Browsing by Type "thesis"
Now showing 1 - 20 of 90
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- PublicationA Bayesian method for fitting spectral energy distributions of galaxies with radiative transfer modelsIn this thesis I present the publicly available open-source spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting code SMART (Spectral energy distributions Markov chain Analysis with Radiative Transfer models). Implementing a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method, SMART fits the ultraviolet to millimetre SEDs exclusively with radiative transfer models that currently constitute four types of pre-computed libraries, which describe the starburst, active galactic nucleus (AGN) torus, host galaxy and polar dust components. These libraries are part of the collection of radiative transfer models named CYprus models for Galaxies and their NUclear Spectra (CYGNUS), but also include other publicly available libraries of AGN torus models. An important novelty of SMART is that, although it fits exclusively with radiative transfer models, it takes comparable time to popular energy balance methods to run. Here we describe the key features of SMART and test it by fitting the multi-wavelength SEDs of the 42 local ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) that constitute the HERschel Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxy Survey (HERUS) sample. The Spitzer spectroscopy data of the HERUS ULIRGs are included in the fitting at a spectral resolution, which is matched to that of the radiative transfer models. We also present other results that highlight the performance and versatility of SMART. We compare the main features of SMART with those of other popular SED fitting codes. SMART promises to be a useful tool for studying galaxy evolution in the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) era.
- PublicationA Constructivist Grounded Theory on Education Policy and the Implications on the Formation of National Identity and the Political Concept of Cyprus(School of Humanities : Department of Social and Education Sciences Department of Education Sciences, 2023-11-12)
;Maki, ChristianaThis knowledge-oriented research in education aims to construct a Constructivist Grounded Theory (CGT) to theoretically best account for education policy discourse in the formation of the national identity and political concept of Cyprus from 2000 to 2018. This is a relatively unexplored period with the succession of four different governments with different ideological backgrounds and approaches to national identity during which significant political developments related to the Cyprus problem took place. I have applied CGT as the primary methodology and end product of this research with the support of the analytical dimensions of the Discourse Historical Approach (DHA) to critically explore the ways in which Greek Cypriot education policy actors exercise nationalism and attempt to construct national identity and the political concept of Cyprus. Using a top-down approach, I applied CGT fundamentals, defined by Kathy Charmaz, and aspects of DHA to the commemorative messages of education ministers from 2000 to 2018. The latter was supported by elite interviews with key education policy actors and other archival data. Within the political left-right spectrum, the ministerial commemorative messages of each government of the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) from 2000 to 2018 project specific policy positions in relation to the past, current status, and aspirations for Cyprus. The data analysis color the political context in which the schools operate and, more importantly, reveals the themes, discourse, and macro-strategies employed as an attempt to maintain, construct, justify, or dismantle national identity. In comparatively examining the data, this thesis concludes that governments and education policy actors occupy a powerful position in the socio-political construction and (re)construction of the discourses, concepts, and meanings of identity over time. The findings indicate that different identities are discursively constructed depending on the ideological and political premises of the respective government, the developments of the Cyprus Problem, and the vision of Cyprus. The significance of this study lies in the fact that it offers new theoretical insights into nationalism in the RoC between 2000 to 2018, not only on why nationalism emerges, but also on how nationalism functions over time through four successive governments, under what conditions a nation or a community is projected and mobilised, and how national identity is constructed through education policy discourse in the contemporary setting of time-space compression. In a data-driven manner, I also argue that nationalism is territorial and that, on this basis, the governments of the RoC seek to (re)produce territoriality, a continuing attachment to a particular land, by targeting the negotiation of symbolic national boundaries, spatial reconfiguration and national belonging in education policy. Special emphasis is placed on the ideological and political process of (re) producing the national land, be it the 'motherland' or the 'homeland' or even the 'special homeland'. In view of this, the construction of the inclusive 'us' and the exclusive ‘other' is also defined in territorial terms. Outputs from this study Maki, Ch. (2022), Territoriality in Education Policy. The Greek Cypriots and the Discursive Construction of National Identity, Proceedings of the 5th International Academic Conference on Teaching, Learning and Education, Athens, Greece. - Publication« A knowledge management approach to the Libyan Public Procurement of construction Projects »(School of Business Administration : PHD of Business Administration, 2023-12-18)USAMA ALABED, K. ALABEDThis study delves into the problem of inefficiencies in public procurement processes for construction projects in Libya with the aim of recommending the adoption and use of KM to address the inherent challenges, and improve the efficiency of public procurement processes. Using a mixed methods research design, the research collected quantitative data through surveys and qualitative data using in-depth interviews with site engineers, project managers, and the top current and former leaders of key organizations that are responsible for the procurement of public construction projects in Libya. The research established that there is no systematic KM practice in Libya; however, there are unstructured knowledge sharing initiatives that could not be considered as effective KM but they form the basis for adoption of KM practice. The research found that the knowledge sharing culture is low in Libya, and there is use of technology in running of day-to-day operations, but it is not directed towards KM practice. The study established that there are challenges in the procurement processes and that there is no systematic way of handling knowledge such as lessons learned, best practices, etc. Therefore, practitioners are always re-inventing the wheel. To address these inefficiencies, the research recommended the adoption of KM practice, promoting a culture of knowledge sharing, creating a centralized, full-fledged procurement department for all public construction projects in Libya, hiring professionals trained in public procurement, training and developing existing staff, and using modern technologies to enhance efficiency in the procurement process. Based on the research findings, the research recommends a six-step (CCOISA) pilot KM model that could help in collaborating, capturing, organizing, integrating, storing, and applying knowledge based on the prevailing conditions and circumstances in Libya. The model serves as the roadmap for practitioners to adopt KM practice and address the challenge of inefficiency in the Libyan public procurement. The research findings have helped to start a discussion in Libya and other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa about the importance of KM practice in public procurement. The research recommends that future research should focus on the scalability of the research to other sectors of the economy and the barriers to successful implementation of KM practice, as well as the legal and ethical concerns that may arise upon implementation of the recommended KM model.
