Διαπολιτισμικές και διαθεματικές προσλήψεις του πλούτου και της φτώχειας στα λαϊκά παραμύθια: Εκπαιδευτικό πρόγραμμα για τη Στ΄ τάξη του Δημοτικού Σχολείου

Ο πλούτος και η φτώχεια είναι θέματα παγκόσμια και διαχρονικά. Στην Ελλάδα τα τελευταία δέκα περίπου χρόνια έχει ενσκήψει φοβερή οικονομική κρίση, η οποία επηρεάζει όχι μόνο τους γονείς, άμεσα και καταλυτικά, αλλά και τα παιδιά. Το σχολείο συμπορεύεται με την οικογένεια με σκοπό τη διαπαιδαγώγηση των παιδιών και αφουγκράζεται τον κοινωνικό σφυγμό. Η παρούσα μεταπτυχιακή διπλωματική εργασία περιλαμβάνει το σχεδιασμό, την υλοποίηση και την αξιολόγηση ενός σχεδίου διδασκαλίας για τη Στ’ τάξη του δημοτικού σχολείου με βασική θεματική τα λαϊκά παραμύθια που περιέχουν τις έννοιες του πλούτου και της φτώχειας. Η μεθοδολογική προσέγγιση που χρησιμοποιήθηκε ήταν αυτή του Project και ακολουθήθηκε η διαθεματική – διεπιστημονική προσέγγιση του θέματος. Στην υλοποίηση του εκπαιδευτικού προγράμματος συμμετείχαν ενεργά 16 μαθητές και μαθήτριες, με τη συνδρομή και συμμετοχή των οποίων ολοκληρώθηκε το εκπαιδευτικό πρόγραμμα. Η αξιολόγηση του προγράμματος κατέδειξε, μέσα από την ενθουσιαστική ανταπόκριση των μαθητών/τριών, ότι οι στόχοι που είχαν τεθεί στο ξεκίνημα επιτεύχθηκαν σε υψηλό βαθμό.It is universally acknowledged that poverty and wealth have troubled mankind since the early days. Greece is in the middle of a huge economic crisis for about the last ten years. The greek school wishes to stand beside the parents and support them morally and essentially in the upbringing of their children who are affected in many aspects of their lives by this situation. This master degree thesis attempts the planning, the application and the evaluation of a cultural education program for elementary school. The methodology that was followed was the Project combined with an interdisciplinary approach. It was implemented in sixteen students in the sixth grade. Their enthusiastic response showcased that the goals set in the beginning were mostly fulfilled

Standardization in cyber-physical systems: the ARUM case

Cyber-physical systems concept supports the realization of the Industrie 4.0 vision towards the computerization of traditional industries, aiming to achieve intelligent and reconfigurable factories. Standardization assumes a critical role in the industrial adoption of cyber-physical systems, namely in the integration of legacy systems as well as the smooth migration from existing running systems to the new ones. This paper analyses some existing standards in related fields and presents identified limitations and efforts for a wider acceptance of such systems by industry. A special attention is devoted to the efforts to develop a standard-compliant service-oriented multi-agent system solution within the ARUM project.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Automaten und künstliche Menschen bei E.T.A. Hoffmann. Faszinierende posthumane Phantasien im Rahmen der deutschen Spätromantik

