Profiling Attitudes for Personalized Information Provision

PAROS is a generic system under design whose goal is to offer personalization, recommendation, and other adaptation services to information providing systems. In its heart lies a rich user model able to capture several diverse aspects of user behavior, interests, preferences, and other attitudes. The user model is instantiated with profiles of users, which are obtained by analyzing and appropriately interpreting potentially arbitrary pieces of user-relevant information coming from diverse sources. These profiles are maintained by the system, updated incrementally as additional data on users becomes available, and used by a variety of information systems to adapt the functionality to the users’ characteristics

Οργανοκαταλυτικοί Οξειδωτικοί Μετασχηματισμοί Φιλικοί προς το Περιβάλλον

Η Οργανοκατάλυση αποτελεί έναν σύγχρονο και φιλικό προς το περιβάλλον τομέα κατάλυσης. Βάσει του οξειδωτικού πρωτοκόλλου που θεσπίστηκε από το Εργαστήριο Οργανικής Χημείας του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών, χρησιμοποιώντας το υπεροξείδιο του υδρογόνου ως οξειδωτικό και την 2,2,2-τριφθορομέθυλο ακετοφαινόνη ως καταλύτη για την ενεργοποίηση του οξειδωτικού, στην παρούσα διατριβή μελετήθηκε η χρήση της συγκεκριμένης μεθόδου για την ανάπτυξη one-pot αντιδράσεων με σκοπό: • Τη σύνθεση ισοξαζολινών μέσω οξείδωσης αλλυλο-οξιμών. • Τη βελτιστοποίηση συνθηκών της εκλεκτικής οξείδωσης σουλφιδίων σε σουλφοξείδια ή σουλφόνες. • Τη σύνθεση διϋδροξυ-βενζοφουρανίων μέσω οξείδωσης αλλυλο-φαινολών. • Τη σύνθεση λακτονών μέσω οξείδωσης αλκενυλο-οξέων. Επίσης, μελετήθηκαν φωτοχημικές αντιδράσεις, στις οποίες με τη χρήση μεταλλικών συμπλόκων ως καταλύτες και οικιακών λαμπτήρων ως πηγή ενέργειας επετεύχθη: • Η σύνθεση λακτονών από αλκένια και ιωδο-οξικό οξύ και η μελέτη του μηχανισμού της αντίδρασης με τη χρήση Φασματομετρίας Μάζας Υψηλής Διακριτικής Ικανότητας (HRMS). • H σύνθεση ενώσεων που φέρουν κυανο-ομάδα από αλκένια και βρωμο-ακετονιτρίλιο. Τέλος, μελετήθηκε η σύνθεση λακτονών από κετο-οξέα με χρήση της εποξείδωσης Corey-Chaykovsky.Organocatalysis constitutes a new and environmentally friendly field in Organic Chemistry. Based on oxidant protocol that established from Laboratory of Organic Chemistry of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, utilizing hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant and 2,2,2-trifluoromethylacetophenone as the catalyst for oxidant’s activation, in the present thesis studied the application of this method for the achievement of one-pot reactions, in order to: • Synthesize isoxazolines by oxidation of allyl-oximes. • Optimize of the reaction conditions for the selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides or sulfones. • Synthesize dihydrobenzofurans by oxidation of allylphenols. • Synthesize lactones by oxidation of alkenoic acids. Furthermore, a variety of photochemical reactions have been studied, utilizing metal-complexes as the catalysts and house lamps as the energy source. Analytically, we achieved: • The synthesis of lactones from alkenes and iodo-acetic acid. The reaction mechanis have been studied extensively with High Resolution Mass Spectroscopy (HRMS). • The synthesis of compounds with cyano-moiety from alkenes and bromoacetonitrile. Finally, we studied the synthesis of lactones from keto-acids via the Corey-Chaykovsky epoxidation

Generation of stem cell-based bioartificial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) grafts for effective ACL rupture repair