- PublicationA Strategic Informal Approach with Early Childhood Preservice Teachers – “What if… as if…”(School of Humanities, Social and Education Sciences, 2024-12-11)
;Charalambidou, ChristinaChrystalla Papademetri-kachrimaniThe confidence and competence of kindergarten teachers in teaching music represent a significant challenge in early childhood teacher education. Despite extensive research on the attitudes of in-service and preservice teachers towards music education, studies reveal a prevalent reluctance among classroom teachers to engage in music instruction due to various factors such as limited musical backgrounds, perception of music teaching as a specialized skill, lack of adequate music training, and beliefs about self-efficacy. This reluctance seems that often leads to self-perceptions of being unmusical and a hesitance to actively participate in making music. Universities worldwide, including those in Cyprus, offer teacher education programs incorporating music pedagogical courses to address this issue. However, mimicking and practicing pre-made lessons plans, without fully understanding the pedagogical thinking and reasoning, and the need to align them with their individual musical skills and comprehension, is a process that would lack depth or meaning. There is a recognized need to explore innovative approaches for delivering course content to empower preservice teachers and enhance the development of an ethical practice guiding children’s engagement in learning. Such an approach would encourage creative thinking and practice, ultimately enrich the quality of learning and teaching. Moreover, teachers’ own musical skills and their levels of confidence in these skills, as well as their general teaching abilities, could be sufficient to help children learn music. This thesis explored the growth in music learning and change of dispositions of twelve early childhood preservice teachers over a 13-week undergraduate music methods course in spring 2022. The course, designed and facilitated by the instructor-researcher, utilized a pedagogical approach called the “Strategic Informal Approach” (SIA). This approach emphasizes collaborative learning and peer-to-peer engagement by combining situated and informal learning processes, which included productive contradictions in a democratic context. Using a qualitative design grounded in constructivist and constructionistic principles, the study employed Design-based Research (DbR) methodology within an authentic educational setting. Qualitative data collection methods, including observations, reflective tools, three private interviews, a questionnaire, and artifacts were used with the aim to gain a deeper understanding of preservice teachers’ experiences and growth. The findings suggest that participants’ engagement with the Strategic Informal Approach, which involved playful, informal, and problem-solving activities, enhanced their musical and teaching skills. Through hands-on experiences and reflection, they developed greater confidence, creativity, and the ability to integrate theoretical knowledge and practical application. Additionally, their pedagogy, care, and empathy were enriched through peer collaboration, which fostered a supportive learning community. Four key concepts – Inspire, Explore, Create, and Celebrate – emerged from the Strategic Informal Approach and guided the redesign of practical music sessions. These concepts appeared to support a flexible and holistic learning experience, potentially encouraging participants to explore their potential, collaborate more effectively, and recognize their achievements in music learning. This inquiry contributes valuable insights for enhancing music education practices among future educators, emphasizing the importance of experiential learning and pedagogical innovation in nurturing the learning and dispositions of preservice teachers, particularly in the realm of music pedagogy. These findings contribute to informing preservice teachers’ curriculum development and early childhood education, ultimately questioning the quality of music education across educational contexts. - Publication«Analysing the Interrelationships Among Employee Well- Being, Active Mobility, Organizational Commitment and Job Performance; A Circular Economy Approach»(School of Business Administration : Department of Business Administration : PHD Business Administration, 2024-06-27)
;Zagarelou, Despoina F.Papageorgiou, George N.Purpose: A growing number of studies have explored the potential benefits of employee wellbeing concerning employee active mobility, job satisfaction, and other aspects of job performance and organizational commitment. However, little has been done to investigate the benefits accrued for employees who use active mobility to commute to work, as well as the impact on employee well-being, job performance, and organizational commitment. As a result, a need emerges to assess current knowledge of this topic on linking employee wellbeing to job performance. This research investigates the correlations between employee wellbeing and other variables, such as employee active mobility, organizational commitment, and job performance. The scope of the present study is to examine the impact of employee active mobility (actively commuting to work) on employee wellbeing and job performance. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a Systematic Literature Review, a Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) was developed, following the System Dynamics Methodology, which was conducted on prominent studies on employee active mobility and its contribution to employee well-being and other aspects of job performance. Additionally, a conceptual model was developed to investigate employee active mobility and its influence on employee wellbeing and job performance. The research sample was drawn from employees who work in organizations, specifically those working in the Administration of the 1𝑠𝑡 Health Region of Attica under the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity. The sample consisted of 303 employees. Also, an investigation was carried out on employees’ opinions by utilizing a Group Model Building (GMB) technique. Interviews with the participants were conducted to gain more accurate and specific data. The questionnaire was the instrument that was used for data collection. The questionnaire was located and selected using the composition of different questionnaires, modification of existing questionnaires, or selection through the international literature. Findings: This research provides a novel view of the dynamics of employee well being and job performance. This allows for further understanding