L’INCIDENZA DELL’INSEDIAMENTO URBANISTICO SUL MERCATO FONDIARIO: UN APPROCCIO GWR

Accessibility is one of the most influential factors defining land value. Different accessibility measures have been proposed as indicators of the location of the property. Space Syntax, a well-known theory for the quantification of the urban grid structure, provides measures of centrality based on the network concept, which has not gained much attention yet in land value literature. Studying the procedures related to the land market through classic OLS regression models of-ten fails to count for the spatial aspects of such kind of phenomena, which have a crucial role in their comprehension and differentiations. In the research presented herein, the GWR model, a spatial statistics extension of the classic regression model allowing local parameter differentiation, is adopted and geometric accessi-bility indicators (integration and choice) defined by Space Syntax are employed, in order to assess their impact on objective land values. The methodology is ap-plied to Xanthi, a medium sized city in Northern Greece, revealing both patterns of spatial accessibility impact on the local level and the accessibility radius in which land values can be better interpreted. DOI: http://dx.medra.org/10.19254/LaborEst.16.1

L’INCIDENZA DELL’INSEDIAMENTO URBANISTICO SUL MERCATO FONDIARIO: UN APPROCCIO GWR

Accessibility is one of the most influential factors defining land value. Different accessibility measures have been proposed as indicators of the location of the property. Space Syntax, a well-known theory for the quantification of the urban grid structure, provides measures of centrality based on the network concept, which has not gained much attention yet in land value literature. Studying the procedures related to the land market through classic OLS regression models of-ten fails to count for the spatial aspects of such kind of phenomena, which have a crucial role in their comprehension and differentiations. In the research presented herein, the GWR model, a spatial statistics extension of the classic regression model allowing local parameter differentiation, is adopted and geometric accessi-bility indicators (integration and choice) defined by Space Syntax are employed, in order to assess their impact on objective land values. The methodology is ap-plied to Xanthi, a medium sized city in Northern Greece, revealing both patterns of spatial accessibility impact on the local level and the accessibility radius in which land values can be better interpreted

Hydroponic Common-Bean Performance under Reduced N-Supply Level and Rhizobia Application

This study aims to explore the possibility of a reduced application of inorganic nitrogen (N) fertiliser on the yield, yield qualities, and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) of the hydroponic common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), without compromising plant performance, by utilizing the inherent ability of this plant to symbiotically fix N-2. Until the flowering stage, plants were supplied with a nutrient solution containing N-concentrations of either a, 100%, conventional standard-practice, 13.8 mM; b, 75% of the standard, 10.35 mM; or c, 50% of the standard, 6.9 mM. During the subsequent reproductive stage, inorganic-N treatments b and c were decreased to 25% of the standard, and the standard (100% level) N-application was not altered. The three different inorganic-N supply treatments were combined with two different rhizobia strains, and a control (no-inoculation) treatment, in a two-factorial experiment. The rhizobia strains applied were either the indigenous strain Rhizobium sophoriradicis PVTN21 or the commercially supplied Rhizobium tropici CIAT 899. Results showed that the 50-25% mineral-N application regime led to significant increases in nodulation, BNF, and fresh-pod yield, compared to the other treatment, with a reduced inorganic-N supply. On the other hand, the 75-25% mineral-N regime applied during the vegetative stage restricted nodulation and BNF, thus incurring significant yield losses. Both rhizobia strains stimulated nodulation and BNF. However, the BNF capacity they facilitated was suppressed as the inorganic-N input increased. In addition, strain PVTN21 was superior to CIAT 899-as 50-25% N-treated plants inoculated with the former showed a yield loss of 11%, compared to the 100%-N-treated plants. In conclusion, N-use efficiency optimises BNF, reduces mineral-N-input dependency, and therefore may reduce any consequential negative environmental consequences of mineral-N over-application

Using GIS to Record and Analyse Historical Urban Areas

A significant part of the cultural heritage of towns and cities worldwide is the built heritage. The historic centre of several European cities has been preserved as an important part of the urban landscape. New analytical tools and concepts are thus required, which would enrich and expand the conventional methods and achieve sustainability of cultural heritage in any urban context, among which are Geographical Information Systems (GIS), digital mapping systems that link spatial and non – spatial data of landscape features, and can contribute substantially in documenting different urban features and furthermore in modelling the urban process and its impact on heritage regions. This paper is part of a wider research still in progress and refers to the creation of a specialised GIS, which includes a great range of geometric and descriptive information that can be used for the interpretation, monitoring, visualisation and evaluation of urban heritage areas. The case study of the paper is the Old Town of Xanthi, one of the most important examples of the 19th century’s urban civilization in Northern Greece. The paper focuses on the elaboration of the data concerning the built environment and more precisely to its systematic retrieval and import to the GIS system; moreover it examines 17 chosen variables using a combination of Multivariable analysis methods (Correspondence and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis). The analysis has shown the existence of four distinctive and very interesting groups which have their own specific characteristics. Ideas for further research include the collaboration with specialised sophisticated software which would facilitate the thorough examination, analysis and correlation of parameters involved, towards the principles of sustainable and smart city development. A significant part of the cultural heritage of towns and cities worldwide is the built heritage. The historic centre of several European cities has been preserved as an important part of the urban landscape. New analytical tools and concepts are thus required, which would enrich and expand the conventional methods and achieve sustainability of cultural heritage in any urban context, among which are Geographical Information Systems (GIS), digital mapping systems that link spatial and non – spatial data of landscape features, and can contribute substantially in documenting different urban features and furthermore in modelling the urban process and its impact on heritage regions. This paper is part of a wider research still in progress and refers to the creation of a specialised GIS, which includes a great range of geometric and descriptive information that can be used for the interpretation, monitoring, visualisation and evaluation of urban heritage areas. The case study of the paper is the Old Town of Xanthi, one of the most important examples of the 19th century’s urban civilization in Northern Greece. The paper focuses on the elaboration of the data concerning the built environment and more precisely to its systematic retrieval and import to the GIS system; moreover it examines 17 chosen variables using a combination of Multivariable analysis methods (Correspondence and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis). The analysis has shown the existence of four distinctive and very interesting groups which have their own specific characteristics. Ideas for further research include the collaboration with specialised sophisticated software which would facilitate the thorough examination, analysis and correlation of parameters involved, towards the principles of sustainable and smart city development

