bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Legal Framework for Defending Transport Networks Against Terrorist Attack
Authors: Cryer Robert
Published: February 2025

This chapter presents an overview of the problems that attacks against transport networks present for law by analyzing peacetime and wartime situations. It is argued that the relevant frameworks differ according to the situation. When terrorism attacks occur in wartime, the law of war is applicable but most states respond to such actions with a mix of international law and domestic law. The ultimate argument is that one should not treat terrorism attacks in peacetime and wartime as the same.
Cyber-Attacks Against Transportation Infrastructure
Authors: Gercke Marco
Published: February 2025

Information technology has become not just an essential element of the telecommunication infrastructure but is also used more and more in relation to transportation systems and transportation infrastructure. While on the one hand the integration of information technology enables the development of highly sophisticated traffic control systems and new forms of interaction, it also enables new methods of attacks. This chapter gives an overview about attacks that took place and analyses the system of vulnerabilities in transportation infrastructure with regard to network-based attacks. In addition it highlights some of the challenges that go along with the prevention and investigation of such attacks.
Traffic Management Challenges in Terrorist Attacks: Evacuations in Chemical/Hazardous Material Spills and Emergency Operations
Authors: Tüydeş Hediye
Published: February 2025

Transportation systems are backbones of urban life serving thousands of people everyday, creating potential targets or environments for terrorist attacks which aim to put fear in people's minds and disrupt daily lives. Even if not targeted directly, better management of transportation systems are crucial after terrorist attacks, which may reach a disaster level, especially, if it includes CBRN elements. Evacuations are massive operations that require transportation of a large number of people outside a disaster zone and generally take place simultaneously with emergency operations. Thus, the need and main aspects of an evacuation traffic management methodology that includes an integrated look at different traffic flows and network management strategies is discussed in this paper.
Planning Board for Inland Surface Transport (PBIST) Activities on IST Security
Authors: Fröhlich Gerd
Published: February 2025

In light of growing terrorist challenges, NATO has intensified its close relations with member states to improve collective security. This chapter outlines the different functions and capabilities of NATO in the area of civil emergency planning and NATO's cooperation with partner countries. A special emphasis is made on the Planning Board for Inland Surface Transport (PBIST) and its responsibilities.
Conclusions: What Terrorist Attacks on Transportation Systems Tell Us About the New World Order
Authors: Özen Çınar  , Bağdadi Itır
Published: February 2025

Terrorist organizations, non-state actors with a growing importance in international politics, use violence to attain their goals. The target strategy of terrorists has catapulted transportation infrastructure and modes of transportation to a very important place for terrorist organization making it mandatory for terrorism combat strategies to include topics related to transportation in their overall outlook. Analyzing and deciphering terrorist organizations' target designation is of the utmost importance for transportation security. This chapter aims to expand upon terrorist organizations' choice of transportation infrastructure and modes of transportation as targets and to place the workshop held by the COE-DAT in this regard in this larger context. Certain earlier chapters within this book will also be evaluated with this framework in mind.
An Introduction to Circular Dichroism and Synchrotron Radiation Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy
Authors: Janes Robert W.  , Wallace B.A.
Published: February 2025

The aim of this chapter is to introduce the techniques of circular dichroism (CD) and synchrotron radiation circular dichroism (SRCD) spectroscopies. A brief account is given of how the spectrum of a molecule is generated as a consequence of excitations resulting in electronic transitions, which for chiral molecules produce differential absorbances for left- and right- handed circularly polarised light. There follows an overview of the important basic principles of CD and of good practice protocols for collecting data, areas which are further developed in subsequent chapters of this book. In addition there are sections describing potential applications of CD for studies of proteins and nucleic acids. The final section illustrates the enhanced capacity inherent in the technique of SRCD spectroscopy for applications in structural biology, again discussed in detail in other chapters.
Reproducible Circular Dichroism Measurements for Biopharmaceutical Applications
Authors: Ravi Jascindra  , Hills Anna E.  , Knight Alex E.
Published: February 2025

Circular Dichroism (CD) spectroscopy is an important technique for measuring the structure of protein biopharmaceutical products, which are increasingly important to the pharmaceutical industry. Its application tends to be rather different to pure research, in that it is more important to compare spectra of different samples or batches of material. However, this requires that spectra are obtained that are comparable, and that there exist objective methods for comparing spectra. We review the issues involved in obtaining good quality spectra, including instrument calibration, reference materials, cell pathlength, protein concentration and instrument maintenance, and the progress that is being made in these areas. We also discuss the available approaches for the objective comparison of CD spectra.
Linear Dichroism Spectroscopy: Techniques and Applications
Authors: Rodger Alison
Published: February 2025

