577 research outputs found
The Δρομοδείχτης της Ελλάδος of 1824 and Athanasios Stageirites (Τίτλος περίληψης)
No full textσ. [281]-290Κείμενο στα ελληνικά με περίληψη στα αγγλικά με τον τίτλο: The Δρομοδείχτης της Ελλάδος of 1824 and Athanasios StageiritesThe article first examines the close relationship between the publication “Δρομοδείχτης της Ελλάδος” [1824] and the publication “Ηπειρωτικά” (1819) by Athanasios Stageirites and then suggests that Athanasios Stageirites is the likeliest author of the “Δρομοδείχτης της Ελλάδος”.Δωδώνη: Τεύχος Πρώτο: επιστημονική επετηρίδα του Τμήματος Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας της Φιλοσοφικής Σχολής του Πανεπιστημίου Ιωαννίνων; Τόμ. 43-44 (2014-2015
Dataset in support of the Southampton doctoral thesis 'The boatbuilding tradition of the Aegean during the Late Neolithic – Early Bronze Age periods. Typological classification, digital reconstruction and seakeeping assessment'
No full textDataset in support of the Southampton doctoral thesis 'The boatbuilding tradition of the Aegean during the Late Neolithic – Early Bronze Age periods. Typological classification, digital reconstruction and seakeeping assessment' Appendix D - Resistance data and Appendix C - Stability data.
This dataset is focused on two appendices:
Appendix D - Resistance data. D.1 Resistance data produced by the author via MAXSURF Resistance for this thesis.
Appendix C - Stability data
C1. Stability data – STIX and ISO criteria, produced by the author via MAXSURF Stability software for his thesis
This research was funded by Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI), Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship, Greek Archaeological Committee UK (GACUK)
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Peak power reduction algorithms in asymmetric digital subscriber line modems
No full textThesis (M.Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2000.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 94-96).This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.This thesis investigates peak-to-average ratio (PAR) reduction techniques for multicarrier modulation systems, such as discrete multitone (DMT) modems and orthogonal frequency-division multiplexed (OFDM) terrestrial broadcast transmitters. Through simulation and test implementation on a state-of-the-art programmable ADSL development platform, this thesis pursues a suitable solution for minimizing PAR given the resources of a programmable platform. This solution is integrated as a prototype implementation into a fully-functional ADSL modem and optimized for maximum PAR reduction performance within modem complexity constraints.by Athanasios Dimitri Dousis.M.Eng
Evaluation of PCR in the diagnosis of tuberculosis
No full textTuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major health problem worldwide. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment, play important role in interrupting transmission of tubercle bacilli and in improving disease outcome. Isolation and identification of M. tuberculosis by conventional methods is problematic and requires 4 to 8 weeks. Recently, significant progress has been made in diagnosing tuberculosis by molecular biologic techniques. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), in the diagnosis of different forms of tuberculosis.A total of 3180 clinical specimens; 472 sputum, 193 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), 851 cerebrospinal fluid, 765 gastric fluid, 512 pleural fluid, 74 pericardial fluid, 104 abscess fluid, 189 urine, and 20 bone biopsies were collected prospectively and examined by PCR (Amplicor MTB), cultures on Lowenstein-Jensen agar and for presence of acid fast bacilli on direct smears. Clinical data for each patient had been collected on a standardized form. Patients were divided in three categories: Definite cases of tuberculosis were considered those with positive culture for M. tuberculosis, probable cases those with negative culture, but clinical features, laboratory, and radiographic findings compatible with TB, and the remaining patients without any clinical or laboratory evidence for TB were regarded to have no tuberculosis.M. tuberculosis DNA was detected in 32 of 34 bactreriologically confirmed (sensitivity 94,1%) and in 8 of 10 probable cases of pulmonary tuberculosis (sensitivity 80%), whereas only 12 of 631 with no tuberculosis yielded a PCR product corresponding to M. tuberculosis (specificity 98,1%). M. tuberculosis DNA was detected in 39 of 44 bactreriologically confirmed (sensitivity 88,6%) and in 14 of 17 probable cases of tuberculous meningitis (sensitivity 82,4%), whereas only 23 of 807 CSF samples from patients with no tuberculosis yielded a PCR product (specificity 98,1%). None of the CSF samples from patients with meningitis of known etiologies other than tuberculous (microbial,viral, etc., n= 'fx) yielded a positive result by PCR. In gastric aspirate specimens, M. tuberculosis DNA was detected in 27 of 29 bactreriologically confirmed (sensitivity 93,1%) and in 8 of 11 probable cases of tuberculosis (sensitivity 72,8%), whereas only 12 of 736 gastric aspirates from patients with no tuberculosis yielded a PCR product (specificity 98,4%). In the remaining specimens (pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, abscess fluid, urine, osseous biopsy specimen) M. tuberculosis DNA was detected in 36 of 52 bactreriologically confirmed (sensitivity 69,2%) and in 14 of 18 probable cases of tuberculosis (sensitivity 77,8%), whereas only 40 of 847 with no tuberculosis yielded a PCR product corresponding to M. tuberculosis (specificity 95,2%). The sensitivity of PCR was higher in smear positive than in smear negative samples. PCR results were available within 6,5 hours at a reasonable cost (70 € per sample).The findings support that Amplicor PCR MTB is a useful test with high sensitivity and specificity for rapid diagnosis of different forms of tuberculosis.Η φυματίωση εξακολουθεί να αποτελεί σοβαρό πρόβλημα υγείας παγκοσμίως. Η έγκαιρη διάγνωση και αντιμετώπιση της νόσου, είναι σημαντικά για τη μείωση της μετάδοσης του μυκοβακτηριδίου και τηΥκαλή έκβαση της νόσου. Οι συμβατικές μέθοδοι απομόνωσης και ταυτοποίησης του Μ, tuberculosis παρουσιάζουν μειονεκτήματα, όπως χαμηλή ευαισθησία ή απαιτούν 4-8 εβδομάδες για την ολοκλήρωσή τους. Τα τελευταία χρόνια, έχει γίνει σημαντική πρόοδος στη διάγνωση της φυματίωσης με τη χρήση μοριακών τεχνικών. Σκοπός της παρούσας μελέτης ήταν, η εφαρμογή και αξιολόγηση της μεθόδου PCR για τη έγκαιρη διάγνωση διαφόρων κλινικών μορφών φυματίωσης.Συλλέχθηκαν 3457 δείγματα βιολογικών υλικών από ασθενείς με κλινική υποψία φυματίωσης και αξιολογήθηκαν 3180: 472 πτύελα, 193 βρογχοκυψελιδικό έκπλυμα (BAL), 851 εγκεφαλονωτιαίο υγρό, 765 γαστρικό υγρό, 512 πλευριτικό υγρό, 74 περικαρδιακό υγρό, 104 πύο, 189 ούρα, 20 οστικό υλικό τα οποία εξετάστηκαν με PCR (Amplicor PCR MTB), χρώση για οξεάντοχα βακτήρια (Ziehl-Neelsen) και καλλιέργεια σε Lowenstein- Jensen. Επίσης, καταγράφηκαν κλινικά στοιχεία για τους ασθενείς από τους οποίους προέρχονταν τα δείγματα. Επιβεβαιωμένες περιπτώσεις φυματίωσης θεωρήθηκαν εκείνες που είχαν θετική καλλιέργεια για Μ.tuberculosis, πιθανές περιπτώσεις εκείνες με αρνητική καλλιέργεια, αλλά κλινική εικόνα, ακτινολογικά ευρήματα και λοιπό εργαστηριακό έλεγχο συμβατά με τη νόσο, Mantoux θετική, και ανταπόκριση στην αντιφυματική αγωγή, ενώ ότι δεν έπασχαν από φυματίωση οι ασθενείς, όταν η καλλιέργεια για Μ. tuberculosis ήταν αρνητική και δεν παρουσίαζαν κλινικά και εργαστηριακά ευρήματα συμβατά με τη νόσο.