Hours by Type of Work and Schooling in Ethiopia: Nonparametric and Parametric Estimates

Evangelos M. Falaris 연세대학교 빈곤문제국제개발연구원 2022 Asian Development Perspectives (ADP) Vol.13 No.1

I estimate regressions of the relationship between time devoted to alternative types of work activities and worker characteristics using data from Ethiopia. The regressions are useful in investigating how changes in individuals’ schooling are likely to affect their type of work activity which has implications for poverty reduction and their economic well-being. I estimate nonparametric regression as well Tobit models. The less restrictive nonparametric models are superior and reveal patterns in the relation of schooling and time devoted to three different work activities that are not apparent with Tobit models. The nonparametric and Tobit models result in significantly different predictions in the majority of the cases considered.

Use of a Double-Channel Gastroscope Reduces Procedural Time in Large Left-Sided Colonic Endoscopic Mucosal Resections

Evangelos Voudoukis,Georgios Tribonias,Aikaterini Tavernaraki,Angeliki Theodoropoulou,Emmanouil Vardas,Konstantina Paraskeva,Gregorios Chlouverakis,Gregorios A. Paspatis 대한소화기내시경학회 2015 Clinical Endoscopy Vol.48 No.2

Background/Aims: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of large colorectal lesions is associated with increased procedural time. Theobjective of this study was to evaluate the effect of double-channel gastroscope (DCG) use on the procedural time of EMRs in the rectosigmoidarea. Methods: All EMRs for sessile or flat rectosigmoid lesions ≥2 cm performed between July 2011 and September 2012 were retrospectivelyanalyzed. Results: There were 55 lesions ≥2 cm in the rectosigmoid area in 55 patients, of which 26 were removed by EMR using a DCG (DCgroup) and 29 by using an ordinary colonoscope or gastroscope (OS group). The mean size of the removed polyps, morphology, adverseeffects, and other parameters were similar between the two groups. The mean procedural time was significantly lower in the DC groupthan in the OS group (24.4±18.3 minutes vs. 36.3±24.4 minutes, p=0.015). Moreover, in a subgroup of patients with polyps >40 mm, thestatistical difference in the mean procedural time between the DC and OS groups was even more pronounced (33±21 minutes vs. 58.7±20.6 minutes, p=0.004). Conclusions: Our data suggest that the use of a DCG in the resection of large nonpedunculated rectosigmoid lesions significantly reducesthe procedural time.

Exploring Stress Levels, Job Satisfaction, and Quality of Life in a Sample of Police Officers in Greece

Evangelos C. Alexopoulos,Vassiliki Palatsidi,Xanthi Tigani,Christina Darviri 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2014 Safety and health at work Vol.5 No.4

Background: The ongoing economic crisis in Greece has affected both stress and quality of life (QoL) at all socioeconomic levels, including professionals in the police force. The aim of this study was to examine perceived stress, job satisfaction, QoL, and their relationships in a sample of police officers in Greece. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the first trimester of 2011 in 23 police stations in the greater Athens area. A total of 201 police officers agreed to participate (response rate 44.6%). The General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) was used to assess general health, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF Questionnaire and Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14) questionnaires were used to assess QoL and perceived stress, respectively. Results: The PSS and GHQ subscales and total scores exhibited strong, positive, and significant correlations coefficients (r): 0.52 for somatic disturbances, 0.56 for stress and insomnia, 0.40 for social dysfunction, and 0.37 for depression, yielding an r equal to 0.57 for the total GHQ score. A higher level of perceived stress was related to a lower likelihood of being satisfied with their job; in this regard, male participants and higher ranked officers reported lower job satisfaction. The PSS and GHQ scores were inversely, consistently, and significantly related to almost all of the QoL aspects, explaining up to 34% of their variability. Parenthood had a positive effect on QoL related to physical health, and women reported lower QoL related to psychological health. Conclusion: Higher levels of stress are related to an increased risk of reporting suboptimal job satisfaction and QoL. The magnitude of these associations varied depending on age, gender, and rank, highlighting the need for stress-management training.

