bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brain Structural and Functional Connectivity and the Progression of Neuropathology in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Matthews Paul M.  , Filippini Nicola  , Douaud Gwenaëlle
Published: February 2025

In our contribution to this special issue focusing on Advances in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) research since the centennial, we will briefly review some of our own studies applying magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of function and connectivity for characterization of genetic contributions to the neuropathology of AD and as candidate biomarkers. We review how functional MRI during both memory encoding and at rest is able to define APOE4 genotype-dependent physiological changes decades before potential development of AD and demonstrate changes distinct from those with healthy aging. More generally, imaging provides a powerful quantitative measure of phenotype for understanding associations arising from whole genome studies in AD. Structural connectivity measures derived from diffusion tensor MRI (DTI) methods offer additional markers of neuropathology arising from the secondary changes in axonal caliber and myelination that accompany decreased neuronal activity and neurodegeneration. We illustrate applications of DTI for more finely mapping neurodegenerative changes with AD in the thalamus in vivo and for defining neuropathological changes in the white matter itself. The latter efforts have highlighted how sensitivity to the neuropathology can be enhanced by using more specific DTI measures and interpreting them relative to knowledge of local white matter anatomy in the healthy brain. Together, our studies and related work are helping to establish the exciting potential of a new range of MRI methods as neuropathological measures and as biomarkers of disease progression.
Alzheimer's Disease and the Frontotemporal Dementias: Contributions to Clinico-Pathological Studies, Diagnosis, and Cognitive Neuroscience
Authors: Hodges John R.
Published: February 2025

This review focuses on six key papers published in the mid 2000 s based on work conducted in Cambridge. The first two relate to clinico-pathological studies which established that Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a relatively common cause of focal cortical syndromes, notably progressive aphasia (largely nonfluent), progressive apraxia, and posterior cortical atrophy with complex visual symptoms. Building on these findings, criteria for the progressive aphasias have been developed which define the variant associated with AD (progressive logopenic aphasia). Memory in the dementias has been a major area of interest and one paper discussed here explored the neural basis for episodic and semantic memory failure in AD and semantic dementia. Despite very different memory profiles, the two disorders both cause severe hippocampal hypometabolism and atrophy but differ in the degree of involvement of other memory related structures. This work drew attention to the role of pathology in non-hippocampal structures early in AD. The next two articles deal with the behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) which we have shown is associated with breakdown in theory of mind, social reasoning, empathy, and emotion processing and contributed to work on the neural basis of social cognition. We also identified a subgroup of bvFTD who fail to progress over many years, termed phenocopy cases, who are differentiated by their lack of atrophy on MRI. The final paper described the application of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised, which has proven a useful brief assessment tool for the early detection of a range of neurodegenerative disorders including AD and FTD. It also appears to be helpful in predicting those with mild cognitive impairment who will progress to frank dementia.
Metals, Membranes, and Amyloid-β Oligomers: Key Pieces in the Alzheimer's Disease Puzzle?
Authors: Watt Andrew D.  , Villemagne Victor L.  , Barnham Kevin J.
Published: February 2025

Over the past 100 years, there has been an exponential increase in our understanding of the underlying pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This growth in knowledge has largely stemmed from the intensification of research into AD which has occurred over the past three decades and the incorporation of the amyloid cascade hypothesis as the generally accepted dogma of AD pathogenesis. While at times contentious, the notion that AD arises from aberrations in amyloid-β (Aβ) production and degradation has led to a number of significant breakthroughs in the way in which AD is currently diagnosed and in the attempts at disease modifying therapies, from investigations into the underlying factors mediating the aggregation of Aβ to the development of therapeutic strategies and measures of neuroimaging allowing Aβ burden to be monitored within the AD-affected brain. This review focuses on some of the recent work we have conducted toward elucidating the role of Aβ in AD.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease: More to Come?
Authors: Zetterberg Henrik  , Blennow Kaj
Published: February 2025

The past decades have witnessed an enormous expansion of the literature on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is now clear that a triplet of CSF biomarkers (total-tau, phospho-tau, and the 42 amino acid fragment of amyloid-β) reflects core neuropathological features of AD and contributes diagnostically relevant information if measured in a proper manner. Here, we discuss what is needed for these biomarkers to become generally implemented in the clinical routine. We also discuss novel CSF biomarkers, the challenge of differential diagnosis-making in diseases with shared pathologies, and if CSF biomarkers will survive in the long run, given the advancements in molecular neuroimaging and ultra-sensitive blood tests.
Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease: Showing the Way or Leading Us Astray?
Authors: Quinn Joseph F.
Published: February 2025

