THE VIEWS OF GREEK EDUCATIONALISTS ON THE ASSESSMENT OF THE KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM CONTENT AND FUNCTION

High-quality education is considered as a crucial issue for every organised society since it prepares the next-to-come generation of active citizens. The assessment of the quality of education comprises the research object for a large number of researchers and members of the educational community, since through it the content and results of the assessment itself are examined. A structural feature of quality in education is the curriculum, inside which the very purpose of Kindergarten is reflected, which is no other than the wholesome development of toddlers. The objective of the present study was to investigate the views of general and special education teachers concerning the assessment of content as well as the operation of the curriculum proposed for the educational rank of Kindergarten. The study was conducted during the 2022-23 academic year, with the participation of 1204 educationalists (N: 864 general education Kindergarten teachers, N: 337 special education Kindergarten teachers) from all over Greece. The results of the research showed that the assessment of the pupils’ advancement relates to the type of education, whether, that is, the educationalists are employed within general education facilities or in special education ones, as well as to the number of pupils who attend each class. More on this, it surfaced that the dimension “Learning domains”, in which the content of the curriculum is being described, is affected by the number of pupils in each contextual class.  Article visualizations

INVESTIGATION UPON THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THE EDUCATIONALISTS AND THE CHILDREN IN THE GREEK KINDERGARTEN

Quality in the domain of education comprises a high-significance issue through the prism of socio-cultural and financial developments that are taking place on a national as well as global level. The improvement of educational quality could be achieved through the reinforcement of interaction between the students and the educationalists, showing not only short-term effects but long-term ones as well. In the present research, the views of 1204 primary, general, and special educationalists are explored, on a Pan-Hellenic extent, about the quality of education provided within the Greek Kindergartens. The educationalists who took part in the research were asked to evaluate the proposals regarding interactions that take place within the preschool domain. From the analysis of data, it became clear that the quality of interactions is affected by the gender of the educationalists, the years of teaching service, and the number of children in each Kindergarten class. Every educational institute, to provide a high-quality education ought to develop strategies that encourage interaction between the educationalists and the children, constantly urging them towards new, more creative steps.  Article visualizations

Μελέτη του δικτύου αναγνώρισης και επιδιόρθωσης της βλάβης του DNA σε ανθρώπινα λεμφομονοπύρηνα κύτταρα

Μελέτη του δικτύου αναγνώρισης και επιδιόρθωσης της βλάβης του DNA σε ανθρώπινα λεμφομονοπύρηνα κύτταρα Παππά Μ. Α’ Προπαιδευτική Παθολογική Κλινική και Ειδική Νοσολογία, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ Εισαγωγή: Προηγούμενα επιστημονικά δεδομένα προτείνουν ότι οι ασθενείς με συστηματικά αυτοάνοσα νοσήματα έχουν ελαττωματική επιδιορθωτική ικανότητα του DNA. Σκοπός: Θα εξεταστεί η υπόθεση ότι η επιδιορθωτική ικανότητα του DNA είναι ελαττωματική σε ασθενείς με Ρευματοειδή Αρθρίτιδα (ΡΑ) και Συστηματικό Ερυθηματώδη Λύκο (ΣΕΛ), συνδέεται με τη συσσώρευση ενδογενών βλαβών και θα αναζητηθούν κλινικο-εργαστηριακές συσχετίσεις. Μέθοδοι: Λεμφομονοπύρηνα κύτταρα περιφερικού αίματος απομονώθηκαν από 20 ασθενείς με ΡΑ, 20 με ΣΕΛ και 50 υγιείς μάρτυρες (ΥΜ). Καταγράφηκαν δημογραφικά και κλινικο-εργαστηριακά στοιχεία για καθένα συμμετέχοντα στη μελέτη. Η συσσώρευση ενδογενών βλαβών μελετήθηκε με τη μέθοδο ηλεκτροφόρησης υπό αλκαλικές συνθήκες (comet assay). Αποτελέσματα: Σημαντικά υψηλότερα επίπεδα ενδογενών βλαβών βρέθηκαν στους ασθενείς συγκριτικά με ΥΜ [Μονάδες Olive Tail Moment: ΥΜ: 4.5±2.3 (1.5-10.7), ΡA: 11.8±6.9 (5.1-35.5), ΣΕΛ: 8.2±4.5 (2.4-23.0), p<0.05]. Ο ΟΤΜ παρουσιάζει μια τάση συσχέτισης με τον ρευματοειδή παράγοντα στους ασθενείς με ΡΑ, ωστόσο στην υποομάδα των ασθενών με ΣΕΛ δεν ανεδείχθησαν σημαντικές κλινικές συσχετίσεις. Συμπεράσματα: Η συσσώρευση ενδογενών βλαβών του DNA είναι κοινό χαρακτηριστικό ασθενών με συστηματικά αυτοάνοσα νοσήματα και συνδέεται με την κλινικο-εργαστηριακή εικόνα αυτών των ασθενών.The DNA Damage Response and Repair Network in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells Pappa M. A’ Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine Department, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Introduction: Recent studies highlight that defects in DNA Damage Response and Repair Network are present in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases. Aim: Our purpose is to study DDR/R network in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and to test the hypothesis that these patients show defects in this network. Methods: Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 20 patients with RA, 20 with SLE and 50 apparently healthy controls (HC). Clinical and laboratory data were obtained from each participant after informed consent. Endogenous DNA damage [Single Strand (SSBs) and Double Strand (DSBs) DNA breaks] was measured by alkaline comet assay. Results: Increased levels of endogenous DNA damage were present in patients compared to healthy controls [Olive Tail Moment arbitary units: HC: 4.5±2.3 (1.5-10.7), RA: 11.8±6.9 (5.1-35.5), SLE: 8.2±4.5 (2.4-23.0), p<0.05]. Rheumatoid factor (RF) is related with OTM in patients with RA; however, no statistically significant correlations were observred in SLE subgroup. Conclusions: Patients with systemic autoimmune diseases accumulate endogenous DNA damage, that is related with clinical and laboratory characteristics of these patinets