Reliability and Validity of the Greek Version of the Job Content Questionnaire in Greek Health Care Workers

Evangelos C. Alexopoulos,Evangelia Argyriou,Virginia Bourna,Giorgos Bakoyannis 한국산업안전공단 산업안전보건연구원 2015 Safety and health at work Vol.6 No.3

Background: The Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), which is based on the DemandeControleSupport model, is designed to measure the psychosocial characteristics of the respondent’s work, and has been identified to predict health and psychological outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of this instrument and the subsequent adaptation of its scales to the population of Greek health workers. Methods: The Greek version of the JCQ was developed by using forward- and back-translation in accordance with the JCQ policy. The reliability and validity of the measure were investigated in a sample of health workers working in a hospital in Athens, Greece. The internal consistency of the scales was examined based on Cronbach a coefficients, and the validity was evaluated subjecting the items of the three main scales of the JCQ (decision latitude, psychological job demands, and social support) to exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Results: The reliability of the scales was found to be acceptable for all the scales, except for the skill discretion subscale. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a slightly modified version of the original construct including several items to more than one factor. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the Greek JCQ is reliable and valid for investigating psychosocial job characteristics among Greek health workers.

Evidence for Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis and Immune Alterations at Prodrome of Psychosis in Males

Evangelos Karanikas,Evangelos Ntouros,Dimitrios Oikonomou,Georgios Floros,Ioannis Griveas,Georgios Garyfallos 대한신경정신의학회 2017 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.14 No.5

We aimed to investigate the inflammatory substrate in psychosis by evaluating both the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal axis function and immune state at prodrome. This involved the recruitment of Ultra High Risk (UHR) of Psychosis subjects, Healthy Controls (HC) and patients with established Schizophrenia (CHRON). Serum cortisol at 3 different times throughout the day was measured. The Dexamethasone Suppression Test was performed plus 12 circulating cytokines were measured. The UHR subjects presented increased IL-4 levels compared with both the HC and CHRON patients. In contrast the UHR differed only from the CHRON group regarding the endocrine parameters. In conclusion, IL-4 appears to play a key role at prodrome.

Elimination of Idle Tones by a 2-Bit Adaptive Sigma-Delta Modulation System

Evangelos Prosalentis,George S. Tombras 한국전자통신연구원 2009 ETRI Journal Vol.31 No.4

The operation of a first-order 2-bit adaptive sigma-delta modulation system is described and discussed in this paper. The system operation is based on the combination of both “memory” and “look-ahead” estimation in the employed step-size adaptation algorithm of the basic quantizer. In comparison to simple systems and other adaptive sigma- delta systems, computer simulation results show that these features of the described system are responsible for the high SNR values and the extended dynamic range achieved for AC signals as well as the noise power reduction of almost 10 dB and the complete elimination of the idle tones for DC signals. However, such an advantageous performance requires the least possible multiplicative error accumulation, and this cannot be achieved without analog circuits of the highest possible accuracy.

E-Waste: A Hazardous Treasure

( Evangelos Gidarakos ),( Maria Aivalioti ) 한국폐기물자원순환학회 2022 ISSE 초록집 Vol.2022 No.-

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is one of the most complex and heterogeneous waste streams, containing a wide variety of substances, some hazardous, some valuable and some both. Its management under the prism of urban mining should be considered as the only way towards sustainability, achieving significant environmental and economic benefits. However, material recovery from e-waste is a rather challenging task, as several difficulties and hazards usually arise. Major issues in WEEE management are involved in the disassembly process, which is, perhaps, the most basic stage for a proper and efficient recycling. Furthermore, the implementation of a recycling program as a viable option should always include any potential adverse effects on human health (Savvilotidou V. et al., 2015). For instance, in some recycling plants in Sweden, significantly high concentrations of In, Cr, Co, Pb and Hg were measured in the blood and urine of employees that worked in the recycling units compared to the ones that worked in the offices (Julander et al., 2014). In any case, material recovery has been set of highest priority, as (Gidarakos E. and Akcil.A, 2020): high production of electric and electronic products utilizes increasing quantities of materials, the resources of these materials (rare earth and other precious metals) are limited and only available in a few places on earth, the disposal of these precious compounds is ecologically and economically unreasonable, the recovery of these valuable elements is challenging, i.e. intense efforts in research and development are necessary, it is important to consider both the high value parts of e-waste that can be recovered as well as the low value residuals which must be managed in an environmentally sound way.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Anterior-Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: A Systematic Review

