bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lokomat: automated electromechanical gait training in neurological patients
Authors: Gerrits K.H.
Published: February 2025

Neurological disorders such as stroke and (incomplete) spinal cord injury (SCI) usually lead to difficulties in performing locomotor activities, such as walking or climbing stairs. Therefore, an important part of rehabilitation programs is aimed at restoration of gait function. To improve walking ability it seems important to include task-specific repetitive training with focus on higher intensities of walking practice. These concepts have lead to the development of various automated electromechanical gait-training devices, such as the Lokomat, which assist walking practice. Although it is claimed that such devices may be highly beneficial owing to the intense practice possible in non-ambulatory patients, scientific evidence which could justify their relatively high cost is scarce. Recently, within our research institute in collaboration with the Rehabilitation Centre Amsterdam, we have started a randomized controlled clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of Lokomat-training in patients after stroke and SCI on gait performance, quality of life and neuromuscular and cardiovascular properties. This lecture will give an overview on the existing literature concerning the efficacy of electromechanical assisted training for walking and the concepts which would favor the use of these devices will be discussed. In addition, developments and preliminary results from our study will be presented and discussed.
A preliminary evaluation of a community-based exercise program for people with mobility impairments
Authors: Kasperavicius M.L.  , Latimer A.E.  , Hetz S.P.  , McColl M.A.  , McGuire M.  , Smith K.
Published: February 2025

Individuals with mobility impairments face numerous barriers to exercise participation. Offering a community-based exercise program has been suggested as a strategy for reducing these barriers. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that facilitate ongoing participation and the barriers that persist in a community-based exercise program for people with mobility impairments. Eleven members of a community-based exercise program (Mage=45.64±12.75 years; spinal cord injury n=5; other n=6) took part in focus groups examining facilitators and barriers to program participation. The program being evaluated included volunteer-supervised, twice weekly strength and aerobic training. Focus group transcripts were coded and recurrent themes were identified. A framework identifying factors that promote and hinder program participation emerged. The beneficial changes in quality of life, the positive interaction with volunteers, and the program's ability to fill a niche were perceived as catalysts encouraging attendance. Remaining barriers included intrapersonal (e.g., feeling self-conscious) and systemic factors (e.g., transportation). These findings can be used to inform the optimal implementation of a community-based exercise program for people with mobility impairments.
Endurance training and improved aerobic capacity after traumatic brain injury
Authors: Mossberg K.A.  , Masel B.E.
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of an endurance training program in patients who had sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and were in the post-acute recovery phase. Methods: Thirteen patients gave written consent. Inclusion criteria were: ability to ambulate safely on a treadmill at a minimal speed of 1.6kph (1.0mph), no overt cardiovascular disease, ability to follow 2-step commands, and compliance with the expired gas collection apparatus. A modified Balke protocol was used. Speed was gradually increased to the safest possible speed in the first two minutes at 1% incline. Incline was then increased 2% per minute until two of three peak criteria (O2plateau, HR >90% age-predicted max, respiratory exchange ratio (RER) >1.15) or ambulation became unsafe. Multivariate comparisons were performed (alpha=0.05). Results: Peak O2improved (23.1sd7.6 vs 30.3sd6.9 mL/min/kg) (p<0.01). Peak HR and RER did not change. Submaximal ventilatory equivalents decreased. Conclusions: Despite the cognitive and behavioral challenges, patients were found to be compliant with properly prescribed aerobic exercise. Further randomized controlled trials are warranted in this population. TBI is a chronic disease and increased physical activity should be encouraged early in the rehabilitation process.
The influence of patient values on the adjustment of the inclusion criteria for a low back stabilizing exercise program: a case report
Authors: Vossen H.P.L.M.  , Bartholomeeusen K.  , Huisman P.
Published: February 2025

The authors discuses the influence of a patient of the inclusion criteria for a low back stabilizing exercise program. If you have any questions regarding this case, please contact the Rehabilitation Centre Heliomare by e-mail: h.vossen@heliomare.nl.
Wheeled mobility: current and future developments
Authors: Cooper R.A.
Published: February 2025

Department of Rehabilitation Science & Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA and Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, Pittsburgh, USA World-wide this is an interesting time to participate in wheeled mobility research. The population of people who could benefit from wheeled mobility is growing at a rate of 5% percent per year by some estimates and at a rate of 22% per decade by more conservative numbers. Currently, about 100 million people around the planet use or would use a wheelchair if one were available. To this end, the World Health Organization commissioned a report to clarify best practices for wheelchair design, service delivery, and outcome measurement for low-income countries. In many respects this report is a model for all countries. Globally, there are pressures to reduce the costs associated with providing wheeled mobility, which is stifling innovation in some respects, but fueling the drive for greater scientific evidence. This is coupled with greater participation of people with disabilities as designers, engineers, scientists, and clinicians as the impact of accessibility and human-rights egislation begins to take effect. The future likely will require a much higher degree of scientific and medical evidence in order for quality wheeled mobility to be reimbursed by insurance companies. Fortunately, forward thinking clinicians and scientists have already started incorporating greater instrumentation and outcomes data collection. Consumers are becoming more involved in designing and selecting wheeled mobility through web-based tools that allow for wide-spread democratization of information. More educated and engaged clinicians and wheelchairs users who are or who work closely with scientists will eventually lead to greater mobility, community participation, and higher quality designs.
Some insights in the metabolic energy cost of Nordic Walking
Authors: Houdijk J.H.P.
Published: February 2025