Linear dichroism is the difference in absorbance of light polarized perpendicular and parallel to an orientation direction. It is ideal for determining the relative orientations of transitions within molecules and hence of the subunits of biomacromolecular systems.
Calibration Techniques for Circular Dichroism and Synchrotron Radiation Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy
Authors: Miles Andrew J.  , Wallace B.A.
Published: February 2025

Good practice in basic research and industrial applications necessitates the accurate and regular calibration of circular dichroism instruments and synchrotron radiation circular dichroism beamlines for magnitude, optical rotation and wavelength. If spectra obtained in different laboratories are to be comparable and usable with standard reference datasets for secondary structure analyses, then instruments must be standardized, enabling cross-validation of spectra produced. In this chapter calibration methods are discussed along with techniques for measuring other relevant parameters such as sample cell pathlengths and protein concentrations. Accurate knowledge of the values of these parameters is important for producing correct spectral magnitudes, that are, in turn, essential for correct secondary structural analyses.
On the Algebraic Immunities and Higher Order Nonlinearities of Vectorial Boolean Functions
Authors: Carlet Claude
Published: February 2025

We recall the two different notions of algebraic immunity of vectorial functions: the basic algebraic immunity and the graph algebraic immunity. We introduce a new one, the component algebraic immunity, which helps studying the two others. We study the tightness of the bounds on the two first notions and prove bounds between them three. We recall the known bounds on the r-th order nonlinearity of a vectorial function, given its basic algebraic immunity. We recall why the basic algebraic immunity is not a relevant parameter when the number of output bits of the vectorial function is not small enough and/or when the S-box is used in a block cipher. This leads us to showing bounds on the r-th order nonlinearity, given the graph algebraic immunity, that we deduce from similar bounds involving the component algebraic immunity.
On a Family of Planar Mappings
Authors: Kyureghyan Gohar  , Tan Yin
Published: February 2025

A mapping f : GF(q) → GF(q) is called planar if for every nonzero a ∈ GF(q) the difference mapping Df,a: xf(x + a) - f(x) - f(a) is a permutation of GF(q). In this note we show that for certain choices of β,γ the mapping f(x) = Tr(βxq+1) + γx2is planar on GF(q3).
Equivalence Between Certain Complementary Pairs of Types I and III
Authors: Bjørstad Tor E.  , Parker Matthew G.
Published: February 2025

Building on a recent paper which defined complementary array pairs of types I, II, and III, this paper further characterises a class of type-I pairs defined over the alphabet {-1,0,1} and shows that a subset of these pairs are local-unitary-equivalent to a subset of the type-III pairs defined over a bipolar ({1,-1}) alphabet. Enumerations of the distinct structures in this class and its subset are given.
Classification of Doubly Resolvable Designs and Orthogonal Resolutions
Authors: Topalova Svetlana  , Zhelezova Stela
Published: February 2025

We classify doubly resolvable designs with small parameters by a modification of a known algorithm for classification of the binary equidistant constant weight codes which correspond to resolvable designs with these parameters. For each of these designs we next construct all the sets of mutually orthogonal resolutions. We also derive lower bounds for some parameters beyond the application range of this general approach and check the correctness of the computational results in several ways.
Algebraic Attacks on Filter and Combiner Generators
Authors: Helleseth Tor  , Hojsík Michal  , Rønjom Sondre
Published: February 2025

A short survey of a recent attack on the filter generator due to Rønjom and Helleseth is presented. The attack is generalized to the nonlinear combiner generator. The original attack uses linear combinations of bits in the binary keystream in order to arrive at a linear equation system to be solved for the secret key. Here an argument shows that, when adopting the attack to the nonlinear combiner, then using linear combinations over an extension field is sometimes essential to make the attack work or to reduce the complexity of the attack. Even though a correlation attack may work better for a badly chosen Boolean function used in the combiner generator, the attack presented in this paper does not depend on the Boolean function in the same way and hence can be applied to some correlation-immune combiner generators.
S-Boxes, APN Functions and Related Codes
Authors: Alvarez Rafael  , Mcguire Gary
Published: February 2025

We will briefly survey the well known criteria used to rate an S-box, including nonlinearity, XOR table, SAC, etc. We will outline some connections between the functions used in S-boxes and certain error-correcting codes. The class of codes includes 2-error-correcting BCH-like codes. The class of functions includes APN functions. We compare the ratings of 8×8 S-boxes arising from various well known functions, including some new APN functions.
Codes and Provable Security of Ciphers
Authors: Daemen Joan  , Rijmen Vincent
Published: February 2025

