bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transgenic Drosophila Models of Alzheimer's Amyloid-β 42 Toxicity
Authors: Iijima Koichi  , Iijima-Ando Kanae
Published: February 2025

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common form of senile dementia, and a cure is desperately needed. The amyloid-β 42 (Aβ42) has been suggested to play a central role in the pathogenesis of AD. However, the mechanism by which Aβ42 causes AD remains unclear. To understand the pathogenesis and to develop therapeutic avenues, it is crucial to generate animal models of Aβ42 toxicity in genetically tractable organisms. Drosophila is a well-established model system for which abundant genetic tools are available, and recently emerges as a model for human neurodegenerative diseases. We and others have established transgenic flies that express human Aβ42 in the nervous system. These Aβ42 flies developed age-dependent short-term memory impairment and neurodegeneration accompanied by Aβ42 deposits. Here we will summarize key features of transgenic Drosophila models of Aβ42 toxicity and a number of insights into disease mechanisms as well as therapeutic implications gained from these models.
Seismic Hazard and Risk Assessment for Tbilisi – New Approaches
Authors: Tsereteli N.  , Varazanashvili O.  , Arabidze V.  , Mukhadze T.  , Arevadze N.
Published: February 2025

The main goal was to combine the analysis of the contemporary elements of risk inventories, seismicity and vulnerability, so as to assess seismic hazards and risks for Tbilisi. The inventories of the built environment were studied and converted into a GIS with the following categories: base map; building material types; number of storeys; number of entrances; condition of buildings; construction period of buildings; photos of old buildings; critical facilities, such as electricity, water aqueducts and supply, and transportation systems; high loss facilities; aerial photos; and election precincts with population sizes. Two maps of seismic site conditions were derived. The first map was constrained from topographic data at a large scale (1:10,000) using a technique proposed by Trevor I. Allen and David J. The second map was created on the basis of the geo-engineering map at 1:30,000 scale. Due to significant differences between these maps, the second one was chosen for the Seismic Hazard Assessment. The seismic hazards, expressed in PGA, were calculated using the program EZFRISK for a 10% probability of exceedence in 50 years and a 2% probability of exceedence in 50 years, using the Global Models of ground motion prediction equations by Boore and Atkinson (2008) PGA, and Campbell and Bozorognia (2008) PGA–SA. The classification of buildings was carried out using the inventory map. The assessment of seismic risks to houses in Tbilisi was carried out on the basis of the European Macro-seismic scale. Relative social risks and relative economic losses for 2% and 10% probability SH were estimated.
Licensing and Control of Mining Operations for Emergency Prevention
Authors: Knaul Juliane
Published: February 2025

The competence of mining supervision control methods, which are necessary to prevent all emergencies and risks from mining operations to life, health and property assets relating to third parties is outlined. The main focus is on the license procedure and control measures of the mining authority as required by the Federal Mining Act, the basic German law.
“BEMLAB” – Universal, Open source, Boundary Element Method library applied in Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems
Authors: Wieleba Paweł  , Sikora Jan
Published: February 2025

BEMLAB [1] is the open source project implementing Boundary Element Method (BEM) [2,3] comprehensively. BEMLAB binary packages and the source code are distributed under GNU LGPL (Lesser General Public License) license terms. The project provides universal library and the reference application, which is the easiest way for solving problems using BEM. The article presents example BEMLAB application in modelling comb capacitors used in Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS). Finally capacitance will be calculated using BEM results. Particularly Asymptotic Boundary Conditions (ABC) will be used to model external space of the capacitor (the geometry of infinite half-lane) as an internal BEM problem. This approach will allow to calculate total capacitance with dispersed capacitance included. Results will be compared with the simplified model.
Use of Half-Analytical Method for the Detection of Defects in Diet Pulses
Authors: Mohellebi Hassane  , Bouali Ferroudja  , Feliachi Mouloud
Published: February 2025

The present work concerns the development of pulsed eddy currents non destructive testing techniques applied to defects analysis. The impulse currents are produced with capacitor discharge bank [1], [2]. Coupled circuits method employed is based on the mutual inductances calculation [3] and associated to Kirchhoff laws yields to a real algebraic equation system which is solved at each time step. The model developed is used to the defects analysis of a cylindrical device [4].
Non-Iterative MUSIC-Type Algorithm for Eddy-Current Nondestructive Evaluation of Metal Plates
Authors: Henriksson Tommy  , Lambert Marc  , Lesselier Dominique
Published: February 2025

