Technological Educational Institute of the Ionian Islands

Reliable ground-motion measurements are essential for seismic hazard assessment and require seismological stations to be installed in free-field conditions, away from structural interferences. However, global network analyses show diverse installation configurations that can affect measurements. Although topographic effects are natural, their influence can extend over several meters, making them closely related to operators' installation choices. Although summit effects are well studied and known to cause strong amplifications, the impact of cliffs or escarpments remains less explored. In this study, 16 SmartSolo IGU-16HR 3C nodes were placed on either side of a 30-m cliff located in Cephalonia (western Greece), for 4-10 months, recording 307 low-to-moderate-magnitude seismic events. The main results reveal that de-amplifications recorded at the cliff base are greater than amplifications determined at the cliff top, particularly between 5 and 15 Hz. This study shows that amplification and de-amplification are primarily driven by topography, whereas their directional dependence is likely shaped by both topographic and lithologic factors. Furthermore, the anisotropy related to cliff fracturing interacts with the effects of source back azimuth. Amplification and de-amplification can be correctly predicted using the frequency-scaled curvature (FSC) and illuminated FSC proxies, provided that an exponential functional form is used for determining de-amplifications at the base of near-vertical cliffs. Furthermore, the azimuthal dependence observed, inducing strong de-amplifications depending on the direction observed, seems related more to the anisotropy of geologic formations than to the cliff topography itself. These effects should be considered when using data from stations in similar topographic settings. Neglecting them can bias ground-motion models and underestimate earthquake magnitudes, particularly for stations at the base of cliffs. From these considerations, we strongly recommend installing future seismological stations a few tens of meters away from the bases and ridges of even small cliffs or escarpments.

Despite remarkable advances in base isolation, damping systems, and performance based seismic design, conventional earthquake engineering remains reactive by nature. It addresses inertial forces only after they are generated, accepting deformation and energy absorption as inevitable consequences. Such an approach fundamentally limits resilience, especially in high-intensity or near field events where acceleration exceeds the elastic absorption capacity of materials. Classical earthquake engineering is based on two fundamental principles:(a) seismic forces F = m⋅a are addressed after they occur, through elastic or plastic deformation, and(b) the seismic behavior of structures is scaled according to the laws of dynamic similarity. This work presents experimental and numerical evidence that invalidates the necessity of both assumptions. The SHIELD system is introduced — a pre-active seismic protection technology that shifts the objective of structural design from resistance to the prevention and elimination of seismic force generation before it occurs. The system relies on prestressed tendons anchored to the subsoil and the roof. These tendons create a strong energy field that enforces complete kinematic coupling between the ground and the structure, eliminating time lag and preventing the transfer of seismic energy into the building. As a result, relative acceleration becomes negligible (a_rel ≈ 0), and seismic forces are effectively neutralized (F ≈ 0). Prestressing also acts as a pre-compression mechanism, eliminating micro-gaps and deformations in the concrete, tendons, and soil that contribute to hysteresis. Seismic excitation is transmitted instantaneously from the ground to the roof, effectively preventing relative motion and its destructive consequences. The system’s performance is maximized when applied to the edges of elongated shear walls with intersecting floor plans. In this configuration, the tendons generate a unified counteracting moment, proportional to the total wall width and the strength of the tendons and anchorages, preventing overturning, plasticization, and damage accumulation. If seismic loads exceed the prestressing force, the system reverts to conventional elastic behavior. The key experimental findings are:(1) Relative displacements below 0.1 mm under combined three-dimensional acceleration up to 22g,(2) No increase in tendon forces beyond the prestressing level, and(3) A stable energy equilibrium (index 1.000) across a PGA range of 0.2g to 22g. These consistent results — both in a 1:7 scale model and in full-scale simulation — establish the Theory of Non-Scaling Seismic Response (NSRT) and introduce a new physical paradigm in which earthquakes are treated as kinematic excitations rather than dynamic loads. Beyond the immediate structural implications, the results establish a cross disciplinary foundation linking structural dynamics, soil mechanics, and kinematic geophysics. By enforcing absolute motion identity between ground and superstructure, SHIELD transforms seismic excitation into a continuous kinetic field, eliminating discontinuities in displacement and energy transmission. This paradigm introduces a new category of preventive seismic engineering based on Geo Fusion, the mechanical unification of soil and structure into a single dynamic entit.

In the present study, an attempt is made to investigate the readiness of parents for the inclusion of refugee students in the kindergarten class.For the needs of the research, a questionnaire was created with questions from previous tools.The research sample consists of 20 parents of kindergarten students in the Prefecture of Kavala.A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection, which was sent electronically along with the instructions, objectives and assurance of the anonymity of the survey.Limitations of the study include a small sample size and the potential response bias of the self-administered questionnaires.The importance of the research lies in the need to investigate the factors, attitudes and perceptions of parents that make the integration of refugee students difficult, so that proposals can be made to the central leadership to take the appropriate initiatives with the aim of the smooth integration of refugee students into the inclusive school community.

Clouds play a major role in the radiative balance of our planet and largely control dynamic and thermal atmospheric processes that affect the climatic system. In addition to cloud cover (CC), different types of clouds are of special interest, as they contribute in different ways to the energy budget between the earth and the atmosphere. The study analyzes historical sub-daily reports from cloudiness observations conducted at the National Observatory of Athens, dating since the late nineteenth century. Long-term trends and diurnal, intra-annual, and inter-annual variability of both CC and frequency of prevailing cloud types were estimated. The analysis revealed statistically significant positive trends (p<0.001) in CC over the entire study period, more pronounced in spring and summer. Important changes in the prevalence frequency (PF) of certain cloud types over the last 60years were also detected. Low, middle, and high clouds exhibited significant long-term trends of opposite sign. A marked increase in the PF of low and high clouds was observed in the recent decades, accompanied with simultaneous decrease in the middle cloud occurrence. Convective clouds prevailed increasingly more frequently over time during winter, while low stratiform clouds declined, in agreement with other observations worldwide. Significant correlation was also found between the PF of stratiform clouds and precipitation frequency.

Preserving memory from the visit of a tourist destination plays an important role in tourist activity. In pilgrimage in particular, and in religious tourism in general, the preservation of this memory constitutes a spiritual process associated with the sanctity of the place. Obviously, the degree of spirituality varies according to the traveller’s personality and religious beliefs. Following the return home, the religious memorabilia and ‘souvenirs’ play an important role in the ‘confirmation’ of the trip or the fulfilment of the vow, as well as in the preservation of the memory. At first one could claim that religious souvenirs serve or have similar functions and symbolisms as the usual souvenirs bought in a traditional tourist trip. However, in their case, the symbolisms as well as the uses are differentiated, since this type of souvenir carries special personal and social value and serves different functions. Frequently, apart from their liturgical or salvation character, they simply exhibit ‘pseudo-religious’ characteristics. In every case, the market of religious souvenirs is growing into a profitable commercial activity and its financial cost rates high in the amount of money spent at the tourist destination. The above findings are based on a surveyligious’ characteristics. In every case, the market of religious souvenirs is growing into a profitable commercial activity and its financial cost rates high in the amount of money spent at the tourist destination. The above findings are based on a survey conducted via the use of structured questionnaire during the summer of 2017 among the visitors to the Church of Saint Dionysios in Zakynthos Island, Greece.