Publications by Year: 2010

Eccentric exercise has been extensively used as a model to study muscle damage-induced neuromuscular impairment, adopting mainly a bilateral matching task between the reference (unexercised) arm and the indicator (exercised) arm. However, little attention has been given to the muscle proprioceptive function when the exercised arm acts as its own reference. This study investigated muscle proprioception and motor control, with the arm acting both as reference and indicator, following eccentric exercise and compared them with those observed after isometric exercise. Fourteen young male volunteers were equally divided into two groups and performed an eccentric or isometric exercise protocol with the elbow flexors of the non-dominant arm on an isokinetic dynamometer. Both exercise protocols induced significant changes in indicators of muscle damage, that is, muscle soreness, range of motion and maximal isometric force post-exercise (p < 0.050.001), and neuromuscular function was similarly affected following both protocols. Perception of force was impaired over the 4-day post-exercise period (p < 0.001), with the applied force being systematically overestimated. Perception of joint position was significantly disturbed (i.e., target angle was underestimated) only at one elbow angle on day 4 post-exercise (p < 0.05). The misjudgements and disturbed motor output observed when the exercised arm acted as its own reference concur with the view that they could be a result of a mismatch between the central motor command and an impaired motor control after muscle damage. © 2010 Informa Healthcare Ltd.

Eccentric exercise has been extensively used as a model to study muscle damage-induced neuromuscular impairment, adopting mainly a bilateral matching task between the reference (unexercised) arm and the indicator (exercised) arm. However, little attention has been given to the muscle proprioceptive function when the exercised arm acts as its own reference. This study investigated muscle proprioception and motor control, with the arm acting both as reference and indicator, following eccentric exercise and compared them with those observed after isometric exercise. Fourteen young male volunteers were equally divided into two groups and performed an eccentric or isometric exercise protocol with the elbow flexors of the non-dominant arm on an isokinetic dynamometer. Both exercise protocols induced significant changes in indicators of muscle damage, that is, muscle soreness, range of motion and maximal isometric force post-exercise (p < 0.050.001), and neuromuscular function was similarly affected following both protocols. Perception of force was impaired over the 4-day post-exercise period (p < 0.001), with the applied force being systematically overestimated. Perception of joint position was significantly disturbed (i.e., target angle was underestimated) only at one elbow angle on day 4 post-exercise (p < 0.05). The misjudgements and disturbed motor output observed when the exercised arm acted as its own reference concur with the view that they could be a result of a mismatch between the central motor command and an impaired motor control after muscle damage. © 2010 Informa Healthcare Ltd.

The aim of this study is to develop milk-based formulations for ionized and unionized lipophilic drugs. Solubility studies of the following non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): mefenamic acid, tolfenamic acid, ketoprofen, meloxicam, tenoxicam and nimesulide in phosphate- and glycine-NaOH buffers at nominal pH 8-12. were performed. The solubilities of cyclosporine and danazol in water-ethanol solutions were studied. NSAIDs-, cyclosporine-, danazol-, aspirin-milk oral liquid formulations were prepared by adding the appropriate volume of (i) NSAIDs-alkaline buffer solutions, (ii) water-ethanol solutions of cyclosporine and danazol and (iii) aspirin aqueous solution to 150-200 ml of milk. All the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs exhibited increased solubility in the alkaline buffers. The actual pH values (range 6.7-7.7) of the final NSAIDs-milk formulations were very close to milk pH. The higher ethanol content in ethanol-water mixtures increased the solubility of danazol and cyclosporine. A 15 mg meloxicam-, a 100 mg cyclosporine- and a 500 mg aspirin-milk formulation was administered orally to healthy volunteers. All these formulations showed a satisfactory in vivo performance. The strong buffering capacity of milk that was observed and the high solubility of unionized drugs in ethanol allow the preparation of drug-milk formulations with enhanced pharmacokinetic properties. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Background: Particulate matter with diameter less than 10 micrometers (PM10) that originates from anthropogenic activities and natural sources may settle in the bronchi and cause adverse effects possibly via oxidative stress in susceptible individuals, such as asthmatic children. This study aimed to investigate the effect of outdoor PM10concentrations on childhood asthma admissions (CAA) in Athens, Greece. Methods: Daily counts of CAA from the three Children's Hospitals within the greater Athens' area were obtained from the hospital records during a four-year period (2001-2004, n = 3602 children). Mean daily PM10concentrations recorded by the air pollution-monitoring network of the greater Athens area were also collected. The relationship between CAA and PM10concentrations was investigated using the Generalized Linear Models with Poisson distribution and logistic analysis. Results: There was a statistically significant (95% CL) relationship between CAA and mean daily PM10concentrations on the day of exposure (+3.8% for 10 μg/m3 increase in PM10concentrations), while a 1-day lag (+3.4% for 10 μg/m3 increase in PM 10concentrations) and a 4-day lag (+4.3% for 10 g/m3 increase in PM10concentrations) were observed for older asthmatic children (5-14 year-old). High mean daily PM10concentration (the highest 10%; >65.69 μg/m3) doubled the risk of asthma exacerbations even in younger asthmatic children (0-4 year-old). Conclusions: Our results provide evidence of the adverse effect of PM10on the rates of paediatric asthma exacerbations and hospital admissions. A four-day lag effect between PM10peak exposure and asthma admissions was also observed in the older age group. © 2010 Nastos et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Outflows emanating from the environment of stellar or galactic objects are a widespread phenomenon in astrophysics. Their morphology ranges from nearly spherically symmetric winds to highly collimated jets. In some cases, e.g., in jets associated with young stellar objects, the bulk outflow speeds are nonrelativistic, while in others, e.g., in jets associated with active galactic nuclei or gamma-ray bursts, it can even be highly relativistic. The main driving mechanism of collimated outflows is likely related to magnetic fields. These fields are able to tap the rotational energy of the compact object or disk, accelerate, and collimate matter ejecta. To zeroth order these outflows can be described by the highly intractable theory of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). Even in systems where the assumptions of zero resistivity (ideal MHD), steady state, axisymmetry, one fluid description, and polytropic equation of state are applicable, the problem remains difficult. In this case the problem reduces to only two equations, corresponding to the two components of the momentum equation along the flow and in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field (transfield direction). The latter equation is the most difficult to solve, but also the most important. It answers the question on the degree of the collimation, but also crucially affects the solution of the first, the acceleration efficiency and the bulk velocity of the flow. The first and second parts of this chapter refer to nonrelativistic and relativistic flows, respectively. These Parts can be read independently. In each one, the governing equations are presented and discussed, focusing on the case of flows that are magnetically dominated near the central source. The general characteristics of the solutions in relation to the acceleration and collimation mechanisms are analyzed. As specific examples of exact solutions of the full system of the MHD equations that satisfy all the analyzed general characteristics, self-similar models are presented.

On the basis of a full-vectorial three-dimensional Maxwell-Bloch approach we investigate the possibility of using gain to overcome losses in a negative refractive index fishnet metamaterial. We show that appropriate placing of optically pumped laser dyes (gain) into the metamaterial structure results in a frequency band where the nonbianisotropic metamaterial becomes amplifying. In that region both the real and the imaginary part of the effective refractive index become simultaneously negative and the figure of merit diverges at two distinct frequency points. © 2010 The American Physical Society.

Ἡ ἑλληνικὴ πατερικὴ σκέψη καὶ ἡ τέχνη τῆς αὐτοαξιολογήσεως κατὰ τὴν παιδικὴ ἡλικία», στὸ Η χάρη θέλει αντίχαρη, αφιέρωμα στον Καθηγητή Αντώνιο Κ. Δανασσή-Αφεντάκη, ἐκδ. Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών, Αθήνα 2011, σ. 195-218.

Background: Antitumor activity of paclitaxel is based on promotion of abnormal microtubule (MT) assembly but it is also considered to have significant pro-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic effects in vivo and thus may cause vascular dysfunction. Methods: We studied 27 women treated with paclitaxel-containing combinations for breast or ovarian cancer. The control group was represented by 10 women with carcinoma of the uterine cervix who received low doses of weekly cisplatin as radiation sensitizer. We measured endothelial-dependent flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and nitrate-mediated dilatation (NMD) of the right brachial artery by ultrasonography, as well as levels of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 before and after chemotherapy. Results: Patients who received paclitaxel and an anthracycline had the most marked reduction in both FMD (p=0.005) and NMD (p=0.027). A significant reduction in FMD was also observed in patients treated with weekly paclitaxel (p=0.045), whereas NMD was not affected (p=0.421). Although TNF-α and IL-6 levels were different among chemotherapy groups after treatment, no significant differences were observed between levels of both markers before and after chemotherapy. Conclusion: Treatment with paclitaxel-containing combinations impairs endothelial function in vivo but endothelial function deterioration is not related to the serum levels of inflammation markers. © 2010 Elsevier Inc.

The study area of Vigla coastal zone is located at the W coast of Naxos, the largest island of Cycladic plateau. The study of sea-land interactions during Holocene in relation to the eustatic sea level oscillations as well as the geomorphologic observations and analyses on deposited sediments, aims to reveal the paleogeographic evolution of the landscape and its impact to the overall cultural development of the area. A geomorphological mapping of the coastal area along with the drilling of three boreholes has been accomplished. Moreover, a micro faunal analysis has been performed. Five samples of plant material, chart coal and shells were dated using AMS and Conventional radiocarbon techniques providing temporal control of the sediments. Sea level rise along with sea-land interactions to the landscape evolution and the transgression of sea in 5000 BP have been verified.

The coastal area of the Vravron Bay, in the vicinity of the homonym archaeological site, is a marshy plain located on the eastern part of the Attica Peninsula (eastern Greece). In order to provide evidence for palaeoenvironmental changes and landscape evolution of the area, detailed micropaleontological, palynological and sedimentological analyses have been conducted at the underlying Late Holocene coastal deposits. The recovered sediments (lithostratigraphic Units A–D) represent a continuous record of the environmental history of the area since the Early Bronze Age, covering all subsequent historical periods. The base of the recovered deposits is older than the 3rd millennium BC. Until late medieval times, the studied sequence contains plenty evidence for the existence of the natural port reported from the Mycenaean (lithostratigraphic Unit A), that infilled after repeated flooding events during the Classic period (lithostratigraphic Unit B) and gradually developed into a shallower marine environment (lithostratigraphic Unit C). In the uppermost part of the sequence (lithostratigraphic unit D), a transition towards brackish environment with intense fresh water input is featured around 1540 AD. Signs of human agricultural activities in Vravron appear since 3000 BC (Early Bronze Age) and are linked to the history of inhabitation in the area.

Palamari Bay is located on the northeastern coast of Skyros Island (Sporades Islands, Aegean Sea). At the northern edge of the bay a fortified prehistoric settlement is found, dated between 2800 and 1700 BC (Early Bronze Age II–Middle Bronze Age I). Detailed geomorphological mapping of the coastal alluvial plain and paleontological, micropaleontological, palynological, sedimentological and micromorphological studies of the Holocene coastal deposits have been conducted in order to reconstruct the palaeoenvironment and the landscape evolution of the broader area of Palamari Bay. Three main sedimentary units were recognized (A, B and C, from oldest to youngest). The lowermost sedimentary unit A, deposited between before 7500 and 3500 cal BP, consists of sediment deposited from high to moderate energy fresh water flows with some suspended load fallout in established water bodies. The microfauna indicates a shallow fresh water environment. However, a tendency to oligohaline conditions was established gradually. During the same period, the Palamari area was characterized by open mixed deciduous forests that gradually retreated as a possible consequence of the intensification of anthropic activity, associated with the settlement of Palamari. Indications of cultivating and grazing activities in the vicinity of the lagoon were identified, pointing to a strong human presence since the Neolithic. Between about 6000 and 3500 cal BP, the embayment was a lagoon southeasterly connected to the sea, therefore sheltered and protected from northeastern winds. The overlying unit B (ca. 3500–800 cal BP) is characterized by the dominance of brackish water microfauna, indicating a brackish stagnant shallow water depositional environment, which was periodically supplied with fresh water from the surrounding springs. As the result of the continuous sea-level rise during the Late Holocene, part of the northern headland was submerged. The decline of the Palamari settlement at the time of the establishment of Unit B might be related to the observed changes that rendered the embayment a restricted body of water. The uppermost sedimentary unit C corresponds to a backshore environment dominated by aeolian activity modified by fluvial processes.

The paramagnetic Meissner effect (PME) is related to the appearance of a positive magnetization when a superconducting specimen is field cooled through its critical temperature. In this work we report on the PME and ac magnetization in roll-bonded Cu-Nb (RB/Cu-Nb) layered composites. We present typical DC magnetization loops obtained in the normal magnetic field configuration that show the PME. In addition, we present ac magnetization measurements that reveal a crossover behavior at a characteristic field value. We show evidence that such a crossover behavior, attributed to activation processes of vortices, is probably related to the disappearance of the PME in the RB/Cu-Nb layered composites.

Using the numerical code Fishbone, developed to study the parasitic oscillations in gyrotron beam tunnels, a parametric study is performed on the effect of the dielectric material as well as of the slot geometry on the growth rate of the excited parasitic modes.

It is known that the frequency of men and women suffering from stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders is all but proportionally distributed. Notably, women are far more susceptible than men to the precipitation of depressive symptomatology. Some studies attribute this sex-specific vulnerability to the pronounced genetic predisposition that women may present towards the development of depressive disorders. Furthermore, clinical evidence support the notion that antidepressant response is also characterized by sex-specific manifestations; women may have a better outcome when treated with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, in comparison to tricyclic antidepressants. Despite the fact that the contribution of the "genome" remains elusive when it comes to major depression, intriguing evidence has recently emerged pointing to sexually dimorphic influences of certain polymorphisms in genes related to the pathophysiology of major depression and antidepressant response, such as the serotonin transporter (5-HTT), serotonin 1A (5HT1A) receptor, monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) and others. Given that the ultimate goal of pharmacogenetics is to provide "tailor-made" pharmacotherapies based on the genetic makeup of an individual, the factor of "sex" needs to be carefully addressed in disorders that are characterized by sex specific manifestations. The aim of the present article is to highlight the impact of sex in depression and in antidepressant pharmacoresponse by providing intriguing insights from the field of pharmacogenetics.

Heart disease represents the primary cause of death worldwide, with mortality rates being predicted to remain constant within the next couple of decades. Cardiac disease treatment currently includes the administration of drugs, predominantly aiming at improving heart performance, through controlling heart rhythm, blood pressure, as well as reducing cholesterol and blood clotting. Despite, however, the medical advances that have lead towards a better understanding of heart disease pathophysiology and the development of new therapeutic approaches, the degree of success of the available drug therapies varies among patients. The existence of polymorphisms in a number of genes has been shown to result in differences in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and drug metabolism and have therefore been associated with response to drug treatment. The occurrence of adverse drug reactions that may lead to drug-induced toxicity represents another factor influencing outcome of therapeutic treatment. While the influence of genetic polymorphisms in patient's response to heart disease drugs is being unveiled, the rapidly evolving field of pharmacogenetics is promising to aid clinicians in choosing the best suited drug/dose for each patient and the pharmaceutical companies in the design of better targeted, more effective new chemical compounds. In the near future individualized, targeted therapy will become part of clinical care routine maximizing patient therapeutic benefits and minimizing risks of adverse effects.

Importance of the field: The various phospholipase A2 (PLA2) types have been implicated in diverse kinds of lipid signaling and inflammatory diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis, lung inflammation, neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, and cancer are included among the diseases where PLA2 enzymes are involved. Thus, there is a great interest in developing potent and selective PLA2 inhibitors and some of them have entered clinical trials. Areas covered in this review: This review article discusses the role of each PLA2 class in inflammatory diseases and the advances in the development of inhibitors presented in patent literature from January 2004 to May 2009. What the reader will gain: PLA2s cluster in four main types: secreted sPLA2, cytosolic cPLA2, Ca2+-independent iPLA2 and lipoprotein-associated LpPLA2. Each of those types has been implicated in diverse kinds of inflammatory diseases. Readers will rapidly gain an overview of the various PLA2 inhibitors reported in the patent literature in the past 5 years. Furthermore, the readers will learn the difficulties related to the development of PLA2 inhibitors as new drugs and also the different companies and research groups that are the main players in the field. Take home message: Although the role of each PLA2 is not yet distinct in different diseases, the development and future use of different PLA2 inhibitors to treat human disease seems very promising.

Self-assembled titanium oxide nanotubular (NTs) arrays with vertical arrangement, tailored morphological properties and variable thickness were prepared by electrochemical anodization in ethylene glycol containing electrolytes. The NTs present significant UV photocatalysis against toluene and benzene at ppb concentrations, under normal conditions of temperature and pressure. The photocatalytic activity depends on the length of the NT arrays, showing a tendency of saturation for thickness above 2.5 μm and maximum efficiency for samples with thickness of 12 μm. The optimum NT structures outperform over standard Degussa P25 films rendering them very promising for outdoor photocatalytic applications. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In this work, titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been used as an additive in lime binder (Ca(OH)2), in order to benefit from its photocatalytic properties and study both the photocatalytic properties of the produced mixtures and the effect of photocatalytically produced carbon dioxide on the carbonation process of lime. TiO2 was added in three different portions (3, 6 and 10% w/w) in lime mixtures and their physicochemical and photocatalytic properties were studied and compared to those of a reference, made exclusively of lime. The photocatalytic properties of the mixtures were studied through the photo-oxidation of an organic model pollutant solution (methyl orange) to a colorless form, as well as by studying the microstructure and carbonation depth in different groups of mixtures subjected to photocatalysis cycles in the laboratory and exposed for a 2 month period in the open air (urban environment). Laboratory results confirmed that lime-TiO2 composite mixtures exhibit photocatalytic properties in both UV radiation conditions and direct exposure to sunlight. Moreover, analytical results indicated an enhanced carbonation of lime-TiO2 composites. TiO2 can be added to lime successfully and can have applications in lime-based mortars used in the conservation of architectural heritage, enhancing their performance against soiling and amenity loss. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

We report that porous anodic alumina (aluminum oxide: Al2O 3) (PAA) thin films directly grown on Si show clear oscillations in their photoluminescence (PL) spectra which are ascribed to PL-induced interferences within the Fabry-Ṕrot optical cavity formed by the PAA film on Si, that involve the air/oxide and oxide/Si interfaces. The existence of the PL-induced oscillations is indicative of the high quality of the interface of the PAA film with Si, which is both planar and smooth. We show that by using these oscillations we can develop a sensitive optical method of measuring the porosity of PAA thin films on Si if we know the film thickness. The method is based on the calculation of the effective refractive index of the PAA film derived from the PL-induced oscillations, which is then introduced into the Bruggeman equation in order to derive the porosity of the film. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.

Three short period (P ∼ 1 day) variable stars from the Hipparcos catalogue targets were observed after suspected misclassification as Beta Lyr eclipsing systems (Perryman et al. 1997), as no secondary component had been noticed in the inspection of their Broadening Functions (BFs) (Rucinski 2002). FH Cam is found to be a multiple star system with a member exhibiting Delta Scuti behaviour. The dominant pulsation frequency is found to be 7.3411 ± 0.0002 c/d, which corresponds to a pulsation mode of l ≤ 1. We confirmed the pulsations of CU CVn using photometric observations and found a pulsation frequency of 14.7626 ± 0.0250 c/d, which is in agreement with the period given in literature. CC Lyn is a non-eclipsing visual binary (CCDM J07359+4302AB), the brighter component (A) is found to be a multi-mode Delta Scuti pulsator, with pulsation frequencies of 5.6402 ± 0.0004 c/d and 7.3368 ± 0.0005 c/d.

BACKGROUND: The entomopathogenic fungi of the genus Beauveria are cosmopolitan with a variety of different insect hosts. The two most important species, B. bassiana and B. brongniartii, have already been used as biological control agents of pests in agriculture and as models for the study of insect host - pathogen interactions. Mitochondrial (mt) genomes, due to their properties to evolve faster than the nuclear DNA, to contain introns and mobile elements and to exhibit extended polymorphisms, are ideal tools to examine genetic diversity within fungal populations and genetically identify a species or a particular isolate. Moreover, mt intergenic region can provide valuable phylogenetic information to study the biogeography of the fungus. RESULTS: The complete mt genomes of B. bassiana (32,263 bp) and B. brongniartii (33,920 bp) were fully analysed. Apart from a typical gene content and organization, the Beauveria mt genomes contained several introns and had longer intergenic regions when compared with their close relatives. The phylogenetic diversity of a population of 84 Beauveria strains -mainly B. bassiana (n = 76) - isolated from temperate, sub-tropical and tropical habitats was examined by analyzing the nucleotide sequences of two mt intergenic regions (atp6-rns and nad3-atp9) and the nuclear ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 domain. Mt sequences allowed better differentiation of strains than the ITS region. Based on mt and the concatenated dataset of all genes, the B. bassiana strains were placed into two main clades: (a) the B. bassiana s. l. and (b) the "pseudobassiana". The combination of molecular phylogeny with criteria of geographic and climatic origin showed for the first time in entomopathogenic fungi, that the B. bassiana s. l. can be subdivided into seven clusters with common climate characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that mt genomes and in particular intergenic regions provide molecular phylogeny tools that combined with criteria of geographic and climatic origin can subdivide the B. bassiana s.l. entomopathogenic fungi into seven clusters with common climate characteristics.

We present results of the modelling of multicolour light curves of 10 contact binary systems: V376And, V523Cas, CCCom, BXDra, FGHya, UZLeo, XYLeo, AMLeo, EXLeo and RTLMi. The solutions resulted in a contact configuration for all systems. We found only FGHya and UZLeo to be in deep contact, the latter almost filling the outer critical lobe. The absolute parameters of the components have been determined with an accuracy of about a few per cent based on combined photometric and radial velocity curves, enlarging the sample of systems to 58 for which the physical parameters have been obtained in a uniform way. All but three systems (BXDra, AMLeo and RTLMi) show asymmetries and peculiarities in the observed light curves, interpreted as resulting from their magnetic activity.

