bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review to Support Assisted Dental Implant Process
Authors: Tinfer Sabrina  , Szejka Anderson Luis  , Rudek Marcelo  , Estorilio Carla Cristina Amodio  , Canciglieri Junior Osiris
Published: February 2025

Nowadays it is possible to identify an interaction between health and engineering areas in order to provide better patient care. In dental implant studies, an interaction between areas makes the success of the surgery not dependent exclusively on the experience of the dental surgeon. Providing subsidies to aid decision-making makes the procedure more efficient and more successful. Thus, the aim of this paper is to present a systematic review focusing on the Support for Decision Making in the Assisted Dental Implant Process. The methodology to accomplish this work initiate with a systematic review. It was search in the literature, in different available databases from CAPES journals portal, the content of the articles to identify the state-of-the-art, defining the keywords of this search, moreover the categorization in primary and secondary keywords, definition of parameters, search with databases CAPES journals portal, selection of articles, reading and analysis of content, definition of inclusion and exclusion methods, identification of work process milestones, analyze contributions and limitations of each author. This systematic review demonstrates keywords in the process of dental implants, that is, works that stand out, fulfilling the requirements of this research. Therefore, by finding the state of the art, it is possible to identify important points in the dental implant process by identifying new research and development opportunities. As an opportunity for future works, it is possible to analyze the bibliographic references, identifying the key authors and seeking their contributions to the decision support process of the surgeon.
Simulation Analysis of Engineering Change Processes to Reduce Total Cost of Ownership
Authors: Mo John P.T.  , Caporaso Anthony
Published: February 2025

Reducing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for long term defence sustainment contracts is an important goal for defence organisations around the world. A large part of the cost borne by long term sustainment contracts is related to the processes used. These processes require resources to undertake and manage. When these processes are not optimised, resources may not be focussed on the right areas, the cost will be higher than it needs to be. This paper establishes a TCO model of the existing engineering change process. This model is simulated in a case study sustainment contract of 24 years and the TCO of this process calculated. By optimising the engineering change process, the TCO can be reduced. The method of analysis provides concrete scenario data for decision makers to adopt the new process and reduce TCO.
Transdisciplinary Engineering Research Challenges
Authors: Wognum Nel  , Bil Cees  , Elgh Fredrik  , Peruzzini Margherita  , Stjepandić Josip  , Verhagen Wim
Published: February 2025

Transdisciplinary research (TDR) has been the subject of discourse in the past few decades, but has bot been studied much in the context of engineering problems. Many engineering problems can be characterized as ill-defined, like open innovation, adoption of new technology, business development, and the adoption of the Industry 4.0 concept. Transdisciplinary engineering research (TDER) is also performed in large projects by multi-disciplinary teams, as in TDR projects, including stakeholders and people from practice. Such projects may last long, often years. In such large projects, the involved disciplines should include both engineering disciplines as well as disciplines from social sciences. In this paper we address the challenges that exist in adopting a TDER approach. Universities need to prepare students to work in TDER projects. We discuss the current situation in transdisciplinary engineering education (TDEE) and identify challenges that need to be addressed for including TDEE in curricula. The paper ends with a summary and ideas for further research.
Group Technology: Genetic Algorithm Based on Greedy Constructive Structure and Refinement by k-Means Method Applied to Manufacturing Cell Formation Problems
Authors: Branco Rogério Malta  , Rocha Carlos Rodrigues
Published: February 2025

The Group technology (GT) constitutes a manufacturing philosophy that exploits similarities in product design and product processes. The information attained from the process sheets are organized in an incidence matrix with machines and parts. The goal is to assign parts to families and machine to cells, which are designed to produce a given part family such that the number of voids and exceptional elements in cells are minimized. This article considers the problem of the manufacturing cell formation, of combinatorial nature and proposes a hybrid genetic algorithm (GA) with a greedy cosntrutive method for its solution, aiming the minimizing of the inter-cell movement and maximizing the use of the machines inside a cell. Basically, the GA generates sets of machine cells, and the constructor method is applied to those cells to better assign part families to them. The k-means algorithm is also applied to refine these formations. The performance of the proposed framework, considering the efficacy of grouping and a set of GT problems available in the literature, is presented and discussed.
An Analysis of the State of Framework Development for Reasoning in Smart Cyber-Physical Systems
Authors: Tepjit Sirsak  , Horváth Imre  , Rusák Zoltán
Published: February 2025