The indolent nature of Alzheimer's disease, coupled with burgeoning interest in a “presymptomatic” stage of disease, has motivated efforts to identify, validate, and exploit surrogate disease markers for trials of disease-modifying or preventive strategies. Many of these efforts have been productive, and biomarkers are now routinely applied in selection of study subjects and evaluation of outcomes in clinical trials. On the other hand, biomarkers also have the capacity to lead to bad therapeutic outcomes when they determine “go- no go” decisions in early drug development. This paper reviews several reports of biomarker studies which illustrate the great potential, for both good and ill, of biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease.
Clinically Asymptomatic Vascular Brain Injury: A Potent Cause of Cognitive Impairment Among Older Individuals
Authors: DeCarli Charles
Published: February 2025

Cerebrovascular risk factors and stroke are highly prevalent with advancing age, and stroke may be more common than Alzheimer's disease, particularly among older men. While stroke mortality continues to decline, the prevalence of individuals with various vascular risk factors continues to rise and many are undiagnosed or undertreated. Asymptomatic cerebrovascular brain injury that includes asymptomatic brain infarction and white matter hyperintensities as well as accelerated brain atrophy is even more frequent than clinical stroke. Moreover, the impact of cerebrovascular risk factors on brain injury appears to begin in middle life and additively increases the likelihood of later life dementia. This review focuses on the use of neuroimaging and genetics to understand the impact of asymptomatic vascular risk factors on the trajectories of cognitive aging as well as incident cognitive impairment, stroke, and mortality. Results of this review emphasize the need for early detection and treatment of vascular risk factors to improve the cognitive health of our rapidly aging population.
Risk Estimations, Risk Factors, and Genetic Variants Associated with Alzheimer's Disease in Selected Publications from the Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Weinstein Galit  , Wolf Philip A.  , Beiser Alexa S.  , Au Rhoda  , Seshadri Sudha
Published: February 2025

The study of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), a multi-generational, community-based population study, began nearly four decades ago. In this overview, we highlight findings from seven prior publications that examined lifetime risk estimates for AD, environmental risk factors for AD, circulating and imaging markers of aging-related brain injury, and explorations on the genetics underlying AD. First, we describe estimations of the lifetime risk of AD. These estimates are distinguished from other measures of disease burden and have substantial public health implications. We then describe prospective studies of environmental AD risk factors: one examined the association between plasma levels of omega-3 fatty-acid and risk of incident AD, the other explored the association of diabetes to this risk in subsamples with specific characteristics. With evidence of inflammation as an underlying mechanism, we also describe findings from a study that compared the effects of serum cytokines and spontaneous production of peripheral blood mononuclear cell cytokines on AD risk. Investigating AD related endophenotypes increases sensitivity in identifying risk factors and can be used to explore pathophysiologic pathways between a risk factor and the disease. We describe findings of an association between large volume of white matter hyperintensities and a specific pattern of cognitive deficits in non-demented participants. Finally, we summarize our findings from two genetic studies: The first used genome-wide association (GWA) and family-based association methods to explore the genetic basis of cognitive and structural brain traits. The second is a large meta-analysis GWA study of AD, in which novel loci of AD susceptibility were found. Together, these findings demonstrate the FHS multi-directional efforts in investigating dementia and AD.
Neurovascular Defects and Faulty Amyloid-β Vascular Clearance in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Sagare Abhay P.  , Bell Robert D.  , Zlokovic Berislav V.
Published: February 2025

The evidence that neurovascular dysfunction is an integral part of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis has continued to emerge in the last decade. Changes in the brain vasculature have been shown to contribute to the onset and progression of the pathological processes associated with AD, such as microvascular reductions, blood brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, and faulty clearance of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) from the brain. Herein, we review the role of the neurovascular unit and molecular mechanisms in cerebral vascular cells behind the pathogenesis of AD. In particular, we focus on molecular pathways within cerebral vascular cells and the systemic circulation that contribute to BBB dysfunction, brain hypoperfusion, and impaired clearance of Aβ from the brain. We aim to provide a summary of recent research findings implicated in neurovascular defects and faulty Aβ vascular clearance contributing to AD pathogenesis.
Touching the Future Technology for Autism: Recommendations
Authors: Mintz Joseph  , Gyori Miklos  , Aagaard Morten
Published: February 2025

We position the HANDS project in the wider context of developments in mobile technology and consider what legacy the project leaves. We identify a series of overall conclusions and recommendations from the project about the ways in which “HANDS-like” technology, i.e. integrated suites of mobile apps designed to develop social and daily life skills in young people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), should be developed and implemented in the future. We also set out a roadmap for a future research agenda, indicating further promising lines of enquiry that could potentially lead to the development of effective assistive mobile technology that has the potential to make a difference to the lives of young people with ASD and other people with social and cognitive impairments.
Experiences with Implementation – Technological and Pedagogical Challenges in Using Mobile Persuasive Technology with Young People with Autism
Authors: Mintz Joseph  , Paulsen Emil  , Morgan-Rose Faye
Published: February 2025

