bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy and Security in the South Caucasus
Authors: Shaffer Brenda
Published: February 2025

This article discusses the influence of energy on security in the South Caucasus and Caspian region in the post-Soviet period. It claims that while energy is an important factor affecting security developments in the region, it is not the main driver. For instance, energy has not been an important factor in the emergence of the major conflicts that afflict the area: Nagorno-Karabagh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the secessionist conflicts of Georgia (Abkhazia and South Ossetia). In addition, serving as major energy exporters or transit states of energy to Western markets has provided quite limited security benefits and has not enabled the exporters and transit states to regain control of their occupied territories. Moreover, energy flows have not served as an inducement for peace in the region, and most likely energy supply will not serve this function in the future. Possession of significant oil and natural gas resources, however, has kept the energy producers of the Caspian relatively important on the Western security radar screen and thus increased their capability to carry out independent policies. In addition, control of energy infrastructure and influence over the export routes of oil and natural gas has been an important focus of the attempts of regional and global powers to gain influence in the region. Moreover, the region's energy transit states possess influence over their neighboring landlocked energy producers. In addition, possession of significant oil and gas reserves as endowed Azerbaijan with the resources to build a formative military force and this will affect the long-term security trends in the region.
The Black Sea Security Space in Perspective: Ukraine's Non-alignment as a Challenge to the ‘“New” Euro-Atlantism’
Authors: Glebov Sergii
Published: February 2025

Ukraine, as part of the Black Sea region, found itself on the crossroads of the great powers' interests long ago. Having had little chance to develop its current official status as a non-aligned state, on the way to neutrality, by its own resources, Ukraine brought itself into a peculiar, almost deadlocked, situation: it appears to be outside existing security spaces in Europe. Always being ‘in between’ helps little in defending national interests. The concept of the ‘“New” Euro-Atlantism’ gives a theoretical chance to combine different security spaces in Europe in order to share the security interests of Ukraine, together with those of the other European countries, including the Russian Federation and EU members. Such an agenda is also a challenge to the Black Sea region, which, on the one hand, is part of the Euro-Atlantic security space, but on the other is still a divided European periphery.
Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Wives of War Veterans
Authors: Stevanović Aleksandra  , Frančišković Tanja  , Kuterovac Jagodić Gordana
Published: February 2025

Previous studies have shown that some wives of war veterans with PTSD develop symptoms of secondary traumatic stress (STS). The aim of this study was to compare the level of present psychological symptoms and perceived quality of life between the wives of veterans with PTSD, without PTSD, and wives of non-veterans. Wives of veterans with PTSD (N = 50) were recruited through their partners and war veterans treated for combat related PTSD in Referent Center for Psychotrauma Rijeka, Croatia. Wives of veterans without PTSD (N = 50) and wives of non-veterans (N = 50) were recruited using the snowballing method. We administrated Sociodemographic questionnaire, Brief symptom inventory, Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life and Modified Questionnaire for Secondary Traumatization. Obtained results show that wives of veterans with PTSD have significantly higher level of STS symptoms than wives of veterans without PTSD, and higher level of psychological symptoms and lower perceived quality of life compared to other two groups. Level of STS symptoms is positively correlated with psychological symptoms and negatively with perceived quality of life. Main effect on STS symptoms has the wives' knowledge of partner's war traumatic event while the main effect on wives' psychological symptoms has the presence of PTSD in their husbands. In conclusion, when planning the future interventions for PTSD affected veterans, systemic approach should be considered not only to prevent secondary traumatic stress in partners of war veterans but also to enhance individual functioning of each partner and functioning as a couple.
Biomarkers as New Tools to Improve the Diagnosis and Treatment of PTSD
Authors: Pivac Nela  , Nedic Gordana  , Kozaric-Kovacic Dragica  , Nikolac Matea  , Grubisic-Ilic Mirjana  , Mustapic Maja  , Jendricko Tihana  , Rakos Iva  , Muck-Seler Dorotea
Published: February 2025