Somatic mutations in the PIK3CA gene have been discovered in many human cancers, and their presence correlates to therapy response. Three "hotspot" mutations within the PIK3CA gene are localized in exons 9 and 20. High-resolution melting analysis (HRMA) is a highly sensitive, robust, rapid, and cost-effective mutation analysis technique. We developed a novel methodology for the detection of hotspot mutations in exons 9 and 20 of the PIK3CA gene that is based on a combination of PCR and HRMA. The PIK3CA HRMA assay was evaluated by performing repeatability, sensitivity, and comparison with DNA sequencing studies and was further validated in 129 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded breast tissue samples: 99 tumors, 20 noncancerous, and 10 fibroadenomas. The developed methodology was further applied in a selected group of 75 breast cancer patients who underwent Trastuzumab treatment. In sensitivity studies, the assay presented a capability to detect as low as 1% of mutated dsDNA in the presence of wtDNA for both exons. In the 99 tumor samples (validation group), 12/99 (12.1%) exon 9 mutations and 20/99 (20.2%) exon 20 mutations were found. No mutations were found in noncancerous tissues. In fibroadenomas, we report one PIK3CA mutation for the first time. In the selected group, 30/75 (40%) samples were detected as mutants. The PIK3CA HRMA assay is highly sensitive, reliable, cost-effective, and easy-to-perform, and therefore can be used as a screening test in a high-throughput pharmacodiagnostic setting

OBJECTIVES: To determine if plasma β-amyloid (Aβ) levels (1) can be linked to specific cognitive changes that constitute conversion to Alzheimer disease (AD) and (2) correspond to cognitive change independent of dementia. DESIGN: Longitudinal study including 3 visits during approximately 4¹/₂ years (2000-2006). SETTING: Northern Manhattan community. PARTICIPANTS: Eight hundred eighty individuals from a population-based and ethnically diverse sample who had 2 plasma Aβ measurements and were dementia free at the time of the first Aβ sample; 481 remained cognitively healthy, 329 were cognitively or functionally impaired but not demented at any point, and 70 developed AD. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: General estimating equations tested the association between plasma Aβ (baseline and change in values) and cognitive change (composite score and memory, language, and visuospatial indices). RESULTS: High baseline plasma Aβ42 (P = .01) and Aβ40 (P = .01) and decreasing/relatively stable Aβ42 (P = .01) values were associated with faster decline in multiple cognitive domains. In those who remained cognitively healthy, high baseline plasma Aβ42 (P = .01) and decreasing/relatively stable plasma Aβ42 (P = .01) was associated with faster cognitive decline, primarily in memory. CONCLUSIONS: The association between plasma Aβ and multiple aspects of cognition more clearly specifies the previously documented downward trajectory of plasma Aβ with AD onset. The predominant association with memory seen only in healthy elderly individuals also suggests that plasma Aβ is linked with even earlier neurologic changes that may or may not culminate in dementia.

We apply the layer-multiple-scattering method to study the optical properties of different plasmonic architectures; namely two- and three-dimensional periodic arrays of metallic nanocylinders and of metallodielectric nanosandwiches. These structures exhibit various types of collective plasmonic resonances, tunable over a broad spectral range from infrared to visible frequencies, which cause large enhancement of the local field and give rise to interesting phenomena that we discuss and provide a consistent interpretation of the underlying physics. We analyze extinction spectra of finite slabs of the structures under consideration and explain the different spectral features. In relation to optical metamaterials, we deduce effective electromagnetic parameters by the S-matrix retrieval procedure for single- and multi-layer slabs of periodic arrays of metallodielectric nanosandwiches and propose a method to resolve ambiguities in the determination of the effective refractive index, which become prominent for thick slabs, based on the complex band structure of the corresponding infinite crystal.

BACKGROUND: Altered thrombocyte morphology and function have been reported in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2. The aim of the present study was to determine the associations between platelet morphology markers and hemoglobin A1C (HbA(1c)), fasting glucose (FG), hypertension and coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and DM, in patients with DM and in controls. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 30 cases with primary MDS with normal platelet count and non-insulin dependent diabetes, 30 non-insulin dependent diabetic patients and 30 non-diabetic, non-MDS controls matched on age and gender. RESULTS: After adjusting for body mass index, platelet number, CHD and hypertension, HbA(1c) and FG were significant predictors of mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) in diabetic patients. There was no correlation between platelet parameters and HbA(1c) or FG in diabetic MDS patients. In controls, FG and hypertension predicted significant differences in platelet morphology. Platelet count correlated with platelet morphology in diabetic MDS and control groups, but not in diabetics. CONCLUSIONS: MPV and PDW are associated with glycemic indices in diabetic patients but not in diabetic MDS patients with normal platelet counts. Non-diabetic controls also exhibit FG related changes in platelet morphology. This suggests other factors inherent to bone marrow dysplasia, platelet turnover and biochemistry, or vascular environment affect platelet morphology in diabetic MDS patients even with normal platelet count. Platelet morphology in this population may be an early marker for myelodysplasia. These findings also support platelet morphology change as a marker for elevated macrovascular disease risk.

Group VIA calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (GVIA iPLA2) has recently emerged as a novel pharmaceutical target. We have now explored the structure−activity relationship between fluoroketones and GVIA iPLA2 inhibition. The presence of a naphthyl group proved to be of paramount importance. 1,1,1-Trifluoro-6-(naphthalen-2-yl)hexan-2-one (FKGK18) is the most potent inhibitor of GVIA iPLA2 (XI(50) = 0.0002) ever reported. Being 195 and >455 times more potent for GVIA iPLA2 than for GIVA cPLA2 and GV sPLA2, respectively, makes it a valuable tool to explore the role of GVIA iPLA2 in cells and in vivo models. 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-Heptafluoro-8-(naphthalene-2-yl)octan-4-one inhibited GVIA iPLA2 with a XI(50) value of 0.001 while inhibiting the other intracellular GIVA cPLA2 and GV sPLA2 at least 90 times less potently. Hexa- and octafluoro ketones were also found to be potent inhibitors of GVIA iPLA2; however, they are not selective.

Most correlations between in vitro and in vivo data (IVIVC) rely on linear relationships. However, non-linear IVIVC can be also observed, justified and validated. The purpose of the present work was the development of a methodology for power law IVIVC, which mirror power law kinetics under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Fractional calculus was used to justify power law kinetics for zero-order processes in disordered media. Power law kinetics was observed in a large number of in vitro data sets. When ``zero-order{''} release and absorption is considered in terms of fractional calculus the following power law IVIVC between the fraction released F-r and the fraction absorbed F-alpha, is obtained: F-alpha = mu F-r(lambda) - beta, where mu is a constant related to the rate constants and the orders of the release/absorption kinetics, lambda is the ratio of the orders of the kinetics under in vitro and in vivo conditions and 13 accounts for a time shift between the in vitro and in vivo processes; We used literature data to develop power law IVIVC and derive estimates for mu, lambda and beta; the simulated pharmacokinetic profiles using the in vitro release data and the IVIVC developed compared well with the actual in vivo data. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Background: Serum CD105 has been associated with angiogenic activity in cancer, and low CD105 expression has been associated with improved prognosis. The present study evaluated the prognostic significance of serum levels of CD105 and related factors in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) after cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy. Patients and Methods: Eighty-six patients with stages IIC to IV EOC treated postoperatively with platinum-based chemotherapy were included. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure prechemotherapy serum levels of CD105, transforming growth factor β1/2 (TGF-β1/2), angiopoietin 2, vascular endothelial growth factor, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Results: High levels of TGF-β2 (≥8908.86 pg/mL) and CD105 (≥4.25 ng/mL) were independently associated with improved overall survival (not reached vs 39 months, P = 0.009 and 75 vs 39 months, P = 0.029, respectively), whereas a high level of TGF-β2 and a low level of vascular endothelial growth factor (<219.04 pg/mL) were independently associated with improved progression-free survival (49 vs 17 months, P = 0.022 and 57 vs 16 months, P = 0.023, respectively). Among patients with favorable (≥4.25 ng/mL) CD105 levels, only patients with low TGF-β1 levels (<177.1 ng/mL) had superior survival than patients with low CD105 levels. Conclusions: Our study confirms the prognostic significance of angiogenesis in EOC and supports a biological interaction between CD105 and TGF-β1. High angiogenic activity may be associated by increased efficacy of postoperative chemotherapy. Copyright© 2010 by IGCS and ESGO.

The currently available genetic tests for identification of the RET proto-oncogene mutation offer the possibility of prospective successful therapy before the hyperplasia of C-cells evolve to Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. We present our experience regarding the preventive thyroidectomy of family members with history of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma, who were found to be heterozygote for mutant RET proto-oncogene. We have retrospectively reviewed 19 members of 6 families with history of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma, who were heterozygote for mutant RET protooncogene and underwent prophylactic thyroidectomy. All patients included in this series were below twenty years of age. The Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma was asymptomatic and the mutation of RET protooncogene has been also documented pre-operatively in all of them. All patients had undergone total thyroidectomy, while 1 with pheochromocytoma had undergone also left epinephridectomy. Fourteen patients (73.68%) had undergone lymph-nodes resection (in 10 of them the resection was central, in 3 unilateral and in 1 bilateral). Although none of our patients suffered from hyperparathyroidism, 7 parathyroid glands have been also resected from 3 patients, while auto-transfusion has been performed in one. In all patients, preoperative measurement of the calcitonin blood levels before and after stimulation with pentagastrin has been performed.

This chapter investigates the profitability of technical trading rules in the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE), utilizing the FTSE/ASE 20 index during the period 1995 to 2008. We focus on a less developed and efficient stock market, given the existing scarcity of research in such markets. The technical rules that will be explored are simple moving averages. We compare technical trading strategies in the spirit of Brock, Lakonishok, and LeBaron (1992), employing traditional t test and bootstrap methodology under the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity model. The results provide strong evidence on the profitability of the technical trading rules against the “buy and hold” strategy and contradict the efficient market hypothesis.

Background: The treatment paradigm in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has changed in the recent years. Sunitinib has been established as a new standard for first-line therapy. We studied the prognostic significance of baseline characteristics and we compared the risk stratification with the established Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) model.Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of patients treated in six Greek Oncology Units of HECOG. Inclusion criteria were: advanced renal cell carcinoma not amenable to surgery and treatment with Sunitinib. Previous cytokine therapy but no targeted agents were allowed. Overall survival (OS) was the major end point. Significance of prognostic factors was evaluated with multivariate cox regression analysis. A model was developed to stratify patients according to risk.Results: One hundred and nine patients were included. Median follow up has been 15.8 months and median OS 17.1 months (95% CI: 13.7-20.6). Time from diagnosis to the start of Sunitinib (<= 12 months vs. >12 months, p = 0.001), number of metastatic sites (1 vs. >1, p = 0.003) and performance status (PS) (<= 1 vs >1, p = 0.001) were independently associated with OS. Stratification in two risk groups ("low" risk: 0 or 1 risk factors; "high" risk: 2 or 3 risk factors) resulted in distinctly different OS (median not reached [NR] vs. 10.8 [95% confidence interval (CI): 8.3-13.3], p < 0.001). The application of the MSKCC risk criteria resulted in stratification into 3 groups (low and intermediate and poor risk) with distinctly different prognosis underlying its validity. Nevertheless, MSKCC model did not show an improved prognostic performance over the model developed by this analysis.Conclusions: Studies on risk stratification of patients with advanced RCC treated with targeted therapies are warranted. Our results suggest that a simpler than the MSKCC model can be developed. Such models should be further validated. © 2010 Bamias et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

One hundred and fifty-seven patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy (HDT) and autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) for hematopoietic malignancies and solid tumors were randomly assigned to receive (Group A) or not (Group B) prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin, orally, and vancomycin, intravenously. Prophylactic antibiotics were given from day 0 until resolution of neutropenia or the appearance of a febrile event. Furthermore, patients in both groups received once a day fluconazole, orally. The primary end-point of our study was the incidence of neutropenic febrile episodes attributed to infection. One hundred and twelve (71.3%) patients developed neutropenic fever, 50 (56.2%) in Group A and 62 (91.2%) in Group B (P < 0.001) with the majority (82%) of patients developing fever of unknown origin. Patients on prophylactic antibiotics had a significantly lower rate of bacteremias (5.6%) than did those randomized to no prophylaxis (29.4%) (P = 0.005) and, when developing neutropenic fever, they had a lower probability of response to first-line empirical antibiotics (P = 0.025). Prophylactic administration of ciprofloxacin and vancomycin reduced the incidence of neutropenic fever in patients receiving HDT with ASCT, however, without affecting the total interval of hospitalization, time to engraftment, or all-cause mortality. Therefore, our results do not support the use of antibiotic prophylaxis for patients undergoing HDT and ASCT. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Background: Platinum-based combinations are the standard second-line treatment for platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer (OC). This randomized phase II study was undertaken in order to compare the combination of carboplatin and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (LD) with carboplatin and paclitaxel (CP) in this setting.Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed recurrent OC, at the time of or more than 6 months after platinum-based chemotherapy, were randomized to six cycles of CP (carboplatin AUC5 + paclitaxel 175 mg/m2, d1q21) or CLD (carboplatin AUC5 + pegylated LD 45 mg/m2, d1q28).Results: A total of 189 eligible patients (CP 96, CLD 93), with a median age of 63 years, median Performance Status (PS) 0 and a median platinum free interval (PFI) of 16.5 months, entered the study. Discontinuation due to toxicity was higher in the CP patients (13.5% versus 3%, P = 0.016). The overall response rate was similar: CP 58% versus CLD 51%, P = 0.309 (Complete Response; CR 34% versus 23%) and there was no statistical difference in time-to-progression (TTP) or overall survival (OS; TTP 10.8 months CP versus 11.8 CLD, P = 0.904; OS 29.4 months CP versus 24.7 CLD, P = 0.454). No toxic deaths were recorded. Neutropenia was the most commonly seen severe toxicity (CP 30% versus CLD 35%). More frequent in CLD were severe thrombocytopenia (11% versus 2%, P = 0.016), skin toxicity and Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) grade 1-2 (38% versus 9%, P< 0.001), while grade 3 neurotoxicity and alopecia were higher in CP (7% versus 0%, P = 0.029, 20% versus 5%, P = 0.003). PS and PFI were independent prognostic factors for TTP and OS.Conclusions: The combination of pegylated LD with carboplatin is effective, showing less neurotoxicity and alopecia than paclitaxel-carboplatin. It thus warrants a further phase III evaluation as an alternative treatment option for platinum-sensitive OC patients. © 2010 Bafaloukos et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

The optimal adjuvant treatment for gastric cancer remains controversial. We compared the efficacy of a docetaxel and platinum adjuvant chemotherapy regimen, in patients with high-risk gastric cancer, with that of the same chemotherapy plus radiation therapy (RT). In addition, we evaluated the prognostic and/or predictive value of a panel of molecular markers. Patients with histologically proven, radically resected gastric cancer, stage >T3 and/or N+ were randomized to 6 cycles of docetaxel with cisplatin, both at 75 mg/m 2 every 3 weeks (arm A) or the same treatment with RT (arm B; 45 Gy). Due to excessive nausea and vomiting, cisplatin was substituted by carboplatin at AUC (area under the curve) of 5 after the first 45 patients (22 group A, 23 group B). The prognostic value of EGFR, ERCC1, HER2, MET/HGFR, MAP-Tau, and PTEN expression was also studied in a subset of 67 patients using immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays (TMAs). A total of 147 patients were randomized. After a median follow-up of 53.7 months, no differences in overall (OS) and diseasefree survival (DFS) were found between the two arms. The most common grade 3/4 toxicities for arms A and B (excluding alopecia) were non-febrile neutropenia (11 and 17%, respectively), febrile neutropenia (9 and 7%) and diarrhea (7 and 4%, respectively). Patients with ERCC1 positive tumors had significantly longer median DFS (33.1 vs. 11.8 months, Wald P = 0.016) and OS (63.2 vs. 18.8 months, Wald P = 0.046). Our results indicate that the addition of RT to platinum/docetaxel adjuvant chemotherapy does not appear to improve survival in high-risk, radically resected gastric cancer. However, the possibility that a benefit by the addition of RT was not detected due to decreased power of the study should not be excluded. © Springer-Verlag 2010.

One of the most significant challenges implementing colloidal magnetic nanoparticles in medicine is the efficient heating of microliter quantities by applying a low frequency alternating magnetic field. The ultimate goal is to accomplish nonsurgically the treatment of millimeter size tumors. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis, characterization, and the in vitro as well as in vivo efficiency of a dextran coated maghemite (gamma-Fe(2)O(3)) ferrofluid with an exceptional response to magnetic heating. The difference to previous synthetic attempts is the high charge of the dextran coating, which according to our study maintains the colloidal stability and good dispersion of the ferrofluid during the magnetic heating stage. Specifically, in vitro 2 mu l of the ferrofluid gives an outstanding temperature rise of 33 degrees C within 10 min, while in vivo treatment, by infusing 150 mu l of the ferrofluid in animal model (rat) glioma tumors, causes an impressive cancer tissue dissolution. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3449089]

When a magnetically dominated superfast-magnetosonic long/soft gamma-ray burst (GRB) jet leaves the progenitor star, the external pressure support will drop and the jet may enter the regime of ballistic expansion, during which additional magnetic acceleration becomes ineffective. However, recent numerical simulations by Tchekhovskoy et al. have suggested that the transition to this regime is accompanied by a spurt of acceleration. We confirm this finding numerically and attribute the acceleration to a sideways expansion of the jet, associated with a strong magnetosonic rarefaction wave that is driven into the jet when it loses pressure support, which induces a conversion of magnetic energy into kinetic energy of bulk motion. This mechanism, which we dub rarefaction acceleration, can only operate in a relativistic outflow because in this case the total energy can still be dominated by the magnetic component even in the superfast-magnetosonic regime. We analyse this process using the equations of relativistic magnetohydrodynamics and demonstrate that it is more efficient at converting internal energy into kinetic energy when the flow is magnetized than in a purely hydrodynamic outflow, as was found numerically by Mizuno et al. We show that, just as in the case of the magnetic acceleration of a collimating jet that is confined by an external pressure distribution - the collimation-acceleration mechanism - the rarefaction-acceleration process in a magnetized jet is a consequence of the fact that the separation between neighbouring magnetic flux surfaces increases faster than their cylindrical radius. However, whereas in the case of effective collimation-acceleration the product of the jet opening angle and its Lorentz factor does not exceed ~1, the addition of the rarefaction-acceleration mechanism makes it possible for this product to become >>1, in agreement with the inference from late-time panchromatic breaks in the afterglow light curves of long/soft GRBs.

When a magnetically dominated superfast-magnetosonic long/soft gamma-ray burst (GRB) jet leaves the progenitor star, the external pressure support will drop and the jet may enter the regime of ballistic expansion, during which additional magnetic acceleration becomes ineffective. However, recent numerical simulations by Tchekhovskoy et al. have suggested that the transition to this regime is accompanied by a spurt of acceleration. We confirm this finding numerically and attribute the acceleration to a sideways expansion of the jet, associated with a strong magnetosonic rarefaction wave that is driven into the jet when it loses pressure support, which induces a conversion of magnetic energy into kinetic energy of bulk motion. This mechanism, which we dub rarefaction acceleration, can only operate in a relativistic outflow because in this case the total energy can still be dominated by the magnetic component even in the superfast-magnetosonic regime. We analyse this process using the equations of relativistic magnetohydrodynamics and demonstrate that it is more efficient at converting internal energy into kinetic energy when the flow is magnetized than in a purely hydrodynamic outflow, as was found numerically by Mizuno et al. We show that, just as in the case of the magnetic acceleration of a collimating jet that is confined by an external pressure distribution - the collimation-acceleration mechanism - the rarefaction-acceleration process in a magnetized jet is a consequence of the fact that the separation between neighbouring magnetic flux surfaces increases faster than their cylindrical radius. However, whereas in the case of effective collimation-acceleration the product of the jet opening angle and its Lorentz factor does not exceed ~1, the addition of the rarefaction-acceleration mechanism makes it possible for this product to become >>1, in agreement with the inference from late-time panchromatic breaks in the afterglow light curves of long/soft GRBs.

We review recent theoretical and experimental breakthroughs in the realm of slow and stopped light in structured photonic media featuring negative electromagnetic parameters (permittivity/permeability and/or refractive index). We explain how and why these structures can enable complete stopping of light even in the presence of disorder and, simultaneously, dissipative losses. Using full-wave numerical simulations we show that the incorporation of thin layers made of an active medium adjacently to the core layer of a negative-refractive- index waveguide can completely remove dissipative losses - in a slow-light regime where the effective index of the guided wave is negative. We, also, review and compare several 'trapped rainbow' schemes that have recently been proposed for slowing and stopping light. © 2010 Copyright SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering.

Classical novae (CNe) have recently been reported to represent the major class of supersoft X-ray sources (SSSs) in the central area of our neighbouring galaxy M 31. This paper presents a review of results from recent X-ray observations of M 31 with XMM-Newton and Chandra. We carried out a dedicated optical and X-ray monitoring program of CNe and SSSs in the central area of M 31. We discovered the first SSSs in M 31 globular clusters (GCs) and their connection to the very first discovered CN in a M 31 GC. This result may have an impact on the CN rate in GCs. Furthermore, in our optical and X-ray monitoring data we discovered the CN M31N 2007-11a, which shows a very short SSS phase of 29-52 days. Short SSS states (durations ≤ 100 days) of CNe indicate massive white dwarfs (WDs) that are candidate progenitors of supernovae type Ia. In the case of M31N 2007-11a, the optical and X-ray light curves suggest a binary containing a WD with M_WD > 1.0 M\sun. Finally, we present the discovery of the SSS counterpart of the CN M31N 2006-04a k. The X-ray light curve of M31N 2006-04a shows short-time variability, which might indicate an orbital period of about 2 hours. Partly based on observations with \xmmk, an ESA Science Mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member States and NASA.

Objective: The International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) agreed on revising the existing international recommendations in health informatics/medical informatics education. These should help to establish courses, course tracks or even complete programs in this field, to further develop existing educational activities in the various nations and to support international initiatives concerning education in biomedical and health informatics (BMHI), particularly international activities in educating BMHI specialists and the sharing of courseware. Method: An IMIA task force, nominated in 2006, worked on updating the recommendations' first version. These updates have been broadly discussed and refined by members of IMIA's National Member Societies, IMIA's Academic Institutional Members and by members of IMIA's Working Group on Health and Medical Informatics Education. Results and Conclusions: The IMIA recommendations center on educational needs for health care professionals to acquire knowledge and skills in information processing and information and communication technology. The educational needs are described as a three-dimensional framework. The dimensions are: 1) professionals in health care (e.g. physicians, nurses, BMHI professionals), 2) type of specialization in BMHI (IT users, BMHI specialists), and 3) stage of career progression (bachelor, master, doctorate). Learning outcomes are defined in terms of knowledge and practical skills for health care professionals in their role a) as IT user and b) as BMHI specialist. Recommendations are given for courses/course tracks in BMHI as part of educational programs in medicine, nursing, health care management, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, health record administration, and informatics/computer science as well as for dedicated programs in BMHI (with bachelor, master or doctor degree). To support education in BMHI, IMIA offers to award a certificate for high-quality BMHI education. It supports information exchange on programs and courses in BMHI through its Working Group on Health and Medical Informatics Education.

This paper is an attempt to reconstruct the Holocene geomorphological evolution of the Kambos coastal - alluvial plain, situated in the southern part of the island of Samos between the ancient city of Samos (contemporary city of Pythagorio) and the temple of Hera (Heraion). The present morphology of the site area is shaped by the fluvial action of Mavratza Torrent forming an extensive alluvial fan in the northern part of the plain, while further southwards a drained freshwater marsh close to the sea exists. Heraion is located about 6km westwards of the ancient city. The habitation of the site area started approximately in the 11th century BC and has been constant to this day. Samos city enjoyed its greatest prosperity in the 6th century BC, under the leadership of the tyrant Polycrates. To reconstruct the geomorphological changes of the plain’s area, a detailed geomorphological survey in combination with stratigraphical and palaeontological techniques took place. In addition, a drilling project of two vibracores was carried out. The chronostratigraphy of the cores was determined by two C14-AMS radiocarbon datings undertaken on in situ bivalves. The evaluation of the data gives rise to the following time-scenario concerning the geomorphological evolution of the area. Long before 2700 BC, the area was covered by fluvial sediments originating from the nearby torrents to the north. Predominance of sandy fraction and a low percentage of silty-clayey material may indicate a process that removed the fine material. Absence also of coarse clastics (pebbles, cobbles) indicates restricted fluvial transportation and subsequently a low gradual relief. By ~2700 BC the area had already been flooded by sea-level rise and a shallow lagoon with a sandy bottom was formed. The lagoon continued to exist for a further ~2000 years, progressively becoming muddy; it was restricted and gradually transformed into a marsh. This marsh endured until the final decades of the previous century before it was drained. The aforementioned results strongly encourage the idea that the paved road connecting the ancient city to the temple in the 6th century BC must have been situated more inland, avoiding the coastal lagoon.

