Central Greece Research Articles

The 2 December 2020 MW 4.6, Kallithea (Viotia), central Greece earthquake: a very shallow damaging rupture detected by InSAR and its role in strain accommodation by neotectonic normal faults

On 2 December 2020 10:54 UTC a shallow earthquake of MW (NOA) = 4.6 occurred near the village of Kallithea (to the east of Thiva), central Greece, which, despite its modest size, was locally damaging. Using InSAR and GNSS data, we mapped a permanent change on the ground surface, i.e., a subsidence of 7 cm. Our geodetic inversion modelling indicates that the rupture occurred on a WNW–ESE striking, SSW-dipping normal fault, with a dip-angle of ~ 54°. The maximum slip value was 0.35 m, which was reached at a depth of about 1100 m. The analysis of broadband seismological data also provided kinematic source parameters such as moment magnitude MW = 4.6 (± 0.1), rupture area 6.3 km2 and mean slip 0.16 m, which agree with the values obtained from the geodetic model. The effects of the earthquake were disproportionate to its moderate magnitude, probably due to its unusually shallow depth (slip centroid at 1.1 km) and the high efficiency of the earthquake (radiation efficiency η\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\eta$$\\end{document} = 0.62). The geodetic data inversion also indicates that within the uncertainty limits of the technique, three scenarios are possible (a) the earthquake responsible for the mapped surface deformation may have occurred on a ~ 2-km long, blind normal fault different from the well-known active Kallithea normal fault or (b) could have occurred along a secondary fault that branches off the Kallithea fault or (c) it may have occurred along the Kallithea fault itself, but with its geometrical configuration could not be modelled with available data. We have also concluded that with a high dip-angle Kallithea Fault forward model it is not possible to fit the geodetic data. The rupture initiated at a very shallow depth (1.1 km) and it could not propagate deeper possibly because of a structural barrier down-dip. The 2020 event near Kallithea highlighted the structural complexity in this region of the Asopos Rift valley as the reactivation of the WNW–ESE structures indicates their significant role in strain accommodation and that they still represent a seismic hazard for this region.

Evaluation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Quinoa Seed Production in Greece

Population growth has led to an increase in food production, resulting in an increase in agricultural products in terms of quantity and quality. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) cultivation is prevalent in most areas of the world due to its high-quality grain and its potential to produce high yields under tough growing conditions. This study aimed to investigate all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by quinoa seed production in Greece and their relationship with farm-related factors, from fertilizer production to energy consumption for all cultivation techniques. The amount of all GHG emissions was estimated using Cool Farm Tool software. In order to collect data, a questionnaire including questions regarding cultivation details, soil characteristics, inputs, fuel, and water use was distributed and completed by forty quinoa producers from Central Greece. Accordingly, the estimated carbon footprint values per hectare and per kilogram of quinoa seed were 1,159.65 and 0.48 kg CO2-eq, respectively. The present research also found that the highest CO2-eq emissions per kilogram of quinoa seed were found to be associated with the production of fertilizers, with a value of 0.20 kg CO2-eq corresponding to 40.88% of the total emissions per kilogram of produced seed. Consequently, attention must be given for the mitigation of the environmental impact of quinoa seed production. It is particularly important to manage chemical fertilizers and agricultural machinery properly in order to ensure the sustainable cultivation of quinoa.

Molecular Characterization of Escherichia coli Producing Extended-Spectrum ß-Lactamase and MCR-1 from Sick Pigs in a Greek Slaughterhouse.

The first prospective surveillance of ESBL and colistin-resistant Escherichia coli recovered from sick pigs from a slaughterhouse in Central Greece aimed to investigate the spread of relevant genetic elements. In February 2021, 25 E. coli isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using disk diffusion and broth microdilution techniques. PCR screening was conducted to identify ESBLs and mcr genes. Additional assays, encompassing mating-out procedures, molecular typing utilizing Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis, multilocus sequence typing analysis, and plasmid typing, were also conducted. A 40% prevalence of ESBLs and an 80% prevalence of MCR-1 were identified, with a co-occurrence rate of 32%. The predominant ESBL identified was CTX-M-3, followed by SHV-12. Resistance to colistin, chloramphenicol, cotrimoxazol, and ciprofloxacin was detected in twenty (80%), fifteen (60%), twelve (48%), and four (16%) isolates, respectively. All blaCTX-M-3 harboring plasmids were conjugative, belonging to the incompatibility group IncI1, and approximately 50 kb in size. Those carrying blaSHV-12 were also conjugative, classified into incompatibility group IncI2, and approximately 70 kb in size. The mcr-1 genes were predominantly located on conjugative plasmids associated with the IncX4 incompatibility group. Molecular typing of the ten concurrent ESBL and MCR-1 producers revealed seven multilocus sequence types. The heterogeneous population of E. coli isolates carrying resistant genes on constant plasmids implies that the dissemination of resistance genes is likely facilitated by horizontal plasmid transfer.

