Purpose: Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) participates in thrombotic, fibrinolytic, inflammatory and metabolic cascades. Since previous studies have focused on tissue and blood level concentrations, our goal was to investigate for the first time the independent relationship between plasma PAI-1 activity in resectable non small cell cell lung cancer (NSCLC) taking into consideration its several interfaces, and study its diagnostic and prognostic potential. Methods: In an adequately powered case-control study, plasma PAI-1 activity, metabolic parameters, classic adipokines, hemostatic, inflammatory and tumor biomarkers were measured in 110 consecutive patients with resectable NSCLC and 110 healthy subjects matched on age, sex and date of blood draw. Results: NSCLC patients exhibited significantly higher PAI-1 activity compared to controls (p<0.001). In NSCLC cases, PAI-1 activity correlated with somatometric variables, insulin, WBC, antithrombin III, protein C, plasminogen, IL-6 and tumor size (p<0.05). Plasma PAI-1 activity was independently associated with NSCLC beyond risk factors associated with NSCLC (OR: 6.9, 95% CI: 2.9-16.6, p<0.001). Plasminogen activity and body mass index emerged as independent predictors of PAI-1 activity in cases. Due to its high specificity, PAI-1 activity could represent a potentially useful parameter in ruling out NSCLC, alone or in combination with serum tumor markers associated with NSCLC. Conclusions: PAI-1 activity, reflecting PAI-1 functionality, may represent a potentially useful biomarker in NSCLC associated with thrombotic, tumor-promoting and metabolic networks. More clinical studies are needed to explore whether PAI-1 activity may be a practical biomarker in the risk assessment of NSCLC, at the crossroads of hemostasis and metabolism.

Given that goat milk and dairy products should be consumed daily according to suggestions based on Mediterranean diet, the current study evaluates the anti-atherogenic properties of goat milk and goat dairy products (yogurt and white cheese). Total lipids (TLs) of all three samples were extracted by the method of Bligh and Dyer and further separated into total polar lipids (TPLs) and total neutral lipids (TNLs) by counter current distribution. The fatty acid profiles of TPL and TNL of all three samples were determined by gas chromatography analysis. TL and TPL were tested to determine whether they induce platelet aggregation or inhibit platelet aggregation induced by the platelet-activating factor (PAF). The most active lipids were found in goat white cheese (i.e., since they showed lower IC50 values in both TL and TPL samples than corresponding fractions of goat milk and goat yogurt), so the TPL of goat white cheese were further separated by preparative thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The obtained polar lipid fractions after TLC separation were also tested for their biological activity. All the samples’ lipids, and especially the polar ones, were found to exhibit strong anti-atherogenic activities. This fact highlights the nutritional value of goat dairy products in terms of cardioprotection, as PAF is a crucial inflammatory mediator that is implicated in the mechanism of atherogenesis.

COVID-19 pandemic had a profound negative impact on people’s personal and social life. In this chapter, after some conceptual clarifications, we provide insights into the effects of ostracism on people’s well-being as individuals, partners, and group members. Specifically, we explore (a) individual- and personality-based risk factors of ostracism (intrapersonal level); (b) deprivation of social touch, disruption of empathy and social stigmatization in interpersonal relations (interpersonal level); and (c) disruption of social identity, social stigmatization and rise in prejudiced, discriminatory, and xenophobic tendencies within groups (intergroup level). The contribution of this chapter lies in proposing an interplay among intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intergroup dimensions of identity, that is, a multi-level conceptualization of ostracism during the covidian era. By integrating theoretical arguments and research findings, we support the view that personal identity commitment and identification with social groups have similar roots, both based on the individual’s need to formulate meaningful connections to the world and, thus, cope with as well as prevent ostracism. The implications of the interplay between personal and social identity for the measurement of ostracism are also discussed. Next, strategies for tackling ostracism during the pandemic or similar widespread crises are proposed. Finally, avenues for future research are suggested.

Many studies have assessed students’ motivation through surveys, but only a few studies systematically investigated through students’ own words the reasons and aims of their achievement striving. In the present study, we rely on the Goal Complex Perspective (Sommet and Elliot in J Educ Psychol 109(8):1141–1162, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000199; Vansteenkiste et al. in Educ Psychol 49(3):153–174, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2014.928598) to uncover qualitative differences in achievement motivation. Content analysis of 1303 statements made by 597 Greek secondary students revealed (i) more autonomous motivation than controlled motivation statements, (ii) spontaneously generated statements of mastery-learning and outcome goals but rarely of performance-normative goals, (iii) mastery-learning goals being coupled with both autonomous and controlled motivation, providing ecological support for the conceptualization of mastery goal complexes. Logistic regression analyses verified our classification, as students’ statements were predicted by corresponding types of motivation assessed by close, Likert-type questions. These findings, which align with the Goal Complex Perspective, are discussed in terms of the operational definition of autonomous and controlled motivation and achievement goals.

Ο Χάνς Κρίστιαν Άντερσεν είναι γνωστός ως ένας από τους σημαντικότερους συγγραφείς παραμυθιών. Ωστόσο, υπήρξε και αξιόλογος εκπρόσωπος της ταξιδιωτικής λογοτεχνίας. Το 1841 πραγματοποίησε ένα εν πολλοίς άγνωστο στο ευρύ κοινό ταξίδι στην μεταεπαναστατική Ελλάδα. Τις εντυπώσεις του από το ταξίδι αυτό τις καταγράφει στο βιβλίο «Το παζάρι ενός ποιητή». Με εφαλτήριο το δέος του για τον πολιτισμό των αρχαίων Ελλήνων και την ελληνική φύση καταλαμβάνεται σύντομα από ένα ευδιάκριτο φιλελληνικό πνεύμα, διά του οποίου προσλαμβάνει και καταγράφει διάφορες όψεις της νεοελληνικής πραγματικότητας και του ελληνικού λαϊκού πολιτισμού. Η μελέτη της «λαϊκής ψυχής» υπήρξε βασικός πυλώνας του φιλελληνισμού κατά τον 19ο αιώνα, καθώς στόχος της ήταν να αποδείξει την πολιτισμική συνέχεια, άρα και την φυλετική ενότητα του ελληνικού γένους. Κείμενα όπως «Το παζάρι ενός ποιητή» αποτελούν μέσο γνωριμίας της ευρωπαϊκής κοινής γνώμης με τον ελληνικό λαϊκό πολιτισμό και καταφέρνουν να τονώσουν και να αναγεννήσουν το ευρωπαϊκό ενδιαφέρον για την Ελλάδα.

The attainment of adult status in Greece is a neglected research issue. Sociodemographic changes and the severity and long duration of the Global Recession in this country (2008-2018) are expected to contribute to the delayed entry to adulthood, especially among university students. In this study, conducted in 2015, 814 university students (ages 18-25; M = 19.9) provided information on subjective adult status (per se and with significant others), achievement of adulthood criteria, associations between the two, and several personal and contextual variables. Results showed that two thirds of the sample felt in-between adolescence and adulthood. They felt more adult in work, university, and romantic relationships, and less adult with parents, friends, and siblings. The most achieved criteria were in the areas of Norm Compliance and Independence, whereas Role Transitions had been achieved the least. A variety of achievements, reflected in Independence, Norm Compliance, and Family Capacities criteria, and some concrete transitions were significantly associated with subjective adult status. Gender, age, parents’ educational level, financial constraints, and financial concerns significantly and differentially predicted the achievement of several adulthood markers. Results provide insight into the achievement of adult status within the Greek context in the aftermath of the Global Recession.

This paper analyzes the impact of the European economy digitalization on the financial performance of the European SMEs during COVID-19. Using a panel data from 2017 to 2022 of 12,179 European SMEs and a European transformed digitalization index, we find that financial performance of SMEs is significantly and negatively associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Digitalization of the European economy significantly increases SMEs’ financial performance measured by various performance measurements and mediates the COVID-19 negative effect. Digitalization is more significant during COVID-19 era compared to the pre-pandemic period. Our results are robust to alternative performance measures.

Although Schema Therapy has emerged as an effective treatment for a large range of psychopathology, there is limited research on its effectiveness with children and adolescents, especially for preventive purposes, in individual or group settings and with the involvement of parents. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of a newly developed group prevention program based on Schema Therapy (rationale, principles, and techniques) for children and their parents. It is a psychoeducational, developmentally-appropriate program addressing core emotional needs, early maladaptive schemas, schema modes, coping styles, and parent-child relationship with the aim of preventing the emergence of psychopathology in children. Participants were 90 Greek children (aged 9-13) who attended 16 weekly meetings and their parents who attended 10 biweekly meetings. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated with pre-and-post-intervention assessment (i.e., pre-experimental design). Children’s early maladaptive schemas (self-reports) and strengths and difficulties (self- and parent-reports), as well as parents’ early maladaptive schemas (self-reports) were assessed. Results showed a significant decrease in most early maladaptive schemas of children and in many early maladaptive schemas of parents. A significant decrease was found in children’s emotional symptoms, peer relationship problems and total difficulties score and a significant increase in prosocial behavior. The supporting evidence for the effectiveness of the program and the necessity of evidence-based prevention programs based on Schema Therapy for children and parents are discussed.

We analyze the impact of the institutional environment on the leverage of European listed SMEs for the period 2005-2018. We use a broad range of institutional quality, judicial efficiency and corruption measures, along with several firm-specific and macro control variables, to identify different transmission channels on leverage. By performing a panel data analysis into the fixed effects filter estimator framework, along with several model specifications and robustness tests, the results show that better institutions, stronger judicial effectiveness and higher corruption decrease leverage. In terms of active transmission channels, increased investment under regimes of better institutional quality tends to increase leverage. Higher judicial efficiency accompanied by increased profitability tends to decrease, while higher institutional quality accompanied by higher investments tends to increase leverage, bringing more bank credit. Increasing profitability under regimes of decreased corruption decreases leverage. This last finding is even more pronounced for medium enterprises, as opposed to micro enterprises. The most significant factors associated with leverage are profitability, asset structure, cost of borrowing, stock market development and size, while an age effect is rejected. Pecking order theory seems to better fit the European SMEs capital structure choices under several institutional states.

δψασδασδασδασδα

Given a filtration of the module of vector fields on a smooth manifold, we define a pseudodifferential calculus where the order of a vector field is given by the filtration. We show that pseudodifferential operators have a well-defined principal symbol for a subset of the unitary representations of the osculating groups. We prove a Rockland-type theorem, showing that the invertibility of the principal symbol is equivalent to maximal hypoellipticity. This answers affirmatively a conjecture due to Helffer and Nourrigat.

We construct local coordinates for the Weinstein groupoid of a non-integrable Lie algebroid. To this end, we reformulate the notion of bi-submersion in a completely algebraic way and prove the existence of bi-submersions as such for the Weinstein groupoid. This implies that a C*-algebra can be attached to every Lie algebroid.

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This book offers the first comprehensive history and analysis of Turkey’s relations with Israel since 1948, when the state of Israel was established, up until 2010 and places them within the wider framework of Turkey’s foreign policy. It highlights the remarkable lack of consistency in Turkey’s foreign policy towards Israel, under different Turkish governments, which has given the relationship a pervasive sense of unpredictability.  Combining empirical-analytical evidence with role theory insights, as developed in Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA), it explores Turkish foreign policy makers’ perceptions regarding the proper role and function of the country in the international system and the sub-system of the Middle East and how they affected the policy towards Israel. The author argues that Ankara’s ambivalent policy towards Israel for over sixty years can be explained by Turkey's multiple and often contradictory national role conceptions. The study, which draws from archival material and over fifty interviews with Turkish, Israeli, American and Arab officials and experts, places Ankara’s policy into a larger analytical framework, which helps link the past to the present and future.

Ο συλλογικός αυτός τόμος επιχειρεί να χαρτογραφήσει το ιδιαίτερα θολό ακόμη ιστορικό τοπίο των πανεπιστημιακών εδρών ξένων φιλολογιών και να φέρει στο φως πολλές μέχρι σήμερα άγνωστες πτυχές της ακαδημαϊκής ιστορίας των ξένων φιλολογιών στην Ελλάδα. Εστιάζει ειδικότερα στη λειτουργία των εδρών της γαλλικής, γερμανικής και αγγλικής φιλολογίας, από την περίοδο του Μεσοπολέμου, όταν πρωτοθεσμοθετήθηκαν, μέχρι και τη δεκαετία του 1970, όταν ολοκληρώθηκε η μετάβαση προς έναν νέο θεσμό, τα πανεπιστημιακά τμήματα, και για την τελευταία χρονολογικά από τις εξεταζόμενες ξένες φιλολογίες. Περιλαμβάνει εισαγωγή και τέσσερις πρωτότυπες μελέτες που βασίζονται στη συστηματική αξιοποίηση ανεξερεύνητου αρχειακού υλικού (ξένα και ελληνικά αρχεία) από ερευνητές που ειδικεύονται στο συγκεκριμένο επιστημονικό πεδίο. Για καθεμιά από τις τρεις παραπάνω φιλολογίες αφιερώνεται ένα χωριστό κεφάλαιο, όπου διερευνάται ο ρόλος που έπαιξαν οι ξένοι πολιτιστικοί εταίροι της Ελλάδας στη σύσταση, τη στελέχωση αλλά και γενικότερα τη λειτουργία των πανεπιστημιακών αυτών εδρών. Αντιστοίχως, εξετάζονται και οι θέσεις των ελληνικών ανώτατων ιδρυμάτων σε σχέση με το ζήτημα της διδασκαλίας των ξένων φιλολογιών στο πανεπιστήμιο. Προσκομίζονται επίσης στοιχεία που αφορούν στο διδακτικό προσωπικό και στις ιδιαιτερότητές του (αλλοδαποί φιλόλογοι ή/και καθηγητές ξένων πανεπιστημίων), στις διαλέξεις που τα μέλη του έδιναν στα αμφιθέατρα του ιδρύματος και στη σύσταση του ακροατηρίου τους. Σε ένα τελευταίο κεφάλαιο, επιχειρείται μια σύνθεση της ιστορίας αυτής, μέσω μιας συγκριτικής προσέγγισης που εντοπίζει τις συγκλίσεις και τις αποκλίσεις, έτσι όπως αυτές καταγράφονται κατά την ιστορική διαδρομή των θεσμών αυτών.

Big data and big data analytics will unavoidably change the role of accountants. This paper considers the impact of big data on accounting and auditing. Financial accountants need to move beyond the book-keeping process and become key information providers to decision-makers. That upturns accountants’ consulting role and their ability to think strategically, providing critical help in management decision making. The relationship between managers and management accountants becomes closer and more effective because of big data. Management accountants can use additional analytical methods to detect processes and product excellence, combined with diminishing cost. Big data and big data analytics in auditing ensure audit quality and fraud detection. Upgraded information systems and automation in business procedures diminish the need for staff participation. Inevitably, the skills of accountants and knowledge must be associated with big data and big data analytics and modern accountants must develop an analytics mindset by being familiar with data and technologies.

We establish an integration theory for singular subalgebroids, by diffeological groupoids. To do so, we single out a class of diffeological groupoids satisfying specific properties, and we introduce a differentiation-integration procedure under which they correspond to singular subalgebroids. Our definition of integration distinguishes the holonomy groupoid from the graph, although both differentiate to the original singular subalgebroid: the holonomy groupoid satisfies a certain submersive property, while the graph does not.

Du voyageur-photographe, qui sélectionne ses sujets parmi les gens du pays, au voyageur-collectionneur, qui visite les ateliers commerciaux pour acheter des épreuves, le voyage fut à l’origine d’une production photographique orientaliste diversifiée qui ne fut pas constituée comme un genre autonome, mais se situa à la frontière de plusieurs catégories. Inspirés d’une iconographie stéréotypée déjà en vogue, les photographes commerciaux photographièrent les types ethniques et religieux orientaux et en racontèrent, de manière discontinue, la vie quotidienne, les mœurs et les coutumes ainsi que les activités professionnelles. Dans des conditions souvent difficiles, les voyageurs représentèrent aussi l’Autre oriental. Plusieurs voyageurs gardèrent son image comme souvenir, tandis que d’autres exécutèrent des photographies à caractère anthropologique ou ethnographique. Nombreuses sont aussi les photographies qui rappellent le caractère religieux de l’Orient et montrent l’activité missionnaire. Conçues dans un autre esprit, les photographies des touristes reproduisent une image vivante bien que parfois stéréotypée des Orientaux. Quoique morcelée, l’image des Orientaux formée par les photographies des voyageurs, contribua à la formation de l’identité de l’Oriental. Révélatrice de leur idéologie, leur production, qui s’inscrit dans le contexte de l’orientalisme dénoncé par Edward Saïd, transmet des informations sur la manière dont ils l’avaient perçu. Médiateurs culturels, les photographes français, voyageurs ou résidents, familiarisèrent la population orientale avec l’art de la photographie.  

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The current study focuses on earnings management as a significant determinant of the sticky cost phenomenon, for explaining both firm-level cost behaviour and cross-country differences in cost behaviour. We combine firm-level incentives to manipulate earnings with country-level differences in earnings management practices to provide a richer understanding of the effects of these practices to cost stickiness. Using a sample of G-7 countries (France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, UK and USA) we find that cost stickiness is mitigated in the pervasiveness of earnings management.

ΑΝΑΜΕΝΕΤΑΙ

Η μελέτη, η οποία βασίζεται σε τεκμηριωτικό υλικό που συγκεντρώθηκε από τα αρχειακά κέντρα των Υπουργείων εξωτερικών της Ελλάδας και της Γαλλίας, του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών και της Φιλοσοφικής Σχολής Αθηνών, αποπειράται να ανασυστήσει την ιστορία της πανεπιστημιακής έδρας γαλλικής φιλολογίας από την πρώτη, χρονολογικά, σχετική θεσμική υλοποίηση του 1933 μέχρι τη δημιουργία πανεπιστημιακών τμημάτων γαλλικών σπουδών, κατά την πρώτη μεταπολεμική δεκαετία. Επιχειρεί επίσης να δείξει πως ο πανεπιστημιακός αυτός θεσμός δεν συνδιαλέγεται μόνο με την ελληνική εκπαιδευτική και πολιτική συγκυρία: η ανάμειξη γαλλικών πολιτιστικών ιδρυμάτων επιβάλλει τη διεύρυνση του πεδίου παρατήρησης και σε εκείνο της πολιτιστικής διπλωματίας προκειμένου να φωτιστούν πληρέστερα όψεις που εν τέλει συνδιαμορφώνουν τη φυσιογνωμία του. Ο προβληματισμός επικεντρώνεται, καταρχάς, στις πολιτικές συνεργασίας των εμπλεκόμενων γαλλικών και ελληνικών εκπαιδευτικών ιδρυμάτων για την προώθηση του ζητήματος ή, αντίθετα, στις στρατηγικές που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν με στόχο την εγκατάλειψη αυτού του θεσμικού εγχειρήματος. Διερευνώνται, επίσης, τα δομικά χαρακτηριστικά σε επίπεδο στόχων, προσανατολισμού και οργάνωσης του θεσμού, τα οποία είναι άμεσα συναρτημένα με τις επιδιώξεις των συμβαλλόμενων μερών. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, ερμηνευτικά σχήματα, όπως το μεταβαλλόμενο από τη συνεργασία στην αντιπαλότητα και από την εξάρτηση στην αυτονόμηση πλέγμα σχέσεων, επιτρέπουν τη βαθύτερη κατανόηση των θεσμικών κατακτήσεων ή/και αντιστάσεων.

This research focuses on sustainable consumption and production (SCP) to balance economic growth with ecological preservation. It assesses Greek consumers' attitudes, satisfaction, and knowledge about green products through questionnaires, analyzing the interplay of these factors in consumer satisfaction and highlighting the role of awareness in the green market. The study also compares these findings with Romanian consumer behavior to understand cultural and socioeconomic influences. Results show that positive attitudes towards green products and access to information significantly enhance consumer satisfaction, a trend consistent across different cultures. However, a lack of sustainability knowledge among youth presents an educational opportunity. The study advocates for strategic educational efforts to support SCP, emphasizing the need for well-informed product design, fair pricing, and clear communication to promote sustainable consumer habits, contributing to the broader SCP discourse and guiding future sustainable economy policies.

This book explores the major challenges that the long-standing and diversely debated demise of postmodernism signifies for American literature, art, culture, history, and politics, in the present, third decade of the twenty-first century. Its scope comprises a vigorous discussion of all these diverse fields undertaken by distinguished scholars as well as junior researchers, U.S. Americanists and European Americanists alike. Focusing on socio-political and cultural developments in the contemporary U.S., their contributions highlight the interconnectedness of the geopolitical, economic, environmental and technological crises that define the historical present on global scale.

