University of Ioannina

About: University of Ioannina is a education organization based out in Ioannina, Greece. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Large Hadron Collider. The organization has 7654 authors who have published 20594 publications receiving 671560 citations. The organization is also known as: Panepistimio Ioanninon.

Radiotherapy vs. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the prevention of heterotopic ossification after major hip procedures: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Abstract: Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) vs. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the prevention of heterotopic ossification (HO) after major hip procedures. Methods and materials We conducted a meta-analysis of 7 randomized studies ( n = 1143) comparing RT with NSAIDs. Data were combined across studies using fixed and random effects models. We conducted separate analyses for clinically significant HO (Brooker Grade 3 and 4) and for any HO (any Brooker grade). Results Overall RT tended to be more effective than NSAIDs in preventing Brooker 3 or 4 HO (risk ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18–0.97) or any HO (risk ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.37–1.71), but with significant between-study heterogeneity for the second analysis. The overall absolute risk difference for Brooker 3 or 4 HO was small (−1.18%; 95% CI, −2.45% to 0.09%). Subgroup analyses showed that early preoperative RT (16–20 hours before surgery) and acetylsalicylic acid were less effective. For postoperative RT, there was a significant dose–response relationship ( p = 0.008): 6 Gy of RT was equally effective as NSAIDs, whereas increasing radiation doses were more effective. Conclusions Although absolute differences may be small, postoperative RT is on average more effective than NSAIDs in preventing HO after major hip procedures, and its efficacy is dose dependent.

Stable Lorentzian Wormholes in Dilatonic Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet Theory

Abstract: We discuss the properties of Lorentzian wormholes in dilatonic Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet theory in four spacetime dimensions. These wormholes do not need any form of exotic matter for their existence. A subset of these wormholes is shown to be linearly stable with respect to radial perturbations. We perform a comprehensive study of their domain of existence, and derive a generalised Smarr relation for these wormholes. We also investigate their geodesics determining all possible particle trajectories, and perform a study of the acceleration and tidal forces that a traveler crossing the wormhole would feel.

Spatial and temporal variability in aerosol properties over the Mediterranean basin based on 6-year (2000-2006) MODIS data

Abstract: [1] The temporal variability of aerosol optical properties is investigated over the broader Mediterranean basin, with emphasis on aerosol optical depth (AOD) that is an effective measure of aerosol load The study is performed using Collection 005 Level-3 mean daily spectral aerosol data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument on board the Terra and Aqua satellites, which cover the 6-year period from 2000 to 2006 The results of our analysis reveal a significant interannual variability of AOD in the study region Specifically, the regional mean visible AOD over land and ocean has decreased over the period 2000–2006 by 20% in relative percentage terms (or by 004 in absolute terms) This tendency is statistically significant according to the Man-Kendall test However, the decreasing tendency of AOD is not uniform over the whole basin It appears mainly in the western parts of Iberian, Italian, and Balkan peninsulas (and coastal areas), as well as in the southern Anatolian peninsula The analysis for summer (June to September) and winter (November to March) seasons revealed different tendencies in both AOD and precipitation The summer-period AOD has decreased by 004 (or by 14%) probably due to decreased emission rates of anthropogenic pollution In contrast, the winter AOD has increased by 003 (or 19%) mainly related to decreased precipitation (associated with an increasing tendency in the NAO index) The decreasing tendency in MODIS AOD is in good agreement with corresponding AOD tendencies based on data from Aerobot Robotic Network (AERONET) stations in the study region and ground based PM10 measurements at selected stations

Rab17 Regulates Membrane Trafficking through Apical Recycling Endosomes in Polarized Epithelial Cells

Abstract: A key feature of polarized epithelial cells is the ability to maintain the specific biochemical composition of the apical and basolateral plasma membrane domains while selectively allowing transport of proteins and lipids from one pole to the opposite by transcytosis. The small GTPase, rab17, a member of the rab family of regulators of intracellular transport, is specifically induced during cell polarization in the developing kidney. We here examined its intracellular distribution and function in both nonpolarized and polarized cells. By confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, rab17 colocalized with internalized transferrin in the perinuclear recycling endosome of BHK-21 cells. In polarized Eph4 cells, rab17 associated with the apical recycling endosome that has been implicated in recycling and transcytosis. The localization of rab17, therefore, strengthens the proposed homology between this compartment and the recycling endosome of nonpolarized cells. Basolateral to apical transport of two membrane-bound markers, the transferrin receptor and the FcLR 5-27 chimeric receptor, was specifically increased in Eph4 cells expressing rab17 mutants defective in either GTP binding or hydrolysis. Furthermore, the mutant proteins stimulated apical recycling of FcLR 5-27. These results support a role for rab17 in regulating traffic through the apical recycling endosome, suggesting a function in polarized sorting in epithelial cells.

Critical factors for effective implementation of ISO 9001 in SME service companies

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the critical factors for the effective implementation of the ISO 9001 standard in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in the services sector.Design/methodology/approach – An empirical study is conducted with a sample of 93 ISO 9001:2000‐certified Greek service companies. Data are obtained by a questionnaire survey of the managers responsible for quality in each of the sample firms. Individual critical factors for ISO 9001:2000 implementation are assessed for importance by simple descriptive statistics. Exploratory factor analysis is then applied to refine these individual critical factors into five latent constructs.Findings – All of the individual critical factors examined in the study are assessed as being of some importance with regard to their contribution to ISO 9001 effectiveness. The five latent constructs of the underlying structure of these critical factors are (in descending order of importance): “internal motivation of company”; “a...