64 results on '"Kostas, S."'
Search Results
2. Catalytic and thermal pyrolysis of polycarbonate in a fixed-bed reactor: The effect of catalysts on products yields and composition
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Angelos A. Lappas, Kostas S. Triantafyllidis, Stylianos D. Stefanidis, Dimitris S. Achilias, Konstantinos G. Kalogiannis, E.V. Antonakou, and Stamatia A. Karakoulia
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Materials science ,Polymers and Plastics ,business.industry ,Chemical industry ,Condensed Matter Physics ,Catalysis ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Monomer ,chemistry ,Chemical engineering ,Mechanics of Materials ,visual_art ,Scientific method ,Materials Chemistry ,visual_art.visual_art_medium ,Organic chemistry ,Degradation (geology) ,Polycarbonate ,Porosity ,business ,Pyrolysis - Abstract
A meaningful and advanced method concerning the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) becomes a necessity, mainly due to their increased production, applications and their short life. Thermal methods have been an attractive option and for this reason the investigation of pyrolysis and catalytic pyrolysis as a potential method for the recycling of polycarbonate (PC) based plastics has been the aim of the current study. Nine different catalysts with variations in properties (such as porosity and acidity/basicity) were introduced in a bench scale pyrolysis system together with the polycarbonate polymeric material and the pyrolysis fractions were collected and analyzed. The liquid product consisted mainly of phenols and substituted phenols as well as the original monomer and, due to the commercial value of these products in the chemical industry, it is expected to enhance the economic viability of the process. Results showed a reduction in the degradation temperature in the presence of all catalytic materials, depending on the pore characteristics and the acidic nature of the solid. It seems that in the presence of the basic catalysts, PC degradation leads to lower molecular weight compounds and high phenolic fractions in the liquid produced. In terms of reduction in the production of the monomer, pore size rather than acidity appears to be the determining factor.
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- 2014
3. Design of an indirect heat rotary kiln gasifier
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Kostas S. Hatzilyberis
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Flexibility (engineering) ,Work (thermodynamics) ,Wood gas generator ,business.industry ,General Chemical Engineering ,Energy Engineering and Power Technology ,Solid fuel ,Combustion ,law.invention ,Power (physics) ,Fuel Technology ,law ,Integrated gasification combined cycle ,Environmental science ,Process engineering ,business ,Rotary kiln - Abstract
A non-ordinary type of solid fuel gasification reactor, which was under development for the few past decades and it is briefly described as indirect heat rotary kiln gasifier, seems to be capable of sufficiently satisfying the incorporated gasification needs in the most challenging contemporary power technologies using solid fuels, like IGCC and CLC combustion. The design of such a gasifier emerges in this work, while the focus is mostly on the presentation of the relevant theoretical model. Moreover, model predictions are compared and optimized with respect to experimental data that were acquired in a pilot scale gasification unit including the suggested type of gasifier. Comparisons showed successful predictions of such a marginal error that could be characterized as quite sufficient for a primary model validation. However, the model flexibility to a wide variety of different solid fuels, rotary kiln configurations and operating conditions has to be verified by assessment of further experimental results.
- Published
- 2011
4. The knowledge‐based development agenda:a perspective for 2010‐2020
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Kostas S. Metaxiotis and Kostas Ergazakis
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Value (ethics) ,Knowledge management ,Relation (database) ,business.industry ,Knowledge economy ,Context (language use) ,Library and Information Sciences ,Field (computer science) ,Computer Science Applications ,Citation analysis ,Urban planning ,Political science ,Financial crisis ,business - Abstract
PurposeIn the context of today's knowledge economy, development policies that are mainly based on knowledge as a primary source of wealth and added‐value are increasingly adopted by cities and countries. This tendency is becoming much more common due to the global financial crisis. Thus, the knowledge‐based development field has been in a state of important progress during the last decade. This paper seeks to discuss and highlight the major issues of knowledge‐based development. By doing so the paper aims to present an agenda for future research directions for the present decade of 2010‐2020.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents an agenda for future research by co‐instantaneously presenting the status in relation to the major pending issues of the knowledge‐based development field. This is accomplished through a wide‐scope literature review and qualitative scoring of knowledge‐based development (KBD) categories.FindingsThe main finding is that research is needed in four main directions: development of holistic and unified approaches for the practical formulation of citizen‐centric knowledge‐based development strategies; knowledge‐based urban planning; knowledge‐based development assessment and metrics; practical aspects of implementation of knowledge‐based development approaches.Research limitations/implicationsResearch in the paper is based on a wide literature review of the most important and added‐value available resources in the KBD field and in qualitative scoring of research categories. Use of empirical components such as citation analysis, field surveys, knowledge network analysis as well as for a specific approach regarding the scoring system would be needed in future research.Originality/valueThe discussion and issues presented in the paper should be of value not only to researchers and practitioners but also to cities and countries willing to design efficient and effective knowledge‐based development strategies.
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- 2011
5. Formulating integrated knowledge city development strategies: the KnowCis 2.0 methodology
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Kostas S. Metaxiotis and Kostas Ergazakis
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Knowledge management ,business.industry ,Knowledge economy ,05 social sciences ,Knowledge engineering ,Public policy ,Context (language use) ,Library and Information Sciences ,Management Information Systems ,Knowledge sharing ,Intellectual capital ,Management of Technology and Innovation ,0502 economics and business ,050211 marketing ,Sociology ,Business and International Management ,business ,Digital divide ,050203 business & management ,Theme (narrative) - Abstract
During recent years, the theme of Knowledge Cities (KC) has evolved as a major topic of interest, in the context of the knowledge-based development (KBD) field. The KC theme, being multi-dimensiona...
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- 2011
6. Anemia and Early Mortality in Patients with Decompensation of Chronic Heart Failure
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Stefanos G. Foussas, Constantine N. Fakiolas, Kostas S. Karidis, Nikolaos G. Patsourakos, Andreas Melidonis, Michael N. Zairis, Athanasios A. Prekates, Anastassios Theodossis Georgilas, Pelagia C. Batika, Kyriakos S Argyrakis, and Demetrios Z. Mytas
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Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Time Factors ,genetic structures ,Anemia ,Kaplan-Meier Estimate ,Severity of Illness Index ,Cohort Studies ,Cause of Death ,hemic and lymphatic diseases ,Internal medicine ,Severity of illness ,Confidence Intervals ,Humans ,Medicine ,Pharmacology (medical) ,Decompensation ,Hospital Mortality ,Survival analysis ,Aged ,Proportional Hazards Models ,Retrospective Studies ,Cause of death ,Heart Failure ,business.industry ,Proportional hazards model ,Length of Stay ,Middle Aged ,Prognosis ,medicine.disease ,Survival Analysis ,Hospitalization ,Heart failure ,Cardiology ,Female ,Hemoglobin ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,business - Abstract
Objectives: The possible independent effect of mild-to-moderate anemia (hemoglobin value not Methods: A total of 725 consecutive hospitalized patients were studied. All-cause mortalities during hospitalization and by day 31 were the prespecified study end points. Results: A total of 76 (10.5%) and 133 (18.3%) patients died during hospital stay and by day 31 of follow-up, respectively. Patients in the first hemoglobin tertile were at a significantly higher risk of death than those in the second (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001 for unadjusted in-hospital and 31-day mortality, respectively) or third terile (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, for unadjusted in-hospital and 31-day mortality, respectively). However, after adjustment for concomitant baseline comorbidities and biochemical parameters, there was no significant difference in the risk of death among hemoglobin tertiles. Conclusions: Mild-to-moderate anemia seems not to contribute independently to short-term mortality in patients with decompensation of NYHA class III/IV chronic heart failure. An adverse concomitant baseline risk profile may have a key role in the induction of mild-to-moderate anemia and in the increased risk of death in these patients.
