bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-Method Probe Design for the Electromagnetic Characterization of Advanced High Strength Steel
Authors: Szielasko Klaus  , Youssef Sargon  , Niese Frank  , Weikert Miriam  , Sourkov Alexander  , Altpeter Iris  , Herrmann Hans-Georg  , Dobmann Gerd  , Boller Christian
Published: February 2025

Electromagnetic non-destructive testing (NDT) systems have been used in steel strip production lines for a long time. Indirect electromagnetic determination of approximate yield and ultimate strength values can be considered state of the art. However, the excellent mechanical properties of advanced high strength steel (AHSS) are particularly sensitive to process variations. Characteristics and homogeneity of texture, grain size and secondary phase content are crucial during forming and welding of steel strips. Ultrasonic methods can be applied in order to indirectly characterize these properties. Deviations which have not been detected in the rolling mill are known to cause flaws or expensive and time-consuming downtimes of the press. The crash performance of the automotive structure is affected by these properties as well. Current in-line NDT systems determine only a subset of the required parameters and do not assess their homogeneity across the strip width. This raises the demand for NDT solutions which assess a larger set of material characteristics in multiple locations at high strip speeds. This paper describes a probe design which allows ultrasonic time-of-flight measurements as well as Micromagnetic Multi-Parameter Microstructure and Stress Analysis (3MA) using a common, minimal set of components. The implementation of a simplified yet advantageous incremental permeability and eddy current impedance analysis based on this probe type is discussed, and first results are presented.
Emotion Recognition and Transmission over Low Data Rate Wireless Networks
Authors: Lamei Javad  , Li Frank Y.  , Sanchez J. Alfredo
Published: February 2025

Video-based chat has become an increasingly popular communication paradigm. This type of connection involves video, voice and message exchanges that require high data rate transmissions and may lead to long delays due to the huge amount of information bits involved. If transmission rates are not high enough, video quality is reduced and important elements in communication, such as the expression of emotions, may be lost. We have observed that some emotion detection and recognition techniques rely on simplified code representations that could enable representing key images or videos by using much smaller file sizes. In this paper, we investigate the combination of emotion detection and wireless transmission techniques so that the encoded video with emotion representations can be transmitted over low data rate wireless networks. Various tools and applications may be employed to convert the real-time emotions of the sender to codes, each representing a specific emotion state of the sender. Consequently the file size of a video can be reduced to a few coded Kbytes. We then transmit the encoded file over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless networks and compare the latency of different video files with and without emotion encoding. Experimental results show that significant reduction in latency has been achieved using the emotion encoded video files.
A review of twenty years of development in intelligent rock mechanics
Authors: Feng Xia-Ting  , Yang Cheng-Xiang
Published: February 2025

Intelligent rock mechanics (IRM) has become an important aspect of rock engineering design, as one of the most popular non-1:1 mapping techniques [1]. Since its advent in 1993, IRM has aimed to provide an alternative research scheme for complicated rock mechanics problems. With successful applications in rock engineering, the past 20 years have seen progress in new directions, both in rock mechanics modelling and rock engineering design. This work reviews the 20 years of development of IRM and covers some of the most important intelligent modelling methods and integrated intelligent design concepts that have been developed, with a focus on the evolution of integrated intelligent design concepts with applications to various rock engineering projects in China.
An investigation on extending AGS format to conform to ISRM Suggested Methods
Authors: Li Xiaojun  , Zhou Shengze  , Zhu Hehua
Published: February 2025

Since the lack of data standards would limit the generality of test data, ISRM and the Commission on Testing Methods of ISRM promoted the data standardization of rock mechanics tests by establishing the Joint Working Group on Representing ISRM Suggested Methods in Electronic Form (RISMEF) in 2007. Prior to that, AGS had published the first edition of the interchange format in 1992 to achieve the similar goal. Therefore, the applicability of AGS format to represent the rock mechanics test data by using ISRM Suggested Methods is discussed in this paper. The hierarchy of how the AGS4 Groups are organized is reviewed. Based on the comparison of the AGS4 Rock Uniaxial Compressive Strength and Deformability Tests (RUCS) Group and the Uniaxial Compressive Test (UCT) results, the validity of using AGS4 to describe the UCT results is investigated. In addition, the AGS4 Groups which record the necessary data for Rock Mass Rating (RMR) system are analyzed. This study demonstrates that the AGS format can be extended to be in accordance with the ISRM Suggested Methods, and potentially used to standardize ISRM rock mechanics test data.
Quasi real-time geotechnical data exchange on large site investigation projects in practice
Authors: Arnould Romain
Published: February 2025

