bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tangible interface for a rehabilitation of comprehension in aphasic patients
Authors: Rybarczyk Yves  , Fonseca José
Published: February 2025

This paper describes a tangible user interface (TUI) built to be used for written and spoken comprehension therapy in aphasic patients. The tool works with the Trackmate system [1] and an application especially designed from clinical tools developed by speech and language therapists. The software implements a series of tasks that ask the disabled person to identify, from a set, tagged objects and put them on the sensing table to be recognized by the TUI system. At the end of each exercise, the percentage of identification is saved into a database, which records patients' performances according to the time and the task types. This information technology (IT) was chosen and adapted to the aphasia rehabilitation to take the advantage of the manipulation of physical objects, in order to ensure an effective transfer of training exercises into everyday life activities.
BioSensing: using motion sensors in real life care situations
Authors: Vlaskamp Frank  , Cremers Ger  , Pas Rianne  , Arts Chris  , Bonroy Bert  , Gransier Ruud  , Kalisvaart Sytze  , Kerkhofs Vincent  , Koomen Peter  , van Lummel Rob  , Meijer Kenneth  , Sauren Hans  , Swinkels Mariëlle  , Vanrumste Bart  , Verschuren Gerard  , de Witte Luc
Published: February 2025

Objective. People use pedometers and sport watches to measure calorie use and training performance. Knowing “how you move” is often more important than knowing “how much you move”. Measuring “how you move” and feedback to the user is the objective of the BioSensing project. Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and patients with acute knee injury are the intended user groups.
Usability of Brain Computer Interfaces
Authors: Pasqualotto Emanuele  , Federici Stefano  , Simonetta Alessandro  , Olivetti Belardinelli Marta
Published: February 2025

Objective. The aim of this work is to assess the usability of two BCI prototypes by measuring interaction with the systems in context, considering the performance, cognitive workload and satisfaction of non-disabled users in order to better understand how the interface affect these parameters. We tested two keyboard- controlled Java BCI prototypes based on the Language Support Program (LSP) and the P300 Speller (P3S).
Virtual robot and virtual environments for cognitive skills assessment
Authors: Encarnação Pedro  , Piedade Gonçalo  , Cook Al  , Adams Kim  , Gil Iolanda  , Maya Catarina  , Azevedo Luís  , Londral Ana Rita  , Rodrigues Sara
Published: February 2025

Robots with adapted controllers have been used to assess cognitive skills of children with motor impairments who are sometimes difficult to assess with standardized tests that rely on verbal or motor responses.
A Training Protocol for Controlling Lego Robots via Speech Generating Devices
Authors: Adams Kim  , Encarnação Pedro
Published: February 2025

Lego robots have proved to be effective assistive technologies for play and academic activities. With adapted interfaces, Lego robots provide children with disabilities a way of manipulating objects, creating opportunities for play and learning, thus promoting their cognitive development. However, children need to learn how to control the robot before being able to use it as a tool to perform educational tasks.
Tele-Operated Robots in Elderly Care at Home: A Survey on Needs and Perceptions of Elderly People and Caregivers
Authors: Pigini Lucia  , Facal David  , Blasi Lorenzo  , Andrich Renzo
Published: February 2025

Objective: Remotely-controlled assistive robots can help improving the quality of life of frail elderly people, by assisting them in specific tasks identified as relevant for an independent and autonomous life. Within the EU-funded research project “Multi-Role Shadow Robotic System for Independent Living” (SRS), the ability of such systems to meet the users' needs, perceptions and feelings has been investigated, in order to generate technical requirements and realistic usage scenarios for developing a new semi-autonomous remotely-controlled and selflearning assistive robot.
Quality of Life Technology Robots (QoLTbots):Towards Providing Assistance in the Home and Community for People with Disabilities and Older Adults
Authors: Cooper Rory A.  , Cooper Rosemarie  , Srinivasa Siddhartha  , Xu Jijie  , Wang Hongwu  , Grindle Garrett  , Salatin Ben  , Chung Chengshiu  , Kelleher Annmarie  , Vazquez Juan
Published: February 2025

There is increasing progress towards robotic devices that will provide beneficial assistance to people with disabilities and older adults in the home. In recent years, there has been a break from the traditional robotics approach of creating autonomous robotic systems and tele-operated robots, towards symbiotic robotic systems that work in partnership with and incorporate the strengths and capabilities of humans and robots working collaboratively, and in many cases intimately together. This has resulted in a new class of assistive robots termed Quality of Life Technology Robots or QoLTbots. This paper describes work on two QoLTbots with different structures, yet they share many core technologies. The ultimate goal of these QoLTbots is to create a framework and actual demonstration units (i.e., testbeds) to demonstrate the ability to assist people with disabilities and older adults in meaningful ways, and to study their acceptance of QoLTbots.
Expressive robot to support elderly
Authors: Masmoudi Rami  , Bouchouicha Moez  , Gorce Philippe
Published: February 2025

