bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stochastic Inverse Methodologies for Structural Health Monitoring using Electromagnetic Measurements
Authors: Kojima Fumio  , Kikuchi Mitsuhiro
Published: February 2025

In this article, it is shown that inverse analysis using data assimilation is an indispensable problem-solving methodology for structural health monitoring. Forward and inverse analysis for eddy current testing are considered as sizing estimation of material damages in structured systems. First, testing environments are mathematically described based on a three dimensional eddy current analysis. Secondly, an inversion technique based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo method (MCMC) is employed for solving the crack shape reconstruction. Results on computational experiments are demonstrated in order to show the feasibility and applicability of the proposed method.
Teleoperation of Universal Robot Hand with Pinching Force Stabilization
Authors: Kobayashi Futoshi  , Nakamoto Hiroyuki  , Kojima Fumio  , Maeda Tadashi  , Imamura Nobuaki  , Shirasawa Hidenori
Published: February 2025

The multi-fingered robot hand has much attention in various fields. Many robot hands have been proposed so far. We have also developed a small and five-fingered robot hand in order to carry out various tasks and the robot hand teleoperation system in order to utilize the human help. However, the operator cannot pinch and manipulate an object with complicated shapes stably because the operator cannot feel the pinching force when the robot hand pinches and manipulates the object in the teleoperation system. In this paper, we propose a pinching force stabilization method in the robot hand teleoperation system. Here, the operator does not teleoperate all robot fingers directly, but a part of fingers are autonomously controlled in order to stabilize the pinching force. The effectiveness of the proposed pinching force stabilization method are verified through some pinching experiments with various shapes.
Nonsmooth Optimization Method for the Elastic Contact Problem
Authors: Ito Kazufumi  , King Sarah A.
Published: February 2025

We present a nonsmooth optimization method for solving the elastic contact problem. The Signorini contact problem is a variational problem that minimizes the elastic deformation energy subject to the contact inequality, i.e., the normal displacement at a given point of the boundary bounded above by an obstacle function. The Coulomb friction problem is a minimization of the deformable energy with a L1friction term at the boundary. We develop an effective numerical optimization method using the semi-smooth Newton method for the both variational problems. The method is of the form of Primal-Dual active set methods for Lagrange multiplier methods. We approximate these variational formulations with a multi-moment scheme based on Adini's elements which involves the use of the function values as well as the gradient values at nodes. The Primal-Dual active set method are then applied to these approximations. Finally we combine the solutions to the Signorini and Coulomb friction problems to solve the full contact problem.
Terrorism Overview: A Round-the-World Tour of Terrorism
Authors: Çitlioğlu Ercan
Published: February 2025

The international system is facing serious rapid and structural changes which directly affect the security environment and threat landscape, including terrorism and assymetric threats. The relatively ‘stable’ characteristics of the Cold War era had enabled predictibility in security affairs and made things easier for analysts. However, after the end of the Cold War, dramatic structural transformations caused several “unknown zones” to come into existance. Terrorism, especially the new wave of this threat, is one of the most significant “unknown zone” for states and their orthodox security apparatuses. The conceptual preferences of terrorists are unusual to most as well as their “ideological habitats.” This article will focus on the determining parameters of the terrorism threat and analyze the destructive capability of the new threat.
A Context and Situational aware Multi-Agent System for Ambient Assisted Living Assistance and Support
Authors: McNaull James  , Augusto Juan Carlos  , Mulvenna Maurice  , McCullagh Paul
Published: February 2025

Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) solutions can potentially reduce the problems faced by vulnerable people living independently. Software for AAL solutions can be implemented using a Multi-Agent System. This can be both context and situational aware so that interventions offered may be specifically tailored to the individual and their environment. In particular, sensory deficits in older users require significant attention to the issue of human computer interaction. An overview of current research in relation to situational awareness and assistive technologies is provided. A generalized architecture is proposed and a selection of implementation scenarios are documented. The implementation produces outputs which have been analysed with respect to context and situational awareness.
4. Discovering Homecare Services
Authors: Docherty Liam  , Magill Evan
Published: February 2025

Future homecare networks will consist of a very wide range of embedded services and software that will often rely on numerous other components to achieve their tasks. They will rarely operate in a self sufficient manner. The ability to discover and use services is not however a trivial task. Services may provide raw data, such as temperature readings, or higher contextual data, such as user activity and availability. Networks may change over time and may not be subject to a single management regime, implying the need for a great deal of self-reliance for any software component seeking services from elsewhere within the network. This chapter describes work carried out at the University of Stirling to improve service discovery and allow it to operate effectively in networks with a significant turnover in services. Simple syntactical keyword lookups are insufficient, and so semantics are introduced into the discovery process by using ontologies. However ontologies are known to grow and change over time and so maintaining them can be difficult and error-prone. The described approach employs a hierarchical approach that fosters re-use and sharing of ontologies to alleviate some of the more acute problems of building and maintaining large ontologies.
Regional Resilience and Security for Critical Infrastructure
Authors: Krimgold Frederick
Published: February 2025