A non-iterative MUSIC-type imaging algorithm for time-harmonic eddy-current testing of a damaged conductive plate is considered. The method is based (i) on a first-order asymptotic formulation of the secondary magnetic field observed outside the plate and induced by volumetric defects within it, which is valid when those are small enough with respect to the skin-depth at the frequency of operation, and (ii) on the singular value decomposition of the multistatic response matrix that can be collected using an appropriate source and sensor array. Herein, the asymptotic field formulation is validated by comparing the results with those provided by means of the CIVA platform in a realistic case. Further, the singular value pattern and MUSIC images are investigated, for a small spherical void placed at different locations inside a plate. A Gaussian distributed noise is added to the asymptotic data during the initial investigation, to alleviate inverse crime at least in part (more complex arrangements of source/sensor arrays and defects will be considered with external data in a later stage). Yet, these preliminary results as exhibited indicate the potential of the method to locate small defects in conductive materials in a typical eddy-current testing configuration
Pipe Wall Thickness Measurement by Electro-Magnetic Acoustic Transducer using Band Exciting Method
Authors: Kosaka Daigo  , Kojima Fumio  , Umetani Kosuke
Published: February 2025

This paper is concerned with a quantitative nondestructive evaluation of pipe wall thinning using an Electro-Magnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT). First, two methods for sizing wall thickness, pulse-echo method (PEC) and electromagnetic resonance measurement technique (EMAR) are examined using calibration specimen of SS400. It was shown that EMAR is superior to PEC for its sizing accuracy. Secondly, we discuss a feasible measurement strategy based on EMAR technique. Finally, the feasibility studies of the method are summarized for evaluating mock Flow-Accelerated Corrosion (FAC) test samples.
Identification of Defects in 3D Space Using Computer Radiography System
Authors: Chlewicki Wojciech  , Baniukiewicz Piotr  , Chady Tomasz  , Brykalski Andrzej
Published: February 2025

A radiographic system for identification of defects in three-dimensional space has been built and tested. It is a cost effective alternative to sophisticated fully three-dimensional tomography systems. We present initial results of using the extended radiographic system for the images of the phantom made of wood and pieces of copper.
Solid Materials Complex Permittivity and Inhomogenities Determination in High Frequency Range
Authors: Faktorová Dagmar
Published: February 2025

The paper is devoted to dielectrics from more standpoints. A practical method for dielectric constant determination with fully unknown dielectric properties is given. Particular attention is paid to the influence of dielectric fillings in the crack in metals and the processes of defects detection in dielectrics and metals are compared. The ability of microwaves to detect a conductive object under the dielectric surface has been demonstrated by a practical example.
Terahertz Time Domain Inspection of Composite Coatings for Corrosion Protection
Authors: Lopato Przemyslaw  , Chady Tomasz  , Rebello Joao M.A.
Published: February 2025

Terahertz radiation is sensitive to refractive index variations and is strongly reflected by conducting objects, thus it is an effective tool in nondestructive evaluation of protective coatings of steel. In this work a composite material consisting of a paint layer, polymeric layer, ceramic layer and a steel plate in its interior was examined. Typical applications are: storage tanks for petroleum, diesel, aviation fuel, diesel, crude oil, salt water, gasoline, alcohol, process and transport of chemical products, platforms and offshore structures, electrolytic cells, anodizing lines, stations water and wastewater treatment, water tanks in the chemical, petrochemical and chlorine-alkali plants. Evaluated test specimen contains manufacturing flaws in the metal/ceramic layer interface. Because of multilayered structure of the coatings, time domain measurements with very short THz pulse duration ( 20 ps) were utilized in presented experiments. Defects were detected by reflection imaging based on pulsed terahertz TDS (Time Domain Spectroscopy). Selected THz B-scans in case of non-defected and defected area are shown. Dedicated defects detection algorithm is proposed and verified. Results achieved during terahertz inspection are compared with those obtained using active thermography.
Detection of CFRP's degradation through electromagnetic procedures
Authors: Serghiac Bogdan  , Salavastru Daniel Petrica  , Barsanescu Paul Doru  , Savin Adriana  , Steigmann Rozina  , Grimberg Raimond
Published: February 2025

Carbon fiber reinforced plastics, due their average electrical conductivity of the reinforcement, can be nondestructively evaluated by electromagnetic procedures. In the case of reinforcement from carbon fibers woven, to improve the spatial resolution of the image of the conductivity, we propose the using of a circularly aperture, very small, placed at short distance from the surface to be controlled that can diffracts the evanescent waves. By this procedure, the image of the reinforcement woven is observed, the delamination due impact with low energy being clearly distinguished.
Semi-Discrete Time-Domain Sensitivity Analysis For Cracks Recognition
Authors: Gawrylczyk Konstanty M.
Published: February 2025

