the Fokida – Beotia tectonicdepression focusing on the relation of the tectonic activity to the formation of thesurrounding slopes. As a result of this study, slope formation is related to the two main tectonic phases of the wider area.

The monoclonal gammopathies are a group of disorders associated with monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells. The characterization of specific entities is an area of difficulty in clinical practice. The International Myeloma Working Group has reviewed the criteria for diagnosis and classification with the aim of producing simple, easily used definitions based on routinely available investigations. In monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) or monoclonal gammopathy, unattributed/unassociated (MG[u]), the monoclonal protein is < 30 g/1 and the bone marrow clonal cells < 10% with no evidence of multiple myeloma, other B-cell proliferative disorders or amyloidosis. In asymptomatic (smouldering) myeloma the M-protein is ≥ 30 g/1 and/or bone marrow clonal cells ≥ 10% but no related organ or tissue impairment (ROTI)(end-organ damage), which is typically manifested by increased calcium, renal insufficiency, anaemia, or bone lesions (CRAB) attributed to the plasma cell proliferative process. Symptomatic myeloma requires evidence of ROTL Non-secretory myeloma is characterized by the absence of an M-protein in the serum and urine, bone marrow plasmacytosis and ROTI. Solitary plasmacytoma of bone, extramedullary plasmacytoma and multiple solitary plasmacytomas (± recurrent) are also defined as distinct entities. The use of these criteria will facilitate comparison of therapeutic trial data. Evaluation of currently available prognostic factors may allow better definition of prognosis in multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND: In contrast to cellular receptors, soluble receptors do not enhance the cellular activation because they do not have transmembranic and cytoplasmic parts, acting thereby as endogenous regulatory mechanisms against systemic functions of cytokines. Aim: To measure serum concentrations of the soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL2R), soluble interleukin-4 receptor (sIL4R), soluble interleukin-6 receptor (sIL6R), and soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor I and soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor II, during the perinatal and early neonatal period, in order to evaluate their role in activation of immune response in labor and the first days postpartum. Methods: Soluble receptor serum concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, in 45 healthy, full-termed neonates during the first and fifth days after birth, in 25 of their mothers (MS), in 25 samples of umbilical cords (UC) and in 25 healthy adult donors age-matched with the mothers (controls). Results: Soluble receptor serum concentrations showed considerable changes during labor and early neonatal life, being significantly higher both in MS (except sIL6R) and in neonatal sample UC, first and fifth days after birth, compared with controls (p < 0.0001). Neonatal serum sIL2R and sIL6R increased significantly from birth to the fifth day, while the remaining receptors showed a rapid increase in the first day (p < 0.0001), declining significantly thereafter (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our Findings suggest that the elevated concentrations of all studied soluble cytokine receptors reflect the activation of immune response, and represent also regulatory protective mechanisms for mother and fetus-neonate against the systemic function of cytokines during labor and early neonatal life.

Οι χοροί των εξισλαμισμένων σκλάβων στην οθωμανική αυτοκρατορία: Ο χορός και η φυσική κίνηση ως σύμβολα κατωτερότητας [DANCE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SYMBOLS OF SOCIAL INFERIORITY: OBLIGATIONS OF ISLAMIZED SLAVES].    ***Καμπερίδου, Ειρήνη (2003). Οι Χοροί των εξισλαμισμένων σκλάβων στην Οθωμανική Αυτοκρατορία: Ο Χορός και η Φυσική Κίνηση ως σύμβολα κοινωνικής κατωτερότητας. Γυναίκα και Άθληση, II (2), σ. 153-164. Έκδοση της Πανελλήνιας Ένωσης για την Προώθηση των Γυναικών στον Αθλητισμό και τα Σπορ (ΠΕΠΓΑΣ), Θεσσαλονική N. in APELLA     *** --Kamberidou, I. (2003). Dance and Physical Activity, Symbols of Social Inferiority [in Ottoman Society]:  Obligations of Islamized [converted] Slaves. Women & Sport, vol II. (2), 153–164. Hellenic Union for the Advancement of Women in Sport (PEPGAS)  N. in APELLA

We report the results of the second large campaign of photometric observations for the small-amplitude delta Scuti star GSC 4778-00324, detected in the course of a multi-site campaign aiming at monitoring V1162 Ori. We confirm the presence of the same two frequencies as found in the first analysis based on the 2000-2001 data.

We analyze the important changes induced to the density of states (DOS) of a quasi two-dimensional-electron-gas (2DEG), when it is subjected to an in-plane magnetic field, B. The DOS diverges significantly from the famous step-like form and this introduces changes to the pertinent electronic properties. In order to calculate the DOS it is indispensable to use a self-consistent approach. The eigenvalue problem has to be solved for each subband index i and in-plane wavevector, k x, when the quasi 2DEG is parallel to the xy-plane and B is applied along the y-axis. Although the modification of the DOS is usually ignored, we show here that not only the general shape of the DOS varies, but this effect is also quantitative.

We report measurements of single-electron polarization in a coupled double-quantum-dot device isolated from current probes and demonstrate that the energetics observed for this process differs from that observed in double dots coupled to reservoirs. The movement of the electrons is detected by a quantum point contact. By analyzing the energy broadening corresponding to the tunneling of a single electron from one dot to the other we estimate a minimum for the intradot scattering time to be 0.2 ns. This energy broadening follows the predicted shot-noise variation in the detector with gate voltage, but is three orders-of-magnitude higher. We speculate that two-level systems could account for the discrepancy.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) in detecting bone marrow involvement in cancer patients. Patients and methods: We studied 50 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed malignant dissemination to the bone marrow, using dMRI of the lumbosacral spine. Time-signal intensity curves were generated from regions of interest (ROIs) obtained from areas of obvious bone marrow disease (group B). In 16 patients from group B with focal disease, ROIs were also placed on areas with apparently normal bone marrow on static magnetic resonance images (group C). Twenty-two patients with no history of malignancy were used as a control group (group A). Wash-in (WIN) and wash-out (WOUT) rates, time to peak (TTPK), time to maximum slope (TMSP) values and WIN/TMSP ratios were calculated for each patient. Mean values for the three groups were compared statistically. Six patients from group B had follow-up dMRI after chemotherapy: four patients achieved a clinical partial response and two had resistant disease. Results: A significant difference was found between groups A and B for all values. Between groups A and C, in spite of the similar static MRI appearance, all values were significantly different. Between groups B and C, a significant difference was found for WIN, WOUT rates and WIN/TMSP ratio. Follow-up dMRI data analysis correlated well with clinical staging. Conclusions: dMRI can distinguish normal from malignant bone marrow. It may identify malignant bone marrow infiltration in patients with negative static MRI and serve as both a diagnostic and prognostic tool for patients with bone marrow malignancies.