Objective. Handibio, in their partnership with Robopec, aims to create a robot equipped with emotional intelligence to support the elderly suffering from slight cognitive disabilities. The originality of this work lies in the development of hardware and software technologies while taking into account the benefit / risk / cost.
An advanced monitoring system for residential care facilities
Authors: Gower Valerio  , Andrich Renzo  , Braghieri Pietro  , Susi Angelo
Published: February 2025

Objective: The objective of the ACube (Ambient Aware Assistance) project is the development and testing of an advanced monitoring system to support professional caregivers in nursing home and residential care facilities. The goal of the system is the detection of events potentially dangerous for the guest of nursing homes, or interesting for the health care professionals, and the development of an appropriate response.
Measurement of Visibility of TWSIs perceived by LVs
Authors: Mitani Seiji  , Hamada Takamaro  , Fujisawa Shoichiro  , Sueda Osamu  , Tauchi Masaki
Published: February 2025

[Objective]. According to the WHO, about 80% of visually impaired persons in the world are with low visual capacity. It is considered that LVs' safe independent mobility will be improved as employing Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSIs). This research is to conduct a verificational measurement of visibility on TWSIs and prove the effectiveness of the luminance contrast ratio between TWSIs and adjacent surface and the color of TWSIs that were regarded as giving good visibility in the other scientific experiments we made.
ATM evaluation by visual impaired users: Methodology
Authors: Espadinha Cristina  , Moniz Pereira Leonor
Published: February 2025

Objective. This paper reports about a project developed in Portugal, designed to assess the Portuguese ATM accessibility, when evaluated by visual impaired users. It also reports the main concerns in the choice of more adequate methodologies, instruments and techniques in the involvement of visual impaired in these studies.
Powered wheelchair driving analysis on a simulator
Authors: Morere Yann  , Hadj Abdelkader Mohammed Amine  , Meliani Sidi Mohammed  , Bourhis Guy
Published: February 2025

The objective of the work described in this article is two-fold. First of all we aim to design a powered wheelchair driving simulator allowing to assess the driving skills of a person with disability and to facilitate the training. To make easier its duplication we chose a 3D software solution, the only feedback information being visual. The second objective consists in defining a quantitative evaluation method of the trajectories resulting from the experiments on simulator. For that, we base our study on a modeling of the pilot-wheelchair system while taking as a starting point the models described in the literature in the context of aircraft pilots or car drivers. Two case studies are presented to illustrate our approach.
Wheelchair Simulator Selecting Optimal Wheelchair Control
Authors: Cremers Ger  , Gelderblom Gert Jan  , Bemelmans Roger
Published: February 2025

Objective: For persons with severe motor impairment an electrical wheelchair is essential to support mobility, enlarge their independence and social participation. Also, especially for children, being less dependent of others is very important for their general development. For therapists it is difficult to determine which control device is optimal for an individual. Can the child make better use of the hand, head, chin or foot? Which position is optimal to place the selected device? Often practical try and error is the only way to decide. As a result the wheelchair needs several adaptations before the final decision can be made. It would be very beneficial when the therapist has the opportunity to consider the best option in advance. The objective of this research is the development of technology (wheelchair simulator) to support the assessment of electrical wheelchair driving in order to assist the selection of an optimal device for controlling an electrical wheelchair, to determine the accurate placement of the device, and to support training of wheelchair driving.
Environmental Control Systems– a starter pack for persons with high cervical spinal cord injury
Authors: Verdonck Michèle  , Chard Gill  , Nolan Maeve
Published: February 2025

Objective. Environmental control systems (ECS) enable control of electronic devices and appliances in the home. Despite their proven efficacy however, there is limited access to ECS for those with high cervical spinal cord injuries (HCSCI) living in Ireland. This paper describes the outcome of providing a basic ECS in a simple starter pack that was installed and customized by an occupational therapist and is part of a larger study investigating the use of ECS with persons with HCSCI.
Assessment of the Human-Machine Association on a Smart Wheelchair
Authors: Leishman F.  , Monfort V.  , Horn O.  , Bourhis G.
Published: February 2025

In this communication, we present a method to assess a mobility assistance developed on a smart wheelchair. This assistance provides to the users a functionality of wall following, as well as a functionality of automatic passing through narrow passages, usable via a deictic interface. The aim here is to compare a semi autonomous driving and the typical manual driving with a joystick. We would like that this assessment focuses on human. To do this, we have implemented a test protocol using a dual task method which allows to measure the attentional load of subjects for each type of driving. We also carry out a finer analysis of attentional load of subjects to identify the types of actions in which it is the highest during the driving with and without assistance.
Wheeled mobility:an ergonomics perspective
Authors: van der Woude Lucas H.V.  , Vegter Riemer J.K.  , Hettinga Floor J.  , Valent Linda J.  , Mason Barry S.  , Verellen Joeri  , de Groot Sonja
Published: February 2025