PTSD is a serious and debilitating psychiatric disorder that can develop in individuals who were exposed to one or more intense traumatic event(s). Since not all people exposed to traumatic experience develop PTSD, it is assumed that different neurobiological, genetic and environmental risk factors are involved in the vulnerability and/or resilience to PTSD. PTSD biomarkers, defined as characteristics that objectively measure and evaluate normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacologic responses to a therapeutic intervention, might improve the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD. Determined biomarkers were peripheral biochemical markers such as platelet serotonin (5-HT) concentration, platelet monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) activity, plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity, and genetic markers /MAO-B intron 13, -1021C/T DBH, catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) val158/108met, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) val66met, 102T/C serotonin receptor type 2A gene (5HT2A) polymorphism and serotonin transporter (5HTT) gene-linked polymorphic region (5HTTLPR)/. Study participants were Croatian male war veterans with or without current and chronic combat-related PTSD, recruited from the Referral Centre for the Stress-related Disorders of the University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb. Only plasma DBH activity, but not other markers, differed significantly between war veterans with or without PTSD. When veterans were subdivided according to the narrow clinical symptoms (such as psychotic features, sleep disturbances, suicidal behavior), platelet 5-HT concentration, platelet MAO-B activity, and val66met BDNF were significantly different among these groups. The results indicate that specific PTSD biomarkers, associated with the narrow clinical features, might be indicators of PTSD traits, state or progression, and might be used to improve the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD.
Psychophysiological Indicators and Biofeedback Treatment of Stress Related Disorders: Our Experience
Authors: Kozaric-Kovacic Dragica  , Jambrosic Sakoman Andrea
Published: February 2025

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other stress related disorders are characterized by prominent psychophysiological symptoms, which are measured through changes mediated by the autonomous nervous system. Psychophysiological procedures in studies of acute and chronic trauma phase such as: baseline resting studies, startle reactivity studies, standardized trauma-related cues and idiographic-trauma cues have tried to gain insight into the neurobiology of the disorder. Psychophysiological parameters in PTSD are also considered as an additional method in diagnostics of PTSD. We will present results of previous studies as well as our research in search for psychophysiological indicators of PTSD. Our experience with applied psychophysiology (biofeedback) as an add-on therapy for psychiatric disorders will be discussed since it seems promising.
Potential Information Fusion Technologies Applicable to Maritime Piracy Awareness
Authors: Valin Pierre
Published: February 2025

In Part 1 of this lecture, a description of fusion levels was provided in general terms, without specific reference to any application. The focus was mainly on general principles, recent developments, and challenges. In Part 2, a specific application of information fusion to missions requiring a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) is presented. The prediction and recognition of attempted piracy require an extensive use of long-range maritime patrol aircraft, such as the Canadian Aurora, whose capabilities are described at length (sensors, autonomy, etc.). Network-enabled operations, which can be achieved through information exchange via datalinks, require that fusion nodes be distributed, one per platform, the Aurora, or CP-140 being one of these platforms. Prosecution of pirates is most easily achieved by ships that are dispatched using the Common Operating Picture shared by the MPA, UAVs, satellites, ships and ground stations.
System Architecture Supporting Detection of Threats in Asymmetric Warfare
Authors: Essendorfer Barbara  , Fischer Yvonne
Published: February 2025

In the area of surveillance and reconnaissance, it is necessary to have an adequate situation awareness to be able to react to a critical situation in time. A critical situation develops over time and space, and is indicated by specific characteristics. These characteristics have to be known, and they need to be perceived and identified before danger occurs. Additionally, maritime surveillance areas are generally large, and threats in this domain are often asymmetric and cannot easily be classified. Therefore, widely distributed information sources, automatic situation analysis, and the possibility to share information of interest are necessary. An approach that makes it possible to percept information about a specific situation is to gather data from different sensor platforms (above and under water) and sensor types (e.g., optical and infrared imagery, video, radar, sonar). To serve user needs, relevant information has to be extracted and integrated into an overall picture. Therefore, methods of data fusion and classification are necessary. As threats are not easily identified by pure object classification (e.g., pirates and fishermen are making use of simple boats), situation analysis methods take specific motion patterns as indicators for abnormal behaviour into account. To disseminate the results and to share them with a broader community, methods and means of data dissemination have to be defined. The paper describes an architecture that implements this approach. The architecture has been proved in EU and NATO projects, and combines civil and military operations.
Ubiquitous Computing in Emergencies: Profile-Based Situation Response Based on Self-Organizing Resource Networks
Authors: Smirnov Alexander  , Levashova Tatiana  , Shilov Nikolay  , Kashevnik Alexey
Published: February 2025

Smart environments based on ubiquitous computing open new possibilities for various aspects of human activity. This paper proposes an approach to emergency situation response that benefits from ubiquitous computing. The approach is based on utilizing profiles to facilitate the coordination of activities of emergency response operation members. The idea behind the approach is to self-organize resources of smart environments according to the state of situation caused by an emergency event. The resources self-organize a collaborative network that comprises physical devices, software services, organizations and persons. The purpose of the resources is to undertake joint actions for emergency response. The emergency response system intended for operating in smart environments has a service-oriented architecture. Some Web-services making up the architecture are intended to model emergency situations, while others model resource functionalities or have supporting functions. A case study illustrates the main ideas presented in the paper.
Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel (PCASP) On Ships in High Risk Areas: Impacts, Concerns and Challenges
Authors: Titahena John  , Sumser-Lupson Karen
Published: February 2025