In order to explain the absence of hysteresis in ferromagnetic p-type (Cd,Mn)Te quantum wells (QWs), spin dynamics was previously investigated by Monte Carlo simulations combining the Metropolis algorithm with the determination of hole eigenfunctions at each Monte Carlo sweep. Short-range antiferromagnetic superexchange interactions between Mn spins—which compete with the hole-mediated long-range ferromagnetic coupling—were found to accelerate magnetization dynamics if the layer containing Mn spins is wider than the vertical range of the hole wave function. Employing this approach it is shown here that appreciate magnitudes of remanence and coercivity can be obtained if Mn ions are introduced to the quantum well in a delta-like fashion.

The aim of the present study was the determination of the levels of osteoprotegerin and soluble RANKL in blood serum and in gingival crevicular fluid relative to the degree of orthodontic root resorption in a rat model. Blood samples and gingival crevicular fluid were collected from fourteen 6-month-old male Wistar rats weighing 350-500 g. A 25-g closed orthodontic coil spring was inserted between each upper right first molar and the upper incisors. After 21 days of loading, both upper first molars (treated and control) were extracted and studied under microcomputed tomography scanning. Statistical analysis demonstrated a positive linear correlation between the initial concentration of RANKL in blood serum and the degree of root resorption. The ratio of the initial concentrations of osteoprotegerin to RANKL in blood serum proved to be an independent prognostic factor of the degree of root resorption. The initial concentration of RANKL in gingival crevicular fluid showed a negative correlation to the initial concentration of RANKL in blood serum and for a finite range of initial concentrations of osteoprotegerin in gingival crevicular fluid, the dental root seemed protected against extreme external root resorption. Finally, the concentration of osteoprotegerin in blood serum decreased significantly in cases of severe root resorption.

The relationship of prolonged dry spells in Eastern Mediterranean with large-scale surface and upper circulation is investigated on seasonal basis with the aid of the Singular-Value Decomposition Analysis (SVDA) for the period 1958-2000. The study was based on daily precipitation data of 56 stations, evenly distributed over Eastern Mediterranean region. Extreme dry spells are defined using the CDD index (maximum number of consecutive dry days). It was found that teleconnection patterns centered over Northern Atlantic and northern Europe seem to affect the duration of the longest dry spells over the Eastern Mediterranean, while surface synoptic scale systems in Northern Africa play a substantial role. The SVDA results compare well with the corresponding results of Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA), mainly for the surface circulation during winter and summer. © Springer-Verlag 2009.

The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship of orography over Greece with prolonged dry spells, as represented by the maximum number consecutive dry days (CDD index) during an extremely dry summer. For this purpose a simulation experiment was conducted with the aid of the regional climate model RegCM3.1 using a spatial resolution of 10 km. It was shown that a significant precipitation regime formed over the mountainous areas of continental Greece and Crete during this dry summer, due to orographically forced precipitation, consequently influencing the length of dry spells. Furthermore, the CDD appears spatial variations over the maritime areas, despite the zero or insignificant precipitation. The sensitivity test that was performed with the elimination of orography demonstrated the important role that orography plays in the distribution of CDD, since significant lengthening of extreme dry spells was found over the mountainous areas. © Author(s) 2010.

We study semi-analytical time-dependent solutions of the relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations for the fields and the fluid emerging from a spherical source. We assume uniform expansion of the field and the fluid and a polytropic relation between the density and the pressure of the fluid. The expansion velocity is small near the base but approaches the speed of light at the light sphere where the flux terminates. We find self-consistent solutions for the density and the magnetic flux. The details of the solution depend on the ratio of the toroidal and the poloidal magnetic field, the ratio of the energy carried by the fluid and the electromagnetic field and the maximum velocity it reaches.

We study semi-analytical time-dependent solutions of the relativistic MHD equations for the fields and the fluid emerging from a spherical source. We assume uniform expansion of the field and the fluid and a polytropic relation between the density and the pressure of the fluid. The expansion velocity is small near the base but approaches the speed of light at the light sphere where the flux terminates. We find self-consistent solutions for the density and the magnetic flux. The details of the solution depend on the ratio of the toroidal and the poloidal magnetic field, the ratio of the energy carried by the fluid and the electromagnetic field and the maximum velocity it reaches.

Renal impairment is a common complication of multiple myeloma (MM). The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula is the recommended method for the assessment of renal function in patients with MM with stabilized serum creatinine. In acute renal injury, the RIFLE (risk, injury, failure, loss and end-stage kidney disease) and Acute Renal Injury Network criteria seem to be appropriate to define the severity of renal impairment. Novel criteria based on eGFR measurements are recommended for the definition of the reversibility of renal impairment. Rapid intervention to reverse renal dysfunction is critical for the management of these patients, especially for those with light chain cast nephropathy. Bortezomib with high-dose dexamethasone is considered as the treatment of choice for such patients. There is limited experience with thalidomide in patients with myeloma with renal impairment. Thus, thalidomide can be carefully administered, mainly in the context of well-designed clinical trials, to evaluate if it can improve the rapidity and probability of response that is produced by the combination with bortezomib and high-dose dexamethasone. Lenalidomide is effective in this setting and can reverse renal insufficiency in a significant subset of patients, when it is given at reduced doses, according to renal function. The role of plasma exchange in patients with suspected light chain cast nephropathy and renal impairment is controversial. High-dose melphalan (140 mg/m2) and autologous stem-cell transplantation should be limited to younger patients with chemosensitive disease. © 2010 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Renal impairment is a common complication of multiple myeloma. Chronic renal failure is classified according to glomerular filtration rate as estimated by the MDRD (modification of diet in renal disease) formula, while RIFLE (risk, injury, failure, loss and end-stage renal disease) and AKIN (acute renal injury network) criteria may be used for the definition of the severity of acute renal injury. Novel criteria based on estimated glomerular filtration rate measurements are proposed for the definition of the reversibility of renal impairment. Renal complete response (CRrenal) is defined as sustained (i.e., lasting at least 2 months) improvement of creatinine clearance (CRCL) from under 50 mL/min at baseline to 60 mL/min or above. Renal partial response (PRrenal) is defined as sustained improvement of CRCL from under 15 mL/min at baseline to 30 to 59 mL/min. Renal minor response (MRrenal) is defined as sustained improvement of the baseline CRCL of under 15 mL/min to 15 to 29 mL/min or, if baseline CRCL was 15 to 29 mL/min, improvement to 30 to 59 mL/min. Bortezomib with high-dose dexamethasone is considered the treatment of choice for myeloma patients with renal impairment and improves renal function in most patients. Although there is limited experience with thalidomide, this agent can be administered at the standard dosage to patients with renal failure. Lenalidomide, when administered at reduced doses according to renal function, is effective and can reverse renal impairment in a subset of myeloma patients.

The resolution of 2-amino alcohols protected by urethane-type groups either via porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) hydrolysis of the corresponding racemic acetates or via PPL catalyzed transesterification of racemic alcohols was studied. In both cases, Boc protecting group led to better chemical yields and enantiopurities than Z and Fmoc protecting groups. Furthermore, a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of the medicinally interesting optically pure (R)-2-aminohexadecanol was developed. 

We propose a method for calculating average local effective permittivity and permeability tensors for anisotropic photonic crystals through least-squares fits of sets of data points, obtained by rigorous, systematic complex-band-structure, and reflection calculations for all propagation directions, to appropriate analytic expressions. The proposed methodology is applied on a specific example of a tetragonal structure of metallic nanoshells, which is a uniaxial photonic crystal of resonant units. Our results demonstrate the efficiency of the method at low and moderate frequencies and, at the same time, reveal the inability to define local effective constitutive parameters in regions of resonance gaps.

The purpose of this analysis was to assess the effect of novel agent-based regimens on the improvement of renal impairment (RI) in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma. Ninety-six consecutive patients with RI received conventional chemotherapy (CC)-based regimens (n= 32), IMiDs-based regimens (n= 47) or bortezomib-based regimens (n= 17) as frontline therapy. Improvement of RI was more frequent in patients treated with novel agents (79% in IMiD- and 94% in bortezomib-treated groups versus 59% in CC-treated group; p= 0.02). Bortezomib-based regimens and CrCl > 30 ml/min at baseline independently correlated with a higher probability of at least renal partial response (PRrenal) and with a shorter time to PRrenal or better. Thus bortezomib-based regimens may be the preferred treatment for newly diagnosed myeloma patients with RI. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

The ensemble of forces that stabilize protein structure and facilitate biological function are intimately linked with the ubiquitous aqueous environment of living systems. As a consequence, biomolecular activity is highly sensitive to the interplay of solventĝ€"protein interactions, and deviation from the native conditions, for example by exposure to increased thermal energy or severe dehydration, results in denaturation and subsequent loss of function. Although certain enzymes can be extracted into non-aqueous solvents without significant loss of activity, there are no known examples of solvent-less (molten) liquids of functional metalloproteins. Here we describe the synthesis and properties of room-temperature solvent-free myoglobin liquids with near-native structure and reversible dioxygen binding ability equivalent to the haem protein under physiological conditions. The realization of room-temperature solvent-free myoglobin liquids with retained function presents novel challenges to existing theories on the role of solvent molecules in structural biology, and should offer new opportunities in protein-based nanoscience and bionanotechnology. © 2010 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.

We have used a new ApoA-I transgenic mouse model to identify by global gene expression profiling, candidate genes that affect lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in response to fenofibrate treatment. Multilevel bioinformatical analysis and stringent selection criteria (2-fold change, 0% false discovery rate) identified 267 significantly changed genes involved in several molecular pathways. The fenofibrate-treated group did not have significantly altered levels of hepatic human APOA-I mRNA and plasma ApoA-I compared with the control group. However, the treatment increased cholesterol levels to 1.95-fold mainly due to the increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The observed changes in HDL are associated with the upregulation of genes involved in phospholipid biosynthesis and lipid hydrolysis, as well as phospholipid transfer protein. Significant upregulation was observed in genes involved in fatty acid transport and beta-oxidation, but not in those of fatty acid and cholesterol biosynthesis, Krebs cycle and gluconeogenesis. Fenofibrate changed significantly the expression of seven transcription factors. The estrogen receptor-related gamma gene was upregulated 2.36-fold and had a significant positive correlation with genes of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism and mitochondrial functions, indicating an important role of this orphan receptor in mediating the fenofibrate-induced activation of a specific subset of its target genes.

Testicular cancer is a highly curable neoplasm, even in the case of extragonadal disease. Nevertheless, patients with adverse prognostic features or relapsing after first-line cisplatin-based chemotherapy have a worse prognosis with a death rate greater than 50%. High-dose chemotherapy (HDC) has long been used in this group of patients. The introduction of stem cells, instead of bone marrow, as the source of hemopoietic cells and the use of leukocyte growth factors have substantially reduced the mortality and morbidity of this procedure although the role of HDC is not well defined. This review summarizes the available data, focusing on published randomized studies. The problems associated with the design of these studies and the interpretation of data are discussed. Currently this HDC approach is mainly used in patients who relapse after first-line chemotherapy. Nevertheless, selection of patients likely to benefit from this treatment remains an issue of intense clinical research. © 2010 Karadimou et al.

It is well-known that natural and anthropogenic emissions of ambient pollutants affect air quality, and as a consequence the public health. Air pollution indices are commonly used to indicate the level of severity of air pollution to the public. The objective of this study is the assessment of the air quality levels in the urban environment of Athens, Greece using the Air Quality Index (AQI), which presents advantages as an administrative tool for early warning in the context of public health protection. The AQI is a complex index and calculated by compounding appropriately the concentrations of surface ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm (PM 10). For this purpose, available hourly data of the above ambient pollutants recorded by the Athens air pollution monitoring network, during the period 2001-2006, were analyzed for the development of the proposed index. The temporal and spatial distribution of the mean annual AQI values within greater Athens area (GAA) is examined, and the results are analyzed in terms of the meteorological conditions. The effect of wind speed and direction on AQI levels is found to be significant, among the other meteorological parameters such as air temperature, relative humidity, sunshine and total solar radiation. The analysis revealed that the higher values of AQI, during the warm period of the year, are strongly associated with sea breeze than with northern wind flow. The knowledge of the sea breeze characteristics over GAA contributes to the comprehension of the local air quality formation levels. Β© by PSP.

This paper evaluates the role of meteorological factors on the configuration of the complex aerosol’s character at a suburban area of Athens, Greece. To this effort, 4-month period measurements of hourly PM2.5 aerosol samples were employed, being collected with the aid of a conventional R&P TEOM (model 1400a) at Aghia Paraskevi. The simultaneous daily PM10 and PM2.5.10 concentrations are also discussed. Then, the entire daily data set was divided in 5 different classes at similar proportion by one decimal point for each one of assessed meteorological parameter, temperature, relative humidity and wind speed. The present study discusses not only the variations of the recorded levels of the three PM fractions and their seasonality but also the inter-fraction relationship for all possible matching of the aerosol’s pairs and the PM ratios in connection with the differentiation of the meteorological parameters’ values. PM10 and PM2.5-10 appeared to have the same character as in all the cases they proved to be strongly correlated. It was found that temperature enhanced the concentrations of the PM fractions and especially those with bigger diameter while relative humidity seemed to favour the formation of fine particles. Wind direction appeared to play a key role on the recorded PM profile. The transportation from the ’polluted’ Athens center proved to be the major mechanism which deters the ’clean atmosphere’ of the suburban area. © by PSP.

The palaeo relative sea-level indicators are the most important type of data as far as the Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA) related to the Last Glacial Maximum is concerned. The geomorphological and archaeological indicators have recorded the long-term sea-level variation that accompanied and followed the melting of the Late Pleistocene ice sheets. This bathymetry change stems for the combined effects of the eustatic sea-level change, the gravitational interactions between the geoid and the ice sheets and the deformation of the solid Earth. Since these three factors are fully described by the sea level equation in a self-consistent manner, the comparison of relative sea-level (rsl) data and predicted Holocene curves provides fundamental constraints on the GIA models. While the rsl data from the formerly glaciated area may provide constraints on both the extent and thickness with time of the ice sheets and the local shallow Earth structure and rheology, the palaeo sea-levels from the Mediterranean Sea may constrain the volumes of melt water that has been globally released through time and also the lower mantle rheological parameters. In this work we combine archaeological and geomorphological rsl indicators with GIA-model predictions to investigate the Holocene sea level changes in Tunisia and Cyclades islands (Central Aegean). While the former area has been proven to be vertically stable on the long timescale, the Central Aegean could be affected by local tectonics that would result in vertical deformations. We therefore compare at first the available rsl data from Tunisia with GIA predictions based on a suite of available late Pleistocene ice chronologies and Earth rheological models. We find the best combination of ice and earth models to explain the rsl data from Tunisia and finally apply those to investigate the vertical stability at the Cyclades islands and to quantify the tectonics-related rates of vertical crustal deformation.

A seasonal morphological variability is observed in Emiliania huxleyi var. huxleyi specimens, collected from discrete water samples in the Aegean Sea. Biometric analyses reveal a consistent pattern of increase in the size of coccoliths and coccospheres, including the thickness of the inner tube elements (INT), in winter/spring time low sea surface temperature and moderate productivity samples when compared with summer time high temperature–low productivity samples. The small range of salinity change in the Aegean Sea and the absence of seasonal  pattern in nutrient content do not support any association with the observed increase in E. huxleyi coccolith size. A relatively increased [HCO3-] content is observed during spring-time interval related with the increase in the coccolith size, however it remains unclear which parameter of the carbonate system causes the observed effects.

A cross-sectional study was carried out in injecting drug users (IDUs) from Greece to assess the seroprevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and to identify potentially associated risk factors. A total of 288 IDUs were tested for K8.1 antibodies to HHV-8 lytic antigen. Associations between HHV-8 serostatus and potential risk factors were examined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Seroprevalence of HHV-8 was 24.3% (95% CI 19.5-29.7), increasing with age from 19.4% in those aged <30 years to 52.9% in those aged 40 years (P for trend=0.003). No statistically significant associations between HHV-8-positive status and gender, educational level, age at first drug injection, needle sharing, number of imprisonments, complications from drug overdose, HIV and HCV were observed. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age (40 vs. <40 years, OR 3.30, 95% CI 1.14-9.56) and report of septicaemia/abscess (yes vs. no, OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.01-3.18) were each independently associated with higher HHV-8 seroprevalence. HHV-8 is highly prevalent in the IDU population in Greece. The independent association between HHV-8 and reported abscess or septicaemia supports the hypothesis that poor hygiene conditions in the setting of drug injection may contribute to HHV-8 transmission.

Many stress-related mental disorders, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder occur more often in women than in men. While social and cultural factors certainly contribute to these differences, neurobiological sex differences seem to also play an important role. A rapidly burgeoning literature from basic and clinical research documents sex differences in brain anatomy, chemistry and function, as well as in stress and drug responses. For example, some clinical studies have reported that women may have a better outcome when treated with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, in comparison to tricyclic antidepressants. Furthermore, relatively limited basic research has been devoted to developing animal models and consequently describing drug treatments which are sensitive to sex differences. In this MiniReview, we discuss sex differences in behavioural aspects, as well as neurochemical, neurobiological and pharmacological findings that we have collected from several different animal models and tests of depression. These are the forced swim test, the chronic mild stress and the learned helplessness models, the Flinders sensitive line rats, which is a genetic model of depression and the lipopolysaccharide-induced sickness behaviour, a putative inflammatory model of depression. Collectively, our data have shown that in all animal models assayed, serotonergic neurochemical responses were differently affected in males and females, ultimately producing sex-dependent behavioural effects. In addition, Flinders sensitive line rats exhibited a sexually dimorphic response to chronic antidepressant treatment. These sex-differentiated neurochemical and behavioural alterations lend support to a major role of serotonin in the mediation of sexually dimorphic responses.

Many stress-related mental disorders, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder occur more often in women than in men. While social and cultural factors certainly contribute to these differences, neurobiological sex differences seem to also play an important role. A rapidly burgeoning literature from basic and clinical research documents sex differences in brain anatomy, chemistry and function, as well as in stress and drug responses. For example, some clinical studies have reported that women may have a better outcome when treated with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, in comparison to tricyclic antidepressants. Furthermore, relatively limited basic research has been devoted to developing animal models and consequently describing drug treatments which are sensitive to sex differences. In this MiniReview, we discuss sex differences in behavioural aspects, as well as neurochemical, neurobiological and pharmacological findings that we have collected from several different animal models and tests of depression. These are the forced swim test, the chronic mild stress and the learned helplessness models, the Flinders sensitive line rats, which is a genetic model of depression and the lipopolysaccharide-induced sickness behaviour, a putative inflammatory model of depression. Collectively, our data have shown that in all animal models assayed, serotonergic neurochemical responses were differently affected in males and females, ultimately producing sex-dependent behavioural effects. In addition, Flinders sensitive line rats exhibited a sexually dimorphic response to chronic antidepressant treatment. These sex-differentiated neurochemical and behavioural alterations lend support to a major role of serotonin in the mediation of sexually dimorphic responses.

Using Chandra, XMM-Newton and optical photometric catalogs we study the young XRB populations of the SMC. We find that the Be-XRBs are observed in regions with star formation (SF) rate bursts ˜25-60 Myr ago. The similarity of this age with the age of maximum occurrence of the Be phenomenon (˜40 Myr) indicates that the presence of a circumstellar decretion disk plays a significant role in the number of observed XRBs in the 10-100 Myr age range. We also find that regions with strong but more recent SF (e.g. the Wing) are deficient in Be-XRBs. By correlating the number of observed Be-XRBs with the formation rate of their parent populations, we measure a Be-XRB production rate of ˜1 system per 10-6 Msun/yr. Finally, we use the strong localization of the Be-XRB systems in order to set limits on the kicks imparted on the neutron star during the supernova explosion.

We derive metal abundances ([Fe/H]) of 472 RR-Lyrae variables of RRab type in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), based on extended and merged data provided by the OGLE II and OGLE III projects. Fourier decomposition of the 11-year V-band light curves of the variables and Monte Carlo simulations have been used to derive Fourier parameters which are related to [Fe/H]. We examine possible correlations between [Fe/H] and projected distance from the dynamical center (DC) of the SMC. We also derive the distance along the line of sight of the RR-Lyrae variables which represent the old populations in the SMC. (Kapakos et al., in prep.)

