System In Greece Research Articles

Greek experience of the use of phytogenic feed additives in organic pig farming

The purpose of this study is to present brief updating information about the use of phytogenic feed additives in Greek organic pig farming. Organic pig production systems in Greece are growing in popularity over the last years due to the increasing interest of consumers for organic products. The National Greek projects of organic pig farming started in 2002 and since then it has increased,representing the 15% of the total organic livestock production. Phytogenic feed additives are plant-derived products used in animal feeding to improve the performance of agricultural livestock. This class of feed additives has recently gained increasing interest, especially for use in pigs. During the last few years, the number of Greek pig organic farmers who use phytogenic feed additives as potential alternatives to antibiotics for prevention and control enteric diseases and as growth promoters, is increased. Key words: Organic farming, pig, phytogenic feed additives, Greece.

Greek experience of the use of phytogenic feed additives in organic pig farming

The purpose of this study is to present brief updating information about the use of phytogenic feed additives in Greek organic pig farming. Organic pig production systems in Greece are growing in popularity over the last years due to the increasing interest of consumers for organic products. The National Greek projects of organic pig farming started in 2002 and since then it has increased,representing the 15% of the total organic livestock production. Phytogenic feed additives are plant-derived products used in animal feeding to improve the performance of agricultural livestock. This class of feed additives has recently gained increasing interest, especially for use in pigs. During the last few years, the number of Greek pig organic farmers who use phytogenic feed additives as potential alternatives to antibiotics for prevention and control enteric diseases and as growth promoters, is increased. Key words: Organic farming, pig, phytogenic feed additives, Greece.

Comparison of full field digital (FFD) and computed radiography (CR) mammography systems in Greece

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the performance of 52 full field digital (FFD) and computed radiography (CR) mammography systems checked by the Greek Atomic Energy Commission with respect to dose and image quality. Entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) was measured and average glandular dose (AGD) was calculated according to the European protocol on dosimetry in mammography. The exposures were performed using the clinical protocol of each laboratory. The image quality was assessed by the total score of resolved phantom structures incorporated in an American College of Radiology accreditation phantom. The mean ESAK values for FFD and CR systems were 4.59 ± 1.93 and 5.0 ± 1.78 mGy, respectively, whereas the AGD yielded a mean value of 1.06 ± 0.36 mGy for the FFD and 1.04 ± 0.35 mGy for the CR systems. Considering image quality, FFD systems indicated a mean total score of 13.04 ± 0.89, whereas CR systems a mean total score of 11.54 ± 1.06.

Automation infrastructure and operation control strategy in a stand-alone power system based on renewable energy sources

The design of the automation system and the implemented operation control strategy in a stand-alone power system in Greece are fully analyzed in the present study. A photovoltaic array and three wind generators serve as the system main power sources and meet a predefined load demand. A lead-acid accumulator is used to compensate the inherent power fluctuations (excess or shortage) and to regulate the overall system operation, based on a developed power management strategy. Hydrogen is produced by using system excess power in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer and is further stored in pressurized cylinders for subsequent use in a PEM fuel cell in cases of power shortage. A diesel generator complements the integrated system and is employed only in emergency cases, such as subsystems failure. The performance of the automatic control system is evaluated through the real-time operation of the power system where data from the various subsystems are recorded and analyzed using a supervised data acquisition unit. Various network protocols were used to integrate the system devices into one central control system managing in this way to compensate for the differences between chemical and electrical subunits. One of the main advantages is the ability of process monitoring from distance where users can perform changes to system principal variables. Furthermore, the performance of the implemented power management strategy is evaluated through simulated scenarios by including a case study analysis on system abilities to meet higher than expected electrical load demands.

Phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity of orange ( Citrus sinensis (l.) Osbeck cv. Salustiana) juice produced under organic and integrated farming system in Greece

Organically and integrated produced orange ( Citrus sinensis (l.) Osbeck cv. Salustiana) fruits were assayed in terms of fruit characteristics and juice phytochemicals over a period of two years. Fruit size and juice volume were higher under organic farming system. There were not any significant differences concerning either the carbohydrates’ or organic acids’ concentrations of the juice. Similar results were obtained concerning the total phenol, the total o-diphenol and the total flavonoid concentration of the juice, while neither hesperidin nor narirutin differentiated significantly. However, β-carotene concentration was detected in higher concentration in organically produced fruit (0.43 mg L −1). Juice extracted from both integrated and organically produced fruits exhibited similar antioxidant capacity values (based on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl and ferric reducing/antioxidant power assays), while correlation analysis revealed the significant contribution of phenolic compounds to antioxidant capacity ( r = 0.75–0.86). Most of the amino acids determined were quantified in similar concentration in the juice of both organic and integrated produced fruits (approximately 1600 mg L −1). The present results indicate that integrated oranges cv Salustiana, under the cultivation management implemented in this experiment, present similar antioxidant and nutritional values to the organically produced ones.

Quality And Effectiveness Of Enterprise Resource Planning - Customer Relationship Management Systems: Implications For Information Systems Marketing Strategies

The present research examines the success of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in Greece, employing Delone and McLean’s model. The questionnaires of the study were e-mailed to the 1,049 largest organizations based on turnover and assets. The final research sample consists of 105 Greek enterprises. The list of organizations was compiled by using the Index of Companies and Products Directory (ICAP). Results show that users have more positive attitude towards system quality and information quality and less positive attitude towards service quality. Moreover, users believe that ERP systems enhance their performance and can contribute to the control of management. Furthermore, present paper proved that D&M model constitutes a causal model with the exception of the variable of system use that is only related to user satisfaction, and ERP system quality.The findings of this research trigger many theoretical and managerial implications and create lots of potential for future research in the fields of Information Systems, Management, and Marketing.

Generation Expansion Planning of Crete Power System for High Penetration of Renewable Energy Sources

In this paper the Crete’s Island power system, which is the largest isolated power system in Greece, is analyzed in two long term scenarios in order to estimate the corresponding costs and benefits associated with a significant high electricity production from renewable energy sources (RES) technologies in the period 2009-2020. In the first scenario, a 20% RES energy penetration in year 2020 is assumed, while in the second scenario the final RES energy penetration is increased to 50%, and it is achieved with the installation of hydro pumped storage systems. Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning (LEAP) software is used to develop the electricity demand model, as well as to estimate the gross electricity generation in Crete and the annual CO2 equivalent emissions for the considered scenarios. This study demonstrates that substantial RES production till 2020 is technically feasible, and provides benefits in the forms of carbon emission reductions, energy adequacy and dependency.

Patterns of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care in Greece

During the last 20 years the mental health care system in Greece underwent a dramatic change; the implementation of the EEC Reg. 815/84 programme contributed to a significant shift towards the extramural care and rehabilitation of patients with long-term mental health problems. The child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) care system was transformed by this change to a lesser degree. Despite bureaucratic obstacles and other difficulties, a substantial number of CAMH outpatient services have been developed in Greece. They are concentrated mainly in the larger cities and they focus on providing assessment and to some extent therapy and counselling; prevention and promotion of CAMH are not yet perceived as priority areas. In addition, there is a lack of specialised day care services for specific populations such as young people with disorders of the autistic spectrum and intellectual disabilities. There have been some recent improvements in education and research in the field of CAMH but these sectors are in need of further investment and development. Unfortunately, the current economic crisis has affected both the development of new services and the optimal functioning of those already in operation. Nevertheless, Greece must invest in CAMH and the rights of the children and young people should be protected.

E-exclusion and the gender digital divide

The digital divide is considered by many authors as one of the major ethical issues of the information age as it reinforces existing inequalities in society. This paper examines the gender digital divide in Europe and presents a detailed case-study of one of the most successful e-Government systems in Greece: the Greek TAXation Information System. Surprisingly, this efficient and well-running system exhibits longstanding gender discrimination. However, the problem is not technical but legal and political and requires careful consideration, as the analysis unveils a gender digital gap in e-Government usage not only in Greece but all around Europe.

Tuberculosis in Greece: bacteriologically confirmed cases and anti-tuberculosis drug resistance, 1995-2009

The Greek National Reference Laboratory for Mycobacteria is a major source of tuberculosis (TB)-related data for Greece, where the TB burden and epidemiology still need to be better defined. We present data regarding newly diagnosed TB cases and resistance to anti-TB drugs during the last 15 years in Greece. Although the total number of newly detected TB cases has declined, cases among immigrants are increasing. Resistance to first-line anti-TB drugs is widely prevalent, although stable or declining. The implementation of an efficient and effective countrywide TB surveillance system in Greece is urgently needed.

