Publications

Recent results obtained within the framework of the international observational and research campaigns are reviewed. The main topics are following: magnetic cataclysmic variables: synchronization of the spin and orbital period of the white dwarf; observational evidence on the switching of the accretion from one pole to another; non-dipole configuration of the magnetic field; ``swingings'' of the orientation of the magnetic axis in the `` synchronous systems''; instability of the accretion and the ``red noise''; long-term luminosity changes; UV Cet - like flares; two-pole accretion in the intermediate polars; weakly- and non- magnetic cataclysmic variables: negative and positive superhumps in the nova-like variables; ``red noise'' and/or quasi-periodic oscillations; unprecedented switch of the superhump period in TT Ari; the luminosity dependence of the superhump period in BZ Cam and V725 Aql; long-term variations of the outburst characteristics of dwarf novae and luminosity of old novae - magnetic activity of the red secondary vs third body orbiting around a cataclysmic variable; symbiotic binaries: light curve variations in symbiotic novae and stars with a pulsating component; long-periodic pulsating variables: statistical study of the characteristics of the mean phase curves and of the individual cycles; additional classification criteria for the Mira-type and semi-regular stars. Some of the original papers are available at http://www.paco.odessa.ua/~il-a and http://ila.webjump.com

We study the effect of planar defects in phononic crystals of spherical scatterers. It is shown that a plane of impurity spheres introduces modes of vibration of the elastic field localized on this plane at frequencies within a frequency gap of a pure phononic crystal; these show up as sharp resonances in the transmittance of elastic waves incident on a slab of the crystal. A periodic arrangement of impurity planes along a given direction creates narrow impurity bands with a width which depends on the position of these bands within the frequency gap of the pure crystal and on the separation between the impurity planes. We show how a slight deviation from periodicity (one impurity plane is different from the rest) reduces dramatically the transmittance of elastic waves incident on a slab of the crystal.

The potential of photoacoustic spectroscopy to resolve the crystal field levels of Cu2+ ions in three polyamine copper complexes, aqua spermine copper sulfate trihydrate [NH2(CH2)3NH(CH2)4NH(CH2)3 NH2·Cu2+·H2O]·SO42-·3H2O, norspermine copper sulfate trihydrate [NH2(CH2)3NH(CH2)3NH(CH2)3 NH2·Cu2+·SO42-]·3H2O, and homospermine copper sulfate dihydrate [NH2(CH2)3 NH(CH2)2NH(CH2)3 NH2·Cu2+·SO42-]·2H2O, has been explored along with UV/VIS and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Intense absorption is detected in the photoacoustic spectrum corresponding to the d-d transition band weakly traced in the corresponding optical spectrum. The observed fine structure photoacoustic lines are assigned to the individual d-d transitions of Cu2+ ions, which are further exploited to determine the diverse metal-ligand interaction of the studied compound employing simple crystal field analysis.

UNLABELLED: Plasma immunoreactive endothelin levels were determined in 31 children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis and it was examined whether these levels correlated with the severity of the disease. The study comprised 16 cystic fibrosis patients (mean (SD) age 13.0 (4.9) y) with impaired lung function (Group A), 15 cystic fibrosis patients (11.2 (5.5) y) with unimpaired lung function (Group B) and 28 healthy controls (10.6 (4.3) y) (Group C). The selection and classification of patients into groups was based on criteria including the grade of finger-clubbing, the Brasfield chest radiograph score and spirometric and arterial blood gas values. In all subjects, plasma immunoreactive endothelin, atrial natriuretic peptide, renin, serum aldosterone levels and serum and urine electrolytes were measured. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma endothelin levels were significantly higher in Group A (range 2.5-8.4 pg/ml, median 3.2 pg/ml) than those in Group B (1.3-3.8 pg/ml, median 2.0 pg/ml, p < 0.001) and Group C (1.5-3.5 pg/ml, median 2.5 pg/ml, p < 0.001), whereas they did not differ between groups B and C. They correlated positively with the severity of finger-clubbing, heart rate, arterial blood PCO2, plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels and serum aldosterone levels and negatively with the arterial blood PO2, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) and the Brasfield chest radiograph score. In multivariate regression analysis PO2 was the only independent factor found to significantly affect plasma endothelin levels. In conclusion, plasma immunoreactive endothelin levels are increased in cystic fibrosis patients with impaired pulmonary function and are related to the severity of the disease.

The aim of this paper, is to demonstrate the use of GIS technology in the study of knickpoints, by processing geographical, geomorphological and geological variables. The final result is the creation of different level databases and thematic maps and their combination in order to help scientists to deduce geomorphological conclusions. These GIS techniques help the user to locate probable knickpoints fast and accurately, minimizing the subjectivity of the processing. This methodology can be easily applied to any set of similar nature primary data, without any modifications. As a case study we used Leukadaisland (West Greece) because it gathers a variety of lithologies, a sufficient rain state, a polymorphic relief and tectonic activity. The result of this study is a field cross-tested method based on GIS techniques that can predict the exact point providing the coordinates (e.g. Longitute/Latitute) of possible knickpoints. Thedata that the user has to supply to the system is a good scale relief and the drainage system of the area.

Preliminary evidence suggests that rituximab, a chimeric antibody that targets CD20+ B cells, may be active in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM). In May 1999 we initiated a prospective trial during which patients with WM were treated with rituximab, 375 mg/m2, administered by IV infusion weekly for 4 consecutive weeks. Three months after completion of rituximab, patients without evidence of progressive disease received repeat 4-week courses of this agent. Twelve patients have been treated so far.Eight patients were previously untreated, 2 primary refractory and 2 were treated during resistant relapse. The median age was 77 years (range: 39 to 85 years), hemoglobin was < 10.0 gr/ dl in 5 patients, lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly were present in 6 and 5 patients respectively. After the initial 4-week courses of rituximab responses were as follows: 75% reduction of IgM in 3 patients, 50% reduction of IgM in 2 patients, 25% reduction of IgM in 1 patient, stable disease in 4 patients and progressive disease in 2 patients. At least 50% reduction of IgM was noted in 3 of 8 previously untreated patients and in 2 of 4 pretreated patients. Among the 10 patients eligible for the second 4-week course of rituximab, 5 patients are évaluable so far: a 25% decrease of IgM was noted in two patients with stable disease after the first course of rituximab. Disappearance or significant reduction of lymphadenopathy or splenomegaly and of bone marrow lymphocytosis occurred in all responding patients. Treatment with rituximab was well tolerated: 3 patients developed grade 1,2 rigors and fever and 2 patients developed flushing. Our prospective study indicate that rituximab is an active and well torelated agent for the treatment of WM.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the design and the process of Cardiological Nursing Care Plans proposed to be used within an electronic patient record that can fulfill both nursing science and experience. The project is focused on the development of a clinical database capable of analysis to link control of nursing process with clinical outcome.

In order to assess the role of α-interferon or dexamethasone as maintenance therapy for multiple myeloma, 172 consecutive, previously untreated patients with disease of low or intermediate tumor mass received primary therapy with oral melphalan and intermittent, high-dose dexamethasone (MD), repeated monthly. Within 5 months, 84 responding patients were assigned at random to maintenance treatment with α-interferon (3 mU s.c. 3 x weekly) or dexamethasone (20 mg/m2 p.o. each morning for 4 days) repeated monthly until relapse. Upon relapse, MD was resumed for 2 cycles and second responses were maintained with 4-day courses of melphalan-dexamethasone until second relapse. Initial response was achieved in 88 patients (51%) after a median 0.7 month and no more than 3 courses of MD, a frequency of response similar to that observed previously with dexamethasone alone. There were identical median remissions of 10 months with interferon or dexamethasone, both maintenance regimens being associated with infrequent, mild, and reversible side effects. Significantly more patients responded again to resumption of MD after disease relapse to interferon (82%) than to dexamethasone (44%) (P = 0.001). The median remission from randomization to melphalan-resistant second relapse was 32 months for patients maintained initially on interferon compared to 19 months for those on dexamethasone (P = 0.01). These findings supported an advantage for interferon in remission maintenance by increasing the frequency of tumor recontrol with later treatment that included dexamethasone. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The validity of the rapid urease (CLO) test to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with bleeding ulcers has been questioned. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the validity of the CLO test in comparison with histology in diagnosing H. pylori infection in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGB), irrespective of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use. METHODS: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed within 24 h of admission for all patients with UGB admitted to the Department of Pathophysiology, Medical School, Athens, for a period of 12 months. Patients with variceal bleeding, previous gastric operation, recent treatment with proton pump inhibitors (< 2 months) and those with a history of H. pylori eradication therapy were excluded from the study. At least four biopsies (two from the antrum and two from the body) were obtained for the CLO test and histology (modified Giemsa). RESULTS: Seventy-two consecutive patients (aged 18-90 years, 51 men, 21 women) were included. Forty-six patients (64%) used NSAID. Thirty-two patients (44%) were found to be positive for H. pylori infection by the CLO test, while 44 patients (61%) were found to be positive on histology (P<0.045, 95% CI, 0.004-0.331). The sensitivity and specificity of the CLO test were 68 and 93% respectively; positive and negative predictive values were 94 and 65%, respectively. The age of the patient and visible blood in the stomach did not influence results of either the CLO or histology. CONCLUSIONS: The CLO test, performed within 24 h of hospital admission in patients with UGB, irrespective of NSAID use, is unreliable for the detection of H. pylori infection. The age of the patient and the presence of blood in the stomach do not seem to influence these results.

Human respiratory epithelial cells may act as antigen-presenting cells during respiratory viral infections. In addition to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, antigen presentation requires participation of costimulatory molecules. Here the authors investigated class I and class II antigens and B7-1 and B7-2 costimulatory molecule expression in human A549 pulmonary epithelial cells and primary bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) at baseline and after rhinovirus infection. Constitutive expression of MHC class I and B7-1 molecules was observed on both cell types. MHC class I molecules were up-regulated by rhinovirus infection, while B7-1 was up-regulated only on A549 cells. B7-2 molecules were constitutively expressed at a low level and were up-regulated by rhinovirus only on HBECs. Rhinovirus induction of antigen-presenting molecule expression on A549 cells was accompanied by cellular activation in terms of induction of release of the chemokines RANTES and Groalpha. These data show that respiratory epithelium expresses full antigen-presentation machinery and that rhinovirus infection up-regulates this expression.

Rhinoviruses (RVs) are the most common upper respiratory pathogens, inducing the majority of common colds worldwide. RV-related morbidity, although significant cumulatively, has been considered trivial for the individual patient. However, recent strong epidemiological associations of RVs with asthma exacerbations, including severe episodes requiring hospitalization, indicate that RV infections can result in serious disease. Current evidence supports the possibility that RVs infect the lower airways, inducing a local inflammatory response. Such evidence suggests that the role of RVs in other lower respiratory diseases, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchiolitis and cystic fibrosis, should be re-examined with polymerase chain reaction-based methodologies, which are considerably more sensitive than traditional, cell culture-based techniques. The mechanisms through which RVs induce lower airway disease are studied to understand the relative contributions of the epithelial, neurogenic and immune components in the antiviral response, and to permit the design and implementation of specific treatments.

Rhinoviruses are the major cause of the common cold and a trigger of acute asthma exacerbations. Whether these exacerbations result from direct infection of the lower airway or from indirect mechanisms consequent on infection of the upper airway alone is currently unknown. Lower respiratory infection was investigated in vitro by exposing primary human bronchial epithelial cells to rhinoviruses and in vivo after experimental upper respiratory infection of human volunteers. Bronchial infection was confirmed by both approaches. Furthermore, rhinoviruses induced production of interleukin-6, -8, and -16 and RANTES and were cytotoxic to cultured respiratory epithelium. This evidence strongly supports a direct lower respiratory epithelial reaction as the initial event in the induction of rhinovirus-mediated asthma exacerbations. The frequency of infection and the nature of the inflammatory response observed are similar to those of the upper respiratory tract, suggesting that rhinovirus infections may be one of the most important causes of lower in addition to upper respiratory disease.

Voltage-modulated scanning force microscopy is applied to study the temperature dependence of the ferroelectric domain structure of triglycine sulfate up to TC, the ferroelectric transition temperature. The polarization image contrast exhibits a power-law decrease as TC is approached, associated with the competition between Maxwell stress and the converse piezoelectric effect. Substantial differences in the static and dynamic domain patterns are detected for two samples of different aging conditions. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.

We develop a formalism for the calculation of the frequency band structure of a phononic crystal consisting of nonoverlapping elastic spheres, characterized by Lamé coefficients which may be complex and frequency dependent, arranged periodically in a host medium with different mass density and Lamé coefficients. We view the crystal as a sequence of planes of spheres, parallel to and having the two-dimensional periodicity of a given crystallographic plane, and obtain the complex band structure of the infinite crystal associated with this plane. The method allows one to calculate, also, the transmission, reflection, and absorption coefficients for an elastic wave (longitudinal or transverse) incident, at any angle, on a slab of the crystal of finite thickness. We demonstrate the efficiency of the method by applying it to a specific example.

We present a method, based on the coherent potential approximation, for the treatment of disorder in photonic crystals. We apply the method to the study of light absorption by a three-dimensional array of plasma spheres distributed randomly in a host dielectric medium. We find that the effect of disorder on the absorbance of a thick slab of the material consisting of many layers of spheres is much less pronounced than in the corresponding case of a single layer of spheres.

The evolution of the paper-based to Computer-based Patient Records (CPR) or Electronic Patient Records (EPR) changes the way in which we have to perceive and deal with privacy and security issues. The education and awareness of the users and public of the selfsame issues hold a very important role. A survey was conducted by the Laboratory of Health Informatics of the University of Athens concerning the awareness of future health care professionals. The results are discussed further down and an attempt to define profiles of training courses on security is made.

The Cretan Basin can be characterized as a back-arc basin of the Hellenic Trench System, that is related to the subduction zone of the African Plate under the Eurasia Plate. The study area includes the narrow and relatively steep (gradient 1.5°) continental shelf of the island of Crete followed by the steep slope (2°–4°) and the rather flat deeper part of the Cretan basin (water depths >1700 m). Surficial sediments of the coastal zone are coarser and of terrigenous origin, while in deeper waters finer sediments, of biogenic origin, are more abundant. Sand-sized calcareous sediment accumulations, identified in middle-lower slope, may be attributed to the aggregation of seabed biogenic material related to the near bed current activity. High resolution profiles (3.5 kHz) taken from the inner shelf shows a typical sigmoid-oblique progradational configuration, implying prodelta sediment accumulation during the Holocene. In the upper-middle slope, sub-bottom reflectors indicate continuous sedimentation of alternating fine and/or coarse grained material. Small-scale gravity induced synsedimentary faults appeared, locally. In contrast, a series of gravity induced faults, identified in the lower slope, are associated with sediment instabilities due to seismotectonic activity. Sediment cores taken from the shelf-break consists of calcareous muddy sand with small amounts of terrigenous silt and fine sand, while the cores recovered from the middle slope has revealed a more homogeneous fine sediment texture of hemipelagic deposition. The prevailing accumulation processes in the southern margin of the Cretan basin are: (i) prodelta deposition in the inner-middle shelf; (ii) settling from bottom nepheloid layers in the shelf and upper slope; (iii) calcareous sediment formation due to settling from suspension and post accumulation aggregation (middle-lower slope); (iv) long-term episodic sediment gravity processes in the lower slope; and (v) to a lesser extent, redeposition from resuspension due to gravity processes and bottom currents.

We aimed to study maternal and infant serum leptin concentrations during the perinatal period and their relationship to the body weight of mothers and newborns. Serum leptin values were measured by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) (R&D systems) in 26 healthy, term neonates during the first (N1) and fifth (N5) day after birth and were compared with serum leptin values in maternal blood (MS), amniotic fluid (AF), and umbilical cord (UC) at delivery. Twenty-five healthy, nonpregnant women, age and body weight-matched to the mothers, were used as controls (C). Infant serum leptin concentrations declined significantly after birth from UC to the N5 samples (p < 0.003). MS leptin values were significantly higher than UC, N1, N5, and C values (p < 0.001), while AF values were significantly lower than in controls (p < 0.001). UC, but not MS leptin values correlated significantly with the birth weight of infants (r = 0.6; p < 0.03). The elevated values of leptin in maternal serum and the regressing pattern of infant leptin values after birth suggest an additional, probably placental source of this protein during pregnancy, possibly contributing to the regulation of fetal body weight.