Purpose: To provide an overview on smoldering (asymptomatic) multiple myeloma (SMM) including current diagnostic criteria, predictors of progression, pattern of progression, and outcome. Design: A comprehensive review of the literature on risk factors for progression, treatment attempts to delay progression and outcome in patients with SMM. Results: The risk factors for progression of SMM include: plasma cell mass including M-protein size and percentage of bone marrow clonal plasma cells (BMPC), abnormal free light chain ratio, proportion of phenotypically abnormal BMPC, immunoparesis, evolution pattern (evolving v nonevolving), and pattern of magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities. Most patients with SMM progress with anemia and/or skeletal involvement. Immediate therapy with cytotoxic agents, such as melphalan/prednisone has not resulted in improved outcome. Patients should not be treated until progressive disease with end-organ damage occurs. Increasing anemia is the most reliable indicator of progression. Conclusion: These recently recognized predictors of outcome may be helpful for better disease monitoring and for investigation of new treatment approaches. Thus, recommendations for follow-up every to 3 to 6 months depending on the risk of progression are suggested, and clinical trials with new noncytotoxic biologically derived agents to delay progression, particularly in high-risk patients, are ongoing. © 2009 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Καμπερίδου, Ειρήνη (2010). Κοινωνικό φύλο - βιολογικό φύλο: το φύλο στον αθλητισμό και η ιστορικότητα του γυναικείου αποκλεισμού. Γυναίκα και Άθληση, τόμος VII, 2009/2010, σελ. 7-24.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Σκοπός της εργασίας αυτής είναι να διερευνηθούν οι αιτίες που οδήγησαν στη σημερινή υπό-εκπροσώπηση των γυναικών όσον αφορά θέσεις διοικητικής ευθύνης στους αθλητικούς θεσμούς και να προταθούν στρατηγικές ενσωμάτωσης. Στην πρώτη ενότητα αναφέρονται οι θεωρητικές προσεγγίσεις για το φύλο (κοινωνικό φύλο – βιολογικό φύλο). Εξετάζετε το έμφυλο υποκείμενο (gender subject) καθώς και η έμφυλη ταυτότητα ως αποτέλεσμα συσχετισμού της βιολογικής διαφοράς με πολύπλοκες κοινωνικές διεργασίες. Το ενδιαφέρον επικεντρώνετε στην έμφυλη ουδετερότητα, που αφορά στην πρόσβαση και ενσωμάτωση του υποκειμένου επιμέρους κοινωνικές περιοχές όπως της πολιτικής, του αθλητισμού κ.τ.λ. Διαπιστώθηκε ότι ιδιαίτερα στο υψηλό αθλητισμό, σε αντίθεση με άλλες κοινωνικές περιοχές, δεν συναντάται ως δομικό συστατικό  μια έμφυλη ουδετερότητα. Στην δεύτερη ενότητα διερευνήθηκαν οι παράγοντες υπό-εκπροσώπησης στον αγωνιστικό αθλητισμό και στους αθλητικούς θεσμούς.    Λέξεις κλειδιά: κοινωνικό φύλο, βιολογικό φύλο, έμφυλη ουδετερότητα, αθλητισμός, κοινωνική χειραφέτηση, εκδημοκρατισμός, αθλητικοί θεσμοί------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Women have come a long way since the 1952 Helsinki Games, where they represented only 10 percent of the Olympic athletes. At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing women represented approximately 43 percent of the total athlete delegation, up from 41 percent in the Athens 2004 Olympics. This does not mean that their biological make-up has changed. What has changed however are the socio-cultural perceptions pertaining to gender. On the other hand, women constitute an invisible minority in sport governing bodies today. This paper focuses on women’s underrepresentation in sport governing bodies and proposes strategies-practices of gender inclusion, including the democratization of sport institutions. The first part of thestudy examines current discussions on gender, gender neutrality, the gender subject and gender identity. In the new theoretical framework gender is being transformed from a static biological perception into a dynamic social category, affecting and changing identity, gender relations and the expectations of the social environment. Namely, in today’s postmodernist reality discussions on gender no longer focus exclusively on the biological gender (sex) as an analytical category, but on the social gender which formulates, defines and redefines identity, according to evolving socio-cultural interpretations. Although the biological gender is losing its primacy as an analytical category in most social spaces (i.e. there is no regulated gender classification system in the political arena, in sports, etc.), it is enforced by rules and regulations in competitive sports, and not only. It seems to extend into sport governing bodies as well. The second part of the study explores the interrelation of outdated social theories, ‘biologistic’ approaches and anachronistic gender- based ideologies that established gender stereotypes, hierarchies in sports that continue to apply today. Women are still under-reprsented in executive bodies of national and international sport organizations, federations and institutions, such as the IOC: there are only 14 women who represent 14.1% of the total of 113 IOC members. Consequently, a critical issue which needs to be addressed extensively, among others, is the democratization of the IOC structures since exclusions based on genetic characteristics are a contradiction to the value system of sport. Keywords: gender identity, gender neutrality, democratization of the IOC.  ............................................ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗ - Σκοπός της εργασίας αυτής είναι να διερευνηθούν οι αιτίες που οδήγησαν στη σημερινή υπό-εκπροσώπηση των γυναικών όσον αφορά θέσεις διοικητικής ευθύνης στους αθλητικούς θεσμούς και να προταθούν στρατηγικές ενσωμάτωσης. Στην πρώτη ενότητα αναφέρονται οι θεωρητικές προσεγγίσεις για το φύλο (κοινωνικό φύλο – βιολογικό φύλο). Εξετάζετε το έμφυλο υποκείμενο (gender subject) καθώς και η έμφυλη ταυτότητα ως αποτέλεσμα συσχετισμού της βιολογικής διαφοράς με πολύπλοκες κοινωνικές διεργασίες. Το ενδιαφέρον επικεντρώνετε στην έμφυλη ουδετερότητα, που αφορά στην πρόσβαση και ενσωμάτωση του υποκειμένου επιμέρους κοινωνικές περιοχές όπως της πολιτικής, του αθλητισμού κ.τ.λ. Διαπιστώθηκε ότι ιδιαίτερα στο υψηλό αθλητισμό, σε αντίθεση με άλλες κοινωνικές περιοχές, δεν συναντάται ως δομικό συστατικό  μια έμφυλη ουδετερότητα. Στην δεύτερη ενότητα διερευνήθηκαν οι παράγοντες υπό-εκπροσώπησης στον αγωνιστικό αθλητισμό και στους αθλητικούς θεσμούς.     Λέξεις κλειδιά: κοινωνικό φύλο, βιολογικό φύλο, έμφυλη ουδετερότητα, αθλητισμός, κοινωνική χειραφέτηση, εκδημοκρατισμός, αθλητικοί θεσμοί  

In this study, the spatial and temporal variability of the mean annual rain intensity in Greece are examined during a 41-year period (1962-2002). The meteorological datasets concern monthly rain amounts (mm) and the respective monthly durations (h) recorded at thirty two meteorological stations of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, which are uniformly distributed on Greek territory, in order to calculate the mean monthly rain intensity. All the rain time series used in the analysis were tested by the application of the short-cut Bartlett test of homogeneity. The spatial distribution of the mean annual rain intensity is studied using the Kriging interpolation method, while the temporal variability, concerning the mean annual rain intensity trends along with their significance (Mann-Kendall test), is analysed. The findings of the analysis show that statistically significant negative trends (95% confidence level) appear mainly in the west sub-regions of Greece, while statistically significant positive trends (95% confidence level) appear in the wider area of Athens and the complex of Cyclades Islands. Further analysis concerning the seasonal rain intensity is needed, because there are different seasonal patterns, taking into account that, convective rain in Greece occurs mainly within the summer season. Β© 2010 Author(s).

BACKGROUND: The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) is a norm-referenced test that assesses the spontaneous motor performance of infants from birth through independent walking (0-18 months). This scale has been utilized for clinical and research purposes in various countries, however, whether the initial standardization in Canadian infants is also representative of other countries’ populations has been questioned. AIM: To assess whether the AIMS needs new reference values for Greek infants. METHODS: A cohort of 424 healthy full-term infants (250 boys and 174 girls), aged between 7 days and 18 months, derived from various areas of the Prefecture of Attica and from all socio-economic classes to ensure a true representation, was studied. The AIMS-scores of Greek infants were compared with the norm-referenced values of the original Canadian population reported by Piper and Darrah. RESULTS: The mean AIMS-scores did not differ significantly between Greek and Canadian infants at any age level from birth to 18 months, except for the 2-<3 month of age when higher scores were observed in Greek infants (p=0.02). There was no significant difference in AIMS-values corresponding to the 5th and 90th percentile between Greek and Canadian infants. Inter-rater reliability was excellent in our study population [ICC: 0.99 (95% CI: 0.99-0.99)]. CONCLUSION: In healthy full-term Greek infants, gross motor maturity assessed by the AIMS during the first 18 months of age, seems to follow a similar course to that of Canadian infants.

Using Chandra, XMM-Newton, and optical photometric catalogs we study the young X-ray binary (XRB) populations of the Small Magellanic Cloud. We find that the Be/X-ray binaries (Be-XRBs) are observed in regions with star formation rate bursts ~25-60 Myr ago. The similarity of this age with the age of maximum occurrence of the Be phenomenon (~40 Myr) indicates that the presence of a circumstellar decretion disk plays a significant role in the number of observed XRBs in the 10-100 Myr age range. We also find that regions with strong but more recent star formation (e.g., the Wing) are deficient in Be-XRBs. By correlating the number of observed Be-XRBs with the formation rate of their parent populations, we measure a Be-XRB production rate of ~1 system per 3 × 10-3 M sun yr-1. Finally, we use the strong localization of the Be-XRB systems in order to set limits on the kicks imparted on the neutron star during the supernova explosion.

Encouraging more women and girls to take up ICT, retaining them in the sector and reproducing female participation requires working together to support an “Education-Engagement-Retention Action Plan”  (Kamberidou 2008) that entails: (1) Support of multicultural interdisciplinary gender research networks and collaborative actions that address the three major gender gaps:(a) the gender participation/engagement gap, (b) the pay gap and the (c) advancement-leadership gap. (2) Support of multicultural interdisciplinary gender research to influences mainstream developments in science and technology from a gender perspective, including a better balance of gendered content to change attitudes, perceptions and stereotypes. (3) Interdisciplinarity in education and research in order to formulate new pedagogical methods and approaches that incorporate the gender dimension. Education-training and engagement for teachers and children means extra-curricula approaches, new classroom examples and best practice models. (3) Educating the educators, re-training the trainers: learning, continued training and re-training. (4) Participation in areas of planning, management, assessment and organization. (5) Family support programmes, flexi-hours, a family-friendly working environment, child care facilities, namely an inclusive work culture. (6) The establishment of an attractive open labour market that recruits and retains women. (7) Gender networking, alliances with women, sharing, mentoring and supporting younger female colleagues in order to eliminate “gender fatigue” (Kamberidou 2010) and encourage women to take a more active role (agency), to keep up with developments, to share information, etc. (8) Social mobility in the structure, i.e. learning the system and how to use it in order to make changes. (9) Best-practice models and mentoring projects: the involvement of professional women (Leaders) already employed in science and technology, the academia, research sectors. (10)  Raising the profile of our role models and female leaders as well as the diversity of careers available. We need to inspire women into technology with innovative and different approaches such as the European Commission’s shadowing activities (http://ec.europa.eu/itgirls, mentoring programs and so forth. We need to all join forces and work together to accomplish this. For example, the ECWT (www.womenandtechnology.eu) and the EUD www.ictwomendirectory.eu)  provide such a platform for collaborations.

• Disseminated to 5.000 readers in five languages (translated from English), Greek translation G.3.1 in Apella.
• Κυκλοφόρησε αρχικά σε e-Newsletter το οποίο μεταφράστηκε σε πέντε (5) γλώσσες και διανεμήθηκε ηλεκτρονικά σε 5.000 αναγνώστες (Fostering Gender Mainstreaming in the ICT Sector, E-Newsletter, Nov. 19, 2010, pp. 1-5)
•  Η προαναφερόμενη εισήγηση δημοσιεύτηκε ηλεκτρονικά μετά το συνέδριο (στο πλαίσιο του Ευρωπαϊκού συνεδρίου:  “Women Choosing ICT careers: Influencing Policy from Practice.” Που πραγματοποιήθηκε στο Hellenic American Union, Athens Greece, 26 Οκτ. 2010. (ζωντανή μετάδοση του συνεδρίου at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/gender-it-conference.

Αναδημοσίευση του προαναφερόμενου άρθρου στις ιστοσελίδες των e-news  του ECWT-European Centre for Women and Technology (www.womenandtechnology.eu) και στο   http://www.ictwomendirectory.eu/digitalcity/projects/eudir/eudir_news-

(Στην αμερικάνικη ιστοσελίδα ηθικού και βιοηθικού επιστημονικού ενδιαφέροντος http://ethicshare.org/files/user_files/5759/Fanaras,%20EAP%20Article%202010%20pp.%201-14Copy.pdf ) Η παρούσα πρωτότυπη εργασία δημοσιεύθηκε στα αγγλικά και περιλαμβάνει θέσεις και απόψεις για την έρευνα στα βλαστοκύτταρα από την ορθόδοξη χριστιανική  ηθική άποψη.

 

In this study, immobilized nitrogen and fluorine co-doped TiO2 (NF-TiO2) was synthesized employing a fluorosurfactant-based sol-gel method to tailor-design the nanoparticulate, structural and photocatalytic properties of the catalyst. Besides the co-doping of nitrogen and fluorine observed for visible light photoresponse, the nanostructure of the dip-coated films was effectively controlled by modifying the molar ratio of the fluorosurfactant. The synthesized films were evaluated for the destruction of two emerging contaminants, hepatotoxin microcystin LR (MC-LR) and herbicice Amitrole. NF-TiO2 films showed high photocatalytic activity for the degradation of both MC-LR and Amitrole compared to control experiments under both visible and solar light irradiation. Moreover, NF-TiO2 nanostructured films also exhibited high mechanical stability and no irreversible changes were observed during photocatalysis after 3 cycles under visible light. These results are promising for further development of sustainable remediation technologies for the treatment of water contaminated with MC-LR and other persistent micropollutants, based on advanced oxidation processes driven by solar light as a renewable source of energy.

In this study, the mean rain intensity (mm/h) in Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece, is examined during the period 1930-2007. The daily meteorological data were acquired from the meteorological stations of the National Observatory of Athens (Thissio) and the University Campus of Thessaloniki. These stations have recorded the longest and reliable daily rain time series in Greece. The trends of the annual and seasonal mean, as well as the maximum rain intensity, are analyzed. On the one hand, all of the time series in Athens present higher figures of mean rain intensity during the period 1990-2007 compared to the period 1930-1990. On the other hand, regarding the time series in Thessaloniki, the mean rain intensity remains in lower level than the respective one in Athens without significant trend at the Confidence Level (CL) 95%. As far as the annual and seasonal maximum rain intensity is concerned, similar patterns appear. However, the summer maximum rain intensity in Thessaloniki remains at higher levels till 1970's. The atmospheric circulation patterns for the extreme rain intensities show intense negative anomalies centred over Greece and positive anomalies to the north, with centre over Scandinavia.

The PMTs of the CMS Hadron Forward calorimeter were found to generate a large size signal when their windows were traversed by energetic charged particles. This signal, which is due to Čerenkov light production at the PMT window, could interfere with the calorimeter signal and mislead the measurements. In order to find a viable solution to this problem, the response of four different types of PMTs to muons traversing their windows at different orientations is measured at the H2 beam-line at CERN. Certain kinds of PMTs with thinner windows show significantly lower response to direct muon incidence. For the four anode PMT, a simple and powerful algorithm to identify such events and recover the PMT signal using the signals of the quadrants without window hits is also presented. For the measurement of PMT responses to Čerenkov light, the Hadron Forward calorimeter signal was mimicked by two different setups in electron beams and the PMT performances were compared with each other. Superior performance of particular PMTs was observed.

The phase 3 Velcade as Initial Standard Therapy in Multiple Myeloma: Assessment with Melphalan and Prednisone study in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients ineligible for high-dose therapy demonstrated that bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone (VMP) was superior to melphalan-prednisone across all efficacy end points. We assessed the prognostic impact of response on time-to-event parameters in the intent-to-treat population. Patients received nine 6-week cycles of treatment. Time to progression, time to next therapy, and treatment-free interval were associated with quality of response. When European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation criteria were used, complete response (CR) was associated with significantly longer time to progression (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.45, P = .004), time to next therapy (HR = 0.46, P = .0004), and treatment-free interval (HR = 0.38, P < .0001) versus partial response, but there was no significant difference in overall survival (HR = 0.87, P = .54); similar differences were seen with CR versus very good partial response by uniform criteria. Quality of response improved with prolonged VMP treatment, with 28% of CRs achieved during cycles 5-9. CR duration appeared similar among patients with "early" (cycles 1-4) and "late" CRs (cycles 5-9) and among patients receiving 9 versus < 9 cycles of bortezomib within VMP. These results highlight that CR is an important treatment goal and support prolonged VMP therapy to achieve maximal response. This study is registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00111319. © 2010 by The American Society of Hematology.

To investigate the transient nature of supersoft sources (SSSs) in M 31, we compared SSS candidates of the XMM-Newton Deep Survey, ROSAT PSPC surveys and the Chandra catalogues in the same field. We found 40 SSSs in the XMM-Newton observations. While 12 of the XMM-Newton sources were brighter than the limiting flux of the ROSAT PSPC survey, only two were detected with ROSAT ˜10 yr earlier. Five correlate with recent optical novae which explains why they were not detected by ROSAT. The remaining 28 XMM-Newton SSSs have fluxes below the ROSAT detection threshold. Nevertheless we found one correlation with a ROSAT source, which had significantly larger fluxes than during the XMM-Newton observations. Ten of the XMM-Newton SSSs were detected by Chandra with <1- ˜6 yr between the observations. Five were also classified as SSSs by Chandra. Of the 30 ROSAT SSSs three were confirmed with XMM-Newton, while for 11 sources other classifications are suggested. Of the remaining 16 sources one correlates with an optical nova. Of the 42 Chandra very-soft sources five are classified as XMM-Newton SSSs, while for 22 we suggest other classifications. Of the remaining 15 sources, nine are classified as transient by Chandra, one of them correlates with an optical nova. These findings underlined the high variability of the sources of this class and the connection between SSSs and optical novae. Only three sources, were detected by all three missions as SSSs. Thus they are visible for more than a decade, despite their variability. Based on observations obtained with XMM-Newton, an ESA science mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member States and NASA.

Purpose: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the survival effect of venous thromboembolism (VTE) development in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Methods: Two identically designed, multicenter, double-blind, phase III clinical trials (MM-009 and MM-010) were conducted in Europe and the United States to assess the effect of lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone versus dexamethasone plus placebo in patients with relapsed or refractory MM, after failing at least one prior line of treatment. In this retrospective analysis, we evaluated incidence and survival effect of thromboembolism in 353 patients randomly assigned to receive 25 mg of lenalidomide on days 1 through 21 of a 28-day cycle, plus 40 mg of oral dexamethasone on days 1 through 4, 9 through 12, and 17 through 20 for the first four cycles; after the fourth cycle, 40 mg of dexamethasone was administered on days 1 through 4 only. Results: Seventeen percent of patients experienced a thromboembolic episode. The development of VTE did not significantly affect overall survival (P = .90) or time to progression (P = .34). No significant survival impact was observed in a subgroup of patients who received prophylactic anticoagulation (overall survival P = .7, time to progression P = .1). Conclusion: Patients with MM treated with lenalidomide and high-dose dexamethasone who developed a VTE did not experience shorter overall survival or time to progression. © 2009 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

We report the detection of a nova candidate in M 31 using observations with the UltraViolet/Optical Telescope (UVOT) on board the Swift satellite. The object was serendipitously detected in the UVW1 filter (181-321nm) UVOT observation 00031255018 with 4333 s exposure starting on 2010-06-24.02 UT with a magnitude of 19.5+-0.2. The position for the nova candidate is RA = 00h42m55s.56, Dec = +41d19'25".5 (J2000, accuracy of 1.0"), which is 127" east and 197" north of the core of M 31.

The reaction of [Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl2]2 with 2.0 mol equivalents of C(CH2SMe)4, C(CH 2SeMe)4, 1,2,4,5-C6H2(CH 2SMe)4 or 1,2,4,5-C6H2(CH 2SeMe)4 (L4) and [NH4][PF 6] in ethanol solution forms the [RuCl(η6-p-cymene) {κ2-L4}][PF6] complexes. Similar Os(II) complexes are obtained starting with [Os(η6-p-cymene)Cl 2]2. Treatment of [RuCl(η6-p-cymene) {κ2-L4}][PF6] with a further 0.5 mol equivalents of [Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl2]2 or reaction of [Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl2]2 directly with 1.0 mol equivalent of L4 forms the homobimetalllic [{RuCl(η6-p-cymene)}2{κ2κ ′2-L4}][PF6]2. Reaction of [OsCl(η6-p-cymene)-{κ2-C(CH2SeMe) 4}][PF6] with [Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl 2]2 or [PtCl2(MeCN)2] affords the heterobimetallic [{OsCl(η6-p-cymene)}{RuCl(η6-p- cymene)}{κ2κ′2-C(CH2SeMe) 4}][PF6]2 and [{OsCl(η6-p- cymene)}{PtCl2}{κ2κ′2- C(CH2SeMe)4}][PF6] respectively. The complexes have been characterised by multinuclear NMR and IR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The synthesis and properties of homomonometallic and homo-and hetero- bimetallic complexes based upon tetrathio-or tetraselenoether ligands with {(arene)MCl]+ units are described, and crystal structures reported for representative examples. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.

Glycogen phosphorylase (GP) is a promising molecular target for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. The design of potential inhibitors for the catalytic site of the enzyme is based on the high affinity for -D-glucopyranose and the pres- ence of a -cavity that extends from the sugar anomeric position forming a 15 x 7.5 x 10 Å available space. This review is focused on our efforts towards the design and synthesis of various families of potential inhibitors, including N--D- glucopyranosyl oxamic acid esters and oxamides, N--D-glucopyranosylaminocarbonyl L-aminoacids and peptides, as well as glucose-derived purine and pyrimidine nucleosides, spiro- and other bicyclic derivatives. Kinetic and crystallo- graphic study of the interactions of these inhibitors with GP has increased our understanding of the importance of the various functional groups within the catalytic site and has pointed the way towards the in silico prediction and design of potent inhibitors, which are both synthetically viable and pharmacologically relevant.

This study reports on the synthesis, characterization and environmental application of immobilized nitrogen and fluorine co-doped TiO2 (NF-TiO2) photocatalyst. A fluorosurfactant-based sol-gel approach was employed to enhance the physicochemical properties and photocatalytic activity of NF-TiO2 under visible and UV light for the degradation of the hepatotoxin microcystin-LR (MC-LR). The films were characterized by XRD, environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM), TEM, AFM, EPR, micro-Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS), UV-vis spectroscopy and porosimeter analysis. The results revealed that by modifying the molar ratio of the fluorosurfactant, we could effectively control the physicochemical properties and obtain films with high BET surface area and porosity, small crystallite size and narrow pore size distribution. UV-vis spectroscopy showed an increase in the absorption capacity of NF-TiO2 in the visible light range compared to reference films. The existence of interstitial nitrogen and substitutional fluorine in the titanium dioxide (TiO2) lattice was determined by XPS. Comparative EPR measurements between the co-doped and reference samples identified distinct N spin species in NF-TiO2, with a high sensitivity to visible light irradiation. The abundance of these paramagnetic centers verifies the formation of localized intra-gap states in TiO2 and implies synergistic effects between fluorine and nitrogen dopants. Micro-Raman spectroscopy showed the growth of small amounts of brookite concomitantly with the major anatase TiO2 phase, which could promote the system's photocatalytic activity through the formation of anatase/brookite heterojunctions. Analysis of the lower frequency Eg anatase Raman mode indicated the occurrence of size effects reflecting phonon confinement in the anatase nanocrystallites as well as deviations from stoichiometry due to structural defects in the co-doped sample. NF-TiO2 films effectively degraded MC-LR under visible and UV light compared to reference film. Similar MC-LR degradation rates under visible light after three cycles revealed high mechanical stability and no irreversible changes of the film during photocatalysis. This process has the potential of providing environmentally benign routes for drinking water treatment with solar powered photocatalytic systems. © 2010 Elsevier B.V.

We have developed a quantum-mechanical theory for the interaction of light and electron-hole excitations in semiconductor quantum dots. Our theoretical analysis results in an expression for the photoluminescence intensity in the non-linear regime. The validity of the theoretical results is tested analyzing experimental data reported for the temperature dependence of the emission spectra of an individual lens-shaped In0.4Ga0.6As self-assembled quantum dot in a wide temperature range up to 300 K. Our theoretical predictions for the redshift of the emission peak with increasing temperature, in the range 2–300 K, agree with the experiment.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines propose different reperfusion strategies for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) depending on the time delay from pain onset, the availability of a catheterization laboratory and the patient's characteristics. In order to implement national strategies to improve reperfusion rates the existing situation must be first analysed. The aim of this report is to provide a description of where and when STEMI patients present in a countrywide registry. METHODS: The Hellenic Infarction Observation Study (HELIOS) was a countrywide registry that enrolled 1096 patients with STEMI from 31 hospitals with a proportional representation of all types of hospitals from all geographical areas. We recorded the proportion of patients that fits within each category of treatment algorithms. RESULTS: The following percentages of the total STEMI population were recorded: a) admitted in invasive hospitals within 12 h 28.7% (with 26% of those not reperfused) and after 12 h 5.9% and b) admitted in non-invasive hospitals within 3 h 34.9% (with 30% of those not reperfused), 3-12 h 19.3% and after 12 h 11%. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of STEMI patients are admitted either in an invasive hospital within 12 h or in a non-invasive one within 3 h from pain onset and therefore can be treated locally according to the guidelines. A relatively small percentage of patients are late presenters in non-invasive centres and are candidates for immediate transfer for primary PCI. These data could be useful in planning reperfusion strategies at countrywide level since not all patients may require immediate transfer for primary PCI.

