Mjerenje buke u drvnoj industriji

The intensification of industrial production and the concurrent increase in machine operation speeds has led to the rise in the intensity of noise generated in most workplaces. The purpose of the present paper is to investigate occupational noise exposure in timber processing units. For this reason, a number of measurements were carried out in various parts of three sawmills. Maximum allowable exposure limits (permissible levels) were set at 85 dB(A) for the production area and warehouses, and 55 dB(A) for offi ces. According to the results of the study, the production area in a sawmill gives rise to higher levels of noise compared to warehouses and offices, which significantly exceed maximum permissible levels. More specifically, the highest noise levels recorded were found to be produced by cutting machinery. In such cases it is imperative that employees be protected either with the use of personal hearing protectors or with the implementation of a regular break scheme. In addition, substantial reduction in noise levels can be achieved with the use of other protective measures such as control of noise at its source or in its path.Intenziviranje industrijske proizvodnje i istodoban porast brzine rada strojeva dovelo je do porasta intenziteta buke kojom je opterećena većina radnih mjesta u drvnoj industriji. Cilj ovog rada bio je istražiti izloženost buci na radnim mjestima u pogonima za industrijsku preradu drva. Stoga su provedena mjerenja buke na različitim radnim mjestima u tri pilane. Granična vrijednost buke (dopuštena razina) kojoj mogu biti izloženi radnici iznosi 85 dB (A) za područje proizvodnje i skladišta te 55 dB(A) za uredske prostore. Prema rezultatima studije, u proizvodnim pogonima pilane izmjerene su više razine buke nego u skladištima i uredskim prostorima, a izmjerene razine buke znatno premašuju najveću dopuštenu razinu. Najviše razine buke izmjerene su na radnim mjestima uz strojeve za mehaničku obradu drva. U takvim uvjetima zaposlenici moraju biti zaštićeni od prekomjerne izloženosti buci upotrebom osobnih zaštitnih sredstava ili skraćivanjem vremena provedenog na radnome mjestu uvođenjem redovitih stanki tijekom radnog vremena. Osim toga, znatno se smanjenje razine buke može postići i primjenom drugih zaštitnih mjera kao što su kontrola i smanjenje buke na izvoru ili na putu njezina širenja

Money laundering, issues, effects of bank fraud and corruption and role of internal audit

Λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τις αλληλεξαρτήσεις στις σημερινές αγορές, είναι πολύ πιθανό μία εταιρεία συνεργάζεται με μια εταιρεία που δεν διαχειρίζεται αποτελεσματικά τους κινδύνους απάτης, διαφθοράς και να έχει ανήθικη επιχειρηματική συμπεριφορά. Αυτή είναι επικίνδυνη επιχείρηση. Η πίεση για επίτευξη ανάπτυξης και νέες ευκαιρίες εσόδων οδηγούν ομάδες και άτομα προς αυτούς τους κινδύνους και τους ωθούν στην ανήθικη συμπεριφορά τους. Από την άλλη πλευρά, η απειλή του εγκλήματος στον κυβερνοχώρο για τα άτομα, τις τράπεζες και άλλους διαδικτυακούς πάροχους χρηματοοικονομικών υπηρεσιών είναι πραγματικοί και σοβαροί. Μέσω του ηλεκτρονικού ψαρέματος, τα ανυποψίαστα ονόματα και τα διαπιστευτήρια σύνδεσης στο Internet banking των θυμάτων έχουν κλαπεί και οι δικοί τους λογαριασμοί ληστεύτηκαν. Στην αντιμετώπιση αυτού του ζητήματος, οι εμπορικές τράπεζες και άλλα χρηματοπιστωτικά ιδρύματα χρησιμοποιούν μια γενετικά παρόμοια προσέγγιση στα συστήματα εντοπισμού απάτης μέσω διαδικτυακών τραπεζών. Τα συστήματα εντοπισμού απάτης που χρησιμοποιούνται από τις τράπεζες έχουν διάφορους περιορισμούς που επηρεάζουν την αποτελεσματικότητά τους με στόχο τον περιορισμό παράνομων συναλλαγών σε διαδικτυακές τραπεζικές συναλλαγές.Given the interdependencies in today’s markets, it is extremely likely that somewhere doing business with a company that is not effectively managing the risks of fraud, corruption, and other unethical business conduct. That is risky business. The pressure to achieve growth and develop new revenue opportunities is driving teams and individuals toward these risks and pushing them to unethical behavior themselves. On the other side, the threat posed by cybercrime to individuals, banks and other online financial service providers is real and serious. Through phishing, unsuspecting victims’ Internet banking usernames and log in credentials are stolen and their accounts robbed. In addressing this issue, commercial banks and other financial institutions use a genetically similar approach in their Internet banking fraud detection systems. Internet banking fraud detection systems used by banks have several limitations that affect their efficiency in curbing fraudulent transactions in online banking. Firstly, the banks’ security systems are focused on preventing unauthorized entry and have no way of conclusively detecting an imposter using stolen credentials. Also, updating these systems is slow and their maintenance is labor-intensive and ultimately costly to the business. A major limitation of these rule-bases is brittleness; an inability to recognize the limits of their knowledge. In the main part of this thesis, we highlight the importance of looking at the “big risk picture” of the incident response process, and not just focusing on one technology at a time, we will deal with the issue of Money Laundering (ML). The abilities and skills of internal auditors suit them well for the war against money laundering. Forensic accounting skills, as well as audit expertise, are needed to help in combating this crime. The development of internal policies, procedures, and controls to prevent money laundering fits within the accountant's abilities and expertise. Money laundering can be defined as a process in which illegally obtained money (e.g. from drug trafficking, terrorist activity or other serious crimes) is given an appearance of having originated from a legitimate source. Money laundering is now taking place, only, in a high-tech global environment. Money laundering represents a derivative form of crime. This research will provide background and recent developments in efforts to combat money laundering, as well. We will try to compare the current combat between USA and European authorities, regulators, and processes. Finally, we will present two examples of Bank fraud cases/scandals which forced the American and European boards to revise, ensure and empower the audit lines, immediately

Seasonal variability of large-sized particulate matter concentrations

Human exposure to particulate matter (PM) is of great scientific interest due to its impact on both human health and the environment (climate change, reduced visibility, deterioration of archaeological sites, etc.). The aim of the current paper was to study the concentration of large-sized particulate matter (PM10) in relation to the season of the year. Measurements were performed with the help of a personal Button Sampler in three repeated cycles, namely summer, autumn, and winter, in order to obtain comparable results from three different seasons of the year. A total of 45 samples were collected, 27 of which were obtained from a peri-urban Pinus brutia forest and 18 from an adjacent urban area (9 and 6 samples in each repeated sampling cycle, respectively). Results obtained from both sampling areas show a significant increase in PM10 levels during the summer (8.86 mg m−3/24 h) in comparison with the autumn and winter concentrations (3.71 mg m−3/24 h and 4.12 mg m−3/24 h, respectively)