While the design of block ciphers that are provably secure against all attacks, still eludes us, it is possible to make designs that resist differential and linear cryptanalysis, which are two very important general methods of cryptanalysis on symmetric algorithms. The Wide Trail design strategy allows to construct ciphers for which it is very easy to prove security against differential cryptanalysis. This is possible by choosing linear maps for which it is easy to show lower bounds on the number of active S-boxes. These linear maps can be derived from MDS codes in order to obtain the best possible diffusion. The same methods can be used to obtain provable security against linear cryptanalysis, in particular when linear cryptanalysis is defined in terms of the trace map.
Parallel Query Processing on the Grid
Authors: Gounaris Anastasios  , Fernandes Alvaro A.A.  , Papadopoulos Apostolos N.  , Yfoulis Christos
Published: February 2025

Database queries offer an easy-to-use declarative manner for describing complex data management tasks. Query processing technologies have been evolving for decades; however the emergence of the Grid creates a new setting in which novel research issues and challenges have arisen. This chapter discusses how Grid-oriented and/or service-based query processors differ from traditional ones, and focuses on three complementary research issues, namely, how to schedule parallel database queries over non-dedicated, distributed resources; how to mitigate the impact of increased data transfer cost; and how to perform load balancing in this new setting. In addition, we discuss how parallel spatio-temporal query processing techniques can be applied to a Grid environment. The discussion revolves around the development of the OGSA-DQP system, which is a pioneer open-source service-based query processing system that enables parallel query execution over Grid resources, and the way some of the most prominent issues about its performance were addressed. The unique characteristics of the scheduling problem of arbitrarily parallel queries over heterogeneous resources have motivated the development of a new hill-climbing algorithm. For the problems of increased data transmission cost and load balancing, due to the highly volatile conditions, techniques founded on control theory are examined. The emphasis of this chapter is on both the description of a real Grid-enabled parallel query processor and the presentation of the different approaches to tackling each of the afore-mentioned problems including the limitations of the current state-of-the-art solutions.
BYG: An Approach to Just-in-Time Gridification of Conventional Java Applications
Authors: Mateos Cristian  , Zunino Alejandro  , Campo Marcelo  , Trachsel Ramiro
Published: February 2025

Grid technologies allow developers to run applications with enormous demands for resources such as processing power, data and network bandwidth. However, exploiting Grid resources demands developers to alter their applications to explicitly access the services of specific Grid middlewares. This involves more development effort and requires expertise on Grid programming. A number of recent research efforts among the so-called gridification methods aim to avoid these problems by semi-automatically deriving the Grid-enabled version of an application from its binary code. However, most of these approaches produce coarse-grained Grid applications that prevent programmers from employing tuning mechanisms such as parallelism and distribution, and are rather inflexible, since they were not designed to reuse existing Grid middleware services. To solve these issues, we propose BYG (BYtecode Gridifier), a new gridification method to easily gridify binary Java applications. The chapter describes the prototype implementation of BYG and some experiments showing the feasibility of the approach. Results show that BYG can be used to conveniently gridify and efficiently execute a broad range of computing intensive applications.
Hybrid Performance Modeling and Prediction of Large-Scale Parallel Systems
Authors: Pllana Sabri  , Benkner Siegfried  , Xhafa Fatos  , Barolli Leonard
Published: February 2025

Performance is a key feature of parallel computing systems. However, the achieved performance when a certain parallel program is executed is significantly lower than the maximal theoretical performance of the parallel computing system. The model-based performance evaluation may be used to support the performance-oriented program development for parallel computing systems. In this book chapter we present a hybrid approach for performance modeling and prediction of parallel computing systems, which combines mathematical modeling and discrete-event simulation. We use mathematical modeling to develop parameterized performance models for components of the system. Thereafter, we use discrete-event simulation to describe the structure of system and the interaction among its components. As a result, we obtain a high-level performance model, which combines the evaluation speed of mathematical models with the structure awareness and fidelity of the simulation model. We evaluate empirically our approach with a real-world material science program that comprises more than 15,000 lines of code.
Pushing the Private-Public Partnership: Exploring Extant Tools
Authors: Hill J.B.  , Stipe Benjamin
Published: February 2025

This paper examines several current tools for private-public partnership. Specifically, it seeks to identify gaps in the private-public partnership efforts by the United States government and provides direction in filling these gaps. Additionally, current tools being utilized are examined as a group to assist in the understanding of the current state of private-public partnerships in the United States.
The Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and Missiles
Authors: Müller Harald
Published: February 2025

This chapter outlines the current status of ballistic missiles in different states and addresses the issue of why states choose to further proliferate. An analysis of states that pose a challenge to the NPT is made and the responsibilities of nuclear weapon states are outlined. One of the main arguments of the chapter is that what nuclear states do matters for the considerations of other states regarding the legitimacy of the regime and the utility of nuclear weapons.
How Credible is the Threat of Chemical and Biological Weapons?
Authors: Arda Cansın
Published: February 2025