The goal of this work is the analysis of air quality levels in the area of Volos, a city of average size on the eastern seaboard of Central Greece. For this purpose, concentration measurements of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and nitrogen dioxide, for a 4-year period (2001-2004) are analyzed. Air pollution data were obtained by a monitoring station, fully automated, which was established by the Hellenic Ministry of the Environment, Physical Planning, and Public Works, in order to measure air pollution levels in Volos, a medium-sized city, which faces the effects of industrialization. The main conclusions from the statistical analysis of the 4-year measurements of hourly SO2, NO2, and NO concentrations in the city of Volos, showed that the mean seasonal variation of the examined air pollutant concentration presents a minimum during the warm period of the year and a maximum during the cold period. Although the local geomorphology and meteorology encourage particularly the accumulation of air pollutants, the analysis shows that the SO2 and NO2 concentration levels remain lower than corresponding thresholds for human health protection set by the European Union, in this urban measuring site, during the examined period. The application of harmonic analysis revealed the difference between the annual variation of the SO2 and NO x concentrations. Regarding NO x, the variation is mainly due to the first harmonic term (anthropogenic factor), while the SO2 variation is interpreted by the two harmonic terms, which represent the anthropogenic and meteorological factors, respectively. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

The revised tectono-stratigraphy of Crete and especially of the "Phyllites-Quartzites" complex demonstrated the distinction of the probable Paleozoic low-medium grade metamorphic rocks of the Arna unit from the underlying Permo-Triassic phyllites and associated carbonate sediments (Trypali facies) of Western Crete unit as well as the overlying Permo-Triassic phyllites and associated sediments of the Tyros/Ravdoucha Beds at the base of the Tripolis unit. The pre-existing mixture of the above tectono-stratigaphic units in a single complex created a number of misinterpretations as far as stratigraphy, metamorphism and interpretation of low angle faults as thrusts or detachments. Especially in cases where the inferred tectonic contact concerns the transition between the Tyros Beds and the base of the Tripolis carbonate platform there is no structural omission and therefore the contact represents a minor disharmonic sliding surface and not a detachment. Based on the revised tectono-stratigraphic analysis the determination of the structural omission for each tectonic contact was possible and several detachments were described for the first time. Footwall rocks of the detachments comprised several tectonic units usually from the lower nappes and hanging wall rocks comprised several tectonic units usually from the upper nappes. The detachment may separate not only metamorphosed units in the footwall (Mani, Western Crete, Arna) from non metamorphosed units in the hanging wall (Tripolis, Pindos and higher nappes) but also all other possible combinations from the Cretan nappe pile. Extension in Crete started in the Middle-Late Miocene with the formation of extensional detachment faults. The reported extensional structures of Oligocene to Early Miocene age do not correspond to crustal extension of Crete but to localized shear zones related to nappe stacking and the exhumation of metamorphic rocks. Extensional detachments in Crete form a tectonic horst through two oppositely dipping E-W-trending zones; one dipping north, related to the opening of the Cretan basin, and the other dipping south, related to the formation of the Messara supra-detachment basin. The deformation history of units within Crete can be summarized as: (i) compressional deformation producing arc-parallel east-west-trending south-directed thrust faults in Oligocene to Early Miocene time; (ii) extensional deformation along arc-parallel, east-west-trending detachment faults in Middle Miocene time, with hanging wall motion to the north and south; and (iii) Late Miocene-Quaternary transtensional deformation along high-angle normal and oblique normal faults that disrupt the older arc-parallel structures.

Purpose: To identify if thymidine phosphorylase (TP), dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), and ratio TP/DPD levels in tumor tissues are potential predictive factors for response to combined preoperative chemoradiation with capecitabine, in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Methods And Patients: Between 2004 and 2006, 28 patients with LARC (cT2-T4, N0-N2) were treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Total radiation dose was 50.4 Gy and daily dose was 1.8 Gy in 5.5 weeks. Capecitabine was administrated 1,650 mg/m2/day, 7 days/week. Preoperative staging was based on combined computer tomography and endorectal ultrasound. Tissue samples, both neoplastic and normal ones, were endoscopically taken before treatment for TP and DPD measurement with ELISA. Levels of total proteins were calculated by the Bradford method. Results: Median TP, DPD, ratio TP/DPD levels in the primary tumors were 32.85 U/mg, 18.73 U/mg, and 1.64 respectively. Median ratio TP/DPD of patients with proven pathological "response" (downstaging of the disease) was higher than the "no response" group, 4.40 and 1.42, respectively (P = 0.0001). Levels of TP and DPD in tumor tissue did not reveal any statistically important difference between the two groups. Conclusions: TP/DPD ratio is a possible predictive factor for tumor response after concomitant preoperative chemoradiation with capecitabine in LARC. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Background: Postpartum mood disturbances are very common with postpartum blues being as high as 44.5% among Greek women. This study aimed to investigate whether thyroid function within the normal range affects the incidence of postpartum mood disturbances. Methods: In a cross-sectional study in the maternity ward of Aretaieion Hospital, 57 Greek women were evaluated for postpartum mood swings by the Maternity Blues Questionnaire and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale on the first and sixth week postpartum. Serum Free T4, Free T3 and TSH concentrations as well as thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase antibodies were measured on admission for delivery and daily until the fourth postpartum day. We examined the association between hormone and antibody levels, and scores in the two scales evaluating postpartum mood disturbances. Results: Prepartum serum FT3 and FT4 correlated negatively with blues scores in the first week postpartum (blues on day 4: with FT3, rho = - 0.44, p ≤ 0.01; with FT4 rho = - 0.36, p ≤ 0.01). Women with lower FT3 and FT4 levels belonged to the high scoring group (high scoring group: FT3 = 1.22 pg/ml, FT4 = 0.66 ng/dl; low scoring group: FT3 = 1.64 pg/ml, FT4 = 0.73 ng/dl). Serum FT3 showed a negative independent correlation with postpartum blues scores in the first postpartum days. No association was found between thyroid antibody levels and mood scores. Conclusion: Our findings indicate an association between the occurrence of postpartum mood disorders and antenatal thyroid function. Within normal limits, lower levels of serum FT3 and FT4 are associated with increased incidence of mood disturbances in the first postpartum week. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tornado activity is associated with extreme convective weather which can cause extended damage and even in some cases the loss of life. The complex inland terrain of Greece along with the Ionian Sea at the west and the Aegean Sea at the east appear to be a favorable area for fury phenomena such as tornadoes, waterspouts and funnel clouds. In this study, the spatial and temporal variability of tornado activity in Greece for the period 1900g-1999 are presented. The spatial distribution of tornadoes, waterspouts and funnel clouds reveals the vulnerability of specific geographical areas, such as the west Greece and the south Aegean Sea. As far as the intra annual variability is concerned, the maximum of tornado activity dominates within the cold period of the year (Octoberg-March) while according to the daily distribution, tornadoes happen frequently during the warm hours of the day. It is remarkable to mention that in Greece, within the 20th century, the tornado activity caused the loss of 4 lifes, the injury of 40 people and numerous damages on human constructions and cultivations. © 2010 Author(s).

As a result of the variability survey in χ Persei and NGC 6910, the number of β Cep stars that are members of these two open clusters is increased to twenty stars, nine in NGC 6910 and eleven in χ Persei. We compare pulsational properties, in particular the frequency spectra, of β Cep stars in both clusters and explain the differences in terms of the global parameters of the clusters. We also indicate that the more complicated pattern of the variability among B-type stars in χ Persei is very likely caused by higher rotational velocities of stars in this cluster. We conclude that the sample of pulsating stars in the two open clusters constitutes a very good starting point for the ensemble asteroseismology of β Cep-type stars and maybe also for other B-type pulsators.

In this work we unmask a novel downregulation mechanism of the uric acid/xanthine transporter UapA, the prototype member of the ubiquitous Nucleobase-Ascorbate Transporter family, directly related to its function. In the presence of substrates, UapA is endocytosed, sorted into the multivesicular body pathway and degraded in vacuoles. Substrate-induced endocytosis, unlike ammonium-induced turnover, is absolutely dependent on UapA activity and several lines of evidence showed that the signal for increased endocytosis is the actual translocation of substrates through the UapA protein. The use of several UapA functional mutants with altered kinetics and specificity has further shown that transport-dependent UapA endocytosis occurs through a mechanism, which senses subtle conformational changes associated with the transport cycle. We also show that distinct mechanisms of UapA endocytosis necessitate ubiquitination of a single Lys residue (K572) by HulA(Rsp5). Finally, we demonstrate that in the presence of substrates, non-functional UapA versions can be endocytosed in trans if expressed in the simultaneous presence of active UapA versions, even if the latter cannot be endocytosed themselves.

The recent breakthrough discoveries of transport systems assigned with atypical functions provide evidence for complexity in membrane transport biochemistry. Some channels are far from being simple pores creating hydrophilic passages for solutes and can, unexpectedly, act as enzymes, or mediate high-affinity uptake, and some transporters are surprisingly able to function as sensors, channels or even enzymes. Furthermore, numerous transport studies have demonstrated complex multiphasic uptake kinetics for organic and mineral nutrients. The biphasic kinetics of glucose uptake in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a result of several genetically distinct uptake systems operating simultaneously, is a classical example that is a subject of continuous debate. In contrast, some transporters display biphasic kinetics, being bona fidae dual-affinity transporters, their kinetic properties often modulated by post-translational regulation. Also, aquaporins have recently been reported to exhibit diverse transport properties and can behave as highly adapted, multifunctional channels, transporting solutes such as CO(2), hydrogen peroxide, urea, ammonia, glycerol, polyols, carbamides, purines and pyrimidines, metalloids, glycine, and lactic acid, rather than being simple water pores. The present review provides an overview on some atypical functions displayed by transporter proteins and discusses how this novel knowledge on cellular uptake systems may be related to complex multiphasic uptake kinetics often seen in a wide variety of living organisms and the intriguing diffusive uptake of sugars and other solutes.

We review recent theoretical and experimental in progress in the realisation of slow and stopped light by the 'trapped rainbow' principle in optical metamaterials featuring negative electromagnetic parameters (permittivity/permeability and/or refractive index). We explain how and why these structures can enable complete stopping of light even in the presence of disorder and, simultaneously, dissipative losses. Using full-wave numerical simulations we show that the incorporation of thin layers made of an active medium adjacently to the core layer of a negative-refractive-index waveguide can completely remove dissipative losses - in a slow-light regime where the effective index of the guided wave is negative. © 2010 SPIE.

We prospectively studied the impact of several cytogenetic abnormalities (CAs) in patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma who received lenalidomide and dexamethasone (RD) with or without the addition of bortezomib (V). On the basis of the presence of previous neuropathy, 50 patients were treated with RD and 49, without preexisting neuropathy, with VRD. The overall response rate was 63%, similar for RD and VRD. Poor risk cytogenetics were associated with lower response rates in RD (P=0.01), but not in VRD (P=0.219). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was similar for RD (9 months) and VRD (7 months). The median overall survival (OS) for all patients was 16 months, with no differences between RD or VRD regimens. Poor risk cytogenetics, especially del17p, resistance to previous thalidomide, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and presence of extramedullary disease were associated with inferior response to therapy and shorter PFS and OS. The impact of other CAs on OS was more pronounced in RD. In conclusion, the presence of CAs is an important adverse prognostic factor for patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma, but resistance to previous thalidomide, elevated LDH and presence of extramedullary disease remain of major prognostic importance. The outcome of patients with del17p remains extremely poor even with VRD combination. © 2010 Macmillan Publishers Limited All rights reserved.

Introduction of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib and the immunomodulatory drugs thalidomide and lenalidomide has substantially improved outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma. As a result, these drugs have become cornerstones of current antimyeloma treatment regimens. However, after several years of clinical experience it has become apparent that peripheral neuropathy is the most common and potentially disabling non-haematological side-effect associated with thalidomide and bortezomib. Maximising treatment benefit while preserving quality of life therefore requires a careful balance between achieving optimum activity and minimising toxicity, including neuropathy, to further enhance efficacy. In this review, we discuss all aspects of drug-induced peripheral neuropathy in myeloma, with a particular focus on thalidomide and bortezomib. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

Using Chandra, XMM-Newton and optical data we study the young (?Myr) X-ray binary (XRB) populations of the Magellanic Clouds. We find that the Be-XRBs of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) are observed in regions with star formation (SF) rate bursts ˜25-60 Myr ago. The similarity of this age with the age of maximum occurrence of the Be phenomenon (˜40 Myr) indicates that the presence of a circumstellar decretion disk plays a significant role in the number of observed XRBs in the 10-100 Myr age range. We also find that regions with strong but more recent SF (e.g. the Wing) are deficient in Be-XRBs. By correlating the number of observed Be-XRBs with the formation rate of their parent populations, we measure a Be-XRB production rate of ˜1 system per 10^{-6} M⊙/yr. Finally, we use the strong localization of the Be-XRB systems in order to set limits on the kicks imparted on the neutron star during the supernova explosion. Understanding of the populations of compact objects and their connection with star-formation (SF) will allow us to investigate channels of XRB formation in a variety of environments and therefore help in studies of the X-ray source populations of star-forming galaxies outside our Local Group, and even enable their use as a SF diagnostic. This work was supported from NASA LTSA grant NAG5-13056, and NASA grant GO2-3117X.

The first structurally characterised zerovalent platinum complex to contain a tridentate pincer-type coordination mode (κ3-SBS) is presented, raising further questions concerning the geometries and trans influence of Z-type ligands. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2010.

We report on the effective optical response of a uniaxial crystal of metal–dielectric–metal nanosandwiches, which exhibits artificial optical magnetism, through full-electrodynamic simulations by the extended layer-multiple-scattering method. Using a recently developed all-angle homogenization procedure, which is based on rigorous results of complex-band-structure and reflection-coefficient calculations, we deduce local effective permittivity and permeability tensors, appropriate for this crystal. We show that the effective-medium description breaks down as we approach the region of the magnetic resonance. In a frequency region close to the resonance the retrieved effective parameters, though doubtful, indicate that the crystal under consideration may exhibit negative refraction. This behaviour is demonstrated by rigorous calculation of the isofrequency surfaces of the actual crystal and determination of the relevant group velocities.

Lytic bone disease is a frequent complication of multiple myeloma (MM). Lytic lesions rarely heal and X-rays are of limited value in monitoring bone destruction during anti-myeloma or anti-resorptive treatment. Biochemical markers of bone resorption (amino- and carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX and CTX, respectively) or CTX generated by matrix metalloproteinases (ICTP)) and bone formation provide information on bone dynamics and reflect disease activity in bone. These markers have been investigated as tools for evaluating the extent of bone disease, risk of skeletal morbidity and response to anti-resorptive treatment in MM. Urinary NTX, serum CTX and serum ICTP are elevated in myeloma patients with osteolytic lesions and correlate with advanced disease stage. Furthermore, urinary NTX and serum ICTP correlate with risk for skeletal complications, disease progression and overall survival. Bone markers have also been used for the early diagnosis of bone lesions. This International Myeloma Working Group report summarizes the existing data for the role of bone markers in assessing the extent of MM bone disease and in monitoring bone turnover during anti-myeloma therapies and provides information on novel markers that may be of particular interest in the near future. © 2010 Macmillan Publishers Limited All rights reserved.

The recently proposed, ISSWM staging system for symptomatic patients with WM was based on patients treated with alkylating agents and nucleoside analogs and has not been externally validated nor has been validated for cause-specific survival (CSS). We independently validated ISSWM both for overall survival (OS) and for CSS and assessed whether addition of elevated serum LDH may add to the strength of ISSWM in 335 patients treated upfront mainly with alkylating agents (43%), and rituximab-based therapies (47%). ISSWM could discriminate three groups with significantly different OS and CSS (p< 0.01 for both). High serum LDH was predictive of shorter OS and CSS (p< 0.01). The combination of high risk according to ISSWM and elevated serum LDH identified a subset of patients for whom innovative treatment approaches are needed. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

OJ 287 is a BL Lac object at redshift z = 0.306 that has shown double-peaked bursts at regular intervals of ~12yr during the last ~40yr. We analyse optical photopolarimetric monitoring data from 2005 to 2009, during which the latest double-peaked outburst occurred. The aim of this study is twofold: firstly, we aim to analyse variability patterns and statistical properties of the optical polarization light curve. We find a strong preferred position angle in optical polarization. The preferred position angle can be explained by separating the jet emission into two components: an optical polarization core and chaotic jet emission. The optical polarization core is stable on time-scales of years and can be explained as emission from an underlying quiescent jet component. The chaotic jet emission sometimes exhibits a circular movement in the Stokes plane. We find six such events, all on the time-scales of 10-20d. We interpret these events as a shock front moving forwards and backwards in the jet, swiping through a helical magnetic field. Secondly, we use our data to assess different binary black hole models proposed to explain the regularly appearing double-peaked bursts in OJ 287. We compose a list of requirements a model has to fulfil to explain the mysterious behaviour observed in OJ 287. The list includes not only characteristics of the light curve but also other properties of OJ 287, such as the black hole mass and restrictions on accretion flow properties. We rate all existing models using this list and conclude that none of the models is able to explain all observations. We discuss possible new explanations and propose a new approach to understanding OJ 287. We suggest that both the double-peaked bursts and the evolution of the optical polarization position angle could be explained as a sign of resonant accretion of magnetic field lines, a `magnetic breathing' of the disc.

Hb Agrinio [α29(B10)Leu→Pro] is a highly unstable variant, classified as a nondeletional α-thalassemia (α-thal) mutation. To date it has only been described in individuals of Greek and Cypriot origin. Evaluation of the phenotypic presentation of 12 Hb Agrinio homozygotes or compound heterozygotes, diagnosed in a single center in Greece during a 15-year period, found a wide clinical expression, ranging from thalassemia intermedia (with or without transfusion requirement) to Hb H hydrops fetalis, with some phenotype-to-genotype correlation. The often severe clinical presentation of Hb Agrinio homozygotes or Hb Agrinio compound heterozygotes, coinheriting severe α-thal determinants, indicates that molecular identification of carriers of the Hb Agrinio mutation should be considered within the context of screening programs involving individuals of Greek and Cypriot origin. Selective molecular investigation of candidate carriers is facilitated by the observation that all heterozygotes for the Hb Agrinio mutation present with at least one hematological parameter implicating an α-thal carrier state.

Young stellar object jets are supersonic and highly collimated plasma outflows that propagate for large distances. Although their association to star formation is a well established fact, there are still open questions such as whether the outflow is of disk or stellar origin, how the jet’s time variable structure is produced and why there is an asymmetry between the opposite bipolar flows. The increasing angular resolution of modern telescopes gradually provides the clues to clarify and understand such issues. An emerging picture is that of a two-component protostellar jet, where a high mass loss rate disk wind surrounds a hot stellar outflow. In this context, our group has carried out numerical simulations of several two-component magnetohydrodynamic jet models, setting as initial conditions a combination of two well studied analytical solutions. We investigated the dynamics and the steady state features of many interesting cases as a function of the mixing parameters and the enforced time variability. A highly significant result was the morphological reproduction of the large scale knot-like structure of many young stellar objects jets. Moreover, with the assumption of a quadrupolar disk field we found asymmetric velocities between the bipolar outflows suggesting a possible explanation for this observational fact. In this article we summarize the results on the dynamics and the velocity profiles of a few interesting two-component jet scenarios.

Paraneoplastic syndromes represent a group of clinical manifestations widely separated from the primary site of malignancy, which are not caused by local infiltration of the tumor or its metastases. Alterations of hemostasis and vascular abnormalities commonly accompany the progression of malignant disease. Hypercoagulability, changes in coagulation factors, anticoagulant proteins, circulating anticoagulants or platelets, and vascular responses have been noted during the disease process. The purpose of this review is to illustrate and present the current state of knowledge surrounding vascular paraneoplastic manifestations in gynecologic oncology. Since they may constitute the presenting feature of an undiagnosed gynecologic cancer, it is important to seek to identify such malignancies in women presenting with clinical thrombotic or bleeding syndromes. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Inquiries into the relationships between viral respiratory tract illnesses and the inception and exacerbation of asthma are being facilitated by recent advances in research approaches and technology. In this article we identify important knowledge gaps and future research questions, and we discuss how new investigational tools, including improved respiratory tract virus detection techniques, will permit current and future researchers to define these relationships and the host, virus, developmental, and environmental mechanisms that regulate them. A better understanding of these processes should facilitate the development of improved strategies for the prevention and treatment of virus-induced wheezing illnesses and asthma exacerbations and, possibly, the ultimate goal of discovering effective approaches for the primary prevention of asthma.

aspects on the interactive masks createdby the composer Georgia Spiropoulosfor the needs of the opera LesBacchantes (Ircam, 2010). Bacchae isan opera for a single performer, tapeand live electronics where the voice ofthe performer interprets four differentroles with the interactive environmentin Max/Msp. The virtual masks as ametaphor of Euripide’s dramaticpersonae and masks1 of the same actor.Are used as virtual scores whichregister the vocal trace of the performerand give further vocal agility,extensibility, mutation, multiplicationand augmented vocality.

alpha-Lactalbumin (alpha-La) is a major cow's milk (CM) allergen responsible for allergic reactions in infants.|We performed molecular, structural, and immunologic characterization of alpha-La.|Recombinant alpha-lactalbumin (ralpha-La) was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified to homogeneity, and characterized by means of mass spectrometry and circular dichroism, and its allergenic activity was studied by using microarray technology, as well as in a basophil histamine release assay. IgE epitope mapping was performed with synthetic peptides.|According to circular dichroism analysis, ralpha-La represented a folded protein with a high thermal stability and refolding capacity. ralpha-La reacted with IgE antibodies from 57.6% of patients with CM allergy (n = 66) and induced the strongest basophil degranulation with sera from patients with CM allergy who had exhibited gastrointestinal symptoms or severe systemic reactions on CM exposure. ralpha-La contained sequential and conformational IgE epitopes. Superposition of IgE-reactive peptides onto the 3-dimensional structure of alpha-La revealed a close vicinity of the N- and C-terminal peptides within a surface-exposed patch.|ralpha-La can be used for the diagnosis of patients with severe allergic reactions to CM and serves as a paradigmatic tool for the development of therapeutic strategies for CM allergy.

These files present the observational data of the paper. There are 7 files : 6 for photometry (BVRIri) and one for polarimetry. Details of the reduction procedures and the telescopes involved can be found in the paper. (7 data files).

