doctoral thesis of graduates university of cyprus ... · ASTRA TS OF PHD THESIS 2020 Σελί δα...
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DOCTORAL THESIS OF GRADUATES
UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS (ABSTRACTS) FEBRUARY 2020
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The Senate of the University of Cyprus unanimously decided, on the 6th November
2019, 4th of December 2019 and 5th February 2020 to award 50 Ph.D. titles on the
graduate ceremony on the 13th of February 2020.
In this edition the research subject of the PhD student is presented in a short
summary.
The information is presented in alphabetical order by Department.
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NAME/SURNAME DEPARTMENT ΤΙTLE OF THESIS/ ABSTRACT Theofilia Kaourma Accounting and Finance Essays on Retail Investors Trading Behavior in FX Market
Supervisor: George Nishiotis, Professor
This Ph.D. thesis uses a proprietary intraday dataset containing detailed information on individual investors
FX market transactions and their demographics to investigate the effects of news sentiment, scheduled
macro news announcements and market flash crashes on retail investors trading activity. It also
investigates retail investor risk-taking behavior in FX markets.
Maria Efthymiou Accounting and Finance Essays in behavioral finance
Supervisor: Andreas Milidonis , Associate Professor
The aim of the dissertation is to explore two behavioral biases; limited attention and representativeness
biases. By exploring the US corporate bond market, the aim is to investigate whether investors are prone
to these biases and the extent to which institutional investors exert price pressure in bond pricing.
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Theodosis Kallenos Accounting and Finance
Topics in portfolio management
Supervisor: George Nishiotis , Associate Professor
Chapter 1 of this thesis documents significant portfolio holdings disclosure valuation effects and strategic
disclosure timing by portfolio managers. Chapter 2 provide an in-depth examination of the performance
and risk adjusted characteristics of Business Development Companies. Chapter 3 examines the conflicts of
interest in externally managed funds.
Louis Hadjioannou Biological Sciences
Ecological and biological responses to environmental changes, in the endemic scleractinian coral
cladocora caespitosa (Linnaeus, 1767), in Cyprus
Supervisor: Spyros Sfenthourakis, Professor
We identified colonies of C. caespitosa as gonochoric and growth rates to be similar to those in W.
Mediterranean. Through systematic monitoring of colonies we observed mortality events due to extreme
events (prolonged high temperature and windstorm). Results showed that increased nutrient
concentrations affect the response of the corals.
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Martin Abbas Hellicar Biological Sciences
Aspects of farmland management for bird conservation in Cyprus
Supervisor: Alexander Kirschel, Assistant Professor
We examine mapping of High Nature Value farmland, arriving at an approach for improved HNVf definition
to facilitate its maintenance. We study the impact of grazing on birds and vegetation, finding that
conservation management of scrub and open forest should aim at keeping grazing to a minimum and
preventing fire.
Andrea Christofidou Biological Sciences
The potential role of miR-548c-5p in regulating the transcription of FOXC2 in differentiating human
podocytes
Supervisor: Constantinos Deltas, Professor
MiRNA prediction analysis revealed a full-length target site for miR-548c-5p at >8kb upstream of FOXC2.
Following multiple experimentation processes, a mechanism is proposed by which the RISC/miR-548c-5p
complex influences the expression of FOXC2 and podocyte differentiation. Collectively, results indicate a
well-orchestrated regulatory model of FOXC2 expression by a remote target-site for miR-548c-5p.
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Stavria Panayidou
Biological Sciences
Investigating the role of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Metabolism in Virulence.
Supervisor: Giorgos Apidianakis, Assistant Professor
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium classified among the few priority pathogens
urgently requiring new and effective treatments. In this study in order to identify novel therapeutic targets
against P. aeruginosa, we focused on virulence-related metabolic genes, which are not essential for the
bacterial growth.
Charalambos Papatryfonos Chemistry On the Use of Swellable Polymers as Structure Directing Scaffolds in Porous Solids Design
Supervisor: Charis R. Theocharis, Professor
The aim of this work was the use of swellable polymer networks as structure directing scaffolds for
mesoporous metal oxides synthesis. In particular, cerium and titanium oxides were synthesized and
characterized throughout this research project with the use of polymer networks acting both as a
removable scaffold and at the same time as the reaction vessel.
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Elisa Alloa Chemistry Structural Characterization of Organic Conjugated Dyes through Vibrational and Time-Resolved
Spectroscopic Techniques
Supervisor: Sophia Charalambous Hayes , Associate Professor
The development of optoelectronics applications is related to the structural characterization of organic
conjugated molecules. Vibrational spectroscopy is herein employed, providing a detailed picture of the
supramolecular conformation of perylenes, together with an excited state evolution study on
oligofluorenes. The development of a stimulated/inverse Raman optical setup was also initiated.
