Western Macedonia Research Articles

Positive matrix factorization on elemental concentrations of PM10 samples collected in areas within, proximal and far from mining and power station operations in Greece.

<p>The identification of PM sources and their contribution to measured PM concentrations is crucial for the environmental policy making since the findings be able to conduce to the development of relevant legislation in order to achieve effective air quality manage. In this study, the sources of PM10 at three receptors with different characteristics, within the Western Macedonia (WM) in NW Greece, were investigated: S1 in the center of Kozani, a medium sized city located at the southern edge of the industrial axis of WM, where urban activities and traffic density occur. S2 in the city of Ptolemaida, a medium sized city located in the centre of industrial zone, and S3 in the village of Eratyra, a rural residential district outside of the industrial area. For this purpose the multivariate Positive Matrix Factorization (EPA PMF 5.0) receptor model was applied on elemental data. Specifically, PM10 samples, obtained by filtration during 1-year sampling campaign, were analyzed by ICP-MS instrument. Twenty five elements were detected at quantifiable concentrations in the investigated PM samples. For the particle samples obtained in areas within and proximal from mining and power station operations, a six-factor model gave source profiles that attributed to be vehicle exhaust, road dust, soil dust, coal combustion, oil combustion and biomass burning. Furthermore, at the background site, the major contributors were biomass burning, soil dust and oil burning while no distant transport from industrial axis was recorded.</p>

Amphibians and reptiles from the late Miocene and early Pliocene of the Ptolemais area (Western Macedonia, Greece)

We herein describe the amphibians and reptiles from the Ptolemais fossil assemblage, originating from 12 nearby localities in northwestern Greece, spanning from the late Miocene (MN 13) to the early Pliocene (MN 15). Amphibians are known exclusively of anurans, with the genera Latonia and Rana being identified, the latter constituting the oldest so far known record of that lineage in Greece. Turtles are represented by the testudinid cf. Testudo, whereas numerous other indeterminate testudinoids are known. Lizards include scincids, lacertids, and at least two anguids. Among them, the material referred to scincids and the anguid Anguis constitute one of only rather few such occurrences described in the fossil record of the Eastern Mediterranean. Snakes are represented by indeterminate “colubrines” and the genus Natrix. The different ages of the Ptolemais fossiliferous localities, along with their close geographic vicinity offer the opportunity to study potential survival/extinction patterns of its amphibians and reptiles across the Mio-Pliocene boundary, a time interval that has been crucial for European herpetofaunas.

δ13C data of the total water-soluble fraction and triacylglycerols as related indexes for differentiating the geographical origin of saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Using isotopic ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) measurements, this study analyzed samples of saffron originating from two distinct geographical regions. We then used the results to distinguish saffron of the two considered origins.δ13C data related to the crocin fractions in 48 saffron samples from Western Macedonia (Greece) and 48 samples from Khorasan Province (Iran) were correlated to an index derived from triacylglycerols. Isotopic data could clearly differentiate between samples from the two areas. The isotopic measurements were −28.3 to −26.9 for Greek samples, and −26.1 to −24.5 for Iranian samples. Another index, derived from a gas-chromatographic analysis of the triacylglycerols, successfully determined that the range of isotopic values that characterized Greek samples was 52% larger than the range that characterized Iranian samples. The application of statistical evaluations permitted us to identify the two groups of saffron with confidence and to accurately identify the site of origin of a saffron sample.

Strategic Mapping and Placement of Automated External Defibrillators in Remote Areas. The case of the Region of Western Macedonia Greece

Background: In Europe, sudden cardiac arrest is one of the dominant causes of death. Considering the fact that defibrillation within 3-5 minutes of collapse can cause survival rates as high as 50-70%, programs for public access defibrillation should be actively implemented. So far, the international research is focused on optimised methods for Automated External Defibrillator (AED) placements in cities and densely populated areas but there is not any concrete approach in connection with geographic information systems to covering the remote rural areas which have different dynamics, demographics and of course accessibility to medical care. This gap is what this paper will try to fill. The work of the current study unfolds in the Region of Western Macedonia (RWM) in Greece for a pilot AED placement program for the Governance of RWM. The initial number of the defibrillators (120) that are needed to be distributed is very small and by far it cannot cover the needs for every major town or rural area. This paper focuses only on the rural dimension for the allocation. Methods: All existing Regional Medical facilities, Health centers and Hospitals were identified and mapped. Subsequently, all types of road network were mapped and classified, which differ in conditions and maintenance, in order to do a network analysis. In addition, the type of land uses, demographics, population densities and seasonal dynamics were also taken into consideration in the mapping process in order to do a priority ranking for the allocation of the AEDs. Results: Based on the methodology the optimised sites and allocated AEDs covered the major rural areas that are most in need for immediate relief in the event of a cardiac episode. The results show a promising future for the foundation and expansion of optimised AED placements in rural areas. Conclusions: The progress of this pilot project must be monitored and there are many problems and obstacles that need to be tackled in order to provide a robust allocation of future defibrillators. Further research is needed to deepen our understanding on optimization approaches to enhance the functionality of the medical services as well as create a stable network of engaged and informed citizens ready to act.