of the links between employee active mobility and job performance, as well as the role and responsibility of organizations based on the costs, profit, and benefits to be gained. The present study revealed significant relationships between job performance and well-being, organizational commitment, and job satisfaction. Additionally, no statistically significant results occurred for the influence of employee active mobility on employee well-being, job performance, organizational commitment, and job satisfaction. Originality/value։ This review suggests that active mobility was not a significant factor in the explanation of employee well-being and job performance. However, a need emerges to clarify the factors which are preventing employees in Greece from commuting by walking or bicycle to work and the positive outcomes on employee well-being, job performance and organizational commitment. - PublicationApplication of machine learning methods to anticipate upcoming trends and understand the education systems of European Union(School of sciences : Department : Computer Science and Engineering : Master in Artificial Intelligence, 2023-12-08)
;Cholopoulou, AnnaPanayidou, KleaRecent advancements in artificial intelligence have been significantly inspired by the field of educational data mining, or EDM. According to the needs of the students and instructors, new potential and Possibilities for the advancement of technology-enhanced learning systems have been created via a range of research and put into practice. The use of modern techniques and application strategies by the EDM is crucial in improving the learning environment. The EDM is essential in building the educational setting for scholars along with ameliorating the working conditions for instructors and giving them appropriate information regarding the necessities of the students by looking at both the educational environment and machine learning approaches. In order to reach that goal, the main focus of this thesis will be on the socioeconomic elements that may influence how various institutions, communities, and social backgrounds function at various educational levels. To evaluate student and teacher data and anticipate the critical factors that affect educational effectiveness, a variety of machine learning techniques are applied. Specialized dimensionality reduction techniques are utilized to display the data from diverse locations. Then, regions and countries are categorized based on their common educational qualities using K-Means and Spectral clustering. Two datasets have been used for this analysis. Clustering Results Based on the provided information from the first dataset, a clustering analysis was conducted across various characteristics related to lower education levels. Cluster 1 consists of countries with high working time, teaching time, administrative tasks, additional duties, course planning, amount of lessons, volume of marking, negative impact on mental health, stress, physical health, salary satisfaction, and preparedness for students with disabilities. These countries include the United Kingdom, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, the Netherlands, Croatia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. Cluster 2 comprises countries with low working time, teaching time, administrative tasks, additional duties, course planning, amount of lessons, volume of marking, negative impact on mental health, stress, physical health, salary satisfaction, and preparedness for students with disabilities. Italy, Cyprus, Romania, Finland, and Montenegro are part of this cluster. Cluster 3 includes the remaining countries, Belgium, Bulgaria, Spain, Czech Republic, Estonia, Croatia, Austria, North Macedonia and Slovenia, which are considered to have medium characteristics across the analyzed dimensions. The second dataset has information for both lower and upper education level. Based on the information provided for the lower education level dataset, here is a summary of the clusters created: Students: Cluster 1 (High Performance): This cluster includes countries like Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, Hungary, and Ireland. These countries exhibit high student performance in terms of academic achievements, participation rates, and overall educational outcomes. Cluster 2 (Moderate Performance): This cluster comprises the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. These countries demonstrate moderate student performance, with relatively average academic achievements and participation rates compared to other countries in the dataset. Cluster 3 (Mixed Performance): This cluster consists of the remaining countries. They exhibit a mix of student performance levels, with some countries showing above-average performance while others have lower performance in terms of academic achievements and participation rates. Teachers: Cluster 1 (Experienced and Well-Qualified): This cluster includes countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, and Finland. These countries have highly experienced and well-qualified teachers who undergo continuous professional development, resulting in high-quality teaching and effective classroom practices. Cluster 2 (Diverse and Competent): This cluster comprises countries like Iceland, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. These countries have a diverse teacher workforce with a range of competencies and expertise. They prioritize teacher collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement in their education systems. Cluster 3 (Varied Teacher Profiles): This cluster encompasses the remaining countries. They exhibit a mix of different teacher profiles, including varying levels of experience, qualifications, and professional development opportunities. The characteristics and quality of their teacher workforce vary across these countries. - Publication“Auditory Processing and Language Development”(2024-10-08)