Purpose: To investigate the paradoxical increase in metabolic energy cost with a suggested decrease in mechanical load on the lower limbs in Nordic Walking compared to normal walking. We hypothesized that the increase in metabolic energy cost could originate from a difference in walking speed or could be attributed solely to the swinging movement of the arm. Methods: In three different sets of experiments subjects walked on a motorized treadmill while metabolic energy consumption and electro-myographical (EMG) activity of selected arm and leg muscles were measured. The effect of walking speed was assessed systematically for both normal and Nordic Walking. The effect of the swinging motion of the arms was assessed by having subjects walk without poles, with normal poles and with poles that were equipped with wheels at the bottom such that the normal arm motion of Nordic Walking was preserved while push off was prevented. Results: Metabolic load in Nordic Walking was significantly higher (20%) compared to normal walking, which was independent of walking speed. EMG of the arm muscles was significantly higher in Nordic Walking compared to normal walking, while only minor differences in leg muscle EMG were found. Simulating arm motion of Nordic Walking using wheeled poles significantly increased metabolic load compared to normal walking but this did not reach the level of unconstrained Nordic Walking. Similarly arm muscle EMG was increased but remained lower compared to normal Nordic Walking. Conclusion: Increased metabolic load of Nordic Walking cannot be accounted for by walking speed and is only partly explained by the swinging motion of the arms. Significant arm muscles action seems devoted to the push off during Nordic Walking although only moderate relief of leg muscle action is found.
Sports participation in adolescents and young adults with Myelomeningocele
Authors: Buffart L.M.  , van der Ploeg H.P.  , Bauman A.E.  , van Asbeck F.W.  , Stam H.J.  , Roebroeck M.E.  , van den Berg Emons H.J.G.
Published: February 2025

To assess sports participation in young adults with spina bifida and its association with personal, condition-related and psychosocial factors, physical activity and fitness. Fifty-one persons (26 males) participated, mean age 21.1 (standard deviation 4.5) years. We assessed self-reported sports participation, ambulatory status, presence of hydrocephalus, functional independence, social support, perceived competence, exercise enjoyment, self-reported physical activity, peak oxygen uptake and muscle strength. Associations were studied using regression analyses. Thirty-five persons (69%) participated in sports. Sports participation was not associated with condition-related characteristics, but was associated with social support from family, perceived athletic competence and physical appearance (p≤0.05) and tended to be associated with global self-worth. Sports participants had higher self-reported physical activity levels than non-participants (p≤0.05). Furthermore, sports participated tended to be less likely to have subnormal muscle strength (odds ratio = 0.26; p = 0.08) and their peak oxygen uptake was 0.19 l/min higher, but not statistically significant (p = 0.13). In conclusion, sports participation seems to be due to personal preferences rather than physical ability; it could benefit from improving social support and perceived competence, and is associated with higher self-reported physical activity.
Essential wheeled mobility skills for daily life – an international survey among elite wheelchair athletes with SCI
Authors: Fliess-Douer O.  , Vanlandewijck Y.C.  , van der Woude L.H.V.
Published: February 2025

To develop a universal wheelchair skill test battery, a survey among wheelchair athletes was initiated. Opinions of athletes with a spinal cord injury (SCI) regarding the most essential skills for everyday life were collected.Where and by whom they learned to perform these skills, were also asked. A survey with 24-skills was presented to wheelchair athletes with SCI during the Beijing Paralympics. Respondents were asked to state the essentiality of each skill (1-5; Not essential – extremely essential), and to inform where and by whom they learned to perform each skill. Three visual analog scales (VAS 1-10) were used to examine 1) how SCI perceived their level of wheeled mobility (WM) gained during rehabilitation, 2) to determine the amount of time that was dedicated for teaching WM skills during rehabilitation; and 3) to express their level of WM at present. The study sample (M/F: 49/30, Para/Tetra 64/15) represents 18 countries and 14 sports disciplines. Results revealed that the most essential skill for daily life is “transfer in/out a car” (4.67±0.69). Judged as less essential is a “one-handed wheelie” (1.96±1.36). Of the respondents 57% learned the most essential skills in clinical rehabilitation, while 40% claimed to have learned those skills afterwards in a community setting. Mean ±SD of ‘WM skills gained in rehabilitation’ was 5.4±2.5 and of ‘WM at present’ 8.5±1.5. This revealed a significant increase in WM skill level perceptions over time. The Swedish rehabilitation system received the highest (7.6), and Spanish hospitals the lowest (2.8) scores. It is of greatest importance to incorporate skills that were graded “Very-extremely essential” in inpatient rehabilitation and in post hospital WM workshops. It is recommended to conduct a comparative study of rehabilitation programs in different countries in order to improve WM teaching methods.
Practical application of the heart rate-based lactate minimum test in wheelchair racing athletes preparing for the Paralympics
Authors: Perret C.  , Strupler M.
Published: February 2025