When we stop to look at history we see many examples of the use of biological and chemical weapons. Many civilizations have preferred to use these weapons due to their economic and efficient performance. Throughout history it is easy to see the use of a corpse either to contaminate the water supply or to infect those protecting a fortress. Our current day does not use such simple chemical and biological weapons. In order to produce and use biological and chemical weapons know-how and technological personnel are needed.
A variant of the Reidemeister–Schreier algorithm for the fundamental groups of Riemann surfaces
Authors: Magaard K.  , Shpectorov S.
Published: February 2025

Let X and Y be compact Riemann surfaces and let &phgr; : X ⇒ Y be a ramified covering of a finite degree n. Let 𝒫Y⊂ Y be a finite set of points that includes all branch points of &phgr; and let 𝒫X= &phgr;−1(𝒫Y). Let X0= X \ 𝒫Xand Y0= Y \ 𝒫Y. Pick a base point y ∈ Y0and let x ∈ &phgr;−1(y). Since the restriction of &phgr; to X0is a covering, it induces an embedding &phgr;*of π1(X0, x) into π1(Y0, y) as a subgroup of index n. We describe an algorithm that, given canonical generators of π1(Y0, y), computes canonical generators of π1(X0, x). The monodromy group G of the covering &phgr; is naturally isomorphic to the factor group of π1(Y0, y) over its largest normal subgroup contained in &phgr;*(π1(X0, x)). In light of this our algorithm can be used to compute standard generators for subgroups of G. The algorithm is implemented in GAP, and it was used to determine the containment among the Hurwitz loci of Riemann surfaces of low genus.
On the Cryptographical Properties of Extremal Algebraic Graphs
Authors: Ustimenko V.
Published: February 2025

In this paper we consider some properties of stream ciphers related to arithmetical dynamical systems defined in [41] over commutative ring K. We modify the stream cipher algorithm proposed in [40] by adding the key management block based on the idea of “hidden discrete logarithm”. The straightforward generalization of such encryption can be used in a public key mode. We introduce much more general algorithms in terms of automata related to Directed Algebraic Graphs with High Girth Indicator. In finite case we use only directed graphs of irreflexive binary relations such that numbers of inputs and outputs are the same for each node (balanced directed graphs). The families of such regular graphs of bounded degree with growing girth indicator and the size which is close to the maximal possible value (or order close to minimum) can be used for the design of encryption algorithm. One of the important parameters of the Turing machine related to the family is the speed of growth of the girth indicator. Natural upper bound for such speed can be obtained in terms of Extremal graph theory for balanced directed graphs which is motivated be Erdös’ Even Circuit Theorem which bounds the size of a simple graph without even cycle. Explicit constructions of such families can be used not only in Cryptography but in the Coding Theory as well.
Model Development for Broadband Spiral-Coil Eddy-Current Probes
Authors: Sabbagh Harold A.  , Aldrin John C.  , Murphy R. Kim  , Sabbagh Elias H.
Published: February 2025

In this paper we demonstrate how the volume-integral algorithm of VIC-3D© can be applied to develop a computer code to design spiral-coil eddy-current probes for optimal broadband performance. This code will allow the designer to predict probe performance as a function of frequency, and is applied to model problems covering the frequency range of 107 to 1012 Hz.
Electromagnetic Evaluation of Soil Condition
Authors: Grimberg Raimond  , Udpa Lalita  , Savin Adriana  , Steigmann Rozina  , Bruma Alina  , Udpa Satish S.
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a electromagnetic sensor array, principles and their realization, the method for signal processing to detect conductive objects buried in the ground, by determination of soil condition.
An Hybrid Analytical/E.C.C. Model Driven by Particle Swarm Optimization for Fibre Metal Laminates Testing
Authors: Doirat Vincent  , Berthiau Gérard  , Fouladgar Javad  , Olivier Jean-Christophe
Published: February 2025

This work mainly deals with the characterization of the delaminations in the fibre-metal laminates as the Glare®. We present a direct model based on Electromagnetic Coupled Circuit Method (ECCM). This model has been improved and coupled with analytical computations to avoid the discretization of the load. The number of unknowns needed for obtaining the sensor impedance variations is reduced and computation of the direct model has been sped up. Thus, an optimization algorithm could be applied to obtain the material physical properties and the delamination geometrical parameters in multilayer materials. The particle swarm optimization (PSO), a recent powerful optimization technique, is then coupled with the direct model in an inversion process, providing the desired parameters. Some examples, linked to aeronautics, are presented: thickness of layers and delamination geometrical characterization in fiber-metal laminate material as Glare®. Experimental results are shown and analyzed in comparison.
Biopsychosocial Rehabilitation and Mobile Knowledge Management: Contexts of Holistic and Artificial Agencies in Smart Environments
Authors: Hakula Jaakko
Published: February 2025