Στα δείγματα πτυέλων και BAL, η PCR ανίχνευσε Μ. tuberculosis DNA σε 32 από τις 34 (ευαισθησία 94,1%) επιβεβαιωμένες περιπτώσεις και σε 8 από τις 10 (ευαισθησία 80%) πιθανές περιπτώσεις πνευμονικής φυματίωσης, ενώ η PCR ήταν θετική σε 12 από 631 (ειδικότητα-" 98,1%) δείγματα από ασθενείς χωρίς επιβεβαιωμένη φυματίωση. Στα δείγματα ΕΝΥ, η PCR ήταν θετική σε 39 από τις 44 (ευαισθησία 88,6%) επιβεβαιωμένες περιπτώσεις και σε 14 από τις 17 (ευαισθησία 82,4%) πιθανές περιπτώσεις φυματιώδους μηνιγγίτιδας, ενώ η PCR ήταν θετική σε 23 από 807 (ειδικότητα 98,1%) δείγματα από ασθενείς χωρίς φυματίωση. Η PCR ήταν αρνητική σε όλα τα δείγματα ΕΝΥ (π=9%) από ασθενείς με μηνιγγίτιδα γνωστής αιτιολογίας εκτός φυματιώδους (μικροβιακή, ιογενή κ.τ.λ.,). Σε δείγματα από γαστρικό υγρό, η PCR ανίχνευσε μυκοβακτηριδιακό DNA σε 27 από 29 (ευαισθησία 93,1%) ασθενείς με επιβεβαιωμένη και σε 8 από 11 (ευαισθησία 72,8%), ασθενείς με πιθανή φυματίωση, ενώ η PCR ήταν θετική σε 12 από 736 (ειδικότητα 98,4%) δείγματα από ασθενείς χωρίς επιβεβαιωμένη φυματίωση. Από τα υπόλοιπα δείγματα (πλευριτικό υγρό, περικαρδιακό υγρό, πύο, ούρα, οστικό υλικό) Μ. tuberculosis DNA ανιχνεύθηκε σε 36 από 52 (ευαισθησία 69,2%) επιβεβαιωμένες και σε 14 από 18 (ευαισθησία 77,8%), πιθανές περιπτώσεις φυματίωσης, ενώ η PCR ήταν θετική σε 40 από 847 (ειδικότητα 95,2%) ασθενείς χωρίς επιβεβαιωμένη φυματίωση. Η ευαισθησία της PCR ήταν υψηλότερη στα δείγματα με θετική άμεση χρώση για οξεάντοχα βακτήρια. Η ολοκλήρωση της PCR απαιτεί 6.5 ώρες και το κόστος ανά δείγμα περίπου 70 €.Τα ευρήματα μας υποστηρίζουν ότι η PCR- Amplicor MTB αποτελεί αξιόπιστη μέθοδο, με υψηλή ευαισθησία και ειδικότητα, για την ταχεία διάγνωση διαφόρων μορφών φυματίωσης
Advances in Biotechnology and the Development of Novel Human Vaccines
No full textRecent advances in biotechnology have fundamentally reshaped the landscape of vaccine development, offering innovative strategies to improve immunogenicity, safety and accessibility. This review explores the cutting-edge platforms—including mRNA, DNA, virus-like particles, viral and bacterial vectors, and bacteriophage-based vaccines—that are redefining how vaccine antigens are delivered to the immune system. We also discuss alternative delivery methods, such as transcutaneous and mucosal immunization, which have the potential to improve vaccine acceptance and distribution, as well as next-generation adjuvants targeting innate immune receptors aiming to further enhance vaccine efficacy, especially in vulnerable populations. By synthesizing these innovations, this review highlights how biotechnology is enabling the design of safer, more efficient, and more adaptable vaccines to address both existing and emerging infectious diseases
Homophobic Statements, a Bishop, and the Limits of Freedom of Expression. An In-Depth Commentary on ECtHR 31.08.2023, Amvrosios-Athanasios Lenis v. Greece, no. 47833/20
No full textDichiarazioni omofobe, un vescovo e i limiti della libertà di espressione. Un commento approfondito su CEDU 31.08.2023, Amvrosios-Athanasios Lenis v. Greece, no. 47833/20.
ABSTRACT: The decision of the ECtHR of 31.08.2023, Amvrosios-Athanasios Lenis v. Greece (no. 47833/20), is a further step toward an increasingly dense jurisprudence on “hate speech” and the limits of freedom of expression. The public proclamation of religious doctrines that are in conflict with the values of the contracting States enshrined in the ECHR is protected to a certain extent by the fundamental right of freedom of religion and belief. However, the qualification of a statement as religious does not justify “hate speech.” The AUTHOR shows the tension between freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and protection against discrimination, and analyzes the decision against the backdrop of Article 17 of the ECHR (prohibition of abuse of rights).
