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Summarization: The growing recognition of the key role the business community plays in sustainable development has led banking institutions to introduce sustainable criteria into their lending processes in order to reduce the risk associated with the lending decisions. This paper aims to develop a novel approach to assist banking institutions in assessing corporate sustainability risks through published information. It is a practical tool which uses a scoring measurement system in order to evaluate nine categories of corporate sustainability risks using information provided in financial statements and corporate sustainability reports. To test the proposed framework and assess its applicability, an analysis was performed in a sample of reports published by 17 firms which operate in the energy sector. The implementation of the suggested framework was a straightforward process and it forms a good basis for the development of sector specific assessment tools. Also, findings from the analysis indicate that the examined reports do not provide sufficient information about corporate sustainability risks. Presented on: Sustainable Production and Consumption

Nasopharyngeal colonization of potential respiratory pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae is the major source of transmission and precursor of invasive disease. Swabbing deeply the nasopharynx, which is currently recommended by World Health Organization, provides accurate pneumococcal detection but is unpleasant. We showed that nasal lining fluid filter strips offer equal detection sensitivity.

The original version of this article contained a mistake. The name of Eirini Katroditou should have been Eirini Katodritou. The original article has been corrected. © 2018, The Author(s).

The aim of this study is to examine the validity of the Greek version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire 6.0 (EDE-Q-6.0) in a sample of adolescent pupils. EDE-Q is a self- report instrument that assesses attitudes and behaviors related to Eating Disorders (EDs). A two-stage identification protocol has been applied to the 16 schools that agreed to participate in the present study. Initially, 2058 adolescents, in class under the supervision of one research assistant and one teacher, completed a Questionnaire on socio-demographic data, the Greek EDE-Q-6.0 and the Greek Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) while their weight and height were measured. Six-hundred and twenty six participants, who had scores on EAT-26≥20 and/or were underweight or overweight, were considered as "possible-cases" while the remaining 1432 pupils of the sample were thought as "non-possible cases". At the second stage, parents of 66 of the participants identified as possible-cases as well as parents of 72 participants from 358 controls randomly selected from the sample of "non-possible cases" agreed that their children would be examined by means of Best Estimate Diagnostic Procedure. Participants meeting DSM-IV-TR Eating Disorders criteria were identified. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis was applied to reveal EDE-Q's criterion validity. The kappa statistic test was used as measure of agreement between categorical variables at EDE-Q and at interview (the presence of objective binge eating episode, of self-induced vomiting, the use of laxatives and of excessive exercise). The Discriminant and Convergent validity were assessed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test and by means of the Spearman's correlation coefficient, respectively. Nineteen cases of EDs were identified [one case of Anorexia Nervosa (AN), 13 cases of Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS), 5 cases of Binge Eating Disorder (BED)]. At the cut off point of 2.6125 on the EDE-Q's global scale the instrument screens with a sensitivity (Se) of 89.5% and a specificity (Sp) of 73.1%, a Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of 34.7% and a Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of 97.8% The same analyses for both sexes revealed a cut-off point of 2.612 for females and of 3.125 for males on the global EDE-Q-6.0 score (Se=84.62%, Sp=73.33% for females and Se=83.33%, Sp= 84.09% for males), yielding a PPV and a NPV of 35.5% and of 96.5% for females and 41.7% and 97.4% for males, respectively. A very low agreement level, between EDE-Q and interview, was observed regarding the presence of objective bulimic episodes (OBEs) [k=0.191 (SE=0.057)] and the unhealthy weight control behaviors [k=0.295 (SE=0.073)]. Positive correlations were found between EAT-26 and EDE-Q-6.0 for both global scale and subscales (rho=0.50-0.57). The results suggest that EDE-Q-6.0, when using its global score, appears to be a proper screening tool for assessing the core psychopathology of eating disorders in community samples in two-stage screening studies since it distinguishes very well the cases from the non-cases. However, the assessment of the presence and frequency of pathological behaviours which characterize EDs appears to be problematic since adolescents, especially the younger ones, misunderstood terms like large amount of food and loss of control or misinterpret the motivation for excessive exercise. Therefore, marked discrepancies were observed between pathological behaviors self-reported at questionnaire and those detected at interview. We may assume that giving participants more information regarding the definition of these concepts may increase the accuracy with which the participants report these behaviors.

Neovascularisation is a vital process underlying the development and progression of malignant neoplasms. Limited information on the subject is available regarding Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia/Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (WM/LPL), a rare and usually indolent B-cell lymphoma. We therefore studied by immunohistochemistry microvessel characteristics and IL-6, IL-8, CXCR2 and VEGF expression in the bone marrow of WM/LPL patients and investigated any possible correlation with disease characteristics and outcome. Sixty-three patients were studied (47 WM and 16 LPL) of whom 32, 25 and 6 were low, intermediate and high risk respectively, according to the IPSSWM staging system. Seventy-six percent of the patients required treatment while 24% were asymptomatic and were regularly followed- up. Microvascular characteristics, i.e microvessel density (MVD), total vascular area (TVA) and several other sizeand shape-related parameters, were evaluated in CD34-stained bone marrow slides using computerized image analysis. A Histo-score (H-score) was calculated for IL-6, IL-8, CXCR2 and VEGF expression. IL-6, IL-8, IL-8 receptor CXCR2 and VEGF expression was observed in 84%, 43%, 89% and 90% respectively. A positive correlation between IL-6 and CXCR2 H-scores was observed; IL-6 and VEGF H-scores correlated with hypoalbulinemia and increased serum β2-microglobulin respectively and both with bone marrow lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and MVD. The degree of angiogenesis, microvessel shape, VEGF expression and CXCR2 expression correlated with a shorter time to first treatment in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, in WM/LPL, increased expression of Th-2 cytokines, CXCR2 and VEGF is implicated in neovascularization. CXCR2 and VEGF expression along with the extent and the architecture of the microvessels are brought forward as contributors to biologic aggressiveness reflected by a need for earlier treatment. © 2013 Bentham Science Publishers.

This paper explores the strategies adopted by a sample of Greek businesses in relation to climate change mitigation and adaptation issues. In particular, the voluntary initiatives of a sample of Greek businesses with respect to climate change issues are examined, such as voluntary involvement in national and international associations on climate change, emission trading, the installation of low-carbon intensive equipment and carbon reduction management. An analysis of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reports is presented. Specifically, the methodology used in this study is based mainly on a synthesis of methodologies previously used in other academic articles focusing on business climate change. The sample of businesses was selected using the following criteria: the existence of published CSR reports; the impact on the environment of the industry in which the selected businesses operate; and the environmental protection practices undertaken on climate change issues. It was discovered that the selected Greek businesses adopt either political or strategic actions to face climate change problems. The findings show that over half of the businesses adopt political actions, while the total sample implemented various types of strategies to respond to climate change problems. This paper represents primary research into the climate change strategies of a selected number of Greek businesses, and could be useful for a range of other national and international businesses and academics.

The Hellenic Transplant Organization (HTO), a nonprofit organization sector of the Greek Ministry of Health, was officially established in 1999. Since March 2001, HTO has been responsible for donation and transplantation processes in Greece and organ sharing between Greece and other European countries. The organization’s main tasks are: donor referral, charting, donor assessment, organ evaluation, organ allocation and transplantation. Today, the results show increased success rates to previously believed unthinkable levels. Precisely, the percentage of referred versus used cadaveric donors increased by 468% and 134%, respectively. Cadaveric kidney transplantation has also shown remarkable progress with a 126% increase during the same period. Similarly, liver transplantation showed a threefold rise (89%) during the same time. Unfortunately, heart and lung transplantations remain low, thus preventing statistical conclusions to be drawn. Although Greece in previous years had the lowest donor and transplantation rates per million population, its position compared with other European countries is expected to rise significantly this year. Undoubtedly, the numbers and percentages compared to previous years are due to the radical changes implemented by the HTO, by introducing transplant coordination principles and procurement management, which were concepts not previously established in Greece. However, there are still major obstacles, such as intensivists’ refusal to disconnect, inaccessible geographical locations, few transplant centers, and society’s suspicion of organ donation concept, that still need attention. Nevertheless, the first step has been taken and other European countries standards will hopefully be attained soon.

A corollary of the multiple-compartment model for the transport of trace elements through animals was tested for cows, goats, and sheep. According to this corollary, for a given body {open_quotes}compartment{close_quotes} k of the animal (soft tissue, lung, liver, etc.), the ratio a(k)=f(k)/f(blood) of the transfer coefficients f, should exhibit similar values for physiologically similar animals. In order to verify this prediction, two experiments were performed at the Agricultural Research Station of Ioannina and at the facilities of Ria Pripyat in Pripyat, Ukranine. Eight animals in the first experiment and eighteen in the second were housed in individual pens and were artificially contaminated with a constant daily dose of radiocesium until equilibrium was reached. the animals were then sacrificed and transfer coefficients f(k) to twelve body {open_quotes}compartments{close_quotes} k were measured. These data were used to calculate the ratios a(k). The results were in accordance with predictions of the model and average values of a(k) were extracted for ruminants. It is concluded that these values may be employed for the prediction of animal contamination in any body compartment through the measurement of blood samples. 7 refs., 8 tabs.

A corollary of the multiple-compartment model for the transport of trace elements through animals was tested for cows, goats, and sheep. According to this corollary, for a given body ''compartment'' k of the animal (soft tissue, lung, liver, etc.), the ratio a(k) = f(k)/f(blood) of the transfer coefficients f, should exhibit similar values for physiologically similar animals. In order to verify this prediction, two experiments were performed at the Agricultural Research Station of Ioannina and at the facilities of Ria Pripyat in Pripyat, Ukraine. Eight animals in the first experiment and eighteen in the second were housed in individual pens and were artificially contaminated with a constant daily dose of radiocesium until equilibrium was reached. The animals were then sacrificed and transfer coefficients f(k) to twelve body ''compartments'' k were measured. These data were used to calculate the ratios a(k). The results were in accordance with predictions of the model and average values of a(k) were extracted for ruminants. It is concluded that these values may be employed for the prediction of animal contamination in any body compartment through the measurement of blood samples. Health Phys

The variation with time in the transfer coefficient for radiocaesium transport to sheep's milk was measured during an entire lactation period. One hundred and forty ewes, which gave birth around the beginning of November 1990, were used in the experiment. The animals were segregated into groups of six ewes and throughout their lactation period every week one of the groups was given a diet of ground wheat, contaminated with radiocaesium from the Chernobyl accident. Herbage intake, milk yield and radiocaesium concentration in the milk were monitored both during the contamination period and for an additional week while the animals were given a diet of uncontaminated feed. The data were analyzed using a linear compartment model and transfer coefficients were calculated. The results of this analysis showed an increase of radiocaesium activity concentration in the milk by a factor of three, over the 21-week lactation period. However, a significant correlation was found between transfer coefficients for radiocaesium and average daily milk yield, providing evidence for a steady radiocaesium transfer tp ewe's milk throughout the lactation period.: J Environ Radioact

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Soil ingestion as a source of radiocaesium contamination to ruminants was studied by measuring the transfer coefficient to sheep milk. Eight lactating ewes, housed in individual metabolism cages, were used. Fifty grams per day of heavily contaminated sandy topsoil, collected in 1990 from the Chernobyl area, were administered orally to the animals for a period of 1 week. The daily dose intake in Cs-137 was 1835 Bq day-1. During this contamination period, daily milk production and excreta output were measured. The ewes were monitored for an additional 7 day decontamination period, while they fed on uncontaminated feed. Transfer coefficients were obtained through a best fit (minimum chi2) of the data to predictions of a linear compartment model. The values obtained were f(m) = (2.6 +/- 0.7) x 10(-2) and f(u( = (5 +/- 2) x 10(-2) days kg-1 for radiocaesium transport to milk and urine, respectively. These results suggest that soil ingestion can be a major source of radiocontamination for sheep and other free-grazing ruminants. Comparison of our results with soil-to-milk transfer coefficient values derived in two recent independent experiments suggests that there might be a strong dependence of radiocaesium availability on soil composition. Science of the Total Environment

Educational apps for mobile devices for young children have seen increasingly high rates of growth. As with other media, parents play a key role in young children's app selection and use. However, to date, we know very little about how parents select apps for their children. A survey was conducted with a sample of 51 parents with at least one child between 5-12 years old, who attended a science dissemination initiative called European Researcher's night in Cyprus and had their child interact with an educational app on emotion management. The survey documents parental perspectives on purchases of educational apps, including five factors that are important for parents to consider when purchasing educational apps. Findings offer important insight for the educational media production industry into how parents select educational apps for their children.