The challenge of this essay is to outline a transdisciplinary context of human and technological agents acting and making decisions as parts of complex real-world systems. The general focus is on health care and rehabilitational settings, supported by mobile, context-aware information technologies. There is a growing need to empirically test and simulate decision-making in smart environments – both qualitatively and quantitatively, e.g. to analyze both socio-economic and technological properties of these network systems. The Holistic Concept of Man Metaphor as a model of a human decision maker is juxtaposed with agent paradigms. Consequently, many ethical questions arise.
An Approach to Achieve Context-aware Maps: Combining Semantic Web Technology with Sensor Data
Authors: Su Xiang  , Riekki Jukka  , Tarkoma Sasu
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we present our work towards achieving context-awareness in mobile devices by combining Semantic Web technology with sensory data. Our investigation shows that some context data pertaining to the user, such as location, time, and physical surroundings, is vital for the realization of intelligent maps. Hence, embedding context-awareness into intelligent maps may prompt the usability of mobile map applications. Aiming at this goal, we suggest Semantic Web technology-based solution. We present a data representation, Entity Notation, to connect sensors to Resource Description Framework (RDF), the basis of Semantic Web data, in the data interchange level. At the same time, our data representation is lightweight enough that any resource-constrained sensors can support and process it. Ontology and ontology-based inference engine are developed to reason on the sensory data. Finally, intelligent maps could utilize its inference output to achieve context-awareness. We demonstrate our methods with a simulator and discuss the future work.
A Semantic Framework for Adapting Interactive Systems in Intelligent Environments
Authors: Bezold Matthias
Published: February 2025

Intelligent environments communicate with the user through user interfaces, which can be improved by means of adapting them to an individual user, based on an observation of the user-system interaction. The power of the adaptations depends on the expressiveness of the underlying data model that represents the interactive system, the user, and the user-system interaction. Ontologies present a powerful formalism for describing a certain domain. We present an adaptation framework that employs an ontology to create an explicit semantic knowledge representation, on top of which adaptations are implemented. These adaptations are either specified by a system designer or inferred automatically by an adaptation component. Special emphasis is put on the user-system interaction, which plays a crucial role in adaptive interactive systems. A prototype implementation demonstrates the feasibility of this approach.
An Intelligent Scenario For New Unmanned Aerial Systems
Authors: Tristancho Joshua  , Mansilla Sonia P.
Published: February 2025

Many Civil Unmanned Applications require the development of an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) able to flight a mission. In the present paper an Intelligent Scenario is proposed in order to develop a new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) easily and in short time. This Integrated Scenario consists of a wind tunnel, an open source flight model and a real simulator cabin. With these three components it is possible to validate, from the scratch, a low cost UAV using fast prototyping techniques. A brief introduction to the actual integration of UAS in the airspace is presented as well as the development process of a new aircraft in the intelligent scenario. The two facilities, the real cabin simulator and the wind tunnel are explained. These facilities were constructed by students in their final bachelor thesis in collaboration with the authors and members of the ICARUS research group.
User Modeling from Basic Events in Interactive Systems for Intelligent Environments
Authors: Bezold Matthias
Published: February 2025

One advanced feature of interactive systems in intelligent environments is adaptation: The interface improves itself based on observed user behavior. Therefore, the description of user behavior from observations that the interactive system makes plays a crucial role in adaptive interfaces. This paper presents an architecture for modeling user behavior from these basic events. Different components, such as an interaction and task model, use a common bus system to exchange information through these events. A user modeling component extracts information from events and performs further derivations from existing knowledge, e.g. by means of Markov chains, thus facilitating a comprehensive description of user behavior. A prototype implementation of this architecture, which is applied to an adaptive multimodal digital TV system, demonstrates the feasibility of this approach.
Sensory Threads: Perceiving the Imperceptible
Authors: Bryan-Kinns Nick  , Airantzis Demetrios  , Angus Alice  , Fencott Robin  , Lane Giles  , Lesage Frederik  , Marshall Joe  , Martin Karen  , Roussos George  , Taylor Jenson  , Warren Lorraine  , Woods Orlagh
Published: February 2025

We perceive just a tiny proportion of the phenomena that surround us everyday. Sensory Threads is a technologically mediated collective sensing expedition which allows people to explore imperceptible phenomena in the world around them. We present a description of the technical system and reflect on our design decisions. Key questions we are concerned with centre around how to represent imperceptible phenomena in real time both inside a building, and outside, and how to engender a sense of collective engagement. We also consider the value created through the multi-disciplinary work involved in constructing such an experience.
Enhancing Speech Dialogue Technologies for Ambient Intelligent Environments
Authors: Heinroth Tobias  , Schmitt Alexander  , Bertrand Gregor
Published: February 2025