Η υπόθεση των Μυστηρίων

Η παρούσα μελέτη αφορά στην παρωδία των Μυστηρίων και τη βεβήλωση των ερμαϊκών στηλών, σκάνδαλα που ξέσπασαν το 415 π.Χ., παραμονή της Σικελικής εκστρατείας. Τα δύο αυτά εγκλήματα καταθορύβησαν τους Αθηναίους και οι νομικές διαδικασίες που κινήθηκαν προς εύρεση των υπαιτίων δίχασαν την πόλη, και τελικά επέφεραν καταστροφικές συνέπειες τόσο στην επιτυχία της πολεμικής επιχείρησης όσο και στην πολιτική ζωή της Αθήνας για τα επόμενα δώδεκα, τουλάχιστον, χρόνια. Στόχος της εργασίας είναι να αναδειχτούν τα πιθανά κίνητρα των δραστών, ο τρόπος που συνδέεται το θρησκευτικό με το πολιτικό στοιχείο στις δύο ενέργειες, το αν τελικά πρόκειται για ενέργειες χωριστές, τόσο στην πράξη όσο και στον συμβολισμό. Προς τον σκοπό αυτό αξιοποιήθηκαν πρωτογενείς πηγές, και συγκεκριμένα τμήματα από το έργο του Θουκυδίδη και ένας λόγος του Ανδοκίδη, που συμπληρώθηκαν από επιγραφικές μαρτυρίες, γνωστές ως Αττικές Στήλες, και τον Βίο του Αλκιβιάδου του Πλουτάρχου. Η μελέτη των συγκεριμένων κειμένων καθιστά σαφές ότι έκαστος συγγραφέας έχει τη δική του οπτική και τοποθετεί τα γεγονότα σε συγκεκριμένο, κάθε φορά, ερμηνευτικό πλαίσιο. Όσον αφορά στα Μυστήρια, φαίνεται πως οι παρωδίες αποκαλύφθηκαν συγκυριακά και πιθανότατα αποτελούσαν κάποιο είδος πίστεως, με πολύ μικρές πιθανότητες να προοιωνίζουν κάτι περισσότερο φιλόδοξο, όπως η ανατροπή του πολιτεύματος. Ο βανδαλισμός των ερμαϊκών στηλών εξασφάλιζε την αφοσίωση στην εταιρεία και στόχευε πιθανότατα στη ματαίωση της σικελικής εκστρατείας. Μια πράξη συμβολικά φορτισμένη όπως αυτή, την παραμονή μάλιστα του απόπλου, δεν προήλθε από άτομα φιλικά διακείμενα προς τη δημοκρατική παράταξη στην οποία καταλογιζόταν υπαιτιότητα για το συγκεκριμένο εγχείρημα. Αναφορικά με τον τρόπο που συνδέθηκαν τα δύο σκάνδαλα στο μυαλό των Αθηναίων, δεν χρειάζεται να αμφιβάλλουμε για το ότι πολλοί εκμεταλλεύτηκαν την ταραγμένη ατμόσφαιρα της Αθήνας, και δεν είχαν όλοι τα ίδια κίνητρα. Η σύγχυση του αθηναϊκού δήμου προήλθε από τις εσκεμμένες προσπάθειες ορισμένων πολιτικών να εντείνουν τον παραλογισμό, και από το γεγονός ότι οι δύο ενέργειες συνιστούσαν ασέβεια.This paper concerns the events of 415 B.C. and is related to the profanation of the Eleusinian Mysteries and the mutilation of the Hermai, just before the Sicilian Expedition was about to begin. These two scandals disrupted the Athenians, and thus, legal proceedings were initiated to find out those responsible for the crimes. The events, which followed, created a fatal gap between the demos and its leaders, especially Alcibiades, and had a devastating effect on the success of military operations and on the political life of Athens for the following twelve years at least. The objective of this paper is to make known the prospective motives of the perpetrators and to show how the religious and political elements are inter-related. For this reason, primary sources were utilized, particularly Thucydides and Andokides, and were supplemented by inscriptions known as Attic Stelai and information from Plutarch’s Alcibiades. Upon examination of these texts, it becomes clear that each writer has his own perspective and places the events according to his own interpretative framework. Regarding the Mysteries, it seems that the parodies were unveiled coincidentally and were probably some sort of pistis, with very little chance to foreshadow something more ambitious, such as the overthrow of the regime. The vandalism of the Hermai ensured loyalty to the hetaireia and probably aimed at the cancellation of the Sicilian Expedition. An act as symbolically charged as this, on the eve of the departure, did not come from people sympathizing with the democratic regime, to which blame for this military operation was ascribed. Regarding the way the two scandals were linked to the Athenian mind, undoubtedly many took advantage of the turbulent atmosphere in Athens, and did not all have the same motives. The unrest of the Athenian demos came from the deliberate attempts of some politicians to intensify the absurdity, and from the fact that both acts constituted disrespect to the gods