Environmental response of mudbrick settlements: the case of Korestia villages in Western Macedonia

In Greece until the middle of the last century there were several buildings constructured from mudbricks. Nowadays, in a number of settlements there are mudbrick buildings, but the only organized residential complex with buildings built with mudbricks is situated in Korestia, in mount Vitsi, north of Kastoria region. This paper focuses on exploring the environmental response of these settlements, which combine a rich natural environment with a distinctive architectural physiognomy. By examining the urban planning, the morphological characteristics of the area and the relationship between the built and natural environment, it is possible to establish a framework of sustainable development that is environment-friendly. Sustainable management of the built environment of the Korestia implies a new dialectic between natural and man-made environment, with the aim of presenting proposals and multidisciplinary actions for the integrated development of the site. In essence, the remarkable housing stock is being studied and the heritage of the site (rich architectural and cultural heritage, natural parameters such as mountain, forest, river, etc.) is highlighted in order to transform itself into a force that prevents the population from leaving the area and at the same time creates conditions for re-housing and strengthens the tourism growth with low ecological footprint.

Thermal comfort and Indoor Air Quality assessment in university classrooms

Investigation of thermal comfort in various types of buildings is a rather intense research activity by recent years. Besides thermal comfort, the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is also important for the sensation of humans in indoor environments, as well as for their health. In the proposed work, a systematic measurement campaign in university classrooms in the Educational School of the University of Western Macedonia, Florina, Greece, is presented; the campaign was performed through winter time, noting that the University lies on the coldest thermal zone on a country level. Measurements include thermal comfort parameters, as well as IAQ ones, namely volatile organic compounds (VOCs), aldehydes and NO2concentration.As far as thermal comfort is concerned, Fanger’s thermal comfort indices are calculated, on the basis of the measured data; a comparison is made through the support of questionnaires investigating the actual thermal comfort level of the students while being in the classrooms, aiming at providing information on an adaptive sensation level. In terms of air quality, measurements are made both indoors and outdoors, allowing the determination of indoor/outdoor correlations.

Prediction of ash fusion temperatures of high calcium lignites originated from the Ptolemais-Amyntaio basin, North Greece

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the lignite ash behavior during combustion for electricity generation and to predict the Ash Fusion Temperatures (AFTs) using ash chemical composition. The studied lignite samples were collected from the area of Ptolemais-Amyntaio at Western Macedonia district of Northwest Greece. Ash chemical composition and its AFTs were determined for all collected samples. Results indicated that the chemical composition of the ash varies significantly and is rich in CaO. AFTs, as well as, slagging and fouling indices derived from the chemical analysis results, showed the tendency for slagging and fouling fluctuates also significantly. The varying chemical composition and AFTs, requires frequent sampling and laboratory analysis. Since AFTs determination is a time-consuming laboratorial procedure, multiple linear regression models, capable to predict AFTs from ash chemical composition, were developed. The adjusted regression coefficients of the prediction models were around to 0.90, while the relative root mean square error was approximately 4%.

A breeding concept to improve the performance of locally cultivated bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars

The objective of this study was to explore the internal variability in six established F7 commercial wheat cultivars for breeding purposes. They are sown traditionally in the region of Western Macedonia, Greece. Spikes of the six cultivars were sown in 2008 in separate rows. A head to row selection scheme was applied for two growing periods in order to select lines within the cultivars, based on various traits such as: the total spike number, the spike weight per row, the 1000-kernel weight and the specific weight . The final selection was based on the specific weight and the four best rows from each cultivar were selected. All selected lines were tested in a field trial with a randomised complete block design (RCB). The original seed of the cultivars were used as controls. Statistically significant differences were found for all the studied traits. The line selections differed from the original cultivars, sometimes highly significantly. In conclusion, commercial cultivars that are sown traditionally for many years may contain exploitable variability, which reveals, that the continuous selection within cultivars is necessary to avoid cultivar deterioration and to improve the yield and other traits. The results indicate a degeneration of grain yield from 8% to 20%. Although eye-selection restricts off-types, our results mainly indicate new variability and cultivar performance deterioration under extreme biotic and abiotic stress.