Smart CPSs (S-CPSs) have been evolving beyond what was identified by the traditional definitions of CPSs. The objective of our research is to investigate the concepts and implementations of S-CPSs, and more specifically, the frameworks proposed for the fuzzy front end of their reasoning processes. The objectives of the paper are: (i) overview of the various framework concepts and implementations in the context of S-CPS, and (ii) analyze the presented frameworks from the points of view of reasoning processes of S-CPSs that included the concepts of structuring knowledge, building awareness, situated reasoning, decision making, and system adaptation. Our major findings are: (i) model-based and composability approaches do not support a development of S-CPSs; (ii) awareness and adaptation behaviors are considered as system level characteristics of S-CPSs that are not achieved by traditional design approaches; (iii) a new framework development should support a compositional design for reasoning in S-CPS. Based on the findings above, we argue that a development of S-CPSs should be supported by a proper framework development for compositional design of smart reasoning and coping with the challenges of compositionality requires both software-level integration and holistic fusion of knowledge by means of semantic transformations. It needs further investigation if a compositionality enabling framework should appear in the form of a meta-framework (abstract) or in the form of a semantically integrated (concrete) framework.
Design and Optimisation of Composite Spatial Frame Connectors
Authors: Sosnowski Michał  , Skarka Wojciech  , Wąsik Mateusz
Published: February 2025

Demands of the market and current mindset of nowadays engineers are to create vehicles as efficient and eco-friendly as possible. In the automotive industry, one of the ways to achieve that is a reduction of the support structure weight. The solution that was derived from aerospace industry is monocoque support structure. Nevertheless, proper design of such structure is challenging, expensive, especially in unit production and hard to repair or modify in case of new subassemblies. An alternative solution for vehicle lightweight support structure is spatial frame created from carbon fibre reinforced composite tubes. A problem of such structure, in case of laminate composite materials, are the tubes connections. In classical aluminium spatial frame connections are welded, and therefore their strength is close to the material strength. In case of carbon fibre, such connections are usually created using adhesives, connecting carbon fibre reinforced tubes with composite shaped connectors or by precise cutting of the ends of tubes in order to increase area of contact between interfaces, applying adhesive and bounding tubes using composite materials. Another considered solution is carbon fibre tubes reinforced with 3D printed ribbing. Both analysis and optimization were conducted using HyperWorks software. The paper presents a novel approach to composite structures connectors optimization.
A Proposal on an Electricity Trading Platform Using Blockchain
Authors: Tanaka Kenji  , Abe Rikiya  , Nguyen-Van Triet  , Yamazaki Yuto  , Kamitamari Tetsuya  , Sako Kazue  , Koide Toshio
Published: February 2025

This paper proposes a platform that transfers electric power among consumers individually using digital grid technology that can digitally control power and blockchain technology. In this platform, each individual estimates excess or shortage of electric power based on each amount of their electricity consumption and generation, then the consumers conduct power trading at the electric power market made with blockchain. Finally, the consumers conduct power interchange based on the trading result.
Design and Development of a Quantity Controlled Sugar Stick for Hot and Cold Drinks
Authors: Manarvi Irfan Anjum  , Aldamash Abdulaziz  , Alghamdi Abdulrahman
Published: February 2025

Drinks cannot be enjoyed without a specific quantity of sugar content according to the taste of a person. However exact amount of sugar used by individuals is hard to measure while pouring it in a hot or cold drink. Sugar sachets have been in market over the past century with varying designs and contents. These have a specific quantity of sugar which is normally poured by the user in a cup. A spoon is needed for stirring; which if not available on site may cause inconvenience in stirring as well as a distaste of drink due to excessive or low sugar content because the users are unable to control the exact quantity of sugar according to their taste. Present research was conducted to design a sugar stick which can have the possibility of controlling grams of sugar a person may like to use for any drink. It may also be used as a stirrer due to its unique design. It will be especially useful for in-flight meals and other industrial applications such as in hospitals, restaurants, homes and social gatherings. The techniques usually covered in a typical product design and development course at undergraduate level were reviewed and applied throughout the process of this product design. Business opportunities likely to be created, customer needs, concept design, selection and development processes were adopted to arrive at the final product. It was observed that if learners are provided an opportunity to explore customer needs for a specific product they could get a hands on learning experience and come up with innovative ideas to satisfy the need through applying their theoretical knowledge.
Indentifying and Quantifying Inefficiencies Within Industrial Parametric CAD Models
Authors: Lindsay Andrewl  , Paterson Abbyl  , Graham Ianl
Published: February 2025