The wisdom and experience of teachers were at the heart of the HANDS project. They played a key role in the design of the HANDS software, as well as being the key intermediaries working with the young people in schools on the implementation of HANDS. This chapter focuses on the experiences of the teachers, including both problems and success cases. A substantial contribution from school staff formed the basis for much of the discussion in the chapter. Key conclusions are presented for the future use and development of mobile cognitive support tools for young people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in school settings
Ethical Issues in the Development of ICT Mediated Support for Daily Living in Adolescents with Autism – the Ethics of HANDS
Authors: Holm Søren  , Ploug Thomas
Published: February 2025

The EU-funded project HANDS was aimed at assisting young people with an autism spectrum disorder to increase their participation in social life. The core of the project was the development of a mobile device using personalizable software utilizing persuasive technology techniques. This chapter analyzes the ethical issues raised by the project itself and some of the broader issues raised by the use of persuasive technologies in a population with autism spectrum disorder. These include issues relating to consent and assent procedures, the potential conflict of interest of teachers as researchers and co-producers of knowledge, and questions concerning privacy and parental access to data. In addition the chapter also provides an account of the advice given by the project's ethics advisory board.
Digital Disease Detection
Authors: Pollack Marjorie P.
Published: February 2025

The latter half of the 20thcentury saw a major shift in disease surveillance strategies from reliance upon manually prepared forms sent up the health services pyramid using snail mail to a high tech approach using computer technology and the internet, both for transmission of information between reporting units and as a non-traditional source of information about unusual health events occurring in the community. This chapter walks the reader through the history of the transition from a manually driven disease surveillance paper trail to the digital disease detection era, where the world is wired and wireless, and diseases and information on diseases are travelling at speeds not seen before.
Impact of β-turn sequence on β-hairpin dynamics studied with infrared detected temperature jump
Authors: Popp Alexander  , Wu Ling  , Keiderling Timothy A.  , Hauser Karin
Published: February 2025

Folding dynamics for β-structure loss and disordered structure gain were studied in a model β-hairpin peptide based on Cochran's tryptophan zipper peptide Trpzip2, but with an altered Thr–Gly (TG) turn sequence, i.e. SWTWETGKWTWK, using laser induced temperature-jump (T-jump) kinetics with IR detection. As has been shown previously, the TG turn sequence reduces the thermodynamic β-hairpin stability as compared to the Asn–Gly sequence used in Trpzip2 (TZ2-NG). In this study, we found that the TG-turn slows down the overall relaxation dynamics as compared to TZ2-NG, which were studied at higher temperatures where the time constants show little difference between relaxation of the β-strand and the disordered conformation. These time constants become equivalent at lower temperatures for TZ2-TG than was seen for TZ2-NG. The correlation of thermodynamic stability and rates of relaxation suggests that the change from NG to TG turn results in a slowing of folding, lower kf, with less change of the unfolding rate, ku, assuming two state behavior at higher temperatures.
Water activity
Authors: Nielsen O.F.  , Bilde M.  , Frosch M.
Published: February 2025

Microorganisms require water for their metabolic activities. Only a fraction of water in foodstuffs, the so-called “free water”, is available for this purpose. The amounts of “free” water previously estimated by two different methods [J. Phys. Chem. A 114 (2010), 11933–11942; J. Phys. Chem. A 155 (2011), 4563–4563; Journal de Recherches Atmosphériques 4 (1969), 65–78] are compared for aqueous solutions of four electrolytes, NaCl, NH4Cl, Na2SO4, (NH4)2SO4: (i) Vapour pressure measurements of the solutions relative to that of pure water (water activities). (ii) Low-wavenumber Raman spectra in the R(ν)-representation. For each electrolyte deviations were found between results from the two methods. All water molecules in the illuminated volume contribute to the Raman data. The vapor pressure measurements refer to water molecules at the water/atmosphere interface where surface tension is important. Differences in surface tension for the four electrolytes qualitatively explain deviations between the amounts of “free water” observed by the two methods.
Antimicrobial peptide from the eusocial bee Halictus sexcinctus interacting with model membranes
Authors: Pazderková Markéta  , Kočišová Eva  , Pazderka Tomáš  , Maloň Petr  , Kopecký Jr. Vladimír  , Monincová Lenka  , Čeřovský Václav  , Bednárová Lucie
Published: February 2025

Halictine-1 (Hal-1) – a linear antibacterial dodecapeptide isolated from the venom of the eusocial bee Halictus sexcinctus – has been subjected to a detailed spectroscopic study including circular dichroism, fluorescence and vibrational spectroscopy. We investigated Hal-1's ability to adopt an amphipathic α-helical structure upon interaction with model lipid based bacterial membranes (phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylglycerol based large unilamellar vesicles, sodium dodecylsulfate micelles) and helix inducing components (trifluoroethanol). It was found that Hal-1 responds sensitively to composition of the membrane model and to peptide/lipid ratio. Amphipathic nature of the helical Hal-1 seems to favour flat charged surfaces of the model lipid particles over the non-directional interaction with trifluoroethanol. Increasing fraction of polyproline II type conformation was detected at low peptide/lipid ratios.
Phosphorus compartmentalization on the cellular level of Douglas fir root as affected by Mn toxicity: A synchrotron based FTIR approach
Authors: Dučić Tanja  , Thieme Jürgen  , Polle Andrea
Published: February 2025