The aim of this study was to evaluate factors that influence leptin levels in postmenopausal women. One hundred and forty-four postmenopausal women were evaluated cross-sectionally. In every woman a complete medical history was obtained, body mass index (BMI) was recorded and morning fasting blood was obtained for the determination of serum leptin, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, testosterone, Δ4androstendione, clehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and insulin. In univariate analysis, age, BMI and insulin were positively correlated with serum leptin, while DHEAS showed a negative association with leptin concentrations (age r=0.21, p=0.005, BMI r=0.41, p=0.0001, insulin r=0.20, p=0.008, DHEAS r=-0.28, p=0.0001). In stepwise multivariate regression analysis serum leptin could be best predicted from BMI, serum insulin and serum DHEAS [leptin= (1.41 * BMI) - (0.01 * DHEAS) + (3.26 * insulin) -26.3; model r2=0.24, p=0.001]. In conclusion, BMI and serum insulin have a positive while serum DHEAS has a negative impact on serum leptin. Neither endogenous estradiol, nor endogenous testosterone are associated with leptin levels. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of leptin in determining body weight and composition in postmenopausal women. © 2003, Editrice Kurtis.

The (diphenylphosphino)alkyl-functionalized nucleophilic heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes of palladium LPdX2 (L = (3-R1)[1-Ph2P(CH2)2]-imidazol-2-ylid ene; R1 = 2,6-Pr2iC6H3, 2,4,6-Me3C6H2; X = CH3 (3a,b), X = Br (4a,b)) have been synthesized by the reaction of the in situ generated functionalized NHC ligand La or Lb with Pd(tmed)(CH3)2 and Pd(COD)Br2, respectively, and structurally characterized. Interaction of 3a with H(Et2O)- {B[3,5-(CF3)2C6H2]4} and pyridine or with (CF3)2CHOH and pyridine in CH2Cl2 gave the monocationic complexes [(La)Pd(CH3)(pyridine)]+(A)- (A- = {B[(3,5-CF3)2C6H2]4}-, (CF3)2CHO-); acetonitrile and benzonitrile analogues can be prepared in an analogous way. Reaction of 4a with AgBF4 in MeCN gave the dicationic complexes [(La)Pd(MeCN)2](BF4)2. Complexes 3 show moderate catalytic activity for the coupling of acrylates with aryl bromides but not chlorides. The cationic species generated in situ from 3a and H(Et2O){B[(3,5-CF3) 2C6H2]4} in CH2Cl2 under CO/ethylene acts as a copolymerization catalyst under mild conditions.

We study the dispersion characteristics of a rectangular waveguide grating for microwave amplifier applications. The Floquet theorem and an appropriate standing waves expansion is employed to express the fields in the vacuum region and inside the grooves, respectively. The application of the boundary conditions leads to an infinite system of equations, which is solved numerically by truncation. The main advantage of the procedure employed is that it gives directly and with a few spatial harmonics the dispersion relation. Furthermore, an adequate procedure (simulation tool) has been introduced in order to distinguish the real roots from spurious solutions and it has been found to work effectively for all cases presented in this work. Numerical results are presented for both shallow and deep grooves and comparison with previously published works is made.

There is some evidence that taxanes and gemcitabine are effective antitumor agents against small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). A total of 20 chemotherapy-naive patients with extensive disease (ED) SCLC, were treated as a part of the first step of a phase II study, with docetaxel 50 mg/m2 and gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2, both administered on day 1 and 8 every 3 weeks up to a total of six cycles. For patients who progressed after the first cycle or had stable disease after the second cycle of chemotherapy, protocol treatment was stopped and further treatment with the standard cisplatin or carboplatin-etoposide combination was administered. Patients were in the vast majority male smokers with a good performance status. A total of 72 cycles was delivered while patients managed to receive the 78 and 84% of the planned dose of docetaxel and gemcitabine, respectively. Only six patients responded partially and the trial ended prematurely since at least seven responses were required among the first 19 patients. With a median follow-up of 13 months, median time to progression (TTP) was 8 months and median survival 9.6 months. Hematological and non-hematological toxicity was generally acceptable while patients tolerated their treatment reasonably well. In conclusion, docetaxel-gemcitabine showed a modest response rate in chemotherapy-naive patients with ED SCLC. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

This paper presents the design and implementation of an internet based nursing care planning system which helps nursing professionals and students to study ICNP beta 2 version and to create nursing diagnoses, interventions and outcomes by selecting relevant terms from ICNP. This advanced web-based ICNP browser enables the authentication of the user, and the creation of a type of nursing care plan through the use of ICNP. It provides different ways for creating nursing diagnoses, interventions and outcomes, by selecting relevant ICNP terms through the tree-structure view, index and search components of the tool. The created diagnoses, interventions and outcomes are stored to a secured database. The system provides to the user the facility to build and manage nursing care plans by using both the English and the translated Greek ICNP versions. The first results of the implementation of this internet based nursing care planning system are presented.

In this paper we examine methods of digital image processing, in order to extract drainage system branches and import them into a GIS layer. Moreover, we have developed special algorithms on GIS environment in order to analyse drainage system parameters. In order to get the optimum detection of the drainage system characteristics, we applied on the Landsat image and on aerial photos several filters. Using the aerial photos of the area, we created the orthophotomosaic, which came out of the ortho-rectified aerial photos. Via stereoscopic observation on the computer screen, we detected and digitized the drainage system branches. Using special algorithms, developed under the MapBasic programming language, we evaluated the drainage system and the faults directions, in order to analyse them quantitatively and geographically.

Using relativistic, axisymmetric, ideal MHD, we examine the outflow from a debris disk around a newly formed stellar-mass black hole, taking into account the baryonic matter, the electron-positron/photon fluid, and the large-scale electromagnetic field. We clarify the relationship between the thermal (fireball) and magnetic (Poynting flux) acceleration mechanisms, identify the parameter regimes where qualitatively different behaviors are expected, and demonstrate that the observationally inferred properties of the GRB outflows can be attributed to magnetic driving. We show that the Lorentz force can convert up to 50% of the initial total energy into kinetic energy of a collimated flow of baryons. This energy, in turn, may be converted into radiation by internal shocks. We examine how baryon loading and magnetic collimation affect the structure of the flow.