Semi-discrete method is known since 80's of XXthcentury. The method provides analytical solution in time, so the time-stepping may be omitted. Comparing to usual finite elements method in time, this method seems not to be numerically effective, because produced matrices are dense. Because of this reason, it was rather rarely used. However to carry out sensitivity analysis with adjoint models [1] solutions in forward and backward time have to be obtained. Both time points should coincide. For space discretization finite elements are used, as usual. The semi-discrete method allows to determine analytically the continuous solution for any given time of analysis. In this paper evaluation of this method for different kinds of excitation shapes is presented. The sensitivity analysis is applied for inverse task of recognition of conductivity distribution in non-destructive testing of materials using eddy-currents.
Key Dimensions of Client Satisfaction with Assistive Technology: A Cross-validation of a Canadian Measure in The Netherlands
Authors: Demers Louise  , Wessels Roelof  , Weiss-Lambrou Rhoda  , Ska Bernadette  , De Witte Luc P.
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this study was to conduct a cross-validation of the bidimensional structure of a satisfaction measure with assistive technology. Data were drawn from a follow-up study of 243 subjects who had been administered the Dutch version of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology (QUEST). Ratings related to 12 satisfaction items were analysed. Factor analysis results showed that the underlying structure of satisfaction with assistive technology consists of two dimensions related to assistive technology, Device (eight items) and Services (four items), accounting for 40% of the common variance. This finding was consistent with a previous Canadian study and was interpreted as supporting the adequacy and stability of the QUEST measure of satisfaction. Although the structure is delineated, further studies are recommended to support its use in European countries.
Overview of the FRR Project; Designing the Toilet of the Future
Authors: Molenbroek Johan F.M.  , De Bruin Renate
Published: February 2025

Although the topic still is surrounded by taboos in our modern society, the toilet area recently is becoming more and more subject of study and even redesign. The objective of the EU funded project ‘Friendly Rest Room’ (2002-2005) was to provide recommendations for improving the toilet area, in particular focussing on the special needs of elderly and disabled, by performing several user studies and exploring the potential of assistive technologies. The 10 project partners from 8 different European countries assured as well a multidisciplinary as multicultural vision on the subject matter. This chapter describes the approach that was chosen and in more detail the different ergonomic user studies that were performed. Problems and experiences with regards to ethics and cultural differences will be discussed. The results are presented in a basic list of user problems and illustrated by the first product development steps of the ‘toilet of the future’.
Design of Seat Mechanism for Multi-posture controllable Wheelchair
Authors: Bae Ju-hwan  , Moon Inhyuk
Published: February 2025

This paper proposes a design of seat mechanism for multi-posture-controllable wheelchair to change seating posture into standing, reclining, tilting and elevation. The seat is designed based on a link mechanism including linear actuator and kinematics analysis. To control the multi-postures, we designed a Proportional–Integral–Derivative (PID)-based position and speed controller. In addition a motion planner is introduced to generate an available new posture. Simulation results showed that the designed seat mechanism and its motion planner are effective in developing the multi-postures-controllable wheelchair.
Development of a Video Game Control Interface for PMD
Authors: Takahashi Yoshiyuki  , Takagi Motoki  , Kayano Yukie  , Yoneda Ikuo  , Shigenari Takeshi
Published: February 2025

Game controllers for persons with progressive muscular dystrophy have recently been developed. This controller is for the users who cannot press the command buttons on the standard video game controllers. When the user selects the command from the virtual controller on the personal computer by using the mouse, the controller operates the video game controller for the user. This controller consists of the user interface software which works on the PC as a virtual game controller and a signal control unit which emulates pressing buttons of the video game controller electrically. The game controller we developed is now in use and we have received positive feedback
A proposal for the systematic development of standards on assistive products
Authors: Ebitani Katsushi  , Tanaka Shigeru  , members of NITE technical committee on assistive products
Published: February 2025

In Japan, because of rapid change in population structure and relevant policies, there is a growing demand for providing Assistive Products (APs) and establishing standards for these APs to ensure their safety and/or reliability. This creates a big challenge. Currently, the numbers of APs registered on a popular AP related website (Association for Technical Aids) totaled 7000, and the categories or types of AP number about 700. Therefore, even if we can develop 10 standards a year, we still need 70 years to develop corresponding standards, which will not meet our needs, nor is this deadline reasonable. To resolve this problem, we investigated to determine if there are a limited number of common functions in these 700 APs. We, then, found about 80 common functions. Thus, if we can develop 80 elemental common standards corresponding to these common functions, it seems to be possible to systematically develop any AP standard in combination with the elemental common standards selected.
Switch Adaptation to Children with Cerebral Palsy Based on Three-Axis Acceleration Analysis
Authors: Hirotomi Tetsuya  , Kawatani Yoshihito
Published: February 2025

The use of switches is a basis for many types of daily activities of living for people with physical disabilities. A successful switch adaptation is a key determinant of Quality of Life. However, the adaptation requires that clinicians, rehabilitation engineers, and caregivers have broad knowledge and experience on, for example, positioning, motor skills, and hardware and software issues related to switches. In this paper, we present an adaptation approach based on a quantitative measure. In this approach, a three-axis acceleration sensor is attached to a body part where voluntary movement is observed. To transform the motions into corresponding switch operations, we have defined “rest,” “activation,” and “in action” states. The standard deviations of acceleration are used to classify these states with a predefined threshold. The effectiveness of our approach was examined through a case study with a child with cerebral palsy who could not use conventional switches well because of his unstable upper limb motions.
The Development of Straight-Ahead System of Power Wheelchair on a Slope
Authors: Ohara Makoto  , Tamaki Hisashi  , Hashizume Tsutomu  , Omori Kiyohiro  , Nagayoshi Masato
Published: February 2025

