Central Greece Research Articles

Market-based or policy strategies to increase the cultivation of legumes for livestock? Effects on the cropping pattern and economic performance

Legume crops, the production of which is related to their use in animal nutrition (referred to in this study as “legumes for livestock—LL” and include species such as bean, lupin, pea, vetch and clover), have positive effects on the economic performance of farms and environmental outcomes, although their relation to sustainable weed management practices (SWMP) has received limited attention. The expansion of LL in Europe is limited due to market constraints, despite important policy incentives. This study was designed to investigate whether a policy-oriented Scenario (S1) or a market-based Scenario (S2) could induce the expansion of the cultivation of LL as well as to examine the possible impact on the economic performance of farming systems, including cost savings related to pest management. A farm typology was developed according to the level of expenses of farms for crop protection and their implemented SWMP. Using technical and economic data from 45 farms that cultivate annual arable crops in Greece, with special emphasis on LL, a Linear Programming model was constructed to examine the potential role of each one of the three identified farm types in the expansion of LL in Central Greece (Baseline Solution—BS). Following the BS, the effects of the two Scenarios were examined through a Price Parametric Programming approach. The solutions revealed that the valorization of LL had a significant economic potential for all farm types. In addition, it was found that a substantial policy incentive of increasing the coupled payments of LL by 128% (S1) can have an equivalent impact on the expansion of LL as modest levels of market interventions—through the achievement of higher yields or/and higher selling prices—to increase the revenues of LL by 59% (S2). Farms that relied more on chemical pesticides could play a more decisive role in expanding LL. The novel aspect is related to the investigation of the economic performance of different farm types cultivating LL with a specific focus on potentially higher profitability related to SWMP. Furthermore, this study contributed to the “policy versus market solutions” debate toward the expansion of LL.

Landscape loss and restoration: the case of Lake Karla in Greece

This article investigates the case of Karla Lake in Central Greece, analysing the effects of landscape loss and the subsequent restoration after its recent overflow, following a long period of environmental rehabilitation. Through a spatial landscape-based approach, it examines historical and contemporary challenges associated with rural development, assesses the environmental and spatial consequences of the Karla restoration project, and highlights the need for robust landscape policies in an integrated recovery strategy, in line with the European Landscape Convention (ELC). The methodology relies on secondary data analysis. The study proposes a strategic recovery plan focused on integrated landscape management, participative governance, and sustainable practices to restore the landscape and bolster community resilience, offering actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders.

Distribution Patterns and Habitat Preferences of Five Globally Threatened and Endemic Montane Orthoptera (Parnassiana and Oropodisma)

Greece is a European hotspot for Orthoptera (378 species), yet it has been scarcely explored. We investigated the distribution and habitat preferences of the species of two endemic Orthoptera genera, Parnassiana and Oropodisma, in the montane ecosystems of central Greece. We conducted field surveys from 2021 to 2024 in 174 sites across seven mountains. The species of both genera preferred habitats above 1500 m, with species-specific preferences for microhabitat parameters: Parnassiana species favored moderate slopes with dense shrub cover, while Oropodisma species favored substrates with intermediate stone cover and relatively high vegetation cover. Species distribution models estimated the area of suitable habitat for Parnassiana to be at 5 km2 and Oropodisma at 3.28 km2. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and potential evapotranspiration were the key environmental drivers of the habitat suitability for both genera. Generalized regression models showed that altitude positively influenced Parnassiana population density, peaking at 2200 m, whereas rock and soil cover negatively impacted Oropodisma population densities. The results emphasize the critical role of montane habitats in sustaining these species and provide essential data for future research and conservation strategies.

