Epibenthic communities associated with unintentional artificial reefs (modern shipwrecks) under contrasting regimes of nutrients in the Levantine Sea (Cyprus and Lebanon)

Artificial reefs, in the Eastern Mediterranean (Cyprus,) became a popular and frequently used tool, in fisheries and biodiversity conservation management. Even though evaluation studies about the efficacy of artificial reefs are plentiful in the rest of the Mediterranean (Central and Western), in the Eastern Basin they are largely absent. As the Eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea is characterised by unique physical parameters, the necessity to study artificial reefs under these contrasting regimes increases. The epibenthic communities of two unintentional artificial reefs (modern shipwrecks) in Cyprus (Zenobia) and Lebanon (Alice-B) were evaluated in 2010. Both shipwrecks are at similar depth, type of sea bottom, made of the same material (steel) and were sunk approximately the same period of time. However, Alice-B shipwreck off the coast of Lebanon is constantly exposed to higher levels of nutrients than Zenobia in Cyprus. Significant dissimilarities were observed in the composition, percentage of benthic cover of predominant taxonomic groups and development of the epibenthic communities. Differences in physical and chemical parameters between sides lay mainly in the nutrient and thermal regimes affecting the shipwrecks and most likely bring about the differences in the observed community structure. The results of this study suggest that epibenthic communities could be highly impacted by eutrophication caused by anthropogenic activities, leading to less biodivers

New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records (November 2018)

In the present article, new records are given for 18 species (6 native, 9 alien and 3 cryptogenic), belonging to 5 Phyla (i.e. Chlorophyta, Cnidaria, Annelida, Mollusca and Chordata), from 8 Mediterranean countries: Spain: A large population of Polycerella emertoni reported from the Ebro Delta, the presence of pinimuricea klavereni is confirmed for the first time in the Catalan coast; Italy: the new record of Cryptonome turcica extends its distribution to the western Mediterranean Sea, the findings of Mawia benovici constitute the southernmost record of this species in the Adriatic Sea; Slovenia: second record of the alien seaslug Cuthona perca in the Mediterranean Sea; Montenegro: Styela plicata communities were recorded in Boka Kotorska Bay; Albania: the native great torpedo ray Tetronarce nobiliana recorded for the first time in Albanian waters; Greece: first record of Lagocephalus sceleratus in the Greek side of the Adriatic, the records of Cassiopea andromeda and Pterois miles are first records of these species from the Ionian Sea, the colonial ascidians Aplidium coeruleum and Didemnum protectum are recorded for the first time in the Eastern Mediterranean, an extremely abundant population of Melibe viridis is found in Messolonghi lagoon, the record of Synchiropus sechellensis is the range expansion of this species in Greek Seas, Acetabularia caliculus is recorded for the first time from Greece; Cyprus: first records of Callionymus filamentosus and Haminoea cyanomarginata from the island; Turkey: the presence of Berthellina citrina in the Mediterranean is confirmed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fouling Communities of Two Accidental Artificial Reefs (Modern Shipwrecks) in Cyprus (Levantine Sea)

Artificial reefs are considered one of the alternative methods in fisheries management, used in order to enhance stocks and marine biodiversity in general. A number of biotic and abiotic parameters influence the fouling communities’ formation on artificial reefs through complex interactions. In order to understand how epibiotic or fouling communities progress through time, it is important to study these communities in mature artificial reefs, especially those that have been around for many decades, or in some cases, millennia. This study was conducted on the coral and other fouling organisms of two accidental artificial reefs (40 to 70 year-old shipwrecks) in Cyprus (Levantine Sea). The thermal and nutrient annual regime of the study sites were characterized by processing satellite data. The results indicate that the wrecks are normally under warm and oligotrophic conditions. Percentage coverage of corals and other organisms on the wrecks was calculated (image-analysis software) on photos taken in 2010 (two wrecks) and again in 2016 (one wreck) of the fouling communities. Sponges were the organisms with the highest percent cover (~27%) at the two wrecks. Four scleractinian coral species were found (7%–19% total coral cover). The oldest wreck, which has well-developed coral communities, was revisited during fieldwork in a near-by area in 2016. Only two major benthic categories (dead coral and macro algae) changed significantly between sampling periods. Given the actual policies to sink wrecks to create artificial reefs and the diverse environmental conditions in different areas that will inevitably influence fouling, it is important to carry out studies relating to mature artificial reefs/wrecks in order to be able to assess the ecological effectiveness of longstanding artificial reefs