The use of Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel (PCASP) on ships transiting High Risk Areas (HRA) is a topic bounded in controversy. During 2010 and 2011 the issue was debated in depth by maritime stakeholders due to the dramatic increase of ships attacked or laid hostage by pirates in the Gulf of Aden. In response, the International Maritime Organisation during 2011 provided guidance in the form of circulars which outlined the key points that a ship-owner should consider before employing PCASP. The first part of this article explores the background that led to the concept of PCASP first being debated at the International level. The following sections continue by examining and detailing the complexities of the different legal systems that may impact on a ship owner should they choose to employ PCASP. Finally the paper concludes with the pressing International concerns and possible future consequence of PCASP on ships transiting HRAs.
Families of software systems: a model checking approach
Authors: Gnesi Stefania
Published: February 2025

A number of models, logics and associated tools for the qualitative analysis of variability aspects and their use to deal with adaptability and evolvability of systems have recently been proposed. In these notes, we will introduce the action-based branching-time temporal logic MHML which allows expressing constraints over the products of a family as well as constraints over their behaviour in a single logical framework. Based on model-checking techniques for MHML, a modelling and verification framework will be presented that can automatically generate all the valid products of the family, visualise the family/products behaviour and efficiently model check properties expressed in MHML over products and families alike.
A Tutorial on Runtime Verification
Authors: Falcone Yliès  , Havelund Klaus  , Reger Giles
Published: February 2025

This tutorial presents an overview of the field referred as to runtime verification. Runtime Verification is the study of algorithms, data structures, and tools focused on analyzing executions of system. The performed analysis aims at improving the confidence in systems behavior, either by improving program understanding, or by checking conformance to specifications or algorithms. This chapter focuses specifically on checking execution traces against requirements formalized in terms of monitors. It is first shown on examples how such monitors can be written using aspect-oriented programming, exemplified by ASPECTJ. Subsequently four monitoring systems are illustrated on the same examples. The systems cover such formalisms as regular expressions, temporal logics, state machines, and rule-based programming, as well as the distinction between external and internal DSLs.
Model Checking Meets Probability: A Gentle Introduction
Authors: Katoen Joost-Pieter
Published: February 2025

This paper considers fully probabilistic system models. Each transition is quantified with a probability—its likelihood of occurrence. Properties are expressed as automata that either accept of reject system runs. The central question is to determine the fraction of accepted system runs. We also consider probabilistic timed system models. Their properties are timed automata that accept timed runs iff all timing constraints resent in the automaton are met; otherwise its rejects. The central question is to determine the fraction of accepted timed system runs.
Model-Based Verification, Optimization, Synthesis and Performance Evaluation of Real-Time Systems
Authors: Fahrenberg Uli  , Larsen Kim G.  , Legay Axel  , Thrane Claus
Published: February 2025

This article aims at providing a concise and precise Travellers Guide, Phrase Book or Reference Manual to the timed automata modeling formalism introduced by Alur and Dill [8, 9]. The paper gives comprehensive definitions of timed automata, priced (or weighted) timed automata, and timed games and highlights a number of results on associated decision problems related to model checking, equivalence checking, optimal scheduling, the existence of winning strategies, and then statistical model checking.
Model Checking Basics
Authors: Peled Doron
Published: February 2025

Model checking is a collection of methods for the automatic verification of (often, finite state) systems based on automata and logic principles. We present the basic principles of modeling a system, specifying its properties and applying verification algorithms. We present several methods for combating the challenge of coping with the state space explosion problem.
Data Abstraction in VCC
Authors: Cohen Ernie
Published: February 2025

We describe a methodology for constructing verified sequential/concurrent abstract data types using VCC, a verifier for concurrent C code.
Sustainable energy production in Ukraine: current state and prospects
Authors: Winkler Igor  , Tevtul Yarema
Published: February 2025

Ukraine has quite considerable potential of various kinds of sustainable energy, which currently remains mostly idle. We analyze general structure of the energy consumption in Ukraine, sustainable energy production potential of various regions of the country and prospects of substitution of traditional energy sources with some sustainable ones. It is shown that significant part of the traditional energy consumption, which involves imported energy carriers can be substituted with domestic sustainable energy.
Social Awareness in Pervasive Communities for Collaborative Work
Authors: Lima Christopher  , Antunes Mário  , Gomes Diogo  , Aguiar Rui
Published: February 2025

