The Past in the Present

The Past in the Present deals with the complexities in the operation and management of living heritage sites. It presents a new interpretation of such sites based on the concept of continuity, and its evolution to the present. It is demonstrated that the current theoretical framework and practice of conservation, as best epitomised in a values-based approach and the World Heritage concept, is based on discontinuity created between the monuments (considered to belong to the past) and the people of the present, thus seemingly unable to embrace living heritage sites. From this position, the study suggests an innovative approach that views communities and sites as an inseparable entity: a Living Heritage Approach. This approach brings a new insight into key concepts such as authenticity and sustainable development. Through the use of the monastic site of Meteora, Greece, as a case study, the discussion generated aims to shift the focus of conservation from ‘preservation’ towards a continual process of ‘creation’ in an ongoing present, attempting to change the way heritage is perceived, protected and, more importantly, further created. “The Past in the Present is an important and much-needed contribution to the debate about living heritage – and it is particularly significant in the context of the heritage of the past in the modern world. Anyone concerned with how the past is, or should be, integrated within modern lives and identities will need to read this book.” – Leslie Brubaker, Director, Centre for Byzantine, Ottoman and Modern Greek Studies, University of Birmingham, UK. “This interesting and thoroughly researched book by Ioannis Poulios is a useful tool in promoting the Living Heritage Approach, and provides a sound theoretical basis for future work. Living Heritage Approach is a paradigm shift that suggests a new way of addressing conservation for our heritage. ICCROM is proud to have introduced this approach, also with the contribution of Ioannis.” – Gamini Wijesuriya, Project Manager, ICCROM. (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5334/bak

Photocatalytic Treatment of Rhodamine 6G in Wastewater Using Photoactive ZnO

The photocatalytic activity of zinc oxide, prepared by precipitation followed by calcination, was tested using rhodamine 6G as a rebel organic compound. The experiments were planned in order to allow an optimization procedure, by investigating the effects of different parameters such as the preparative method of the solid, amount of photocatalyst, pH of the reaction medium, and initial concentration of the dye. The results were compared with those obtained on P-25 Titania, and one of the samples had similar performances in terms of dye degradation degree, but needed higher pH values to prevent the photocatalyst degradation

Emerging advanced oxidation processes for the elimination of micro-pollutants

Emerging advanced oxidation processes for the elimination of micro-pollutant

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in a Patient with Mainz Pouch II Urinary Diversion: A Case Report

Abstract: Mainz pouch II is a reliable and viable technique of continent urinary diversion. Patients are at increased risk of long-term complications including urolithiasis of the upper urinary tract and reservoir. We report the case of a 67-year-old male with prior Mainz pouch II due to invasive bladder cancer treated for a large renal calculus. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) was successfully performed. Stone management in these type of patients is of increased interest due to existed "anatomical challenges" concerning the access and safety during the procedure. To our knowledge this is the first case of PCNL in a patient with Mainz pouch II that has been reported in the literature

The effects of acute low-volume HIIT and aerobic exercise on leukocyte count and redox status

A single bout of exercise can result in inflammatory responses, increased oxidative stress and upregulation of enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms. Although low-volume high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has become popular, its acute responses on the above mechanisms have not been adequately studied. The present study evaluated the effects of HIIT on hematological profile and redox status compared with those following traditional continuous aerobic exercise (CET). Twelve healthy young men participated in a randomized crossover design under HIIT and CET. In HIIT session, participants performed four 30-sec sprints on a cycle-ergometer with 4 min of recovery against a resistance of 0.375 kg/kg of body mass. CET consisted of 30-min cycling on a cycle-ergometer at 70% of their VO2max. Blood was drawn at baseline, immediately post, 24h, 48h and 72h post-exercise and was analyzed for complete blood count and redox status (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, [TBARS]; protein carbonyls, [PC]; total antioxidant capacity, [TAC]; catalase and uric acid). White blood cells (WBC) increased after both exercise protocols immediately post-exercise (HIIT: 50% and CET: 31%, respectively). HIIT increased (+22%) PC post-exercise compared to baseline and CET (p 0.05) for TBARS and catalase following either exercise protocol. Low-volume HIIT is associated with a greater acute phase leukocyte count and redox response than low-volume CET, and this should be considered when an exercise training program is developed and complete blood count is performed for health purposes