Effect of Trap Type and Killing Agent On the Capture of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Adults in Cotton

The cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is one of the main pests of cotton and other economically important crops worldwide. Pheromone traps can be used to monitor H. armigera males. The trap type is an important monitoring system component, along with the killing agent inside the trap. In the first series of this study, we evaluated the performance and efficiency of one commercial funnel trap and two novel funnel traps. In a second series, brown quadruple funnel traps impregnated with a different killing agent, i.e. deltamethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin were utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of the insecticide in capturing adult males of H. armigera. The trials were performed in cotton crops in the region of Anthili, Fthiotida, Central Greece. Captures notably increased in all traps from late July to mid-September. The commercial funnel trap exhibited the highest capture of H. armigera males, collecting an average of 2.12 males in total compared to 1.14 and 1.44 of double and quadruple funnel, respectively, while in most of the trap-check dates tested, there were no significant differences between the killing agents. The present findings could additionally be applied to H. armigera monitoring programs in cotton fields.

The Northern Giona Fault Zone, a Major Active Structure Through Central Greece

The steep northern slopes of Giona Mt in central continental Greece are the result of an E-W normal fault dipping 35–45° to the north, extending from the Mornos River in the west to the village of Gravia in the east. This fault creates a significant elevation difference of approximately 1500 m between the northern Giona footwall and the southern Iti hanging wall. The footwall comprises imbricated Mesozoic carbonates of the Parnassos unit, which exhibit large-scale drag folding near and parallel to the fault. The hanging wall comprises deformed sedimentary rocks of the Beotian unit and tectonic klippen of the Eastern Greece unit, forming a southward-tilted neotectonic block with subsidence near the Northern Giona Fault and uplift near the Ypati fault to the north. These two E-W faults represent younger structures disrupting the older NNW-trending tectonic framework. Fault scarps are observed all along the 14 km length of the Northern Giona fault accompanied by cataclastic zones, separating the carbonate formations of the Parnassos Unit from thick scree, slide blocks, boulders and olistholites. Inversion of fault-slip data has shown a mean slip vector of 45°, N004°E, which aligns with the current regional extensional deformation of the area, as confirmed by focal mechanism solutions. Based on the general asymmetry of the alpine units in the hanging wall, we interpret a listric fault geometry at depth using slip-line analysis and we forward modelled a disrupted fault-propagation fold using kinematic trishear algorithms, estimating a total displacement of 6500 m and a throw of approximately 2000 m. Seismic activity in the area of the Northern Giona Fault includes a magnitude 6.1 earthquake in 1852, which caused casualties, rockfalls and extensive damage, as well as a magnitude 5.1 event in 1983. The expected seismic magnitude is deterministically estimated between 6.2 and 6.7, depending on the potential westward continuation of the Northern Giona Fault beyond the Mornos River to the Northern Vardoussia saddle. The seismic hazard zone includes several villages located near the fault, particularly on the hanging wall, where intense landslide activity during seismic events could result in severe damage to regional infrastructure. The neotectonic development of the Northern Giona Fault highlights the importance of extending seismotectonic research into the mountainous regions of central Greece within the alpine formations, beyond the post-orogenic sedimentary basins.

The Clinical Anatomy of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern in Central Greece During October 2020-July 2022.

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) during the COVID-19 pandemic necessitates investigation into their clinical differentiation and outcomes. This study aimed to examine these differences among VOCs, considering multiple related factors. An observational cohort study was conducted on patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection via nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swab who visited the emergency department of a public Greek hospital between October 2020 and July 2022 during different VOC circulation in the region. Data on clinical manifestations, outcomes, and medical history (comorbidities, prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination status against COVID-19) were collected through a questionnaire and medical records for those hospitalized. A total of 913 patients were included in this study (813 adults ≥18 years old, 100 children <18 years old). Significant differences were observed across VOCs for both adults and children. A lower proportion of children developed symptoms during the non-Omicron variants, 73.5%, compared to Omicron variants, 86.4%. Fever, dyspnea, and taste and smell disorders were observed more frequently among non-Omicron adult cases, in contrast to upper respiratory symptoms, which were more common symptoms among Omicron infections. The non-Omicron variants were associated with higher rates of hospitalization at 30.6%, pneumonia at 23.0%, and death at 6.1% compared to Omicron variants at 8.0%, 5.0%, and 1.8%, respectively. Vaccination against COVID-19 was shown to be a protective factor for severe outcomes. Our findings suggest distinct clinical presentations and outcomes associated with different VOCs. Despite the fact that current VOCs circulating are less severe, the COVID-19 vaccine continues to play a protective role for severe cases.