We investigated distribution of phosphorus under manganese toxicity in different tissues of 10 μm thin root cross-section of Douglas fir (DF) (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedlings by using synchrotron based Fourier transform infrared microscopy (SR-FTIR) as a chemically sensitive imaging method. Manganese is an essential micro-nutrient in all organisms but may become toxic when present in excess. We found previously that DF variety glauca (DFG) and variety menziesii (DFM) differed in phosphorus uptake, subcellular localization, transport and tissue allocation, as an effect of manganese toxicity. To address the role of P in seedling tolerance under Mn toxicity we determined P allocation in different root tissues. In DFG, but not in DFV, the P concentration was kept at a constant level even under Mn toxicity. Earlier X-ray microanalysis showed Mn accumulation in epidermal and cortical cells of both varieties after Mn treatment, suggesting the root endodermis was a barrier for Mn to protect the vascular system and shoot from high Mn, with possible role of P ameliorations. Here we discuss the potential role of P in Mn compartmentalization and toxicity tolerance in two different varieties.
Spectroscopic (FT-IR, Raman, NMR) and DFT quantum chemical studies on phenoxyacetic acid and its sodium salt
Authors: Samsonowicz M.  , Regulska E.  , Lewandowski W.
Published: February 2025

FT-IR, Raman and NMR spectra of phenoxyacetic acid and its sodium salt were recorded and analyzed. Optimized geometrical structures of studied compounds were calculated by B3LYP/6-311++G**method. The atomic charges were calculated by Mulliken, NPA (Natural Population Analysis), APT (Atomic Polar Tensor), MK (Merz–Singh–Kollman method) and ChelpG (Charges from electrostatic potentials using Grid based method) methods. Geometric as well as magnetic aromaticity indices, dipole moments and energies were also calculated. The theoretical wavenumbers and intensities of IR spectra as well as chemical shifts in1H and13C NMR spectra were obtained. The calculated parameters were compared with experimental characteristics of these molecules.
Background estimation of biomedical Raman spectra using a geometric approach
Authors: Kourkoumelis Nikolaos  , Polymeros Alexandros  , Tzaphlidou Margaret
Published: February 2025

Raman spectroscopy grows into an essential tool for biomedical applications. Nevertheless, the weak Raman signal associated mainly with biological samples, is often obscured by a broad background signal due to the intrinsic fluorescence of the organic molecules present, making further analysis unfeasible. A novel computational geometry method based on the definition of convex hull is described to estimate the background from Raman spectra of samples with biological interest. The method is semi-automated requiring sample-dependent user intervention. It does not rely however on curve fitting, requires no information about background distribution or source and keeps the original spectral data intact.
Spectroscopic determination of pK
Authors: Řezáčová Barbora  , Coïc Yves-Marie  , Zentz Christian  , Turpin Pierre-Yves  , Štěpánek Josef
Published: February 2025

We have introduced a new promising approach for the determination of pKaconstants of oligopeptide intrinsic fluorophores and spectral components referring to their differently charged states. The method is based on the factor analysis of multiwavelength spectroscopic pH titration data. As an illustration we present its application on the study of short segments of the MADS box, which is a highly conserved sequence of a so-called family of transcription factors, by techniques of UV absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. Investigated oligopeptides contain no tryptophan but one tyrosine serving as an intrinsic fluorophore and absorber. The results indicate both good sensitivity and spectroscopic selectivity of our method, which thus may be considered as a complementary technique to conventional electrochemical methods.
The effect of bacterial adhesion on grafted chains revealed by the non-invasive sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy
Authors: Bulard Emilie  , Fontaine-Aupart Marie-Pierre  , Dubost Henri  , Zheng Wanquan  , Herry Jean-Marie  , Bellon-Fontaine Marie-Noëlle  , Briandet Romain  , Bourguignon Bernard
Published: February 2025

In biomedical and food industry, surface colonization by bacteria is harmful: it leads to biofilm formation, a microbial consortia more resistant to antibiotics than planktonic bacteria. In order to design materials able to limit the biofilm formation, the effect of bacteria on materials has to be well characterized. In this work, a well-defined surface composed of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of OctaDecaneThiol (ODT) onto a gold surface is probed in situ. The SAM conformation is obtained using the femtosecond vibrational sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy. This technique provides selectively the molecular vibrational signature of the interface. The behaviour of the ODT SAM is studied in different environments: in air, in water and upon exposure to hydrophilic or hydrophobic Lactococcus lactis bacteria. Modelling the experimental SFG spectra reveals a measurable change of the SAM conformation which depends on the environment, especially on the hydrophilic-hydrophobic character.
Application of FT-IR spectroscopy for fingerprinting of Zymomonas mobilis respiratory mutants
Authors: Grube M.  , Rutkis R.  , Gavare M.  , Lasa Z.  , Strazdina I.  , Galinina N.  , Kalnenieks U.
Published: February 2025