Τον 19ο αιώνα, το ενδιαφέρον για την μηχανική διευρύνθηκε και η τεχνική πρόοδος απέκτησε όλο και μεγαλύτερη σημασία. Ο E.T.A. Hoffmann ήταν ανοιχτός στην τεχνολογική ανάπτυξη. Ήταν ιδιαίτερα γοητευμένος από τα ανθρωπόμορφα μηχανήματα, τα οποία είχαν φτάσει σε ένα σημαντικό επίπεδο εκείνη την εποχή. Σε ορισμένα από τα έργα του, ο Hoffmann ασχολήθηκε με τις τεχνολογικές εξελίξεις της εποχής, σε συνδυασμό με τις δικές του ιδέες. Στα έργα του „Die Automate“ „Der Sandmann“ και "„Nussknacker und Mäusekönig“ , ο Hoffmann συγχώνευσε την πραγματικότητα με τη φαντασία. Στόχος της εργασίας μου είναι να απαντήσω στα ακόλουθα ερωτήματα με βάση τις ερμηνείες αυτών των έργων: Σε ποιο βαθμό τα τρία διηγήματα, τα οποία αντιπροσωπεύουν της μηχανές και τους τεχνητούς ανθρώπους στον E.T.A. Hoffmann, μπορούν να κατανοηθούν ως συναρπαστικές μεταανθρώπινες φαντασιώσεις. Κατά πόσον ο E.T.A. Hoffmann προέβλεψε τις τεχνολογικές εξελίξεις μέχρι σήμερα και αν αντιλήφθηκε τους επακόλουθους προβληματισμούς που προκύπτουν, σε σχέση με την τεχνητή νοημοσύνη. Ποια συμπεράσματα μπορούν να εξαχθούν με βάση τη σημερινή κατάσταση για τη σχέση μεταξύ "ανθρώπου μηχανής" από την άποψη του διανθρωπισμού και του μεταανθρωπισμού.Im 19. Jahrhundert stieg das Interesse am Mechanischen und der technische Fortschritt bekam immer mehr Aufmerksamkeit. E.T.A. Hoffmann war gegenüber dem technologischen Fortschritt aufgeschlossen. Insbesondere faszinierten ihn menschenähnliche Automaten die zur damaligen Zeit ein beträchtliches Niveau erreicht hatten. In einigen seiner Werke setzte sich Hoffmann, mit den technologischen Vorschritt dieser Zeit auseinander, gepaart mit seinen eigenen Vorstellungen. In den Werken „Die Automate“ „Der Sandmann“ und „Nussknacker und Mäusekönig“ verschmolz Hoffmann Wirklichkeit und Imagination. Ziel meiner Arbeit ist es, anhand der Interpretationen dieser Werke auf folgende Fragen zu antworten: Inwiefern die drei Erzählungen, die für Automaten und künstliche Menschen bei E.T.A. Hoffmann stehen, als faszinierende posthumane Phantasien begriffen werden können. Ob E.T.A. Hoffmann die weitere technologische Entwicklung bis zur Jetztzeit vorausgeahnt und die einhergehenden Bedenken, die im Zusammenhang mit künstlicher Intelligenz auftretenden erfasst hat. Welche Schlussfolgerungen sich aufgrund der heutigen Situation für das Verhältnis „Mensch-Maschine“ vom Standpunkt des Transhumanismus und des Posthumanismus ziehen lassen

Saccharina latissima, candy-factory waste, and digestate from full-scale biogas plant as alternative carbohydrate and nutrient sources for lactic acid production

To substitute petroleum-based materials with bio-based alternatives, microbial fermentation combined with inexpensive biomass is suggested. In this study Saccharina latissima hydrolysate, candy-factory waste, and digestate from full-scale biogas plant were explored as substrates for lactic acid production. The lactic acid bacteria Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Pediococcus pentosaceus were tested as starter cultures. Sugars released from seaweed hydrolysate and candy-waste were successfully utilized by the studied bacterial strains. Additionally, seaweed hydrolysate and digestate served as nutrient supplements supporting microbial fermentation. According to the highest achieved relative lactic acid production, a scaled-up co-fermentation of candy-waste and digestate was performed. Lactic acid reached a concentration of 65.65 g/L, with 61.69% relative lactic acid production, and 1.37 g/L/hour productivity. The findings indicate that lactic acid can be successfully produced from low-cost industrial residues.Comment: 25 pages, 6 figure

The impact of food additives, artificial sweeteners and domestic hygiene products on the human gut microbiome and its fibre fermentation capacity