Parametric CAD software is the primary development tool for the design engineer during the product development process. However, industrial parametric CAD models are often constructed in a manner that leads to inefficiencies during subsequent product development activities. Despite the availability of Model Quality Tools (MQTs) these ‘poor’ quality models can currently only be accurately identified using time-consuming and subjective auditing from experienced users. The project aims to develop a more robust solution, using measurable part characteristics, to predict the efficiency level of these CAD files.
An Analysis of Smart Systems Implementation in UK Food Production Companies
Authors: Thomas Andrew  , Barton Richard  , Haven-Tang Claire  , Byard Paul  , Mason-Jones Rachel  , Francis Mark
Published: February 2025

The UK food industry faces significant challenges to remain competitive. With the changing political climate, companies can no longer rely on a low labour cost workforce to maintain low production costs. Smart Production Systems (SPS) is being seen as an alternative towards achieving improvements in productivity. However, little evidence exists on whether UK food companies are prepared for implementing such systems. The purpose of this research is to explore the applicability of SPS in the UK food processing industry and, to identify the preparedness of companies to implement such systems. A triangulated research approach is adopted and includes a questionnaire, interviews and audits of 20 food processing companies. Findings suggest that the current political turbulence in the UK could bring food companies closer to the adoption of SPS, hence it is a good time to consider learnings from other manufacturing sectors and, to outline an SPS implementation strategy.
A Neural Network Approach to Predict Deliverability in Manufacturing
Authors: Hao Zhen  , Abukar Ahmed  , Saadat Mozafar  , Saeidlou Salman
Published: February 2025

At present, estimating the deliverables of products in the manufacturing industry mainly depends on the knowledge of experts, but the knowledge of experts is sometimes difficult to obtain and often limited. The main purpose of this paper is to provide a method that can predict the deliverability of a product based on machine learning and data science technologies. The data used is real industry data and the machine learning algorithm used does fit the data set. The results of the model illustrate that using machine learning algorithms to predict deliverability is feasible. The machine learning algorithm achieves precision and recall percentages respectively. However, the findings also address some limitations. The machine learning algorithm has requirements on the form of the data. If the new data and the historical data have different forms, the machine learning algorithm cannot generalize well on new data.
Cyber Physical System and Big Data Based Energy Efficient Machining Optimization
Authors: Li Weidong
Published: February 2025

Due to increasingly customized manufacturing and stricter requirements on sustainability, it is challenging to achieve energy efficient optimization for machining processes. This paper presents a novel Cyber Physical System and Big Data enabled machining optimization system to address the above challenge. An effective evolutional algorithm based on Fruit Fly Optimization is applied to generate an adaptive energy efficient schedule, and improve schedule when there are significantly varying working conditions and adjustments on the schedule are necessary. Practical case studies presented in this paper demonstrate the effectiveness and great potential of applicability of the system into practice.
A Review of Simulation Based Life Cycle Assessment in Manufacturing Industry
Authors: Liu Yu  , Syberfeldt Anna  , Strand Mattias
Published: February 2025

The manufacturing industry has a duty to minimize their environmental impact and more and more legislations include environmental impact evaluations from a life cycle perspective to avoid burden shift. Current manufacturing industry increase their use of computer-based simulations for optimizing production processes. In recent years, a number of studies have been published, combining simulations with life cycle assessments (LCA), to evaluate and minimize the environmental impact of production activities, as part of improving the production processes. Still, current knowledge concerning simulations for LCA is rather scattered. Therefore, this paper reviews relevant literature covering simulation based LCA for production development. The results of the review and cross comparison of papers are structured following the 6 categories in line with the ISO standard definition of LCA (goal formulation, scope definition, environmental impact assessment, data quality, level of modelling details, and model validation) and report the strengths and constraints of the reviewed studies.
Investigation on Induced-Residual Stress During End Milling Operation Using Analytical Modelling
Authors: Ojolo Sunday Joshua  , Ogundare Adebayo Adeyemi  , Ismail Sikiru Oluwarotimi  , Kofoworola Oluwayemisi Toke
Published: February 2025

