lets research issue 3

contentpage

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medicine

humanities

pure & applied sciences

environmental sciences6 - Airspace - Air pollution monitoring from space

8 - Hydrophonic Systems

10 - Archeology from space

14 - Human Macula

research news16 - Smart Escalator

18 - European Proposals’ Calls

editorial4 -Relaxation state-of-mind

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editorialnoteRelaxation state-of-mind

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Relaxation is the point where challenge is low and the skills of the individuals are high.

Team Members Editors in-chief board

Martha Katafygiotou Efi NisiforouAntigoni ParmaxiThomas PhotiadisPantelis Yiasemis

Design Editor

Demetra Perdiou

Relaxation is any method, process, procedure, or activity that helps a person to relax; to attain a state of in-creased calmness; or otherwise reduce levels of anxiety or stress.

Relaxation during summer time en-hances research ideas and creative work. Relaxation is the point where

challenge is low and the skills of the individuals are high.

Therefore, this state-of-mind can in-crease the stock of knowledge, includ-ing culture and society, and the use of this stock to reinforce research.

We welcome you to the 3rd issue of the Let’s Research e-magazine. Enjoy the reading and keep researching.

As always we welcome your comments and feedback.

D.G. Hadjimitsis, Cyprus University of Technology | [email protected], Cyprus University of Technology | [email protected]. Mamouri, Cyprus University of Technology | [email protected]

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ENviRoNMENtAl SciENcES

AIRSPACEAir pollution monitoring from space.

The South Eastern Med-iterranean region is an atmospheric cross road where aerosols of different origins can be observed. Atmospheric pollution due

to particulate matter from natural and anthropogenic sources is a continuing problem in many areas of Cyprus. Par-ticulate matter (PM) is a major com-ponent of urban air pollution and has a significant effect on human health. High quality PM monitors with a fine spatial and temporal resolution nec-essary for decision making authorities to decide effective control strategies and to inform the general public. The AIRSPACE research project was es-tablished with the main aim of com-bining remote sensing data (mainly MODIS) with concurrent in-situ obser-vations (sunphotometric, LIDAR and ground level PM measurements) for monitoring air pollution in an integrat-ed manner. AIRSPACE aims to develop a novel methodology based on in-situ observations in order to use satellite retrieval as a tool for monitoring air particulate pollution.Aerosol Optical Thickness- AOT from MODIS sensor (Terra/Aqua) and sun-photometer measurements of AOT and concentra-tions of PM in conjunction with mete-orological data (RH) as well as data of the Planetary Boundary Layer after the processing of lidar signals on daily basis gave more precise results. The researchers of Cyprus University of

Technology (CUT) collected the data in daily basis and after the procedure us-ing the appropriate software, the data classify for the derivation of algorithm. The creation of this database compris-es the basic elements in order to de-velop the algorithm for measuring the ground-based air pollution using only satellite data and this has not hap-pened again in Cyprus. The knowledge of air pollution using remote sensing data will help greatly to protect the population and especially the vulner-able groups in case of high air pollu-tion levels according to the laws of the European Union. The results of this re-search program are extremely encour-aging. The remote sensing data can yield largely terrestrial data of aero-sols by using ancillary meteorological data for each study area.The combined use of sun-photome-ter and PM impactors as well as the satellite data for the four main cities of Cyprus, gave a clear results that satellite data could be used in the fu-ture for monitoring ground PM concen-trations. Limassol comprise the main study area and the volume of data in accordance with the number of instru-ments used can give greater punctual-ity, while the vertical structure of the atmosphere could provide information about the source of pollutants, in order to estimate the influence of the long range transportation such as desert aerosols or smoke particles. There-fore a large amount of measurements

Airspace, in-situ observations and satellite retrievals as a tool for monitoring air particulate pollution.

performed for the main study area and the area of Nicosia in different weather conditions which allows better classi-fication in various possible cases. Additionally, within AIRSPACE project for Limassol site, a detailed analysis was conducted for the PM character-ization under different meteorologi-cal conditions using remote sensing data from the sun-photometer CIMEL (AERONET). Using michrophysical and optical properties of aerosols, a better categorization of the aerosol type was performed and thus we better retrieved the algorithm combined the satellite de-rived AOT and the ground-based meas-urements of PM. Data sets from three types of sites (urban, near urban and ru-ral) were used to establish a correlation and develop a statistical model for the estimation of the PM mass concentra-tions using AOT measured from remote sensing techniques and meteorological parameters. Furthermore, the ground truth observations collected within AIR-SPACE project were used to assess for qualitative and quantitative performance of a chemical model forecast over Cyprus regarding PM concentration.