Plastiras artificial lake is formed upstream of an 83 m-high arched dam, at an altitude of 795.20 m above msl. A hydroelectric power plant constructed back in 1959, started functioning in 1960 with an average annual electricity production of 180 GWh. Moreover, its water provides potable supply, after treatment, to surrounding towns and essential agricultural irrigation to 140,000 acres of land. The 23.5 km² lake and its surroundings are extensively used for environmental recreational activities and the local ecosystem is sensitive to human activities and environmental factors.Recently the region was affected by two extreme weather events, in 2020 and 2023, evidently causing extensive mass wasting phenomena in the surrounding drainage basins and torrent discharge points into the lake. Especially after the “IANOS” Medicane (September 17-18, 2020), a systematic monitoring of the lake and its drainage was decided. A synergy of methodologies with state-of-the-art equipment was used, to evaluate the volumes of terrigenous sediment brought into the lake, drastically reducing the water storage capacity of the dam. The reference dataset was a single and multibeam survey carried out back in 2009, accompanied by a photogrammetric mapping of the lake coast at the maximum lake water level.Our 2023 surveys encompass more than 14,000 images which were acquired with a Trinity F90 UAS, flying at a relative height of 160 meters, covering a 200-meter-wide zone around the coast of the lake, with a 70% overlap between the images. Image capturing of the latter took place during the lowest lake water level so that most of this zone would be revealed from the water's surface. The establishment of 15 Ground Control Points (GCPs) at certain locations around the lake increased the spatial credibility of the extracted 2.5 cm resolution Digital Terrain Model. For co-registration reasons, the same GCPs were also used as references during the multibeam survey, which was conducted at transects parallel and vertical to the shoreline routes, 20-90 meters apart, pending on the lake depth, to achieve a complete swath coverage of the lake bottom. The multibeam-sounding survey was carried out at near maximum lake water level, with continuous hourly monitoring of the water level and the water speed of sound.Both methodologies resulted in point-clouds which were unified, and a DTM of the entire lake bottom was constructed, representing the full extent of the water body during the highest water level. The latter was compared to the 2010 dataset and a significant change in the water volume was detected reaching almost 4 million m3. This is clearly related to the volume of sediments brought into the lake, by both sediment gravity flows entering the lake especially within the torrent inlets along the west coast while finer suspended sediment mostly settles in the deepest areas towards the dam.

This paper focuses on the archaeological sub-field of archaeogenetics, and the ways it may be deployed in current political discourse in order to substantiate nationalist claims of heredity as a blood-based relationship. Two case studies are discussed in order to show how, in modern Greece but also elsewhere, antique skeletal remains are seen as national relics as well as cultural icons. This generates a politically charged sort of “DNA archaeology,” only partially involving the ideas or actions of archaeology professionals but strongly affecting public receptions of, and responses to, the past. And this is because archaeogenetic discourse and its results – factual, exaggerated, or plainly fabricated – may be deployed by different stakeholders within contemporary societies in order to mobilize certain parts of the population or exclude others to the point of elimination, by means of their symbolic or even biological death.

Data augmentation is a promising technique in improving exploration and convergence speed in deep reinforcement learning methodologies. In this work, we propose a data augmentation framework based on generative models for creating completely novel states and increasing diversity. For this purpose, a diffusion model is used to generate artificial states (learning the distribution of original, collected states), while an additional model is trained to predict the action executed between two consecutive states. These models are combined to create synthetic data for cases of high and low immediate rewards, which are encountered less frequently during the agent’s interaction with the environment. During the training process, the synthetic samples are mixed with the actually observed data in order to speed up agent learning. The proposed methodology is tested on the Atari 2600 framework, producing realistic and diverse synthetic data which improve training in most cases. Specifically, the agent is evaluated on three heterogeneous games, achieving a reward increase of up to 31%, although the results indicate performance variance among the different environments. The augmentation models are independent of the learning process and can be integrated to different algorithms, as well as different environments, with slight adaptations.

OBJECTIVES: An increasing number of women living with HIV are transitioning through midlife and menopause. Women living with HIV may experience earlier menopause and a higher symptom burden than women without HIV, but more evidence is needed. Data collection on menopause in women living with HIV is scarce and often not standardized. We sought to assess how menopause data are collected in cohorts and studies of women living with HIV. METHODS: This was a literature review conducted within the PubMed database. We included original studies and cohorts assessing menopause and/or menopausal symptoms in women living with HIV. Study characteristics and menopause data collection, including the definition of menopause, symptom assessment tools, and measurement of biomedical parameters, were noted and summarized systematically in data tables. RESULTS: We included 40 articles describing 37 separate studies published between 2000 and 2023; 27 of these were conducted in high-income countries, the majority in the USA (n = 16). Ten studies were from low- and middle-income countries; four of these were conducted in Brazil. In 20 studies, menopause was defined according to the World Health Organization's definition of over 12 months of amenorrhea. Twelve studies used the Menopause Rating Scale to characterize menopausal symptoms, five studies used other specified symptom assessment tools, and 12 studies used a study-specific tool. CONCLUSIONS: Menopause data collection in women living with HIV is heterogeneous. We propose that standardized tools should be used to enable comparisons between studies and countries, thereby improving the quality of research and clinical treatment. Further research into the validity of menopausal symptom scoring tools is warranted.

Although there is extensive research on the adulthood criteria endorsed by emerging adults, there is very limited evidence on the comparison between emerging adults and their parents regarding this issue. Moreover, in these comparison studies, only quantitative methodology was used. Therefore, the present study uses a mixed-method design to investigate similarities and differences in the prevalence of the endorsed adulthood criteria between emerging adults and their parents, between male and female emerging adults, and between fathers and mothers. Participants were 251 emerging adult students, aged 18.0 to 25.9 (M = 19.9; 50.2% females), and 341 parents of these emerging adults, aged 33.6 to 61.9 (M = 50.4; 58.4% mothers). They completed the Markers of Adulthood Scale and named the three criteria that they considered most important for a person to be considered an adult. An inductive-deductive coding scheme was used. The analyses exhibited a high consensus between emerging adults and their parents in the endorsement of adulthood criteria. Only criteria related to Independence and to the Self were reported more frequently by emerging adults than their parents. A strong agreement between genders in both age groups was also found. The contribution of this study is twofold. First, it supports the idea that in Greece adulthood is a construct that is largely shared by emerging adults and their parents. Second, it illustrates how a mixed-method design can complement quantitative studies and extend their findings.

Numerous people are applying for bank loans as a result of the banking industry’s expansion, but because banks only have a certain amount of assets to lend to, they can only do so to a certain number of applicants. Therefore, the banking industry is very interested in finding ways to reduce the risk factor involved in choosing the safe applicant in order to save lots of bank resources. These days, machine learning greatly reduces the amount of work needed to choose the safe applicant. Taking this into account, a novel weights and structure determination (WASD) neural network has been built to meet the aforementioned two challenges of credit approval and loan approval, as well as to handle the unique characteristics of each. Motivated by the observation that WASD neural networks outperform conventional back-propagation neural networks in terms of sluggish training speed and being stuck in local minima, we created a bio-inspired WASD algorithm for binary classification problems (BWASD) for best adapting to the credit or loan approval model by utilizing the metaheuristic beetle antennae search (BAS) algorithm to improve the learning procedure of the WASD algorithm. Theoretical and experimental study demonstrate superior performance and problem adaptability. Furthermore, we provide a complete MATLAB package to support our experiments together with full implementation and extensive installation instructions.

The largest part of earthquake debris is generated by the collapse during the strong ground motion and the urgent demolition of severely damaged structures during the emergency response and recovery. One of the first and most significant actions during the response and recovery phases is the management of the disaster debris. It constitutes one of the most important challenges for all involved in disaster management, as it poses significant hazards to both the environment and the public health in the affected area. The hazards are attributed to the occurrence of hazardous materials in collapse and demolition debris.Many such challenges and related hazards emerged in the southeastern Türkiye in early February 2023, when two major earthquakes of magnitude 7.8 and 7.5 struck a densely built-up area comprising 11 provinces with many large urban centers such as large cities and towns and extensive rural areas with countless villages.The synergy of the strong ground motion combined with the generation of extensive primary effects, such as coseismic surface ruptures, and the triggering of secondary effects, including liquefaction and landslides among others, resulted in tens of thousands of totally and partially collapsed buildings and large parts of residential areas being flattened. This fact led to a volume of debris considered as the largest since the 1994 Northridge earthquake, an earthquake debris volume difficult to manage even in organized countries.During post-event field surveys conducted by the authors in the affected area, several disposal sites set up in the most affected provinces were detected and checked for suitability. The field surveys comprised the deployment of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the disaster field and the use of satellite imagery back in the laboratory for assessing properties of sites and their surrounding areas as well as for monitoring implemented debris management activities. It is concluded that all sites had characteristics that did not allow them to be classified as safe sites for earthquake debris treatment and disposal. This is mainly attributed to their proximity to areas, where thousands of people live and work on a daily basis. As regards the environmental impact, these sites were operating within or close to surface water bodies. This situation reveals a rush for rapid debris removal and recovery resulting in serious omissions in the preparation of disaster management plans and concessions in their implementation. In this context, effective debris management measures are also proposed: (i) sorting of hazardous materials, (ii) appropriate treatment for chemicals and heavy metals, (iii) 3R (reuse, reduce, recycle) activities, (iv) systematic monitoring of environmental parameters and hazardous substances, (v) storage in sites with safe operation standards, (vi) strict application of international best practices and procedures for limiting asbestos adverse effects on public health.

Disasters arising from geophysical hazards have the potential to trigger extensive structural damage upon the built environment within the impacted area. A substantial proportion of debris generated from earthquakes is a consequence of structural collapse during the ground motion, coupled with the urgent demolition of severely damaged and unstable structures in the course of emergency response and recovery. Among the foremost and pivotal measures undertaken during disaster management is the effective management of the generated debris. This task stands as one of the paramount challenges faced by those involved, given its inherent hazards to both the natural environment and public health. These hazards emanate from the presence of hazardous materials within debris from collapses and demolitions.Numerous challenges and associated hazards emerged in southeastern Turkey after two devastating earthquakes on 6 February 2023 with Mw=7.8 and Mw=7.5 respectively. These seismic events affected a densely populated region encompassing 11 provinces, which included numerous sizable urban centers, such as large cities and towns, along with extensive rural areas comprising countless villages.The convergence of intense ground motion, accompanied by the occurrence of widespread primary effects, such as coseismic surface ruptures, and the triggering of secondary effects, including mainly but not limited to liquefaction and landslides, culminated in the total or partial collapse of tens of thousands of structures and the extensive leveling of residential areas. This fact gave rise to a debris volume deemed the largest since the 1994 Northridge earthquake and challenging to manage, even within well-organized nations.In the course of post-event field surveys conducted by the authors within the earthquake-stricken area, various disposal sites established in the most severely affected provinces were identified and assessed for suitability. The field surveys included the utilization of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the disaster-affected areas, complemented by the examination of satellite imagery in the laboratory to evaluate the characteristics of the sites and their immediate surroundings and to monitor the ongoing debris management activities.The findings indicate that none of the identified sites possessed attributes qualifying them as safe for the treatment and disposal of earthquake debris. Primarily, this inadequacy is attributed to their close proximity to areas densely populated with thousands of residents who engage in daily activities. Furthermore, from the environmental viewpoint, these sites operated either within or in close proximity to surface water bodies. This situation reveals a rush for rapid debris removal and recovery resulting in serious omissions in the preparation of disaster management plans and concessions in their implementation. Consequently, recommendations for effective debris management measures are also proposed in the context of this research based on existing scientific knowledge and operational expertise.

On September 4, 2023, Storm Daniel moved inland from the Ionian Sea, intensifying due to the warmth of the post-summer Mediterranean Sea, resulting in intense rainfall and thunderstorms over the Balkans. Central Greece was particularly affected, experiencing the highest daily rainfall totals recorded in the region.The storm caused widespread devastation, especially in the Thessaly region, with significant impacts including intense erosion, mass movement phenomena triggered by rainfall, damages from strong winds, inundation, agricultural land damage, loss of life and injuries, impacts on residences and businesses, as well as a substantial toll on the environment and cultural sites.This study focuses on Storm Daniel and its effects in Thessaly, Greece, by creating a database of distinct impact elements based on field surveys and public records. Through this archive, the study explores the range of its impacts, developing a systematic categorization to provide an in-depth understanding of the types and mechanisms of these impacts.Examining extreme storms through post-flood surveys and emphasizing their impacts can enhance our comprehension of associated risks. This knowledge will facilitate more accurate predictions and strategic planning for such events, contributing to improved emergency management and recovery efforts. Anticipating the impacts becomes crucial, particularly in the context of the projected increase in the frequency of such events due to climate change, thereby strengthening our preparedness.

Several studies have evaluated different versions of the Inventory of Personality Organization (IPO) around the world and some shortened versions of the instrument have also been constructed. The aim of this study was to develop the first brief Greek-language version of the IPO (IPO-Brief-GR) to be used for clinical screening and research purposes regarding personality pathology defined according to Kernberg's object relations model of personality organization. Data were collected from a community sample of 543 Greek emerging adults aged 18–29 years (M = 21.45, SD = 2.51) with the 83-item IPO, from which a 30-item version was constructed, based on confirmatory factor analysis of the full measure. The psychometric properties of the IPO-Brief-GR were then examined. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a four-factor structure best fitted the data, that is, primitive defenses/identity diffusion, reality testing, aggression, and moral values. Criterion validity and internal consistency reliability were also supported. Measurement invariance across gender using an exact protocol approach (i.e., configural, metric, scalar) was found allowing latent mean comparisons. These preliminary findings support the reliability and validity of the IPO-Brief-GR for the assessment of borderline personality organization and indicate the need for further research into the psychometric properties and clinical utility of this measure.

Motivated by the increasing demand for alternative assets that can contribute to reducing portfolio risk under inflationary environments, this paper examines the volatility spillovers between collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) and various assets used for protection against inflation, including equities, bonds, crude oil, commodities, gold, bitcoin, shipping and real estate. The applied methodology comprehends the time-varying parameter vector autoregressive (TVP-VAR) model of Antonakakis et al (2020), which relies on the classical Diebold and Yilmaz (2012) approach, for the period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2021. The empirical findings show moderate levels of dynamic connectedness; albeit several external shocks, such as the oil price plummet, the US-China trade war and COVID-19, strengthened the interconnection among the assets. Equities, commodities, bitcoin, real estate and gold form the net senders of spillovers, whereas bonds, shipping, CLOs and crude oil absorb the spread shocks. Moreover, we evaluate the hedging ability of CLOs within a portfolio of inflation hedges by estimating hedge ratios and optimal weights by utilizing conditional variance estimations (DCC). Our results indicate that CLOs possess impeccable hedging ability, as the short position in their volatility provides high hedging effectiveness for all investors holding long-positions in the volatility of the remaining assets. Our analysis highlights the importance of CLOs and their relevance to portfolio diversification.

The present paper addresses employment and occupational prospects in Greece, in the period 2011-2022, highlighting the dynamic, stagnant and declining occupations and it also  addresses employment and occupational prospects in the near future (2022-2030). The role that Lifelong Learning  can play in an environment of abrupt changes is also discussed. The study reveals that in the period 2011-2022, the total employment rates in Greece increased by 1.0%, with the creation of 43,002 new jobs. A large number of jobs was created for general and keyboard clerks, health professionals and information and communication technology professionals but on the other hand, a large number of jobs were destructed. Therefore, the employment and occupational prospects in Greece in the near future require further attention. The estimates presented in this paper concern the time period 2022-2030, in a two-digit occupation code and they are derived from the application of the Oxford model (Oxford Global Economic Model - GEM), which is managed by NKUA, in the framework of its eLearning program. In this time period, according to relevant estimates, the total employment rates in Greece are expected to decrease by 3.4%, with a loss of 143,998 jobs in total. This negative development, that is expected to take place in an environment of increased production (estimates of the Oxford model), indicate a paradox that is  a period of economic growth which is not followed by the creation of new jobs (jobless growth). In light of this evidence, employment and occupational prospects and Lifelong learning are interlinked and often considered a favored topic for researchers, practitioners, policy makers and politicians. As occupations, dynamic, stagnant or declining, include certain tasks and skills, their evolution (and mainly in the dynamic ones) provide the necessary information areas in which long term strategy of Lifelong Learning should target. However, there seems to be a distance between policy, strategy and action. The paper suggests a more careful mapping of the job market, the lifelong learning programmes and the trainees’ prospective profiles. It also addresses the need to focus on those who rarely participate in lifelong learning programmes and are considered to also be the dropout rates from formal educational processes.

{Human existence and progress hinge on sustainability and resilience, especially in the Anthropocene Era, where the diversity of nature plays a critical role. Central to this endeavor is the realm of geoethics, which not only reshapes the role of geosciences but also fosters the development of ethical behavior and practices in our interaction with the Earth. This paper presents a conceptual framework that integrates the seemingly disparate domains of geoethics, geoenvironmental education, and the sense of place. By conducting a systematic review using the keywords “Geoethics AND Education” and “Geoethics AND place” across global databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and JSTOR, up to October 2023, we seek to uncover evidence illuminating the potential connections between these concepts. Out of n = 98 records identified

Understanding the geochemistry and contamination of rivers affected by anthropogenic activities is paramount to water resources management. The Asopos river basin in central Greece is facing environmental quality deterioration threats due to industrial, urban and agricultural activities. Here, the geochemistry of river sediments and adjacent soil in terms of major and trace elements (Al, Ca, Mg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) and the geochemical composition of surface water in terms of major ions, trace elements and nutrients along the Asopos river basin were determined. In addition, this study characterized potential nitrate sources through the analysis of stable isotope composition of NO3− (δ15Ν-ΝΟ3− and δ18Ο-ΝΟ3−). Results indicated that specific chemical constituents including nutrients (NO2−, NH4+, PO43−) and major ions (Na+, Cl−) were highest in the urban, industrialized and downstream areas. On the other hand, nitrate (NO3−) concentration in river water (median 7.9 mg/L) showed a decreasing trend from the upstream agricultural sites to the urban area and even more in the downstream of the urban area sites. Ionic ratios (NO3−/Cl−) and δ15Ν-ΝΟ3− values (range from +10.2 ‰ to +15.7 ‰), complemented with a Bayesian isotope mixing model, clearly showed the influence of organic wastes from septic systems and industries operating in the urban area on river nitrate geochemistry. The interpretation of geochemical data of soil and river sediment samples demonstrated the strong influence of local geology on Cr, Fe, Mn and Ni content, with isolated samples showing elevated concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, mostly within the industrialized urban environment. The calculation of enrichment factors based on the national background concentrations provided limited insights into the origin of geogenic metals. Overall, this study highlighted the need for a more holistic approach to assess the impact of the geological background and anthropogenic activities on river waters and sediments.

This paper explores an innovative educational program designed to protect and promote the geocultural heritage of Minoan Crete. The program applies environmental education and sustainability principles while integrating theater in education, a novel approach that significantly impacts participants’ perspectives. By effectively combining these elements, the program fosters environmental awareness, deepens cultural appreciation, and instills sustainable behaviors in both the local population and visitors. This interdisciplinary approach, blending geocultural heritage into environmental education, promotes an understanding of the delicate balance between nature and human interaction during the Minoan era. The paper also examines the program’s potential for broader community engagement and policy influence, emphasizing how its educational outcomes could result in meaningful changes at both community and policy levels. We advocate for the preservation of Minoan Crete’s geocultural heritage and its sustainable future through a unique blend of educational strategies, marking a milestone in heritage conservation.

On 6 February 2023, East Anatolia was devastated by two major earthquakes resulting in hundreds of thousands of collapses and tens of thousands of human casualties, and injured and homeless people. These high numbers are attributed to the extensive heavy and very heavy structural damage corresponding to damage grades 4 and 5 in terms of the European Macroseismic Scale EMS-98 that were caused in the earthquake-affected area.The obvious reasons that contributed to the disaster comprised the large magnitude of the earthquakes, the generation of the first earthquake during the night that found the majority of the population in their homes, the demographic characteristics of the region that include densely built-up and populated areas as well as the proximity of many residential areas to the ruptured faults. Furthermore, the synergy of significant factors, which are strongly related to the seismotectonic setting of the area, the earthquake environmental effects (EEEs) and the characteristics of the affected structures resulted in one of the largest earthquake disasters in the modern history of the country.The aim of this study is to highlight the factors related to building properties and the generation of EEEs that control the grade and the spatial distribution of building damage in the studied earthquake-affected areas of southeastern Turkey. The results of this study are based on field surveys conducted by the authors shortly after the earthquakes (7 to 11 February) and after almost 2 months (31 March to 6 April). The field survey comprising conventional methods of geological mapping and modern and innovative methodologies such as deployment of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).In regards to the building construction properties, the loose enforcement of the building code, the random urban planning solutions and the poor construction standards are the main construction deficiencies that led to one of the largest disasters in Turkey’s recent history.Regarding geological factors, the triggering of primary and secondary EEEs largely shaped the grade and distribution of damage. Where coseismic surface ruptures intersected with the built environment, heavy to very heavy structural damage was observed. This was evident in many cases along the ruptured segments of the East Anatolian Fault Zone. Liquefaction observed close to waterbodies caused damage typical of building foundation load-bearing capacity loss. The earthquake-triggered landslides affected mainly mountainous and semi-mountainous settlements characterized with pre-earthquake high related susceptibility. The high susceptibility to generation of EEEs was extensively confirmed in many cases resulting in extensive damage.