The AGS data format which has evolved over the last 20 years provides a good mechanism to transfer technical data between different geotechnical partners. Historically, data have been transferred from the contractors to the consultants at the end of the site investigation as a one off transfer of information.
Unifying Front-end and Back-end Federated Services for Integrated Product Development
Authors: Sobolewski Michael
Published: February 2025

Improvements in the design and manufacturing processes, and the related technologies that enable them, have led to significant improvements in product functionality and quality. However, the need for further improvements in these areas is needed due to increasing complexity of integrated product process development (IPD). Introduction of a new IPD project is more complex than most people realize and getting more complex all the time. Some of the complexity is due to rapidly changing and advancing technologies in underlying hardware and software, and the interplay of individual complex methods in system configurations. A strong IPD methodology, with intrinsically higher fidelity models to actualize the agile service-oriented design/manufacturing processes, is needed which can be continuously upgraded and modified. This paper describes a true service-oriented architecture that describes everything, anywhere, anytime as a service with the innovative service-oriented process expression (front-end services called exertions) and its dynamic and on-demand actualization (back-end service providers). Domain-specific languages (DSLs) for modeling or programming or both (mogramming) are introduced and their unifying role of front/back-end services is presented. Moving to the back-end of IPD systems front-end process expressions, that are easily created and updated by the end users, is the key strategy in reducing complexity of large-scale IPD systems. It allows for process expressions in DSLs to become directly available as back-end service providers that normally are developed by experts and software developers that cope constantly with the compatibility, software, and system integration issues that become more complex all the time.
Managing Fluctuating Requirements by Platforms Defined in the Interface Between Technology and Product Development
Authors: Andrè Samuel  , Stolt Roland  , Elgh Fredrik  , Johansson Joel  , Poorkiany Morteza
Published: February 2025

Product platforms play an important role for the efficient customization and variant forming of products in many companies. In this paper four different companies ranging from OEM to B2B suppliers have been interviewed on how they engage in technology and product development, create and maintain product platforms and how they respond to the changing requirements on the platforms and on the products and product families derived from them. The objective is to find how product platforms are used to meet the demands of efficient product customization. The companies all have identifiable product platforms and established processes for product development. However, there are differences in how they define technology development, how the platforms are created, maintained, replaced and what the platforms contain. The introduction of new technology into the platforms and how the platforms are used from a Lean product development perspective has been of interest in the survey as reported in the paper.
A Closed-loop Based Framework for Design Requirement Management
Authors: Zhang Zhinan  , Li Xuemeng  , Liu Zelin
Published: February 2025

Requirement management plays a crucial role in determining a successful engineering design project. The focus of current requirement research is on the development of requirement elicitation, analysis and formalization methods and tools. Moreover, the existing requirement research often pays attention to the fuzzy front end of product design process. In fact, there exists more needs for requirement knowledge at each stage of a product lifecycle and requirement also has its own lifecycle. However, the research in the field of engineering design lack of a framework to support requirement management from product lifecycle, and requirement and requirement management lifecycle views. This paper highlights the importance of requirement lifecycle management and aims at closing the requirement information loop in product lifecycle. Then, it addresses the requirement management in engineering design field with focusing on the dynamics nature and incomplete nature of requirements. Finally, a closed-loop based framework is proposed for requirement management in engineering design.
Standardized Approach to ECAD/MCAD Collaboration
Authors: Emmer Christian  , Fröhlich Arnulf  , Jäkel Volker  , Stjepandić Josip
Published: February 2025

Adopting the mechatronics as contemporary engineering discipline the integration of mechanical and electrical CAD (MCAD/ECAD) systems is a big challenge in concurrent engineering because their data models and functionality have been developed continuously further apart. Market research confirms that an integrated tool chain for ECAD and MCAD design is prerequisite for a better mechatronic development process. This paper describes the concept of deep integration for mechatronic products conducted by ProSTEP iViP Association which combines existing standards. Version 3 of the current ProSTEP iViP Recommendation PSI 5 entitled “ECAD/MCAD-Collaboration” provides a comprehensive specification for collaboration between the ECAD and MCAD worlds. A considerable number of vendors have now implemented the underlying data schema and integrated it in the corresponding products. As a result, users can now choose the solutions that best meet their particular needs from an increasingly wide range of efficient systems for collaborative product development within the ECAD and MCAD fields.
Selecting Renewable Energy Technology via a Fuzzy MCDM Approach
Authors: Dat Luu Quoc  , Chou Shuo-Yan  , Le Nguyen Truc  , Wiguna Evina  , Yu Tiffany Hui-Kuang  , Phuc Phan Nguyen Ky
Published: February 2025