Historical buildings are important structures and their preservation and restoration is a vital issue worldwide. A crucial step before interventions is the definition of potential hazards and the monument’s vulnerability estimation. The Kapnikarea chapel is one of the most important and popular Byzantine monuments in Athens and dates back to the 11th century. In 1994, construction of the Athens underground Metro system began, with the tunnels passing underneath Kapnikarea foundations. During excavations, sounds of the approaching underground activities (heavy drilling and hydraulic hammer equipment) were heard in the interior of the chapel, and several failures were observed inside the church. Additional reasons reduced the structure’s rigidity are deterioration in time and past severe earthquakes. Towards the restoration planning of the monument, the University of Athens together with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Tourism, assigned to our research group the task to investigate the fundamental frequencies of the monument and of its soil foundation in order to determine resonance phenomena capable of compromising building stability during an earthquake. For this purpose, we conducted a microtremor survey. Ambient noise measurements were taken for 87 points located both on the ground and the chapel. Using the HVSR technique we determined the response of the ground, the monument’s predominant frequency and the spatial variations of the peak frequencies on the monument. Based on the experimental observations we discuss the possibility that differentiations are due to the structural members’ particularity and/or health.

The performance of QuantiFERON-tuberculosis (TB) Gold-In-Tube assay was compared with the tuberculin skin test for the diagnosis of TB among children. It was shown that among non-Bacille Calmette Guèrin immunized children, agreement between tests was excellent both in those with TB disease and in TB contacts. Among Bacille Calmette Guèrin-immunized children, agreement was fair in those with active disease and poor among TB contacts. It is concluded that QuantiFERON-TB Gold-In-Tube compares with the tuberculin skin test in the diagnosis of TB disease and latent tuberculosis infection in TB contacts among children and has enhanced specificity.

Καμπερίδου, Ειρήνη &  Al zyoud, Khaled (2010). Γυναίκα και Αθλητισμός στην Ιορδανία και στην «Κορανική Κοινωνία», Γυναίκα & Άθληση, VII, σελ. 54-72. Έκδοση της Πανελλήνιας Ένωσης για την Προώθηση των Γυναικών στον Αθλητισμό και τα Σπορ (ΠΕΠΓΑΣ)    Abstract women_and_sports_in_jordan_and_in_koranic_society_2010.pdf-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Σκοπός της εργασίας αυτής ήταν να εξετάσει τους λόγους που απομακρύνουν ή αποκλείουν τη γυναίκα της Ιορδανίας από την αθλητική δραστηριότητα. Χρησιμοποιώντας τα εργαλεία των κοινωνικών επιστημών και την κοινωνιολογική προσέγγιση, στην πρώτη ενότητα μελετήθηκαν η θέση της γυναίκας στο Ισλάμ και την Ιορδανία, καθώς και ο αθλητισμός από ισλαμική σκοπιά (Najy, 1995; Mansour, 2000; Alkakei, 2001; Υοnes, 2001; Mouner, 2003; Yones & Ibrahem, 2003; El-Azhary, 2005; Αλζιούντ, 2008). Στόχος της δεύτερης ενότητας ήταν να διερευνηθούν οι επιπτώσεις των ηθών και εθίμων στην αθλητική δραστηριότητα των μαθητριών της Ιορδανικής κοινωνίας-τόσο στην περιφέρεια όσο και την πόλη-και ο βαθμός παρέμβασης των  κηδεμόνων/γονέων τους. Τα ερωτηματολόγια διανεμήθηκαν συνολικά σε 2.000 μαθήτριες και κηδεμόνες/γονείς: 1000 μαθήτριες της Ιορδανίας, ηλικίας 14-16 ετών, εκ των οποίων οι 580 εκπροσωπούσαν την αστική κοινωνία και οι 420 την αγροτική και αντίστοιχα ο ίδιος αριθμός ερωτηματολογίων μοιράστηκε στους κηδεμόνες/γονείς τους. Ως κηδεμόνας, των εν λόγω μαθητριών ορίζεται ο πατέρας ή ο μεγαλύτερος αδελφός. Η ιορδανική νομοθεσία δεν αναγνωρίζει τη μητέρα ως κηδεμόνα της κόρης της.  Συμπεράσματα: Αναδεικνύεται  ότι τα ήθη και έθιμα της αραβικής κοινωνίας, η θρησκεία, η εθνικο-θρησκευτικές και κρατικές δομές, ο αναλφαβητισμός, ο ενδυματολογικός κώδικας του Ισλάμ, οι κοινωνικές προκαταλήψεις, η έλλειψη αθλητικών χώρων αποκλειστικά για γυναίκες, η ανεπάρκεια «κατάλληλης» αθλητικής ενδυμασίας για τη μουσουλμάνα, καθώς και η έλλειψη αθλητικής κουλτούρας στην Ιορδανία, αποτελούν σοβαρά εμπόδια για τη συμμετοχή των κοριτσιών και των γυναικών στο μάθημα της φυσικής αγωγής και στον αγωνιστικό αθλητισμό.   Λέξεις κλειδιά: αθλητισμός από ισλαμική σκοπιά, εμπόδια στην αθλητική δραστηριότητα, ήθη και έθιμα, κοινωνικο-θρησκευτικοί περιορισμοί, «κατάλληλη» αθλητική ενδυμασία. --------------------------------------This study examines the participation of Muslim girls and women in physical education classes and competitive sports in Jordanian society. The first part of the study, using a sociological approach, focuses on international dialogue on the position of “Women in a Qur’ anic Society” (Al-Faruqi, 1984), namely in Islamic cultures, including Jordanian society, and subsequently examines sport from an Islamic perspective (Najy, 1995; Mansour, 2000; Alkakei, 2001; ÀÔnes, 2001; Mouner, 2003; Yones & Ibrahem, 2003; El-Azhary, 2005; Αλζιούντ, 2008). The second part examines socio-cultural attitudes concerning Jordanian girls’ and women’s participation in sports. Questionnaires were distributed to 1.000 female high school students in Jordan between the ages of 14-16 – 580 from urban areas and 420 from agricultural. An equivalent number (1.000 questionnaires) was also distributed to their male parents or legal guardians. According to Jordanian legislation (law 34:1973) a female (the mother) is not recognized as a legal gal guardian. The results of the study indicate that the reasons that Jordanian girls and women are discouraged or forbidden from participating in sport activities –although there are exceptions to the rule– are due to cultural perspectives, socio-religious barriers and perceptions concerning women’s bodies as well as the lack of “appropriate sport attire”, social prejudices and attitudes, the scarcity of exclusively female sport spaces/installations and so forth. In Jordanian society girls and women still confront many obstacles to sport participation.   Key-words: sport from an Islamic perspective, women’s bodies, socio-religious barriers, Muslim women in sports, “appropriate” sport attire.  

This paper argues for the support of women entrepreneurs and policies encouraging entrepreneurship regardless of gender in order to stimulate growth  as Europe does not have enough entrepreneurs. Surveys conducted by the National Foundation of Women Business Owners (NFWBO) show that women-owned firms compete in the global market, stimulate growth, have greater revenues and are more focused on business expansion than firms that are domestically oriented.1 Women entrepreneurs have a significant impact on the economy, not only in their ability to create jobs for themselves but also in creating jobs for others. However, they constitute only 34.4% of the EU's self-employed workforce and only 39.4% women choose to be self-employed compared to 50.2% men  Research also confirms that women entrepreneurs are highly educated and use more high technology systems than their male counterparts.  Additionally, studies show that women create smaller but relatively more viable enterprises, are more cautious than men and possess better awareness regarding the risk of failure.  Consequently, it is vital for women to learn how to play the international trade game and raise the visibility of women’s entrepreneurship...............................................................

1. Kamberidou, Irene (2010). Women Entrepreneurs, an Emerging Economic Force. Submitted Paper for the “SMEs and Entrepreneurship: European Actions for Women Entrepreneurs” Round Table on Women Entrepreneurship organized by the Transnational Consortium of the European project women@business and the Hellenic Association of Young Entrepreneurs, 14th December 2010, Hellenic European Parliament Office, 8 Amalias street, Athens, Greece. European Commission Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme 2007-2013. (info@militos.org). Published in EUD Community http://www.ictwomendirectory.eu (December 18, 2010 11:40 AM); in  ECWT www.womenandtechnology.eu (December 18, 2010 11:18 AM Dec. 2010). Also disseminated in women@business website (www.womenatbusiness.eu)  and in Home page: http://www.womenatbusiness.eu/ViewShopStaticPage.aspx?ValueId=2901. G.4 in Apella                Also published/disseminated in:
   1.  Global Women News: http://www.hajduszoboszlo.hu.com/digitalcity/entity/entityNews.jsp?dom=AAAATCEI&prt=AAAAYFWY&egd=AAABEAOW&hir=BAAFKBUE
   2.  European Network of Women Resource Centres, Dec. 18, 2010 (http://www.szocialispartnerek.hu/digitalcity/entity/entityNews.jsp?ktg=AAAABCOX&dom=AAAABIVV&prt=AAAAUSFE&egd=AAABEAOW
   3. Also disseminated/pulbished in: EUD Community  http://www.ictwomendirectory.eu (December 18, 2010 11:40 AM)  και στο ECWT www.womenandtechnology.eu (December 18, 2010 11:18 AM  Dec. 2010). 

Also disseminated in women@business (www.womenatbusiness.eu and http://www.womenatbusiness.eu/Files/files/Dr.pdf   

As one of the initiatives undertaken to promote Astronomy in Greece, particularly in view of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, the Hellenic Astronomical Society (Hel.A.S.), in collaboration with the Hellenic Association of the Laboratory Centers of Physical Sciences, organized a special workshop, under the umbrella of the 9th Hellenic Astronomical Conference, addressed to school teachers. The aim was to develop and promote teaching of Astronomy, which is currently an optional subject, offered during the second year of senior high school (Lyceum).

Context. Classical novae (CNe) have recently been reported to represent the major class of supersoft X-ray sources (SSSs) in the central region of our neighbour galaxy M 31. Aims: We carried out a dedicated monitoring of the M 31 central region with XMM-Newton and Chandra in order to find SSS counterparts of CNe, determine the duration of their SSS phase and derive physical outburst parameters. Methods: We systematically searched our data for X-ray counterparts of CNe and determined their X-ray light curves and spectral properties. Additionally, we determined luminosity upper limits for all novae from previous studies which are not detected anymore and for all CNe in our field of view with optical outbursts between May 2005 and March 2007. Results: We detected eight X-ray counterparts of CNe in M 31, four of which were not previously known. Seven sources can be classified as SSSs, one is a candidate SSS. Two SSSs are still visible more than nine years after the nova outburst, whereas two other nova counterparts show a short SSS phase of less than 150 days. Of the latter sources, M31N 2006-04a exhibits a short-time variable X-ray light curve with an apparent period of (1.6±0.3) h. This periodicity could indicate the binary period of the system. There is no X-ray detection for 23 out of 25 CNe which were within the field of view of our observations and had their outburst from about one year before the start of the monitoring until its end. From the 14 SSS nova counterparts known from previous studies, ten are not detected anymore. Additionally, we found four SSSs in our XMM-Newton data without a nova counterpart, one of which is a new source. Conclusions: Out of eleven SSSs detected in our monitoring, seven are counterparts of CNe. We therefore confirm the earlier finding that CNe are the major class of SSSs in the central region of M 31. We use the measured SSS turn-on and turn-off times to estimate the mass ejected in the nova outburst and the mass burned on the white dwarf. Classical novae with short SSS phases seem to be an important contributor to the overall population. Partly based on observations with XMM-Newton, an ESA Science Mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member States and NASA.

The Saint Georgios coastal zone, located at the W coast of Naxos, the largest island of the Central Aegean Sea, was investigated in order to determine the palaeo-geography, sea level changes and their effect to the palaeo-environment of western Naxos island and to human activity. Detailed geomorphological mapping, study of micropaleontological and sedimentological characteristics and dating analyses of the Late Holocene of St. Georgios coastal zone were conducted.To obtain information about the Holocene stratigraphy under the recent alluvial cover, three boreholes followed the detailed geomorphological mapping. Microfaunal analysis took place and five samples of plants, shells, peat and charred material were also collected from several layers of the sedimentary sequence and were dated using AMS and conventional radiocarbon techniques providing temporal control of the sediments. The sea-land interactions during Upper Holocene, in relation to the eustatic sea level oscillations, as well as the geomorphologic observations and analysis on deposited sediments, aims to reveal the palaeo-geographic evolution of the landscape and its impact on the archaeological sites. Sea level rise along with sea-land interactions to the landscape evolution and the transgression of sea in 6144 BP have been verified.

(2010). Αθλητισμός και καπιταλισμός. Η κατά τον Jean-Marie Brohm δομική τους αναλογία. Σύμφωνα με τον Jean-Marie Brohm, τον μεγαλύτερο υποστηρικτή της ριζοσπαστικής κριτικής του αθλητισμού στη Γαλλία, η ανάπτυξη του αθλητισμού συνδέεται στενά με εκείνην της καπιταλιστικής βιομηχανικής εκμηχάνισης. Ο σύγχρονος αθλητισμός θα μπορούσε μάλιστα να θεωρηθεί ως η τυπική σωματική δραστηριότητα μιας βιομηχανικής κοινωνίας, καθώς αντανακλά τα θεμελιώδη γνωρίσματά της, τα οποία είναι: α). Ο εμπορευματικός αθλητισμός. β). Η εκλεκτική κατάταξη. γ). Το αθλητικό ‘προϊόν’ ως κριτήριο της παραγωγής. δ). Η ελιτίστικη επιλογή των αθλητών. ε). Η επίδοση ως αποτέλεσμα της ‘τεχνικοποίησης’ του αθλητικού έργου. στ). Η αύξηση της σωματικής αποδοτικότητας ως αποτέλεσμα της τεχνικής αποδοτικότητας. ζ). Η ‘εκμηχάνιση’ της ανθρώπινης προσωπικότητας. η). Η δέσμευση και αλλοτρίωση του προσωπικού χρόνου. θ). Ο κατακερματισμός της ανθρώπινης ολότητας. ι). Η εξωτερίκευση των αθλητικών ικανοτήτων. κ). Η αλλοτρίωση του σύγχρονου πρωταθλητή και η μηχανιστική ηθική των προτύπων επιτυχίας. Η αλλοτρίωση ή αποξένωση του ανθρώπου βρίσκει τέλεια εφαρμογή στην περίπτωση του σύγχρονου αθλητή και του έργου του. Πίσω από το μυϊκό έργο, πλέον, έχει κατασκευασθεί μια μηχανή, ανθρώπινη, αλλά, πάντως, μηχανή. Όλα λειτουργούν όπως ένα ρολόι ακριβείας, ενώ ο αθλητής έχει μετατραπεί σε εξάρτημα μιας ολόκληρης βιομηχανίας, η οποία στήνεται δίπλα του για να χρησιμοποιήσει το δικό του έργο και να κερδίσει από αυτό. Αυτό που μετράει για την κοινωνική καταξίωση είναι το σελοφάν της επιτυχίας. Τα πρότυπα που δημιουργεί το συγκεκριμένο σύστημα αξιών μπορεί προσωρινά να προκαλούν κάποια ικανοποίηση, αλλά, στην ηθική τους βάση πάσχουν, και αποπροσανατολίζουν την κοινωνία. Η αλλοίωση της πραγματικότητας που βιώνει η κοινή γνώμη, ανάγει τα ασήμαντα γεγονότα που συνιστούν οι αθλητικές συναντήσεις σε ζητήματα μείζονος σημασία, και τον μισθοφόρο-αθλητή σε επί μηχανής θεό. Οι αληθινές αξίες δεν επιβεβαιώνονται, ωστόσο, μέσω της υπερβολής και της προβολής, αλλά μπορεί να είναι σιωπηλές, μακροπρόθεσμες και πολύπλευρες. Η ενασχόληση που διαθέτει χαρακτηριστικά εξαναγκασμού και ανελευθερίας, ακόμη κι αν οδηγεί σε οποιοδήποτε ‘επιτυχές’ αποτέλεσμα, δεν μπορεί να συνιστά κοινωνικό πρότυπο, καθώς πρόκειται για αλλοίωση της ανθρώπινης φύσης. Η κοινωνία που δημιουργεί και αποδέχεται τέτοια πρότυπα, θα πρέπει, επομένως, ν’ αποκτήσει επίγνωση του εαυτού της, αναζητώντας βαθύτερα τους ιδεολογικούς παράγοντες που προξενούν τη νοσηρότητά της.  

Η λέξη ‘έρις’ απαντάται πρώτη φορά στον ελληνικό γραπτό λόγο στον Όμηρο και μετέπειτα στον Ησίοδο. Από την εποχή των πρώτων αναφορών της μέχρι σήμερα το περιεχόμενό της φαίνεται να μην έχει αλλοιωθεί, καθιστώντας τη διαχρονικότητα της λέξης αξιοσημείωτη. Ο Νίτσε, μάλιστα, με αφορμή την έριδα (αγώνα) μεταξύ του Ομήρου και του Ησιόδου υποστηρίζει τη θεωρία του ότι η φύση του ανθρώπου είναι άρρηκτα συνδεδεμένη με τη διαμάχη. Η ετυμολογία της λέξης τη συνδέει με πολλές ερμηνείες, με επικρατέστερη αυτή της φιλονικίας, της προστριβής ή ακόμη και της ερινύος, της τύψης, της οργής και της κατάρας. Ο Ησίοδος ειδικά διαχωρίζει την έριδα σε καλή και σε κακή. Εξ αυτών η πρώτη οδηγεί τους ανθρώπους στα αγαθά έργα, ενώ η δεύτερη τους κατευθύνει σε βιαιότητες και σε πολέμους. Η κακή Έριδα, χαιρέκακη ούσα, συνδέεται με τη φιλονεικία (την αγάπη του νείκους=διχόνοιας) και την καταστροφή, ενώ αντίθετα η καλή με τη φιλονικία (την αγάπη της νίκης), τη δημιουργία, τον Έρωτα της ζωής, τη δικαιοσύνη και την Πανδώρα, που φέρει όλα τα δώρα. Η καλή Έριδα οδηγεί στην ευγενή άμιλλα, τον υγιή ανταγωνισμό και τον δίκαιο αγώνα, σε αντίθεση με την κακή, που στον αθλητισμό, και γενικότερα στις εκφάνσεις του πολιτισμού προκαλεί την έχθρα και το μίσος. Η έριδα θεωρείται κάτι εγγενές του ανθρώπινου είδους, η επίγνωση, όμως, των δεινών που προκαλεί ο κακός ανταγωνισμός μπορεί να συμβάλλει στη σύλληψη από τον άνθρωπο του τρόπου με τον οποίο ο ίδιος θα ελέγξει την επιθετικότητά του, προκειμένου να ωφεληθεί από το ίδιο του το μειονέκτημα. Ο άνθρωπος έχει τη δύναμη, έλλογα, να μετατρέψει την κακή έριδα, τη φιλονεικία και τον πόλεμο σε φιλονικία με νόμο, ευγενή άμιλλα και αγώνα, εξασφαλίζοντας τη συνέχεια και την εξέλιξή του. Η χαλιναγώγηση της κατώτερης φύσης του ανθρώπου συνιστά συνειδητή στάση απέναντι στο υπό διαρκείς προκλήσεις φαινόμενο της ζωής, το οποίο δεν είναι μια συνεχής άμυνα απέναντι σε εχθρικές επιθέσεις, αλλά μια απόπειρα κατανόησης του άλλου. Η εξέλιξη του ανθρώπου βασίζεται, εν τέλει, στην αξιοποίηση της δυνατότητάς του ανθρώπου αφενός να εκλογικεύει και αφετέρου να εξανθρωπίζει τα ίδια τα ένστικτά του. 

(2009). Η συμβολή της ‘Ολυμπιακής Παιδείας’ στην αντιμετώπιση της παραβατικότητας των νέων. Η νεολαία, διαχρονικά, δεν είναι μόνο αντικείμενο διαπαιδαγώγησης, αλλά και υποκείμενο δράσης, με ιδιαίτερες επιδιώξεις και επιθυμίες. Η καθημερινότητα και ο δυτικός πολιτισμός αποδεικνύουν, μάλιστα, πως η σύγχρονη νεολαία είναι εκτεθειμένη σε μια πληθώρα ατομικών και κοινωνικών προβλημάτων, τα οποία κάθε νέος αντιμετωπίζει με εντελώς διαφορετικό τρόπο. Ο τρόπος με τον οποίο αντιμετωπίζει ο νεολαίος τα προβλήματα της πολιτισμικής κρίσης, εξαρτάται κυρίως από δύο παράγοντες: α) από την προσωπικότητα του ιδίου, και β) από το σύστημα αξιών της κοινωνίας. Ο πρώτος παράγοντας είναι αποτέλεσμα κυρίως της σχέσης του νέου με τους γονείς του, καθώς με την αποδοχή ή την απόρριψή τους αποτελούν το θετικό ή το διαλυτικό μοτίβο επάνω στο οποίο βασίζεται ολόκληρος ο ψυχισμός του. Το δεύτερο, το σύστημα αξιών, συνιστά το σύνολο των ηθικών αρχών που διέπει την κοινωνία. Εάν η τελευταία λειτουργεί με τις αρχές του σεβασμού της προσωπικότητας και της απόδοσης δικαιοσύνης, αυτές αντανακλώνται στην παιδεία της, και από εκεί στην ομάδα και το άτομο. Δια της παιδείας, επομένως, οι αξίες της κοινωνίας εξακτινώνονται σε κάθε τομέα της κοινωνικής ζωής. Ποιός είναι, όμως, ο ορισμός της ‘παραβατικότητας’; Ποια είναι τα χαρακτηριστικά ειδικά της ‘εφηβικής παραβατικότητας’ και ποια φαινόμενα την επηρεάζουν; Πώς λειτουργεί το γονεϊκό πρότυπο, την ανάγκη αποκήρυξης του οποίου έχει ο νέος, προκειμένου να επιδιώξει την αυτονομία του; Πόσο έντονη είναι η δραματοποίηση (acting-out) στον έφηβο, από ποια συναισθήματα και ανάγκες κατακλύζεται, και πιο ρόλο ελέγχου μπορεί να διαδραματίσει το εφηβικό «εγώ»; (Georges Mauco (1948), De l'inconscient à l'âme enfantine: La psychologie de l'enfant dans ses rapports avec la psychologie de l'inconscientReliure inconnue). Εξάλλου, πώς επιδρά στη διαμόρφωση παραβατικών συμπεριφορών η ενδοοικογενειακή βία, η εντεινόμενη αβεβαιότητα του μέλλοντος, τα κοινωνικά αδιέξοδα που αποτυπώνονται στις αυταρχικές δομές του συστήματος, το απαιτητικό σχολικό πρόγραμμα, η ελαχιστοποίηση του προσωπικού χρόνου του μαθητή, και η αντικατάσταση των άμεσων ανθρώπινων σχέσεων με την τεχνολογία; Μήπως περιορίζουν τη δυνατότητα κοινωνικοποίησης του νέου, ενώ τον εξασκούν στην αναζήτηση ατομικών λύσεων σε συλλογικά προβλήματα; Γενικά, πάντως, οι έφηβοι που εμφανίζουν απόκλιση από μία ‘αποδεκτή’ συμπεριφορά, είναι εγκλωβισμένοι οι ίδιοι στις αλυσίδες της παιδικής τους ηλικίας, όπου βίωσαν εγκατάλειψη, διακρίσεις, περιφρόνηση και κακή χρήση της εξουσίας, τα οποία και διαιωνίζουν από τη μια γενιά στην άλλη. Όταν τα παιδιά αυτά μπορέσουν να βιώσουν συνειδητά την αδυναμία και την οργή των πρώτων χρόνων της ζωής τους, δεν θα χρειάζονται πια να κρατούν σε απόσταση αυτά τα συναισθήματα και ταυτόχρονα να ασκούν εξουσία σε άλλους (Alice Miller, Das Drama des begabten Kindes, 1979, Neufassung 1994). Η παιδεία και ειδικότερα η ολυμπιακή παιδεία μπορεί να προσφέρει ένα χώρο επούλωσης της σκληρότητας και της κακομεταχείρισης των νέων αυτών, υπό τον όρο οτι δεν λειτουργεί με αυταρχισμό και διακρίσεις, αλλά με ανθρωπισμό. Το ίδιο ισχύει και για τις αθλητικές δραστηριότητες, υπό τον όρο οτι δεν αναπαράγουν ένα αυστηρό σύστημα επιλογής και κατάταξης, αλλά εκεί αναγνωρίζεται κάθε είδους προσφορά. Η εφαρμογή της ολυμπιακής παιδείας, προϋποθέτει, εν προκειμένω, την υιοθέτηση εκ μέρους της πολιτείας μιας νέας αθλητικής ιδεολογίας, η οποία μεταξύ άλλων σημαίνει: Την αναγνώριση της μοναδικότητας του ατόμου. Την αξιοποίηση του ψυχαγωγικού και παιγνιώδους χαρακτήρα του αθλητισμού. Τον περιορισμό του κατακερματισμού του χρόνου των μαθητών. Τη βελτίωση των αθλητικών υποδομών, ώστε να μπορεί να δημιουργηθεί η αίσθηση της ομαδικότητας και της κοινότητας. Κυρίως, όμως, την αλλαγή νοοτροπίας, ώστε ν’ απαλλαγεί ο αθλητισμός από τον ψυχαναγκασμό της πρωτιάς ή την περιφρόνηση του ηττημένου, στοχεύοντας στην αποκατάσταση μιας επαφής με τη φύση, το σώμα του και την ομάδα. Οι ανταγωνιστικές και συγκρουσιακές τάσεις που αναζωπυρώνονται στις σύγχρονες κοινωνίες, ειδικά των μεγαλουπόλεων, έχει δυσμενείς έως και δραματικές επιπτώσεις στην ομαλή λειτουργία της ίδιας της κοινωνίας. * http://www.olympic.org.cy/media/Synodoi_EOAK/21st__Session_EOAK_2009_F.pdf