Opening of Albanian Schools for Learning the Albanian Language in Kosovo During 1941-45

Difficult, long and troublesome was the journey of Albanian letters in all Albanian lands, especially in Kosovo. The marking of the 75th anniversary of the Albanian school, being commemorated this year in all Albanian lands, is a good opportunity to see the long-lasting path of Albanian education. There are many reasons, but some are more necessary to be written and spoken about. It is rare that nations had to pay dearly for the right to write on their own language compared to Albanian people. So much blood has been shed to escape assimilation. However, when World War II had spread largely over Europe, the Nazi-fascist powers had invaded other countries including all Albanian-inhabited areas. After Albania, Yugoslavia succumbed as well. At that time, the territories of today’s Republic of Kosovo were also occupied. At that point, Kosovo was divided into three occupation zones: Italian, German and Bulgarian. Almost most of Kosovo's lands belonged to the Italian occupation zone. Thus, most of Kosovo and Western Macedonia joined Albania with Royal Decree and King of Vicar Decree no. 264, dated 12. VIII. 1941. In all three areas of occupation, the administration of governance was established in the service of the occupiers. The long and harsh oppression had an impact that Albanians would experience and perceive the new circumstances in every aspect as a resemblance of a real freedom, because the tyranny of the 1918-1941 period had exceeded all genocidal dimensions. With the initiative of Albanian Minister E. Koliqi, a contingent of teachers was sent to Kosovo as Kosovo lacked educational-pedagogical staff. This work set in motion the reflection of Albanian intelligence in Kosovo in order to open Albanian schools for Albanian students everywhere as soon as possible.

Built Cultural Heritage Recording and Evaluation in the Traditional Settlement of Siatista in Greece: Functional and Institutional Proposals for Conservation

This case report explores the town of Siatista (located in the Western Macedonia Region—Greece), which is designated as a “traditional settlement”. The paper argues that, despite the relevant legislation that designated 400 settlements in Greece as “traditional settlements” and put them under protection, Siatista has no delimited traditional section. Through the years, new house typologies, demolitions, and alterations of its urban form have appeared, and Siatista has lost its identity. Having as an ultimate goal to identify proper planning guidelines and regulations for the preservation of Siatista’s built heritage, the methodology used in the paper includes the following steps: (a) recording and codification of the key legislation for the protection of Siatista, including the official urban plans (and their revisions); (b) identification and mapping of the urban form and spatial characteristics of Siatista (existing land uses, house typology, etc.); (c) identification of the alterations of the urban form and the demolitions, mainly with the use of aerial photos (1960–2014); and (d) creation of a map presenting the remaining built heritage per degree of evaluation. Following the analysis of the existing situation and the identification of the key challenges, the paper ends by defining and delimitating the well-preserved section of the town (proposing stricter rules and regulations for its preservation).

IS THE WESTERN BALKANS A FAVORABLE REGION FOR RECRUITMENT OF JIHADISTS?