Estimation of Crops Future Irrigation Water Needs in a Mediterranean Plain

Agriculture is a vulnerable sector to climate change due to its sensitivity to weather conditions. Changes in climatic parameters such as temperature and precipitation significantly affect productivity as well as the consumption of natural resources like water to meet irrigation water needs. There has been a large amount of research on regional climate change. However, this study placed specific crops at first place and considered their irrigation water needs that will arise due to evapotranspiration increase. The aim of this study was to estimate the future irrigation water needs of wheat, cotton, and alfalfa in the east part of Thessaly Plain in central Greece, where Lake Karla, a recently restored lake, is located. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was applied as a high-resolution regional climate model to simulate temperature and precipitation for two 5-year periods, namely 2046–2050 (future period) and 2006–2010 (reference period). Simulations refer to the RCP8.5 emission scenario (worst-case). A methodology proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations was followed to estimate the reference crop evapotranspiration, the crop evapotranspiration based on each crop factor, which was determined for each crop, the effective rainfall, and finally, the irrigation water needs for each crop, for the two 5-year periods. Based on WRF simulations, temperature was projected to be 1.1 °C higher in the future period compared to the reference period, while precipitation and effective precipitation were projected to decrease by 32% and 45%, respectively. Based on the WRF projections, by 2025, the irrigation water needs of wheat and alfalfa are expected to increase by more than 16% and more than 11%, respectively, while irrigation water needs of cotton are expected to increase by 7%. An extension of wheat’s irrigation period for one month (i.e., December) was also identified. Good practices that could be applied in the frame of precision agriculture principles in order to save irrigation water were suggested. The results of this study could be exploited by water resources and land use managers when planning short and long-term strategies to adapt to climate change impacts.

Impact of peri-urban forest fires on air quality and aerosol optical and chemical properties: The case of the August 2021 wildfires in Athens, Greece

Wildfires occurring near urban areas are known to have exceedingly detrimental impacts on the environment, air quality, economy and human health. In this framework, this study examines the effects of peri-urban forest fires on atmospheric chemical composition, and aerosol physical-optical properties in Athens, Greece, during August 2021. Satellite imagery and air mass trajectories showed advection of intense smoke plumes over Athens from three forest fires persisting for 10 days in the greater Athens area and in Central Greece (Euboea). During August 1–20, 2021, daily PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 8.9 to 78.7 μg m−3, and were associated with high OC levels (2.3–27.8 μg m−3), while BC and BCbb concentrations on smoke-impacted days were 2.6 μg m−3 and 1.0 μg m−3, respectively (2–3 times higher than August mean levels). During the peak of biomass burning (BB) smoke transport over Athens, daily-average scattering and absorption coefficients at short wavelengths maximized at 313 Mm−1 and 171 Mm−1, respectively. There was also a large impact of ambient BrC (brown carbon) absorption (60 Mm−1), while the OC/EC ratio exhibited characteristically low values (3–4), linked to flaming combustion (modified combustion efficiency of 0.97–0.99). The absorption Ångström exponent (1.38) and single scattering albedo (0.74) indicated highly absorbing BB aerosol, deviating from the normal summer patterns. BB-tracers like nssK+ displayed strong correlations with OC, EC and BC concentrations, as well as with scattering and absorption coefficients. However, forest fires drastically modified the levels of additional chemical species, with enhancements observed for Ca2+, NO3−, Cl−, and for organic aerosol (OA) components such as BBOA and less-oxidized oxygenated OA (LO-OOA). Since under climate change conditions, the Mediterranean is anticipated to experience a dramatic rise in the frequency and intensity of wildfires, the results highlight the necessity for prevention and mitigation policies to safeguard urban air quality.

