Ancient Egyptian Blue (CaCuSi4O10) Pigment by Modern Solution Combustion Synthesis Method

The Egyptian blue pigment, CaCuSi4O10, has been used in ancient Egypt from 3000 BC. This pigment consists of CaCuSi4O10 with variable amounts of wollastonite (CaSiO3), high amount of Cu oxides, cuprite (Cu2O) or tenorite (CuO). It was prepared by melting the high percentage of copper in association with lime and desert sand in the Ancient time. In this work Egyptian blue was produced by solution combustion synthesis (SCS) in homogeneous aqueous solution of composition: cupper and calcium nitrates, sodium silicate and urea. This method permits chemically stable Egyptian blue fast and economic production. The Egyptian blue composition and structure obtained after SCS and calcination were studied by XRD, FTIR and SEM/EDX analysis. Crystallite size and crystal lattice parameters were calculated. An increase in combustion temperature during SHS and calcinations temperature influence Egyptian blue yield and crystallite size, slightly influence parameters of crystal lattice

Using DBpedia as a knowledge source for culture-related user modelling questionnaires

In the culture domain, questionnaires are often used to obtain profiles of users for adaptation. Creating questionnaires requires subject matter experts and diverse content, and often does not scale to a variety of cultures and situations. This paper presents a novel approach that is inspired by crowdwisdom and takes advantage of freely available structured linked data. It presents a mechanism for extracting culturally-related facts from DBpedia, utilised as a knowledge source in an interactive user modelling system. A user study, which examines the system usability and the accuracy of the resulting user model, demonstrates the potential of using DBpedia for generating culture-related user modelling questionnaires and points at issues for further investigation

From Interactive Open Learner Modelling to Intelligent Mentoring: STyLE-OLM and Beyond

STyLE-OLM (Dimitrova 2003 International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, 13, 35–78) presented a framework for interactive open learner modelling which entails the development of the means by which learners can inspect, discuss and alter the learner model that has been jointly constructed by themselves and the system. This paper outlines the STyLE-OLM framework and reflects on the key challenges it addressed: (a) the design of an appropriate communication medium; this was addressed by proposing a structured language using diagrammatic presentations of conceptual graphs; (b) the management of the interaction with the learner; this was addressed by designing a framework for interactive open learner modelling dialogue utilising dialogue games; (c) the accommodation of different beliefs about the learner’s domain model; this was addressed with a mechanism for maintaining different views about the learner beliefs which adapted belief modal logic operators; and (d) the assessment of any resulting improvements in learner model accuracy and learner reflection; this was addressed in a user study with an instantiation of STyLE-OLM for diagnosing a learner’s knowledge of finance concept, as part of a larger project that developed an intelligent system to assist with learning domain terminology in a foreign language. Reviewing follow on work, we refer to projects by the authors’ students and colleagues leading to further extension and adoption of STyLE-OLM, as well as relevant approaches in open learner modelling which have cited the STyLE-OLM framework. The paper points at outstanding research challenges and outlines future a research direction to extend interactive open learner modelling towards mentor-like intelligent learning systems

Learning to become an entrepreneur in unfavourable conditions : The case of new entrants in the context of the Greek debt-crisis

This chapter reports the results of a study that explored the learning process of a distinct group of learners, namely Greek new entrant agri-entrepreneurs, in the unfavourable entrepreneurial environment of the Greek crisis. To find out how this group formulates its learning during their journey towards a new occupation (entrepreneurship), semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 18 agri-entrepreneurs. The interviews, which were carried out by building on the 3-P model of workplace learning using the critical incidents technique, elicited several factors that affected their entrepreneurial learning. Regarding the drivers of the learning process at the individual level, the results of this study gave prominence to the entrepreneurial agency of the participants as an amalgam of different opportunistic and necessity motives. As far it concerns the work environment influencing entrepreneurial learning, the data highlighted the importance of the so-called weak ties with external stakeholders, while they revealed a legal, regulatory and advisory system that is at least unsupportive and inappropriate for learning and entrepreneurship in general. From a process point of view, the results emphasised the importance of experimental-improvisational learning activities adopted by the entrepreneurs. Furthermore, they revealed the unexpectedly low use of Information and Communication Technologies for entrepreneurial learning. Finally, with regard to the outcomes of the learning process, the results accentuate the development of an entrepreneurial identity, where the entrepreneurs identify themselves as ecological, resource exploiting and cultural entrepreneurs. This chapter concludes by giving recommendations for further research and providing practical implications for those involved in work-related education, training and advisory support of entrepreneurs