Critical Infrastructure systems provide the basis for modern urban life. While they deliver the material and services we have come to depend upon for daily survival, they are as extended network systems vulnerable to both large-scale threats such as earthquakes and hurricanes and to specific attack at key nodes. Risk and Resilience management of regional infrastructure systems requires detailed understanding of the vulnerabilities and dependencies of the constituent assets that make up individual systems and the dependencies and interdependencies between systems and the consequences of cascading failures across systems. Regional resilience management requires tools for the identification and prioritization of coordinated investments at a range of points across regional infrastructure systems. This requires the understanding of both the physical and administrative dimensions of regional infrastructures. This research is directed to the development of such analytical tools.
Principles for creating of monitoring, diagnostics and protection systems in the view of potential terrorist attacks
Authors: Dubinin E.F.  , Kuksova V.I.  , Petrov V.P.
Published: February 2025

General principles for ensuring safety of complex technical facilities (CTF), including critical infrastructure facilities (CIF), should be taken into account at all stages of their operation life cycle. For the aim of safe operation of CTF it is necessary to reduce a probability of uncontrolled release of potentially hazardous substances, W, of energy, E, of information clusters, I, and of risks of failures and catastrophes. The above aim can be attained by modeling of systems for monitoring, diagnostics and protection.
Nanothreats and Nanotoxicological Peculiarities of Nanoobjects as One of the Future Trends of Terrorist Threat
Authors: Kharlamov Alexey  , Bondarenko Marina  , Skripnichenko Alla  , Kharlamova Ganna
Published: February 2025

Nanoterrorism is the illegal and uncontrollable manufacture or use of extremely aggressive objects of nanochemistry and nanotechnology (nanoweapon, nanosensors) as an instrument of a terrorist mental or psychological control. The nanoecological threat is connected to the uncontrollable distribution and purposeful influence of synthesized nanodimensional objects (nanostructures, nanoparticles and nanophases), which are easily capable of penetrating an organism of a human being and selectively reaching any human organ. The nanotechnological threat is connected to the creation of practically invisible (by modern means) nanoweapons, capable also of damaging separate human organs. The nanodemocratic threat is an inevitable result of the creation and use of nanosensors as the control and management of consciousness and the intelligence of the person.
Abnormal Hyperphosphorylation of Tau: Sites, Regulation, and Molecular Mechanism of Neurofibrillary Degeneration
Authors: Wang Jian-Zhi  , Xia Yi-Yuan  , Grundke-Iqbal Inge  , Iqbal Khalid
Published: February 2025

Microtubule associated protein tau is a phosphoprotein which potentially has 80 serine/threonine and 5 tyrosine phosphorylation sites. Normal brain tau contains 2-3 moles of phosphate per mole of the protein. In Alzheimer's disease brain, tau is abnormally hyperphosphorylated to a stoichiometry of at least three-fold greater than normal tau, and in this altered state it is aggregated into paired helical filaments forming neurofibrillary tangles, a histopathological hallmark of the disease. The abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau is also a hallmark of several other related neurodegenerative disorders, called tauopathies. The density of neurofibrillary tangles in the neocortex correlates with dementia and, hence, is a rational therapeutic target and an area of increasing research interest. Development of rational tau-based therapeutic drugs requires understanding of the role of various phosphorylation sites, protein kinases and phosphatases, and post-translational modifications that regulate the phosphorylation of this protein at various sites, as well as the molecular mechanism by which the abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau leads to neurodegeneration and dementia. In this article we briefly review the progress made in these areas of research.
Anatomic and Clinical Pathology of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
Authors: Montine Kathleen S.  , Montine Thomas J.
Published: February 2025

Progressive cognitive impairment and its clinical culmination in dementia loom as a major public health problem in the coming generation of older adults, and this fact compels investigation to develop interventions that prevent, delay, or cure. The tools of anatomic pathology have provided key insights into the complex convergence of multiple diseases that commonly contribute to the dementia syndrome and its prodrome in the community setting, and they have suggested some exposures that may modulate disease burden. The tools of clinical pathology, in combination with neuroimaging, have revolutionized the approach to clinical investigation of Alzheimer's disease and are now doing the same with Lewy body disease and vascular brain injury. The tools of anatomic and clinical pathology will continue to contribute to our understanding of these diseases as we advance toward effective interventions for the diseases that commonly cause cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults.
Abnormal Mitochondrial Dynamics in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Zhu Xiongwei  , Perry George  , Smith Mark A.  , Wang Xinglong
Published: February 2025

Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the most early and prominent features in vulnerable neurons in the brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Recent studies suggest that mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles characterized by a delicate balance of fission and fusion, a concept that has revolutionized our basic understanding of the regulation of mitochondrial structure and function which has far-reaching significance in studies of health and disease. Tremendous progress has been made in studying changes in mitochondrial dynamics in AD brain and models and the potential underlying mechanisms. This review highlights the recent work demonstrating abnormal mitochondrial dynamics and distribution in AD models and discusses how these abnormalities may contribute to various aspects of mitochondrial dysfunction and the pathogenesis of AD.
Using Numerical Analysis with Geotechnical Design Codes
Authors: Lees Andrew
Published: February 2025

A number of issues concerning the verification of ULS using numerical analysis are described by means of three simple benchmark problems. There are pros and cons associated with the two limit state factoring approaches: material factoring approach (MFA) and load and resistance factoring approach (LRFA). Based on these simple examples, for the calculation of factored structural forces, LRFA provides a more consistent level of conservatism. MFA often also provides satisfactory levels of conservatism, but when there is no soil yield, the factoring can have a negligible effect, and where there is a lot of yield, the degree of conservatism can also be too low. For the verification of geotechnical ULS, MFA is more straightforward because it involves the factoring of input parameters and identifies the critical failure mechanism, as well as its margin of safety. LRFA requires particular geotechnical failure forms to be verified but forcing models into particular forms, even in simple cases, is difficult to achieve. Alternatively, outputs of mobilised resistance can be compared with independently calculated limiting values, but this was found to be unworkable for the passive resistance of an embedded retaining wall where the factored output of horizontal stress exceeded the factored passive limit, no matter how deep the wall embedment. Consequently, when using numerical analysis, it is recommended to employ both approaches LRFA and MFA, which together are equivalent to DA1 or DA2+DA3 in Eurocode 7, in order to benefit from the advantages of each.
Target Reliabilities and Partial Factors for Flood Defenses in the Netherlands
Authors: Schweckendiek Timo  , Vrouwenvelder Ton  , Calle Ed  , Kanning Wim  , Jongejan Ruben
Published: February 2025

Modern codes of practice such as Eurocode strive to provide design rules including partial factors with an appropriate level of safety for a wide range of applications. The target reliability levels and partial factors in such codes are not equally efficient for all applications, since they are calibrated to work well in both typical and unusual situations. For large engineered systems like flood defense systems with large potential consequences and substantial investments in improvement and maintenance, it is worthwhile to develop tailor-made solutions. This paper describes the approach adopted in the Netherlands to develop safety requirements to flood defenses such as partial factors for dikes within an acceptable risk framework accounting for system reliability aspects. The main steps herein are to define a risk-informed target reliability for the whole system (i.e., including all elements and failure modes), to derive target reliabilities for specific elements (e.g., dike sections) and failure modes and to calibrate partial factors on the latter. After describing those steps, the paper provides an application example for the uplift and piping failure mode (i.e., internal erosion).
Detection of Fusarium oxysporum fungal isolates using ATR spectroscopy
Authors: Salman A.  , Lapidot I.  , Pomerantz A.  , Tsror L.  , Hammody Z.  , Moreh R.  , Huleihel M.  , Mordechai S.
Published: February 2025

Fungi are considered as serious pathogens for many plants, potentially causing severe economic damage. Early detection and identification of these pathogens is crucial for their timely control. The methods available for identification of fungi are time consuming and not always very specific. In this study, the potential of FTIR-ATR spectroscopy was examined together with advanced mathematical principle component analysis (PCA) and statistical linear discriminant analysis (LDA) to differentiate among 10 isolates of Fusarium oxysporum. The results are encouraging and indicate that FTIR-ATR can successfully detect different isolates of Fusarium oxysporum. Based on PCA and LDA calculations in the region 850–1775 cm−1with 16 PCs, the different strains from the same fungal genus could be classified with 75.3 and 69.5% success rates using the “leave one out” method and “20–80% algorithm” respectively.
Structural perturbation of super-folder GFP in the presence of guanidine thiocyanate
Authors: Stepanenko Olesya V.  , Stepanenko Olga V.  , Kuznetsova Irina M.  , Verkhusha Vladislav V.  , Turoverov Konstantin K.
Published: February 2025

The guanidine thiocyanate induced denaturation-renaturation of sfGFP was studied. It was shown that the disruption of sfGFP native structure occurs in the range of guanidine thiocyanate concentrations from 0.5 to 2.5 M. This process was accompanied by simultaneous changes of all recorded parameters. It was found that the small guanidine thiocyanate concentrations (less then 0.1–0.2 M) triggered local structural disturbances in protein which result in significant decrease of chromophore and tryptophan fluorescence intensity and change of protein visible absorption spectrum.
Aracnocóptero: An Unmanned Aerial VTOL Multi-rotor for Remote Monitoring and Surveillance
Authors: Bernabéu Carlos  , Corchado Juan M.  , Rodríguez Sara  , Chamoso Pablo
Published: February 2025