On 6 February 2023, the Eastern Anatolia experienced significant devastation due to two major seismic events, leading to the collapse of hundreds of thousands of structures and causing tens of thousands of human casualties, injuries, and homeless people. The substantial magnitude of these impacts is attributed to the extensive occurrence of heavy and very heavy structural damage, categorized as damage grades 4 and 5 according to the European Macroseismic Scale EMS-98, within the earthquake-affected area.The discernible factors contributing to the disaster encompassed the substantial magnitude of the earthquakes, the occurrence of the initial seismic event during nighttime, thereby locating a considerable portion of the population within their residences, and the demographic attributes of the region characterized by densely constructed and populated zones, coupled with the close proximity of numerous residential areas to the ruptured faults. Additionally, the confluence of significant factors, closely associated with the seismotectonic context of the region, the effects of earthquake environmental effects, and the characteristics of the impacted structures, culminated in one of the most extensive earthquake disasters in the recent history of Turkey.This study aims to highlight the factors controlling associated with building properties and the manifestation of earthquake environmental effects that govern the severity and spatial dispersion of structural damage within the earthquake-affected regions under study in the southeastern Turkey. The findings presented herein derive from field surveys undertaken by the authors in the immediate aftermath of the seismic events (7th to 11th February) and subsequently, almost two months later (31st March to 6th April). The field surveys included conventional techniques of geological mapping alongside innovative methodologies, including the deployment of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).With regard to building construction characteristics, insufficient adherence to building codes, arbitrary urban planning solutions, and substandard construction practices constitute primary deficiencies contributed to the disaster. Concerning geological factors, the generation of both primary and secondary earthquake environmental effects significantly influenced the intensity and distribution of damage. Locations where coseismic surface ruptures intersected with built-up areas exhibited heavy to very heavy structural damage, as evidenced along the ruptured segments of the East Anatolian Fault Zone. Liquefaction proximal to water bodies resulted in damage indicative of building foundation load-bearing capacity. Earthquake-triggered landslides predominantly impacted mountainous and semi-mountainous villages and areas characterized by pre-existing susceptibility. The substantial susceptibility to EEEs generation was extensively corroborated in numerous cases, leading to widespread damage. The presented information highlights the pivotal role of such studies in informing hazard mitigation and facilitating disaster risk reduction measures.

The stability of nonlinear systems in the control domain has been extensively studied using different versions of the algebraic Riccati equation (ARE). This leads to the focus of this work: the search for the time-varying quaternion ARE (TQARE) Hermitian solution. The zeroing neural network (ZNN) method, which has shown significant success at solving time-varying problems, is used to do this. We present a novel ZNN model called ’ZQ-ARE’ that effectively solves the TQARE by finding only Hermitian solutions. The model works quite effectively, as demonstrated by one application to quadrotor control and three simulation tests. Specifically, in three simulation tests, the ZQ-ARE model finds the TQARE Hermitian solution under various initial conditions, and we also demonstrate that the convergence rate of the solution can be adjusted. Furthermore, we show that adapting the ZQ-ARE solution to the state-dependent Riccati equation (SDRE) technique stabilizes a quadrotor’s flight control system faster than the traditional differential-algebraic Riccati equation solution.

We investigate conditions for the extendibility of continuous algebra homomorphisms ϕ from the Fourier algebra A(F ) of a locally compact group F to the Fourier-Stieltjes algebra B(G) of a locally compact group G to maps between the corresponding L∞ algebras which are weak* continuous. When ϕ is completely bounded and F is amenable, it is induced by a piecewise affine map α : Y → F where Y ⊆ G. We show that extendibility of ϕ is equivalent to α being an open map. We also study the dual problem for contractive homomorphismsϕ : L1 (F ) → M (G). We show that ϕ induces a w* continuous homomorphism between the von Neumann algebras of the groups if and only if the naturally associated map θ (Greenleaf [1965], Stokke [2011]) is a proper map.

There is limited research on the role of childhood trauma in personality pathology according to Kernberg’s psychodynamic model of internalized object relations. Because childhood trauma reflects the disruptions of these relations, it is expected to predict borderline personality organization, especially at the threshold of adulthood. Therefore, the main aim of this retrospective study was to examine the impact of childhood trauma on borderline personality organization in a community sample of emerging adults. Participants were 543 Greek individuals aged 18-29 (M = 21.45; 58.6% females; 85.1% university students). They completed the Greek versions of the Traumatic Antecedents Questionnaire (TAQ) and the Inventory of Personality Organization (IPO), which were tested for their factorial structure, reliability, and measurement invariance across gender, as few empirical data exist on the psychometric properties of these measures. Confirmatory factor analyses showed that the TAQ consisted of four factors, namely positive experiences, abuse, traumatic life events, and family chaos. The five-factor theoretical structure of the IPO, namely primitive defenses, identity diffusion, reality testing, aggression, and moral values, was confirmed. Low to moderate links between childhood trauma and borderline personality organization were found, with stronger links emerging for abuse and family chaos. Structural equation modeling showed that the various forms of childhood trauma across the age periods studied (i.e., 0-6, 7-12, 13-18) significantly and differentially predicted the dimensions of borderline personality organization. The finding that stronger links emerged when trauma occurred in older ages may be attributed to the retrospective method of the study. Gender differences were also found; for example, personality pathology was more likely in men when abuse and traumatic life events occurred in younger ages and abuse was a more important risk factor for personality pathology in women. This study highlights the impact of childhood adversity on personality pathology in emerging adulthood, provides empirical support for Kernberg’s psychodynamic model, and has useful implications for trauma-informed early screening, prevention, and intervention regarding personality pathology in young people. Limitations of this study and suggestions for future research are outlined.

A family of zeroing neural networks based on new nonlinear activation functions is proposed for solving various time-varying linear matrix equations (TVLME). The proposed neural network dynamical systems, symbolized as Li-VPZNN1 and Li-VPZNN2, include an exponential parameter in nonlinear activation function (AF) that leads to faster convergence to the theoretical result compared to previous categories of nonlinearly activated neural networks. Theoretical analysis as well as numerical tests in MATLAB's environment confirm the efficiency and accelerated convergence property of the novel dynamics.

FurE is a H symporter specific for the cellular uptake of uric acid, allantoin, uracil, and toxic nucleobase analogues in the fungus nidulans. Being member of the NCS1 protein family, FurE is structurally related to the APC-superfamily of transporters. APC-type transporters are characterised by a 5+5 inverted repeat fold made of ten transmembrane segments (TMS1-10) and function through the rocking-bundle mechanism. Most APC-type transporters possess two extra C-terminal TMS segments (TMS11-12), the function of which remains elusive. Here we present a systematic mutational analysis of TMS11-12 of FurE and show that two specific aromatic residues in TMS12, Trp473 and Tyr484, are essential for ER-exit and trafficking to the plasma membrane (PM). Molecular modeling shows that Trp473 and Tyr484 might be essential through dynamic interactions with residues in TMS2 (Leu91), TMS3 (Phe111), TMS10 (Val404, Asp406) and other aromatic residues in TMS12. Genetic analysis confirms the essential role of Phe111, Asp406 and TMS12 aromatic residues in FurE ER-exit. We further show that co-expression of FurE-Y484F or FurE-W473A with wild-type FurE leads to a dominant negative phenotype, compatible with the concept that FurE molecules oligomerize or partition in specific microdomains to achieve concentrative ER-exit and traffic to the PM. Importantly, truncated FurE versions lacking TMS11-12 are unable to reproduce a negative effect on the trafficking of co-expressed wild-type FurE. Overall, we show that TMS11-12 acts as an intramolecular chaperone for proper FurE folding, which seems to provide a structural code for FurE partitioning in ER-exit sites.

In this study, we attempt to provide insight into the complex interplay between loneliness/solitude and the writing gift from the early years of life. Theories and research on giftedness, loneliness/solitude, and on the links between them suggest that creative literary production and loneliness/solitude are associated. To further illustrate these associations, we briefly discuss loneliness and solitude in childhood, adult life, and work of four gifted writers: Hans Christian Andersen, Edgar Allan Poe, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Beatrix Helen Potter. The theoretical framework of this study is twofold: various psychoanalytic formulations and Bruner’s social constructivist and intersubjective conceptualisation of the narrative gift. The main conclusion of this study is that gifted writers have, paradoxically, an intense experience of both painful and beneficial aloneness, which is the inevitable outcome of the writing gift but also becomes the inspiration and motive force for ars poetica.

Ideas concerning the role, function, and nature of labor unions and their leadership can be found in 19th century economics literature. Even since this early period, a division between orthodox and non-orthodox approaches toward the study of labor unions can be discerned.  The orthodox framework was formed in the late 19th century with the gradual establishment of Marginalism, and it consolidated itself with the dominance of early neoclassical economics. Orthodox economic theory did not devote much attention to the economic analysis of unions. On the contrary and during the same period, non-orthodox economists such as Sidney and Beatrice Webb and early institutionalists (e.g. Richard Ely), had paid considerable attention to the study of unions, perceiving them as politico-economic organizations and emphasizing their wider role as social institutions (McNulty, 1980). The legacy of those two approaches continued in the 20th century and contemporary analyses of labor unions. The orthodox approach (originating mainly from the work of John Dunlop), generally conceives unions as purely economic units, analogous to firms, which can be studied by applying the standard tools of microeconomic theory. In this framework, the notion of union leadership plays a minimum role. In contrast, the non-orthodox viewpoint (originating mainly from Arthur Ross’ works), embraces a holistic, institutional-political-based attitude to labor unionism (Kaufman, 2002).

Natural products are attractive components to tailor environmentally friendly advanced new materials. We present surface-confined metallosupramolecular engineering of coordination polymers using natural dyes as molecular building blocks: indigo and the related Tyrian purple. Both building blocks yield identical, well-defined coordination polymers composed of (1 dehydroindigo : 1 Fe) repeat units on two different silver single crystal surfaces. These polymers are characterized atomically by submolecular resolution scanning tunnelling microscopy, bond-resolving atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. On Ag(100) and on Ag(111), the trans configuration of dehydroindigo results in N,O-chelation in the polymer chains. On the more inert Ag(111) surface, the molecules additionally undergo thermally induced isomerization from the trans to the cis configuration and afford N,N- plus O,O-chelation. Density functional theory calculations confirm that the coordination polymers of the cis-isomers on Ag(111) and of the trans-isomers on Ag(100) are energetically favoured. Our results demonstrate post-synthetic linker isomerization in interfacial metal-organic nanosystems.

Theory and experiment went hand in hand in the work of Lord Rayleigh, in which the quest for rigor was a ubiquitous theme. To Rayleigh’s mind, though, and in contrast to mathematicians, physicists could proceed in their investigations without seeking absolute rigor. In his experimental practice, pursuing rigor involved the application of control strategies, which pervaded his work at various levels. Moreover, experimental control had various aims, such as standardizing measurement units in determining the ohm and validating experimental results in the discovery of argon. In the former case, Rayleigh and his team varied the design of their apparatus to control the experimental conditions. Dealing with errors was the main aim of their control practices and lay at the heart of their methodology. In the latter case, control was present in every step of the discovery process: the detection of discrepancies between the densities of atmospheric and “chemical” nitrogen, the identification of argon as a constituent of the atmosphere, and the subsequent exploration of its properties. The aim of this paper is to investigate and contrast the strategies of control employed in those two cases and to clarify their various purposes.

INTRODUCTION: Tanzania has a high adolescent birth rate and many sexually active adolescents do not have access to effective contraception. Teenage pregnancy is considered a high-risk pregnancy. Furthermore, it leads to social inequalities for both mother and offspring. METHODS: We conducted semistructured interviews with 12 adolescent mothers during their stay in the postnatal ward of the maternity department of a tertiary hospital in Zanzibar. The study took place between November and December 2022. Data were then analyzed qualitatively. RESULTS: The main theme that emerged from the interview data was that pregnancy seemed to affect the lives of young girls in a negative way. The majority of pregnancies were unplanned, and the girls reported low family planning uptake. Another recurring theme was that girls had many οbstacles in their education prior to pregnancy, which left them uncertain about their future. Finally, despite the advice of local doctors, the majority of the girls received minimal prenatal care, mostly because they did not regard obstetric care to be a priority. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent pregnancy remains an important public health issue in Tanzania, despite significant measures by authorities to reduce it. Educational changes and professional opportunities as well as family planning services may enable young girls to achieve professional and personal goals while delaying motherhood into adulthood.

The present paper focuses on the recall of childhood experiences of adults who had at least one parent misusing alcohol and/or drugs. The study aims to gain an in-depth understanding of the recall of these experiences in adulthood and their effect on relationships with significant others. Twelve (12) adults, who had experienced as children in their family’s drug and alcohol misuse were interviewed and their interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings of the qualitative study suggest that adults recall in their childhood the reversal of family roles and traumas that seem to affect their current relationships. The research findings indicate the necessity of supporting early enough children who grow up in families where alcohol and drug misuse are part of daily life and to create a therapeutic alliance in adult life in order to advance in their relationship with self and others.

Alan Weinstein remarked that, working in the framework of diffeology, a construction from Noncommutative Differential Geometry might provide the non-trivial representations required for the geometric quantisation of a symplectic structure which is not integral. In this note we show that the construction we gave with P. Antonini does indeed provide non-trivial representations.

We investigate the effects of non-synchronous trading on volatility spillover for the G-7 equity markets during the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis (ESDC) and the Covid-19 pandemic crisis. For data synchronisation we utilise ΜΑ(1) adjusted return series to estimate the Baba-Engle-Kraft-Kroner (BEKK) and the dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) models. We also consider the use of realised kernels as explanatory variables in the variance equation. In this set up, the contagion effects during crises periods are more perceptible, as the spikes are easier to interpret. We also check the robustness of our main results by applying, wavelet coherence analysis to G-7 major equity indices with realised kernels, as well as local Gaussian correlations (LGC). Our findings suggest the empirical significance of the synchronisation effects for the US and the other G-7 equity markets. We also conclude that realised kernels is an effective tool for mitigating non-synchronous effects. These results underline the significance of quantifying the synchronisation effects in equity markets as well as international portfolio diversification strategies.

Neuropsychiatric disorders, which are associated with stress hormone dysregulation, occur at different rates in men and women. Moreover, nowadays, preclinical and clinical evidence demonstrates that sex and gender can lead to differences in stress responses that predispose males and females to different expressions of similar pathologies. In this curated review, we focus on what is known about sex differences in classic mechanisms of stress response, such as glucocorticoid hormones and corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), which are components of the hypothalamicpituitary- adrenal (HPA) axis. Then, we present sex differences in neurotransmitter levels, such as serotonin, dopamine, glutamate and GABA, as well as indices of neurodegeneration, such as amyloid β and Tau. Gonadal hormone effects, such as estrogens and testosterone, are also discussed throughout the review. We also review in detail preclinical data investigating sex differences caused by recentlyrecognized regulators of stress and disease, such as the immune system, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, as well neurosteroids. Finally, we discuss how understanding sex differences in stress responses, as well as in pharmacology, can be leveraged into novel, more efficacious therapeutics for all. Based on the supporting evidence, it is obvious that incorporating sex as a biological variable into preclinical research is imperative for the understanding and treatment of stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety and Alzheimer's disease.

In the past two decades, index-near-zero (INZ) modes and materials, with their spatial phase invariance and super coupling, gained increasing attention for applications in all-optical/quantum computing and communication. However, the modulation of INZ modes is typically complex and discontinuous, often achieved through intricate experimental methods, thereby hindering their widespread application. Here, we propose two deep-subwavelength magneto-optical one-way waveguides and discover three broadband tunable INZ modes, exhibiting predict able behavior dependent on the external magnetic field (EMF). By utilizing these INZ modes, we design broadband tunable all-optical phase modulators through straightforward EMF control. The tunable and predictable nature of INZ modes, combined with deep-subwavelength phase modulators, may advance miniaturized all-optical communication and computation.

We aim to identify the key drivers of capital depletion under the adverse scenario by reverse engineering the EU-wide stress tests. Our sample consists of the banks that participated in the 2016, 2018 and 2021 EU-wide stress tests. We use three separate sets of variables, namely the bank-specific indicators, the macroeconomic parameters, and the banks’ exposures per loan portfolio. The results demonstrate that banks that are more profitable, more efficient, smaller, more exposed to corporate clients, less exposed to governments and having booked more impairments beforehand experience lower capital depletion under the adverse scenario. In addition, high rates of inflation imply more severe capital reductions, while high GDP leads to mild capital depletion. The asset mix on banks' balance sheets significantly affects the impact of stress test under the adverse scenario. Results are robust to alternative econometric approaches and provide important implications for both supervisors and banks. 

Nanoparticle formation by Spark Discharge Aerosol Generation offers low-cost fabrication of nanoparticles, without the use of chemicals or vacuum. It produces aerosol particles of a few nanometers in size with high purity. In this work, copper-based - CuO (tenorite) and Cu- nanoparticles are produced, characterized and used to modify face mask air filters, achieving the introduction of antibacterial and antiviral properties. A range of characterization techniques have been employed, down to the atomic level. The majority of the particles are CuO (of a few nanometers in size that agglomerate to form aggregates), the remainder being a small number of larger Cu particles. The particles were deposited on various substrates, mainly fiber filters in order to study them and use them as biocidal agents. On face masks, their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E.coli) results in a 100% decrease in bacteria cell viability. Their antiviral activity on face masks results in a 90% reduction of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viability, 15 minutes post the application of the virus stock solution. This highlights the effectiveness of this approach, its simplicity, its low cost and its excellent environmental credentials.

In this edited volume, renowned scholars from around the globe rethink and update important political communication concepts in the light of the most recent changes that have been occurring in media environments. In particular, the authors discuss those caused by the use of social media in politics, e.g. prevalent disinformation, populism, political polarization, etc. This collection of key texts addresses the major concerns that arise in our rapidly changing media and political environments and provides a basis for discussions on the current state of political communication research. This makes this volume a must-read for students, researchers, and scholars of political communication, interested in a better understanding of key concepts and the current state of the research in the field. 

In this work, silicon nanowires were constructed by metal-assisted chemical etching and decorated with silver nanoparticles and used as substrates for the SERS determination of oxidative stress markers, namely glutathione, malondialdehyde and catalase. The assays were sensitive, with detection limits of 50 and 3.2 nM for glutathione and malondialdehyde, respectively, and 0.5 μg/mL for catalase, indicating the capability of the proposed substrates to be implemented for the determination of various oxidative stress markers.

The synergetic effects of electromagnetic and chemical enhancements via the combination of semiconductor nanomaterials with noble metal nanoparticles is crucial to the performance of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Here, WO3/TiO2 photonic crystal films in the form of three-dimensional inverse opals were fabricated via the co-assembly of polymer colloidal templates with water-soluble precursors in order to simultaneously grow both constituent metal oxides with tailored electronic properties and photonic band gaps. The surface modification of compositionally tuned WO3/TiO2 inverse opals by Ag nanoparticles is demonstrated to be an efficient method to boost SERS efficiency in the detection of 4−mercaptobenzoic acid via the synergy of plasmonic effects with charge transfer and slow-light trapping.

The evolution of technology, particularly the integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), earth observation datasets, and historical data such as aerial photographs, stand as fundamental tools for comprehending and reconstructing surface evolution and potential environmental changes. In addition, the active geodynamic phenomena in conjunction with climate crisis and the increasing frequency of extreme weather phenomena can cause abrupt events such as rockfalls and landslides, altering completely the morphology on both small and large scales.This study deals generally with the temporal evolution of landscapes and specifically focuses on the detection and quantification of a significant rockfall event that occurred at Kalamaki Beach on Zakynthos Island, Greece – a very popular summer destination. Utilizing UAS surveys conducted in July 2020 and July 2023, this research revealed a rockfall that has significantly altered the coastal morphology. During this period, two severe natural phenomena occurred, one of which could potentially be the cause of this rockfall event. Initially, the Mediterranean hurricane (‘medicane’) ‘Ianos’ made landfall in September 2020, affecting a large part of the country including the Ionian Islands. The result was severe damage to property and infrastructures, along with human casualties, induced by intense precipitation, flash flooding, strong winds, and wave action. Second, in September of 2022, an ML=5.4 earthquake struck between Cephalonia and Zakynthos Islands in the Ionian Sea, triggering considerable impact in both islands. The study employs satellite images postdating these natural disasters, to detect the source of the rockfall in Kalamaki Beach. Additionally, historical analog aerial images from 1996 and 2010 were used as assets for understanding the surface’s evolution. For the quantitative analysis, we applied 3D semi-automated change detection techniques such as the M3C2 algorithm, to estimate the volume of the rockfall.The results provide insights into the complex interplay between natural disasters and geological processes, shedding light on the dynamic nature of landscapes and the potential implications for visitor-preferred areas.This research not only contributes to our understanding of landscape evolution but also underscores the importance of integrating modern and historical datasets to decipher the dynamic processes shaping the Earth's surface. The methodology proposed, serves as a valuable approach for assessing and managing geological hazards in coastal regions affected by both climatic events and geodynamic activities.