Both E- and L-selectin are cell adhesion molecules. E-selectin is expressed by activated endothelial cells, whereas L-selectin by quiescent leukocytes and is rapidly cleaved off after activation. Both selectins take part in the first step of the 'adhesion cascade', the 'rolling of leukocytes', leading to the extravasation of the white cells to the sites of inflammation, infection or damage. For this reason their soluble forms (sE- and sL-selectin, respectively), are considered early and reliable markers of the immune activation and response. Moreover, sE-selectin has been reported to be a potent angiogenic factor and a reliable marker of infection and sepsis in neonates, as well as endothelial activation, while sL-selectin of the leukocyte function and maturity. Following informed maternal consent, we evaluated prospectively by ELISA, sE- and sL-selectin in the serum of 40 (19 females, 21 males), healthy, term, infection-free neonates, on the second and fifth day of life, and compared them with the respective values in 20 healthy adults (10 females, 10 males), with the purpose of examining the pattern of their values in the early postpartum days, and to establish reference values for both selectins. Values (mean±S.D.) of sE-selectin both on the second (139±48 ng/ml) and fifth day of life (111±35 ng/ml) were found to be highly increased, as compared with those in controls (48±13 ng/ml; P<4x10-11 and P<4x10-10, respectively), while sL-selectin values on both the second (674±223 ng/ml) and the fifth day of life (684±221 ng/ml), were significantly lower than those in controls (938±181 ng/ml); P<0.0001 and P<0.0003, respectively). A significant decrease was noted in sE-selectin values, from the second to the fifth day of life (P<10-7), while sL-selectin values showed no significant change in the same time interval. A strong correlation was found between values on the second and the fifth day of life of both sE- and sL-selectin (r(P)=0.885 and r(P)=0.813, respectively; P<0.00001). Neonatal values of both sE- and sL-selectin on the second or on the fifth day of life, did not depend on the perinatal factors, neonatal sex, or birth weight, mode of delivery, and maternal age or parity. In conclusion, in the very early neonatal period, our findings of highly increased sE-selectin, while low sL-selectin, suggest an immune and more specifically endothelial activation and an immature and decreased leukocyte function. Copyright (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.

The importance of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in human serum for the early diagnosis of prostate cancer is controversial. The IGF-1/PSA ratio may improve the performance of prostate specific antigen (PSA) as a prostate cancer marker. IGF-1, along with PSA and free PSA concentration, was measured in the serum of 34 patients with prostate cancer and in 131 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Although IGF-1 concentration did not significantly differ between the groups, PSA/IGF-1 ratio could clearly distinguish the two groups. In patients with cancer but not in patients with BPH, IGF-1 concentration correlated with PSA and free PSA. The values of PSA and free PSA correlated with each other for both groups. Receivers Operating Curve (ROC) analysis indicated a better sensitivity to specificity ratio for PSA/IGF-1 than for PSA or Free/Total (F/T) PSA.

In the Health field, there is an increasing need to give the Health professional the opportunity to experiment on real situations without necessarily having to be in contact with the patient. In order for this to be achieved, there must be a virtual reality representation via a safe and user friendly system, such as a computer. This means that by using Simulation and modelling techniques new models have to be constructed which will portray the reality. The scope of this paper is to present a Simulation Model and Practical for Educating the General Public for the AIDS Epidemic. The model and the practical were developed by using the tools and applications created under the COAST project.

The reproductive strategy of Podarcis milensis exhibits some peculiarities when compared with other congeners. Males and females attain sexual maturity at a minimum body size of 47 and 42 mm SVL, respectively, both at an age of about one year. Podarcis milensis has a very small clutch size, with a mean of 1.73 and a range of 1-3 eggs, and produces multiple clutches annually. Both sexes exhibit a prolonged reproductive period extending from January to August.

Most patients with multiple myeloma (MM) present with symptoms, have evidence of generalized disease, and require chemotherapy promptly to reduce the malignant clone. Some patients present with a local symptom from a single plasmacytoma but no myeloma elsewhere. Such patients usually become free of symptoms after local radiotherapy. In patients with MM without symptoms, the diagnosis is made on the basis of screening laboratory tests. In patients with either solitary plasmacytoma of bone or asymptomatic MM, systemic treatment should be deferred until there is evidence of disease progression. (C) 2000 by The American Society of Hematology.

In breast milk and paired serum from 70 lactating women and 40 of their term, infection-free neonates, on the 2nd and 5th day postpartum slCAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE- and sL-selectin were measured by ELISA and compared with those in 26 healthy adults (controls). Seven infant formulas and fresh milk from five cows were also analyzed. Human colostrum values of slCAM-1, sVCAM-1 (similar to those in maternal and control serum), sE-selectin and sL-selectin (~10 and ~100 times lower than in maternal and control serum) were significantly higher than those in milk, while they varied widely. None of the adhesion molecules was detected in fresh cow's milk or infant formulas. Exclusively breast-fed infants showed significantly higher values of slCAM-1 and sL-selectin on the 2nd day of life than those supplemented also with formula. Only slCAM-1 values correlated positively between colostrum and time-matched maternal serum. These findings show in human milk important amounts of slCAM-1 and sVCAM-1 but minimal amounts of sE- and sL-selectin, which could affect the immune system of the neonate.

We present results on spin-polarized electron transport from a ferromagnet to a two-dimensional electron gas system (2DEG). The investigated device consists of an injector and a collector contact made from ferromagnetic permalloy thin films with different coercive fields. That allows parallel or antiparallel magnetization of the contacts in different applied magnetic fields. The conducting medium is a 2DEG formed in an AlSb/InAs quantum well. Data from this device suggest that its resistance is controlled by two different types of spin-valve effect: the first is due to the ferromagnet-semiconductor contact resistance, determined by the zero-field spin-splitting in InAs, and the second is due to the propagation of electrons with a spin imbalance through the 2DEG without spin-scattering.

An experimental campaign was conducted at the lee side of a 1 km high steep mountain in order to study the development of strong downslope winds under favorable conditions, using combined remote and insitu instrumentation. The examination of the upstream atmospheric conditions reveals that the development of strong downslope winds is favored by a mean state critical layer or a significant decrease in static stability (such as at the top of a temperature inversion) at the proper height above the mountain top. Strong downslope winds could occur even for wind directions with a deviation of 60° off the axis perpendicular to the ridgeline, as long as the cross-mountain wind has a significant value (at least 7 ms-1). The developed disturbances are associated with intense downdrafts of the order of 4-5 ms-1 within the first 600 m above ground and characteristic vertical turbulent structures that were observed by sodar. The same phenomenon is observed not only during nighttime but also under unstable and neutral conditions of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) albeit with weaker intensity. Fourier analysis of the vertical velocity field demonstrated that the typical time period of intense disturbances was about 5 min. Further evidence is also provided for the application of the hydraulic-like theory under real atmospheric conditions. Copyright 2000 by the American Geophysical Union.

A simple reversed phase HPLC method suitable to study the interactions of alkylating agents with DNA is presented in this paper. DNA interaction is expressed as the % DNA peak size exclusion. The effects caused by the antitumor drugs melphalan, busulphan, and busulpan analogues on DNA were clearly observed through chromatographic data. The synthetic dimethanesulphonates of 2-tetradecyl-1,4-butanediol and 1,2-hexadecanediol were proved more potent than busulphan.

Five cases of acute neutropenic enterocolitis complicating taxane-based chemotherapy are described. During a 34-month period, our department administered 4,600 courses of taxane-based (paclitaxel and docetaxel) chemotherapy to 800 cancer patients. Seven to 10 days postchemotherapy in five patients (0.1% of the given courses), neutropenic fever, abdominal pain, rebound tenderness, and grade II-IV diarrhea (bloody in two cases) developed. Two patients had oral candidiasis, and in two others septic shock developed. Computed tomography scans of the abdomen revealed in all patients thickening of the colon wall and pericolic edema, and a pericolic abscess was revealed in three of them. Both clinical and radiologic findings supported the diagnosis of acute neutropenic enterocolitis. All patients were successfully treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics and recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. In conclusion, acute neutropenic enterocolitis is a severe complication of taxane-based chemotherapy. Early diagnosis and appropriate conservative treatment leads to complete recovery. Although rare, this infection is less often associated with other chemotherapeutic regimens.

A 52-year-old dentist with kappa light chain multiple myeloma relapsed 6 months after 180 mg/m2 melphalan and an autograft. A partial remission had been attained after the autograft. Relapse occurred while he was on dexamethasone maintenance therapy. Chemotherapy was not an option due to low blood counts. Thalidomide was administered at relatively high doses (escalated up to 700 mg daily and continued for 4 months). There was a prompt decline in urine protein from 6067 mg/day to 2177 mg/day within a month. The response continued to improve with achievement of near-complete remission within 6 months and a decline in urine protein to 413 mg/day. Subsequently, grade 3 neutropenia and peripheral neuropathy required dose reduction to 200 mg/day. Disease activity parameters continued to improve on the lower dose of thalidomide. Nine months after starting thalidomide, the patient is in near-complete remission, enjoys an excellent quality of life, and has returned to work. We conclude that thalidomide can effectively control myeloma relapsing after high-dose chemotherapy, and may be especially useful in resistant cases or those unable to tolerate further chemotherapy.

What is a Tarikat? What is their role in Turkey? To answer these questions the terms “Tarikat” (Islamic order) and “Cemaat” (Islamic community or group) and the differences between them will have to be clarified. Then their political and social functions will be illustrated.

Recent data suggest that thalidomide is active in approximately 30% of patients (pts) with refractory multiple myeloma. Between 7/99 and 7/00 we treated 38 pts with refractory myeloma with thalidomide 200 mg PO q.h.s, increased to 400 mg after two weeks (in absence of severe side effects), and intermittent dexamethasone 40 mg p.o. x 4 days on days 1-4, 9-12, 17-20 followed by monthly dexamethasone (days 1-4). Pts median age was 67 years (49 to 79 years). Immediately prior therapy has consisted of high-dose pulse dexamethasone (21 pts) or VAD (17pts). Twelve pts had previously received an autologous stem cell transplant. Fourteen pts were considered as primary refractory and 24 pts were treated during refractory relapse. Serum b2-microglobulin > 3.0 mg/dl was present in 66% of pts and elevated serum LDH in 26%. Among the 33 patients évaluable for response so far, 17 (52%) have achieved a partial response defined by reductions > 50% of serum monoclonal protein and/or by >75% of urine monoclonal protein. The time to response was short (median: 1.5 months, range 0.5 to 3 months). Side effects included constipation (75%), morning somnolence (54%), tremor (25%), dry skin/rash (18%), headache (14%) and peripheral neuropathy (7%). Our results indicate activity of the combination of thalidomide with dexamethasone in pts with multiple myeloma refractory to dexamethasone-based regimens. Pts accrual and follow up is ongoing in order to define the activity of this combination in pts'subsets and to assess the duration of response.

Aim: TPS concentrations were measured throughout normal pregnancy in maternal serum (MS) and amniotic fluid (AF) in order to evaluate the usefulness of TPS in the follow-up of pregnancy breast cancer patients. Patients and Methods: Following informed consent, 30 pregnant women during the 2nd trimester, 28 during the 3rd and 26 at parturition were included in the study. For comparison, 28 women in the 1st trimester and 28 healthy, non pregnant women (controls) were also studied. Both MS and AF antigen values were measured by an enzyme immunoassay (BEKI Diagnostics). Results: Maternal serum TPS concentrations increased significantly with gestational age (p < 0.0001), being significantly higher in the 3rd trimester and during labor than those in the controls (p < 0.0001). Amniotic fluid TPS values were markedly elevated, compared with those in MS (p < 0.0001, paired-t-test), declining significantly from the 2nd to the 3rd trimester (p < 0.0015) and labor. Both MS and AF TPS values during labor depended on the mode of delivery, being higher in the cases terminated by vaginal delivery, compared to those by elective cesarean section. Conclusion: Maternal serum TPS values are influenced significantly by pregnancy, and thus, this antigen, as tumor marker seems to be reliable only during early pregnancy.

Thalidomide is an active agent in patients with refractory multiple myeloma. Based on these data we performed a phase II study in order to evaluate the activity of thalidomide in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM). Thalidomide was administered on a doseescalating schedule of 200 mg daily p.o. x 14 days with dose escalation by 200 mg every two weeks to a maximum dose of 600 mg. Twenty patients were treated with a median age of 74 years (range: 48 to 85 years). Hemoglobin was < 10.0 gr/dl in 5 patients, serum monoclonal IgM was >3.0 gr in 9 patients and lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly were present in 7 and 10 patients respectively. Ten patients were previously untreated, 1 was relapsing off treatment, 5 were primary refractory and 4 were treated during refractory relapse. Five patients (25%) achieved at least 50% reduction of serum monoclonal IgM and at least 50% reduction of tumor at all involved sites. At least 25% reduction of IgM was noted in all eventual responders within 4 weeks of thalidomide treatment. Responses occurred in 3 of 10 previoulsy untreated patients and in 2 of 10 pretreated patients. One responding patient with artial fibrillation died of an embolie cerebral accident 4 months after achieving a response and the other responding patients remain without progression for 2+ months to 12 + months. Some degree of toxicity was observed in almost all patients. Grade 2 or 3 toxicities included constipation in 6 patients, somnolence in 3 patients, tremor in 2 patients and neuropathy in 2 patients. This explained the inability to reach the targeted dose of thalidomide 600 mg p.o. QD in all but 4 patients; the median daily dose of this agent was 200 mg. We conclude that thalidomide has moderate activity in WM. A relatively low median daily dose could be administered to this elderly patient population.

The aim was to study the ursodeoxycholic acid (UDC) effect on thr cyclosporin A (CsA) pharmacokinetics after oral administration of the microemulsion Formulation Neoral(R) (CsA-ME) in liver transplant recipients, and test the potential protective effect of this bile acid on liver and renal CsA-ME-induced toxicity. At entry into the study, 12 patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation received CsA-ME. for at least 6 months. They then received a cotreatment CsA-ME plus UDC (13.8 mg.kg (1).day(-1)) for three months. Blood concentrations of CsA were measured using a monoclonal antibody specific For the parent compound. The kinetic data were analysed by a mathematical model incorporating a time dependent rate coefficient for CsA intestinal absorption, before and after UDC treatment. Changes in serum markers of hepatic and renal injury were assessed. Individual serum bile acids were determined by chromatography. Serum levels of UDC increased from 3 to about 45 % of total serum bile acids after UDC treatment. The estimated model parameters indicate that UDC administration modulates CsA intestinal absorption. In the nine non-cholestatic patients, UDC reduced the absorption late and the bioavailability of CsA without modifying the elimination rate constant of CsA and the CsA pre-drug levels. In contrast, in the three cholestatic patients, the bioavailability tended to be higher and the absorption rate faster when CsA was combined with UDC. UDC significantly decreased elevated gamma -glutamyl transferase and creatinine serum levels and induced some clinical improvements such as disappearance of headaches in four patients. In conclusion, a 3-month UDC treatment modifies CsA intestinal absorption without affecting CsA elimination rate constant. On the other hand, UDC supplementation appears to improve CsA tolerability. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.

Data on the thermal ecology of the African Chameleon Chamaeleo africanus Laurenti, 1768 and the Common Chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleon (Linnaeus, 1758) are reported from Greece. In the field the Tb values ranged from 10.4°C to 31.6°C for C. africanus and 23.5°C to 31°C for C. chamaeleon. There was a significant correlation between Tb and Ta in spring and summer for both species. There was also a significant correlation between Tb and Ts only in the spring and only for C. africanus. Cloacal temperatures differed significantly between spring and summer and so did substrate temperatures and air temperatures. As the months became hotter the animals reached higher temperatures. In a laboratory temperature gradient, the preferred body temperatures of C. africanus and C. chamaeleon were measured and compared with field body temperatures. The preferred body temperature in the laboratory gradient ranged from 26.0°C to 36.0°C for C. chamaeleon and from 25.0°C to 35.0°C for C. africanus. The mean Tb for C. africanus in the laboratory was 31°C while for C. chamaeleon it was 31.6°C. The results indicate that both chameleon species are thermoconformers. Cloacal temperatures differed significantly between the two species in the field but not in the laboratory. There was no difference between the Tb of the two sexes, both in the field and in the laboratory.