A user of a power wheelchair usually utilizes a joystick as an input device. However, when one cannot manipulate a joystick due to some kind of physical disability, an input device of the simple switch type replaces the joystick. The switching device is, in general, more inconvenient to use than the joystick, (e.g., when completing turnabout actions). Specifically, it causes one crucial problem when crossing a slope, where the user has to operate the switch more frequently so that the wheelchair continues to go straight. Therefore, a series of operations of the switch may put a strain on the user. This research aims to reduce the user's strain of operations on a slope, and proposes a support system which assists a user for driving a power wheelchair to go straight ahead on a slope by using a simple switching operation. Through the experiments with a prototype system, the effectiveness and the applicability of the proposed system have been confirmed.
Overview and Future Prospect of the “Flying Wheelchair”
Authors: Ohnabe Hisaichi  , Sugimoto Hiroshi  , Inoue Koji  , Akiyama Kouichi  , Morioka Keiji  , Yazawa Akira
Published: February 2025

The flying wheelchair project was started in the Tochigi Technical Senior High School in 1990 and has since spread to other technical senior high schools. The aim of the project is to provide upgraded wheelchairs to Asian countries, for use by students. This paper describes the overview of International Voluntary Activity by Japan and Korea since 1990 and the future activities' prospect on this matter.
Human Security: Population Well-Being as a Path to Global Security
Authors: Iqbal Zaryab
Published: February 2025

The traditional notion of national and international security as basically avoiding war between and preventing invasion of/by other states has, perforce, been superseded in recent years. In the post-Cold War period ‘human security’ has become extremely important, particularly since 9/11, and in light of subsequent Islamist attacks on the West. To provide all human beings with such personal ‘securities’ as a secure food supply, human and civil rights, a clean and safe environment, etc.. has become recognised both by researchers in the field and by international bodies such as the UN as of paramount importance. A more integrated approach to studying this area is required to achieve the desired results of integrated security- i.e. from the human to the international level.
Sustainable Global Security
Authors: Al-Rodhan Nayef
Published: February 2025

There are five inter-related dimensions to global security. Unless all of them are attended to security will not ensue. Human nature is moulded by three factors, only one of which- ‘amorality’- can realistically be shaped for the better. Ten non-traditional areas of further research are adduced.
The Islamic Movement in Algeria: A Socio-Historical Approach
Authors: Zoubir Arous
Published: February 2025

Algeria is a state where Islamism has been culturally dominant for several decades. It began as a feature of the nationalist movement that grew up to resist French colonialism. (It is not, as is sometimes claimed, due to foreign influences.) From 1989 onwards Islamism has been politically dominant too, and this has resulted in both legal and extra-legal attempts to stymie research into the sociological aspects of religion in the country since the government sees such work as ‘un-Islamic’. Such a climate does, of course, make academic study in this area very difficult.
Nuclear Medicine Diagnostic Techniques in the Era of Pathophysiology-Based CSF Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Weih Markus  , Degirmenci Ümüt  , Kreil Sebastian  , Suttner Gerald  , Schmidt Daniela  , Kornhuber Johannes  , Lewczuk Piotr  , Kuwert Torsten
Published: February 2025

Nuclear medicine techniques were the first functional imaging techniques used to support the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Perfusion-SPECT allows registration of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) which is altered in a characteristic temporal-parietal pattern in AD. Numerous studies have shown the diagnostic value of reduced CBF and metabolic changes using perfusion-SPECT and FDG-PET in AD diagnosis as well as in differential diagnosis against frontotemporal dementia (FTD), dementia with Lewy-Bodies (DLB), and vascular cognitive disorders. This renders perfusion-SPECT an important piece of the puzzle (together with other diagnostic tests) by the clinician is often faced when making a final etiologic dementia diagnosis especially between AD and FTD. A similar diagnostic value can be expected when arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI sequence is used, but the diagnostic value has yet to be confirmed in lager studies. Recently, more pathophysiology-based biomarkers in CSF and Amyloid-PET tracers have been developed that probably have a higher diagnostic accuracy than the more indirect rCBF changes seen in perfusion-SPECT. In the current review, we describe recent advances in AD biomarkers as well as improvements in the SPECT technique.
Evaluation and Tracking of Alzheimer's Disease Severity Using Resting-State Magnetoencephalography
Authors: Verdoorn Todd A.  , McCarten J. Riley  , Arcienegas David B.  , Golden Richard  , Moldauer Leslie  , Georgopoulos Apostolos  , Lewis Scott  , Cassano Michael  , Hemmy Laura  , Orr William  , Rojas Donald C.
Published: February 2025