The aim of the present investigation was to describe the development of endurance performance between 2006 and 2008 in paraplegic wheelchair racing athletes competing at the Paralympic Games 2008 based on a heart rate-based lactate minimum test (LMT). For this purpose data of two standardised LMTs performed in 2006 and 2008 were compared in seven (4m/3f) world-class wheelchair racing athletes and correlated with individual competitive marathon racing times. Analysis included values for top speed, peak heart rate, peak lactate concentration as well as speed, heart rate and lactate concentration at lactate minimum. Significant improvements in speed at lactate minimum (9.5±3.9%, P<0.001) as a reliable predictor of maximal lactate steady-state as well as in top speed (7.3±6.8%, P=0.007) were found, whereas all other parameters showed no significant differences between measurements in 2006 and 2008. Seasonal best average marathon racing speed significantly correlated with speed at lactate minimum (r=0.824, P=0.004) and top speed (r=0.896, P<0.001) determined by means of the heart rate based LMT. In conclusion, even in well trained athletes impressive performance improvements can be achieved over a two year training period. The heart rate-based LMT seems to be a valuable and reliable tool to monitor such improvements in endurance performance in top-class wheelchair racing athletes and may be used for prediction of individual marathon racing times in the future.
Improving classification: who is eligible for wheelchair rugby?
Authors: Altmann V.C.  , Hart A.  , van den Eede E.
Published: February 2025

Purpose: Clarify eligibility criteria for wheelchair rugby. Methods: There are 467 wheelchair rugby athletes in the international classification database. The data of athletes in the highest sport class (3.5) and athletes who are ineligible (class 4.0 or higher) were reviewed. All remarks about functional skills testing and on court observation were examined to investigate if there are characteristics supporting the decision of eligibility. Results:
A qualitative examination of wheelchair configuration for optimal sports performance
Authors: Mason B.S.  , Porcellato L.  , van der Woude L.H.V.  , Goosey-Tolfrey V.L.
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this investigation was to determine how experienced wheelchair sportsmen perceived areas of wheelchair configuration and subsequent modifications to influence aspects of performance. Nine experienced wheelchair sportsmen from basketball, rugby and tennis were interviewed. Using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, common themes present in the interviews were grouped into three superordinate themes: i) performance indicators, ii) ‘principal areas’ of wheelchair configuration, c) ‘supplementary areas’ of wheelchair configuration. Results revealed that participants demonstrated a good understanding as to how making ‘general’ changes to areas of their wheelchairs configuration influenced their sports performance. Yet, methods for determining their optimal positions were extremely subjective and based predominantly on trial and error. This study therefore identified optimization of wheelchair configuration as a key area for future investigation, with an emphasis on rear wheel camber resulting from participants disparity with regards to its impact upon straight line mobility.
The segway personal transport as an alternative mobility device for people with disabilities: physiologic benefits?
Authors: Boutilier G.  , Sawatzky B.J.
Published: February 2025

Introduction: The Segway Personal Transporter® is a self-balancing, electric-powered transportation device. While the Segway has not been marketed to individuals with mobility impairments, we wish to investigate the potential this technology offers to enhance quality of life in this population. Objectives: To determine the functional abilities that are necessary for successful use of the SegwayPT® as a personal mobility device and to asses how it compares to clients' current method of mobility. Methods: Participants (n=22) underwent three training sessions with the Segway to correlate their functional ability with their skill level on the device based on a Segway Task Assessment tool. Secondly, of the 22 subjects, 10 subjects navigated a 25m obstacle course with their current mobility devices and then the Segway. Outcome measures were the Wheelchair Outcomes Measure (WhOM) score and the difference in the time required to complete the obstacle course. Results: All participants successfully completed the Segway Task Assessment, regardless of scores on functional assessments. There was a significant increase in WhOM score between subjects' current mobility method and using the Segway for client specific goals. Interestingly, some subjects felt remarkable improvements with their spasticity after using the Segway. Conclusion: The Segway may be a useful device for a broad range of populations with functional disabilities to meet their mobility goals. We are now exploring possible therapeutic benefits of using the Segway with respect to spasticity and fatigue in SCI.
Effects of hand cycle training on wheelchair capacity during clinical rehabilitation in persons with a spinal cord injury
Authors: Valent L.J.M.  , Dallmeijer A.J.  , Houdijk J.H.P.  , Slootman J.R.  , Janssen T.W.J.  , van der Woude L.H.V.
Published: February 2025

In the past decade, the add-on hand cycle has become popular for mobility in the Netherlands. Consequently hand cycling (HC) has become an integrated part of the rehabilitation program. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effects of a structured HC training program on physical capacity in subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI). Twenty subjects who followed HC training in addition to usual clinical rehabilitation were compared with matched control subjects. Primary outcome was hand rim wheelchair capacity: peak power output (POpeak), peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and oxygen pulse. Secondary outcomes were arm muscle strength, pulmonary function and hand cycle capacity. Strong tendencies for improvement attributed to HC training were found in wheelchair capacity, reflected by POpeakand oxygen pulse. Shoulder exo- and endo-rotation and unilateral elbow flexion strength improved but not pulmonary function. Hand cycle capacity (POpeak) improved comparing pre and post test results. Additional HC training during clinical rehabilitation seems to show similar or slightly favourable results on fitness and muscle strength compared with regular care.
Introduction: Workshop on the Role of Independent Scientists in WMD Threat Assessment
Authors: Butcher Sandra I.  , Finney John L.  , Šlaus Ivo
Published: February 2025

A NATO Advanced Research Workshop that took place in Zagreb, Croatia in November 2008, brought together scientists and other experts to discuss the role of independent scientists in assessing threats from nuclear, chemical, biological and radiological weapons. This introductory chapter summarises the discussions that took place in the workshop, which addressed a range of related issues, examined current practices and their limitations, and worked through a number of case studies. Areas in which interactions could be strengthened are identified, and a number of suggestions for possible ways forward are made.
Including Civil Society into Confidence Building: Protecting Whistleblowers and Societal Verification
Authors: Falter Annegret
Published: February 2025

Threat assessment needs valid information. At times, whistleblowing and societal verification are the only reliable sources to provide that information. These sources need to be protected. WMD threat assessment is based, to a considerable extent, on the efficient verification of disarmament or non-proliferation treaties and agreements. This is also crucial for confidence building among nations. To the extent that technical verification measures, applied by states or international organisations, get increasingly unreliable, or access for on-site inspection is barred, societal verification by civil society actors could gain importance. It could partially substitute or complement technical verification by national or transnational actors, or be instrumental for deploying technical verification means in the right sites. To encourage further societal verification, social approval and the provision of legal protection measures for those citizens willing to report breaches of contract are necessary. The Model Nuclear Weapons Convention of 2008 provides a model set of protective clauses for whistleblowers.
At the Interface between Policy Makers, the Public and Independent Scientists. A Perspective on the Role of the Media
Authors: Guinnessy Paul
Published: February 2025

It has never been easier or cheaper to reach a wide audience through the use of tools such as the Internet. Conversely, it has never been harder to raise the profile of an issue such as weapons of mass destruction above the daily background noise of 100 million web sites. This chapter investigates the current state of professional media in all its forms for disseminating news, and presents evidence of the value of such media compared to amateur and academic web sites. Moreover, it highlights the benefits professional media can provide to independent scientists, policymakers, and the public in publicizing independent critical analysis of threat assessments by both journalists and scientists.
Risk Assessment, Transparency and Democracy: The French College for the Prevention of Technological Risks
Authors: Journé Venance
Published: February 2025

As activities in civilian and military fields become more complex and technologically advanced, taking into consideration the risks or threats associated with related incidents or accidents, or with misuse of these technologies, becomes increasingly complex. The French College for the Prevention of Technological Risks was in charge of assessing these new risks. This article recounts the history of this body and explains its originality – its main characteristics, its functioning – and the issues it dealt with. The conclusion draws out ways in which this organization as a model could meaningfully treat risks associated with military technologies.
Nanosystems and CBRN Threats: A Resource Worth Exploiting, a Potential Worth Controlling
Authors: Guidotti Matteo  , Ranghieri Massimo  , Rossodivita Alessandra
Published: February 2025

Nanosciences and nanotechnology can be considered as resources for the humankind, providing innovative tools and devices for the protection and decontamination from chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) warfare agents. At the same time, these disciplines may offer unprecedented and uncontrolled means of mass destruction, by the synthesis of novel and more effective aggressive agents or by improving the production capability of intentionally toxic systems. A multidisciplinary approach, with experts active in various fields, such as chemistry, physics, biology and materials science, is needed to have a strict control on potential illegal uses of nanosciences and nanosystems.
Geological Environment as a Factor of Natural and Man-Made Disasters
Authors: Kononov Evgeniy E.
Published: February 2025

Interconnection between geological environment and urbanization is discussed in this lecture.
Information Sharing in Knowledge Society
Authors: Galindo Fernando  , Guidotti Matteo  , Gulevich Viktor  , Gursky Elin  , Kolesnikov Sergey  , Koptilov Sergey  , LaPorte Ron  , Linkov Faina  , Ranghieri Massimo  , Rossodivita Alessandra  , Shubnikov Eugene  , Stikova Elisaveta  , Trufanov Andrey  , Vynograd Natalya
Published: February 2025

