Explore the vast range of titles available.

Regional resilience is typically described as the ability of a region to withstand shocks and recuperate from various crises. Τhis paper examines the quantitative aspect of tourism resilience and focuses on tourism employment. The aim is to highlight the distinct potential of each Greek region to recover from the ongoing pandemic, based on its calculated tourism resilience. This empirical research uses secondary data and calculated indices developed for evaluating regional resilience. Statistical data from official sources provides information regarding regional employment with focus on tourism. Preliminary findings show that important differences are evident between regions regarding their resilience and their subsequent ability to recover from ongoing crises. Estimated resiliency is not always accompanied by a corresponding recovery, especially on the tourism sector. Regions with a strong tourism industry seem to have a stronger resilience than regions that base their development on other industries and this is an indication but at the same time shows the potential of tourism for the development of a region.

This study examines how individuals engage with smart city technologies (SCTs) through the dual roles of residents and tourists. Drawing on a new conceptual framework of affective-symbolic engagement, it explores not only adoption patterns but also users’ emotional responses and perceived inclusion. A quantitative analysis of 194 respondents reveals that while adoption rates are similar across roles, residents and tourists differ in usage routines, usability experiences, and sensitivity to symbolic cues. Tourists report more interface challenges and rely on third-party sources, while residents engage more with civic platforms. Age predicts usability barriers, but education does not significantly affect engagement. Emotional comfort and symbolic belonging are shaped less by demographic background and more by situational role and perceived design inclusivity. The findings extend smart city theory by incorporating role-sensitive, affective, and symbolic dimensions of digital engagement and support policies aimed at inclusive, human-centered urban technologies.

This paper investigates the impact of demographic changes on regional specialisation across Greek NUTS2 regions from 2001 to 2021. It explores the relationship between age-specific variations in the economically active population and gross value added (GVA) across different economic sectors. Using demographic and GVA data alongside spatial analysis techniques such as spatial regression models, median Local Moran's I, and location quotient, the study identifies spatial autocorrelation patterns. Findings reveal strong correlations between the economically active population and GVA, highlighting demographic factors' crucial role in regional economic performance. Over the period 2001 to 2021, the 15-24 and 25-34 age groups generally experienced declining growth rates in total, male, and female economically active populations, while the 45-54 and 55-64 age groups saw increases. Regions adjacent to those with higher economically active populations showed high-high clustering. Especially, Attiki and Kentriki Makedonia, the two metropolitan regions of Greece, influence neighbouring regions through economic spillover effects, fostering economic sector clustering and emphasising regional specialisation. These findings highlight the complex interplay between demographic shifts and regional economic outcomes, noting spatial disparities and the need for targeted policy interventions. The study provides empirical evidence demonstrating how demographic changes influence regional economic development across different regions.

The objective of this paper is to analyse the changes that occurred in the regional disparities and sectoral specialisation of the Greek regions due to the economic crisis. The research problem is to identify the effect that the crisis had on the developmental perspectives of the regions and on regional policy priorities. In this framework, we explore the regional disparities, along with the allocation and specialisation of economic sectors in two separate time periods: the pre-crisis period (2000–2007) and the crisis period (2008–2014). The variable used is regional employment in the branches of economic activity. The methods used are Coefficient of Variation, Location Quotients and Shift-Share Analysis. According to the results, we classify the spatial units into categories and we propose means of regional policy. The results show that the disparities increased during the first period of the crisis and declined in the next, without, however, reaching the levels of 2000. In the first period the dynamic economic sectors are concentrated mainly in the metropolitan region of Attica and in the island region of South Aegean, while local advantages are shown in several regions except Attica. During the period of crisis, Attica and South Aegean lost their sectoral dynamism, while a few regions resisted. Regarding the local share effects, the more urbanised regions show negative local shares. The rest of the regions exhibit local advantages. Thus, according to these results, a concluding remark is that the more traditional activities seem to be more resilient, unlike the modern activities, which seem more sensitive to the crisis and are located mainly in the large cities and the most urbanised regions of the country. Regarding the proposed regional policy means, infrastructure improvement is indicated for most of the urbanised regions in order to improve their developmental environment. For the other regions, a more balanced sectoral structure must be promoted. Of course, in order to propose more targeted policy measures, it is important that regional development features (according to the classification of the regions and the proposed policy measures) be adapted to smaller areas and to a greater number of narrower economic sectors, rather than simply applying them at the regional level. This is also true of the effect that some other factors such as human capital and innovative capacity have on regional resilience. Future research will focus on this.

This study investigates the impact of two consecutive economic shocks—the 2009–2018 economic crisis and the 2019–2022 COVID-19 pandemic—on the resilience and recovery of Greece’s 13 NUTS II-level Administrative Regions. Using secondary data on employment per sector from the Greek Statistical Authority and Eurostat, resilience is assessed through resistance and recovery indices, complemented by shift-share analysis to identify sectoral and local influences on regional performance. Regions with robust agricultural bases displayed consistent resistance and recovery, while tourism-dependent regions transitioned from high to low resistance during the pandemic. Urban centres like Attiki showed enhanced resilience due to concentrated economic activity and local advantages, forming a high-resistance, fast-recovery cluster. Consequently, regions with local advantages are more resilient in times of crisis. Sectors developing locally due to these advantages strengthen economic resilience, whereas dynamic sectors at the national level relying on external environments are more vulnerable, recovering more slowly and impacting host regions. Strong concentration economies alongside local advantages further bolster resilience. Strengthening local economic structures and diversifying activities are crucial for mitigating disparities. This study underscores the importance of tailored sustainable policies to enhance resilience and ensure long-term regional sustainability.

This thesis examines the role of gas infrastructure in the energy transition and coal phase-out scenarios in South-Eastern Europe, with a specific focus on Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece due to geopolitical reasons. The European Union (EU) and its member states are committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 through initiatives like the European Green Deal. Recognizing the need for tailored solutions, this thesis explores the potential of natural gas as a viable substitute for coal in power generation and its ability to provide flexibility to electricity systems. The analysis underscores that transitioning from coal to gas is the most reasonable and economically viable pathway to decarbonization in South-Eastern Europe. The region's well-developed gas infrastructure can gradually integrate renewable and low-carbon gases, thereby contributing to a fully decarbonized energy system across Europe. In summary, this thesis demonstrates that the gas infrastructure in South-Eastern Europe plays a significant role in meeting the EU's decarbonization objectives. The transition from carbon-intensive fuels to natural gas offers immediate and sustainable emissions reductions, facilitates the integration of renewable energy sources, enhances flexibility in the electricity system, and drives economic development in the region. The utilization of renewable and decarbonized gases, such as hydrogen and biomethane, will be crucial in achieving the EU's ambitious 2050 decarbonization targets.

To estimate breast-feeding prevalence in Greece in 2007 and 2017, compare breast-feeding indicators and maternity hospital practices between these years, and investigate breast-feeding determinants. Two national cross-sectional studies (2007 and 2017) using systematic cluster sampling of babies with the same sampling design, data collection and analysis methodology. Telephone interview with babies' mothers or fathers. Representative sample of infants who participated in the national neonatal screening programme (n 549 in 2017, n 586 in 2007). We found that breast-feeding indicators were higher in 2017 compared with 10 years before. In 2017, 94 % of mothers initiated breast-feeding. Breast-feeding rates were 80, 56 and 45 % by the end of the 1st, 4th and 6th completed month of age, respectively. At the same ages, 40, 25 and <1 % of babies, respectively, were exclusively breast-feeding. We also found early introduction of solid foods (after the 4th month of age). Maternity hospital practices favouring breast-feeding were more prevalent in 2017, but still suboptimal (63 % experienced rooming-in; 51 % experienced skin-to-skin contact in the first hour after birth; 19 % received free sample of infant formula on discharge). We observed an increasing trend in all breast-feeding indicators in the past decade in Greece, but breast-feeding rates - particularly rates of exclusive breast-feeding - remain low. Systematic public health initiatives targeted to health professionals and mothers are needed in order to change the prevailing baby feeding 'culture' and successfully implement the WHO recommendations for exclusive breast-feeding during the first 6 months of life.

In infants with genetically diagnosed spinal muscular atrophy, risdiplam therapy before the development of symptoms led to improved motor milestones and survival at 12 and 24 months. Treatment-related adverse events were mild.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death overall, with 1.5 years life expectancy and minimal therapeutic progress in the last decades. Despite the burden it causes, there is little research on the needs of this specific population. This study aimed to explore healthcare professionals' views on providing care and patients' unsatisfied needs. This qualitative descriptive study was carried out at a cancer hospital in Northern Greece. A total of 12 participants (6 physicians and 6 nurses), treating patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing chemotherapy, were recruited through purposive sampling and underwent face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed through the thematic analysis method in NVivo12 software. The analysis highlighted two themes: \"needs of patients with pancreatic cancer\" consisted of 6 subthemes (\"daily activities\", \"symptoms management\", \"psychological support\", \"information needs\", \"multidisciplinary care\" and \"end-of-life care\") and \"needs of healthcare professionals\" had 3 subthemes (\"psychological support\", \"education\" and \"organizational support\"). Several symptoms are identified and affect the daily activities of these patients, and psychological support is important for the majority of them, even at the time of diagnosis. The participants express dissatisfaction with the absence of palliative care structures and services and stated that an interdisciplinary approach would improve the quality of care. Healthcare professionals report a wide range of unsatisfied needs of patients with pancreatic cancer, with the majority expressing their concerns about the complete lack of patient support in the last stages of their lives.

As credit card usage has expanded rapidly worldwide, credit scoring has become a very important task for banks, which can benefit from reducing possible risks of default. Credit scoring models help decision makers to decide whether to issue a credit card to a new applicant on the basis of both financial and nonfinancial criteria. The scope of the current study is to develop a dynamic scoring model that (a) estimates the credit performance of an applicant using generalised linear models and (b) accommodates the changes of a borrower's characteristics after the issuance of the credit card and forecasts the time of default using survival analysis.