Region Of Macedonia Research Articles

From exclusion to inclusion: unveiling the macro and micro dynamics of second chance education

Second Chance Schools (SCSs) are innovative institutions located worldwide, including Greece, that allow adults who haven’t completed compulsory education to reintegrate into educational systems. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the benefits and challenges associated with second chance education. Conducted in SCSs within the Central Macedonia region of Greece, the research involved seven school units, with a total of 21 interviews—three from each unit. The study utilised an Interview Guide, and data from semi-structured interviews were analysed using Atlas TI Software. The thematic content analysis resulted in 127 codes grouped into six broader categories. The findings highlight the transformative potential of Second Chance Education on both micro and macro levels. The study emphasises SCE’s profound impact on mental health and self-esteem at the micro level, revealing numerous benefits for individual students. On the macro level, the investigation expands to consider school-wide and broader life circumstances, shedding light on the multifaceted aspects influencing participation, motivation, and outcomes in the context of lifelong learning.

Molecular detection of Usutu virus in pools of Culex pipiens mosquitoes in Greece

Usutu virus (USUV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus originating from Africa, that belongs to the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) complex. In nature, USUV involves Culex spp. mosquitoes acting as vectors and birds as amplifying hosts. The virus has recently spread in Europe and is considered an emerging human pathogen. This is the first research study performed in Greece revealing the presence and circulation of USUV in Culex spp. mosquito populations. Out of the 1,500 mosquito pools tested with real-time RT-PCR, four (Roesch et al., 2019) were positive for USUV. All four pools were collected from the region of Central Macedonia, Northern Greece.

Antimicrobial Resistance profile of Staphylococcus aureus from dairy cows with mastitis in the Region of Central Macedonia over a five-month period (March-July 2021)

Antimicrobial Resistance profile of Staphylococcus aureus from dairy cows with mastitis in the Region of Central Macedonia over a five-month period (March-July 2021)

RiskSchools: a prioritization-based system for the risk assessment of school buildings combining rapid visual screening smartphone app and detailed vulnerability analysis

AbstractA multi-purpose and multi-scale tool for the seismic vulnerability and risk classification of critical buildings, such as schools, is proposed for pre- and post-event decision-making to mitigate the risk and reduce losses. The herein proposed “RiskSchools” system, is capable of performing the seismic risk assessment and grading of school buildings at various scales (district, municipality, region etc.), using (a) a pre-seismic rapid visual screening and grading of the school buildings in different vulnerability-risk classes and (b) a seismic risk assessment of the school buildings population, applying probabilistic or scenario-based methods for the seismic hazard and analytical methods for the vulnerability and risk assessment, also leading to a grading of the buildings’ risk. The results of the two approaches are compared and combined through a flexible and adaptable expert elicitation scheme to provide a final classification of the seismic risk of the school buildings in the scale of interest and a prioritization scheme with respect to the need for seismic upgrade and retrofitting. The RiskSchools system consists of a powerful, state-of-the-art, user-friendly, and easy-to-use smartphone application for the compilation of the inventory and the rapid visual screening, and a project-dedicated multi-purpose webGIS platform for the seismic vulnerability and risk classification of school buildings at any scale. Although it is initially developed and applied to the school building stock of the Region of Central Macedonia in Greece, it has been specifically designed to be easily applied to other regions of Greece and worldwide and adapted to other critical buildings, like health care and hospital buildings. The ultimate scope of the RiskSchools System is to allow for the optimal design of decision-making procedures in support of disaster management to enhance critical buildings resilience.

A Study on Educational and Training Needs Assessment of Professionally Active Agronomists in the Area of Central Macedonia, Greece

The aim of this study was to investigate the educational and training needs of agronomists in the region of Central Macedonia in Greece, a region with significant contribution to the Greek agricultural economy. Data was collected through an electronic survey by a sample of 127 agronomists. A quantitative survey with a non-probability sampling was conducted, snowball sampling method was applied and descriptive tools were used to present the results in the form of means, percentages, standard deviations, analysis of variance and correlation analysis. Conclusions indicate differences in gender as they prioritize educational needs and a positive linear correlation between professional experience and the number of training programmes attended. High need of training declared in the subjects of Precision agriculture, Precision livestock farming & Use of new technologies. Low need for training declared in the subjects of Livestock production and farm animal disease control, Dairy farming, Protected agriculture, Floriculture management, Poultry farming and Fish farming technologies.