Improved detection, mealybug transmission and prevalence of grapevine Roditis leaf discoloration-associated virus in Greek vineyards

AbstractGrapevine Roditis leaf discoloration-associated virus (GRLDaV) is a member of the species Badnavirus decoloratiovitis in the genus Badnavirus that was recently identified in grapevine using high throughput sequencing. In this study, a large-scale survey was conducted to monitor the prevalence of the virus in major viticultural areas of Greece. A total of 970 samples were collected from vines and molecularly analysed using PCR assays targeting two regions of the virus genome. GRLDaV was detected in 8 geographic areas of Greece, showing high frequency in southern and central Greece and an overall prevalence of 17.1%. GRLDaV was identified mainly in autochthonous grapevine varieties, and it showed higher frequency in the self-rooted ones, especially in the geographic region of the Cyclades islands. In transmission tests conducted using Planococcus ficus (Signoret) and 48 h acquisition access period (AAP) and inoculation access period (IAP), the virus was transmitted with an efficiency of 14.3% (3/21 grapevines). Finally, electron microscopy revealed the bacilliform morphology of GRLDaV virions, thus further confirming its episomal infection.

The Molecular Characterization of blaNDM-1-Positive Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated in Central Greece.

The objective of the present study is to report the detection and the molecular characterization of nine blaNDM-1-positive Acinetobacter baumannii isolates, which were isolated from patients in a tertiary care hospital in Central Greece from December 2022 to August 2023. The isolates were characterized by whole genome sequencing to obtain Pasteur multilocus sequencing typing (MLST) and to identify the blaNDM-1-environment, resistome, and virulence genes content. In silico MLST analysis showed that the isolates belonged to four different clones (STs 160, 2, 85, and 2493). All strains, apart from the blaNDM-1-gene, possessed at least eight different genes, encoding resistance to various antimicrobial agents. Whole genome sequencing revealed two different structures of the blaNDM-1 environment. The first, detected in ST160 strain, was identical with the Tn125, whereas the second, found in STs 2, 85, and 2493 was associated with Tn7382. To our knowledge, after a sole strain reported in 2016 and imported by a patient hospitalized in a Libyan hospital, this is the first report of the emergence of polyclonal blaNDM-1-positive Acinetobacter baumannii in Greece. Our findings re-emphasize the need to apply diligent surveillance protocols in order to limit the horizontal transfer of the blaNDM-1 gene to other A. baumannii clones or to other recipient strains.

The Bulgarian Land Forces in the Cold War

During the Cold War, information in Western open sources about Bulgarian Land Forces’ war plans, organisation, and order of battle was absent or very general, until the last years of the 1980s. Yet there is much more information now available after 30 years, and this is a very valid topic for research. Bulgaria was drawn into Soviet war planning for the elimination of capitalism. Bulgaria’s planned part in this was helping to seize the Turkish Straits, either with or without the use of tactical nuclear weapons. It now appears that there would have been two Fronts advancing in this area, one predominantly Soviet Odessa Military District forces to seize the Turkish Straits, and the other more heavily Bulgarian in composition attacking towards central Greece. Both would have been supported by tactical air forces and, if the circumstances dictated, nuclear weapons. Later, with the commitment of strategic reserves, it was hoped to develop the offensive in depth towards the Syrian border. The forces formed to carry this mission out were reorganized repeatedly from 1945-55, as the Communist Party tightened its control over the country. The organisation of the Land Forces was much more settled after the early 1960s. Bulgarian history will be better served by more open debate over these issues.

Imaging the Sources of the March 2021 Seismic Sequence in Thessaly Basin (Central Greece) from Kinematic Slip Inversion and Backprojection of Waveform Envelopes

