George asteris - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by George asteris

International Advances in Economic Research, 2002

This paper examines the role of human capital on economic growth by using a large panel of data i... more This paper examines the role of human capital on economic growth by using a large panel of data including 93 countries. Given the cross-sectional character in most of the relevant studies, there is a possibility that when the long-run dynamics are considered, education might not be a signiÞcant determinant of growth. Following a dynamic panel data approach, the analysis indicates that education has, indeed, a signiÞcant and positive long-run effect on economic growth. Moreover, the size of this effect is stronger as the level of education (primary, secondary, and tertiary) increases. This has a straightforward policy implication that governments taking actions towards an expansion of their higher education may well expect larger gains in terms of higher

Acute Type-A Dissection in a Patient with Severe Hemophilia A

Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia

Food Biotechnology, 2012

Nineteen isolates of facultatively heterofermentative lactobacilli from Feta, Graviera, and Kasse... more Nineteen isolates of facultatively heterofermentative lactobacilli from Feta, Graviera, and Kasseri cheeses were identified by SDS-PAGE of whole-cell proteins as L. paracasei subsp. paracasei (12 strains) and L. plantarum (7 strains) and differentiated at strain level by RAPD-PCR. Properties of technological interest, such as acidification ability, proteolytic activity, and enzyme activities, were also studied. The test strains exhibited a low acidification activity, with significant interstrain differences after growth in milk for 24 h. They were also characterized by different casein breakdown ability, with around 50% of them accumulating amino acids at low amounts in the milk. Lactobacilli isolates differed in respect of enzyme activities, with β-galactosidase being the strongest activity found. Their probiotic potential was evaluated with in vitro studies on the resistance to low pH, bile salts, and pancreatin. The isolates from Feta showed a better survival than those from Kasseri and Graviera at low pH and viable cells were detected even after 3 h at pH 2.0. All strains tolerated bile salts at 0.3% and retained viability in the presence of pancreatin at 0.1%. Different patterns of antibacterial activities were recorded. The strains inhibited preferentially LAB species and some of them clostridia, E. coli O44 and B. cereus. Distinguished strains are promising probiotic candidates as adjuncts and deserve further studies.

International Dairy Journal, 2009

This study explored the microbiota of Formaella, Kopanisti, Feta and Mana cheeses. A total of 133... more This study explored the microbiota of Formaella, Kopanisti, Feta and Mana cheeses. A total of 133 wild lactic acid bacteria were isolated and classified phenotypically. Mesophilic lactobacilli were the most abundant group. Thermophilic lactobacilli and thermophilic cocci were the best milk acidifiers, whereas thermophilic lactobacilli were the most proteolytic isolates. Higher peptidolytic and esterolytic activities were obtained with thermophilic cocci. Only five isolates were lipolytic, whereas none was able to catabolize citrate. Fast gas chromatographyÀmass spectrometry analysis of the metabolites produced and subsequent principal components analysis revealed segregated groups of isolates in accordance with the phenotypic ones. Electronic nose analysis revealed similar results. Lactobacillus rennini and Lactobacillus acidipiscis were found to be the sole microbial species in Kopanisti cheese and Mana. These isolates produced alcohols and aldehydes as major volatile compounds, as a result of secondary amino acid catabolism.

This study examines panel data evidence concerning empirical relevance between Foreign Direct Inv... more This study examines panel data evidence concerning empirical relevance between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) attraction and its determinative effects. The main bulk of FDI is among the developed countries. Indeed, OECD countries has probably been the most potential group in undertaking FDI by caring out about 95% of the total outward FDI while, on average, 75% of the world FDI was directed into OECD countries. In this paper, we first present and analyse the theoretical/empirical findings on FDI, then we focus on assessing the relative significance of the factors that may attract FDI via a panel data regression analysis for a sample consisting of 20 OECD countries for 23 years . Our findings suggest that certain variables such as human capital and trade regime, as well as, the density of infrastructure appear to be robust under different specifications. Positive significance of the agglomeration factor is also observed, confirming the relevant theoretical propositions.

FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES GRADUATES IN THE GREEK LABOR MARKETS: EMPLOYMENT, SALARIES AND OVEREDUCATION

Greece is ranked among the first countries of the world in terms of student migration, while comp... more Greece is ranked among the first countries of the world in terms of student migration, while compared with other EU countries; Greece has the highest proportion of students studying in another member-state. Although, the issue is constantly analyzed on the newspapers, and often in relation to he educational policy adopted in Greece1, most of the academic literature (Kanellopoulos and Psacharopoulos ((1997)) is focusing either on the cost side of this phenomenon in terms of expenditure and its implications to the balance of payments; or on the loss of brains (Brain Drain) when the best students remain abroad. So far, to the best of our knowledge, no research effort has been devoted in examining how well these students perform in the Greek labour market when they return home after completion of their studies. More specifically, in this paper we examine the performance of foreign universities graduates with respect to three aspects: (a) the length of time between the completion of studies and their employment, (b) the extend to which these graduates are employed in professions for which they studied and (c) the extend to which they are overqualified in the performance of the job which they hold. Our findings suggest that i) EU graduates are better placed in the Greek labour market, from employability point of view, compared to graduates from all other countries; are also getting higher salaries compared to those that have been educated elsewhere and particularly to those educated in the Balkan countries. ii) factors leading to higher returns after graduation are previous work experience, whether the graduate had worked systematically in the past and also if their qualifications is at MSc/MA level or higher. Again we observe that graduates perceiving that their qualifications are higher than their job requirements are getting higher returns; iii) graduates with parents having a university qualification do not consider themselves as overqualified. This probably indicates that the perception of one being overeducated or not, is based to some degree, on past family achievements and consequently, one's decision to undertake studies and the level of these studies, is taken on family, social and cultural grounds; iv) overeducation is not placing graduates into a better position from the point of employability but overeducated graduates do have higher salaries.