The Aracnocóptero is an aerial platform designed to capture photographs and images in multiple formats, and to carry sensors and scientific-technical measuring equipment. It is a collapsible, lightweight, multi-rotor, vertical take-off UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) aircraft made of maximum resistance aerospace materials. It includes a communications centre and a station base, which are transportable, lightweight and compact. The Aracnocóptero platform control and guidance software is composed of an agent-based system specialized in gathering and processing different types of information. The multi-agent system (MAS) that controls the Aracnocóptero uses different types of interfaces for its various applications and for the reconstruction of telemetric values obtained from the UAV. Due to its adaptability, the Aracnocóptero platform can be extended to a number of uses.
Autonomous Active-Camera Control Architecture Based on Multi-Agent Systems for Surveillance Scenarios
Authors: Luis Bustamante Alvaro  , Molina José M.  , Angel Patricio Miguel
Published: February 2025

In this contribution, a Multi-Agent System architecture is proposed to deal with the management of spatially distributed heterogeneous nets of sensors, with specific focus on the problem of Pan-Tilt-Zoom or active cameras. The design of surveillance multi-sensor systems design implies undertaking to solve two related problems: data fusion and coordinated sensor-task management. Generally, proposed architectures for the coordinated operation of multiple sensors are based on the centralization of management decisions at the fusion centre. However, the existence of “intelligent” sensors capable of making decisions brings the possibility of conceiving alternative decentralized architectures. This problem could be approached by means of a Multi-Agent System (MAS). Specifically, this paper proposes a MAS architecture for automatically controlling sensors in video surveillance environments. In this case, the MAS fits perfectly in inherently distributed scenarios due to the area dimensions to be monitored. We deal specifically with Pan-Tilt-Zoom cameras to perform tasks depending on operator preferences, such as automated and distributed tracking for one or many targets, coordinated sweeps of areas, camera orientation to minimize overlapping areas, and so on. Both the architecture and an application example are described.
A Logical Approach to Systems Engineering Artifacts and Traceability: From Requirements to Functional and Architectural Views
Authors: Broy Manfred
Published: February 2025

This paper deals with the task of working out artifacts in software and system development, their representation, and the analysis and documentation of the relationships between their logical contents - often referred to as tracing and traceability. Among others, key tasks in system development are as follows: capturing, analyzing, and documenting system level requirements, the step to functional system specifications, the step to architectures given by the decomposition of systems into sub-systems with their connections and behavioral interactions. Each of these steps produces artifacts for documenting the development, as a basis for a specification and design rationale, for documentation, for verification, and impact analysis of change requests. Crucial questions are how to represent and formalize the content of these artifacts and how to relate their content. When designing multi-functional systems key artifacts are system level requirements, functional specifications, and architectures in terms of their sub-system specifications. Links and traces between these artifacts are introduced to relate their contents. Traceability has the goal to relate artifacts. Traceability is required for instance in standards for functional system safety such as the ISO 26262. We introduce a rigorous semantic approach to capturing artifacts by logics and to deal with traceability completely based on logical representations of system models.
The Sources of Instability in the Twenty-First Century: Weak States, Armed Groups, and Irregular Conflict
Authors: Shultz Richard  , Godson Roy  , Hanlon Querine  , Ravich Samantha
Published: February 2025

The world has become more complex, with seemingly unpredictable irregular conflicts taking place around the globe. But there is a pattern to these clashes. They are not unpredictable but discernable. The sources of instability in the 21stCentury's conflict environment will largely result from the interplay between a proliferation in the number of weak and failing states with powerful armed groups, some of which are capable of causing major geopolitical damage in their own territory and beyond. Since the end of the Cold War, an array of armed groups has burgeoned in number and in the capabilities they have to conduct activities. They are diverse in terms of subtypes – terrorists, insurgents, criminals, militias – each varying in vision, mission, and capabilities employed. Local, regional, and global armed groups can now challenge even major states in ways, and to degrees, not possible in the past. This essay presents an analytic delineation and assessment of the makeup of 21stCentury armed groups and the sources of their empowerment.
Co-Modeling Urban Experience
Authors: Gavra Hara
Published: February 2025