Metamaterials are a fascinating class of photonic materials since they allow us to control optical responses (largely) at will. Besides being an intellectual challenge, adding time variations into spatial metamaterials increases the degrees of freedom to tune their effective response, which motivates their exploration. However, to exploit such materials in the future design of functional devices, we may wish to treat them at the effective level to avoid considering all the mesoscopic details. To permit such effective treatment, we describe here an eigenmode-based approach to homogenize spatiotemporal metamaterials composed of a periodic arrangement of scatterers made from a time-varying material. Practically, we consider the periodic arrangement of spheres within one layer. In our two-step homogenization scheme, we first temporally homogenize that metasurface using the eigenmodes of the bulk time-varying material. Following this, we perform spatial homogenization by inverting the Fresnel coefficients of a slab made from a stationary material. These steps effectively describe the optical response of the spatiotemporal metasurface as a homogeneous slab. We validate our results by comparing the optical observables, i.e., reflectivity and transmissivity, of the metasurface with those of the homogenized slab, and we assess the limitations of the homogenization.

Uncertainty profoundly shapes modern production models and the institutional framework of economies. This study investigates the assumption that heightened uncertainty leads to reduced innovation outcomes. Using an unbalanced panel dataset of 143 countries from 1997 to 2020, the analysis reveals that increased uncertainty significantly affects economies' innovation performance. Economic institutions play a critical role in this process, acting as safeguards or enhancers under high uncertainty. Uncertainty and economic institutions work in synergy, with uncertainty exerting a more prominent impact. In advanced economies, uncertainty and economic institutions negatively influence innovation outcomes, but these economies counteract uncertainty by increasing research and development (R&D) spending. Economic institutions may limit R&D expenditure but create an environment conducive to higher researcher employment. On the other hand, developing economies experience a stronger negative effect of uncertainty compared to advanced economies, and economic institutions require support to foster innovation production. Moreover, these economies have limited capacity to mitigate uncertainty through R&D investments. Overall, this study underscores the complex relationship between uncertainty, economic institutions, and innovation outcomes across different types of economies.

The issue of interpersonal comparisons of utility is about the possibility (or not) of comparing the utility or welfare or the mental states in general, of different individuals. Embedded in the conceptual framework of utilitarianism, interpersonal comparisons were admissible in economics as part of the theoretical justification of welfare policies until the first decades of the twentieth century. Under the strong influence of the scientific philosophy of positivism as reflected in the works of early neoclassical economists and as epitomized by Lionel Robbins, utility comparisons were subsequently rejected as a value judgement. Robbins’ methodological stance is still prevalent among mainstream economists. Despite the explicit rejection of comparability by the majority of economists, interpersonal comparisons are necessary for many key policy issues, such as progressive taxation, social welfare policies, GDP-based welfare comparisons, cost–benefit analysis, and public goods provision. In this paper, the case of interpersonal utility comparisons is discussed as an illustrative example of the usefulness of the study of the role of value judgements, and generally of the interrelationship between ethics and economics. It is argued that the current tension between theory and policy practice might be resolved through the efforts of prominent economists and philosophers to challenge positivism, and especially its problematic treatment of value judgements and of ethical assumptions in general. The discussion also provides more strength to the view that policy makers and their economic advisers cannot avoid ethical questions in their analysis of the workings of the economic system

Generalized inverses are extremely effective in many areas of mathematics and engineering. The zeroing neural network (ZNN) technique, which is currently recognized as the state-of-the-art approach for calculating the time-varying Moore-Penrose matrix inverse, is investigated in this study as a solution to the problem of calculating the time-varying minimum rank outer inverse (TV-MROI) with prescribed range and/or TV-MROI with prescribed kernel. As a result, four novel ZNN models are introduced for computing the TV-MROI, and their efficiency is examined. Numerical tests examine and validate the effectiveness of the introduced ZNN models for calculating TV-MROI with prescribed range and/or prescribed kernel.

CITE AS: Καμπερίδου, Ειρήνη (2024). Γυναικείες Μαρτυρίες: "Η Χορευτική Μανία" των Ποντίων της Σινώπης το 1870. Εισήγηση στην Ημερίδα της Ένωσης Ποντίων Νίκαιας - Κορυδαλλού με θέμα: «Σέρρα-Πυρρίχιος: Όψεις, χρήσεις και καταχρήσεις», 2024/3/30 Νίκαια. Ημερίδα υπό την αιγίδα της Παμποντιακής Ομοσπονδίας Ελλάδος, του Θεάτρου Ελληνικών χορών «Δόρα Στράτου» και του Τμήματος Αθηνών του Παγκοσμίου Συμβουλίου χορού CID UNESCO.****Βλέπε Ημερίδα στο YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6AcLCxlZaM 

The significance of social skills for both, integration in the labor market and job retention, has been long recognized in the international literature (Suarta et al., 2017). The need to adapt to current demands is linked with the investment in social skills (Harvey, 2010). However, recent studies suggest that social skills are increasingly rare in the job market (Schislyaeva & Saychenko, 2022). The current paper focuses on the issues surrounding the cultivation of social skills in the workplace.

The present study focuses on specific socially vulnerable groups that face more risks for social and educational exclusion and stigma. These groups include Roma, people with mental health issues, prisoners and people who abuse drugs. The obstacles and motivation to participate in Lifelong Learning Programmes are discussed in addition with the availability of human and other resources, the state and media position on fighting stigma, the training of trainers and capacity building.

The present-day geotectonic regime of Crete Island is mainly controlled by the processes occurring along the seismically active Hellenic subduction zone, e.g., the fast convergence between Africa - Eurasian plates (at a rate of 36 mm/yr) and the simultaneous SSW-ward retreat of the subducting slab. The result is a large south-facing orogenic wedge extending from the southern coast of Crete up to the Hellenic subduction trench to the South. Contractional structures (thrusts, folds, and duplexes) have formed in the deeper parts of the wedge and caused the thickening of the crust. This has led to substantial regional uplift and extension of the upper part of the wedge. Hence, two significant arc-parallel and arc-normal sets of active normal faults crosscut the Cretan mainland, affecting the entire alpine nappe pile. These faults have created a characteristic basin and range topography expressed through impressive E-ESE and N-NNE horst and graben structures bounded by fault zones with segments ranging from 5 to more than 20 km. Detailed fault mapping of the Mirabello Gulf – Ierapetra Basin depression revealed a dominant NNE-SSW fault system, occupying the central and northern part, and a subordinate E-W to ESE-WNW system, observed mainly along the southern coastal zone. In the ESE margin, the deformation is localized mainly along the 30 km long NNE-SSW Kavousi – Ieraptera fault zone. On the other hand, in the WNW margin, the deformation is distributed in a larger population of relatively minor faults, organizing in more complex second-order horst and graben structures. In the southern part of the Ierapetra Basin, the E-W to ESE-WSW faults are significantly less and concern 2-3 specific zones. Specific morphological structures such as the remarkable range high, the deep V-shaped gorges, the large scree thickness, and the prominent post-glacial fault scarps produced along the basin margins indicate the intensive activity of these faults during the Quaternary. The NNE-SSW fault system seems to be younger and more active, given that i) intersects the E-W or ESE-WNW faults of the southern part, ii) produces significant fault scarps and polished fault surfaces in the cemented scree along the fault zone, and iii) kinematically is compatible with the recent and present-day focal mechanisms (e.g., the 2021 Arkalochori earthquakes). In conclusion, the Ierapetra Basin has formed and developed through an overall E-W extension parallel to the present-day geometry of the arc.

of teacher design in collaborative settings in the light of the new opportunities that digital resources (DRs) offer. Taking into account the growing research interest into the collective dimension of teachers’ design-work, our aim is to answer what are the forms, conditions, and products of teachers’ collective design-work with DRs as well as what and how the individual teacher learns by participating in collaborative work with DRs. We also aim to answer what theoretical and analytical perspectives are used by researchers to study teachers’ collective design-work with DRs. To answer these questions, we conducted a systematic literature study leading finally to 36 peer-reviewed publications. Our first thematic analysis resulted in two main themes (the process of teacher collaboration, the impact of teacher collaboration on teacher professional learning) and corresponding subthemes. The next step of our analysis focused on: the context, the product, the purpose, and the processes of the design-work; the theoretical and methodological approaches by which it was studied; and the main findings. The final synthesis indicates that (a) teachers’ collaborative design-work has usually positive learning outcomes for individual teachers, (b) the role of DRs in the collaboration depends on their affordances, and (c) the collective-individual interplay has been studied mainly by a focus on the effects of the collaboration on the individual teacher and not the other way around. Areas of further research are also discussed.

This study aimed to systematically review research findings regarding the relationship between adult friendship and wellbeing. A multidimensional scope for wellbeing and its components with the use of the PERMA theory was adopted. A total of 38 research articles published between 2000 and 2019 were reviewed. In general, adult friendship was found to predict or at least be positively correlated with wellbeing and its components. In particular, the results showed that friendship quality and socializing with friends predict wellbeing levels. In addition, number of friends, their reactions to their friend's attempts of capitalizing positive events, support of friend's autonomy, and efforts to maintain friendship are positively correlated with wellbeing. Efforts to maintain the friendship, friendship quality, personal sense of uniqueness, perceived mattering, satisfaction of basic psychological needs, and subjective vitality mediated this relationship. However, research findings highlighted several gaps and limitations of the existing literature on the relationship between adult friendship and wellbeing components. For example, for particular wellbeing components, findings were non-existent, sparse, contradictory, fragmentary, or for specific populations only. Implications of this review for planning and implementing positive friendship interventions in several contexts, such as school, work, counseling, and society, are discussed.

Medical imaging modalities, like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have enabled efficient diagnosis of various conditions, including cancer, lung disease, and brain tumors. With the advancements in machine learning, AI-based medical image segmentation and classification systems have emerged, potentially replacing human diagnosis. However, the security and robustness of these systems are crucial, as they are vulnerable to adversarial attacks, as demonstrated in previous studies. In this respect, the current work explores the one-pixel attack’s impact on the reliable VGG16 model, the effectiveness of combining the one-pixel attack with the FGSM attack, the potential of using the squeezing color bits detector to counter the one-pixel attack, and the possibility of using a combination of the squeezing color bits and PCA whitening detectors to protect against the aforementioned attacks.

Aging is the major risk factor for several life-threatening pathologies and impairs the function of multiple cellular compartments and organelles. Age-dependent deterioration of nuclear morphology is a common feature in evolutionarily divergent organisms. Lipid droplets have been shown to localize in most nuclear compartments, where they impinge on genome architecture and integrity. However, the significance of progressive nuclear lipid accumulation and its impact on organismal homeostasis remain obscure. Here, we implement non-linear imaging modalities to monitor and quantify age-dependent nuclear lipid deposition in Caenorhabditis elegans. We find that lipid droplets increasingly accumulate in the nuclear envelope, during aging. Longevity-promoting interventions, such as low insulin signaling and caloric restriction, abolish the rate of nuclear lipid accrual and decrease the size of lipid droplets. Suppression of lipotoxic lipid accumulation in hypodermal and intestinal nuclei is dependent on the transcription factor HLH-30/TFEB and the triglyceride lipase ATGL-1. HLH-30 regulates the expression of ATGL-1 to reduce nuclear lipid droplet abundance in response to lifespan-extending conditions. Notably, ATGL-1 localizes to the nuclear envelope and moderates lipid content in long-lived mutant nematodes during aging. Our findings indicate that the reduced ATGL-1 activity leads to excessive nuclear lipid accumulation, perturbing nuclear homeostasis and undermining organismal physiology, during aging.

 

Tourism is an important economic activity for many countries and the ability of understanding visitor needs as they evolve over time is a priority for all involved stakeholders. The analysis of textual reviews written by travelers on various online platforms may be a valuable tool in this direction. In this work, we showcase the potential of this idea by examining 8 well-known attractions in the City of Athens, Greece. After retrieving the relevant data from two popular online services, we employ a state-of-the-art transformer-based language model for two tasks; the extraction of distinctive keywords and phrases out of the free-text reviews and the assignment of a sentiment score to each review. Based on this information, we can associate certain keywords and phrases with specific sentiment values and monitor their evolution over time, in the context of specific touristic {&} cultural places. The analysis that follows explores the potential of this idea in more detail.

In this paper, I discuss the notion of “repatriation” of antiquities that have been illicitly excavated and exported, against the backdrop of Greece’s attempts to achieve their return. Taking the British Museum Caryatid as my primary case study, I survey recent Greek theatre plays and children’s storybooks in order to examine how the stolen statue is invariably portrayed as the nation’s missing “daughter” or “sister”, suffering in solitary exile and eagerly awaiting “her” return. Based on this discussion, I proceed to claim that the repatriation narrative serves as a means to reconfirm Greece’s whiteness, and the Greek nation’s rightful place as part of the West. Employing the methodological tools of coloniality and crypto-coloniality, as well as the parallel modern example of Egypt, I argue that it is through such attempts at partial representation that political communities in the periphery of the West imagine themselves into being.

As a discipline deeply rooted in the turbulent nation-building days of the “long 19th c.”, archaeology is closely entangled with political discourse. Modernity, however, has also effected a breed of politics carried out through the use of archaeology, and the past’s grip on the ways we perceive our present. This paper is not a discussion of the political aspects of archaeological praxis in contemporary societies but an exploration of politics carried out through an archaeological way of thinking and acting. I call this breed of archaeologically informed politics over life “Archaeopolitics”. My main case study come from present-day Greece, and South-Eastern Europe at large, though – as my first example is bound to show – what I am describing here may be observed in many other regions of the world and in a timeframe much wider than the later 20th – early 21st c.

The present study aims to present the results of a near-surface geophysical investigation carried out ata construction site in the area of Goudi (Athens) along with its contribution to the determination of thegeotechnical characteristics. For this purpose, the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), ElectricalResistivity Tomography (ERT), Seismic Refraction Tomography (SRT) and Multichannel Analysis ofSurface Waves (MASW) techniques were implemented in the area. The cores of three geotechnicalboreholes existing in the area have also been taken into account. The application of the GPR and ERTtechniques did not reached a satisfactory investigation depth, however the existence of a possiblemechanically degraded zone have been adumbrated at the south part of the excavation area. Throughthe application of the SRT and MASW techniques, the seismic waves velocities of the investigatedlithological formations were calculated and the subsurface structure of the study area was outlined.Additionally, lateral variations in the P-wave seismic velocities, especially in the first investigatedseismic layer, provided further evidence for the existence of mechanically unstable zones, whichnecessitate a more detailed investigation. Finally, from the laboratory determination of the formations’densities and their seismic wave velocities, their elastic moduli and geotechnical parameters have beencalculated.

The sensitivity of air quality model responses to modifications in input data (e.g. emissions, meteorology and boundary conditions)or model configurations is recognized as an important issue for air quality modelling applications in support of air qualityplans. In the framework of FAIRMODE (Forum of Air Quality Modelling in Europe, https:// fairm ode. jrc. ec. europa. eu/) adedicated air quality modelling exercise has been designed to address this issue. The main goal was to evaluate the magnitudeand variability of air quality model responses when studying emission scenarios/projections by assessing the changes of modeloutput in response to emission changes. This work is based on several air quality models that are used to support model usersand developers, and, consequently, policy makers. We present the FAIRMODE exercise and the participating models, andprovide an analysis of the variability of O3and PM concentrations due to emission reduction scenarios. The key novel feature,in comparison with other exercises, is that emission reduction strategies in the present work are applied and evaluated at urbanscale over a large number of cities using new indicators such as the absolute potential, the relative potential and the absolutepotency. The results show that there is a larger variability of concentration changes between models, when the emission reductionscenarios are applied, than for their respective baseline absolute concentrations. For ozone, the variability between modelsof absolute baseline concentrations is below 10%, while the variability of concentration changes (when emissions are similarlyperturbed) exceeds, in some instances 100% or higher during episodes. Combined emission reductions are usually more efficientthan the sum of single precursor emission reductions both for O3and PM. In particular for ozone, model responses, in terms oflinearity and additivity, show a clear impact of non-linear chemistry processes. This analysis gives an insight into the impact ofmodel’ sensitivity to emission reductions that may be considered when designing air quality plans and paves the way of morein-depth analysis to disentangle the role of emissions from model formulation for present and future air quality assessments.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether specific genetic polymorphisms affect the response to intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment in patients with macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). METHODS: Participants in this prospective study were 50 patients with macular oedema secondary to RVO, who were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab or aflibercept, and were followed-up for 12 months after initiation of treatment. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from three different genes (APOE, PON1, SDF-1) were examined as potential predictors for treatment response to intravitreal anti-VEGF agents. RESULTS: Patients with the LL genotype of the PON1 L55M SNP had significantly higher reduction in central subfield thickness (CST) at month 12 after initiation of intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment (101.63 +/- 56.80 mum in LL vs. 72.44 +/- 39.41 mum in LM vs. 40.25 +/- 19.33 mum in MM, p = .026). Patients with the M allele of the PON1 L55M SNP were significantly associated with lower reduction in CST compared to non-carriers (68.29 +/- 38.77 mum in LM + MM vs. 101.63 +/- 56.80 mum in LL, p = .032). CONCLUSION: PON1 L55M SNP may serve as a promising genetic biomarker for predicting response to intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment in patients with macular oedema due to RVO

As a critical reflection to the discourse surrounding the ‘Berlin Republic’ and the demand for a redefinition of the German national identity, the last two decades have seen the emergence of various works by artists labeled as ‘migration background’ that deal with German historical and memory culture. Fatih Akin’s political thriller Aus dem Nichts and Feridun Zaimoglu’s novel German Amok examine migration from a genuinely postmigrant perspective. This broadening of the perspectival focus generates a different understanding of history and society, which through its disillusioning and irritating effect allows a critical examination of social power relations and deficits in norms and values.

Authored by a diverse group of contributors, Big Science in the 21st Century offers a multifaceted view of the challenges, merits, and transformations of Big Science across different disciplines and geographical boundaries. It delves into the transformative role of Big Science in shaping the world we live in, from its historical roots in the aftermath of the Second World War to its contemporary interdisciplinary and international nature. The book is organized in five parts, each offering unique insights into the impact of Big Science. The first part looks at lessons from Big Science organizations and best practices in increasing the return of benefits to society. The second part offers the voice of key economists who have worked on assessment exercises concerning the socioeconomic benefits of large-scale research infrastructures. The third part traces the development of Big Science in the aftermath of World War II. The fourth part focus on the educational and cultural impacts that Big Science has beyond the laboratory, from the art gallery to the school classroom. The last part brings a more global perspective with contributions from other continents outside North America and Western Europe. The book is aimed at professionals involved in science policy and administration, economists interested in evaluating the results of scientific research, historians of science and technology, and anyone with an interest in scientific outreach and communication. 

This study examines the impact of light absorption from biomass burning (BB) brown carbon (BrC) in the Mediterranean basin from local and distant fire incidents during a typical fire season in August 2019 and under severe fire activity in August 2021. The approaches of Saleh et al. (2014) and Wang et al. (2018) are used to describe the BrC absorption within the WRF-Chem model. Focusing on three regions in the Mediterranean (around the islands of Sicily, Malta, and Crete) that are most affected by BB activity, BrC absorption approximates 5 Mm−1 in OC concentrations up to 3 μg m−3 and can approach 15 Mm−1 in extreme conditions (up to 10 μg m−3). When photochemical bleaching is considered, BrC undergoes almost immediate bleaching upon emission due to high levels of OH radical in the Mediterranean atmosphere during summertime, decreasing light absorption between 56% and 75% under both average and extreme BB conditions. Cloud formation is facilitated above the PBL due to moisture increase induced by BrC at the area of fire events, while transported drier and warmer air masses tend to dissipate cloud formation further away from the BB source. The impact of BrC absorption on irradiances is small (up to −6 W m−2 in extreme conditions) and is often overlapped by the absorption from water vapour variations. BrC direct radiative effect (DRE) is estimated at 0.04 W m−2 (∼10% of BC) in average and 0.18 W m−2 in extreme BB activity under clear sky. Under all sky, low-level clouds dissipation in 2019 with average BB emissions enhances DRE (at 0.15 W m−2), while the higher clouds dissipation in 2021 limits DRE (at 0.11 W m−2) resulting in lower DRE despite the extreme BB conditions.

Nanostructured noble metal surfaces enhance the photoluminescence emitted by fluorescent molecules, permitting the development of highly sensitive fluorescence immunoassays. To this end, surfaces with silicon nanowires decorated with silver nanoparticles in the form of dendrites or aggregates were evaluated as substrates for the immunochemical detection of two ovarian cancer indicators, carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4). The substrates were prepared by metal-enhanced chemical etching of silicon wafers to create, in one step, silicon nanowires and silver nanoparticles on top of them. For both analytes, non-competitive immunoassays were developed using pairs of highly specific monoclonal antibodies, one for analyte capture on the substrate and the other for detection. In order to facilitate the identification of the immunocomplexes through a reaction with streptavidin labeled with Rhodamine Red-X, the detection antibodies were biotinylated. An in-house-developed optical set-up was used for photoluminescence signal measurements after assay completion. The detection limits achieved were 2.5 U/mL and 3.12 pM for CA125 and HE4, respectively, with linear dynamic ranges extending up to 500 U/mL for CA125 and up to 500 pM for HE4, covering the concentration ranges of both healthy and ovarian cancer patients. Thus, the proposed method could be implemented for the early diagnosis and/or prognosis and monitoring of ovarian cancer.