Future pervasive environments will take into consideration physical and digital social relations. Nowadays it is important use to collective intelligence, where the interpretation of context information can be harnessed as input for context-aware applications, especially for group collaboration. The use of collective intelligence represents new possibilities but also new challenges in terms of collective information for adaptability and personalization in intelligent environments. This paper presents a collaborative context-aware framework focusing on social matching capabilities for session formation in collaborative activities.
A Complex Event Processing Based Framework for Intelligent Environments
Authors: Avenoğlu Bilgin  , Eren Erhan
Published: February 2025

The variety and volume of data produced by devices and sensors in Intelligent Environments (IEs) pose difficulties regarding their collection, analysis and delivery. More specifically, extraction of high level information valuable for the users requires specialized analysis techniques. In this study, we present a framework incorporating complex event processing (CEP) and publish-subscribe based messaging for addressing such needs. Within the framework, data are collected from heterogeneous data sources to go through CEP based analysis, and then the results are delivered to interested recipients. The components of the framework are loosely-coupled through the use of event driven architecture (EDA) in the form of a publish-subscribe messaging system. This enables the use of different CEP engines without requiring the modification of other components in the framework. Similarly, new data sources and delivery end-points can be as easily integrated into the framework. A real life prototype implementation is also provided for validation. The prototype includes various event producers such as electret microphone, light, temperature, motion, magnetic, optical sensors, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) readers, smart phones, and other software systems, which are deployed in a classroom setting. End users receive relevant raw data and high level information according to their preferences, through the use of web and mobile applications. The results suggest the applicability of the framework for IEs. The prototype implementation in the classroom shows that using different event producers helps improve the analysis results and CEP is an appropriate method for data analysis in IEs.
Developing xReality objects for mixed-reality environments
Authors: Peña-Rios Anasol  , Callaghan Vic  , Gardner Michael  , Alhaddad Mohammed J.
Published: February 2025

These days technology enables people to collaborate on work, despite being separated by large physical distances. A variety of such systems have been developed to support organisations such as universities or companies. Most of these platforms are focused on conveying information rather than dealing with collaboration around physical activities that are common in product development or university laboratory activities, where, if such work exists, tend to be confined to the use of simulations. In this paper we introduce a system and associated set of techniques that enables teams of physically dispersed workers to collaborate on the construction of products that comprise both physical (hardware) and information (software) based objects in a so-called mixed-reality environment. The work aims to support dispersed development teams such as students, company R&D members or hobbyist (e.g. enabling the creation of virtual hackerspaces). As such the work focuses around the use of Internet-of-Things technologies to enable people to collectively build new products. In this work-in-progress paper we describe the implementation of xReality objects and their communication within an interreality system, extending our previous work towards the creation of a holistic option for enable geographically dispersed teams to collaborate on the construction of mixed hardware and software products.
An Internet-Connected World: Google's Platform Strategies to Network Industry
Authors: Tung Chien-Ming  , Wu Hsuan-Yi
Published: February 2025

In this Internet-connected world across the globe surrounded by mobile phones, social media, cloud computing and contents, these information resources are owned by the five big technology fiefs – Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft. In this study, we focus on Google's platform strategies on how to manage and utilize its platform to deliver information from core business to partners of its ecosystem (Government/Companies, Innovators, Advertisers/Consumers, Software/Application Developers, Media Companies/Individuals), based on the concepts of platform dominance, dynamic capabilities, cross-platform integration and coopetition. We aim to generate unique strategies to extend Google's business models and its mission “to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful” for future Internet-connected world.
Talking Things
Authors: Kovalchuk Yevgeniya
Published: February 2025

Have you ever wished to know and actually feel what your friends feel so you could help them better? Or maybe you have wondered how it is to be one of those celebrities you admire? And how about to become an apple for example? To experience lazy days of hanging on a tree enjoying sunshine and being washed by rains? Or maybe it feels the opposite – a hard life of fighting against worms, decay, and poor weather conditions? What is that thing that makes us feel ourselves and being aware of the boundaries of our body? Can an iPhone we hold in our hands become a part of our body image? Can its processor unit become part of our brain, while various sensors embedded into it become part of our nervous system? So what if so you wonder? An answer follows.
Creating and optimizing client-server applications on mobile devices
Authors: Anacleto Ricardo  , Luz Nuno  , Almeida Ana  , Figueiredo Lino  , Novais Paulo
Published: February 2025

Mobile devices are embedded systems with very limited capacities that need to be considered when developing a client-server application, mainly due to technical, ergonomic and economic implications to the mobile user. With the increasing popularity of mobile computing, many developers have faced problems due to low performance of devices. In this paper, we discuss how to optimize and create client-server applications for in wireless/mobile environments, presenting techniques to improve overall performance.
Artificial Intelligence in 3D Virtual Environments as Technological Support for Pedagogy
Authors: Saleeb Noha  , Dafoulas Georgios
Published: February 2025

