A feasibility study for the provision of electronic healthcare tools and services in areas of Greece, Cyprus and Italy

Background: Through this paper, we present the initial steps for the creation of an integrated platform for the provision of a series of eHealth tools and services to both citizens and travelers in isolated areas of thesoutheast Mediterranean, and on board ships travelling across it. The platform was created through an INTERREG IIIB ARCHIMED project called INTERMED. Methods: The support of primary healthcare, home care and the continuous education of physicians are the three major issues that the proposed platform is trying to facilitate. The proposed system is based on state-of-the-art telemedicine systems and is able to provide the following healthcare services: i) Telecollaboration and teleconsultation services between remotely located healthcare providers, ii) telemedicine services in emergencies, iii) home telecare services for "at risk" citizens such as the elderly and patients with chronic diseases, and iv) eLearning services for the continuous training through seminars of both healthcare personnel (physicians, nurses etc) and persons supporting "at risk" citizens. These systems support data transmission over simple phone lines, internet connections, integrated services digital network/digital subscriber lines, satellite links, mobile networks (GPRS/3G), and wireless local area networks. The data corresponds, among others, to voice, vital biosignals, still medical images, video, and data used by eLearning applications. The proposed platform comprises several systems, each supporting different services. These were integrated using a common data storage and exchange scheme in order to achieve system interoperability in terms of software, language and national characteristics. Results: The platform has been installed and evaluated in different rural and urban sites in Greece, Cyprus and Italy. The evaluation was mainly related to technical issues and user satisfaction. The selected sites are, among others, rural health centers, ambulances, homes of "at-risk" citizens, and a ferry. Conclusions: The results proved the functionality and utilization of the platform in various rural places in Greece, Cyprus and Italy. However, further actions are needed to enable the local healthcare systems and the different population groups to be familiarized with, and use in their everyday lives, mature technological solutions for the provision of healthcare services

Generative Research and the Creative Analytic Paradigm

Whereas quantitative research values quantitative data and qualitative research values qualitative data, the identity of the new concept of generative research is in its valuing of generated ideas. The paper will present the case for generative research in terms of approaches to evaluating the quality of research and include examples of potential candidates for inclusion within this category of research. The Creative Analytic Paradigm (CAP) can be understood as a prototypical paradigm within generative research. The paper will also present an outline of this approach and give particular attention key concepts in the CAP. An llustrative example of the application of the paradigm will be drawn from the context of the early-years physical learning environment (Reception/Nursery aged children). Both the concept of generative research as well as the potential afforded by the creative analytic paradigm would be of general interest to practitioner researchers at all stages of education. The specific illustrative application of the CAP to the early-years physical learning environment would be of particular interest to early-years practitioners

Underground quarries in the area of Agiades, Samos Island, Greece: Notes on historical topography and chronology

Η εργασία παρουσιάζει την ανάγκη για την καταγραφή και την σύγκριση των ιχνών που αφήνουν τα εργαλεία στο μέτωπο ενός λατομείου, με στόχο να συναχθεί η χρονολογική διαδοχή των διαφορετικών φάσεων εξόρυξης του ασβεστόλιθου στα υπόγεια λατομεία των Αγιάδων Χώρας Σάμου. Μέχρι τώρα συμπεραίνουμε μια αρχαϊκή και μια ρωμαϊκή φάση εκμετάλλευσης βάσει της επιφανειακής κεραμικής, των εργαλείων, αλλά και των ιχνών που άφησαν οι ακμές των εργαλείων στον λίθο. Παράλληλα εξετάζονται συγκριτικά, τα ίδια τα μνημεία και ανάλογα υπόγεια λατομεία στην Κρήτη. Η εγγύτητα των λατομείων με τέμενος του Απόλλωνος και των Νυμφών συγκρίνεται με άλλες περιπτώσεις στον ελληνικό κόσμο. Σε μια προσπάθεια να κατανοηθεί η κοινωνική θέση των λατόμων και το επίπεδο της γνώσης ανάγνωσης και γραφής αυτών συσχετίστηκαν στοιχεία από τα χαράγματα (graffiti) στο Ευπαλίνειο όρυγμα με την απουσία πατρικού και εθνικού ονόματος, απουσία που παρατηρείται σε άλλα λατομεία στο Αιγαίο. Τα στοιχεία αυτά συνδυάστηκαν με τον χαρακτηρισμό των Σαμίων ως «πολυγραμμάτων». Η συχνή εμφάνιση των αρχικών ΗΡ σε πλάκες του Ευπαλινείου ορύγματος ίσως αποτελεί έναν υπαινιγμό για τον έλεγχο του Ηραίου στα λατομεία των Αγιάδων.This paper shows the need for cataloguing and comparing tool marks left on the quarries’ front in order for the chronological sequence of the different phases of limestone exposed in underground quarries at Agiades, Chora Samos, to be assessed. Up to now, an archaic and a roman phase of exploitation is inferred by surface pottery, tools, tool marks, the monuments themselves, and parallels from underground quarries on the island of Crete. The proximity of the quarries to a temenos of Apollo and the Nymphs is comparable to other cases from the Greek world. In an attempt to understand the social status of the quarrymen and their level of literacy, data from the graffiti observed in Eupalinos’ tunnel were correlated with the lack of patronym and ethnonym observed in quarries in the Aegean, and related to the characterization of the Samians as «πολυγράμματοι». A control of Hera’s sanctuary over the quarries at Agiades is implied by the frequent appearance of the letters HP on slabs used in Eupalinos’ tunnel