This paper contributes an overview and criticism of Google's newly emerging mass-personalized mapping, as a model of urban intelligence. What is being brought into question is the model's interactivity. The analytical tool comprises J.C.R. Licklider's computer-enabled communication model and M. Webber's urban planning model, both from the early 1960's. The overall goal is to re-contextualize the human-computer partnership in the direction of cooperatively shaping the urban experience.
iForest: Exploring Crowd-based Intelligence as a Means of Improving the Human-Computer Interface in the Cloud-of-Things
Authors: Ananta Idham  , Callaghan Vic  , Chin Jeannette  , Ball Matthew  , Istiyanto Jazi Eko  , Daryanti Susi  , Gardner Michael
Published: February 2025

The Cloud-of-Things is a holistic vision about the future of pervasive computing which joins together many topics including the Internet-of Things, Intelligent Environments, Cloud Computing, Embedded Computing and People. Clearly such system can lead to very complex arrangements and relationships especially when an attempt is made to scale up existing approaches into large heterogeneous interconnected intelligent environments. This paper highlights the problems and requirements for such a model and proposes an architecture we call iForest that can address these problems based on the use of crowd-based intelligence as a means of supporting users of heterogeneous interconnected devices with in a Cloudof-Things paradigm. In particular we present a computational model, based on graph theory, that we hope is a significant step to these ends. This work is ongoing and we will be reporting onour prograss in furture workshops and conferences.
A Multi-Agents Framework for Contextual and Affective Decision Making
Authors: Freitas Carlos Filipe  , Marreiros Goreti  , Santos Ricardo  , Barroso João  , Ramos Carlos
Published: February 2025

In an idea generation meeting, the facilitator role is essential to obtain good results. Also the emotional context of the meeting partially determines the (un)success of the meeting, being it of idea generation or decision selection. So the facilitator needs to obtain and process this information in order to assist the participants to reach their goals in different processes of decision making. In this paper is proposed a multi-agent framework able to be used in the support of persons in a affective context-aware and ubiquitous group decision process. Insights of the context-aware model are provided. It allows the gathering of certain typical variables of the affective context (emotions and mood) and transform those values in advises to the facilitator.
Graphical interfaces for development exploiting the third dimension using Kinect
Authors: Herrera-Acuña Raul A.  , Argyriou Vasileios  , Velastin Sergio A.
Published: February 2025

The use of graphical interfaces for software development is discussed in this paper and a novel framework is proposed introducing the concept of 3D interaction during the implementation. The implications of 3D programming are explored focusing on 3D databases and their representation as long as possible uses and issues. Experiments were performed to validate the proposed system and further to indicate the importance of using three dimensions in the development systems.
Activities Recognition in Intelligent Office Environment
Authors: Puteh Saifullizam  , Lotfi Ahmad  , Langensiepen Caroline
Published: February 2025

In modern office environments, lighting systems, heating/cooling system and personal computers are the main energy consumers. Our aim is to minimise use of energy resources in the office environments while still taking account of user preferences and comfort. To achieve the goal, a data collection system is designed and built. This required a wireless sensor network to monitor a wide range of ambient conditions and user activities, and a software agent to monitor user's personal computer activities. Collected data from different users are gathered into a central database and converted into a meaningful format for description of the worker's Activity of Daily Working (ADW) and office environment conditions. An activity recognition model using an event-driven model is proposed to recognise a worker's activities during times when the office is occupied or unoccupied. The experimental results demonstrate the model recognises a worker's activities and can classify them into six categories (home, lunch, short break, out of office duties, not using computer and using computer) with accuracy of more than 90%.
Multilevel Wavelet Transform Based Sparsity Reduction for Compressive Sensing
Authors: Ye Zhengmao  , Mohamadian Habib
Published: February 2025

Compressive sensing has become a popular technique in broad areas of science and engineering for data analysis, which leads to numerous applications in signal and image processing. It exploits the sparseness and compressibility of the data in order to reduce the size. Wavelet analysis is one of leading techniques for compressive sensing. In 2D discrete wavelet transform, the digital image is decomposed with a set of basis functions. At each level, wavelet transform is applied to compute the lowpass outcome (approximation) and highpass outcomes (three details), each with a quarter size of the source image. For the subsequent levels, the lower level outcomes turn out to be the inputs of the higher level to conduct further wavelet decompositions recursively, so that another set of approximation and detail components is generated. Discrete wavelet transform and discrete wavelet packet transform differ in higher levels other than the first level of decomposition. From the second level, discrete wavelet transform applies the transform to the lowpass outcomes exclusively, while wavelet packet transform applies the transform to lowpass and highpass outcomes simultaneously. As the more comprehensive approach, wavelet packet transform is selected for scene image compression on cases of both the lower and higher dynamic range images. Quantitative measures are then introduced to compare the outcomes of two cases.
Applications of Reliability-Based Calibration of Partial Factors for Design of Railway Embankments
Authors: Lodahl Michael R.  , Brødbæk Kristian T.  , Sørensen Carsten S.
Published: February 2025

Upgrading railway embankments in Denmark is connected with high costs, using the partial factors for geotechnical design calibrated for general application. Reliability-based calibration of the partial factors to a reasonable safety level, taking into account the specific design situations and uncertainties relevant for railway embankments, is one way to reduce the costs. At “Nordvestbanen” in Northwestern Zealand, a reliability-based calibration of the partial factor has been performed, resulting in an optimal partial factor for the considered subsoil, cf. (Lodahl et. al. 2012).
Sensitivity to Layer Subdivision of Drawdown Results for Partially Penetrating Multi-Well System
Authors: Mohamed Dalia Ragab
Published: February 2025

Many groundwater models, using either finite difference or finite element programs to solve semi-complicated and complicated cases, require a highly refined grid or mesh. The degree of refinement could affect the sensitivity of the solution. This paper focuses on studying the effect and sensitivity of number of subdivisions of a layer in the soil profile on the drawdown calculations of dewatering system of partially penetrating wells in unconfined aquifer. The study was carried out using (a) a case study of dewatering system for the installation of a pipeline at Sohag, and (b) a theoretical case study of dewatering system for construction pit that is square in area and surrounded by partially penetrating cutoff walls. The analyses presented in this paper were carried out using the 3D Finite Difference program of VISUAL MODFLOW4.2®.
3D Numerical Modeling for Slope Stabilization Using Horizontal Drains
Authors: Alfaro Alejandra  , Moffat Ricardo
Published: February 2025

Strong wet seasons affect the stability of slopes as the pore pressure rises. One of the most effective methods used in the south of Chile, in fine soils, is horizontal drains. This method reduces the pore water pressure maintaining an adequate safety factor. A 3D seepage model is created to study the effects of horizontal drains on the pore pressure distribution under steady state conditions. Different physical approaches, that is, zero pore pressure and an input flow based on an energy balance, are studied to be able to represent the soil responds, decreasing the pore pressure due to the drains. This will allow considering adequately the influence of drains including aspects such as length, spacing, diameter and location of the openings of the drains.
Investigations on Elastic Modulus of Crushed Gravel Using Deflections in Cameroun
Authors: Billang Serge  , Kana Marcelin  , Mpele Dieudonné
Published: February 2025

The use of crushed gravels in roads construction has notably increased in Sub-Saharan countries in general, and in Cameroon as well. Due to their performances and the easiness of their technical utilization, this building material constituted actually the most current material for the base layers of Cameroon's roads. The traffics are almost moderated (MJA<750) in that country. The present study constituted a way of a better mastering of the rheological characteristics of this material, particularly its elastic modulus. The deflections measurements used were carried on with BENKELMAN beam and DEFLECTOGRAPH LACROIX, during the construction of three highways in Cameroon.
Selection of Characteristic Values from Cone Penetration Test
Authors: Koreta Olsi  , Myftaraga Erdi
Published: February 2025

Geotechnical investigation has always been characterized by strong variability and uncertainties at any extent. To overcome this barrier geotechnical professionals have traditionally used at a large scale conservative soil properties, a procedure which is not compatible with Eurocode7. The standard requires that uncertainties should be considered in a more consistent and objective manner using the concept of characteristic value. Selecting the characteristic value of geotechnical parameters has many difficulties and is still far from being clear. In this regard, statistics has proved to be a very useful tool in characterizing soil variability, especially if combined properly and carefully with geotechnical engineering judgment. Various approaches regarding the interpretation and selection of characteristic values of cone resistance are compared and discussed in this paper. The applicability and compatibility of each method is mainly affected from the trend and variability of the considered soil property with depth.
The Influence of Heating and Cooling on the Structural Strength of a Clayey Soil
Authors: Gu Kai  , Shi Bin  , Tang Chaosheng  , Hong Jiaojiao
Published: February 2025

This paper presents the preliminary findings of a laboratory investigation of the influence of heating and cooling on the structural strength of a highly overconsolidated clayey soil using a SMP-1 micropenetrometer. A total of 11 samples of different dry densities and degrees of saturation were prepared. In the range of 20 to 50°C, one heating and cooling cycle was conducted to S1–S9 and three cycles were conducted to S10 and S11. The results indicate that heating decreased the structural strength of the soil while cooling increased the structural strength. The cyclic heating and cooling was found to increase the structural strength of the soil. In addition, the structural strength of the soil was observed to increase sequentially with the number of the thermal cycles.
On the Control of Low Negative Water Pressures in Laboratory Tests on Unsaturated Sand
Authors: Milatz Marius
Published: February 2025

