The Cyprus Institute

About: The Cyprus Institute is a other organization based out in Nicosia, Cyprus. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Aerosol & Environmental science. The organization has 418 authors who have published 1252 publications receiving 32586 citations.

Demonstration of inscription and ablation of phase masks for the production of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd order FBG gratings using a femtosecond laser

Abstract: We present to the best of our knowledge the first example of femtosecond laser inscription/ablation of phase/amplitude masks for the demonstrated purpose of inscribing Bragg gratings in optical fibers. We show that the utilization of a femtosecond laser for the mask production allows for great flexibility in controlling the mask period. The masks are used to produce 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd order fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) in SMF-28. The work demonstrates the proof of concept and flexibility for the use of femtosecond lasers for the rapid prototyping of complex and reproducible mask structures. Our inscription studies are augmented by considerations of three-beam interference effects that occur as a result of the strong zeroth-order component that is present in addition to higher-order diffraction components.

Human osteoarchaeology in Greece: research themes, challenges and potential

Abstract: The development of human osteoarchaeology in Greece has been the subject of a number of papers (for example Agelarakis 1995; Roberts et al. 2005; Buikstra and Lagia 2009; Lagia et al. 2014). The volume New Directions in the Skeletal Biology of Greece (Schepartz et al. 2009) constituted a milestone in the field by bringing together the work of multiple scholars, employing a diverse thematic focus and stressing the value of the potential of human osteoarchaeology in exploring the past. Recent years have witnessed significant developments in the field across Greece with respect to the research themes explored and the methodological approaches adopted, as well as important institutional changes. These developments are reflected in this review, which focuses on the progress of human osteoarchaeological studies in Greece in the 21st century, the research questions they address, the challenges they face and their envisaged future.

Physical Activity in Polluted Air-Net Benefit or Harm to Cardiovascular Health? A Comprehensive Review.

Abstract: Both exposure to higher levels of polluted air and physical inactivity are crucial risk factors for the development and progression of major noncommunicable diseases and, in particular, of cardiovascular disease. In this context, the World Health Organization estimated 4.2 and 3.2 million global deaths per year in response to ambient air pollution and insufficient physical activity, respectively. While regular physical activity is well known to improve general health, it may also increase the uptake and deposit of air pollutants in the lungs/airways and circulation, due to increased breathing frequency and minute ventilation, thus increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Thus, determining the tradeoff between the health benefits of physical activity and the potential harmful effects of increased exposure to air pollution during physical activity has important public health consequences. In the present comprehensive review, we analyzed evidence from human and animal studies on the combined effects of physical activity and air pollution on cardiovascular and other health outcomes. We further report on pathophysiological mechanisms underlying air pollution exposure, as well as the protective effects of physical activity with a focus on oxidative stress and inflammation. Lastly, we provide mitigation strategies and practical recommendations for physical activity in areas with polluted air.

Baryon structure from Lattice QCD

Abstract: We present recent lattice results on the baryon spectrum, nucleon electromagnetic and axial form factors, nucleon to Δ transition form factors as well as the Δ electromagnetic form factors. The masses of the low lying baryons and the nucleon form factors are calculated using two degenerate flavors of twisted mass fermions down to pion mass of about 270 MeV. We compare to the results of other collaborations. The nucleon to Δ transition and Δ form factors are calculated in a hybrid scheme, which uses staggered sea quarks and domain wall valence quarks. The dominant magnetic dipole nucleon to Δ transition form factor is also evaluated using dynamical domain wall fermions. The transverse density distributions of the Δ in the infinite momentum frame are extracted using the form factors determined from lattice QCD.

A multi-objective Optimisation Approach to Explore Decarbonisation Pathways in a Dynamic Policy Context

Abstract: Climate policy is changing fast in the European Union, with country leaders raising the bloc’s ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 2050. However, there is uncertainty about the allocation of decarbonisation effort between EU member states. This paper develops a multi-objective optimisation framework to provide insights to decision makers in this policy context by exploring trade-offs between stronger decarbonisation goals and higher costs. Applying this approach we find that, unless the 2030 policy objective is very ambitious, small changes in emission abatement do not entail large changes in costs. The picture changes when decision-making explicitly accounts for external costs of emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants in the optimisation procedure. In this case the costs to comply with a specific 2030 target rise faster the more ambitious the target becomes, but most decisions lead to negative social costs, which means that decarbonisation will be beneficial to the national economy. We also address the required level of investments and public expenditures for implementing specific policy mixes and the attainability of climate neutrality by 2050 as pledged by the EU. Although the modelling framework has been developed for a specific country and is tailored to the specific EU policy circumstances, the proposed methodology is entirely suitable for other world regions with a demanding decarbonisation roadmap.