Charge injection and transport interlayers play a crucial role in many classes of optoelectronics, including organic and perovskite ones. Here, we demonstrate the beneficial role of carbon nanodots, both pristine and nitrogen-functionalized, as electron transport materials in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic solar cells (OSCs). Pristine (referred to as C-dots) and nitrogen-functionalized (referred to as NC-dots) carbon dots are systematically studied regarding their properties by using cyclic voltammetry, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy in order to reveal their energetic alignment and possible interaction with the organic semiconductor’s emissive layer. Atomic force microscopy unravels the ultra-thin nature of the interlayers. They are next applied as interlayers between an Al metal cathode and a conventional green-yellow copolymer—in particular, (poly[(9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-alt-co-(1,4-benzo-{2,1′,3}-thiadiazole)], F8BT)—used as an emissive layer in fluorescent OLEDs. Electrical measurements indicate that both the C-dot- and NC-dot-based OLED devices present significant improvements in their current and luminescent characteristics, mainly due to a decrease in electron injection barrier. Both C-dots and NC-dots are also used as cathode interfacial layers in OSCs with an inverted architecture. An increase of nearly 10% in power conversion efficiency (PCE) for the devices using the C-dots and NC-dots compared to the reference one is achieved. The application of low-cost solution-processed materials in OLEDs and OSCs may contribute to their wide implementation in large-area applications.

Τhe idea that social influences and social interactions play a central role on individual economic decisions has had a long presence in the history of economics. With the emergence of marginalism, this idea went into background and the concept of atomistic individual became established in mainstream economic rationality. Starting in the 1970’s, there were some attempts to reintroduce non-atomistic preferences in mainstream microeconomic theory in the form of social interactions, interdependent preferences, keeping up with the Joneses, social identity, social preferences, and status concerns. Social preferences have started to have a growing impact among mainstream microeconomics with the advent of behavioral economics, but still they are not in the hard core of the standard theory of choice. The paper argues that atomistic preferences are still prevalent, especially in the form of the assumption of representative agent. It also focuses on the role of methodological individualism and on the theoretical implications of relaxing the assumption of atomistic individual, as main explanations of the resilience of the mainstream economic rationality.

Earth Observation (EO) is widely recognized as a powerful tool for Climate Change and Sustainability Education (CCSE); however, the uptake of EO data in schools is still limited due to technical, motivational, or informational barriers. A major factor for the exploitation of EO in schools is the availability of curriculum-relevant pedagogical content that is attractive and personally meaningful to learners. Here, we examine whether an EO-based learning scenario developed for primary schools and implemented by EO novice teachers and students, based solely on written instructions, can serve as an effective entry point for incorporating EO into schools and addressing CCSE objectives. Our study showed that: (a) cloud-based EO tools are suitable for EO-novice teachers and students, who quickly become familiar with them and grasp basic EO concepts; (b) the combined use of EO-based and place-based learning helps students bridge the local and the global perspective of Climate Change (CC) impacts; (c) EO-based educational material stimulates students’ interest for satellites and EO technology; (d) the phenomenon-based approach grabs students’ attention, provokes their curiosity, and acts as a springboard for scientific inquiry on CC impacts; and (e) our scenario’s learning approaches promoted teachers’ upskilling and intra-school collaboration.

Geomorphological and sedimentological indicators are often used to reconstruct not only coastal evolution, but also relative sea level changes. In this work, we studied the coastal sediments of Psatha bay (Alkyonides Gulf, Greece) and beachrock outcrops in order to reconstruct the coastal evolution of the area. The drillings analysis included stratigraphy, sediment texture and radiocarbon dating. Detailed mapping of the beachrocks was accomplished using DGPS-GNSS, as well as mineralogical analysis and OSL dating of beachrock samples. The new beachrock index points indicate a sea level that fell by 0.64 ± 0.13 m since 2200 ± 210 years BP and by 0.95 ± 0.13 m since 4160 ± 320 years BP, as a direct result of its location near the uplifting footwall of Psatha fault, suggesting further a rate of tectonic uplift of ~0.26 mm/yr for the late Holocene.

Geomorphological and sedimentological indicators are often used to reconstruct not only coastal evolution, but also relative sea level changes. In this work, we studied the coastal sediments of Psatha bay (Alkyonides Gulf, Greece) and beachrock outcrops in order to reconstruct the coastal evolution of the area. The drillings analysis included stratigraphy, sediment texture and radiocarbon dating. Detailed mapping of the beachrocks was accomplished using DGPS-GNSS, as well as mineralogical analysis and OSL dating of beachrock samples. The new beachrock index points indicate a sea level that fell by 0.64 ± 0.13 m since 2200 ± 210 years BP and by 0.95 ± 0.13 m since 4160 ± 320 years BP, as a direct result of its location near the uplifting footwall of Psatha fault, suggesting further a rate of tectonic uplift of ~0.26 mm/yr for the late Holocene.

Contribution to Book Forum on The instrument of science: Scientific anti-realism revitalised by Darrell Rowbottom

In this paper, we present a systematic GIS-based approach for producing updated, upscaled, unified and reevaluated maps for the Ionian Islands of Greece, which is an area of great geological interest. In particular, Cephalonia and Lefkada are two islands with an increased and intense seismicity. Therefore, a common GIS geodatabase was produced for handling the geoinformation of the area. New upscaled (scale 1:50,000) geotechnical and seismotectonic maps of these islands were produced based on older ones. On the other hand, the corresponding maps of the islands, based on the categories of the Greek antiseismic code and Eurocode 8, were produced in an effort to correlate them. Beyond that, all the available isoseismal maps of the earthquakes that hit the Ionian Islands were gathered in an effort to evaluate them and to find possible correlations with the other types of maps. Based on the correlation results, the consideration of the Vs30 parameter in the Greek antiseismic code is proposed for a better categorization of the geological formations.

In this paper, we present a systematic GIS-based approach for producing updated, upscaled, unified and reevaluated maps for the Ionian Islands of Greece, which is an area of great geological interest. In particular, Cephalonia and Lefkada are two islands with an increased and intense seismicity. Therefore, a common GIS geodatabase was produced for handling the geoinformation of the area. New upscaled (scale 1:50,000) geotechnical and seismotectonic maps of these islands were produced based on older ones. On the other hand, the corresponding maps of the islands, based on the categories of the Greek antiseismic code and Eurocode 8, were produced in an effort to correlate them. Beyond that, all the available isoseismal maps of the earthquakes that hit the Ionian Islands were gathered in an effort to evaluate them and to find possible correlations with the other types of maps. Based on the correlation results, the consideration of the Vs30 parameter in the Greek antiseismic code is proposed for a better categorization of the geological formations.

In several MIMO system applications, the deviations of some output performance variables from their nominal values are required to be controlled independently, while the other performance variables are required to remain at their nominal value. This problem, named noninteracting control with simultaneous partial output zeroing, is important in the case of the common design of multi-model systems. To this end, the problem of a common noninteracting control with simultaneous common partial output zeroing is formulated. The present paper aims to develop a solution to the problem of multi-model normal linear time-invariant systems via regular and static measurement output feedback. The present approach follows the method developed for the solution of the common I/O decoupling problem. The main results of the paper are the introduction and the formulation of the problem at hand, the establishment of the necessary and sufficient conditions for its solvability, and the derivation of the respective general solution of the controller matrices. For the resulting closed-loop system, the additional design requirement of approximate command following a simultaneous I/O stabilizability is studied using a composite norm 2 type cost function and a metaheuristic algorithm for the derivation of the free parameters of the controller. The present results are illustrated through a numerical example of a nonlinear process with two operating points. Moreover, all the above results are successfully applied to the two-model description of a robot-tracked UGV, using a common controller feeding back measurements of the motor currents and the orientation of the vehicle.

INTRODUCTION: Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (FHA) has been associated with excessive-chronic stress, eating disorders, and weight loss. A common feature is the increased serum cortisol, but its measurement has many limitations. Currently, salivary cortisol (SC) has been proposed as a more sensitive and adequate index. AIM: To investigate the SC alterations through a 24-h period and the possible correlation with the severity of stress in women with FHA. METHODS: Between July 2019 and March 2021, 12 FHA women and 12 healthy controls of comparable age were included. Psychological, eating, and physical abnormalities were evaluated by applying equivalent validated self-questionnaires. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between FHA women and healthy individuals with respect to morning (8:00 am) serum cortisol and ACTH (522.5 ± 162.2 vs 442 ± 138.5 nmol/l; p = 0.204 and 37 ± 44.8 vs 17.4 ± 10.8 pg/ml; p = 0.186, respectively). Women with FHA had statistically significant higher morning SC compared to control subjects (21.8 ± 5.9 nmol/l vs 12.8 ± 3.8 nmol/l; p {\textless} 0.001), while no significant differences were found regarding the afternoon (4:00 pm) and midnight (12:00 am) SC. A significant positive correlation was found between morning SC and morning serum cortisol (rho = 0.532; p = 0.007), EAT-26 (rho = 0.527; p = 0.008) and HADS-Anxiety score (rho = 0.471; p = 0.02). Additionally, a significant negative correlation between morning SC and BMI was observed (rho = -0.53; p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Compared to serum cortisol, SC seems to express better the hypercortisolemic state of women with FHA and correlates well with the underlying contributing factors. Larger studies are needed in order to confirm these results and validate the optimal SC cut-off value associated with the development of FHA.

The Athenet network is the network of the Seismological Laboratory of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. We present the geophysical investigation that has been carried out at six seismological stations of the Athenet network for their site characterization. More specifically, at the location of each seismological station, four geophysical methods have been carried out: Seismic Refraction Tomography (SRT), Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW), the Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) technique, and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT). The applied geophysical survey provided important information regarding the site characterization at the selected seismological stations, including key parameters such as the fundamental frequency fo, the shear-wave velocity VS, the average shear-wave velocity for the upper 30 m depth (VS30), the seismic bedrock depth, the soil type, and the subsurface geology. Moreover, selected elastic moduli (Poisson’s ratio, shear, bulk, and Young moduli) have been calculated. The site characterization information contributes to the determination of the amplification factors for each site that can lead to more accurate calculation of Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) or Peak Ground Velocity (PGV) and, therefore, trustworthy Probabilistic and Stochastic Seismic Hazard Assessments. The derived fundamental frequency for the seismological stations of VILL, LOUT, THAL, and EPID have been determined to be equal to 10.4, 2.7, 1.4, and 7.1 Hz and their amplification factors to be 1.9, 3.1, 1.7, and 2.6, respectively. For stations MDRA and ATAL, these parameters could not be determined.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible correlation between peripheral blood biomarkers and morphological characteristics of retinal imaging in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO). METHODS: Participants in this cross-sectional observational study were 65 consecutive patients (65 eyes) with treatment-naive RVO, who underwent spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA). In addition, peripheral blood samples were taken to evaluate full blood count and biochemical parameters. The association between imaging characteristics and laboratory parameters was examined. RESULTS: Eyes with subretinal fluid presented significantly higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (p = 0.028). Hyperreflective foci on SD-OCT were found to be associated with higher triglyceride levels (p = 0.024). The presence of cysts on SD-OCT was associated with significantly higher triglycerides (p = 0.010). Central subfield thickness (CST) higher than 464 mum was associated with higher lymphocyte count (p = 0.016) and higher urea (p = 0.015). No significant associations were found between laboratory parameters and intraretinal fluid, ellipsoid zone and external limiting membrane condition, or epiretinal membrane and macular ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: Specific imaging morphological characteristics were found to be associated with laboratory parameters in patients with RVO. These findings may help reveal the pathophysiology of RVO and its correlation with the development of specific clinical signs, while they could guide individualized treatment

Cosmetic labiaplasty is a form of Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery (FGCS) that is performed with the deliberate intent to alter the appearance and morphology of the external genitalia in the absence of medical concerns. Over the last decade, there is an increasing demand for FGCS and the industry behind it is constantly growing. Adolescents comprise an extremely vulnerable population, with labiaplasties in this particular age group having also increased. However, labiaplasty has been widely contested due to the irrevocable alteration of a psychosexually significant body part on minors too young to consent. Besides, the changes that occur during pubertal development in the genital area can significantly alter pediatric surgical results. Genital anatomy is more diverse than we previously thought and there is evidence to suggest that the labia minora with their rich innervation play an important role in sexual arousal and pleasure. Education regarding the wide range of normal genital appearance suffices in most cases to dissolve concerns regarding body self-image. Mental health issues should always be explored and, if identified, the girl should be referred to an experienced professional for their resolution. Postponing labiaplasty until adulthood is strongly recommended to help adolescents achieve a well-informed decision regarding an irreversible procedure with possible adverse esthetic and functional outcomes.

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that serve as the primary cellular energy-generating system. Apart from ATP production, they are essential for many biological processes, including calcium homeostasis, lipid biogenesis, ROS regulation and programmed cell death, which collectively render them invaluable for neuronal integrity and function. Emerging evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction and altered mitochondrial dynamics are crucial hallmarks of a wide variety of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions. At the same time, the gut microbiome has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders due to the bidirectional communication between the gut and the central nervous system, known as the gut-brain axis. Here we summarize new insights into the complex interplay between mitochondria, gut microbiota and neurodegeneration, and we refer to animal models that could elucidate the underlying mechanisms, as well as novel interventions to tackle age-related neurodegenerative conditions, based on this intricate network.

On October 30, 2020, 11:51 UTC, a large shallow earthquake of moment magnitude Mw7.0 ruptured the eastern Aegean Sea area and affected several Greek islands, mainly Samos, as well as the Izmir area, western Turkey. A moderate damaging tsunami followed the earthquake and inundated many coastal zones in the area. At 12:15 UTC, the Greek Civil Protection sent to the residents of the eastern Aegean Sea Greek islands a tsunami alert via SMS through the single European emergency phone number 112. It has been the first time that a tsunami warning was publicly issued in the frame of the North-East Atlantic and Mediterranean Tsunami Warning System (NEAMTWS/IOC/UNESCO) since the system became operational during the summer of 2012. Through an on-line questionnaire survey conducted soon after the event we investigated the impact the tsunami 112 alert message had among the population. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the 112 number as a tool for tsunami early warning, to look after possible weaknesses that may need future improvements and to better understand the level of tsunami risk awareness among the population. The response received from 344 citizens clearly indicates that the particular tsunami alert in general had positive impact to the message recipients, but highlights several weaknesses of the tsunami emergency management chain in Greece and demonstrates some aspects of the 112 system that need improvement.

This study introduces an innovative Cumulative Link Modeling approach to monitor crop progress over large areas using remote sensing data. The models utilize the predictive attributes of calendar time, thermal time, and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Two distinct issues are tackled: real-time crop progress prediction, and completed season fitting. In the context of prediction, the study presents two model variations, the standard one based on the Multinomial distribution and a novel one based on the Multivariate Binomial distribution. In the context of fitting, random effects are incorporated to capture the inherent inter-seasonal variability, allowing the estimation of biological parameters that govern crop development and determine stage completion requirements. Theoretical properties in terms of consistency, asymptotic normality, and distribution-misspecification are reviewed. Model performance was evaluated on eight crops, namely corn, oats, sorghum, soybeans, winter wheat, alfalfa, dry beans, and millet, using in-situ data from Nebraska, USA, spanning a 20-year period. The results demonstrate the wide applicability of this approach to different crops, providing real-time predictions of crop progress worldwide, solely utilizing open-access data. To facilitate implementation, an ecosystem of R packages has been developed and made publicly accessible under the name Ages of Man.

Darwin and Newton: Lives (Non) Parallels. On the 20th of March, we are to honor the death of Isaac Newton as we celebrated previously, Darwin's Day in middle February. Much has been written about their work, but I just want to remind that in 1859 Darwin published his findings in the book "The Origin of Species", arguing that the species of living organisms do not remain unchanged, as Aristotle and the book of Genesis argued, but have a common origin and through natural selection evolve over millennia. This position generated strong reactions from the first moment, mainly from the Church, who believes that the creation of the world is the result of Divine Grace. Darwin was labeled an atheist and mocked as a descendant of monkeys, while some of his supporters were dragged to court (Trial of the Apes). Today, more than a century after his death, the scientific community has accepted his theory, which has since been verified through numerous observations and newer discoveries. A recent visit to the Mausoleum at Westminster in London made me think and led me to write this text

Darwin and Newton: Lives (Non) Parallels. On the 20th of March, we are to honor the death of Isaac Newton as we celebrated previously, Darwin's Day in middle February. Much has been written about their work, but I just want to remind that in 1859 Darwin published his findings in the book "The Origin of Species", arguing that the species of living organisms do not remain unchanged, as Aristotle and the book of Genesis argued, but have a common origin and through natural selection evolve over millennia. This position generated strong reactions from the first moment, mainly from the Church, who believes that the creation of the world is the result of Divine Grace. Darwin was labeled an atheist and mocked as a descendant of monkeys, while some of his supporters were dragged to court (Trial of the Apes). Today, more than a century after his death, the scientific community has accepted his theory, which has since been verified through numerous observations and newer discoveries. A recent visit to the Mausoleum at Westminster in London made me think and led me to write this text

École Giffard, Institut supérieur d’études françaises, Institut français d’Athènes ou Institut français de Grèce… l’établissement fondé en 1907 par l’École française d’Athènes a connu plusieurs dénominations et de nombreuses mutations, mais n’a jamais failli à ses missions fondamentales : non seulement travailler à la diffusion de la langue française en Grèce, mais aussi et surtout favoriser le dialogue entre les cultures des deux pays. Depuis sa création, au début du XXe siècle, ses transformations accompagnent l’évolution de la société grecque, grâce à l’action déterminée de tous ceux qui le dirigent et l’animent. Autrefois fréquenté par des dizaines de milliers d’élèves et doté d’un vaste réseau d’annexes, il est aujourd’hui un acteur essentiel de la vie culturelle grecque : nombreux sont les écrivains, peintres, sculpteurs, musiciens et metteurs en scènes, ainsi que les scientifiques de toutes les disciplines, qui ont franchi et franchissent encore ses portes. Cet ouvrage, qui s’appuie sur un vaste éventail de sources inédites et de documents d’archives, retrace les grandes étapes de cette histoire commune.

On 6 February 2023, southeastern Turkey was struck by two major earthquakes that devastated 11 provinces. Tens of thousands of buildings collapsed and more were later demolished. During post-event field surveys conducted by the authors, several disposal sites set up in the most affected provinces were detected and checked for suitability. Based on field observations on the properties of sites and their surrounding areas as well as on the implemented debris management activities, it is concluded that all sites had characteristics that did not allow them to be classified as safe for earthquake debris management. This inadequacy is mainly attributed to their proximity to areas, where thousands of people reside. As regards the environmental impact, these sites were operating within or close to surface water bodies. This situation reveals a rush for rapid recovery resulting in serious errors in the preparation and implementation of disaster management plans. In this context, measures for effective debris management are proposed based on the existing scientific knowledge and operational experience. This paper aims to highlight challenges during earthquakes debris management and related threats posed to public health and the environment in order to be avoided in future destructive events.

The tool assesses natural factors and the impact of human activities as well as the available mitigation measures in a cost-benefit perspective and with a view to mitigating the impacts of climate change. Therefore, the tool is designed to respond to both erosion (as a natural disaster) and erosion due to human (inappropriate) intervention, as well as CM&D (eg, sea level rise, extreme wave events). The innovation of the project is based on the creation of a multi-parameter decision making tool (ILIDA_KIT) related to climate change mitigation and resilience to coastal erosion and extreme wave events in the context of integrated coastal zone management. ILIDA_KIT relies on a multi-disciplinary interactive platform in a GIS environment that through the development of a set of appropriate indicators (environmental, anthropogeographic, economic) can be parameterised. The ultimate purpose of the tool is to select the most appropriate intervention (intensity, size, time horizon) measure, based on the costbenefit analysis, considering both the protection and the sustainable development of the coastal zone.

Wastewater analysis is the most attractive alternative way for the quantification and variant profiling of SARS-CoV-2. Infection dynamics can be monitored by RT-qPCR assays while NGS can provide evidence for the presence of existing or new emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Herein, apart from the infection dynamic in Attica since June 1st, 2021, the monitoring of 9 mutations of the omicron and 4 mutations of the delta SARS-CoV-2 variants, utilizing both novel Nested-Seq and RT-PCR, is reported and the substitution of the delta variant (B.1.617.2) by the omicron variant (B.1.1.529) in Attica, Greece within approximately one month is highlighted. The key difference between the two methodologies is discovery power. RT-PCR can only detect known sequences cost-effectively, while NGS is a hypothesis-free approach that does not require prior knowledge to detect novel genes. Overall, the potential of wastewater genomic surveillance for the early discovery and monitoring of variants important for disease management at the community level is underlined. This is the first study, reporting the SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamic for an extended time period and the first attempt to monitor two of the most severe variants with two different methodologies in Greece.

Light Detection And Range (LiDAR) data have been used in numerous case studies, related to fast-developing landslides and rockfalls, producing remarkably precise Digital Terrain Models (DTMs). When these models are coupled to classic near-surface geophysical methods, they result in the high-accuracy mapping of the open surface and subsurface morphology, an essential element for a modern coastal management study. In this work, we introduce the diachronic monitoring and detection of alterations on the surface of the active fault of Psatha (Greece), via a multiple-phase study within a period of 11 years, by using terrestrial LiDAR scans and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT).The successful combination of these techniques is being used to reveal and quantify the landscape evolution involving the surface alterations at the fault adjacent coastal zone, the sea intrusion, and even the coastline displacement, in any coastal area characterized by similar features.