Using relativistic, axisymmetric, ideal MHD, we examine the outflow from a debris disk around a newly formed stellar-mass black hole, taking into account the baryonic matter, the electron-positron/photon fluid, and the large-scale electromagnetic field. We clarify the relationship between the thermal (fireball) and magnetic (Poynting flux) acceleration mechanisms, identify the parameter regimes where qualitatively different behaviors are expected, and demonstrate that the observationally inferred properties of the GRB outflows can be attributed to magnetic driving. We show that the Lorentz force can convert up to 50% of the initial total energy into kinetic energy of a collimated flow of baryons. This energy, in turn, may be converted into radiation by internal shocks. We examine how baryon loading and magnetic collimation affect the structure of the flow.

Greenhouse experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of different soil-based countermeasures on radiocesium transfer to Medicago sativa (alfalfa) grown on artificially contaminated loamy-clayey soil. Various rates of potassium, ammonium, and Prussian Blue supplements were applied, and the uptake of radiocesium by control and treated alfalfa plants was monitored during four growth periods. Transfer factors ranging between 0.06 and 0.02 were determined for control plants. Application of potassium at rates higher than 0.1 meq per 100 g soil was found to suppress radiocesium uptake, the effect being more pronounced at increasing fertilization rates. On the contrary, soil treatment with ammonium enhanced the bio-accumulation of radiocesium, indicating that Cs+ ions, previously unavailable to plant roots, were released from soil particles. Prussian Blue supplements had practically no effect on soil-to-alfalfa transfer of the radionuclide.

PURPOSE: Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator and an attractive alternative to estrogen replacement as it obviates the need for a progestin and does not increase C-reactive protein levels. We compared the effects of simvastatin and raloxifene treatments on the lipid profile, the levels of adhesion molecules and the endothelium dependent and independent vasoreactivity. SUBJECTS & METHODS: We treated 12 postmenopausal women with hypercholesterolemia and coronary artery disease with raloxifene 60 mg/day and simvastatin 20 mg/day in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Each treatment period was 8 weeks long with a 4-week washout interval. Plasma lipids and cellular adhesion molecules were evaluated and peripheral blood flow studies with venous occlusion plethysmography were performed. RESULTS: Both simvastatin and raloxifene significantly reduced total [33% (27-40), 12% (0-24)] and LDL [44% (36-52), 16% (0-33)] cholesterol compared to baseline values (p < 0.05) but simvastatin was more effective than raloxifene (p < 0.005). None of the treatments had any significant effect on HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Only raloxifene significantly reduced Lp(a) [18% (1-36)] and ICAM-1 [17% (8-25)] and VCAM-1 [24% (15-33)] plasma levels compared to baseline (p = 0.019, p < 0.0001 and p = 0.003, respectively). Hyperemic blood flow response on raloxifene was significantly higher compared to baseline [52% (0-105)], (p < 0.05), whereas no significant change was noted on simvastatin. Endothelium independent blood flow induced by nitroglycerine was not influenced by either active treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Raloxifene administration is associated with lower ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and Lp(a) plasma levels and enhanced endothelium dependent dilation compared to simvastatin although simvastatin is more powerful in total and LDL cholesterol reduction

A methodology to estimate annual transboundary atmospheric transport is proposed, taking into account different background meteorological conditions. For this purpose, the 850 hPa synoptic-scale atmospheric circulation over the area examined was classified on a daily basis into 14 distinct synoptic types, using a database for an extended period of 40 years. The corresponding frequency of appearance of the synoptic types for a normal year was calculated. For selected days representing the synoptic types during this year, the inflow-outflow fluxes of NOx and SO2 were estimated through a balancing box with the aid of a MEMO/TRAPPA modelling system. According to the proposed method, the total inflow-outflow fluxes were calculated using the lateral fluxes for each representative day, being weighted by the annual relative frequency of appearance of the synoptic scale weather types. It was demonstrated that this approach provides similar results to the intensive method based on day-by-day calculations. Furthermore, this approach is easier to use, since it is based on the simulations of selected days, and it allows the investigation of the influence of different types of atmospheric circulation on the inflow-outflow budget. Copyright © 2003 Royal Meteorological Society.

The European Communities Confederation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EC4) opened a Register for European Chemists in 1997. The operation of the Register is undertaken by a Register Committee (EC4RC). During the last 5 years more than 1400 clinical chemists entered the register. In this article an update of the first Guide to the Register is given, based on the experience of 5 years of operation and the development of the discipline. The registration is valid for 5 year. In a second part the procedure and the conditions for re-registration are presented.

We present evidence for quantum dot cellular automata action in a cell consisting of four dots defined by submicron metal gates on the top surface of a molecular-beam-epitaxy-grown GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure in which a two-dimensional electron gas layer was formed approximately 70 nm below the surface. The four-dot cell is separated by a strong barrier in two double-dot sets. We show that by polarizing one of the double-dot sets we can polarize the other set in the cell. The polarization is detected using noninvasive voltage probe without drawing electric currents from the cell.

Recent highlights of our study of positive and negative superhumps in cataclysmic varibles are briefly reviewed. The ``genuine" superhumps have been detected a day after the unexpected superoutburst of WZ Sge, when the orbital variability dominated the light curve. TT Ari has shown an unprecedented switch form the usual negative superhump state to the positive state with an excellent coincidence between the observed and theoretically predicted period values. Both stars show evidence for variability at a time scale of 20 minutes. The superhump period of RZ LMi has been corrected based on the observations of the superoutburst in 2001. ES Dra shows no evidence for prominent superhumps, possibly indicationg its low inclination. However, the superoutburst has shown a splitted maximum with a separation of 20 days. The ``superhump period-luminosity" dependence has been detected for two cataclysmic variables of different types -- the nova-like BZ Cam and the UG SU star V368 Peg.

An expanded cytotoxic/memory T-cell subpopulation expressing low levels of the B-cell-specific CD20 molecule was found in peripheral blood and bone marrow of patients with multiple myeloma at the time of diagnosis, but returned to normal levels following treatment. CD3+CD20dim cells were also increased in monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance albeit at lower levels. Lower CD3+CD20dim cell numbers at baseline may be associated with lack of response to treatment and a poor outcome. Because expansion of these T cells may be related to disease status, further studies should investigate their potentially unique function in plasma cell dyscrasias.