Z. mobilis ATCC 29191 and its respiratory knock-out mutants – kat-, ndh-, cytB- and cydB-, were grown under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. FT-IR spectroscopy was used to study the variations of the cell macromolecular composition. Quantitative analysis showed that the concentration ratios – nucleic acids to lipids, for Z. mobilis parent strain, kat-, ndh-, cytB- and cydB- strains, clearly distinguished Z. mobilis parent strain from its mutant derivatives, and corresponded fairly well to the expected degree of biochemical similarity between the strains.
Turkish Foreign Policy and Cross-border Cooperation in the South Caucasus
Authors: Çelikpala Mitat
Published: February 2025

This article aims at a comprehensive evaluation of Turkey's foreign policy in the Caucasus after 2008. An assessment related to the responses given and the steps taken by Turkey with respect to the emergent events would facilitate the comprehension of Turkish foreign policy parameters in general. Throughout the article, Turkey's foreign policy in the South Caucasus will be discussed under topics such as the Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform, which was proposed by Turkey as an attempt to restore the regional order and stability, the Armenian Opening, Turkey-Azerbaijan relations, commercial and economic ties, and energy cooperation.
Multimodal Paradigm for Mental Readiness Training and PTSD Prevention
Authors: Ćosić Krešimir  , Popović Siniša  , Horvat Marko  , Kukolja Davor  , Dropuljić Branimir  , Kovač Bernard  , Fabek Ivan
Published: February 2025

Multimodal paradigm for cognitive-emotional elicitation, estimation and regulation may strengthen military training and enhance selection process. It includes multiple sessions involving mission-relevant audio-visual stimulation and simultaneous measurement of the trainee's multimodal physiological, facial and vocal response. The initial audio-visual adaptive stimulation screening sequence contains personalized mission-relevant semantically and emotionally congruent static pictures and sounds, based on the initial interview with the soldier conducted by military psychologists. After each stimulus as well as the entire sequence, the soldier provides subjective emotional ratings in terms of valence, arousal and discrete emotions. These subjective ratings and recorded multimodal response (physiology, voice, and facial expressions) represent initial information regarding the soldier's appraisal of mission-relevant stimuli. Subsequent sessions use dynamic stressful video clips captured in real missions, with soldier's entire multimodal response measurements. To maximize training relevance, video clips are personalized and can be mixed with instructions of the commander and potentially other unit members. Additionally, mission-relevant audio-visual interactive tasks are delivered separately and in conjunction with stressful video clips, to strengthen the soldier's cognitive-emotional capabilities. Offline analysis of the soldier's multimodal response can be additionally enhanced by fMRI to the presented pictures, sounds, video clips, and interactive tasks, to reveal changes that occur as a consequence of training. Parameters of the soldier's cognitive-emotional state estimators are tuned continuously in real-time based on physiology, voice, and facial expressions. Aggregate information from these cognitive-emotional state estimators may assist instructors during real-time decision-making when striving to present the most appropriate stimuli for the trainee's current multimodal response. Such stimuli generation based on expert knowledge and experience in cognitive-behavioral stress inoculation training is implemented in our closed-loop audio-visual adaptive stimulation system.
Challenges on Human perception and understanding on situational awareness during Maritime Security Operation
Authors: Mucedola Andrea
Published: February 2025

The concept of Maritime Security Operations was finally agreed upon in NATO. The framework now provides a basis to be able to legitimately perform security operations by using current and future maritime capabilities. Modern maritime operations require a comprehensive situational awareness picture in order to perform tasks in a more efficient and stinting manner. Regrettably, the strongest limitation is due to the limited available number of necessary assets (either maritime and/or air) to collect those data that must be managed by Humans (operators) before being distributed. However, because of the quantity of data to be exploited, decision making value can be diminished by an overlying flow of information, which might create wrong understanding (i.e., managing the whole instead of thinking and drawing on their own experience and then applying discernment to achieve “an” understanding on what is happening in the physical domain). Besides this problem, Coalition staff are more and more populated by heterogeneous operators with different profiles, which might inject “characteristic” errors, eventually spoiling the value of the local situational assessment. In the C4I World, we are observing a conceptual social revolution due to an unstoppable increase in the use of network technology to facilitate cooperation and information sharing within and amongst different social organizations, including civilian and non-military agencies of different countries. In these complex multi-domain settings, the label Network Enabled Capability (NEC) is used to describe the “assumed” increased value of a well-networked organization in order to provide decision superiority over opponents. However, in a complex networking environment, information sharing must be absolutely trustable, clear and able to provide correct meaningful information to users. This challenge is affected by political/legal constraints, technical issues related to system interoperability and by Human System Integration (HSI) errors that might cause wrong assumptions and diminish final quality. How much human perception may affect the cognitive process and, therefore, decision making, is a field we still must fully explore. Apparently, the operators' “geographical” attitude, operational service background and education might offer too subjective an evaluation during sensitive operations. Human understanding might be considered conditional and require a more holistic approach and new models to reduce judgment subjectivity.
Energy Security: Innovation, “Open Energy” and Sustainability
Authors: Sargsyan Arman
Published: February 2025