Objective. To present an ergonomics perspective on manual wheeled mobility and provision, and highlight today's international research on manual wheelchair propulsion in the context of rehabilitation and sports.
Skill acquisition of manual wheelchair propulsion due to implicit motor learning
Authors: Vegter Riemer J.K.  , Veeger Dirkjan H.E.J.  , Lamoth Claudine J.  , de Groot Sonja  , van der Woude Lucas H.V.
Published: February 2025

Objective. To study wheelchair skill acquisition in handrim wheelchair propulsion on a motor-driven treadmill in able-bodied male novices to simulate early rehabilitation.
Optimal upper body exercise training: handcycling
Authors: Hettinga Floor J.  , Valent Linda  , van der Woude L.H.V.
Published: February 2025

Objective. To extend knowledge relevant for the individualized optimization of training in the context of rehabilitation and sports by presenting results on exercise and training in hand cycling, a promising mode of upper body exercise for wheelchair-dependant patients.
Evaluation of wheelchair propulsion for prevention of upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders
Authors: Louis Nicolas  , Gorce Philippe
Published: February 2025

Objective. The aim of this study is to provide an objective and quantitative method to evaluate the risks of upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders during wheelchair propulsion. The evaluation of the risks is performed according to kinematic and electromyographic (EMG) parameters. This method will allow a specific user to compare different wheelchair models and different settings in order to choose the less constraining/traumatic one.
The Evaluation of Upper Limb Motion with Haptic Rehab System
Authors: Inoue Kaoru  , Ito Yuko  , Ikeda Yumi  , Takahashi Yoshiyuki  , Terada Takafumi  , Komeda Takashi
Published: February 2025

Objective and Main contents: A Haptic-Rehab System (Inter-Riha.co.Ltd), a rehabilitation system with Haptic Device, can reproduce various sensations, abounding with realistic touches through Virtual Reality. This paper describes the overview of this system and the result of an experiment. This system aims to develop effective rehabilitation techniques, to motivate clients by arousing clients' interest, and to prove results of the therapeutic effects quantitatively. Results and Conclusion: In this study, 76 volunteers tried out 4 tests with this system, tracing the moving target displayed on the monitor. The study includes the difficulty levels of tests and the normative data of four different tests, which examines each subject's hand-to-eye coordination. The HR system provides a guideline of rehabilitation for hand-to-eye coordination.
Embedding Monitoring of Physiological Parameters in an AAL system
Authors: Matrella Guido  , Grossi Ferdinando  , Losardo Agostino
Published: February 2025

Objective. Handling of emergency calls is an essential task for an environmental control system, when aimed at assistive applications. Often, though, voluntary activation of an emergency call (by pressing a help button, or activating any kind of AT communication device) can be quite demanding for people with debilitating diseases or severe motion impairments (besides, of course, depending on patient's consciousness). Modern ICTs can provide much help, enabling automatic recognition of help needs and management of emergency calls. Although very different in nature, this task has many technical similarities with environmental safety and security control carried out by an Ambient-Assisted Living system, which, in turn, can be also quite useful in allowing bedridden patients to control the home environment. Hence, embedding health-monitoring features within a general-purpose AAL framework may result in a more flexible, reliable and cost-effective solution. This work aims at describing design and implementation of such a solution in a “live” context: the CARDEA AAL system was deployed at ‘Casa Scarzara’, a sheltered house for people with multiple sclerosis in Parma, embedding wireless sensors for vital-sign monitoring.
Smart mobility devices with improved patient-device interaction
Authors: Verkerke Gijsbertus J.  , Postema Klaas
Published: February 2025

Objective. In our rapidly ageing society, increasing effort is necessary to help the elderly to maintain a high level of independent functioning and full participation in society. When human cognitive capabilities and mobility capacities are impaired, people will lose their independent functioning and require increasing medical and caring help. Up to now the vast majority of current mobility devices are technology-driven developed and designed for the ‘average’ patient that does not exist. Patients differ in rest function, balance control, muscle force, sensory functions, motivation, drive, practicality, et cetera. So patients are forced to adapt to solutions for the ‘average’ patient. This results in a difficult, time-consuming rehabilitation process and a non-optimal function restoration. To improve this situation the SPRINT centre will develop the next generation of intelligent mobility devices that prevent deterioration or restore mobility of the individual patient.
Implications of neuromotor functioning for control mechanisms of assistive technology for the upper extremities
Authors: Bongers Raoul M.  , Van Der Sluis Corry K.
Published: February 2025

Main Content. For an effective use of assistive technology for the upper extremities a proper control is required. The current paper argues that a proper control of assistive technology through myo-signals is possible when the control interface is adjusted to neuromotor functioning. The neuromotor system is organized in muscle synergies. To pick up activity of these muscle synergies, the control interface of assistive technology for the upper extremity should pick up patterns of muscle activity over multiple electrodes.
Summary of Research on Driving Support System for Upper and Lower Body Impaired People
Authors: Ikeda Hiroshi  , Kitagawa Hiroshi  , Mihoshi Akihiro
Published: February 2025