The Spring to Coast Approach in Small-Scale Catchments and Adjacent Coastal Zone

Surface waters, particularly rivers, are paramount in serving as the primary global water source and a pivotal economic driver. Various pollution sources can negatively impact water quality. The Water Framework Directive has established regulations that define specific chemical and ecological statuses for rivers. Consequently, there is an ongoing commitment to monitor their quality closely. This study involved the collection of samples from two watersheds (Laspias and Lissos) within the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region. The two rivers flow along regions characterized by notable environmental stressors, including WWTP, landfills, industrial zones, and agricultural areas, which also constitute substantial contributors to the local economy. This study’s outcomes, covering from springs to coast, are presented and analyzed using various indices, including the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME-WQI), discriminate analysis, and the trophic status index (TRIX). Water quality assessment included the measurement of physicochemical parameters, common pollutants, and major ions. The analysis revealed “bad” water quality status along most of the Laspias and in specific sectors of the Lissos, with parameters exceeding the thresholds set by legislation. The rivers demonstrated significant organic and nutrient pollution. Given that water quality in these rivers is significantly influenced by urban, agricultural, and industrial runoff, the imperative need for change necessitates interventions to improve water quality. Observations and measurements are fundamental prerequisites for raising awareness among citizens and stakeholders and for finding effective management measures for the two river basins.

A Taste for Sweet: Ethnoarchaeological Insights on Plant-Based Sweeteners of Prehistoric Southeastern Europe with Special Emphasis on Wild Pear Syrup

ABSTRACT Little is known about food sweeteners of prehistoric Europe other than honey. In this study, archaeobotanical evidence of wild pears is combined with an ethnographic study of wild pear syrup preparation in Greece to better understand potential sources of natural plant-based sweeteners used in prehistoric times in southeastern Europe. Participant observation and interviews were conducted in Kosmati, a village in the western Macedonia region of northern Greece, to investigate how a wild plant food resource can be converted into a sweet syrup. This study documents the sequence of processing steps required to transform wild pear fruit (Pyrus amygdaliformis Vill.) into syrup and other sweet foods. The study also documents cultural perceptions of wild versus cultivated fruit, contributing to wider discussions of how social differentiation can be expressed in nuanced ways through the selection of different natural sweeteners.

Innovations and green development: are a way out for the small and medium enterprises of the Western Macedonia Region

Innovations and green development: are a way out for the small and medium enterprises of the Western Macedonia Region

Psihometrijsko proučavanje merne skale za nastavu socijalnih veština učenika sa posebnim obrazovnim potrebama

Introduction. Teaching social skills to students with special educational needs is essential for their personal development and integration into society. Objectives. The purpose of this study was to validate a measurement instrument for the elements involved in teaching and learning social skills in students with special educational needs. Methods. Two studies were conducted to accomplish this objective. We first performed exploratory research on half of the sample consisting of 166 Greek teachers working in primary and secondary special and general education schools in the Western Macedonia region. Then, we conducted a confirmatory study on a sample of 185 Greek teachers who were also working in primary and secondary special and general education schools in the same region. All education professionals work with students with mild special educational needs. The instrument used was an "ad hoc" questionnaire consisting of 17 items of a 5-point Likert scale, to which different analyses were applied to verify its validity and reliability. Results. An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) showed a total of 3 factors corresponding to the "Preparedness of Teachers in Teaching Social Skills", the "Elements of Influence on Teachers' Suitability in Teaching Social Skills", and the "Elements that play an important role in Teaching Social Skills". Subsequently, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was carried out, through which the results derived from the AFE were ratified. Conclusion. The findings reveal an instrument that is adequate in validity and reliability, in accordance with the literature, demonstrating that the model is consistent and coherent with the initial theoretical assumptions.