;Drosos, KonstantinosThodi, ChrysoullaIntroduction: Auditory Processing Disorders (APD) and Language Disorders (LD) often co-exist in children, increasing the burden on processing auditory information. Common APD and LD factors include frequency discrimination, phoneme discrimination in noisy environments, and dichotic listening abilities. These factors define the inherent challenges among children with Speech Sound Disorders (SSD). Purpose: This study aimed to compile and compare the auditory processing profiles of children with SSD and Typically Developing (TD) children using behavioral and electrophysiological measures, and to investigate correlations between these language and auditory processing indices in children with SSD. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving an initial sample of forty children, sixteen TD and twenty-four with SSD. The sample assessment occurred in four distinct stages. Consenting parents completed the CHAPS and APDQ questionnaires, and their children completed the assessment protocol that comprised of (in randomized order) audiological evaluation, behavioral auditory processing tests using linguistic and non-linguistic stimuli, language assessment focusing on phonology, grammar, syntax, and the cognitive mechanism of working memory, and electrophysiological measurements (early, middle, and late latency auditory evoked potentials). The last phase was completed by a subset of the original participants, resulting in complete data sets for a group of fourteen children with TD and fourteen age-matched children with SSD. Results: Significant differences between the two groups appeared in language (in first phoneme identification and word repetition) and auditory processing measures (Gap detection 1000Hz and Gap detection in noise 4-7ms, in speech in babble total score, in speech in noise ratio (SNR) 50% and SNR -1, in dichotic words test, in duration pattern sequence and frequency pattern sequence test 4000Hz-6000Hz, and backward digit span). Significant correlations were observed between the auditory processing performance in speech perception in noise, spectral and temporal discrimination, and electrophysiological measures and the language indices phoneme discrimination and rhythm identification. Auditory electrophysiology measures differed between the groups (p<0.001) for the left ear ipsilateral ABR I-V interpeak latency, the left ear contralateral amplitude of MLR wave Na, and for the LLR P1 left contralateral amplitude (p <0.005). Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) Analysis showed significant positive discrimination at the level of p<0.005 for the “Gap Detection in Noise 5 (which involves detecting gaps of 4-8 milliseconds in noise)” the “SNR Minus 1”, and the “Number Memory Reverse”; at the level of p<0.001, significant positive discrimination was found for the “Dichotic Words Right ear 1st”, “Dichotic Words Synchronized”, the “Duration Pattern Sequence”, and the “Frequency Pattern 4000 to 6000Hz”. Conclusions: Children with a history of SSD were identified by screening questionnaires and had lower performance on dichotic listening, temporal processing, and listening in noise. These findings were enhanced by electrophysiological evidence of diminished processing capacity in the SSD group. These auditory processing characteristics in children with a history of SSD serve as valuable guidance to speech and language professionals to determine specialized referral, targeted diagnostic approaches, and personalized treatment for children with processing difficulties. This work contributes best practices evidence for identification of auditory processing disorders in children with a history of SSD. Our findings suggest a protocol consisting of screening questionnaires, auditory processing tests, and electrophysiological tests in assessing this population. We have created a framework for detection and identification policies by the Republic of Cyprus public health and education authorities. - PublicationAwareness level of Money Muling in the Money Laundering chain among Cypriots(School of Business Administration : Master of Business Administration, 2024-07-15)
;Petrou, PetrosKythreotis, AlexisMoney Muling, a critical facet of contemporary financial crime, involves deceiving individuals into wittingly or unwittingly aiding criminals in laundering illicit funds through their bank accounts typically for a commission. Despite growing awareness and enforcement efforts against money muling, gaps persist in understanding public awareness levels and factors influencing awareness, particularly in Cyprus. Against a backdrop of economic challenges exacerbated by COVID-19, global conflicts and geo-political challenges, individuals may be more vulnerable to fraudulent schemes. This research aims to assess the awareness among Cypriot citizens regarding money muling and identify factors influencing this awareness. The study's importance lies in its potential to contribute to combating financial crime by enhancing public awareness and developing targeted educational strategies. The gap in research is the limited understanding of Cypriot citizens' awareness levels and the factors that shape this awareness regarding money muling. This thesis adopts a quantitative research approach to analyse awareness levels towards money mules among a diverse respondent demographic. The study begins with data preparation, including coding and transformation of survey responses and variables. Descriptive analysis provides insights into demographic characteristics and initial awareness levels. Factor analysis, specifically Principal Component Analysis (PCA), is then utilized to distil survey variables into interpretable components. The PCA results inform subsequent multiple regression analysis, where PCA components serve as predictors to identify factors significantly influencing awareness levels. The study reveals a moderately low awareness level among Cypriots indicating a basic understanding but significant room for improvement. Factors such as Cybersecurity and Financial Crime awareness, Digital Financial Literacy, and Financial Fraud Awareness were found to significantly influence awareness levels. The findings are intended to inform more effective strategies for raising awareness and preventing unwitting involvement in money muling, ultimately contributing to a more vigilant and informed society in Cyprus. ii These findings have important implications for policymakers, law enforcement, financial institutions, educators, and public awareness campaigns, providing actionable insights to develop targeted interventions and strengthen efforts in combating financial crimes. - PublicationChallenges in a Virtual Machine Forensic Investigation(2022-10-05)