Differential relationship of jumping-to-conclusions and incorrigibility with delusion severity

Reasoning biases such as jumping-to-conclusions (JTC) and incorrigibility have been suggested to contribute to the generation and maintenance of delusions. However, it is still debated whether these biases represent stable traits of patients with delusions, or are related to state fluctuations of delusion severity. The present study aimed to elucidate this question by combining a cross-sectional with a longitudinal approach. JTC, incorrigibility and delusion severity were assessed in 79 patients with a history of delusions over a 6-month period. To allow for a differentiated look into effects of time vs. symptom changes, patients were divided into patients with (D+) and without (D-) current delusions at baseline. Significant improvement of delusions was noted in D+ at follow-up. JTC did not differ between the two patient groups either at baseline or over time. In contrast, incorrigibility was significantly higher in D+ than D- at baseline; this difference remained stable throughout the 6-month follow-up period. The two biases did not significantly co-vary over time. Our results suggest a dissociation between incorrigibility and JTC as regards their relation to current presence of delusions, and tentatively support theoretical accounts attributing different roles to the two biases in the generation (JTC) and maintenance (incorrigibility) of delusions

Moderators of Treatment Efficacy in Individualized Metacognitive Training for Psychosis (MCT+)

Individualized Metacognitive Training (MCT+) is a manualized intervention designed to improve delusional severity by reducing delusion-associated cognitive biases such as jumping-to-conclusions. Increased interest in personalized medicine stipulates the identification of patients who are more likely to benefit from specialized interventions. The present study aimed to explore baseline moderators of MCT+ efficacy on delusions and overall positive symptoms in psychosis.; We analyzed data from a randomized rater-blind controlled trial, in which 92 patients with psychotic disorders and current or past delusions were randomly assigned to either MCT+ or CogPack®, a cognitive remediation software. Baseline moderator variables consisted of jumping-to-conclusions, cognitive insight, quality of life, self-esteem, selective attention, and patients' attitudes towards their symptoms. Linear mixed-effects models were applied to investigate specific moderators of MCT+ efficacy.; In MCT+ relative to CogPack, presence of a jumping-to-conclusions bias, a lowered decision threshold, and low self-esteem were associated with larger improvements in delusional severity and/or overall positive symptoms over time. Subjective reasoning style and insight, as well as subjective attitudes towards psychosis, did not moderate the treatment efficacy of MCT+ relative to CogPack.; Participation of both treatment groups in group MCT as a part of standard care, possibly leading to additional effects on delusional severity.; Patients with low self-esteem and those who are prone to jumping-to-conclusions seem to particularly benefit from MCT+. Our results can help inform clinical practice as they provide specific criteria for selecting patients for whom MCT+ is most appropriate