There are over 5 million Muslims representing 25 % of the region's population living on the territory of former Yugoslavia which had roughly 20 million citizens. By comparison, there are also around 5 million Muslims living in France, a country that had several colonies in the Muslim world, but the population ratio is different compared to the 60 million of the French population. Unlike the developed countries of Europe, the economies of the Balkan countries were destroyed by numerous interethnic conflicts. After the war of the '90s, the Balkans were living in a longtime economic and social crisis and a state of organized crime. With the beginnings of party pluralism, the different religions gained their former religious identity back.In Croatia and Slovenia, the Catholicism experienced a renaissance, same as the orthodoxy did in Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro and the Islam did in Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, Western Macedonia and Sandzak. After the disintegration of Yugoslavia and the fall of communism in the Balkans, the opportunity for increased foreign religious influence became a reality.Today, the image of a tolerant, open Islam from the communist era is still present, although it too is affected. During the several decades of communist rule, the traditional religious networks that affirmed an Islam shielded from Wahhabist and Salafist influences were disintegrated.108The war in Bosnia and Herzegovina intensified the implantation of the mujahidin in Bosnia in 1995. The traditional Muslim imams gradually lost their authority to the newcomers in a large number of mosques. At the same time, in light of its powerlessness, the state began to lose control in the field. It is estimated that some 67 mosques are controlled by radical Islam today, especially in rural and mountainous regions.109Under the pressure of great financial resourced which flowed in from Gulf countries, the education of Bosnian imams in Egypt and Saudi Arabia began. Step by step, Salafist imams were installed in the region preaching a more radical Islam. In such a situation, it was easier to recruit future Jihadists, especially among the socially vulnerable population.110 For example, one graffiti in Pristina (Republic of Kosovo) states: "Every woman will receive 200 euro a month if she wears a niqab".111 The radicalization spread in Bosnia and Kosovo with the greatest intensity. "Bosnia and Kosovo remain the most dangerous countries in Europe due to their political weakness and the high corruption rate. More than 75.000 weapons circulate in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and one Kalashnikov can be bought for the price of 200 euro and easily brought into the Schengen region", a former police officer of the EU in Bosnia and Herzegovina points out

Expounding the origin of chromium in groundwater of the Sarigkiol basin, Western Macedonia, Greece: a cohesive statistical approach and hydrochemical study

The aim of this paper is to provide a methodology including statistical tools and spatial techniques, in order to identify the various potential sources of chromium (Crtot) in the Sarigkiol basin, Western Macedonia, Greece, where elevated concentrations of Crtot in groundwater have been recorded since 1996. Integrated hydrochemical approach and statistical analyses including Pearson's correlation coefficient, multivariate statistical analyses (factor analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis), and spatial techniques (Moran's I spatial autocorrelation index and bivariate local indicator spatial association cluster map) were applied to evaluate the chemical analyses of 73 water samples, from irrigation wells, natural springs, and surface water. Both natural and anthropogenic sources of Crtot were recorded; the first (ultramafic-dominated environment) is strongly depicted on the natural spring water, in which Crtot concentrations as high as ~ 130 μg/L were recorded, whereas the second (agricultural activities) acts synergistically in the irrigation wells of the Sarigkiol basin, in which strong correlations of Crtot, P, and NO3- were defined. The paper highlights its findings by outlining the potential sources of elevated concentrations of Cr6+ in the Sarigkiol basin, stressing the need for a closer attention on the role of agricultural activities as an important, though commonly neglected, anthropogenic source of Crtot in groundwater.

Household food waste management: socio-ecological dimensions

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to estimate respondents’ socio-ecological consciousness (SEC) (knowledge, perceptions, behaviour, habits and feelings) concerning household food waste (HFW) and to identify factors that influence attitude concerning HFW.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through a questionnaire survey addressing to 279 residents in Western Macedonia, Greece. A principal component analysis was primarily applied to provide a manageable set of variables relevant to SEC. These variables were analyzed according to their positive/negative influence in SEC through descriptive statistics. Independent samples t-test analysis was employed to examine factors that influence HFW.FindingsResults show that SEC is formed by three main activities: knowledge, perception and attitude. The survey reveals an inconsistency between existing knowledge and problematic perceptions, while the attitude includes neither harmful nor harmless HFW-related activities. A significant finding is that respondents’ age affects food rejection in different consumption stages in a household.Research limitations/implicationsReliance on self-reported data for HFW that concerns a Greek case study does not allow a generalization of results.Practical implicationsThe authors suggest a campaign plan for local bodies. The aim is to enhance respondents’ perceptual abilities and attitude concerning HFW. In order to raise awareness of students and individuals/households, related campaigns could be implemented by educational institutions and other policymakers.Originality/valueThe survey provides information for HFW, a topic not widely examined in Greece, and it is analyzed for the first time on the basis of SEC theory.

Description and Economic Evaluation of a “Zero-Waste Mortar-Producing Process” for Municipal Solid Waste Management in Greece

The constant increase of municipal solid wastes (MSW) as well as their daily management pose a major challenge to European countries. A significant percentage of MSW originates from household activities. In this study we calculate the costs of setting up and running a zero-waste mortar-producing (ZWMP) process utilizing MSW in Northern Greece. The process is based on a thermal co-processing of properly dried and processed MSW with raw materials (limestone, clay materials, silicates and iron oxides) needed for the production of clinker and consequently of mortar in accordance with the Greek Patent 1003333, which has been proven to be an environmentally friendly process. According to our estimations, the amount of MSW generated in Central Macedonia, Western Macedonia and Eastern Macedonia and Thrace regions, which is conservatively estimated at 1,270,000 t/y for the year 2020 if recycling schemes in Greece are not greatly ameliorated, may sustain six ZWMP plants while offering considerable environmental benefits. This work can be applied to many cities and areas, especially when their population generates MSW at the level of 200,000 t/y, hence requiring one ZWMP plant for processing.