Renewable energy technology selection, which has a strategic importance for many countries and companies, is one of the most challenging decisions due to the complex features and large number of alternatives. Of all renewable energy sources, solar photovoltaic (PV) energy has attracted more attention as the greatest promising option for industrial application. This paper proposes an extension of fuzzy multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach for selecting solar PV energy technologies. In the proposed approach, several PV technologies are used as the alternatives. The ratings of alternatives - PV technologies under various criteria and the weights of criteria are assessed in linguistic terms represented by fuzzy numbers. These values are further averaged and normalized into a comparable scale. Then, the normalized weighted rating can be derived by interval arithmetic of fuzzy numbers. To avoid complicated aggregation of fuzzy numbers, these normalized weighted ratings are defuzzified into crisp values using the left and right indices ranking approach. Finally, this study applies the proposed fuzzy MCDM approach to solve a PV technologies selection problem, demonstrating its applicability and computational process.
Greedy Dynamic Programming for Scheduling the Advanced Reservation Parking Demands
Authors: Chou Shuo-Yan  , Phuc Phan Nguyen Ky  , Yu Vincent F.  , Lin Shih-Wei
Published: February 2025

The increasing in the number of automobiles usage creates certain burdens and pressure on the issue of parking area allocations. Instead of constructing new infrastructures for serving parking demands, which requires spaces and budgets, a more efficient approach is to improve the utilization of available facilities. A promising source for utilization improvement is the private parking system. This paper assumes that space owners allow other uses their parking lots when they release spaces in order to obtain some paybacks. Due to the owner varieties, different owners have different schedules for releasing their parking spaces, the prominent feature that managers have to face when operating these spaces is the schedule diverseness. This study adopts greedy dynamic programming for scheduling the parking demands given that the vehicles have to make advanced reservations for being served.
E-Government 3 Web Security Issues: Who, What, When?
Authors: Maric Milan
Published: February 2025

The millennium project was created with an intensive development of ICT systems development in support of E-Government applications which enables administrative authorities in several countries and municipalities that have considered E-Government as a helpful tool for better informing public and changing quality of their core business services to citizens and to improve constituent satisfaction. Usually E-Government was initiated by different authorities and refers to government use of technology, particularly web-based Internet applications to enhance the access to and delivery of government information and service to citizens, business partners, employees, other agencies and government entities. We noticed that in several stages of development of E-Government, there were security vulnerabilities in government services as sensitive information remained accessible to different subjects, citizens, and institutions of government. In this article, we will highlight how to improve security of E-Government services and override the problem of potential malicious or improper usage. The Ministry of Information society of Government Montenegro initiated an ambitious e-Government project based on Multipurpose E-Government Web Portal with an e-Service generator, payment gateway and delivery service included, serving as “a one stop government” for all end-users (citizen, business, and government agencies).
Cyber Security Issues of Telecommunication Infrastructure
Authors: Risteski Aleksandar  , Bogdanoski Mitko  , Stoilkovski Marjan  , Jovanovic Miroslav
Published: February 2025

We live in a well-connected and technology dependent world. People, institutions, companies have increasing need for communication in everyday life. Global and seamless connectivity today is enabled by complex telecommunications infrastructure consisting of a large variety of different technologies which are in a continuous process of development and innovations. But, the global connectivity and easy access to modern technology also enables malicious users and their activities. These activities might be of a different nature: starting from passive monitoring to destructive attacks disabling the normal operation of ICT (information and communication technology) infrastructure. Therefore, security issues of the telecommunication infrastructure must be thoroughly addressed by all relevant stakeholders. Although each technology includes certain security mechanisms, it is necessary to create a well-designed security concept for the infrastructure as a whole, taking into consideration not only the technical issues, but also policy framework and legal aspects. The concept must be a subject of constant revision in order to be up to date to current threats. Therefore, the network infrastructure must be always monitored and analyzed, in order to create efficient measures against the security threats. The telecommunication infrastructure in the Republic of Macedonia is owned and operated by state institutions, telecom operators and providers, other companies and universities etc. All of them are faced with a number of malicious activities and attacks exploiting vulnerabilities of the systems, which are well monitored and statistically analyzed. Also, all of them have defined a more or less effective security concept including proactive and reactive measures. However, a common practice of cooperation and exchange of information and experience among the subjects is missing. A national strategy and policy framework are also missing that will benefit all stakeholders resulting in more effective and less expensive solutions as a response to cyber-attacks.
Overview of the Current Situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Focus on Cyber Security and Fighting Cyber-Crime by Establishment of BIH CERT Body
Authors: Baraković Sabina  , Mrkaja Mladen  , Husić Amir  , Kulovac Adnan  , Baraković Husić Jasmina
Published: February 2025