The nemaline myopathies (NMs) are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by nemaline rods and skeletal muscle weakness. Mutations in five sarcomeric thin filament genes have been identified. However, the molecular consequences of these mutations are unknown. Using Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarrays, we have analyzed the expression patterns of >21,000 genes and expressed sequence tags in skeletal muscles of 12 NM patients and 21 controls. Multiple complementary approaches were used for data analysis, including geometric fold analysis, two-tailed unequal variance t test, hierarchical clustering, relevance network, and nearest-neighbor analysis. We report the identification of high satellite cell populations in NM and the significant down-regulation of transcripts for key enzymes of glucose and glycogen metabolism as well as a possible regulator of fatty acid metabolism, UCP3. Interestingly, transcript level changes of multiple genes suggest possible changes in Ca(2+) homeostasis. The increased expression of multiple structural proteins was consistent with increased fibrosis. This comprehensive study of downstream molecular consequences of NM gene mutations provides insights in the cellular events leading to the NM phenotype.

The paper addresses the commonly acknowledged challenge of globalisation with respect to the area of English language teaching and, more particularly, teaching English to speakers of foreign languages. It is argued that some of the primary issues involved concern the increasing role of technology and communication in modern societies and the looming conflict between local communities and the decision-making bodies. It is further suggested that the global English language teaching (ELT) community has already gone a long way towards researching and, in certain cases, resolving such conflicts and has much insightful material to offer. The paper incorporates a discussion of the notion of English as an international language and the question of 'ownership' of such a language. The roles and defining characteristics of the native and non-native speaker of English are then considered and the various occasions when communication and learning take place are briefly reviewed, with frequent reference to the authors' own teaching situation, i.e. English language teaching in Greece. The paper culminates with an appreciation of the pedagogical, ethical and methodological considerations that are suggested as a means of sensitising TESOL teacher education vis à vis the global status of English (also with the Greek context in mind).

The geomorphology of Greece is the result of multiphase tectonic movements of compressional and extensional nature plus exogenous processes. In this complex relief a Mediterranean-type ecosystem has been developed reflecting the prevailing climatic conditions. The frequent occurrence, especially during summer, of strong winds and high temperatures are the main reasons for extensive fires. The aim of this paper is to develop a methodology to face with this increasing danger using fuzzy set theory in a Web-GIS platform. As a case study of this work the two of the Ionian islands, Zakynthos and Kefallinia have been chosen, which are characterized by a relatively well developed vegetative cover and frequently recurring fires. It is widely accepted that the fire management is of primary importance for the environmental protection and planning.

Contrary to the two other major Augustan writers who discussed the origins of Rome, Vergil's Roman prehistory centers on the presence of Evander. An involuntary exile from the East (Greek Arcadia) who settled in Latium and instilled civilization and laws among the Italians, Evander is a duplicate of Aeneas, a cultural ancestor and a model of leadership. Aeneas is instructed by the deities of Italy (Tiberinus) to pay a visit to Pallanteum, Evander's capital and the primordial site of Rome, in order to learn about the past and receive instructions about the future. His tour of proto-Rome, led by Evander, carries Aeneas through a series of monuments that span through Rome's entire history. Aeneas is guided to follow Evander's example, and Vergil, urging reevaluation of widespread anti-Hellenic prejudices, prominently underscores the seminal contribution of Greece to the cultural and political origins of Rome.

We have re-examined the random release of particles from fractal polymer matrices using Monte Carlo simulations, a problem originally studied by Bunde {[}J. Chem. Phys. 83, 5909 (1985)]. A certain population of particles diffuses on a fractal structure, and as particles reach the boundaries of the structure they are removed from the system. We find that the number of particles that escape from the matrix as a function of time can be approximated by a Weibull (stretched exponential) function, similar to the case of release from Euclidean matrices. The earlier result that fractal release rates are described by power laws is correct only at the initial stage of the release, but it has to be modified if one is to describe in one picture the entire process for a finite system. These results pertain to the release of drugs, chemicals, agrochemicals, etc., from delivery systems. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.

Beginning with an introduction to the issue of indexicals, the paper then adumbrates the approaches of certain philosophers, mainly D. Kaplan and G. Evans. After criticizing some aspects of those approaches and agreeing with others, it puts forward a view that can be characterized as Fregean. According to that view, whenever an indexical is uttered, the content (or sense) of the utterance is bipolar: it consists partly in the entity referred to and partly in a way in which one can think of the entity and which involves the particular utterance. As the way of thinking involves the utterance, the content is different whenever an indexical is used, whether the indexical is the same or not. On the other hand, as the content includes the reference, it does not coincide with the content of any definite description; the reference of a definite description is not part of its content.

We report herein a case of a 20-year-old previously healthy man who presented, 25 days after the onset of clinically and serologically confirmed Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infectious mononucleosis, Fusobacterium necrophorum septicemia. The diagnosis of postanginal septicemia was confirmed by repeated demonstration of fusiform, obligate anaerobic, Gram-negative bacilli in anaerobic blood cultures, identified as F. necrophorum 15 days after admission. This case report aims at underlining the need of taking into consideration the possibility of severe Fusobacterium septicemia in previously healthy patients following EBV infectious mononucleosis in order to prevent increased mortality and morbidity.

The primary cause of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a mutation in the dystrophin gene, leading to absence of the corresponding protein, disruption of the dystrophin-associated protein complex, and substantial changes in skeletal muscle pathology. Although the primary defect is known and the histological pathology well documented, the underlying molecular pathways remain in question. To clarify these pathways, we used expression microarrays to compare individual gene expression profiles for skeletal muscle biopsies from DMD patients and unaffected controls. We have previously published expression data for the 12,500 known genes and full-length expressed sequence tags (ESTs) on the Affymetrix HG-U95Av2 chips. Here we present comparative expression analysis of the 50,000 EST clusters represented on the remainder of the Affymetrix HG-U95 set. Individual expression profiles were generated for biopsies from 10 DMD patients and 10 unaffected control patients. Two methods of statistical analysis were used to interpret the resulting data (t-test analysis to determine the statistical significance of differential expression and geometric fold change analysis to determine the extent of differential expression). These analyses identified 183 probe sets (59 of which represent known genes) that differ significantly in expression level between unaffected and disease muscle. This study adds to our knowledge of the molecular pathways that are altered in the dystrophic state. In particular, it suggests that signaling pathways might be substantially involved in the disease process. It also highlights a large number of unknown genes whose expression is altered and whose identity therefore becomes important in understanding the pathogenesis of muscular dystrophy.

