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11 pages, 5970 KB  
Article
Polyarsite, Na7CaMgCu2(AsO4)4F2Cl, a New Mineral with Unique Complex Layers in the Novel-Type Crystal Structure
by Igor V. Pekov, Natalia V. Zubkova, Atali A. Agakhanov, Dmitry I. Belakovskiy, Marina F. Vigasina, Vasiliy O. Yapaskurt, Sergey N. Britvin, Anna G. Turchkova, Evgeny G. Sidorov, Elena S. Zhitova and Dmitry Yu. Pushcharovsky
Minerals 2026, 16(2), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16020122 - 23 Jan 2026
Abstract
The new mineral polyarsite, ideally Na7CaMgCu2(AsO4)4F2Cl, was discovered in high-temperature incrustations of the active Arsenatnaya fumarole at the Second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, [...] Read more.
The new mineral polyarsite, ideally Na7CaMgCu2(AsO4)4F2Cl, was discovered in high-temperature incrustations of the active Arsenatnaya fumarole at the Second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. It is associated with aegirine, sanidine, ferrisanidine, hematite, halite, sylvite, cassiterite, evseevite, axelite, badalovite, johillerite, arsmirandite, aphthitalite, tridymite, potassic-magnesio-fluoro-arfvedsonite and litidionite. Polyarsite forms short-prismatic, equant or tabular crystals up to 0.15 mm across, their clusters up to 0.3 mm in size or crusts up to 0.5 mm across and up to 0.03 mm thick. Polyarsite is transparent, sky-blue to light blue, with vitreous lustre. It is brittle, no cleavage is observed and the fracture is uneven. Dcalc. = 3.592 g cm−3. Polyarsite is optically biaxial (+), α = 1.624 (4), β = 1.645 (4), γ = 1.682 (4) (589 nm), 2Vmeas. = 70 (10)°. The empirical chemical formula calculated based on 19 O+F+Cl apfu is Na7.04Ca1.00Mg0.92Cu2.06Fe3+0.06(As3.96S0.05)Σ4.01O16.28F1.66Cl1.06. Polyarsite is monoclinic, space group I2/m, a = 8.4323(4), b = 10.0974(4), c = 10.7099(6) Å, β = 90.822(4)°, V = 911.79(8) Å3 and Z = 2. The crystal structure was determined based on SCXRD data, R = 0.0391. Polyarsite demonstrates a novel structure type. The structure is based on the (1 0 1) heteropolyhedral layers formed by Cu2O8Cl dimers built by CuO4Cl tetragonal pyramids sharing common Cl vertex, AsO4 tetrahedra and MgO4F2 octahedra. Adjacent layers are linked via CaO8 cubes to form a pseudo-framework which hosts octahedrally coordinated Na cations. Polyarsite was named based on the Greek words πολύς, poly, “many” and due to belonging to arsenates: this arsenate contains many chemical components ordered between different positions in crystal structure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection New Minerals)
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27 pages, 624 KB  
Review
Nutrition in Perinatal Midwifery Care: A Narrative Review of RCTs, Current Practices, and Future Directions
by Artemisia Kokkinari, Maria Dagla, Kleanthi Gourounti, Evangelia Antoniou, Nikoleta Tsinisizeli, Evangelos Tzamakos and Georgios Iatrakis
Healthcare 2026, 14(2), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14020283 - 22 Jan 2026
Abstract
Background: Nutrition during the perinatal period, including pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and lactation, is a critical determinant of maternal and neonatal health. While the importance of balanced nutrition is well established, the integration of nutritional counseling into midwifery care remains inconsistent across settings. Evidence [...] Read more.