Evangelos Anagnostou,Ioanna Kouzi,Konstantinos Spengos 대한신경과학회 2015 Journal of Clinical Neurology Vol.11 No.3

Background and Purpose In contrast to the posterior- and horizontal-canal variants, data on the frequency and therapeutic management of anterior-canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (AC-BPPV) are sparse. To synthesize the existing body of evidence into a systematic review regarding the incidence and treatment of AC-BPPV. Methods Systematic search of medical databases employing predefned criteria, using the term “anterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.” Results Te electronic search retrieved 178 unique citations, 31 of which were considered eligible for further analysis. Analysis of the collected data revealed an estimated occurrence of AC-BPPV among benign paroxysmal positional vertigo patients of 3% (range 1–17.1%). No controlled therapeutic trials could be identifed, and so the analysis was focused on uncontrolled case series. Treatment was categorized into three groups: Epley maneuver, Yacovino maneuver, and specifc, nonstandard maneuvers described in individual articles. All three categories demonstrated success rates of over 75%, and the overall sample-size-weighted mean was 85.6%. Conclusions Te present analysis demonstrated that AC-BPPV comprises about 3% of all BPPV cases. It can be treated safely using the Epley, Yacovino, and other maneuvers with rates of symptom resolution lying in the range of that reported for the other, more frequent canal variants. Multicenter controlled trials are needed in order to develop evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of AC-BPPV.

Suicide Mortality Across Broad Occupational Groups in Greece: A Descriptive Study

Evangelos C. Alexopoulos,Katerina Kavalidou,Fani Messolora 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2016 Safety and health at work Vol.7 No.1

Background: Several studies have investigated the relationship between specific occupations and suicide mortality, as suicide rates differ by profession. The aim of this study was to investigate suicide mortality ratios across broad occupational groups in Greece for both sexes in the period 2000-2009. Methods: Data of suicide deaths were retrieved from the Hellenic Statistical Authority and comparative mortality ratios were calculated. Occupational classification was based on the International Classification of Occupations (ISCO-88) and the coding for Intentional self-harm (X60-X84) was based on the international classification of diseases (ICD-10). Results: Male dominant occupations, mainly armed forces, skilled farmers and elementary workers, and female high-skilled occupations were seen as high risk groups for suicide in a period of 10 years. The ageproductive group of 30-39 years in Greek male elementary workers and the 50-59 age-productive group of Greek professional women proved to have the most elevated number of suicide deaths. Conclusion: Further research is needed into the work-related stressors of occupations with high suicide mortality risk and focused suicide prevention strategies should be applied within vulnerable working age populations.

Total Quality Management in local authorities. Evidence from Greece

( Evangelos Psomas ),( Mary Tasiou ),( Fotis Vouzas ) 한국품질경영학회 2015 한국품질경영학회 학술대회 Vol.2015 No.2

Purpose - The purpose of the study is to determine the main Total Quality Management (TQM) factors adopted and the respective results achieved by Greek local authorities - municipalities (city level administration). Design/methodology/approach - A research study was designed to be carried out in Greek local authorities - municipalities, thirty eight of which were approached through interviews based on a structured questionnaire. The TQM practices and results identified in the literature are used as the measured variables of the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics are applied to determine the level to which the TQM factors are adopted and the results are achieved by the sample local authorities. Findings - According to the findings, the TQM philosophy is not highly adopted by the Greek local authorities - municipalities. However, the TQM factors mostly adopted concern top management commitment, knowledge and education, and strategic quality planning. The Greek local authorities do not seem to derive significant TQM benefits. The TQM results are achieved to a medium level and concern the impact on society, quality performance, citizen satisfaction and operational performance. Research limitations/implications - The subjective data was collected from the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of a small sample of local authorities - municipalities, which operate in a European Union country. Thus, no advanced statistical methods can be applied. Based on these limitations, future research studies are recommended. Practical implications - Significant areas for improvement are identified in order for a Greek local authority - municipality to develop a robust TQM model and approach business excellence. This can help a local authority apply for respective quality awards and consequently derive significant internal and external benefits in the current global scenario that is characterized by an economic downturn. Originality/value - This paper contributes to the literature by determining the TQM factors that are adopted to a greater and to a lesser extent by Greek local authorities - municipalities as well as the respective results achieved. This is the first research study in the field of TQM implementation in the city level administration that has been carried out in Greece.