Light Detection And Range (LiDAR) data have been used in numerous case studies, related to fast-developing landslides and rockfalls, producing remarkably precise Digital Terrain Models (DTMs). When these models are coupled to classic near-surface geophysical methods, they result in the high-accuracy mapping of the open surface and subsurface morphology, an essential element for a modern coastal management study. In this work, we introduce the diachronic monitoring and detection of alterations on the surface of the active fault of Psatha (Greece), via a multiple-phase study within a period of 11 years, by using terrestrial LiDAR scans and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT). The successful combination of these techniques is being used to reveal and quantify the landscape evolution involving the surface alterations at the fault adjacent coastal zone, the sea intrusion, and even the coastline displacement, in any coastal area characterized by similar features.

Credit card customers comprise a volatile subset of a banks' client base. As such, banks would like to predict in advance which of those clients are likely to attrite, so as to approach them with proactive marketing campaigns. Neuronets have found great application in many classification problems. Credit card attrition is a poorly investigated subtopic that poses many challenges, such as highly imbalanced datasets. The goal of this research is to construct a feed-forward neuronet that can overcome such obstacles and thus accurately classify credit card attrition. To this end, we employ a weights and structure determination (WASD) algorithm that facilitates the development of a competitive and all around robust classifier whilst accounting for the shortcomings of traditional back propagation neuronets. This is supported by the fact that when compared with some of the best performing classification models that MATLAB's classification learner app offers, the power softplus activated WASD neuronet demonstrated either superior or highly competitive performance across all metrics.

Στόχος του άρθρου αυτού είναι να υπογραμμίσει ότι η σημερινή χρήση του πάρκου αντιβαίνει στους ιδεολογικούς και λειτουργικούς στόχους τηςδημιουργίας του, όπως αυτοί καθορίστηκαν από τον Frederick Law Olmsted. Όχι μόνο αλλοιώνεται η ταυτότητά του, αλλά η εκχώρηση αποφασιστικών αρμοδιοτήτων ενός τόσο σημαντικού φυσικού και  ιστορικού μνημείου της πόλης στην ιδιωτική, μη κυβερνητική οργάνωση γνωστή ως Central Park Conservancy τείνει να εμπορευματοποιήσει τη χρήση του, γεγονός το οποίο οδηγεί στην τουριστικοποίησή του και στην παραγωγή πολιτικής, κοινωνικής και οικονομικής υπεραξίας. Μέσα από τη μελέτη λογοτεχνικών και κινηματογραφικών αναπαραστάσεων και άλλων καλλιτεχνικών αφηγήσεων, διαφαίνεται ανάγλυφα η σύνδεση ανάμεσα στη νοηματοδότηση και ερμηνεία του πάρκου και τους τρόπους διαχείρισης, εκμετάλλευσης και ελέγχου του. Ωστόσο, επειδή ο γεωγραφικός χώρος δεν είναι στατικός και κανένας τόπος δεν διεκδικεί μια και μοναδική διαχρονική ταυτότητα, ο χώρος του Σέντραλ Παρκ γίνεται πεδίο συγκρουόμενων απόψεων σχετικά με την παρούσα και τη μελλοντική του λειτουργία.

INTRODUCTION: Antidepressants are widely used for the pharmacological treatment of anxiety and mood disorders. Since the eruption of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic and the later development of targeted treatments against COVID-19, inevitably many patients receive antidepressants as well as targeted treatments against COVID-19 against COVID-19. Co-administration of antidepressants with COVID-19 therapeutics has the potential of drug-drug interactions, of varying severity and clinical significance. AREAS COVERED: This is a curated narrative review of the current state of the art regarding drug-drug interactions between COVID-19 therapeutics and medications licensed for the pharmacotherapy of depression. A systematic search of electronic databases, using as keywords the international nonproprietaty names of currently approved COVID-19 therapeutics and antidepressants was performed, and additionally online interaction checker tools were consulted. Derived data were synthesized for each COVID-19 therapeutic and presented with up-to-date guidance. EXPERT OPINION: Several COVID-19 therapeutics have potential for drug-drug interactions with antidepressants. Remdesivir and Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir have the higher risk, whereas several monoclonal antibodies appear safer. The most serious drug-drug interactions (serotonin syndrome and QTc prolongation) require close monitoring; however, DDI toward reducing the efficacy of antidepressants may be difficult to recognize. As COVID-19 treatment protocols take precedence, psychiatrists should exert flexibility in antidepressant use and proactively monitor treatment progress.

On 6 February 2023, East Anatolia was devastated by two major earthquakes resulting in hundreds of thousands of collapses and tens of thousands of human casualties. This paper investigates the factors related to building properties and earthquake environmental effects (EEEs) that contributed to the building damage grade and distribution in southeastern Turkey. In regards to the building construction properties, the loose enforcement of the building code, the random urban planning solutions and the poor construction standards are the main construction deficiencies that led to one of the largest disasters in Turkey’s recent history. Regarding geological factors, the triggering of primary and secondary EEEs largely shaped the grade and distribution of damage. Where coseismic surface ruptures intersected with the built environment, heavy to very heavy structural damage was observed. This was evident in many cases along the ruptured segments of the East Anatolian Fault Zone (EAFZ). Liquefaction observed close to waterbodies caused damage typical of building foundation load-bearing capacity loss. The earthquake-triggered landslides affected mainly mountainous and semi-mountainous settlements characterized with pre-earthquake high related susceptibility. The high susceptibility to generation of EEEs was extensively confirmed in many cases resulting in extensive damage. The provided information highlights the importance of such studies for hazard mitigation and disaster risk reduction.

This paper explores the efficacy of the geoeducational assessment method (GEOAM) in evaluating the geoeducational potential of geosites. Leveraging a case study involving four geotopes on the island of Samos, Aegean Sea, Greece, this study examines the strengths and limitations of the GEOAM approach, aiming to comprehensively elucidate its efficacy. The assessment outcomes illuminate the vital role of targeted strategies in enhancing the educational and sustainable impact of geosites, thereby fostering geological understanding and responsible environmental engagement. A prominent finding is the urgency to address the gap in foundational geological knowledge, underscored by the need for robust geoeducation programs at schools and the augmented presence of geologists. While acknowledging potential limitations, including subjectivity in scoring and data availability constraints, this study underscores the method’s broader contribution to societal goals. By integrating geoethic principles, GEOAM offers a comprehensive framework aligning with the objectives of geological comprehension and environmentally conscious practices.

This paper investigates the relationship between investors' attention, as measured by Google search queries, and equity implied volatility during the COVID-19 outbreak. Recent studies show that search investors' behavior data is an extremely abundant repository of predictive data, and investor-limited attention increases when the uncertainty level is high. Our study using data from thirteen countries across the globe during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (January–April 2020) examines whether the search “topic and terms” for the pandemic affect market participants’ expectations about future realized volatility. With the panic and uncertainty about COVID-19, our empirical findings show that increased internet searches during the pandemic caused the information to flow into the financial markets at a faster rate and thus resulting in higher implied volatility directly and via the stock return-risk relation. More specifically for the latter, the leverage effect in the VIX becomes stronger as Google search queries intensify. Both the direct and indirect effects on implied volatility, highlight a risk-aversion channel that operates during the pandemic. We also find that these effects are stronger in Europe than in the rest of the world. Moreover, in a panel vector autoregression framework, we show that a positive shock on stock returns may soothe COVID-related Google searches in Europe. Our findings suggest that Google-based attention to COVID-19 leads to elevated risk aversion in stock markets.

Defining efficient families of recurrent neural networks (RNN) models for solving time-varying nonlinear equations is an interesting research topic in applied mathematics. Accordingly, one of the underlying elements in designing RNN is the use of efficient nonlinear activation functions. The role of the activation function is to bring out an output from a set of input values that are supplied into a node. Our goal is to define new family of activation functions consisting of a fixed gain parameter and a functional part. Corresponding zeroing neural networks (ZNN) is defined, termed as varying-parameter improved zeroing neural network (VPIZNN), and applied to solving time-varying nonlinear equations. Compared with previous ZNN models, the new VPIZNN models reach an accelerated finite-time convergence due to the new time-varying activation function which is embedded into the VPIZNN design. Theoretical results and numerical experiments are presented to demonstrate the superiority of the novel VPIZNN formula. The capability of the proposed VPIZNN models are demonstrated in studying and solving the Van der Pol equation and finding the root $$\root m \of {a(t)}$$.

In recent years, advances in science and technology have improved our quality of life, enabling us to tackle diseases and increase human life expectancy. However, longevity is accompanied by an accretion in the frequency of age-related neurodegenerative diseases, creating a growing burden, with pervasive social impact for human societies. The cost of managing such chronic disorders and the lack of effective treatments highlight the need to decipher their molecular and genetic underpinnings, in order to discover new therapeutic targets. In this effort, the nematode serves as a powerful tool to recapitulate several disease-related phenotypes and provides a highly malleable genetic model that allows the implementation of multidisciplinary approaches, in addition to large-scale genetic and pharmacological screens. Its anatomical transparency allows the use of co-expressed fluorescent proteins to track the progress of neurodegeneration. Moreover, the functional conservation of neuronal processes, along with the high homology between nematode and human genomes, render extremely suitable for the study of human neurodegenerative disorders. This review describes nematode models used to study neurodegeneration and underscores their contribution in the effort to dissect the molecular basis of human diseases and identify novel gene targets with therapeutic potential.

The book Ottoman Monuments in Greece: Heritages Under Negotiation approaches the Ottoman monuments of Greece as the heritage of a historical period that lends itself to multiple readings. This collective work brings together and array of studies, covering a wide range of disciplines, including history of art, archaeology, architecture, and urban studies. Through rich unpublished archival, photographic, and epigraphic material, the authors of this edited volume, enrich our knowledge of the emblematic Ottoman monuments of Greece cities and foreground unknown aspects of the architecture of rural Greece. In the pages of the book Ottoman Monuments in Greece: heritages under negotiation, the stories of places, buildings, and people from Ottoman era to present days come alive. These stories constitute a major contribution to the dialogue on the status and role of this special heritage for Modern Greece. The critical analyses featured in this edited volume renew and broaden the research conducted in the fields of Ottoman studies and cultural heritage.

Ένα νέο βιβλίο πολιτισμικής θεωρίας, αφιερωμένο στη συνύφανση της αρχαιολογίας και της αρχαιοφιλίας με τον πολιτικό λόγο, επίσημο και ανεπίσημο, στην Ελλάδα του 21ου αι. Σύμφωνα με τον συγγραφέα, η αρχαιοπολιτική αναδύεται ως μια σύνθετη μορφή βιοπολιτικής, εδραιωμένη στην πεποίθηση ότι οι υλικότητες του παρελθόντος καθορίζουν τον τρόπο που βιώνουμε το παρόν. Υπό αυτήν την έννοια, η αρχαιολογία συμβάλλει στη συγκρότηση του εθνικού βιο-προτύπου, οργανώνοντας τα σώματα των εθνικών υποκειμένων και καθορίζοντας τους τρόπους με τους οποίους οι πολίτες θα αφομοιώσουν αφηγήματα του εθνικού παρελθόντος στο δικό τους παρόν. Έτσι, η αρχαιοπολιτική συμβάλλει στον βιολογικό καθαρμό του εθνικού σώματος και στην αναγνώριση της κλασικής αρχαιότητας ως μιας λευκής πολιτισμικής κληρονομιάς.

Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) occurs in a significant percentage of patients after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to examine the association of serum angiopoetin-2 (Ang2) levels and the presence of antibodies against angiotensin II type 1 (AT1R) and ndothelin A Recreptor (ETAR) with the outcome of patients with TMA and/or graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allo-SCT. Analysis of our data showed that elevated serum Ang2 levels at the time of TMA diagnosis are significantly associated with increased non-relapse mortality and decreased overall survival. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating an association between raised Ang2 levels and poor outcomes in patients with TMA. Antibodies against AT1R (AT1R-Abs) and ETAR (ETAR-Abs) were detected in 27% and 23% of the patients, respectively, but there was no association between the presence of autoantibodies and the outcome of patients with TMA. However, a significant finding was the strong positive correlation between the presence of AT1R-Abs with the occurrence of chronic fibrotic GVHD, such as scleroderma and cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, raising the possibility of the contribution of autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of fibrotic GVHD manifestations

In this study, we developed active substrates consisting of Ag-decorated silicon nanowires on a Si substrate using a single-step Metal Assisted Chemical Etching (MACE) process, and evaluated their performance in the identification of low concentrations of Rhodamine 6G using surface-enhanced photoluminescence spectroscopy. Different structures with Ag-aggregates as well as Ag-dendrites were fabricated and studied depending on the etching parameters. Moreover, the addition of Au nanoparticles by simple drop-casting on the MACE-treated surfaces can enhance the photoluminescence significantly, and the structures have shown a Limit of Detection of Rhodamine 6G down to 10−12 M for the case of the Ag-dendrites enriched with Au nanoparticles.

The La1-xCaxMnO3 series of compounds with antiferromagnetic ground states (x 1/2) have been extensively studied due to the novel spin, orbital, and charge-ordering states observed when the calcium concentration is a simple fraction (x = 1/2, 2/3, and 3/4). The ground states of these compositions have been explained by the Goodenough charge, orbital, and spin ordering model. An important issue remaining is the elucidation of how the ground state changes when x is not a simple number. Here we study the magnetic structure of La1-xCaxMnO3 for 0.51 x 0.69 using powder neutron diffraction measurements supported by magnetization data. For compositions with 0.51 x 0.56, the magnetic structure, which we term as an incommensurate charge exchange (CE) structure can be described by two propagation vectors kC = [1/2, 0, 1/2] and kE = [6E, 0, 1/2]. In the second one, the component parallel to the a* axis of the reciprocal lattice changes with the Mn4+ concentration x as 6E approximate to x - 1/2 providing, thus, an unambiguous signature of the adoption of an incommensurate magnetic structure. As x gradually increases, the diffraction data reveal that two magnetic phases-one adopting the incommensurate CE, and one adopting the commensurate "2/3" magnetic structure-co-exist in the concentration regime of 0.57 x 0.61. Around the simple fraction x = 2/3, the magnetic structure can be also described by three propagation vectors, the commensurate kE = [0, 0, 1/2], kC = [1/2, 0, 1/2], and an incommensurate k2/3 = [1/3 + 62/3, 0, 1/2] propagation vector with 62/3 taking negative/zero/positive values for x smaller than/equal to/larger than 2/3, respectively. Our experimental results for 0.51 x 0.56 are neither in favor of a stripe structure consisting of a fine mixture of x = 1/2 and x = 2/3 phases (phase separation) nor of a defect structure in which an appropriate amount of Mn3+-O sheets have been replaced by Mn4+-O sheets (defect structure). A sinusoidal modulated structure has been used as a possible candidate in explaining the experimental neutron diffraction magnetic Bragg peaks. This result may be linked to the presence of a mixed orbital state of the manganese ions.

The main contribution of this paper is to develop explicit expressions for the Drazin inverse of two kinds of anti-triangular block complex matrices under new assumptions. Further, we apply our results to obtain new formulae for the Drazin inverse of a 2 × 2 block complex matrix. We present a list of well-known results which are recovered in this paper. We give three examples to illustrate our new explicit expressions.

Although the association between interparental conflict and adolescent adjustment is well documented, the intervening mechanisms that explain this relationship are not fully understood. Guided by the spillover hypothesis and the self-determination theory, this study examined whether the associations among interparental conflict and adolescent depressive feelings and life satisfaction were explained by maternal autonomy support and, in turn, by adolescent need frustration. Participants were 925 Turkish adolescents (Mage = 16.08 years, SD = 0.31) and their mothers (Mage = 41.43, SD = 5.16). Results from path analysis showed that interparental conflict was related to lower maternal autonomy support, and in turn to higher adolescent need frustration. Greater need frustration, in turn, predicted higher adolescent depressive feelings and lower life satisfaction six months later. These findings suggested that conflictual parental relationships may predict adolescent adjustment through poor parenting and adolescent need frustration. The findings and related directions for future research are discussed in the context of self-determination theory and its role in advancing a process-oriented understanding of the familial and individual determinants of adolescent adjustment. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Parkinson’s Disease is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, currently affecting as high as 3% of the global population. Research suggests that up to 80% of patients manifest phonatory symptoms as early signs of the disease. In this respect, various systems have been developed that identify high risk patients by analyzing their speech using recordings obtained from natural dialogues and reading tasks conducted in clinical settings. However, most of them are centralized models, where training and inference take place on a single machine, raising concerns about data privacy and scalability. To address these issues, the current study migrates an existing, state-of-the-art centralized approach to the concept of federated learning, where the model is trained in multiple independent sessions on different machines, each with its own dataset. Therefore, the main objective is to establish a proof of concept for federated learning in this domain, demonstrating its effectiveness and viability. Moreover, the study aims to overcome challenges associated with centralized machine learning models while promoting collaborative and privacy-preserving model training.

Previous research findings demonstrate that both savoring ability and the presence of high-quality friendships play a significant role in enhancing one’s overall sense of wellbeing. However, these associations have not been thoroughly investigated within a diverse range of adults across their lifespans, nor have they been explored in the specific cultural context of Greece. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to delve into the relationships between close friendship quality, the utilization of savoring techniques, and wellbeing within the Greek cultural framework. The study involved 771 adults from Greece with an average age of 38.35 years, who completed the McGill Friendship Functions Questionnaire, the PERMA Profiler, and the Abridged Ways of Savoring Checklist. Results revealed that there exists a positive correlation between friendship quality and savoring strategies with overall wellbeing. Moreover, the study identified a significant association wherein a greater employment of savoring strategies was linked to higher levels of friendship quality. While this study contributes valuable insights, it also has limitations that warrant acknowledgment. Furthermore, suggestions for potential future research directions are proposed, and the implications of these findings are discussed in relation to interventions aimed at enhancing both friendships and the practice of savoring across various contexts.

The relationship between humans and the environment in the modern world is challenging. UNESCO Global Geoparks are current holistic approaches for protecting and managing geographical areas that emphasise local communities and sustainability. This paper attempts to review the grey literature of Greek universities through their academic repositories, regarding the research field referred to as Greek UNESCO Global Geoparks from 2000 to 2022 and using the keyword “Geopark” to determine possible future research directions. Through the systematic literature review methodology, from 138 bibliographic sources, 28 were selected, which met the predefined criteria. In general, there is a growing scientific–academic interest in Geoparks, which mainly concerns the aspects of geotourism (n = 7), geology (n = 6), management (n = 4), and education (n = 4). Future research directions may focus on promoting the socio-economic and cultural aspects of Geoparks, investing in collaborative management and governance of Geoparks, facing climate change and environmental challenges in Geoparks, and enhancing Geoenvironmental Education in Geoparks. Such approaches may serve the United Nation’s Seventeen Sustainable Development Goals and cultivate cognitive and emotional bonds between local populations and the geoenvironment.

Post-fire geomorphic processes and associated risks are an important threat in Mediterranean environments. Currently, post-fire mass movement prediction has limited applications across the Mediterranean despite the abundance of both forest fires and landslide/debris flow disasters. This work applies a debris flow generation likelihood model to evaluate the probability of mass movement phenomena in different catchments of a burnt area, after a catastrophic fire near Schinos (Attica, Greece) in 2021. Then, it uses field observations from the area, recording mass movement phenomena after high-intensity rainfall events, to validate the results. The findings show that the model is successful in determining the probability of debris flow generation in the 21 basins of the study area, ranging from 0.05 to 0.893. The probability values show a statistically significant correlation (sig. = 0.001) with the actual debris flow occurrences in the area, and satisfactory results in terms of the model’s predictive ability, functioning well within the particular geo-environmental characteristics of the Mediterranean environment. The results establish the reliability of the approach as a tool to assess mass movement risks in a region with an abundance of post-fire related hazards and disastrous events.

BACKGROUND: Males with 5$\alpha$-reductase deficiency experience oligospermia or azoospermia, resulting in fertility problems. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present systemic review was to assess the fertility status of males with 5$\alpha$-reductase type 2 deficiency and explore how reproduction can be achieved in these patients. STUDY DESIGN: An extensive search of two databases (Pubmed and SCOPUS) was performed. Studies with original clinical data in patients with 5$\alpha$-reductase deficiency evaluating the impact of the disease on semen quality and quantity and pregnancy outcomes through assisted or natural conception methods were eligible to be included in this systematic review. RESULTS: A total of nine cases were identified based on the eligibility criteria, all of which included reports of successful reproduction in males with 5$\alpha$-reductase type 2 deficiency. DISCUSSION: In five individuals, assisted reproduction technology was used to achieve conception, highlighting its importance in solving the fertility problems that males with 5$\alpha$-reductase deficiency are facing. Potential future fertility is a further indication for assigning the male gender in diagnosed newborns. CONCLUSION: In order to achieve this, the development of a management plan starting at birth is crucial for these patients, so that spermatogenesis and potential fertility can be preserved. In adulthood, semen analysis and mutation screening may also help in guiding these patients to select the correct fertilization method for their individual genetic and phenotypic characteristics.

The concept of Finite Absorption Time (FAT) for oral drug administration is set to affect pharmacokinetic analyses, Physiologically-based Pharmacokinetics simulations, and Pharmacometrics.

