Analysis and Comparison of Greek Parliamentary Electoral Systems of the Period 1974-1999

An important topic, in electoral studies, is the choice of the electoral system, which will be applied in parliamentary elections, because parliamentary seats distributed to political parties differ when a different system is applied. In this paper we focus on the five latest electoral systems applied in Greek Parliamentary Elections. Each one of them is described and analysed, in detail. Different measures of disproportionality are used in order to evaluate and compare these systems. We provide implementation details and illustrations using the data set of the latest parliamentary elections of 1996 and various data sets generated by introducing noise to the initial data setElectoral system, Measures of disproportionality, Sensitivity analysis

Instability of two-layer film flows due to the interacting effects of surfactants, inertia and gravity

We consider a two-fluid shear flow where the interface between the two fluids is coated with an insoluble surfactant. An asymptotic model is derived in the thin-layer approximation, consisting of a set of nonlinear partial differential equations describing the evolution of the film and surfactant disturbances at the interface. The model includes important physical effects such as Marangoni forces (caused by the presence of surfactant), inertial forces arising in the thick fluid layer, as well as gravitational forces. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of density stratification or gravity—represented through the Bond number Bo—on the flow stability and the interplay between the different (de)stabilisation mechanisms. It is found that gravity can either stabilise or destabilise the interface (depending on fluid properties) but not always as intuitively anticipated. Different traveling-wave branches are presented for varying Bo, and the destabilising mechanism associated with the Marangoni forces is discussed

Designing the detection system for the CORUS project

CORUS (Cosmic Rays in UK Schools) will be a network of muon detectors based in schools across the UK. Networks similar to CORUS already exist in other countries, such as the Netherlands and USA. The main aim of the project is to teach high schools students about cosmic rays and experimental physics as well as to motivate them to pursue studies in science. A set of muon detectors will be used for this purpose and the objective of this study is to complete the design of the detectors, construct them and test their capabilities and limitations. The most important component of the muon detector is the electronic card used to collect, analyse and output data. A DAQ card used by QuarkNet, a network of detectors in the USA, has been used in the design of the CORUS detectors. Some readily available photomultiplier tubes have also been used, along with an interface board which connects them to the DAQ board. In this study, I tested whether these two components work well together by conducting a series of experiments, intended to be performed by the students, with the nal detector set-up. The end result is that although a number of improvements is needed before the detectors serve their purpose, this particular set-up does not impose any limitations to the experiments that it is intended to be used for

Ecological characteristics of the invasive pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) in the eastern Mediterranean Sea – a case study from Rhodes

In this study, the ecological and societal impact of the invasive pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus on coastal habitats of an area of the eastern Mediterranean Sea (Rhodes Island) was investigated. Seasonal quantitative samplings in two common coastal habitats were used to investigate habitat use of different life-stages. Sandy areas were found to be highly important for the early life stages of L. sceleratus. In contrast, Posidonia oceanica habitats were mainly preferred by larger (> 29 cm) reproductive adults, not exceeding 64 cm. Lagocephalus sceleratus was found to feed on invertebrates and fish while size classification revealed a tendency for a diet shift with increased size. During early life stages, L. sceleratus inhabits sandy bottoms where it feeds on various invertebrates. The predominant molluscan species found in the diet of larger (> 20 cm) L. sceleratus individuals were the economically important Sepia officinalis and Octopus vulgaris. The size at which 50% of individuals reach maturity was estimated to 19 cm. With increased size, habitat shift to seagrass meadows most possibly occurs to meet both the increased demand in prey availability and requirement of appropriate spawning ground. Condition factor of L. sceleratus showed significantly higher values during summer than all other seasons and this was attributed to spawning season and increase in feeding. Societal impacts were alarming due to increased public attention concerning its lethal effects (presence of tetrodotoxin), if consumed. Its high abundance in the coastal fish communities of the studied area combined with ecological and societal impacts, clearly classify L. sceleratus a pest for fisheries and potential threat for biodiversity

First record of the non-indigenous fangtooth moray Enchelycore anatina from Rhodes Island, south- eastern Aegean Sea

The collection of one specimen of the non-indigenous fangtooth moray Enchelycore anatina of tropical Atlantic origin was for the first time found in an area of south eastern Aegean Sea. This record may indicate a recent establishment of the species on the coasts of Rhodes Island and a possible expansion of it on the coastal rocky habitats

Solar Energy Engineering: Processes and Systems

Errata pdf inserted.Η βιβλιοθήκη διαθέτει αντίτυπο του βιβλίου σε έντυπη μορφή με ταξινομικό αριθμό: TJ810 .K35 2009With the threat of global warming, and the gradual depletion of petroleum supplies, solar electric power is rapidly becoming significant part of our energy mix. The range of solar cells spans different materials and different structures in the quest to extract maximum power from the device while keeping the cost to a minimum. Devices with efficiency exceeding 30% have been demonstrated in the laboratory. Solar Energy Engineering: Processes and Systems. Solar Energy Processes and Systems includes all areas of solar energy engineering. All subjects are presented from the fundamental level to the highest level of current research. The book includes subjects such as energy related environmental problems, solar collectors, solar water heating, solar space heating and cooling, industrial process heat, solar desalination, photovoltaics, solar thermal power systems and modelling of solar systems including the use of artificial intelligence systems in solar energy systems modelling and performance prediction

Regulatory cooperation in EU FTAs: characteristics of the reestablished practice

Regulatory cooperation is a complex and multifarious concept. Its multimodality applies not only to the forms it can take but also to the fora where it may appear. Although regulatory cooperation does not constitute a new trend in EU trade, its current state represents an original development. Regulatory cooperation is now treated as a separate phenomenon in the new generation of free trade agreements (FTAs), raising several questions. What is the significance of this change? How does bilateralism as an external relations tool fit into a concept that partially falls under trade and partially under rule-making? Since regulatory cooperation is considered a trade-related concept that views domestic regulation through the prism of a beyond-the-borders dialogue, is bilateralism the best venue, considering the nature and sensitivities of the regulatory activity itself? What is the status of regulatory cooperation activities in the context of multilateralism, which is a de facto extension of bilateralism? This contribution will answer these questions through the concept of the ‘characteristics’ of contemporary regulatory cooperation, as the latter is envisaged in the new generation of European FTAs. The two identifiable characteristics upon which our analysis shall be based are bilateralism and inclusion in an FTA structure