Καμπερίδου, Ειρήνη (2010). Κοινωνικό φύλο - βιολογικό φύλο: το φύλο στον αθλητισμό και η ιστορικότητα του γυναικείου αποκλεισμού. Γυναίκα και Άθληση, τόμος VII, 2009/2010, σελ. 7-24.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Σκοπός της εργασίας αυτής είναι να διερευνηθούν οι αιτίες που οδήγησαν στη σημερινή υπό-εκπροσώπηση των γυναικών όσον αφορά θέσεις διοικητικής ευθύνης στους αθλητικούς θεσμούς και να προταθούν στρατηγικές ενσωμάτωσης. Στην πρώτη ενότητα αναφέρονται οι θεωρητικές προσεγγίσεις για το φύλο (κοινωνικό φύλο – βιολογικό φύλο). Εξετάζετε το έμφυλο υποκείμενο (gender subject) καθώς και η έμφυλη ταυτότητα ως αποτέλεσμα συσχετισμού της βιολογικής διαφοράς με πολύπλοκες κοινωνικές διεργασίες. Το ενδιαφέρον επικεντρώνετε στην έμφυλη ουδετερότητα, που αφορά στην πρόσβαση και ενσωμάτωση του υποκειμένου επιμέρους κοινωνικές περιοχές όπως της πολιτικής, του αθλητισμού κ.τ.λ. Διαπιστώθηκε ότι ιδιαίτερα στο υψηλό αθλητισμό, σε αντίθεση με άλλες κοινωνικές περιοχές, δεν συναντάται ως δομικό συστατικό  μια έμφυλη ουδετερότητα. Στην δεύτερη ενότητα διερευνήθηκαν οι παράγοντες υπό-εκπροσώπησης στον αγωνιστικό αθλητισμό και στους αθλητικούς θεσμούς.    Λέξεις κλειδιά: κοινωνικό φύλο, βιολογικό φύλο, έμφυλη ουδετερότητα, αθλητισμός, κοινωνική χειραφέτηση, εκδημοκρατισμός, αθλητικοί θεσμοί------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABSTRACT: Women have come a long way since the 1952 Helsinki Games, where they represented only 10 percent of the Olympic athletes. At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing women represented approximately 43 percent of the total athlete delegation, up from 41 percent in the Athens 2004 Olympics. This does not mean that their biological make-up has changed. What has changed however are the socio-cultural perceptions pertaining to gender. On the other hand, women constitute an invisible minority in sport governing bodies today. This paper focuses on women’s underrepresentation in sport governing bodies and proposes strategies-practices of gender inclusion, including the democratization of sport institutions. The first part of thestudy examines current discussions on gender, gender neutrality, the gender subject and gender identity. In the new theoretical framework gender is being transformed from a static biological perception into a dynamic social category, affecting and changing identity, gender relations and the expectations of the social environment. Namely, in today’s postmodernist reality discussions on gender no longer focus exclusively on the biological gender (sex) as an analytical category, but on the social gender which formulates, defines and redefines identity, according to evolving socio-cultural interpretations. Although the biological gender is losing its primacy as an analytical category in most social spaces (i.e. there is no regulated gender classification system in the political arena, in sports, etc.), it is enforced by rules and regulations in competitive sports, and not only. It seems to extend into sport governing bodies as well. The second part of the study explores the interrelation of outdated social theories, ‘biologistic’ approaches and anachronistic gender- based ideologies that established gender stereotypes, hierarchies in sports that continue to apply today. Women are still under-reprsented in executive bodies of national and international sport organizations, federations and institutions, such as the IOC: there are only 14 women who represent 14.1% of the total of 113 IOC members. Consequently, a critical issue which needs to be addressed extensively, among others, is the democratization of the IOC structures since exclusions based on genetic characteristics are a contradiction to the value system of sport. Keywords: gender identity, gender neutrality, gender neutral, democratization of the IOC structures.  ............................................

Καμπερίδου, Ειρήνη (2010). Κοινωνικό φύλο - βιολογικό φύλο: το φύλο στον αθλητισμό και η ιστορικότητα του γυναικείου αποκλεισμού. Γυναίκα και Άθληση, τόμος VII, 2009/2010, σελ. 7-24.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Σκοπός της εργασίας αυτής είναι να διερευνηθούν οι αιτίες που οδήγησαν στη σημερινή υπό-εκπροσώπηση των γυναικών όσον αφορά θέσεις διοικητικής ευθύνης στους αθλητικούς θεσμούς και να προταθούν στρατηγικές ενσωμάτωσης. Στην πρώτη ενότητα αναφέρονται οι θεωρητικές προσεγγίσεις για το φύλο (κοινωνικό φύλο – βιολογικό φύλο). Εξετάζετε το έμφυλο υποκείμενο (gender subject) καθώς και η έμφυλη ταυτότητα ως αποτέλεσμα συσχετισμού της βιολογικής διαφοράς με πολύπλοκες κοινωνικές διεργασίες. Το ενδιαφέρον επικεντρώνετε στην έμφυλη ουδετερότητα, που αφορά στην πρόσβαση και ενσωμάτωση του υποκειμένου επιμέρους κοινωνικές περιοχές όπως της πολιτικής, του αθλητισμού κ.τ.λ. Διαπιστώθηκε ότι ιδιαίτερα στο υψηλό αθλητισμό, σε αντίθεση με άλλες κοινωνικές περιοχές, δεν συναντάται ως δομικό συστατικό  μια έμφυλη ουδετερότητα. Στην δεύτερη ενότητα διερευνήθηκαν οι παράγοντες υπό-εκπροσώπησης στον αγωνιστικό αθλητισμό και στους αθλητικούς θεσμούς.    Λέξεις κλειδιά: κοινωνικό φύλο, βιολογικό φύλο, έμφυλη ουδετερότητα, αθλητισμός, κοινωνική χειραφέτηση, εκδημοκρατισμός, αθλητικοί θεσμοί------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABSTRACT: Women have come a long way since the 1952 Helsinki Games, where they represented only 10 percent of the Olympic athletes. At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing women represented approximately 43 percent of the total athlete delegation, up from 41 percent in the Athens 2004 Olympics. This does not mean that their biological make-up has changed. What has changed however are the socio-cultural perceptions pertaining to gender. On the other hand, women constitute an invisible minority in sport governing bodies today. This paper focuses on women’s underrepresentation in sport governing bodies and proposes strategies-practices of gender inclusion, including the democratization of sport institutions. The first part of thestudy examines current discussions on gender, gender neutrality, the gender subject and gender identity. In the new theoretical framework gender is being transformed from a static biological perception into a dynamic social category, affecting and changing identity, gender relations and the expectations of the social environment. Namely, in today’s postmodernist reality discussions on gender no longer focus exclusively on the biological gender (sex) as an analytical category, but on the social gender which formulates, defines and redefines identity, according to evolving socio-cultural interpretations. Although the biological gender is losing its primacy as an analytical category in most social spaces (i.e. there is no regulated gender classification system in the political arena, in sports, etc.), it is enforced by rules and regulations in competitive sports, and not only. It seems to extend into sport governing bodies as well. The second part of the study explores the interrelation of outdated social theories, ‘biologistic’ approaches and anachronistic gender- based ideologies that established gender stereotypes, hierarchies in sports that continue to apply today. Women are still under-reprsented in executive bodies of national and international sport organizations, federations and institutions, such as the IOC: there are only 14 women who represent 14.1% of the total of 113 IOC members. Consequently, a critical issue which needs to be addressed extensively, among others, is the democratization of the IOC structures since exclusions based on genetic characteristics are a contradiction to the value system of sport. Keywords: gender identity, gender neutrality, gender neutral, democratization of the IOC structures.  ............................................

Καμπερίδου, Ειρήνη (2010). Κοινωνικό φύλο - βιολογικό φύλο: το φύλο στον αθλητισμό και η ιστορικότητα του γυναικείου αποκλεισμού. Γυναίκα και Άθληση, τόμος VII, 2009/2010, σελ. 7-24.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Σκοπός της εργασίας αυτής είναι να διερευνηθούν οι αιτίες που οδήγησαν στη σημερινή υπό-εκπροσώπηση των γυναικών όσον αφορά θέσεις διοικητικής ευθύνης στους αθλητικούς θεσμούς και να προταθούν στρατηγικές ενσωμάτωσης. Στην πρώτη ενότητα αναφέρονται οι θεωρητικές προσεγγίσεις για το φύλο (κοινωνικό φύλο – βιολογικό φύλο). Εξετάζετε το έμφυλο υποκείμενο (gender subject) καθώς και η έμφυλη ταυτότητα ως αποτέλεσμα συσχετισμού της βιολογικής διαφοράς με πολύπλοκες κοινωνικές διεργασίες. Το ενδιαφέρον επικεντρώνετε στην έμφυλη ουδετερότητα, που αφορά στην πρόσβαση και ενσωμάτωση του υποκειμένου επιμέρους κοινωνικές περιοχές όπως της πολιτικής, του αθλητισμού κ.τ.λ. Διαπιστώθηκε ότι ιδιαίτερα στο υψηλό αθλητισμό, σε αντίθεση με άλλες κοινωνικές περιοχές, δεν συναντάται ως δομικό συστατικό  μια έμφυλη ουδετερότητα. Στην δεύτερη ενότητα διερευνήθηκαν οι παράγοντες υπό-εκπροσώπησης στον αγωνιστικό αθλητισμό και στους αθλητικούς θεσμούς.    Λέξεις κλειδιά: κοινωνικό φύλο, βιολογικό φύλο, έμφυλη ουδετερότητα, αθλητισμός, κοινωνική χειραφέτηση, εκδημοκρατισμός, αθλητικοί θεσμοί------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABSTRACT: Women have come a long way since the 1952 Helsinki Games, where they represented only 10 percent of the Olympic athletes. At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing women represented approximately 43 percent of the total athlete delegation, up from 41 percent in the Athens 2004 Olympics. This does not mean that their biological make-up has changed. What has changed however are the socio-cultural perceptions pertaining to gender. On the other hand, women constitute an invisible minority in sport governing bodies today. This paper focuses on women’s underrepresentation in sport governing bodies and proposes strategies-practices of gender inclusion, including the democratization of sport institutions. The first part of thestudy examines current discussions on gender, gender neutrality, the gender subject and gender identity. In the new theoretical framework gender is being transformed from a static biological perception into a dynamic social category, affecting and changing identity, gender relations and the expectations of the social environment. Namely, in today’s postmodernist reality discussions on gender no longer focus exclusively on the biological gender (sex) as an analytical category, but on the social gender which formulates, defines and redefines identity, according to evolving socio-cultural interpretations. Although the biological gender is losing its primacy as an analytical category in most social spaces (i.e. there is no regulated gender classification system in the political arena, in sports, etc.), it is enforced by rules and regulations in competitive sports, and not only. It seems to extend into sport governing bodies as well. The second part of the study explores the interrelation of outdated social theories, ‘biologistic’ approaches and anachronistic gender- based ideologies that established gender stereotypes, hierarchies in sports that continue to apply today. Women are still under-reprsented in executive bodies of national and international sport organizations, federations and institutions, such as the IOC: there are only 14 women who represent 14.1% of the total of 113 IOC members. Consequently, a critical issue which needs to be addressed extensively, among others, is the democratization of the IOC structures since exclusions based on genetic characteristics are a contradiction to the value system of sport. Keywords: gender identity, gender neutrality, gender neutral, democratization of the IOC structures.  ............................................

Το κείμενο εξετάζει την περίπτωσι τῆς 28ης Οκτωβρίου 1940, ως εφαρμογή της γεωπολιτικής αναλύσεως. Ο συγγραφέας αποδεικνύει ότι ἡ παγκόσμια περιπέτεια τοῦ Β΄ Μεγάλου Πολέμου ἀναγιγνώσκεται μὲ ὅρους ψυχρῆς λογικῆς, ἐμπεριέχει μιὰ ἀδυσώπητη ἐντελέχεια, ἀποτελεῖ κατηγορητήριο σκληρὸ τοῦ οὐτοπισμοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἰδεαλισμοῦ στὸν τομέα τῶν διεθνῶν σχέσεων καὶ μπορεῖ νὰ μᾶς διδάξει πολλά, ἰδιαιτέρως εἰς τὴν παροῦσα συγκυρία, ἐφ' ὅσον ὅλα τὰ διεθνῶς συμβαίνοντα στὸ ἐπαναδιαμορφούμενο διεθνὲς σύστημα, ὑπακούουν εἰς τὴν ἰδία γεωπολιτικὴ συνάρτηση, μὲ νέα ἁπλῶς δεδομένα.

Κεντρική θέση της διατριβής είναι ότι το διεθνές περιβάλλον (και ιδιαίτερα οι διεθνείς σχηματισμοί / οργανισμοί των οποίων ένα κράτος είναι ή επιδιώκει να γίνει μέλος) επιδρά στην επιλογή, τη διαμόρφωση και την εφαρμογή εκπαιδευτικών πολιτικών σε μια χώρα, όχι κατά τρόπο ενιαίο αλλά σε συνδυασμό με την εγχώρια πολιτική, οικονομική, κοινωνική και πολιτισμική πραγματικότητα. Η μελέτη των επιδράσεων αυτών έχει ιδιαίτερη σημασία για την κατανόηση του εκπαιδευτικού γίγνεσθαι μιας χώρας, ιδιαίτερα όταν αφορά επιδράσεις από διεθνείς δομές, οι οποίες επιβάλλουν πολύ περιορισμένες θεσμικές ή άλλες δεσμεύσεις στις συνδεμένες χώρες και τα κράτη μέλη στον τομέα της εκπαίδευσης, αλλά διατυπώνουν ισχυρό πολιτικο-οικονομικό λόγο, όπως συνέβαινε με την Ευρωπαϊκή Κοινότητα την εξεταζόμενη από τη διδακτορική διατριβή περίοδο.Στο πλαίσιο αυτό η κεντρική ερευνητική υπόθεση είναι ότι: ο Ευρωπαϊκός προσανατολισμός της Ελλάδας, όπως εκφράζεται από τα τέλη της δεκαετίας του 1950, με το (κατ’ αρχήν ευοδωθέν) εγχείρημα της Σύνδεσης της χώρας με την Ευρωπαϊκή Οικονομική Κοινότητα, και επαναβεβαιώνεται μετά την αποκατάσταση της δημοκρατίας (1974) με την αποτελεσματική προσπάθεια πλήρους Ένταξης της χώρας στην Κοινοτική διαδικασία της Ευρωπαϊκής Ολοκλήρωσης, επιδρά με ουσιαστικό τρόπο, τόσο σε επίπεδο ρηματικού λόγου όσο και σε επίπεδο πραγματικών εκπαιδευτικών πολιτικών επιλογών, στις τελέσφορες ή ατελέσφορες εκπαιδευτικές πρωτοβουλίες, προσπάθειες αλλαγής και μεταρρυθμίσεις καθ’ όλη την περίοδο 1959-1981. Η διερεύνηση των επιδράσεων αυτών συμβάλλει στην πληρέστερη κατανόηση των εκπαιδευτικών πολιτικών και των παιδαγωγικών επιλογών, την επαρκέστερη διαπραγμάτευση της εκπαιδευτικής και παιδαγωγικής ιστορίας και την περισσότερο ολοκληρωμένη ιστορική συγκριτική ανάλυση των μεταρρυθμιστικών «επεισοδίων» της εξεταζόμενης περιόδου.Για να διερευνήσει το θέμα, η διατριβή αντλεί, θεωρητικά και μεθοδολογικά, από δύο διαφορετικά επιστημονικά πεδία: Αφενός από την ιστορική – συγκριτική μελέτη της εκπαίδευσης και της εκπαιδευτικής πολιτικής, και αφετέρου από το πεδίο των Ευρωπαϊκών σπουδών και ιδιαίτερα από τον τομέα που αφορά στις μελέτες αλληλεπίδρασης ανάμεσα στον εγχώριο και τον Ευρωπαϊκό λόγο και τις αντίστοιχες πολιτικές. Συνδυάζοντας θεωρητικές και μεθοδολογικές προσεγγίσεις και από τα δύο πεδία, για τη διερεύνηση του εκπαιδευτικού λόγου και των πολιτικών της εκπαίδευσης στο ευρύτερο συγκείμενο που δημιουργούν οι εθνικές (Ελληνικές) και οι Ευρωπαϊκές συνθήκες/ εξελίξεις, επιχειρείται μια «υβριδική» «ανάγνωση» της Ελληνικής εκπαίδευσης, του παιδαγωγικού κανόνα και της εκπαιδευτικής πολιτικής της εξεταζόμενης περιόδου, η οποία λαμβάνει ισχυρά υπόψη τη θέση της χώρας στο διεθνές σύστημα και την επιδίωξή της, καθ’ όλη τη διάρκεια της εξεταζόμενης περιόδου, να αποτελέσει μέρος του Ευρωπαϊκού γίγνεσθαι, συμμετέχοντας ισότιμα στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ολοκλήρωση. Συνδυάζονται, κατ’ αυτόν τον τρόπο, στη μελέτη της εκπαίδευσης, το «ενδογενές» συγκείμενο, που διαμορφώνουν οι εσωτερικές / εθνικές πολιτικές, οικονομικές, κοινωνικές και πολιτισμικές συνθήκες με το «εξωγενές» συγκείμενο, που αναφέρεται στις συνθήκες που επικρατούν στο διεθνές περιβάλλον της χώρας, και ιδιαίτερα στη διαδικασία της Ευρωπαϊκής ενοποίησης.Μέσα από την ολοκληρωμένη διερεύνηση της κεντρικής υπόθεσης και την εμπεριστατωμένη διεκπεραίωση των επιμέρους στόχων της, η διατριβή επιδιώκει:

• Να συνεισφέρει μια διαφορετική ανάγνωση της Ελληνικής εκπαιδευτικής ιστορίας της περιόδου.
• Να προτείνει και να εφαρμόσει μια σύνθετη («υβριδική») μέθοδο ιστορικής συγκριτικής ανάλυσης του παιδαγωγικού κανόνα και της εκπαιδευτικής πολιτικής τόσο των εθνικών κρατών όσο και των διεθνών οργανισμών.
• Να αποτελέσει ουσιαστική συμβολή στα επιστημονικά πεδία της συγκριτικής εκπαίδευσης / παιδαγωγικής, της παιδαγωγικής και της εκπαιδευτικής πολιτικής, των διεθνών σπουδών στην εκπαίδευση και της ιστορίας της εκπαίδευσης.