Animal welfare or greenhouse gas emissions ? Consumers’ preferences for hens’ eggs in Spain

We conducted a labelled Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) to assess consumers’ Willingness to Pay (WTP) and purchase intentions for fresh hens’ eggs under different production systems (caged, barn, free range and organic). Additional descriptors were introduced regarding the potential reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and water use (0, 10, 20, and 30%). Data was collected using an open-ended questionnaire completed by a representative sample of 1045 Spanish egg consumers. The results of a Random Parameter Logit (RPL) model showed heterogeneous preferences for the different types of eggs, with higher WTP for the production systems ensuring higher animal welfare. There were positive marginal WTPs for reductions in GHG emissions and water use, but only for significant reductions (20 and 30%) with respect to the current situation. Our findings may guide producers and policy makers in the development of more environmentally sustainable egg production systems and their pricing strategies.Postprint (published version

Στάσεις και απόψεις ειδικών ψυχικής υγείας και γονέων για το ρόλο της συνεργασίας οικογένειας-σχολείου στην υποστήριξη παιδιών με αναπηρία και ειδικές εκπαιδευτικές ανάγκες στην προσχολική εκπαίδευση

Η συνεργασία οικογένειας- σχολείου, αποτελεί έναν από τους κύριους παράγοντες αποτελεσματικότητας των σχολικών πλαισίων και παράλληλα αναγκαία προϋπόθεση κατά τη διάρκεια της πρώιμης παρέμβασης. Καθώς, η διαμόρφωση συνεργατικών σχέσεων οικογένειας-σχολείου, κυρίως στον χώρο της Ειδικής Αγωγής, συμβάλλει στη γνωστική, ψυχοκινητική και συναισθηματική εξέλιξη των παιδιών, κρίνεται απαραίτητη η διερεύνηση των παραγόντων εκείνων που μπορούν να την εξασφαλίσουν. Η παρούσα ερευνητική εργασία, αποτελεί μία ποιοτική μελέτη με σκοπό να διερευνήσει τις στάσεις και τις απόψεις, τόσο των ειδικών ψυχικής υγείας, όσο και των γονέων των παιδιών με αναπηρία και ειδικές εκπαιδευτικές ανάγκες προσχολικής εκπαίδευσης, όσον αφορά τη συνεργασία σχολείου-οικογένειας και ειδικότερα τη γονεϊκή εμπλοκή. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, μελετήθηκαν οι απόψεις των γονέων και των ειδικών ψυχικής υγείας για τη νοηματοδότηση της συνεργασίας οικογένειας- σχολείου, τις συνθήκες συνεργασίας και τις προκλήσεις που προκύπτουν. Η έρευνα διεξήχθη σε δείγμα 7 ειδικών ψυχικής υγείας και 7 γονέων, με τη μορφή των ημιδομημένων συνεντεύξεων. Από την ανάλυση των αποτελεσμάτων προκύπτει, ότι εξίσου γονείς και ειδικοί ψυχικής υγείας θεωρούν πολύ σημαντική τη συνεργασία του σχολείου με τις οικογένειες των παιδιών και με πολλά οφέλη και για τις δύο πλευρές. Ως προς τους παράγοντες, που επηρεάζουν αρνητικά την εμπλοκή των γονέων, παίζει σημαντικό ρόλο η μη αποδοχή της διάγνωσης του παιδιού τους, ο μειωμένος βαθμός εμπλοκής τους και ο ανεπαρκής ρόλος του εκπαιδευτικού. Καταληκτικά, η έρευνα επικεντρώνεται στη διατύπωση προτάσεων τόσο από την πλευρά των γονέων, όσο και από την πλευρά των ειδικών ψυχικής υγείας για τη βελτίωση των σχέσεων οικογένειας-σχολείου.The cooperation between the school and the family of the students is one of the main factors in the effectiveness of the school context and at the same time a necessary condition during early intervention. As, the formation of cooperative family-school relations, mainly in the field of Special Education, contributes to the cognitive, psychomotor and emotional development of children it is necessary to study the factors that ensure it.This research paper is a qualitative study which aims to explore the attitudes and views of both mental health professionals and parents of children with disabilities and special educational needs in special educational contexts, regarding school-family cooperation and, in particular, parental involvement. The research was conducted on a sample of 7 mental health professionals and 7 parents, using semi-structured interviews. The analysis of the results shows that equally parents and mental health professionals consider the cooperation of the school with the families of the children very important and with many benefits for both parties. Regarding the factors that influence negatively the involvement of parents, non-acceptance of their child's disability, reduced parental involvement and insufficient teacher’s role play an important role. Finally, the research focuses on suggestions for improving parents- mental health professionals’ relationships