ABSTRACT In March 2021, a series of three moderate events with moment magnitudes Mw 6.3, 6.0, and 5.5 occurred within a span of 10 days in northern Thessaly, Greece, resulting in a stop–start pattern. The moment tensors (MTs) obtained from the events suggested normal faulting along distinct yet adjacent southeast–northwest-trending faults, indicating a sequential triggering process. We applied two methods to investigate the spatial and temporal characteristics of the source process of the triplet. This approach includes linear slip inversion of regional seismic waveforms and static Global Positioning System offsets, along with backprojection of regional waveforms using the Source-Scanning Algorithm technique. The detailed modeling suggests that three adjacent, subparallel (∼300°), and low-angle, detachment-type structures were responsible for the earthquakes. The stress axes orientation was determined by inverting a dataset of recomputed MTs combined with published solutions of the sequence. The results indicated a clockwise rotation of the local extensional axis by ∼25° compared to the regional ∼north–south extension. This rotation is consistent with the orientation of the modeled seismogenic structures. Inversions for both nodal planes and grid-searching fault geometry and orientation showed that for the first-two strongest events, the activated fault planes dipped to the northeast, whereas an antithetic (southwest dipping) fault was activated during the last weaker event. For the Mw 6.3 event, both the independent analyses indicated an overall rupture duration of ∼10 s, energy bursts above and near the hypocenter, up-dip (toward the southwest) rupture propagation in the early stages of the source process, and a bilateral rupture at later stages.

The Mycenaean Northeast Kopaïs Project: A Report from Ayia Marina Pyrgos

ABSTRACT: Between 2016 and 2018, the author led excavations at Ayia Marina Pyrgos, a site adjacent to the polder around the Late Helladic fortress of Gla in central mainland Greece. The excavations were part of the Mycenaean Northeast Kopaïs Project, or MYNEKO, realized in collaboration with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports. The author aimed to confirm the accuracy of his reconstruction of an irrigated field system in the polder, based on results of the prior AROURA project, and to compare the chronology and nature of occupation at Ayia Marina Pyrgos with those of the field system. Findings corroborated final Middle and Late Helladic dates previously obtained from the polder and showed the site to have experienced significantly different occupation phases.

Prickly Sida (Sida spinosa L.) and Cotton Response to Pre- and Early Post-Emergence Herbicides

Prickly sida is a troublesome annual weed native to the USA. It was introduced in Greece over two decades ago and has since been infesting cotton crops, where it proved difficult to control. A two-year field study (2021–2022) was conducted in a cotton field (Karditsa, central Greece) heavily infested with prickly sida to evaluate the efficacy of nine treatments against this weed, using pre-emergence (PRE) and early post-emergence (EPOST) herbicides applied at the field rate. At 8 weeks after treatment, prickly sida control was over 90% with pyrithiobac PRE (68.9 g ai ha−1) alone or in mixture with s-metolachlor (960 g ai ha−1) or with isoxaben (150 g ai ha−1) and with the application of pyrithiobac + s-metolachlor PRE (34.5 + 960 g ai ha−1) followed by pyrithiobac EPOST (34.5 g ai ha−1). Flurochloridone + fluometuron PRE (375 + 2000 g ai ha−1), flumioxazin + s-metolachlor PRE (50 + 960 g ai ha−1), or pendimethalin + terbuthylazine PRE (1500 + 750 g ai ha−1) controlled prickly sida by 89–93% in 2021 and 82–90% in 2022. Pyrithiobac EPOST alone or in mixture with trifloxysulfuron did not adequately control prickly sida. Yield was significantly lower in the weedy check and EPOST compared with the PRE treatments. None of the herbicides caused any visual injury to the crop or any reduction in cotton density. Our results can help in the successful management of prickly sida in non-transgenic cotton to maximize cotton yield and quality.

Enhanced Port Vulnerability Assessment Using Unmanned-Aerial-Vehicle-Based Structural Health Monitoring

Port vulnerability assessment is inherently linked to the delivery of sustainable and resilient infrastructure. Identifying the vulnerabilities and weaknesses of a port system allows for the minimization of disaster effects and optimization of maintenance, repair, or mitigation actions. The current port vulnerability assessment practices are built upon the examination of a diversity of indicators (parameters), including technical, physical, environmental, and socioeconomic pressures. From an engineering perspective, and given that ports are tangible infrastructure assets, their vulnerability is highly affected by the structural condition of their facilities. Hence, the present research seeks to enhance port vulnerability assessment by introducing structural condition parameters based on Structural Health Monitoring applications. The four fishing and leisure harbors of the Municipality of Thebes, located in central Greece, were used as a case study. Two approaches were considered for the harbors’ vulnerability assessments: (a) enabling and (b) disabling the use of the proposed parameters. In situ inspections were conducted with the employment of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for condition monitoring. UAV data were analyzed to generate geospatial images that allow for the mapping and detecting of defects and failures in port infrastructure. The overall research assists decision-makers in gaining valuable insight into the system’s vulnerabilities and prioritizing their interventions.

