Learning Research Informed Design and Evaluation of a Web-enhanced Object Oriented Programming Seminar

Object-Oriented Programming subject is included in the ACM Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Programs in Computer Science as well as in Curriculum for K-12 Computer Science. In a few research studies learning problems and difficulties have been recorded, and therefore, specific pedagogical guidelines and educational tools have been proposed which aim at better supporting the instructional process of Object-Oriented Programming. This paper presents an empirical pilot study of a seminar related to the basic principles-concepts of Object-Oriented Programming. The seminar was at undergraduate educational level using the Java language and web technologies. Its instructional approach was based on selected best instructional practices (either in the form of guidelines or design patterns) already published in the literature. The fundamental aim of the present study was to investigate the factors that might affect the learning effectiveness of a web-enhanced instructional process of the Object-Oriented Programming subject

Concurrent administration of Docetaxel and Stealth® liposomal doxorubicin with radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer : excellent tolerance using subcutaneous amifostine for cytoprotection

The substantial augmentation of the radiation sequelae during chemo–radiotherapy with novel drugs masks the real potential of such regimens. In this study we examined whether subcutaneous administration of amifostine can reduce the toxicity of a highly aggressive chemo–radiotherapy scheme with Stealth® liposomal doxorubicin (Caelyx®) and Docetaxel (Taxotere®) in non-small cell lung cancer. Twenty-five patients with stage IIIb non-small cell lung cancer were recruited in a phase I/II dose escalation trial. The starting dose of Taxotere® was 20 mg m−2 week and of Caelyx® was 15 mg m−2 every two weeks, during conventionally fractionated radiotherapy (total dose of 64 Gy). The dose of Taxotere®/Caelyx® was, thereafter, increased to 20/25 (five patients) and 30/25 mg m−2 (15 patients). Amifostine 500 mg was given subcutaneously before each radiotherapy fraction, while an i.v. amifostine dose of 1000 mg preceded the infusion of docetaxel. The ‘in-field’ radiation toxicity was low. Grade 3 esophagitis occurred in 9 out of 25 (36%) patients. Apart from a marked reduction of the lymphocyte counts, the regimen was deprived from any haematological toxicity higher than grade 1. No other systemic toxicity was noted. The CR and CR/PR rates in 15 patients treated at the highest dose level was 40% (6 out of 15) and 87% (13 out of 15) respectively. It is concluded that the subcutaneous administration of amifostine during high dose Taxotere®/Caelyx® chemo–radiotherapy is a simple and effective way to render this aggressive regimen perfectly well tolerated, by reducing the systemic and the ‘in-field’ toxicity to the levels expected from simple conventional radiotherapy. The impressive tolerance and the high CR rate obtained encourages the conduct of a relevant randomized trial to assess an eventual survival benefit in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Effects of air pollution and wind on the large-ion concentration in the air above Athens

The influences of air pollution (due to smoke and sulfur dioxide) and wind speed on large-ion concentration (LIC) for the period from 1969 to 1980 are examined. In addition, the variations of LIC during sea breeze and etesians days for the same time period are presented. It was shown that wind speed and LIC are anticorrelated, while LIC is significantly lower during Etesian winds in comparison with that during sea breeze. The effects of ozone and nitrogen dioxide on LIC for the period 1982-1984 are also examined. It was shown that increase of smoke and/or sulfur dioxide leads to increase of LIC, while LIC and ozone, nitrogen dioxide are anticorrelated. Copyright 1998 by the American Geophysical Union

The atmospheric electric field in Athens - Greece

In the present study, the daily, annual and seasonal variations of the electric field in Athens - Greece, for all weather as well as for fair weather conditions, for the 16-years period 1965-1980 were examined. The daily variation of the electric field follows a double oscillation. A Fourier analysis was also used for the study of its diurnal variation. The results of the Man-Kendall test showed that the electric field at National Observatory of Athens (NOA), during the 16-years period, is essentially constant. In addition, the influence of the air pollution due to smoke and of wind speed on electric field was examined. It was deduced that an increase of air pollution results in an increase of electric field, while the electric field decreases as the wind speed increases

Study of small ions concentration in the air above Athens, Greece

Measurements of positive and negative small atmospheric ion concentrations have been made regularly since 1968 at the National Observatory of Athens (NOA). In this paper the 17-year period 1968-1984 is summarized. The diurnal and annual variations are examined, and Fourier analysis is also used for the study of the diurnal variation. The concentrations of small ions follow a double diurnal course. The maxima occur near 3-5 h and 13-16 h local time (LT = GMT + 2 h). The minima are observed at 6-8 h and 21-23 h. The annual course of small ions presents maximum concentration values around the summer season. The mean of the small ion concentration (SIC) for the 17-year period (1968-1984) is n+ = 188.8 ions/cm3 for positive ions and n- = 151.1 ions/cm3 for negative ions. Their ratio is equal to 1.25. The year-to-year variation of SIC for the examined period shows a negative trend. The results from multiple regression analysis show that wind speed and SIC are positively correlated, while relative humidity, smoke and sulphur dioxide are negatively correlated. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved