bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health Professionals' Perceptions of the Robot ”Giraff” in Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Authors: Boman Inga-Lill
Published: February 2025

This exploratory study examined nurses' perceptions of using the robot “Giraff” in their work in brain injury rehabilitation. The robot is a mobile robotic that is driven remotely via a computer and pc-mouse. All nurses at a rehabilitation clinic in Stockholm, Sweden received training in how to handle the “Giraff”. After the training session they were asked to answer a questionnaire regarding their perceptions of using the robot in their work. The results indicated that the robot “Giraff” could be useful to check on the patient, handle alarms and unforeseen situations and be funny to use. The potentials of the robot reported prompt for further research into the use of mobile telepresence robotics in brain injury rehabilitation. In a forthcoming study we are going to interview patients, occupational therapists and nurses' to assess their experiences in using the “Giraff”.
Observational Study to Explore Predictors and Use of Remote Telecare
Authors: Barakat Ansam  , Van Houwelingen Thijs  , Antonietti Angelo  , Kort Helianthe
Published: February 2025

Introduction: The demand for care is increasing, whereas the number of people working in professional care is decreasing. Remote Telecare (RT) technology can help to meet the growing demand for care. The purpose of this observational study was to explore the main skills barriers for using RT by healthcare professionals and older adults. Methods: Observation at location, using a standardized observation list for the nurses working in home care organizations and older adults. A comparison was made between nurses/older adults already using RT and nurses/older adults who do not use RT. 22 tasks were conducted to test the skills of nurses and 27 to test the skills of older adults(scale 1to 10). For the statistical analysis the Mann-Whitney U Test was used. Results: 16 nurses and 18 older adults participated. 50% of the nurses and 40% of the older adults already used RT. For nurses, the average of all constructed domains was higher than 8.0. Older adults scored on average a 7.0 or higher for computer use, e-mail and digital navigation. The average of Mobile phone use and TV use was lower. With regard to RT use, only nurses showed significant differences between RT users groups. Conclusion: Digital navigation and advanced computer skills could increase the adaptation/ease of use of RT for nurses. With respect to older adults, ‘Interest in ICT’ appears to be a predictor for the use of RT. The results in this study concern an observational study with a small number of participants. Therefore, the findings should be interpreted with caution.
Comparing Experience on Implementation of Health Care Technology
Authors: Schikhof Yvonne  , Goumans Marleen
Published: February 2025

In order to gain insight in the success of implementation of healthcare technology, experience of two cases compared, focusing on the technology and acceptance by healthcare professionals. Determinants from a published literature study are used, together with the factors of the Technology Acceptance Model. These are illustrated by the examples of practice-oriented research in order to help future implementation projects.
Literature Review on Monitoring Technology and Their Outcomes in Independently Living Elderly People
Authors: Peetoom Kirsten K. B.  , Lexis Monique A. S.  , Joore Manuela  , Dirksen Carmen D.  , De Witte Luc P.
Published: February 2025

Introduction Monitoring technology may be one of the key solutions to achieve a more efficient health care system and to allow elderly people to live longer independently. The use of monitoring technology may allow timely and well targeted interventions to intercept potential crises by detecting changes in health status. This is necessary as solutions are needed to deal with the growing complex care demand of elderly people. Aim Obtaining insight in which monitoring technologies exist, what the characteristics are and what is known about the outcomes by performing a systematic electronic document search. Methods A systematic electronic document search was performed in scientific databases and Google Scholar. Articles were included when reporting on monitoring technologies that detect activity of elderly people in the home environment with the aim of prolonging independent living. Results Results of the review on characteristics, purposes and reported outcomes of monitoring technology are presented in this paper.
Development of Input Device of Electric Wheelchair Considering the Characteristic of the Hand Function of Person with Severe Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Yamamoto Yuki  , Shino Motoki  , Mikata Takashi  , Inoue Takenobu
Published: February 2025

Persons with the severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) cannot operate the electric wheelchairs because of lack of muscular power and deformation of hand. To deal with this difficulty, the authors developed two new input devices. These devices were developed based on the evaluation of the hand function of persons with severe DMD. Thus these devices can be operated by slight force and movement of their fingers. Furthermore the shape of these devices is determined by considering the shape of the hands of persons with severe DMD.
Resource Use in the Service Delivery Process of Powered Wheelchairs and Scooters in Finnish Assistive Technology Centres
Authors: Sirola Pia  , Anttila Heidi
Published: February 2025

Assistive technology (AT) services support independence in the population, quality of life, as well as repair from injury, illness, or disability. This study examines the current stage of the Finnish service delivery process (SDP) as well as documenting the resource use in its different steps by professionals, device retailers and users. The results can be utilized when considering user-centred, consistent and effective services for disabled as well as for the ageing population in general.
A Test of a Walker Equipped with a Lifting Device
Authors: Glimskär Bo  , Hjalmarson Jenny
Published: February 2025

Studies have shown that about a third of all persons over 65 years who live at home fall at least once a year. Development of a lifting device that can help people raise themselves up entirely on their own, or with minimal assistance, would be a revolutionary step for the individual as compared with the lifting devices in use today. A prototype has been developed and the prototype has been tested to verify the approach. Studies have been conducted with nursing staff in a nursing home to find out the conditions for how a walker equipped with a lifting beam could facilitate the work. For caregivers dealing frequently with people who fall, this assistive device can contribute to decreasing occupational injuries.
Localising Assistive Technologies More than Inclusive Design for All – ATbar in Arabic
Authors: Draffan E.A.  , Banes D.  , Wald M.  , White M.  , Halabi N.
Published: February 2025

This paper discusses the research undertaken and challenges met when localising an open source browser-based toolbar in an environment and language not known to the developers. It shows how a framework can be created, based on an inclusive design process that results in a set of criteria to support the development of this type of technology in other linguistic settings and cultures. The resulting toolbar offered Arabic speaking web surfers the chance to personalise webpages, providing additional accessibility options when using their chosen browser. The criteria used encompassed a journey of discovery, translation in its widest sense, creation and development including the need for localised guidance materials to aid sustainability and future development.
Research on the Occupational Ability Evaluation Technique in the Group Work of Intellectually/Mentally Handicapped Persons by MODAPTS Method
Authors: Maeno Tetsuya  , Fujisawa Shoichiro  , Ito Shin-ichi  , Sato Katsuya  , Ogawa Takehiro  , Ishimoto Hiroh
Published: February 2025

The percentage of company employment as advance into society in the intellectually/mentally disabled is almost the same as that in the physically disabled, and moreover is getting higher every year. The first objective is to analyze the characteristics of the intellectually/mentally disabled more deeply in order to help the government and companies to understand them and the employment rate to increase.
Optimal fluid administration in pre-hospital field
Authors: De Gaudio Angelo Raffaele  , Mangini Marco
Published: February 2025

Administration of intravenous fluid is considered a standard of care in pre-hospital settings. Despite this, the debate about the use of crystalloids or colloids is still open. Hypertonic saline solutions can be useful in case of man-made or natural disaster because of their low costs, ease of storage and because they make it possible to expand plasma volume rapidly.
High Performance Big Data Clustering
Authors: Agrawal Ankit  , Patwary Md. Mostofa Ali  , Hendrix William  , Liao Wei-keng  , Choudhary Alok
Published: February 2025

Scientific advances are collectively exploding the amount, diversity, and complexity of data becoming available. Our ability to collect huge amounts of data has greatly surpassed our analytical capacity to make sense of it. Efficient use of high performance computing techniques is critical for the success of the data-driven paradigm to scientific discovery. Data clustering is one of the fundamental analytics tasks heavily relied upon in many application domains, like astrohpysics, climate science, bioinformatics, etc. In this book chapter, we illustrate the challenges and opportunities in mining big data using two recently developed scalable parallel clustering algorithms. Experimental results on millions of high-dimensional data points clustered in parallel on thousands of processor cores are also presented.
Semantic Technology for Supporting Software Portability and Interoperability in the Cloud – Contributions from the mOSAIC Project
Authors: Di Martino Beniamino  , Cretella Giuseppina
Published: February 2025

Cloud vendor lock-in and interoperability gaps arise (among many reasons) when semantics of resources and services, and of Application Programming Interfaces is not shared. Standards and techniques borrowed from SOA and Semantic Web Services areas might help in gaining shared, machine readable description of Cloud offerings (resources, Services at Platform and Application level, and their API groundings), thus allowing automatic discovery, matchmaking, and thus supporting selection, brokering, interoperability and even composition of Cloud Services among multiple Clouds. The EU funded mOSAIC project (http://www.mosaic-cloud.eu) aims at designing and developing an innovative open-source API and platform that enables applications to be Cloud providers' neutral and to negotiate Cloud services as requested by their users. In this context, using the mOSAIC Cloud ontology and Semantic Engine, cloud applications' developers will be able to specify their services and resources requirements independently from Cloud providers' specific solutions. In order to update and maintain the platform and the mOSAIC API, the mOSAIC Semantic Discovery Service will, on the other hand, discover Cloud providers' functionalities and resources, and will compare and align to the mOSAIC API, thus supporting agnostic and interoperable access to Cloud providers' offers.
The High-Resolution Magnetic Camera: A Novel Sensor for Eddy Current Testing
Authors: Santi Gilles  , Hippert David  , Kejik Pavel  , Picasso Marco  , Revaz Bernard  , Moser Roland  , Bleuler Hannes
Published: February 2025

Eddy current techniques are often used to detect and, in some advanced applications, to characterize fatigue surface-breaking cracks appearing in mechanical parts. One of the major difficulties in this approach is to reliably separate the crack contribution to the signal from the others (liftoff, edge effects, material property variations). This is particularly prominent in weld inspection. We present here a novel sensor consisting in an array of 200 micro-Hall sensors on a CMOS chip aligned over a length of 2 mm with a 10 μm pitch. This sensor, which we call a “high-resolution magnetic camera”, gives a direct measurement of the perturbation of the local magnetic field caused by the modification of the Eddy currents flow due to the surface-breaking crack. We show that using this technique, a crack has a very distinctive signature which can be easily distinguished from all other contributions. Finite element simulations are used to understand the signal response of different cracks. In addition, this system can perform “micro-magnetoscopy” on magnetic materials by giving a fine picture of the local variations of the magnetic field caused by the presence of a defect.
A modified Approach to Accurate Crack Depth Estimation in ACPD Technique
Authors: Mahadevan S.  , Manojkumar R.  , Rao B. P.C.  , Jayakumar T.
Published: February 2025

Crack depth measurements using alternating current potential drop (ACPD) technique on shallow and finite length cracks are prone to errors. The influence of length of notch on depth measurements in stainless steel (SS) was addressed by the authors using an ‘Equivalent Resistive circuit model’ based on the parallel path length available for the current to flow around the defect, in addition to the path available below the defect. In addition to the path length, due to changes in electrical conductivity of the material, the variation in area of cross section needs to be considered. Working in this direction, a modified model is proposed which takes into account the length and area of cross section through which the current flows in the additional path. The proposed model is able to account for the observed variations in the notch depth with length in SS, brass and aluminum having conductivities of 1.41, 18.73 and 31.51 MS/m respectively.
Orientation Dependence of Magnetic Properties on Cold-Rolled Low Carbon Steel
Authors: Kikuchi Hiroaki  , Kasamizukami Tsuyoshi  , Sato Yuki
Published: February 2025

This paper describes orientation dependence of magnetic properties on undeformed and deformed low carbon steel. Magnetic parameters have no changes for undeformed specimen when the direction of applied field changes, while the coercive force decreases and the inductance, the resistance increases with increasing the angle between the direction of applied field and the direction of cold rolling for deformed specimen. This tendency becomes more significant as the reduction ratio increases, which means uniaxial anisotropy was induced by the cold rolling and the parallel direction to cold rolling was hard axis and the perpendicular to that direction was easy axis. As reduction ratio increases dislocations increase homogeneously firstly, and then, they tangle and form cell structures. The cell structure extends to the direction parallel to cold rolling direction. These microstructure changes reflect on the magnetic properties changes including formation of anisotropy.
Numerical Models for Composite Materials In E-NDT
Authors: Barbato Lucio  , Petrarca Carlo  , Rubinacci Guglielmo  , Tamburrino Antonello  , Ventre Salvatore
Published: February 2025

From the electrical point of view, CFRP composites are characterized by an anisotropic uniaxial conductivity posing difficult problems for their electromagnetic description and numerical modeling. In this paper, the previous computational model, based on a magneto-quasi-stationary integral numerical formulation, is suitably extended to take into account the electro-quasi-static contribution as well as the magneto-quasi-static part, mainly dueto the presence of low values of the conductivity perpendicular to the fibres. The formulation is well suited for a broad spectrum of frequencies being possible to take into account low frequency applications as well as cases in which wave propagation is no more negligible. A simple example is analyzed showing the high potential of the proposed approach.
Back to Basics: Beyond Network Hygiene
Authors: ‘Fx’ Lindner Felix  , Gaycken Sandro
Published: February 2025

In the past, Computer Network Defense (CND) intended to be minimally intrusive to the other requirements of IT development, business, and operations. This paper outlines how different security paradigms have failed to become effective defense approaches, and what the root cause of the current situation is. Based on these observations, a different point of view is proposed: acknowledging the inherent composite nature of computer systems and software. Considering the problem space from the composite point of view, the paper offers ways to leverage composition for security, and concludes with a list of recommendations.
Standards for Cyber Security
Authors: Purser Steve
Published: February 2025

Standards play a key role in improving cyber defense and cyber security across different geographical regions and communities. Standardizing processes and procedures is also essential to achieve effective cooperation in cross-border and cross-community environments. The number of standards development organizations and the number of published information security standards have increased in recent years, creating significant challenges. Nations are using standards to meet a variety of objectives, in some cases imposing standards that are competing and contradictory, or excessively restrictive and not interoperable. Other standards favor companies that are already dominant in their field. The European Union, with the support of ENISA, has started to include standards in its strategies and policies, but much remains to be done. The development and use of standards is necessary, timely, and requires the involvement of public and private sector actors working in tandem.
Fast Approximate Solution of the Non-Symmetric Generalized Eigenvalue Problem on Multicore Architectures
Authors: Benner Peter  , Köhler Martin  , Saak Jens
Published: February 2025

We propose a new implementation of the sign function based spectral divide-and-conquer method for the generalized non-symmetric eigenvalue problem. The method scales well on modern multicore architectures and favorably compared to the multithreaded current QZ implementations. This is illustrated by numerous examples with computations performed on different hardware platforms with satisfactory accuracy of the computed eigenvalues.
Locality Optimization on a NUMA Architecture for Hybrid LU Factorization
Authors: Rémy Adrien  , Baboulin Marc  , Sosonkina Masha  , Rozoy Brigitte
Published: February 2025

We study the impact of non-uniform memory accesses (NUMA) on the solution of dense general linear systems using an LU factorization algorithm. In particular we illustrate how an appropriate placement of the threads and memory on a NUMA architecture can improve the performance of the panel factorization and consequently accelerate the global LU factorization. We apply these placement strategies and present performance results for a hybrid multicore/GPU LU algorithm as it is implemented in the public domain library MAGMA.
Cache and Energy Efficiency of Sparse Matrix-Vector Multiplication for Different BLAS Numerical Types with the RSB Format
Authors: Martone Michele
Published: February 2025

On a “Sandy Bridge E5-2670” CPU, we compare different performance metrics (speed, energy, cache traffic) of two multi-threaded Sparse Matrix-Vector Multiplication implementations: Intel MKL's CSR and librsb's RSB. We find out primarily that the benefit of RSB over MKL's CSR varies substantially depending on the numerical type (12–40%). We also confirm other studies' results in that energy savings are strongly correlated with fast code, and that memory traffic minimization is the primary performance factor.
Space Exploration using Parallel Orbits: a Study in Parallel Symbolic Computing
Authors: Janjic Vladimir  , Brown Christopher  , Neunhöffer Max  , Hammond Kevin  , Linton Steve  , Loidl Hans-Wolfgang
Published: February 2025

Orbit enumerations represent an important class of mathematical algorithms which is widely used in computational discrete mathematics. In this paper, we present a new shared-memory implementation of a generic Orbit skeleton in the GAP computer algebra system [5,6]. By defining a skeleton, we are easily able to capture a wide variety of concrete Orbit enumerations that can exploit the same underlying parallel implementation. We also propose a generic cost model for predicting the speedups that our Orbit skeleton will deliver for a given application on a given parallel system. We demonstrate the scalability of our implementation on a 64-core shared-memory machine. Our results show that we are able to obtain good speedups over sequential GAP programs (up to 36 on 64 cores).
Experience with the MPI/STARSS programming model on a large production code
Authors: Brömmel Dirk  , Gibbon Paul  , Garcia Marta  , López Víctor  , Marjanović Vladimir  , Labarta Jesús
Published: February 2025

This paper describes the experiences of porting a scientific application to the hybrid MPI/STARSS parallelisation. It will show that overlapping computation, I/O and communication is possible and results in a performance improvement when compared to a pure MPI approach. Essentially, this is showing the added benefit of combining shared and distributed memory programming models. We will also highlight one big advantage of the STARSS runtime which lies in dynamically adjusting the number of threads, helping to alleviate load imbalances without algorithmic restructuring.
Parallel Simulations of Self-propelled Microorganisms
Authors: Pickl Kristina  , Hofmann Matthias  , Preclik Tobias  , Köstler Harald  , Smith Ana-Sunčana  , Rüde Ulrich
Published: February 2025

The scalability of a parallel simulation of self-propelled microorganisms in a fluid in the regime of low Reynolds numbers is investigated on current HPC clusters. For this, the lattice Boltzmann solver from the WALBERLA framework is coupled with the rigid body physics engine pe. The latter is enhanced with spring-like pair-wise interactions that can not only span over neighboring process domains but as well act as long-range pair-wise interactions between distant process domains. The communication is designed in such a way that only neighboring processes and the processes hosting the objects attached to the springs communicate. The suitability and efficiency of this approach is analyzed by a weak scaling of a representative setup for a swarm simulation on two supercomputers currently in the top ten of the TOP500 list, namely JUQUEEN and SUPERMUC.
Investigating Performance Benefits from OpenACC Kernel Directives
Authors: Eagan Benjamin  , Civario Gilles  , Miceli Renato
Published: February 2025

OpenACC is a high-level programming model that uses directives for offloading computation to accelerators. This paper explores the benefit of using OpenACC performance tuning directives to manually specify GPU scheduling, versus the scheduling OpenACC applies by default. We performed manual scheduling using gang and vector clauses in a directive, and applied to matrix-matrix multiply and Classical Gram-Schmidt orthonormalisation test cases. We then tested using the NVIDIA M2090 and K20 GPGPUs, in conjunction with both the PGI and CAPS implementations of OpenACC. The speedup realised by tuning the gang and vector values ranged from 1.0 to 3.1 in the test cases examined. This shows that the gang and vector values have a large impact on performance, and in some cases the compilers are able to automatically select ideal gang and vector values.
Autotuning of Pattern Runtimes for Accelerated Parallel Systems
Authors: Bajrovic Enes  , Benkner Siegfried  , Dokulil Jiri  , Sandrieser Martin
Published: February 2025

Parallel architectures with node-level accelerators promise significant performance improvements over conventional homogeneous systems. To cope with the increased complexity of programming such systems various pattern-based programming libraries have become available. In this paper we present our work on providing autotuning capabilities for two runtime libraries that provide parallel programming patterns on state-of-the-art heterogeneous hardware. We present a brief overview of these runtime libraries, outline possible integration with existing tuning frameworks and present initial experimental results.
Autotuning the energy consumption
Authors: Navarrete Carmen B.  , Guillen Carla  , Hesse Wolfram  , Brehm Matthias
Published: February 2025

The AutoTune energy plugin here presented selects and configures the frequency of the compute nodes for program regions based on actually executed patterns, while having only a minimal or acceptable performance impact. This plugin allows to determine the dependence of application performance on processors frequency and the energy consumption. The plugin is based on a self-developed library which allows to know the distribution of the energy consumption among the different components of the compute nodes of a Sandy-Bridge supercomputer system while using the dynamic frequency scaling system feature to give some control in throttling the system to consume less power when not operating at full capacity. We also present an energy model to be used with that plugin, which will enable the detailed analysis of a parallel code as a whole, i.e. per code region and task and, which will serve information for a possible heuristic function.
Towards a Performance Engineering Workflow for OpenMP 4.0
Authors: Schmidl Dirk  , Iwainsky Christian  , Terboven Christian  , Bischof Christian H.  , Müller Matthias S.
Published: February 2025

Parallel programming and performance optimization of parallel programs are not simple tasks. Various HPC and OpenMP courses as well as literature serve as introduction to this topic. Assuming the role of HPC beginners we evaluate how far the knowledge acquired from introductory courses and literature can drive performance optimization of a conjugate gradient kernel. We concentrate on OpenMP programming for a large NUMA machine and investigate the new target construct in OpenMP 4.0 to offload to a Xeon Phi coprocessor. We evaluate the final results with a performance model. From these experiences we propose a performance engineering workflow for general use.
Multiobjective Particle Swarm Optimization for a Multicast Routing Problem
Authors: Marinakis Yannis  , Migdalas Athanasios
Published: February 2025

Routing has always been of immense importance in communication networks due to its impact on the network performance. The significance of scalable and adaptive routing has sky-rocked during the last decade as a consequence of the ever increasing demand for Internet and mobile communications. A routing algorithm selects one or more paths over which devices communicate with each other. In this paper, a new Multiobjective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) algorithm, with a new velocity equation, for the solution of the Multiobjective Multicast Routing Problem is proposed and tested. A number of variants of the proposed algorithm with global and local exploration abilities are presented and compared with each other. In order to estimate the quality of the methodology, experiments are conducted using classic Euclidean Traveling Salesman Problem benchmark instances taken from the TSP library, modified suitably for the selected problem. The preliminary results indicate the efficiency of the proposed method.
Guidelines for Technology that Supports Physical Activity by Elderly
Authors: Zach Jelena  , Lorenz Katharina  , Joost Gesche
Published: February 2025

In this paper we describe guidelines derived from developing a mobile touchscreen based assistive tool which aims to maintain and improve individual health conditions and support physical activity by elderly. We do not focus on the features of the tool but rather on the general insights about the persuasive technology that were gained from interviews, focus groups and iterative co-creation workshops.
Creating enabling environments for Indian elderly; Methodology for identification of environmental challenges
Authors: Sankat Sandeep  , Khare Rachna  , Chaurasia Devarshi
Published: February 2025

The aim of the paper is to understand the situations of Indian elderly and to generate design parameters which when followed will create enabling environment for Indian elderly. To begin with an extensive literature review is done to understand aging, associated problems and the International concepts. Then a field survey is performed to identify the challenges elderly face in activities of daily living (ADLs) in Indian context. The survey is done for the upcoming urban housing typologies in India. These upcoming typologies are identified with market survey and scientific layering of the data. Then 27 elderly in the age group of 60 to 85 years representing independent elderly, frail elderly, and dependent elderly are studied using different environment-behaviour research tools, living in joint and nuclear families, in identified housing typologies. The collected data from interview questionnaires, audios, traces and photographs, is analyzed in layers to identify 26 environmental issues. Based on these identified issues, analysis and synthesis is done to identify the possibilities of interventions at architecture design level, to create Inclusive enabling environments for Indian elderly.
Modeling the X-Probe® and the +Point® Eddy Current Probes
Authors: Sollier Thierry  , Cattiaux Gérard  , Marchand Benoît  , Demaldent Edouard  , Skarlatos Anastassios
Published: February 2025

The X-Probe® and the +Point® eddy current probes are used by many utilities for the inspection of steam generator tubes. IRSN and CEA have developed simplified models for those probes using two codes: CIVA and FLUX. A good agreement is obtained between data and simulation results considering the uncertainties in the probe parameters and the simplified approach. The complex shape of the ferrite core of the +Point probe is a challenging issue for modeling and is not considered in this preliminary work. CEA is developing a new model within CIVA for eddy current probes with a complex ferrite core.
Diagnosis of Supporting Structures of HV Lines with Using of the Passive Magnetic Observer
Authors: Witos Miroslaw  , Zieja Mariusz  , Zokowski Mariusz  , Roskosz Maciej
Published: February 2025

An idea for using magneto-mechanical effects and passive magnetic observer to reduce the risk of high voltage (HV) lines blackout has been presented in the paper. In theoretical considerations, relations between microstructure, mechanical parameters and magnetic parameters have been also elaborated. Relations between magnetic parameters (M, Hc, Br, μr,max , μi) and microstructure parameters have been applied for the passive magnetic observer (for NDE&SHM applications). The capabilities of the passive magnetic observer, e.g. the metal magnetic memory method (MMM), have been illustrated in examples. Additionally, MMM method has been verified and the potential for reliable diagnosis of the supporting structures of HV lines has been confirmed.
Visualization of Ultrasonic Propagation for EMATs by Scanning the Side Surface of the Specimen with a Piezoelectric Transducer
Authors: Yamamoto Toshihiro  , Urayama Ryoichi  , Furukawa Takashi  , Uchimoto Tetsuya  , Komura Ichiro  , Takagi Toshiyuki
Published: February 2025

This study exhibits visualization methods for ultrasonic propagation generated by an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) and shows the results of experimental and computational visualization methods. Comparisons between these results confirm that the computational results well reproduce the experimental results.
Rotating Field Eddy Current Probe for Cylindrical Samples
Authors: Xin J.  , Udpa L.  , Udpa S.  , Grimberg R.  , Savin A.
Published: February 2025

Rotating Field Eddy Current (RoFEC) Probe for inspection of tubes and cylinders offers high operation speed and sensitivity to defects of all orientations. This paper investigates the sensitivity of the RoFEC probe built with encircling excitation coils. The feasibility of the proposed approach is studied using finite element models and results are presented for non-magnetic and ferromagnetic tube inspection.
Towards a Self-Adaptive Deployable Service Architecture for the Consistent Resource Management in Ubiquitous Environments
Authors: Guerrero-Contreras Gabriel  , Garrido José Luis  , Benghazi Kawtar  , Balderas-Díaz Sara  , Rodríguez-Domínguez Carlos
Published: February 2025

Ubiquitous environments present a series of specific challenges which must be faced in order to obtain the full potential that this kind of environments can provide to assist human beings in many scenarios. Especially, it can be challenging to appropriately manage the context changes. This feature directly affects the availability of the services deployed in the system, among other quality features, and implies additional development efforts from software developers. Service replication models and techniques may help to improve service availability and strengthen the system, e.g., against node disconnections. However, it is necessary to provide SOA with self-adaptive capabilities in order to be able to address a highly dynamic environment, creating and deploying service replicas at run-time and on demand. In this work, an analysis of the main elements involved in the dynamic deployment of service replicas is presented and how they can be combined to provide a self-adaptive software architecture to properly support the software development and dynamic service deployment in ubiquitous environments.
Introducing an Optimized Intelligent Model for Evaluation of Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations Over Granular Soil
Authors: Asadi Mojtaba
Published: February 2025

The term “bearing capacity” refers to the maximum stress which can be applied to the soil through a foundation without any shear failure. Owing to complexities of soil behavior, precise calculation of this stress using analytical methods is not possible and the available approaches only give an approximation of bearing capacity. Intelligent methods have attracted a great attention as powerful tools in solving engineering problems particularly in the fields where conventional approaches are not able to give accurate answers. Recently, a number of intelligent methods have been applied to estimate the bearing capacity of shallow foundations. However, the models developed in previous studies are not optimized properly and they are designed mainly by trial and error. In current study, optimization of intelligent models for evaluation of the bearing capacity has been investigated. In this regard, the previous methods proposed by other researchers are assessed first. Subsequently, it is aimed to obtain optimized complexity of the models in order to prevent over-estimating or under-estimating the bearing capacity of shallow foundations over granular soil in the cases which are not considered during training phase.
Classification of the Open Innovation Practices: the Creativity Level
Authors: Nerone Murilo Agio  , Canciglieri Junior Osiris  , Liao Yongxin
Published: February 2025

The body of knowledge in open innovation (OI) has been growing and, nowadays, it is one of the most popular and debated concepts in innovation management. However, the literature on OI is fragmented, many definitions have been used across the studies and in each paper different characteristics of open innovation are assessed. This issue creates many “flavors” of OI, which in turn creates obstacles for managers to implement open innovation practices. Also, this problem is an impediment for creating a unified body of knowledge. Thus, this paper addresses part of the problem by proposing a class of open innovation practices. This class encompasses all the OI “flavors” that answer the same question, “what should we innovate?”. Further, this class of OI practices is included in the current framework: inbound, outbound and coupled. This provides, in the product development context, a mindset that helps managers to be able to innovate more quickly, therefore the development of this classification can help companies to achieve competitive advantage.
Turkey's Approaches on Cyber Security Policy Framework
Authors: Baykal Nazife
Published: February 2025

Advanced and sophisticated cyber-attacks pose a serious risk to economic and national security. The solutions for cyber security problems necessitate initiatives from all legal, institutional, scientific and technical domains, and the cooperation of governments, universities, industry and civil societies. The global nature of the problem also puts a special emphasis on international cooperation. Therefore, countries need to develop strategies on both national and international scales in a holistic approach. Today, most strategies developed by countries share the holistic, integrated, comprehensive approach supported by strong leadership, enhanced governmental co-ordination at policy and operational levels, reinforced public-private co-operation, and improved international co-operation. Cyber security strategies generally include action plans. Since Turkey has a critical and important geopolitical position due to its location in the Middle East; cyber security has an immanent importance to our country. Studies in this scope resulted in the June 2013 National Cyber Security Strategy document and 2013-2014 Action Plan. In this strategy document, cyber security risks and measures, 7 major topics, 29 key actions and 30 governmental organizations responsible of these actions are identified. In the 2013-2014 Action Plan, 29 actions in the scope of the major topics, sub-actions and organizations responsible of these actions are identified. According to these documents, cyber security activities in Turkey include government, Turkish Armed Forces, universities, industry and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Studies for legal regulations are also in progress. There have been various laws, draft laws, and regulations in cyber security. Cyber Security activities require national cooperation of governmental organizations, universities, industry and non-governmental organizations. In this paper, we will first briefly present the general headlines and commonalities of national strategies of various countries. Then we will chronologically summarize the cyber security studies in Turkey, and focus on the National Cyber Security Strategy and Action Plan, stakeholders and their studies, legal regulations, awareness and educational studies, and national and international collaborations. Lastly, we will further elucidate a brief evaluation of cyber security studies in Turkey.
Application of Soil-Foundation-Pile Interaction Design Method for Strengthening Foundations of St. John's Church in Tartu, Estonia Using Sustainable Manual Calculation
Authors: Avellan Kari Christer
Published: February 2025

This article presents a developed design method applied in an actual structure (St John's Church, Tartu, Estonia) during the process of extensive underpinning. The article focuses on a practical theory of how to implement soil-foundation-pile interaction using pretested, end-jacked piles and how to design a strip foundation using only one method based on ultimate limit state (ULS) and serviceability limit state (SLS).The method takes the following into account as geotechnical requirements: contact pressure, total settlement and angular distortions. As far as structural requirements are concerned, the method considers admissible plastic rotations, end movements due to displacement angle, as well as control of cracking.
Numerical Simulation of EMAT for Structures of Ferromagnetic Material with Consideration of Electromagneto-Mechanical Coupling Effect
Authors: Zhou Haiqiang  , Yang Zhanfeng  , Li Yong
Published: February 2025

To clarify the influence of the electromagneto-mechanical coupling effect due to the additional electric field induced by the velocity effect on the simulation of EMAT signals, a numerical scheme and corresponding code are developed for structures of ferromagnetic material with consideration of coupling effect. Through introducing the term to the governing equation of eddy current problem, the reduced vector potential (Ar) method and a step by step time integration algorithm were adopted for simulation. The simulation results demonstrated that the proposed numerical algorithm and the corresponding code are efficient. To investigate the influence of the coupling effect, EMAT signals of different condition were simulated by using both the codes with and without the coupling effect. It is demonstrated that the coupling effect does not give significant influence on the EMAT signals, which could be ignored in practice.
A Finite Element Study of the Differential Pick-up Coil and the Differential Excitation Coil for Eddy Current NDT
Authors: Chen Guolong  , Zhang Weimin  , Gao Xuanyi  , Yu Xia
Published: February 2025

Differential excitation coils and differential pick-up probes for EC-NDT are qualitatively analyzed by using 3D FEA models. Eddy current density and magnetic flux density induced by the two types of probes in a conducting plate with/without defects are simulated and analyzed. The signals of the two types of probes for different lift-off heights are also simulated. Experiments are carried out using an aluminum plate with artificial defects. It is found that the sensitivity of the differential excitation probe is higher than the differential pick-up probe from both the simulation and experimental results.
Monitoring of Flood Embankment System by Nondestructive Method with Infinite Boundary Elements
Authors: Rymarczyk Tomasz  , Tchórzewski Paweł  , Sikora Jan
Published: February 2025

This paper presents the new method of examining the flood embankment dampness by the electrical impedance tomography. Our system is prepared to determine the dampness of the test flood blank on a specially built model. Surface potential measurements are performed at different angles of projection, whereby the information needed to determine an approximate distribution of conductivity inside the object is obtained. The boundary element method and the finite element method have been used in the forward problem. The representation of the shape of the boundary and its evolution during an iterative reconstruction process is achieved by the level set method and the gradient technique.
Terahertz inspection of static loaded composite materials
Authors: Lopato Przemyslaw
Published: February 2025

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using terahertz method for testing of glass fiber reinforced polymer composites subjected to static load. Detection abilities of inhomogeneities occurred during static bending process were examined and algorithm for automated detection of defects was developed. Application of proposed algorithm enables accurate evaluation of composite structures condition.
Separation of Lift-off and Defect Depth Features in Magnetic Sensor based Pulsed Eddy Current Signals
Authors: Adewale Ibukun D.  , Tian Gui Y.  , Dong Song H.  , Ting Guo X.  , Zeng Yanli  , Liu Guangheng
Published: February 2025

This paper focuses on defect characterisation independent of the lift-off effects using lift-off point of intersection (LOI) and the separation of these two parameters in pulsed eddy current (PEC) measurements for ferrous and nonferrous materials. It reveals, amongst other things, that the first order derivative of the normalised PEC response maintains the LOI feature, which otherwise is not apparent in ferromagnetic materials using current methods; lift-off effects in ferrous materials vary strongly with the second order derivative of the normalised PEC response and the LOI can be used for defect estimation in a magnetic sensor-based PEC. These two characteristics provide a means of separating lift-off effects from the defect.
Optimization of bias magnetic circuit in EMAT for steel plates inspection
Authors: Song Xiaochun  , Wang Yawu  , Li Donglin
Published: February 2025

To optimize the structure of electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) and improve transduction efficiency, the model of the EMAT for inspection of steel plates was firstly established based on the multiphysics field FEM, and the effect of bias magnet dimensions on magnetostrictive strain were simulated and analyzed, the magnetic force between the transducer and the steel plate were also calculated simultaneously. Moreover, the simulation results were verified by experiments with the help of a self-developed EMAT guided-wave system. The results indicate that variation in the magnet width affects the transduction efficiency much more than variation in the magnet thickness, and that the transducer can reach a trade-off between detection sensitivity and the magnetic force when the bias magnet is about 20 mm wide and 15 mm thick.
Feasibility Investigation of NDE for Plastic Deformation in Biaxial Specimen using PECT Method
Authors: Xie Shejuan  , Chen Hong-En  , Cai Wenlu  , Chen Zhenmao  , Takagi Toshiyuki  , Uchimoto Tetsuya  , Yoshihara Kensuke
Published: February 2025

Plastic deformation, as a type of micro-damage caused by external loads such as earthquake, is necessary to be evaluated using an efficient non-destructive evaluation technique in order to guarantee the structural safety. In this study, the feasibility of pulsed eddy current testing (PECT) method for evaluating the biaxial plastic deformation in austenitic stainless steel has been studied. Moreover, the optimal coil distance of TR probe for PECT method has also been investigated. Finally, the comparison of the evaluation effect for the uniaxial and biaxial plastic deformation is carried out.
Fatigue State Evaluation of Ferromagnetic Material Using Magnetic Barkhausen Noise
Authors: Shen Gongtian  , Zheng Yang  , Zhang Junjiao
Published: February 2025

Fatigue widely exists in the industrial structures and is a common reason for structural failure. Monitoring the fatigue process of some key parts has significant meaning for avoiding material fracture. The Magnetic Barkhausen Noise (MBN) method for ferromagnetic material fatigue state evaluation is presented in this paper. Q345 carbon steel used in pressure vessel is studied with stress control in high cycle fatigue process. The MBN signal response to different exciting frequencies during the fatigue process is specially investigated. The waveform, frequency spectral, RMS and peak amplitude of MBE signals were analyzed. The RMS vs fatigue cycle curves show a stepladder characteristic. It illustrated that MBE signals have great potential to indicate the fatigue state of ferromagnetic material.
Galois geometries, codes, and new invariants for incidence structures
Authors: Tonchev Vladimir D.
Published: February 2025

The paper discusses a recently discovered tight connection between Galois geometry, linear codes, and incidence matrices, that leads to new invariants for incidence structures. These new invariants admit both an algebraic and a geometric description, and are motivated by the longstanding Hamada conjecture about the minimum rank of the incidence matrices of the classical geometric designs and their use for the construction of majority-logic decodable error-correcting codes.