Learning for Democracy: Experiential learning of EU as a tool for European citizenship and democratic values awareness

Undoubtedly, the modern democratic framework of higher education has to cultivate students' relevant skills such as democratic participation, cooperation, taking responsibility, strengthen trust in public institutions and constitutions, freedom of expression and decision-making, as prerequisites for future's active citizens. Exactly these goals are advancing in the student communities, the function of which has continuously served the principle of democratic representation. Therefore, through the understanding of learning as a social activity and a vehicle of innovation and productivity in society, we may conclude that higher education can be - and should be a multilevel way for social cohesion and promotion of democratic values by preparing students to be active citizens. The main aim of this paper is to assess the role of higher education in the current challenging circumstances, in the context of addressing new and old problems while fostering fairness, diversity and social inclusion, broadly, democracy and social cohesion. The paper will analyze the importance of higher education institutions in order to achieve that goals, by focusing on the usage of a combination of diverse and innovative methods and new technologies but without undermining academic and institutional integrity. A case study of an EU institution simulation will also be analyzed in order to show the importance of such actions and alternative ways of learning for achieving the enforcement of active citizens. The analysis will lead to policy proposals for integrating new methods to fundamental academic values in the current context in order to foster democracy and social cohesion

New insights into pharyngo-esophageal bolus transport revealed by pressure-impedance measurement

Author version made available in accordance with the publisher's policy.Introduction: Pharyngeal propulsion, strength of peristalsis and esophago-gastric junction (EJG) resistance are determinants of esophageal bolus transport. This study used pressure-impedance methods to correlate pharyngo-esophageal function with the esophageal bolus trajectory pathway and pressures generated during bolus transport. Methods: Pharyngo-esophageal pressure-impedance measurements were performed in 20 healthy adult controls. Pharyngeal automated impedance manometry was performed to derive pharyngeal swallow function variables. The esophageal time of nadir impedance (TZn) was used to track bolus trajectory pathway. The inflexion, or flow stasis point (FSP), of the trajectory curve was determined as were the pressures within the bolus (PZn) above and below the FSP. The size of 20mmHg isocontour defect measured the integrity of the peristaltic wave. Results: For viscous boluses, weaker pharyngeal bolus propulsion correlated with the FSP being located higher in the esophagus. Pressure within the bolus was observed to increase at the FSP and below the FSP in a manner that correlated with the magnitude of esophageal peak pressures. Larger 20mmHg isocontour defects were associated with lower pressures within the bolus at the FSP and below. Conclusion: The FSP of the bolus trajectory pathway appears to represent a switch from bolus propulsion due to pharyngeal mechanisms to bolus propulsion due to esophageal mechanisms. 20mmHg isocontour defects significantly reduce bolus driving pressure at or below the FSP

Covid-19 has brought back the necessity of the welfare state: The Greek case

In Europe, despite systemic, functional and structural differences, the welfare state has been a key component of the state after World War II. In recent decades, the former has been accused for inflating government spending and turning people into passive recipients of benefits and services. For this reason, and for several more, such as globalization, the transforming nature of employment and the changing family patterns, the welfare state has undergone the necessary reforms in order to combine the effectiveness and efficiency of its services and benefits. The outbreak of 2009 economic crisis has created tremendous problems to the welfare state, especially in the hardest hit countries, such as Greece. Although these structural problems and inefficiencies existed, the Greek state in general and the National Health System (NHS) in particular have handled the coronavirus successfully, making the country an example for the others but also stressing the necessity to consolidate the welfare state and specifically the NHS. This paper aims to analyze the way the Greek state handled the coronavirus crisis while underlie the importance of the welfare state especially in times of crisis and the challenges that coronavirus has created

The contribution of CSR during the covid-19 period in Greece: A step forward

The spread of the Covid-19 brought global institutions, societies, states and economies in a critical position as they encounter a new worldwide multilevel crisis. At the same time, states have had to handle this crisis acquiring an interventionist role, protecting the social and economic cohesion, providing better health care services for their citizens and investing in scientific research, as a means to restrict this new pandemic. In order to handle that situation and its consequences, the use of all the available resources became necessary as well as the improvement of the cooperation between the private and the public sector. In Greece private sector has shown an unprecedented willingness for Greece’s CSR tradition, to contribute government’s efforts

Genome sequences of two pseudorabies virus strains isolated in Greece

Pseudorabies virus (species Suid herpesvirus 1) belongs to the genus Varicellovirus, subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, family Herpesviridae, and is the causative agent of an acute and frequently fatal disease that affects mainly pigs. Here, we report the genome sequences of two strains of this virus isolated in Greece in 2010

AI and Big Data: A New Paradigm for Decision Making in Healthcare

The latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI) - a general-purpose technology impacting many industries - have been based on advancements in machine learning, which is recast as a quality-adjusted decline in forecasting ratio. The influence of Policy on AI and big data has impacted two key magnitudes which are known as diffusion and consequences. And these must be focused primarily on the context of AI and big data. First, in addition to the policies on subsidies and intellectual property (IP) that will affect the propagation of AI in ways close to their effect on other technologies, three policy categories - privacy, exchange, and liability - may have a specific impact on the diffusion of AI. The first step in the prohibition process is to identify the shortcomings of current hospital procedures, why we need acute care AI, and eventually how the direction of patient decision-making will shift with the introduction of AI-based research. The second step is to establish a plan to shift the direction of medical education in order to enable physicians to retain control of AI. Medical research would need to rely less on threshold decision-making and more on the prediction, interpretation, and pathophysiological context of contextual time cycles. This should be an early part of a medical student's education, and this is what their hospital aid (AI) ought to do. Effective contact between human and artificial intelligence includes a shared pattern of focused knowledge base. Human-to-human contact protection in hospitals should lead this professional transformation process

Oesophageal pressure-flow metrics in relation to bolus volume, bolus consistency and bolus perception

Author version made available in accordance with the publisher's policy.The utility of combined oesophageal pressure–impedance recording has been enhanced by automation of data analysis. To understand how oesophageal function as measured by automated impedance manometry (AIM) pressure-flow analysis varies with bolus characteristics and subjective perception of bolus passage. Oesophageal pressure–impedance recordings of 5 and 10 ml liquid or viscous swallows and 2 and 4 cm solid swallows from 20 healthy control subjects (five male; 25–73 years) were analysed. Metrics indicative of bolus pressurization (intrabolus pressure and intrabolus pressure slope) were derived. Bolus flow resistance, the relationship between bolus pressurization and flow timing, was assessed using a pressure-flow index. Bolus retention was assessed using the ratio of nadir impedance to peak pressure impedance (impedance ratio). Subjective perception of bolus passage was assessed swallow by swallow. Viscosity increased the bolus flow resistance and reduced bolus clearance. Responses to boluses of larger volume and more viscous consistency revealed a positive correlation between bolus pressurization and oesophageal peak pressure. Flow resistance was higher in subjects who perceived bolus hold up of solids. Bolus volume and bolus type alter oesophageal function and impact AIM analysis metrics descriptive of oesophageal function. Perception of bolus transit was associated with heightened bolus pressurization relative to bolus flow