SOMMARIO: 1. Preliminary Remarks - 2. The Concept of Hate Speech - 3. The Facts of the Case - 4. The Procedure and Reasoning of the Court - 4.1 The ECtHR’s Preliminary Considerations on Fundamental Rights - 4.2 Legal assessment - 4.3 Some Remarks on (the Non-Invoked) Article 9 of the ECHR - 5. Concluding Remarks
La tomba III di Haghios Athanasios e il valore semantico dell'incarnato
No full textThe tomb III at Haghios Athanasios stands out among the Macedonian tombs for the exceptional painted decoration of the temple-like façade. Excavated in the '90s by M. Tsimbidou-Avloniti it has been published by the scholar in full detail and the iconographic program of the monument has been the object of many publications. This article re-examines the different ways of reproducing the skin color (το ανδρείκελον) in the figures of the miniature frieze and in the megalographic figures beside the door. The realistic rendering of the megalographic figures of armed men in Macedonian attire, showing their sorrow for the lost of an etairos, is contrasting with the pale color of the participants to the symposion in the frieze above the door, a scene whose illusionistic overtone has been yet perceived by the critics. This symposion is articulated in three scenes and it can be interpeted as a necrodeipnon, but in the same time as a celebration of the Macedonian banquet style, centered on the royal court. The author suggests that the first figure on the right of the frieze, related to the group of armed men looking towards the banqueters feasting in the center of the frieze, can be read as the dead himself, for the particular rendering of his ανδρείκελον, showing the typical ochròtes or necròdes face color, according to the contemporary medical lexicon. The pathetic stance assumed by the same figure, the sole in the group which is not bearing arms, seems to confirm his role in the context of the scene
SARS-CoV-2 variants and effectiveness of vaccines: a review of current evidence
No full textThe SARS-CoV-2 virus is rapidly evolving via mutagenesis, lengthening the pandemic, and threatening the public health. Until August 2021, 12 variants of SARS-CoV-2 named as variants of concern (VOC; Alpha to Delta) or variants of interest (VOI; Epsilon to Mu), with significant impact on transmissibility, morbidity, possible reinfection and mortality, have been identified. The VOC Delta (B.1.617.2) of Indian origin is now the dominant and the most contagious variant worldwide as it provokes a strong binding to the human ACE2 receptor, increases transmissibility and manifests considerable immune escape strategies after natural infection or vaccination. Although the development and administration of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, based on different technologies (mRNA, adenovirus carrier, recombinant protein, etc.), are very promising for the control of the pandemic, their effectiveness and neutralizing activity against VOCs varies significantly. In this review, we describe the most significant circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2, and the known effectiveness of currently available vaccines against them
Effect of prophylactic administration of antipyretics on the immune response to pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in children: a systematic review
No full textBackground Prophylactic administration of antipyretics at the time of immunization seems to decrease some side effects, however reduced immune responses have been reported in some studies. This systematic review aimed to investigate the effect of prophylactic use of antipyretics on the immune response following administration of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs). Methods A systematic review of randomized controlled trials and observational studies concerning the immune response to PCVs after antipyretic administration was performed up to November 2020 in the electronic databases of Pubmed and Scopus. Results Of the 3956 citations retrieved, a total of 5 randomized control trials including 2775 children were included in the review. Included studies were referred to PCV10 (3 studies), PCV7 and PCV13 (one study each). The prophylactic administration of paracetamol decreased the immune response to certain pneumococcal serotypes in all included studies. The effect was more evident following primary vaccination and with immediate administration of paracetamol. Despite the reductions in antibody geometric mean concentrations, a robust memory response was observed following the booster dose. Besides, antibody titers remained above protective levels in 88-100% of participants. The use of ibuprofen, that was evaluated in two studies, did not seem to affect the immunogenicity of PCVs . Conclusion Although the reviewed studies had significant heterogeneity in design, paracetamol administration seems to affect the immune response for certain serotypes. The clinical significance of reduced immunogenicity especially before booster dose needs further investigation
The impact of probiotics' administration on glycemic control, body composition, gut microbiome, mitochondria, and other hormonal signals in adolescents with prediabetes – A randomized, controlled trial study protocol
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