A large part of research in the field of unsaturated soil mechanics is focused on cohesive soils due to their distinct capillarity. High suction is controlled and measured in laboratory tests with different techniques, e.g. the axis translation technique or the osmotic technique in combination with pore fluid pressure transducers. In the case of non cohesive soils, such as sands, a lower range of suction is relevant and the chosen methods of suction control should be accurate at very low matric suction. In this contribution a method is presented in which a computer controlled vacuum regulator is applied to impose negative water pressures on a sand specimen. This method allows to control low negative water pressures as occurring in nature for the determination of the soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) or for laboratory tests with controlled suction.
Design and Construction of Excavation Works for Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit Underground Station at Cochrane, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Authors: Koo Kuan-Seng
Published: February 2025

Kuala Lumpur limestone formation exhibits karstic features with irregular bedrock profiles and variable weathering condition. The Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit project is the first Mass Rapid Transit project in Malaysia. The Cochrane station is one of the underground stations with maximum excavation depth of 32m below ground and it is located in Kuala Lumpur limestone formation. This station also serves as launching shaft for the tunnel boring machine from both ends of the station. A cost effective earth retaining system deemed suitable for the geological formation was adopted using secant pile wall supported by temporary ground anchors. High ground water table is also a concern. Rock grouting was carried out to prevent water ingress into excavation pit as well as excessive ground settlement and occurrences of sinkholes surrounding the excavation area due to groundwater drawdown. Vertical rock excavation adjacent to the secant pile wall involving rock slope strengthening works, surface protection, controlled blasting and vibration control was successfully designed and implemented. This paper presents the design of the secant pile wall together with vertical rock excavation to the final depth of the station in karstic limestone formation. The unique experience (design and construction) gained from this project will be useful reference for similar excavation works, especially in mature karstic limestone.
Soil Erosion Control and Vegetation Stabilization Using Biogenic Biopolymers
Authors: Chang Ilhan  , Cho Gye-Chun  , Santamarina J. Carlos
Published: February 2025

The acceleration of global warming is not only inducing rising sea levels and abnormal climate problems, but also geotechnical hazards such as farmland and coastal erosion, yellow dust, and desertification. Recently, 30% of Earth's dry land has been affected by desertification, and approximately 850 million people are suffering due to famine, poverty, and hygiene problems induced by desertification. Moreover, UNEP warns that tens of millions of people could be driven from their homes by encroaching deserts, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and central Asia, in the next 10 years. Global warming and unsustainable land development are known to be major triggers promoting desertification. New forestry practices, such as encouraging forests in dry land areas, are simple measures that can remove more carbon from the atmosphere and prevent the spread of deserts. Numerous global agencies and companies are thus contributing to anti-desertification movements. However, tree planting alone is not an ideal solution given that it takes approximately 2~3 years for stabilization. It is thus imperative to develop innovative technology that can promote vegetation growth and improve soil erosion resistance. In this study, a unique soil treatment and anti-desertification method is developed using environmentally friendly biogenic biopolymers. Biopolymers can effectively strengthen soil and improve durability. In particular, anionic-hydrophilic biopolymers delay water evaporation, thereby retaining a higher soil moisture condition compared to non-treated soil. For technical verification, series of laboratory investigations (i.e. water erosion test, seed germination and growth,) were performed by applying target biopolymers to soil specimens. The results indicate that environmentally-friendly biopolymer treatment is highly effective in improving both vegetation growth (3 times faster) and soil erosion resistance (less than 2%), compared to a non-treated condition.
COCHISE Project: An Augmented Service Dog for Disabled People
Authors: Rybarczyk Yves  , Vernay Didier  , Rybarczyk Pierre  , Lebret Marie-Claude  , Duhaut Dominique  , Lemasson Germain  , Pestye Sylvie  , Lucidarme Philippe
Published: February 2025

Aside from the recent progresses in robotics, autonomous robots are still limited in assisting disabled people. On the contrary, the animal, especially dogs, have demonstrated real skills to support the human being in many everyday life situations, such as rescue (avalanches, earthquakes...), smell detection (drugs, explosives or even cancers), handicap assistance (blind, deaf, motor or cognitive disabled people)... However, each system, the robot or the dog, has its own limitations: a step or a hole can fatally immobilize the machine and a cat may easily distract the animal. Due to the limitations and complementarities between a service dog and an assistive robot, the idea of the Cochise project is to develop a hybrid system animal/robot that will take advantage of both to be more efficient. In the present study, this approach is applied to assist people with motor disabilities. The robot is used to “augment” the service dog by increasing its control from the human being. This machine is a mediator that translates and transmits the dog state to the human user, on one hand, and enables the person to trigger predetermined behaviors of the animal, on the other hand.
Design for All and Mainstreaming in Ambient Assisted Living e-Service to Support Management of the Personal Economy
Authors: Tjäder Claes
Published: February 2025