Objective For the wheelchair user, door to door vehicles are a necessary method of transportation. However, when wheelchair users drive a vehicle, they have to make use of driving support equipment, and they must adapt themselves to the vehicle. It has been clarified that when wheelchair users drive they have difficulty maintaining body position in the situation of receiving the effects of centrifugal force, such as on curves. This paper is concerned with this driving situation and the development of “body support equipment” for wheelchair drivers which can keep body posture and not effect the driving operation in such a situation.
Training ICT professionals in Universal Design – a Workshop Agreement on curriculum guidelines
Authors: Rice Dónal  , Craddock Gerald  , O'Ferrall Elizabeth  , Schmidt-Belz Barbara
Published: February 2025

Objective The paper summarizes activities carried out in the development of the CEN Workshop Agreement CWA 16266 “Curriculum for Training ICT Professionals in Universal Design” was published by CEN in April 2011. Based on previous work from the DfA@eInclusion project, the guidelines specify and recommend a curriculum for training ICT professionals in Universal Design.
Accessibility of electronic information: perspectives and challenges
Authors: Billi Marco  , Burzagli Laura  , Gabbanini Francesco  , Emiliani Pier Luigi
Published: February 2025

Objective. An analysis of issues relevant to electronic information accessibility with respect to the evolution of ICT and the social development.
No OBstacle to Emotion (NOBE): an assistive technology for a multi-sensory experience of visual art
Authors: Corradi Fabrizio  , Federici Stefano  , Mele Maria Laura  , Sperati Carlo  , Ruschena Sergio  , Dandini De Sylva Saveria
Published: February 2025

Objective. The aim of this work is to introduce NOBE (No OBstacle to Emotion®), a multi-sensory platform aiming to allow everyone – especially people with disabilities – to enjoy the aesthetic experience of perceiving and interacting with an artistic composition by means of multi-sensory patterns.
Improving Accessibility of IPTV and Mobile Applications
Authors: Žilavec Jure  , Kervina Damir  , Pustišek Matevž
Published: February 2025

Web accessibility has already been thoroughly addressed. W3C published standards (WCAG 2.0) which guide developers in creating accessible Web sites. Recent advancements in technologies and platforms include IPTV and mobile devices. Now, the same content and services are available on various devices in parallel. With that in mind, our main goal is to revaluate accessibility design approaches that focus on Web browsing on a PC, to identify and address possible new ICT accessibility barriers, and to identify other standards and recommendations that could help develop accessible content on multi-device systems. In this paper we analyze the options provided to developers of accessible multi-device and multi-platform systems. We evaluate the role of WCAG in the field of IPTV and mobile. In order to ensure mobile accessibility of applications and Web content, we concluded that benefits can be drawn from Mobile Web Best Practices (MWBP), Mobile Web Application Best Practices (MWABP) and Widget Requirements. For IPTV platforms, specific standards or recommendations do not exist, therefore guidelines from Web and mobile domains have to be observed and adjusted according to platform specifics.
Chapter 8: Agent-based Control for Multi-UAV Information Collection
Authors: Jakob Michal  , Volf Přemysl  , Semsch Eduard  , Pavlíček Dušan  , Pěchouček Michal
Published: February 2025

Multi-agent coordination and planning techniques play a fundamental role in designing control systems for autonomous multi-UAV-based information collection. The most important categories of information collection are exploration, surveillance, search and tracking. We introduce each category of information collection and then focus on a specific problem – multi-UAV-based surveillance in complex environments where sensor occlusions can occur due to high buildings and other obstacles in the target area. We formalize the problem and propose a solution as a decomposition of the problem in two subproblems: the problem of single-area surveillance and the problem of allocating UAVs to multiple areas. We present and compare several algorithms for the subproblems and prove their optimality. Finally, we empirically evaluate the performance of all algorithms on a realistic simulation of aerial surveillance, built using the AGENTFLY framework, and compare it to theoretical estimates.
Chapter 11: Software Agents for Computer Network Security
Authors: Kotenko Igor  , Leszczyna Rafał
Published: February 2025

The chapter presents applications of multi-agent technology for design and implementation of agent-based systems intended to cooperatively solve several critical tasks in the area of computer network security. These systems are Agent-based Generator of Computer Attacks (AGCA), Multi-agent Intrusion Detection and Protection System (MIDPS), Agent-based Environment for Simulation of DDoS Attacks and Defense (AESAD) and Mobile Agent Malware Simulator (MAlSim). The chapter sketches the above agent-based systems and analyses advantages of applying multi-agent technologies in computer network security area.
Chapter 3: Jadex Active Components Framework
Authors: Braubach Lars  , Pokahr Alexander
Published: February 2025