This paper researches the opportunities available to use 3D Virtual learning Environments (3D VLEs), such as Second Life, to create e-learning Project Innovation for students using 3D Virtual Design concepts and programming. This entails the use of programming and coding to create bots (artificial intelligence robotic avatars) that can be used to direct interactive teaching and learning activities inside a 3D VLE. Moreover, through the creation and coding of holographic platforms (holodecks) inside 3D VLEs, diverse classroom and environmental settings can be created to aid in the e-learning process and help the students themselves to use this technique to create immersive 3D projects e.g. 3D catalogues and exhibitions. This is in addition to the prospects of using these holodecks for educational role-play activities, modelling activities and interactive discussions and seminars.
A Generic Context-Aware Recommender Framework for M-commerce
Authors: Abdullah Abdullah  , Li Xining
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we propose a generic Context Aware Recommendation framework for M-commerce applications. The core of the framework is a Multidimensional Contextual graph which can effectively represent various real-world objects and their relations. Once the graph is created, a Random Walk algorithm is applied to obtain a top-k recommendation list. Both products and services can be flexibly modeled into the framework, in addition to their related information such as ratings and QoS measures. As part of our ongoing work, the framework is aimed at presenting a comprehensive recommendation framework for Mobile users.
Beyond Artificial Intelligence Markup Language (AIML) Rapid prototyping of a Q&A system
Authors: Doumanis Ioannis  , Smith Serengul
Published: February 2025

Although Q&A systems have attracted a lot of research interest and efforts during the past few years (e.g. [1] and [2]), there are still a limited number of freely available tools for rapid application prototyping. This paper reviews and compares the available resources and suggests the Virtual People Factory (VPF) [3] as a good solution to rapidly built such systems. It then suggests a novel natural language processing (NLP) algorithm, as an additional layer to increase the VPF accuracy. Finally, the paper discusses a short study where the two approaches (script-based vs. language parsing) are compared and draws conclusions on their performance.
Keynote: Digital-material hybrid objects and augmented spaces to support the social experience of heritage
Authors: Petrelli Daniela
Published: February 2025

Digital technology for cultural heritage has been so far designed to favour the delivery of information over the sensorial experience of being there.This approach has had unwelcome consequences such as the dispersion of the social group (of family and/or friends) and a reduced affective response in visitors. I propose the use of smart exhibits and digitally augmented spaces as a way to integrate digital content within the physical context and overcome the issues of social disruption and loss of affective experience. Examples taken from the work currently done within the project MESCH are used to illustrate the potential of this novel approach.
Restructuring Beginning Design Curriculums with Visual Calculation
Authors: Ham Derek
Published: February 2025

This paper takes a look at the design studio, its practices, pedagogies and myths, and presents computational design methods through shape grammars as a solution for improving its overall effectiveness as a learning environment.
Something about craft
Authors: Bernal Guillermo
Published: February 2025

The objective of this experimental study is to explore the translation of Craft to Digital Craft. This research, while early in its investigation, seeks to explore architecture and digital design as a material process. The direct connection to output devices such as computer-numerically controlled routers, 3d printers and embedded electronics provide a unique opportunity for controlled variation and serial differentiation and seeks to exploit mass customization rather than standardization. Through a series of studies the process from design to machine file to finish product is explored. This connection to digitally driven fabrication equipment creates within the design process an opportunity to realize one's designs both digitally and material
TRART: A system to support territorial policies
Authors: Binucci Carla  , Didimo Walter  , Liotta Giuseppe  , Montecchiani Fabrizio  , Sartore Mariano
Published: February 2025

We present a multimedia software platform aimed at contributing to the implementation of territorial policies to improve and develop the liveability and sustainability of urban and suburban areas. The system offers two main features: It supports citizens to explore places of art, architecture, culture and landscape, through a personal experience based on their interests; it provides local administrators and politicians with monitoring tools to take decisions and improve the quality of the existent services or design new territorial policies.
Integrating modern mobile devices in emergency event reporting and notification
Authors: Lambrinos Lambros  , Bechara Karim
Published: February 2025

Integrating the processes of information gathering, processing and dissemination in emergency and disruption situations still has a number of open issues that often create further dangers or inconvenience. In this paper we describe the architecture and implementation of a system specifically designed to encapsulate the aforementioned processes; its modular and layered structure allows for better integration of new components, information sources and sinks. We show particular interest in utilising today's mobile devices as they are often used by people to report emergency situations to the authorities and can provide enhanced information e.g. exact geographical location; the person reporting is either directly involved in the incident or has witnessed its occurrence. Event information is disseminated to users in the vicinity but they may also opt to receive all events and perform location-based filtering on their device to refrain from providing their own location information.
‘Soundwalk’: An embodied auditory experience in the urban environment
Authors: Talianni Katerina  , Charitos Dimitris
Published: February 2025