;Tsikopoulos, DimitriosBaltatzis, DimitriosIn the digital era that we live in, the virtualization technologies are constantly involving; more and more people and organizations use virtual machines in the everyday life. A physical computer can host multiple virtual machines within its confines which basically correspond to computers being inside another computer. As virtual machines become more and more popular, cyber crimes are surging which leads to the necessity of conducting forensics. The purpose of the current master thesis is to investigate existing forensics models and especially the ones that are specific to digital forensics for virtual machines. At the same time, those models will be analyzed and a new methodology for conducting digital forensics for virtual machines will be proposed. Moreover, a tool was created during this master thesis, in order to automate some phases of the proposed methodology; the tool architecture is also presented and analyzed. To further elaborate on the efficiency of the proposed methodology, two different scenarios were created in lab format. This master thesis also presents the challenges that investigators may encounter while conducting digital forensics for virtual machines. - PublicationComparison of case-based learning versus lecture-based learning in undergraduate medical education: A systematic review and meta-analysis(School of Medicine : Master Degree Program in Medical Education, 2024-06-08)
;Femi, Lukman Owolabi; Papadopoulos, DimitriosBackground: Case-based learning (CBL) and lecture-based learning (LBL) are two well-established instructional approaches in education. CBL emphasizes active participation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, while LBL relies primarily on lectures for knowledge transfer. The effectiveness of these methods has been a subject of ongoing research and discussion due to their respective strengths and limitations. Understanding the advantages and drawbacks of CBL and LBL is crucial in determining the most suitable approach for specific educational contexts and desired learning outcomes. Aim: This study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of case-based learning compared to traditional lecture-based learning in medical education. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted using various databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, African Journals OnLine, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Wiley Online Library. The screening and selection process adhered to predetermined eligibility criteria using RAYYAN software. A mean difference metaanalysis was performed employing random-effects models and the DerSimonian Laird method to generate forest plots, evaluate heterogeneity, and assess publication bias. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed, and the analysis was performed using STATA Version 18 software. Results: Seventeen studies meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed, involving a total of 1,937 participants. Among them, 977 medical students were assigned to the case-based learning group, while 960 medical students were assigned to the lecture based learning group. The meta-analysis showed a pooled mean difference of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.54, 1.13), favoring the effectiveness of case-based learning over traditional lecture-based learning in medical education with significant heterogeneity (I2 > 89.05%, P < 0.001 and the H2 = 9.13) and no evidence of publication bias (Egger 0.1323 and Begg's P= 0.638). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that case-based learning is a more effective instructional method than lecture-based learning for medical students, leading to improved performance and case analysis abilities. - Publication“Comparison of mechanical ventilation duration (timing of extubation), hemodynamic complications/instability, reintubation and length of hospital stay in a post-CABG population: a retrospective single-centered study.”(School of Medicine : MD Doctor of Medicine, 2023-06-29)
;Papatheodosiou, KassianiKakoullis, StylianosIntroduction: Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is part of the standard treatment for ischemic heart disease. It mainly focuses on the revascularization of the ischemic area by creating alternative routes using arterial or venous grafts. Several pre-, peri-, and post-operative factors contribute to the success of a CABG operation. In terms of postoperative management hemodynamic instability and extubation time play a crucial role. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the duration of mechanical ventilation until the time of extubation, the hemodynamic status, and the length of hospital stay in post-CABG patients. Methodology: The study has the form of a retrospective single-centered cohort study. The data collection was done by reviewing the medical files of ninety-two patients undergone isolated on-pump CABG operation from July 2021 until December 2022 in the cardiac surgery department of Apollonion Private Hospital in Nicosia, Cyprus. After completion of data collection, all the reported variables were subcategorized as pre-, peri- and postoperative. Additionally, the patients involved in the study were further subdivided based on their time of extubation into three groups, “very early,” “early” and “regular/late”. Afterward, bivariate and multiple linear regression analyses were performed in order to assess the relationships between extubation time and specific predictor variables. Results: All the included participants were of advanced age (mean=67.58 years). Additionally, a correlation between cardiopulmonary bypass time and cross-clamp time and an association between postoperative volume balance and CRP were, also, revealed. The hemodynamic status seemed to be unaffected by the timing of extubation as atrial fibrillation and duration of vasopressor use did not have any statistical difference. Conclusion: The extubation time does not influence the postoperative status in terms of hemodynamic instability, postoperative complications, and length of hospitalization. - PublicationConsiderations in Risk Assessment for Critical Infrastructure Protection (A thematic analysis approach)(School of Sciences : PhD Program in Occupational Safety and Health, 2024-06-27)
;Papamichael, MichalisThis work investigates the views of risk assessment (RA) practitioners on the decision-making influences and the transnational considerations affecting RA for critical infrastructure protection (CIP). The investigation is driven by the realization that contemporary RA models and processes fail to adequately consider the domain based characteristics of transnational Critical Infrastructure (CI) characteristics. They also fail to recognize the full extent of the human decision-making influence on the RA process itself, as well as the relative lack of homogeneity across assets, stakeholders, geographies, national boundaries, paradigms, and people, in transnational CI environments. The investigation was based on the thematic analysis of the interviews of twelve expert RA practitioners, following a validation of the interview protocol by a focus group of experts, and a document study of two CI projects. The analysis identified an overarching theme counter-signing their collective view that the team approach is the one true remedy