During the last decade, sustainable development issues have been gradually adopted in Greece's construction industry, changing the traditional methods and technology. The aim of this investigation is to identify potential drivers of change, to position them properly in the wider context of sustainable construction and to outline the progress to be expected in the coming decade. The methodological framework used is a Delphi technique based on a questionnaire of 20 experts (consultant engineers, construction managers and contractors). The results show that the most important influences on sustainable construction in Greece are energy conservation measures, resource conservation strategies and waste reduction. In terms of the initiatives expected in the coming decade, energy conservation measures, waste reduction measures, as well as product innovation and certification are expected to rank high. In conclusion, the results are consistent with those of previous researchers showing significant trends towards land use, energy, and resource conservation.Change, sustainable construction, Delphi method, Greece, construction policy,
The majority of the patients (65.2%) had very severe airway obstruction. The most common bacteria were Haemophilus influenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (23.9 and 14.1%, respectively). Acinetobacter baumannii- and P. aeruginosa-positive cultures were associated with prolonged hospitalization and severe airway obstruction (p = 0.03 and 0.031, respectively). Chlamydia pneumoniae or Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was diagnosed in four and two patients, respectively. Discrepant results were detected between PCR and serology, especially regarding C. pneumoniae.
Pulmonary hypoplasia (PH) is a developmental anomaly of the lung parenchyma, characterized by a decrease in the number and size of airways, alveoli and vessels. We present a case of a 31-year-old patient with a history of chronic productive cough and frequent respiratory infections, who was referred for investigation of abnormal chest x-ray. The combination of chest computed tomography (CT) and bronchoscopy set the diagnosis of left pulmonary hypoplasia and the patient was treated surgically with a left pneumonectomy. PH is usually diagnosed immediately after birth, causing severe respiratory failure with high mortality. The less severe, unilateral forms can possibly survive by causing compensatory hyperinflation of the other lung and remain undiagnosed until adulthood, presenting either asymptomatic or with symptoms of chronic bronchitis and recurrent respiratory infections. Chest CT is considered the imaging technique of choice for the diagnosis and for the differential diagnosis from other congenital or acquired conditions. The treatment is usually conservative, although surgical resection is indicated in cases of severe cystic changes and intense symptomatology.
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