Background: Nutrition during the perinatal period, including pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and lactation, is a critical determinant of maternal and neonatal health. While the importance of balanced nutrition is well established, the integration of nutritional counseling into midwifery care remains inconsistent across settings. Evidence suggests that midwives are uniquely positioned to deliver nutrition-related support, yet gaps persist in their formal training and in the availability of structured guidance. These gaps are particularly evident in certain regions, such as Greece, where dedicated national guidelines for perinatal nutrition are lacking. Methods: This systematized narrative review synthesises evidence from studies published between 2010 and 2025, retrieved through PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and relevant national guidelines. Although the synthesis draws on diverse study designs to provide contextual depth, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were prioritized and synthesized separately to evaluate the effectiveness of midwife-led interventions. In total, ten randomized controlled trials were included in the evidence synthesis, alongside additional observational and qualitative studies that informed the narrative analysis. Both international and Greek literature were examined to capture current practices, challenges, and knowledge gaps in the nutritional dimension of midwifery care. Results: Findings indicate that adequate intake of macronutrients and micronutrients, including iron, folic acid, vitamin D, iodine, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids, is essential for optimal maternal and neonatal outcomes. Despite this, studies consistently report insufficient nutritional knowledge among midwives, limited confidence in providing counseling, and variability in clinical practice. Socio-cultural factors, such as dietary traditions and migration-related challenges, further influence nutritional behaviors and access to guidance. Emerging approaches, including e-health tools, group counseling models, and continuity-of-care frameworks, show promise in enhancing midwives’ capacity to integrate nutrition into perinatal care. Conclusion: Nutrition is a cornerstone of perinatal health, and midwives are strategically placed to address it. However, gaps in training, inconsistent guidelines, and cultural barriers limit the effectiveness of current practices. Strengthening midwifery education in nutrition, developing context-specific tools, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration are essential steps toward more comprehensive and culturally sensitive perinatal care. Future research should focus on longitudinal and intervention studies that assess the impact of midwife-led nutritional counseling on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Healthcare and Sustainability)
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18 pages, 324 KB  
Article
Parental Mental Health, Feeding Practices, and Sociodemographic Factors as Determinants of Childhood Obesity in Greece
by Vlasia Stymfaliadi, Yannis Manios, Odysseas Androutsos, Maria Michou, Eleni Angelopoulou, Xanthi Tigani, Panagiotis Pipelias, Styliani Katsouli and Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein
Nutrients 2026, 18(2), 364; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18020364 - 22 Jan 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Childhood obesity remains a major public health issue, particularly in Mediterranean countries such as Greece. Although parental influences on children’s weight have been extensively studied, fewer studies have jointly examined parental mental health, feeding practices, sociodemographic factors, and biological stress markers. This [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Childhood obesity remains a major public health issue, particularly in Mediterranean countries such as Greece. Although parental influences on children’s weight have been extensively studied, fewer studies have jointly examined parental mental health, feeding practices, sociodemographic factors, and biological stress markers. This study aimed to investigate associations between psychological status, educational level, feeding behaviors, and children’s Body Mass Index (BMI) in a Greek sample. A pilot assessment of salivary cortisol was included in evaluating its feasibility as an objective biomarker of parental stress. Subjects and Methods: A total of 103 parent–child dyads participated in this cross-sectional study. Children’s BMI was classified using World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards. Parental stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) questionnaires. Feeding practices were evaluated with the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ). Statistical analyses included Pearson correlations, independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U, and Kruskal–Wallis tests. A subsample provided saliva samples for cortisol analysis to assess feasibility and explore the potential associations with parental stress indicators. Results: Parental BMI showed a strong positive association with child BMI (p = 0.002). Higher parental anxiety (p = 0.002) and depression (p = 0.009) were also associated with increased child BMI. Restrictive (p < 0.001) and emotion-driven (p < 0.001) feeding practices were associated with higher child BMI, whereas monitoring (p = 0.013) and health-promoting feeding practices (p = 0.001) appeared protective. Lower parental education was related to a higher BMI in both parents (p = 0.001) and children (p = 0.002) and to more frequent use of restrictive feeding strategies (p = 0.001). WHO charts identified a greater proportion of children as overweight or obese compared with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. The analysis showed statistically significant differences between the two classification systems (χ2 (4) = 159.704, p < 0.001), indicating that BMI categorization varies considerably depending on the reference system used. No significant associations were observed with residential environment or salivary cortisol, likely due to the limited size of the pilot biomarker subsample. Conclusions: The findings highlight the combined effect of parental mental health status, educational level, and feeding practices on child BMI within the Greek context. The preliminary inclusion of a biological stress marker provides added value to the existing research in this area. These results underscore the importance of prevention strategies that promote parental psychological wellbeing and responsive feeding practices while addressing socioeconomic disparities to reduce the childhood obesity risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Pediatric Nutrition)
27 pages, 3173 KB  
Article
Unveiling the Unknown Gela Coastal Paleoenvironments (Sicily Island, Southern Italy) During Late Holocene: New Tools for the Greek Harbour Site Location
by Giuseppe Aiello, Vincenzo Amato, Diana Barra, Emanuele Colica, Sebastiano D’Amico, Roberta Parisi, Antonella Santostefano and Grazia Spagnolo
Heritage 2026, 9(1), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9010041 - 22 Jan 2026
Abstract
The ancient city of Gela (built in the 7th century BCE) is located in the southern sector of the Sicily Island (Southern Italy) on a Pleistocene marine terrace near the mouth of the Gela River. Gela was one of the most important Greek [...] Read more.
The ancient city of Gela (built in the 7th century BCE) is located in the southern sector of the Sicily Island (Southern Italy) on a Pleistocene marine terrace near the mouth of the Gela River. Gela was one of the most important Greek colonies in the Mediterranean Sea, strategically positioned at the crossroads of the major maritime trade routes and with a rich production of cereals thanks to the fertile Gela River alluvial plain. To reconstruct the coastal and environmental configuration during the Greek period and to improve the understanding of the location of the harbour basin, a multidisciplinary approach was applied to a sector of the Gela River alluvial–coastal plain. This area, located very close to the ancient city, is known as Conca (Italian for “Basin”) and was identified through the analysis of historical and modern maps as well as aerial photographs. The multidisciplinary approach includes geomorphology (derived from maps and aerial photos), stratigraphy (boreholes and archeological trench), paleoecology (ostracoda, foraminifera and fossil contents of selected layers), geochronology (14C dating of selected organic materials) and archeology (historical sources and maps, pottery fragments extracted from boreholes and trench layers). The main results show that this area was occupied by lower shoreface environments in the time intervals between 4.4 and 2.8 ka, which progressively transitioned to upper shoreface environments until the Greek age. During the Roman period, these environments were significantly reduced due to repeated alluvial sedimentation of the Gela River transforming the area into fluvial–marshy environments. A time interval of aeolian sand deposition was recorded in the upper part of the coastal stratigraphical succession, which can be related to climatic conditions with high aridity. Available data show that marine environments persisted in the Conca sector during the Greek age, allowing hypothesizing the presence of an ancient harbour in this area. The depth of the Greek age marine environments is estimated to be between 4.5 and 7 m below the current ground level. Further investigation, mainly based on geophysical and stratigraphical methods, will be planned aimed at identifying the presence of buried archeological targets. Full article
31 pages, 2257 KB  
Article
Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Face of Climate Change: A Geospatial Framework for Erosion and Flood Risk Assessment
by Theodoros Chalazas, Dimitrios Chatzistratis, Valentini Stamatiadou, Isavela N. Monioudi, Stelios Katsanevakis and Adonis F. Velegrakis
Water 2026, 18(2), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18020284 - 22 Jan 2026
Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive geospatial framework for assessing coastal vulnerability and ecosystem service distribution along the Greek coastline, one of the longest and most diverse in Europe. The framework integrates two complementary components: a Coastal Erosion Vulnerability Index applied to all identified [...] Read more.
This study presents a comprehensive geospatial framework for assessing coastal vulnerability and ecosystem service distribution along the Greek coastline, one of the longest and most diverse in Europe. The framework integrates two complementary components: a Coastal Erosion Vulnerability Index applied to all identified beach units, and Coastal Flood Risk Indexes focused on low-lying and urbanized coastal segments. Both indices draw on harmonized, open-access European datasets to represent environmental, geomorphological, and socio-economic dimensions of risk. The Coastal Erosion Vulnerability Index is developed through a multi-criteria approach that combines indicators of physical erodibility, such as historical shoreline retreat, projected erosion under climate change, offshore wave power, and the cover of seagrass meadows, with socio-economic exposure metrics, including land use composition, population density, and beach-based recreational values. Inclusive accessibility for wheelchair users is also integrated to highlight equity-relevant aspects of coastal services. The Coastal Flood Risk Indexes identify flood-prone areas by simulating inundation through a novel point-based, computationally efficient geospatial method, which propagates water inland from coastal entry points using Extreme Sea Level (ESL) projections for future scenarios, overcoming the limitations of static ‘bathtub’ approaches. Together, the indices offer a spatially explicit, scalable framework to inform coastal zone management, climate adaptation planning, and the prioritization of nature-based solutions. By integrating vulnerability mapping with ecosystem service valuation, the framework supports evidence-based decision-making while aligning with key European policy goals for resilience and sustainable coastal development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Oceans and Coastal Zones)
20 pages, 822 KB  
Article
Dermatology “AI Babylon”: Cross-Language Evaluation of AI-Crafted Dermatology Descriptions
by Emmanouil Karampinis, Christina-Marina Zoumpourli, Christina Kontogianni, Theofanis Arkoumanis, Dimitra Koumaki, Dimitrios Mantzaris, Konstantinos Filippakis, Maria-Myrto Papadopoulou, Melpomeni Theofili, Nkechi Anne Enechukwu, Nomtondo Amina Ouédraogo, Alexandros Katoulis, Efterpi Zafiriou and Dimitrios Sgouros
Medicina 2026, 62(1), 227; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62010227 - 22 Jan 2026
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Dermatology relies on a complex terminology encompassing lesion types, distribution patterns, colors, and specialized sites such as hair and nails, while dermoscopy adds an additional descriptive framework, making interpretation subjective and challenging. Our study aims to evaluate the ability [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Dermatology relies on a complex terminology encompassing lesion types, distribution patterns, colors, and specialized sites such as hair and nails, while dermoscopy adds an additional descriptive framework, making interpretation subjective and challenging. Our study aims to evaluate the ability of a chatbot (Gemini 2) to generate dermatology descriptions across multiple languages and image types, and to assess the influence of prompt language on readability, completeness, and terminology consistency. Our research is based on the concept that non-English prompts are not mere translations of the English prompts but are independently generated texts that reflect medical and dermatological knowledge learned from non-English material used in the chatbot’s training. Materials and Methods: Five macroscopic and five dermoscopic images of common skin lesions were used. Images were uploaded to Gemini 2 with language-specific prompts requesting short paragraphs describing visible features and possible diagnoses. A total of 2400 outputs were analyzed for readability using LIX score and CLEAR (comprehensiveness, accuracy, evidence-based content, appropriateness, and relevance) assessment, while terminology consistency was evaluated via SNOMED CT mapping across English, French, German, and Greek outputs. Results: English and French descriptions were found to be harder to read and more sophisticated, while SNOMED CT mapping revealed the largest terminology mismatch in German and the smallest in French. English texts and macroscopic images achieved the highest accuracy, completeness, and readability based on CLEAR assessment, whereas dermoscopic images and non-English texts presented greater challenges. Conclusions: Overall, partial terminology inconsistencies and cross-lingual variations highlighted that the language of the prompt plays a critical role in shaping AI-generated dermatology descriptions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dermato-Engineering and AI Assessment in Dermatology Practice)
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21 pages, 1450 KB  
Article
The Development of Children’s Request Strategies in L1 Greek
by Stathis Selimis and Evgenia Vassilaki
Languages 2026, 11(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages11010019 - 22 Jan 2026
Abstract
The study investigated the developmental trajectory of the speech act of request among L1 Greek-speaking children spanning the preschool and primary school years (ages 4–11), aiming to address the scarcity of pragmatic research within this age range in Greek. Seventy-three children participated in [...] Read more.
The study investigated the developmental trajectory of the speech act of request among L1 Greek-speaking children spanning the preschool and primary school years (ages 4–11), aiming to address the scarcity of pragmatic research within this age range in Greek. Seventy-three children participated in an experimental task that elicited oral requests based on scenarios systematically manipulating addressee status/familiarity and the cost of the requested action. Responses were analysed via a bottom-up coding method, which showed that three quarters of all utterances adhered to four highly conventionalised, interrogative request constructions: (i) Can-you V-SUBJUNCTIVE?, (ii) Will-you V?, (iii) Can-I V-SUBJUNCTIVE?, and (iv) V-PRESENT-YOU?. Notably, the direct Imperative mood was marginal even among the youngest participants. Results indicate a statistically significant variation in the distribution of these dominant patterns across age groups. Increasing age correlates with greater sensitivity to sociocultural parameters of communication, specifically the imposition/cost and the addressee’s face needs. This is further evidenced by a more elaborated repertoire of modifiers and supportive moves. We conclude that requestive behaviour progresses developmentally from largely underspecified directive forms toward a repertoire of more complex and contextually specified constructions, thereby providing empirical support for usage-based accounts of language acquisition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greek Speakers and Pragmatics)
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16 pages, 367 KB  
Article
COVID-19’s Impact on Health Professionals’ Quality of Professional Life: A Single-Site Cross-Sectional Study
by Michael Rovithis, Sofia Koukouli, Anastasia Konstantinou, Maria Moudatsou, Nikos Rikos, Manolis Linardakis, Konstantinos Piliotis and Areti Stavropoulou