Energy security is not a modern concern and is a common and strategic issue for every economy in the world. It consists of complex tasks with variety of solution targets, which can be based on short- and long-term conceptual approaches. On the other hand, nowadays the problem has significant differences among various countries and regions and can change its content even in a short term period. The paper begins with alternative concepts of energy security and concludes with personal conceptual view of the author to the problem and its solution. Dependencies between energy security and various other factors are analyzed. Based on the conclusions, the paper finally proposes an optimal conceptual control model for energy security for efficiency and sustainability. As a result, an “open energy” concept is offered for achieving a near-perfect energy security.
Terrorism, Media, and Public Information Management
Authors: Sütalan Zeynep
Published: February 2025

Terrorism is about sending a message to the public in order to influence them in favor of the terrorists. The terrorist message is fear and panic. Their message intends to coerce and intimidate governments due to the trust deficit between the government and the people. In order to achieve its political aims and convey its message of fear, terrorism requires publicity; this publicity is provided by the media. Between the media and terrorism, there is a symbiotic relationship where both parties depend on each other and benefit from such dependence. How to break down this symbiotic relationship between terrorism and media is a difficult question to answer when censorship is not only against the spirit of democracy, but it is also not possible to stop the flow of information today. At the time of terrorist attacks, efficient public information management is the key to maintain public confidence and support. Efficient public information management necessitates efficient management of media relations, which, in the end, facilitates the development of a responsible media.
Towards a ground truth dataset for affect detection from physiological information
Authors: Moratori Patrick  , Wagner Christian  , Houghton Robert  , Shipp Victoria  , Johal Jaspreet  , Welch Peter  , Ali Shakir
Published: February 2025

In this paper we describe part of our recent work where we aim to create a ground-truth dataset for affective computing to facilitate in particular the application and development of computational intelligence and other automated reasoning techniques. Following a multi-disciplinary approach, we highlight the need for but also the challenge of creating such a dataset that provides validated mappings of physiological data to a series of affective states (“happy”, “neutral” and “sad” in our case). We proceed to discuss the experimental approach and setup employed in this paper where a recall task is combined with a series of groups of pre-rated images which are employed as affective stimuli shown to participants while their physiological data is captured. The physiological data sources captured include galvanic skin responses (GSR) and heart rate (HR). Preliminary analysis of the results indicates that the statistically the resulting data does not allow the differentiation between the different stimuli/emotions shown/experienced. We provide an initial interpretation of these findings, including a reflection on the complexity of designing “laboratory-style” experiments while still capturing an emotional response from participants.
Genetic Algorithms and Differential Evolution Algorithms Applied to Cyclic Instability Problem in Intelligent Environments with Nomadics Agents
Authors: Sosa Alejandro  , Zamudio Víctor  , Baltazar Rosario  , Callaghan Vic  , Mezura Efren
Published: February 2025

In this paper the problem of cyclic instability in dynamic environments is presented. This cyclic instability is generated when binary rule-based nomadic agents (agents entering or leaving the environment) interact in complex ways, generating undesirable outputs for the final user. Our strategy is focused on minimizing this cyclic behaviour, using optimization algorithms, in particular Genetic and Differential Evolution Algorithms. These algorithms are applied to the Average Change Function. Different test instances were used to evaluate the performance of these algorithms. Additionally, statistical tests were applied to measure their performance.
IF Alice Arrives, THEN Wonderhome Incites
Authors: Kymäläinen Tiina
Published: February 2025

The science fiction prototype ‘Alice's incitements in Wonderhome’ introduces an intelligent home for the aged that provide motivational and personalized activities, assistance, and memory support. The prototype is based on two intelligent environment research studies: 1) a study that constructed a do-it-yourself creation and configuring tool into a nursing home environment, and 2) a study that aimed at finding means for seniors to compose their memoirs. The science-fiction prototype highlights important results of both studies by emphasising the motivational aspects of configuring the environment. It further describes new interaction mechanisms afforded by future technologies and novel research opportunities for the cloud of things.
Open Source Based Concept of Inteligent House
Authors: Behan Miroslav  , Krejcar Ondrej
Published: February 2025