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) phenology in relation to topoclimate in Central Macedonia, Greece

Plant phenological behavior is strongly dependent on climate conditions. In the current research, the apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) phenology response to topoclimate conditions, as mainly determined by air temperature, was investigated at two agricultural regions of the Region of Central Macedonia, Greece, Giannitsa Pellas and Rachi Pierias. In this regard, phenological observations were collected in order to evaluate the timing of appearance of the following phenophases: bud burst-green leaf tips (BBCH 53), flower bud visible-still closed (BBCH 55), pink bud stage-flower petals elongating-visible sepals slightly open (BBCH 57), and full flowering at least 50% (BBCH 65). Also, air temperature data were taken from agrometeorological stations which covered the study regions. Results showed that higher maximum and lower minimum air temperatures prevailed during almost the whole year at the plain of Giannitsa than those of Rachi. Earlier appearance of the examined apple phenophases was confirmed at Giannitsa, in comparison to Rachi, increasing the damage risk of vulnerable plant tissues during the bud development and flowering from the late spring frosts. It seems that the maximum and minimum air temperatures of March are decisive for the appearance o BBCH 53, 55 and 57 phenophases while those of April are considered as crucial factors for the onset of BBCH 65. The knowledge of relation between apple tree phenology and topoclimate, in terms of air temperature, may provide valuable information for farmers' decision-making regarding the rational planning of cultivation techniques.

Proportion of Respiratory Syncytial Virus, SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A/B, and Adenovirus Cases via Rapid Tests in the Community during Winter 2023-A Cross Sectional Study.

Respiratory infections constitute a major reason for infants and children seeking medical advice and visiting health facilities, thus remaining a significant public threat with high morbidity and mortality. The predominant viruses causing viral respiratory infections are influenza A and B viruses (Flu-A, Flu-B), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus and coronaviruses. We aimed to record the proportion of RSV, SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/B and adenovirus cases with rapid antigen tests and validate the results with RT-PCR assays of upper respiratory specimens with a wide range of viral loads and (co)-infection patterns in children. Clinical samples were collected from early symptomatic children (presenting with fever and/or cough and/or headache within 5-7 days). The surveillance program was conducted in five private pediatric dispensaries and one pediatric care unit, from 10 January 2023 to 30 March 2023 in central Greece. The total sample of specimens collected was 784 young children and infants, of which 383 (48.8%) were female and 401 were male (51.2%). The mean age of participants was 7.3 + 5.5 years. The sensitivity of the FLU A & B test was 91.15% (95% CI: 84.33-95.67%), and the specificity was 98.96% (95% CI: 97.86-99.58%). The sensitivity and specificity of the adenovirus and RSV test was {92.45% (95% CI: 81.79-97.91%), 99.32% (95% CI: 98.41-99.78%)} and {92.59% (95% CI: 75.71-99.09%), 99.47% (95% CI: 98.65-99.86%)} respectively. Lastly, the sensitivity of the SARS-CoV-2 test was 100.00% (95% CI: 79.41-100.00%) and the specificity was 99.74% (95% CI: 99.06-99.97%). We recorded a proportion of 14.3% and 3.44% for influenza A and B, respectively, followed by a proportion of 6.9% for adenovirus, a proportion of 3.7% for RSV, and finally, a proportion of 2.3% for SARS-CoV-2. The combination of a new multiple rapid test with multiple antigens will probably be a useful tool with a financial impact for health systems targeting the early detection and appropriate treatment of respiratory infections in emergency departments in primary health care facilities.

Persistence and efficacy of diatomaceous earth against stored product insects in semi-field trials

