Successional segregation in Gerani, Athens. Unpacking the spatial structure of an immigrant quarter

This study examines the role of spatial configuration in shaping patterns of immigrant segregation through the case study of Gerani, Athens. Previous research has suggested that despite its negative effects, segregation can be positive as a key mode of accommodating urban diversity. In this context, this study asks what is the role of space in shaping immigrant segregation patterns and accommodating difference. Although Greece has accepted major migration waves during the last decades, the Greek state is characterised by the lack of internal policies towards immigrants’ integration, leading to social friction. The district of Gerani reflects the current socioeconomic and spatial transformations of the Greek capital and is chosen for this study as a multi-ethnic district and the most distinct commercial immigrant centre of Athens. The existence of a certain degree of informality that characterises both the built environment and the local economic activities reveal the structure of spontaneous socioeconomic patterns. After establishing the spatial properties of the area through space syntax analysis, the immigrant networks are mapped through primary ethnographic research tracking the development of immigrant economic activities. Finally, the above analyses are combined qualitatively and quantitatively, through statistical analysis. The study suggests that Gerani’s spatial configuration might be related to its consistent deprivation and, consequently, to the concentration of high immigrant densities. Furthermore, despite the supposed homogeneity of the “ghetto” of Gerani, the various ethnic groups appear clustered in the area in terms of economic activities and use of the public realm, while an internal hierarchical rationale emerges; locations characterised by higher levels of “natural movement” and proximity to attractors have clusters of those immigrants who have achieved greater social integration with Greek society, whilst locations with lowers levels of “natural movement” and adjacent to abandoned enclaves of anomy have concentrations of the more socially disadvantaged groups. Overall, the issue of immigrant integration and segregation remains mainly a political issue that premises the adoption of long term external and internal policies. Considering, however, the role of spatial design in this process, the current study proposes that specific spatial structures offer immigrants the necessary protection to gradually build their socioeconomic life. These principles should be re-interpreted and assimilated in strategic design proposals and policies that aim at the creation of more socially inclusive solutions

Regional Energy Substitution - Results from a Dynamic Input Demand Model

In this note we report results of a study of energy substitution in manufacturing, using two- digit data disaggregated by region in a dynamic, disequilibrium model of firm input demand. The question of regional differences in the impacts of energy price changes is an important one. National energy policy is worked out in a climate of great conflict among regions, based on real or imagined differences in the perceptions of the role of energy in production. For example, it has become commonplace to hear that the older regions, such as the Northeast, will be hurt more by energy price increases than newer regions, such as the Southwest. In a previous paper we presented results of estimating regional models with a static, full equilibrium manufacturing cost function [6]. We used pre-1974 data, which may have reflected something close to long-run equilibrium positions for firms. It seems valuable, however, to analyze data from a slightly later period with one of the more recently developed models that permit firms to be out of long-run equilibrium. This could yield substantially greater understanding of the direction and speed of induced input adjustments undertaken by firms of the different regions in response to the large price changes of th

Incidence of Insomnia in OSA patients and its correlations with parameters of polysomnography

Background/Aims: Prevalence of insomnia in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients has been estimated in many studies and has been found to be a frequent symptom (38% in a recent review 1).Our study aims to estimate the incidence of insomnia in Greek patients presenting to a public hospital sleep clinic, and correlate it with the severity of OSA and parameters of polysomnography (PSG). Methods: 100 patients who visited the sleep unit of the General Hospital ‘Evangelismos’ completed the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and underwent a polysomnographic study. 56% were men, with mean age 54,7±12,5 years and BMI 31,5±6,2. Results: 70% of patients had insomnia. Insomnia (AIS≥6) and OSA (AHI≥5) were coexistent in 71,4 %. There was no correlation between insomnia and severity of OSA. A strong positive correlation was found/evident between difficulty in initiating sleep and number of hypopneas (r: 0,20 p:0,049), diminished functioning during the day and leg movements (r:0,21 p:0,050) and between daytime sleepiness and wake after sleep onset (WASO) (r:0,2 p:0,038). A negative correlation was found between overnight awakenings and sleep efficiency (r: -0,23 p: 0,021). Also, negative correlation was found between early morning awakening and minimum SpO2 (r=0.27, p=0,021), and between insufficient duration of sleep (r:-0,22 p: 0,021) and minimum SpO2. Conclusions: We found a high incidence of insomnia in patients with OSA, which does not correlate with severity of OSA. Contrary to many other studies, insomnia was not more common in women. More studies are required to clarify the significance of the positive correlation between insomnia and number of hypopneas and minimum SpO2