Healthcare 2026, 14(2), 279; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14020279 - 22 Jan 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Professional quality of life influences patient care, staff well-being, and organizational efficacy. The COVID-19 pandemic placed pressure on healthcare professionals, disrupting their professional quality of life and imposing a psychological burden. In Greece, these issues were intensified by a decade of economic [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Professional quality of life influences patient care, staff well-being, and organizational efficacy. The COVID-19 pandemic placed pressure on healthcare professionals, disrupting their professional quality of life and imposing a psychological burden. In Greece, these issues were intensified by a decade of economic crisis, marked by constrained healthcare budget, personnel shortages, and insufficient resources. This study investigates the pandemic’s impact on the professional quality of life of Greek healthcare professionals to support targeted interventions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using descriptive statistics. The participants were a convenience sample of 246 healthcare professionals from a Greek regional university hospital with at least one year of experience and who had worked with COVID-19-positive or potentially exposed but asymptomatic patients. Data were collected between March and June 2021 using the Professional Quality of Life Scale (version 5). Results: Of the 246 participants, 81.3% were women and 33.8% were aged 50 or older. Moderate concern and fear regarding COVID-19 were reported, with 34.6% extremely afraid of transmitting the virus to family or friends and 22.8% to patients or their families. Overall professional quality of life was moderate: compassion satisfaction was moderate to high, while burnout and secondary traumatic stress were moderate to low. Higher compassion satisfaction was linked to holding a position of responsibility. Burnout was associated with having children, permanent employment, years of experience, and increased pandemic-related fear. Higher secondary traumatic stress was associated with older age, more years of experience, and greater pandemic-related fear. Conclusions: These findings support international research and highlight that the moderate levels observed indicate intrinsic motivation based on professionalism in patient care, providing evidence of resilience and coping mechanisms that reduce psychological consequences on well-being due to the pandemic. Full article
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28 pages, 2378 KB  
Review
Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Diversity of Greece: Biodiversity Knowledge, Ethnobotany and Sustainable Use—A Short Review
by Alexandra D. Solomou, Aikaterini Molla and Elpiniki Skoufogianni
Diversity 2026, 18(1), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18010056 - 22 Jan 2026
Abstract
Greece lies within the Mediterranean global biodiversity hotspot and harbors exceptional plant richness and endemism, including numerous medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). These taxa underpin long ethnobotanical traditions and contemporary bioeconomy niches (culinary herbs, essential oils, phototherapeutics). The aim of this review is [...] Read more.
Greece lies within the Mediterranean global biodiversity hotspot and harbors exceptional plant richness and endemism, including numerous medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). These taxa underpin long ethnobotanical traditions and contemporary bioeconomy niches (culinary herbs, essential oils, phototherapeutics). The aim of this review is to map (i) the biodiversity knowledge base for Greek MAPs, (ii) recent ethnobotanical evidence, and (iii) sustainability pathways (conservation, cultivation, value chains, and regulation) in a Mediterranean context. The information is presented and analyzed in a critical manner. A total of 115 research studies were systematically reviewed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Key findings highlight that (i) Greece is a regional plant-diversity hotspot with many MAP endemics in Lamiaceae; (ii) contemporary ethnobotanical knowledge persists and adapts; and (iii) strong sustainability levers exist through Natura 2000 coverage, Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) frameworks, and Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognitions (e.g., Krokos Kozanis saffron, Chios mastic), although threats from climate and land-use change remain significant. In conclusion, Greek MAPs combine high biodiversity value, living ethnobotanical traditions, and tangible bioeconomic opportunities. Their sustainable prospects depend on integrating habitat protection, GACP and FairWild Standard (FairWild)-aligned wild collection and cultivation, domestication of priority endemics, and climate-resilience planning, all supported by traceable value chains and Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS)/Nagoya Protocol compliance. The review concludes with practical recommendations and a prioritized list of flagship taxa for “conservation through use.” Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany and Plant Diversity: Conservation and Sustainable Use)
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24 pages, 839 KB  
Article
The Association of Physical Activity with Health Indices and Healthcare Utilization
by Anastasia Keremi, Antonia Kaltsatou, Anna Tsiakiri, Dimitrios Tsiptsios, Sotirios Botaitis, Foteini Christidi, Vasilis-Spyridon Tseriotis, Maria Voulgari, Pinelopi Vlotinou, Aspasia Serdari, Kostas Anagnostopoulos and Gregory Tripsianis
Sci 2026, 8(1), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci8010023 - 21 Jan 2026
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Abstract
This study aimed to examine the association between physical activity and individuals’ health status, healthcare utilization, socio-demographic characteristics, and health behaviors in a large representative sample from Northern Greece. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1227 participants (47.4% males, mean age 49.94 ± [...] Read more.