AbstractIn the present study, we combined stem cell technology with a non-absorbable biomaterial for the reconstruction of the ruptured ACL. Towards this purpose, multipotential stromal cells derived either from subcutaneous human adipose tissue (hAT-MSCs) or from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) generated from human foreskin fibroblasts (hiPSC-MSCs) were cultured on the biomaterial for 21days in vitro to generate a 3D bioartifical ACL graft. Stem cell differentiation towards bone and ligament at the ends and central part of the biomaterial was selectively induced using either BMP-2/FGF-2 or TGF-β/FGF-2 combinations, respectively. The bioartificial ACL graft was subsequently implanted in a swine ACL rupture model in place of the surgically removed normal ACL. Four months post-implantation, the tissue engineered ACL graft generated an ACL-like tissue exhibiting morphological and biochemical characteristics resembling those of normal ACL

BATHS IN ROMAN AND LATE ANTIQUE CHERSONISSOS: PRELIMINARY REMARKS ON THEIR TOPOGRAPHY, ARCHITECTURE AND BUILDING HISTORY

Baths count among the most frequent, but generally little studied, type-buildings of the Roman period in Crete. This study draws upon the rich evidence of bath buildings from the rescue excavations by the KG? Ephoreia of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities and the 13thEphoreia of Byzantine Antiquities over the past two decades in the area of ancient Chersonissos (modern Limenas Chersonissou) in the Pediada region. The purpose is to discuss aspects of the baths’ distribution in the urban area, their architecture, function and building history and to place them in their regional (Cretan) and supra-regional (provincial and empire-wide) context. In addition, we consider the place of baths and bathing in the Late Antique town, focusing on the evidence for architectural modifications and re-use. The evidence from Chersonissos provides an important addition to the growing number of studies on architecture in Roman Crete and a case-study of the spread and transformation of the bathing habit on the island during the Roman imperial period and Late Antiquity

Microbes and us: microbiology literacy in Greece

Microbes are ubiquitous and provide numerous services to humans and our planet. However, a query arises as to whether these microbial services are valued by the general public especially after unprecedented conditions like the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context a survey was conducted to investigate the concept of microbe in Greece. Thematic analysis of 672 anonymous responses (age range 4–75yo) received for the open-ended prompt “What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word microbe?” revealed five thematic categories: Negative emotions, Fuzzy associations, Biology, Entities and Health. Almost 80% of responses fell under “Biology” and “Health” and the general pattern of answers was the same across all age groups. Microbes took a variety of forms in the minds of respondents, however, the concept of “microbe” seems to be more unshaped at younger ages (4–11yo), as revealed in children's language choices. Overall, the often-negative perception of microorganisms seems to be confirmed in this study. Although this research was limited to participants from Greece, it remains relevant to other countries around the world as well. We discuss the reasons behind this negative perception and offer suggestions for reversing it

Microplastics Generation: Onset of Fragmentation of Polyethylene Films in Marine Environment Mesocosms

Summarization: The fragmentation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) films from single-use supermarket plastic bags to microplastics under laboratory-simulated onshore and nearshore conditions was investigated for a period of 6 months. The weathering process of the plastic strips either on beach sand or in seawater under direct natural sunlight was monitored by tensile strength, molecular weight measurements, FTIR, weight loss, and image processing of photographs of the plastic strips before and after mild mechanical stress was applied. The latter represents a novel method proposed for determining the onset of fragmentation through the application of mild mechanical stress on the weathered plastic samples emulating the action of sand and wind on a beach. It was found that 12 h of application of mild mechanical stress in rotating glass bottles filled partially with sand was sufficient time to reach the maximum degree of fragmentation that could occur for the weathered plastics samples being tested. For example, applied mechanical stress yielded an area loss of almost 14% for samples weathered for a period of 5 months and about 16.7% after 5.5 months. While tensile strength tests and molecular weight measurements were rather inconclusive till the very last month when the onset of fragmentation was identified; FTIR measurements revealed that samples under ultraviolet irradiation were gradually modified chemically until fragmentation commenced. After 6 months of weathering, molecular weight measurements showed a 60% reduction for sample SMB-1 whereas for sample SMB-2 the measurement was not possible due to extensive fragmentation. The onset of fragmentation for SMB-1 and SMB-2 samples occurred at a cumulative luminance of 5.3 × 106 lux•d and in the presence of atmospheric oxygen whereby the polymer films broke down partially to microplastics. When the UV exposure reached 7.2 × 106 lux•d the weathered plastic strips broke down fully to microplastics with the application of a mild mechanical stress. Samples placed in seawater proved to be resistant to fragmentation compared to those on sand over the 6-month period of the weathering experiment. The direct implication of this work is that beached macroplastic debris should be regularly collected from the seashore before they are weathered by sunlight and returned to the sea as microplastics by the action of high waves or strong winds. Presented on: Frontiers in Marine Scienc