Mobile and locative media are systems of technologically mediated communication providing the opportunity to relate physical environments with digital information in order to create “hybrid” spatial experiences, which may function as the context for cultural activities. This has led to new ways of creating, representing and communicating meaning in relation to space and consequently to emergent artistic practices. At the same time, the emerging field of urban informatics addresses novel ways of interacting with our cities and their digital content. Mobile sound art, at the intersection of these technological innovations, deals with the urban environment as a musical interface and employs mobile devices that offer new possibilities for artists to actively involve their audiences. This paper focuses on the soundwalk, as a subspecies of mobile sound art, and attempts to shed light on the relationship between sonic artistic practices and the everyday mobile communication experience by investigating specific examples of this art form.
Precedents for Critically Designing Interaction with Computational Artifacts and Spaces
Authors: Avrami Efrosini  , Charitos Dimitris
Published: February 2025

In this paper we explore the intersection between technology, design and culture in the context of computational artifacts and intelligent environments. The experience of space is discussed from the perspective of phenomenology and relevant writings of architectural theory. We then outline the role of theoretical and practical knowledge from the area of design studies in emerging technological environments by examining theories and approaches that help designers and researchers shape and support the process of interaction. We examine the role of cultural theories for informing the context within which we design interaction, while exploring the possibilities for enhancing users' engagement. In particular, we investigate critical theory as an approach to interaction design that provokes a reciprocal communication between users and artifacts. By artifacts in this paper we mean everyday objects embedded with computational technology, electronic devices and emerging technologies. To embrace this approach, we examine the relevance of aesthetics in interaction and we take into account emerging design theories such as speculative design for experimenting with computational artifacts and consequently raise awareness on the implications of future networked environments. In a world of pervasive computing, we explore how critical design research can inform the process of designing intelligent objects.
Open Design Continuum (ODC)
Authors: Gourdoukis Christos  , Efthymiou Spyros
Published: February 2025

Open Design Continuum is a research project carried out in the context of our diploma thesis at the School of Architecture, N.T.U.A. It is a digital platform for the emergence of a collective design process. In particular, research focuses on the formation of a network of spaces, sited at the Municipality of Athens that will contribute to the activation of public space and its transformation to a receptor of social collective expressions. Therefore, there is an attempt to orchestrate a design model that encourages citizens to participate in it. In other words, a process of design, construction and management of a network of sites capable of hosting and promoting social events is promoted by the ODC platform. In this direction, necessary and sufficient condition is the involvement of citizens in all phases of the design process.
Steps Toward End-to-End Personalized AAL Services
Authors: Cesta Amedeo  , Coraci Luca  , Cortellessa Gabriella  , De Benedictis Riccardo  , Orlandini Andrea  , Palumbo Filippo  , Stimec Ales
Published: February 2025

In Ambient Assisted Living research and development, a significant effort has been dedicated to issues like gathering continuous information at home, standardizing formats in order to create environments more easily, extracting further information from raw data using different techniques to reconstruct context. An aspect relatively less developed but also important is the design of personalized end-to-end services for technology users being them either primary (older people) or secondary (medical doctors, caregiver, relatives). This paper explores an effort, internal to the EU project GIRAFFPLUS, for designing such services starting from a state-of-the-art continuous data gathering infrastructure. The paper presents the general project idea, the current choices for the middleware infrastructure and the pursued direction for a set of services personalized to different classes of users.
Application of Fly Ash in Ground Improvement Techniques
Authors: Knapik Karolina
Published: February 2025

Formation of fly ashes is related to hard and lignite coal combustion in power plants and CHPs. In Poland their annual production reaches 4 million tonnes a year. As this material has also good physical and mechanical properties it may be used to strengthen the subsoil as an additive or a substitute of commonly used cement. With progressing expansion of land transport network the amount of land with favourable soil–water conditions diminishes. Because of mass volumes of materials intended for subsoil strengthening it is necessary to strive for reduction of the cost of manufacture.
Stabilization of Soft Marine Sediments from the Port of Koper (Slovenia)
Authors: Smolar Jasna  , Mladenovič Ana  , Petkovšek Ana
Published: February 2025