In this chapter the Jadex framework is presented that aims at supporting the construction of distributed and concurrent applications. Main conceptual entity in Jadex is an active component that combines properties of agents with software components in order to strengthen the software technical means for developing applications. The conceptual foundations of Jadex as well the advantages of active components will be described in a practical way by using a disaster management scenario as a running example. Concretely, the notions of virtual environment, active components as well as BDI agents are introduced to show how a simulation scenario can be built, in which different kinds of rescue forces are coordinated to handle disasters in a cooperative way.
Revisiting the Terrorist vs. Guerilla Debate on PKK via the Ach Software: Known Answers, Unknown Methods
Authors: Bilgi Seniz
Published: February 2025

Although it is commonly known to many that PKK is a terrorist group, there are still some who state the otherwise. This study has been carried out with this aim so that the terrorist vs. guerilla debate can be revisited and conclusions can be reached at. In order to be able to do so, this time a different methodology is used which is the Analysis of Competing Hypotheses (ACH) software, which is an analytical tool used in intelligence analysis. Similar results have been obtained, but the new way of obtaining them is of interest to anyone who wants to learn more about analytical tools.
Explaining Terrorism Financing as a Mafia Type Crime Using Social Disorganization Theory
Authors: Kose Yasin  , Akdogan Huseyin  , Koksal Tamer
Published: February 2025

This study explores social causes of mafia-type crimes in Turkey. Some scholars view organized crimes and terrorism as different forms; however, others argue that there are some links between terrorism and organized crime. The most important link between the two crimes is grounded on economic gain. Organized crimes have spread out in Turkey very quickly by suppressing and threatening the public. In fact, organized crimes using violence, torture and threat against individuals have become a very important issue. The seriousness of the phenomena increased when the fact that PKK and other terrorist organizations have relationships which are grounded on economic gain. Mafia-type organizations utilized violence in order to gain profit, to collect tribute, to protect someone by pecuniary consideration and to collect checks and vouchers. The violence has become more intimidating when considering the use of a brutal terrorist organizations name. Therefore, they have become a threat for the Turkish public order, social relations and social peace. This study is the first study to explain mafia-type crimes by employing social disorganization theory. Negative binomial regression analysis is conducted to analyze the data. The analysis reveals that unemployment, poverty, and the number of religious institutions have turned out to be statistically significant effect on the occurrence of mafia-type organized crime in cities. However, family disruption, residential mobility, number of disorders and number of voluntary associations do not exert statistically significant effect on the distribution of mafia type crimes in cities.
Terrorism and Public Administration: An Evaluation of the Impacts of Terror Attacks on Public Service
Authors: Gultekin Sebahattin  , Guler Ahmet
Published: February 2025

Terrorism is one of the most defining issues affecting social and economic lives in postmodern age. Does it affect public administration? Findings indicate that terrorism affects public service and causes various side effects. Lack of coproduction between public employees and citizens is a significant effect of terrorism. Similarly, public programs, strategies, and public servants' discretion are also affected. Law enforcement and safety and security services become the main concern for public service, leading to budget decreases for other governmental services. Accordingly, this negatively influences production and provision of certain services and goods as well as capacity of public organizations to implement different programs. Accountability in public sector becomes problematic since bureaucratic power increases asymmetrically. Finally, many high qualified public officials hesitate to work in terror-experiencing regions and this decreases quality of public service and causes personnel problems.
Conclusion: The Multi-faceted Aspects of Radicalization
Authors: Ozeren Suleyman  , Sozer M. Alper
Published: February 2025

Radicalization encompasses many issues which mandate those who are responsible for countering it to have a multi-faceted approach. Three main sources of complexity in radicalization include 1) the definition of the concept of radicalization, 2) process, through which individual becomes a member of a terrorist organization, 3) counter-radicalization strategies, which has two folds; prevention and de-radicalization. The only way to have effective and result-oriented countering radicalization strategy is to comprehend this complexity, which requires joint effort at the national, regional and international level.
Violent Extremism in Terrorist Organizations: The Case of Turkish Hizbullah
Authors: Sozer M. Alper  , Sever Murat
Published: February 2025

Perception about terrorism over the globe has drastically shifted after 9/11. The U.S centered “war on terrorism” approach dominates strategies in countering terrorism exploiting religion. It appears that the war on terrorism approach has brought enormous extent of unintended consequences and eased radicalization process. To generate a better strategy, research played a key role in countering terrorist group exploiting religious. In that sense, this paper aims to explore the relationship between the micro-level factors and involvement in violent acts in the Turkish Hizbullah, the notorious terrorist organization exploiting religion in Turkey. The biographies of 1500 Hizbullah members were the main data source. After a content analysis, biographies were coded in numbers and a data set was created. Logistic regression was conducted on this data set to predict the factors associated with violence. Results showed that age at time of joining the organization, number of years in the organization and unemployment significantly predict Turkish Hizbullah members who involve in violent acts.
The Role Of Social Projects In Preventing Radicalization In Terrorist Organization
Authors: Yildiz Serdar  , Göktepe Ferhat
Published: February 2025

