Estimates for Bellman functions related to dyadic-like maximal operators on weighted spaces

We provide some new estimates for Bellman type functions for the dyadic maximal opeator on $R^n$ and of maximal operators on martingales related to weighted spaces. Using a type of symmetrization principle, introduced for the dyadic maximal operator in earlier works of the authors we introduce certain conditions on the weight that imply estimate for the maximal operator on the corresponding weighted space. Also using a well known estimate for the maximal operator by a double maximal operators on different m easures related to the weight we give new estimates for the above Bellman type functions.Comment: 10 pages. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1511.0611

The effectiveness of a law and society’s affluence : the paradox of Cyprian legislation’s reform

The purpose of this research is to show and to analyze the problems that appeared after the Cyprus legislative change οn the 1st January 2003 and mainly to point out the reactions of the shareholders of the off - shore companies, due to the changes of the tax legislation. Our theoretical model considers that a law in the Capital Market is effective, if it increases the expected social prosperity. In our analysis we examined the Bayesian model approach of the effectiveness of the law whose base was to analyze the data supports of the opinion from the asked company consultants.peer-reviewe

A GIS based anthropogenic PM10 emission inventory for Greece

AbstractAn anthropogenic, chemically speciated PM10 emission inventory was compiled for Greece in 10km spatial resolution. The inventory comprises of all anthropogenic particulate matter sources and it was compiled using a Geographical Information System (GIS) integrated with SQL programming language. Input data from the national and international databases were used for the calculation of spatially and temporally resolved emissions for the road transport and all the subsectors of the other mobile sources and machinery sector using top–down or bottom–up methodologies. Annual data from existing emission databases were also used and were temporally and spatially disaggregated using source relevant statistical data and high resolution maps. The sectoral emission totals are compared with other emission databases or studies conducted in the area. Total anthropogenic emissions in Greece were estimated to be 182 219t for the base year 2003. The results indicate the industrial sector as the major PM10 emission source (39.9% contribution) with the major industrial units though to be situated inside the organised industrial areas of the country. The power generation sector (21.4%) is the second largest contributor in national level mostly derived from one specific industrial region at north. International cargo shipping activities (9.6%) is also an important source category for particles. Heat production and road transport are found to play a significant role inside the urban centres of the country

Helical EndoStaples enhance endograft fixation in an experimental model using human cadaveric aortas

ObjectiveThis study evaluated the contribution of Aptus EndoStaples (Aptus Endosystems, Sunnyvale, Calif) in the proximal fixation of eight endografts used in the endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (EVAR).MethodsNine human cadaveric aortas were exposed, left in situ, and transected to serve as fixation zones. The Zenith (Cook, Bloomington, Ind), Anaconda (Vascutek, Inchinnan, Scotland, UK), Endurant (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minn), Excluder (W. L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz), Aptus (Aptus Endosystems), Aorfix (Lombard Medical, Didcot, UK), Talent (Medtronic), and AneuRx (Medtronic) stent grafts were proximally deployed and caudal displacement force (DF) was applied via a force gauge, recording the DF required to dislocate each device ≥20 mm from the infrarenal neck. Measurements were repeated after four and six EndoStaples were applied at the proximal fixation zone, as well as after a Dacron graft was sutured at the proximal neck in standard fashion. Finally, a silicone tube was used as a control fixation zone to test the DF of grafts with EndoStaples in a material that exceeded the integrity of a typical human cadaveric aorta and provided a consistent substrate to examine the differential effect of variable degrees of EndoStaple implantation using zero, two, four, and six EndoStaples.ResultsIn the cadaveric model, the mean DF required to dislocate the endografts without the application of EndoStaples was 19.73 ± 12.52 N; this increased to 49.72 ± 12.53 N (P < .0001) when four EndoStaples where applied and to 79.77 ± 28.04 N when six EndoStaples were applied (P = .003). The DF necessary to separate the conventionally hand-sutured Dacron graft from the aorta was 56 N. In the silicone tube model, the Aptus endograft without EndoStaples withstood 3.2 N of DF. The DF increased to 39 ± 3 N when two EndoStaples were added, to 71 ± 6 N when four were added, and to 98 ± 5 N when six were added. In eight of the 13 cadaver experiments conducted with four and six EndoStaples, the displacement occurred as a result of complete aortic transection proximal to the fixation site, indicating that aortic tissue integrity was the limiting factor in these experiments.ConclusionsThe fixation of eight different endografts was increased by a mean of 30 N with four Aptus EndoStaples and by a mean of 57 N with six EndoStaples in this model. Endostaples can increase endograft fixation to levels equivalent or superior to that of a hand-sewn anastomosis. The application of six EndoStaples results in aortic tissue failure above the fixation zone, demonstrating fixation strength that exceeds inherent aortic integrity in these cadavers.Clinical RelevanceThe proximal fixation of an endovascular device in the endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (EVAR) is of crucial importance to avoid complications such as kinking, migration, and endoleak. This study represents the first attempt to quantify the effect of a new innovative device (Aptus EndoStaples) aimed to enhance endograft fixation. A cadaveric model, which resembles the forces applied onto the endovascular devices in vivo, was chosen to test the effect of the EndoStaples. The results suggest that endograft fixation is significantly better after the application of the EndoStaples, to an extent where it surpasses the inherent durability of the vessel wall