Genetic Analysis of the Brown Bear Sub-Population in the Pindos Mountain, Central Greece: Insights into Population Status and Conservation.

Habitat fragmentation poses a significant threat to the existence and reproduction of large carnivores, such as brown bears, as it affects the genetic connectivity of populations and, consequently, their long-term viability. Understanding the genetic makeup and dispersal patterns in areas where brown bears live is crucial for developing effective conservation plans and promoting human-brown bear coexistence. In this study, 214 hair samples were collected non-invasively from brown bears and were genetically analyzed using fifteen specific microsatellite loci to shed light on the genetic status and demography of a sub-population residing in Central Greece (Trikala-Meteora area). The broader Central and South Pindos regions have not been studied for over a decade; however, high levels of genetic diversity, a lack of heterozygosity deficiency, and no signs of inbreeding, along with an estimated effective population size (Ne = 99), confirm the good conservation status of this sub-population. Moreover, the existence of a natural and apparently functional corridor in Central Pindos was demonstrated by bear movements between the western and eastern parts of the project area, enhancing the sustainability of the population. These findings will contribute to future efforts to conserve natural corridors that enable functional connectivity among large areas of brown bear territories in Greece.

Microplastics' impact on soil health and quality: Effect of incubation time and soil properties in soil fertility and pollution extent under the circular economy concept.

The aim of the present study is to highlight the effect of two commonly used plastics, polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), on the quality and health indices of soil. To this end, a pot experiment was carried out using two soils, one acidic and one alkaline. The soil samples were collected from rural areas of central and Northern Greece and had similar particle size composition and almost equal copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentrations. PE and PET microplastics (MPs) were added into the soil samples in two ratios (2% and 4% v/v) and remained in the soils for 20, 60 and 120 days. Then, the changes in the properties, nutrients, potentially toxic elements and health indicators of the soil samples were measured. PE addition at 4% v/v caused the maximum increase in trace element availability when it remained in the soil sample for 120 days. In contrast, PET addition caused a maximum decrease in the DTPA-extractable concentration of toxic elements (Cd and Pb), after 120 days of incubation in acid and alkaline soil. The present work provides a fresh perspective evaluating MPs from unwanted waste to materials with potential positive benefits, enhancing the circular economy approach to soil systems. Knowledge of the MPs present in soils, along with physicochemical soil properties, including their nutrient and toxic element content, are critical aspects that need to be addressed to ensure that soil quality and health are not adversely affected.

Cultivation Practices Affect Biomass Yield and Quality of “Felina 32”, an Industrial Hemp Variety

Hemp is a multipurpose crop that produces high amounts of lignocellulosic biomass. There are few studies dealing with hemp’s biomass production (lignocellulosic and fiber) under cropping strategies such as irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to assess the effect of irrigation and N-fertilization on the lignocellulosic biomass of one of the most well-known industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) varieties worldwide (Felina 32) under a typical Mediterranean climate. For the purposes of this study, a field experiment was conducted in central Greece (Thessaly region) over the cultivating years 2022 and 2023. We determined the produced biomass dry yield and the dry biomass yield vs. N-uptake relation, as well as quality characteristics for hemp (cv. Felina 32) under three irrigation (I1: 33%, I2: 66%, and I3: 100% ETo) and three N-fertilization levels (N1: 0, N2: 70, and N3: 140 kg ha−1). A significant difference in the dry biomass yield was found, ranging between 10–11.2 t ha−1 using I2 and/or I3 irrigation levels and remaining at 8.6 t ha−1 with lower irrigation (I1). In terms of fertilization factor, it appeared that in samplings where statistically significant changes were observed, all degrees of fertilization differed from one another, with the N3 treatment exhibiting the highest production (11.4 t ha−1). The average protein content varied between 10% in 2023 and 14% in 2023. A linear biomass yield–nutrient uptake relationship was found with high R2, pointing to a nitrogen use efficiency of 55.15 kg kg−1. Thus, it would seem that nitrogen fertilization and irrigation are both crucial factors of industrial hemp cultivation, helping to raise the crop’s overall yield of lignocellulosic biomass. The introduction of hemp into land-use systems necessitates thorough evaluation, as hemp shows considerable potential as a crop that can yield substantial quantities of above-ground biomass (lignocellulosic: stems and fibers). This is especially true in regions where irrigation is possible, and the application of nitrogen fertilizers can further enhance these yields.