The Past in the Present

The Past in the Present deals with the complexities in the operation and management of living heritage sites. It presents a new interpretation of such sites based on the concept of continuity, and its evolution to the present. It is demonstrated that the current theoretical framework and practice of conservation, as best epitomised in a values-based approach and the World Heritage concept, is based on discontinuity created between the monuments (considered to belong to the past) and the people of the present, thus seemingly unable to embrace living heritage sites. From this position, the study suggests an innovative approach that views communities and sites as an inseparable entity: a Living Heritage Approach. This approach brings a new insight into key concepts such as authenticity and sustainable development. Through the use of the monastic site of Meteora, Greece, as a case study, the discussion generated aims to shift the focus of conservation from ‘preservation’ towards a continual process of ‘creation’ in an ongoing present, attempting to change the way heritage is perceived, protected and, more importantly, further created. “The Past in the Present is an important and much-needed contribution to the debate about living heritage – and it is particularly significant in the context of the heritage of the past in the modern world. Anyone concerned with how the past is, or should be, integrated within modern lives and identities will need to read this book.” – Leslie Brubaker, Director, Centre for Byzantine, Ottoman and Modern Greek Studies, University of Birmingham, UK. “This interesting and thoroughly researched book by Ioannis Poulios is a useful tool in promoting the Living Heritage Approach, and provides a sound theoretical basis for future work. Living Heritage Approach is a paradigm shift that suggests a new way of addressing conservation for our heritage. ICCROM is proud to have introduced this approach, also with the contribution of Ioannis.” – Gamini Wijesuriya, Project Manager, ICCROM. (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5334/bak

Superhydrophobic Coatings Based on Siloxane Resin and Calcium Hydroxide Nanoparticles for Marble Protection

Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH2)) nanoparticles are produced following an easy, ion exchange process. The produced nanoparticles are characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and are then dispersed in an aqueous emulsion of silanes/siloxanes. The dispersions are sprayed on marble and the surface structures of the deposited coatings are revealed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). By adjusting the nanoparticle concentration, the coated marble obtains superhydrophobic and water repellent properties, as evidenced by the high static contact angles of water drops (> 150°) and the low sliding angles (< 10°). Because Ca(OH)2 is chemically compatible with limestone-like rocks, which are the most common stones found in buildings and objects of the cultural heritage, the produced composite coatings have the potential to be used for conservation purposes. For comparison, the wetting properties of another superhydrophobic and water repellent coating composed of the same siloxane material and silica (SiO2) nanoparticles, which were commonly used in several previously published reports, were investigated. The suggested siloxane+Ca(OH)2 composite coating offers good protection against water penetration by capillarity and has a small effect on the aesthetic appearance of marble, according to colorimetric measurements

Business Innovation in Orchestra Organizations Supported by Digital Technologies: The Orchestra Mobile Case Study

In an attempt to deal with challenges such as increased competition, the global economic crisis, and the pandemic crisis, cultural organizations increasingly tend to adopt business theories and tools. The present paper addresses this issue in an industry that is not very frequently discussed, that of orchestra, using Orchestra Mobile as the case study. Based on literature review and interviews, and with reference to some of the latest, innovative approaches to management and strategy supported by digital technologies, the paper examines how this new entry in the industry (in 2010): (i) not attached to a concert hall (and, therefore, dependent on others) and with no state funding, survived against established organizations of global recognition, who were attached to prestigious concert halls, and enjoyed strong funding on the part of the state; (ii) with no external support, succeeded within the peak of the global economic crisis; (iii) decided long before the pandemic crisis to operate mostly at a distance, based on geographically dispersed members and collaborators; and, more importantly, (iv) challenged the rules of an industry that were formed in the 18th and 19th centuries and have not been (substantially) challenged ever since. The conclusions on the complex relationship of “sustainability-innovation-digital technologies” could be of benefit to a wide range of cultural organizations and entrepreneurs