Circulating vitamin D concentration and risk of seven cancers: Mendelian randomisation study

Objective To determine if circulating concentrations of vitamin D are causally associated with risk of cancer.Design Mendelian randomisation study.Setting Large genetic epidemiology networks (the Genetic Associations and Mechanisms in Oncology (GAME-ON), the Genetic and Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer Consortium (GECCO), and the Prostate Cancer Association Group to Investigate Cancer Associated Alterations in the Genome (PRACTICAL) consortiums, and the MR-Base platform).Participants 70 563 cases of cancer (22 898 prostate cancer, 15 748 breast cancer, 12 537 lung cancer, 11 488 colorectal cancer, 4369 ovarian cancer, 1896 pancreatic cancer, and 1627 neuroblastoma) and 84 418 controls.Exposures Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2282679, rs10741657, rs12785878 and rs6013897) associated with vitamin D were used to define a multi-polymorphism score for circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations.Main outcomes measures The primary outcomes were the risk of incident colorectal, breast, prostate, ovarian, lung, and pancreatic cancer and neuroblastoma, which was evaluated with an inverse variance weighted average of the associations with specific polymorphisms and a likelihood based approach. Secondary outcomes based on cancer subtypes by sex, anatomic location, stage, and histology were also examined.Results There was little evidence that the multi-polymorphism score of 25(OH)D was associated with risk of any of the seven cancers or their subtypes. Specifically, the odds ratios per 25 nmol/L increase in genetically determined 25(OH)D concentrations were 0.92 (95% confidence interval 0.76 to 1.10) for colorectal cancer, 1.05 (0.89 to 1.24) for breast cancer, 0.89 (0.77 to 1.02) for prostate cancer, and 1.03 (0.87 to 1.23) for lung cancer. The results were consistent with the two different analytical approaches, and the study was powered to detect relative effect sizes of moderate magnitude (for example, 1.20-1.50 per 25 nmol/L decrease in 25(OH)D for most primary cancer outcomes. The Mendelian randomisation assumptions did not seem to be violated.Conclusions There is little evidence for a linear causal association between circulating vitamin D concentration and risk of various types of cancer, though the existence of causal clinically relevant effects of low magnitude cannot be ruled out. These results, in combination with previous literature, provide evidence that population-wide screening for vitamin D deficiency and subsequent widespread vitamin D supplementation should not currently be recommended as a strategy for primary cancer prevention

Assessing chainsaw operators’ exposure to wood dust during timber harvesting

Exposure to wood dust during logging operations is generally associated with a variety of adverse health effects. The aim of the present study is to determine the exposure of forestry workers to wood dust during timber harvesting tasks in a cutover. The concentrations of inhalable hardwood dust produced from Fagus sylvatica and Quercus petraea as well as softwood dust from Pinus brutia stands were examined. In total, 24 samples were collected with the use of a Personal SKC Button Sampler. Dust collection was performed every working day. The study also took into account the duration of each work phase in which the chainsaw was used (running time) as well as the delays, during which the chainsaw was either at idle or not running at all (downtime). Measurements were carried out throughout the daily work of the logger, which lasted from June to September. Mean concentration of inhalable dust for an 8 h exposure was found to be approximately 4.84 mg m−3. Fifty per cent of the samples showed dust concentrations lower than 3.00 mg m−3, while in approximately 20.8% of the samples, dust levels were higher than 5 mg m−3. Results also revealed that the concentration of inhalable dust is in inverse proportion to the increase in breast height diameter, implying that larger trees generated lower dust amounts. Furthermore, timbering activities in Quercus petraea stand were found to result in higher dust concentrations

EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS PRODUCTIVITY OF MOTOR-MANUAL FELLING WITH A CATALYTIC CHAINSAW

The evolution and constant development of chainsaws aims at the increase of their productivity, their ergonomic improvement as well as their eco-friendliness. The use of catalytic chainsaws in timber harvesting operations is in line with this eco-friendly approach. In the present paper an attempt is made to assess the productivity of a Stihl MS 170D catalytic chainsaw compared with a conventional Stihl MS 181 saw. The aim of the present research was to perform a time study of timber harvesting operations with a view to comparing the productivity of a catalytic and a conventional chainsaw. According to the results of the research, the hourly production of the catalytic chainsaw with and without delays was 3.35 cubic meters per hour (12 trees/hour) and 3.48 cubic meters per hour (13 trees/hour), respectively. The hourly production of the conventional saw with and without delays was 3.42 cubic meters per hour (14 trees/hour) and 3.91 cubic meters per hour (16 trees/hour), respectively. Finally, the average time in minutes required for the production of a cubic meter of timber was 28.27 min/cub.m. and 24.21 min/cub.m. for the catalytic and the conventional saw respectively. The results showed that there is nearly no difference between Stihl MS 170D and Stihl MS 181

Assessing forestry-related musculoskeletal symptoms in specific body areas

The aim of the current study is to determine and analyze the prevalence among forestry workers of self-reported musculoskeletal disorder symptoms (MSSs) in specific areas of the body. The Standardized Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ) was used, which was specifically modified and adapted for the assessment of lower back, neck, and shoulder symptoms. The questionnaire was completed by 100 professional forestry workers, who were divided into four groups according to their distinct work duties. Almost 50% of the participants reported that they had experienced some kind of problem in their lower back, neck or shoulder at least once during their entire professional life. The results also show that forestry workers who perform motor-manual felling with chainsaws and skidding with the use of mules present the highest frequency of complaints in the lower back and shoulder. An additional finding is that the increase in the length of work experience is positively associated with a reduction in the occurrence of symptoms in the three examined body parts; in other words, the longer the work experience, the more proper and efficient the execution of timber harvesting tasks and duties, since these job skills are acquired only through experience in Greece. More generally, the factor years of experience has been found to constitute the most important parameter in explaining the variations in the musculoskeletal symptoms among forestry workers

Τα μεγάλα βενθονικά τρηματοφόρα των παλαιογενών αποθέσεων του ελληνικού τμήματος της λεκάνης της Θράκης: βιοστρωματογραφία και παλαιοπεριβαλλοντικές παρατηρήσεις