School of History-Archeology and student residence in Paphos

Περίληψη: Η διπλωματική εργασία έχει ως αντικείμενο το σχεδιασμό μιας Σχολής Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας καθώς και φοιτητικές εστίες για χρήση της σχολής στο κέντρο της Πάφου. Το συγκρότημα που προτείνεται γειτνιάζει άμεσα με το Κέντρο Ιστορικής Τεκμηρίωσης του Δήμου Πάφου που βρίσκεται τώρα στο στάδιο της κατασκευής. Με την δημιουργία του εκπαιδευτικού συγκροτήματος και σε συνδυασμό με το Κέντρο Ιστορικής Τεκμηρίωσης θα μπορεί να αναδειχτεί η ιστορία της πόλης τόσο με τη μελέτη των ιστορικών και αρχαιολογικών πηγών, με την περαιτέρω έρευνα που προκύπτει από τις ανασκαφές αλλά και με επιστημονικά συνέδρια, ημερίδες και εκδηλώσεις προς το κοινό. Το εκπαιδευτικό συγκρότημα θα αποτελείται από ένα κτίριο με τρία επίπεδα όπου θα στεγάζονται οι αίθουσες διδασκαλίας, διαλέξεων, τα γραφεία του προσωπικού και τα εργαστήρια για την λειτουργία της σχολής. Δορυφορικά αυτού αναπτύσσεται ένα αυτόνομο κτήριο διώροφο με την βιβλιοθήκη της σχολής και το εστιατόριο, καθώς εγκάρσια στον άξονα της σχολής και με γραμμική ανάπτυξη δυο κτήρια με τις φοιτητικές εστίες και χώρους διημέρευσης τους. Το συγκρότημα, στοχεύει στην αναθεώρηση της σχέσης του χρήστη - περιπατητή με το δημόσιο χώρο περιμετρικά του. Η σχέση αυτή επιτυγχάνεται με διαδρομές- περάσματα στο υφιστάμενο αστικό και φυσικό περιβάλλον. Η Σχολή στο ιστορικό κέντρο της πόλης έχει σκοπό την πολεοδομική ανασυγκρότηση της περιοχής με ένα βιώσιμο και λειτουργικό χώρο, την οικονομική αναζωογόνηση της με την προσέλκυση φοιτητών και νέες θέσεις εργασίας καθώς και την πολιτιστική της αναβάθμιση

The role of division in spatial development: the case of Nicosia inside the Walls

Η ερευνητική μου εργασία αναφέρεται στη Λευκωσία, την πρωτεύουσα της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας, η οποία είναι διαιρεμένη από το 1974 σε ελληνοκυπριακό και τουρκοκυπριακό τομέα. Η έμφαση της εργασίας είναι στη διαίρεση της πόλης και τον αντίκτυπο που είχε στο φυσικό και κοινωνικό περιβάλλον. Επίσης παρουσιάζεται η σημερινή κατάσταση της πρωτεύουσας σε σχέση με την πόλη πριν το 1974 και περιγράφονται τα πολεοδομικά χαρακτηριστικά και των δυο τμημάτων. Γίνεται αναφορά σε κρατικές και δημοτικές παρεμβάσεις για την αστική ανάπτυξη του Δήμου και κοινές, δικοινοτικές προσπάθειες αναζωογόνησης περιοχών της περιτειχισμένης πόλης.Περίληψη: Στόχος της ερευνητικής εργασίας είναι να δώσει ένα περίγραμμα της ιστορίας και της ανάπτυξης της Λευκωσίας με έμφαση στη διαίρεση της πόλης, τον αντίκτυπο που είχε η διαίρεση στο φυσικό και κοινωνικό περιβάλλον και την παράλληλη πορεία των δυο τμημάτων της διαιρεμένης πρωτεύουσας. Το νότιο τμήμα της Λευκωσίας αποτελεί την πρωτεύουσα της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας και το βόρειο τον Τουρκικό δήμο της κατεχόμενης από την Τουρκία περιοχής του νησιού από το 1974, με τα δυο τμήματα να χωρίζονται από την Παρεμβαλλόμενη Ζώνη κατάπαυσης του πυρός, επιτηρούμενης από τον ΟΗΕ. Στην εργασία γίνεται περιγραφή της έννοιας της διαιρεμένης πόλης καθώς και αναφορά στις κατηγορίες διαιρεμένων πόλεων. Παρουσιάζεται η σημερινή κατάσταση της πρωτεύουσας σε σχέση με την πόλη πριν το 1974 και περιγράφονται τα πολεοδομικά χαρακτηριστικά και των δυο τμημάτων της πόλης. Γίνεται αναφορά σε κρατικές και δημοτικές πρόνοιες και πολιτικές για την αστική ανάπτυξη του Δήμου καθώς και κοινές, δικοινοτικές προσπάθειες αναζωογόνησης περιοχών της περιτειχισμένης πόλης.Presented on