We used local AC-susceptibility and global DC magnetization measurements to determine the magnetic phase diagram of two HgBa2CuO4+delta single crystals with T-c = 95 and 89.9 K, respectively. The corresponding lines for the more anisotropic crystal (T-c = 89.9 K, crystal A) lie lower than those of the nearly optimally doped crystal (T-c = 95 K, crystal B). The irreversibility line (IL) decreases exponentially in the temperature range 20 less than or equal to T less than or equal to T*. At T* = 82 and 88 K the IL change slope and varies with a power law up to the T-c. Certain features in these measurements are also discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Purpose: To review the clinical features, complications, and treatment of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, a low-grade lymphoproliferative disorder that produces monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) M. Methods: A review of published reports was facilitated by the use of a MEDLINE computer search and by manual search of the Index Medicus. Results: The clinical manifestations associated with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia can be classified according to those related to direct tumor infiltration, to the amount and specific properties of circulating IgM, and to the deposition of IgM in various tissues. Asymptomatic patients should be followed without treatment. For symptomatic patients, standard treatment consists primarily of oral chlorambucil; nucleoside analogs, such as fludarabine and cladribine, are effective in one third of previously treated patients and in up to 80% of previously untreated patients. Preliminary evidence suggests that anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody may be active in about 30% of previously treated patients and that high-dose therapy with autologous stem-cell rescue is effective in most patients, including some with resistance to nucleoside analogs. Conclusion: Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia has a wide clinical spectrum that practicing physicians need to recognize early to reach the correct diagnosis. When therapy is indicated, oral chlorambucil is the standard primary treatment, but cladribine or fludarabine can be used when a rapid cytoreduction is desirable. Prospective randomized trials are required to elucidate the impact of nucleoside analogs on patients' survival. A nucleoside analog is the treatment of choice for patients who have been previously treated with an alkylating agent.

In this article we describe aspects of systems theory which are useful for the educator, the school psychologist, and the career counselor when coping with problem situations in school. Namely, we present the main systemic principles, such as circular causality, nonadditivity, equifinality, multifinality, morph stasis, morphogenesis, and the concept of rules. Next, we discuss in systemic terms the school-family contact when children's problem behavior occurs. Finally, we describe and question common dysfunctional views which deter us from adopting the systemic perspective and bring to an impasse our efforts to deal with problem situations in school.

Στα πλαίσια αυτής της παρουσίασης, θα επιχειρηθεί, αρχικά, να δοθεί ένας ορισμός του όρου "κοινωνικές αναστολές" και θα διευκρινιστεί το πότε η κατάσταση αυτή συνιστά πρόβλημα το οποίο χρειάζεται ειδική αντιμετώπιση. Στη συνέχεια, θα περιγραφούν οι πηγές των κοινωνικών αναστολών και τα συγκεκριμένα χαρακτηριστικά της συμπεριφοράς του παιδιού με κοινωνικές αναστολές. Ακολούθως, θα δοθούν πρακτικές κατευθύνσεις για τον τρόπο με τον οποίο οι γονείς και οι εκπαιδευτικοί μπορούν να μειώνουν τις κοινωνικές αναστολές των παιδιών. Τέλος, θα παρουσιαστεί συνοπτικά ένα σχετικό πιλοτικό πρόγραμμα παρέμβασης στον χώρο του σχολείου.

Aufbauend auf einem pragmatischen Ansatz, erfolgt der Versuch, in Bezug auf jene kommunikative Situationen, an denen Personen teilnehmen, die in und über zwei Sprachen sozialisiert werden, die nachstehenden Komponenten des semiotischen Rhombus in deren einzelnen Merkmale aufzugliedern: Sprecher - Hörer einerseits und Vorstellung - Lautzeichen andererseits. Eine Konfrontation so wie diese Merkmale einerseits in der monolingualen Kommunikation und so, wie sie in kommunikativen Situationen erscheinen, an denen Personen teilnehmen, die in und über zwei Sprachen sozialisiert werden, ergibt, daß diese Personen auf zweierlei pragmatische Umfelder referieren, bzw. auf eine Verschmelzung dieser beiden. Dies führt dazu, daß vielfältige Differenzierungen auftreten können, von denen wir hier nur folgende erwähnen: - semantische Reichweite der Vorstellungen, bzw. verwendete Lautzeichen referieren auf abweichende Vorstellungen, besonders auf emotiver und konnotativer Ebene, - Sprecher-Hörer-Verhältnis unterliegt abweichender Einschätzung, insbesondere bezüglich der sprachlichen Anpassung an die für in der jeweiligen Sprachgemeinschaft üblichen Verhaltensmuster.

Ἀποτελεῖ πράγματι τὸ πολιτικὸ ἰσλὰμ ἀπειλὴ γιὰ τὸ «κοσμικὸ» καθεστὼς τῆς «εὐρωπαϊκῆς» Τουρκίας; Καὶ κατὰ πόσον τὸ ἐρωτημα αὐτὸ ἀποτελεῖ ἀνησυχία τῶν δυτικῶν κέντρων ἀποφάσεων; Ἢ μήπως ὁ ὑποκριτικὸς «ἀντιισλαμισμὸς» τῆς ∆ύσεως, καὶ κυρίως τῶν ΗΠΑ, χρησιμοποιεῖ στὴν πραγματικότητα τὸ Ἰσλὰμ ὡς ὀργανικὸ στοιχεῖο γιὰ τὴν διαχρονικὴ στρατηγική του, ἰδιαιτέρως στὸ πλαίσιο τοῦ ἐκ νέου ἀκρωτηριασμοῦ καὶ τοῦ «ὑγειονομικοῦ» περιορισμοῦ τῆς Ρωσσίας; Η παρούσα δημοσίευση αναλύει τὸ τουρκικὸ πολιτικὸν ἰσλὰμ, ὡς γεωπολιτικὸς καταλύτης τοῦ ἀγγλοσαξονικοῦ παράγοντος στὴν Εὐρώπη.

Amplification of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) occurs in about 40% of human glioblastomas. In half of these cases, rearrangements of the amplified gene result in aberrant transcripts and proteins. The most frequent rearrangement affects the external domain of the receptor and results in nonbinding of ligand and constitutive activity. Less frequent rearrangements involve changes resulting in the loss of cytoplasmic amino acid sequences necessary for downregulation of the receptor following ligand binding. Here we report the development and selection for a rearranged amplified EGF receptor, which lacks cytoplasmic amino acid sequences in a human glioblastoma xenograft. An identical aberration has previously been reported in glioblastoma tissue. The patient tumor material, as well as the first passages of the xenograft showed amplification of the EGFR gene, but no evidence of gene rearrangement or an aberrant transcript. Interphase FISH data show the amplified gene on double minutes. Between passages 3 and 16, the growth rate of the xenograft almost doubled, the rearranged amplicon became dominant, as did the aberrant transcript, indicating selection under these conditions.

We present B, V, R, and I photometry of the metal-poor globular cluster in the galactic halo, NGC 6426. The observations were performed using the 1.3 m Telescope at Skinakas Observatory in Crete. We derived the reddening of the cluster to be E(B-V)=0.39+/-0.02 [E(V-I)=0.53+/-0.03]. The metal abundance of the cluster was estimated from the shape of the red giant branch following the techniques by Sarajedini and by Da Costa & Armandroff. It was found to be [Fe/H]=-2.33+/-0.15 dex. The mean V magnitude of the RR Lyrae variables found in the cluster is 18.14+/-0.02 (based on a paper in preparation). The resulting distance modulus of the cluster is 16.41+/-0.07. Finally, we derived the relative age of NGC 6426. Using the methodology of Harris et al., we found that NGC 6426 is marginally older than M92 (by ~=0.7 Gyr). Following the Chaboyer, Demarque, & Sarajedini method we found NGC 6426 to have the same age as the mean metal-poor globular cluster of the galactic halo.

National and international authorities recommend a variety of air- quality standards that should not be exceeded in local and regional scales currently. With this work a uniform indexing scale is introduced which characterises several urban pollutants in a simple and comparable manner. The ’indicators’ proposed are implemented at the Athens Metropolitan Area (AMA) which is an area with serious pollution problems. Hourly data from all available monitoring stations are analysed during 1983 and 1995. This analysis demonstrates that the status of air quality in Athens can be characterised as acute with regards to photochemical pollutants while strong spatial and temporal variability is encountered for all pollutants. National and international authorities recommend a variety of air-quality standards that should not be exceeded in local and regional scales currently. With this work a uniform indexing scale is introduced which characterizes several urban pollutants in a simple and comparable manner. The ‘indicators’ proposed are implemented at the Athens Metropolitan Area (AMA) which is an area with serious pollution problems. Hourly data from all available monitoring stations are analyzed during 1983 and 1995. This analysis demonstrates that the status of air quality in Athens can be characterized as acute with regards to photochemical pollutants while strong spatial and temporal variability is encountered for all pollutants.

Phase plane plots are graphical expressions for differential equations ploting the state derivative dc/dt versus the state c. Using these plots, we developed a novel method for the estimation of the terminal slope from time-concentration data. The values of the derivatives used for the construction of the phase plane plots were calculated by two different methods of numerical differentiation. The first method (D1) is based on the classical calculation of slope of the line connecting two successive data points. The alternative method (D2) relies on an initial second-order polynomial interpolation utilizing three successive data points followed by the calculation of the derivative at each one of the concentration values. A forced-through-zero linear regression of the phase plane plot data is used to derive an estimate for the slope. For comparative purposes, the standard approach based on the semilogarithmic plot was also applied. For a hypothetical drug absorbed by first-order process into a one-compartment model, simulated time-concentration data disturbed by a Gaussian zero mean random error with various coefficients of variation were generated. Various sampling schedules, with two, three, four, or five data points, were utilized for the estimation of the terminal slope. Performances of the proposed methods on simulated data were expressed by means of root-mean-squared error, bias, and standard deviation. In all cases, D2 was superior to D1. The D2 method outperforms the standard method in that it furnishes estimates closer to the real values in all cases when two data points and in most cases when three data points were used. All methods behave similarly when four or five data points were used.

The reaction of the 1'-C-cyano-2'-deoxyuridine derivative 1 with organolithium reagents can be favorably tuned to give a new class of anomeric spironucleosides. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

The reaction of the 1'-C-cyano-2'-deoxyuridine derivative 1 with organolithium reagents can be favorably tuned to give a new class of anomeric spironucleosides.

We will describe recent results from the use of multi-object spectroscopy with the 2dF and Autofib systems on the AAT. Specific examples include a sample of 700 carbon stars in the LMC, for which kinematic, composition and classification data are being derived, and samples of stars in the Carina and Sculptor dwarf spheroidal galaxies. The future prospects for this type of work will be discussed.

Bone metastases from solid primary tumors, as well as multiple myeloma and secondary lymphoma may all present with bone lesions and associated soft-tissue masses on magnetic resonance images of the spine. In bone metastases and myeloma, the cortex of the affected bone is usually destroyed and a bulging contour is observed at the site of extraosseous spread. In cases of lymphomatous involvement of the bone marrow, however, we have observed that spread to the extraosseous soft-tissues occurs without alteration of the shape or contour of the affected bone. In order to assess whether this pattern of spread is indeed suggestive or even diagnostic of lymphoma of the bone marrow, we reviewed spinal bone marrow MR images of 66 patients, with bone metastases from solid primary tumors (33 patients), multiple myeloma (20 patients) and stage IV lymphoma with bone marrow involvement (13 patients), who had bone lesions and contiguous soft-tissue masses. If tumor was present on either side of the bony cortex but the contour of the affected bone was preserved, a 'wrap-around' sign was diagnosed. A 'wrap-around' sign was found in 12 of the 13 patients with lymphoma but in none of the patients with metastases or myeloma. On MR images of the bone marrow, the demonstration of tumor spread beyond the bony cortex without disruption of the outline of the diseased bone may favor the diagnosis of lymphoma more than that of metastases or multiple myeloma.

The recent detection of high energy gamma -rays coming from supernova remnants and active galactic nuclei has revived interest in the diffusive shock acceleration of electrons. In the present paper we examine the basis of the so-called ``box'' model for particle acceleration and present a more physical version of it. Using this we determine simple criteria for the conditions under which ``pile-ups'' can occur in shock accelerated electron spectra subject to synchrotron or inverse Compton losses (the latter in the Thompson limit). An extension to include nonlinear effects is proposed.

Aim: To measure MCA and CA153 concentrations in maternal serum (MS) and amniotic fluid (AF) paired samples during normal pregnancy, in order to evaluate the usefulness of these markers in monitoring pregnant patients with a history of breast cancer. Patients and Methods: Serum and AF MCA and CA153 values were measured in 20 pregnant women during the 1st trimester, 29 cases in the 2nd, 26 in the 3rd and 20 at parturition and compared with those of 20 healthy, age-matched, non pregnant women (controls). Results: MS values of MCA increased significantly with gestation age (p < 0.0001), being higher in the 3rd trimester and in labor than in control values (p < 0.0001). MCA values in AF were remarkably higher than those in MS and increased significantly with advancing gestation (p < 0.0001). In contrast, CA153 values in AF, which were marginally higher than in MS, did not differ significantly with the progression of pregnancy. Conclusions: Maternal serum MCA values are significantly influenced during pregnancy. Thus, this marker seems to be reliable only during early pregnancy. In contrast, CA153 remains a useful marker in monitoring pregnant breast cancer patients.

Efficient methodologies based on radical cascade reactions for the preparation of anomeric spironucleosides of general structure 3 and 4 are reported. The reactions were performed on modified uridine and 2'-deoxyuridine substrates. The protected derivatives 6 and 28 afforded the anomeric spironucleosides 7 and 29, respectively, in a stereospecific manner and in moderate yields (3-50{%}). In the 2'-deoxyribo series, the efficiency increased considerably (yields higher than 70{%}) with a concomitant decrease in stereoselectivity. In fact, the protected derivatives 13 and 21 gave mixtures of the anomeric products 11/14 and 22/23, respectively. Chemical transformations of some of these spironucleosides were successfully performed. The circular dichroism spectra of the anomeric spironucleosides displayed some striking features which can be attributed to the restricted rotation of the glycosidic bond. The reaction mechanism, which has been studied in some detail, comprises of a cascade of radical reactions in which the key step is the 1,5-radical translocation from an alkoxyl or vinyl radical. conveniently situated on the base moiety in the vicinity of the anomeric position. After the translocation, the alkoxyl radical 15, generated photolytically from an in situ prepared hypoiodite. afforded spironucleosides which possess an unusual orthoamide structure at the anomeric position. Alternatively, the vinyl radical 30, generated by the reaction of vinyl bromides with tributyltin radical, undergoes a 5-endo-trig cyclization followed by a bromine atom elimination alter the 1.5-radical translocation step.

Background. Comparison of carotid endarterectomy in patients with and without occluded contralateral carotid artery. Methods. Design: evaluation of results without using shunt or patch. Setting: Aretaeion Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens. Subjects: 235 patients, divided into group I of 40 patients with and group II of 195 patients without occluded contralateral carotid artery. Intervention: carotid endarterectomy under general anesthesia. Main outcome measures: heparin administration, stable hemodynamic status during clamping, short duration monitoring postoperatively. Results. Postoperative morbidity of both groups was 2.5 (6/235) and mortality 1.7 (4/235). Group I: mortality rate was 2.5 (1/40) major and minor stroke each 2.5 (1/40) and group II: 1.5 (3/195) and 1 (2/195) respectively (NS). Four to 108 months later, 30 (12/40) of group I and 21 (41/195) of group II died. Conclusions. Endarterectomy of the carotid artery under general anesthesia without use of shunt and patch in patients with or without occlusion of the contralateral carotid artery presented the same comparative results. Candidates for carotid endarterectomy should be screened systematically for coronary disease preoperatively and annual stress testing postoperatively, tactics which may improve early and late mortality rate after carotid surgery.

We report on the chemical abundances of stars in the Carina dwarf spheroidal galaxy (dSph) derived from low-resolution spectra. We have determined values of [Fe/H] for 52 stars from the reduced equivalent width of the Ca II infrared triplet lines. The Carina dSph has a mean metallicity of [Fe/H] = -1.99 +/- 0.08 and an intrinsic metallicity dispersion 0.25 dex (1 sigma). By directly determining the chemical abundances of Carina stars through spectroscopy, we can overcome the age-metallicity degeneracy inherent in color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs) and determine its star-formation history with unprecedented accuracy.