for all RA process shortcomings. Five other themes support this high-level view: (1) the value of the human influence of RA, (2) the effect of transnationalism on RA for CIP, (3) the view that consistency in tools and methods is not necessarily a panacea to performance, and two groups of forces influencing the process and the setting; (4) CI organizational RA-influencing forces; and (5) CI RA enablers and impediments. All six themes were validated by member-checking. Despite the view of the team-approach being an absolute panacea in the eyes of practitioners, insights from the current industry RA practice from the interviews themselves, and from an investigation of relevant literature, has not identified rules and guidelines in its application, evidence of it being coordinated or applied consistently, nor an indication of it being an integral part of RA processes. Careful analysis of the learning from the interviews suggests that a risk assessment model-agnostic collaborative approach to RA for CIP, such as the suggested self managed team approach, which would embrace the weak-signals process and the future wheels approach, can effectively address the transnationalism and human decision making challenges identified in this report, the absence of performance assessment metrics for the RA process specifically at the level of the professional, as Considerations in Risk Assessment for Critical Infrastructure Protection (A thematic analysis approach) well as deliver improved assessment of terrorism and cyber risks whose nature is aversive to traditional RA methodologies. The suggested team approach for RA for CIP and the articulation of the benefit that the added scope of a weak-signals and futures-wheel approach would bring to the process, was outlined in the conclusions, however, both would benefit from additional research for its better articulation and testing with a suitable pool of expert practitioners. - PublicationCyber Crime Division of the Hellenic Police: Challenges faced by the staff and the dimension of media literacy education(School of Sciences : Department of Computer Science and engineering : Master in Cybersecurity, 2021-11-10)
;Thanos, OrestisPhotiades, ThomasGlobalization has meant the spatio-temporal compression of the world and the emergence of an interconnected global community. The growth in Internet use has been greatly facilitated by a proliferation of mobile devices and communications. In this globalized media environment of the 21st century, cyber-crime growing is exponentially in terms of sequence and sophistication. The spectrum of risks (e.g. hackers, spyware, malware, and others) is immensely wide and unpredictable. Cybercriminals tend to follow broad trends. Thus, organized criminals are increasingly engaging in social engineering and social networks to perpetrate targeted cyber-crime. The more we share information via social networks, the more exposed and vulnerable we become. Social media platforms have proved to be fertile ground for data collection and cyberattacks, fueling privacy breaches and trust issues. To deal with daily emerging cyber threats, including cyber-warfare, cyber-espionage and cyber-crime, each country establishes their agencies and services. The Cyber Crime Division of the Hellenic Police is the agency under the latter’s jurisdiction which is committed to the struggle against cyber-crime in Greece. The current survey utilizes a questionnaire and attempts to provide new insights around the challenges faced by the staff of this Division and to highlight the role of media literacy education on personnel’s training. Thematic analysis of the results and the discussion, revealed that the key challenges facing the staff are: the lack of employees, where the escalating quantity of the workload worsens this problem; that the financial resourcing of the Division is not up to par with the needs and requirements, so the provided software and hardware are not adequately updated; and that the training of the staff is insufficient for policing the growing complexity and sophistication of cyber-crime on the Internet. Moreover, the results suggest that media literacy education could be a useful tool in the fight against cyber-crime, since it contributes to the development of staff’s skills and awareness. Given that the ever accelerating technological evolution cannot be halted, we should learn, as a society, to protect ourselves from the cyber-threats on the Internet. Thus, in the recommendations sections, we attempt to illuminate potential solutions to these crucial challenges faced by the Division (e.g. the integration of media literacy education courses across the curriculums of the Police Officers and Police Constables Schools of the Police Academy), because we strongly believe that the Cyber Crime Division of the Hellenic Police is, and will continue to be the backbone of policing action within the chaos that is the cyberspace. - PublicationEmployee empowerment practices : the impact on employee satisfaction(School of Business : Master of Business Administration, 2027-07-31)
;Hadjiyiangou, EleniEfstathiades, AndreaseΟι οργανισμοί αντιμετωπίζουν τεράστιες προκλήσεις στη βελτίωση της απόδοσης και της παραγωγικότητάς τους στον σημερινό μεταβαλλόμενο και ανταγωνιστικό επιχειρηματικό κόσμο. Οι ειδικοί θεωρούν την ενδυνάμωση των εργαζομένων ως ένα αποτελεσματικό εργαλείο που ενισχύει την οργανωτική απόδοση, την ικανοποίηση των εργαζομένων και την ποιότητα των υπηρεσιών. Η απάντηση στη συνεχή μεταβαλλόμενη τάση της παγκόσμιας επιχειρηματικής ατμόσφαιρας είναι ίσως η πιο σημαντική ανησυχία τόσο για τους ανθρώπους όσο και για τους οργανισμούς. Προκειμένου να αντιδράσουν στις αλλαγές και τις διαφορετικές απαιτήσεις των πελατών και των ενδιαφερομένων, οι εργαζόμενοι πρέπει να αντιμετωπίσουν πολλές προκλήσεις στην καθοδήγηση της απόδοσής τους. Οι εργαζόμενοι συχνά αγωνίζονται να αρπάξουν και να περιορίσουν τη διαχειριστική τους εξουσία για να αντιμετωπίσουν αυτές τις προκλήσεις. Μία από τις βασικές προκλήσεις για τις επιχειρήσεις σε αυτήν την εποχή της παγκοσμιοποίησης είναι να παρέχει άμεσες απαντήσεις στους πελάτες για να τους κάνει ικανοποιημένους και να αυξήσει την παραγωγικότητα. Παρ 'όλα αυτά, οι κακές οργανωτικές ρυθμίσεις όπως η έλλειψη εξουσίας για λήψη αποφάσεων που σχετίζονται με την εργασία, περιορισμένη πρόσβαση σε πληροφορίες, έλλειψη ελέγχου στην εργασία, αόριστη και χωρίς νόημα ευθύνη, και το ακατάλληλο σύστημα ανταμοιβών συχνά καθιστούν τις θέσεις εργασίας δύσκολες για τους υπαλλήλους και μειώνουν την ποιότητα των υπηρεσιών, που τελικά οδηγούν σε δυσαρέσκεια των πελατών. Προκειμένου να κάνουν τους πελάτες ικανοποιημένους και να βελτιώσουν την οργανωτική απόδοση, οι οργανισμοί πρέπει να παρέχουν στους υπαλλήλους αρκετή εξουσία και υποστήριξη. Η παροχή υψηλής ποιότητας υπηρεσίας αποτελεί βασικό μέλημα για τις επιχειρήσεις, και ο Oliver υποστηρίζει ότι η ικανοποίηση των πελατών εξαρτάται κυρίως από την ποιότητα της προσφερόμενης υπηρεσίας. Η αντιληπτή εξυπηρέτηση πελατών μπορεί να προσδιοριστεί μόνο από την άποψη της παρεχόμενης ποιότητας υπηρεσίας και τη συνολική ικανοποίηση των εμπειριών των πελατών. Οι οργανισμοί μπορούν να επιλέξουν οποιαδήποτε από τις δύο προσεγγίσεις που μπορούν να ενισχύσουν την ποιότητα των υπηρεσιών: την προσέγγιση της γραμμής παραγωγής και την προσέγγιση ενδυνάμωσης. [ - Publication‘’Employee empowerment practices. The impact on employee satisfaction.’’ An investigation in organizations operating in the private sector in Cyprus.(School of Business Administration : Department of Management and Marketing : Master of Business Administration, 2024-04-14)