Laboratory Surveillance of <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp. Bloodstream Infections in a Tertiary University Hospital during a 9-Year Period

Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections have become a threat for public health worldwide. The aim of the present study was to follow-up resistance patterns of Acinetobacter spp. bloodstream isolates in a Tertiary University Hospital over the last nine years, from 2014 to 2022. Susceptibility patterns were followed for the following antimicrobial agents: amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, imipenem, meropenem, tigecycline, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and colistin. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values to ampicillin/sulbactam, cefepime, ceftazidime, minocycline, piperacillin/tazobactam were evaluated from 2020 to 2023. During the study period, 853 Acinetobacter spp. bloodstream infections (BSIs) were recorded, accounting for 5.36% of all BSIs. A. baumannii was isolated in 795 cases (93.2%), during the study period. Most BSIs were recorded in adult intensive care units (ICU) (46.2%) and medical wards (42%). Among A. baumannii isolates, 4.5% were multidrug-resistant, 84.7% were extensively drug-resistant, and 8.5% were pandrug-resistant. Resistance to carbapenems was over 95%. Resistance to tigecycline increased significantly during the last years of the study (2020–2022); A. baumannii isolates with MIC ≤ 2 μg/mL accounted for 28.5% of all isolates. Resistance to colistin exhibited an increasing pattern up to 42.2% in 2022. Increasing resistance rates and the evolution of pandrug-resistant isolates call for the urgent application of preventive and response actions

Asymmetric horseshoe-like assembly of peroxisomal yeast oxalyl-CoA synthetase

Oxalyl-CoA synthetase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is one of the most abundant peroxisomal proteins in yeast and hence has become a model to study peroxisomal translocation. It contains a C-terminal Peroxisome Targeting Signal 1, which however is partly dispensable, suggesting additional receptor bindings sites. To unravel any additional features that may contribute to its capacity to be recognized as peroxisomal target, we determined its assembly and overall architecture by an integrated structural biology approach, including X-ray crystallography, single particle cryo-electron microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering. Surprisingly, it assembles into mixture of concentration-dependent dimers, tetramers and hexamers by dimer self-association. Hexameric particles form an unprecedented asymmetric horseshoe-like arrangement, which considerably differs from symmetric hexameric assembly found in many other protein structures. A single mutation within the self-association interface is sufficient to abolish any higher-level oligomerization, resulting in a homogenous dimeric assembly. The small C-terminal domain of yeast Oxalyl-CoA synthetase is connected by a partly flexible hinge with the large N-terminal domain, which provides the sole basis for oligomeric assembly. Our data provide a basis to mechanistically study peroxisomal translocation of this target

Does Route of Full Feeding Affect Outcome among Ventilated Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: A Prospective Observational Study

The outbreak of the new coronavirus strain SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) highlighted the need for appropriate feeding practices among critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). This study aimed to describe feeding practices of intubated COVID-19 patients during their second week of hospitalization in the First Department of Critical Care Medicine, Evaggelismos General Hospital, and evaluate potential associations with all cause 30-day mortality, length of hospital stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation. We enrolled adult intubated COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU between September 2020 and July 2021 and prospectively monitored until their hospital discharge. Of the 162 patients analyzed (52.8% men, 51.6% overweight/obese, mean age 63.2 &plusmn; 11.9 years), 27.2% of patients used parenteral nutrition, while the rest were fed enterally. By 30 days, 34.2% of the patients in the parenteral group had died compared to 32.7% of the patients in the enteral group (relative risk (RR) for the group receiving enteral nutrition = 0.97, 95% confidence interval = 0.88&ndash;1.06, p = 0.120). Those in the enteral group demonstrated a lower duration of hospital stay (RR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.85-0.97, p = 0.036) as well as mechanical ventilation support (RR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.89&ndash;0.99, p = 0.043). Enteral feeding during second week of ICU hospitalization may be associated with a shorter duration of hospitalization and stay in mechanical ventilation support among critically ill intubated patients with COVID-19