University of Crete

About: University of Crete is a education organization based out in Rethymno, Greece. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Galaxy. The organization has 8681 authors who have published 21684 publications receiving 709078 citations. The organization is also known as: Panepistimio Kritis.

Quantitative Assessment of Geotopes as an Effective Tool for Geoheritage Management

Abstract: A quantitative methodology for the assessment of geotopes that can be used for the sustainable management and conservation of the geological heritage of an area is here presented. As sustainable development, education and conservation are core issues for the successful management of any protected area, this study focuses on the development of specific indexes necessary for determining values concerning the tourism, educational and protection requirements of geotopes. The proposed methodology is based on a series of criteria that cover not only the geological and geographical importance of a geotope but also its scientific, ecological, cultural, aesthetic and economic significance. Based on these criteria, the resulting scientific, ecological, cultural, aesthetic, economic and potential for use scores of each geotope are used to estimate, respectively, the touristic, educational and protection-need value indexes for each geotope on a scale ranging from 1 to 10. This methodology was implemented and tested in two areas in the island of Crete, namely the Psiloritis Natural Park, a European and Global geopark, and the Lassithi Mountains, producing reliable results, which are in agreement with the geopark’s activities and values. The proposed quantitative assessment method is, therefore, a useful tool. It serves the requirements for the adequate management and protection of geoheritage within a territory as it can reveal priorities for sustainable tourism development, including geotourism and educational tourism activities and the conservation of geotopes.

A TAG1-APP signalling pathway through Fe65 negatively modulates neurogenesis

Abstract: The release of amyloid precursor protein (APP) intracellular domain (AICD) may be triggered by extracellular cues through gamma-secretase-dependent cleavage. AICD binds to Fe65, which may have a role in AICD-dependent signalling; however, the functional ligand has not been characterized. In this study, we have identified TAG1 as a functional ligand of APP. We found that, through an extracellular interaction with APP, TAG1 increased AICD release and triggered Fe65-dependent activity in a gamma-secretase-dependent manner. TAG1, APP and Fe65 colocalized in the neural stem cell niche of the fetal ventricular zone. Neural precursor cells from TAG1-/-, APP-/- and TAG1-/-;APP-/- mice had aberrantly enhanced neurogenesis, which was significantly reversed in TAG1-/- mice by TAG1 or AICD but not by AICD mutated at the Fe65 binding site. Notably, TAG1 reduced normal neurogenesis in Fe65+/+ mice. Abnormally enhanced neurogenesis also occurred in Fe65-/- mice but could not be reversed by TAG1. These results describe a TAG1-APP signalling pathway that negatively modulates neurogenesis through Fe65.

Creativity and charisma among female leaders: the role of resources and work engagement

Abstract: In this study among 84 female school principals and 190 teachers, we tested the central process proposed by the Job Demands–Resources model of work engagement. We hypothesized that job resources have a positive impact on creativity and charismatic leadership behavior first through personal resources, and then through work engagement. School principals filled in a questionnaire via a secured website and indicated their levels of job resources, personal resources and work engagement, whereas teachers filled in a questionnaire about their school principal's creativity and charismatic leadership. Results supported the intervening effects of personal resources and work engagement in the job resources–creativity link. In addition, engaged school principals scored highest on charismatic leadership.