Performance Evaluation of Satellite Precipitation Products During Extreme Events—The Case of the Medicane Daniel in Thessaly, Greece

Mediterranean tropical-like cyclones, or Medicanes, present unique challenges for precipitation estimations due to their rapid development and localized impacts. This study evaluates the performance of satellite precipitation products in capturing the precipitation associated with Medicane Daniel that struck Greece in early September 2023. Utilizing a combination of ground-based observations, reanalysis, and satellite-derived precipitation data, we assess the accuracy and spatial distribution of the satellite precipitation products GPM IMERG, GSMaP, and CMOPRH during the cyclone event, which formed in the Eastern Mediterranean from 4 to 7 September 2023, hitting with unprecedented, enormous amounts of rainfall, especially in the region of Thessaly in central Greece. The results indicate that, while satellite precipitation products demonstrate overall skill in capturing the broad-scale precipitation patterns associated with Medicane Daniel, discrepancies exist in estimating localized intense rainfall rates, particularly in convective cells within the cyclone’s core. Indeed, most of the satellite precipitation products studied in this work showed a misplacement of the highest amounts of associated rainfall, a significant underestimation of the event, and large unbiased root mean square error in the areas of heavy precipitation. The total precipitation field from IMERG Late Run and CMORPH showed the smallest bias (but significant) and good temporal correlation against rain gauges and ERA5-Land reanalysis data as a reference, while IMERG Final Run and GSMaP showed the largest underestimation and overestimation, respectively. Further investigation is needed to improve the representation of extreme precipitation events associated with tropical-like cyclones in satellite precipitation products.

Rapid increase of multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Greece - WHONET-Greece (2020-2023)

Abstract Background Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been documented as a significant threat associated with adverse patient outcomes. We aimed to describe the rapid increase in the prevalence of an MDR P.aeruginosa phenotype at the national level, as detected through the Greek Electronic System for the Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (WHONET-Greece). Methods Routine susceptibility data of 22,236 P.aeruginosa isolates of hospitalized patients in forty-five hospitals, isolated over the past four years (2020-2023) were analyzed using ‘Resistance profiles’ analysis of WHONET software(ver.2023), considering five antimicrobial groups/agents. Results We confirmed the rapid increase in the prevalence of a carbapenem-resistant P.aeruginosa (CRPA) phenotype resistant to all five antimicrobial groups/agents tested (carbapenems, piperacillin-tazobactam, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides). The prevalence increased by 63.8% in 2023 (from 15.2% to 24.9%, 1.64-fold increase), whereas in the last 24 months of the study period a 2.13-fold increase was observed (from 11.7% to 24.9%). In parallel, the prevalence of all other CRPA profiles decreased in 2023 from 22.5% to 17%. We also examined the prevalence of this MDR phenotype in the different NUTS-1 regions of the country, which revealed that the rapid increase is mainly observed in Attika (EL3, 19/45 hospitals) and Central Greece (EL6, 8/45 hospitals) where prevalence reached 25.4% and 26.2% in the second half of 2023 respectively. Northern Greece (EL5, 15/45 hospitals) showed a steady increase over the four years (12% to 19.3%), while in the Aegean Islands/Crete region (EL4, 3/45 hospitals) the prevalence levels were stable. Conclusions There is an emerging multi-drug CRPA phenotype in Greece. Only with systematic, nationwide surveillance could we identify and verify such threats. The findings of this study should be used for targeted interventions and further analysis through molecular techniques. Key messages • The early detection of such emerging multi-drug CRPA phenotype in Greece allows for for targeted interventions and further analysis through molecular techniques. • Systematic surveillance of antimicrobial resistance based on routine susceptibility data is a great way to identify and verify emerging public health threats.