Communication networks and information systems in Bosnia and Herzegovina have experienced phenomenal growth throughout the last decades and became fully present in everyday life, since the majority of records and processes have been computerized and automated. Due to a low cyber security awareness together with the complex security management organization on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina (country's specific organization and multiple police agencies) and light technological lag in comparison to advanced European countries, this country is more susceptible to risks and threats in the cyber security domain. Therefore, in order to avoid serious repercussions for individuals, business and society in the case of cyber attacks, the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina has initiated the establishment of the Computer Emergency Response Team in Bosnia and Herzegovina – BIH CERT. This paper aims to provide an overview of the activities of Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the area of cyber security focusing on establishment of the BIH CERT body. The BIH CERT has been envisioned as a preventive body which gives recommendation for the application and improvement of the security measures for protection of the information systems of Bosnia and Herzegovina's governmental institutions. In addition, this body will represent the Bosnia and Herzegovina's central point for cooperation with the international CERTs and thereby contribute to the security of the overall cyber space, since cyber attackers know no borders. The mission of BIH CERT will be to increase reliability of the critical infrastructure through a constant dedication, work on prevention and minimization of possibilities for occurrence of security emergency together with the provision of the assistance to the administrators of the critical infrastructure in application of the proactive measures for risk reduction from security emergency, as well as provision of the assistance in prevention of consequences of security emergency. The process of the institutional formation of BIH CERT has not yet started due to opposite political stances and interests.
Specifics of finite element modelling of freezing and thawing deformations in soils
Authors: Paramonov V.N.  , Nabokov A.V.
Published: February 2025

The paper describes principles of solving problems to calculate changes in stressed-strained conditions of soils during their freezing and thawing, necessary to predict behaviour of structures contiguous with these soils. Approaches are suggested whereby to choose mathematical soil models necessary to predict deformations of frost heave during freezing, including cases of water migration in soils and formation of frost related cracks, as well as models to figure out potential soil deformations during thawing.
Foundation System Design for a Tall Structure on Mortar-Column-Improved Ground
Authors: Sadek Salah  , Hasan Samer
Published: February 2025

A non-classical alternative was adopted for the foundation system of a thirty-storey building in Beirut, Lebanon. The subsurface strata included a thick layer of highly weathered marls and/marly limestone overlying the karstic limestone base stratum. Ground improvement by rigid inclusions/mortar columns was proposed, analyzed, designed and successfully executed. 2D & 3D Finite element simulations were conducted to assess the degree of improvement, and then used to perform/finalize the design of the foundation system. The paper discusses the conducted analyses & presents some parametric studies & recommendations.
Interaction of foundations and bearing elements of a building with thawing subsoil
Authors: Sakharov I.I.  , Paramonov M.V.
Published: February 2025

Herein the situation is considered when a thawing subsoil of the piled foundation of a frame building is accompanied by significant settlements of separate pilecaps, damaging steel frame elements of the superstructure and rendering the building potentially unsafe. Numerical simulation of the soil-structure complex was performed, where movements of the pilecaps were traced during freezing and thawing of the subsoil in the basement over the period of 36 months. Evolution of the bending moments in rigid connections of columns with beams of the steel frame was established.
Design of pile group system for “Most Sava – Zeleni” railway bridge in Zagreb
Authors: Sokolić I.  , Vukadinović B.
Published: February 2025

The paper describes the design concept of pile group system for strengthening of “Most Sava – Zeleni” railway bridge. It gives detail description of soil profile, geometry of the system, design methodology and results of static pile load test. The pile group system consists of 24 bored piles, with 1000 mm in diameter and 24.5 m long. Soil profile consists of stiff soils, typical for alluvium of River Sava in the area of Zagreb. The basic design concern was to take into account interaction between the old pier footing, the new pile system and the surrounding soil. The system was designed with Ensoft-GROUP software and it was additionally analyzed by Plaxis 3D software. Static pile load test was performed to validate the performance of vertically loaded pile.
Numerical analysis and verification of the soil-structure-interaction in the course of large construction projects in inner cities
Authors: Katzenbach Rolf  , Leppla Steffen  , Krajewski Wolfgang
Published: February 2025

The analysis of the soil-structure-interaction is a very important part during all stages of planning, design and construction. Large urban construction projects create an impact not only on neighbouring structures but also on existing, sensitive underground structures, like metro and street tunnels. But not only new constructions have an effect on existing structures. Deconstruction projects may cause enormous displacements as well. For the analysis of the soil-structure-interaction in most cases numerical methods are necessary. For verification of the numerical simulations geodetic and geotechnical measurements according to the observational method have to be carried out. An outstanding large urban construction project on existing underground structures of the metro of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, is presented in this paper.
Understanding of Soil Responses due to Tunnelling – 3D Numerical Analysis and Case Study of Bendemeer Station (DTL-3), Singapore
Authors: Ong C.W.  , Su Thiri  , Yong K.Y.  , Ariaratnam Kulaindran
Published: February 2025