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Dr. Nikos Tzortzakis, Cyprus University of Technology | [email protected]

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Sustainable of Biotic and Abiotic Parameter in Hydroponically Grown Tomatoes and Lettuce-HYDROFLIES

ENviRoNMENtAl SciENcES

The HYDROFLIES project entitled “Sustainable of Biotic and Abiotic Pa-rameter in Hydroponical-ly Grown Tomatoes and Lettuce-HYDROFLIES”

has been established on the basis of K3_01_03 on 15/10/2012 at Inter-Bor-der Cooperation Programme between Greece-Cyprus 2007-2013, co-fi-nanced 80% by the European Union (ERDF) and 20% by National Funds of Greece and Cyprus.The aim of the project is the develop-ment of closed hydroponics systems in greenhouses (recycling nutrient solutions) for two important vege-tables, tomato and lettuce, grown in Crete and Cyprus, as well as farmers training to use them. Furthermore, the “Hydroflies” team will develop a mass

rearing system for two important ben-eficial insects that will be used to con-trol various herbivore pests such as Tuta absoluta, whiteflies and others in order to minimize the use of pesti-

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Development ofclosed hydroponics system in thegreenhouses, tomatoand lettuce.

cides. Finally, a management protocol for nutrient solutions and phytopatho-logical problems will be drawn up for these crops especially for Crete and Cyprus microclimate, which can be used to implement a single certifica-tion for these products. By doing thus, we hope to increase the

existing qualities of the products while maximizing their safety for their con-sumption.The public union participants are the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), the Mediterranean Agronomic Insti-tute of Chania (MAICh), the Institute of Olive Tree & Subtropical Plants of Chania (ELGO-DIMITRA) and the University of Crete (UC) which com-bine significant research experience in these issues, and through their direct cooperation in this proposal, their ex-pertise will be transferred and devel-oped directly through farmers in Crete and Cyprus. The transfer of knowledge to farmers will be achieved through the participa-tion of the Municipality of K. Polemid-ia (DIPO) in Cyprus and of MAICh and ELGO in Crete.

hydroponicsystems

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Exploration ofcompletely unknownarchaeological deposits

HuMANitiES

archeologyfrom spaceSpace observations are well established and non-destructive techniques within archaeological research for discovering and mapping visible and buried archaeological remains.

During the last years, ur-ban expansion is con-sidered to be one of the major threats for mon-uments in the broad-er area of Cyprus. The

building boom in Paphos area-town (SW of Cyprus) was relatively sudden and abrupt, due to large population movements in the undeveloped are-as. Furthermore, this phenomenon of the urbanization resulted extensive archaeological excavations of rescued character. Extensive construction and building development has taken place, and several areas of archaeo-logical interest suffer from the wide-spread urban growth. The archaeolog-ical sites that suffered the most from urban expansion and building boom during the ’80s in the centre of mod-

ern Paphos area are the ancient ne-cropolises.Urbanisation processes as a result of population growth, migration and in-frastructure initiatives have a direct impact to the Cultural Heritage Sites. In an increasingly urbanizing world, satellite remote sensing is widely applied to delineate urban footprints i.e. the extent of urbanized areas on a regional scale. Indeed, such technolo-gies may be used in order to protect areas with archaeological interest for future systematic excavations by the archaeological community.Satellite remote sensing in archaeol-ogy has been effectively applied since the first images have become availa-ble to archaeologists and researchers. Since the second half of last century, satellite images have been largely

employed in archaeological research giving a relevant contribution in the studying of partially known sites or in the exploration of completely un-known archaeological deposits. In the last decade, the new technological achievements of space technology such as higher spatial resolution and hyperspectral data, offer new oppor-tunities for future archaeological dis-coveries. The “RiskA” project aims to map and monitor all monuments listed by the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus

Diofantos G. Hadjimitsis , Remote Sensing and GeoEnviroment Laboratory | [email protected] Agapiou, Remote Sensing and GeoEnviroment Laboratory | [email protected] D. Alexakis, Remote Sensing and GeoEnviroment Laboratory | [email protected] Lysandrou, Restoration of Monuments and Sites, Kykkos Museum | [email protected]

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in the district of Paphos. Several im-portant monuments and Cultural Heritage sites are found in this area. Among them are the Nea Paphos and the Tombs of the Kings archaeological sites, listed by UNESCO as World Her-itage Monuments. In addition buried archaeological features can be detect-ed and extracted using remote sensing techniques. Initially, a multi-temporal satellite da-tabase was examined for monitoring urban expansion in the area of Paphos in the last 40 years. Specifically, four multispectral Landsat TM/ETM+ im-ages, as well as a radiance calibrated DMSP-OLS night-time data set for 2010 were used. Several classification techniques have been evaluated for the purpose of this study. The aim of these techniques was to maximize the accuracy of the final outcome (urban class). For this reason both simple and more complex algorithms have been used.The Landsat dataset was clas-sified into four main land cover types (built up areas; water bodies; vegeta-tion and land). The classification results from the Landsat imagery displays a complex urban footprint of a coalescent ur-ban core and a complex, sprawling

