University of Cyprus

About: University of Cyprus is a education organization based out in Nicosia, Cyprus. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Large Hadron Collider & Context (language use). The organization has 3624 authors who have published 15157 publications receiving 412135 citations.

Laboratory experimental testing of inerters

Abstract: This paper presents experimental results from the testing of mechanical networks involving inerter devices. The tests are carried out using a hydraulic ram actuator whose displacement is controlled in a closed-loop system. A methodology is proposed for the testing of inerter devices which amounts to the design of a buffer network to be connected in series with the inerter device during testing. This avoids instability and nonlinear phenomena which are otherwise observed with the testing of inertial loads using this type of hydraulic actuator. It is shown that the admittance of the inerter devices approaches the ideal inerter admittance over a useful frequency range.

Identification and validation of biomarkers for autism spectrum disorders

Abstract: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental dis­ orders, but effective medical treatments for the core symptoms of the disorder are still lack­ ing. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM­5), the core symptoms of ASD comprise deficits in social communication and inter­ action, and repetitive and restricted behaviours, which include sensory abnormalities. Novel genetic and preclinical approaches now pro­ vide unprecedented opportunities to identify the underpinning pathophysiological mecha­ nisms and aetiology­based treatment targets, as discussed in a Review article by Ghosh et al. (Drug discovery for autism spectrum dis order: challenges and opportunities. Nat. Rev. Drug Discov. 12, 777–790 (2013))1. This has led to more interest from the pharmaceutical indus­ try in an area in which the overall risk of failure is seen as very high because key par ameters of drug efficiency are not yet established and the regulatory environment is uncertain. For exam­ ple, industry has recently invested in several pre­competitive projects, such as the European Union (EU) Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI)­brokered public–private partnership EU­AIMS (European Autism Inter ventions — A Multicentre Study for Developing New Medications)2. However, even when new compounds that show preclinical promise for ASD are found, there are still considerable challenges in test­ ing them in clinical trials. For instance, the current practice of testing treatments in clini­ cally and biologically heterogeneous patient groups hampers the ability of investigators to detect potentially significant efficacy sig­ nals in specific subgroups who ‘respond’. There fore, we need biomarkers that stratify patient populations according to distinct biological subtypes. So far, the identification and valid ation of biomarkers has been limited by studies with small sample sizes that have insufficient power and/or because studies use different (and often not standardized) meas­ ures. We also need quantifiable, reproducible outcome measures — including surrogate end points — that are sensitive to change, in order to assess treatment efficacy. Currently, the EU­AIMS Longitudinal European Autism Project (LEAP) is the world­ wide largest multicentre, multidisciplinary study to identify stratification biomarkers for ASD and biomarkers that may serve as surro­ gate end points. In total, the study will include approximately 450 individuals with ASD between the ages of 6 and 30 years, and 350 control participants with typical development or mild intellectual disabilities. All participants are comprehensively characterized in terms of their clinical symptom profile, comorbidities, quality of life, level of adaptive function, neuro­ cognitive profile, brain structure and function (assessed using structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI), functional MRI (fMRI) and electroencephalogram (EEG)), biochemi­ cal biomarkers, prenatal environmental risk factors and genomics (see Supplementary information S1 (table)). To understand whether data generated in this study would be accepted in regulatory decisions for future clinical trials, the LEAP Group obtained scientific qualification advice from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on the population selection criteria, clinical end points and biomarker methodologies to be used. The EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) offers tailored advice to support the qualification of innovative methods that have been developed for a specific intended use in the context of research into and development of pharma­ ceuticals. The goal of using qualified meth­ ods is to enable a more robust assessment of risks versus benefits in clinical trials. Another advantage of the procedure of qualifying these methods is that, once qualified, these clini­ cal study instruments may be applied by any investigator in subsequent clinical research, thus ensuring greater scientific rigour.

Antibody tests in detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection: a meta-analysis

Abstract: Summary Background With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and the associated Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there is an imperative need for diagnostic tests that can identify the infection. Although Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) is considered to be the gold standard, serological tests based on antibodies could be very helpful. However, individual studies measuring the accuracy of the various tests are usually underpowered and inconsistent, thus, a comparison of different tests is needed. Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines. We conducted the literature search in PubMed, medRxiv and bioRxiv. For the statistical analysis we used the bivariate method for meta-analysis of diagnostic tests pooling sensitivities and specificities. We evaluated IgM and IgG tests based on Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Chemiluminescence Enzyme Immunoassays (CLIA), Fluorescence Immunoassays (FIA) and the point-of-care (POC) Lateral Flow Immunoassays (LFIA) that are based on immunochromatography. Findings In total, we identified 38 eligible studies that include data from 7,848 individuals. The analyses showed that tests using the S antigen are more sensitive than N antigen-based tests. IgG tests perform better compared to IgM ones, and show better sensitivity when the samples were taken longer after the onset of symptoms. Moreover, irrespective of the method, a combined IgG/IgM test seems to be a better choice in terms of sensitivity than measuring either antibody type alone. All methods yielded high specificity with some of them (ELISA and LFIA) reaching levels around 99%. ELISA- and CLIA-based methods performed better in terms of sensitivity (90-94%) followed by LFIA and FIA with sensitivities ranging from 80% to 86%. Interpretation ELISA tests could be a safer choice at this stage of the pandemic. POC tests (LFIA), that are more attractive for large seroprevalence studies show high specificity but lower sensitivity and this should be taken into account when designing and performing seroprevalence studies. Funding None

Reconstruction and identification of τ lepton decays to hadrons and ντ at CMS

Abstract: This paper describes the algorithms used by the CMS experiment to reconstruct and identify tau to hadrons + tau neutrino decays during Run 1 of the LHC. The performance of the algorithms is studied in proton-proton collisions recorded at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 inverse femtobarns. The algorithms achieve an identification efficiency of 50-60%, with misidentification rates for quark and gluon jets, electrons, and muons between per mille and per cent levels.

Using the history of mathematics to induce changes in preservice teachers’ beliefs and attitudes: insights from evaluating a teacher education program

Abstract: Scholars and teacher educators alike agree that teachers’ beliefs and attitudes toward mathematics are key informants of teachers’ instructional approaches. Therefore, it has become clear that, in addition to enriching preservice teachers’ (PSTs) knowledge, teacher education programs should also create opportunities for prospective teachers to develop productive beliefs and attitudes toward teaching and learning mathematics. This study explored the effectiveness of a mathematics preparatory program based on the history of mathematics that aimed at enhancing PSTs’ epistemological and efficacy beliefs and their attitudes toward mathematics. Using data from a questionnaire administered four times, the study traced the development of 94 PSTs’ beliefs and attitudes over a period of 2 years. The analysis of these data showed changes in certain dimensions of the PSTs’ beliefs and attitudes; however, other dimensions were found to change in the opposite direction to that expected. Differences were also found in the development of the PSTs’ beliefs and attitudes according to their mathematical background. The data yielded from semi-structured follow-up interviews conducted with a convenience sample of PSTs largely corroborated the quantitative data and helped explain some of these changes. We discuss the effectiveness of the program considered herein and draw implications for the design of teacher education programs grounded in the history of mathematics.