Sofia Hadjithoma Chemistry Synthesis and Reactivity of Uranium, Vanadium and Copper Complexes with Triazine and Amidate
Ligands
Supervisor: Anastasios Keramidas , Professor
Here in, the selective ligation of uranium with the use of triazine ligands and the activation of dioxygen by
amidate and triazine pyridine complexes of copper and vanadium were investigated.
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Eirini Lariou Chemistry Spectroscopic Studies of Molecular Conformations of Conjugated Polymers for OPV applications
Supervisor : Sophia Charalambous Hayes, Associate Professor
The role of conjugated polymers in organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices is to absorb light and facilitate
charge transport towards the electrodes. Two specific conjugated systems are being studied, with focus
on a key factor in optimising device performance, which is the molecular conformation of the polymeric
chains within the films.
Konstantinos
Megalooikonomou
Civil and Environmental
Engineering
Modeling the Behavior of Reinforced Concrete (RC) Columns Under Lateral Loads
Supervisor: Petros Komodromos, Associate Professor
Columns play a very important role in the structural performance. Therefore, it is essential to apply a
suitable analytical tool to estimate their structural behavior considering all failure mechanisms. In the
present thesis a fiber beam-column element was developed, in order to provide an analytical test-bed for
simulation of old-type RC columns.
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Michalis Agathocleous
Savvas Karatsiolis
Computer Science
Computer Science
Learning Schemes for Efficiently Training Neural Networks on Protein Secondary Structure Prediction
Supervisor: Christos Christodoulou , Professor
The problem of classifying sequential data where the upstream and downstream information of a
sequence is useful for the classification has been dealt with by a variety of Machine Learning methods.
These methods have been applied in the Protein Secondary Structure Prediction problem.
Conditional Generative Denoising Autoencoder
Supervisor: Christos Schizas, Professor
The thesis proposes an original model and its mathematical foundation whose functionality relies on the
conventional denoising autoencoder. The model generates images according to the user’s preferences
defining both the desired and the undesired image characteristics that are evident in the training dataset.
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Zacharias Hadjilambrou Computer Science Harnessing CPU Electromagnetic Emanations for Power-Delivery Network Characterization
Supervisor: Yiannakis Sazeides, Associate Professor
This thesis proposes a novel methodology for Power-Delivery-Network (PDN) characterization. The
proposed methodology is based on wirelessly sensing the PDN emanated electromagnetic (EM) radiation
using an antenna and an instrument for analyzing the received signals such as a spectrum-analyzer. The
proposed approach has three major advantages compared to state-of-the art PDN characterization
approaches: a) it is non-intrusive, b) it is cross-platform, and c) it does not require development effort nor
on-chip/on-package resources.
Evie Poyiadji Education
Digital Literacy Practices and Literacy Teaching in Elementary Education: A Case Study of a Teacher in
and out of School Context
Supervisor: Stavroula Kontovourki, Assistant Professor
The doctoral dissertation focuses on the literacy practices and performances of an elementary school
teacher, who constituted a case study for the examination of the complexity of digitality and literacy
teaching in L1 settings. Findings of the study focus on the hybridization of literacy, of space, as well as of
the performances of pedagogical roles there in.
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Maria Athanasiou Education Aspects of Educational Change and Implementation: A Case Study on the Conditions that Influenced the
implementation of the 2010 Language Curriculum for Primary Education in Cyprus.
Supervisor: Mary Ioannides – Koutselini, Emeritus Professor
This thesis addresses the concept of “educational change”. It aims to explore the conditions and events
that interacted, suspended and hindered the implementation of the 2010 Language Curriculum for
Primary Education in Cyprus. The archival study carried out focuses on the period from 2008 to 2014.
Michalis Livitziis Education
“On the Fly” Teacher-Student Interactions as a Means to Formative Assessment in Science Education
Supervisor: Constantinos Constantinou, Professor
The aim of this study was to enrich the literature on coding and analysis of informal formative assessment
and in particular during classroom dialogues where "on the fly" interactions are implemented. Through
attending and videotaping courses and subsequent coding of dialogues, we sought to identify patterns
that emerged to highlight opportunities and challenges that arise when using this formative assessment
method.
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Eleni Katsiai Education “In the Search of the Position and the Identity of the Term Daimon in the World of the Homeric Epics – A Proposal
for the Usage and the of its Meaning in the Teaching Process”
Supervisor: Mary Iwannidou-Koutselini , Emeritus Professor
This thesis focuses and re-evaluates the role of the term daimon in Homer. The purpose of this thesis is to
show how the term daimon based on its distinct roles as an “identifiable sign” of the mysterious and the
unknown in the epics, as a conceptual/discursive device, may be used as an innovative methodological
technique in the contexts of the teaching procedure in Gymnasium.