This paper proposes a Model-View-Controller architecture for Spoken Dialogue Management (SDM) that consists of VoiceXML as View, i.e., as presentation layer and a Controller layer using a Model to determine the next possible system utterance. In this paper we focus on the Model layer and present a Dialogue Domain Ontology, which combines the Information State and the ontology theory. The Dialogue ontology can be extended by several optional components such as a domain reasoner, which supports and governs the ontology, an analysis layer to classify the user or a translation layer, which triggers various applications. Our work aims at a unified model for SDM related information handling for various tasks in intelligent environments.
Emotion-aware intelligent environments: A user perspective
Authors: Garzo Ainara  , Leon Enrique  , Montalban Iraitz
Published: February 2025

Evidence from areas such as neurology and psychology suggests that emotions are an important element in human decision making. The uncovered relationships between emotions and behaviour appear to be an element that may be successfully employed in human-machine interaction for adapting and optimizing the response of pervasive systems. Although initial work has been undertaken along these lines, a number of elements however technical, ethical, or social issues remain unexplored. The study presented here aims to throw light on the issue of how potential users see the prospect of a physiological emotion detection system that operates inside a domestic environment providing tele-assistance to elderly people. We present results that reveal preliminary information on the utilization, desired system response, and acceptance of such emotion detection system.
Solving problems of optimization of cellular networks for mobile telephony: Towards a dynamic architecture based on agents
Authors: Mezioud Chaker  , Kholladi Mohammed Khireddine
Published: February 2025

In recent years, wireless communication systems have experienced tremendous growth, especially in broadcasting, television or handheld computers to the new generation with Web access (UMTS, GPRS). Meanwhile, the techniques of radio are now crucial to a growing number of services. As a result, the size and complexity of applications increases. Current technology can not protect us from design problems. That is why we need a high-level modeling, which we will analyze the organization between the different elements of the system and the interactions between them. The interest of multi-agent systems stems from the collective behavior produced by the interaction of several autonomous entities called agents and flexible, these interactions that revolve around cooperation, competition and coexistence between these agents. However, techniques from the field, focus more on the expression of inter-agents. The expression of the mobility point of view of distributed systems is not described. A property once acquired, will allow the process to choose for themselves to move on the sites of a network to work locally on the resources and make their exchange interactions. Why we propose in this paper a formalization that uses a process algebra, which is the π-calculus to develop self-adaptive systems that can respond to the form of the problem.
The Augmented Dorfladen – Interacting with Real and Virtual Products in Instrumented Shelves
Authors: Schmitz Michael  , Minina Elena  , Quraischy Homeira
Published: February 2025

This work describes a multimodal product information and comparison system designed for a rural corner store (the so called Dorfladen). Such a Dorfladen only provides a limited assortment, which we extend with virtual items on embedded displays, allowing customers to inspect and select unavailable products along their real world shopping activities for later ordering. We present the design and implementation of the system prototype and discuss the main results of a formal user study evaluating the user interface, which combines tangible interaction and natural language dialogues to interact with real and virtual products in one instrumented space.
Illustrating efforts of the NGO scene and local professionals to improve the situation of children in post-war societies
Authors: Pantić Zdenka
Published: February 2025

The article provides an overview of certain aspects of mental health in the war-affected population in Croatia and the region. The altered society, destroyed communities, overwhelmed and traumatized parents cannot provide an adequate protective shield for the normal development of children. The article illustrates the needs of children in war-affected areas, as well as possible ways of empowerment of children and their immediate surroundings: parents, school and the local community. Emphasis is put on close collaboration between the civil scene and mobilization of local resources. Establishment of mutual trust and connection, between the civil scene and governmental institutions is of crucial importance, both on a local and national level. In order to assure normal development and respect for children's human rights, it is necessary to combine top-down and bottom-up approaches in the areas of special state concern in Croatia. The discrepancy between proclaimed values of the society and the neglect of children is also emphasized. Conclusion: On those with the greatest power, both socially and politically, lies the greatest responsibility after an armed conflict, both on a national and international level. An honest attempt to rebuild life is called for. This takes fare more than merely rebuilding infrastructure.
The role of school as a resource and protective factor for children's mental health and psychosocial development
Authors: Kuljuh Emir
Published: February 2025

This paper tackles the negative impacts of war turbulences on individuals, families and groups. Given the lack of stabilizing factors in families, the author examines positive and protective factors supporting child development in post-war situations. He concludes that after periods of turmoil school as supportive system starts functioning even before family systems and therefore school can serve as a protective factor for children. The author also discusses the role of school as a resource and protective factor for children's mental health and psychosocial development.
Anxiety and trauma symptoms in refugees after displacement from Kosovo
Authors: Traue Harald C.  , Jerg-Bretzke Lucia  , Lindert Jutta
Published: February 2025