We have conducted multicenter clinical studies in which brain function was evaluated with brief, resting-state magnetoencephalography (MEG) scans. A study cohort of 117 AD patients and 123 elderly cognitively normal volunteers was recruited from community neurology clinics in Denver, Colorado and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Each subject was evaluated through neurological examination, medical history, and a modest battery of standard neuropsychological tests. Brain function was measured by a one-minute, resting-state, eyes-open MEG scan. Cross-sectional analysis of MEG scans revealed global changes in the distribution of relative spectral power (centroid frequency of healthy subjects = 8.24 ± 0.2 Hz and AD patients = 6.78 ± 0.25 Hz) indicative of generalized slowing of brain signaling. Functional connectivity patterns were measured using the synchronous neural interactions (SNI) test, which showed a global increase in the strength of functional connectivity (cO2value of healthy subjects = 0.059 ± 0.0007 versus AD patients = 0.066 ± 0.001) associated with AD. The largest magnitude disease-associated changes were localized to sensors near posterior and lateral cortical regions. Part of the cohort (31 AD and 46 cognitively normal) was evaluated in an identical fashion approximately 10 months after the first assessments. Follow-up scans revealed multiple MEG scan features that correlated significantly with changes in neuropsychological test scores. Linear combinations of these MEG scan features generated an accurate multivariate model of disease progression over 10 months. Our results demonstrate the utility of brief resting-state tests based on MEG. The non-invasive, rapid and convenient nature of these scans offers a new tool for translational AD research and early phase development of novel treatments for AD.
The Spiritual Machine
Authors: Wu Hsuan-Yi  , Callaghan Vic
Published: February 2025

In this Science Fiction Prototype (SFP) we explore the evolving relationship between technology and people. We do this by considering what may seem to be two irreconcilable aspirations of the human condition; the desire for utilizing ever increasingly sophisticated technology in our life whilst at the same time preserving the spiritual values that make us human. Superficially it would seem that these two forces in our life are pulling us in opposite directions. Can the forces of technology and spirituality be balanced in modern life? To investigate this issue we invent a future in which nano-computing technology is available for sale in many forms. One form is smart-paint called “iSkin” which, when painted on surfaces, turns them into interactive multi-media mediums. The characters in this story use this “magical” paint to create an immersive reality environment, the “WonderHome” in which reality and virtuality become confused in an intoxicating mix of sensory experiences that causes a madness known as “Obsessive-Compulsive Technophilia Disorder (OCTD)”. In the story a cure to this emerges in the form of the ancient Chinese practice of Chan, a form of Buddhism.
The End of Hearing
Authors: Kultys Marek
Published: February 2025

This science-fiction prototype comprises two stories discussing potential futures of human hearing. The stories focus on the potential consequences of two speculative factors affecting human behaviour and societies: 1) sound conditioning technology, and 2) the mass hearing impairment. The stories will also be presented in a gallery space by means of the communicating arts: a prototype, moving image and a performance. By confronting the science-fiction prototype with the public, a possibility of educating the audience and collecting feedback is identified. This feedback can be used to inform scientific research and product design in the future.
The Magician's Assistant
Authors: Tassini Kevin
Published: February 2025

This is a science fiction story that describes a world in the not-too-distant future in which context aware technologies, ubiquitous computing, and persuasive technologies are virtually everywhere. This world is navigated by a character of the utmost average credentials who, because he has lived in this technology-saturated world his whole life, does not really notice how much he relies on it. Throughout his day he and his colleagues rely on digital personal assistants who have over time learned more ore less every intricacy of their user's behavior. These digital assistants manage their user's work and social life to maximum efficiency and have become absolutely necessary in everything they do, which raises the question—what happens when they are absent?
Half a Century of Renovating
Authors: Scholz Markus  , Ding Yong  , Jakimovski Predrag  , Schmidtke Hedda R.
Published: February 2025

This story is set in a future 80 years from today. The protagonist, an elderly man who would have been a pensioner nowadays, is restoring an old building. While performing this pragmatic work he remembers the evolution of different kinds of technology from when he was a kid to when he grew up. In the course of painting his study, he thinks about research topics which are actively under investigation today such as wireless sensor networks, context and activity recognition, smart grid and smart energy, organic and printed electronics and wireless communication. Over the course of the story it is uncovered that technologies from the long gone age of wireless sensor networks still played an important role in this man's past; enabling the bundling of the visions behind aforementioned research into a single self-contained domain working unsupervised in the background, hidden from the human eye.
The Decadence of Mimetic Science: Against Nature 2.0
Authors: Hales Derek
Published: February 2025

