Encouraging urban planning and development practice to contribute to sustainable development. A methodology and a use case

One of the most complex challenges the tourism industry faces is keeping up to date with information technology developments caused by the globalisation of information and advances in technology. The development of robust decision support systems for tourism land use planning is a way to address this challenge.This paper demonstrates how a spatial decision support system (SDSS), called the Land Use Decision sUpport System (LUDUS), can contribute in allocating complex forms of tourism. The system combines an artificial intelligence technique, called ontologies, with Geographic Information Systems and object-oriented programming to support decision-making in spatial planning. The system consists of two subsystems: the Insert Data Subsystem and the Graphic Imaging and Decision Support Subsystem. The core of the system is an ontology that is aligned to a standard of the Open Geospatial Consortium, called Geosparql.The case study of this paper is the Mastichochoria area of Chios Island, Greece. Therefore, the structure of the ontology was modelled according to the provisions of Greek legislation. The results produced confirmed the correct coding and application of the system’s criteria. The validity, accuracy and reliability of the results were also confirmed.The adopted approach facilitates the identification of alternative options for allocating, among other land use types, complex forms of tourism development in suburban areas, by examining the provisions of the legal framework as well as their geology and terrain

Bio-based products and applications potential

As the current model of production and consumption which largely relies on fossil-based resources impacts irreversibly on the environment and the availability of natural resources is approaching a peak soon, significant steps are being taken around the world to move from today’s fossil based economy to a more sustainable economy based on biomass. A key factor in the realisation of a successful bio-based economy is the production of a range of bio-based products and bioenergy to substitute their fossil-derived equivalents by processing a wide variety of biological feedstock. The total European Bioeconomy amounts to a 2.1 trillion EUR turnover and provides 18.3 million jobs, which accounts for approximately 9% of the total EU workforce 1. The EU has declared the bio-based products sector to be a priority area with high potential for future growth, reindustrialisation, and addressing societal challenges. Ιn this report, a review of the application areas and market penetration of the following bio-based market segments is attempted, along with an assessment of possible barriers to uptake and growth and future trends that characterize each specific sector: Bio-based chemicals and building blocks; Bioenergy and biofuels; Bioplastics/ biomaterials; Bio-based food and feed ingredients; Biosurfactants; Biolubricants. This analysis was made following a review of relevant literature and based on several qualitative interviews with key stakeholders in the bio-based production domain. Additionally, information about the supply chains of bio-based products (relating to biomass feedstock used, processes and biorefineries) and about existing legislation and policy framework is presented

Thermogenic capacity of human white-fat: the actual picture

Presented at the 9th Greek Conference of Biochemistry and Physiology of Exercise, Thessaloniki, Greece, 18–20 October 2019Cold exposure and exercise may increase thermogenic capacity of white adipose tissue (WAT), which could subsequently enhance energy expenditure and body weight loss. We aimed to identify possible alterations in uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)—the main biomarker of thermogenic activation—in human WAT due to both cold exposure and exercise, as well as the link between environmental temperature and thermogenic capacity of human WAT. MATERIAL & METHOD: We conducted four human experimental studies and two systematic reviews and meta-analyses—PROSPERO registration CRD42019120116, CRD42019120213. RESULTS: UCP1 mRNA was higher in winter than in summer [t(30) = 2.232, p = 0.03] in human WAT and our meta-analysis showed a main effect of cold exposure on human UCP1 mRNA [standard mean difference (Std-md) = 1.81, confidence interval (CI) = 0.50–3.13, p = 0.007]. However, UCP1 mRNA/protein expressions displayed no associations with %fat mass or BMI (p > 0.05, Cohen’s f2 < 0.20). Both a 2-hour cooling and a non-cooling protocol preceding the positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) measurements revealed no association between environmental temperature and standardised uptake value (SUVmax) of human WAT, as well as no mean differences in SUVmax-WAT-activity between winter and summer. An 8-week exercise program had no effect on UCP1 of human WAT or on body composition. Our meta-analysis also revealed: (a) no effect of chronic exercise on human UCP1 mRNA, (b) a main effect of chronic exercise on UCP1 protein concentrations (Std-md = 0.59, CI = 0.03–1.16, p = 0.04) and UCP1 mRNA (Std-md = 1.76, CI = 0.48–3.04, p = 0.007) in WAT of normal diet animals, c) a main effect of chronic exercise on UCP1 mRNA (Std-md = 2.94, CI = 0.24–5.65, p = 0.03) and UCP1 protein concentrations (Std-md = 2.06, CI = 0.07–4.05, p = 0.04) of high-fat diet animals. CONCLUSIONS: Cold exposure represents a main stimulus for increased thermogenic capacity in human white adipocytes; however, this may have no impact on body weight loss. Chronic exercise may represent no major stimulus for UCP1 induced in human white adipocytes, while in animals it increases UCP1 gene independently of their diet. Therefore, evidence from animal studies regarding UCP1 gene activation in white adipocytes may not be applicable in humans. Finally, the identification of human WAT thermogenic capacity via PET/CT examination may be optimal with both a cooling and a non-cooling protocol.Published onlin