Within this study a qualitative review has been conducted leading to a clarifying finding of Cooperation and Information Interaction in the field of counteracting biological threats. Three cornerstone incentives of Information Sharing have been highlighted: Psychological, Technological and Economical. The proposals to use the architecture experience of CERN; strategy of ISE, USA; standards, rules and formats of NIEM, USA; practice of EMERCOM, RF for building a Global Anti-Terrorism Information Sharing Infrastructure are presented.
Counterterrorism: The First Italian Drill
Authors: Rossodivita Alessandra  , Spessot Marzia  , Zoppei Gianna
Published: February 2025

Over the last decade conflicts and terrorism-related emergencies have represented a new concept of disaster and a new resurgence involving a complex pattern of global changes and imbalances. Throughout the globe, healthcare providers are increasingly challenged with the specter of terrorism and the fallout from weapons of mass destruction. The previous experiences of terrorism acts connected to the World Trade Center (09/11/2001), Madrid, London and Sharmel-Sheik attacks highlighted the problems related to a possible terrorist attack in Italy. The prediction of a possible future terrorist attack drives the efforts of public policy and government founding. A mass casualty situation (MCS) usually is short in duration and resolves itself. Planning is essential to minimize the risks to patients during MCS. The Italian government organized a counterterrorism program involving all forces engaged in security and emergency to test the real capacity of the security and emergency plans to protect civil population in term of civil defense, homeland security and public healthcare preparedness. On September 23 2005 in Milan, Italy, there was the first official counterterrorism Drill, organized with all forces engaged in emergency and security. The Drill was related to a government security program to prevent and prepare a counterterrorism response to a possible future terrorist attack in some Italian major towns like Rome, Milan, Naples and Turin. The authors show how the drill was organized and how their Hospital participates to this first National Italian Drill.
The Anopheles Mosquitoes: Their Role in Malaria Transmission in Georgia
Authors: Babuadze George  , Iosava Merab  , Bakanidze Lela
Published: February 2025

One of the main priorities of Georgian health care system is control of malaria and its prophylaxes. The main goal of national strategy is decreasing malaria influence on population. In 2002 WHO adopted resolution about strengthening of anti malaria measures. The resolution concerns all anti malaria measures to decrease distress distribution of results of epidemics. During recent years the incidence of malaria in Georgia decreased (from 474 cases in 2002 to 25 in 2007). The progress in anti malaria measures and malaria elimination in the entire country is the main achievement of regional initiative, GF (Global Fund) and WHO joint effort. One of the main parts of mentioned program is malaria vector control.
The Viewpoint of ED Personnel about Avian Flu: Do Emergency Department Healthcare Professionals Feel Ready to Face Epidemics/Pandemics?
Authors: Photiou Efstratios
Published: February 2025

Influenza experts recognize the inevitability of an influenza pandemic, most probably an avian flu pandemic. Most indications suggest it is just a matter of time. Objective: To assess emergency department healthcare professionals’ (HCP) risk perception, possible affection of attendance pattern and willingness to work during a pandemic. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was administered to physicians, nurses and auxiliary personnel of the Emergency Department, Short Observation Unit and Intensive Emergency Medicine Unit (Emergency Dept Unit, admitting patients with severe, acute medical conditions, excluding patients requiring invasive ventilation), employed in the Padova University Hospitals, Italy. Results: The overall response rate was: 69%; physicians 94%, nurses 73%, auxiliary personnel 56%. Conclusions: 1) there is a lack of the “culture of emergency” concerning epidemics/pandemics, which are emergencies ED personnel is not acquainted with; 2) in order to be able to cope with highly stressful situations like epidemics, the importance of timely, thorough information is paramount, regardless of the different methods; 3) periodic drills, continuous training, and active participation in acquiring information and training can create the sensation of making part of the whole system, thus increasing commitment.
Crisis or Renewal
Authors: Gyarmati Istvan
Published: February 2025

NATO's historical achievement of winning in the “Cold War” confrontation without waging an actual war is indisputable. Now the Alliance has to cope with different challenges and new threats. Unfortunately, the Alliance is at present incapable of fulfilling its two most important tasks: guaranteeing the security of its member states and helping to resolve out-of-area conflicts such as its most important current engagement in Afghanistan. The present situation must be rectified. Concrete efforts must accompany the elaboration of NATO's new strategic concept, which will address new challenges and find new solutions.
Rethinking NATO and EU Enlargement
Authors: Asmus Ronald D.
Published: February 2025

The challenge of securing Europe's eastern border from the Baltics to the Black Sea has been replaced by the need to extend peace and stability along the southern rim of the Euro-Atlantic community – from the Balkans across the Black Sea and further into Eurasia. The link between NATO membership and EU membership should be relaxed, if not dropped. The Atlantic alliance was reinvented in the 1990s but it sorely needs a second renaissance today. A new strategy of democratic enlargement can and must be part of this revival.
The Future of the Alliance
Authors: Sommer Theo
Published: February 2025