The increase in demand for underground tunnels in Singapore has added many challenges to tunnelling problems beyond the capability of analytical or empirical methods. The prospect of using 3D numerical analysis in analyzing complex practical applications is becoming more common. The paper presents the application of finite element analysis to assess the soil-structure interactions in real tunneling problems. A benchmarking study was first carried out on a centrifuge test by Ong et al. (2013) using a three-dimensional finite element method for the basic understanding of soil responses to tunneling. FE studies were then extended to a practical application with the field data from a Singapore MRT project, Bendemeer Station, Downtown Line 3 (DTL-3).
Evaluation of pile behaviour on sloping clayey soil in supporting a diaphragm wall for building excavation
Authors: Sivapriya S.V.  , Gandhi S.R.
Published: February 2025

In the present paper, an attempt is made to monitor the behaviour of steel pipe pile on clayey slope while excavating for a basement of a building. The basement excavation is supported by RCC diaphragm wall, which gets the lateral support from temporary steel pipe piles to enable top-down construction in the peripheral area, which are connected to the diaphragm wall with basement floor slabs. The horizontal displacement of the piles is measured based on inclinometer tubes embedded in the diaphragm wall. A detailed finite element analysis has been carried out using PLAXIS 3D model and the theoretical results are compared with the field observations.
Investigating and Preventing Terrorism in Multicultural Urban Settings: Is a Balanced Approach Possible?
Authors: Viano Emilio C.
Published: February 2025

This paper analyzes the reply to the threat of terrorism by Western countries in general. It pays special attention to programs that aim to prevent terrorism from establishing itself in a country and recruiting followers. It points out various errors, dilemmas, and excesses that can make state interventions unsuccessful and even counterproductive. It outlines the types of errors to avoid and programs to adopt in order to be effective. It discusses multiculturalism and social cohesion highlighting their strong and weak points in relation to terrorism prevention. It also offers a critique of the “pyramidal” approach often used to develop strategies against organized crime, drug trafficking and terrorism.
Complex Threat: Challenges of Countering Terrorism in the Middle East after the Arab Revolutions
Authors: Ragab Eman
Published: February 2025

This paper argues that terrorism, as a national and regional threat in the Middle East, is experiencing transformations after the Arab Spring, reflecting political developments in the region and generating new patterns of terrorism, or, in some other cases, bringing old patterns to the forefront. It is becoming more complex, in terms of the actors, the strategies adopted by terrorist organizations, and the more pressing security threats. It also argues that this transformation of terrorism coincides with a lack of consensus among Middle East countries on the pressing nature of terrorism as a threat and on the needed for strategies to counter it. Therefore, encouraging any regional mechanism for countering terrorism needs to be pursued on a limited scale encompassing only countries that share the same security perceptions. In this context, the present paper examines three main challenges that regional cooperation faced in the Middle East with regard to countering terrorism in the years following the Arab revolutions. It emphasizes the factors which render a regional level approach difficult to achieve.
Social Inclusion Programmes for Youth and the Prevention of Violent Extremism
Authors: Dandurand Yvon
Published: February 2025

The pathways through which some individuals move from confusion, frustration or anger to an acceptance of violence as a mode of political struggle are far from being well understood. It is certainly not clear that the process in question is very different for a would-be terrorist than for a would-be gang member. In reality, it may not be that helpful to focus, as most researchers have, on the role of ideology and extremist beliefs in order to understand these pathways. Fanatically embracing an ideology is not a necessary precursor to terrorism or, for that matter, to a violent criminal career as a member of a gang. The paper explores the possible application of evidence-based gang recruitment prevention, gang desistance, and youth inclusion programmes as a basis for more realistic interventions to prevent violent extremism and to break the pathways to crime and violence.
Critiquing Radical Islamist Claims to Theological Authenticity
Authors: Stuart Hannah
Published: February 2025

Jihadist groups claim that their violent actions are supported within the four traditional schools of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence, and that Islam itself mandates a jihadist view of scripture. The existence of traditional legal opinion which differs from that of modern jihadists, however, contradicts their claims to theological authenticity and exclusive truth. This paper counters their theological claims by demonstrating that their arguments are not based on traditionally recognised interpretations of Islamic sources and are antithetical to the normative values displayed within classical Sunni jurisprudence.
Violent Radicalization Concerns in the Euro-Mediterranean Region
Authors: Lombardi Marco
Published: February 2025