Transport impacts on atmosphere and climate: Land transport

Emissions from land transport, and from road transport in particular, have significant impacts on the atmosphere and on climate change. This assessment gives an overview of past, present and future emissions from land transport, of their impacts on the atmospheric composition and air quality, on human health and climate change and on options for mitigation. In the past vehicle exhaust emission control has successfully reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter. This contributed to improved air quality and reduced health impacts in industrialised countries. In developing countries however, pollutant emissions have been growing strongly, adversely affecting many populations. In addition, ozone and particulate matter change the radiative balance and hence contribute to global warming on shorter time scales. Latest knowledge on the magnitude of land transport's impact on global warming is reviewed here. In the future, road transport's emissions of these pollutants are expected to stagnate and then decrease globally. This will then help to improve the air quality notably in developing countries. On the contrary, emissions of carbon dioxide and of halocarbons from mobile air conditioners have been globally increasing and are further expected to grow. Consequently, road transport's impact on climate is gaining in importance. The expected efficiency improvements of vehicles and the introduction of biofuels will not be sufficient to offset the expected strong growth in both, passenger and freight transportation. Technical measures could offer a significant reduction potential, but strong interventions would be needed as markets do not initiate the necessary changes. Further reductions would need a resolute expansion of low-carbon fuels, a tripling of vehicle fuel efficiency and a stagnation in absolute transport volumes. Land transport will remain a key sector in climate change mitigation during the next decades

The placement of greek capital in offshore activities

Στην εισαγωγή αναλύεται ο βασικός λόγος σύστασης υπεράκτιων επιχειρήσεων που δεν είναι άλλος από την υπέρμετρη φορολόγηση των κερδών των επιχειρήσεων και των καθαρών εισοδημάτων των φυσικών προσώπων, είτε ακόμα και τη διπλή φορολόγηση αυτών, επειδή κάθε κράτος είναι γνωστό ότι φορολογεί σύμφωνα με τον τόπο κτήσης των κερδών αλλά και σύμφωνα με την ιθαγένεια. Γίνεται προσπάθεια στο να δοθεί επακριβής και ολοκληρωμένος ορισμός σχετικά με το τι αποτελεί Διεθνές Υπεράκτιο Οικονομικό Κέντρο και την πιθανή διαφορά του από τον «φορολογικό παράδεισο». Αναφέρονται οι τρεις κατηγορίες των υφιστάμενων Διεθνών Υπεράκτιων Οικονομικών Κέντρων - Φορολογικών Παραδείσων. Γίνεται εκτενής αναφορά στην επιτροπή φορολογικών θεμάτων του ΟΟΣΑ και στην προσπάθειά της για τον προσδιορισμό και εξάλειψη των επιζήμιων φορολογικών πρακτικών καθώς επίσης και των τριών κριτηρίων επιλογής κάποιου φορολογικού παραδείσου. Στο πρώτο κεφάλαιο αναλύονται οι τέσσερις μορφές φοροδιαφυγής ως κλασική φοροδιαφυγή, φοροκλοπή, μετακύλιση φόρου και φοροαποφυγή. Στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο αναλύεται ο ρόλος των υπεράκτιων εταιρειών στο ξέπλυμα χρήματος. Αναπτύσσονται τα τρία στάδια της διαδικασίας δηλαδή η «τοποθέτηση», το «στοίβαγμα» και ο «καθαρισμός» του χρήματος. Αναφέρονται οι τρόποι με τους οποίους μπορούν να υλοποιηθούν τα προαναφερόμενα στάδια. Στο τρίτο κεφάλαιο αναλύονται οι βασικοί λόγοι δημιουργίας των χωρών - υπεράκτιων κέντρων. Αναφέρουμε τις δύο μεγάλες κατηγορίες στις οποίες χωρίζονται οι χώρες - υπεράκτια κέντρα και αναπτύσσουμε την περίπτωση της Κύπρου. Προσδιορίζονται οι Μπαχάμες ως πρώτο εμφανισθέν υπεράκτιο κέντρο και γίνεται εκτενής αναφορά σε χώρες - υπεράκτια κέντρα όπως τα νησιά Cayman, το Λουξεμβούργο, η πορτογαλική Μαδέιρα, τα νησιά του «καναλιού» της Μάγχης, το Λιχτενστάϊν, το Γιβραλτάρ, τα Βρετανικά νησιά της Παρθένου (British Virgin Islands BVI), το isle of man και ο Παναμάς, παρατίθεται δε συνοπτικός πίνακας με τους ανά τον κόσμο γνωστότερους «φορολογικούς παραδείσους» και τα ειδικά χαρακτηριστικά της κάθε μίας δικαιοδοσίας. Αναφέρονται τα βασικά χαρακτηριστικά των χωρών - υπεράκτιων κέντρων όπως τα έχουν προσδιορίσει οι Walter H. και Dorothy B. Diamond. Καταγράφεται ο διαχωρισμός των υπεράκτιων κέντρων από τον ΟΟΣΑ σε τρεις ομάδες, ανάλογα με τις νομικές τους υποδομές, τα επίπεδα της οικονομικής επίβλεψης και συνεργασίας και με τις δυνατότητές τους να καταπολεμήσουν το ξέπλυμα χρήματος. Αναφέρεται και αναλύεται ιστορικά η ελληνική νομοθεσία σχετικά με τη προσέλκυση ξένων κεφαλαίων. Στο τέταρτο κεφάλαιο αναπτύσσονται οι λόγοι χρησιμοποίησης των υπεράκτιων εταιρειών. Αναλύεται το κόστος ίδρυσης και διατήρησης μιας υπεράκτιας εταιρείας και λαμβάνεται ως παράδειγμα αναλυτικής κοστολόγησης αυτό της Κύπρου (μέχρι και την 31/12/2002)