During end milling operation, the residual stresses are developed from two sources: plastic deformation of workpiece material and thermal energy generated. These two sources of residual stresses are often combined as one toward prediction of the efficient combined milling parameters which consequently minimised the residual stresses induced in the material. Hence, a mathematical model for predicting the magnitude of induced-residual stresses during end milling of 304L stainless steel was formulated, using analytical approach. The formulated model captured both mechanical and thermal (thermo-mechanical) stresses, which play a significant role during material deformation prior to fracture. The model was simulated with MATLABTM software. The mill cutter has a nose radius of 0.4 mm and operated at a constant cutting speed of 3 m/min. The simulation results showed that when the depth of cut was increased from 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm, the resultant residual stress varied from 150 MPa to 500 MPa, respectively. Evidently, the value of the residual stress value recorded same in both xx and zz-directions, at a particular depth of cut. However, the residual stress decreased exponentially as it approached zero under the surface of the material. Therefore, this model is capable of predicting the residual stresses induced during end milling operation, depending on the material (workpiece) properties, tooling material and selected end milling parameters.
Makespan Minimization for Flow Shop Scheduling Problems Using Modified Operators in Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Mumtaz Jabir  , Zailin Guan  , Mirza Jahanzaib  , Rauf Mudassar  , Sarfraz Shoaib  , Shehab Essam
Published: February 2025

Scheduling of jobs in Flow Shop (FS) is NP-hard problem which is usually solved by using heuristic and metaheuristic algorithms. In this paper modified Genetic Algorithm (GA) was used to solve FS scheduling problem to minimize the makespan. The proposed algorithm involved two improvements in GA. First is the modification in Roulette Wheel Selection (RWS) which is commonly used as a selection operator in GA. Secondly, the initialization of the population was created using NEH heuristic instead of random generation. The objective of these improvements in GA is to make smooth and fast convergence towards the best solution. A case study was conducted to evaluate the proposed algorithm using simulation. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed algorithm can achieve a better solution with faster convergence as compared to GA with traditional RWS.
Optimising the Delivery and Pick-up Routes for Packed Water Bottles
Authors: Wang Qing  , Munthe Toni
Published: February 2025

This paper proposes an optimal solution for optimizing the route in delivery and pick-up paths from the manufacturer (depot) to the customers using packed water bottles as the case study. The model of packed water bottles' traveling routes with simultaneous delivery and pick-up will be generated to represent the mathematical model of the forward and reverse logistic. The objective function of the model is to minimize the transportation cost using a Tabu search. The output of the study will be a minimum transportation cost in serving the entire customer along the paths. To make the problem real, a case study will be undertaken in Southern Jakarta where a seller wants to distribute bottled water to its customers scattered around the city.
Manufacturing Relocations in the Footwear Industry: A Comparison Between Italy and Spain
Authors: Di Stefano Cristina  , Fratocchi Luciano  , Merino Fernando
Published: February 2025

The paper concerns the relocation of manufacturing activities earlier off-shored. More specifically, it is focused on back-shoring (relocations at the home country) and near-shoring (relocations in the region near the home country) decisions implemented by 25 Italian and Spanish belonging to the footwear industries. 41 relocation decisions were analyzed according a “3Ws” approach which allows to investigate the following issues: a) the content of reshoring decision (WHAT), b) the host countries (WHERE) and c) motivations induced companies to change their manufacturing locations (WHY). Among other contributions, authors enlarge the concept of “selective reshoring” earlier proposed in the extant literature. More specifically, they investigate selectivity in terms of “width” (number of back/near-shored product lines) and “depth” (number of production phases relocated). Several differences between the two country-based sub-samples were found and discussed taking into account the extant literature.
Exploring the Role of Outsourcing in Food Supply Chain Sustainability – A Review
Authors: Saad Sameh M.  , Hatami Somayeh  , Bahadori Ramin
Published: February 2025

Currently, food supply chains are under global pressure in the world to continually provide high-quality food constantly. Hence, in order to meet this expectation, sustainability plays a significant role by integrating economical, environmental and social aspects in this particular supply chain. On the other hand, due to globalisation and uncertainties in the business world, companies try to assign some of their activities to outsourcing companies such as logistics service providers (LSPs).
Analysis of Surface Quality when Micro-Milling Polymer Nanocomposites
Authors: Shyha Islam  , Le Bao  , Huo Dehong  , Fu Guoyu  , Arrowsmith Harvey  , Ahmed Aminur
Published: February 2025

The paper presents an investigation on surface quality in terms of surface roughness when micromachining of nanoclay/polyester (PE) and graphene/epoxy nanocomposites. Micro-milling experiments were performed at levels of nano-filler weight fraction, feed rate and cutting speed. Contact stylus was employed to measure surface roughness of the machined surfaces. Experimental results show an improvement of surface quality due to the presence of nano-fillers. Maximum Ra measured on graphene/epoxy surfaces was around half of the maximum Ra of the nanoclay polyester machined surfaces (0.9 μm).
Investigation on Micro-Slotting of Polymer Nanocomposites: Cutting Forces
Authors: Shyha Islam  , Huo Dehong  , Le Bao  , Fu Guoyu  , Soliman Essam  , Alzahrani Bandar
Published: February 2025

Graphene and halloysite nano-clay have been employed as reinforcements in polymeric nanocomposites due to their superior properties such as high strength, thermal conductivity while epoxy and polyester (PE) are the most popular polymers that have been widely applied in industry as structural material. In the present study, GNP and halloysite nano-clay were used as nano-fillers to reinforce epoxy and polyester matrix, respectively. Micro end milling trials were conducted on a 3-axis ultraprecision CNC machine tool and cutting forces were measured. Higher cutting forces were recorded when cutting graphene/epoxy specimens compared with the nano-clay/PE at higher cutting speed of 188.5 m/min.
The Role of Defense Education in the Context of Current and Emerging Security Challenges
Authors: Anastasov Pavel
Published: February 2025

This paper argues that the current and future security environment challenges require current and future leaders possess a new set of skills to prepare them for adapting to and addressing them. For the Armed Forces of nations, the most appropriate place to develop such skills is in their Defense Education institutions. Horizontal, network-centric approaches like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Defence Education Enhancement Programme (NATO DEEP) provide a platform for NATO Allies and Partners to cooperate in order to help defence education institutions reform and adapt. It provides a flexible and efficient way to build capacity, teach cooperation, and develop common understanding of current and future challenges.
The Role of UNICRI in Advancing Global Security: Implications for Miltary and Defense Cross-Border Threats
Authors: Bosco Francesca
Published: February 2025

In the paper that follows, several cross-border military and defense threats will be explored, particularly in view of UNICRI's role in advancing action-oriented research in the fields of crime prevention and criminal justice. Confronted by criminals who constantly find new ways of exploiting people and goods, the international community must remain at the forefront of identifying innovative responses to crimes affecting global security. As such, the present paper aims to contribute to the existing body of literature on current efforts to combat organized crime, illicit trafficking, terrorism, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risks as well as the misuse of technology, including artificial intelligence, and robotics.
Armed Forces in Civil Security: Managing Border Security and Refugee Flows
Authors: Clarke John L.
Published: February 2025

This paper explores what armed forces can do, should do, must do, and should not do, regarding border security and domestic contingencies. It provides historical examples to demonstrate the twin phenomenon of the militarization of civilian functions and the civilianization of military support in multiple countries. It argues these trends are increasing due to limited resources, public will, efficacy, and to new emerging threats including cyber. It also demonstrates how these issues are relevant to border security and migrant operations. The paper delineates and examines the six basic functions of defense support: a) emergency and disaster relief, b) law enforcement, c) special security events, d) essential services, e) counterinsurgency, and f) civil disturbances. It then concludes by forwarding a set of criteria for policy and military leaders to employ when determining whether and to what extent to use armed forces in defense support of these six functions. They include legality, lethality, risk, readiness, cost, appropriateness, capacity, and unique capability.
The Nexus of Trafficking and Terrorism
Authors: Howard Russell D.
Published: February 2025

Globalization continues to intertwine the connections between people, organizations, and information, sometimes making life easier but at other times making problems more complex. The relationships between international criminal and terrorist organizations are a troubling example of this phenomenon. Groups motivated by radical ideology can fund their violent attacks through criminal means, and criminal enterprises are able to expand their influence and activities by leveraging new “customers” in terrorist organizations. This paper focuses on the nexus between trafficking and terrorism in the Balkans. First, it outlines the general similarities and differences between the two types of illicit organizations. Next, it describes the main types of trafficking—human, weapons, drugs, and contraband; and then adds antiquities trafficking to the “Big Five.” The threats posed by this complex problem set emerge through a discussion of specific examples of the nexus in the Balkans. The paper concludes by examining opportunities to disrupt the terrorism-trafficking nexus.
Strengthening Links Between Citizens, Governments and Media as a Strategy to Combat Propaganda
Authors: Brooks Rusty
Published: February 2025

Countering propaganda is critical to the ability of governments to maintain credibility and legitimacy, especially in Eastern Europe. Additionally, educating citizens on how to determine whether media is factual and unbiased or biased and disinformation is more and more important as a societal and political challenge. Perhaps most importantly is the need to reestablish local media as a trusted source of news and opinion. This paper examines the interplay between citizens, governments and media as a strategy to counter propaganda in Eastern Europe.
“Question More” – But Not Too Much. Mapping Russia's Malign Master Narratives in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Rebegea Corina
Published: February 2025