Are consumers’ egg preferences influenced by animal-welfare conditions and environmental impacts?

We conducted a labelled discrete choice experiment (DCE) to assess consumers’ preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for fresh hens’ eggs produced via different production systems (caged, barn, free range, or organic). We estimated purchase intentions and WTP for different possible reductions (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and water use in the egg production systems. Data were collected using an online open-ended questionnaire completed by a representative sample of 1045 Spanish egg consumers. The results of a random parameter logit (RPL) model showed heterogeneous preferences for different types of eggs with higher marginal utility and WTP for a production system ensuring higher animal welfare level, such as free-range eggs. However, consumers showed a lower preference for organic eggs at the actual market prices since they were unwilling to pay for this category of eggs. Moreover, there were positive marginal WTPs for reductions in GHG emissions and water use, but only for significant reductions (20% or 30%) with respect to the current situation. Potential buyers for free-range eggs were identified to be persons under 40 years old, persons with a monthly income of more than €1500, and persons who were pro-environment. Our findings provide producers, sellers and policy makers with useful information that may guide them in the development of successful communication and pricing strategies.Postprint (published version

Processing of electronic communications data from digital rights Ireland to the new e-privacy regulation

Οι ηλεκτρονικές επικοινωνίες αποτελούν ένα σημαντικό μέρος της καθημερινότητάς μας. Χρησιμοποιούμε τα κινητά μας τηλέφωνα για να πραγματοποιήσουμε τηλεφωνικές κλήσεις, είτε διαδικτυακές είτε όχι, για να έχουμε πρόσβαση στο διαδίκτυο ώστε να διαβάσουμε τα νέα, να ακούσουμε μουσική, να επικοινωνήσουμε με τους αγαπημένους μας, να είμαστε ενεργοί στα μέσα κοινωνικής δικτύωσης. Σε έναν κόσμο όπου οι τρόποι επικοινωνίας εξελίσσονται, πόσο προστατευμένη είναι η ιδιωτικότητά μας; Έχει θυσιαστεί στον βωμό της τεχνολογίας; Ο σκοπός αυτής της διπλωματικής είναι να παράσχει μία εκτενή επισκόπηση της επεξεργασίας των δεδομένων ηλεκτρονικών επικοινωνιών και της εξέλιξης των κανόνων που τα διέπουν σε βάθος είκοσι ετών, από την υιοθέτηση της Οδηγίας 2002/58/ΕΚ (οδηγία για την προστασία της ιδιωτικότητας στις ηλεκτρονικές επικοινωνίες), την εμβληματική απόφαση του ΔΕΕ στην υπόθεση Digital Rights Ireland στον νέο Κανονισμό για την προστασία της ιδιωτικότητας στις ηλεκτρονικές επικοινωνίες. Το πρώτο μέρος πραγματεύεται το νομοθετικό πλαίσιο που είναι ακόμα σε ισχύ αναφορικά με την επεξεργασία των δεδομένων ηλεκτρονικών επικοινωνιών, δηλαδή την οδηγία για την προστασία της ιδιωτικότητας στις ηλεκτρονικές επικοινωνίες (Οδηγία 2002/58/ΕΚ). Το δεύτερο μέρος αφορά την διατήρηση των δεδομένων και την ανάλυση της νομολογίας του ΔΕΕ σχετικά με αυτό το θέμα, με έμφαση στην υπόθεση Digital Rights Ireland (Συνεκδικαζόμενες Υποθέσεις C-293/12 και C-594/12, Digital Rights Ireland Ltd. και άλλοι). Το τελευταίο μέρος παρέχει μία ανάλυση της επεξεργασίας των δεδομένων ηλεκτρονικών επικοινωνιών, όπως ρυθμίζεται στην πρόταση για έναν νέο Κανονισμό για την προστασία της ιδιωτικότητας στις ηλεκτρονικές επικοινωνίες, ο οποίος αναμένεται να τεθεί σε ισχύ -ελπίζουμε- μέσα στο 2023 και να εφαρμοστεί το 2025.Electronic Communications have become an important part of our everyday lives. We use our mobile phones to make phone calls, either internet-based or not, to access the Internet in order to read the news, listen to music, contact our favorites, be active in the social media. In a world, where the types of communication evolve, how much protected is our privacy? Has it been sacrificed in the altar of technology? The purpose of this thesis is to provide a comprehensive overview of the processing of electronic communications data and the evolution of the rules regulating it over twenty years, from the adoption of Directive 2002/58/EC (e-Privacy Directive), the landmark decision of the CJEU in Digital Rights Ireland to the Proposal for a new e-Privacy Regulation. The first section deals with the legal framework which is still applicable to the processing of electronic communications data, namely the e-Privacy Directive (Directive 2002/58/EC). The second section copes with data retention and with an analysis of the CJEU’s case-law regarding this issue, with an emphasis on the case Digital Rights Ireland (Joined Cases C-293/12 and C-593/12, Digital Rights Ireland Ltd. and others). The last section provides an analysis of the processing of electronic communications data, as regulated in the Proposal for a new e-Privacy Regulation, which is awaited to enter into force -hopefully- during 2023 and apply in 2025