The familiarity with terms such as fundamentalism, radicalism and terrorism, acquired by the public thanks to the media, is the starting point for this paper to analyze and contextualize them in order to highlight relevant paths towards radicalization. The paper, focusing in particular on the Mediterranean area, after addressing the political background as one of the driver for radicalization, takes into account three specific scenarios, namely Italy, Libya and Syria. For each of them the state of the art about recruiting and radicalizing processes, fulfilled also thanks to the use of the Internet and Social Networks, is drawn to conclude that it is necessary to “think out of the box” to deploy new tools to confront them.
Security Vetting in Relation to the Critical Infrastructure
Authors: Tarman Milan
Published: February 2025

The aim of the present paper is to introduce a case study and the best practice of security vetting in relation to the critical infrastructure and in specific to nuclear security. In Slovenia the Nuclear Power Plant in Krško (the NEK) is an important part of the energy sector and the environmental safety sector of the state's critical infrastructure. The NEK is also an important source of electricity for Croatia - in that respect the plant produces and supplies electricity for both Slovenia and Croatia, each of which has the right and obligation to use 50 percent of its total output. The structure of the management board and personnel is based on the parity principle, considering the equal business shares of both partners. When there is a need for a security check of foreign citizens working in the facilities, public-Private, inter-ministerial and international cooperation is needed. The best practice presented in this paper of a comprehensive approach to cooperation regarding legislation and implementation similar to the security vetting of foreign citizens relating to nuclear security can also be used in other sectors of the critical infrastructure. It also represents an example of best practice for the risk management of potential internal threats connected with terrorist threats to the normal functioning of the critical infrastructure.
Corruption: From Generally Accepted Business Practice to Serious Threat to Critical Infrastructure Protection
Authors: Vadnjal Jaka
Published: February 2025

The dimeansions of global business acting together with the broad issue of cultural differentiation suggest that there may be no standardized answer as to whether corruption is necessarily bad for a national economy or if, on the contrary, it can even be found to inhibit economic growth to a certain level. However, there is no doubt it has been agreed that corruption as such is an example of unethical behavior. As such, also its impact on the possible disruption of the critical infrastructure may not be clearly identified. This paper, based on the theoretical grounds and findings of other researchers, aims to embed the question of corruptive business practices and behavior within the different frameworks and scopes of business dealing with public and critical infrastructure. Leaning on the findings from different pieces of investigation from around the world it finally concludes that there is no dichotomous solution to the dilemma whether a certain level of corruptive practices, when they are an integral part of a national business environment, would necessarily be bad for future economic growth.
Tailor-Made Education: Environmental vs. Energy Security and Sustainable Development Paradigm
Authors: Nikolić Vesna  , Vasović Dejan
Published: February 2025

The term security, in the narrow sense, represents the degree of safety in terms of protecting a nation, a people, or individuals from danger, damage, or crime. Structures that raise the security level constitute elements of security as a form of protection in the technical sense. Analysis of relevant scientific sources clearly indicates that a form of protection is where a separation is created between the assets and the threat. Such a definition implies a dual conclusion – that the security level can be raised either by eliminating, i.e. reducing, the threat (technical sense of security) or by eliminating the asset, i.e. by reducing subjective perception of what the asset to be protected is (the threat has no effect if there are no assets to be threatened). The global dimension of environmental problems and sustainability, in particular the seriousness of various risks and security threats to the operation of the critical infrastructure of a state implies the need for new educational approaches and content in this area. In a significant number of European countries, the goals of teaching and education in general have been innovated and redefined by the introduction of tailor-made training modules and courses regarding the abovementioned environmental and energy security. In parallel with socio-economic transitions, countries in transition should also take certain initiatives for change in the education system. In this sense, this paper discusses the problems of environmental and energy security and opportunities offered by formal and informal education within this area. Special emphasis is given to the issues of the tailor-made education of personnel operating within critical infrastructure facilities. Pertaining to this goal, the organization of diverse educational and informational/promotional activities in this field is of equal importance.
The Combined Threat of Terrorism and Organized Crime for and in South East Europe
Authors: Protopapas George X.
Published: February 2025