Russian state-sponsored disinformation and propaganda are one of the main instruments for force projection in the Euro-Atlantic space. The Kremlin uses information warfare to weaken and erode the Euro-Atlantic alliance, to sway public opinion and intensify geopolitical competition. In this effort, the Kremlin is using a consistent system of techniques, tactics and narratives. Based on CEPA research, this paper will introduce the concept of master narrative as a conceptual tool to understand Moscow's motives and goals, as well as inspire policy options that could help increase informational and societal resilience in Western democracies.
Black Swans on the Eastern Flank
Authors: Ducaru Sorin  , Niţu Ionel  , Margvelashvili Murman
Published: February 2025

The initiative of New Strategy Center Romania alongside the partner organization, World Experience for Georgia represents an innovative input to strategic awareness and anticipation, an attempt to horizon scanning in the sophisticated security context in the region. The purpose of analyzing Black Swans has bigger stakes than ever, especially after the events during and after the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, showing that the Black Sea region and the Balkans have a significant potential for strategic surprises. Given its aim to analyze “Black Swans” on NATO's Eastern Flank, the project seeks to provide a set of scenarios for two of the most vulnerable areas of Europe, notably from the perspective of the countries situated in these regions.
Mothers Preventing Violent Extremism: The Example of MotherSchools in Macedonia from Philosophy to Practice
Authors: Schlaffer Edit  , Kropiunigg Laura  , Kropiunigg Rafael
Published: February 2025

Mothers present a missing link in preventing the spread of violent extremism. Their unparalleled physical and emotional proximity make them witnesses of every stage in their child's development. While mothers thus have the potential to intervene if necessary, they often lack the essential knowledge and self-confidence to recognize and address the early warning signs of radicalization in their sons and daughters. In response, Women without Borders (WwB) developed and designed the pioneering “MotherSchools: Parenting for Peace” Model. When put into practice, this proven approach positions concerned and affected mothers as the first line of defense against extremism in at-risk communities around the globe. MotherSchools programs have equipped mothers with the necessary competence and confidence to translate their unique potential into action across twelve countries to date. Using their agency as a unifying feature and employing the MotherSchools in Macedonia as a good practice case study, this paper advocates the wider inclusion of mothers in community-based counter-extremism strategies. In an effort to normalize the notion of mothers as indispensable security allies, we propose the adoption of a new term: Mothers Preventing Violent Extremism (MPVE).
Women's Roles in Spain's Terrorist Phenomenon
Authors: Toro Luis M.
Published: February 2025

The so-called “armed jihad” has been traditionally understood as an activity reserved for men, who were the ones sacrificing their lives, if needed, as martyrs for the cause of Allah. However, contemporary Islamist terrorism has been introducing constant updates depending on the circumstances and the operational needs, showing a greater increase in the involvement of women in the “armed jihad.” In this regard, over the last 15 years, women have even been used in suicide operations, especially in Russia and Iraq, where terrorists exploited the role of women precisely because they were a rare and surprising element when perpetrating an attack. This essay investigates the role of women in terrorist activity, specifically those involved in Daesh from the context of Spain in relation to the foreign terrorist fighter (FTF) phenomenon.
Counter-Messaging for Countering Violent Extremism in the Middle East and North Africa: Using a Gender Lens
Authors: Elsayed Lilah
Published: February 2025

Since the UN Secretary-General presented the Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism [1] to the UN General Assembly on its seventieth session, 15 January 2016, all member states were urged to include efforts on strategic communications, the Internet and social media in their Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) strategies. This essay gives a preliminary overview of the gender perspective integrated in the international organizations (Middle East and North Africa (MENA)-based), national and government-led efforts in alternative and counter-messaging for preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE). In addition, this essay will discuss case studies of counter-narrative initiatives from five countries: Egypt, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Morocco, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in detail. Finally, this essay concludes with a list of recommendations on better inclusion of the role of women in alternative and counter-narrative efforts in MENA region.
The Role of the Perception of Justice. The Case of Albania
Authors: Kalaja Florian
Published: February 2025

Public opinion in Albania fears that, for some years, the justice system is going to be blocked from the dismissal coming out from the vetting process: However it is not good news for the principle of the rule of law not to have institutions that judge the executive power and the parliament from the civil, administrative, criminal and constitutional limb, it is neither good news for the principle of the rule of law to have non independent and corrupted judges who's duties are to judge the way the executive or legislative power of the States do their constitutional missions. Someone will suggest that the vetting process must not work in a way that blocks the justice system. Some other suggest that, if the justice system is not independent and is corrupted, then it is better not to have one at all. This is the Albanian's people dilemma in the XXI century, a Shakespeare's dilemma: “to have or not to have a justice system”.
Catena Mundi or Barrel of Gunpowder. The Case of the FY Republic of Macedonia
Authors: Kekenovski Ljubomir
Published: February 2025