Purpose: To investigate the possibility of measuring the gene-specific DNA damage after therapeutic exposure to nitrogen mustards and to examine its relationship with the clinical response. Experimental Design: The kinetics of gene-specific monoadducts and interstrand cross-link formation/repair were measured in the p53 and N-ras genes. DNA extracted from human peripheral lymphocytes following in vitro exposure to melphalan or therapeutic exposure to melphalan or cyclophosphamide was used. Results: When lymphocytes were treated in vitro with biologically relevant doses of melphalan, monoadducts accumulated rapidly in both p53 and N-ras genes, reaching maximal levels within 2 h, whereas the highest interstrand cross-link levels were found within 8 h. Thereafter, the adducts were repaired with half-lives of 14.5 ± 0.3 h (p53) or 18.8 ± 1.5 h (N-ras) for monoadducts and 12.4 ± 0.8 h (p53) or 14.1 ± 2.2 h (N-ras) for interstrand cross-links. Moreover, peak levels of monoadducts in both genes were observed 2 h after treatment in peripheral leukocytes from patients with multiple myeloma treated with high-dose i.v. melphalan, supported by autologous stem cell transplantation, whereas interstrand cross-links were maximal within 8 h. Of seven patients examined, the three who showed the least levels of DNA damage did not respond to the high-dose melphalan. Conclusions: This is the first report showing that it is feasible to measure gene-specific DNA damage in a readily accessible tissue of humans exposed to bifunctional alkylating drugs and to examine, at the level of the individual patient, the relationships between the induction/repair of cytotoxic DNA damage and clinical response or long-term complications.

The current case study provided an unusual setting to track the evolution of HIV-1 envelope gene over a maximum period of 6 years in two asymptomatic spouses undergoing suppressive highly active antiretroviral therapy. For this purpose, proviral DNA samples taken from uncultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells and spanning the C2-V5 regions of env were analyzed at three sampling points per subject. Two distinct topological patterns were observed in the phylogenetic reconstructions of the genetically linked sequences of the couple: an intermingled pattern and a sequentially shifting pattern in the virus populations of the male index case and his spouse, respectively. Application of three evolutionary models for the amino acid-encoded sites, using the maximum likelihood approach, indicated the operation of positive selection in the region only at the second time point in the woman, before receiving therapy. These findings reinforce the evidence of a crucial role for host-selective constraints on HIV-1 env evolution in vivo.

In this paper we are examining Salamina island from a physical-geographical anda geomorphological aspect. For the purposes of this study, we used all existed official maps, recent aerial photographs and satellite image as well as data deriving from extensive fieldwork at the study area. The results of the photo-interpretence are combined and correlated with the outcome of the primary data (physical, geological, geomorphological) that were collected through fieldwork, which took place with the use of GPS, to ensure the accuracy of the measurements. This study resulted to the creation of a geomorphological map of the study area in a GIS environment, along with several thematic maps presenting all collected data (primary and secondary). Finally, a geomorphological and environmental evolution of the study area has taken place, in order to map the genesis of the nowadays morphology.

The main purpose of this paper, is to study the geomorphological evolution of Meganisi island’s coastal zone and to detect areas vulnerable to coastal erosion.The geomorphology of the island is effected by the lithological configuration, the tectonic characteristics, the wider seismotectonic status and the sea activity of the area. The wider area is characterized by intense seismicity: strong earthquakes are very frequent (M>6) and from the seismotectonic point of view is very complex. Limestone is the main lithological formation of Meganisi coastal zone. Coastline is steep and straight with morphological slopes ranging from 0%-66%. A big part of the area (40,87%) is of high slope (>20%). A GIS was developed using data deriving from detailed inland and sea fieldwork, aerial photos, satellite images and pre existing maps. Data were analysed statistically and geographically and variousthematic maps were created such as the morphological map, map of vulnerability, etc. Data deriving from this analysis as well as from fieldwork were processed through logical rules in order to locate zones of high erosion risk. Finally, an erosion risk map was developed in order to locate those areas that are vulnerable to futureerosion and to keep attention to them.

The synoptic scale atmospheric circulation prevailing during hail days in Northern Greece is examined for a period of 26 years (1976-2001) during the warm season. The initial objective of this classification scheme is to serve as a predictive tool for hail forecasting and permit a specification of greater or lesser hail risk, within the forecast activities of the Greek National Hail Suppression Program. The atmospheric circulation was classified into seven synoptic types and their frequency distribution was examined on an annual and monthly basis. Southwesterly flow (SW) and Shortwave trough (SWT) appear to be the most conducive synoptic types for hailstorm activity. Furthermore, the thermodynamic environment favoring the hailstorm development and evolution was examined using selected instability indices. The frequency distribution of the instability indices for a period of 11 years (1991-2001) in association with the synoptic types demonstrated their performance as a forecasting aid for thunderstorm activity to occur in a given synoptic environment.

We report three patients with solitary bone plasmacytoma (SBP) who developed either local recurrence within the radiotherapy field or an isolated distal recurrence and who were treated with high dose therapy supported by autologous stem cell transplantation. All patients remain without evidence of disease for 4-10 years after the procedure. High dose therapy may be of value and require further study in patients with SBP who develop local or distant failure.

We demonstrate that hydromagnetic acceleration can be the driving mechanism of relativistic outflows in AGNs as well as in Gamma-ray burst sources and Crab-like pulsars. Using semianalytical solutions of the full set of the steady, axisymmetric, ideal hydromagnetic equations in flat spacetime—i.e., solving the momentum equation along the flow as well as in the transfield direction—we model the acceleration of relativistic outflows. We find that a Poynting-flux dominated flow near the source reaches equipartition between matter and magnetic energy-fluxes, or even becomes completely matter-dominated (as in the case of Crab-like pulsar winds).

Recombination plays a pivotal role in the evolutionary process of many different virus species, including retroviruses. Analysis of all human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) intersubtype recombinants revealed that they are more complex than described initially. Recombination frequency is higher within certain genomic regions, such as partial reverse transcriptase (RT), vif/vpr, the first exons of tat/rev, vpu and gp41. A direct correlation was observed between recombination frequency and sequence similarity across the HIV-1 genome, indicating that sufficient sequence similarity is required upstream of the recombination breakpoint. This finding suggests that recombination in vivo may occur preferentially during reverse transcription through the strand displacement-assimilation model rather than the copy-choice model.