The evolution of cheap and ubiquitous sensors, chips and mobile devices lead to empower smart home environments where personal automation will reach conform potential of intelligent houses. The users and families benefits from sustainable, modular and social single smart interface where could interact their needs. We propose Smart Home point as Open Source solution for every intelligent house as low cost system with remote, social and sensorial control.
Improving Communication and Presence in Online Telepresence Systems
Authors: Torrejon Alfonso  , Callaghan Vic  , Hagras Hani
Published: February 2025

This describes research into a mechanism that enables geographically dispersed participants in telepresence system to be placed in artificial views that better mimics a real life lecture or meeting room situation. In support of this we present a novel solution for collaborative activity that converts participant's into Mixed Reality's visual objects allowing them to interact more naturally from any location, enhancing their communication.
Smart City Search: A User Survey
Authors: Mietz Richard  , Römer Kay
Published: February 2025

The number of sensors deployed in cities is growing from year to year due to different drivers such as sensors contained in embedded systems, smartphones, weather stations, and sensor networks. When connecting these sensors to the Internet, the state of the city is available online and in real-time, thus, realizing the vision of an Internet of Things (IoT). The combination of this sensor knowledge with data from other sources and services makes cities “smarter” and enables novel applications such as finding free parking spots. A key service for many of those applications is a search engine. This Smart City Search would allow users to search and find entities of the real-world which exhibit a certain state at query time. To inform the design of such a search engine, we conducted a user survey to identify usage patterns and desires of users for Smart City Search.
Helping Tourists to Plan Activities with Shared Urban Social Context
Authors: Komninos Andreas  , Barrie Peter  , Besharat Jeries
Published: February 2025

Ubiquitously available map-based services for tourism are becoming a norm, with the spread of smartphones and the integration of pervasive displays in the urban infrastructure. At the same time, interactions with the urban environment through social networks is rife, with actions such as tagging locations and checking-in to these now a part of mainstream mobile social network use. In this paper, we discuss how exploiting mined interactions with the urban environment can help tourists better plan activities, through sharing the collectively generated social context of a smart, connected city, as a background layer to mapped POIs.
Extraction of Association Rules in between Socio-demographics and Biochemistry Datasets of Schizophrenia Patients using Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Kaya Buket  , Türkoğlu İbrahim
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a method for extracting automatically association rules via multi-objective genetic algorithms. The paper also proposes a novel objective measure to quantify the comprehensibility of the rules. The other objectives of the rules are average support value and average confidence value. We experimentally evaluate our approach on socio-demographics and biochemistry datasets of schizophrenia patients and demonstrate that our algorithm encourages us to improve and apply this strategy in many real-world applications.
Neo-Nomad: the man of the networks revolution era
Authors: Philippou Melina
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this paper is to present the nascent man of the networks revolution within the framework of increasing mobility through analytical and synthetic tools firstly, by defining the impact of mobility in physical space, digital space and the identity and secondly, through the taxonomy of the emerging communities of the neo-nomads.
Scripting Cultures, Parametric Urbanism and Adaptive Ecologies
Authors: Charitonidou Marianna
Published: February 2025

This paper aims to examine how the role of the architect has changed as we shifted to the process of design that Kostas Terzidis calls “Algorithmic Architecture” [1]. The relationships between subjects and objects have changed and thanks to Computer-Assisted Conception and Fabrication (CFAO) systems we are able to manufacture different shapes of each object in the same series. In order to address the problem of global ecological crisis we should investigate how we can create hybrid environments which have characteristics of biological behavior, computational power, behavioral responsiveness, spatial articulation and communication capabilities. I aim to show the potential of the creation of systems that enhance self-organization processes. I encourage the adoption of an approach of responsive architecture based on the combination of material inherent behavior and computational morphogenesis. In order to combine the algorithmic approach to design with the urban planning there is a tendency to map emergent network spaces in real time and to promote urban transformation through the re-coding of urban gaps. In this way the “urban algorithm” is able to operate locally by exploiting constraints and by turning constraints into generative opportunities.
Review Pertaining to the Determination of Key Soil Parameters for Wind Turbine Design in South Africa
Authors: Warren-Codrington Charles  , Kalumba Denis
Published: February 2025

The design of wind turbine foundations presents a complex challenge for foundation engineers, especially the determination of the dynamic soil properties. This is a challenge which depends on site-specific geological characteristics. This paper provides insight into this problem with focus on geological conditions prevalent to the western coast of South Africa, a region set for wind turbine development. In doing so, this paper seeks to emphasise the importance of site-specific wind turbine foundation design. In order to achieve this, a brief introduction to wind turbine loading and structural response is given. This provides a theoretical backdrop against which the determination of dynamic soil parameters is discussed. This discussion is centred on aspects relating to the determination of the dynamic shear modulus for soils in the linear-elastic range, with focus on pedocrete deposits along the west coast of South Africa.
Back-Analysis of a Case History Using Finite Element Method: The Kansai International Airport, Japan
Authors: D'Ignazio Marco  , Länsivaara Tim
Published: February 2025