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- 2011
7. Multimarker strategy for the prediction of 31 days cardiac death in patients with acutely decompensated chronic heart failure
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Stamatis S. Makrygiannis, Athanasios A. Prekates, Kostas S. Karidis, Dimitris Velissaris, Stefanos G. Foussas, George Z. Tsiaousis, Demetrios K. Babalis, Stelios M. Handanis, Evdokia N. Adamopoulou, Demetrios Z. Mytas, Nikolaos T. Kouris, Pelagia C. Batika, Michael N. Zairis, and Anastassios Theodossis Georgilas
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Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Cardiac output ,Heart disease ,medicine.drug_class ,Severity of Illness Index ,Predictive Value of Tests ,Risk Factors ,Internal medicine ,Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ,Severity of illness ,Troponin I ,Natriuretic peptide ,Humans ,Medicine ,Decompensation ,Cardiac Output ,Aged ,Proportional Hazards Models ,Aged, 80 and over ,Heart Failure ,business.industry ,Proportional hazards model ,Prognosis ,medicine.disease ,Surgery ,C-Reactive Protein ,Death, Sudden, Cardiac ,ROC Curve ,Heart failure ,Acute Disease ,Chronic Disease ,Multivariate Analysis ,cardiovascular system ,Cardiology ,Female ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,business ,Biomarkers ,Follow-Up Studies - Abstract
To investigate the combined prognostic value of admission serum levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), in patients hospitalized because of acutely decompensated severe (New York Heart Association class III/IV) low-output chronic heart failure (CHF).A total of 577 consecutive patients recruited in the 5 participating centers, were studied. Cardiac mortality by 31 days was the prespecified primary study end point.A total of 102 (17.7%) patients died by 31 days. When the study patients were divided according to the number of elevated study biomarkers, there was a significant gradual increased risk of 31-day cardiac death with increasing in the number of elevated biomarkers (p0.001). The value of the discriminant C statistic for the Cox regression analysis, increased significantly when each of the study biomarkers was incorporated with the other risk predictors into a Cox regression model, with the highest C statistic value for the Cox regression model that included all the study biomarkers (p0.001). By multivariate Cox regression analysis, elevated serum levels of BNP (p=0.002), cTnI (p0.001) and hs-CRP (p=0.02) were independent predictors of the study end point.In conclusion, in patients hospitalized for acute decompensation of severe (NYHA III/IV) low-output CHF, BNP, cTnI and hs-CRP upon admission offers enhanced early risk stratification. With increasing number of elevated biomarkers, the risk of 31-day cardiac death increases gradually that implies treatment intensification, and closer follow-up.
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- 2010
8. Exploring the rationales for ERP and knowledge management integration in SMEs
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Kostas S. Metaxiotis
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Structure (mathematical logic) ,Dynamic network analysis ,Knowledge management ,business.industry ,Information and Communications Technology ,Management of Technology and Innovation ,Conceptual model (computer science) ,General Decision Sciences ,Organizational culture ,Manufacturing resource planning ,Business ,Information Systems ,Intellectual capital - Abstract
PurposeTo survive in the global economy, SMEs have to improve their products, services and processes, exploiting their intellectual capital in a dynamic network of knowledge‐intensive relations inside and outside their borders. This paper aims to explore the rationales for the integration of knowledge management (KM) and ERP in SMEs and to present a conceptual model for their integration.Design/methodology/approachA wide range of academic and practitioner literature related to ICT and KM adoption from SMEs is reviewed. On the basis of this review and analysis, a conceptual model is designed.FindingsThe proposed model is regarded as an adaptable solution, where an SME with a traditional business structure uses existing IT applications and builds on them. Before applying the proposed model, SMEs should ensure that their KM initiatives fit into their organisational culture, or otherwise they should be prepared to change it.Research limitations/implicationsThe applicability of this model in an SME seeking to gain a competitive advantage needs to be explored. Practitioners should use the model in order to develop new platforms and extended ERP modules.Practical implicationsThe model can be used in any area of information and knowledge management.Originality/valueUsing the model, SMEs can achieve the integration of ERP and KM, which is proven to be a necessity for them in the knowledge economy.
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- 2009
9. Exploring stakeholder knowledge partnerships in a knowledge city: a conceptual model
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Kostas S. Metaxiotis and Konstantinos Ergazakis
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Knowledge management ,business.industry ,Strategy and Management ,Knowledge economy ,Urban studies ,Knowledge value chain ,Stakeholder ,Public relations ,Intellectual capital ,Urban planning ,Management of Technology and Innovation ,Organizational learning ,Personal knowledge management ,Business - Abstract
PurposeKnowledge cities (KCs) are cities in which both the private and the public sectors value knowledge, nurture knowledge, spend money on supporting knowledge dissemination and discovery and harness knowledge to create products and services that add value and create wealth. Knowledge cities fall under a new area of academic research entitled knowledge‐based development (KBD), which brings together research in urban development and urban studies and planning with knowledge management and intellectual capital. The purpose of this paper is to advance the research in the KC area by exploring stakeholder knowledge partnerships in a knowledge city.Design/methodology/approachBased on their previous research, the authors' main discussion highlights the need for more effective local government and stakeholder knowledge partnerships to better support knowledge management (KM) initiatives in a KC and proposes a conceptual model, as a good research starting‐point, to assist local governments develop and capitalize on more effective knowledge‐based stakeholder partnerships.FindingsThe main issues related to local government‐stakeholder partnerships are discussed and several processes are analyzed that can facilitate more effective two‐way knowledge transfers between local government and stakeholders in a KC, which are fundamental for establishing successful knowledge partnerships.Research limitations/implicationsIt would be interesting and useful to deepen the analysis made by the authors and look for more fundamental reasons behind their observations.Originality/valueThe main advantage of this paper is that it proposes a simplified conceptual model for stakeholder knowledge partnerships in knowledge cities.
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- 2008
10. An integrated decision support model for a knowledge city's strategy formulation
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Dimitris Askounis, John Psarras, Kostas S. Metaxiotis, and Konstantinos Ergazakis
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Strategic planning ,Decision support system ,Knowledge management ,Computer science ,business.industry ,Management science ,Strategy and Management ,Knowledge City ,Phase (combat) ,Variety (cybernetics) ,Order (exchange) ,Management of Technology and Innovation ,Local government ,Agency (sociology) ,business - Abstract
PurposeThe concept of knowledge cities (KCs) offers advantages to any urban region. Many cities globally claim themselves as being already KCs, while other cities have elaborated strategic plans in order to integrate this concept into their operational structures. The examination of their approaches reveals however that these initiatives are fragmented. The purpose of this paper is to present a multi‐dimensional and integrated decision support model for a KC's strategy formulation.Design/methodology/approachReference is made to a methodological approach (KnowCis) for the integrated development of a KC, consisting of five main phases and taking into account nine different dimensions. The strategy formulation phase is a particularly complex procedure for any authority (e.g. local government or city's development agency). The reasons for this complexity are related to the amplitude of the KC concept, to the variety of the factors to be considered as well as to the challenge for balancing the needs and interests of different target groups.FindingsThe proposed model consists of the following building blocks: identification of the appropriate actions (based on the KnowCis methodology), modeling of the city's current status as a KC (via the development of related indicators), assessment of actions' necessity (based on the indicators' outcomes and through the benchmarking of other successful KCs cases), selection of the most appropriate form for each proposed action (based on their efficiency during the last reference period) and, finally, prioritisation of the proposed actions (based on a multi‐criteria approach).Research limitations/implicationsThe main suggestion for future research is the development of an intelligent information system which will incorporate the building blocks of the proposed model.Originality/valueThe originality and value of the paper is that the proposed model can be a really helpful decision support tool for any city which is developing a knowledge‐based strategy.
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- 2007
11. Applying the KnowCis methodology to a Greek municipality: a case study
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Kostas Ergazakis, John Psarras, Kostas Grammatikos, and Kostas S. Metaxiotis
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Knowledge management ,Management science ,business.industry ,Knowledge economy ,05 social sciences ,Knowledge engineering ,Knowledge City ,Library and Information Sciences ,Management Information Systems ,Knowledge sharing ,Intellectual capital ,Knowledge base ,Management of Technology and Innovation ,Research community ,0502 economics and business ,050211 marketing ,Sociology ,Business and International Management ,business ,050203 business & management ,Social capital - Abstract
The concept of the Knowledge City is a subfield of the Knowledge-Based Development which, during the last years, has attracted the interest of many researchers and practitioners. Various cities around the world have also undertaken considerable efforts and initiatives so as to be developed or to enhance their status as a Knowledge City. However, their approaches were rather ad-hoc and spontaneous and were not based on a pre-defined methodology. The research community has only recently begun to concentrate on the direction to substantiate the fundamental principles of Knowledge Cities and to define unified methodologies for their design, development and operation. Under this prism, the authors have recently proposed such a methodology, called KnowCis. The application of this methodology is currently in progress, on a Greek municipality. The municipality incorporates some special characteristics and features that render it a very advantageous case for this pilot application. This paper refers to the characteristics of the municipality and to the application of the KnowCis methodology, presents the progress of the effort and the preliminary results until now and provides useful insights on the forthcoming actions and plans of the city's administration. The outcomes, results and lessons-learnt of this pilot application will permit to fine-tune the KnowCis methodology.
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- 2006
12. A unified methodological approach for the development of knowledge cities
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Dimitris Askounis, Konstantinos Ergazakis, John Psarras, and Kostas S. Metaxiotis
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Strategic planning ,Development (topology) ,Knowledge management ,Work (electrical) ,Management science ,Order (exchange) ,business.industry ,Management of Technology and Innovation ,Strategy and Management ,Sociology ,business - Abstract
PurposeThe concept of knowledge cities (KCs) is particularly advantageous for any contemporary city. Many cities globally claim themselves as being already KCs, while other cities have elaborated strategic plans in order to be transformed into KCs. The examination of their approaches reveals that these initiatives are fragmented and there is not a unified and coherent methodological approach. The purpose of this paper is to present the basic elements of a methodological approach for the integrated development of a KC.Design/methodology/approachThe examination and analysis of many cities' approaches, on a previous research work, have permitted one to identify an emerging pattern of successful KCs' main characteristics and features. These characteristics served as the basis in order to develop a methodological approach for the development of a KC.FindingsThe paper presents the basic elements of a methodological approach, named KnowCis (knowledge cities), which consists of five main phases.Research limitations/implicationsThe concept of KCs is very broad and consequently the purpose of the proposed approach is to incorporate all the related aspects. A suggestion for future research is the enhancement of the approach in order to incorporate additional aspects of a city's life.Practical implicationsThe KnowCis approach is a useful tool for any city that intends to be developed as a KC. At this stage there is an ongoing collaboration with a Greek city for its pilot application.Originality/valueThe approach presented in this paper is unified and it can be easily adapted in order to comply with the particular characteristics of each city.
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- 2006
13. A coherent framework for building successful KCs in the context of the knowledge-based economy
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Kostas S. Metaxiotis, Kostas Ergazakis, and John Psarras
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Knowledge management ,business.industry ,Knowledge economy ,05 social sciences ,Knowledge engineering ,0211 other engineering and technologies ,0507 social and economic geography ,021107 urban & regional planning ,Context (language use) ,02 engineering and technology ,Library and Information Sciences ,Management Information Systems ,Knowledge sharing ,Intellectual capital ,Knowledge base ,Management of Technology and Innovation ,Information system ,Sociology ,Business and International Management ,business ,Set (psychology) ,050703 geography - Abstract
Nowadays, it is commonly accepted in both researchers' and practitioners' communities that many disciplines and practices of the knowledge management (KM) field are also relevant and applicable to the knowledge-based development. This is reflected by the fact that the theme of knowledge cities (KCs) is now a ‘hot’ topic of interest and discussion. However, as it also happened with the early stages of evolution of KM, there is neither a coherent framework nor a unified methodology for the design and implementation of successful KCs. The real success of KCs is under investigation in the research community. In this direction, the authors propose a set of hypotheses for the design, development and operation of successful KCs. Then, based on an empirical evaluation of several case studies that have been successfully put in real practice they discuss the support of each case to these hypotheses. The key findings are expressed as a framework for building successful KCs.
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- 2006
14. Lignite chemical conversion in an indirect heat rotary kiln gasifier
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George P. Androutsopoulos and Kostas S. Hatzilyberis
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Materials science ,Waste management ,Wood gas generator ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,business.industry ,lcsh:Mechanical engineering and machinery ,lime enhanced gasification ,Solid fuel ,gasification modeling ,law.invention ,Pilot plant ,law ,pilot plant ,lcsh:TJ1-1570 ,Heat of combustion ,Coal ,Gas composition ,business ,Rotary kiln ,indirect heat (allothermal) rotary kiln gasifier ,Greek lignite ,Syngas - Abstract
The results on the gasification of Greek lignite using two indirect heat (allothermal) pilot rotary kiln gasifiers are reported in the present work. The development of this new reactor-gasifier concept intended for solid fuels chemical conversion exploits data and experience gained from the following two pilot plants. The first unit A (about 100 kg/h raw lignite) demonstrated the production of a medium heating value gas (12-13 MJ/Nm3) with quite high DAF (dry ash free) coal conversions, in an indirect heat rotary gasifier under mild temperature and pressure conditions. The second unit B is a small pilot size unit (about 10 kg/h raw lignite) comprises an electrically heated rotary kiln, is an operation flexible and exhibits effective phase mixing and enhanced heat transfer characteristics. Greek lignite pyrolysis and gasification data were produced from experiments performed with pilot plant B and the results are compared with those of a theoretical model. The model assumes a scheme of three consecutive-partly parallel processes (i. e. drying, pyrolysis, and gasification) and predicts DAF lignite conversion and gas composition in relatively good agreement with the pertinent experimental data typical of the rotary kiln gasifier performance. Pilot plant B is currently being employed in lime-enhanced gasification studies aiming at the production of hydrogen enriched synthesis gas. Presented herein are two typical gas compositions obtain from lignite gasification runs in the presence or not of lime. .
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- 2006
15. Knowledge cities: the answer to the needs of knowledge‐based development
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Kostas Ergazakis, John Psarras, and Kostas S. Metaxiotis
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Knowledge based development ,Knowledge management ,Maslow's hierarchy of needs ,business.industry ,Knowledge economy ,Knowledge value chain ,Personal knowledge management ,Sociology ,Global citizenship ,Library and Information Sciences ,business ,Computer Science Applications ,Business environment - Abstract
PurposeIn the new era of knowledge economy, knowledge and the processes to generate it and manage it are considered to be the most valuable assets of an organisation in the competitive business environment. Over the last years, intensive discussions have taken place about the importance of knowledge management for the whole of society, except for the business world. Today, there is a consensus among researcher and practitioner communities that the challenges facing modern societies call for development strategies that are knowledge‐based. Such strategies could enable humankind to pursue the vision of a global society in which all the basic human needs can be satisfied, while maintaining a healthy and physically attractive environment. However, general agreement has not yet been reached on which type of knowledge‐based development (KBD) strategy is the most advantageous and should be followed. This paper attempts, on the one side, through the study of current literature, to demonstrate the needs that should be fulfilled by KBD strategies and, on the other side, to justify why the relatively new concept of knowledge cities is the one that fully corresponds to these needs.Design/methodology/approachThe authors attempt to review and analyse in a coherent way the current trends regarding KBD policies as well as to examine the needs to be addressed by successful KBD strategies, based on a wide range of published works, including papers, books, reports and web sites.FindingsThe main finding is that there are many issues that contemporary KBD policies should address and that the new concept of knowledge cities fully corresponds to these needs.Research limitations/implicationsRecommended directions for further action research are presented.Originality/valueThe distinguishing feature of this study is that it shows that the concept of a knowledge city is the most appropriate and advantageous model for a KBD strategy, fully complying with and satisfying their needs.
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- 2006
16. Dynamic risk management system for the modeling, optimal adaptation and implementation of an ERP system
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Kostas S. Metaxiotis, Ioannis Zafeiropoulos, and Dimitris Askounis
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Software ,Process management ,Computer science ,business.industry ,Operations management ,Library and Information Sciences ,Management Science and Operations Research ,Business and International Management ,business ,Adaptation (computer science) ,Field (computer science) ,Risk management ,Management Information Systems - Abstract
Purpose – This paper aims to deal with the development of a risk management application for the modelling, optimal adaptation and implementation of an ERP system.Design/methodology/approach – This paper presented a risk management application for the modeling, optimal adaptation and implementation of an ERP system. The application was tested with the operations and capabilities of the ERP commercial package “SINGULAR Enterprise (SEn)” of the Greek Software House DELTA‐SINGULAR S.A.Findings – The functional result of this application was proved to support considerably the management of risk within the implementation of the ERP system.Originality/value – To the best knowledge of the authors there is no other current generic research in this technological field concerning small or medium‐sized enterprises. With the development of this application, the goals mentioned in the conclusions were achieved.
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- 2005
17. Exploring the world of knowledge management: agreements and disagreements in the academic/practitioner community
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Kostas S. Metaxiotis, John Psarras, and Konstantinos Ergazakis
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Knowledge management ,Status quo ,Order (exchange) ,business.industry ,Management of Technology and Innovation ,Strategy and Management ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Sociology ,Organizational theory ,business ,Key issues ,Competitive advantage ,media_common - Abstract
PurposeDuring the last 15 years, knowledge management (KM) has changed from one generation to the next through constant improvements and new perspectives. A myriad researchers have presented methodologies, frameworks, technologies and have discussed various KM theoretical and practical issues. However, KM still needs extensive development – it is in its infancy. This paper aims to explore the world of KM in a different way; to review the current status quo and analyze the main agreements and disagreements among researchers and practitioners in order to highlight the key issues which need to be further researched.Design/methodology/approachThe authors attempt to review and analyze in a coherent way the main agreements and disagreements among researchers and practitioners – in the field of KM – based on a wide range of published works, including papers, books, reports and web sites.FindingsBased on the key agreements among researchers and practitioners and having in mind the remaining disagreements, the third KM generation should proceed to further investigation of several KM issues and to further research.Research limitations/implicationsThe key issues highlighted here need to be researched further. Following on from the individual‐knowledge focus of the 1970s/1980s and the group‐knowledge focus of the 1990s/2000s, the third KM generation should: develop criteria for evaluating frameworks, methodologies and approaches, and systems for measuring knowledge, intellectual capital and other assets; include double‐loop learning; analyse investments and costs of KM Systems; use modern technologies for transfer of explicit knowledge; and apply KM to other areas of social life. There is also a need to clarify the meanings of differences between the various concepts discussed here.Originality/valueThe distinguishing feature of this study is that it emphasizes placing KM in a broader context of researchers/practitioners’ discussions so that the key issues can be better recognized and understood.
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- 2005
18. Goal directed project management methodology for the support of ERP implementation and optimal adaptation procedure
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Konstantina Nikolinakou, Ioannis Zafeiropoulos, John Psarras, and Kostas S. Metaxiotis
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Process management ,business.industry ,Process (engineering) ,Computer science ,Control (management) ,Resource efficiency ,Library and Information Sciences ,Management Science and Operations Research ,Software package ,Management Information Systems ,Project manager ,Information system ,Operations management ,Business and International Management ,Project management ,Adaptation (computer science) ,business - Abstract
PurposeTo control and reduce the time and the cost of implementation and to achieve optimal adaptation of the processes and structures of the enterprise in an ERP environment.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents a fundamental methodology based on goal directed project management (GDPM) principles which supports the complicated process of implementation and optimal adaptation (IOA) of an ERP system.FindingsBy implementing this methodology it was found that it is able to control and reduce the time and the cost of implementation and to achieve optimal adaptation of the processes and structures of the enterprise in an ERP environment.Research limitations/implicationsBased on the above methodology a system must be developed, which will aim at providing the project manager with the ability to create all the necessary elements for the management and realization of the project and to lead the consultant during the IOA process of ERP systems.Practical implicationsThis methodology was connected to, and tested with the operations and capabilities of an ERP commercial package in one of the leading software houses in Greece. The functional result of this methodology was proved to support considerably the process of IOA of SEn in the companies‐customers.Originality/valueThis paper provides a generic research in this technological field concerning small or medium‐sized enterprises based on the GDPM principles which aims at the facilitation and effective guidance for the installation process IOA in all stages and in all levels of analysis.
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- 2005
19. Towards knowledge cities: conceptual analysis and success stories
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Kostas S. Metaxiotis, Konstantinos Ergazakis, and John Psarras
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Knowledge management ,business.industry ,Strategy and Management ,Knowledge engineering ,Context (language use) ,Body of knowledge ,Management of Technology and Innovation ,Scale (social sciences) ,Critical success factor ,Personal knowledge management ,Domain knowledge ,Sociology ,business ,Theme (narrative) - Abstract
Over the past several years, there have been intensive discussions about the importance of knowledge management (KM) in our society. Nowadays, it is commonly accepted that many KM disciplines and practices are relevant to the social‐level knowledge‐based development. In this context, the new theme of “knowledge cities” came to the front. This paper attempts on the one hand to define the concept in a coherent way – presenting also its main implications and benefits – and on the other hand, to examine – on a worldwide scale – the different models of knowledge cities as well as modes of practice. The authors were based on a broad range of published works, including papers, books, reports and Web sites. The main approach was to briefly present the existing views of the concept, accompanied by some criteria determining a knowledge city. The authors also tried to provide a meaningful and concise review of existing cases, avoiding to get into many confusing details. This review provided valuable input for the definition of the key success factors and main benefits related to knowledge cities. This new concept is currently a main topic of interest for the research community and practitioners. It becomes clear that it has important benefits and in this way, focused research is needed towards many directions, in order for it to become a part of our life in near future. This integrated review is a very useful source of information for academics and practitioners who want to be acquainted with the knowledge cities concept.
- Published
- 2004
20. RECOT: an expert system for the reduction of environmental cost in the textile industry
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Kostas S. Metaxiotis
- Subjects
Textile industry ,Operations research ,business.industry ,Process (engineering) ,Computer science ,Environmental pollution ,Library and Information Sciences ,Management Science and Operations Research ,computer.software_genre ,Expert system ,Management Information Systems ,Risk analysis (engineering) ,Economic evaluation ,Information system ,Small and medium-sized enterprises ,Business and International Management ,business ,Textile (markup language) ,computer - Abstract
Environmental legislation and its enforcement has undoubtedly forced the textile industry to be rather cautious in selecting the appropriate processes and equipment. The most efficient, economic and minimal environmental pollution processing methods will be increasingly demanded throughout the 1990s. However, the majority of the textile industry consists of small and medium enterprises, where the lack of expertise on the use of best available techniques leads to levels of operation far away from the optimal. An expert system for a priori economic evaluation of potential interventions in the textile manufacturing processes and equipment is necessary to support decision making in the management level. This paper presents such an expert system, designed and implemented in four stages: formal description of the key factors that affect the dyeing process in the textile industry, development of models for the representation of relevant information, development of models for the representation of knowledge and integration of the above‐mentioned models in a unified information system that supports the decision‐making process in the management of textile enterprises.
- Published
- 2004
21. Decision support through knowledge management: the role of the artificial intelligence
- Author
-
John Psarras, Kostas Ergazakis, Emannuel Samouilidis, and Kostas S. Metaxiotis
- Subjects
Information management ,Engineering ,Decision support system ,Knowledge management ,Computer Networks and Communications ,Process (engineering) ,Computer science ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Marketing and artificial intelligence ,Library and Information Sciences ,Management Science and Operations Research ,computer.software_genre ,Clinical decision support system ,Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering ,Field (computer science) ,Management Information Systems ,Intelligent agent ,Personal knowledge management ,Information system ,Electrical and Electronic Engineering ,Business and International Management ,media_common ,Government ,business.industry ,Intelligent decision support system ,Expert system ,Computer Science Applications ,Interdependence ,Artificial intelligence ,business ,computer ,Software ,Information Systems - Abstract
Knowledge management (KM) has recently received considerable attention in the computer information systems community and is continuously gaining interest by industry, enterprises and government. Decision support and KM processes are interdependent activities in many organizations. In all cases, decision makers always combine different types of data and knowledge available in various forms in the organization. One of the key – but also criticized – building blocks for advancing this field of knowledge management and consequently supporting the decision making is artificial intelligence (AI). In this framework, this paper aims to improve understanding of AI towards knowledge management. It examines and discusses both the potential and the limitations of basic AI technologies in terms of their capability to support the KM process and shares thoughts and estimations on further research on the development of the next generation decision support environments.
- Published
- 2003
22. Applying Knowledge Management in Higher Education: The Creation of a Learning Organisation
- Author
-
John Psarras and Kostas S. Metaxiotis
- Subjects
Knowledge management ,Computer Networks and Communications ,business.industry ,Knowledge economy ,Knowledge engineering ,Knowledge value chain ,Library and Information Sciences ,Computer Science Applications ,Body of knowledge ,Organizational learning ,Personal knowledge management ,Information system ,Domain knowledge ,Business - Abstract
Knowledge Management (KM) has recently received considerable attention in the computer information systems community and is continuously gaining interest by industry, enterprises and academia. As we are moving into an era of "knowledge capitalism", knowledge management in combination with information management will play a fundamental role towards the success of transforming individual knowledge into organizational knowledge. Higher education (HE) institutions are in the knowledge business, since they are involved in knowledge creation, dissemination and learning. The increasing economic importance of knowledge, which nowadays redefines the links among education, work and learning, makes the role of KM in HE crucial. In this framework, this paper presents the key concepts of human-computer interaction in knowledge management, discusses their applicability to HE and proposes the creation of learning organisations in HE institutions, as an innovative way to apply KM to HE.
- Published
- 2003
23. A first approach to e‐forecasting: a survey of forecasting Web services
- Author
-
Vassilis Assimakopoulos, Konstantinos Nikolopoulos, Eleni Tavanidou, and Kostas S. Metaxiotis
- Subjects
business.industry ,Computer science ,Library and Information Sciences ,Management Science and Operations Research ,Demand forecasting ,computer.software_genre ,Competitive advantage ,Management Information Systems ,Business environment ,Engineering management ,Software ,Information system ,The Internet ,Business and International Management ,Web service ,Dimension (data warehouse) ,Marketing ,business ,computer - Abstract
A great challenge for today’s companies is not only how to adapt to the changing business environment but also how to gain a competitive advantage from the way in which they choose to do so. As a basis for achieving such advantages, companies have started to seek to improve the performance of various operations. Forecasting is one of them; it is important to firms because it can help ensure that effective use of resources is made. In the market there are a number of off‐the‐shelf system products, which provide forecasts. The new trend, of moving traditional software packages to Web services, has pushed forecasting to a new dimension, named by the authors as “e‐forecasting”. In this paper, a first approach to e‐forecasting is made by throwing light on several aspects and a survey is presented which aims at identifying existing Web forecasting services.
- Published
- 2003
24. Artificial intelligence in short term electric load forecasting: a state-of-the-art survey for the researcher
- Author
-
Dimitris Askounis, John Psarras, Argyris G. Kagiannas, and Kostas S. Metaxiotis
- Subjects
Progress in artificial intelligence ,Flexibility (engineering) ,Engineering ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,business.industry ,Energy Engineering and Power Technology ,computer.software_genre ,GeneralLiterature_MISCELLANEOUS ,Expert system ,Field (computer science) ,Term (time) ,Fuel Technology ,Nuclear Energy and Engineering ,Genetic algorithm ,Artificial intelligence ,Applications of artificial intelligence ,Electric power industry ,business ,computer - Abstract
Intelligent solutions, based on artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, to solve complicated practical problems in various sectors are becoming more and more widespread nowadays. AI-based systems are being developed and deployed worldwide in myriad applications, mainly because of their symbolic reasoning, flexibility and explanation capabilities. This paper provides an overview for the researcher of AI technologies, as well as their current use in the field of short term electric load forecasting (STELF). The history of AI in STELF is outlined, leading to a discussion of the various approaches as well as the current research directions. The paper concludes by sharing thoughts and estimations on AI future prospects in this area. This review reveals that although still regarded as a novel methodology, AI technologies are shown to have matured to the point of offering real practical benefits in many of their applications.
- Published
- 2003
25. Production scheduling in ERP systems
- Author
-
Kostas Ergazakis, John Psarras, and Kostas S. Metaxiotis
- Subjects
Process management ,Knowledge management ,business.industry ,Business process ,Computer science ,Scheduling (production processes) ,Knowledge-based systems ,Business, Management and Accounting (miscellaneous) ,Software system ,Business and International Management ,business ,Communications protocol ,Enterprise resource planning ,Tertiary sector of the economy - Abstract
In the current competitive environment, each company faces a number of challenges: quick response to customers’ demands, high quality of products or services, customers’ satisfaction, reliable delivery dates, high efficiency, and others. As a result, during the last five years many firms have proceeded to the adoption of enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions. ERP is a packaged software system, which enables the integration of operations, business processes and functions, through common data‐processing and communications protocols. However, the majority, if not all, of these systems do not support the production scheduling process that is of crucial importance in today’s manufacturing and service industries. In this paper, the authors propose a knowledge‐based system for production‐scheduling that could be incorporated as a custom module in an ERP system. This system uses the prevailing conditions in the industrial environment in order to select dynamically and propose the most appropriate scheduling algorithm from a library of many candidate algorithms.
- Published
- 2003
26. Integrating industrial maintenance strategy into ERP
- Author
-
Kostas S. Metaxiotis, Vassilis Assimakopoulos, N. Lekatis, and Konstantinos Nikolopoulos
- Subjects
Engineering ,Process management ,business.industry ,Planned maintenance ,Strategy and Management ,Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering ,Predictive maintenance ,Computer Science Applications ,Management Information Systems ,Proactive maintenance ,Production planning ,Software deployment ,Computerized maintenance management system ,Spare part ,Industrial relations ,Systems engineering ,business ,Enterprise resource planning - Abstract
During the last decade, many companies have made large investments in the development and implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. However, only few of these systems developed or installed have actually considered maintenance strategies. Maintenance is a complex process that is triggered by planned periodic repair (scheduled or planned maintenance), equipment breakdown or deterioration indicated by a monitored parameter (unplanned or emergency maintenance). This process requires planning, scheduling, monitoring, quality assurance and deployment of necessary resources (workshop, manpower, machines, equipment, tools, spare parts, materials). Proper design and integration of maintenance management into ERP systems enable enterprises to effectively manage their production planning and scheduling, as well as to analyze their maintenance history so as to carry out cost analysis and produce future projections of failure trends. The present work presents the design of an object‐oriented maintenance management model and its integration into an ERP system. The proposed model was designed towards the development of innovative industrial software regarding the optimum management of maintenance in a wide range of business areas.
- Published
- 2003
27. Knowledge and information management in e‐learning environments; the user agent architecture
- Author
-
John Psarras, Kostas S. Metaxiotis, and Stefanos Papastefanatos
- Subjects
Knowledge management ,business.industry ,Computer science ,Data management ,Knowledge engineering ,Knowledge value chain ,Open Knowledge Base Connectivity ,Library and Information Sciences ,Management Science and Operations Research ,Management Information Systems ,Knowledge base ,Organizational learning ,Personal knowledge management ,Domain knowledge ,Business and International Management ,business - Abstract
Knowledge management has recently received considerable attention in the computer information systems community and is continuously gaining interest from industry, enterprises and government. As we move towards building knowledge organizations, knowledge management in combination with information management will play a fundamental role towards the success of transforming individual knowledge into organizational knowledge. In this framework, this paper discusses the key concepts of human‐computer interaction in knowledge management, identifies new challenges of knowledge management for Web‐based business and proposes a “user agent architecture” for knowledge management in e‐learning environments. User agents use artificial neural network technology and can be used in various e‐learning or e‐training environments, in order to provide them with means of managing information stored, filtering content and enabling better knowledge adoption on behalf of their users.
- Published
- 2002
28. GENESYS: an expert system for production scheduling
- Author
-
Dimitris Askounis, Kostas S. Metaxiotis, and John Psarras
- Subjects
Engineering ,Knowledge management ,business.industry ,Strategy and Management ,Scheduling (production processes) ,Dynamic priority scheduling ,computer.software_genre ,Competitive advantage ,Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering ,Expert system ,Computer Science Applications ,Management Information Systems ,Knowledge-based systems ,Production planning ,Risk analysis (engineering) ,Genetic algorithm scheduling ,Industrial relations ,business ,computer ,Tertiary sector of the economy - Abstract
Planning and scheduling are forms of decision making, which play a crucial role in manufacturing as well as in service industries. In the current competitive environment, effective sequencing and scheduling has become a necessity for survival in the marketplace. A great challenge for today’s companies is not only how to adapt to this changing, competitive business environment but also how to draw a competitive advantage from the way in which they choose to do so. Intelligent solutions, based on expert systems, to solve problems in the field of production planning and scheduling are becoming more and more widespread nowadays. Proposes an expert system, which uses the prevailing conditions in the industrial environment in order to select and “fire” dynamically the most appropriate scheduling algorithm from a library of many candidate algorithms.
- Published
- 2002
29. [Untitled]
- Author
-
Dimitris Askounis, Kostas S. Metaxiotis, and John Psarras
- Subjects
Engineering ,business.industry ,Scheduling (production processes) ,ComputerApplications_COMPUTERSINOTHERSYSTEMS ,computer.software_genre ,Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering ,Expert system ,Manufacturing engineering ,Production planning ,Artificial Intelligence ,Electronics ,Aerospace ,business ,computer ,Software - Abstract
Intelligent solutions, based on expert systems, to solve problems in the field of production planning and scheduling are becoming more and more widespread nowadays. Especially the last decade has witnessed a growing number of manufacturing companies, including glass, oil, aerospace, computers, electronics, metal and chemical industries—to name just a few—interested in the applications of expert systems (ESs) in manufacturing. This paper is a state-of-the-art review of the use of ESs in the field of production planning and scheduling. The paper presents famous expert systems known in the literature and current applications, analyzes the relative benefits and concludes by sharing thoughts and estimations on ESs future prospects in this area.
- Published
- 2002
30. An Object-Oriented Analysis and Design of a Model for Production Planning and Control in Industry
- Author
-
John Psarras, Dimitrios Askounis, and Kostas S. Metaxiotis
- Subjects
Applied engineering ,Engineering ,Decision support system ,Object-oriented programming ,business.industry ,Mechanical Engineering ,Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering ,Object-oriented analysis and design ,Computer Science Applications ,Production planning ,Control and Systems Engineering ,Production manager ,Information system ,Systems engineering ,business ,Software ,Integrated management - Abstract
Effective modelling is one of the most important and difficult steps in the development of reliable information systems, and production planning and control in industry is very difficult. This paper presents an object-oriented analysis (OOA) and describes the design of a model for production planning and control in a customised industrial environment. The proposed model was designed for the development of innovative industrial software for the optimum management of production planning in a wide range of business areas.
- Published
- 2001
31. NUMASS: a Web‐based nuclear monitoring system
- Author
-
Kostas S. Metaxiotis, John Psarras, and Konstantinos Karnezis
- Subjects
European community ,business.industry ,Computer science ,Control (management) ,Monitoring system ,Library and Information Sciences ,Management Science and Operations Research ,Management Information Systems ,Engineering management ,Systems architecture ,Information system ,Web application ,European commission ,The Internet ,Business and International Management ,business ,Simulation - Abstract
Presents the NUMASS Web‐based system, which was developed for the needs of the European Commission (designed to be used mainly by AIDCO‐A5). Its main objective is to improve the management and monitoring of Tacis Nuclear Safety Programme, by showing in a graphical way the progress of projects/works and prompting for corrective actions.
- Published
- 2001
32. An elaborate analysis of production systems in industry: what a consultant should know
- Author
-
John Psarras, Konstantinos Ergazakis, and Kostas S. Metaxiotis
- Subjects
Engineering ,business.industry ,Strategy and Management ,Scheduling (production processes) ,Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering ,Computer Science Applications ,Management Information Systems ,Engineering management ,Knowledge base ,Production manager ,Manufacturing ,Industrial relations ,Process development execution system ,Production engineering ,Experiential knowledge ,Marketing ,business - Abstract
It is common knowledge that during the last decade markets have become extremely competitive with product variety increasing continuously and product life cycles shortening. Many manufacturing companies, which hitherto satisfied their customers while operating specific production systems, were recently obliged to reconsider because of the potential superiority of other “manufacturing philosophies”. In the literature, we meet a great variety of production systems and manufacturing philosophies, while, on the other side, in industry we usually find different combinations of “primary” productions systems. In this paper, we present the existing “state‐of‐the‐art” theoretical and experiential knowledge about productions systems, as well as describe their basic characteristics in a useful, exact and comprehensive way for practitioners and software houses who want to have a knowledge base for further research and practical implementation in the wider field of production management, planning and scheduling.
- Published
- 2001
33. INDIRECT THERMAL DRYING OF LIGNITE: DESIGN ASPECTS OF A ROTARY DRYER
- Author
-
Kostas S. Hatzilyberis, Constantinos E. Salmas, and George P. Androutsopoulos
- Subjects
Waste management ,Moisture ,Chemistry ,business.industry ,General Chemical Engineering ,Flow (psychology) ,Evaporation ,Drum ,Heat transfer coefficient ,Residence time distribution ,Heat transfer ,Thermal ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Process engineering ,business - Abstract
An investigation of the thermal drying of lignite has been carried out, by using an indirect heat pilot rotary drum. The process aims at the production of dry lignite and clean steam as part of a gasification procedure. Both flighted and bare drum modes have been employed. Temperature profiles along the dryer length, the amount of evaporation (moisture conversion) and the solids residence time distribution (RTD) were measured. A non-isothermal model was tested under three different regimes of solids flow. Model integration, by taking account of experimental amount of evaporation at dryer exit and temperature profiles along the dryer length, has been utilized in the validation of drying kinetics and heat transfer correlations. Model predictions compare satisfactorily with the operating data of an indirect heat industrial lignite dryer. Overall heat transfer coefficients of the pilot rotary dryer were found to agree well with those reported for direct heat dryers.
- Published
- 2000
34. Conceptual IMES: An integrated monitoring and evaluation system in the internet world
- Author
-
Athanassios P. Papakonstantinou, Vassilis I. Rogakos, and Kostas S. Metaxiotis
- Subjects
Knowledge management ,Evaluation system ,Process management ,General Computer Science ,business.industry ,Monitoring and evaluation ,IMes ,Integrated monitoring ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Management information systems ,chemistry ,Order (exchange) ,Information system ,The Internet ,business ,Information Systems - Abstract
Within the last decade many projects have been implemented in order to provide technical assistance (TA) to countries, which have initiated their transition from centrally planned to market economies (mainly countries of Central and Eastern Europe being previously under the Soviet regime). The monitoring and evaluation exercise aims at assisting these TA projects in achieving their objectives, by providing management information on the projects’ implementation, so that structured management decisions can be taken, if and when needed. In this framework, the necessity for creation of an overall M&E database system emerged. The IMES was developed for the needs of the European commission (DGLA) and its main objective was to improve the Management Reporting on Tacis progress and results, by extracting relevant information on projects’ performance from the monitoring and evaluation reports and by producing overall statistics at NIS (New Independent States) level.
- Published
- 1999
35. Biofuels Get in the Fast Lane: Developments in Plant Feedstock Production and Processing
- Author
-
Aliki Kapazoglou, Christos Nitsos, Victoria Drosou, Kostas S. Triantafyllidis, Athanasios Tsaftaris, Ioannis Bossis, and Zoe Hilioti
- Subjects
business.industry ,Natural resource economics ,Biofuel ,Bioenergy ,Fossil fuel ,Global warming ,Pharmacology (medical) ,Business ,Energy security ,Jet fuel ,Environmentally friendly ,Biotechnology ,Renewable energy - Abstract
In recent years, high volatility in oil prices and global climate change led to an increased interest in biofuel production to reduce dependency on foreign fossil fuel. Domestically produced plant feedstocks are environmentally friendly renewable substitutes for fossil-derived fuel and are expected to stabilize fuel prices. Plant-derived energy can offer rural development and other environmental, social and energy security benefits for local societies. Crops, grasses, trees, forest-residues and aquatic plants, all can be used as potential biofuel feedstocks. To meet the increased global and regional demand for bioenergy, evaluation and improvement of current and emergent plant feedstocks is urgently needed to reduce the cost of the resulting biofuels.
- Published
- 2013
36. End-stage renal disease in a patient with congenital lymphangiectasia and lymphedema
- Author
-
Kostas A. Barboutis, Taisir M. Natse, Georgios O. Pavlidis, Aristea I. Papachillea, Kostas S. Mavromatidis, Kostas Sombolos, and Kostas I. Gogos
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Nephrology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Lymphangiectasis ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Lymphangiectasia ,Kidney Function Tests ,urologic and male genital diseases ,End stage renal disease ,Abdominal wall ,Renal Dialysis ,Internal medicine ,Scrotum ,Humans ,Medicine ,Lymphedema ,business.industry ,medicine.disease ,Surgery ,body regions ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health ,Kidney Failure, Chronic ,Hemodialysis ,business ,Kidney disease - Abstract
Congenital lymphangiectasia with lymphedema is a disorder constituting the main defect in many different genetic syndromes. Herein we describe a 23-year-old male patient with congenital lymphangiectasia and severe lymphedema of the right leg, scrotum, and abdominal wall, who presented with end-stage renal disease, presumably due to cystic renal lymphangiectasia, and is undergoing chronic hemodialysis treatment.
- Published
- 2001
37. Exploring Paths Towards Knowledge Cities Developments
- Author
-
Kostas S. Metaxiotis, Emmanouil Ergazakis, and Kostas Ergazakis
- Subjects
Knowledge management ,business.industry ,Political science ,Public relations ,business - Abstract
Nowadays, knowledge is considered as one of the most valuable assets of an enterprise which has to be managed efficiently and effectively in order to gain a competitive advantage in the knowledge economy era. Knowledge Management (KM) evolved into a strategic management approach, finding application not only in the business world but also in other areas such as education, government and healthcare. In this way, the new link between KM and KBD created the appropriate environment for the advent of a new concept in the scientific and practitioners’ communities, the concept of “Knowledge City” (KC). Nowadays, the theme of KCs is a ‘hot’ topic of interest and discussion. The process for developing a KC, is neither quick nor simple. This seems to be already understood by the research community, which the last few hears has begun to concentrate its efforts so as to develop appropriate frameworks, methodologies, tools, systems, etc so as to support the development of KCs. In this context, and given that there are still many pending issues, this article attempts to propose a taxonomy of KC research, by co instantaneously presenting the status with these major themes of KC research. The discussion presented on this article should be of value to researchers and practitioners.
- Published
- 2010
38. Ontology-Based Management of e-Government Knowledge
- Author
-
Yannis Charalabidis and Kostas S. Metaxiotis
- Subjects
Information management ,Knowledge management ,Electronic business ,E-Government ,business.industry ,Data management ,Organizational learning ,Knowledge engineering ,Personal knowledge management ,Ontology (information science) ,business - Abstract
In an effort to follow the new public administration roadmap but also invest in the sharing of knowledge, governmental organizations appear in a crossroad: a lot of knowledge has been created, organized and even digitized but still it cannot be considered available anywhere, anytime, for any citizen, business or other organization. The more scientists and managers study the issue, the more they realize that it is a question of “crossing the desert” than “jumping over the gap”. Making governmental knowledge available to its final beneficiaries requires the design, development and deployment of a Federated Knowledge Registry, as the platform to cater for the formal description, composition and publishing of the governmental services canvas. Such a system will manage traditional or web services, together with the relevant electronic documents and the process descriptions, in an integrated schema. Touching upon all knowledge management processes from knowledge capture, knowledge sharing, to knowledge creation, the chapter goes beyond the methodology and tools used for developing such a system for the Greek Government, to the integration and the diffusion of eGovernment knowledge with the help of formal ontology definitions - capturing the core elements of the domain together with their main relationships.
- Published
- 2010
39. Healthcare Knowledge Management
- Author
-
Kostas S. Metaxiotis
- Subjects
Collaborative software ,Information visualization ,Knowledge management ,business.industry ,Health care ,Personal knowledge management ,Medicine ,Evidence-based medicine ,business - Abstract
The healthcare environment is changing rapidly, and effective management of the knowledge base in this area is an integral part of delivering high-quality patient care. People all over the world rely on a huge array of organizations for the provision of healthcare, from public-sector monoliths and governmental agencies to privately funded organizations, and consulting and advisory groups. It is a massive industry in which every organization faces a unique combination of operational hurdles. However, what every healthcare system has in common is the high price of failure. Faced with the prospect of failing to prevent suffering and death, the importance of continuously improving efficiency and effectiveness is high on the agenda for the majority of healthcare organizations (Brailer, 1999). Taking also into consideration that the amount of biological and medical information is growing at an exponential rate, it is not consequently surprising that knowledge management (KM) is attracting so much attention from the industry as a whole.
- Published
- 2008
40. A Framework for Knowledge Management in E-Government
- Author
-
Kostas S. Metaxiotis
- Subjects
World Wide Web ,Intelligent agent ,Knowledge management ,E-Government ,Computer science ,business.industry ,ComputingMilieux_LEGALASPECTSOFCOMPUTING ,computer.software_genre ,business ,computer ,Semantic Web - Abstract
E-government, driven by an ever-increasing and pervasive use of information and communication technologies, is affecting the public sector more and more (Bannister, 2005; Eyob, 2004; Metaxiotis & Psarras, 2004). Many governments across the globe have resorted to instituting e-government initiatives as a way of better positioning themselves in the Information Age (Information for Development Programme [InfoDev], 2004), or seem at least to be showing commitments in redressing the imbalances resulting from the low utilization of knowledge resources and ICT in the economy and governance (Joi, 2004). E-government is enabling government organizations to provide better services to their constituents. The ability to improve citizens’ access to services has made e-government an attractive investment for government organizations, fueling worldwide implementation of such applications (Amaravadi, 2005; Scherlis & Eisenberg, 2003). As an emerging practice, e-government seeks to realize processes and structures for harnessing the potentialities of information and communication technologies at various levels of government and the public sector for the purpose of enhancing good governance. The key issues in transformation are the adoption and uptake of interoperable standards, the development of appropriate business models, the legal and policy frameworks that will facilitate integration, and governance arrangements that support both enterprise responsibilities and crossagency approaches and responsibilities.
- Published
- 2008
41. Using internet GIS technology for early warning, response and controlling the quality of the public health sector
- Author
-
Dimitris Askounis, John Psarras, Dimitrios Panopoulos, Dimitrios Ptochos, and Kostas S. Metaxiotis
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,HRHIS ,Internet ,Knowledge management ,Greece ,business.industry ,Health Policy ,Public health ,Health technology ,Health Informatics ,Efficiency, Organizational ,Health informatics ,Public health informatics ,Disease Outbreaks ,Health promotion ,Health care ,medicine ,Geographic Information Systems ,Humans ,Marketing ,business ,Public Health Administration ,Health policy ,Medical Informatics ,Information Systems - Abstract
Recent EU and Greek Government legislation highlights the need for the modernisation of the public health management system and the improvement of the overall health of EU citizens. In addition, the effusion of epidemics even in developed countries makes the need for the enhancement of public health services imperative. In order to best confront the above-described challenges, the National Technical University of Athens, in cooperation with the Greek Ministry of Health and Welfare and the European Commission (EC), designed and developed an integrated public health information network, named GEPIMI (Integrated Geographical System for EPIdemiological and other Medical Information), in the framework of a three-year pilot project. This pilot project, funded by Greek Ministry of Health and Welfare and the EC supported the Programme INTERREG II to establish an advanced and integrated web-based information system that can process and move information in real time, allowing public health authorities to monitor events at hundreds or thousands of public health facilities at once. The system is established among hospitals, primary healthcare authorities and health agents in Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Fyrom, and Turkey. The project aims at demonstrating the best practices, prospects, applications and high potential of Telematics Healthcare Networks in Europe, with a view to promoting cooperation and interconnection between European communities in the field of Telematics Healthcare Applications. The GEPIMI System, implemented via an innovative web based system, constitutes a replication of a highly effective mechanism. It incorporates state-of-the-art technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (G.I.S.), web based databases, GPS, and Smart Card Technology and supports a variety of health-related web applications including early warning and response of epidemics, remote management of medical records, seamless healthcare coverage, comprehensive statistical analysis of data, decision-making procedures, inter-communication between international scientific fora and other.
- Published
- 2007
42. Organising Municipal e-Government Systems: A Multi-facet Taxonomy of e-Services for Citizens and Businesses
- Author
-
Yannis Charalabidis, Fenareti Lampathaki, Dimitris Askounis, Kostas S. Metaxiotis, and George Gionis
- Subjects
E-services ,Service (business) ,Knowledge management ,business.industry ,Impact assessment ,Directory ,Computer security ,computer.software_genre ,Software deployment ,Taxonomy (general) ,Web service ,Set (psychology) ,business ,computer - Abstract
As various e-Government initiatives are being realised throughout the world, policy makers and technology providers start to understand the importance of local administration e-Government systems. Municipalities are often the closest Point of Service for the European citizens and enterprises, having access to all the necessary information and usually providing the final service – a fact that makes their e-Services Portals a very important link in the e-Government chain. After attempting a positioning of municipality systems in the taxonomy of e-government systems, the present paper analyses the set of services that a Municipality Portal should be able to offer, focusing on eEurope – related capabilities. Based on this service directory, a multi-faceted classification mechanism is proposed, leading to an extendible taxonomy of e-Services to be offered by Municipality e-Government systems. A set of facets is analysed for each service, allowing for classification of services based on their main purpose, nature, orientation, means of provision, and various functional characteristics. Through populating, viewing and querying this multi-faceted classification, the design, development, deployment and impact assessment of e-Government systems for Municipalities can be systematically addressed.
- Published
- 2006
43. Early prognostic usefulness of C-reactive protein added to the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction risk score in acute coronary syndromes
- Author
-
Demetrios Beldekos, Athanasios A. Prekates, Kostas Katsaros, Vasilios G. Tsirimpis, Demetrios Z. Mytas, Kostas S. Karidis, Paraskevi Tselioti, Nikolaos G. Patsourakos, Michael N. Zairis, Stefanos G. Foussas, John A. Ambrose, Stelios M. Handanis, and Anastassios G. Lyras
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Acute coronary syndrome ,Time Factors ,Endpoint Determination ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Myocardial Infarction ,Observation ,Risk Assessment ,Severity of Illness Index ,Electrocardiography ,Fibrinolytic Agents ,Nephelometry and Turbidimetry ,Risk Factors ,Internal medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,Thrombolytic Therapy ,cardiovascular diseases ,Myocardial infarction ,Prospective Studies ,Risk factor ,Aged ,Proportional Hazards Models ,Framingham Risk Score ,biology ,business.industry ,C-reactive protein ,Thrombolysis ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Prognosis ,Survival Rate ,surgical procedures, operative ,C-Reactive Protein ,Death, Sudden, Cardiac ,Treatment Outcome ,ROC Curve ,Cardiology ,biology.protein ,Female ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,Risk assessment ,business ,TIMI ,Biomarkers ,Follow-Up Studies - Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether an elevated plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) level provides any additional prognostic information to the validated Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score in patients with acute coronary syndromes. For this purpose, 1,846 consecutive patients with either acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI; 861 patients) or non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS; 985 patients) were included. The incidence of 30-day death and 14-day composite of death, myocardial infarction (or repeat myocardial infarction) and recurrent ischemia was the prespecified primary end point in the STEMI and NSTEACS cohorts, respectively. The incidence of the primary end point was 9.8% and 23.6% in the STEMI and NSTEACS cohorts, respectively. A significantly increased risk of the primary end point was present with an increase in the STEMI and NSTEACS TIMI risk score (p(trend)0.001 for the 2 groups). A plasma CRP value ofor = 5 andor = 3 mg/L (defined by receiver-operating characteristic analysis) was associated with a significantly increased risk of the primary end point in the STEMI and NSTEACS cohorts, respectively (p0.001 for the 2 cohorts), and it was true throughout the subgroups of STEMI and NSTEACS TIMI risk scores. In conclusion, an elevated plasma CRP level appears to be a marker that adds prognostic information to the validated STEMI and NSTEACS TIMI risk score. The plasma CRP and TIMI risk score may be used together for enhanced risk stratification in the setting of acute coronary syndromes.
- Published
- 2005
44. Expert Systems Technology in Production Planning and Scheduling
- Author
-
John Psarras, Kostas S. Metaxiotis, and Dimitris Askounis
- Subjects
Process management ,Material requirements planning ,business.industry ,Computer science ,Scheduling (production processes) ,computer.software_genre ,Competitive advantage ,Manufacturing engineering ,Expert system ,Production planning ,Product lifecycle ,Manufacturing ,Production schedule ,business ,computer - Abstract
In recent years the growing complexity of industrial manufacturing and the need for higher efficiency, shortened product life cycle, greater flexibility, better product quality, greater satisfaction of customer’s expectations and lower cost have changed the face of manufacturing practice. A great challenge for today’s companies is not only how to adapt to this changing business environment but also how to draw a competitive advantage from the way in which they choose to do so. As a basis to achieve such advantages, companies have started to seek to optimize the operation of their manufacturing systems. Since traditional, centralized manufacturing planning, scheduling and control mechanisms were found insufficiently flexible to respond to this new situation, many manufacturing companies decided to adopt intelligent solutions. Expert systems technology provides a natural way to overcome such problems, and to design and implement distributed intelligent manufacturing environments.
- Published
- 2005
45. Knowledge Management Case-Toolkit for the Support of ERP Modelling and Optimal Adaptation Procedure
- Author
-
Kostas S. Metaxiotis, Dimitris Askounis, Kostas Karnezis, Kostas Ergazakis, and John Psarras
- Subjects
Knowledge management ,Enterprise system ,Business process ,business.industry ,Computer science ,Order (business) ,Process (engineering) ,business ,Adaptation (computer science) ,Field (computer science) ,Personalization - Abstract
One of the most difficult works in the world of ERP systems is proven to be their installation and customization to fulfil the needs of the customer. With the great development of Knowledge Management in the last decade a new era has begun; the era of capturing, storing and managing effectively ERP Consultants' knowledge in order to rapidly build customized enterprise systems, which in other times would take months to model and develop. This paper presents such a case, where IT and Knowledge Management power are used in order to surpass the difficulties of this ERP field. The authors describe an advanced generic Case-Toolkit, which is able to support the complicated process of Modelling and optimal adaptation (MOA) of an ERP system to the needs of an enterprise. This tool-kit aims to be used by the ERP consultants in two ways. The first is to analyse, categorise and store the business processes and the second is to use the business processes that are created for presale reasons.
- Published
- 2002
46. Declarations, independence, and text in the information age
- Author
-
Kostas S. Metaxiotis, Athanassios P. Papakonstantinou, and John Psarras
- Subjects
Information Age ,Computer Networks and Communications ,business.industry ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Accounting ,Monitoring and evaluation ,Independence ,Democracy ,Human-Computer Interaction ,Social security ,Politics ,Order (exchange) ,Economics ,Operations management ,business ,media_common ,Pace - Abstract
Within the last decade many projects have been implemented in order to provide Technical Assistance (TA) to countries, which have initiated their transition from centrally planned to market economies (such as some countries in Eastern Europe). The pace and the degree of success of this transition, which these economies and - most important - their societies are undergoing, will certainly have an impact on the global economy, politics, social security, democracy and peace. Monitoring and evaluation (M and E) exercises assist these TA projects in achieving their objectives, by providing management with information on the projects' implementation, so that structured decisions can be taken, if and when needed. In this framework, it became obvious that an overall M and E database system was needed. An Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation System (IMES) was developed for the needs of the European Commission (DG1A).Its main objective was to improve management reporting, by extracting relevant information on the performance of projects from various monitoring and evaluation reports and by producing overall statistics at NIS (New Independent States) level.
- Published
- 1999
47. Safe resin records using plastic copings
- Author
-
Kostas S. Stamoulis, Petros Koidis, and S.I. Vitsentzos
- Subjects
Materials science ,Dental Articulators ,Acrylic Resins ,Dentistry ,Dental Abutments ,Dental Occlusion ,Dental Materials ,Forensic engineering ,Humans ,Methylmethacrylates ,Acrylic resin ,Dental occlusion ,business.industry ,Jaw, Edentulous, Partially ,Jaw Relation Record ,Dental Models ,Models, Dental ,visual_art ,visual_art.visual_art_medium ,Oral Surgery ,Safety ,business ,Plastics - Published
- 1997
48. Towards a generalised approach for e-petitioning: a state-of-the-art review of best practices
- Author
-
Kostas S. Metaxiotis, Tasos Tsitsanis, and Konstantinos Ergazakis
- Subjects
Public Administration ,business.industry ,Best practice ,State of the art review ,Sociology ,Public relations ,business ,Computer Science Applications - Published
- 2012
49. Efficacy of dual lumen jugular venous catheter hemodialysis when venous lumen is used as arterial lumen
- Author
-
Taisir Natse, Kostas S. Mavromatidis, Nikos Zoumbaridis, Christine Fitili, Anna Karagianni, and Kostas Sombolos
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Lumen (anatomy) ,Venous lumen ,Catheters, Indwelling ,Renal Dialysis ,Medicine ,Humans ,Urea ,Internal jugular vein ,Aged ,business.industry ,Conventional treatment ,Middle Aged ,Surgery ,Catheter ,Evaluation Studies as Topic ,Blood Circulation ,Kidney Failure, Chronic ,Female ,Hemodialysis ,Jugular Veins ,business ,Venous Pressure ,Arterial lumen ,Blood Flow Velocity - Abstract
In 12 patients who underwent hemodialysis by a dual lumen jugular venous catheter, urea recirculation rate was measured during conventional treatment under normal conditions (R1), as well as when the venous lumen of the catheter was used as arterial lumen and the arterial as venous lumen (R2). Although the mean value of R2 was, as expected, higher than R1 (8.25 +/- 2.7 versus 4.25 +/- 1.00; p = 0.0004), it was still within the acceptable rate. We conclude that during hemodialysis by a dual lumen jugular venous catheter, efficient treatment can be provided when the venous is used as arterial lumen.
- Published
- 1993
50. An AI-based decision support system for designing Knowledge-Based Development strategies
- Author
-
Vrassidas Leopoulos, Kostas Ergazakis, Evangelos Bellos, Kostas S. Metaxiotis, and Emmanouil Ergazakis
- Subjects
Engineering ,Decision support system ,Knowledge management ,General Computer Science ,business.industry ,Knowledge economy ,Knowledge engineering ,Intelligent decision support system ,Context (language use) ,computer.software_genre ,Multiple-criteria decision analysis ,Expert system ,Knowledge base ,business ,computer - Abstract
In the new era of knowledge economy, knowledge and the processes to generate and manage it are considered as the most valuable assets of an organisation in the competitive business environment. Over the last years, intensive discussions have taken place about the importance of Knowledge Management for the whole society, except from the business world. Today, there is a consensus among researcher's and practitioner's communities that the challenges facing modern societies, call for development strategies that are knowledge-based. In this context, the theme of Knowledge Cities (KCs) came to the front. The review of literature reveals that the process of designing Knowledge-Based Development (KBD) strategies for KCs is complex and not appropriately supported by decision support methodologies and/or intelligent systems. In this paper, the authors, based on a previously presented methodology for the formulation of a KBD strategy for KCs, propose an AI-based decision support system for designing such strategies, by selecting and prioritising the most appropriate interventions and actions. The system consists of two sub-systems: the first (developed using the technology of Expert Systems) assess the necessity of a particular intervention and proposes its most appropriate form. The second prioritises the selected interventions based on Multi-Criteria Decision Making. The authors also present the successful preliminary results of the systems pilot application to a Greek municipality.
- Published
- 2008
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