AIM: Carcinoma of the gallbladder is a rare neoplasm with a dismal prognosis. With the increase of cholecystectomies due to the wide acceptance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the incidental diagnosis of gallbladder carcinoma is more frequent. We report our experience with gallbladder cancer diagnosed during or after the performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: We evaluated 11 patients with gallbladder cancer out of 5539 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patient clinical and demographic characteristics were reviewed. RESULTS: Intraoperatively in 297 patients there was the suspicion of adenocarcinoma and frozen sections were performed. In four of them the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma was confirmed. In two of them the procedure was converted to open with gallbladder liver bed resection and regional lymph node dissection while the other two were considered inoperable. Of the remaining 5242 patients, seven were diagnosed postoperatively at the pathologic examination. Of these, five patients refused to undergo a repeat operation. We did not observe port site metastasis in any of our patients. Survival was low and ranged from 3-14 months. CONCLUSION: Gallbladder cancer runs a short course, with a poor prognosis. The use of a meticulous laparoscopic technique seems to be important for the diagnosis and the avoidance of early complications of the disease.

Influence of water molecule coordination on the magnetic properties of polyamine copper dinitrate complexes was studied. It was found that the magnetic coupling between Cu2+ ions strongly depends on the presence of water molecules in the crystal structure. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements showed considerable temperature dependence of the Lande′ splitting factors and resonance linewidths for both complexes at low temperatures.

Optical Interferometry can play an important role in modern astronomy. Extrasolar planet and binary star research, are some of the fields, where we will face important discoveries in the future. For the VLTI this will be a real challenge, since it will be the pioneer in angular resolution. In addition, high flux sensitivity will help detecting not only Jupiter-sized planets, but Earth-sized planets too. The ability of the VLTI in detecting new planets, measuring stellar diameters and stellar proper motions, with the use of such techniques, is presented.

The effects of retardation in the Coulomb excitation of radioactive nuclei in intermediate energy collisions (Elab ? 100 MeV/nucleon) are investigated. We show that the excitation cross sections of low-lying states in 11Be, 38,40,42S, and 44,46Ar projectiles incident on gold and lead targets are modified by as much as 20% due to these effects. The angular distributions of decaying ? rays are also appreciably modified.

Geographical Information Systems are important tools for various scientificaspects. Especially sciences related to cartography and geographical analysis should definitely employ GIS technology. In this study we present an Internet – based GIS that our team developed under MapXtreme platform. This application gives access to numerous web-users through a server that controls both analysis and data retrieval requests. It is a practical and economical method in order to introduce GIS to educational institutions. This Web GIS may operate through a local or wide area network and, apart from educational purposes, offers a low cost information exchange solution between vast numbers of users.

A sample of 1497 carbon stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) has been observed in the red part of the spectrum with the 2dF facility on the Anglo-Australian Telescope. Of these, 156 have been identified as J-type (i.e. 13C-rich) carbon stars using a technique which provides a clear distinction between J stars and the normal N-type carbon stars that comprise the bulk of the sample, and yields few borderline cases. A simple two-dimensional classification of the spectra, based on their spectral slopes in different wavelength regions, has been constructed and found to be related to the more conventional c and j indices, modified to suit the spectral regions observed. Most of the J stars form a photometric sequence in the K- (J-K) colour-magnitude diagram, parallel to and 0.6 mag fainter than the N-star sequence. A subset of the J stars (about 13 per cent) are brighter than this J-star sequence; most of these are spectroscopically different from the other J stars. The bright J stars have stronger CN bands than the other J stars and are found strongly concentrated in the central regions of the LMC. Most of the rather few stars in common with Hartwick and Cowley's sample of suspected CH stars are J stars. Overall, the proportion of carbon stars identified as J stars is somewhat lower than has been found in the Galaxy. The Na D lines are weaker in the LMC J stars than in either the Galactic J stars or the LMC N stars, and do not seem to depend on temperature.

Notre étude porte sur la présence des voyageuses européennes notamment françaises (ambassadrices, épouses de diplômates), visitant Constantinople à la fin du XVIIe et au XVIIIe siècle, et sur leur perception de la femme ottomane. Incitées par leur curiosité et motivées par des intérêts politiques, les voyageuses ont rencontré des sultanes et des femmes de la haute société ottomane. Leur visite des harems orientaux leur a notamment permis de parler du monde derrière le voile. Impressionnées par la richesse de leur costume, le nombre des femmes de leur suite et le luxe de leurs appartements, les voyageuses européennes ont commmuniqué leurs impressions sur l’apparence extérieure, le comportement, les moeurs et la polygamie ottomane. De plus, les voyageuses se sont référées à la situation financière des femmes de la haute société ottomane. Leur contact avec les femmes ottomanes leur a permis de former une opinion personnelle, souvent étrange puisque certaines voyageuses ont parlé de la liberté dont elles jouissaient malgré leur réclusion. Leurs descriptions et présentations ont révélé au public occidental une réalité différente, qui a été à l’origine des réfléxions sur la place de la femme dans la société occidentale.

Les concours d’entrée aux ENS de Sèvres et d’Ulm, comme les agrégations féminines (considérées comme inférieures à celles des hommes) sont des examens qui, ayant survécu jusque dans les années 1970 et 1980, attestent de l’existence d’un «  genre des concours  ». La question de la fusion des concours masculins et féminins est pour la première fois posée entre les deux guerres. La relecture de cette histoire permet de mettre en évidence les hésitations et les réticences qui ont voué pendant plus de soixante ans le projet initial à l’échec.  The existence of a specifically feminine agrégation (which was considered inferior to the male exam), as well as the separation by sexes that existed in the entrance examinations to the superior normal schools of Sèvres and Ulm  attest to the gendered nature of these examinations. The question of uniform entrance examinations for both sexes was originally posed in the period between the wars. Examining the history of these exams reveals how hesitations and doubts for over 60 years condemned the original proposal to failure.

The first complete I-filter light curve of the eclipsing sdB binary HS 0705+6700 is analyzed using the Wilson-Devinney code and new geometric and photometric elements are derived. Using these elements together with the available spectroscopic data, it was possible to build a detailed model of the system. Our results are in good agreement with those found from photometric studies in other bands.