Πέρα από την Εισαγωγή, όπου παρουσιάζονται το σκεπτικό, η κεντρική θέση, το αντικείμενο, τα ερευνητικά ερωτήματα, και, με συνοπτικό τρόπο, η θεωρία και η μέθοδος καθώς και η διάρθρωση της μελέτης, η διατριβή αυτή αποτελείται από τρία μέρη:Το Πρώτο Μέρος περιλαμβάνει τα δύο πρώτα κεφάλαιά της τα οποία έχουν ως αντικείμενο τις θεωρητικές καταβολές και τις μεθοδολογικές προσεγγίσεις της έρευνας, της ανάλυσης και της ερμηνείας του αντικειμένου της διατριβής.Το Πρώτο Κεφάλαιο «Θεωρία και μέθοδος: Συγκριτική – Ιστορική Ανάλυση, Φουκωϊκή Επιστημολογία και Κριτική Ανάλυση της Εκπαιδευτικής Πολιτικής» διαπραγματεύεται αναλυτικά τις θεωρητικές και μεθοδολογικές προσεγγίσεις της διατριβής που χρησιμοποιούνται για την θεωρητική θεμελίωση της μελέτης, τη μεθοδολογική οριοθέτηση της έρευνας και την ανάλυση και την ερμηνεία των ερευνητικών δεδομένων. Στην πρώτη ενότητα του κεφαλαίου γίνεται εκτενής αναφορά στο επιστημολογικό «μωσαϊκό» της συγκριτικής παιδαγωγικής με ιδιαίτερη αναφορά στη Συγκριτική – Ιστορική Ανάλυση η οποία αποτελεί την κύρια συγκριτική μεθοδολογική επιλογή της διατριβής. Η Συγκριτική – Ιστορική Ανάλυση επικαιροποιείται με την ένταξη σ’ αυτήν στοιχείων από την ιστορική κοινωνιολογία, την ιστοριογραφία των Annales και τη διαπραγμάτευση ζητημάτων περιοδολόγησης στη δεύτερη ενότητα του Κεφαλαίου. Η τρίτη ενότητα εξετάζει τις δύο πιο προβεβλημένες φουκωϊκές «επιστημολογίες» διερεύνησης, ανάλυσης και ερμηνείας ζητημάτων «εξουσίας / γνώσης» και «αλήθειας» , την «αρχαιολογία» και τη «γενεαλογία», ως μορφές Συγκριτικής – Ιστορικής Ανάλυσης και κριτικής της εκπαιδευτικής πολιτικής ως «ιστορίας-προβλήματος». Η τέταρτη ενότητα αφορά στη θεωρητική και μεθοδολογική θεμελίωση της κριτικής ανάλυσης της εκπαιδευτικής πολιτικής, ως «κειμένου» και «λόγου» στο πλαίσιο μιας ιστορικά ευαίσθητης πλουραλιστικής προσέγγισης. Αυτό το πρώτο Κεφάλαιο επιχειρεί να καταδείξει αναλυτικά την «εκλεκτική» προσέγγιση της διατριβής στα ζητήματα συγκριτικής ανάλυσης της εκπαιδευτικής πολιτικής.Το Δεύτερο Κεφάλαιο συμπληρώνει τη θεωρία και τη μέθοδο της μελέτης, παρουσιάζοντας μια «Γενεαλογία των θεωριών για την Ευρωπαϊκή Ολοκλήρωση και εννοιολόγηση του Εξευρωπαϊσμού». Οι τρεις πρώτες ενότητες του Κεφαλαίου εξετάζουν τρείς διαδοχικές γενεές θεωριών της Ευρωπαϊκής Ολοκλήρωσης με στόχο (α) να εξηγήσουν τις διαφορετικές μεθοδολογικές και ερμηνευτικές προσεγγίσεις του Ευρωπαϊκού εγχειρήματος και (β) να αιτιολογήσουν την κατά κύριο λόγο Ιστορική – Κοινωνική Θεσμική προσέγγιση της διαπραγμάτευσης της Ενοποίησης στο πλαίσιο της παρούσας μελέτης. Η τέταρτη ενότητα αφορά στην εννοιολόγηση του Εξευρωπαϊσμού ως μιας από τις κύριες παραμέτρους της προσέγγισης της διατριβής στο ζήτημα των Ευρωπαϊκών επιδράσεων στις υποψήφιες χώρες και τις χώρες μέλη της Κοινότητας.Το Δεύτερο Μέρος περιλαμβάνει τα τρία ερευνητικά κεφάλαια, τα οποία αναφέρονται στις τρεις «εποχές» της χρονικής περιόδου που εξετάζει η διατριβή, 1959 – 1981. Για λόγους συνοχής, τα δύο πρώτα κεφάλαια (Τρίτο και Τέταρτο της Διατριβής) κατηγοριοποιούνται κάτω από τον τίτλο «Η Εποχή της Σύνδεσης», ενώ το επόμενο (Πέμπτο Κεφάλαιο), συνιστά την «Εποχή της Προσχώρησης». Τα κεφάλαια έχουν σχετικά ενιαία διάρθρωση, ώστε να είναι δυνατή η σύγκριση των διαφορετικών «εποχών», αλλά ταυτόχρονα να δίνεται η δυνατότητα στον αναγνώστη να παρακολουθήσει διαχρονικά τις εξελίξεις σε κάθε έναν από τους τομείς που διαπραγματεύεται η έρευνα. Διαπραγματεύονται διαδοχικά το «εξωγενές» και το «ενδογενές» συγκείμενο της εκπαίδευσης στην Ελλάδα για κάθε «εποχή» που εξετάζεται και ολοκληρώνονται με την συμπερασματική καταγραφή των επιδράσεων που μπορούν σε κάθε περίπτωση να ανιχνευθούν στην Ελληνική εκπαίδευση από την Ευρωπαϊκή Κοινότητα αλλά και πέρα απ’ αυτή, σε μια προσπάθεια να μην απομονωθεί αυθαίρετα το Ευρωπαϊκό από το παγκόσμιο πλαίσιο στην ιστορική του πορεία.Το πρώτο κεφάλαιο του Δεύτερου Μέρους (Τρίτο Κεφάλαιο) έχει τίτλο «Η Περίοδος της Προσέγγισης, 1959 – 1967». Στο κεφάλαιο καταγράφεται: το «εξωγενές συγκείμενο» της εκπαίδευσης, οι παράμετροι που διαμόρφωναν το διεθνές περιβάλλον στο τέλος της δεκαετίας του 1950 και οι εξελίξεις στην Ευρώπη και στις Ευρωπαϊκές Κοινότητες, σε μια περίοδο που χαρακτηρίζεται από τον αυξημένο ρόλο των διεθνών οργανισμών, της ενίσχυσης της αλληλεξάρτησης μεταξύ των κρατών και την παγίωση των δύο διεθνών συνασπισμών μέσω του Ψυχρού Πολέμου· το «ενδογενές συγκείμενο» που συνιστούσαν οι εγχώριες πολιτικές, οικονομικές και κοινωνικές εξελίξεις στην Ελλάδα, η οποία προσπαθούσε να βρει το βηματισμό της μετά τον Εμφύλιο πόλεμο και να μπει σε αναπτυξιακή τροχιά· ο πολιτικός, οικονομικός και κοινωνικο-πολιτισμικός λόγος που αναπτύχθηκε στην Ελλάδα ενόψει της Σύνδεσης με την Ευρωπαϊκή Κοινότητα από τους υπέρμαχους και τους πολέμιους της Ευρωπαϊκής προοπτικής· οι εκπαιδευτικές εξελίξεις στην Ευρωπαϊκή Κοινότητα αλλά και στον ευρύτερο Ευρωπαϊκό χώρο· οι εκπαιδευτικές εξελίξεις στην Ελλάδα και κυρίως τα «μεταρρυθμιστικά επεισόδια» του 1959 και του 1964· οι επιδράσεις της Ευρωπαϊκής προοπτικής της χώρας στον εκπαιδευτικό λόγο, τις πολιτικές της εκπαίδευσης και τον παιδαγωγικό κανόνα. Το Κεφάλαιο ολοκληρώνεται με τη συνολική αποτίμηση της εκπαίδευσης κατά την περίοδο 1959-1967 υπό το πρίσμα της προσέγγισης με την Ευρώπη και ιδιαίτερα με την Ευρωπαϊκή Κοινότητα.Το επόμενο κεφάλαιο (Τέταρτο) έχει τίτλο «Η Περίοδος της Αποδρομής, 1967 – 1974» και αναφέρεται στην περίοδο της δικτατορίας, κατά τη διάρκεια της οποίας η εφαρμογή της Συμφωνία Σύνδεσης είχε ανασταλεί από τα Κοινοτικά όργανα, και εφαρμοζόταν μόνο σε «τρέχουσες υποθέσεις» δευτερεύουσας σημασίας. Ακολουθώντας τα ίδια βήματα με το προηγούμενο Κεφάλαιο για την εξέταση του «ενδογενούς» και του «εξωγενούς» συγκειμένου της εκπαίδευσης, τις «πανοπτικές» εκπαιδευτικές πολιτικές και πρακτικές της δικτατορίας και τις σημαντικές εξελίξεις στην κατεύθυνση της διαμόρφωσης μιας εκπαιδευτικής πολιτικής της Ευρωπαϊκής Κοινότητας, διαπιστώνεται η ελαχιστοποίηση των επιδράσεων του Ευρωπαϊκού συγκειμένου στην Ελληνική εκπαίδευση. Στη συνολική αποτίμηση της περιόδου τονίζεται η αποδόμηση πολλών από τις μεταρρυθμίσεις της προηγούμενης περιόδου και η ενίσχυση της εσωστρέφειας του Ελληνικού εκπαιδευτικού συστήματος.Το Πέμπτο Κεφάλαιο έχει τίτλο «Η Εποχή της Προσχώρησης, 1974 - 1981» και αναφέρεται στην πρώτη περίοδο της «μεταπολίτευσης», η οποία συμπίπτει με την περίοδο των διαπραγματεύσεων για την Προσχώρηση της Ελλάδας στην Ευρωπαϊκή Κοινότητα και την Ένταξη της, ως δέκατου μέλους, στην Κοινότητα το 1981. Όπως και στα δύο προηγούμενα Κεφάλαια, καταγράφονται οι εξελίξεις στην Ευρωπαϊκή Κοινότητα και το διεθνές περιβάλλον, όπου έχει ήδη τελειώσει η «χρυσή εποχή» της μεταπολεμικής ανάπτυξης και κυριαρχεί η ύφεση, και το νέο εγχώριο πολιτικό οικονομικό και κοινωνικό σκηνικό που έφερε η μεταπολίτευση, καθώς και ο λόγος που αναπτύσσεται ενόψει της ένταξης και οι αντίστοιχες θεσμικές διαδικασίες. Αναφορικά με την εκπαίδευση, εξετάζονται οι σημαντικές εκπαιδευτικές εξελίξεις στην Κοινότητα, οι οποίες συνιστούν «οπισθοχώρηση» σε σχέση με την ανάπτυξη μιας Κοινοτικής εκπαιδευτικής πολιτικής αλλά ταυτόχρονα σημαίνουν την προώθηση σημαντικών κοινών εκπαιδευτικών δράσεων των κρατών-μελών, αλλά και οι εξελίξεις στην Ελληνική εκπαίδευση, όπου δεσπόζει το «μεταρρυθμιστικό επεισόδιο» 1976-1977 και οι έντονες διεργασίες στην Ανώτατη Εκπαίδευση. Στη συνέχεια παρουσιάζονται οι επιδράσεις της πορείας προς την Ένταξη στον εκπαιδευτικό λόγο, τις εκπαιδευτικές πολιτικές και το θεσμικό πλαίσιο της εκπαίδευσης και γενικότερα στον παιδαγωγικό κανόνα την Ελληνικής εκπαίδευσης. Το Κεφάλαιο ολοκληρώνεται με τη συνολική αποτίμηση των διεργασιών της περιόδου για την Ελληνική εκπαίδευση.Το Τρίτο Μέρος περιλαμβάνει το Έκτο και τελικό Κεφάλαιο, όπου παρουσιάζονται προτάσεις για την περαιτέρω χρονική και εννοιολογική διερεύνηση του ζητήματος των επιδράσεων της Ευρωπαϊκής Οικονομικής Κοινότητας / Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης στην Ελληνικό εκπαιδευτικό λόγο, τις πολιτικές και τις πρακτικές μετά την Ένταξη της Ελλάδας στην Κοινότητα καθώς και τα συγκριτικά συμπεράσματα από τον έλεγχο των υποθέσεων της έρευνας και της μελέτης. Στα συμπεράσματα τονίζεται ότι η Ευρωπαϊκή πορεία της Ελλάδας επέδρασε στη διαμόρφωση των εκπαιδευτικών και παιδαγωγικών της επιλογών, πολιτικών και πρακτικών, τόσο στο επίπεδο του λόγου όσο και (κατά την περίοδο 1974-1981) σε θεσμικό επίπεδο, ενώ ανακεφαλαιώνονται και ερμηνεύονται συγκριτικά, με βάση το θεωρητικό πλαίσιο της διατριβής οι συγκεκριμένες επιδράσεις.Στο τέλος της διδακτορικής διατριβής παρατίθεται ο πλήρης κατάλογος των πρωτογενών και δευτερογενών, νομοθετικών και αρχειακών πηγών που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν καθώς και ο πλήρης κατάλογος των ξενόγλωσσων και ελληνόγλωσσων βιβλιογραφικών αναφορών.

Στὸ ἐξαιρετικῶς καλὰ τεκμηριωμένο ὅσο καὶ ἐπιστημονικῶς κριτικόν του πόνημα ὁ Ἐφραὶμ Ἴνμπαρ μᾶς παρουσιάζει μιὰν ἀπὸ τὶς μεγαλύτερες πολιτικὲς μορφὲς τοῦ ἰσραηλινοῦ κράτους ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀγωνιστοῦ τῆς εἰρήνης (βραβεῖο Νόμπελ Εἰρήνης μαζὶ μὲ τοὺς Σιμὸν Πέρες καὶ Γιάσερ Ἁραφάτ), τὸν Γιτζχὰκ Ράμπιν, ἕνα ὁραματιστὴ πού, ὅπως συμβαίνει μὲ τοὺς πραγματικοὺς ὁραματιστάς, ἐπλήρωσε τοὺς ἀγῶνές του μὲ τὴν ζωήν του ἐνῷ ὡμιλοῦσε γιὰ τὴν εἰρήνη στὴν Πλατεῖα τῆς Εἰρήνης στὸ Τὲλ Ἀβίβ, στίς 4 Νοεμβρίου 1995, ἀπὸ τὶς σφαῖρες ἑνὸς ὑπερορθοδόξου Ἑβραίου, Ἰσραηλινοῦ φοιτητοῦ τοῦ Πανεπιστημίου τοῦ Μπὰρ Ἰλάν, τοῦ νεαροῦ Γιγκὰλ Ἀμίρ. Το παρόν κείμενο αποτελεί πρόλογο του Καθηγητή Ι. Θ. Μάζη, στο πόνημα του Ἐφραὶμ Ἴνμπαρ.

Με τον όρο «κοινωνικά συστήματα προστασίας της υγείας»  εννοούνται τα συστήματα στα οποία η υποβάθμιση της υγείας του ανθρώπου θεωρείται κοινωνικός κίνδυνος. Οι συμπράξεις στα  κοινωνικά συστήματα προστασίας της υγείας εγείρουν δύο βασικά ερωτήματα στα οποία εστιάζεται η μελέτη: Πρώτον, εάν η ιδιαίτερη φύση της υγειοπροστατευτικής δραστηριότητας επιβάλλει τη θέσπιση ιδιαίτερου νομοθετικού καθεστώτος σε σχέση με το γενικό καθεστώς που ισχύει για τις συμπράξεις στους υπόλοιπους τομείς της διοικητικής δράσεως. Δεύτερον, ποιες επιπτώσεις επιφέρει ο χαρακτηρισμός των ταμείων κοινωνικής ασφάλισης και των δημόσιων οργανισμών παροχής υπηρεσιών υγείας ως επιχειρήσεων, κατά την εφαρμογή του ευρωπαϊκού δικαίου για την εσωτερική αγορά, τις κρατικές ενισχύσεις και τον ανταγωνισμό, στη νομική φύση των συμπράξεων. Τα τελευταία χρόνια η κοινωνική ασφάλιση και οι κοινωνικές υπηρεσίες αποτελούν το αντικείμενο συζητήσεων και προβληματισμού, κυρίως επειδή η επιδίωξη μεγαλύτερης συμμετοχής του ιδιωτικού τομέα εντείνει τις δυσκολίες στην εφαρμογή των κανόνων για την εσωτερική αγορά, τον ανταγωνισμό και τις κρατικές ενισχύσεις και δημόσιες συμβάσεις.  Από την ανάλυση της νομοθεσίας και της νομολογίας του ΔΕΚ προκύπτουν τα εξής:  Στα κοινωνικά συστήματα προστασίας της υγείας η καθολική πρόσβαση, δηλαδή η αλληλεγγύη δεν έχει σχέση αυτό καθεαυτό με την παροχή των ιατρικών υπηρεσιών, αλλά με την ασφαλιστική ή φορολογική κάλυψη του κινδύνου. Επομένως, θα πρέπει να διαχωρίζεται η ασφαλιστική δραστηριότητα από την υγειοπροστατευτική. Η ασφαλιστική δραστηριότητα κινείται εκτός του ευρωπαϊκού δικαίου για την εσωτερική αγορά και τον ανταγωνισμό, εφόσον προέχει η κοινωνική αλληλεγγύη και ο κρατικός έλεγχος. Οι ιατρικές υπηρεσίες μπορεί να παρέχονται και από τον δημόσιο και από τον ιδιωτικό τομέα. Στην περίπτωση αυτή η τυχόν προνομιακή μεταχείριση του δημόσιου τομέα ή των ιδιωτικών φορέων που διαχειρίζονται το σύστημα για λογαριασμό του στο μέτρο που δεν δικαιολογείται με βάση το άρθρο 86 παρ. 2 ΣΕΚ θίγει τον ανταγωνισμό. Υποστηρίζω ότι η φύση της υγειοπροστατευτικής δραστηριότητας και ο σκοπός της παροχής υψηλής ποιότητας υπηρεσιών υγείας με ανεκτό δημοσιονομικά κόστος επιβάλλουν την επεξεργασία και εισαγωγή ιδιαίτερου θεσμικού πλαισίου για τις συμπράξεις του δημόσιου, του κοινωνικού και του ιδιωτικού τομέα των υπηρεσιών υγείας.   

Le présent travail, qui s’inscrit dans le cadre d’une recherche plus vaste consacrée à l’étude des représentations sexuées véhiculées par les manuels scolaires d’histoire, se situe au croisement de l’histoire de l’éducation et de celle du genre. Il porte sur la visibilité des sexes dans les manuels d’histoire de deux pays, la Grèce et la France, à travers l’étude comparée d’une unité thématique, la Révolution française. Le choix de cette unité n’est pas arbitraire : étant donné que cette période marque une rupture profonde dans l’histoire du monde occidental, une place, plus ou moins importante, est consacrée à son étude dans les manuels d’histoire de tous les degrés d’enseignement. De surcroît, c’est pendant la Révolution française qu'un débat est ouvert en France, pour la première fois, sur la question de la participation des femmes au politique.Dans un premier temps, ce travail examine plus précisément, par le biais d’une analyse quantitative des notations sexuées, le partage de l’espace historique entre les sexes dans la partie textuelle et documentaire de neuf ouvrages français et de six manuels grecs enseignés entre 2000 et 2008 à l’école primaire, au collège et au lycée. Les résultats de cette enquête furent décevants. La place réservée à l’histoire du sexe féminin est extrêmement réduite ; en outre l’organisation des ouvrages étudiés favorise la présence fragmentaire des femmes dans le récit historique. La deuxième partie de l’étude est consacrée à un travail de marquage des présences et des absences des femmes prenant appui sur l’historiographie relative au sujet. Ce travail vise à inscrire le récit proposé dans un engagement politique pour une réécriture « genrée » de l’histoire enseignée à l’école.

Στόχος της εργασίας αυτής είναι να συνοψίσει και να παρουσιάσει τα ευρήματα των πιο πρόσφατων μετα-αναλύσεων και ανασκοπήσεων για την αποτελεσματικότητα των προληπτικών και παρεμβατικών προγραμμάτων κατά του σχολικού εκφοβισμού. Γίνονται αναφορές στα ερευνητικά σχέδια με τα οποία έχει αξιολογηθεί η αποτελεσματικότητα των προγραμμάτων, καθώς και στους τρόπους αξιολόγησης του εκφοβισμού και της θυματοποίησης στα προγράμματα αυτά. Με δεδομένη την ελάχιστη έως μέτρια επιτυχία των περισσότερων παρεμβάσεων, διατυπώνονται ερμηνείες για την περιορισμένη αυτή αποτελεσματικότητα. Η ερευνητικά τεκμηριωμένη γνώση των αρχών, των συστατικών και των επιπέδων παρέμβασης που επιφέρουν τη μεγαλύτερη μείωση του σχολικού εκφοβισμού είναι απολύτως απαραίτητη για τη διαμόρφωση της αντι-εκφοβιστικής πολιτικής και στην Ελλάδα.

Η μεγάλη οικονομική και κοινωνική κρίση που πλήττει τον δυτικό κόσμο σήμερα, επηρεάζει και την Ελλάδα, αναδεικνύοντας τις αδυναμίες και τις ελλείψεις του πολιτικού της συστήματος. Η χώρα καλείται να διαμορφώσει πολιτικές, ικανές να την συγκρατήσουν πρώτα, και στη συνέχεια να την σταθεροποιήσουν και να την αναπτύξουν. Ο στόχος, επομένως, μιας ανάκαμψης, η οποία θα αρχίσει ενδεχομένως να εξακτινώνεται στην κοινωνική ζωή και τις δραστηριότητές της -μία εκ των οποίων είναι και ο αθλητισμός- δεν είναι ακόμη ούτε ορατός ούτε και σαφής. Ειδικότερα, ο  αθλητισμός, ως επιγέννημα του τεχνολογικού συστήματος, επηρεάζεται καθοριστικά από την οικονομική κρίση, καθώς ως προτεραιότητα δεν συνιστά μία από τις πρώτες επιλογές στην κατάταξη των κοινωνικών αναγκών. Είναι λογικό, κοινωνίες που αντιμετωπίζουν ένα ευρύ φάσμα προβλημάτων, να αξιολογούν ως άμεση ανάγκη την επιβίωσή τους, περιθωριοποιώντας αντίστοιχα άλλες δράσεις οι οποίες δεν συνδέονται άμεσα με αυτήν.  Ο αθλητισμός αντικειμενικά δεν συνιστά μία από τις μεγάλες προτεραιότητες του συστήματος, με αποτέλεσμα αυτός να τίθεται σε δεύτερη ή και τρίτη μοίρα, και να μην ενισχύεται οικονομικά. Ωστόσο, καθένας γνωρίζει ότι η εφαρμογή και η αποτελεσματικότητα του αθλητισμού προϋποθέτει υλικοτεχνικές υποδομές. Ο αθλητισμός, όπως ακριβώς ο τουρισμός και η ναυτιλία, συνδέονται και εξαρτώνται από τις υποδομές, χωρίς τις οποίες οι δράσεις αυτές ατονούν και συρρικνώνονται. Γεννιούνται, επομένως, σχετικά με το παρόν και το μέλλον του ελληνικού αθλητισμού, ορισμένα θεμελιώδη ζητήματα, τα οποία η πολιτεία πρώτα και οι αρμόδιοι φορείς ύστερα, καλούνται να αποσαφηνίσουν. Σε ποια θέση της κλίμακας προτεραιοτήτων τοποθετείται ο αθλητισμός; Τι επακριβώς ορίζεται από την πολιτεία και την κοινωνία ως «ελληνικός» αθλητισμός; Υπάρχει κάποια ιεράρχηση από την πολιτεία των μορφών του αθλητισμού, και βάσει ποιών ποιοτικών κριτηρίων γίνεται αυτή; Υπάρχει κάποιο εκφρασμένο από το παρελθόν ενδιαφέρον της πολιτείας για τον αθλητισμό και μια στοιχειώδης υποδομή, που θα μπορούσαν σε αυτή τη φάση να αποτελέσουν στήριγμά του, ή, μήπως, αποκαλύπτεται ένα γυμνό αθλητικό τοπίο; Μήπως το γυμνό τοπίο του αθλητισμού στην Ελλάδα του 2010, δεν είναι μόνο αποτέλεσμα της υπάρχουσας οικονομικής κρίσης, αλλά, κυρίως, της έλλειψης φιλοσοφικού στόχου της πολιτείας για τον αθλητισμό; Συνιστά, εν προκειμένω, για την πολιτεία ο αθλητισμός μια ανάγκη και μια αξία, ή μήπως συνιστά μια απαξία; Και, τέλος, κατά πόσο επηρεάζεται ο αθλητισμός, ως κοινωνική έκφανση, από το υπάρχον σύστημα αξιών της κοινωνίας;