suburban to splinter development in rural areas. The classification results were examined in order to evaluate the urban expansion in the vicinity of the cultural heritage sites of Paphos. The results indicate that the urban land coverage in the vicinity of cultural heritage sites is increased during the period 1984 -2010. A more detail ob-servation of the results indicate that urban expansion has been increased by 350% during the last 35 years. As it was found from an almost 4% of the land cover in 1984, urban areas were increased to 7% in 1990, 11% in 2000 and 14% in 2010 (Figure 1).

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The detectionof buriedarcheologicalfeautures.

HuMANitiES

However, some archaeological sites and monuments have been protect-ed before the building boom of the last decade. Important sites such as Tombs of the Kings and Nea Paphos have been declared as World Herit-age monuments, and therefore a vast area has remained untouched by ur-ban sprawl. In these areas, remote

sensing, both from space or ground, can be systematically used for ar-chaeological research. Further to the documentation of existing monuments (i.e. photogrammetry), remote sens-ing techniques may be also used for the detection of buried archaeologi-cal features. As it is shown in Figure 2, archaeological relics may be identi-fied from aerial or satellite data. The ancient theatre located in the NW part of the ancient city of Nea Paphos can be detected before the archaeologists have contacted excavations at the site. In this way, remote sensing tech-niques can also be used for identifying such buried archaeological features and therefore protecting these monu-ments.

Acknowledgements:The results reported here are based on findings of the Cyprus Research Promo-tion Foundation project “ΑΕΙΦΟΡΙΑ/ΚΟΙΑΦ/0311(ΒΙΕ)/06”: Managing Cul-tural Heritage Sites through Space and ground Technologies using Geo-graphical Information Systems: A Pilot application at the archaeological sites of Paphos. The project is funded by the Republic of Cyprus and the European Regional Development Funds.

Figure 1: Urban expansion of PaphosCity from 1984 -2010.

Figure 2: Airphoto taken from 1945 from the Nea Paphos Archeological site.

The Theater is clearly identified as soil mark (left), before it was excavated (right)

Kristis Vevis, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London. Michael B. Powner, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London. Jenny AG. McKenzie, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London. Meidong Zhu, Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney.Mark C. Gillies, Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney.Marcus Fruttiger, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London .*[email protected]

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Gene expression profiling of the Human Macula.

humanmaculaM

acular telangiec-tasia type 2 (Mac-Tel-2) affects spe-cifically an oval area (2x3mm) within the macula which is

consistent from patient to patient and throughout the disease.It is not known why only this area is affected and what is special about this area.Purpose: To identify differentially ex-pressed genes in MacTel area, from post mortem control human tissues, which might reveal mechanisms of the disease and unique properties of the macula in general.Methods: Human post mortem (max-imum 6 hours) retinas collected in RNAlater® were dissected, isolating 5 regions according to the schemat-ic representation: RNA was isolat-

ed and reverse transcribed to cDNA which was used for qPCR analysis and differential display (gene fishing).

Conclusions: RNA quality of human tissue up to 6 hours post mortem, is of good qual-ity for gene expression analysis as shown from the control genes tested with qPCR.Genes implicated in vitamin A and retinaldehyde metabolism are ex-pressed at lower levels in the macu-la compared to the peripheral retinaGlutamate pathway may differen-tially function between macula and periphery as shown from ADARB1 profile.

Financial Support: This study was supported by a grant from the Lowy Medical Research.

MEDiciNE

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Purpose: To identify differentially expressed genes in MacTel area

Dr. Anastasios Theodorou, European University Cyprus | [email protected]. George Panayiotou, European University Cyprus |[email protected]

Dr. Anastasios Theodorou, European Universuty of Cyprus | [email protected]. George Panayiotou, European University Cyprus | [email protected]

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smartescalatorproject

PuRE & APPliED SciENcES

"Produce a pioneeringdevice and knowledgeleading to improvepublic health and qualityof life of citizens.