The nexus between terrorism and organized crime could be developed into a major threat for South East Europe. Some areas, for instance the Western Balkans, are considered a “safe haven” for Islamists terrorism and criminals. The Critical Infrastructure is considered an important part of the security of the states and could be a target of terrorism and organized crime. The broad definitions of the Critical Infrastructure and energy security show the different views of organizations and states towards national security. The post Cold War era has blurred the dividing lines between internal and external security. Terrorism and organized crime have converged interests in order to finance their operations. NATO could play a leading role in the protection of Critical Infrastructure. NATO could establish a Gendarmerie Force on the model of the European Gendarmerie Force (EGF) and the Italian Guardia di Finanza. NATO could guard against the combined threat of terrorism and organized crime by adopting an effective strategy. It could include military and policing methods, border security, smuggling, safety of financial, economic, judicial and public sectors and cyber -security.
Protection of the Critical Infrastructure from Terrorism: Case Study of the Republic of Croatia
Authors: Perinić Jadran  , Mikac Robert
Published: February 2025

Critical infrastructure represents a medium of national and international importance whose destruction, temporary or permanent disruption in process activities, would seriously endanger or weaken national and public safety, economic and social prosperity. Beside the internal threats, critical infrastructure is exposed to natural, technical-technological and anthropogenic threats, where terrorism is recognized to be one of the most unpredictable and dangerous sources of threats to the critical infrastructures. For that reason countries are responsible for the implementation and improvement of the critical infrastructures' protection and resilience to ensure survival, the development and advancement of individuals' and the social community, domestic and foreign economic subjects on their soil and, in partnership, achieving stability and safety of other countries. The goal of this work is to analyze how the Republic of Croatia has, so far, legally, regulatory and operationally developed protection and resilience of the national critical infrastructure, and give recommendations with regards to necessary steps in the continuation of the said process.
Challenges in Defining Critical Infrastructure in Montenegro
Authors: Bigović Milan  , Rakočević Ana
Published: February 2025

Many theoretical analyses today commonly define critical infrastructure as a set of physical and virtual systems and resources that allow society's smooth and stable functioning, and the destruction or damage of that which would endanger the stability or even the security of modern society or the state. The aim of this article is to define the importance of national critical infrastructure from the standpoint of safety, as well as to show some elements of critical infrastructure in Montenegro. This article analyzes the phenomena and processes that have in recent years contributed to the protection of critical infrastructure, threats to critical infrastructure of Montenegro from cyber space, the importance of defining critical infrastructure from the standpoint of the defense system, as well as the importance of the private sector to protect critical infrastructure. Given that Montenegro has not yet defined the critical infrastructure at the national level, the article gives suggestions of steps that need to be implemented in order to define the critical infrastructure in Montenegro.
Risk Management of Terrorist Attacks in the Tunnels as Critical Points of Corridor 5c Infrastructure – Trans-European Road Network Through Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Agić Samir  , Garaplija Edin
Published: February 2025

Definition of terms:
Contemporary Aspects in Critical Infrastructure Protection and Combating Terrorism
Authors: Odžakov Ferdinand  , Dojčinovski Metodija
Published: February 2025

The paper points out the specific challenges of possible appearances, threats, risks and dangers to critical infrastructure caused by the activities of modern terrorism. Sensitivity and protection of networks and systems at the national level is priority for national security and the basics on prevention and coordination of measures and activities between the security services. Modern terrorism knows no borders, regions, states. It is focused on critical infrastructure, whose damage or destruction accelerates the motivation for achieving goals. Targets are: pipelines, telecommunications, information technology, financial systems, social, economic, industrial, medical and other important segments of the society, where important preventive roles have not only national, but also international actors and institutions, the European Union, NATO, OSCE, INTERPOL. The new millenium has shown that there is no country that is completely safe and protected from modern forms of asymmetrical threats. The World is “bombarded” with information on a daily basis about events that create feelings of insecurity, fear, threat and danger. Critical infrastructure have become the target of new forms of terrorist threats, known as cyber-terrorism, bio-terrorism, eco-terrorism, nuclear-terrorism and others. This suggests opportunities and the increasing effects of terrorist threats that are more difficultly controlled and managed. Republic of Macedonia follows the efforts of the international community in preventing and countering activities of modern terrorism. Besides participation in NATO operations for the establishment and provision of peace and security in crisis regions worldwide, national security structures have an important role in protecting national critical infrastructure. Contemporary aspects of prevention and protection in society are the basis for establishing, monitoring, detecting, preventing and managing the potential threats directed against critical infrastructure. Besides this, the paper contributes to defining the measures, activities and functions of state authorities in preventive action and combating modern terrorism aimed at social goods, critical infrastructure and security of society as a whole.
Towards a Resilient Critical Infrastructure System against the Risk of Terrorism
Authors: Keković Zoran  , Ninković Vladimir
Published: February 2025