Review of key causes and sources for N2O emmisions and NO3-leaching from organic arable crop rotations

Abstract. The emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) and leaching of nitrate (NO3) have considerable negative impacts on climate and the environment. Although these environmental burdens are on average less per unit area in organic than in non-organic production, they are not smaller per unit of product. If organic farming is to maintain its goal of being an environmentally friendly production system, these emissions should be mitigated. We discuss the impact of possible triggers within organic arable farming practice for the risk of N2O emissions and NO3 leaching under European climatic conditions, and possible strategies to reduce these. Organic arable crop rotations can be characterised as diverse with frequent use of legumes, intercropping and organic fertilizers. The soil organic matter content and share of active organic matter, microbial and faunal activity are higher, soil structure better and yields lower, than in non-organic, arable crop rotations. Soil mineral nitrogen (SMN), N2O emissions and NO3 leaching are low under growing crops, but there is high potential for SMN accumulation and losses after crop termination or crop harvest. The risk for high N2O fluxes is increased when large amounts of herbage or organic fertilizers with readily available nitrogen (N) and carbon are incorporated into the soil or left on the surface. Freezing/thawing, drying/rewetting, compacted and/or wet soil and mixing with rotary harrow further enhance the risk for high N2O fluxes. These complex soil N dynamics mask the correlation between total N-input and N2O emissions from organic arable crop rotations. Incorporation of N rich plant residues or mechanical weeding followed by bare fallow increases the risk of nitrate leaching. In contrast, strategic use of deep-rooted crops with long growing seasons in the rotation reduces nitrate leaching risk. Reduced tillage can reduce N leaching if yields are maintained. Targeted treatment and use of herbage from green manures, crop residues and catch crops will increase N efficiency and reduce N2O emissions and NO3 leaching. Continued regular use of catch crops has the potential to reduce NO3 leaching but may enhance N2O emissions. A mixture of legumes and non-legumes (for instance grasses or cereals) are as efficient a catch crop as monocultures of non-legume species

Is Routine Ultrasound Examination of the Gallbladder Justified in Critical Care Patients?

Objective. We evaluated whether routine ultrasound examination may illustrate gallbladder abnormalities, including acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) in the intensive care unit (ICU). Patients and Methods. Ultrasound monitoring of the GB was performed by two blinded radiologists in mechanically ventilated patients irrespective of clinical and laboratory findings. We evaluated major (gallbladder wall thickening and edema, sonographic Murphy's sign, pericholecystic fluid) and minor (gallbladder distention and sludge) ultrasound criteria. Measurements and Results. We included 53 patients (42 males; mean age 57.6 ± 2.8 years; APACHE II score 21.3 ± 0.9; mean ICU stay 35.9 ± 4.8 days). Twenty-five patients (47.2%) exhibited at least one abnormal imaging finding, while only six out of them had hepatic dysfunction. No correlation existed between liver biochemistry and ultrasound results in the total population. Three male patients (5.7%), on the grounds of unexplained sepsis, were diagnosed with AAC as incited by ultrasound, and surgical intervention was lifesaving. Patients who exhibited ≥2 ultrasound findings (30.2%) were managed successfully under the guidance of evolving ultrasound, clinical, and laboratory findings. Conclusions. Ultrasound gallbladder monitoring guided lifesaving surgical treatment in 3 cases of AAC; however, its routine application is questionable and still entails high levels of clinical suspicion