Extraction Study of Lignite Coalbed Methane as a Potential Supplement to Natural Gas for Enhancing Energy Security of Western Macedonia Region in Greece

Greek lignite reserves are mainly located in the northwestern part of the country (Region of Western Macedonia, Greece), reaching a total of 5 billion tons. Considering that Greece is planning to stop burning lignite for electricity production, the recovery of the CH4 trapped in lignite coalbed reservoirs can be a valuable alternative for power generation and may help to reduce the direct emissions of methane during mining activities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the LCBM in the Region of Western Macedonia, Greece (Ptolemaida basin). In order to assess the LCBM that could be extracted, three samples were collected from an active mine and were subjected to desorption experiments at different temperatures (25 °C, 50 °C, 100 °C, and 150 °C) by channeling high purity Ar gas at 1 atm of pressure. According to the results, the highest amount of CH4 was extracted during the desorption process at 50 °C, while the total amount of CH4 from all three samples was 0.82 m3/kg, confirming the presence of CH4 in the lignite deposits. Finally, a SWOT analysis was carried out that shows the strengths and opportunities against the weaknesses and threats of a potential LCBM exploitation in Greece, while also taking into account the social, economic, and environmental nexus.

Sustainable Approaches to Medical Tourism: Strategies for Central Macedonia/Greece

The study of health and medical tourism is a multifaceted and intricate field. Nevertheless, it is a swiftly expanding global industry with considerable economic prospects. This sector involves the exchange of services, blending two of the world’s major domains: healthcare and tourism. This research aims to evaluate the strengths of medical tourism service providers in the Central Macedonia Region while shedding light on various challenges that could impede the sector’s growth. Additionally, it investigates crucial sustainability factors and opportunities within the Greek medical tourism industry that can effectively address obstacles, both domestic and international, to enhance sustainable medical services. The study delves into the reasons why the Central Macedonia Region can attract both local and international medical travelers seeking healthcare solutions. With this aim in mind, both Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and primary quantitative research methods were employed. The SLR aimed to locate pertinent scientific literature, which, when integrated with the outcomes of the quantitative research, facilitated the analysis, description, and interpretation of data for the formulation of conclusive findings. In brief, this article aims to contribute scientific value by engaging in interdisciplinary research and demonstrating originality through innovative approaches to sustainable development. It seeks to make a significant contribution to the field by presenting practical strategies and insights that strike a balance between the economic advantages of medical tourism and the crucial considerations of environmental and social impact.

The “Serres, 1966” Hoard: A Contribution to the Coinage of the Macedonian Koinon

Studies on the institutions of the Macedonian Koinon have expanded considerably in recent years since excavations in the region of Macedonia revealed a significant amount of numismatic and epigraphic evidence. Even though literary sources concerning the foundation and the existence of the Koinon are obscure, numismatic testimonies contributed to the institution and its role within the Macedonian territory under the Roman rule. In the current article, the “Serres, 1966” hoard is examined, which was found in 1966 and is today kept at the Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum. Emphasis is given to the iconographic types and the legends, which provide valuable information regarding the institutional and cultural character of the Macedonian Koinon.

Perceptions of health professionals of obstetrics/gynecology departments regarding the concept of intercultural care in the region of central Macedonia

Perceptions of health professionals of obstetrics/gynecology departments regarding the concept of intercultural care in the region of central Macedonia

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.