Terrorism is one of many sources of risk which may reduce the capacity of critical infrastructure organizations to deliver against their objectives. However, unlike more frequent and more predictable incidents like criminal offenses or natural hazards, terrorist acts are non-routine risks and therefore difficult to anticipate. Typically, non routine risks have low probability, that is, they occur rarely or in some instances have never occurred but have very high consequences for the organisation. The attack on CI can be particularly attractive for a terrorist organization or an individual due to its highly interdependent infrastructures and its often high symbolic value. Critical infrastructure resilience (CIR) is an integrating objective designed to foster system-level investment strategies. Three resilience capacities are used to define, quantify, and ultimately design for a better resilience of the particular system: (1) absorptive capacities, or the ability of the system to absorb the disruptive event; (2) adaptive capacities, or the ability to adapt to the event; and (3) restorative capacities, or the ability of the system to recover. Occasionally the magnitude of a crisis exceeds an organization's own ability to respond. At such times the intervention and assistance of external groups (including government, other businesses, and the public) can be decisive.
Community Resilience Assessment - Meeting the Challenge - the Development of the Conjoint Community Resiliency Assessment
Authors: Aharonson-Daniel Limor  , Lahad Mooli  , Leykin Dima  , Cohen Odeya  , Goldberg Avishay
Published: February 2025

Community resiliency is a term commonly used to describe the ability of a community to endure and survive crisis situations. It encompasses the community’s adaptability to changing circumstances and its capability to respond effectively. As such, it is considered to be an essential capacity for emergency preparedness and readiness to respond. While preparedness is often linked to immediate needs, resiliency has prospects for a longer time span, thus it is associated with sustainability and is relevant in routine as well as in emergency situations. Despite the abundance of material on this subject matter, a thorough search of the literature found no practical tools for the assessment of community resiliency. The acknowledgement that resiliency is a complex issue, entailing input from multiple perspectives is beyond the scope of any single discipline, and leads to a unique cooperation between expert professionals and community leaders (stakeholders) forming the Conjoint Community Resilience Assessment Collaboration with the aim of developing a standard measurement tool for community resiliency. This chapter outlines the evolution and the activities of the collaboration, the milestones and path to the Conjoint Community Resilience Assessment Measure - a novel multidisciplinary tool that incorporates the diverse aspects of community resiliency into a community profile. The profile includes aspects such as: leadership, collective efficacy, preparedness, place attachment, and social trust. The CCRAM standardizes measurements and facilitates comparisons of community resiliency across time and place. In this chapter we will briefly review the theoretical background, portray the elements that were considered, and illustrate the process which led to the final validated instrument.
National resilience in multinational societies
Authors: Parmak Merle
Published: February 2025

Resilience at the level of any system reflects its capacity to successfully manage unexpected pressures without losing its structure and stability. The most generic level of resilience - national resilience - is closely related with a shared vision and values in society at the level of the nation. It refers to the ability to maintain the national social fabric and cohesion when confronted by threats. During massive transitions, the established boundaries of nation-states and the definition and nature of citizenship are challenged. Risks related to diverse ethnic and religious identities may not be apparent before crises arise. In expanded societies, societal fragmentation poses a threat to national security, highlighting the importance of strategic nation-building and national resilience. Nation-building is influenced by trust and practice of communication between citizens, the state and its sub-communities. In order to mitigate security risks and enhance the capacity of multinational societies to cope with crisis, there is a vital need to develop a conceptual understanding and screening methodology for national resilience.
The Integrative Model Of Resiliency: The “BASIC Ph” Model, Or What Do We Know About Survival?
Authors: Lahad Mooli  , Leykin Dmitry
Published: February 2025

In recent years the question of coping and resiliency has become a crucial element in crisis intervention. This chapter will review the model developed some 30 years ago known as the BASIC Ph model, and its roots in the foundational theories of psychology and in research worldwide on coping and resiliency. Some of the concepts related to coping and resiliency will be reviewed, together with findings from our studies and suggestions for an integrated model to approach major incidents will be presented.
Defect-Based Testing
Authors: Pretschner Alexander
Published: February 2025

What is a good test case? One that reveals potential defects with good cost-effectiveness. We provide a generic model of faults and failures, formalize it, and present its various methodological usages for test case generation.
Deconstructing Dynamic Symbolic Execution
Authors: Ball Thomas  , Daniel Jakub
Published: February 2025

Dynamic symbolic execution (DSE) is a well-known technique for automatically generating tests to achieve higher levels of coverage in a program. Two keys ideas of DSE are to: (1) seed symbolic execution by executing a program on an initial input; (2) use concrete values from the program execution in place of symbolic expressions whenever symbolic reasoning is hard or not desired. We describe DSE for a simple core language and then present a minimalist implementation of DSE for Python (in Python) that follows this basic recipe. The code is available at https://www.github.com/thomasjball/PyExZ3/ (tagged “v1.0”) and has been designed to make it easy to experiment with and extend.