Degradation and adsorption of terbuthylazine and chlorpyrifos in biobed biomixtures from composted cotton crop residues

Biobeds have been well studied in northern Europe, whereas little is known regarding their use in southern Europe. The degradation and adsorption of terbuthylazine (TA) and chlorpyrifos (CP) were studied in three different biomixtures composed of composted cotton crop residues, soil and straw in various proportions, and also in sterilised and non-sterilised soil. Compost biomixtures degraded the less hydrophobic TA at a faster rate than soil, while the opposite was evident for the more hydrophobic CP. These results were attributed to the rapid abiotic hydrolysis of CP in the alkaline soil (pH 8.5) compared with the lower pH of the compost (6.6), but also to the increasing adsorption (K(d) = 746 mL g(-1)) and reduced bioavailability of CP in the biomixtures compared with soil (K(d) = 17 mL g(-1)), as verified by the adsorption studies. Compost had a dual but contrasting effect on degradation that depended on the chemical nature of the pesticide studied: a positive effect towards TA owing to increasing biodegradation and a negative effect towards CP owing to increasing adsorption. Overall, composted cotton crop residues could be potentially used in local biobed systems in Greece, as they promoted the degradation of hydrophilic pesticides and the adsorption of hydrophobic pesticides.

A model for the development of a power production system in Greece, Part II: Where RES meet EU targets

This paper studies the electricity production system of the Greek Interconnected Electric System using a development model created with the software package WASP-IV. The period of study is from 2009 till 2030. It consists of three scenarios using three different criteria: energy, environmental, and economic. The three scenarios are the Renewable Energy Source (RES), the lignite–RES, and the natural gas–RES. Subsequently, a sensitivity analysis is carried out for annual growth rate of electricity consumption and load demand. It is considered that there are no other energy sources beyond those already in use (lignite, oil, natural gas, biomass, solar, wind, and hydropower), no CO 2 capture policies are implemented, and electricity production from RES meets targets of the European Union in 2020. The present paper completes the study started with the paper “A model for the development of a power production system in Greece, Part I: RES do not meet EU targets”. It is shown that with regard to fossil fuels, the use of natural gas is the best choice. The use of RES, though environmentally friendly, is an expensive solution.

A model for the development of a power production system in Greece, Part I: Where RES do not meet EU targets

This paper studies the electricity production system of the Greek Interconnected Electric Production System using a model created with the software package WASP-IV. The period of study is from 2009 to 2030. It consists of three scenarios using three different criteria: energy, environmental and economic. The three scenarios are the business as usual, the lignite and the natural gas. Subsequently, a sensitivity analysis is carried out for the annual growth rate of electricity consumption and load demand. The paper examines how the three criteria change, when there are no other energy sources beyond those already in use (lignite, oil, natural gas, biomass, solar, wind and hydropower) with no CO 2 capture policies and with the electricity production from Renewable Energy Sources not to reach the targets of the European Union for 2020. In a second paper, three other scenarios examine production with the Renewable Energy Sources to reach the targets of the European Union for 2020.

Pesticides residues in milks and feedstuff of farm animals drawn from Greece

The objective of this study was to investigate if milk from dairy sheep and goats, fed mainly with supplementary feed during the winter months, was contaminated with pesticides residues. Τwo hundred milk samples from sheep and goats were collected from 10 farms of each animals. The sheep and goats farms were selected from those which represent common conventional production and feeding systems in Greece. Milk and feed samples (alfalfa hay, wheat straw, shrubs, pasture and concentrates) were taken from each farm to analyze for pesticides residues. The results showed that the ∑endosulfan was the main pesticide residue which was detected in all the concentrates samples at a mean concentration of 5.36 mg kg −1, which is much higher from the maximum residue level (MRL). In addition, the ∑endosulfan was also detected in all the alfalfa hay samples but at a mean concentration of 0.10 mg kg −1 which is lower than the MRL. The mean concentrations of endosulfan α and β were 2.82 and 2.39 mg kg −1 in the concentrates samples and 0.08 and 0.02 mg kg −1 respectively in alfalfa hay samples. In the wheat straw, shrubs and pasture samples no pesticides residues were detected. No pesticide residues were also detected in milk samples of sheep and goats. Thus, this milk from the farms sampled presents no human health risks as far as the contaminants analyzed concerned.