Christodoulos Skouromounis Electrical and Computer
Engineering
MmWave Heterogeneous Cellular Networks and Applications: A Stochastic Geometry Approach
Supervisor: Ioannis Krikidis , Associate Professor
The increasing demand for data traffic poses huge challenges for communications systems operating in
bands below 6 GHz. To this end, this doctoral thesis presents an analytical framework based on stochastic
geometry for evaluating the performance of the millimeter-wave heterogeneous networks, from a
macroscopic point-of-view.
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Chrysovalanto Christodoulou Electrical and Computer
Engineering
Converged Optical Access Networks for Mobile Backhaul
Supervisor: Georgios Ellinas , Professor
The main objective of this dissertation is to provide services that are high-speed, survivable, and with
guaranteed QoS, supporting different types of traffic for both fixed and mobile users. Solutions are being
developed for the problem of efficient and reliable transfer of fixed and wireless traffic to converged access
networks.
Charalambos Menelaou Electrical and Computer
Engineering
Traffic Demand Management in the ERA of Connected Vehicles
Supervisors: Christos Panayiotou, Professor
Stelios Timotheou, Assistant Professor
This Ph.D. thesis developed a mathematical framework that eliminates congestion in urban areas while at
the same time, it maximizes the efficiency of the network by combining existing control measures with
innovative demand management strategies. Demand management is achieved through a novel
reservation architecture that grants access to the network.
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Angelika Theofanidi French and European
Studies
Law, Justice and the Notion of the Absurd in the Works of Albert Camus
Supervisor: Yiannis Ε. Ioannou, Professor
In the works of Albert Camus, the notion of the absurd evolves around the notion of justice. The absurd
man of Camus is he who understands that life ends with death. In search of happiness, the absurd man
must have one thing in mind: not to exceed the limit.
Erato Hadjisavva History and Archaeology The Artistic Activity in Cyprus in the Period of British Rule
Supervisor: George Kazamias, Associate Professor
The thesis attempts to record and socio-political approach to the artistic activity in Cyprus during the
period 1878-1959. It examines the teaching process of the painting course at schools as a starting point
for Cyprus and the first attempts of Cypriots to study painting. The thesis refers to the first Cypriot sculptors
and painters, their exhibitions and artistic interventions.
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Andreas Eliades History and Archaeology British Foreign and Defence Policy in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East: Effects and
consequences for Cyprus on a Bilateral and Multilateral Framework Since the Establishment of NATO
and its Involvement with the Cyprus Issue (1949-1960).
Supervisor: Petros Papapolyviou , Associate Professor
This thesis focuses on the British foreign and security policy in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle
East. It also presents how the Cypriot issue was perceived and addressed within NATO during the 1950’s,
as well as how the newly established Republic of Cyprus was perceived within NATO.
Avraam Savva
History and Archaeology
Institutions and Forms of Commercial Control in the Hellenic Period with Emphasize to the Ptolemaic
Kingdom
Supervisor: Theodoros Mavrogiannis , Associate Professor
This thesis examines the extent to which the Hellenistic economy (323 - 168 BC) presents rates of capitalist
development and how modern economic theories, micro-economy and macro-economy are developed
through the commercial institutions existing in the commercial markets and as well the Egyptian economy
of Ptolemies.
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Alina Velislava Kamenou
Chrysovalantis Papadamou
History and Archaeology
History and Archaeology
Trade vs. Cultural Mediation: Integrating the Black Sea in the Greco-Phoenician Networks of Exchange
(7th – 1st Century BC)
Supervisor: Vasiliki Kassianidou, Professor
This doctoral dissertation investigates commercial and cultural exchanges between the Levant and the
Black Sea in a period spanning from the time of the Greek colonisation of this area in the second half of
the 7th century BC until the Roman age.
Cypriot Refugees in Venice after the War of Cyprus (1570-71). Reconstruction of Everyday Life, Social
and Cultural Integration (1570-1650).
Supervisor: Angel Nicolaou – Konnari, Associate Professor
This doctoral dissertation investigates the Cypriot refugees in Venice after the war of Cyprus (1570-71) and
presents their social background, their inclusion in the local society, their involvement in the Greek
fraternity issues (Confraternità di San Nicolò dei Greci) and their development in the venetian
environment.
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Dimitrios Pilavakis Mathematics and
Statistics
Block Bootstrap Methods for Functional Time Series
Supervisors: Efstathios Paparoditis, Professor
Theofanis Sapatinas, Professor
This dissertation applies bootstrap methods to dependent functional data. In particular, central limit
theorems for the moving block and tapered block bootstrap for functional time series are proved.
Furthermore, algorithms based on the above procedures for testing the equality of mean functions and
covariance operators of several populations are proposed.