This study aimed to examine the association between physical activity and individuals’ health status, healthcare utilization, socio-demographic characteristics, and health behaviors in a large representative sample from Northern Greece. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 1227 participants (47.4% males, mean age 49.94 ± 14.87 years) from Thrace, Greece, selected through a two-stage stratified sampling method. According to the Greek version of IPAQ, participants were classified as inactive/insufficiently active, sufficiently and highly active. Data on socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health-related variables were collected through structured interviews. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent effect of physical activity on subjects’ characteristics using SPSS ver. 19. Half of the participants (49.8%) were inactive/insufficiently active, 418 participants (34.1%) were sufficiently active, and 198 participants (16.1%) were highly active. In univariate analysis, smoking (p < 0.001), higher coffee consumption (p = 0.002), higher adherence to Mediterranean diet (p < 0.001), napping during the day (p = 0.017) and short sleep duration (p < 0.001) were associated with lower prevalence of high activity. In adjusted analyses, sufficiently active participants had a lower risk for bad self-rated health (aOR = 0.63), hypertension (aOR = 0.41), dyslipidemia (aOR = 0.42), diabetes (aOR = 0.53), obesity (aOR = 0.61), cardiovascular diseases (aOR = 0.43), anxiety (aOR = 0.65), depression (aOR = 0.56), daily sleepiness (aOR = 0.62), poor sleep quality (aOR = 0.71), as well as for primary (aOR = 0.54) and secondary (aOR = 0.40) healthcare utilization compared to inactive participants. Higher-intensity physical activity did not enhance these beneficial effects of sufficient activity on subjects’ characteristics. Physical inactivity significantly compromises health across multiple domains. Promoting even moderate-intensity physical activity may reduce chronic disease burden and healthcare utilization. Full article
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39 pages, 1175 KB  
Article
Beyond Digital Natives: A System-Level Analysis of Institutional Barriers and Teacher Experience in Secondary School ICT Integration
by Athanasia Regli, Hera Antonopoulou, Grigorios N. Beligiannis, George Asimakopoulos and Constantinos Halkiopoulos
Sustainability 2026, 18(2), 1108; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18021108 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 58
Abstract
(1) Background: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) integration in secondary education remains a critical challenge despite substantial investments in teacher training and infrastructure. This study investigated ICT certification levels, implementation patterns, and barriers among Greek secondary school teachers to understand the disconnect between [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) integration in secondary education remains a critical challenge despite substantial investments in teacher training and infrastructure. This study investigated ICT certification levels, implementation patterns, and barriers among Greek secondary school teachers to understand the disconnect between policy aspirations and classroom realities. (2) Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed with 108 secondary teachers (61.1% female; mean age 47.3 years; 70.4% with >10 years’ experience) in the Prefecture of Ilia, Greece (response rate: 87.7%). Participants were permanent secondary school teachers employed in public schools during the 2021–2022 academic year; substitute teachers and private school staff were excluded. A three-section structured questionnaire was developed through literature review, expert validation (n = 3), and pilot testing (n = 10). Section A assessed demographics (5 items), Section B measured perceived barriers using a 7-item Likert scale, and Section C assessed implementation practices using a 10-item frequency scale (Cronbach’s α = 0.942). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U tests, Kruskal–Wallis tests, and correlation analyses. (3) Results: While 74.1% of teachers held Level A certification, only 25.9% achieved Level B, with overall implementation remaining moderate (M = 2.92/5.00). Leadership support deficiency emerged as the primary barrier (76.9%), followed by inadequate technical support (74.1%). Younger teachers (24–35 years) demonstrated significantly higher ICT implementation than their older colleagues (56+ years), and teachers with less experience showed greater implementation frequency than veteran teachers—a finding that paradoxically challenges the “digital natives” assumption, given the barriers they face. Teachers preferred flexible Internet resources to formal educational software, indicating strategic adaptation to institutional constraints. Key limitations include convenience sampling, cross-sectional design, self-reported measures, and regional specificity. (4) Conclusions: The certification–implementation gap reveals that individual competencies cannot overcome unsupportive institutional environments. Effective ICT integration requires systemic transformation, encompassing leadership development, technical support, and structural reforms beyond traditional teacher training approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Education and Approaches)
45 pages, 1829 KB  
Article
Horticultural Systems and Species Diversity of Roses in Classical Antiquity: Integrating Archaeological, Iconographic, and Literary Evidence from Ancient Greece and Rome
by Diego Rivera, Julio Navarro, Inmaculada Camarero, Javier Valera, Diego-José Rivera-Obón and Concepción Obón
Horticulturae 2026, 12(1), 118; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae12010118 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 34
Abstract
Roses held profound cultural and economic significance in ancient Greece and Rome, yet comprehensive documentation of their species diversity, cultivation practices, and horticultural innovations remains fragmented across archaeological, iconographic, and textual sources. This multidisciplinary study synthesizes evidence from classical texts, archaeological remains including [...] Read more.