NATO is still the world's most formidable military machinery. Its residual function remains valid: an insurance against the (unlikely) resurgence of Russian aggressiveness. It also provides an operational framework for peacekeeping missions. NATO has to mark its Eastern borders in a way that does not further impair its relationship with Russia. It has to also clearly define its global responsibilities, balancing its capabilities with its ideals, its sensibilities with its interests, and its wishes with its wallets.
Slovenia
Authors: Bebler Anton  , Jazbec Milan
Published: February 2025

Slovenia differs in several respects from all other countries which have joined the Alliance since the end of the “Cold War”. From 1992 onwards, all Slovenian governments have strongly advocated NATO membership, primarily on long-term security grounds. The issue, however, cut across the Slovenian polity, initially with considerable opposition on both sides of the spectrum. Slovenia was the second candidate country to submit the issue to a referendum prior to the admission. The vote showed a two-third support for NATO membership. Since then it has become widely accepted by the public. Slovenia's participation in the functioning of the Alliance has become regularized both in the civilian political and the military spheres. Slovenian experience since the admission has brought the country the most important lessons in realistic defence planning, solidarity among members and assistance to aspirants.
Macedonia
Authors: Georgieva Lidija
Published: February 2025

Since the early 1990's the political elite and the public have shared the opinion that joining the European integration and NATO is both a priority and an instrument for achieving Macedonia's national political goals. This paper gives a short overview of Macedonia's experience in transformation, democratization and decentralization. The decision at the NATO summit in Bucharest not to invite Macedonia generated dilemmas and controversies on whether NATO membership is more important than the country's identity expressed in its name.
Serbia
Authors: Savić Andreja
Published: February 2025

This chapter focuses on some aspects of Serbia's national security strategy, on the relations between Serbia and NATO and on geostrategic options available to Serbia ranging from neutrality to joining NATO sometime in the future.
A gentle introduction to formal verification of computer systems by abstract interpretation
Authors: Cousot Patrick  , Cousot Radhia
Published: February 2025

We introduce and illustrate basic notions of abstract interpretation theory and its applications by relying on the readers general scientific culture and basic knowledge of computer programming.
Multi-Valued Automata and Their Applications
Authors: Kupferman Orna
Published: February 2025

Standard automata accept or reject input words. Accordingly, an automaton induces a mapping from Σ* to the binary set {true,false}. The course will introduce multi-valued automata, which induce mappings from Σ* to richer sets of values. We will focus on lattice automata, which map input words to values from a lattice, and weighted automata, which map input words to(the set of real numbers). We describe applications of lattice automata in abstraction and model checking of multi-valued logics, and describe applications of weighted automata in the competitive analysis of online algorithms.
Process Algebra in Ambient Intelligence: A Survey
Authors: Gavalcová Tatiana
Published: February 2025

The paper gives a survey on algebraic tools used in the ambient intelligence to model the basic concepts such as elements of ambient intelligence environment, processes. These techniques proved to be a valid option to formalize the ambient intelligence approaches. Research on relational algebras and universal algebras showed that algebraic tools in general are fully qualified to deal with characteristics of ambient intelligence processes.
Large-scale Ambient Intelligence: Possibilities for Environmental Applications
Authors: Mikulecký Peter
Published: February 2025

This paper presents some ideas related to the concept of large-scale ambient intelligence implementation. The presented concept considers a large network of intelligent devices (ambient artifact) distributed in a number of places in large natural environment (forests, rivers, etc.) ubiquitously communicating each to others, enabling thus monitoring weather conditions, rivers level, rain intensity, and other possible sources of living environment instability unceasingly. The paper is oriented on initial concepts in this area; still it is not possible to present final solutions. However, the approach seems to be usable and promising.
Crisis Health Care Management System Concept with Ambient Intelligence Applied
Authors: Antoš Karel  , Ježek Bruno  , Vaněk Jan
Published: February 2025

The article deals with a new concept of a crisis health care management system. The concept augments decision making with ambient intelligence approaches integrating information from different components of emergency response system and using simulation and visualization methods to help predict future course of an emergency response.
The Social and Psychological Effects of Bioterrorism
Authors: Zalman Amy
Published: February 2025

In the absence of substantial empirical data on bioterrorism, two competing discourses have emerged about the potential strategies to address psychological distress. One discourse stresses the innately terrifying qualities of biological agents and argues that the government and public health communities should do more to prepare and protect the public from psychological trauma. A second discourse identifies government and defense/security community as partly responsible for constructing a sense of danger and fear among the general population. This article summarizes these competing schools and recommends emergency preparedness and risk communication strategies that draw on both.
Types of Biological Agents and Medical Countermeasures Against Bioterrorist Attacks
Authors: Kenar Levent  , Baysallar Mehmet
Published: February 2025