The utilization of inert dusts, such as diatomaceous earths (DEs), has been successfully evaluated against a wide range of major stored-product pest species, as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional insecticides, emphasizing further their prominent position in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) protocols. However, the majority of the published research about the DEs’ insecticidal efficacy has been conducted under laboratory conditions in small-scale samples (usually in small vials containing few grams of grains) and against specific insect species, while field and semi-field applications for the same purpose are disproportionally few. The objective of this work was to evaluate the insecticidal activity of a commercial DE formulation against stored product species that either artificially or naturally infested hard wheat, under “real-world” storage conditions. For this purpose, DE doses of 0 (control), 500 and 1000 ppm were applied in a series of lots of 20 kg of hard wheat stored in polypropylene woven bags and kept from August to December in a storage facility in Central Greece. According to our results, even the lower DE dose significantly suppressed the insect populations of Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) and Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) that were artificially added in the wheat bags but also of five other insect pest species that were found in the commodity, based on weekly monitoring via probe traps or grain samples. Rhyzopertha dominica, T. granarium and S. zeamais were the most numerous species found, while T. granarium was the most frequently sampled species. In general, the probe traps were more sensitive to captures, as compared to the grain samples. The evaluation of the grain quality (bulk density, insect damaged kernels) throughout the trials indicated higher insect infestations in the untreated wheat as compared to the treated one. At the same time, grain bulk density was lower in the treated than in the untreated wheat. We conclude that DE applications can effectively suppress the populations of a wide range of stored insect species, offering a prolonged protection under a wide range of environmental conditions.

Geoid Studies in Two Test Areas in Greece Using Different Geopotential Models towards the Estimation of a Reference Geopotential Value

In the present study, we first examine the contribution of different, satellite-only or combined, global geopotential models in geoid computation employing the remove–compute–restore approach. For this reason, two test areas of about 100 km2 each, one in northern and one in central Greece, were selected, and gravity measurements were conducted. These new gravity measurements were used along with the selected geopotential models to produce the reduced gravity field for the study areas. The classical and spectral residual terrain modeling effect is also removed to derive the residual gravity field. The latter is used for geoid computation using the 1D fast Fourier transform. The validation of the geoid models is carried out with gravity/GNSS/leveling measurements, which were conducted in two traverses located in the study areas. Special attention is given to the tidal approach, the geoid separation term as well as the coordinate reference system. Next, the northern study area is extended by incorporating gravity measurements obtained during the last five decades, and geoid models are recomputed. Lastly, using the geoid models computed, reference geopotential values are computed for both areas. From the results achieved for both study areas, the combined model XGM2019 provides the best overall statistical results with differences of 0.065 m and 0.036 m in terms of root mean square error. The incorporation of not recent data into the solutions leads to a degradation in accuracy by about 1.2 cm in terms of standard deviation. Lastly, the computed reference geopotential values present discrepancies between the two study areas, revealing network inconsistencies as well as the dependency on the geopotential model used for the geoid computations.

First Detection and Molecular Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa blaNDM-1 ST308 in Greece.

The objective of the present study is to report the detection and the molecular characterization of nine blaNDM-1-positive Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, all of which belonged to the epidemic high-risk international clone ST308, and all were isolated from patients in a tertiary care hospital in Central Greece from May to July 2023.The isolates were characterized by whole genome sequencing to obtain multi-locus sequencing typing (MLST) and identify the blaNDM1-environment and resistome and virulence genes content. In silico MLST analysis showed that all isolates belonged to the high-risk ST308 international clone. All strains possessed 22 different genes, encoding resistance to various antimicrobial agents. Whole genome sequencing revealed that the blaNDM-1 was chromosomally located within the integrative and conjugative element ICETn43716385 and that it was part of one cassette along with two other resistance genes, floR and msrE. Two additional resistance cassettes were also found in the genome, which included the arrays of aph(6)-Id, aph(3″)-Ib, floR, sul2 and aadA10, qnrVC1, aac(3)-Id, dfrB5, aac(6')-II. Additionally, the strains possessed various virulence genes, e.g., aprA, exoU, lasA, lasB, toxA, and estA. All of the isolates shared identical genomes, which showed 98% similarity with the P. aeruginosa ST308 genome (acc. no CP020703), previously reported from Singapore. To our knowledge, this is the first report of ST308 blaNDM-1-positive P. aeruginosa isolation in Europe, which indicates the transmission dynamics of this high-risk clone.