Roses held profound cultural and economic significance in ancient Greece and Rome, yet comprehensive documentation of their species diversity, cultivation practices, and horticultural innovations remains fragmented across archaeological, iconographic, and textual sources. This multidisciplinary study synthesizes evidence from classical texts, archaeological remains including recently identified rose stem fragments from Oplontis, and iconographic materials—including frescoes, coins, and mosaics—to reconstruct the horticultural systems and cultural landscape of roses in classical antiquity. Analysis of literary sources, particularly Theophrastus’s fourth-century BCE taxonomic descriptions, reveals systematic cultivation of diverse rose varieties with flowers ranging from white to deep crimson, including yellow variants, characterized by morphologies from simple to double forms and valued for fragrance intensity and re-blooming capacity. Archaeological evidence from sites such as Paestum, Pompeii, and Oplontis, including pollen samples, preserved wood fragments with diagnostic prickle patterns, and fresco representations, documents commercial rose production and specialized cultivation techniques that demonstrate significantly greater morphological diversity than textual sources alone indicate. Field research and collection documentation establish the origins of Mediterranean rose cultivation, while iconographic analysis identifies roses in religious ceremonies, festivals, and daily life contexts. Textual sources provide detailed propagation methods, seasonal management practices, and evidence of Mediterranean hybridization events, alongside extensive documentation of medicinal and cosmetic applications. Economic analysis reveals specialized trade networks, commercial production centers, and diverse applications in perfumery, garland making, and pharmaceutical industries. This research establishes that Greek and Roman civilizations developed sophisticated rose cultivation systems integrating botanical selection, horticultural innovation, and cultural symbolism that directly influenced medieval and Renaissance practices and informed modern trait categorization systems. These findings demonstrate the foundational role of classical antiquity in European rose heritage, revealing how ancient horticultural knowledge, species diversification through hybridization, and cultivation techniques created an unbroken transmission that shaped contemporary rose industries and established conservation priorities for this horticultural heritage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Floriculture, Nursery and Landscape, and Turf)
18 pages, 4016 KB  
Article
Climate Signals and Carry-Over Effects in Mediterranean Mountain Fir Forests: Early Insights from Autoregressive Tree-Ring Models
by Panagiotis P. Koulelis, Alexandra Solomou and Athanassios Bourletsikas
Atmosphere 2026, 17(1), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17010108 - 21 Jan 2026
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Abstract
Climate fluctuations are expected to drive a decline in the growth of many conifer and broadleaf species, especially in the Mediterranean region, where these species grow at or very near the southern limits of their distribution. Such trends have important implications not only [...] Read more.