This Science Fiction Prototype re-imagines the technologies of augmentation which seek to create a space “overlaid” onto our own with a ‘mixed’ reality. It is proposed that this can be seen as an attempt to build an unseen zone that is reminiscent of the aether worlds of the 19th and early 20th Century. Taking an aesthetic developed by the decadent author JK Huysmans to create a neo-decadent prototype braided with Huysman's own work this prototype initiates a discussion on the design of future sensuous sound objects as components of a hyperphysical interface to an artificial mind and its material and virtual counterparts.
Schrödinger's Notebook
Authors: Lee Clarissa Ai Ling
Published: February 2025

: The short story is a condensed and modified version of a novel of ideas that will be part of my dissertation. The protagonist, an experimental particle physicist, is sent on a mission to recover a hidden notebook supposedly belonging to Schrödinger (a ‘what-if’ fictive element) that will reveal how the latter had discovered the way for quantum behaviour to be inserted into the macroscopic world of lived-reality, therefore making probable conditions that are impossible under classical laws. Concepts and ideas within quantum physics are used to explore ethical and philosophical questions situated within a macro-human social rubric to instigate an investigation into the hermeneutics of realism. I hope to demonstrate, via the story, that knowledge production in scientific practices is about the exploration of different permutations of reality, and that play, a form of ludic methodology, is ritually performed in scientific work, such as in thought-experiments and ‘fictional’ modeling to reconstruct multiple worlds (extending beyond straightforward simulation).
Towards an Object Oriented Ambient Computing Model
Authors: Ananta Idham  , Callaghan Vic  , Chin Jeannette
Published: February 2025

As creative creatures, people like to change and customise their environments. In the computing world, this has led to a growing demand for people to be able to customise their ‘electronic spaces such personal computers and mobile phones’. In this work-in-progress paper, we argue that this reasoning can also be applied to AmI (Ambient Intelligence) Environment. However, existing computational models have significant shortcoming that act as a barrier to implementing the concept of end-user development in AmI environments. This paper presents a scenario that illustrates the need for a more functional and robust underlying computational model. We argue that OO (object-oriented) concepts could form the basis of such a system and, to these ends, present preliminary ideas for an object oriented end-user development system for building AmI applications.
Augmented Reality: A New Alternative for Education in Emerging Countries
Authors: Reyes Marcos  , Zamudio Victor  , Baltazar Rosario  , Lino Carlos
Published: February 2025

Augmented reality has been successfully used in different domains such as marketing, architecture, and medicine, among others. In this project augmented reality is taking into account as a viable educational strategy in order to teach different science related subjects such as physics and mathematics. Other technology tools have been explored in Mexico's public schools such as interactive whiteboards, multimedia-based information (enciclomedia), and recently competency development. In this ongoing research we analyze the main catalysts for this process, adequate for the Mexican reality.
Facilitating Access to Educational Content through Smarter Educational Environments
Authors: Reilly Lewis  , Delaney Leam  , Augusto Juan C.  , Kennedy John  , Hutchison Malcom
Published: February 2025

This paper reports on a system that allow people to access content in a Library using voice to browse for the content available. Instead of using keyboard and mouse to select options and introduce words that are then used to search for related content in the digital indexes of the library, the user can speak out the words to the system. Once the system has retrieved content, the system allows the user to refine the search by voice.
Scientific Theatre: Multidisciplinary Approach to Designing Intelligent Environments
Authors: Kovalchuk Yevgeniya
Published: February 2025

This paper explores several ways in which artistic and scientific approaches can be combined in order to assist in developing intelligent environments of the future. People use art to express themselves and to communicate their ideas and information, as well as understand the world around. For these purposes, people also use science and technology. Interactive media, virtual environments, computer games are there to facilitate human interaction with the space, its inhabitants, and artifacts, for people to eventually understand themselves better. The same process happens in the theatre – the term that is used in this paper to symbolize any form of interactive art. By applying scientific approaches to theatrical practices, we can study how people interact with and within their surrounding space. This knowledge can help us to design better intelligent environments, being them a classroom, home or working space. Among other functionality the art-science symbiosis can provide, this paper explores the potential of applying the concept of scientific theatre to advance design of (i) learning, (ii) research and development, and (iii) healthcare environments. In addition to discussing applications of the theatre in each of the three areas and outlining the latest achievements in a number of related disciplines, the paper also details the multidisciplinary research in progress that is used here as an example of methodological approach to studying human interactions with and within an environment. More specifically, exploiting the idea that the body and mind interact, the research studies how performing, imagining, and observing movement (all being involved in the theatre) can assist in supporting health and treating both mental and physical disorders. It is based on a number of methods and techniques from neuroscience, biomechanics, movement therapy, artificial intelligence, and several other areas of research as discussed in the paper.
Mobile Device Augmentation for Interactive Environments
Authors: Benatan Matthew  , Symonds Ian  , Ng Kia
Published: February 2025