Month of birth, atopic disease, and sensitization to common aeroallergens in Greece

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the month of birth on the development of atopic disease and the rate of sensitization to common environmental allergens in Greece. Analysis of the month of birth of 1755 individuals with atopic disease (asthma, rhinitis, atopic dermatitis), out of whom 771 had positive skin tests/RAST to dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and mixed grasses, in comparison to total live births (2.877.733) in Greece during 1968-86, was performed and showed significant correlation (p<0.007) between month of birth and development of atopic disease in general. Months of birth May to August correlated best with bronchial asthma (p<0.05) and rhinitis (p<0.05) and July to August with atopic dermatitis (p<0.05). Significantly greater than the expected frequently was found for D. Pteronyssinus sensitivity for months of birth May to August (p<0.01), for mixed grasses pollen March to August (p<0.01) and for olea europaea pollen mainly March (p<0.05). Our results indicate that in Greece high-risk birth months for development of atopy are May to August, whereas for sensitization to common aeroallergens they are March for olea europaea, March to August for mixed grasses and may to august for D. Pteronyssinus.Σκοπός της μελέτης ήταν να αξιολογηθεί η επίδραση του μήνα γέννησης στην ανάπτυξη ατοπικής νόσου και τη συχνότητα ευαισθητοποίησης στα κοινά περιβαλλοντιακά αλλεργιογόνα στην Ελλάδα. Έγινε στατιστική ανάλυση του μήνα γέννησης 1755 ατόμων με ατοπική νόσο (άσθμα, ρινίτιδα και ατοπική δερματίτιδα) και 771 με θετικές PRICK/RAST δοκιμασίες στο D. Pteronnysinus, μίγμα γύρεων αγρωστωδών και γύρη ελιάς, συγκριτικά με τις γεννήσεις ζώντων στην Ελλάδα (2.877.733) κατά την περίοδο 1968-1986. Βρέθηκε σημαντική συσχέτιση (p<0.001) μεταξύ μήνα γέννησης και ανάπτυξης ατοπικής νόσου γενικά. Οι μήνες γέννησης Μάϊος έως Αύγουστος συσχετίζονται με βρογχικό άσθμα (p<0.05) και τη ρινίτιδα (p<0.05), ενώ Ιούλιος και Αύγουστος με ατοπική δερματίτιδα (p<0.01). Σημαντικά μεγαλύτερη από την αναμενόμενη συχνότητα θετικών δοκιμασιών βρέθηκε για το D. Pteronissinus τους μήνες γέννησης Μάϊος έως Αύγουστο (p<0.01) και για τη γύρη ελιάς κυρίως το Μάρτιο (p<0.05). Τα ευρήματα μας δείχνουν ότι στην Ελλάδα οι μήνες γέννησης υψηλού κινδύνου για ανάπτυξη ατοπίας (άσθματος, ρινίτιδας, ατοπικής δερματίτιδας) είναι Μάρτιος έως Αύγουστος, ενώ για ευαισθητοποίηση στα κοινά αλλεργιογόνα είναι ο Μάρτιος για τη γύρη ελιάς και Μάϊος έως Αύγουστος για D. Pteronyssinus και το μίγμα γύρεων αγρωστωδών

