Geographical Areas Of Greece Research Articles

Greek Teachers' Understandings and Constructions of What Constitutes Social and Emotional Learning

This article presents the findings of a research initiative which explored Greek teachers' perceptions and understandings on what constitutes social and emotional competencies and how these competencies can best be enhanced within the classroom. In-depth interviews were conducted with 24 elementary school teachers in two different geographical areas of Greece. The interviews were transcribed and analysed in light of existing literature on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and Emotional Intelligence (EI). The teachers acknowledged a complex and interactive model of abilities, competencies and ‘psychic virtues’ and a dynamic interaction of the child and his or her context. The findings highlight the significant role the sociocultural context plays in understanding and conceptualizing social and emotional competencies.

Phylogenetic correlation of Greek and Italian orf virus isolates based on VIR gene

Thirteen orf virus isolates obtained during the time period between 1995 and 2004 from crusted scab lesions of nine sheep and four goats from different geographical areas of Greece and Italy with suspected contagious ecthyma infection were analyzed. DNA of all isolates was successfully amplified by PCR with the primers 045F-045R and identified them as parapox virus. Partial DNA sequence of orf virus interferon resistant (VIR) gene, phylogenetic analysis of the available isolates and amino acid comparison of the interferon resistance protein encoded by this genomic region was carried out. According to the results of the present report a precise characterisation of the genomic region studied might provide evidence for the genetic variation and movement of the circulating orf virus strains.

Individual seasonality index of rainfall regimes in Greece

The study of rainfall seasonality in different geographical areas in Greece using an individual seasonality index was the purpose of the present work. The correlation of the seasonality index (SI — , sum of the absolute deviation of mean monthly rainfall from the overall monthly mean divided by the mean annual rainfall) with the mean individual seasonality index (SIi — average of SIi for each year i) was initially determined. A regression analysis of SI — with geographical latitude resulted in a statistically significant inverse linear correlation. The time series trend of the SIi was examined to verify that no significant change in rainfall seasonality occurred.

The epizootiology of gastrointestinal nematode parasites in Greek dairy breeds of sheep and goats

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitism represents a severe health problem in small ruminant production systems world-wide. The objective of the present study was three-fold: (i) to assess the prevalence of GI parasitism in dairy breeds of sheep and goats in selected areas of Greece; (ii) to determine the species of existing gastrointestinal parasites; and (iii) to investigate the effect of climatic factors on the seasonal variation of parasite population dynamics in dairy sheep and goats reared in two different geographical areas of Greece. The study was conducted in four flocks of either sheep or goats that were equally allocated in northern and central Greece. In each flock, faecal samples were randomly collected from 30 animals at monthly intervals and were used for nematode egg counts and coprocultures. Two animals from each flock were slaughtered monthly and their GI tract were examined for adult worm population and identification. The study revealed that the parasitic burdens in sheep were significantly ( P<0.05) higher than those in goats. Faecal egg counts for both sheep and goats were significantly ( P<0.01) affected by the month of the year and there was also a significant interaction between month of the year and area of study ( P<0.01). Teladorsagia, Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus and Chabertia were the most prevalent nematode genera in both sheep and goats. Such information could be useful for the development of strategic treatments when sheep and goats are reared under systems similar to those described in this study.

Supervision of thrombolysis of acute myocardial infarction using telemedicine.

The treatment of acute myocardial infarction (MI) constitutes a significant problem in remote geographical areas of Greece. Furthermore, thrombolysis, the treatment of choice in the early phase of acute MI, requires the supervision of an expert. We have used thrombolytic treatment, using telemedicine, in remote medical centres. The Onassis Cardiac Surgery Centre was linked to six remote Aegean islands via telemedicine systems which permitted the transmission of 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs). The thrombolytic agent anistreplase was administered to patients with acute MI. Supervision, including consultation for treatment of complications, was achieved using the telemedicine system. One hundred and fifty-two ECGs were transmitted during 24 months, of which 108 (71%) indicated specific treatment of a cardiac condition. Ten cases were diagnosed as having acute MI and eight of these were treated with anistreplase. All patients survived acute MI and complications were treated locally. The application of thrombolytic treatment in acute MI is feasible in remote areas, with the use of a telemedicine system.

13C NMR analysis of the triacylglycerol composition of Greek virgin olive oils

High-resolution 13C NMR spectroscopy was used to study the potential of the method for the quantitative analysis of the most abundant fatty acids in the triacylglycerols of virgin olive oil samples harvested at different geographic areas of Greece. The analysis of the results was compared with data obtained with gas chromatography. Both methods showed results that differed only by 1–2 mol% of the fatty acids. NMR data provided the α/β ratio of oleic and linoleic acids. The results showed a preference for the β-position in these unsaturated acids. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Aggregation of childhood leukemia in geographic areas of Greece.

A total of 872 children aged up to 14 years, who were diagnosed with leukemia in Greece during the decade 1980-89, were allocated by place of residence to the 601 administrative districts of the country. Evaluation of spatial clustering was done using the Potthoff-Whittinghill method, which validly assesses heterogeneity of leukemia risk among districts with variable expected numbers of cases. There was highly significant evidence for spatial clustering occurring particularly among children living in urban and, to a lesser extent, semi-urban areas. The evidence was stronger for children younger than 10 years old, applied also to children in different five-year age groups, and persisted when cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia were analyzed separately. These findings provide support to the hypothesis that localized environmental exposures could contribute to the etiology of childhood leukemia, but they cannot distinguish between exposures of physical or chemical nature, nor can they exclude socially conditioned patterns of exposure to infectious agents.

Water Wells as a Habitat of Sand Fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) Vectors of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Greece

Overall, 37 of 79 water wells in 3 diverse geographic areas of Greece were found to harbor sand flies. The predominant species were Phlebotomus tobbi Adler, Theodor & Lourie and P. neglectus Tonnoir, species implicated in the transmission of Leishmania infantum Nicolle. Three additional species of Phlebotomus and 2 Sergentomyia spp. also encountered. Wells appear to be resting and possibly breeding habitat for sand flies in Greece.

Hydatid Disease in Greek Children *

The surgical incidence of hydatidosis in the Greek population aged 0-18 years was investigated. Discharge and operating room records from 1 January 1969 through 31 December 1975 in all hospitals of the country were reviewed. Data were statistically analyzed according to geographical and annual distribution of the disease, age, sex, and organ affected. Of a total of 4,566 patients with hydatidosis, 534 (11.7%) were 0-18 years old. By extrapolation, operations in this age group were performed at a rate of 2.7/100,000 population per year. Surgical incidence of hydatidosis varies among different geographical areas in Greece; its percentage is highest in rural areas. The disease is more frequent in boys than in girls (P less than 0.01). Lungs and liver are the most commonly involved organs (94.2%). Lung involvement is more frequent in boys (73.0%) than in girls (50.5%) (P less than 0.001).