The Greek part of Thrace basin is an ideal field of research of Paleogene carbonate platform deposits, as many sites with the dominant fauna of Large Benthic Foraminifera (LBF) have been recorded. The scope of the present thesis is to study in detail the composition and distribution of both LBF and smaller benthic foraminifera from 7 sites, aiming to create a paleoenvironmental model for the region. For this purpose, the research focused on the following aspects: 1) Study of LBF in order to provide a revised and integrated systematic description. One of the best sites in terms of preservation, biodiversity and sediment type is located along the coastline of Fanari village (SW of Komotini city). Two outcrops, consisting of shallow marine sediments of the upper Eocene, were sampled to analyze the full spectrum of LBF content, which includes a rich and diverse assemblage of orthophragmines, nummulitids and other benthic foraminifera. Based on the detailed systematic description, the sedimentary sequence was dated to the Shallow Benthic Zone (SBZ) 20 corresponding to upper Priabonian. For the first time in Greece, 24 species were identified and analyzed morphometrically, including 6 species at the chrono-subspecies level belonging to 12 genera. The composition of foraminifera assemblage is characterized by the constant presence of Nummulites fabianii almost throughout the sequence. The most abundant species are Pellatispira madaraszi and Spiroclypeus carpaticus although they occur in the upper part of the sequence, together with orthophragmines. The distribution of foraminifera in the sequence allowed paleoenvironmental observations and the reconstruction of the Fanari area. Three main categories of deposits were distinguished that functioned in the shallow upper anterior part of the carbonate platform, making the Fanari section a key area not only of the upper Priabonian but also of the biofacies of the outer shelf. 2) Detailed microfacies analysis of carbonate deposits. The paleoenvironmental evolution of the middle-upper Eocene deposits were investigated from several outcrops along the mainland (Kirki, Avantas, Maronia, Pylaea, Didymoticho) and on Samothraki and Lemnos Islands. All samples collected were examined in thin sections. The paleontological and sedimentological data distinguished 16 types of microfacies representing internal to external platform environments. Their analysis suggests the development of a marginal carbonate platform with isolated reefs, characterized by limited to open water circulation and high biodiversity. Due to the simultaneous tectonic activity, topographic ridges are created where these 'ancient' reefs develop. 3) The study of small benthic foraminifera was carried out to provide a revised and comprehensive systematic description. In addition, species found for the first time from the area were recorded. Their biodiversity and distribution pattern was investigated to extend the paleoenvironmental analysis by combining morphological characteristics with the life strategy of both LBF and SBF. In total 106 species were identified; 46 belong to LBF. Based on the above, the carbonate platform of the Greek part of the Thrace basin has already been classified as one of the most species-rich sites of the Tethyan Ocean and as a biodiversity hotspot for the upper Priabonian.Το ελληνικό τμήμα της λεκάνης της Θράκης αποτελεί ένα ιδανικό πεδίο έρευνας των Παλαιογενών αποθέσεων ανθρακικής πλατφόρμας, καθώς έχουν καταγραφεί πολλές θέσεις με την επικρατούσα σε αυτές πανίδα μεγάλων βενθονικών τρηματοφόρων (Large Benthic Foraminifera, LBF). Σκοπός της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής είναι η λεπτομερής μελέτη της σύνθεσης και κατανομής των LBF, αλλά και των μικρότερων βενθονικών τρηματοφόρων από 7 θέσεις, στοχεύοντας στη δημιουργία ενός μοντέλου παλαιοπεριβαλλοντικής ανασύστασης της περιοχής. Για αυτόν το σκοπό η έρευνα εστιάστηκε στις εξής επιμέρους κατευθύνσεις: 1) Μελέτη των LBF με σκοπό την αναθεωρημένη και ολοκληρωμένη συστηματική περιγραφή τους. Μια από τις καλύτερες θέσεις από άποψη διατήρησης, βιοποικιλότητας και τύπου ιζημάτων εντοπίζεται στο Φανάρι (ΝΔ της Κομοτηνής). Δύο εμφανίσεις, οι οποίες αποτελούνται από ρηχά θαλάσσια ιζήματα του ανώτερου Ηωκαίνου, δειγματίστηκαν για να αναλυθεί όλο το φάσμα του περιεχομένου των LBF, το οποίο περιλαμβάνει