This paper examines a new class of exact and self-consistent MHD solutions which describe steady and axisymmetric hydromagnetic outflows from the atmosphere of a magnetized and rotating central object with possibly an orbiting accretion disk. The plasma is driven against gravity by a thermal pressure gradient, as well as by magnetic rotator and radiative forces. At the Alfvenic and fast critical points the appropriate criticality conditions are applied. The outflow starts almost radially but after the Alfven transition and before the fast critical surface is encountered the magnetic pinching force bends the poloidal streamlines into a cylindrical jet-type shape. The terminal speed, Alfven number, cross-sectional area of the jet, as well as its final pressure and density obtain uniform values at large distances from the source. The goal of the study is to give an analytical discussion of the two-dimensional interplay of the thermal pressure gradient, gravitational, Lorentz and inertial forces in accelerating and collimating an MHD flow. A parametric study of the model is also given, as well as a brief sketch of its applicability to a self-consistent modelling of collimated outflows from various astrophysical objects. {The analysed model succeeds to give for the first time an exact and self-consistent MHD solution for jet-type outflows extending from the stellar surface to infinity where it can be superfast, in agreement with the MHD causality principle.

This paper examines a new class of exact and self-consistent MHD solutions which describe steady and axisymmetric hydromagnetic outflows from the atmosphere of a magnetized and rotating central object with possibly an orbiting accretion disk. The plasma is driven against gravity by a thermal pressure gradient, as well as by magnetic rotator and radiative forces. At the Alfvenic and fast critical points the appropriate criticality conditions are applied. The outflow starts almost radially but after the Alfven transition and before the fast critical surface is encountered the magnetic pinching force bends the poloidal streamlines into a cylindrical jet-type shape. The terminal speed, Alfven number, cross-sectional area of the jet, as well as its final pressure and density obtain uniform values at large distances from the source. The goal of the study is to give an analytical discussion of the two-dimensional interplay of the thermal pressure gradient, gravitational, Lorentz and inertial forces in accelerating and collimating an MHD flow. A parametric study of the model is also given, as well as a brief sketch of its applicability to a self-consistent modelling of collimated outflows from various astrophysical objects. {The analysed model succeeds to give for the first time an exact and self-consistent MHD solution for jet-type outflows extending from the stellar surface to infinity where it can be superfast, in agreement with the MHD causality principle.

The effects of urbanization on the Athens National Observatory (NOA) long records are investigated, in the present study, examining the mean monthly maximum and minimum air temperature for the period 1925-1996, for NOA and the corresponding time series for Aliartos (ALI), a rural station located 70 km NW of Athens. The existing small urbanization effect in NOA before the second world war period increased after the war and up to about 1990, when the effect became stationary. The urbanization effect in NOA referred mainly to maximum temperature and to the warmer seasons of the year. It is attributed to the extensive building of Athens after the war around NOA site and up to the sea which increases the temperature of the sea breeze. The effect is also attributed to the rapid increase of the population and the number of motor vehicles mainly after 1970. Moreover the decreasing trend of precipitation during the period 1970-1990 may have contributed to the increase of maximum air temperature. The urbanization effect on maximum temperatures of NOA amounts about 2 Β°C in spring, summer and less in fall, while no urbanization effect is clear in winter.

The EPR spectra of the oxygen-deficient La0.5Yb0.5Ba2Cu3Oy mixed phase has been investigated as a function of temperature. At low temperatures (T<15 K), an intense EPR line indicating the presence of magnetic clusters associated with spin-polarized clusters of copper ions through delocalized oxygen holes, has been detected. Both the EPR linewidth and g-factor of the latter EPR spectrum exhibit strong temperature dependence indicative of short-range order effects. At higher temperatures (T>30 K), the EPR spectrum reveal the contribution of Cu2+ defects and a broad EPR spectrum due to Yb3+ ions which is compared with the corresponding one in Y0.5Yb0.5Ba2Cu3Oy compounds.

Variation in the reproductive traits of Greek populations of Podarcis erhardii, P. peloponnesiaca, and P. taurica living in similar habitats along the same latitude was examined. Female body size, clutch size, and egg volume were determined. In all three species, clutch size was positively correlated with maternal body size. P. erhardii appears to modulate its reproductive effort by means of variation in both egg size and number. On the other hand, egg size in P. peloponnesiaca and P. taurica has probably been optimized, and an increase in reproductive effort would result in the production of a larger number of eggs.

Controversial results have been reported on the participation and diagnostic value of lymphocyte reactivity in cow's milk (CM) allergy. In this study, we used a specific nuclear marker to evaluate lymphocyte proliferation in IgE-mediated CM allergy in infants, and examine its relation with diets containing different CM antigen loads.|Infants with IgE-mediated CM allergy, as assessed by open provocation and RAST, were grouped according to their exclusive diet, either CM formulae, breast feeding, or hydrolysed whey formulae. A group of non-atopic infants receiving CM was also examined. Lymphocyte proliferation to beta-lactoglobulin was evaluated by quantitation of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, by flow cytometry. Immunophenotypic surface markers were also examined.|A marked difference of PCNA expression between CM-fed allergic infants and healthy controls was observed (p<0.001). In this setting, PCNA expression >/=10% was highly specific and sensitive as a marker of CM allergy in CM-fed infants. Moreover, a significant correlation (p<0.001) between antigen load and PCNA was established in CM-allergic infants under different diets, higher values obtained with increasing antigen loads. In addition, within the group fed hydrolyzed formulae, low-molecular-weight products resulted in marginally lower PCNA expression than higher-molecular-weight formulae. No differences in immunophenotype were found, with the exception of a higher CD23 expression in the breast-fed group.|PCNA could be a useful marker in the assessment of lymphocyte proliferation to CM antigens. Low CM antigen diets are related with reduced lymphocyte reactivity, which may partly explain the clinical benefit observed with such diets.

We calculate the electronic states of AlxGa1-xAs/GaAs/AlxGa1-xAs double heterojunctions subjected to a magnetic field parallel to the quasi-two-dimensional electron gas layer. We study the energy dispersion curves, the density of states, the electron concentration and the distribution of the electrons in the subbands. The parallel magnetic field induces severe changes in the density of states, which are of crucial importance for the explanation of the magnetoconductivity in these structures. However, to our knowledge, there has been no systematic study of the density of states under these circumstances. We attempt a contribution in this direction. For symmetric heterostructures, the depopulation of the higher subbands, the transition from a single-layer to a bilayer electron system and the domination of the bulk Landau levels in the centre of the wide quantum well, as the magnetic field is continuously increased, are presented in the `energy dispersion picture' as well as in the `electron concentration picture' and in the `density-of-states picture'.

OBJECTIVE: To use molecular cytogenetic techniques for the determination of complex chromosomal aberrations that could not be distinguished by conventional cytogenetic method. METHODS: Chromosome painting, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and color banding chromosome analysis (RxFISH) were used to identify a case with chromosome 9 aberration by G-banding. RESULTS: The patient has a karyotype of 46,XX,9p+ by G-banding. Both chromosomes 9 were uniformly painted, including the extra segment on one of the 9p alleles. CGH revealed a duplication of the entire 9p short arm. After analysis with RxFISH the patient's karyotype could be accurately described as 46,XX,dup9p (p11-->p24::p24-->qter). CONCLUSION: The present report shows that some late technological developments in the field of cytogenetics can facilitate the study of the diseases linked to complex chromosomal aberrations and may find significant application in basic and clinical medical studies.

Presumptive mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were obtained from 54 fungal isolates identified as Verticillium lecanii, V. psalliotae or ‘V. lecanii-like’. Analysis of the mtDNA RFLPs showed 20 different patterns, indicating considerable genetic variation within the V. lecanii species complex. There was no direct correlation between host and mtDNA pattern, or between mtDNA patterns and previously described isoenzyme-defined specific groups. Isolates from tropical and subtropical areas showed considerable variation in genotypes, while isolates from temperate regions appeared less variable.

A displacement approach for competitive binding studies was developed. The method utilizes the potentiometric 1-anilino-8-naphthalene-sulfonate (ANS) probe technique and is applied to the binding study of several non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSADs) to bovine serum albumin (BSA). A home-made ANS electrode was used to monitor the displaced free ANS probe from its binding sites on the protein molecule by the stepwise addition of the studied drug. To assess and compare quantitatively the displacing ability of the various drugs, the `ANS Displacement Index' is used. The possible interference of 19 ionizable drugs (NSADs, sulfonamides, etc.) to the ANS selective electrode at pH 7.4 was studied and their potentiometric selectivity coefficients (K-ANS,D(pot)) were determined. Correction procedures for the determination of the free ANS concentration are proposed in the case of interfering ionic drugs. A blank binding experiment in conjunction with the incorporation of K-ANS,D(pot) values in the `general competitive site oriented model' allows one to derive estimates for the drug binding parameters, i.e. the number of binding sites and association constants. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Cutaneous metastasis from intraabdominal carcinoma is relatively rare. When it is present it is usually located in the skin overlying the neoplasm. Carcinoma of the uterus metastatic to the skin accounts for 9% of all cutaneous metastases. Distant metastasis is extremely rare. Such a metastasis to the skin of the big toe of the lower limb is presented.

The profiles of the lactate/H+ transporter isoforms [monocarboxylate transporter isoforms (MCT)] MCT1 and MCT4 (formerly MCT3 of Price, N. T., V. N. Jackson, and A. P. Halestrap. Biochem. J. 329: 321-328, 1998) were studied in the soleus, triceps brachii, and vastus lateralis muscles of six male subjects. The fiber-type compositions of the muscles were evaluated from the occurrence of the myosin heavy chain isoforms, and the fibers were classified as type I, IIA, or IIX. The total content of MCT1 and MCT4 was determined in muscle homogenates by Western blotting, and MCT1 and MCT4 were visualized on cross-sectional muscle sections by immunofluorescence microscopy. The Western blotting revealed a positive, linear relationship between the MCT1 content and the occurrence of type I fibers in the muscle, but no significant relation was found between MCT4 content and fiber type. Moreover, the interindividual variation in MCT4 content was much larger than the interindividual variation in MCT1 content in homogenate samples. The immunofluorescence microscopy showed that within a given muscle section, the MCT4 isoform was clearly more abundant in type II fibers than in type I fibers, whereas only minor differences existed in the occurrence of the MCT1 isoform between type I and II fibers. Together the present results indicate that the content of MCT1 in a muscle varies between different muscles, whereas fiber-type differences in MCT1 content are minor within a given muscle section. In contrast, the content of MCT4 is clearly fiber-type specific but apparently quite similar in various muscles.

Purpose: Both docetaxel and cisplatin have moderate activity in patients with advanced urothelial cancer. We performed a multicenter phase II study in order to assess the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of these two agents in patients with advanced carcinoma of the urothelium. Patients and methods: Sixty-six patients not amenable to curative surgery or irradiation were enrolled onto this cooperative group study and treated on an outpatient basis with docetaxel 75 mg/m2 followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m2, both administered intravenously. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor was administered subcutaneously at a dose of 5 μg/kg daily from day 5 until resolution of neutropenia. The chemotherapy was administered every three weeks for a maximum of six courses in patients without evidence of progressive disease. Results: Thirty-four of sixty-six patients (52%, 95% confidence interval 40%-64%) demonstrated objective responses, with eight achieving clinical complete responses and twenty-six partial responses. A multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the patients most likely to respond were those without lung metastasis and without weight loss before treatment. The median duration of response was 6.1 months and the median times to progression and survival for all patients were 5 and 8 months, respectively. Absence of anemia, of liver metastases and of weight loss correlated with longer survival. Grade ≥3 toxicities included granulocytopenia in 33% of patients, anemia in 14%, diarrhea in 13% and emesis in 7% of patients. Conclusion: The combination of docetaxel and cisplatin appeared relatively well tolerated and moderately active in patients with advanced urothelial cancer. The patients most likely to benefit were those without weight loss and without lung or liver metastases.

The polymorphic modifications α, β, and γ phases of Fe2WO6 of the iron (III) tungstate have been investigated by resistivity and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements. The high-electrical resistivity for all phases complies with the dominant antiferromagnetic component of the compounds. The EPR spectra comprise a broad exchange narrowed EPR line due to Fe3+ ions. The broadening of the EPR linewidth is explained in terms of the critical spin fluctuations near the antiferromagnetic phase transition. The shift of the resonance field and the temperature dependence of the EPR intensity imply an extended region of short-range order correlations. © 1999 The American Physical Society.

The recent High-Energy Gamma-Ray Array (HEGRA) observations of the blazar Mrk 501 show strong curvature in the very high energy γ-ray spectrum. Applying the γ-ray opacity derived from an empirically based model of the intergalactic infrared background radiation field to these observations, we find that the intrinsic spectrum of this source is consistent with a power law: dNγ/dE~E-α, with α=2.00+/-0.03 over the range 500 GeV-20 TeV. Within current synchrotron self-Compton scenarios, the fact that the TeV spectral energy distribution of Mrk 501 does not vary with luminosity, combined with the correlated, spectrally variable emission in X-rays as observed by the BeppoSAX and Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer instruments, also independently implies that the intrinsic spectrum must be close to α=2. Thus, the observed curvature in the spectrum is most easily understood as resulting from intergalactic absorption.

Mathematical analysis and computer simulations are used to evaluate three modifications to Kauffman's NK model in an attempt to incorporate unexplored aspects of epistatic interaction between loci in genome evolution. Two modifications - one to the amount and the other to the distribution of epistatic interaction - further support Kauffman's conclusion that high levels of epistatic interaction lead to a decrease in overall fitness of the genome. The third model, however, provides a condition under which increased epistatic interaction at certain loci results in higher genome fitness.

C-1' acylated derivatives of 2'-deoxyuridine were obtained either by revising the existing procedures or by introducing a new methodology.

C-1' acylated derivatives of 2'-deoxyuridine were obtained either by revising the existing procedures or by introducing a new methodology.

We show ab initio calculations for vacancy formation energies in Cu and Al. The calculations are based on density-functional theory and the full-potential Korringa–Kohn–Rostoker Green's function method for impurities. The non-local effect beyond the local-spin-density approximation (LSDA) for density-functional theory is taken into account within the generalized-gradient approximation (GGA) of Perdew and Wang. The lattice relaxation around a vacancy is also investigated using calculated Hellmann–Feynman forces exerted on atoms in the vicinity of a vacancy. We show that the GGA calculations reproduce very well the experimental values of vacancy formation energies and bulk properties of Cu and Al, as they correct the deficiency of LSDA results (underestimation of equilibrium lattice parameters, overestimation of bulk moduli, and vacancy formation energies). It is also shown that the GGA calculations reduce the LSDA results for the lattice relaxation energy for a vacancy in Cu.

Purpose: To evaluate the tolerance and efficacy of the combination of docetaxel and gemcitabine in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and Methods: Fifty-one chemotherapy-naive patients with NSCLC were treated with gemcitabine 900 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1 and 8 and docetaxel 100 mg/m2 intravenously on day 8 with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (150 μg/m2, subcutaneously) support from day 9 to day 15. Treatment was repeated every 3 weeks. Results: The patients' median age was 64 years. The World Health Organization performance status was 0 to 1 in 39 patients and 2 in 12 patients. Fifteen patients (29%) had stage IIIB disease, and 36 (71%) had stage IV; histology was mainly squamous cell carcinoma (59%). A partial response was achieved in 19 patients (37.5%; 95% confidence interval, 24% to 50%); stable disease and progressive disease were each observed in 16 patients (31.4%). The median duration of response and the time to tumor progression were 5 and 6 months, respectively. The median survival was 13 months, and the actuarial 1-year survival was 50.7%. Grade 4 anemia and thrombocytopenia were rare (2%). Four patients (8%) developed grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, and all were complicated with fever; there was no treatment-related death. Grade 3 or 4 diarrhea occurred in three patients (6%), grade 2 or 3 neurotoxicity in four patients (8%), grade 2 or 3 asthenia in 10 patients (20%), and grade 2 or 3 edema in 10 patients (20%). Conclusion: The combination of docetaxel/gemcitabine is well tolerated, can be used for outpatients, and is active for the treatment of advanced NSCLC. This treatment merits further comparison with other cisplatin- or carboplatin-based combinations.