The SmartEscalator proj-ect aim was to produced a pioneering device and knowledge leading to improvement of public health and quality of life

of citizens, placing emphasis on the elderly and physically disabled peo-ple. Considering the fact that during the last decades life expectancy has increased, this means that there are more people in the society which face limited movement abilities. Physi-cal inactivity and aging leads to sig-nificant losses in muscle mass and strength, disturbed blood lipid profile, increased incidence of obesity and decreased ability to independently perform activities of daily living. Un-fortunately, the vast majority of older people avoid exercise. Probably, the major reason why these individuals abstain from exercise is the belief that exercise requires special activi-ties, too much effort has to be put on and require particular physical skills from the participants. Indeed, these concerns are true for most types of exercise. Therefore, modern training regimes should be efficient, short in duration and easier to be performed

than traditional exercise interventions.Recently, an eccentric exercise model has been suggested by our group as a form of physical activity that may im-prove muscle performance and induce several health-promoting adaptations (1, 2, 3, 4). More specifically, in a previ-ous study from our group, we reported that only 30 min of eccentric exercise per week for eight weeks was suffi-cient to improve health risk factors (3). However, in that investigations, we used specialized equipment (isokinetic dynamometer) employing abnormal muscle movement and we adopted an exercise protocol of maximal effort that is difficult to be followed by the elderly. Considering these limitations, and in order to investigate whether the benefits of pure eccentric exercise can be transferred to daily activities of life (3), a new and friendlier way to perform eccentric exercise had to be invented. To this end, we have pro-ceeded to the design and construc-tion of an automatic escalator, offering both stair descending (eccentric-bi-ased) and stair ascending (concentric-biased) exercise. The device is unique of its kind and it has been constructed in European University Cyprus for re-

search use only. Based on our studies (5, 6), stair de-scending exercise appears to be a pleasant and mild activity that can be easily followed by the elderly (6). Compared to the more demanding stair ascending exercise, changes in muscle strength are similar or even greater. Elderly or people with im-paired endurance wishing to increase their muscle strength may be ben-efited by participating in activities with strong eccentric component, such as stair descending.

AcknowledgementsThis work was co-funded by the Euro-pean Regional Development Fund andthe Republic of Cyprus through the Re-search Promotion Foundation [ProjectΥΓΕΙΑ/ΔΥΓΕΙΑ/0308(ΒΙΕ)/27].

researchnews

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European Proposals’ CallsImportant Dates:7 JUNE 2013 7th Young Cultural Policy Researchers’ Forum http://www.encatc.org/pages/index.php?id=83

10 JUNE 2013INTRA-ACP academic mobility scheme - Africa (Mwalimu Nyerere) and the Caribbean and Pacific - EU Member States can participate in the call as Technical Partners or Associated Partners

EACEA/45/12http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/intra_acp_mobility/funding/2013/call_eacea_45_12_en.php

13 JUNE 2013CIP: Sustainable Industry Low Carbon Scheme - SILC I – 201367-G-ENT-CIP-13-D-N03S02

17 JUNE 2013Preparatory action on development of prevention activities to halt desertification in Europe http://ec.europa.eu/environment/funding/desertification_13.htm

18 JUNE 2013 CIP: Towards World-Class Clusters - Promoting Cluster Excellence62-G-ENT-CIP-13-N04C031

20 JUNE 2013 PROGRESS Programme Industrial Relations and Social DialogueVP/2013/001

researchnews

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24 JUNE 2013 PROGRESS Programme Information, consultation and participation of representatives of undertakingsVP/2013/003

24 JUNE 2013 Civil Protection Financial InstrumentCivil protection mechanism exercises 2013http://ec.europa.eu/echo/funding/opportunities/calls/2013_call_CP_Mecha-nism_Exercises_en.htm

25 JUNE 2013 LIFE + 2013 LIFE+ Nature and BiodiversityLIFE+ Environment Policy and GovernanceLIFE+ Information and Communication http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus2013/call/index.htm

2 JULY 2013 CIP: European Design Innovation Platform76-G-ENT-CIP-13-C-N05S00

3 JULY 2013 CIP: Supporting the enhancement and promotion of sustainable transnational thematic tourism products” 70-G-ENT-CIP-13-B-N03S04

9 JULY 2013 CIP: Building and Implementing Strategic Roadmaps of Demand-side Policy Measures to boost Demand for Industrial Innovations68/G/ENT/CIP/13/C/N02C011

researchnews

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11 JULY 2013 Specific programme “Drug Prevention and Information - Action Grants” JUST/2013/DPIP/AG

31 JULY 2013 Cooperation projects to create transnational tourism products based on cultural and industrial heritage.69/G/ENT/PPA/13/411

31 JULY 2013 Cooperation projects to create transnational tourism products based on cultural and industrial heritage.69/G/ENT/PPA/13/411http://goo.gl/98k4x

14 AUGUST 2013FP7 People: IEF Intra-European FellowshipsFP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF

14 AUGUST 2013FP7 People: IIF International Incoming FellowshipsFP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF

14 AUGUST 2013FP7 People: IOF International Outgoing FellowshipFP7-PEOPLE-2013-IOF

29 AUGUST 2013 European Policy Network of National Literacy Organisations EAC/S05/13http://ec.europa.eu/education/calls/s0513_en.htm

lets research issue 3

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