The 2020–2021 seismic sequence in the Western Gulf of Corinth: Insights on the triggering mechanisms through high resolution seismological and geodetic data analysis

The 2020–2021 seismic sequence at the Western Gulf of Corinth, Central Greece, has been thoroughly analyzed using seismological and geodetic data processing. We present a high-resolution dataset of over 4000 relocated earthquakes between June 2020 and February 2021, delineating the activated structures. We examine the evolution of various clusters that were triggered during a three-stage sequence which began on December 23, 2020, with an Mw = 4.6 event near Marathias, migrated eastwards, following an Mw = 5.0 event on January 12, 2021 near Trizonia Island, and culminated on February 17 with an Mw = 5.3 offshore event north of Psathopyrgos. Focal mechanisms for the 20 stronger events, determined by moment tensor inversion, and 36 weaker ones, obtained through first motion polarities measurements, revealed dominant normal faulting. The fault plane of the February 17, 2021 major event is modeled through the inversion of geodetic data. Results suggest a very shallow geodetic centroid at 1.5 km depth, consistent with the seismic centroid (3.5 km), but different from the relocated hypocenter (7.5 km). Spatiotemporal analysis reveals seismic migration, following a diffusion law with D values in the range 0.06–0.25 m2s−1, consistent with triggering due to pore-pressure diffusion by fluids intrusion. This enables failure on non-optimally oriented faults, which explains the significant proportion of the observed strike-slip and oblique-normal faulting. Coulomb stress transfer due to the major events shows only weak stress-loading on the fault of the January 12, 2021 earthquake and a higher level of positive stress transfer to the south-dipping than to the north-dipping nodal plane of the 17 February event. The latter could have facilitated the nucleation of the rupture at 7.5 km and its further propagation to shallower depths along a south-dipping plane, where the bulk of its seismic and geodetic moment was released.

Geospatial Tool Development for the Management of Historical Hiking Trails—The Case of the Holy Site of Meteora

This paper presents a holistic guiding methodology for the development of a geospatial tool to be used for the documentation, planning, smart management and dissemination of a country’s network of historic hiking trails. To deal with the challenges and to ensure the sustainability of a historic site, geospatial documentation merging authoritative and crowdsourced data and a WebGIS-based spatial analysis is necessary. Geospatial data collection should include professional field surveys, professional and crowdsourced photographic documentation and video recording of the existing historic walking/hiking trails. A geodatabase, structured using relational model technology, including vector spatial entities (feature classes), mosaics (raster) and tabulated data (geodatabase tables), should be developed on a commercial or open platform; in this case, the ArcGIS Pro is used. Entities with embedded descriptive information and metadata for the technical, legal, historical, and administrative context may then be created. An object-oriented data model is needed to connect spatial and descriptive information. Spatial and descriptive queries or correlations between attribute fields of spatial entities must be enabled for specialized information retrieval by either experts or users. Next, a web GIS application to present the developed geodatabase in a visually appealing and informative way is created. It should integrate 2D maps with built-in tools and should support advanced functionalities, such as: (i) pop-ups that display brief information and images about specific spots along the trails; (ii) dynamic visualization of the vertical profile of each trail; (iii) multimedia information about landmarks, natural features and scenic viewpoints. Finally, the tool includes a feedback service and continuous efficiency monitoring and assessment, and enables adjustments, if and where needed. The tool is tested and used for 10 historical walking/hiking trails of the archaeological and Holy Site of Meteora, Central Greece. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The network, with a total length of 35 km, leads to six monasteries, still active since the 12th century, passing by gigantic rocks and beautiful natural landscapes. The site is famous globally and the greater area is continuously overcrowded with visitors. The tool is anticipated to be used for the documentation and management of the whole walking/hiking historic trail network of Greece in the future.

Assessing the Strength and Deformation Properties of Serpentinite Rocks in Dry and Saturated Conditions

It is clear that the engineering properties of various rocks in dry and wet conditions are different. In general, the properties decrease with the presence of water. The present research investigates the effect of rock saturation on the strength and deformation properties of serpentinites collected from central Greece. A comprehensive laboratory test program was planned to evaluate unit weight, effective porosity, uniaxial compressive strength, elasticity modulus, and Brazilian tensile strength in saturated states. All the results of the above-mentioned saturated properties were compared with the respective properties measured in dry conditions taken from previous studies. Simple regression analyses were used to correlate the physical and mechanical properties of the two referred states. The obtained results revealed that the values of the considered physical and mechanical properties of the studied serpentinite rocks are deceased with the presence of water. There are good relations between different rock properties in dry and saturated states. Generally, the relations are better in dry state. All correlations between the same rock properties in dry and saturated states are as direct linear relations, whereas relationships between the mechanical and physical properties are mainly exponential. Some of them are logarithmic or power equations.