Purpose. A Monte-Carlo computer simulation technique was employed to study the details of the small intestinal transit flow in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Methods. A heterogeneous tube model was constructed using a numerical computer simulation technique. The model was built from first principles and included several heterogeneous characteristics of the GI tract structure. We used a random, dendritic-type internal structure representing the villi of the GI tract. The small intestinal transit flow was simulated using two diffusion models, namely, the blind ant and the myopic ant models, which are different models to account the elapse of time, and which are both based on statistical properties of random walks. For each one of the models we utilize two types of biased random walk, placing different emphasis in the motion towards the output of the tube. We monitored the flow of the drug in terms of Monte-Carlo time steps (MCS) through the tube walls and dendritic villi present. Results. The frequency of the transit times was dependent on the structure of the dendritic villi and on the type of biased random walk. The small intestinal flow profile of literature data for a large number of drugs was well characterized by the heterogeneous model using, as parameters, a certain number of villi per unit length of the tube and specific characteristics for both types of the biased random walk. A correspondence between the MCS and real time units was achieved. Conclusions. The transit process of the oral dosage forms in the GI tract can be reproduced with the heterogeneous model developed. This model can be used to study GI absorption phenomena.

Purpose. To develop an approach based on computer simulations for the study of intestinal drug absorption. Methods. The drug flow in the gastrointestinal tract was simulated with a biased random walk model in the heterogeneous tube model (Pharm. Res. 16, 87-91, 1999), while probability concepts were used to describe the dissolution and absorption processes. An amount of drug was placed into the input end of the tube and allowed to flow, dissolve and absorb along the tube. Various drugs with a diversity in dissolution and permeability characteristics were considered. The fraction of dose absorbed (F-abs) was monitored as a function of time measured in Monte Carlo steps (MCS). The absorption number An was calculated from the mean intestinal transit time and the absorption rate constant adhering to each of the drugs examined. Results. A correspondence between the probability factor used to simulate drug absorption and the conventional absorption rate constant derived from the analysis of data was established. For freely soluble drugs, the estimates for F-abs derived from simulations using as an intestinal transit time 24500 MCS (equivalent to 4.5 h) were in accord with the corresponding data obtained from literature. For sparingly soluble drugs, a comparison of the normalized concentration profiles in the tube derived from the heterogeneous tube model and the classical macroscopic mass balance approach enabled the estimation of the dissolution probability factor for five drugs examined. The prediction of F-abs can be accomplished using estimates for the absorption and the dissolution probability factors. Conclusions. A fully computerized approach which describes the flow, dissolution and absorption of drug in the gastrointestinal tract in terms of probability concepts was developed. This approach can be used to predict F-abs for drugs with various solubility and permeability characteristics provided that probability factors for dissolution and absorption are available.

Purpose: To define the disease course, therapeutic strategies, patterns and rates of relapse and causes of death for patients with Hodgkin's disease with lymphocyte predominance (LPHD) and to assess prognostic factors including nodular and diffuse histologic patterns. Patients and Methods: The records of all previously untreated patients with LPHD who received initial treatment at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (UTMDACC) from 1960 through 1992 were reviewed. Clinical and histopathologic characteristics, specifically nodular and diffuse LPHI), and treatment groups were assessed by overall and relapse-free survival, patterns of relapse, and causes of death. Results: Of 70 patients, 58 (83%) had nodular LPHD and 12 (17%) had a diffuse pattern: clinical characteristics were similar between the two subtypes. The median age of all patients was 25 years, 79% were male, 96% presented with stage I or II disease and 93% were free of B symptoms. Laparotomy (23 patients) failed to upstage any patient with a negative lymphogram. With a median follow-up of 12.3 years for alive patients, 19 (27%) patients have relapsed. All 3 relapses among the patients with diffuse subtype occurred within 3 years while 9 of 16 relapses occurred after 5 years with nodular subtype. However, we did not detect any statistically significant difference in relapse free survival or survival between the subtypes in our patient population. There was some suggestion that patients aged 40 and older experienced shorter survival; no other pretreatment characteristics were noted to be associated with relapse free survival or survival. Though there were no relapses within the radiation fields, no effect of extent of radiation therapy on relapse rate was observed. Thirteen (19%) patients have died, 6 (8.6%) of whom succumbed to LPHD. Two patients developed diffuse large cell lymphoma. Conclusions: Patients with LPHD usually present with localized and asymptomatic disease. Laparotomy is unnecessary if the lymphogram is negative. Nodular histology occurred in the majority of patients. Though all relapses from diffuse subtype occurred within 3 years in contrast to some late relapses observed for nodular subtype, there was no statistically significant difference in relapse free survival or survival between the subtypes. The extent of irradiation had no effect on relapse free survival or survival. We could not find any evidence that LPHD should be treated any different from the classical Hodgkin's disease at this point despite suggestions that it be classified as a non- Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma.

Myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform composition was determined in 2264 single skeletal muscle fibers from vastus lateralis muscle of a group (n = 12) of very old subjects (average age, 88 years). The number of fibers containing only MHC I, IIA, or IIX was 19.9%, 27.2%, and 0.3%, respectively. Surprisingly, 28.5% of the fibers displayed coexpression of both MHC I and IIA, a phenotype that is present in younger adults in very small percentages. Among these fibers coexpressing MHC I and IIA, the majority had a dominant expression of MHC I. Additionally, a small number of fibers coexpressing MHC I and IIX without any MHC IIA, and fibers co-expressing all three isoforms were observed. Altogether, 52.6% of all fibers examined in these very old subjects coexpressed two or three MHC isoforms. The present study provides evidence that advanced age leads to a significant elevation of skeletal muscle fibers displaying coexpression of two MHC isoforms and that a separation into slow and fast fibers in very old individuals may therefore be somewhat misleading. The clinical significance of the elevated number of fibers coexpressing MHC I and IIA is uncertain.

The effect of the increase of the critical temperature Tc by the irradiation of the Y123 samples with small doses of fast neutrons has been investigated by the temperature dependence of resistance and EPR studies. The results indicated that Tc and EPR signals of all specimens are increased with increasing irradiation fluences. These results are explained in terms of redistribution of oxygen, which promotes charge ordering in the superconducting CuO2 planes. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

The mode of action of the activator appliance is still unclear. Apart from a possible mandibular growth enhancing effect, some investigators believe that orthopedic forces may be applied to the maxilla, contributing to Class II correction by inhibition of maxillary growth. In addition, orthodontic forces may arise that produce dentoalveolar changes. The purpose of this study was to measure the magnitude of anteroposterior intermaxillary forces during wear of the activator appliance. Ten consecutive patients with Class II dental and skeletal relationships were treated with a modified activator appliance. The appliance had maxillary and mandibular segments that could be detached from each other during the measuring session. A force transducer was placed at the anterior part of the maxillary segment, and the anteroposterior force exerted by the mandibular segment was measured. Measurements were taken in the upright and reclined position at every patient visit for a period of 6 months. Results indicated that intermaxillary forces were generally in the orthodontic range (median values of 100 gf at the upright position and 123 gf at the reclined position). A wide variation in force levels was noted, both between patients and for the same patient during the experimental period. No statistically significant change in force levels was observed during the 6 month period and no difference was noted between upright and reclined posture.

We examined the relation of children's loneliness and social dissatisfaction in school to self-efficacy for peer interaction in the same context. Two hundred thirty-eight fourth- and sixth-grade Greek children completed Asher, Hymel, and Renshaw's (1984) Loneliness and Social Dissatisfaction Questionnaire-Greek version, and Wheeler and Ladd's (1982) Children's Self-Efficacy for Peer Interaction Scale-Greek version. The instruments showed adequate reliability and validity. Results indicated a modest but significant negative correlation between the variables studied. The correlation was stronger for social dissatisfaction than for loneliness; also, loneliness and social dissatisfaction were higher for the nonconflict than for the conflict peer interactions, and this finding was consistent across grade and sex. Sixth graders had marginally significantly higher loneliness scores than fourth graders, and girls had marginally significantly higher loneliness scores than boys. School achievement was negatively related to social dissatisfaction. Results are discussed in terms of the existing literature on children's loneliness and self-efficacy.

The irreversibility magnetic field H-irr(T) decreases exponentially in the temperature range 20 less than or equal to T less than or equal to 88 K. At T* approximate to 88 K, the H-irr(T) curve changes slope abruptly and a new mechanism controls the irreversibility up to T-c. The hysteresis loops measurements (H parallel to c) show a second peak for 5 less than or equal to T less than or equal to 50 K. Relaxation measurements performed in the region of the second peak show, at constant temperature, that effective activation energy U-o(H) first increases up to H-sp'(T) and then decreases for H > H-sp'(T). H-sp'(T) is located lower than the field H-sp(T) deduced from the hysteresis loops. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

The temperature and magnetic-field dependence of activation energy U-o(T,H) for creep has been studied in an HgBa2CuO4+delta single crystal below and above the "fishtail" peak H-sp(T). At constant temperature, U-o(H) increases up to H-sp'(T) and then for H>H-sp'(T) it decreases. H-sp'(T) is located lower than the field H-sp(T) deduced from the hysteresis loops. The decrease of the activation energy is probably indicative of a plastic-type creep of the vortex lattice. We demonstrate that the overall behavior of U-o(T,H) at the second magnetization peak line H-sp(T) in the phase diagram of HgBa2CuO4+delta exhibits similarities with that observed in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+delta and YBa2Cu3O6.95 compounds. [S0163-1829(99)04018-7].

We have investigated the magnetization reversal and magnetoresistance (MR) behavior of a lateral spin-injection device. The device consists of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) system in an InAs quantum well and two ferromagnetic (Ni80Fe20) contacts: an injector (source) and a detector (drain). Spin-polarized electrons are injected from the first contact and propagating through InAs are collected by the second contact. By engineering the shape of the permalloy film distinct switching fields (Hc) from the injector and the collector have been observed by scanning Kerr microscopy and MR measurements. Magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) hysteresis loops demonstrate that there is a range of magnetic field (20-60 Oe), at room temperature, over which magnetization in one contact is aligned antiparallel to that in the other. The MOKE results are consistent with the variation of the magnetoresistance in the spin-injection device. © 1999 American Institute of Physics.

A recursion equation which relies on the population growth model of dissolution is used for the analysis of supersaturated dissolution data. The concentration-time data of dissolution experiments are initially transformed to fractions of dose dissolved-generations by adopting an appropriate time interval as the time step of the recursion equation. A computer program is used to derive estimates for the maximum fraction of dose dissolved and the fraction of dose remaining in solution at steady state. Good fittings were observed when this equation was applied to phenytoin and nifedipine supersaturated dissolution data obtained from literature. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Retrorectal-cyst hamartomas (RCH) are rare developmental tail-gut cystic tumours of the retrorectal space, which occasionally undergo malignant transformation. We describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in two patients with RCH and in a third patient with unclassified sarcoma arising from a RCH. The RCH were hypointense or hyperintense on T1-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images; they did not enhance and they contained multiple septations. A solid component in the periphery of one cyst was markedly hypointense on T2-weighted images in keeping with fibrous material. The sarcoma arising from the wall of the RCH enhanced and was of intermediate signal intensity on all sequences. MR may help establish the diagnosis of RCH if an unenhanced cystic tumour is discovered in the retrorectal space and it can help detect those rare cases of malignant transformation of these developmental tumours.

We present a systematic examination of the optical properties of photonic crystals consisting of metallic particles (plasma spheres) arranged periodically in a host dielectric medium. We calculate exactly the transmission and absorption coefficients of light incident on a slab of the material as functions of the frequency of the incident light and analyze the results by reference to the properties of a single sphere and to the frequency band structure of the corresponding infinite crystal. We examine the dependence of the above coefficients on the fractional volume occupied by the spheres and on the thickness of the slab. Finally we compare our results with those of the Maxwell Garnett effective-medium theory and in this way we establish the limitations of the latter. We show in particular that multipole interactions which the Maxwell Garnett theory does not take into account lead to significant structure in the transmission/absorption spectra.

There is increasing observational evidence that relativistic particles of energies ∼1 TeV provide a significant pressure component of the plasma which powers at least some of the relativistic jets associated with AGN. Furthermore, observations of flares with duration ∼15 min at TeV energies indicate that the associated electrons are accelerated to the required energies on these or shorter time scales, which are comparable to the synchrotron loss time for the values of the magnetic fields thought present in these jets. As such, they push the potential acceleration mechanisms to their limits and prompt us to examine the conditions under which it may be possible for hadronic processes to provide the electrons of the requisite energies. Relativistic hadrons could presumably exist within the flow, having been accelerated efficiently near the compact object and then transported along with it, releasing their energy by an instability due to p- γ reactions once a well-defined threshold is reached.

In recent years, several cancer patients who developed neutropenic fever were effectively treated on an outpatient basis with either intravenous or oral antibiotics. This approach is associated with reduced cost and improved patient convenience. However, the appropriate antibiotic regimen and the role of growth factors have not been established yet. In order to address these issues we performed a nonrandomized phase II study to assess the feasibility and efficacy of an oral antibiotic regimen in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for the outpatient treatment of cancer patients with low-risk neutropenic fever. In 50 patients with solid tumors or lymphoma, 60 episodes of neutropenic fever were treated with the combination of oral ofloxacin 400 mg twice a day, oral amoxicillin 1 g 3 times a day and G-CSF 5 μg/kg/day subcutaneously. Patients receiving G-CSF prophylaxis were eligible for our study. Oral antibiotics were administered for at least 5 days and G-CSF was continued until resolution of neutropenia. Our patients were ambulatory, hemodynamically stable, and without significant comorbidity. Our combination was successful in 57 episodes (95%) with a median time for fever resolution of 3 days (range: 1-5 days). There was no significant toxicity associated with the antibiotic regimen with the exception of one case of reversible renal impairment. The role of G-CSF in the success of our antibiotic treatment is highly questionable since one half of our patients developed fever while on G-CSF prophylaxis. The combination of oral ofloxacin and amoxicillin with G-CSF is highly effective for the outpatient treatment of cancer patients who develop uncomplicated febrile neutropenia. The relative contribution of G-CSF needs clarification with a prospective randomized study.

Inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured in the serum of healthy, term neonates on the first (N1), fifth (N5) and 40th (N40) day after birth, compared with those in maternal serum (MS), umbilical cord (UC) and in adult controls. All three cytokines were significantly elevated in N1 and N5, compared with those in UC and adults (P<0.0001). IL-1β and IL-6 declined significantly from N1 to N40 (P<0.0001), while TNF-α increased significantly from N1 to N5 and declined thereafter. TNF-α values in UC were significantly higher than in adults, but lower than in N40 (P<0.0001), while IL-1β and IL-6 values in UC did not differ from those in N40 and in adults. IL-1β and IL-6, but not TNF-α values in MS were significantly higher than those in controls (P<0.0001). IL-1β values in MS were significantly higher than those in N1 (P<0.0001), while those of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly lower (P<0.0001). Moreover, IL-1β values were dependent on the mode of delivery in N1 (P<0.001), in MS (P<0.02) and in UC (0.03), while IL-1β and TNF-α values in N1 were strongly interrelated (r=0.7; P<0.01). In conclusion, the increased values of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α during the perinatal period might reflect a newborn immune response to the stress of delivery and to environmental changes after birth. Copyright (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.

Purpose: Both paclitaxel and cisplatin have moderate activity in patients with metastatic or recurrent cancer of the cervix, and the combination of these two agents has shown activity and possible synergism in a variety of solid tumors. We administered this combination to patients with metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer to evaluate its activity. Patients and Methods: Thirty-four consecutive patients were treated on an outpatient basis with paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 administered intravenously over a 3-hour period followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m2 administered intravenously with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support. The chemotherapy was administered every 3 weeks for a maximum of six courses. Results: Sixteen patients (47%; 95% confidence interval, 30% to 65%) achieved an objective response, including five complete responses and 11 partial responses. Responses occurred in 28% of patients with disease within the radiation field only and in 57% of patients with disease involving other sites. The median duration of response was 5.5 months, and the median times to progression and survival for all patients were 5 and 9 months, respectively. Grade 3 or 4 toxicities included anemia in 18% of patients and granulocytopenia in 15% of patients. Fifty-three percent of patients developed some degree of neurotoxicity; 21% of cases were grade 2 or worse. Conclusion: The combination of paclitaxel with cisplatin seems relatively well tolerated and moderately active in patients with metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer. The significant incidence of neurotoxicity is of concern, and alternative methods of administration of the two agents could be evaluated. Then, further study of this combination, alone or with the addition of other active agents, is warranted.