This paper presents the design and development of a portable motion control system for virtual instrument interaction in real space. The system augments existing mobile device technology, utilizing ultrasonic transducers and software processing to provide a local motion tracking mechanism. This has been achieved through a multi-sensory approach; combining an ultrasonic positioning setup with three dimensional accelerometer sensors. The design offers a comprehensive, portable gesture control interface capable of expanding the options for user interaction in a range of environments. To demonstrate this technology, a virtual xylophone application has been developed as a case study. The case study utilizes the features of the technology to enable the user to interact with virtual instruments in real space wherever they go – even whilst on the move, thus breaking the boundaries to which many virtual instruments are traditionally confined.
Ambient Intelligence at Workplaces: Where Are the Problems?
Authors: Mikulecký Peter
Published: February 2025

In the paper an overview of some recent known activities related to the smart offices area is provided. However, as office environment is just a special type of more generally understood notion of smart workplace, we try to map some groups of initiatives related to the concept of smart workplace. Some contemplations and ideas are presented about various possibilities of AmI approaches application at different types of workplaces. A couple of recent results of our research group at the University of Hradec Kralove are presented shortly.
Ontologies for meeting contents awareness - MTO and IGMTO
Authors: Freitas Carlos Filipe  , Martins Helio  , Barroso João  , Ramos Carlos
Published: February 2025

In this article we will discuss that the Intelligent or Smart Meeting Rooms (SMR) spaces will have to understand what is going in the meetings and even what participants are discussing. In this way we believe it is possible to supply intelligent feedback. In order to fill this gap we came to propose an extensible Meeting Task Ontology (MTO) that is able to represent in detail what knowledge is present in Meetings for group decision-making. We also propose an extension to this ontology, the IGMTO ontology, that specifically focuses on the knowledge present in the Idea Generation (IG) Process. We believe that the Idea Generation process modeled with these two ontologies, who provide a link between the ideas and problems of a meeting to a domain ontology, it will be possible to give awareness of meeting contents to a SMR space.
Objective Measurement of Ambient Intelligence Influence on Decision Support in Smart Offices
Authors: Aly Shady  , Vrana Ivan
Published: February 2025

The relationship between ambient intelligence (AmI) and the functional performance of people and system is still on question that need to be answered. Particularly, this article addresses the quantification of the influence of AmI features and attributes on the performance of managerial decision support. The article structures such relationship, and then proposes a Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchical Process (Fuzzy-AHP) model for measuring that vague influence of AmI on the managerial decision support system at the workplace. This eventually can help mapping the important AmI features into respective AmI enabling technologies.
Smart Photo Frame for Arousal Feedback
Authors: Ansems Kimmy  , Chen Wei  , Brown Lindsay
Published: February 2025

The fast economy and technology development as well as the competitive markets nowadays results in high expectation on performance of employees in companies. Therefore, a working environment which can take care of the wellbeing of employees is important for an employee to stay healthy, enjoy his / her work and be able to develop himself / herself. In this paper we propose and demonstrate a design of a feedback system for body worn wireless sensors to be used in wireless emotion monitoring. Wireless sensors developed by Holst Centre IMEC NL has are applied to monitor physiological signals related to emotions. A prototype, the Smart Photo Frame has been made as the feedback device. This device provides employees feedback on the emotional arousal status in real-time, in an effort towards reducing work-related stressful states through positive calming. The feedback system is designed to be subtle in an office related environment. The prototype demonstrates the design concept and enables users to interact.
The Information System in Ruby on Rails for E-learning 2.0
Authors: Olševiˇc Kamila
Published: February 2025

The analysis of students' experiences with current e-learning applications showed that the generation of digital natives has specific needs and requirements related to learning management systems. In correspondence with the idea of Web 2.0, the virtual education environments have to involve social software to establish the digital learning workplace. The objective of the paper is to summarize the overview of Web 2.0 inspirations for e-learning 2.0 and e-pedagogy and to present an innovative e-learning information system CouLe (Courses and Lectures). The system was developed to become a piece in the puzzle of e-learning technologies accessed by teachers and learners. The architecture of CouLe is described and its implementation in RoR (Ruby on Rails) web-based framework is mentioned.
Recognition of Walking Activities Using Wireless Inertial and Orientation Sensors: A Performance Evaluation
Authors: Yalcin Cagri  , Marin-Perianu Mihai  , Marin-Perianu Raluca  , Havinga Paul
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we evaluate experimentally several methods for recognizing walking activities using on-body wireless nodes equipped with inertial and orientation sensors. The walking activities (walking on flat surfaces, uphill and downhill, upstairs and downstairs) are selected by healthcare experts as being relevant for elderly patients suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). We target specifically recognition methods that operate with time-domain features only, due to the limitations of sensor nodes in terms of computational power, memory and energy. The results show that among all sensors the compass sensor performs best regardless of the classification method. Both the compass and gyroscope sensors outperform significantly the accelerometer sensor, which is typically used in previous related work. The best trade-off in performance vs. time complexity is obtained by fusing the gyroscope and compass information, with an overall accuracy of 91%.
A Pervasive Assistant for Hospital Staff
Authors: Dingli Alexiei  , Abela Charlie  , D'Ambrogio Ilenia
Published: February 2025

