Items

• Smart or Human: Cheap Talk in Human-Machine Interaction

  This study investigates how humans interact with bodiless AI agents exhibiting strategic behavior. It examined whether social norms of fairness and altruism are applied to these agents compared to humans, and if such responses can be characterized as anthropomorphic. 96 subjects went over 52 identical rounds of repeated Ultimatum or Dictator Games against both human and/or machine agents. The experimental design manipulates three factors: economic interaction, cheap talk, and matching conditions, with Tic Tac Toe used as cheap talk to signal the strategic sophistication of agents. The findings suggest that in the absence of cheap talk, subjects apply social norms similarly to machines and humans. When human agents are present, participants exhibited favoritism towards them, indicating an in-group/out-group bias. When cheap talk was implemented, subjects interacted with two types of machine agents. AI agents were competent at Tic Tac Toe, whereas non-AI agents made moves randomly. When strategic competence was inferred through cheap talk, AI agents received more favorable treatment compared to non-AI agents. Notably, when subjects interact exclusively with machine agents in strategic bargaining, they display payoff-maximizing behavior regardless of the machine’s perceived intelligence. AI agents are perceived as more intelligent and anthropomorphic than non-AI agents, though this perception is influenced by the presence of human agents and is maximized in their absence.
• Measuring LRRK2 kinase levels with Sandwich-ELISA in an in vivo viral model of LRRK2-associated Parkinson’s disease.

  The project is about the measurement of LRRK2 kinase levels in striatum with Sandwich-ELISA in an in vivo viral model of LRRK2-associated Parkinson’s disease. LRRK2 is a protein, encoded by the LRRK2 gene and the variants of this gene are associated with familial and idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD). The importance of LRRK2 levels and their relationship to PD pathogenesis is crucial for understanding underlying mechanisms of the disease and such models are crucial to test new LRRK2-targeted treatments for PD.
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  Nazi Germany – Should we reconsider?

  This research paper studies the social psychology theories that are applicable to the phenomenon of WWII Nazi Germany. What are the psychological processes that enabled war criminals to commit such atrocities as the Jewish genocide ? This paper can be useful to assess the importance of the social psychology concepts that are identified, when considering contemporary social scenarios.
• Hybrid Silica Xerogel Coatings Reinforcing Hydrophilicity and Antimicrobial Action of Gauzes and Medical Leathers

  This study aims to combat microbial resistance and overuse of antibiotics in hospitals by developing novel antimicrobial agents from diverse sources. Nanotechnology has significantly impacted daily life, including medicine, by improving intracellular drug delivery. The study uses dendritic polymers, polyethyleneimine (PEI), to create sustainable antibiotic delivery technology for coating medicinal leathers and gauzes. Four different antibiotics were studied. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the coatings' ability to maintain biological activity in treated leathers and the xerogel with antibiotics combination. This initiative aims to regulate antibiotic use through controlled release and create xerogels with different antibiotic components for future use.
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  Enhancing Athlete Performance: A Strategic Approach Through the Deployment of Emerging Technologies in Sports Organizations

  This capstone project introduces a model Sports Information System (SIS) that harnesses advanced technologies—Artificial Intelligence (AI), wearables, Virtual Reality (VR), and Social Network Analysis (SNA)—to enhance athletic performance and strategic decision-making within sports organizations. The SIS integrates athlete biometrics, game analysis, and behavioral insights to deliver comprehensive performance assessments and actionable recommendations. The goal of the system is to align IT/IS strategies with the business visions of sports organizations, enabling them to optimize training, prevent injuries, and improve game strategies effciently. The project provides a strategic roadmap for the SIS implementation, highlighting its adaptability to changing sports and technology landscapes. This SIS positions sports organizations to leverage data-driven insights for competitive advantage, offering a foundation for future growth and technological integration in the sports industry.
• Different Correlations of Growth versus Fixed Mindset with Academic Resilience and Academic Performance

  Existing literature on growth mindset presents mixed findings on the statistical significance of growth mindset in relation to academic resilience and performance in university student samples. This research focused on mindset as a two-factor concept consisting of growth and fixed mindset. Growth mindset was expected to present significant and positive correlations with both academic variables, while fixed mindset was expected to correlate negatively. An online survey administered to 150 Deree students showed significant positive associations of growth mindset with academic resilience (rs=.48, p<.001) and academic performance (rs=.23, p<.01), compared to negative correlations observed with fixed mindset (rs=-.29, p<.001; rs=-.22, p<.05), as predicted.
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  Measuring LRRK2 Levels in The Ventral Midbrain in a G2019S mutant LRRK2-associated Parkinson’s Disease Mouse Model

  Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of motor control and dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta region in the ventral midbrain. Only 5-10% of PD cases are familial, with the most common dominantly-inherited gene being LRRK2. LRRK2 holds a high potential as a PD biomarker due to its hyperactive kinase function associated with idiopathic PD and mutant LRRK2-induced PD, where G2019S is the most common pathogenic mutation. Methodology: In-house Sandwich ELISA was used to measure total LRRK2, flag-tagged LRRK2, and phosphorylated LRRK2 levels in the ventral midbrains of mice 3-weeks post-injection with helpful adenovirus vectors to induce LRRK2 expression. Results: Differences were observed in LRRK2 levels between treatment groups, however they were found to be insignificant 3-weeks post-injection. For future research, larger cohorts and measuring LRRK2 levels at later time-points should be considered.
• Molecular Phylogenetics of Endangered Loggerhead Populations of Crete

  Marine turtles represent one of the most anatomically peculiar categories of animals, falling into two big taxonomical classifications, the Dermochelyidae and the Cheloniidae. The loggerhead Caretta caretta turtles belong to the Carettini division of the Cheloniidae family of Testudines. This thesis examined the genetic diversity of loggerhead turtles based on the genetic structure of a population of marine turtles from six nesting areas of Crete, Greece. This was a laboratory-based research project for which 95 individuals from Mediterranean grounds of the island of Crete were sampled and examined with the application of different molecular analysis and bioinformatics methods. From a conservation standpoint, as the subject of study is a threatened species, it is important to understand and research origins, migration pathways and nesting sites to comprehensively determine a conservation plan. Despite considering ecological importance, management, diversity and economy, conservation projects play an important role in shaping communities as there is a common ethical responsibility to preserve ecosystems and wildlife, part of the legacy for future generations.
• Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover: Assessment of Nonverbal Impressions

  Within the area of Social Psychology many have wondered how accurate the impression formation on the basis of nonverbal behavior is. Non-verbal behavior is a form of communication through dynamic cues like the body, face, pitch and even appearance. According to previous literature, these nonverbal cues can help us infer an individual’s characteristics. Thus, one quickly starts to make attributions. Within the topic of attribution, and impression formation, the literature suggests mixed findings. It is thus important to assess factors like gender and culture that possibly contribute to this controversy.
• The Role of Sustainability in Internationalization: A Study on Greek MNEs

  In today’s business world CSR and internationalization have emerged as pivotal strategies, reshaping economic dynamics and emphasizing societal priorities. This research paper explores the integration of sustainability within MNEs and its correlation with internationalization strategies. Additionally, it investigates how customer perceptions of sustainability influence MNEs' international decision-making processes. Employing a combination of literature review and qualitative research through semi-structured interviews with managers of three Greek dairy MNEs, this paper concludes by providing certain managerial implications even though they cannot be generalized due to the low degree of external validity. Ultimately, this study seeks to enhance understanding sustainability's role in MNE operations and strategies in today's globalized business environment.