Comparative analysis of carrying capacity indices for the central Aegean Islands

The tourist industry is one of the most important economic activities in Greece. The country receives over 14 million visitors per year. In an era where tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the developing countries the competition with existing tourism destinations, such as Greece, will intensify. Greece has enjoyed increasing numbers and revenues from tourism due to the unique environment both natural and man-made making it a high profile tourist destination. However, it is already clear, that the uncontrolled growth of the industry can bring serious environmental and social problems, leading to a decline in the quality of tourist product and services provided. Such negative effects can be controlled and reduced using environmental and tourism indices to estimate the impact of tourism and other businesses on the environment. The purpose of this paper is to apply the principles of coastal environmental management for the Islands in the central Aegean Sea islands via the carrying capacity assessment methodology in order to develop environmental performance indicators necessary for formulating a novel sustainable development policy proposal for Greek tourism.peer-reviewe

DNA markers confirm presence of \u3cem\u3eEuscorpius avcii\u3c/em\u3e Tropea et al., 2012 (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae) on Samos Island, Greece

Euscorpius avcii Tropea et al., 2012 has been recently described from Dilek Peninsula in western Anatolia (Turkey, Aydın Province). The population from Samos Island in eastern part of the Aegean Sea is found to match closely the Anatolian E. avcii, making it a new, rare species for the Greek fauna, confirmed by two DNA markers as well as morphology. Samos also shares with western Anatolia two other local recently described scorpion species, Iurus kinzelbachi and Neocalchas gruberi (family Iuridae)

Hope(lessness) : The perceive psychological impact of living a refugee camp

Tese de mestrado, Psicologia (Área de Especialização em Psicologia Clínica e da Saúde - Psicologia Clínica Sistémica), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Psicologia, 2020As the migration flow to Europe increases, thousands of people are forced to live in refugee camps whilst awaiting the conclusion of their asylum request. Considering the inadequate conditions in these camps and that the experience of exile may have harmful consequences for mental health, this investigation aims to understand the perspective of humanitarian workers and volunteers regarding Samos’ refugee camp conditions and the psychological well-being of refugees. This research utilized a qualitative methodological approach. Data was collected from 14 participants using semi-structured interviews, sociodemographic questionnaires, photographic analyses and observations within the natural environmental context. The findings suggest that the living conditions, described as the lack of hygiene, shelters, proper food, access to healthcare as well as the overcrowding and lack of safety in the camp, are perceived as having severe psychological implications, including traumas and mental degradation. It is also suggested that the length and uncertainty of the asylum process is a major source of hopelessness and powerlessness. The presence of a support system, resilience and running a business were indicated as coping strategies adopted to deal with the hardships of living in the camp while waiting for the asylum request to be concluded. Finally, the implications of the present investigation are discussed which emphasize the necessity of further research in this area.À medida que o fluxo migratório para a Europa aumenta, milhares de pessoas são forçadas a viver em campos de refugiados enquanto aguardam a conclusão do pedido de asilo. Tendo em consideração as condições inadequadas nos campos e as possíveis consequências prejudiciais à saúde mental, a presente investigação visa compreender a perspetiva de trabalhadores humanitários e voluntários relativamente às condições do campo de refugiados de Samos e o bemestar psicológico dos refugiados. O presente estudo utilizou uma abordagem metodológica qualitativa. A recolha de dados foi realizada através de entrevistas semiestruturadas e questionários sociodemográficos a 14 participantes, análise fotográfica e observações em contexto natural. Os resultados sugerem que as condições de vida, descritas pela falta de higiene, habitação, alimentação adequada, acesso a cuidados de saúde, bem como a superlotação e falta de segurança no campo, são percebidas como tendo implicações psicológicas graves, incluindo traumas e deterioração da saúde mental. Da mesma forma, é sugerido que a duração e a incerteza do processo de asilo são uma importante fonte de perda de esperança e sensação de controlo sobre a vida. A criação e manutenção de uma rede de apoio, a resiliência e a criação de um negócio foram indicadas como estratégias de coping adotadas para lidar com as dificuldades de viver no campo enquanto se aguarda a conclusão do pedido de asilo. Finalmente, são discutidas as implicações da presente investigação que enfatizam a necessidade de novas pesquisas nesta área