Assessment of inventory management for a high annual turnover product

Περίληψη: Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία πραγματεύεται τη γενική λειτουργία μιας 3PL εταιρείας με φαρμακευτικά προϊόντα. Πιο αναλυτικά, θα γίνει ανάλυση των μεθόδων δημιουργίας και οργάνωσης ενός αποθηκευτικού χώρου, ακολουθώντας τις αρχές και διαδικασίες των Good Distribution Practices όσο και του Lean Management, ανεξαρτήτως τύπου προϊόντων, και εν συνεχεία εξειδικεύοντας για ένα προϊόν ταχείας και μεγάλης ετήσιας κίνησης στην αγορά. Το προϊόν αυτό εξετάζεται από την εισαγωγή του στον αποθηκευτικό χώρο, στην ανάλυση του τρόπου προετοιμασίας των παραγγελιών, φόρτωσης και δρομολόγησης των παραγγελιών με προορισμό τους τελικούς πελάτες. Επιπλέον, πραγματοποιείται πλήρης ανάλυση της οργάνωσης ενός δικτύου διανομής, απευθείας στους πελάτες, ή με τη χρήση κέντρων Cross Docking. Δίνεται μεγάλη βαρύτητα στον τρόπο οργάνωσης του δικτύου διανομής, διότι εμπεριέχει τους περισσότερους αστάθμητους παράγοντες που επηρεάζουν τόσο την υλοποίηση του έργου (ικανοποιημένοι πελάτες), όσο και το κόστος. Η εν λόγω ανάλυση συνδέεται με ποικίλες παραμέτρους, που ακολουθούν τις σχετίζονται με ποιοτικά και κοστολογικά κριτήρια, με ιστορικά δεδομένα που δόθηκαν από την εταιρεία, με στόχο την επίτευξη της πλέον συμφέρουσας λειτουργίας της εταιρείας, σε συνδυασμό με την καλύτερη δυνατή εξυπηρέτηση των πελατών των αποθετών. Τέλος, στη συγκεκριμένη εργασία, μετά την οργάνωση και την παρουσίαση τριών πιθανών εφαρμόσιμων σεναρίων, γίνεται εμφανές ότι η χρήση κέντρων Cross Docking είναι απαραίτητη ως η πλέον συμφέρουσα μέθοδος οργάνωσης δικτύων διανομής.Summarization: The subject of the present thesis is the function in general of a 3PL company with pharmaceutical products. In more detail, it analyses the methods that a warehouse is created and organized, following the principles and procedures of Good Distribution Practices and Lean Management, regardless of product type, and then specializing in a product with high annual turnover. This product is examined from its import in the warehouse, analysis of the way the orders are prepared, loading and routing to the final customers. In addition, a complete analysis of the organization of a distribution network is performed, directly to the customers, or by using Cross Docking centers. The way the distribution network is organized is a matter of great importance, because it contains the most unbalanced factors that affect both the implementation of the project (satisfied customers) and the cost. This analysis is linked to a variety of parameters, related to quality and cost criteria, with historical data provided by the company, in order to achieve the most profitable operation of the company, combined with the best possible service to all customers. Finally, in this thesis, after organizing and presenting three possible scenarios, it becomes clear that the use of Cross Docking centers is necessary as the most advantageous method of organizing distribution networks

Guillain-Barré syndrome and fulminant encephalomyelitis following Ad26.COV2.S vaccination: double jeopardy.