Climate fluctuations are expected to drive a decline in the growth of many conifer and broadleaf species, especially in the Mediterranean region, where these species grow at or very near the southern limits of their distribution. Such trends have important implications not only for forest productivity but also for plant diversity, as shifts in species performance may alter competitive interactions and long-term community composition. Using tree-ring data sourced from two Abies cephalonica stands with different elevation in Mount Parnassus in Central Greece, we evaluate the growth responses of the species to climatic variability employing a dendroecological approach. We hypothesize that radial growth at higher elevations is more strongly influenced by climate variability than at lower elevations. Despite the moderate to relatively good common signal indicated by the expressed population signal (EPS: 0.645 for the high-altitude stand and 0.782 for the low-altitude stand), the chronologies for both sites preserve crucial stand-level growth patterns, providing an important basis for ecological insights. The calculation of the Average Tree-Ring Width Index (ARWI) for both sites revealed that fir in both altitudes exhibited a decline in growth rates from the late 1980s to the early 1990s, followed by a general recovery and increase throughout the late 1990s. They also both experienced a significant decline in growth between approximately 2018 and 2022. The best-fit model for annual ring-width variation at lower elevations was a simple autoregressive model of order one (AR1), where growth was driven exclusively by the previous year’s growth (p < 0.001). At the higher elevation, a more complex model emerged: while previous year’s growth remained significant (p < 0.001), other variables such as maximum growing season temperature (p = 0.041), annual temperature (inverse effect, p = 0.039), annual precipitation (p = 0.017), and evapotranspiration (p = 0.039) also had a statistically significant impact on tree growth. Our results emphasize the prominent role of carry-over effects in shaping their annual growth patterns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biometeorology and Bioclimatology)
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19 pages, 922 KB  
Article
The Greek Vocative-Based Marker Moré in Contexts of Disagreement
by Angeliki Alvanoudi
Languages 2026, 11(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages11010018 - 20 Jan 2026
Viewed by 109
Abstract
This study examines the functions of the vocative-based marker moré in contexts of disagreement in Greek conversation, drawing on interactional linguistics. The analysis of audio-recorded informal face-to-face conversations and telephone calls from the Corpus of Spoken Greek shows that, in such contexts, moré [...] Read more.
This study examines the functions of the vocative-based marker moré in contexts of disagreement in Greek conversation, drawing on interactional linguistics. The analysis of audio-recorded informal face-to-face conversations and telephone calls from the Corpus of Spoken Greek shows that, in such contexts, moré functions as an interpersonal marker, signaling solidarity and friendliness and thereby mitigating the potential face threat posed by disagreement. It also functions as a cognitive marker, conveying counterexpectation to the addressee. The study compares moré with its grammaticalized form, vre. Both moré and vre appear in contexts of ‘friendly’ disagreement with similar discourse functions. However, unlike vre, moré occurs in a broader range of disagreement types from the most to the least face-aggravating, including challenges, contradictions and counterclaims, and it also appears in contexts of impoliteness. This suggests that the two forms have different affordances, with vre displaying a higher level of solidarity than more. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Greek Speakers and Pragmatics)
20 pages, 2355 KB  
Article
Four Decades of Changes in Greek Coastal Lagoons (Amvrakikos Gulf, Northwest Greece): A Multi-Indicator Ecological Analysis
by Theodore Zoulias, Alexis Conides, Sofia Reizopoulou, Dimitris Vafidis and Dimitris Klaoudatos
Ecologies 2026, 7(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies7010011 - 19 Jan 2026
Viewed by 125
Abstract
Coastal lagoons are highly vulnerable to human and climatic pressures, yet long-term ecological changes remain poorly quantified. We analyzed four decades (1980–2020) of data from fisheries from six lagoons in the Amvrakikos Gulf, Greece, using ecological indicators to assess trophic structure, exploitation status, [...] Read more.
Coastal lagoons are highly vulnerable to human and climatic pressures, yet long-term ecological changes remain poorly quantified. We analyzed four decades (1980–2020) of data from fisheries from six lagoons in the Amvrakikos Gulf, Greece, using ecological indicators to assess trophic structure, exploitation status, and ecosystem responses. Cluster analysis of species level fishery production revealed a distinct temporal regime shift in the late 1990s–early 2000s, reflecting a major reorganization of species contributions to total yield. Mean total yield (Y), showed a consistent declining trend across lagoons, ranging from 2.7 ± 2.0 to 7.2 ± 5.0 t km−2. Primary Production Required (PPR) declined (0.8–1.5 × 1010g C km−2 yr−1), while Mean Temperature of the Catch (MTC) increased in five lagoons (19.0–21.4 °C) and remained stable in one (20.0 ± 0.9 °C). Pelagic to demersal (P/D) ratios generally decreased (0.09–1.26), and Q-90 values were variable (0.8–2.2), highlighting site specific ecological dynamics. Short term yield predictions for 2021–2025 ranged from 0.78 to 6.75 t km−2, remaining comparable to recent historical levels, while the estimated carrying capacities varied from 1.79 to 9.11 t km−2, reflecting contrasting exploitation states among lagoons. These results demonstrate that multi-indicator, fishery-based analyses provide a robust framework for quantifying ecological change and guiding adaptive management in lagoon ecosystems. Full article
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