Daily Rainfall Patterns During Storm “Daniel” Based on Different Satellite Data

Extreme rainfall from a long-lived weather system called storm “Daniel” occurred from 4th to 11th September 2023 over the central and eastern Mediterranean, leading to many devastating flood events mainly in central Greece and the western coastal parts of Libya. This study analyzes the daily rainfall amounts over all the affected geographical areas during storm “Daniel” by comparing three different satellite-based rainfall data products. Two of them are strictly related to Meteosat multispectral imagery, while the other one is based on the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite mission. The satellite datasets depict extreme daily rainfall (up to 450 mm) for consecutive days in the same areas, with the spatial distribution of such rainfall amounts covering thousands of square kilometers almost during the whole period that the storm lasted. Moreover, the spatial extent of the heavy rainfall patterns was calculated on a daily basis. The convective nature of the rainfall, which was also recorded, characterizes the extremity of this weather system. Finally, the intercomparison of the datasets used highlights the satisfactory efficiency of the examined satellite datasets in capturing similar rainfall amounts in the same areas (daily mean error of 15 mm, mean absolute error of up to 35 mm and correlation coefficient ranging from 0.6 to 0.9 in most of the examined cases). This finding confirms the realistic detection and monitoring of the different satellite-based rainfall products, which should be used for early warning and decision-making regarding potential flood events.

Late Miocene high-angle faulting in the Cyclades: offshore-onshore tectonic studies and U-Pb calcite dating.

Aegean extension began during Eocene-Oligocene times and led to the thinning of the upper plate into a retreating slab system. The style of extension during the Miocene remains controversial, with a majority of studies arguing for extension accommodated by low-angle extensional brittle-ductile faults, called detachments. In other hands, the present-day active seismic faults in the Aegean Sea are only high-angle normal faults and dextral strike-slips. We aim to constrain and date the style of faulting in central Greece by combining analysis of 19 offshore seismic lines with onshore structural observations on Syros Island and LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating of calcite sampled in two major fault zones of Syros (Palos and Fabrika faults). Three main sets of faults have been identified in the Central Cyclades: NW-SE trending normal faults, NNW-SSE oblique (sinistral)-normal faults, and NNE-SSW trending dextral strike-slip faults. High-angle normal faults define regularly spaced horsts and grabens, suggesting a wide rifting-type of extension. Dextral strike-slip faults occur at Syros, mainly offshore, and are kinematically compatible with normal faults. U-Pb dating of calcite crystallizing in normal fault planes at Syros yields ages at c.a. 10 Ma for high-angle normal faults activity. On these bases, we propose that wide rifting with high-angle normal faults accommodated Aegean extension when trench retreat accelerated in the middle to late Miocene. At this time, dextral strike-slip faults formed as a response of the onset of Anatolia lateral extrusion.

Impact of Harvest Method on Development of European Sea Bass Skin Microbiome during Chilled Storage

European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is one of the most significant species farmed in the Mediterranean, yet a very perishable product. Its quality deteriorates rapidly as a result of three mechanisms: microbial activity, chemical oxidation, and enzymatic degradation. Microbial spoilage is the mechanism that contributes most to the quality deterioration of fresh and non-processed fish. To this end, our study aims to identify for the first time the combined effect of aquatic environment and harvest method on the composition and trajectory at storage at 0 °C of the European sea bass skin microbiome. Sampling was performed in two commercial fish farms in Western (WG) and Central Greece (CG) where fish were harvested using different methods: direct immersion in ice water or a mixture of slurry ice; application of electro-stunning prior to immersion in ice water. Samples were collected on harvest day and one week post-harvest. To profile the bacterial communities in the fish skin, 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was used. The results and the following analyses indicated that the aquatic environment shaped the original composition of the skin microbiome, with 815 ASVs identified in the WG farm as opposed to 362 ASVs in the CG farm. Moreover, Pseudomonas and Pseudoalteromonas dominated the skin microbiome in the WG farm, unlike the CG farm where Shewanella and Psychrobacter were the dominant genera. All these genera contain species such as Shewanella putrefaciens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudoalteromonas spp., and Psychrobacter sp., all of which have been implicated in the deterioration and spoilage of the final product. The different harvest methods drove variations in the microbiome already shaped by the aquatic environment, with electro-stunning favoring more diversity in the skin microbiome. The aquatic environment in combination with the harvest method appeared to determine the skin microbiome trajectory at storage at 0 °C. Although Shewanella had dominated the skin microbiome in all samples one week post-harvest, the diversity and the relative abundance of genera were strongly influenced by the aquatic environment and the harvest method. This study sheds light on the hierarchy of the factors shaping the fish skin microbiome and their importance for controlling post-harvest quality of fresh fish.

Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Community-Dwelling Women in Rural Areas of Greece in the Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Era

Background/Objectives: Depressive and anxiety syndromes are associated with elevated disability and are more prevalent in women. Data on the prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders in the rural context are limited and contradictory. It is relevant to study common mental disorders in rural areas in the most vulnerable population of women, particularly in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted in two primary healthcare sites in the rural region of Farsala, Central Greece after the obviation of all restrictive measures that had been posed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All consecutive female patients that attended the study sites for any non-emergent reason were asked to participate in the study. For the recording of symptoms of depression and anxiety, the self-reported Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was used. Results: The study sample consisted of 129 women. The majority of participants were &gt;50 years, with 27.9% being older adults. A small percentage (13.2%) suffered a chronic physical disease. A large proportion of the sample, slightly exceeding 40%, reported clinically relevant symptoms of anxiety, whereas a lower percentage of women with depressive symptoms was detected (17.1%). Symptoms of anxiety and depression were found to be interrelated, while a number of sociodemographic variables were associated with both, such as older age, education (primary), living status (alone, OR 123.5; 95% CI: 7.3–2098.8 for anxiety; OR 3.5; 95% CI: 1.3–9.8 for depression), employment (not working, (OR 0.157; 95% CI: 0.06–0.41 for anxiety; OR 0.08; 95% CI: 0.01–0.62 for depression) and the history of a chronic disease (OR 33.8; 95% CI: 4.3–264.7 for anxiety; OR 37.2; 95% CI: 10–138.1 for depression). Self-rated financial status was not related to symptoms of anxiety or depression. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of inquiring for symptoms of depression and anxiety in women attending the rural primary care setting. The use of valid and reliable self-reported instruments that are easy to administrate may be helpful in this regard.

Effects of Religious Fasting on Markers of Oxidative Status in Vitamin D-Deficient and Overweight Orthodox Nuns versus Implementation of Time-Restricted Eating in Lay Women from Central and Northern Greece

Background/Objectives: The Mediterranean diet has been widely suggested to exert significant beneficial effects on endothelial oxidative status and cardiometabolic health. Greek Orthodox monasteries, due to their specific nutritional and sartorial habits, comprise a population thatstrictly adheres to nutritional patterns with restricted eating and a plant-based subset of the Mediterranean diet, often accompanied by profound hypovitaminosis D. Time-restricted eating (TRE) is also adopted bya large part of the general lay Greek population for health-promoting reasons, without restrictions on animal product consumption, as imposed by Orthodox religious fasting. However, the comparative effects of these nutritional patterns on oxidative stress markers remain scarce. Methods: The present study attempted to evaluate the effects of Christian Orthodox fasting (COF) in a group of vitamin D-deficient and overweight Orthodox nuns from Central and Northern Greece compared to the implementation of TRE, a 16:8 dietary regimen (16 h of food abstinence and 8 h of feeding) in a cohort of adult women from the general population from the same region with regard to markers of endothelial oxidative status. A group of 50 women from two Orthodox monasteries in Northern Greece and one group of 50 healthy lay women were included. During the enrollment, a detailed recording of their dietary habits was performed, along with a scientific registry of their demographic and anthropometric characteristics (via bioimpedance). The Orthodox nuns followed a typical Orthodox fasting regimen [daily feeding window (8 a.m.–4 p.m.)], whereas the lay women followed a TRE 16:8 regimen with the same feeding time-window with a recommendation to follow a low-fat diet, without characteristics of the Mediterranean diet. We included a complete biochemical analysis, as well as calciotropic profiles [calcium—Ca, albumin, parathyroid hormone—PTH, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D—25(OH)D] and markers of TAC (total antioxidant capacity), GSH (glutathione),and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs) concentrations as markers of oxidative status. Results: All the groups were compared at the baseline regarding their calcium, PTH, and 25(OH)D concentrations, with no statistically significant differences between the groups apart from higher PTH levels in the nuns due to lower 25(OH)D levels. The Orthodox nuns manifested a lower median GSH compared to the controls (6.0 vs. 7.2, p 0.04) and a higher median TAC (0.92 vs. 0.77, p &lt; 0.001). The TBARS comparisons showed no significant difference between the two groups. No significant associations of oxidative status with 25(OH)D, PTH, and the markers of glucose homeostasis were evident. Conclusions: The results of this small pilot study indicate that both dietary regimens have advantages over the oxidative markers compared to each other, with increased TAC in the group of Orthodox nuns after a 16-week period of COF compared to a 16:8 TRE and increased GSH concentrations in the lay women group. Future randomized trials are required to investigate the superiority or non-inferiority between these dietary patterns in the daily clinical setting.