Purpose This study investigated the effect of food additives, artificial sweeteners and domestic hygiene products on the gut microbiome and fibre fermentation capacity. Methods Faecal samples from 13 healthy volunteers were fermented in batch cultures with food additives (maltodextrin, carboxymethyl cellulose, polysorbate-80, carrageenan-kappa, cinnamaldehyde, sodium benzoate, sodium sulphite, titanium dioxide), sweeteners (aspartame-based sweetener, sucralose, stevia) and domestic hygiene products (toothpaste and dishwashing detergent). Short-chain fatty acid production was measured with gas chromatography. Microbiome composition was characterised with 16S rRNA sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results Acetic acid increased in the presence of maltodextrin and the aspartame-based sweetener and decreased with dishwashing detergent or sodium sulphite. Propionic acid increased with maltodextrin, aspartame-based sweetener, sodium sulphite and polysorbate-80 and butyrate decreased dramatically with cinnamaldehyde and dishwashing detergent. Branched-chain fatty acids decreased with maltodextrin, aspartame-based sweetener, cinnamaldehyde, sodium benzoate and dishwashing detergent. Microbiome Shannon α-diversity increased with stevia and decreased with dishwashing detergent and cinnamaldehyde. Sucralose, cinnamaldehyde, titanium dioxide, polysorbate-80 and dishwashing detergent shifted microbiome community structure; the effects were most profound with dishwashing detergent (R2 = 43.9%, p = 0.008) followed by cinnamaldehyde (R2 = 12.8%, p = 0.016). Addition of dishwashing detergent and cinnamaldehyde increased the abundance of operational taxonomic unit (OTUs) belonging to Escherichia/Shigella and Klebsiella and decreased members of Firmicutes, including OTUs of Faecalibacterium and Subdoligranulum. Addition of sucralose and carrageenan-kappa also increased the abundance of Escherichia/Shigella and sucralose, sodium sulphite and polysorbate-80 did likewise to Bilophila. Polysorbate-80 decreased the abundance of OTUs of Faecalibacterium and Subdoligranulum. Similar effects were observed with the concentration of major bacterial groups using qPCR. In addition, maltodextrin, aspartame-based sweetener and sodium benzoate promoted the growth of Bifidobacterium whereas sodium sulphite, carrageenan-kappa, polysorbate-80 and dishwashing detergent had an inhibitory effect. Conclusions This study improves understanding of how additives might affect the gut microbiota composition and its fibre metabolic activity with many possible implications for human health

Cryptic genomic imbalances in patients with de novo or familial apparently balanced translocations and abnormal phenotype

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Carriers of apparently balanced translocations are usually phenotypically normal; however in about 6% of <it>de novo </it>cases, an abnormal phenotype is present. In the current study we investigated 12 patients, six <it>de novo </it>and six familial, with apparently balanced translocations and mental retardation and/or congenital malformations by applying 1 Mb resolution array-CGH. In all <it>de novo </it>cases, only the patient was a carrier of the translocation and had abnormal phenotype. In five out of the six familial cases, the phenotype of the patient was abnormal, although the karyotype appeared identical to other phenotypically normal carriers of the family. In the sixth familial case, all carriers of the translocations had an abnormal phenotype.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Chromosomal and FISH analyses suggested that the rearrangements were "truly balanced" in all patients. However, array-CGH, revealed cryptic imbalances in three cases (3/12, 25%), two <it>de novo </it>(2/12, 33.3%) and one familial (1/12, 16.6%). The nature and type of abnormalities differed among the cases. In the first case, what was identified as a <it>de novo </it>t(9;15)(q31;q26.1), a complex rearrangement was revealed involving a ~6.1 Mb duplication on the long arm of chromosome 9, an ~10 Mb deletion and an inversion both on the long arm of chromosome 15. These imbalances were located near the translocation breakpoints. In the second case of a <it>de novo </it>t(4;9)(q25;q21.2), an ~6.6 Mb deletion was identified on the short arm of chromosome 7 which is unrelated to the translocation. In the third case, of a familial, t(4;7)(q13.3;p15.3), two deletions of ~4.3 Mb and ~2.3 Mb were found, each at one of the two translocation breakpoints. In the remaining cases the translocations appeared balanced at 1 Mb resolution.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study investigated both <it>de novo </it>and familial apparently balanced translocations unlike other relatively large studies which are mainly focused on <it>de novo </it>cases. This study provides additional evidence that cryptic genomic imbalances are common in patients with abnormal phenotype and "apparently balanced" translocations not only in <it>de novo </it>but can also occur in familial cases. The use of microarrays with higher resolution such as oligo-arrays may reveal that the frequency of cryptic genomic imbalances among these patients is higher.</p