;Kolokotroni, MelinaEfstathiades, AndreasThe traditional role of HR has gone through monumental shifts the last few decades. Human Resources professionals experienced a milestone transition from being the silent partners managing administrative tasks related to personnel, to being strategic partners, participating in board meetings, evaluating business’ strategical needs and planning for the implementation and optimization of human resources management. HR’s key activities include among others, the recruiting of required resources, talents attracting and retaining, engaging to the organization’s vision and more importantly, boosting employees’ empowerment in order to improve the team’s overall performance and competitiveness. The employee empowerment practices, have been extensively focused on the development of the individual in the organization through delegation and more participation in decision making. One of the major concerns of an HR department is how to achieve this empowerment so that the employees can contribute to their full potential, assuming that this will lead to gaining job satisfaction from their employment and circling back to retention. This study’s main aim was to investigate to what extent any of the practices related to the employee empowerment notion based on the existing literature, are followed in organizations operating in the private sector in Cyprus, and consequently if they have any impact on the employees’ perceived job satisfaction. A sample of 63 employees of both managerial and non-managerial levels, employed in almost all industries in the private sector in Cyprus was surveyed. The collected survey data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, correlations, and multivariate regression analysis. The findings showed that the relationships between employee empowerment and job satisfaction indeed exist. On the other hand, the relationship among some of the demographics variables and compared to both notions, were not statistically significant. Finally, the results of the regression analysis revealed that employee empowerment practices can indeed be significant predictors of job satisfaction, hence it is confirmed that they have an impact on it and furthermore, confirmed the study’s hypothesis. - PublicationExploring autonomous driving methods, in simulation or video games(School of Sciences : Master in Artificial Intelligence, 2023-03-13)
;Kastellos, AnestisCheng- Leng , PericlesIn this thesis, we explore the application of computer vision techniques for autonomous driving in a video game setting. We focus on the task of predicting the optimal motion the vehicle in the game using only visual information from the screen. To this end, we propose a dataset specifically designed for this task, and evaluate a variety of state-of-the-art classification models on it. Our results show that these models can successfully predict the motion of other vehicles with high accuracy, and are able to run in real-time on the game engine. Furthermore, we also present an analysis of the results and discuss the limitations of our approach. As a future work, we propose to explore other computer vision techniques such as object detection and semantic segmentation to improve the performance of the models and to incorporate more information from the game environment. - Publication"Exploring Public Awareness, Attitudes, and Consumer Behaviour towards Solar-Driven Hydrogen Energy Systems in the Cyprus Market"(School of Business Administration : Department of Business Administration : Master of Business Administration, 2024-07-15)
;Kartsiouli, ElenaPapageorgiou, N. GeorgeThe research explores public awareness, attitudes, and consumer behaviour regarding solar-driven hydrogen energy systems in Cyprus. It identifies factors influencing adoption and critical barriers to widespread use. Positive attitudes towards solar hydrogen energy exist due to its environmental benefits and potential for energy self-sufficiency. However, significant obstacles, such as high installation costs and limited public awareness, hinder widespread adoption. Targeted awareness initiatives focusing on economic and environmental benefits could enhance interest and adoption rates. Key barriers to adoption include high installation costs and public scepticism about safety and reliability, highlighting the need for financial incentives and infrastructural support. Younger individuals and females are more inclined to adopt solar hydrogen systems, emphasising the influence of general environmental awareness and economic considerations over specific technical expertise. - PublicationFast and Accurate SED modelling using Machine Learning(2023-10-26)
;Papaleonidas, Petros ;Panayidou, KleaFast and Accurate SED modelling using Machine Learning is a supervised learning project aiming at exploring efficient representations of spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting codes by leveraging the immense capabilities of machine learning algorithms that have emerged during the last decade. The focus will be on the supervised learning process of two alternative (surrogate) models, a neural network (ANN) and an ensemble regressor (HGB), based on a sufficiently large dataset of simulated galaxy spectra, generated with the CYGNUS (CYprus models for Galaxies and their NUclear Spectra) models. The project is structured into the following chapters: Chapter 1 provides a background of the problem surrounding the effective retrieval of the fundamental physical properties of galaxies by means of studying and modelling the vast and complex cosmological and astrophysical data selected by an ever-growing number of sources. Chapter 2 offers an introduction into the principles of the proposed machine learning models (ANN, HGB), their