We study the link between elections, fiscal policy and economic growth. The set-up is a general e... more We study the link between elections, fiscal policy and economic growth. The set-up is a general equilibrium model of endogenous growth and optimal fiscal policy, in which two political parties can alternate in power. The party in power chooses jointly how much to tax and how to allocate its total expenditure between productive and non-productive activities. The main prediction is that as the probability of re-election falls, forward-looking governments find it optimal to follow relatively shortsighted fiscal policies, and that this is bad for private investment and economic growth. This prediction is tested by using government popularity data for the UK, and data on the duration of governments for 20 parliamentary democracies. The results are consistent with the theory.

Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 2004

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been shown to possess a considerable anti-tumor and anti... more Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been shown to possess a considerable anti-tumor and anti-bacterial effect in vitro. In an attempt to achieve serum concentrations of these acids similar to those applied in vitro, a solution of ethyl ester of arachidonic acid (AA) was administered intravenously at 25 mg/kg within 10 min in six male rabbits. Blood samples were collected before and 60 min after infusion from catheters inserted in the hepatic veins and in the carotid artery. Analysis of serum fatty acids was performed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Elevated concentrations of elongated fatty acids were detected in the hepatic veins after infusion. Mean concentrations of arachidonate in the hepatic veins and the carotid arteries after infusion of AA were 2.77 and 3.73 mM, respectively. It is concluded that the intravenous administration of a solution of AA might result in increased hepatic biosynthesis of serum saturated and unsaturated fatty acids of elongated carbon chains. The increasing interest for the application of PUFAs in therapeutics renders further study mandatory to clarify the significance of these findings. r

International Review of Applied Economics, 2004

Increasing competition in the European Union (EU) and world markets affects the Greek manufacturi... more Increasing competition in the European Union (EU) and world markets affects the Greek manufacturing sector. Capital structure is essential for the survival, growth and performance of a firm. There has been a growing interest worldwide in identifying the factors associated with debt leverage. However, nothing has been done so far in contrasting small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and large sized enterprises (LSEs) on these aspects. SMEs are very important in the Greek manufacturing sector for employment and growth. Empirical studies show that capital structure and the factors affecting it vary with firm size. In this paper we investigate the determinants of capital structure of Greek manufacturing firms and formulate some policy implications that may improve the financial performance of the sector. Our study utilizes panel data of two random samples, one for SMEs and another for LSEs. The findings show that profitability is a major determinant of capital structure for both size groups. However, efficient assets management and assets growth are found essential for the debt structure of LSEs as opposed to efficiency of current assets, size, sales growth and high fixed assets, which were found to affect substantially the credibility of SMEs. In an era of increasing globalization, the findings imply that Greek SMEs should focus their efforts on (a) increasing their cash flow capacity through better assets management and achievement of higher exports and (b) ensuring good bank relations, but at the same time, turn to alternative forms of financing. Greek LSEs should adopt strategies that will lead to the improvement of their competitiveness and securing new forms of financing. Government policy measures aiming at structural changes and economic efficiency should be designed clearly depending upon its targets: SMEs need policies that will encourage information exchange and co-operation in local and foreign markets and use of e-business, as well as, financial assistance. On the other hand, LSEs should be supported by policies aimed at new high-technology investments, entrance of new firms and foreign investments in the country, tax alleviation and increase of R&D and training expenditures. The upgrading and transparency of the capital market in Greece is expected to improve the capital structure of Greek manufacturing firms.

Anatomical variation of left internal jugular vein: clinical significance for an anaesthesiologist

European Journal of Anaesthesiology, 2008

Cannulation of a central vein is an everyday procedure in anaesthesiology. However, anatomical va... more Cannulation of a central vein is an everyday procedure in anaesthesiology. However, anatomical variations of the size and/or location of the internal jugular vein might prevent cannulation, while repeated efforts might lead to severe complications. The aim of this retrospective study was to explore anatomical abnormalities of the internal jugular vein with regard to diameter of the vein's lumen and to define their clinical significance. The cervical regions of 93 cadavers, 186 sides in total, were dissected and the anatomical variations of internal jugular vein diameters in relation to the external jugular vein and to the common carotid artery were recorded and photographed. The diameter of the veins in three cases were less than 6 mm, while ipsilateral external jugular veins were larger than average (3/93). Anatomical variations of the internal jugular veins are clinically significant, especially in cases where venous access is important.