Managing the own economy via Internet is becoming increasingly necessary. People with cognitive disability and older persons do not often have access to e-ID. Efforts have been made to manage the own economy via mainstream services. The network of EDeAN with its knowledge about standardization and DfA could be a resource to develop a strategy or road map for aiming for accessible e-Bank Services for All.
Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology to Explore Predictors for the Use of Telehomecare by Care Professionals
Authors: Van Houwelingen Thijs  , Barakat Ansam  , Antonietti Angelo  , Kort Helianthe
Published: February 2025

An important goal for health care organizations is supporting older adults who age in place. Telehomecare (THC) technology can help to meet the growing demand for care. Despite the apparent positive effects of this technology, there are still barriers to THC adoption. This study investigates how the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) can be used to identify predictors for THC use by Dutch care professionals. Data were collected from 207 health professionals working in homecare in the Netherlands. Data were fit to the UTAUT model. The UTAUT was extended with three possible determinants for professionals' intention to use THC: concerns about privacy, costs expectancy and technology experience. We conclude that UTAUT can be used to explore predictors for care professionals. More research has to be done that can be used to develop transnational eHealth nursing education programs to make them more adequately prepared for a rapidly changing health care sector.
Key Factors for a Framework Supporting the Design, Provision, and Assessment of Assistive Technology for Dementia Care
Authors: Pino Maribel  , Benveniste Samuel  , Rigaud Anne-Sophie  , Jouen François
Published: February 2025

Assistive technology (AT) products and services are increasingly used to support persons with dementia (PwD) and their caregivers, in terms of healthcare, safety, autonomy, leisure and social participation. Studies conducted in this area have tended to focus on usability engineering and AT acceptance, rather than on AT provision and follow-up plans. In other fields of disability, efforts have been made to integrate AT modeling frameworks into delivery practices, including the selection and assessment of AT over time. In the context of dementia, probably because of the relative novelty of the use of AT, only a few works have stressed the need for a comprehensive framework to guide users, practitioners and product developers in decision-making regarding the conception, evaluation and provision of AT. In this paper we provide preliminary guidance for the definition of such a framework. For doing so, first we review two existing AT models, chosen because of their applicability in the field of dementia: Hersh & Johnson’s “Comprehensive Assistive Technology” model and Scherer and colleagues' “ICF core set for Matching Older Adult with Dementia and Technology”. Then we discuss some implications of the use of AT models and frameworks for clinical practice, specifically their incorporation within the integrated care systems increasingly adopted worldwide. Subsequently, we propose a set of key factors that should be considered for building tools to support AT design, provision and assessment in the context of dementia: the progressive nature of the disease, the clinical heterogeneity observed among PwD and the subsequent need for personalized care plans, the dynamics of function allocation between PwD, AT and caregivers, and the role of fluctuating symptoms and preserved abilities in this population. Finally, we suggest some directions for further research in this field.
emPower, an Infrastructure for Remote Assessment of Interfaces for Individuals with Severe Motion Impairments
Authors: Betke Margrit
Published: February 2025

This paper proposes the development of emPower, a service-oriented architecture that provides the infrastructure for an online community of users with severe motion impairments, serves as a broker to resources on the internet, and manages a database for logging the information about remote user sessions. The data logs collected by emPower enable the analysis of the motion patterns that may be used to improve mouse-replacement interfaces.
Managing Preferences in the Cloud – Requirements and UI Design
Authors: Melcher Vivien  , Krüger Anne  , Chalkia Eleni
Published: February 2025

This paper describes the extraction of user requirements for cloud based preference set initialization and management and the development of a preference management tool for managing user needs and preferences for user interface adaptation in the cloud as part of the Cloud4all project.
Monitoring Written Communication Contribute to More Effective Decisions on AAC Devices during Rapid and Progressive Conditions of ALS
Authors: Londral Ana  , Azevedo Luis  , Pinto Anabela  , Carvalho Mamede
Published: February 2025

Persons with ALS face difficulties in communication due to rapid decline in speech and motor functions. Due to the rapid progression of the disease, intervention in AAC has to be in time and effective. In this paper we suggest that a better comprehension of written communication is important to evaluate communication progression and to decide on better approaches for AAC selection and delivery. We studied a group of ALS patients who used a tablet device with AAC software for text-to-speech communication. Internet communication was stimulated, learning periods and acceptance factors were observed. We monitored speech, handwriting and typing performances, in approximately 3 month-periods during a total period of 9 to 12 months. Results suggest that handwriting and typing functions should be monitored in order to better decide on AAC devices, namely those supported on tablet (touchscreen) or regular keyboard access, and find markers for introducing new interfaces for AAC access. Relevance of this study is to have a better understanding on predictors of acceptance and time markers to effectively manage AAC in a rapid and progressive process of degeneration.