Constructed wetlands for wastewater and activated sludge treatment in north Greece: a review

Constructed wetlands used for the treatment of urban, industrial and agricultural wastewater have become very popular treatment systems all over the world. In Greece, these systems are not very common, although the climate is favourable for their use. During recent years, there have been several attempts for the implementation of these systems in Greece, which include, among others, pilot-scale systems used for research, and full-scale systems designed and/or constructed to serve settlements or families. The purpose of this paper is the presentation of systems operating in Northern Greece, which have been studied by the Laboratory of Ecological Engineering and Technology of Democritus University of Thrace and others. A comparison is made of different system types, and the effect of various design and operational parameters is presented. Current research shows the good and continuous performance of these systems.

Development and validation of a novel-based combination operational air quality forecasting system in Greece

Development and validation of a novel-based combination operational air quality forecasting system in Greece

Organisation spatiale du système de santé en Grèce : évolution et perspectives

The Healthcare System in Greece has a long history of spatial development that includes extreme periods in available social and economic resources. Contemporary perspectives are related to the deep economic crisis and the efforts to cut public spending, including healthcare sector. The paper examines the evolution of the Greek Healthcare System and its contemporary regional structure (PeSY or DYPe) focusing on the regional inequalities concerning specific indicators such as hospital units and beds.

Rent-Seeking Competition from State Coffers in Greece: A Calibrated DSGE Model

We incorporate an uncoordinated redistributive struggle for extra fiscal privileges and favors into an otherwise standard dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model. Our aim is to quantify the extent of rent seeking and its macroeconomic implications. The model is calibrated to Greek quarterly data over 1961:1-2005:4. Our work is motivated by the rich and distorting tax-spending system in Greece, as well as the common belief that interest groups compete with each other for fiscal privileges at the expense of the general public interest. We find that (i) the introduction of rent seeking moves the model in the right direction vis-a-vis the data (ii) an important fraction of GDP is extracted by rent seekers (iii) there can be substantial welfare gains from reducing rent seeking activities.

Installation of PV systems in Greece—Reliability improvement in the transmission and distribution system

Photovoltaic (PV) power systems are becoming one of the most developing investment areas in the field of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). A statement of the status quo of PV power systems in Greece, and their contribution towards the improvement of power system reliability, is the scope of the present paper. Siting and installation of PV power systems is performed according to a recent Greek law, along with environmental and geographical constraints. Meteorological data are computed, formulated and imported to appropriate software in order to simulate the PV units and generate their power output. Data for unserved loads, resulting from load shedding during peak hours, are compared to the above estimated power production. Assuming that a proportion of the eventually unsupplied power could be provided by the accessed power generation of the PV units, the reliability of both transmission and distribution system is improved. The impact on the transmission system is shown by an improvement of LOLP and LOEP indices, whereas peak shaving for the Interconnected Greek Transmission System (IGTS) is also illustrated. For the distribution system the impact is quantified using the distribution system reliability indices SAIDI, SAIFI, and CAIDI. Finally, the resulting improvement is also expressed in financial terms.

Processus d’introduction des principes de l’éducation nouvelle en Grèce au début du 20ème siècle: enjeux idéologiques et enjeux de savoir

The aim of the article is to provide an analysis of the introduction of principles of New Education in Greece in the beginning of the twentieth century. It focuses on the influence of this movement on Greek pedagogues, especially on those who had studied in Germany, and who tried afterwards to introduce them in the didactic sphere and in the pedagogical field. Their ideas and principles related to New Education and the School of Work (Arbeitschule) and their way of putting them into practice inside the educational system are analysed, including the creation of a certain curriculum, the way of teaching some courses, and the use of certain educational/didactical methods. It is also intended to show how the most important issues of pedagogy and didactics were developed and analysed by the most important pedagogical journals of this period. Attention is paid mainly to the difficulties faced by those who attempted to introduce this system in Greece with regard to a series of factors that differentiate the Greek paradigm from similar endeavours in other European countries. Among these factors one should mention the problem of the language and the consequent ideological antithesis, and the educational reforms in relation to the sociopolitical situation in Greece during the aforementioned period.