Differences in management of eosinophilic esophagitis in Europe : an assessment of current practice

Objectives:The aim of the study was to assess differences in the diagnosis and management of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) by European pediatric (PG) and adult gastroenterologists (AG), and their self-reported adherence to guidelines. Methods:A multiple-choice questionnaire gauged the diagnostic and management strategies of gastroenterologists treating children or adults in 14 European countries and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Results:Questionnaires were completed by 465 PG and 743 AG. PG were significantly more likely to take biopsies in patients with symptoms of esophageal dysfunction (86.2% PG vs 75.4% AG, P<0.001) and to perform endoscopic follow-up (86.3% PG vs 80.6% AG, P<0.001). After failure of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), topical steroids were the preferred second-line therapy; however, PG opted more frequently for elimination diets (47.5% PG vs 13.7% AG, P<0.001). More PG than AG indicated having read recent guidelines (89.4% PG vs 58.2% AG, P<0.001). Geographic differences in practice were reported, with respondents from the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Spain more often adhering to recommended biopsy protocols. Physicians in the UAE, France, Lithuania, and Poland tended to opt for steroid therapy or elimination diets as first-line therapy, in contrast to most other countries. Conclusions:Significant differences in general practice between PG and AG were demonstrated with notable divergence from consensus guidelines. International practice variations are also apparent. Among other strategies, educational activities to highlight current recommendations may help harmonize and optimize clinical practice

Inflammation associated ethanolamine facilitates infection by Crohn's disease-linked adherent-invasive Escherichia coli

Background: The predominance of specific bacteria such as adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) within the Crohn's disease (CD) intestine remains poorly understood with little evidence uncovered to support a selective pressure underlying their presence. Intestinal ethanolamine is however readily accessible during periods of intestinal inflammation, and enables pathogens to outcompete the host microbiota under such circumstances. Methods: Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) to determine expression of genes central to ethanolamine metabolism; transmission electron microscopy to detect presence of bacterial microcompartments (MCPs); in vitro infections of both murine and human macrophage cell lines examining intracellular replication of the AIEC-type strain LF82 and clinical E. coli isolates in the presence of ethanolamine; determination of E. coli ethanolamine utilization (eut) operon transcription in faecal samples from healthy patients, patients with active CD and the same patients in remission following treatment. Results: Growth on the intestinal short chain fatty acid propionic acid (PA) stimulates significantly increased transcription of the eut operon (fold change relative to glucose: >16.9; p-value 4.72; P 15.64; P < .01). Interpretation: Our data indicates a role for ethanolamine metabolism in selecting for AIEC that are consistently overrepresented in the CD intestine. The increased E. coli metabolism of ethanolamine seen in the intestine during active CD, and its decrease during remission, indicates ethanolamine use may be a key factor in shaping the intestinal microbiome in CD patients, particularly during times of inflammation. Fund: This work was funded by Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) grants BB/K008005/1 & BB/P003281/1 to DMW; by a Tenovus Scotland grant to MJO; by Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity, Nestle Health Sciences, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Catherine McEwan Foundation grants awarded to KG; and by a Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) fellowship (NE/L011956/1) to UZI. The IBD team at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow are supported by the Catherine McEwan Foundation and Yorkhill IBD fund. RKR and RH are supported by NHS Research Scotland Senior fellowship awards