At the Port of Koper soft marine clayey sediments (dredged mud) are continually excavated from the sea bottom in order to maintain safe navigation for ships, as well as to deepen the seabed to permit the entrance of large ships into the port. This dredged mud is highly plastic, with a liquid limit of over 70 %. The mixture of dredged mud and sea water is presently pumped as slurry into temporary lagoons, which are located inside the port area; this is where the sedimentation process starts. Due to their low permeability, and the fact that the desiccation and consolidation processes inside the lagoons are very slow, this dredged mud remain in liquid consistency for several years or even more. Nevertheless, it can also be viewed as a potential raw material, and in order to define the best way in which they could be used, an extensive research project was launched. In the part of the project described in the paper, laboratory studies were performed in order to investigate the extent to which various stabilizing agents can be used in order to improve the properties (e.g. compressive strength) of the dredged mud as potential construction materials, as well as the composition of leachates from dredged mud that had been stabilized using these agents. It was found that, due to the excessively high moisture content of the dredge mud, stabilization by using additives does not appear to be a promising solution, so that drying processes should be improved as a priority.
Lime Stabilization of Silty Soft Soil
Authors: Susinov Bojan  , Josifovski Josif
Published: February 2025

Lime stabilization as a method for soil improvement is beneficial for number of important engineering properties, such as: strength, resistance to fracture, resilient properties and reduced swelling. This paper briefly describes the application of quicklime to stabilize soft soil. Many laboratory tests have been carried out on silty soil to determine the improvements for lime in varying percentages. The laboratory investigations for optimum lime and moisture content, preparing and curing samples under controlled conditions were carried out. The investigation of both treated and untreated soil are focused mainly on the strength parameters, changes in the plastic properties, compaction requirements, California Bearing Ratio and compressibility characteristics of the lime-soil mixtures. Significant improvement and stabilization of the silty soft soil has been observed for 4 percent of lime admixtures.
Effect of Wood Degradation and Soil Creep on the Behavior of Wooden Pile Foundation in Venice
Authors: Ceccato Francesca
Published: February 2025

Historical buildings of Venice are commonly founded on small wooden piles. Being permanently under the groundwater level does not prevent wood decay, indeed some recent evidence show that anaerobic bacteria can deteriorate wood even in anoxic conditions. The paper tries to describe wood degradation process and its effect on the overall foundation. A series of finite element analyses was performed coupling wood decay and viscoplasticity of soil and employed to the real case study of the church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Venice
Effect of Downdrag on Floating and End Bearing Piles
Authors: Morsy M.S.
Published: February 2025

Negative skin friction is a long term, and nonlinear time dependent problem which cannot be investigated only through field measurements. Numerical analysis using finite element method provides a powerful tool that enables more detailed study of negative skin friction on piles in soft clay. In this paper, an axisymmetric finite element model was used to analyze the pile-soil interaction problem of negative skin friction. The soft clay was simulated by the double hardening model, and the pile was represented by a plate element. An extensive parametric study was carried out to investigate the effect of different factors on the behavior of a floating pile subjected to downdrag. The studied parameters are: surcharge value, surcharge radius, and clearance between pile toe and a stiff stratum. Also, a comparison between the effect of negative skin friction on both end bearing, and floating piles was carried out. The comparison incorporated the following points: shear stress distribution along pile, neutral plane location, dragload, and pile movement. Keywords: pile-soil interaction, negative skin friction, dragload, downdrag, neutral plane, floating pile
Design and Construction of a Soft Layer for Ship Impact Protection to a Basement Structure
Authors: Shipton Barbara
Published: February 2025

A soft layer consisting of very low strength cement-bentonite grout was designed and installed in the ground to protect a deep basement and its foundations from potential ship impact damage. A suite of laboratory tests was conducted to identify a grout that would meet a target strength of 20–40kPa, dictated by numerical modeling of ship impacts. Large scale mixing trials on site and further laboratory testing verified the site batched material strength before construction began. Acceptability testing of the placed material confirmed the required strength was met and that excessive force would not be transferred to the structures.
Application of Adjusted Wave Equation Analysis for Optimized Pile Acceptance Criteria
Authors: Ta An-Ninh  , Hammann Martin
Published: February 2025

Savings of steel and higher factors of safety for non instrumented piles can be efficiently obtained through calibrated pile acceptance criteria and driving parameters: blowcount and hammer energy. Uncalibrated criteria are commonly established by using wave equation analysis with default dynamic soil parameters. This paper presents a procedure to calibrate these parameters specifically against the results of signal matching analyses on a limited number of instrumented tested piles. The signal matching is recognized by Eurocode as a standard and most reliable method for interpretation of dynamic load tests. These calibrated pile acceptance criteria benefit from the advantages of signal matching analyses: reliability and accuracy. This adjustment procedure has been successfully employed on several projects worldwide: Algeria, Colombia, Germany and Indonesia where marls, silts, sands and clayey soils were encountered.
Evaluation of Deformation Characteristics of Fouled Ballast by a 3-D Discrete Element Method
Authors: Kumara Janaka  , Hayano Kimitoshi
Published: February 2025