Employee attrition, defined as the voluntary resignation of a subset of a company’s workforce, represents a direct threat to the financial health and overall prosperity of a firm. From lost reputation and sales to the undermining of the company’s long-term strategy and corporate secrets, the effects of employee attrition are multidimensional and, in the absence of thorough planning, may endanger the very existence of the firm. It is thus impeccable in today’s competitive environment that a company acquires tools that enable timely prediction of employee attrition and thus leave room either for retention campaigns or for the formulation of strategical maneuvers that will allow the firm to undergo their replacement process with its economic activity left unscathed. To this end, a weights and structure determination (WASD) neural network utilizing Fresnel cosine integrals in the determination of its activation functions, termed FCI-WASD, is developed through a process of three discrete stages. Those consist of populating the hidden layer with a sufficient number of neurons, fine-tuning the obtained structure through a neuron trimming process, and finally, storing the necessary portions of the network that will allow for its successful future recreation and application. Upon testing the FCI-WASD on two publicly available employee attrition datasets and comparing its performance to that of five popular and well-established classifiers, the vast majority of them coming from MATLAB’s classification learner app, the FCI-WASD demonstrated superior performance with the overall results suggesting that it is a competitive as well as reliable model that may be used with confidence in the task of employee attrition classification.

The present work is an attempt at a bibliographic overview in the field of paleontology and specifically in the field of fossils regarding their value and connection with history and mythology, and how it has been used to teach theory of evolution through natural selection (TENS) in a university course. To make our case, we use as our paradigm two well-known historical locations of Greece, namely Thermopiles and Marathon. The area of Marathon includes the location of Pikermi, which is very well known for its fossils that historically have been one of the first locations rich in fossils that have been studied so extensively. Before we make a short tour of other similar locations of the Greek peninsula that are good cases for teaching evolution using paleontology, we present an example of how fossils can be formed via sedimentation. For that, we are using the case of Thermopile, while in antiquity was chosen as the field of the famous battle as it was a very narrow strip of land between the mountain and the sea, nowadays, due to sedimentary alluvial deposits, has become a rather large field. To make the reader familiar with the fossils found around Greece and their topology, we present a short tour and some history about the fossils found throughout its territory. And finally, we argue about how the fossils and the museum education could be used to prepare the pupils for first contact with TENS.

Citation: Diamanti, I., Dania, A., Venetsanou F., and Kamberidou, I. (2023). Generalist Early Education and Specialist Physical Education Teachers’ Views on the Scope of Early Childhood Physical Education. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences, 14(2), 167-191. https://doi.org/10.54141/psbd.1234072  © 2023 The Author(s) available online at https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/psbd . 

Genital graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an underdiagnosed manifestation of chronic GVHD. Few articles have been published in pediatric populations, and there are no established guidelines for the management of this condition in children. This study aims to provide a systematic literature review of the published studies and cases of genital (vulvovaginal) GVHD in girls and adolescents post HSCT, with a focus on the time of diagnosis and clinical manifestations. The authors searched for English-language articles published after 1990, which included full patient details. Thirty-two cases of female patients under 20 years of age were identified. The median time of diagnosis was 381 days (IQR: 226-730 days), and 83{%} of patients developed Grade 3 vulvovaginal GVHD. Based on these observations, an early pediatric gynecologic examination of these patients, soon within the first year after HSCT, could be suggested for early diagnosis, treatment initiation and prevention of long-term complications.

A new assessment method named GEOAM (geoeducational assessment method), that will be a useful tool for highlighting the geoeducational and geoethical value of a geosite, is proposed. This method takes into account, initially, 11 criteria, which are grouped into 8 categories. Each criterion addresses a different aspect of the geosite’s potential for promoting sustainable development, environmental management, and education. A simplified scoring system using a scale of 1–5 is used, where each criterion is scored based on the degree to which it is presented or implemented. The method was piloted in eight geotopes of the Kalymnos Island and five geotopes of the Nisyros Island, in the SE Aegean Sea, Greece. The implementation of this assessment method highlighted the geoeducational value of these geosites. Based on the criteria and subcriteria incorporated in GEOAM, this paper discusses GEOAM’s potential to promote sustainable development and rational environmental management by directing educators and stakeholders toward actions that conserve and protect geoheritage for future generations, while also contributing to the economic, social, and cultural development of the surrounding communities. By quantifying the geoeducational potential of geosites and integrating essential concepts such as geoconservation and geoethics, the implementation of this new assessment method can benefit the educational community, tourism industry, and environmental conservation efforts.

The geosites of Lemnos represent local touristic products that, beyond their high aesthetic value, display significant scientific links to the geological past as well as prehistory and history, archaeology, mythology and religious heritage of the island. The unique wealth of Lemnos geosites in combination with the abundance of archaeological sites, cultural monuments and museums composes the basis of what we define here as “Geo-Archaeo-Routes”: certain routes that can be geographically defined, offered, guided and finally followed by the touristic masses. The outcome of the performed quantitative Lemnos geosite assessment enables decision making, thus providing a toolbox useful for sustainable Geo-Archaeo-tourism development at a local level and forms the basis for designing “Geo-Archaeo-Routes”. “Geo-Archaeo-Routes” are particularly favorable of environmentally friendly alternative types of tourism, attracting naturalists, hikers, fans of cultural or religious tourism and many others who represent a major part of the touristic needs of the 21st century. The established hiking and road “Geo-Archaeo-Routes” on Lemnos Island may represent a distinctive touristic product as they offer a high level of “nalture” entertainment, blending “nature with culture” in the framework of a holistic geotouristic approach.

Studies of the upper 447m of the DEEP site sediment succession from central Lake Ohrid, Balkan Peninsula, North Macedonia and Albania provided important insights into the regional climate history and evolutionary dynamics since permanent lacustrine conditions established at 1.36 million years ago (Ma). This paper focuses on the entire 584-m-long DEEP sediment succession and a comparison to a 197-m-long sediment succession from the Pestani site ~5 km to the east in the lake, where drilling ended close to the bedrock, to unravel the earliest history of Lake Ohrid and its basin development. 26Al/10Be dating of clasts from the base of the DEEP sediment succession implies that the sedimentation in the modern basin started at c. 2 Ma. Geophysical, sedimentological and micropalaeontological data allow for chronological information to be transposed from the DEEP to the Pestani succession. Fluvial conditions, slack water conditions, peat formation and/or complete desiccation prevailed at the DEEP and Pestani sites until 1.36 and 1.21 Ma, respectively, before a larger lake extended over both sites. Activation of karst aquifers to the east probably by tectonic activity and a potential existence of neighbouring Lake Prespa supported filling of Lake Ohrid. The lake deepened gradually, with a relatively constant vertical displacement rate of ~0.2 mm/a-1 between the central and the eastern lateral basin and with greater water depth presumably during interglacial periods. Although the dynamic environment characterized by local processes and the fragmentary chronology of the basal sediment successions from both sites hamper palaeoclimatic significance prior to the existence of a larger lake, the new data provide an unprecedented and detailed picture of the geodynamic evolution of the basin and lake that is Europe's presumed oldest extant freshwater lake.

The study area of Rodafnidia on the island of Lesbos (Greece) is considered of archaeological interest, as Paleolithic stone tools have been recovered through excavation and collected from the ground surface in recent years. Geologically, the area is mostly covered by Quaternary post-alpine deposits and volcanic rocks. This paper presents the application of a local geophysical survey to determine the volume of the upper Quaternary deposits in which the Paleolithic artefacts can be found and the identification of their ignimbrite substrates. For this reason, the geoelectrical method was selected as the most appropriate for determining the lithostratigraphic subsurface layers. More specifically, a grid of twenty-one (21) Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) along with an Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) was carried out. The interpretation of the results of these surveys, in conjunction with the results of older excavation trenches, revealed that the Quaternary deposits have been investigated at depths ranging from 0.5 up to 28.5 meters. Furthermore, the lithological boundary of these post-alpine deposits and their underlying pyroclastic ignimbrite flow (with resistivity 24.0–58.0 Ohm.m) seem to dip to the north. The volume of the Quaternary layer is proposed as the maximum depth for archaeological investigation with high chances to recover more Paleolithic material.

The coastal environment of central Kyparissiakos Gulf, located at the west coast of Peloponnesus, Greece, comprises of a sandy beach associated with an extended dune field at its backshore area. This area is characterized as an essentially tideless coastal environment exposed to high wave activity. Regarding the identification, the thickness and characteristics of the uppermost substratum of the selected coastal site a detailed geophysical research was carried out. The geophysical survey aims to determine the thickness and the characteristics of the upper substratum of the selected coastal area, leading to the quantification of the sediment budget; the latter is considered essential to address potential coastal erosion. For this reason, the geophysical techniques of Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) were implemented to profiles normal and parallel to the shoreline. The geophysical results reveal the presence of the interface between the dry and wet sand deposits, along with the structure and the downward extension of the sandy material.

Coastal erosion induced either by a natural process and/or human intervention has been the subject of extensive investigations due to their negative socio-economic impact. ILIDA-KIT is an innovative and multi-parametric decision-making tool for successful management of coastal erosion and the impacts of storms. Thus, within the framework of the ILIDA-KIT tool, beach zone sectors of the west and south coast of Peloponnesus (Greece) (i.e. Helonitis Gulf, Kyparissiakos Gulf and Messiniakos Gulf) have been investigated with geophysical means, aiming to the quantification of the sediment budget that is essential for the confrontation of the phenomenon. The geophysical research aims to identify the thickness and the characteristics of the uppermost lithostarigraphic substratum of the selected beach zone sectors, whose common characteristic is the presence of dunes at the backshore zone. Apart of the other geophysical techniques (e.g. electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), transient electromagnetic soundings (TEM), vertical electrical soundings (VES)) that have been applied, the present contribution provides the preliminary results concerning the application of the ground penetrating radar (GPR) technique. The GPR electromagnetic method was implemented to profiles normal to the shoreline contributing to (a) the quantification of the erodible part of the beach zone and (b) the determination of the base of the sand dunes.

The coastal environment of the west and south coast of Peloponnesus, Greece is characterized as an essentially tideless coastal environment exposed to high wave activity. Regarding the identification, the thickness and characteristics of the uppermost substratum of the selected coastal zones, at Hellonitis, Kyparissiakos and Messiniakos Gulfs, a detailed geophysical research was carried out. The geophysical survey aims to determine the thickness and the characteristics of the upper substratum of the selected coastal area, leading to the quantification of the sediment budget; the latter is considered essential to address potential coastal erosion. For this reason, the geophysical techniques of Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) were implemented to profiles normal and parallel to the shoreline. The geophysical results reveal the presence of the interface between the dry and wet sand deposits, along with the structure and the downward extension of the coastal material.

Στο άρθρο διερευνάται η δυνατότητα μιας αφηγηματικής ερευνητικής προσέγγισης να αξιολογεί με επιστημονικό τρόπο τα αποτελέσματα της εκπαίδευσης υποψηφίων εκπαιδευτικών σε ένα πρόγραμμα Πρακτικής Άσκησης. Η έρευνα ήταν ποιοτική και πραγματοποιήθηκε την ακαδημαϊκή χρονιά 2021-2022 σε δύο φάσεις. Συμμετείχαν 73 φοιτητές/τριες από το Τμήμα Θεολογίας, του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών, στο πλαίσιο εφαρμογής του ετήσιου προγράμματος Πρακτικής Άσκησης. Μελετήθηκαν τα αποτελέσματα που έχει η Πρακτική Άσκηση υποψηφίων εκπαιδευτικών σε σχολικό περιβάλλον, όταν αυτή πραγματοποιείται μέσω εξατομικευμένης καθοδήγησης και εποπτείας (mentoring), και εξετάστηκε η χρήση μιας αφηγηματικής ερευνητικής προσέγγισης, της τεχνικής της «πιο σημαντικής αλλαγής» (Most significant change), στην αξιολόγηση των αποτελεσμάτων της εκπαίδευσής τους. Τόσο η συλλογή όσο και η ανάλυση των δεδομένων πραγματοποιήθηκαν σε δύο χρονικές φάσεις στη διάρκεια του προγράμματος, με αξιοποίηση της θεωρητικής βάσης της συγκεκριμένης τεχνικής. Συγκεκριμένα, στο μέσο και στο τέλος της Πρακτικής Άσκησης ζητήθηκε από τους/τις φοιτητές/τριες να καταγράψουν την πιο σημαντική αλλαγή που είχαν βιώσει προσωπικά μέσα από την εμπειρία της Πρακτικής Άσκησης, ενώ στη συνέχεια διενεργήθηκε ανάλυση όλων των αφηγήσεων των αλλαγών με τη συμβολή ανεξάρτητων κριτών, ξεχωριστά για κάθε μία από τις δύο φάσεις της ερευνητικής διαδικασίας. Από την ανάλυση περιεχομένου των δεδομένων προκύπτει ότι τα αποτελέσματα από την Πρακτική Άσκηση των υποψηφίων εκπαιδευτικών σχετίζονται με το ακαδημαϊκό κομμάτι της διδασκαλίας και τη θεωρία της, ενώ ταυτόχρονα προκύπτουν αποτελέσματα που συνδέονται με τη διαμόρφωση εκπαιδευτικής επαγγελματικής ταυτότητας. Η έρευνα επιβεβαιώνει την επιστημονική αξιοπιστία της χρήσης αφηγηματικών ερευνητικών προσεγγίσεων (τεχνική της πιο σημαντικής αλλαγής) στην αξιολόγηση των αποτελεσμάτων μιας παρόμοιας εκπαιδευτικής παρέμβασης, ενώ αναδεικνύει σημαντικά κριτήρια για τον μελλοντικό σχεδιασμό προγραμμάτων Πρακτικής Άσκησης, με σκοπό την εκπαίδευση φοιτητών/τριών και υποψηφίων εκπαιδευτικών.        

This book discusses key issues in economic policy in the context of the history of economic thought. Most of the current and past academic controversies in economics are, explicitly or implicitly, centred around the application and form of economic policy. This is particularly evident in the post-WWII period, with the appearance of economic policy as a distinguishable subfield, but important elements of various economic policy issues can be found throughout the history of economic thought. This book discusses various topics in economic policy – such as questions over state spending and taxation, income redistribution, and the role of money – with each chapter focusing on a particular period or major school of economic thought ranging from the ‘prehistory’ of economics up to the present day. Specific chapters of the volume cover the main schools of economic thought from different national and theoretical traditions, incorporating mercantilism, the Physiocratic School, the German Historical School, Marxism, the Austrian School, institutional economics, Keynesian economics, behavioural economics and more.

This work presents and discusses chapter two of Marc Lavoie’s book Post-Keynesian Economics: New Foundations. It begins by analysing the concepts of uncertainty and rationality which are extremely important for the post Keynesian approach, and for economic theorizing in general. The notions of fundamental uncertainty and the closely related concept of procedural rationality, are employed in order to build the foundations of a theory of household choice. It proceeds by investigating the repercussions of the theory in a lexicographic/hierarchical analytical framework. In this framework, groups consume different goods depending on their respective needs, income effects are more important than substitution effects, and price competition has a secondary role. It is also shown that Lavoie’s approach does not only draw from the work of Keynes and other major post-Keynesian theorists, but also utilizes contributions from other strands of heterodox economics, thus providing an agenda for a possible theoretical synthesis.

The identification of multiple simultaneous orientations of small molecule inhibitors binding to a protein target is a common challenge. It has recently been reported that the conformational heterogeneity of ligands is widely underreported in the Protein Data Bank, which is likely to impede optimal exploitation to improve affinity of these ligands. Significantly less is even known about multiple binding orientations for fragments (<300 Da), although this information would be essential for subsequent fragment optimisation using growing, linking or merging and rational structure-based design. Here, we use recently reported fragment hits for the SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 1 (nsp1) N-terminal domain to propose a general procedure for unambiguously identifying binding orientations of 2-dimensional fragments containing either sulphur or chloro substituents within the wavelength range of most tunable beamlines. By measuring datasets at two energies, using a tunable beamline operating in vacuum and optimised for data collection at very low X-ray energies, we show that the anomalous signal can be used to identify multiple orientations in small fragments containing sulphur and/or chloro substituents or to verify recently reported conformations. Although in this specific case we identified the positions of sulphur and chlorine in fragments bound to their protein target, we are confident that this work can be further expanded to additional atoms or ions which often occur in fragments. Finally, our improvements in the understanding of binding orientations will also serve to improve the rational optimisation of SARS-CoV-2 nsp1 fragment hits.

Noble metal nanostructured substrates enhance photoluminescence emitted from molecules immobilized onto their surface, allowing for the development of highly sensitive immunoassays employing fluorescent labels. In this work, nanostructured silver surfaces were implemented as substrates for the immunochemical detection of two ovarian cancer markers, carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4). Biotinylated detection antibodies were used to allow for the detection of immunocomplexes through a reaction with streptavidin conjugated to Rhodamine Red-X. The detection limits achieved were 2.5 U/mL and 0.06 ng/mL for CA125 and HE4, respectively, with linear dynamic ranges, covering the concentration ranges of both healthy and ovarian cancer patients.

HIV/HCV prevention among people who inject drugs (PWID) is of key public health importance. We aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 and associated response measures on HIV/HCV prevention services and socio-economic status of PWID in high-HIV-risk sites. Sites with recent (2011–2019) HIV outbreaks among PWID in Europe North America and Israel, that had been previously identified, were contacted early May 2020. Out of 17 sites invited to participate, 13 accepted. Semi-structured qualitative site reports were prepared covering data from March to May 2020, analyzed/coded and confirmed with a structured questionnaire, in which all sites explicitly responded to all 103 issues reported in the qualitative reports. Opioid maintenance treatment, needle/syringe programs and antiretroviral treatment /hepatitis C treatment continued, but with important reductions and operational changes. Increases in overdoses, widespread difficulties with food and hygiene needs, disruptions in drug supply, and increased homelessness were reported. Service programs rapidly reformed long established, and politically entrenched, restrictive service delivery policies. Future epidemic control measures should include mitigation of negative side-effects on service provision and socio-economic determinants in PWID.

Despite being relatively rare, Mediterranean tropical-like cyclones, also known as Medicanes, induce significant impacts on coastal Mediterranean areas. Under climate change, it is possible that these effects will increase in frequency and severity. Currently, there is only a broad understanding of the types and mechanisms of these impacts. This work studied Medicane Ianos (September 2020) and its effects on the Ionian Islands, in Greece, by developing a database of distinct impact elements based on field surveys and public records. Through this archive, the study explored the range of Ianos’ impacts to develop a systematic categorization. Results showed different types of effects induced on the natural and the built environment that can be grouped into 3 categories and 39 sub-categories in inland and coastal areas, indicating an extensive diversity of impacts, ranging from flooding and geomorphic effects to damages in various facilities, vehicles and infrastructure. The systematic description of the typology of Medicanes’ effects presented in this study is a contribution to a better understanding of their consequences as means to improve our ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from them, a necessary stepping stone in improving the overall preparedness of both the general public and relevant authorities.

The influence of neutrosophy on many fields of science and technology, as well as its numerous applications, are evident. Our motivation is to apply neutrosophy for the first time in order to improve methods for solving unconstrained optimization. Particularly, in this research, we propose and investigate an improvement of line search methods for solving unconstrained nonlinear optimization models. The improvement is based on the application of symmetry involved in neutrosophic logic in determining appropriate step size for the class of descent direction methods. Theoretical analysis is performed to show the convergence of proposed iterations under the same conditions as for the related standard iterations. Mutual comparison and analysis of generated numerical results reveal better behavior of the suggested iterations compared with analogous available iterations considering the Dolan and Moré performance profiles and statistical ranking. Statistical comparison also reveals advantages of the neutrosophic improvements of the considered line search optimization methods.

The main purpose of this section is to explore the design of and design with digital resources (DRs) for mathematics teaching and learning. Design of DRs involves teachers’ engagement in the process where DRs are the product of design. Design with DRs refers to cases where DRs facilitate the design-work offering an environment for teacher collaboration (e.g., communication platform) or an environment for designing tasks and lessons. The chapters of this section address both forms of design.

This paper presents the methodology of an applied geophysical and remote sensing research at river deltas for their subsurface and surface structure and its application in the deltaic plain of Pineios River (Thessaly, Greece). The scope is to primarily calculate the thickness of deltaic post alpine deposits, with the contribution of Transient Electromagnetic Method (TEM), but also identify the surficial characteristics (biotic/ abiotic) of the area with the appropriate combination of spectral bands and spectral indices. Regarding the remote sensing approach, some geomorphological features were outlined. This was managed from six false color composites of the area, produced by combining spectral bands and additional five false color composites by combining several spectral indices. • The results of the TEM method along with their statistical analysis provided important information regarding the spatial distribution and thickness of the lithological units along the deltaic plain • The combination of spectral bands 8, 7, 6 seems to adumbrate the hydrographic network of the area and even detects possible changes in the inflow. • The combination of spectral indices MSAVI2, WV-BI, WV-WI was helpful enough to geomorphological mapping of the deltaic plain.