This correspondence comments on a published article presenting a case of rhombencephalitis following SARS-CoV-2-vaccination with the mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech). We also present the case of a 47-year-old man who developed Guillain-Barré-syndrome and a fulminant encephalomyelitis 28 days after immunization with Ad26.COV2.S (Janssen/Johnson &amp; Johnson). Based on the presented cases, we underscore the importance of clinical awareness for early recognition of overlapping neuroimmunological syndromes following vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, we propose that that role of autoantibodies against angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the cell-surface receptor neuropilin-1, which mediate neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2, merit further investigation in patients presenting with neurological disorders following vaccination against SARS-CoV-2

Association of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) with anxiety and depression: experimental data and evidence from GHD children and adolescents

Anxiety and depression are among the commonest emotional problems in children and young adolescents. They are encountered with even higher prevalence in children and adults with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Alterations in the somatotropic axis, as observed in both GH/IGF1 deficiency and excess, can produce permanent changes in brain tissue structure. The growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor 1 (GH/IGF1) axis seems to exert a regulatory effect on brain function and neurogenesis, especially in the hippocampus, a brain region associated with mental and emotional disorders, such as depression and anxiety. There is evidence from animal models of the possible interrelationship of the endocrine system with the pathogenesis of emotional disorders. Moreover, clinical data support the association of GHD and mood disorders, which are often reversed by GH replacement therapy. However, the causal relationship and the mechanism underlying this association are to date obscure and remain to be clarified. The present review reports experimental data from animal models regarding the role of GH/IGF1 in emotional disorders and focuses on clinical data on the presence of these disorders in children with GHD and their response to GH therapy

UAV Mapping and 3D Modeling as a Tool for Promotion and Management of the Urban Space

In the past few decades, the management of urban spaces with appropriate tools has been in constant discussion due to the plethora of new technologies that have emerged for participatory planning, drone mapping, photogrammetry and 3D modeling. In a multitude of situations, considerable progress has been made regarding the strategic impact of the successful use of technology for the development of urban spaces. The current era provides us with important digital tools and the opportunity to test new perspectives in the sustainable development of cities. This paper aims to explore the contribution of UAVs to the spatial mapping process of urban space, with the goal of collecting quantifiable and qualitative information to use for 3D modeling that can enable a more comprehensive understanding of the urban environment, thus facilitating urban regeneration processes. Three-dimensional models of high accuracy are not mandatory for this research. The location of the selected research area is particularly interesting due to its boundaries, urban voids and public space that can evolve through public participation. The results can be used for crowdsourcing in participatory decision-making processes and for exploring the consequences that these have on the built environment, and they can be used as a new means of involvement of citizens in local decision-making processes

Radiochemical and radiobiological evaluation of a new Tc-99m-labelled litorin derivative

WOS: 00028107510011

Effect of high doses of folic acid supplementation in early pregnancy on child neurodevelopment at 18 months of age: the mother-child cohort `Rhea&apos; study in Crete, Greece

Objective: To investigate whether high doses of folic acid supplementation in early pregnancy are associated with child neurodevelopment at 18 months of age. Design: The study uses data from the prospective mother-child cohort ‘Rhea’ study. Pregnant women completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire on folic acid supplementation at 14-18 weeks of gestation. Neurodevelopment at 18 months was assessed with the use of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (3rd edition). Red-blood-cell folate concentrations in cord blood were measured in a sub-sample of the study population (n 58). Setting: Heraklion, Crete, Greece, 2007-2010. Subjects: Five hundred and fifty-three mother-child pairs participating in the ‘Rhea’ cohort. Results: Sixty-eight per cent of the study participants reported high doses of supplemental folic acid use (5 mg/d), while 24% reported excessive doses of folic acid (&gt;5 mg/d) in early pregnancy. Compared with non-users, daily intake of 5mg supplemental folic acid was associated with a 5-unit increase on the scale of receptive communication and a 3.5-unit increase on the scale of expressive communication. Doses of folic acid supplementation higher than 5 mg/d were not associated with additional increase in the neurodevelopmental scales. Conclusions: This is the first prospective study showing that high doses of supplementary folic acid in early pregnancy may be associated with enhanced vocabulary development, communicational skills and verbal comprehension at 18 months of age. Additional longitudinal studies and trials are needed to confirm these results