The impact of a film education program through the theory of planned behavior on the attitudes of primary school students towards people with special educational needs or disabilities

The purpose of this paper was to examine the impact of a short film education program on students' attitudes in the last two grades (Fifth and Sixth Grade) of Primary Education towards disability or special educational needs (SEN) students, on the issue of their integration into the school environment. The survey involved 597 pupils who were divided into two groups, the control group and the intervention group. The intervention group was divided into three subgroups: a) students who watched films on disability (IG 1); b) students who watched the same films and talked about them (IG 2); and c) students who created a short film about disability (IG3). In the first two subgroups seven short films were screened. These films were distinguished or awarded at the International Short Film Competition that has taken place over the last 8 years with the approval of the Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs, and is implemented by the Primary Education Directorate of Serres, the Short Film Festival of Drama, the Department of Educational Radio and Television of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Secretariat General for Media and Communication, the Embassy of Cyprus in Greece and the Public Television Service. These films were selected by an evaluation committee set up by the above mentioned organizations with the aim of recommending cinematic creations suitable for educational purposes and which can be used to assess the effect of cinema on the attitudes of student viewers. After the end of the screening of the films attended by all pupils, three questionnaires were filled in, assessing the attitudes of non-Disabled pupils towards integrating Disabled pupils or students into three different time periods: before, during and two months after the end of the intervention. The questionnaires used were: a) a range of demographic characteristics; b) the general attitude factor consisting of nine questions from the Nikolaratzi and Reybekiel questionnaire (2001); c) the modified questionnaire (Theodorakis et al., 1995) based on the Theory of Planned Behavior.Two factors analysis with two-way ANOVA with repeated measures was applied to examine the differences between the measurements and the groups. The results showed a more positive attitude and greater acceptance of children without disabilities or SEN, towards children with disabilities or SEN following the screening of the films. Moreover, the children of the third group showed higher scores with regard to their attitudes towards children with disabilities. It is recommended that similar programs be implemented with a longer duration, while the production of the films be made by the pupils themselves. Cinema can be used in the school environment to raise pupils' awareness and influence on their attitudes to people with SEN or disabilities, as well as other social groups or social issues.