architecture, and their fundamental functions. The objective is to familiarize the reader with the terminology and the data processing methods referred to at a later stage of the project. Chapter 3 gives a description of surrogate models, along with the justification of the need to employ such models in the case of non-linear models with intractable parameter distributions. As a matter of fact, the project follows the supervised learning of selected SED surrogate models to be eventually used in the inverse process of fast and accurate retrieval of physical parameters. Chapter 4 is dedicated to the specifications and the implementation process of the end-to-end MARGE (Machine learning Algorithm for Radiative transfer of Generated Exoplanets) package. A distinctive part of MARGE is the deep learning functionality (neural network) used to train the SED surrogate model. Chapter 5 outlines the complete training pipeline of this project, starting from the justification of the CYGNUS model. The training data for the proposed machine learning models are made up of one million CYGNUS model simulations of the combined form (input model parameters – output spectra). The most important hyperparameters of the predictive models (ANN, HGB) are optimized on a subset of the data and optimal models are trained on the entire dataset. Finally, regression analysis provides an insight into the appropriateness of both machine learning models, as well as their comparative performance, by means of aggregate measures and individual image plots. Appendix 1 specifies the list of code - and data adjustments that need to be applied to the source files for a functional implementation of the MARGE package. Appendix 2 provides the complete coefficients of determination (R2-scores) achieved in testing by both predictive models. - PublicationGraph Theoretical Analysis of Galaxy Evolution(School of Sciences, 2023-12-19)
; ; ; Michos, IoannisWe present a methodological framework for studying galaxy evolution by utilizing Graph Theory and network analysis tools. We study the evolutionary processes of ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) and quasars and their underlying physical mechanisms, such as star formation and active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity, through the application of graph theoretical analysis tools. We extract, process and analyse mid-infrared spectra of local (z < 0.4) and high-redshift (0.3 < z < 3.0) ULIRGs and quasars between 5 − 38μm through internally developed Python routines, in order to generate relational networks of ULIRGs and quasars (similarity graphs) based on the similarity of their midinfrared spectra. We examine and compare similarity graphs generated using both linear and non-linear supervised classification methods. We also demonstrate how graph clustering algorithms and network analysis tools can be utilized as unsupervised classification techniques under a unified framework for extracting direct and indirect relations between various galaxy properties and evolutionary stages, which provides an alternative methodology to previous works used for classification in galaxy evolution. Furthermore, our methodology compares the output of several graph clustering algorithms in order to identify the best-performing graph theoretical tools for studying galaxy evolution. Additionally, we extract and compare physical features from the mid-IR spectra of ULIRGs and quasars, such as the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emission and silicate depth absorption/emission features, as indicators for the presence of star-forming regions and obscuring dust respectively, in order to determine the underlying physical mechanisms of each evolutionary stage of ULIRGs. We also perform a detailed comparison between the results of the low-redshift (local) and high-redshift samples of ULIRGs and quasars, in order to investigate the evolution of ULIRGs throughout the history of the Universe. Our analysis identifies five types of ULIRGs based on the physical features of their mid-IR spectra, which is quite consistent with the well-established fork classification diagram by providing a higher level classification scheme. The results of our graph theoretical analysis support the evolutionary paradigm of the merger scenario for ULIRGs and showcase noteworthy distinctions in the distribution of ULIRGs and quasars at different evolutionary stages across different redshift ranges. - PublicationHigh-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta- Analysis(School of Medicine : MD Doctor of Medicine, 2023-06-22)
;Palli, NikolettaAngouridis, Aris DimitriosHigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis (Under the supervision of Dr. Aris Dimitrios Angouridis; Steering Committee member A: Dr. D. Papadopoulos; Steering Committee member B: Dr. C. Tsioutis) Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) and leads to demyelination and axonal degeneration. Evidence showed that lipid metabolism is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in MS. Purpose: To systematically investigate all relevant evidence on the association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and clinical parameters of disease activity in MS. Methodology: The PubMed and Cochrane library databases were searched for studies with data on HDL-C in patients with MS. A qualitative synthesis of published prospective and retrospective studies for the role of HDL-C and other lipid profile parameters in MS was performed. Additionally, a meta-analysis on HDL-C mean differences (MD) between Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) cases and healthy controls (HC) was performed. Results: Literature search identified 13 potentially eligible trials evaluating the HDL-C of RRMS patients. In total, they included 1652 participants, 819 of which were RRMS patients, and 833 were HC. The pooled analysis demonstrated that RRMS patients had significantly lower HDL-C levels compared with the HC group (MD: -2.99 mg/dl, 95% CI: -5.19, -0.79, p = 0.008). Subgroup analysis did not reveal a significant HDLC concentration difference between RRMS and progressive MS patients (PMS) (MD: 0.34 mg/dl, 95%CI: [-2.66, 3.34], p = 0.82). Regarding triglycerides, pooled analysis from 11 studies (534 RRMS and 589 HC patients) showed significantly higher triglyceride levels in RRMS compared with HC (MD: 22.99 mg/dl, 95% CI: 14.14, 31.83, p < 0.00001). Conclusion: According to our results, low levels of HDL-C represent a potential biomarker of disease activity in MS. Future research opportunities in MS include investigating the role of lipids as potential indicators of disease burden and treatment response biomarkers.