The study provides data of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and specific symptoms of mental and somatic disorders and determines the relationships between biographical data and experiences of violence to disease symptoms. The analysis of clinical interviews is presented, including a report on escape conditions, quantitative biographical data, and mental health data from a sample of 99 Kosovo-Albanians living in refugee camps in Germany which were documented and statistically analyzed. Serious forms of violence were reported. Independent of gender 40.2 per cent of the refugees suffered from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, 80.3 per cent from symptoms of depression and of anxiety. Persons who had spent less time during forced displacement have lower prevalence of main outcome measures. Anxiety correlates with age, with a peak at the age group of 30-50 year old. War and organised violence are revealed as a serious threat to and a challenge for public health.
Local resources for the protection of psychosocial development of individuals and communities in territories affected by war: Assessment of developments concerning the psycho-social status of trafficked persons with the aim of assessing the level of inten
Authors: Alistratova Oxana
Published: February 2025

The social reintegration services for victims of trafficking in human beings of the NGO “Interaction” is an example of activating local resources for the protection of psychosocial development of individuals and communities in the Transnistria region of the Republic of Moldova. The presented work experience serves as a best practice model in organizing rehabilitation/reintegration support for victims of trafficking in human beings. Taking into account their different types of personalities, “Interaction” has developed different kind of approaches and interventions to best support and empower the beneficiaries of their services. In view of the large number of affected victims the organization saw the need and reacted in developing a complex system of approach to empower the beneficiaries to be able to reintegrate and cope with their everyday problems in a solution oriented way.
Developing the IROMEC Robot for Play: Results from the First Experimental Trials
Authors: Besio Serenella  , Potenza Maria Francesca  , Kronreif Gernot
Published: February 2025

The IROMEC (Interactive RObotic social MEdiators as Companions) is a EU funded research project designed for children who because of a disability are unable to play, is to create an interactive robotic system that can sustain development of ludic activities. The paper presents the results of the experimentations carried out with the first prototype of IROMEC and other robotic toys, implementing play scenarios focused on children's real needs, with the objective of increasing their individual playing abilities and exploiting the social mediation function of the robot. Results of these first trials conducted by the Aosta research team are discussed, both with respect to the technological and to the methodological aspects, for further implementation of the IROMEC robot.
Accessibility for the Blind: Rendering the Layout of the Web Page for a Tactile Experience
Authors: Bou Issa Youssef  , Mojahid Mustapha  , Oriola Bernard  , Vigouroux Nadine
Published: February 2025

In this paper we propose a new model that aims to improve accessibility to visual information in a web page for blind users. Our approach is in elaborating a new description language for web pages. This language aims to formalize essential graphical aspects in the web page that contribute in the understanding of its structure and to prepare them for any output (Text to speech and/or tactile output). In this stage of our work we focus on providing a tactile output of these aspects since it provides another psychophysical perception of objects. Accordingly, we studied the potential and the limitations of the tactile perception.
The ICT Assistive Devices Register: an Instrument to Support Appropriate Provision of Assistive Technology
Authors: Gower Valerio  , Andrich Renzo  , Guerreschi Massimo  , Occhionero Federico  , Rossi Alfredo  , Mingardi Alberto
Published: February 2025

This paper describes the preliminary results of a project, carried out on behalf of the Italian Ministry of Health, with the objective of creating a Register of ICT Assistive Devices for supporting appropriate provision of Assistive Technology. Forms for technical specification have been created for all the typology of devices included in the Italian National List of AT products eligible for provision. A Vocabulary for specifications was created in order to standardize the terminology used and avoid the use of synonyms in different forms. An online tool was developed, consisting of a web based database, to create forms, manage the vocabulary, and insert data of specific products into the forms.
Wireless and 1-Wire Solutions for Inclusive Home Environments of Seniors
Authors: Šimšík Dušan  , Galajda Pavol  , Galajdova Alena  , Jean-Bart Bruno
Published: February 2025

The main aim of our research and study is to help elderly people and people with disabilities to achieve a higher quality of life as well as satisfaction with their life conditions and with their position within the society. This will be done by supporting their autonomy using the ambient intelligence and the development of broadband services within the Information Society of the EU, where the aging of the human population is becoming a serious problem in Europe. This paper deals with a partial research task carried out in the framework of the EU FP6 e-Inclusion project MonAMI. Automation of seniors' houses is one of the core services of the project MonAMI. The combination of wireless and 1-wire solutions for building an inclusive home environment for seniors is considered as an acceptable solution, especially in new EU countries such as Slovakia is. The authors describe experimental solutions that were tested in their labs. The main goal is to achieve an accessible price and minimalisation of adaptations.
Case Study on a Pilot Project for Home Care Monitoring Health Status of Elderly: Lessons Learnt and Going to Scale
Authors: Orofino Enrico  , D'Angelantonio Marco
Published: February 2025