19 carbon stars that show lithium enrichment in their atmospheres have been discovered among a sample of 674 carbon stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Six of the Li-rich carbon stars are of the J type, i.e. they show strong 13C isotopic features. No super-Li-rich carbon stars were found. The incidence of lithium enrichment among carbon stars in the LMC is much rarer than in the Galaxy, and about five times more frequent among J-type than among N-type carbon stars. The bolometric magnitudes of the Li-rich carbon stars range between -3.3 and -5.7. Existing models of Li-enrichment via the hot bottom burning process fail to account for all of the observed properties of the Li-enriched stars studied here.

Multiwall carbon nanotubes were studied by dc magnetization and electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements. Hole doping is inferred from both the high-field dc susceptibility and ESR parameters complying favorably with the band model of two-dimensional graphite. Paramagnetic deviations are evinced on the diamagnetic susceptibility at weak fields and low temperatures, conforming qualitatively with the Aharonov-Bohm effect on the energy gap for magnetic field parallel to the tube axis. Comparison with theoretical predictions for ensembles of carbon nanotubes reveals appreciable differences, indicative of the diverse distribution of nanotubes as well as the presence of active doping. © 2003 The American Physical Society.

{Single crystal of erbium doped La3Ga5.5Ta 0.5O14 grown by the Czochralski method have been investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance and dielectric spectroscopy methods. Dielectric permittivity ε measurements performed in 90-440 K temperature range have shown negligible dispersion for 1 kHz - 1 MHz frequencies and a Curie-Weiss type behaviour with C = 47700 K and θ = -340 K. Electron paramagnetic resonance studies have revealed the presence of two different paramagnetic, monoclinic centres. The calculated g factor values are: g1 = 1.449

The target of this study was the development of mathematical models that best describe the behaviour of respiratory parameters. First of all, we studied lung volume in relation to time both for normal and maximal inspiration/expiration by developing mathematical models. For the construction of these equations the exponential model was used. Then we tried to study the flow-volume of a typical spirometer curve by dividing it into two parts: the first part reaches the Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) point and the second follows until the volume reaches Vital Capacity (VC). For the first part we built an exponential equation; for the second part a number of existing prediction equations for the flow in various points of VC were used. For the volume-pressure diagram, we built exponential equations that describe the volume-pressure relation below Vo (Vo: lung volume where pressure is zero). The equations were coupled for expiration and inspiration. The modeling of respiratory mechanics led us to the conclusion that the developed models could offer new potentials in the description of other respiratory parameters as well.

Purpose. To investigate the relationship between mean dissolution time (MDT) and dose/solubility ratio (q) using the diffusion layer model. Methods. Using the classic Noyes-Whitney equation and considering a finite dose, we derived an expression for MDT as a function of q various conditions. q was expressed as a dimensionless quantity by taking into account the volume of the dissolution medium. Our results were applied to in vitro and in vivo data taken from literature. Results. We found that MDT depends on q when q < 1 and is infinite when q > 1 and that the classic expression of MDT = 1/k, where k is the dissolution rate constant, holds only in the special case of q = 1. For the case of perfect sink conditions, MDT was found to be proportional to dose. Using dissolution data from literature with q < 1, we found better estimates of MDT when dependency on dose/solubility ratio was considered than with the classic approach. Prediction dissolution limited absorption was achieved for some of the in vivo drug examples examined. Conclusion. The mean dissolution time of a drug depends on dose/solubility ratio, even when the model considered is the simplest possible. This fact plays an important role in drug absorption when absorption is dissolution limited.

The first authenticated example of migration of a methyl group from palladium(ii) to a coordinated N-heterocyclic carbene is described. © 2003 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

By using relativistic, axisymmetric, ideal MHD, we examine the motion of the baryon/e+/-/ photon fluid that emanates from a stellar-mass compact object/debris-disk system (a common outcome of many progenitor models). We prove that the motion can be described as a frozen pulse, which permits the study of each shell of the pancake-shaped outflow using steady-state equations. The ejected energy flux is dominated by the electromagnetic (Poynting) contribution, but it can also have a nonnegligible e+/-/radiation (thermal fireball) component. We demonstrate, through exact self-similar solutions, that the flow is first thermally and subsequently magnetically accelerated up to equipartition between kinetic and Poynting fluxes, i.e., ~ 50% of the total energy is converted into baryonic kinetic energy. The electromagnetic forces also collimate the flow, reaching a cylindrical structure asymptotically.

By using relativistic, axisymmetric, ideal MHD, we examine the motion of the baryon/e±/ photon fluid that emanates from a stellar-mass compact object/debris-disk system (a common outcome of many progenitor models). We prove that the motion can be described as a frozen pulse, which permits the study of each shell of the pancake-shaped outflow using steady-state equations. The ejected energy flux is dominated by the electromagnetic (Poynting) contribution, but it can also have a non negligible e±/radiation (thermal fireball)component. We demonstrate, through exact self-similar solutions, that the flow is first thermally and subsequently magnetically accelerated up to equipartition between kinetic and Poynting fluxes, i.e., ∼ 50% of the total energy is converted into baryonic kinetic energy. The electromagnetic forces also collimate the flow, reaching a cylindrical structure asymptotically.

Materials are distributed throughout the body of mammals by fractal networks of branching tubes. Based on the scaling laws of the fractal structure, the vascular tree is reduced to an equivalent one-dimensional, tube model. A dispersion-convection partial differential equation with constant coefficients describes the heterogeneous concentration profile of an intravascular tracer in the vascular tree. A simple model for the mammalian circulatory system is built in entirely physiological terms consisting of a ring shaped, one-dimensional tube which corresponds to the arterial, venular, and pulmonary trees, successively. The model incorporates the blood flow heterogeneity of the mammalian circulatory system. Model predictions are fitted to published concentration-time data of indocyanine green injected in humans and dogs. Close agreement was found with parameter values within the expected physiological range. (C) 2003 Biomedical Engineering Society. {[}DOI: 10.1114/1.1555627].

Coastal areas are the result of a complex interaction of many factors such as rock properties, geomorphological processes and wave action. We approach these dynamic landscapes using fuzzy set theory. As input variables we use rock’s erodibility, slope gradient, (drainage density,) vegetation and land use and wave characteristics. Next we formulate fuzzy logical rules to transform input variables to output ones. The output of the system represents the coastal depositional and erosional processes. As a case study we choose the island of Corfu (Greece) which presents lithologies very vulnerable to erosion and receives very high amount of rainfalls, in relation to the rest of the Greek territory. All this procedure has been developed using a loose coupling system of a flexible GIS platform and the proper environment to process fuzzy variables.