The FY Republic of MacedoniaTurkey recognizes the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name (this note applies to any mention of the name FY Republic of Macedonia in this document).
The End of the Myth of Religious Coexistence? The Case of Albania
Authors: Milo Paskal
Published: February 2025

The internal security of a country, based on human rights and rights of ethnic, religious, linguistic minorities, is a valuable contribution to international security, while religious extremism constitutes a potential threat to national and international security. Albanian national conscience has been formed on common language and traditions. Religion in Albania has not been a factor of State formation and national unity. Coexistence among the different religions, appreciated as religious harmony, was reinforced by the closing down of mosques and churches by the communist regime for 25 years. Radicalism is the process of adoption of extremist systems of beliefs, including their readiness to use, support and facilitate violence as a method to bring about social change. The misuse and misinterpretation of Islam for political aims has brought what is known as Islamic radicalism or extremism, getting up to terrorism. Islam is a peaceful belief, while Islamic minorities guided by extremist ideologies resorting to terrorist methods seek to establish an Islamic kingdom led by the Sharia law interpretation. It is a dynamic process that may be accelerated, slowed down and in some cases, reversed. But there is a tendency to keep silent on the situation. The lack of open public debate within the Muslim community itself in Albania, in the name of preserving the image of Islam religion as a universal, trans-cultural and trans-historic religion, induces to avoid the problem rather than to confront it.
Factors of Radicalization and Terrorist “Adventurism” in the Western Balkan Youth Population
Authors: Ruzin Nano
Published: February 2025

The Balkans remain deeply divided by both history and social, economic (unemployment, poverty), cultural and religious contrasts. This geo-strategically vulnerable zone is subject to weaknesses that could be used to destabilize the continent. Western Balkans is one of the main locations for recruitment and export of organized crime members and foreign volunteers to the Middle Eastern wars. This represents a difficult challenge for NATO, now also facing the process of demobilization of young jihadist fighters, who fought on the side of ISIS and Al Nusra in Iraq and Syria. Isolation of Muslim communities strengthen radical trends. This context has accelerated the process of radicalization together with social evolutions in this region over the last two decades and failure to develop a welfare state. Deradicalization is not simply an inversion of radicalization, but a process of emancipation from radicalism encouraging reintegration of the individuals into society. National public policies and local authorities are fundamental for success of such a process.
Lost Indication of Terrorism Support in Smuggling of Human Beings Files
Authors: Janssens Stefan
Published: February 2025

In some Belgian cases of smuggling and trafficking of human beings, police found indications of connections with terrorism. Following examples illustrate transportation of terrorists within smuggling of human being criminal networks and financial support of organized crime to terrorist activities. Investigations should always be started when there are indicators of terrorism in a case of smuggling or trafficking of human being by criminal organization. Often such connections escape the attention of magistrates, mainly when investigations are managed by specialised prosecutors or covered by different districts.
The Process of Radicalization. Some Guidelines for a State Response
Authors: Dimovski Zlate
Published: February 2025

The terror is no new phenomenon in the human experience. More knowledge is needed about the ways of radicalization used by terroristic groups, with religion playing an important role. The article deals with doctrine, goals, and tactics for recruitment. The process of radicalization distinguishes four phases: the identification of targets, the indoctrination through the transfer of ideologies, the development of the identification with the guide, the person accepting this ideology by tolerating, encouraging and justifying its action, and its readiness to take over to action. The targeted person enters gradually into the ideology, which gets strengthened, promoted and upgraded up to frightening results. It overviews some activities to be undertaken to promote de-radicalization, as basis for the development of an Action Plan to implement such a strategy.
Critical Infrastructure Systems Including Innovative Methods of Protection
Authors: Kruszka Leopold  , Kubíková Zuzana
Published: February 2025

Running of the states highly depends on accurate functioning of the critical infrastructure systems. Failure of one system can lead to massive damage or negative consequence on many others critical infrastructure systems due to their affiliation. Critical infrastructure is threatened not only by potential attacks but also accidents, natural disasters, and many other catastrophes. For these reasons, it is decidedly important to constantly improve the way of protection and preventive actions for the purpose of its protection. The present paper is focused n the critical infrastructure systems and describes innovative methods of protection of CI developed at Ernst Mach Institute – EMI and in Joint Research Centre – JRC.
Moroccan Laboratory with High-Performance Tools for Perforation Tests at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Klósak Maciej
Published: February 2025