Assessing hepatitis C virus distribution among vulnerable populations in London using whole genome sequencing: results from the TB-REACH study [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Background: Injecting drugs substantially increases the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and is common in vulnerable population groups, such as the homeless and prisoners. Capturing accurate data on relative genotype distribution within these groups is essential to inform strategies to reduce HCV transmission. The aim of this study was to utilise a next-generation whole-genome sequencing method recently validated by Public Health England, in order to produce near complete HCV genomes. / Methods: In total, 98 HCV positive patients were recruited from homeless hostels and drug treatment services through the National Health Services (NHS) Find and Treat (F&T) Service between May 2011 and June 2013 in London, UK. Samples were sequenced by Next-generation sequencing, with 88 complete HCV genomes constructed by a de novo assembly pipeline. They were analysed phylogenetically for an estimate of their genetic distance. / Results: Of the 88 complete HCV genomes, 50/88 (56.8%) were genotype 1; 32/88 (36.4%) genotype 3; 4/88 (4.5%) genotype 2; and 1/88 (1.1%) for genotypes 4 and 6 each. Subtype 1a had the highest number of samples (51.1%), followed by subtype 3a (35.2%), 1b (5.7%), and 2b (3.4%). Samples collected from drug treatment services had the highest number of genotype 1 (69%); genotypes 4 and 6 were only found from samples collected in homeless shelters. Small clusters of highly related genomic sequences were observed both across and within the vulnerable groups sampled. / Conclusions: Subsequent phylogenetic analysis provides a first indication that there are related HCV sequences amongst the three vulnerable population groups, reflecting their overlapping social behaviours. This study is the first presentation of whole genome HCV sequences from such vulnerable groups in London and paves the way for similar research in the future

The Effect of Virtual Reality Intervention Programs on the Functionality of Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy. A Systematic Review

Background: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder of movement and posture. Recent studies have shown that Virtual Reality (VR) is a useful and low-cost tool used in treating children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Nevertheless, there is no substantial evidence supporting that VR therapy can help CP patients, not only as the primary treatment, but as a supplement. Objectives: The present systematic review aimed to investigate the effectiveness of VR intervention programs on the functional capacity of children and adolescents with CP, according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Methods: A systematic online search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and PEDro databases, as well as in the Google Scholar search engine, from inception till September 2022. The methodological quality of included studies was rated with the PEDro scale. Results: Twenty-two randomized-controlled trials were eligible for inclusion. The results indicated that there was a significant improvement after the implementation, of interventional VR programs, in balance and visual perception, while the results were controversial for muscle strength, coordination, gross motor function, gait, upper limb function, independence in activities of Daily Life Activities and participation. Conclusion: Significant balance and visual perception improvements may result from VR programs applied in children and adolescents with CP. Important factors that may influence the results are the functional level of the participants, the sample size, the context in which the therapeutic intervention is carried out (rehabilitation center, home), and the conventional treatments that the VR intervention programs are compared against

Hyper-Local Weather Predictions with the Enhanced General Urban Area Microclimate Predictions Tool

This paper presents enhancements to, and the demonstration of, the General Urban area Microclimate Predictions tool (GUMP), which is designed to provide hyper-local weather predictions by combining machine-learning (ML) models and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations. For the further development and demonstration of GUMP, the Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) campus was used as a test environment. Local weather sensors provided data to train ML models, and CFD models of urban- and suburban-like areas of ERAU’s campus were created and iterated through with a wide assortment of inlet wind speed and direction combinations. ML weather sensor predictions were combined with best-fit CFD models from a database of CFD flow fields, providing flight operational areas with a fully expressed wind flow field. This field defined a risk map for uncrewed aircraft operators based on flight plans and individual flight performance metrics. The potential applications of GUMP are significant due to the immediate availability of weather predictions and its ability to easily extend to arbitrary urban and suburban locations

Fz2 and Cdc42 Mediate Melanization and Actin Polymerization but Are Dispensable for Plasmodium Killing in the Mosquito Midgut

The midgut epithelium of the mosquito malaria vector Anopheles is a hostile environment for Plasmodium, with most parasites succumbing to host defenses. This study addresses morphological and ultrastructural features associated with Plasmodium berghei ookinete invasion in Anopheles gambiae midguts to define the sites and possible mechanisms of parasite killing. We show by transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence that the majority of ookinetes are killed in the extracellular space. Dead or dying ookinetes are surrounded by a polymerized actin zone formed within the basal cytoplasm of adjacent host epithelial cells. In refractory strain mosquitoes, we found that formation of this zone is strongly linked to prophenoloxidase activation leading to melanization. Furthermore, we identify two factors controlling both phenomena: the transmembrane receptor frizzled-2 and the guanosine triphosphate–binding protein cell division cycle 42. However, the disruption of actin polymerization and melanization by double-stranded RNA inhibition did not affect ookinete survival. Our results separate the mechanisms of parasite killing from subsequent reactions manifested by actin polymerization and prophenoloxidase activation in the A. gambiae–P. berghei model. These latter processes are reminiscent of wound healing in other organisms, and we propose that they represent a form of wound-healing response directed towards a moribund ookinete, which is perceived as damaged tissue