Existence of unexplained mass casualties and unnatural disease outbreaks are main indicators of chemical and biological attack. The threat from these agents should not only be considered a military issue, but also an act of terrorism. Therefore, it should be noted that civilians may also be exposed to these agents. There is an increasing concern around the possibility of terrorist use of biological agents including bacteria, viruses and toxins in recent times. Finally, the catastrophic September 2001 attacks intensified the interest of biological terrorism and the necessity of a multilateral cooperation regarding a chem-bio defense policy. Since the use of biological agents is not always initially evident contrary to chemical agents, outbreak of diseases may provide a first indication related to an attack. Collaboration between the organizations and institutions against biological terrorism has to be taken into careful and extensive consideration.
SARS and H5N1: What Have We Learned and How to Plan for a Pandemic
Authors: Chotani Rashid
Published: February 2025

This paper is a summary of a presentation. It discusses the history and development of the SARS and H5N1 viruses as well the measures taken to deal with virus outbreaks. Based on analysis of past events, the paper suggests improved countermeasures to be taken should another outbreak occur, either due to SARS, the H5N1 virus or another.
Biological Weapons Convention: Problems and Prospects
Authors: Aslan M. Yasin
Published: February 2025

The anthrax attacks in the fall of 2001 raised the question of responding to future attacks. Terrorists must be prevented from developing, producing, stockpiling, or otherwise acquiring or retaining, and using under any circumstances, biological agents and toxins, equipment, or means of delivery of agents or toxins, for nonpeaceful purposes. The Biological Weapons Convention is the first multilateral disarmament treaty to ban the production and use of an entire category of weapons. The Convention effectively prohibits the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of biological and toxin weapons. The Convention is a key element in the international community’s efforts to address the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Ethical and Practical Issues Related to Bioterrorism, Biosecurity and Biosafety
Authors: Oren Meir
Published: February 2025

The topic is a very serious one, and most intricate too. I shall endeavor to share with you a bird’s eye view of several points and aspects concerning biological terrorism. To be more precise: certain ethical and practical aspects in the domain of Bioterrorism, Biosecurity, and Biosafety – War on Terrorism and preparedness for such an outbreak.
When Not Losing Is Winning: Terrorist Organizations and Asymmetrical War
Authors: Özen Çınar  , Bağdadi Itır
Published: February 2025

Asymmetrical war allows for relatively weak terrorist organizations to engage in armed struggle with much more powerful states knowing that they cannot win a conventional war. Terrorist organizations aim to use the leverage effect of the media to get their message across to millions, and in turn to pressure governments to come to the bargaining table as well as attract new recruits to their groups. This chapter outlines the importance of asymmetrical war, the role of the media, the leverage effect used by terrorist organizations, and the phases in their evolution. We will stress that in asymmetrical war, counter-terrorism strategies aimed at only military capabilities and tactics are bound to be unsuccessful.
The Concept and Parameters of the Use of Force
Authors: Harmon Christopher C.
Published: February 2025

This paper was developed from a speech. It considers past and present ideas about terrorism and the application of force as a countermeasure. It also introduces five areas for discussion regarding public concerns about the use of force: pre-trial detention in a free society; the banning of militant groups within the law; the boundaries of proper surveillance and intelligence work; the dangers of torture; and efforts at “surgical” use of military force when collateral damage is possible or probable.
Precision Leadership and the Strategic Use of Force: Large Successes of a Small Footprint
Authors: Jerard Jolene
Published: February 2025

Terrorism can be mitigated through three broad domains: operational counter-terrorism, anti-terrorism and strategic counter-terrorism. While considerable efforts have been made in operational counter-terrorism, there are lessons that can be learned from several case studies, as the strategically calculated use of force would reap more benefits in the operational domain. This paper looks at the strategic role of leadership and the cases of Afghanistan and the Philippines as examples of effective leadership that used strategic force wherein multiple strategies were used with a focus on involving local people and maintaining local public support.
Computing alignment plots efficiently
Authors: Krusche Peter  , Tiskin Alexander
Published: February 2025

Dot plots are a standard method for local comparison of biological sequences. In a dot plot, a substring to substring distance is computed for all pairs of fixed-size windows in the input strings. Commonly, the Hamming distance is used since it can be computed in linear time. However, the Hamming distance is a rather crude measure of string similarity, and using an alignment-based edit distance can greatly improve the sensitivity of the dot plot method. In this paper, we show how to compute alignment plots of the latter type efficiently. Given two strings of length m and n and a window size w, this problem consists in computing the edit distance between all pairs of substrings of length w, one from each input string. The problem can be solved by repeated application of the standard dynamic programming algorithm in time O(mnw2). This paper gives an improved data-parallel algorithm, running in time O(mnw/γ/p) using vector operations that work on γ values in parallel and p processors.
Parallelizing the LM OSEM Image Reconstruction on Multi-Core Clusters
Authors: Ciechanowicz Philipp  , Kegel Philipp  , Schellmann Maraike  , Gorlatch Sergei  , Kuchen Herbert
Published: February 2025