The construction of large embankments on soft clays involves uncertainties regarding parameters determination, consolidation analysis, settlement prediction and creep effects in normally consolidated soils. The present paper investigates the settlement occurred during the construction of the second artificial island of Kansai International Airport in Osaka bay. The vertical displacement estimated before the construction was lower than the one measured due to unexpected excessive creep deformations. A thorough back-analysis was performed using PLAXIS 2D. The back-analyzed results for the seawall showed a very good match with the real settlement data at t=800 days. Finally, the long-term settlement has been investigated. The obtained value seems comparable with the one predicted by Akai and Tanaka (2005). Uncertainties might be due either to the additional loading given by the airport superstructure or to a refill of the constructed layers added in order to compensate for the excessive settlement that occurred.
Bentonite-Polyacrylate Nanocomposites for Containment of Aggressive Liquids
Authors: Scalia IV Joseph  , Benson Craig H.  , Edil Tuncer B.
Published: February 2025

The containment of high ionic strength leachates by bentonite-polyacrylate composites is presented. Sodium bentonite (Na-bentonite) was modified to control flow and contaminant migration in containment applications where natural Na-bentonite barriers, such as geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs), will not adequately control flow and contaminant migration. Polyacrylate was combined with Na-bentonite by in situ polymerization of acrylic acid within bentonite slurry to create a bentonite-polymer nanocomposite (BPN). BPN swells more than two times more than Na-bentonite from a GCL (73 vs. 30.5 mL/2 g), but in high strength CaCl2solutions, has a swell similar to calcium bentonite (< 10 mL/2 g). Thin layers of BPN and Na-bentonite simulating GCLs were directly permeated with 50, 200, and 500 mM CaCl2. BPN maintained low hydraulic conductivity (<8×10−11m/s) to hydraulic and chemical equilibrium termination criteria, while Na-bentonite had hydraulic conductivities at least three orders-of-magnitude higher. The mechanisms underlying these behaviors are also discussed.
Mainstreaming Design for All in Ami Environments in a Dedicated Experimentation and Demonstration Facility
Authors: Antona Margherita  , Klironomos Iosif  , Margetis George  , Ntoa Stavroula  , Stephanidis Constantine
Published: February 2025

This paper discusses the contribution of an Ambient Intelligence (AmI) facility towards adopting, promoting and mainstreaming Design for All principles and approaches. Design for All is fostered through the multidisciplinary approach that is adopted, the scientific exchange and experimentation actively engaging researchers, the capabilities offered by AmI environments towards supporting multimodal interaction and multimedia output, the actual involvement of representative users, as well as the networking activities that are ensued.
ENABLE – Collection and User Evaluation of ICT-Assisted Learning Tools for Disabled Persons in Europe
Authors: Bothe Hans-Heinrich  , Menge Matthias  , Schmidt Michael
Published: February 2025

ENABLE is a Grundtvig/EU network project in the framework of the Lifelong-Learning-Programme funded by the European Union. The consortium consists of 17 partners from 12 EU and 3 third countries. The major aim is to collect information and communication technology (ICT) learning tools of good practice for disabled persons in Europe and worldwide and associated user evaluations for these tools. This paper gives a first insight into the current state of the data collection performed in the respective workpackage. We have collected more than 150 ICT tools throughout Europe and outside, some primary statistics of which will be presented.
Standardization within the Assistive Technology Field – A Review
Authors: Frick-Meijer Olle
Published: February 2025

This paper describes the background, the achievements and the challenges ahead of standardization within the field of assistive technology based on the work coordinated and done in ISO and CEN Technical Committees “Assistive products for persons with disability”.
Automatic Kinodynamic Wheelchair Modelling for Architectural Design Accessibility Assessment
Authors: Moschonas Panagiotis  , Tsakiris Athanasios  , Tzovaras Dimitrios
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we present a novel methodology to evaluate the wheelchair accessibility of architectural designs. The novelty is that the wheelchair operates under a fully dynamic environment using advanced and fast motion planning, which takes into account the virtual user's dynamic constraints. An elderly virtual user model has been tested under a hospital CAD design, depicting several and important accessibility issues.
Choice and Control: Assistive Technology within Australia's New National Disability Insurance Scheme
Authors: Layton Natasha  , Steel Emily  , de Jonge Desleigh
Published: February 2025

Government policy influences the individual and societal outcomes potentiated by assistive technology (AT) and related supports. Political theory suggests that concurrent problem recognition, potential policy solutions, and active political will, are necessary triggers for concerted government action. This has occurred in Australia, with the advent of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which will revolutionize disability services and, it is hoped, deliver equity for Australians living with impairment. Analysis of the stakeholders and processes involved in developing an NDIS provides a useful case study for others seeking policy change.