Menopause, Hormonal Changes and Osteoporosis among Women in Region of the Western Macedonia

Menopause is known as the end of natural transition in a woman’s reproductive life. Otherwise, is the period when progesterone and estrogen production is significantly reduced. The ovaries forbid the cell production and woman loses the ability of getting pregnant. Menopause is defined a period after 12 months without a menstrual cycle or even more.
 
 Osteoporosis is defined as bone tissue disorder characterized by loss of bone mass and bone structure disorder, enabling increased risk for fracture and bone fracture in general. Osteoporosis is considered the most prevalent disease around the age of 50.
 
 The prevalence of this disease on the basis of the most pronounced gender is in females compared to males, respectively a ratio of 3:1 (WHO, 2010).
 
 It is known that loss of osteoarthritis occurring in women during premenopausal is related to estrogen deficiency and the lack of hormonal imaging character that occurs in women during menopause and premenopause.
 
 Status of vitamin D plays a key role in bone health and early prevention of vitamin D deficiency disorders of rakitis and osteomalacia are very important but may also have a low vitamin D implication bone loss, muscle weakness and reduced fractures in older people and these are very important in public health issues in terms of morbidity, quality of life and costs for health services.

PB2413 HAEMOGLOBIN AGHIA SOPHIA (HBA1:C.187_189DELGTG) IN NORTHERN GREECE. IMPLICATIONS IN CLINICAL PHENOTYPE OF HBH

Background: Alpha-thalassaemia is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by a microcytic hypochromic anaemia, and the clinical phenotype varies from almost asymptomatic to a lethal haemolytic anaemia. It is probably the most common monogenic gene disorder in the world. Several mutations have been described that can affect globin gene expression in any step and many of those mutations are rare causes of alpha thalassaemia. Aims: 28 patients have been diagnosed with Hb H disease (14 males and 14 females) from 1986 to 2019 at the regions of Central and Western Macedonia in Northern Greece with a population of around 2.5 million. The most prevalent genotype was the -α 3.7/—med, (5 cases), 2 cases of –α 3,7/-α5,2, 1 case of –med/αPoly A, 1 case of –α 3,7/Hb Adana and 1 case of Hb Aghia Sophia/--med. The phenotype suggests that HbH disease in Greece has in general a moderate presentation. The molecular characterization of the patients with Hb H disease is useful for the prediction of the clinical outcome and the genetic counselling of the couples at risk. Methods: Hb Aghia Sophia carriers are asymptomatic with normal or nearly normal Hb levels and red cell indices similar to α+ thalassaemia carrier as it was shown in 2 members of a family that this mutation was also detected in our region. Haemoglobin (Hb) Aghia Sophia in interaction with deletional α-thalassaemia mutations leads to HbH. We report a case of Hb Aghia Sophia with co-inheritance with the a-thalassaemia – med deletion, a rare double heterozygosity case. Results: The case presented, concerns a 40 year old woman followed in our Thalassemia Clinic who was diagnosed at the age of 8 with Hb H. At diagnosis, totally incidental findings were compatible with a typical phenotype of Hb H, anaemia being mild and growth not having been impaired. As a girl, she retained a mild hypochromic microcytic anaemia until the age of 10 that a splenectomy was decided due to marked splenomegaly and anemia. During the following years her hemoglobin was maintained around 8gr/dl and she had normal growth. At the age of 35 she had an abortion. She was transfused each month during the next two pregnancies. Lately she was complaining for fatigue and her hemoglobin value was 7gr/dl. The investigation of hemoglobin deterioration did not reveal any significant cause. Bone marrow aspiration showed increased erythroid hyperplasia. Molecular examination revealed Aghia Sophia with co-inheritance with the a-thalassaemia – med deletion. As she denied transfusion, erythropoietin therapy was started with good results maintaining Hb level to 9gr/dl. Additionally, she receives deferasirox due to iron overload. Summary/Conclusion: The co-inheritance of Hb Aghia Sophia with –med, is extremely rare and the severity is due to the interaction of a hyper unstable mutant of the a1 gene with an α0-thal determinant. Hb Aghia Sophia causes instability to the polypeptide chain and is rapidly catabolized. Long follow-up of such rare cases is necessary in order to gain as much information as possible, so as to offer the best management to the patients and the most accurate counseling to their families.

Good Agricultural Practices in Protected Areas: Which factors Affecting the implementation?

The purpose of this study is to indicate and analyse the factors that affect the decision of the Prespa bean producers to implement Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in their farmlands. Additionally, the social characteristics of the producers are analyzed in order to obtain a broader picture. To achieve the above objectives, a logit model was applied as well as descriptive statistics for the analysis of the personal and social characteristics of farmers. The research was conducted in the Florina Prefecture of Western Macedonia through questionnaires that were filled in during personal interviews with the producers. The results of the research showed that growing PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) products, attending training seminars, the educational level of the producers, the earned income, the communication and information by an agricultural engineer affect significantly the decision of the producers to apply Good Agricultural Practices.

Geochemical and mineralogical characterization of smectites from the Ventzia basin, western Macedonia, Greece

AbstractThree samples of bulk smectite clay from the Pilori and Velanida bentonite deposits of the Ventzia basin, western Macedonia, Greece, were characterized in detail. Chemical analyses and X-ray diffraction (XRD; Rietveld method) showed that the samples are rich in Fe and Mg (8–13 mass% and 6–10 mass% as oxides, respectively) and contain ~60–65 mass% smectite. The high Fe and Mg content as well as the high Cr (0.3–0.5 mass%) and Ni content (0.1–0.3 mass%) are consistent with the formation of these clays from ultramafic precursor sediments of the Vourinos ophiolite complex. Both XRD and infrared spectroscopy indicate the presence of other clay minerals besides smectite, such as minor amounts of kaolinite, trioctahedral-rich palygorskite, serpentine and talc (depending on the sample). The position of the d060 reflection (1.51–1.52 Å) is compatible with either high Fe content or partial trioctahedral character, or probably both. The predominance of ferruginous smectite or nontronite was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy, but the minor presence of a trioctahedral magnesian smectite in some of the samples cannot be excluded. Layer charge densities, determined by the νO-D (oxygen-deuterium IR-stretching) method calibrated against the structural formula method, are in the 0.48–0.52 eq/FU range. Various methods point to the existence of a significant amount of tetrahedral charge, which is typical of ferruginous smectites. The major exchangeable cation is Mg2+ (73–90%), which represents a special property of these materials compared with other bentonites.

Business Model Innovation in Greece: Its Effect on Organizational Sustainability

The paper investigates business model innovation (BMI) and its effects on the organizational sustainability of a population of small- and medium-sized businesses with certain organizational characteristics. The research attempts to uncover how effectively BMI is applied, reveal its effects on organizational sustainability, and depict the latest BMI literature tendencies, as well as its elements, that may affect the organization. The applied methodology includes the usage of a structured questionnaire as the primary modeling tool, given to a number of businesses located in the Western Macedonia, Greece. Full statistical analysis is then applied, analyzing and correlating the research primary findings. Apart from presenting BMI latest literature trends, the research ulterior doubled goal is to display BMI effects on the businesses of a region that has been fully affected by a harsh financial crisis over the last decade.

The role of sediment rating curve development methodology on river load modeling.

The study aims to evaluate the performance of four sediment rating curve development methods, namely (i) simple rating curve, (ii) different ratings for the dry and wet season of the year, (iii) different ratings for the rising and falling limb of the runoff hydrograph, and (iv) broken line interpolation that uses different exponents for two discharge classes at the outlet of the Venetikos River catchment, located at Western Macedonia, Northern Greece. The goal is to provide guidance on the selection of the most appropriate one for the estimation of sediment discharge (yield) at this gauging site (basin), as well as to properly assess such values. The necessary field measurements (discharge, sediment discharge, discharge-sediment discharge pairs) were conducted by the Greek Public Power Corporation. The performance of each method was evaluated by executing a statistical analysis (1965-1982), using as benchmark the observed mean monthly sediment discharge values. The broken line interpolation method performed best, not only by meeting the desired criteria of most statistical indicators used but also by being overall superior to all other methods. Thus, henceforward is to be treated as the representative rating curve development method for the specific site. Finally, an attempt was made to evaluate the estimated (and observed) sediment yield values against the ones attributed by four empirical equations, yet with relatively poor results.