We discuss the results of modeling the TeV γ-ray spectra of two active galactic nuclei, Mrk 501 and Mrk 421, that have almost the same redshifts: z=0.031 and 0.034, respectively. The effect of intergalactic γ-ray absorption is treated as an uncertainty in the measurement of the intrinsic spectrum. Although the objects differ, we obtain satisfactory fits for both of them in a synchrotron self-Compton scenario. Compared to previous models, our fits are characterized by higher values of the Doppler factor (δ>=50) and an electron injection spectrum extending to higher energies (γmax>=1.5×105). In the case of Mrk 421, the observed difference in spectral slope in X-rays and TeV γ-rays between the high and low states can be explained as a variation of a single parameter-the maximum energy γmaxmc2 at which electrons are injected.

Erhard s wall lizard, Podarcis erhardii (Sauria: Lacertidae), is highly diversified in Greece and especially in the southern Aegean region. Out of the 28 recognized subspecies, 27 are found in Greece from the North Sporades island-complex in the North Aegean (grossly south of the 39th parallel) to the island of Crete in the South. The species exhibits great morphological and ecological plasticity and inhabits many different habitats from rocky islets and sandy shores to mountaintops as high as 2000m. By examining intraspecific variability at a segment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b we have found that that extant populations of P. erhardii are paraphyletic. Furthermore, we have found that subspecies previously defined on the basis of morphological characteristics do not correspond to different molecular phylogenetic clades, so that their status should be reconsidered. The DNA based biogeographical and phylogenetic history of Podarcis in Southern Greece is congruent with available paleogeographic data of the region, which supports the view that DNA sequences may be a useful tool for the study of palaeogeography.

Three patients, 2 women and 1 man, with primary (AL) amyloidosis without congestive heart failure are described; all 3 patients presented reduced I-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine(MIBG) myocardial uptake suggesting marked cardiac sympathetic denervation. This is the first time myocardial adrenergic denervation is described in patients with AL amyloidosis without evidence of congestive heart failure; the observed denervation could be implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiac conduction disturbances which are common in this disease.

This study is dealing with the natural environment of the coastal zone of Paros island chosen as a representative ‘sample’ of the Cyclades complex of islands and amongst the most touristic ones. More than 75% of the coastal zone consists of high and lower cliffs, whilst relatively flat (slopes <2,5%) coastal plains do not exceed the 17% of the coastline. The island receives a considerable amount of wave energy; this has its highest values (>1500 W/m) at the NE part of the island and its lowest at the SE “protected” and shallower shelf area. Touristic (sandy/pebble) beaches have been developed along those parts of the coastline characterized by Quaternary (erodible) lithology associated with moderate wave activity. Sea level rise during the Holocene has played also an important role in coastal geomorphology; for example, Paros was connected to Naxos and Antiparos islands 10.000 yr BP and to Antiparos 6000 yr BP. A further rise of sea level (some 0,5 m at the year 2100) due to climatic changes will obviously deteriorate the terrestrial part of the coastal environment and especially all the touristic beaches and related establishments along its coastline.

The neutron diffraction patterns of Mg2FeV3O 11-δ compound at various low temperatures have been investigated. No magnetic ordering was observed in the investigated temperature range down to 10K. These materials have been formed in the triclinic space group but there are specific differences in the positions of atoms as compared to previously determined from XRD method. The iron(III) ions are distributed non-statistically with magnesium(II) ions and this could be responsible for some differences in the structure of the above sample. The method of sample preparation, in particularly thermal annealing processes could be responsible for the differences.

We demonstrate that ``hot'' MHD outflows from neutron-rich black hole debris disks can significantly alleviate the baryon-loading problem in gamma-ray burst sources. We argue that the neutron-to-proton ratio in disk-fed outflows might be as high as ~30 and show, with the help of an exact semianalytic relativistic-MHD solution, that the neutrons can decouple at a Lorentz factor γd~15 even as the protons continue to accelerate to γ∞~200 and end up acquiring ~30% of the injected energy. We clarify the crucial role that the magnetic field plays in this process and prove that purely hydrodynamic outflows must have γd>~few×102. The motion of the decoupled neutrons is not collinear with that of the decoupled protons, so, in contrast to previous suggestions based on purely hydrodynamic models, the two particle groups most likely do not collide after decoupling. The decoupled neutron flow might nevertheless contribute to the observed afterglow emission.

We demonstrate that ``hot'' MHD outflows from neutron-rich black hole debris disks can significantly alleviate the baryon-loading problem in gamma-ray burst sources. We argue that the neutron-to-proton ratio in disk-fed outflows might be as high as ~30 and show, with the help of an exact semianalytic relativistic-MHD solution, that the neutrons can decouple at a Lorentz factor γd~15 even as the protons continue to accelerate to γ∞~200 and end up acquiring ~30% of the injected energy. We clarify the crucial role that the magnetic field plays in this process and prove that purely hydrodynamic outflows must have γd>~few×102. The motion of the decoupled neutrons is not collinear with that of the decoupled protons, so, in contrast to previous suggestions based on purely hydrodynamic models, the two particle groups most likely do not collide after decoupling. The decoupled neutron flow might nevertheless contribute to the observed afterglow emission.

A study was performed on the optical nanowriting on azobenzene side-chain polymethacrylate thin films using near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM). The optical storage mechanism in azobenzene side-chain polymers is based on the isomerization cycles of the azobenzene side-chains between their cis and trans forms. The optical anisotropy was detected by coupling the red light at 690 nm with modulated polarization to the NSOM aperture.

Cet article traite de l’apparence extérieure des Orientaux. Il est notamment question de la contribution de la littérature et de l’iconographie viatiques du XVIIIe siècle à la formation de l’image exotique de l’Oriental. S’appuyant sur la mode et les caractéristiques physiques des populations de l’Orient méditerranéen, les voyageurs français essayèrent d’une certaine manière de matérialiser l’Autre et l’Ailleurs. Les commentaires des voyageurs révèlent souvent leurs préjugés ainsi que leur tendance à la généralisation. En effet, la mode orientale, peu conforme aux usages européens, fut jugée sévèrement. Notons néanmoins que si les voyageurs furent critiques de la mode orientale, certaines de ses particularités les incitèrent à remettre en question la mode occidentale. Quoi qu’il en soit, la littérature des voyages créant une image stéréotypée des Orientaux, facilita leur identification.