Future Projections of Cloud Cover and Surface Relative Humidity Over Greece during the 21st Century Based on EURO-CORDEX Simulations

Greece is located over a climate-change-prone region. The aim of this study is to investigate the projection of cloud cover fraction and surface relative humidity during the period from 1970 to 2099. In this analysis, we use six high-resolution regional climate model simulations (RCMs) available from the EURO-CORDEX program. The RCMs include the historical period from 1970 to 2005 and the future period from 2006 to 2099 under the influence of the representative concentration pathway (rcp) scenarios rcp2.6, rcp4.5, and rcp8.5. Results show significant projected changes mainly during the last period of the 21st century according to the rcp8.5 scenario. In particular, during the 2070&ndash;2099 period, with respect to a reference period (1976&ndash;2005), both the cloud cover fraction and the surface relative humidity are reduced by about 5% and 5% to 8%, respectively, over continental Greece. Focusing on the winter season, the comparison between future and reference periods shows that the cloud cover fraction presents a significant decrease of about 10% to 20% mainly during the last period of the 21st century. Finally, the surface relative humidity in 2070&ndash;2099 shows insignificant changes according the low and moderate scenarios (rcp2.6 and 4.5) and limited changes for the high emission scenario (rcp8.5)

Non-Activated Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Prevention of Inguinal Wound-Related Complications After Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

The endovascular repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) usually involves the surgical exposure and catheterization of the femoral arteries. Several inguinal surgical wound-related complications have been reported postoperatively. The aim of this report was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intraoperative application of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the prevention of wound-related complications in AAA EVAR. The authors conducted a patient- and assessor-blinded controlled trial involving 100 subjects undergoing EVAR of an AAA. PRP was produced using an autologous platelet separator and was applied, without prior thrombin activation, in 50 patients eligible for inclusion. The results were compared with a control group of 50 patients who underwent AAA EVAR within the same time period. The primary outcome was the difference in postoperative hospital stay. Secondary outcomes included subjective assessment of wound healing and wound-related complications. Age, sex, and other comorbidities related to wound healing were not significantly different between cases and controls. One patient treated with PRP developed a unilateral wound infection with lymphorrhea, and two patients developed a bi-lateral superficial infection. Twelve patients within the control group developed a wound-related complication. The postoperative hospitalization was significantly lower in the PRP group. The overall surgical wound-related complications rate was also significantly lower in the PRP group. Application of non-thrombin-activated PRP seems to prevent major postoperative wound-related complications (p = .026) and shorten postoperative hospital stay duration after femoral artery exposure and catheterization for AAA EVAR (mean, 4.48 ± 0.48 vs. 6.14 ± 0.39 days)

Developing a fast photochemical calculator for an integrated assessment model

The use of integrated assessment models, in air quality policy, which combines atmospheric models with others from different fields, raises the need of developing specific air quality modelling concepts. The air quality model, AUSTAL2000-AYLTP uses an adapted version of AUSTAL2000 model to calculate transport coupled with a fast photochemical module. Two approaches are compared: one using a look-up table and the other using a coupled box model. The lookup table has been built using the OZIPR model by simulating a large set of possible combinations of meteorological variables and precursor concentrations. The second approach consists of coupling the Lagrangian model AUSTAL2000 with the OZIPR box model. In both approaches the photochemistry is included in the mode by using a quasi-linear reaction rates coefficient which is used to affect the mass of the Lagrangian particles. We discuss the differences and the suitability of the two model versions, through exploring CPU time flexibility, applicability and accuracy

Efficient Sensitivity Computations in 3D Air Quality Models.

Abstract not availableJRC.G-Institute for the Protection and the Security of the Citizen (Ispra