Σκοπός της παρούσας εργασίας ήταν να αξιολογήσει την επίδραση ενός προγράμματος ταινιών μικρού μήκους στις στάσεις μαθητών/τριων οι οποίοι φοιτούν στις δύο τελευταίες τάξεις (Ε΄ και Στ΄Δημοτικού) της Πρωτοβάθμιας Εκπαίδευσης προς τους/τις μαθητές/τριες με Αναπηρία ή Ειδικές Εκπαιδευτικές Ανάγκες (ΕΕΑ), ως προς το θέμα της ενσωμάτωσής τους στο σχολικό περιβάλλον. Στην έρευνα συμμετείχαν 597 μαθητές/τριες οι οποίοι χωρίστηκαν σε δύο ομάδες, την ομάδα ελέγχου (OE) και την ομάδα παρέμβασης (OΠ). Η ομάδα παρέμβασης χωρίστηκε σε τρεις υποομάδες: α) μαθητές που είδαν ταινίες με θέμα την αναπηρία (Ο.Π.1), β) μαθητές που είδαν τις ίδιες ταινίες και συζήτησαν γι’ αυτές (Ο.Π.2) και γ) μαθητές που δημιούργησαν ταινία μικρού μήκους με θέμα την αναπηρία (Ο.Π.3). Στις δύο πρώτες υποομάδες προβλήθηκαν εφτά ταινίες μικρού μήκους. Οι εν λόγω ταινίες διακρίθηκαν ή και βραβεύτηκαν στον Διεθνή Διαγωνισμό Ταινιών Μικρού Μήκους που υλοποιείται τα τελευταία οκτώ χρόνια με την έγκριση του Υπουργείου Παιδείας, Έρευνας και Θρησκευμάτων από τη Διεύθυνση Πρωτοβάθμιας Εκπαίδευσης Σερρών, το Φεστιβάλ Ταινιών Μικρού Μήκους της Δράμας, το Τμήμα Εκπαιδευτικής Ραδιοτηλεόρασης του ΥΠ.Π.Ε.Θ., τη Γενική Γραμματεία Ενημέρωσης και Επικοινωνίας, την Πρεσβεία της Κύπρου στην Ελλάδα και τη Δημόσια Τηλεόραση. Οι ταινίες αυτές επιλέχθηκαν από επιτροπή αξιολόγησης που συγκρότησαν οι παραπάνω φορείς, με σκοπό να προτείνουν κινηματογραφικές δημιουργίες που είναι κατάλληλες για παιδαγωγική αξιοποίηση και οι οποίες μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν για την αξιολόγηση της επίδρασης του κινηματογράφου στις στάσεις των θεατών μαθητών. Μετά το τέλος της προβολής των ταινιών που παρακολούθησαν όλοι οι μαθητές/τριες, συμπληρώθηκαν τρία ερωτηματολόγια με τα οποία αξιολογήθηκαν οι στάσεις των μαθητών/τριων χωρίς Αναπηρία ως προς την ενσωμάτωση των μαθητών/τριων με Αναπηρία ή (ΕΕΑ) σε τρεις διαφορετικές χρονικές περιόδους: πριν, κατά την διάρκεια και στο τέλος της παρέμβασης μετά από δύο μήνες. Τα ερωτηματολόγια που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν ήταν: α) μια κλίμακα δημογραφικών χαρακτηριστικών β) τον παράγοντα γενικής στάσης που αποτελούνταν από εννέα ερωτήσεις προερχόμενες από το ερωτηματολόγιο των Nikolaratzi και Reybekiel (2001) γ) το τροποποιημένο ερωτηματολόγιο (Theodorakis et al., 1995) βασισμένο στην Θεωρία Σχεδιασμένης Συμπεριφοράς. Για την εξέταση των διαφορών μεταξύ των μετρήσεων και των ομάδων εφαρμόστηκε ανάλυση διακύμανσης δύο παραγόντων με επαναλαμβανόμενες μετρήσεις στον δεύτερο παράγοντα (two-way ANOVA with repeated measures). Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν θετικότερη άποψη και μεγαλύτερο βαθμό αποδοχής των παιδιών χωρίς αναπηρία ή ΕΕΑ, προς τα παιδιά με αναπηρία ή ΕΕΑ, μετά την προβολή των ταινιών. Επίσης, ότι τα παιδιά της τρίτης ομάδας που δημιούργησαν τη δική τους ταινία με θέμα την αναπηρία παρουσίασαν θετικότερες στάσεις απέναντι στα παιδιά με αναπηρία. Προτείνεται η εφαρμογή παρόμοιων προγραμμάτων με μεγαλύτερη χρονική διάρκεια ενώ παράλληλα η παραγωγή των ταινιών να γίνεται από τους ίδιους τους/τις μαθητές/τριες. Ο κινηματογράφος μπορεί να αξιοποιηθεί στο σχολικό περιβάλλον με σκοπό την ευαισθητοποίηση των μαθητών και την επίδραση στις στάσεις τους για τα άτομα με ΕΕΑ ή αναπηρία αλλά και άλλες κοινωνικές ομάδες ή κοινωνικά θέματα