Experimental analysis on standard brass alloy has been carried out using a high pressure gas gun. Perforation tests have been performed for a variety of impact velocities from 40 to 120 m/s in order to study the material behaviour and to define failure modes.
Analysis, Design and Protection of Blast Loaded Windows
Authors: Figuli Lucia
Published: February 2025

The paper deals with all the aspects of blast loaded windows, presenting a comprehensive view of the design of blast loaded windows, their testing and assessment. The purpose of this paper is to summarize respective standards in the area of blast windows. The paper is divided into several parts. The first one is focused on the design procedure and various methods of blast testing, the last section is dedicated to specific methods on how to increase and improve the protection of such structure.
Enhancing Workplace Ergonomics Through SmartMentalTech, a Comprehensive Stepped-Care Model for Mental Health
Authors: Lee Seomi Kyeong Ah  , Ghotbi Nader
Published: February 2025

There is an urgent need for mental healthcare in the workplace though little has been done so far to address that. Many tragic incidents such as workplace suicide and death due to ‘workplace bullying’, ‘violence’ and ‘overwork’ have happened in South Korea and Japan. The unemployment rate of workers suffering from mental health problems is also increasing, which aggravates the risk of serious economic impacts for an aging population. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a mental health management system at the workplace level. This chapter presents a model based on the use of smart technologies for mental healthcare services to enhance the ergonomics and quality of working conditions at the workplace, and to help create a mentally healthy workplace. With the rapid development of SmartMentalTech, an innovative shift with new ways of delivering mental healthcare services is taking place changing the way service users, employers, and system designers use technology to deliver mental healthcare at the workplace. The objective of this chapter is to suggest an ergonomic platform where viable applications related to psychological challenges at the workplace are provided by service users, developers, practitioners, decision makers, and policymakers. The approach of Occupational Health Psychology (OHP) emphasizes on the significance of workplace design, management and psychosocial risk mitigation. There are differences across service users; therefore, the challenges facing the managers of mental healthcare services at the workplace are daunting. Currently 12 types of developed SmartMentalTech can be used for personalized care. This chapter provides a comprehensive account on how to set up and to manage mental healthcare delivery in order to minimize workplace mental health problems and the social stigma of mental health issues by establishing a new comprehensive mental healthcare stepped-care model (CMHSCM) system for service users' satisfaction and healthy intelligent workplace in a timely and economically responsive manner.
Opportunities and Challenges of Technology-Based Interventions to Increase Health-Awareness in the Workplace
Authors: Gómez-Carmona Oihane  , Casado-Mansilla Diego  , García-Zubia Javier
Published: February 2025

Well-being at work is gaining an increasing importance on the overall health promotion as the workplace is considered an adequate setting to support health-related interventions reaching large audiences. In fact, an increasing number of initiatives are being carried out to influence employees towards healthier lifestyles in later years. However, despite demonstrating moderate efficacy, the body of literature shows that the lack of adherence of the target audience to the interventions is an important factor to overcome in order to attain higher success. To increase employees' motivation and prevent early drop-out, disengagement or high attrition rates, this work presents an intervention methodology based on the Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm. Specifically, it presents a novel concept of a participatory worker-centric IoT solution for enhancing individuals' well-being in office environments. This approach seeks to stress the significance of empowering workers providing to them fine-grained control of their own well-being and self-care which correlates to higher rates of participation in health promotion initiatives. Along this chapter the main challenges associated with the design and development of technology-based interventions are reviewed. Moreover, the value of increasing the acceptance and adoption of the presented IoT approach from the employee's perspective is analyzed in a comprehensive manner.
Privacy in Smart Spaces: Protecting Information in Workplaces
Authors: Rivera Diego  , Cruz-Piris Luis
Published: February 2025

The workplaces organization has evolved during the last decades from individual private offices to open spaces, which offer a higher flexibility degree when there are important changes in firms' necessities. In these open spaces, the optimization of environmental conditions are an essential factor to achieve employees' adequate comfort levels to develop their tasks. The rise of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies has cheapened and extended the processes automation in tasks such as air conditioning, lighting control, etc. New challenges have arisen from this new scenario, where factors such as privacy and access control for personal information are crucial. In this work, we show the application of an access control system which is able to operate with different communications protocols to a use case based on a smart office. We have developed a prototype of the devices which would control the sensors and actuators in the system, and we have carried out a series of experiments to measure the delay added to communication when using the access control techniques. The results demonstrate the validity and feasibility of the system.