The role of social projects in preventing radicalization and terrorism has received a growing attention in recent years. After realizing the fact that disinformation and lack of communication are among main issues feeding terrorism in the Eastern and the Southeastern Anatolia, police departments have implemented 56 social projects in 25 cities in the region since 2008 to cope with such problems. These projects can be grouped under a few headlines according to their target groups and planned activities. Feedbacks from the participants and thoughts of the police chiefs who took roles as projects managers were evaluated to determine the effectiveness of these projects. In addition, terrorists' confessions, meeting records and reports by some terrorist groups, intelligence reports, and some additional information were used to assess the results of the projects. In conclusion, the study has found that social projects have been found to be effective in preventing through improved communication between the State and the public.
Exploring the Effects of American Foreign Policy on Muslims' Perceptions toward Terrorism
Authors: Sadik Giray
Published: February 2025

The 9/11 terrorist attacks on the core American cities shocked the world. Since then, terrorists indoctrinated by radicals, exploiting religion of Islam targeted various cities around the world such as London, Madrid, Istanbul, Jakarta, and Manila bombings to count a few. At the same time, unilateralist policies of the George W. Bush Administration triggered an unprecedented wave of anti-Americanism worldwide. More critically, unfavorable views toward the United States soared among Muslims, even in Turkey, a NATO ally since 1952. Observing these significant developments taking place simultaneously puts forward a puzzle that needs to be untangled. In search of an answer to this puzzle, I draw on Pew Key Indicators Database that surveys variables such as American image and perceptions of terrorists among Muslims. The article analyzes the relationship between those ongoing critical tendencies in world politics that are likely to have significant implications for states with predominantly Muslim populations and their relations with the Western countries.
Protecting from Intelligent Threats: Exposure of the Latest Developments in Defense-Attack Strategies
Authors: Azaiez M.N.
Published: February 2025

Recently, a large variety of models considering the protection of critical infrastructures against intentional attacks including defense-attacks strategies have been developed. The current chapter exposes some of the models emphasizing the problems' statements and briefly presenting the solution methodologies. Special focus will be made on intentional attacks and reliability problems with and without full information as well as on network problems. Each of the defender and attacker problems will be explained with alternative objectives of each agent. The use of game theory will be discussed. Moreover, protection tools such as redundancy, deterrence and employment of false targets are also outlined.
Centrality Measures in Shareholding Networks
Authors: Rotundo Giulia
Published: February 2025

This paper aims to understand the role of most used centrality measures on the specific topics of shareholding networks, and to propose new measures for describing the emergence of market leaders. Data on companies and shareholdings are embedded into a weighted network. Both operational research and complex networks approaches are used. The former provides tools for unveiling paths of ownership and control that could not be evident at a first glance. The latter proposes the concept of centrality measure and offers a wide set of measures that add knowledge in understanding the relevance of nodes in the network. The combination of both approaches gives hints for understanding phenomena like tunnelling, that is relevant for the detection the response to market fluctuation due to financial instabilities. The present analysis also considers the response of the system under random and targeted attacks. The Italian Stock Market is examined as a case study.
Network Q-Learning Controls Prevent Cyber Intrusion Risks: Synergies of Control Theory and Computational Intelligence
Authors: Dimirovski Georgi M.
Published: February 2025

A Metropolis criterion based fuzzy Markov game flow controller has been designed for coping with congestion in high-speed networks and networked systems. For such networks the complete and accurate information is not easy to obtain in real time because of the uncertainties and highly time-varying time delays. A viable alternative is to employ the Q-learning, which is independent of a mathematical model and prior knowledge as well as it can be used in game-theoretic framework. It enables to learn the needed parameters from the operating network environment. The fuzzy Markov game offers a promising platform for robust control in the presence of external disturbances and unknown parameter variations that are bounded. The Metropolis criterion can cope with the balance between exploration and exploitation in action selecting. In a similar game-theoretic framework and by employing SOM-based virtual sensors one recent solution to intrusion detection system from the literature, which is compatible with our network flow control design, is highlighted and outlined too. Simulation experiments demonstrate the proposed controller can learn to take the best action in order to regulate source flows. Thus it can guarantee high throughput and low packet loss ratio while efficiently avoiding the congestion.
Concealed Investment Strategy Threats
Authors: Indjic Drago
Published: February 2025

We aim to identify potential vulnerabilities in investment management and financial trading structures that malicious agents can exploit. The opportunities for malicious trading have always existed. In the past, threats have been market “directional” but today they can be disguised as market “noise” and distributed. The “anomalies” in market structure can be systematically triggered.
Gait Profile – A Biometric that Defines Our Mobility
Authors: Hodgins Diana
Published: February 2025