We examined the properties of photonic crystals that consist of nonoverlapping chiral spheres in a dielectric medium. We considered the effect of the chiral property of the spheres on the frequency band structure of the electromagnetic field in the crystal and on the transmittance properties of a slab of the crystal, and we estimated the optical activity of the crystal.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the complete ribosomal RNA internally transcribed spacer (ITS) region of 36 isolates of Verticillium lecanii and related species gave a single 620 bp product in 31 isolates. Five isolates received as V. lecanii, however, gave a single product of 600 bp. Restriction fragment analysis of the PCR products from all isolates gave consistent patterns for the 31 isolates with a 620 bp product. The five isolates with the 600 bp product showed only minor discrepancies to these, generally related to the size of only one restriction fragment. The total ITS region was sequenced from 10 typical 620 bp isolates and one 600 bp isolate. Sequence variation between the isolates varied from 0 to 14.5%, and the 20 bp size discrepancy was found to relate to an insertion or deletion in the centre of the ITS1 region.

The pathogenesis of venous thrombosis involves the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. In order to estimate the frequency of the factor V Leiden, the prothrombin G20210A, and the MTHFR C677T mutations in the Greek population, we analyzed 160 healthy Greek blood donors by PCR amplification and detected allele frequencies of 2.5%, 2.2%, and 35.3%, respectively. The allele frequencies were compared with reported frequencies of other populations of southern Europe. The identification of these common genetic risk factors for thrombosis should enable easy DNA diagnosis and carrier detection in a high proportion of cases and will contribute to a better understanding of the interaction of genetic and environmental risk factors

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the part played by several parameters in the prognosis of patients with endometrial carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty imprint smears from fresh endometrial tumor specimens were studied immunocytochemically for the expression of p53, bcl-2 and epidermal growth factor receptor. Also, the presence of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in the tumor tissue was measured. The data obtained were related to survival, and associations were sought between the parameters studied. RESULTS: Strong associations were found between advanced stage, high grade, lymph node metastases at diagnosis, nonendometrioid histology and p53 expression with poor survival. Bcl-2 expression was associated with good five-year survival. ER expression was associated marginally with good five-year survival, but PR expression was not. A strong association was found between p53 and advanced disease, stage and lymph node metastases at diagnosis. An association between EGFR positivity and survival was not found. CONCLUSION: p53 Expression of uterine tumors is an independent and strong indicator of poor prognosis. Even patients with stage I and II disease at surgery who have p53-positive tumors must be considered at high risk.

Starting from the first Greek judicial decision relative to domain names, the author presents the issue of protecting distinctive signs in case they are used by third parties as an Internet address. In the first section he makes a brief introduction into the technical and organisational peculiarities of the domain names and in the following sections he examines the legal problems from the aspects of trademark law, unfair competition law, law of tort and protection of the name. By providing examples from other countries' case law, where similar cases have arisen, he displays the potential as well as the limits of the traditional law of distinctive signs in the digital world.

An isocratic reversed-phase HPLC method was developed to determine cefepime levels in plasma and vitreous fluid. Cefepime and the internal standard cefadroxil were separated on a Shandon Hypersil BDS C18 column by using a mobile phase of 25 mM sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate (pH 3) and methanol (87:13, v/v). Ultraviolet detection was carried out at 270 nm. The retention times were 4.80 min for cefepime and 7.70 min for cefadroxil. This fast procedure which involves an efficient protein precipitation step (addition of HClO4), allows a quantification limit of 2.52 mu g ml(-1) and a detection limit of 0.83 mu g ml(-1). Recoveries and absolute recoveries of cefepime from plasma were 96.13-99.44% and 94-102.5% respectively. The intra-day and inter-day reproducibilities were less than 2% for cefepime at 10, 30, 50 mu g ml(-1) (n=10). The method was proved to be suitable for determining cefepime levels in human plasma and was modified to measure vitreous fluid samples. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Studies of the energetics of synoptic-scale systems and similar kinds of investigation have traditionally used a Eulerian framework. In this study, the energetics of a synoptic-scale system have been considered using a quasi-Lagrangian method, in order to isolate the disturbance under consideration within a volume which moves together with the system at each stage of its development. Applying a Lagrangian framework implies that the dimensions of the computational area can be framework on the basis of predetermined criteria. In this study, an area surrounding a depression as shown on the surface analysis, has been selected. This area moves together with the centre of the depression. The energetics results obtained using such a quasi-Lagrangian scheme are compared to those obtained by using a Eularian framework. The synoptic-scale system studied here is a wintertime frontal depression, the greatest development of which occurred in the central Mediterranean on 7 December 1991. This depression moved east accompanied by significant temperature changes, heavy precipitation and gale force winds.

Recent observations of blazars have established that their γ-ray emission is associated, as a rule, with very fast variability (as short as ~15 minutes for the TeV photons of Mrk 421); as such, these observations push the theoretical models for the production of the required relativistic electrons to their limits. Herein we investigate the possibility that ``blobs'' loaded with relativistic protons could produce such an activity. We show that, if the proton number density in a blob exceeds a certain critical value, then reflection of its own synchrotron produced photons on some external ``mirror,'' such as a line-emitting cloud, can initiate a feedback process in which the protons can lose most of their energy content in a blob crossing time, resulting in a flare of the same duration. By performing a dimensional analysis, we find the necessary conditions for such an instability to occur, and we show that the conditions required are consistent with those usually assumed to prevail within the relativistic jets of this class of active galactic nuclei.

Rhinoviruses are the main cause of the common cold and precipitate the majority of asthma exacerbations. RT-PCR followed by internal probe hybridisation or Southern blotting, or nested PCRs are currently the most sensitive methods for their identification. However, none of the published techniques can differentiate satisfactorily rhinoviruses from other picornaviruses. Examination of the restriction maps of sequenced rhinoviruses, revealed a highly conserved BglI restriction site (GCCnnnnnGGC), located exactly in the middle of the 380-bp amplicon generated with the OL26-OL27 primer pair, which has been used extensively in the past to identify picornaviruses. Such a site was either not present, or positioned differently in other picornaviruses of known sequence. It was, therefore, considered that digestion of rhinovirus amplicons with this enzyme would result in two equal length fragments, generating a single 190-bp band in gel electrophoresis. In contrast, either one undigested 380-bp band or a double-band pattern would appear in amplicons from other picornaviruses. To test this hypothesis, Bgl digestions of OL26-OL27 amplicons from cultured and wild-type rhinoviruses, whose identity was confirmed by acid lability, as well as from echo, polio and coxsackie viruses were carried out. All rhinovirus samples were digested successfully generating single bands. Among the other picornaviruses, only 6.6% presented a single band pattern, while the rest were as predicted from the model. With a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity over 90%, the method described, which is rapid and remarkably easy to perform, can be used to distinguish rhinoviruses from other picornaviruses to a considerable extent.

Rhinoviruses are epidemiologically connected to the majority of acute asthma exacerbations; however, their ability to infect and replicate in the lower airways is disputed. A frequent argument against this possibility involves the temperature preference for rhinovirus replication, generally accepted to be 33 degrees C, the temperature of the nasal passages. However, this argument is based on studies with a single rhinovirus serotype. In this study, differences in temperature preferences were evaluated between several serotypes and relative titers were determined than can be achieved at upper and lower airway temperatures. Rhinovirus serotypes 1b, 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 41, and 70 were titrated in Ohio-HeLa cell cultures at either 33 degrees C or 37 degrees C. Possible selection by culture temperature was examined by continuous culture at 33 degrees C and 37 degrees C for 2-4 passages and subsequent titration at both temperatures. Finally, nasal aspirate samples derived from patients with wild-type rhinoviral common colds were cultured at 33 degrees C and 37 degrees C and RT-PCR was used to assess rhinovirus replication at each temperature. The majority of the serotypes and wild-type viruses replicated slightly better at 33 degrees C than at 37 degrees C. However, titers achieved after one or more replicative cycles at 37 degrees C were still high enough to initiate infection. Furthermore, in some instances equal or even better replication was observed at 37 degrees C. It is concluded that temperature preferences may vary between rhinoviruses and are not likely to be a prohibitive factor for infection of the lower airways.

Virtual patient records provide a means for integrated access to patient information that may be scattered around different healthcare settings. Within the boundaries of a health district providing all levels of care, this concept can be implemented in an Intranet environment to support longitudinal patient care activities across the participating healthcare providers. Since medical information is stored on multiple Intranet sites in various forms (e.g. codified data, transcribed documents, and images), a suite of appropriate tools is needed to enable access to such information in combined form. In most cases, however, access to medical information should be restricted to authorized users. To serve this purpose, a prototype search engine incorporating an authorization and access control functionality has been developed and presented in this paper. The system is based on the signature file access method and an experimental implementation written in JAVA is also described.

The Adriatic region was chosen as one of the test areas in the GSHAP program and, consequently, its seismic hazard was computed. The standard hazard map chosen by GSHAP represents PGA with a 475-year return period. Some other parameters, as the spectral acceleration and the uniform hazard response spectra for the main Adriatic towns, have been computed for a better representation of the regional hazard. The most hazardous area remains identified in the Cephalonia zone, where strong earthquakes frequently occur. The Southern Apennines are characterised by a slightly lower hazard, while the Adriatic Sea itself, the Po plain and the Apulian peninsula are almost aseismic.

Magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole moments have traditionally been critical in the determination of the microscopic wave functions of particular nuclear states. Measurements on nuclei at high spin and energy, as well as on nuclei in superdeformed states have yielded a wealth of information on their structure. The techniques developed for these measurements are now being extended to the study of nuclei far-from-stability such as those which will be accessible via reactions with radioactive beams. Very precise determinations of the magnetic moments of the 21+ states of Cr, Ti, Zr, Se and Nd isotopes, recently carried out via "projectile excitation", place very tight constraints on existing nuclear models, from single particle calculations in the 1fp shell to extended IBM models, and further highlight the importance of the interplay between single particle and collective excitations across the table of isotopes. The experimental results will be presented and compared with theoretical calculations.

A small proportion of patients with plasma cell myeloma have a solitary plasmacytoma of bone. Strict staging criteria, including normal MR imaging studies of the axial skeleton and the long bones and absence of monoclonal plasma cells detected by flow cytometry or PCR, are required for diagnosis. Radiotherapy at a dose of 4500 cGy is required to eradicate the local tumor. Many patients enjoy prolonged disease-free survival, but the incidence of systemic relapse is high. It is expected, however, that if strict diagnostic criteria are applied some patients may be cured. Extramedullary plasmacytoma is an even rarer plasma cell disease which usually occurs in the head and neck area. Careful microscopic and immunohistochemical studies are required for the correct diagnosis, because this disease can be confused with other malignancies, particularly lymphomas. The treatment of choice is radiotherapy which, in cases of head and neck plasmacytomas, should encompass the adjacent lymph nodes. Most patients with extramedullary plasmacytoma can be cured, and fewer than 30% develop a distant failure in the form of multiple myeloma or multiple extramedullary tumors.

Coastal zone of the Ithaki Island consists mainly of calcareous rocks (>80%) of the Ionian geotectonic zone and secondarily of Neogene sequences, flysch and Quaternary deposits. Due to the presence of carstic limestones, vegetation is poor with the ‘makia’ type of vegetation to cover almost the half of the coastal land. In terms of coast formation, four types of coasts have been identified, according to Shepard’s genetic classification; these are coasts of: tectonic origin, terrestrial deposition, subaerial erosion and marine erosion. The small coastal towns and villages occupy only the 3,1% of the coastal land being developed primarily on Quaternary deposits and in areas with small (10%) topographic slope. Beaches suitable for touristic activities are present within protected small bays and usually are associated with the presence of fluvial deposits reworked by the existed wave activity.

Two binuclear copper(II) complexes with macrocyclic Schiff bases Cu2LI(CH3COO)2·5H2O (complex I) and Cu2LII(CH3COO)2·2H2O (complex II) were synthesized and then characterized by IR, UV, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements. TGA was used to investigate the desolvation of lattice water molecules. IR spectra demonstrated the formation of the cyclic compound and together with chemical elemental analysis were used to propose the structure of the complexes. The UV spectra of both complexes are typical for binuclear copper(II) complexes with Robson-type ligands. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements corroborated by EPR and low-temperature isothermal magnetization data confirmed the formation of copper dimers with antiferromagnetic exchange coupling constants of -400 and -1250 cm-1 for complexes I and II, respectively, residing outside the usual range for the phenoxide bridged Cu(II) complexes. This implies the possibility that additional superexchange paths through the macrocyclic ligand may affect the intradimer exchange interaction as well as the phenoxide oxygen bridges.

g factors of the 21+ and 41+ states in 92,94Zr have been measured via Coulomb excitation of isotopically pure 92,94Zr beams in inverse kinematics in combination with the transient field technique. The high precision results, g(92Zr; 21+ = -0.180(10) and g(94Zr; 21+ = -0.329(15) as well as the new data on the 41 state, g(92Zr; 41+) = -0.50(11), provide, for the first time, clear evidence of the dominant role of d5/2 neutrons in the wave functions of these nuclei just above the N = 50 shell closure. Moreover, the data imply increased purity of the d5/2 neutron component in the wave function with increasing spin. © 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

We present a spintronic semiconductor field-effect transistor. The injector and collector contacts of this device were made from magnetic permalloy thin films with different coercive fields so that they could be magnetized either parallel or antiparallel to each other in different applied magnetic fields. The conducting medium was a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) formed in an AlSb/InAs quantum well. Data from this device suggest that its resistance is controlled by two different types of spin-valve effect: the first occurring at the ferromagnet-2DEG interfaces; and the second occurring in direct propagation between contacts. © 1999 The American Physical Society.

A convenient approach to model MHD steady axisymmetric outflows is the so-called self-similar technique wherein the physical variables are factorized and a scaling law is assumed along one of the coordinates. This scaling depends on the astrophysical process under investigation. In this note we summarize all possible self-similar MHD outflow solutions; furthermore, we briefly discuss the main properties of a class of solutions which are self-similar in the meridional direction and allow to analyse in simple terms the dynamical properties of an outflow close to its rotational axis. Special attention is focused on the asymptotic structure of collimated winds. It will be shown that different regimes are possible for jets, in particular they can be either thermally or magnetically confined, depending on the physical conditions of the flow. This analysis is complementary with the well known radial self-similar models which are invoked to study winds from accretion disks.

A convenient approach to model MHD steady axisymmetric outflows is the so-called self-similar technique wherein the physical variables are factorized and a scaling law is assumed along one of the coordinates. This scaling depends on the astrophysical process under investigation. In this note we summarize all possible self-similar MHD outflow solutions; furthermore, we briefly discuss the main properties of a class of solutions which are self-similar in the meridional direction and allow to analyse in simple terms the dynamical properties of an outflow close to its rotational axis. Special attention is focused on the asymptotic structure of collimated winds. It will be shown that different regimes are possible for jets, in particular they can be either thermally or magnetically confined, depending on the physical conditions of the flow. This analysis is complementary with the well known radial self-similar models which are invoked to study winds from accretion disks.

The interaction of diflunisal ion (DF) with beta-cyclodextrin (PCD), gamma-cyclodextrin (gamma CD), and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP beta CD) was studied in phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, at 5-37 degrees C and various CD concentrations using a home-made diflunisal ion-selective electrode. Typical direct binding plots and Scatchard plots were obtained with HP beta CD. The Scatchard model for one class of binding sites was used for the estimation of binding parameters for the DF/HP beta CD interaction. The estimates for n (number of binding sites per CD molecule) were in all cases very close to unity, indicating 1:1 complexation. The association constant (K) estimates decrease with increasing temperature. Sigmoidal direct binding plots and concave-downwards Scatchard plots were obtained with various beta CD or gamma CD concentrations. The Hill model was used for the estimation of the binding parameters for the DF/beta CD and DF/gamma CD interactions. Both the Hill coefficients and the binding constants were markedly dependent on the CD concentration. These findings indicate the cooperative character of DF/beta CD and DF/gamma CD interactions. The foe energy change, Delta G, and the thermodynamic parameters, Delta H and Delta S, were estimated for each of the interactions studied using the Van't Hoff equation. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

XRD, magnetic and EPR studies of the mixed phase La0.5Gd0.5Ba2Cu3Oy high-Tc superconductor after prolonged (one year) `aging' at room temperature are reported. Within this time period a pronounced change of the superconducting behavior and the homogeneity of the diamagnetic shielding signal accompanied by substantial structural changes, reduction of the impurity phase BaCuO2+x and increase of the EPR spectrum's intensity of Cu2+ magnetic defects is detected. The `aging' effects are related to strain-relaxation taking place during room temperature annealing that induces the formation of Cu2+ defect centers.