Analysis on the Origin of Torbeshes: Case of Gorno Vranovci

Torbeshes are a Muslim community in Macedonia who speak Macedonian as their native language. The village of Gorno Vranovci is a Torbeshes village in the city of Köprülü. The entire village migrated to various parts of Izmir after 1950. The subject of this study is to try to clarify the origins of the Torbeshes living in Macedonia by analyzing their history, culture, and language. Are the Torbeshes Macedonian/Slavic Muslims, are they Cuman-Pecheneg remnants who settled in the Balkans before the Ottoman period, or are they from the yörüks who settled in Macedonia during the Ottoman period? In our study, these questions are being sought to be clarified, and our research covers the Northern Macedonia region. An oral history study was conducted with the Torbeshes from Gorno Vranovci, who migrated from Macedonia to Türkiye, and the results were obtained by comparing them with the sources. Torbeshes live around the city of Köprülü, Debre/Reka region, around the Delçevo and Makedonski Brod cities in Macedonia. Torbeshes living in these regions have started to migrate to İzmir since 1950. There is no written source concerning the Torbesh ethnonym until the early 20th century. We begin to come across the names of Torbeshes during of Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Before this, we find their information within the Muslim and Turkish cultural circles in Ottoman archival sources. Today, the majority of Torbeshes in Macedonia and Türkiye identify themselves as Turkish. As a result of our oral history studies, Torbeshes from the village of Gorno Vranovci reported that; they forgot their language but did not give up on their religion due to the assimilation policy of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. They report that they migrated from the Reka region to the Gorno Vranovci village and that they heard this from their ancestors. In addition, many historians in Macedonia and Serbia state that the Torbeshes originated from an Islamized part of a Slavic people called Mijak. Being Melami Muslims who do not speak any language other than Macedonian, the people of Vranovci identify themselves as Turkish. Seemingly, Albanians lived in the village named Vranofça-i Bala reference to the ‘registry of the Muslim population’ of the first Ottoman census dated 1831. Oral history sources confirm that Torbeshes from Vranovci did not migrate from the Reka region to Vranovci during this period. The sources of those who offer opinions on the Cuman-Kipchak origins of the Torbeshes have been insufficient. The resources of those who present the explanation of the Torbesh ethnonym as Türkbaş are insufficient. According to the oral sources, since they abandoned their religion in return for a pouch (torba in Turkish) of dry cottage cheese, they have been given the name ‘Torbeş’, which was derived from the word torba. There are also some views put forward that there is a correlation between Acemi Ocagi –as known as Torba Oglanlari, Torba Acemileri. Torbeshes is a community of those who work for living abroad. As regards the fact that they only bring a pouch with them, it is most likely that the Torbesh ethnonym is taken ground. In fact, most parts of the Torbeshes, those who migrated from Vranovci to İzmir, moved to Germany to work. Vranovcian Torbeshes are also separated from Macedonian Yörüks, considering the holidays/feasts. Vranovcian holidays such as Letnik, Blogovets, and Bogordisa are relevant to Orthodoxy. These cultural elements support the argument that Torbeshes were Turkified by Islamisation in the Ottoman era. Nevertheless, the majority of Torbeshes, by placing themselves inside the Turkish cultural circle, identify as Turks today.

A machine learning modelling approach to characterize the background pollution in the Western Macedonia region in northwest Greece

The background PM10 concentration in the Western Macedonia region, a complex terrain area with combined urban and industrial emission sources is investigated in this study. PM10 measurements were collected from a remote agricultural monitoring site situated in the southern part of the region and outside the industrial basin over a 12-year period (2010–2021). The ongoing reduction in lignite production during the last decade resulted in considerable changes in particulate emissions in the area. To take into account the changes in the air quality of the region the whole period was divided into two subperiods of common air pollution characteristics. For each period, Hidden Markov Models clustering was applied to the deseasonalized daily PM10 concentrations and the corresponding diurnal amplitudes to extract groups of similar characteristics (clusters) and define the background pollution. The average background concentration was estimated at 15.9 μg/m3 during the period 2010–2015 followed by a decrease of 3.1 μg/m3 to 12.8 μg/m3 during the second study period (2016–2021). The examination of the long-term changes in the background concentration revealed a statistically significant decreasing annual trend of −0.39 μg/m3 that reflected the air quality improvement of the region during the last decade. Additionally, background concentrations co-existed with favorable meteorological conditions such as higher wind speeds during the cold period (October–March) diminishing the contribution of local anthropogenic emissions (biomass burning for heating purposes) and a less developed mixing layer during the warm period (April–September) impeding the impact of the particulate plumes from the nearby power plants.