Leveraging Digital Technologies for Carbon Footprint Tracking in Perennial Cultivations: A Case Study of Walnut Orchard Establishment in Central Greece

The present paper aims to quantify the carbon emissions associated with the establishment of 15 walnut orchards (“Juglans californica”) in the greater area of Magnisia, Greece, with the use of a carbon footprint tool interconnected to a Farm Management Information System. The data collection spanned the first five years following the planting of the trees, providing a comprehensive view of the emissions during this critical establishment phase. Over the five-year period examined (February 2019–December 2023), the results revealed net carbon emissions amounting to 13.71 tn CO2 eq ha−1, with the calculated emissions showing an increasing trend from the first year through the fifth year. Scope 1 (7.38 tn CO2 eq ha−1) and Scope 2 (3.71 tn CO2 eq ha−1) emissions emerged as the most significant, while irrigation (drip irrigation) and fertilizing practices were identified as the highest contributors to emissions. This study highlights the significance of using integrated digital tools for monitoring the performance of cultivations rather than standalone tools that are currently widely available. Integrated tools that incorporate various applications simplify data collection, encourage accurate record-keeping, and facilitate certification processes. By automating data entry and calculations, these tools reduce human error during agricultural carbon management and save time; thus, the integration of digital monitoring tools is vital in improving data accuracy, streamlining certification processes, and promoting eco-friendly practices, crucial for the evolving carbon market.

A new species of Hypericum section Olympia (Hypericaceae) from Central Greece

Hypericum intricatum, discovered in an ophiolitic area near the city of Domokos, Central Greece, is here described and illustrated as a species new to science. It belongs to section Olympia, as indicated by nuclear ribosomal ITS phylogeny, congruent with several but not all key morphological characters of this taxon. The sole known population of the new species is critically small and restricted to a floristically noteworthy spot accompanied by other rare and threatened serpentine-specialist species.

Conceptual meanings in middle neolithic red-painted pottery from Central Greece: A case study

Human expression uses conceptual metaphors in various forms and modalities, one of which is material culture. Although conceptual or cognitive metaphors have been recognized in cognitive linguistics, abstractions on nature and structure can function as a tool for metaphorical reconstructions through and/or from archaeological evidence that derives from early communities. This paper initiates a discussion of the figurative meanings in Middle Neolithic red-painted pottery from Central Greece using a case study, the Middle Neolithic red-painted pottery from Halai. Even though a particular context is undoubtedly the foundational factor of archaeological interpretation, human cognition emerges from universal processes that are the same in all humans. Pottery, a material culture product, can express metaphorical meanings of knowledge and bodily experience, while the repetition of characteristic patterns in a particular region can demonstrate social identities and stylistic boundaries.

Designing Post-Fire Flood Protection Techniques for a Real Event in Central Greece

Designing Post-Fire Flood Protection Techniques for a Real Event in Central Greece