The magnetic properties of the mixed high-Tc superconductors Ea0.5R0.5Ba2Cu3O6+x (R - rare earth) are studied after prolonged 'aging' at room temperature (RT) for 1 year. Enhancement of the superconducting properties comprising the increase of the inhomogeneous diamagnetic signal for members of the series with the larger R-ion radius is detected after RT 'aging'. For the members with the larger R-ion radius the diamagnetic signal has been come more stronger whereas for the members with the smaller R-ion radius the time evolution of the superconducting properties remained almost the unchanged and the diamagnetic signal slightly decreases after 'aging'. The growth of the EPR intensity of localized Cu2+ centers complying with the rise of the normal-state magnetic susceptibility after prolonged storage at RT, is detected. The time evolution effects are related to slow ion diffusion processes that can be induced by stress-relaxation in the mixed Ea0.5R0.5Ba2Cu3O6+x structure, most pronounced for large R-ion radius. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy and tolerance of single-agent docetaxel and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Patients and Methods: Thirty-three chemotherapy-naive patients (median age, 65 years) with histologically confirmed pancreatic cancer were treated, after appropriate premedication, with docetaxel (100 mg/m2) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (150 μg/m2/d subcutaneously days 2 through 10) every 3 weeks. World Health Organization performance status was 0 to 1 in 28 patients (85%) and 2 in 5 patients (15%). Twenty-nine patients had stage III and IV disease. Results: One complete response (3%) and one partial response (3%) were observed for an overall response rate of 6% (95% confidence interval, 2.1% to 14.2%). Nineteen patients (58%) had stable disease and 12 (36%) had progressive disease. The duration of the two objective responses was 10 and 28 weeks, and the median time to tumor progression was 20 weeks. The median overall survival was 36 weeks. The actuarial 1-year survival was 36.4%. The performance status improved in seven of 21 assessable patients (24%) and pain improved in 14 of 21 (67%) assessable patients; five patients (29%) experienced weight gain during treatment. Disease-related asthenia, anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhea improved in 29%, 15%, 67%, and 47% of the assessable patients, respectively. Serum concentrations of CA 19-9 were decreased by more than 50% in seven patients (35%). Grade 3 and 4 neutropenia occurred in four patients (12%) and eight patients (24%), respectively, with two episodes of febrile neutropenia. There were no treatment-related deaths. Grade 3/4 asthenia occurred in three patients. Conclusion: Although docetaxel has a marginal objective activity in pancreatic cancer, it seems to have an important effect on tumor growth control, conferring a clinical benefit.

In this study an attempt is made to investigate the upper-tropospheric downstream development over north-west Europe, which leads to surface cyclogenesis in the central Mediterranean. A case study is analysed to demonstrate that the upper-tropospheric downstream development could be closely related to the upper-tropospheric frontogenesis that appears upon the north-eastern flank of a blocking high. The frontogenesis is characterised by a jet streak within a strongly baroclinic zone and a tropopause folding associated with cold stratospheric air intrusion into the troposphere. According to this interpretation, the eddy ageostrophic divergence of eddy geopotential fluxes (dispersion and spreading of eddy kinetic energy), other than friction dissipation and barotropic conversion to the mean flow, is mainly responsible for the loss of kinetic energy from a decaying depression of synoptic scale that has passed the mature stage. This dispersed eddy kinetic energy accumulates in the vicinity of the aforementioned jet streak where it is transferred downstream and further triggers the generation or rejuvenation of a new disturbance.

The patterns of monthly precipitation distributions in Greece, during the months of the year, are studied. Using factor analysis T-mode on mean monthly precipitation for a long period, we try to establish characteristic patterns of precipitation distribution. Only two of the eigenvectors (factors) were found statistically significant, namely factor I, explaining 67% of total variance and referring to the months of the period from October to March (cold period) and factor II, explaining 23% of total variance and referring to the months from April to September (warm period). During the cold period precipitation is maximum on Western Greek mainland and along the Western Asia Minor coast and islands while minima are shown in Cyclades islands, Attika, Thessaly, Macedonia and Thrace. On the other hand, during the warm period precipitation shows maxima in Central and North continental areas and the interior of Peloponese while minima appeared again in Cyclades, Dodecanese and Crete. Finally, the various areas of the country are distributed in 4 categories, depending on the combination of plus or minus of the normalized factor scores, for each period.

The acceleration of electrons at a shock front can produce characteristic patterns in the variation of the spectral index of the synchrotron emission as a function of flux. Using a simple model of the acceleration process, we present a discussion of these patterns and show how they compare with the variations in the emission of the same electrons via inverse Compton scattering of isotropically distributed target photons from an external source. The "soft lag" behaviour is observed in synchrotron emission, and should also be present in the inverse Compton flux. Shock models can also show "hard lag" behaviour of the synchrotron emission, but this is more difficult to achieve in the inverse Compton emission, because of Klein-Nishina effects. In some cases, the time scales of rise and fall of both the synchrotron and inverse Compton fluxes can depend on the acceleration mechanism.

Objectives: The non-penetrating Vascular Clip System (VCS) was tested experimentally and compared with the conventional suture method on the venous system. Materials and Nethods: In five pigs, 30 transverse venotomies were carried out in the jugular and renal veins, and vena cava. Fifteen venotomies were reconstructed using autosuture clips and 15 using the standard needle and suture method. Eight weeks later, following phlebography, the specimens were examined macro- and microscopically. Results: For both methods, the veins remained patent; however, significant stenosis of 8.9% (95% CI: 0.6-17.1) for the renal vein and 8.5% (95% CI: 1.2-15.7) for the vena cava occurred when the suture technique was used. The intima to media height ratio remained the same. The anastomosis time with the clips was significantly shorter (p < 0.05), while the endothelium remained intact without any hyperplasia or inflammatory changes, which are usual findings of the suture technique. Conclusion: Early and mid-term results show that the VCS clipped anastomotic technique seems to be effective and acceptable for venous reconstructions.

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia is an unusual low-grade lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma characterized by the production of monoclonal IgM. The clinical manifestations associated with WM can be classified as those related to direct tumor infiltration, by the amount and specific properties of circulating IgM, and by the deposition of IgM in various tissues. Asymptomatic patients should be followed without treatment. The management of the disease relies on the administration of systemic chemotherapy to reduce tumor load and on the application of plasmapheresis to remove circulating IgM. Standard treatment consists of oral chlorambucil, which induces response in at least 50% of patients, resulting in a median survival of approximately 5 years. Nucleoside analogues (cladribine, fludarabine) are effective in most previously untreated patients. These agents are the treatment of choice for patients with disease resistant to alkylating agents. New treatment approaches include high-dose therapy with stem-cell support and administration of monoclonal anti-CD20 antibodies.

Ὁ σκοπὸς τοῦ παρόντος πονήματος εἶναι σαφής. Προσπαθεῖ νὰ ἐκφράσει διαυγῶς μιὰν πραγματικότητα: τὴν κατ’ ἐξοχὴν ἐπιβολὴ καὶ ἐπικυριαρχία τῶν ἐπιταγῶν τῆς γεωπολιτικῆς ἐπὶ τῶν ἐπιθυμιῶν τοῦ διεθνοῦς δικαίου. Αὐτὸ καθίσταται ἀπολύτως σαφὲς κατόπιν τῆς μελέτης στοιχείων ἐντοπιζομένων σὲ περιπτώσεις ὅπως «ἡ τύχη» τῶν μέτρων οἰκοδομήσεως ἐμπιστοσύνης ποὺ συνεζητήθησαν τὴν 17η Μαΐου 1988 μεταξὺ τῶν δύο -τότε- ὑπουργῶν ἐξωτερικῶν τῆς Ἑλλάδος καὶ τῆς Τουρκίας Παπούλια καὶ Γιλμὰζ στὴν Βουλιαγμένη, ὅπως καὶ τῆς Συμφωνίας τῆς Κωνσταντινουπόλεως τῆς 8ης Σεπτεμβρίου τοῦ ἰδίου ἔτους, ποὺ καθώριζε τὶς «κατευθηντήριες γραμμὲς γιὰ τὴν πρόληψη ἀτυχημάτων καὶ ἐπεισοδίων στὰ διεθνῆ ὕδατα καὶ τὸν διεθνῆ ἐναέριο χῶρο.

Τα θεμέλια της γεωπολιτικής, ως σύγχρονης γεωγραφικής ἀναλυτικής μεθόδου, ἐτέθησαν απὸ τον γεωγράφο, Friedrich Ratzel. Το παρόν, πραγματεύεται τη γερμανική γεωγραφία και τη γέννηση της γεωπολιτικής, ως γεωγραφικής αναλυτικής μεθόδου.

Οἱ ἑλληνοτουρκικὲς σχέσεις, μέρος τῶν ὁποίων εἶναι καὶ ἡ ἑλληνοτουρκικῆ φιλία, δὲν μποροῦν νὰ ἐξετασθοῦν ἐκτὸς τοῦ εὐρυτέρου γεωπολιτικοῦ πλαισίου ποὺ ρυθμίζει τὶς σχέσεις ὄχι μόνον μεταξὺ τῶν δύο χωρῶν ἀλλὰ καὶ τὴν συνολικὴ διεθνοπολιτικὴ πραγματικότητα στὴν Εὐρασία. Το παρόν άρθρο, αναλύει τη γεωπολιτικὴ διάσταση τῶν ἑλληνοτουρκικῶν σχέσεων, την ἑλληνοτουρκικὴ φιλία καὶ τον ρόλο τῶν ΗΠΑ.

Η εργασία επιχειρεί να δώσει απαντήσεις στα παρακάτω ερωτήματα: α) Υπήρχαν φαινόμενα βίας στα αρχαία αθλήματα; β) Ποιός ήταν ο χαρακτήρας και η μορφή αυτών των φαινομένων; γ) Μέσα από ποιές φιλολογικές πηγές αντλούμε τις μαρτυρίες για το θέμα αυτό; και δ) Πώς παρουσιάζεται η βία μέσα από τα κλασικά κείμενα; Περαιτέρω επιχειρείται να ερμηνευτούν τα φαινόμενα βίας στην αρχαία εποχή α) λαμβάνοντας υπόψη την ιδιαιτερότητα της αρχαίας κοινωνίας, και επίσης β) συνδέοντας το κοινωνικό φαινόμενο της βίας στα αθλήματα με τα άλλα δομικά χαρακτηριστικά της κοινωνίας στην οποία ανήκει. Διερευνά η μελέτη, επομένως, τους παράγοντες που επηρεάζουν τα φαινόμενα βίας στα αρχαία αθλήματα και το πώς αυτά συνδέονται με τα άλλα χαρακτηριστικά της αρχαίας κοινωνίας, ούτως ώστε να διαπιστωθούν οι ηθικοί συμβολισμοί που πιθανόν υποκρύπτονται κάτω από τα φαινόμενα αυτά και οι οποίοι είναι απόρροια των κοινωνικών συνθηκών της αρχαίας κοινωνίας. Με τον τρόπο αυτό επιτυγχάνεται και μια συγκριτική συσχέτιση των φαινομένων βίας στα αθλήματα της αρχαιότητας με τον χαρακτήρα των φαινομένων της σύγχρονης βίας στον αθλητισμό.

Η εργασία διερευνά τα κίνητρα ανάπτυξης των Ελληνοδανικών σχέσεων από τα μέσα περίπου του 17ου αιώνα, όταν η Δανία άρχισε εμπορικές σχέσεις με το Λεβάντε, μέχρι σήμερα. Τα ισχυρά κίνητρα που υποκίνησαν τον Δυτικοευρωπαϊκό κόσμο να έρθει σε επαφή με τη σύγχρονη Ελλάδα ήταν κυρίως το κλασικό παρελθόν της και η αρχαιολατρία που αναπτύχθηκε από τα μέσα του 18ου αιώνα. Σημαντικά, όμως, υπήρξαν και τα θρησκευτικά κίνητρα (όπως η γνωριμία του Christian Bastholm, Δανού εκκλησιαστικού διαφωτιστή, με τον Αδαμάντιο Κοραή, ή η προσπάθεια για συνεργασία της ευαγγελικής και ορθόδοξης εκκλησίας), η άνθηση του δυτικοευρωπαϊκού εμπορίου στη Μεσόγειο, και, ιδίως, τα πνευματικά και καλλιτεχνικά κίνητρα, τα οποία έθεσαν τις βάσεις του φιλελληνισμού στη Δανία.             Στην εργασία γίνεται εκτενής αναφορά των Δανών περιηγητών στην Ελλάδα που από τις αρχές του 19ου αιώνα, με μια διάθεση φιλολογική και αρχαιολογική –όπως συνέβη και με τους άλλους Ευρωπαίους- εκδηλώνουν το ενδιαφέρον τους για την Ελλάδα. Μεταξύ αυτών ο Peter Oluf Brøndsted, πρωτεργάτης της καλλιέργειας του ενδιαφέροντος για την κλασική παράδοση στη Δανία, ο «παραμυθάς» Hans Christian Andersen, οι αδελφοί Hans Christian και Theophilus Edward Hansen, αρχιτέκτονες σημαντικών κτισμάτων, όπως του Πανεπιστημίου, της Μητρόπολης Αθηνών, της Ακαδημίας, της Βιβλιοθήκης, του Ζαππείου.             Το 1864 φθάνει στην Αθήνα ο πρώτος Δανός νεοελληνιστής, ο φιλόλογος Jean Pio, βασικός συντελεστής της καλλιέργειας της νεοελληνικής φιλολογίας στη Δανία. Τριάντα χρόνια μετά το θάνατό του μεγάλο ενδιαφέρον για τη νεοελληνική φιλολογία θα υπάρξει από τον καθηγητή Carsten Høeg, ενώ λίγο μετέπειτα τα πολιτικά θέματα της Ελλάδας αντανακλώνται στον τύπο. Γίνονται μεταφράσεις νεοελληνικών έργων, ενώ από το 1960 εισέρχεται δυναμικά στο χώρο της μετάφρασης του νεοελληνικού έργου (Παλαμά, Θεοτοκά, Καζαντζάκη, Μυριβήλη) ο  Ole Wahl Olsen, ο μεταφραστής που θα κάνει γνωστό τον Αντώνη Σαμαράκη σε όλο τον κόσμο. Το 1964 οι γάμοι του τέως βασιλιά Κων/νου με τη βασιλόπαιδα της Δανίας Άννα-Μαρία δυναμώνει όπως είναι φυσικό το ενδιαφέρον για την Ελλάδα, το οποίο παρέμεινε και μετά τη φυγή του τέως.  Ο Olsen αποτελεί και ιδρυτικό μέλος της «Komiteen for Demokrati Greakenlan», της Επιτροπής που αγωνίστηκε για την ηθική και οικονομική στήριξη των Ελλήνων στην Ελλάδα επί Χούντας. Η ευαισθητοποιημένη σε θέματα δημοκρατίας και ελευθερίας Δανία ανέλαβε πολλές πρωτοβουλίες για την αποκατάσταση της δημοκρατίας στην Ελλάδα. Στη Δανία, χώρα με δυνατή κλασική παράδοση, δεν ήταν εύκολη η δημιουργία νεοελληνικής κατεύθυνσης σπουδών. Τελικά στη χώρα αυτή συνέβη ό,τι και στην υπόλοιπη Ευρώπη. Το πέρασμα στη νεότερη Ελλάδα και στη γραμματεία της θα γίνει μέσα από εκείνους που είχαν βαθιά γνώση της αρχαίας ελληνικής γραμματείας. Η εργασία, περαιτέρω διερευνά τη συγκρότηση θεσμοθετημένων ακαδημαϊκών νεοελληνικών σπουδών, το φιλοσοφικό πλαίσιο των σπουδών, την απήχηση των σπουδών αυτών στη Δανική κοινωνία, καθώς επίσης τις τάσεις και τα ιδεολογικά ρεύματα που επικρατούν στις εκδόσεις των νεοελληνικών κειμένων στη Δανία.