This paper presents the methodology of an applied geophysical and remote sensing research at river deltas for their subsurface and surface structure and its application in the deltaic plain of Pineios River (Thessaly, Greece). The scope is to primarily calculate the thickness of deltaic post alpine deposits, with the contribution of Transient Electromagnetic Method (TEM), but also identify the surficial characteristics (biotic/ abiotic) of the area with the appropriate combination of spectral bands and spectral indices. Regarding the remote sensing approach, some geomorphological features were outlined. This was managed from six false color composites of the area, produced by combining spectral bands and additional five false color composites by combining several spectral indices. •The results of the TEM method along with their statistical analysis provided important information regarding the spatial distribution and thickness of the lithological units along the deltaic plain.•The combination of spectral bands 8, 7, 6 seems to adumbrate the hydrographic network of the area and even detects possible changes in the inflow.•The combination of spectral indices MSAVI2, WV-BI, WV-WI was helpful enough to geomorphological mapping of the deltaic plain.

Im ersten Viertel des 21. Jahrhunderts ist in der griechischen Literatur und Kunst im Allgemeinen eine starke Hinwendung zum Werk Franz Kafkas festzustellen, die sich auch im griechischen Kino bemerkbar macht. Auf der Grundlage der Theorien von Marcuse, Adorno, Foucault und Deleuze & Guattari setzt sich die vorliegende Studie zum Ziel zu beweisen, dass der Hauptgrund, weshalb Kafka für die zeitgenössische griechische Kunst absolut relevant ist, die Tatsache ist, dass er in erster Linie ein politischer Schriftsteller war, der versuchte, den komplexen Charakter der modernen condition humaine, das Leben unter den absurden Mechanismen einer repressiven Macht, aus verschiedenen Blickwinkeln zu beleuchten. Nach einem Überblick über griechische Filme, die von Mitte der 1950er Jahre bis heute von Kafkas Werk beeinflusst zu sein scheinen, wird der Versuch unternommen, den preisgekrönten Film The Lobster (2015) von Giorgos Lanthimos als besonders repräsentativ zu analysieren. Die vergleichende Untersuchung dieses Films mit Kafkas Texten wie Der Prozess, Das Urteil und Die Verwandlung zielt darauf ab, auf „intertextuelle“ Bezüge hinzuweisen sowie Kontinuitäten und Diskontinuitäten, sowohl ästhetisch als auch thematisch, innerhalb eines offenen dynamischen Dialogs aufzuzeigen.

This paper proposes the utilization of large language models as recommendation systems for museum visitors. Since the aforementioned models lack the notion of context, they cannot work with temporal information that is often present in recommendations for cultural environments (e.g., special exhibitions or events). In this respect, the current work aims to enhance the capabilities of large language models through a fine-tuning process that incorporates contextual information and user instructions. The resulting models are expected to be capable of providing personalized recommendations that are aligned with user preferences and desires. More specifically, Generative Pre-trained Transformer 4, a knowledge-based large language model is fine-tuned and turned into a context-aware recommendation system, adapting its suggestions based on user input and specific contextual factors such as location, time of visit, and other relevant parameters. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is evaluated through certain user studies, which ensure an improved user experience and engagement within the museum environment.

We present here the first long Quaternary record of organic-walled dinoflagellate cyst assemblages analysed from sediment cores retrieved during the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 381 in the Gulf of Corinth. Site M0078A is located in the central part of the Gulf of Corinth (GoC), a semi-isolated marine basin that was repeatedly isolated and reconnected to the Mediterranean Sea during the Quaternary glacial/interglacial cycles. Our results show that dinoflagellate cysts are sorted in two major ecogroups, each group alternating between marine and isolated/brackish conditions. The marine intervals are characterised by high dinocyst diversity whereas the isolated intervals are dominated by taxa thriving in low-salinity conditions such as Spiniferites cruciformis and Pyxidinopsis psilata. In several of these assemblages, S. cruciformis is so prevalent that it forms almost monospecific assemblages. The low salinity dinocyst assemblages are reported for the first time outside the Ponto-Caspian region and they show a close affinity to modern assemblages from the Black Sea, Caspian Sea and Marmara Sea. The alternations between marine and brackish conditions recorded in the Gulf of Corinth reflect changes in surface water salinity (SSS) and temperature (SST), in response to the Quaternary glacial-interglacial cycles. These seem to be in good agreement with regional and global marine isotope and sea-level records. Our findings suggest that the study region sensitively responds to climate forcing at orbital time scales and that local factors most likely drive shifts in dinoflagellate species composition and diversity.

À travers l’étude du système à effet intégrateur de rituels et de cérémonialscélébrant la présidente de l’UFF et de la FDIF Eugénie Cotton, promue en autorité universelle dont les vertus renvoient au modèle marial, le présent travail explore la mise en place dans le monde communiste de la guerre froide du versant féminin du culte du leader. Afin d’en saisir les spécificités par rapport à un phénomène historique dont la riche production historiographique des vingt dernières années consacre naturellement et exclusivement la masculinité, y sont examinés plus particulièrement les circonstances qui lui donnèrent naissance, les temps forts qui scandent son cheminement, les mécanismes de sa diffusion et les glissements genrés opérés dans le processus de son invention." The communist cult of the female leader: Eugénie Cotton (1881-1967), “world mother” "This article considers the rituals and ceremonies celebrating the French pro-communist activist, Eugénie Cotton, president of the Union of French Women (UFW) and of the Women’s International Democratic Federation (WIDF), and the way Cotton was elevated to the rank of universal authority, exemplifying virtues not unrelated to the model of the Virgin Mary. This exploration of the enactment of the female version of the cult of the leader in the communist world during the Cold War contrasts with the masculine focus of the substantial historiographical production of the last twenty years on this topic. The paper examines in particular the circumstances that gave birth to the “Cotton cult”, the key moments in its evolution, the mechanisms of its diffusion and the gender shifts in the process of its invention. Mots-clés : Eugénie Cotton, culte du leader, UFF, FDIF, pacifisme,guerre froideKeywords: Eugénie Cotton, cult of the leader, UFW, WIDF, pacifism,Cold War

A proper generalization of the extended boundary condition method to calculate the transition matrix, T, for electromagnetic scattering from a homogeneous and isotropic body of arbitrary shape, characterized by a periodically time-varying electric permittivity, is presented. The application of the method on a specific example of a spheroidal dielectric particle confirms that time modulation induces strong inelastic scattering, accompanied by energy transfer between the scatterer and the light field, when the difference of the incident wave frequency to a particle optical resonance matches an integer multiple of the modulation frequency. Moreover, it is shown that, for nonspherical scatterers, these effects can be selectively tuned by external means such as the polarization and the propagation direction of the incident light beam. The method is readily implementable in available dynamic multiple-scattering computer codes, and, because of its versatility and computational efficiency, it can offer new opportunities for studying more complex time-varying photonic structures.

Although the psychoanalytic theories of Heinz Kohut and Otto F. Kernberg have not explicitly focused on loneliness, they have the potential to offer a rich conceptualization of this experience in severe personality pathology. In this study, we attempt to illustrate and discuss the various qualities of loneliness in narcissistic, borderline, and other personality pathology, as implied in these theories. Kohut’s views on selfobjects are presented and the links between selfobjects and loneliness are highlighted. In this theory, loneliness may be regarded as grandiose isolation and object hunger may be viewed as a type of quasi, but not real loneliness. In Kernberg’s theory, emptiness seems to be the essence of loneliness, but it takes on different qualities in several personality disorders. Mature love is proposed as the opposite of loneliness. After identifying some points of convergence between Kohut and Kernberg regarding loneliness, we conclude with the view that real loneliness can be experienced only when genuine intimacy and mature dependence have been established.

This open access book traces the evolution of the European media landscape in the last 30 years, from 1990 to 2020. It is based on the theoretical classical hypotheses of regional media systems provided by Hallin and Mancini and at the same time puts them to test. The book further defines the proportions between geocultural patterns – national, regional, European, and global – to outline evolutionary trends in media landscapes. It analyzes to which degree European media have become more European, in the historical course of administrative unification and breaks the results down into concrete indexes and indicators.  The book discusses the media systems of the member states of the European Union through a regional perspective, identifying similarities, differences, as well as their convergence in the digital age. It sheds light on the evolution of media systems in Europe, introduces existing relevant theoretical perspectives, and offers an overview of the new developments in European media. The book will appeal to students, researchers, and scholars of political science, communication, media, cultural, and policy studies, as well as practitioners and professionals interested in a better understanding of the European media landscape's evolution.

Microbial desulfurization has been extensively studied as a promising alternative to the widely applied chemical desulfurization process. Sulfur removal from petroleum and its products becomes essential, as the environmental regulations become increasingly stringent. Rhodococcus qingshengii IGTS8 has gained ground as a naturally occurring model biocatalyst, due to its superior specific activity for desulfurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT). Recalcitrant organic sulfur compounds—DBT included—are preferentially removed by selective carbon-sulfur bond cleavage to avoid a reduction in the calorific value of the fuel. The process, however, still has not reached economically sustainable levels, as certain limitations have been identified. One of those bottlenecks is the repression of catalytic activity caused by ubiquitous sulfur sources such as inorganic sulfate, methionine, or cysteine. Herein, we report an optimized culture medium for wild-type stain IGTS8 that completely alleviates the sulfate-mediated repression of biodesulfurization activity without modification of the natural biocatalyst. Medium C not only promotes growth in the presence of several sulfur sources, including DBT, but also enhances biodesulfurization of resting cells grown in the presence of up to 5 mM sulfate. Based on the above, the present work can be considered as a step towards the development of a more viable commercial biodesulfurization process.

Research shows that, while exposure to English as a lingua franca (ELF) discourse and to discussion of ELF-related interactional strategies – such as rephrasing, paraphrasing and translanguaging – can help raise English language teachers’ and learners’ ELF awareness, this is often not enough nor is the value of such exposure adequately monitored. In this paper, following the principles of ELF awareness (Sifakis, Nicos. 2019. ELF awareness in English language teaching: Processes and practices. Applied Linguistics 40(2). 288–306), I suggest that raising teachers’ and learners’ awareness of and attitudes towards their own experience as users of English inside and outside of the classroom needs to be prioritised, especially in Expanding Circle teaching and learning contexts. Together with this awareness, teachers and learners need to be made fully conscious of their deeper perceptions about key ELF concerns, such as the role of the native speaker in ELF interactions, the nature of intercultural communication, etc. Such awareness can be raised through metalinguistic and metacognitive activities and questions added to existing activities/materials. To this end, I propose a framework and a series of specific step-by-step scenarios and tools for raising teachers’ and learners’ ELF awareness along these lines and present four examples of integrating such metacognitive and metalinguistic activities with those of a specific textbook.

Doped lanthanum manganite compounds exhibit a range of conducting, electronic and magnetic phases, and, in the case of the Ca-doped series, a phase transition from a ferromagnetic metal to an antiferromagnetic insulator occurs. Here, the authors use ultrahigh-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction to track the complex structural behavior of La1-xCaxMnO3 below the charge-ordering temperatures. In the model manganese perovskites La1-xCaxMnO3, several important phenomena have been observed, including ferromagnetic metallic/insulating states, colossal magnetoresistance effects, and charge- and orbital-ordered states. In the past, only compounds with x = 1/2, 2/3 and 3/4 and an insulating ground/antiferromagnetic state have been studied. To fully understand the crystal and electronic structures of these materials, it is important to study compounds with doping levels in the range of 0.5 < x < 2/3. Here we study the crystal structure in a series of compounds with 0.5 < x & LE; 0.6 using ultrahigh-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The experimental results reveal that all compounds undergo a structural transition at T < T-CO(x) & AP; 200 - 220 K with the concomitant emergence of superlattice Bragg peaks, which can be indexed assuming a superstructure with a modulation propagation vector, & tau;. At the base temperature of 5 K, the modulation vector of the superstructure & tau; = [& tau;(a), 0, 0] is parallel to the a-axis, with & tau;(a) varying linearly with x, as & tau;(a) & AP; 1 - x. Our results may aid attempts to understand more deeply phenomena related to spin, charge, and orbital ordering, as well as colossal magnetoresistance and symmetry breaking and emergent order in quantum states.

The main aim of this study is to model the Nature-based solution of Green Roofs (GRs) in order to assess their efficiency as a mitigation strategy for UHI effects and extreme summertime temperatures over Attica in Greece. The area of study is a region that encompasses Athens, the largest Metropolitan area of Greece, and the suburbs. The analysis has been performed with the use of an advanced modeling system that consists of the mesoscale Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) and the advanced multilayer urban canopy scheme building energy parameter and building energy model (BEP/BEM). The two modules are fully coupled, forming WRF urban. For a better description of the urban environment and in order to use the full capabilities of the urban canopy scheme, 11 urban classes corresponding to the WUDAPT Local Climate Zones (LCZ) were used instead of the 3 traditional urban classes that the default version uses. Sensitivity tests for a major heatwave that affected the area of study have been performed in order to evaluate the impact of GRs on the UHI structure. Results indicate that the modification of the roof energy budget decreased the maximum temperature during heatwaves and altered the spatio-temporal pattern of the effect.

In the present paper, a manufacturing cell in the presence of faults, coming from the devices of the process, is considered. The modular modeling of the subsystems of the cell is accomplished using of appropriate finite deterministic automata. The desired functionality of the cell as well as appropriate safety specifications are formulated as eleven desired languages. The desired languages are expressed as regular expressions in analytic forms. The languages are realized in the form of appropriate general type supervisor forms. Using these forms, a modular supervisory design scheme is accomplished providing satisfactory performance in the presence of faults as well guaranteeing the safety requirements. The aim of the present supervisor control scheme is to achieve tolerance of basic characteristics of the process coordination to upper-level faults, despite the presence of low-level faults in the devices of the process. The complexity of the supervisor scheme is computed.

Nature-based solutions (NbS) can be beneficial to help human communities build resilience to climate change by managing and mitigating related hydro-meteorological hazards (HMHs). Substantial research has been carried out in the past on the detection and assessment of HMHs and their derived risks. Yet, knowledge on the performance and functioning of NbS to address these hazards is severely lacking. The latter is exacerbated by the lack of practical and viable approaches that would help identify and select NbS for specific problems. The EU-funded OPERANDUM project established seven Open-Air Laboratories (OALs) across Europe to co-develop, test, and generate an evidence base from innovative NbS deployed to address HMHs such as flooding, droughts, landslides, erosion, and eutrophication. Herein, we detail the original approaches that each OAL followed in the process of identifying and selecting NbS for specific hazards with the aim of proposing a novel, generic framework for selecting NbS. We found that the process of selecting NBS was overall complex and context-specific in all the OALs, and it comprised 26 steps distributed across three stages: (i) Problem recognition, (ii) NbS identification, and (iii) NbS selection. We also identified over 20 selection criteria which, in most cases, were shared across OALs and were chiefly related to sustainability aspects. All the identified NbS were related to the regulation of the water cycle, and they were mostly chosen according to three main factors: (i) hazard type, (ii) hazard scale, and (iii) OAL size. We noticed that OALs exposed to landslides and erosion selected NbS capable to manage water budgets within the soil compartment at the local or landscape scale, while OALs exposed to floods, droughts, and eutrophication selected approaches to managing water transport and storage at the catchment scale. We successfully portrayed a synthesis of the stages and steps followed in the OALs’ NbS selection process in a framework. The framework, which reflects the experiences of the stakeholders involved, is inclusive and integrated, and it can serve as a basis to inform NbS selection processes whilst facilitating the organisation of diverse stakeholders working towards finding solutions to natural hazards. We animate the future development of the proposed framework by integrating financial viability steps. We also encourage studies looking into the implementation of the proposed framework through quantitative approaches integrating multi-criteria analyses.

Background Multiple HIV outbreaks have been recorded among people who inject drugs (PWID) since 2010. During an intervention for PWID in 2019–2021 in Thessaloniki, Greece, an increasing number of HIV cases was documented. Here, we provide an analysis of this new outbreak. Methods ALEXANDROS was a community-based program and participation included interviewing, rapid HIV/HCV tests, counselling and linkage to care. PWID were recruited through Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) in five sampling rounds. Crude and RDS-weighted HIV prevalence estimates were obtained. HIV incidence was estimated from data on 380 initially seronegative PWID with at least two tests. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess risk factors for HIV seroconversion. Results In total, 1,101 PWID were recruited. At first participation, 53.7% were current PWID, 20.1% homeless, 20.3% on opioid substitution treatment and 4.8% had received syringes in the past 12 months. HIV prevalence (95% CI) was 7.0% (5.6–8.7%) and an increasing trend was observed over 2019–2021 (p = 0.002). Two-thirds of the cases (67.5%) were new diagnoses. HIV incidence was 7.0 new infections/100 person-years (95% CI:4.8–10.2). Homelessness in the past 12 months (HR:2.68; 95% CI:1.24–5.81) and receptive syringe sharing (HR:3.86; 95% CI:1.75–8.51) were independently associated with increased risk of seroconversion. By the end of the program, 67.3% of the newly diagnosed cases initiated antiretroviral treatment. Conclusions A new HIV outbreak among PWID was documented in Greece during the COVID-19 pandemic with homelessness and syringe sharing being associated with increased risk of HIV acquisition. Peer-driven programs targeting the population of high-risk underserved PWID can be used to early identify emerging outbreaks and to improve linkage to HIV care.

Disruption in neurogenesis and neuronal migration can influence the assembly of cortical circuits, affecting the excitatory-inhibitory balance and resulting in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Using ventral cerebral organoids and dorsoventral cerebral assembloids with mutations in the extracellular matrix gene LGALS3BP, we show that extracellular vesicles released into the extracellular environment regulate the molecular differentiation of neurons, resulting in alterations in migratory dynamics. To investigate how extracellular vesicles affect neuronal specification and migration dynamics, we collected extracellular vesicles from ventral cerebral organoids carrying a mutation in LGALS3BP, previously identified in individuals with cortical malformations and neuropsychiatric disorders. These results revealed differences in protein composition and changes in dorsoventral patterning. Proteins associated with cell fate decision, neuronal migration, and extracellular matrix composition were altered in mutant extracellular vesicles. Moreover, we show that treatment with extracellular vesicles changes the transcriptomic profile in neural progenitor cells. Our results indicate that neuronal molecular differentiation can be influenced by extracellular vesicles.

An improved activation function, termed extended sign-bi-power (Esbp), is proposed. An extension of the Li zeroing neural network (ELi-ZNN) based on the Esbp activation is derived to obtain the online solution of the time-varying inversion problem. A detailed theoretical analysis confirms that the new activation function accomplishes fast convergence in calculating the time-varying matrix inversion. At the same time, illustrative numerical experiments substantiate the excellent performance of the proposed activation function over the Li and tunable activation functions. Convergence properties and numerical behaviors of the proposed ELi-ZNN model are examined.

Due to its significance in science and engineering, time-varying linear matrix equation (LME) problems have received a lot of attention from scholars. It is for this reason that the issue of finding the minimum-norm least-squares solution of the time-varying quaternion LME (ML-TQ-LME) is addressed in this study. This is accomplished using the zeroing neural network (ZNN) technique, which has achieved considerable success in tackling time-varying issues. In light of that, two new ZNN models are introduced to solve the ML-TQ-LME problem for time-varying quaternion matrices of arbitrary dimension. Two simulation experiments and two practical acoustic source tracking applications show that the models function superbly.

The Markowitz model, a Nobel Prize winning model for portfolio analysis, paves the theoretical foundation in finance for modern investment. However, it remains a challenging problem in the high frequency trading (HFT) era to find a more time efficient solution for portfolio analysis, especially when considering circumstances with the dynamic fluctuation of stock prices and the desire to pursue contradictory objectives for less risk but more return. In this paper, we establish a recurrent neural network model to address this challenging problem in runtime. Rigorous theoretical analysis on the convergence and the optimality of portfolio optimization are presented. Numerical experiments are conducted based on real data from Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) components and the results reveal that the proposed solution is superior to DJIA index in terms of higher investment returns and lower risks.

Importance sampling, a variant of online sampling, is often used in neural network training to improve the learning process, and, in particular, the convergence speed of the model. We study, here, the performance of a set of batch selection algorithms, namely, online sampling algorithms that process small parts of the dataset at each iteration. Convergence is accelerated through the creation of a bias towards the learning of hard samples. We first consider the baseline algorithm and investigate its performance in terms of convergence speed and generalization efficiency. The latter, however, is limited in case of poor balancing of data sets. To alleviate this shortcoming, we propose two variations of the algorithm that achieve better generalization and also manage to not undermine the convergence speed boost offered by the original algorithm. Various data transformation techniques were tested in conjunction with the proposed scheme to develop an overall training method of the model and to ensure robustness in different training environments. An experimental framework was constructed using three naturally imbalanced datasets and one artificially imbalanced one. The results assess the advantage in convergence of the extended algorithm over the vanilla one, but, mostly, show better generalization performance in imbalanced data environments.

An extension of the photonic layer multiple scattering methodology to dynamic spherical scatterers, which exhibit a periodic time-varying response, is presented. The applicability of the method is demonstrated on specific examples of single- and bi-layers of periodically modulated high-refractive-index spherical particles arranged on a square lattice. The results provide compelling evidence for strong and tunable inelastic scattering effects under the triple resonance condition, fulfilled for optical transitions between neighboring high-Q lattice modes of the appropriate symmetry, which originate from multipolar Mie resonances. A consistent interpretation of the underlying mechanisms is provided and potential applications in the design of nonreciprocal devices are discussed.