In this paper we present four different parallel implementations of the popular LM OSEM medical image reconstruction algorithm. While two of them use libraries such as MPI, OpenMP, or Threading Building Blocks (TBB) directly, the other two implementations use algorithmic skeletons of the Münster Skeleton Library Muesli to hide the parallelism. We compare the implementations w.r.t. runtime, efficiency, and programming style and show the resulting benchmarks which have been conducted on a multi-processor, multi-core cluster computer.
Processing Applications Composed of Web/Grid Services by Distributed Autonomic and Self-organizing Workflow Engines
Authors: Papuzzo Giuseppe  , Spezzano Giandomenico
Published: February 2025

The dynamic and decentralized nature of Grids requires new approaches to make reliable and self-managing the service-oriented workflow management systems. Self-organization, like proposed by the autonomic computing concept, might be the key to design and develop systems/applications that can adapt themselves to meet requirements of performance, fault tolerance, reliability, security etc. without manual intervention. This paper describes Sunflower an innovative P2P agent-based framework for configuring, enacting, managing and adapting workflows on the Grid. The novel aspect of Sunflower is that key functions, include resource allocation, are decentralized and use a bio-inspired approach. This facilitates scalability and robustness of the overall system. Decentralized compositions is implemented by coordinating BPEL processes running on different organizational domains through a choreography model. A bio-inspired virtual shared space is concurrently accessed by workflow engines to discovery and select the appropriate services. Agents manage the workflow at runtime and adapt the workflow proactively to address the dynamism of the Grid execution environment and QoS requirements of the applications.
A versatile system for asynchronous iterations: From multithreaded simulations to Grid experiments
Authors: Kollias Giorgos  , Georgiou Konstantinos  , Gallopoulos Efstratios
Published: February 2025

We present a system for asynchronous iterations, integrated in a portable environment for interactive computations. This system facilitates both the simulation of asynchronous computations in a multithreading context and their execution within a relatively complex platform such as the Grid. Numerical experiments with the PageRank algorithm are also given to demonstrate the practicality of our approach.
Handling Massive Parallelism Efficiently: Introducing Batches of Threads
Authors: Venetis Ioannis E.  , Papatheodorou Theodore S.
Published: February 2025

Emerging parallel architectures provide the means to efficiently handle more fine-grained and larger numbers of parallel tasks. However, software for parallel programming still does not take full advantage of these new possibilities, retaining the high cost associated with managing large numbers of threads. A significant percentage of this overhead can be attributed to operations on queues. In this paper, we present a methodology to efficiently create and enqueue large numbers of threads for execution. In combination with advances in computer architecture, this reduces cost of handling parallelism and allows applications to express their inherent parallelism in a more fine-grained manner. Our methodology is based on the notion of Batches of Threads, which are teams of threads that are used to insert and extract more than one objects simultaneously from queues. Thus, the cost of operations on queues is amortized among all members of a batch. We define an API, present its implementation in the NthLib threading library and demonstrate how it can be used in real applications. Our experimental evaluation clearly demonstrates that handling operations on queues improves significantly.
Fast Multipole Method on the Cell Broadband Engine: the Near Field Part
Authors: Fortin Pierre  , Lamotte Jean-Luc
Published: February 2025

The implementation of the near field part of the Fast Multipole Method, which solves hierarchically N-body problems, is presented for the Cell Broadband Engine. Algorithmic and hardware issues, as well as code specific optimizations, are detailed for this first step towards the first full implementation of a hierarchical N-body method on the Cell processor. We compute up to more than 8.5 billion interactions per second (115.8 Gflop/s) on the Cell Processor, and up to more than 17 billion interactions per second on the IBM QS20 blade (230.4 Gflop/s), for both uniform and non-uniform distributions of particles.
The GPU on the Matrix-Matrix Multiply: Performance Study and Contributions
Authors: Cecilia José María  , García José Manuel  , Ujaldón Manuel
Published: February 2025

Modern graphics processing units (GPUs) have been at the leading edge of increasing chip-level parallelism over the last ten years, and the CUDA programming model has recently allowed us to exploit its power across many computational domains. Within them, dense linear algebra algorithms emerge like a natural fit for CUDA and the GPU because they are usually inherently parallel and can naturally be expressed as a blocked computation. In this paper, we extensively analyze the GPU programming and performance of one of the fundamental building blocks in numerical lineal algebra algorithms: The Matrix-Matrix Multiply. Different programming approaches and optimization techniques have already been published in the literature, which we review and analyze to pursue further optimizations and unveil the potential of some hardware resources when programming the GPU under CUDA. Experimental results are shown on a GeForce 8800 GTX and a Tesla C870 GPU with a performance peak of 43 GFLOPS.