Η εισήγηση στο συνέδριο δημοσιεύθηκε στα Πρακτικά και αποτέλεσε τη μοναδική από θεολογικής απόψεως ανακοίνωση για το οικολογικό πρόβλημα. Προβλήθηκε, η διαδομένη στους θεολογικούς χώρους θέση, ότι το οικολογικό πρόβλημα είναι κυρίως ηθικό και οφείλεται στη διατάραξη της σχέσης ανθρώπου-Θεού και κατόπιν ανθρώπου-περιβάλλοντος. Αν θεωρηθεί καθ’ αυτόν τον τρόπο, είναι δυνατό να βρεθούν λύσεις με τη βοήθεια της  ανάλογης παιδείας και αλλαγής νοοτροπίας, δηλαδή μιας ειλικρινούς μετάνοιας.

Από τα πρώτα έργα της έντεχνης ποίησης που θεματοποιούν την δημοτικής καταγωγής μορφή του βρυκόλακα, η μπαλλάντα "Ελεονώρα" του Γερμανού ποιητή Gottfried August Burger άσκησε σημαντική επίδραση στη διαμόρφωση της ευρωπαϊκής Ρομαντικής ποίησης. Η παρούσα μελέτη εξετάζει το θρησκευτικό περιεχόμενο του ποιήματος και τη μεταφραστική του τύχη στην Ελλάδα, από την πρώτη προσπάθεια μεταγραφής του (1847) ως την τελευταία της εκδοχή (1959).

In this study day by day synoptic conditions are classified over the Attica peninsula for a period of sixteen years. Eight synoptic categories which are demonstrated to be statistically distinct are selected with respect to the atmospheric circulation in the lower troposphere. Furthermore, a methodology is proposed to classify the mesoscale patterns for the same period on the basis of surface wind measurements, and this distinguishes eleven distinct mesoscale categories. In general, the frequency analysis reveals that the anticyclonic circulation dominates while the weak mesoscale flows prevail, with preference in May and June. A day by day cross tabulation of the synoptic flow patterns with the mesoscale categories is then performed in order to identify the association of the synoptic conditions with the mesoscale flow regime. It was found that the synoptic conditions at the level of 850 hPa are closely related to the observed surface local flows and therefore it is suggested that the synoptic categories can be used for the identification of the most favourable mesoscale atmospheric circulation.

A widespread phenomenon in astrophysics is the outflow of plasma from the environment of stellar or galactic objects. This plasma outflows range from nonuniform winds to highly collimated jets which are common to many stages of stellar evolution. For example, collimated outflows are found around young stars (e.g., as in HH 30), older mass losing stars (as in eta-Carinae), symbiotic stars (e.g. in R Aqr), planetary nebulae nuclei (as in the hourglass nebula), black hole X-ray transients (as in GRS 1915+105 and GRO J1655-40), low- and high-mass X-ray binaries and recently also in cataclysmic variables (e.g. T Pyxidis). Similarly, they are also found emerging from the nuclei of many radio galaxies and quasars. Nevertheless, despite their abundance the questions of the formation, acceleration and propagation of nonuniform winds and jets have not been fully resolved. One of the main difficulties in dealing with the theoretical problem posed by cosmical outflows is that their dynamics needs to be described - even to lowest order - by the highly intractable set of the MHD equations. As is well known, this is a nonlinear system of partial differential equations with several critical points, and only very few classes of solutions are available for axisymmetric systems obtained by assuming a separation of variables in several key functions. This hypothesis allows an analysis in a 2-D geometry of the full MHD equations which reduce then to a system of ordinary differential equations. By a systematic method we construct general classes of exact and self-consistent axisymmetric MHD solutions. The unifying scheme contains three large groups of exact MHD outflow models, (I) meridionally self-similar ones with spherical critical surfaces, (II) radially self-similar models with conical critical surfaces and (III) generalized self-similar models with arbitrary shape critical surfaces. This classification includes known polytropic models, such as the classical Parker description of a stellar wind and the Blandford and Payne (1982) model of a disk-wind; it also contains nonpolytropic models, such as those of winds/jets in Sauty and Tsinganos (1994), Lima et al (1996) and Trussoni et al (1997). Besides the unification of all known cases under a common scheme, several new classes emerge and some are briefly analyzed; they could be explored for a further understanding of the physical properties of MHD outflows from various magnetized astrophysical rotators. We also propose a new class of exact and self-consistent MHD solutions which describe steady and axisymmetric hydromagnetic outflows from the magnetized atmosphere of a rotating gravitating central object with possibly an orbiting accretion disk. The plasma is driven by a thermal pressure gradient, as well as by magnetic rotator and radiative forces. At the Alfvenic and fast critical points the appropriate criticality conditions are applied. The outflows start almost radially but after the Alfven transition and before the fast critical surface is encountered the magnetic pinching force bends the poloidal streamlines into a cylindrical jet-type shape. The terminal speed, Alfven number, cross-sectional area of the jet, as well as its final pressure and density obtain uniform values at large distances from the source. The goal of the study is to give an analytical discussion of the two-dimensional interplay of the thermal pressure gradient, gravitational, Lorentz and inertial forces in accelerating and collimating an MHD flow. A parametric study of the model is given, as well as a brief sketch of its applicability to a self-consistent modeling of collimated outflows from various astrophysical objects. For example, the obtained characteristics of the collimated outflow in agreement with those in jets associated with YSO's. General theoretical arguments and various analytic self-similar solutions have recently shown that magnetized and rotating astrophysical outflows may become asymptotically cylindrical, in agreement with observations of cosmical jets. A notable common feature in all such self-consistent, self-similar MHD solutions is that before final cylindrical collimation is achieved, the jet passes from a stage of oscillations in its radius, Mach number and other physical parameters. It is shown that under rather general assumptions this oscillatory behaviour of collimated outflows is not restricted to the few specific models examined so far, but instead it seems to be a rather general physical property of an MHD outflow which starts noncylindrically before it reaches collimation. It is concluded thence that astrophysical jets are topologically stable to small amplitude, time-independent perturbations in their asymptotically cylindrical shape. Also, similarly to the familiar fluid instabilities these oscillations may give rise to brightness enhancements along jets.

Health informatics is an emerging and important multi-disciplinary field that involves, informatics but also medicine, nursing, engineering, biology and other-related subjects. A co-ordination of this field at a postgraduate level becomes important now in Europe where other European Community programs such as the 'Telematics for Health Care' will require at the Fourth Framework Programme (94-99) adequate human resources of higher potential and knowledge. This European M.Sc. course meets all the above objectives. The Curriculum was developed according to the results of the ERASMUS Workshop, which was held in Athens on 13-15 September 1990 under the ERASMUS Contract number ICP-90-G-0009/12. The implementation now runs under the contract ICP-95-G-1038/12. The 6-year evaluation of the course based both on staff and student evaluation proved that the M.Sc. course in health informatics has been successful.

The Information Technology is rapidly being integrated into Educational Institutions and Health Care Environments. Although the use of computer for education and training is not new to the academic society, further prospects are available through the use of emerging technologies as the Multimedia and the World Wide Web. In today's rapidly changing healthcare environment, the need for high quality, cost effective education for employees, consumers, and students is gaining increased attention. The development of customised computer-based training programs has long been beyond the capabilities or financial resources of most healthcare organisations; however, with recent advancements in technology, this situation is rapidly changing. The Nurses represent the greater part of the Health Care Professionals thus the education of this group is of outmost importance for the health-care environments. The World Wide Web can be used as an educational tool in order to have better-educated Nurses not only by supporting the Academic institutions but also by providing Distance Learning Education covering new aspects of the Nursing Science. The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of the ways in which the emerging technologies of Multimedia and the World Wide Web can enhance the learning process, and also provide education at a distance.

We have obtained spectra at the Ca ii triplet of individual red giants in seven Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) star clusters whose ages range from ~4 to 12 Gyr. The spectra have been used to determine mean abundances for six of the star clusters to a typical precision of 0.12 dex. When combined with existing data for other objects, the resulting SMC age-metallicity relation is generally consistent with that for a simple model of chemical evolution, scaled to the present-day SMC mean abundance and gas mass fraction. Two of the clusters (Lindsay 113 and NGC 339), however, have abundances that are ~0.5 dex lower than that expected from the mean age-metallicity relation. It is suggested that the formation of these clusters, which have ages of ~5 Gyr, may have involved the infall of unenriched gas, perhaps from the Magellanic Stream. The spectra also yield radial velocities for the seven clusters. The resulting velocity dispersion is 16 +/- 4 km s^-1, consistent with those of the SMC planetary nebula and carbon star populations.

We report on a Greek girl with pancytopenia, short stature, clinodactyly, cleft palate, exopthalmus, strabismus, café-au-lait spots, and mild mental retardation in whom chromosomal analysis excluded Fanconi anemia. The occurrence of erythroleukemia in the family and the presence of macrocytosis in her father and low blood counts in her sister favor the diagnosis of an inherited syndrome of familial marrow dysfunction rather than that of a sporadic case.

The attempted intermolecular addition of malonyl radicals to 1',2'- unsaturated nucleosides has led to the unexpected formation of furanones. Thus, only catalytic amounts of ceric(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN), induce a Ferrier rearrangement. The unsaturated lactone was isolated in good yield and can serve as a precursor for the synthesis of optically active products.

The attempted intermolecular addition of malonyl radicals to 1',2'-unsaturated nucleosides has led to the unexpected formation of furanones. Thus, only catalytic amounts of ceric(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN), induce a Ferrier rearrangement. The unsaturated lactone was isolated in good yield and can serve as a precursor for the synthesis of optically active products. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

One of the main problems in assessing the mode of action of various treatment modalities is the method of measuring the treatment change. The purpose of the present study was to develop a cephalometric method that would permit a detailed evaluation of the individual growth processes (skeletal and dental) that contribute to the overall change in occlusal relationship. The change in molar relationship was resolved in five components, i.e. translation of the maxilla, of the upper molar, of the mandible, of the lower molar, and rotation of the mandible. These movements were recorded using regional superimposition of various structures, with the aid of a computer program. Derotation of the mandible was performed to remove any confounding effects of total mandibular rotation on the interpretation of the measurements. The results show that assessment of treatment effects can be carried out by comparison of the five resulting vectors.

Chromosome specific comparative genome hybridisation (CGH) is a novel approach for the detection of cytogenetic abnormalities. It combines flow sorting of chromosomes, degenerate oligonucleotide primed (DOP)-PCR and a modified comparative genome hybridisation (CGH) technique to define the site and extent of intrachromosomal duplications. Chromosome specific paint probes for aberrant chromosomes and their normal homologues from four subjects with unbalanced duplications within chromosomes 2p11-15, 3q25-26, 5q34-qter, and 12q23-24.2 were made. They were then cohybridised on normal metaphase spreads and the ratio of their relative intensities of hybridisation analysed. The results were compared to those of similar experiments where regular CGH was performed on the same four patients. We provide evidence that this method can detect duplications and deficiencies which might be missed by conventional CGH, as the ratio of hybridisation of abnormal/normal DNA is 2:1 rather than 3:2. It is the method of choice where mosaicism is present or where only one of several homologous chromosomes is duplicated. Furthermore, it suggests that DOP-PCR amplifies all or most of the euchromatic regions of the genome equally.

The aim of this paper is to examine the importance of computer-based simulation by the demonstration and study of complex systems and the presentation of essential tools and applications that can help health professionals deliver good quality practicals, which is now impeded by cost and/or technical constrains. The tools that have been developed in the framework of the Courseware Authoring for Scientific Training (COAST) project are the "modeler environment," which is used to describe the different tools and mathematical functions available for building models, and the "simulation author environment," which is used for building simulation sequences and providing the required tools and functions. This effort provides scientists with new technological and cost-effective means, specifically based on multimedia simulation, for preparing educational material, so as to gradually replace laboratory practicals that are gradually becoming more expensive, and improves student's understanding of complex systems.

This thesis describes an effort to combine various specialties of earth sciences (applied geophysics, hydrogeology, tectonics, stratigraphy, geomorphology), with the final objective to determine the subsurfacial geological conditions of the basin located on the plateau, north of the city of Tripolis and the assessment of its hydrogeological conditions. The wider region of the Tripolis plateau faces shortage problems for fresh water supply and irrigation. The small number of water consuming infrastructures and natural springs, that lie around the margins of this plateau with relatively small supplies, cannot satisfy the existing irrigation and watering needs of the wider region and particularly those of the city of Tripolis. For the successful exploitation of the water consuming infrastructures, the investigation of the geological and hydrogeological conditions of the Tripolis plateau was highly required. The geological and borehole data for this area were limited, mostly based on projects that had been accomplished in the past, but no systematic study on the determination the subsurface geological and hydrogeological conditions of area was carried out. Given that homogeneity in the distribution of measurement points is required for the best coverage of the research area, the (geophysical) geoelectrical soundings, using the Schlumberger array, proved to be the most suitable for this application. Seventy two (72) in situ electric resistivity measurements were scheduled on the geological formations outcropping throughout the area, ten (10) in situ electric resistivity measurements were scheduled next to already drilled boreholes and two hundred thirty five (235) resistivity soundings (VES), were carried out for investigating the deeper structures.After the interpretation of the geological and geophysical data, ƒ the lithology, the thickness and the hydrogeological behaviour of the postalpine sediments were investigated, ƒ the shape of the alpine basement was clarified, and ƒ the tectonic structure of the alpine basement was mapped.In particular, the shape and the thickness of the post-alpine sediments were determined. Two different environments of deposition were detected and two individual sub basins were located (a) the northernmost sub basin of NestaniMantineia and (b) the southernmost sub basin of Tripolis. The shape and the depth of the alpine basement were defined in detail for the majority of the measurement sites, with the exception of an area around the Tripolis Industrial Region (VI.PE.), where the thickness of the recent sediments is estimated to be exceeding 250 metres. By applying this methodology, the investigation of several structural zones (faults, thrusts) and the delimitation of reversed structures (Nestani, Merkovouni) of the Pindos unit formations, were made possible. The collected information and data were organised and imported in a Geographic Information System for future enhancement, acting as a dynamic digital geodatabase for the whole area. From this process new information was derived concerning ƒ the assessment of hydrogeological conditions, regarding the subsurface water reservoirs, and ƒ the investigation of the sinkhole system growth and operation throughout the basin. Typical optimum conditions for water reservoir existence were located at the regions where -due to the reversed structure of Pindos unit formations- the permeable limestone overlie the semi-permeable marly layers or the impermeable flysch. Such regime was detected in the region of eastern Mantineia. Similar regime was detected at the Merkovouni reversed structure, with the difference of the limited volume of the limestone and therefore the control of the regulative reserves should be very careful. Favourable conditions for water reservoirs can also exist in regions where the alpine basement consists exclusively of carbonate formations of either Pindos unit or Tripolis unit. The water existence is controlled by the purity of carbonate formations regarding the argillaceous or siliceous admixture, the degree and level of karstification and the orientation of the main tectonic structures (faults, thrusts). Regarding the Pindos unit carbonate formations, the geophysical measurements showed that the limestone with resistivity values less than 350 Ohm.m, are compatible with water existence, while resistivity values larger than 450 Ohm.m, imply the predominance of compact and arid Pindos unit limestone. Water reservoirs inside limestone beds were detected in the central parts of the Saga-Nestani sub basin, in the central parts of the Milia sub basin and at the Tripolis industrial region. On the contrary, the regions where the alpine basement consists of either the semipermeable marly limestones or the impermeable flysch, are characterised by the lack of water presence and consequently these areas are not ideal for new water consuming infrastructures.As far as the growth of sinkhole systems, the results of this thesis made clear that the development of the karst network is connected exclusively with the presence of the pure carbonate formations of Tripolis unit. It is remarkable that in the cases of Nestani and Kanata sinkhole systems, developed within the Pindos unit formations, the geophysical research revealed that they tectonically overlie the Tripolis limestones, without the interference of the Tripolis flysch, at a relatively small depth, thus facilitating the development of karst networks in these regions.