University of Piraeus

About: University of Piraeus is a education organization based out in Piraeus, Attiki, Greece. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Context (language use) & Computer science. The organization has 1731 authors who have published 6209 publications receiving 106699 citations.

Berthing ships at a multi-user container terminal with a limited quay capacity

Abstract: This paper addresses a variation of the berth allocation problem at multi-user terminals, as ships which would normally be served at the terminal but their expected wait time exceeds the time limit, are assigned to an external terminal. The objective of the problem is to minimize the total service time of ships at the external terminal. A genetic algorithm based heuristic is developed and a wide variety of numerical experiments showed that the heuristic developed performed well in reducing external terminal usage and thus may be helpful in the efficient management of busy ports during extreme peaking conditions.

Reproducible research in signal processing

Abstract: Reproducible research results become more and more an important issue as systems under investigation are growing permanently in complexity, and it becomes thus almost impossible to judge the accuracy of research results merely on the bare paper presentation.

Azathioprine is superior to budesonide in achieving and maintaining mucosal healing and histologic remission in steroid-dependent Crohn's disease.

Abstract: Background: The effects of azathioprine (AZA) and budesonide (BUD) on mucosal healing and histologic remission of Crohn's disease (CD) are insufficiently studied. In this prospective study we evaluated the comparative effects of AZA and BUD on endoscopic and histologic activity in patients with steroid-dependent Crohn's ileocolitis or proximal colitis who had achieved clinical remission on conventional steroids. Methods: Patients were randomized to AZA (2.0–2.5 mg/kg a day) or BUD (6–9 mg a day) for 1 year. The study protocol included clinical examination, laboratory tests, calculation of the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI), completion of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), at baseline and then every 2 months for 1 year. Ileocolonoscopy with regional biopsies was performed at baseline and then at the end of the study to assess mucosal healing and the histologic activity of CD. Results: Thirty-eight patients were randomized to AZA and 39 to BUD. At the end of the study 32 and 25 patients in the AZA and BUD groups, respectively, were in clinical remission (P = 0.07). The Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity (CDEIS) score fell significantly only in the AZA group (P < 0.0001). Complete or near complete healing was achieved in 83% of AZA-treated patients compared with only 24% of BUD-treated patients (P < 0.0001). Histologic activity as assessed by an average histology score (AHS) fell significantly only in the AZA group (P < 0.001 versus baseline) and was significantly lower than in the BUD group at the end of the study (P < 0.001). Eight patients in the AZA group were withdrawn for adverse events (n = 6) or relapse of disease compared with 14 patients in the BUD group who were withdrawn for relapse of disease. Conclusions: In patients with steroid-dependent inflammatory Crohn's ileocolitis or proximal colitis who achieve clinical remission with conventional steroids, a 1-year treatment with AZA was superior to BUD in achieving and maintaining mucosal healing and histologic remission. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008)