μια πλούσια και ποικιλόμορφη συνάθροιση από orthophragmines, nummulitids και άλλων βενθονικών τρηματοφόρων. Βάσει της λεπτομερούς συστηματικής περιγραφής, η ιζηματογενής ακολουθία χρονολογήθηκε στη βιοζώνη Shallow Benthic Zone (SBZ) 20, που αντιστοιχεί στο άνω Πριαμπόνιο. Προσδιορίστηκαν και αναλύθηκαν μορφομετρικά, για πρώτη φορά από τον ελληνικό χώρο, 24 είδη μεταξύ των οποίων 6 σε επίπεδο υποείδους (chrono-subspecies) που ανήκουν σε 12 γένη. Η σύνθεση των τρηματοφόρων χαρακτηρίζεται από τη σταθερή παρουσία του Nummulites fabianii σχεδόν σε όλη την ακολουθία. Τα πιο άφθονα είδη είναι τα Pellatispira madaraszi και Spiroclypeus carpaticus αν και εμφανίζονται στο ανώτερο τμήμα της ακολουθίας, μαζί με τα orthophragmines. Η κατανομή τους επέτρεψε την παλαιοπεριβαλλοντική αναπαράσταση της εξέλιξης της περιοχής του Φαναρίου. Διακρίθηκαν τρεις κύριες κατηγορίες αποθέσεων που λειτούργησαν στο ρηχό ανώτερο πρόσθιο τμήμα της ανθρακικής πλατφόρμας, καθιστώντας το Φανάρι μια περιοχή-κλειδί όχι μόνο του άνω Πριαμπονίου αλλά και των βιοφάσεων της εξωτερικής υφαλοκρηπίδας. 2) Λεπτομερής ανάλυση και καθορισμός Μικροφάσεων των ανθρακικών αποθέσεων. Η παλαιοπεριβαλλοντική εξέλιξη των αποθέσεων του μέσου-ανώτερου Ηωκαίνου ερευνήθηκε από πολλές εμφανίσεις της ηπειρωτικής χώρας (Κίρκη, Άβαντας, Μαρώνεια, Πυλαία, Διδυμότειχο) και στα νησιά Σαμοθράκη και Λήμνο. Όλα τα δείγματα που συλλέχθηκαν εξετάστηκαν σε λεπτές τομές. Τα παλαιοντολογικά και ιζηματολογικά δεδομένα διακρίνουν 16 τύπους μικροφάσεων που αντιπροσωπεύουν περιβάλλοντα εσωτερικής έως και εξωτερικής πλατφόρμας. Η ανάλυσή τους υποδηλώνει την ανάπτυξη μιας περιθωριοποιημένης ανθρακικής πλατφόρμας με απομονωμένους υφάλους, η οποία χαρακτηρίζεται από περιορισμένη έως ανοικτή κυκλοφορία νερού και υψηλή βιοποικιλότητα. Εξαιτίας της ταυτόχρονης τεκτονικής δραστηριότητας, δημιουργούνται τοπογραφικά υψώματα όπου αναπτύσσονται αυτοί οι «αρχαίοι» ύφαλοι. 3) Πραγματοποιήθηκε η μελέτη των μικρών βενθονικών τρηματοφόρων με σκοπό την αναθεωρημένη και ολοκληρωμένη συστηματική περιγραφή τους. Επιπλέον, καταγράφηκαν είδη που βρέθηκαν για πρώτη φορά από την περιοχή. Η βιοποικιλότητα τους και το πρότυπο κατανομής τους διερευνήθηκαν προκειμένου να επεκταθεί η παλαιοπεριβαλλοντική ανάλυση συνδυάζοντας τα μορφολογικά χαρακτηριστικά με τη στρατηγική ζωής τόσο των LBF όσο και των μικρών βενθονικών τρηματοφόρων. Συνολικά προσδιορίστηκαν 106 είδη, εκ των οποίων τα 46 να ανήκουν στα LBF. Βάσει των προαναφερθέντων, η ανθρακική πλατφόρμα του ελληνικού τμήματος της λεκάνης της Θράκης έχει ήδη χαρακτηριστεί ως μία από τις πιο πλούσιες σε είδη θέση του ωκεανού της Τηθύος και ως ένα hotspot βιοποικιλότητας για το άνω Πριαμπόνιο

Monitoring self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms in forestry operations

Tough working conditions prevailing in the silvicultural sector contribute to the appearance of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in employees. This paper presents an analysis of the prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal disorder symptoms (MSSs) among forestry workers. The Standardized Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ) was used as a tool for recording such self-reported symptoms. The questionnaire was completed by 100 professional forestry workers, 29 of whom were female, whose main tasks included debarking and stacking of firewood. The 71 male participants were classified according to work type into those who performed motor-manual felling and skidding with draft animals and those who performed motor-manual felling and skidding with the use of agricultural tractors. In order to test for the potential effects of different factors on the prevalence of MSSs among the workers, a quasi-binomial regression approach was followed. The main outcome from the fit of the regression-type models was that besides the varying influence of demographic factors such as workers’ age and years of experience, the type of work also constitutes a major factor impacting MSSs. Furthermore, the results show that the self-reported MSSs that occurred in the overall number of participants over the last 12 months preceding the completion of the questionnaire affected body areas such as wrists and hands (65%), knees (57%), and lower back (52%). A high percentage (41%) of participants also reported symptoms on their shoulders and upper back