Charalambos Frantzis Mechanical and
Manufacturing
Engineering
Accelerating CFD Simulations of Two-Fluid Flows: Application in Numerical Wave Tanks
Supervisor: Dimokratis Grigoriadis, Assistant Professor
A numerical method was developed that allows the coupling of the Immersed Boundary method and Fast
Direct Solvers, for the efficient simulation of two-fluid flows. Next, an efficient Numerical Wave Tank was
developed, which was also used to study the interaction of solitary waves with single-row pile breakwaters.
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Maria Louca
Andreas Demou
Mechanical and
Manufacturing
Engineering
Mechanical and
Manufacturing
Engineering
In Vitro Investigation of the Role of Ras Suppressor-1 (RSU-1) and the Integrin-Linked Kinase (ILK) in
Glioma Progression and Invasion
Supervisor: Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos, Assistant Professor
The purpose of this thesis was to study the development of RSU-1 and ILK proteins in glioma and more
specifically in glioblastoma, which is the most aggressive type of brain cancer.
Numerical Study of Thermally-Driven Flows with Variable Properties
Supervisor: Dimokratis Grigoriadis, Assistant Professor
In this thesis, a very efficient numerical methodology for the simulation of thermally-driven flows with
variable properties is presented. The methodology was used for simulating relevant flows of liquids and
gases in cavities, to investigate non-Oberbeck-Boussinesq effects.
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Salvatore Calì Physics
Model Study of Charm Loop Effects
Supervisors: Haris Panagopoulos, Professor
Francesco Knechtli, Professor (University of Wuppertal)
In this thesis we want to compute the loop effects due to a dynamical charm quark in QCD. For this
purpose, we simulate two theories: Nf=0 QCD and QCD with Nf=2 dynamical quarks at the charm mass.
The dynamical charm effects are extracted from the comparison of Nf=0 and Nf=2 QCD.
Aurora Scapellato Physics Direct Evaluation of Parton Distribution Functions of the Nucleon from Lattice QCD
Supervisors: Constantia Alexandrou , Professor
Francesco Knechtli, Professor (University of Wuppertal)
We describe the computations of parton distribution functions of the nucleon from first principles. The
investigation is done within the lattice formulation of Quantum Chromodynamics. The calculations are
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performed on a twisted mass ensemble of gauge field configurations simulated with two degenerate light
quarks with mass fixed to their physical value.
Simone Bacchio Physics Simulating Maximally Twisted Fermions at the Physical Point with Multigrid Methods
Supervisors: Constantia Alexandrou , Professor
Francesco Knechtli, , Professor (University of Wuppertal)
We develop multigrid methods for simulating lattice QCD with physical values of the quark masses within
the twisted mass fermion formulation. We employ the developed multigrid method both for the
calculation of the quark propagators needed for extracting the hadronic matrix elements and for
accelerating the generation of gauge field ensembles
Elena Yiangou
Psychology Definite Article Acquisition and Morphosyntactic Development in Cypriot-Greek Cochlear Implanted
Children Compared to Typically Hearing Peers
Supervisor: George Spanoudes, Associate Professor
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This study, aimed to examine the morphosyntactic development and use of the definitive article in all
genders, cases and numbers, in cochlear-implanted Cypriot-Greek children and how it compares to that of
typically hearing peers. TEREL, a language assessment for children ages 2;6 - 5;6 years was also developed.
Maria Ioannou Social and Political
Sciences
Does (Digital) Activism Matter? Exploring the Evolution of Collective Action: The Case of Irianna’s
Solidarity Movement in Greece
Supervisor: Savvas Katsikides, Professor
Attachment, Bullying/Victimization Experiences, Resilience and Religiosity as Adjustment Factors
within the Military Environment.
Supervisor: Stelios Georgiou, Professor
The purpose of the current research was to examine the relationship between bullying/victimization,
attachment, resilience and religiosity to the adjustment of conscript soldiers within the military
environment. The results showed direct and indirect case-by-case effects among the variables
mentioned above, affecting the adaptability of the conscripts during their service.
Pavlos Pavlou Psychology
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The current study provides nuanced evidence regarding the role and use of social networks in protest
activities. Premises on a rich theoretical background the study situates the study of (digital) activism under
a multidisciplinary approach. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative methods, it explores the solidarity
movement in favor of Irianna which took place in Greece in 2017-2018.
Ioanna Pilavaki Social and Political
Sciences
“Sexual Harassment in Workplace: Critical Feminist Analysis of the Trade Unions and Employers’
Organizations Role in Cyprus”.
Supervisor: Alexia Panagiotou, Associate Professor
The purpose of this research is to present a critical feminist analysis of the way Cypriot trade unions and
employers’ organizations, have dealt with the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace over the years,
focusing on the organizational theory model (power, structure, organization). The ultimate goal was to
identify and analyze systemic and organizational factors which are an obstacle to dealing with sexual
harassment.