Mathematical simulation for the designation of Mixing Zones in rivers

180 σ.Στόχος της παρούσας διπλωματικής αποτελεί η μελέτη καθορισμού Ζωνών Ανάμιξης σε ποταμούς καθώς και ο καθορισμός των ELV για διάφορα σενάρια ρύπανσης. Αρχικά πραγματοποιείται θεωρητική ανάλυση της έννοιας των Ζωνών Ανάμιξης και μελετάται ο τρόπος καθορισμού αυτών. Στο πλαίσιο της έρευνας αναπτύχθηκε ένα λογισμικό σε γλώσσα προγραμματισμού MATLAB, το οποίο υπολογίζει την αραίωση ενός ρύπου κατά μήκος του αποδέκτη και έτσι επιτρέπει τον υπολογισμό των διαστάσεων της Ζώνης Ανάμιξης. Το λογισμικό εξετάζει την περίπτωση ρύπανσης τόσο από μία όσο και από πολλαπλές βιομηχανίες. Πραγματοποιήθηκε ανάλυση ευαισθησίας του μοντέλου και ακολούθως εξετάσθηκαν διάφορα εναλλακτικά σενάρια ρύπανσης ποταμού, τα οποία βοήθησαν στην αξιολόγηση του τρόπου λειτουργίας του μοντέλου αλλά και στην πρόταση εναλλακτικών μεθοδολογιών καθορισμού μιας ΖΑ. Επιπλέον εντοπίσθηκαν οι αδυναμίες του μοντέλου, τα σημεία που χρήζουν περαιτέρω προβληματισμού και έρευνας, ενώ τελικά προτάθηκαν και συγκεκριμένες αλλαγές στο μοντέλο σε ό,τι αφορά τη λογική αντιμετώπισης της ρύπανσης από πολλαπλές βιομηχανίες.The present diploma thesis is dealing with the study of the designation of Mixing Zones in river water bodies and the derivation of the ELV for several pollution scenarios. First of all a theoretical approach of the Mixing Zone concept was done in order to examine the critical points in the whole process. In the terms of this study a model that calculates the dilution of a pollutant in a river was developed and was also presented in a coded format using MATLAB. This model allows for the calculation of the dimensions of a candidate Mixing Zone not only in the case of one discharge but also in the case of multiple discharges. Moreover, sensitivity analysis of the model was done and a number of different scenarios were conducted, dealing with the pollution of a river. Through the abovementioned scenarios the model was evaluated and alternative methodologies regarding the designation of Mixing Zones and the calculation of the ELV were proposed. The weak points of the model, that need to be further examined, were located. Finally some specific changes of the model were proposed, regarding the pollution of a river from multiple discharges.Αλέξανδρος Κ. Καρανάσιο

Covid-19 infection in children and adolescents and its association with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1d) presentation and management

Children seem to be affected by the new SARS-CoV-2 virus less severely than adults, with better prognosis and low mortality. Serious complications of COVID-19 infection in children include multisystem inflammatory response syndrome in COVID-19 infection (MIS-C), myo-or pericarditis and, less frequently, long COVID syndrome. On the other hand, adults with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) are among the most vulnerable groups affected by COVID-19, with increased morbidity and mortality. Moreover, an association of SARS-CoV-2 with diabetes has been observed, possibly affecting the frequency and severity of the first clinical presentation of T1D or T2D, as well as the development of acute diabetes after COVID-19 infection. The present review summarizes the current data on the incidence of T1D among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as its severity. Moreover, it reports on the types of newly diagnosed diabetes after COVID infection and the possible pathogenetic mechanisms. Additionally, this study presents current data on the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on diabetes control in patients with known T1D and on the severity of clinical presentation of COVID infection in these patients. Finally, this review discusses the necessity of immunization against COVID 19 in children and adolescents with T1D. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

Information sharing and interoperability: the case of major incident management

Public sector inter-organisational information sharing and interoperability is an area of increasing concern and intense investment for practice and an area of increasing scholarship. This paper focuses on one particular set of public sector organisations (emergency services) and illuminates the key technological and organisational issues they face concerning information sharing and interoperability. The particular contexts in which these are studied are ones where decisions are non-trivial and made in high-velocity environments. In these conditions the problems and significance of inter-organisational information sharing and interoperability are accentuated. We analyse data gathered from two studies: the first focused on 'first responders' (police, fire and ambulance services) in the United Kingdom. The second, a follow on study, with emergency service managers and interoperability project managers in the United Kingdom and the European Union. Using activity theory as a conceptual framework we describe the informational problems critical emergency responders face in their initial response to, and management of, an incident. We argue that rather than focusing on interoperability as a primarily technological issue it should be managed as an organisational and informational issue. Second, we argue that rather than designing for anomalous situations we should design systems, which will function during both anomalous and routine situations. Third, we argue for focus on harmonisation of policies, procedures and working practices

Cardiovascular disease in childhood: The role of obesity

In recent years, childhood obesity is becoming an epidemic health problem. It is now evident from many studies that childhood obesity is correlated with adult excess weight status and the development of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in adulthood, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. The exposure to obesity and to the above risk factors during childhood subsequently lead to atherosclerotic development, such as altered vascular structure and function, although the mechanisms are still unclear. Several non-invasive, and thus easy-to-obtain measures of arterial structure and function, have been shown to be clinically useful in providing information about vasculature early in the course of atherosclerosis, including measurement of endothelial function, carotid intima media thickness, and arterial stiffness. The early detection of cardiovascular abnormalities is essential because the control of the atherogenic process is more effective during its early stages. The present review focuses on the cardiovascular consequences of obesity, on the mechanisms and the methods of measurement of endothelial dysfunction in obese children and adolescents, and on the ways of intervention for the improvement of vascular health. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg