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Background In this study, we aimed to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) six months after their hospitalization and compare it to that of non-hospitalized patients with mild COVID-19 and healthy controls. Methodology Participants were enrolled between September 2021 and April 2022 and included hospitalized COVID-19 patients at General Hospital of Athens "Hippocration" who had been discharged at least six months prior to enrollment, non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19, and healthy controls. Collected data included demographics, disease severity, medication history, and comorbidities. Participants completed a EuroQol 5 Dimensions 5Levels (EQ5D5L), a Short Form 36 version 2 (SF36v2), a Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F), and a Post-COVID-19 Functional Status Scale (PCFSS) regarding HRQL before and six months after infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. In the case of healthy controls, two sets of questionnaires were completed at least six months apart. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS version 25 software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results A total of 151 participants were enrolled. Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 demonstrated a statistically significant deterioration in most parameters of SF36v2 as well as both parameters of the EQ5D5L and FACIT-F questionnaires. Hospitalized patients exhibited worse results in SF36v2 and EQ5D5L when compared to both healthy controls as well as those with mild COVID-19 (p0.05). Hospitalized women, in particular, were shown to fare worse than other women in parameters associated with both mental/psychological and physical health (p0.05). Hospitalized patients between 41 and 60 years old demonstrated a statistically significant drop in the scores of all three main questionnaires compared to their previous health status (p0.05). Hospitalized patients between 61 and 80 years old exhibited a similar trend, but statistical significance was achieved in fewer parameters. HRQL decline was greater in both age groups compared to that of healthy and milder disease counterparts. There was a significant correlation between the results from the three main questionnaires. Similarly, PCFS scale values were shown to correlate with disease severity (hospitalization or not) and age. Conclusions HRQL remained noticeably impacted six months after hospitalization due to COVID-19. The physical and mental/psychological stress of severe COVID-19 translated into lasting health deterioration, especially for women and those aged 41-60 years old. The use of questionnaires, such as those implemented in this study, might help in the early detection of patients who could benefit from rehabilitation programs. Psychological, as well as physical and social, support is crucial to alleviate the burden of post-COVID-19 symptomatology and expedite the recovery of this group of patients.

Technical advancements have widened the limits of remote sensing and Terrestrial Laser Scanning technology in studying underground cavities. Furthermore, the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems has proven to be a significant advantage in the study of caves, as under certain circumstances during the data processing, it is plausible to combine TLS and UAS data for generating a complete 3D model, representing surface and subsurface simultaneously. The use of state-of-the-art laser scanning equipment either terrestrial or handheld accompanied by total station measurements on a series of ground control points, has resulted in the scanning and detailed mapping the entire Melissani and Drogarati caves, in Cephalonia Island, in Greece, including hidden cavities. This study attempted not only to delineate a new methodology for compiling a highly detailed cave map, but also to identify structural discontinuities and faults for further investigation of the influence of rock failures in causing rock falls and further damage in the caves. Both show caves attract many visitors and since they are located at an area of very high seismicity, where large earthquakes occur very frequently, the risk is rather high.The methodology is based on the synergy of equipment in different working levels, since the cave environment is by far one of the most difficult cases to survey, led to hazard identification in high detail and accuracy throughout the cavity. The fieldwork includes the generation of a unified point cloud for the underground cavity, generated by scanning at several bases inside the cave and by entering smaller cavities by holding the mobile scanner. The bundling of the partial point clouds is possible since the proposed methodology includes the establishment of a dense network of Ground Control Points, which are measured with Total Station equipment for gaining actual coordinates. After the merging of the partial scans were combined into a single point cloud, the methodology continues with further processing including filtering and noisy points removal. Moreover, the final product is combined with the point cloud that was generated after the photogrammetric processing and the methodology is completed with exporting the results in file formats that can be imported in several geotechnical or discontinuity recognition software for further interpretation. The results along with the produced 3D models could be utilized to determine areas susceptible to different failure types. The assessment of rock stability within a cave by combined innovative equipment, techniques, and research methods could be considered by the management authorities for the maintenance and/or re-design the tourist routes.

Mediterranean tectonically-active coastal areas are a highly-dynamic environment balancing internal tectonic dynamics with external geomorphic processes, as well as manmade influences. Especially in touristic areas characterized by high built-up pressure and land value, where these dynamics are even more concentrated, the evolution of coastal environments needs careful and high-resolution study to identify localized risk and the processes they derive from.Recently, new advanced remote sensing techniques such as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)- and Terrestrial Laser Scanners (TLS)-aided monitoring have improved our capabilities in understanding the natural processes and the geomorphic risks (i.e. mass movement phenomena).An integrated study comprising Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and Light Detection And Ranging (LIDAR) sensors was conducted in coastal areas of the southern Ionian Islands (Western Greece) aiming to the mitigation of earthquake-triggered landslide risk and to responsible coastal development. Located at the northwesternmost part of the Hellenic Arc, this area is characterized by high seismicity and has been affected by destructive earthquakes mainly due to the Cephalonia Transform Fault Zone (CTFZ), which constitutes one of the most seismic active structures in the Eastern Mediterranean region. One of the most common environmental effect triggered by these earthquakes are landslides distributed along fault scarps in developed and highly visited coastal areas. Furthermore, this area is highly susceptible to hydrometeorological hazards inducing intense geomorphic processes, including Medicanes among others.These technologies allow a highly-detailed view of landslide processes, providing insights on the structures and factors controlling and triggering failures along coastal scarps as well as highlighting susceptible zones and high-risk areas with accuracy and mitigating adverse effects with precision and clarity. Overall, by providing a better understanding of the risks the approach used allows a more sustainable development of these coastal segments enhanced by risk mitigation.The study was conducted in the framework of the project “Telemachus - Innovative Operational Seismic Risk Management System of the Ionian Islands”, co-financed by Greece and the European Union (European Regional Development Fund) in Priority Axis “Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development” of the Operational Programme “Ionian Islands 2014–2020”.

The most characteristic feature of carbonate rocks is that they are prone to dissolution due to the meteoric water circulation which is enriched in CO2. One of the factors influencing this phenomenon is the existence of discontinuities within the mass of carbonate rocks. The Diros Vlychada show cave, on the peninsula of Mani in Peloponnese, Greece, has developed in marbles that belong to the Plattenkalk geotectonic unit. Most of the cave is flooded with water and its level changes depending on the external weather conditions and variations in sea level. The deformation of the marbles is represented by tectonic structures formed during the Lower Miocene metamorphism and their subsequent exhumation. The final uplift stage took place during the Pliocene-Quaternary and is still active. Five joints systems were distinguished:A NW-SE joint system which is subdivided into a subsystem with low-angle dips, mainly towards to the NW, related to the main foliation of the marbles and a second subsystem characterized by stretching joints of the same strike (elongated joints), which have high-angle dips, also towards the NW. The latter system intersects the former but is confined between marble bedding and does not extend to more than three beds (the bedding is defined by the first subsystem).A NW-SE striking joint system characterized by stretching joints with high-angle dips, which intersects diagonally the two previous. This system extends between more than three marble beds.Two systems show E-W and N-S strike with the first one much better expressed. Those joints have developed diagonally to the previous ones. These are mainly shear joints that intersect the first system and are propagated within many marble beds.The chambers of the cave have been developed along NW-SE and E-W directions. The first one is identified with the joint system that has been developed transversely to the strike of the marble foliation and the second in parallel with the main system of the shear joints. It is interesting that the bays forming the coastline of the Mani peninsula, have developed in an E-W direction, which coincides with both one of the growth directions of the cave and one of the joints systems, which correspond to shear joints developed during the folding of the marbles. Stalactites and stalagmites grow in a NE-SW direction that is identical to the elongated joints which form the system that is parallel to the foliation strike. Groundwater flow along these branches may be slower as these branches appear to be restricted between marble bedding.

The aim of this article was to assess the differences in serum 25(OH)D levels between children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and healthy controls. We used the PubMed (1966–2017), Scopus (2004–2017), ClinicalTrials.gov (2008–2017), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials CENTRAL (2000–2017), and Google Scholar (2004–2017) databases. Statistical meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.3. Eight studies were finally included in the present meta-analysis with a total number of 11,324 children. Among them, 2655 were diagnosed with ADHD, while the remaining 8669 were recruited as healthy controls. All eight trials reported significantly lower serum concentrations of 25(OH)D in patients diagnosed with ADHD compared to healthy controls. The pooled data showed that there was a significant difference between the ADHD group and the control group (SMD = − 0.73, 95% CI [− 1.00, − 0.46]). The systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies demonstrated an inverse association between serum 25(OH)D and young patients with ADHD. Large cohort studies are required to investigate whether vitamin D-deficient infants are more likely to develop ADHD in the future. Also, whether children with ADHD should be supplemented with higher doses of vitamin D3 remains to be confirmed through long-term controlled clinical trials.