Application of UAS with Remote Sensing Sensors for the Location of Marks in the Archaeological Site of the Europos, Greece

The Archaic Acropolis of Europos (region of Central Macedonia, Greece) is an important archaeological site, which was inhabited since the 7th century BC up to the 4th century AD. In the lowland area, south of the acropolis and a short distance away, archaeologists speculate that the extensive ancient cemetery of the acropolis, which is a result of its long-term habitation, was located there. In an effort to locate marks that will support this view, WingtraOne GEN II, one of today’s leading Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, was used to collect RGB and multispectral images. After the production of the necessary digital surface models and orthophotomosaics, index maps related to the crops were created. The total of the products allowed the visual identification of 123 marks, which are probably attributed to hitherto unknown covered ancient tombs. In addition, marks of unknown covered ditches of long length were found in the plain area, and on the outskirts of the acropolis marks of its possible wall and the base of one of its towers.

Integration of Public Perception in the Assessment of Licensed Solar Farms: A Case Study in Greece

The increasing adoption of solar power plants requires the consideration of different aspects involved in the transformation of landscape. In this view, recent studies encourage public engagement and landscape integration strategies in the decision-making process to ensure an accepted and inclusive energy transition. However, there is limited knowledge on how to include landscape considerations in the planning processes, specifically on public perception and values. This work aims to assess five licensed solar farms in the region of Central Macedonia (Greece) based on the opinion of the inhabitants. The paper presents the results of an online and onsite questionnaire administered in different villages around the study area in October 2022. The survey utilized the potential benefits and impacts, as well as siting criteria and spatial configuration strategies, taken from literature to describe public perception and preferences. The methodology consists of three phases: investigation of public perception on solar farms; operationalization of the results to make them spatially explicit; overall suitability of the areas and mitigation strategies. The results illustrate the prioritization of the perceived impacts and benefits of photovoltaic installations and highlight the different levels of suitability of the areas and possible mitigation measures. The proposed approach is complementary to the planning processes taking into account societal considerations.

Work motivation as a strategic development tool for the Greek forest service departments: Evidence from the region of Macedonia and Thrace

Attaining objectives might be difficult for the Greek Public Administration, which makes it essential to use for effective motivational tactics to raise staff performance and for realization of the organization's mission. It is considered that the public sector's human resources are its most valuable asset, it is deemed essential to motivate employees based on their unique qualities. Hence, the purpose of this work is to justify the factors that contribute to the commitment and improvement of the employees’ performance occupied in the Greek Forest Services of Macedonia-Thrace Region. All employees of the aforementioned services were asked to complete a questionnaire with the intention of learning more about what drives them, which is crucial information for academics and policymakers alike. From the results of the research emerged, that the most important motivational factor is the employees’ need to work for the common good and be part of an important vision. The ability to take initiative and participate in decision-making, the recognition of employee’s contributions and feedback on the results of their work, the recognition of their needs as parents and as individuals, and the fact that their department's management and their co-workers value them as people are all significant motivating factors. The aforementioned findings provide Greek policymakers with an effective instrument for enhancing the performance of public services.

Land Diversification and Its Contribution to Farms’ Income

Management and utilization of factors of production, in addition to diversification of land use, affect the performance of farms. In this article, it is identified whether the diversification of land use through its disposal to tourism infrastructure has a positive impact on the farms’ income. This identification was conducted by processing technical and economic data and applying bootstrap regression analysis. The research was conducted using a sample of 56 farms active in hospitality alongside agriculture, utilizing possibly uncultivated areas of land. Data collection was carried out by personal visits to the examined farms. The results showed that the performance of the farms is enhanced by tourism activity. At the same time, the results showed that land used for tourism activities has a positive impact on farms’ income. Paid labor also appears to have a positive influence. Although this investigation was executed in the Region of Central Macedonia (Greece), it contributes to strengthening the existing literature on rural tourism and land use. At the same time, it gives alternatives to policy-makers and owner-managers of farms regarding the utilization of the available factors of production with an emphasis on the land one.