This chapter discusses gait monitoring and why it is important to the health and wellbeing of individual, at any time of their life. It then describes a range of medical conditions which affect a person's gait and gait monitoring could be used to improve the outcomes following rehabilitation. Different techniques for monitor gait are also discussed, together with their relative merits and limitations. Finally, examples where monitoring has been used to help the treatment and rehabilitation processes have been provided.
Gerontological Perspectives on Ambient Assisted Living
Authors: Sixsmith Andrew
Published: February 2025

This section explores AAL from a gerontological perspective, both in terms of the types of AAL systems and applications that have been developed for older users and the contributions that technology can make to their health, independence and quality of life. The six chapters are representative of the range of research and development activities focusing on meeting the needs of older people and are organized in three themes: monitoring activity and health; AAL and dementia; market and policy issues.
Tracking Natural Human Movements Identifies Differences in Cognition and Health
Authors: Kearns William  , Fozard James L.
Published: February 2025

In this chapter we discuss efforts to measure natural human movement and describe a novel location aware technology to study the relationship of movement to health changes. Several syndromes whose understanding may be increased by a more thorough analysis of movement are identified. We conclude with a discussion of how location aware technologies can play a role in identifying problems and solutions in the design of living spaces for the elderly.
AAL Markets – Knowing Them, Reaching Them. Evidence from European Research
Authors: Meyer Ingo  , Müller Sonja  , Kubitschke Lutz
Published: February 2025

Ambient-assisted living services are slowly but surely making their way into daily practice and life. At the same time, levels of uptake both in Europe and North America remain low and the deployment of services that are fit for this complex market remains a challenge and often fails. The present chapter provides an overview of the market for AAL services in the world and gives some guidance from practice on how these markets can be reached.
Introduction to Section on AAL for Rehabilitation
Authors: Wichert Reiner
Published: February 2025

Rehabilitation techniques in Ambient Assisted Living, which concentrates on supporting persons with special needs, is viewed as one of the most promising areas of AAL (Ambient Assisted Living). Thus these technologies for rehabilitation constitute a major research area within AAL research. A large number of new technologies have been developed in R&D projects for rehabilitation in recent years. Lots of project results in form of applications and prototypes have been developed. This section contains important work on technologies to support people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, on robotics for remote motor rehabilitation, smart home technologies to help people with cognitive impairments, Tele-Rehabilitation approaches, Cardiac Rehabilitation solutions and Computer Vision Access Technologies, but all focused on Ambient Assisted Rehabilitation. Authors from Northern America, Australia and Europe highlighted their work in Ambient Assisted Rehabilitation in the following six chapters.
Assisted Ambient Living Applied to Remote Motor Rehabilitation
Authors: Wade Eric R.  , Parnandi Avinash
Published: February 2025

Of late, sensors, virtual reality, and robotic systems have proven increasingly useful for augmenting traditional motor rehabilitation techniques. We present exciting results from current literature, as well as our own work, that indicate promising directions for ambient assisted living techniques in the field of stroke rehabilitation.
The universAAL Reference Model for AAL
Authors: Tazari Mohammad-Reza  , Furfari Francesco  , Fides Valero Álvaro  , Hanke Sten  , Höftberger Oliver  , Kehagias Dionisis  , Mosmondor Miran  , Wichert Reiner  , Wolf Peter
Published: February 2025

Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) is lacking a reference model that can serve as a basis for understanding the main issues to be addressed without any solution bias. Such a reference model will facilitate consensus-building processes and consolidation efforts towards converging conclusions on AAL infrastructures. The universAAL project, that aims at producing an open platform along with a standardized approach for making it technically feasible and economically viable to develop AAL solutions, has defined a process consisting of four iterations for filling this gap. Here, the results of the first iteration on a reference model for AAL are presented.
LiKeIT – RFID-Based KeepInTouch Lifestyle Monitoring
Authors: Drobics Mario  , Dohr Angelika  , Giesecke Susanne  , Schreier Günter
Published: February 2025

Well-being of individuals is influenced by various mental, physical, and social aspects. While some aspects are related to personal predisposition or the environment and thus impossible or hard to change, the personal lifestyle, which can be influenced much easier, has a significant impact on several of these aspects. Frequent physical activity, for example, reduces the risk for heart related diseases and also reduces the risk of severe fractures due to falls. Consequently it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, throughout the whole lifespan, especially for elderly people.
R&D Projects Related to AAL in TECNALIA's Health Technologies Unit
Authors: Obach Michael  , Barralon Pierre  , León Enrique  , Martínez Leire  , Arcas Javier  , Idígoras Igone  , Martínez Alberto  , Rentería Arantxa  , Pastor Carmen
Published: February 2025

Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) is a key research topic in TECNALIA's Health Technologies Unit. The present chapter gives an overview over the ongoing research and development projects of the biggest private research alliance in Southern Europe in this field.
Innovative Rehabilitation Technologies for Home Environments – An Overview
Authors: John Michael  , Klose Stefan  , Seewald Beate
Published: February 2025

A significant number of studies show the positive effects clinical rehabilitation programs have on improving patients' health. However, these studies also, often mention that these health benefits decrease if a post-therapeutic regimen is not integrated into a patients' daily routine. Existing barriers such as travel times to sports facilities, irregular working times, caring for family members or a simple lack of desire are reasons why good intentions quickly fade and the after-care recommendations are not put into practice. The necessary changes in behaviour and in the mind set of a patient that are reached during the clinical rehabilitation process often disappear. The motivation to continue the rehabilitation program at home is low, even if further therapy is necessary for the stabilization of the patients' health. In this paper we describe the need for innovative rehabilitation technologies for home environments after a clinical rehabilitation phase. First we introduce the therapeutic applications like cardiovascular training, fall prevention and stroke rehabilitation as well as the corresponding options for interactive multimedia training devices. After that we describe the stakeholder and system requirements for new prevention and rehabilitation technologies. We give an overview over current projects and ambient technologies enabling health prevention and home rehabilitation. At the end of the paper we argue that these technologies should be integrated into the health systems.
Fighting against the Financing of Terrorism and Organized Crime
Authors: Blum Andreas
Published: February 2025

To facilitate a detailed analysis of the various dimensions of terrorism, it would be helpful to do a general threat assessment of terrorism and to discuss the leading global problems both today and in the future that may affect terrorism. Terrorism is currently a lethal, destructive phenomenon with the potential to cause massive casualties. Advances in counter-measures, however, have not progressed at the same pace. Concerns about cyberterrorism and terrorist access to Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) are increasing. Accordingly, this paper will examine four key subjects: cyberterrorism, WMD, the media, and legal dimensions of terrorism.
The Impact of Information Society on Terrorism and Counterterrorism: A Case Study of Turkey
Authors: Guclu Idris  , Sevinc Bilal
Published: February 2025

The concept of information society is a powerful idea that has become an integral part of our lives. The power of the information society concept comes from the concept of information that impacts and changes the work patterns and life-styles of people. The purpose of this paper is to enhance our understanding of the impact of information society on people and its importance in terms of terrorism and counterterrorism activities. In this regard, different definitions of the information society concept and definitions of the terms information, society and terrorism are discussed. Then, development of society in terms of sciences and technologies is examined. In turn, how it has become an information society and its effects on terrorism and counterterrorism are explained.
The Dichotomy in the Perception, Conception and the Response to Terrorism: The Case of the PKK
Authors: Unal Mustafa Cosar
Published: February 2025

Using a bipolar approach as a framework from the terrorism rhetoric, this article analyzes the main philosophies of counterterrorism. It puts emphasis on the fact that states defining and conceptualizing a political violence issue is a deliberate, ideological and subjective act rather than an objective examination and conception. It briefly discusses the focus and perception of policy makers, and the dynamics of the politics when determining the nature of counterterrorism efforts. For illustration, the 30 year struggle of Turkey against the PKK is analyzed in the context of identified dichotomy. It underlines the necessity of objective examination of the problem isolated from ideological limitation triggered by the politics so as to reach proper conception of counterterrorism. The article concludes that conception of counterterrorism is strongly related to the perception of terrorism. Efforts to deal with terrorism have culminated in two distinct mindsets, each with its own logic of how to characterize the problem as well as how to counter it. Each approach discussed in this article has weaknesses and strengths under certain conditions and neither of the approaches alone are a panacea. The nature, characteristics and the conditional dynamics of a political violence case are determinant factors for effective countermeasures. Finding the delicate balance on this bipolar axis -through identifying the dose, timing, and target population- is crucial so as to increase government legitimacy and break down the support toward terrorist group.
Fearing Future Terrorism: Perceived Personal, National, Regional and International Threats of Terrorism
Authors: Al-Badayneh Diab M.  , Al-Khattar Aref  , Al Hasan Khawla
Published: February 2025

The aim of the study is to investigate university students' fearing future terrorism: Perceived personal, national, regional and international threats of terrorism. It aims to examine gender differences in fear of terrorism. Moreover it examines the determinants of fear of terrorism. A sample of 188 students (Mutah University, Jordan) was randomly selected. A questionnaire was developed based on the existing scales. A construct validity of the scale was estimated by the calculating the correlation between a Terrorism Catastrophizing Scale and the current Fear of Terrorism Scale and found a positive significant relationship (0.564, α = 0.000), a sign of strong validity of the scales. The Reliability of the scales is strong and was estimated by Cronbach's alpha at 0.889. In addition to other findings, the research revealed that 42% of students were concerned that they personally, a friend or a relative might be the victim of a future terrorist attack in Jordan.