Restoring tibiofemoral alignment during ACL reconstruction results in better knee biomechanics

"Published online: 24 October 2017"PURPOSE: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) aims to restore normal knee joint function, stability and biomechanics and in the long term avoid joint degeneration. The purpose of this study is to present the anatomic single bundle (SB) ACLR that emphasizes intraoperative correction of tibiofemoral subluxation that occurs after ACL injury. It was hypothesized that this technique leads to optimal outcomes and better restoration of pathological tibiofemoral joint movement that results from ACL deficiency (ACLD). METHODS: Thirteen men with unilateral ACLD were prospectively evaluated before and at a mean follow-up of 14.9 (SD = 1.8) months after anatomic SB ACLR with bone patellar tendon bone autograft. The anatomic ACLR replicated the native ACL attachment site anatomy and graft orientation. Emphasis was placed on intraoperative correction of tibiofemoral subluxation by reducing anterior tibial translation (ATT) and internal tibial rotation. Function was measured with IKDC, Lysholm and the Tegner activity scale, ATT was measured with the KT-1000 arthrometer and tibial rotation (TR) kinematics were measured with 3Dmotion analysis during a high-demand pivoting task. RESULTS: The results showed significantly higher TR of the ACL-deficient knee when compared to the intact knee prior to surgery (12.2° ± 3.7° and 10.7° ± 2.6° respectively, P = 0.014). Postoperatively, the ACLR knee showed significantly lower TR as compared to the ACL-deficient knee (9.6°±3.1°, P = 0.001) but no difference as compared to the control knee (n.s.). All functional scores were significantly improved and ATT was restored within normal values (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative correction of tibiofemoral subluxation that results after ACL injury is an important step during anatomic SB ACLR. The intraoperative correction of tibiofemoral subluxation along with the replication of native ACL anatomy results in restoration of rotational kinematics of ACLD patients to normal levels that are comparable to the control knee. These results indicate that the reestablishment of tibiofemoral alignment during ACLR may be an important step that facilitates normal knee kinematics postoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective cohort study.The authors gratefully acknowledge the funding support from the Hellenic Association of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (HAOST-EEXOT)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Η Προσυμβατική Ευθύνη στον Αστικό Κώδικα και στο Draft Common Frame of Reference

Με την παρούσα εργασία επιδιώκεται η συγκριτική ανάλυση της διαμόρφωσης του θεσμού της προσυμβατικής ευθύνης στο πλαίσιο του Αστικού Κώδικα και του Draft Common Frame of Reference (DCFR). Με αναφορά στα αντίστοιχα άρθρα των δύο ανωτέρω κειμένων, επισημαίνονται τα σημεία σύγκλισης και διαφοροποίησης αναφορικά με τα στοιχεία που θεμελιώνουν την ευθύνη εκ των διαπραγματεύσεων, καθώς και των εννόμων συνεπειών που επέρχονται από την τελευταία. Επιπρόσθετα, γίνεται μια σύντομη αναφορά για την ιδιαιτερότητα και τα χαρακτηριστικά του DCFR, για την πορεία της δημιουργίας του, τους στόχους και τη χρησιμότητά του. Ως εκ τούτου αναπτύσσεται πλήρως ο θεσμός της προσυμβατικής ευθύνης, όπως αυτός παρουσιάζεται στην ελληνική έννομη τάξη και στο DCFR.Purpose of this thesis is to comparatively analyze the formation of the institution of precontractual liability within the framework of the Civil Code and the Draft Common Frame of Reference (DCFR). In the light of the relevant articles of the texts mentioned above i emphasize on the points of convergence and the areas where they differ, concerning the elements that substantiate the precontractual liability as well as the legal effects arising therefrom. In addition, the special nature and the characteristics of DCFR, the course of establishment, the goals and its utility are briefly mentioned. Hence, the institution of precontractual liability is thoroughly examined, as it is presented in the Greek national law and in DCFR