The Pilot project (DREAMING) developed at Paese (Treviso, Italy) with the involvement of the Local Health Authority (ULSS 9) is aimed at testing the usability of services for health and safety monitoring and assistance for old people in their homes through a privacy respectful and user-friendly technology (low-cost wearable and ambient sensors) which collect data about the elderly person and the environment in which he/she lives. The project is based on current and innovative technology, and implements monitoring to check technology impact on elderly people safety and quality of life and the return on investment in comparison with the costly high number and length of hospitalisation episodes, access to emergency rooms, extension of the independent life.
Digital and Social Inclusion from Innovative D-TV Integration
Authors: Andreadis Alessandro  , Baldo David  , Benelli Giuliano  , Zambon Riccardo
Published: February 2025

Ageing of population and the percentage of disabled people are constantly growing, as well as the digital gap between them and the information society. In this paper we propose a new e-service provisioning model adopting TV as the most familiar channel to reach these audiences and to favor digital inclusion (e-inclusion) and social inclusion. The convergence of different DTT, IPTV and IPHN technologies allows to adopt new interfaces and input/output devices for an easier and more familiar interaction with this enhanced platform.
Development by a Field-Based Method of a Daily-Plan Indicator for Persons with Dementia
Authors: Inoue Takenobu  , Ishiwata Rina  , Suzuki Ryohei  , Narita Takuya  , Kamata Minoru  , Shino Motoki  , Yaoita Masashi
Published: February 2025

A daily-plan indicator that displays information needed by persons with mild dementia in a way that is understandable to them was developed by applying a field-based method. The results of field tests showed that the use of the device increased the successful information-acquisition ratio from 50% to 100%.
Navigation Assistant for Blind People to Explore Chemical Formulas
Authors: Strephan Federsel  , Miesenberger Klaus
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a prototype of a navigation assistant supporting blind people to get better access to the structure of chemical formulas. It discusses the problems of blind people in getting access to, navigating in and working with chemical notations. Analysis of the state of the art shows that there is only very few support in this field. Based on this a new approach is presented how blind users can navigate chemical formulas.
An Objective Means of Establishing Optimal Information Transmission Rates in Individuals with Disability
Authors: Memarian Negar  , Venetsanopoulos Tas  , Chau Tom
Published: February 2025

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate that contextual effects on a single switch access pathway can be meaningfully ascertained by estimating the rate of information transmission in the human communication channel. Using data from human participants, we illustrate a number of ways in which mutual information could be used to quantify switch usage within an experimental setting. This mutual information framework may inform the design of access pathways. It may eventually lead to the development of context-aware access pathways. Such systems can potentially sense and compensate for the negative effects of certain hindering contextual factors or exploit facilitating factors to improve the robustness of an access pathway.
Interface Challenges For The Visually Impaired
Authors: Calder David J.
Published: February 2025

Top end assistive technology devices for the visually impaired, are sophisticated electronic devices that are either hand-held, attached to a Long Cane or worn by the visually impaired user, to warn of obstacles ahead. Rangefinder ultrasonic pulse-echo techniques have readily been applied to many of these devices. On the other hand, infrared light transceivers or laser technology is also exploited to locate and warn of obstacles. Applying a rangefinder to a complex user requirement presents many difficulties. The most significant challenges are related to the interface display that conveys navigation/obstacle warning information to the user. From a cognitive perspective, other fundamental sensory channels should not be compromised in any way. This is not always the case with commercially available systems. It could be said of many, that the all important and demanding user interface design has been neglected or forgotten.
Supporting Inclusion and Independence: Compliant Seating for Children with Cerebral Palsy and Whole Body Extensor Spasms
Authors: Adlam Tim  , Orpwood Roger  , Wisbeach Alison
Published: February 2025

This paper describes a case study in designing a compliant seat for a child with severe whole body extensor spasms and epilepsy who was previously unseatable. A seat was designed for the child based on a saddle seat design using dynamic foot and back rests. When using the seat, the child showed reduced muscle tone and improved head and hand control.
Design of a MPT Based Instrument Supporting the Quality of Procurement of Assistive Technology
Authors: Gelderblom Gert Jan  , Driessen Marlou  , Evers Heidi  , Claus Ellen
Published: February 2025

The procurement of Assistive Technology in the Netherlands is often supported by professional advice during the phases of indication, typology and selection. Such advice is supposed to be user centred and driven by the intention to find an optimal match between the individual user needs and the available technology. In practice advice tends to depend on individual proficiency and the constraints dictated by the regulations providing the basis of the public procurement. To improve the quality of the match between the individual and the selected Assistive Technology a protocol was developed incorporating the MPT model into an existing procedure. The resulting method was evaluated in two rounds of practical application in the procurement process.