Owing to the increasing population health needs, the ratio of nurses and doctors to patients keeps diminishing, yet the quality in healthcare services is expected to rise. PINATA seeks to tackle this matter through the merging of Ambient Intelligence (AmI) and semantic web technologies. The quality of healthcare services is enhanced by the use of pervasive devices to help doctors and nurses to concentrate on the patient. In this paper we discuss similar AmI system architectures; sum up the physical and logical design of PINATA; give details of the knowledgebase modelled in RDF/S and the ontologies designed for components of interest, including resources and context-related notions. An additional set of classes and properties amalgamate these individual models into an associated, context-rich data model. The presented results were based on a number of tests done and are very promising.
Evaluation of Ontologies for the Ambient Assisted Living Domain
Authors: O'Brien Andrea  , Mac Ruairí Rónán
Published: February 2025

The requirements of the Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) domain are varied, and are known to significantly evolve throughout the aging process. Consequently, technological solutions that aim to provide support within this domain need to be adaptable. Although much technology exists in the domain of aging in place, much research has been developed disjointedly: without any consideration for device interoperability—a key requirement for enabling flexible solutions which adapt to these changing requirements. In this paper we investigate current ontologies to determine whether any individual ontology caters for the requirements of the AAL domain.
War Head Injuries in Sieged Sarajevo
Authors: Dizdarevic Kemal  , Hamdan Alhafidz  , Jurisic Josip  , Custovic Kemal
Published: February 2025

Objective: We aimed to analyze the penetrating war head injuries in sieged Sarajevo during the first part of Bosnian war and to present our operative strategies in treatment of patients. Method and patients: We conducted a retrospective study of injured patients in sieged Sarajevo during the first two years of the Bosnian war (April 1992-July 1994) using a review of the hospital data. Our typical surgical strategy was craniectomy with reduced debridement of the brain injury without search and removal of the deep intracranial foreign fragments. In 34% of cases, operation was performed based only on clinical examination due to lack of electricity in the sieged city. Results: A total of 1,728 neurosurgical injured patients were admitted to our department from the region of central Sarajevo (361,179 inhabitants) with an almost equal divide of civilians and military personnel. Eighty-four percent of patients were admitted within 3 hours of injury and operated without any delay. Diagnosis was largely dependent on clinical examination (35% of cases) and plain radiography (47%). Computed tomography scan was only used 18% of the time due to lack of availability. The majority of neurosurgical injuries were head injuries (80%). Spine injuries comprised only 6% patients and peripheral nerve injuries 14%. Over 80% of head-injured patients had a penetrating injury. The patients with head injuries were operated on in 70% of the cases. Mortality of patients that were operated on with head injuries was 13.3%. The number of severely brain-injured patients with Glascow Coma Scale (GCS) 3 and GCS 4 who died were 143 (35%) and 122 (30%) respectively, giving a total of 265. The GCS 4 patients were operated on only in the case that compressive intracranial haematomas had been detected. A total mortality of the patients with head injury was 30%. Over 60% of injured patients who died were under 50 years old. The most common cause of death were excessive penetrating brain injury (85%) caused by high velocity missiles. Metal grenade fragments were the cause of injury in 73% of cases. Good outcome without any focal neurological deficit was found in 42.6% of all patients with head injuries. Conclusion: Our noninvasive early neurosurgical operative approach in the form of intracranial haematomas evacuation and reduced brain debridment without search for deep intracranial foreign bodies resulted in an acceptable treatment outcome during the Bosnian war.
Loneliness and Emptiness - Reorientation Syndrome after Traumatic Brain Injury Mechanism: Access and Solutions to This Underestimated Problem After Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Steinhoff Nikolaus
Published: February 2025

A brain undergoing Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) suffers damage to almost all areas, and the pattern of lesions reflects the forces on the skull at the moment of the trauma; different symptoms result after every single trauma. The common problem for those afflicted by TBI is how to overcome the sudden change in emotions and how to accept their new situation with memories in the body still corresponding to the time before the accident. Members of the Austrian Association of TBI suffering from TBI were questioned concerning their situation after TBI. The change in life affects personal capacities, family and work relationships, ability to work, and financial/social situation and results in a change in relationships with key people in their life. The burden of change is more important if the person was previously a strong, body-oriented person who had to define himself through a hierarchic system, e.g. military organisation. The TBI patient may feel a resulting emptiness in their life, inside and out, and has to reorient himself with a reduced brain capacity. Most people, the injured and families alike, feel a sense of loneliness after TBI. Caregivers and case managers are not skilled enough to deal with emptiness, reorientation, the mourning process and the issue of responsibilities resulting from medical, therapeutic and social consequences after TBI. Reorientation Syndrome is a considerable condition after each TBI that has to be respected to understand how to help TBI patients and their families successfully reintegrate into a functional life after TBI.