In ballasted railway tracks, ballast fouling due to fine material mixing has been identified as a challenging issue due to huge maintenance costs and interruption to regular traffic due to maintenance works. In this research, deformation characteristics of fine-ballast mixtures were studied from laboratory and a 3-D DEM triaxial compression tests on sand-gravel mixtures. First, void ratio characteristics of sand-gravel mixtures were studied. Then, triaxial compression tests were conducted on the specimens of 50% and 80% of relative densities. The DEM simulations were done with sphere and clumps particles. The results showed that 30% sand specimen showed the smallest void ratios (i.e., the densest packing) in the DEM simulations, resulting in the highest deviator stress. The results also showed that clump particles gave similar stress-strain curves as those of laboratory tests while sphere particles gave relatively smaller stress-strain curves.
Finite Element Analyses of the Shotcrete Lining Behaviour
Authors: Souli Argyro  , Kellezi Lindita
Published: February 2025

Tunnelling is an engineering practice, becoming increasingly popular, as part of the transportation development process in crowded cities. Specifically, the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) is associated with the use of sprayed concrete. A series of parametric finite element analyses are carried out to investigate the tunnel behaviour and ground movements in NATM tunnels. More specifically, a tunnel in London clay is investigated. The finite element methods are really effective in stimulating the ground-support interaction of the tunnel. The aim is to compare the approaches in terms of tunnel response (settlements and/or moment/forces) and comment on how accurate ground movements can be predicted in each case. Two different approaches of modelling the tunnel lining were used, the beam element model and the solid element model. The aim is to compare the two approaches in terms of tunnel response and comment on how accurate ground movements can be predicted, using the solid element model.
Soil Modeling and Effects of Building Stiffness on Tunneling-Induced Ground Movements
Authors: Law R.H.C.  , Whittle A.J.
Published: February 2025

This paper presents the findings of a study to assess the influence of building stiffness on tunneling-induced ground movement for comparison with prior results reported by Potts and Addenbrooke (1997). This is accomplished through 2D numerical simulations using the Hardening Soil family of constitutive models. Input parameters of the Hardening Soil (HS) and Hardening Soil Small (HSS) models were calibrated for the case of London Clay and are compared with the prior analyses which used a non-linear elastic soil model proposed by Jardine et al. (1986) (referred to as PJ model). Results have indicated that the choice of soil model has an important influence on the prediction of greenfield ground movements. The HSS model with the selected set of stiffness parameters provides a reasonable fit with the PJ model and matches closely the greenfield settlement trough expected from empirical data. Using the calibrated HSS soil model, we obtain modification factors for the deflection ratios and horizontal strains of a surface structure, represented as an equivalent deep beam. While the results are broadly consistent with the prior design approach, there are differences in quantitative predictions of damage that suggest the need for more refined site specific predictions for critical structures.
Experience with Drainage and Ground Stabilisation by Siphon Drains in Slovakia
Authors: Mrvik Ondrej
Published: February 2025

Drainage in the engineering practice is often used for stabilizing of instable areas. According to consumption of energy, the methods can be divided into two groups. Traditional methods of drainage without need of energy, i.e. using gravity, are usually limited by its maximal depth of 3–5 m (as gravel drains). Considerable length of subhorizontal wells can be another disadvantage. On that account, the innovative method of siphon drains represents a flexible alternative. In the paper, both the method of siphon drains and it's last applications in Slovakia are introduced. Conclusions and reflection of the drainage based on field observations and maintenance are included.
Coupled Effects of Stress Rate and Structure on the Compressibility of Cement-Mixed Clay
Authors: Li Park Q.  , Baudet Béatrice A.
Published: February 2025

This paper investigates the interaction between structure and stress rate and its effect on the compression behaviour of cemented clay. Natural hard soils and soft rocks possess a structure that was formed by complex physical and chemical process during and/or after deposition. Tests were performed on artificially cemented kaolin to simulate deposition during or after the formation of structure. One-dimensional compression tests were performed at different loading rates during curing of the artificially cemented clay specimens so that the coupled effects of curing and stress rate could be examined. Triaxial tests were also carried out on cemented specimens that were cured and consolidated under different initial stresses and then compressed isotropically at different stress rates. In these latter tests the structure formed by curing had reached a stable state prior to compression, and the isotropic loading resulted in the degradation of structure. One-dimensional and triaxial compression tests were performed on reconstituted specimens for comparison.